Full text of Monthly Labor Review : July 1932, Volume 35, Number 1

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
W . N. DOAK, Secretary

BUREA U O F LABOR STATISTICS
CHARLES E. BALDWIN, Acting Commissioner

ifilfiW

.AZOO PUBLIC U ^ RY

JUL 27 1932

MONTHLY

LABOR REVIEW
VO LU M E 35

N U M BER 1

JU L Y , 1932

UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1932

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C.
Subscription price per year: United States, Canada, Mexico, $1.50; Other Countries, $2.25


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C E R T IF IC A T E
This publication is issued pursuant to the
provisions of the sundry civil act (41 Stats.
1430) approved March 4, 1921.

Contents
Special articles:

Page

Recreational facilities provided by park systems in the United States.
Productivity and labor displacement in private-wire systems_______

1
9

Employment conditions and unemployment relief :

Unemployment insurance plan of National Electrical Manufacturers’
Association__________________________________________________
Unemployment in foreign countries______________________________

22
27

Industrial and labor conditions :

International Labor Conference, 1932------------------------------------------Pennsylvania— Domestic service in Philadelphia homes____________

32
33

Women in industry:

Wage-earning women and the industrial conditions of 1930________
China— Conditions in straw-hat manufacture in Chekiang--------------Latvia— Woman and child labor____________________________

36
37
38

Retirement and pension plans :

Administration of old-age pension laws in the United States________
New Jersey— Results of study of retirement systems for public em­
ployees______________________________________________________
California— Old-age pension law_________________________________
Great Britain— Municipal housing for the aged------------------------------

40
46
48
52

Insurance and benefit plans:

Group insurance_______________________________________________
Canadian trade-union benefits, 1931---------------------------------------------

53
56

Health and industrial hygiene :

Nitrocellulose lacquers and their hazards_________________________
Cadmium poisoning____________________________________________
Effects of prolonged exposure to sulphur dioxide---------------------------Alsace-Lorraine— Effect of sickness insurance upon mortality rates.

57
58
61
63

Industrial accidents :

Regulation of employment of minors in hazardous trad es..------------Pennsylvania safety conference__________________________________

64 .
65

Labor laws :

Anti-injunction laws in labor disputes------------------------------------------Michigan law prohibiting employment of certain aliens-------------------

66
88

Workmen’s compensation:

Montana— Injury constitutes “ sickness” within hospitalization
contract, although not compensable-----------------------------------------New Jersey— Double compensation awarded for illegally employed
minor, notwithstanding recovery of judgment----------------------------New York— Medical and hospital problems of workmen’s compensa­
tion_________________________________________________________
Great Britain— Mule spinners’ cancer made compensable--------------Recent workmen’s compensation re p o rtsMaryland_________________________________________________
New York_________________________________________________
West Virginia________________________________________________
Wisconsin___________________________________________________
Ontario___________________________________________________

89
90
92
93
94
95
96
97
98

Labor agreements, awards, and decisions:

Decision of arbitrator in newspaper industry, Syracuse, N. Y ---------100
Recent decisions of the Industrial Commission of Colorado---------------101
Labor organizations:

Canada—-Membership of labor organizations, 1931--------------------------Japan— Annual congress of Federation of Labor------------------------------
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CO NTEN TS

Family allowances:
London conference on family allowances__________________________
Workers’ education, training, and placement:
Scientific placement of the handicapped__________________________
Rehabilitation of the unemployed in a small city__________________
Cooperation:
Sales of consumers’ cooperative societies in 1931__________________
Development of International Cooperative Alliance, 1929 and 1930. _
Palestine— Cooperative marketing of agricultural products_________
Industrial disputes:
Strikes and lockouts in the United States in May, 1932____________
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in May, 1932_______
Housing:
Building permits in principal cities, May, 1932____________________
Germany— Steel dwellings for the unemployed____________________
Wages and hours of labor:
Wages and hours of labor in motor-vehicle repair garages, 1931____
Wages and hours of labor in cotton-goods manufacturing, 1932_____
Wages and hours of labor of union barbers in the United States, April,
1932________________________________________________________
Wage-rate changes in American industries________________'_______
Wage changes reported by trade-unions since March, 1932_________
Salaries in city school systems, 1930-31__________________________
New York— Salaries of clerical workers in New York City_________
Germany— Production and wages in the iron and steel industry, by
Fritz Hummer_______________________________________________
Portugal— General survey of wages, 1 9 3 1 ...______________________
Spain— General survey of wages in 1931__________________________
Trend of employment:
Summary for May, 1932________________________________________
Employment in selected manufacturing industries in May, 1932____
Employment in nonmanufacturing industriesin May, 1932_________
Trend of employment in May, 1932, by States____________________
Employment and pay roll in May, 1932, in cities of over 500,000
population___________________________________________________
Employment in executive civil service of the United States, May,
1932________________________________________________________
Employment in building construction in May, 1932_______________
Employment on Class I steam railroads in the United States______
Retail prices:
Retail prices of food in May, 1932_______________________________
Retail prices of coal in May, 1932________________________________
Wholesale prices:
Index numbers of wholesale prices, May, 1932____________________
Cost of living:
Budget for dependent families or children________________________
Germany— Cost of living of working-class families________________
Immigration and emigration:
Statistics of immigration for April, 1932__________________________
Publications relating to labor:
Official— United States__________________________________________
Official— Foreign countries______________________________________
Unofficial. _____________________________________________________


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143
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This Issue in Brief
Provision o f 'public recreation facilities in the United States lias been
receiving increased attention during recent years, largely as a result
of the increased leisure resulting from shortened working hours and,
recently, from unemployment. An article on page 1 summarizes the
results of a survey of the recreational facilities provided by the park
systems of the United States.
The effect o f the use o f the dial telephone in private telephone exchanges
and o f the printer telegraph on private circuits o f various kinds is the
subject of a study ju st completed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The importance of private telephone exchanges is shown by the fact
that they employed in 1931 about 145,000 operators. The number
is being materially restricted by the extension of the dial system. The
printer telegraph on private circuits is reducing the number of office
employees, such as clerks and stenographers, as well as the number of
telegraph and telephone operators (p. 9).
The first definite attempt o f an entire industry to protect its employees
from the effects o f unemployment is found in the recently adopted un­
employment insurance plan of the National Electrical Manufac­
turers’ Association. There are 300 member companies which manu­
facture from 85 to 90 per cent of the total electrical product of the
country and employ between two and three hundred thousand per­
sons. The adoption of the plan by any company depends upon a
favorable vote of at least 60 per cent of the eligible employees, and it
is hoped that eventually all of these companies will be brought under
the plan (p. 22).
Average earnings per hour in the cotton-goods manufacturing industry
in the early part o f 1932 amounted to 26.6 cents as against 32.5 cents in
1930, a decrease of approximately 6 cents. Average full-time hours
per week in 1932 were the same as in 1930, namely, 53.4. Further
details, by occupation, sex, etc., are contained in a summary of a recent
study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, given on page 150.
Hourly earnings o f employees in motor-vehicle repair garages in 1931
averaged 57.9 cents, according to a survey made by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Full-time hours per week averaged 53.4 and average full­
time weekly earnings amounted to $30.92. These figures^ are for
males only, practically no females being employed in this industry
(p. 143).
The prevailing wage scales o f union barbers in a number o f cities are
given in an article on page 156. No summary statements are possible
owing to the existence of several systems of compensation. In many
instances barbers are paid a guaranteed weekly rate of wages and in
addition to this receive a specified percentage of their receipts over a
stated amount; others are paid a fiat weekly rate; and still others
work entirely on a percentage-of-receipts basis.

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THIS ISSUE IN BRIEF

The Federal anti-injunction law approved by the President on M arch
23, 1932, declares that antiunion contracts, commonly called “ yellowdog’’ contracts, are void and against public policy; this law also limits
the jurisdiction of Federal equitj^ courts in granting injunctions in
labor disputes. Twelve States have enacted laws somewhat similar
to the Federal anti-injunction law. Five of these laws prohibit anti­
union contracts, while the anti-injunction feature is covered by all.
The texts of these several laws and a general discussion of the history
and constitutionality of such legislation are given in an article on
page 66.
The employment o f certain aliens was regulated by the State o f M ichigan
during the 1931 session of its legislature. The law enacted dis­
qualifies any foreigner who obtained admission to the United States
illegally or any “ undesirable alien” from becoming a legal resident
of the State and engaging in business within the State. The law also
prohibits the employment of such persons by legal residents (p. 88).
Group insurance has had a tremendous growth since it was first insti­
tuted in 1911. The insurance in force at present amounts to approxi­
mately $10,000,000,000. Even during the present depression every
form of group insurance has maintained and increased its premium
income. During the past five years there has been a trend away from
the provision of straight-life insurance policies and the present ten­
dency is to provide coverages for group accident and health, acci­
dental death and dismemberment, and annuities. There is also a
tendency toward the adoption of plans in which the employees con­
tribute toward the insurance (p. 53.)
The development o f the extensive industrial use o f cadmium and its
compounds in recent years has called attention to its potential hazards.
A study of cadmium poisoning carried out at the Harvard School of
Public Health shows that exposure to cadmium oxide fume or dust
results in various pulmonary affections. In addition to its effects on
the lungs it also affects the liver and kidneys where it is stored and
from which it is eliminated very slowly (p. 58.)


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MONTHLY

LABOR REVI EW
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

vol.

35, n o .

i

WASHINGTON

ju l y

, 1932

R ecreatio n al F a cilitie s Provided by P ark S y stem s in th e U nited
S ta te s

H E enormous amount of leisure time, both voluntary and en­
forced, which the people of the Nation have to-day is creating a
problem of the greatest importance. Leaders in education, industry,
government, and other fields agree that this new leisure, if wisely
spent, presents a rich opportunity for individual happiness and devel­
opment. A great responsibility therefore rests upon the community
to provide both suitable training for the wise use of leisure and ade­
quate opportunities for enjoying and participating in wholesome
recreation activities.
The importance of the movement for the preservation and develop­
ment of park recreation areas, which has been in progress for many
years, has been receiving increasing recognition during recent years,
with the result that more and more emphasis is being laid upon the
provision and use of these facilities. A recent survey conducted by
the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Recreation Associa­
tion shows the accomplishments of the different types of communities
in the provision of park and recreation centers and in supplying the
special services and leadership which are necessary to make them
fully useful. This article summarizes certain of the results of this
survey, the full report being published as Bulletin No. 565 of the
bureau.1
Land permanently dedicated to park use is essential to a wellbalanced outdoor community recreation program. A large percent­
age of the public outdoor recreation facilities in American cities to-day
is provided by public park and recreation departments.
Although the park movement has undergone many changes, there
is probably no other respect in which the present-day park system
differs more widely from that of earlier years than in the type and
scope of its service to the people. The first parks were for passive
and semipassive forms of recreation; to-day they are also used for a
limitless variety of active recreation. The early attempts to provide
active play facilities were to meet the needs of children; to-day a
large percentage of these facilities is for young people and adults.
Little or no attempt was formerly made to encourage or organize
groups to use the parks, whereas to-day many of the clubs, leagues,
and other groups using the parks are organized by the park depart-

T

1 U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No, 565: Park recreation areas in the United States, 1930.
ington, 1932,


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ment. In the early days recreational leadership in the parks was
unknown; to-day it is the basis for most of the organized recreation
service. Formerly the park offered landscape beauty, band concerts,
floral displays, and other attractions; to-day it offers these and in
addition opportunities for participation in singing, playing baseball
or golf, dancing, skating, painting, swimming, etc. Not so many
years ago the park season lasted only a few months; in recent years
the park has become a year-round recreation center. Even to-day
in many cities park authorities consider that their field of service is
limited to park properties; on the other hand, many park systems
provide recreation leadership and service throughout the entire city—
in schools, churches, and private property, as well as within the
parks. I t is largely because of these changes, many of which have
developed gradually, that the well-organized park department is
prepared to-day to make a vital contribution to the solution of the
leisure-time problem.
The importance of recreation in the life of the people and the com­
munity’s responsibility to provide recreation opportunities have been
recognized by leaders of commerce, industry, and labor. Studies of
industrial recreation conducted by the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics have revealed that many employers have furnished for their
employees both indoor and outdoor facilities for sports and recreation.
For the most part, however, employees participate in recreation activities^ sponsored by municipal park and recreation departments and
utilize the areas and facilities provided for community use.
The American Federation of Labor and many of its affiliated groups,
“ realizing that individual and social development is as much a matter
of having opportunity for recreation and education as it is of leisure,”
have given hearty indorsement to the movement for securing public
recreation facilities and centers under trained leadership.
“ Industry is generally alive to-day to the bearing recreational
opportunities have on the location of their factories,” wrote William
Butterworth, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the United
States. In the_ foreword of a handbook dealing with playgrounds
and recreation, issued by the chamber he states, “ The proper use of
leisure, through the development of adequate recreation, is one of the
most efficient means of securing our country’s future. Well-directed
play * * * makes for health; it raises the moral standard; it
develops leadership and fair play; it creates a proper sense of respon­
sibility and respect for authority; it makes for happiness, general
welfare, and good citizenship.”
Industrial and other labor groups are benefiting by the service
of park and recreation departments, not only through the use of
facilities and participation in the regular community programs, but
through special classes and activities provided for workers.
Recreation and Unemployment
I n t im e s of business depression it is often urged that municipal
appropriations for recreation service be reduced, and occasionally the
cry is raised that they should be eliminated. Fortunately officials in
most American cities to-day realize that the need for wholesome com­
munity recreation activities is increased and not decreased during such
periods, not only because of the greater amount of leisure but because

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PARK RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

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people out of work can not afford to indulge in various forms of
commercial amusements.
According to the 1930 Year Book of the National Recreation Asso­
ciation, expenditures for public recreation during the year were
$5,000,000 more than in any previous year, in spite of the fact that
1930 was a year of depression. Attendance reports from many cities
indicate that more people are using public parks, playgrounds, recrea­
tion centers, and other facilities at the present time than ever before.
The increase in the adult use indicates that people who are out of
work are turning to the municipal park and recreation agencies for
guidance in the use of their enforced hours of leisure.
One of the greatest contributions which parks have made and are
continuing to make in the present period of depression is the providing
of work opportunities for large numbers of “ relief workers.” There
is perhaps no type of municipal service in which it is possible to employ
to advantage as large numbers of unskilled workers as in improving
park properties. In dozens of cities funds raised for unemployment
have been used to employ men for this work. New York is an example
of such use of unemployment funds, valuable service having been
rendered in the parks of each borough.
Municipal Park Acreage, 1930
L and d ed icated p e rm a n e n tly to p a rk an d re c re a tio n use is a fu n d a ­
m e n ta l an d essen tial fa c to r in all p a rk se rv ice an d th e acq u isitio n of
p ro p erties is a p relim in a ry step to the estab lish in g of p a rk facilities
an d p ro g ram s.

A total area of 308,804.87 acres was reported in this study, repre­
senting the city-owned park properties in 898 communities of*5,000 or
more population. Some 250 communities which reported a total of
nearly 37,000 acres of parks in 1925-26 2 failed to submit information
for use in the present study. A conservative estimate of the munici­
pal park area in 1930 in towns and cities of more than 5,000 population
is therefore 350,000 acres. One hundred and seventy-four communities
do not have a single park, according to their officials.
Perhaps the most commonly accepted standard of park and recrea­
tion space for a city is that of 1 acre to each 100 population. Because
of the high cost of land in densely settled neighborhoods, many of
which were built up before the importance of providing parks was
recognized, most large cities fall far short of this standard. Minne­
apolis, however, with a population of 454,356, has an acre of parks
for each 90 people. Denver and Dallas, with 1 acre for each 23 and
42 people, respectively, are two other large cities with unusual park
areas, although in both much of the acreage is outside the city limits.
Several other cities of 100,000 or more inhabitants provide an acre of
parks for each 50 people or less, thereby exceeding by at least 100
per cent the standard of an acre for each 100 people.
Many communities of less than 10,000 people have as yet failed to
make any provision for parks and recreation areas. Nearly 28 per
cent of the 448 municipalities with 5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants sub­
mitting data in this study reported having no parks. I t is probable
that a large percentage of those failing to report also totally lack park
2 TJ. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 462: Park recreation areas in the United States.
ton, 1928.


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areas. Probably the school playgrounds in these communities pro­
vide some facilities for outdoor play and recreation, but there can be
little doubt th at there is a great need for added recreation areas in the
towns and small cities.
A study of the ratio of parks to population in cities of various sizes
reveals th at the greatest shortage of park space is in the largest cen­
ters. There is, however, no definite relationship between the size of
a city and the ratio of its park acreage to population.
Even though some cities are amply provided with parks, there are
few which are not lacking both in number of parks and in park acreage.
Often in the cities well provided with parks a major part of the acreage
is in large outlying properties and many of the densely settled neigh­
borhoods have no outdoor facilities for either active or passive recre­
ation. This need has been recognized in many cities during the last
five years, and many neighborhood areas have been acquired, often
at great expense.
One of the most striking and encouraging facts revealed in the
present study is the tremendous increase in municipal park acreage
since 1925.
An analysis of the recent acquisition of park lands shows that the
greatest progress has been in cities of from 25,000 to 50,000 population,
which group more than doubled its park acreage during the last five
years. The group of cities having from 10,000 to 25,000 inhabitants
showed a remarkable increase of 63 per cent. The smallest gain in
park acquisition was in the cities of from 500,000 to 1,000,000 and
from 5,000 to 10,000, each of which groups added only 15 per cent.
Although in many large cities population has increased faster than
park acreage during the last five years, it is significant th at in three
of the six largest cities in the country— New York, Chicago, and
Cleveland—park acquisitions have more than kept pace with popu­
lation growth.
Types of Park Properties
A l t h o u g h the total park acreage in a city is the simplest measure­
ment of the extent to which the city has provided parks, it does not
indicate the adequacy of the c ity ’s park system. A well-balanced
system requires not only ample park area but also a sufficient number
of properly located parks of various types providing a variety of uses.
Among the types of properties included in a well-balanced park
system are small in-town parks, children’s playgrounds, neighbor­
hood parks, neighborhood playfields, large parks, and parkways.
Authorities differ in their opinions as to the number, size, and dis­
tribution of the various types of areas comprising an adequate park
and recreation system. There is considerable agreement, however,
that a greater number of children’s playgrounds are needed than of
any other type, the next in number needed being the neighborhood
parks and the neighborhood playfields. M ost of the other kinds of
properties are likely to be few in number and their location dependent
upon local factors such as topography, transportation facilities, popu­
lation density, and the availability of suitable land and water areas.
The past five years have seen a great increase in the number of
cities providing parks outside their city limits. One hundred and
eighty-six cities report a total of 381 such parks as compared with 109
cities and 245 parks in 1925-26. Phoenix continues to lead with the
largest out-of-the-city park of 14,640 acres, and Denver follows with

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44 parks totaling nearly 11,000 acres. Seven cities report in excess of
2.000 acres in outside parks; while acreages of more than 1,000 are
reported by six cities.
Park Workers
F or the maintenance of the vast properties comprising city park
systems, for the operation of their many facilities, and for the leader­
ship essential to the varied recreation programs, a great staff of workers
is needed. Naturally the personnel required is dependent largely
upon the park acreage, the nature and extent of its development,
and the kinds of service rendered to the public. In the large park
systems a highly organized staff is needed, whereas in the smaller
communities having only one or two parks of limited acreage no
special park workers are required. In these communities the neces­
sary maintenance work is often done by workers with the street,
public works, or other department. Some of the park authorities in
the larger cities and many in the smaller cities failed to report the
number of workers, but a total of 44,431 persons employed for park
service was reported.
Nearly one-half of these persons are employed the year round, a
slightly larger number being seasonal workers. In the cities of
500.000 and over, a majority of the workers are employed on a yearround basis, but in the smaller cities the number of seasonal workers
is much greater. In a few cities, such as Los Angeles, practically all
park workers are employed the year round, whereas in others there is a
small year-round staff supplemented by a large corps of seasonal
workers.
Although the personnel required for park service can not be esti­
mated on the basis of park acreage alone, it is of interest that in the
cities of between 50,000 and 500,000, most of which reported both
acreage and personnel, one worker is employed on the average for each
8 or 9 acres.
Park Expenditures
T h e question of expenditures for public services is one of much gen­
eral interest, especially during the present period. Since parks in
many cities comprise the largest and most valuable of municipal prop­
erties, information concerning their cost is of considerable impor­
tance.
Park expenditures may be roughly classified under two types: (f)
Capital expenditures or outlays for land, improvements, and struc­
tures; (2) operating expenditures, including the cost of maintaining
properties and of providing the various types of park service. In
cities where the park system is being extended and developed the
former items will be large, but in well-established systems which are
not being expanded most of the funds are spent for operation.
In the present study, information concerning park expenditures was
received from more than 700 cities, and it is believed that this pro­
vides more detailed data with reference to recent park finances than
are available from any other source. Although a number of cities sub­
mitted little or no financial data, so many complete reports were
received that a compilation of the information in them should be of
much interest and value to park and other public officials.
That 1930 expenditures for park purposes exceeded $100,000,000
is one of the outstanding findings of the study. The large percentage


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

of this amount spent for salaries and wages is another item of special
significance in the present situation, indicating as it does the impor­
tance of parks as a means of providing employment. Capital expendi­
tures totaling nearly $200,000,000 in 416 cities during the 5-year
period 1926-1930 indicate the importance of parks in city fiscal plan­
ning and also the marked impetus given to the park movement during
the period. The extent to which funds for these outlays are secured
from bond issues is illustrated by the amount of bond issues reported
by 148 cities during these years, namely $153,000,000.
The total expenditures reported for the year 1930 by 721 cities do
not represent the full amount spent for parks and community recrea­
tion in these cities. In a number of large cities, museums, zoological
gardens, and other special park features are supported by private
organizations many of whose expenditures were not reported in the
present study. The expenditures of city playground and recreation
departments, many of which conduct activities in parks and operate
their own playgrounds, playfields, and centers, are not included. I t
is estimated that the expenditures of these departments alone for
1930>accounted for $10,000,000 of the $38,500,000 spent for com­
munity recreation service, according to the Kecreation Year Book.
Although in a number of cities, leadership on park and city play­
grounds is provided by school authorities, no school expenditures are in­
cluded in the present report. Furthermore, in some of the largest cities
total expenditures were not reported by all of the park authorities.
A study of the per capita expenditures for parks in the cities of
various population groups shows that the average amount spent for
each person is, with one exception, least in the cities of 5,000 to 10,000
and increases in amount in each of the succeeding larger population
groups. This suggests that in the larger cities, especially since the
ratio of park acreage to population is generally smaller, the parks are
more highly developed and intensively used and consequently require
a greater amount of continuous maintenance. Furthermore, it is
probably true that in the larger cities there is generally provided a
more varied and highly developed recreation service during a larger
part of the year that is commonly found in the smaller communities.
Sources of Park Funds
S in c e the establishment and operation of city parks are almost
universally recognized in the United States as municipal functions, it
is assumed that the expense of providing this service should be met
from public funds. An analysis of the reports from 647 cities shows
that more than 80 per cent of the money which was made available
for park purposes in these cities in 1930 came either directly or indi­
rectly from public taxation. The most common method of raising
money for parks in 1930 was through city appropriations, 524 cities
reporting this method and the total amount representing nearly 40
per cent of all the park funds received. More than 15 per cent was
raised through special park tax levies and 28 per cent was secured
from bond funds. In only 12 cities were assessments used as a method
of financing parks, and of the total amount raised by this method
72 per cent was reported by Kansas City, Mo.
Among the sources of park revenue which supplement municipal
funds in many cities are gifts, concessions, fees and charges, and the
sale of property. Eighty-six cities reported gifts in 1930. In recent

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years charges for the use of special recreation facilities such as golf
courses, bowling greens, swimming pools, and skating rinks have re­
sulted in a considerable income to park departments or municipalities.
Receipts totaling nearly $5,000,000 were reported from fees and
charges in 158 cities in 1930. Many park authorities have found it
advisable to let or lease on a concession basis such park facilities and
services as refreshment stands, boats, bathing-suit rentals, and
dancing pavilions, although to an increasing extent such services are
being handled directly by park departments. Income from conces­
sions in 1930 was reported by 146 cities to be $2,225,644.82. About
10 per cent of the total receipts, which amounted to nearly $100,000,000, were from special funds, sale of park property, or from mis­
cellaneous sources.
County Parks
D u r in g the quarter century following the establishment of the first
“ municipal park” in America, many cities acquired park areas, and
several of them made considerable progress in the development of
municipal park systems. The movement for county parks, on the
other hand, developed very slowly. Twenty-five years after the
establishment of the county park system in Essex County, N. J ., in
1895, it is probable that not more than 15 of the 3,000 or more counties
in the United States had acquired even a single park. The report on
county parks published by this bureau, based on the study conducted
in 1925-26, listed only 33 counties as having one or more county park
areas.
In 1930 the total number of counties that had established parivs
was 74, according to the present study. This indicates that during
the last few years there has been a marked growth in the movement
for count}^ parks. The total park acreage in 1930 was 108,484.94,
representing an increase of 60 per cent over that reported five years
previous. The nearly 39,000 acres in county parks reported as ac­
quired during the 5-year period 1926-1930 represent more than onethird of the total present acreage.
Although county parks in 20 different States are included in this
report, Michigan and California lead in the number of counties having
one or more parks, with 16 and 12, respectively. Wisconsin, New
Jersey, and New York also have counties with well-developed park
systems. Six Illinois counties have established forest preserves which
provide such opportunities for recreation that they have been con­
sidered as county parks in this study.
Most of the $57,500,000 spent for county park lands and improve­
ments during the five years 1926-1930 has come from bond funds and
county appropriations. Of the $22,000,000 spent for park purposes
in 1930 alone in 60 counties, nearly 70 per cent was for land, buildings,
and improvements. This indicates that to a considerable degree
county parks are still in the making. After they are improved it is
likely that a larger proportion of the annual budget will be spent for
operating them.
I t seems probable that the same factors which have brought about
the establishment of parks in so many counties during the last few
years will continue to give impetus to the movement. W ith the
growth of cities and the increasing difficulty in securing at a reasonable
price within the city limits large areas suitable for park and recrea­
tion use, there has been a tendency, as mentioned before, for cities to

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

acquire tracts outside and often at a considerable distance from the
city. Since such areas serve not only the people in the city acquiring
the park but also those in the surrounding region, and since the county
is often the governmental unit controlling the region, it is reasonable
that the expense of acquiring, improving, and operating the parks
should be met by the county. Furthermore, in many rural counties
there is no city large enough to meet the cost of providing a suitable
park, but under the auspices of the county, all of its people may be
served without a special burden on any community. Moreover, the
problem of acquisition and operation, especially of parkways and
large park areas, is much simpler under county than under joint
municipal control.
As might be expected, the forms of recreation carried on in county
parks are for the most part less highly organized than in the city
areas. Fishing, picnicking, hiking, nature study, outings, with base­
ball, volley ball, horseshoes, and other sports, swimming, boating,
horseback riding, and in many cases winter sports are among the
most popular. In some of the county parks located near centers of
population, golf, tennis, children’s play activities under leadership,
athletic leagues, and many of the other features commonly found in a
city park program are provided. The facilities most frequently found
in county parks are, in the order named, picnic places, tennis courts,
baseball diamonds, children’s playgrounds, bathing beaches, and
athletic fields.
An idea as to the service rendered by county parks may be gained
from the 1930 attendance reports, which indicate more than 63,000,000
visitors in the 37 counties reporting. One-half of the counties having
parks did not estimate the number using these properties last year.
Parks in Metropolitan Districts
U n t i l recent years the opportunities which people have had for
taking part in recreational activities or enjoying areas of natural
beauty have been limited to those in the vicinity of their homes,
except on rare occasions or during vacation periods. The shorter
working-day, the 5-day week, rapid transit lines, the automobile, and
good roads have helped make it possible for people to go farther afield
for their recreation. In considering the recreational opportunities
available for the people of a city it is therefore necessary to take into
account not only the parks, playgrounds, and centers provided by the
city but also the various other areas in the region which are operated
by county, regional, State, and Federal authorities.
Far-seeing public officials and private citizens in many metropolitan
districts, especially during the last decade, have taken steps to meet
the growing need for recreation areas resulting from the concentration
of population and the other factors ju st mentioned. The establish­
ment of regional and county planning commissions and associations
which have conducted surveys and educational campaigns, emphasizing parks as an essential feature of the regional or county plan, has
been an important factor in bringing about the acquisition of additional
parks in several metropolitan regions. I t is probable that to an
increasing extent, especially in the large cities, future park planning
will be based upon regional rather than municipal needs and will
involve the cooperation of all communities in the region.

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Productivity and Labor Displacement in Private-Wire Systems
H E public telephone exchange and the commercial telegraph
office are among the most familiar of American institutions. But
the system of communication has now become so intricate as to
comprise many important phases with which the public at large has
generally no immediate contact. These less familiar phases of tele­
graphic and telephonic communication may be described, in general,
as private-wire systems.
Without attempting an exact definition of the term “ private-wire
systems,” for practical purposes we may include under that head­
ing all telephone and telegraph facilities except the public telephone
exchanges and the wire systems of the telegraph companies as made
available for the general use of the public. As broadly defined in
this way, private-wire systems include private telephone exchanges
(most of which are branch exchanges connected with public ex­
changes); the railroad wires; leased-wire circuits of news agencies;
the lines of brokers and investment bankers; networks used for
transmitting radio programs; and the wires (other than the telephone
exchanges already mentioned) connecting the offices, plants or
departments of large firms or institutions for facilitating interior
communication.
The nature and significance of the recent technological changes in
several phases of the telephone and telegraph industries, disclosed by
studies made by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, have
been considered in articles published recently in the Monthly Labor
Review.1
I t was shown that by the end of 1930 about one-third of the public
telephones in the United States were of the dial type, and th at if the
output of calls per operator had remained the same in 1930 as in 1921
the number of operators necessary for handling the calls in 1930 for
the Bell Operating Cos. alone would have been 69,421 more than
the number actually in service. As regards commercial telegraph
offices, the study showed that by 1931 printer circuits accounted for
nearly 90 per cent of all commercial message handlings of one large
company. The proportion of male operators has been reduced to about
40 per cent of the total. In the principal telegraph offices the increased
productivity of operators has resulted in a technological displacement
amounting to about 50 per cent. A special study, dealing with the
printer telegraph as used by the principal news-service organizations,
revealed a fifteenfold increase in productivity of operators. The dis­
placement of Morse telegraphers can not be measured exactly, but if
news agencies now depended on the Morse system they would employ
several times as many operators to handle Morse circuits as they now

T

i The dial telephone and unemployment, February, 1932 (pp. 235-247); Displacement of Morse operators
in commercial telegraph offices, March, 1932 (pp. 501-515); Effects on employment of the printer telegraph
for handling news, April, 1932 (pp. 753-758); Displacement of Morse telegraphers in railroad systems,
May, 1932 (pp. 1017-1028); Productivity and displacement of labor in ticker telegraph work, June, 1932
(pp. 1269-1277).


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

employ on printer circuits. A descriptive and, as far as possible,
statistical account of railroad wire systems indicated an extensive
use of the telephone in place of the telegraph, the growing use of
automatic in place of manual block signal systems, and the develop­
ment of remote-control systems for regulating train movements. The
study of ticker systems for handling market quotations disclosed the
remarkable increase in productivity of operators of ticker telegraphs,
resulting in a greater indirect displacement of Morse operators than
in a direct displacement of ticker operators.
The present article, which concludes the series, is confined to private
telephone exchanges, radio transmission networks, private circuits
other than the highly specialized railroad, press-agency, and ticker
systems, and the recently inaugurated telegraph exchange (teletype­
writer service) of the telephone companies, an arrangement which is
paralleled by the timed-wire service of the telegraph companies.
Operators of private telephone exchanges are not employees of
telephone companies and exact statistics could be had only as a result
of a country-wide census. B u t there is evidence of an increasing use
of the dial system and of attendant displacement of operators in
private as well as public exchanges. W ith the multiplication of wire
facilities (by reducing the size of wire, duplexing, multiplexing, use
of “ phantom” circuits, compositing and carrier current), various
new forms of private-wire circuits became economically feasible and
these new arrangements are reducing the number not only of Morse
telegraphers and of telephone operators but also of messengers,
stenographers, and clerks of various kinds.
Private wires may be privately owned, but usually they are owned
by telephone or telegraph companies. W ith the development of
phantom circuits, duplexing, carrier current, and other arrangements
for the more effective use of wires, a private wire is usually one of
several channels of communication over the same wire. Such a
channel is assigned, under conditions agreed upon, to an individual
or an organization for restricted or private use and not as a public
utility. Before the devising of means for multiplying the number of
circuits or channels on one wire the cost of a private wire was too
great to make possible any considerable growth of private-wire sys­
tems. The only important private system which then attained eco­
nomic importance was for the purpose of reducing the amount of
wire th at would otherwise have been required. This was the private
branch exchange.
The private branch exchange has nowadays assumed a variety of
forms, and has acquired a remarkable flexibility which makes it, for
many purposes, the most adequate kind of telephone equipment,
irrespective of the cost of the wire plant. B u t its origin and early
uses were due mainly to its requiring less wire. Private branch
exchange telephones are connected with a public exchange not by
direct wires but only by trunk line between the exchanges.
In addition to the private branch exchanges which, as the name im­
plies, are in a sense branches or extensions of public exchanges, there
are also many purely private exchanges for handling interior calls
only. Many companies and institutions have exchanges of both
types. B u t more commonly one exchange is made to serve two pur­
poses: (1) The handling of interior calls; and (2) the establishing of
connections with a public exchange, which in turn provides circuit

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PRODUCTIVITY IN PRIVATE-WIRE SYSTEMS

11

facilities between the telephones in the private branch exchange and
telephones elsewhere.
Development of Private Telephone Exchanges
T h e total number of telephones in commercial systems reported
to the United States Bureau of the Census in 1907 was 5,426,973.
Of these, 459,083, or 8.5 per cent were classed as private branch
exchange telephones. In addition, there were 691,605 telephones in
so-called mutual systems and on farmer or rural lines. When these
are added to the commercial telephones, the private branch exchange
telephones were only 7.5 per cent of the total. Later quinquennial
census reports failed to classify telephones by the type of exchange.
B u t the number of private branch exchanges increased rapidly from
28,276 in 1907 to 102,622 in 1922.
For the Bell Operating Cos. (which, on December 31, 1930, owned
about 87 per cent of all company telephones) the relative importance
of private branch exchange telephones from 1921 to 1930 is shown by
Table 1.
T a bl e 1 .— CHANGES IN N U M B E R AND P R O PO R T IO N OP COM PAN Y T E L E P H O N E S,

B Y K IN D S, B E L L O P ER A T IN G COS., 1921 TO 1930

Year ending Dec. 31—

1921____________________
1922. __________________
1923 __________________
192U __________________
1925_ ___ ____ __________
1926_____________________
1927_____________________
1928____________________
1929_____________________
1930______ ______________

Main telephones

Total num­
ber of com­
pany tele­
phones

Number

8,856, 378
9, 461,351
10,352,364
11,184, 594
11,974,405
12, 750,427
13, 648,907
14,439, 640
15,315,970
15, 583,101

6, 434,123
6,900, 796
7, 576, 088
8, 206, 254
8, 776, 046
9, 309, 513
9, 917, 519
10,434, 755
10,988, 959
11,112,893

Per cent
of total
72.7
72.9
73.2
73.4
73.3
73.0
72.6
72.3
71.7
71.3

branch ex­
Extension telephones Private
change telephones
Number
727, 745
777, 562
846, 652
916, 084
1,001, 896
1,085,989
1,182,644
1, 282,124
1, 388, 558
1,465,755

Per cent
of total
8.2
8.2
8.2
8.2
8.4
8.5
8.7
8.9
9.1
9.4

Number
1,694, 510
1, 782, 993
1,929, 624
2,062, 256
2,196, 463
2,354, 925
2, 548, 744
2, 722, 761
2,938,453
3,004, 453

Per cent
of total
19.1
18.9
18.6
18.4
18.3
18.5
18.7
18.8
19.2
19.3

Table 1 shows a remarkably constant ratio, since 1921, between the
three main classes of company telephones (main, extension, and pri­
vate branch exchange). The lowest per cent of private branch
exchange telephones was 18.3 in 1925 and the highest per cent was
19.3 in 1930. Since the independent companies operate more largely
in rural sections and smaller cities, the proportion of private branch
exchange telephones belonging to independent companies is probably
somewhat smaller.
In the larger cities the proportion of private branch exchange tele­
phones is much larger than for the entire country. For the Bell
Operating Cos., the per cent at the end of 1928 was 18.8. For the
principal cities the private branch exchange telephones of the Bell
companies ranged from 38.4 per cent of the total in Washington to
17.1 per cent in New Orleans (Table 2).
125620°—32-----2


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a ble 2 .— P E R C E N T A G E D IS T R IB U T IO N OF B E L L T E L E P H O N E S IN T H E U N IT E D

S T A T E S AND IN 15 LA R G E C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R 31, 1928 i
Per cent of total
telephones

Area

Number
of Bell
telephones

United States----- 14,439, 640
1, 702,889
942, 015
375^ 756
Philadelphia.424, 781
Boston___ ______
321,439
357 ', 504
Cleveland.. ____
226^ 186

New York

Per cent of total
telephones
Area

E x­ Private
M ain ten­ branch
ex­
sion change
72.3
57. 1
67. 2
66. 1
70. 2
66. 8
66. 9
65. 9

8.9
8.0
6.0
9.8
8.4
8. 4
7. 9
9. 7

18.8
34.9
26.8
24. 1
21.4
24.8
25.2
24.4

Number
of Bell
telephones

Ex­ Private
M ain ten­ branch
ex­
sion change

St. Louis . . .

213,041

71.1

7.6

21.3

San Francisco___
Milwaukee.. .
Washington..
New Orleans__
Minneapolis. _ .

252, 225
146, 677
154, 041
71, 844
126,888
64, 546

59.0
73.3
52. 3
72.4
70.4
70.6

9. 1
8.2
9.3
10.5
9.5
10.0

31. 9
18.5
38.4
17. 1
20. 1
19. 4

1 Data derived in part from Bell System Technical Journal, January, 1930, p. 90.

Private exchanges vary widely in size, form, and function. Among
the smaller exchanges there is a manual board limited to 7 telephones
and 3 trunk lines and a dial board limited to 8 telephones and 2 trunk
lines. These are used in homes and small offices. On the other ex­
treme is an exchange for handling 480 trunk lines and 9,600 telephones.
The complicated nature and important role of private branch ex­
changes are illustrated by an exchange which handles 1,600 telephones,
148 trunk lines connecting with a public exchange and 151 tie lines
connecting with other private branch exchanges. This is a manual
exchange and there are 42 switchboard positions. There is 24-hour
service and 60 operators are employed.2
The number of operators required to handle private branch ex­
changes was estimated by telephone officials in 1931 at 135,000 for
exchanges connected with the Bell System and at 145,000 for the
entire country. Purely private exchanges, as distinguished from
private branch exchanges, add somewhat to the numbers.
The operators at these exchanges are not employees of the telephone
companies. In some cases they have other duties as well as the
handling of a switchboard. The numbers mentioned must therefore
be regarded as estimates. In the absence of systematic reports to a
responsible agency by the many thousands of employers of private
branch exchange operators, an accurate statement of the total number
is impossible. And yet from the point of view of numbers, condi­
tions of employment, and displacement by technological changes, the
operators of private branch exchanges are not materially less impor­
tant than the operators of public exchanges. In both cases the prin­
cipal technological change is the substitution of the machine switch­
board (the dial system) for the manual switchboard.
The number of operators displaced by conversion of a private
branch exchange to the dial system varies so widely that it is impos­
sible to estimate with accuracy the net results of the change. The
principal factors are (1) the busy-hour load, that is, the largest num­
ber of calls at any particular period; (2) the holding time, that is, the
average length of telephone conversations; and (3) the proportion of
2 Bell System Technical Journal, January, 1930, pp. 12-15.


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PRODUCTIVITY IN PRIVATE-WIRE SYSTEMS

13

interior calls. Each installation becomes a case study, both as a
basis for decision as to whether or not conversion to dial should be
made and as to the effects on number of operators after the change.
Following are a few illustrative instances.
A large bank with an automatic exchange for interior calls and a
manual exchange for outside calls estimated a reduction of one-third
in the total operating force as a result of installing the automatic
exchange. In this case the principal object was a separation of
interior calls from outside calls in order to be able to give special
attention to incoming calls.
Another bank reported that conversion to the dial system for inte­
rior calls made possible the handling of all connections by 5 operators
in place of 11.
A third bank reported that 6 operators sufficed in place of 20 under
full manual operation.
In a railroad station with 240 telephones the installation of the dial
system meant a displacement of 10 out of 12 operators.
In another large railroad station the automatic system required
only one-fourth as many operators as were necessary under manual
operation.
A ship terminal had an exchange with 13 positions, 24-hour service,
and 28 operators. As a result of transition to the dial system, the
number of operators was reduced to one for each shift.
One manufacturing plant with 30 telephones and another with 50,
each eliminated one operator by means of automatic boards. A third
manufacturer eliminated two out of three operators.
A branch plant of an industrial firm had employed five operators at
a manual board, and after installing an automatic exchange found that
two operators were more than adequate.
One of the largest manufacturing firms of the country, with numer­
ous auxiliary and branch plants, found that in several of its establish­
ments the automatic exchanges reduced the operating force more
than 60 per cent.
An incidental feature of labor displacement resulting at times from
dial installations is illustrated by the case of a plant which had em­
ployed 340 watchmen and which found it possible, by means of an
automatic reporting and recording arrangement, to eliminate 60 of
these.
Although the extent of the transition to the dial system in private
exchanges can not be measured by means of readily available data,
some indications of change are apparent from the reports of one of the
companies which manufacture automatic equipment. This company
reported a detailed and classified list of private automatic exchanges
equipped with its type of apparatus in January, 1931. The list
included 1,581 exchanges and 116,704 telephones. The number of
telephones per exchange ranged from 5 to 1,334, the average number
being approximately 74. The wide distribution is indicated by
Table 3.


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14
T

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

3 .— N U M B E R AND D IS T R IB U T IO N (JA N U A RY, 1931) OF ONE T Y P E OP P R IV A T E
AUTO M A TIC T E L E P H O N E EX C H A N G E AS IN D IC A T E D B Y R E P O R T S OF IN ST A L ­
LATION S B Y T H E M A N U FA C TU R E R

a ble

Number of telephones
Kinds of establishments

Extractive industries_______________
Financial institutions______________
Government organizations__________
Hospitals__________________________
Hotels, theaters, public buildings____
Manufacturing plants______________
Mercantile establishments__________
Private estates and clubs___________
Professional firms and business offices.
Public institutions_________________
Public utilities_____________________
Publishers___________ ______ _______
Railroads_________________________
Schools and colleges________________
Total.

Number of
exchanges

77

Total

Average per
exchange

197

6,634
14, 233
12, 772
5, 057
3, 747
33, 295
7,038
1,990
3, 353
1,297
5,031
1,495
9, 424
11,338

50
65
79
107
56

1,581

116, 704

74

210

89
83
73
442
72
78
49
26
78
19
88

86
68

144
61
51
75
98
25
68

Although each private automatic exchange is a case study from the
point of view of exact determination of the saving of operating time,
nevertheless the experience of company officials in the installing of
the exchanges included in Table 3 indicates that conversion to the
dial system for interior calls only, with outside calls handled manually,
generally displaces from 40 to 50 per cent of the operators. T h at
the tendency is progressively toward automatic operation is indicated
by the fact that more installations were made in 1929 and 1930 than
during any previous years.
For a time the automatic telephone was viewed as being suited to
the purely private exchange, for interior communication only, but not
well adapted to the private branch exchange. I t is now so flexible
as to meet the requirements of many types of branch exchanges for
handling not only interior connections but outside calls as well.
Many telephone companies as well as manufacturers of telephone
equipment are advertising the advantages of the dial system for
varied uses.
Private branch exchanges have not adopted the dial system so
extensively as have public exchanges, and they have hitherto been
an important source of employment opportunities for operators of
public exchanges which have been converted to the dial basis of opera­
tion. W ith the progressive extension of automatic operation to pri­
vate exchanges, these, as well as public exchanges, have fewer em­
ployment opportunities to offer.
Increase of Wire Facilities
T h e growth of private systems other than telephone exchanges
depended on cheaper wire facilities. The first big step in expanding
wire facilities without materially increasing the cost was the duplex­
ing of a wire. One of the principal telegraph companies began duplex­
ing its wires as early as 1873, carrying out the process as fast as the
factory could supply the equipment, and thus virtually doubling the
capacity of its wire plant. A combination of two methods of duplex­
ing made possible (though not practicable except for limited uses)

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PRODUCTIVITY IN PRIVATE-WIRE SYSTEMS

15

the quadruplexing of wires for the simultaneous transmission of four
messages (two in each direction).
Telegraph companies commonly used 1-way wire with ground
return. For telephoning, the 2-way metallic circuit was found
desirable. In the annual report of one of the telephone companies
for 1907 a contrast was drawn between the cost of telephone and
telegraph circuits. The basis of the contrast was the fact that in
telegraphy one wire provided at least one circuit and on all trunk
lines either two or four circuits, while communication by telephone
required the exclusive use of two wires (a complete metallic circuit)
for the length of time necessary to make the connection, carry on the
conversation, and restore the circuit to idle status in preparation for
a new connection.
In 1910 a radical change was reported. When there were two
metallic circuits between the same points (as New York and Chicago),
the terminals of the circuits were tied together through coils in such
a manner as to create a third circuit (known as a “ phantom circuit”
because it required no additional wires). Thus there were three
channels available for telephone conversations over two metallic
circuits. Furthermore, each of the four wires between New York
and Chicago was duplexed for telegraphic uses, and eight telegraphic
messages were sent by the Morse method over the wires while at the
same time three telephone conversations were under way.
In 1911 it was announced by the same company that by the joint
use of the same wire plant for telephone and telegraph (by a process
known as compositing), the wire mileage necessary for telephone and
telegraph combined would need to be only about half the mileage
necessary without joint use.
The phantom circuit made possible three telephone channels on
five wires (two 2-way metallic circuits), and compositing made
possible the duplexing of each wire for telegraph channels. B u t as
late as 1916 it was still officially reported by telephone authorities
that a telephone connection gave to the subscriber the exclusive use
of the wire, so far as telephoning was concerned, as long as the con­
nection was maintained. In 1918 a new method was announced
which made possible as many as 10 telephone conversations over two
2-way metallic circuits. In addition there was an increased capacity
for simultaneous use for telegraphy. Concisely, “ a pair of wires is
available either for 5 simultaneous telephone conversations or for
40 simultaneous telegraph messages, or partly for one and partly
for the other.” The new methods, known as multiplex telephony
or carrier current, depend on variations in the frequency. Frequen­
cies dependent on the human voice approximate 1,000 cycles per
second. Carrier current frequencies of 100,000 cycles per second
or more do not interfere with ordinary frequencies, nor do they inter­
fere, when properly regulated, with each other.
The miles of phantomed circuit of the Bell Operating Cos. increased
from 776,258 at the end of 1921 to 2,206,123 at the end of 1930.
Miles of carrier channel of the same companies increased from 178,994
at the end of 1924 to 1,497,750 at the end of 1930. Additional
mileage without additional wires is largely dependent on increasing
demand. This, in turn, is being stimulated by inducements offered
to users of private-wire facilities.

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

While these remarkable changes were multiplying the capacity of
the wires of telephone companies, the trunk lines of the telegraph
companies were also being made to do several times as much work
as previously. Duplexing and quadruplexing have already been men­
tioned. In connection with the development of the teletype, or
printer telegraph, a method known as multiplex telegraphy was de­
vised. A synchronized distributor, revolving rapidly, divided the
time on the wire in a manner which allowed four messages to be sent
in each direction in such rapid succession that in effect one wire was
used for the simultaneous transmission of eight messages.
As a result of these various developments, relatively little new wire
equipment was needed except for replacement. B u t any new needs
which arose were met at a fraction of the former cost. Telephone
company officials in 1919 announced a new type of cable which
reduced the weight of the wire to 80 pounds per mile. The new wire
was reported to be as efficient in transmitting speech over long dis­
tances as the best open wire weighing 870 pounds per mile. I t was
reported, also, that the old heavy-wire cables could be made efficient
by the new process at small cost.
These various developments made possible an almost unlimited
reserve of wire facilities and established the economic basis of the
private-wire systems which, in recent years, have included an ever­
growing proportion of telephonic and especially of telegraphic
communication.
Radio-Program Transmission

O n e of the most recent extensive uses of wire facilities has been
for the transmitting of radio programs from the point of origin to the
broadcasting stations. Early instances of transmission to a network
of stations were the speeches of President Harding in 1923 during his
trip to Alaska, when addresses delivered at St. Louis and Kansas City
were broadcast locally, and, by means of long-lines transmission, were
broadcast also from Washington, New York, and Providence. Eight
years later the Bell System furnished facilities for program trans­
mission over 11 large networks of stations, mainly under the control
of two large companies. These networks included more than 40,000
circuit miles of telephone wire given over to program transmission
and more than 200 broadcasting stations located throughout the
country except in such sparsely settled areas as New Mexico, Montana,
and Idaho.
The effects of radio-program transmission by telephone on the
number of workers are so intricate as to defy analysis. I t is possible
that the number of employees of telephone companies which furnish
transmission facilities has been somewhat increased, althougn the
maintenance of facilities for this purpose is largely incidental. The
development of radio networks by means of the telephonic relaying
of the same program to a large number of broadcasting stations has
made it possible to dispense with the services of a considerable
variety and number of workers who would otherwise be necessary
for programs of local origin. Widespread unemployment among
musicians and stage entertainers is no doubt due in part to chain
broadcasting, which, in turn, is dependent on telephonic transmission
of radio programs.

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PRODUCTIVITY IN PRIVATE-WIRE SYSTEMS

17

Private Telephone Lines

T h e first private-wire telephone circuits for business organizations
were installed little more than a quarter of a century ago. In 1931,
telephone officials reported that the Bell System alone was furnishing
about 1,000 private-wire telephone services other than private tele­
phone exchanges. A list of more than 500 business firms with such
services included organizations throughout the country with circuits
in some cases extending from coast to coast. The volume of mes­
sages is of course unknown. The direct handling of the messages of
so large a number of important companies and organizations has
diminished the volume of long-distance calls, which would otherwise
have been handled by operators of public telephone exchanges, but
the measurement of labor displacement from this cause is obviously
impossible.
Private Telegraph Lines for Interior Communication

A s id e from railroad, press, and ticker circuits, the principal private
telegraph lines are those used by financial houses which operate in
connection with the rapidly fluctuating prices on security and com­
modity exchanges. The larger firms maintain telegraphic connections
not only with their branches but with other firms known as corre­
spondents. A directory of such firms in 1930 included 125 companies
which maintained private-wire systems connecting them with
branches and correspondents in other cities. The total number of
houses connected telegraphically with the 125 systems was about
1,250. Some of these had connections with more than one system,
so that the number of connecting circuits totaled about 1,360. Many
of these systems extend all the way across the continent.3
In addition to brokers and investment firms, the principal users of
private telegraph wires for interior communication are the larger
companies and institutions with numerous plants or branches or
departments. If there is need for recording the communications,
the telegraph instead of the telephone, or in addition to the telephone,
is likely to be used. Morse circuits or printer circuits or both are
maintained by thousands of organizations. Some of these have
almost country-wide circuits. Others are illustrated by the case of
an office building with two circuits from the manager’s office, one to
the head janitor’s office and the other to the engineering and main­
tenance department.
Technological Displacement by Telegraph Systems of Interior Communication

I n r e c e n t years private interior communication has increased
rapidly. The growth in size of business units due to mergers and
other causes has resulted in a much larger use of private telegraph
and telephone lines for coordinating production. Intensive use of
wire facilities has also been stimulated by national sales programs for
trying to force consumption to keep pace with production. The
speedier tempo of life has made wire communication seem natural
and essential. Finally, the perfecting of the teletype or printer tele­
graph has made possible its use for a variety of purposes.
3 See Commerce and Finance, Private Wire Numbers, June 11, 1930, and Aug. 19,1931.


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M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

The growth of private circuits has undoubtedly increased interior
communications much beyond the volume that would have been
practicable through commercial telegraph offices. B u t much of the
demand for telegraphic facilities could obviously have been met with­
out resort to private circuits. Labor displacement has therefore
resulted from a limitation if not an actual reduction of the operatin0staffs of commercial telegraph offices.
When private Morse circuits have been added, employment oppor­
tunities have been created. B u t Morse circuits have been supplanted
more often than they have been added. Within the organizations
which have introduced private printer circuits, displacement has
assumed varied forms. The printer telegraph, in its operation, is
merely a typewriter, and in fact was formerly called a telephone
typewriter. ^ An ordinary typist can operate it satisfactorily after a
few days' incidental training. Communications may be typed in
duplicate, for record, as on an ordinary typewriter. A t the receiving
end, in the same building or across the continent, the communication
is automatically typed, and, by means of a network of circuits, more
than a score of receiving printers may be made automatically to
type the same communication simultaneously.
Because of these^ features of the printer telegraph, it is apparent
that telegraphing, in systems of interior communication by printer
circuits, is an incidental process. The typing of a communication
makes a record for filing 5 dispenses with addressing of envelopes and
use of postal facilities; instantly transmits the communication to one
or many receiving printers, the reception being automatic; and re­
duces the amount of messenger service. I t combines many of the
functions both of the letter and of the telephone message. If more
than one person is to receive the same communication, there is a
further reduction in the amount of clerical work, because of automatic
reception on more than one circuit.
In summary, private printer telegraph circuits involve labor dis­
placement in one or more of the following forms:
( 1 ) Elimination of the services of operators in commercial tele­
graph offices, transmission becoming merely incidental to the routine
work of the regular clerical force of the organization which maintains
the private-wire service.
(2) Elimination of messenger service or its equivalent in the han­
dling of messages.
(3) Elimination of the service of telephone operators to the extent
that private-wire telegraphic service takes the place of the telephone.
. (4 ) Elimination of postal service to the extent that communica­
tion is diverted^ from mail to wire.
(5 ) <Elimination of Morse telegraphers where Morse circuits have
been m use.
(6 ) Reduction of the amount of stenographic work, especially in
offices where the same communications are to be sent to more than
one person.
(7) Reduction in the amount of clerical and messenger service,
especially in hotels and institutions where efficiency depends on speedy
handling of interdepartmental information and of instructions from
operating centers.
Although it is impossible to measure the amount of displacement,
illustrative cases are abundant. Since the recent perfecting of the

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printer telegraph for use on local and private circuits the number of
teletypewriters used for private interior communication between
departments or plants of the same organization has grown rapidly.
The users range widely over the fields of public institutions and private
enterprises. Various reasons are assigned for using the teletype, and
a reduction of labor cost is often incidental, and almost always
difficult to measure. A few examples, however, will indicate the trend.
B y far the most extensive field of employment for telegraph opera­
tors in private-wire systems for interior telegraphic communication
is the brokerage business. I t has been held that the specialized
nature of the business prevented the satisfactory use of the printer
telegraph. The two main phases of the business, from the point of view
of the telegrapher, are the market-quotation service and the orderand-report service. The recent rapid extension of ticker systems to
virtually all sections of the country has almost eliminated Morse
telegraphers in transmitting market quotations. The handling of
orders to buy and sell and of general interoffice communications
continued until recently to be almost a monoply of Morse telegraphers.
Since 1927 even this field has been taken over in part by the teletype.
A study of six prominent stock-brokerage firms was made in 1931. At
the time of the study they had 130 branches and 141 correspondents.
In their main offices they employed 60 Morse operators and 58 printer
operators; and in branch offices, 99 Morse operators and 116 printer
operators— a total of 159 Morse operators and 174 printer operators.
Of the displaced Morse operators, 19 remained in the employ of two
of the firms as printer operators and 17 remained in the employ of
two of the firms in other capacities. The rapid encroachment of the
printer system on Morse telegraphy even in the field of brokerage and
investment houses is further shown by the fact that by the end of
1930 there were 1,163 teletypes (including spares) installed in the
offices of such firms (including investment houses and commodity as
well as security brokers).
Instances of displacement by the introduction of the teletype in a
variety of institutions and organizations illustrate other phases of
displacement besides the supplanting of Morse operators.
A steel foundry company put in a teletype circuit between two of
its plants. The operation of the teletype was incidental to the typing
of communications. A Morse circuit which had required two oper­
ators was eliminated. Long-distance telephoning was discontinued.
M ost of the correspondence which had been sent by mail was now
handled by teletype.
A sales company handling steel products installed a teletype circuit
between its office and its warehouse. The proportion of orders
classed as rush orders was increased from 20 to 40 per cent of the total,
and at the same time there was a saving of 20 man-hours daily.
A steel manufacturer connected his laboratory with three other
points in his establishment, thereby eliminating two messenger boys
as well as_ securing virtually instantaneous transmission of operating
data and instructions.
An office building installed a transmitting teletype in its manager’s
office and two receiving teletypes, one in the head jan ito r’s office and
one in the engineering and maintenance department. Two workers
for handling messages and telephone calls were displaced.

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A broker installed two teletype circuits for transmitting information
regarding stocks and bonds between departments in the same build­
ing. One clerk was eliminated.
A company furnishing specialized financial data installed teletype
circuits between its branches for handling reports and between its
main office and the offices of its principal clients. Two telephone
operators formerly used at a single office for sending information to
clients were no longer needed; special messenger service was elimi­
nated; and the use of the mails was greatly reduced.
A manufacturer connected his office with his factory 16 miles away.
Two Morse telegraphers and one typist were eliminated. The office
opens two hours later than the factory. Automatic reception makes
possible the use of the teletype by the factory to send messages to the
office before the office is opened, with a further saving of time.
A food manufacturing corporation, which receives a large number
of small orders at frequent intervals, connected its office with its ware­
house and shipping department. An official of the company reported
that the teletype handled a volume of orders which would require
several clerks if handled by telephone, and the telephone would give
slower and less accurate service. Typing by the teletype operators
would need to be done in any case; transmission was incidental to the
regular clerical work.
An automobile manufacturer installed teletype circuits connecting
four separate plants, handled by four ordinary typists. The plants
had been connected by Morse circuits, with a sending and receiving
operator at each point. The teletypes required no additional em­
ployees. The eight Morse operators were eliminated.
A public utility company connected five of its offices with teletypes
for handling service orders and merchandise orders. The amount of
overtime was greatly reduced; service was improved; and a messenger
with an automobile was eliminated.
A public utility company installed one master transmitting teletype
and 20 receiving teletypes— 10 in the telephone order department, 5
in the main branches, and 5 in the subbranches. One typing sufficed
for all. A typist and a messenger were eliminated at each of the five
main branches— a total displacement of 10.
A Radical Departure: The Telegraph Exchange

T he evolution of the telegraph has differed from that of the tele­
phone mainly in the fact that telegraphic communications have been
received, transmitted, and delivered by telegraph companies; while
telephonic communications have been by direct vocal contacts, the
telephone companies merely furnishing the facilities and establishing
the talking circuit or connection. The telegram is literally a written
or recorded communication; and the original nature of the record (a
code which required specialized training and skill) made necessary
the intervention of a third party (a telegraph company) for the actual
handling of the message as well as for the furnishing of facilities.
The printer telegraph in its most recent form not only makes
technically possible the direct transmission of telegrams by the simple
process of operating a typewriter, but also makes economically feasible
the widespread use of private printer circuits. In the customers’
offices of commercial telegraph companies there are more than 10,000

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printer telegraphs (more commonly called simplex printers by tele­
graph companies), originally installed and still principally used merely
for connecting customers’ offices with company offices. In the offices
of public institutions, hotels, business firms, and other organizations
throughout the country there are more than 10,000 printer telegraphs
(formerly called telephone typewriters and now officially designated as
teletypewriters) originally installed and still mainly used for purposes
of interior communication over private circuits.
The simplex printers in the offices of customers of the telegraph
companies operate over circuits supervised by the telegraph com­
panies. The teletypewriters installed for interior communication
usually operate over circuits leased from telephone companies. In
1931 the telegraph companies instituted an arrangement known as
timed-wire service for tying together the simplex printers in their
customers’ offices and making possible direct telegraphic communica­
tion. At about the same time, the telephone companies announced
a special teletypewriter service which would make possible direct
communication between any two offices having private teletypewriter
circuits. In both cases (whether two simplex printers under the ar­
rangement sponsored by the telegraph companies or two teletype­
writers under the system initiated by the telephone companies), a
message typed in the transmitting office will be automatically and
directly typed in the receiving office. For transferring the message
from the private circuit of the transmitting office to the private cir­
cuit of the receiving office, two methods are used: (1) The message
is automatically placed on a perforated tape in code in the central
office and thereby transmitted over the company’s circuit and trans­
ferred to the private circuit of the receiving office; and (2) the two
private circuits (transmitting and receiving) are merged with a
company trunk-line circuit to form a single circuit over which the
message is sent as in the case of a telephone connection.
I t is possible to use the same wire facilities for carrying on a tele­
phone conversation and at the same time sending a telegram. The
telegram can be sent when there is no one to receive it, as it is auto­
matically printed at the receiving end. Sending a telegram is merely
a matter of operating a typewriter. Such facts as these were at the
basis of a telephone company official’s Venture in prophecy when he
stated : “ Teletypewriters are now numbered in the thousands. Their
future lies in the millions. They are as inevitable as the telephone.”
In so far as telegraphic communication is thus transformed, tele­
graph operators will cease to handle telegrams and will merely provide
circuit facilities as is now the case with telephone calls. Message
handling, which is now the major part of the work of telegraph
offices, will be transferred to the offices and homes of customers (or
subscribers) and will become largely incidental to routine procedure.


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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND UNEM­
PLOYMENT RELIEF
Unemployment Insurance Plan of National Electrical
Manufacturers’ Association
H E National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association, having a
membership of 300 companies with a total output comprising
85 to 90 per cent of the electrical product of the country, announced
the adoption of an unemployment-insurance plan on June 3. This is
the first instance of an entire industry associating its members in a
definite attem pt to provide protection for employees against the con­
tingency of unemployment. The proposed plan is called the “ Nema
Unemployment Benefit Plan.” I t is estimated that between two
and three hundred thousand persons are employed by the members of
the association, including the General Electric Co., which has had a
similar plan in effect since August, 1930, and it is hoped that eventually
all of these companies will be brought under the “ Nem a” plan.
The adoption of the plan by any company depends upon a favorable
vote of at least 60 per cent of the eligible employees.
The provisions of the plan are as follows:

T

E lig ib ilit y

1.
Any employee receiving normal wage or salary of not more than $2,500
per year, with continuous service with the company of one year, is eligible for
participation for such period as his normal wage or salary does not exceed $2,500
per year in the
company unemployment benefit plan (hereinafter
called the “ plan”) and may by agreement in writing participate in the plan.
Any employee having elected to participate in the plan may thereafter resign.
N o rm a l em p lo y ee co n trib u tio n s

2.
Every employee participating in the plan shall pay into a trust created by
the company for the benefit of said employees, to be known as the company
unemployment benefit plan trust (hereinafter referred to as the “ trust”) 1 per
cent of his actual weekly or monthly earnings for five years after the begin­
ning of his participation, or for such shorter or longer period as may be deter­
mined from time to time by the administrators of the plan, but only so long as
such earnings are 50 per cent or more of his average normal full time weekly or
monthly earnings. These normal contributions shall cease in abnormal times
of unemployment, as outlined in article 18 hereof.
N o rm a l c o m p a n y co n trib u tio n s

3.
The company will contribute to the trust an amount equal to that contrib­
uted by the participating employees, such contributions to be made at such
times as the administrators may determine.
C o n trib u tio n w hen c o m p a n y re g u la riz e s em p lo y m en t

4.
If the company regularizes and guarantees employment for at least 50 per
cent of the normal wage or salary paid each year to employees participating in
the plan, the contribution of the company for such employees need not be made,
22

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but such employees will continue to pay into the trust 1 per cent of their actual
weekly or monthly earnings, which amount shall be set aside as a special fund
for the benefit only of such participating employees. If an employee participat­
ing in this special fund leaves the company or dies, the amount to his credit in
the special fund, plus interest at the average rate earned by the special fund, shall
be paid to him or to his beneficiaries, as the case may be.
P a y m e n ts , lo a n s, a n d re p a y m e n ts

Three per cent of the normal contributions paid into the trust by par­
ticipating employees and an equal amount contributed to the trust by the com­
pany may be considered by the administrators as available for payment to em­
ployees or former employees in need, as provided for in article 7 hereof. Twentyseven per cent of such normal contributions and 27 per cent of the contributions
made by the company may be considered by the administrators as available for
making loans to participating employees as provided for in article 8 hereof. The
balance of the normal contributions of the participating employees and the com­
pany, together with all emergency contributions paid into the trust and all
interest thereon, less any expenses of conducting the plan, shall be made available
by the trustee or trustees for unemployment payments as specified herein.
6. No unemployment payments from the normal contributions paid into the
trust by participating employees or the company are to be made from the trust
for at least six months after its creation, and thereafter only to employees who
have made their normal contributions for at least six months.
7. Payments to any employee or former employee of the company who is in
need wiil be considered by the administrators, and after investigation payment
will be made in such amount and for such period as may be approved by the
administrators.
8. The administrators are authorized to make loans to those employees who
have been contributing to the trust for. six months. Such loans may be made in
amounts not exceeding $200 each, with or without interest, as may be determined
by the administrators.
9. Repayments of loans shall be made to the trust in such manner and at such
times and in such amounts as the administrators may require.
5.

U n e m p lo y m e n t p a y m en ts

10. The administrators will define unemployment. The following is a sug­
gested definition: Unemployment commences when a participating employee is
temporarily laid off because of lack of work. Unemployment ceases when such
employee is offered work within the company capable of being performed by him,
at a rate of compensation not less than the regular rate normally paid for such
work, that will result in earnings of at least 50 per cent of his average normal full­
time earnings and not less than his weekly unemployment payment. Temporary
work outside the company shall not prevent a participating employee from
receiving part-time unemployment payments, but such payments can only be
made after investigation by and with the approval of the administrators.
11. When a participating employee is given notice of temporary lay-off by the
company, notice shall also be given to the administrators.
12. For the first two weeks of unemployment there shall be no payment from
the trust to a participating employee.
13. After the first two weeks of unemployment, payment to a participating
employee will be made.
14. 'Unemployment payments to a participating employee shall be approxi­
mately 50 per cent of his normal average earnings for full time, but in no case more
than $20 per week.
15. Payment to any individual participating employee of unemployment
benefits shall continue for the period of unemployment determined by the admin­
istrators, but in no event for more than 10 weeks in any 12 consecutive months,
provided, however, that during the period of an unemployment emergency pay­
ments to participating employees shall be made for such time and in such amounts
as the administrators shall determine.
16. When because of lack of work a participating employee is working part time
and within the period of 13 weeks immediately preceding has lost time equivalent
to two weeks normal full time, he will be eligible for payments from the trust
amounting to the difference between the amount he is receiving as wage or salary
from the company and the maximum he would be entitled to for unemployment
benefits as herein outlined and as provided for from time to time.

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M O N TH LY LA B O R R E V IE W

17. When an unemployment emergency has been declared and emergency
contributions are being made and when the amount received from normal con­
tributions has been expended and the only moneys available for distribution arise
from emergency contributions, the administrators shall, in their sole discretion,
determine to whom and in what amounts and for what periods of time any pay­
ments shall be made.
W h e n n o rm a l co n trib u tio n s cease

18. When participating employees are temporarily laid off, or are working
part time, and weekly unemployment payments from the trust amount to 2 per
cent or more of the normal average weekly earnings of all of the participating
employees (as of the preceding quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30,
or December 31), the administrators shall notify the company of this fact and
thereupon normal payments by participating employees provided for in article 2
shall cease. Thereafter the administrators shall notify the company weekly of
the amounts of the payments made from the trust and the ratio of such payments
to the normal average weekly earnings of all participating employees.
E m e r g e n c y co n trib u tio n s

19. The company agrees upon receipt of the notification provided for in the
preceding article 18 to declare that an unemployment emergency has arisen, and
thereafter and so long as weekly unemployment payments from the trust amount
to 2 per cent or more of the normal average weekly earnings of participating
employees the following emergency contributions shall be made to the trust:
(а) From all those employed by the company at the particular works where an
unemployment emergency has been declared and receiving 50 per cent or more of
their normal average full-time earnings, 1 per cent of such earnings. This
includes all the clerical and supervisory staff and all officers of the company
connected with the particular works.
(б) All the general and district, commercial, general manufacturing, engineering,
and administrative employees of the company at all works and offices in the
United States not on a particular works’ pay roll shall contribute such proportion
of 1 per cent as is determined by the ratio of the number of participating em­
ployees of the works at which an emergency exists to the total number of eligible
employees of all works of the company.
(c) The company wall contribute to the trust an amount equal to that con­
tributed by the employees of the company as provided in this article.
(d) The method of collection of emergency contributions shall be in accordance
with instructions issued by the comptroller of the company.
N o rm a l co n trib u tio n s re s u m e d

20. As soon after an unemployment emergency has been declared, as weekly
unemployment payments made by the trustee or trustees amount to less than
2 per cent of the normal average weekly earnings of participating employees, the
administrators shall so notify the company and the company shall thereupon
declare the unemployment emergency terminated. After an unemployment
emergency has terminated, normal contributions to the trust from the participat­
ing employees and the company shall be resumed in the manner provided in
articles 2 and 3. After a participating employee has received payments from the
trust in time of unemployment, the administrators shall, after his return to work
and after considering the condition of the trust and the length of time he has been
a participating employee before receiving such payments, decide whether he shall
again be called upon to pay into the trust the amount of such payments, and the
length of time they shall continue.
P a y m e n ts w hen em p lo y ees leave, d ie , or r e s ig n

21. When a participating employee leaves the company for any reason or dies,
the trustee or trustees of the trust shall pay to him, if living, or, if not living, to
the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by him in a writing filed with the trustee
or trustees, or, in default of such designation, to his estate, an amount to be
determined as follows:
From his normal contributions will be deducted any payments made to him.
If at the works where he was employed the plan has a net operating loss (arising
from other than receipts and repayments of normal contributions) his pro rata
share of the loss will then be deducted and the balance shall be paid as above

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E M P L O Y M E N T CONDITIONS---- U N E M P L O Y M E N T R E L I E F

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provided. No payment will be made until any loan to the employee has been
repaid.
22. Employees who become participators in the plan and thereafter voluntarily
resign from the plan will receive no refund or repayment until they leave the
employ of the company, at which time their pro rata share will be computed and
paid as provided in article 21.
23. When amounts are paid in accordance with articles 21 and/or 22, an equal
amount shall be paid to the company.
24. Certification of the amount due to a participating employee when he leaves
the company made by the comptroller of the company shall be accepted as final.
25. Payments from the trust by the trustee or trustees are contingent upon
the availability of trust funds at the time of the application.
A d o p tio n o f p la n by em p lo y ees

26. The plan may be adopted at any works and the company will contribute
as provided in article 3 upon an affirmative vote of 60 per cent or more of the
employees of that works with continuous service of one year or more, receiving a
wage or salary not in excess of $2,500 per year.
C rea tio n o f trust

27. The company will create the trust and any necessary renewals thereof
and will select the trustee or trustees. The trustee or trustees will be custodians
of the fund contributed by the participating employees and by the company
under the plan, and of all contributions made by the company and any employees
of the company during the period of an unemployment emergency.
28. The trustee or trustees shall make no payments out of the moneys in the
trust except at such times and in such amounts and to such persons as the ad­
ministrators may in writing designate, and except that upon the termination of
the trust the trustee or trustees will upon request of the company pay over and
deliver all moneys and/or securities to any successor trustee or trustees appointed
by the company. The trustee or trustees shall be under no obligation to see that
payments made as and when ordered by the administrators are proper or in
accordance with the plan.
29. The trustee or trustees shall invest moneys paid into the trust only in
the readily marketable obligations of the Government of the United States of
America or of any of its 48 State governments, or of any city, county or other
governmental subdivision of the State of
, none of which shall have a
maturity of over five years from the date of purchase, the intent being that
investments of the trust shall, in so far as possible, always be readily convertible
into cash.
E x p e n s e s o f a d m in is tra tio n

30. For two years after the inauguration of the plan the company will pay the
administration expenses, including the salaries of those necessary for its admin­
istration. After such period the expenses of administering the plan will be de­
termined and an agreement reached between the company and the administra­
tors as to a proper method for bearing such administration expenses.
G en era l a d m in is tra tio n

31. The plan will be administered in units of each works.
32. The administration of the plan at each works shall be vested in a board of
not less than 4 nor more than 16 administrators, all of whom shall be officers or
employees of the company, one half representing and elected by the participating
employees and the other half appointed by the president of the company, with a
chairman elected by the administrators from among their own number. The
chairman shall have a vote. No action shall be taken by the administrators
except by the concurrent vote of a majority of the whole board.
33. The board of administrators may adopt by-laws and rules for carrying out
the provisions of the plan and the duties imposed upon them, which by-laws and
rules shall be in conformity with the provisions and intent of this plan, and the
board of administrators shall make such rules and regulations governing receipts,
loans, and payments under the plan and such interpretation of its words and
provisions as in their discretion are necessary or advisable.
34. The board of administrators shall cause the accounts of the trust opera­
tions to be audited annually.

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M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

35. From time to time after the plan has been in operation for two years the
administrators may decide, in view of experience in operation, what the normal
amount to be collected from participating employees shall be, the percentages to
be set aside for payments and loans as hereinabove in articles 7 and 8 provided
the amount to be paid to participating employees in case of unemployment, thé
amount of loans that may be made and the terms upon which repayment shall
be made, and the determination of the administrators in this regard shall, when
communicated to the company and the trustee, operate as an amendment of this
plan.
36. This plan may be further modified, amended, or changed at any time by
a two-thirds vote of the administrators at each participating works, provided
however, that such amendment shall only be effective after action at three
meetings of the board of administrators, the second of which meetings shall be
held not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days after the first meeting, and the
third meeting not less than 30 days after the second meeting. After the second
meeting any proposed amendment to the plan shall be posted on the works
bulletin board.
A b a n d o n m e n t o f p la n

37. If because of the enactment of any law, Federal or State, or for any other
reason it appears to the company that it would not be good policy to continue
its contributions to the plan, it will confer with the administrators and will give
them at least 400 days’ notice of its determination to abandon its support of the
plan. Upon the day fixed by the company in accordance with such notice, all
obligations of the company to contribute to the trust shall cease and determine
and, except as provided in articles 38 and 39, thereupon the money in the trust
shall be divided among the company and the participating employees in the
manner provided in article 21.
38. If, after the company shall have given notice of its intention to withdraw
its support of the plan, the participating employees shall by the affirmative vote
of 60 per cent or more of their number decide to continue the plan and trust with­
out the support of the company, then and in that case there shall be paid to the
company one-half of the amount which would have been paid to it upon the total
abandonment of the plan by the company and by the participating employees.
39. If, after the company shall have given notice of its intention to withdraw
its support of the plan, the participating employees by the affirmative vote of 66%
per cent of their number elect to abandon the plan, each participating employee
will be paid the same amount he would receive if he then left the employ of the
company, as provided in article 21. An equal amount will be paid to the com­
pany, less the amount, if any, the company may have received in accordance
with the provisions of article 38. Any balance then remaining to the credit of a
works shall be applied by the trustee or trustees to a purpose or purposes selected
by the board of administrators as beneficial to the employees at that works.
40. If it is decided to abandon the plan as provided in article 39, no further
normal payments or contributions shall be made by the participating employees
and no unemployment or other payments shall be made and no loans shall be
granted. _Repayment of loans granted prior to the decision to abandon the plan
shall continue until fully paid. Relief payments may be continued if funds are
available. Final distribution of the money paid into the trust shall take place
approximately 18 months after the decision to abandon the plan.


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

Unemployment in Foreign Countries
H E following table gives detailed monthly statistics of unem­
ployment in foreign countries, as shown in official reports, from
M ay, 1930, to the latest available date.

T

S T A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S 1
Australia

Austria

Trade-unionists
unemployed
B ate (end of month)
Number

M ay_____
June_____
Ju ly _____
August___
September.
October__
November.
December.

1930
(2)

80, 595
(2)
(2)

90, 379
(2)
(2)

104,951

1931
January______
February______
March________
April_________
M ay__________
June__________
Ju ly ---------------August_______
September____
October..... .........
November,........
D ecem ber.........
January..
February.
March__
April____
M ay____

Compul­
sory in­
surance,
number
unem­
ployed
Per cent in receipt
of benefit

(2)
(2)

113, 614

(4
(2)

118,424
(2)

120, 694

18.5
20.5
23.4

25.8
27.6
28.3

( 2i

(2)

118, 732

28.0

120, 366

28.3

1932

( 2i

Belgium
Unemployment insurance societies
Wholly unem­
ployed
Number

Per cent

162,678
150, 075
153,188
156,145
163,894
192, 778
237, 745
294,845

12,119
12, 226
15, 302
17, 747
23, 693
27,322
38,973
63, 585

331, 239
334, 041
304,084
246,845
208,852
191,150
194,364
196, 321
202,130
228,101
273,658
329,627

77,181
81,750
81,305
70,377
56, 250
62, 642
64,644
70,893
74,175
82,811
93,487
128,884

7.9
8.9
9.1
9.9
10.3
11.3
13.3
17.0

358,114
361,948
352,444
303,888
271,481

153, 920
168,204
155,653
152, 530

20.0
21.3
19.4
18.8

1. 9
1. 9
2. 4 '
2. 8
3.8
4. 3
6.1
9.3
11.1
11.7
11.3
10 .0

Partially unem­
ployed
Number

38, 761
41,336
48, 580
51,649
61,623
54,804
76,043
117,167


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

6.1

6.5
7.7

8.2

9.9
8.5

12.0

17.0

112,734
121, 906
125, 972
110,139
97, 755
101,616
116,747
120, 669
119, 433
122,733
134, 799
159,941

21.1

179,560
180,079
185, 267

23. 2
22. 8
23.0

See footnotes at end of table.

125620°—32----- 3

Per cent

27

16.2
19.4
17.7
15.6
13.8
14.4
16.3
16.8
16.6
16.8
19.2

28

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W
S T A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S—Continued

Canada

Date (end of month)

Per cent
of tradeunionists
unem­
ployed

Number
of unem­
ployed
on live
register

1930
May_ _____
___ _____
June
_ _
Ju ly_______________- ____
August __ __ ____ ______
September____ ___ __ _
October . _ __ _______
November____ _____
D ecem ber... . _________

10.3
10.6
9.2
9.3
9.4
10.8
13.8
17.0

1931
January___________
F e b ru a ry .____•_ . . . . ..
March______ ____ ___
April________ _________
M ay. ___ _______ _____
June___
___
July____________________
August_____
___
September______________
October__ _
. ___ . . .
November... . . .
____
December_____________
1932
January___________ _ __
February________________
M arch.. __________ •_ __ _
A pril..
. . .
M ay____________________

See footnotes at end of table.

Number
of unem­
ployed
registered

Trade-union unem­
ployment funds—
unemployed
Number

Per cent

77,069
73,464
77,309
88,005
104, 534
122,379
155, 203
239, 564

41,098
37, 853
46, 800
52, 694
57, 542
61,213
65,904
93,476

3.8
3.4
4.1
4.7
5.3
5.5
5.9
8.3

16, 232
14, 975
15,330
15, 687
16,073
17, 307
20, 272
24, 429

27,966
24, 807
26, 200
26, 232
27, 700
32,880
44, 200
71,100

9.4
8.7
9.3
9.0
9.0
11.4
15.3
24.6

16.0
15. 6
15.5
14.9
16.2
16.3
16. 2
15.8
18.1
18.3
18.6
21.1

313, 511
343, 972
339, 505
296, 756
249, 686
220, 038
209, 233
214, 520
228,383
253,518
336,874
480, 775

104, 580
117, 450
119, 350
107, 238
93,941
82, 534
82, 759
86, 261
84, 660
88, 600
106, 015
146,325

9.5
10.0
10.0
8.9
7.6
6.6
6.6
6.9
6.7
6.9
8.2
11.3

27, 081
28,192
27, 070
24, 186
20, 686
19,855
20,420
21, 509
22, 922
24, 932
28, 966
32,956

70,961
73, 427
67, 725
45, 698
37, 856
34, 030
36,369
35, 060
35, 871
47,196
66, 526
91,216

24.2
26.0
22.1
15.3
12.3
11.3
11.8
11.8
12. 1
16.0
22.3
30.4

22.0
20.6
20. 4
23. 0

583,138
631, 736
633, 907
555”832
484,604

186,308
197,612

14.0
14.8

34,912
36, 258
36,481
33,418

106,464
112, 346
113,378
90| 704
79,931

35.1
37.3
37. 5
29. 9
26.1

Finland

Per cent

Germany

France

Number
unem­
Number Number
ployed Number of unem­ of
unem­
remain­ of unem­ ployed
ployed in receipt
ployed
ing on registered
registered
live
of benefit
register

1930
M ay__________ _______
June____ . . . ___________
Ju ly _____________________
August_________
____
September__ - _. _______
October__________________
November.
Decem ber.. _ ___________
1931
Jan u ary.. ._
_. . . .
Febru ary______ _______
M arch...
April.
M ay______ . . . __________
June____ . . . .
Ju ly _____________________
August________ . . . . .
September__ ___ _ _ _
October___________ _ ___
November... _____
Decem ber.. . .
___
1932
Jan u ary..
_____
February...
_____ _ _ _
March__ . . . . . .
A p ril...
___ _ _
M ay_____ _________ ____


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

Trade-union insur­
ance funds—un­
employed in re­
ceipt of benefit

Denmark

Number

Estonia

Date (end of month)

Danzig
(Free
City of)

Czechoslovakia

Trade-unionists
Per cent Per cent
wholly partially
unem­
unem­
ployed
ployed

Number
unem­
ployed
in receipt
of benefit

2,065
910
762
1,039
1, 414
3, 282
5,675
6,163

4, 666
3, 553
4,026
5,288
7,157
10, 279
10,740
9,336

859
1,019
856
964
988
1,663
4,893
11,952

2,634, 718
2,640,681
2,765, 258
2, 883, 000
3,004, 000
3, 252, 000
3, 683, 000
4, 384, 000

19.5
19.6
20.5
21.7
22.5
23.6
26.0
31.7

12. 0
12.6
13.9
14.8
15.1
15.4
16.1
16.9

1, 889, 240
1,834,662
1, 900, 961
1, 947, 811
1, 965, 348
2, 071, 730
2,353, 980
2, 822, 598

5,364
4,070
2, 765
2, 424
1, 368
931
634
933
2,096
5,425
7,554
9,055

11, 706
11, 557
11,491
12,663
7,342
6,320
6, 790
9,160
12,176
14,824
18, 095
17,223

28, 536
40, 766
50,815
49, 958
41,339
36, 237
35,916
37, 673
38, 524
51,654
92,157
147, 009

4, 887, 000
4, 972, 000
4, 756, 000
4,358, 000
4, 053, 000
3, 954, 000
3,976, 000
4, 215, 000
4, 355, 000
4,623,480
5, 059, 773
5,668,187

34.2
34.5
33.6
31. 2
29.9
29.7
31.0
33.6
35.0
36.6
38.9
42.2

19.2
19.5
18.9
18. 0
17.4
17.7
19.1
21.4
22. 2
22. 0
21.8
22.3

3, 364, 770
3,496, 979
3, 240, 523
2, 789, 627
2, 507, 732
2, 353, 657
2,231, 513
2,376, 589
2, 483, 364
2, 534, 952
2,771, 985
3,147, 867

9,318
9,096
8, 395
6,029

20,944
18, 856
16,723

241, 487
293,198
303, 218
282, 013
262,184

6, 041,910
6,128,429
6, 034,100
f) 934 202
5, 582,620

43.6
44.1
44. 6
43.9

22.6
22.6
22.6
22.1

3,481, 418
3, 525, 486
3,323,109
2,906,890

29

E M P L O Y M E N T CONDITIONS— U N E M P L O Y M E N T R E L I E F
S T A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S—Continued

Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Compulsory insurance
Date (end of month)
Temporary stop­
pages

Wholly unem­
ployed
Number

1930
M ay.
. . . _________
June.
.
.
. .. .. .
Ju ly_________________________
August_____ .
_______ ..
September . . . . . ____ .
October ___ . . . . . . . .
November___________________
December . .
_______ .
1931
January...
__________ __
February____ _ _____________
M arch.. . . . . . . ____ . .
April________________________
M ay. ______ . _____________
Ju n e .. .
_
. . . . .
Ju ly _________________________
August__ . . _ . . . . ______
September.. . _____ ________
October_________ _____ _____
November.. . _______________
December . . . . . . . . . ._
1932
Jan uary... . . . . . ____ ______
February. . . ______
March.
April
. . . . .
. _ .
M ay______
. . . . . . . ____
See footnotes at end of table.


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

Hungary
Trade-unionists un­
employed

Number
of persons
registered
with em­
ployment
exchanges

Christian
(Buda­
pest)

SocialDemo­
cratic

Per cent Number Per .cent

1830
M ay____ _______ _ _____
1, 339, 595
June______________ ______ 1, 341, 818
Ju ly _____________________
1, 405, 981
August___________ ____ _.
1, 500, 990
September. ____________ 1, 579, 708
October___ ________ . _ 1, 725, 731
November___________
1, 836, 280
Decem ber..
_ . .
1, 853, 575
1931
2, 044, 209
J a n u a r y .._____ ______
F e b ru a ry .______ . . . . .
2, 073, 578
March _____
2.052,826
April___. . . ____________
2,027,896
2, 019, 533
M ay____ ____ _
___. . .
June. .
. .
. .. 2, 037, 480
2, 073, 892
Ju ly _____________________
August________________ .. 2,142, 821
2, 217, 080
September___. . . .
October. . .
.
. . . . . . 2,305,388
November .
_
. . _ . . . 2, 294, 902
2, 262, 700
December______________
1932
2, 354, 044
January_____ .
____
2, 317, 784
February
March
_
______
2, 233, 425
2, 204, 740
2,183,683
M a y ... _ _________ ____

Date (end of month)

Great
Britain

11.1
11.1
11.6
12.4
13. 1
13.9
14. 8
14.9

516,303
569, 931
664,107
618, 658
608, 692
593, 223
532,518
646, 205

4.2
4.7
5.5
5. 1
5.0
4.8
4.3
5.3

1, 770, 051
1,890,575
2, Oil, 467
2, 039,702
1,114, 955
2, 200, 413
2,274,338
2,392, 738

875
829
920
847
874
999
975
935

19, 875
18, 960
19,081
21,013
22, 252
22, 914
23,333
24, 648

16.5
16.7
16. 5
16.3
16.3
16.4
16. 7
17.3
17. 9
18. 1
18. 0
17.7

618,633
623, 844
612,821
564, 884
558, 383
669,315
732, 583
670,342
663, 466
487, 591
439, 952
408,117

5.0
5. 0
5. 0
4.6
4. 5
5.4
5.9
5.4
5.3
3. 8
3.4
3.2

2, 613, 749
2, 627, 559
2, 581, 030
2, 531, 674
2, 596,431
2, 629, 215
2, 662, 765
2, 732, 434
2, 879,466
2, 755, 559
2. 656, 088
2, 569, 949

953
965
996
1, 042
843
751
876
941
932
1, 020
1, 169
1, 240

26, 191
27, 089
27, 092
27,129
26,131
23, 660
26, 329
28, 471
28, 716
28, 998
29, 907
31,906

18.4
18.2
17.5
17. 3
17.1

500, 746
491, 319
426, 989
521, 705
638,157

4.0
3.8
3.3
4. 1
5.0

2, 728,411
2, 701, 173
2, 567,332
2, 652, 181
2, 741,306

1, 182
1,083
1,024

32, 711
32, 645
31, 340

Irish Free
State

Italy

Latvia

Compul­
sory insur­
an cenumber
unem­
ployed

Number of unem­
ployed registered
Partially
unem­
ployed

Number
unem­
ployed
remaining
on live
register

Wholly
unem­
ployed

Netherlands
Unemployment in­
surance societies—
unemployed
Number

Per cent

(2)
19,146
(2)
(2)
20, 775
22, 990
25, 622
26,167

367,183
322,291
342,061
375, 548
394,630
446,496
534, 356
642,169

22,825
21,887
24, 209
24,056
22,734
19,081
22,125
21,788

1,421
779
607
573
1,470
6,058
8, 608
10,022

26, 211
23, 678
29, 075
32, 755
35, 532
41,088
46,807
81, 204

6.3
5.5
6.7
7.6
8.2
9.6
11.8
18.2

28,681
26,825
25,413
23, 970
23,016
21,427
21, 647
21,897
23,427
26, 353
30,865
30,918

722,612
765,325
707,486
670,353
635,183
573, 593
637,531
693, 273
747, 764
799, 744
878, 267
982,321

27,924
27,110
27, 545
28, 780
26,059
24, 206
25,821
30, 636
29,822
32,828
30,967
32,949

9,207
8,303
8,450
6,390
1,871
1,584
2,169
4,827
7,470
13,605
18,377
21,935

100, 340
109, 235
102,743
68, 860
60,189
59, 573
69,026
70,479
72, 738
84,548
107,372
147,107

23.2
23.5
21.8
14.3
12.2
11.7
13.3
15.3
15.7
18.0
18.5
27.8

31,958
31,162
30,866
32,252

1,051,321
1,147, 945
1,053, 016
1, 000, 025
' 968j 456

33, 277
26, 321
31, 636
32,720

26,163
22, 222
22,922

145,124
139, 956
119,423
121 378
112,325

27.0
25.4
21.6
21 7
22.5

30

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W
S T A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S—Continued
New
Zealand

Date (end of month)

M ay_____
June_____
Ju ly_____
August___
September.
October__
November.
December.

1930

5,884
(2)
(2)

7,197

(2)

(2)

8,119

(2)

1931
January_________
February________
March__________
April...:_________
M ay____________
June____________
Ju ly____________
August__________
September_______
October_________
November_______
December_______
January. _
February.
M a rc h ...
April___
M ay____

Tradeunionists,
number
unem­
ployed

1932

3 45,677
3 44,210
_______
________

Poland

Rumania

Per cent

Number
unem­
ployed
remaining
on live
register

Number
unem­
ployed
registered
with em­
ployment
offices

Number
unem­
ployed
remaining
on live
register

12. 2
10.8
10.8
13.4
15.7
18.0
21.4
25.5

16,376
13,939
11,997
12, 923
17,053
20,363
24, 544
27,157

224,914
204, 982
193, 687
173, 627
170, 467
165,154
209,912
299, 797

25,096
22, 960
23, 236
24,209
39,110
36,147
42, 689
36, 212

26. 3

340, 718
358,925
372, 536
351, 679
313,104
274, 942
255,179
246,380
246,426
255, 622
266,027
312, 487

38,804
43,270
48, 226
41,519
33,484
28,093
29,250
22, 708
22,909
28,800
43, 917
49,393

338,434
350,145
352,754
328, 700
288,000

51,612
57, 606

Trade-unionists (10
u n io n s) u n em ­
ployed
Number

5, 239
4, 700
4,723
5,897
7,010
8,031
9,396
11,265
11,692

3 38,028
3 36, 981
3 40, 507
3 45, 264
3 47, 772
3 50,033
3 51,375
3 50, 266
3 47, 535
3 45, 140

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Norway

9,048
10,577
12,633

419. 6
27.2

28, 596
29,107
29,095
28,477
25, 206
22, 736
20,869
22,431
27,012
29, 340
32,078
34,789

14,160
14,354
15,342
14,629

30.4
30. 6
32.5
30.8

34, 636
37, 796
38,952
36, 993

(2)

11, 213

«

*

-------24. 9
--------

22.8

31

E M P L O Y M E N T CO ND ITIO N S— U N EM P LO Y M E N T R E L I E F
ST A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S—Continued
Saar Ter­
ritory

Yugo­
slavia

.Switzerland

Sweden

Unemployment funds
Date (end of month)

Number
unem­
ployed
registered

Trade-unionists
unemployed

Number

Per
cent

Wholly unem­
ployed
Number

Per
cent

Partially unem­
ployed
Number

Number
of unem­
ployed
registered

Per
cent

1930
M ay______ . . .
___
June___________ _____
Ju ly___________________
August__ _____________
September ........... .
_
O cto b er.______ _ ____
November ________ . . .
December__________ . . .

7, 362
6,330
7.095
7,099
7, 527
9,013
12,110
15, 245

28,112
28, 956
27,170
28, 539
34, 963
43, 927
57,070
86,042

8.3
8.1
7.8
8.1
9.8
12.2
15.3
22.9

5, 356
5,368
4, 751
5, 703
7,792
7, 399
11, 666
21,400

2.2
1.7
1.9
2.3
2.5
3.0
4.7
6.6

13,129
17,688
15,112
19, 441
26, 111
23,309
25, 793
33,483

5.4
5.7
6.2
7.9
8.3
9.4
10.5
10.4

8,704
6,991
7,236
6, 111
5,973
6,609
7, 219
9,989

1931
January______ . . ____
February- __________
M arch___
.
_____
April______ ____ _______
M ay__________________
June______ _ _____ . . .
Ju ly ----------------------------August . . .
_____
September..
_____ _
October
. _
November___
December . . .
...

18, 921
20,139
18, 292
18,102
14,886
15,413
17, 685
20, 205
21, 741
24,685
28,659
35,045

69,437
66,923
72,944
64, 534
49, 807
45,839
46,180
48, 590
54,405
65, 469
79,484
110,149

19.8
18.4
19.3
17.5
13.2
12. 1
12.4
12.7
13. 7
16.4
19.9
27.2

20, 551
20,081
18, 991
10,389
9,174
12, 577
12, 200
9,754
15,188
18, 000
25, 200
41,611

8.3
7.9
5.4
4.0
3.5
3.6
3.3
3.6
4.0
4.8
6.6
10.1

30, 977
30, 879
41, 880
27, 726
26,058
34, 266
39,000
33, 346
42, 998
47, 200
51,900
61, 256

12.5
12.2
12,4
10.6
9.9
9.7
11.3
12.4
11. 2
13.2
14.4
14.9

11, 903
14, 424
12,029
11,391
6,929
4,431
6,672
7,466
7,753
10, 070
10,349
14,502

1932
Ja n u a r y ..____ . . . ___
February _ _____ _ . . .
March.
_
.. . ..

38, 790
42,394
44,883

93, 272
93,900
98, 772
82, 500

24. 5
23.0
24.4
21. 0

44,600
48, 600
40, 423
35,400

10.6
11.3
9.0
7.7

67,600
70, 100
62,659
58,900

14.8
15.0
14.0
12.6

19, 665
21,435
23, 251

1 Sources: League of Nations—Monthly Bulletin of Statistics; International Labor Office—International
Labor Review; Canada—Labor Gazette; Great Britain—Ministry of Labor Gazette; Austria—Statistische Nachrichten; Australia—Quarterly Summary of Australian Statistics; Germany—Reichsarbeits;
blatt, Reicbs Arbeitsmarkt Anzeiger; Switzerland—Wirt. u. Social, Mitteilungen, La Vie EconomiquePoland—Wiedemosci Statystyczne; Norway—Statistiske Meddelelser; Netherlands—Maandschrift;
Sweden—Sociala Meddelanden; Denmark—Statistiske Efterretninger; Finland—Bank of Finland
Monthly Bulletin; France—Bulletin du Marché du Travail; Hungary—Magyar Statisztikai Szemle;
Belgium—Revue du Travail; New Zealand—Monthly Abstract of Statistics; U. S. Department of Com­
merce—Commerce Reports; and U. S. Consular Reports.
2 Not reported.
3 New series of statistics showing unemployed registered by the employment exchanges. Includes not
only workers wholly unemployed but also those intermittently employed.
* Strike ended. Provisional figure.


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INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
International Labor Conference, 1932
H E sixteenth session of the International Labor Conference 1
was held in Geneva, April 12 to April 30, with 336 delegates
and advisers present from 49 countries.
The agenda of the conference contained four items: Fee-charging
employment agencies; invalidity, old-age, and widows’ and orphans’
insurance; juvenile employment in nonindustrial occupations; and
revision of the convention for the safety of dockers. There were
two other questions before the conference, dealing, respectively, with the
amendment of the standing orders and the reports on the application
of conventions. The first item on the agenda was the subject of
preliminary discussion, and it was unanimously decided by the con­
ference to place the question of the abolition of fee-charging employ­
ment agencies on the agenda of the next session with a view to the
adoption of a draft convention. The conference also voted that a
questionnaire covering a number of points should be sent to the
different governments in preparation for the second discussion. The
question of invalidity, old-age, and widows’ and orphans’ insurance
was also the subject of first discussion. I t was agreed to include it
on the agenda of the next session with a view to the adoption of a
draft convention providing for this type of insurance for employed
workers in general and for land workers.
A draft convention was adopted by the conference providing that
the age of admission of children to employment in nonindustrial
occupations should be fixed at 14 years or the school-leaving age,
whichever is the higher. The convention also provides that light
work for children over 12 years of age may be authorized, subject to
specified safeguards, and that a higher age limit shall be fixed for
dangerous and unhealthful trades and for street trading. Lower
age limits were fixed for India, subject to review after five years.
The convention relating to the protection against accidents of
workers employed in loading and unloading ships, which was adopted
in 1929, was amended in certain technical points to facilitate its
ratification by the chief maritime countries. A recommendation was
adopted advocating a conference among the different governments
for the purpose of securing uniformity in the application of the
convention and a resolution was passed authorizing the International
Labor Office to review the position in 1934 in regard to reciprocity
in the recognition of national certificates of compliance by ships
with the terms of the convention.
A committee, appointed to deal with the annual reports presented
by the different countries regarding the observance of conventions
ratified by them, reported that the application of ratified conventions
was becoming increasingly effective. A resolution relating to unem­
ployment, which condemned any policy of wage reduction and sug­
gested an investigation of the question of the institution of the 44-hour

T

1 International Labor Office.

32


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Industrial and Labor Information, issues of Apr. 25 and May 9, 1932.

IN D U ST R IA L AND LA B O R CONDITIONS

33

week in all industrial countries with a view to the adoption of inter­
national regulations on the subject, was adopted. The director of the
international labor office was requested, in a resolution referring to
the economic crisis, to endeavor to secure the cooperation of the
Council of the League of Nations and members of the League in
efforts to restore general prosperity, attention being drawn to the
importance of international public works, the coming Lausanne
conference on reparations and debts, and joint action on currency and
credit problems. Other questions dealt with by the conference in­
cluded long-term labor contracts, housing, workmen’s compensation
for silicosis, and the effects of opium smoking on the conditions of the
workers.

Domestic Service in Philadelphia Homes
H E results of a survey of household employment in Philadelphia
and vicinity have just been published by the United States
Women’s Bureau.1 The investigation was originated by the women’s
problem group of the social order committee of the Society of Friends,
and the questionnaires were sent out in 1928 by a committee of that
group.
Over 950 employers sent in tabulatable data on wages, hours, work­
ing conditions, and other matters concerning their employees. Some
of the findings are given in brief below :
The number of householders returning satisfactory questionnaires
on household employment was 954. Of the 2,833 employees reported
upon in these 954 schedules, 1,781 were full-time and 1,052 were day
workers ; 2,062 were women and 709 were men. Replies were received
to only 76 of the questionnaires sent employees. Of that number, 2
were from male domestic workers.

T

Employers’ Questionnaire
N e a r l y three-fourths of the 2,771 workers for which the employers
reported sex were women. Nearly one-third of the women and
slightly over one-eighth of the men were under 30 years of age. The
percentage of foreign born among the women was substantially
higher than among the men. The proportion of Negroes, however,
among both men and women was approximately the same. Only
21.7 per cent of the men were reported single as compared with 51 per
cent of the women. Nearly 70 per cent of the women, as compared
with 55 per cent of the men, were full-time workers.
Three-fifths of the women and approximately one-fifth of the men
lived where they were employed. Approximately four-fifths of the
women who lived in had a room alone and practically all of these had
access to a bath. Of the women for whom information was given as
to whether they had a room in which they might receive friends, al­
most one-half had only the kitchen; the remainder had other rooms or
were permitted to use certain rooms that belonged to the family.
Only about one-tenth of the replying employers lived in apart­
ments, ranging in size from 1 room and bath to 15 rooms and 5 baths.
The size of the houses in which the remaining nine-tenths of these

i U. S. Department of Labor.
delphia. Washington, 1932.


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Women’s Bureau.

Bulletin No. 93: Household employment in Phila­

34

M O N TH LY LA B O R R E V IE W

employers lived ranged from 5 rooms and a bath to 58 rooms and 11
baths.
The size of the families varied from a single person to 12 persons.
Apparently, there was no relationship between the number of workers
employed and the number of persons in the family, or between the
number of workers and the number of rooms. Though the financial
status of the family was a very important factor in connection with
the number of domestic workers employed, there were also various
other influences, among them the standards of value of the heads of
the family.
The woman employees were more frequently found in occupations
concerned with food and the male employees in occupations having
to do with shelter. Many households were provided with modern
conveniences to lessen the expenditure of energy and reduce drudgery.
Hours o f labor.— With regard to hours worked, the report states:
The over all hours, from the beginning to the end of the day’s work, were long;
nearly three-fifths of the women had an over-all of at least 12 hours. For onetenth the day was less than 8 hours; for less than one-third it was 8 and under 12
hours. Of the men for whom the time of beginning and of ending work was re­
ported, less than one-third had an over-all as long as 12 hours; for less than onetwelfth, however, it was under 8 hours, and for three-fifths it was 8 and under 12.
The actual hours of work were tabulated for the women in five of the principal
occupations only— chambermaids, children’s nurses, cooks, general houseworkers,
and waitresses—hour data being reported for about one-half of the women in
these occupations. Of these 630 women, nearly three-fifths worked 10 hours or
more, about one-twelfth working 12 hours or longer. The majority of the cooks
whose hours were given on the questionnaire (58.3 per cent) worked a day of 10
and under 12 hours, and 43.4 per cent of the general houseworkers had hours as
long as this.

Slightly over 11 per cent of the 758 employers who reported on
time off allowed their domestic workers one-half day, and 42.7 per
cent, two half days per week. The remaining 46.1 per cent varied
their practices in this regard.
W ages.— 1T he proportions of men and women paid by the month,
week, day, and hour were as follows:
D IS T R IB U T IO N OF W O R K E R S, B Y P E R IO D OF W AGE P A Y M E N T
Paid by—
M onth.
_____ _ _ ______ _______ _ ___________ _ _____ _
Week__________________________________________________________
Day______________________________________________________________
Hour___ __________________________ . . ____ _________________ ______

Men

Women

P e r cen t

P e r cen t

45.1
30.1
8.0
16.8

12.7
61. 2
24. 7
1.4

Approximately one-tenth of the women and also one-tenth of the
men, paid by the month and living with their employers, received
under $60. Over two-fifths of the men who lived out were reported
as being paid under $60; since, with one exception, all were parttime employees, they undoubtedly received pay from other em­
ployers.
Of those reported as living in and paid by the month, slightly less
than one-third of the women and slightly more than one-third of
the men were in the $80 to $109.99 wage group, while 56.6 per cent
of the women were in the $60 to $79.99 wage group. The monthly
wages of 30 men, 7 of whom lived in, were $140 or more. No woman
was paid as much as this.
Employees paid by the week for whom a specified amount was reported in­
cluded 1,147 women and 154 men. Living conditions of the women and men

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IN D U ST R IA L AND L A B O R CONDITIONS

35

in this group are in direct contrast, for while more than four-fifths of the women
lived in, about three-fourths of the men lived away from their place of employ­
ment. Though nearly three-fourths of the women living in were paid from $14
to $20 a week, slightly less than three-eighths of those living out received
amounts within this range. The largest proportion of women living out in any
group is found in the $9-and-under-$14 class, while the largest proportion of
men living out received $20 and under $45 a week. More than two-fifths of the
men living out—all but one of whom were part-time workers—received less
than $9.
The day wage paid most women—84.2 per cent of those doing day’s work—
was $3 and under $4, while the day rate for the largest proportion of men was
$5 and under $6.

Training jo r present jo b .— No question was asked concerning the
worker’s special vocational training for her job, but inquiry was
made as to her training at home or with a previous employer. Such
information was tabulated for 1,078 women, including cooks, general
houseworkers, chambermaids, waitresses, and children’s nurses. Over
seven-tenths of these employees had had training from a previous
employer, almost one-eighth and nearly the same proportion had
received training both at home and from a previous employer.
Length o f service.— More than two-fifths of the 1,103 women for
whom a report was made as to length of service with present em­
ployer had been with such employers 2 years or more; approximately
one-third between 6 months and 2 years; and about one-fourth for
less than 6 months.
Employment policies.— Of the 798 employers reporting in regard to
their policy as to references, only about 5 per cent required none and
approximately the same percentage accepted the recommendation of
previous employers, friends, or neighbors. The remainder, 90.1 per
cent, stated that they investigated references, by telephone, through
the employment bureau, or in person, or by a combination of two of
these methods.
Over three-fifths of the 814 employers who answered the inquiry on
their dismissal procedure reported that they gave notice only. Of
those who replied as to specified time, a very large proportion gave a
week’s notice. Less than 4 per cent gave only wages in advance and
25 per cent stated that they gave both wages and notice, the great
majority reporting one week as the specified time.
Of 785 employers who reported on the subject, 6 per cent granted no
vacations. The length of vacations given varied from less than
a week to 3 months. Of 728 householders, about five-sixths paid
wages to their workers for the entire vacation period, while less than
7 per cent paid no wages at all during such holidays.
Employees’ Schedule
T h e employees’ schedule was returned by 76 workers, 2 of whom
were men. The median weekly wage of the 72 women was $14.80,
the median for those living out being $12.70 and for those living in,
$15.25. The median for the white women was $15.35, and for the
colored women, $14.50.

About two-thirds of the women living in who reported the length of their usual
day worked as much as 12 hours. One Negro cook had a day 14^ hours in length.
Of the women living out, two-fifths had a day of 12 hours or more.^ Two-fifths
of all reporting went on duty between 7 and 8 o’clock in the morning. Nearly
one-half of those by whom the time of quitting work was given went off duty
between 7 and 8 o’clock in the evening.

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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
Wage-Earning Women and the Industrial Conditions of 1930
H E United States Women’s Bureau has recently published a
report on wage-earning women as affected by the industrial con­
ditions of 1930.1
South Bend, Ind., and its close neighbor, Mishawaka, were selected
for this community survey, as constituting an important smaller
industrial community of the Middle West and a woman-employing
district. The combined population of South Bend and Mishawaka
was 132,823 in 1930, and the number of gainfully employed women in
the two cities combined was 14,155, or about one-fourth of all the
females 10 years of age or over. About one-fourth of the working
population of these cities consists of wage-earning women. The per­
centage of gainfully employed women in South Bend alone gained by
1.6 points in the census decade 1920-1930, while the percentage of
men gainfully employed decreased by 3.4 points.

T

With emphasis always upon changes in condition of employment of women
workers, the investigation approached the subject from two angles: First, inter­
views with the employees in their homes; and second, interviews with employers
who in many instances furnished pay-roll and other plant records that served as
the best possible check upon the findings that resulted from the interviews.
Only those women were interviewed who were at least 18 years old and had
had some regular employment during the past 12 months and since reaching their
eighteenth birthday. Women in the professions, the self-employed household
workers, those with only irregular and intermittent employment during the 12
months, and those who were doing work in their own homes for others were not
scheduled.
Only 18 colored women—restaurant workers or charwomen— could be sched­
uled, but many colored families were living in the area canvassed. Their homes
bore marked evidence of poverty, and repeatedly they expressed a desire for work.
Many with “ house-cleaning places” four or five days a week in former years had
been reduced to one or two days now, and this irregularly, work too spasmodic
and intermittent to insure a living wage. They were in more straitened circum­
stances now, some said, because white men and women thrown out of their own
jobs in the present emergency were competing for “ Negro jobs.”

The number of women interviewed in their homes was 3,245. Of
the 3,215 reporting their age, 16.6 per cent were under 20 years, 31.9
per cent were 20 and under 25 years, 39 per cent were 25 and under
40 years, and 12.6 per cent were 40 years or over. Of the 3,243
reporting marital status, 46.1 per cent were single, 43.7 per cent were
married, and 10.2 were either widowed, separated or divorced. Some­
what less than one-half (44.4 per cent) of the married women had no
children, but there were over 200 widows with children to support.
Of the 3,235 reporting nationality, only 491 (15.2 per cent) were
foreign-born, although a great many were daughters of foreign-born
parents.
1 IT. S. Department of Labor. Women’s Bureau. Bulletin No. 92: Wage-earning women and the indus­
trial conditions of 1930—a survey of South Bend. Washington, 1932.

36

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37

W O M EN IN IN D U ST R Y

The following table shows in what industries the women were
employed at time of the survey or at some time during the past 12
months:
IN D U S T R Y OF P R E S E N T OR LA ST E M P L O Y M E N T

Number reporting
Industry

Manufacturing:

At
work

268
1,132
87
51
39
558
280
136

Unem­
ployed

70
294
105
18
31
66
67
43

Total

338
1,426
192
69
70
624
347
179

The pay rolls of a number of establishments, largely those manu­
facturing wearing apparel, for one week in September, 1929, showed
2,746 women employed. Of these, 16.6 per cent worked under 36
hours, while 34.6 per cent worked 48 hours and over for the week.
The earnings for this week showed that 9.9 per cent earned under
$10, and 36.6 per cent earned $20 and over. The pay rolls for the
same establishments for one week in September, 1930, showed 2,483
women employed. Of these, 38.4 per cent worked under 36 hours and
20.2 per cent worked 48 hours and over for the week. The earnings
for that week showed 23.9 per cent earned under $10, and 14.4 per
cent earned $20 and over.
The bulletin contains tables giving detailed information on such
subjects as the number and causes of final separations during the past
five years, time out of work between jobs for industrial and personal
causes, the number of wage earners in the family earlier in the year
and at the time of the interview, by size of family, and the number
of wage earners in the family at time of the interview and number
employed steadily, by size of the family.

Conditions in Straw-Hat Manufacture in Chekiang, China
H E Chinese Economic Journal of February, 1932, states that
in recent years the manufacture of straw hats in occidental styles
has become increasingly important in the coastal regions of eastern
Chekiang. Native style straw hats, however, have been made there
for centuries. Ningpo was the first city to adopt the new industry,
which rapidly extended to Yuyao and after 1926 to at least 10 other
localities, among them Linhai, Haimen, Tuchen, and Hwangyen.
The following reasons are given for the rapid spread of this industry:

T

S im p l ic i t y .—The fact that the art of hat weaving can be learned in a couple
of weeks induces a large number of persons to take up this work.
A d a p ta b ilit y .— Being so largely a cottage industry, the manufacture of straw
hats is especially suited to female workers, who are able to take to it as a spare­
time occupation in addition to their domestic duties.
N o c a p ita l r e q u ir e d .— One of the most attractive features of the industry from
the point of view of the hat weavers is that they do not have to buy their raw
material, which is supplied by the hat shops. The only equipment needed is a


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38

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

block or wooden mold (on which the hat is shaped), which is within the purchas­
ing power of everyone.
Good w a g es .—Practically every person engaged in hat making adds a sub­
stantial sum to the family exchequer. An expert worker making use of spare
time is able to turn out four or five hats a month, while even an inexperienced
hand can make a hat in 10 days.

For many years straw braid has been one of the chief exports of
China, but the high-quality braid used for making straw hats is
imported, “ glass” straws being brought from Germany and Switzer­
land and “ golden silk ” and “ flax” straws from the Philippines.
Pentsao or ' ‘local” straw is the only native variety used.
Straw-braid plaiting and hat shaping are done entirely by hand.
50 numerous are the workers in the industry, however, that more
than 5,000,000 hats are made per annum, valued at approximately
$16,000,000 (United States currency $3,568,000).2 “ Glass” straw
hats are the most expensive and are not always within the purchasing
power of the average customer. Consequently, the m ajority of the
hat manufacturers find it more practicable to make cheaper-grade
hats. “ G lass” straw hats are worth approximately $4.50 (United
States currency, $1.00) apiece, and those made of “ golden silk ” and
“ flax” straws $4 and $2.50 (United States currency, 89 and 56 cents),
respectively. The best-quality hats bring from $9 to $11 (United
States currency, $2.01 to $2.45), most of them being exported to
Europe and America where, after further treatment, they are sold at
higher prices.
In Chekiang the making of straw hats is a household industry,
particularly suitable for women, as it calls for dexterity rather than
physical strength and can be followed in leisure hours. These home
workers are paid piece rates, usually $2.30 (United States currency,
51 cents) per hat, by local merchants who furnish the straw.
There are 255,100 families engaged in hat weaving, including 331,590
female weavers.

Woman and Child Labor in Latvia 3
iT V IA N legislation does not permit employment of children of 14
J years or under. The working time of juveniles 15 and 16 years
old is fixed a t 6 hours per day. Overtime work, night work, and work
on Sundays and holidays is not permitted to minors under 18 years
of age.
According to Latvian official statistics, in 1930, the latest year for
which official statistics are available, there were employed in Latvian
industry a total of 1,434 juveniles; these formed from 2 to 3 per cent
of the total number of workers.
According to the same statistics, of a total of 62,581 workers
employed in Latvian industry, 24,924, or 39.8 per cent, were women,
lh ese. hgures^ are based on^ returns of 3,013 industrial enterprises
listed in Latvian official statistics, employing not less than 5 workers
each. During the last 5 years the number of women employed in
industrial enterprises has increased from 6,735, or 33.7 per cent of the
total number of workers, in 1926 to 24,924, or 39.8 per cent in 1930.

I

par^”!S c e n ts 501* d06S n0t State which dollar is used’ but conversions are made on basis of yuan dollar at
s Report of A. Loesch, clerk, American consulate at Riga, dated Mar. 17, 1932.


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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

39

This increase may be explained by the development of those industrial
enterprises which employ mainly women as workers.
The following table shows the number of women employed in the
various industries and the percentage of the total number of workers
employed therein.
N U M B E R AND P E R C E N T OF W OM EN IN D U ST R IA L L Y E M P L O Y E D IN LA TV IA IN 1930,
B Y IN D U ST R Y
Women em­
ployed
Industry

C eram ic____________________ .
Metallurgical-- .
_
Chemical (including match-making and rubber manufactures)-.Leather..
Textile - - - - - - - - - Paper.
....
P rinting............................ ........

Per
cent
Num­ of total
ber
num­
ber of
workers
1, 049
852

25
8

2,433
225
6, 740
4 , 151
1, 149
1,072

55
24
78
34
41
42

W omen em­
ployed
Industry

Construction_____ ____ ____
Gas, electricity, and water . . . _

Per
cent
Num­ of total
ber
num­
ber of
workers
4,344
2, 536
28
3
313
29
24, 924

44
75
(1)

2

97
14
40

1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.

According to Latvian legislation it is not permitted to employ
women for work not adapted to their physical constitution, or which
may injure their health in any way, or for a period commencing fouiweeks before and ending eight weeks after confinement. During this
period of 12 weeks it is not permitted to discharge them. W ith regard
to night work of women, it is in fact practiced, although the Russian
law prohibiting night work of women, which was issued in 1917 and
adopted by the Latvian Republic at the time of its foundation, has
not been abolished up to the present time. The decision of the inter­
national conference at Geneva with regard to the prohibition of night
work for women has not been ratified by the Latvian Government
due to the opposition it has met by the organizations of workers. In
general, wages paid to women are from 30 to 40 per cent less than those
paid to men.
As regards unemployment of women, during January, 1931, about
4,682 unemployed women were registered, that is, about 32.1 per cent
of the total number of unemployed of 14,580. Of these, 1,411 women
were temporarily engaged in public works organized by the Govern­
ment and municipal administrations, the remainder being without
any occupation. Due to the economic crisis the number of unem­
ployed women increased during 1931 by about 93.5 per cent, while the
number of unemployed men during the same period increased by 112
per cent, to 21,042.
On March 1 the number of unemployed women registered with the
labor exchanges increased to 11,171, i. e., 29.9 per cent of the total
number of registered unemployed, of which 2,224 persons were
engaged in public works.


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RETIREMENT AND PENSION PLANS
A d m in istra tio n of O ld-Age Pen sion Law s in th e U n ited S ta te s

E R T A IN interesting points regarding the administration of the
old-age pension acts of the various States, revealed in the ex­
perience under the law, were brought out at the fifth annual con­
ference on old-age security recently held.1 At this conference reports
on the spread of pension legislation were made by Abraham Epstein,
executive secretary of the American Association for Old Age Security,
Mrs. Richard W. Hogue, Israel Mufson, and Meigs B . Russell.
The experience in their respective States was reported upon by Francis
Bardwell, superintendent of old-age assistance, Massachusetts De­
partment of Public Welfare; Olive E . Henderson, director of old-age
security KCalifornia Department of Social Welfare; Richard W. Wal­
lace, assistant commissioner, New York State Department of Social
Welfare; and Dr. Charles L. Candee, president, Delaware Old Age
Welfare Commission.
Some of the points brought out by these speakers are summarized
below.

C

Administering Authority under Act

I n S t a t e s where no State aid is given, the county pension board
has the final authority, the only provision being generally that the
counties must furnish an annual report on operations to some State
official; even this provision, however, is sometimes not enforced.
In general, the greater the measure of State aid the greater the
authority given to the State agency. In Massachusetts (where the
State pays one-third of the cost) the State bureau has only supervisory
authority, but with the right to withdraw State assistance if such
action is warranted. The same is true in New Jersey, but in that
State the State division of old-age relief may reverse the action of the
local welfare boards in specific pension cases. In Delaware, where
the whole cost is borne by the State, the State commission has entire
authority.
“Flexibility” An Essential of Law
E m p h a s i z i n g that flexibility of the system is essential, Miss Hen­
derson stated that the administrators of the California law favor a
simplification of that act with this end in view. Removal of the
income and property qualifications, especially, is advocated, and
possibly the citizenship requirement.
In general, the more minutely detailed the act is, the greater the
limitation of its social usefulness.
1 American Association for Old Age Security. Old-age security in the United States, 1932. A record of
the fifth national conference on old-age security, New York City, March 30, 1932; together with a census of
old-age security in the United States. New York, 1932.

40

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The Massachusetts act, it was pointed out by Mr. Bardwell, differs
from that of the other States in that it is very brief, deals only with
fundamentals, and instructs the State department of public welfare
to create policies to govern procedures under the law.
Citizenship, Residence, and Age Requirements

A l l but two States (Delaware and Minnesota) require citizenship
as a prerequisite for the receipt of aid under the pension act.
Most of the acts require 15 years’ citizenship, but the States of
Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York merely require that the
applicant be a native-born or naturalized citizen.
As stated, Miss Henderson inclined to favor the removal of the
citizenship requirement from the California act, stating that while it
is “ deceptively simple on the surface,” nevertheless it “ frequently
leads into highly complicated and technical fields.”
The citizenship clause has worked hardship on many women. In the pre­
suffrage days foreign-born women seldom sought naturalization, as there was
little inducement to do so. Thus, the older foreign-born woman who did not
marry or who married a noncitizen finds herself unable to meet this requirement.
She may have lived here for half a century, have become entirely one in her inter­
ests with the State, but still lack eligibility. There are also men who have inad­
vertently failed, through ignorance or misinformation, to complete the process
of naturalization and are consequently ineligible. The residence clause provides
sufficient assurance that recipients of aid are identified with the interests of the
State, even though they can not meet the technical requirement of citizenship.

Somewhat the same experience was mentioned by Mr. Bardwell, of
Massachusetts. He did not, however, advocate the abolition of the
citizenship requirement, taking the position that “ there is no rational
way that the law could be made over to fit these cases.”
The attitude toward this situation in Delaware (where there is no
citizenship requirement) was thus stated by Doctor Candee: “ The
commission which drafted our law felt that the State has a responsi­
bility for any old person who has been living in this country for 15
years or more, regardless of whether or not he has taken out papers.”
All of the laws make age and residence requirements. These are,
however, not always easy to prove, and difficulties may arise due to
lack or loss of records, etc. Mr. Bardwell mentioned one class met
with in his experience in Massachusetts— “ old people of native stock,
whose ancestors were colonial founders,” but who can not prove the
required 2 0 years’ residence.2
Requirements as to Means or Assets

A l l but three of the State laws (those of Delaware, Maryland, and
Massachusetts) have certain restrictions as to the amount of prop­
erty or assets which an applicant may have and still be eligible for
the old-age relief. The West Virginia law is the most drastic. As it
reads, no person who has any property whatever is eligible for pension.
The Delaware and Massachusetts laws set no fixed amount as
barring receipt of pension, but the practice in these States has been
to grant the pension if the funds available do not exceed $300. In
Massachusetts the applicant may also have an equity in a home not
2 Reports to the TJ. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from several counties in Colorado express the view that
the residence requirement of the law of that State—15 years’ residence in both State and county—is much
too stringent as regards residence in the county.


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M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

to exceed $1,500. In New York, where the law specifies only in
general terms that pensions may be granted only to persons “ wholly
unable to support” themselves, the State board recommends a limit
of $250, but Mr. Wallace reported that some of the counties have set
a lower amount, $200 in some cases; the sum of $250 is permitted to
be retained for burial unless other provision has been made.
Mr. Bardwell pointed out that in Massachusetts the matter of insur­
ance as an asset “ is more or less in abeyance and has not been abso­
lutely determined by policy. Every case of insurance that presents
a problem is passed upon individually.”
Concealment of assets is a difficulty met with in a certain propor­
tion of cases, estimated at about 5 per cent in Massachusetts. In
that State, in such cases the case is immediately closed and a bill for
the money already paid in pensions is sent to the offender. In many
instances the investigators have found that the old people have been
“ misguided by interested relatives. Through their selfish and dis­
honest advice old people have transferred property, withdrawn money
from the bank, or assigned insurance in order to qualify for assistance.”
“M o ral” Requirements
D i f f e r i n g v ie w s a r e t a k e n b y t h e a d m i n i s t r a t o r s o f t h e o l d - a g e
..p e n s io n l a w s a s t o t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y o f p r o v i s i o n s r e s t r i c t i n g t h e g r a n t ­
i n g o f p e n s i o n s t o “ w o r t h y ” p e r s o n s o r t o t h o s e n o t g u i l t y o f s p e c if i e d
o ffe n se s.

The Massachusetts act extends aid only to “ deserving citizens,”
leaving the administering boards to determine what constitutes a
deserving citizen. Under this provision pensions have been denied
to habitual drunkards, deserters of families, etc.; also, in one case,
where the applicant had spent 35 of his 70 years in the State prison.
This restriction M r. Bardwell regards as desirable, “ because it puts a
badge of honor upon the recipient under this law. * * * I t is a
superior type of assistance to worthy aged citizens.’*
On the other hand, the California authorities regard the action of
the 1931 legislature, in eliminating the desertion clause from the law,
as one of its “ most helpful achievements.”
We found it absolutely impossible to administer this provision fairly. Deser­
tion is considered a respectable ground for divorce. Many men with chivalrous
intention have permitted their wives to secure divorces on this ground, though
the real cause of dissension was entirely different. Yet the court record of deser­
tion could not be ignored. Too frequently the attempt to administer this provi­
sion meant that old quarrels and bitter memories were revived to no useful end.

Taking the position that the purpose of the pension act is to relieve
need and that “ spectacular achievements in rehabilitation” can not
be expected in work with old people, the California delegate was of
the opinion that such a provision as the desertion clause “ will not
act as a deterrent of desertion in the future. No one in the heat of a
family quarrel is so far sighted as to look forward to his possible relief
status 15 years hence and regulate his conduct accordingly.”
No matter what the past has been the needy person must have support, and
our year and a half of experience has convinced us that character requirements
have no place in a relief measure for aged persons. * * * Careful admin­
istration and planning by the local agency can sufficiently safeguard the law from
abuse, if aged applicants are unstable or find difficulty in adjusting themselves
to the recognized standards of conduct in the community. We affirm that in

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administering aid the present need of the applicant is paramount, and that char­
acter requirements may act as a clog and hindrance to an effective piece of relief
machinery.
Responsibility of Relatives

A general requirement under the laws is that no pension may be
granted if the applicant has relatives able to support him and legally
responsible for his support.
In Massachusetts it is a criminal offense to fail to support parents or
grandparents. Complaint is brought, not by the person concerned,
but by the public authorities. The situation in New York is
similar.
In California and Pennsylvania, however, complaint must be
brought by the parent himself, and this often results in hard feeling
and a trying situation.
In Delaware the State can withhold pensions in cases of refusal or
failure of children to give support, and thus “ possibly force their
hand,” but this, as the commission interprets the law, is the limit of
its authority in the matter.
Amount of Pension Granted

A majority of the laws provide that the amount granted in pension
or relief must be decided on the basis of the pensioner’s need, his
means of support, and other circumstances in the case. I t follows,
therefore, that the amounts granted in individual cases vary widely.
In some cases the full amount allowed under the law is granted; in
other cases a small sum may be allowed each month to supplement
other income or to provide necessaries not otherwise obtainable. Mr.
Bardwell mentioned cases in which the amount of aid covers only
special medicines ordered by the physician, but which the old person
could not otherwise afford.
The investigation made by the authorities reveals what the appli­
cant’s needs and circumstances are, and the amount of relief is fixed
accordingly. Often a budget is worked out, varying in different
cases according to whether the person is living in the city (where the
cost of living is fairly high) or in the country, and according to what
help can be expected from neighbors, friends, or relatives.
Mr. Wallace, of New York, pointed out that the circumstances
and needs of applicants in urban places are quite different from
those in rural communities.
A person 70 years of age in a village or rural community is generally well
known to his neighbors. The members of the entire family group are familiar in
the community, and even their financial status may be known to a considerable
number of persons in the neighborhood. The city applicant, however, has not
as a rule remained in one place throughout any large portion of his lifetime. He
has moved from place to place, and his neighbors know little about his family or
his personal affairs. The investigation of his circumstances is therefore in
general much more difficult than in a rural community.
In a country district the aged person may cling to the homestead, even if it is
of little money value. Though other resources may be exhausted the home will
provide him shelter, and the item of rent does not enter into his budget. In the
city the cost of rent is high, and with the cramped apartments of to-day there is
little or no room for the aged parent in the home of sons or daughters. The
number of recipients in the cities who live with their children is relatively small,
and the item of rent which must be included in most budgets increases the allow­
ances made for old-age relief.
125620°—32---- 4

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M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

D ata contained in the proceedings of the congress showed that the
average pension per month ranged from $9 in Utah and $9.54 in
Delaware to $30.00 in Maryland. Doctor Candee pointed out that
in Delaware the pensions awarded are limited by the fact that the
commission has a limited appropriation for pension purposes and
can not go beyond it. He stated, however, that while the average
pension seemed “ ridiculously low,” a great many of the pensioners
were in the southern parts of the State, where they can live very
cheaply. “ Many of them have little farms with gardens. Quite a
number of them are Negroes out in the rural districts.”
Special Services for Old People
M r . E p s t e i n emphasized that the ultimate aim in the pension
States is “ to abolish the old poorliouse, which is the gathering place
for a miscellany of all kinds and types. We aim by old-age security
laws to take out from the almshouses all those who can ju st as well
take care of themselves in their own homes.” There is, however, a
certain percentage of cases which need institutional care, and for these
provision must be made. In most States, he pointed out, there is no
provision, even in the institutions existing, for those who really need
institutional care.

It is certain that at the 28 institutions in Iowa with less than 10 inmates each
a doctor does not call more than once in three months, except in an emergency.
Many of the inmates need nursing care and many need medical care, but they
are not getting it in those institutions. Our ultimate aim is, instead of having
28 institutions in Iowa with less than 10 inmates each, to have a few centralized
hospitals or infirmaries with proper medical and nursing care. Well-managed
institutions with from 200 to 500 persons offer us the cheapest way to provide for
those who can not care for themselves on old-age pensions.

In Massachusetts a system of infirmaries has been developed during
the past 25 years to serve as hospitals for chronic and incurable cases.
In Delaware plans are being made for the construction of a State
welfare home, where medical and nursing care can be given. On its
completion the old county almshouses will be abandoned and their
inmates transferred to the new home.
Miss Henderson added that there are, among the persons not being
cared for in institutions, some who will need a certain amount of
nursing service that can not be given by relatives or friends. Some
provision must be made to meet this need also.
Another service that would be desirable is that of mental hygiene.
This “ holds promise of increased happiness for many individuals who
have had difficulty in adjusting themselves to social and economic
changes accompanying old age.” Many, also, “ would be far happier
if provided with suitable and interesting occupation, not necessarily
highly remunerative.”
The need of trained social workers and visitors was emphasized.
This is necessary not only in the preliminary investigative work and
in the periodic revisions of pension required under the acts, but also
in dealing with particular family problems and budgets. Thus, in
Massachusetts, consideration is given to “ health and housing and
the provision of proper eyeglasses, dental work, belts, trusses, etc.,
all necessary to the comfort of the client.” In that State it is planned
that pensioners shall be visited every three months.

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There must also be a special attitude for this type of social service
work. This has been recognized in Massachusetts.
When we administer ordinary relief we tend to hold our client at arm’s length
and try to make him feel his own independence. This law is different from that.
If an aged person is eligible and the proof of his eligibility is missing, I feel it is
the duty of my department and of the local board to assist him to remove the
obstacles so that he can receive old-age assistance. Our office has had to write
all over the United States and foreign countries for birth certificates, marriage
certificates, and other data. Because of their age and general helplessness we
must go through this long and tedious process for many applicants, who, left to
their own initiative, would never undertake the task.
Effect of Pension System on Other Forms of Assistance

T h e going into operation of old-age pensions has had its effect on
other means of relief. In some cases, as in some counties of Montana
(and as will be the eventual outcome in Delaware), the poorhouses
have been abolished.
In California, where a 1931 amendment to the law permits inmates
of State institutions (including almshouses) to make application for
a pension if they would prefer that to continued residence at the poor
farm, 41 counties reported that 301 persons had taken advantage of
this provision. Although this was only about 15 per cent of the alms­
house population 70 years of age and over, it is pointed out that “ most
of the almshouse inmates have lost contact with the outside world
and have no domicile to which to go, and so are reluctant to leave a
place which, however bad, they have nevertheless become accus­
tomed to.”
In New York, according to a statement made by David W.
Schneider, of the New YorkDivision of Old Age Security, at the 1931
meeting of the American Statistical Association, inmates of institu­
tions were allowed to apply for pension with the understanding that
they would leave the institution as soon as their application was
approved. He estimated that this resulted in about 250 persons
leaving the almshouses, a much smaller number than had been antic­
ipated. No data were available as to the number leaving private
homes for the aged, but from his personal contact with the different
agencies he estimated that the number of old people leaving such
homes was very small.
The pension laws are undoubtedly preventing thousands of persons
from having to enter the almshouses. They are also haying an effect
on the private homes for aged. In Massachusetts, it is stated, one
large home reported a material decrease in applications, and it is pre­
dicted that others will experience a large reduction in their waiting
lists. “ Old people do not want to go to an infirmary or home for
the aged, because what they want is independence. And that is what
they get under this law.”
In Massachusetts and California, also, a new type of agency is
developing under the new system. This is the licensed boarding
home for old people. In Massachusetts some 200 such homes have
already been licensed. They are not charitable organizations, but
give board and nursing care under regular State inspection.


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M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

Results of Study of Retirement Systems for Public Employees
in New Jersey
H E Pension Survey Commission appointed under a joint resolu­
tion of the New Jersey Legislature to study the retirement sys­
tems for public employees in that State has recently issued two reports
on its findings.1 The first of these analyzes the existing plans and the
second presents recommended measures to place these plans on a
sound financial basis.
The commission’s study disclosed 152 joint contributory plans in
operation, covering 48,101 public employees; in addition, there were
22,373 public servants under noncontributory plans or not covered by
any plan. There were 3,783 pensioners of the first group and 143 pen­
sioners of the second; these were drawing pensions aggregating
$3,729,900 and $160,759, respectively.
Of the 152 contributory plans, only 2 — those of the teachers and
State employees— were found to be actuarily sound; the others were
in a “ most unsatisfactory condition.” The reason for this was that
“ they have failed to take into consideration that their revenues must
equal the benefits promised. Because this has not been done, these
unsound funds are amassing millions of dollars a year in liabilities for
which no current provision is being made.”
The two sound systems include about two-thirds of the 48,000
employees covered by contributory plans. In these two systems
about half of the total cost is borne by the employees, and the public
contribution is so arranged that, after the liability covering the period
prior to the establishment of the system has been met, the public
contribution will not exceed 3 per cent of the pay roll of the active
members in the fund.

T

Commission’s Recommendations
T h e c o m m is s io n s u b m its c e r ta in re c o m m e n d a tio n s w h ic h i t c o n ­
s i d e r s “ s o u n d , c o n s e r v a t i v e , a n d r e a s o n a b l e ,” t h e m o r e i m p o r t a n t
o f th e s e b e in g a s f o llo w s :

( 1 ) A minimum service retirement age of 60 years.
(2 )
Retirement for disability incurred in performance of duty at
any age; and disability from other cause after 1 0 years’ service.
(3)
Public contributions at rates ranging for the different classes
of employees from 9.19 per cent of pay roll (for municipal employee
systems) to 14.97 per cent (for police and firemen’s systems). Em ­
ployee contributions ranging from 4.09 per cent for police and fire­
men to 4.44 per cent for municipal and county employees.
(4)
Payment by the public of the entire cost of cases of death or
disability incurred in performance of duty.
(5) Service retirement at approximately half pay.
(6 )
Return of employee’s contributions, with interest, upon leaving
the service, discharge, or death.
(7)
New retirement plans to be allowed to be formed only on a
sound actuarial basis.
i New Jersey. Pension Survey Commission. Report No. 3: Analysis of existing pension systems for
public employees in New Jersey. Report No. 4: Recommendations for the sound financing of public
employee pension systems in New Jersey. Newark, 1060 Broad Street, 1932.


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(8 ) Counties and municipalities to be allowed to insure their em­
ployees in the State employees’ fund.
(9) Existing local funds urged to determine their financial position
periodically and to submit to supervision by the State Department
of Banking and Insurance.
( 1 0 ) Passage of legislation enabling the reorganization of local
funds on an actuarial basis, with the consent of the members.
( 1 1 ) Public contributions to be limited to 15 per cent of the active
pay roll.
( 1 2 ) Establishment of a new State fund for policemen and fire­
men which all new employees would be required to join, and which
employees already in the service may join at their option.
Besides the advantages resulting from placing the systems on a
safe and sound financial basis, the commission estimates that the
adoption of its suggestions will result in a financial saving to the
taxpayers of New Jersey amounting to $8,565,074 per year.


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Old-Age Pension Law of California
B U L L E T IN recently issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(Bui. No. 561) entitled “ Public Old-Age Pensions and Insurance
in the United States and in Foreign Countries,” contained the com­
plete text of the old-age pension laws of the various States of the
United States, up to the end of 1931, except that in the case of
California certain amendments passed by the legislature in 1931
were not included^ Therefore in order to make the complete Cali­
fornia old-age pension law, with amendments to date, readily avail­
able to the users of Bulletin No. 561, this law is given below in full.

A

ACTS OF 1929
C h apter 530
S ection 1. P e rs o n s en titled to a id .— Subject to the provisions of this act,
every person residing in the State of California, if in need, shall be entitled to
aid in old age from the State.
S e c . 2 (as amended by Acts of 1931, ch. 608). C o n d itio n s .— Aid may be
granted under this act to any person who:
(a) Has attained the age of 70 years;
(b)
Has been a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years before making
application for aid;
(c)
Resides in the State of California and has so resided continuously for at
least 15 years immediately preceding the date of application, but continuous
residence in the State shall not be deemed to have been interrupted by period
of absence therefrom if the total of such periods does not exceed 3 years; or has
so resided 40 years at least 5 of which have immediately preceded this application;
(d)
Resides in the county or city and county in which the application is made
and has so resided continuously for at least 1 year immediately preceding the
date of application;
(e)
Is not at the time of receiving such aid an inmate of any public or private
home for the aged, or any public home, or any public or private institution of a
custodial, correctional, or curative character, except in the case of temporary
medical or surgical care in a hospital;
(f)
Has no relative of the following degree of kindred: Husband, wife, parent,
or child, able and responsible under the law of this State for his support;
(g)
Has not made any voluntary assignment or transfer of property for the
purpose of qualifying for such aid.
S ec .
(added by Acts of 1931, ch. 608). P ro o fs o f a g e .— For the purpose
of determining the age of an applicant for aid under this act consideration should
be given to any of the following documents:
(a) Certificate of birth;
(b) Certificate of baptism;
(c) Statement of age as recorded on marriage license or certificate;
(d)_ Statement of age of /he applicant as recorded by the registrar of voters
of this State or any subdivision thereof at least 5 years prior to the date of such
application as shown by the records of the department of elections of this State
or any subdivision thereof;
(e)
Entries in a family bible or other genealogical record or memorandum
of the family of such applicant;
(f)
The returns of the United States census taken at least 5 years before the
date of such application;
(g)
The affidavit of a reputable citizen not related to the applicant if it is
based on personal knowledge of facts which would determine probable age, and
is not merely a statement of belief based on applicant’s personal appearance.
48


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Such affidavit shall contain statements of the circumstances upon which said
affiant’s knowledge is based and shall be submitted to the department of social
welfare, and where such affidavit does not present satisfactory evidence the
State department may require a second affidavit of more conclusive proof. Such
affidavit shall not be accepted to establish proof of age until all reasonable efforts
to produce documentary evidence have failed;
(h) Such other evidence as the State department of social welfare may approve.
S e c . 3. A m o u n t . — The amount of aid to which any such person shall be
entitled shall be fixed with due regard to the conditions existing in each case, but
in no case shall it be an amount which, when added to the income of the applicant
from all other sources, including income from property as computed under the
terms of this act, shall exceed a total of $1 per day.
S e c . 4 (as amended by Acts of 1931, ch. 608). P e rs o n s not entitled to a id . — Aid
under this act shall not 'be granted or paid to any person the value of whose real
property, or, if married, the value of the combined real property of husband and
wife, at the time of such application exceeds $3,000.
S e c . 5 (as amended by Acts of 1931, ch. 608). O ther so u rce s o f in c o m e . — The
annual income of any property of an applicant for aid which does not produce a
reasonable income shall be computed at 5 per cent of the value of such property.
S e c . 6. A g e n c y crea ted . — (a) There is hereby created in the State department
of social welfare a division to be known as the division of State aid to the aged.
The duties of this division shall be to supervise and pass upon the measures
taken by county or city and county boards of supervisors for the care of needy
aged citizens, to the end that they may receive suitable care in their old age and
that there may be, throughout the State, a uniform standard of record and
method of treatment of aged persons based upon their individual needs and cirThe State department, through the division of State aid to the aged, and. the
board of supervisors of each and every county and city and county in the State
shall follow the policy of giving the aid provided for under this act to each and
every applicant in his own or in some other suitable home, in preference to
placing him in an institution.
_
.
(b)
The board of supervisors of each and every county and city and county m
the State, in addition to their other powers and duties in relation to the care and
support of the poor, as provided by law, are hereby authorized and empowered,
and it shall be their duty, to receive and act upon applications for aid under and
in accordance with this'act, and to provide funds in their respective county or
city and county treasury, and to do all other acts and things necessary in con­
nection with the same, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act
in so far as such provisions relate to such county or city and county.
S ec . 7. O rg a n iz a tio n o f s a m e . —The division of State aid to the needy aged
shall be administered by a chief. The director of social welfare with the approval
of the governor and the members of the social welfare board of the State depart­
ment of social welfare, shall appoint and fix the compensation of the chief of the
division of State aid to the aged, who shall be a person with training and experience
in relief work and familiar with the social and economic conditions in California.
The chief of the division shall be responsible for the investigation, determination,
and supervision of State aid given under this act and for the performance of such
other duties as may be assigned to the division by the director of social welfare.
S e c . 8. A d v is o ry b o a rd s. —The chief of the division, with the approval of the
director of social welfare, may appoint in each county and city and county an
advisory board of citizens whose duty it shall be to cooperate with the proper
State and county authorities in the investigation and supervision of aid given
to the aged under this act and to make report upon the same with recommendations
to the board of supervisors and to the department of social welfare. In counties
or in any city and county where there is an existing county or city and county
department of public welfare or board with similar functions in public relief, this
body shall be appointed as the advisory board.
S ec 9. P ro p e rty tra n s fe r. — If the board of supervisors shall deem it necessary,
it may, with the consent of the State department, require as a condition to the
grant or continuance of aid in any case, that all or any part of the property or a
person applying for aid be transferred to said board of supervisors. Such property
shall be managed by said board of supervisors which shall pay the net income
thereof to such person; said board of supervisors shall have power to sell, lease,
or transfer such property or defend and prosecute all suits concerning it and to
pay all iust claims against it and to do all things necessary for the protection
preservation, and management thereof. If, in the event such aid is discontinued

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M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

during the life time of such person, the property thus transferred to the board of
supervisors exceeds the total amount paid as aid under this act, the remainder
of such property shall be returned to such person; and in the event of his death
such remainder shall be considered as the property of the deceased for proper
administration proceedings. The board shall execute and deliver all instruments
necessary to give effect to this section.
S e c . 10. S u b s e q u e n t i n c r e a s e o f in c o m e .— {a) If at any time during the contin­
uance of aid, the recipient thereof or the husband or wife of the recipient, become
possessed of any property or income in excess of the amount allowed by law in
respect to the amount of aid granted, it shall be the duty of the iecipient immedi­
ately to notify the board of supervisors of the receipt and possession of such prop­
erty or income and the board may, on inquiry and with the approval of the State
department, either cancel the aid or vary the amount thereof in accordance with
circumstances, and any excess aid theretofore paid shall be returned to the
State of California and be recoverable as a debt due the State of California.
(b ) If, on the death of recipient of aid under this act, it is found that he was
possessed of property or income in excess of the amount allowed by law in respect
to the amount of aid, double the amount of the aid paid in excess of that to which
the recipient was legally entitled may be recovered by the department of social
welfare as a preferred claim from his estate and upon recovery shall be paid into
the treasury of the State of California.
S e c . 11. R e l ie f in a lie n a b le .— All aid given under this act shall be absolutely
inalienable by any assignment, sale, attachment, execution, or otherwise and in
case of bankruptcy the aid shall not pass through any trustee or other person
acting on behalf of creditors.
S e c . 12. E ffe c t o f su b seq u en t leg is la tio n .— A n y and all aid granted under the
provisions of this act shall be deemed to be granted and held subject to the pro­
visions of any law that may hereafter be enacted amending or repealing in whole
or in part the provisions of this act, and no recipient under this act shall have any
claim for compensation or otherwise by reason of his aid being affected in any way
by any such amending or repealing act.
S e c . 13 (as amended by Acts of 1931, ch. 608). A p p lic a t io n s . — Every applicant
for aid shall file such application in writing with the board of supervisors of the
county or city and county in which he resides, in the manner and form prescribed
by the State department. An inmate of a public or private home for the aged,
or of any public home, or of any public or private institution of a correctional,
custodial, or curative character, may make an application for aid while in such
a home or institution, but the aid, if granted, shall not begin until after such
applicant ceases to be such an inmate. All statements in the application shall
be verified, under oath, by the applicant.
S e c . 14 (as amended by Acts of 1931, ch. 608). In v estig a tio n s, etc. — The board
of supervisors, directly or through the advisory board or other authorized investi­
gator, shall upon the receipt of an application for aid, promptly, without any
unnecessary delay, and with all diligence, make the necessary investigation.
The board shall, upon receipt of the report of the investigation, decide upon
the amount of aid, if any: P ro v id ed , how ever, That in any case where such applica­
tion is denied by the board of supervisors, the applicant upon filing a petition
with the department of social welfare setting forth the facts in full as to the
necessity of such aid, verified by five reputable citizens of the county, shall have
the right of appeal direct to said department of social welfare, and if the appeal
is sustained by said department the payments of aid in the amounts determined
by said department must be paid by the county or city and county as herein
provided.
An applicant whose application for aid under this act has been rejected may
not again apply for such aid until the expiration of one year from the date of the
previous application, except with the consent of the county or city and county.
If the application for aid be granted, the clerk of the board of supervisors shall
report the fact to the auditor of the county or city and county. All payments
of aid under this act shall be made monthly by the treasurer of the county or
city and county in the manner provided by law for payment of claims against the
county or city and county. All aid under this act shall be renewed annually
on verified applications and after such further investigations as the board may
deem necessary, and the amount of aid may be changed if the board finds that
the recipient’s circumstances have been changed. >
It shall be within the power of the board of supervisors to cancel and revoke
aid for cause and it may for cause suspend payments for aid for such periods as
it may deem proper.

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R E T IR E M E N T AND P E N S IO N PLA N S

51

S e c . 15. R ep o rts . —The clerk of the board t)f supervisors of each county and
city and county shall report monthly to the said State department in such
manner and form as the latter may prescribe, the number of applications granted,
and the grants of aid changed, revoked or suspended under this act by the board
during the preceding calendar month, together with copies of all applications
received and a statement of the action of the board thereon, and shall report the
amount of aid to aged paid out under this act by said county or city and county
during said period. Claims for State aid granted under this act shall be presented
by the respective counties and city and county semiannually in January and
July of each year. Such claims shall be audited by the State department of
social welfare and the State controller and, when approved, the State controller
shall draw the necessary warrants and the State treasurer shall pay to the
treasurer of said county or city and county a sum equal to one-half of the total
amount of payments made by said county or city and county to aged citizens as
aid under the provisions of this act during the period for which said claim is made.
S e c . 16 (as amended b y Acts of 1931, ch. 6 0 8 ). P o w ers o f S ta te a g e n c y .— The
State department of social welfare shall have power to and shall prescribe the
form of application, the manner and form of all reports and such additional rules
and regulations as are necessary for the carrying out of the provisions of this act,
and not inconsistent therewith.
S ec. 17. P a y m e n t o f e x p e n s e s — All necessary expense incurred by county or
city and county boards of supervisors and advisory boards, in carrying out the
provisions of this act, shall be paid by the county or city and county in the same
manner as other expenses of such county or city and county are paid.
S e c . 18. I m p r o p e r ly g ra n te d r e lie f. — If at any time the State department has
reason to believe that aid to the aged has been obtained improperly, it shall cause
special inquiry to be made and may suspend payment of any installment pending
the inquiry. It shall notify the board of supervisors and advisory board of such
suspension. If it appears upon inquiry that the aid was obtained improperly
it shall be cancelled by the State department, but if it appears that aid was
obtained properly, the suspended payments shall be payable.
S e c . 18}£ (added by Acts of 19 3 1 , ch. 6 0 8 ). R em o v al to a n o th er county.- —Any
person qualified for and receiving aid hereunder in any county or city and county
in this State, who removes to another county or city and county in the State
shall be entitled to aid under the provisions of this act after a one-year residence
in the county or city and county to which such person has removed; P ro v id ed ,
An agreement in writing has been entered into by and between the two counties
concerned approving such transfer or removal, and thereupon the county of first
residence of such person shall continue his aid for one year and until the aforesaid
residence has been established by him in the second county or city and county.
S e c . 19. F r a u d u le n t acts. —Any person who by means of a false statement or
representation or by impersonation or other fraudulent device obtains or attempts
to obtain or aids or abets any person to obtain under this act:
(a) Old-age aid to which he is not entitled;
(b) A larger amount of aid than that to which he is justly entitled;
(c) Payment of any forfeited installment grant;
(d) Or knowingly aids or abets in buying or in any way disposing of the property
of an applicant without the consent of the board of supervisors, shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not
more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than six months or both such
fine and imprisonment.
S e c . 20. V iolations.- —Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this
act for which no penalty is specifically provided shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500
or imprisoned for not more than six months or by both such fine and imprison­
ment.
S e c . 21. A p p r o p r ia t io n to the c o u n ty . — There is hereby appropriated out of
any moneys in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated to each and every
county and city and county maintaining or supporting aged persons who come
within the provisions of this act, aid not in excess of $ 1 8 0 per annum for each such
aged person maintained or supported by such county or city and county. Pay­
ments of such aid shall be made in the manner provided in section 15 of this act.
S e c . 22 (as amended by Acts of 1931, ch. 6 0 8 ). C o n stru ctio n o f act. — Nothing
in this act shall be construed as repealing any other act or part of an act providing
for the support of the poor except in so far as inconsistent therewith, and pro­
visions of this act shall be construed as an additional method of supporting and
providing for the aged poor. This act shall be liberally construed. If any por-


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M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

tion of this act shall for any reason be adjudged by any court of competent juris­
diction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or
invalidate the remainder of this act.
S e c . 23 (as amended by Acts of 1931, ch. 608). T itle o f a c t — This act may
be cited as the old-age security act of the State of California.
(Approved May 28, 1929.)

Municipal Housing for the Aged in England
CCO RD IN G to a report of March 21, 1931, from William F.
l Doty, American consul at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, the city
council of that place has undertaken the erection of homes for aged
people. Contract has been let for the erection of nearly one hundred
2-room bungalows, which are to be built around a small park away
from traffic.
I t is expected that the rents of these dwellings will be about 5 s. lid .
($1.44) per week.
Another municipal settlement for the same class of people will, it
is reported, be undertaken in another part of Newcastle as soon as a
suitable site can be found.

A


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INSURANCE AND BENEFIT PLANS
Group Insurance
A N A R T IC L E on group insurance in the M ay issue of The Annals
J l j L of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, by
William J . Graham, vice president of the Equitable Assurance So­
ciety of the United States, shows the tendencies in group-insurance
coverage which have developed during the past five years.
Group insurance as first planned and sold was exclusively life
insurance and it was not until fairly recently that companies were
ready to issue other kinds of insurance on the group plan. To-day
group insurance covers group life, group accident and health, group
accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and group annuities.
The eight leading group-writing companies in the United States
reported that the premium income for all forms of group insurance
was slightly over $150,000,000 in 1931, of which one-third was re­
ceived for coverages other than group life, while five years earlier
less than 1 per cent of the premiums paid was for such coverages.
Although, theoretically, group insurance is directly influenced by
conditions relating to employment, it is a matter of fact that in 1931,
when the numbers employed and the wages were greatly reduced from
the peak period reached during the preceding few years, every form
of group insurance had maintained and increased its premium income.
This is in part due to the popularity of this kind of insurance and the
reluctance of both employer and employee to give it up; but in view
of the fact that workmen’s compensation premiums based directly on
the size of the pay rolls have shown an estimated shrinkage of 25
per cent, it is necessary to seek a further explanation. I t is said that
probably the chief factor in the favorable showing of group insurance
as compared with workmen’s compensation is the present system of
staggering employment in order to furnish a maximum amount of
employment at shorter hours instead of laying off large numbers and
furnishing nearer full-time employment to a smaller number. Because
of the fact that under this system of staggered employment a large
number are retained on the pay roll, even at reduced wages, it is pos­
sible to continue the group insurance at the full face amount. The
insurance is often continued under these circumstances in cases in
which the entire premium is paid by the employer or in which there is
a temporary shutdown of the plant. This serves to protect the em­
ployees and helps to keep the organization together during the period
of the shutdown. If, as is more common in the plans, the employees
contribute, it appears that the insurance is so valued by them that
they manage to maintain their payments. There has been a tendency
also, where reductions have been made in the wage or salary classifi­
cations, to continue the insurance at the maximum figure.


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54

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

The growth in the amount of group life insurance written during
the last five years has been remarkable. The amount in force in
1926 was $5,425,987,646. In 1931 this had increased to approxi­
mately $10,000,000,000, or about 84 per cent while the increase
in the number of employers taking this means of protecting their em­
ployees in the same period amounted to 171 per cent, the number of
master policies in effect in 1926 and 1931 numbering approximately
14,000 and 38,000, respectively. The number of employees protected
by the insurance in i931 was more than 6,500,000, an increase of
about 2 ,0 0 0 , 0 0 0 over the number covered in 1926. The insurance
per employee averaged $1,200 in the earlier year and about $1,540 in
1931. This increase in the average amount is due to three factors:
( 1 ) The provision in many plans that the amount of insurance per
employee shall increase with years of service; (2 ) the increase in the
number of contributory plans, which allow larger amounts of insur­
ance than the employer alone was able to afford; and (3) an increase
from $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 to $ 2 0 , 0 0 0 in the maximum amount allowed any one
employee by the insurance companies.
There have been quite decided changes in the mortality and mor­
bidity experience in group insurance. Reports available for six of
the leading companies which carry 75 per cent of this type of insur­
ance show that the ratio of actual to expected deaths increased in the
period 1926 to 1930 from 92 to 96 per cent. A much greater increase
occurred, however, in the claims for total and permanent disability.
During the same period the ratio of actual to expected total and per­
manent disability claims under group life contracts increased from
94 to 158 per cent. A comparison of the relationship between the
amounts paid in death claims and in total and permanent disability
claims and the premium income shows that the ratio of death claims
as reported by the eight leading insurance companies ranged from 64
to 70 per cent in the 5-year period 1926 to 1930, with the 1930 ratio
of 6 8 about the 5-year average, while there was a disproportionate
increase in the total and permanent disability claims ranging from 7
per cent in 1926 to 1 2 per cent in 1930. This increase is said to be the
effect of the liberal interpretations of the disability clause by insur­
ance companies, the greater attention paid by employers and employ­
ees to these provisions under group insurance, and the increasing
difficulty insurance companies find in contesting claims which they
do not regard as just. As a result of the steady increase in such
claims, serious consideration is being given by the companies to re­
stricting the payment of these benefits.
Coverages other than Group Life

U n d e r the group accident and health provisions, weekly benefits
are paid in cases of temporary or permanent total disability due to
accident and disease. Such insurance may be issued on the noncon­
tributory plan, in which the employer pays the entire cost; on the
contributory plan, in which the employer and employee share the
cost; or, departing from group fife rules, with the employee paying the
entire cost. In the contributoiy plans at least 75 per cent must parti­
cipate if there ai e 50 or more eligible employees. If there are less than
50 eligible employees, this percentage fluctuates between 75 and 85
per cent, depending upon the number of employees, with a minimum

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IN SU R A N C E AND B E N E F I T PLA N S

55

of eligible employees fixed at 25. No medical examination is required
if the employee accepts the plan within 31 days after becoming eligible.
In general the premium rate is not affected by the age distribution of
the employees, but is subject to increase if the proportion of female lives
exceeds 1 0 per cent of the whole. This type of insurance usually covers
nonoccupational accidents only, industrial accidents being ordinarily
covered by the workmen’s compensation laws, although it may be
extended to supplement the payments under workmen’s compensation.
The amount of the benefit is generally based on the employee’s salary
and the employees, are, therefore, classified according to salary groups.
The benefits in any class are limited to 6 6 % per cent of the maximum
salary, or 7 5 per cent of the minimum salary in each class, whichever is
the smaller, and the maximum benefit period is ordinarily limited to
13, 26, or 52 weeks. The maximum benefit is fixed at $40 per week.
The high morbidity rate found among the older employees has so
increased the cost of this insurance that the leading group-writing
companies have decided that beginning June 1 , 1932, no employees
will be insured for these risks after reaching the age of 70 and that
insurance will automatically be terminated upon reaching that age. _
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance is written only in
connection with group life or group accident and health insurance.
The benefits are fixed in accordance with a schedule of rates for dif­
ferent bodily injuries incurred through external, violent, and acci­
dental means. In general, there is a maximum benefit of $5,000.
This type of insurance corresponds to the double indemnity of ordinary
life insurance.
Group annuities have been developed as a result of the realization by
employers of the necessity of providing some form of pension for the
superannuated worker. Pension plans have not been general in indus­
try and those which have been adopted have not generally been on a
financially sound basis nor have they been in the nature of a contract
on which the employee could depend. As a result, group annuity
plans based on a joint contribution by the employer and the employee,
with the insurance company as a guarantor of the promises and funds,
are meeting with increasing favor in industry. Under these plans
employees are guaranteed the return of their money at a specified
minimum interest rate, and they benefit both through their own sav­
ings and the employer’s contributions for their old-age security. The
life insurance companies are taking up the writing of group annuities
in increasing number. I t is estimated that there were only about 2 0
group annuity contracts in force in 1926 whereas at the present time
there are more than 2 0 0 , most of which were written within the past
two years. Many of these contractual plans cover only part of the
liability since it is not often practicable to finance a system which
covers not only future responsibilities but also payments for past
service and for the pensions already in force. In such cases the aim is
to meet the situation as far as possible with ultimate complete coverage
the goal to be attained.
In the past, pensions have practically always been paid for by the
employer alone, but practically all of the newer contractual plans
are on a contributory basis. The group annuity contracts fix a
normal retirement age, usually at 65 for men and 60 for women, but
permit optional retirement at earlier ages with correspondingly re­
duced incomes. The retirement income is usually fixed at a certain

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M O N TH LY LA B O R R E V IE W

percentage of the salary multiplied by the number of years of service
and is payable monthly during the lifetime of the retired employee.
Employees usually are permitted to take an adjusted retirement
income which pays a smaller amount but is continued after death to
a chosen beneficiary.
C an ad ian T ra d e -U n io n Benefits, 1931

MONG the 25 Canadian central labor bodies, the 1 1 listed in the
L accompanying table reported the payment in 1931 of $75,440
in various benefits— an increase of $8,504 as compared with the
amounts reported by 1 0 organizations for the preceding y ear : 1

A

B E N E F IT S PA ID B Y CANADIAN C E N T R A L LA BO R ORGANIZATIONS IN 1931
Amounts disbursed for benefit
Name of organizations

Death
benefits

Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Employees-----------------------

Saskatchewan Brotherhood of Steam and Operating EngineersVancouver and District Waterfront Workers’ Association

__ -

$500
10,057
145
1,760
232,300
10,815

Strike
benefits

Sick and
accident
benefits

1 $5,437

$350

$2, 290

2, 800
5, 713

50

500
2, 040
58,117

Other
benefits

683
10, 803

5,437

1,083

1 Includes disability benefits of $446.
2Includes total disability benefits of $3,250.

During 1931 the sum of $543,191 was reported disbursed by 943
local branch unions in the Dominion for the different classes of
benefits indicated below:
Death benefits______________________________________ $112, 151
Unemployed benefits________________________________ 167, 432
Strike benefits______________________________________
10, 235
Sick and accident benefits___________________________
176, 059
Other benefits______________________________________
77, 314
Total________________________________________ 2 543, 191

The above total exceeded by $64,030 the sum reported paid out
for benefits by 828 local unions in 1930.
The international labor organizations operating in Canada reported
an expenditure of $26,856,874 for benefits in 1931. The major portion
of this sum, however, was not disbursed in the Dominion.
1 Canada. Department of Labor. Twenty-first annual report on labor organization in Canada (for
the calendar year 1931). Ottawa, 1932, pp. 244, 247.
2In addition to disbursements for benefits by central organizations.


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HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
N itrocellu lose L acq u ers and T h eir H azards

N A R T IC L E 1 in a recent issue of The Industrial Bulletin, pubL lished by the New York Department of Labor, describes the
composition of nitrocellulose lacquers and shows the relative hazards
of the different constituents.
The term lacquer was first applied to oriental varnishes containing
resin from the lac tree, found in the E ast Indies, but the term is at
present generally applied to coating materials containing a nitro­
cellulose base, while the earlier types are given such names as
“ Chinese” lacquer, or “ Pekin” lacquer. The general use of nitro­
cellulose or pyroxylin lacquers for spray painting and dipping has
revolutionized the painting industry and has resulted in a change in
working conditions with new health hazards and possible fire hazards
from the volatile ingredients.
The ordinary lacquer contains five basic parts, having the following
uses in the production of the lacquer: (a ) Nitrocellulose, forming
about 1 0 per cent of the lacquer, gives a waterproof quality, hardness,
and durability; (6 ) solvents and diluents, 77 per cent, dissolve the
nitrocellulose and gums and give quick drying properties; (c) gums
or resins, 5 per cent, thicken the lacquer and increase its adhesive
properties; id) softeners or “ plasticisers,” 5 per cent, prevent brittle­
ness; (e) pigments or coloring materials, 3 per cent, give color and add
to the durability of the coating. I t is seen from the percentages given
for the different materials that the volatile ingredients form about
7 7 per cent, by weight, of the material and the amount of volatile
matter is still further increased before use by the addition of other
solvents or diluents of the same nature, called “ thinners,” in the
proportion of 1 , 2 , or 3 parts of thinner to 1 part of lacquer.
Nitrocellulose, prepared by treating cotton or some other form of
cellulose with nitric acid, is made up in different types of compounds
which vary as to solubility, viscosity, and nitrogen contents. _These
different types of nitrocellulose are used for coating different kinds of
materials. They are highly flammable, are unstable, and if subjected
to high temperatures, as by being placed on hot steam pipes, are liable
to spontaneous ignition. The danger of fire forms the principal hazard
from the nitrocellulose.
The pigments in most lacquers do not form a special hazard as they
are free of lead, with the possible exception of the yellow, green, and
orange lacquers, and some metal primers and surfacers.^ Some of
the more common pigments in use are zinc oxide, titanium oxide,
whiting, barium sulphate, aniline lake colors, aluminum or bronze
powders, and Prussian blue.

A

i New York. Department of Labor.
Their Hazards,” by William J. Burke.


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The Industrial Bulletin, April, 1932, pp. 223-225: “ Lacquers and

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M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

The gums and resins most used are rosin, elemi, dammar, copal,
kauri, and ester resins. These products offer no industrial hazard.
“ Plasticizers” or softeners such as the nondrying castor, or rapeseed
oils, or high boiling phosphate, phthalate or tartrate esters are prac­
tically nonvolatile and are also considered free from health hazards.
The solvents and diluents in lacquers present the chief hazards to be
found in the use of these coating products. The principal solvents
used are: Acetone, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl­
ene glycol mono-ethyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-methyl ether,
ethylene glycol mono-ethyl ether acetate, iso amyl acetate, iso propyl
acetate, methyl acetate, methyl oxybutrate, pentacetate, secondary
butyl acetate. The diluents used include amyl alcohol, wood alcohol,
denatured ethyl alcohol, benzol, butyl alcohol, petroleum naphtha,
secondary butyl alcohol, toluol, and xylol.
The solvents are mainly esters produced by the combination of the
various alcohols with acetic acid. In general these liquids are lighter
than water, colorless, volatile, varying in boiling point from about
134° F . to 338° F. and the majority of them have a choking effect
when breathed. The hydrocarbons and alcohols are diluents and in
general are like the solvents, readily volatile liquids, which are color­
less, lighter than water, and vary in boiling point. The diluents are
considered the most harmful of the different constituents of the lac­
quers. Until a few years ago benzol was the principal diluent, but
with an understanding of its extreme toxicity it has been largely re­
placed by others, the principal one in use now being petroleum naph­
tha. However, all lacquer vapors are toxic, or at least narcotic, if
inhaled in a sufficiently concentrated state for a long enough period
of time.
C a d m iu m Poisoning

S T U D Y of cadmium poisoning, involving considerable animal
experimentation, made by Dr. Leon Prodan at the Harvard
School of Public Health, covers the history and uses of cadmium and
its pathologic effects as determined by the experiments carried out by
the writer. The results of the study were published in the April and
M ay issues of The Journal of Industrial Hygiene.
Although cases of cadmium poisoning were reported more than 70
years ago, extensive industrial use of cadmium did not develop until
after the World War when cadmium plating was introduced. Cad­
mium occurs usually with zinc and until 1817, at which time the
element cadmium was discovered, no distinction was made between
the two metals. I t was not until 1867 that the first work of impor­
tance on cadmium poisoning appeared. Up to the time of the present
study, attempts by investigators to produce cadmium poisoning in
animals have been made generally by oral administration of cadmium
or by subcutaneous or intravenous injections, although all the cases
of cadmium poisoning reported in the literature on industrial poisoning
have occurred through absorption through the respiratory system.
Cadmium is a white metal, having a bluish tinge and a bright luster,
which is capable of taking a high polish. I t is harder than tin but
softer than zinc and is insoluble in water but soluble in acids. Upon
being heated in the air it burns readily and gives off a brown fume of

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cadmium oxide. The principal compounds of cadmium are the
oxide, sulphate, sulphide, chloride, iodide, and bromide._ Cadmium
does not occur in nature in an uncombined condition and is present in
only one mineral in any considerable quantity. I t is nearly always
found in relatively small quantities in zinc ores, however, and is a
by-product in the reduction of these ores. Cadmium is used very
little as a metal but is used as a constitutent in many alloys with
low melting point for the preparation of amalgams and the preparation
of its salts. Cadmium plating is in several respects superior to nickel
and other metal plating. In addition to the use of cadmium for
plating, it is used in the manufacture of alkaline storage batteries,
standard cells (as mercury-cadmium alloy), high temperature resistors,
and cadmium vapor lamps. I t is also used in certain pigments called
lithopones.
The principal health hazards are found in the manufacture of
cadmium and the handling of the compounds; these hazards arise in
the processes which produce exposure to dust and fumes. I t is not
known yet how great a hazard is presented by plating after the
cadmium is in solution. So far, no effect of the solution has been
observed except that upon coming in contact with the skin it causes
the skin to turn black.
Prior to the present study the published results regarding experi­
mental cadmium poisoning showed that relatively small doses were
fatal to various experimental animals, and that the metal had a
direct paralyzing effect on the central nervous system and_ on the
vasomotor system, induced vomiting, and had a general toxic effect
when given orally or introduced into the general circulation. When
cadmium is taken into the body, the experiments also showed, it
has a tendency to be stored in the liver and kidneys, and its elimina­
tion by way of the kidneys and gastro-intestinal tract is very slow.
When absorbed through the respiratory system, cadmium was found
to cause pneumonia and sometimes pleural effusion. The blood
showed a decrease in hemoglobin content in the feeding experiments
and an increase when the cadmium was absorbed through the respira­
tory system, while in both cases there was an increase in the polymor­
phonuclear leukocytes.
As has been stated, cadmium used industrially is absorbed prin­
cipally through the respiratory system and to a certain extent through
the gastrointestinal tract. The most common form of poisoning is
the acute respiratory form arising from exposure in manufacturing and
handling cadmium compounds. "D ue to the emetic effect of cadmium,
serious gastro-intestinal poisoning probably does not occur in man.
Direct contact with cadmium does not cause poisoning, since it is not
absorbed through the unbroken skin.
In the present experimental study the observations were made on
cats which had been poisoned with cadmium oxide fumes, cadmium
oxide dust, and cadmium sulphide dust. These compounds were
chosen because of their frequent use and cadmium sulphide also be­
cause in some industries it is considered to be harmless. The cats
were submitted to exposure of various quantities and for various
lengths of time. They were killed at the conclusion of the experiments
and the organs subjected to microscopic examination and chemical
analysis.
125620°—32-----5

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I t was found as a result of the experiments that inhalation of cad­
mium oxide fume or dust causes abundant salivation and an increase
in the rate of respiration, appearing during the exposure or immediately
after. Later the respiration becomes more labored and noisy and the
animals refuse to eat or drink. As a result of exposure to high con­
centrations edema of the lungs develops, resulting in death. In ex­
posure to smaller amounts it causes generalized pneumonia and
broncho-pneumonia, emphysema, and atelectosis (imperfect expansion
or collapse of the air vesicles of the lungs). The emphysema is in part
due to the thickening of the alveolar walls, causing permanent damage
and evidenced by the increased rate of respiration, and in part it is
mechanical, being caused by the obstruction of the small bronchioles
and alveolar ducts with cadmium oxide. Exposure to very small
amounts of the oxide causes scars in the lungs but without subjective
symptoms. The effect of cadmium oxide on the liver varies from a
general granulation of the cells, as a minimum lesion, to a marked fatty
infiltration of the cells from the central areas of the lobules as a
maximum lesion, while there is a fatty infiltration of the cells of the
kidneys. Following a short exposure, cadmium is found principally
in the lungs, liver, and kidneys and later is stored chiefly in the liver,
kidneys, and bones.
Symptoms resulting from exposure to cadmium sulphide dust did
not develop until from 24 to 36 hours following exposure. These
symptoms were vomiting, diarrhea, occasional salivation, and in­
creased rate of respiration which was difficult and noisy. The lungs
are usually the only organs affected by the cadmium sulphide, which
causes generalized pneumonia and broncho-pneumonia accompanied
by edema and the other lung symptoms caused by cadmium oxide.
Owing to its greater insolubility, cadmium sulphide is found in smaller
quantities in the liver and kidneys but in the case of both the oxide
and the sulphide excretion takes place very slowly through the kid­
neys and the gastrointestinal tract. There are no definite blood
changes.
Cadmium carbonate and cadmium phosphate were used in the
feeding experiments, no difference being noted in the action of the
two salts. When fed in large doses there was vomiting with saliva­
tion, and loss of appetite and vomiting also occurred for a short period
following medium doses, but was not caused by small doses. The
liver and kidneys were affected in much the same way as by poisoning
through inhalation, but the cadmium was retained in these organs
and the bones in relatively greater quantities.
The prevention of cadmium poisoning is dependent mainly upon
efficient exhaust ventilation, but a test of one type of dust mask and
one type of respirator carried out in connection with the study showed
these particular appliances were efficient for low concentrations of the
dust or fumes. However, persons who have developed pulmonary
symptoms from exposure to cadmium, even though very mild, should
not risk a second exposure.


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Effects of Prolonged E xp osu re to S u lp h u r Dioxide

H E common use of sulphur dioxide as a refrigerant, with its
consequent introduction into the household, together with the
continual or frequent exposure of workers to sulphur dioxide in certain
trades, notably the refrigerator industry, led to a study 1 designed to
show the extent of residual or permanent damage, if any, occurring
among persons subject to such exposures. The study was carried out
in the factory of one of the large manufacturers of electric refriger­
ators, the investigation being supported by and receiving the fullest
cooperation of the company. Conditions for the study were found
to be highly satisfactory since there was a large number of workers
who had had long exposure to a known basic concentration of the gas
as well as frequent exposures to high concentrations for short pe­
riods. A control group of men whose ages and general conditions of
work and life were similar to those selected for study was available
from other departments of the plant in which there was no exposure
to the sulphur dioxide.
Ono hundred subjects were chosen for examination on the basis of
severity and duration of exposure, 47 of whom had had from 4 to 12
years of exposure. The majority of these workers came from the
sulphur storage and distributing department, the refrigerating unit
charging department, and the repair department. The control group,
consisting of 100 men, was chosen from the assembling departments,
tool and punch-press rooms, carpenter shop, and shipping depart­
ment, there being no exposure in these departments to sulphur
dioxide or to other harmful materials such as paints, lacquers, and
metallic dusts. The ages of the men in the two groups were approx­
imately the same.
The charging department, from which a large proportion of the
exposed subjects were taken, had had an effective ventilating system
and a system of air analysis since 1927, and since that time the con­
centration of gas in the atmosphere had been lower and subject to
smaller fluctuations. An analysis of the air of this room during
August, 1929, showed a range of about 8 to 45 parts per million parts
of air, while in the winter months when the windows are closed the
concentrations, under present conditions, are somewhat higher.
The average concentration is also increased during periods of rush pro­
duction and when inexperienced workers are being trained. The
concentrations are generally higher in the storage and distributing
department than in the charging department, with an average of
about 30 parts per million. In the charging and discharging
departments and particularly in the repair department there is lia­
bility, also, to brief but temporarily unendurable exposure to sulphur
dioxide from which the operator is obliged to escape.
The two groups of workers were subjected to a careful individual
and general study, with especial emphasis upon conditions resulting
from the sulphur dioxide exposure. There was little variation be­
tween the exposed and control groups as regards the means established
for age, height, weight, and years in the plant, showing that the control
group could be considered as exceptionally well chosen, the only

T

1The Journal of Industrial Hygiene, May, 1932, pp. 159-173: “ On the Effects of Prolonged Exposure to
Sulphur Dioxide,” by Robert A. Kohoe, Willard F . Machle, Karl Kitzmiller, and T . J . LeBlanc.


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significant difference between the two groups being that the control
group had been employed in the industry on the average a considerably
longer time.
Exposure to sulphur dioxide results generally in acclimatization,
that is, the acquirement of the ability to endure the customary basic
exposure without great increase in the- initial symptoms. The time
necessary for acclimatization varied considerably but in the exposed
group it was found that about 80 per cent had become acclimatized.
The symptoms among the exposed group were divided into three
classes: Initial symptoms which developed before acclimatization,
symptoms arising from the minimum or usual exposure either with or
without acclimatization, and the symptoms arising from heavy
exposure.
The initial symptoms are confined to the respiratory tract, the most
frequent symptoms being irritation of the upper respiratory tract,
followed by coughing, hemorrhage from the nose, constriction in the
chest, and spitting of blood, the clinical importance of the symptoms
being almost the exact reverse of the order in which the symptoms
appear. A comparison of the general symptoms among the two
groups showed that many symptoms had no significance but there was
a significant increase among the exposed group of shortness of breath
upon exertion, increased fatigability, altered sense of taste or smell, and
increased sensitivity to other irritants.
I t was found that exposure to the sulphur dioxide under the condi­
tions prevailing in the plant produced two separate sets of symptoms,
first, irritation of the upper respiratory tract, which is first acute,
becoming subacute or chronic, and second, systemic symptoms of a
mild type such as are associated with any type of increased acid
absorption or production in the tissues. In this connection it is
stated that “ the high degree of correlation shown between the systemic
symptoms and the frequency of severe exposures indicates that the
human organism has a high degree of adaptability to a regular mod­
erate exposure, and that it suffers no apparent injury from such an
exposure. In the case of intense exposures, even though they occur
frequently, there is no evidence of damage of a serious or a permanent
type.”
There was no evidence that the persistent chronic rhinitis and
pharyngitis which was present in many of the exposed group caused
the development of chronic disease of the lungs and bronchi and it
was considered, from the absence of such results, that the irritation
of the upper respiratory tract was not regularly associated with
infectious processes but that the persistent “ colds” reported by many
of the subjects were not colds in the ordinary sense but a chronic
catarrh due to chemical irritation.
The roentgenograms showed that there was no appreciable residual
injury to the lungs and bronchi resulting from inhalation of the sulphur
dioxide although there can be no doubt that there is injury to the
pulmonary epithelium when high concentrations are inhaled. On the
basis of the numbers examined and the variety of exposure to which
they were subjected it was concluded that there is no appreciable
health hazard in frequent or more or less continuous exposure to
endurable concentrations of sulphur dioxide and that the effects of
exposure to unendurable concentrations under conditions which allow
of quick escape are negligible.

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Effect of Sickness In su ra n ce U pon M o rta lity R a te s in
A lsace-L o rrain e

H E results of a study by Dr. Mosser of Mulhouse, published in
the April issue of the Revue Philanthropique and noted in The
Lancet (London), M ay 14 (pp. 1063, 1064), shows the favorable
effects of the sickness insurance which has been in effect for about half
a century in the Departments of Alsace and Lorraine. An earlier
study by Dr. Mosser shows that in the period 1911-1921 the death
rate for the two Departments was 156 per 10,000 inhabitants while
for the whole of France it was 187. In the recent study, covering the
period 1920 to 1929, the mortality rate for the three Departments
recovered from Germany was 143 per 10,000 as compared with 173
for the whole of France. Since the latter figure includes the three
Departments it is apparent that the difference between the mortality
rates in the recovered Departments and the rest of France must be
even greater than the figures suggest. A comparison of the infant
mortality for the four-year period 1923-1926 shows practically the
same differences, as the rate per 10,000 live births in the Department
of the Upper Rhine, only, was 720 and the rate for the whole of France
was 919. During this same period and in the same areas the death
rates for persons over the age of 1 year were 125 and 157, respectively.
In considering the reasons for the lower rates in the two areas,
various factors such as climate and rural and industrial distribution
of the population have been taken into account and the^ conclusion
has been reached that the more favorable rates in the sectionshaving
had sickness insurance for a long time are the result of the better
curative and preventive measures provided under the sickness-insur­
ance system. I t is estimated that if the death rate of all of France
could be reduced to that of the Upper Rhine there would be a saving
of 130,000 lives a year, and Dr. Mosser points out that with the
health conscience France is so vigorously cultivating at the present
time there is every prospect of this goal being attained.

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INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
Regulation of Employment of Minors in Hazardous Trades
OLLOW ING a recommendation of the White House Conference
on Child Health and Protection, a proposal was made that a com­
mittee of specially qualified persons be appointed to assist and coop­
erate with the Children’s Bureau, United States Department of Labor,
in assembling information to be used as a basis for the setting up of
standards for the protection of children in occupational hazards.
This recommendation was based upon the realization by the con­
ference of the fragmentary and incomplete information on the hazards
of industries in which minors are employed.

F

Because State legislation on the subject has been to a large extent formulated
with little reference to modern industrial conditions and with little consideration
of even so much knowledge of occupational hazards as has been available the
protection from industrial hazards afforded young workers is uneven and inad­
equate.

The revision of such legislation on a careful, scientific, and com­
prehensive basis was therefore recommended.
The committee appointed met in Washington, D. C., on M ay 24 to
26, inclusive, and tentatively approved certain standards. This
committee included the following members: Cyril Ainsworth, safety
engineer, American Standards Association, New York; Emma M .
Appel, M . D., chief medical examiner, Vocational Guidance Bureau,
Chicago Board of Education, Chicago, 111.; Clara M . Beyer, director
Industrial Division, U. S. Children’s Bureau, Washington, D. C .;
David Beyer, vice president, Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Boston,
M ass.; Alice Hamilton, M . D ., Harvard University School of Public
H ealth; John P. Meade, director Division of Industrial Safety, De­
partment of Labor and Industries, Boston, M ass.; Courtenay Dinwiddie, general secretary National Child Labor Committee, New
Y ork; M artha Eliot, M . D ., U. S. Children’s Bureau, New Haven,
Conn.; W. M . Graff, director, safety engineering division, National
Bureau of Casualty and Surety Underwriters, New York; Emery R.
Hayhurst, M . D., consulting hygienist, Columbus, Ohio; J . P. Leake,
M. D., senior surgeon, in charge of Office of Industrial Hygiene, U. S.
Public Health Service, Washington, D. C .; E . N. Matthews, con­
sultant in industrial problems, U. S. Children’s Bureau, Washington,
D. C .; Beatrice McConnell, director, Bureau of Women and Children,
Department of Labor and Industry, Harrisburg, P a.; O. F. McShane,
Industrial Commission of Utah, Salt Lake City, U tah; Frieda S.
Miller, director, Bureau of Women in Industry, State Department of
Labor, New York; Walter S. Paine, manager, engineering and inspec­
tion division, Aetna Life Insurance Co., Hartford, Conn.; Charles F.
Sharkey, chief of law division, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S.
Department of Labor, Washington, D. C .; Maude Swett, field director,
Woman and Child Labor Department, State Industrial Commission,
Milwaukee, W is.; and M ax Trumper, M . D ., industrial toxicologist,
Cynwyd, Pa.
64

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Pennsylvania Safety Conference
O R E than 500 delegates registered at the annual Pennsylvania
Safety Conference held at Harrisburg, Pa., on M ay 12 and
13, 1932, under the auspices of the State Department of Labor and
Industry.
The meetings discussed the subject of safety through the prevention
of accidents and industrial diseases. Among the papers at the
accident-prevention session was one on The Visiting Inspector’s
Responsibility as Seen by the Plant Executive, prepared by Henry
A. Reninger, of the Lehigh Portland Cement Co. Mr. Renmger
stressed the point that industry has a right to demand competency
in State inspectors and urged that the selection of such inspectors
be made primarily on the basis of qualification and not upon political
expediency or consideration. W hat Accident Analyses Show was
the subject delivered by E . J . Kreh, manager of accident prevention,
Philadelphia Co., of Pittsburgh. Other speakers at the opening
session included J . M . Flynn, president of the Pennsylvania Manu­
facturers’ Association, whose subject was The Manufacturers
Contribution to Statewide Safety; C. B. Auel, manager of the employees’
service department, Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co.,
on the subject, Is There an Accident-prone Employee?; and Frank
Morrison, secretary of the American Federation of Labor, on The
Worker’s Interest in Safety Problems.
The afternoon session, presided over by Charlotte E . Carr, deputy
secretary of labor and industry of Pennsylvania, considered the
subject of safety through the prevention of industrial diseases. The
principal speakers included Dr. Alice Hamilton, assistant professor
of industrial medicine at Harvard Medical School, whose discourse
treated the Industrial Poisonings in Pennsylvania, followed by
Reuel C. Stratton, supervising chemical engineer, Travelers’ Insurance
Co., Industrial Health from the Standpoint of Plant Equipment;
and John B . Andrews, Legislation for the Prevention of Occupa­
tional Disease.
The Secretary of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania, A. M.
Northrup, was in charge of the evening session, at which Governor
Pinchot was the principal speaker. The governor announced a plan
to name a commission of experts to study occupational diseases in
the State. He said that “ A careful, impartial, and scientific study
should be made of the entire question before any legislation is drawn.”
The award of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association safety
plaque was made by the president of the association^ to the J . E. Baker
Co., York, Pa., for the best record in reducing accidents.
The closing session of the conference consisted of open forums, at
which the subject of safety from the viewpoint of accidents and health
was considered. The discussions were led by Harry D. Immel,
director of the State Bureau of Inspection, and John Campbell, director
of the State Bureau of Industrial Standards, respectively.

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LABOR LAWS
Anti-Injunction Laws in Labor Disputes
F E D E R A L anti-in junction law (Public Act No. 65) was approved
on March 23, 1932. The purpose of this law, which is commonly
referred to as the Norris-LaGuardia Act, is “ to define and limit the
jurisdiction of courts sitting in equity.”
The subject has held the attention of the courts and the public
generally for more than a quarter of a century. This interest has
centered, in the Congress of the United States, for the past several
years in the so-called Shipstead bill (S. 1482, 70tli Cong.).1 Prior to
the introduction of this bill attempts had been made, at various ses­
sions of the Congress, to curtail or restrict the use of court injunctions
in labor disputes. The enacted law deals principally with the grant­
ing by the Federal courts of injunctions in labor disputes and the
declaration that antiunion contracts are void and against public
policy.
Before the President signed the bill he sought the advice and counsel
of the Attorney General, as to whether there was any objection to its
approval. While the Attorney General recommended its approval, he
cited various objections based upon the alleged unconstitutionality of
some of the provisions, among which he cited “ those relating to con­
tracts between employers and employees by which the latter agree not
to be members of labor organizations and which are commonly called
‘yellow-dog contracts’.” While there were other aspects of the pro­
posed law which have been considered unconstitutional, the Attorney
General thought that it was of no avail to discuss these questions now
as “ they are of such a controversial nature that they are not suscep­
tible of final decision by the executive branch of the Government, and
no executive or administrative ruling for or against the validity of
any provisions of this measure could be accepted as final. These
questions are of such a nature that they can only be set at rest by
judicial decision.”2
The Federal anti-in junction law has no application to State courts,
for the term “ court of the United States,” as defined, means “ any
court of the United States whose jurisdiction has been or may be con­
ferred or defined or limited by act of Congress, including the courts of
the D istrict of Columbia.” There are at the present time 12 States 3
which have already adopted somewhat similar anti-injunction laws in
labor disputes.
The Federal law in brief provides as follows: Section 1 forbids any
Federal court to issue an injunction except in accordance with the act.

A

1 Copy of bill and substitute bill printed in the Labor Review, November, 1928, pp. 85-89.
2 United States Daily, Mar. 24, 1932, p. 1.
3 Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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Section 2 declares the public policy of the United States in labor dis­
putes, and assures the employee’s right to collective bargaining.
Antiunion contracts are outlawed by section 3, and such contracts are
made unenforceable in any Federal court. Sections 4 and 5 relate
to_ the restrictions on the issuance of injunctions from doing cer­
tain acts either singly or in concert. Officers of associations are no
longer held responsible for the unlawful acts of individuals, by section
6, while section 7 prescribes the procedure, namely, that no injunction
shall be issued, except after a hearing of the testimony of witnesses in
open court, with an opportunity for cross-examination, and only after
the findings of fact by the court. B y the provisions of section 8, an
effort to settle disputes must be made before injunctive relief will be
granted. Section 9 provides that when an injunction has been issued
it shall include only a prohibition of such specific acts as have been
expressly complained of and are expressly included in the findings of
fact made by the court. Sections 10 and 11 provide for the right of
appeal, and trial by jury. A demand for the retirement of a judge
may be made by section 12, whenever an attack has been made upon
his character or conduct, or if made elsewhere than in the presence
of the court. Various definitions are set forth in section 13, while
sections 14 and 15 contain the usual provision relating to the con­
stitutionality of the act and the repeal of all conflicting acts.
History

A b r i e f chronological history may be of value in understanding the
present status of this type of legislation. I t is generally reported that
the first injunction in the United States was issued in about 1883.
I t was not, however, until 1895, when the case of In re Debs was
decided by the United States Supreme Court (158 U. S. 564) that the
principle was firmly established that the power to issue injunctions
and punish their violation, as for contempt, was inherent in the courts.
A case of much importance to labor was the so-called Danbury
H atters’ Case (Loewe v. Lawlor, 208 U. S. 274), decided in 1908.
This case was brought under the Sherman Antitrust Act of July 2,
1890. The act provides among other things that “ any person who
shall be injured in his business or property by any other person or
corporation by reason of anything forbidden or declared to be unlawful
by this act may sue * * * and shall recover threefold the dam­
ages by him sustained * *
Accordingly, a hat manufacturer
of Danbury, Conn., recovered triple damages for losses due to a boy­
cott of his goods in an interstate shipment.
While the Sherman Antitrust Act was held applicable to labor dis­
putes shortly after its passage, it was not until the Danbury H atters’
Case that a damaging situation for labor loomed and agitation was
then made to remedy the effects of the court decision. Finally, in
1914, the so-called Clayton Act was passed by the Congress of the
United States. B y the provisions of this act the labor of a human
being was declared “ not a commodity or article of commerce.” Labor
organizations were especially exempted from the antitrust laws by the
Clayton Act in the following language (38 U. S. Stat. L. 731):
S ection 6. * * * Nothing contained in the antitrust laws shall be con­
strued to forbid the existence and operation of labor, agricultural, or horticultural
organizations, instituted for the purposes of mutual help, and not having capital
stock or conducted for profit, or to forbid or restrain individual members of such


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organizations from lawfully carrying out the legitimate objects thereof; nor shall
such organizations, or the members thereof be held or construed to be illegal
combinations or conspiracies in restraint of trade, under the antitrust laws.

The Clayton Act, which sought to regulate the issue of injunctions,
has been construed in several cases which showed the line that was
drawn between the powers of the courts and the intent of Congress as
expressed in the act. (Duplex Printing Press Co. v. Deering (254
U. S. 443); American Steel Foundry Co. v. Tri-City Trades Council
(257 U. S. 184).) Other points passed upon by the courts are as
follows:
(1) Legality of labor unions. (United Mine Workers v. Coronado
Co. (259 U. S. 344, 386; 268 U. S. 295).)
(2) Legality of right to strike provided strike is lawful in purpose
and method. (Truax v. Corrigan (257 U. S. 312, 327).)
(3) Interference with interstate commerce and the movement of
the mails. (In re Debs (158 U. S. 564); United Leather Workers v.
Herkert (265 U. S. 457); Industrial Association v. United States
(268 U. S. 64); Anderson v. Shipowners’ Association (272 U. S. 359).)
(See also 259 U. S. 344 and 268 U. S. 295, above.)
(4) Injunctions in boycott cases. (Duplex Co. v. Deering (254
U. S. 443); Truax v. Corrigan (257 U. S. 312); and Bedford Co. v.
Stone Cutters’ Association (274 U. S. 37).) (See also Loewe v. Lawlor
(208 U. S. 274 and 235 U. S. 522).)
(5) Injunctions in persuasive cases. (Hitchman Coal & Coke Co. v.
Mitchell (245 U. S. 229).) (See also Adair v. United States (208
U. S. 161) and Coppage v. Kansas (236 U. S. 1).)
(6) Injunctions in picketing cases. (American Foundries v. TriCity Council (257 U. S. 184); Truax v. Corrigan (257 U. S. 312).)
(7) Right of court to punish for contempt anyone who violates an
injunction. (Gompers v. Bucks Stove & Range Co. (221 U. S. 418);
Michaelson v. United States (266 U. S. 42).)
(8) Right of collective bargaining. (Texas & New Orleans Railroad
Co. v. Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks (281 U. S. 548).)4
For additional information, reference is also made to a bibliography
on injunctions in labor disputes published in the Monthly Labor R e­
view for September, 1928 (pp. 201 to 220).
Constitutional Status of Anti-Injunction Laws

I n 1903 California passed an act (ch. 235) to limit the meaning of
the word “ conspiracy” and also the use of “ restraining orders” and
“ injunctions” as applied to disputes between employers and employ­
ees hi the State of California. The statute provided that—
No agreement, combination, or contract by or between two or more persons
to do or procure to be done, or not to do or procure not to be done, any act in
contemplation or furtherance of any trade dispute between employers and em­
ployees in the State of California shall be deemed criminal, nor shall those en­
gaged therein be indictable or otherwise punishable for the crime of conspiracy,
if such act committed by one person would not be punishable as a crime, nor shall
such agreement, combination, or contract be considered as in restraint of trade or
commerce, nor shall any restraining order or injunction be issued with relation
thereto.

The question of the constitutionality of this statute came before
the Supreme Court of California in a labor case in which boycotting
4 See Labor Review, October, 1929, p. 78.


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and picketing were charged and in which it was maintained that an
injunction was specifically forbidden by the California act. The
court held that the law could not be construed as undertaking to
prohibit a court from enjoining wrongful acts, and if such were the
intent of the law it would be to that extent void because violative
of the constitutional rights of liberty and protection. (Goldberg v.
Stablemen’s Union (1906) (149 Calif. 429, 86 Pac. 324).)
In a later case before the same court a decision was rendered in
which it was said that—
Not only would it be void as violative of one’s constitutional right to acquire,
possess, enjoy, and protect property, but as well would it be obnoxious to the
Constitution in creating arbitrarily and without reason a class above and beyond
the law, which is applicable to all other individuals and classes. * * * It
would exempt trades-unions from the operation of the general laws of the land
under circumstances where the same laws would operate against all other in­
dividuals, combinations, or associations. I t is thus not only special legislation,
obnoxious to the Constitution, but it still further violates the Constitution in
attempting to grant privileges and immunities to certain citizens or classes of
citizens, which, upon the same terms, have not been granted to all citizens.
(Pierce v. Stablemen’s Union (1909) (156 Calif. 70, 103 Pac. 324).)

In 1914 the Legislature of Massachusetts (ch. 778) enacted an
anti-injunction law. This act came before the Supreme Court of
Massachusetts in a case involving the relative rights of two labor
unions. I t was contended that the interference of one union with the
employment of members of another union could not be enjoined.
The supreme court denied this and held the act unconstitutional on
the ground that, if the contention was correct, workmen would be
excluded from the legal protection to which they are entitled, since
if no injunction could be issued in their behalf workmen would be
without protection of their right to labor while the property of the
capitalist could be safeguarded by such proceedings. (Bogni v.
Perotti (1916) (224 Mass. 152, 112 N. E. 853).) The act was later
repealed.
Section 20 of the Clayton Act was before the Supreme Court in a
case involving the secondary boycott in which an injunction had been
granted restraining certain labor unions from maintaining a secondary
boycott in New York to compel a Michigan manufacturer of printing
presses to unionize his factory. The Supreme Court held that the
secondary boycott was illegal and that the injunction had been
properly granted. In its opinion the court said that “ the emphasis
placed on the words ‘lawful’ and ‘lawfully,’ ‘ peaceful’ and ‘peace­
fully, ’ and the references to the dispute and the parties to it, strongly
rebut a legislative intent to confer a general immunity for conduct
violative of the antitrust laws, or otherwise unlawful.” (Duplex
Co. v. Deering (1921) (254 U. S. 443, 473).)
In the same year, but in the following term of court, M r. Chief
Justice T a ft delivered an opinion in a case involving section 20 of the
Clayton Act in which an injunction had been granted enjoining,
among other things, picketing of a plant in which a strike existed and
said:
It is clear that Congress wished to forbid the use by the Federal courts of their
equity arm to prevent peaceable persuasion by employees, discharged or expect­
ant, in promotion of their side of the dispute, and to secure them against judicial
restraint in obtaining or communicating information in any place where they
might lawfully be. This introduces no new principle into the equity juris­
prudence of those courts. It is merely declaratory of what was the best practice

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always. Congress thought it wise to stabilize this rule of action and render it
uniform. (American Foundries v. Tri-City Council (1921) (257 U. S. 184, 203).)

The construction placed upon section 20 of the Clayton Act by the
United States Supreme Court saved the constitutionality of the law.
One week after the decision of the court in the Tri-C ity Council case,
Mr. Chief Justice T a ft delivered an opinion holding substantially the
same provision, found in the Arizona statute unconstititional and
void, because of the construction placed upon it by the Arizona
Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, speaking through the Chief
Justice, said that the construction placed upon the words by the
Arizona Supreme Court was as far from the meaning of section 20 of
the Clayton Act as if they were in wholly different languages. The
Supreme Court said that the effect of the ruling of the Arizona court
under paragraph 1464 of the Arizona Code (Fev. S tat., 1913) was
that “ loss may be inflicted upon the plaintiffs’ property and business
by ‘picketing’ in any form if violence be not used, and that, because
no violence was shown or claimed, the campaign carried on, as
described in the complaint and exhibits, did not unlawfully invade
complainants’ rights,” and that “ a law which operates to make law­
ful such a wrong as is described in plaintiffs’ complaint deprives the
owner of the business and the premises of his property without due
process, and can not be held valid under the fourteenth amendment.”
(Truax v. Corrigan (1921) (257 U. S. 312, 324, 328).)
The agitation for a Federal anti-injunction law arose from the
belief that the provisions of the Clayton Act of 1914 (38 U. S. Stat.
L. 730) had not been construed by the courts broadly enough to
cover the general situation arising out of labor disputes. A complete
text of the Federal anti-injunction law follows:
Federal Anti-Injunction Law
P u b l ic A ct N o . 65 ( M arch 2 3 , 1932)

1. J u r is d i c t io n o f c o u rt .— No court of the United States, as herein
defined, shall have jurisdiction to issue any restraining order or temporary or
permanent injunction in a case involving or growing out of a labor dispute,
except in a strict conformity with the provisions of this act; nor shall any such
restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction be issued contrary to the
public policy declared in this act.
S e c . 2. D ecla ra tio n o f 'policy .— In the interpretation of this act and in deter­
mining the jurisdiction‘and authority of the courts of the United States, as such
jurisdiction and authority are herein defined and limited, the public policy of
the United States is hereby declared as follows:
Whereas under prevailing economic conditions, developed with the aid of gov­
ernmental authority for owners of property to organize in the corporate and
other forms of ownership association, the individual unorganized worker is com­
monly helpless to exercise actual liberty of contract and to protect his freedom
of labor, and thereby to obtain acceptable terms and conditions of employment,
wherefore, though he should be free to decline to associate with his fellows, it is
necessary that he have full freedom of association, self-organization, and desig­
nation of representatives of his own choosing, to negotiate the terms and condi­
tions of his employment, and that he shall be free from the interference, restraint,
or coercion of employers of labor, or their agents, in the designation of such rep­
resentatives or in self-organization or in other concerted activities for the pur­
pose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection; therefore, the
following definitions of, and limitations upon, the jurisdiction and authority of
the courts of the United States are hereby enacted.
S e c . 3 . A n t i u n io n co n tra cts .— Any undertaking or promise, such as is described
in this section, or any other undertaking or promise in conflict with the public
policy declared in section 2 of this act, is hereby declared to be contrary to the
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public policy of the United States, shall not be enforceable in any court of the
United States, and shall not afford any basis for the granting of legal or equitable
relief by any such court, including specifically the following:
Every undertaking or promise hereafter made, whether written or oral, express
or implied, constituting or contained in any contract or agreement of hiring or
employment between any individual, firm, company, association, or corporation,
and any employee or prospective employee of the same, whereby
(a) Either partv to such contract or agreement undertakes or promises not to
join, become, or remain a member of any labor organization or of any employer
organization; or
.
(b) Either party to such contract or agreement undertakes or promises that he
will withdraw from an employment relation in the event that he joins, becomes,
or remains a member of any labor organization or of any employer organization.
S e c . 4. R es tric tio n o n i n ju n c t io n s .— No court of the United States shall have
jurisdiction to issue any restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction
in any case involving or growing out of any labor dispute to prohibit any person
or persons participating or interested in such dispute (as these terms are herein
defined) from doing, whether singly or in concert, any of the following acts:
(a) Ceasing or refusing to perform any work or to remain in any relation of
employment;
.
(b) Becoming or remaining a member of any labor organization or of any
employer organization, regardless of any such undertaking or promise as is
described in section 3 of this act;
(c) Paying or giving to, or withholding from, any person participating or
interested in such labor dispute, any strike or unemployment benefits or insur­
ance, or other moneys or things of value;
(d) By all lawful means aiding any person participating or interested m any
labor dispute who is being proceeded against in, or is prosecuting, any action or
suit in any court of the United States or of any State;
(e) Giving publicity to the existence of, or the facts involved in, any labor
dispute, whether by advertising, speaking, patrolling, or by any other method
not involving fraud" or violence;
_
,
(/) Assembling peaceably to act or to organize to act in promotion of their
interests in a labor dispute;
.
(g) Advising or notifying any person of an intention to do any ot the acts
heretofore specified;
,
.
(/z) Agreeing with other persons to do or not to do any of the acts hereto!ore
(i)
Advising, urging, or otherwise causing or inducing without fraud or violence
the acts heretofore specified, regardless of any such undertaking or promise as is
described in section 3 of this act.
TT . < j aj- 4- u n i
• •
Se c . 5. S o m e ,' co n certed a ctio n .— No court of the United btates shall nave juris­
diction to issue a restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction upon
the ground that any of the persons participating or interested in a labor dispute
constitute or are engaged in an unlawful combination or conspiracy because of the
doing in concert of the acts enumerated in section 4 of this act.
S e c . 6. R es p o n s ib ility f o r a c t s — No officer or member of any association or
organization, and no association or organization participating or interested in a
labor dispute, shall be held responsible or liable in any court of the United States
for the unlawful acts of individual officers, members, or agents, except upon
clear proof of actual participation in, or actual authorization of, such acts, or of
ratification of such acts after actual knowledge thereof.
S e c . 7. N o tice a n d h e a r in g .— No court of the United. States shall have jurisdiction to issue a temporary or permanent injunction in any case involving or
growing out of a labor dispute, as herein defined, except after hearing the testi­
mony of Avitnesses in open court (with opportunity for cross-examination) in
support of the allegations of a complaint made under oath, and testimony in
opposition thereto, if offered, and except after findings of fact by the court, to the

Cff(a)t That unlawful acts have been threatened and will be committed unless
restrained or have been committed and will be continued unless restrained, but
no injunction or temporary restraining order shall be issued on account of any
threat or unlawful act excepting against the person or persons, association, or
organization making the threat or committing the unlawful act oi actually
authorizing or ratifying the same after actual knowledge thereof;


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(6) That substantial and irreparable injury to complainant’s property will
follow;
(c) That as to each item of relief granted greater injury will be inflicted upon
complainant by the denial of relief than will be inflicted upon defendants by the
granting of relief;
(d ) That complainant has no adequate remedy at law; and
(e) That the public officers charged with the duty to protect complainant’s
property are unable or unwilling to furnish adequate protection.
Such hearing shall be held after due and personal notice thereof has been
given, in such manner as the court shall direct, to all known persons against
whom relief is sought, and also to the chief of those public officials of the county
and city within which the unlawful acts have been threatened or committed
charged with the duty to protect complainant’s, property: P ro v id e d , how ever,
That if a complainant shall also allege that, unless a temporary restraining order
shall be issued without notice, a substantial and irreparable injury to com­
plainant’s property will be unavoidable, such a temporary restraining order may
be issued upon testimony under oath, sufficient, if sustained, to justify the court
in issuing a temporary injunction upon a hearing after notice. Such a temporary
restraining order shall be effective for no longer than five days and shall become
void at the expiration of said five days. No temporary restraining order or
temporary injunction shall be issued except on condition that complainant
shall first file an undertaking with adequate security in an amount to be fixed
by the court sufficient to recompense those enjoined for any loss, expense, or
damage caused by the improvident or erroneous issuance of such order or injunc­
tion, including all reasonable costs (together with a reasonable attorney’s fee) and
expense of defense against the order or against the granting of any injunctive
relief sought in the same proceeding and subsequently denied by the court.
The undertaking herein mentioned shall be understood to signify an agreement
entered into by the complainant and the surety upon which a decree may be
rendered in the same suit or proceeding against said complainant and surety,
upon a hearing to assess damages of which hearing complainant and surety shall
have reasonable notice, the said complainant and surety submitting themselves
to the jurisdiction of the court for that purpose. But nothing herein contained
shall deprive any party having a claim or cause of action under or upon such
undertaking from electing to pursue his ordinary remedy by suit at law or in
equity.
S e c . 8. E ffo rt to settle d is p u t e s . — No restraining order or injunctive relief shall
be granted to any complainant who has failed to comply with any obligation
imposed by law which is involved in the labor dispute in question, or who has
failed to make every reasonable effort to settle such dispute either by negotiation
or with the aid of any available governmental machinery of mediation or volun­
tary arbitration.
S e c . 9. I s s u a n c e b ased o n fa c t s . — No restraining order or temporary or per­
manent injunction shall be granted in a case involving or growing out of a labor
dispute, except on the basis of findings of fact made and filed by the court in the
record of the case prior to the issuance of such restraining order or injunction;
and every restraining order or injunction granted in a case involving or growing
out of a labor dispute shall include only a prohibition of such specific act or acts
as may be expressly complained of in the bill of complaint or petition filed in
such case and as shall be expressly included in said findings of fact made and
filed by the court as provided herein.
Se c . 10. A p p e a ls , s e c u r it y f o r costs. — Whenever any court of the United States
shall issue or deny any temporary injunction in a case involving or growing out
of a labor dispute, the court shall, upon the request of any party to the proceedings
and on his filing the usual bond for costs, forthwith certify as in ordinary cases
the record of the case to the circuit court of appeals for its review. Upon the
filing of such record in the circuit court of appeals, the appeal shall be heard and
the temporary injunctive order affirmed, modified, or set aside with the greatest
possible expedition, giving the proceedings precedence over all other matters
except older matters of the same character.
S e c . 11. J i i r y tr ia l. — In all cases arising under this act in which a person shall
be charged with contempt in a court of the United States (as herein defined),
the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial
jury of the State and district wherein the contempt shall have been committed:
P ro v id e d , That this right shall not apply to contempts committed in the presence
of the court or so near thereto as to interfere directly with the administration of
justice or to apply to the misbehavior, misconduct, or disobedience of any officer
of the court in respect to the writs, orders, or process of the court.

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S e c . 12. R em o v al o f j u d g e .— The defendant in any proceeding for contempt
of court may file with the court a demand for the retirement of the judge sitting
in the proceeding, if the contempt arises from an attack upon the character or
conduct of such judge and if the attack occurred elsewhere than in the presence
of the court or so near thereto as to interfere directly with the administration of
justice. Upon the filing of any such demand the judge shall thereupon proceed
no further, but another judge shall be designated in the same manner as is pro­
vided by law. The demand shall be filed prior to the hearing in the contempt
proceeding.
S e c . 13. D e fin itio n s .— When used in this act, and for the purposes of this
act— (a) A case shall be held to involve or to grow out of a labor dispute when
the case involves persons who are engaged in the same industry, trade, craft, or
occupation; or have direct or indirect interests therein; or who are employees of
the same employer; or who are members of the same or an affiliated organization
of employers or employees; whether such dispute is (1) between one or more
employer's or associations of employers and one or more employees or associations
of employees; (2) between one or more employers or associations of employers
and one or more employers or associations of employers or (3) between one or
more employees or associations of employees and one or more employees or
associations of employees; or when the case involves any conflicting or competing
interests in a “ labor'dispute” (as hereinafter defined) of “ persons participating
or interested” therein (as hereinafter defined).
(b ) A person or association shall be held to be a person participating or in­
terested in a labor dispute if relief is sought against him or it, and if he or it is
engaged in the same industry, trade, craft, or occupation in which such dispute
occurs, or has a direct or indirect interest therein, or is a member, officer, or agent
of any association composed in whole or in part of employers or employees engaged
in such industry, trade, craft, or occupation.
(c) The term “ labor dispute” includes any controversy concerning terms or
conditions of employment, or concerning the association or representation of
persons in negotiating, fixing, maintaining, changing, or seeking to arrange terms
or conditions of employment, regardless of whether or not the disputants stand in
the proximate relation of employer and employee.
(d ) The term “ court of the United States” means any court of the United
States whose jurisdiction has been or may be conferred or defined or limited by
act of Congress, including the courts of the District of Columbia.
S ec . 14. C o n stitu tio n a lity .— If any provision of this act or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional or otherwise in­
valid, the remaining provisions of the act and the application of such provisions
to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
S e c . 15. R e p e a l .— All acts and parts of acts in conflict with the provisions of
this act are hereby repealed.

Laws Regulating Injunctions in Labor Disputes

I n the following 12 States so-called a anti-injunction laws” have
been enacted: Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, New
Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and
Wisconsin.
In four of the States (Kansas, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wis­
consin) the law specifically provides that no injunction shall be issued
without previous notice and an opportunity to be heard in open court.
The Wisconsin law (Acts of 1931, ch. 376) defines the public policy
of the State relative to collective bargaining, and creates a new section
relating to litigation growing out of the labor disputes and limiting
the jurisdiction of courts sitting in equity. Section 268.23 concerns
the conditions of issuance of injunctions and restraining orders.
This section provides that no court shall have jurisdiction to issue
an injunction in any case involving a labor dispute except after the
testimony of witnesses in open court and with an opportunity for
cross-examination.
TTT . .
Six States (Arizona, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
and Wisconsin) have laws containing provisions similar to those con
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tained in section 20^of the Clayton Act already mentioned, and three
other States (Illinois, Montana, and New Jersey) have laws which,
although similar in many respects to the Clayton Act, differ in the
exact wording of the law.
ARIZONA
C o d e,

1928

4286. I n j u n c t io n s , is s u a n c e o f; e x c e p tio n s .— No restraining order or
injunction shall be granted in any case between employer and employee, or
between employees, or between persons employed and persons seeking employ­
ment, involving or growing out of a dispute concerning terms or conditions of
employment, unless necessary to prevent irreparable injury to property or to a
property right of the party making the application, for which injury there is no
adequate remedy at law, and such property or property right must be described
with particularity in the application, and no such restraining order or injunction
shall prohibit any person or persons from terminating any relation of employment,
or from ceasing to perform any work or labor, or from recommending, advising’
or persuading others by peaceful means so to do; or from attending at or near a
house or place where any person resides or works, or carries on business, or happens
to be for the purpose of peacefully obtaining or communicating information, or of
peacefully persuading any person to work or to abstain from working; or from
ceasing to patronize or to employ any party to such dispute; or from recommend­
ing, advising, or persuading others by peaceful means so to do; or from paying or
giving to or withholding from any person engaged in such dispute any strike
benefits or other moneys or things of value; or from peaceably assembling at any
place in a lawful manner and for lawful purposes; or from doing any act or thing
which might lawfully be done in the absence of such dispute by any party thereto.
.

S ec t io n

ILLIN OIS
S m ith - H u rd R e v is e d S t a t u t e s ,

'
1931 (C h a p t e r 48)

S e c t io n 2 a . No restraining order or injunction shall be granted by any court
of this State, or by a judge or the judges thereof in any case involving or growing
out of a dispute concerning terms or conditions of employment, enjoining or
restraining any person or persons, either singly or in concert, from terminating
any relation of employment or from ceasing to perform any work or labor, or from
peaceably and without threats or intimidation recommending, advising, or per­
suading others so to do; or from peaceably and without threats or intimidation
being upon any public street, or thoroughfare or highway for the purpose of
obtaining or communicating information, or to peaceably and without threats
or intimidation persuade any person or persons to work or to abstain from work­
ing, oi to employ or to peaceably and without threats or intimidation cease to
employ any party to a labor dispute, or to recommend, advise, or persuade others
so to do.
KANSAS
Gen e r a l Sta tu tes,

1923

60-1104. No injunction whether interlocutory or permanent in any
case between any employer and employee, or between employers and employees, or
between employees, or between persons employed and persons seeking employ­
ment, involving or growing out of a dispute concerning terms, or conditions of
employment shall be issued without previous notice and an opportunity to be
heard on behalf of the parties to be enjoined, which notice, together with a copv
of the motion, petition, or other pleading upon which the application for such
injunction will be based, shall be served upon the parties sought to be enjoined a
reasonable time in advance of such application. * * *
S e c t io n

MINNESOTA
A cts

op

1929 (C h a p t e r 260)

[This act amends section 4256, General Statutes, 1923, so as to read as follows :]
4256. No restraining order or injunction shall be granted by any
court of this State, or any judge or judges thereof in any case between an em­
ployer and employees [employee] or between employer and employees, or between
S e c t io n


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employees or between persons employed and persons seeking employment, involv­
ing or growing out of a dispute concerning terms or conditions of employment,
except after notice and a hearing in court and shown to be necessary to prevent
irreparable injury to property, or to a property right of the party making the
application, for which injury there is no adequate remedy at law, and such prop­
erty or property right must be described with particularity in the application,
which must be in writing and sworn to by the applicant or by his agent or attorney:
P ro v id ed , That a temporary restraining order may be issued without notice and
hearing upon a proper showing that violence is actually being caused or is im­
minently probable on the part of the person or persons sought to be restrained:
A n d pro v id ed , That in such restraining order all parties to the action shall be simi­
larly restrained.
MONTANA
R ev ised C ode , 1921
S ection 9242. An injunction can not be granted * * *
8. In labor disputes under any other or different circumstances or conditions
than if the controversy were of another or different character, or between parties
neither or none of whom were laborers or interested in labor questions.

NEW JE R S E Y
A cts

of

1926 (C hapter 207)

S ection 1. No restraining order or writ of injunction shall be granted or
issued out of any court of this State in any case involving or growing out of a
dispute concerning terms or conditions of employment, enjoining or restraining
any person or persons, either singly or in concert, from terminating any relation
of employment, or from ceasing to perform any work or labor, or from peaceably
and without threats or intimidation recommending, advising or persuading
others so to do; or from peaceably and without threats or intimidation being
upon any public street or highway or thoroughfare for the purpose of obtaining
or communicating information, or to peaceably and without threats or intimida­
tion persuade any person or persons to work or abstain from working, or to employ
or to cease to employ any party to a labor dispute, or to peaceably and without
threats or intimidation recommend, advise or persuade others so to do, provided
said persons remain separated one from the other at intervals of ten paces or
more.
NORTH DAKOTA
C ompiled L aw s , S u p p l e m e n t , 1913-1925
S ection 7214al. I n j u n c t i o n s re stricted .— No restraining order or injunction shall
be granted by any court of this State, any judge or judges thereof in any case
involving or growing out of a dispute concerning terms or conditions of employ­
ment, unless necessary to prevent irreparable injury to property or to a property
right of the party making the application, for which injury there is no adequate
remedy at law, and such property or property right must be described with
particularity in the application, which must be in writing and sworn to by the
applicant or by his agent or attorney.
S e c . 7214a2. S t r ik e s .— No restraining order or injunction shall prohibit any
person or persons whether singly or in concert from terminating any relation of
employment or from ceasing to perform any work or labor or from recommending,
advising, or persuading others so to do; or from attending at any place where
any person or persons may lawfully be, for the purpose of obtaining or com­
municating information, or from persuading any such person to work or to abstain
from working; or from ceasing to patronize any party to such dispute; or from
recommending, advising, or persuading others so to do; or from paying or giving
to, or withholding from any person engaged in such dispute, any strike benefits
or other moneys or things of value; or from assembling in a lawful manner, and
for lawful purposes; or from doing any act or thing which might lawfully be done
in the absence of such dispute by a single person; nor shall any of the acts speci­
fied in this section be considered or held to be illegal or unlawful in any court in
this State.
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S e c . 7214a3. S u it s at law . — In all cases involving the violation of the contract of
employment, either by the employer or the employee where no irreparable
damage is about to be committed upon the property or property rights of either,
no injunction shall be granted, but the parties shall be left to their remedy
at law.
OREGON
C ode , 1930
Section - 49-902. I n ju n c t i o n s , lim ita tio n . — No restraining order or injunction
shall be granted by any court of this State, or any judge or judges thereof in any
case between an employer and employee or between employer and employee
[employees] or between employees or between persons employed and persons seek­
ing employment, involving or growing out of a dispute concerning terms or con­
ditions of employment, unless necessary to prevent irreparable injury to property,
or to a property right of the party making the application, for which injury there is
no adequate remedy at law, and such property or property rights must be de­
scribed with particularity in the application, which must be in writing and sworn
to by the applicant or his agent or attorney.
S e c . 49-903. I n j u n c t i o n s , e x cep tio n s. — No restraining order or injunction
shall prohibit any person or persons, whether singly or in concert, from terminat­
ing any relation of employment or from ceasing to perform any work or labor;
or from recommending, advising or persuading others by peaceful means so to do;
or from attending at any place where any person or persons may lawfully be, for
the purpose of peacefully obtaining or communicating information, or from peace­
fully persuading any such person to abstain from working; or from ceasing to
patronize any party to such dispute; or from recommending, advising or persuad­
ing others by peaceful or lawful means so to do; or from paying or giving to, or
withholding from, any person engaged in such dispute, any strike benefits or other
moneys or things of value; or from peaceably assembling in a lawful manner, and
for lawful purposes; or from doing any act or thing which might lawfully be done
in the absence of such dispute by a single individual; or [nor] shall any of the acts
specified in this section be considered or held to be illegal or unlawful in any court
of the State.
PENNSYLVANIA
A cts

of

1931 (A ct No. 311, p. 926)

S ection 2. I n ju n c t i o n s , lim ita tio n . — No court nor any judge or judges thereof
shall have jurisdiction to issue a temporary or permanent injunction in any case
involving or growing out of a labor dispute, as herein defined, except after hearing
the testimony of witnesses in open court (with opportunity for cross-examination)
in support of the allegations of a complaint made under oath and testimony in
opposition thereto, if offered, and except after findings of all the following facts by
the court or judge or judges thereof: * * *.

UTAH
C ompiled L aws , 1917
S ection 3651. O rg a n iz a tio n s u n la w fu l.— It shall not be unlawful for working

men and women to organize themselves into, or carry on, labor unions for the
purpose of lessening the hours of labor, increasing the wages, bettering the
conditions of the members of such organization, or carrying out their legitimate
purposes as freely as they could do if acting singly.
S e c . 3652. I n j u n c t i o n s lim ite d . — No restraining order or injunction shall be
granted by any court of the State of Utah, or a judge or the judges thereof, in
any case between an employer and employees, or between employers and employees
or between employers, or between persons employed and persons seeking em­
ployment, involving, or growing out of, a dispute concerning terms or conditions
of employment, unless necessary to prevent irreparable injury to property, or to a
property right of the party making the application, for which injury there is no
adequate remedy at law, and such property or property rights must be described
with particularity in the application, which must be in writing and sworn to by the
applicant, or by his agent or attorney.
S e c . 3653. W h a t m a y not be p ro h ib ited . — And no such restraining order or
injunction shall prohibit any person or persons, whether singly or in concert,
from terminating any relation of employment, or from ceasing to perform any

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work or labor, or from recommending, advising, or persuading others by peaceful
means so to do; or from attending at any place where such person or persons may
lawfully be, for the purpose of peacefully obtaining or communicating informa­
tion, or from peacefully persuading any person to work or to abstain from working;
or from ceasing to patronize or to employ any party to such dispute, or from recom­
mending, advising, or persuading others by peaceful means and lawful means so
to do; or from paying or giving to or withholding from any person engaged in such
dispute any strike benefits or other moneys or things of value; or from peaceably
assembling in a lawful manner, and for lawful purposes; or from doing any act
or thing which might lawfully be done in the absence of such dispute by any party
thereto; nor shall any of the acts specified in this paragraph be considered or held
to be violations of the law of the State of Utah.
S e c . 3 6 5 4 . C o n te m p ts .— Whenever it shall be made to appear to any district
court or judge thereof, or to any judge therein sitting, by the return of a proper
officer on lawful process, or upon the affidavit of some creditable person, or by
information filed by any district attorney, that there is reasonable ground to
believe that any person has been guilty of such contempt, the court or judge
thereof, or any judge therein sitting, may issue a rule requiring the said person so
charged to show cause upon a day certain why he should not be punished therefor,
which rule, together with a copy of the affidavit or information, shall be served
upon the person charged, with sufficient promptness to enable him to prepare for
and make return to the order at the time fixed therein. If upon or by such
return, in the judgment of the court the alleged contempt be not sufficiently
purged, a trial shall be directed at a time and place fixed by the court: P ro v id ed ,
how ever, That if the accused, being a natural person, fail or refuse to make return
to the rule to show cause, an attachment may issue against his person to compel
an answer, and in case of his continued failure or refusal, or if for any reason it be
impracticable to dispose of the matter on the return day, he may be required to
give reasonable bail for his attendance at the trial and his submission to the final
judgment of the court. Where the accused is a body corporate, an attachment
for the sequestration of its property may be issued upon like refusal or failure to
answer.
S e c . 3655. T r i a l .— In all cases within the purview of this chapter, such trial
may be by the court, or, upon demand of the accused, by a jury; in which latter
event the court may impanel a jury from the jurors then in attendance, or the
court or the judge thereof in chambers may cause a sufficient number of jurors to
be selected and summoned, as provided by law, to attend at the time and place
of trial, at which time a jury shall be selected and impaneled as upon a trial for
misdemeanor; and such trial shall conform, as near as may be, to the practice in
criminal cases prosecuted by indictment or upon information.
S e c . 3656. J u d g m e n t .—If the accused be found guilty, judgment shall be
entered accordingly, prescribing the punishment, either by fine or imprisonment,
or both, in the discretion of the court. Such fine shall be paid to the State of
Utah, or to the complainant, or other party injured by the act constituting the
contempt, or may, where more than one is so damaged, be divided or appor­
tioned among them as the court may direct, but in no case shall the fine to be paid
to the State of Utah exceed, in case the accused is a natural person, the sum of
$1,000, nor shall such imprisonment exceed the term of six months: P ro v id ed ,
That in any case the court or a judge thereof may, for good cause shown, by
affidavit, or proof taken in open court or before such judge and filed with the
papers in the case, dispense with the rule to show cause, and may issue an attach­
ment for the arrest of the person charged with contempt; in which event such
person, when arrested, shall be brought before such court or a judge thereof with­
out unnecessary delay, and shall be admitted to bail in reasonable penalty for his
appearance to answer to the charge or for trial for the contempt; and thereafter
the proceedings shall be the same as provided herein in case the rule had issued in
the first instance.
S e c . 3657. L a b o r not a co m m o d ity .■
—The labor of a human being is not a
commodity or article of commerce. Nothing contained in the antitrust laws
shall be construed to forbid the existence and operation of labor, agricultural, or
horticultural organizations, instituted for the purpose of mutual help, and not
having capital stock or conducted for profit, or to forbid or restrain individual
members of such organizations from lawfully carrying out the legitimate objects
thereof; nor shall such organizations, or the members thereof, be held or con­
strued to be illegal combinations or conspiracies in restraint of trade, under the
antitrust laws.
S e c . 3658. J u r y tr ia l .— In all cases where persons are charged with contempt of
court for the violation of writs of injunction, issued within the purview of this

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chapter, unless such contempt be committed in the immediate présence of the
court, the accused shall have the right to a jury trial upon demand, and, in case a
jury trial be demanded, such jury shall be selected and impaneled as in criminal
cases, and the trial shall conform as nearly as may be to the district court practice
in criminal cases.
WASHINGTON
A cts o f

1919

(C h a p t e r

185)

S e c t i o n 1. U n io n s la w fu l. — It shall be lawful for working men and women
to organize themselves into, or carry on labor unions for the purpose of lessening
the hours of labor or increasing the wages or bettering the conditions of the
members of such organizations; or carry out their legitimate purposes by any lawful
means.
S e c . 2. I n j u n c t i o n s re stric te d . — No restraining order or injunction shall be
granted by any court of this State, or any judge or judges thereof in any case
between an employer and employee or between employer and employees or
between employees or between persons employed and persons seeking employ­
ment involving or growing out of a dispute concerning terms or conditions of
employment, unless necessary to prevent irreparable damage to property or to
a personal right or to a property right of the party making the application, for
which injury there is no adequate remedy at law, and such petition must be in
writing describing such damage or injury feared by the applicant, and sworn to
by the applicant or his agent or attorney. No such restraining order or injunc­
tion shall prohibit any such person or persons, whether singly or in concert,
from terminating any relation of employment or from ceasing to perform any
work or labor; or from paying or giving to, or withholding from any person engaged
in such dispute, any strike benefits or other moneys or things of value; or from
doing any act or thing which might lawfully be done in the absence of such dispute
by any party thereto; nor shall any of the acts specified in this section be consid­
ered or held to be illegal or unlawful in any court of the State.
S e c . 3. S ta tu s o f la b o r. — The labor of a human being is not a commodity or
article of commerce, and the right to enter into the relation of employer and
employee or to change that relation except in violation of contract is a legal right.
In all cases involving the violation of the contract of employment, either bv the
employee or employer where no irrepaiable damage is about to be done to the
property, personal rights or property rights of either, no injunction shall be
granted, but the parties shall be left to their remedy at law.
S e c . 4. In d ic t m e n t s f o r b id d e n . — No person shall be indicted, prosecuted, or
tried in any court of this State for entering into or carrying on any lawful arrange­
ment, agreement, or combination between themselves made with a view of
lessening the number of hours of labor or increasing wages or bettering the condi­
tions of working men and women, or for any lawful act done in pursuance thereof.

WISCONSIN
S ta tu tes,

1931

S e c t i o n 133.05. E x e m p t io n s . — Nothing contained in the antitrust laws shall
be construed to forbid the existence and operation of labor, agricultural, or
horticultural organizations, instituted for the purpose of mutual help, and not
having capital stock or conducted for profit or to forbid or restrain individual
members of such organizations from lawfully carrying out the legitimate objects
thereof; nor shall such organizations, or the members thereof, be held or construed
to be illegal combinations or conspiracies in restraint of trade, under the anti­
trust laws. The labor of a human being is not a commodity or article of com­
merce.
S e c . 133.06. [Procedure at inquisition.]
S e c . 133.07. O rg a n iz a tio n p e rm itt e d ; i n ju n c t io n s . — (1) Working people may
organize themselves into or carry on labor unions and other associations or organi­
zations for the purpose of aiding their members to become more skillful and
efficient workers, the promotion of their general intelligence, the elevation of
their character; the regulation of their wages and their hours and conditions
of labor, the protection of their individual rights in the prosecution of their trade
or trades, the raising of funds for the benefit of sick, disabled, or unemployed
members, or the families of deceased members, or for such other object or objects


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for which working people may lawfully combine, having in view their mutual
protection or benefit.
(2) No restraining order or injunction shall be granted by any court of this
State, in any case between an employer and employees, or between employers
and employees, or between employees, or between persons employed and persons
seeking employment, involving or growing out of any dispute whatsoever concern­
ing employment, unless necessary to prevent irreparable injury to property or
to a property right of the party making the application, for which injury there
is no adequate remedy at law, and such property or property right must be des­
cribed with particularity in the application, which must be in writing and sworn
to by the applicant, or by his agent or attorney. No such restraining order or
injunction shall be granted except by the circuit court or by a court of concurrent
jurisdiction in equity, and then only upon such reasonable notice of application
therefor as a presiding judge of such court may direct by order to show cause,
but in no case less than 48 hours, which shall be served upon such party or parties
sought to be restrained or enjoined as shall be specified in such order to show cause'
(3) No such restraining order or injunction shall prohibit any person or per­
sons, whether singly or in concert, from terminating any relation of employment,
or from ceasing to perform any work or labor, or from recommending, advising,
or persuading others by peaceful means so to do; or from attending at any place
where any such person or persons may lawfully be, for the purpose of peacefully
obtaining or communicating information, or from peacefully persuading any
person to work or to abstain from working; or from ceasing to patronize or to
employ any party to such dispute, or from recommending, advising, or persuading
others by peaceful and lawful means so to do; or from paying or giving to, or
withholding from, any person engaged in such dispute, any strike benefits or
other moneys or things of value; or from peaceably assembling in a lawful man­
ner, and for lawful purposes; or from doing any act or thing which might lawfully
be done in the absence of such dispute by any party thereto; nor shall any of the
acts specified in this paragraph be considered or held to be violations of any
laws of this State.
(4) Whenever in any matter relating to the violation of any such restraining
order or injunction an issue of fact shall arise, such issue * * * shall be tried
by a jury, in the same manner as provided for the trial of other cases. * * *
S e c . 133.08. C ollective b a r g a in in g . — Sections 133.01, 133.04, 133.21, and
226.07 [relating to combinations, trusts, etc.] shall be so construed as to permit
collective bargaining by associations of producers of agricultural products and
by associations of employees when such bargaining is actually and expressly
done for the individual benefit of the separate members of each such association
making such collective bargain. * * *
He

*

*

*

*

268.18. P u b lic 'policy as to collective b a r g a in in g . — In the interpretation
and application of sections 268.18 to 268.30 the public policy of this State is
declared as follows:
Negotiation of terms and conditions of labor should result from voluntary
agreement between employer and employees. Governmental authority has
permitted and encouraged employers to organize in the corporate and other
forms of capital control. In dealing Avith such employers, the individual unor­
ganized worker is helpless to exercise actual liberty of contract and to protect
his freedom of labor, and thereby to obtain acceptable terms and conditions of
employment. Therefore it is necessary that the individual workman have full
freedom of association, self-organization, and designation of representatives of
his own choosing, to negotiate the terms and conditions of his employment, and
that he shall be free from the interference, restraint, or coercion of employers of
labor, or their agents, in the designation of such representatives or in self-organi­
zation or in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or
other mutual aid or protection.
S e c . 268.19. A n t i u n io n co n tra cts. —Every undertaking or promise made after
the taking effect of this section, whether written or oral, express or implied,
between any employee or prospective employee and his employer, prospective
employer or any other individual, firm, company, association, or corporation,
whereby,
(1)
Either party thereto undertakes or promises to join or to remain a member
of some specific labor organization or organizations or to join or remain a member
of some specific employer organization or any employer organization or organi­
zations: or
S e c t io n


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(2) Either party thereto undertakes or promises not to join or not to remain
a member of some specific labor organization or any labor organization or organi­
zations, or of some specific employer organization or any employer organization
or organizations; or
(3) Either party thereto undertakes or promises that he will withdraw from
an employment relation in the event that he joins or remains a member of some
specific labor organization or any labor organization or organizations, or of some
specific employer organization or any employer organization or organizations;
Is hereby declared to be contrary to public policy and shall not afford any
basis for the granting of legal or equitable relief by any court against a party to
such undertaking or promise, or against any other persons who may advise, urge
or induce, without fraud, violence, or threat thereof, either party thereto to act
in disregard of such undertaking or promise. This section in its entirety is
supplemental to and of subsection (1) of section 103.46 of the statutes.
S e c . 268.20. L a w fu l co n d u ct i n labor d is p u te s . — (1) The following acts, whether
performed singly or in concert, shall be legal;
(а) Ceasing or refusing to perform any work or to remain in any relation of
employment regardless of any promise, undertaking, contract, or agreement in
violation of the public policy declared in section 268.19;
(б) Becoming or remaining a member of any labor organization or of any
employer organization, regardless of any such undertaking or promise as is
described in section 268.19;
(c) Paying or giving to, any person any strike or unemployment benefits or
insurance or other moneys or things of value;
(d) By all lawful means aiding any person who is being proceeded against in,
or is prosecuting any action or suit in any court of the United States or of any
State;
(e ) Giving publicity to and obtaining or communicating information regarding
the existence of, or the facts involved in, any dispute, whether by advertising,
speaking, patrolling any public street, or any place where any person or persons
may lawfully be, without intimidation or coercion, or by any other method not
involving fraud, violence, breach of the peace, or threat thereof;
(/) Ceasing to patronize or to employ any person or persons, but nothing herein
shall be construed to legalize a secondary boycott;
(g) Assembling peaceably to do or to organize to do any of the acts heretofore
specified or to promote lawful interests;
(h ) Advising or notifying any person or persons of an intention to do any of
the acts heretofore specified;
(i) Agreeing with other persons to do or not to do any of the acts heretofore
specified;
(j ) Advising, urging, or inducing without fraud, violence, or threat thereof,
others to do the acts heretofore specified, regardless of any such undertaking or
promise as is described in section 268.19; and
(k ) Doing in concert any or all of the acts heretofore specified shall not con­
stitute an unlawful combination or conspiracy.
(,l) Peaceful picketing or patrolling, whether engaged in singly or in numbers,
shall be legal.
(2)
No court, nor any judge or judges thereof, shall have jurisdiction to issue any
restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction which, in specific or
general terms, prohibits any person or persons from doing, whether singly or in
concert, any of the foregoing acts.
S ec . 268.21. R e s p o n s ib ility f o r u n la w fu l acts.-— No officer or member of any
association or organization, and no association or organization participating or
interested in a labor dispute (as these terms are defined in section 268.29) shall
be held responsible or liable in any civil action at law or suit in equity, or in any
criminal prosecution, for the unlawful acts of individual officers, members, or
agents, except upon proof by a preponderance of the evidence and without the
aid of any presumptions of law or fact, both of (a) the doing of such acts by
persons who are officers, members, or agents of any such association or organi­
zation, and (b ) actual participation in, or actual authorization of, such acts, or
ratification of such acts after actual knowledge thereof by such association or
organization.
S ec . 268.22. P u b lic p o licy as to labor litig a tio n . —In the interpretation and
application of sections 268.23 to 268.26, the public policy of this State is declared
to be:
Equity procedure that permits a complaining party to obtain sweeping in­
junctive relief that is not preceded by or conditioned upon notice to and hearing

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of the responding party or parties, or that issues after hearing based upon written
affidavits alone and not wholly or in part upon examination, confrontation, and
cross-examination of witnesses in open court, is peculiarly subject to abuse in
labor litigation for the reasons that —
(1) The status quo can not be maintained but is necessarily altered by the
injunction;
.
(2) Determination of issues of veracity and of probability of fact from amdavits of the opposing parties that are contradictory and, under the circumstances,
untrustworthy rather than from oral examination in open court is subject to
grave error;
(3) Error in issuing the injunctive relief is usually irreparable to the opposing
party; and
(4) Delay incident to the normal course of appellate practice frequently makes
ultimate correction of error in law or in fact unavailing in the particular case.
S e c . 268.23. I n j u n c t i o n s : C o n d itio n s o f is s u a n c e ; re s t r a in in g o rd e r s .— _
(1) No court nor any judge or judges thereof shall have jurisdiction to issue a
temporary or permanent injunction in any case involving or growing out of a
labor dispute, as defined in section 268.29, except after hearing the testimony of
witnesses in open court (with opportunity for cross-examination) in support of the
allegations of a complaint made under oath, and testimony in opposition thereto,
if offered, and except after findings of all the following facts by the court or judge
or judges thereof;
(a) That unlawful acts have been threatened or committed and will be executed
or continued unless restrained;
(.b) That substantial and irreparable injury to complainant s property will
follow unless the relief requested is granted;
_
. . .
(c) That as to each item of relief granted greater injury will be inflicted upon
complainant by the denial thereof than will be inflicted upon defendants by the
granting thereof;
.
(,d ) That the relief to be granted does not violate the provisions of section
268.20;
(e) That complainant has no adequate remedy at law; and
(/) That the public officers charged with the duty to protect complainant’s
property have failed or are unable to furnish adequate protection.
(2) Such hearing shall be held after due and personal notice thereof has been
given, in such manner as the court shall direct, to all known persons against whom
relief is sought, and also to those public officers, charged with the duty to protect
complainant’s property: P ro v id e d , how ever, That if a complainant shall also
allege that unless a temporary restraining order shall be issued before such hearing
may be had, a substantial and irreparable injury to complainant’s property will be
unavoidable, such a temporary restraining order may be granted upon the expira­
tion of such reasonable notice of application therefor as the court may direct by
order to show cause, but in no case less than 48 hours.
(3) Such order to show cause shall be served upon such party or parties as are
sought to be restrained and as shall be specified in said order, and then only upon
testimony under oath, or in the discretion of the court, upon affidavits, sufficient,
if sustained, to justify the court in issuing a temporary injunction upon a hearing
as herein provided for.
.
(4) Such a temporary restraining order shall be effective for no longer than
five days, and at the expiration of said five days shall become void and not subject
to renewal or extension: P ro v id e d , how ever, That if the hearing for a temporary
injunction shall have been begun before the expiration of the said five days the
restraining order may in the court’s discretion be continued until a decision is
reached upon the issuance of the temporary injunction.
_
.
(5) No temporary restraining order or temporary injunction shall be issued
except on condition that complainant shall first file an undertaking with adequate
security sufficient to recompense those enjoined for any loss, expense, or damage
caused by the improvident or erroneous issuance of such order or injunction, in­
cluding all reasonable costs (together with a reasonable attorney’s fee) and ex­
pense against the order or against the granting of any injunctive relief sought in
the same proceeding and subsequently denied by the court.
> _
(6) The undertaking herein mentioned shall be understood to signify an agree­
ment entered into by the complainant and the surety upon which a decree may be
rendered in the same suit or proceeding against said complainant and surety, the
said complainant and surety submitting themselves to the jurisdiction of the court
for that purpose. But nothing herein contained shall deprive any party having a
claim or cause of action under or upon such undertaking from electing to pursue
his ordinary remedy by suit at law or in equity.

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S e c . 268.24. C le a n h a n d s d o ctrin e. — No restraining order or injunctive relief
shall be granted to any complainant who has failed to comply with any legal
obligation which is involved in the labor dispute in question, or who has failed to
make every reasonable effort to settle such dispute either by negotiation or with
the aid of any available machinery of governmental mediation or voluntary
arbitration, but nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the court to
await the action of any such tribunal if irreparable injury is threatened.
S e c . 268.25. I n j u n c t i o n s : C o n ten ts. —Except as provided in section 268.23, no
restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction shall be granted in a case
involving or growing out of a labor dispute, except on the basis of findings of fact
made and filed by the court in the record of the case prior to the issuance of such
restraining order or injunction; and every restraining order or injunction granted
in a case involving or growing out of a labor dispute shall include only a prohibi­
tion of such specific act or acts as may be expressly complained of in the bill of
complaint or petition filed in such case and expressly included in said findings of
fact made and filed by the court as provided herein, and shall be binding only
upon the parties to the suit, their agents, servants, employees and attorneys, or
those in active concert and participation with them, and who shall by personal
service or otherwise have received actual notice of the same.
S e c . 268.26. I n j u n c t i o n s : A p p e a ls . — Whenever any court or judge or judges
thereof shall issue or deny any temporary injunction in a case involving or grow­
ing out of a labor dispute, the court shall, upon the request of any party to the
proceedings, and on his filing the usual bond for costs, forthwith certify the entire
record of the case, including a transcript of the evidence taken, to the appropriate
appellate court for its review. Upon the filing of such record in the appropriate
appellate court the appeal shall be heard with the greatest possible expedition,
giving the proceeding precedence over all other matters except older matters of
the same character.
. S e c . 268.27. C o n tem p t cases.— In all cases where a person shall be charged with
civil or criminal contempt for violation of a restraining order or injunction issued
by a court or judge or judges thereof, the accused shall enjoy:
(1) The rights as to admission to bail that are accorded to persons accused of
crime.
(2) The right to be notified of the accusation and a reasonable time to make a
defense, provided the alleged contempt is not committed in the immediate view
or presence of the court.
(3) Upon demand, the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury
of the county wherein the contempt shall have been committed, provided that
this requirement shall not be construed to apply to contempts committed in the
presence of the court or so near thereto as to interfere directly with the admin­
istration of justice or to apply to the misbehavior, misconduct, or disobedience
of any officer of the court in respect to the writs, orders, or process of the court.
All contempt proceedings, whether civil or criminal, brought for the alleged vio­
lation of any such restraining order or injunction, are, and hereby are declared
to be independent, original, special proceedings, and shall require a unanimous
finding of the juiy.
(4) The right to file with the court a demand for the retirement of the judge
sitting in the proceeding, upon an affidavit of prejudice being filed as is now
provided by law in other cases. Upon the filing of any such affidavit, the judge
shall thereupon proceed no further, but another judge shall be designated as is
now provided for in other cases. The affidavit shall be filed prior to the hearing
in the contempt proceeding.
S e c . 268.28. P u n is h m e n t J o r c o n tem p t. — Punishment for a contempt, specified
in section 268.27, may be by fine, not exceeding $25 or by imprisonment not
exceeding 10 days, in the jail of fhe county where the court is sitting, or both,
in the discretion of the court. Where a person is committed to jail, for the non­
payment of such a fine, he must be discharged at the expiration of 15 days; but
where he is also committed for a definite time, the 15 days must be computed
from the expiration of the definite time.
S e c . 268.29. D e fin itio n s . — When used in sections 268.18 to 268.30, and for
the purposes of these sections:
(1)
A case shall be held to involve or to grow out of a labor dispute when the
case involves persons who are engaged in a single industry, trade, craft, or occu­
pation; or who are employees of one employer; or who are members of the same
or an affiliated organization of employers or employees; whether such dispute
is (1) between one or more employers or associations of employers and one or
more employees or associations of employees; (2) between one or more employers


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or associations of employers, and one or more employers or associations of em­
ployers; or (3) between one or more employees or associations of employees and
one or more employees or associations of employees; or when the case involves
any conflicting or competing interests in a “ labor dispute” (as defined in sub­
section (3)) of “ persons participating or interested” therein (as defined in sub­
section (2)).
(2) A person or association shall be held to be a person participating or in­
terested in a labor dispute if relief is sought against him or if and if he or it is
engaged in the industry, trade, craft, or occupation in which such dispute occurs,
or is a member, officer, or agent of any association of employers or employees
engaged in such industry, trade, craft, or occupation.
(3) The term “ labor dispute” includes any controversy concerning terms or
conditions of employment, or concerning the association or representation of
persons in negotiating, fixing, maintaining, changing, or seeking to arrange teims
or conditions of employment, or concerning employment relations, or any other
controversy arising out of the respective interests of employer and employee,
regardless of whether or not the disputants stand in the proximate relation of
employer and employee.
S e c . 268.30. S ev era b ility o f p ro v isio n s .— If any provision of sections 268.18
to 268.30 or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid,
the remainder of these sections and the application of such provisions to other
persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
UN ITED STATES
(38 U. S. S t a t . L. 738)
S e c t i o n 2 0 . R estrictio n s o n i s s u e .— That no restraining order or injunction
shall be granted by any court of the United States, or a judge or the judges
thereof, in any case between an employer and employees, or between employers
and employees, or between employees, or between persons employed and persons
seeking employment, involving or growing out of, a dispute concerning terms or
conditions of employment, unless necessary to prevent irreparable injury to
property, or to a property right, of the party making the application, for which
injury there is no adequate remedy at law, and such property or property right
must be described with particularity in the application, which must be in writing
and sworn to by the applicant or by his agent or attorney.
And no such restraining order or injunction shall prohibit any person or
persons, whether singly or in concert, from terminating any relation of employ­
ment, or from ceasing to perform any work or labor, or from recommending, advis­
ing, or persuading others by peaceful means so to do; or from attending at any
place where any such person or persons may lawfully be, for the purpose of peace­
fully obtaining or communicating information, or from peacefully persuading any
person to work or to abstain from working; or from ceasing to patronize or to
employ any party to such dispute or from recommending, advising, or persuading
others by peaceful and lawful means so to do; or from paying or giving to, or
withholding from, any person engaged in such dispute, any strike benefits or other
moneys or things of value; or from peaceably assembling in a lawful manner, and
for lawful purposes; or from doing any act or thing which might lawfully be done
in the absence of such dispute by any party thereto; nor shall any of the acts
specified in this paragraph be considered or held to be violations of any law of the
United States.
C la y to n A ct

Laws Relating to Antiunion Contracts

S ection 3 of the Federal anti-injunction law outlaws antiunion con­
tracts. Prior to the enactment of the Federal law, the State of Wis­
consin in 1929 passed a law with a similar provision; this was the first
law of its kind to be enacted in any American State. In general, the
acts on this subject declare that an employment contract containing
an agreement whereby either party undertakes not to join, become or
remain a member of any labor organization or of any employer organ­
ization is contrary to public policy and therefore void.
Three cases have been decided by the United States Supreme Court
directly involving the antiunion contract. (Adair v. United States
(1908), 208 U. S. 161; Coppage v. Kansas (1915), 236 U. S. 1; and
Hitchman Coal & Coke Co. v. Mitchell (1917), 245 U. S. 229.)

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The Adair case involved the criminal prosecution of a railway fore­
man for discharging a railway employee because of his being a member
of a labor organization. This was in violation of section 10 of the
Erdman Act, which provides as follows:
S e c t io n 10. That any employer subject to the provisions of this act and any
officer, agent, or receiver of such employer who shall require any employee, or
any person seeking employment, as a condition of such employment, to enter into
an agreement, either written or verbal, not to become or remain a member of
any labor corporation, association, or organization; or shall threaten any employee
with loss of employment, or shall unjustly discriminate against any employee
because of his membership in such a labor corporation, association, or organiza­
tion; or who shall require any employee or any person seeking employment, as a
condition of such employment, to enter into a contract whereby such employee
or applicant for employment shall agree to contribute to any fund for charitable,
social, or beneficial purposes; to release such employer from legal liability for any
personal injury by reason of any benefit received from such fund beyond the pro­
portion of the benefit arising from the employer’s contribution to such fund;
or who shall, after having discharged an employee, attempt or conspire to prevent
such employee from obtaining employment, or who shall, after the quitting of an
employee, attempt or conspire to prevent such employee from obtaining employ­
ment, is hereby declared to be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction
thereof in any court of the United States of competent jurisdiction in the district
in which such offense was committed, shall be punished for each offense by a fine of
not less than $100 and not more than $1,000. (30 U.S. Stat.L. 424,428, June 1,1898.)

The question presented to the court was “ M ay Congress make it a
criminal offense against the United States— as by the tenth section of
the act of 1898 it does— for an agent or officer of an interstate carrier,
having full authority in the premises from the carrier, to discharge an
employee from service simply because of his membership in a labor
organization? ” (208 U. S. 171.) The court held that “ as the relations
and the conduct of the parties towards each other was not controlled
by any contract other than a general agreement on one side to accept
the services of the employee and a general agreement on the other
side to render services to the employer—no term being fixed for the
continuance of the employment— Congress could not, consistently
with the fifth amendment, make it a crime against the United States
to discharge the employee because of his being a member of a labor
organization.” (208 U. S. 176.) In concluding its opinion the court
said that “ this decision is therefore restricted to the question of the
validity of the particular provision in the act of Congress making it a
crime against the United States for an agent or officer of an interstate
carrier to discharge an employee from its service because of his being
a member of a labor organization.” (208 U. S. 180.)
The Coppage case involved a law of the State of Kansas providing a
penalty for coercing or influencing or making demands upon or require­
ments of employees, servants, laborers, and persons seeking employ­
ment. This act (Kansas Acts of 1903, ch. 222) provided as follows:
S ec t io n 1. That it shall be unlawful for any individual or member of any firm,
or any agent, officer, or employee of any company or corporation to coerce,
require, demand, or influence any person or persons to enter into any agreement
either written or verbal, not to join or become or remain a member of any labor
organization or association, as a condition of such person or persons securing em­
ployment, or continuing in the employment of such individual, firm, or corporation.
S e c . 2. Any individual or member of any firm or any agent, officer, or employee
of any company or corporation violating the provisions of this act shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not
less than $50 or imprisoned in the county jail not less than 30 days.

Coppage, superintendent of a railway company, requested an em­
ployee to sign an agreement to withdraw from a labor union while

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in the employ of the railway, and, on the refusal of the employee,
discharged him from the service of the company. Coppage was
charged with the violation of the statute above quoted and was
found guilty. The Supreme Court of the United States pointed out
the distinction between the Adair and the Coppage cases in its state­
ment that “ while the statute that was dealt with in the Adair case
contained a clause substantially identical with the Kansas act now
under consideration— a clause making it a misdemeanor for an em­
ployer to require an employee or applicant for employment, as a
condition of such employment, to agree not to become or remain a
member of a labor organization— the conviction was based upon
another clause, which related to discharging an employee because of
his membership in such an organization; and the decision, naturally,
was confined to the case actually presented for decision.” (236
U. S. 11.) The penalty imposed in the Adair case was on the ground
of the discharge of an employee because of his being a member of a
labor organization. The Coppage case involved a penalty imposed
“ not for the discharge but for the attem pt to coerce an unwilling
employee to a'gree to forego the exercise of the legal right involved as
a condition of employment.” (236 U. S. 40.) The^ court held the
Kansas act “ as construed and applied so as to punish with fine or
imprisonment an employer or his agent for merely prescribing, as a
condition upon which one may secure employment under or remain
in the service of such employer, that the employee shall enter into an
agreement not to become or remain a member of any labor organiza­
tion while so employed, is repugnant to the ‘ due process’ clause of the
fourteenth amendment, and therefore void.” (236 U. S._ 26.) R e­
viewing the effect of the Adair and Coppage decisions, it must be
noted that both the Federal and the State acts held unconstitutional
provided criminal punishment for the violation of the statute.
Though an attem pt was made to distinguish between a statute im­
posing a-penalty for membership in a labor union and punishment for
discharging an employee because of failure to agree to an antiunion
contract, the cases are similar in that they both involve criminal
punishment.
The Hitchman case affirmed a decree granting an injunction
against attempts to organize employees who had agreed that they
would not, while in the service of their employer, become members of a
union and if they joined the union would withdraw from their employ­
ment. The case involved the application of the common law of West
Virginia. No statute was involved in the decision of the case. The
court held that, upon all the facts involved in the particular case
before it, the purpose to be attained and the methods resorted to by
the organizers were unlawful. Apparently the conclusion as to the
purpose and methods was largely influenced by the agreement of the
employees that they would not, while in the service of the employer,
become a member of a union and if they joined the union would
withdraw from their employment. (245 U. S. 229, 263.)
The Legislature of the State of Massachusetts in 19305 requested
the opinion of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State, as to the
constitutionality of the enactment of an antiunion contract law in that
State, and the court held that such would be violative of both the
State and Federal constitutions.
6 Labor Review, July, 1930, p. 107.


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However, at the present time there are five States (Arizona,
Colorado, Ohio, Oregon, and Wisconsin) which have legislated upon
the subject. The Legislature of New Jersey enacted a similar law,
chapter 244, on June 14, 1932, but text of law was not received in
time for inclusion in this article.
In the State antiunion contract laws as well as in the Federal law it
is provided that the agreement of an employee not to join a labor
organization is contrary to public policy, and the Wisconsin, Oregon,
and Federal laws provide in addition that the agreement shall not
afford any basis for the granting of legal or equitable relief by any
court. Another constitutional question is presented as the next
step in the enlargement of this subject. Heretofore the United
States Supreme Court has decided that legislation providing penalties
for discharging a union employee, or for an employee’s refusal to
agree not to become a member of a labor union was unconstitutional.
The highest court in the land, however, has not directly passed
upon the legality of a law which merely declares antiunion contracts
contrary to public policy.
ARIZONA
1931

A cts op

(C h a p t e r

19)

[Act amends sec. 1360, Revised Code, 1928, by adding a new paragraph (1360a):]
1360a. C oercive contracts v o id .—Every undertaking or promise here­
after made, whether written or oral, express or implied, constituting or contained
in either: (1) A contract or agreement of hiring or employment between any
employer and any employee or prospective employee, whereby (a) either party
to such contract or agreement undertakes or promises not to join, become or
remain, a member of any labor organization or of any organization of employers,
or (6) either party to such contract or agreement undertakes or promises that he
will withdraw from the employment relation in the event that he joins, becomes or
remains, a member of any labor organization or of any organization of employers;
or (2) in a contract or agreement for the sale of agricultural, horticultural, or
dairy products between a producer of such products and a distributor or pur­
chaser thereof, whereby either party to such contract or agreement undertakes or
promises not to join, become, or remain a member of any cooperative association
organized under chapter 13, Revised Code, 1928, or of any trade association of
the producers, distributors, or purchasers of such products, is hereby declared to
be contrary to public policy and wholly void and shall not afford any basis for the
granting of legal or equitable relief by any court.
S e c t io n

COLORADO
A c t s o f 1931 ( C h a p t e r 112)
S e c t i o n 1. A g re e m e n t s void .— Every undertaking or promise hereafter made,
whether written or oral, express or implied, constituting, or contained in, any
contract or agreement of hiring or employment between any individual, firm,
company, association, or corporation, and any employee, or prospective employee
of the same, whereby (a ) either party to such contract or agreement undertakes
or promises not to join, become, or remain, a member of any labor organization
or of any organization of employers, or (6) either party to such contract or agree­
ment undertakes or promises that he will withdraw from the employment relation
in the event that he joins, becomes, remains, a member of any labor organization
or of any organization of employers, is hereby declared to be contrary to public
policy and wholly void.
OHIO

A cts

of

1931 (p. 5 6 2 )

S e c t i o n (1)-6241-1. A g r e e m e n t s void .—Every undertaking or promise here­
after made, whether written or oral, express or implied, constituting, or contained
in, any contract or agreement of hiring or employment between any individual,
firm, company, association, or corporation, and any employee or prospective


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employee of the same, whereby (a) either party to such contract or agreement
undertakes or promises not to join, become, or remain, a member of any labor
organization or of any organization of employers, or (b) either party to such
contract or agreement undertakes or promises that he will withdraw from the
employment relation in the event that he joins, becomes, remains, a member of
any labor organization or of any organization of employers, is hereby declared to
be contrary to public policy and wholly void.
OREGON
A cts

of

1931 (C h apter 247)

Section 1. C ontracts v oid .— Every undertaking or promise hereafter made,
whether written or oral, express or implied, constituting or contained in any
contract or agreement of hiring or employment between any individual, firm,
company, association or corporation, and any employee or prospective employee,
of the same whereby (a) either party to such contract or agreement undertakes
or promises not to join, become, or remain a member of any labor organization
or of any employer organization; or (6) either paity to such contract or agree­
ment undertakes or promises that he will withdraw from an employment relation
in the event that he joins, becomes, or remains a member of any labor organization
or of any employer organization, hereby is declared to be contrary to public
policy and wholly void and shall not afford any basis for the granting of legal
or equitable relief by any court.

WISCONSIN
S t a tu tes , 1931

[This act creates a new section (103.46 Wis. Stats.) to read as follows:]
S ection 103.46. R estrictiv e rig h t o f e m p lo y e e s , etc .— Every undertaking _or
promise hereafter made, whether written or oral, express or implied, constituting
or contained in either: (1) A contract or agreement of hiring or employment
between any employer and any employee or prospective employee, whereby (a)
either party to such contract or agreement undertakes or promises not to join,
become or remain, a member of any labor organization or of any organization
of employers, or (b ) either party to such contract or agreement undertakes or
promises that he will withdraw from the employment relation in the event that
he joins, becomes, or remains, a member of any labor organization or of any
organization of employers; or (2) in a contract or agreement for the sale of agri­
cultural, horticultural, or dairy products between a producer of such products
and a distributor or purchaser thereof, whereby either party to such contract
or agreement undertakes or promises not to join, become, or remain a member of
any cooperative association organized under chapter 185 or of any trade associa­
tion of the producers, distributors, or purchasers of such products, is hereby de­
clared to be contrary to public policy and wholly void and shall not afford any
basis for the granting of legal or equitable relief by any court. * * *
*

*

*

*

*

Section 268.19. A n t i u n io n co n tra cts .— Every undertaking or promise made
after the taking effect of this section, whether written or oral, express or implied,
between any employee or prospective employee and his employer, prospective
employer or any other individual, firm, company, association, or corporation,
whereby
.
.
(1) Either party thereto undertakes or promises to join or to remain a member
of some specific labor organization or organizations or to join or remain a member
of some specific employer organization or any employer organization or organiza­
tions; or
(2) Either party thereto undertakes or promises not to join or not to remain a
member of some specific labor organization or any labor organization or organiza­
tions, or of some specific employer organization or any employer organization or
organizations; or
(3) Either party thereto undertakes or promises that he will withdraw from
an employment relation in the event that he joins or remains a member of some
specific labor organization or any labor organization or organizations, or of some
specific employer organization or any employer organization or organizations;


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Is hereby declared to be contrary to public policy and shall not afford any
basis for the granting of legal or equitable relief by any court against a party
to such undertaking or promise or against any other persons who may advise,
urge or induce, without fraud, violence, or threat thereof, either party thereto
to act in disregard of such undertaking or promise. This section in its entirety
is supplemental to and of subsection (1) of section 103.46 of the statutes.

Michigan Law Prohibiting Employment of Certain Aliens
T T H E 1931 session of the Legislature of Michigan a law was
enacted (No. 241) which declared that any person of foreign birth
who illegally obtained admission to the United States, or any “ un­
desirable alien,” was disqualified from becoming a legal resident of the
State and therefore prohibited from engaging in business in the State.
Legal residents, on the other hand, are prohibited from employing
or engaging in business with such persons.
The law specifically defines a legal resident in contradistinction to
a citizen. An illegal entrant is termed “ any person of foreign birth
who, since the adoption of measures limiting or restricting immigra­
tion, entered the United States of America in any manner except as
described in section 1 hereof, is declared to have entered the United
States illegally and is hereby disqualified from establishing or main­
taining legal residence in this State.” An “ undesirable alien” is
“ any person of foreign birth who comes within the classification
‘undesirable alien’ as defined by the laws of the United States.”
Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the act relate to the employment, etc., of such
persons. B y the provisions of these sections such persons are pro­
hibited from having employment or engaging in business within the
State. The law in addition prohibits any firm, etc., from having
such persons in its employ or associating in business as a partner with
any of them.
The commissioner of public safety is empowered to administer and
enforce the law. In addition a duty is placed upon all law-enforcing
officers of arresting any person of foreign birth who is not a naturalized
citizen and who does not possess a certificate of legal residence in the
State issued by the commissioner of public safety. I t is incumbent
upon every person of foreign birth now residing in the State of
Michigan or who seeks to establish a residence in the State, and is
not a naturalized citizen, to apply (within 60 days of the effective
date of the act or within 30 days after entering the State) to the
commissioner of public safety for a certificate of legal residence. As
a condition precedent to employment the law requires:

A

Every person, firm, corporation, or association, legally resident or qualified to
do business in this State, employing directly or indirectly through the instru­
mentality of one or more contractors or other second or third parties, persons of
foreign birth, who are not naturalized citizens shall require that such persons as a
condition precedent to securing or continuing employment shall produce a certifi­
cate of legal residence as herein required and authorized, and such enployers
shall, whenever application for employment is made by any person of foreign
birth, who is not in possession of such certificate of legal residence or who is in
possession of a certificate that describes a person other than the applicant or bears
a signature with which the signature of the applicant does not correspond, promptly
report the circumstances to the commissioner of public safety, giving the name
used and the address furnished by said applicant.

For violations of the act penalties are provided by a fine of $50 to
$100 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

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WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
Injury Constitutes “ Sickness” Within Hospitalization Contract,
Although Not Compensable
A N IN JU R Y to an employee’s knee received when he was struck
by an automobile while en route to work was held, by the Mon­
tana Supreme Court, to constitute “ sickness” and come within the
provisions of the hospitalization contract. (Murray Hospital v.
Angrove, 10 Pac. (2d) 577.)
William Angrove was employed as a hoisting engineer by the
Anaconda Copper Mining Co. On December 24, 1928, while en
route to work, he was struck by an automobile and sustained an
injury to his knee. He worked as usual for several days, but was
later taken to the Murray Hospital, where he remained until he was
completely cured. Thereafter the hospital filed suit against him in
the D istrict Court of Silver Bow County, and recovered a judgment
of $25 as the reasonable value of the services rendered. Angrove
thereupon appealed the case to the Montana Supreme Court, con­
tending that the cost of hospitalization should be paid by the employer
under a mutual contract entered into by the employer and employee
with the hospital.
I t appears that the employer was operating under “ Plan No. 1”
(self-insurer) of the workmen’s compensation act (Rev. Codes 1921,
sec. 2970, et seq.), which requires the employer to furnish an injured
employee, in addition to compensation, “ all necessary and reasonable
medical, hospital, and surgical services for a period not to exceed
six months and of a value up to $500, with additional and like services
if found by the board to be necessary.” Regarding this provision
the supreme court said:
This provision is for the restoration of the injured employee, and is comparable
to repairs of machinery or restoration of the plant after injury by fire; it applies,
however, only in case the injury received is such as would entitle the injured
person to compensation, as it refers back to "the injury” theretofore discussed
in the act and for which provision is made for compensation. It is a part of
the compensation for the injury.

To recover compensation or hospitalization under the workmen’s
compensation act, the court pointed out, the injury must arise out
of and in the course of the employment. In the present case the
court held that the injury was not within the act. I t said:
Here the defendant was merely traveling a city street where he was subjected
only to the hazards common to all pedestrians, and, although he was on his way
to work, under all of the authorities his injury did not arise out of and in the
course of his employment, and by reason thereof he was neither entitled to
compensation nor to hospitalization under the general provisions last quoted.

Section 2907 (Montana Revised Codes, 1921, as amended by Acts
of 1929, ch. 177), however, allows the employer and employees to

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waive the provisions of the section referred to above and enter into a
mutual contract with a hospital for hospitalization; this was done by
the parties in this case. The contract between the employer and
the Murray Hospital provided for hospital treatment for employees
under two circumstances as was provided by the statute: “ (1) For
injuries received in, arising out of, and in the course of, the employ­
ment; (2) for sickness contracted during the time when the man is
employed by the contracting employer, save and except for venereal
diseases and sickness which has resulted from intoxication.” I t was
under the second provision of this contract that Angrove claimed the
employer was bound to pay the hospital bill.
The question involved was the meaning of the term “ sickness” as
used in the contract. Many definitions were cited and court decisions
which defined it in its narrow technical sense and also cases which
defined it in more general and inclusive terms. The court however
said the definitions were immaterial, for the term “ must be con­
sidered in its common acceptation and understanding, in the light
of the object and purposes of the act under which the contract was
made, and the intention of the parties in interest and in a liberal
construction of the act and the contract.”
In concluding the opinion reversing the judgment of the district
court, the M ontana Supreme Court said:
It seems clear from the wording of section 2907 above, considered in the light
of the purposes of the act, that, having in so far as possible provided for the
shifting of all loss and expense which might be incurred in those cases for which
provision was theretofore made in like acts, from the employee to the industry,
when our lawmakers determined to go a step further and cast the burden of
restoration of a unit of the industry, incapacitated otherwise than by the industry,
upon the industry, they intended the effect of the further provision to be the same
as that of the provision already covered.
We conclude that the legislature used the term “ sickness” in its “ popular
significance,” and intended that each employee specified should receive hospital­
ization for “ any affection of the body which deprives it temporarily of its power
to fulfill its usual functions,” save and except those which develop because of
his own vice.

Double Compensation Awarded for Illegally Employed Minor
Notwithstanding Recovery of Judgment
H E Supreme Court of New Jersey recently held that a minor
illegally employed could recover double compensation for injury
notwithstanding the fact that a prior recovery of judgment was re­
ceived in a common-law action. (Damato v. De Lucia, 159 Atl. 526.)
I t appeared that Anthony Damato was employed by one De Lucia,
who operated a bakery in the town of Raritan, N. J . The employee
was under 16 years of age and was, under the child-labor law of New
Jersey (Laws of 1923, ch. 80), illegally employed. While employed
at the bakery he was caught in a mixing machine and his arm and
hand were injured.
Under the compensation law of New Jersey a petition was filed
claiming compensation. While this petition was pending an action
was instituted in the Supreme Court of New Jersey seeking damages
under the common law.
Upon trial of the case, a judgment was rendered for the employee
of $4,500 and for his parents of $1,313.25. Upon the judgment
being satisfied, the employee then proceeded under the petition to

T


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WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION

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the Workmen’s Compensation Bureau of New Jersey and was awarded
double compensation for 175 weeks. The employer objected and
contended that the employee had no right of recovery other than the
one at common law which he had successfully pursued. The court
in rendering its opinion held that the contention of the employer ran
counter to the course of the court’s decisions and to the intention of
the workmen’s compensation law as construed from time to time by
the courts.
Prior to the act upon which the employee relied, the court had
served notice that “ where a minor under 16 years of age was employed
to operate a laundry machine in violation of [the] factory act, * * *
the common-law liability of employer was not affected by the work­
men ’s compensation act, for that act applies only where the contract
of hiring is a valid one. ”
The court in the present case stated that it was conceded by the
parties that the employment was prohibited by the statute, and re­
peated the statement contained in the employer’s brief as follows:
Essentially this review involves a question of the construction and possibly
the constitutionality of chapter 159 of the Laws of 1924 which amends section 2,
paragraph 9, of the act commonly known as the workmen’s compensation act.
This statute provides, among other things, that if the minor is between 14 and 16
years of age and is employed in violation of the labor law the compensation award
shall be double the amount allowed in the schedule set forth in the workmen’s
compensation act and that the employer and not the insurance carrier shall be
liable for the extra compensation. * * * Nothing in this act contained
shall deprive an infant under the age of 16 of the right or rights now existing to
recover damages in a common-law or other appropriate action or proceeding
for injuries received by reason of the negligence of his or her master.

The full bench of the Supreme Court of New Jersey cited several
cases in which the proviso under consideration had already been
construed by the courts. One was the case of Mauthe v. B. & G.
Service Station (139 Atl. 245), in which a minor of the age of 15%
years was illegally employed and subsequently injured; it was held in
this case that the common-law remedies were not affected by the work­
m en’s compensation act. In the case of Terlingo v. Belz-Parr (Inc.)
(147 Atl. 480) a recovery was had by the father of a child illegally
employed. In this case it was argued that the compensation act as
amended took away the right of recovery for death and provided
for recovery only under the statute.
This contention, however,
was held to be unsound by the court, which reasoned that by an
express legislative enactment the child was not deprived of any rights
which existed either at common law or by virtue of any other appro­
priate action. The court in this case further held that the words of
legislative purpose could not be construed so as to deprive the
representative of the deceased child of existing rights.
Another contention was raised by the employer in which he averred
that the provision by which a minor was allowed to recover double
compensation against the employer in addition to his recovery at
common law was in violation of the constitution of the State of New
Jersey. The court, however, dismissed this contention and held that
the act was not unconstitutional in the respect claimed by the em­
ployer.
The judgment of the New Jersey Workmen’s Compensation Bureau
was therefore affirmed.
125620°—32-----7

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Medical and Hospital Problems of Workmen’s Compensation
in New York
O N STR U C TIV E legislation and changes in administrative
procedure of the workmen’s compensation act were advocated
in a preliminary report of the committee appointed last year by the
Governor of New York to review medical and hospital problems in
connection with compensation insurance.1
On February 29, 1932, the governor transmitted the report to the
legislature, with recommendations for immediate study and considera­
tion. He called particular attention to the proposed coverage of all
occupational diseases under the workmen’s compensation act, pointed
out that this measure has been before the legislature for several years,
and stated that, in his opinion, it is time to extend medical care and
cash compensation to the worker incapacitated by occupational
disease as well as to the worker disabled by accident.
In connection with hospital problems the committee found that the
sums paid to charitable hospitals are in general less than the actual
cost to the institutions, and it consequently recommended an amend­
ment to the law providing th at charitable or municipal hospitals be
entitled to charge the reasonable cost of the services rendered without
regard to ward-charity rates established by them.
The committee also recommended a change in the law on authori­
zation of treatment, so that lack of authorization by employers or
carriers in cases treated by municipal or charitable hospitals shall not
prevent collection of payment for services; the enactment of a lien
law in third-party suits similar to that in force in New Jersey; and
provisions to insure payment for hospital services in other cases.
In regard to medical problems, the committee recommended the
passage of the bill presented to the legislature by the department of
labor, extending the scope of the compensation act to cover all occu­
pational diseases. I t is contended that the specific schedule, like that
existing in New York, does not solve the problem, and as the average
cost of covering all diseases in 10 other States is only about 1 per cent
of the total compensation cost, the additional cost of the all-inclusive
coverage should only be a small fraction of 1 per cent in New York,
where 27 occupational diseases are already covered.
The committee suggested that insurance-company doctors be ex­
cluded from the room when the claimant is being examined by a
State physician, to avoid any suspicion of bias or influence. I t also
recommended that “ lifting” of cases (i. e., transfer of patient to other
medical or hospital services by means of threat, suggestion or con­
sideration from an insurance carrier) be prohibited under penalty.
The committee found unsatisfactory the practice of having the
medical records supplied by agents of insurance companies, and rec­
ommended that these records be supplied by a disinterested party.
I t also suggested a fundamental change in the law, establishing a
series of clinics under the supervision and direction of the State.
While present methods are not wholly satisfactory, the committee
did not favor the free choice of physicians by patients, but suggested
that some method be devised for rating physicians desirous of doing

C

1 United Hospital Fund of New York. Hospital Information and Service Bureau. Preliminary report
of the committee to review medical and hospital problems in connection with workmen’s compensation
insurance. Published for the information of hospitals, without comment. New York, 122 East Twentysecond Street, 1932.


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W O R K M E N ’S CO M PENSATION

93

compensation work. It recommended that the subject be referred to
the State board of regents.
Increases were recommended in both the professional personnel and
the clerical staff of the department, as well as higher salaries for cer­
tain members of the latter.
Total disability, in the opinion of the committee, should be inter­
preted to mean that a man is unable to return to the occupation in
which he was engaged when he was injured and should be compensated
until he can resume that work. If he ëarns something at light work
in the meantime, that amount should be deducted from the compensa­
tion due.
The committee was of the opinion that certain baffling and highly
specialized medical problems can best be solved by a group of unbiased
experts, and suggested the creation of a supreme court of review on
medical questions, drawn from a panel of 75 men and to be used by
either party for decisions on a purely medical m atter; questions would
be submitted to three or five of this body, both sides being bound by
the decision.
As to departmental procedure the committee recommended an
amendment to the act, relating to appeals; the establishment of a
bureau for medical examination of claimants; provision of suitable
examination rooms in the different cities or communities, or the use
of automotive equipment with adequate facilities; and some change in
the law whereby a man injured while working for an uninsured em­
ployer will not become a burden to society because of the failure of his
employer to comply with the law.
Bills appended to the committee’s report cover the presence of
insurance company doctors at examinations, authorization for medical
or hospital treatment, reasonable charges by hospitals, and definition
of charitable and municipal hospitals.
A special memorandum, endorsed by the majority of the committee,
but not by the committee of the whole, expresses disapproval of the
practice of insurance companies maintaining and operating clinics.

Mule Spinners’ Cancer Made Compensable in Great Britain
N O R D E R 1 issued by the British Secretary of State, dated April
L 30, 1932, provides that the workmen’s compensation act of 1925
shall be extended to include cases of new skin growths, papillomatous
or keratotic, due to mineral oil. The order applies only to workmen
employed as minders or piecers in connection with the process of cot­
ton spinning by means of self-acting mules. Compensation will not
be paid unless the workman has notified the employer that he has
applied for a certificate of disablement, and it is limited to 14 days
unless the judge, committee, or arbitrator is satisfied of the contin­
uance of disability beyond that time. The employer is entitled to
require a medical examination of such employees by a qualified medical
practitioner, but the costs of the examination must be paid by the
employer.

A

1 Great Britain.

Statutory rules and orders, 1932, No. 314.


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Mo n t h l y

94

la bo r

r e v ie w

Recent Workmen’s Compensation Reports
Maryland

H E report of the State Industrial Accident Commission of
Maryland for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1931, shows that
the 14,858 employers insured under the compensation law filed reports
of 31,474 industrial injuries during the year. This was a decrease of
10,287 from the number of injuries reported during the previous year.
A total of 11,275 claims for compensation, including 138 fatal claims,
was filed with the commission.
Compensation payments made in the 11,341 claims disposed of
during the year, which included 180 fatal cases, amounted to $926,095.97, and payments for medical attention in cases where no com­
pensation was claimed amounted to $379,883.31. As there was
$383,689.19 outstanding for future payments on specific awards made
in permanent cases during the year, the total benefits paid and out­
standing for the year amounted to $1,689,668.47, not including future
payments in temporary disability cases continued beyond the year.
Administrative expenses of the commission, which are collected
from the insurance carriers, including the State accident fund and the
self-insurers, amounted to $92,110.42 for the year ending September
30, 1931, while the expense of conducting the State accident fund for
the same period was $38,556.02.
Table 1 shows a summary of the 10,401 claims allowed during the
fiscal year, by industrial groups and extent of disability.

T

T a bl e 1 .— N U M B E R OF IN D U ST R IA L IN JU R IE S C O M P EN SA TE D IN M A R Y LA N D ,
N O V E M B E R 1,1930, TO O C T O B E R 31, 1931, B Y IN D U S T R Y AND E X T E N T OF D IS A B IL IT Y

Extent of disability
Industrial group

Permanent Permanent Temporary
total
partial
total

Fatal

Manufacturing________ ________
Construction_______________ _______ _ .
Transportation_______
____ _________ _
Public utilities_________________
_
Trade _ ______. . . ____________ _
Clerical and professional services. . ___ ___________
Department of State, cities and counties. ______ _
Private employment__ _______ __________ . . . .
Total _ ____________________ .

0
6
1
33
16
8
3
2
2
2
4
0

0
1
o
1
o
o
1
o
0
0
0
0

5
22
5
314
74
24
13
17
6
11
13
0

86
526
87
4,255
2,068
1,188
112
580
254
326
330
5

77

3

504

9,817

The financial report of the State accident fund for the year ending
October 31, 1931, shows a surplus of $542,602.36, protected by rein­
surance, and a reserve for unpaid claims of $418,000. Total assets
amounted to $1,045,537.16. The net premiums during the year aggre­
gated $325,105.36, a decided reduction from the amount for the
preceding year due to the serious business conditions and the prevailing
unemployment. Payments for losses on injuries occurring during the
current year amounted to $114,951.18, and for losses on injuries
occurring before November 1, 1930, to $202,010.52. The expense of
administering the fund was $3,025.94 less than for the previous year.

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W o r k m e n ’s

c o m p e n s a t io n

95

Under the experience-rating plan of the fund the maximum credit
during the year was 18 per cent and the maximum debit 48 per cent.
These limits have been extended, effective March, 1932, to 21 per
cent maximum credit and 60 per cent maximum debit, in the belief
that it will assist in reducing accidents.
The report of the department of safety, which is included, describes
briefly the progress of the safety movement in Maryland. Under the
original compensation law the industrial commission had no definite
power to enforce safety practices or regulations. Feeling that an
attem pt should be made to reduce accidents, the commission secured
a number of safety codes which had been prepared jointly by safety
engineers and representatives of employers and labor and approved
by the American Standards Association. In 1927, 18 of these were
issued as a guide to the industries of Maryland and 3 others were
added later.
An amendment to the workmen’s compensation law, giving the
commission power to enforce safety regulations, was submitted to the
general assembly. I t was approved in 1929, resulting in the estab­
lishment of a department of safety and the official adoption of 22
safety codes as legal codes of the State. The department inspects
establishments and. makes recommendations, where needed, to elim­
inate unsafe working conditions or practices. Educational safety
work is also being done.
N ew Y o r k

A ccording to the April issue of The Industrial Bulletin, published
by the industrial commissioner of New York State, the compensation
awards made by the State department of labor for injuries to industrial
workers in cases closed during 1931 amounted to nearly $34,000,000,
an average of $342 per case. The cost of medical and hospital service,
which is not included in the compensation awards, is estimated by the
department at between $8,000,000 and $10,000,000.
The total number of injuries reported during the year was 419,072.
While the total number of cases closed was 188,887, awards of com­
pensation were made in only 98,424 of them, because in many of the
cases the period of disability did not exceed the waiting period of
seven days and others did not come under the provisions of the work­
men’s compensation law. Although disabilities of seven days’ dura­
tion or less are not compensable, medical or hospital treatment is given
in a large part of them, so that the number of cases receiving medical
aid is far larger than the number receiving compensation.
Table 2 shows the number of compensated cases closed in 1931, the
number of weeks’ compensation awarded, and the amount of com­
pensation awarded, by extent of disability.
T a b l e 2 .— N U M B E R OF C O M P EN SA TE D CASES CLO SED IN N EW Y O R K AND C O M P EN ­

SATION A W A R D ED , B Y E X T E N T OF D IS A B IL IT Y , 1931
Number of
cases

Extent of disability

1,177
68
19,805
77,374
98,424
)

i Estimated present values.


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Number of
weeks’ com­
pensation
awarded

857,148
561, 945
1,419,093

Amount of
compensa­
tion
i $7,232,761
i 970, 804
15, 515, 293
9,983, 667
33, 702, 525

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

96

I t is stated, that present employment conditions are reducing thé
number of compensated industrial injuries, as would be expected, so
that the 1931 total of 98,424 is about 2,500 below the average for the
past 6 years. All of the industries, however, did not show a reduc­
tion in accidents. A large increase occurred in the service indus­
tries, attributed partly to the classification of much of the emer­
gency employment with this group, making the exposure for it
greater than in the past, and a slight increase was experienced in
trade. The largest decrease occurred in manufacturing, which
showed nearly 7,000 injuries less in 1931 than the average for the
past 6 years, and a noticeable reduction took place in transportation.
No material change occurred in construction work, although opera­
tions in this industry were reduced.
There was considerable variation in the average cost per compen­
sated injury for the different industries during 1931. Injuries in the
construction industry averaged nearly $100 more per case than
injuries in the transportation and public utility group, the second
highest, and almost double the average cost of injuries in the trade
group.
Table 3 shows the number of compensated cases closed in 1931,
the amount of compensation awarded, and the average compensation
per case, by industry.
T a bl e 3 .— N U M B E R OF C O M P EN SA TE D CASES CLO SED IN N EW Y O R K , C O M PEN SA ­

TIO N A W A R D ED , AND A V ER A G E COST P E R CASE, B Y IN D U S T R Y , 1931

Number
of cases

Industry

Other......

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

_

___ _ .

. _ . ...

Amount of
compensa­
tion
awarded

Average
compensa­
tion
per case

30,089
23,002
15,184
16; 230
11, 804
2,105

$8,466, 655
10,900, 818
5, 734, 688
4,960,227
2, 854,048
786,089

$281
474
378
306
242
373

98,424’

33, 702, 525

342

W e s t V irg in ia

T h e report of the State Compensation Commissioner of West
Virginia on the workmen’s compensation fund for the year ending
June 30, 1931, shows assets at the close of the year of $19,104,465.99, a
reserve for determined and estimated outstanding claims of $18,151,745.99, and other liabilities amounting to $830,981.49, leaving a
surplus of $121,738.51.
Compensation, medical, and funeral benefits paid during the year
aggregated $4,722,362.16, and $574,156.97 were transferred to the
reserve for outstanding claims. The administrative expense was
$262,921.16, making the total compensation cost for the year
$5,559,439.29.
Reports from 3,900 employers insured with the fund show 200,396
employees earning $244,637,003, on which the average premium rate
was $1.75 per $100, while 26 self-insuring employers reported 15,099
employees earning $21,671,039. These were decreases, as compared
with figures reported the previous year, of 9.9 per cent in employees
and 17.5 per cent in their earnings for employers paying premiums,

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97

W O R K M E N ’S CO M PEN SA TIO N

and 16.1 per cent in employees and 18.7 per cent in their earnings for
self-insurers.
Employers paying premiums reported 548 fatal and 33,596 nonfatal
injuries, while self-insurers reported 23 fatal and 2,154 nonfatal
injuries, a total of 36,321 injuries for the year, or a decrease of 13.33
per cent as compared with the number reported in the previous year.
Table 4 shows the number of fatal and nonfatal injuries reported
during the year by the two employing groups and by industrial groups.
T a b le 4.—IN D U ST R IA L IN JU R IE S R E P O R T E D IN W E S T V IR G IN IA , Y E A R EN D IN G

JU N E 30, 1931, B Y IN D U ST R IA L GROUPS
Employers pay­
ing premiums

Self-insurers
All in­
juries

Industrial group

Coal mining-------------------------------------------Mining other than coal-------_. * - . . . -------Sand and clay products..
----------- ---------Iron and steel_______________ - - ---------------------Public utilities ----- --------Chemical plants____________ ________ . . .
Textile manufacturing__________
. .. .. .
------Warehouses and stores----- --------Contractors________ _____
___
___
Printing and paper manufacturing----------------

Total______

_ ______

. . . -----------

Fatal

Nonfatal

Fatal

Nonfatal

413
9
4
4
17
3
7
5
0
4
75
0
0
7
0
0

14, 827
1,120
'277
2, 514
5,834
48
1,359
645
298
728
5,082
6
253
474
92
39

19

1,385

0
0
0

73
163
9

0
0
1
0
3

153
17
13
6
291

0

44

548

33, 596

23

2,154

Per cent
of total

16, 644
1,129
354
2, 681
5, 880
51
1, 519
667
312
738
5, 451
6
297
481
92
39

45.82
3.11
.97
7.38
16.13
.14
4.18
1.84
.86
2. 03
15. 01
. 02
.82
1. 33
.25
. 11

36, 321

100. 00

W isco n sin
B u l l e t i n N o . 3 9 of Wisconsin Labor Statistics, published by the
Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, presents an analysis of compen­
sation costs and medical costs in the 16,943 compensable injury
cases settled during 1931, and comparisons with previous years.
The average amount of compensation paid per case in 1931 was
$206, and the average amount of medical aid paid in 15,777 medical
fee cases was $65 per case. The remaining 1,166 cases were contract
medical aid cases, and the cost of this service is not reported to the
commission.
Under the Wisconsin compensation act the normal amount of
compensation is reduced or increased for violations of specified pro­
visions by employees or employers. In 4 of the 1931 cases the amount
of compensation was reduced 15 per cent, due to violations of safety
orders by the employee; in 51 cases it was increased 10 per cent, due
to inexcusable delay in payment of compensation; and in 246 cases
it was increased 15 per cent, due to violations of safety orders by
employers.
The act also provides for adjustment of compensation benefits in
lesser permanent disability cases because of advanced age of em­
ployees, with reductions ranging from 5 per cent for over 55 years
to 25 per cent for over 75 years. This condition applied during 1931
in 79 cases, making an average reduction in compensation for these
of 5.16 per cent.


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98

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

Table 5 shows the number of compensable cases settled, by extent
of disability, the weighted amount of lost time involved, and the
amounts of compensation and medical aid paid, by years, 1920 to
1931.
T a b le 5 —C O M P EN SA BLE CASES S E T T L E D IN W ISCONSIN , T IM E LOSS, AND C O M P EN ­

SATION AND M E D IC A L AID B E N E F IT S , B Y Y E A R S, 1920 TO 1931
Number of cases

Year
Fatal

1920_______________
1921_______________
1922________________
1923________________
1924_______________
1925________________
1926_______________
1927_______________
1928_______________
1929________________
1930________________
1931__________ _____

171
157
180
191
155
244
213
206
229
241
231
177

Perma­ Perma­
nent
nent
Tempo­
rary
total partial
disa­ disability
disa­
bility bility
15
11
1
4
2
9
2
5
3
3
13
9

1,620
1,602
1,602
1,831
1,887
1,769
1,948
1,848
1,947
2, 237
2,264
1,697

14, 440
14,128
14,922
18, 915
20, 722
19,117
20,014
18,414
19,639
20,149
17, 562
15, 078

Benefits paid

Total

16, 246
15,898
16. 705
20, 941
22, 766
21,137
22,177
20,473
21,818
22, 630
20,070
16, 943

Weighted
number of
days lost 1

2,600,750
2, 518, 539
2, 642, 422
2, 842, 765
2,783,156
3,233, 332
3,146, 254
3,035, 654
3, 204, 956
3,433, 726
3, 457, 569
2, 566, 782

Compen­
sation

$1, 970, 513
2, 257, 255
2,410, 529
2, 794,998
3,047,147
3, 490, 021
3, 725,860
3, 662, 406
3,885,850
4, 308, 571
4,447,141
3,486,195

Medical
aid 2

$569, 571
661, 562
746, 429
924, 032
1,153, 332
1,100,852
1,122, 624
1,114, 056
1,250, 216
1,433, 552
1, 398,338
1,101, 978

1 Schedule charges for fatal and permanent disability cases; actual time loss for temporary disability
cases.
2 Contract medical aid estimated at average cost of fee cases.

O n ta r io
A c c o r d i n g to the report of the Workmen’s Compensation Board of
Ontario for 1931/ the decrease shown in 1930 in the number of acci­
dents reported to the board continued throughout 1931; this, it is
stated, presumably indicates a continued reduction in industrial
employment in the Province.
Reports of 52,894 injuries were received during the year as against
69,267 reported in 1930, a decrease of nearly 24 per cent. The number
reported in 1929 was 87,103. Injuries reported in Ontario include
some which do not involve payment of either compensation or medical
aid and for which no claim is made and others for which claims are
subsequently disallowed.
The provisional pay rolls reported to the board from the industries
covered under the collective liability system (schedule 1 ) also showed
a substantial reduction— from $485,262,000 for 1930 to $409,260,000
for 1931— and the number of employers in schedule 1 industries
decreased from 23,912 in 1930 to 23,138 in 1931. D ata on pay rolls
and employers are not available for schedule 2 industries, which con­
sist of the public service and municipal corporations and are covered
under the individual liability system but under regulations of the
board, nor for Dominion and provincial Crown cases, also under the
act, as neither of these groups is required to report such items. The
board estimates that the pay roll for the two groups is about one-third
of the pay roll for schedule 1 industries.
The total amount of benefits awarded in 1931 was $6,021,392.10,
including $1,060,763.01 for medical aid in schedule 1 cases, as comi Ontario (Canada).
paper No. 28, 1932.)


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Workmen’s Compensation Board.

Report for 1931. Toronto, 1932.

(Sessional

W O R K M E N ’S CO M PENSATION

99

pared with $7,423,018.82 in 1930, including $1,336,046.05 for medical
aid in schedule 1 cases. In schedule 2 and Crown cases medical aid
is provided directly by the employer, and the cost is not reported to
the board.
The average rate of assessment for 1931 in all classes of Schedule 1
industries, based on the estimated wage expenditure, is calculated at
$1.22 per $100 of pay roll as compared with $1.40 for 1930. The
total administrative expense, which is paid by the employers under
the act without any governmental assistance and is distributed accord­
ing to the work done in each of the classes, was 5.07 per cent of all
benefits awarded.
The report reviews the work handled during 1931 and the experience
of the various funds handled by the board. I t also gives financial
and statistical information for 1930, which was not available when
the report for th at year was made, and a short summary of the opera­
tions from the commencement of the act to the end of 1931.
Reference is made in the report to the provincial investigation of
the advisability of amending the workmen’s compensation act of
Ontario. Since the publication of the report, the findings of Justice
W. E . Middleton, who was appointed as a commissioner to inquire
into that subject, have been submitted to the lieutenant governor.2
The commissioner points out that the adoption of workmen’s com­
pensation in 1914 has proved of great advantage to both employers
and workers, and that no suggestions have been received to abandon
the compensation scheme for a return to the unsatisfactory legal lia­
bility based upon negligence.
The commissioner concludes that the requests of organized labor
for increased benefits should not be granted, as such increases would
impose too heavy a burden on the industries. He also rejects as
impractical the proposal to bring all employees without exception
under the act, but suggests consideration of including workers in lum­
bering operations, engineers in heating plants, cooks and waiters, and
employees in cheese factories, dairies, and garages.
He recommends that the waiting period before compensation pay­
ments are made be changed from a 7-day conditional to a 3-day abso­
lute period, as suggested by the employers; that the list of compen­
sable industrial diseases be extended to include infected blisters,
cancer arising from the manufacture of pitch and tar, dermatitis, and
bursitis; that dental treatment, when necessary as the result of an
accident, be considered as medical treatment; that the board be
empowered to reduce premium rates for employers with consistently
good records; and that severe penalties be exacted in connection with
accidents to minors illegally employed.
Other suggestions were rejected as impractical or covered sufficiently
in the existing law.
2 Ontario (Canada). [Workmen’s Compensation Board?] Report of the commissioner in the matter
of the workmen’s compensation act. Toronto, 1932. (Sessional paper No. 37,1932.)


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LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND
DECISIONS
D ecision of A rb itra to r in Newspaper In d u stry ,
S y racu se, N. Y .

N D E R an award in arbitration between Syracuse newspaper
publishers and Local No. 55 of the Typographical Union, the
compositors received a cut of $3 in the weekly scale. The award of
the arbitrator, Samuel Cahan, department of journalism, Syracuse
University, was made on April 15, 1932. The arbitration proceedings
were held under section 2 of the existing contract between the pub­
lishers and the union, which is as follows :

U

It is further agreed by both parties that the scale as stipulated in this contract
shall be paid until and unless changed by the following method: Either party may,
at any time during the period from October 1, 1931, to August 30, 1932, on 30 days’
written notice to the other, ask that the scale only be taken up for revision, the
publishers on their part agreeing that they will only ask for a revision in said
scale should business conditions, in their opinion, make that necessary. It is
further agreed if the scale is opened as provided in this section, and a settlement
by conciliation is found impossible, arbitration shall be resorted to as provided
in section 3 of this contract.

The publishers claimed that the present volume of business does
not warrant the wages paid their printers, and asked a reduction of
$5 in the weekly scale. The publishers’ counsel asked that the award
be made retroactive to December 28, 1931, on the ground that the
union caused undue delay in bringing the matter to a settlement.
The union contended that the wage scale is comparatively low and
should not be reduced.
The opinion of the arbitrator is, in part, as follows:
The evidence submitted by publishers’ counsel, showing a serious decline in
the volume of their business, leaves no reasonable doubt that it is imperative that
the publishers have relief from the present production costs in the operation of
their newspapers. * * * Yet under the conditions of this arbitration, with wages
established as the only arbitrable point, precluding your arbitrator from making
adjustments in other sections of the contract which have a close bearing on pro­
duction costs, I am unable to grant the publishers relief equivalent to their request.
It is my opinion that when the entire contract is opened for revision, greater
opportunities will then exist for adjustments which will be advantageous to both
parties. But under the present circumstances I could not, in fairness to the union,
reduce their present scale by $5. * * * A decrease of $5 in the present scale
would, in my opinion, lay the groundwork for a speedy resumption of the dispute,
as is possible under section 2, and make an amicable settlement vastly more
difficult.
It is not unnatural for an organized body of workmen to resist any move that
would sweep away gains which they have made over a period of years. But they
must also recognize that a time comes when there must be compromise with
stern realities. Neither the publishers nor the printers can escape the conse­
quences of an economic storm that has engulfed the world. An attitude that it
must remain immune from the present business crisis would leave the side making
such a contention in a grotesque position. The evidence of the publishers ’ counsel

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is conclusive that had business remained normal the present proceedings would
not be taking place. * * *
Publishers’ counsel asks that the award be made retroactive to December 28,
1931, on the ground that the union caused undue delay in bringing this matter to
a settlement. I find that the delay occurred between December 28, 1931, when
the publishers notified the union of their proposition, and March 1, when a
technical point raised by the union with regard to the right of two of the three
publishers to open the scale, was cleared up. After careful study of the facts, I
find that whatever delay there occurred, the union was within legal bounds of
sections 4, 5, and 6 of the code of procedure of the arbitration agreement. I am
therefore compelled to deny the request for retroactive pay.

The decision of the arbitrator reduced the weekly pay of men on
day work from $49 to $46 and of those on night work from $52 to $49,
the award to become effective Sunday, April 17, 1932, and terminate
with the life of the contract (September 30, 1932) or as provided in
section 3, unless changed in accordance with the provisions of sec­
tion 2.
R e cen t D ecisions of th e In d u strial C om m ission of Colorado
Coal Miners— Northern Colorado Coal Field

R A C T IC A L L Y all of the large coal companies operating in the
northern Colorado coal field, with the exception of the Rocky
Mountain Fuel Co., filed notice with the Industrial Commission of
Colorado of their intention to make a reduction in the wages of their
employees.
Protests against the proposed wage reductions, bearing the signa­
tures of 634 employees of the companies, were filed with the commis­
sion. Several petitions, signed by business men, professional men, and
other citizens, were received from Boulder, Longmont, Louisville,
and Fort Lupton, protesting against the proposed wage reductions.
At the hearing held before the commission, April 28, 1932, the
employers contended that it was necessary to reduce wages in order
to meet the competition from other parts of the State; that it was
impossible to ship coal into Iowa and Nebraska unless the_ cost of
production could be reduced; they also informed the commission that
a contract for 35,000 tons of slack had recently been let by a con­
sumer in the city of Denver to coal operators in E l Paso County, a
competing section.
. The employees contended that the present wage is not sufficient to
produce a decent living, when the number of days’ employment during
the year is taken into consideration. Some of the employees testified
that a number of the mines required their employees to work over
eight hours a day underground, which is a violation of the eight-hour
law of the State. Several of the men testified that they were not
being treated fairly as to weights, and that there were times when the
coal companies did not weigh the loaded cars but simply guessed at
the weights. M any of the employees claimed that at some of the
mines no checkweighman was employed; that when the men proposed
to elect a checkweighman it was necessary for them to select some one
b y petition and this petition was presented to the employer.
Several of the coal operators testified that the Rocky Mountain Fuel
Co. was the first coal company in the northern Colorado field to cut
the price of coal, which made it necessary for the rest of the companies
operating to do the same thing. Many of the operators claimed that

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slack coal was a by-product and was usually sold for any price that
could be obtained.
Merl D . Vincent, executive vice president of the Rocky Mountain
Fuel Co., appeared before the commission and testified as follows:
The Rocky Mountain Fuel Co. was not the first company in the northern
Colorado coal field to reduce the price of coal; that slack coal was not a by-product;
that the first step in the price war in northern Colorado was the cut of 20 cents per
ton in the price of slack coal and this seemed to be one of the chief difficulties in
stabilizing conditions in the northern coal field; that the basis upon which a price
for all grades of coal should be fixed is the cost of production, and that it is wrong
for any producer to sell to any consumer any grade of coal for less than it costs
to produce it; that during the last five years there has not been a time when the
industrial consumers of slack coal have not had requirements to exceed the
annual production in the normal course of mining; that there were seasons when
there was a surplus, but there were also seasons when there was a shortage, with
the result that some five or six operators, including the Rocky Mountain Fuel Co.,
in the northern field have had crushers installed in order to take care of the demand
when the normal supply of slack coal was not sufficient to meet the market
demands; that many consumers of steam coal pulverize their coal because they
will not use the larger sizes of coal and would crush their coal in case of shortage
of slack; that 50 per cent of the coal produced in northern Colorado is slack coal,
and is insufficient for the normal annual needs of industrial consumers, and that
the only sound economic basis upon which to make prices for this class, or any
other class of coal, is to start with the cost of production.

M r. Vincent also said:
What we are trying to do is not to maintain a battle with other operators, but to
maintain peace under circumstances that will permit everybody connected with
the industry to live; to create living conditions for operators, for investors, and
for the men working in the mines. It is perfectly possible to do so if the operators
in this district were put on the same voluntary contractual basis, upon the same
negotiated wage scales arising out of a conference ih which both sides were repre­
sented through their own chosen representatives and sit there with coequal rights
until a voluntary agreement was arrived at, you would stabilize costs. That
would be the first step. Nobody then would have any cost advantage over
another. Next, if then a trade practice were adopted and put into effect that
inasmuch as all classes of coal produced in this mine are essentially either for
domestic trade or industrial consumption and the cost of production shall be the
basis from which all prices proceed, and that no class or grade of coal should be
sold below the cost of production; if these two things were done, this field alone,
regardless of the economic conditions prevailing in other parts of the United
States, in one season can be put on a stable, economic basis which will yield an
income to permit men to live under a proper standard of living and operators to
make a reasonable margin of profit. In my judgment, the barrier that stands
between the present demoralized condition and such a stabilized condition as I
have described is simply an ancient hang-over prejudice or closed mind and an
unwillingness .to concede that if a man is necessary to mining coal he is just as
indispensable as the money that provides the property and machinery, and that
the laborer that does the work and the technician that manages the property, the
investor in the property, all are entitled to the security of an annual income, and
no one of them to a prior security over another.

The findings and recommendations of the commission are in part,
as follows:
The evidence before this commission from both the employers and employees
showed that the employees were not consulted regarding the proposed reduction
in wages. It seems to the commission that this is absolutely unfair to the wage
earner and that the men should have something to say as to the conditions under
which they will labor and as to what wages they shall receive for that labor.
The operators testified that the reduction proposed by them would make a
difference of only 30 to 35 cents per ton in the cost of production. When we
take into consideration the difference between the freight rates from Colorado
Springs to Denver and the rates between the northern Colorado coal fields and
this city, there seems to be very little danger of competition from El Paso County.

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The operators gave no assurance that the price of coal would be reduced to the
consumer if the proposed wage reduction is adopted.
The evidence shows that only about 10 per cent of the coal produced in the
northern Colorado field is shipped outside this State. This is the same per­
centage that the operators claimed at a hearing before this commission some
three years ago. Therefore there seems to be no change in that part of the
business. I t would seem to us that the small percentage shipped outside of
this State is in a very large measure due to freight rates and not to wages paid
to the employees at this time.
It would seem to the commission that it might be well if the coal operators
would stop price cutting and not sell any kind of coal at a price less than the
cost of production; get into closer touch with their employees; talk over matters
of common interest with them; give them the same rights they claim for them­
selves; remember that labor should be the first charge against industry; that
men are entitled to a living wage. These are a few things tnat should not be
forgotten by the employers of labor.
.
The pay rolls of many of the employers showed that a majority of the miners
under the present wage scale are working for less than a living wage. When the
number of days they work per annum and the amount they earn is taken into
consideration, the commission can not understand how they can live on a less
W&Th'e commission wishes to recommend the suggestions of Mr. Vincent to the
favorable consideration of the other operators in the northern field.
We would recommend to the employers that they urge their employees to have
some kind of an organization of their own for collective bargaining.
The right of the miners to bargain collectively should not be denied or abridged
bv any employer. It is one of their rights and the one principle that will settle
many industrial controversies. There should be ^no opposition on the part of
the employers to this principle. It seems to us it is one of the_ very best and
safest instruments for the attainment of industrial peace and justice.
We would recommend that the men elect a checkweighman by secret ballot
and that the officials of the company take no part in such election; that both
nomination and election should be by secret ballot under conditions that insure
freedom of choice and an impartial count.
. .
...
Under the conditions prevailing in this country to-day it is the opinion of the
commission that it is a mistake to reduce the wages of any man who is not earn­
ing a living wage.

The award of the commission under date of M ay 7, 1932, is as
follows:
The commission finds that there is no justification for the .reduction in the
wage scale as proposed by the above-named employers, and it is the decision of
the commission that the reduction be not approved.
Carpenters— Denver

O n A p r il 19, 1932, the Hallack & Howard Lumber Co. notified
the Industrial Commission of Colorado of its intention to reduce the
wage scale of its employees, members of Carpenters’ Locals Nos. 55
and 1583.
, ,
At the hearing held on M ay 16, 1932, the employer contended
that the wage cut was necessary because of the present competitive
conditions. The employees stated, however, that there were a
great many smaller concerns engaged in the same business which
are paying the scale and have made no application for a reduction,
and that the Hallack & Howard Lumber Co. could do the same.
The decision of the commission, M ay 17, 1932, was that wages
should not be reduced.


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LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
M em bership of L ab o r O rg an ization s in C an ad a, 1931

D E C L IN E of 11,905 in trade-union membership in Canada in
the calendar year 1931 is shown in the report on labor organiza­
tions in the Dominion for that year.1 This first decrease since 1924
is attributed to the industrial depression. I t is at the same time
pointed out that the loss of members would undoubtedly have been
heavier if a number of organizations had not paid the per capita tax
of out-of-work members from surplus funds.
The following statistics are also taken from the previously-men­
tioned source:

A

T a b le 1

—

N U M B E R AND M E M B E R S H IP OF LA BO R ORGANIZATIONS IN CANADA, 1931
Units or branches
Kind of organization

International craft unions___ .
_____
One Big U n ion ____ . . .
___ _ . .
_ _ ______
Industrial Workers of the World__ .
Canadian central labor organizations- _ _________
Directly chartered local unions______________
Independent units_________
__ _ _________
National Catholic unions___
__ ___________ ____

Number
1, 884
46
5
606
73
37
121
2, 772

Members

Increase or
decrease
compared
with 1930

Number

-6 2
+1

}

i

f

\
+6
+6

+13
-3 7

Increase or
decrease
compared
with 1930

188, 219
24, 260
3,466
2 48, 509
3 8,840 }
12, 099
25, 151
310, 544

-15, 259
+536
-275
+181
+2, 761
+151
-11,905

1 Number affiliated with the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, 153,362.
s Number affiliated with Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, 3,330; with All-Canadian Congress of
Labor, 25,221.
3 Number affiliated with Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, 5,739; with All-Canadian Congress of
Labor, 3,101.

The figures for the membership of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada
are 21,294 greater than that claimed by that organization, the explanation being
that the respective affiliated bodies in reporting to the department included
all members who were in good standing, while the congress only reported the
number of members for whom per capita tax had been received. Besides the
affiliated membership of central organizations the Trades and Labor Congress
has 42 directly chartered local unions with a combined membership of 5,739.
The figures for the All-Canadian Congress indicate an affiliated membership of
central bodies of 25,221, which with the membership of 3,101 comprised in the
31 directly chartered local unions, gives, * * * , a total of 28,322 members.

The number and percentage distribution of 310,544 members of
labor organizations in Canada in 1931, by trade groups, is as follows:
T a b le 2 —N U M B E R AND P E R C E N T A G E D IS T R IB U T IO N OF M E M B E R S IN CANADIAN

LA BO R ORGANIZATIONS, 1931
Trade group

Number
of mem­
bers

Railroad employment
_ ...
Building trades__________
_ ___ - . ____
_
_____ ______________
Public employment personal service and amusement trades_________ ____
Mining and quarrying______ -.
_ ______
_
___________ .
Other transportation and navigation-.
_ _ _____
_______ _ _
Metal trade’s
_ - __________________ ________________
Clothing, boot and shoe trades________________ _ ______________
_ ___
.
Printing and paper-making trades__ -, ________
All other trades and general labor___
_________________
________ ___
Total - _____
- ______ ____
__ _____ ___

90, 356
36, 744
33, 530
23, 111
22, 873
17, 802
15, 680
14,965
55, 483
310, 544

Per cent
29.10
11.83
10.80
7.44
7.37
5.73
5.05
4.82
17.87
100. 00

1 Canada. Department of Labor. Twenty-first annual report on labor organization in Canada (for the
calendar year 1931). Ottawa, 1932, pp. 244, 247.

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There are 82 international craft organizations with branches or
members in the Dominion, the following 12 having 5,000 or more
members in that country in 1931:
Membership
in Canada

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees_______ ____________ 17, 440
United Mine Workers of America__________________________________ 17, 100
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America________________________ 13, 316
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen_________________________________ 13, 278
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners_______ ;______________ 11, 553
International Association of Machinists_____________________________
8, 648
Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway, Bus, and
8, 549
Coach Empkwees of America____________________________________
8, 138
Order of Railroad Telegraphers____________________________________
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen_________________ 6 , 020
5, 671
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers______________________________
5, 411
American Federation of Musicians_________________________________
5, 000
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America_________________________

Among the Canadian organizations there are two with more than
5,000 members— the Canadian Brotherhood of Kailway Employees,
reporting a membership of 17,350 in 1931, and the Trades and Labor
Congress of Canada with 5,739 members of directly chartered unions.

Annual Congress of Federation of Japanese Labor
H E General Federation of Japanese Labor held its twentieth
annual convention at Tokyo, November 15—17, 1931. Approxi­
mately 300 delegates were in attendance. 1
The congress decided that vigorous action should be taken to bring
about the enactment of trade-union legislation for the purpose of
halting the continued increase in the number of industrial disputes
and of placing industrial relations on a rational foundation. The
convention also favored the establishment of the 8-hour day and the
abolition of overtime in order to aid in reducing unemployment.
In addition it was decided that public works should be developed and
legislation passed providing unemployment insurance and retirement
allowances.
At the time the report was made only 8 per cent of the workers were
organized and the congress resolved to carry on an energetic campaign
to increase trade-union membership to 100,000. (In August, 1931,
the General Federation had 44,219 members.) I t was proposed that
the federation should endeavor to amalgamate all labor organizations
opposed to extremist measures, in cooperation with the Japan Labor
Club and the Commission for the Promotion of Labor Legislation, in
which the General Federation has membership. The congress em­
phasized the need for haste in ratifying the international labor con­
vention.
M r. K . Matsuoka will again serve as principal secretary and Mr. B.
Suzuki as adviser. Members of the central executive committee were
elected or reelected. The office of president, however, was not
filled.

T

i International Labor Office. Industrial and Labor Information, Geneva, Jan. 25, 1932, pp. 89, 90.


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FAMILY ALLOWANCES
London Conference on Family Allowances

O

N April 29-30, 1932, a conference on family allowances was held
at the London School of Economics. Delegates were in attend­
ance from trade-unions, the political parties, teachers’ organizations,
cooperative guilds, women’s citizens’ associations, townswomen’s
guilds, societies for equal citizenship, workers’ educational associa­
tions, civil service associations, the Federation of Professional Workers,
the British Social Hygiene Council, the Birth Control International
Information Center, the National Council of Social Service, the
British Commonwealth League, the Women Public Health Officers’
Association, the Ethical Union, the National Association for the
Prevention of Infant Mortality, the Institute of Labor Management,
and the Eugenics Society.
The Family Endowment Chronicle (London) of May, 1932, from
which the above information was taken, states that no vote was taken
at these sessions but that “ I t was clear th at the need for some more
adequate provision for children was strongly felt, and although there
was the usual divergence of opinion on the method, there seemed more
readiness than in the past to overstep political barriers and not to
consider any scheme by which the principle of family allowances
might be applied.”
A résumé of various papers presented at this conference is given
below :1
Sir William Beveridge, speaking on “ Some Economic Aspects of
the Fam ily,” stated that he was led to support family allowances
because they seemed to him a right and essential part of the redistri­
bution of the national dividend— an opening up of another channel
through which the nation’s wealth can flow. He referred to the chan­
nel of wages, the channel of management, the channel of interest on
money loaned, and the channel of taxation. The speaker explained
that in regard to wages, “ We say : ‘ Part of the national dividend shall
be spent to pay for labor.’ ” In regard to the children we take the
position that the individual can spend his money on having and sup­
porting children if he so desires. This advocate for family allowances,
however, contends “ that part of the national dividend must be spent
on the rearing and upbringing of children. We must make certain
that part of the good things we produce should be mortgaged to the
bringing up of the next generation.”
The speaker also cited the following two reasons for family allow­
ances, which he considered very practical :
1.
Considering the state of our production and structural needs in this country,
there is no other means of diminishing poverty so rapidly. Poverty arises, essen­
tially, when people have children to bring up.
i Except where otherwise noted, data are from Family Endowment Chronicle, London, May, 1932.

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2.
It is a practical means of dealing with the difficult modern problem of equal­
ity of payment for men and women. If you say to a man or a woman, “ We pay
so much for doing this work and then add so much for a family,” you get right
around it. Here at the school of economics we have equal pay accompanied by
a system of family allowances, and members of the staff who have children get
very substantial additions to their salaries while the children are being brought up.

He was of the opinion also that family allowances could be helpful
in the future in solving the problem of the economic dependence of the
married woman and the population problem. Western countries are
confronted with a decrease or disappearance of population. Family
allowances should remove the economic motive which tends toward
the excessive limitation of families.
Family Allowances in Practice

New South W ales.— An account of the introduction and operation of
the family-allowance system in New South Wales was given by A. C.
Willis. During 1928-29, he reported, there were 48,720 claims, and
„ endowment was payable to approximately 42,000 families at June 30,
1929, the fortnightly liability being £56,808 2 ($276,456). Mr. Willis
said he understood that the New South Wales Government is consid­
ering the introduction of a legislative proposal to raise the tax rate
on wages to 2 per cent. In conclusion, this speaker declared that
wherever a family allowance system has been in operation “ it is one
of the greatest blessings ever bestowed upon children.”
New Z ealand.—A report on the New Zealand family allowance act
of 1926 was made by C. Burdekin, who said that the actual expendi­
ture under the law in that country was much less than the original
estimate— £260,000 ($1,265,290) for 50,000 children. In 1927—28,
£37,652 ($183,233) was disbursed in respect of 10,000 children living
in 3,000 families. In 1930-31 the number of families benefiting
increased to 4,617 and the cost to £63,608 ($309,548). The estimated
cost for 1931-32 is £121,000 ($588,847), the great increase being due
to the cut in incomes resulting from the industrial depression.
The National Expenditure Commission set up by the Government to report as
to what economies could be effected to meet the present difficult situation, rec­
ommended, among other measures, the cessation of the allowances. But it is
by no means certain that the Government will adopt this part of the report, even
as an emergency measure.

Belgium .—The progress of the family-allowance movement in Bel­
gium was traced by M. Forthomme, who toward the close of his paper
gave a brief analysis of the act of August 4, 1930, which made general
the system of family allowances in that country. This law, he
explained, was put into effect gradually and did not become operative
in its entirety until January 1, 1932. The estimated annual cost to
employers is 400,000,000 francs 3 ($11,120,000).
This legislation affects 400,000 employers and 2,200,000 wage
earners. The total population of Belgium is approximately 9,000,000.
According to M. Forthomme, it was not possible to determine the
effect of family allowances on population. The birth rate has been
going down and, in his opinion, it would probably have been lower
still if there had been no foreign emigration into Belgium. In his
2 Conversions into United States currency on basis of pound at par=$4.8665.
2 Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc at par=2.78 cents.

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opinion “ family allowances have probably acted on the quality
rather than the quantity of the population. Belgium has already
the largest proportional population in the world, and there is a differ­
ence of opinion on the desirablilty of increasing it.”
The Future of Family Allowances

E v e n in the face of Great Britain’s present national stringent
economic policy in regard to social services, Mrs. M ary Stocks main­
tained that “ there are some hopes for family allowances.” She
suggested that some well-organized and self-contained industry
might be obliged to adopt on its own initiative a family-allowance
system “ as a counsel of despair rather than a counsel of perfection.”
Referring to the argument sometimes advanced by trade-unionists,
that the putting into operation of a sectional scheme might prejudice
the establishment of a large national system, Mrs. Stocks reasoned
that the tendency would be rather to develop the sectional scheme
on a national scale, many nationalized social services, for example,
social insurance, having been initiated as volunteer sectional schemes.
At the same time, this speaker conceded, the prospect for family
allowances for wage earners is not very bright. The possibilities of
such grants for professional people seem more encouraging.
Take, for example, the teachers. They have suffered a disproportionately
large dose of “ equality of sacrifice.” Therefore the question of family allowances
has become a practical one. The Burnham Committee will be considering it.
Discussion of it is permeating the profession. Lord Burnham himself has said
that it is a possible solution that deserves consideration. * * *
Any scheme for teachers could be applied to civil servants.
U n iv ersity te a c h in g .— There are two hopeful features in the situation: (1) The
existing superannuation scheme of the A. U. T. would provide the necessary
machinery; (2) the fact that there is already a scheme in operation among the
teachers at the School of Economics.
T h e c h u r c h .— The Wesleyans have had a scheme for 150 years. The Church
of England has the machinery for a scheme in the central pool which it admin­
isters for bringing up salaries of the lower-paid clergy to a standard minimum;
this might be the basis for a family-allowance scheme. A most peculiarly ripe
field for a large experiment in family allowances.

As to lawyers, doctors, business executives, all persons who live
on fees, royalties, etc., Mrs. Stocks said that it would be no easy
task to devise any machinery for the establishment of family allow­
ances other than a universal system. Voluntary insurance would
be of assistance to a substantial number of such professional peo­
ple, she stated, and something further might be done in the m at­
ter of tax allowances. After pointing out what, in her judgment,
the future offers, she proceeded to outline what she considered the
needs of the future. In this connection she advocated the raising of
£100,000,000 ($486,650,000) per annum for expending on family
allowances. Such allowances should be paid to mothers, regardless
of the fathers’ occupations or wages, for all children of school age
wherever the income is under the income-tax standard. In this way,
the speaker claimed, one of the most flagrant results of maldistri­
bution would be met, and purchasing power would be put into the
hands of the mothers of the working class who have shown in the past
that they can use such power well. The Nation “ would get a very
good dividend from this investment—in human material, in the well­
being and happiness of the mothers and children.”

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Joseph L. Cohen asserted that the most effective and cheapest way
of providing family allowances was on an insurance basis. “ Nobody ”
he reported, “ says that we can not have such a scheme, that it is
impracticable or financially heavy.” I t could, he maintained, be
operated by weekly contributions of from 9d. to Is. 6d. (18 cents to
37 cents) from the worker, the employer, and the Government respec­
tively. This would make it possible to grant from 3s. to approxi­
mately 6s. ($0.73 to $1.46) per week for each child.
Mr. Cohen also pointed out that quick changes are being effected
in the actual wage level of the working class. The cost-of-living
index, he said, had declined 20 per cent in the last three years, and
it might now be possible to have a rise of 20 or 30 per cent in the cost
of fixing as a result of the abandonment of the gold standard. He
was of the opinion that it would be much easier to adopt a familyallowance scheme when conditions are so fluid. He declared that
“ Family allowances are the only proposal at the moment for dealing
with the problem of poverty—for an immediate substantial improve­
ment in working-class conditions.”
We have been forced back to this idea of the family as the social group. That
is, the State says: “ You, as a family, must keep together and support one another.”
How can the State go so far, forcing people in this way to support one another,
yet say at the same time: “ We don’t really care as to the conditions of the family,
whether the father or mother are earning enough, or what housing conditions,
etc., they are forced into” ?

The biological aspects of family allowances were discussed by R.
A. Fisher,4 whose conclusion is that two wholly different lines of
scientific investigation have combined to focus attention upon “ a
single anomalous feature in our economic system— the great differ­
ences in standard of living between persons performing the same
economic services, but having different family responsibilities.”
From the economic viewpoint, he holds, we may regard this anomaly
as wasteful— one of the principal causes of economic waste as, accord­
ing to Sir William Beveridge, the institution of family allowances con­
stitutes the greatest single possible step towards abolishing poverty;
as unjust in that the differential rewards are not bestowed because
of social services rendered while the necessary social service of repro­
duction, and particularly the service of mothers, is given no recog­
nition; and as demoralizing because any widespread injustice is bound
to be.
From the biological angle the same social anomaly is found to have,
Doctor Fisher suggests, “ the peculiarly pernicious effect of segregating
the heritable factors which make for a low rate of reproduction, and of
uniting them with all such socially valuable qualities as enables the
citizen successfully to play his part in social cooperation.”
The fact that the same remedial measures should be suggested by
the two different lines of investigation is the more striking, Doctor
Fisher holds, as the grounds on which such inquiries are based are
wholly independent and undoubtedly are not a resultant of any
sympathetic approach of ideas between economists and biologists.
4In the May, 1932, issue of the Family Endowment Chronicle, in which various papers presented at the
family allowance conference are published, it is stated that Doctor Fisher’s contribution is not included as
his views on the biological case for family allowances had appeared so recently in that journal. The above
r6sum6 of his views is based on a reprint of an article from the November, 1931, number of the Chronicle.


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WORKERS’ EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND
PLACEMENT
Scientific Placement of the Handicapped
H E hope of employment for the great m ajority of handicapped
people lies in specialized jobs—not in occupations and trades,
Dr. Charles A. Prosser, director of the Dunwoody Industrial Institute,
Minneapolis, suggests in the February, 1932, number of the Rehabili­
tation Review. The following techniques for the placement of
persons with disabilities are taken from his article:

T

Job Analysis

M otion study is necessary to determine what motions are called
for on different jobs, and handicaps must be studied to ascertain
whether an individual with a particular disability can perform the
motions of a particular job. In considering the placement of a
handicapped worker the first question to be answered is, “ What has
he left in the way of physical ability to do things—what motions
can he still perform as well as an unhandicapped worker?” The
second inquiry to be made is, “ What job or jobs require only the
motions that he can still perform?”
The records of an employment office which undertakes the placing of
handicapped persons should include immediate information regarding
job possibilities for particular handicaps and the employers who have
these jobs. If the applicant has had experience in a special line or
occupation prior to injury, earnest efforts should, of course, be made
to utilize his previous experience by securing him another job that he
can do with success in that line. The files should provide information
on cases of this kind.
Such a record should also show readily the kind of jobs that he can not perform
successfully with his handicap. This will avoid wasting his time and effort in
school training for a job which he can never fill satisfactorily; or the discourage­
ment of failure in a job in which he should never have been placed; or the loss of
confidence by the employer in the placement service and in further proposals that
he take on a handicapped man. Those responsible for placing the handicapped
not only need to be familiar with the files. Obviously they need also to be
familiar, as the result of visitation, with the jobs themselves.
Case Study

I n a d d i t i o n to the physical requirements of jobs, there are other
demands which vary with the job as much as the handicapped
workers themselves vary in the nature and extent of their disability,
and in their personal characteristics and assets. A personal interview
with the individual to be placed is, therefore, highly important for
determining the kind and degree of his native ability, education,
health, strength, appearance, former employment, record, and
personality.
Fundamental Policy

T he policy of placing the handicapped through charitable or quasicharitable appeal is doomed to failure, according to Doctor Prosser.
If such a course is once established,’ all hope of developing a scientific
110

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W O R K E R S ’ ED U C A TIO N , T R A IN IN G , AND P L A C E M E N T

111

system of placing the handicapped in suitable permanent jobs must
be abandoned. The only efficient procedure is to say to employers:
We recognize that business is operated on an economic, competitive basis.
We propose to place handicapped persons only on those jobs which they can do
satisfactorily in spite of the handicap. As a result of our study of the job and the
man, we believe that he can do this job successfully. If on trial he can not, drop
him and we will find you another who can. We will make some mistakes but we
are trying to reduce them to a minimum. In many ways a handicapped worker
who has been placed on a job that he can do, will constitute a specially valuable
employee for you. Help us and let us help you find and adjust such men.

Placement offices which follow the above method will discover that
not only foremen but higher officials become more and more interested
in assisting handicapped workers to learn jobs they can do with effi­
ciency. Consequently, a special market is developed for the products
of such employment agencies. I t should be emphasized, however,
the author states, that this policy is based on a recognition of the fact
that certain handicapped people are unemployable and that such
group requires defining so that its members may be provided for
through other means than pay-roll jobs.
Facing Essential Facts

scientific placement of the handicapped also requires clear
recognition of a number of facts concerning the problem in the mass.
In the judgment of the author, over four-fifths of the handicapped
people who are employable must be placed, if at all, on ordinary
jobs and not in skilled occupations, trades, or professions in agricul­
ture, commerce, industry, or transportation. Nearly all the jobs for
which they are fitted are of a type for which no school can or does
give training, but jobs for which these handicapped persons must be
instructed by the foreman. The foreman is likely to be the only
vocational teacher for the great mass of handicapped persons. For
this large majority placement on specialized jobs must be made for
the most part without school training, as most of these disabled
persons are obliged to have immediate employment. They have no
money to tide them over while being trained. Assuming they are fit
for the employment for which it is proposed to give them school
training, thorough training is required if they are to hold their own
with normal competitors. “ Fly-by-night” courses for handicapped
people are, the writer of the article states, a waste of both money
and time.
However, for handicapped persons who obviously have aptitude
and capacity, school training should be given whenever possible, for
those occupations for which they are adapted and for the securing
of which school training is a requisite, preparation, or an advantage
which warrants the effort and money expenditure.
In the opinion of the author, the present tendency is toward school­
ing too many persons of inferior or mediocre ability in trades or
occupations in which they will not be able to attain success and in
which they would not be successful even if they were not handicapped.
In so far as this is the trend, these disabled people would be aided
much more by immediate placement on specialized jobs which they
could successfully fill. “Ju st why so many handicapped people have
been put in schools to learn trades, no one has yet explained. A
trade requires a physically capable man, and a successful mechanic
requires about as much brains as a schoolmaster!”
T

he


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112

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

“ The handicapped man must be made worth more above the neck”
is a sound slogan theoretically, but practically the theory fails when
the effort is made to educate the handicapped for positions for which
they have neither the requisite mental ability nor physical capacity.
The author has known of cases in which the outcome was perilously
close to being an exploitation of the disabled victim.
The Challenge

I n contrast with the typical normal worker in need of employ­
ment, the typical handicapped man has a number of definite charac­
teristics which placement officials must know and consider as neces­
sary facts in the case. On the average, the disabled candidate has
been out of work for a longer period, his financial resources are more
limited, and he is less vigorous physically, has a greater inferiority
complex and a lower industrial and social morale.
For the normal unemployed, a perfunctory placement service is
bad enough; for the handicapped jobless the writer regards it as
“ deplorable.” The placement of the latter will become scientific
only as it is founded on facts concerning the requirements of jobs
and as its procedures are adjusted to the characteristics and needs of
those who want work but also require special service to find and
retain work.
The problem challenges the best thinking, planning, and effort of all those
engaged in the rehabilitation of disabled persons. The issues at stake, the im­
provement that needs to be made, and the difficulties involved, provide a field
of service large enough for all interests and all agencies, public and private.
Above all else, we need a recognition of the situation, free and constructive ex­
perimentation, and tireless effort.

The progress made in the movement for the rehabilitation of
civilians the author regards as gratifying. In reference to the whole
problem of the handicapped, he believes that the least satisfactory
progress has been in the m atter of their placement. He counsels that
at present there should be no formalizing of procedure nor crystallizing
of routine policies and methods. I t is a time for taking stock, check­
ing results, and improving policies and programs. I t will finally be
found that the scientific placement of the handicapped “ is not a
perfunctory, swivel-chair, time-clock or even a card-index task, but
a personal, intimate, discriminating, individualized service which is
based on facts.”

Rehabilitation of the Unemployed in a Small City
H E part that education or lack of education has played in the
existing depression can not be measured statistically, but those
in close touch with placement problems realize that the rehabilita­
tion of the unemployed is at least to some degree an educational re­
sponsibility. This fact is brought out in a brief account of how the
workers in adult education in Williamsport, Pa., successfully co­
operated with the local chamber of commerce employment committee,
published in the Journal of Adult Education, April, 1932.
The committee undertook a thorough investigation of unemploy­
ment, and suggested an educational cure. As there was already an
adequate adult-education program included in the school system, the
committee had recourse to the schools for aid, thus laying the foun­
dation for the expansion of a valuable community service. I t was

T


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W O R K E R S ’ ED U C A T IO N , T R A IN IN G , AND P L A C E M E N T

113

found that approximately 85 per cent of the unemployed men had
sufficient intelligence and native skill to perform semiskilled or skilled
work if they could be given the requisite training. Fortunately, the
employment prospects for such workers, provided they could qualify,
were reasonably good. The survey also showed that, as in certain
other communities, unemployment among older men was not so
serious as is ordinarily supposed. In Williamsport, which has a
population of 47,000, technological unemployment was not so striking.
A very considerable majority of those continuously out of work were
in the common labor class, and almost every one of them had no
specific job training.
There were not many high school or college graduates who were
having unemployment difficulties, although recent graduates who
had not been firmly established in desirable jobs before the severe
industrial slump were not finding it altogether easy to get work.
One of the outstanding problems was that constituted by youthful
workers who had left school as soon as they could and who had no
special job training and were competing with family men in the
field of common labor.
W ith these facts as a basis, the committee concentrated its initial
efforts on the retraining of those whose possibilities for employment
could be appreciably increased by specific Jo b training. A little
more than six months prior to the preparation of the report under
review the rehabilitation program was inaugurated. Since the
emergency demanded immediate action, there was no time for devis­
ing a complete educational scheme. The work was started with the
men and means at hand, with the understanding, however, that
changes in procedure would be made in accordance with the dictates
of experience. This has proved an excellent method, as it is probable
that no adequate grasp of the requirements of the men could have
been obtained without experimental classes. The scheme includes
the following four steps: (1) Individual diagnosis to disclose the
failure characteristics which nearly always exist in cases of protracted
unemployment; (2) retraining to eliminate these failure character­
istics; (3) placement as a final objective of the program; and (4)
follow-up in order to insure a reasonable permanence after placement
and to ascertain the results of the instruction given._
Diagnosis is reported as relatively simple, consisting chiefly of a
series of interviews, some inquiry into the previous record of the
applicant, and occasional trade tests of the performance type.^ Diag­
nosis, however, continues even after the trainee is on a paying job.
As the individual advances through a school various personal data
are recorded, such information being appreciated by employers when
they are considering the trainee for a position.
In retraining, the usual technique of adult education is closely
followed except that sufficient allowance must be made for _the
learning handicaps of men, the majority of whom have done little
studying of any kind for years. At first instruction was given in
the evening but later on was shifted to Saturday morning. Classes
are again being held at night, mainly because of the restricted dayschool facilities but also because the men were reluctant to give up
their daily search for odd jobs. (Classes as a rule are confined to
jobless men.) The greater part of the work is individual and aims
to eliminate as quickly as possible the failure characteristics found

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114

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

by the diagnosis. Insufficient job training is the common obstacle
to employment but personal defects frequently create difficult problems
in the m atter of placement. The instructors for this task of re­
habilitation are experienced teachers of adults with ability to lead
and cheer, in addition to their skills and technical information. The
inspiration of the right kind of a teacher is of inestimable value when
students do not have enough will power to persevere in any direc­
tion without a great deal of encouragement.
For the purpose of school organization, trainees are grouped in classes for study
and practice in machine-tool operation, electrical construction, blue-print read­
ing, heavy-truck driving, business practice, printing, mathematics, English,
show-card writing. Also, groups are organized for particular industries. For
example, a group of unemployed recent high-school graduates was organized
into a rubber footwear training group to meet the request of a local manufacturer
for employees of a higher educational level.

Placement is probably the most important step in the whole
undertaking. The school employs a full-time coordinator, and
there is very close contact with the industries of Williamsport. At
the time of the preparation of the report, the school had placed ap­
proximately 30 per cent of the total of 300 enrolled men. Practi­
cally all of those registered in October, 1931, had been permanently
placed when the present data were compiled, and at that time many
of the newer students were scheduled for employment as soon as
they attained the degree of skill required by the school. An im­
portant function of the coordinator is to help trainees to change
attitudes or conditions which have resulted in their having unfavor­
able personal records in plantsin which they were previously employed.
In order to facilitate a student’s securing interviews with prospec­
tive employers, he carries a little identification card. Where definite
jobs are available the director or coordinator selects a desirable man
and sends him to the establishment with “ a request for interview”
blank, which is always effective. Instructions as to the manner of
applying for a job are included in the training process in individual
cases. A weekly report on each student’s cumulative attendance
is furnished to local employers.
The final follow-up is done chiefly by the coordinator, who sees
each man on the job at least once after he is placed. As a result of
this follow-up there is often a modification or complete reorganiza­
tion of some of the training work.
The word “ retraining” has been used freely, but as a matter of fact it does
not accurately describe the work of the school. The program is one of upgrading
and reinstatement rather than of actual retraining for new jobs. Unless the old
occupation has disappeared entirely, men are usually fitted for better jobs in it,
or better fitted for their old jobs. In no case are men accepted for training in
occupations where there is normally a surplus of properly trained workers. The
placement step serves as an excellent check against retraining for nonexistent jobs.

The Williamsport adult education workers feel th at the scheme of
rehabilitating the unemployed in their city is “ a going thing.” Apart
from the actual service to the community, the work gives promise
of exerting a wide influence upon the local educational system.
Gradually the man on the street is beginning to realize the relation
between the schoolhouse and his earnings. Leaders in the commu­
nity are growing interested in an improved school program and
have indicated their intention of providing the requisite financial
backing.

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COOPERATION
Sales of Consumers’ Cooperative Societies in 1931
H E Bureau of Labor Statistics has reports from 21 retail distribu­
tive, 2 wholesale, and 35 cooperative oil societies in the United
States— 58 societies in all. These did a combined business in 1931 of
$10,284,332, on which a net saving of $476,833 was made.
Of the retail distributive societies, reports for both 1930 and 1931
are available as to business for 18 and as to net saving for 16. For
this group average sales per society declined from $332,843 to $277,692
or 16.6 per cent. Inasmuch as retail prices of food (handled by most
of these societies) declined 16.2 per cent from 1930 to 1931, this decline
in average sales per society is practically all accounted for by the
decline in prices. Despite economic conditions two societies in this
group reported increased sales. Average net gain per society fell
from $11,238 to $6,975; in 5 cases, however, greater net profits were
realized on the 1931 than on the 1930 business.
As regards the gasoline and oil associations, average sales for the
12 societies that reported for both years fell from $83,856 to $82,275;
exactly half of the societies, however, had a larger amount of business
in 1931 than in 1930. Average net gain fell from $14,223 to $10,739,
with only one society reporting a greater profit in 1931 than in 1930.
The following table shows, by type of society and State, the mem­
bership, sales, and net gain in 1931.

T

M E M B E R S H IP , SA LES, AND N E T SAVINGS OF C O N SU M ER S’ C O O PER A T IV E
SO C IE T IE S , 1931
Num­
ber of
socie­ Members Amount of sales
ties re­
porting

Type of society, and State

Retail distributive societies:
Illinois------ --------------- -----Michigan_____
-- --- --- Minnesota___ - ________ ______ _______ --- Wisconsin___________________ ________________

2
2
12
5

i 2, 037
i 619
3 4, 284
«

Total . -------- ---------- ------------------ — ----

21

Wholesale societies-----------------------------------------------

2

Gasoline and oil associations:
Colorado. _ --------- --- --- - --- --------Kansas------------------------- --------------------Minnesota_____
_________________________
Nebraska______ - ----------------------Wisconsin.................- ..................................................

1
1
IS
5
10

412
(5)
io 2, 415
(s)
la 872

Total________________________ ____ ___ _____

35

Grand to ta l-..---- --

58

11 society only.

---- -- ---------

----------

5 In 1 society includes only trade rebates, and inteiest on capital.
3 2 societies only.
1 10 societies only.
6 No data.
e 4 societies only.
1 19 societies.


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Net gain

$835,024
530,811
3,515,190
285, 422

$31, 592
2 30, 811
1 73, 907
9, 538

6 6,940

5,166, 447

1 145,848

6 2G4

3, 080, 780

» 51, 271

74,659
38, 937
1,171, 432
293, 761
458, 316

0)
(5)
169, 504
49, 939
60, 271

« 3, 699

2, 037,105

279, 714

10, 903

10,284, 332

476,833

h

8 Member societies.
9 In 1 society includes only amount rebated on
purchases.
19 4 societies.
1117 societies.
12 3 societies.
13 8 societies.

115

116

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

Development of International Cooperative Alliance, 1929 and
1930 1
A T TH E end of 1931 the cooperative movements in 41 countries
XTLwere affiliated to the International Cooperative Alliance. The
77,500 cooperative societies in these countries had a combined
membership of more than 70,000,000 persons.
No details are given as to the various types of societies in this
world-wide movement for 1931, but they are now available for 1929
and 1930 and summary data for those two years are given below.
Table 1 shows the number of societies of each type, with their
membership and business in 1930.
T a b le 1 .— M E M B E R S H IP AND B U SIN E SS OF C O O PER A T IV E S O C IE T IE S , 1930

Number of
societies

Type of society

21, 051
37
1, 095
24, 323
835
28,351
19
28

Business

Members
64, 519, 390
132, 990
1, 879, 614
171, 408
7,107,369

$8, 032, 730, 088
6, 889, 728, 707
118,793, 401
457,053, 310
10,878, 632
« 020, 313, 255

&14, 229, 938

75, 739
« Loans granted.
6 Policyholders.

Table 2 gives comparative data for the two years, 1929 and 1930, for
the various types of societies.
T a b le 3 .—D E V E L O P M E N T OF C O O PER A T IV E SO C IE T IE S, 1929 AND 1930

Productive societies
Item

Number of societies:
1929 _________________
1930 _________________
Number of members:
1929 _________________
1930 _________________
Paid-in share capital:
1929 _________________
1930 _________________
Reserves:
1929 _________________
1930 _________________
Business done:
1920____________________
1930____________________
Value of goods manufactured:
1929 ___________ _____
1930 _________________

Retail con­
sumers’ societies

Wholesale
societies

38, 526
21,051

(•)

48, 655,918
64,519,390

C)
(«)

Workers’
productive
societies

37

1,220
1,071

Productive
societies of
consumers’
organizations

25
24

136,221
132,990

$740, 092, 707
$914, 917,899

$124,459,599
$188,323, 447

$12,019,574
$10, 980, 741

$17,434,888
$18,428,706

$276, 902,273
$314,849,410

$205, 741,858
$277,056,317

$5,783,446
$6,225,446

$5,578,849
$7,859,208

$6, 733,472, 230
$8,032, 730,088

$6, 205,364,477
$6,889, 728, 707

$62,962, 680
$47,145, 654

$74,558,790
$71, 647, 747

$279,689,712
$283,145,998

$870,536,339
$747,209,063

«N o data.
i Data are from Review of International Cooperation (London), issues of March, April, and May, 1932.


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117

CO O PERA TIO N

T a b l e 2 . — D E V E L O P M E N T OF C O O P E R A T IV E S O C IE T IE S , 1929 AND 1930-Continued

Agricultural Miscellane­
ous socie­
societies
ties

Item

Number of societies:
1929 _ _________________________
1930____________________________
Number of members:
1929
1930
Paid-in share capital:
1929
1930
Reserves:
1929
1930
Business done:
1929
1930

(>)
2 24,323

0)

835

3 1,953,687
3 1,879,614

(')
171,408

$4,260,519
‘ $3,229,093

(>)
$2,977,602

Credit
societies

Insurance
societies

(')
28,351

0)

Banks

24
19

28

6, 220,133 413,151,845
7,107,369 414, 229,938
$114,765,385
$140,448,825
$52, 965,132
$14, 946,112

$14, 320, 265
$19,207,555

« $77,427,889
$533, 003,325
0)
$457,053, 310 $10,878,632 3$620,313,255

«$399, 792,426
6$521,881,002

$18,176,280
$12, 716, 734

(0
$1,192,959

1 No data.
2 Local and central.
3 Members of local societies.
4 Number of policyholders.
5 Loans granted.
6 Deposits.

Cooperative Marketing of Agricultural Products in Palestine 1
H E cooperative movement of Palestine dates from the passage of
the cooperative law of October, 1920. Since that time 249
societies have been formed under the act, of which 49 are agricultural
associations, 82 are land-purchase and building societies, and 55 are
credit societies. There are also 14 cooperative dairies not registered
under the act.
The table following shows for 20 of the agricultural cooperative
associations the membership and share capital on M ay 31, 1930. Of
these 20 associations, 9 market all sorts of crops, while 6 limit them­
selves to one commodity only, as for instance grapes, or oranges, or
poultry, etc.

T

T a b le 1 — M E M B E R S H IP AND SH A RE C A PITA L OF C O O PER A T IV E A G R IC U L T U R A L

SO C IE T IE S IN P A L E S T IN E , M AY 31, 1930

Type of society

Marketing societies handling—

Number Number
of socie­ of members Share capital
ties

9
6
3
2

597
509
182
1,395

$66,895
1 54, 865
63,480
17,050

20

2,683

202,290

1 5 societies.

I t is stated that practically all of the almond and wine-grape crop,
about 80 per cent of the milk, eggs, poultry, and vegetables, and 40
per cent of all the oranges raised in Palestine are marketed through
cooperative channels. The annual value of the Jewish agricultural
products so marketed is over $2,175,000; of this approximately
$1,500,000 worth is exported.
1 Data are from report of H. Gordon Minnigerode, American vice consul at Jerusalem, Nov. 6,1931.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

118

Table 2 shows the value of the various crops handled cooperatively
in specified seasons.
T a bl e 2 .—V ALU E OF CRO PS M A R K E T E D C O O P E R A T IV E L Y IN P A L E S T IN E

Commodity

Milk, dairy products, vegetables, eggs, poultry, honey, grapes, and bananas----


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Period

Value of crop
marketed

1929-30
1929-30
1929-30
1929-30
1928-29
1928-29

$175,000
350, 000
875, 000
750, 000
50.000
25.000
2, 225,000

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
S trik es and L o ck o u ts in th e U n ited S ta te s in M ay, 1932

ATA regarding industrial disputes in the United States for May,
1932, 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, 1930, and 1931, the number of workers involved and man days
lost for these years and for each of the months, January, 1930, to
M ay, 1932, inclusive, as well as the number of disputes in effect at
the end of each month and the number of workers involved. The
number of man days lost as given in the last column of the table,
refers to the estimated number of working-days lost by workers in­
volved in disputes which were in progress during the month or year
specified.

D

T a b l e 1 .—IN D U ST R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN AND IN E F F E C T AT EN D OF EACH

M ON TH, JA N U A R Y, 1930, TO M AY, 1932, AND T O T A L N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S , W O R K ­
E R S , AND M AN-DAYS LO ST IN T H E Y E A R S 1927 TO 1931

Number of disputes
Month and year

Beginning
in month
or year

1929: Total
1980* Total
1931 * Total

1930
F eb ru ary ...____________ _______ ______
M a rc h ________
___ - - - -----------

Ju ly___________________________________
September___ _______ -- ------- -- ------December___________ ____

______ ____

1931

____ _ - ----------------1932

M a y 1___________________________
1 Preliminary figures subject to change.


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37, 799, 394
31,556,947
9,975,213
2, 730,368
6,386,183

349,434
357,145
230,463
158,114
279*299

734
629
903
653
894

1927- Total

1928: Total

December_____

In effect
at end of
month

Number of workers in­ Number of
volved in disputes
man-days
lost in dis­
putes ex­
isting in
Beginning In effect
in month
at end of month or
month
year
or year

45
52
49
64
66
59
78
51
72
47
44
26

21
40
38
41
29
34
30
33
44
36
29
7

9,240
37,480
15, 017
6, 379
9, 329
14,011
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

57
52
49
73
115
90
73
79
117
77
62
50

19
29
26
39
46
47
51
36
65
45
39
21

10,150
20,473
26,453
27,135
28,000
18, 795
49,434
11,019
36,092
34, 384
13, 219
4,145

2,905
10, 677
28,012
22, 687
15, 603
15, 223
56,683
14,759
37,427
29, 380
13,690
1,318

181,169
223, 660
476, 904
770, 512
400, 509
511, 926
612, 864
1,157, 013
493, 649
1,052,095
355,818
150,064

79
50
51
71
62

37
30
28
40
58

11,105
31,140
31, 966
18, 226
42,406

4,648
28, 691
11, 660
21, 228
53,280

117,298
417,966
685,949
587, 326
1,242,409

119

120

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW1
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, 1932 and the number of workers directly
involved.
T a b l e 2 .—IN D U ST R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN M A R CH , A P R IL , AND M AY, 1932

Number of disputes begin­
ning in—

Number of workers involved
in disputes beginning in—

March

March

Industrial group

B a k e rs __________ _______ .
... ...
_ __ _
Barbers_____. . . _______ . . .
Building trades______ . . . ________ _ _ __
Chauffeurs and teamsters..
__________
Clothing___________________ _
Farm labor______ _____ ____ _ _. .
. .
Fire fighters and policemen.
. . . . . _ __
Food workers. __________
_ _________
Furniture.. . _________
Glass workers___________ . . . . . . .
Hospital workers______ _____ _
Hotel and restaurant workers__ _
Iron and steel _________
Light, heat, power, and water.. . . . . . . .
Longshoremen and freight handlers. _ __
Lumber, timber, and mill work______ .
Metal trades . __________ ________ . . .
Miners . _ _____
Motion-picture operators, actors, and
theatrical workers. _______________ .
Paper and paper-goods workers . _ . . . . . .
Printing arid publishing______________ _
Shipbuilding_________________ . _
Stone_________
______ _
Municipal workers___________
______
. . __
T extiles... ______________ . . .
Tobacco___________ __
Other occupations...
________ _ _ _ __
T o ta l.. __________ ._ __________

22
4
1
1
1
1
2
5

April

May

2
i
19
4
6
1
2
2

10
1
16
7
9
3
i
i

2,212

1
i

May

10, 800

3^ 330
529
825
47

39

90
47

57

1

3
2
1
10

April

31, 051
3, 026
50
20

41

6
10

100

1, 612
23
70
7, 775

2

294
17, 112

2

38
18
14

116

89

80

650

1
1
1

2

1
7
1
2

2
1
6
1
5

3

838
14
425

1, 113

212

4

1, 407

520

51

71

62

31, 966

18, 226

42, 406

1

725
300

Size and Duration of Industrial Disputes, by Industries

T a b l e 3 gives the number of industrial disputes beginning in May,
1932, classified by number of workers and by industries.
T a b l e 3 . -N U M B E R OF IN D U ST R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN MAY, 1932, C L A SSIFIE D

B Y N U M B E R OF W O R K E R S AND B Y IN D U ST R IA L GROUPS

Number of disputes beginning in May, 1932, involving—
Industrial group

Bakers______________
B a rb ers... . . __________ . .
Building trades__________
____
Chauffeurs and teamsters
C lothing______________
Farm labor.. ___
Fire fighters and policemen . . .
Food workers__ . . . . . .
_ ...
Iron and steel______
___
Light, heat, power, ^nd water
Miners__________ _
Paper and paper-goods workers_____
Shipbuilding_________ . . .
Textiles____ __ . . . ____
Other occupations______ ______ ________
Total____ _______


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

_ ... _

6 and
under
20
workers

20 and
under
100
workers

100 and
under
500
workers

500 and
under
1,000
workers
1

5

2

2

1

10
4

4

2

1

1
1

i

6
2

1,000 and
5,000
under
workers
5,000
and
over
workers

1

2

1

1

1

1
2

1
2
1
1
1
2

10

21

24

i

4

2

1

121

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

In Table 4 are shown the number of industrial disputes ending in
May, 1932, by industries and classified duration.
T a b l e 4 .—N U M B E R OF IN D U ST R IA L D IS P U T E S EN D IN G IN M AY, 1932, B Y IN D U ST R IA L

GRO U PS AND C L A SSIFIE D D URA TIO N

Classified duration of strikes ending in May, 1932
Industrial group

One-half
month
or
less
7
8
2
5
2
1

Motion-picture operators, actors, and theatrical workers.

Over onehalf and
less than
1 month

1 month
and less
than
2 months

1
1
1

2
1
1
1
1

1
1
4
31

4 and less
than
5 months

4
3

9

1

C o n ciliatio n W ork of th e D e p a rtm e n t of L ab or in M ay, 1932
By H ugh L. K erw xn , D irecto r

op

C onciliation

H E Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer­
cised his good offices in connection with 62 labor disputes during
M ay, 1932. These disputes affected a known total of 17,038 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.
There were 19 cases involving the prevailing-rate-of-wages law.
In these cases it is not always possible to show the number involved,
due to lack of information as to total number required before com­
pletion of construction.
On June 1, 1932, there were 38 strikes before the department for
settlement and, in addition, 44 controversies which had not reached
the strike stage. The total number of cases pending were 82.

T


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

LA BO R D IS P U T E S H A N D LE D B Y T H E CO N C ILIA TIO N S E R V IC E D U R IN G T H E M ON TH OP M AY, 1932
Workmen
involved

Duration
Nature of
Company or industry and location controversy

Eleo Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Strike.

Craftsmen concerned

Shoe workers.

Discharge of 5 workers .
Recognition of workers.

Adjusted. Reinstated 3 of those
discharged.
Pending__________ _____ _______

Proposed to pay wages below pre­ ----- do_________________________
vailing rates.
Wages and reduction of force____ ----- do_______ _____________ - ___

Indi­
Beginning Ending Direct­ rectly
ly
1932

1932
May 17
285

Apr. 28

Adjusted.
Prevailing rate for May 2
plumbers fixed and accepted.
Adjusted. Accepted 10 per cent
cut, to 65 cents per hour.
Adjusted. Cut withdrawn. Equal -__do___
division of work.
Adjusted. Accepted 15 per cent M ay 5
cut.
Adjusted. Complied With wage Apr. 1
decision—$1.35 per hour.
Pending______ ______ __________

0)
3

16

Truck drivers, Connecticut and Strike_____ Truck drivers.
Wages cut 20 to 25 per cent______
New York.
Claire Knitting Mills, Austin ----- do_____ Knitters_____
Wages cut 10 per cent___________
M ay 6
Place, New Y ork, N. Y .
Container Corporation, Mana- ___ do_____ Employees__
Wages cut 33H per cent______
M ay 13
yunk, Pa.
Veterans’ hospital, Chillicothe, Controversy. Bricklayers...
Prevailing-wage discussion______
M ay 2
Ohio.
Becker Freedman Shoe Co., Threatened Shoe workersRecognition of union________ ___
Brooklyn, N. Y.
strike.
Andrew Gellar Shoe Co., Brook­ Strike_____ ----- do_______
----- do______ ____ ____________ _ ----- do____________________ _____
lyn, N. Y.
Paris Shoe Co., Brooklyn, N. Y__ ___ do_____ ----- do------------------- ----- do__________________________ ----- do_________________________
Courthouse, Portland, M e______ Controversy. Plasterers, roofers, Employment of local labor______ Adjusted. Local men employed
and metal work­
at union scale.
ers.
Laborers, Des Moines, Iowa.
Laborers__________ Wage cut and working conditions . Adjusted. Accepted 18 per cent May 5 June 3
Strike.
cut; laborers 50 cents, mortar
mixers 75 cents, hod carriers 75
cents per hour.
Post-office building, Texarkana, Controversy. Bricklayers________ Prevailing-wage discussion______ Adjusted. Bricklayers allowed May 2 May 14
$1.25 per hour.
Tex.
Post-office building, New Ken­ ___ do_____ Building workers__ Paying 30 cents per hour; prevail­ Pending_______________________
sington, Pa___________________
ing rate alleged to be 56 cents.
Post-office building, High Point, ___do_____ ___ do_____________ Prevailing-wage discussion______ ----- do_________________________
N. C
Marine hospital, Seattle, Wash.
.do.
.do.
___ do__________________________ Adjusted.
Mechanics cut 15,
laborers 10 per cent.
Federal buildings, Seattle, Wash.
do.
.do.
___ do............................ ....... ................ Adjusted. Plumbers and hod- __ do _ _ May 14
carriers cut 15 per cent.

250


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Prevailing-wage discussion______

715

(')

May

560

12

28

550

50

26
125
138

312

75
29
225

1,200

15
5
(i)
95
50

200

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

I. Miller & Sons (Inc.), Long Is -'
do.
do.
land City, N. Y .
Post-office building, St. Paul, Controversy. Building mechanics _
Minn.
O p e ra to rs, stage
Orpheum Amusement Co., New
Bedford, Mass.
hands, etc.
Post-office building, Boston, Mass_
Plumbers_________

Cause of dispute

Present status and terms of
settlement

O. O. Putney & Woodstock
Quarry, Granite, Md.
Cleaners, dyers, and drivers, New
York City.

125620o—32-

Post-office building, Hartford,
Conn.
Fisher Body Co., Tarrytown,
N. Y.
Crown Upholstery Co., Jamaica,
L. I., N. Y.
Hyman Forin Furniture Shop,
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Powell Manufacturing Co., Brook­
lyn, N. Y.

Granite workers___

Wages cut from $9 to $5 per d a y ... Unclassified. No work in progress. M ay

Cleaners, dyers, and
drivers.

Wages and union recognition____

Building workers__

Auto-body workers. _ Wage cuts on piecework_________

Adjusted. Part of wages restored. M ay

May 10

____do,........................ ____do__________________ _______ ____do___________ ______________

May 12

Knit-goods workers . Working conditions and union
recognition.

6

20

May 23

950

May

(>)
M ay 11

250

(')

M ay 10

May 26

36

M ay

May 16

126

May 17

126

1

__ do _
May

3

May 16

May 13

May 14

M ay

15
(>)
(!)
Ó)

May 12

May 12

2,600
May 17

1

(>)
(')

M ay 14

250

M ay 17
May 13

May 18

«

Apr. 26

May 12

May 14
Apr.

1,125

(')

IN D U ST K IA L D IS P U T E S


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

9

Upholstery workers. Wage cuts and union recognition.. Pending__________________ _____

Adjusted. Reinstalled piecework
on some classes, week work on
others.
Plumbers, Montclair and Verona, Lockout___ Plumbers_________ Wages cut from $12 to $10_______ Adjusted. Accepted $10.50 per
N. J.
day, 5-day week. Foreman $11
per day.
Plumbers, Orange and vicinity, ____do_____ ------ do_____________ Wages cut from $13.30 to $10 per Adjusted. Accepted $11.20 per
N. J.
day.
day.
Post-office building, Wellsville, Controversy. Bricklayers______ .*. Prevailing-wage discussion---------- Adjusted. Allowed $1.25 per hour.
N. Y.
Building workers__
Federal building, Beaumont, Tex
Pending.
Federal building, Sabine, Tex____
____do_____________
_do.
Post-office building, Fort Worth,
Bricklayers________
Adjusted. Rates fixed and ac­
Tex.
cepted.
Mishawaka Rubber Co., Misha­ Threatened Rubber workers___ Wages and working conditions___ Pending------------ ------ ---------------strike.
waka, Ind.
Post-office building, Memphis, Controversy- Building workers__ Prevailing-wage discussion______ Adjusted. Rates fixed and ac­
Tex.
cepted.
New York, Westchester & Boston
Railway workers__ Rates of pay.
Pending.
R. R. Co.
Lueddeke’s Transportation, New­
Drivers___________ Wage cuts.
,do— .
ark, N. J.
Building workers__ Prevailing-wage discussion.
Nurses’ home, Perryville, M d___
.do_________________________
Post-office building, South Bend,
Iron workers.
Adjusted. Union labor at union
_do.
Ind.
scale agreed upon.
Bricklayers.
Marine hospital, Evansville, Ind__
Adjusted. Prevailing scale fixed
_do.
and accepted.
Berger Service (Inc.), Brooklyn
Cleaners, dyers, and Asked restoration of wage cut and Pending_______________________
drivers.
union recognition.
and New York City.
G. Schimer (Inc.), Woodside,
C om positors and Wage cut 10 per cent. Part of em­
_do.
Long Island, N. Y.
pressmen.
ployees accepted cut.
Photography work­ Additional wage cuts____________ Adjusted. No further cuts. Wages
Kaiden-Kazanjian Studios, New
York City.
ers.
to be restored when practicable.
Miners____________ Wages.
Pending.___ ___________________
George F . Lee Collieries, Ply­
mouth, Pa.
Carpenters________ Working conditions.
Adjusted_______________________
Veterans’ hospital, Aspinwall, P a.
Terrazzo workers__ Wage dispute______
American Art Mosaic & Tile Co.,
Adjusted. New wage scale adopt­
ed.
Indianapolis, Ind.
1 Not reported.

2

Adjusted. Wages cut 10 per cent M ay 9
subject to further negotiation
by arbitration.
Prevailing-wage discussion_______ Pending________________________ M ay 11

8

10

65

15

20

120

180

12

May 18

May 23

May 19
May 15

May 23
May 20

75
275
21
15

to

CO

LA BO R D IS P U T E S H A N D LED B Y T H E C O N C ILIA TIO N S E R V IC E D U R IN G T H E M ONTH OF M AY, 1932—Continued

to
Workmen
involved

Duration
Nature of
Company or industry and location controversy

Controversy Reinforced-concrete
rod workers.
Strike........_. Shipbuilding work­
men.

Parcel-post building, Cincinnati, Controversy.
Ohio.
Bronne Shirt Co., Hudson Falls, Lockout___
N. Y.
Yorke Shirt Co., Glens Falls, N, Y
.do.
Post-office building, Bridgeport, Controversy.
Conn.
Printers, Pittsburgh, P a________ ___ do_____

Cause of dispute

Prevailing-wage discussion.
Wages and conditions_____

Building workers__

Wage dispute.______ ___________

Shirt cutters______

Piecework rates cut from 20 to 30
per cent.
.do.
Wage c u t...------------------------------

.do.
Bricklayers

Present status and terms of
settlement

Adjusted. Rod workers to be paid
$1.25 per hour.
Adjusted. Agreement concluded.
Men returned without discrimi­
nation.
Adjusted. Agreed pay 45 cents
per hour on June 2.
Pending_________________ _____ _
_do.
_do.

Proposed wage cut of 10 per c e n t.. Adjusted. Accepted $3.50 per
week cut.
Prevailing-wage discussion______ Adjusted. Accepted 50 cents per
Immigration Station, Detroit, ___ do_____ Iron workers.
hour.
Mich.
Pending_______________________
Building workers__ ___ do____________
Post-office building, Tamaqua, Pa. ___ do.
Unclassified. Negotiations in pro­
Meat cutters and Proposed wage cut.
Consolidated Beef Co., Philadel­ Srrike..
gress among parties at interest.
workers.
phia, Pa.
Unable to adjust. Mediation not
Brooks Bros. Co., Philadelphia, ___ do_____ U pholstery workers. Proposed 10 per cent wage cut.
accepted. Open shop effective.
Pa.
Adjusted. Resumed work at $11
Building, Philadelphia, Pa______ Controversy. Bridge, structural, Wage cuts_________________
per day.
and ornamental
iron workers.
Iron workers______ Prevailing-wage discussion______ Pending_______________________
Post-office building, Troy, N. Y__ ___ do.
Fruit and vegetable packers, Im­ Strike..
Pickers and packers. Proposed wage cut of from 9 to 7 ___ do_________________________
cents per crate.
perial.Valley, Calif.
Alleged violation of agreement,
-do.
Employees.
.do.
Coca Cola Building, Scranton, Pa_
wages, and back pay.
_do.
Employees.
Proposed wage cut______________
_do.
Butler and Capitol Theaters, B u t­
ler, Pa.
Adjusted. Agreed to pay pre­
Proposed cut by subcontractor.
Post-office building,
Boston, Threatened Plum bers..
vailing scale.
Mass.
strike.
Total.

Printers___

Indi­
Beginning Ending Direct­ rectly
ly
1932
May 1

1932
June 9

10

May 13

May 27

300

May 23

May 28

20

May 25

10

100

...d o ___
...d o ___

15

250

May

5

(')

May 16
6

425

(0

May 18

June

May 25
May 24

May 27

Apr.

6

May 24

25

May 20

May 23

30

May 10
May 1

(')

20

0

)

700

2,70

May 15
May 20
May

1

0
May

320

2
8, 393

8, 645

1 Not reported.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

!

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

Barracks, Bolling Field, Anacostia, D. C.
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corpora­
tion, East Boston, Mass.

Craftsmen concerned

HOUSING
Building Permits in Principal Cities, May, 1932
H E Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department
of Labor has received building permit reports from 352 identical
cities of the United States having a population of 25,000 or over for
the months of April and May, 1932, and from 346 identical cities
having a population of 25,000 or over for the months of M ay, 1931,
and May, 1932.
The cost figures as shown in the following tables apply to the cost
of the buildings as estimated by the prospective builder on applying
for his permit to build. No land costs are included. Only building
projects within the corporate limits of the cities enumerated are
shown. The States of Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New Jer­
sey, and Pennsylvania, through their departments of labor, are co­
operating with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in the col­
lection of these data.
Table 1 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, of additions,' alterations, and repairs,
and of total building operations for 352 identical cities of the United
States by geographic divisions.

T

T a b le 1 .— E S T IM A T E D COST OP N EW B U IL D IN G S, OF A D D IT IO N S, A L T E R A T IO N S,

AND R E P A IR S , AND OF T O T A L B U IL D IN G CO N STR U C TIO N IN 352ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S ,
AS SHOWN B Y P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932, B Y G EO G R A PH IC D IV I­
SIONS
New residential buildings (esti­
mated cost)
Geographic division
April, 1932 May, 1932

New England__________ _____ ____
Middle Atlantic__________________
East North Central___________ - _
West North Central_______ - ___
South Atlantic------------- -------------South Central____________________
Mountain and Pacific______ ______
Total ________ _________. . .

Per cent
Percent
of
April, 1932 May, 1932
of
change
change

$1,411,099
3,421,189
2,178, 313
1,079,198
1,193,120
886, 545
2,414,373

$1,111,223
2, 534,167
1,484,042
1,081,855
1,238, 690
695,911
2,094, 580

-2 1 .3
-2 5 .9
-3 1 .9
+ 0.2
+ 3 .8
-2 1 .5
-1 3 .2

$1,200, 991
11, 829, 408
4,183,252
1,074, 241
6, 662, 779
2,933, 421
2,110, 394

$1,278, 979
9, 366, 909
3, 879, 727
2, 494, 668
23, 867, 760
3, 685,609
2, 553, 484

+ 6.5
-2 0 .8
- 7 .3
+132. 2
+258. 2
+25.6
+21.0

12, 583, 837

10, 240, 468

-1 8 .6

29, 994, 486

47,127,136

+57.1

Additions, alterations, and re­
pairs (estimated cost)

Geographic division


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Total construction (estimated
cost)

Num­
ber
of
Per cent
Percent cities
April, 1932 May, 1932
of
April, 1932 May, 1932
of
change
change

New England ___ __________ $1,943,311
3, 918, 942
Middle Atlantic--- - ______
East North Central_______ _ 1, 920, 093
685, 698
West North Central South Atlantic ____________
1, 358, 433
690, 261
South Central______________
Mountain and Pacific_______ 1, 359, 875
T otal._______________

New nonresidential buildings
(estimated cost)

11, 876,613

$1, 351, 558
3, 263,149
1, 744, 282
542, 943
1,240, 774
632, 840
1, 357, 875

-3 0 .5
-1 6 .7
- 9 .2
-2 0 . 8
-8 . 7
- 8 .3
+ 0 .1

$4, 555, 401
19,169, 539
8,281, 658
2, 839,137
9,214,332
4, 510, 227
5, 884, 642

$3, 741, 760 -1 7 .9
15,164, 225 -2 0 .9
7,108,051 -1 4 .2
4,119,466 +45.1
26,347,224 +185. 9
5,014, 360 +11.2
6,005, 939
+ 2.1

54
71
92
25
38
35
37

10,133, 421

-1 4 .7

54, 454, 936

67, 501,025

+24.0

352

125

126

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Indicated expenditures for total building operations for May, 1932,
in these 352 cities, was $67,501,025. This is 24 per cent greater than
the indicated expenditures for total building operations in these
cities during April, 1932. Four of the seven geographic divisions
registered increases in total building operations. The increases
ranged from 2.1 per cent in the Mountain and Pacific States to 185.9
per cent in the Middle Atlantic States. Decreases were shown in
three geographic divisions; the largest decrease, 20.9 per cent, occur­
ring in the Middle Atlantic States.
Residential buildings decreased 18.6 per cent in indicated expendi­
tures, comparing M ay permits issued with April permits in these 352
cities. Five of the seven geographic divisions registered decreases in
residential building. Increases were shown in the West North Cen­
tral States and the South Atlantic States.
The estimated cost of new nonresidential building increased 57.1
per cent in May as compared with April. Five of the seven geographic
divisions showed increases in this class of structure. The W est North
Central division showed an increase of over 100 per cent in expenditure
for nonresidential buildings and the South Atlantic States showed an
increase of over 200 per cent for this class of building.
Indicated expenditures for additions, alterations, and repairs de­
creased 14.7 per cent in M ay as compared with April. Six of the
seven geographic divisions showed decreases in expenditures for
additions, alterations, and repairs to existing buildings; the Mountain
and Pacific being the only division to show an increase in this class of
work.
Table 2 shows the number of new residential buildings, of new non­
residential buildings, of additions, alterations, and repairs, and of
total building operations in 352 identical cities of the United States,
by geographic divisions.
T a b le 2.—N U M B E R OF N EW B U IL D IN G S, OF A D D IT IO N S, A L T E R A T IO N S, AND R E -

P A IR S, AND OF T O T A L B U IL D IN G C O N STR U C TIO N IN 352 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S , AS
SHOWN B Y P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932, B Y G EO G R A PH IC D IV ISIO N S

New residen tal
buildings

New nonresi­ Additions, alter­ Total construc­
ations, and
dential build­
tion
repairs
ings

April,
1932

May,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

April,
1932

253
502
372
285
267
357
649

220
452
317
290
280
288
546

710
1,693
1,854
1,092
665
512
1,186

774
1,641
1,760
950
596
484
1,168

2,404
5,082
3,642
1,708
2,962
■2,067
3, 537

2,469
5,244
3,380
1,445
2, 942
1,894
3,246

3, 367
7, 277
5, 868
3,085
3, 894
2, 936
5,372

3,463
7,337
5, 457
2,685
3, 818
2, 666
4, 960

2,685

2,393
-1 0 .9

7,712

7,373
-4 .4

21,402

20,620
- 3 .7

31, 799

30, 386
- 4 .4

Geographic division
Mav,
1932

Comparing permits issued in these 352 cities during M ay with those
issued during April, there was a decrease of 10.9 per cent in the num­
ber of new residential buildings for which permits were issued. In­
creases were shown in the number of residential buildings in the West
North Central and in the South Atlantic States. The other five geo­
graphic divisions showed decreases in this class of structure.

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HOUSING

127

New nonresidential buildings decreased 4.4 per cent in number,
comparing M ay with April. The New England was the only geo­
graphic division registering an increase in the number of nonresi­
dential buildings.
The number of additions, alterations, and repairs for which permits
were issued during M ay was 3.7 per cent less than during April. In
the New England and the Middle Atlantic States, however, more
permits were issued for repairs during M ay than during April.
The total number of buildings for which permits were issued during
M ay was 30,386. This is 4.4 per cent less than the number for which
permits were issued during April. The New England and the Middle
Atlantic were the only divisions showing a larger number of buildings
during M ay than during April.
Table 3 shows the number of families provided for in the different
kinds of housekeeping dwellings, together with the estimated cost of
such dwellings, for which permits were issued in 352 identical cities
during April and May, 1932, by geographic divisions.
T a b l e 3 — E S T IM A T E D COST AND N U M B E R OF F A M IL IE S P R O V ID E D FO R IN T H E

D IF F E R E N T K IN D S OF H O U SE K E E P IN G D W E L L IN G S FO R W HICH P E R M IT S W E R E
ISSU E D IN 352 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S IN A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932, B Y G EO G RA PH IC D IV I­
SIONS
1-family dwellings
Estimated cost

Geographic division

April,
1932

May,
1932

New England__________
Middle Atlantic________
East North Central_____
West North Central___
South Atlantic_________
South Central__________
Mountain and Pacific___

$1,128,499
2,251,818
1, 560, 329
976, 048
1, 051,370
750,229
2,046,347

Total___ ______
Per cent of change______

9,764,640

2-family dwellings

Families pro­
vided for
April,
1932

May,
1932

$880,823
1,908, 217
1,315, 242
952,655
1,164, 590
553,994
1,842,655

221
432
351
273
246
333
595

8, 618,176
-1 1 .7

2,451

Estimated cost

Families pro­
vided for

April,
1932

May,
1932

187
376
295
271
271
259
505

$200,800
425,871
100,200
73,150
48,100
68,975
212,376

$183,900
554,450
153,800
79,400
16,900
82,175
152, 525

59
101
31
22
22
39
80

59
140
38
24
8
44
58

2,164
-1 1 .7

1,129, 472

1,223,150
+ 8.3

354

371
+ 4 .8

April,
1932

May,
1932

Total, all kinds of housekeeping
dwellings

Multifamily dwellings

Geographic division

Estimated cost

Families pro­
vided for

Estimated cost

Families pro­
vided for

April,
1932

May,
1932

New England__________
Middle Atlantic________
East North Central_____
West North Central____
South Atlantic_________
South Central....................
Mountain and Pacific___

$81,800
637, 500
22,000
30.000
77.000
35,100
155,650

$18,000
71, 500
15,000
46,800
57, 200
59,742
93,400

44
197
14
7
39
14
89

6 $1, 411,099 $1,082,723
18 3,315,189 2, 534,167
4 1,682,529 1,484,042
19 1,079,198 1,078,855
35 1,176,470 1,238, 690
41
854,304
695,911
38 2, 414,373 2,088,580

324
730
396
302
307
386
764

252
534
337
314
314
344
601

Total.......... ..............
Per cent of change______

1,039,050

361,642
-6 5 .2

404

161 11,933,162 10, 202,968
-6 0 .1
-14. 5

3,209

2,696
-1 6 .0


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April,
1932

May,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

128

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

During May, 2,696 family dwelling units were provided in new
buildings for which permits were issued. This is 16 per cent less
than the number of dwelling units provided by permits issued during
April. The West North Central States and the South Atlantic
States both provided for more families during M ay than during
April. Estimated expenditures for all kinds of housekeeping dwell­
ings decreased 14.5 per cent, comparing the two months under
discussion. Expenditures for all housekeeping dwellings, however,
were greater in the West North Central and South Atlantic States
during M ay than during the preceding month.
One-family dwellings decreased 11.7 per cent in estimated cost and
in families provided for comparing M ay with April. The South
Atlantic was the only geographic division in which M ay permits
showed a greater estimated cost for 1-family dwellings than April
permits showed.
The estimated cost of 2-family dwellings increased 8.3 per cent in
M ay as compared with April, and the number of family dwelling
units provided in this class of dwelling increased 4.8 per cent, com­
paring M ay with April. Four of the geographic divisions showed
greater indicated expenditures for 2-family dwellings in M ay than in
April, and four provided for more families in this class of structure.
Indicated expenditures for multifamily dwellings decreased 65.2
per cent in M ay as compared with April, and the number of families
provided for in apartment houses decreased 60.1 per cent. 'I n only
two divisions, the West North Central and the South Atlantic, were
more families provided for in apartment houses during M ay than
during April.
Table 4 shows the index number of families provided for and the
index numbers of indicated expenditures for new residential building,
for new nonresidential buildings, for additions, alterations, and re­
pairs, and for total building operations.
T a b le 4 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S

OP F A M IL IE S P R O V ID E D FO R AND OF T H E E S T I ­
M A T E D CO ST OF B U IL D IN G O P ER A T IO N S AS SHOWN B Y P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN
P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S OF T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S
[Monthly average, 1929=100]
Estimated cost of—
Month

provided
for

New resi­
dential
buildings

New non­
residential
buildings

Additions,
alterations,
and repairs

1930
M ay___________ ___________________

59.6

48.5

90.7

84.5

09. 3

1931
M ay_________________ _____ ________

51.7

39.8

58.5

53.0

48.8

1932
J a n u a r y ...___ ______ _______
February_____ ______________
M a r c h ..._____ ______
April________ ____ _
M ay________ ________ _____ _ ______

14.4
13.0
15.4
13.4
11.3

10.2
9. 1
10. 7
9. 7
7.9

25.0
16.5
18.1
25.0
39.3

25.8
26.7
27.0
32.0
27.3

18. 2
14.3
15.7
18.8
23.3

Total
building
operations

The index number of total building operations for M ay, 1932, was
23.3. This is higher than for any month of 1932, but much lower
than for M ay, 1931. The M ay index number for new residential

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129

HOUSING

buildings is lower than for any month during the current year. The
index number for new nonresidential buildings, however, is con­
siderably higher than for any month in 1932, and more than twice as
high as February, the low point of the year.
The index number for additions, alterations, and repairs is lower
than for April, but is higher than for any other month of 1932.
The charts on pages 132 and 133 show in graphic form the informa­
tion contained in Table 4.
Table 5 shows the number and value of contracts awarded for
public buildings by the different agencies of the United States Gov­
ernment during the months of May, 1931, and April and M ay, 1932.
T a bl e 5 . —C O N TRA CTS L E T FO R P U B L IC B U IL D IN G S B Y D IF F E R E N T A G E N C IES OF

T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S G O V E R N M EN T D U R IN G M A I , 1931, AND A P R IL AND M A T,
1932, BY GEO G R A PH IC D IV ISIO N S

Cost

Number

May, 1932 i

April, 1932

May, 1931
Geographic division

Number

Number

Cost

Cost

New England____________________
Middle Atlantic. ---------- ------------East North Central_______ ______
West North Central_______ - - - - - South Atlantic___________________
South Central----------- -------------Mountain and Pacific_____________

7
19
12
10
18
14
19

$254, 712
2,360, 803
778,422
3,074, 500
766,017
529,973
2,403, 626

14
20
26
5
41
19
22

$545, 711
416, 660
1, 640, 395
209, 050
6,294, 785
1, 096, 578
1, 535,156

8
22
11
6
25
19
17

$141,908
2,429, 209
533,473
821, 268
22, 755, 293
2,280, 051
285, 909

T otal. ____________________

99

10,168,053

147

11, 738, 335

108

29,247,111

i Subject to revision.

Contracts were awarded during May, 1932, by various agencies
of the Federal Government for 105 buildings to cost $29,241,856.
This is more than twice the valuation of buildings for which contracts
were awarded in either M ay, 1931, or April, 1932.
Table 6 shows the value of contracts awarded by the different
State governments for public buildings during the months of May,
1931, and April and M ay, 1932, by geographic divisions.
T a b le 6 .— CO N TR A C TS A W A RD ED FO R P U B L IC B U IL D IN G S BY

T H E D IF F E R E N T
ST A T E G O V E R N M E N T S D U R IN G M A Y, 1931, AND A P R IL AND M AY, 1932, B Y G EO ­
G RAPH IC D IV ISIO N S
May, 1931

April, 1932

May, 1932 i

New England___________ ______
Middle Atlantic_________ _____
East North C en tral___ _______
West North Central------ ------------South Atlantic______________
South Central.
----------Mountain and Pacific_____ -

$190,103
2, 386,498
221, 624
344, 560
223,100
7,497
753,114

$192,037
762, 943
587, 066
124, 666
121, 703
686, 580
214,118

$99,100
456,812
320, 398
613, 656
708, 765
400, 653
131, 002

Total______ _____ _______ ___

4,126,496

2, 689,113

2,730, 386

Geographic division

1 Subject to revision.

During May, 1932, contracts were awarded by the various State
governments to cost $2,730,386. This is slightly higher than for
April, 1932, and more than 40 per cent lower than for May, 1931.
Table 7 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, of additions, alterations, and repairs,

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130

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

and of total building construction in 346 identical cities of the United
States having a population of 25,000 or over for the months of May,
1931, and May, 1932, by geographic divisions.
T a bl e 7 .— E S T IM A T E D COST OF N EW B U IL D IN G S, OF A D D ITIO N S, A L T E R A T IO N S,

AND R E P A IR S , AND OF T O TA L BU IL D IN G CO N STR U CTIO N IN 346 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S
AS SHOWN B Y P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN M AY, 1921, AND M AY, 1932, B Y GEO GRA PH IC D IV I­
SIONS
New residential buildings (esti­
mated cost)

New nonresidential buildings
(estimated cost)

Geographic division
May, 1931

New England -- ___________ - - _ $3, 508,150
Middle A tla n tic_________________ 21,909,744
East North Central-------------------- - 6,546,023
West North Central_____ ____ . . . 2,651, 600
South Atlantic.......... ............................. 6, 270, 760
South Central-., ________________ 2, 292, 690
Mountain and Pacific_____________ 6,393,867
Total___________ _________

49, 572,834

Per cent May, 1931
May, 1932 of
change

Per
May, 1932 cent of
change

$959,523
2,493,167
1,482, 542
1,081,855
1, 238,690
695,911
2,049, 305

-7 2 .6
-8 8 .6
-7 7 .4
-5 9 .2
-8 0 .2
-6 9 .6
-6 7 .9

$4,942,904
25,975, 351
13,639, 203
6, 429, 261
3,018, 270
2,855,587
6,954,913

$1, 268, 644
9, 059,214
3,879,577
2,494,668
23,867,760
3,686, 589
2, 546,979

-7 4 .3
-6 5 .1
-7 1 .6
-6 1 .2
+690. 8
+29. 1
-6 3 .4

10,000,993

-7 9 .8

63,815,489

46,803, 431

-2 6 .7

Additions, alterations, and re­
pairs (estimated cost)
Geographic division

Per
cent of
change

Total construction (estimated
cost)
Num
ber of
Per
cities
May, 1932 cent of
change

May, 1931

May, 1932

New England
-- ---- $2,115,143
Middle Atlantic. . . _______
6,076, 704
East North Central_______
3,076,458
West North Central________
1, 248,375
South Atlantic_____________
2, 045, 738
South Central..
______
913, 471
Mountain and Pacific_______ 2,008,254

$1, 338,987
3, 250, 780
1,744, 057
542,943
1, 240, 774
638,165
1, 341,970

-3 6 .7 $10, 566,197
-4 6 .5 53,961,799
-4 3 .3 23, 261,684
-5 6 .5 10,329,236
-3 9 .3 11, 334, 768
-3 0 .1
6, 061, 748
-3 3 .2 15, 357, 034

$3, 567,154 -6 6 .2
14, 803,161 -7 2 .6
7,106,176 -6 9 .5
4,119, 466 -6 0 .1
26, 347, 224 +132. 4
5,020, 665 -1 7 .2
5,938, 254 -6 1 .3

T o ta l... ___________ _ 17,484,143

10,097, 676

-4 2 .2 130,872,466

66,902,100

May, 1931

-4 8 .9

51
70
91
25
38
36
35
346

New residential buildings decreased 79.8 per cent in estimated ex­
penditures, comparing permits issued in these 346 identical cities
during M ay, 1932, with those issued during M ay, 1931. All geographic
divisions showed decreases in indicated expenditures for new resi­
dential building.
The estimated cost of new nonresidential buildings was 26.7 per cent
less during May, 1932, than during May, 1931. Two geographic
divisions showed increases in expenditures for nonresidential buildings
comparing these two periods.
Indicated expenditures for additions, alterations, and repairs were
42.2 per cent less in M ay, 1932, than in M ay of the preceding year.
The estimated cost of total construction in M ay, 1932, in these 346
cities, was 48.9 per cent less than in May, 1931. The South Atlantic
States, however, showed a large increase in indicated expenditures for
total building operations, comparing these two periods. This in­
crease was caused by contracts awarded for large Federal structures
in the city of Washington.
Table 8 shows the number of new residential buildings, of new non­
residential buildings, of additions, alterations, and repairs, and of
total building operations in 346 identical cities having a population of
25,000 or over, for May, 1931, and for May, 1932,

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HOUSING

131

8 .— N U M B E R OF N EW B U IL D IN G S, OF A D D ITIO N S, A L T E R A TIO N S, AND
R E P A IR S, AND OF T O T A L BU IL D IN G CO N STR U CTIO N IN 346 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S ,
AS SHOWN B Y P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN M AY, 1931, AND M AY, 1932, B Y G EO G RA PH IC
D IV ISIO N S

T a b le

New residential
buildings

New nonresi­
dential
buildings

Additions, al­
terations, and
repairs

Total construc­
tion

Geographic division

New England___________________
Middle Atlantic__ ___________
East North Central. ______ _____ _
West North Central_______________
South Atlantic____________________
South Central... _________________
Mountain and Pacific_________ ____
Total_______________________

May,
1931

May,
1932

May,
1931

May,
1932

May,
1931

May,
1932

May,
1931

520
1,723

199
448
315
290
280
288
525

1.184
3,041
3.184
1,193
816
703
1,532

743
1,629
1,759
950
596
494
1,152

2, 773
5,815
4,834
1,724
3,174
2,189
3,773

2,424
5,224
3, 378
1,445
2,942
1,925
3,204

4, 477
10, 579
9,138
3, 475
4, 583
3, 579
6,647

3, 366
7, 301
5,452
2,685
3,818
2, 707
4,881

2,345
-6 4 .2

11,653

7,323
-3 7 .2

24, 282

20, 542
-1 5 .4

42,478

30,210
-2 8 .9

1,120
558
593
687
1, 342
6,543

May,
1932

Decreases were shown in the number of new residential buildings,
in the number of new nonresidential buildings, in the number of
additions, alterations, and repairs, and in the number of total build­
ings, when comparing permits issued in May, 1932, with those issued
in M ay, 1931.
Table 9 shows the number of families provided for in the different
kinds of housekeeping dwellings, together with the cost of such
dwellings for which permits were issued in 346 identical cities during
May, 1931, and May, 1932, by geographic divisions.
T a b l e 9 — E S T IM A T E D COST AND N U M B E R OF F A M IL IE S P R O V ID E D FO R IN T H E

D IF F E R E N T K IN D S OF H O U SE K E E P IN G D W ELL IN G S FO R W HICH P E R M IT S W E R E
ISSU E D IN 346 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S IN M AY, 1931, AND M AY, 1932, B Y GEO GRAPH IC
D IV ISIO N S

2-family dwellings

1-family dwellings
Estimated cost

Geographic division

Families pro­
vided for

May,
1931

May,
1932

May,
1931

May,
1932

$2,557,050
8, 237,511
5,223, 323
2,134, 200
2, 708,995
1,893,280
4,515, 563

$735,553
1,867,217
1,313, 742
952,655
1,164,590
553,994
1,797,380

436
1,367
1,015
515
565
606
1,177

Total- ___ _______ 27,269,922

8,385,131
-6 9 .3

5,681

New England........ ............
Middle Atlantic________
East North Central_____
West North Central___
South Atlantic_________
South Central__________
Mountain and Pacific___

Estimated cost
May,
1931

May,
1932

$578,600
1,865,233
757, 200
205,400
47,400
315,160
563,804

$177,400
554,450
153,800
79,400
16,900
82,175
152,525

145
453
154
58

57
140
38
24

135
186

44
58

2,117
-6 2 .7

4,332, 797

1,216,650
-7 1 .9

1,151

369
-6 7 .9

May,
1932

Estimated cost
May,
1931

93
3,072
140

100

6 $3,408,150
18 21,781, 744
4 6, 516,023
19 2,626, 600
35 6,120, 760
41 2,285,690
38 6,276,367

__________ 17,412, 615

361,642
-7 9 .2

4,560

161 49,015,334
-9 6 .5


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

20

8

Total, all kinds of housekeeping
dwellings

$18,000
71,500
15,000
46,800
57,200
59,742
93,400

Total

May,
1932

167
372
293
271
271
259
484

$272, 500
New England_________
Middle Atlantic________ 11,679,000
535, 500
East North Central_____
287, 000
West North Central____
South Atlantic_________ 3,364, 365
77, 250
South Central____ ____
Mountain and Pacific___ 1,197,000

562
48
545

May,
1931

May,
1932

Families pro­
vided for
May,
1931

Families pro­
vided for

May,
1931

Multifamily dwellings
Geographic division

Estimated cost

Families pro­
vided for
May,
1932

May,
1932

May,
1931

$930,953
2,493,167
1,482,542
1,078,855
1,238, 690
695,911
2,043,305

674
4,892
1,309
673
1,147
789
1,908

230
530
335
314
314
344
580

9,963,423
-7 9 .7

11, 392

2, 647
-7 6 .8

132

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Decreases were shown in the estimated cost and in the number of
family dwelling units provided, in each of the different classes of house­
keeping dwellings, comparing permits issued in M ay, 1932, with
permits issued in M ay, 1931. The total number of family dwelling
units provided in M ay, 1932, was 76.8 per cent less than the number
provided in M ay, 1931. Indicated expenditures for all classes of
housekeeping dwellings decreased 79.7 per cent, comparing the two
periods.
Table 10 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, of total building operations, together
with the number of family dwelling units provided in new buildings
for each of the 352 identical cities from which reports were received
for April, 1932, and M ay, 1932.

No reports were received from New London, Conn., Bangor, Me.,
Anderson, Ind., Port Huron, M ich., Lima and Newark, Ohio, Uni­
versity City, M o., Pensacola, Fla., Lynchburg, Va., F o rt Smith,
Ark., Ashland, K y., Meridian, M iss., Muskogee, Okla., Brownsville,
Corpus Christi, and Laredo, Tex., and Riverside and San Bernardino,
Caiif.
Permits were issued for the following important building projects
during the month of M ay, 1932: In Springfield, M ass., for a bank
building to cost $350,000; in Hackensack, N. J ., for a store building
to cost over $300,000; in Albany for a church to cost $285,000; in the
Borough of Queens for a school building to cost $582,000_; in the
Borough of Richmond for a school building to cost $560,000; in P itts­
burgh for two churches to cost $2,480,000; in Indianapolis for a public
works building to cost over $600,000; in Battle Creek for a school
building to cost $600,000; in Ottumwa, Iowa, for a cold-storage pack­
ing plant to cost $350,000; in Minneapolis for a nurses’ home at the

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

HOUSING

133

IN D E X E S OF COST OF BUILDING OPERATIONS.


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

MONT HLY AVE. RAGE.

192.9 -

I OO.

100

75
50
zs
0
100

75
50
ZS
o
100

75
50
Z5
O

RZ

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

134

University of Minnesota; in Baltimore for a building at the State
hospital to cost $860,000; in Sacramento for a school building to cost
nearly $300,000; and in Seattle for a school building to cost $350,000.
Contracts were awarded by the Supervising Architect of the Treas­
ury Department for a post office in Paterson, N. J ., to cost nearly
$400,000; for an addition to the post office in the Borough of M an­
hattan to cost $1,800,000; for various buildings in Washington, D. C.,
to cost over $22,000,000; for a post office in Chattanooga to cost over
$800,000; for a post office and Federal court house in Knoxville to
cost over $900,000.
The Veterans’ Administration awarded a contract for a hospital
building in Danville, 111., to cost $265,000, and for a new hospital in
Wichita, Ivans., to cost over $700,000.
T a b le 1 0 .—E S T IM A T E D COST OP B U IL D IN G S FO R W H ICH P E R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN

P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , A P R IL AND M AY, 1932
N ew E n g l a n d States
New residential buildings

State and city

Connecticut:
Bridgeport___ . _
Bristol. . . .
_
Greenwich _
_
Hartford. . .
Meriden _. ._
New Britain_____
New Haven_____
Norwalk. _______
Stamford- .
___
T o rrin gton._____
Waterbury. . . . .
West Hartford..
Maine:
Lewiston... . . . . .
Portland___. . . .
Massachusetts:
Arlington__ _ . . .
B e v erly ________
Boston1. . . _ . . .
Brockton _______
Brookline..
Cambridge . . . . . .
Chelsea.. . . . . . .
Chicopee . . .
Everett_________
Fall River___ . .
Fitchburg_______
Haverhill . . . .
Holyoke_________
Lawrence________
Low ell.. ________
Lynn. . . .
...
Malden_________
Medford.. . -----New Bedford____
Newton-------------Pittsfield________
Quincy__________
Revere__________
Salem.. _______
Somerville_______
Springfield______
Taunton________
Waltham________
Watertown______
Worcester...... .........
1 Applications filed.


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

Estimated cost

Total construction
New nonresidential including alterations
(estimated
and repairs (esti­
Families pro­ buildings
cost)
mated cost)
vided for in
new buildings
April, May,
1932
1932

April,
1932

April,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

$67,600
9, 500
67, 500
20,150
3,400
37, 000
48, 500
39,900
6, 000
12, 000
11,000
67,412

$32,140
11, 577
35,900
12,100
18,300
8,000
29,000
11,770
16, 000
0
8, 500
52,400

20
2
4
4
1
5
9
8
1
4
3
6

13
1
7
3
7
1
8
4
5
0
3
7

$19, 569
600
17, 750
12,142
1,450
635
7, 850
10,250
55,425
1,315
1, 200
3,485

$8, 230
10, 500
31, 585
68,028
8,185
76, 675
15, 075
1,830
570
1,800
4,050
3,235

$100, 287
17,494
95, 524
62, 745
12,320
50, 249
114, 420
67,195
86,870
17,190
21,435
81,078

$63,390
26, 849
78, 735
109, 941
39, 799
90, 090
69,165
33,915
34, 605
13, 125
25,300
62,491

5,300
24, 800

8,000
48,350

2
7

2
11

900
11,400

10, 200
41, 331

7, 200
48, 718

18, 700
113, 273

40,100
10, 500
231, 000
4,000
29, 500
80, 000
7,000
8, 800
7, 500
5,300
12, 000
0
6, 500
8,500
9,000
9, 000
5,000
26, 500
0
62, 300
19,400
24, 600
8,000
14,000
9,700
51, 750
1,750
8,400
11, 500
83,600

84,300
3,500
167, 600
3,300
45,500
0
0
4, 500
6,000
33, 250
8, 700
1,500
14,000
0
2,700
12,000
11, 300
22,000
0
68, 200
16, 000
30,186
0
6, 200
0
34,850
6,000
8,800
0
65,300

7
2
53
1
3
42
2
3
3
2
2
0
1
2
2
3
1
8
0
10
5
7
3
2
3
12
2
3
2
18

12
1
40
1
4
0
0
1
2
1
2
2
1
0
3
1
3
6
0
7
5
7
0
1
0
12
2
2
0
15

4,730
1,125
304, 025
3,265
3,495
1,250
173,000
2,510
490
4, 680
1,128
2,065
7, 600
2,425
1,160
11, 745
425
2,000
30,100
6,965
7,250
10,813
1,835
13,975
178,902
14,350
18, 700
15,925
49, 525
28, 250

2,925
3,355
72, 650
54,020
1,335
10,110
1,000
3,250
300
5, 519
2, 905
3, 720
3, 750
10, 600
6, 005
4,970
2, 200
2, 575
11,025
91, 700
23, 525
11, 795
450
4,850
2,415
383, 200
23, 771
19,935
3,600
5,635

48,145
22,935
1,509, 574
24,907
50,090
272, 061
182, 215
19,160
20, 890
21,169
27, 593
11, 760
34, 850
28,925
21, 760
50,810
13, 310
42,825
42,175
83, 345
37,625
59,757
57, 885
49,890
212, 512
75,161
25,320
30,622
69,225
131, 785

90,365
12, 200
562,349
67, Oil
225, 542
41, 900
7,810
17, 475
11,450
79, 544
16, 515
7, 325
25, 550
14, 250
19, 695
33, 640
40,807
35,385
20, 525
181,315
53, 650
69,266
11, 900
30, 869
15, 268
433, 350
34, 798
30,903
6,640
108, 529

May,
1932

May,
1932

HOUSING

135

T a b le 1 0 —E S T IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S FO R W HICH P E R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN

P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , A P R IL AND M AY, 1932—Continued
N ew E n g l a n d S ta tes — Continued
New residential buildings

Estimated cost

State and city

April,
1932
New Hampshire:
Concord___ . . .
Manchester______
Rhode Island:
Central Falls____
C ra n sto n ...___.
East Providence, _
Newport________
P aw tu cket_____
Providence. .
_
Woonsocket_____
Vermont:
B u rling ton ._____

May,
1932

New nonresidential
(estimated
Families pro­ buildings
cost)
vided for in
new buildings
April, May,
1932
1932

April,
1932

Total construction
including alterations
and repairs (esti­
mated cost)

May,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

$16, 737
20, 550

$2, 000
21, 200

5
9

1
10

$1, 262
3, 985

$14,300
2,660

$22,499
40,842

$21, 500
41, 253

0
24, 400
14, 500
21, 500
4,350
92, 800
1,000

4, 200
23,800
21,000
12,600
7,800
37,300
18, 600

0
6
4
4
2
13
1

1
8
5
3
2
9
7

100
7,290
6,490
5,550
5,100
109,435
875

450
131, 990
18, 330
3,500
3, 980
43, 650
1,560

2, 775
33,935
28,177
34,177
14, 520
294,385
5,935

5, 225
158, 635
55,836
22,832
28, 060
177, 575
123,890

0

15, 000

0

3

13, 225

4,175

17,150

21,750

252
324
-2 2 .2

1, 200,991

1, 278, 979
+ 6.5

4, 555,401

3, 741, 760
-1 7 .9

T o ta l................. 1,411,099

1,111,223
-2 1 .3

M id d le A tla n tic States
New Jersey:
Atlantic C ity.........
Bayonne________
Belleville________
Bloomfield______
Camden............ .
Clifton__________
East Orange_____
Elizabeth_______
Garfield... _____
H ackensack.____
Hoboken________
Irvington __ _____
Jersey C ity______
Kearny______ . . .
Montclair_______
Newark_______ _
New Brunswick.
Orange__________
Passaic_________
Paterson________
Perth Amboy____
Plainfield_______
Trenton_________
Union C ity______
West New Y o r k ..
West Orange_____
New York:
Albany-------------Amsterdam_____
Auburn_________
Binghamton_____
Buffalo__________
Elmira....................
Jamestown______
Kingston________
Lockport................
Mount Vernon___
N ew burgh...........
New Rochelle____
New York City—
The Bronx L._
Brooklyn 1___
Manhattan L .
Queens 1 ____
Richmond L . .
1 Applications filed.


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

$5,000
0
3,000
0
0
0
17,500
13, 000
2,500
11,000
0
17, 800
45, 200
7, 500
7,000
27,500
5,000
5,000
4,800
19, 575
3, 600
10, 000
9,000
0
0
24,900

0
$5,000
0
54,000
14,000
28, 500
0
16,000
10,000
17,000
0
13,000
14,000
0
22,000
11, 500
0
0
0
7,000
0
26, 000
9,600
1.200
0
24,000

1
0
1
0
0
0
3
2
1
2
0
5
11
1
1
5
1
1
1
6
1
2
2
0
0
4

0
2
0
12
1
7
0
3
5
2
0
3
3
0
1
2
0
0
0
2
0
4
2
1
0
2

$21.175
12,180
2, 600
2,500
81,345
6,825
15,100
9, 500
2,075
14,695
200,000
8,090
33,337
3, 350
4, 325
278,814
395
177,480
2,930
18,844
625
1,400
71,515
58,450
0
2,640

$1, 400
0
1,400
1,500
2,490
61,300
3, 550
9, 000
2,675
306,230
0
8,015
94,190
1,250
1,195
34,735
1,160
6,625
5,070
383, 363
4,175
8, 675
2, 448
0
0
1, 715

$148, 373
29,843
10,005
5,000
81, 345
15,155
61,705
22, 500
10,175
39, 630
210,149
36,440
147,112
12, 800
39, 527
389, 489
22,056
189, 795
27, 582
107, 280
11,550
17. 528
80, 515
72, 600
13, 575
31.080

$56, 968
13,789
5.075
58, 500
28, 457
92, 900
10,815
25, 000
15,475
336, 570
23,355
24, 675
124,145
5,400
34,860
106,113
10,195
18, 740
42, 660
428,116
10, 550
38,423
18. 273
23, 330
1,620
26, 314

139, 500
5. 500
8,300
26,700
63. 540
7,000
8,000
16, 400
0
10,000
0
68,500

151, 380
12, 850
10,500
17,050
60,100
11,835
14,100
27, 500
0
25, 500
13,000
19,900

10
2
2
7
10
2
3
5
0
3
0
5

12
3
3
4
10
3
4
2
0
3
2
2

13,100
6,010
6.200
7,116
42, 505
4,120
11, 075
17,825
0
2,830
5,300
61,758

294, 600
7, 230
7,900
16, 276
39,977
2,012
384, 685
4,350
0
4,737
31, 500
3,250

188, 335
12, 210
21, 400
110, 952
176, 059
45,933
41, 375
43, 520
0
30, 566
20, 900
140,074

480,768
20,080
20, 650
95,374
179,829
23,877
403, 790
44, 642
0
54,822
51,150
39, 220

334. 500
232,000
250,000
779,800
127,040

271,950
309,500
0
440,940
39,150

72
54
72
164
30

66
58
0
115
18

195, 450
736,355
4,643, 550
697,643
48,960

74, 780
530,360
2,070,100
967,422
624,485

769,880
1,590,075
5, 559, 555
1,939, 919
239, 638

614,695
1.383, 631
2,791, 239
1,665, 764
694,446

136

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b le 1 0 —E S T IM A T E D COST OF BU IL D IN G S FO R W H ICH P E R M IT S W E R E IS SU E D IN

P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , A P R IL AND M AY, 1932—Continued
M id d le A tla n tic States — Continued
New residential buildings

State and city

Estimated cost

Total construction
New nonresidential
(estimated including alterations
Families pro­ buildings
and repairs (esti­
cost)
vided for in
mated cost)
new buildings

April,
1932

May,
1932

$11,900
0
141,800
21,800
45,000
67,340
17, 500
17, 600
7,000
163, 200

$21,000
24, 000
31, 340
21,600
46,900
48, 550
42, 000
8,000
7,000
123, 500

3
0
20
4
9
14
3
5
1
33

3,200
0
16, 300

1
0
5

0
89, 200
28,050
66, 500
21, 609
5, 500
19,000
5,000
19, 000
0
0
154, 435
67, 900
60,000
16,500
0
7,000
0
33, 200

2,000
13, 600
0
0
0
0
32,000
20, 000
19,198
800
0
0
6,480
0
19,144
225, 500
89, 900
0
9, 500
2,600
0
8,000
13,500

Total. ______
3,421,189
Per cent of change___

2, 534,167
-2 5 .9

New York—Contd.
Niagara Falls____
Poughkeepsie____
Rochester_______
Schenectady_____
Sy racuse........... .
Troy____________
Utica____ _______
W atertow n ___ _
White Plains____
Y onkers_________
Pennsylvania:
Allentown_______
Altoona.. ______
Bethlehem______
Butler__________
Chester_______ .
Easton_______ . .
Erie_____________
Harrisburg______
Hazleton________
Johnstown______
Lancaster_______
McKeesport_____
Nanticoke...........
New Castle........ .
Norristown______
Philadelphia_____
Pittsburgh___ . . .
Reading _______
Scranton. ______
Wilkes-Barre____
Wilkinsburg. . . „
W illiamsport____
York....................

April, May,
1932
1932

0
15
6
13
5
1
4
1
6
0
0
47
18
12
5
0
1
0
6
730

April,
1932

May,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

$32,403
5,130
22,899
4,480
12,650
36, 225
14, 575
1,025
11,900
22,395

$48,402
4, 050
32,877
5,670
65,270
62,475
3, 670
2,280
15, 250
20, 301

$61, 733
20,118
279, 817
50, 806
73,180
129, 660
42,375
34, 592
29, 243
210, 495

$104, 895
37,615
127, 964
72. 308
142,940
116, 625
54,100
17, 399
29. 715
223,976

1
11,100
2
14, 918
0
1,710
0
0
600
0
760
8
27,560
3
5,845
4
26,819
1
3, 920
0
1, 250
0
14, 345
2
0
0
1.990
2
1,663
63 3,621, 550
18
56, 919
0
8, 210
3
309,963
1
4,755
0
250
3
18, 376
2
3,236

5,400
3, 273
500
2 250
2,575
405
8, 662
6,175
9,961
4, 735
3, 700
1,145
300
12, 930
46, 090
386,025
2,511,015
5,480
50,923
3, 760
235
36, 225
1,325

20, 485
21, 774
19,435

18, 775
30, 739
8, 450
21 K9n
4' 875
2, 210
56, 017
39, 265
64,072
8, 330
21, 060
12,119
7, 780
13, 240
72, 767
796; 264
2, 692, 378
23, 552
83,854
27, 770
'885
86. 006
21,985

2
2
7
5
10
6
8
1
1
22

534 11,829,408
-2 6 .8

5. 315
91, 695
79, 675
262, 726
58, 369
18, 775
25,730
30, 794
19, 000
8, 365
6,912
3,987, 040
241, 458
85, 310
370, 843
31, 435
10,075
35,186
43. 923

9.366, 909 19,169, 539 15,164, 225
-2 0 . 8
-2 0 .9

E a s t N o rth C en tra l States
Illinois:
Alton.......................
Aurora__________
Belleville................
Berwyn_________
Bloomington_____
Chicago........ ...........
Cicero..................
Danville________
D eca tu r........... .
East St. Louis___
E lg in .............. .......
Evanston________
Granite City_____
Joliet____ _______
Maywood..............
Moline............... .
Oak Park...... .........
Peoria___________
Quincy....................
Rockford.................
Rock Island...........
Springfield______
Waukegan..............
2 Not included in total.


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

$10,880
16, 505
28, 600
0
6, 000
136,900
0
22, 300
7, 000
2, 600
11, 500
0
0
0
4, 800
3,150
10,400
37,000
12, 500
0
15,350
44,500
19,000

0
0
$15,700
0
3,000
95,250
0
0
9, 000
15, 250
19,000
16,000
0
0
7,000
12,800
0
55.900
0
3,000
3, 000
14,150
4, 000

3
6
11
0
1
30
0
13
2
1
3
0
0
0
1
2
2
9
3
0
6
15
3

0
0
5
0
1
23
0
0
2
5
4
2
0
0
1
2
0
13
0
1
1
7
1

$600
11, 798
0
3,339
2, 000
348, 565
1, 450
1,300
8,205
5,350
3,250
6, 500
0
200
130,350
6,665
11,250
9,143
1,525
22, 966
2,105
2,725
13,500

$10, 200
2,560
575
3,125
2, 500
993,448
1,150
265, 600
57,050
14, 350
10, 550
5,000
0
400
311
2,415
0
9, 000
1,985
2,625
1, 475
8, 440
8, 000

$20, 380
32, 608
31, 200
6,719
17,000
653, 031
4, 550
28,943
17,450
11, 760
30, 221
74, 500
0
14,4C0
143, 572
19, 250
26,125
61,143
14, 660
30,136
26,170
208, 693
35, 750

$17, 547
9,458
20, 275
6, 275
5, 500
1, 572, 785
4,050
277,979
71,445
41,342
37,035
51,250

0

6, 200

8, 081
17, 226
48, 425
76, 500
3,6(0
7,955
14,054
33,422
14,450

HOUSING

137

T a b lé Î Ô —E S T IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S FO R W HICH P E R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN

P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , A P R IL AND M AY, 1932—Continued
E a s t N o rth C en tra l States — Continued
Now residential buildings

Estimated cost

State and city

April,
1932
Indiana:
East Chicago____
Elkhart, _______
Evansville_______
Fort Wayne_____
Gary-----------------Hammond______
Indianapolis_____
Kokomo__ ______
Lafayette________
Marion____ ....
Michigan City___
Mishawaka_____
Muncie________
Richmond_______
South Bend____
Terre Haute____
Michigan:
Ann Arbor_____
Battle Creek . . .
Bay City _______
Dearborn________
Detroit________
Flint____________
Grand Rapids___
Hamtramck_____
Highland Park___
Jackson . . ______
Kalamazoo_____
Lansing_________
Muskegon ______
Pontiac_________
Royal Oak_____.
Saginaw________
Wyandotte______
Ohio:
Akron_________
Ashtabula_______
Canton. ______
Cincinnati______
Cleveland .
Cleveland Heights.
Columbus_______
Dayton___ ______
East Cleveland..
E ly ria ...................
Hamilton. . .
Lakewood_______
Lorain. _______
M ansfield______
Marion_____ ____
Massillon___ . . . .
Middletown ___
Norwood________
Portsmouth_____
Springfield. _____
Steubenville___ _
T oled o________
Warren________
Youngstown.. . .
Wisconsin:
Appleton____ . . .
Eau Claire.. . . .
Fond du Lac___
Green Bay--------Kenosha___ _____
Madison_____ .
Milwaukee___. . .
Oshkosh............ .
Racine...... ..............

May,
1932

New nonresidential
(estimated
Families pro­ buildings
cost)
vided for in
new buildings
April, May,
1932
1932

Total construction
including alterations
and repairs (esti­
mated cost)

April,
1932

AI ay,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

0
$9, 450
6, 500
0
0
800
74,650
0
4,450
1,750
25,400
2,650
0
0
7,000
9,900

0
0
$7, 200
23,800
1, 000
0
28,450
0
8, 200
1,000
0
3,500
0
0
2,500
7,500

0
4
3
0
0
1
18
0
2
2
5
1
0
0
1
3

0
0
2
4
1
0
6
0
4
1
0
1
0
0
1
3

$30,150
3,025
13, 488
21,040
525
7, 135
33, 250
2, 065
17, 000
915
300
383
33,442
1,800
5, 795
443, 230

$13,637
1,875
98, 760
6,760
1,235
2,500
675,107
400
0
5,165
2,500
500
1,037
6,800
8,390
2.912

$34, 535
14, 971
45, 678
50,851
2,125
9, 365
158,401
3,167
21, 450
6, 732
27, 085
4,133
37,125
6, 700
25, 045
459,373

$15, 387
11,171
112,418
43,907
3, 635
5, 220
757, 206
11,035
8, 200
8, 625
2,600
4, 400
4,593
27,100
27, 635
23,815

4,000
0
18,000
42,000
690,384
1,244
25, 500
0
0
0
4,000
2, 700
2,800
0
1,000
10,-100
12, 950

37,550
17, 500
10, 725
18, 500
99,850
4, 792
13,100
0
8.000
4,300
22,000
0
1,000
0
1, 500
8, 000
1,800

1
0
5
6
44
1
5
0
0
0
2
1
2
0
1
4
3

6
3
6
6
23
1
5
0
1
1
3
0
1
0
2
4
1

5,545
3,975
12,665
2, 650
501,568
7, 964
975,885
0
535
1,802
1, 769
7,800
0
0
445
4,104
970

2, 725
603,190
1,880
20,405
307,356
5,632
16, 345
4,000
455
2,408
687
3, 575
2,835
0
150
72, 597
550

75,821
10,795
38,725
55,185
1,406, 919
34,108
1,019, 755
3,765
2,970
9, 372
15,634
22, 295
2,800
0
2,540
27, 259
16,655

46, 655
626, 945
21, 613
44, 880
560, 432
20,634
52, 510
11,760
13, 730
10, 723
29,575
10,695
10, 255
0
1,875
90,045
9,100

7,400
2,500
4,800
233, 650
125,100
44, 200
41,800
14,800
0
3,100
0
16,000
0
9,000
1, 500
0
0
5, 000
0
0
0
28,500
0
11,000

37, 500
0
2, 150
280,850
58,800
36,000
26, 500
20,000
0
0
3,000
21,300
0
16, 000
0
0
0
3, 500
0
3,800
3,000
31,050
0
0

6
1
2
41
23
6
7
4
0
1
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
6
0
2

5
0
2
50
12
6
4
6
0
0
1
3
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
6
0
0

189, 515
8,400
268, 985
185, 932
42, 275
6, 225
68,100
47, 278
17, 520
58, 545
2,085
48,105
900
3,695
660
789
1, 450
7,000
2,270
1,331
8,100
11,813
1,380
5,585

9,615
1,220
13,830
66, 935
251, 650
425
92, 950
20,104
2,150
865
7,115
6,125
785
3, 775
685
590
21, 750
600
1,460
2,976
650
10, 352
720
9,757

207,485
14, 740
278, 950
469, 597
512,850
55,170
211,650
84, 512
18, 295
65, 560
10, 230
74, 545
1, 585
15, 271
2,310
939
4, 976
12, 995
3,820
2,396
9,590
62,056
3, 780
26,180

63,400
1,640
17, 623
446,205
393, 300
42,165
227,911
58,171
2,480
3, 665
11,050
31,085
1,050
20, 914
685
1,470
24, 080
8,625
1, 735
9, 706
4, 550
50, 940
4, 160
14,147

13,100
13,000
7,200
31, 900
3,000
38, 600
104, 750
3,100
38,000

37, 600
13, 800
3,500
21,500
0
99, 600
116, 500
6, 800
13, 700

3
5
3
12
1
11
22
3
1

9
7
1
9
0
16
26
4
2

5, 190
2,050
1, 550
87,685
1,495
10, 535
235, 749
2, 995
925

11,020
6,100
1,115
7,035
2, 330
4,410
27,101
8, 370
2,170

25,011
16, 920
11, 650
124, 760
7, 565
66,335
484, 565
12,148
45,695

63, 695
28, 930
5, 825
37, 785
8, 330
122, 755
324,858
29,000
19,110


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

138

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a ble 1 0 .—E S T IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S F O R W H ICH P E R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN

P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , A P R IL AND M AY, 1932—Continued
E a s t N o rth C en tra l S ta tes — Continued
New residential buildings

State and city

Estimated cost

April,
1932
Wisconsin—Contd.
Sheboygan______
$28,100
Superior ___ . . .
0
West A l l i s ______
3,000
Total . . . ___ 2,178, 313
Per cent of change___

May,
1932
$9, 000
7,775
6, 000
1,484, 042
-3 1 . 9

Total construction
New nonresidential
Families pro­ buildings (estimated including alterations
and repairs (esti­
vided for in
cost)
mated cost)
new buildings
April, May,
1932
1932
4
0
1
396

April,
1932

2
$6,250
5
104,309
1
2, 575
337 4,183, 252
-1 4 .9

May,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

$5,395
765
3, 705
3,879, 727
- 7 .3

$50, 698
107,549
19, 685
8, 281, 658

$26,013
14,615
12,460
7, 108, 051
-1 4 .2

W est N o rth C en tra l States
Iowa:
Burlington_____
Cedar Rapids____
Council Bluffs___
Davenport______
Des Moines_____
Dubuque. ____
O ttu m w a .___ _
Sioux C i t y . _____
Waterloo________
Kansas:
Hutchinson.
Kansas City. ___
Topeka_________
Wichita_________
Minnesota:
Duluth___
___
Minneapolis. . . .
St. P a u l____ . . .
Missouri:
Jo p lin _________
Kansas C ity ... _.
Springfield______
St. Joseph_______
St. L o u is_____
Nebraska:
Lincoln..
_____
Omaha_______
North Dakota:
Fargo.. ________
South Dakota:
Sioux F a lls _____

$2, 500
16. 850
6,000
13, 600
70, 700
14, 200
15, 000
26, 900
17,100

$5, 000
29, 325
17, 550
23, 600
37, 700
12. 750
17, 350
38, 600
15, 800

2
7
2
5
21
5
2
10
11

1
8
4
7
11
4
6
13
4

$450
16, 008
2,600
7,823
22,122
3,643
4, 850
7, 935
18, 390

$2, 600
13, 555
3,997
4,815
20,435
2, 200
351, 350
11, 420
12, 040

$5,450
72'. 419
21, 600
44, 069
118; 672
26, 354
21, 850
36' 550
45^ 940

$9,100
70, 639
26, 617
38, 969
80,125
27, 582
374, 100
77, 270
28, 765

10, 000
10,950
19,800
27,700

3,650
2,550
22,975
42,350

4
8
6
7

2
4
11
14

5,225
5,680
6, 500
26,745

2,660
21, 045
5,770
737,832

18, 395
22; 705
30, 550
65,168

9, 667
25.920
31, 900
790, 737

12, 000
189, 650
119, 988

20,950
236,900
100, 680

5
44
20

12
59
21

23,485
98, 615
138,356

7, 365
955, 318
49, 696

63, 615
380j 525
400', 083

.55 393
1, 280, 888
250,179

5,000
60, 500
12, 500
13, 000
252, 700

3,000
58,500
32, 800
3,000
201, 900

4
18
4
4
67

0
14
9
1
55

800
339, 800
3, 750
9,745
53,176

26, 550
49, 500
41, 675
76,460
51,370

10, 750
443j 500
32; 726
30j 867
443; 481

32, 450
127, 900
83, 900
88, 435
349, 365

8,900
111, 650

16, 000
85, 000

5
27

7
28

3, 665
178,448

4,790
32,470

43,085
306, 368

26, 715
155, 633

12,950

15,800

3

4

1,995

5,755

29,795

32, 592

29, 060

38,125

11

15

94,435

4,000

124, 620

44, 625

T o ta l____ ____ 1, 079, 198
Per cent of change.. .

1, 081,855
+ 0.2

302

314
+ 4 .0

1, 074, 241

2,494, 668
+132. 2

2,839,137

4,119,466
+45.1

$62, 249

$90,158

S o u th A tla n tic States
Delaware:
Wilmington___. . .
District of Columbia:
Washington_____
Florida:
Jacksonville_____
Miami__________
Orlando_________
St. Petersburg___
Tampa__________
West Palm Beach.
Georgia:
Atlanta_________
Augusta_________
Columbus..........
Macon__________
Savannah_______
Maryland:
Baltimore_______
Cumberland_____
Hagerstown_____
1 Not included in total.


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

$20, 000

$70, 500

4

19

537, 250

552,400

90

88

40,900
10,190
0
3,700
16, 300

37,950
4,200
0
1,000
3,050
1 6, 363

13
6
0
5
6

14
4
0
3
5
11

3,920
254,966
0
6, 700
11,900

64, 529
19, 520
500
1,000
23,003

90,385
305,357
4,920
16' 900
47, 353

143, 864
92, 664
6,990
21, 600
41,813
1 26,917

57, 800
3, 600
3, 000
16,000
1, 800

18,900
14, 050
7,080
0
0

23
3
1
1
2

13
7
2
0
0

19, 505
0
500
60,150
2,265

45,052
2,300
425
0
10,545

154, 271
34; 064
13; 431
93, 200
8,680

116,040
24, 229
9,196
19,459
13, 020

112, 000
1, 200
4, 500

189,000
0
0

24
2
1

44
0
0

1, 391, 700
5,655
5,010

973,981
2,760
660

2, 046,800
7, 605
loi 785

1, 769,881
3, 555
2,410

$6,698

$7,620

4, 440,875 22,343,270

5,195, 747 23, 059, 800

139

HOUSING

T a b le 1 0 —E S T IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S F O R W HICH P E R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN

P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , A P R IL AND M AY, 1932—Continued
S o u th A tla n tic States — Continued
New residential buildings

Estimated cost

State and city

April,
1932
North Carolina:
Asheville----------Charlotte.
—
Durham________
Greensboro___ .
High Point--------Raleigh. ____ —
Wilmington____
Winston-Salem—
South Carolina:
Charleston--------Columbia______
Greenville____ —
Spartanburg-----Virginia:
Newport News—
Norfolk---------- -Petersburg . . . . . .
Portsmouth_____
Richmond______
Roanoke______ .
West Virginia:
Charleston-----. . .
Clarksburg------- .
Huntington---Parkersburg_____
Wheeling________
Total_________

New nonresidential
buildings (estimated
Families pro­
cost)
vided for in
new buildings

May,
1932

April, May,
1932
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

Total construction
including alterations
and repairs (esti­
mated cost)
April,
1932

May,
1932

0
$14,600
19,300
0
8,700
10, 350
2,000
8,650

$1,825
43, 300
12,000
5, 250
14, 000
5,710
1,500
44, 000

0
4
8
0
3
6
3
5

2
9
3
3
3
6
1
5

$1, 590
588
6, 700
3,440
5,943
190
3,100
21,130

$790
64,955
87, 225
1, 705
600
13,900
1,900
10,315

$10,480
26, 517
31,350
11,237
14, 643
21,999
9,450
39,125

$4,970
117,195
109, 625
16, 759
14, 740
22, 610
8, 050
66, 730

15,350
15,125
3,800
1,600

1,175
19, 000
9,000
450

3
10
4
1

3
16
2
1

775
14, 595
1,050
950

3, 575
21,725
3,530
50

32,167
76,847
12,660
6,410

13,181
53,405
34,125
2,470

16, 200
94, 800
1,000
7,800
51,850
32,130

2,900
58,400
0
13,400
48, 550
5,900

5
25
1
3
21
4

2
23
0
4
13
1

2,017
229,420
700
1,120
9,905
695

2,580
4,800
1,895
323
96, 212
370

25, 889
347,495
8, 550
15,387
110,190
44,023

11,986
102,465
2,725
24, 258
174, 277
9,745

45, 500
1,200
8, 275
4,000
2, 650

43, 500
1, 500
0
2, 600
6, 600

12
1
3
1
3

14
1
0
1
2

123,397
1,320
7,470
940
15,900

3,475
13, 525
1,305
1,145
36,695

182,639
6,220
37,928
6,805
44, 574

51, 746
16, 035
13,725
6, 260
55,463

1,193,120

1,238,690
+ 3 .8

307

314
+ 2.3

6, 662, 779 23,867, 760
+258.2

9, 214,332 26,347,224
+ 185.9

S o u th C en tra l States
Alabama:
Birmingham------Mobile--------------Montgomery------Arkansas:
Little Rock_____
Kentucky:
Covington_______
Lexington----------Louisville----------Newport------------Paducah...............Louisiana:
Baton Rouge.......Monroe................ .
New Orleans____
Shreveport---------Mississippi:
Jackson_________
Oklahoma:
E n id .......................
Oklahoma C ity ...
Okmulgee----------T u lsa .....................
Tennessee:
Chattanooga_____
Johnson C ity____
Knoxville_______
M em phis............Nashville...............
Texas:
Amarillo________
Austin________
Beaum ont.............
Dallas__________
E l Paso_________
Fort Worth_____

$54, 370
16,400
26,950

$24,104
51, 000
1,975

$85, 286
40, 733
61, 882

3

1

4,004

7,400

20, 464

18, 499

0
2
12
1
0

0
27
8
0
0

1,000
15, 600
295,986
800
0

2,880
19, 290
31,459
6,200
15, 000

7, 355
30, 223
390,186
7, 200
900

12, 552
83, 737
92, 044
7, 500
16,400

9,036
1, 600
29,100
14,475

5
0
31
11

7
3
25
10

309,128
22, 750
309,778
5,545

10,960
0
9,545
4,133

329,183
27, 700
452,864
48, 232

35, 872
2,700
81, 354
38,968

1,000

6

1

0

2,300

38, 615

13, 400

4,900
566,195
0
77,866

1,850
1, 099, 705
1,150
37, 867

$12, 500
6, 000
13,800

5
8
10

2,375

350

0
4, 750
58, 000
4,800
0

0
46, 300
25, 600
0
0

4, 600
0
90, 536
17, 300
23, 600

$72, 717
71, 803
25, 340

1,750
90, 000
0
17, 575

0
34, 500
0
24,100

2
18
0
7

0
11
0
5

235
447,875
0
51, 853

400
1, 039,075
700
6,042

3,000
0
15, 960
28, 600
78, 550

5,500
10,800
8,320
4, 680
36,800

2
0
7
11
33

4
5
2
5
15

5,330
450
38,112
31, 720
14, 730

869,100
4,700
948, 750
25, 610
258, 025

35, 371
800
64, 062
162, 240
110,823

889, 871
15, 600
963, 400
87, 620
306,969

8, 535
50, 485
0
55, 694
6,650
47, 500

9,150
57, 295
5. 700
82, 300
2,250
43, 500

13
27
0
35
2
21

5
29
3
52
1
17

18, 815
506,174
20, 735
330, 060
4, 585
33, 900

45,485
128,824
4, 820
33, 258
2,810
17,900

33,920
566,474
37, 575
465, 695
24, 759
127, 999

63, 000
240, 697
37, 984
177,163
11,863
84, 625

125620°—32----- 10

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

3
6
10

$3, 600
6, 500
21, 290

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

140

T a b le 1 0 —E S T IM A T E D COST OF BU IL D IN G S FO R W HICH P E R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN

P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , A P R IL AND M AY, 1932—Continued
S o u th C en tra l States — Continued
New residential buildings

State and city

Texas—Continued.
Galveston_______
Houston________
Port Arthur_- . .
San A n gelo_____
San Antonio_____
Waco___________
Wichita Falls____
Total_________
Per cent of change___

Estimated cost

Total construction
New nonresidential including
alterations
(estimated
Families pro­ buildings
and repairs (esti­
cost)
vided for in
mated cost)
new buildings
April, May,
1932
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

$41, 300
145, 730

$39, 300
116,495
0
0
41, 860
6,100
7, 500

16
61

695,911
—21. 5

386

0
50,865
7.000
0
886, 545

15
43
0
0
24
6
1

0
31
6
0

344
-1 0 .9

April,
1932

May,
1932

April,
1932

May,
1932

$8,132
167, 350

$2, 415
100, 350
i 980
200
10, 213
536
150

$60, 281
333, 730

$72,418
231,455
1 6, 305
2,755
80, 479
24, 521
10, 482

3, 685, 609
+25.6

4, 510, 227

5, 014, 360
+11.2

0
184, 681
2,533
3,840
2,933, 421

19, 082
254,147
14, 985
8,500

M o u n ta in a n d P a c ific States
Arizona:
Phoenix_________
Tucson__________
California:
Alameda________
Alhambra_______
Bakersfield___. . .
Berkeley________
Fresno- ________
G len d a le--._____
Huntington Park.
Long B e a c h .____
Los Angeles. . . . .
Oakland________
Pasadena________
Sacramento______
San Diego_______
San Francisco____
San Jose_________
Santa Ana_______
Santa Barbara___
Santa Monica.. .
Stockton___ . .
Vallejo________
Colorado:
Colorado Springs..
Denver_____ _ __
Pueblo__________
Montana:
Bu tte. . . . _____
Great Falls____
New Mexico:
Albuquerque____
Oregon:
Portland______
Salem_____ _ . .
Utah:
Ogden_______
Salt Lake City___
Washington:
Bellingham______
Everett_________
Seattle____
Spokane____ ____
T aco m a______ .

$30,150
24,400

$7,180
12,650

7
7

5
6

$27, 090
4,557

$34, 630
2,105

$91, 750
56, 695

$60, 505
21,029

3,850
34, 000
5,700
28, 050
16,100
50,590
4,500
117,885
692,990
95,826
40, 070
99,932
89, 675
448, 000
9,000
8, 800
16, 750
52, 000
22, 300
5,400

3, 000
21, 000
6,450
52,350
24,150
68,500
19,975
26, 700
557,157
91,150
35, 000
42,150
76, 750
287,023
12, 300
26,150
25, 300
21,350
36,250
3,950

1
11
1
8
6
12
3
46
246
28
11
19
32
114
2
2
7
29
12
3

1
8
2
14
6
16
13
11
195
20
9
9
28
66
5
7
8
7
10
2

17, 640
5,225
4, 550
50,812
17,510
34,180
0
50,330
527, 320
35, 075
43, 228
11,420
113,575
407,005
2,965
24,199
1,040
15, 775
245, 504
13,977

12,450
5,350
635
9, 525
5,948
11,645
3,000
138,020
313,506
193,009
42, 784
361, 071
19,030
169,563
755
2, 000
3,505
1,750
357,406
2,190

29,408
42, 725
24, 820
107, 267
49, 099
91, 320
4, 500
213,925
1,531,814
193, 920
111,427
172, 056
244,618
1,037,012
23,245
38, 959
28, 735
78,820
301,129
21,200

20, 777
27, 275
15,215
78,878
58, 207
91,600
25, 570
187,470
1,174, 039
323, 018
105, 063
438,493
135, 201
865,009
24,255
37, 056
42,115
25, 370
401,216
11,172

38,950
167,100
1,800

3,000
347, 250
5,800

8
41
1

1
48
4

1,945
40,475
1,795

2,742
84, 305
3,840

47,355
269,855
11,052

20, 307
502, 235
14,170

0
5,100

0
3,700

0
4

0
2

9, 670
4,795

970
4,250

10,530
19,545

4, 442
11,135

24,550

5,000

6

3

1,775

8,075

47,376

38,007

87,630
0

96,060
5,800

20
0

20
4

242, 630
13,025

297, 565
4,615

404,395
43, 735

447,874
29,296

1,250
24,800

7,000
33,600

2
5

3
10

1,600
15, 907

8,110
20,030

10, 600
71,222

35,955
63,365

4, 600
0
64, 575
68,050
30,000

6, 300
10,500
55,585
34,000
24,500

2
0
35
21
12

5
2
34
11
6

0
1,495
81,880
25,280
15,145

1,400
200
419,025
4,115
4,365

28,325
6,818
240, 645
119,980
58, 765

14, 372
15,467
542,506
56, 650
41, 625

Total____ _____ 2,414,373

2,094,580
-13. 2

764

601
—21. 3

2,110,394

2,553,484
+21.0

5,884, 642

6,005,939
+ 2.1

$61,425

$13,184
-7 8 .5

$257,850

$168, 316
-34. 7

H a w a ii
Honolulu___________
i Not included in total.


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$112,619

$128, 761
+14.3

67

77
+14.9

HOUSING

141

Steel Dwellings for the Unemployed in Germany 1
H E problem of settling unemployed workers with their families on
unused land at the outskirts of cities has been given consideration
by many local governments of Germany, especially^ in the densely
populated western districts. The plans under consideration which
will have the financial support of the Federal Government contem­
plate the construction, on garden plots near the cities, of single-family
dwelling houses at minimum cost where the unemployed will be enabled
to earn a part of their livelihood by cultivating potatoes and other
vegetables for their own consumption. These plans have in view not
only the creation of better and more healthful living conditions for
the unemployed but also the relief of the heavy financial burden rest­
ing on local governments involved in the support of those who are
no longer entitled to the unemployment insurance benefits.
The problem of designing a type of steel house that could be con­
structed by unskilled labor and which would combine a certain degree
of comfort at low cost and at the same time be practicable was pre­
sented by the German Ministry of Finance to the steel company at
Düsseldorf for solution. The company designed such a dwelling with
steel walls and recently made trial construction of it at Berlin.
The outside dimensions of the house are 20.86 by 30.17 feet, (in­
cluding the stable that adjoins it on one side). The ridge of the roof
is 15.22 feet from the foundation. The outer walls are constructed of
sections of 3-millimeter Thomas coppered steel plate 3.79 by 7.50
feet. The sections are set side by side on the foundation on sheet-iron
base strips. These strips are placed on a layer of building paper to
prevent rust. The sections are bolted together horizontally and are
lapped where they join one another by means of channels three inches
deep and have right-angled flanges on the inside at the top and bot­
tom. The sections are secured to the foundation by means of anchor
bolts cemented in.
To give stiffness to the walls the corner sections are of material
three times as thick as that in the other sections. The window and
door frames are also of steel and are furnished separately to be bolted
to the wall plates after the sections are erected. The floor, ceiling,
doors, sash, and roof framing of the house are of wood.
The houses have only one story, and include a living room-kitchen
with a floor space of 10.55 by 15.42 feet, and two bedrooms, one of
6.69 by 9.51 feet, and the other of 5.57 by 6.69 feet.^ A work room
5.9 by 10.04 feet is also provided. The stable at the side of the house
has space for two or three goats, a pigsty, and a poultry coop, as well
as a toilet. I t is roofed by prolonging the roof of the main house.
In order to avoid changing the angle of slope of the roof and to give
sufficient headroom, the floor of the stable is placed 2% feet below
the level of the house floor.
The walls of the stable are also of steel sections made by cutting
plates 3.79 by 9.8 feet, diagonally. The part cut off may thus be
used in the construction of the stable of a second house without
waste of material. The walls of the stable are bolted to the walls of
the house by means of angle irons. Provision is also made for possible

T

i Report of George C. Minor, American vice consul at Cologne, dated Apr. 22, 1932.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

142

future extension of the house by placing angles of 70/70 millimeter
steel on the outside of two of the corner sections.
The steel walls are lined inside the house by a layer of bims bricks
made of volcanic ash, cement, and limestone. An air space three
centimeters wide is left between the steel and the brick work. The
air space is ventilated, to prevent sweating, by means of slots in the
foundation and steel sections. Building paper is placed behind the
brick work. The partition walls are also of bims brick.
The roof is of galvanized steel sheets lapped by means of flanges
and secured by galvanized roofing nails with lead washers to the
roof framing. There being no air space over the ceiling of the
stable, insulation is secured by spreading over this part a layer of
clay or ashes on top of the ceiling and under the galvanized roofing
sheets. The space under the gables is boarded up and the entire
house may be painted any desired color.
The house has been designed to eliminate the need of skilled labor
in its construction with the possible exception of the laying of the
chimney. The roof framing is of the simplest kind and is to be de­
livered to the site already cut and fitted. In erecting the trial
house, three unskilled laborers were able to erect the steel walls in
eight hours. Seven days in all were required for completing the
house after the cement foundation had set.
Costs of Construction

A ccording to the steel company, the material costs of this type
of house, based on the construction of a block of 20 houses are as
follows:
Marks 2

Steel walls______;___________________________
Lumber and framing________________________
Windows, doors, and trimming_______________
Roofing____________________________________
Foundation and interior walls________________

590 ($140.42)
500 ($119.00)
400 ($95. 20)
220 ($52. 36)
500 ($119. 00)

Total__________________________________ 2, 210 ($525. 98)

To the above costs, the labor costs of the settler must be added, which
according to a decree of the Government settlement commissioner
may not exceed 500 marks ($119). An additional sum of 300 marks
($71) will also be allowed for planting and the purchase of domestic
animals, poultry, etc. The entire cost must, however, not Exceed
3,000 marks ($714) exclusive of rail transportation.
2 Conversions into United States currency on basis of mark=23.8 cents.


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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Wages and Hours of Labor in Motor-Vehicle Repair Garages,
1931

E

M P L O Y E E S in motor-vehicle repair garages in the United
States earned an average of 57.9 cents per hour and $29.56 in
a representative week in 1931. In the week they worked an average
of 5.8 days (counting as a day each whole or part day worked) and
51 hours, and their full-time hours per week averaged 53.4. The
average (51) of hours actually worked in the week is 95.5 per cent of
the average (53.4) full-time hours per week, thus showing 4.5 per
cent of short time. With the same average earnings per hour as
was earned in the 51 hours, earnings for a full-time week would have
averaged $30.92 or $1.36 more than was actually earned. These
figures are for males only; in the garages covered in the study only
6 females were employed.
The figures quoted above are summaries of the results of a study
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1931 of days, hours, and earn­
ings of 6,059 employees of 344 garages in 43 representative cities m
34 States and the District of Columbia. The study included em­
ployees of 8 garages in 2 cities in each of 8 States and in 1 ^city in
each of 26 States and in the District of Columbia. The basic wage
figures used in compiling this report were collected by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics directly from the pay rolls of the garages covered
by the study for a pay period in April, May, June, or July, and con­
sequently the figures "in this report are representative of conditions
in those months.
, . .
The principal business of the garages covered in the study is tiie
general repair of motor vehicles. In a considerable number of garages
washing, greasing, and storing of cars, and sale of gasoline, oil, and
auto supplies is also carried on, but this is incidental to the main
business. Wage figures were collected for representative garages in
each of the cities covered in the study.
Average Hours and Earnings, 1931, by Occupations

T able 1 shows average days, hours, and earnings for each of the
important occupations found in the garages studied and foi the
group of “ other employees.” This group includes a number of
occupations each too few in number of employees to warrant separate
occupational tabulation.
I t will be observed that averages are shown for each of two or
more occupations separately, and then for a combination of such
occupations. Thus, averages are shown for battery men and lor
“ radiator m en’* separately and then for both combined. Six garages
employed both batterymen and radiator men, consequently the
number of garages for both is 49. Table 1 is the only one in which
figures are shown separately for these occupations. In other tables
figures are shown for the combination to avoid publishing data lor
one garage only and possibly revealing its identity.
Janitors, service men, and the group^ of “ other employees worked
an average of 6.1 days in one week, which was higher, and wood body
workers worked an average of 5.3 days which was lower than the
average for any other occupation in the table.
143

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

144

Average full-time hours per week ranged by occupations from
49.8 for machinists to 58.5 for the group of other employees and
average hours actually worked in one week ranged from 43 for wood
body workers to 58.8 for other employees. Janitors worked an average
of 57.7 hours in the week. The per cent of full time worked ranged,
by occupations, from 83.8 for wood body workers to 102.1 for in­
spectors. P art of the inspectors worked overtime in the week covered
in the report.
Average earnings per hour ranged, by occupations, from 34.7
cents for mechanics’ helpers to 86.7 cents for blacksmiths; full-time
earnings per week from $18.46 for mechanics’ helpers to $45.50 for
diagnosticians; and average actual earnings in the week ranged from
$17.63 for mechanics’ helpers to $44.93 for diagnosticians.
T a ble 1 — AVERA G E HOURS AND EA RN IN G S IN R E P A IR GARAG ES, 1931, B Y OCCUPA­

TIO N

Aver­
age
num­
ber of
days
worked
in 1
week

Hours
Aver­
actually
Aver­ worked
in
Aver­ age
age
1
week
age
full­
full­
earn- time
time
earn­
ings
hours Aver­ Per
per
ings
per
per
age cent of hour
week num­
week
full
ber
time

Aver­
age
actual
earn­
ings
in 1
week

Occupation

Num­ Num­
ber
ber
of
of
em­
ga­ ploy­
rages ees

Auto mechanics, general_______ _ __
Auto mechanics, sp e cia liz e d ...___ ._

343 2, 668
82
47

5.8
5.8

52.9
52. 7

49.2
48,8

93.0 $0. 638 $33. 75
.685 36. 10
92.6

$31.35
33.46

46
9

51
ii

6. 0
5.8

55.7
53.4

55. 1
48.2

98.9
90.3

.531
.567

29. 58
30.28

29. 25
27. 29

49

62

6.0

55.3

53.9

97.5

.536

29.64

28. 90

90.3
95.4
93.3

.867
.788
.793

43.87
39. 24
41.55

39. 60
37. 46
38. 77

Radiator men

____________ _ _

Battery and radiator men

14
24
4

Blacksmiths, machinists, and
welders________ .

33

51

5.9

50.3

47.1

93.6

Body workers, metal________________
Body workers, wood__ . . .
_ ...
Body workers, metal and wood. ____
Upholsterers___________ ______
___

80
29
35
38

124
42
44
61

5.7
5.3
5.7
5.5

51.9
51.3
52.7
50.8

48.2
43.0
48.8
44.2

92.9
83.8
92.6
87.0

.763
.789
.665
.786

39.60
40.48
35.05
39.93

36.79
33. 90
32. 44
34.73

Body workers and upholsterers..

122

271

5.6

51.7

46.6

90.1

.755

39.03

35.17

97.3
94.4

.381
.452

20. 88
23.32

20. 32
22.05

15
31
5

Car washers
. . . . . . . . __________ . 227
Polishers____ ______ ____ ___________
27

389
58

5.7
5.9
5.8

5.9
5.8

50.6
49.8
52. 4

45.7
47.5
48.9

Blacksmiths.
. . . .
Machinists. . . .
____ . . . . ____
Welders____ . . . __________ ____

54.8
51.6

53.3
48.7

.811

40.79

38.22

Car washers and polishers______

230

447

5.9

54.4

52.7

96.9

.390

21.22

20.54

Chasers________________ . . . ______
Foremen, working_______________ . _
Helpers, mechanics’_________ ______ _

61
172
145

105
228
273

6.0
6.0
5.8

54.8
53.2
53.2

55.6
53.6
50.8

101.5
100.8
95.5

.373
.798
.347

20. 44
42. 45
18.46

20.72
42.81
17. 63

Inspectors ______________
. .. ..
Diagnosticians ____________ _______

78
40

171
62

6.0
6.0

52.3
53.4

53.4
52.7

102.1
98.7

.737
.852

38. 55
45. 50

39.35
44.93

Inspectors and diagnosticians___

105

233

6.0

52.6

53.2

101. 1

.768

40.40

40. 84

Painters.. . . . . _____
Pitmen (greasers)_____ _______

115
141

217
200

5.6
5.8

i 52.1
53.3

48.4
50.9

i 93.3
95.5

.682 i 35. 53
.440 23.45

33.05
22.41

Porters_______ ________________ ____
Janitors___ _____ _____________ ..

128
68

253
97

6.0
6.1

54.4
57.1

53.8
57.7

98.9
101.1

.363
.390

19. 75
22. 27

19. 54
22.49

Porters and janitors___________

180

350

6.0

55.1

54.9

99.6

.371

20. 44

20. 36

Service men. ------------- -----------------Stock clerks___________ ___________
Stock keepers____ _ . . ----------------Other employees _________________

59
142
199
115

130
292
208
242

6.1
6.0
6.0
6.1

55.4
52.3
53.5
58.5

54.3
52.6
53.3
58.8

98.0
100.6
99. 6
100.5

.660
.458
.658
.434

36.56
23.95
35. 20
25.39

35.86
24. 13
35. 08
25. 53

341 6,059

5.8

53.4

51.0

95.5

.579

30.92

29.56

All o ccu p atio n s...------

..

.

i Not including 1 employee whose full-time hours were not reported.


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145

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Average Hours and Earnings, 1931, by Cities

T a b l e 2 shows average hours and earnings in one week for the
employees covered in each of the 43 cities. The same number (8) of
garages were covered in each city, but the number of employees
ranged from 38 in Danville, 111., to 430 in Boston, Mass.
Average days worked in one week ranged in the various cities from
5.4 to 6.2.
Average full-time hours per week ranged from 49.5 to 61.2 and
average hours actually worked in one week ranged from 45.4 to 57.3.
The per cent of full time actually worked in one week ranged from
85.8 to 101.0. The percentage of full time worked was 100 or more
in each of 4 cities.
Average earnings per hour ranged from 32.7 to 73.2 cents, full-time
earnings per week from $19.39 to $38.36, and average actual earnings
in one week ranged from $18.72 to $35.35.

T a b l e 2 — A V ER A G E HOURS AND EA RN IN G S IN R E P A IR GARAG ES, 1931, B Y C IT Y

Aver­
age
Num­ Num­
number
ber
of
em­
days
ga­
worked
rages ploy­
in 1
ees
week

City

Hours
actually
Aver­ worked
in
age
1 week
fulltime
hours Aver­ Per
per
age cent of
week num­
full
time
ber
53.5
50.8

52.9
50.8

Philadelphia, Pa.............. - ------ ----------

8
8

76
161

6.0
5. 9

Altoona and Philadelphia--------

16

237

6.0

51. 7

51.4

136

5.9

51. 1

50.2
53.1
49.6

Atlanta, Ga------ ----------- - --- -- -- Houston, Tex______________ ________
Austin and Houston_______

Holyoke, M a s s _ .------ -------------------Boston and Holyoke_______

-

8

Aver­
Aver­ age Aver­
age
full­
age
earn- time actual
ings earn­ ings
ings
per
in 1
per
hour
week week

98.9 $0. 552 $29. 53
. 618 31. 39
100.0

$29.18
31. 39

99.4

.596

30. 81

30. 65

98. 2

.551

28. 16

27. 65

98.3
97.6

.510
. 552

27.54
28. 04

27.05
27. 39

8
8

85
127

5.9
5.9

54.0
50.8

16

212

5.9

52. 1

51. 0

97.9

.534

27. 82

27. 25

8
8

260
139

5.8
5. 9

54.0
57.2

52.9
55. 2

98.0
96. 5

. 546
. 482

29. 48
27. 57

28.86
26. 58

8
8

430
57

5. 6
5.9

51. 2
50.4

48. 4
49.9

94.5
99. 0

.607
. 581

31.08
29. 28

29. 39
29. 02

16

487

5.6

51. 1

48. 6

95. 1

.604

30.86

29.34

29. 43
25. 02
27. 65

28. 87
24. 71
27. 05

Charlotte, N. C-------------------------------

8
8
8

81
96
101

5.8
5.9
5. 9

54.1
53.8
57.0

53.1
53.1
55. 7

98. 2
98. 7
97. 7

.544
. 465
. 485

Danville, 111________________________

8
8

293
38

5.8
6.1

52.4
55.0

48.3
52.4

92. 2
93. 7

.732
. 540

38. 36
30. 19

35. 35
28.30

--

16

331

5.8

52.8

48.8

92.4

.708

37.38

34. 54

Hamilton, Ohio_______________ - .........

8
8

203
86

5.8
5.9

52.9
56.0

45.4
54.0

85.8
96. 4

.648
. 555

34.28
31.08

29. 43
29.98

Cleveland and Hamilton. _ ------

16

289

5.8

53.8

48.0

89.2

.617

33.19

29. 59

90.5
92.1
97. 9
98. 8
90.3
97.8

.570
. 681
. 646
. 482
. 552
. 508

32.89
36. 91
33. 85
27.72
29.64
27.53

29. 77
33. 94
33.10
27. 34
26. 79
26. 92

Chicago and D a n v ille -------

Jacksonville, Fla------------------------------

8
8
8
8
8
8

95
104
211
77
160
95

6. 1
5. 7
5.9
6. 1
5. 8
5 9

57.7
54. 2
52.4
57.5
53.7
54. 2

52.2
49.9
51.3
56.8
48.5
53.0

Not including one employee whose full-time hours were not reported.


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146

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b le 2 .—A V ER A G E H OURS AND E A R N IN G S IN R E P A IR GA RA G ES, 1931, B Y C IT Y —

Continued

City

Num­ Num­
ber
ber
of
of
emga­ ployrages ees

Joplin, M o_____________________
St. Louis, M o__________________

8
8

73
168

Aver­
age
num­
ber of
days
worked
in 1
week

Hours
actually
Aver­
Averworked
in
Aver­ age
age
1 week
age
full­
fullearn­ time
time
ings earn­
hours Aver­ Per
per
ings
per
age cent of hour
per
week num­
full
week
ber
time

6.2
61. 2
5. 9 i 49. 9

56.4
92. 2
48. 3 1 97. 2

$0428 $26.19
.659 132. 88

Aver­
age
actual
earn­
ings
in 1
week

$24.17
31.85

Joplin and St. Louis_______

16

241

6.0

153.4

50.8

195.3

.582 131. 03

29. 53

Kansas City, Kans_____________
Lincoln, Nebr__________________
Little Rock, Ark_______________
Louisville, K y __________________
Manchester, N. H______________
Memphis, Tenn________________
Meridian, Miss_________________

8
8
8
8
8
8
8

76
70
163
122
76
98
58

6.1
5.9
5.8
5.8
6.0
5.4
5.9

57.1
54.8
53.9
56. 7
53.5
54. 1
59.3

55.3
53.3
52. 1
52.4
53. 6
46.4
57.3

96.8
97.3
96. 7
92.4
100.2
85.8
96. 6

.493
.507
.476
.483
.531
.520
.327

28. 15
27. 78
25. 66
27.39
28.41
28. 13
19. 39

27.26
27. 01
24. 79
25.35
28. 48
24. 13
18. 72

Milwaukee, W is________________
Superior, Wis___________________

8
8

104
58

6.0
6.0

54.3
56. 1

48.7
54.4

89. 7
97.0

.604
.570

32.80
31.98

29. 41
31.03

Milwaukee and Superior___

16

162

6.0

54. 9

50.7

92.3

.591

32. 45

29.99

Minneapolis, M inn_____________
New Orleans, La_______________

8
8

173
112

5.9
5. 9

55. 1
49. 5

50. 5
48. 0

91. 7
97.0

.631
.497

34. 77
24. 60

31. 85
23. 85

New York, N. Y _______________
Rochester, N. Y ________________

8
8

358
158

5.8
5.8

49. 7
51.0

50. 2
49.8

101.0
97.6

.697
.663

34. 64
33. 81

34. 97
33. 02

. New York and Rochester__

16

516

5.8

50. 1

50. 1

100.0

.687

34. 42

34. 42

Oklahoma City, Okla___________
Portland, M e .._________________
Providence, R. I ________________
Richmond, Va__________________
Trenton, N. J __________________
Washington, D . C______________

8
8
8
8
8
8

116
186
187
142
100
350

5.9
5.9
5.8
6.0
5.8
5. 9

54. 5
54. 7
52.3
53.3
53. 6
54.3

50. 4
52. 7
51. 1
53.3
51. 9
51.1

92.5
96.3
97. 7
100.0
96.8
94.1

.598
.535
.599
.575
.584
.593

32.59
29. 26
31.33
30.65
31. 30
32. 20

30.19
28. 20
30. 61
30.65
30.33
30.32

344 6,059

5.8

53.4

51.0

95.5

.579

30.92

29. 56

Grand total_______________

i Not including one employee whose full-time hours were not reported.

Average and Classified Earnings Per Hour, 1931

A v e r a g e and classified earnings per hour are shown in Table 3 for
the employees in each of the important occupations or occupational
groups, for the group of “ other employees,” and for the employees
in all occupations in the garages covered in the study.
Average earnings per hour were computed for each employee by
dividing the amount earned in one week by the number of hours
actually worked in that week.
The average of 37.1 cents per hour for porters and janitors is less
and of 81.1 cents for blacksmiths, machinists, and welders is more
than the average for any occupation or other occupational group in
the table.
Of the porters and janitors, 2 per cent earned, on an average, less
than 15 cents per hour, 50 per cent earned less than 35 cents per hour,
and only 1 per cent earned as much as 70 and under 80 cents per hour.
Only 2 per cent of the group of blacksmiths, machinists, and welders
earned an average as low as 45 and under 50 cents per hour, and 36
per cent earned an average of 90 cents or more per hour.


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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

147

T a b le 3 .—A V ER A G E AND C L A SSIF IE D EA RN IN G S P E R HOUR IN R E P A IR GA RA G ES,

1931, B Y OCCUPATION

Per cent of employees whose average
earnings per hour were—
Aver­
Num­ Num­
age
ber
of
ber of em- earn­
20
30
15
25
35
ings Un­ and
ga­
and and and and
rages ployper
ees
15 under under under under under
hour der
cents 20
25
30
35
40
cents cents cents cents cents

Occupation

Auto mechanics, g e n e ra l.-_________ ____

Car washers and polishers____
_______
Chasers. . . ______
_ . ________ _
Helpers, mechanics’__

.

_____________

Pitmen (greasers)... ____________________
Porters and janitors_____ . . . . _____
Stock clerks____ . . .

. . . ________________

Other employees- ____________________ .
Total. . _

__________

343
47
49
33
122
230
61
172
145
10.5
115
144
180
59
142
199
115

2,668 $0. 638
82
.685
62
. 536
51
.811
271
.755
.390
447
105
.373
228
.798
.347
273
233
.768
.682
217
200
.440
350
.371
.660
130
292
.458
208
.658
242
.434

(>)

344

6,059

(')

.579

1

(>)

2

1
2
2

10

2
1
3
1
12
10

(')

1

1
1

5
3

8
11

1
13
17

(i)
16
9

3

6

9

15

i
2

6
7

1

5
3
2
2

1

3

1
1
10

2
8
17
2
10
1
12

16
(!)
1
18
21
4
8
3
9

(i)
22
(«)
3
13
10
2
10
4
15

1

2

5

6

5

Per cent of employees whose average earnings per hour were—
60
70
80
90
40
45
50
$1
and and and and and and cents and
under under under under under under and under
90 under $1.10
45
50
60
70
80
cents cents cents cents cents cents $1

Occupation

Body workers and upholsterers. ..........
Car washers and polishers
_
.
Foremen, working _____________

...

Inspectors and diagnosticians
.
Painters
..
_____
_
---Pitmen (greasers).._ . ______ . . . . .

Stock keepers.

_____

Total___________

4
13
12
1
14
6
7

22
13
31
4
13
15
12
5
7
7
16
7
14
10
24
15
14

7

17

4
4
6

Auto mechanics, general_____

___
. --------------

2
13
24
(i)
10
1
5
12
11
1
14
2
8
6

7
5
6
2
4
8
9
1
7
(')

28
21
29
22
13
5

10
16
3
22
19
1

21
4
20
20
4
3
27
11
28
7

19
28
8
16
24
2
1
26
1
32
21
3
1
29
2
21
5

19

15

i

2
4

3
2
18
9
1

$1.10 $1.20
and and
under over
$1.20
1

14
9
(0

1
2
4
2

3
(0

(■)

21
1
21
12
3

13

6

3

4

8
6
5

6
7
3

2
2
1

1
1
1

17
2
9
5

2

2

4
2

3
1

9

3

2

2
0)

1
1

2
1

1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.

Table 4 shows the number and per cent of the 6,059 employees
covered in this report classified according to individual average
earnings per hour.
One employee, or less than 1 per cent of the 6,059 employees covered
in the study, earned an average of 5 and under 6 cents per hour, 1
earned an average of $1.80 and under $1.90 and 660 or 11 per cent
earned an average of 60 and under 65 cents per hour.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

148

T a b le 4 .— N U M B E R AND P E R C E N T OF GARAGE E M P L O Y E E S IN ALL O CCUPATIONS

AT EA CH C L A SSIFIE D GROUP OF EA RN IN G S P E R HOUR, 1931

Employees in
all occupations

Employees in
all occupations
Classified earnings per hour

Classified earnings per hour
Num­
ber

11 and under 12 cents _ ---------------

35 and under 37^ cents _. _

------

and under 45 cents______ -

1
2
3
4
4
2
10
14
19
12
24
14
17
22
52
32
27
97
186
163
179
208
120
262
102

Num­
ber

Per
cent
(!)
(l)
(!)
(>)
(1)
(!)
(!)
(1)
(!)
(!)
0)
(!)
0)
(1)
(1)

45 and under 47Y i cents_______
47Y i and under 50 cents. . . .
50 and under 55 cents______
55 and under 60 cents. . . . . . . . .
60 and under 65 cents . .
...

1
1
2
3
3
3
3
2
4
2

$1.70 and under $1.80___

. . . ..

307
100
501
516
660
504
528
386
316
209
148
62
146
51
32
5
3
4
3
1
1

6, 059
Average earnings per h o u r------- . $0. 579

Per
cent
5
2
8
9
11
8
9
6
5
3
2
1
2
1
1
(')
0)
(>)
(•)
(i)
(i)
100

i Less than one-half of 1 per cent.

Average and Classified Full-Time Hours per week, 1931

F ull - time hours per week are the employee’s prescribed hours on
duty each week under normal conditions and take no account of lost
time or overtime.
Table 5 shows the average and classified full-time hours per week
for the employees in each of the occupations or occupational groups
and for all occupations combined in the garages covered in the study.
The average full-time hours per week ranged from a low of 50.3 for
blacksmiths, machinists, and welders to 58.5 for the group of “ other
employees.” The hours of 12 per cent of the blacksmiths, machinists,
and welders were under 46% per week, those of 4 per cent were over
60 per week, and those of 32 per cent were 48 or less per week. The
hours of service men averaged 55.4 per week, 1 per cent had a full­
time week of less than 46% hours, 6 per cent of over 70 hours, and 14
per cent of 48 hours or less.
This table shows that 40 per cent of these garage employees had a
full-time week of 54 hours, 8 per cent of 48 hours, 40 per cent of less
than 54 hours, and 20 per cent of over 54 hours. The hours of 2 per
cent were over 70 per week.


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WAGES AND HOURS OF LAHOR

149

'Ta b l e 5 .—A V ER A G E AND C L A SSIFIE D F U L L -T IM E HOURS OF GARAGE E M P L O Y E E S

P E R W E E K , 1931, B Y OCCUPATION

Occupation

Auto mechanics, general____________
Auto mechanics, specialized________
Battery and radiator men___________
Blacksmiths, machinists, and welders.
Body workers and upholsterers_____
Car washers and polishers__________
Chasers___________________________
Foremen, working_________________
Helpers, mechanics’________________
Inspectors and diagnosticians_______
Painters__________________________
Pitmen (greasers)________ __________
Porters and janitors________________
Service m en_______________________
Stock clerks_______________________
Stock keepers______________________
Other employees___ ______ _________
Total___________________ _____

Per cent of employees whose average full­
time hours per week were—
Num­ AverNum­ ber
age
ber
fullof
Over
Over
Over
of
em­ time
46^
48
50
ga­ ploy­ hours Un­
and
and
rages ees
per der 46 J-i un­ 48 un­ 50 and
51
un­
week 4 6 t f
der
der
der
48
50
51
343 2,668 52.9
47
82 52. 7
49
62 55.3
33
51 50.3
122
271 51. 7
447 54.4
230
61
105 54.8
172
228 53.2
145
273 53.2
105
233 52.6
115
216 52. 1
144
200 53.3
180
350 55. 1
59
130 55.4
142
292 52.3
199
208 53.5
242 58.5
115
344 6,058

53.4

10
5
3
2
2
1
5
3
4
0)
5
3
2
5

2
2
5
2
4
2
1
2
3
4
2
2
1
2
5
3
2

9
16
5
8
10
8
8
8
11
8
8
8
5
6
8
8
4

12
8
3
7
3
2
7
9
5
4
7
2
2
3

9
22
3
20
20
10
22
11
6
9
13
10
11
8
14
5
10

4

2

8

4

10

2
1

6
1

12
1
1
2
2
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
0)
4
2

4
7

2
1

7
1
1

6
4
10
8
4
5
5
5
8
7
10
4
3
11
10
5
3

2

6

2
2
1
3
2
1
1

Per cent of employees whose average full-time hours per
week were—
Occupation

Auto mechanics, general_____
Auto mechanics, specialized
Battery and radiator men..
Blacksmiths, machinists, and welders.
Body workers and upholsterers___
Car washers and polishers. . . .
Chasers ___________
Foremen, working_______
Helpers, mechanics’. .......
Inspectors and diagnosticians_____
P a in te rs_____
Pitmen (greasers)_________
Porters and janitors___ ____ _
Servicemen . . .
Stock clerks_____ .
______
Stock keepers ___ .
_____
Other employees..-..______________
Total________ ________ _______
* Less than one-half of 1 per cent.


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Over
51
and
un­
der
54

54

2
1
3
2
1
1
1
2
2
1

42
22
40
18
30
40
29
48
45
35
32
44
44
28
36
52
22

2

40

2
4
3
2
3
1

Over
54
and
un­
der
57
2
1
2

1
5

2

6
2
10
6
9
8
4
9
8
6
10
10
8
12
4
6
8

2
(D
3
1
2
3

1

7

1

(i)

1
1
1

0)
2
1
3
1
0)

Over
Over
Over
60
57
63
and
and
57 un­ 60 un­ 63 and 70 Over
un­
70
der
der
der
60
63
70

2
1
2
1
2

4 (0
4
lip
2
4
3
5
1
7
1
1
3
1
4
3
1
4
5
1
2
7
1
3
1
4
6 (i)
6 Ò)
4

1

1
1

3
(0
1
(l)
1
3

1
4
5

(i)

(i)
'2
5
2
2
4

1
(l)
2

2
1
1
2
2
4

1

2

1
2

1

4

0 )1

o

1
2
3

1
5

2

18
2

150

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Wages and Hours of Labor in Cotton-Goods Manufacturing,
1932
SU M M A RY of the results of a study by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of hours and earnings of wage earners in the cottongoods manufacturing industry in the United States in 1932 is presented
in this article, together with comparative data for each of the years
from 1910 to 1914 and for each of the even-numbered years from
1916 to 1930.
The 1932 figures cover 76,630 wage earners of 154 representative
cotton mills in 11 States for a pay period in January, February, or
March, and, therefore, reflect conditions in those months. The
number of wage earners in the 11 States covered in the 1932 study
was 90 per cent of the total in the industry in all States and the
number included in the study was 16 per cent of the total reported
in the 1927 United States Census of Manufactures.
The study showed that in 1932 the full-time hours in the industry
averaged 53.4, which was the same as in 1930 and 1928. Earnings
per hour averaged 26.6 cents in 1932, a decrease of 5.9 cents per hour
or 18.2 per cent since 1930; while full-time earnings per week aver­
aged $14.20 in 1932, as compared with $17.36 in 1930.
Summary data showing average full-time hours, earnings per hour
and full-time earnings per week for specified years since 1910 are
shown in Table 1, together with index numbers thereof, on the basis
of 1913 = 100.
The 1910 to 1913 averages are for certain selected occupations only
and are comparable, one year with another, over this period. Two
sets of averages are shown for 1914, one for selected occupations only
and the other for a combination of all occupations in the industry.
The selected occupations shown for the earlier years are still the
most important in the industry. The table shows that average
hours for these were less and the earnings therein were more than for
all occupations combined. The averages for all occupations for
the specified years from 1914 to 1932 are comparable, one year with
another, over this period, but should not be compared with the
averages for selected occupations.
The index numbers, however, afford a comparison over the entire
period from 1910 to 1932. The indexes for the years 1910 to 1914
for selected occupations are simple percentages. Those for all
occupations for 1916 and each of the specified succeeding years to
1932 were computed by increasing or decreasing the 1914 index for
selected occupations in proportion to the increase or decrease in the
averages for all occupations as between 1914 and the specified
succeeding years.
As the table shows, average full-time hours decreased from an
index of 102.1 in 1910 to 100 in 1913 and 89.7 in 1920, then gradually
increased to 92.5 in 1928, with no change in 1930 or 1932.

A


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151

WAGES AND HOURS OE LABOR

T a b le 1 .—A V ER A G E H OURS AND EA RN IN G S IN COTTON-GOODS M A N U FA C TU RIN G ,

W ITH IN D E X N U M B E R S, 1910 TO 1932

Item

Selected occupations:
1910
_______________
___________________
1911
1912
______________ _____
1913
-- - _________
19141
____
_________
All occupations:
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932

. . ______ _____
_________________
_________
___
_____
______ -____ . _____________
________ ______
. . ______________
__ __ _________
__________________

Average
Num­ Num­
full­
ber of ber of
time
estab­ wage
lish­ earners hours
per
ments
week

age
earn­
ings
per
hour

Index numbers
(1913=100.0)

Aver­
age
full­
time
earn­
ings
per
week

Full­
time
hours
per
week

Earn­
ings
per
hour

Full­
time
earn­
ings
per
week

59
88
88
88
90

20, 725
34,397
35,941
36,498
36,578

58.5
58.4
57.4
57.3
56.4

$0.140
. 144
.158
.160
.165

$8.16
8.36
9.00
9.12
9.24

102.1
101.9
100.2
100.0
98.4

87.5
90.0
98.8
100.0
103.1

89.5
91.7
98.7
100.0
101.3

90
106
106
96
97
114
151
158
162
154

78,582
85,233
81,121
59, 548
62, 833
77, 995
82, 982
88, 006
90, 053
76, 630

56.8
56.9
56.0
51.8
52.8
53.0
53.3
53.4
53.4
53.4

.153
.179
.267
.480
.330
.372
.328
.324
.325
.266

8. 63
10.08
14. 95
24. 86
17. 42
19. 72
17. 48
17. 30
17. 36
14.20

98.6
97.0
89.7
91.5
91.8
92.3
92.5
92.5
92.5

120. 6
179.9
323.5
222. 4
250. 7
221.0
218.3
219.0
179.2

118.3
175. 5
291.8
204.5
231.5
205.2
203.1
203.8
166. 7

1 2 sets of averages are shown for 1914 for the industry; one for selected occupations and the other for all
occupations in the industry. The 1910 to 1914 figures for selected occupations only are comparable one
year with another, as are those for all occupations one year with another from 1914 to 1932.

Average Hours and Earnings, 1930 and 1932, by Occupation and Sex

T able 2 shows average days, hours, and earnings in 1930 and 1932
and the per cent of full time worked in one week for each of the
important occupations in the industry and for a group of employees,
designated as “ other employees,” which includes several occupations
each too few in number of wage earners to warrant separate occupa­
tional tabulation.
Each full day or part day worked in the week was counted as a
day in computing the average for each year.
Average earnings per hour for males ranged, in the various occupa­
tions, in 1930 from 21.0 cents for spooler tenders to 67.4 cents for mule
spinners, and in 1932 from 19.8 cents for filling hands to 60.3 cents
for mule spinners. Averages for females ranged, by occupations,
in 1930 from 24.8 cents per hour for trimmers or inspectors to 40.8
cents for drawing-in machine tenders, and in 1932 from 19. 2 cents for
filling hands to 34.8 cents for beamer tenders. Averages for males
and for females were less in 1932 than in 1930 for each of the occupa­
tions for which averages are shown for both years.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

152

T a b le 2 — A V ER A G E HOURS AND EA RN IN G S IN COTTON-GOODS M A N U FA C TU RIN G ,

1930 AND 1932, B Y OCCUPATION AND S E X

Num­ Num­ Aver­
age
ber of
of days
Year estab­ ber
worked
wage
lish­
in 1
ments earners week

Occupation and sex

Aver­
age
fulltime
hours
per
week

Hours ac­
tually
worked in
1 week

Aver­
Aver­ age Aver­
age
full­
age
earn- time actual
ings earn­ ings
ings
Aver­ Per
per
in 1
per
age cent hour
week week
num­ of full
ber time

1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
1932

160
153
160
154
155
143
151
140
136
62
51
159
153
12
6
152
150
133
122
8
5
48
85
162
154
158
151
28
21
8
29
161
152
39
38
105
102
62
71
119
108
30
34
5
5
155
145
9
9
128
119

1,005
747
1,742
1,567
542
466
1,213
916
867
595
407
1,106
1,027
25
13
2,939
3,019
2,971
2, 000
163
65
623
1,647
10, 420
8, 325
4, 114
3, 589
320
272
23
272
4,454
3, 670
100
113
541
417
203
192
563
446
208
215
36
10
827
763
17
16
917
802

4.6
4.7
4.4
4.5
5.0
5.0
4.6
4.3
4.3
4.5
4.6
4.4
4. 5
3.9
4.0
4.3
4.5
4. 7
4.9
4.3
4.0
3.8
4. 1
4.3
4.6
4.3
4.5
4.5
4.8
4.4
4. 2
4.4
4.6
4.4
4.4
4.2
4. 5
4. 5
4.9
4.7
5. 0
4.7
4.5
5. 1
3.6
4.9
5.0
4.6
4.6
5.0
4.9

53.8
53. 8
53.8
53.9
53. 7
53. 8
53.8
54.3
54.3
52. 6
53.0
54. 1
53.9
50. 7
51. 3
54.8
54. 2
51.3
51. 5
48.5
50.9
55. 5
53.6
53. 5
53. 6
54. 1
53.9
51. 5
52. 6
55.3
53. 3
53. 5
53. 3
55. 2
54.2
53.9
53. 2
55. 1
53. 6
52. 4
52.6
54. 6
53.3
53. 3
53.8
53. 6
53. 5
53. 5
51. 6
52. 7
53.2

43. 0
44. 3
42. 0
43. 2
48. 1
47. 7
43. 7
40. 7
41. 7
40. 1
42.9
41. 0
42.8
33. 1
33.9
41. 1
43. 5
40. 9
42. 3
38. 1
35.0
36. 5
41. 1
38. 8
40. 0
40. 6
41. 7
39. 1
41. 2
43. 3
39. 3
39. 6
40. 6
43. 3
43.2
39. 0
40.3
42. 6
45. 9
42. 0
43. 5
42. 3
43. 1
44. 6
31.7
46.3
48.4
44. 0
39. 6
43. 7
42. 3

79.9 $0. 284 $15.28 $12. 20
82. 3
. 233 12. 54
10. 31
.314 16. 89
13. 20
78. 1
80. 1
.252 13. 58
10. 87
.403 21.64
19. 38
89.6
16. 03
88.7
. 336 18. 08
81. 2
.204 10. 98
8. 89
75. 0
.280 15. 20
11.37
9. 57
76.8
.230 12.49
76.2
.278 14. 62
11. 16
.222 11.77
80.9
9. 51
14. 97
75.8
. 365 19. 75
.291 15. 68
12. 47
79.4
.390 19. 77
12.91
65.3
15.
80
.308
10.
44
66. 1
75. 0
.343 18. 80
14. 11
.273 14. 80
80.3
11.86
79. 7
.349 17.90
14, 28
82. 1 .296 i_15. 24
12. 52
.674 32. 69
25. 65
78. 6
.603 30. 69
21.08
68.8
.322 17.87
11.77
65.8
8.80
.214 11. 47
76. 7
72.5
10. 34
.266 14. 23
.213 11. 42
74.6
8. 50
.315 17.04
12. 79
75.0
77.4
.253 13. 64
10. 56
12. 24
75.9
.313 16. 12
78.3
.273 14. 36
11.24
78. 3
.210 11.61
9. 11
73. 7 .201 10. 71
7. 88
.251 13. 43
74.0
9. 95
76.2
.207 11.03
8.42
12. 07
78.4
.279 15.40
79. 7
.214 11.60
9. 24
72.4
.252 13. 58
9. 84
75.8
.207 11. 01
8. 35
.354 19. 51
15. 08
77.3
12. 54
.273 14. 63
85.6
80.2
.328 17. 19
13. 78
82. 7
.264 13.89
11. 49
77.5
.484 25. 33
19. 62
80.9
.364 19. 40
15. 68
83. 7 .373 19.88
16. 63
58.9
.348 18. 72
11.01
86.4
.384 20. 58
17. 78
90. 5
.324 17. 33
15. 67
14. 07
82.2
.320 17. 12
.300 15. 48
11. 89
76. 7
. 352 18. 55
15. 35
82.9
79.5
.269 14.31
11.39

1930
1932

59
57

112
107

4.8
5.2

52. 7
52. 5

43. 7
48.1

82.9
91.6

.444
.366

23. 40
19.22

19. 40
17. 62

1930
1932
Warp-tying machine tenders,
male__________ _________ . 1930
1932
Loom fixers, male_____________ 1930
1932
Filling hands, male _________ 1932
Filling hands, female__________ 1932
Weavers, male________________ 1930
1932
Weavers, female_______ _______ 1930
1932
1932
Smash piecers, m ale...
1932
Smash piecers, female. . . .
Trimmers or inspectors, male___ 1930
1932

9
9

17
24

4. 7
4. 7

49.8
52.7

41. 0
42.7

82.3
81.0

.408
.305

20. 32
16. 07

16. 74
13.03

112
114
158
150
148
92
156
152
155
146
114
87
59
60

350
296
3, 700
3,083
1,750
1,830
8, 789
7, 267
6, 653
4, 265
470
492
248
278

4.9 53.7
5.2 53. 7
5. 0 53. 5
5. 1 53.4
4.5 54.3
4.8 54. 0
4.8 52. 7
4.9 53. 1
5.0 52. 0
5.1 52. 0
4.8 53.9
5. 1 54.2
4.9 54.0
5.1 54.5

46.5
49. 0
46.8
48. 1
44. 1
43. 5
44. 2
46. 1
43. 2
45. 3
46. 1
46. 9
45. 2
46.8

86.6
91. 2
87.5
90.1
81.2
80. 6
83.9
86.8
83.1
87. 1
85. 5
86.5
83.7
85.9

.412
.336
.483
.403
.198
. 192
.400
.314
.381
. 307
.272
.266
.326
.250

22.12
18. 04
25. 84
21.52
10. 75
10. 37
21.08
16. 67
19.81
15. 96
14. 66
14.42
17. 60
13. 63

19.15
16. 46
22. 60
19. 43
8. 71
8. 36
17. 67
14. 48
16. 47
13. 89
12. 56
12. 46
14. 74
11. 69

______

Picker tenders, m ale..

Card tenders and strippers, male
Card grinders, male _ ______
Roving men, male
_
„ .. _.
Drawing-frame tenders, male___
Drawing-frame tenders, female _ Slubber tenders, male
Slubber tenders, female...

. ..

___ _

Speeder tenders, male

Speeder tenders, female.. . .
Spinners, mule, male

.

Spinners, frame, male__ . . . .
Spinners, frame, fe m a le ..______
Dofiers, male______

_____

Doffers, female_______ . ------Spooler tenders, male________
Spooler tenders, female____ _

.

Creelers, male___ _ _____ _
Creelers, fem ale... _________
Warper tenders, male_________
Warper tenders, female________
Beamer tenders, male_________
B earner tenders, female________
Slasher tenders, male _______
Drawers-in, hand, male___

...

Drawers-in, hand, female— . . .
Drawing-in machine tenders,
male_______________________
Drawing-in machine tenders, female. . . . . . .
. . . _____


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153

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

T a b le 2 .— A V ER A G E HOURS AND EA RN IN G S IN COTTON-GOODS M A N U FA C TU RIN G ,

1930 AND 1932, B Y OCCUPATION AND S E X —Continued

Occupation and sex

Num­
ber of
Year estab­
lish­
ments

Trimmers or inspectors, female- - 1930
1932
--------- 1932
Second hands, male---1932
Section hands, m ale--- .
Other employees, male_________ 1930
1932
Other employees, female---------- 1930
1932
All employees, m a le _____ 1930
1932
1930
All employees, female___
1932
All employees, male and
1930
female______ __ 1932

Hours ac­
tually
worked
in
Aver­ Aver­
1 week
Num­
age
age
ber of days fullwage worked time
earners in 1 hours Aver­ Per
week per
age cent
week num­ of full
ber time

Aver­
Aver­ age
age
full­
earn- time
ings earn­
ings
per
per
hour
week

Aver­
age
actual
earn­
ings
in 1
week

133
129
140
149
162
154
161
148
162
154
162
154

1,995
1,835
1,138
1,660
25, 516
16, 341
7,303
3, 654
53, 243
48,168
36,810
28, 462

5.0
5.2
5. 5
5.1
4.8
4.9
4.6
4.8
4. 7
4.8
4.6
4.8

52.6
53.1
53. 5
53. 7
53. 8
53. 7
53.3
52.9
53.7
53. 7
52.9
53.0

43. 7
44. 6
52. 5
48. 4
44. 7
46.3
41.4
42.9
43.9
45. 5
40.9
42.2

83.1 $0. 248 $13. 04
.202 10. 73
84.0
98.1
.450 24.08
90.1
.326 17. 51
.312 16. 79
83.1
86.2
.248 13. 32
.253 13. 48
77. 7
81. 1 .203 10. 74
81.8
.346 18. 58
84. 7 .284 15. 25
77.3
.293 15. 50
.234 12. 40
79.6

$10. 84
9. 00
23. 65
15. 79
13.93
11.49
10.47
8. 70
15.19
12.91
11.98
9. 87

162
154

90,053
76,630

4.6
4.8

53.4
53.4

42. 7
44. 3

80.0
83.0

.325
.266

13. 88
11. 78

17.36
14. 20

Average Hours and Earnings, 1930 and 1932, by Sex and State

T a b l e 3 shows, for 1930 and 1932, average days, hours, and earn­
ings, and the per cent of full time worked in one week for the males and
the females covered in the studies in each State in those years, and
also for both sexes combined, in each State.
Average full-time hours per week of males in 1930 ranged, in the
different States, from 48.1 to 56.5, and those of females from 47.7 to
56.5 while for both sexes combined the range was from 47.9 to 56.5.
In 1932 the hours of males ranged from 48.1 to 56, and those of
females from 48 to 55.9; for all employees the average ranged from
48.1 to 56.
Average earnings per hour of males in 1930 ranged by States from
27.9 to 49.2 cents per hour, those of females from 21.7 to 40 cents,
and those of both sexes combined from 25.5 to 45 cents per hour. In
1932, averages of males ranged from 22.9 to 40.1 cents per hour, those
of females from 18.1 to 32.4 cents per hour, and those of both males
and females from 21.3 to 36.5 cents per hour.
Average full-time earnings per week in 1930 of males ranged by
States from $15.43 to $24.38, those of females from $11.98 to $20.12,
and those of males and females combined from $14.10 to $22.43. In
1932 full-time weekly earnings of males ranged from $12.46 to $19.29,
those of females from $10.01 to $15.55, and those of males and females
combined from $11.74 to $17.56.
Between 1930 and 1932 the average full-time earnings per week of
both sexes combined decreased in each of the 11 States covered. The
decreases by States ranged from $1.15 to $6.06 per week.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

154

T a bl e 3 — A V ER A G E HOURS AND EA RN IN G S IN COTTON-GOODS M A N U FA CTU RIN G ,

1930 AND 1932, B Y S E X AND ST A T E

Sex and State

Hours actu­
ver- Aver- ally worked
Num­ Num­ Aage
age in 1 week
ber of
full­
days
Year estab­ ber of worked
time Aver­ Per
wage
lish­ earners
hours
in 1
age cent
ments
per num­
week
full
week ber of
time

M a le s

1930
1932
1930
1932
1930
G e o r g ia ...____. . .
......
1932
Maine_______________________ 1930
1932
Massachusetts___ ________ . . .
1930
1932
1930
New Hampshire.. _______
1932
New Y ork______ _____ ________ 1930
1932
North Carolina___ __________
1930
1932
Rhode Island_________ . . . . . . 1930
1932
South Carolina_______________ 1930
1932
Virginia__________________ _. 1930
1932
Total__ . . . ____________ 1930
1932
i C
-11LllLtsO
1930
A lab am a.______ _______ _
1932
Connecticut __ ________ .
1930
1932
1930
Georgia.. _________________
1932
Maine__________________ ._ _ 1930
1932
Massachusetts _________ . _
1930
1932
1930
N ew Hampshire. . . _________
1932
New Y ork_________ ________ 1930
1932
1930
North Carolina_____________
1932
Rhode Island____
________ 1930
1932
1930
South Carolina______________
1932
Virginia_______ ____________ _ 1930
1932
Total___________________ 1930
1932

3,611
2, 836
1,692
1,359
7, 355
6, 524
1,519
1,499
8,443
6,416
2,159
1,523
1,184
1.026
13,318
14, 643
2, 786
1,817
9,924
9,164
1, 252
1,361
53, 243
48,168

4.6
5.0
5.2
4.4
4.4
4.6
5.2
5.2
5.2
5.2
5. 1
5.0
4.7
4.4
4.5
4.8
4.8
5.2
4.5
4.6
4.7
5.0
4.7
4.8

55.3
55.3
50.8
53.4
56. 5
56. 0
53.7
54.2
49.0
49.5
53.7
54.1
48.1
48.1
55.0
54.0
51.8
53. 1
54.8
54.4
54.7
53.5
53.7
53.7

42.4
50.2
46.4
40.3
44. 3
46.6
48.4
48.8
44. 1
45.2
46.9
46. 1
41.1
36.7
43.2
45. 5
44. 3
47.3
43.4
43.3
44. 3
50.5
43.9
45.5

76.7 $0. 279 $15.43
90.8
.231 12. 77
91.3
.417 21.18
75.5
.348 18. 58
78.4
.286 16.16
83.2
.237 13. 27
90. 1 .372 19.98
90.0
.328 17.78
90.0
.431 21.12
91.3
.370 18.32
87.3
.454 24.38
85.2
.348 18. 83
85.4
.492 23.67
76.3
.401 19.29
78.5
.322 17.71
84.3
.285 15. 39
85.5
.440 22. 79
89.1
.306 16. 25
79.2
.292 16. 00
79.6
.229 12.46
81.0
.307 16. 79
94.4
.291 15. 57
81.8
.346 18.58
84.7
.284 15. 25

2,433
6
1,684
6
5
1, 386
5
986
4, 272
15
2, 885
15
4
1,481
4
1,363
24
7,724
20
5, 397
1,908
6
5
1,361
3
1,159
3
988
6,963
55
6, 832
56
2, 537
15
11
1,497
26
6, 039
4, 637
26
3
908
832
3
162 36, 810
154 28, 462

4.4
4.9
5.2
4.2
4. 1
4.4
5.0
5. 1
5. 1
5.2
5.0
4.9
4.3
4.3
4.2
4.6
4.7
5. 1
4.3
4.7
4.5
5.0
4.6
4.8

55.2
55.3
50.7
53.7
56. 5
55.9
53.8
54.0
48.0
48.0
53. 1
53.7
47.7
48.0
55.0
54.3
51.3
52.9
54.8
55.0
54.8
53.0
52.9
53.0

40. 1
47.9
45.4
38. 1
40.3
42.6
44. 7
46. 2
41.0
41.2
44. 1
43.9
36.0
34.7
40.2
42.5
43. 1
45.7
39.0
39.6
42. 1
47.0
40.9
42. 2

72.6
86.6
89.5
70.9
71.3
76.2
83.1
85.6
85.4
85.8
83.1
81.8
75.5
72.3
73.1
78.3
84.0
86.4
71.2
72.0
76.8
88.7
77.3
79.6

.217
. 181
.341
.284
.232
. 198
.304
.253
.353
.296
.379
.288
.400
.324
.257
.211
.367
.249
.240
. 185
.246
.229
.293
.234

11.98
10.01
17.29
15. 25
13. 11
11.07
16. 36
13. 66
16. 94
14. 21
20.12
15. 47
19. 08
15. 55
14. 14
11.46
18. 83
13.17
13.15
10.18
13.48
12.14
15. £0
12.40

8. 70
8.66
15. 47
10. 83
9. 36
8.46
13.59
11.68
14. 47
12. 19
16.72
12. 62
14.40
11. 24
10. 33
8. 97
15. 83
11.39
9.35
7.33
10.33
10. 74
11.98
9.87

6
6, 044
4,520
6
5
3,078
5
2, 345
15 •11, 627
15
9, 409
4
3,000
4
2, 862
24 16, 167
20 11,813
4,067
6
2, 884
5
3
2, 343
3
2, 014
55 20, 281
56 21, 475
15
5, 323
11
3,314
26 15, 963
26 13, 801
2, 160
3
3
2, 193
162 90, 053
154 76, 630

4.5
5.0
5.2
4.3
4.3
4.6
5.1
5.2
5.1
5.2
5.0
5.0
4.5
4.4
4.4
4.7
4.8
5.2
4.4
4.7
4.6
5.0
4.6
4.8

55.3
55.3
50.8
53.5
56.5
56.0
53.8
54.1
48.5
48.8
53.4
53.9
47.9
48. 1
55.0
54. 1
51.6
53.0
54.8
54.6
54. 7
53.3
53.4
53.4

41.4
49.3
46.0
39.4
42.8
45.4
46.6
47.5
42.6
43.4
45.6
45.0
38.6
35.7
42. 1
44. 5
43.7
46.6
41.8
42. 1
43.4
49.2
42.7
44. 3

74.9
89.2
90.6
73.6
75.8
81.1
86.6
87.8
87.8
88.9
85.4
83.5
80.6
74.2
76.5
82.3
84.7
87.9
76.3
77.1
79.3
92.3
80.0
83.0

.255
.213
.383
.322
.268
.226
.340
.293
.395
.338
.420
.320
.450
.365
.301
.263
.406
.281
.274
.215
.282
.268
.325
.266

14. 10
11.78
19.46
17. 23
15.14
12. 66
18. 29
15. 85
19.16
16. 49
22. 43
17.25
21.56
17.56
16. 56
14. 23
20. 95
14.89
15.02
11.74
15.43
14.28
17. 36
14. 20

10. 57
10. 49
17. 61
12.70
11.46
10. 26
15.81
13.94
16. 84
14. 65
19.14
14. 42
17. 34
13. 02
12. 68
11. 69
17.74
13.07
11.43
9.06
12. 23
13. 20
13.88
11.78

Alabama____________________
Connecticut________________

*

6
6
5
5

15
15
4
4
24
20
6
5
3
3
55
56
15
11
26
26
3
3
162
154

J\fl.CLutyS a n a j^maLt^s

Alabama. __________ ________ 1930
1932
Connecticut........... .............. ........... 1930
1932
Georgia__________ _________
1930
1932
Maine_______________________ 1930
1932
Massachusetts......................... ....... 1930
1932
New Hampshire__ ___________ 1930
1932
New Y ork___________________ 1930
1932
North Carolina___ ___________ 1930
1932
Rhode Island__________ . . . _ 1930
1932
South Carolina_____ _____ ____ 1930
1932
Virginia_____ _. ............. . . 1930
1932
Total_________________ . 1930
1932


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Aver­
A ver- age Aver­
age
full­ age ac­
earn­ time
tual
ings earn­ earn­
per
ings ings in
hour
per 1 week
week
$11.82
11.58
19.37
14. 05
12. 68
11.05
17.98
15.99
19. 00
16. 72
21. 28
16. 02
20. 21
14. 74
13.91
12.96
19.48
14.45
12.69
9.93
13.60
14.71
15.19
12.91

WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOE

155

>Table 4 shows averages by States in four representative occupa­
tions. Average full-time hours per week of male speeder tenders, the
first occupation in the table, ranged by States from 48.1 to 55.5 and
those of females from 48 to 55.3. Average earnings per hour of males
ranged from 23.1 to 38.7 cents and those of females from 21.5 to 33.5
cents. Average full-time earnings per week of males ranged from
$12.77 to $20.38 and those of females from $11.83 to $17.93. Actual
earnings in one week of males ranged, by States, from $9.77 to $16.89,
and of females ranged from $9.20 to $15.96.
T a bl e 4 .— A V ER A G E HOURS AND EA RN IN G S IN 4 OCCUPATIONS IN COTTON-GOODS

______

M A N U FA C TU RIN G , 1932, B Y S E X AND ST A T E

Occupation, sex, and State

Speeder tenders, male:
Alabama_____________________
C o n n e cticu t...____
______
Georgia.. ____ . . . . . . . . .
Maine_______________
Massachusetts__________ ____
New Hampshire_______
____
New Y ork.. .
. . . . . . .
North Carolina________ . . . .
Rhode Island___ _______ . . .
South Carolina______ _ ____
Virginia............................ ..............
Total______________ ______
Speeder tenders, female: •
Alabama________________
Connecticut_______________ .
Georgia._ . . . ______ ____ . . .
Maine. . . . ________
Massachusetts______ _______
New Hampshire____ _______
New York_______
________
North Carolina.. . __________
Rhode Island _ _________ ____
South Carolina. ______________
Virginia____________ _______
Total_______________________
Spinners, frame, male:
Alabam a.. ________________
Connecticut.. _____
__ .
Georgia_______________
____
Maine___ _
...
M assach u setts...____ _
New Hampshire.. . . .
___
N e w p o rt.. _____
North Carolina . . . . .
Rhode Island _
South Carolina. . _______
Virginia___________
___
T o ta l..._________

________

Spinners, frame, female:
A lab am a____________
Connecticut.. __________
Georgia... . . _________
Maine.
___
Massachusetts . . ____
New Hampshire ___
New York_____________
North Carolina.. __________
Rhode Island ... _____ _
1 2 5 6 2 0 ° — 3 2 ------- 11


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

Num­
ber of
estab­
lish­
ments

6

Num­
ber of
wage
earners

4
15
4
17
5
3
56

141
32
410
37
204
42
36
1,148

26
3

780

Hours actu­
ally worked Aver­ Aver­
Aver­ Aver­
age Aver­
age
in 1 week
age
age
age
full­
fulldays
time earn­
time
worked hours Aver­ Per
ings earn­
ings
in 1
per
ings
per
age cent of hour
in 1
week week
per
num­ full
week
week
ber
time

68
121

4.8
4.0
4.4
4.6
4.7
5.3
3. 6
4.6
5.0
4.4
4.7

55.3
52.4
55. 5
55. 1
52.2
54.0
48.1
54. 1
53. 6
54. 4
54.1

49.6
35.1
44.0
43. 5
44. 3
48. 3
29. 1
43.7
44.3
41. 1
50.0

89.7 $0. 231 $12. 77
67.0
.387 20.28
79.3
.257 14.26
78.9
.296 16. 31
84.9
.381 19.89
89.4
.344 18. 58
60.5
.335 16.11
80.8
.273 14. 77
82.6
.274 14. 69
75.6
.245 13. 33
92. 4
.287 15. 53

150

3,019

4. 5

54.2

43.5

80.3

.273

14.80

6

75
106
127
156
694
116
152
128
195
218
33

4.9
4.6
4.5
5.3
5.0
5.3
3.8
4.6
5.1
4.7
5.1

55.0
52. 5
55.3
54.0
48.0
54.0
48.0
54.3
52.7
55.0
53.3

50.9
40.5
43.7
47.9
40.9
48.0
28.5
43.0
44.5
43.2
46.6

92.5
77.1
79.0
88.7
85.2
88.9
59.4
79.2
84.4
78.5
87.4

.215
.329
.254
.286
.335
.332
.323
.263
.286
. 230
.263

11. 83
17.27
14.05
15. 44
16.08
17. 93
15. 50
14. 28
15. 07
12. 65
14.02

13. 71
13. 70
15. 96
9. 20
11 30
12. 70
9. 94
12.26

4.9

51.5

42.3

82.1

.296

15. 24

12.52

4.6
3.8
4.3
4.1
4.4
5.5
3.4
4.2
5.3
3.9
3.6

55.1
55.0
54.7
54.8
54.8
54.0
48.9
52. 7
54.0
53.0
50.4

48.4
35.2
46.8
40.3
45. 1
49.0
33.0
41. 3
48. 1
37.6
35.3

87.8
64.0
85.6
73.5
82.3
90.7
67.5
78.4
89.1
70.9
70.0

. 189
. 348
. 179
.273
.330
.305
.381

2

36
48
276
43
242
4
14
271
14
676
23

.234
. 162
.258

10.41
19.14
9. 79
14.96
18.08
16. 47
18. 63
11. 65
12. 64
8. 59
13. 00

9.17
12. 23
8. 39
11. 00
14. 87
14. 93
12. 58
9. 13
11. 25
6. 09
9.14

85

1,647

4. 1

53.6

41.1

76.7

.214

11. 47

8.80

C
5
15
4

400
187
837
196
1, 047
299
192
2,538
382

4.9
3.7
4.2
4.7
5.0
4.8
4. 5
4.4
5.0

55.3
53.4
56. 1
54.0
48.0
53.0
48.0
54.4
52.7

48.4
32.9
40. 7
44. 1
39. 3
41.8
37.3
40.3
44.7

87.5
61.6
72.5
81.7
81.9
78.9
77.7
74. 1
84.8

.181
.284
. 195
. 261
. 289
.290
.339
. 194
.238

10. 01

8.75
9. 34
7. 93
11. 48
11. 38
12.13
12. 66
7. 81
10.64

11

5
13
4

20

5
3
29

11
2
122 2,000
24

4
3
9

1
2
3
21
13

4
23

20
5
3
56

11

.221

15.17
10.94
14.09
13.87
15. 37
16. 27
10. 55
12. 54

$11. 43
13. 59
11. 31
12. 87
16. 89
16. 64
9. 77
11.94
12.15
10. 08
14.36

11. 86
10. 93
13. 31

11. 21

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

156

T a b le 4 .—A V ER A G E HOURS AND EA RN IN G S IN 4 OCCUPATIONS IN COTTON-GOODS

M A N U FA C TU RIN G , 1932, B Y S E X AND S T A T E —Continued

Occupation, sex, and State

Spinners, frame, female—Contd.
____ . . .
South Carolina _
Virginia __ . . . ..

Num­
ber of
estab­
lish­
ments

Num­
ber of
wage
earners

Hours actu­
worked Aver­ Aver­
Aver­ Aver­ ally
age
in 1 week
age
full­
age
age
fuUearn­ time
days
time
worked hours
ings earn­
Aver­ Per
in 1
per
ings
per
age cent of hour
week week
per
num­ full
week
ber
time

Aver­
age
actual
earn­
ings
in 1
week

26
3

2,004
243

4.6
4.9

55.0
53.3

36.7
45.1

66.7 $0.166
.232
84.6

$9.13
12.37

$6.10
10.48

154

8, 325

4.6

53.6

40.0

74.6

.213

11.42

8. 50

6
5
15
4
20
5
3
55
11
23
3

176
105
380
115
496
122
85
893
141
489
81

5.2
4.6
4.9
5.7
5.4
5.2
4. 7
5.0
5.5
5.1
5.3

55.3
54.0
56.2
53.9
49.2
54. 2
48. 1
54. 1
52.6
54. 7
52.7

53.1
43.5
49.0
51.8
45.9
50.2
38.5
48.0
49.6
48.6
50.9

96.0
80.6
87.2
96.1
93.3
92. 6
80.0
88. 7
94.3
88.8
96.6

.336
.502
.338
.463
.530
.468
.595
.377
.423
.327
.402

18.58
27.11
19.00
24.96
26.08
25. 37
28. 62
20. 40
22. 25
17.89
21.19

17. S3
21. 84
16. 57
23. 96
24. 33
23. 51
22. 90
18. 07
20. 98
15.88
20.46

150

3, 083

5.1

53.4

48. 1

90. 1

.403

21. 52

19. 43

6
4
15
4
20
5
3
56
11
25
3

301
330
735
210
1,491
112
172
2, 246
385
1,094
191

4.9
4.5
4.5
5.6
5. 3
5.1
5.3
4.7
5.3
4.8
5.2

55. 2
52.9
56.3
53.8
49. 1
54.6
48.4
53.9
52.8
54.5
53.4

49.4
42.0
46. 2
50. 5
45.6
51.5
44.7
45.7
47.9
45.4
48.3

89.5
79. 4
82. 1
93.9
92.9
94. 3
92.4
84.8
90. 7
83. 3
90.4

.275
.338
.280
.353
.366
.371
. 430
.298
.313
.272
.328

15.18
17.88
15.76
18.99
17. 97
20.26
20.81
16.06
16.53
14.82
17.52

13. 59
14. 18
12.92
17. 81
16.67
19. 09
19. 22
13. 62
15. 00
12. 33
15. 83

______ ______

152

7, 267

4.9

53. 1

46.1

86.8

.314

16.67

14.48

Weavers, female:
Alabama................... ....... ............
Connecticut________ _______
Georgia_________ . _______
Maine.
____
. . .
Massachusetts
_____
New Hampshire . . .
___
New York . .
. . . .
North Carolina ._
. . . . ._
Rhode Island. _
___ _
South Carolina. . . . _ ______
Virginia______________ __ . . . .

6
5
15
4
19
5
3
53
9
24
3

159
225
325
123
1, 345
184
152
935
287
448
82

5.0
4.6
4.6
5.5
5.6
5.2
5.2
4.8
5.3
5.0
5.2

55.2
53.4
56.0
54.0
48.0
54.0
48.0
53.9
52.6
54.8
53.2

48.1
42.5
44. 6
49.7
44.4
47.8
41.7
45.8
47. 2
44.9
45.8

87.1
79.6
79.6
92.0
92.5
88.5
86.9
85.0
89. 7
81.9
86.1

.263
.310
.277
.321
.336
.354
.410
.276
.310
.262
.303

14.52
16. 55
15. 51
17. 33
16. 13
19. 12
19.68
14.88
16. 31
14. 36
16. 12

12. £6
13.17
12. £6
15. S5
14. 92
16. 93
17.09
12.63
14.64
11. 75
14.97

146

4,265

5.1

52.0

45.3

87.1

.307

15. 96

13.89

Total________

...

Loom fixers, male:
Alabama__________
Connecticut..
____
Georgia.. __________
Maine_______________
_. _
M assachusetts..___
.
.....
New Hampshire.
New Y ork.. . . .
... ...
North Carolina.. . . . ________
Rhode Island ..
_____ _____
South Carolina______
.. ...
Virginia__________
_______
Total_______________________
Weavers, male:
Alabama_________ __ ______
Connecticut. __ _____ ______
Georgia_____________ ._ . . . . _
Maine___
____
Massachusetts______ . .
New Hampshire
. . . .
..
New York . . . . . .
_______
North Carolina. _.
_ . . . ____
Rhode Island.. . .
. ....
South C arolin a______ . . . . . . .
Virginia._________ _ _____. . .
Total_____ _

Total___ _________

Wages and Hours of Labor of Union Barbers in the United
States, April, 1932
H E tabulation which follows shows the rates of wages and the
hours of labor of union barbers in the United States, as reported
to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics by the officials of their
labor organization. In many instances the reports were accompanied
by written agreements ; others indicated a verbal agreement or under­
standing with their employers.
The table covers unions having a combined membership of approxi­
mately 23,000.
I t will be noted that in many instances barbers are paid a guar­
anteed weekly rate of wages and in addition to this receive a specified

T


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

WAGES AMD HOURS OF LABOR

157

percentage of their receipts over a stated amount; others are paid
either a flat weekly rate or a fixed per cent of receipts, and still others
a per cent of receipts over a fixed amount.
R A T E S OF W AGES AND HOURS OF B A R B E R S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S, A P R IL , 1932
Commission

City and State

Guar­
On
Hours
anteed
per
weekly Per week­
week
ly
re­
rate
cent ceipts
of
over—

Adams," Mass______
Albuquerque, N.

$25.00

Alton, 111__________

20.00

Amsterdam, N. Y —
Anaconda, M ont___

20. 00
30. 00

Arkansas City, Kans.
Ashland, Wis---------Astoria, Oreg. - --- Augusta, Ga----------Augusta, Me _ — . . .
Aurora, 111- - - - Baltimore, Md ----

25.00
27.00
25. 00
22.00
24.00
20.00

Baton Rouge, La
Bay City, Mich------Beardstown, 111—
Beaumont, T e x . ----Bellefontaine, Ohio..
Belleville, 111 -- --Bellingham, Wash—_
Bend, Oreg_____

22. 00

15. 00
25.00
25.00

Billings, M ont------Birmingham, Ala—
Bloomington, 111
20.00
Boise, Idaho — — - 25.00
Boston, Mass.:
Union A____ — 25. 00
Union B — — _ 25.00
Bowling Green, Ohio.
Bradford, P a_______ 25.00
Brainerd, M inn------ 20.00
25. 00
Bristol, C o n n ------Brockton, Mass____
Bryan, Tex________
Buffalo, N. Y ______
Burlington, Iowa---Butte, M ont- . . .
Canton, Ohio.- —Casper, Wyo--- -----Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Centerville, Iowa. Centralia, 111_____
Centralia, Wash—.

Cominission

25.00
30.00
12.00
30.00
20.00
26. 00
20. 00
25.00
30. 00

Chambersburg, P a — 18.00
20.00
Charleroi, Pa_ . . .
Charleston, 111-. —
Charleston, W. Va_
Chehalis, W a s h ___ 25.00
Chelsea, Mass . . . . _ 25.00
Cheyenne, Wyo------ 25.00
30.00
Chicago, 111 .
Chico, C a l i f . . . ------ 25. 00
Chicopee Falls, Mass. 25.00

60
0

60
o)
65
0)
60 $30.00
60
0
50 26.00
65 45.00
65
0
65
0
65
0
0
0
60 40.00
65 38.45
50 28. 00
60 35.00
50 30.00
65 18.00
65
0
65
0
0
0
65
0)
70
(0
70
0
70
0
65
0)
65 36. 00
70
(0
70 40.00
65
0
65 28.00
60 38.00
50
50
65
0
(2)
(2)
65
50
60
0
65
60
65
65
(2)
170 to
t 75
70
0
65
(2)
0
70
70
65
50
(2)
60
(2)
(2)

• On all receipts.
a Not reported,
s Per day.
i Actually working only half time.


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

(o
0

33.00
32.00
0
0
0
0
0
31.00
(0
0
18.00
42.00
31.00
0
0
} W
0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
35.00
32.00
0
40.00
0
0

63
51
48
60
60
57
54
52
62
69
63
61
53^
62
56
56
72
54
62
57
57

Guar­
On Hours
anteed
per
weekly Per week­
ly
re­ week
rate
cent ceipts
of
over—

City and State

Cleveland, Ohio------ $26.00

55H

56
39
56
55M
69
48
MX
55H
55X

63
56
60
64
62
61
3 12
56
64

52X

54
56
62
72
57
56
58
64
51
69
65}^
56
62

56
63
66
58

Columbus, Ohio
Concord, 1ST. H .
Connellsville, P a----Corning, N. Y --------

25.00
25.00
20. 00
25.00

Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Covington, K y ___ -

18.00
25.00

0

Danbury, Conn------

25. 00

0

Denver, Colo_.
Des Moines, Iowa___

20. 00
20. 00

Devils Lake, N. Dak

25. 00

Dover, N. H ___ Dubois, Pa --- - _
Dubuque, Iowa Duluth, M inn_____
Eagle Grove, Iowa - _
East Grand Forks,
M inn____ .
. _
East St. Louis, 111--East Stroudsburg,
Pa______________
Edwardsville, 111 —
Edwardsville, Pa___

22. 00

60
65
65
65
50

0
0

70
75
60
78

70
65
70
65
65
62Vo

0
0

35.00
32. 00
(2)

0

0)

0

25.00
(2)

0

(2)
(1)
(1)

0
0
0
0

20. 00
25. 00
21. 00
25.00
21.00

70
60
65
0
50
70
60
70

(!)
35.00
(!)
f2)
33.00
30.00
35. 00
0

22.75
20.00

60
70

32. 75

25. 00
25.00
25.00

0
0

50

35. 00

70
60
65
70

Elgin, U ll_________
Ellensburg, Wash__

21. 00
25. 00

Ely, Nev------- -------Ennis, T ex___
Erie, Pa_ — -

30.00
9.00
25. 00

0

Fairfax, Calif____

(3)

-

30.00
25.00

Fond du Lac, W is- _

25.00

Fort Scott, Kans___

18.00

56X

Framington, Mass___

20. 00

55X

Freeport, 111______
Fulton, K y .................

18.00

58

34.00

25.00
25.00

Fitchburg, Mass___

60

56
64
54
56
54
3 10

Clinton, M a s s ------Cohoes, N. Y ______
Colorado Springs,
Colo
---------

G2V2

50
3 10J^

75
(0
Co
65
60 $37. 00
70
0
i3)
0
50 35.00

60
60
65
70
70
65

0
(3)

(2)

0

30.00
35. 00

58X
39

57
63
65
70
60

62X

63
65
60
54
3 11
<60
62

0

58

58
39
57
62
60
59X

(i)
0
(i)
0
(3)
(1)

52
57
3 11
56
78
54
64
56
62
50
60
65

(i)
(3)
(!)

64
65
63

(i)
(3)
0

35.00

65
50
65

32.00

70
65
60
50
70
60
65

26.00

0

53 J4

62
50^
57
60
55

(0

(1)

55X

49X

0

63
55
60

0

67

24.00

58 X

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

158

R A T E S OF W AGES AND HOURS OF B A R B E R S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S, A P R IL , 1932—
Continued
Commission

Commission
Guar­
Hours
On
anteed
per
week­
weekly Per ly re­ week
rate
cent ceipts
of
over—

City and State

65
65
r 7o
Geneva, N. Y ----1 «JU
825 00
(2)
(2)
35 00
50
Gloucester, Mass -- 25. 00
70
65
25.00
Great Falls, M ont—

25. 00
20. 00
25. 00

70
65
70

(2)
50
68
60
65
70

(2)
Hartford, Conn..

.

Henderson, K y ------Henryetta, Okla-----Hibbing, M inn.. . . .

Houston, Tex.:

Idaho Falls, Idaho...
Independence, Kans.
I r o n M o u n ta in ,
Ironwood, M ich------

Jamestown, N. Y_
_

25.00

70
60
50
25 00
65
24 00
60
14. Ö
Ö 65
f 60
1 75
75
25. 00
(2)
70
65
25. 00
65
20.00
70
65
60

Kingston, N. Y __

57
62K
> 50-55
(2)
59
(2)
58
32.00
56
(i)
62
68H
0
(i)

(!)
(1)
(2)
27 00
(!)

32 00

0)
O
l

(2)
26 00

(2)
(I)
(i)

30 00
35. 00
34. 00
20.00

(?)

25.00

(')
(2)
(l)
(!)

35 00
(i)
27.00

(')

0)

f 65 1
}<■>
[ 70
(1)
65
(!)
65
25. 00
65
0
20.00
(2)
(2)
25. 00
25. 00

25.00
18 00
20 00

Klamath Falls, Oreg.

(Y
)

(i)

(1)
(5)

30 00
28. 00
22 00
26. 50

70

(2)

65
65
70
60
65
50
65
65
60
65
70
65
60
50
60
(2)

0)
(2)

35. 00

(i)
(')
(')
0)

32.00
(i;

0)

25. 00
30. 80

(i)

l1)
42. 00
38. 00
30. 00
(2>

1 On all receipts.
2 Not reported.
2 Per day.
s On receipts up to $43.
6 Average.
i On receipts up to $25.
8 $20.00 guaranteed for summer months.


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

57
8 75
(2)
60
60
52
57
64
65
310
61
60
63
70
58\4
56
62
60
1
> 62Vz
60
59
57

City and State

Guar­
On Hours
anteed
per
weekly Per week­
ly
re­ week
rate
cent ceipts
of
over—

Knoxville, Tenn___
La Crosse, W i s ____
La Grande, Oieg. _ $25.00

65
0
70
0)
70 $35. 00

Lancaster, P a_____
Laramie, Wyo____
Las Vegas, Nev.:
Union A
____
Union B_____ -

25. 00
32.00

50

Lawrence, Mass. —
Leominster, Mass -

20.00
25.00

30.00

Lewiston, M ont-----

Logan, Ohio.-.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Louisville, K y _____
Lubbock, T e x ___
Madisonville, K y .—
Mahanoy City, Pa_.
Malone, N. Y
Manchester, N. H —
Manitowoc, Wis .
Mansfield, Ohio-----Marietta, O h io __ Marion, I n d . ------

25.00

25. 00

(2)

0)

35.00
(2)
(2)
(0

(2)
65
65
(2)

(1)
(2)

(2)

(2)

70
70
60
70
60
70
70
70
70
60
60
65
65
50
70

0

0
0

(1)
(1)
(1)
0

(1)

0
35.00

(0

0

(i)

31.00

0
(2)

30. 00
20. 00
20.00
25.00
22.00

(2)

17. 00

(2)

(')
(2)

Marshall, T e x ------- 22. 50
Marshalltown, Iowa. 20.00
Martins Ferry, Ohio. 20.00
Marysville, Calif----- 30.00
75
Mason City, Iowa..
54
McCamey, Tex— .
55M Maysville, K y ____
M echani csville, N .Y_ 12.00
54y2 Memphis, Tex_____
66 " Meridian, Miss___
Metropolis, 111 _ 56
Mexico, M e________
60
Miami, Ariz_____
27. 00
Miami, F l a . . ------ -- 8 30. 00
57
Michigan City, Ind
25.00
58
Middletown, N. Y__ 35.00
47
Middletown, Conn.. 25.00
57
Midland, T ex______
61
30. 00
Miles City, Mon
63
20.00
Milford, Mass. ---59/4
61Ü Minneapolis, M inn.. 25. 00
Minot, N. D a k ____
61
64
Missoula, M ont. . . . 27.00
Mitchell, S. Dak _.
65
63
Moundsville, W. Va. 20.00
58
M t. Vernon, 111 .
56

(2)

(2)

68)4
57

65

'

54}4

3 10H
54
55V2

M t. Vernon, W ash..
Muskegon, M ich___

50

30.00

50
50
70

31.00
26.00

(2)

70

(2)

0

70 28.00
60 26. 00
0
0
65
0)
65
(0
65
(>
)
60
0
60
(1)
65
(')
70
0)
75
(0
60 40. 00

(2)
(2)

50

0

60

(2)
(2)

60
65

(2)

65
70

(2)

70
70
70
70
60 1

(2)
(2)

40.00

(2)
(!)
(2)
(2)

38.00
0

(2)
0
0
(2)
0
(')
0)
0

0

61J^
60
57
64
50
57
52
57
75
50
54
56
3 8 to 9
64
68
60
68
60
54
51
62
5614
63
72^
59
63
48
54
60
70
59
65
62
75
3 10
64
62
57
7114

68
65
60
63J^
7114

62
52
56
64
65
39
62
63
39
52
59\4
3 10^
55
57
63
56
3 10
56
58M
(2)
65

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

159

R A T E S OF W AGES AND HOURS OF B A R B E R S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S, A P R IL , 1932—
Continued
Commission
Guar­
On
Hours
anteed
week­
per
weekly
Per
ly
re­
week
rate
cent ceipts
of
over—

City and State

$28. 00
20.00

Nashville, Tenn.
Nebraska City, Nebr
Newburyport, Mass.
New Haven, C onn..
New Kensington, Pa.
New Rochelle, N. Y_
New York, N. Y .:
Union B . . . .
Niagara Falls, N. Y_

Northampton, Mass.
North Platte, N eb r..
Norwich, Conn____
O k la h o m a C i t y ,
Okla.:
Okmulgee, Okla-----Olympia, Wash

.

18. 00
27.00
25.00
18.00
20.00
37. 00
35.00
25.00

15.00
22.00
22.00

20. 00

Pacific Grove, Calif..
Palo Alto, Calif . . .
Pasadena, Calif____
Pawtucket, R . I . .
Peekskill, N. Y
.

Perth Amboy, N. J_ .

30. 00
25. 00
21.00
20. 00
25. 00
30. 00
25. 00
30.00
20. 00

_ .

30.00
24. 00
30. 00

Pittsburg, Calif__ .

30. 00

Pittsfield, Mass
Plainview, Tex . . .
Plymouth, P a ... ..

25. 00

Poplar Bluff, Mo

65
0)
60
(>)
65 $30. 00
65
(')
65
(>)
70
(')
50 24. 00
50 40. 00
70
(>)
60 32.00
50 27. 00
(2)
(2)
70
(>)

50 52.00
50 50. 00
50 35. 00
65
(>)
i 65 1
{ to r «
[ 70 1
22.00
(2)
(2)
25.00
50 35. 00
20. 00
65 29. 00
25. 00
(2)
(2)
65
(>)
25.00
60 33.00

25. 00

Petaluma, Calif

Cominission

25.00
15.00

1 On all receipts.
2 Not reported.
3 Per day.
2 On receipts up to $20.


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

60
55
53
63
69
74
49
53
61

City and State

Guar­
anteed
weekly
rate

65
50
75

Port Chester, N. Y__ $25. 00
Portland, Me
20.00
Portland, Oreg_
26.00
Portsmouth, N. H__
22. 00
Pottsville, Pa_____
Poughkeepsie, N. Y_ 30.00
Punxsutawney, Pa
Quincy, 111________
21.00
Quincy, Mass__ _ _ 25. 00
Reno, Nev _______
30. 00
Richmond, Ind__ . _
Riverside, Calif__
20. 00

51
51
67
52

Rochester, N. Y ____
Rockford, 111 Rock Island, 111
Rock Springs, Wyo__

6oy2

63
60
(2)
57M
56
56
60

60
70
0)
60
56
(>)
65V£
(-’)
(2)
60 28. 00
56^
60 34. 00
55
60
58
(>)
70
53
(')
50 35. 00
57
70
3 11
(')
50 27. 00
(2)
70
63
0)
/ 65
(9) } 60
\ 60 20. 00
60 I
<! to
62H
0)
1 70 1
60 42.00
57
60 35. 00
56
70 30.00
57
60 28. 00
60
60 35.00
56
45.00
59
m
50 35.00
54
65
(2)
(2)
65 26.00
62
65
58
0)
65
57
0)
63
(2)
(2)
(2)
3 &y2
(2)
60 41.00
65y
f 65
-! to [ (>)
62
{ 70 I
60 42. 00
50
70
(>)
(2)
57 ¡4
f2)
(2)
60
72
(')
60
(2)
(2)
70
63
(>)
65 22.00
5ey
65
63
(')

27. 50
25. 00
20.00
25. 00

Roseburg, Oreg„_

25. 00

Roundup, Mont

30. 00

St. Cloud, M inn___
St. Joseph, Mo_
St. Louis, Mo.:
Downtown D is t-_
Outlying D ist____
St. Marys, P a ___St. Paul, Minn__

25.00
20. 00

Salem, Mass___
Salem, Oreg

25. 00
25.00
17. 00
25. 00
25. 00

... _

25. 00

Salinas, Calif _
Salisbury, N. 0
Salt Lake City, Utah
San Diego, Calif____

25. 00
15.00

San Fernando, CaliL
San Francisco, CalifSan Jose, C a lif____
San Luis Obispo,
Calif____________
San Pedro, Calif___

27.00
30. 00
25.00

Santa Monica, CalifSault Ste. Marie,
M ich_____ _____
Seattle, Wash __
Sedalia, Mo

18.00

25.00
25. 00
25. Ö0
25. 00
24. 00
18. 00

Sharpsville, P a .- . _
Sheboygan, Wis._ ..-

30. 00

South Brownsville,
P a _____________
S o u th N o rw a lk ,
Conn_____
South Omaha, Nehr_
Springfield, 111Springfield, Mass___
Springfield, Ohio Sterling, Colo__ - Stockton, Calif_____
Superior, Wis______

25. 00
20. 00
25. 00
25. 00
25. 00
25. 00
25.00

On Hours
week­ per
Per ly re­ week
cent ceipts
of
over—
O)
65
C)
(2)
50 $26. 00
60 39.00
(i)
75
50 28. 00
50 40.00
(i)
70
70 30. 00
50 32. 00
(2)
(2)
(i)
65
(2)
(2)
(i)
70
(2)
(2)
60 35. 00
60 28. 00
70 35.00
(i)
65
65 35. 00
(i)
65
(2)
(2)
(i)
60
(2)
(2)
60 30. 00

6oy
5 2 'ÿ

63

53y

49}^
62 “
54
68
63
62
54
67
47
57
58%
60
52
56
3 10
57
60
59
56J.-2
573Ü
64

65
65
(2)
50
65
50
70
65
65
(2)
65
66
65
70
60
60
60

35. 00
35.00
(2)
35. 00
(!)
31.00
(l)
35. 00
(i)
(2)
20. 00
0)
0)
(!)
40. 00
42. 00
35. 00

54M
52M
3 10
62
60
55

(2)
(2)
70
60

(2)
(2)
(i)
35.00

54
62
62
62

65
60
65
65
70
70
65
65
65
65

35.00
38. 00
0)
(i)
0)
0)
(i)
(i)
(i)
(>)

69
50
73
59
55
53
64
59
60
68

65

(■)

48

50
60
(2)
50
66%
65
65
60

35. 00
30. 00
(2)
35. 00
(')
40. 00
35. 00
35. 00

52

463^
573^
55 ‘
72
55
3 10
62
58
53
5sy 2

60^
57
63
54
39
593i
55V2

64

160

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

R A T E S OF W AGES AND HOURS OF B A R B E R S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S, A P R IL , 1932—
Continued
Commission

Commission

City and State

Guar­
Hours
On
anteed
per
weekly Per week­ week
ly
re­
rate
cent ceipts
of
over —

Syracuse, N . Y _____ $30. 00
25. 00
Tacoma, Wash. _
30. 00
Taft, Calif _
25. 00
25. 00

Trenton, N. J

18. 00
30.00

Uniontown, Pa____
Urbana, 111 _ . . . .

20. 00
20. 00
30. 00

Vancouver, W a sh ..
Ventura, Calif _ . _

25. 00
25. 00

Walla Walla, W ash..

20. 00

Washington, D. C

25.00
25 00
22 00

50
65
60
50
70
67K
70 ‘
60
50
60
65
65
60
(2)
70
60
65
70
65
65
(2)
65
65
75
60
(2)
60
65

$40. 00
46 'A
38. 50
50
42. 00
56
32. 00
57y2
35. 00
56
63
(‘)
(i)
62
62
(i)
53J^
40.00
0) 53-55
65
(*)
(i)
681^
25.00
6 lfi
60
(2)
(!)
66
42.00
56
68
0)
72
C1)
36.00
47
64V£
(')
57
35. 00
72
0)
30.00
57
(i)
56
35.00
68
(2)
56
28. 00
60
62^
(>)

City and State

Guar­
On Hours
anteed
week­ per
weekly Per ly re­ week
rate
cent ceipts
of
over—

Watertown, Wis___~_ $20. 00
Watervliet, N. Y ___ 22. 00
Watsonville, Calif _ 30. 00
25. 00
Webster, M ass..
Westfield, Mass __ .

25. 00

West Warwick, R. I_

25.00

Wilkes-Barre, Pa . .
Willimantic, Conn__
W in d so r L o c k s ,

25. 00
25.00
25. 00
21. 00

Winston-Salem,N.C.
Wisconsin Rapids,
Wis_____________
Woonsocket, R. I-_
Worcester, Mass___
Yakima, Wash_ . _
York, Pa_
-

25.00
25.00
22. 00
22.00
22.00

60
(2)
(2)
(2)
65
60
(2)
70
(2)
70
60
60
50
(2)
65
70
f 65
l 70
60
(2)
(2)
65
50
60
65
75

53^
60
56
56y2
58
55 .
52Yt
63
68
61
63J^
62
56

$28. 00
(2)
(2)
(2)
(')
(i)
(2)
0)
(2)
(1)
0)
35.00
50.00
(2)
0)
(>)
0)
(>)
35.00
(2)
(2)
35. 00
30.00
0)
(i)
(')

}

59
74
60
64
59
56
44
56
60
(2)
72
60

1 On all receipts.
2 Not reported.

W a g e -R a te C h an ges in A m e rican In d u stries
Manufacturing Industries

ATA concerning wage-rate changes occurring between April 15
and M ay 15 in 89 manufacturing industries included in the
monthly trend of employment survey of the Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics are presented in the following table.
Of the 18,420 manufacturing establishments furnishing employment
data in May, 17,619 establishments, or 95.7 per cent of the total, re­
ported no change in wage rates during the month ending M ay 15,
1932. The employees whose wage rates were reported unchanged
over the month interval totaled 2,618,705, comprising 96.3 per cent
of the total number of employees included in this survey of manu­
facturing industries.
Decreases in rates of wages were reported by 800 establishments, or
4.3 per cent of the total number of establishments reporting. These
decreases, averaging 11 per cent, affected 100,141 employees, or 3.7
per cent of all employees in the establishments reporting. A wagerate increase of 10 per cent to all employees was reported by one
establishment in structural and ornamental ironwork.

D


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

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
T a b le 1.—W AGE

CHANGES

IN

Industry

M A N U FA CTU RIN G IN D U S T R IE S D U R IN G M ONTH
EN D IN G M A Y 15, 1932

Estab­
Total
lish­
ments number
of
em­
report­ ployees
ing

All manufacturing industries_______ 18,420 2, 718,865
Per cent of total........... .............. . 100. 0
100.0
Slaughtering and meat packing_____
Confectionery_____________________
Ice cream________ ____ ___________
F lo u r.___________________________
Baking___________________________
Sugar refining, cane________________
Beet sugar________________________
Beverages_________________________
B u tt e r ...____ ____________________
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_________________________
Corsets and allied garments________
Cotton small wares________________
Hats, fur-felt____________ _____ ____
Men’s furnishings_________________
Iron and steel_____________________
Cast-iron pipe________________ ____
Structural and ornamental ironwork.
Hardware_________________________
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus!______ . . .
Stoves__________________ _____ ___ _
Bolts, nuts, washers, and rivets_____
Cutlery (not including silver and
plated cutlery) and edge tools_____
Forgings, iron and steel____________
Plumbers’ supplies________________
Tin cans and other tinware_________
Tools (not including edge tools, ma­
chine tools, files, or saws)_________
Wirework________________________
Lumber, sawmills_________________
Lumber, millwork____ ____________
Furniture_________________________
Turpentine and rosin______________
Leather___________________________
Boots and shoes___________________
Paper and pulp___________________
Paper boxes_______________________
Printing, book and job_____________
Printing, newspapers and periodicals.
Chemicals________________________
Fertilizers_________________________
Petroleum refining_________________
Cottonseed oil, cake, and meal______
Druggists’ preparations_____ _______
Explosives_______________ _________
Paints and varnishes_______________
Rayon____ _______ ________________
Soap_____________________________
Cement___________________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta__________
Pottery___________________________
Glass_____________________________
Marble, granite, slate, and other
stone products___________________
Stamped and enameled ware_______
Brass, bronze, and copper products. .
Aluminum manufactures___________
Clocks, time-recording devices, and
clock movements________________
Gas and electric fixtures, lamps, lan­
terns, and reflectors_____ ____ ____
i Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.


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

161

Number of establish­
ments reporting—

Number of employees
having—

No
Wage Wage
Wage Wage
in­
wage
de­ No wage in­
de­
changes creases creases changes creases creases
17,619
95.7

232
341
392
448
940
15
48
346
313
692
465
272
264
34
154
376
108
385
140
32
112
40
76
220
41
196
113

83,412
30,081
13,122
16,453
64, 201
8,044
2,643
10, 392
6; 359
194,038
97, 831
35', 504
40,195
13, 581
33, 062
51, 760
13, 532
26,156
8, 352
5,683
9,101
4,643
5,424
194,136
6, 572
17,582
22,614

226
332
355
438
916
14
48
341
293
647
436
253
236
30
143
368
101
379
135
31
103
40
72
213
39
184
106

112
164
68

15,882
15,152
7,980

132
63
65
57

i
(■)

800 2,618,705
4.3
96.3
6
9
37
10
24
1

19 100,141
3.7
(>)

4
7
2
11
7

82,126
29Í 765
12; 022
15, 961
63; 337
7\ 209
2; 643
9,815
5; 682
185; 699
9i; 604
3i; 500
36; 094
loi 454
30; 780
49; 147
12; 568
25,863
7,980
5,503
8; 668
4,643
5; 287
191,936
5,907
15, 324
22, 017

108
159
67

4
5
1

15,437
14; 960
7; 966

445
192
14

10,619
6,009
4,247
7,426

127
59
62
53

5
4
3
4

10,422
5; 500
4; 078
6; 959

197
509
169
467

133
70
652
460
496
22
165
339
423
323
770
450
118
207
120
50
40
21
363
22
87
126
693
124
197

7,174
5,354
61,409
19, 715
43,178
1,064
23,652
100, 624
79,678
20,728
54, 914
67, 055
20, 602
8,181
48,166
1, 924
7,506
2,873
15, 724
25, 050
11,933
13,882
20, 400
15,472
34, 691

129
65
623
438
482
21
150
326
400
308
734
435
114
198
120
49
39
21
350
22
84
118
671
120
188

4
5
29
22
14
1
15
13
23
15
36
15
4
9

64
407
4 209
’ 785
968
32
1 276
1 450
3 861
1, 561
6, 527
1 422
221
201

3
8
22
4
9

7,110
4; 947
57,200
18; 930
42; 210
1,032
22, 376
99,174
75; 817
19; 167
48, 387
65,633
20, 381
7,980
48,166
1,916
7, 459
2, 873
14, 987
25, 050
11, 902
12; 941
19; 380
15; 317
33, 675

225
94
211
28

5,096
13; 784
28,793
4,736

210
92
200
27

15
2
11
1

4,427
13, 297
27, 663
4,611

669
487
1,130
125

5
20
45
29
19
28
4
11
8
7
6
5
1
9

i

1
1
13

1, 286
316
1,100
492
864
835
577
677
8 339
6 227
4 004
4 101
3? 127
2 282
2’ 613
’ 964
303
372
180
433

19

137
2 200
665
2,239
597

8
47
737
31
941
1, 020
155
1, 016

22

4,242

20

2

3,516

726

56

5,019

53

3

4,654

365

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

162
T a b le 1 .—W AGE

CHANGES IN M A N U FA C TU RIN G IN D U S T R IE S D U R IN G M ONTH
EN D IN G M AY 15, 1932—Continued

Estab­
Total
lish­
ments number
of
em­
report­ ployees
ing

Industry

Plated ware_______________________
Smelting and refining—copper, lead,
and zinc-------- ------------ ---------------Jewelry---------------------------------------Chewing and smoking tobacco and
snuff___________________________
Cigars and cigarettes---------------------Automobiles__________________.____
Aircraft___________________________
Cars, electric and steam railroad____
Locomotives______________________
Shipbuilding__________________ ___
Rubber tires and inner tubes_______
Rubber boots and shoes____________
Rubber goods, other than boots,
shoes, tires, and inner tubes---------Agricultural implements___________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and
supplies_________________________
Engines, turbines, tractors, and water
wheels__________________________
Cash registers, adding machines, and
calculating machines-------------------Foundry and machine-shop products.
Machine tools_____________________
Textile machinery and parts________
Typewriters and supplies---------------Radio____________________________
Electric-railroad repair shops----------Steam-railroad repair shops-------------

Number of establishments reporting—

Number of employees
having—

No
Wage Wage No wage Wage Wage
in­
in­
wage
de­
de­
changes creases creases changes creases creases

56

7,505

54

7,345

160

27
157

8,159
8,225

27
149

8,159
7,576

649

37
222
236
35
33
15
95
42
10

10, 056
45, 402
240, 210
6,596
4, 777
3,460
31, 994
46, 090
10, 610

37
219
227
32
33
15
91
41

10,056
45,377
237,616
6,168
4,777
3,460
31,857
45,840
10,610

104
78

18, 299
6,068

104
78

294

132,468

267

77

14, 939

68

47
1,101
157
37
17
45
412
523

15,159
111, 714
12, 272
6, 313
8,878
16, 044
23, 092
76,118

43
1,043
151
29
16
43
398
523

10

2

3
9
3
4
1

25
2,594
428
137
250

18, 299
6,068
27

4
58
6
8
1
2
14

128, 491

3,977

13,813

1,126

15,023
104,049
11,790
5,933
8,828
13,178
21,240
76,118

136
7,665
482
380
50
2, 8f6

1,852

Nonmanufacturing Industries

I n the following table are presented data concerning wage-rate
changes occurring between April 15 and May 15, 1932, reported by
14 nonmanufacturing groups included in the bureau’s monthly employ­
ment survey.
Four establishments in one of these groups reported increases in
wage rates over the month interval. Decreases in wage rates were
reported by a number of establishments in each of the 14 groups,
with the exception of anthracite mining in which no change in wage
rates was shown. The lowest average, per cent of decrease in wage
rates, 8.2, was reported in the laundries group, while the highest
average per cent, 28.2, was reported in the metalliferous mining group.
The average per cent of decreases in the remaining groups ranged from
8.8 in power and light to 14.3 in quarrying and nonmetallic mining.


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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

163

T a b le 2 .—W AGE CHANGES IN N ON M AN UFACTURIN G IN D U S T R IE S D U R IN G M ONTH

EN D IN G M A Y 15, 1932

Industrial groups

Estab­ Total
lish­
ments number
of em­
report­ ployees
ing

Number of establish­
ments reporting—

Number of employees
having—

Wage Wage No wage Wage Wage
No
in­
wage
in­
de­
de­
changes creases creases changes creases creases
91, 499
100. 0

Anthracite mining__________________
Per cent of total______ _____ ___

160
100.0

91,499
100.0

160
100. 0

Bituminous coal mining_____________
Per cent of total— ____________

1,177
100.0

155,055
100.0

1,137
96.6

40
3.4

149, 448
96.4

5,607
3. 6

Metalliferous mining________________
Per cent of total_______________

256
100. 0

24,375
100.0

249
97.3

7
2.7

20, 912
85.8

3, 463
14. 2

Quarrying and nonmetallic mining___
Per cent of total_______________

628
100.0

23, 615
100.0

591
94. 1

37
5.9

22, 477
95.2

1,138
4. 8

Crude petroleum producing__________
Per cent of total_______________

279
100.0

21, 716
100.0

272
97.5

3
1.1

21,628
99.6

Telephone and telegraph____________
Per cent of total_______________

8, 221
100. 0

285, 854
100. 0

8, 188
99.6

33
0.4

285,698
99.9

156
0. 1

Power and light____________________
Per cent of total_______________

3,532
100. 0

224,620
100.0

3, 478
98. 5

54
1.5

223, 540
99. 5

1, 080
' 0. 5

Electric railroad and motor bus opera­
tion and maintenance_____________
Per cent of total_______________

500
100.0

129, 934
100.0

481
96.2

19
3.8

124, 608
95. 9

5, 326
4.1

Wholesale trade_____________________
Per cent of total_______________

2,843
100. 0

73, 778
100.0

2, 784
97. 9

59
2. 1

72, 593
98.4

1,185
1. 6

Retail trade________________________
Per cent of total_______________

14, 031
100. 0

348, 020
100.0

13, 727
97.8

304
2.2

344, 715
99. 1

3, 305
0. 9

Hotels_____________________________
Per cent of total_______________

2,449
100.0

140,144
100. 0

2,411
98.4

38
1.6

137, 901
98.4

2,243
1.6

Canning and preserving________ ____ _
Per cent of total_______________

837
100.0

28,579
100. 0

828
98.9

9
1.1

28,140
98.5

439
1. 5

Laundries______ .
Per cent of total_______________

1,016
100.0

61,779
100. 0

1, 002
98.6

14
1.4

61,066
98.8

713
1. 2

Dyeing and cleaning________________
Per cent of total_______________

401
100.0

12, 413
100. 0

398
99.3

3
0.7

12, 224
98.5

189
1.5

4
1.4

29
0. 1

59
0.3

W age C hanges R eported by T rad e-U n io n s Since M arch , 1932

HANGES in wages and hours of labor of trade-unionists and
municipal employees, occurring since March, 1932, which have
been reported to the bureau during the past month, are shown in the
table following. The tabulation covers 84,431 workers, of whom
16,043 were reported to have‘gone on the 5-day week. No renewals
of previous wage scales were reported.

C


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

164

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

R E C E N T W AGE CHANGES, B Y IN D U ST R Y , OCCUPATION, AND L O C A LIT Y , M A RCH
TO JU N E , 1932
Rate of wages
Industry or occupation, and locality

Bakers:
Davenport, Iowa, Moline and Rock Island,
111.—
B a k e rs ___ . _ . . . _
Foremen____________ _
Oven men, dough mixers, and bench
foremen_________ _____
Benchmen . __ _ _____
Milwaukee, Wis.—
First henchman_______ ____ _

Date
of
change

M ay

1

Apr. 30

Barbers, Warren, P a. ______________ _ _
Brewery and soft-drink workers:
Belleville, 111.—
Firem en... _ . _____ .
Engineers..
. . __________
Fort Wayne, Ind.—
Bottlers and yardmen_________ _
Brewers and drivers___________ .
Jefferson, W is._____ ____________ _
Louisville, Ky.—
Engineers___ ________ _______ .
Firemen.
. . . . . . . . . .
Repair men.
Oilers . . . . . . ______ ____ _
Helpers____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _
Ice pullers_____ ______ . . . . . .
Drivers—
Route chauffeurs.. . .
. . .
Shipping chauffeurs___ . . . . .
Bottle-beer chauffeurs- . . . .
Bottling department—
Machine men_____________ _ .
Head steamers and packers_____
Other bottling workers_______

After
change

P e r w eek

P e r w eek

$38.00
44.00

Apr. 14
Apr.

1

__ do___

Before After
change change

$34. 20
39.60

48
48

48
48

38 00
30 00

34 20
27.00

48

48

38.00

35.00

54

54

54
54

54

56

56

8 00
7 00

Building trades:
Asbestos workers, Seattle, W a sh ____ _
Mar. 1
Bricklayers and masons—
Boston, Mass., stonemasons...
Apr. 29
East St. Louis, 111., and vicinity—
Bricklayers.. . . . .
.. _
Apr. 22
Stonemasons „ _.
. .....
Hazleton, Pa . . __________
Apr. 1
Kewanee, 111., and vicinity, bricklayers._ M ay 1
Morristown, N. J .
Apr. 1
New London, Conn., bricklayers_____ ___do___
Philadelphia, Pa.—
Bricklayers_________ . . .
M ay 1
Marble masons. . . _______
June 1
Rochester, N. Y ___ . . . . . .
Apr. 1
St. Louis, Mo., stonemasons
Apr. 23
San Francisco, Calif., tile setters
M ay 1
Sheboygan, Wis., bricklayers... . . . . .
Summit, N . J., and vicinity_________
Apr. 15
Carpenters—
Albuquerque, N. Mex__ . . . .
Mar. 31
Bergen County, N. J ______ ________
M ay 2
Fresno, Calif. . . . . .
Apr. 1
Jackson, Tenn__
_ _
. . .
Mar. 1
Jacksonville, 111____ __ . _____ . . .
Apr. 1
Louisville, K y ., and vicinity_______
M ay 16
Planing-mill carpenters____
Marlboro, Mass__ _ . . . ____
Apr. 1
Muskogee, Okla ._ ____. . . . . . . .
Philadelphia, Pa . _ ______
M ay 16
St. Louis, M o___ _ ________
Apr. 15
Salt Lake City, Utah
Mar. 17
San Francisco, Calif., and vicinity _____ Apr. 11
Seattle, Wash., and vicinity...................... Mar. 1
1 And 50 per cent of receipts over $35.
2 75 per cent of receipts.
3 Hours per day.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Before
change

P e r day

Oven men _ _ _ _______
Bench men. . _______ _

Hours per week

P e r w eek

i 25.00

P e r day

7 00

P e r w eek

(2)

34.00
39.00

30.60
35.10

48
48

48
48

27 50
29 00
27.00

24 75
26 10
25.00

48
48
54

54

29 50
26 00
26 00
25 00
24 50
24. 50

28 50
25 00
25 00
24 00
23 50
23. 50

48
48

48

28 00
24 50
23.50

27 00
23 50
22. 50

54

54

23 50
24. 50
23 00

22 50
23. 50
22 00

54
54

54
54
40

P e r hour

P e r hour

1.00

40

1.50

1.30

40

40

1.75
1 75
1.50
1.37^
1.75
1.50

1.50
i 37y 2
1. o o " '
1.25
1.50
1.25

40

40

44
38
40
44

44
38
40
40

1.75
1.50
1. 58 lé
1.50
1. 25
1. 25
1.75

1.50
1.37^
1.25
1.25
1.12^
1 00
1.50

40
40
40
40
44
44
40

40
40
40
40
40
44
40

1.25
1.50
1.12M
1.00
1.00
1.00
.60
1.00
1 12H
1.25
1.50
1.12^
1 .12J^
1.12H

1.00
1.25
.90
.90
.75
.80
.50
.85
75
1.05
1.25
.90
.90
.90

40
40
40
44
44
40
44
44

40
40
40
44
44
40
44
44
38
44
40
44
40
40-44

1.25

3 8

44
40
44
40
44

WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOE

165

R E C E N T W AGE CHANGES, B Y IN D U S T R Y , OCCUPATION, AND L O C A LIT Y , M ARCH
TO JU N E , 1932—Continued
Rate of wages
Industry or occupation, and locality

Date ■
of
change

Building trades—Continued.
Carpenters—Continued.
Sheboygan, W is__________ ____ . ____ M ay
Wilkes-Barre, Pa - . . . . _____________ May
Cement finishers—
Hazelton, Pa., and vicinity__________ - M ay
Seattle, W a sh ____ __________________
Electrical workers—
St. Louis, M o______ . . ______ San Francisco, Calif____ - . _______ - Seattle, Wash.
_____
. . . . . . ____

P e r hour

P e r hour

$0.90
1.12M

Before After
change change

$0. 75
1.00

44
40

44
40

1.25
1.05
.90

44
44
40

44
44
40

Apr. 15
Apr. 20
Mar. 1

2.00
1.12*4
1.37*4

1.67*4
1.00
1.10

36
40
40

36
40
40

40-44

40

1

Mar. 31
Apr. 14
Apr. 28
Apr. 15

P e r w eek

P e r w eek

P e r hour

P e r hour

66.00
.75

.80
. 80-, 85
.87*4

55.00
.60

40

40

.70
.70
.78*4

44
44
40

40
44
40

1

.70
1.00
.75

.59*4
.80
.50

40
40
44

40
40
44

Mar. 31
Apr. 15
M ay 1

1.25
i. 50
1. 25

1.12*4
1.25
1.00

40
40
44

40
40
44

Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
Mar.
Apr.
Mar.
May

31
6
1
1
17
12
1
1
1

1.12*4
.87*4
.95
1. 25
1.00
1.12*4
1. 20
1. 12*4
•92*4

.90
.75
.77*4
1.07*4
.80
1.00
1.00
.90
.70

40
44
44
44
44
40
40
40
44

40
44
40
44
40
40
40
40
44

Mar.
May
Mar.
May

31
1
1
1

1. 37*4
1.37*4
1.50
1. 25

1.12*4
1. 25
1. 20
1.00

40
44
40
44

40
44
40
44

Mar.
May
Apr.
M ay
Mar.
May

31
1
1
17
1
1

1. 50
1.50
1.15
1.62*4
1. 37*4
1.25

1. 20
1.25
1.00
1. 43*4
1.10
.90

40
40
44
40
40
44

40
40
44
40
40
44

Apr. 15

1.50
.80
1-12*4
1.25

1.25
. 75
.90
1.00

40
44
} 40-44

40
40
40-44

1

1.37*4
1.50
1. 25
.95

1.17*4
1. 25
1.00
.80

44
40
40
44

40
40
40
44

Apr. 1
May 23

1.25
1.12*4

1.00
.85

40
44

40
40

M ay
Apr.
M ay
Mar.

1.65
1.75
1-37*4
1.25
1.25

1. 37*4
1. 47
1.20
1. 10
1.10

40
40
40
44
44

40
40
40
44
44

Mar. 1
May

Seattle, Wash., and vicinity......................
Sheet-metal workers—
Boston, Mass., and vicinity.
St. Louis, M o_____ .
... .
Seattle, Wash . . . . _
__ . . .
Sheboygan, W is :................ ........................
Stonecutters—
St. Louis, Mo., and vicinity________
San Francisco, Calif___________ _______
Structural and ornamental-iron workers—
Philadelphia, Pa . __________________
St. Louis, M o .__ __
-------- _._ __
San Francisco, Calif., and vicinity_____
Seattle, Wash _______________________
Tacoma, W ash.------ ------------- -------------

Mar. 1 Xf


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After
change

1.37H
1.25
1.12*S

1

Sheboygan, Wis., mason tenders... . . . .
Lathers—
Albuquerque, N. M ex.
. . . _______
St. Louis, Mo.
._ . . .
. . .
Sheboygan, W is_______ _____ . . . _____
Painters, decorators, and paperhangers—
Albuquerque, N. Mex. _ _ _ _ _ _
Jackson, Tenn ________ . . .
______ . . .
Marlboro, Mass _.
Philadelphia, Pa., glazers ._ ._
Quincy, 111__ ____
. . . . ._
Redwood City, C a lif.__ _ ___________
Rochester, N. Y _______
_ . . . . __
Seattle, Wash ________
Sheboygan, W is______________ ______
Plasterers—•
Albuquerque, N. Mex_____ __________
Hazleton, Pa., and vicinity. ._ ________
Seattle, Wash
______
. . . . .. ..
Sheboygan, W is______________________
Plumbers—
Albuquerque, N. Mex______
Boston, Mass., and vicinity__ _________
Marlboro, Mass______________________
St. Louis, Mo ____ _____ ._ _____
Seattle, Wash _
______
Sheboygan, W is ...____ _______ ____ _
Roofers—
St. Louis, M o________________________

Hours per day.

Before
change

Mar. 1

Engineers, operating, Philadelphia, Pa., and
v icin ity _______________________________ May
Hod carriers and laborers—
Albuquerque, N. M ex________________
Boston, Mass—
Union A ___________ ______ ______
Union B _______________________ _
St. Louis, M o________ _____________
Seattle, Wash.—
Building laborers _

1
9

Hours per week

Apr. 25
Apr. 15
May

18
15
16
1

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

166

R E C E N T W AGE CHANGES, B Y IN D U ST R Y , OCCUPATION, AND LO C A LIT Y , M ARCH
TO JU N E , 1932—Continued
Rate of wages
Industry or occupation, and locality

Date
of
change

Chauffeurs and teamsters:
Clinton, Iowa, milk-wagon drivers__ ____
Apr. 5
Portland, Oreg.—■
Teamsters.__ ________________________ Mar. 7
Truck drivers ________ _____________

Rochester, N. Y .—
Ice-wagon drivers__________________ . .
Milk-wagon drivers—
Helpers __________________ .
Wholesale men __ ____
Special m en .__ . . . . . .
Retail route men, first 3 months____
Retail route men, experienced______
Route pullers, foremen
. _
San Erancisco, Calif., taxi drivers__
Seattle, Wash., wholesale and retail delivery
d rivers................... ........................ ..................
Clothing:
Brockton, Mass., boot and shoe workers.. . .
Napa, Calif.—
Shirt workers___ ___ _______________
('utters_____ _____________ _____ _
Scranton, Pa., tailors________ . . . . . . .
_____
Coopers, St. Paul, Minn .
_
Dairy employees, Chicago, 111_
. . . _____ _

Apr.

6

Apr.

1

Galveston, Tex.—
Hand compositors, day____________
Hand compositors, night__________
Machine operators, day___________
Machine operators, night.. .
___
Grand Rapids, Mich.—
Newspaper, day ________________
Newspaper, night . .
. . . . ___
Nashville, Tenn.—
Job work.
_ ___________ _
Newspaper, day. ________________
Newspaper, night _ _____________
Oneonta, N. Y .—
Daywork _ __________
Night work_____________ .
Pueblo, Colo. ___________ . . .
Springfield, 111.. ________________
Paper handlers and sheet straighteners, New
York, N. Y —
Paper handlers . . . . ________________
Roll handlers___ _________________ _
Straighteners..................................................
4 Irregular.
5 Not reported.
6 50 cents a day reduction.
7 Plus commission.
8 Piece work.
»10 per cent reduction.


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

After
change

P er day

P e r day

$4. 60
4. 75
4.75
5.00
5.25
4. 75

f
•j
t

P e r w eek

36.00

26.00
34. 00
33. 00
29. 00
34.00
47. 00
(5)

1

40. 00
Apr. 28
Mar. 1
Apr.

1

May

1

Masters, mates, and pilots, Point Pleasant, W.
Va., and vicinity__________ ______________ Mar. 1
Motion-picture operators, Columbia, S. C ______
Printing and publishing:
Bookbinders, New York, N. Y .—
_______ _______
Paper cutters___
. . ______
Machine operators__ _
Continuous trimmer operators..________
Compositors and machine operators—■
Cairo, 111., newspaper.
__________
Concord, N. H _______________ _ . . . __
Duluth, Minn.—
Newspaper, d a y ... . .
__________

Before
change

___do___
___do___
May

May 23

Hours per week

P er hour
. 70
P e r w eek

20. 59-25. 00
38. 50-48. 00
42.00
31 86
33.00-53. 00

$3. 80

50

50

4. 25
4. 25
4. 50
4. 75
4 25

48
48
48
48
48

48
48
48
48
48

P e r w eek

33.00

(4)

(4)

24. 70
32. 30
31. 35
27. 55
32. 30
44. 65
(«)

(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(»)

(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(«)

7 37.00

(4)

(4)

P er hour

.63

48

48

44
44
48
48
48

40
40
48
48
48

84

84

P e r w eek

15. 80-22. 00
29. 50-37. 50
37. 80
30 86
28.00-48. 00

P e r day

P e r day

P e r w eek

P e r w eek

10.00

Before After
change change

9. 00

47. 50

40. 00-45. 00

36

36

Mar. 25

50.00
52. 00
53. 00

48.00
50 00
51. 00

44
44
44

44
44
44

May 3
Apr. 14

38.40
40. 50

39.60
36.45

48
44

48
44

48.00
51 00

44.00
47.00

44
44

44
44

44.50
47. 25
44.50
47.25

45
48
36
33

45
45
42
42

46.00
48. 00

42.00
44. 00

48
48

48
48

May

1

Mar. 9
-__do___
-_-do__
__ do_ _

P er

hour

971A
1. 02 Yi
(8)
(8)
P e r w eek

Apr.

7

Apr.

1

38.00
42. 00
45. 00

35.00
39. 00
42.00

44
48
48

44
48
48

May

1

39.00
41. 50
47.00
(5)

39.50
42.00
40.44
(9)

44
44
45
(«)

44
44
39

41.00
42. 00
45.00

38.00
39.00
42.00

44
44
44

Apr. 1
Apr. 24
Mar. 19

(5)
32
32
32

167

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

R E C E N T W AGE CH AN G ES, B Y IN D U S T R Y , O CCU PA TIO N , AND L O C A L IT Y , M ARCH
TO JU N E , 1932—Continued
Hours per week

Rate of wages
Industry or occupation, and locality

of
change

Printing and publishing—Continued.
Pressmen and assistants—

Before
change

After
change

P e r w eek

P e r w eek

(«)
May 1 $36.00-$50.00
New York, N. Y .—
$45.11
48.
50
Mar.
1
Printing-press assistants, senior . _
32. 55
35.00
Printing-press assistants, junior------- ___do___
___do_ _ 60.00- 69. 50 $55. 80- 64.64
Stereotypers, Des Moines, Iowa—
48.00
47. 50
June 1
51.00
50. 50
_ _do_ _

Street-railway workers, Pittsburgh, Pa.:

P e r hour

May
Municipal:

Mar. 1

Miami Beach, Fla.—

___do_ _
_ do_
_do_
_.do
_ _do_
_do_
___do_
Superintendent, water department-------- ___do___
Superintendent, recreation------------------- ...d o ___
__do_ _
_do_
__do_
Assistant superintendent, water departdo__ _
__do_
_do
Policemen (second year)---------------------- .__do___
Policemen (after second year)--------------- ___do___
___do_
__do
__do_
_ _do_
__..do_
__do_
___doClerks, stenographers-------------------------- ___do__

P er hour

32
32
32

48
48

48
48

(«)

(s)

7, 500
(')
3,600
(5)
3,000
(5)
1,500
(5)
3,600
0)
3, 600
(5)
3, 000
(5)
3, 300
(5)
3,000
(s)
2,160 ■ (5)
3,000
(5)
2,400
(5)

(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(•)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(s)
(5)
(5)

2,400
2, 400
1,920
1,800
1,920
1,980
2,100
1,800
2,100
2,700
1,800
2,400
1,800
1, 500

(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(6)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)

(u)

(9)
P e r year

2,700
2, 700
2,100
2,100
2,220
2, 280
2, 400
2,100
2,400
3,000
1,920
3,000
2,100
1,800

44

44
44
44

3 81/
3 8/

P e r y ear

9,000
4, 200
3, 300
1,800
4, 500
4, 500
3,600
3,900
3, 300
2,400
3, 300
2, 700

44

3 81/2
3 8/

.64
.74

.70
.80

f

1 \

Before After
change change

(5)
(5)
(6)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(6)
(5)
(5)
(5)

3 Hours per day.
3 Not reported.
9 10 per cent reduction.
1010 per cent reduction on all earnings after 30 hours.
11 Various.

Salaries in City School Systems, 1930-31
H E results of the National Education Association’s survey of
salaries in 1930-31 in 1,632 city school systems in the United
States are published in the May, 1931, research bulletin of that organ­
ization. The investigation included class-room teachers, principals,
and certain other school employees school nurses, clerks, janitors,
and attendants— in cities of 2,500 population and oyer.
The accompanying statistics are taken from the above-mentioned
bulletin Table 1 shows the median salaries of teachers, principals,

T


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

168

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

and superintendents in city school systems in 1930-31, in 5 groups
of cities, classified by population:
T a bl e 1 — M ED IA N SA L A R IES IN C IT Y SCHOOL S Y S T E M S OF VARIOUS C IT IE S IN T H E

U N IT E D ST A T E S, 1930-31

Median salaries
Occupation

88 cities
204 cities
449 cities
451 cities
of over
of 30,000
of 10,000
of 5,000 to
100,00
to 100,000
to 30,000 10,000 pop­
population population population
ulation

Teachers:
Elementary schools------- -------------Junior high schools_______________ __
Senior high schools_________ _______
Principals:
Elementarysphools (supervising). . . - Junior high schools-------------------------Senior high schools_______- - -- -------City superintendents of schools---------------

440 cities
of 2,500 to
5,000 pop­
ulation

$2,118
2,348
2,731

$1,609
1,860
2, 111

$1, 428
1,619
1,876

$1, 303
1,494
1,692

$1,162
1,360
1, 547

3,519
4, 500
5,100
10,000

2,646
3,353
4,281
e , 758

2,349
2, 763
3,613
5,149

2, 239
2,184
2,825
4,188

2,175
1,775
2,403
3, 565

Table 2 gives the number of teachers at specified salaries in 1930-31
in city school systems in 88 cities of over 100,000 population:
T a b l e 2 .—D IS T R IB U T IO N OF SA L A R IES OF T E A C H E R S IN 88 C IT IE S OF O V ER 100,000

PO PULATIO N , 1930-31

Elementary
school

Salary

$4'200-$4,399___
$4,000-$4,199___
$3,800-$3,999___
$3) 600—$3,799___
$3,400-$3,599___
$3,200-$3,399___
$3,100-$3,199__
$3,000-$3,099___
$2,900-$2,999___
$2,80O-$2,899___
$2,700-$2,799___
$2,600-$2,699___
$2,500-$2,599___
$2,400-$2,499___
$2,300-$2,399— $2,200-$2,299___
$2,100-$2,199___
$2,000-$2,099
$1,900-$1,999___

.$1 800-$ 1 899

$1 700-$1 799

.$1 600-.$ 1 699

$1 500-$ 1 599
$1 400-$ 1 499

$1*300 $ l’.399

$1100-$! 199
$ l’000-$ 1*099
Under $1,000--Total___
Median___

Junior high school

High school

KinAtyp­
Teach­
derical
As­
As­
As­
ers in
garclass
sist­
sist­
sist­
partDe­
ten
teach­
ant
ant
ant
time
Teach­ part­
teach­ Teach­ or
ers Teach­ or
or
Deans
Deans
schools
ers
ment
ers
ers
ers
vice
vice
vice
heads prin­
prin­
prin­
cipals
cipals
cipals
561
75
48
42
65
54
39
11
8
5
8
14
2
3
4
2
2
1

2
4
35

944

157

1, 756

$2,077 $2,118 $4, 280 $2,372 $2, 348 $3, 496 $3, 092 $2, 731 $3j 436 $5, 544 $2, 942

$2, 695

12
2,505
'397
282
6,609
993
186
945
1,436
1,996
2, 323
6, 371
7,941
3,681
7,813
5, 490
7, 649
4, 555
6, 808
6, 631

588
52
5
77
89
130
95
500
500
269
600
347
529
320
424
402
867 5 332
421 4,599
296 3 403
211 2 726
238 2 712
983
105
942
106
683
75
6,746 96,003


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

569
184
29
13
13
3
29
14
25
25
148
39
91
11
38
36
30
7
13
3
2
8
3
22
2
1

1, 358

5

3
629
89
65
58
55
26
72
179
409
573
358
513
278
388
361
439
364
317
225
309
179
152
67
47
19
14
25

5

1,741
135
187
476
306
639
511
1,535
769
998
946
1,441
1, 326
1,086
1, 330
1, 455
128
1, 295
' 789
756
594
474
328
212
121
98
89

6,213- 20, 770

3
7
17
57
28
19
12
3
3
12
3
6
20
3
3
4
1
1

2,708
1, 798
1,177
1,216
2,167
951
2,113
975
2,032
2, 101
1,745
1,311
2,346
1,480
1,814
1, 373
1, 595
949
1,151
600
488
363
263
176
129
36
52
69

763
51
70
317
293
90
105
71
46
111
87
70
71
28
37
22
16
5
9
14
6
4
3

75 33,178

2,289

1
2
16
7
11
6
1
4
3
3
5
1
3
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1

207

3
5
6
4
16
6
13
19
9
5
3
2
9
5
3
2
3
1
1
1

214
85
43
26
50
42
42
64
227
81
88
71
104
97
70
82
77
64
78
26
26
24
13
13
12
10
5
22

WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOR

169

Table 3 records by States the median salaries of various groups of
teachers for the period under review in the cities of over 100,000
population.
T a b le 3 — M ED IA N SA L A R IES OF T E A C H E R S IN C IT IE S OF O V ER 100,000 P O PU L A T IO N ,

1930-31

Elementary
school

State

KinAtyp­
derical
As­
As­
garsist­
sist­ class
De­
ten
teach­
ant
ant
part­
teach­ Teach­ or
ers Teach­ or
Deans Teach­
ment
ers
ers
ers
ers
vice
vice
heads
prin­
prin­
cipals
cipals

As­
sist­
ant'
or
vice
prin­
cipals

3,496 $3,092 $2, 731

$3,436

5,544

2,942

$2, 695

2,073
2,684
2,812
2,476

2,550
3, 350

3,988
3, 367

3,233

2, 802
2, 550

United States. $2,077 $2,118
Alabama____
California___
Colorado____
ConnecticutDelaware___
Districtof Co­
lumbia____
Florida_____
Georgia_____
Illinois_____
Indiana____
Iowa_______
Kansas_____
Kentucky___
Louisiana___
Maryland___
Massachusetts.
Michigan____
Minnesota___
Missouri_____
Nebraska____
New Jersey__
New York___
Ohio________
Oklahoma___
Oregon______
Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island.
Tennessee...
Texas_____
Utah______
V irginia___
Washington
Wisconsin-..

High school

Junior high school

1, 962

2,220

1, 725
1,600
2, 226
1, 250
1, 719
2,511
1,680
1, 895
1, 550
1, 536
1, 340
1, 876
1, 919
1, 745
2, 209
2, 090
2,440
2, 601
2,050
1,517
1, 725

1, 886

1, 850
1,170
1, 267
1, 775
1,500
2, 000

2, 265

1, 610
2, 287
2,227
1,856

4,280 $2, 372 $2, 348
2, 450

2,210

2,040

2,010

2,219
1, 208
1, 754
2,516
1,882
1,859
1, 746
1, 508
1, 709
1, 660
1,953
2,003
1,797

,

2,223
1,550
1, 717
2,314
2,842
2, 250

2 120

,

2 110

2,230
2,652
2,037
1,903
2,213
2,073
1, 794
1,503
1,629
1,557
1,507
1,933
2,390

i Under $1,000.


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

1, 690
2, 463
2,350

4,133
4, 633
2, 913
2, 738

2, 014
2, 472
1, 917
1, 838
1, 850
1, 600
1, 864
2, 056
1, 999
2, 402
1, 950
2, 232
1, 450
2, 672
3, 608
2, 398
1, 475
2, 058
2, 433
2, 050
1,550
1, 920
2,140
2,418

2,685
2, 576
2,168

3,636

3,017
3,100

3,020
2, 750

2,020

2,221

2,424
1, 355
2,358
2,725
2,118
2,032
1, 975
1,643

3, 833

1, 965
2,383
2,494

2, 538
2,850
3,733

3, 538
2,834
1, 763
1,468
2, 915
2.435
2,300
3, 441
3,068
2, 474
2, 322
2,560
2, 248
2,590
2, 091
2,475
3,250
2,555
3, 704
2, 649
2,758
3, 527
2,733
2, 337
2, 846
2, 448
2, 400
3, 502 +4,000
3.435 + 4, 000
3, 306
2, 614
2, 789
2,461
2,663
2,266
3,236 +4, 000
3, 150
2, 559
2, 283
2,047
2, 530
2,030
2,093
2,500
2,050
2, 903
2,206
2,619

3, 454
2,400

2, 200

2,300
2, 545
3,446
2, 413
2,141

3, 400
3, 700
3, 225
2,500

2, 392
2, 150
1,649
1,772
1,842
1,804
1,950
2, 026

2,500

2, 050

3,490
4, 300
3,425

3,400
3, 711
4, 400
3, 425
3, 900
4,800
5, 734
3, 715
2, 750
3, 700

Teach­
ers in
parttime
schools

0

1,183
1, 800
4, 100 +4,000
2,813
1, 893

2, 675
2,750"

1,858
2,438
2,679

‘ 2,"750
2," 775"
4, 200 ‘ 2,"625
3,050
3,138
2,313
2,450
2,750
"2,"644
2,183

3, 050

2, 300

2,875
3, 450
3, 900

2,925

1, 650
1, 810

170

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

The numbers of teachers receiving specified salaries in 1930-31 are
reported in Table 4 for 204 city school systems in cities of 30,000 to
100,000 population:
T a b le 4 .—D IS T R IB U T IO N OF SA L A R IES OF T E A C H E R S IN 204 C IT IE S OF 30,000 TO
100,000 PO PU LA TIO N , 1930-31

Elementary
school

Salary

$4,000 and over
$3,800-$3,999__
$3,600-$3,799__
$3,400-$3,599___
$3,200-$3,399__
$3,100—
$3,199__
$3,000-$3,099__
$2,900-$2,999__.
$2,800-$2,899__
$2,700-$2,799__
$2,600-$2,699__
$2,500-$2,599__
$2,400-$2,499__
$2,300-$2,399_._
$2,200-$2,299_._
$2,100-$2,199.__
$2,000-$2,099__
$1,900-$1,999___
$1,800-$1,899__
$1,700-$1,799__
$1,600-$1,699__
$1,500-$!,599____
$1,400-$1,499.__'_
$1,300-$1,399___
$1,200-$1,299___
$1,100-$1,199__
$1,000-$1,099__
Under $1,000.
T otal___

Junior high school

High school

KinAtyp­
Teach­
derAs­
ical
As­
As­
ers of
garsist­
class
sist­
sist­
De­
partten
teach­ Teach­ ant
part­ ant
time
teach­ Teach­ ant
Teach­
or
ers
ers
or
Deans ers
or
ment
Deans schools
ers
ers
vice
vice
heads vice
prin­
prin­
prin­
cipals
cipals
cipals
h

1
15
5
7
4
34
21
22
32
33
69
67
133
125
118
185
174
155
151
151
76
74
56

i
54
13
162
46
161
157
383
350
540
591
1,014
775
1,148
2, 334
3, 173
2,518
2,885
3, 196
2, 707
2,963
2,815
1,744
1, 359
1,014

1,708 32,103

4
6
4
14
8
1
8
1
8
2
6
3
5
2
4
2
2
4
1
8
5
2
1

>103

3
5
23
30
6
98
3
36
10
105
7
95
15
147
5
271
9
151
29
266
19
319
45
394
63
484
59
554
89
733
109
938
135 1,316
97
914
105
953
113
825
53
641
41
482
29
321
10
126
15
64
7.
57

4
1
4
9
9
2
9
2
2
7
5
6
6
4
3
5
10
1

1,075 10,351

92

2

1
1
1

4
2

35

42

16

2

171

30

9
9
14

3
5

7

5
3
3
5
3
13
4
6
10
5
7
6
2
i
i

7
7
6
29
18
29
23
30
38
32
32
36

210

46

190
151
302
533
352
617
633
490
793
831
1, 022
863
979
682
595
467
355
220
144
88
28
27

49
36
39
32
56
76
72
79
49
48
42
29
22
8
6
3
2

16
4
13
11
7
2
5
5

38 11,129

834

137

1
2
3
2

4
3
1
5
2

2
3
3
1

7

6

3
1
3

22
19
17
9
5
6
2

90

428

Median______ $1, 609 $1, 609 $2, 756 $1, 850 $1,860 $2,743 $2, 367 $2, 111 $2, 575 $3,053 $2, 523

$2,166

1As given in original table. Actual sum of items, 102.

In Table 5 are presented the median salaries, by States, for 12
groups of teachers for the year covered in the survey in cities in the
30,000 to 100,000 population group:


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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

171

T a b le 5.—M ED IA N SA L A R IES OP T E A C H E R S IN C IT IE S OP 30,000 TO 100,000 PO PU LA ­

TIO N , 1930-31

Elementary
school

State

Junior high school

High school

KinAtyp­
derAs­
As­
ical
As­
garsist­
class
sist­
sist­
De­
ten
ant
teach­ Teach­ ant
ant
part­
teach­ Teach­ or
Deans Teach­
or
Deans
ers
or
ers
ment vice
ers
ers
ers
vice
vice
heads
prin­
prin­
prin­
cipals
cipals
cipals

United States. $1, 609 $1, 609 $2,756 $1,850 $1, 860 $2,743 $2, 367 $2, i n
1, 450
California ___ 1,900
1, 750
Connecticut__ 1,818
1,050
1, 461
1, 388
1,459
1,583
1,268
1, 522
Massachusetts. 1, 561
1, 584
1,043

New

1,640

Haxnp1, 532
New Jersey----- 1, 981
New York .
1,901
North Caroilna.
1, 650
Pennsylvania.. 1,613
Rhode Island _. 1, 615
South CarolinaSouth D akota.. 1,530
1, 383
Utah
West Virginia. . 1,279
1, 521

1,171
1,795
1,332
1,954
1,638
1,840
Below
1, 000
1,310
1, 554
1, 539
1,505
1,721
1,400
1,079
1, 538
1,199
1, 651
1, 699
1, 033
1,186
1,807
1, 602
1, 546
2,180
1,910
1, 343
1, 603
1, 253
1,719
1, 615
1, 253
1, 523
1,242
1, 342
1,358
1, 541
1,493
1,681

3, 006

1,994
2,000

1,540

1,690
1, 679
1, 700
1, 767
1, 450
1, 450

1, 650

1, 759
1,897
1,300
1,850

3,275
2, 650

1, 555
2, 510
2,032
1,630
1, 771
1, 878
1, 750
1, 583
1, 525
1, 750
1, 583
1, 875

1, 142
1,819
1, 588
2,405
1,925
2,059
1, 426
1,718
1,760
1,785
1,726
1,579
1,363
1, 650
1, 288
1,860
1,957
1,173
1, 349
1,888
1, 744
1,790
2,615
2,158
1,569
1,868
1, 550
1, 876
1,722
1,500
1,389
1, 458
1,709
1,491
1, 734
1, 714
1,883

3,220

2,500

3, 400

1, 950

2,533

3,000
3, 300
2,450

2,550

1, 561
2, 300
1, 890
2, 660
2,095
2,343
1,325

$2, 575 $3, 053 $2, 523

Teach­
ers of
parttime
schools

$2,166

2,250
3, 000

3,100

3,310

3,150

1,750
2,126
1,926
1,933
2,045
1,686
1, 325
1, 850
1, 521
2, 090
2,185
1, 453
1,705
2,017
2,000

2,100
2,979
2,280
1, 963

3,050

2,057
3, 000
2,301
1,640
2, 362
1, 658
2,224
2,013
1, 711
2,033
1.665
1,888
1,808
1,923
1,960
2,114

2,600
3,809
3,073
2.450
2.450
2.500
2.500
2,288
2,033

1, 825
2,515
2, 812
2,588

3,200

2,556

2,517
2,450
2,125

1,850

2,150
3, 300
3, 050

2,450

2, 000
2,025

4, 300
3, 500

2,800

2,683
2,210

2,700

3,000

2,000

2,150
2,200
2,483

3, 050

1,986

2, 200
1,950
2,070
2, 300
2, 442

2,143

Salaries of Clerical Workers in New York City
A R L Y in 1932 the Merchants’ Association of New York made a
survey of salaries of clerical workers employed by banks, adver­
tising agencies, and insurance companies in New York City. Table
1, taken from a statement prepared by the industrial bureau of the
association, shows the range in minimum rates and maximum rates
for the different occupations.

E

125620°—32----- 12


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b le 1 .— M IN IM U M AND M A X IM U M M O N T H LY SA L A R IE S PAID C L E R IC A L W O R K ­

E R S B Y BA N K S, A D V E R T IS IN G A G E N C IE S, AND IN SU R A N C E C O M PA N IES IN N EW
Y O R K C IT Y , A L L F IR M S C O M BIN ED
Com­
panies
report­
ing

Occupation

Accountants___________________
Auditors______________________
Secretaries_____________________
Stenographers_________________
Typists_______________________
Dictaphone operators___________
Telephone operators____________
Comptometer operators________
Clerks—bookkeeping department
Ledger clerks_______________
File girls______ _____ __________
Mail clerks____________________
Pay-roll clerks_________ _______
Billing-machine operators______

27
22
32
30
32
22
34
15
30
24
33
31
9
15

Minimum rates

Maximum rates

Low

High

Average

Low

High

$80. 00
80.00
83. 33
55. 00
52.00
65.00
67. 99
60. 00
50.00
60. 00
50.00
50.00
80. 00
70. 00

$433. 33
251. 33
183. 33
121. 33
130. 00
130. 00
143. 00
125. 00
125.00
164. 66
112.66
150. 00
133. 33
117. 00

$150.23
148. 62
116. 51
97. 00
79. 03
91.63
97.40
90. 96
86.45
96.15
72.28
78.03
110. 08
91.21

$151. 66
'151.66
125. 00
100. 00
78.00
90. 56
86. 66
100. 00
90.00
95. 33
65. 00
65.00
140. 00
95. 33

$708. 33
750. 00
300. 00
300. 00
173. 33
195. 00
208. 34
153. 83
325. 00
216. 66
183. 33
225.00
300. 00
150.00

Average
$298.40
297.93
201. 39
155. 32
115.17
130. 62
135. 27
124.43
152.02
142. 67
116. 92
121. 52
192. 53
123. 64

The salaries paid by banks, advertising agencies, and insurance
companies, respectively, are shown in Table 2, together with the num­
ber of reporting firms in each class.
T a b le 2 .—M IN IM U M AND M A X IM U M M O N T H LY SA L A R IES PAID C L E R IC A L W O R K .

E R S B Y BA N KS, A D V E R T IS IN G A G E N C IE S, AND IN SU R A N C E C O M PA N IES IN N EW
Y O R K C IT Y , B Y T Y P E OF F IR M
Banks

Advertising agencies

Insurance companies

Num­ Average salary Num­ Average salary Num­ Average salary
ber
ber
ber
re­
re­
re­
port­ Mini­ Maxi­ port­ Mini­ Maxi­ port­ Mini­ Maxi­
mum
ing
mum
mum
ing
mum
mum
ing
mum

Occupation

Accountants______________ . . .
Auditors._ _______ _______
Secretaries. ____________
Stenographers _____
'Typists...
_ ________
Dictaphone operators____
Telephone operators_____
Co nptometer operators.. .
Clerks—bookkeeping department..
Ledger clerks.. . . . . . . ___
File g irls ... _____ ___
Mail clerks____________
Pay-roll clerks_______
Billing-machine operators.

11 $131.16 $284.08
11 147. 63 307. 34
13 123. 74 223. 58
12
93. 19 159.89
11
81.99 121.24
8 101. 66 137.12
12
94. 58 145. 60
4 100. 00 125. 58
13
86. 62 162.10
11 102. 98 156. 69
12
79. 74 143. 38
12
97.31 159. 88
7 112. 22 205. 70
6
95.16 131. 00

5 $249. 52 $381. 54
2 136. 49 187. 77
7 110.26 193.19
6
98. 89 139. 47
6
95. 51 130. 94
2
85. 45 104.86
6 106. 52 130. 66
1 123. 50 153. 83
4
86. 66 194. 99
1 102.91 123. 50
6
88.12 111.90
5
72.87
98. 29
2

101.83

127.83

11 $139. 50
8 153. 49
12 112. 32
14
85.52
15
70. 26
12
85. 97
15
95. 99
10
84.07
13
78. 53
12
80. 98
15
59.98
14
63.34
6

83. 72

$274.92
326. 04
180. 45
136. 01
104. 42
129. 55
129.15
121 02
128. 71
131.41
97. 76
96. 92
115.87

Production and Wages in the German Iron and Steel Industry
B y F ritz K um m er , B e r l in

H E German iron and steel industry has for a number of years
been in a state of decline. With each decrease in production the
opinion has been that the lowest point of depression had been reached,
a worse stage seeming to be impossible. This optimistic point of view
has constantly been refuted by the next industrial reports, the depres­
sion continuing. Gradually production has decreased to less than half
of that of the last pre-war year (1913) and still there is no sign of
improvement.

T


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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

Employers have taken measures to stop the further decline of the
industry, and have done what they thought best to get through the
hard times with as little damage as possible. Mills have been shut
down, pending orders have been transferred to fewer mills or even to
a single one, a large part of the personnel has been discharged, extra
holidays have been given, and the working hours have been shortened
or the personnel employed on a staggered system. Furthermore,
wages and working standards have been reduced. Notwithstanding
all these measures, no improvement has been reached, and the
difficulties of the iron and steel industry are greater than ever.
The decrease in production in the iron and steel industry is illus­
trated by figures of the monthly production in 1913 and 1929 to 1932
of the Ruhr district, which controls about 81 per cent of the total
German iron and steel production.
T a b le 1 .— M O N TH LY PRO D U CTIO N OP IR O N AND S T E E L IN T H E R U H R D IS T R IC T ,

1913, AND 1929 TO 1932

Monthly production (in tons) of—
Year
Pig iron

1929, monthly average-------------- ------------- ---------------1930, January----------- ---------------------------------------------1931, February--------- -------------------------------- ------------Per cent of decrease since 1929-----------------------------------

910, 000
1,117, 000
1, 092, 000
480,900
319, 800
71.3

Raw steel
981, 000
1, 354, 000
1,275, 000
543,100
342,800
74.6

Rolling-mill
products
914, 000
940, 000
896, 000
586, 000
274, 400
70,8

The number of workers employed has not decreased so much as
production, its reduction since June, 1929, being something like 51
per cent. This is due to technical and other circumstances. The
number of iron workers in the Ruhr district has been as follows:
June, 1929, 219,789; January, 1930, 200,441; January, 1931, 145,615;
January, 1932, 105,646. In 1932 there were 114,143 fewer workers
than in 1929. The decrease in the number of workers, however, has
been coupled with a reduction of working hours. I t is difficult to
state exactly the extent of the _reduction of working hours in the
various occupations and establishments, because the reduction is
different from mill to mill and is still going on.
Time-work wages and piece rates have also, during the last couple
of years, moved downwards. In this industry piece work prevails,
only about 15 per cent of the workers being on time work. Most of
the latter are in the mechanical and repair shops. _
In Germany the iron and steel industry is not divided into so many
branches as in America or England.
.
The pay varies from group to group. The manner in which the
pay is fixed does much to eliminate variety in time or piece rates of
wages. Wage agreements are made, not for each group nor by any
of them separately, but for the whole industry, by a join t committee
consisting of representatives of the trade-unions and of the employers
organizations concerned. Such an agreement covers those groups or
trades which are similar or considered equivalent. The iron and steel
industry of the Ruhr district is covered by a single wage agreement;
it fixes the basic pay of skilled, semiskilled, and unskilled workers m

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174

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

all occupations. The basic wage rates may, however, be increased
by bonuses, overtime pay, family or children’s allowances, etc.
The following wage data have been compiled by the trade-unions
of the iron and steel workers (German M etal Workers’ Federation)
with the assistance of the industrial councils. The figures, which are
for adult workers only, are average actual earnings of almost all
establishments in the Ruhr district. Within the occupations the
earnings differ little from mill to mill. Exceptions to this general
rule are some occupations in the wire, thin-sheet, and bar-rolling
mills. In the thin-sheet mills, for example, the first roller earns in
one establishment 96 pfennigs (22.8 cents) per hour and in another
224 pfennigs (53.3 cents). The above averages do not include
allowances for family or children, which are, however, so small that
they do not influence the total sum.
T a b le 3.—A V ER A G E A CTUAL EA RN IN G S P E R HOUR OE IRO N AND S T E E L W O R K E R S

IN T H E RU H R
JA N U A R Y, 1932

D IS T R IC T , G E R M A N Y , IN

M ARCH, 1930, N O V E M B E R , 1931, AND

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of pfennig=0.238 cent]
March, 1930
Department and occupation

Blast furnaces:
Furnace men, f i r s t - . . ____________ _________ _
Furnace men, second____
______________ . _
Charge laborers. . . . . . ________ _ ______ _
Yard laborers_____________ . ____________ - _
Thomas works:
Furnace men, first.. ___________ ____________
Ingot mold men _
___ _______
Yard laborers____
__________________ _____ _
Martin steel works:
Furnace men, first_______________ _____ ____ _
Furnace men, second.
___
.. .
_.
Casting-pit men_____ _____ _____ __________ .
Cogging mills:
Rollers, first__ _______ . . . . _______ . _ . _
Rollers, second__________ __________ _________
Straightening shops:
Shearers____ ___________ _____ _______ _ _
Loaders ________ - - . _______ _____________
Wire-rolling mills:
Foremen_____
________ _ ______ _
________________ _ -- ---- -H eaters.. .
'Thin-sheet mills: Rollers, first-. . .
___________ - _
Bar-rolling mills: Foremen___ __________
Hammer shops:
S m ith s .________ _
. _______ - - . _______
Lever men, first___
..
- ________ _ - H e lp e rs ..___ ________________ . . . . . ----------Iron foundries:
Molders___ _________ ______________________
Core makers__ _______ _
________ ________
Stove men ___________________________________
Helpers______
__________ _____________
Mechanical construction:
Mechanics_______ _________________________ .
Machineworkers__________________________
Helpers_______________________________________


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November, 1931 January, 1932

Ger­ United Ger­ United Ger­ United
man
States
man
States
man
States
curren­ curren­ curren­ curren­ curren­ curren­
cy
cy
cy
cy
cy
cy
P fe n ­
n ig s

115.0
104.0
110.0
77.0

C en ts

27.4
24.8
26.2
18.3

P fe n ­
n ig s

101.0
91.9
93.0
69.5

C e n ts

24.0
21.9
22.1
16.5

P fe n ­
n ig s

87.6
78.7
80.6
61.1

C en ts

20.9
18.7
19.2
14.5

171.0
135.0
90.0

40.7
32.1
21.4

123.2
107.5
79.0

29.3
25.6
18.8

104.0
88.5
68.8

24.8
21.1
16.4

135.0
116.0
109.0

32.1
27.6
25. 9

118.2
100.7
94.9

28.1
24.0
22.6

101.6
86.0
80.0

24.2
20.5
19.0

151.0
130.0

35.9
30.9

124.8
103.5

29.7
25.8

106.7
93.5

25.4
22.3

102.0
97.0

24.3
23.1

95.9
78.5

22.8
18.7

82.7
74.8

19.7
17.8

231.0
203.0
178.0
156.0

55.0
48.3
42.4
37.1

203.8
178.3
139.7
141.4

48.5
42.4
33.3
33.7

179.0
156.3
123.1
125.2

42.6
37.2
29.3
29.8

135.0
105.0
88.0

32.1
25.0
20.9

116.2
92.7
72.6

27.7
22.1
17.3

103.0
82.5
62.8

24.5
19.6
15.0

121.0
110.0
88.0
76.0

28.8
26.2
20.9
18.1

103.5
97.6
81.6
69.6

24.6
23.2
19.4
16.6

92.6
88.0
73.2
62.6

22.0
20. 9
17.4
14.9

107.0
91.0
73.0

25.5
21.7
17.4

94. 2
82.3
66.9

22.4
19.6
15.9

84.8
74.5
59.7

20.2
17.7
14.2

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

175

The above table shows a very great decrease in all earnings in the
short period from November, 1931, to January, 1932. This is due
chiefly to the emergency decree issued by the German Government on
December 8, 1931.1 That decree imposed a reduction of all agreement
wages, from January 1, 1932, to the level of those of January, 1927.
This meant a decrease in pay of 10 per cent and in many cases even
of 15 per cent. In those industries or agreement districts where wage
agreements had expired, the new agreements had to conform to the
emergency decree. This was true of the iron and steel industry in the
Ruhr district. The above table shows how the reduction of wages
imposed by the Government affected the earnings of iron and steel
workers.
i

For summary of principal provisions of that decree see Labor Review, March 1932, pp. 588-593.


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General Survey of Wages in Portugal, 1931 1
AGE earners in Portugal have, in general, an 8-hour workingday. In agriculture, however, the working hours are from
sunrise to sunset.
In Table 1 daily wages of workers in Portuguese industries are
presented. The figures shown therein represent the actual wages
paid, but without a knowledge of the social conditions under which
the workers live they would convey an erroneous idea of the real
facts. As a rule, wage earners in Portugal live in tenement houses
shared with relatives or friends and not infrequently with persons
entirely unknown to them, the rent being divided among the various
tenants. In the country the farm laborers live in very small houses,
having an average of two or three rooms, including kitchen, with no
conveniences at all.
Early in the morning the husband goes out to his daily task, his
breakfast being a very light meal composed of coffee and bread,
usually without butter. The wife, having tidied the house, also goes
out to work, her daily wages averaging from 5 to 10 escudos.2 She
goes from house to house to help in the rough work or to sew. She
receives her meals in the houses where she works and is often given
“ left-overs,” which her husband has for his dinner. A married
carpenter, for instance, who earns an average of 20 escudos daily, could
not possibly live on this amount were it not for the earnings of his
wife and the food given her.
Everyone works in the family of the farm laborer, even very young
children. In addition to the wages paid in currency, farm laborers
receive supplementary payments in kind and often their food is
included.

W

T a b le 1 .— D A ILY W AGES OF W O R K E R S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S IN PO RTU G A L,

1931, B Y S E X

Daily wages of—

Daily wages of—
Industry or occupation

Industry or occupation
Males
E scu dos

8. 50-18. 00
8. 00-18. 00
12. 00-20. 00
Ceramic.-- ---------- - - 7.00-20. 00
14. 50-20. 00
10. 30-17. 00
7.00-17.50
9. 50-20. 00
Shoe--------- --------------9.00-20. 00
10.00-22. 50
Wood and furniture____ 10. 00-25. 00

Females
E scu d os

5. 00-12. 00
4. 00- 5. 00
4. 00- 6. 00
4. 50- 7. 00
5. 50- 8. 00
6. 00- 8. 00
4. 00- 8. 00
3. 00-10. 00
4. 00- 8. 00
4. 50- 5. 00

Painters_____ _____ ___
P aper.. __ ____ _ _
Graphic, etc
Arts andprecision instru-

Carriage and automobile
Farm laborers

_______

Males

Males

E scu dos

E scu dos

14. 00-22. 00
7. 00-16. 00
10. 00-18. 50
10. 00-21. 65
12. 50-20. 00
10. 00-30. 00
12. 33-20.00
“ 9. 50

5. 50
21.00
6.00
“ 5.00

° 8-hour day.
1 This article was prepared from reports by Carl F. Deichman, American consul general at Lisbon (Sept.
28, 1931), and Leslie A. Davis, American consul at Oporto (Oct. 20, 1931).
2 Owing to fluctuation in the exchange rate of the escudo no attempt at conversions is deemed advisable.
The escudo at par equals 4.42 cents; the exchange rate in September, 1931, was at par and in October, 1931,
was 3.93 cents.

• 176

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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

Table 2 shows daily wages in the industries of the Oporto district of
Portugal. In the woolen mills women receive somewhat less than the
wages shown for men. Dyers in cotton mills generally receive a com­
mission from the local aniline suppliers. Coal miners are given free
coal, firewood, housing, and schooling for their children, while metalmine workers are given free housing. Workers in the metallurgical
industry are paid double rates for overtime.
T a ble 2 .—D A ILY W AGES IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S IN T H E OPORTO D IS T R IC T

PO RTU G A L, 1931, B Y S E X

Daily wages of-

Daily wages of—
Industry or occupation

Industry or occupation
Males

Females

E scu dos

E scu dos

M a n u fa c t u r in g

Wine industry:
Bottlers____

_ ...

Cotton mills:
Weavers.. .
Spinners. . ______

Dyers. ____
Woolen mills:
Weavers____ . . .
Spinners___________
Designers..
Helpers. . _ _
_
Technicians.. ____
D yers... ______ _
Laborers___
Hat industrv______ . . .
Sardine packing_______
Biscuit and other food
industries____________
Enamelware industry:
Coloring, designing,

12. 00-15. 00
10.00-12. 00
i 20. 00
15.00

12.00
12. 00

8.00-10.00
6. 50-10.00

13. 00-20. 00
13. 00-20. 00
30. 00-40. 00
6. 00-12. 00
40. 00-60. 00
20.00-30. 00
10. 00-12. 00
19. 00-25. 00
10.00-15. 00

(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
5. 00- 8. 00
4.00- 5.00

10. 00-15. 00

5. 00- 7. 00

15. 00-17.00

C o a l a n d m e t a l m in i n g

E scu dos

Coal miners________
Metal mines:
Miners_________
AVaste removers. _
Helpers_________

12. 00-15.00

Females

E scu dos

8. 00- 10. 00

8. 00- 10. 00

7. 00- 8. 00
s 3.00- 4. 00

4. 00

M e t a l lu r g y

13.00-18. 00
13. 00-18.00
12 00-18. 00
8. 00-10. 00
40. 00-50. 00
16.00-21. 00
20. 00-30. 00

11. 00-12. 00
11. 00-12.00

Males

20. 00
Turners..
_____
30. 00
Fitters________________
16.00-20.
00
Plumbers______ . . . . . .
19. 00-30. 00
Electricians___
33.00
Mechanics_____ _______
12.00
Laborers___ __
...
14.00
Helpers. _____
____
A g r i c u lt u r e

Farm laborers
___
Sowing________________
Planting vines____ _
Planting potatoes___ _
Pruning olive trees.. _ .
Grafting trees--------------Vintage____________ ._
Vine dressing.. _____ .
Market gardening___ _
Garden n g ...
. . . ..
General work__________

7.«007. 007. 207. 40-

9. 00
9. 50
9. 20
8. 90
9. 30
10. 00-12. 00

8.00
7. 60- 9. 50
8. 10- 8. 90
10. 00-18.00
7.5 0 - 9.50

3.004. 305.004.10-

5. 00
5. 60
7.00
4. 40
5.00

4. 50- 5. 60
4. 00- 5. 00
3.90- 5. 40

L u m b e rin g

Sawyers_____ ___ . . .
Laborers_____________
Helpers___________ .

15. 00-17. 00
10. 00-12. 00
6. 00- 8. 00

1 Maximum earnings; paid by piecework.
2 Women receive somewhat less than the wage paid men.
3 Boys.

General Survey of Wages in Spain, 1931 1
OLLOW ING the revolution of April, 1931, a series of strikes took
place, resulting in a marked upward trend in wages, and it is
believed that at the first favorable opportunity further increases will
be sought by labor. The rates shown in the present report, in effect
late in 1931, should therefore not be regarded necessarily as permanent,
continuing rates.
Attention is also directed to the fact that the decline in exchange
value of the peseta makes the dollar value of the present wages less
than the value of the lower wages paid several years ago. Conversions

F

1 This report was furnished by American consular officers Manuel J . Codoner, Alicante; Claude I. Daw­
son, Barcelona; Raymond O. Richards, Madrid; Augustin W. Ferrin, Malaga; William B . Douglass, jr.,
Seville; S. Reid Thompson, Valencia; and Walter H. McKinney, Vigo.


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178

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

into United States currency have in all cases in this article been made
on the basis of the par value of the peseta— 19.3 cents.
Deductions fro m wages.— Previous to the enforcement of a decree
dated December 15, 1927, wage earners in Spain had not been re­
quired to pay a tax on their wages. That decree provided that a 3H
per cent tax should be levied on all wages of 3,250 pesetas ($627) or
over per year. The decree caused a great deal of discontent among
the laborers affected, but remained in force until after the revolution
of 1931, when the provisional government repealed the law a week
after coming into power (April 22).
Salaried workers were not so fortunate, however, and are still
obliged to pay taxes on salaries of 1,500 pesetas ($290) and more per
year. The table below gives the scale of these taxes.
Tax

Income:
(percent)
Over 1,500 to 2,000 pesetas ($290-$386)__________________________
2.50
Over 2,000 to 3,000 pesetas ($386-$579)_________________________
3.00
Over 3,000 to 4,000 pesetas ($579-$772)__________ '
3. 50
Over 4,000 to 5,000 pesetas ($772-$965)__________________
__ 4. 00
Over 5,000 to 6,000 pesetas ($965-$l,158)________________
4. 50
Over 6,000 to 7,000 pesetas ($1,158-$1,351)____________ __
5. 00
Over 7,000 to 8,000 pesetas ($1,351—$1,544)_______________________ 5.50
Over 8,000 to 9,000 pesetas ($1,544-$ 1,737)_______________________ 6.00
Over 9,000 to 11,000 pesetas ($1,737-$2,123)________________
_
7. 00
Over 11,000 to 13,000 pesetas ($2,123-$2,509)____________________
8. 00
Over 13,000 to 15,000 pesetas ($2,509-$2,895)_______________
__ 9. 00
Over 15,000 to 20,000 pesetas ($2,895-$3,860)____________________ 10. 00
Over 20,000 pesetas (over $3,860)________________________________ 11. 00

_ Payments supplementary to wages.— Workmen receive old-age pen­
sions of 365 pesetas ($70.45) per year. No contributions for these
pensions are required from the workers, the cost being borne by the
employers and the State. (The worker may, however, contribute in
order to increase the amount of the pension.) The employers’ con­
tribution is set at 10 céntimos (1.9 cents) per worker per day.
Employers are also required to protect their workers against in­
dustrial accidents, either by insuring with established insurance com­
panies or by self-insurance.
General Level of Wages in the Barcelona District

I n T a b l e 1 are shown hourly wages in the important industries
and occupations in the Barcelona district.
The wages paid in and around the city of Barcelona, and the conse­
quent standard of living of the population, are probably higher than
in any other part of Spain. The workmen are organized into unions,
which are strong and alert to advance the interests of their members.
The district has been the scene of many recent strikes in all branches
of industry, which in some cases have resulted in increased wages or
shorter working hours or both. The situation is not yet stable, and
it is too early to report definitely the new wage scales effective under
the agreements made to bring the strikes to an end. I t may be stated,
however, that neither the increases in wages granted nor the decrease
of working hours have been very great, and for that reason the figures
embodied in this report, some of which relate to a period about six
months prior to the present date (September, 1931) are still close ap­
proximations to the present wage scales. An effort was made to
check the official figures against the wages granted by the most recent

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOE

179

agreements, and this has been done in the case of the metallurgical
industries. Wages in the textile industry have not been modified as
a whole. Each establishment makes a separate agreement with its
workers, and the impossibility of procuring data from each factory is
obvious.
T a b le 1 .— A V ER A G E H O U R LY R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S AND OCCUPATIONS

IN T H E BA RC ELO N A D IS T R IC T OF SPAIN, 1931
M a les

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Average hourly wages of—
Experts, Master work­
Assistants
overseers,
men
and foremen
Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pesetas)

Metallurgical industry:
Blast furnaces________ Siderurgical w o rk s------ ----Iron and other metal industries:

Span­
u . s. ish U .S .
cur­ cur­ cur­
rency rency rency
(cents) (pe­ (cents)
setas)

1. 93

37.2

1.69

32.6

30.1
25.3
38.6
29.0
40.9

1.25
1.13
1.57
1.25
1.38

24.1
21.8
30.3
24.1
26.6

1.00
1.00
1.13
1.00
1.06

19.3
19.3
21.8
19.3
20.5

30.1
29.0
26.6
31.5
28.0
29.0
36.3
21.8
25.3
25. 3
24.1
24.1
29.0
29.0
29.0

1.38
1.38

26.6
26.6

1.05
1.17
.75
.94
.94
.94
1.13

20.3
22.6
14.5
18.1
18.1
18.1
21.8

1.25
.80
.88

24.1
15.4
17.0

.82

15.8

1.63

31.5

- . ---- -- ----------- 1.67

32.2

1.38
2.12
3. 00

26.6
40.9
57.9

1. 50

29.0

1.75
1.75

33.8
33.8

2. 00
1. 25

38.6
24.1

1.25
1.13

24.1
21.8

1.98
1. 25

38. 2
24.1

2. 08
1.75
1.58
1.56
2.31
2. 08

1.25
1.00
1. 50
36.3 1.25
.94
23.0
1.37
1.50
1.38
1.15
1.50
.96
40.1
33.8 1.38
30. 5 1. 25
30.1 1.25
54. 2 1.33
40.1 1.06

24.1
19. 3
29.0
24.1
18.1
26.4
29.0
26. 6
22.2
29.0
18. 5
26.6
24.1
24.1
25.7
20. 5

Chemical products_______ 1.50
Dves------- ----------------------- 1.25

1.25
1.25
1.38
1.00

24.1
24.1
26.6
19.3

Mechanics ____

----

-

Chemical industries:
Factory workers employed in
manufacture of—

T ar

--- - - - - -

1.88
1.19

Wax____________________


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

Span­
u . s. ish u . s.
cur­ cur­ cur­
rency rency rency
(cents) (pe­ (cents)
setas)

1.56
1.31
2.00
1. 50
2. 12

1.56
1. 50
1.38
1.63
1.45
1.50
1.88
1.13
1.31
1. 31
1.25
1. 25
1. 50
1.50
1.50

Locksmiths

Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)

29.0
24.1

Peons

Apprentices

Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)

U. S.
cur­
rency
(cents)

1.00

1.17
.88

22.6
17.0

1. 25
1. 25
.94

24.1
24.1
18.1

1.17
1.13

22.6
21.8

1.15

22.2

.87

16.8

1.04
1.06

20.1
20.5

1.02

19.7

0.38
.79

7.3
15.2

1.00

19.3

.52

10.0

.75

14.5

.38
.50

7.3
9.7

.90

17.4

.59
.46

11.4
8.9

.80

15.4

.73

14.1

.38
.42
.42

7.3
8.1
8.1

.25
.44
.44
.40

4.8
8.5
8.5
7.7

.69
.50
1.00
1.00
.75
.84
.64

13.3
9.7
19.3
19.3
14.5
16. 2
12.4

.31

6.0

.38

7.3

.52
.87

10.0
16.8

1.17

22.6

.83
1.03
.69

16.0
19.9
13.3

10.2
.53
12. 2
.63
.94 ( 18.1
.88 ! 17.0

.35

6.8

.30

5.8

.38
.31

7.3
6.0

.38
.60

7.3
11.6

180

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a ble 1 .—A V ER A G E H O U R L Y R A T E S IN S P E C E F IE D IN D U S T R IE S AND OCCUPATION S

IN T H E BA R C ELO N A D IS T R IC T OF SPA IN , 1931—Continued
M a le s — Continued
Average hourly wages of—
Experts,
work­ Assistants
overseers, Master
men
and fo remen

Peons

Apprentices

Industry and occupation
Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)
Textile industries:
Bleaching, filling, cloth printing, and finishing.....................
Cotton spinners____________ .
Cotton weavers______________
Fillers and bleachers of wool
and cotton textiles_________
Spinners and weavers of artificial silk_______ ________ _
Blanket-factory workers______
Corduroy-factory workers_____
Tulle and curtain factory workers______________________
Jute spinners and weavers____
Silk fillers_________ ____ _____
Cord m akers_______ _____ _
Cotton-mill operatives _______
Building industry:
Masons__________________
_
Asphalt layers____ _____
Lime makers____________ _
Natural-cement workers . . . __
Artificial-cement workers_____
Tile-floor workers-Stucco plasterers.
__
Hydraulic engineers.. . . . . .
Marble setters_________
Artificial-stone factory workers.
Wall p a in ters________
Plasterers________________
Electrical industries:
Electricians, factory workers.. .
Electric-bulb factory workers. _.
Electric-meter factory workers
(mechanics)___________ .
Electricians________________
Sm elters......... .........
Tinsmiths______ _____
Food industry: Factory workers
employed in manufacture of—
Candy__________
Beer_____ _______
Confectionery
Preserves___ . . . . .
Chocolate_____ . .
.
Biscuits______ . . . . . .
Flour________________
liqu ors___ . . . . _ . . . _ . . .
Bakery products_____________
Soup paste_________ ___
Salt_________ ________
Printing industry, book:
Compositors__________ . . .
Proof readers _____ . . . .
Stereotypers... ______
____
Machinists____
Linotype operators___. . .
Lithographers___
Typographers____ . ____ .
Bookbinders_____
Photo-engravers
____
___
Lithographers (on metal)_____ 1


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1.98
1.60
1.88

Span­
u . s. ish u . s.
cur­ cur- cur­
rency ency rency
(cents) (pe­ (cents)
setas)

Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)

u . s.
cur­
rency
(cents)

0. 83
1.00
1. 25

16. 0
19. 3
24.1

0. 94
.88

18.1
17.0

.46
. 44

8.9
8 5

.94

18.1

.31

6. 0

.50

9.7

1.13

21.8

.56

10.8

. 25
. 44

4. 8
8. 5

.50

9.7

38.2
30.9
36.3

1.13
1. 25
1.35

2.08

40.1

1.30

25. 1

1.08

20.8

2. 60

50.2

1.67
1. 50
1. 56

32.2
29.0
30.1

1.25
1.00
1.00

24. 1
19. 3
19. 3

1. 50
1. 52
1.00
1.13
1.35

29. 0
29.3
19.3
21.8
26.1

1.50
1.25
. 94
1.12
1. 27
1. 50
1.88
1.50
1.38
1.50
1. 50
1.88

29.0
24.1
18.1
21. 6
24. 5
29.0
36. 3
29.0
26.6
29.0
29.0
36.3

1.30
1.25

25.1
24.1

1.35
1.31
1.19
1.37

26.1
25.3
23.0
26.4

1.04
1.45
1. 25
1.31
1.25
1.19
1. 25
1.35
1.25
1.31
1.15

20.1
28.0
24.1
25. 3
24.1
23.0
24.1
26.1
24.1
25. 3
22.2

1.25
1.70
1.66
1.87
2.29
1.25
1.59
1.25
1.43
1.23

1.13
1. 25
1.88

21.8
24. 1
36.3

1.63
1.50
1. 25

31.5
29.0
24.1

2. 00

38. 6

1.88
1.88

36.3
36.3

1.88
1.88

36.3
36.3

1.67
2.08
2.00

32.2
40.1
38.6

1.56
1.56
1.67
1.46
1.73
1.46
1.38

30.1
30.1
32.2
28.2
33.4
28. 2
26.6

1.50

29.0

3.12
2.12
2. 77
1.63

60.2
40.9
53.5
31.5

1.69

32.6

21.8
24.1
26.1

Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)

Span­
u . s.
ish u . s.
cur­ cur­ cur­
rency rency rency
(cents) (pe­ (cents)
setas)

1.00
1.00

19.3
19.3

. 63
.88
.88

12. 2
17.0
17.0

1.38

26.6

1.00
.88

19.3
17. 0

.95
1.10

18. 3
21.2

1.13
1.04
1.25

21. 8
20.1
24.1

.95
1.04

18. 3
20.1

. 94
1.00

18 1
19.3

1. 00
.88

19 8
17. 0

1. 04
1.13
1.13
1. 00

20. 1
21. 8
21.8
19.3

24. 1
32.8
32.0
36. 1
44.2 1.98
24. 1 . 98
30.7 1. 15
24. 1 1.C0
27.6 1. 25
23.7
.88

38.2
38 2
22.2
19.3
24 1
17.0

.44

8.5

.40

7.7

1.00

19.3

.50

9.7

1. 06
1. 00

20.5
19.3

1.25

24.1

. 44
. 52
.53

8 5
10 0
10.2

.67
.70

12.9
13.5

25

. 40
.45

7. 7
8.7

. 60

11. 6

.63

12! 2

.53

10.2

.60

11. 6

.45
.45

8. 7
8.7

.94
.88
1 02
.81

18.1
17.0

. 49
.31

9 5
6. 0

15^6

.40

7.7

181

WAGES AND HOURS OP LABOR

T a b le 1 — A V ER A G E H O U R L Y R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S AND OCCUPATION S

IN T H E BA RC ELO N A D IS T R IC T OF SPA IN , 1931—Continued
M a le s —Continued
Average hourly wages of—
Experts,
work­
overseers, Master
Assistants
men
and foremen

Peons

Apprentices

Industry and occupation
Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)
Paper industry: Factory employees
engaged in manufacture of—
Calendars (in color)______ - - 1.77
Cardboard boxes___ _ _ _ .
Posters_______ _
_ .
Cigarette papers- ________ - 1.38
1.50
Envelopes. ___________
1.50
Leather industry:
Factory employees engaged in
manufacture of—
Leather articles____ ____ 2.12
Leather belting
................. __ 1.25
HarnessFur.
. . . __ 1.67
Patent leather.
- Tanners________ ____________ 1.56
Lumber industry:
Sawyers, m achine.. ________ 1.56
Packing-box factory employees. 1.56
Window-blind factory employ1.50
Carvers_____________________ 1.80
Coopers____________________
1.79
Transportation:
Automobile repair shops___ _ 1.63
Workers employed in loading
and unloading—
Cotton______ . . .
Cereals_________________
Ship cargoes. - Minerals --.
. _
Wagon manufacture. 1. 58
Wagon drivers____________
1.30
Carriage manufacture_______
2.23
Taxicab drivers______________
Locomotive engineers______ .
Workers engaged in—
Repair of locomotives, cars,
etc. __________________ 2.19
Maintenance of locomofives__ ___ __________ 2.08
Maintenance of railroad
2. 21
Cars__
_______
Inspectors_____________ ___
Station masters. _ _______
Ticket-office employees _____
Baggage-masters... -.
___
Switchmen.
. .
Night watchmen
. _
Train inspectors.
Conductors__ _____ _______
Furniture industry:
1.63
Chair-factory employees
___
Upholsterers__ . . . _________ 1.65
Pottery and ceramics industry:
1. 13
Ceramics w orkers____ ._
1.75
1.75
Porcelain workers. ________
Glass and crystal industry:
Window-glass factory workers.. 1.75
Engravers_________
___
Glass cutters__________ _ .
1.75
1 Plus 20 per cent of amount collected.


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

Span­
u . s. ish u . s.
cur­ cur­ cur­
rency rency rency
(cents) (pe­ (cents)
setas)

34.2

Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)

Span­
u . s. ish u . s.
cur­ cur­ cur­
rency rency rency
(cents) (pe­ (cents)
setas)

1.35
1.25
1.16
1.38

26.1
24. 1
22.4
26.6

1.25
. 63

24.1
12. 2

1.13

21.8

1.20

23.2

.83

16.0

29.0
24.1
22.2
28.0
21.8
21.8

1. 25
1.04

24.1
20.1

30.1

1. 50
1.25
1.15
1.45
1.13
1.13

.69
1.00

13.3
19.3

30.1
30.1

1.25
1.31

24. 1
25.3

.94
.94

18.1
18.1

29.0
34.7
34.5

1.38
1.45
1.67

26.6
28.0
32.2

1.13
1.20

21.8
23.2

31.5

1.25

24.1

1.00

19.3

1.88
1.88
1.88
1.88
30.5 1. 25
25. 1 1.25
43.0 1.50
U94
2.12

36.3
36.3
36.3
36.3
24. 1
24. 1
29.0
18.1
40.9

1.02
.74
1. 13

19.7
14.3
21.8

1.48

28.6

36.3
30. 1
29.0

40.9
24.1
32.2

4.8

.38
. 44
.48

7.3
85
9.3

.38

7.3

17. 0

.52

10.0

.88

17.0

.52
.51

10.0
9.8

.45

8.7

1.00

19.3

.38

7.3

.88

17.0

.38

7.3

. 45
38

7.3

45
. 31
.25
. 45

8 7
6 0
4 8
8.7

.38

7.3

.31

6.0

14.5
14. 1

.63

12.2

.88

42.3

1. 38

26.6

1.25

24.1

1.21

23.4

1.54

29.7

1.27

24.5

1.20

23. 2

42.7

1.90
1.38
1.25
.94
.94
.93
.89
1.00
.91

36.7
26.6
24.1
18.1
18.1
17.9
17.2
19.3
17.6

1. 25

24. 1

21. 6
26.6
18. 1
26.6

.88

17.0

31.8

1. 12
1.38
.94
1.38

21.8
33.8
33.8

1.00
1.00
1.06

19.3
19.3
20.5

.88

17.0

33.8

1.50
1.44
1.56

29.0
27.8
30.1

.73

14.1

33.8

u .s .
cur­
rency
(cents)

0.25
0. 75
. 73

40.1

31.5

Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)

.45

8. 7

.70

13.5

1.13

21.8

182

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b le 1 .— A V ER A G E H O U R L Y R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S AND OCCUPATION S

IN T H E BA R C ELO N A D IS T R IC T OF SPA IN , 1931—Continued
F e m a le s
Average hourly wages of—
Experts,
work­ Assistants
overseers, Master
men
and foremen

Peons

Apprentices

Industry and occupation
Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)
Iron industry: Factory workers.
engaged in manufacture of—
Chains________ _____ ______ _
Metal caps....___________ . . . 1.13
Metal containers_________
Chemical industry: Factory workers engaged in manufacture of—
Celluloid____________ _ ____
Pharmaceutical products
_ __ _
Chemical products___
Perfumery_______________
Textile industries:
Bleaching, filling, dyeing, cloth
printing, etc__________ _ _ _ .95
Cotton textiles—spinners_____ 1.53
Woolen textiles—
Operators of wide looms..
Operators of narrow looms _
Weavers_______________ .
Warpers_________________
Blanket-factory employees.
Jute weaving and spinning____
Silk fillers____ ____________
Horsehair spinners________ _ 1.13
Food industry: Factory workers
engaged in manufacture of—
Candy_____ ______ ____ __
Chocolate_______________ _
Confectionery______________ _
Biscuits..................... ..................
.88
Liquors_____ _____ __________
Vermouth___________________
Paper industry: Factory workers
engaged in manufacture of—
Calendars___________________
Cardboard boxes___________ _
Cigarette papers____________
.69
Stained paper ___________ _
Envelopes__ ________________
.80
India-rubber products________
Rubber soles. . . .
_____
Leather industry: Factory workers
engaged in manufacture of—
Leather articles_____
Fu r_________ _______
1.38

Span­
ish u . s .
cur­ cur­ cur­
rency rency rency
(cents) (pe­ (cents)
setas)

Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)

0.69
.63
.56

13.3
12.2
10.8

0.44
.57
.41

8.5
11.0
7.9

.58
.75
.63
.64

11.2
14.5
12.2
12.4

.31
.44
.48
.50

6.0
8.5
9.3
9. 7

18.3
29.5

.83
.70

16.0
13.5

.75
.61

14.5
11.8

21.8

1.20
.89
.89
1.04
1.25
.69
.88
1.00

23.2
17.2
17.2
20.1
24.1
13.3
17 0
19.3

.63
.56
.63

12.2
10.8
12 2

.75
.50
.63
.69
.63

14.5
9.7
12.2
13.3
12. 2

.83
.75
.63

16.0
14.5
12.2

.60
1.00

11. 6
19.3

u . s.

21.8

17.0

13.3
15.4

26.6

.94
1.25

18.1
24.1

Span­
U. S. ish IT. S.
cur­ cur­ cur­
rency rency rency
(cents) (pe­ (cents)
setas)

Span­
ish
cur­
rency
(pe­
setas)

u . s.
cur­
rency
(cents)

0.38

7.3

.38

7.3

19

3.7

.25

4.8

44
45
.35

8 5
8 7
6.8

.38

7.3

.45
.44

8. 7
8. 5

.31

6.0

.44

8 5

.18

3.5

.42
.69
.52
. 52
.52
.69
.56

8 1
13. 3
10. 0
10. 0
10. 0
13. 3
10. 8

. 75

14. 5

31
* 31
36
! 38

6
6
7
6

0
0
3
0

6 9

.38

7 3
7.3

44
.31

6 .0

Wages in Manufacturing Industries
Chemical Industries

S oap industry.— In the soap industry of the Valencia district soap
makers are paid 20 pesetas ($3.86) per day; assistants, 8.50 pesetas
($1.64); helpers, 7.50 pesetas ($1.45); and the women who cut and
stamp the soap, 2.25 to 3.50 pesetas (43 to 68 cents) per day.
Perfum e and essence industry.— The women employed in the per­
fume industry in the Valencia district have the following rates:
Packers, 2.75 to 3.50 pesetas (53 to 68 cents); other employees from
1.75 to 3.00 pesetas (34 to 58 cents).

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183

WAGES AMD HOURS OF LABOR
Clay, Glass, etc., Industries

Pottery and ornamental tile industry.— In this industry the majority
of the plants in the Valencia district are on a piecework basis, but
when the work is done on a time-work basis the daily rate is as shown
below.
Pesetas

Pottery:
Oven packers and firers__
Turners______ :-------------Decorators, female______
Tiles:
Oven packers and tenders
Press operators_________
Journeymen____________
Apprentices____________
Helpers________________

12. 00-14. 00 ($2. 32-$2. 70)
7. 50-15. 00 ($1. 45-$2. 90)
3. 00- 6. 50 ($0. 58-$ 1. 25)
12. 00-14. 00 ($2. 32-$2.
10. 00
($1.
($1.
9. 00
($0.
1. 50
($1.
5. 50

70)
93)
74)
29;
06)

Food Industries

Table 2 shows the daily wage rates in the canning and paprika
industries in specified districts.
These industries have a normal 8-hour day and 48-hour week.
In the paprika mills, overtime is paid for at the rate of time and
a quarter for the first two hours, while in the canneries in the Province
of Murcia the men receive time and a quarter for overtime but the
women are paid at the rate of time and a half.
The rates shown for the fish canneries of Vigo district are the official
scale in effect in all of the fish-canning plants in the district. This
scale was put into effect in the fall of 1931, and represents an increase
over the rates formerly paid. There is no piecework in this industry.
T a b le 2 —A V ER A G E D A IL Y W AGES IN T H E CANNING AND P A PR IK A IN D U ST R IE S

IN S P E C IF IE D D IS T R IC T S IN SPAIN , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Average daily wages

Average daily wages
Industry, and class of
worker

Paprika mills, Murcia:

Spanish
currency

P eseta s

United
States
currency

10. 00-15. 00 $1.93-$2.90
Skilled workers^ .
6. 00- 8. 00 1.16- 1. 54
. 97- 1. 35
Semiskilled workers - 5. 00- 7.00
Fruit and vegetable canneries, Murcia:
Foremen
. .
15.00-20. 00 2.90- 3. 86
Skilled workers _ . _ 8. 00-12. 00 1. 54- 2. 32
. 97- 1. 35
Semiskilled workers.. . 5. 00- 7. 00
3 00- 4. 00
. 58- . 77
.58- .97
Women
---------- 3.00- 5.00
Boys over 14 years of
.39- .58
age_______
____ 2.00- 3.00
Fish canneries, Vigo:
Chauffeurs and me1.93
10.00
chanics.. ------------1. 45
7. 50
Can inspectors and
1.45
7.50
stokers ________. . .


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Industry and class of
worker

Spanish
currency

United
States
currency

Fish canneries, Vigo—Con.
P eseta s
6. 35
Solderers_____ . . . . . .
$1. 23
Truck loaders and
roustabouts__
7.00
1.35
3. 50
Apprentice solderers...
.68
Other apprentices. . ..
3.00
.58
Women—
Forewomen and
packing inspectors_____ _____
3. 50
.68
Can inspectors
3.25
.63
Can packers..
2.87- 3.12 $0.55- .60
Cleaners and case
packers. . . . .
2. 25- 2. 75
.43- .53
.39
Helpers. _____ _
2.00
Canneries, Valencia:
7. 50-10. 00 1.45- 1.93
.14- .19
Apprentices, female__ . 75- 1. 00
.58- .77
Other females
___
3.00- 4. 00

184

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Green-olive industry, Seville district:—The green-olive industry has
been one of the industries of the Seville district most seriously affected
by the strikes and labor disturbances that followed the change in the
political régime of Spain. Strikes of the field workers and pickers
of olives had not yet been settled in some of the olive districts at the
time the present report was prepared.2 The harvest season for
green olives commenced about the middle of September and an ex­
traordinary effort was made by the local government to bring about
some settlement of the strikes in order that the green-olive crop
would not go unharvested and result in a total loss. As a result of
this effort agreements were concluded between workers and em­
ployers in most of the olive districts of this Province. These agree­
ments are different in the various districts, with the result that there
is considerable variance in the wages paid to the workers, as well as
in the hours of labor, in the different districts. In general, however,
all wages are considerably above those formerly paid and the hours
of labor are shorter.
The following figures represent average wages, and are based upon
the agreements between employers and workers, but they can not
be considered in any way permanent in view of the extremely un­
settled labor conditions existing at the present time in this consular
district :
Below are shown the daily rates paid to women working on a time­
work basis.
Pesetas

Weighers of stuffed olives, bottlers, and pitters___________________ 5.
Weighers____________________________________________________ 5.
Sorters________________________________________________
4.
Inspectors___________________________________________________ 4.
Preparers of pimiento stuffing__________________________________ 5.
Packers of containers__________________________________________ 4.
Apprentices 3__________________________________________________4.

50 ($1.06)
10 ($0.98)
10 ($0.79)
60 ($0.89)
50 ($1.06)
50 ($0.87)
10 ($0.79)

The women who wash bottles and paste on labels are considered
helpers and earn the same wage as the sorters.
The male workers and harvesters are paid at the rate of 8.25 to
9.00 pesetas ($1.59 to $1.74) per day. When it is necessary for the
pickers to remain outside the town of their residence overnight they
are entitled to additional pay of about 75 céntimos (14.5 cents) per
day, plus subsistence.
Nearly all of the work done by the men is outside or field work,
which is paid for at the above rates. When pitting and stuffing is
done by men, it is usually done at piecework rates, given below.
M ost of the workers who stuff and pit the green olives prefer to be
paid on a piecework basis, since a good worker can make more money
in this way. The piecework rates for pitting and stuffing vary with
the size of the olives, and are as follows:
2 In the late fall of 1931.
3 The apprentices are for all classes of work except sorters, and may be taken on only if there are no trained
workers available. The time of apprenticeship is four months, at the end of which the employee is entitled
to earn the full day’s pay for her type of work.


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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

185

T a ble 3 —P IE C E R A T E S PAID FO R P IT T IN G AND S T U F F IN G O LIV ES IN T H E S E V IL L E

D IS T R IC T , SPAIN , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Piece rates i )er kilogram

Type of olives and number per kilogram

Queen olives:
70 to 90________________________________________
90 to 110_______________________________________
110 to 130______________________________________
130 to 150______________________________________
150 to 180______________________________________
180 to 220_______________________________________
Manzanilla olives:
180 to 200______________________________________
200 to 220______________________________________
240 to 260______________________________________
180 to 300______________________________________
300 to 320______________________________________
340 to 360______________________________________

Pitting

Stuffing

Spanish
currency

United
States cur­
rency

Spanish
currency

United
States cur­
rency

P eseta s

C en ts

P eseta s

C e n ts

0.12
. 13
. 14
. 15
. 16
. 18

2.3
2.5
2. 7
2.9
3. 1
3. 5

. 17
. 18
.19
.21
.22
.24

3.3
3. 5
3.7
4.1
4. 2
4.6

0.10
. 12
. 13
. 14
. 15
. 16

1.9
2.3
2. 5
2. 7
2. 9
3.1

.16
.16
. 17
.20
.21
.22

3. 1
3. 1
3. 3
3.9
4. 1
4.2

I t is estimated that a skilled worker can earn from 10 to 15 pesetas
($1.93 to $2.90) per day pitting and stuffing on a piecework basis,
without overtime. Many workers, however, prefer to work extra
hours and earn as much as 20 pesetas ($3.86) per day.
The working week is usually 6 days of 8 hours each, from 8 a. m.
until 5 p. m., with an hour off for lunch, but in a few districts the
harvesters and field workers have demanded and have been granted
a shorter working-day, varying in the different districts from 5 to 7
hours. These hours are exclusive of the time required in going to and
from the fields. Payment for overtime is made for each hour of work
over the prescribed hours at the rate of time and a half, except that
overtime between the hours of midnight and 6 a. m. is at double the
regular wage. According to present agreements, however, overtime
work is not to be allowed while there are unemployed workers avail­
able. Work on Sunday is paid for at double the regular rates. On
any day on which work is suspended, because of rain or other reasons
not the fault of the workers, except Sundays and holidays, workers
will be entitled to full pay.
The only supplementary allowances are those occasionally made in
special circumstances for subsistence, which are already shown in the
foregoing schedule of wage rates, except that eating utensils, salt,
pepper, and oil are usually furnished to the harvesters and field
workers.
Olive-oil industry, Seville district.— In a few of the olive-growing
districts, where tentative agreements for the harvesting of olives for
oil were included in the agreements covering the harvesting of the
green olive crop, it was possible to secure statistics of wage rates, and
these have been made the basis for the wage rates given below. Wages


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186

M O N TH LY L A B O R R E V IE W

paid in connection with, the grinding of the olives and the extraction
of the oil, that is, what might be considered the actual factory wages,
have been furnished by some of the larger olive-oil manufacturers,
and represent wage rates now in effect. These rates, however, are
apt to undergo considerable revision when the coming olive-grinding
season begins.
Pesetas

Pickers or harvesters_____________________________ 7. 50-9.
5.
Trimming and pruning of olive irees----------------------Diggers (around the roots of the olive trees)-----------9.
Workers in grinding and oil extraction:
Men________________________________________
9.
Women and children_________________________ 4. 50-6.

00 ($1. 45-$ 1. 74)
50
($1. 06)
00
($1. 74)
00
($1. 74)
00 ($0. 87—$1. 16)

Wages are usually based upon an 8-hour working-day, although
efforts are being made in some localities to secure a 5-hour day.
Overtime is paid for at the rate of 50 per cent above the regular rates.
The only occasions when special allowances are made are those when
it is necessary for the workers to remain outside of their towns all
night, when the workers are entitled to an additional peseta (19.3
cents) per day, plus meals.
Olive-oil industry, M alaya district.— In the olive-oil mills in the
Malaga district the wages range from 8 to 15 pesetas ($1.54 to $2.90)
per day of eight hours.
Leather Industries

Tanning industry.— In the tanning industry of the Valencia district
the following daily wages are paid:
Pesetas

Tanners, journeymen____________________________ 8. 50-9.
Tanners, subjourneymen-------------------------------------- 4. 50-5.
Apprentices_____________________________________
1.
Dyers and finishers______________________________ 9. 50-11.

50 ($1. 64-$ 1.
50 ($0. 87-$ 1.
50
($0.
00 ($1. 83-$2.

83)
06)
29)
12)

Shoe industry.— Wages of workers engaged in the manufacture of
boots and shoes in the Province of Alicante and in the Valencia
district are showm in Table 4. The industry has an 8-hour day and
48-hour week. Time and a third is paid for any overtime worked.
T a bl e 4 .—A V ER A G E W AGES IN T H E SHOE IN D U S T R Y IN PR O V IN C E OF A L IC A N TE

AND V A LEN CIA D IS T R IC T OF SPAIN , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Average wages per day

Average wages per week
District, and class of
worker

Spanish
currency

Province of Alicante:

United
States cur­
rency

P eseta s

70. 00
60.00
48.00
30.00

Semiskilled workers..

$13.51
11.58
9.26
5. 79

Per day
Women______ _____
Boys over 14 years of


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

/
\
\
[

3.00
5.00
7.00
3.00
5.00

$0. 58
.97
1.35
.58
.97

District, and class of
worker

Spanish
currency

United
States cur­
rency

P eseta s
Valencia district:
Journeym en------- __ 8.00- 9. 50 $1.54-$l. 83
.87
Subjourneym en____
4. 50
. 19
Apprentices
1.00
Cutters------ ----------- 11. 00-14.00 2.12- 2.70
Shapers. __________ 12.00-20. 00 2. 32- 3.86
.68- .87
Sewers, female___ _ . 3.50- 4. 50
Sewers’ helpers, fe3.00- 3. 50
.58- .68
male_____________

W A G ES AND H O U RS O F LA B O R

187

Mining, Metals, etc., Industries

Statistics of wages in several branches of mining and metallurgy
in various parts of Spain are shown in Table 5. The regular hours of
work are also given. In the lead, iron, etc., mines and also in the
metallurgical industry in the Province of Murcia, 25 per cent extra
is paid for each of the first two hours of overtime; in the metallurgical
industry in the Province of Alicante the rate for overtime is 30 per
cent above the regular rate for the first two hours and double rates
thereafter.
The coal-mining industry in Spain is closely protected by the Gov­
ernment through import duties, obligatory consumption of domestic
coal by certain protected industries, and through much other legis­
lation of a paternal character. The Government likewise maintains
a very close control of the social and economic condition of the workers
in the industry, and the scale of minimum wages, shown in the table,
was only recently put into effect in the Asturian fields by the Govern­
ment, as a result of certain labor troubles in the coal-mining industry
in that part of the country.
T a b l e 5 .—A V ER A G E W AGES IN T H E M IN IN G AND M E T A L S IN D U S T R IE S IN S P E C I­

F IE D D IS T R IC T S IN SPAIN , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Average daily wages
Branch of industry, district, and class of worker

Spanish
currency

U nited
States
currency

Hours
per
day

M in in g
P eseta s

Iron mines, Valencia district: Miners______________ ______ _______
4. 50- 6.00 $0.87-$l. 16
Lead, iron, zinc, blend, tin, and sulphur mines, Province of Murcia:
Foremen__________________________________________ _____ ___ 15.0025.00
2. 90- 4. 83
Skilled miners____________ _______________ ____ ___ _____ _____ 10.0015.1.9300
2.90
Semiskilled miners_______ ___________ _______________________
6 . 00- 8 . 00
1.16- 1.54
Apprentices______________ _______ __________________________
3. 00- 5.00
.58- .97
Women__________________________ _________________________
2.00- 4. 00
.39- .77
Coal mines, Province of Oviedo:1
Underground work—
Miners, first class_____ _____ _________________________ ___
12.00
2.32
Drillers_________________ ____ _____ _______ ______________
11.00
2 .12
Pickers_________________ _______________________________
11.00
2.12
Drivers, first class___ _______ _______________________ ____ _
11.00
2.12
Drivers, second class________ _____ _______________________
9.50
1.83
Pick and shovel men, assistants____________ _____ ________
9.50
1.83
Drillers, assistants________ ___ ____ ____________ _________
9. 50
1.83
Hoist and road men_____________________________________
9.50
1.83
Hoist and road men, assistants_________________ ____ ______
8.60
1.66
Wagon men and loaders__________________________________
9.00
1.74
Track men, with 2 years’ service....... ............................................
8.00
1.54
Track men, with less than 2 years’ service.________________
7.00
1.35
Beginners____ ____ _________________________ _____ _______
5.00
.97
Surface work—
Mechanics, carpenters, e tc ..........
10.00
1.93
Assistants____________________
7.50
1.45
Common laborers....... ....................
8.50
1.64
Women_______________________
7.00
1.35
Beginners.____ _______________
4. 50
.87
T in mines, Province of Corunna:
Underground work—
Miners, first class_______ ______
12.00
2.32
Miners, second class_______ -___
10.00
1.93
Assistants_____________________
8.50
1.64
Common laborers and track men.
7. 50
1.45
Surface work—
M ill mechanics__________
10.00
1.93
Carpenters, masons, etc__
9. 00
1.74
Sorters and pickers, female.
2.00
.39
Boys for general work........
2.50
1 Rates shown are minimum rates, set by decree.

125620°—32-----13

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

6

8

8

7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

188

T a b le 5 .— A V ER A G E W AGES IN T H E M IN IN G AND M E T A L S IN D U S T R IE S IN S P E C I­

F IE D D IS T R IC T S IN SPAIN , 1931—Continued

Average daily wages
Branch of industry, district, and class of worker

United
States
currency

Spanish
currency

Hours
per
day

M e t a l lu r g y

Metallurgical industry, Province of Alicante:

P eseta s

2 1.26- 1.75 2$0.24-$0.34
2 1.00- 1.35 2.19- .26
2.75- .90 2.14- .17
2.50
2.10

Metallurgical industry, Province of Murcia:

Steel industry, Valencia district:

12.00-16.00
8. 00-10.00
5.00- 7.00
3. 00- 4.00
2.00- 3. 00

2.321.54. 97.58.39-

9. 50-10. 50
15.00-20.00
8. 50
6. 50
7. 50- 9.00

1.83- 2.03
2.90- 3. 86
1.64
1.25
1.45- 1. 74

8
8
8
8

3.09
1.93
1.35
.77
.58

8
8
8
8
8
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)

2 Per hour.
3 No data.

An agreement signed by the workers and employers in the metal­
lurgical industry in August, 1931, establishes the following minimum
scale of wages per day :
Pesetas

Helpers_______________________________________
9- 00 ($1. 74)
Specialized helpers_____________________________ 10. 00 ($1. 93)
Master workmen, first class_____________________ 11. 00 ($2. 12)
Master workmen, second class__________________ 12. 50 ($2. 41)
Apprentices:
First year_________________________________ 3. 00 ($0. 58)
Second year_______________________________ 4. 00 ($0. 77)
Third year________________________________ 5. 00 ($0. 97)
Fourth year----------------- ------------------------------ 6. 50 ($1. 25)

Apprentices must have reached 14 years of age before entering
upon their apprenticeship. After serving 4 years’ apprenticeship,
the worker will receive the minimum rate of 8 pesetas ($1.54) per
day, which will be increased by 1.50 pesetas (29 cents) each year until
he attains the minimum rate set for master workmen of the second
class.
The following minimum rates were set for women:
Skilled workers________________________________
Semiskilled workers________ .-----------------------------First-class workers_____________________________
Second-class workers___________________________
Auxiliary workers and assistants:
Over 20 years of age_______________________
Over 17 to 20 years of age__________________
Over 15 to 17 years of age__________________
Apprentices, under 15 years of age----------------------

Pesetas

7. 00
6. 00
6. 00
5.00
4.
4.
3.
2.

($1. 35) v -.
($1. 16)
($1. 16)
($0.97)

50 ($0.
00 ($0.
50 ($0.
50 ($0.

87)
77)
68)
48)

Paper Industry

The following statement shows the average weekly wage rates of
workers in the paper mills in the Province of Alicante:

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W A G E S AND

189

H O U RS O F LA BO R
Pesetas

Foremen____________________________ 100-150 ($19.30-$28.95)
Skilled workm en____________________ 60— 75 ($11.58—$14.48)
Semiskilled workmen_________________ 40- 50 ( $7.72- $9.65)
Apprentices_________________________
20- 25 ( $3.86- $4.83)
Women, and boys over 14 years of age__ 15- 25 ( $2.90- $4.83)
Shipbuilding Industry

Table 6 shows the average daily wages in an important shipyard
in the Valencia district.
T a b le 6 .—W AGES IN T H E SH IP B U IL D IN G IN D U S T R Y IN T H E V A LEN CIA D IS T R IC T

OP SPAIN , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Average daily wage
Class of worker

Spanish
currency

P e seta s
Machine shops:
9. 50
Jou rn eym en -.______
7. 50
Subjourneymen____
6. 50
Helpers, first class___
Helpers, second class.
5. 50
12. 00
Fitters____________
12.00
Riggers-------------------Lathe operators.......... 8. 50-12. 00
12.00
Electricians_________

United
States
currency

$1. 83
1.45
1.25
1.06
2. 32
2.32
$1.64-2. 32
2. 32

Average daily wage
Class of worker

Spanish
currency

Woodworking shops:
P eseta s
Journeymen.________ 8.00-9. 50
Sub journeymen_____
7.50
Helpers, first class___
6.50
Helpers, second class.
5. 50
Apprentices. ______
1.50
Section forem en____
10. 00
Calkers, journeymen____ 12. 00-15. 00
Calkers, helpers________ 8. 00- 9. 50

United
States
currency

$1. 54-$l. 83
1.45
1.25
1.06
. 29
1. 93
2.32- 2. 90
1. 54- 1. 83

Textile Industries

Table 7 gives the average wages in the textile mills in specified
districts in Spain. The textile industry works an 8-hour day and
48-hour week. In the mills in the Province of Alicante overtime is
paid for at the rate of time and a half; and in the silkworm-gut and
silk mills in the Province of Murcia at the rate of time and a quarter
for the first two hours of overtime worked.
T a b le 7 .—A V ER A G E W AGES IN T H E T E X T I L E IN D U S T R IE S IN SPAIN , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta =19.3 cents]
Average wages per week
Class of mill and of
workers

Spanish
currency

Textile mills, Alicante:
Foremen. ________
Skilled workmen____
Semiskilled workmen _
Apprentices------ ------

United
States
currency

P e seta s

$19. 30
11. 58
9. 65
6. 76

100. 00
60.00
50.00
35.00
Per day

Silkworm-gut factories,
Murcia:
Foremen___________
Skilled workmen . . .
Semiskilled workmen.
Women____________

10. 00-15. 00
6. 00- 8. 00
4. 00- 5.00
3. 00- 4. 00


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

$1. 931. 16.77.58-

2. 90
1. 54
.97
.77

Average wages per day
Class of mill and of
workers

Silk mills, Murcia:
Foremen_________
Skilled workmen____
Semiskilled workmen.
Apprentices________
Women, and boys
over 14 years of age..
Gunny-sack fa c to r ie s ,
Valencia:
Male workers.............
Weavers and sewers,
female_______ ____
Apprentices (boys). . .

Spanish
currency

P e s eta s

United
States
currency

12. 00-20. 00
8. 00-10. 00
4. 00- 6. 00
2. 00- 3. 00

$2. 32-$3. 86
1.54- 1.93
. 77- 1. 16
.39- .58

2. 00- 3. 00

.39- .58

7.50

1.45

3. 00- 3. 75
1.00- 1.75

.58- .72
.19- .34

190

M O N TH LY LA BO R

R E V IE W

Wood Industries

Table 8 shows the wage rates in the various wood industries,
specified districts in Spain. The working hours in the lumber, logging,
furniture, and cork industries shown are 8 per day and 48 per week;
those in the other industries given are not reported. Overtime is
paid for in the furniture industry in the Province of Murcia at the rate
of time and a quarter and in the cork industry at from time and a
half to double time; for the other industries included in the table
there are no data on this point.
T a ble 8 .—W AGES IN T H E WOOD AND W OOD W ORKIN G IN D U S T R IE S IN SPAIN , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Average daily wage

Average daily wage
Branch of industry, dis­
trict, and class of worker

Spanish
currency

United
States
currency

P eseta s
Logging, Vigo:
Cutters and loggers.-- 13. 00- 3. 50 i $0. 58-$0. 68
Sawmills, Vigo:
Mechanics and mill1.93
10.00
wrights___________
1. 54
8.00
1.25
6. 50
Assistants__________
.97
5.00
Laborers____________
Furniture factories, Murcia:
11.00-14.00
2.12-2.70
1. 54-1.93
Skilled workmen. _ __ 8.00-10. 00
.97-1.16
Semiskilled workmen. 5.00-6. 00
. 39- . 58
2 00- 3 00
. 58- . 97
3.00- 5.00
Boys over 14 years of
. 39- . 58
2.00- 3.00
Furniture and veneer
factories, Valencia:
1.54- 1.83
Cabinetmakers_____ 8.00- 9. 50
1.93- 2.12
Lathe operators_____ 10.00-11.00
2.122.90
Wood carvers... . . . 11.00-15.00
.92
• Subjourneymen ---4. 75
.29
Apprentices________
1.50

Branch of industry, dis­
trict, and class of worker

Spanish
currency

P e s eta s
Barrel factories, Valencia:
12. 00
Coopers.. __ _ _ ._.
Coopers, assistants__ 6. 50- 7. 50
7.50
Helpers_____________
Cork works, Seville:
10.
00-12.50
Sorters, raw cork.
Operators of machines
cutting bottle stoppers—
7.50
Males__________
4.50
Females
Sorters of bottle stoppers—
5. 00- 5. 50
3. 50- 4. 50
Girls. ______. . .
Ofen m e n _________ 11. 50-12. 00
7. 50
Laborers.......................
Apprentices_________ 2. 75- 4.00

United
States
currency

$2. 32
$1.25- 1.45
1.45
1.93- 2.41

1. 45
.87
.97- 1.06
.68- .87
2. 22- 2. 32
1. 45
.53- .77

1 Rate per cubic meter.

Practically the only lumber produced in the Vigo district is silver
pine, which is cut into box shooks for which there is a large market
throughout Spain.
Wages in the cork industry have in most instances been fixed by
agreement between employers and workers at each factory. As in
the case of other industries of this district, wages in the cork industry
have been very unstable since the change to the republican form of
government. There have been many strikes and the wage rates, as
well as hours of labor and other working conditions, wifi doubtless
undergo many changes before conditions may again be considered
normal. The wages shown in Table 8 are those paid by the largest
American manufacturer of cork products in this district, and are
possibly slightly higher than those paid by other manufacturers, as
well as higher than the wage rates paid in the smaller towns and
villages, but as all wage rates tend at this time toward upward
revision, these higher rates may be considered as representative of
the industry.

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191

WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOR

Although the daily wage is the more common method of payment
in the cork industry some factories pay their workmen on a piecework
basis. The piecework rates are agreed upon in each instance between
employers and workers and consequently may vary for each factory;
in general, however, the above wage rates may be considered as
average earnings in the industry.
Miscellaneous Industries

Table 9 shows the average daily wages in certain miscellaneous
manufacturing industries. In the esparto-grass and fishing-tackle
industry the employees work an 8-hour day and 48-hour week; for
overtime the rate in both these industries is time and a quarter, but
is paid only for the first two hours in the manufacture of fishing
tackle. D ata on these points are not given for the cement industry.
T a b le 9 .— W AGES IN M ISC E LLA N EO U S M A N U FA C TU RIN G IN D U S T R IE S IN SPAIN , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Average daily wage

Average daily wage
Industry, district, and
class of worker

Spanish
currency

P e s eta s
Cement works, Valencia:
Engineers___________ 9. 50-12.00
Helpers____________ 5. 50- 6. 50
6.00- 8.50
Esparto-grass industry,
Murcia:
9. 00-12.00
Skilled workmen------ 6. 00- 8. 00
Semiskilled workmen. 4. 00- 6. 00
2. 00- 3. 00
2.00- 3.00

United
States curency

$1.83-$2. 32
1.06- 1.25
1.16- 1.64
1.741.16. 77.39.39-

2.32
1.54
1.16
.58
.58

Industry, district, and
class of worker

Esparto-grass industry,
Murcia—Continued.
Boys over 14 years of
age_______ _____ _
Fishing-tackle industry,
Murcia:
Foremen___________
Skilled w orkm en___
Semiskilled workmen.

Spanish
currency

P e seta s

2.00- 4.00

10.00-15.00
6. 00- 9. 00
6. OO- 7.00
2. 00- 3. 00
Women____________ 3.50- 5.00

United
States curency

$0.39-$0. 77
1.931.16. 97.39.68-

2. 90
1. 74
1. 35
.58
.97

Wages in Agriculture
Madrid District

T he present average daily wage rates for agricultural laborers in
the Madrid consular district, which includes the 10 Provinces in the
central and west central parts of Spain, are as follows:
Pesetas

Overseers___________________________
5. 00
($0. 97)
Assistant overseers___________________
4. 50
($0. 87)
Bosses______________________________
4. 25
($0. 82)
Common laborers____________________ 3. 00-4. 00 ($0. 58-$0. 77)

Laborers over 16 years of age engaged by the year for agricultural
work are paid at the rate of 4.50 pesetas (87 cents) per day, and must
work 253 days of the year. Wages are not paid for days not worked
on account of sickness and other unforeseen reasons for which the
employer is not responsible.
The normal full-time hours are 8 per day and 48 per week. Over­
time is paid for at the rate of 25 per cent extra for the first two hours
and 40 per cent thereafter.
There are no supplementary payments such as family allowances,
payments in kind, paid holidays, but workers of all classes are generally
given free housing and a patch of land for gardening purposes. I t
is also customary for the landowner to allow the overseer and assistant,

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192

M O N TH LY

LA BO R

R E V IE W

and in some cases all laborers, to cultivate several acres of land each.
Inasmuch as the land and seed for sowing is free, being furnished by
the owner, a good crop year often nets the cultivator an income of
2,000 to 3,000 pesetas ($386 to $579) a year.
Seville District

The Seville consular district is principally an agricultural region
and workers engaged in agricultural pursuits represent the bulk of the
total employed population. The most important of the agricultural
products of this district are the olives, both green and those ground
for oil, but the gathering and preparation of olives represent a distinct
industry, data for which were given on page 184.
In this section are grown various fruit and field crops, such as
oranges, grapes, wheat, barley, corn, beans, and canary seed. The
wheat, barley, corn, and beans are grown chiefly for local consumption
and do not figure in international trade. Oranges and canary seed,
however, are important exportable crops of this district, and many
tons of each are exported annually, chiefly to Great Britain. Grapes,
while not exported from this district, are the basis of the wine industry
of Jerez.
As in the case of other industries of this district, wages paid to
workers in agricultural pursuits have been the subject of countless
disputes and discussions ever since the change of government in Spain.
There have been many strikes of agricultural workers, some of which
have not yet been settled, and the question of wages for agricultural
workers is one still under discussion in most parts of this district. In
a few instances, however, agreements have been reached, and while
these are in no way permanent, they at least serve as an indication of
the rates likely to be paid to agricultural workers. The following wage
rates have been taken from agreements made recently between agri­
cultural workers and employers in several agricultural districts of
this Province.
T a b l e 1 0 .—A V ER A G E D A IL Y W AGES OF A G R IC U L T U R A L W O R K E R S IN T H E S E V IL L E

D IS T R IC T , 1931

[Conversions into United States currency on basis of peseta=19.3 cents]
Average
daily wage
Process and occupation

Span­ u . s.
ish
cur­
cur­
rency rency
P eseta s

Hoeing---------- ------------------------------ 0.50
Grafting work:
Grafters______________________ 10. 00
9. 00
Workers who place the clay
mixture around the grafted
parts_____________________ . 8.00
Ploughing:
5. 25
4. 75
8. 25
Animal caretakers:
Inside................................... ............ 5.25
5. 75
Spring sowing work:
Sowers, hand—
9.00
4. 00
Manurers, hand------- --------------- 6. 75

$1. 25
1. 93
1. 74
1.54
1.01
.92
1. 59
1.01
1.11
1. 74
.77
1. 30

Average
daily wage
Process and occupation

Spring sowing work—Continued.
Operators of manuring and sowing machines________________
Weeders using small hoe—
Men______ _____
_____
Women and children _. _____
Harvesting work:
Cotton and tobacco pickers—
Men____ .
_
___
Scythe men_________ _________
Binders of sheaves_____________
Digging holes, preparing stakes for
Cattlem en:»
Chiefs__________________ _____

iThe cattlemen are usually furnished with a cabin in addition to wages.


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Span­ u . s.
ish
cur­
cur­ rency
rency
P eseta s

5.25

$1.01

5.00
3.50

.97
.68

5.00
3. 50
9.50
9. 50
5.25

.97
.68
1.83
1.83
1. 01

9. 50

1.83

4.50
3.50
2. 50

.87
.68
.48

193

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR

The working-day for agricultural laborers varies in the different
agreements, but in general it may be considered as 8 hours, although
at least one of the recent agreements provides for a working-day of
only 5 hours. Overtime is usually paid for on the basis of 50 per cent
above the regular rates.
The only supplementary payments are those made when it is
necessary for the worker to remain away from home overnight, when
additional pay varying from 50 céntimos (9.7 cents) to 1 peseta (19
cents) is granted and subsistence furnished.
In the case of rain after the workmen have left for the fields they
are entitled to pay for half a day. If it rains in the afternoon after
half a day’s work, the laborers are entitled to the entire day’s pay.
Under a recent decree of the Government, all laborers are exempt
from the payment of income taxes.
Province of Murcia

Following are the average daily wage rates paid for agricultural
labor in the Province of Murcia, though these wages vary slightly
according to season, class of work performed, and availability of farm
labor:
Pesetas

Foremen____________________________________ 7-9
Skilled agriculturists__________________________ 5-6
Laborers_____________________________________ 4-5
Women______________________________________ 3-5
Boys over 14 years of age____________________ 2-3

($1.35-$1.74)
($0.97-$1.16)
($0.77-$0.97)
($0.58-$0.97)
($0.39-$0.58)

The above rates arefor an 8-hour day. The normal full-time
working week is 48 hours. Overtime is paid for at the rate of time
and a quarter.
Barcelona District

For agricultural work in the Barcelona district men receive from 6
to 10 pesetas ($1.16 to $1.93) per day, women from 4 to 6 pesetas
($0.77 to $1.16), and boys and girls employed on work appropriate to
their age and sex from 3 to 5 pesetas (58 to 97 cents).
Working hours per day are not less than 8 and are usually longer
than that.
Valencia District

Farm labor, with the exception of rice planters and reapers, is paid
at the rate of from 5 to 8 pesetas ($0.97 to $1.54) per day of 9 hours,
and employment is usually by the day, with no paid holidays. In
some cases free housing and land for gardens is supplied. The
majority of the field laborers throughout the district receive 5 pesetas
(97 cents) a day.
Rice farmers pay 12 to 13 pesetas ($2.32 to $2.51) per day of 7
hours for transplanting and reaping operations and 14 pesetas ($2.70)
for threshing.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

194

In the orange trade (oranges being the leading crop of the district)
wages are as follows per day of 8 hours:
Picking:
Pesetas
Foremen____________________________________ 6.50 ($1.25)
Other employees____________________________
6.00 ($1.16)
Packing houses:
3.50($0.68)
Wrappers, female-------------------------------Packers, female_________ ______________________ 4.50($0.87)
Box makers—
Foremen_______________________________ 10.50 ($2.03)
Others_________________________________ 9.00 ($1.74)

In the raisin trade male warehouse workers average 7 pesetas
($1.35) per day of 8 hours and field laborers 5 pesetas (97 cents).
Raisin packers (females) receive 3.50 pesetas (68 cents).
In general, female labor is employed in cleaning, grading, wrapping,
and packing in boxes oranges, onions, melons, tomatoes, raisins, etc.,
and wages vary from 3 to 4.50 pesetas (58 to 87 cents) for an 8-hour
day.
Overtime, when required, is usually paid for at the rate of one-half
additional.
Malaga District

Field workers for plowing, seeding, weeding, etc., in the Malaga
district, are paid from 3.50 to 5.50 pesetas ($0.68 to $1.06) per day,
besides receiving board and lodging. The agricultural work day is 8
hours. Harvesters, fruit pickers, etc., receive 5 to 6.50 pesetas
($0.97 to $1.25) per day, and board and lodging. Women are paid
the same as men for the same labor, but for lighter work receive 3 to 4
pesetas (57 to 77 cents) per 8-hour day, plus their food.
Night work is paid the same as day work, except that 5 horns of
night work are considered as equal to 8 of day work.
Fruit selectors and packers working not on a farm but in a ware­
house in town receive a small additional wage in lieu of subsistence.
Province of Alicante

The following daily rates are paid for agricultural labor in this
Province:
Pesetas

Foremen 4
___ _____________ _____ 7. 00-10. 00 ($1. 35-$ 1.
($0.
Skilled agriculturists._ _ ___________
5. 00
4. 00
($0.
Laborers
-------- ------------ _____
($0.
2. 00
Women. _ __ __
_
($0.
3. 00
Boys over 14 years of age.. - __ _____

The normal working-day is 8 hours.
paid in this Province.

93)
97)
77)
39)
58)

No overtime is known to be

* In the case of large estates, the foremen, who are responsible for the general administration of the
hacienda, generally receive no fixed wages but are granted 50 per cent of the net proceeds of the year’s crops.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Summary for May, 1932
M PL O Y M E N T decreased 3.2 per cent in May, 1932, as com­
pared with April, 1932, and earnings decreased 3.9 per cent.
The industrial groups surveyed, the number of establishments
reporting in each group, the number of employees covered, and the
earnings for one week, for both April and M ay, 1932, together with
the per cents of change in M ay are shown in the following summary:

E

SU M M A R Y OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA RN IN G S, A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932

Industrial group

1. M an u factu rin g_________
2. Coal m ining_____________
Anthracite_______________
Bituminous........................
3. Metalliferous m in in g____
4. Q uarrying an d n o n m etallic m in in g______
5. Crude petroleum producm g -------------------------------6. Public utilities________
Telephone and telegraph.. .
Power and light.. ________
Electric-railroad and mo­
tor-bus operation and
maintenance...... ................
7. T rad e_______________
Wholesale_______________
Retail__ ________ _
8. Hotels___________
9. C anning an d preserving..
10. Lau nd ries____ _
11. Dyeing and cleaning___
12. Building co n stru ctio n __
T otal_____________

Employment
Earnings in 1 week
Estab­
Per
Per
lish­
cent of
cent of
ments April, 1932
change
change
May, 1932
April, 1932 May, 1932
18,420
1,337
160
1,177
256

2,824,629
258,281
95, 851
162,430
27,532

2,718,865
246,554
91,499
155, 055
24,375

1 - 4 .0 $53,166,651 $50,813,581
- 4 .5
5,075,862
4,312,664
- 4 .5
2,861, 565
2,304, 699
- 4 .5
2,214,297
2, 007j 965
-1 1 .5
497,384
474,632

1 - 4 .9
—15,0
—19. 5
—9 3
- 4. 6

628

22,686

23,615

+ 4.1

377,454

406,365

+ 7. 7

279
12,253
8,221
3,532

21,879
646,448
287, 753
226,914

21,716
640,408
285,854
224, 620

- 0 .7
- 0 .9
-0 .7
-1 .0

669,747
18,718,298
7,952, 889
6,927,211

708,376
18,834,675
7, 896^ 465
7, 074, 563

+5 8
+ 0.6
—0.7
+ 2.1

500
16,874
2, 843
14, 031
2, 449
837
1, 016
401
10,094

131,781
425,663
74, 743
350,920
144,678
33,145
62,228
12,226
88,394

129, 934
421,798
73, 778
348,020
140,144
28,579
61,779
12,413
79,260

- 1 .4
3, 838,198
3,863, 647
-0 .9
9,644,273
9,499,837
- 1 .3
2,104, 742
2,128; 207
-0 .8
7, 539, 531
7,371,630
- 3 . 1 2 2,119,783 2 2,040,587
-1 3 .8
460,082
436,423
- 0 .7
1,056,350
1,045,073
+ 1.5
243,968
' 249; 080
-1 0 .3
2,473,273
1,993; 874

+ 0.7
- 1.5
+ 1. 1
- 2.2
—3. 7

64,844

4,567,789

4,419,506

- 3 .2

94,503,125

90,815,167

- 5 1

—1 1
+ 21
-1 9 .4
- 3 .9

1 Weighted per cent of change for the combined 89 manufacturing industries, repeated from Table 1
manufacturing industries; the remaining per cents of change, including total, are unweighted.
. 2 The amount of pay roll given represents cash payments only; the additional value of board, room, and
tips can not be computed.

D ata are not yet available concerning railroad employment for May,
1932. Reports of the Interstate Commerce Commission for Class I
railroads show that the number of employees (exclusive of executives
and officials) decreased from 1,082,276 on March 15, 1932, to 1,072,524
on April 15, 1932, or 0.9 per cent; the amount of pay roll decreased
from $133,651,340 in March to $126,468,966 in April, or 5.4 per cent.
Per capita weekly earnings in M ay, 1932, for each of the 16 indus­
trial groups included in the bureau’s monthly trend of employment
survey, together with the per cents of change in M ay, 1932, as com­
pared with April, 1932, and May, 1931, are given in the table follow­
ing. These are actual per capita weekly earnings and must not be
confused with full-time weekly rates of wages, as are computed by
dividing the total amount of pay roll for the week by the total num­
ber of employees (part-time as well as full-time workers).
195


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

196

M O N TH LY LA BO R

R E V IE W

P E R CA PITA W E E K L Y EA RN IN G S IN M AY, 1932, IN 16 IN D U ST R IA L GROUPS AND COM­
PARISON W ITH A P R IL , 1932, AND M AY, 1931

Industrial group

2. Coalmining:

6. Public utilities:

7. Trade:

Per capita
weekly earn­
ings in May,
1932

Per cent of change May, 1932,
compared with—
April, 1932

May, 1931

$18.69

- 1 .0

-2 0 .9

25.19
12.95
19.47
17.21
32.62

-1 5 .6
- 5 .0
+ 7.7
+ 3.4
+ 6.6

- 8 .5
-2 5 .8
-2 1 .4
-2 3 .2
-9 . 4

27.62
31.50
29.74

- 0 .1
+ 3.2
+ 2.1

- 4 .6
- 0 .9
- 6 .6

28.85
21.18
14. 56
15. 27
16.92
20.07
25.16

+ 2.5
- 1 .4
- 0 .6
+ 10.0
- 0 .4
+ 0.6
-1 0 .1

- 7 .9
-1 0 .2
-1 1 .8
-1 1 .1
- 9 .5
-1 1 .2

3 20. 46

3 - 0 .4

(2)
3 -1 5 .5

1 The additional value of board, room, and tips can not be computed.
2 Data not available.
3 Does not include building construction.

Employment in Selected Manufacturing Industries in May, 1932
Comparison of Employment and Earnings in May, 1932, with April, 1932, and
M ay, 1931

M PL O Y M E N T in manufacturing industries decreased 4 per cent
in May, 1932, as compared with April, 1932, and earnings decreased
4.9 per cent over the month interval. Comparing M ay, 1932, with
M ay, 1931, decreases of 20.6 per cent in employment and 37.2 per cent
in earnings are shown over the 12-month period.
The per cents of change in employment and earnings in M ay, 1932,
as compared with April, 1932, are based on returns made by 18,420
establishments in 89 of the principal manufacturing industries in the
United States, having in M ay 2,718,865 employees whose earnings in
one week were $50,813,581.
The index of employment in May, 1932, was 59.7 as compared with
62.2 in April, 1932, 64.5 in March, 1932, and 75.2 in M ay, 1931. The
pay-roll index in M ay, 1932, was 42.5 as compared with 44.7 in April,
48.2 in M arch, 1932, and 67.7 in May, 1931. The 12-month average
for 1926 equals 100.
Tn Table 1, which follows, are shown the number of identical estab­
lishments reporting in both April and M ay, 1932, in the 89 manufac­
turing industries, together with the total number of employees on the
pay rolls of these establishments during the pay period ending nearest
M ay 15, and the amount of their weekly earnings in M ay, the per
cents of change over the month and the year intervals, and the index
numbers of employment and earnings in M ay, 1932.
The monthly per cents of change for each of the 89 separate
industries are computed by direct comparison of the total number of
employees and of the amount of weekly earnings reported in identical

E


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

TU EN D

197

OF EM PLO YM EN T

establishments for the two months considered. The per cents of
change over the month interval in the several groups and in the total
of the 89 manufacturing industries are computed from the index
numbers of these groups, which are obtained by weighting the index
numbers of the several industries in the groups by the number of
employees or wages paid in the industries. The per cents of change
over the year interval in the separate industries, in the groups, and in
the totals are computed from the index numbers of employment and
earnings.
T a b l e 1 . —CO M PARISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA RN IN G S IN M ANUFACTURING

E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN A P R IL AND M AY, 1932, AND M A Y, 1931

Industry

Employment
Earnings
Index numEstabbers, May,
lishments
Per cent of
Per cent of 1932 (average,
1926=100)
report­
change
change
ing in
Number
Amount
of
both
Apiil on pay
May, pay roll
May,
and roll, May, April 1931, (1 week), April 1931, Em ­ Pay­
1932
to
May, 1932
to
May,
to
to
ploy­ roll
May,
May,
1932
ment totals
1932 May,
1932 May,
1932
1932

Food an d k in d red products. 3,075
Slaughtering and meat
packing_____ _______
232
Confectionery__________
341
Ice cream______________
392
Flour_________________
448
Baking ___________
940
Sugar refining, cane______
15
Beet sugar______________
48
Beverages______________
346
Butter________ _____ _
313
Textiles au d their products. 3,150
Cotton goods____________
692
Hosiery and knit goods___
465
Silk goods_______ ______ _
272
Woolen and worsted goods.
264
Carpets and rugs________
34
Dyeing and finishing textiles_____ ____ ________
154
Clothing, men’s....................
376
Shirts and collars________
108
Clothing, women’s..
385
Millinery_________ ____
140
Corsets and allied garments_____ __________
32
Cotton small wares______
112
Hats, fur-felt........................
40
Men’s furnishings_____ .
76
Iron an d steel an d their
products, n o t including
m ach in ery_______________ 1,434
Iron and steel.................... .
220
Cast-iron pipe___________
41
Structural and ornamental
ironwork___ ____ ______
196
Hardware_______________
113
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-water heating
apparatus............. ............
112
Stoves...... ..............................
164
Bolts, nuts, washers, and
rivets_________________
68
Cutlery (not including sil­
ver and plated cutlery)
and edge tools__________
132
Forgings, iron and steel___
63
Plumbers’ supplies______
65
Tin cans and other tinware.
57
Tools (not including edge
tools, machine tools, files,
133
or saws) ........ ................ .
Wirework..............................
70


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

234,707

+ 0 .9

- 8 .3 $5,330,069

83, 412 + 2 .5 - 4 . 2
30,081 - 4 . 7 -1 6 .8
13,122 + 8 .0 - 8 .4
16, 453 - 0 . 2 - 2 .1
64, 201 - 0 . 1 - 9 . 7
8,044 + 2 .1 - 3 .9
2,643 +15.2 +10.6
10, 392 + 2 .3 -1 2 . 7
6,359 +3. 5 - 6 .5
538,872 - 7 .7 -2 1 .9
194,038 - 8 . 3 -1 9 .6
97, 831 - 4 . 4 - 6 . 9
35, 504 -1 3 .0 -4 0 . 2
40,195 - 6 . 2 -3 4 .5
13, 581 - 5 .5 -2 9 .8
33, 062 - 7 . 2
51, 760 - 8 .7
13, 532 - 2 . 8
26,166 - 6 . 1
8,352 -1 7 .4

-1 7 .9
-1 7 .9
-2 5 .9
-2 3 .2
-1 8 .2

5,683
9,101
4,643
5,424

- 3 . 6 - 6 .3
- 8 . 0 -2 5 . 1
- 8 . 4 -3 0 .2
- 7 .8 -2 6 .5

320,747
194,136
6,572

- 3 .9 -2 2 .3
- 3 .7 -2 2 .4
- 3 .7 -4 4 .8

17, 582
22, 614

- 4 .9 -3 1 .9
- 4 .6 -2 1 .6

15, 882 -1 3 .7 -3 9 .4
15,152 - 3 . 4 -2 3 .0

+ 0.9 -1 8 .3

80.5

70.9

1,886,069
456,853
380, 214
372, 514
1, 501,008
211,071
77, 681
290, 753
153,906
6,657,548
1,974, 779
1, 216,859
436,942
602,025
195, 559

+ 2.3
- 7 .1
+ 4 .6
- 0 .1
-0 .9
+ 1.9
+16.7
+ 6.9
+ 4.9
-1 5 .4
-1 5 .8
-1 1 .7
-1 6 .9
-8 .4
-1 7 .2

-1 7 .0
-2 8 .4
-1 8 .6
-1 3 .6
-1 9 .3
-1 3 .6
-1 . 1
-19. 1
-1 3 .3
-4 3 .5
-4 3 . 7
-3 2 .9
-5 7 .2
-5 2 .3
-5 4 .0

86.8
65.4
76.7
84.5
82.8
76.0
33.5
77.9
100.7
62.7
63.6
75.8
46.0
50.7
54.9

76.0
52.5
67.2
72.7
72.4
68.7
34.7
69.6
90.1
39.1
40.9
50.1
28.6
34.5
30.1

552, 308
629,516
135, 313
441, 390
134,404

-1 7 .2
-1 6 .7
-9 .0
-1 7 .9
-2 8 .9

-4 1 .7
-4 0 .4
-4 6 .6
-3 8 .5
-3 1 .7

74.9
59.8
55.5
71.6
62.6

49.4
30.2
33.5
44.5
41.6

84,684 - 7 .7
132,600 -1 1 .8
60,945 -1 5 .8
60, 224 -1 4 .1

-2 2 .0
-4 4 .8
-5 3 .9
-4 9 .9

101.4
75.2
56.9
56.9

80.0
52.3
24.6
34.8

5,056,208 - 4 .7 -4 9 .2
2, 898, 719 - 3 .5 -5 4 .4
93,870 -1 3 .2 - 6 4 3

56.8
57.6
33.7

30.5
28.3
19.9

- 6 .3 -5 0 .0
- 9 .9 -4 7 .2

49.4
53.3

30.4
28.1

286, 312 -1 3 .7 -5 1 . 3
261, 323 - 4 .3 -4 4 .1

33.8
49.9

20.4
28.1

334,467
317,067

7,980

- 9 .9 -2 7 .9

127,021 -1 1 .5 -5 0 .2

59.8

34.7

10, 619
6,009
4,247
7,426

- 1 .7 - 2 .0
+ 2 .7 - 7 . 2
- 1 .0 -1 5 .4
- 2 .4 -1 9 .6

207,456
97, 282
69,888
148,127

-4 . 1
+ 0.7
-0 .3
-4 .6

-1 8 .2
-4 1 .8
-3 8 .3
-2 6 .1

73.9
60.2
64.1
71.9

53.2
32.2
37.4
43.8

7,174
5,354

- 4 . 2 -1 9 .4
-0 .8
(>)

113,811
100,865

- 9 . 1 -3 8 .0
+ 0 .4 -1 8 .5

68.8
94.4

40.2
71.2

198

M O N TH LY

LA BO R

R E V IE W

T a b le 1 . —CO M PARISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA RN IN G S IN M ANUFACTURING

E S T A B L ISH M E N T S IN A P R IL AND M AY, 1932, AND M AY, 1931—Continued

Industry

L u m ber a n d allied products.
Lumber, saw m ills.......... .
Lumber, millwork...............
Furniture_______________
Turpentine and rosin_____
L eath er a n d its m a n u fa c ­
tu r e s ..____ _______________
Leather__________ _____ _
Boots and shoes_________
Paper a n d p rin tin g ________
Paper and pulp__________
Paper boxes_____________
Printing, book and jo b ___
Printing, newspapers and
periodicals_____________
C hem icals a n d allied prod­
u c ts__________ ___________
Chemicals_______________
Fertilizers_______________
Petroleum refining_______
Cottonseed oil, cake, and
meal__________________
Druggists’ preparations___
Explosives________ ____ _
Paints and varnishes..........
R a y o n ..._______________
Soap____________________
S to n e , clay, a n d glass prod­
u c ts____ ________ _________
Cement_________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta..
Pottery_________________
Glass.__________________
Marble, granite, slate, and
other stone products____
N onferrous m eta ls an d
th eir p rod ucts......................
Stamped and enameled
ware__________________
Brass, bronze, and copper
products_______________
Aluminum manufactures..
Clocks, time recording de­
vices, and clock move­
ments_________________
Gas and electric fixtures,
lamps and lanterns, and
reflectors______________
Plated ware_____________
Smelting and refining cop­
per, lead, and zinc______
Jewelry________ _________
T o b a cco m a n u fa c tu re s____
Chewing and smoking to­
bacco and snuff________
Cigars and cigarettes______
T ra n sp o rta tio n eq u ip m en t.
Automobiles_____________
A ircraft..................................
Cars, electric and steam
railroad_______________
Locomotives..........................
Shipbuilding..................
R u b b er p ro d u cts..___ _____
Rubber tires and inner
tubes_________________
Rubber boots and shoes___
Rubber goods, other than
boots, shoes, tires, and
inner tubes.........................
1 No change.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Employment
Earnings
Index numEstab
bers, May,
lish1932
(average,
ments
Per cent of
Per cent of
1926=100)
report
change
change
ing in
both Number
Amount oi
April on pay
May, pay roll
and roll, May April 1931, (1 week), April May,
1931, Em ­ Pay­
1932
to
to
May,
to
May, 1932
to
ploy­ roll
May,
May, May,
1932
May,
ment totals
1932
1932
1932
1932
1,630

652
460
496
22

504

165
339
1,966

423
323
770

125,366

61,409
19, 715
43,178
1,064
124,276

23, 652
100, 624
222,375

79, 678
20, 728
54, 914

- 2 .8

- 2 9 .7

-0 .7
-1 .0
- 6 .9
-2 .0

-3 0 .6
-3 2 .0
-2 6 .8
-2 7 .1

- 7 .6

- 1 0 .0

- 4 .3 -1 2 .9
- 8 .3 - 9 . 4

- 1 .8

- 1 1 .3

-1 .9 i -9 . 2
- 4 . 7 -1 5 .1
- 1 .6 -1 5 .4

$ 1 ,6 5 5 ,6 7 5

- 3 .9

754, 388 + 0 .2
306,157 - 0 .6
579, 748 -1 2 .9
15,382 + 6 .2

1 ,8 0 7 ,7 6 9

- 1 8 .0

- 5 1 .2

-5 2 .2
-5 1 .1
-5 0 .7
-3 5 .8
- 3 3 .7

435,964 - 9 . 6 -3 2 .9
1, 371, 805 -2 0 .4 -3 3 .9

5 ,8 6 7 ,5 4 0

1, 542, 627
382, 039
1, 557, 548

- 3 .4

- 2 2 .8

38 .5

22.1

35.8
38.1
45.0
43.9

20.0
24.0
24.0
39.5

71.9

4 4 .1

67.3
73.0

8 1 .6

- 4 . 2 -2 7 . 1
- 7 . 6 -2 8 .3
- 3 . 0 -2 6 .4

75.0
69.1
77.4

49.5
42.6
71 .6

54 8
58.6
66.9

450

67,055

- 1 .0

-7 .7

2, 385,326

- 2 .6 -1 6 .6

99.4

92.0

1,028

141,959

- 5 .6

- 1 3 .6

3 ,3 6 1 ,6 1 3

- 4 .0

76 .1

6 5 .5

118
207
120

50
40
21
363
22
87
1,365

126
693
124
197

20,602 - 1 . 8 - 9 . 5
8,181 -3 5 .2 -2 0 .0
48,166 - 0 .5 -1 7 .0

1,924 -1 5 .4 - 8 .2
7, 506 - 1 . 2 - 8 .8
2,873 - 0 .6 -2 3 .8
15, 724 + 0 .4 -1 5 .3
25,050 - 6 . 4 -1 4 .2
11, 933 - 2 .4 - 8 .9
89,541

13,882
20, 400
15, 472
34,691

- 4 .4

-4 .5
+ 2 .3
-5 .7
-6 .8

225

5,096

651

80,463

- 4 .5

- 3 3 .2

-3 7 .4
-4 0 .0
-2 2 .3
-2 0 .4

- 8 . 4 -4 7 .8
- 2 1 .2

- 2 5 .1

516,703 - 3 .6 -2 1 .5
106, 797 -2 9 .5 -3 8 .2
1,394,875 + 1 .9 -2 4 .5
24, 019 -1 5 .1
154,449 - 1 . 5
61,169 + 5 .4
385, 274 + 2 .5
431,626 -1 2 .0
286, 701 - 5 .6
1,6 2 1 ,1 9 5

- 7 .0

278, 719 + 0 .3
278, 593 + 5 .7
245, 002 -1 4 .5
698,001 - 6 . 2

86.1
58.3
64.8

65.6
41.1
59.8

-1 5 .3
-1 8 .6
-3 2 .9
-2 6 .7
-3 0 .3
-2 3 .9

34.7
73.375.0
73.1
129.9
94.2

34.3
73.4
54. 3
64.4
110.6
85.4

- 4 9 .9

4 6 .0

-5 4 .2
-6 0 .2
-4 4 .1
-3 2 .0

120, £80 -1 6 .4 -6 1 .3
1,3 9 2 ,1 3 9

- 8 .0

41.4
31.6
63.8
58.9

30. 6

28.0
15.7
38.6
46.9

49.0

34.6

- 4 2 .6

5 5 .4

36 .7

94

13, 784

- 1 . 5 -1 1 .1

238, 369

- 5 . 9 -3 1 .5

64.3

43.8

211
28

28, 793
4,736

- 4 . 3 -2 2 .4
- 7 .8 -3 8 .0

483, 755 - 8 . 2 -4 5 .8
68, 372 -1 4 .9 -6 0 .1

53.9
48.6

32.9
26.8

22

4,242

- 6 .4 -2 5 .3

56,189 -1 7 .3 -4 6 .8

44.7

26.8

56
56

5, 019
7,505

- 5 . 7 -2 4 .6
- 2 . 8 -1 8 .0

106, 541 - 6 .6 -3 7 .6
140,811 -1 0 .1 -3 5 .9

68.6
61.9

50.1
39.0

8,159
8, 225

- 4 . 5 -1 7 . 2
- 8 . 7 -2 6 .4

148,115 - 2 . 7 -4 6 .0
144, 987 -1 3 .1 -4 2 .1

61.8
37.1

42.9
24.2

27
157
259

55,458

37
222

10, 056
45, 402

414

287,037

- 1 .7

- 1 6 .2

702,413

- 1 .7

+ 3 .0
-1 8 .7

138, 788
563,625

- 2 1 .7

-2 2 .8
-3 1 .1

7, 127,531

-0 .8 -9 .0
- 1 . 8 -3 1 . 3

6, 004, 002 +13.8 -2 9 .1
206, 585 - 5 . 5 -3 5 .4

61. 1
208.3

52.1
206.7

-2 2 .3
-3 4 .8
-1 1 .4

87, 932 - 8 . 2 -2 7 .0
82, 726 - 7 . 7 -4 0 .4
746, 286 -1 3 .3 -2 7 .8

20.5
20. 2
87.. 0

13.0
17.0
69.7

- 2 8 .8

6 9 .3

5 1 .5

236
35

240, 210
6, 596

+ 0 .2
-2 .0
+ 0.3
+ 1 .5
-2 .8

33
15
95

4,777
3, 460
31,994
74,999

- 6 .9
-5 .7
- 4 .5
- 1 .2

- 1 1 .3

1 ,4 9 9 ,3 1 2

- 3 1 .0

66 .7

4 6 .4

42
10

46, 090
10, 610

-0 .4
- 2 .9

-1 0 .8
-1 2 .4

996,685
175,153

+ 1 .0 -3 4 .0
+ 1 .5 -1 4 .7

64.7
55.6

45.8
38.9

104

18,299

-1 .8

-1 1 .8

4327,47

-4 .9

79.6

53.3

156

+ 8 .7

- 0 .6

- 2 9 .1

-2 9 .0

87.1
67.0
59 .6

71.6
49.1
5 0 .2

TREN D

199

OF EM PLO YM EN T

T a b le 1 .—CO M PARISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA RN IN G S IN M ANUFACTURING

E S T A B L ISH M E N T S IN A P R IL AND M AY, 1932, AND M A Y, 1931—Continued

Industry

Earnings
Employment
Index num­
Estabbers, May,
lish1932
(average,
Per cent of
Per cent of
ments
1926=100)
change
change
report­
ing in
Amount of
both Number
pay roll
April on pay
May, (1
May,
week),
April
roll,
May,
and
1931, May, 1932 April
1931, Em ­ Pay­
to
1932
to
May,
to
to
ploy­ roll
May, May,
May, May,
1932
ment totals
1932
1932
1932
1932

M achinery, n o t including
transportation
equip­
1,853
-m e n t. ____ _____
Agricultural implements. _.
78
Electrical machinery, ap­
294
paratus, and supplies----Engines, turbines, trac­
77
tors, and water wheels. _
Cash registers, adding ma­
chines, and calculating
47
machines.. _ . . .
. ..
Foundry and machineshop products__ _____ 1,101
157
Textile machinery and
37
parts_____ _ __________
17
Typewriters and supplies. .
45
R a d io ... .
. . . ____. . .
935
Railroad repair shops______
412
Electric railroad_______
523
Steam railroad___________

323,855 - 4 .0 -2 8 .5 $6,260,681 - 7 . 6 -4 6 .2
103, 046 -1 9 . 5 -3 7 .5
6,068 -2 1 .8 -4 2 .7
132, 408
14, 939
15,159

53.1
28.5

33.9
22.7

- 3 . 9 -2 5 .1

2, 736, 348

- 8 .9 -4 3 .0

63.1

44.5

- 4 .1

-3 2 .2

301, 304

- 8 .3 -4 9 .8

46.6

29.5

+ 0 .8

-9 .4

342, 295

- 0 .8

-2 8 .6

74.3

51.9

111, 714 - 3 .2 -3 0 .1
12, 272 -1 2 .4 -4 8 .3

1, 967,427 - 5 . 4 -4 8 .8
232,435 -1 7 .2 -5 9 .6

49.6
35.5

29.1
22.0

-2 6 .8
-1 7 . 5
-1 9 .1
-2 0 .1
-1 3 .2
-2 0 .6

104, 068 -2 2 .8 -4 9 .5
129, 268 -1 2 .2 -4 3 .0
339, 490 +15.7 -32.1
2,473,888 - 0 .2 -3 2 .4
641, 462 - 3 .2 -2 0 .5
1, 832,426 + 0 .3 -3 3 .6

56.0
68.4
61.0
51.4
70.0
50.0

33.7
38.2
53.0
43.2
62.5
41. 7

59.7

42.5

6, 313
8, 878
16, 044
99,210
23, 092
76,118

T otal, 89 industries___ 18,420 2,718,865

- 8 .7
- 3 .1
+6. 5
- 2 .8
- 1 .9
-2 .9

- 4 .0 -2 0 .6 50,813,581

- 4 .9

-3 7 .2

Per Capita Earnings in Manufacturing Industries

A ctual per capita weekly earnings in May, 1932, for each of the
89 manufacturing industries surveyed by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, together with the per cents of change in May, 1932, as
compared with April, 1932, and May, 1931, are shown in Table 2.
These earnings must not be confused with full-time weekly rates
of wages. They are actual per capita weekly earnings, computed
by dividing the total amount of pay roll for the week by the total
number of employees (part-time as well as full-time workers).


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200

M O N TH LY

LABO R

R E V IE W

T a ble 2 — P E R CAPITA W E E K L Y EA RN IN G S IN M ANUFACTURING IN D U S T R IE S IN

M AY, 1932, AND COM PARISON W ITH A P R IL , 1932, AND M AY, 1931

Per capita
weekly earn­
ings in
May, 1932

Industry

Food and kindred products:
Slaughtering and meat packing_______ ________
Flour___________________ -

__ _

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

Textiles and their products:

Shirts and collars___________ . . .

_ ___

_____

Corsets and allied garments________________ _______
______
_______ _
Cotton small wares _____ _
Men's furnishings___
___ ___
__ ___ _ . .
Iron and steel and their products, not including machinery:
Cast iron pipe-- ________________________
Structural and ornamental ironwork- - . __ ___ ____
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water heating appaBolts, nuts, washers, and rivets
. . ____
Cutlery (not including silver and plated cutlery) and
edge to o ls_____
_________ _________________
Forgings, iron and steel_____- - - - - - ........... ........ . .
Plumbers’ supplies________________
Tin cans and other tinware
___ . ,
..
Tools (not including edge tools, machine tools, files, or
saws)._ ________
____ ____________ Wirework
.
________ _______________________
Lumber and allied products:
Lumber, sawmills_____________ _______ __________
Lumber, millwork______ _ - ________ _________
Furniture ___________ ____ ______ - _______ _
Turpentine and ro sin _____________________________
Leather and its manufactures:
Leather _____________________
Boots and shoes_____________ - _____________ ____
Paper and printing:
Paper and pulp_____ _________________
Paper boxes. ____________________ ______ _
Printing, book and job ____
Printing, newspapers and periodicals________________
Chemicals and allied products:
Chemicals_________ ____ ______ ______________ _____
Fertilizers____________________ _________ _______
Cottonseed oil, cake, and meal_____ _ _____________
Druggists’ preparations____
.
....................... .........
Explosives_____________________________ _____ - _
Paints and varnishes. . _ _ . . . __________ . . . .
Rayon______________________________________ _ .
. _________
Soap_______ _______________ . . . - .
Stone, clay, and glass products:
Cement
________________ ________ . .
Brick, tile, and terra cotta__________________________
Pottery_____________________________ ____________
G lass... ______ _ . . .
___ ________ ______
Marble, granite, slate, and other stone products______
Nonferrous metals and their products:
Aluminum manufactures __ ___
Clocks, time recording devices, and clock movements..
Gas and electric fixtures, lamps, lanterns, and reflectors.
1 No change


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Per cent of change compared
with—
April, 1932

May, 1931

$22.61
15.19
28.98
22. 64
23.38
26. 24
29. 39
27.98
24. 20

-0 . 2
- 2 .4
—3.1
+0.1
-0 . 8
- 0 .2
+ 1.3
+ 4.5
+ 1.4

—13.5
—13.9
-1 1 3
—11. 8
—10. 7
-9 .8
-1 0 .7
-7 . 5
- 7 .2

10.18
12.44
12.31
14.98
14. 40
16.71
12.16
10.00
16.87
16. 09
14.90
14. 57
13.13
11.10

- 8 .1
- 7 .6
- 4 .4
- 2 .4
-1 2 .4
—10. 7
- 8 .8
-6 . 3
—12. 6
-1 3 .9
- 4 .2
- 4 .1
- 8 .1
- 6 .9

-2 9 .7
-2 7 . 9
-2 8 . 8
-2 7 . 2
—34. 6
—28.8
—27 5
-2 7 .7
—20 0
—16. 5
—16. 8
—26. 3
—33.9
-3 2 . 0

14.93
14. 28
19.02
14. 02

+ 0.2
- 9 .9
- 1 .5
—5.5

-4 1 . 3
-35. 5
-2 6 .7
—32.8

- 0 .9
- 1 .7

-1 9 .5
-2 7 .5
-3 1 .0

19.54
16.19
16.46
19.95

- 2 .4
- 1 .9
+ 0.8
- 2 .3

-1 6 .2
-3 7 .1
-3 1 .4
- 7 .9

15.86
18.84

- 5 .1
+ 1.2

—22.9
—18.5

12.28
15.53
13.43
14. 46

+ 0.9
+ 0.4
- 6 .4
+ 8.4

—30 6
-2 8 3
—32 6
-1 1 .8

18.43
13.63

—5. 6
-1 3 .2

-2 3 .0
—27.0

19.36
18.43
28. 36
35.57

—2. 3
—3.0
—1. 5
-1 . 6

—19 6
—15. 6
—13 1
—9.6

25.08
13.05
28.96
12.48
20.58
21.29
24. 50
17. 23
24.03

- 1 .9
+ 8.8
+ 2.4
+ 0.2
- 0 .3
+ 6.0
+ 2.0
- 6 .0
—3.2

—13.3
—23.1
-8 .9
- 8 .0
-1 0 .8
-1 2 .1
—13. 5
-1 8 .8
-1 6 .5

20.08
13.66
15.84
20.12
23.72

+5.1
+ 3.3
- 9 .3
+ 0.6
- 8 .7

—26 9
-3 3 .5
-2 7 .7
-1 4 .7
-2 6 .0

17.29
16.97
14.44
13.25
21.23

-4 . 5
—4.1
- 7 .7
-1 1 .7
- 0 .9

-2 2 .7
—30.3
—35.3
-2 8 .9
-1 7 .2

18.03
17.25
15.92

«

TREN D

201

OF EM PLO YM EN T

T a b le 2 — P E R CA PITA W E E K L Y EA RN IN G S IN M ANUFACTURING IN D U S T R IE S IN

M A Y , 1932, AND COM PARISON W ITH A P R IL , 1932, AND M A Y, 1931—Continued

Industry
Nonferrous matals and their products—Continued.

Tobacco manufactures^
Transportation equipment:

Rubber products:
Rubber tires and inner tu b e s..___________ _________
Rubber goods, other than boots, shoes, tires and inner
Machinery, not including transportation equipment:

Cash registers, adding machines, and calculating ma-

Railroad repair shops:

Per capita
weekly earn­
ings in
May, 1932

Per cent of change compared
with—
April, 1932

May, 1931

$18.76
18.15
17.63

- 7 .5
+ 1.9
- 4 .8

-2 1 .6
-3 4 .8
-2 1 .1

13.80
12.41

-1 .0
+ 0.2

-1 1 .5
-1 5 .8

24.99
31.32
18.41
23.91
23.33

+12.1
- 2 .8
- 1 .3
- 2 .2
- 9 .2

- 8 .4
- 6 .0
- 6 .3
- 8 .7
-1 8 .8

21.62
16.51

+ 1.4
+ 4.6

-2 6 .2
- 2 .7

17.90

- 3 .2

-1 9 .6

17.81
20. 66
20.17

+ 2.9
- 5 .2
- 4 .4

+ 9.2
-2 3 .6
- 8 .9

22.58
17. 61
18.94
16. 48
14. 56
21.16

- 1 .6
- 2 .3
- 5 .4
-1 5 .4
- 9 .5
+ 8.7

-2 1 .3
-2 6 .4
-2 1 .8
-3 0 .9
-3 1 .0
-1 6 .1

27.78
24.07

- 1 .3
+ 3.3

- 8 .5
-1 6 .4

General Index Numbers of Employment and Earnings
G e n e r a l index numbers of employment and earnings in manu­
facturing industries, by months, from January, 1926, to M ay, 1932,
are shown in the following table.
Two series of employment and pay-roll indexes for the year 1931
were published by the bureau from January to April, 1932. One
series was based on the 54 industries formerly included in the bureau’s
survey and the other series was based on the bureau’s enlarged
survey covering 89 manufacturing industries. The publication of
two series of indexes covering the same year was undesirable and
possibly confusing.
An examination of available information shows a similar trend
in employment and earnings in the 54 and the 89 industries from 1926
to 1929, while from 1929 to January, 1931, less shrinkage is shown
in the 89 manufacturing industries than in the 54 industries. The
difference in the per cent of decrease shown in the 54 industries and
the 89 industries from September, 1929, to January, 1931, however,
is small. To eliminate this difference, the general indexes of employ­
ment and earnings computed on the 54 industries was raised beginning
in October, 1929, by the addition of a small increment, which was
increased gradually until the indexes for January, 1931, on the
series of 54 manufacturing industries equalled the index computed
on the 89 industries. The indexes of employment and earnings for
the period from January, 1926, to September, 1929, based on the
trend shown in 54 manufacturing industries, are presented as for­
merly published. The indexes from January, 1931, to date, based
on the enlarged series of 89 manufacturing industries now surveyed
monthly by the bureau, also remain as previously published.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

202

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a bl e 3 . — G E N E R A L IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA R N IN G S IN M AN U FACTUR­

ING IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y , 1926, TO M A Y , 1932
[12-month average, 1926=100]
Employment

Earnings

Month
1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1926
January.............................
February........................__
March............ ...................
April................................
M ay_________________
June__ _____ _________
July.....................................
August_______ ______ —
September................... . . .
October_______________
November........................
December_____ _____
Average________

100.4
101.5
102.0
101.0
99.8
99.3
97.7
98.7
100.3
100.7
99.5
98.9

97.3
99.0
99.5
98.6
97.6
97.0
95.0
95.1
95.8
95.3
93.5
92.6

91.6
93.0
93.7
93.3
93.0
93.1
92.2
93. 6
95.0
95.9
95.4
95.5

95.2
97. 4
98.6
99.1
99.2
98.8
98.2
98.6
99.3
98.4
95.0
92.3

.90.7
90. £
90.5
89. £
88.6
86.5
82. 7
81. C
80.9
79.9
77.9
76.6

74.6 64.8
75.3 65.6
75.9 64.5
75. 7 62.2
75.2 59.7
73.4
71.7
71.2
70.9
68.9
67.1
66.7 ........

1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932

98.0 94.9 89.6 95.5 88.1 63.7 48.6
102.2 100.6 93.9 101.8 91.3 68.1 49.6
103.4 102.0 95.2 103.9 91.6 69.6 48.2
101.5 100.8 93.8 104.6 90.7 68.5 44.7
99.8 99.8 94.1 104.8 88.6 67.7 42.5
99.7 97.4 94.2 102.8 85.2 63.8
95.2 93.0 91.2 98.2 77.0 60.3
98.7 95.0 94.2 102.1 75.0 59.7
99.3 94.1 95.4 102.6 75. 4 56.7
102.9 95.2 99.0 102.4 74.0 55.3
99.6 91.6 96.1 95.4 69.6 52. 5
99.8 93.2 97.7 92.4 68.8 52.2 .....

100.0 96.4 93.8 97.5 84.7 72.2 163.4 100.0

96.5 94.5 100.5 81.3 61.5 146.7

1 Average for 5 months.

Time Worked in Manufacturing Industries in May, 1932

R e p o r t s as to working time in M ay were received from 13,449
establishments in 89 manufacturing industries. Three per cent of
these establishments were idle, 43 per cent operated on a full-time
basis, and 54 per cent worked on a part-time schedule.
An average of 84 per cent of full-time operation in M ay was shown
by reports received from all the operating establishments included in
Table 4. The establishments working part time in M ay averaged 71
per cent of full-time operation.
T a b le 4 .—P R O PO R T IO N OF F U L L T IM E W O R K E D IN M ANUFACTURING IN D U S T R IE S

B Y E S T A B L IS H M E N T S R E P O R T IN G IN M AY, 1932

Establishments
reporting

Per cent of estab­
Average per cent
lishments in
of full time re­
which employ­
ported by—
ees worked—

Industry
Total Per cent
number
idle

Pood and kindred products_______________
Slaughtering and meat packing,._______
Confectionery_______ ______
Ice cream_________ _____
Flour____________ _ .
Baking___ ________________ _
Sugar refining, cane________
______.
Beet sugar__________________ _
Beverages___________________ .
Butter____
... .
Textiles and their products___________
Cotton goods , __________
Hosiery and knit goods_________________
Silk goods___________________ _____
Woolen and worsted g o o d s.______ _______
Carpets and rugs_________________________
Dyeing and finishing textiles______________
Clothing, men’s _________ . . . . .
Shorts and collars________________ .
Clothing, women’s_________________ ____
Millinery______________ _____ _ . .
Corsets and allied garments


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

2,392
182
259
316
402
646
10
38
308
231
2,261
561
371
239
203
25
121
220
62
176
94
22

1
1
1

1
6
5
3
16
9
8
1
8
5
11
2

Full
time

74
75
34
65
75
84
50
89
81
86
45
36
48
44
44
32
31
51
56
65
60
55

Part
time

26
25
64
35
24

Estab­
All oper­ lish­
ating es­ ments
tablish­ operat­
ments ing part
time
94
97
82

73

93

71

78

50
11
18

96

78

48
59
49
41
46
60
68
41
39
23
38
45

85
81
87
85
85
81
81
90
92
94
90
91

72
69
74
69
71
71
72
77
79
76
75
81

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT

203

T a b le 4 —P R O PO R T IO N OF F U L L T IM E W O R K E D IN M ANUFACTURING IN D U S T R IE S

B Y E S T A B L ISH M E N T S R E P O R T IN G IN M AY, 1932—Continued

Per cent of estab­ Average per cent
lishments in
of full time re­
which employ­
ported by—
ees worked—

Establishments
reporting

Industry
Total Per cent
number
idle

Textiles and their products—Continued.
Cotton small wares_____________________
Iron and steel and their products, not including
machinery___________ ____ ______________ Iron and steel_________________________ -Cast-iron pipe__________________________
Structural and ornamental iron work..
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water heat*
ing apparatus________________________ Stoves__________________________________
Bolts, nuts, washers and rivets........................
Cutlery (not including silver and plated
cutlery) and edge tools. -----------------------Plumbers’ supplies_______________________
T in cans and other tinware___ . ------------Tools (not including edge tools, machine
tools, files, or saws)_____________________
Lumber and allied products---------------------------I >umber, sawmills________________________
Lumber, millwork__________ _____
Fu rn itu re_____________________ . . ----Leather and its manufactures_________________
Leather.. __________ ______ _ _____
Boots and shoes____ __________
_____
Paper and printing---------------------------------------Paper and pulp__________________________
Paper boxes___________ _____ ______ ______
Printing, book and job____________________
Printing, newspapers and periodicals---------Chemicals and allied products------------------------Chemicals............. .............. .............. ....................
Fertilizers________ _____ ________ ____ ____

Explosives------------- ------ ------------------------Paints and varnishes---------. . -- ------------- Stone, clay, and glass products---------- ------------Cement_______________________________ _
Brick, tile, and terra cotta------------------------Pottery........................... —............ ......................Glass —------ --------- ---------------------------------Marble, granite, slate, and other stone
products..................................................... .......
Nonferrous metals, and their products-------------Stamped and enameled ware----------------- Brass, bronze, and copper products-----------Aluminum manufactures___________ _____
Clocks, time-recording devices, and clock
Gas and electric fixtures, lamps, lanterns,
Plated ware__________________________ . . .
Smelting and refining—copper, lead, and
Jewelry_____________ ____ _______ ______
Tobacco manufactures_____ _____________ ____
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff___
Cigars and cigarettes------------- --------- --------1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.

125620°—32-----14

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Full
time

Part
time

Estab­
All oper­ lish­
ating es­ ments
tablish­ operat­
ments ing part
time

96
21
60

1

47
19
50

52
81
50

86
60
85

73
50
70

997
142
36
140
54

3
6
11
1

19
14
8
16
20

78
80
81
83
80

71
67
58
76
71

64
61
54
71
64

99
105
48

3
5
2

5
10
19

92
85
79

60
66
71

58
62
64

99
34
45
46

1
2
2

37
26
20
39

62
74
78
59

78
68
76
86

65
57
70
77

13
13
23
3
8

27
10
25
23
20
30
78
25
36
20
44
31
17
35
89
66
73
63
79
59
50
59
66
46
66
42
76
19
23
72

71
90
72
74
80
65
22
74
63
79
55
67
82
65
11
32
26
35
21
41
50
35
32
54
34
44
12
59
74
20

74
76
76
75
76
77
96
79
84
76
87
81
79
87
99
93
94
92
98
91
94
78
93
92
94
83
96
71
74
94

64
74
68
67
70
67
80
71
76
70
77
72
74
80
90
79
77
79
89
79
88
40
78
85
82
66
73
62
66
74

6
1
1
1
7

53
26
17
25
7

41
73
82
73
86

89
76
79
76
73

74
67
75
67
71

101
48
1,074
456
270
330
18
401
126
275
1,577
325
270
C05
377
800
90
161
67
29
24
17
331
13
68
769
78
294
87
144
166
483
77
138
14

2
3
3
1
5
1
2
1
1
2
C1)
0)
1
1
2

6
2

22

78

68

58

2

38
22

62
76

77
75

63
67

2
5
3
6

63
26
21
17
22

37
72
74
80
73

89
73
79
81
79

70
63
73
77
72

18
39
45
19
133
205
30
175

-

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

204

T a ble 4 —P R O PO R T IO N OP F U L L T IM E W O R K E D IN M ANUFACTURING IN D U S T R IE S

B Y E S T A B L ISH M E N T S R E P O R T IN G IN M A Y, 1932—Continued

Per cent of estab­ Average per cent
lishments in
of full time re­
which employ­
ported by—
ees worked—

Establishments
reporting

Industry
Total Per cent
number
idle

Rubber goods, other than boots, shoes,
Machinery, not including transportation equipElectrical machinery, apparatus, and supEngines, turbines, tractors, and water
Cash registers, adding machines, and cal-


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

13
1
1

Part
time

Estab­
All oper­ lish­
ating es­ ments
tablish­ operat­
ments ing part
time

39
21
78
20
43
64
36
29
22

59
79
9
80
57
35
64
71
78

82
75
97
71
84
94
84
82
81

71
69
73
64
72
83
74
74
76

86

1

40

59

85

74

1,278
64

1
2

20
25

79
73

73
79

66
72

20

80

78

73

57

2

21

77

74

67

39
744
113
32
14
27
793
362
431

3
1
2
3

1

46
19
10
28
36
48
46
65
29

51
80
88
69
64
52
54
35
70

85
71
68
77
73
87
90
95
87

71
64
65
67
59
75
82
85
81

3

43

54

84

71

188

13,449
i Less than one-half of 1 per cent.

2

290
147
32
25
14
72
129
34
9

Full
time

(>)

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT

205

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
MOMTHLY INDEXES 1926-1951.
M O NTHLY

AVERAGE

192.6=100.

EMPLOYMENT

105

100

95

90

65

80

75

70

65

60

55

50
JAN .

FEB.

MAR.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

APR.

M AY

JUNE JULY

AU 6. SEPT

OCT.

NOV.

DEC.

206

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

M A NUFAC TURING
M ONTHLY

INDUSTRIES.

IN D E X E S

M ONTHLY

1926 -1 9 3 1 .
192.6 = 10 0 .

AVERAG E.

PAY-ROLL T O T A L S .

105

'1 9 2 '
•>

100

)

.s

—

\
\

192.7

7 r

ii

•*

/

\
\

/

/

r '

1928'

*

V

/19

Z 6

\/
\V/

\

A

V

\

A

95

\
'

/
\

\

^ \

/

\

\y
f

I

10 0

A

_

•

90

\ ’•
\

/

/

95

105

A

\
\

—

90

930
\

85

85

\
\

\

\

80

80

\
V

75

A

75
N~--- - - X
A

\

70

70

1931
/ '* '*

\

/

65

\
\

/

65

\

V

\
\

60

CO

\
*\

55

55

X

st

50

1932.

— -v

50

91

+5
JAN.

FEB.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MAR.

A ^ K

MAY

JU N E

JULY

AUG.

SEPT.

OCT.

NOV.

DEC.

45

207

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment in Nonmanufacturing Industries in May, 1932
N T H E following table are presented employment and pay-roll
data for 14 groups of nonmanufacturing industries the totals of
which also appear in the summary table of employment and earnings.

I

T a b l e 1.—CO M PARISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA R N IN G S IN NONM ANUFACTUR-

ING E S T A B L ISH M E N T S

Industrial group

Anthracite mining_________
Bituminous coal mining______
Metalliferous mining---------Quarrying and nonmetallic
____
mining_________
Crude petroleum producing-__
Telephone and telegraph ____
Power and light___ ____
Electric-railroad and motor-bus
operation and maintenance-Wholesale trade_____________
_______________
Hotels____
Canning and preserving--------Laundries_________________ Dyeing and cleaning_________

IN A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932, AND M AY, 1931

Earnings
Employment
EstablishPer cent of
Per cent of
ments
change
change
report­
Amount
ing in Nümber
of pay roll
both
on pay
(1 week)
May,
roll,
April
April May,
1931,
1931, May, 1932 April
May,
and
to
to
to
to
1932
May,
May,
May,
May,
May,
1932
1932
1932
1932
1932

Index num­
bers May,
1932 (average
1929=100)

Em ­
ploy­ Earn­
ment ings

160
1,177
256

91, 499 - 4 .5 -1 6 .7 $2, 304, 699 -1 9 .5 -2 3 .8
155,055 - 4 . 5 -2 4 .0 2,007,965 - 9 .3 -4 3 .6
474, 632 - 4 . 6 -5 1 .7
24,375 -1 1 .5 -3 8 .6

66.9
62.6
38.3

58.0
30.7
23.8

628
279
8, 221
3,532

23, 615
21,716
285, 854
224, 620

500
2,843
14,031
2,449
837
1, 016
401

+ 4.1 -3 2 .5
-0 . 7 -1 9 .6
- 0 7 - 7 .8
- 1 .0 -1 3 .9

406, 365
708, 376
7, 896, 465
7,074, 563

+ 7.7
+ 5.8
- 0 .7
+ 2.1

-4 8 .2
-2 7 .2
-1 2 .0
-1 4 .7

50.6
54.5
80.6
84.0

32.3
47.1
82.8
84.2

129, 934 - 1 .4 -10. 5
73, 778 - 1 .3 -1 0 .6
348,020 - 0 .8 -1 0 .0
140,144 - 3 .1 -1 3 .4
28, 579 -1 3 .8 -2 7 .7
61, 779 - 0 .7 - 9 .9
12,413 + 1 .5 -1 2 .6

3, 863, 647
2,128, 207
7,371, 630
2,040, 587
436, 423
1,045, 073
249,080

+ 0.7
+ 1.1
- 2 .2
- 3 .7
- 5 .1
- 1 .1
+ 2.1

-1 6 .3
-1 7 .7
-1 9 .2
-2 3 .6
-3 5 . 7
-1 8 .4
-2 2 .3

76.9
77.9
80.9
80.1
40.5
81. 4
84. 5

71.2
69.7
71. 1
67.0
36.0
70. 6
67.3

Indexes of Employment and Earnings for Nonmanufacturing Industries

I n d e x numbers of employment and earnings for 14 nonmanu­
facturing industries are presented in the following table. These
index numbers show the variation in employment and earnings in
these groups, by months, from January, 1929, to May, 1932, with the
exception of the laundries and the dyeing and cleaning groups for
which information over the entire period is not available.
The
bureau recently secured data concerning employment and earnings for
the index base year 1929 from establishments in the laundries and the
dyeing and cleaning groups, and has computed index numbers for
these two groups, which appear in this tabulation for the first time.
The collection of trend of employment statistics in these two groups
did not begin until the later months of 1930. Therefore, indexes for
the entire period do not appear in these tables due to lack of available
information.


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208

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a ble 2 —IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA R N IN G S F O R NONM ANUFACTURING

IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y TO D E C E M B E R , 1929, 1930, AND 1931, AND JA N U A R Y TO M A Y,
1932
[12-month average, 1929=100]
Anthracite mining
Month

Employment

Bituminous coal mining

Earnings

Employment

Earnings

1929 1930 1931 1932 1929 1930 1931 1932 1929 1930 1931 1932 1929 1930 1931 1932
January.................
February............ .
March...................
April......... ............
M a y .................. .
June___________
Ju ly ........................
August...................
September............
October................
November______
December.........

105.7 102.1
106.0 106. f
98. C 82.6
100.7 84. 1
103.7 93. 8
92.9 90.8
83.2 91.6
91.1 80.2
101.9 93.8
106.1 99. C
104. t 97.2
107.1 99.1

90.6 76.2 100.7 105.8 89.3 61.5
89.5 71.2 122.1 121.5 101. f 57.3
82.1 73.7 90.8 78.5 71. ? 61.2
85.2 70. 1 88.3 75. ( 75.2 72.0
80. £ 66.1 99.1 98.8 76. 1 58.0
76.1
80.7 94.5 66. 7
64. 7 84. C 53.7
65.1
78.4 78.8 56.4
67.3
80. C
103.8 91.6 64. f
86.8
133.9 117.2 91.1
83.5
100.5 98.0 79.5
79.8 —
137.2 100.0 78.4 —

106.4 102.5
107. 7 102. 4
106.8 98.6
100. 2 94.4
96.6 90.4
94.7 88.4
94. 1 88. 0
95.7 89.2
97.2 90.5
98.8 91. 8
101.0 92.5
101.4 92.5

93.9
91.5
88.8
85.9
82.4
78.4
76.4
77.0
80.4
81.3
81.1
81.2

80.8
77.4
75.2
65.5
62.6

—

106.1 101.4
116.6 102.1
108.6 86.4
89.2 81. 7
91.9 77.5
90.0 75.6
85. 6 68. 9
92.8 71. 1
98.6 74.9
106.8 79.4
106.0 79. 1
108.2 77.7

73.3 47.0
68.3 47.0
65. 2 46.8
58.6 33.9
54.4 30.7
52.4
50. 4
50.6
53.6
56.2
54.6
52.3 —

Average.... 100.0 93.4 80.5 171.6 100.0 95.3 75.4 >62.0 100.0 93.4 83.2 ‘ 72.3 100.0 81.3 57.5 ‘ 41.1
Metalliferous mining
January.............
February..............
March...............
April____ _____ _
M ay.......................
June........ .............
Ju ly ...................
August................
September______
October________
November______
December.............

93.1
94.6
97. C
100.6
100.8
103.8
101.5
103. 2
102.1
101.9
103.0
98.5

95.7
92.3
90.9
89.3
87.5
84.6
80.5
79.0
78.1
77.2
72.8
70.1

68.3
65.3
63.5
63.9
62.4
60.0
56.2
55.8
55.5
53.8
52.8
51.2

49.3
46.9
45.0
43.3
38.3

—

88.0
91.8
99.1
104.6
104.6
105.6
99.0
100. 1
102.0
103.1
102. 2
99.7

92.7
92.5
90.8
88.3
85.6
81.6
71.9
71.0
69.9
68.6
63.4
59.9

Quarrying and nonmetallic mining
55.0
54.6
52.8
51.4
49.3
46.1
41.3
40.2
40.0
37.4
35.1
34.3

29.7
27.8
26.5
25.0
23.8

91.6
91.9
96.0
99.6
104.1
106.6
104.7
106.7
106.6
103.6
98.6
90.1

79.6
79.8
83.0
87.4
90. 8
90.3
89.9
89.3
87.7
84.7
78.3
70.2

64.4
66.6
70.0
76.1
75.0
72.3
71.0
68.9
66.6
64.5
59.3
53.9

48.9
47.4
46.0
48.6
50.6

—

85.9
88.9
95.0
100.5
107.1
110.5
104. 7
110.3
109.8
105.8
96.0
85.4

71.9
73.5
80.0
85.4
90.2
90.9
85. 5
85.8
82.5
79.3
66.8
59.9

50.4 30.2
54.4 29.6
58.2 28.7
62.6 30.0
62.3 32.3
60.1
57. 3
55.1
51.2
48.7
43.3
36.9 ............

Average___ 100.0 83.2 59.1 »44.6 100.0 78.0 44.8 >26.6 100.0 84.3 67.4 >48.3 100.0 79.3 53.4 130.2
Crude petroleum producing
January________
February............
M a rc h .......... .......
April......................
M ay.......................
June____ _______
Ju ly.......................
August_________
September............
October________
November______
December.............

90.0
90.4
89.6
97.6
93.9
104.1
106.0
113. 2
108.9
107.9
101.1
97.0

92.7
90.8
89.3
86.8
89.8
90.2
89.9
87.7
85.0
85.2
83.6
77.4

74.8 54.9
73.2 54.4
72.2 51.4
69.8 54.9
67.8 54.5
65.0
65.3
62.4
61.2
60.4
57.6
58.2 —

93.1
99.0
97.4
96. 7
92.4
99.4
100.7
104.7
110.7
100.1
103.8
102.1

94.0
88.6
91.3
86.6
85.4
87.1
88.5
86.0
84.0
82.6
80.0
77.2

71.5
70.0
73.2
66.3
64.7
62.7
59.2
56.3
55.2
54.4
52.0
54.9

Telephone and telegraph
46.5
46.9
43.2
44.5
47.1

—

94.3
95.3
96.5
97.8
100.4
101.5
102.6
103.7
102.5
101.9
101.9
101.8

101.6
100.2
99.4
98.9
99.7
99.8
100.0
98.8
96.8
94.5
93.0
91.6

90.5 83.0
89. 2 82.0
88.6 81.7
88. 1 81.2
87.4 80.6
86.9
86.6
85.9
85.0
84.1
83.5
83.1 ........

94.5 105.1
93.0 101.9
98.7 105.8
98.3 103.4
99.4 103.2
100.0 103.4
104.1 106.6
101.8 102.5
100. 4 102.2
105.1 100.9
101.2 97.9
103.9 101.3

96.3 89.1
94.8 89.6
97.9 88.2
95.0 83.4
94. 1 82.8
95.0
93 3
92.3
92.1
91.6
89.7
92.7 ............

Average___ 100.0 87.4 65.7 154.0 100.0 85.9 61.7 145.6 100.0 97.9 86.6 181.7 100.0 102.9 93.7 ‘ 86.6
1 Average for 5 months.


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209

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT

T able 2 —IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA R N IN G S F O R NONM ANUFACTURING
IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y TO D E C E M B E R , 1929, 1930, AND 1931, AND JA N U A R Y TO M A Y ,
1932—Continued
[12-month average, 1929=100]
Electric-railroad and motor-bus operation
and maintenance2

Power and light

Earnings

Employment

Earnings

Employment

Month

1930 1931 1932

1929 1930 1931 1932 1929 1930 1931 1932 1929 1930 1931 1932
January________
February......... .
March............ .......
April............. .
M ay............ ...........
June------ ---------Ju ly-----------------August............... .
September.......... .
October________
November...........December.............

92.9 99.6
92.6 98.8
92.8 99.7
95.9 100.7
98.4 103.4
100.7 104.6
103.2 105.9
105.4 106.4
105.5 105.2
105.7 104.8
104.7 103.4
102.5 103.2

99.2
97.8
96.7
97.1
97.6
97.2
96.7
95.9
94.7
92.7
91.3
90.3

91.7 99.7 98.6
91.8 100.4 99.7
94.5 102. 1 102.4
95.5 102.6 97.6
98.1 104.5 98.7
100.4 107.8 98.3
102.3 106.7 97.4
______ 103.8 106.6 96.2
______ 106.6 106.1 94.3
______ 106.0 105.6 93.2
__ 104.1 103.7 93.3
........ 105.8 106.3 91.2
89.3
87.2
85.5
84.8
84.0

99.7 97.1
1.1 95.1
97.0 94.4
98.5 95.2
95.2
1
94.8
.............
95.3
______ :
92.9
.............
91.8
______
91.0
______
99.4 89.3
______
98.3 88.8
—
88.4
86.0
85.4
82.4
84.2

86.9 79.5
86.6 78.9
86.4 77.6
86.8 78.0 99.
85.9 76.9
85.3
85.6
84.8
84.0
82.7
81.5
79.9

Retail trade

Wholesale trade
97.7 100.0
96.9 98.5
97.3 97.7
97.9 97.3
99.0 96.8
99.2 96.5
100.4 96.0
101.3 95.0
101. 94.8
102.9 94.2
102. 92.6
102.6 92.0

Average— 100.0 96.0

89.5
88.2

87.4
87.4
87.1
87.1
86.8

86.5
86.1

85.2
84.1
83.7

87.5
88.4
89.1
85.2
84.7
84.1
83.3
82.1
81.4
79.9
79.7
77.8

96.7
96.4
98.5
97.8
99.0
98.6
100.5
100.0

103.3
102.7
101.9
104.7

3.6 179.9 100.0

74.1
72.5
71.3
68.9
69.7

90.0
99.2
87.1
94.6
87.8
96.2
3 90.1
95.5
7 89.9
97.3
9 89.1
97.4
0 83.9
93.6
6 81.8
93.6
0 86.6
97.6
5 89.8
101.7
4 90.9
106.7
126.2 115.1 106.2

Average___

84.3
80.5
81.4
81.6
80.9

89.4
86.7
87.5
88.3
88.0
87.6
83.3
80.3
83.5
84.6
85.4
94.1

99.0 99.7
94.5 96.0
96. 1 95.5
96.0 97.5
97.1 97.3
98.6 96.8
95.9 91.7
95.2 87.6
99.2 92.4
102.6 95.1
105.2 96.8
120.6 107.7

78.0
73.7
73.4
72.7
71.1

100.0 96.2 86.6

95.9 .83.6 71.3 100.0

Canning and preserving

Hotels
January.............
February...........
March________
April________ M ay_________
June....................
Ju ly___ ______
August...............
September.........
October.............
November____
December____

85.6 74.3
87.1 73.6
88.1 72.4
86. 6 70.7
85.1 71.2
84.8
83.3
81.9 __
81.2 __
79.1
79.7 __
77:8 ........

93.5 83.4 >72.4

Average___ 100.0 103.0 95.6 >86.2 100.0 104.3 96.7 >85.3 100.0 93.4

January.............
February.*----March................
April...................
M ay....................
June_________
Ju ly....................
August_______
September____
O ctob er...........
November.........
December____

97.8
95.7
95.4
97.1
96. C
97. C
95.6
92.1
90.5
88.9
87.7
88.6

1.5100.3

91.0 73.9 50.8

103.4 104.4
100.6 100.3
98.9 98.4
98.7 98.1
99.8 99.8
99.4 98.6
100.2 97.1
100.2 95.5
93.6
91.5

93.4 72.4 49.4
89.9 69.6 90.6
87.7 67.0 62.0
85.4
76.6
126.8
85.2
184.8
83.8
210.1
81.9
143.3
79.7
95.1
77.1
61.3
75.4

100.0

85.4 171.4100.0 103. 9 80.9 139.2100.0 96.1 65.6 134.1

102.0 103.8 93.7 73.9 48.9

48.9
48.3
53.0
59.6
56.0
70.6

102.2

142.9
180.1
108.1
60.8
40.7

35.0
37.1
36.3
47.0
40.5

57.3
59.2
54.9
98.9
71.2
71.9
109.2
180.1
207.9
134.5
91.6
63.4

46.1
48. 6
50.3
57. 1
56.0
58.6
74.2
104.7
129.4
77.6
48.1
36.9

31.8
32.7
31.9
37.9
36.0

a No^^clud^ng^^tric-railroad car building and repairing; see transportation equipment and railroad
repair shop group, manufacturing industries, Table 1.


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210

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b le 2 .—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA RN IN G S FO R NONMANUFACTURENG

IN D U ST R IE S, JA N U A R Y TO D E C E M B E R , 1929, 1930, AND 1931, AND JA N U A R Y TO M AY
1932—Continued
’
[12-month average, 1929=100]
Laundries
M o n th

E m p lo y m e n t

Dyeing and cleaning
Employment

E a rn in g s

E a rn in g s

1929 1930 1931 1932 1929 1930 1931 1932 1929 1930 1931 1932 1929 1930 1931 1932
90. 5
90. 0
89. 5
90. 5
90.3
91. 0
91.8
90.2
89.3
88.1
86.2
85.3

J a n u a r y ___________
F e b r u a r y _________
M a r c h ____________
A p r i l ........... ................
M a y ...................... ..
J u n e __________ __
J u l y _______________
A u g u s t .............. .........
S e p t e m b e r ____ __
O c to b e r ___________
N o v e m b e r _____
D e c e m b e r ______ .
A v e r a g e ____

100.0 —

84. 7
82.9
82. 0
82. 0
81.4

89.4 182.6 100.0

86. 6
85. 6
85. 6
86. 8
86. 5
87.1
87.4
84. 6
84.1
81. 8
78. 9
77.4
. . . . .

76 4
73. 3
71. 7
71. 4
70. 6

84.4 172.7 100.0 . . . . .

Kft 9 82 1
87. 4 8 0 5
88. 0
95 7 83 3
Qfi 7 84.5
99. 0

67.3

98 fi

93 5
95. 3
94. 2
90. 1
84,9

6L9

92.7 182.2 100.0 . . . . .

80.3 >64.6

82 fi

i Average for 5 months.

Trend of Employment in May, 1932, by States
N T H E following table are shown the fluctuations in employment
and earnings in M ay, as compared with April, 1932, in certain
industrial groups by States. These tabulations have been prepared
from data secured directly from reporting establishments and from
information supplied by cooperating State agencies. The combined
total of all groups does not include building construction data, infor­
mation concerning which is published elsewhere in a separate tabula­
tion by city and State totals. In addition to the combined total of all
groups, the trend of employment and earnings in the manufacturing,
public utility, hotel, wholesale trade, retail trade, bituminous-coal
mining, crude petroleum producing, quarrying and nonmetallic min­
ing, metalliferous mining, laundries, and dyeing and cleaning groups
are presented. In publishing data concerning public utilities, the
totals of the telephone and telegraph, power and light, and electricrailroad operation groups have been combined and are presented as
one group in this State compilation. Due to the extreme seasonal
fluctuations in the canning and preserving industry, and the fact that
during^ certain^ months the activity in this industry in a number of
States is negligible, data for this industry are not presented separately.
The number of employees and the amount of weekly earnings in April
and M ay as reported by identical establishments in this industry are
included, however, in the combined total of “All groups.”
As the anthracite mining industry is confined entirely to the State
of Pennsy lvania, the changes reported in this industry in the summary
table are the fluctuations in this industry by State total.
Where the identity of any reporting company would be disclosed
by the publication of a State total for any industrial group, figures for
the group do not appear in the separate industrial group tabulation
but have been included in the State totals for “All groups.” D ata
are not presented for any industrial group where the representation
in the State covers less than three establishments.

I


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TR EN D

211

OF EM PLO YM EN T

COM PARISON OP E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA R N IN G S IN ID EN TIC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
IN A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932, B Y ST A T E S
[Figures in italics are not compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but are taken from reports issued
by cooperating State organizations]

State

Alabama________
Arkansas________
Arizona. _______
California_______
Colorado________

Total—all groups

Manufacturing

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay
cent pay roll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
of
week)
of
lish­
May, change
May, 1932 change
ments
1932

Num­ Number Per
Amount 0; Per
ber of on pay
cent payroll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
lish­
May, change
May, 1932 change
1932
ments

517

52,391

- 2 .6

$610,765

- 1 .4

218

35,811

- 3 .0

$411,256

445

1 4 ,0 8 3

+ 0 .4

3 1 1 ,7 4 5

- 0 .1

180

9 ,4 6 5

+ 3 .5

- 0 .3

66

2,508

+ 5 .7

1 3 1 ,5 3 3

242,873

1 ,4 3 1

n o , 817

- 3 .1

5 ,3 7 4 ,0 3 4

- 4 .0

1 3 4 ,7 0 7

- 0 .7

126

10,776

-4 -4

3 ,0 4 0 ,7 5 3

634,259

- 0 .2

235,520

+ 1.8

2,345,867
169,540
726,688
388,060
835,528

- 8 .3
- 6 .3
+ 0 .7
- 9 .3
-5 .5

691
53
56
140
309

110,378
6,076
3,342
13,761
53,611

- 5 .4
- 2 .3
- 0 .7
- 0 .4
- 6 .8

1,810,814
114,698
110,360
201,338
563,007

-1 0 .4
-7 .7
- 2 .5
- 5 .5
-8 .6
+ 4.3

360
764

Connecticut_____ 1,104
Delaware_____ .
135
Dist. of Col______
589
547
Florida........... .........
Georgia_________
640
Idaho___________
186
Illinois _________ 71 ,4 3 5
1,201
Indiana______. . .
Iowa____________ 1,175
Kansas_________
8 646
Kentucky_______
Louisiana________
Maine-------- -----Maryland______
Massachusetts___

822
498
569

10,095

- 6 .1

28,840

- 2 .4

130,072
8,826
29.434
22.353
65,938

-4 .7
- 3 .4
-(>)
- 9 .9
- 5 .8

1 ,1 5 1

61,460

- 2 .3
+ 0.8
+ 8.9
- 4 .1

6,350

-1 .4

127,501

+ 5 .0

37

2.610

- 1 .9

45,727

3 6 4 ,8 5 6

- 3 .4

5 ,6 8 6 ,1 9 7

2,223,514
878,475

- 5 .3

- 3 .5
+1.3

1 ,0 4 5

1 7 3 ,3 3 4

- 3 .7

3 ,3 4 6 498

4 3 ,4 1 9

+ 0 .3

9 5 4 ,1 7 1

+ 0 .3

434

3 4 ,5 3 4

+ 3 .3

5 6 5 ,3 0 3

-5 .0
+ 1 .0
+ 3.6

58,878
30,235
36,052

- 2 .4
- 2 .1
-1 . 7

915,671
469, 205
626,951

+ 0 .2
- 2 .5
- 5 .3

223
221
191

22,034
18,396
29,173

- 2 .3
- 3 .3
-2 .2

362,240
253,832
477,233

+ 3.8
- 5 .5
- 6 .9

112,932
43,566

- 5 .4
+ 0.3

592
467

84,223
23,273

- 6 .9

l,6 i0 ,753
451,784

- 5 .5

*881
7 ,7 0 4

8 0 ,4 9 8
3 3 6 ,4 9 7

- 3 .7
- 3 .7

1 ,5 1 6 ,0 5 3
7 ,3 5 0 ,1 0 5

- 6 .8
- 3 .8

481
1 ,0 8 8

5 6 ,3 8 3
I 4 3 , 313

- 4 .5
- 7 .0

9 6 3 ,6 1 0
3 ,5 6 5 ,3 0 3

- 8 .0
- 1 1 .1

Michigan___ ____ 1,507
Minnesota_______ 1,046
Mississippi______
403
Missouri________ 1,117
320
Montana________

293,771

61,583
9,320
101,219
7,211

+ 0.8
+ (>)
- 7 .3
- 2 .6
- 2 .1

7 ,170,417

+ 1 6 .2

416

286
77
529
50

1 9 1 ,3 3 8

+ 1 .5

+ 2.3
- 3 .4
- 2 .1
+ 0.9

4, 6 8 3 ,5 5 0

+ 9 .9

Nebraska________
656
137
Nevada. _______
New Hampshire..
447
New Jersey___ _ 1,469
173
New Mexico_____

22,434
1,691
29,202
187,572
4,555

-1 .6
+ 3.1
-3 . 5
- 2 .5
+ 1 .6

534,011 + 0.9
46,388 + 4 .6
470,669 -1 0 .8
4,333,849 - 2 . 8
79,494 + 2.4

138
25
190
«717
24

New York____ _ 3. 374
North Carolina__ 1,160
320
North Dakota___
Ohio________ . . . 4,460
713
Oklahoma_______

478,740
95,204
3,637
360,281
24,234

- 6 .1
+ 0 .6
-2 .2
- 1 .2

Oregon__________
556
Pennsylvania____ 4,133
904
Rhode Island __
406
South Carolina__
232
South Dakota____

27,055
594.098
46,486
43,799
5,528

+ 3 .2
563,028 +4.1
- 3 .1 11,039,958 - 9 .3
- 9 .8
853,740 -1 2 .4
- 7 .6
435,558 -1 2 .2
- 0 .9
136.877 + 4 .0

Tennessee_______
758
Texas________ _
743
Utah____________
330
Vermont________
358
Virginia_________ 1,295
Washington_____ 1,204
739
West Virginia____
Wisconsin_______ 71 ,0 9 9
Wyoming_______
165

- 4 .4

1,390,944
121,820
2,186,341
180,176

11,627,522
1,094.737
84,803
7,172,910
562,778

59.879

- 2 .7

834.675

5 7 ,7 4 5

- 1 .5

1 ,3 4 3 ,7 9 3

11,335
9,187
76,580

- 3 .4
-2 .6
- 4 .7

221,756
193,745
1,214,148

- 5 .8 61 ,6 4 7
- 8 .9
543
+ 4 .6
59
- 2 .0 1,969
+ 0 .8
128

6,741

+ 4.5

- 7 .3

6 ,8 3 5 ,3 3 1

- I O .4

3 0 3 ,6 7 7

- 6 .3
- 0 .4
-1 .7
+ 0 .6

173

15,238

+ 3 .0

279,151

1 ,7 5 4

3 3 1 ,6 7 7

- 4 .8

4 ,9 5 0 .5 7 4

35,140 -1 2 .4
39.836 - 8 .3
1,977 - 1 .4
42,740

3 0 ,8 4 6

-1 .0
-3 .6

1,063,606
1,358,280

- 0 .9
- 5 .3

3 ,3 6 0 ,3 6 3

- 4 .9

+ 5 .2

82
123
447
265
187

8 831

1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
2 Includes building and contracting.
s Includes transportation and financial institutions.
* Includes building construction.
* Includes laundries.
6 Includes laundries and dry-cleaning.
7 Does not include hotels.
8 Weighted per cent of change, including canning and preserving.


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

3 ,7 6 6 ,6 8 4

+ 1.7

286

- 3 .3

156,910

—1 .8

301

343

48.285
81,079

- 1 .6

1 6 9 ,5 0 3

88,729
1,059
269,788
7,775

278
178
48

28

+ 2.9
-9 .8
- 5 .8
+ 0.7

262,200
10,077
380,862

- 1 .9

- 3 .9
-1 .2
-8 .8

663,426
55,700
1,096,080
47,663

+0)
+9.1
- 4 .3

10,968
384
25, 550

- 5 .4

1 3 7 ,8 5 8

5,933

31.178 + 0 .5
5,153 -1 0 .9
56,028 - 4 .3
2,281 - 2 .3

3.036
4,658
55,901

986,418
26,960
5,173,953
182,581

578,969
365,229
41,866

- 3 .4

561.206

- 1 .9

6 4 5 ,0 0 5

+ 4 .9
- 6 .0
-5 .4

63,077
99,474
836,589

22,860
31,797

-2 .6
- 6 .4

447.699
601, 664

100, 343

- 4 .8

1, 633,8 4 9

1,391

+ 4 .2

44,197

+ 0.5
+ 6.7
-1 3 .3
- 3 .3

- 9 .7
+ 3.9
-2 .7
+ 1.7

+ 7.0
- 9 .4

-1 6 .4
-1 4 .3
+11.5
- 7 .3
- 3 .8

+ 7.4
+ 0.7
-1 2 .3
- 1 .9

-7 .0
- 9 .5

+ 3 .4

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

212

COM PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA R N IN G S IN ID EN TIC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
IN A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932, B Y S T A T E S —Continued
[Figures in italics are not compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but are taken from reports issued
by cooperating State organizations]

State

Wholesale trade

Retail trade

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent payroll (1 cent
roll,
estab­
week)
of
of
May, change
lish­
May, 1932 change
1932
ments

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent pay roll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
May, change
lish­
May, 1932 change
1932
ments

17

604

Arkansas............. .

17

474

California_______
Colorado......... .......

73

27

716

Connecticut_____
Delaware. _____
Dist. of Columbia.

63
11
30
52
33

1,248
187
405
822
384

Georgia.................

68
619

+ 0.1

115,998
2,923
245,303
19, 722
35,929

-0 .9
+ 0.4
+ 0.7
-1 2 .1
+ 2.6
+ 1.9

- 0 .1
-4 .6
+ 1 .0
- 1 .5
+ 3.1

137
15
407
76
33

5,423
185
10, 783
928
2,002

-1 .2
0
+ 1.8
- 8 .8
+ 2 .0

2,512

+ 6 .8

-1 .4
- 1 .3

15, 625

- 1 .8
- 0 .1

- 0 .9

- 2 .6

169

1,257

- 0 .6

23,906

—6. 5
- 4 .7

56

568

- 3 .4

11,820

66

1 8 ,3 6 1

+ 0 .4

4 8 0 ,9 5 7

- 1 .9
+ 0.7

117, 211
64, 495

- 0 .5

42

2 ,3 9 4

- 3 .4

4 8 ,3 3 3

-5 .2
+ 1 .2
- 6 .2

+ 2.1
+ 6 .3
+ 3 .8

30
55
81

1, 525
2,988
1, 349

- 3 .1
-3 .6
+ 0.7

25,686
47,088
25, 503

-0 .9
- 3 .1
+0. 5

- 4 .2
- 1 .1

37
3 ,9 0 4

4 ,7 5 6
6 8 ,2 6 6

- 2 .0
- 1 .2

8 4 ,6 7 1
1 ,2 6 1 ,2 8 5

- 0 .4

+ 3 .8
+ 3.1

181
128

2 2 ,9 6 1

12,065
18, 370
10, 966
1 8 ,9 2 4
4 0 2 ,2 1 1

- 1 .5
—1.0
+ 1 .8

817
1 4 ,3 7 1

98,858

37, 348
5,171
13, 773
20, 901
11,179

- 0 .3
- 6 .0
- 1 .9
-0 . 1
+ 0 .5

+ 1 .5

H
677

5 3 9 ,3 1 5

4,487

531
768
464

24
30
17

- 2 .0

+ 1.8

H

2 5 ,7 8 0

282

766

23

+ 1 .1

+ 4 .9

39,610
32,022

Kentucky____. . .
Louisiana_______
Maine__________
Maryland_______
Massachusetts___

-3 .5

2 7 ,7 9 0

23,622

- 0 .8

+2. 5
-0 .8

Kansas............. .......

$29,049

- 0 .6

+ 1 .9

- 2 .0

1,397
1,054

- 3 .2

+ 5 .6

1 3 ,8 4 5
4, 268
1 5 7 ,8 9 1

3 ,1 1 4

5
U

1,806
1 ,4 4 7

$16,902

- 0 .6

- 2 .6

69
35

64
139

+ 1 .3

150

18

6,219
3,415

- 6 .6

- 0 .4
— 3 .1
- 1 .6

- 0 .2

1 1 ,8 4 0

116,648
2,470
132,979
9,600

+ 1.0
- 1 .5
- 2 .0
- 0 .5

2 5 2 ,5 3 7

-0 .3
- 0 .8
- 1 .6
- 0 .3

7,904
457
6,289
834

+ 0 .7

3,950
125
5,059
318

+ 2 .0
-|-6. 8
+ 2 .6
+ 4 .3

269

63
5
58
16

149,168
5,829
129, 395
19,713

- 0 .7
+ 4.1
- 2 .1
+ 1.4

40
6
15
29
10

1, 258
80
166
601
115

+ 0.1
(»)
- 0 .6
- 2 .0
+ 0 .9

37, 557
3, 356
4,687
19, 205
4,244

+ 2 .2
+ 8 .7
+ 0 .2
-1 .4
+ 0.1

122
36
64
417
40

1,392
293
605
7,774
252

- 0 .9
+ 1.7
0
-0 .4
0

28, 370
7,889
11, 751
179, 318
5,791

+ 2.5
+ 2.0
+1.1
—1. 4
+5. 4

Oklahoma......... .

194
21
17
229
51

5,482
503
243
4,818
828

- 2 .5
+ 1 .0
+ 0 .8
-5 .0
-2 .8

185, 333
12, 921
7, 635
133,106
24, 704

- 1 .5
+ 3 .2
+ 6 .5
- 0 .9
+ 3 .0

378
436
41
1, 318
125

47, 357
1, 952
439
31,149
1,803

-3 .6
- 0 .9
+ 1.4
- 1 .8
-7 .4

1,140, 467
31, 771
7, 524
611,784
37,509

- 4 .9
- 0 .1
+ 2.8
-2 . 7
-4 . 2

Oregon__________
Pennsylvania____
Rhode Island____
South Carolina___
South Dakota____

61
141
43
20
11

1,471
3,605
924
300
141

- 0 .4
- 0 .9
- 0 .8
+4. 2
+ 2 .2

44, 764
102,136
23, 949
6,725
4,563

+ 2 .0
+ 1.3
-(0
+ 3.7
+ 6.1

55
328
502
92
20

1,793
27,021
4,933
747
300

+ 0.6
+ 0.2
- 0 .3
- 1 .1
- 4 .2

42, 659
551, 269
108, 563
10, 223
5,214

+ 5.7
-1 .2
-1 .8
- 1 .4
+ 6.4

Tennessee—. ____
Texas___________
Utah____________

37

+ 2 .4

69

3, 594

+ 1.6

59, 216

+ 0.6

118

- 1 .5

89

6 ,8 0 0

- 1 .5

130, 854

548
497
4,910

- 5 .0
+ 4 .4
+ 0.1

Michigan.......... .
Mississippi... . . .
Missouri________
Montana________
Nebraska________
New Hampshire..
New Jersey______
New Mexico_____
New Y ork. ____
North Carolina . .
North Dakota___

Virginia_________
W ashington_____
West Virginia____
Wisconsin_______
Wyoming...............

67

1 ,6 3 9


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

5 3 ,7 9 2

678

- 0 .6

16,187

2 ,5 8 5

+ 1 .5

336 - 1 .2
111 + 1 .8
1, 223 -1 0 .5

71, 929

14
5
52
96
41

2,342
605

Iß

883

10

i Less than Mo of 1 per cent.
change.

» No

- 0 .9

84

290
76
135
72

8,607
2,866
27,978

+ 5 .0
-0 .6
- 3 .8

83
45
490

- 1 .9
+ 0 .8

71,512
19,109

+0. 3
+ 5 .0

484
52

6,823
981

- 1 .4

3 1 ,4 4 3

+ 4 -6

50

8 ,3 2 7

- 4 .5

3,184

- 2 .2

21

173

- 4 .3

13, 548
8,411
96,129

+ 0.7
+2. 2
+ 1.7

+ 0.4
+ 0.6

135,897
19,871

+ 3 .1

1 3 6 ,3 4 8

- 2 .5
+ 4.9
- 3 .3
- 0 .1

- 2 .3

4,853

TREN D

213

OE EM PLO YM EN T

COM PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA RN IN G S IN ID EN TIC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
IN A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932, B Y ST A T E S—Continued
[Figures in italics are not compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but are taken from reports issued
by cooperating State organizations]

State

Alabama. ______
Arizona_________
California_______
Colorado................
Connecticut_____
Delaware.. . . . . .
Dist. of Columbia.
Florida__________
Georgia_________
Idaho___________
Illinois._________
Indiana_____ _ . .
Iowa__________ .
Kansas__________
Kentucky_______
Louisiana______
Maine__________
Maryland_______
Massachusetts___

Quarrying and nonmetallic mining

Metalliferous mining

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent payroll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
lish­
May, change
May, 1932 change
ments
1932

Num­ Number Per
Amount of Per
ber of on pay
cent payroll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
lish­
May, change
May, 1932 chang
1932
ments

229 -1 1 .6
160 -1 7 .9

$2,802 - 3 .6
1,778 -2 2 .4

30
3

650
17

-4 .8
- 5 .6

15, 345 + 1.8
288 -2 6 .9

8

206

-0 .5

3,666 +26.6

8
18

577
1,071

-4 .3
+ 2 .8

6,946 -1 2 .2
11,566 +11.4

28
38
10

597 + 6 .2
1, 701 + 3 .0
279 + 19.2

11,948 +30.0
31, 541 + 6 .7
4,747 + 19.8

6
9

20

926

14
4
5

524 +21.3
476 + 3 .9
60 -2 6 .8

3, 396 + 0 .9
5, 581 -1 7 .2
1, 528 -4 0 .8

17

497

6 ,7 3 9

+ 8 .2

+ 1 2 .7

2 0 ,2 4 2

+ 1 .2

23
5
3
14
4

1,009 +11.5
155 +24.0
44
(9)
280 - 2 .8
20 -3 7 .5

Nebraska________
Nevada_______
New Hampshire..
New Jersey______
New Mexico___ _

3

125 +23.8

2,369 +37.9

10
3

135 +48.4
50 - 5 . 7

3,552 + 118.7
1,614 +36.1

42
8

2,021 +13.5
118 + 9 .3

43,614 +17.6
1,467 - 0 . 7

63
4

1,695 + 1 .4
64 -1 2 .3

33, 641 + 6 .4
879 -1 1 .7

Oregon................ .
Pennsylvania____
Rhode Island____
South Carolina__
South Dakota___
Tennessee_______
Texas_________ _
Utah____________
Vermont________
Virginia_________
Washington.. . . .
West Virginia . . _
Wisconsin_______
Wyoming_______

14,027 +29.5
3,266 +24. 1
406 +17.3
3,975 + 3 .4
414 + 0 .7

GO

3,009

+ 5 .4

39,487 +13.2

7
3

152
23

- 3 .8
-4 .2

1,292 +29.8
606 +21.0

18

682

- 3 .1

9,012

21

583

+ 8 .2

1 3 ,2 3 3

39
19
7
7

9No change.


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

2,366
984

+ 0 .7
-1 .5

167 +42.7
479 +13.2

51, 290
10,417

$9, 073

-2 0 .2

4,031 -1 3 .6
1,407 - 6 .6
692 - 0 .7

105,194
4L 131
20,888

-2 .7
+ 1.0
+10.9

11

2,016

- 2 .6

47, 043

+ 7.8

8

413

-1 .4

4,713

-1 0 .8

42
33

6,136 -2 2 .9
629 -2 5 .0

71,716
8,604

-1 6 .2
-2 8 .7

11
14

i, 034 - 1 .6
33 -1 9 .5

20,298
814

-4 .6
-1 2 .3

6

1,031

+ 1 .7

M ich igan ..............
Minnesota_______
Mississippi______
M issouri... . . . _
Montana________

New Y ork_______
North Carolina.
North Dakota___
Ohio____ _ . . _
Oklahoma____ . .

- 6 .4

15
19
16

+ 3 .4
“W- i

14

+ 1 .9

9,223

+ 6.6

3
4

66 -4 1 .1
837 + 6 .5

896
15, 513

-4 8 .7
+13.0

27

727 +20.4

12,081

+13.7

2,286

+13.8

4

4
H

- 5 .7
+ 4 .8

4,155 +67.8
4,749 - 6 .4

3

317

98

+ 3 .2

266 -1 3 .6

3,198

-7 .3

- 8 .6

43, 311

-8 .4

57 -1 4 .9

1,352

-8 .7

2, 378

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

214

COM PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA R N IN G S IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
IN A P R IL AND M AY, 1932, B Y ST A T E S—Continued
[Figures in italics are not compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but are taken from reports issued
by cooperating State organizations]

State

Bituminous coal mining

Crude petroleum producing

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent payroll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
lish­
May, change
May, 1932 change
1932
ments

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent payroll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
lish­
May, change
May, 1932 change
ments
1932

42

8,741

—1.8

$75, 220

5

54

- 6 2 .5

587

44

3,795 -1 6 .5

+ 4 .5
- 5 7 .8

46,150 -3 1 . 0

190 -1 0 .8

$4, 841

- 2 .7

41

5, 464

+ 1.4

194, 600

+ 6.4

9
4

191
25

- 5 .9
- 7 .4

4,079
435

+ 5.0
- 3 .1

34

1,177

+ 2.1

29,154

- 0 .3

6
6

176
139

+ 3.5
+ 0.7

3,298
4, 261

+8.1
+ 6.7

45 -1 1 .8

1,207

-0 .7

8

Dist. of Columbia.

Illinois__________
Indiana.................

28

m

+ 165. 4

2 0 ,3 3 6 + 1 2 9 .3

Kansas__________

20

1 ,6 1 2

- 1 1 .7

2 4 ,6 7 6

- 7 .2
+ 1.4
- 8 .4

Kentucky............

145

23,119

- 3 .6

284,120

- 5 .2

u

1 ,3 4 0

- 5 .2

9 ,9 9 5

- 3 9 .9

35
22

Montana.................

15
11

New Mexico_____

13

- 4 .4

4

45

5

175

25,121

(«)

1,528

- 1 .5

- 7 .4

4,462

- 3 .8

63 -1 1 .3
4, 610 - 3 .5

1,177
129, 670

- 0 .7
+ 0.7

52,681

- 2 .6

638, 053 -1 4 .6

20

359

- 1 .4

9,278

- 0 .3

18

2,994

- 0 .7

24,919 -1 7 .2

3

+ 1 .7

2 3 5 ,9 4 5

+ 2 .9

1, 525 -1 4 .9

26,542 -2 4 .9

6 ,3 5 4

13
27

3, 784

- 7 .8

35, 437 -1 3 . 3

it
255

1, 466
38, 328

—1. 7
-2 .2

9

350

+ 2.6

8, 903

+ 7.4

150

-3 .2

4,440

-4 .6

378

31


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

-1 .2

5

6
67

Oregon . . .
Pennsylvania........

9No change.

1,863

14,166 -1 1 . 8
22, 040 + 7 .4

40, 954 -1 4 .5
4,386 - 3 .1

42
14

West Virginia____

811 —10 8
960 «

54, 985
38, 017

2,085 -5 2 .3
343 +16.7

Ohio........................
Oklahoma_______

Texas___________

2, 570 - 3 . 6
2,235 —10. 2

3,304

- 4 .0

33, 831
499, 047
81,179

+ 5.1
-7 . 7
+7. 7

6

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT

215

CO M PARISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA R N IN G S IN ID EN TICAL E S T A B L ISH M E N T S
IN A P R IL AND M A Y , 1932, B Y S T A T E S —Continued
[Figures in italics are not compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but are taken from reports issued
by cooperating State organizations]

State

Public utilities

Hotels

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent payroll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
lish­
May, change
May, 1932 change
1932
ments

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent pay roll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
May, change
lish­
May, 1932 change
ments
1932

Alabama________
Arkansas............... .
Arizona_________
California................
Colorado.................

123

2,056

46

1 ,0 4 1

1,312

-5 .5

40

4 9 ,2 1 0

5,828

- 0 .6

197

Connecticut_____
Delaware________
District of Colum­
b ia .......... ............
Florida....................
Georgia...................

130
28
21
183
183

Idaho.......................
Illinois__________
Indiana_________
Iowa____________
Kansas__________

66

- 0 .6

$45,274

- 0 .4

2 8 ,1 6 6

34, 240

-(>)
+ 1 .0
+ 0.3

28

1,261

17

- 0 .1

$11,907

924

368
10, 560
1,131

- 4 .2

- 8 .9
- 2 .6
- 2 .0

1 1 ,3 5 2

5,931
182,318
18, 242

-1 2 .6
- 4 .6
-(»)

- 3 .8
- 2 .1

+ ( ')

163, 643

+ 5 .4

13
234
32

10.012
1,099

- 0 .5
- 0 .3

329,244
29,627

- 0 .7
-3 .0

29
7

1,202
272

W
- 1 .4

16,656
3,500

- 0 .2
- 5 .5

8,315
4,352
6,408

-0 .5
- 0 .1
-2 .2

250,053
118, 608
190,883

+ 3.0
+ 1.1
+ 1 .5

50
55
34

4,399 - 1 .8
830 -7 0 .1
1,559 + 0.8

68,887
9, 760
13,696

- 1 .6
-7 0 .9
- 4 .8

+ 0 .8
+ 3.9
+ 1.5

14
1» 48
61
54

1 ,4 1 5 ,9 7 9

- 3 .8

57

741

- 0 .1

15,137

62

60, 972

- 3 .2
- 0 .5

1 ,7 4 3 ,4 4 2

n

7 ,2 4 3

m

278, 733
252, 516

- 2 .6

1 7 9 ,3 1 5

-4 -5

21

606

- 4 .7

6 ,9 2 0

- 4 .8

7,313
4,583
2,929

- 1.0
- 0.8
(•)

177,029
113,389
80, 622

+ 1.9
+ 2 .4
- 1 .1

39
19
24

2,066
1,916
835

- 0 .7
+ 0.7
+ 6.0

24,853
23,139
12,310

+ 0.7
+ 3.9
+3.1

132
435

10, 502
10, 299

- 6 .1

279 +14.3
8 ,0 9 6

2,858
2,371

- 1 .1

- 0 .7
-1 .1

3, 746
1 4 1 ,9 3 7

36,975
25,331

+ 3.5
+ 1 .6

+ 1.2
- 3 .0

Kentucky...............
303
Louisiana_______
150
Maine____ ______
171
Maryland...........
92
Massachusetts___ » 188

1 1 ,8 7 4
4 7 ,8 7 2

- 2 .0
- 0 .3

3 4 7 ,8 1 5
1 ,4 5 5 ,0 6 1

- 5 .7
+ 0 .6

24
98

1 ,4 9 2
5 ,3 2 1

- 4 .2
- 1 .3

21, 738
8 4 ,4 8 0

- 0 .4
- 2 .0

Michigan................
Minnesota______
Mississippi.... .........
Missouri________
Montana___ ____

419
267
202
220
113

24,740
13, 277
2,409
23, 539
2,082

-1 .2
+ 0.1
+ 8 .2
+ 0.9
- 2 .5

742,620
382,926
46, 781
673, 226
67,045

+ 3 .3
+ 4 .0
+ 6 .2
+ 3.4
- 0 .1

74
59
21
79
18

4,511
2,990
578
4, 584
250

- 2 .8
-2 . 1
- 6 .0
- 0 .8
- 4 .9

65,308
40, 776
5,079
59, 776
4,185

- 7 .2
- 3 .9
- 6 .1
- 0 .6
- 5 .0

Nebraska................
Nevada_________
New Hampshire...
New Jersey ......... .
New Mexico_____

300
40
138
278
56

6,003
407
2,156
24, 337
591

- 4 .7
+ 1.0
+ 1.3
- 0 .6
+ 4.8

165,716
11,807
61,092
773,690
13,162

+ 1.8
+ 2 .9
- 0 .9
+ 0 .4
+ 5.3

35
12
13
73
16

1,614
151
288
5,270
317

- 2 .5
+ 3.4
+ 1.8
- 1 .8
+ 5.3

19, 270
2,670
3, 755
72,846
3,676

- 3 .6
+5.1
+ 2.7
- 1 .6
+0.1

New Y ork_______
North Carolina__
North Dakota___
Ohio____________
Oklahoma...............

913
97
171
474
246

112,946
1,898
1, 266
33,102
6,401

- 0 .9
- 2 .5
+ 2 .5
- 0 .4
- 1 .4

3,589,173
40, 627
33,790
906, 523
150,180

- 0 .6
+ 2 .5
+ 6 .0
+ 2.7
+ 0.7

277
40
20
172
36

32,213 - 2 .6
1,200 -1 3 .7
395 - 3 .2
10,007 - 0 .9
775 - 9 .0

543, 762
12,204
4,630
141,051
7,886

- 2 .7
-1 4 .8
+ 3.2
- 3 .7
- 4 .2

Oregon...............
Pennsylvania____
Rhode Island........
South Carolina___
South Dakota____

185
702
35
70
128

5,854
53,695
3,630
1,810
1,079

- 1 .8
- 0 .7
-3 .2
+ 2.5
+ 0.3

156,462
1, 607, 594
108,886
43,059
29, 731

- 2 .3
- 0 .7
- 4 .7
+2.1
+ 3 .6

41
178
19
17
15

1,095
10,298
413
419
319

- 1 .6
- 0 .5
(9)
- 5 .8
+ 0.3

16,833
144,682
6,130
3,582
4,079

- 4 .1
- 0 .3
- 1 .7
- 6 .7
+ 0.4

- 1 .5

122, 899

+ 0 .6

- 1 .2

24, 667

+ 1.2

- 3 .3

2 0 4 ,2 0 1

Tennessee_______
Texas___________
U ta h ......................
Vermont.................
Virginia...................
Washington...........
West Virginia____
Wisconsin............
Wyoming_______

251

5,162

115

7 ,1 8 3

69
117
178

204
121
12 41
47

48

2,536

41,076
24,967
163, 259

+ 0.2
- 0 .4
+ 3.8

- 2 .8

64

3 ,3 9 4

+ 0.1
- 1 .5

298,076
176,091

- 0 .5
+ 5.3

60
35

- 3 .1

3 2 9 ,9 2 6

- 1 .6

1,910
1,013
6,176

+ 0.6
- 0 .3
- 1 .8

10, 238
6,318
1 0 ,9 8 2

448

+ 0 .2

I Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
9 No change.
10 Includes restaurants.
II Includes steam railroads.
12 Includes steam railways and express*
13 Data not supplied


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

11, 755

+ 6 .5

13
20
36

12

530
424
2,160

- 2 .2
+ 2.9
- 0 .5

- 4.O

4 2 ,6 2 6

8, 274
5,096
26, 111

- 1 .4
+ 1.0
- 2 .2

2,155
1,229

-1 .6
+ 4.6

29, 890
14, 267

- 1 .5
+ 2.5

1 ,8 8 8

- 1 .8

3,281

+ 2.5

200

+ 2.0

(13)

- 3 .1

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

216

COM PARISON OP E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA RN IN G S IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L ISH M E N T S
IN A P R IL AND M A Y , 1932, B Y S T A T E S —Continued
[Figures in italics are not compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but are taken from reports issued
by cooperating State organizations]

State

Laundries

Dyeing and cleaning

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent payroll (1 cent
estab­
roll,
week)
of
of
lish­
May, change
May, 1932 change
1932
ments

Num­ Number Per Amount of Per
ber of on pay cent payroll (1 cent
roll,
estab­
week)
of
of
May, change
lish­
May, 1932 change
1932
ments

Alabama............... Arkansas________
Colorado________

6
19

10
M73
13
31
4
19
8
14

Connecticut___ Delaware- ______
Dist. of ColumbiaFlorida__________
Georgia_________
14

- 1 .1
- 0.8
- 6. 5

$5,590

- 0.8

5 ,2 3 9

- 0 .3

7,047

4
3

167
35

+ 3.7
+ 2.9

$2,043
434

+ 4.0
- 2 .9

6 ,0 0 6

—2 . 4

'920

- 1 .3

1 2 0 ,0 8 7
U , 543

-7 . 4
- 4 .4
- 1.8

10

151

+ 1 .3

3,237

+ 5.6

1,281
313
2,074
457
683

0
- 0 .9
- 1 .7
- 0 .4
+ 1 .5

24,547 + 0.6
5,049 - 2.0
35,839 + 0.8
5,101 - 10.6
6,846 - 0 .9

14
3
5
6
5

307
40
110
59
140

+ 2.3
+ 8.1
0
+1-7
0

7,334
726
2,369
788
1,730

+5.4
+14.5
+0.3
- 5 .9
- 2 .4

—0 .1

2 5 ,9 7 8
27', 350

+ 1 .0

3,752

+ 0.5
- 1. 2

10

147

+ 3.5

2,757

+ 5.5

524
608

429

1 ,5 6 6

1,744
217

- 2.6
—1. 8

2 J+

1 ,0 5 4

+ 2 .1

1 3 ,3 5 6

- 1 .8

Kentucky_______

22

1,012

- 1.2

13,946

+ 1.8

5

236

- 0 .4

3,955

+ 1.4

M a i n e .. _____
Maryland_______
Massachusetts. . . .

23

489

+ 2.3

7,681

+ 1 .5

4

122

+ 2.5

2,248

+ 1.4

23
98

1 ,6 2 5
3 ,2 6 5

- 0 .7
- 0 .4

2 7 ,3 1 6
5 8 ,1 7 3

+ 2 ,3
- 0 .7

13
112

195
1 ,7 2 8

+ 5 .4
- 6 .3

3 ,6 1 7
3 5 ,1 2 9

+ 9 .9

24
13
7
35
14

1,475
751
347
2,916
358

- 0 .5
- 0.8
- 2.0
- 0.2
—1 .1

25,663
13,644
3,472
42, 948
6,905

- 2.0
0
-0 . 9
- 0.2
- 7 .1

19
9

711
344

+ 6.0
+ 3.3

16,227
6,950

+70.9
+ 2.5

12

387

0

7,320

+ 5.2

10
4
1+
30
4

787
59
278
3,042
222

- 5 .2
- 1 .7
+ 1.5
- 1. 6
—1.8

13,095
1,366
4,537
66, 235
3,441

- 7 .4
- 2 .4
-0 . 5
+ 0.2
+ 0.1

5

153

- 1 .3

3,549

- 0.1

9

351

0

10,818

+ 0.8

69
11
10
83
7

7,099
746
211
4, 738
610

+ 0.6
-0 . 3
-0 . 9
- 0.6
- 1 .5

133,435
8, 774
3,807
82,414
8,287

+ 0 .7
- 1.1
-0 . 5
- 0 .5
- 2.0

18
3

13,875
355

+ 0.6
-1 8 .0

Oregon_________
Pennsylvania____
Rhode Island____
South Carolina___

3
47
19
8
5

253
3,512
1,102
331
127

- 0.8
- 0. 6
0
+ 1.2
+ 0.8

4,587
57, 816
20, 732
3,431
2,077

Tennessee_______
Texas___________
Utah................. — .

14
23
6
6
13

1,048
1,174
539
84
907

- 0 .4
+ 1.1
- 1. 1
+7. 7
- 0.2

10,492
14,490
7,813
1,027
10,729

-5 . 7
+ 1. 2
- 1.6

14
22
23
6

718
778
761
123

+ 0 .7
+ 0.6
0
—1. 6

16, 275
11,031
12,051
2,486

- 2.6
- 1 .3
+ 0.7
-2 . 4

Indiana_________

23
3

Michigan________
M inn esota___ _
Missouri,_______
Nebraska________
New Jersey_____
New Y ork_______
North Carolina Ohio........ .............
Oklahoma______

Virginia.... ..............
Washington_____
West Virginia____

u

1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
0 No change.
14 Includes dyeing and cleaning.


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

611 - 0 .7
32 - 22.0

+ 3.7

38
7

1,331
287

- 0 .5
- 1.0

25,490
4,477

+ 2.8
- 4 .2

-2 .9
- 0.1
+ 0.2
+ 0.2
+1. 5

4
26
6
4

40 +17.6
1,223 +7.1
301 + 5.6
74 + 1.4

960
24, 765
5,848
1,165

+ 5.4
+ 7.3
+ 5.0
+ 5.3

- 3 .6

5
17
7

43
345
116

+ 2.4
+ 5 .8
+ 0.9

704
6,293
2,235

0
+7.1
- 6 .5

27

398

- 1 .5

6,014

+ 3.1

13
10

189
214

+ 0.5
+ 1.4

3,900
3,548

-4 .9
+ 0.8

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT

217

Employment and Pay Roll in May, 1932, in Cities of Over
500,000 Population
N T H E following table are presented the fluctuations in employ­
ment and earnings in May, 1932, as compared with April, 1932,
in 13 cities of the United States having a population of 500,000 or
over. These fluctuations are based on reports received from identical
establishments in each of the months considered.
These city tabulations include all establishments reporting in all
of the industrial groups, except building^ construction in these 13
cities, and also additional employment information secured from
banks, insurance companies, garages, and other establishments in
these 13 cities. Building-construction data are not included in these
totals, as information is not available for all cities at this time.

I

C O M PA RISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND PA Y R O L L IN C IT IE S OF O V ER 500,000 PO PU ­
LA TIO N , A P R IL AND M A Y , 1932

City

New York City ________
Chicago, 111______________
Philadelphia, P a____ _____
Detroit, M ich___________
Los Angeles, Calif________
Cleveland, O h i o ..___ ____
St. Louis, M o____________
Baltimore, M d___ _______
Boston, Mass_____________
Pittsburgh, P a------ ---------San Francisco, Calif______
Buffalo, N. Y ____________
Milwaukee, Wis__________

Number
Amount of pay roll
Number on pay roll
Per
Per
of estab­
(1 week)
cent
cent
lishments
of
of
reporting
in both April, 1932 May, 1932 change April, 1932 May, 1932 change
months
1,888
1,897
673
570
565
1,012
502
575
2,870
327
896
269
448

305,665
205, 525
112,998
191, 715
56, 517
80,137
68,025
50, 213
87,069
50,102
42,074
40,182
36, 670

294, 242
201, 758
111,390
200, 417
55, 230
78, 730
66,050
48, 559
86, 226
49, 517
40, 703
37, 831
35, 751

- 3 .7 $8, 704,180
- 1 .8
5, 250, 389
- 1 . 4 - 2, 502, 504
4, 737, 874
+ 4.5
- 2 .3
1,426, 623
- 1 .8
1,749, 875
- 2 .9
1, 489,148
- 3 .3
1, 034, 229
2, 248,179
-1 .0
1,054,139
- 1 .2
1,072, 784
- 3 .3
- 5 .9
957, 552
- 2 .5
755, 227

$8, 283, 814
5,072,666
2, 409, 234
5, 391, 488
1, 406, 224
1, 736, 684
1, 444, 709
983, 510
2,202,145
1,013, 351
1,046, 600
903, 366
732,217

- 4 .8
-3 .4
- 3 .7
+13.8
-1 .4
-0 .8
-3 .0
-4 .9
-2 .0
-3 .9
-2 .4
-5 .7
-3 .0

Employment in Executive Civil Service of the United States,
May, 1932
H E table following shows for the months of May, 1931, and April
and M ay, 1932, the number of officers and employees of the exec­
utive civil service of the United States Government. The figures are
complete except for temporary employees in the field service of the
Post Office Department. The number of temporary employees in
this department varies greatly, mainly because of seasonal demand.
The principal demand for such workers is during the Christmas mail
rush. Their term of service is usually quite brief.
As indicated by the title of this article, the figures do not include
the legislative, judicial, or Army and Navy services of the United
States. The data are compiled by the various Federal departments
and offices and sent to the United States Civil Service Commission
where they are assembled. They are published here by courtesy of
the commission and in compliance with the direction of Congress.
No information has yet been collected relative to the amounts of
pay rolls. D ata are shown separately for the District of Columbia
and the United States outside of the District of Columbia.
At the end of M ay, 1932, there were 577,211 employees in the exec­
utive civil service of the United States. Of this number, 544,624
were permanent employees and 32,587 were temporary employees.
In the interval between M ay 31, 1931, and M ay 31, 1932, there was a
loss of 3,524 employees. There was, however, a gain of 10,286 in
the number of permanent employees during this period, or 1.80 per

T


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

218

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

cent. The number of temporary employees decreased 13,810, or
29.76 per cent.
Comparing the number on the pay roll on M ay 31, 1932, with the
April 30, 1932, figures there was a loss of 294 in the number of perma­
nent employees, but a gain of 2,235 in the number of temporary
employees.
E M P L O Y E E S IN T H E E X E C U T IV E C IV IL S E R V IC E OF T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , M A Y ,
1931; A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932
District of Columbia
Class

Outside District

Entire service

April,
1932

May,
1932

Permanent employees___ 64,163 1 66,194 66, 062 2 505, 975
Temporary
employees
(not including field
service, Post Office De­
3,192 3,313
38,143
partment) ____________ 8, 254

478,724

478, 562 2 570, 138

27,160

29, 274

46,397

544,118

505,884

507,836

616, 535

May,
1931

Total_____________ 72, 417

April,
1932

May,
1932

69,386 69, 375

May,
1931

Outside District

District of Columbia
Number

Gain or loss

Permanent

Per cent

Temporary

Number

Per- Tem- Perma- pora- manent ry
nent

Temporary

April,
1932

May,
1931

May,
1932

544, 918 544, 624

30, 352

32, 587

575, 270 577, 211

Entire service
Number

Per cent
Per- Temma- poranent ry

Permanent

Temporary

Per cent
Per- Temma- poranent ry

M a y , 1931-May,
1932____________ +1, 899 -4,941 + 3 .0 -5 9 .9 +8,387 - 8 , 869 + 1.7 -2 3 .3 +10, 286 -13,810 + 1.8 -2 9 .8
A p r il, 1932-May,
-294 +2, 235 - ( 3 ) - 7 .4
-132 +121 - . 2 + 3 .8 -162 +2,114 - ( 3) + 7.8
1932____________

Labor turnover

Additions in May, 1932_____
Separation in May, 1932____
Labor turnover May, 1932...

District of Columbia

Outside District

Entire service

Perma- Tempo- Total
nent
rary

Perma- Tempo- Total
nent
rary

Perma- Tempo- Total
nent
rary

232
364
0. 35

306
185
5. 69

538
549
0. 78

2,165
2, 327
0.45

13, 228
11,114
39. 39

15, 393
13, 441
2. 65

2, 397
2, 691
0.44

13, 534
11, 299
35. 90

15, 931
13, 990
2. 43

1 68 mail contractors and special-delivery messengers previously included have been deducted.
2 35,800 star-route and other contractors, clerks in charge of mail contract stations, clerks in third-class
post offices, and special-delivery messengers, who were previously included in these totals have been
deducted.
3 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.

The number of employees in the District of Columbia showed a
decrease of 3,042 comparing M ay, 1932, with M av, 1931, and a de­
crease of 11 comparing M ay, 1932, with April, 1932.
During the month of Mav, 1932, there were 15,931 employees hired
in the entire Federal service and 13,990 employees separated from
the service on account of resignation, termination of appointment,
death, retirement, or other causes. This gives a net turnover rate of
2.43 during the month.
The turnover rate for the District of Columbia was less than onethird of that for the entire service. The District of Columbia rate
was only 0.78 per cent. There were 69,375 employees on the Govern­
ment nay roll in the District of Columbia at the end of M ay, 1932.

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT

219

E m p lo y m e n t in B uilding C o n stru ctio n in M ay, 1932

M PL O Y M E N T in building construction decreased 10.3 per cent
in M ay as compared with April, and earnings decreased 19.4
per cent during the same period. These per cents are based on
information received from 7,417 firms engaged on building operations
which report direct to the Federal bureau and 2,677 additional firms
reporting to various cooperating State labor departments which collect
tins information within their respective jurisdictions.

E

COM PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND T O T A L PA Y R O L L IN T H E BUILDING CON­
STRUCTION IN D U S T R Y IN ID E N T IC A L F IR M S , A P R IL AND M AY 1932

Locality

Num­ Number on pay roll
week ending near—
ber of
Per cent
firms
of
report­
change
ing
Apr. 15
May 15

Alabama: Birmingham. __
82
409
435
California:
Los Angeles1_____ ___
25
874
727
San Francisco Oakland1
36
986
936
Other reporting localitie s1___________ __ _
27
615
610
Colorado: Denver________
191
801
724
Connecticut:
Bridgeport__________
136
593
649
Hartford______ _____
253
1,427
1,395
New Haven. ________
203
2,134
1,499
Delaware: Wilmington___
97
1,489
1,552
District of Columbia___ _
552
8,603
7,587
Florida:
54
Jacksonville... . ____
220
309
Miami____________ .
82
551
655
Georgia: Atlanta_______...
134
1,177
1,149
Illinois:
Chicago1_________ . . .
95
1,094
960
Other reporting localitities 1_______________
35
652
550
Indiana:
Fort Wayne________
107
658
698
Indianapolis________ .
153
851
875
South Bend______
43
287
322
Iowa: Des M oines... _
106
504
522
Kansas: Wichita________
55
206
210
Kentucky: Louisville___
138
1,149
1,070
124
1,321
Louisiana: New Orleans___
1,182
95
422
504
Maine: Portland___ . . . .
132
Maryland: Baltim ore1. . . .
1,526
1,528
Massachusetts: All reporting
752
localities 1__________
6, 584
7,148
Michigan:
424
Detroit___
____
2,971
2,637
Flint.
35
140
148
108
345
Grand R a p id s____. . .
600
Minnesota:
Duluth. ______ . . . __
60
258
238
243
Minneapolis__________
1,680
1,816
143
1,304
1,312
St. Paul_______ ____ .
Missouri:
231
1,689
Kansas City 2. . _____
2,033
435
2, 069
2,129
St. Louis____________
882
140
808
Nebraska: Omaha____ __
331
2,588
New York: New York City1.
10, 267
Other reporting locali107
3,482
3,002
ties 1 ____ _______
38
209
231
North Carolina: Charlotte
Ohio:
86
333
396
Akron_____ ________
506
3,476
3, 233
Cincinnati3__________
409
2,397
2, 704
Cleveland__________ .
548
113
427
D a y to n ____ _______
45
141
177
Youngstown_____ ____
Oklahoma:
642
498
Oklahoma C ity____ .
100
194
53
170
T u ls a ___
. _____
1,021
1,105
196
Oregon: Portland_________
1 Data supplied by cooperating State bureaus.
2 Includes both Kansas City, Kans., and Kansas City, Mo.
8 Includes Covington and New port, Ky.

125620°—32----- 15


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Amount of pay roll
week ending near—
Apr. 15

May 15

Per cent
of
change

+ 6 .4

$5, 700

$6, 598

+15.8

-1 6 .8
- 5 .1

19, 784
25, 400

16, 574
25,601

-1 6 .2
+ 0.8

- 0 .8
- 9 .6

15,160
20,876

14, 357
17, 544

- 5 .3
-1 6 .0

+ 9.4
- 2 .2
-2 9 .8
+ 4 .2
-1 1 .8

15,864
37,698
67,737
31, 356
241, 241

17, 024
39,039
44, 479
34, 031
200,090

+ 7.3
+ 3.6
-3 4 .3
+ 8.5
-17. 1

+40. 5
+18.9
- 2 .4

3,373
12,056
18,671

4, 741
13,853
17,527

+40.6
+14.9
-6 . 1

-1 2 .2

33,149

30, 641

- 7 .6

-1 5 .6

21, 368

15,130

-2 9 .2

+6,1
+ 2 .8
+12.2
- 3 .4
+ 1.9
- 6 .9
-1 0 .5
+ 19.4
+ 0.1

13,723
20,907
6,393
12,382
3, 263
24,891
23,253
10, 079
28,660

15,061
19,981
6,617
10, 772
3, 724
22,991
21,995
13,144
29,977

+ 9 .8
-4 .4
+ 3.5
-1 3 .0
+14.1
- 7 .6
- 5 .4
+30.4
+ 4.6

.

+ 8 .6

185,839

211,990

+ 14.1

-1 1 .2
+ 5.7
+73.9

77, 021
2,402
6,948

64,196
2,639
10,247

-1 6 .7
+ 9.9
+47.5

- 7 .8
+8.1
+ 0 .6

5 ,1S1
43, 459
32,261

4, 716
46,978
33,556

- 9 .0
+ 8.1
+ 4.0

+20.4
+ 2.9
- 8 .4
-7 4 .8

50,060
63,513
22,164
491, 763

57,095
63,756
19,857
74,966

+14.1
+ 0.4
-10. 4
-8 4 .8

-1 3 .8
+ 10.5

114,103
3, 506

87, 541
2,863

-2 3 .3
-1 8 .3

+ 18.9
- 7 .0
+12. 8
-22. 1
+25.5

6, 346
98, 719
62,871
12, 247
3,049

7,286
94,396
74,677
9,902
3,673

+14.8
- 4 .4
+18.8
-1 9 .1
+20.5

-2 2 .4
-1 2 .4
- 7 .6

11,801
3,441
24,437

9, 059
2,903
22,944

-2 3 .2
-1 5 .6
—6 .1

220

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

COM PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T AND T O T A L PA Y R O LL IN T H E BUILDING CON­
STRUCTION IN D U S T R Y IN ID E N T IC A L F IR M S , A P R IL AND M A Y, 1932—Continud
Amount of pay roll
Num­ Number on pay roll
week ending near—
week ending near—
ber of
Per cent
firms
of
change
report­
Apr. 15
May 15
ing
Apr. 15
May 15

Locality

Pennsylvania:
Erie L
___________
Philadelphia i ______
Pittsburgh i.................
Reading1_____________
Scranton i . . . ________
Other reporting localities 1_________ ____
Rhode Island: Providence.
Tennessee:
Knoxville_____________
M em phis_________ . .
Nashville_____________
Texas:
D allas..............................
Houston____ _ . . . . .
San Antonio__________
Utah: Salt Lake City_____
Virginia:
N orfolk-Portsmouth___
Richmond__________ .
Washington:
Seattle_____ ____ _____
Spokane______________
Tacoma______________
West Virginia: Wheeling._.
Wisconsin: All reporting
localities 1______________

Per cent
of
change

28
515
245
57
35

206
4,292
1,831
344
182

258
4,818
1,756
338
203

+25.2
+12.3
- 4 .1
- 1 .7
+11.5

$4, 238
109,314
56, 554
7,292
3,770

$6,466
121,201
53, 794
7,120
4,637

+52.6
+10.9
- 4 .9
- 2 .4
+23.0

197
219

1,243
1,737

1,260
1,676

+ 1.4
- 3 .5

23, 352
43, 253

25,932
43,915

+11.0
+ 1.5

32
95
80

480
744
1,058

346
587
919

-2 7 .9
-2 1. 1
-1 3 .1

6,914
14,985
19, 619

6,032
11, 254
18,424

-1 2 .8
-2 4 .9
- 6 .1

135
122
77
92

781
691
481
527

819
744
527
555

+ 4.9
+ 7.7
+ 9.6
+ 5.3

14,143
12,138
8,454
12, 264

12, 891
13, 375
8,565
11,773

- 8 .9
+10.2
+ 1.3
- 4 .0

90
148

551
1,185

584
1,074

+ 6.0
- 9 .4

11,062
25,520

12,077
21,530

+ 9.2
-1 5 .6

190
43
72
52

1,018
152
138
227

863
148
181
255

-1 5 .2
- 2 .6
+31.2
+12.3

24,718
3,335
2,874
4,612

21,002
2,847
4,183
5,354

-1 5 .0
-1 4 .6
+45.5
+16.1

60

1,243

1,405

+13.0

30,747

34,771

+13.1

Total, all localities___ 10, 094

88,394

79, 260

-1 0 .3

2,473,273

1,993,874

-1 9 .4

1 Data supplied by cooperating State bureaus.

Employment on Class I Steam Railroads in the United States
H E monthly trend of employment from January, 1923, to April,
1932, on Class I railroads—th at is, all roads having operating
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 12-month
average for 1926 as 100.

T

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 RA ILR O A D S IN T H E U N IT ED

S T A T E S , JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO A P R IL , 1932
[12-month average, 1926=100]
1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

98.3
January-------- - ------------February___________________ 98.6
March_____________________ 100.5
102.0
April_______ _ - _____ .
105.0
May ___ ______________ 107.1
July _____ _ . . . _______
108.2
109.4
107.8
107.3
105.2
99.4
December__________________

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
73. 9
72.8
72. 4
71. 2
69. 3
67. 7
64. 5
62. 6

61.2
60.3
60.5
60.0

Average__ __________

98.3

97.9

100.0

97.5

92.9

93.3

83.5

70.6

J 60.5

Month

i Average for 4 months.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

104.1

1932

221

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT

Table 2 shows the total number of employees on the 15th day each
of April, 1931, and March and April, 1932, and the total pay roll for
the entire months.
In these tabulations data for the occupational group reported as
“ executives, officials, and staff assistants” are omitted.
T a b le 3 .—E M P L O Y M E N T AND EA RN IN G S OF RA ILR O A D E M P L O Y E E S , A P R IL , 1931,
AND M ARCH AND A P R IL , 1932

[From monthly reports of Interstate Commerce Commission. As data for only the more important
occupations 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 s

Total earnings

Apr. 15,
1931

Mar. 15,
1932

Professional, clerical, and general___
Clerks ______ _______ ____
Stenographers and typists______

230, 359
125,328
21, 514

197, 049
105, 267
18, 536

194,336 $34,109, 960 $26,992,117 $26,105, 758
103,759 17, 525, 537 13,649,048 13) 126) 370
18,394
2,845,479
2, 271,947
2) 205) 811

Maintenance of way and structures. _
Laborers, extra gang and work
train__________ ___________ _
Laborers, track and roadway
section______________________

290, 569

210, 004

219,252

27,060,604

17, 237,901

31, 228

13, 415

15,559

2, 200, 223

780, 384

843, 200

153, 036

113,413

121,333

10, 534,865

6, 421,656

6,612, 069

362,654
75,677
47, 473
79,601

307,146
62, 359
42, 427
67, 021

298,650
60,793
41, 287
64,856

46, 035,439
10, 780, 323
7,055,912
8,450,424

33,446, 735
7, 558, 704
5,350,669
5, 976, 245

31,136,637
7) 044) 418
4,936,818
5,475,841

29,655

25,080

24,022

2, 712, 074

2, 020,674

1,873, 274

38,821

32, 044

31,430

2, 925, 200

2, 043, 077

1,881,110

163, 290
27,858

140,491
26, 234

138,036
26,101

20,495, 309
4,407,956

16, 204,960
3,826,751

15,506, 609
3,703, 665
2,401,123

Maintenance of equipment and stores.
Carmen_______________ ______
Machinists_______ . . . ______
. .
Skilled trades helpers_____
Laborers (shops, engine houses,
power plants, and stores).
Common laborers (shops, engine
houses, power plants, and
stores)_____ _____________
Transportation, other than train,
engine and yard_________________
Station agents.. _______ . . . . .
Telegraphers, telephoners, and
towermen . . . . ___________
Truckers (stations, warehouses,
and platforms)_________ . . . _
Crossing and bridge flagmen and
gatemen_____________________

Apr. 15,
1932

April, 1931

March,
1932

April, 1932

17,068,340

20,040

17, 634

17, 373

3,078,199

2, 520,480

24, 324

19,419

18,755

2, 253,373

1, 567,758

1, 469,148

19, 002

18, 205

18,125

1, 474,174

1,264,942

1,254, 031

Transportation (yard masters, switch
tenders, and hostlers)__________

18,283

15, 418

15,049

3, 507,194

2,618,187

2,492,497

Transportation, train and engine____
Road conductors_________ ____
Road brakemen and flagmen ..
Y ard brakemen and yard helpers.
Road engineers and motor m en..
Road firemen and helpers______

250,216
28, 447
54, 735
42, 616
33, 399
34,199

212,168
24, 285
46,087
36,144
28, 740
29,481

207,201
23,772
45, 401
35,064
28,003
28,947

48,422,115
6,640, 226
9,080,839
6,947, 326
8, 793, 049
6,368, 046

37,151,440
5,186, 902
6,888) 225
5,179) 072
6,895,901
4, 959, 494

34,159,125
4,832, 558
6,363,046
4, 694,863
6) 360) 990
4, 562,737

All employees______________


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1, 315, 371 1, 082, 276 1, 072,524 179, 680, 621 133,651, 340 126,468,966

RETAIL PRICES
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD IN MAY, 1932
T HAS been the custom of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to publish
each month certain information in regard to the retail prices of food
by cities and articles. In the interest of economy in the cost of print­
ing, some of these detailed statistics are temporarily eliminated from
current publications. Information comparable to that shown in
previous publications is on record in the files of the bureau and avail­
able to those desiring to make use of it.
Rates of electricity for household use and price per 1,000 cubic
feet of gas, by cities, are published in June and December of each
year.
Table 1 shows for 51 cities of the United States retail prices and
index numbers of food on May 15, 1931, and April 15 and May 15,
1932. These prices are simple averages of actual selling prices re­
ported monthly by retail dealers in 51 cities. The index numbers
are based on the average prices in the year 1913.

I

T a b le

1.—A V ER A G E

R E T A IL P R IC E S AND IN D E X N U M B E R S OF FOOD IN T H E
U N IT E D ST A T E S ON M A Y 15, 1931, AND A P R IL 15 AND M A Y 15, 1932
Average retail price on—
Article

Unit

May 15, Apr. 15, May 15, May 15, Apr. 15, Mav 15,
1932
1932
1932
1931
1932
1931

Pound.. .
____do_______
____do_____ _____ d o _____ __ _
_ _.do_ ___ _
___ do_ __ _
___ _do___ _
_____ do_ _ __
____do_ ___
__ __do_ _ __

Oleomargarine (all butter sub-

Pound___
___ _do_
__ __do.

_____

____

Dozen.
Pound. .
__ _ .d o _ . ______
_ ___do_ _ __
Wheat cereal_________________ 28-oz. package.

222


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Index numbers
(1913=100)

C en ts

39.5
34.5
20.1
21.7
14.5

C en ts

33.4
28.6
24.3
17.4
11.7

C en ts

33.0
28.4
23.8
17.0
11.1

155.5
154.7
147.0
135.6
119.8

131.5
128.3
122.7
108.8
96.7

129.9
127.4
120.2
106.3
91.7

30.1
37.6
46.5
31.2
31.7

21.5
24.9
36.3
25.6
26.6

19.9
23.9
35.4
25.0
25.7

143.3
139.3
172.9
165.1
148.8

102.4
92.2
134.9
135.4
124.9

94.8
88.5
131.6
132.3
120.7

33.8
12.3
8.2
31.2

28.1
11.0
7.5
26.8

26.9
10.8
7.3
25.1

138.2

123.6

121.3

81.5

70.0

65.5

23.3
8.7
21.4
20.1
6.9
3.2
3.9
7.6
8.7
22.6

15.1
22.6
8.3
20.7
20.3
6.9
3.2
3.9
7.6
8.6
22.5

124.0
85.4

105. 4
55.1

102.3
52.5

71.9
137.5
112.1
153.3

58.3
123.2
97.0
130.0

58.8
123.2
97.0
130.0

19.6
27.4
13.5
23.3
24.8
7.7
3.7
4.6
8.0
9.0
24.1

RETAIL PRICES

223

T a b ie 1 . — A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S AND IN D E X N U M B E R S OF FOOD IN T H E

U N IT E D ST A T E S ON M AY 15, 1931, AND A P R IL 15 AND M AY 15, 1932-Continued

Index numbers
(1913=100)

Average retail price on
Article

Unit
May 15, Apr. 15, May 15, May 15, Apr. 15, May 15,
1931
1932
1932
1931
1932
1932

Macaroni____________________ Pound__
Rice__________ _ ____ __
Beans, navy_______
_ _____
_do. ___ _
Potatoes_____ _ _ .............
Onions____
_ __ _
___ do. . . . _

C en ts

17.1
8.3
8.2
- 2.8
4.6

C en ts

15.5
6.9
5.2
1.7
10.3

C e n ts

15.4
6.7
5.1
1.8
6.7

Cabbage_ ____ _ ___
___
Pork and beans____ _____
Com, cannedPeas, canned______

____do. _ . . .
16-oz. can__ _
No. 2 can
__ __do_ __ _

4.1
7.5
13.6
14.1

6.4
7.9
10.8
13.1

6.6
7.4
10.8
12.9

Tomatoes, canned___________
Sugar______ _ ______ _____
T ea. _____________
___
Coffee________

____do. _____
Pound___ _ _

10.2
5.6
74.5
33.5

9.5
5.1
72.4
30.5

9.5
4.9
71.9
30.0

12.1
11.0
26.6
37.8

9.6
11.5
23.6
31.9

9.4
11.5
23.2
33.0

Prunes_____ ________ ___
Raisins______
______ __
Bananas______ ____ _____ _
Oranges______ _
___ _ ___ _ _.do_
Weighted food index___

__

____

95.4

79.3

77.0

164.7

100.0

105.9

101.8
136.9
112.4

92.7
133.1
102.3

89.1
132.2
100.7

121.0

103.7

101.3

Table 2 shows the trend in the retail cost of three important groups
of food commodities, viz, cereals, meats, and dairy products, by years
for 1913, 1920, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931 and by months for 193i and
1932. The articles within these groups are as follows:
Cereals: Bread, flour, corn meal, rice, rolled oats, corn flakes, wheat
cereal, macaroni.
M eats: 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 b le 2 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL COST OF C E R E A L S , M EA T S, AND D A IR Y

PR O D U C T S, FO R T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S, B Y Y E A R S FO R 1913, 1920, 1928, 1929, 1930, AND
B Y M ON TH S, 1931 AND 1932
[Average cost in 1923= 100.0]

Year and month

1913___________________
1920__________ ____
1928___________________
1929______
1930___________________
1931: Average for year___
January_____ ____ _
February____ ______
March_____________
A p r il ...___ _ . _
M ay__
. ... _
June__
_ _
Ju ly_______________

Cereals Meats

100.0
232. 1
167. 2
164.1
158.0
135.9
147.1
144.6
142.4
138.9
137.7
136.3
134.3


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

100.0
185. 7
179.2
188.4
175.8
147.0
159.5
153.4
152.5
151.4
149.3
145.7
147.8

Dairy
prod­
ucts
100.0
185.1
iso: o
148. 6
136. 5
114.6
123.6
120.2
120. 5
116. 5
110. 3
108.3
109.6

Year and month

Cereals Meats

1931—Continued.

December____
1932:

___

Dairy
prod­
ucts

132 0
130. 2
120 8
120 1
127.8

140 1
147 7
142 7
135 4
129.3

114 4
111.4

126.4
125. 0
124. 3
122 9
122. 6

123.4
117.3
118 0
118 fi
115 3

106. 5
102.9
101 0
97 4
94.4

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

224

Index Numbers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States

I n T able 3 index numbers are given which show the changes in
the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, for 1913, 1920,
1928, 1929, 1930,2 1931 and by months for 1931 and 1932. These index
numbers, or relative prices, are based on the year 1913 as 100.0 and
are computed by dividing the average price of each commodity for
each month and each year by the average price of that commodity for
1913.
In the last column are given index numbers showing changes in the
retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since January, 1921,

160

140

120

100
JA N .

FEB.

M AR. A P R .

MAY-

JUNE. JULY

AU C. S E P T O C T

NOV

DEC

these index numbers have been computed from the average prices of
the articles of food shown in Table 1, weighted according to the aver­
age family consumption in 1918. (See March, 1921, issue, p. 25.)
Although previous to January, 1921, the number of food articles
varied, these index numbers have been so computed as to be strictly
comparable for the entire period. The index numbers based on the
average for the year 1913 as 100.0 are 103.7 for April, 1932, and 101.3
for May, 1932.
The accompanying chart shows the trend in the cost of the food
budget in 51 cities of the United States by months, January 15, 1930,
to date.
The curve pictures more readily to the eye the changes in the cost
of all articles of food than do the index numbers given in Table 3.
2For 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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RETAIL PRICES

225

T a ble 3 —IN 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 OF FOOD

B Y Y E A R S, 1913, 1920, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, AND B Y M ON TH S FO R 1931 AND 1932
[Average for year 1913=100.0]

Year and
month
1913...... ..............
1920__________
1928__________
1929........ .............
1930__________
1931__________
January___
February..
March____
April. . . .
M a y _____
June______
Ju ly______
August___
September.
October___
November.
December..
1932:
January___
February. _
March____
April___ _
May ____
Year and
month
1913__________
1920__________
1928__________
1929__________
1930__________
1931__________
January___
February. _
March____
April_____
M ay______
June______
Ju ly______
August___
September.
October___
November.
December _
1932:
January___
February. _
M arch____
April_____
M ay_____

Sirloin Rounc Rib Chuck Plate Pork
Lamb
steak steak roast roast beef chops Bacon Ham leg of Hens

Milk Butter

100.0
172.1
188.2
196.9
182.7
155.1
167.3
161.4
158.7
157.5
155.5
152.4
154. 3
155.5
155.1
152.0
146.9
142.9

100.0
177.1
188.3
199.1
184.8
154.3
168.2
161.0
157.8
156.5
154.7
151.1
154.3
155.2
154.3
150.7
144.8
140.4

100.0
167.7
176.8
185.4
172.7
146.0
159.1
154.0
153.0
150.0
147.0
142.9
142.9
143.9
142.9
141.4
137.9
134.8

100.0
163.8
174.4
186.9
170.0
134.4
152.5
145.6
141.9
139.4
135.6
130.6
130.0
130.0
130.6
129.4
126.3
122.5

100.0
151.2
157.0
172.7
155.4
118.2
138.0
131.4
128.1
124.8
119.8
112.4
110.7
109.9
111.6
111.6
109.9
108.3

100.0
201.4
165.7
175.7
171.0
138.6
141.9
131.4
140.0
141.4
143.3
140.0
151. 4
158.6
153.3
139.5
119.0
103.8

100.0
193.7
163.0
161.1
156.7
134.8
148.9
145.2
143.0
141.1
139.3
136.7
137.0
135.6
134.1
127.0
118. 9
112.2

100.0
206.3
196.7
204.1
198.5
170.6
188.1
183.3
178.4
175. 5
172.9
170.6
171.4
171.4
169. 5
164.3
155. 4
147.6

10C.0
207.9
208.5
212.2
185.7
156.1
166.1
164.6
164.0
165.6
165.1
161.9
158.7
156.6
152.4
145.5
138.1
131.7

100.0
209.9
175.6
186.4
166.7
145.5
153.5
148.8
150. 2
153.1
148.8
146.0
144.6
145.1
145.1
140.4
137.1
134.3

100.0
187.6
159.6
160.7
157.3
138.2
149.4
146.1
144.9
141.6
138.2
134.8
136.0
136.0
136.0
134.8
134.8
130.3

100.0
183.0
147.5
143.9
120.4
92.4
98.4
94.8
97.4
91.9
81.5
80. 7
82.8
89.8
96.1
104.2
97.4
95.3

137.4
130. 7
129.9
131.5
129.9

135.0
127.4
127.8
128.3
127.4

129.8
123.2
123.2
122.7
120.2

115.6
108.1
108.1
108.8
106.3

101. 7
96.7
95.9
96.7
91.7

99.5
91.0
102.4
102.4
94.8

101.5
96.7
95.2
92.2
88.5

139.8
136.4
136.1
134.9
131.6

127.5
125.4
131.7
135.4
132. 3

131.0
127.2
128.2
124.9
120.7

129.2
128.1
127.0
123.6
121.3

84.3
77.0
77.0
70.0
65.5

Eggs Bread Flour

Corn
meal

Rice

Pota­ Sugar
toes

100.0 100.0 100.0
205.4 245.5 216.7
162. 5 163.6 176.7
160.7 154.5 176.7
155.4 142. 4 176.7
135. 7 109.1 153.3
146.4 121. 2 170.0
142.9 121. 2 166. 7
141.1 118.2 166.7
137.5 115.2 163.3
137.5 112.1 153.3
135.7 112.1 150.0
133.9 109.1 150.0
132.1 103. 0 150.0
130.4 100.0 150.0
130.4 100. 0 146.7
130.4 100.0 140.0
128.6 100.0 136.7

100.0
200.0
114.9
111.5
109.2
94.3
102.3
102.3
98.9
96.6
95.4
94.3
93.1
93.1
92.0
89.7
86.2
85.1

100.0
370.6
158. 8
188.2
211.8
135. 3
170.6
158.8
158.8
164.7
164.7
141.2
135.3
129.4
117. 6
105.9

126.8
125.0
125.0
123.2
123. 2

85.1
82.8
81.6
79.3
77.0

Cheese Lard

188. 2
174.2
171.9
158.8
127.1
145.2
141.2
137.1
132.6
124.0
119.9
118. 6
119.9
122.2
122.6
121.3
118.6

100.0
186.7
117.7
115.8
107. 6
84.2
99.4
91.8
89.9
89.9
85.4
82.3
82.3
81.0
79.8
78.5
77.2
70.9

197. 4
134.5
142.0
118. 8
91.9
104.6
78.8
82.6
79.4
71.9
74.8
82.9
92.5
98.0
109. 9
115. 1
111.6

115.4
110.4
107.7
105.4
102. 3

63.9
59.5
57.0
55.1
52.5

86.1
70.1
61.2
58.3
58.8

100. 0

100. 0

100.0
100.0
97.0
97.0
97.0

133.3
133.3
130. 0
130.0
130.0

Tea

ar­
Coffee All
ticles1

105.9

100.0
352.7
129.1
120.0
112. 7
103.6
107.3
107.3
105.5
103.6
101.8
101.8
101.8
103.6
103.6
101.8
101.8
100.0

100.0
134.7
142.3
142.6
142.5
138.6
141.0
140.6
139.7
138.2
136.9
136.8
137.3
138. 6
139.3
139.0
138.1
138.1

100.
157.7
165.1
164.8
136.2
113. 4
126.8
125.2
121.8
116.1
112.4
111.1
109.1
108.7
108.7
107.7
106. 7
105.7

100.0
203. 4
154.3
156.7
147.1
121.3
132.8
127.0
126.4
124.0
121.0
118.3
119.0
119.7
119.4
119. 1
116.7
114.3

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
105. 9

98.2
96.4
94.5
92.7
89.1

136.2
135.3
134.7
133.1
132.2

104.4
104.0
103.4
102.3
100. 7

109.3
105.3
105.0
103.7
101.3

100. 0

1 22 articles in 1913-1920; 42 articles in 1921-1932.

Comparison of Retail Food Costs in 51 Cities

T a b l e 4 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
in the retail cost of food in the United States in May, 1932, com­
pared with the average cost in the year 1913, in M ay, 1931, and
April, 1932. 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 consumption of these articles in each city. The
consumption figures which have been used since January, 1921, are

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

226

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

given in the Labor Review for March, 1921 (p. 26). Those used for
prior dates are given in the Labor Review for November, 1918,
(pp. 94 and 95).
T a ble 4 .—P E R C E N T A G E CHANGE IN T H E R E T A IL CO ST OF FOOD IN M AY, 1932, COM­

P A R E D W ITH T H E COST IN A P R IL , 1932, M AY, 1931, AND W ITH T H E A V ER A G E COST
IN T H E Y E A R 1913, B Y C IT IE S
Percent­ Percentage decrease
May, 1932, com­
age in­
pared with—
crease
May,
1932, com­
pared
April,
May,
1932
with 1913
1931

City

B a ltim o re.______
Boston__________

1. 3

16. 3

2.4

Minneapolis______

0.1

17.1
18.4
14. 9
17.4
13. 8

0.7
3.8
3.3
3.1
2.7

Newark________
New Haven---------New Orleans_____

5.8
8.8
10.7

New York__ _____

10.0

6.6

13.8
16. 7
14.9
17.6
23. 0

3.7
2.7
1.8
3.9
2.2

Omaha__________
Peoria___________
P h ila d e lp h ia..----

15.6

P ittsb u rgh _____

1 1.9

18.2
19.6
15. 4
13.2

1.5
3.5
3.0
0.7

Portland, Oreg-----Providence_______
R ichm ond ... . . .

1 2.7
3.1
2.7

2.6
2. 2
4.8
3.4

St. Louis_______ _
St. Paul__________
Salt Lake City-----San Francisco-------

1.9

14.7

24.3
14. 8
19.9
17. 2

1 7. 2
* 1.1
1 9. 5
i 7.4

18. 8
19. 4
20. 1
15. 6

1. 9
2.5
1.8
0.1

Scranton . .
Seattle.. .

i 4.8
0.6
1 3. 5
1.7

16.9
16.3
14. 0
15.4

1.8
2. 1
0.4
3.4

Hawaii:

6.5
8.9
1 1.6

Cleveland______

13.4

D enver........... .........

i 2.3
1 5.3
16.4
0.6

.. .
. .

Milwaukee_______

City

0. 7
2.3
0. 9
0.1

Charleston, S. C .
Chicago ...............

Louisville..
Manchester .

Percent­ Percentage decrease
May, 1932, com­
age in­
pared with—
crease
May,
1932, com­
April,
May,
pared
1932
with 1913
1931

1 Decrease.

6.1

i 10.9
7.3

___

8.8
2.8

Washington, D. C .

6.2

Other localities.

17.9
18. 3
14.5
13.2
14.3

2.3
4. 2
2.5
3. 1
4. 5

13.6
13.6
17.4
15.7
16.8

1 .1
2.0
4.0
4.0
0.9

19. 8
12.3
10.6
14.0
17.8

3.8
2.5
2 0.2
2. 2
3. 3

13.0
18.0
16.5
16.0
12.6

3. 0
2.7
0.9
0.3
2. 2

19.0
14.5
13.4
16.2
18.9

3.0
2.0
1. 7
2.9
3.3

9.4
8.8

2.4
1.5

2 Increase.

Effort has been made by the bureau each month to have all sched­
ules for each city included in the average prices. For the month
of March schedules were received from 99 per cent of the firms in
the 51 cities from which retail prices of food are collected.
Out of about 1,212 food reports 15 were not received— 1 each in
Birmingham, Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, New
Orleans, Peoria, San Francisco, and Seattle; 2 each in Denver, St.
Louis, and Salt Lake City.
Out of about 350 bread reports 2 were missing— 1 each in Portland
(Oreg.) and Seattle.
A perfect record is shown for the following-named cities: Atlanta,
Baltimore, Boston, Bridgeport, Buffalo, Butte, Charleston (S. C.),
Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Fall River, Houston, Indian­
apolis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Manchester,
Memphis, Milwaukee, Mobile, Newark, New Haven, New York,
Norfolk, Omaha, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland (M e.), Provi­
dence, Richmond, Rochester, St. Paul, Savannah, Scranton, Springfield (111.), and Washington.

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RETAIL PRICES

227

Retail Prices of Coal in May, 1932 1
E T A IL prices of coal are secured in each of the 51 cities in which
retail food prices are obtained. The prices quoted are for coal
delivered to consumers but do not include charges for storing the coal
in cellar or bins where an extra handling is necessary.
Average prices for the United States for bituminous coal and for
stove and chestnut sizes of Pennsylvania anthracite are computed
from the quotations received from retail dealers in all cities where
these coals are sold for household use.
Table 1 shows the average prices of coal per ton of 2,000 pounds
and index numbers for the United States on M ay 15, 1932, in com­
parison with the average prices on M ay 15, 1931, and April 15, 1932,
together with the percentage change in the year and in the month.

R

A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E P E R 2,000 POUNDS OF COAL FO R T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S,
AND P E R C E N T OF CHANGE ON M AY 15, 1932, C O M PA R ED W ITH M A Y 15, 1931, AND
A P R IL 15, 1932

Average retail price on-—

Per cent of decrease
May, 1932, com­
pared with—

Article

Pennsylvania anthracite:
S to v e Average price per 2,000 pounds ______ . . .
Index (1913=100.0)_______________________
Chestnut—
Average price per 2,000 pounds.
. . . . .
Index (1913=100.0)_______________________
Bituminous—
Average price per 2,000 pounds
... ... _
Index (1913=100.0)_______________________

M ay 15,
1931

Apr. 15,
1932

May 15,
1932

May 15,
1931

$14.22
184.0

$13. 62
176.3

$13. 31
172.2

6.4

2.3

$14.19
179.4

$13.46
170.0

$13.11
165.7

7.6

2.6

$8.04
148.0

$7. 85
144.5

$7. 60
139.9

5.5

3.2

Apr. 15,
1932

Table 2 shows average retail prices of coal by cities. In addition
to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are shown for Colo­
rado, 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.
1 Prices of coal were formerly secured semiannually and published in the March and September issues
of the Labor Review. Since June, 1920, these prices have been secured and published monthly.


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228

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF COAL P E R TON OF 2,000 POUNDS, FO R H OUSEHOLD
U SE, ON M A Y 15, 1931, AND A P R IL 15 AND M A Y 15, 1932
1931
City, and kind of coal

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_____ _ _.
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_______ _
Low volatile.. . . . . . .
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________
Chestnut.. _________ .
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________
Low volatile. ______
Columbus, Ohio:
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________
Low volatile ._ . . . . .
Dallas, Tex.:
Arkansas anthracite—Egg..
Bit.uminus, prepared sizes..
Denver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 mixed.
Stove, 3 and 5 mixed ..
Bituminous, prepared sizes
Detroit, Mich.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove._. ______________
Chestnut
___________
Bituminous—•
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________
Low volatile.. ______
Run of mine—
Low volatile. _______
Fall River, Mass.:
Pennsylvania an th racitestove_______________ .
Chestnut..... ................ .......


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1932

1931

May
15

Apr.
15

May
15

$6.69

$5. 73

$5.42

13. 25
13.00

11.50
11.25

11.50
11.25

7.61

6.93

6.89

6.31

5.33

4.98

14.75
14.69

13. 35
13.10

13.25
13.00

14.13
14.13

13.00
13.00

13.00
13.00

12.60
12.60

11.75
11.50

11.88
11.63

10.49

9.73

9.76

9.67

9.50

9. 50

15.75
15.75

16.75
16.75

15.30
15.05

7.39
9.86

7.86
10.41

7. 65
8.97

7.24

7.23

6.95

5.05
7.03

4.75
6.50

4.75
6. 50

14.00
13.88

14.44
14.31

13.81
13. 56

6. 58
8. 57

6.56
9. 21

6.28
8. 39

5. 30
7.00

5. 25
6. 67

5.10
6.17

14.50
12. 25

14.00
10.00

14.00
10. 00

15.25
15. 25
8. 47

14.88
14. 88
7. 87

14. 88
14.81
7. 74

14. 50
14.50

13.67
13. 58

13.17
13.00

6.97
8.13

6.04
6. 61

6.06
6.85

7.13

6. 25

6. 25

15.00
15.00

14.00
13. 75

14.00
13. 75

City, and kind of coal

May
15

Houston, Tex.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. $10.40
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________ 5. 68
Low volatile. _______
7.75
Run of mine—
Low volatile________
6. 65
Jacksonville, Fla.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 10.00
Kansas City, Mo.:
Arkansas anthracite—
Furnace_______________ 11.94
Stove No. 4 ________ . . 13. 33
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 6.73
Little Rock, Ark.:
Arkansas anthracite—Egg.. 13.00
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 9.39
Los Angeles, Calif.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 15. 50
Louisville, K y.:
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile... ___ _ 5.03
Low volatile. ______
7. 50
Manchester, N. H.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove. ____________ . _ 15. 50
Chestnut. ___________ 15.50
Memphis, Tenn.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 7.02
Milwaukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove. _____ ______
15. 25
Chestnut______________ 15.25
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile___ _ _ _. 7.45
Low volatile. . _
9. 54
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove. _______________ 17.25
Chestnut. _____ _. __ 17.20
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile________
9.91
Low volatile. ______ 12.48
Mobile, Ala.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 8.31
Newark, N. J.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove. ______ ._ . . . 12.81
Chestnut
___
___
12.81
New Haven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove. . _________ _ _ 14.15
Chestnut. ________ . . . 14.15
New Orleans, La.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 8.07
New York, N. Y .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove.
_ ____________ 12.96
Chestnut. . . . _______ 12.96
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove. ___ . . . . .
13. 50
Chestnut___ _______
13. 50
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile..
_____ 6.50
Low volatile___ _ _ _ _ 7.00
Run of mine—
Low volatile.
. ...
6.63
Omaha, Nebr.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 9.11

1932
Apr.
15

May
15

$10. 20

$9.90

5. 54
7.96

5.08
6. 75

6.55

5. 85

10.00

10.00

11.38
12.67
6.12

11.38
12. 67
6. 00

12.25
8. 72

11.75
8. 33

16.25

15.88

4.73
6. 75

4. 71
6. 75

14. 50
14. 50

14. 50
14. 50

6.82

6.87

15.05
14.80

14.45
14.20

7.45
10. 01

7.02
8.78

16. 60
16. 35

16. 75
16. 50

9.34
12.04

9. 61
11.87

8.13

7.70

11.75
11. 50

11.88
11.63

13. 75
13. 75

13. 65
13. 65

9.93

8.64

11.67
11.42

11.79
11.54

14.50
14. 50

12.50
12. 50

7.00
9.00

6. 50
7. 50

7.00

6. 38

8.74

8. 84

RETAIL PRICES

229

A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF COAL P E R TON OF 2,000 POUNDS, FO R HOUSEHOLD
U SE , ON M A Y 15, 1931, AND A P R IL 15 AND M A Y 15, 1932—Continued
1931
City, and kind of coal

Peoria, 111.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove____________ ____
Chestnut_____ ____ . . .
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
C hestnut_______ . . .
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Portland, Me.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Chestnut_________ ____
Portland, Oreg.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Providence, R. I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove____ _____________
C h estn u t__ ______
Richmond, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ___________ . . . .
Chestnut________ . . . . .
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________
Low volatile_________
Run of mine —

1931

1932

May
15

Apr.
15

May
15

$6.23

$6.10

$6.16

12.25
12.25

11.00
10.75

11.00
10. 75

14. 25
4.66

13. 75
4. 46

13.00
4. 46

15. 84
15.84

14. 88
14.64

14. 88
14. 64

12.82

11.98

11.98

i 14.75 i 14.00 i 14.00
i 14.75 ‘ 13.75 1 13.75
13.50
13.50

14.00
14.00

12.75
12. 75

7. 25
7.83

7.25
8.05

6.67
7.15

6. 75

6. 75

6. 25

13. 50
13.50
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove------------ ----------- 15. 97
Chestnut______ ______ 15.91
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 5.19

12. 50
12. 25

12. 00
11. 75

16.47
16.47
5. 61

14.85
14.85
5. 75

Rochester, N. Y .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—

. City, and kind oi coal

St. Paul, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove.. . . ---------- -------Chestnut-------- -----------Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________
Low volatile_________
Salt Lake City, Utah:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
San Francisco, Calif.:
New Mexico anthracite—
Cerillos egg. .
_______
Colorado anthracite—
Egg----------------------------Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Savannah, Ga.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove________________ Chestnut________ ______
Seattle, Wash.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Springfield, 111.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Washington, D. C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite —
Stove__________________
Bituminous —
Prepared sizes —
Run of mine—
Mixed-------- ---------------

May
15

1932
Apr.
15

May
15

$17. 25 $16. 60 $16. 75
17.25 16.35 16.50
9.67
12.52

9.36
12.06

9. 53
11.87

7.60

7.54

7.58

25.00

26. 00

25.00

24.50
15.75

25.50
17.00

24.50
15.00

2 9. 62 2 8.53

2 8.45

9.50
9. 48

8.55
8.28

8.63
8.35

10.68

10. 24

10.17

4. 34

4. 34

4.34

12. 92 3 13.36 313.56
12. 92 3 13.06 313.26
7.36
9. 25

38. 29 3 8. 29
39.86 3 9. 93

7. 04

3 7.50

3 7.50

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.
2 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

WHOLESALE PRICES
Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices, May, 1932

T

H E following table presents the index numbers of wholesale prices
by groups of commodities, for specified years, and by months, from
January, 1931, to date.
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF W H O LESA LE P R IC E S
[1926 = 100. 0]

Year and month

1913...................................
1920_________________
1926_________________
1927_________________
1928_________________
1929_________________
1930_________________
1931..................................
1931:
January______ . . .
February________
March___________
April____________
M ay_____ _______
June____ ________
Ju ly_____ ____ _
August__________
September_______
October___ ______
November_______
December________
1932:
January________
February.................
March___________
April____________
M ay_____________

Hides
and
Tex­ Fuel Metals
Chem­ House
Farm
and Build­
fur­
tile
and metal
ing
icals
prod­ Foods leath­
er
prod­ light­ prod­ mate­ and nish­
ucts
ing
prod­ ucts
ing
rials drugs goods
ucts
ucts

All
Miscom­
cellane- modi­
ties
ous

71.5
150.7
100.0
99.4
105.9
104.9
88.3
64.8

64.2
137.4
100.0
96.7
101.0
99.9
90.5
74.6

68.1
171.3
100.0
107.7
121. 4
109.1
100.0
86.1

57.3
164.8
100.0
95.6
95.5
90.4
80.3
66.3

61.3
163.7
100.0
88.3
84.3
83.0
78.5
67.5

90.8
149.4
100.0
96.3
97.0
100. 5
92.1
84.5

56.7
150.1
100.0
94. 7
94. 1
95.4
89.9
79.2

80. 2
164.7
100.0
96.8
95.6
94.2
89.1
79.3

56.3
141.8
100. 0
97. 5
95. 1
94.3
92.7
84.9

93.1
167.5
100.0
91.0
85.4
82.6
77.7
69.8

69.8
154.4
100.0
95.4
96.7
95.3
86.4
73.0

73.1
70. 1
70.6
70.1
67.1
65.4
64.9
63.5
60.5
58.8
58.7
55.7

80.7
78.0.
77.6
76.3
73.8
73.3
74.0
74.6
73.7
73.3
71.0
69.1

88.7
86.9
87.6
87.5
87.6
88.0
89.4
88.7
85.0
82.5
81.6
79.8

71.3
70.9
70.0
68.2
67.4
66.6
66.5
65.5
64.5
63.0
62.2
60.8

73.3
72.5
68.3
65.4
65.3
62.9
62.9
66.5
67.4
67.8
69.4
68.3

86.9
86.5
86.4
85.7
85.0
84.4
84.3
83.9
83.9
82.8
82.6
82.2

83.8
82.5
82. 5
81.5
80.0
79.3
78.1
77.6
77.0
76. 1
76.2
75.7

84.5
83.3
82.9
81.3
80.5
79.4
78.9
76.9
76.3
75.6
76.1
76.1

88.3
88.1
88.0
87.9
86.8
86. 4
85.7
84.9
82.7
81.0
80.9
78. 5

72.2
71.5
72.0
71.5
70.5
69.7
69.7
68.3
68.2
66.6
68.7
66.8

78.2
76.8
76.0
74.8
73. 2
72.1
72.0
72. 1
71.2
70.3
70.2
68.6

52.8
50. 6
50.2
49.2
46.6

64. 7
62.5
62.3
61.0
59.3

79.3
78.3
77.3
75.0
72.5

59.9
59.8
58.7
57.0
55.6

67.9
68.3
67.9
70.2
70. 7

81.8
80.9
80.8
80.3
80. 1

74.8
73.4
73.2
72. 5
71.5

75.7
75. 5
75.3
74.4
73.6

77.7
77. 5
77. 1
76.3
74.8

65.6
64. 7
64.7
64.7
64.4

67.3
66.3
66.0
65.5
64.4

IN D E X N U M B E R S OF S P E C IF IE D GRO U PS OF C O M M O D IT IE S

Group
Raw materials________ ___________
Semimanufactured articles________________
Finished products_________ ______ _____
Nonagricultural commodities____________
All commodities other than farm products and foods_________________

230


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

May,
1931
66. 5
69.8
76. 9
74. 5
75.1

April,
1932
55. 5

59. 6
71 i
68. 9
70.9

May,
1932
53 9
58.1
70 3
68.1
70.4

231

WHOLESALE PRICES
Weekly Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices

A s u m m a r i z a t i o n of the weekly index numbers for the 10 major
groups of commodities and for all commodities combined as issued
during the month of M ay will be found in the following statement:
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF W H O LESA LE P R IC E S FO R T H E W E E K S OF M A Y , 1932
Week ending—
Group
All commodities............. ..........................- ............ — ............

M ay 7

M ay 14

May 21

May 28

65.1

64.9

64. 5

64.3

47.9
60.2
73.3
56.5
71.7
80.2
71.7
74.0
76.2
64.7

47.8
59.9
73.3
56.1
71.6
80. 1
71.7
73.7
75.9
64.6

47.1
59. 1
72.2
55.8
71.4
79.9
71.8
73.6
75.9
64.4

46.3
59.3
72.1
55.4
71.4
79.8
71.3
73.4
75.9
64.1

Wholesale Price Trends During May

T h e index number of wholesale commodity prices as computed
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of
of Labor shows a decrease from April, 1932, to M ay, 1932. _ This
index number, which includes 784 commodities or price series weighted
according to the importance of each article, and based on the average
prices for the year 1926 as 100.0, averaged 64.4 for M ay as compared
with 65.5 for' the month of April, showing a decrease of approxi­
mately 1% per cent between the two months. When compared with
May, 1931, with an index number of 73.2 a decrease of about 12 per
cent has been recorded in the 12 months.
In the group of farm products, decreases in the average price of
grains, cows, steers, hogs, sheep, live poultry, cotton, hay, fresh milk
at Chicago, peanuts, onions, tobacco, and wool, caused the group as a
whole to decline 5% per cent from the previous month. Increases in
the average price for the month were shown for calves, dried beans,
eggs, lemons, oranges, and sweet potatoes.
Among foods, price decreases were reported for butter, cheese, evap­
orated milk, bread, crackers, meats, lard, raw and granulated sugar, and
vegetable oils. On the other hand, wheat flour, prunes, canned spinach,
and coffee averaged higher than in the month before. The group as
a whole declined 2% per cent in M ay when compared with April. _
The hides and leather products group decreased 3% per cent during
the month, with all of the subgroups sharing in the decline. The
group of textile products as a whole decreased 2% per cent from April
to M ay, due to marked declines for cotton goods, knit goods, silk
and rayon, woolen and worsted goods, and other textile products.
The subgroup of clothing declined slightly.
In the group of fuel and lighting materials increases in the prices of
gas, Pennsylvania gasoline, and crude petroleum more than offset
decreases in the prices of anthracite coal, bituminous coal, coke, and
electricity, resulting in a net advance of three-fourths of 1 per cent
over the April level for the group as a whole.
M etals and metal products showed a slight downward tendency for
May. Decreases were shown for agricultural implements,iron and steel,
and nonferrous metals. Motor vehicles and plumbing and heating fix
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

232

M O N TH LY

LABO R

R E V IE W

tures showed no change between April and May. In the group of build­
ing materials, cement and structural steel showed no change in average
prices for the two months. # Brick and tile, paint and paint materials,
and other building materials continued their downward movement,
forcing the group as a whole to decline approximately 1% per cent.
Mixed fertilizers showed further recession during M ay, as did also
chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and fertilizer materials. The
group as a whole decreased more than 1 per cent from the April level.
Furniture averaged 4 per cent lower in M ay than in April, while
furnishings were slightly higher. As a whole the house-furnishing
goods group declined about 2 per cent from the month before.

The group of miscellaneous commodities decreased one-half of 1 per
cent between April and M ay due to sharp declines in prices of cattle
feed. Paper and pulp declined slightly, while for crude rubber and
other miscellaneous commodities the trend was upward. Auto­
mobile tires and tubes remained at the April level.
The M ay averages for all of the special groups of commodities were
below the averages for April, ranging from a little more than one-half
1 Per_cent in the case of all commodities other than farm products
and foods to nearly 3 per cent in the case of raw materials.
. Between April and M ay, price decreases took place in 302 instances,
increases m 55 instances, while in 427 instances no change in price
occurred.

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

W H O LESALE

233

P R IC E S

IN D E X N U M B E R S OF W H O LESA LE P R IC E S B Y GROUPS AND SU BG R O U PS OF COM­
M O D IT IE S
[1926=100.0]

Commodity groups and subgroups

Meats___. - . I ____________________ _____________

Cotton goods_______________ ___________________

All commodities other than farm products and foods —
1 Data not yet available, j


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

May, 1931 April, 1932

May, 1932

Purchasing
power of
the dollar,
May, 1932

73.2

65.5

64.4

$1. 553

67.1
59.6
64.1
71.5

49.2
44.5
49.2
51.2

46.6
42.6
44.4
49.6

2.146
2. 347
2.252
2.016

73.8
78.1
74.6
76.1
74.4
67.9

61.0
61 6
68.2
62.3
59.8
55.8

59.3
59.6
68.1
61.5
56.5
54.9

1.686
1.678
1.468
1.626
1.770
1.821

87.6
94.8
62.6
88.1
101.4

75.0
88.4
40.8
67.2
98.0

72.5
88.4
35.7
60.6
97.9

1.379
1.131
2.801
1.650
1.021

67.4
76.9
69.2
60.7
41.4
68.5
76.7

57.0
68.7
55.1
51.9
31.3
59.7
68.2

55.6
68.2
52.9
50.5
29.1
58.3
67.2

1.799
1.466
1.890
1.980
3.436
1.715
1.488

65.3
87.5
83.9
83.7
98.0
99.0
35.9

70.2
85.7
82.7
79.8
103.5
99.1
45.5

70.7
85.6
82.0
77.1
(0
I1)
47.2

1.414
1.168
1.220
1.297
2.119

85.0
94.3
83.8
94.5
63.3
86.6

80.3
85.0
80.1
93.8
49.3
64.4

80.1
84.9
80.0
93.8
48.3
64.4

1.248
1.178
1.250
1.066
2.070
1.553

80.0
83.7
79.7
69.4
80.2
86.6
84.3
86.3

72.5
78.4
75.0
60.0
74.7
64.4
81.7
80.2

71.5
77.4
75.0
59.5
73.9
64.4
81.7
78.2

1.399
1.292
1.333
1.681
1.353
1.553
1.224
1.279

80.5
83.9
63.2
80.5
82.8

74.4
79.7
58.9
70.1
71.1

73.6
79.1
58.7
69.4
69.0

1.359
1.264
1.704
1.441
1.449

86.8
83.6
90.4

76.3
75.4
77.4

74.8
75.5
74.1

1.337
1.325
1.350

70.5
46.9
67.9
81.5
13.7
88.5

64.7
39.2
53.4
76.8
6.6
84.5

64.4
39.2
45.9
76.5
6.7
84.6

1.553
2. 551
2.179
1.307
14. 925
1.182

66.5
69.8
76.9
74.5
75.1

55.5
59.6
71.1
68.9
70.9

53.9
58.1
70.3
68. 1
70.4

1.855
1.721
1.422
1.468
1.420

COST OF LIVING
B u d g et fo r D ep en d en t F am ilies or C hildren

H E following budget for dependent families or children was
prepared by the Heller Committee for Research in Social Econ­
omics in response to a request in February, 1932, by the probation
committee of the Juvenile Court of San Francisco and a committee
of the community chest of that city.1
The budget suggests a minimum expenditure of $1,188 per annum
or $99 per month for a family of five— a man, wife, boy of 11, girl of 6,
and a boy of 3. This amount, the committee declares, “ is admittedly
an income below that commonly considered a living wage.” The
prices are for San Francisco, November, 1931.

T

M O N T H LY B U D G E T FO R D E P E N D E N T F A M IL IE S OR C H IL D R E N
Addi­
tional
For
for each
family person
in
family

Item

Food:
Man, moderately active_____ _
Man, sedentary______
____.

_

______ ____
_ ____
__

__ ____________ _
i $9.10
__________ 1 8. 75
i 8. 75
1 11. 01
Girl’ 14 to 18 years__
l 8. 93
1 8. 23
Child, 6 to 8 years___________ ________ . . . ____ __ _ _ _
i 6. 73
Child, 3 to 5 years_______ .
_ _ ___ _______ _ _ _____
i 6. 76
Child, 1 to 2 years_______ _
1 6. 48
Clothing: 2
Man, employed___________
3.45
Man, unemployed__________
...
....
2. 62
Woman, housewife______ .
3 55
Boy, 16 to 20, employed . .
.......
_
.......
5. 89
Girl, 16 to 20, employed. _
.
. . . . .
6. 01
Boy, 14 to 15. _________
3 50
Girl, 14 to 15______________________________
..
3. 29
Bov, 9 to 13_________________ _ _ _ _ _
. . .
2. 91
Girl, 9 to 13_________________________
2 65
Boy, 6 to 8 ________________ ._ _____ . . . _ __ _ _
2. 64
Girl, 6 to 8...... .............. ............ . . _ _ __ . . . . . . . .
2. 30
Child, 1 to 5__________________ . . . __________________
1. 59
Rent:
Family of 3 (3 rooms)..........
. . . ___
____ _____
20. 00
Family of 4 (4 rooms)__ ___________ ____ _ ______ _
21. 00
Family of 5 or 6 (5 rooms)______ __________________
26. 00
House operation:
Electricity, for ail families (25 kilowatt-hours per month)________________________
1. 53
Gas (cooking), for all families (1,150 cubic feet)_____________ _______ . . . _______ _
1. 58
Add 115~cubic feet for each person in family. ______
____ . . .
Wood and coal (heating), for all families (on yearly basis of—1 ton coal, $17; 9 sacks
. _______ ____ _
_______ .
wood blocks, $ 4.50)_______
1.79
House-cleaning supplies, for all families (on yearly basis of—24 cakes laundry soap,
$0.91; 1 can bleach, $0.10; 8 cans cleanser, $0.40; 3 cans disinfectant, $0.30; other,
$1.25)_______________________________________
.
.25
Add for each person in family (on yearly basis of—16 cakes laundry soap, $0.61;
Vi pound starch, $0.04)_______________ ____ _________ _____________
____
Stationery and postage, all families_________________________
.12
Garbage removal, all families____________
. 50
Furnishings:
Total initial cost of kitchen equipment, bedding, dishes, laundry equipment, brooms,
etc., for family of five, $200. Annual replacement (10 per cent), $20, of which half
charged to h o u s e ..._______ ____________________________
.82
Remainder allocated among members of family____________________________
See footnotes at end of table.

$0.10

.05

.1

1 California, University of. Heller Committee for Research in Social Economics. Cost of living studies:
Budget for dependent families or children. For use by social welfare agencies. Berkeley, February, 1932.
(Mimeographed.)

234

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C O ST

OF

235

L IV IN G

M O N T H LY B U D G E T FO R D E P E N D E N T F A M IL IE S OR C H IL D R EN —Continued

Item

Care of the person:
Cleaning supplies, per person (on yearly basis of—10 cakes toilet soap, $0.62; 2 tooth­
brushes, $0.50; 2 tubes toothpaste, $0.36; other, $0.65).
Shaving upkeep, per man or grown son (on yearly basis of 2 packages blades, $1.42)___
Barber (haircuts)—
Man or boy over 13 years (1 a month)________________ ._
Woman or girl over 13 years (1 a month)___________________________
Child, 9 to 13 years3 (1 a month)___ __________________ _____
(Younger children’s hair cut at home.)
Leisure-time expenses:
Movies—
Adults (1 a month)____ __________________________________ _____ _ _
Working children, 16 to 20 years (1 a week)___ _____________ ____ _
Children, 14 to 15 years (1 a month)________ ________
Children^ 6 to 13 years8 (1 a month)_________________________
Gifts, toys, etc. (on yearly basis of $1 per person)__________
________________
Excursions, persons 6 years and over (carfare, $0.10 twice a m o n th )...
Newspaper (evening), all families_________________________________
Boy Scouts: Boys 9 to 15 years5—dues, $3.10 a year; uniform $9 every 3 years__
Camp Fire Girls: Girls 9 to 15 years dues $1.85 a year (uniform is middy and skirt)
Spending money—
Working children, 16 to 20 years ($1 a week)________________________ . .
Children, 14 to 15 years ($0.10 a week)____________________________________
Children, 6 to 13 years ($0. 05 a week)____ . . . . .
_.
_________________
Tobacco, for man (2 cans a week at $0.10, plus $1 a year for pipes)____ __________
Education—incidentals at public school (not lunches): i
Children, 14 to 15 years (on yearly basis of—binder, $0.25; fillers, $1; notebooks, $0.60;
typing paper, $1; pencils, $0.30; erasers, $0.10; gymnasium outfit, $1.50; locker, $0.50;
student body dues, $1 ($0.50 per term); average laboratory fees, supplies, etc., for
...
special courses, $3—total per year, $9.25)_________ ______ ______ _________
Children, 9 to 13 years____ ____ ___________________ . . __________
. . ._
12 to 13 years (same as senior high, except for laboratory fees, etc.—total per year,
$6.25).
9 to 11 years (binder, $0.25; fillers, $0.60; notebooks, $0.40; erasers, $0.10; pencils,
$0.10; paints, crayons, $0.20; scissors, paste, $0.20—total per year, $1.85).
Average per year, children 9 to 13 years, $3.61.
Children, 6 to 10 years (on yearly basis of—notebooks, $0.30; erasers, $0.10; pencils,

Addi­
tional
For
for each
family person
in
family

$0.18
. 12
. 50
. 50
. 2fi

$0. 75

Church:
Adults and children over 13 years ($0.05 per week for 40 weeks, plus $0.50 for special
contributions)___
........ . . . ____. . . __ . . . . . .
Children, 6 to 13 years ($0.02 per week for 40 weeks, plus $0.20 for special contributions).
Car fare:
Working members ($0.10 per day for 300 days)_________ _________ . _______
_
Add as needed for trips to clinic, etc.

. 25
4 1. 08
. 25
. 10
. 08
.20
. 50
. 15
6 4 33
. 43
. 22
. 95

.77
.30

. 08
. 21
. 08
2. 50
. 83
.87
.43

1 Basic amount. Assumes that school children and working members of the family come home for lunch
or carry it. 5 per cent should be added for less than perfect management.
2 Makes no allowance for clothing handed down from older children or bought second hand.
8 Children of 12 and 13 probably pay adult prices.
4 May be used for occasional dance halls or other amusements.
5 Boys under 12 and girls under 11 belong to junior organizations in which costs are less.
6 To cover tobacco, cosmetics, candy, “ treating,” etc.
i Additional expenses for school activities, such as plays and journal, must be met from child’s spending
or movie money.

C ost of Living of W ork in g-C lass F am ilies in G erm an y

G E N ER A L cost-of-living study of working-class families in
Germany was made by the Federal Statistical Office in 1927-28,
the results of which were published in 1929.1 The results of a similar
official study for the city of Hamburg, made during the period 19251929, have recently been published by the bureau of statistics of that
city.2 A summarization of the principal findings of these two studies
is presented in this article.

A

1 Germany. Wirtschaft und Statistik, 1929, No. 20, p. 818, No. 22, p. 902.
2 Hamburg (Germany). Statistisches Landesamt und Landeswahlamt. Statistische Mitteilungen über
den hamburgischen Staat, Nr.26: Die Lebenshaltung der wirtschaftlich schwachen Bevölkerung in
Hamburg in den Jahren 1925 bis 1929, insbesondere im Jahre 1927. Hamburg, 1931.

125620°—32----- 16


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

236

The families covered in the studies numbered 896 for the country
as a whole and 146 for Hamburg. As 43 of the families in the Ham­
burg total were also included in the national study, the records overlap
to that extent. To what degree the figures obtained may be regarded
as typical may be judged from the fact that, of the 896 families for
whom statistics were compiled, 771 lived in large cities, 120 in medium­
sized cities, and 5 in small cities. The Hamburg statistics shed light
on the living costs of working-class families in a large maritime city.
Source of Income

T h e average income of the 896 working-class families in the national
study amounted to 3,325.12 marks ($791.38)3 and of the 146 families
in Hamburg to 3,728.57 marks ($887.40). The percentage of the
income derived from various sources is shown in Table 1.
T a b l e 1 .— P E R C E N T OF IN C O M E OF W O RKIN G-CLA SS H OUSEHOLDS IN G E R M A N Y

AND IN H A M BU R G O B TA IN E D FR O M S P E C IF IE D SO U RC ES

Per cent of income from specified sources
Germany—households with annual income of—

Source of income
Under
2,500
marks
($595)

Wages of head of household............—
Wages of wife------------------ Wages of other members of household.
Insurance, room rent, etc---------------Returns from investments, etc---------Collection of debts__________ . . . . . . .
Miscellaneous--------- ------------- ---------

89.1
1.8
.4
6.8
.6
.9
.4

2,500 and 3,000 and 3,600 and
under
under
under
4,300
3,600
3,000
marks
marks
marks
($714($857($595$714)
$1,023
$857)
86.5
2.4
.8
8.3
.8
.8
.4

83.4
4.0
2.3
8.1
1.1
.8
.3

76.5
6.2
6.2
8.7
1.1
1.0
.3

4,300
marks
($1,023)
and
over
67.7
6.0
16.6
7.2
1.0
1.2
.3

Ham­
burg:
Aver­ Aver­
age
age

80.7
4.2
4.8
8. 0
1.0
.9
.4

78.6
1.9
9.5
7.4
1.8
.4
.4

The figures show that the earnings of the head of the household
form a larger proportion of the total family income for the country as
a whole (80.7 per cent) than for Hamburg (78.6 per cent). At the
same time the wife’s earnings are more important throughout Ger­
many than in Hamburg. The situation is reversed, however, with
respect to the earnings of other members of the household, this item
amounting to 9.5 per cent of the total income of the household in
Hamburg and only 4.8 per cent in Germany.
In Germany the wife’s earnings form a part of the income in 411
households, or 45.9 per cent of the total. I t is stated that in the
families where the income is small the wife works less frequently than
where the reverse is true. In Hamburg the record shows that the
wife’s earnings are included in the income of 51 households,, or 34.9
per cent of the total.
The returns by income groups show that the lower the total family
income in Germany the higher the percentage contributed by the labor
of the head of the household, the percentage being 89.1 for households
with income of under 2,500 marks ($595) as compared with 67.7 in
households where the income averages 4,300 marks ($1,023) and over.
> Conversions

into United States currency on basis of mark=23.8 cents.


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COST OF LIVING

237

The earnings of the head of household range from 2,025 marks ($482),
in households where total income is under 2,500 marks, to 3,403 marks
($810) where the total income is 4,300 marks and over.
Wages of all members of the household form a high proportion of
the total income in the households analyzed— about 90 per cent.
The remaining 10 per cent comes from a variety of sources, among
which income from insurance, rent, and presents is most important,
forming 7 to 8 per cent of the total. Other income is of minor
importance only since it is small in amount and represents a low per­
centage of the annual total.
Family Composition

T he average size of the workingman’s family is 4.2 persons in
Germany as a whole and 3.9 in Hamburg. The standard weights for
the computation of expenditures given the various members of the
households, on the basis of the adult male as 100, are as follows:
T a b le 3.—STA N D A RD W EIG H T S FO R C O M PU TA TIO N OF E X P E N D IT U R E S FO R H OUSE­

HOLD M E M B E R S , B Y S E X
Item

Males

For nourishment:
Under 10 years old______
10 and under IS years old,
15 years old and over____
For other requirements:
Under 6 years o ld .______
6 and under 10 years old _
10 and under 15 years old___
15 and under 20 years old___
20 years old and o v e r,............

Females

0.50
.75
1.00

0.50
.75
90

.20
.30
50
.70
1.00

.20
.30
.50
.70
.90

Distribution of Expenditures

I n Table 3 is shown the proportion of the total income per adult
male expended for each item by working-class families throughout
Germany and in Hamburg.
T a b le 3 .—P E R C E N T OF E X P E N D IT U R E P E R A D U LT M A LE , IN W ORKIN G-CLASS

HOUSEH OLD S IN G E R M A N Y AND IN H A M BU R G , F O R S P E C IF IE D IT E M S
Per cent
of total
expended

Per cent
of total
expended

Item

Item
Ger­ Ham­
many burg
41. 2

35.6

10.8
Upkeep of home
4. 2
Heat and light . .
...
_. . _ _ 3.9
13.3
,9
Health . _________________________
.7
2 1
1.0
1.2
1.3
Taxes,' insurance, membership dues.. 13.7

11. 7
4. 5
4. 3
12.1
8
.5
20
1.3
1. 3
2.6
13.9

i Less than five one-hundredths of 1 per cent.


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Ger­ Ham­
many burg
Fees_______

.........

0.1

0 3

. 1

.1
1. 7
1. 3

1
(l)
1. 8

2. 4

Total other than food and drink. 56.4

59.6

1. 5
.7

3. 2
.3
13

Miscellaneous_______________

_ ._

9

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

238

Food and drink form a considerably higher proportion of the total
outlay per adult male throughout Germany than in Hamburg—
41.2 per cent as compared with 35.6 per cent. For rent, upkeep of
home, and heat and light the percentage is higher in Hamburg than
in the country as a whole, these three items representing 20.5 per cent
of the total expenditure in that city and 18.9 per cent in all cities taken
together. Requirements other than food and drink account for a
higher percentage of total expenditures in Hamburg (59.6) than in the
whole group of cities (56.4); and the savings of the Hamburg families
(3.2 per cent) are more than double those in all cities (1.5 per cent).
Detailed statistics in the original report (not shown here) indicate
that, for Germany as a whole, the lower the available income per
adult male the higher the percentage of the total expenditure for food.
This percentage declines from 46.4 where the income per adidt male is
under 800 marks ($190) to 36.9 where the income amounts to 1,500
marks ($357) and over. The percentage devoted to rent also tends
to decline as income rises, but there is an increase in the percentages
devoted to upkeep of home, personal hygiene, recreation^ savings,
and similar purposes in the higher income brackets. This is notice­
able in spite of the fact that even the families in this sample with the
highest incomes fall in a relatively low-paid group.
In view of the importance of diet and the interest centering on this
subject, the German studies under review have gone into food expendi­
tures in considerable detail. Table 4 shows the amount of food con­
sumed and average expenditures for major food commodities per
adult male in workingmen’s households throughout Germany and in
Hamburg.
T a b le 4 .—AM OUN T OP, AND A V ER A G E ANNUAL E X P E N D IT U R E P E R A D U LT M A LE

FO R , FOOD AND D R IN K IN W O R K IN G M E N ’S H O U SEH O LD S IN G E R M A N Y AND IN
H A M BU R G
[Conversions into U. S. currency on basis of mark=23.8 cents]
Hamburg

Germany

Item

Average
quan­
tity

Ger­
man
cur­
rency

Average
United Per quan­
States cent tity
cur­
of
rency total


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M arks

Ger­
man
cur­
rency

K ilo ­
gram s1 M a rk s

K ilo ­
gram s
Animal products:
M ilk_______________________________ 150.1
5.9
Bu tter______ . _______ __ -------------4.8
Cheese
_ - - .
2152.
0
E g g s -______ - -----------------------------14.2
Fats other than butter.
_ _______
46.3
Meats____ _____
_____
- --- 6.6
Fish___________ _ --------- -----------

1 Kilogram=2.2046 pounds.
2Number of eggs.

Average annual
expenditure

Average annual
expenditure

45. 75
24.46
10.24
18.75
25.06
110.51
6. 67

$10.89
5. 82
2. 44
4.46
5.96
26. 30
1.59

241. 44

57.46

United Per
States cent
cur­
of
rency total

9.6 143.7
8.6
5.1
2.2
5.9
3.9 2167.0
5.3
17.7
23.2
48.7
1.4
11.6

45. 22
35. 78
16.29
20. 16
28.93
114. 09
9.91

$10. 76
8. 52
3.88
4. 80
6. 89
27 15
2. 36

9.0
7.1
3.2
4.0
5.7
22.6
2.0

50.8

270. 38

64.35

53.5

COST OF LIVING

239

T a b le 4 .— AM OUN T OF, AND A V ER A G E ANNUAL E X P E N D IT U R E P E R A D U LT M A LE

FO R , FOOD AND D R IN K IN W O R K IN G M E N ’S H OUSEH OLD S IN G E R M A N Y AND IN
H A M BU R G —Continued
Germany

Item

Vegetable products:
Bread and bakery products__________
Meal, rice, dried peas, e tc .................. .
Potatoes____________________________
Vegetables_________________________
Fruit.................. ...........................................
Sugar________ _____________________
Coflee, tea, and cocoa___ ____________
Chocolate and other sweets__________
Vegetable oils and fats_______________
Miscellaneous.........._..................................

Hamburg

Average annual
expenditure
Average
quantity

K ilo gram s

112.2
24.5
153.6
39.9
31.0
16.6
5. 1
1.3
2.1

Total___________ _____ ___________

German
currency

Average annual
expenditure

Average
United Per quanStates cent tity
curof
rency total

German
currency

K ilo gram s

M arks

M arks

66.93
17.63
20. 36
17.93
17.89
11.78
14. 77
4.57
3.26
4.70

$15.93
4. 19
4.85
4. 27
4.26
2. 80
3. 52
1.09
.78
1.12

14. 1
3.7
4,3
3.8
3.7
2.5
3. 1
.9
.7
1.0

179. 82

42.81

37.8

109. 0
20.9
139.1
46.5
35.8
19.2
5.9
1.7
.9

United Per
States cent
curof
rency total

65. 35
14.62
21.35
23.04
26.95
13. 55
20. 18
5.81
1. 51
4. 57

$15. 55
3. 48
5.08
5. 48
6.41
3. 22
4.80
1.38
.36
1.09

12.9
2.9
4.2
4.6
5.3
2.7
4.0
1.2
.3
.9

196.93

46.87

39.0

8.60

2. 05

1.7

475.91 .113. 27

94.2

Food and drinks consumed outside the
home_________ ____ ______ ____________

8. 56

2.04

1.8

Total food and drinks______________

429.82

102.30

90.4

27.58
1.37
16.96

6. 56
.33
4.04

5.8
.4
3. 5

10.93

9.6

29.44

7. 01

5.8

113. 22 100.0

505.35

120. 27

100.0

Luxuries:
Alcoholic drinks________ ____________
Nonalcoholic drinks_________________
Tobacco___ _____ __________________

37.0
2.0

Total luxuries_____________________

45. 91

Grand total_______________________

475.73

12.2
3.9

12.87
1.60
14.97

3.06
.38
3. 56

2.6
.3
3.0

These studies indicate a slightly higher apportionment of available
funds spent in Hamburg than throughout the country for animal
products (53.5 and 50.8 per cent, respectively) and vegetable products
(39.0 and 37.8 per cent, respectively). There are differences also in
choice as to winch of the respective products within the groups are
purchased. In Germany as a whole the expenditures for milk and
meats form a relatively higher percentage of the total expenditure
for animal products than in Hamburg. At the time same, the Ham­
burg families show a higher percentage for butter, cheese, fats other
than butter, and fish. In the class designated “ vegetable products,”
Germany shows a larger percentage use of bread, pastry, potatoes,
and vegetable oils and fats than Hamburg, and Hamburg families
report greater use of vegetables, fruits, sugar, coffee, tea, and cocoa,
and chocolate. Under the head of “ luxuries” it appears that fam­
ilies throughout the country covered by this study spent a greater
percentage of money for alcoholic beverages than the families in
Hamburg.
Detailed analysis of the figures for Germany by income class show
that total expenditures per household for butter more than doubled
as between households in the lowest and highest income classes.
When expenditures per adult male are referred to, it is found that
such expenditures have quadrupled, the figures being 10.83 marks

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240

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

($2.58) and 42.08 marks ($10.02). At the same time expenditures
for animal fats other than butter declined slightly or from 27.31
marks ($6. 50) to 21.05 marks ($5.01).
Animal products as a whole represent 52.3 per cent of the total
expenditures per adult male in families with the lowest income as
compared with 57.2 per cent in families with the highest income.
Thus, although total expenditures for animal products in the lowest
income class were higher than in the highest income class (56.3 and
54.9 per cent, respectively), the expenditure per adult male is higher
for the person in the highest income class than for the person in the
lowest.
Although expenditures per adult male for vegetable products are
generally higher where income per adult male is higher, the differ­
ences in expenditure are not nearly so great as they are for animal
products. For instance, bread and bakery products have an average
cost of 62.75 marks ($14.93) per adult male in the lowest income
class and 74.97 marks ($17.84) in the highest. However, bread rep­
resents 20.2 per cent of the total expenditures for food per adult male
in the low average income group and only 13.2 per cent in the high
income group.
The aggregate expenditure for all food per adult male in the lowest
income group is approximately half that in the highest, 331.48 marks
($78.90) and 651.69 marks ($155.10), respectively. Especially large
increases in size of expenditure as between low and high income
classes are those for butter, eggs, meats, fruits, chocolate and other
sweets, alcoholic drinks, and tobacco. Greater equality as between
classes is found in expenditures for animal fats other than butter, fish,
bread, potatoes, and sugar.


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IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
Statistics of Immigration for April, 1932
B y J. J. K tjnna, C h ie f S tatistician , U nited S tates B u r ea u

of

I mmigration

H E R E was an increase in both the inward and outward move­
ment of aliens during April, 1932, as compared with the previous
month. In April, 13,735 aliens were admitted and 16,632 departed,
an increase of 2,384 and 296, respectively, over March.
Of the aliens admitted in April, 2,469 were immigrants and 11,266
nonimmigrants. The departures included 6,746 emigrants and 9,886
nonemigrants. Europe supplied 1,441 of the April immigrants, of
whom one-third (480) came from Italy ; Germany with 203 was second
in the list, followed by Poland with 131, and Great Britain with 103.
Canada contributed 516, Mexico 204, Asia 109, and other countries
199. During the corresponding month a year ago 3,470 immigrants
entered this country, 2,265 coming from Europe, 615 from Canada,
149 from Mexico, 154 from Asia, and 287 from other countries.
Over half of the newcomers continue to settle in the States along the
Atlantic, 1,439 of the April immigrants giving the North and South
Atlantic States as their intended future permanent residence, while
594 were bound for the North and South Central States and 436 to the
other States. The outgoing aliens again outnumbered the newcomers,
or about eight emigrants leaving in April for permanent residence in a
foreign country for every three immigrants admitted for permanent
residence in the United States.
There were 1,633 undesirable aliens deported in April, making a
total of 16,021 for the 10 months from July to April last, an increase of
1,163 over the 14,858 deportations during the corresponding months a
year ago.

T

IN W ARD AND OUTW ARD P A SSE N G ER M O V E M E N T , JU L Y 1, 1931, TO A P R IL 30, 1932
Outward

Inward

Period

Aliens
Aliens
de­
de­
Aliens departed
Aliens admitted
ported
barred
United
United
after
from
States
States
enter­
citizens Total enter­
citizens Total ing i Em i­ NonNon­
ing 2
de­
Immi­ immi­
emi­
Total
Total arrived
parted
grant grant
grant grant

1931
Ju ly------------ 3,174 12,361
August
_ 4,090 16, 580
September.._ 5,017 20, 940
October_____ 3,913 17,096
November__ 2,899 9,832
December___ 2,642 8,086

27, 878
32, 550
29,126
27, 382
25, 589
28, 097

46,961
65, 895
42, 247
35,016
23, 224
24, 351

74, 839
98, 445
71, 373
62, 398
48,813
52, 448

1,681
1,584
1,446
1, 663
1,524
1,336

8, 550 14, 693 23, 243
6, 188 9, 691 15, 879
6,239 10, 097 16, 336
6,746 9,886 16, 632

25, 016
22, 920
24, 718
19, 980

48, 259
38, 799
41,054
36, 612

1, 537
1,515
2,112
1,633

15,535
20, 670
25, 957
21, 009
12, 731
10, 728

30,944
59,372
62, 581
32,427
16,823
16,932

46, 479
80, 042
88, 538
53, 436
29, 554
27, 660

761 7, 428
657 9,541
684 8,733
806 10, 857
573 11,318
485 10, 727

1932
January . . . _ 2,220 7,242 9,462
February— . 1, 984 7, 346 9,330
M arch .. . . 2,103 9,248 11, 351
April........... — 2,469 11, 266 13, 735

17,158
19, 829
22,012
23,261

26, 620
29,159
33, 363
36, 996

577
392
445
580

T o ta l.. 30,511 119,997 150, 508 301, 339 451, 847

20, 450
23, 009
20, 393
16, 525
14, 271
17, 370

5,960 86, 327 156, 385 242, 712 330, 328 573, 040 16, 021

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.


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PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
Official—United States
C o n n e c t ic u t .— Department of Motor Vehicles.
cu t m otor-vehicle statistics f o r 1 9 3 1 .
illu s .

Research section.

H a rt fo r d , 1 9 3 2 .

C o n n e cti­
3 2 p p ., m a p s , d ia g r a m s ,

Reported motor-vehicle accidents decreased 13 per cent during 1931, as com­
pared with 1930, and the number of persons injured decreased 2 per cent, but the
number of persons killed increased 15 per cent. Figures for 1931 show 17,081
accidents reported, 12,903 persons injured, and 482 persons killed, and that 4,387
of the 28,255 motor vehicles involved in accidents were commercial cars.
I l l in o i s .— Emergency Relief Commission.
[ S p r in g fie ld ? ], 1 9 3 2 .

F ir s t in t e r im re p o rt, A p r i l 1 5 , 1 9 3 2 .

48 pp.

The report contains a statement of the duties and powers of the commission, its
organization, operation, and procedure, and shows what has been done in allocating
funds for relief in communities of the State.
M a r y l a n d .— Industrial Accident Commission.

S ev en tee n th a n n u a l re p o rt, f o r
the y e a r N o v em b er 1 , 1 9 3 0 , to O ctober 3 1 , 1 9 3 1 .
B a ltim o re , [1 9 3 2 ? ].
47 pp.

Reviewed in this issue.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s .— Department of Labor and Industries.

Board of Concilia­

tion and Arbitration.

R e p o rt, together w ith the d ec is io n s re n d e r e d by the board,
f o r the y e a r e n d in g N o v em b er 3 0 , 1 9 3 1 .
B o sto n , [1 9 3 2 ? ].
99 pp.

M i n n e a p o l is (M in n .) . — Municipal Pension and Retirement Board.
re p o rt, y e a r e n d in g D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 1 9 3 1 .
N ew

J e r s e y .— Emergency
co n d itio n s i n N e w J e r s e y .

M in n e a p o lis , 1 9 3 2 .

Relief Administration.
[T r e n t o n ? ], 1 9 3 2 .

A nnual

34 pp.

U n e m p lo y m e n t
120 pp.

and

r e lie f

A report of unemployment conditions in New Jersey and the methods followed
in providing emergency relief, together with recommendations as to State policy
and permanent organization.
------ Pension Survey Commission.

R e p o rt N o . 3 : A n a ly s is o f e x is tin g p e n s io n
sy stem s f o r p u b lic em p lo y e e s i n N e w J e r s e y .
N e w a rk , 1 9 3 2 .
112 pp.

------------- R e p o rt

N o . 4 : R e c o m m e n d a tio n s f o r the s o u n d f in a n c i n g o f p u b lic-em p lo y ee
p e n s io n sy stem s i n N ew J e r s e y .
N e w a rk , 1 9 3 2 .
85 pp.

The findings and recommendations of the commission, given in these two reports,
are summarized in this issue of the Labor Review.
N e w Y o r k .— Temporary Emergency Relief Administration. R ep o rt, J a n u a r y 1 1 ,
1932.

A lb a n y , 1 9 3 2 .

20 pp.

The report outlines the accomplishments of the relief organization in the first
three months of its existence and shows the amount spent on different work
projects.
N o rth D a k o t a .— Coal Mine Inspection Department.
T h irte e n th a n n u a l re p o rt,
f r o m N o v em b er 1 , 1 9 3 0 , to O ctober 3 1 , 1 9 3 1 .

B is m a r c k , 1 9 3 1 .

31pp.

The report shows th at three accidental fatalities occurred during the year in
the 100 strip mines and 190 underground mines of the State, the same number as
during the previous year. Nonfatal injuries, however, declined from 301 to 190,
or 37 per cent, principally due to a 60 per cent reduction in nonfatal injuries for
one mine, which produced about one-fifth of the total output of coal for the year
and employed a maximum of 156 miners and 50 other men.
242

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PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR

243

P orto R ico .— Mediation and Conciliation Commission.
y ea r 1 9 3 0 - 3 1 .
E n g lis h .)

San Ju a n , 1931.

A n n u a l re p o rt, fis c a l
E n g l i s h section , 3 7 p p .
(I n S p a n ish and

Includes some wage scales..
P r e s id e n t ’ s C o n f e r e n c e

on H ome B u il d in g and H om e O w n e r s h ip .__ S lu m s
larg e-sca le h o u s in g , a n d d ecen tra liz a tio n . R ep o rts o f the co m m ittees o n b ligh ted
a rea s and, s lu m s , la rg e-sca le o p era tio n s, b u s in e s s a n d h o u s in g , a n d in d u s t r ia l
d ecen tra liz a tio n a n d h o u s in g . W a sh in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
24.5 p p ., illu s .

W e s t V ir g in ia .— Workmen’s Compensation Department.
re p o rt o f th e w o rk m e n 's co m p e n s a tio n f u n d ,
C h a rlesto n , 1 9 3 2 . 8 9 p p .

E ig h te e n th a n n u a l
y ea r e n d in q J u n e SO 1 9 3 1

Reviewed in this issue.
W y o m in g .— Coal Mine Inspection Department.
D ecem b er 3 1 , 1 9 3 1 .

C heyenne, 1 9 3 2 .

A n n u a l re p o rt,
6 3 p p ., illu s .

y ea r

e n d in a

Includes data relating to accidents and production.
U n it e d S t a t e s .— Congress.

House of Representatives. R e p o rt N o . 5 8 4 (7 2 d
C o n g ., 1st s e s s .), to a c c o m p a n y H . R . 8 0 8 8 ; C o o p era tio n o f F e d e r a l G o v ern m en t
f o r re lie v in g u n e m p lo y m e n t.
R ep o rt o f M r . C o n n e ry , f r o m C o m m ittee on
L a b o r.
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
3 pp.

----------------------- Committee on Labor.

U n em p lo y m en t i n the U n ited States
H e a r in g s (7 2 d C o n g ., 1st s e s s .), o n H . R . 2 0 6 , a bill a u th o riz in g a n a p p ro ­
p ria tio n f o r the r e li e f o f destitu tio n i n the U n ited S ta tes, etc., F e b r u a r y 1 9 3 2
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
20 7 pp.

■ ------ Senate.
R ep o rt N o . 5 0 9 ( 7 2 d C o n g ., 1st s e s s .), to a cc o m p a n y S . 3 8 4 7 :
R ates o f w ages p a id f o r labor o n p u b lic b u ild in g s .
R ep o rt o f M r . C o p e la n d
(f o r S e n a to r M e t c a lf), f r o m C om m ittee o n E d u c a t io n a n d L a b o r.
W a sh in a to n
1932.
3 pp.
y ’

------ — ----------

R ep o rt N o . 5 8 9 (7 2 d C o n g ., 1st s e s s .), to a cc o m p a n y S . 2 6 8 7 ,
N a tio n a l a n d S ta te em p lo y m en t service.
[P a rt 1 ], R e p o rt o f M r . C o p ela n d
f r o m C o m m ittee o n C o m m erce.
P a r t 2 , M in o r it y view s, o f M r . ' D a le fr o m
C o m m ittee o n C o m m erce.
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
4 and 2 pp.

-------------- —

R e p o rt N o . 6 2 9 ( 7 2 d C o n g ., 1st s e s s .), p u r s u a n t to S . R es. 4 8 3 :
U n e m p lo y m e n t in s u r a n c e .
I n d iv id u a l views [m in o rity re p o r t ] o f M r . W a g n e r
f r o m the S e lect C o m m ittee to In v estig a te U n e m p lo y m e n t I n s u r a n c e . W a sh in a to n
1 9 3 2 . 2 6 p p ., c h a rt.
y
’

Senator Wagner advocates compulsory unemployment insurance established
by State legislation and under State supervision, but maintained by the payment
by employers of a fixed percentage of their pay roll into an unemployment reserve
fund.
------ ------ - —
Committee on Commerce. H e a r in g s (7 2 d C o n g ., 1st sess.)
p u rs u a n t to S . 2 6 8 7 , a bill to p ro v id e f o r the esta b lish m en t o f a n a tio n a l e m p lo y ­
m en t sy stem a n d f o r co o p era tio n w ith the S ta tes i n the p ro m o tio n o f s u c h system
a n d f o r other p u rp o s e s , M a r c h 2 4 - 3 1 , 1 9 3 2 .
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
170 pp.
(C o rrec ted p r in t .)

------ ------- — — Committee on Education and Labor.

H e a r i n g (7 2 d C o n g ., 1st
s ess .) o n S . 3 8 4 7 , a bill to a m e n d the act a p p ro v ed M a r c h 3 , 1 9 3 1 , re la t in g to
the ra te o f w ages f o r lab o rers a n d m e c h a n ic s em p lo y ed by co n tra cto rs a n d s u b ­
co n tra cto rs o n p u b lic b u ild in g s , M a r c h 1 7 , 1 9 3 2 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
44 pp.

— — Department of Commerce.

Bureau of Mines. C oal i n 1 9 3 0 , by F . G.
T r y o n , L . M a n n , a n d H . 0 . R o g ers.
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
(F r o m M i n e r a l
R e s o u rces o f the U n ite d S ta tes, 1 9 3 0 , P t . I I , p p . 5 9 9 - 7 7 3 .)
C h a rts.

A comprehensive review of the coal industry during 1930, with comparative
figures for earlier years.
-------------- Bureau of Standards. M is c e lla n e o u s P u b lic a tio n N o . 1 3 3 : S ta n d a rd s
yea rb oo k , 1 9 3 2 .

W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .

3 9 4 PP-, ch a rt.

Presents summaries of standardization activities in various fields of industry,
conducted by national and international agencies, including technical societies
and trade associations in the United States. The subjects covered range from
accident prevention to zoning systems. A special feature is a series of interesting

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

244

articles, contributed by experts, describing the accomplishments in standardiza­
tion of materials and operations in the different fields of communication—
aeronautics, the telephone, telegraph, and radio, television, etc.
------- Department of Labor.

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

C a rg o h a n d lin g a n d lo n g sh o re lab o r c o n d itio n s.
ch a rts, illu s .

B u lle tin N o . 5 5 0 :
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 2 . 5 5 9 p p .,

Advance summaries of data obtained in this study were published in the Labor
Review for October, 1930 (pp. 1-20), November, 1930 (pp. 11-25), and February,
1931 (pp. 1-30).

------------- ------- B u lle tin
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .

N o . 5 6 5 : P a r k re c re a tio n a rea s i n the U n it e d S ta tes, 1 9 3 0 .
116 pp.

Reviewed in this issue.
-------------- Women’s Bureau.

B u lle tin N o . 9 2 : W a g e -e a r n in g w om en a n d the
in d u s t ria l co n d itio n s o f 1 9 3 0 — a su rv ey o f S o u th B e n d , by C a ro lin e M a n n i n g
a n d A r c a d ia N . P h illip s .
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
8 1 p p ., m a p , ch a rts.

Reviewed in this issue.

---------- —- ——- B u lle tin
E . W a tso n .

N o . 9 3 : H o u s e h o ld em p lo y m e n t i n P h ila d e lp h ia , by A m e y
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .
85 pp.

Reviewed in this issue.
------ Federal Board for Vocational Education.

B u lle tin N o . 1 6 0 , T r a d e a n d
I n d u s t r i a l S e r i e s N o . 4 6 : A p p r e n t ic e t r a in in g f o r s h ip y a r d tra d es— a s tu d y o f
the selectio n o f a p p re n t ic e s a n d th eir p ro g ress i n t r a in in g .
W a s h in g to n ,
Ja n u a ry , 1932.
35 pp.

------ Personnel Classification Board.
in d u s t r y , 1 9 2 9 .

S a la r ie s f o r ro u t in e c le ric a l w ork i n p riv a te
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
189 pp.

Official—Foreign Countries
A u s t r a l ia .-— Bureau of Census and Statistics.
w ealth o f A u s t r a lia , 1 9 3 1 .

O fficial yearb ook o f the C o m m o n ­
C a n b e rr a , [ 1 9 3 1 ? ]. 8 0 7 p p ., m a p s , ch a rts.

Includes index numbers of wholesale and retail prices and data on wages and
hours of labor, employment, industrial disputes, and workers’ and employers’
organizations.
C a n a d a .— Civil Service Commission.
1931.

Ottawa, 1 9 3 2 .

T w en ty -th ird a n n u a l rep o rt, fo r the y ea r

83 pp.

Department of Labor. T w en ty-first a n n u a l re p o rt o n labor o rg a n iz a tio n i n
C a n a d a (fo r the c a le n d a r y e a r 1 9 3 1 ) .
Ottawa, 1 9 3 2 .
2 7 5 p p ., charts.
Data from the publication are given in this issue.
D e n m a r k .— Arbejderforsikrings-Raadet.
1932.

110 pp.

B e r e t n i n g f r a a aret 1 9 3 0 .
C o p en ha gen ,
( R e p r in t f r o m S o cia lt T id s s k r ift, M a r c h , 1 9 3 2 .)

Annual report of the Public Insurance Council on sickness and invalidity
insurance in Denmark during 1930, including number of insurance funds, their
membership, financial transactions, etc.
------

Direktoratet

for

Arbejdsanvisningen

og

Arbejdslpshedsforsikringen*

I n d b e r e t n in g o m a rb e jd s a n v is n in g e n og a rb e jd s ljs h e d s fo r s ik r in g e n i re q n sk a b sa a ret 1 9 3 0 - 3 1 .
C o p en ha gen , 1 9 3 2 .
75 pp.

Annual report on the employment service and unemployment insurance in
Denmark for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1931.
------

Direktoratet for Sygekassevsesenet. B e r e t n in g om S ta ten s tilsy n m ed
s y g e k a s s e r, g e n s id ig e s y g e fo re n in g e r, beg ra v elsesk asser m . v. sa m t o m b esty relsen
a f in v a lid e fo rs ik r in g s fo n d e n i a a ret 1 9 3 0 .
C o penhagen, 1 9 3 2 .
101 p p
( R e p r in t f r o m S o c ia lt T id s s k r ift, F e b r u a r y , 1 9 3 2 .)

Annual report on sickness insurance funds, including invalidity insurance
funds, in operation in Denmark during 1930, including information on member­
ship, beneficiaries, and financial condition of the funds. The report has table of
contents, resume, and table heads in French.

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PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
F r a n c e .— Bureau de la Statistique Générale de la France.

des Prix.
1931.

245

Service d’Observation
à

I n d i c e s g é n é r a u x d u m ou v em en t éco n o m iq u e e n F r a n c e de 1 9 0 1
P a ris , 1 9 3 2 .
1 6 5 p p ., charts.

The various financial, commercial, and industrial indexes published by the
French statistical bureau are brought together in this volume, covering the 30year period from 1901 to 1931.
G e r m a n y .— Gutachterkommission zur Arbeitslosenfrage.
los en fra g e.

B e r l in , 1 9 3 1 .

P a r t I , 1 6 p p .;

G utachten z u r A rb eitsP a r t I I , 8 p p .; P a r t I I I , 1 5 p p .

Contains a report on the unemployment problem and proposed measures to
combat unemployment in Germany. The first part deals principally with short­
ening of hours of labor and with the so-called “ double earners,” the second part
with the creation of new employment, and the third part with relief measures,
such as insurance and charity.
G r e a t B r it a in .— Home Office.

R ep o rt on co n fe re n c e s betw een em p lo y ers a n d
in s p e c to rs c o n c e r n in g m ethods f o r s u p p r e s s in g d u st i n asbestos textile fa c to rie s .
L o n d o n , 1 9 3 1 . 3 6 p p ., d ia g r a m s , illu s .

The processes in asbestos textile factories which are productive of a harmful
amount of dust have been the subject of study and experimentation and a series
of agreements have been reached with manufacturers embodying specific recom­
mendations for securing the suppression of dust by exhaust ventilation. The
report contains drawings and illustrations of apparatus which has been success­
fully used in these mills.

•
-------——• W e lfa re
London, 1932.

P a m p h le t N o . 6 : S e a ts f o r w orkers i n fa c to rie s a n d w orkshops.
3 9 p p ., illu s .

The general principles regarding seating are discussed and the types of seats
adapted to various uses are explained and illustrated.
■
— — Industrial Health Research Board.

R e p o rt N o . 6 3 : In s p e c t io n p ro cesses i n
in d u s t ry (a p r e lim in a r y r e p o r t), by S . W yatt a n d J . N . L a n g d o n . L o n d o n ,
1 9 3 2 . 5 3 p p ., d ia g ra m s .

A study of efficiency in certain inspection processes in industry.

------ •
—*—
•

R e p o rt N o . 6 4 : A cla ssifica tio n o f vocational tests o f dexterity , by A m a lie
E . W eiss L o n g a n d T . H . P e a r .
London, 1932.
6 4 pp-

The different types of skill and manual dexterity are discussed and the prin­
ciples of vocational psychology, including vocational guidance and selection, and
occupation analysis, are reviewed. There is also a description of various tests
of skill and dexterity.
I n t e r n a t io n a l L a b o r O f f i c e .— I n t e rn a t io n a l L a b o r C o n fe r e n c e , sixteenth sess io n ,
G eneva, 1 9 3 2 .
A n a ly s is o f in fo rm a tio n s u p p lie d by G o v ern m en ts c o n c e r n in g
the a p p lic a tio n o f the re c o m m en d a tio n s o f the I n t e rn a t io n a l L a b o r C o n fe re n c e .
G eneva, 1 9 3 2 .
63 pp.

Moscow D is t r ic t (S o v ie t U nio n [U . S. S. R .]).'— Planning Commission.
S ta tistica l m a n u a l.

M oscow , 1 9 3 1 .

4 1 8 PP-

U n R u s s ia n .)

Contains statistical information in regard to the District of Moscow, including
public instruction, public health, housing, industries, trades, and large-scale
collective farms.
O n t a r io

(C anada ) .— Department

T oro n to , 1 9 3 2 .

of Labor.

T w elfth

annual

re p o rt,

1931:

9 4 pp-

Contains information relating to accidents, apprenticeship, employment ser­
vice, factory inspection, strikes and lockouts, and wages and hours, by occupations
• --- Minimum Wage Board.

E lev en th

a n n u a l re p o rt,

1931.

T oro n to ,

1932.

40 pp.

•
—•— Workmen’s Compensation Board.
(S e s s io n a l P a p e r N o . 2 8 , 1 9 3 2 .)

Reviewed in this issue.


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R e p o rt f o r 1 9 3 1 .

T oro n to , 1 9 3 2 .

7 4 PP-

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

246

O n ta rio (C a n a d a ). — [Workmen’s Compensation Board?].
s io n e r i n the m atter o f the w o rk m e n ’s co m p e n s a tio n act.
(S e s s io n a l P a p e r N o . 3 7 , 1 9 8 2 .)

R ep o rt o f the co m m is­
T o ro n to ,1 9 8 2 . 1 7 p p .

Reviewed in this issue.
R u m a n ia .-— Ministerul Muncii S&n&tlitii si Ocrotirilor Sociale.

M i§ c a re a s a la r iilo r,
B u c h a re s t, 1 9 3 2 .
98

co nflictele §i co n tra ctele colective de m u n c d d in 1 9 3 0 .
p p ., charts.

A report on industrial disputes, collective agreements, and wages (indexes) in
1930, with comparative data for earlier years.
S a s k a t c h e w a n (C anada ) . — Department of Railways, Labor, and Industries.
T h i r d a n n u a l re p o rt, f o r the 1 2 m onths e n d e d A p r i l 3 0 , 1 9 3 1 .
60 pp.

R e g in a , 1 9 3 1 .

Includes data on labor legislation, strikes and lockouts, minimum wages,
unemployment relief, and employment service.
S w e d e n .-— K om m erskollegium .
1932.

In d u s tri.

B erd ttelse f o r

dr

1980.

S to ck h o lm

139 pp.

This report on Swedish industries in 1930 includes data on number of estab­
lishments and workers and amount and value of production in different industries.
Includes a table of contents in French.

Unofficial
A m e r ic a n A sso cia tio n

f o r O ld A ge S e c u r it y (I n c .).
O ld-age se c u rity i n the
U n ited S ta tes, 1 9 3 2 : A re c o rd o f the fifth n a tio n a l c o n fe re n c e o n o ld-age se­
c u rity , N e w Y o r k C ity , M a r c h 3 0 , 1 9 3 2 ; together w ith a c e n s u s o f old -a ge s e c u rity
i n the U n ited S ta tes.
N ew Y o r k , 2 2 E a s t 1 7 th S treet, 1 9 3 2 . 9 1 p p .

Some of the discussion at this conference, relating to administration and
administrative problems under old-age pension laws, is summarized in this issue
of the Labor Review.
A m e r ic a n L a b o r Y

e a r B oo k , 1932.
N e w Y o r k , L a b o r R e s e a rc h D e p a rtm e n t,
R a n d S ch o o l o f S o c ia l S c ie n c e , 7 E a s t 1 5 th S treet, 1 9 3 2 .
299 pp.

The information presented in this yearbook is arranged under the following
heads: Industrial and social conditions, trade-union organizations, strikes and
lockouts, independent labor politics, American labor legislation, foreign labor
legislation, court decisions affecting labor, civil liberties, workers’ education,
labor banking and insurance, cooperation, international relations of labor, and
labor abroad.
A m e r ic a n M a n a g e m e n t A sso c ia t io n .

J o b P ro d u c tio n S e r i e s 5 : E s tim a t in g the
labor outlook, by W illia m M . L e is e r s o n .
N ew Y o r k , 2 0 V e s e y S treet, 1 9 3 2 .
15 pp.

B a k e r , C h a r l e s W h it in g .

P a th w a y s back to p ro s p e r it y : A stu d y o f defects i n
o u r so cia l m a c h in e a n d how to m e n d th em .
N ew Y o r k , F u n k & W a gn a ils C o .,
1932. 851 pp.

C allco tt,

M ary

St ev e n so n .

P r in c ip le s
415 pp.

M a c m illa n C o ., 1 9 3 2 .

C h am ber

of

C o m m e r ce

of th e

partment Committee.
C o o p e r a t iv e U n io n ( L t d .).
to 1 9 3 1 , by H . J . T w ig g .

of

social

U n it e d S t a t e s .

P r ic e in d ic e s .

legis la tio n .

N ew

Y o rk ,

Domestic Distribution De­

W a sh in g to n , 1 9 3 2 .

4 3 P P - , ch a rts.

T h e e co n o m ic a d v an ce o f B r it is h co o p era tio n , 1 9 1 3
M a n c h e s t e r, 1 9 3 1 .
1 0 4 PP-

An analysis of the progress made by the various branches of the cooperative
movement— retail distribution, wholesale distribution, production, banking, and
insurance—-with regard to membership, capitalization, employment of capital,
trade, cost of operation, surpluses, etc. One chapter deals with cooperative
employment, from the standpoint of composition and distribution of staff, wages
and hours, unionization, participation in management, and wage costs and sales.


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PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
D e a n e , A l b e r t L .,

and

N o rto n , H e n r y K it t r e d g e .

p la n f o r e lim in a t in g the lea n y ea rs.
p p ., ch a rts.

F r a n k l , P a u l T.

247

In v e s tin g i n w a ges: A
N ew Y o rk , M a c m illa n C o ., 1 9 3 2 .
155

M a c h in e -m a d e le is u re .

N ew

Y o rk , H a r p e r &

B r o s ., 1 9 3 2 .

192 pp.

The author discusses the effects of machine development upon customs and
living habits and the ways in which our leisure time, which may be expected to
grow with the introduction of still shorter working periods, may be utilized to
advantage.
G a l l e r t , D avid J . , H il b o r n , W a l t e r S.,

and M a y , G e o f f r e y .
S m a ll-lo a n
leg is la tio n : A h isto ry o f the re g u la tio n o f the b u s in e s s o f le n d in g sm a ll s u m s .
N ew Y o r k , R u s s e ll S a g e F o u n d a t io n , 1 9 3 2 .
255 pp.

In two parts, dealing, respectively, with small-loan laws and wage-assignment
laws. The first part discusses the basis of small-loan legislation; the various
attempts at legislation on the subject, leading up to the formulation of the socalled "uniform small-loan law” ; and the present development of small-loan legis­
lation. Part II covers wage assignments and wage purchasing.
H o a r , R o g er S h e r m a n .

U n e m p lo y m e n t in s u r a n c e i n
w a u k ee, S tu a r t P r e s s , 1 9 3 2 .
101 p p .

W is c o n s in .

S o u th M i l ­

The writer reviews and analyzes the Wisconsin unemployment insurance law.
The text of the law is given, together with the majority and minority reports
of the special legislative committee dealing with unemployment reserves.
L eec h , H arper.
{ I n c .) , 1 9 3 2 .

T h e p a ra d o x o f p lenty .
203 pp.

N ew

Y o rk ,

M c G r a w - H ill B o o k Co.

N a t io n a l E

d u ca tio n A sso ciatio n of t h e U n it e d S t a t e s .
P r o c e e d in g s o f the
s ix ty -n in th a n n u a l m eetin g , held at L o s A n g e le s , C a lif., J u n e 2 7 - J u l y 3 , 1 9 3 1 .
W a sh in g to n , 1 2 0 1 S ix te e n th S t ., N W ., [1 9 3 1 ? ].
1200 pp.

Among the contributions in this publication that are of special interest from
the labor viewpoint are: Addresses on adult life in this machine age and on the
social significance of the vocational agricultural department in a rural high
school, and papers and reports presented under the association’s departments of
vocational education, adult education, and social studies.
N a t io n a l I n d u s t r ia l C o n f e r e n c e B oard ( I n c .).
co n d itio n s at the b e g in n in g o f 1 9 3 2 .
287 pp.

N ew

A p ic tu re o f w orld eco n o m ic
Y o r k , 24-7 P a r k A v e n u e , 1 9 3 2 .

N ew J e r s ey C o n fer en c e

o f S o cial W o r k .
N e w J e r s e y C o n fe r e n c e o n C h ild
H ea lth a n d P ro tectio n [N ew B r u n s w ic k ], A p r i l 1 7 - 1 8 , 1 9 3 1 .
197 pp.

N ugent, R o lf.

T h e P ro v id en t L o a n S o c ie ty o f N e w Y o r k — a n a cco u n t o f the
largest re m e d ia l lo a n society.
N e w Y o r k , R u s s e ll S a g e F o u n d a t io n , 1 9 3 2 .
23 pp.

o f.
Wharton School of Finance and Commerce.
Industrial Research Department. M o n th ly R elea se N o . 8 : U n e m p lo y m e n t

P e n n s y l v a n ia , U n iv e r s it y

a n d p a rt-tim e em p lo y m en t i n P h ila d e lp h ia , A p r i l 1 5 , 1 9 3 2 .
1932. 3 pp.
{ M im e o g r a p h e d .)

P r in c e t o n U n i v e r s it y .

P h ila d e lp h ia ,

Industrial Relations Section.

tw enty em p lo y e e stock p u rc h a s e p la n s , 1 9 2 5 - 1 9 3 2 .
{M im e o g r a p h e d .)

S ta tistica l a n a ly s is o f
P r in c e t o n , 1 9 3 2 . 2 3 p p .

This report gives the current financial situation of the stock-ownership plans
of 20 companies which were first studied in 1926. No general summary is given
showing the results of the operation of these plans, but it is stated that 5 plans
are now definitely discontinued and that in 5 others no recent offering of stock for
employee purchase has been made.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

248

Industrial Relations Section. T h e u s e o f cred it u n io n ,
i n c o m p a n y p ro g r a m s f o r em p lo y ee sa v in g s a n d in v es tm en t.
P r in c e t o n , 1 9 8 2 .
J+8 p p .
(M im e o g r a p h e d .)

P rinceton U n iv e r s it y .

Covers the development of credit unions in this country, their organization
and operation, and gives details regarding the credit unions of certain industrial
concerns.

R e pony , D.
61 p p .

W h e n a n d how we w ill get out o f this d e p re s s io n .
( P riv a tely p rin te d .)

R obinson , E . A. G.

T h e stru c tu re o f com petitive in d u s t r y .
B r a c e & C o ., 1 9 8 2 .
1 8 4 PP-

Seligm an , E dwin R. A.,

and

C lifto n , N . J '., 1 9 8 2 .
N ew Y o r k , H a rc o u r t,

L ove , R o bert A.

n a n c e : A stu d y i n eco n o m ics.

P r ic e cu ttin g a n d p ric e m a in te ­
N ew Y o rk , H a r p e r & B r o s ., 1 9 3 2 . 5 3 9 p p .

su isse des P aysans .
Secrétariat des Paysans suisses. P u b lic a tio n N o .
1 0 2 : E n q u ê t e s u r les a sso cia tio ns a g rico les de la S u is s e e n 1 9 3 0 .
B ru gg, 1 9 32.
1 1 6 p p ., m a p .

U nion

The results of an inquiry by the Secretariat of the Swiss Farmers’ Union,
showing the number and membership of the various types of agricultural coopera­
tive associations in Switzerland in 1930.

------------- P u b lic a tio n

N o . 1 0 3 : S té n o g r a m m e des débats de V a ssem b lée o rd in a ir e
des d élég u és d e l ’ U n io n s u is s e d es P a y s a n s , 1 0 n o v em b re 1 9 3 1 , à B e r n e .
B ru gg,
1931.
113 pp.

Proceedings of the 1931 meeting of the Swiss Farmers’ Union.
in French and partly in German.

Printed partly

------------- R a p p o rt

a u D é p a rte m e n t f é d é r a l de V E c o n o m ie P u b liq u e : R e ch erch es
relatives à la re n ta b ilité d e V a g ric u ltu re p e n d a n t l’ex e rc ic e 1 9 2 9 - 3 0 , I I e p a rtie .
B ern e, 1 9 3 1 .
( T i r a q e à p a rt de V A n n u a i r e a q rico le de la S u is s e , 1 9 3 1 , p p .
4 3 8 - 5 4 3 .)
C h a rts.

Analysis of farm income in Switzerland during 1929-30, showing receipts,
various elements of cost, etc., and the factors determining income, such as con­
sumption, prices, size of farms, stock, equipment, investment, etc.
U nited H ospital F und

of

N e w Y ork .

Hospital Information and Service

Bureau.

P r e l im in a r y re p o rt o f the co m m ittee to review m e d ic a l a n d hospital
p ro b lem s i n co n n e c tio n w ith w o rk m e n ’s co m p e n s a tio n i n s u r a n c e .
P u b lis h e d f o r
the in fo rm a tio n o f h o sp ita ls, w ithout co m m en t.
N e w Y o r k , 1 2 2 E a s t 2 2 d S treet,
1932.
32 pp.

Reviewed in this issue.
V an W o er d en , F. A.
in t e r n a t io n a l.

L a S o cié té d es N a tio n s et le ra p p r o c h e m e n t é co n o m iq u e
T h e H a g u e , M a r t i n u s N ijh o ff, 1 9 3 2 . 2 9 8 p p .

A survey of the accomplishments of the League of Nations in both the economic
and financial fields, with a general review of the postwar economic situation and
an account of the economic organization of the league.
W i l e y , C la ren ce A lton .

A g r ic u lt u r e a n d the b u s in e s s cy cle s in c e 1 9 2 0 : A study
i n the p o stw a r d is p a r it y o f p ric e s .
M a d is o n , W is ., 1 9 3 0 .
2 3 7 p p ., ch a rts.
( U n iv ersity o f W is c o n s in S t u d ie s i n the S o c ia l S c i e n c e s a n d H is to ry , N o . 1 5 .)


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