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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
W. N. DOAK, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1931
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C.
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Price 15 cents per copy
Subscription price per year, United States, Canada, Mexico, $1.50; other countries, $2.25
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C E R T IFIC A T E
T his publication is issued pursuant to the
provisions o f the sundry civil a c t (41 Stats.
1430) approved March 4, 1921.
C o n ten ts
Special articles:
Operation of public old-age pension systems in the United States,
1930________________________________________________________
Child labor recommendations of White House Conference on Child
Health and Protection________________________________________
Strikes and lockouts in the United States, 1916 to 1930____________
Employment conditions and relief:
Policies and practices for stabilization of employment in retail
establishments_______________________________________________
Irregularity of employment in the radio industry__________________
Nevada— Activities of fee-charging employment agencies__________
Unemployment in foreign countries______________________________
Australia— Unemployment relief measures________________________
Canadian labor program for dealing with unemployment___________
Great Britain—
Extent of employment and u n e m p lo y m e n t ________________
Industrial survey of depressed areas_________________________
Germany—Closing of private employment agencies______________
Industrial and labor conditions:
The Negro in the industrial depression___________________________
Philippine Islands— Factory inspection, 1929_____________________
Egypt— New labor office________________________________________
Woman and child labor:
New Jersey— Migratory child workers___________________________
New York— Trend of women’s wages in New York City since 1929._
Philippine Islands— Woman and child labor in Manila, 1929_______
Panama— Protection of working women__________________________
Health and industrial hygiene:
India—Incidence of illness among Bombay cotton operatives_______
Industrial accidents:
Accident experience of establishments reporting to National Safety
Council, 1929________________________________________________
Prevention of industrial accidents________________________________
Philippine Islands—Industrial accidents, 1925 to 1929_____________
Workmen’s compensation and social insurance:
Recent compensation reports—
Maryland_________________________________________________
Texas_____________________________________________________
Wyoming___ _____________________________________________
Estonia— Sickness and accident insurance for workers_____________
Old-age pensions:
Old-age pension laws of Idaho, West Virginia, and New Jersey_____
Labor laws and court decisions:
Arkansas— Constitutionality of full-crew law upheld_______________
Indiana— Death resulting from drinking polluted water held com
pensable_____________________________________________________
Massachusetts— Gradual injury to molder’s hand not compensable_ _
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CONTENTS
Labor laws and court decisions— Continued.
Page
Minnesota— Recovery for loss of wages based upon seniority rights
allowed________________________________________________________
90
Ohio full-crew law not applicable to electric cars---------------------------91
Maine regulations governing compressed-air work-------------------------92
Federal legislation in behalf of Porto Rican labor--------------------------100
Workers’ education and training:
Cooperative program of Antioch College--------------------------------------101
Canada— Workers’ educational association of Ontario-------------------101
102
China— Recent developments in mass education---------------------------Industrial disputes:
Strikes and lockouts in the United States in April, 1931-----------------103
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in April, 1931---------106
Philippine Islands—Labor disputes, 1925 to 1929--------------------------110
Labor organizations:
Work of union insurance companies in 1930---------------------------------111
Canada—•
Membership of labor organizations, 1930---------------------------------111
113
Trade-union benefits, 1930-----------------------------------------------------Labor journals and papers------------------------------------------------------113
Family allowances:
Family allowances for college professors and ministers------------------115
France— Development of family allowances------------------------------------116
Labor turnover:
Labor turnover in American factories, April, 1931-----------------------118
A standard procedure for compiling turnover statistics-------------------126
Housing:
Building permits in principal cities, April, 1931----------------------------129
Wages and hours of labor:
Recent changes in wages and hours of lab or._-------------------------- - - 143
Salaries of social workers, 1929---------------------------------------------------146
Operation of 6-hour day in plants of the Kellogg Co---------------------148
Nevada— Wages in mining camps------------------ -----------------------------155
Utah—
Wages of miners-----------------------------------------------------------------155
Wage-collection work of Utah Industrial Commission, 1928 to
1930_____________________________________
157
Philippine Islands—•
Hours of labor in Manila, 1928 and 1929-------------------------------158
Salaries in the civil service, 1925 to 1929-------------------------------158
Adjustment of wage claims by Philippine Bureau of Labor,
1925 to 1929_____________________________________________
159
Czechoslovakia— Wages in glass factories using the Fourcault system . 159
Canada— Agricultural wages, 1929 and 1930---------------------------------160
Japan—Wages and working conditions of maid servants in Tokyo----161
Trend of employment:
Summary for April, 1931________________________________________
163
Employment in selected manufacturing industries in April, 1931----165
Employment in nonmanufacturing industries in April, 1931-----------178
Employment in building construction in April, 1931------------------------- '184
184
Employment on class I steam railroads in the United States---------Changes in employment and pay rolls in various States-----------------186
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CONTENTS
Wholesale and retail prices:
Retail prices of food in April, 1931_______________________________
Retail prices of coal in the United States_________________________
Index numbers of wholesale prices in April, 1931__________________
Wholesale prices in the United States and in foreign countries, 1923
to March, 1931______________________________________________
Philippine Islands—-Wholesale and retail prices, 1927 and 1928_____
Great Britain— Retail prices of clothing, 1914 to 1931_____________
Cost of living:
Incomes and expenditures of street-car men’s families_____________
Philippine Islands— Cost of living in 1929________________________
Immigration and emigration:
Statistics of immigration for March, 1931________:________________
Migration of Philippine labor to Hawaii, 1925 to 1929_____________
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States__________________________________
Official— Foreign countries______________________________________
Unofficial______________________________________________________
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T h is Issu e in B rief
More than 10,000 old people were being cared for at the end of 1930
through the medium of public old-age pensions. This is shown by a
survey just completed by the United States Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics. Of 461 counties in the 9 States which had old-age pension
systems in force, onl^ 137 had adopted the system; the counties reporting spent $1,714,388 in pensions for 10,307 old persons during the year.
As compared with 1928, when the bureau’s previous survey was made,
the number of adopting counties had more than doubled, there were
more than ten times as many pensioners, and more than eight times
as much was spent in pensions. This increase was due to the spread
of the old-age pension plan to additional States rather than to its
growth in the original pension States. Page 1.
A series of recommendations dealing with the protection of employed
children, and with their welfare before and after reaching an employ
able age, was presented at the White House Conference on Child
Health and Protection by the committee on vocational guidance and
child labor. A summary of the program indicated is given on
page 15. The establishment of a national minimum standard of
protection and opportunity is strongly urged as a basis to which
each community may add special measures to meet its own local
problems.
A review of industrial disputes in the United States during the 15-year
period from 1916 to 1930 shows a downward trend in number of dis
putes over the whole period and an even sharper decline since 1922
in the number of workers concerned in such disputes. Page 23.
Violent fluctuations in employment characterize the manufacture of
radio sets and, tubes, and the irregularity is greater among women than
men, according to a study recently published by the United States
Women’s Bureau. The situation varies as between establishments,
and in one case the addition of a side line had rendered employment
noticeably more stable. In one case practically 49,000 hirings were
necessary for a force which ranged from under 8,000 to approximately
30,000. Page 40.
The provisions of the Federal vocational education act and the civilian
rehabilitation act have been extended to Porto Rico by Federal legislation
approved March 3, 1931. Under another Federal act passed in 1931
a department of labor was created for Porto Rico. The head of this
department is designated the commissioner of labor and has charge
of such government bureaus and branches as are now in existence or
to be legally established to promote the welfare of wage earners.
Page 100.
_ Rules and regulations for compressed-air work in Maine are estab
lished by a 1931 enactment of the State legislature. The law is some
what similar to that adopted in several other States, but is enlarged
and amplified by regulations pertaining to the use of recording gauges,
signal codes, etc. Page 92.
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THIS ISSUE IN BRIEF
The two insurance companies owned and operated by organized labor
together had a premium income during 1930 amounting to nearly $2,250,000. The insurance in force, written by these companies, totals
about $138,000,000, and they have combined assets of more than
$2,325,000. Claims paid during the year amounted to more than a
million dollars. These organizations have been doing business since
1925 and 1927, respectively. Page 111.
Primarily to relieve unemployment, the Kellogg Co., cereal manufac
turers of Battle Creek, Mich., inaugurated a 6-hour day on December 1,
1930. By this means the company was able to employ 20 per cent
more workers. Wages were adjusted, on the basis of purchasing
power and living, standards, so that the workers are reported to be
now receiving for the 6-hour day practically the same “ real” wages
that they received in 1928 for an 8-hour day. The plan has been
found to be advantageous to both workers and employer and, although
it was adopted as an emergency measure, the company is contem
plating its permanent retention. Page 148.
Negro workers have been especially hard hit by the industrial depres
sion, according to a report issued by the National Urban League.
North and South alike, they form a larger proportion among the un
employed than among the general population, but the disproportion
is most marked in the northern industrial centers. To some extent,
substitution of white for colored workers is going on, and in some
localities workers of other races are taking their places. However,
there is no discrimination against Negroes in the giving of relief.
Page 60.
Woman workers in New York City have seen their wage and salary
levels decline markedly since the fall of 1929, according to a study made
by the New York Department of Labor. The decline has been great
est in the case of domestic service, where the range of wages most
commonly offered was formerly from $40 to $70, and is now from
$15 to $55 a month. Page 66.
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MONTHLY JUNS3133* __
LABOR REVI EW
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
vol . 32, n o .
6
WASHINGTON
ju n e , 1931
O peration o f P u b lic O ld-A ge P en sio n S y ste m s in th e
U n ited S ta te s, 1930
WO years ago the Bureau of Labor Statistics gathered data as
to the extent to which aged citizens were being cared for under
the State old-age pension laws in operation at the end of 1928. At
that time only six States 1and Alaska had passed such laws, although
bills were pending in several other States. All of these laws were of the
optional type, and the study showed that of the 351 counties in the
six States, only 53 had adopted the old-age pension plan; these were
caring for 1,003 old people, at an annual cost of $208,624.
In 1929, California, Minnesota, Utah, and Wyoming passed legis
lation in this field and they were joined in 1930 by Massachusetts
and New York. _ Thus at the end of 1930 there were 12 States hav
ing old-age pension 2 laws on the books;3 in Massachusetts, however,
the system does not go into effect until July 1, 1931, and in New York
pensions became payable only on January 1, 1931. The adoption of
the system in Minnesota was delayed by the requirement of the law
providing that the question of adoption must be voted upon at a
general election and must receive, for adoption, a majority of all the
votes cast. The matter did not, therefore, come before the voters
of any Minnesota county until November, 1930. At that time the
pension plan was adopted in five counties, but legal and other diffi
culties with regard to funds still further delayed the operation of the
system, so that no pensions were paid in that State in 1930.
Only nine States (California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, Mon
tana, Nevada, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming), therefore, had the
old-age pension system in operation in 1930. Inquiry as to the
working of the system was made of the county authorities in all of
these States except Wisconsin, the data for which were supplied to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the State board of control. In
addition data for the early part of 1931 were obtained for New York
from the department of social welfare of that State.
Data are at hand from each of the nine States whose system was in
force in 1930, covering 377 of the 461 counties. Of these 377 counties,
137 had adopted the pension plan and were, at the end of the year,
T
1 Colorado, K entucky, M aryland, M ontana, N evada, and Wisconsin.
2 Called “ a id ” in California, “ relief” in N ew Y ork, a n d “ assistance” in M assachusetts and Wisconsin.
3 Since th e beginning of 1931 law s on th is subject have been passed in D elaware, Idaho, N ew Jersey, and
W est Virginia; in In d ian a such a law w as passed b u t was vetoed b y th e Governor. F or the provisions of
th e new law s of Idaho, W est Virginia, and N ew Jersey, see p. 82.
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[1267]
1
2
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
caring for more than 10,300 persons, at an expenditure for 1930 of
some $1,700,000—an average of $14.32 per pensioner. This is more
than double the number of counties which had the system in 1928, more
than ten times as many old people being cared for and more than eight
times as much being expended for their relief as in 1928. Analysis
of the figures shows, however, that this increase was due mainly to
the spread of the plan to additional States and not to any great growth
in the original pension States. Practically no headway has been made
in Colorado, Kentucky, or Nevada. In Maryland, two jurisdictions,
one of them containing the largest city in the State, have recently
adopted the plan, and in Montana two additional counties have done
so since 1928. The greatest gain over 1928 was shown in Wisconsin.
Comparison of the data in the six States covered in both 1928 and 1930
reveals the fact that in those States the number of adopting counties
increased by about one-ninth, the pensioners about doubled in num
ber, and the amount spent in pensions increased not quite 50 per cent.
Certain defects in some of the State laws are revealed by the reports.
One weakness is the failure to specify means by which the adopting
counties may raise the necessary funds.4 The outstanding feature
revealed, however, is the weakness of the “ optional” law, especially
where no measure of State aid is provided. Of the eight States liaving
laws whose adoption is optional with the individual county, in only
two do the adopting counties form as much as one-seventh of the total
number of counties in the State, and in two States, notwithstanding
that the laws have been on the books since 1926 and 1927, respectively,
they form less than 2 per cent of the total. In Utah, 13 of 29 and
in Montana 44 of 56 counties have put the pension system into operation.
In Wisconsin, 8 of the 71 counties had adopted the scheme in 1930 and
a ninth has recently joined them; in this State the county receives State
aid to the extent of one-third of the cost.
A brighter side to the picture is seen in the fact that though only a
small proportion of counties have adopted the plan these are in most
instances the larger counties, so that their adoption carries with it
protection for a proportionately larger section of the State population
than their numbers would indicate.
The value of the mandatory plan has been recognized in Colorado,
whose legislature has just amended the law of the State, making it
mandatory instead of optional.5 However, the relative development
of the old-age pension system in such “ mandatory” States as
Wyoming on the one hand and California and New York on the
other seems to indicate that, regardless of whether the law is or is not
mandatory, funds must be forthcoming before pensions can be paid,
and that State aid imparts a great impetus toward the adoption and
spread of the system.
The cost of the pension varies widely from State to State and county
to county. Absolute figures, however, mean little in this connection.
A better criterion is the annual per capita cost of pensions. Here again
a wide variation is shown, the per capita cost ranging, by States, from
4 cents to $1.35 per inhabitant. In three States the cost was around
25 cents, while in the oldest pension State of all the cost was 37 cents.
4
T h is has ju st been rem edied in W yom ing b y an am endm ent authorizing a tax on real estate, and in
M innesota b y an am endm ent authorizing th e transfer of m oney from other funds,
s Effective Jan u ary , 1932.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1268 ]
PUBLIC OLD-AGE PENSIONS
3
That the amount of pension granted does not tend to approach the
maximum allowable is shown by the fact that in 1928 the average
pension was $17.37, while in 1930 it was $14.32. In the six States for
which data for both years are available the average pension fell from
$17.37 to $13.57.
Summary data for 1930 are shown in Table 1; the 1931 experience
of Minnesota and New York, as far as available, is also given.
Table 1.—S U M M A R Y O F O P E R A T IO N OF S T A T E O LD -A Q E P E N S IO N LAW S
Counties in
State
Y ear and State
1930
C alifornia_________________________
Colorado . . . . . _
____ .
.
K en tu ck y ___ _____________________
M aryland
M ontana.
_____ ____. . . .
N evada______
_ _____________ ..
U t a h .. . _____________ . . . _______
W isconsin_____________ ______ . . .
W yom ing . . .
_______ . . .
Counties having pension system
Y ear of
passage
N um
of law T otal ber
ber
re N u m Nofum
pen
num ber ported
ber
sioners
for
1929
1927
1926
1927
1923
1925
1929
1925
1929
T o tal_______ _______________
Average
pension
per
m onth 1
A m ount
paid in
pensions
58
63
120
24
56
17
29
71
10 23
58
57
67
10
55
13
25
71
21
58
1
2
2
44
2
13
88
7
2 7,205
0
18
6 12
7 889
«5
1,107
989
ii 82
461
377
137
13 10, 307
14. 32
i< 1,714,388
87
62
87
62
5
62
32,437
27.48
1« 888, 247
3 $15.63 4 $1,296,455
0
0
5. 39
1, 164
« 12.00
« 1,800
14.09
2 149,100
8 25.00
«900
7. 37
8 95, 780
13.19
156, 510
13. 21
I2 12, 679
1931
M innesota . _
N ew Y ork _
. .
... ...
____________
1929
1930
1 Com puted on basis of num ber of pensioners and am ount spent in pensions.
2 42 counties.
3 Average for 41 counties for which bureau has d ata as to num ber of pensioners and am ount spent in pen
sions; S tate office gives $22.56 as average pension for entire State.
4 41 counties.
5 No pensions paid.
6 1 county.
7 43 counties.
8 12 counties.
8 A nin th county has adopted th e system since the beginning of 1931.
10 N ot including Yellowstone Park.
11 6 counties.
12 5 counties.
13116 counties.
14112 counties.
8 4 m onth s’ expenditures.
The details of the study are given in the following sections.
Provisions of the Laws in Effect at End of 1930
T h e r e is a good deal of similarity in the old-age pension laws.
Usually the applicant must have reached a certain age (65 in Mary
land, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, and 70 in California, Colorado,6
Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New York, and
Wisconsin) and have lived a certain length of time in county or State
or both.
No pension may be paid to persons having more than a specified
amount of property ($3,000 in California, Colorado, Maryland,
Minnesota, Nevada, and Wisconsin, and $2,500 in Kentucky) or
income per year ($300 in Montana and Utah, $360 in Wyoming, and
6 Lowered to 65 b y a 1931 am endm ent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1269]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
4
$400 in Kentucky). Certain classes (such as criminals, vagrants,
deserters of families, etc.) are barred by practically all of the laws.
The pension granted may not exceed $1 per day in California,
Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, and Wisconsin, $25 per
month in Montana and Utah, $30 per month in Wyoming, and $250
a year in Kentucky.
In all but four States the cost must be borne entirely by the county.
In Massachusetts and Wisconsin the State pays one-third of the cost
and in California and New York the State bears one-half of the cost.
Extent of Adoption of Pension System
T h e pension systems have met with varying degrees of success in
their acceptance by the people of the State. Table 2 divides the
States according to whether the law is voluntary or mandatory in
form, and shows for each State the proportion of the population in
those counties which have adopted the old-age pension system.
Some of the laws are clearly mandatory and others are clearly
optional. There was, however, some doubt as to the laws of Montana,
Utah, and Wyoming, and inquiry was therefore made of the governors
of those States as to how the law should be classified.
That it is mainly the larger counties which are voluntarily adopting
the system is shown in the three States of Maryland, Minnesota, and
Wisconsin. In Maryland though only 2 of the 24 counties have thus
far voted to accept the system, these contain slightly more than half
of the entire population of the State. The 5 adopting counties (of a
total of 87) in Minnesota have more than two-fifths of the population,
and the 9 adopting counties (out of 71) in Wisconsin have 37.3 per
cent of that State’s population. In Montana (whose law has been
on the statute books longer than that of any other State) 44 of the 56
counties have adopted the old-age pension system and more than threefourths of the population of the State is under the coverage of the law.
In Utah only 13 of the 29 counties have put the system into operation,
but these contain nearly three-fourths of the whole population of the
State. Almost negligible progress has been made in Colorado,
Kentucky, and Nevada, although their laws have been in effect since
1927, 1926, and 1925, respectively. Some of the reports from Colo
rado express the hope that more progress will be made now that the
law of that State has been made mandatory upon the counties.7
As would be expected, a much wider operation of the old-age pen
sion system is found in the “ mandatory” States. Nevertheless,
even among these the case of Wyoming shows that even though a law
may be said to be compulsory upon the counties, if the State contrib
utes nothing and the counties have no funds for the purpose, the law
remains inoperative. In Wyoming, however, an amendment to the
law has just been passed which requires a specific levy for pension
purposes and this, it is expected, will assist the spread of the system
there. General acceptance of the system is found in California and
New York; in both of these States part of the cost is borne by the
State.
7 B y action of the 1931 legislature.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1270]
PUBLIC OLD-AGE PENSIONS
5
T able 2 .—E X T E N T A N D C O \ E R A G E OF P E N S IO N S Y S T E M IN S P E C IF IE D ST A T E S , BY
T Y P E O F LA W
N um ber of
coun
ties in
State
Population
of State,
1930
State and type of law
Voluntary
Colorado_______ _ ___ - ---------------- . . _........ ......... 1,035, 791
K e n tu c k y .- _____ ________________________ _ _ - 2, 614, 589
M ary lan d ________________________ _____ ____ _ 1, 631, 526
M innesota___________________ _____
____________ 2, 563, 953
M o n ta n a ... __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ----------- ----------537,606
91, 058
N evada__________
_______
___
__ __ _ _ _
507,847
U ta h _________________________ ____ _______________
W isconsin_____ ____ ____ _ ______________________ 2,939,006
Mandatory
C alifornia. _________ _ _ ________________ __ 5, 677,251
New Y ork. ______________________________________ 12, 588, 066
225, 565
W yom ing ______________
_____________________
Counties haying pension
system 1
Per
N um Population cent of
State
ber
popu
lation
63
120
24
87
56
17
29
71
1
2
2
5
44
2
13
9
36, 008
26, 246
823, 457
1,067, 702
411, 602
4, 656
373, 551
1,097, 277
3.5
1.0
50.5
41. 6
76.6
5.1
73.6
37.3
58
62
23
58
62
7
5,677,251
12, 588,066
78,868
100.0
100.0
35.0
1 Includes also those which, although they have adopted th e system , have n o t y e t p u t it into effect.
Average Amount of Pension Paid
I n a l l States but New York and Massachusetts a maximum
amount of pension is set which may in no case be exceeded. Subject
to this limitation, the pension authorities fix the allowance on the
basis of other income and of the pensioner’s need.
The data collected show wide variation in the amounts actually
granted. The most liberal State, from the point of view of the
individual pension, appears to be New York, with Nevada coming
second. California comes third. In Wisconsin and Wyoming the
amounts granted are almost identical, while Kentucky and Utah are
far behind.
Within the States, also, as Table 3 shows, there is a wide range of
amounts. The second half of the table shows the distribution of the
reporting counties in each State according to the size of the average
pension.
T able 3 .—A V E R A G E A N D R A N G E O F P E N S IO N S , A N D D IS T R IB U T IO N O F C O U N T IE S
B Y SIZE O F P E N S IO N PA ID
N u m b er of counties in which average
pension paid was—
State
C alifornia-----K e n tu ck y ........
M ary lan d ____
M o n tan a _____
N evada______
New Y o rk 6—
U ta h ________
W isconsin____
W yom ing-----T o tal___
Per cent-
Average
pension
p a id 1
Range of
pensions
paid
' $15. 63
5. 39
$5.00-$27. 76
5.00- 12. 00
12.00
12.00
14.09
25.00
27.48
7. 37
13.19
8.72- 25.00
25.00
13.75- 33.91
4.00- 15. 00
9. 78- 18. 90
13. 50- 16. 66
12.10
$25
$15
$20
$10
U n and
$30
and and and
der under under
under
under
$10
$30
$15
$25
$20
12
3
5
5
__ 2
12
6.2
33
16.9
14
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3 42
2
12
‘1
31
18
‘ 43
35
«79
13
2
8
6
1
4
72
36.9
47
24.1
29
14.9
1 C om puted on basis of n u m b er of pensioners and am ount paid in pensions.
2 Average for counties rep o rtin g ; S tate office gives $22.56 as average pension for entire State.
3Not including 2 w hich paid no pensions.
‘ N ot including 1 which paid no pensions.
6 D ata for 1931.
« C oun ty and city welfare d istricts.
[1271]
Total
2
1.0
195
100.0
6
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Cost of Pensions
T he details of number of pensioners and cost are shown, by county,
in Table 4. A wide range is shown both in average pension and in
per capita cost.
It is seen that in most cases the pensioners form a very small part
of the population of the county, usually less than one-half of 1 per
cent. In individual counties, however, the proportion runs up above
the general level, California even having two counties and Montana
having one county in which the pensioners form over 1 per cent of the
county population.
As regards per capita cost, the lowest State average is found in
Kentucky where, in 1930, old-age pensions (in the two counties which
had the system in operation) cost only 4 cents per inhabitant. At
the other end of the scale is Nevada (one county only) where the cost
was $L35 per inhabitant. The cost in the three States of California,
Utah, and Wyoming was about 25 cents per capita, while in Montana,
where the system has been in operation long enough for it to have
become fairly stable, the per capita cost in 1930 was 37 cents. Cer
tain counties show pensioners and costs out of all proportion to the
general picture, but these were undoubtedly caused by special local
conditions.
T able 4 .—N U M B E R O F P E N S IO N E R S A N D C O ST O F P E N S IO N S . 1930, B Y S T A T E A N D
COUNTY
Pensioners
S tate and county
California
A lam eda_____ _ _ ____________
Alpine_______ _ _ _________
A m ador_____ _____
B u t t e . _ ____________
Calaveras.
.....
C olu sa.. ________ __
C ontra C osta. . . ____
Eldorado____ _
G le n n .._______ . . .
Im perial_____________ _ _.
In y o -----------------------------------------Lake_______________
Lassen . . . ______
Los Angeles_________
_ .
M ad era______
___ ____
M arin________ _____
M endocino............. .
M erced___ __________
M odoc________ _____
M ono_______ _.
N apa ____
___
N evad a___ . ____
Orange___ _ _________
Placer___ __ _ ______ . . .
P lum as___ _
____ __ . . .
R iverside___ ______
Popula
tion, 1930
474,883
241
8,494
34, 093
6,008
10, 258
78, 608
8, 325
10,935
60,903
6,555
7,166
12, 589
2, 208, 492
17,164
41, 648
23, 505
36, 748
8,038
1, 360
22, 897
10, 596
118, 674
24,468
7,913
81,024
Aver
age
pen
Per
N u m cent of sion per
ber
popu m onth
lation
946
«
61
282
38
60
94
155
44
9
21
21
40
1,681
47
52
92
20
12
3
«
68
115
110
19
68
0. 20
$25. 00
«
.72
15. 00
.83
15. 00
.63
20. 00
.58
17. 45
.12
23. 00
1.86
20.00
.40 2 17. 27
.01
25.00
.32
27. 76
.29
20.00
.32
22. 00
.08
25. 36
.27
15.00
. 12
21. 00
.39
15. 00
.05
18.00
.15
25.00
.22
25.00
0)
.64 2 22. 06
.10
20.00
.45
12.00
.24
18.00
.08 2 24. 26
1 N o pensions paid in 1930.
2 C om puted on basis of num ber oi pensioners and am ount paid in pensions.
3 Y ear ending in F ebruary, 1931.
4 8 months.
5 Y ear ending Apr. 1, 1931.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1272]
Pensions paid, 1930
A m ount
$260,000. 00
(>)
4, 050.16
28,725. 00
2,178. 00
5,825. 66
20,622. 60
27, 460. 00
7, 599. 19
1, 590. 00
3,912. 00
5,293. 00
4,084. 92
2 416,913. 36
6,373. 78
12,697. 00
9,486. 00
1,022. 35
300.00
650.00
«
4 12,000. 00
18,398. 64
3 24, 511. 00
4,100. 00
10,000. 00
Annual
cost per
capita
of pop
ulation
$0.55
.48
.84
.36
.57
.26
3. 30
.70
.03
.60
.74
.32
. 10
.39
.37
.40
.03
.04
.48
1.70
.16
1.00
.52
.12
PUBLIC OLD-AGE PENSIONS
7
T able 4 .—N U M B E R O F P E N S IO N E R S A N D C O ST OF P E N S IO N S , 1930, B Y S T A T E A N D
C O U N T Y —C ontinued
Pensioners
S tate and county
Popula
tion, 1930
Pensions paid, 1930
Aver
age
pen
Per
N u m cent of sion per
ber
popu m onth
lation
A m ount
A nnual
cost per
capita
of pop
ulation
California—C ontinued
Sacram ento_________________________ _____
San B en ito .............. ......... .................................
San D ie g o ______________________________ _
San Francisco____________________________
San Luis 0 bispo_______ . . ______________
San M ateo _______
. . . _ ______ . . . ____
Santa B arb ara___________________________
_______
Santa C lara______________ __
Shasta . __________
_____ _____________
Sierra_________________ . . . _____________
Siskiyou _________ . ____ _____
Solano ______________________
Sonoma___ ____ _________
_________
Stanislaus. ___ ___________________ ____
T eham a_____________ . ________________
T u lare _____________________________ ___
T uolum ne ______ . ... _ ... _____
V entura ______________________
T otal (44)_________________
141,999
11,311
209, 659
634, 394
29,613
77,405
65,167
145,118
13,927
2,422
25, 480
40,834
62, 222
56, 641
13,866
77,442
9,271
54,976
450
12
350
861
80
80
82
307
250
11
70
66
136
94
59
113
60
66
4,993, 332
7,205
0.32 $25.00
. 11
23. 80
. 17
25. 00
.14 2 27. 30
.27
25.00
. 10 2 5.00
. 13
25.00
.21
22.50
1. 79
20.00
.45
2 9. 90
15. 00
.28
.16
21. 30
.22 2 17. 32
.17
19.00
.43
10.00
. 15 22. 75
.65
15.00
. 12 25.00
$44,433.00
3,426. 00
« 30,075.00
116,409. 00
7 22,384. 00
4,000. 00
3,275. 50
26,212. 02
60, 000. 00
1,305.00
(8)
10,478.21
8 10,326. 00
13, 404. 00
5, 507. 00
27,000. 00
900.00
29,527. 96
$0.31
.30
.29
.18
.64
.05
.05
.18
4.31
.54
2 15. 63
1,296,455. 35
10.27
“ .15
.26
.33
.24
.40
.35
.10
.54
Colorado
Las A nim as ............. ...................... .
36,008
(“ )
T o tal (1) ...... ............................
36, 008
(»)
Kentucky
C allow ay. ______ ____________
M a rtin ____________ _________
17, 662
8,584
17
1
. 10
.01
5. 00
12.00
1,020. 00
144.00
.06
.02
______ ______ ____
26, 246
18
».07
25. 39
1,164.00
10.04
12
.06
12.00
(l)
1,800.00
.10
12
» .06
2 12. 00
1,800. 00
10.10
T o tal (2).
(u)
(U)
___ .
Maryland
B altim ore (city) ____ __________ _
T a lb o t_____________________ ____ _______
804,874
18, 583
T o tal (2) _______________ ___
823,457
Minnesota
B lue E a rth ____ ___________ ___
H en n ep in ______ . ____________
R am say _____ _______ ______
St. Louis ______ ______________
W ashington ____________ ______
33,847
517j 785
286Î 721
204, 596
24; 753
T o tal (5)...............
..................
(!)
(l)
11
(l)
0)
0)
1,067, 702
11
6,654
8, 543
9,006
12, 571
4,136
41,146
5,553
9,881
16, 293
4, 568
16
3
9
21
4
67
7
17
33
3
(i)
(1)
(l)
(1)
(>)
(l)
(1)
(l)
(1)
0)
(>)
0)
M ontana
B eaverhead ___ _______________
Big H o rn . ___________________
B laine ________ ___________
Carbon _________ _ ______ _
C arter _______________
Cascade __ _______ _______ ____
D aniels ______________________
D aw son ___________________
Deerlodge _____________________
F allo n . ______ _________ ___
.24
25. 00
.04
15. 00
.10
15. 00
15. 00
.17
.10
10. 00
20.00
.16
14. 00
. 13
. 17 2 12. 48
15. 00
.20
.07
15. 83
1 No pensions paid in 1930.
2 C om puted on basis of num ber of pensioners and am ount paid in pensions.
8 6 m onths.
7 15 m onths ending M ar. 1, 1931.
8 N ot reported.
• Based upon counties reporting pensioners.
70 Based upo n counties reporting am ount spent in pensions.
11 System does n o t go into effect u n til Jan . 1, 1932.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1273]
5, 600. 00
225. 00
1,800. 00
3,322. 50
205.00
12,000. 00
1,800. 00
2,545. 00
5,685. 00
550. 00
.84
.03
.20
.26
.05
.29
.32
.26
.35
.12
8
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 4 .—N U M B E R O F P E N S IO N E R S A N D C O ST O F P E N S IO N S , 1930, B Y S T A T E A N D
C O U N T Y —C ontinued
Pensions paid, 1930
Pensioners
S tate and county
Popula
tion, 1930
Aver
age
pen
Per
N u m cent of sion per
popu m onth
ber
lation
A m ount
Annual
cost per
capita
of pop
ulation
M ontana—C ontinued
$8,407.00
3,698. 27
1,062. 50
1,405. 00
1,100. 00
12 2,855. 00
3, 510. 00
6,957. 50
300. 00
1,350. 00
16,056. 00
2, 000. 00
4, 327.00
(‘)
2,225.00
1,569. 00
2, 600. 00
2, 000. 00
$0.44
.23
.25
.27
.52
.95
.25
1.68
.06
. 14
.88
.91
.61
63
24
6
9
8
18
24
50
1
8
96
7
22
(!)
10
15
19
12
7
24
6
55
3
3
12
24
16
107
10
5
15
1
4318
11
0. 33
. 15
. 14
. 17
.38
.60
. 17
1.21
.02
.08
.53
.32
.31
$11.11
12.50
2 16. 00
20. 00
211.46
2 14. 00
212.19
12.50
25. 00
14.52
13. 94
25.00
18. 00
M eagher_________________________________
M ineral__________________________________
M usselshell------- -------------------------------------P a rk _____________________________________
Petrol pn m
_ _ _ ____ _______
Pow ell. ______
_____ - - ----------------P r a ir ie ..____________________ __________
R avalli_________________________ ____ ____
R ichland________________________________
R oosevelt_____________________________ _
____ _ .
-------------R osebud_________
Sanders_________
___
. .- -------------Sheridan------------- ------------ --------------------Silver Bow-------------------------------- -------Stillw ater _______ _______ ______ ______
Sweet G rass____________________ ________ .
Toole. . . . _ ____________ - -----------------T rea su re .. . -------------- ------------------------V alley__ _ . ---------------------- ----------------W heatland . . .....................................................
19,200
16,124
4, 252
5,297
2,126
3,013
13, 775
4,133
5,238
9,541
18, 224
2,198
7,089
4,790
2,272
1,626
7, 242
10, 922
2,045
6,202
3,941
10, 315
9,633
10, 672
7, 347
5, 692
9, 869
56,969
6,253
3, 944
6,714
1,661
11,181
3, 751
.44
.92
.26
. 11
.34
.39
.15
.53
.03
.03
.16
.42
. 16
. 19
. 16
. 13
.22
.06
13.16
.29
218. 54
28. 72
15. 65
15.00
f 15. 00
15.00
2 14. 25
2 11.82
14.00
25.00
21. 25
15.00
15.00
15.00
25. 00
15.00
25.00
15.00
13 21. 70
15.00
(8)
3,495. 00
1, 025. 00
7,036. 00
272.00
900.00
3, 240. 00
4, 252. 00
2, 500. 00
19,100. 25
1, 620. 00
845.00
3, 275. 00
180. 00
13 4, 690. 00
1, 515. 00
.56
.26
.68
.03
.08
.44
.75
.25
.34
.26
. 21
.49
.11
13.42
.40
T otal (44)......................................................
411, 602
889
8.22
2 14.09
149,100. 02
10. 37
Nevada
N ye
- ___________________________
S torey------------- --------- ------------------------------
3,989
'667
5
(1)
.75
(!)
25.00
(>)
900.00
1.35
T otal (2)___________ ___________- .........
4, 656
5
«. 75
25.00
900. 00
1» 1.35
F la th e a d _________________________________
G allatin_____________ —
— - -----------G arfield.. _______________________ ______
Glacier___ __________ ____ - -------------------G olden Valley ------- ------------------------------G ra n ite __________ _________________ ______
H ill_____________________________________
Jefferson _____________ _____ ___________
Ju d ith B asin------- ----------------------------------Lake. ____________________________ ______
Lewis an d C la rk __________________________
L ib e rty ___________________ ____ ____ ____ L incoln---------- --------- ----------------------------
Albany
N ew Y o rk 14
_ _______________
(i)
685
.32
23.16
211,953
71
.19
17. 61
38,025
43 104, 443
366
.35
23. 57
20. 89
42| 579
56
.13
263
.36
18. 17
72, 398
14. 94
294
64', 751
.45
14. 44
.41
258
15 63’ 500
.21
22.18
38
17, 802
20. 60
78
.17
45', 155
180
.66
19. 45
45 27, 283
24.34
140
.30
47, 397
15 26, 287
199
.76
15. 46
$, 378
43
.51
17. 58
184
15. 31
16 33,338
.55
C linton
______ _____________
40
.30
16.45
13, 349
229
23. 03
4L716
.55
C olum bia---------- --------------------- ---------------1 N o pensions paid in 1930.
2 C om puted on basis of n u m b er of pensioners and am ount p aid in pensions.
8 N o t reported.
8 Based upon counties reporting pensioners.
10 Based upon counties reporting am ount spent in pensions.
12 Y ear ending Jan . 31,1931.
13 Y ear ending Ju ly , 1930.
.
44 D ata are as of M ay 1,1931.
P opulation of city or cities nam ed.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1274]
}
.98
.96
.36
.18
PUBLIC OLD-AGE PENSIONS
9
T able 4 —N U M B E R O F P E N S IO N E R S A N D C O ST O F P E N S IO N S , 1930, BY S T A T E A N D
C O U N T Y —C ontinued
Pensioners
S tate and county
Popula
tion, 1930
Pensions paid, 1930
Aver
age
Per
pen
N u m cent of sion per
ber
popu m onth
lation
N ew York—C ontinued
C ortlan d____________________
C ortland________________
D elaw are___________________
D utchess________________ ___
Beacon__________________
Poughkeepsie____________
E r ie .............................. ............ .
Essex_____ _____ ____________
F ra n k lin ............................... ......
F u lto n ___________ __________
Genesee_____________________
B a ta v ia .............................. .
Greene_________________ ____
H am ilto n___________________
H erkim er___________________
Jefferson____________________
Lew is_________ _____ ____ •___
L iv in g sto n ...................................
M adison____________________
M onroe_____________________
M ontgom ery.................................
N assau______________________
N ew Y ork (greater N ew York).
N iagara_____________________
L ock p o rt______ _____ ____
O neida______________________
Sherrill____ _____ ________
O nondaga___________________
Syracuse____________ ____
O ntario_____^.............. ................
O range_____________ ______ _
N ew b u rg h___ ____________
O rleans_____________________
Oswego..........................................
F u lto n ................................ .
Oswego_____ ____ ________
Otsego______________________
P u tn a m _______ _____________
Rensselaer........... ........................ .
R ockland___________ .4 ______
/St. Law rence___________ _____
Saratoga__________ _________
Saratoga Springs_________
Schenectady____ ____________
Schenectady...........................
Schoharie___________________
Schuyler____________________
Seneca._____________________
Steuben_____________________
Suffolk______________________
Sullivan_____________________
T io g a .____ __________________
T om pkins___________________
Ith aca___________________
U lster____ __________________
K ingston________________
W arren_____________________
Glens Falls_________ _____
W ashington________ 1 . . . ..........
W ayne_________________ ____
W estchester_________________
W yom ing......... ............. ..............
Y ates...............................................
T o tal (79 «)
1« 16,666
15,043
41,163
is 53, 241
11,933
40, 288
762, 408
33, 959
45, 694
46, 560
15 27,093
17, 375
25, 808
3, 929
64, 006
83, 574
23, 447
37, 560
39, 790
423,881
60,076
303, 053
6,930,446
15126,169
23,160
15196, 613
2, 150
is 82, 280
209, 326
54, 276
15 99, 108
31, 275
28, 795
15 34, 531
12,462
22,652
46, 710
13, 744
119, 781
59, 599
90, 960
50,145
13,169
29, 329
95, 692
19, 667
12, 909
24, 983
82,671
161,055
35,272
25,480
20,782
20, 708
52, 067
28,088
15, 643
18, 531
46,482
49,995
520, 947
28, 764
16,848
51
48
272
266
73
204
551
255
364
254
73
63
135
10
173
495
113
89
190
644
201
425
15,878
218
104
407
1
225
419
232
512
181
129
248
79
129
269
42
742
148
377
327
73
80
176
149
98
157
466
187
102
251
98
116
357
127
100
55
244
277
348
109
127
.31
.32
.66
.50
.61
.51
.07
.75
.80
.55
.27
.36
.52
.25
.27
.59
.48
.23
.48
.15
.33
. 14
.23
.17
.45
.21
.05
.27
.20
.43
.52
.58
.45
.72
.63
.57
.58
.31
.62
.25
.41
.65
. 55
.27
. 18
.76
.76
.63
.56
.12
.29
.98
.47
.56
.69
.45
.64
.30
.52
.55
.07
.38
.75
16. 96
21.44
17. 85
18. 85
21. 32
25. 77
25. 51
18.18
16.18
18. 48
18. 08
18. 94
17. 47
27. 00
17.11
16. 48
18.81
16. 96
17. 97
28. 25
18.20
26. 36
33.91
20.09
22. 13
21.83
15. 00
21. 18
24. 37
15. 06
24. 93
19. 92
17. 85
17. 21
20.34
23. 64
18. 86
30. 14
26. 06
25. 17
22. 16
23.49
18. 00
23. 59
27. 36
13. 75
21. 51
20.37
15.58
20. 36
22.83
19.83
22.92
27. 13
18.10
24. 34
18. 84
22.96
21.03
19. 06
28. 95
15. 28
22.08
12, 588, 066
23, 437
». 26
2 27. 48
9 Based upon counties reporting num ber of pensioners.
16 Population, exclusive of city or cities nam ed.
16 C ounty and city welfare districts.
58726°—31
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-2
[1275]
A m ount
A nnual
cost per
capita
of pop
ulation
10
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 4 .—N U M B E R OF P E N S IO N E R S A N D C O ST O F P E N S IO N S , 1930, B Y S T A T E A N D
C O U N T Y —C ontinued
Pensioners
S tate and county
P opu
lation,
1930
Pensions paid, 1930
Average
pen
Per
sion
N u m cent
per
ber
of pop
ulation m onth
A m ount
A nnual
cost per
capita
of pop
ulation
Utah
w
o
Carbon ______________ .
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
D u ch esn e,_ ____ _______
__
__ ____
G a rfie ld ..______
G ra n d ._ _________ ___
J u a b ______________ __ _ _ ____________
M illard_________
_
___ ________
M organ_________
_
____________
Salt L ak e________ _ _______________ ___
San Ju a n _________________ ___
S a n p e te ________________
U t a h . . _______________
W eber
_ „ _ .
5,136
17, 798
8,263
4,642
1,813
8,605
9, 945
2,536
194,102
3, 496
16,022
49, 021
52, 172
20
20
4
15
10
42
15
5
642
3
34
168
129
0. 39
. 11
.05
.32
. 55
.49
. 15
. 20
.33
.09
. 21
. 34
.25
$11. 50
15. 00
10. 00
2 6. 18
10. 00
9. 47
7. 25
10. 00
10. 00
7. 50
4. 00
9. 51
9.00
$2, 260. 00
1,985. 00
(0
1, 115. 00
1,135. 00
4, 051. 50
1, 200. 00
' 120. 00
17 54, 282. 13
' 270. 00
18 625. 50
15,61C. 00
13,125. 50
$0.44
. 11
373, 551
1, 107
». 30
2 7. 37
95,779. 63
i°. 26
.09
.35
. 18
.05
.22
. 26
. 13
. 16
2 14.14
2 14. 26
2 14.15
2 11. 79
2 14. 34
2 18. 90
2 9. 78
2 16. 94
(>)
9, 995. 00
32, 517. 36
6,454. 00
i» 54, 772.86
23, 931. 50
5,217. 00
11,222.00
12, 400. 00
. 16
. 60
.30
.08
.38
. 59
. 15
.33
». 09 2 13. 19
156, 509. 72
i». 15
. 04
. 08
. 17
. 24
. 63
. 47
. 12
.05
.28
.08
. 09
. 32
.25
Wisconsin
K enosha______ ______ ____ __ _________
L a Crosse_______ _ ______________ ___
Langlade______
_________ _________
M ilw aukee___ __ __ ___ _ _____
_ _
O utagam ie_____ _ _ __________
Saw yer__
__ _
__ _
W innebago__ ___ ______________ _
W ood_______________________
- T otal (9)_
46, 583
63, 277
54, 455
21, 544
725,263
62, 790
8,878
76, 622
37,865
55
190
38
« 387
139
23
96
61
1,097, 277
989
12,041
11, 222
10,490
26,845
9, 695
2,003
6, 572
4
28
24
. 03
. 25
.23
16. 66
13. 50
15.00
4
2
20
.04
. 10
.30
15. 50
15. 00
12.10
460. 00
9, 012. 55
1, 780. 00
«
372.00
0)
1,054. 00
82
». 16 2 13. 21
12,678. 55
0)
Wyoming
A lbanv
Big H o rn . _ __
_____________
F rem o n t-_ _ _
_ _ _ _
Laram ie____ _ ___
_ _ _ _______
P la tte ___________________ ________________
T eto n ____ _ _ ___ __________ ___ _ _ _
U inta
Total f71_ _
78,868
«
.04
(0
. 16
io. 25
1 N o pensions paid in 1930.
2 C om puted on basis of num ber of pensioners and am ount paid in pensions.
8 Based upon counties reporting pensioners.
10 Based upo n counties reporting am o u n t spent in pensions.
17 Y ear ending N ovem ber, 1930.
18 5 m onths.
i® Prelim inary figures, subject to slight revision.
Table 5 shows for counties for which the bureau has comparable
data, the proportion of pensioners and the per capita cost in 1930
and in 1928 when the bureau’s previous survey was made.
Of the 45 counties covered by the table, in 33 the proportion of pen
sioners had increased in 1930 as compared with 1928, in 8 it had
decreased, in 2 there was no change, while in 2 counties no persons
were aided in 1930.
Per capita costs rose in 29 counties, declined in 11 counties, and
showed no change in 2 counties. In most cases the increase in costs
was very slight, but in 9 counties the cost more than doubled.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1276]
11
PUBLIC OLD-AGE PENSIONS
T able 5 .—P E R C E N T O F P E N S IO N E R S A N D P E R C A P IT A C O ST O F P E N S IO N S , 1928
A N D 1930
State and county
Per cent
pensioners
formed Of
population
P er capita
cost
1928
1928
0.10 $0.41
K entucky: C allow ay___ 0.17
M ontana:
B eaverhead________ .21
B laine_____________ .04
C arbon____________ .21
.12
Cascade___________
C uster_____________ .31
D aniels-___________ .07
D aw son___________
. 13
Fallon___________ _
.04
F la th e a d __________
.15
G allatin___________ .14
G lacier____________ .06
Golden Valley_____
.47
G ranite____________ .63
H ill_______________ .05
Jefferson___________ .82
J u d ith B asin _______ .02
L ake______________ .07
Lewis and C lark___
.48
L iberty ____________ .14
Lincoln____________ .25
M eagher__________
.31
M ineral_____ ______ .43
1930
.24
. 10
.17
. 16
( ')
.13
.17
.07
.33
. 15
.17
.38
.60
.17
1. 21
.02
.08
.53
.32
.31
.44
.92
Per cent
pensioners
formed of
population
P er capita
cost
1930
1928
1928
$0. 06
M on tan a—C o n tin ued.
. M usselshell________ 0.14
P ark- ____________ . 15
Petroleum _. 15
Powell _____ _
.21
Prairie ___________
.08
R a v a lli- .___ ____ .30
R ichland ____
.02
Roosevelt
.01
Rosebud __ _____
.23
Sanders- ____
.35
Silver B ow - .- . .
.18
Stillwater __
.03
Sweet Grass. 15
Toole________
.09
Treasure ________
.06
Valley_____________ . 18
W h eatlan d_____ - _ .19
N evada: N y e _ . __
__ . 28
Wisconsin:
La Crosse _______
.25
Outagamie ______
. 15
Sawyer - .
.24
W ood_____________
. 10
State and county
.63
.08
.34
.27
.56
. 16
.29
. 10
.29
.24
.17
.51
.93
. 10
1. 23
.06
.12
.86
.41
.68
.92
.77
.84
.20
.26
.29
0)
.32
.26
. 12
.44
.23
.27
.52
.95
.25
1.68
.06
.14
.88
.91
.•61
.98
.96
1 System discontinued.
1930
0. 26 $0.24
.11
.31
.34
. 32
.39
.38
.15
.17
.53
.60
.03
.05
.03
.03
.16
.59
.42
.73
. 19
.35
.16
. 10
.13
.27
.22
.21
.06
.11
.16
.54
.29
.34
.42
.35
.22
.26
.16
.29
.18
.38
. 11
1930
$0. 36
. IS
.56
.26
.68
.03
.08
.44
.75
.34
.26
.21
.49
.11
.42
.40
2 .60
2 .38
2 .59
2 .33
2 One-third paid b y State.
Table 6 shows aggregate figures for those States whose pension laws
were in operation as early as 1928. It shows that the number of
adopting counties increased, by about one-ninth in the 2-year interval,
the number of pensioners nearly doubled, and the amount spent in
pensions rose about 50 per cent.
T able 6 —C O M P A R A T IV E D E V E L O P M E N T OF O LD -A G E P E N S IO N S Y ST E M S, 1928 A N D
1930, BY S T A T E S
State
Colorado________________________ .
K en tu ck y ________________________
M ary lan d _______________________
M o n tan a ________________ . . . . . . .
N ev ad a_______ - __________ _ W isconsin___ _____ . T o tal________________ _ _ 11 county.
2 2 counties.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N um ber of
counties
w ith pen
sion system
N um ber of
pensioners
1928
1930
1928
1
3
42
2
5
1
2
2
44
2
8
53
59 8 1, 003 « 1,913 7 208, 624 « 309,474
2 43 counties.
4 42 counties.
1
1 30
666
i 11
295
1930
18
i 12
8 889
i5
989
5 50 counties.
8 55 counties.
[12771
A m ount spent in
pensions
1928
1930
$120
2 8,064
$1,164
1 1, 800
132, 575 4 149,100
i 1, 680
1900
66, 185
156, 510
Average pen
sion
1928
$10 no
20.00
1930
16. 59
15.00
19.20
$5. 39
12 00
14.09
25.00
13. 19
17. 37
13.57
7 51 counties.
8 54 counties.
12
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Pension Situation in Individual States
California.—Although the California law has been in effect only a
little over a year, it is mandatory and has been put into force over
practically the entire State.
Most of the reports express satisfaction with the results of the law
thus far, but a number of others show the counties as still reserving
judgment on the subject. Certain minor difficulties are noted, such as
difficulty in obtaining proof of age or of marriage._
One report points out that under the practice in that county the
amount of aid allowed is determined from the amount earned dur
ing the 12 months previous to application. “ Some of the applicants
who earned the maximum amount of $1 per day for the 12 months
previous are, at the time of applying, down and out, but are not allow
ed the pension until they are down and outers for one year. I do
not think this is so good.”
Another is of the opinion that the maximum is insufficient, and
another that it is “ too low for some types of persons and com
munities.”
One county welfare agent is of the opinion that the amount paid
out in aid the past year was unusually large due to economic condi
tions; “ under ordinary conditions the children of many of these old
people could assist them without outside assistance.”
_ _
Several reports express the feeling, noted also in reports from other
States, that the law enables the children to evade their responsibility
for the support of the parents, others that the law permits payment of
aid to undeserving and shiftless persons. Another adds that not only
do relatives feel relieved of responsibility, but employers, also, “ no
longer keep elderly persons on the pay roll, expecting public funds to
provide. A social insurance system would work out a much sounder
public policy, it seems.” Another, expressing the opinion that the
present form of aid under the law discourages thrift, suggests that
“A form of insurance whereby an individual during years of earning
ability should contribute to a fund from which he may derive benefits
when incapacitated, would be satisfactory.”
Colorado.—As Table 6 shows, almost no progress has been made in
Colorado in respect to putting the old-age pension law into effect,
although the law was passed in 1927. One report stated, “ the law in
Colorado is merely a name,” and another expressed the opinion that
the “ Federal or State Government must supervise this for it to be a
success.” The counties are caring for their poor either at the alms
house or through the poor fund. One report expressed the opinion
that the present law offers no advantage over the old system. “ Where
adopted it requires making an extra levy for that purpose, making
one more fund for the county treasurer to make distribution of the
proportionate amount of all tax collections, and serves no purpose
that could not be taken care of from the poor fund.”
As the 1931 legislature has passed an amendment to the law, making
the adoption of the old-age pension system mandatory, a more rapid
development may be expected to be shown.
Kentucky.—Kentucky is another State in which little has been done
to put the old-age pension system into effect, although five years have
elapsed since the passage of thé act. Poverty or lack of county funds
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1278]
PUBLIC OLD-AGE PENSIONS
13
seems to be the chief reason given for its nonadoption by the counties.
County after county reports that it is unable to raise the money
necessary for a general pension system, although a few cases are
being cared for from the pauper funds. One judge reports that his
county “ has no money to pay anything.”
Another county, which in 1930, spent some $4,000 for “ charity”
cases, reported that it expected to consider the adoption of the pen
sion system at its April, 1931, meeting.
Maryland.—The chief progress made in Maryland since the bureau’s
previous study is the adoption of the system by the city of Baltimore
and by Talbot County. Baltimore has appropriated $50,000 for the
purpose of carrying out the law, but no payments had been made up
to the middle of February, 1931. A letter received from the Baltimore
Department of Legislative Reference stated that payments were
being withheld pending action by the State Legislature on an amend
ment to the law simplifying the procedure for the payment of the
pensions.
Montana.—A small gain is shown in Montana where 44 of the 56
counties have put the system into operation. One of the counties,
in which the system was in force in 1928, but in which an unfavorable
opinion as to its value was expressed at that time, discontinued the
plan in January, 1929, when the county ran out of funds. Two other
counties, however, have adopted the system.
In general the counties which have the system favor it, the opinions
expressed as to the worth of the law ranging from a lukewarm indorse
ment (“ fairly satisfactory”) to wholehearted praise (“ it works per
fect”). One enthusiastic report states that in that county they have
found “ no faultwhatever” in the system; “ the indigent continue to
live at home without sense of shame incident to dependency and
without loss of self-respect.”
A very small proportion of the counties having the system express
unfavorable opinions. One county auditor feels that the law con
tributes to delinquency of the children in respect to caring for
their parents: “ It seems that children are becoming more and more
irresponsible in caring for their parents and think only that $25 is
so much more money that they don’t have to foot up.” Another
expresses a similar opinion: “ Public in general believes it should be
paid them whether dependent or not, at qualifying age. Relatives
legally responsible for pensioners’ support shirk their duty.” Another
“ can not see any particular benefits” from the system and thinks it
“ gives the wrong impression to a great many.” A third report
expresses the opinion that ‘‘on receiving pensions many of the hardy
old persons cease to make any effort for their own support. Many old
persons are attracted to this State and live until they become eligible
for old-age pensions and take advantage of it.” Another feels that
the system “ penalizes frugality.”
Nevada.—No progress has been made since 1928 in the adoption of
the pension system in Nevada. In 1928 two counties had adopted
the system, one of which was paying pensions out of funds accumulated
prior to adoption and the other had at that time made no payments.
The second of these has abandoned the system and the first has failed
to reply to the bureau’s inquiry, so that the situation in that county
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1279]
14
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
at present is not known. A third county has recently adopted the
system.
Many of the counties reporting have systems of mothers’ pensions
and indigent allowances, and have evidently failed to find any ad
vantages offered by the old-age pension law.
Utah.—The Utah law was passed in 1929. Thirteen of the 25 coun
ties from which reports were received have adopted the system. These
13 adopting counties are the more populous, ones containing together
nearly three-fourths of the whole population of the State. Although
the majority of the adopting counties have had the system only a
short time, its operation appears to be satisfactory in most cases; the
report from the largest county in the State expresses the opinion that
the awards under the law have been too small. Another report
states: “ We feel that it has worked out very successfully dowm here
and done a great deal of good.”
Wyoming.—The Wyoming law also was passed in 1929. Although
it is mandatory, nevertheless, only 7 of the 21 counties reporting
have adopted the system. The majority of those which have not
adopted the plan state that the reason was that the county had no
funds for the purpose and the law contained no provision as to how
the money should be raised.9
s T h is situation has been rem edied b y a 1931 am endm ent, authorizing a specific levy for pension purposes
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1280 ]
C hild Labor R e co m m e n d a tio n s of W h ite H ouse C onference
on C hild H ealth and P rotection
HE subject of the employment of children and young persons was
taken up by the White House Conference on Child Health and
Protection, held in Washington, D. C., November 19-22, 1930,
through its Committee on Vocational Guidance and Child Labor, of
which Anne S. Davis, director, vocational guidance bureau, Chicago
Board of Education, was chairman. The child-labor section of this
committee, of which Ellen Nathalie Matthews, director of the indus
trial division of the Children’s Bureau of the United States Depart
ment of Labor, was chairman, was divided into four subcommittees:
(1) Subcommittee on the employment of children in nonagrieultural
occupations (Julia C. Lathrop, chairman); (2) subcommittee on em
ployment of children in agriculture (Dr. Samuel McCune Lindsay,
chairman of the National Child Labor Committee, chairman); (3) sub
committee on hazardous occupations, industrial accidents, and work
men’s compensation for injured minors (Fred M. Wilcox, chairman of
the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, chairman); and (4) subcom
mittee on administrative problems with reference to laws affecting
the employment of minors (Frances Perkins, industrial commissioner,
New York State Department of Labor, chairman). Following are
the summarized recommendations of these four subcommittees as
presented to the conference, which have recently become available.
The detailed reports of these subcommittees and their recommen
dations will, it is expected, be published later in the complete reports
of the White House conference.
T
R e c o m m e n d a tio n s o f C o m m it t e e
I n order th a t children and young persons m ay be protected against
th e dangers of p rem atu re em ploym ent and em ploym ent under adverse
conditions, certain economic, social, and educational m easures are
needed as well as adequate legislative restrictions and safeguards.
Economic, Social, and Educational Measures
Income and Unemployment
I nasmuch as m any child workers are from the families of unskilled
and o th er low-paid wage earners, or, in th e case of children in agricul
tu re, are from farm families am ong whom th e struggle for existence is
m ost acute, and as the incom es of such families are for th e m ost p a rt
below th e incom e needed for any reasonable stan d ard of living, child
labor is plainly in a large m easure a question of poverty. I t is urged,
therefore, th a t special atten tio n be directed tow ard th e solution of
such problem s as ad u lt unem ploym ent, farm economics, and a living
wage, since an incom e earned by th e chief wage earner of th e fam ily
sufficient to m ain tain a decent stan d ard of living is basic to a norm al
solution of th e problem of child labor as of other problem s of child
welfare.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1281]
15
16
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Mothers’ Aid
The children of widows form a small percentage of child workers.
The extension of systems of State aid to widows and dependent chil
dren in the form of mothers’ aid laws adequately administered and
carrying aid sufficient in amount to enable such children to remain in
school up to the age of at least 16 years is recommended. Although
almost all the States now have mothers’ aid laws, the maximum ex
penditure permitted by the laws of the great majority of them is too
small to maintain an adequate standard of living, and the actual
grants, owing to small appropriations, are frequently much less than
the maximum amounts allowed by law.
Scholarships
The development of scholarship funds to enable children and young
persons to remain in school who would otherwise be obliged to go to
work is recommended. Such funds where established are frequently
financed by private agencies and administered in cooperation with
public-school officials, but they might be made a recognized item in
the public-school budget.
Special Educational Measures
Numerous studies of working children have shown that causes
connected with school have furnished for large proportions of young
workers the chief motive in withdrawal from school to go to work.
It is generally admitted that in spite of great and continuing improve
ments, the type of instruction and the school curricula provided are
not yet sufficiently individualized to meet the abilities and needs of
all pupils. Especially is this true in the case of pupils of somewhat
inferior mental ability. Although some mentally superior children
leave school for gainful employment at an early age, most studies have
found that children who go to work have on the whole somewhat
lower ratings on standard intelligence tests than those who remain
in school. Unless special provisions are made for them, such dull
children are likely to develop habits of failure, lose confidence in
themselves and interest in school, and withdraw as soon as possible.
Yet these children are often in greater need of supervision and protec
tion during early adolescence than those of better mental develop
ment. This committee therefore strongly urges as a child labor
measure that some content of education that will mean real develop
ment for them be found and provided for children of this type during
the years when they are most in need of guidance.
Legislation
U n d er p resen t conditions it is believed to be in the public in terest
th a t general legislative stan d ard s be se t up for all kinds of gainful
em ploym ent of children, an d th a t special consideration be given the
legal regulation of certain em ploym ents, such as agriculture, industrial
hom e w ork, street-w ork, em ploym ent outside of school hours, and
th eatric al work. Am ong special problem s created b y som e of these
kinds of w ork are problem s involving in te rsta te relations, as, for
exam ple, th e problem of th e m ig ran t worker.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1282]
CHILD LABOR RECOMMENDATIONS
17
General Legislative Standards
The committee recommends the following general standards for all
kinds of nonagricultural employment with only such exceptions as
are specially noted.
A. Age minimum.—An age minimum of 16 years is advocated for
employment in any occupation, except as noted below. More and
more generally employers are indicating that they do not want child
workers under 16, and more and more generally children are remain
ing in school up to that age. It is the minimum age recommended
by physicians who have given special consideration to the subject of
physical standards for children going to work, on the ground that
employment during earlier years of adolescence is detrimental to
health and normal physical development, the indispensable asset
of the industrial^ worker. Studies of working children also have
shown that physical defects are accentuated by the conditions of
work and that young workers are more susceptible to disease and
industrial poisons and more prone to accident than those of more
mature years.
Higher age minima should be set for physically or morally dangerous
or injurious employments. This is now done under the child labor
laws of many States for specified occupations and industries, the
prohibition of a few employments extending up to the age of 21 years.
Where the 16-year minimum for full-time employment is adopted
children between 14 and 16 might be permitted to work outside of
school hours and during school vacations m a carefully restricted list
of occupations.
B. Educational minimum.—All children should be required to
attend school full time for at least nine months, and in any case for
the entire period in which the schools are in session, between the
age at which compulsory school attendance begins and 16 years of
age, unless physically or mentally incapacitated for attendance, and
up to the age of 18, unless the minor is actually and legally employed
or is a graduate from a 4-year high-school course. A 16-year mini
mum for leaving school for work would seem to make unnecessary a
grade requirement, such as completion of the eighth grade, as a child
who has not completed the eighth grade at 16 years of age probablv
is unable to do so.
#Particular consideration should be given the subject of public pro
vision of educational opportunities for employed youth, including
continuation schools, cooperation with industry in vocational edu
cation, etc.
C. Physical minimum.—A child should not be allowed to go to
work until he has had a physical examination by a public physician
appointed for this purpose and has been found to be in sound health,
of normal development for a child of his age, and physically fit to be
employed in any occupation not prohibited by law.
There should be periodical physical examinations of all working
minors who are under 18 years of age.
D. Hours of work.—No minor under 18 years of age should be
employed more than 8 hours a day, or more than 6 days a week, or
more than 44 hours a week. When the 8-hour day was first estab
lished for children, this was shorter than the common wmrking-day
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1283]
18
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
for adults. Since the 8-hour day is now the standard for large num
bers of adults, the question of a shorter working-day for minors
between 16 and 18 years might well be considered.
Night work (usually defined in child labor laws as between 7 p. m.
and 6 a. m. or 6 p. m. and 7 a. m.) should be prohibited for minors
under 18, except that boys between 16 and 18 might be permitted to
work up to 10 p. m. Consideration should be directed to the exten
sion of the night-work prohibition for morally hazardous occupations
past the age of 18, as is now done under some State child labor laws.
E. Conditions of work.—Young workers should not be permitted
to be employed in places and establishments that do not conform to
generally recognized standards as to cleanliness, sanitation, and safety.
F. Employment certificates.—Employment certificates should be
required for all employed minors under 18 years of age.
Administration of Laws
A system of issuance of employment certificates to minors should
be developed which will insure that those not legally qualified to
enter employment do not do so, but which is as simple as is consistent
with complete protection of the minor from employment without
the safeguards of the law.
The enforcement of school attendance should be sufficiently effec
tive to keep in school all minors required by law to attend, up to the
age when they are legally permitted to work, and after that age
unless they are actually and legally employed up to the age when they
are no longer subject to the full-time attendance law, and should
insure the attendance at classes of suitable content of temporarily
unemployed minors of compulsory school-attendance age. Special
attention should be devoted to the problems of school attendance of
children in rural districts and of the education of the so-called migra
tory child workers.
Such clear and definite legal standards should be set up by both
child labor and compulsory school-attendance laws, without limita
tions and exemptions, and such correlation between school attendance
and employment certificate requirements should be effected as will
obviate the difficulties now resulting in many States from confused
and defective legislation.
Inspection of places of employment should be sufficiently frequent
and thorough to obtain compliance on. the part of employers with
the legal provisions applying to minor workers—compliance to be
voluntary but if necessary to be brought about by prosecutions and
the imposition of penalties adequate to deter violations. The methods
of inspection should be adapted to this work and appear to be best
developed by the use of a special personnel in the State labor depart
ment for the enforcement of child labor and closely related laws, as
those governing hours of labor of women.
Official personnel qualified by education, experience, and training,
adequately compensated and appointed under the merit system, should
be provided in sufficient numbers for effective certificate^ issuance,
school-attendance enforcement, and inspection. Supervision and
assistance should be given by State agencies in the development of
effective administration of each of these activities.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1284]
CHILD LABOR RECOMMENDATIONS
19
Minimum Wage
Although the United States Supreme Court has declared unconsti
tutional the fixing of mandatory minimum-wage rates for women,
the decision does not apply to minors. The establishment of a
minimum-wage scale for minors is recommended, in order that the
industrial exploitation of children and young persons, at least so far
as the remuneration for their work is concerned, may be prevented.
Special Problems
Agriculture.—Although some regulation of the employment of
children in agriculture by the child-labor laws is advocated, the most
effective approach to its control would seem to be the extension of
school-attendance requirements for rural children. Special regula
tions in regard to schooling and living conditions also are necessary in
the case of migrant agricultural workers.
#A. School attendance: Rural children should be afforded educa
tional opportunities equivalent to those afforded city children. The
ages for compulsory attendance and the number of months’ attend
ance required _should be uniform throughout the State. Certain
minor adaptations of the school term to the needs of farm work may
be permitted as a method of improving attendance, but this must not
decrease the length of the school term, which in no case should fall
below nine months.
There should be no distinction in the enforcement of the schoolattendance law for resident and nonresident or migratory children.
B. Employment : No child under 16, resident or nonresident, should
be permitted to be employed in agriculture whether at home or away
from home during the hours that the public schools are in session.
t Children under 14 should not be hired out for agricultural work,
either independently or as part of a family group, employed on a
contract basis or otherwise, except that children 12 to 14 years of age
might be employed outside of school hours in light agricultural tasks
involving work for only a few hours a day during a short season.
The hours of work for children under 16 engaged in agricultural
work but not on the home farm should be limited to an 8-hour day
when school is not in session and, when school is in session, to a
combined 8-hour day for work and school.
Special attention should be given the subject of prohibition of
employment about dangerous agricultural machinery. (See “ Hazard
ous occupations,” below.)
Work permits, valid for the entire season, should be required for
children under 16 engaged in agricultural work not on the home farm.
Hazardous occupations.—In order to insure protection from occu
pational hazards for young workers it is urged that in every State the
agencies responsible for the administration of child labor and work
men’s compensation laws develop a program for continuous study of
all industrial injuries to minors under 18 years of age. Such a program
should include compilation and publication of adequate annual sta
tistics of accidents; investigation of the causes of at least all serious
injuries^ education of employers in the special importance of pre
venting injuries to minors; and education of the public in the impor
tance, as measures of child protection, of suitable legislation dealing
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1285]
20
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
with the safety of all workers, of prohibition of the employment of
young persons in dangerous occupations, and of compensation for
injured minors.
.
That this program may be as effective as possible from the point of
view of the country as a whole, it is recommended that the States
compile their statistics of accidents to minors on a comparable basis,
and that the Federal Government through the Children’s Bureau of
the United States Department of Labor cooperate with the States by
compiling and publishing annual statistics of industrial accidents to
minors in the different States, as is now done by the Children’s Bureau
for other statistics relating to children, such as statistics of employ
ment certificates and of juvenile court cases.
For the further protection of young workers from industrial
hazards, it is essential that power be given to State labor departments
to determine dangerous and injurious occupations and to prohibit
minors’ employment therein. Our present body of knowledge of the
hazards of the industries and occupations in which minors are em
ployed is so fragmentary and incomplete that a careful and compre
hensive study is recommended both of occupations in which minors
are engaged and of those in which industrial hazards occur, and also
of possible safeguards in such occupations in order that a scientific
basis for such prohibitions may be found and that legislative prohi
bitions may be kept abreast of new industrial hazards.
In view of the wide scope of the problem, affecting minor workers
throughout the country, it is recommended that a continuing com
mittee be appointed, of which the members of the subcommittee on
hazardous occupations, industrial accidents, and workmen’s compen
sation for injured minors might form a nucleus, to work in cooperation
with the Children’s Bureau of the United States Department of Labor
and State departments of labor in studying all phases of the problem
of protection of minor workers from dangerous and injurious
employments.
Minors injured in industry are entitled to more adequate compen
sation than is now afforded under most State laws. Basic to a State
program for the adequate compensation of such injured minors is a
workmen’s compensation law which is liberal in its general provisions.
With reference to provisions relating especially to minors, it is urged
that in all States not yet having such laws legislation be passed
providing :
.
\
(1) That at least the employee’s future earning capacity be con
sidered as the basis on which compensation should be computed in the
case of minors permanently disabled.
(2) That minors illegally employed when injured should not only
be brought under the workmen’s compensation law, but that in addi
tion provision should be made for the payment of extra compensation
in such cases.
The migrant worker.—The migrant child worker creates special
problems. Attention should be given to the subject of the general
welfare of children in labor camps such as those operated in connection
with industrialized agriculture and with canneries. All labor camps
should be under the supervision of a State agency empowered to make
and enforce regulations as to sanitation, etc. Special arrangements
should be made under the public-school system for provision of school
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1286]
CHILD LABOR RECOMMENDATIONS
21
facilities for migrant children and for their attendance when schools
are in session. It is recommended that State aid be made available
for districts unable to meet the expense involved.
Industrial home work.—The manufacture of articles in the home
should be prohibited. When the home is converted into a workshop
not only do young children work under unfavorable conditions but
family life also suffers. Prohibition of home work was recommended
by the New York Factory Investigating Committee in 1913, and the
fact that the New York Commission to Examine Laws Relating to
Child Welfare found in 1924 that the only excuse for “ not now recom
mending the immediate complete prohibition of home work in
tenements” 1 was the fact that it has “ become so deeply intrenched
in the industrial life of the State that gradual elimination was all that
could be expected” is worthy of consideration by other States in
which the problem is not now one of large proportions but in which
the system of industrial home work may be beginning or on the
increase.
Until home work is eliminated, all State labor laws should apply to
industrial work of all kinds done in the home equally with factory
work. Responsibility for compliance with the laws should be placed
upon the manufacturer. A system of licensing of home workers
through the State department of labor is recommended.
Street work.—The child labor law should contain a regulation
applying specifically to newspaper selling and other undesirable forms
of street work, as the general child labor law is not usually successfully
applied to street work. Newspaper selling has such undesirable
features as an occupation for children that a minimum age of 16
should be considered; if public opinion does not favor such a program
of prohibition, the regulation should set a minimum age of at least
14 years, should prohibit work during school hours and at night, and
should limit the hours of work as in other employment outside of
school hours. The work of newspaper carriers and of other employed
street workers should come under the provisions of the general child
labor law including those regulating employment outside of school
hours of children between 14 and 16.
Employment outside of school hours.—The employment of children
between 14 and 16 outside of school hours in a restricted list of employ
ments should be so limited that the hours in school and at work shall
not exceed eight a day. All other provisions of the child labor law
should apply to such employment.
Because employment outside of school hours, especially in street
work, is frequently resorted to because of inadequate recreational
facilities, it is urged that the public provide recreational and leisure
time activities that will be available for all school children of com
pulsory school-attendance age.
Theatrical exhibitions, etc.—More information as to the extent,
kinds, and conditions of employment in theatrical performances and
enlistment of public interest based on a better understanding of the
facts are needed, and surveys and studies are recommended.
Uniform legislation would appear to be especially desirable as
regards employment in theatrical exhibitions because of the inter1 M anufacturing in Tenem ents, subm itted by industrial commissioner to the Commission to Exam ine the
Laws Relating to C hild Welfare, New York D epartm ent of Labor, p. 7, M arch and A pril, 1924.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[12871
22
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
state aspect of the employment of children in traveling companies.
An exchange of information on traveling children between lawenforcing and o ther interested agencies would be helpful in protecting
the children and developing standards.
Equalization of Opportunity and Protection
T he task of the child labor section of this committee has been to set
up certain standards for the health and protection of working chil
dren. I t has reaffirmed the conviction expressed in the earliest child
labor legislation that education and freedom from premature toil go
hand in hand and must advance together, and it has given evidence
to show that labor in immaturity thwarts normal physical develop
ment. I t was agreed that children under 16 should not be permitted
to leave school for work, and the boys and girls of 16 and 17 in indus
trial employment should not be suffered to enter occupations known
to be physically or morally hazardous, to work more than 8 hours a
day or 44 hours a week, or to work at night, and that minors should be
given special protection from hazardous and injurious employments.
These standards, in the opinion of the committee, represent the least
that in the light of present knowledge and understanding of the mental
and physical needs of the child and the adolescent should be done.
They should be looked upon as merely a point of departure for higher
goals which it is expected will be revealed through the constantly
growing contributions of scientific research.
The committee believes that progress toward such goals would be
enormously facilitated by establishing a national minimum standard.
The control of child labor with its corollary, the extension of educa
tion, is one of the most important of the Nation’s efforts to realize
democracy, and as such it is of national importance and concern.
For almost a hundred years the States have been regulating child
labor. Progress there has been. But this progress has been slow
and uneven. Some States still fall far below others in the amount of
protection they afford. Grave injustice is seen in these inequalities—
injustice to children in States with low standards because they are
deprived of equal opportunity with others for health, education, and
immunity from injurious labor; injustice to employers in States with
high standards, since they must compete with employers whose labor
costs are low because the labor is child labor; injustice to all the citi
zens in both groups of States, since civic and economic progress is
hampered when the young are not equipped to become responsible
and productive members of society and since the mobility of popula
tion characteristic of modern times brings many of the ill-equipped
from States with low standards to those whose own standards are
high.
The sheer fact of this conference, under the auspices of the President
of the United States, with its nation-wide membership, inspires
confidence that means will be discovered to equalize opportunity and
protection for all children in all the States.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[12881
S trik es and L ock ou ts in th e U n ited S ta te s, 1916 to 1930
Summary
A SIDE from the year 1928 the actual number of strikes reported
X X in 1930 was fewer than for any other of the 15 years shown in
the present report. There was also a much smaller number of work
ers involved than for any other year. The relative number of disputes
and the relative number of workers involved for each year, 1916 to
1930, are shown in Table 1:
T able 1 — R E L A T IV E N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S A N D O F E M P L O Y E E S IN V O L V E D 1916
TO 1930
Relative num ber of—
R elative num ber of—
Y ear
Year
D isputes
1916________
1917______
1918________
1919__
1920____________
1921__________
1922________
1923______
100
117
88
96
90
63
29
41
Employees
100
77
78
260
91
69
101
47
D isputes
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
Employees
90
OO
41
27
21
22
22
15
10
34
9 7I
Z
1Q
1Ì7
17
24
17
Strike activity considered from the standpoint of the number of
workers involved, was greatest in the coal mining, clothing, building,
and textile industries. Over 90 per cent of the total number of per
sons reported on strike during 1930 are to be found in these four
groups.
Industrial disputes continued to involve principally questions of
wages, hours of employment, or recognition of the union.
The results of strike settlements in 1930 showed a material loss to
employees as compared with 1929, there being 44 per cent in 1930 as
against 40 per cent in 1929 settled in favor of employers, while only
25 per cent in 1930 as against 29 per cent in 1929 were settled in
favor of employees. The number of strikes in which a compromise
settlement was made in 1930 was 24 per cent as compared with 25
per cent in 1929.
Table 19 shows that 41 per cent of all strikes ending in 1930 were
concluded within 6 days and 66 per cent within 14 days.
Scope and Method of Obtaining Information
I n itia l information regarding industrial disputes in the United
States is obtained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics chiefly from the
following sources: Labor papers and trade-union journals; trade
periodicals; lists of strikes issued by labor, trade, and other organiza
tions; clipping bureaus; daily papers from the most important
industrial cities in the United States; and reports of the conciliation
service of the United States Department of Labor. All leads ob
tained are verified either by correspondence or through the concilia
tors of the Department of Labor or special agents of the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. For the years 1926 to 1930, inclusive, data are
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11289]
23
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
24
shown only for disputes involving six or more workers and lasting
for one day or more, no distinction being made between strikes and
lockouts.
Month of Occurrence
T able 2 shows the number of disputes beginning in each month and
in effect at the end of each month, the number of workers involved,
and the man-days lost, for the year 1930. The number of man-days
lost is the product of the number of working-days idle multiplied by
the number of workers involved. No attempt is made to discount
this time nor does the bureau have any information as to whether the
workers may have held other jobs during the strike period.
T able 2 .—IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN , A N D IN E F F E C T A T E N D O F, E A C H
M O N T H IN 1930
N um ber of workers in
volved in disputes
N um ber of disputes
M onth
Beginning
in m onth
In effect
a t end of
m onth
9,240
37, 480
15, 017
6, 379
9,329
14, Oil
14, 308
15, 902
16, 337
10, 858
4, 390
4, 863
21
40
38
41
29
34
30
33
44
36
29
7
45
52
49
64
66
59
78
51
72
47
44
26
Jan u ary
______ ___ ____ - - - - F ib ril ary
_______ _ ____ ____
M arch
_ ___
__ - - April
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
__- - ____ - — M ay
June,
_
__
___
___
Ju ly
___________________________
August
_
_____ __ Septem ber
__
October
_
Nfnyp.mbor
__- - D ecember
- __‘ ___ - ---------
Beginning
in m onth
In effect
a t end of
m onth
N um ber of
man-days
lost during
m onth
184, 730
438, 570
291,127
189, 828
185,448
144, 117
141, 647
142, 738
208,184
335, 916
273, 608
194,455
5,316
6, 683
5,957
5, 840
4,386
8,311
4,815
7, 131
13, 778
16,007
7,759
5,144
In Table 3 the number of strikes beginning in each month of each
year from 1916 to 1930, inclusive, is shown. Generally speaking, the
period of greatest unrest as indicated by these figures occurs during
the months of April and May. There are some exceptions, notably
the year 1930 when a larger number of strikes occurred during the
month of July.
T able 3 .—N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN E A C H M O N T H
N um ber of disputes beginning in—
Jan.
1916.
1917.
1918.
1919.
1920.
1921.
1922.
1923192419251926192719281929.
1930.
Feb. M ar. Apr. M ay June Ju ly Aug. Sept. Oct. N ov. Dec.
188
288
191
199
280
238
131
69
102
94
62
37
48
48
45
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
206
211
223
198
214
172
96
72
70
89
74
65
52
54
52
294
318
312
192
288
194
75
123
118
83
84
74
41
77
49
434
445
321
270
427
292
109
212
144
161
127
87
71
117
64
617
463
392
431
422
575
104
246
155
161
141
107
80
115
66
354
323
296
322
317
152
64
133
98
108
73
80
44
73
59
313
448
288
381
298
167
101
146
89
103
84
65
54
80
78
[1290]
326
360
278
417
264
143
95
106
81
123
98
57
59
78
51
252
349
212
425
231
124
85
93
71
104
85
57
52
98
72
197
261
322
257
145
208
334 ■ 165
192
106
92
90
64
64
117
66
74
61
63
77
48
60
50
27
44
61
69
61
44
47
149
197
250
140
108
76
43
59
40
45
33
28
23
33
26
M onth
not
stated
198
469
237
156
264
70
81
111
146
90
66
Total
3, 789
4,450
3, 353
3,630
3,411
2,385
1,112
1, 553
1,249
. 1,301
1,035
734
629
903
653
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, 1916 TO 1930
25
Place of Occurrence of Disputes
T able 4 shows the number of disputes by States and geographical
groups for each year of the 15-year period, 1916 to 1930. It is inter
esting to note that 80 per cent of the strikes of 1930 occurred in the
geographical group of States lying north of the Ohio and east of the
Mississippi River and 55 per cent took place in the four States, New
York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
T able 4 .—N U M B E R
OF D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN E A C H Y E A R , B Y S T A T E A N D
S E C T IO N OF C O U N T R Y
S tate and section
A labam a_______________
Alaska_________________
Arizona________________
A rkansas---------------------California______________
Colorado_______________
C onnecticut____________
D elaw are______________
D istrict of C o lu m b ia ..-..
Florida_________________
Georgia----------- .-________
Idaho__________________
Illinois_________________
In d ia n a ____ ___________
Iow a___________________
K ansas_________________
K e n tu ck y ______________
Louisiana______________
M aine_________________
M ary lan d _________ ____
M assachusetts__________
M ichigan_______________
M innesota______________
M ississippi_____________
M issouri_______________
M o n tan a _______________
N ebraska_______________
N evada-----------------------N ew H am pshire________
N ew Jersey_____________
N ew Mexico____________
N ew Y ork______________
N orth C arolina_________
N orth D ak o ta__________
O hio___________________
O klahom a______________
Oregon------------------------Pennsylvania___________
R hode Islan d___________
South C arolina_________
South D a k o ta __________
Tennessee______________
Texas__________________
U ta h ___________________
V erm ont_______________
V irginia________________
W ash in g to n .___________
W est V irginia___________
W isconsin______________
W yom ing_______________
In te rsta te _______________
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
15
2C
7
2C
2(
3f
55 112
17
48
326 178
12
17
8
14
f
16
8
28
32
5
15t 282
75
73
26
65
15
53
13
38
8
39
3C
40
48
59
383 353
71
64
30
53
4
13
97 122
15
77
21
28
2
20
20
417 227
4
592 711
8
7
2
290 279
24
35
23
58
574 494
77 105
5
7
3
26
42
28
56
3
21
10
8
16
35
58 294
40
64
63
57
2
4
25
13
3
i
1]
94
32
92
14
13
20
40
1(
248
76
41
41
19
23
36
72
347
60
40
5
105
33
11
7
17
138
2
689
14
3
197
19
18
311
53
3
3
26
41
14
9
37
130
50
54
5
4
18
3
7
102
3]
135
1]
10
30
39
K
267
106
57
45
26
51
40
41
396
84
49
2
69
23
17
5
34
183
4
536
22
237
32
38
280
78
11
3
40
50
22
13
28
113
63
77
4
21
25
1
9
15
120
22
128
K
14
9
29
5
254
99
47
14
22
37
22
57
377
63
50
4
63
16
12
4
32
145
1
600
21
4
206
24
22
250
89
5
5
27
73
14
12
31
69
49
68
6
10
s
15
4
6
5
1
1
4
1
1
1
3
7
2
2
1
3
4
99
37
47
29
4C
34 20 16
27
7
3
5
10
5
5
5
61
30
52
26
46
29 27 11
1
1
4
4
8
2
5
4
6
5
h
6
2
19
5
4
2
10
16
6
2
21
E
4
4
5
1
1
9
c
1
164
63
72
80
84
72 44 4(
61
15
35
28
45
32 16 13
42
15
14
15
12
14
8
6
21
4
5
6
12
2
1 2
17
10
11
12
2
12 12
4
29
8
16
7
3
2
5
3
24
11
7
6
10
1
3
5
27
12
19
17
25
7
9
8
201 139 217
97 162 113 70 95
71
18
19
10
14
12
7
7
45
9
14
4
5
9 11
3
9
1
2
54
26
27
35
11
9 14
8
21
2
7
1
1
4
3
2
11
3
1
2
2
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
6
30
6
8
5
8
4
4
125
71
92
78
92
84 59 46
2
1
384 202 403 281 301 216 181 131
26
6
4
6
7
2
7
1
2
8
1
1
167
73
65
68
73
68 21 27
29
9
2
6
10
2
3
3
23
8
15
13
5
8 10
6
222 101 234 261 184 162 123 113
42
37
25
5
25
28 23
9
12
2
1
1
1
1
3
28
8
7
10
3
7
4
7
64
10
15
16
11
4
9
5
5
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
13
4
14
5
3
4
1
3
1
3
63
22
36
15
15
5
9 13
28
8
28
23
20
11
3
41
21
10
15
14
8
3
8
1
1
1
3
4
19
27
23
10
12
8
6 10
1
1
2
28
1
13
3
6
2
3
1
14
52
34
5
5
7
8
7
13
77
16
9
1
17
4
2
3
76
13
3
4
3
2
2
37
20
5
1
29
5
7
10
45
14
6
1
11
7
1
55
179 149
17
5
41 33
1
3
7
2
184 113
17 10
2
16
1
i
6
5
6
1
1
1
5
3
10
6
2 13
6
9
1
7
1
U nited States 1_____ 3, 758 4, 443 3,347 3, 571 3,291 2,381 1,088 1,553 1,240 1,300 1,032 734 629 903 653
N o rth of th e Ohio and east
of th e M ississippi______ 3,186 3,034 2,466 2,678 2,431 1,607
South of th e Ohio and east
of th e M ississippi______
147 309 243 278 227 186
421 1,075 634 594 623 569
W est of th e M ississippi__
4
In te rs ta te ............... ..............
25
4
21
10
19
840 1,249 1,007 1,091
66
155
27
71
210
23
60
163
10
51
146
12
1 Does not include strikes in Hawaii, Porto Rico, C anal Zone, and Virgin Islands.
58726°—31-----3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11291]
869 587 520 728 524
66
89
8
49
92
6
18 60
81 108
10
7
60
68
1
26
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
In Table 5 it may be noted that New York City continues to show
a much greater number of strikes than is reported for any other city.
In fact nearly 14 per cent of all strikes reported occurred in this city,
while Philadelphia, the next city of importance in the number of
strikes reported, shows but 5 per cent.
T able 5.—N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S IN C IT IE S IN W H IC H 25 OR M O R E D IS P U T E S OC
C U R R E D IN A N Y Y E A R
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
C ity
Baltimore, M d _____
Boston, M ass________
Bridgeport, Conn
Buffalo, N . Y -------Chicago, 111__________
C incinnati, Ohio
C leveland/O hio- _ D enver, Colo
D etroit, M ich ______
Fall River, M ass_____
H artford, C onn__
Jersey C ity, N . J _ _ . .
K ansas C ity, M o ____
Lynn, M ass_________
M ilw aukee, Wis
N ewark, N . J __ __ __
New Orleans, La_._
New Y ork, N . Y - _
Paterson, N . J--- _ _
Philadelphia, P a __
Pittsburgh, P a _____ _
Providence, R . I _____
Rochester, N . Y ____
San Francisco, Calif.
St. Louis, M o _______
Seattle, W ash
____
Springfield, Mass
Toledo, Ohio
T renton, N . J -----------W ilkes-Barre, P a ___
W orcester, M ass____
Youngstown, Ohio___
39
62
38
41
73
29
60
8
31
20
28
26
28
20
8
30
55
7
363
18
74
47
21
16
23
58
15
31
16
25
6
18
27
47
36
87
68
30
13
28
24
123 100
26
33
39
76
19
26
19
18
13
18
21
8
9
17
24
7
36
20
22
8
11
14
50
36
20
23
484 484
27
20
89
80
19
37
46
18
27
35
37
30
53
70
49
29
27
12
27
16
15
11
25
8
11
12
1
5
26
98
25
20
126
39
47
22
40
28
17
18
25
16
11
27
33
40
370
15
60
19
31
13
34
39
24
20
24
4
4
28
14
34
51
10
47
125
31
41
15
24
22
19
15
14
13
27
28
16
29
341
12
59
15
32
37
26
40
26
27
20
21
9
18
4
9
22
3
8
26
10
22
2
12
8
2
1
9
9
14
11
6
7
140
14
21
1
6
17
7
11
5
6
3
1
7
2
4
22
43
2
20
89
18
26
16
39
10
2
3
9
17
12
9
23
23
193
17
61
23
17
36
22
26
21
6
15
5
10
12
6
15
23
15
43
31
49
4
1
2
11
8
8
44
29
58
3
10
5
13
16
20
2
2
6
14
9
7
10
3
2
1
3
1
1
8
3
5
7
6
10
2
6
12
10
6
2
4
6
11
15
13
11
5
2
296 204 228
16
21
12
54
32
37
5
12
11
5
8
2
12
13
5
.14
4
11
19
21
8
14
4
6
4
10
7
8
3
2
3
3
4
4
12
7
9
4
7
5
1
4
4
39
5
6
39
5
15
3
9
4
3
5
7
3
15
8
7
5
133
7
30
8
14
1
7
4
2
2
3
2
2
3
6
7
22
5
3
29
5
2
5
8
1
2
2
3
4
1
127
5
23
8
9
11
7
10
1
2
8
2
7
24
3
8
11
1
10
3
3
17
1
3
1
15
2
9
2
90
10
22
6
2
2
2
5
4
1
1
8
2
1
10
19
1
8
32
4
11
1
10
2
2
3
3
2
8
1
13
5
113
23
73
11
4
5
5
12
2
2
2
6
3
1
1
8
9
2
18
3
11
10
5
3
7
4
3
4
16
4
89
7
33
9
5
2
3
4
1
2
2
3
3
1
5
Sex of Workers Involved
T able 6 gives th e num ber of disputes involving m ales, females, or
b o th sexes, by years, 1916 to 1930:
T a b l e
6 .—N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN E A C H Y E A R , BY SE X O F E M P L O Y E E S
N um ber of disputes beginning in—
Sex of persons
involved
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
3,121 3,611 2,467 2,818 2,347 1,750
M ales only. .
30
90
88
78
Females o n ly ... 122
158
521
269
343
558
B oth sexes____
190
278
491
203
643
47
518
N o t re p o rte d .. . 277
676
22
357
57
983
31
445
94
877
23
280
69
891
31
338
41
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1926 1927 1928 1939 1930
831 587 450 590
33 15 15 22
150 132 164 291
21
488
15
150
T o tal___ 3,789 4,450 3, 353 3,630 3,411 2, 385 1,112 1,553 1,249 1,301 1,035 734 629 903
653
Relation to Labor Unions
A bout 83 per cent of workers reported as striking during the year
1930 were members of some labor organization. This is a slight
increase over 1929. Table 7 shows the number connected with unions,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1292]
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, 1916 TÓ 193Ô
27
those not members of a union, those organized after the dispute began,
mixed union and nonunion, and those about which no information
could be obtained in this particular, for the 15 years, 1916 to 1930.
T able 7 .—R E L A T IO N OF W O R K E R S TO LA B O R U N IO N S
N um ber of disputes
Relation of workers to
union
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
Connected w ith unions___ 2,458 2,392 1,903 2,033 2,506 2,038
N ot connected w ith unions. 446 209 362 143 137
62
Organized after dispute
b e g an ...
____
____
71
55
26
30
8
5
U nion and nonunion workers____________ ___ ___
N ot rep o rted____________ 814 1,794 1,062 1,424 760 280
844 1,265 1,063 1,018
37
77
69 142
5
18
14
16
12
214
29
164
31
72
38
87
823 614 534 711 539
93 67 66 157 93
19
85
16
32
4
20
15
15
6
21
T o tal______________ 3, 789 4, 450 3,353 3,630 3,411 2,385 1,112 1, 553 1,249 1,301 1,035 734 629 903 653
Causes of Disputes
I n T able 8 are given the principal reasons productive of disputes.
While some strikes occur because of unsatisfactory conditions, dis
charge of employees, etc., the actuating causes of almost all of them
remain about the same, being wages, hours, or recognition of the
union by the employer. In 1930 there were 345 strikes, or 53 per
cent, which involved some question of wages.
T able 8 .—P R IN C IP A L C A USES OF D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN E A C H Y E A R
N um ber of disputes beginning in—
Cause of dispute
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
Increase of wages___ _____ 1,301 1,571 1,397 1,115 1,429
Decrease of wages. . . . . .
35
36
36
86 147
Increase of wages and decrease of h o u r s ________
481 378 256 578 269
Decrease of wages and increase of hours. _. . ___
O ther causes involving
wages........... ........................
96 115
93 n o 121
120
896
Decrease of hours________
Increase of hours_________
O ther causes involving
h o u rs.. ______
113
7
3
18
Recognition of unions____
Recognition and wages__
Recognition and hours___
Recognition, wages, and
hours________
Recognition and other cond itio n s.......... .
.
404
93
20
333
132
27
56
48
4
13
General conditions______
Discharge of em ployees...
U nfair p r o d u c t s . __
S ym path y ___ _
Jurisdiction and p ro te st__
O ther conditions______
N ot reported______ . . .
68
144
7
33
19
274
631
116
246
9
71
21
374
792
132
18
156
261
445
49
255
125
277
117
34
16
58
30
29
77
40
7
4
260 142
52 57
39
43
98 101 62
53 72 122
27
7*> 53
55
76
144
96
97
101
117
25
62
8
294
18
22
12
16
5
18
5
7
6
19
4
2
5
2
7
4
1
241
79
16
522
78
16
308
87
6
191
106
14
137
10
3
153
37
6
152
21
1
109
30
1
49
76
45
11
8
25
7
4
13
7
7
14
6
6
6
8
9
1
4
23
16 100
93
192
1
35
16
294
461
123
163
5
108
16
223
250
116
170
30
67
20
213
305
83
45
27
36
10
192
163
72
44
18
33
10
125
63
80
79
7
31
13
310
83
79
54
8
22
23
228
108
89
74
4
39
59
254
100
66
61
16
29
17
175
48
47
50
3
23
13
17
58
7
8
33
75
79
6
85 113 125
20
3
6
3
16
62
5
1
9
117 119
11 20
2
67
71
22
2
92 120
50 24
1
3
14
26
95
41
2
20
21
41
18
5
30
46
3
12
28
47
T o tal______________ 3,789 4,450 3,353 3,630 3,411 2,385 1,112 1,553 1,249 1,301 1,035 734 629 903 653
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1293]
28
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Size of Disputes
T he num ber of disputes, classified according to the num ber of
w orkers affected, is shown in T able 9, by years:
T able 9 —N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN E A C H Y E A R , BY C L A S S IF IE D
N U M B E R O F P E R S O N S IN V O L V E D
N um ber of disputes beginning in—
volved
1916
1917
1918
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
186
161
322
297
353
349
404
367
494
381
289
356
217
145
332
184
54
19
937 1,194
257
336
287
352
245
164
103
133
15
593
80
128
156
159
144
91
61
61
16
216
128
182
206
157
161
135
78
119
5
382
125
120
145
114
119
93
81
78
13
361
142
167
195
166
147
97
52
43
3
289
1919
1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
83 61 63
158 155 188
137 126 160
112 82 156
106 71 151
60 47 86
45 34 46
31 49 52
2
4
1
64
146
135
88
107
60
27
25
1
T o tal____ 3,789 4,450 3, 353 3, 630 3,411 2,385 1, 112 1,553 1,249 1, 301 1,035 734 629 903
653
152
210
171
1 to 10________
304
279
355
11 to 25_______
350
343
26 to 5 0 ______ 427
357
420
361
51 to 100______
384
399
368
101 to 250_____
354
287
287
251 to 500_____
194
241
143
501 to 1,000____
204
223
1,001 to 10,000-_. 238
68
17
23
Over 10,000____
N o t reported__ 1,122 2,124 1,187
60
153
105
124
119
96
66
58
2
252
In Table 10 are given, by years, the total number of disputes and
the total as well as the average number of employees involved:
T able 1 0 —N U M B E R O F D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN E A C H Y E A R FO R W H IC H N U M B E R
OF E M P L O Y E E S IS R E P O R T E D , A N D T O T A L A N D A V E R A G E N U M B E R IN V O L V E D ,
1916 TO 1930
D isputes in which num ber of
employees is reported
D isputes in which num ber of
employees is reported
Y ear
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
N um ber N um ber of
of dis employees
putes
___
___
2,667
2,325
2,151
2, 665
2, 226
1, 785
899
1,199
1, 599,917
1, 227, 254
1,239, 989
4,160,348
1,463, 054
1,099, 247
1, 612, 562
756, 584
Average
num ber
of em
ployees
per dis
pute
600
528
576
1, 561
657
616
1, 794
631
Year
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
1927__________
1928__________
1929__________
1930__________
N um ber N um ber of
of dis employees
putes
898
1,012
783
734
629
903
653
654, 641
428, 416
329, 592
349, 434
357,145
230, 463
158,114
Average
num ber
of em
ployees
per dis
pute
729
423
421
476
568
255
242
The bureau has defined “ establishment” as a working place and
not as a company, since the term “ company” frequently involves
several separate and distinct units. Even with this definition, it
is difficult to obtain accurate information on this point, but the best
obtainable data are shown in Table 11, which follows.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1294]
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, 1916 TO 1930
T a b l e
1 1 .—N U M B E R O F E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN V O L V E D
N um ber of disputes
Establishm ents involved
1917
1____
2___
3__________
4_______
5
_ __
Over 5.-.___
N ot reported-. . .
Total
...
29
1918
1919
1920
1921
3, 078 2, 541 2,136 1.989 1,071
143
70
142
86
113
73
42
99
59
94
41
23
59
40
62
18
90
52
35
43
403
327
910
426
584
694
260
232
776
418
1922
1923
745 1,133
28
56
17
35
17
15
9
10
104
103
192
201
1925
820
34
23
898
60
25
24
12
98
184
1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
649 453 427 639
26 36 24 38
23 18 20 37
10 16 18
9
14 14 17 46
94 163 95 134
219 34 28
460
42
12
10
20
109
___ 4,450 3,353 3, 630 3,411 2,385 1,112 1, 553 1,249 1, 301 1,035 734
629 903
653
16
17
84
255
Industries Involved in Labor Disputes
A lthough a much smaller number of workers was involved in 1930
than in 1929, the building trades, clothing, mining, and textile indus
tries continue to occupy the most prominent position among the in
dustries shown. Iron and steel and stone work were the only two
industries showing an increase in the number of workers affected,
while shipbuilding and slaughtering and meat cutting and packing
show no workers on strike in 1930. Details of selected industries are
given in Table 12:
T a b l e
1 2 .—N U M B E R OF P E R S O N S D IR E C T L Y IN V O L V E D IN IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S
1929 A N D 1930, BY S E L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S
In d u stry
Building trad es_____
C lothing___________
F u rn itu re __________
Iron and steel______
L e a th e r____________
L um ber____________
M etal trad es_______
M ining, coal_______
P aper manufacturing.
1929
1930
In d u stry
1929
44,198
60, 540
2,917
915
1,403
568
6. 340
64, 202
102
25, 529
54,177
891
940
130
452
2, 142
35, 403
58
Prin tin g and publishing.Shipbuilding_______
Slaughtering, m eat cutting and
packing
_.
Stone work
T extiles.- ______
Tobacco... .
T ransportation, steam and electric
1, 564
300
623
200
26, 393
881
2,124
1930
160
338
11, 553
114
767
The number of disputes in selected industry groups, by years, 1916
to 1930, is shown in Table 13:
T a b l e
1 3 .—N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S IN S E L E C T E D IN D U S T R Y G R O U PS
N um ber of disputes
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
Building trades_________________
Clothing____ _____________
F u rn itu re ____ _____________
Iron and steel________________
Leather
___________
L u m b er_____ ___ . . . . . .
M etal trades _ _ . .
____
M ining, coal_____
. . ________
M ining, o th e r___ _
Paper m anufacturing_____________ _
P rinting and p u b lis h in g .______ . . .
Shipbuilding. __________ _ _
Slaughtering, m eat cutting and packin g --------------------------------------------Stone____________________
Textiles . . . ____ . . .
___
Tobacco .
Transportation, steam and electric___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
394
227
5C
72
34
44
547
373
43
54
27
31
468
495
43
56
19
299
515
355
94
41
41
106
434
436
26
74
16
76
441
162
46
40
40
140
473
322
35
76
27
46
581
148
28
47
71
109
521
336
26
25
32
38
452
161
22
39
83
45
583 113 208 270 349 272 194 134 212 186
240 240 395 238 231 194 129 124 169 103
4 12 35 56 46 41 25 32 19
17
25 10 10
7
3
7
2
2
2
3
26 17 17
5
5
5 11 12
5 11
25 10 19
3
3
6
9
3
3
7
194 83 113 58 48 75 19 28 53 28
87 44 158 177 100 78 60 83 77 76
1
1 4
8
5
42 12 16
6
1
3
6 10
2
2
506 56 19 12 14
9 22 10
8 11
4
6
20
70 38 42 74 42 30
6 h
61 26 14 13 29 34 61 15
261 247 212 273 211 114 115 134
63 47 50 58 38 19 13 16
228 343 227 191 241 37 67 31
[1295]
14
2
15 17
80 139
12
4
18
7
5
11
90
14
8
5
4
80
3
1
4
3
8
2
65 130
2
5
3
5
5
67
2
3
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
30
The number of disputes by selected occupations is shown in Table
14, for the years, 1916 to 1930:
T a b l e
1 4 .—N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S , B Y Y E A R S
N u m ber of disputes
Occupation
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
______________________ 81
23
Boot and shoe workers ------- ------ - - - 45
21
Brick and tile w orkers______ - ------ 23
Building laborers and hod carriers---- 54
C arpenters. __
_ --------- 75
Chauffeurs and team sters----- --------- 108
Freight handlers an d longshorem en.._ 158
Glass workers . . ------- ---------------- 41
H a t and cap a n d fu r w orkers------------ 26
Inside wiremen _. ------------------------- 32
M achinists . . . _________________ - 257
43
M etal polishers. ________________
373
M iners, coal .
. ____________
145
M olders - __
.
_________
P ainters a n d paper hangers-------------- 46
Plum bers a n d steam fitters-------------- 53
R ubber w orkers----------- ---------------- 38
Sheet-metal w orkers------------------------ 23
Street railw ay employees................... . 56
Structural-iron workers------- ------ ----- 23
Tailors.................... - ................................. 38
Bakers_
106
44
38
22
9
74
101
164
194
23
52
33
204
25
355
156
45
53
19
33
118
16
59
47
28
50
27
5
27
81
129
89
13
38
45
207
29
162
110
61
72
15
45
117
20
51
88
31
54
23
16
49
96
95
58
9
38
33
202
61
148
181
81
55
15
19
110
15
70
75
22
63
25
21
90
73
130
68
11
51
51
127
78
161
145
46
81
14
14
81
32
42
99
16
28
24
12
10
49
43
36
2
25
29
29
8
87
93
62
82
3
82
12
5
58
24
4
55
12
14
7
20
20
18
4
40
7
8
3
44
38
10
21
3
8
19
6
19
35
9
53
4
6
39
22
51
23
14
25
9
13
4
158
54
20
25
7
13
21
18
32
72
3
27
10
8
19
34
39
12
7
34
18
6
10
177
29
25
42
2
18
14
13
11
55
5
31
6
13
35
50
44
10
8
25
16
_____
8
99
13
29
55
6
9
5
16
22
14
4
25
2
7
26
27
22
7
6
32
17
15
10
78
21
22
38
2
18
8
12
16
8
10
13
2
1
22
22
25
3
10
19
12
—
3
60
12
23
28
2
6
2
10
14
34
2
7
6
53
’ Î8~
35
16
1
4
12
10
1
6
83
15
10
23
2
3
3
13
1 6
4
27
48
62
4
2
17
46
5
7
53
14
39
57
4
19
2
28
3
7
21
2
24
39
40
6
13
23
3
8
76
9
16
36
—
7
2
21
2
Table 15 shows the number of disputes ending each month, for each
year, 1916 to 1930:
T a b l e
1 5 .—N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S E N D IN G IN E A C H M O N T H
N um ber of disputes ending in—
Year
Jan.
1916
___
1917
___
1918 _____
1919
1920
_ --1921
___
1922
____
1923
____
1924
____
1925
____
1926_______
1Q9.7
1Q9R
1Q9Q
1930_______
Feb. M ar. Apr. M ay June Ju ly
117
111
105
122
84
64
42
32
69
68
33
19
41
43
45
132
94
125
113
85
61
39
54
78
66
46
38
57
55
33
176
159
168
128
129
106
37
78
92
65
62
51
52
75
51
292
198
208
144
197
102
37
144
90
110
76
64
70
101
61
337
223
261
226
200
222
77
182
129
131
111
80
72
95
78
216
172
223
195
188
171
52
114
109
93
73
82
54
89
54
200
157
211
207
191
144
58
121
83
71
60
88
58
84
82
Aug. Sept.
217
156
207
252
157
141
65
85
62
111
77
65
59
88
48
223
201
175
239
155
91
70
85
55
81
77
54
60
92
61
Oct. Nov. Dec.
173
177
147
194
117
81
58
95
69
92
59
37
53
87
55
156
122
117
147
72
65
61
57
47
57
51
35
48
60
51
78
132
166
120
60
46
53
36
43
34
37
26
32
44
48
M onth Total
not
stated
131 2,448
172 2,074
85 2,198
133 2, 220
237 1,872
232 1, 526
741
92
62 1,145
959
33
989
10
780
18
639
656
913
667
Termination of Disputes by Result
T able 16 shows the number of disputes ending each year, classified
by results. For example, 294 or 44 per cent of all disputes reported
ending in 1930 were settled in favor of employers, 167 or 25 per cent
in favor of employees, and 159 or 24 per cent resulted in compromise.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1296]
31
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, 1916 TO 1930
Jurisdictional and protest strikes have increased to such an extent
in recent years that it is felt that the number of such disputes may
prove interesting, and for this reason such strikes have been segre
gated in this table. A jurisdictional dispute is one in which trades
or occupations are directly involved, one against another. As far
as the employer is concerned, they are often more disastrous than the
dispute in which he is immediately affected. A protest strike is one
which,_as its name indicates, simply expresses dislike for some rule,
executive, or condition. It is usually of very short duration and
frequently is officially unauthorized.
T a b l e
1 6 .—R E S U L T S OF D IS P U T E S E N D IN G IN E A C H Y E A R
N um ber of disputes ending in—
Result
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
In favor of employers_______
In favor of employees ____
Compromise
Em ployees returned pending
arb itratio n __________
Jurisdictional and p ro te st...
N o t rep o rted _________
T o t a l ___________
748
749
777
395
631
720
465
627
691
687
627
797
677
472
448
701
256
291
248
259
105
73
137
204
50
61
80
16
101
191
211
59
214
198
113
2,448 2,074 2,198 2, 220 1,872 1,526
368 283 253 226 169 272 3fi7 294
403 354 349 288 235 197 267 167
168 138 138 147 129 1fin 22fi 1
51
3fi
160 139 198
83
46
45
3
3
14
2
17
77 1 10
3 20
29
7411,145 959 989 780 639 656 913 667
1 Results of 7 strikes undeterm ined.
2 R esults of 16 strikes undeterm ined.
3 R esults of 20 strikes undeterm ined.
Duration of Disputes
T able 17 shows th e num ber of disputes ending each year, 1916 to
1930, and th eir aggregate and average duration:
AND AVERAt
Y ear in which dis
putes ended
1916_______________
1917_______________
1918__________
1919__________
1920____________
1921______________
1922________
1923______________
N um ber
of dis
putes for
Total
which
duration
duration
(days)
is re
ported
2,116
1, 435
1,709
1,855
1,321
1, 258
580
968
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
49, 680
26, 981
29, 895
62, 930
51,893
64,231
21, 436
23,177
Aver
age
dura
tion
(days)
23
19
17
34
39
51
37
24
Year in which dis
putes ended
1924
1925
1926
1927.
1928
1929.
1930.
[1297]
N um ber
of dis
putes for
Total
which
duration
duration
(days)
is re
ported
957
879
738
669
656
913
667
28, 588
23,809
18,805
15,865
17,997
18, 507
12, 292
Aver
age
dura
tion
(days)
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
32
The classified period of duration of disputes by years is shown in
Table 18:
T able 1 8 .—D IS P U T E S E N D IN G IN E A C H Y E A R , BY C L A S S IF IE D P E R IO D S OF D U R A T IO N
N u m b er of disputes ending in—
D u ratio n
Less th a n 1 d a y ...........
1 d a y ..............................
2 d ay s____, ..................
3 d a y s_______ _____ 4 d ay s______________
5 days -------------------6 d a y s........ ...................
7 d a y s______________
8 d ay s______________
9 d a y s______________
10 d ay s_____________
11 d a y s_____________
12 d a y s_____________
13 d a y s_____________
14 d a y s______ ______
15 to 18 days.................
19 to 21 days.................
22 to 24 days-----------25 to 28 day s-----------29 to 31 d a y s ...............
32 to 35 days-----------36 to 42 days.................
43 to 49 days------------50 to 63 days-----------64 to 77 day s-----------78 to 91 day s-----------92 to 200 days----------Over 200 d ay s_______
N o t rep o rted ________
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
38
141
185
147
125
131
112
93
86
50
108
41
42
27
64
148
83
40
61
53
25
50
24
53
40
27
99
23
332
88
196
113
105
62
56
65
95
29
31
43
24
39
13
40
75
46
23
35
28
27
38
29
37
22
12
55
9
639
84
145
171
127
111
72
67
115
60
38
58
24
26
16
49
88
72
40
32
65
31
39
36
48
18
17
35
24
489
29
76
70
80
78
74
45
69
72
33
57
30
28
30
42
113
95
51
65
74
61
81
78
124
72
57
149
22
365
31
57
64
54
51
36
44
66
45
30
31
28
24
21
40
83
25
41
56
47
21
46
48
69
51
41
125
46
551
32
27
44
44
47
35
32
45
30
19
44
19
12
14
25
76
49
16
31
43
36
54
40
86
60
61
186
51
268
18
48
39
27
23
26
18
34
19
10
15
5
6
10
9
41
27
15
9
9
13
14
14
29
18
14
51
15
165
T o tal...... ...........- 2, 448 2, 074 2,198 2, 220 1,872 1, 526 j
1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930
26
82
74
68
66
36
44
62
29
26
20
16
17
32
36
54
39
12
33
40
20
14
13
24
24
16
25
19
178
23
42
46
31
46
27
30
47
21
14
17
17
6
12
26
39
23
17
39
27
23
26
26
43
27
12
55
23
174
42
55
52
62
39
34
26
47
24
27
23
19
21
14
33
60
47
36
28
23
17
2
18
32
12
9
39
15
114
139
72
67
46
44
48
37
29
25
21
19
43
17
15
42
29
19
28
17
19
26
28
19
19
13
25
7
66
53
54
39
27
32
36
36
19
20
15
14
10
17
43
14
18
22
14
15
18
14
25
18
14
12
2
741 1,145 959 989 752 639 656 .913
667
51
47
42
32
34
30
48
13
21
25
12
10
6
19
34
20
20
25
25
25
24
22
21
15
8
25
5
93
61
38
49
22
29
45
17
18
19
18
24
29
16
10
30
21
18
23
22
26
19
20
28
16
5
15
1
95
56
50
39
27
44
14
13
11
21
15
21
12
7
36
13
12
21
14
9
21
11
23
12
14
30
15
Termination of Disputes as Related to Length
Of t h e 667 strikes terminated in 1930, there were 271 or 41 per cent,
settled within 6 days and 438 or about two-thirds were settled within
14 days. Of those settled in favor of employees or m which some gam
was made by employees through a compromise, 125 or 38 per cent
were settled within 6 days, while 224 or nearly 70 per cent were settled
within 14 days.
.
,
Further details as to termination of strikes by periods ot duration
may be followed in Table 19:
T able 1 9 ._N U M B E R OF S T R IK E S T E R M IN A T E D IN 1930, B Y P E R IO D OF D U R A T IO N
D uration
1 to 6 days
-- -- — - _________________
7 to 14 days
15 to 28 days
___ -- - - - —
29 days and over-----------------------------------Total
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
__
-
In favor of In favor of
of em ploy of em ploy
ees
ers
C om pro
mised
Otherwise
settled
125
60
40
69
86
37
24
20
39
62
28
30
21
8
5
13
271
167
97
132
294
167
159
47
667
[1298]
T otal
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, 1916 TO 1930
33
Graphic Presentation of Disputes by Years and Month of Occurrence
T he relative num ber of disputes and of the employees involved
th erein in th e years 1916 to 1930 is shown graphically in the following
c h a r t:
V i)
CO
CD
_
CO
CD
O
or
o r
CVi
Csi
rO
or
CD
CD
CT)
CD
CD
CH
<r>
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1299]
in
CD
or
CD
or
r -
00
C vi
CD
O)
cn
CD
or
cn
o
C)
<n
MONTHLY LABOB BEVIEW
34
The number of industrial disputes beginning in each month in 1929
and 1930 and the number of workers involved therein are shown
graphically in the following chart:
IN D U S T R IA L
D IS P U T E S
A N D W O R K E R S IN V O L V E D .
NU M BERS OF
W O R K E R *.
N U M B E R S OF
D IS P U T E * .
N U M BERS
60
1 4 0 .0 0 0
TO
1 2 0 .0 0 0
60
1 0 0 .0 0 0
50
8 0 .0 0 0
40
MONTH
1 9 2 9 ,1 9 3 0 .
D IS P U T E * . W O R K E R *.
110 2 2 0 . 0 0 0
100 2 0 0 0 0 0
1 8 0 .0 0 0
O
'
o
1 6 0 ,0 0 0
EACH
1/
2 0 0 ,0 0 0 100
90
IN
ri
2 2 0 .0 0 0 110
1 6 0 ,0 0 0
B E G IN N IN G
t
o t
O
-
r
1 4 0 .0 0 0
1 2 (^ 0 0 0
&
n
a
7
1\
7
1 6 0 .0 0 0
1 0 0 .0 0 0
t
/
A
- J
O
A
I S P 1 T E , ».
/
>
O
/
1c
>
/
10
0
0
» .
O
4
>
V
6 0 .0 0 0
r
A
A
/
\
/
s
< S j <
" } i x E
o
<
- < § =
E - 3 - 3
' =
< «
a
o
\
\
/
o o u i
o z : Q -
<
3
4 0 .0 0 0
O
A
—
2 0 .0 0 0
\
WO HKE R S .
20
8 0 .0 0 0
o O
O
30
3 < o .
u . E < Z
I
-
1929.
3
—
—
•—
-
O
4 0 .0 0 0
V
a
<
..
c
o
o
z
:
£
D
6 0 .0 0 0
L
2 0 .0 0 0
0
>
1930.
Disputes not Tabulated
S ince 1926, as stated at the beginning of this report, it has been
the policy of the bureau to omit from tabulation all strikes involving
less than six workers and also those of less than one day’s duration.
A general summary of these strikes for the past year reveals that of
those involving less than six workers, 9 occurred in the bakery trades,
19 in the building trades, and 14 among theatrical or motion picture
operators; 37 were scattered among 19 other trades. Of those lasting
less than one day, 4 were in the building trades and 6 others in as
many other trades.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1300]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
P o licies and P ractices for S ta b iliz a tio n of E m p lo y m en t in
R etail E sta b lish m en ts
PAMPHLET outlining the policies and practices introduced by
some of the more progressive retailers to stabilize employment in
their establishments has just been prepared for the President’s
Emergency Committee for Employment and issued by the United
States Department of Commerce. The pamphlet is intended for the
guidance of other employers who may wish to introduce similar
measures, for it is pointed out that “ unemployment is one of the
worst enemies of retail trade.”
The outline is reproduced below.
A
Plans for Employment Stabilization
Basic Procedure
I n setting up plans for employment stabilization, the following
steps have been found desirable:
(a)
Survey individual and company needs thoroughly before
taking action.
(6) Consult with representatives of workers concerned to insure
fairness to the individual worker in the application of policies under
consideration.
(c)
Form a definite policy and state it clearly, either for use by the
management or for general announcement.
(d) Concentrate authority to see that the policy is followed.
(e)
Keep accurate and complete records of procedure for future
guidance.
(/) Cooperate in the exchange of information with companies in
the same community, industry, region, or affiliated group.
Methods of Spreading Work
Of the expedients now in general use, spreading work through
part-time operations is recognized as among the most beneficial to all
concerned. Instead of laying off personnel when business declines
thousands of firms in all types of work are holding their forces close
to normal strength by retaining part or all of their employees on
part time without reductions in wage rates.
Although individuals earn less under this plan than with full-time
pay, obviously their morale and purchasing power is higher than
under the old policy of extensive lay-offs. With the spreading of
work a general practice, even though actual pay rolls do not mount
much higher than under the old system, the wider distribution of
wages together with strengthened morale is bound to be reflected in
retail buying and generally better business. Firms participating in
the movement stand to gain further through reduced turnover and
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1301]
35
36
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
decreased training costs, and through a more efficient functioning,
made possible by the retention of a loyal and capable staff.
The spreading of work may be undertaken not only by large de
partment stores and chain-store groups but also by establishments
employing only a few persons. For small units, the added cost is
likely to be unappreciable. In larger organizations, planning is more
difficult and is likely to inyolve some extra costs in accounting and
other overhead. However, it is believed that the direct gains will
compensate in most casés, aside from indirect benefits arising from
the fact that every employee is a retail customer.
In spreading work, the practical problems being met by an indi
vidual retailer will vary widely in different types of merchandising.
Working expedients include the following :
(a) Reduction of overtime.
(b) Use of staggered vacations or leaves of absence.
(c) Rotation of days off.
(d) Use of shorter shifts where store hours are long.
(e) Rotation of shifts or individuals on the same job.
(/) Transfer of employees between departments or branch stores
to prevent lay-off.
The first rule of procedure is that of fairness. When part-time
operations are applied, the aim is to distribute work as evenly as
possible among all employees. The extent of distribution depends
partly upon whether the resultant earnings are consistent with
reasonable standards of living. Half-time work usually is the lower
limit. Efficiency on the job and the economic needs of individuals
also are to be considered.
To reduce hourly wages or commission rates for the purpose of
further economies than may be gained by the spreading of work is to
endanger employee morale. It has been found that when work has
been divided without wage cuts, employees understand that their best
interests are being served and cooperate cheerfully. To promote
morale it is well to inform all employees who are to be retained that
they need not worry about their jobs.
In applying a system of spreading work, much of the apportion
ment can be on the basis of employee preference. After adjustments
have been made on a voluntary basis, the balance of the spreading
can be divided equitably through the staff.
It is often desirable to discontinue deducting payments for bonuses,
pensions, or^savings from employee earnings so that all earnings may
be used for immediate purposes.
Overtime and Contingent Force Adjustments
Overtime and contingent forces are closely related problems which
may be handled with a substantial saving under part-time operations.
By working the part-time force longer hours and by a suitable con
centration of staggered shifts or individuals, it may be possible to
meet most rush requirements without resorting to contingent force
operation.
The _responsibility of a store to its contingent personnel is to be
recognized, although less than that to regular employees. Rather
than dismiss contingent workers, it may be desirable in some cases to
fat these persons into the part-time system which has been developed
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1302]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
37
for the regular employees, especially when dismissal would be a
severe hardship. As with the regular personnel, individual cases
should be surveyed before dismissals are made.
When hiring of contingent personnel is contemplated it may be
preferable to permit regular employees, whose earnings have been
reduced by part-time pay, to do work on the contingent force account
in addition to their regular duties, paying them for this time at the
same rate given to contingent workers for identical jobs.
Broadening the Training of Employees
Employment stabilization offers management an unusual oppor
tunity to broaden the training of personnel so that they may be
capable of handling several kinds of jobs. Keener interest of employ
ees in time of economic stress makes them more susceptible to oppor
tunities for increased knowledge of their vocation.
Employees trained by rotation between jobs can give alert and
intelligent service for such purposes as a flying squadron, members
of which can handle purchases for special customers through several
departments. Rotation is good training for floorwalkers. Flexi
bility of staff is of further advantage in case of unforeseen absences
or resignations.
Departments which bear a close relation to each other logically
work into such planning. For example, a sales person handling
draperies can easily learn the procedure for paper or yard goods.
There are limits to rotation between types of work where methods
and skills are not comparable and where a special skill may be lost
through lack of practice unless switches between jobs are frequent.
Maintenance, Improvement, and Expansion
In taking up exnployment slack, consideration may be given to
repair, modernization, replacement, improvement, and rearrange
ment; also expansion and new construction, financed from reserves
or on credit. New cash registers or accounting machines, new light
ing systems, better show cases, better arrangement of departments,
repainting, and redecorating, etc., may be considered. Where the
business has outgrown its facilities, there is no better time than
during a depression to bring the properties up to date by expan
sion of floor space, offices, warehouses, workshops, and creation of
new departments, if these are financially feasible. Construction
prices are lower and all types of labor are plentiful at such a time.
For minor projects, members of the regular staff may do much of
the work. For larger undertakings, the placing of contracts or
hiring of men is a contribution to the purchasing power of the com
munity which sooner or later tends to come back to retailers.
Keeping Adequate Stocks
Retailers can contribute further to purchasing power by maintain
ing reasonable stocks of goods in so far as this is compatible with
sound merchandising practice. Many industrial groups report that
their output and employment is at a low ebb because of the hand-tomouth buying habits which retailers have assumed during the de
pression. On a falling market this practice acts to prevent inventory
losses, but after wholesale prices have reached their low point, the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1303]
38
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
incentive is rather to buy. Too much stock supply or diversification,
of course, may be as serious a problem as too little.
Market Analysis and Advance Planning
A thorough survey of market conditions gives a tangible basis for
the amount of stock to be kept on hand. Although somewhat afield
from the problem of direct employment, planned buying by retailers
is of major importance in a national stabilization program and may
contribute to a more even flow of production and distribution, thus
reducing some of the seasonal peaks and valleys in the employment
curve.
During a depression, when a high quality of management is neces
sary to maintain sales and employment, changes in customer demands
create a need for readjustments in many lines of merchandising.
New management systems are easier to apply during slack periods
than through a busy season. Systems of stock control, store budget
ing, new methods of work, promotion of new goods, new styles, or new
uses, elimination of unprofitable items or customers, etc., may be
based on continuous merchandise surveys, direct analysis of customer
orders, and close cooperation with manufacturers and trade organi
zations.
Lay-off Procedure
General Methods
lay-offs, poor policy at any time, are even less war
ranted during a time of serious unemployment and impaired em
ployee earnings. Measures should first be taken to survey store and
employee needs in order to retain as many employees as economically
possible. If staff reductions are too urgent to await this process,
tentative lay-offs may be made, subject to reconsideration in the light
of pay-roll analysis and personnel surveys.
The problem may be somewhat simplified by first eliminating the
hiring of new employees, finding persons willing to go on furlough
without pay, and predating transfer to pension roll.
After this procedure has been carried as far as possible, where dis
missals are still unavoidable they should be based on a careful survey
through analysis of available card records and through personal inter
views either in the employment office or by department suoervisors.
Preferences may be made in relation to the following:
(a) Ability and efficiency.
(b) Length of service.
(c) Economic needs—number of dependents, etc.
Some authorities list detailed gradations of preference but arbi
trary procedure along these lines is difficult to lay down. Needs,
conditions, and abilities of individuals vary so widely that, in so far
as possible, decisions should be based on the merits of each separate
case, considered with the management’s best judgment in relation
to the problem at hand.
It has been considered inadvisable, in seeking economies through
dismissals, to lay off experienced employees and replace them by
lower-paid persons from the organization or outside, since this has
been found to disrupt morale and to lower the quality of customer
service just when the highest standards are essential.
H it - o r - m iss
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13041
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
39
Dismissal Compensation
There has been an increasing use of dismissal compensation in
industry, usually in cases where conditions have demanded the per
manent separation of employees. In time of depression, when find
ing a new job is a slow process, adequate compensation is essential
to prevent want. As much advance notice as possible should be
given before an employee loses his job. On dismissal, the compen
sation given has varied among companies from two weeks’ to one
year’s wages, usually varying with the age and service of employees.
Some firms give the normal vacation allowance on dismissal. Others
give an amount equal to the accrued vacation allowance for the
fraction of the year worked plus a lump sum of, say, two weeks’ or
a month’s pay.
Follow-Up After Lay-Off
Few progressive firms have discontinued all responsibility for laidoff workers. The present emergency has greatly encouraged assistance
to laid-off employees. Following are some of the measures in use:
(а) Placement in other jobs.
Store employment departments, employment exchanges, outside
visits by employment interviewers, community exchange arrange
ments, advertisements, circular letters, and other means have been
used to secure jobs for laid-off employees.
(б) Loans and credits.
Following friendly investigation of need, lump-sum or periodic
cash loans are being extended. Loans are to be repaid on reemploy
ment by deductions from wages, with or without interest. Tactful
action assures protection against distress in cases where pride covers
the need. Credits are given on food, clothing, and medical attention
where company services or suitable merchandise are available. Such
loans or credits usually are extended to employees temporarily laid
off who are both able and willing to assume the financial obligations.
Periodic surveys and visits are desirable to keep in touch with
individual cases.
(c) Cooperation with relief agencies.
Some companies, willing to assume obligations to their former
employees, prefer to have the work done by local or national relief
organizations. In many cases firms in a community have partici
pated in the support of an emergency relief committee or in the
extension of work done by permanent agencies, such as the Red Cross
or the community chest. The trained relief workers of such groups
then assume charge of conditions in the entire community, their
work being supported by company contributions, voluntary collec
tions from employees, pay-roll deductions, and campaign collections
in which stores can aid.
Permanent Stabilization Measures
T h e stabilization policies and practices outlined in the pamphlet
are offered primarily as emergency expedients which have served to
increase employment during the current depression. Nevertheless,
it is being found that companies which have worked along these
lines are planning to retain many of these measures as permanent
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1305]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
40
procedure. Forecasting and planning and broader training for
employees have an obvious place in the business structure.
Complete stabilization of retail employment will not be possible
in many lines so long as periodical rush periods, such as Christmas
and Easter, as well as seasonal variations in demand, act to prevent
uniform operation the year round. However, united and continued
action can minimize the undesirable employment features which are
involved.
Among the most significant trends in personnel management is
the growing acceptance of guaranteed income or employment as a
permanent policy. A few firms have been able to stabilize their
operations to the extent that they have guaranteed jobs to their per
sonnel. Others are applying unemployment insurance, pension, or
benefit plans, affording partial or complete income in case of dis
ability or unemployment. The plans which have been worked out
by certain industrial firms are applicable to many types of retail
organizations.
Irregu larity of E m p lo y m en t in th e R adio In d u stry
Purpose and Scope of Inquiry
HE United States Women’s Bureau has recently published, as
its Bulletin No. 83, the results of a _study of variations in the
number of workers employed in the radio industry, made in 1930.
It was undertaken as a result of statements made by a number of
young women who had been attracted to the work by newspaper
advertisements and had found it reasonably satisfactory until they
began to suffer from irregular and uncertain employment. The
study was decided upon for the purpose of discovering whether their
experience reflected only a local situation or was typical of the in
dustry as a whole; and since conditions in 1929 were abnormal, it
was decided to secure employment records for a number of years so
as to show the usual trend in the industry and to discover to what
extent 1929 varied from normal.
T
In order to get a picture of employment in the radio industry as a whole,
plants engaged in the manufacture of receiving sets, tubes, and parts and acces
sories were visited in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. As radio manufacturing is
concentrated largely around the cities of New York and Chicago, much of the
valuable information acquired was furnished by plants in these districts. Altogether, employment data were obtained from 26 firms making receiving sets,
from 15 making tubes, and from 10 making parts or accessories. Authorities
of the United States Department of Commerce and of the Radio Manufacturers
Association agree that figures presented in this report cover firms that produced
80 to 90 per cent of the sets and at least 90 per cent of the tubes made in 1929.
The data on radio parts and accessories are far from being so inclusive, and
they constitute barely a sample of employment conditions in the scores of plants,
widely scattered through the States, making essential parts for the radio trade.
Data were secured from the pay roll or other records of the various
firms visited. In the majority of cases it was possible to get figures
for at least two years, and in some cases the records went back for
5, 6, and even 8 years. _
Each branch of the industry is treated separately; and since the
number of factories engaged in the manufacture of parts and acces
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1306]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
41
sories was not considered sufficiently representative, the chief em
phasis is laid on the other two branches—the manufacture of re
ceiving sets and of tubes.
Conditions in the Manufacture of Receiving Sets
F rom 23 firms data were secured showing for 1929 the fluctuations
in employment by sex of worker, and from a twenty-fourth firm
similar data without distinction of sex. For 16 of the 23 showingsex, the data covered the whole year, but the remaining 7 had operated
less than 12 months, so that the figures for the two groups are pre
sented separately. Table 1 shows the number employed each month
by those of the firms then in operation, while Table 2 shows the same
data for the firm which gave its figures for the two sexes combined.
T able 1.—F L U C T U A T IO N IN E M P L O Y M E N T , 23 P L A N T S M A K IN G R E C E I \ IN G SETS, 1929
16 p lants m aking sets in
1929
M onth
N um ber of—
Total
num ber
of em
ployees
M en
Jan u a ry _______________________
F e b ru a ry ______________________
M arch___________________ ____ _
A pril__________________________
M a y ___________________________
Ju n e _______________
J u ly ___________________________
A ugust________________________
Septem ber_____________________
O ctober________________________
N ovem ber_____________________
December______________________
19, 853
18,104
13, 688
13, 045
14, 900
18, 765
25, 906
31, 163
30, 696
28, 377
20, 566
13, 086
9,182
8, 703
6, 848
7, 086
8, 328
10,190
13, 587
16, 228
16, 439
14, 978
11,058
7,917
Average________________________
M axim um _____________________
M inim um _____________________
Per cent m inim um is of m axim um
20, 679
31,163
13, 045
41.9
10, 879
16,439
. 6,848
41.7
1 3 plants only.
7 plants m aking sets dur
ing p art of 1929
2 6 plants.
T otal
num ber
of em
W omen ployees
10, 671
9,401
6,840
5, 959
6,572
8, 575
12, 319
14, 935
14, 257
13, 399
9, 508
5,169
N um ber of—
M en
Women
1 3, 366 1 2, 484
2 5, 815 2 3, 780
2 6, 637 3 4, 157
9, 347
5, 240
10, 759
6, 309
12, 276
7,434
12, 558
7, 889
8,888
5, 857
5,184
3, 278
i 882
2 2, 035
3 2, 480
4,107
4, 450
4,842
4, 669
3,031
1,906
9, 800 s 9, 835 3 6, 001
14, 935 3 12, 558 3 7, 889
5,169 3 5,184 3 3, 278
34.6
3 41. 3 3 41. 6
3 3, 834
3 4, 842
3 1, 906
3 39.4
3 j u iy to December only.
T a b l e 2 .— F L U C T U A T IO N IN 1 P L A N T N O T R E P O R T IN G E M P L O Y M E N T B Y SE X , 1929
M onth
_____
Jan u a ry _____
___
F ebruary _ . . .
M arch ___
ApriL .
M ay
_ ...
Ju n e. . .
J u ly ____________________________
A ugust, _
Septem ber _ ,
N um ber
of em
ployees
6,812
7,209
7,548
7,345
5, 985
8,417
10,186
11,551
12,175
M onth
N um ber
of em
ployees !
October
N ovember
December
13,103
7,698
4, 896
Average
M axim um
M inim um
P er cent m inim um is of maxim um
8, 577
13, 103
4, 896
37.4
. In all cases August, September, and October were the months of
highest employment, with a low point in December, and for the
plants in operation throughout the year, another in the spring. The
spring depression is especially significant, since it occurred months
before the stock collapse of October. In plants giving the record for
58726°—31---- 4
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1307]
MONTHLY LABÙE, REVIEW
42
the sexes separately, the variations in employment were greater in
the case of women than of men.
In the 16 plants with a complete record the number at the peak was for the
women two and one-half times and for the men almost two and one-half times
as great as at the minimum in the spring. But reductions soon were drastic,
and by December less than one-half of the men and only about one-third of the
women still held their jobs.
The length of time a plant had been in operation seemed to have
little to do with its continuity of employment. The plant with the
best record for stable employment for women in 1929, it is stated,
had been operating for less than a year, while the one with the
second best record was able to furnish figures for eight years’ operation.
From eight plants figures were secured covering four years of
operation, which showed fluctuations as follows:
T a b l e
3 .—F L U C T U A T IO N IN E M P L O Y M E N T , 8 S E L E C T E D P L A N T S M A K IN G R E C E IV
IN G SE T S, 1926 TO 1929
M onth
January ________
F e b ru a ry ________
M areh _ _ __ ____
April
__ _____ -M ay
June
July
____________
August ..........
September __
October
November
December__________
1929
1928
1927
1926 i
W om Total M en W om Total M en W om Total
Total M en
en
en
en
5,907
5, 243
4,418
3,880
3, 667
4,136
5, 012
6, 735
8, 327
8,850
8, 458
5, 222
2,874
2,597
2,180
1,920
1,864
2, 170
2, 577
3, 282
3, 980
4,282
4,415
2,853
5, 821 2,916
Average
M axim um
8, 850 4,415
3,667 1,864
M inim um
Per cent m inim um
is of m axim um ------ 41.4 42.2
3,033
2, 646
2,238
1,960
1,803
1,966
2,435
3,453
4,347
4, 568
4,043
2,369
4,187
3,507
3,033
2, 848
2, 967
3, 997
4,912
6,051
7, 200
6, 995
7, 549
7, 244
2, 527
2, 210
2, 001
1,979
2, 049
2, 534
2,904
3, 337
3, 591
3,403
3, 477
3, 375
2,905 5,041 2,782
4,568 7, 549 3,591
1,803 2,848 1,979
39.5
37.7
55.1
1,660 7, 353
1,297 6, 264
1,032 5, 517
869 4, 544
918 5,003
1,463 6, 526
2,008 8, 946
2, 714 11, 346
3,609 13, 612
3, 592 14, 703
4, 072 14, 511
3,869 11,571
3, 670
3, 365
3, 072
2,602
2, 757
3, 391
4, 527
5,549
6, 490
6, 922
6,847
5,646
2,259 9,158 4,570
4,072 14, 70S 6,922
869 4, 544 2, 602
21.3
30.9
37.6
M en
W om
en
10,700 5,358
10, 279 5, 366
8, 326 4, 529
8, 750 5,058
10, 803 6,236
13, 641 7,396
18, 609 9, 546
19, 930 10, 332
17, 361 9,136
14, 533 8, 061
8,849 5, 295
6,982 4,252
5, 342
4,913
3,797
3,692
4, 567
6, 245
9,063
9, 598
8, 225
6,472
3, 554
2, 730
4,588 12, 397 6, 714
7, 781 19,930 10, 332
1,942 6,982 4, 252
5,683
9, 598
2, 730
41.2
28.4
3, 683
2,899
2,445
1,942
2, 246
3,135
4,419
5, 797
7,122
7, 781
7,664
5,925
25.0
35.0
1 Includes 1 small plan t not reporting figures for th e first 3 m onths of the year.
The extreme fluctuations in employment in these eight plants tend
to obscure the fact that there was a marked increase during the four
years in the number of workers; in 1929 both the average and the
maximum number employed were more than double the correspond
ing figures for 1926. The fluctuations differ in severity from year to
year, but follow the same general course. Each year shows a peak of
employment occurring in the fall, followed by a drop, usually abrupt,
in December, and a depression in the early part of the next year.
Between the late autumn of 1926 and the spring of 1927 more than two-thirds
of the employees (67.8 per cent) lost their jobs. For this period in 1927-28 the
decline was 39.8 per cent, and from October, 1928, to March, 1929, it was 43.4
per cent. The debacle in the closing months of 1929 is strikingly illustrated by
this table, which shows that of the 20,000 persons employed in August, 13,000,
or practically two-thirds, were off the rolls by December.
The period for which employment data were collected by the Women’s Bureau
closed with the year 1929, but statistics furnished by the Radio Manufacturers
Association show that December of that year was not unlike December of earlier
years in that the lowest point in the curve had not been reached and the trend was
still downward in 1930. Production in the manufacture of sets decreased 8 per
cent from December, 1929, to January, 1930, 9 per cent from January to February,
and 11 per cent from February to March.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 0 8 ]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
43
Effect of Adding a Side Line
O n e plant was found in which the employers had tried to stabilize
employment by combining with the manufacture of radio sets another
product, also seasonal, but having a different curve of seasonality.
The operations on the two products are so similar that it is possible
to transfer many employees from one to the other without any slowing
down of output. As a result, though employment was by no means
completely stabilized, the fluctuations were much less than in plants
manufacturing radio sets only. A comparison between the figures of
this company and the best figure each year among the other com
panies shows the percentages that minimum employment formed of
the maximum to be as follows:
T a b l e 4 .—C OM PARISON OP PL A N T H A V IN G SID E L IN E W ITH BEST FIG U R E S OF
OTHER PLANTS
Per cent m inim um em ploym ent was of
maximum in—
Item
1926
M en:
P lant w ith
Best figure
W omen:
P lant w ith
Best figure
1927
1928
1929
side lin e__________ _
of other p l a n t s ______
93.0
66.2
83.2
56.5
70. 7
46.4
70.4
58.3
side line
of other p l a n t s ____
80.8
43. 1
76.0
39.8
63. 1
39.0
68.6
42.8
Fluctuations in Individual Establishments
M assing the records of a number of plants together tends to hide
the individual variations which appear plainly in the figures for sin
gle plants. The records of two separate plants, covering in one case
six, and in the other, four and a half years, are given in the following
table:
T able 5 . - FL U C T U A T IO N
IN
E M P L O Y M E N T IN 2
R E C E IV IN G SETS
PL A N T S
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Plant A
1924
1925
1926
M onth
Total
M en
J a n u a ry __ . .
_ __
F ebruary. _ _ _____ __
M arch ______ . _____ _ . . .
A p ril______
... .
M ay ___________________
J u n e .. _________ ______
J u ly --------------------------------A ugust_______ _ ______ .
Septem ber.. . . .
____ _
O ctober__________________
N ovem ber..
D e ce m b e r... . . . . ___. . .
1,868
1,112
1, 006
603
532
475
471
846
1,326
2,492
2,744
3.002
1, 301
758
693
437
386
350
351
581
863
1, 520
1, 720
1,824
567
354
313
166
146
125
120
265
463
972
1,024
1,178
2,903
1,954
1,328
1,387
1, 354
1,876
2. 288
2, 944
3, 252
3, 929
2,563
1, 420
1, 776
1, 372
993
1,042
l, 002
1,232
1,381
1, 746
1, 896
2,201
1, 448
1,024
1,127
582
335
345
352
644
907
1,198
1, 356
1, 728
1,115
396
845
643
754
576
730
554
709
535
703
526
1,244
795
1,949 • 1, 129
2,719
1, 606
3,323
1, 964
3, 940
2.270
4, 276
2, 590
1,991
1, 308
202
178
176
174
177
449
820
1,113
1, 359
1, 670
1, 686
683
A verage_____ _____________
M axim um _______________
M inim um _______________
Per cent m inim um is of maxim um ____ _____ ____
1, 373
3,002
471
899
1,824
350
474
1,178
120
2,267
3, 929
1,328
1, 426
2,201
993
841
1, 728
335
1,932
4,276
703
1,208
2,590
526
724
1,686
174
15. 7
19. 2
10. 2
33.8
45.1
19.4
16. 4
20. 3
10.3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Women T otal
[1 3 0 9 1
M en
Women T otal
M en
W omen
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
44
T a b l e
5 .—F L U C T U A T IO N
IN E M P L O Y M E N T IN 2 P L A N T S
R E C E IV IN G S E T S —C ontinued
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Plant A —Continued
1929
1928
1927
M onth
T otal
M en
W omen Total
M en
W omen Total
M en
W omen
J anu ary _________________
February ______________ M a r c h ___________________
\p ril
_ ______________
M ay
- _______________
June
______________
Ju ly
............................ .
August.
_______________
September
_________ October
_ ___________
N ovem ber _____________
D ecem ber..................- ..........
1,918
1,809
1, 768
1,787
1,912
2, 703
3,075
3,185
3, 236
1,934
2,093
2,956
1,243
1, 202
1, 198
1, 220
1,296
1, 704
1, 862
1, 937
1,911
1, 234
1, 094
1, 533
675
607
570
567
616
999
1, 213
1,248
1, 325
700
999
1, 423
4,236
3, 443
2, 935
2, 221
2, 325
3, 454
5, 349
6, 999
8, 078
7,972
7, 103
4, 319
2,231
1,981
1, 786
1.425
1, 470
1,934
2, 876
3,707
4, 206
4,239
3, 860
2, 654
2, 005
1, 462
1,149
796
855
1, 520
2, 473
3,292
3, 872
3, 733
3, 243
1, 665
4,491
4, 994
3, 637
4, 048
5. 538
6, 215
8, 384
9, 198
5, 707
3,614
2, 109
2, 524
2,745
3, 037
2,319
2, 603
3, 491
3, 839
4,809
5, 046
3, 219
2, 281
1, 496
1,614
1, 746
1,957
1,318
1,445
2,047
2, 376
4, 075
4, 152
2,488
1, 333
613
910
A verage. ________________
M axim um . _____ _________
M inim um
_____
__
P er cent m inim um is of maxim um _______________
2,365
3, 236
1, 768
1, 453
1,937
1,094
912
1,423
567
4, 889
8, 078
2,221
2, 714
4, 239
1, 425
2, 175
3, 872
796
5, 096
9,198
2, 109
3,043
5, 046
1, 496
2,053
4,152
613
54.6
56.5
39.8
27.5
33.6
20.6
22.9
29.6
14.8
.
Plant B
1
1927
1926
1925
M onth
T otal
M av
Time
Ju ly
_________________
August _ . . _____________
S e p te m b e r_______________
October - _______________
N ovem ber-- . ____________
D ecem ber..................................
Average . .
______ — M axim um .
--------. ..
M in im u m ..
._
. -.
Per cent m inim um is of maxim um _________________ .
M en
W omen T o tal
M en
W omen T otal
M en
W omen
155
126
100
90
85
87
70
86
127
129
113
99
44
28
13
11
20
22
27
101
144
113
81
57
169
165
108
69
69
82
136
244
385
538
615
296
105
103
81
64
64
69
88
133
224
324
385
221
64
62
27
5
5
13
48
111
161
214
230
75
174
257
430
319
297
150
130
173
289
242
217
134
44
84
141
77
80
16
199
154
113
101
105
109
97
187
271
242
194
156
271
430
150
197
289
130
74
141
16
161
271
97
106
155
70
55
144
11
240
615
69
155
385
64
85
230
5
1 34.9
1 45.0
1 11.3
35.8
45. 2
7.6
11.2
16.6
2. 2
1929
1928
M onth
T otal
Jan u a ry __________________
F e b ru a ry _________________
M a r c h - - . __________ _____
April- .
---------------------M ay
___________ ______
J u n e ..
. ----------------------J u ly __________2---------------A ugust___. . _______ _____
Septem ber________________
October
_______________
N ovem ber________________
December................................
Average.....................................
M ax im u m ________ . . . —
M inim um _____ _______
Per cent m inim um is of m axim um . .
1 B ased on less th a n a 12-month record.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1310]
M en
Women T otal
M en
W omen
225
220
201
167
351
481
444
242
431
653
790
764
174
168
151
144
205
268
260
179
268
346
412
429
51
52
50
23
146
213
184
63
163
307
378
335
515
192
177
482
724
659
1,076
2, 409
4,139
3, 861
1,690
1, 065
308
181
168
370
559
499
770
1,449
2, 452
2, 413
1,187
769
207
11
9
112
165
160
306
960
1, 687
1, 448
503
296
414
790
167
21.1
250
429
144
33.6
164
378
23
6.1
1, 416
4,139
177
4.3
927
2, 452
168
6.9
489
1, 687
9
0. 5
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
45
In both of these plants the average number of employees increased
materially during the period covered, and in both the same seasonal
curve appears that is shown in the figures for the combined plants.
Also both show marked differences from year to year in the extent to
which employment fluctuates. Thus in plant A the per cent which
the minimum number of employees formed of the maximum was 54.6
m 1927 and only 15.7 in 1924, while for plant B the variation is
from 35.8 per cent in 1926 to 4.3 per cent in 1929.
Fluctuations of Employment in the Manufacture of Radio Tubes
E mployment records for the year 1929 were obtained from 15
plants manufacturing radio tubes, and from 10 they were obtained
for the 4-year period, 1926-1929. The figures for the 15 plants are
given in the following table:
T able 6 .—F L U C T U A T IO N IN E M P L O Y M E N T , 15 P L A N T S M A K IN G T U B E S , 1929
M onth
Jan u ary . . . _
F ebruary____
M arch ............
A pril____ . . .
M a y ___.
June. . .
J u ly ............ .........
A ugust____
Septem ber..
N um ber of—
Total
num
ber of
em
ployees M en W omen
7, 468
7,739
7,571
7, 788
8, 684
9,671
11,262
12, 078
13,446
1,447
1,411
1,402
1,476
1, 718
1,907
2,194
2,188
2,281
6,021
6, 328
6,169
6,312
6,966
7, 764
9,068
9,890
11,165
N um ber of—
Total
num
ber of
em
ployees
M en Wromen
October
Novem ber . . .
December________
13,825
9,921
6,479
2, 330
1,562
1,139
11,495
8,359
5, 340i
Average . . . . . . _. . .
M axim um ___ . . .
M inim um ___
Per cent m inim um is of
m axim um __
9, 661
13,825
6,479
1,755
2,330
1,139
7,906
11,495
5, 340
46.9
48.9
46.5
M onth
Attention is called to two points in this table;—the contrast in the
employment curve as between men and women and the sharp peak
of employment affecting women only.
Unlike unemployment on receiving sets in 1929, where there was a decline
early m the year, employment on tubes holds its own very evenly through the
farst four months without a drop. Then in the next five or six months the num
ber of women almost doubles, and in the last two months of the year it drops
abruptly until lower than the beginning point in January. While the curve for
the employment of women shoots up from 6,000 to almost double that number,
and down again to about 5,000, the curve for the employment of men does not
show such violent changes. Apparently at least 5,000 women were hired and
fired within the few months, but fewer than 1,000 men had a similar experience.
In every tube plant the women outnumbered the men, as the men usually
are employed only in maintenance of highly skilled work, while the women work
on all the various assembly jobs.
The next table gives the employment figures for the 10 plants for
which records were secured covering four years.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13111
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
46
T artf 7 -F L U C T U A T IO N IN E M P L O Y M E N T , 10 S E L E C T E D P L A N T S M A K IN G T U B E S ,
1926 TO 1929
M onth
1929
1928
1927
19261
W om Total M en W om T otal M en W om Total M en W om
Total M en
en
en
en
en
1,906
1,830
1,697
1,609
1,589
1,581
1,672
1,739
1,973
2,428
2, 477
2,242
278
262
239
224
217
217
236
258
320
410
447
381
1,628
1,568
1,458
1,385
1,372
1,364
1,436
1,481
1, 653
2,018
2,03C
1,861
1,937
1, 640
1,536
1, 509
1, 518
1,571
1,736
2, 112
2,541
2, 766
2, 86C
2, 758
354
244
235
239
239
272
292
379
463
463
481
483
1, 583
1,396
1,301
1,270
1,279
1,299
1,443
1, 733
2,078
2,303
2, 379
2,275
Av or a ge
_____
M axim um
_
M inim um
Per cent m inim um is
of maxim um _ _
1,895
2,477
1,581
291
447
217
1,604 2, 040
2,030 2, 86(
1,361 1, 50S
345
483
235
1,695 2,801
2, 379 4,585
1,270 2,041
63.8
48.5
67.2
48.7
52.8
1
53.4
954 4, 095
389 2,087 5, 049
937 4,297
367 1,958 5, 234
938 4,364
355 1,863 5, 302
981 4,452
355 1,736 5, 433
340 1,701 5, 690 1,029 4, 661
378 1, 796 6, 321 1,152 5,169
416 1,941 6, 960 1, 210 5, 750
468 2,178 7, 655 1,289 6, 366
538 2, 424 3, 538 1, 392 7,146
730 2, 792 9, 409 1, 470 7, 939
838 3,379 8,184 1,246 6,938
902 3, 683 5,968 1,007 4,961
2,476
2,325
2,218
2,091
2,041
2,174
2,357
2,646
2,962
3, 522
4, 217
4,585
.Tannary ________
February __________
1VTarch
______ ___
April
_____________
M ay
_________ ___
.bmp,
__ _
Ju ly
___________
August
_________
Septem hp,r
_______
October
_______ ___
N ovem ber
____D ecem ber____________
506
902
340
1
5,511
7, 939
4,095
63.7
51.6
46.
37.7
44.5
2,295 6,645 1,134
3, 683 9, 409 1, 470
937
1, 701 5, 049
53.7
1
i Includes 1 small p lan t not reporting figures for the first 3 m onths of the year.
The difference between the fluctuations of 1929 and of the earlier
years is strikingly apparent. The trend each year is much the same
until the autumn of 1928, when the number employed shows a marked
increase, so that although the minimum number of employees is
markedly larger than in either of the two preceding years, the differ
ence between minimum and maximum is far greater than in the earlier
years. The number continued to increase up to October, 1929, fell a
little in November, and in December came down precipitously.
Even so, however, there was no such decline in the number of workers
as occurred in the eight plants making receiving sets during 1929,
shown in a preceding table. It is noticeable that in these plants
making tubes not only were women employed far more numerously
than men, but that their numbers did not show such wide fluctuations
as in the case of men.
Degree of Irregularity, and Variations from Average
T h e degree of irregularity indicated by the employment records is
discussed in detail. One fact which clearly appears is that the
fluctuations can not be attributed in any large degree to the collapse
of 1929. The table following compares the conditions of 1929 with
those of 1928.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13121
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
47
T able 8.—C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T IN 1928 A N D 1929
Receiving sets
P er cent m inim um was of maxim um
M en
Tubes
Women
M en
Women
1929
1928
1929
1928
1929
1928
1929
1928
(23
(14
(23
(14
(15
(15
(11
(11
plants) plants) plants) plants) plants) plants) plants) plants)
U nder 5___
5 and under 10.
10 and under 20. -_
20 and under 50..
50 and over..
----------------------- ---------------------------
35
48
68
32
3
1
3 10
l3
3
4
31
3
22
5
33
25
1
2
5
2
4
l
z
O
3
3
3
' J11 J- plant th e m inim um was zero, and 1 plant had less th a n a 12-month record
‘ in 2 plants th e m inim um was zero.
3 Includes 1 p lan t w ith less th a n a 12-month record.
* Includes 2 p lants w ith less th a n a 12-month record.
5 Includes 4 p lants w ith less th a n a 12-month record.
6 Includes 3 p lants w ith less th a n a 12-month record.
Even in 1928, a less abnormal year than 1929, the employment situation in
radio sets was not much better. To be sure, fewer firms fall in the lowest group—
that with the minimum less than 5 per cent of the maximum— but not one falls
in the highest group of 50 per cent and over. In tubes, both for men and for
women, the number of firms in the highest group was greater in 1928 than in 1929.
Another fact brought out by the detailed figures is that the “ aver
age number” of employees is, in such an industry as this, a theoretic
conception, bearing little relation to any usual or actual condition in
the plants concerned. The following summary shows for how lonoeach year the number of employees fell below the average:
T a b le 9 .—P E R IO D OF B E L O W -A V E R A G E E M P L O Y M E N T
N um ber of plants in which em ployment
in 1929 was below the year’s average in
the num ber of m onths specified
N um ber of m onths in which employm ent fell below th e aver
age for the year
Receiving sets (16
plants 9
M en
Women
1 m o n th .._
4 m onths____
W OO rfx !
M en
W omen
1
1
1
6 m onths . . . .
7 m onths.
8 m o n th s...
9 m onths
Radio tubes (15
plants)
5
3
8
1
7
2
3
3
5
4
2
1
1 Excludes 7 plants making sets during only p art of 1929.
Conclusion
T h e manufacture of accessories and parts was found to be carried
on largely as a part of a more extended business, often in connection
with the production of automobiles. As it was impossible in many
cases to make a distinction between the labor employed on radio
parts and that on other products, the figures secured were scanty and
far from satisfactory.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1313]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
48
As to the manufacture of receiving sets and radio tubes, however, the
study showed conclusively that the industry was irregular to a high
degree; that hours varied widely in accordance with the pressure of
work; that as far as women were concerned while there was at times a
strong demand for them there was no assurance of regular or steady
employment; that wages were not uniform and earnings showed wide
variations; and that the labor turnover was tremendous. Data on this
point are presented covering seven plants. In 1929 their maximum
force was 30,078 and the minimum 7,594, but the number of acces
sions during the year was 48,909, and of separations 50,760.
A ctiv ities of F ee-C h argin g E m p lo y m en t A gencies in Nevada
HE statistics given in Tables 1 and 2 on placements and charges
of private employment agencies in Nevada over a period of
years are ' taken from the biennial report of the commissioner of
labor of that State, 1929-1930.
T
T able 1 .—A C T IV IT IE S
OF F E E -C H A R G IN G E M P L O Y M E N T A G E N C IE S IN N E V A D A
1920 TO 1930
N um ber of persons engaged
Fees
refunded
Fees
charged
Year
Male
1920
___ _ _
_____ ____
1921
______________ --1922
___ __ --- - -- --- ____ ___ 1923
1924
_
______ -- --- - -1925
_
_________ - - --1926
__________________________
1Q?7
1928
_________ _________ ____
1929
__ _______ ____ ________ -1930 >______________________________
4, 365
1, 728
2, 029
4,810
4,929
4,186
3, 637
2,283
3,509
2,910
1,121
Expenses
refunded
Total
Female
5
0
12
5
49
80
101
81
13
123
120
4, 370
1, 728
2,041
, 4, 815
4,978
4,266
3, 738
2, 364
3, 522
3, 033
1, 241
$6, 328. 55
2, 653. 50
2, 874. 50
7, 854. 50
8, 089. 30
6,057.51
6,511.71
5,058. 75
8, 280. 38
7, 820. 20
5, 383. 57
$144. 00
• 303.50
129. 00
325. 95
238. 25
457. 70
553. 80
776. 00
786. 30
262. 01
92.00
$5. 84
18.88
102. 79
3.00
10.00
51.61
26.75
97.00
13.00
5.00
1 Approximate; reports for December not available at tim e tabulation was made.
T a b le 2 .— C O M P A R IS O N O F GROSS P L A C E M E N T S OF F E E -C H A R G IN G A G E N C IE S A N D
OF F E D E R A L -S T A T E E M P L O Y M E N T S E R V IC E IN N E V A D A F O R S P E C IF IE D P E R IO D S
Gross placementsActual
Period
comparison
Fee-charg
ing agencies
July, 1923, to Novem ber, 1924----------------------------------December, 1924, to Novem ber, 1925__________________
December, 1925, to N ovem ber, 1926---------------- —
December, 1926, to N ovem ber, 1927_____
December, 1927, to Novem ber, 1928-------------------------- December, 1928, to Novem ber, 1929----- — ------December, 1929, to November, 1930-.- -- --------1
7,067
4, 232
3,711
2, 287
3,416
2, 951
1,291
State
agencies
3,251
3,090
2, 650
1,395
2,316
3,100
1, 532
W eighted comparison1
Fee-charg
ing agencies
3,534
. 2,116
1,856
1,143
854
737
258
State
agencies
3, 251
3, 090
2,650
1,395
2,316
1,033
383
Based on th e num ber of agencies participating in m aking the result shown in;these tw o columns, weight
.
.
For this comparison it has been assumed th a t th e fee work of the M ount Lassen T ransit Co. (which is
prim arily a free service) approxim ately offsets th e num ber of-placements m ade b y th e Y erington State
office during its short existence and b y th e very small num ber b y th e State office a t Carson C ity. _ Con
sequently it has been assumed th a t th e “ fee” placem ents were m ade b y 4 offices in 1929 and 5 offices in 1930
and th e “ S ta te ” placements b y 3 in 1929 and 4 in 1930. I t also m ust be taken into consideration th a t 1
State office is only seasonal and 1 was opened N ov. 22,1930, showing only 8 days’ placements.
given to the approximate num ber of placements of each agency.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1314]
49
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
U n em p lo y m e n t in F oreign C ou n tries
T
HE following table gives detailed monthly statistics of unem
ployment in foreign countries, as shown in official reports, from
July, 1929, to the latest available date.
S T A T E M E N T OP 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 i
A ustralia
Trade-unionists
unem ployed
D ate (end of
m onth)
N um ber
1929
J u ly -------A ugust---September.
O ctober__
Novem ber.
D ecem ber.
(2)
(2)
52, 480
(2)
(2)
56,801
1930
Ja n u a ry __
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch___
A pril_____
M ay .........
Ju n e _____
J u ly ______
A ugust___
September.
O ctober__
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber.
(2)
(2)
63,144
(2)
(2)
80, 595
(2)
(2)
90, 379
(2)
(2)
102,900
1931
J a n u a ry —
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch___
A p ril.........
Per
cent
12.1
13.1
14.6
18.5
20. 5
23.4
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
Belgium
A ustria
C anada
Trade-unionists
Com
U nem ploym ent insurance societies
unem ployed
pulsory
insurance,
num ber
W holly unem
P artially unem
unem
ployed
ployed
ployed
N um ber P er cent
in re
ceipt of
N
um
ber
P
er
cent
N
um
ber
Per
cent
benefit
104,399
101,845
104,947
125,850
167,487
226, 567
4,037
3,200
3,492
3, 261
6,895
15, 761
.6
.5
.5
.5
1.1
2.4
16,452
15, 614
16, 714
13,930
13,176
29,309
2.6
2.5
2.6
2.2
2.1
4.6
6,003
7,159
7, 654
12, 716
19,832
24, 289
3.0
3.5
3.7
6.0
9.3
11.4
273,197
284, 543
239,094
192,477
162, 678
150, 075
153,188
156,145
163,894
192, 778
237, 745
294, 845
22, 542
16, 085
14, 030
13,715
12,119
12, 226
15, 302
17, 747
23, 693
27, 322
38,973
63,585
3.5
2.6
2. 2
2.2
1.9
1.9
2.4
2.8
3.8
4.3
6. 1
9.3
25, 782
31, 222
28, 469
36,605
38, 761
41, 336
48, 580
51, 649
61, 623
54,804
76,043
117,167
4.0
4.9
4.5
5.8
6.1
6. 5
7.7
8.2
9.9
8.5
12.0
17.0
22, 795
24,175
22,912
18, 581
20, 424
21, 380
18,473
3 18, 232
3 19, 356
3 22,403
3 28, 408
3 37,339
10.8
11. 5
10.8
9.0
10. 3
10.6
9.2
9.3
9.4
10.8
13.8
17.0
331,239
334, 041
304, 082
246, 795
77,181
81, 750
81, 305
11.1
11.7
11.3
112, 734
121, 906
125, 972
16.2
19.4
17.7
3 33,664
3 31,617
3 32,300
16.0
15.6
15.5
1 Sources: League of N ations—M o n th ly B ulletin of Statistics; In tern atio n al L abor Office—International
L abor Review; C anada—Labor G azette; G reat B ritain—M in istry of L abor Gazette; A ustria—Statistische N achrichten; A ustralia—Q uarterly Sum m ary of A ustralian Statistics; G erm any—Reichsarbeitsb la tt, Reichs A rbeitsm arkt Anzeiger; Switzerland—W irt. u . Social. M itteilungen, L a Vie Economique;
Poland—Wiedomosci S tatystyczne; N orw ay—Statistiske M eddelelser; N etherlands—M aandschrift;
Sw eden—Sociala M eddelanden; D en m ark —Statistiske Efterretninger; F inland—B ank of Finland
M onthly B ulletin; France—B ulletin d u M arché d u T ravail; H ungary—M agyar Statisztikai Szemle;
Belgium 1—R evue d u Travail; N ew Zealand'—M onthly A bstract of Statistics; U. S. D epartm ent of Com
merce—Commercé R eports; and U. S. Consular R eports.
2 N ot reported.
3 Figures com puted in th e B ureau of Labor Statistics from official report covering m em bership of unions
reporting and per cent of unem ploym ent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1315]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
50
STA TEM EN T
OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN
Czechoslovakia
D ate (end of
month)
Trade-union in
surance funds—
unemployed
in receipt of
benefit
Danzig
(Free
C ity of)
F O R E IG N
D enm ark
Estonia
Finland
France G erm any
Trade-union unem N um ber
unem
ploym ent funds—
ployed
unemployed
rem ain
ing on
live
N um
register
Per cent
ber
N um
ber of
unem
ployed
regis
tered
N um
ber of N um ber
unem of unem
ployed
ployed
in re
regis
tered
ceipt of
benefit
N um ber
Per
cent
N um
ber of
unem
ployed
regis
tered
16, 859
18,674
19, 468
16, 248
17,108
30,170
1.6
1.8
1.9
1.5
1.6
2.8
9,007
8,958
9,296
10, 664
13,146
16,198
26, 621
25,164
24,175
28,194
36, 302
62, 563
9.6
9.1
8.7
10.1
13.0
22.4
780
609
902
3,065
5,288
6,116
1,188
1,859
2,710
4,997
9,495
8,716
399
403
385
396
577
817
1, 251, 452
1, 271, 990
1, 323, 603
1, 557, 146
2, 035, 667
2, 850, 849
39, 199
40, 550
45, 567
42, 664
41,098
37,853
46, 800
52, 694
57, 542
61, 213
65, 904
93, 476
3.6
3.6
4.0
3.7
3.8
3.4
4.1
4.7
5.3
5.5
5.9
8.3
19, 282
21,153
20, 376
18, 371
16, 232
14, 975
15, 330
15, 687
16, 073
17, 307
20, 272
24,429
55,876
59, 363
47,109
33, 471
27, 966
24, 807
26, 200
26, 232
27,700
32, 880
44, 200
71,100
20.3
21.0
15.6
11.8
9.4
8.7
9.3
9.0
9.0
11.4
15.3
24.6
5,608
4,580
3, 575
2, 227
2,065
910
762
1,039
1,414
3,282
5,675
6,163
12,696
11, 545
10, 062
7, 274
4, 666
3, 553
4, 026
5, 288
7,157
10, 279
10, 740
9, 336
1,484
1,683
1,630
1,203
859
1,019
856
964
988
1,663
4,893
11,952
3, 217, 608
3, 365,811
3,040, 797
2, 786, 912
2, 634, 718
2, 640, 681
2, 765, 258
2, 883, 000
3, 004, 000
3, 252,000
3, 683, 000
4, 384, 000
104, 580
(2)
9.5
27, 081
28,192
70,961
73, 427
24.4
25.6
5, 364
(2)
11,706
117, 450
119,350
(2)
10.0
10.0
(2)
28,192
27, 070
24,186
73, 427
67, 725
45, 698
25.6
23.6
15.9
4,070
3, 729
11, 557
11, 491
28, 536
40, 766
50, 815
40; 766
50, 815
49,958
4, 887,000
4 972 non
4*756 000
4,972, 000
4, 756, 000
4,358, 000
1929
J u ly ___________
A ugust________
Septem ber_____
O c to b e r_______
N ovem ber . __
D ecem b er.. . . .
1930
Ja n u a ry ________
F e b ru a ry ______
M arch _______
A p r i l _____ . . .
M ay
........ .......
Ju n e ___________
J u ly ___________
A ugust____ _ .
S e p te m b e r____
October _____
N ovem ber ___
D ecem ber______
1931
J a n u a ry _______
F e b ru a ry _
M arch __
F eb ru ary______
M arch_______
A p ril.. _
. .
G erm any
1929
J u ly ___________
August ----------Septem ber. ___
October -------N o v e m b e r____
D e c e m b e r_____
1930
Jan u ary ...........
F eb ru ary ____ ..
M arch ______
April ______ . . .
M ay
______
Ju n e __ _____
J u ly ___________
August ______
Septem ber_____
O ctober________
N o v e m b e r____
D ecem ber______
1931
J a n u a ry _______
F eb ru ary ______
M arch _______
A pril___
W holly unem
ployed
Per
cent
N um
ber
395, 202
410, 481
442, 312
498, 604
634, 790
922, 681
8.6
8.9
9.6
10.9
13.7
20.1
315, 739
322,824
315, 150
319, 489
351, 947
389, 278
1, 004, 787
1, 076, 441
995, 972
926, 831
895, 542
896, 465
930, 777
984, 384
1,011,820
1, 061, 570
1, 167, 930
(2)
22.0
23.5
21. 7
20.3
19. 5
19.6
20. 5
21. 7
22. 5
23.6
26.0
31.7
501,950
593, 380
576, 153
553, 098
552, 318
578,116
631, 903
670, 466
677, 627
693, 379
721, 658
(2)
(2)
(2)
34. 2
34.5
33. 6
(2)
(2)
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(2)
Com pulsory insurance
Partially unem
ployed
N um ber
(2)
ft
G reat B ritain and N orthern Ireland
Trade-unionists
D ate (end of
m onth)
C O U N T R IE S —Continued
W holly unem
ployed
Tem porary stop
pages
N um ber
unem
ployed
in receipt
of benefit
N um ber
863, 594
883,002
910, 245
1,061, 134
1, 387, 079
1,984, 811
881, 189
918, 550
937, 795
992, 769
1, 061, 618
1, 071, 849
7.4
7.7
7.9
8.2
8.8
8.9
296, 318
280, 332
265, 627
261,711
263, 987
272, 371
2.5
2.4
2.2
2.2
2. 2
2.2
11.0 2, 482, 648
13.0 2, 655, 723
12.6 2, 347, 102
12.1 2,081, 068
12.0 1,889, 240
12.6 1, 834, 662
13.9 1, 900, 961
14.8 1,947,811
15. 1 1,965, 348
15.4 2, 071, 730
16. 1 2, 353, 980
16.9 2,822, 598
1,183,974
1, 211, 262
1, 284, 231
1, 309, 014
1, 339, 595
1, 341, 818
1, 405, 981
1, 500, 990
1, 579, 708
1, 725, 731
1, 836, 280
1, 853, 575
9.8
10.0
10.6
10.8
11.1
11. 1
11.6
12.4
13.1
13.9
14.8
14.9
336,474
371, 840
409, 785
451, 506
516, 303
569, 931
664,107
618, 658
608, 692
593, 223
532, 518
646, 205
2.8
3. 1
3.4
3.8
4.2
4.7
5.5
5. 1
5.0
4.8
4.3
5.3
19.2
19.5
18. 9
2, 044, 209
2, 073, 578
2, 052, 826
(2)
16.5
16.7
16 5
618, 633
623, 844
612 821
(2)
5.0
5.0
5.0
Per
cent
6.9
7.0
6.8
7.0
7.6
8.5
3, 364, 770
3, 496, 979
3, 240, 523
42' 790' 112
2 N o t reported.
Per
cent
4 Provisional figure.
[1 3 1 6 1
N um
ber
Per
cent
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
51
S T A T E M E N T O F 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 —C ontinued
Great
B ritain
D ate (end of
m onth)
H ungary
Irish Free State
Ita ly
Trade-unionists u n
employed
C om pulsory in
surance—unem
ployed
N um ber of u n
employed regis
tered
N um ber
of persons
registered
w ith em C hris Social-Demo
cratic
ploym ent
tian
exchanges (B uda
Per
pest) N u m
ber
cent
N um ber Per cent
P a r
tially
unem
ployed
201, 868
216,666
228, 831
297, 382
332,833
408, 748
13, 503
19, 650
16, 835
17, 793
19, 694
21, 349
1,205
1,008
1,582
4,204
8, 479
8,134
23,185
26, 674
28,026
24, 305
22, 825
21, 887
24, 209
24, 056
22, 734
19, 081
22,125
21, 788
9,263
8, 825
6, 494
3,683
1, 421
779
607
573
1,470
6,058
8,608
10,022
27, 924
27, 110
27, 545
9,207
8, 303
8, 450
1,154,129
1,155, 803
1,181, 862
1, 234, 388
1, 285, 458
1, 510,231
801
833
783
967
1,033
1,107
13, 964
14, 007
13, 922
14, 215
15, 910
19,181
9.3
9.5
9.5
9.7
10.3
13.0
(2)
21, 834
(2)
(2)
26,186
(2)
1930
J a n u a r y ...
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch ___
A pril____*
M a y _____
J u n e _____
J u ly ______
A ugust___
Septem ber.
O ctober__
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber.
1,491, 519
1, 539, 265
1, 677, 473
1, 698, 386
1, 770, 051
1, 890, 575
2, Oil, 467
2, 039, 702
2,114, 955
2, 200,413
2, 274, 338
2,392, 738
1,161
1,120
983
906
875
829
920
847
874
999
975
935
21, 533
21, 309
21,016
20,139
19, 875
18, 960
19,081
21,013
22, 252
22, 914
23, 333
24, 648
14.5
14.8
14.6
13.7
13.6
13.0
13.2
14.5
16.0
16.7
17.0
17.9
31, 592
(2)
(2)
26, 027
(2)
(2)
23,393
(2)
(2)
20, 775
22, 990
25,622
(2)
(2)
«
466, 231
456, 628
385, 432
372, 236
367, 183
322, 291
342, 061
375, 548
394, 630
446,496
534, 356
642,169
1931
J a n u a ry __
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch ___
2, 613, 749
2, 627, 559
2, 581, 030
953
965
996
26,191
27, 089
27, 092
19.1
19.8
(2)
26,167
28, 681
25, 413
(2)
(2)
(2)
722, 612
765, 325
707,486
N etherlands
1929
J u ly ----------A u g u st_____
Septem ber...
O ctober____
N o v e m b e r...
D ecem ber__
1930
J a n u a ry ..—
F e b ru a ry ___
M arch _____
A p ril_______
M a y _______
Ju n e _______
J u ly _______
A u g u st..........
S eptem ber...
October------N o v e m b er...
D ecem ber__
1931
Jan u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry ___
M arch _____
A pril_______
Per
cent
N um ber
12, 030
12, 701
12, 517
13, 639
20, 941
48, 609
3.1
3.3
3.2
3.5
5.3
12.3
(2)
5,226
(2)
(2)
3,018
(2)
56, 535
50, 957
34, 996
28, 421
26, 211
23, 678
29, 075
32, 755
35, 532
41, 088
4 46, 807
4 72,191
13.9
12.5
8.6
6.9
6.3
5.5
6.7
7.6
8.2
9.6
11.8
16.5
(2)
4,348
(2)
(2)
5,884
(2)
(2)
7,197
(2)
(2)
8,119
(2)
4 103, 728
4 99! 753
(2)
(2)
23.4
22.2
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
Per
cent
9.4
5.6
8.5
10.9
13.5
15.5
9.2
8.2
N orw ay
3,999
4,245
4,854
5, 682
6,256
7,693
10.2
10.7
12.1
14.0
15.4
18.9
12, 417
12, 493
15, 525
18,420
20, 546
22,092
97, 297
90,094
81, 848
91, 035
125, 066
185,314
7,786
7,851
7,503
6,701
5,239
4,700
4,723
5,897
7,010
8,031
9,396
11, 265
19.0
18.9
17.8
15.8
12.2
10.8
10.8
13.4
15.7
18.0
21.4
25.5
22, 549
22, 974
22, 533
19,829
16, 376
13, 939
11, 997
12, 923
17, 053
20, 363
24, 544
27,157
241,974
274, 708
289, 469
271, 225
224, 914
204, 982
193, 687
173, 627
170, 467
165, 154
209, 912
299, 797
28,596
29' 107
29', 095
28; 477
340, 718
358, 925
4 Provisional figure.
[1 3 1 7 ]
Poland
Trade-unionists (10 N um ber N um ber
unem
unions) unem ployed
unem
ployed
ployed re registered
m aining w ith em
on live
N um ber Per cent
ent
register ploym
offices
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
2 N ot reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11.1
New Zealand
U nem ploym ent
insurance socie Trade-unionists
unem ployed
D ate (end of m onth) ties—unem ployed
N um ber
9.2
N um ber
u nem
ployed
rem ain
ing on
live
register
W holly
unem
ployed
1929
J u ly _____
A ugust___
Septem ber.
O ctober__
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber.
7.8
L atvia
( 2)
(2)
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
52
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
Poland
R um ania
Saar T er
ritory
Sweden
In d u stria 1 workers
D ate (end of m onth)
E xtractive and
m anufacturing
industries—
w holly unem
ployed
N um ber
Per
cent
N um ber
unem
M anufacturing
N um ber
industries—p ar
unem
ployed
tially unem
remaining ployed
ployed
registered
on live
register
N um ber
Per
cent
Trade-unionists
unem ployed
Per
cent
N um ber
1929
Ju ly __________________
A ugust_______________
Septem ber___________
O ctober. _____________
N ovem ber__________
D ecem ber......... .............. .
84, 300
77, 500
68, 700
76, 818
108, 200
166, 240
9.7
9.0
8.0
8.9
12.5
19.5
89,639
82, 297
70, 055
84, 060
94, 890
94, 601
17.7
15.7
13.2
15.3
17.5
18.5
3, 909
3, 714
5,171
5, 481
6, 958
6,866
3, 238
3, 398
3, 990
5, 025
6, 408
10,515
20,048
19,914
22, 271
27, 529
33, 581
53,977
6.5
6.3
7.2
8. 6
10.4
16. 6
1930
J a n u a ry ... ___________
F e b ru a ry _____ ____ ___
M arch _____________ .
A pril______ _______ . . .
M a y .. ______________
J u n e ..
. ________
Ju ly __________________
A ugust_____________ _.
Septem ber_______
October _________
N o v em b er.. ____
D ecem ber__________ .
219, 333
251, 627
265,135
246, 670
201,116
182, 600
170, 665
150, 650
146, 642
141,422
0
0
24.3
27.5
28.7
27.0
23.0
21.6
20.5
18.3
17.8
17.5
108, 812
120, 058
120,844
113, 594
104, 469
94, 375
70, 597
74, 289
74, 285
91,854
106, 835
95, 637
24.8
28.4
28.9
26.9
24.2
22.2
17.0
17.1
16.5
14.8
23. 6
23.1
12, 622
15,588
13, 045
13,412
25, 096
22,960
23, 236
24, 209
39,110
36,147
42, 689
36, 212
11, 307
11, 949
8, 882
7, 522
7, 362
6, 330
7,095
7,099
7, 527
9,013
12,110
15,245
45, 636
45,460
42, 2?8
38, 347
28,112
28, 956
27,170
28, 539
34,963
43,927
57,070
86,042
14. 2
13. 2
12. 5
11.1
8. 3
8.1
7.8
8.1
9. 8
12.2
15.3
22.9
82, 717
23.8
38,804
43,270
0
18, 921
20, 139
18^ 292
69, 437
66. 923
72, 944
19.8
18.4
19.3
1931
Jan u ary _________
F eb ru ary _____ . . . _
M arch ________. . . _
0
Sw itzerland
Yugo
slavia
U nem ploym ent funds
D ate (end of m onth)
W holly unem
ployed
1929
J u l y .._________ ____________________________________
A ugust________ ___________________
___
_ __
Septem ber______ ____ _ __
October
_ ____ . . .
N ovem ber. . ______
D ecem ber............................
1930
Ja n u a ry .. _ ___________
F eb ru ary _____________________________
_____
M arch _______________________
...
A p ril__________________
M a y . ____________ ________ ______ _
Ju n e _____________
. ...
J u ly ------------------------------------------------ ------------- . . .
A ugust_____________________ ___________ ______
Septem ber____ ___________
October _________ _ .
N ovem ber.. . . . . . . . .
D ecem ber_____ _ _____ . . . . . . . .
1931
J a n u a ry ____________ ________________ . . . .
F e b ru a ry .. ____ __ _____
M a rc h ...
___ „
_
_ ____
__________________,
2 N o t reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 1 8 ]
P artially unem
ployed
N um ber
P er
cent
N um ber
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
P er
cent
N um ber
of unemployed
registered
3.3
7, 652
5, 790
6, 755
4, 739
5,026
5,663
10, 523
9,971
7, 882
5, 203
5, 356
5, 368
4, 751
5, 703
7,792
7, 399
11,666
21,400
4.4
4.1
2.6
2.1
2.2
1.7
1.9
2.3
2.5
3.0
4.7
6.6
10, 710
11,445
12, 642
12, 755
13,129
17, 688
15,112
19, 441
26, 111
23, 309
25, 793
33,483
4.4
4.7
4.2
5.3
5.4
5. 7
6.2
7.9
8.3
9.4
10.5
10.4
8, 508
9,437
9,739
12,052
8, 704
6,991
7,236
6, 111
5,973
6, 609
7, 219
9,989
20, 551
20,081
18, 991
8.3
7.9
5.7
30, 977
30,879
41, 880
12.5
12.2
12.6
11,903
14,424
12, 029
12, 309
0
0
.8
4.2
9,805
0
0
.9
0
0
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
53
U n em p lo y m e n t R elief M easures in A u stralian S ta tes
HE continued pressure of unemployment in Australia has led to
some changes in the measures undertaken in the earlier part of
1930 to meet the emergency. (See Monthly Labor Review, Novem
ber, 1930, p. 43.) The English Ministry of Labor Gazette gives in its
issue for April, 1931, some details as to these changes.
T
New South Wales
I n D ecem ber , 1930, New South Wales amended its act, passed
earlier in the season, which had established a special tax to be used
in creating and maintaining a fund for the relief of unemployment.
In that act the tax rate had been set at 1% per cent of assessable
income or wages, with exemptions of persons earning less than 30s.
($7.30) a week, and with the usual exceptions as to income from pen
sions, charitable sources, and the like. The Gazette gives the follow
ing summary of the terms of the new bill :
Unemployment relief tax is now payable at the rate of—
(a) Sevenpence halfpenny in the pound (3% per cent) of the net assessable
income of every person resident in Australia, other than a company, whose total
income exceeds £100 ($486.65) a year during the income year ending June 30,
1930;
(6) Sevenpence halfpenny in the pound (3% per cent) of the net assessable
income derived by every company during the income year ending June 30, 1930;
and
(c) (i) Threepence in the pound (1)4 per cent) of the income from employment
of every person, other than a company, who is paid at a rate of not less than 30
shillings ($7.30) a week, during the income year commencing July 1, 1930, so far
as payments made prior to January 1, 1931, are concerned; and
(ii) One shilling in the pound (5 per cent) of the income from employment of
every person, other than a company, who is paid at a rate of not less than £2
($9.73) a week, so far as payments made after January 1, 1931, are concerned.
Queensland
Q ueensland also amended in December its act imposing an unem
ployment relief tax, by authorizing payments from the fund thus
created for the relief of unemployment and distress among the workers
generally. The original act had permitted such payments for the
benefit of female workers only, the main purpose of the fund being to
provide grants or loans to be used in creating employment for those
out of work on terms to be prescribed by the appointed board.
By another act passed in December, 1930, Queensland amended its
unemployed workers’ insurance acts to exclude from receipt of a suste
nance allowance persons whose earnings during the 12 months pre
ceding their application for assistance had exceeded £220 ($1,070.63).
The amendment also brought indentured apprentices under the terms
of the act. During 1930 the amounts payable as sustenance allow
ances to workers covered by these acts were reduced. At present the
allowance for an individual worker, whether male or female, unmar
ried, or widower, or widow, ranges from 14s. to 18s. ($3.41 to $4.38)
a week, according to the circumstances of the case; for a married
worker supporting his wife, it is from 24s. to 32s. ($5.84 to $7.79), and
an additional allowance of from 4s. to 5s. ($0.97 to $1.22) a week is
granted for each dependent child under 16 wholly supported by a
worker, either male or female.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1319]
54
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Tasmania
T asmania had passed an act during 1930 empowering the State
treasurer to raise a sum, not exceeding £20,000 ($97,330), from which
the board of management of the agricultural bank might make
advances by way of loan to persons who needed them for the perma
nent improvement of their property and who would employ genu
inely unemployed persons to make the improvements. By an amend
ment, passed in December, 1930, the amount which the treasurer was
authorized to raise was increased to £50,000 ($243,325), and the time
during which applications for loans might be received was extended
from November 30, 1930, to November 30, 1931. The original act
provided for interest at 5 per cent on such loans, and this provision
was unchanged.
C an ad ian Labor P rogram for D ealin g w ith U n em p lo y m e n t
ARLY in 1931 the executive council of the Trades and Labor
Congress of Canada and a large number of accredited Canadian
representatives of affiliated organizations submitted in person to the
Prime Minister and other members of the Dominion Government a
legislative and administrative program. Included in this program
were the following proposals for dealing with unemployment:1
The development to greatest extent of the construction of public
work and the purchase of all possible supplies during the present
depression.2
Continued adherence to the policy of strict enforcement and main
tenance of the regulations prohibiting the entrance of immigrant labor
into the Dominion..
Control over tariff-protected industries in order to compel prefer
ence of employment for Dominion labor; the payment of wage rates
and the limitations of working hours to conform with the Federal
Government regulations of rates and hours on Government work;
the prevention of stock watering and of charging consumers unreason
able prices; and the granting of a sufficiently high tariff to permit
instituting these measures and at the same time allow well-managed
industries to compete successfully in the home market.
Generous support to the National Research Council in order to
promote the full development and use of Canada’s natural resources
in their highest manufactured form.
The insertion of a clause in all Government contracts providing
that all materials used in these contracts shall be manufactured in
Canada or when this is not possible that preference be accorded to
countries in the British Empire.
The giving of every encouragement to “ the continued development
of free employment bureaus administered by the Provinces and coor
dinated by the Federal employment service act; toward the coordina
tion of seasonal occupation; for the settlement of industrial workers
on vacant lands, and to provide financial assistance for transporta
tion of workers to distant jobs and temporary employment.”
E
1 Canadian Congress Journal, O ttaw a, February, 1931, pp. 12-14.
2 Previous labor recommendations for providing work, granting direct relief, lim iting the hours of labor
to 8 per day on all G overnm ent works and those aided b y grants under the unem ploym ent relief act were
p u t into effect. An additional recom m endation for a 5-day week was not adopted by the G overnment.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1320]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
55
The gathering, in connection with the census of 1931, of data con
cerning unemployment, and taking action to make this information
available as promptly as possible.
dhe establishment of a national unemployment insurance system
with contributions from the State, employers, and employees.
In regard to this last-mentioned recommendation the proponents
stated that they felt it unnecessary to stress their belief that the
Federal Government could deal with this matter inasmuch as in 1921
the Dominion Justice Department, referring to a recommendation of
the W ashington Conference of the International Labor Organization
made the following statement :
Unemployment insurance has a pronounced Federal aspect and on the whole
the minister thinks the establishment of a system of unemployment insurance is
competent to the Dominion in the exercise of its residuary legislative power with
relation to the peace, order, and good government of Canada.
It is also pointed out in the program against unemployment that the
need for unemployment insurance was emphasized by various public
bodies in 1930, among them several provincial and municipal authori
ties. Moreover^ the Royal Commission on Industrial Relations
(1919) declared in its report (pars. 34—36) that among the principal
causes of industrial unrest, unemployment, and the fear of unemploy
ment, had first place. Recommendation was, therefore, made by
that commission for “ the adoption of State social insurance for those
who, through no fault of their own, are unable to obtain work.”
With reference to the memorandum on unemployment, here sum
marized, the Prime Minister stated that the problem of unemploy
ment insurance “ should be studied from every angle so as to avoid
mistakes which he felt had developed in some other countries.” He
declared that it was the Government’s intention to set up an inter
departmental committee in order that every possible aspect of the
subject could be thoroughly investigated. He also stated that the
other proposals concerning unemployment would be taken up by the
Minister of Labor, who would always be glad to talk over any details
relative thereto with the representatives of labor.
E xten t of E m p lo y m en t and U n em p lo y m e n t in G reat B ritain
ROM the latter half of 1929 to the early months of 1931 there was
a steady increase in the number of insured workers in Great
Britain and northern Ireland registered as unemployed, accompanied
by a decrease in the number employed. The two movements were
not identical, since the number of insured workers increases month
by month and year by year, so that an increase in the number em
ployed and the number unemployed might take place simultaneously.
In its issue for April, 1931, the Ministry of Labor Gazette gives
a table showing the number of insured workers, the number registered
as unemployed, the number not registered as unemployed, and the
estimated number of those employed. The number of the employed
is calculated by deducting from the total number insured the number
registered as unemployed and making a further allowance of 3% per
cent to cover those who may be absent from work on account of illness
or some other form of unrecorded unemployment. According to the
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
56
unemployment insurance regulations, a person unemployed on account
of a trade dispute is not eligible for benefit and is not recognized as
unemployed, so two figures are given for the number employed, the
first including as at work those who are known to be idle owing to a
trade dispute, and the second excluding them. An index number for
each of the items presented is also given, the average for 1924 being
taken as 100. The following table shows these figures and index
numbers for each quarter of 1930, and for the first quarter and for
each month separately, of 1931.
IN S U R E D W O R K E R S , A N D N U M B E R U N E M P L O Y E D A N D E M P L O Y E D , W IT H IN D E X
N U M B E R S , JA N U A R Y 1, 1930, TO M A R C H 31, 1931
E stim ated num ber
ployed
Period
N um ber
T otal insured
aged 16 to 64 unem ployed
N u m ber not
recorded as
unem ployed
em
Including
persons
involved in
trade disputes
N ot includ
ing persons
involved in
trade disputes
1930
Jan u ary to M arch _________
A pril to June _ _ . ____ Ju ly to September
_ ---October to December__________
11, 995,000
12, 115,000
12,173, 000
12, 225, 000
1, 552,000
1, 784,000
2, 056, 000
2,317, 000
10, 443, 000
10, 331, 000
10,117, 000
9, 908, 000
10,023,000
9, 907,000
9, 691, 000
9, 480, 000
10, 021, 000
9,868, 000
9, 689, 000
9,477, 000
1931
Jan u ary to M arch ___________
. . . __
Jan u ary . ___
Feb ru ary _____. ______ ____
M arch_____________ . ----------
12, 275, 000
12, 260, 000
12, 275, 000
12, 290, 000
2, 595, 000
2, 581, 000
2, 617, 000
2, 587, 000
9,680, 000
9, 679, 000
9, 658, 000
9, 703, 000
9, 250,000
9, 250, 000
9, 228,000
9, 273, 000
9,207, 000
9,128,000
9, 225,000
9, 267, 000
Index numbers (19H4=100)
1930
Jan u ary to M arch ---April to Ju n e ----------Ju ly to Septem ber___
October to December.
108. 3
109. 4
109. 9
110.4
136. 5
156.9
180. 8
203.8
105. 1
104.0
101.8
99.7
105.0
103.8
101. 5
99.3
105.3
103.7
101.8
99.6
1931
Jan u ary to M arch ---J a n u a ry ____________
Feb ru ary ___________
M arch__________ —
110.9
110. 7
110.9
111.0
228. 2
227.0
230. 2
227.5
97.4
97.4
97. 2
97.7
96.9
96.9
96.6
97.1
96.8
95.9
97.0
97.4
As compared with the first quarter of 1930, the number of insured
workers showed an increase in March, 1931, of 295,000, the number of
those recorded as unemployed rose by 1,035,000, and the number of
those actually employed (last column) showed a decrease of 754,000.
March, however, shows a change in the tendency prevailing through
out 1930 and the first two months of 1931, as the number registered
as unemployed fell off by 30,000 during the month, and the number
actually employed rose by 42,000. This change is attributed by the
Economist (London) to a seasonal revival in building and the clothing
trades and to a slight improvement in the textile trades. Moreover,
the upward trend, according to the same source, was carried over into
the following month.
The latest return of the ministry states that on April 13 the total number of
registered unemployed was 2,561,054, of whom 1,862,991 were wholly unem
ployed and 583,306*temporarily stopped, while the remainder, 114,757, consisted
of persons usually in casual employment. The total figure shows a reduction of
nearly 20,000 as compared with the previous week.
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
57
In d u stria l Survey of D epressed Areas in G reat B ritain
MARCH 17, 1931, the president of the Board of Trade
announced in the House of Commons that the Government has
ONdecided^
to undertake at an early date industrial surveys in South
Wales, in Lancashire, on the northeast coast of England, and on the
southwest coast of Scotland. The universities in these areas, as well
as the trade-unions and the employers’ organizations, have been
invited to participate in the undertaking. In several of the regions
local development bodies have already been formed, or are in process
of formation, and it is expected that these also will join heartily in
the movement. The results of the inquiries are to be embodied in
reports which, besides giving a summary of the present industrial
position in the areas under consideration, will deal with the pros
pective employing capacity of the present industries, and with the
prospects of early expansion and of new industrial developments.1
C losin g o f P rivate E m p lo y m en t A gen cies in G erm an y
A
N ACCOUNT of the legislation and regulations regarding the
l abolition of private commercial employment agencies in Ger
many is given in the following report from William E. Beitz, of the
American consulate in Berlin.
Under paragraph 55 of the act of July 15, 1927, amended in October
1929, governing employment and unemployment insurance, all com
mercial employment agencies of a private nature in Germany, except
concert agencies, were compelled to liquidate by December 31, 1930,
after which the entire range of business of employment service
became concentrated in the Federal Bureau for Employment and
Unemployment Insurance (Reichsanstalt fur Arbeitsvermittlung und
Arbeitslosen-Versicherung) covering the entire country. Employ
ment agencies maintained by organized labor, or by employers of
specific^callings, were allowed to continue, but all were placed under
the jurisdiction and supervision of the Federal bureau and are re
quired to cooperate with the official public employment agencies.
Provision for Compensation
U pon application certain specified am ounts of com pensation are
paid to com m ercial em ploym ent agencies under th e following con
ditions :
(1) If on December 31, 1930, the firm had run the business on its
own account and under its own name uninterruptedly (a) for a mini
mum period of 20^ years (from June 2, 1910, or an earlier date up
to and including December 31, 1930) by official permit; or (b) for more
than 30 years, if established without the necessity of an official per
mit (from a date preceding October 1, 1900, up to and including
December 31, 1930); or (c) if in either of the above cases the owner
relinquished the business in 1930 in order to enter the services of a
public employment agency established by the above-mentioned
Federal bureau.
1 D ata are from G reat B ritain, P arliam entary Debates, M ar. 17, p. 1854.
58726°—31------5
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
58
(2)
If the firm was registered with the proper official employment
agency (Arbeits-Nachweis-Amt) not later than July 1, 1925.
Widows and orphans also have a claim to compensation if, since the
death of the husband or father, they had run the business on their own
account uninterruptedly up to December 31, 1930, under the same
license, and if the deceased owner would have had a legal claim to
compensation if he had survived December 31, 1930.
The compensation consists of (a) a lump sum or old-age benefit paid
all persons except widows and orphans; and (b) survivors’ benefit paid
widows and minor orphans.
Lump sum.—The lump sum is equal to a fixed percentage of the
average profits realized by the liquidated firm during the years 1927,
1928, and 1929; the profits represent the yield of the business after
deduction of the expenses incurred in carrying on the business, in addi
tion to any profits realized on the placing of persons in jobs outside of
Germany. The percentages are as follows:
Per cent
of profit
First 4,000 reichsmarks 1 ($952)------------------------------------------- 100
Next 3,000 reichsmarks ($714)----------------50
Next 2,000 reichsmarks ($476)____________________________
30
Next 2,000 reichsmarks ($476)------------------------- ----------------- 15
Next 2,000 reichsmarks ($476)____________________________
7
2
All higher amounts__ _____________________________________
No compensation is granted (1) if the claimant after December
31, 1930, engaged in an activity liable to be construed as an evasion
of the prohibition to run commercial employment agencies; or (2)
if after December 31, 1930, it appears that the claimant maintains, or
participates in a commercial employment agency abroad which places
persons in positions in Germany, or if he is an employee or agent of such
foreign enterprise.
Old-age benefit.—Old-age benefit in lieu of a lump sum is paid if
the claimant is a German national; resides in Germany; has on
December 31, 1930, run the business for more than 30 years; has
reached the age of 60 and is needy, that is, if his annual income after
December 31, 1930, will presumably not exceed 1,000 reichsmarks
($238). The annual old-age benefit amounts to 40 per cent of the
lump sum to which the claimant would have been entitled, but must
not exceed 1,000 reichsmarks a year. The benefit is discontinued if
the beneficiary loses his German nationality; takes up his residence
abroad; or is no longer considered needy as a result of a test made
three years from the date on which old-age benefit was first paid to
him. Certain exceptions thereto are permitted.
Survivors’ benefit.—Survivors’ benefit is paid to the widow until she
remarries and to minor children until they reach their majority.
The benefit is equal to 30 per cent of the lump sum to which the de
ceased husband or father would have been entitled, not to exceed 800
reichsmarks ($190) a year. If on December 31, 1930, more than two
persons have to be supported from the proceeds of the business, the
benefit is increased for each minor child by 50 per cent of the amount of
survivors’ benefit granted, up to a maximum of 60 per cent of the lump
sum, or 1,000 reichsmarks per annum. If there are no minor children
who are entitled to benefit, the widow has a claim to old-age benefit.
1 Conversions into U nited States currency made on basis of reichsm ark=23.8 cents.
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RELIEF
59
The claim to a lump sum is transferable and inheritable ; the claim
to old-age benefit can, upon the beneficiary’s death, be transferred to
the surviving wife if the latter is of German nationality, resides in
Germany, has reached the age of 60 before January 1, 1931, and is
needy. The claim to old-age benefit can not be inherited.
Concert Agents
C oncert agents and employment agencies furnishing positions for
artists, dancers, etc., may until further notice continue their business
operations. The date on which they must liquidate shall be set at
least one year in advance by the Federal Minister of Labor in agree
ment with the Bureau for Employment and Unemployment Insurance
and the Federal Council. Agencies of this class, however, are not
granted any compensation upon liquidation.
Penalty for Use of Foreign Employment Agency
A p en a l t y , either a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceedingsix months will be imposed on any person using the services of a foreign
employment agency unless it is for the purpose of securing employ
ment abroad or of engaging a person employed outside of Germany.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1825]
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
T h e N egro in th e In d u stria l D ep ression
HE industrial relations department of tiny National Urban
League has recently issued a report embodying the results of
inquiries made early in 1931 of “ governors, directors of community
chests, chambers of commerce, Urban League secretaries, relief
agencies, employment experts, officials of insurance companies, and
other persons whose contact with labor and financial conditions
gives them an opportunity to answer the question propounded:
‘What is the effect of unemployment among Negroes in various parts
of the country?
The replies received were informal and do not lend themselves
readily to tabulation, but several effects are distinctly shown.. There
is a greater proportionate amount of unemployment among Negroes
than among whites; there is a tendency in some localities to substitute
white for colored workers, and, occasionally, to give preference^ to
white over colored workers in public work; there is no discrimination
against the Negroes in the matter of relief; there are indications of
a change in the occupational distribution of the two races, the whites
taking over forms of work hitherto held as properly belonging to
the colored; and there is a growing restlessness among the Negroes,
who are moving from place to place in search of jobs.
T
Extent of Unemployment Among Negroes
W h e r e v e r figures were given, the percentage of the unemployed
among Negroes exceeded their percentage of the total population,
and in some cases the disproportion was very marked. Thus, in
Baltimore they formed 17 per cent of the population and 31.5 per
cent of the unemployed; in Charleston, S. C., 49 per cent of the
population and 70 per cent of the unemployed; in Chicago, 4 per cent
of the population and 16 per cent of the unemployed ; in Memphis, the
corresponding percentages were 38 and 75; in Philadelphia, 7 and
25; and in Pittsburgh,^ and 38. The caution is given that these
percentages are not strictly comparable, since different factors enter
into the returns from different places.
It is of particular significance that the highest disproportionate figures are
found in northern industrial centers, where the Negro is limited to unskilled
occupations and is in truth the marginal worker. This is not to be taken, how
ever, to mean that the disproportion does not appear also in southern com
munities, where the percentage of cases handled by relief agencies is also in
excess of the per cent Negroes form of the total population.
A part of this unemployment is direct, being due to the closing down
of industrial plants, as in Youngstown, whence comes the report
that “ that branch of work in the large mills which engages the greatest
number of Negro laborers is practically dead, resulting in critical
conditions among the Negro workers.” Another part is indirect,
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INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
61
and is due to the fact that hard times cause a falling off in the demand
for services of the kind often rendered by colored workers. Thus
from Danville, Va., it is reported that the general unemployment
situation has been made worse by the effects of the textile strike.
“ Strike conditions have been felt among all classes to the extent that
ordinary jobs of cleaning, washing, and general housework have
been done within the families which formerly engaged Negro workers.”
White Versus Colored Workers
I nstances of subsituting white for colored workers are reported
from a number of cities, both north and south. From one city comes
the statement that janitor jobs, totaling 600 in number, formerly
held by Negroes, have been vacated. “ One concern laid off 12 colored
porters to be replaced by white men.” In another city “ many
instances of the replacement of Negro workers by whites have been
reported, and hundreds of Negro domestic workers have been dis
charged and replaced by whites,” while the statement that “ several
organizations have released Negroes and replaced them with white
workers” comes in varying form again and again. Occasionally,
some other nonwhite race is substituted for the colored workers.
“ One hotel replaced its force of 20 Negro maids, elevator boys, and
cooks with Filipinos, and thereby cut its wage bill practically in
half.”
This substitution of workers of other races in jobs customarily held by Negroes
has been chiefly in personal service occupations, the principal occupations being
household employment, elevator operating, and hotel service. In a number of
establishments, as in the case of hotels, white girls are employed in places formerly
held by colored men.
General Conditions
I n evita bly , in view of the large amount of unemployment among
them, Negroes constitute a heavy part of the burden borne by relief
agencies. Presumably they help one another informally to a con
siderable extent, but apart from that, their churches and other social
organizations have taken up energetically the work of helping the
unemployed. From city after city word comes in of the work thev are
doing, mostly in the form of direct relief. “ In each of six different
sections on the South Side one or more churches are maintaining free
feeding stations. Funds are being raised among Negro merchants and
their employees for relief work.” “ Several large Negro churches are
serving free meals, some of them averaging more than 100 meals a day.
One church has served meals to over 2,000 Negroes and approximately
1,000 white persons. A women’s club has provided a dormitory for
homeless women, averaging 17 lodgers a night.”
Frequent references in advices from all over the Nation indicate that free
kitchens, money relief, and clothing are being provided by religious institutions
to supplement the work of social agencies. For the first time the Negro church
has entered the field of practical social service on such a large scale.
Naturally, the search for work is leading to considerable shifts
among the colored population, and a growing restlessness is noticed.
In both Brooklyn and New York City there has been an influx of
outsiders to make a bad situation worse; “and throughout the country
there is more than expected population mobility, even for unemploy
ment periods.”
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62
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Signs of Improvement
F rom several quarters come reports of improved conditions since an
inquiry of this kind was concluded in November, 1930. In Philadel
phia there is “ a slowly increasing demand for labor,” one which, how
ever, is far from sufficient to employ the job seekers.^ Unfortunately,
“ employment conditions among Negroes have not increased propor
tionately with those of the white group,” and conditions are bad.
In some of the Southern States seasonal activities have helped the
situation, and in some other regions a general improvement has been
visible.
The bright side of the picture is presented by improvements in several sections
of the country—the packing plants in Omaha; roads and river construction near
Memphis; the flour mills and lumbering industries of Seattle; a bumper cane crop
and citrus yield in Florida; fertilizing plants in Augusta; the existence of publicwork projects in Pittsburgh; general favorable conditions in Denver; a lowering
of unemployment in Dayton— these are the principal sources of better times for
Negro workers.
Summary
As
a result
of the survey, the following conclusions are presented:
That the situation has not materially improved since the issuance of our last
report in November.
That measures for relief are confined almost entirely to charity.
That Negroes get more relief but fewer jobs than others from agencies established
to aid the unemployed.
That Negroes continue, and unless provision is made to the contrary, will con
tinue to contribute more than their proportionate share of the burden of relief
agencies.
That the economic structure of the entire Negro race is in an alarming state of
disrepair, with dire effect upon business and professional interests dependent
upon the patronage of Negro wage earners.
That restlessness is evident from one end of the country to the other; for un
questionably Negroes have lost jobs to which they will not return even when
normal times come again; and
That the new jobs offered Negroes in public works have not been in proportion
to their need.
F actory In sp e ctio n in th e P h ilip p in es, 1929
URING 1929 the labor inspection division of the Philippine
Bureau of Labor covered 138 municipalities of 21 Provinces,
including the city of Manila. The total number of industrial and
mercantile establishments and plantations inspected in 1929 was
4,742—a decrease of 364 as compared with the number in the preceding
year, as shown in the accompanying table from the report of the Gov
ernor General of the islands for 1929. This decrease, it is explained,
was due to the fact that a great portion of the time of three inspectors
was taken up with field work in connection with the workmen’s
compensation law and interisland migration activities.
D
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[1328]
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
63
F A C T O R Y IN S P E C T IO N W O R K O F P H IL IP P IN E B U R E A U O F LA B O R , 1925 TO 1929
Industrial
Y ear
1925________
1926________
192 1 _ _____
1928________
1929________
M ercantile
A gricultural
Total
N um ber
N um ber N um ber N um ber
N um ber
of estab
of estab of workers of estab N um ber of planta N um ber lishm ents N um ber
of workers
lishm ents
lishm ents of workers
tions
and plan of workers
tations
2,445
2,573
3,718
4, 008
3, 846
60,418
69, 948
59, 608
76,611
60, 481
329
378
655
992
419
6,067
4,243
7, 783
10, 941
3, 055
47
294
211
106
477
3, 396
19, 786
11,310
6,891
16,411
2,821
3,245
4,584
5,106
4,742
69, 881
93| 977
78, 701
1 94, 446
79,947
1 As given in report; no t exact sum of items.
New Labor Office in Egypt
N THE issue of Industrial and Labor Information for February
23, 1931, the International Labor Office notes a decree of the
Egyptian Minister of the Interior creating a labor office in his depart
ment. The new office will handle all matters pertaining to labor, with
particular reference to the following:
I
Enforcement of the act and regulations of 1904 relating to unhealthy, danger
ous and inconvenient establishments;
Enforcement of the act of 1909 and the orders of 1924, 1926, and 1927 relating
to child labor in cotton ginning, pressing and cleaning factories, tobacco and
cigarette factories, and silk, cotton, and linen spinning and weaving factories;
Execution of research and compiling of information as a basis for future labor
legislation and enforcement of such legislation;
Drafting of bills and regulations relating to labor, savings, migration, and
vocational training;
Supervision of the enforcement of regulations issued by the Minister of the
Interior relating to workshops, factories, and commercial establishments;
Study of the causes of disputes between workers and employers and settle
ment of the disputes through the medium of the local administrative authorities
or conciliation boards;
Study of the management of trade-unions and other workers’ associations;
Study of the customs, life, and housing of the workers, the conditions of their
families, their nourishment and the means of raising their standards, and educa
tion of children;
. Study of the causes of unemployment, compilation of information and statis
tics relating to unemployed workers and negotiations with government depart
ments or services which operate factories or workshops or employ labor or which
supervise the exploitation of concessions or monopolies granted to companies or
individuals or which control vocational training, with a view to providing the
maximum possible employment;
Compilation of information and statistics relating to the following:
Disputes between employers and workers, the duration of strikes and the
decisions of conciliation boards;
The number of workers, classified according to sex, age, nationality, and marital
condition;
Occupational risks and industrial accidents;
The living conditions of workers and their families, housing, and prices of pri
mary commodities;
The fluctuation of wages;
Hours of work by night and by day.
A report from American Consul H. Earle Russell at Alexandria,
dated January 31, 1931, in reference to the creation of the new labor
office, stated that there were about 70,000 industrial establishments in
Egypt which were not regularly inspected, the Government having
only three inspectors for such work.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1329]
WOMAN AND CHILD LABOR
M igratory C h ild W orkers in N ew Jersey
N JUNE, 1930, the Governor of New Jersey, acting in accord
ance with a resolution passed by both branches of the State Legisla
ture, appointed a commission to make a study of migratory child
labor in the State of New Jersey and to report its findings at the
next session of the Legislature. The report was made in February
of this year and has recently been published for general distribution.
For a number of years it has been the custom of New Jersey farmers
to employ for at least a part of the season migratory families, largely
Italians from Philadelphia or some other conveniently located city.
This often involves the employment of children, sometimes of very
young children, who, since the labor is agricultural, have no legal
safeguards or protection. Also, since the working season often
overlaps the school term, their school year is cut short and retardation
is common among them. For these reasons it was felt desirable to
make a study of the whole situation. The inquiry was confined
entirely to children in agricultural labor; i. e., child labor in canneries
or other similar seasonal occupations was not considered. It covered
580 families, with a total of 3,719 persons, which, it was believed,
formed about 90 per cent of all migratory families coming to New
Jersey.
I
Why Migratory Labor is Employed
T h e fundamental reason for employing this labor is the seasona^
character of the work and the necessity for having at hand a labor
force which can be used when and as needed. This, in turn, is
largely due to the kind of farming in which New Jersey specializes.
The outstanding characteristic of New Jersey agriculture is the large pro
duction of highly perishable vegetables and fruits. When these vegetables and
fruits are ripe they must be harvested immediately because a day or two means a
loss to the farmer. Farmers require steady, reliable, experienced forces to pick
the crops on the day they are ready. Our survey showed that the_majority of
families employed by New Jersey farmers were engaged in harvesting peaches,
cranberries, spinach, blackberries, asparagus, tomatoes, radishes,_ peas, straw
berries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, beans, and a very few in thinning carrots,
pulling beets, pulling weeds, picking potatoes and apples. A majority harvested
highly perishable vegetables and fruits.
When questioned as to their reasons for employing the migratory
family labor, the employers gave a number of reasons, the most
important being that local help was not sufficient in number, that the
Italian family labor was more reliable and dependable than any other
kind obtainable, and that the Italians were experienced in the kind
of work to be done. In some cases this experience had been gained
in Italy, but in many others it was a result of the training received in
New Jersey. Of the 580 families studied, 79 per cent had been in
such work for more than one season, and 64 families had had 20 or
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WOMAN AND CHILD LABOR
65
more seasons in which to gain experience. The summer work on the
farms was looked upon by the families as part of their regular
occupation.
The Workers
5 8 0 families studied during the season of 1 9 3 0 comprised
persons. Of these, 3 2 6 were male heads of families whose
average age was 4 7 . 2 years, the range being from 2 9 to 6 7 years.
“ These figures have great significance. It is a well known fact that
the industrial establishments are not inclined to employ men of 4 0
years of age or over. Farmers on the contrary consider them as the
best workers.”
The family groups included 2 ,7 4 1 children, but some of these were
over or under school age. The number under 6 years of age was
4 2 8 , and those in the group aged 6 to 15 years, that is, of school age,
numbered 1 ,7 9 8 . The working children numbered 1 ,3 4 2 , of whom
7 3 0 were boys and 6 1 2 were girls.
Their ages ranged from 5 years
(in one instance) to 1 5 , but 9 0 per cent were from 9 to 15 years old,
and 5 7 . 6 per cent from 12 to 15. There is considerable question as to
whether the employers wish to use the children, or whether their
employment is merely a necessary incident of the system.
T h
3 ,7 1 9
e
It is possible that some growers encourage the employment of children when
adult labor could readily be secured. There is good reason to believe, however,
that this is not generally true. The survey made by the commission shows
that the per capita production of children as a group was considerably less than
that of their parents. Since the employer generally pays by the piece and the
rate is usually the same for both children and adults, there Would seem to be no
financial advantage in employing children.
The working children, it was found, averaged about the same
number of hours per day and of days per week as their parents, the
demands of the crop determining the hours worked in both cases.
As nearly as could be judged, the children were not overworked or
subjected to hardship. A study of their output showed that they
were not speeded up, they worked for the most part under the super
vision of their parents, and no evidence was found that they were
in any respect hardly treated.
Recommendations of the Commission
T h e commission criticizes the present situation m ainly in regard
to two points— th e w orkers’ housing and th e interference w ith the
schooling of th e children. As to th e first, th e housing varied widely,
b u t on th e whole was n o t up to th e requirem ents of health and
sanitation.
With respect to conditions surrounding the housing and sanitation of migra
tory children, it is brought out in the body of the report that certain conditions of
overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and poor housing prevail. The commission
recommends that these be corrected by the adoption and enforcement by the
State commissioner of labor of a suitable code covering ventilation, garbage
disposal, water supply, toilets, housing facilities, and such other items as are
desirable.
The interference with school attendance is general and serious,
affecting all the children alike, whether they are employed or not.
The weighted average number of school days actually lost, regardless
of the child’s age, was for boys, 40; for girls, 38.9; and for boys and
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1331]
66
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
girls together, 39. The average retardation of the children was
about 60.6 per cent. The commission discusses at some length how
this situation can be remedied. A compulsory school-attendance
law, extended to include migrant children, has been suggested. The
immediate effect of this would be to make each district responsible
for the school attendance of the migrant children during their stay
within its limits. To this plan there are several objections. Very
few of the districts have, at present, the facilities for taking in a
large number of extra children; more schoolroom space would be
needed and additional teachers would have to be employed for the
time of the extra attendance. This would tax the finances of most
of the districts unduly. In addition, there would be the difficulty of
transportation for the migrant children, who are often on farms far
from the present schools or remote from the routes of the school
busses.
Again, it is a serious question whether it would be wise to place
the migrant children in the local schools. The retardation of the
migrant children is far greater than that found in the average rural
school, and to force a number of overage children into classes for
their juniors might seriously interfere with the normal work of the
schools. Moreover, the migrant children do not all arrive in a certain
district or leave it at the same time. The dates of arrival range
from early April to late June, so that pupils would be continually
coming and going.
The number of pupils which many of the smaller schools would be called upon
to provide for would fluctuate during a single month from 4 or 5 to 20 or 30.
In two cases, at least, there would be more than 100 such transient pupils added
to a normally small enrollment. _ It is evident that conditions such as these
would disrupt the schools and seriously interfere with the instruction.
Moreover, the migrant children have a totally different background
from that of the resident children, represent a different type of home,
and have attitudes, habits, and responses differing materially from
those of the local children. Their presence in the local schools
would inevitably be a disturbing influence, interfering with the
progress of the resident children. The migrants themselves would
receive little benefit from such school attendance.
In view of all these facts, the commission feels that special classes
adapted to the needs of migrant children should be adopted, but
recognizes that the establishment of such classes presents problems
of organization and administration requiring serious study. The
situation as a whole calls for three bills, which the commission is
planning to present, dealing respectively with compulsory education,
hours of labor, and housing and sanitation.
T rend of W om en ’s W ages in New York C ity S in ce 1929
division of women in industry of the New York State Labor
Department has recently collected figures relating to the changes
T HE
in women’s wage rates following the events of October, 1929, and has
published the results in the March, 1931, issue of the Industrial Bul
letin, the official publication of the department. Data as to wages
offered in New York City for various kinds of women’s work in the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1332]
WOMAN AND CHILD LABOR
67
fall of 1929 and for the same period of 1930 were gathered from the
Manhattan, Bronx, and Brooklyn branches of the State employment
bureau, from a large commercial agency specializing in office help,
and from the classified advertisments in the New York World. Ap
parently, there has been a fall in the wage rates for workers of all
types. For clerical workers the range of salaries offered has declined
noticeably.
Before the crash in the stock market and the decline of business generally,
clerk’s wages ranged from $10 to $22 a week, with the general average between
$15 and $18. In February, 1931, clerks were offered $8 to $18 a week and much
higher educational standards were required. Wages for typists dropped from a
range of $15 to $22 to one of $12 to $21, with the $12 offer being the more usual.
Stenographers have fared even worse, their rates dropping from $15 for a beginner
and $35 for an expert to $9 and $20, respectively. In two instances wages for
the identical position were secured for the two periods; one position previously
paid $20 and now offers $15, while the other was $25 and now is $18 a week. In
like manner bookkeepers were offered $23 to $25 a week and now the orders come
in for $15.
Specialized workers, such as those in banks, insurance companies,
and brokerage houses have had much the same experience, as shown
by the following comparative figures:
R A N G E O F W O M E N ’S SA L A R IE S IN S P E C IF IE D P O S IT IO N S , 1929 A N D 1930
Range of w eekly salaries
K in d of business and of position
October, 1929
Insurance business:
C lerk_________________________________________________
T y p ist. ______________________ _____________________
Stenographer___- ___ . _ _ _ ____ ___ _______________
Bookkeeper.
_ .
______ _
________________ .
Office machine operator_____________________________ ___
October, 1930
$18-$35
23- 25
16- 35
20- 35
30- 35
$18-$30
20- 25
12- 30
18- 30
25- 30
Range of yearly salaries
B ank or brokerage position:
Statistical clerk ______________________________________
General financial stenographer. ____ _________ _____ _ .
Senior bookkeeper
_ __
______
___
A ssistant bookkeeper.
_
___
___
Office m achine operator. _ _ _ _ _ _ ------------------------------- .
$1, 000-$l, 800
1, 000- 1, 600
2, 600
1,100- 1, 800
1,100- 1,800
$1,000-$l, 600
900- 1, 800
1, 600- 2, 000
1.100- 1, 500
1.100- 1, 600
Permanent full-time saleswomen seem to have been able to hold or
even to improve their position in most cases, the weekly salaries now
offered being $12 to $30, against a range of from $13 to $25 in 1929.
Part-time workers and extras have suffered, the part-time workers
having been reduced from $15 to $12 a week, and the extras from $3
and $4 a day to $2 and $3. Among restaurant workers, cashiers, who
are now being offered $18 a week as against $23 previously, seem to
have been almost the only class affected. There is one case reported,
however, of a large chain of lunch rooms which formerly paid its
waitresses $10 a week and is now paying them $6.
Wages for domestic servants show a greater reduction than for any
other class. For servants who were to live in the homes of their
employers the wages formerly offered ran from $40 to $70 a month;
now the range is from $15 to $55, the most usual figure being $40.
A record was secured of a placement made in February, 1931, of an experienced
domestic at $5 a week with room and board. The woman was 52 years of age,
[13331
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Protestant, American born, and had been out of work for eight months. Many
times employers try to secure domestic help without paying any wages but merely
offering a home and food. No record has been found of any worker accepting
such an offer but such offers continue to come to all the employment offices.
Domestics who do not live in the home, laundry workers, and fac
tory workers all show reductions varying in degree. Among factory
workers it is harder to trace the reductions because payment on a
piece-rate basis is increasingly replacing a flat weekly rate in many
unskilled operations. Formerly it was a common practice to take on
a beginner at, say, $12 a week, with an agreement either to increase
the wage or to put the learner on piece rates when she became profi
cient. “ Nowadays the beginner is taken on at piecework immedi
ately and she has to learn the work at her own expense.” Some of the
factory operations which are still paid for at a weekly rate show a
reduction in their starting wages of from $1 to $3, $4, or $5 a week.
The following table shows the result of such practices upon the
earnings of woman factory workers:
W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S O F W O M A N F A C T O R Y W O R K E R S IN N E W Y O R K C IT Y , JA N U
A R Y , 1929, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1931
W eekly earnings
In d u s try group
January, 1929 Jan u a ry , 1931
Stone, clay, and g la s s ____________ . __ ___ _______ .
M etals and m achinery __________________ _____________
W ood m anufacture __
___________ ___________ -F u rs, leather, a n d ru b b er goods_________ ___ ______________
Chem icals, o ils ,p a in ts ,e tc _ -_____ ____ ____________
P rin tin g a n d p ap er g o o d s ._______ ________ ______________
Textiles
_______________________________________
C lothing an d m il l i n e r y .. ________ ______ ____ __ ______
Food and tobacco.
_________________________________
T o tal_____________ ________ ________ __________________
$14. 52
17. 58
17 28
22. 90
16 20
19. 70
18. 71
23. 57
18. 90
21.64
$15. 23
15 34
16. 01
18. 57
15 79
18 22
17 50
21. 82
18. 57
20.18
Increase or
decrease
+$0. 71
-2 .2 4
-1 .2 7
- 4 . 33
- .4 1
—1 48
- 1 . 21
- 1 . 75
- .3 3
- 1 . 46
Basing conclusions on the figures herewith presented, there can be no doubt
that the wage levels for woman workers in the city of New York have declined
sharply. This has been shown to be true for all large industrial groups and for
many smaller occupational classifications in the clerical, mercantile, restaurant,
and domestic lines of work. In view of the fact that many firms have main
tained their former wage levels, in some cases with the announced purpose of
helping to maintain community purchasing power, it still remains a question as
to whether the reductions in salary noted were an economic necessity or whether
they were caused by a desire on the part of employers to take advantage of the
present oversupply of labor.
W om an and C hild Labor in M an ila, 1929
N ORDER to enforce the provisions of Act 3071, which regulates
the employment of women and children in the Philippines, large
and small factories and other work places were inspected in the city
of Manila and in certain Provinces. All Provinces could not be
included because of the limited number of inspectors.
The following statistics, from the annual report of the Governor
General of the islands for 1929, show the distribution of woman and
child workers in various inspected establishments in that year and
the preceding one. While the number of establishments was 597 in
I
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1334]
69
WOMAN AND CHILD LABOR
1929 as compared with 542 in 1928, the number of minors employed
was 82 less in the later year.
D IS T R IB U T IO N O F W O M A N A N D C H IL D LA B O R IN IN S P E C T E D E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
IN M A N IL A , 1928 A N D 1929
1928
N um ber
N um ber
of chil N um ber
of chil
N um ber
N
u
m
b
er
dren
N
um
ber
dren
of estab
of estab
of
women
u
n
d
e
r
18
of
women
u
nder 18
lishments
years lishm ents
years
of age
of age
In d u s try
A reated w ater___ . . . . . .
Asbestos sheet ___
Bag repairing____________ . . . .
B u tto n s..................
„ . .
C andles______________ ____
C a n d y _____ _ . . . _. _.
Cigars an d cigarettes____ ____ ____
D esiccated coconut____
D ressm aking a n d tailo rin g___ ___
E m b r o id e r y ...___
.....
G lass. __________ ____ _ .
H a ts ____________ *____ . __
H em p__________________ .
Ice cream __________
K a p o k __________________ ._ ..
L ab o rato ry . ______
_ _ _.
L a u n d ry ______________ . . _ .
M atches________ . . .
P rin tin g . ______ ____ ______ ____
R efreshm ents. . . . . ................. ...
R em nant im p o rtin g .. „
S h i r t s . ___ _____ _
. .
Shoes a n d slippers. .
_____
. _.
U nbrellas__ 1______ _______ _ _ ._
Vermicelli_________ _______________
T otal
. . . ______
1929
______
7
1
10
1
1
9
40
1
66
23
1
6
4
1
34
ID
107
100
3
86
5, 552
202
372
1, 787
2
39
77
2
1
3
i
. 24
318
2
16
3
3
49
271
53
84
132
15
435
145
47
542
9,604
3
17
17
9
i
12
1
31
69
82
13
25
19
927
10
36
85
6, 486
30
856
32
107
202
23
689
1,825
7
16
6
24
82
J
17
4
1
85
125
2
6
o
1
148
667
19
65
117
108
35
24
15
4
1
541
11
66
4
14
1,252
597
11,181
8
46
36
48
10
1,170
P ro tectio n of W orking W om en in P an am a
DECREE (No. 23) passed by the National Assembly of Panama
and published in the November 5, 1930, issue of the Gaceta
A Oficial,
prohibits the employment of women in commençai and indus
trial establishments during^ the eight weeks before and after child
birth, provides for a vacation at half pay during this period, upon
presentation of the proper medical certificate, and prohibits the dis
charge of any woman because of pregnancy. Employers are not
allowed to make any deductions from the salaries of working mothers
for the 15-minute period allowed them every four hours by law for
the nursing of their children. According to the provisions of the law,
day nurseries are to be established in the poorer sections of Colon
and Panama, and any other towns in which they would be needed,
in the j udgment of the executive.
Employers or owners of industrial or commercial establishments
who do not comply with the provisions of this law are subject to a
fine of 50 balboas for each offense.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1335]
HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
In cid en ce of Illn ess A m on g B om b ay C otton O peratives
1930 the Bombay Labor Office undertook, at the request of the
Commission on Labor, an inquiry into the incidence of ill
INnessRoyal
among the cotton operatives of Bombay, the results of which
are given in the Labor Gazette (Bombay) for February, 1931. The
investigation presented many difficulties and its results are vague and
indefinite, but as it is the first time such an inquiry has been made,
its findings have a value. The plan was at first to visit in their
homes all employees who were absent from the mills for three days
or more, but this had to be given up because the mills kept no record
of the addresses of their workers and the difficulty of tracing absen
tees was too great. It was finally decided to list those absent for
as long as three days and upon their return to the mills to interview
them to learn the cause of absence, and, if it were illness, to secure
details. Even thus there was doubt as to how complete the figures
were. Employees were recorded by number, and there was some
uncertainty as to the extent to which these numbers could be relied
upon for identification purposes.
Although there is no uniformity in the various mills in Bombay as regards the
discharge of workers absent without leave, it is understood that there is some
sort of a convention that if a spinner absents himself for more than two days he
is either replaced permanently by another worker or on his return given a new
ticket number in the same or some other department.
This practice apparently does not apply to the weavers and other
operatives. The final figures showed so few cases of illness, relatively,
among spinners that it seemed certain some cases must have been
discharged, or hidden under a new ticket number.
The inquiry covered the employees of three mills for a period of
about three months, from the early part of July to the end of Sep
tember. The average number of workers, the total number absent
for three or more days in succession, and the number of cases in which
this absence was due to sickness are shown in the following table:
A V ER A G E N U M B E R O F W O R K E R S , A N D A B S E N C E S D U E TO IL L N E S S A N D TO A L L
AV
C A U SES IN T H R E E B O M B A Y M IL L S
Average
daily
num ber
or workers
M o n th
N u m ber absent 3 days
or more in succession
on account of—
All causes
Ju ly __________________
A ugust
------------S e p te m b e r____ ___
T o t a l . - - ---- --
70
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
12, 157
11, 686
11,033
----[1 3 3 6 ]
Illness
1,081
1,100
1,280
604
476
368
3,461
1,448
HEALTH AND INDHSTKIAL HYGIENE
71
The total number of man-days which could have been worked in
the three mills during the period covered was 812,812, of which
8,352, or 1.03 per cent, were definitely known to have been lost on
account of illness, the percentage ranging from 0.81 in the mill with
the best showing to 1.4 in the worst.
Of the total number of employees who lost three consecutive days
or more on account of illnesss, 1,294 were males and 202 were females.
No figures are given as to the sex distribution of the whole group of
employees, so that it is not possible to draw any conclusions as to the
relative liability to illness. The male employees absent on account
of sickness lost, on an average, 5.57 working-days per case; the female
employees lost 5.72 days per case.
It was impossible to get accurate information as to the kind of ill
ness which caused the absence. The returned workers could describe
their symptoms, but in many cases did not know the name of their
trouble, and the investigators had to make a guess^ at this from the
account given them. The following table, therefore, is presented with
out any claims as to its accuracy:
C A SES OF A B S E N C E , B Y N A T U R E O F IL L N E S S A N D SE X OF A B S E N T E E
N um ber of cases
Per cent
of total
N atu re of illness
Males
M alarial fever
_
O ther fevers (unspecified)
D iarrhea
- __Stomach com plaints
_
__________
D ysentery
H eadache or cold
_
__
Skin diseases
__
__
Tnjuries cansed b y accidents in mills
O ther injuries
_ _
Respiratory diseases
Other diseases
- Tm per feet 1y speei fi ed
All diseases
-
- ____
_
__ _
-
_ _
_
___
___
Females
Total
58
649
138
73
65
51
63
28
39
31
97
2
5
96
29
17
14
8
9
2
4
2
16
63
745
167
90
79
59
72
30
43
33
113
2
4. 21
49. 80
11. 16
6. 02
5. 28
3. 94
4. 81
2. 01
2. 87
2. 21
7. 55
. 14
1,294
202
1,496
100. 00
It is highly probable, the report states, that the heading “ other
fevers” includes many cases of malarial fever, since the only test
adopted by the investigators in classifying a fever as malarial was
whether or not it was attended by shivering.
As is well known, malaria appears in many garbs and it is enough for our
purpose, therefore, to note that more than half the illness is due to fevers. This
high proportion may be due to the fact that the period to which the inquiry
relates fell within what is known as the “ malaria season,” which begins in the
latter half of July, and from then the incidence steadily rises to its highest point,
which is usually reached in October, September and October being the two most
malarious months.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1387]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
A ccid en t E xperience of E sta b lish m e n ts R eporting to N ation al
S a fety C ou n cil, 1929
accident experience in 1929 of 3,603 industrial establish
ments reporting to the National Safety Council is shown in Table
T HE
1, reproduced from Industrial Accident Statistics, 1930 edition, pub
lished by the council.
T a b l e 1 .— E S T A B L IS H M E N T S , E X P O S U R E , A N D A C C ID E N T R A T E S , B Y IN D U S T R IE S
1929
[Arranged in order of frequency rates, from high to low]
Accident Accident
severity
N um ber H ours of expo frequency
rates (per rates (per
of estab
sure
1,000,000
1,000
lishm ents
hours’
hours’
exposure) exposure)
In d u stry
M ining______________ _____ __________________ _____
M eatp ack in g ________ . .
____ _____ __ _
Construction_________ ____
_
Refrigeration_____________
W oodworking a n d lum bering. _ ______ _
T anning and leath er______ _ . . . . ____ . . . _ __ _
F o u n d r y ... . . .
. . . _____ . _________ ._
Electric railw ays.
_____ _____ . . .
_ _ __ . .
M etal forming__ _
________ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ceramic . . . . . . . . ______ _
Paper and p u lp ________ .
Petroleum _____________________________ _____ _____
Q uarry-------_______ _ _________________________
Nonferrous metallurgical
Public u tility ____________ ____________ ____________
A utom obile_________ _____ _ _____ _ . . . . . . .
R ailw ay car a n d equipm ent
Food___ _ . . . _ ___________________________________
R u b b e r.. ____
. .
. . . ____ . _____ . . . .
M ac h in e ry ... . . _
_ __ _ _ _____ ______________
Steel. .. ________
_ . . . . . ._ _. _ . . ___ . .
Glass products____
. . ___ ____________ _ . . .
. .
__ ___
Chem ical________________
L a u n d ry ________________ _ ____ ______ ______
Prin tin g and publishing _
. . . .
Textile _
. . .
C em en t.. _ _____
.
. .
. .
Total 1____
_______________________ _________
162
18
397
44
222
34
229
46
347
42
215
79
125
26
403
67
37
171
42
212
128
17
172
34
20
153
138
82,095, 942
102,832, 500
127, 344, 439
20, 255,495
160,257; 172
28, 552, 020
409, 795, 710
78,445, 722
324, 732,946
19,301, 791
196, 881, 082
565, 701, 537
18, Oil, 588
37, 515, 661
589,150, 210
346, 572, 274
69, 096, 822
137, 278, 278
175,157, 500
448,821, 236
567, 248, 244
20,452, 053
206,439, 640
10,174, 088
14,059, 389
199, 749, 575
75, 739,429
74. 43
55. 94
50.41
43. 35
42.83
31. 35
30. 30
29. 75
29. 71
28. 93
28.43
26. 78
26. 71
23.16
22. 58
22. 17
21.88
21. 07
19. 25
18.91
18.13
17. 70
17. 50
12.78
12. 23
11.82
9.55
9. 99
1.47
4. 62
3. 04
3. 59
1. 60
1. 73
1.93
1. 67
1.07
1.77
2. 49
6. 11
2. 71
3.13
.97
2. 20
1.50
1. 24
1. 11
2. 75
.86
1.72
1. 53
.67
.58
3.64
3, 603
5, 058, 942, 337
25. 53
2. 23
i Includes also miscellaneous industries.
Table 2 gives, by industry, the accident frequency and severity
rates of 1,092 establishments reporting to the National Safety Coun
cil in each of the three years 1927, 1928, and 1929. The man-hours
of exposure for these years were 2,096,530,522, 2,156,131,740, and
2,291,410,441, respectively.
72
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1328]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
73
T able 2 .—A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y A N D S E V E R IT Y R A T E S OF A L L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
R E P O R T IN G T O N A T IO N A L S A F E T Y C O U N C IL IN E A C H O F T H R E E Y E A R S, 1927
1928, A N D 1929, BY IN D U S T R IE S i
1927
1928
N um Accident A ccident Accident
ber of frequency severity frequency
firms rates (per rates (per rates (per
1,000,000
1,000
1,000,000
hours’
hours’
hour s’
exposure) exposure) exposure)
In d u stry
A utom obile______
Chem ical________
C onstruction_____
Electric railw ays _Food _________
F oundry ________
M ach in ery _________
M ea tp a c k in g
___
M etalform ing_-_ ___
Nonferrous m etallurgical__
P aper an d p u lp . __ . . . . . . __
Petroleum _____ _ _
P rin tin g a n d publishing . ___
P ublic u tilit y 2 .
R ailw ay car an d e q u ip m en t. . . . .
R u b b er. _ . . .
Steel.
T a nning a n d leather . . .
__ . .
T extile.
W oodworking .
M iscellaneous industries . . . . .
T o t a l3___ _____ _____
1929
A ccident
severity
rates (per
1,000
hours’
exposure)
A ccident
frequency
rates (per
1,000,000
hours’
exposure)
Accident
severity
rates (per
1,000
hours’
exposure)
31
84
46
10
81
111
99
7
116
15
111
14
6
106
15
25
51
14
51
80
7
23. 80
19.50
62.94
22. 96
21. 62
24. 46
17. 56
47.10
22.10
31. 61
30. 27
29. 64
6. 79
28. 37
28. 32
30.84
21. 75
28. 88
12.58
49.14
12. 66
1.08
2.01
5. 87
2. 05
1.71
1. 50
1.10
.80
1.38
1. 64
1.99
2. 25
. 13
3. 74
3. 86
1.00
2.00
1.03
.47
2. 35
.23
24. 99
18. 52
60. 16
20. 90
23. 51
23. 16
15. 64
53. 91
22.00
30. 34
24. 73
26. 19
9. 37
21. 98
15. 90
24. 95
19.81
29. 98
11.80
47. 33
10. 07
1. 37
2.00
4. 40
1.50
1.53
1.12
.92
1.86
1. 40
2.30
2.24
2. 80
.22
3. 84
1. 27
1.17
2. 48
.78
.54
3.33
1. 27
26. 43
18. 95
45. 02
15. 27
22. 47
26. 85
16. 46
34.63
22.18
29. 50
24. 07
29. 38
8. 00
20.02
26. 44
20.15
17. 59
30.34
10. 58
46. 99
11. 21
1. 06
1.67
4. 57
2.79
1.91
1.64
1.14
.99
1. 38
3.05
1.78
2.65
.24
3. 52
1.60
1. 29
2. 05
3.04
.59
4. 12
.24
1,092
25.85
1.92
23. 39
1.97
22. 90
2. 02
1 D ata not available for cement, glass products, mining, and qu arry industries.
2 Does not include th e m anufacture and distribution of gas.
3 Totals include some establishm ents in ceramic, laundry, and refrigeration industries, not shown sepa
rately in the table. T h e exposure in these industries was so small th a t the rate changes could no t be con
sidered reliable indication of accident trends.
P reven tion of In d u strial A ccid en ts
98 per cent of all industrial accidents are preventable, and
that 88 per cent can be prevented through the enforcement of
T HAT
proper supervision, is asserted by H. W. Heinrich m his recent pub
lication on industrial accident prevention.1 This statement is based
upon a study by the author of 75,000 cases, taken from insurance
files and records of industrial^ firms. The other 10 per cent, classed
as due to physical or mechanical causes, may, it is declared, also be
controlled by the employer.
It is stressed that the burden and the responsibility for initiative
rests largely upon the employer. It is by him that the industry is
conducted and the worker brought into contact with industrial
equipment and processes which may result in loss of life or bodily
injury. Consequently he can not escape the obvious responsibility
that accompanies this_employment of his fellow men—maintaining
reasonably safe operating conditions and enforcing rules for the safe
conduct of the work necessary in his business.
Scientific accident-prevention work is advocated to eliminate the
tremendous toll on industry, consisting, as formerly pointed out by the
author, not only of the actual money paid for compensation and
medical service but also of the hidden or indirect cost, estimated to be
H e in ric h , H . W .: Industrial accident prevention—A scientific approach.
Book Co., 1931.
58726°—31-
-6
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1339]
New York, M cG raw -H ill
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
74
four times as great as the direct expense. Four fundamental prin
ciples are named: (1) Executive recognition, interest, support, and
participation; (2) correct cause analysis, to identify the particular
condition responsible for the accident; (3) selection and^application of
the remedy, readily suggested through the cause analysis; (4) enforce
ment of the corrective practice.
#
.
It is realized that absolute perfection can not be obtained, but
through observance of the effects of the methods outlined and the
experiences of large industrial firms that apply safety practices the
author believes it entirely possible and practicable with very little
expenditure of money to achieve at least a 50 per cent reduction m
accident frequency and accident cost, not only a commendable human
itarian work but in itself good business.
An analysis of 50,000 injuries, according to the classification pre
sented by the author, shows that 30 per cent were caused by faulty
instruction, 22 per cent by lack of concentration, 14 per cent by
unsafe practices, 12 per cent by poor discipline, 8 per cent by inability
of employee, 3 per cent by physical unfitness, 1 per cent by mental
unfitness, and 10 per cent by mechanical hazards.
A section is devoted to machine, prime-mover, and power-transmission guarding of all kinds, profusely illustrated, and brief discus
sions are included of safety education, process revision, illumination,
and statistics.
In d u stria l A ccid en ts in th e P h ilip p in e Island s, 1925 to 1929
HE following record of the industrial accidents in the Philippines
from 1925 to 1929 is taken from the statistical bulletin of the
T
Bureau of Commerce and Industry of the Islands, 1929:
IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N T S IN T H E P H IL IP P IN E S , 1925 TO 1929
[Peso= about 50 cents in U nited States currency]
A djustm ents
N um ber of injuries
of acci
dents
Y ear
1Q9.5
1926
1927
1928
1929_______________
Total
-
_
Perm a
nent
430
447
452
1,104
2,055
390
390
355
968
1,953
15
19
34
27
45
48
104
143
109
57
453
513
532
1,104
1 2,055
247
375
322
955
i 1,070
206
138
210
149
325
Pesos
21, 706
25,053
35, 395
82, 765
90, 053
4,488
4,056
140
461
i 4, 657
i 2,969
1,028
254, 972
F atal
i Does not include 660 cases pending adjustm ent.
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Indem ni N ot in A m ount
demnified collected
fied
Tem po
rary
[1340]
T otal
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND
SOCIAL INSURANCE
R ecen t C o m p en sa tio n R eports
Maryland
HE sixteenth annual report of the State Industrial Accident
Commission of Maryland for the year ending October 31, 1930,
shows that 41,761 industrial accidents were reported by the 14,968
employers insured under the terms of the compensation law. This
is a decrease of 1,846 from the number of accidents reported during
the previous year. A total of 14,339 claims was filed with the com
mission, of which 191 were fatal cases.
Compensation payments made in the 14,276 claims disposed of
during the year, including 174 fatalities, amounted to $1,451,316.26,
and payments for medical attention in nonclaim cases amounted to
$459,264.41. These payments, together with the sum of $542,248.96,
outstanding for future payments on specific awards, bring the grand
total of benefits paid and outstanding for the year to $2,452,829.63,
not including future payments in temporary total disability cases
extending beyond the year.
A summary of the 13,406 claims allowed during the year is shown
in the following table, by industrial groups and extent of disability.
T
N U M B E R OP C O M P E N S A T IO N CASES A L L O W E D IN M A R Y L A N D , N O V E M B E R 1, 1929,
TO O C T O B E R 31, 1930, B Y IN D U S T R Y A N D E X T E N T OF D IS A B IL IT Y
E xtent of disability
In d u stry
P erm a
nent
total
F atal
Agriculture _ _ . . .
______ _
. _ _
_____ _
_ _ _
M ining, m etallurgy, and quarrying __
O ther extractive industries _ _ _ _ _ _
_____
M anufacturing ____ _
__ _ __
_____
C onstruction _ _
_
T ransportation a n d public u tilities, __ .....................
T rade.
_
_ __ __
____
Clerical and professional services ___
M iscellaneous industries. __ _ _
__ _ _ _
___
D epartm ent of State, cities, and counties of M ary lan d - P rivate em ploym ent, and no t otherwise classified_______
T o ta l. _______ __ _ __
Perm a
nent
partial
40
23
27
2
1
3
6
1
2
22
5
364
107
64
21
7
10
10
109
2
612
7
1
Tem po
rary
total
79
622
103
5, 808
2,940
1,452
696
297
317
364
5
12,683
The annual report of the superintendent of the State accident fund,
which is included, shows a surplus of $525,000, protected by rein
surance, a reserve for unpaid claims of $427,127.23, and an increase
during the year in assets of $153,987.57. The net premiums written
during the year aggregated $444,046.41, an increase over the previous
year of $4,158.90, while payments for losses amounted to $134,672.05
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75
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
76
for those occurring during the current year and $182,259.52 for those
occurring before November 1, 1929, a total of $316,931.57. dhe
expense of administering the fund amounted to $40,453.05, or 9 per
cent of the premiums written.
Texas
T h e report of the Industrial Accident Board of Texas for the
2-year period ending August 31, 1930, points out the increasing cost
of workmen’s compensation insurance in the State. The figures show
that more than 625,000 employees came under the terms of the
act during the last year. It is explained that the great majority of
these workers are heads of families, so that practically one-half of
the population of the State is directly interested in the operation of
the act.
_
_
i iiin
The only remedy for this increasing cost, the board holds, is a wellplanned and well-executed safety program, undertaken jointly by the
State, the employers, the employees, and the insurance earners. It is
believed that such a program will result in fewer and less severe acci
dents and will not only cause a reduction in human suffering but will
show a corresponding decrease in the cost to industry.
Part of the experience under the workmen’s compensation act is
shown in the following table:
O C C ID E N T S U N D E R T E X A S C O M P E N S A T IO N A C T, S E P T E M B E R 1, 1928, TO A U G U ST
31, 1930
1928-29
Item
17, 511
593,850
465
129,960
16,932
625,840
448
110,146
1,578
348
3, 289
1, 615
412
4,807
24,972
21, 515
------------------------------------------
30,187
28, 349
- - ------ ----- ------------ ------ ----- _______ ____________________
______ ___ ___ - - - ________
- ----------- --------------------
$1,175,160. 50
$603, 088. 49
$2,883, 393. 85
$358, 596. 31
$1,189, 917. 02
$557, 592. 02
$2, 686, 571. 75
$259, 619. 29
-------------------------------------------------
$5,020, 239.15
$4, 693, 700.08
$2, 221,945. 95
$46, 952. 69
$1,983,985.88
$50, 406. 75
Em ployers under th e net___________________________________________
Em ployees u nder th e net___________________________________________
F atal accidents reported
_
__
_ _
T otal accidents reported
_
___ ___ _ _ _ _ ------------Claims filed:
Claims allowed
- - ------- —
Claims denied
- ____ _ - __ - - - ------------------- -- Compromise settlem ents approved
__ _ _ _______
Claims still open, on which compensation is being paid a n d medical
or hospital servi eft furnished
_____ __________________
T otal ___________ ____
Compensation paid for—
F atal cases
Specific injuries
T otal incapacity
P artial incapacity
T o ta l-----------------
1929-30
-
-----
M edical and hospital service, paid
N et operating cost of departm ent
_ _
_
The apparent reduction in the number of accidents reported for
the year ending in 1930, as compared with the previous year, is
stated to be due to the fact that complete reports have not been re
ceived of all accidents occurring during the last fiscal year. It is
thought that when all reports have been received they will exceed in
number those for any former year.
Many of the claims shown in the table as acted on by the board
during the period covered by the report were based upon injuries
occurring before the period, and the compensation payments include
payments made during the two years on previous injuries, some as
far back as 1923.
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77
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL INSURANCE
Wyoming
T h e fourteenth report of the Workmen’s Compensation Depart
ment of the State of Wyoming-, covering the calendar year 1929,
presents several tabulations of the experience of the State industrial
accident fund during the year.
A total of 2,464 accidents was reported, of which 43 were fatal,
46 caused permanent partial disability, 1,093 caused temporary total
disability, and 1,282 required medical service only. Coal mining was
responsible for the largest number, with a high degree of severity,
showing 24 fatal, 13 permanent partial, and 549 temporary total
cases, with only 18 medical-aid cases. The next highest, oil drilling
and oil refining combined, showed 7 fatal, 16 permanent partial, and
132 temporary total cases, with 367 medical-aid cases.
. The seemingly excessive proportion of accidents for these two
industries is partly due to the larger number of workers employed in
them, as explained by the statement that out of the total premiums
received 35 per cent were paid by the coal industry and 21 per cent
by the oil industry. As premium assessments are on a flat basis for
all industries, per $100 of pay roll, the amount paid as premium
represents practically the relative importance of the industry.
The fund showed a balance of $545,696.76 on December 31, 1929
as compared with a balance of $330,596.39 for the previous year an
increase of $215,100.37. The total amount of premiums collected
including “service and policing charge,” was $470,509.15, and thé
amount of administrative expense during the period was $19,659.32
making the cost of administering the State fund 4.2 per cent of thé
premiums paid.
The number of claims allowed during the year by the State courts
and the total costs for these are shown in the following table:
N U M B E R OF C L A IM S A L L O W E D U N D E R W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N S A T IO N A C T OE
W Y O M IN G , A N D T O T A L COSTS, 1929
*
E x ten t of disability
N um ber
of cases
F atal
Perm anent total
P erm anent p a rtia l. _ .
Tem porary to ta l_____
T o tal_________
A m ount
aw arded
O ther costs
Total costs
349
86
330
1,783
$87, 885. 94
23, 300. 79
75,173. 26
128,681. 06
i $4, 950. 00
$92, 835. 94
23, 300. 79
75,173. 26
128, 681. 06
2, 548
315,041.05
2 77, 317. 45
2 392, 358. 50
1 Funeral expenses.
2 Includes medical and hospital service, $65,804.12; investigations and witness fees, $6,563.33.
S ick n ess and A ccid en t In su ran ce for Workers in Estonia
HE law relating to public insurance of industrial workers against
sickness and accident in Estonia is part of the former Russian
law entitled ‘Industrial labor law (Ustav o Promyshlennom Trude) of
1913, Volume XI, Section II, which has been changed and amended
a number of times during the period of Estonian independence.1
T
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Nyow7, S
" ' HUnt' ° f th e ° ffiCe ° f th e U nited Stat6S
[1343]
COnsul
78
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Coverage of System
S ic k n e s s insurance in Estonia covers wage earners and salaried
employees of both, sexes working in factories, plants, workshops,
mining enterprises, railway and internal shipping enterprises, tram
way and building enterprises, employing not fewer than five workers;
also in State oil-shale industry, State peat industry, and State print
ing office. Workers employed in other Government institutions and
public railways do not come under the insurance against sickness.
Accident insurance covers wage earners and salaried employees of
both sexes working in—.
(a)
Mining enterprises, quarries, and other industries for excava
tion of minerals.
.
..
.
(&) Industries for manufacture, cleaning, repairing, decoration,
completion, preparation for sale, breaking up, destruction, remanu
facture of products, shipbuilding, generation, transformation, and
transmission of electrical or other power.
(c) Construction, repairing, maintenance, reconstruction, tearing
down of buildings, railways, street railways, ports, shipyards, bridges,
canals, river ways, streets, tunnels, viaducts, sewer systems, wells,
telegraph and telephone installations, electrical workshops, gas plants,
water-supply systems, also building foundations and doing other^preparatory work for the above-mentioned constructions and buildings.
(d) 'Transportation of _passengers and freight on highways, in
streets, on railroads, and internal waterways, also handling merchan
dise on docks, on quays, and in warehouses.
All workers employed in the above-mentioned enterprises enjoy the
benefits of the existing laws regardless of sex and age.
Contributions
Sickness insurance.—Expenses of insurance against sickness in
Estonia are borne by both employers and workers. Insurance soci
eties whose membership numbers fewer than 400 persons may require
contributions of from 1 to 3 per cent of the member's wages or salary,
while from 1 to 2 per cent may be charged when a society has a
membership exceeding 400 persons.
. .
Where medical treatment and dispensing of medicine is included m
the scope of activities of sickness insurance societies, an additional
contribution is usually required of the employer; in such cases the
workers pay 2 per cent and the employers 4 per cent on the wages or
salaries of the insured. Where medical treatment and medicine are
not furnished, the employers and workers each contribute at the rate
of 2 per cent.
.
.
Accident insurance.—The expense of the accident insurance is borne
exclusively by the employer. Contributions to the funds of accident
insurance societies are made at fixed rates approved by the board of
compulsory state insurance of the Ministry of Education and 1 ublic
Welfare. The present rates of contributions were introduced as from
January 1, 1926.
.
.
These rates of contribution to the funds of accident insurance
societies are a specified number of Estonian cents for each 1,000 cents
of the wages or salary of a member of the society. The rates vary
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79
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL INSURANCE
. according to whether or not the employer uses mechanical power in
the processes of manufacture.
. In order to give an idea of the amount of contributions there are
given below the lowest and the highest rates charged different branches
of industry in Estonia.
T
a b le
1 .— R A T E O F C O N T R IB U T IO N R E Q U IR E D IN A C C ID E N T IN S U R A N C E
[E stonian cent=0.268 cent (U. S. currency)]
C ontribution per 1,000 cents of wage or salary
For m anufactures em
ploying mechanical
power
In d u stry
M etal in d u stry .
M anufacture of means of transportation .
Stone an d earth w orks__ . .
Chemical in d u s tr y ...
G eneration of p o w e r____
Textile in d u s try ... ___ _
M anufacture of wearing apparel a n d footwear, and hairdressers..
___ _ . . . _______
___
Paper in d u stry ____ _ __
L eather in d u stry . _______ _ .
________ _
P rin tin g in d u stry __
______ __
W oodworking in d u s try ______
_______ _
M anufacture of foods_____________ .
T ran sp o rt_______ _ _ ________
L o a d in g ____ __ ________________ _
B uilding enterprises_________ . . . ______ _
For m anufactures not
employing m echani
cal power
Lowest
Highest
Lowest
Highest
E . cents
9
13
7
8
14
6
E . cents
28
36
48
24
24
28
E . cents
E . cents
6
8
15
5
8
6
15
15
15
14
24
40
7
50
20
72
58
15
6
10
5
7
30
16
40
10
5
10
3
6
7
4
6
4
12
12
7
8
10
10
4
50
16
15
58
72
Benefits
T he benefits, under the existing sickness insurance regulations,
include (1) first aid, ambulance treatment, obstetrical aid, hospital
treatment, with all costs paid, and free medicine and other medical
and hospital supplies; and (2) financial assistance in cases of sickness
or accident resulting in disability, as well as in cases of pregnancy
and childbirth, and'funeral expenses in case of death.
Maternity and sick benefits.—Maternity benefit is payable during
a period of two weeks prior to childbirth and during four weeks
following. The amount of benefit varies between one-half and full
wages or salary. In case of death the amount granted for funeral
expenses represents 20 to 30 times the daily wage of the deceased.
Sick benefits are payable from the fourth day of illness until recov
ery, but not exceeding 26 weeks for one case of sickness or a total of
30 weeks in one year. The amount of benefit varies between the
limits of one-half and two-thirds of the wages or salary of the bene
ficiary.
Accident benefits.—Compensation for industrial accidents varies
according to the degree of disability. Full annual wages or salary
are paid in cases of insanity, the loss of eyesight or of both hands or
both feet, and in cases so helpless as to require the complete care of
others. In other cases of total disability, the benefit is two-thirds
of the annual wages or salary, while for partial disability the benefit is
a percentage of two-thirds of the wages or salary, depending on the
degree of disability.
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80
In cases of disability from accident when workers have not been
insured against accident, benefit is paid at the same rate and for the
same period as for sickness.
An insured member of an accident insurance society who is also a
member of a sickness insurance society is granted benefits as follows:
Sick benefit for 13 weeks, then beginning with the fourteenth week
total disability benefit until recovery or until the degree of disability
sustained is determined, and thereafter the benefit payable for the
degree of disability sustained.
A disabled member of an accident insurance society who is not a
member of a sickness insurance society is granted benefits from the
date of the accident, as follows: (1) The highest rate fixed under the
regulations governing insurance against sickness during the first 13
weeks; and (2) thereafter the accident benefit payable for the degree
of disability.
_
Survivors’ benefits.—Members of the family of a deceased insured
member receive benefits as follows:
(1) The widow, one-third of the annual wages or salary of the
deceased. This benefit is paid until her death or remarriage. In case
of her remarriage her benefit ceases and she is paid a lump sum equal
to three times her yearly benefit.
(2) Each legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted child, until the age of
15 years, one-sixth of the annual wage or salary if one parent is living,
and one-fourth of the annual wage or salary if both parents are dead.
(3) Each blood relative, one-sixth of the annual wage or salary for
life.
(4) Each orphan brother or sister, until the age of 15 years, onesixth of the annual wage or salary.
The number of persons receiving benefits on account of sickness
and accident, from 1925 to 1929, and the average amount of benefit
per person during 1928 and 1929 are shown in the table following:
T a b l e
2 —N U M B E R R E C E IV IN G S IC K A N D A C C ID E N T B E N E F IT S A N D A M O U N T OF
B E N E F IT S P E R P E R S O N
N um ber receiving
benefits
A m ount of benefit per
person
Y ear
Sickness
1925
1926
1Q97
1Q98
1929
_ _ _ _____ ___ --- - - - - - - ________ _________- -- —
_ ______
__ -- - - - - ---- -------_______
-__-
34, 349
37,064
36,452
36, 732
41,362
Accident
43,991
46, 295
45,018
49, 266
50,928
Sickness
$3. 94
4. 34
Accident
$1.49
1.64
Administration
M edical tre a tm e n t and benefits in cases of sickrfess are granted
th ro u g h th e sickness insurance societies, and in cases of accident
th ro u g h th e accident insurance societies.
Both types of insurance societies come under the control of the
insurance council (Kinnitusnoukogu) of the Ministry of Education and
Public Welfare. Insurance bureaus operate under the insurance
council.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL INSURANCE
81
Insurance council.—The insurance council is composed of the follow
ing persons: Minister of Education and. Public Welfare (chairman),
representative of the Ministry of Justice (1), representative of the
Ministry of Agriculture (1), representatives of the Ministry of Eco
nomic Affairs (2), representative of the board of health (1), repre
sentatives of the Ministry of Education and Public Welfare (2),
representatives of workers (5), and representatives of employers (2),
The insurance council is composed of three divisions: (1) Division
for examination of decisions submitted from insurance bureaus; (2)
division for handling matters pertinent to insurance against sick
ness; (3) division for handling matters pertinent to insurance against
accident.
Complaints against decisions of the insurance council can be lodged
only with the supreme court.
Insurance bureaus.—Each insurance bureau is composed of the
following persons: Local justice of the peace (chairman), the district
labor inspector, a representative of local provincial self-government,
a representative of the city administration, four representatives of
the workers, and two representatives of the employers.
The insurance bureaus are required : (1 ) To carry out the insurance
laws, regulations, _and instructions respecting compulsory State in
surance of industrial workers and the supplemental regulations issued
by the insurance council; (2) to examine complaints against the deci
sions of labor inspectors.
Labor inspectors.—Labor inspectors are required to carry out the
provisions of labor insurance laws and regulations.
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OLD-AGE PENSIONS
Id aho, W est V irgin ia, and N ew Jersey O ld-A ge P en sio n Laws
Y THE approval of old-age pension laws in Idaho, West Virginia,
and New Jersey, these States became the fourteenth, fifteenth,
and sixteenth States, respectively, to adopt such legislation.1
The Idaho act was approved on February 12, 1931, and establishes
an old-age pension commission in the several counties, the personnel
of which consists of the probate judge and the board of county com
missioners. Pensions under the Idaho law are to be paid from the
poor fund or the current expense fund of each county.
The West Virginia old-age pension law was passed by the State
legislature on March 11, 1931, approved by the governor on March
13, and became effective 90 days after its passage. A county system
of relief is established. Funds are to be raised by a special tax not
to exceed 5 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation of property.
Under the New Jersey act, approved April 24, 1931, the necessary
funds for the act are to be provided by county appropriation, but threefourths of the amount expended is to b'e repaid by the State. The
New Jersey act does not become effective until January 2, 1932.
Applications are not receivable until April 1, 1932, and pension relief
will not begin until July 1, 1932. A division of old-age relief is created
in the department of institutions and agencies. A county director
is authorized to be appointed in each county, who will have immediate
supervision of the act.
B
Analysis of Idaho Act
Date of approval.—February 12, 1931; in effect April 12, 1931.
Establishment of system.—In each county of the State a county
old-age pension commission is created. The membership of the
commission consists of the county probate judge and the board of
county commissioners. The commissioners serve without extra
compensation and their duties are prescribed by the State department
of public welfare.
Requirements for pension.—To be eligible for benefits under the
law the applicant must be (1) 65 years of age or over; (2) a citizen
of the United States for 15 years; (3) a resident of Idaho for not less
than 10 years and a resident of the county for 3 years. An added
qualification provides that during such resident period the applicant
must have pursued some useful occupation or profession as far as
possible. No person may receive a pension (1) who has been im
prisoned during the 10 years preceding the date of application;
or (2) who has deserted his (or her) spouse; or (3) who has been a
1
Other States having such laws are California, Colorado, Delaware, K entucky, M aryland, M assachusetts,
M innesota, M ontana, N evada, N ew Y ork, U tah, Wisconsin, and W yoming.
82
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professional tramp or beggar within one year prior to making applica
tion; or (4) who has deprived himself of any property for the purpose
of obtaining a pension; (5) who has no child or other responsible
person able to support him; or whose annual income (including
pension) exceeds $300.
Application.—Application must be made to the probate judge of
the county in which the applicant resides.
Benefits.— The amount of pension allowed is determined by the
commission after an investigation of each case, subject to a maximum
of $25 per month. Upon approval of the application and the estab
lishing of a rate of pension for the first year, a certificate is issued
stating the amount of the monthly pension. Annual renewal of
certificates is required. All pensions are paid monthly. If the
beneficiary is incapable of taking care of his money or himself (upon
the testimony of at least three reputable witnesses) the commission
may order the payment to a guardian of such person or may even
entirely suspend payment. Upon death of a beneficiary, if his estate
is insufficient to defray the funeral expenses, an additional allowance,
limited to $100, shall be made for this purpose.
Revision or revocation of benefits.—A beneficiary under the act must
notify the probate judge of the receipt of any property in excess of
the amount allowed under a pension, and the commission must
cancel the pension or vary its amount accordingly. Whenever it is
ascertained that a pensioner was possessed of property in excess of
the amount allowed by law, the commission may recover as a pre
ferred claim an amount double that of the excess relief granted.
Whenever a person receiving a pension becomes an inmate of a
charitable institution, payments accruing upon a certificate must be
paid to such institution. Pensioners are prohibited from receiving
any other public relief, except for medical and surgical assistance.
The commission may suspend payments on any improperly obtained
certificate. Upon conviction for an offense punishable by imprison
ment for one month or longer the commission is directed to withhold
payments during the period of imprisonment.
Assignability of pension.—Old-age pension certificates granted
under the act are not subject to sale, assignment, execution, or
attachment, nor may they pass to any trustee in bankruptcy cases.
Upon the death of a pensioner or the last survivor of a married
couple, the total amount of pension plus interest at 5 per cent per
year from the date of allowance shall be a preferred claim against
the estate of the deceased. Any amount recovered is to be refunded
to the county treasury to the credit of the county poor fund.
Reports.—The old-age pension commission of each county is
required to submit an annual report to the department of public
welfare within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, showing
(a) total number of recipients; (6) amount paid in cash; (c) total
number of applications; (d) number of pensions granted, denied,
and canceled.
Violations— Violations of the act are deemed misdemeanors and
punishable upon conviction by a fine of $300, or imprisonment not
to exceed 6 months, or both.
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Analysis of West Virginia Act
Date of approval.—March 13, 1931; in effect June 9, 1931.
Establishment of system.—A county system of old-age pensions is
established. Authorization to establish the system is given to every
county court in the State. Before the system may be established,
however, it must be voted upon by the people of the county at any
general or special election and must receive a majority of all_ votes
cast at the election. Pensions then become payable beginning
with the next fiscal year, and shall continue until changed by a vote
of the people. After two years’ operation, the county court may,
upon its own motion, and must upon the petition of 500 taxpayers,
submit to a vote of the people the question of continuing the old-age
pension system. Upon a majority vote opposing the continuance of
the system, it shall then be abandoned on the following June 30.
The question then can not be again submitted to the people until
5 years after the date of the last election. In counties having a
population of 35,000 or more a “ county pension agent” for the
administiation of the act may be appointed. The salary of such
agent is fixed at $250 a month. All records relating to old-age
pensions must be kept by the county court of every county maintaining
a pension system.
Requirements for pension.-—An old-age pension may be granted only
to an applicant who (1) has attained the age of 65 years or more; (2) has
been a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years before making
application for a pension; and (3) has resided in the State of West
Virginia and the county in which he makes application continuously
for at least 10 years immediately preceding the date of application.
No person may receive a pension: (1) Who is at the time of his appli
cation an inmate of any public or private home for the aged, or any
public home, or any public or private institution of a custodial, cor
rectional, or curative character, except in the case of temporary
medical or surgical care in a hospital; (2) who is, because of his
physical or mental condition, in need of continued institutional care;
(3) who, during the period of 10 years immediately preceding appli
cation, has been imprisoned for a felony; (4) who has, within one
year preceding application, been an habitual tramp or beggar; (5)
who has a child or other person responsible for his support and able
to support him; (6) who has property, income, or other means of
support; (7) who has disposed of or deprived himself, directly or in
directly, of any property for the purpose of qualifying for the pension ;
(8) who receives a pension from the United States or from anj?- State
or foreign government, or compensation under the laws of the State of
West Virginia.
Application.—Application must be made to the county court of the
county in which the applicant resides. It may be made in person or by
someone in behalf of the aged person.
Benefits.—The amount of the pension is fixed according to the cir
cumstances in each case, subject to a maximum of $1 a day. In the
discretion of the county court, relief may include medical and surgical
care, including nursing. Provision is made to extend the amount of
regular relief whenever the pensioner is seriously ill and in actual need
of medical care. Whenever possible, relief must be provided in the
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home of the pensioner or some other suitable family home. The
county court determines the amount of regular relief and issues a
certificate showing the amount of the monthly allowance.
In the event that the beneficiary under the act is possessed of property (other than household goods and personal property not exceeding
$300) at his death, the county court has a prior lien upon such estate,
to the amount of the aggregate payments made plus 3 per cent interest
on such payments. The county prosecuting attorney is delegated to
collect from the estate any funds found to be due. Upon the allowance
of any pension relief by the court the clerk of the county court must
issue drafts on the last day of each month payable to the beneficiaries.
Revision or revocation of benefits.—If a beneficiary is convicted of
any offense punishable bjr imprisonment for one month or longer,
payment shall be withheld during such period. For offenses involving
imprisonment for a period more than 90 days the right to receive
further relief ceases. If a pensioner is incapable of taking care of his
money or himself (upon the testimony of reputable witnesses), the court
may direct the payment to any reputable person for the benefit of the
pensioner or may in its discretion suspend payment. Improperly
granted pensions may be objected to by any person, and an investi
gation must be made by the county court.
Assignability of pension—All pensions are tax exempt and free from
levy, sale, garnishment, and attachment.
Reports.—The records of each county are subject to inspection by
the State tax commissioner, and within a period of 30 days after the
end of each fiscal year the clerk of the court must make a report to the
tax commissioner.
Appropriation—A county court maintaining a system of old-age
relief must each year estimate the probable amount needed and levy
a special tax, not to exceed the sum of 5 cents on each $100 of assessed
valuation of property in the county.
Violations. Violations of the act are deemed misdemeanors and
are punishable upon conviction by a fine of $500 or imprisonment not
to exceed one year, or both.
Analysis of New Jersey Act
. Date of approval—April 24, 1931 ; in effect January 2, 1932; applica
tions receivable April 1, 1932; pension relief to begin on July 1, 1932.
Establishment of system—A division of old-age relief is created in
the department of institutions and agencies. The supervision of oldage relief and the responsibility for the enforcement of the act are
placed under the chief of the division. All rules and regulations made
by the division of old-age relief are binding upon the county welfare
boards acting as the county bureaus of old-age relief. A director of
old-age relief is appointed in each county, and such other officers as
are necessary to carry out the provisions of the act.
Requirements for pension.—To be eligible for relief the applicant
must be (1) 70 years of age; (2) unable to maintain himself or have
no one responsible for his support; (3) a citizen of the United States;
(4) a resident of and domiciled in the State for 15 years; and (5) in
the county where the application is made for 1 year prior thereto;
(6) not in need of continued institutional care. No one may receive
assistance (1) who has made an assignment of property for thè purpose
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of obtaining assistance; (2) has been convicted of a felony or mis
demeanor; or (3) possesses property in excess of $3,000.
Application.—Application for old-age relief must be made to the
county welfare board acting as the bureau of old-age relief for the
county in which the applicant resides. An investigation and record
is made of the circumstances of the applicant. A rejected applicant
may not apply again for 6 months.
Benefits.—The amount and nature of assistance is determined by
the county welfare board according to the circumstances of each case,
subject to a maximum of $1 a day. The pensioner shall receive the
relief in his own or some other suitable family home. As a condition
to the granting of the relief it may be required that any property of
the pensioner shall be transferred to the county. Upon the death of
a beneficiary, an additional allowance where necessary may be paid,
not exceeding $100. A person receiving relief under the act shall not
be considered or classed as a pauper. Pensioners are prohibited from
receiving any other public relief, except for medical and surgical
assistance. Nothing in the act, however, shall prevent an aged
person 70 years of age, not under the act, from receiving public assist
ance under any other law.
Revision or revocation of benefits.—The county welfare board has the
power to cancel and revoke old-age relief. Relief must be renewed
once every 6 months, and the amount may be changed if the pensioner’s
circumstances have changed. Improperly granted relief is subject to
cancellation.
Assignability of relief, etc.—Amounts paid under the act are free
from levy, sale, garnishment, attachment, or any other process.
Pension benefits are also tax exempt by the State or any political
subdivision, and in cases of bankruptcy the pension assets of the aged
poor person do not pass to the trustee.
Reports.—The county welfare board must report such details of
administration as the division of old-age relief may require.
Appropriation.—Each county must annually appropriate funds
necessary for the administration of the act, but three-fourths of the
amount expended is repaid by the State to each county. The State’s
share of old-age relief is provided from the revenue produced by an
inheritance tax.
Violations.—Violations of the act are deemed misdemeanors and
punishable upon conviction by a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment not
to exceed one year, or both.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
C o n s titu tio n a lity of A rkansas F ull-C rew Law U pheld
APRIL 13, 1931, the United States Supreme Court declared
the full-crew law of Arkansas to be constitutional and not arbi
ONtrary
and repugnant to the due process clause of the Federal Constitu
tion. (Missouri Pac. R. Co. v. Norwood, 51 Sup. Ct. 458.)
The Missouri Pacific Railroad Co. had filed a suit against the attor
ney general of Arkansas to enjoin the enforcement of statutes of that
State regulating train crews and switching crews. The company
applied for an injunction, but the court, consisting of a circuit judge
and two district judges, held the complaint insufficient to show any
ground for relief and dismissed the case. Thereupon the suit was
appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
The acts in question were Act No. 116, Laws of 1907, and Act No.
67, Laws of 1913. The 1907 act requires railroad carriers whose lines
are not less than 50 miles in length to have not less than three brakemen in every full-crew train of 25 cars or more. The 1913 act requires
not less than three helpers in switch crews in yards located in cities
of the first and second classes operated by companies having lines of
100 miles or more.
Mr. Justice Butler, in delivering the opinion of the Supreme Court,
cited prior cases in which the constitutionality of these acts had been
upheld. Regarding these decisions, he said:
The first of these cases was decided in 1911. The court held that the act
of 1907 is not a regulation of interstate commerce and that upon its face it must
be taken as having been enacted in aid of, and for the protection of those engaged
in, such commerce. It said that Congress might have taken entire charge of the
subject, but that it had not done so and had not enacted regulations in respect of
the number of employees to whom might be committed the management of inter
state trains and that until it does the statutes of the State, not in their nature
arbitrary, must control. The court found that, while under the evidence there
was admittedly room for controversy as to whether the statute was necessary, it
could not be said that it was so unreasonable as to justify the court in adjudging
it an arbitrary exercise of power. And it held that, being applicable alike to all
belonging to the same class, there was no basis for the contention that it denied the
company equal protection of the laws. The principles governing that decision
were followed in the later case, decided in 1916, which upheld the act of 1913.
Both acts were sustained as valid exertions of police power for the promotion of
safety of employees and others.
The railroad company, however, contended that conditions had
changed since these decisions and since the laws were enacted. In
substance the petition alleged that—
Roads and equipment have been so improved that longer and heavier trains
may be operated more safely now than much smaller trains could then be operated.
It is standard practice of railroads “ wherever the density of traffic is sufficient,
except in the State of Arkansas, to operate freight and passenger trains and switch
engines with crews consisting of less than the extra switchmen (meaning one less
than required by the 1913 act) and extra brakemen (meaning one less than re
quired by the 1907 act) provided by the Arkansas laws.”
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Freight trains and switch engines are safely operated on lines similar to those of
plaintiff “ wherever the traffic and circumstances make such operation advisable,
without such extra switchmen and extra brakemen.” By increasing lengths of
their freight trains, the plaintiff and other railroads in States “ where such extra
brakemen and extra switchmen are not (by law) required^ have been able to
effect great economies. But by the Arkansas laws plaintiff is compelled there to
employ more than the standard crew and to pay for services and time not needed
or used for the operation of its freight trains.
In regard to these allegations, the United States Supreme Court
said:
There is no showing that the dangers against which these laws were intended to
safeguard employees and the public no longer exist or have been lessened by the
improvements in road and equipment or by the changes in operating conditions
there described. And, for aught that appears from the facts that are alleged, the
same or greater need may now exist for the specified number of brakemen and
helpers in freight-train and switching crews. It is not made to appear that the
expense of complying with the State laws is now relatively more burdensome than
formerly. Greater train loading tends to lessen operating expenses for brakemen
There is no statement as to present efficiency of switching crews compared with
that when the 1913 act was passed, but it reasonably may be inferred that larger
cars and heavier loading of to-day make for a lower switching expense per car or
ton * * * A n d the claim that “ standard” crews are generally employed by
the railroads of the United States is substantially impaired by the qualified form
of the allegations and also by the fact, which we judicially notice, that other
States have laws somewhat similar to the Arkansas act m question, i t isciear
that so far as constitutionality is concerned, the facts alleged are not sufficient
to distinguish this case from those in which this court has sustained these laws.
It was also contended that the acts were repugnant to the interstate
commerce act as amended in 1920. (49 U. S. C. A. 1 et seq.) The
company alleged that by this act Congress authorized the Interstate
Commerce Commission to regulate thê number of bi akemen and
helpers required. However, the Supreme Court said that in the
absence of a clearly expressed purpose so to do Congress will not be
held to have intended to prevent the exertion of the police power of the
States for the regulation of the number of men to be employed in such
crews.” After a careful consideration of the provisions of the act m
question the court concluded that it was very cleai that Congress
has not prescribed or empowered the commission to fix the number of
men to be employed in train or switching crews.”
The decree of the lower court dismissing the case was therefore
affirmed.
D eath R e su ltin g from D rin k in g P o llu ted W ater Held
C om p en sab le in In d ian a
HE Appellate Court of Indiana recently held that the death of a
highway employee as a result of drinking contaminated water
containing bacilli coli was “ death by accident within the Indiana
workmen’s compensation act and was compensable. (State et al. v.
Smith, 175 N. E. 146.)
From the facts of the case it appears that the deceased employee was
engaged in resurfacing a part of the State highway between Lebanon
and Frankfort, Ind. The son of the foreman was working as water
boy and had been furnishing, to Smith and the other workmen, drink
ing water taken from the mouth of a tile ditch which cained the sur
face run-off water” and was also connected directly to a septic tank
T
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which received the sewage from a farm house. The evidence dis
closed that Smith became sick on the 20th of July and on the same
day four fellow workmen also became sick. They all manifested
practically the same symptoms and the attending physician diagnosed
their infection as gastroenteritis, caused by eating impure food or
drinking impure water.
The Indiana Industrial Board awarded compensation to the widow,
and the State highway commission appealed to the Appellate Court of
Indiana, contending that the evidence was not sufficient to sustain
the inference that Smith’s death was the result of drinking polluted
water furnished by the highway commission and that the death was
not “ death by accident arising out of and in the course of his employ
ment.” Regarding the second contention the court cited the case of
Wasmuth-Endicott Co. v. Karst (133 N. E. 609), in which the court
said:
It is clear that the entering of typhoid germs into appellee’s intestines by
reason of drinking the polluted water furnished him by appellant for that pur
pose while in its employ may rightfully be termed an “ accident.”
The court therefore held that the death from the facts proven was
an accident arising out of and in the course of the employment.
The court reviewed the report of the chemist and the attending
physician and concluded the opinion by holding that—
The industrial board are the triers of the facts in cases of this kind, and where,
as in this case, 14 or 15 men are working together, and it is shown by expert evi
dence that a workman can be affected by either impure food or impure water and
5 or 6 of them are stricken with a malady from a common source, to wit, water,
the board had the right to find as an ultimate fact that it was the polluted water
that caused the death in question.
In the light of the authorities cited above, we hold that the evidence is sufficient
to sustain the award.
The award of the industrial board was therefore affirmed.
G radual Injury to M older’s H and n o t C om p en sab le in
M assa ch u setts
N INJURY to a molder’s hand, occasioned by the gradual
breaking down of tissue as the result of many years of continuous
labor requiring use of the hand, was not the result of a personal injury
arising “ out of and in the course of employment,” and was not com
pensable according to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
(Reardon’s Case, 175 N. E. 149.)
The facts developed show that for a period of approximately 25
years prior to March, 1928, John Reardon worked for the American
Tube Works. His work as a molder required the constant handling
of large crucible tongs and the lifting of other heavy objects. A
callous formed on his right hand in 1923 or 1924 and gradually de
veloped without much pain, but hindering his ability to perform the
work. In 1928 he discontinued his employment with the American
Tube Works and was engaged in sewer work for several months.
Following this employment he worked for the Boston & Albany Rail
road for about four months—“ until they had no more work for him.”
From January 1 to September 25, 1929, he was unable to work on
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account of the condition of his hand. On the latter date he entered
the Boston City Hospital, where the condition of his hand was diag
nosed as “ Dupuytren’s contracture.” He submitted to an operation
and was discharged from the hospital on October 29, 1929, completely
cured. Thereupon he filed claim for compensation to cover the
period of his disability. The Industrial Accident Board of Massa
chusetts affirmed the report of the^ single member that the employee
had received a personal injury arising out of and in the course of his
employment with the American Tube Works. On November 5, 1930,
the Superior Court of Middlesex County, after a hearing, affirmed the
award allowing compensation. The insurer thereupon appealed to
the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, where the decree was
reversed.
The court said in part as follows:
The claimant lias not proved with reasonable certainty that the injury to his
hand arose out of and in the course of his employment. There is no evidence
of a physical lesion during the long course of the claimant’s employment with the
American Tube Works which produced a chronic inflammation of the palm of his
hand. It takes 15 to 20 years to bring about a condition of the palm of the hand
such as the claimant has, and it is consequently found only in men who are getting
along in years. It is not a condition peculiar to the trade of a molder; it is occa
sioned by any work continued over a period of years that requires the grasping of
any article which causes a continuous pressure upon the palm of the hand. There
is no similarity between the injury sustained by the claimant and an injury which
an employee may sustain through the absorption of poisons. No disease is here
traceable directly to a personal injury peculiar to the employment of a molder.
The condition of the claimant’s hand marks the gradual breaking down of tissue
as the result of many years of continuous labor, and is not the result of a personal
injury within the meaning of the act. * * * The decree must be reversed
and a decree be entered for the insurer.
Recovery for Loss of W ages B ased U pon S en io rity R ig h ts
A llow ed in M in n eso ta
November, 1922, George S. George entered the employment of
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Co., as a locomotive fire
INman.
Under the contract with the company he acquired seniority
rights and could be discharged only for cause. In April of 1924 he
was an extra fireman and because of force reduction he was “ cut off
the board.” This left him free to take other employment, but did not
cause him to lose his seniority rights as a fireman. In case the force
was increased he was entitled to employment in accordance with his
seniority rights. Thereafter he was employed by the railroad com
pany as a hostler’s helper.
His work in the roundhouse was not always regular, and he did not
always respond promptly to calls. In discussing this with the super
intendent he told the superintendent that he had promising prospects
outside of railroad work and if everything went well he would quit
and that if he did not return within four days they might disregard
him. He went away and did not return and was no longer treated as
an employee.
In May, 1925, George ceased to be a member of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen because of nonpayment of dues.
However, at his request the union negotiated with the railroad com
pany relative to his reinstatement, and as a result he was reinstated
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in the employ of the company in October, 1925. Thereupon he
asserted a claim in the District Court of Hennepin County, Minn.,
for back pay during the time he was wrongfully deprived of employ
ment, based upon his seniority right as fireman. He contended that
the resignation as hostler’s helper did not interfere with his seniority
rights as an engineman. The company, however, claimed that this
amounted to a resignation both as hostler’s helper and as an engineman. The court referred this question to the jury for determination
and the jury found that the resignation as hostler’s helper did not
affect his seniority rights as an engineman, as the two positions were
entirely separate and independent.
Another claim of the company was that George was discharged for
cause and thereby lost his seniority rights. However, the jury found
that he acted reasonably and did not forfeit his seniority rights and
that a discharge was not justified.
The final contention of the railroad company was that George was
reinstated upon the condition that he waive any claim against the
railroad for wages which he had lost, as this was the agreement be
tween the union and the company. In regard to this claim George
countered that his representative in the union had no authority to
waive his claim for lost time and that before the negotiations were
closed he had so informed the officers of the railroad, for at that time
he had been expelled for nonpayment of dues and to some extent was
representing himself. Upon this question the jury found there was
neither a valid surrender of seniority rights by George nor a valid
discharge by the railroad company. The court therefore held that
the seniority rights continued and rendered judgment in favor of the
employee. On appeal the Supreme Court of Minnesota affirmed the
judgment of the district court (George v. Chicago, R. I. & P. R. Co.,
235 N. W. 673) and held that the questions were properly submitted
to the jury and that the facts, as found, justified a judgment for the
employee.
O hio F ull-C rew Law N ot A p plicable to E lectric Cars
HE Ohio Supreme Court on March 11, 1931, affirmed an opinion
of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio which held that a motor
car and an attached passenger car, to which electricity was trans
mitted by a generator connected with a gasoline motor were “ pro
pelled by electricity” and were within the exception from the Ohio
full-crew law. (Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen & Enginemen
et al. v. Public Utilities Commission, 175 N. E. 454.)
The.Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen applied
to the Ohio Public Utilities Commission for an order requiring the
Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co. to comply with the provision of
section 12553, Ohio General Code, known as the passenger full-crew
law. This section provides that no train shall be sent outside of the
yard limits, to carry passengers, with a crew consisting of less than 1
engineer, 1 fireman, 1 conductor, and 1 brakeman, and under certain
prescribed conditions additional employees. It was contended that
the railroad company was violating the statute, in that it was running
a train consisting of a motor car and one car that carried passengers
T
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between Toledo and Zanesville, Ohio, without having on the train a
full crew of four men. The commission decided that the railroad
company was not violating the provisions of section 12553, for the
reason that the train in question was not governed by that section.
The case was thereupon appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Because a gasoline motor was used in generating the electricity
which propelled the car, the contention was made by the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen that the car was run by a
gasoline motor rather than by electricity and for this reason did not
fall within the exceptions of the section. The court, however, found
no merit in this contention and said in part as follows:
We are not able to appreciate any merit in the contention that the cars in this
train were not {impelled by electricity. We think it is entirely self-evident that
they were so propelled.
And coming now to the other question as to whether they were included m the
provisions of section 12554, that question is squarely answered by the plain word
ing of the statute, which reads as follows:
“ The next preceding section shall not apply to trains picking up a car between
terminals in this State, or to cars propelled by electricity.”
.
To hold that that exception is not broad enough to cover the cars in the tram
in question would surely do violence to every known rule of construction. The
fact that the legislature has used the term “ cars,” and at another time used the
term “ trains” is not important. Evidently the legislature intended to exclude
from the operation of section 12553 all cars that were propelled by electricity.
The order of the public utilities commission was therefore affirmed.
M aine R e g u la tio n s G overning C om pressed-A ir Work
CHAPTER 164, Acts of 1931, Maine enacted a law establish
ing rules and regulations governing compressed-air work. The
BYlaw,
which in the main follows the provisions adopted in other States,
and in particular the Massachusetts act,1has been enlarged, especially
relative to the use of recording gauges, daily inspections, and the
addition of a set of signal codes, and is therefore reproduced in full:
S ec t io n 1. Regulations.—The following rules and regulations shall
apply to all construction work in the prosecution of which men are
required or permitted to labor in tunnels or caissons m compressed air.
S e c . 2. Notice.—No such work in compressed air shall be started
until seven days after the firm, corporation, commission, or person
undertaking such work has notified in writing the department of labor
and industry of such contemplated work.
S e c . 3. Responsibility.—Whenever the construction work is in
progress there shall be present at all times at least one competent
person representing the employer, or in case the work is done by con
tract the contractor who employs the men, who shall in all respects
be responsible for full compliance with these regulations and who
shall have authority to require all employees to comply with such
regulations.
S e c . 4. Daily inspection reported.—In every tunnel or section
thereof, or other work requiring the use of compressed air as covered
i'F o r th e text of th e laws of the other States, see B ureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 370—New Jersey,
pp. 717-719; New Y ork, pp. 772-774 (also Bui. N o. 403, p. 38); Pennsylvania, pp. 906-909; M assachusetts,
Jan u ary , 1931, Labor Review, pp. 115-120.
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by these regulations, there shall be a competent person designated by
the person in charge to make a regular inspection once every workingday of all tunneling appliances, boilers, engines, compressors, maga
zines, shaft houses, explosives, locks, lighting circuits, and gauges,
and it shall be his duty to report in writing to the person designating
him, on forms approved by the department of labor and industry,
the results of these inspections, which shall remain on file and shall
be subject to the inspection of the department of labor and industry
or its representatives.
S e c . 5. Pressure, shijts, and intervals.—The working time in any
24 hours shall be divided into two shifts under compressed air with
an interval in open air. The minimum rest interval in open air shall
not begin until the employee has reached the open air. Persons who
have not previously worked in compressed air shall work therein but
one shift during the first 24 hours. No person shall be subjected to
pressure exceeding 50 pounds per square inch except in emergency.
The maximum number of hours to each shift and minimum open-air
interval between the shifts during any 24 hours for any pressure, as
given in columns 1 and 2 of the following table, shall be that set
opposite such pressure in columns 3, 4, 5, and 6.
S e c . 6. Gauge pressure, etc.—
Pressure
Hours
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Column 4
Column 5
Column 6
M inim um num ber of pounds
ber of pounds
M axim um total
M axim um first
shift in com
pressed air
M inim um rest
interval in
open air
M axim um second shift in
compressed air
N orm al.
18
26
33
38
43
48
IS
26
33
38
43
48
50
8
6
4
3
2
VA
l
4
3
2
ia
i
%
A
y2
i
2
3
4
5
0
4
3
2
1A
1
H
a
The employer may determine the time of each shift when the pres
sure is less than 18 pounds, provided that the total for the two shifts
does not exceed 8 hours.
S e c . 7. Decompression.—No person employed in compressed air
shall be permitted to pass from the place in which the work is being
done to normal air, except after decompression in the intermediate lock
as follows:
A stage decompression shall be used in which a drop of one-half of
the maximum gauge pressure shall be at the rate of 5 pounds per
square inch per minute. The remaining decompression shall be at a
uniform rate and the total time of decompression shall equal the time
specified for the original maximum pressure.
(a) Where the air pressure is greater than normal and less than
15 pounds to the square inch, decompression shall be at the minimum
rate of 3 pounds per minute.
(b) Where the air pressure is 15 pounds or over and less than 20
pounds to the square inch, decompression shall be at the minimum
rate of 2 pounds per minute.
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(c) Where the air pressure is 20 pounds or over and less than 30
pounds to the square inch, decompression shall be at the minimum
rate of 3 pounds every two minutes.
(d) Where the air pressure is 30 pounds or over to the square inch,
decompression shall be at the minimum rate of 1 pound per minute.
The time of decompression shall be posted in each man lock. (See
form.)
S e c . 8. Special-attendance employee.—The decompression lock shall
be in charge of a special employee whose duty it shall be to be in
attendance at the lock during the periods of decompression and to
regulate the valves controlling the supply of air and the rate of
pressure.
S e c . 9. Employment record.—A record of the men employed under
air pressure shall be kept. This record shall show the period of stay
in the air chamber of each employee and the time taken for decom
pression.
S e c . 10. Recording gauge.—When the pressure exceeds 17 pounds
to the square inch, when practicable to do so, a recording gauge to
show the rate of decompression shall be attached to the exterior of
each man lock. The dial shall be of such size that the amount of rise
or fall in the air pressure, within any five minutes, shall be readily shown.
There shall be on the outer side of each working chamber at least
one back-pressure gauge, which shall be accessible at all times and
shall be kept in accurate working order. Additional fittings shall be
provided so that test gauges may be attached at all necessary times.
Back-pressure gauges shall be tested every 24 hours and a record kept
of such test.
A competent man shall be placed in charge of the valves and gauges
which regulate and show the pressure in the working chamber.
S e c . 11. Regulations—temperature—lighting—sanitation.—The fol
lowing provisions shall be observed in the conduct of air-pressure work:
(a) The temperature of all working chambers which are subjected
to air pressure shall, by means of aftercoolers or other suitable devices,
be maintained constantly at a temperature not to exceed 85° F.
(b) All lighting in compressed-air chambers shall be by electricity
only; nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit men from
carrying candles or other emergency lights for leaving the tunnels in
case of breakdown of the lighting system. Lighting in tunnels and
working chambers shall be supplied when practicable from a different
circuit from that supplying light in the shaft.
(c) All passages shall be kept clear and properly lighted.
(d) No nuisance shall be tolerated in the. air chamber and smoking
shall be strictly prohibited. No animal of any kind for any purpose
shall be permitted in air chambers.
S e c . 12. Compressor plant.—A good and sufficient air plant for the
compression of air shall be provided to meet not only ordinary con
ditions, but emergencies, and to provide margin for repairs at all times.
The plant shall be capable of furnishing to each working chamber a
sufficient air supply for all pressures to enable work to be done as
nearly as possible in the dry.
Duplicate air feed pipes shall be installed at all caissons.
S e c . 13. Regulations—air supply, exhaust valve, telephone commu
nications.—The air-supply pipe shall be carried to and within 100 feet
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of the face of tunnel or caisson. The air when working in ground that
is likely to be gas bearing, or in tunnels in which there is liability for
a large amount of dead air, shall be analyzed at least once in every
24 hours and the record of such analysis shall be kept at the medical
officer’s office. The amount of C 02shall never exceed 1 part in 1,000.
Exhaust valves shall be operated at intervals, expecially after a
blast. The men shall not be permitted to resume work after a blast
until the smoke and gas have cleared sufficiently. There shall be
suitable means of communicating at all times between the working
chamber, the outside thereof, and the power house on the surface.
S e c . 14. Same—shafts, locks, bulkheads, and screens.—Whenever a
shaft is used, such shaft shall be provided, where space permits, with
a safe, proper, and suitable staircase for its entire length, with landing
platforms not more than 20 feet apart. Where this is impracticable
suitable ladders shall be installed, subject to the approval of the com
missioner of labor and industry or his representative.
Shafts shall be subject to a hydrostatic pressure of 60 pounds per
square inch, at which pressure they shall be made absolutely tight
and stamped on the outside shell about 12 inches from each flange,
showing the pressure to which they have been subjected.
. AH main shafts shall be properly lighted, as required by the commis
sioner of labor and industry or his representative.
Locks, reducers, and shafting used in connection with caissons shall
be riveted construction throughout, The material used in the manu
facture shall be not less than %-inch steel plate.
All necessary instruments shall be attached to all caissons and air
locks, showing the actual air pressure to which men employed therein
are subjected. They shall include pressure gauge, timepiece, and
thermometer, and shall be accessible to and in charge of a competent
person and kept in accurate working order.
All outside caisson air locks shall be provided with a platform not
less than 42 inches wide and provided with a guard rail 42 inches high.
All caissons, whether circular, square, or rectangular in form, in
which more than 15 men are employed, shall be provided with not
less than two locks and shafts, at least one of which is to be equipped
with a timepiece and gauge, to be heated to 70° F. during the months
when heating is necessary, with valves so arranged that the lock can
be operated from within and without.
Locks shall be so located that the distance between the bottom
door and water level shall be no less than 3 feet.
S e c . 15. Medical officers, etc.—Any person or corporation carrying
on any construction work in tunnels or caissons in the prosecution of
which men are employed or permitted to work in compressed air,
shall, while such men are so employed, also employ and keep in
employment one or more duly qualified physicians or person who has
had experience in first aid in compressed-air work and approved by
the commissioner of labor to act as medical officer or officers, who
shall be in attendance at all times while such work is in progress so
as to guarantee constant medical supervision of men employed in
compressed-air work. Said medical officer shall also be charged with
the duty of enforcing the following regulations:
(a) No person shall be permitted to work in compressed air until
after he has been examined by such medical officer and reported by
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such officer to the person in charge thereof as found to be qualified,
physically, to engage in such work.
(b) No person not having previously worked in compressed air
shall be permitted during the first 24 hours of his employment to
work for longer than one-half day period (as provided in rules for
compressed-air work adopted by the department of labor and in
dustry), and after so working shall be reexamined and not permitted
to work in a place where the gauge pressure is in excess of 15 pounds
unless his physical condition be reported by the medical officer, as
heretofore provided, to be such as to qualify him for such work.
(c) In the event of absence from work, by an employee, for 10 or
more successive days for any cause, he shall not resume work until
he shall have been reexamined by the medical officer, and his physical
condition reported as heretofore provided, to be such as to permit
him to work in compressed air. _
.
.
(.d) No person known to be addicted to the excessive use of intoxi
cants shall be permitted to work in compressed air.
(e) After a person has been employed continuously in compressed
air for a period of two months he shall be reexamined by the medical
officer, and he shall not be allowed, permitted, or compelled to work
until such examination has been made, and he has been reported, as
heretofore provided, as physically qualified to engage in compressedair work.
(f) Such medical officer shall at all times keep a complete and full
record of examinations made by him, which record shall contain dates
on which examinations are made and a_ clear and full description of
the person examined, his age and physical condition at the time oi
examination (including height and weight), also the statement as to
the time such person has been engaged in like employment. This
medical officer shall also keep an accurate record of any caisson or
other disease incapacitating any person for work that shall occur in
the operation of a tunnel, caisson, or other compartment in which
compressed air is used; also a record of all loss of life that shall occur
in the operation of a tunnel, caisson, or other compartment in which
compressed air is used. These records shall be open to the inspection
of the department of labor and industry or its representatives and a
copy thereof shall be forwarded to said department within the 48
hours following the occurrence of the accident, death, injury, or
caisson disease, stating as fully as possible the cause of said death or
caisson or other disease and the place where the injured or sick person
has been taken, and such further information relative thereto as may
be required by said department.
(g) All men shall have individual lockers of reasonable size, pref
erably metal lockers.
A separate dry room shall be provided where working clothes may
he dried within reasonable time. This room shall be well heated.
One shower bath fitted with regulating valves shall be provided
for every eight men coming off shift.
One basin and stopper shall be provided for every eight men coming
off shift. Running water shall be supplied.
One toilet and one urinal shall be provided for every 20 men
employed on each shift, and protection from the weather shall be
afforded.
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A sufficient amount of hot and cold water shall be supplied at all
times.
. ^ minimum temperature of 70° F. shall be maintained at all times
m wash and dressing rooms.
Coffee andutensils: A sufficient supply of hot coffee and sugar
shall be supplied to men working in compressed air at .the termination
of shifts and during rest periods. Coffee shall be heated by means
other than direct steam. Coffee containers and cups shall be kept
in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. All containers shall
be kept covered at all times.
(h)
Whenever compressed-air work is carried on during the period
from October ! to April 1, a covered passageway shall be provided
from the opening into the caisson or tunnel to the lockers or dressing
rooms of the employees if practicable, and if not, heated blankets or
outer clothing shall be furnished.
(;j) 4 medical lock at least 6 feet in height shall be established and
maintained in connection with all work in compressed air. Such
lock shall be kept properly heated, lighted, and ventilated, and shall
contain proper medical and surgical equipment. Such lock shall be
in charge of the medical officer. Said lock shall be divided into two
compartments. Each door shall be provided with a bull’s-eye and
fitted with air valves so arranged to be operated from within and
without.
The patient’s chamber in the medical air lock shall be so arranged
that the patients may be kept under constant observation through a
nonshatterable glass window without the necessity of the attendant
entering the chamber.
O’) Identification badge: An identification badge, such as approved
by the department of labor and industry, shall be furnished to all
employees, advising police officials that the employee is a compressedair worker, stating the location of medical lock and stating that in
cases of emergency an ambulance surgeon shall remove the patient
to the medical lock and not to the hospital.
S e c . 16. Daily inspection—apparatus.—While work is in progress
a competent person designated therefor shall make a regular inspec
tion, at least once every working-day, of all engines, boilers, steam
pipes, drills, air pipes, air gauges, air locks, dynamos, electric wiring,
signaling apparatus, brakes, cages, buckets, hoists, cables, ropes,
timbers, supports, and all other apparatus and appliances; and he
shall immediately upon discovery of any defect, report same in waiting
to the person present in charge.
S e c . 17. Travel regulations.—No employee shall ride on any loaded
car, cage, or bucket nor walk up or down any incline or shaft while
any car, cage, or bucket is above.
S e c . 18. Exhaust valves.—Exhaust valves shall be provided, having
risers extending to the upper part of chamber, if necessary, and shall
be operated at such times as may be required and especially after a
blast, and men shall not be required to resume work after a blast •
until the gas and smoke have cleared.
S e c . 19. Explosives.—Only experienced men wdio have been selected
and regularly designated by the engineer or superintendent in charge,
and whose names have been posted in the field office or at the maga
zine, shall handle, transport, prepare, or use dynamite or other high
explosives.
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(a) The composition of explosives shall be such as to cause the least
amount of injurious gases.
(ib) All explosives shall be stored in a magazine provided for that
purpose, and located far enough from the working shaft, tunnel, boiler
house, or engine room so that in case the whole quantity should be
exploded there would be no danger, and all explosives in excess of what
are needed for one shift shall be kept in the magazine. Such magazine
should be fireproof, and so constructed that a modern rifle or pistol
bullet can not penetrate it. A suitable place for thawing powder
shall be provided and kept in condition for use. The thawing should
be done by the hot-water or steam-bath method; the use of dry heat
is absolutely prohibited. A receptacle for carrying explosives shall
not be kept in the same room. A suitable place separated from tunnel
or caisson, boilers or engine room shall be provided for preparing
charges. One man shall have full charge of magazine.
If the conditions under which the work is being performed make it
necessary for the storage of explosives in tunnel or caisson, permission
may be granted by the department of labor and industry or its
representatives on application of engineer in charge of work, with
good and sufficient reasons; then only in quantities sufficient for one
blast. This certificate shall prescribe the limits to the amount of
explosives allowed in the tunnels or caissons at any one time and shall
expire after being used.
Explosives and detonators shall be taken separately into the caisson.
After blasting is completed, all explosives and detonators shall be
returned at once to the magazine, observing the same rules as when
conveyed to the work.
(c) Detonators shall be inserted in the explosives only as required
for each round of blasting. Detonators shall not be inserted in the
explosives without first making a hole in the cartridge with a sharpened
stick. No holes shall be loaded except those to be fired at the next
round of blasting. All explosives remaining after loading a round
must be removed from the caisson before any wires are connected.
Blaster shall use only hard wood rods for tamping and he shall not
tamp or load any hole with a metal bar, nor shall the wooden rod have
any metal parts.
All lights used when loading shall be of an inclosed type. If electric
flash lamps are used, they shall be so constructed that it will not be
possible to obtain a difference of potential between any two points on
the outside of the lamp casing.
(d) There shall be one blaster in charge of blasting and he shall
enforce his orders and directions and personally supervise the fixing of
all charges and all other blasting operations and shall use every
precaution to insure safety.
When firing by electricity from power or lighting wires, a proper
switch shall be furnished with lever down when “ off.”
The switch shall be fixed in a locked box to which no person shall
have access except the blaster. There shall be provided flexible leads
or connecting wires not less than 5 feet in length with one end attached
to the incoming lines and the other end provided with plugs that can
be connected to an effective ground. After blasting, the switch lever
shall be pulled out, the wires disconnected, and the box locked before
any person shall be allowed to return, and shall remain so locked until
again ready to blast.
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In the working chamber all electric-light wires shall be provided
with a disconnecting switch, which must be thrown to disconnect all
current from the wires in the working chamber before electric-light
wires are removed or the charge exploded.
The blaster shall cause a sufficient warning to be sounded and shall
be responsible that all persons retreat to safe shelter before he sets off
blast, and shall also see that none return until he reports it safe for them.
He shall report to the foreman and furnish names of all persons
refusing to obey his caution.
(e)
After the blast is fired loosened pieces of rock shall be scaled
from the sides of the excavation and after the blasting is completed
the entire working chamber shall be thoroughly scaled.
CO The foreman in charge shall inspect the working chamber and
have all loose rock or ground removed and the chamber made safe
before proceeding with the work.
(g) Drilling must not be started until all remaining butts of old
holes are examined for unexploded charges.
S e c . 20. Signal codes.—Any code of signals used shall be printed,
and copies thereof, in such languages as may be necessary to be under
stood by all persons affected thereby, shall be kept posted in a con
spicuous place near entrances to work places and in such other places
as may be necessary to bring them to the attention of all persons
affected thereby.
. Effective and reliable signaling devices shall be maintained at all
times to give instant communication between the bottom and top of
the shaft.
T he following code of signals shall be used for the operation of any
car, cage, or bucket:
1 bell—stop if in motion or hoist if not in motion.
2 bells—lower.
3 bells—run slowly and carefully.
On all work in compressed air, where the whistle and repeating rap
are used, the following code shall be used:
1 whistle or rap—hoist.
1 whistle or rap with a rattle—hoist slowly.
2 whistles or raps—come to stop at once.
3 whistles or raps with a rattle—lower slowly.
4 whistles or raps—open high pressure.
4 whistles or raps with a rattle—shut off high pressure.
5 whistles or raps—call person in charge.
6 whistles or raps—fights are out.
7 whistles or raps—lights are all right.
8 whistles or raps—emergency call.
In all cases reply signals, repeating the original signals, must be
made before proceeding.
Additional signals to meet local conditions may be adopted.
The minimum size of type to be used in notices shall be not less
than 1 inch in height.
S e c . 21. Bracings.—All caissons shall be properly and adequately
braced before loading with concrete or other weight.
S e c . 22. Fire prevention.—All reasonable precaution shall be taken
against fire hazards, and such regulations as may be prescribed by
the commissioner for protection against fire shall be promptly
complied with.
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S e c . 23. Posting of labor law.—Copies of such sections of the
labor law as apply shall be furnished by the department of labor and
industry to the person in charge and posted by him in a conspicuous
place at the entrance to each work place.
S e c . 24. Definition.—Whenever in the foregoing the words “ ade
quate,” “ suitable,” “ proper,” or “ safe” are used, they shall be
understood to mean adequate, suitable, proper, or safe m the opinion
of the department of labor and industry.
S e c . 25. Modification or suspension of regulations.—These regula
tions may be modified or suspended in whole or in part by the com
missioner of labor and industry if good and sufficient reason therefor
is presented to the department at a hearing where all parties are
given an opportunity to be present or represented.
S e c . 26. Violations.—Whoever violates any reasonable rule,
regulation, order, or requirement made by the department of labor
and industry under authority hereof shall be punished by a fine of
not more than $100.
Federal L eg isla tio n in B eh alf of Porto R ican Labor
Creation of Department of Labor
DEPARTMENT of Labor was created in Porto Rico by a
Federal act approved February 18, 1931 (Public, No. 677, 71st
Cong.), amending the act of March 2, 1917, which provided a civil
government for that island. Previous to the passage of this amend
ment there was a bureau of labor in the Porto Rican Department of
Agriculture and Labor.
_
.
The head of the newly created department is designated the com
missioner of labor, who “ is appointed by the Governor, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate of Porto Rico,” for a 4-year
term. The commissioner of labor has charge of such government
bureaus and branches as are now in existence or to be legally estab
lished “ to foster and promote the welfare of the wage earners of
Porto Rico; to improve their working conditions, and to advance
their opportunities for profitable employment.”
A
Provision for Vocational Education and Civilian Rehabilitation
U n d e r an act approved March 3 , 1931 (Public, No. 791, 71st
Cong.), Porto Rico is entitled to share in the benefits of the act of
1917 (and amendments) to provide for the promotion of vocational
education and for cooperation with the States in such promotion.
In this connection authorization is given for an appropriation from
the United States Treasury for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1932,
and for each subsequent year the sum of $105,000, to be available
for allotment to Porto Rico upon conditions specified in the law.^
It is also provided in the same act that Porto Rico shall be entitled
to share in the benefits of the act of June 2, 1920, “ to provide for the
promotion of vocational rehabilitation of persons disabled in inclustry
or otherwise and their return to civil employment.” An appropriation
of $15,000 per annum is authorized for the two years beginning
July 1, 1931, for an allotment to Porto Rico to aid in the carrying
on of activities looking to the converting of the physically handi
capped into efficient wage earners.
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WORKERS’ EDUCATION AND TRAINING
C ooperative Program of A n tioch C ollege
I
AST spring 528 cooperative students of Antioch College gave their
.J opinion on the part-time working program of that institution.1
Only 10 per cent, mainly freshmen and sophomores, reported that
work periods were a drawback to college study.
Upper-class students set a higher value on their jobs than do the
freshmen. A majority of the seniors saw possibilities for promotion.
Ninety per cent of the seniors, but barely 50 per cent of the fresh
men, stated they had learned much from their fellow wage earners.
Ability to learn from practical life seems to increase with the ex
perience of such life.
Vocational guidance is important at Antioch College. Over twothirds of the seniors had changed their vocational plans since they
entered as freshmen. Four-fifths of the seniors were of the opinion
that their jobs led to careers, and only 5 per cent of all the students
thought that their cooperative jobs should not be retained by the
institution.
The first-year men’s earnings averaged $20.47 per week; the senior
men’s $30.31. The earnings of woman students are not so high.
W orkers’ E d u cation al A ssociation of O ntario
HE record of the Workers’ Educational Association during the past
year is reported to have been “ splendid ” by the Canadian Congress
Journal of March, 1931. Eleven classes have been organized in
Toronto, 3 in Hamilton, 2 in London, and one each in Kitchener,
Windsor, St. Catherines, Brantford, Niagara Falls, Prescott, and
Stratford, largely as a result of the activities of the association’s
organizing secretary. The students are all workers in the strictest
sense of the word. Although economics is the main subject followed,
there are also classes in labor problems, psychology, English, and
public speaking. Furthermore, 21 public meetings have been held,
at which addresses were delivered on current topics, most of them
relating to economics. The interest taken in the library recently
accumulated under the auspices of the association is shown by the
number of books sent out every day to students in all parts of Ontario.
This educational movement has been aided greatly by the University
of Toronto, which has furnished the pay for all the tutors during the
year except two for the London classes, whose pay was provided by
the University of Western Ontario in that city.
Recently the association has set up a new scheme in compliance
with requests from several hundred unemployed workers that they be
T
1 The Vocational Guidance Magazine.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Cambridge, Mass., February, 3931, p. 230.
U367]
101
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
102
afforded opportunity for education in elementary subjects to equip
themselves to battle more effectively for a living. Classes of this
kind, have now been organized in Toronto. Volunteer teachers have
been provided by the Ontario College of Education. No fees are
charged for the instruction, which is proving highly popular and of
very considerable value.
R ecen t D ev elo p m en ts in C h in ese M ass E d u cation
establishment of a demonstration and training center for
rural reconstruction in Ting Hsien1 is one of the very latest
THE
developments in the mass education movement in China, according
to recent correspondence from Y. C. James Yen, general director of
that movement.2
,
.
Approximately a year ago a health campaign was started in Ting
Hsien, recourse being had to the experience and technique of literacy
drives in previous years.3 Three market days were selected for this
educational propaganda, as on such days more people were gathered
together in the open air. Campaign posters were used, parades with
military bands were arranged, speeches were made, little dramas
acted, lantern slides and moving pictures shown, and even the radio
was utilized. The resultant interest and enthusiasm far surpassed
the highest expectations of the promoters. At a follow-up conference
the Ting Hsien gentry formed a health association with an executive
committee which has energetically engaged in acquainting the
people with the need for vaccination. A constructive 2-year health
program has been outlined.
Another significant accomplishment is stated to have been the set
ting up of a training school to educate the youth of Ting Hsien in the
principles and technique of this reconstruction movement. The
leaders in these activities realize that without such provision the
campaign might be successful in this district and stop there. _ The
training experiment has been so encouraging to those making it
that it has been decided to increase the number of students from 30
(the number enrolled the first year) to 80, or possibly 100, one-third
of them to be women. Moreover, the 1-year course has been length
ened to two years.
There were 50 delegates at the Ting Hsien literacy institute, some
of whom had traveled two weeks in order to reach the mass education
headquarters. This conference is reported to be “ the first step
toward reducing illiteracy among the members of the Protestant
Church in China.”
1 “ H sien ” is the Chinese word for “ co u n ty .”
2 Journal of A d u lt Education, Philadelphia, April, 1931, p. 248.
3 See M onthly Labor Review, W ashington, January, 1930. M ovem ent for education of the people m
China, pp. 83-85.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 6 8 ]
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
S trik es and L ock outs in th e U n ited S ta te s in April, 1931
ATA regarding industrial disputes in the United States for April,
1931, with comparable data for preceding months are presented
below. Disputes involving fewer than six workers and lasting less
than one day have been omitted.
Table 1 shows the number of disputes beginning in 1927,1928,1929,
and 1930, number of workers involved and man-days lost for these
years and for each of the months—January, 1929, to April, 1931,
inclusive—as well as the number of disputes in effect at the end of
each month and the number of workers involved. The economic loss
(in man-days) involved is computed by multiplying the number of
workers affected in each dispute by the length of the dispute measured
in working-days as normally worked by the industry or trade in
question.
D
d is p u t e s
b e g in n in g
in
and
in
effec t
at
end
of
M O N T H , JA N U A R Y , 1929, TO A P R IL , 1931, A N D 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 , A N D M A N -D A Y S LO ST IN T H E Y E A R S 1927, 1928, 1929, A N D 1930
’
N um ber of workers in
volved in disputes
N um ber of
m an-days
lost during
Beginning In effect at Beginning In effect at m onth of
in m onth
end of
in m onth
end of
year
or year
m onth
or year
m onth
N um ber of disputes
M o n th and year
1927:
1928:
1929:
1930:
Total.
Total.
Total.
Total.
Jan u a ry . __
F eb ru ary ..
M arch
A pril_____
M a y . .. .. ..
Ju n e _____
J u ly _____
A ugust___
September.
O c to b e r...
Novem ber.
D ecem ber.
734
629
903
653
37, 799, 394
31, 556, 947
9, 975, 213
2, 730, 368
1929
Jan u a ry . _.
F ebruary. _
M arch___
A pril_____
M ay _____
Ju n e _____
Ju ly --------A ugust___
September.
O ctober__
November.
D ecem ber.
Ja n u a ry ..
February.
M arch >..
A p r il1__
349,434
357,145
230, 463
158,114
48
54
77
117
115
73
80
78
98
69
61
33
36
35
37
53
73
57
53
43
49
31
32
21
14, 783
22,858
14,031
32, 989
13, 668
19, 989
36,152
25,616
20, 233
16, 315
10, 443
3, 386
39, 569
40, 306
40, 516
52, 445
64, 853
58, 152
15, 589
6,714
8,132
6,135
6, 067
2, 343
951, 914
926, 679
1,074, 468
1,429,437
1, 727, 694
1,627, 565
1, 062, 428
358, 148
244, 864
272, 018
204,457
95, 541
45
52
49
64
66
59
78
51
72
47
44
26
21
40
38
41
29
34
30
33
44
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
56
' 52
42
47
20
34
25
41
10,147
19, 984
25, 546
16, 331
2,927
12, 512
27, 574
14,855
181,031
228, 329
420,148
598,525
1931
1 Prelim inary figures subject to change.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1369]
103
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
104
Occurrence of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
T able 2 gives by industry the number of strikes beginning in Feb
ruary, March, and April, 1931, and the number of workers directly
involved.
T able 2 .—IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN F E B R U A R Y , M A R C H , A N D A P R IL ,
1931
N um ber of workers involved
in disputes beginning in—
N um ber of disputes
beginning in—
In d u stry
February
Auto carriage ami wagon workers
Fakers
- - - _____
....
............... .
Building trades
Chauffeurs, team sters _ __- - ___
Clerks salesmen
Clothing
__
_ ________ _ _
Electrical, gas appliance, and radio w orkers.
Farm lahor
Food workers
F u rn itu re
Class workers
Thanndry workers
__ __ _ _ _
Leather
.
. . .
Longshoremen, freight handlers
Tillmher, tim ber, and mill work
M in ers..
_ _
____
M otion-picture operators, actors, and theatrieal workers
Printing and publishing
S tationary engineers and firemen
Textiles
___________ __ _ _ _
__
O ther oe.oii pat ions
Total
.
. .
1
10
4
1
12
1
1
3
2
1
1
3
February
April
M arch
1
14
2
18
2
5
8
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
1
4
M arch
April
100
6
525
244
6
7,245
14
2,000
1,212
14
4, 993
506
241
1,202
54
174
70
75
12
30
50
125
22, 906
128
2,000
12
385
500
60
400
7, 640
29
11
11
1
8
1
8
1
7, 145
100
771
20
756
100
52
42
47
19,984
25, 546
16, 331
Size and Duration of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
T able 3 gives the number of industrial disputes beginning in April,
1931, classified by number of workers and by industries.
T able 3 —N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN A P R IL , 1931, CLASSI
F IE D BY N U M B E R OF W O R K E R S A N D BY IN D U S T R IE S
N u m b er of disputes beginning in April, 1931, in v o lv in g in d u stry
500 and
20 and
100 and
6 and
under 20 under 100 under 500 under
1,000
workers workers workers workers
1
Auto, carriage, and wagon workers.
Building trad es_________________
Chauffeurs, te a m ste rs.--______- . ..
C lothing_______________________
Food w orkers___________________
L au n d ry w orkers________________
L eather________________________
Longshoremen, freight han d lers__
M iners_________________________
Stationary engineers a n d firem en..
Textiles________________________
Other occupations..............................
Total
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1,000 and 5,000 and
under
under
10,000
5,000
workers workers
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
9
[1370]
20
12
3
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
105
In Table 4 are shown the number of industrial disputes ending in
April, 1931, by industries and classified duration.
T a b l e 4 —N U M B E R O F IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S E N D IN G IN A P R IL , 1931, BY IN D U S
T R IE S A N D C L A S S IF IE D D U R A T IO N
Classified duration of strikes ending in April, 1931
In d u stry
One-half
m onth or
less
A uto, carriage, and wagon workers_______________ _
Building trad es___ _ _ _______ .
C h a u ffe u rs .____
C lo th in g .____.
___
L um ber, tim ber, and m ill work _
M iners_________
Textiles . .
O ther occupations... . . . . . .
T otal.
___
1
6
i
7
1
1
6
1
24
Over onehalf and
less th a n
1 m onth
1 m onth
a nd less
than
2 m onths
2 m onths
and less
th a n
3 months
1
1
2
i
1
1
3
3
1
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in April, 1931
Drivers, Chicago—A successful 1-day strike of some 1,300 drivers
and chauffeurs, members of Commission Drivers, Chauffeurs and
Helpers Union, Local No. 703, against a proposed wage reduction
and longer hours is reported to have been in effect on April 1.
Bituminous coal miners, Illinois.—A strike involving 1,800 coal
miners and affecting several mines of the O’Gara Coal Co. near Harris
burg began on April 1 and ended on May 2.
The miners objected to the introduction of loading machines.
Apparently the strike was unsuccessful.
Painters, paper hangers, and decorators, New Jersey.—A strike or
strikes aggregating 3,710 organized painters, paper hangers and dec
orators against a wage reduction by the Master Painters’ Association
from $12 to $10 per day is reported to have begun on April 1 and to
have ended successfully by May 1. Various cities and towns through
out the State were affected, including Newark, Millburn, Orange,
New Brunswick, Elizabeth, etc. Settlements affecting the different
cities were concluded on April 26, April 28, and May 1.
#Anthracite coal miners, Pennsylvania.—The Lehigh Coal & Naviga
tion Co. of Lansford was affected by a strike of 7,000 miners at its
collieries in the Panther Creek Valley from April 4 to May 2. It is
understood that the men wanted operating conditions so changed as
to give work to additional miners who were idle in District No. 7,
but they resumed work under the former conditions.
The Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co. of Pottsville was also
affected by a strike beginning on April 11 and ending on April 28
involving directly or indirectly some 5,700 employees at their mines in
Schuylkill and Northumberland Counties. The strikers objected to
the temporary closing down of a section at the Locust Gap Colliery and
remained away from work, it is said, against the advice of their district
officers, and returned without receiving any concession.
58726°—31-----8
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1371]
106
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Cleaners and dyers, New Jersey.—Some 560 organized' cleaners and
dyers in Newark and other localities struck on April 14 because of a
disagreement over wages, hours, etc. The strike is understood to
have ended successfully on April 20.
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing Into April, 1931
Textile workers, Philadelphia.—It is understood that the strike of
upholstery weavers, which began on February 2 because they refused
to accept an arbitration award reducing wages 14 per cent, has been
settled with the acceptance of the award by the weavers, and the
resumption of operations by the mills on May 4.
Hosiery workers, Philadelphia.—No report has been received of the
ending of the strike of full-fashioned hosiery workers affecting non
union and open-shop mills, which began on February 16.
C o n cilia tio n W ork of th e D e p a r tm en t of Labor in April, 1931
By H u g h L . K e r w i n , D ir e c t o r
of
C o n c il ia t io n
HE Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer
cised his good offices in connection with 57 labor disputes during
April, 1931. These disputes affected a known total of 53,038 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.
On May 1, 1931, there were 39 strikes before the department
for settlement and in addition 20 controversies which had not reached
the strike stage. The total number of cases pending was 59.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1372]
LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E D U R IN G T H E M O N T H O F A P R IL , 1931
W orkers in
volved
D uration
C om pany or in d u stry and loca
tion
Parm lee T ransportation
P ittsb u rg h , Pa.
Co.,
Commission merchants, Chicago,
111.
N atu re of
controversy
Threatened
strike.
Strike_____
C raftsm en con
cerned
W agon d riv e rs..
Proposed wage cut and longer
hours.
N onunion workers em ployed.___
Protest against im portation of
laborers a t 62J^ cents per hour;
prevailing rate, 75 cents.
D ischarges_______ _____________
A djusted. No cut; w orkday half A pr.
hour shorter.
P en d in g _________________________
d o ___
U nable to a d ju s t ..:_______________ A pr. 10
A pr.
2
M ay
9
A djusted. Companies agreed toreem ploy as m any as possible.
M ar.
A pr.
3
P e n d in g ..____ __________________
M ar. 24
A pr.
2 10, 000
C o n c e s sio n e m
ployees.
M iners__________
A ttem pted to secure union agree
m ent w ith exposition committee.
Renewal of agreement fixing scale
and conditions.
C harlton M ill, Fall River, M ass.
Strike..
Textile w eavers.
Asked readjustm ent of wages.
__._do_
B uilding______
Wage cut__________________
Painters, B altim ore, M d _______ L ockout___ P ain ters.
B uilding crafts, Cedar R apids, Threatened ___ d o . ..
Iowa.
strike.
R em ington Arms, Ilion, N . Y ___ ___ d o _____ M a c h in is ts a n d
toolmakers.
V incent H orrow itz Co. (Inc.), StrikeSlipper w orkers___
N ew Y ork C ity. ______
Feifer Bros. Co., New York C ity . Strike..
___ d o ___________
O lym pic Suit Case Co., New ___ d o.
Bag and slipper
Y ork C ity.
makers.
Slipper m akers, New Y ork C ity- ___ d o _____ Slipper m akers___
1 N o t reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1931
P ending_________________________
B uilding, W aterloo, Iow a______
C abinetm akers, Philadelphia, P a . Controversy
1931
A pr. 2
D i- I In d i
rectly Irectly
C abinetm akers.
Wage d ispute_______________
Proposed 25 per cent wage c u t.
Proposed 10 per cent wage c u t.
1
A djusted. N ew agreem ent con M ar. 1
cluded; $6.10 per day and m inor
changes in w orking conditions.
A djusted. R eturned; request for in Apr. 6
crease w ithdraw n.
A djusted. C arpenters accepted cut A pr. 1
from $1.12)4 per hour to $1.07)4;
plasterers, $1.50 to $1.37)4; m etal
workers, 92)4 to 90)4 cents.
A djusted. A greem ent C oncluded... . ..d o ___
A djusted. Painters settled w ithout M ar. 1
c u t.
P e n d in g ___________________ _•_____ A pr, 1
20 per cent wage cut; asked union A djusted. Signed individual agree
recognition.
m ents; returned w ithout change.
Wage cut of 10 per cent_________ ___ d o ___________________________
Shop conditions________________ ___ d o ___________________________
Wage cuts and shop conditions___ A djusted. No cut; union agreem ent
concluded.
Proposed wage cut of 10 cents per A djusted. Agreed to abide b y 5hour.
year agreem ent now in effect.
M ar. 26
900
C1)
16
M ay
1
110
A pr.
4
400
A pr. 15
A pr. 11
M ar. 30
A pr. 2
A pr. 10
110
180
1, 500
150
15
110
60
A pr. 17
A pr. 20
A pr.
M ay
3
1,300
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
[1 3 7 3 ]
-do_
E nding
Dismissal of m embers of u n io n ___
M iners.
-d o .
B egin
ning
Taxicab drivers.
Jefferson B arracks, St. Louis, Mo Controversy B uilding trad es.
Scotts F ield, Belleville, 111______ ___ d o _____ ___ d o _________
B lue D iam ond & N ew Jellico
Coal Co., Eagan, Coal Creek,
and M orely, Tenn.
C en tu ry of Progress Exposition,
Chicago, 111.
M iners, D istrict No. 11, In diana.
Cause of dispute
Present statu s and term s of settle
m ent
4
o
-d
LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E D U R IN G T H E M O N T H OF A P R IL , 1931—Continued
O
00
W orkers in
volved
D uration
C om pany or in d u stry and loca
tion
N atu re of
controversy
Craftsm en con
cerned
-do_
P a in te rs, decora
tors, and paper
hangers.
___ d o ___________
Painters, Sum m it, M ilburn,
Orange, and W est Orange, N . J.
Painters, N ew Brunsw ick, R ah
w ay, and Elizabeth, N . J _____
Painters, N ew ark, N . J ________
Painters, Passaic, Paterson, and
H ackensack, N . J.
C entennial L eather Co., P h ila
delphia, Pa.
Real E s ta te Board, Chicago, 111-.
—3 Post Office building, P ittsburg,
£
K ans.
Brow n U niversity, Providence,
R. I.
____d o .
____do-
_do.
_do.
Controversy. L eather w orkers. .
____d o -------___ d o .
Jan ito rs________ _
B u ild in g_________
Cause of dispute
Present statu s and term s of settle
m ent
Wages cut from $12 to $10 per day._ A djusted. Renewed agreem ent at
$12 per day.
_do.
_do_
_do.
Begin
ning
E nding
1931
Apr. 1
1931
A pr. 28
_do_
do
.d o .
.d o .
do
__ do
Wages and conditions----------------- A djusted. F irm canceled contract
for objectionable work.
Proposed wage cut of 12 per cent._- A djusted. N ew agreem ent con
cluded providing 5 per cent wage
cut.
P
en
d in g _________ _______ ________
Refusal to pay prevailing wage----
Digitized for
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
900
470
__do
A pr. 26
__ M ay 1
940
1,400
M ar. 26
A pr.
7
' 17
M ar.
M ar. 16
4,000
1
Asked increase from $1.25 to $1.37b> A djusted. R equest for increase A pr. 3 A pr. 23
w ithdraw n; returned to work
per hour.
w ith union agreem ent
U
nable
to adjust. C ontractor re __d o ___ A pr. 28
Alleged
failure
to
pay
prevailing
.d o .
B uilding, Providence, R. I._
fused union recognition and pay
wage; violation of agreem ent by
m ent of prevailing wage.
workers.
A pr. 14
P a i n t e r s , d e c o R epudiation of agreement; asked P ending________________________
P ainters, Philadelphia, P a ______Controversy.
increase of 5 cents per hour.
rators, and paper
hangers.
Cleaners and dyers. Wages, hours, and conditions in A djusted. U nion agreement con ___do___ A pr. 20
Cleaners and dyers, N ew ark, N . J. Strikecluded.
new agreem ent.
U nable to adjust. M ay be able to Jan. 2 M ay 5
Federal B uilding, Salt Lake T hreatened S t r u c t u r a l - i r o n D ispute relative to 5-day w eek---obtain
concession from general con
workers.
strike.
C ity, U tah .
tractors.
P
e
n
d
in
g
------------------------------------ Apr. 1
Pocketbook makers, N ew York Controversy. Pocketbook makers Proposed 25 per cent wage c u t----C ity.
do
.d
o
.
U
nion
objected
to
em
ploym
ent
G old b latt D ep artm en t Store, ___ d o -------- B arb ers__________
of nonunion barbers below
South Chicago, 111.
union wages.
A djusted. U nion m en employed. __.do----- A pr. 14
Ideal C onstruction Co., M uncie, Controversy H oisting engineers. E m ploym ent of union m e n --------Ind.
P ending....................... - ------ ---------W estinghouse Bridge Co., E ast Strike_____ C arpenters, iron Jurisdiction; pile drivers claimed
certain work.
workers, and pile
P ittsb u rg h , Pa.
FRASER
drivers.
Strike..
D i In d i
rectly rectly
9
o
21-3
w
F
K¡
F
>
W
o
W
W
H
(i)
22
C arpenters, brick
layers, and iron
workers.
L aborers_________
24
0
3
52
560
600
5, 000
4
3
«
47
Philadelphia & Reading Coal
Co., Pottsville, Pa.
_do.
M iners.
Asked equal distribution of w o rk .. A djusted. G r i e v a n c e s w i l l go
through regular channels; m iners
returned to w ork.
Wages and w orking conditions___ P ending____________________ ____ _
[1375]
A dm inistration B uilding, public Strike..
schools, Philadelphia, Pa.
N ew ark Silk Co., W ilkes-Barre, ___ do.
Pa.
G rand T heater, Scranton, P a ___ Controversy
C onant B akery, D etroit, M ich ... Threatened
strike.
G ranite workers, Concord, M ass. S trike_____
O perators_______
Bakers and confec
tionery workers.
G ranite w o rkers...
D eep W aterw ay, Joliet, 111_____
Threatened
strike.
B uilding________
B uilding, H ouston, T ex______
G ulf B uilding, P ittsburgh, P a .
Controversy
___ do_____
R oad building, Greenwich, Conn.
S. K . S. F u r Dressing Co., Jersey
C ity, N . J.
M ajestic Silk M ills (Inc.), Allen
tow n, Pa.
.March Field Barracks, San B er
nardino, Calif.
M o u n t H ope M ills, W arren and
Providence, R . I.
Coal mines, H arlan C ounty, K y ..
C has. E . Giretz & Sons, Joliet,
111,
Strike..
___ do.
R oad workers.
F u r w orkers...
Renewal of agreem ent expiring
A pril 1.
Failure to pay prevailing wage
except to electricians and operat
ing engineers.
Wages cu t from 15 to 25 per c e n t.. _
Jurisdiction of ironw ork a nd pile
driving.
Wage cuts______________________
___ d o ._________________________
___ do.........
Silk w orkers.
Wages cut 5 to 10 per c e n t...
Total..
1 N ot reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
E lectricians..
Silk w orkers.
_do_
.d o .
C arpenters, brick
layers, etc.
S trike______ Textile w orkers___
N onunion subcontractor engaged
on building.
Wages cut 10 per c e n t___________
N onunion operators em ployed___
Wages cut $5 per w eek________
17
A pr. 30
100
20
30
A pr. 21
200
600
Apr.
6
A pr. 18
4
36
Apr.
1
A pr.
4
20
50
...d o . —
A pr.
5
50
21
A pr. 23
65
29
22
M ay 1
A pr. 25
2
200
Apr.
1
A pr. 10
200
M ar.
1
14
A djusted. Compromised on 7 per
cent cut; p a rt piecework.
A djusted. Compromised differences.
A djusted. Old rates restored_____
A djusted. 3-year agreem ent; $9 for
8-hour day; 5-day w eek in w inter.
P ending______ ___________________
_do_
A djusted. Settled; structural-iron
workers retained on job.
P ending_________________________
A djusted. O thers em ployed; in
creased $10 per week.
P ending_________________________
(!)
14
A djusted. R eturned and negotia
tions continued.
A djusted. Forem an not reinstated .
P e n d in g _________________________
5,700
(!)
15
.d o .
A djusted. Agreeement concluded
b y strikers. Engineers returned.
A djusted. No cut; w ill abide by
former agreem ent.
A djusted. N o cut; agreed to abide
b y 1930 agreem ent; negotiations
continued.
P ending_________________________
A pr. 28
60
10
175
28
15
A pr. 20
(!)
0)
24
10
A pr. 17
916
26
26
2,000
1,400
2.5
100
3
67
Controversy
P ay m en t of prevailing wage.
.d o .
10
26
18
200
___ do_____
Controversy
Protest introduction of longer
.d o .
hours.
Wage cuts and w orking conditions _ ___do.
Jurisdiction; tw o lo c a l unions ___do.
claim w ork.
15
29
10,000
25
160
46,071
6,967
M iners__________
C h a u ffe u rs an d
team sters.
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Post-office building, Indianapolis, Controversy. B uilding.
In d .
Indianapolis Power & L ight Co., ____d o _____ ___ d o __
E m ploym ent of union or non
Indianapolis, Ind.
union workers.
Lycoming M anufacturing Co., Strike_____ M otor-m etal prod Piecework introduced and wages
W illiam sport, Pa.
ucts makers.
reduced.
Bliss Silk Co., Dickson C ity, Pa_.
__do.
Silk w orkers_____ D ismissal of m ill superintendent.
Forest C ity M anufacturing Co.
_.do_
L a d ie s ’ g a rm e n t Wages cut; hours inc re a se d ..___
Collinsville, 111.
workers.
R alph Sollett & Sons, In d ia n ___ d o . ..
H oisting engineers. S ym pathy w ith trades on strike
apolis, Ind.
elsewhere.
Plasterers, N iagara Falls, N . Y_. Lockout .
P lasterers..
Wages c u t from $1.50 to $1.25 per
hour.
C arpenters, N iagara Falls, N . Y _ Strike__
C arpenters.
Proposed wage cut from $1.25 to
$1.05 per hour.
11
126
O
O
110
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Labor D isp u tes in th e P h ilip p in e Islan d s, 1925 to 1929
TATISTICS on strikes in the Philippines, 1925 to 1929, taken
from the 1929 Statistical Bulletin of the Philippine Bureau of
Commerce and Industry, are summarized in the table below :
S
S T R IK E S IN T H E P H IL IP P IN E S , 1925 TO 1929
N um ber
of strikes
Year
1925_______________________________
1926_______________________________
1927_______________________________
1928_______________________________
1929_______________________________
T o tal___ ______ - - -
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
----------
N um ber of
strikers
Object or cause of
strike
D ispute settled in
favor of—
For
higher
wages
ploy
W orkers Emers
O ther
23
27
53
38
26
9,936
7, 279
8,567
4,729
4,939
12
18
33
21
13
11
9
20
17
13
19
16
39
21
10
4
11
14
17
16
167
35, 450
97
70
105
62
[1376]
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
Work of U n ion In su ran ce C om p an ies in 19301
HE Union Cooperative Insurance Co., an organization owned by
the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, completed
its sixth year of operations on December 31, 1930.
It is stated that during 1930, “ its assets increased as much as during
the entire first five years of its history,” having risen during the year
from $661,348 to $1,258,601, an increase of more than 90 per cent.
The surplus increased during the same period from $213,978 to
$267,497.
The premium income ($1,434,478) was more than double that of
1929 ($714,039).
Death claims were paid during the year amounting to $579,011,
as compared with $426,975 in 1929. Claims paid since the organiza
tion of the company have aggregated $1,527,049. The insurance now
in force amounts to $89,324,735.
During the year the capital stock of the company was increased
from $100,000 to $200,000, and the company took over the John
Mitchell Life Insurance Co. of Pennsylvania, a union labor company
organized by the anthracite miners.
The Union Labor Life Insurance Co. was organized in 1925, but did
not start to write insurance until July, 1927. The company is owned
by labor organizations affiliated with the American Federation of
Labor. Its report for 1930 shows that its assets at the end of the
year were $1,068,108, an increase of $178,827 over the preceding year.
Its income during the year was $813,887, while claims paid amounted
to $480,536.
The insurance in force at the end of the year amounted to $48,372,328, of which $5,315,778 was in individual policies and the remainder
in group insurance. As compared with 1929, the insurance in force
showed a gain of $3,880,178.
T
M em b ersh ip of Labor O rgan ization s in C anada, 1930
TATISTICS on trade-union membership in Canada at the close
of the calendar year 1930 are given in the twentieth annual report
on labor organization in the Dominion, from which the following
table has been compiled.
S
1 D ata are from Labor (W ashington, D . C.), Feb. 10, 1931, and th e Sleeping Car Conductor (K ansas
C ity, M o.), M ay, 1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 7 7 ]
111
112
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
N U M B E R A N D M E M B E R S H IP OF LA B O R O R G A N IZ A T IO N S IN C A N A D A , 1930
U nits or branches
K ind of organization
N um ber
International craft, unions _ _ _ __________________
One Big Union
_
_______________ - —
______ ___ - ___
Industrial "\Vorlrers of the World
C anadian central labor organizations __ _ ______
Independent units
_ _ _ ______ _ ________
N ational Catholic unions
_ ____________________
T o tal
_________ _
--
--
Increase or
decrease as
compared
w ith 1929
M embers
N um ber
Increase or
decrease as
compared
w ith 1929
1,946
45
6
673
31
108
-7
+2
(2)
+34
(2)
+2
i 203,478
23,724
3,741
3 57,168
9, 338
25, 000
-3 6
+834
-234
+3,891
-1,482
(2)
2, 809
+31
322, 449
+2,973
i N um ber affiliated w ith Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, 157,445.
3 N um ber affiliated w ith Trades and Labor Congress of C anada, 3,488; w ith A ll-Canadian Congress of
Labor, 23,984.
The figures for the membership of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada are
23,199 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 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 7,317, which
added "to the above figures makes an aggregate membership of 168,250. The
figures for the All-Canadian Congress indicate an affiliated membership of central
bodies of 23,984, which with the membership of 3,979 comprised in the 27 directly
chartered local unions gives a total of 27,963 members.
The percentage distribution of the 322,449 members of labor
organizations in Canada, by trade groups, is as follows:
P er cent
Railroad employees________________________________________________
Building trades____________________________________________________
Public employees, personal service, and amusement trades------------------Mining and quarrying_____________________________________________
Other transportation and navigation------------Metal trades______________________________________________________
Clothing, boot, and shoe trades_____________________________________
Printing and paper-making trade___________________________________
All other trades and general labor___________________________________
Total______________________________________________________
30.
12.
10.
8.
7.
5.
5.
4.
15.
68
63
04
43
41
64
22
95
00
100.00
There are 84 international craft organizations with branches or
members in the Dominion, the following 13 having 5,000 or more
members in that country:
M em bership in C anada
United Mine Workers of America---------- -------------------------------------- Brotherhood of Maintenance-of-Way Employees_____________________
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen_________________________________
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen---------------------- ------------------------------United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners_______________________
Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway, Bus and Coach
Employees of America-----------------------------------------------------------------International Association of Machinists_____________________________
Order of Railroad Telegraphers___________________________________ _
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen_________________
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America_________________________
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers---------- ---------------- -----------------American Federation of Musicians__________________________________
Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers’ International Union of America------
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1378]
16,
16,
15,
14,
13,
600
436
016
351
900
9,
8,
8,
7,
7,
5,
5,
5,
978
700
317
122
000
871
650
595
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
113
C an ad ian T rad e-U n ion B en efits, 1930
ACCORDING to the twentieth annual report on labor organizaXNk. tion in Canada, of the 27 Canadian central labor bodies, the
10 listed m the table following reported the payment in 1930 of
$66,936 m various benefits—an increase of $12,722 as compared with
the amounts reported for the preceding year:
B E N E F IT S P A ID B Y C A N A D IA N C E N T R A L L A B O R O R G A N IZ A T IO N S , 1930
A m ounts disbursed for benefits
N am e of organization
D eath
A m algam ated C arpenters of Canada
Canadian B rotherhood of R ailw ay Employees
Dom inion R ailw ay M ail Service Benevolent Association of C anada
Federated Seafarers’ Union of Canada
L um ber and A gricultural W orkers’ In d u strial Union o f C anada
M ine W orkers’ Union of C anada
Provincial Federation of O ntario Firefighters
oaskatoliewan B rotherhood of Steam and O neratins Encineers
Vancouver and D istrict W aterfront W orkers’ Association
Total
$675
11, 750
2, 000
22, 520
9,150
Sick
and
acci
dent
Strike
$6, 383
$6, 000
6,936
237
235
12, 936
$195
...
830
46,925
Other
6,618
■ 25
457
During 1930 the sum of $479,161 was disbursed by 828 local branch
unions m the Dominion for the different classes of benefits indicated
below:
Death benefits__________
Unemployment benefits....
Strike benefits__________
Sick and accident benefits
Other benefits__________
$161, 445
66, 489
21, 352
171, 867
58, 008
rotai------------------------------------------------------------
479, 161
• Tlie a,k°ve
exceeded by $33,534 the sum paid out for benefits
m 1929 by 795 local unions.
The international labor organizations operating in Canada reported
an expenditure of $28,079,826 for benefits in 1930. The major por
tion of this sum, however, was not disbursed in the Dominion as the
membership m such organizations in that country constituted only
about 7 per cent of the total membership of these international bodies.
Labor J o u rn als and Papers P u b lish ed in C anada
following list of the names of various labor journals published
m Canada is taken from the twentieth annual report on labor
THE
organizations in the Dominion for the calendar year 1930. The lastnamed 12 papers are not all indorsed or controlled by labor organiza
tions, but they claim to be published in the interests of the" tradeunion movement.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1379]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
114
C A N A D IA N L A B O R P A P E R S
N am e of journal
Place of
publication
Issued b y —
Publications of labor organizations
O ttaw a___
C anadian Congress J o u rn a l1 (monthly)
C anadian U nionist i (m o n th ly )..---------- ____d o ____
T h e Com m unication W orker (bim onth Vancouver
ly).
One Big U nion B ulletin (w eekly)---------- W innipeg .
C anadian Railroad Em ployees’ M o n th O ttaw a—
ly .1
T h e Booster (m onthly)------------------------ T oronto___
T h e Postal Journal of C anada (m o n th ly ).
T h e Organizer (m o n th ly )--------------------C ivil Service B ulletin--------------------------T h e Federated R ailw aym an 1 (m onthly).
T h e O ntario Eire Fighter (q u arterly )----C arpenters’ M onthly B u lletin --------------M o n th ly R ep o rt------ -------------------- ------Le C harpentier M enuisier (m onthly)----R ailw ay M ail Clerk (m o n th ly )-------------
T rades and L abor Congress of Canada.
T h e A ll-Canadian Congress of Labor.
Electrical Com m unication W orkers of Canada.
One Big Union.
C anadian B rotherhood of Railroad Employees.
B rotherhood of C anadian Pacific Express E m
ployees.
U nited Postal Em ployees of C anada.
A m algam ated C ivil Servants of Canada.
Civil Service Association of Alberta.
D ivision N o. 4, R ailw ay Em ployees’ D ep art
m en t of the A. F . of L.
T o ro n to ... Provincial Federation of Ontario Fire Fighters.
Ontario Provincial Council U nited Brotherhood
____d o ___
of C arpenters and Joiners.
A m algam ated C arpenters of Canada. _
____do ___
M o n treal.. Quebec Provincial Council of the U nited B roth
erhood of C arpenters and Joiners.
W innipeg. . R ailw ay M ail C lerks’ Federation.
____do____
Vancouver
Edm onton
M o n treal..
Papers of labor interest
T h e C itizen (w eekly)--------------------------T h e Labor W orld (w eekly)------------------T h e C anadian Labor Press (sem im onth
ly).
T h e C anadian Labor W orld i (m o n th ly ).
T h e L abor Advocate (m onthly)-----------T h e L abor News (m onthly)-----------------T h e Labor Leader (w eek ly )..------ --------A lberta L abor News (weekly)--------------T h e L abor Statesm an (w eekly)------------T h e W eekly News (weekly)----------------T h e L abor H erald (periodically)----------T h e C anadian T rade U nionist (monthly)
Halifax___
M o n treal...
O ttaw a----H am ilto n . .
T oronto---H a m ilto n ..
T oronto___
E d m o n to n .
V ancouver.
W innipeg __
T oronto___
____do ____
l D evotes some space to m atter p rin ted in French.
The Civil Service Review is published at Ottawa by the Civil
Service Federation of Canada. That body, however, is not affiliated
with any trade-union organization.
The official organ of various international unions operating in.
North America, with which the Canadian trade-unions are affiliated,
are published in the United States.
There are three communist organs published m Canada: the
Worker (weekly), Toronto, issued under the auspices of the Com
munist Party of Canada; Der Kami (Struggle), a weekly, issued by
the revolutionary Jewish workers; and The Young Worker (monthly),
Toronto, the organ of the Young Communists’ League.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1380]
FAMILY ALLOWANCES
F a m ily A llow an ces for C ollege P rofessors and M in isters
ACCOUNTS of several family-allowance schemes for college proj t x fessors and clergymen are given in the December, 1930, issue of
Eugenics (New Haven).
A family allowance scheme has been in operation in Wells College
for several years and is reported by Kerr D. MacMillan, president
of that institution, as having given general satisfaction. According
to this plan, “ any member of the faculty who is married and support
ing a family shall receive an additional $1,000 for spouse and $250 for
each dependent child under the age of 21.” This provision includes
both man and woman members of the faculty, the administration
taking the attitude that though men are now usually the breadwin
ners, women may at no distant date assume a greater portion of this
responsibility.
A salary system somewhat similar to that of Wells College has
been proposed for Bennington College1 by Robert D. Leigh, its presi
dent. Under the plan the salary of each regular faculty member
would be constituted of two parts: (1) A basic wage to be determined
by ability, rank, and length of service, and (2) an allowance of $500
per annum for each actual dependent. “ An actual dependent is to
be defined as a wife or husband not employed at a substantial salary
outside the home, a dependent mother or father, a child up to the
age of 21 or as long as he or she is actually dependent.” When the
college employs both the husband and wife, the allowances are
divided between them, each receiving $250 per dependent. It is
probable that the number of dependents for which allowances will be
made will be restricted to five.
The amount of the basic salary, President Leigh points out, will
have to be checked in the light of experience. Dr. Jessica B. Peixotto,
as a, result of her study entitled “ Getting and Spending at the Pro
fessional Standard of Living,” concluded that $7,000 per annum was
the amount which a professor with a family should receive in order
to maintain the proper living standard in a first-class university in
California. The initial minimum basic salary to be proposed for
Bennington College will probably be $2,250 and the maximum $5,000,
or $5,500, the allowances for dependents bringing the maximum
salary to $7,000 or $7,500 for the average professional family. The
objective of this scheme is to obtain the most effective service from
the members of the faculty. The president of Bennington College
also suggests that this opportunity of his college “ to revise salaries
on an experimental basis may serve in a small way the broader pur
pose of plotting the most successful salary machinery for other closelyknit professional and salaried workers.”
1 T his new in stitu tio n for th e higher education of women w ill not begin instruction u n til September,
1932. T he salary arrangem ent here outlined has no t yet been passed upon b y the trustees of the college.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1381]
115
116
MONTHLY LABOK EE VIEW
Another financial recognition, in academic circles, of the burden of
family responsibilities is the granting of a bonus by the biological
fellowship board of the National Research Council for an infant born
during the period of the fellowship.
The London School of Economics makes grants of about $150 per
annum to its teachers for each of their children from 6 to 13 years of
age, and increases the allowance to $300^ per annum from ages 13 to
23 if the child remains in school. Basic salaries are the same for
men and women.
Two colleges in the Near East, which started under missionary
auspices, the American University of Beirut and Robert College of
Constantinople, grant allowances to the children of faculty members.
Since the time of John Wesley, the English Methodists have had a
family-allowance system. A married minister receives more than
an unmarried one. An allowance is paid for each child until he or
she reaches 18 years of age. These grants are made from a denomina
tional equalization fund constituted from assessments on all local
churches. The allowance is $40.11 per annum for each child, with
an additional $61.32 per annum for each of his last years at school.
These amounts may, however, be raised at the discretion of circuits
out of their own funds. The grants are not very substantial, yet the
British Methodists’ families number four to six children. A similar
scheme is in operation among the English Presbyterians. In England
there are also four dioceses of the Established Church which have
family allowances. The officers of the Salvation Army all over the
world receive child allowances, and such grants are made by mission
boards. The American Baptist Society is among the few home
mission societies paying allowances for children, but in general the
foreign mission boards of the leading churches follow this pi actice.
The boards furnish free medical, hospital, and nursing service, and
make definite allowances for children, the amounts varying somewhat
according to the ages of the children and the country in which they
are living. These grants ordinarily run from $50 to $200 per annum,
and in some instances from $300 to $570.
The problem of whether or not family allowances should be paid
in proportion to a- minister’s salary was scheduled for discussion at a
conference to be held in New York during the winter of 1930-31.
D ev elo p m en t of F a m ily A llow an ces in France
February 19, 1931, the French Central Committee on Family
Allowances celebrated the tenth anniversary of its formation.
ONThe
Minister of Labor presided at a banquet which was attended by
other prominent public officials and industrialists. Reports on this
meeting are published in La Journée Industrielle (Paris), of February
20 and March 1-2, 1931.
On this occasion the president of the committee stated that the
organization had made possible a social work, the results of which had
surpassed all anticipations. At the beginning of 1920 there were 6
compensation funds and in 1930 the number of such funds was 230.
1 T he actual anniversary was in December, the celebration of the day being postponed.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1382]
FAMILY ALLOWANCES
117
From 1920 to 1930 the personnel of the affiliated establishments
increased from 50,000 to 1,880,000 and the amount of allowances
distributed, from 4,000,000 to 350,000,000 francs ($280,000 to
$13,650,000).2 If establishments not affiliated with compensation
funds and public services were included, the annual disbursement
would reach 1,650,000,000 francs ($64,350,000) and the working
population covered would approximate 4,260,000.
Moreover, the compensation funds have instituted a series of
provisions for the protection of maternity and childhood: Birth
benefits, nursing bonuses, visiting nurses, maternal and infant hygiene
services, prenatal and postnatal consultations, dispensaries, preven
toriums, sanitariums, rest houses, vacation colonies, social centers,
housekeeping courses, and periodic family education. More recently
the compensation funds have served as starting posts for the develop
ment of mutual aid societies, and their activities in this respect have
been very helpful in putting the social insurance law into operation.
After congratulating the committee on the progress which the
institution of family allowances had made, the Minister of Labor
emphasized the truly social character of this work done in the last
decade by private initiative. He then assured the adherents to the
compensation funds of his desire to see Parliament ratify promptly
the bill which the Government has presented tending to generalize
family allowances.
2 Conversions m ade on basis of exchange rate of franc: In 1920, 7 cents; in 1930, 3.9 cents.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1383]
LABOR TURNOVER
Labor T urnover in A m erican F actories, April, 1931
HE Bureau of Labor Statistics presents herewith the April labor
turnover rates for manufacturing as a whole and for 10 separate
T
industries. Turnover rates are presented for the first time for the
brick and the men’s clothing industries. The form of average used
in computing the rates shown in the following table is the weighted
arithmetic mean.
The indexes for manufacturing as a whole are compiled from reports
made to the Bureau of Labor Statistics by representative establish
ments in over 75 industries employing approximately 1,250,000
people. In the 10 industries for which separate indexes are presented
reports were received from representative plants employing approxi
mately 25 per cent of the employees in such industries as shown by
the Census of Manufactures of 1927. In the automotive industry
schedules are received from plants employing more than 200,000
people. Firms reporting for boots and shoes employ nearly 100,000
people, and those for cotton manufacturing employ approximately
125,000. Foundry and machine-shop firms reporting show nearly
175,000 people on their pay rolls. The furniture industry is repre
sented by firms employing about 45,000, and the iron and steel indus
try by firms employing 225,000 people. The reports received from
representative saw mills have approximately 65,000 employees on
their pay rolls, and the plants reporting on slaughtering and meat
packing have about 85,000 people. The firms reporting on brick, for
which questionnaires were sent out for the first time this month,
represent about 15,000 people; men’s clothing, the other new industry,
was represented by firms employing approximately 50,000.
Table 1 shows for all industries the total separation rate, subdivided
into the quit, discharge, and lay-off rates, together with the accession
and net turnover rates, presented both on a monthly and an equiva
lent annual basis.
The total separation rate for industry as a whole for the month of
April was 3.41 and the accession rate was 3.06. This is the first time
during 1931 that the accession rate has been lower than the separation
rate.
Comparing the rates for April with those for March, there was an
increase shown for each class of separation; there was a decrease in
accessions, however. Comparing the April, 1931, rates with those
for April, 1930, there was a marked decrease in all separation rates
and also a decrease in the accession rate. The accession rate, however,
had a much lower rate of decrease than the total separation rate. In
other words, during April, 1930, for each 100 employees on the pay
roll 5.21 were separated from their job and 3.55 were hired. During
April, 1931, for each 100 employees on the pay roll 3.41 were separated
from the pay roll and 3.06 were hired.
118
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1384]
119
LABOR TURNOVER
T a b l e 1 .—A V E R A G E LA B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S E L E C T E D F A C T O R IE S IN 75
IN D U S T R IE S
A.—M onthly Rates
Separation rates
Month
January___ .
February_
March______
April_______
May_______
June_____ _
July________
August_____
September October. ..
November. _ ..
December___
Average...
Quit
Lay-off
Discharge
Total
Accession
rate
Net turn
over rate
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1.85
1. GO
1.94
2.11
2. 01
1. 85
1.35
1.40
1.50
1.29
.90
.84
0.74
.74
.94
1.14
2.70
2. 50
2.83
2.57
2. G8
3. 00
4.17
3. 99
3.14
2. 88
2.77
2.74
1. 95
1. 75
1. 75
1.96
0.54
.62
.00
.53
.48
.46
.32
.36
.36
.32
.24
.21
0.19
.20
.26
.31
5.09
4.72
5.37
5. 21
5.17
5. 31
5. 84
5. 75
5. 00
4. 49
3. 91
3.79
2.88
2.69
2.95
3.41
3.95
3.94
4.15
3. 55
9ft
9 Q9
9 S1
2 71
3 27
9 hfi
2 05
2.13
2. 97
2.82
3. 67
3.06
3. 95
3.94
4. 15
3. 55
3 2^
2 02
2 51
2 71
3 ?7
2 56
2 O'v
2.13
1. 55
3. 00
.42
4.97
2
3 08
1931
2 88
2. 69
2. 95
3. 06
3. 08
B.—Equivalent A nnual Rates
Jan u a ry ______
F e b ru a ry ______
M arch ______
A pril____ _
M a y .......... ...
J u n e ______. . .
Ju ly ___________
A ugust . . _
Septem ber. . _
October
N o v e m b e r..
D ecem ber___ .
21.8
20.9
22.8
25. 7
23.7
22. 5
15.9
16.5
18. 3
15.2
11.0
9.9
Average...
18. 7
8. 7
9.6
11.1
13.9
31.8
32. 6
33.3
31.3
31.5
36.5
49.1
47.0
38.2
33.9
33. 7
32.2
35.9
23.0
22.8
20.6
23.9
6.4
8.0
7.1
6.5
5.6
5.6
3.8
4.2
4.4
3.8
2.9
2.5
5.1
2.2
2.6
3.1
3.8
60.0
61.5
63.2
63.5
60.8
64.6
68.8
67.7
60.9
52.9
47.6
44.6
59.7
33.9
35.0
34.8
41.6
46.5
51.4
48.8
43.2
38.6
35.5
29. 5
31.9
39.8
30.1
24.9
25.1
37.1
35.0
36.8
43.2
37.2
46.5
51.4
48.8
43.2
38.6
35. 5
29.5
31.9
39.8
30.1
24.9
25.1
33.9
35.0
34. 8
37.2
37.1
In addition to the quit, discharge, lay-off, total separations, and
accession rates the bureau presents a net turnover rate. The net turn
over rate means the rate of replacement. It is the number of jobs
that are vacated and filled per 100 employees. In a plant that is
increasing its force the net turnover rate is the same as the separation
rate, because while more people are hired than are separated from their
jobs the number hired above those leaving is due to expansion and can
not be justly charged to turnover. On the other hand, in a plant that
is reducing its number of employees the net turnover rate is the same
as the accession rate, for while more people are separated from the
pay roll than are hired the excess of separations over accessions is due
to a reduction of force and therefore can not be logically charged as a
turnover expense. The charts on pages 120 and 121 show in graphic
form the data shown in Table 1.
Table 2 shows the quit, discharge, lay-off, accession, and net turn
over rates for automobiles, boots and shoes, cotton, foundry and
machine shops, furniture, iron and steel, sawmills, and slaughtering
and meat packing by months for the year 1930 and for the first four
months of 1931, presented both on a monthly and an equivalent annual
basis.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1385]
to
o
IN D E X E S OF AVERAGE MONTHLY LABOR TURNOVER RATES. 1930 & 1931.
SEPARATION
R A T E S .
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
O
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0
LABOR TURNOVER
58726°—31-----9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 8 7 ]
121
122
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E L A B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S
A.—M onthly Rates
Separation rates
In d u stry and m onth
Automobiles:
January- ____________
February
----------M arch-- ____
__ A pril___________ --ATay
Ju ly
Opioiipr
Decembp.r
Avpr^ge
Boots and shoes:
Jan u a ry-----February
M a rc h .-. _
April- _-- ATay
Discharge
Q uit
.Tilly
Angnst.
ftpptprpbpr
October
Novembpr
Dpp.p.mhp.r
Avp.rago
Cotton manufacturing:
Jan u ary ______________
February -- - - - -M arch----------- -. April________________
ATay
June
Ju ly
August
ft optom b or
Ootohor
Novem ber
December
N e t tu rn
over rate
1931
1930
1931
1930
2.92
4.12
7.76
5.21
9.49
3. 85
4.41
4. 68
3. 98
2.34
2. 78
3. 69
3.83
4.02
4.77
3.43
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
2. 76
1.16
1.81
2. 21
2. 20
1. 59
1 14
1. 23
1. 29
1.19
.81
.88
0.54
.74
1.09
1. 46
0.92
.38
.56
.50
.50
.39
.24
.38
.33
. 25
. 16
. 17
0.18
.21
.39
.44
5, 81
2.31
2.04
1.97
5. 59
5.90
9.48
7.66
7.42
5.39
3.80
3.69
2. 63
1.71
1.71
1.86
9.49
3.85
4. 41
4.68
8. 29
7.88
10.86
9.27
9.04
6.83
4. 77
4. 74
3. 35 13.50
2. 66 4. 74
3.19 6. 92
3. 76 7. 45
3. 98
2. 34
2. 78
3.69
3.83
4.02
5.95
3. 43
7. 01
5. 22
1.97
1.93
2. 00
2. 48
2. 06
1.94
2. 04
2.19
2. 01
1.71
1. 00
1.03
2.07
1.98
2. 27
2.40
2. 36
2. 06
1.91
1.58
1.88
1. 41
1. 22
. 58
1.81
Average
Furniture:
J anuary
'February
M arch
A pril____________ - M ay
June
Ju ly
August
September
October______________
1. 23
1. 36
1.88
1.88
1.87
1.29
1.11
1. 01
1. 07
. 85
. 66
. 55
1.73
1. 26
1.44
1. 21
1.18
1. 09
1.03
5.09
.40
1.23
1.27
1.58
1.97
.78
.70
.65
.68
. 53
.47
.57
.73
. 51
. 47
. 27
. 24
.37
.31
.50
.42
r,r,
1.86
Avera go
F o u n d r ie s and m a c h in e
shops:
January
___
February ___
M arch -----___ _ --------A pril--- ________ _ _
M ay
June
Ju ly
August
September
October
Novem ber
Dooombor
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Accession
rate
T otal
1930
1. 52
-----------
Lay-off
1.00
1. 00
1. 36
1. 64
.65
.60
.69
.68
. 55
.58
. 55
.46
.46
. 48
. 35
. 24
.80
.88
.80
.79
.54
.43
.45
. 44
.47
.22
. 26
.40
.34
.36
.43
.64
. 52
. 41
. 40
.41
. 46
.45
2. 16
1. 92
2.20
2. 23
2.07
2.17
3. 34
3.58
2. 44
2.09
2.18
1.92
. 22
.22
.25
.36
2.03
3. 24
2. 87
4.12
4. 52
4. 58
4. 08
3.82
4.01
2.87
3.10
2. 60
1.87
2.00
2. 52
4. 38
4. 39
4. 33
4. 50
3. 45
3.30
1 3.61
[1388]
3.48
2.81
3.24
3. 92
4. 88
4. 50
5.16
5.31
4.93
4. 81
5. 80
5. 62
4. 78
3. 93
3. 75
2. 74
2. 32
2.10
2. 72
3. 29
•
4.19
6.00
5. 55
6. 78
6. 35
6.12
5. 54
5. 33
5. 33
3. 75
3.91
4.00
3. 21
3. 72
4.59
6. 75
6.17
6.18
6.11
5.04
4. 85
5.09
4. 50
3. 33
4.17
4.27
3.95
3.25
2. 47
2.72
4.58
4.34
2. 93
1.46
3.50
3.06
2. 87
3. 87
4. 61
5. 35
4.84
3.86
4. 52
3.31
5. 97
3.09
3.18
2.76
3.19
3. 78
4. 74
4.08
2. 99
2.05
2.41
3. 66
4. 39
4.63
3.95
3. 76
3.05
2. 26
2.56
2. 45
2.27
1.85
2.05
4.48
5.88
4. 92
4. 34
3.34
2. 87
3. 82
5. 09
5. 34
7.07
3. 72
4.02
3.09
3.18
2. 76
3.19
3.78
4. 37
4.08
2.99
2.05
2.41
3. 66
3. 48
2. 81
3. 24
3.92
3. 30
3.57
3.91
4. 47
4.69
__
2.93
2.96
3. 38
3.08
4. 50
3.33
4.17
4.27
3.95
3.25
2.47
2. 72
4.58
3.98
2.93
1.46
3. 57
3. 21
3. 72
4.59
3.47
_,___ _____ _
4.19
4.63
3.95
3. 76
3.05
2. 26
2. 56
2.45
2.27
1.85
2.05
2.93
2.87
3. 38
3.08
3.02
3. 02
5. 64
4. 77
5. 69
4. 77
2.92
2.66
3.19
3.76
5.22
3. 49
4. 69
3. 57
. 25
.34
.37
.51
4.02
4.00
3.99
5. 29
5.06
4.23
4.37
5. 76
5. 30
4.91
5. 65
5.15
4.81
2. 36
. 55
.55
.57
.80
.95
1.88
1.23
1.16
1. 53
2. 40
. 52
. 52
.55
.90
.96
1.27
1.37
1.34
2.13
2.47
1.82
1.76
2. 84
2. 78
2. 73
4.38
3. 88
1931
5.24
5. 51
4. 78
4. 66
3. 34
2.87
3. 82
5.09
5.04
4.85
3.72
5.24
4.77
4. 78
4.66
LABOR TUNROVER
T
a ble
123
2 .—A V E R A G E LA B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S -C o n tin u e d
A.—M o n th ly R a te s —C ontinued
Separation rates
In d u stry and m onth
Quit
1930
F urniture—C on tin u ed .
N o v e m b e r____
D ecem ber_____
1931
Discharge
1930
0.99
.68
0.29
.35
Average____________ 1.18
.44
Iron and steel:
Jan u ary ______________
F ebruary ____________
M arch ___ .
A pril_________
M ay . . . . . . . .
J u n e ____
J u ly _________________
A ugust____________
Septem ber- .
October. . N o v e m b er.. _
D ecem ber____. .
Average__________
Sawmills:
Jan u a ry .. .
February .
M arch___________ . . . .
A pril_________
May__ __ _ ___
J u n e __ _
J u ly -------------------------A ugust______ . . .
Septem ber- __
O ctober...
N ovem ber. _
D ecem ber__ _.
A verage.. . . _____
Slaughtering and m eat
packing:
Jan u a ry ______________
F eb ru ary ____________
M arch _______________
A pril. . _
M ay _____
Ju n e_____
Ju ly ------------------------A ugust. ____ . .
Septem ber. .
O ctober. . . .
N ovem ber.
December_____
A v e ra g e _____
1.81
1.91
1.91
2. 26
2.13
1.87
1.54
1.61
1.45
1.13
1.11
.82
0.71
.72
.71
.89
1.63
3.80
3.39
3.89
4. 28
3. 51
2.93
2.68
3. 01
2.99
2. 26
1.93
1.39
.45
.34
.45
.42
.40
.49
.24
.26
.22
.20
.13
.10
1931
1930
5.92
6.66
3. 01
1.18
1.37
1.47
.92
1. 35
.96
1.07
.93
.95
.72
.83
.93
1.06
1931
1930
—
1.29
1.56
1.41
1.42
2.22
.91
.96
.86
.75
.79
.88
.79
.72
.65
.73
.56
.57
1.24
1.15
1.22
1.32
1.71
2. 25
2. 29
2.05
2.16
2.25
1.95
2.23
1.36
1.03
1. 38
1.90
.76
1931
1930
2 48
2.35
2 48
2.35
6.12
4. 01
4. 01
3.50
3.40
3. 58
4.00
4 24
4 61
4. 07
3. 92
3. 83
3. 58
3.19
3.15
1.82
3. 76
4. 52
3.99
3. 54
4. 97
8.10
5. 35
6. 98
6. 09
7.64
6. 58
7. 23
7. 42
8.02 9. 50
4. 56 9. 75
4. 36 8. 90
7.17 10.17
12. 96
9 24
10. 73
10. 03
11. 58
9. 56
9. 99
9. 74
6.03
.61
.68
.37
.47
1930
7.20
7. 69
2.16
1.90
2.21
2.94
5. 52
5.09
4. 06
3.88
2 9F
2 56
2 27
1 91
2 22
1 74
1 21
1.40
2.52
2.24
2.03
1. 69
2.94
9. 42
6.28
6. 81
9.42
10.10
——-
2.32
2.37
2. 49
2.91
2.84
2.72
2.08
2.09
2.26
1. 70
1.12
1.69
1931
N e t tu rn
over rate
1931
~
0.09
.15
.12
.15
.43
.50
.51
.46
T otal
4.50
L.
.31
.97
1.22
1.74
1. 79
Accession
r ate
Lay-off
9. 39
9.11
7. 91
9. 66
10 09
5 85
6 17
6 71
6 92
8 22
4 96
4. 51
3.50
3.40
3.58
3.88
Q 95
9 5A
2 27
1 91
2 32
1 74
1 31
1.40
■■
2 16
1 90
2. 03
1 69
2.94
9. 99
7. 44
7.07
7. 21
7. 47
9 39
8. 75
7.91
9. 66
in no
5 C5
R 17
R 71
6 93
Q Q9
4 96
4. 51
9 48
6 28
6. 21
7. 21
7. 47
—- - -,
6.68
7. 70
7.51
4. 47
4.14
4.59
5.34
5.14
3.79
4.67
4.80
5.59
4.40 9.91
6. 48 11.03
6. 88 10.86
5.02 8.13
7. 77
8 19
8 21
7. 95
6.70
7.10
6.48
7.85
6.30 10.02
8. 72 7. 39
8.66 5.23
6. 91 8.47
9 01
0 24
6 99
6 24
7 32
7 62
7 20
6.24
5. 37
8.35
7.68
7.68
9.50
5.02
5. 19
6.31
9:91
7.39
5. 23
8.13
7 77
Q IQ
6
5
5
6
20
02
19
31
6 34
6 70
7 10
6 48
6.24
B.—E q u iv a le n t A n n u a l R a te s
Automobiles:
J a n u a ry ...
F ebruary ..
M arch___
A pril____
M ay _____
Ju n e _____
J u ly ..........
A ugust___
September.
O ctober__
November.
Decem ber.
32.5
15.1
21.3
26.9
25. !
19.4
13.4
14.5
15.7
14.0
9.9
10.4
Average..
18.3
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
6.4
9.6
12.8
17.8
2.1
2.7
4.6
5.4
68.4
30.1
24.0
24.0
65.8
71.8
111.6
90.2
90.3
63.4
46.2
43.4
31.0 111.7
22.3 50.2
20.1 51.9
22.6 57.0
97.6
95.9
127.8
109.2
110.0
80.3
58.0
55.8
39.5 158.9
34.6 61.8
37.5 81.4
45.8 90.7
46.8
28.5
32.7
43.4
46.6
47.3
72.4
40.4
34.4 111.7
53.7 50.2
91.3 51.9
63.4 57.0
46.8
28. 5
22 7
43! 4
46.6
47 3
58.0
40.4
60.8
83.8
62.6
62.6
[1 3 8 9 1
34.4
34.6
37.5
45.8
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
124
T able 2 ._A V E R A G E L A B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S -C o n tin u e d
B,—Equivalent A n n u al Rates—C ontinued
Separation rates
In d u stry and m onth
Boots and shoes:
Jan u ary ------F eb ru ary ___
M arch______
A pril_______
M a y .............
Ju n e _______
Ju ly ________
A ugust-------S ep tem b er._.
O ctober____
N o v e m b er...
D ecem ber__
Discharge
Quit
Lay-off
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
23.2
25.2
23.5
30.2
24.2
23.6
24.0
25.8
24.5
14.5
16.6
18.6
24.0
9.2
9.1
7.7
8.3
6.2
5.7
6.7
4.4
4.0
5.9
5.1
14.9
17.9
15.8
25.9
29.1
22.1
47.3
52.2
47.0
64.4
59.5
51.4
51.4
67.8
64.5
57.7
41.0
36.6
38.2
47.7
60.6
70.3 52.7
40.3 76.7
37.4 57.9
33.6 52.8
37.5
46.0
55.8
48.0
36.4
24.1
29.3
43.1
47.3
40.3
37.4
33.6
37.5
46.0
51.4
48.0
36.4
24.1
29.3
43.1
57.7
41.8
41.8
57.5
58.6
60.7
64.6
58.7
58.6
68.3
22.6
58. 2
46.8
45.6
32.2
53.0
43.4
49.1
52.0
46.5
39.6
29.1
32.0
55.7
51.1
35.7
17.2
28.3
56.3
42.0
5.5
3.3
2.8
Average------------C otton manufacturing:
Jan u a ry --------------F eb ru ary ------------M arch----------------A pril------------------M a y _____________
Ju n e _____________
Ju ly --------------------A ugust---------------Septem ber-----------October__________
N ovem ber________
D ecem ber________
22.4
6.6
28.7
A v e ra g e Foundries and
shops:
Jan u a ry -----F eb ru ary ---M arch _____
A pril---------M a y _______
Ju n e _______
Ju ly ..-. ------A ugust____
September . .
O ctober-----Novem ber
D ecem ber...
21.8
A v erag eFurniture:
Jan u ary ___
F eb ru ary - -
A pril_____
M a y ______
Ju n e ______
Ju ly ______
A ugust___
Septem berO ctober---N ovem berD ecem ber..
21.1
8.6
6.2
20.1
24.4
25.8
26.7
29.2
27.8
25.1
22.5
18.6
22.9
16.6
14.8
11.8
13.0
16.0
20.0
7.7
7.8
8.1
8.3
6.5
7.1
6.5
5.4
5.6
5.6
4.3
4.7
4.4
4.2
5.2
2.8
6.8
6.3
6.1
2.6
25.4
25.0
25.9
27.1
24.4
26.4
39.3
42.1
29.7
24.6
26.5
6.5
5.1
5.3
5.4
5.5
2.7
3.1
26.5
38.1
34.9
48.5
55.0
53.9
48.0
46.5
47.2
34.9
36.5
14.8
6.7
42.7
17.7
7.2
22.1
10.6
22.9
11.7
22.0
10.4
10.4
9.7
9.3
10.0
8.0
2.9
4.4
4.4
6.5
7.4
9.4
March------
2.9
2.9
4.4
6.6
15.7
13.1
11.9
13.0
6.2
12.1
12.0
8.0
5.0
4.7
4.8
5.6
5.3
3.5
4.1
53.3
51.6
52.7
53.0
40.6
40.2
42.5
72.0
78.4
14.1
5.2
53.8
11.6
14.8
17.5
14.2
13.9
13.3
21.3
24.9
22.5
27.5
25.1
2 2.8
18.1
18.9
17.6
13.3
8.4
9.4
8.4
10.8
7.8
6.1
5.3
4.4
5.3
5.1
4.7
6.0
2.8
3.1
2.7
2.4
16.0
13.7
18.6
22.1
12.2
12.1
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N et tu rn
over rate
1930
20.7
33.4
33.8
32.1
53.3
45.7
Average________
Iron and steel:
Jan u a ry —................F e b ru a ry ------------M arch ----------------A pril_____ ____
M a y ..------ ---------J u n e _____________
J u ly _____________
A ugust___________
Septem ber----------O ctober__________
Accession
rate
Total
1.1
2.0
1.4
1.8
14.6
15.0
14.4
16.1
20.1
27.4
27.0
24.1
26.3
26.5
[1390]
68.8
30.6
24.4
23.5
30.7
66.1
27.3
27.4
32.0
40.0
54.6
70.6
67.5
79.8
77.3
72.1
65.2
64.9
62.7
45.6
46.1
36.0
37.5
45.5
56.1
82.2
72.5
75.2
71.9
59.3
59.1
59.9
87.5
90.5
66.4
62.1
67.0
58.1
41.2
44.3
42.2
48.7
49.9
56.2
47.9
46.1
46.6
42.2
34.5
38.6
39.8
37.5
61.7
71.9
56.3
56.7
43.8
30.2
27.7
65.0
66.4
47.8
47.2
38.3
31.2
26.7
22.5
28.2
20.5
54.6
54.5
48.1
44.3
37.1
26.6
30.1
29.8
26.7
22.5
24.1
35.5
37.5
39.8
37.5
40.6
33.8
46.5
59.9
59.3
59.1
43.8
30.2
27.7
61.7
62.1
56.3
56. 7
47.9
47.9
25.5
24.8
26.0
35.7
42.0
41.8
43.7
55.9
36.5
86.0
73. 1
16.0
13.4
16.2
23.1
40.6
33.8
46.5
59.9
62.9
53.0
43.4
49.1
52.0
46.5
39.6
29.1
32.0
55.7
46.8
35.7
17.2
41.0
36.6
38.2
47.7
41.7
36.5
64.2
57.0
50.3
53.2
40.3
57.2
54.5
48.1
44.3
37.1
26.6
30.1
29.8
26.7
22.5
24.1
42.0
51.0
52.6
57.1
1931
29.7
29.2
23.9
20.6
41.2
44.3
42.2
47.2
38.3
31.2
26.7
22.5
28.2
20.5
25.5
24.8
23.9
20.6
LABOR TURNOVER
125
T a b le 2 .—A V E R A G E LA B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S —Continued
B.—Equivalent A nnual Bates—C ontinued
Separation rates
In d u stry and m onth
Quit
1930
Iron and steel—C ontinued.
N ovem ber. _
D ecember_____
Average_____
1930
1931
1930
Accession
rate
N et tu rn
over rate
1930
1930
Total
1931
1930
1931
1931
1.6
1.2
23.7
20.2
38.8
37.1
15.9
16.5
15.9
16.5
19.6
3.7
21.8
45.1
35.5
35.5
44.7
44.2
45.8
52.1
41.3
35.7
31.5
35.4
36. 4
26.6
23.5
16.4
Average____
36.1
Average___. . .
1931
Lay-off
13.5
9.7
Sawmills:
Jan u ary ____
F e b ru a ry .. .
M arch. _ _
A pril__
M a y . . ___
June .
Ju ly ______________
A ug u st...
S e p te m b e r...
O ctober____
N ovem ber. _
December . . .
S la u g h te rin g a n d m e a t
packing:
Jan u ary ___
F e b ru a ry . . .
M arch _______________
A pril. _
M a y --------------------June
Ju ly ________________
A ugust____ _.
Septem ber. . . .
O ctober.. _
N ovem ber_____
December ___
Discharge
11.4
15.9
20.5
21.8
27.3
30.9
29.3
35.4
33.4
33.1
24.5
24.6
27 5
20.0
13.0
19. 9
15.2
20.3
16.6
17.3
—
[ 26.6
13.9
17.9
17.3
11.2
15.9
11.7
12.6
10.9
11.6
8.5
10.1
10.9
5.1
6.5
6.0
5.6
53.2
52.0
41. 7
00.5
95.3
65.1
82.2
71.7
93.0
77.4
88.0
87.3
12.7
72.3
10.7
12.5
10.1
9.1
9.3
10.7
9.3
8.5
7.9
8.6
6.8
6.7
7.2 78.6
8.9 100.4
4.4 88.4
5.7 54.4
48.7
55.9
62.9
60.5
46.1
55.0
58/4
65.8
9.2
64.6
94. 4
59.5
53.7
87.3
110.8 111.9 110.5 117.6 110.5
114.1 81.9 118.8 97.0 114.1
1C4.8 80.2 93.1 83.2 93.1
123.8 114.7 117.6 87.7 117.6
152.3
118.8
118.8
112. 5
71.2
71.2
126.3
72.6
72.6
118.0
79.0
79.0
141.0
84.3
84.3
112.5
97.9
97.9
121.6
60.4
60.4
114.6
53.1
53.1
121. 1
89.8
110.9
81.9
80.2
87.7
89.8
51.8 116.6 74.2 117.9 111.8 116.6
84.5 143.8 113.7 96.4 65.5 96.4
81.0 127.8 1C2.0 61.6 61.1 61.6
61.1 98.9 84. 1 103.1 76.8 98.9
91.4
106.0
91. 4
99.7
125.8
99.7
96.7
81.4
81.4
93.6
74.6
74.6
81.5
89.2
81.5
83.6
89.7
83.6
78.8
88.8
78.8
92.4
73.4
73.4
100.4 !
1931
92.3
74.2
65. 5
61. 1
76.8
92. 3
1
.
Table 3 shows for the brick and the men’s clothing industries the
total separation rate, subdivided into the quit, discharge, and lay-off
i ates, together with the accession rate and the net turnover rate for
the month of April, presented both on a monthly and an equivalent
annual basis.
Data foi these industries were collected for the first time during
the month of April.
T a b l e 3 .-A V E R A G E LA B O R T U R N O V E R R A T E S IN T H E B R IC K A N D M E N ’S C L O T H IN G
IN D U S T R IE S FO R T H E M O N T H OF A P R IL , 1931
Separation rates
Discharge
Lay-off
Total
Accession
rate
N et tu rn
over rate
Brick . . __
M en’s c l o t h i n g s ____
0.61
. 12
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
<1
7.4
1. 5
4.01
2. 20
48.8
26.8
5.48
3. 72
[1391]
j>>
2
So
66.7
45.3
>>
2
So
§
Equivalent
annual
10.5
17.0
s
2
'S
o
Equivalent
annual
0.86
1.40
So
Equivalent
annual
>»
2
So
§
2
Equivalent
annual
§
Equivalent
annual
In d u stry
8.68 105. 6
3. 22 39. 2
2
So
§
5. 48
3. 22
Equivalent
annual
|
Quit
66.7
39. 2
126
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
A S tan dard Procedure for C om p ilin g T urnover S ta tistic s
L
ABOR turnover is a constant cause of loss to industry. When a
new employee is hired to take the place of one who leaves, there
is an expense involved in interviewing and hiring the new man. There
is always an uncertainty as to his ability and efficiency that entails^
greater amount of supervision than is given to an employee long in
service. The new man can not be trusted fully until his capacity is
known. The new man must learn the ways of the factory and he may
frequently spoil material in his work.
So serious has been, and is, the subject of labor turnover that the
Bureau of Labor Statistics is now collecting and publishing monthly
figures relating thereto from about 3,500 manufacturing^ establish
ments to the end that the public may be informed of conditions, and
that employers may have the opportunity to compare their turnover
with that of manufacturing industry as a whole, and with that of
certain particular lines of manufacture. It is believed that the pub
lication of these figures will aid in stabilizing employment and reduc
ing the cost of turnover.
The information is issued by the bureau in the form of turnover rates
or indexes, computed from the average number of employees and the
number of accessions and separations in the month.
A general rate is published each month for manufacturing industries
as a whole, based on reports received at present (May, 1931) from
about 1,500 employers in 75 different lines of manufacture. A bal
anced proportion is given to the several industries included in this
general rate.
In addition, the bureau has expanded its monthly inquiry to such
an extent in 10 industries that separate rates are now being published
for them. These 10 industries collectively represent approximately
3,000 establishment. A due proportion of the establishments in these
several lines are included in the general index.
The bureau has adopted the following definitions and methods in its
handling of labor turnover statistics:
Labor turnover means the replacements in a working force made
necessary by employees leaving the service.
An accession means the hiring of a new employee or the rehiring of
an old employee.
A separation means an employee leaving the service. Separations
are classified in three groups—quits, lay-offs, and discharges.
A quit is termination of employment, generally initiated by the
worker because of his desire to leave, but sometimes due to his
physical incapacity.
A lay-off is a termination of employment at the will of the employer,
without prejudice to the worker. A permanent lay-off, a long lay-off,
and an indefinite lay-off are counted by the bureau as lay-offs, but a
short, definite lay-off with the name of the worker remaining on the
pay roll is not counted as such.
A discharge is a termination of employment at the will of the em
ployer, with prejudice to the worker because of some fault on the part
of the worker.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 9 2 ]
LABOR TURNOVER
127
A quit on the part of a worker may be due to—
a. Dissatisfaction as to wages, hours, working conditions, or
labor policies.
b. flhe opportunity to get a more desirable position.
c. A desire not to work anywhere.
d. Sickness, disability, old age, or death.
A lay-off of the worker may be due to—
a. Lack of orders.
b. Lack of material.
c. Change in product.
d. Breakdown of plant.
e. Reorganization of force.
/. Release of temporary help.
g. Introduction ol labor-saving machinery.
A discharge of a worker may be due to his—
a. Incompetence.
b. Insubordination.
c. Violation of rules.
d. Dishonesty.
e. Misfit—physical or mental.
j. Laziness.
The above enumeration lists at least the main causes.
Each month the bureau sends out a questionnaire and gets from its
correspondent establishments the following information for the month
just closed:
1. Number of separations during period—
a. Number of quits.
b. Number of discharges.
c. Number of lay-offs.
d. Total separations.
2. Number of accessions during period.
3. Number of factory workers on pay roll—
a. At beginning of period.
b. At end of period.
The purpose of the last two questions is to get an approximate
number on the pay roll. This is determined by adding the number
at the beginning of the period and at the end of the period and dividing
by two. Some plants are able to furnish the average of daily counts
of the number on the pay roll. Others can furnish an average of the
number on the weekly pay roll.
The items of separation and accession are divided by the average
number on the pay roll to get the rate per 100 employees for the
month. In compiling the rates the actual numbers for the several
establishments are added and the rates computed from the grand
total. Thus each establishment has an influence or “ weight” in the
rate in proportion to its size.
To obtain the equivalent annual rate the monthly rate is multiplied
by 11.77 if the month has 31 days; by 12.17 if it is a 30-day month;
by 13.04 if it is a 28-day month; and by 12.62 if it is a 29-day month.
In comparing monthly rates the number of the days in the month
should be considered as no adjustment is made in the monthly rate
because ol the number of its days. With the adjustment in the equiv
alent yearly rate this latter figure affords a more exact comparison as
between months.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1393]
128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
When an establishment is growing in size it hires new employees
for two reasons—first, to fill the places of employees who separate
from the service, and, second, to increase the force. The replace
ment is a turnover, but the additional hiring is not a part of turnover
proper. Hence, in this instance the turnover rate is equal to the
separation rate. However, when an establishment is decreasing in
size only a part of the vacancies occurring are filled. Here the net
turnover rate is equal to the accession rate.
The reporting establishments are requested to omit office employees,
when practicable, so as to limit the figures to factory workers. The
establishments are also asked to include temporary help, part-time
workers, and employees in training, in the figures reported. This
inclusion is desired in order to show the degree of stability of employ
ment as it affects all workers.
Pay rolls sometimes carry names of persons for a considerable time
after'the end of employment, and the bureau advises that such dead
names be cleared from the pay roll at frequent intervals to insure the
proper base in the computation of rates.
There is difficulty at times in getting correct statements of causes
of separation. A cause may be stated which in fact is only a nominal
one, with the real cause concealed. The bureau does not attempt to
ascertain causes in detail, but personnel managers will find it helpful
to make careful inquiry concerning causes in their efforts to reduce
labor turnover.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 9 4 ]
HOUSING
B u ild in g P erm its in P rin cip al C ities, April, 1931
UILDING permit schedules have been received by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics from 340 identical cities having a population
of 25,000 or over for the months of March and April, 1931, and from
292 identical cities for the months of April 1930, and April, 1931.
The cost figures as shown in the following tables apply to the cost
of the buildings as estimated by the prospective builders on applying
for their permits to build. No land costs are included. Only building
projects within the corporate limits in the cities enumerated are
shown. The States of Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New
York, and Pennsylvania, through their departments of labor, are
cooperating with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in
the collection of these data.
Table 1 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations in 340
identical cities of the United States by geographic divisions.
B
1.— E S T IM A T E D C O ST O F N E W B U IL D IN G S IN 340 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S AS SH O W N
BY P E R M IT S IS S U E D IN M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931, BY G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
T a b l e
New residential buildings
E stim ated cost
Geographic division
M arch,
1931
New E ngland_________
M iddle A tlan tic.
___
E ast N o rth C en tral____
W est N o rth C en tral___
South A tlantic- _ _____
South C en tral_________
M ountain and Pacific, __
T o tal, ____
Per cent of change.
April,
1931
$3,187, 200 $4,117,420
23, 936, 846 28,825,173
6, 792, 627 7, 733,123
2, 620, 348 3,134, 987
3, 752, 918 6, 322, 045
2, 924, 780 3, 363,203
7,198,127 6, 726, 909
___ 50, 412, 846 60,222, 860
+19.5
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
M arch, April,
1931
1931
625
5,186
1,371
668
735
990
2,172
N e w nonresiden
tial b u ild in g s ,
estim ated cost
T otal
construction
(including altera
tions and repairs),
estim ated cost
M arch,
1931
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
816 $7, 778, 484 $3,285, 449 $12, 663, 931
6, 706 34, 614, 205 44, 520, 260 66,296, 576
1,516 22,198, 567 11, 377, 662 32, 241, 989
755 3, 251, 530 8, 494, 417 7, 516, 027
1,423 3,190, 768 2,227, 682 8,456, 090
980 5, 499, 073 5,835, 377 9,469,137
1,965 6, 358,167 4,402, 788 15, 636, 399
April,
1931
$9,132, 639
82,206, 684
23, 666, 217
12, 575, 683
10, 486, 549
10, 254, 294
13, 370,480
11, 747 14,101 82, 890, 794 80,143, 635 152, 280,149 161,692, 546
+20.5
- 3 .3
+6. 2
The estimated cost of the buildings lor which permits were issued
during April, 1931, was $161,692,546, an increase of 6.2 per cent over
the estimated cost of the buildings for which permits were issued
during the month of March. New residential buildings increased
19.5 per cent in estimated cost comparing April permits with March
permits. The estimated cost of new nonresidential buildings
decreased 3.3 per cent comparing April with March. During April,
1931, 14,161 families were provided with dwelling places in new
buildings, an increase of 20.5 per cent as compared with those
provided for by permits issued during March.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1,395]
129
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
130
All of the geographic divisions except the Mountain and Pacific
States show increases in indicated expenditures for new residential
buildings. These increases range from 13.8 per cent in the East
North Central States to 68.6 per cent in the South Atlantic States.
There was a decrease of 6.5 per cent in indicated expenditures for
new residential buildings in the Mountain and Pacific States during
April as compared with March.
Increases in indicated expenditures for new nonresidential build
ings were registered in the Middle Atlantic States, the West North
Central States, and the South Central States. These increases range
from 6.1 per cent in the South Central States to 161.2 per cent in the
West North Central States. Decreases in the estimated cost of new
nonresidential buildings were shown in the New England States, the
East North Central States, the South Atlantic States, and the
Mountain and Pacific States. These decreases range from 30.1 per
cent in the South Atlantic States to 57.8 per cent in the New England
States.
Increases in the number of family dwelling units provided are shown
in all geographic divisions except the South Central States and the
Mountain and Pacific States.
Table 2 shows the estimated cost of additions, alterations, and
repairs as shown by permits issued, together with the per cent of
increase or decrease during April, 1931, as compared with March,
1931, in 340 identical cities in the United States by geographic
divisions.
T a k if 2 —E S T IM A T E D C O ST O F A D D IT IO N S , A L T E R A T IO N S , A N D R E P A IR S IN 340
ID E N T IC A L «C ITIES AS SH O W N B Y P E R M IT S IS S U E D IN M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931,
BY G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
E stim ated cost
Geographic division
M arch, 1931
New E ngland___________________
M iddle A tlan tic__________ _____
E ast N o rth C entral
- ----------W est N o rth C en tral------ ------------South A tlantic__________ ________
South C entral. ------------------------M ountain and Pacific---- ------------T o tal____________________
Per cent of
change, April,
compared
April, 1931 w ith M arch
$1, 698, 247
7, 745, 525
3,250, 795
1, 644, 149
1, 512, 404
1, 045, 284
2, 080,105
$1, 729, 770
8, 861, 251
4, 555, 432
946, 279
1, 936, 822
1,055, 714
2,240, 783
+ 1.9
+14.4
+40.1
-4 2 .4
+28.1
+ 1.0
+ 7 .7
18,976, 509
21,326, 051
+12.4
Permits issued for additions, alterations, and repairs in these 340
cities show an increase of 12.4 per cent in April, 1931, as compared
with March, 1931.
Increases were shown in all of the geographic divisions except the
West North Central. These increases ranged from 1.0 per cent in
the South Central division to 40.1 per cent in the East North Central
division.
Table 3 shows the index numbers of families provided for and the
index numbers of indicated expenditures for new residential buildings,
for new nonresidential buildings, for additions, alterations, and
repairs, and for total building operations. These indexes are worked
on the chain system with the monthly average of 1929 equaling 100.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 9 6 ]
HOUSING
131
T a b l e 3 . I N D E X N U M B E R S OF F A M IL IE S P R O V ID E D F O R A N D OF T H E IfS T T M A T O n
C O ST O F B U IL D IN G O P E R A T IO N S AS Sh 5 W N B Y P E R M IT S I S S U E D I N P R I N C I p i L
C IT IE S O F T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , JA N U A R Y , 1930, TO A P R IL , 1931, IN C L U S IV E
[M onthly average, 1929=100]
E stim ated cost of—
M onth
Families
provided
for
N ew resi
dential
buildings
1930
Ja n u a ry _____ _______
F ebruary ___________
M arch. _____________
A pril_______________
M a y _______________
J u n e ____________
J u ly ________________
A ugust_____________
Septem ber__________
O ctober_____________
N ovem ber__________
D ecem ber___________
34.2
43.0
57.1
62.0
59.6
54.4
49.9
48. 7
51.3
58.3
52. 9
45.0
29.4
34. 7
47.2
51.0
48. 5
45. 1
44.1
43.4
44.4
44. 9
42.5
37.6
1931
J a n u a ry _____________
F ebruary ____________
M arch______________
A pril_______________
39.1
40.3
53.4
64.6
30.8
30.3
40. 7
48.6
New nonres- A dditions,
idential
alterations,
buildings
a nd repairs
64.3
51.8
87. 1
T otal
building
operations
90. 7
82. 5
86. 7
67.2
73.8
53. 5
54.4
64.3
55.1
57.5
77.5
81.8
84. 5
74. 6
77.4
58.6
64.2
58. 1
37.8
53.5
46. i
44.1
66.4
73.8
69.3
63.3
64.8
54.4
58.2
49. 7
46.3
50.1
43.4
43.8
76.4
73.9
55.5
48.6
58.0
65.2
38.9
37.9
57.1
60.6
100. 1
The index number of total building operations for the month of
April stands at 60.6, which is higher than for any month since July,
IN D E X E S OF F A M IL IE S P R O V ID ED FOR.
100
75
50
25
1930, and was only surpassed by four other months during the calendar
year 1930. The April, 1931, index number for new residential build
ings was 48.6. This is higher than for any month since April, 1930,
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11397]
132
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
the only month during 1930 which has a higher index number for this
class of building than April, 1931. The index number for new nonresidential buildings was lower than for March, 1931, and much lower
than for April, 1930. The index number of additions, alterations,
and repairs for April, 1931, was higher than for any month since
July, 1930. The index number of families provided for in April,
1931, was higher than for any other month in either 1930 or 1931.
The chart on p a g e 135 shows in graphic form the trend of estimated
costs of new residential buildings, of new nonresidential buildings, and
of total building operations.
Table 4 shows the dollar value of contracts let for public buildings
by the different agencies of the United States Government during
the months of March, 1931, and April, 1931, by geographic divisions.
4.—C O N T R A C T S L E T F O 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 IE S OF
T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S G O V E R N M E N T D U R IN G M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931, B Y G E O
G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
T a b l e
M arch, 1931
G eographic division
TsTp.w England
_________
Middip, A tlantic
_______ E ast N o rth C entral- _____
W est N o rth C entral
__ ___
Smith A tlantic
_ _ _____
Smith C entral
_____________
M ountain and Pacific__________
T otal
__ ___________
April, 1931
$5, 978,472
2,121, 013
682, 031
201, 414
1,602, 095
2, 438, 675
1,460, 872
$582, 288
1,168, 840
199, 958
511,464
1, 873,931
2, 718,846
1,144, 497
14, 484, 572
8,199, 824
Contracts were let for United States Government buildings during
April, 1931, to cost $8,199,824. These contracts were let by the
following Federal agencies: The United States Capitol Architect,
Office of the Quartermaster General, War Department; Bureau of
Yards and Docks, Navy Department; Supervising Architect, Treas
ury Department; and the United States Veterans’ Bureau. When
ever a contract is let by the United States Government for a building
in a city having a population of 25,000 or over, the cost is included
in the estimated cost as shown in the cities enumerated in Table 8.
Table 5 shows the dollar value of contracts awarded by the dif
ferent State governments for public buildings during the months of
March, 1931, and April, 1931, by geographic divisions.
* —C O N T R A C T S A W A R D E D F O R P U B L IC B U IL D IN G S B Y 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 R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931, B Y G E O G R A P H IC D IV I
SION S
Geographic division
Np.w England
_
__ ____
______
M iddle Atlantic
E ast N o rth C en tral-- __ _ _
W est N o rth C entral__
South A tlantic ________ __ Smith Central
_ _ ____
M ountain and Pacific ______ Total
M arch, 1931
A pril, 1931
$1, 615, 483
1, 495, 844
597, 836
58, 099
598, 480
900
398, 508
$743, 304
„10,658, 763
135, 448
10,141
166, 292
15, 053
459, 421
4, 765,150
12,188, 422
Contracts awarded by State governments during the month of
April, 1931, totaled $12,188,422, nearly three times as much as the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 9 8 ]
HOUSING
133
total v alii6 of contracts let during the month of JMarch. Whenever
a contract is let bv a State government in a city having a population
of 25,000 or over, the cost is included in the estimated cost as shown
in the cities enumerated in Table 8.
Table 6 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations in 292
identical cities having a population of 25,000 or over for April, 1930
and April, 1931, by geographic divisions.
T able ^ .- E S T I M A T E D C O ST O F N E W B U IL D IN G S IN 292 ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S AS SH O W N
B \ P E R M IT S IS SU E D IN A P R IL , 1930 A N D 1931, B Y G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
N ew residential buildings
E stim ated cost
Geographic division
April,
1930
New E ngland_____ . . .
M iddle A tla n tic ... _ ._
E a st N o rth C entral.
W est N orth C entral
South A tla n tic .. _____
South Central
M o u n tain and Pacific___
April,
1931
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
April, April,
1930
1931
$5, 267,425 $4, 020, 420
739
19, 668, 371 28, 682, 073 3,633
13, 088, 592 7, 170, 938 2,703
5,859, 214 2, 934,187 1,092
4, 760, 641 6, 284,445
887
4, 900,185 3, 281, 578 1, 383
9, 284, 555 6,249, 689 2,599
N ew nonresiden
tia l buildings,
estim ated cost
April,
1930
April,
1931
Total
construction
(including altera
tions and repairs),
estim ated cost
April,
-1930
795 $6,192, 306 $3, 269, 276 $13, 580, 640
6,671 41, 547, 039 44, 437, 098 71, 846,881
1,443 16,433,157 9, 423, 850 34, 869, 506
713 6,014, 263 8, 484,102 13, 502, 216
1,415 10,129, 262 2,187, 537 16,811,402
935 7, 367, 541 5, 547,816 14,193, 497
1,825 7,142, 654 4, 289,124 19, 442,918
April,
1931
$8, 986, 820
81, 886, 814
21, 015, 792
12, 355,996
10, 381, 255
9, 757, 386
12, 690, 001
T o tal___ _______ _ 62, 828, 983 58, 623, 330 13, 036 13, 797 94,826, 222 77, 638,803 184, 247,060 157,074, 064
Per cent of change_____
- 6 .7
+ 5.8
-18.1
-1 4 .7
Permits issued in the 292 identical cities for which reports were
received for both April, 1930, and April, 1931, show a decrease of
14.7 per cent in the estimated cost of all building operations in April,
1931, as compared with April of the previous year. A decrease of 6.7
per cent was shown in the indicated expenditures for new residential
buildings, and a decrease of 18.1 per cent in the indicated expenditures
for new nonresidential buildings. The number of family dwelling
units provided in new buildings increased 5.8 per cent in April, 1931,
as compared with April, 1930.
Increases in new residential buildings were shown in the Middle
Atlantic States and the South Atlantic States. All other geographic
divisions showed decreases in the estimated cost of this class of
structure.
Increases in the estimated cost of new nonresidential buildings
were shown in the Middle Atlantic States and the West North Central
States. Decreases in this class of building were registered in the other
geographic divisions.
The Middle Atlantic States was the only geographic division regis
tering an increase in total construction in April, 1931, as compared
with April, 1930.
Increases in dwelling units provided occurred in the New England
States, the Middle Atlantic States, and the South Atlantic States.
Table 7 shows the estimated cost of additions, alterations, and
repairs as shown by permits issued, together with the per cent of
decrease in April, 1931, as compared with April, 1930.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13991
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
134
T abtk 7 —E S T IM A T E D CO ST OF A D D IT IO N S , A L T E R A T IO N S , A N D R E P A IR S IN 292
ID E N T IC A L C IT IE S AS SH O W N B Y P E R M IT S IS SU E D IN A P R IL , 1930, A N D A P R IL , 1931,
BY G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N S
E stim ated cost
Geographic division
P er cent of
change, April,
1931, com■ pared w ith
April, 1930
April, 1930
A pril, 1931
New E ngland___________________
M iddle A tlan tic_________ ________
E ast N o rth C en tral--------------------W est N o rth C e n tra l------------------South A tlan tic__________________
South C entral___________________
M ountain and Pacific------------------
$2,120,909
10, 631, 471
5, 347, 757
1,628, 739
1,921, 499
1, 925,771
3, 015, 709
$1, 697,124
8,767, 643
4,421,004
937, 707
1,909, 273
927, 992
2,151,188
-2 0 .0
-1 7 .5
-1 7 .3
-4 2 .4
- 0 .6
-5 1 . 8
-2 8 .7
T o tal_____________________
26, 591, 855
20,811, 931
-2 1 .7
Projected expenditures for additions, alterations, and _repairs
decreased 21.7 per cent comparing permits issued during April, 1931,
with those issued during April, 1930, in these 292 cities. Decreases
were shown in all of the seven geographic divisions. These decreases
ranged from six-tenths of 1 per cent in the South Atlantic States to
51.8 per cent in the South Central States.
_ _
Table 8 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, ol
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations, to
gether with the number of families provided for in new buildings, m
340 identical cities for March, 1931, and April, 1931. Reports were
received from 50 cities in the New England States, 70 cities in the
Middle Atlantic States, 92 cities in the East North Central States,
26 cities in the West North Central States, 35 cities in the South
Atlantic States, 32 cities in the South Central States, and 35 cities in
the Mountain and Pacific States.
.
Permits were issued for the following important projects during the
month of April: In Boston, permits were issued for three institutional
buildings to cost nearly $760,000, and for a roof garden on the Ritz
Carlton Hotel to cost $300,000; in the Borough of the Bronx, for
apartment houses to cost over $3,000,000; in the Borough of Brooklyn,
for apartment houses to cost nearly $4,500,000; in the Borough of
Manhattan, for three office buildings to cost over $22,000,000; in
Rochester, for a school building to cost over $600,000; in Philadelphia,
for two office buildings to cost over $6,500,000; in Pittsburgh, for
school buildings to cost nearly $2,000,000. A contract was let by the
Supervising Architect for a new post office building in Camden,
N. J., to cost nearly $500,000. A permit was issued for a university
building in Ann Arbor, Mich., to cost $1,400,000; for an institutional
building in Springfield, Ohio, to cost over $800,000; for a school build
ing in Milwaukee to cost nearly $1,000,000; for a school building in
Minneapolis to cost nearly $800,000; for an office building in St. Louis
to cost $3,100,000. In Washington, D. C., the Municipal Architect
awarded a contract for a new school building to cost over $400,000;
in Louisville, Ky., a permit was issued for a school building to cost
nearly $300,000; in Nashville, for a city hospital to cost $400,000;
in New Orleans, for two institutional buildings to cost over $1,200,000
and for a store building to cost over $500,000; in Spokane, for a school
building to cost $400,000,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1400]
135
HOUSING
I N D E X E S OF C O S T OF B U ILD IN G O P E R A T I O N S .
MONTHLY AVERAGE:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1401]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
136
No reports were received from New London, Conn.; South Bend,
Ind.; Port Huron, Mich.; Newark, Ohio; Pensacola and West Palm
Beach, Fla., Savannah, Ga.; Spartanburg, S. C.; Lynchburg, Va.;
Charleston, W. Va.; Fort Smith, Ark.; Lexington, Ky.; Muskogee,
Okla.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Port Arthur and San Angelo, Tex.;
Riverside, Calif.; and Great Falls, Minn.
T a ble 8 .—E S T IM 4.TED CO ST O F B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H 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 , M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931
New England States
New residential buildings
Estim ated cost
State and city
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
Connecticut:
$75, 200
$339, 900
B rid g e p o rt___38, 000
13,600
B r i s t o l .. - ____
198, 000
66, 500
Greenwich-37, 500
40, 700
H artford _____
5,000
7, 750
M eriden
__26, 000
5,000
N e w B rita in .. __
146, 000
88,000
N ew H av en___102, 450
68, 000
N orw alk _ _ ____
57,000
51, 500
Stam ford____ 13, 000
0
Torrington . .
64, 500
31, 000
W aterb u ry____
M aine:
19,300
0
Bangor____
13,000
40,000
Lew iston, ___
55,100
21, 500
P o rtla n d _____ _
M assachusetts:
39, 200
28,000
Beverly - ____
592,800 1, 069. 220
B osto n 1 - __50, 700
16, 500
B rockton_______
73, 300
99, 500
Brookline. _____
134, 400
41, 250
C am bridge ___
0
22, 000
Chelsea________
14, 700
7, 500
Chicopee,*____
7,000
34,
500
E v e re tt_____ -2,400
0
Fall R iver , , -0
250
F itch b u rg ___ _
1, 600
11,700
H averhill______
19,
500
4,500
H olyoke________
8,000
7, 500
L aw ren ce.. 12, 350
13, 000
Lowell_________
33, 800
54, 800
L y n n __
____
41, 500
131,000
M alden
__
113,900
157, 000
M ed fo rd ..
___
9,
500
14, 000
New B edford___
489, 150
318, 000
N ewton
____
51, 900
31,
500
Pittsfield -----72,100
59, 700
Q uincy_________
15,
000
16, 800
Revere. _
53, 200
31, 500
S a le m __
____
29,
000
12,
000
Somerville__
77, 000
81,0C0
Springfield.__ --64, 800
17, 000
W altham _. _
97, 000
50, 500
W atertow n....... .
194, 400
71,850
W orcester ____
New H am pshire:
0
18, 000
Concord
24, 600
6,500
M anchester_____
R hode Island:
82,100
C ra n s to n ___
137, 200
58, 100
50, 400
E ast Providence30, 500
20, 000
N ew p o rt__
38, 550
48, 000
P a w tu c k e t.____
228, 700
194, 200
Providence_____
44, 000
0
W oonsocket___
Total
_ .
3,187, 200
4,117,420
+29. 2
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
March, April,
1931
1931
T o tal construction,
in c lu d in g a lte r a
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
113
3
8
9
1
1
17
12
9
0
7
19
7
13
8
2
2
26
15
10
5
15
$216, 390
41, 825
11, 750
8, 210
4, 785
133, 625
137, 400
27, 950
5, 475
3,850
3, 650
$83, 819
6, 638
21, 900
30, 560
13, 364
2, 300
35,100
5,128
7, 350
3,360
42, 200
$599, 780
64, 836
123, 450
117,874
18, 918
148, 407
269, 414
138,170
75, 925
5, 735
125,950
$174,169
49, 613
238, 925
126, 776
37, 643
40,262
221,890
179, 313
75,500
38, 531
124, 300
0
10
3
6
2
13
500
1, 500
20,255
1,550
12, 800
34, 800
500
47,500
70,623
21, 600
46, 800
117, 872
7
138
4
11
7
3
2
2
0
1
3
1
1
3
8
9
32
1
43
5
14
3
5
3
11
3
10
15
37, 725
52, 775
4, 225
5
8, 600
249 4, 889, 870 1, 254, 500 5, 820, 033 2,671, 346
103, 025
31, 655
34,325
5,640
7
97, 885
108,150
13, 200
300
7
182,950
331, 760
8,310
29
13, 450
5, 890
158, 680
100
0
125, 000
230, 525
12, 600
201, 925
5
2, 325
209,126
22, 800
169,326
10
11, 400
23, 250
139, 792
12,160
132, 412
1
28,325
4, 750
6, 250
0
0
11, 735
19, 725
2,970
1
6, 200
52, 400
17, 000
26, 550
3
3, 500
43, 970
168, 235
6, 050
1
128,145
65, 790
26, 990
15,185
3,900
6
428,047
53, 254
341, 580
4,385
11
170, 809
' 77, 700
14. 579
42
18, 570
134,175
169,175
13, 850
2,400
21
65, 925
38, 350
36, 975
11,350
2
359, 275
792, 355
23, 350
249, 910
39
82, 790
61, 060
17, 375
9
8, 010
150, 872
90,183
27, 435
21
13,385
34, 775
40, 565
4, 975
4
14, 500
167, 540
62, 830
2,050
8
6,050
149, 929
228, 270
92, 950
199, 800
8
179, 940
845, 377
63, 000
20
702, 922
112, 225
67, 695
20, 075
2,150
14
117, 675
278, 450
14, 500
212,650
21
292, 590
148, 205
31, 570
17, 195
33
0
3
4
10
0
133, 785
1, 950
6,345
4,000
155,210
19,950
62, 607
22
8
4
7
33
0
17
10
7
8
34
6
16, 225
19, 320
122, 270
8, 430
47, 000
20, 270
36, 200
93, 935
8, 900
14, 230
255, 875
107, 805
159, 300
79, 615
145, 210
81, 120
338, 875
25,105
122, 700
160, 760
121,079
67,550
716,900
157,390
625
816
+30.6
7, 778, 484
3, 285, 449 12, 663,931
-5 7 . 8
9,132, 639
-27. 9
1 Applications filed.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
New nonresidential
b u ild in g s ( e s t i
m ated cost)
[1402]
HOUSING
137
T a b l e 8 .— E S T IM A T E D C O ST O P B U IL D IN G S F O R AVHICH 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 , M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931-C ontinued
Middle Atlantic States
N ew residential buildings
E stim ated cost
State and city
M arch,
1931
New Jersey:
A tlantic C ity ___
$66, 275
Bavonne
0
Belleville___ _
61, 200
Bloomfield ___
80, 000
C am den___ _
38, 000
( 'lifton _____
94, 300
E ast O ra n g e ___
37, 500
E lizab eth_______
62, 000
Garfield . . . . .
55, 200
Hoboken
___
100, 000
I r v in g to n __ . . .
35, 800
Jersey C i t y ____
18, 000
K earny __ ___
33, 500
M o n tc la ir_____
172, 782
N ew ark________
296, 500
N ew B runsw ick..
24, 800
Orange . . .
_ .
0
P assaic...
.. .
5, 000
Paterson _ . .
48, 000
P e rth A m boy___
3, 500
Plainfield . .
55, 000
Trenton .. __ .
12, 800
Union ( ity ___ _
0
W est N ew Y ork.
0
New York:
A lb an y ________
118,300
A m sterdam
15, 000
A u b u rn . . . . . . _
0
Bingham ton
36, 500
Buffalo _
505, 400
E lm ira
___
10, 200
Jam estow n ..
9. 000
K ingston__
7,200
L o c k p o rt... _
0
M ount V ernon.._
281, 000
N e w b u r g h ___
0
New Rochelle___
366, 650
New York C ity—
T he Bronx L_ 6, 033, 550
B rooklyn L._ 3,199,350
M an h a tta n >_
698, 000
Queens 1____ 8, 249, 700
R ichm ond L_
386, 500
N iagara F alls___
116,450
24, 000
Poughkeepsie___
Rochester
_ ..
213, 500
Schenectady____
33, 000
S yracuse.. ____
140, 600
T ro v ________
299, 500
U tica______ _ . .
38, 000
W atertow n. _ .
0
AVhite Plains__
153, 200
Y onkers_______
466, 690
Pennsylvania:
A llentow n_____
0
Altoona
. . . .
9,400
Bethlehem . . . .
35,500
B utler
.. . ...
0
C h este r.. . . .
5,000
E a sto n ._. .
_ .
4,467
E rie_________ ._
65, 500
H arrisb u rg .. .
30, 000
H azleton .
7,945
Johnstow n. . . .
12, 000
L ancaster. . . . .
3, 500
13,000
M cK eesport
8, 000
N a n tic o k e _____
34,400
New Castle
89, 400
N orristow n. . _
A pril,
1931
Fam ilies p ro
vided for in
new dwellings
March, April,
1931
1931
58726°—31-----10
M arch,
1931
Total construction.
in c lu d in g a lte ra
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
April,
1931
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
$7, 848
0
59, 700
40, 000
32, 000
119,400
34, 750
117,000
18, 000
0
39, 200
45, 500
18, 000
308,128
303, 500
30, 500
0
0
47, 725
17, 000
46, 150
61, 000
0
6, 800
10
0
10
17
14
20
8
13
19
40
7
4
8
18
90
4
0
1
11
1
7
3
0
0
5
0
17
7
15
27
8
39
7
0
9
10
6
17
49
4
0
0
10
4
7
4
0
1
$5, 850
500
10, 300
5, 000
32, 910
46, 025
40, 805
21,000
1,775
0
488,904
23,445
3,350
19,656
103, 710
850
28, 604
4,100
41, 745
2, 460
5,000
54, 534
7, 400
1, 500
$1, 378
34, 112
3,992
38, 000
487, 441
16,100
286,170
27, 000
1,000
1,500
86, 685
175, 650
7, 755
10, 270
175,188
1,659
0
6, 900
35, 665
3, 800
12, 525
57,140
2, 900
1, 500
$104,980
9,150
75, 314
94, 000
85, 970
148, 625
99, 755
83, 000
66,475
116, 620
533, 754
117, 660
39, 400
218, 018
608, 169
38, 220
28, 604
47, 350
148, 678
21, 578
75, 000
126, 747
19, 060
15, 465
$72,093
37, 812
70, 632
107, 000
561,126
150, 600
370, 662
144,000
27, 225
15, 595
155, 650
309,175
31,165
340, 703
868, 973
54,174
35, 282
66, 808
141, 015
27, 975
69, 929
197, 928
27, 490
19, 380
197, 500
25, 100
9, 000
58, 300
675, 600
6,4C0
14, 000
22, 000
8, 500
443, 500
12, 000
173, 200
19
3
0
5
160
2
2
2
0
30
0
27
27
5
2
12
187
2
1
5
4
73
2
10
21,100
1, 950
1, 890
4, 172
970, 610
9. 800
2, 800
30,075
600
2, 860
5, 740
117,460
112,120
4, 050
584,410
16, 010
355, 784
26, 640
3, 950
7, 600
840
55, 300
194,443
32, 230
205,157
26, 750
5, 435
103, 795
1, 600, 708
38, Oil
21, 870
41, 570
1,140
316,195
7, 740
527, 095
439, 817
32, 800
598, 450
114, 508
1,118, 268
73, 245
39, 893
46,157
11,975
538; 756
218, 618
544; 519
4,154, 752
6, 906, 050
1,350, 000
9, 512, 700
429, 300
84, 800
70. 000
297, 600
40, 000
142, 600
78, 700
43, 500
9, 300
118, 400
1, 229, 800
1,391
797
160
1, 729
134
22
3
21
6
28
6
8
0
10
50
65, 800
6, 800
28, 500
0
2. 000
26, 500
92, 600
33, 500
3, 733
1,600
15, 600
20, 000
18, 900
22, 600
0
0
3
7
0
2
1
12
6
2
1
1
4
1
7
14
1,049 7, 232, 850
612, 600 13, 618,115 5,124, 502
1,762 1,037, 995
753, 767 6, 325, 001 8,483,000
306 17, 789, 039 27, 203, 845 20, 648,814 31,561,843
2. 333 1, 594, 448 1,101, 532 10,385, 540 11,879,236
132
374, 955
531, 828
855,193 1, 049,365
18
4, 750
17, 202
157, 751
151, 291
5
41, 300
2,220
69, 950
84, 570
19
267, 676
734,195
570, 629 1, 082,170
9
6, 550
35, 975
76, 950
124, 640
25
603,350
386, 565
807, 845
595, 660
17
2,450
10,400
345, 985
123,108
10
20, 735
15,275
72, 410
132, 275
3
3,410
3, 200
19, 508
23, 420
11 1,095,150
28, 575 1, 298, 250
186, 800
160
245, 400
309,310
769,880 1, 574, 260
* Applications filed.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
iNew nonresiaentiai
b u ild in g s ( e s t i
m ated cost)
[1403]
10
2
4
0
1
1
19
7
1
1
5
5
4
5
0
16, 575
7,803
6,150
750
14,050
5, 450
192, 055
7, 350
3,151
139, 800
6, 560
14,135
0
7, 895
5, 734
12, 950
7,139
7,050
7, 050
2,125
1,317
23, 000
18, 875
194,465
5, 925
43, 370
8,960
0
14,580
4, 023
45,475
42, 977
47, 950
9, 350
34, 095
13, 022
330, 865
60, 775
12, 016
157,465
24,480
40, 028
22,000
49,470
113,359
91, 875
33, 610
40, 800
15, 725
15,225
34,162
186,472
87, 801
205,465
21, 745
82, 210
67, 239
23, 005
40, 795
13, 591
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
138
T a b i e 8 .— E S T IM A T E D CO ST O F B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H 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 , M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931—C ontinued
M i d d l e A t l a n t i c S t a t e s — Continued
N ew residential buildings
State and city
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
E stim ated cost
M arch,
1931
Pennsylvania—Con.
$479, 200
Philadelphia298, 000
P it ts b u r g h .-----86, 200
Reading-----------4, 750
Scranton---------12,137
W ilkes-Barre----12, 000
W ilkinsburg-----1, 500
W illiam sport. —
23, 500
Y ork--------------
March, April,
1931
1931
April,
1931
$477,750
398, 500
28, 000
32, 500
8,137
6,000
38,100
33, 250
117
58
8
3
9
3
1
6
T o ta l- .. --- -- 23,936, 846 28,825,173
+20.4
5,186
E ast
Illinois:
A lton---------Aurora^..........
Belleville----B erw yn------Bloomington,
Chicago------Cicero______
D anville-----D ecatu r____
E lg in -----------E v an sto n -----G ranite C ity Joliet________
M ayw ood----M oline.............
O ak P a rk -----Peoria_______
Q uincy______
Rockford-----Rock Isla n d —
Springfield—..
W aukegan—
Indiana:
A nderson-----E ast Chicago.
E lk h art-------Evansville---F o rt W ay n e..
G ary ________
H am m ond—
Ind ian ap o lis..
K okomo____
L afayette___
M arion_____
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
T otal construction,
in c lu d in g a lte ra
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
$466,805 $6,795,195 $1,254, 050 $7, 628,125
1,105,466 2,106, 000 1,662, 914 2, 709, 158
187,033
148, 729
77,330
13,150
108,960
107, 823
32, 315
11,320
418,491
35, 789
373, 507
1,865
21,876
34, 549
4, 625
3, 800
121,387
161,187
54,638
134,396
196, 396
49, 329
111, 625
11,407
6, 706 34,614, 205 44, 520, 260 66, 296, 576 82, 206,684
+24.0
+28. 6
+29.3
C e n tr a i S ta te s
$3,825
5
16, 265
5
18
5,000
7,100
9
4
10, 000
112 16, 606, 820
1
3,215
500
6
14, 200
13
169,400
26
17, 690
10
24,500
4
0
1
14, 200
7
650
1
3. 250
5
3,920
7
7,975
31
360
4
4,350
18
1,535
5
69,252
9
4
46,900
0
$11,085
10, 000
48,000
9,000
1,032, 000
24, 000
0
52, 700
48, 350
33, 200
153,000
5,000
60,500
0
26, 600
53, 000
128,500
0
27, 600
15, 000
57, 700
35,000
$16, 000
23, 513
42,500
50,800
16, 000
763,800
7,000
16,900
75, 300
84, 220
52,450
61, 000
4,000
46, 000
5,000
20, 800
90,900
123, 700
12, 800
58, 900
22,000
37, 200
29, 000
0
3
2
6
2
166
5
0
7
17
5
4
1
10
0
6
4
34
0
5
2
12
6
16, 300
0
8,000
57, 700
68,179
33, 500
12, 000
182, 800
0
0
2,800
5,800
0
7,300
22, 500
17,500
32,025
0
2,800
65,150
105,371
29,000
17, 600
271,850
3,000
18,600
800
2, 700
6. 500
8, 900
11,800
0
4
0
2
15
10
6
4
33
0
0
3
1
0
4
3
5
10
0
1
17
21
6
5
38
1
6
1
2
3
4
4
0
10, 632
122, 350
5, 905
3,910
17,485
5,190
15,325
709, 397
565
0
710
25,775
4,675
11, 645
199,900
2,080
76,950
14, 650
28, 500
124, 400
1, 593, 675
99, 789
55,750
0
0
26,400
6
2
5
30
273
13
12
1
0
2
7
5
10
27
340
16
14
0
0
2
3, 600
23,450
10, 035
26, 360
760, 654
330,958
50,860
975
1,615
20,160
M ishawaka.
M uncie___
R ichm ond..
Terre H a u te ----Michigan:
36,200
A nn A rbor—.
7, 800
B attle Creek
19, 500
B ay C ity ---142,
700
D earborn__
- 1,335,650
D etro it___ ,
60, 646
F lin t______
38,000
1,500
H am tram ck__
0
H ighland P ark .
12,200
J a c k s o n ...........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
i'f o r th
97
70
3
11
8
1
7
9
N ew nonresidential
b u ild in g s (e s ti
m ated cost)
[14041
$13,133
$750
68,052
315,735
0
16,325
56,350
4,969
26,000
155, 700
2, 683,275 18, 361,230
2,170
33,666
0
5, 700
68,400
81,900
220, 350
10,100
26, 625
57,225
218,000
339,250
5,800
200
2, 200
97,900
3,548
2, 595
52,917
5, 660
13,950
63, 565
148,875
11,942
1,318
2,985
50, 890
8,955
35.063
4, 565
172,127
81, 250
6, 012
87,600
$30,264
355, 752
42,500
57,269
176, 700
4,233,890
20,185
23, 303
159,150
99,605
93,200
625, 750
4, 200
71,800
10,848
45, 749
110.800
154,927
16,043
86,415
59,904
144, 844
49,632
15,050
7,742
17,931
304, 603
518,835
4,235
19,478
213,086
2, 500
5,000
750
3,875
5,955
2,215
800
1,420
34, 582
125,415
22,470
73,968
112,089
46, 640
35,175
982, 838
74, 840
0
7,674
32,150
7, 775
35,422
227,400
27,997
61,565
18.119
32, 587
380, 569
670,690
54.120
43,203
589.583
12.981
24,600
12,085
9,375
16,405
26,954
18.200
11.982
1,408,485
267, 500
9, 635
96, 090
775,570
231, 209
25,210
1,150
4,365
11,128
51,865
32,000
68, 851
170, 750
2, 443, 249
416, 834
135,495
10,195
17,760
50,375
1,510,244
294, 520
363,696
226,311
2,709,488
374.583
133,770
9,935
10,190
47,611
HOUSING
139
T a b l e 8 .—E S T IM A T E D CO ST O F B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H 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 , M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931—Continued
E a s t N o r th C e n tr a l S ta te s — Continued
N ew residential buildings
S tate and city
E stim ated cost
M arch,
1931
M ichigan—C ontd.
Kalam azoo........ .
Lansing______
M uskegon.........
P ontiac_______
Saginaw .............
W yandotte____
Ohio:
A kron________
A shtab u la_____
C anto n_______
C incinnati........ .
Cleveland_____
C olum bus.
D ay to n ___
E ly ria ...........
H am ilto n___
Lakewood__
L im a_______
L orain______
M ansfield___
M arion_____
M assillon___
M iddletow n.
Norw ood___
P o rtsm o u th ..
Springfield...
Steubenville.
Toledo______
W arren_____
Y oungstow n.
W isconsin:
A ppleton___
E au C la ire ...
F ond d u Lac.
Green B a y ...
K enosha____
M adison____
M ilw au k e e ...
O shkosh____
Racine______
Sheboygan___
Superior_____
W est A llis___
Per cent of change.
April,
1931
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
M arch, April,
1931
1931
N ew nonresidential
b u ild in g s ( e s t i
m ated cost)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
T otal construction,
in c lu d in g a lte ra
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
$34,100
7,400
4,000
0
4,100
19,100
$29, 600
46,325
18,900
0
31, 800
22,750
11
2
1
0
3
5
8
8
6
0
12
5
$3,620
1,325
15,875
1,530
7,440
187,980
$13,340
41,210
2, 975
30.100
19,504
2,340
$57,431
17, 675
19,875
8,860
25,231
210,812
$60,043
141,175
35,940
37, 614
76,200
900
16,500
854,800
222, 500
178, 700
258,200
132,312
0
10, 000
21,575
10, 500
0
13,100
62, 800
3,000
3,000
0
25,500
3,500
16, 900
9, 900
100, 300
12, 340
47,900
67,625
0
27,550
894,855
338,500
95, 675
235,100
73,400
5, 000
1,800
15,400
91,000
3,000
6, 700
71,100
0
4,560
1,000
10,500
0
26, 750
10, 500
129, 900
47, 570
41, 800
13
1
2
213
45
23
58
33
0
3
6
3
0
4
11
1
1
0
4
1
5
3
25
4
10
12
0
4
134
59
17
41
21
1
2
5
17
1
2
13
0
1
1
2
0
8
4
26
9
9
19,086
3,665
50,935
754,530
210,275
10,850
379,000
41, 601
25,336
46, 760
38,010
371,205
198,325
24,485
96.100
36,404
10, 675
960
4,610
17, 750
515
19,230
2,505
3,150
93, 295
1.658
3,180
6,425
830,859
1,050
29,179
9, 755
7,460
122, 753
8,690
108, 030
1, 747,275
951,225
193,290
680,000
250,883
2, 775
26, 745
33,178
41,040
10, 049
19,243
84, 507
3,310
26,500
10, 670
46,490
11,990
31,270
20,000
201, 561
20,820
278,928
357,433
51, 662
101.450
1,386, 700
792, 500
124,810
425,650
163, 982
21,470
7,640
28,540
114.450
9, 890
29, 760
78,068
3,915
100,105
9, 558
15,320
9,390
863.329
34,100
24, 000
7,400
29, 050
0
78, 000
437, 600
23,240
10, 300
33, 500
17, 500
30,000
27, 800
30, 400
28,400
43, 050
43, 200
62, 050
690, 970
9, 800
63, 000
90, 700
4, 000
35,100
7
7
2
8
0
7
84
7
2
8
5
6
6, 792, 627
7, 733,123
+13.8
1,371
7
12
9
16
5
12
136
6
11
19
1
9
200
10,685
6,163
20,540
805
3,433
15,625
150
1,800
6,325
12.140
4,040
10,040
500
52, 729
4,485
186,210
170, 635
160,480
10, 000
11.140
12, 500
14, 735
216, 684
122,324
26,350
19, 049
1,445
14, 525
12, 315
7,400
2,930
14, 670
7,455
35, 560
1,448,687
33, 825
93, 070
9,809
3,155
6,545
66,121
37,185
12,000
204, 507
66,405
174,447
224,570
61, 505
184,480
40,968
21, 215
49,260
63, 965
82, 975
26, 680
66, 650
110,442
120, 564
848,471 2,960, 772
184,637
50, 905
56,090
171,860
66, 752
131, 993
25,499
11, 680
49,525
49,930
1,516 Z
22,198, 567 11,377, 662 32,241,989 23, 666, 217
-Hi 1
-4 8 .7
-2 6 .6
W e s t N o r th C e n tr a l S t a t e s
Iowa:
B u rlin g to n ..........
C edar R ap id s___
Council B lu ffs ...
D aven p o rt______
Des M oines_____
D u b u q u e _______
O ttu m w a________
Sioux C ity ______
W aterloo_______
K ansas:
H utch in so n_____
K ansas C ity ____
T opeka_________
W ichita.................
$13,050
31, 000
5, 000
75, 570
148, 750
14, 000
7, 500
39, 000
29, 000
15,800
17, 975
29, 900
81, 525
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$ 6, 000
$5,450
9,455
54, 800
29, 000
64, 200
143,350
1,000
32,972
60, 545
3, 900
6, 000
0
31, 500
79, 950
41,625
21,150
9,025
25, 750
32, 725
21,500
74, 725
30,690
10,400
33,340
55,990
[1405]
$4,145
72,657
17, 200
9,848
902, 985
24, 503
2,050
109,125
20, 800
$24,185
61,837
16,000
415,859
238, 069
49,520
13, 500
83, 685
42, 715
$12,695
149,497
59, 700
109, 997
1,087,000
42,195
41,300
253, 375
76, 725
3,338
48,485
31,700
67, 765
175,691
38,949
263, 245
107,495
124,446
221 , 220
70, 720
18,375
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
140
T a b le 8 .—E S T IM A T E D CO ST OP B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E IS S U E D IN
P R IN C IP A L C IT IE S , M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931—C ontinued
W e s t N o r th C e n tr a l S t a t e s —Continued
N ew residential buildings
State and city
E stim ated cost
M arch,
1931
M innesota:
D u lu th
__ _
M inneapolis___
St. P au l-,
M issouri:
Joplin____
Kansas C ity ____
Springfield ____
fit Joseph
St. L o u is _
__
U niversity C ity —
N ebraska:
Lincoln _ _____
O m aha---- --------N o rth D akota:
F a rg o .-. - . -- . .
South D akota:
Sioux Falls---------
April,
1931
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
M arch, April,
1931
1931
New nonresidential
b u ild in g s (e s ti
m ated cost)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
T otal construction,,
in c lu d in g a lte ra
tions and repairs;
(estimated cost)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
$28, 800
347, 025
173,400
$13, 000
668, 700
516,960
7
93
35
5
181
53
$4, 235
2,087, 205
91,939
$21,565
868, 365
879, 595
$78,327
2, 659, 805
591, 259
$96, 363
1, 707,855
1,512,455
19, 400
268,000
57, 700
5, 000
645, 000
238,050
14,000
150, 500
3, 800
16,000
577,937
141,000
6
61
16
2
193
32
4
38
13
7
146
17
6, 500
169, 500
2, 390
7,060
323,597
19, 995
247,303
811, 000
18,075
20, 980
3, 805, 257
150
32, 216
475,400
76,855
18,106
1,122, 821
270, 570
270,028
1,002,350
30, 350
48, 835
4, 568, 665
143,892
61,950
134, 300
83,450
154,150
8
30
10
36
4,900
147,567
4,995
40,617
73, 210
561, 500
98,955
226,947
20, 200
59,800
6
25
240
10,165
49,947
75,795
113,453
124, 565
27
28
112,485
289,384
237,000
426,574
T o ta l.. . ___ 2, 620,348
Per cent of change----
3,134,987
+19.6
668
755
+13.0
3, 251, 530
8,494,417
+161.2
7, 516,027 12, 575, 683
+67.3
S o u th A t l a n t i c S t a t e s
Delaware:
$69, 100
$75, 300
W ilmington
D istrict of Columbia:
W a s h in g to n ..__ 1, 980, 350 1, 630,100
Florida:
49, 850
49, 850
Jacksonville___116,750
56, 250
M iam i. .
___
0
0
Orlando . . ___
14, 700
26, 700
St. Petersburg__
7,450
33,125
T a m p a ______ _
Georgia:
90,825
A tlan ta _
__ _
115, 650
9,858
1, 475
A u g u s ta ,______
6,450
20,000
C olum bus______
7,475
2,400
M acon_________
M aryland:
482,000
3,430,000
Baltimore . ___
5, 400
15, 000
C um berland____
9,500
26, 500
H agerstow n------N o rth Carolina:
8, 500
1,000
Asheville _____
133, 000
107, 300
C harlotte__
20,950
15,900
D u rh a m _______
7,800
19, 333
Greensboro___
14, 300
37, 200
H igh P o in t_____
1,500
31, 409
Raleigh ________
5, 800
7, 000
W ilm ington . .
14, 200
49, 651
W inston-Salem ...
South Carolina:
9,400
15, 600
Charleston . . _.
41, 600
32, 200
Columbia _ _ _ _
22, 000
39, 500
G reenville____ _
Virginia:
65, 387
16, 975
N ew port N ew s—
45, 300
75, 500
N orfolk___ _____
4,000
1,000
P e te rs b u rg -__
23, 050
16,400
Portsm outh _ . .
122, 550
362, 500
R ichm ond__
258, 000
71,000
R o a n o k e .____W est Virginia:
14, 500
3,600
Clarksburg_____
5,100
H u n tin g to n _____
(2)
4,000
0
Parkersburg____
14,000
11, 000
W heeling--------T otal ______ 3, 752, 918 6,322, 045
+68.5
Per cent, of change
17
14
$445, 980
$15,185
$552,869
$131, 507
300
308
1, 066, 373
772, 298
3,167, 626
2, 852, 058
19
22
0
4
11
10
15
0
11
8
45, 755
124, 875
1, 135
5, 200
8,435
10, 985
32, 470
1,670
27,000
35, 725
171,850
235,068
12, 065
30, 600
67, 048
121, 725
239, 038
18, 370
76, 300
69, 621
53
2
4
4
41
0
2
11
17, 066
1,043
445
8,100
397,816
76,183
9,638
14,116
9, 225 ■ 23,935
8, 335
29, 595
234,012
43, 745
25, 345
221,080
104
4
4
827
3
2
904,900
118, 385
3, 725
831,200
2,930
6,920
1,972, 300
137, 214
33, 535
4,891,200
8, 580
16, 620
1
29
6
5
7
4
3
15
5
42
4
2
8
1
3
3
3,810
13,965
0
2,815
22,490
2,250
48,100
4,530
17,661
33, 525
10, 500
19,480
8,625
22, 300
2, 400
24,410
13, 771
162, 398
26, 906
43, 593
36, 790
39,208
67, 200
77,431
29, 586
176, 971
35, 790
55, 535
47, 236
25, 475
15, 400
72, 452
7
17
6
4
14
3
400
9, 800
20, 450
450
2, 450
13,975
21, 688
59, 550
72, 993
19,890
54,090
42,410
7
13
1
8
30
21
13
19
2
5
24
2
176,864
30, 545
0
2,621
46, 883
3,488
17, 692
18,115
865
1,070
160,150
5, 725
208,915
97, 916
4,250
34,456
450,874
79, 545
93, 808
118, 555
4,890
58, 932
307,882
275,974
5
2
2
1
2
1,423
+93.6
35, 780
(2)
8, 050
6, 510
3,190, 768
2,415
1, 325
8,875
17,235
2,227, 682
-3 0 .2
(2)
0
2
735
2 N o rep o rt received for M arch: A pril figures no t included in total.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1406]
60,680
13, 365
16, 725
(2)
10, 550
30,938
41, 739
58,109
8,456,090 10,486, 549
+24.0
HOUSING
T a b le 8 .
141
E S T IM A T E D CO ST O F B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H 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 , M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931-C ontinued
S o u th C e n tr a l S ta te s
New residential buildings
E stim ated cost
State and city
M arch,
1931
Alabama:
B irm ingham .
M obile...........
M ontgom ery.
Arkansas:
L ittle R o ck ...
K entucky:
A shland....... .
C ovington___
Louisville___
N ew p o rt____
Paducah........ .
Louisiana:
B aton RougeM onroe........ .
N ew Orleans..
Shreveport___
Mississippi:
Jackson_____
Oklahoma:
E n id ________
Okmulgee____
T ulsa________
Tennessee:
C h attan o o g a ...
Knoxville_____
M em phis_____
N ashville_____
Texas:
A u stin .______
B eaum ont____
Corpus C hristi.
D allas............ .
E l Paso_______
F o rt W o rth ___
H ouston______
San A ntonio___
W aco_________
W ichita F alls___
T o tal______
Per cent of change.
.
A pril,
1931
Fam ilies pro
vided for in
new dwellings
M arch, April,
1931
1931
N ew nonresidential
b u ild in g s ( e s t i
m ated cost)
Total construction,
in c lu d in g a lte ra
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
M arch,
1931 '
A pril,
1931
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
$12, 975
207, 500
11,125
$284,136
11, 550
7,625
$102, 863
230,416
85,885
$382, 518
55,154
71, 265
$33,650
9, 400
60, 900
$4,100
21, 600
44. 000
12
5
24
72, 750
20,800
14
8
3,494
36,470
93, 384
116,463
0
31, 700
155, 500
4,00(1
11, 700
0
5,000
144, 000
0
3,200
0
10
20
1
6
0
1
21
0
2
15, 000
6,925
591, 750
350
65, 600
450
4, 660
300; 505
25, 300
1, 550
17,125
53, 730
820,175
11, 050
77,600
6,225
21, 745
534, 395
26, 600
5,750
32, 927
6, 850
57, 793
25, 315
6, 200
9,050
93, 486
50, 614
16
7
26
8
5
6
37
21
31, 637
1, 000
514.114
7,150
82,325
75
2, 224, 546
5,048
90, 590
15, 265
638, 836
74,152
92, 035
9, 375
2, 375, 019
82, 741
39,000
48, 675
15
17
6,460
250
49, 960
61, 510
15, 595
326, 800
0
210,815
9. 550
543, 750
0
208, 705
7
94
0
39
6
77
0
56
3, 850
1, 949, 850
100
42,540
1, 350
1,123, 910
150
63, 305
19,445
2, 395, 825
400
290, 535
12, 830
1, 708, 545
650
297, 717
21, 000
30, 000
48, 100
82, 350
41, 709
25,440
92, 950
58, 850
10
6
26
27
14
11
32
20
14, 500
19, 380
34,450
48, 640
21, 500
33, 036
52, 910
421, 965
64, 541
54,450
250, 534
200,465
521, 061
117, 730
47, 900
56, 500
234, 600
82, 290
164, 705
788, 700
126, 710
19, 200
10, 300
142,197
20, 225
10, 250
188,195
117,405
163, 350
1,168, 750
87, 485
33, 667
0
48
11
35
140
33
55
194
90
9
2
70
11
11
85
31
52
284
59
10
0
7,094
62,190
6,475
208,182
44, 247
101, 213
218, 500
33, 600
1, 227, 032
2,150
75,126
68, 562
1, 300
146, 590
25, 895
202, 685
191, 850
415, 520
3, 733
1, 500
132, 664
139, 774
73, 715
543, 390
147, 417
297, 573
1, 037, 750
185, 395
1, 254, 732
19, 501
232, 369
109,169
15, 450
527, 045
182,181
415, 384
1, 393, 650
544, 694
63, 007
6,875
2,924, 780
3,363,203
+15.0
990
980
-1 .0
5,499,073
5,835, 377
5
12
16
89, 864
72, 006
221 , 000
9, 469,137 10,254,294
+ 8 .3
M o u n t a i n a n d P a c if ic S ta te s
Arizona:
Phoenix________
$81, 900
$48, 690
Tucson_________
39, 700
62, 300
California:
A lam eda_______
85, 500
29, 800
A lham bra______
95, 450
82, 750
Bakersfield_____
50, 425
41, 205
Berkeley_______
82, 250
135, 625
Fresno_________
73, 000
70, 850
G lendale............
255, 450
0
Long B each_____
364, 250
296. 850
Los Angeles_____ 2, 214, 249 1, 700. 864
O akland________
328, 543
257, 320
P a s a d e n a ._____
112, 290
71, 300
Sacramento____ 206, 000
176, 920
San B ern ard in o ..
73, 945
58, 500
San Diego______
212, 677
217, 700
San Francisco___
932, 968 1, 212, 400
San Jose._____
109, 200
60, 300
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
29
16
11
20
$820, 369
279,035
21
36
15
19
20
59
142
780
94
18
39
23
56
231
34
7
27
15
25
17
0
105
548
64
14
32
16
56
323
13
6,040
132, 650
56,175
25, 933
21, 615
63, 035
167, 950
1, 410, 267
538, 669
224, 270
35, 095
4, 379
451, 367
946, 203
47,125
11407]
$9, 600
15, 349
$907, 919
335; 474
$76, 577
115, 380
2,110
96, 677
43, 684
21, 700
233,150
110, 750
28, 850
125, 624
87, 015
11,155
128, 009
160, 472
11, 705
115. 285
105, 093
0
332, 740
35, 350
584, 395
366, 745
912, 906 4, 272, 107 3, 509, 653
604, 087
956, 225
933, 852
77, 595
336, 560
199, 389
313, 863
297, 545
532, 756
22, 690
91, 619
93, 687
287, 886
839, 906
551, 516
566, 384 2, 071,179 1, 998, 787
23,155
207, 035
135, 645
0
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
142
T a b l e 8 .—E S T IM A T E D C O ST O F B U IL D IN G S F O R W H IC H 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 , M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931—C ontinued
M o u n t a i n a n d P a c if ic S t a t e s — Continued
N ew residential buildings
State and city
E stim ated cost
M arch,
1931
California—C ontd.
Santa A na .
Santa M onica.Stockton . . ___
Vallejo-------------Colorado:
Colorado Springs
D e n v e r..
.. ..
Pueblo_________
M ontana:
B u tte __________
N ew Mexico:
A lbuquerque-----Oregon:
P o r tla n d ______
Salem__________
U tah:
Ogden
__ ___
Salt Lake C ity ...
W ashington:
Bellingham ____
F, v erett
______
Seattle _______
Spokane____ _
T acom a______
T o ta l.. . . .
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
M arch, April,
1931
1931
April,
1931
New nonresidential
b u ild in g s (e s ti
m ated cost)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
T otal construction,
in c lu d in g a lte ra
tions and repairs
(estim ated cost)
April,
1931
M arch,
1931
$71, 800
93, 250
84, 750
18, 800
$44, 400
131, 200
69, 600
23, 300
14
23
21
4
12
31
16
5
$7, 300
4, 925
39, 332
505
0
$29, 710
21, 090
8,006
$88, 235
106,100
134,457
27, 930
$51, 601
170, 285
103, 388
42,475
12,300
574, 950
2,650
10,450
828, 400
11, 500
5
142
2
5
289
6
3, 407
80, 690
7,478
21, 005
204,450
6,680
24,149
754,440
23, 338
44, 580
1,120, 450
28, 650
0
0
0
0
5, 835
9,175
6, 710
14, 200
50,050
87,800
17
20
21,475
5,804
78,871
121, 302
287, 950
20, 505
286, 550
31, 365
73
9
59
19
260, 070
4,405
127, 765
4,910
677, 750
28, 363
527, 290
45, 839
10, 800
85,800
9,000
224, 350
5
25
4
58
0
25, 625
3,500
46, 214
11, 300
149, 889
14,700
298,163
12,100
3, 500
347, 275
112, 350
91, 500
9, 900
3, 000
296, 320
104, 400
32, 000
5
2
123
28
42
3
1
106
24
14
725
1, 475
307, 228
137,175
220, 340
3,000
8, 670
424, 699
418,175
115, 550
31, 385
9,940
910, 623
293, 520
347, 950
17, 857
18, 216
994, 549
542, 019
193, 915
7,198,127
6, 726, 909
-6 . 5
2,172
1,965
-9 .5
6,358,167
4,402, 788 15, 636, 399 13, 370.480
-1 4 .5
-3 0 .8
s
H a w a ii
H onolulu _ ______
Per cent nf phflngp
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$164,100
$170,822
+4. 1
90
57
-3 6 .7
[1408]
$64, 246
$255,861
+298.3
$263, 304
$454,743
+72.7
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
R ecen t C h an ges in W ages and H ours of Labor
NFORMATION received by the bureau regarding wage changes
is presented below in two distinct groups: Part 1 relates to manu
facturing establishments that report monthly figures regarding volume
of employment, while part 2 presents data obtained from new trade
agreements' and other miscellaneous sources. Although the effort is
made, it is not always possible to avoid duplication of data as between
parts 1 and 2.
I
Part 1.— Wage-Rate Changes in Manufacturing Industries
E ig h t establishments in 6 industries reported wage-rate increases
during the month ending April 15. These increases, averaging 6.8
per cent, affected 345 employees or 20 per cent of all employees in the
establishments concerned.
One hundred and ninety-five establishments in 47 industries
reported wage-rate decreases during the same period. These de
creases, averaging 10.1 per cent, affected 22,543 employees or 72 per
cent of all employees in the establishments concerned.
Twenty-four of the wage-rate decreases were reported by estab
lishments in the textile group of industries; 38 of the decreases were
in the iron and steel group of industries; 41 decreases were in the
lumber group of industries.
W A Q E C H A N G E S O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N M A R C H 15 A N D A P R IL 15, 1931
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rate
E stablishm ents
Industry
N um ber
Total
num ber reporting
reporting increase
or de
em ploy
m ent and crease in
wage
pay roll
rates
Em ployees affected
Per cent of employees
Range
Total
num
ber
In estab
le hm ents
reporting
increase or
decrease in
wage rates
8.6
10.0
2.2
2.0
10.0
10.0
121
12
75
45
40
52
12
7
40
24
27
100
6.8
345
20
A ver
age
In all
estab
lish
m ents
report
ing
Increases
Hosiery and k n it goods-.
Paper boxes___________
Printing, book and jo b ..
Printing, new spapers___
Fertilizers_____________
A gricultural implements
T o t a l..._________
350
312
608
447
205
83
=
1
1
2
1
1
2
5.0-15. 0
10.0
2. 0- 7. 0
2.0
10.0
10.0
8
2. 0-15. 0
' ' '
1
.
-----.1------------------
—
1 Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[14091
(l)
0)
(9
0)
0)
(9
143
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
144
W A G E C H A N G E S O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N .M A R C H 15 A N D A P R IL 15, 1931—Continued
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rate
E stablishm ents
Em ployees affected
Per cent of employees
In d u stry
N um ber
Total
reporting
num ber increase
reporting
or de
employ crease in
m ent and
wage
pay roll
rates
Range
A ver
age
In estab
lishments
reporting
increase or
decrease in
wage rates
Total
num
ber
In all
estab
lish
ments
report
ing
Decreases
Slaughtering and m eat packing-__
____
C onfect in n ery
Jr»0 cream
__
___ ___ _ —
Flmir
Falling
_ ____ ___ Cotton goods
______
Hosiery and k n it goods
__ _
Pilk goods
_ __ ______
Woolen and worsted goods
Carpets and rugs
__
D yeing and finishing textiles.
___
Clothing m en's
Clothing w omen’s
_ _____ M illinery and lace goods
Iron and steel
_
__ _ ____
Cast-iron pipe
Struct oral ironwork _
F oundry and machine-shop prod__________ - -- -nets
H ardw are
______
____
M achine tools ______ _
Steam fittings and steam and hotw ater heating apparatus
__
Stoves
___ - -- ---------___
Lum ber sawmills
Lum ber mill work
__ _ _ _
Fu rn itu re
__ _ _ __
Leather
_
_
Paper and pulp
- Paper boxes
_ _ _
P rinting book and job
__
P rinting newspapers
__ ___ Fertilizers
___ - - Cem ent
___ - __Prick tile and te rra c o tta __ __
Pottery
__________ _____
Glass
__________ _____
Stam ped and enameled w are-----Brass, bronze, and copper products
___ _____________
Cigars and cigarettes
_ _
Automobiles ______ _
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad
_ __ _ _
Agricultural im plem ents
Electrical m achinery, apparatus
and supplies
___ _______
pig nos and organs______ - __
Shipbuilding
___ _ _____
P ain t and v a r n is h ______ - Beverages
_______
__
Cash registers, adding machines,
and calculating m achines-------T o tal___________________
213
332
322
399
725
445
350
254
193
30
120
349
399
122
187
43
170
1,093
91
150
107
135
668
324
462
131
246
312
608
447
205
113
729
116
170
78
10.8
5.0
7.3
11. 6
8. 6
11. 3
8. 6
15. 0
10.0
12. 5
10.0
10.0
10.0
9. 7
5.0
10.0
12.7
262
107
13
401
566
4,104
216
159
234
30
184
170
52
1,368
110
43
47
83
16
34
99
75
85
87
20
98
13
100
100
100
82
100
100
76
4.0-20.0
10.0
5.0
10.3
10.0
5. 0
2,979
327
119
87
100
100
2
1
1
11.0
1
8. 5-12. 5
5
5. 0-25. 0
17
5. 0-20. 0
12
12 10. 0-21. 6
5. 0-10. 0
7
10.0
2
2 10. 0-13. 5
10.0
2
3. 2-10. 0
2
3 10. 0-20. 0
2 10. 0-12. 5
4. 0-20. 0
21
3 10. 0-20.0
10.0
2
10.0
1
11.0
9.2
9.6
11.9
12.0
7.0
10.0
10.5
10.0
8.2
11.4
11.0
9.9
11.3
10.0
10.0
300
419
2, 064
1,396
854
447
337
71
389
101
147
241
1,102
157
86
8
68
36
86
94
87
32
100
59
100
65
75
89
93
15
43
100
1
2
2
6
2
2
1
88
48
100
4 10. 0-13. 0
5.0
1
5. 0- 8. 0
2
8 10. 0-15. 0
2. 5-25. 0
10
7.0-20. 0
10
8. 0-10. 0
2
15.0
1
10.0
. 3
12.5
1
10.0
1
10.0
1
10.0
1
7. 5-15. 0
4
5.0
1
10.0
1
8. 0-20. 0 #
3
25
1
1
156
185
218
3
1
2
5. 0-10. 0
4.0
10.0
5.1
4. 0
10.0
325
443
1,076
537
83
3
3
6.0
5. 0-11.0
6.0
9.4
94
633
64
45
45
1
10.0
10.0
23
10
10.1
22, 543
7°
[1 4 1 0 ]
(>)
0
1
9
1
1
1
3
1
0
0)
1
1
0
0
0
10.0
12.1
10.0
10.0
4.0
3
1
*
0
0)
0)
0
0)
0
10.0
10. 0-12. 5
10.0
10.0
4.0
2. 5-25. 0
0
0)
95
155
59
22
8
2
2
1
1
1
195
0)
(0
0
0
25
100
100
100
100
206
65
87
284
255
1 Less th an one-half of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
•
0
0
(>)
0
4
3
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Part 2.
145
Wage Changes Reported by I rade-Unions Since February, 1931
C hanges in wages and hours reported by trade-unions and, in a
lew instances, from other sources are given in the table following.
Notices of these changes received during the past month and covering
the months since February show changes for 19,985 workers, of whom
10,821 were reported to have obtained the 5-day week and 4,586
suffered reductions in wage rates. In the building-trades group the
principal change reported was the adoption of the 5-day week, the
number of increases and decreases in wages being about equal.
Almost the only group to show any consistent advance in wages was
the printing trades, where increases of from $1 to $5 per week were
secured.
R E C E N T U N IO N W A G E C H A N G E S ,^ B Y ^ m n J S T I ^ , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D 'L O C A L IT Y ,
R ate of wages
D ate of
change
Before change
Apr. 1-
Per week
i $30. 00
A pr. 18A pr. 1_.
-do___
M ay 1-.
- _do___
M ay 8 -.
M ay I . .
Apr. 18-,
Per hour
Per hour
1.10
1.0456
1. 3754
1. 3756
1.00
.80
1.06J4
1.03-%
0
0
1.00
1.00
0
0
1.25-1. 35
1. 00-1. 10
M ay 1__
-do___
M ar. 20-
1.50
1.00
M ar. 1___
M ar. 24. _.
Feb. 15__
A pr. 1___
Feb. 2___
M ay 1___
M ar. 20-._
0
0
1.1254
1. 70
1.1254
. 75-. 80
Before After
change change
Per week
40
40
48
48
40
40
40
44
40
44
44
0
1. 25
1.1254
1.1254
0
1.1254
40
0
40
0
40
40
40
1. 1254
1.70
1.00
(4)
0
40
44
0
A pr. 1-
Feb. 5..
M iners, Lico, W . V a___________
M ar. 9.
1 A nd 50 per cen t of receipts over $40.
2 A nd 50 per c en t of receipts over $38.
3 N o t reported.
4 U nlim ited.
5 No change.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0
M ay 1___
Chauffeurs and teamsters, tru ck drivers, .--do_-.
Chicago, 111.
F u rn itu re workers: U pholsterers, High Feb. 2Point, N . C.
L eather workers: T an n ery workers, M il
waukee, W is__________________________ Feb. 1 1 Lum ber, tim ber and mill work:
Box-factory workers, K lam ath Falls,
Oreg., and vicinity_________________ M ar. 10.
M ill carpenters, Chicago, Ill-
After
change
o
o
Barbers, Scranton, P a _________________
B uilding trades:
C arpenters—
Baltim ore, M d . (city jo b )________
Boston, M ass__________ ____ ____
Frem ont, O hio__________________
Hollywood, Calif, (studio w o rk )...
Portland, Oreg__________ _______
San Diego, Calif., a n d v icin ity___
Engineers, hoisting, Portland, Oreg___
H ouse wreckers, N ew Y ork, N . Y ., and
vicinity.
Laborers, Portland, Oreg____________
M asons, E a st Liverpool, Ohio________
M osaic a n d terrazzo workers, D etroit,
M ich., a n d vicinity.
Painters an d paper hangers, Kingsville,
Tex.
Pile drivers, Portland, Oreg__________
Plum bers and steam fitters—
Bellingham , W ash_______________
Superior, W is____________________
W aukegan, 111., and v ic in ity_______
W enatchee, W ash________________
Structural-ironw orkers, Portland, Oreg.
Terrazzo workers, helpers, D etroit,
M ich., and vicinity.
All building-trades w orkers—
Alliance, Ohio________________
San B ernardino, Calif_________
H ours per week
00
In d u stry , occupation, and locality
[1411]
Per week
42. 00
0
24.25
3. 20-5.60
Per hour
Per week
( 5)
57 H
0
55
22.00
Per day
(s)
Per hour
1.20
0
Per
Per day
3. 20-4. 00
2. 50-3. 00
( 3)
6 Piecework.
7 20 per cen t reduction.
8 10 per cent reduction.
9 R eduction, am ount not reported.
44-48
0
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
146
R E C E N T U N IO N W A G E C H A N G E S , B Y IN D U S T R Y , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D L O C A L IT Y ,
F E B R U A R Y TO M A Y , 1931—C ontinued
H ours per week
R ate of wages
In d u stry , occupation, and locality
D ate of
change
Prin tin g trades:
Compositors—
A shtabula, Ohio:
A pr. 1
__ do_ _
___do_____
N ewspaper w ork, d a y ------------N ewspaper w ork, n ig h t----------- __ do _____
Green Bay, Wis.:
Job work
- - ------- M ay 1___
__ do_
New York, N . Y ., newspaper w ork. ___do_____
Street-railw ay workers:
Shreveport, L a ..
-------------------------Tulsa, Okla., m otorm en and bus drivers.
M unicipal workers:
F all R iver, M ass.—
Firpmpn
___
_ _
Police departm ent e m p lo y e es-----School departm ent employees, superintendent, supervisors, princi-
Before change
After
change
P e r w eek
P e r w eek
0
$30. 00
33.00
30. 00
33.00
$35.00
38.00
35.00
38.00
44
44
48
48
44
44
48
48
35.00
35.00
36.00
36.00
(3)
44
48
45
44
48
i° 45
0.45-0. 60
48-60
70
48-60
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
P e r hour
0. 45-0. 65
0
Apr. 5. . .
A pr. 6------
(3)
(3)
0
(»)
P e r y ea r
P e r y ea r
(r)
0
Apr. 4___ 1,300. 00-7, 500. 00
__do_ _ _ 1, 200.00-2, 800.00
P e r w eek
Frem ont, Ohio, road construction and
repair workers--------------------------------
P e r hour
Feb. 15___
M ar. 1___
Janitors and repairm en----------------- - d o. ___
P e r w eek
0
28. 50-33. 50
P e r hour
M ay 1___
Before After
change change
P e r hour
. 50-. 75
. 40-. 65
48
48
—
8 N o t reported.
8 N o change.
i 20 per cent reduction.
10 Sixth day of week given to some unem ployed m em ber of union.
1115 per cent reduction.
S alaries of S ocial W orkers, 1929
D
URING the summer of 1929 a study of the salaries paid to social
workers of member agencies of the Family Welfare Association
was made by the Russell Sage Foundation. Data were secured for
May, 1929, from 217 of the 229 agencies. With the cooperation of
the Bureau of Jewish Social Research, information was secured on
salaries paid by 47 Jewish family welfare agencies. All but two of
these reports were also for May, 1929. The Jewish organizations, like
the member agencies, are scattered over the United States. One
member agency, however, is in Honolulu and four member agencies
and two Jewish agencies are in Canada. The majority of the organiza
tions are located in large cities. In both groups the few agencies
which did not give salary figures were small organizations.
While 264 agencies in all reported on salaries, the figures of 4 were
not included, 3 having only part-time or volunteer workers and 1
having maintenance provided as part of compensation. A summary
of the findings on salaries is here reproduced from the report on this
investigation.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1412]
147
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
SA L A R IE S F O R T H E M O R E C O M M O N P O S IT IO N S I N 260 F A M IL Y CA SE W O R K ORGANT
ZA T IO N S IN M A Y , 1929
A nnual salaries
Position
Executives.
Subexecutives in charge of familycase work.
Case-work supervisors___
District secretaries______
Assistant district secretaries.
Case workers__________
Case workers in training.
Bookkeepers and stenographerbookkeepers.
Secretaries, stenographers, and
clerks.
Size of or
ganization
(workers)
Low-
1_____
$1,092
2 or 3____
4 or 5____
6 to 9____
10 to 19.....
20 to 49___
50 or more75 or m ore.
6 to 9____
10 to 19___
20 to 4 9 ....
50 or more10 to 19—
20 to 49—
50 or m ore.
50 or m ore.
2 or 3____
4 or 5____
6 to 9____
10 to 19.—
20 to 49.__
50 or m ore.
4 or 5____
6 to 9____
10 to 19—
20 to 49—
50 or more.
4 or 5____
6 to 9____
10 to 19—
20 to 49—
50 or more.
2 or 3____
4 or 5____
6 to 9____
10 to 19—
20 to 49—
50 or more-
est
1,020
1, 500
1,800
2.400
2.400
4,200
3,300
Lower
quartile
M e
dian
U pper
quartile
N um ber of
w ork
H igh ers in
est
cluded
$1,800
2,100
2,505
3,200
3, 525
5,000
$1, 500
2,020
2,400
2,820
3,600
4, 750
7,250
4,150
$2, 400
2,550
3,000
4,900
5,500
9,000
$1 son
4, 000
6,000
5,000
7,000
9,000
(D
1, 560
1,800
1, 800
1,980
1,800
2,070
2, 100
2,780
1, 320
1, 300
1, 350
900
720
720
840
900
840
600
300
360
600
600
900
960
960
1,140
1,705
2,000
1, 680
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,260
1,265
1, 380
1,200
1,200
520
720
600
600
600
600
900
1,000
990
1, 020
1,200
1,275
1, 320
1, 680
810
900
900
900
960
1,080
1, 900
2,400
2,400
3, 050
1, 920
1,980
2,180
1,860
1, 300
1,400
1, 500
1, 500
1,500
1,560
780
1,040
1,080
1,140
1, 200
1, 140
1, 250
1, 500
1, 560
1,860
1, 036
1,106
1,068
1,080
1, 140
1,260
74
45
47
28
23
18
Num
ber of
organi
zations
repre
sented
7
74
45
47
28
23
18
10
2,100
2,820
2, 775
3, 300
1, 350
1,200
1, 260
1, 320
2,400
3, 600
3,600
4,200
2 400
2,460
3,000
2,600
1,950
2,100
2, 100
2,200
2,000
2,520
1 300
1, 500
1, 500
1, 560
1, G80
31
41
69
219
1, 500
1,615
2,010
2,250
1, 200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,300
1, 500
1, 860
2,400
2,400
3,600
1,800
1, 800
1,800
1,800
1,980
2, 760
22
27
25
24
60
50
66
94
189
510
2,100
2, 550
2,100
1, 500
1, 550
1, 730
1,620
1,680
1,800
14
24
25
20
63
156
48
39
80
131
163
271
475
14
24
25
17
4
17
18
9
39
47
46
31
25
18
9
17
19
16
14
8
22
27
23
17
60
44
45
33
25
18
1 Over $10,000.
The proportion of the clerical force to other staff members was
found to be approximately 1 to 2, while the ratio of those defined as
case workers in training to case workers is reported as 1 to 3 with
relatively more case workers being trained in the larger agencies.
1 he agencies employ few men and in this small group executives pre
dominate. I he salaries of man executives tend to be substantially
above those of woman executives. Man case workers and case work
ers m training apparently receive about the same as women
A comparison of salaries paid by Jewish agencies with all the other
organizations included in the study indicated a tendency among the
former to pay slightly higher salaries.
The length of vacations varies somewhat with salaries, being most
commonly one month for executives and the case-work staff. Vaca
tions, however, are also quite frequently four weeks for such employorS'u VacaJ1011s for stenographers are predominantly two weeks,
blightly over 25 per cent of the agencies grant the same length of
vacation to all staff members, and approximately 75 per cent of the
organizations having case workers grant the same vacations to these
workers as to executives.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1413]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
148
O peration of 6-H our Day in P la n ts of th e K ellogg Co.
HE Kellogg Co., of Battle Creek, Mich., manufacturers of cereal
foods, adopted the 6-hour day December 1, 1930, primarily to
help relieve unemployment. By continuing to operate 24 hours a
day and replacing the former 3 daily shifts of 8 hours each with the
present system of 4 shifts of 6 hours each, the company reported that
it was enabled to employ about 20 per cent more workers.
A description of operations under the plan is given m a press state
ment by Lewis J. Brown, president of the company, under date oi
April 14. This statement is given in full below.
T
Statement by President of Company
W h e n the mists which have obscured the business horizon for the
past year and a half finally lift, and normal visibility prevails once
more it is entirely possible that we shall discover that we still have
more’people than we have jobs. For in the mad race for production
in the period just before the depression, American engineering skill
and ingenuity was working at top speed on the development ol auto
matic machinery and the simplification and acceleration ol industrial
processes; and many of the machines and processes developed during
that period have not yet been put into operation, due to the fact that
just as they were about ready to start, the bottom dropped out o
business.
In the old days, such a situation would have made it incumbent
upon labor to assume a belligerent attitude and start to fight against
the adoption of any and all new machines and processes. But happily
we have arrived at a point where management, as well as labor,
realizes that such a problem is fundamental to industry, and that a
way must be found to give people work if we expect them to consume.
Our whole American system of economics is based on steady and
universal consumption.
,
,
The Kellogg Co. has already faced this situation. We have adopted
the 6-hour day. We adopted it as an emergency expedient to relieve
the unemployment situation in Battle Creek, where our main plant
is located. But it has proved so satisfactory that so far as we can see
now we shall adopt the 6-hour day as a permanent operating policy.
Admittedly, a policy which fits a cereal business, operating con
tinuously 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, will not fit every type of
business. On the other hand, I am convinced that there are many
industries in the United States that would find the 6-hour day not
only practicable but actually profitable to themselves and their
communities, through the greater security of their workers, and their
protection and well-being as consumers.
It is this belief which leads me to comply with the request that I
outline our plan of 6-hour-day operation, and report on its results to
date and its promise for the future.
The Background Facts
First let us consider a few background facts which bear on the situa
tion and show the need for considering the adoption of the 6-hour
day—or some shorter working period.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1414]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
149
Dining tlie past 17 years the rate of population throughout the
world has increased 10 per cent, while the production of food products
and raw materials has increased 25 per cent.
.
the United States the population during the past 17 years has
met cased 25 per cent, while the production of food products and raw
materials has increased 60 per cent. In other words, production has
increased more than twice as fast as the population.
This brings us face to face with the fact that throughout the
\voi Id, and especially in the United States, there is a large overcapacity
ol production facilities. This is convincingly evidenced at this time by
the low capacity at which the manufacturing plants have been running
and also by the 6,050,000 people out of employment last January, as
reported by the United States Department of Commerce.
I t has been argued by writers and self -styled economists, that a
rA
6J 1Val ■ Purchasing Power would immediately bring out “ prosperity ”
Advertising campaigns and other promotional activities have been
indulged m, urging people to spend their money and also asking
manufacturers to make commitments for raw materials, machinery
and other goods to stimulate business.
’
Actually, prosperity can not be stabilized in this country unless
the people have continuous employment, for prosperity depends upon
the purchasing power of the public, and unless the men and women
who make up the public have employment, they will not have the
money to spend. Furthermore, unless those who have employment
feel reasonably secure in their jobs, they will be slow to spend their
money.
*
I believe the time has come to admit to ourselves that we can not
expect consumption of manufactured products to equal the production
capacity of our industries. If this is true, it is a fundamental fact
which we must learn to live with. And capital and management are
as deeply concerned as labor in finding a solution to the problem it
represents.
There is an additional angle of the problem, and a relatively new
one. beveial large countries Russia, France, England, Germany, and
others— are now importing or developing modern machinery. They
have seen our success and they are rehabilitating their plants to go into
competition with us.
. There has been considerable argument that labor-saving machinery
is absolutely necessary to our standard of living, and more necessary in
this country than in any other, inasmuch as we are now paying two
three, or four times the rate per hour paid to the workers in the
countries of Europe. If we are to compete successfully with these
European countries, who seem to have awakened to the fact that a
high late of efficiency, obtainable only with modern machinery and
processes, is absolutely necessary, we must continue to develop laborsaving equipment in the interests of progressively reducing our costs.
Such a problem as this can hardly be solved on a national scale.
It must be worked out in individual industries by men with the
coinage to face the situation and the desire to adjust their own enter
prises, no matter how small or how great, to the trend of the times
and to the public need.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1415]
150
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
From Eight Hours to Six
In our own business the reduction of the working-day from eight
hours to six hours seemed to be the most practical method of adjusting
ourselves to the needs of the current situation, and at the same time oi
working toward a permanent adjustment to economic trends. Also,
it promised to iron out some inequalities and eliminate some petty
evils which had grown up over a period of years, including the rectify
ing of some faulty pay-roll practices which had originated during the
war period and never been readjusted.
Under our old plan of working three 8-hour shifts our employees
on each shift were given a half-hour meal period, and also were paid
time and a half for all time over eight hours, as well as for all work on
Sundays.
1
. _
,
Employees working on the 3 to 11 p. m. shifts were paid 5 per
more than the employees working on the 7 to 3 p.#m. shifts, while the
employees working on the l i p . m. to 7 a. m. shifts were paid 5 per
cent over the previous shifts, or 10 per cent over the 7 a. m. to 3 p. m.
S^There is a tendency in the 8-hour day to slow down before meal
time; and the pick-up after mealtime is always slow.
We took all this into consideration, along with the current unem
ployment situation, and decided to act.
On December 1, 1930, we introduced the 6-hour day into our plant,
creating four 6-hour shifts instead of three 8-hour shifts. These four
shifts are organized ag follows: Shift 1, from 6 a. m. to 12 noon; shift 2,
from 12 noon to 6 p. m.; shift 3, from 6 p. m. to 12 midnight; and
shift 4, from 12 midnight to 6 a. m.
#
Under such a schedule there are no inequalities. Dacii shift Has
equal advantages. This eliminated the need for extra allowances for
any shift, and also eliminated the stop for meals, as each shift works
straight through without a break.
.
It can be readily seen that in working on a 6-hour basis the efficiency
is greater than when working on an 8-hour basis, for only 6 hours of
energy and application are required out of the 24 hours of the day.
It is much like a relay race, this 6-hour-shift method of operation.
If a man started out to run a mile himself he would realize that he
could not run at full speed all the way; he would run at a steady gait,
but never at his best speed. But if this same man were one of four
in a mile relay race, each running a quarter of a mile, he could let
himself go, as could his three teammates, and the over-all time for
the mile run would be much shorter.
In working a 6-hour shift, the employee starts out and works
steadily at full capacity for 6 hours, and in doing so naturally increases
the per hour production efficiency at his task or station during those 6
hours. Then he stops and has 18 hours for rest and recreation, and
his task or station is taken over by another worker, fresh from 18
hours of rest and recreation.
Less Tendency to Succumb to Monotony
In a business such as ours, where the jobs outside of mechanical
and maintenance are mostly repetitious, the work tends to become
monotonous. It used to be that toward the end of an 8-houi shift,
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the employees grew somewhat careless and waste increased. We had
to adjust the speed of our processes and machines to this human factor.
In ashorter working-day the workers are much more alert and efficient
knowing that the working time is short, and that it “ won’t be lon^
uoa until the whistle will blow. Because of this we were able to
X ^ tte f f S u mCrw e lr!-tlG rate of.ol,r production lines that multi
plies itself into a substantial increase m total production and gives us a
greater return on our investment and machinery
g
» hpnpfiî? in C°VT d alr°’ ^hat this increased production tempo is
t f i hA WOI;kersVfor keeps their minds alertly intent upon
w l l I ' i ’ r makes i he ‘!me P /8? more swif% and pleasantly
80 shorti fatlgue is not a factor as u ™
“
Other Advantages to Employees
While the chief advantages to the worker, under the 6-hour dav
aic an y o vious in the actual operation, we have discovered others
wffich were not so obvious to us before we inaugurated the system.
1 aenumeration of these advantages may prove interesting:
More leisure time for recreation (embracing both rest and play).
Opportunity to cultivate farms or gardens, especially by those
lvmg on the outskirts of the city, affording them both wholesome
products )or their tables!^ ^
and fl°W6rS’ VegetaWeS' “ d ^
Time to pursue educational courses, music, or other cultural studies.
frotn°thrPP iif? 611tlVu•u° pref are for managerial jobs, as the change
Horn three to four shifts makes necessary an additional full staff of
managers, foremen, foreladies, etc.
Less fatigue due to smaller number of hours of work daily, and
longer periods of rest between, resulting in a more healthy, ambitious
alert, and aggressive working force.
’
Opportunity for mothers who must support children to earn a living
and yet have ample time at home to care for their families.
Less waste time, due to concentration of work in a single period
at homeaSed C°St °f 1Vmg’ °n account of beinS able to have a11 meals
Greater assurance of a steady job due to the fact that the increase
m j number of workers employed absorbs more of the city’s working
people, makes them earners and consumers, and stabilizes the local
industrial situation.
1 hesitate to stop here, for almost daily our employees are finding
additional advantages in the plan. But this brief list will serve to
indicate the directions those advantages take.
leanwhile, what of the company? Are its stockholders getting a
square deal?
s
Advantages to the Business
inchni
a(^van^a^es
^be company is almost as impressive. It
Increased daily production from the plant as an operating unit
due to increased production at every station or task, slight in itself
but considerable m the aggregate.
Elimination ol meal periods, with their waste, and the expense of a
large cafeteria.
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Increased return from the capital invested in plant and machinery,
owing to the increased rate of plant operation.
t
Opportunity for reorganizing the working force to rectify inequal
ities and fit all “ pegs” in appropriate “ holes.”
Decreased overhead due to the fact that the factory produces more
packages of cereals per dollar of overhead than under the 8-hour
shift. &We have found that in our plant, where the overhead m pro
portion to direct labor is approximately two and one-half times, that
if we increase the efficiency, thereby decreasing the cost pei package
of cereal, the overhead drops two and one-half times more than the
direct labor cost per package. Or, in other words, if we save 10
cents per hundred pounds of production on direct labor, we would
save 25 cents additional on overhead. As the majority of our fore
men and foreladies also work on production, the increased supervisory
force does not have any material effect on the pay roll, and it is
offset by the increased efficiency obtained from the plant as an
operating machine.
Wage Adjustment
In reducing the number of working hours a day, under the 6-hourday plan, there was naturally a reduction in the day wages for the
higher-paid employees. In fact, there are two hours less woik, or
25 per cent less actual working time.
Our company made a study of what the daily wage should be tor
an employee to give him approximately the same purchasing power
as he had had two years or so ago, when commodity prices were
much higher. It was found that if we increased the base rate of the
employees 12% per cent, their purchasing power would be, when
operating 6 hours a day, 6 days a week, approximately the same as it
was in 1928.
.
,
An investigation was also made of the minimum daily wage a male
employee should have, in order to provide himself and family with a
proper living. As a result, it was decided that the minimum wage for
a male employee should be $4 per day, this being the same rate we
were paying when operating on the 8-hour basis a minimum wage
of 50 cents an hour, or $4 for an 8-hour day. Thus, in working on a
6-hour-day basis, the base rate for the minimum wage of an em
ployee was increased 33% per cent. While those receiving a higher
wage received a 12% per cent increase in base rate.
In determining the increase in hourly wages it was necessary that
this figure be so established as to be sufficient for the employees to
continue to live at the same scale as on the 8-hour shift, and it was
also necessary to keep in mind the pay-roll cost so as not materially to
affect the cost of production.
.
Therefore, the cost of living was considered in connection with this
preliminary study and in announcing the new plan to the employees
the results of this investigation were given. For we believe workers
have a right to know how wage rates are arrived at, and that thev will
respond in intelligent fashion to the needs of a given situation if that
situation is explained to them simply and honestly. lo r this reason
we did not put the plan into operation without careful preparation.
We realized that we were taking a novel and drastic step, and that, as
with any new idea, thoughtless resistance might easily develop unless
we gave the management group time to think it over and talk it over.
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How the Plan was Inaugurated
Accordingly a series of special meetings was called. First the
administrative group. Then the factory managerial staff, including
superintendents. Then the foremen and foreladies. Following
these meetings we allowed time for discussion and assimilation.
After due deliberation, and the answering of many questions, all
the groups finally agreed that the plan was feasible. The department
foremen then conveyed this information to the employees and ex
plained to them the various phases of the proposed arrangement.
Immediately thereafter a general meeting was held and at this time
the plan was finally approved and the date of its inauguration was
publicly announced.
After having obtained the approval of the plan, our industrial
research department, which had prepared the studies dealing with
the advisability of the change, was instructed to make the necessary
preparations, such as reorganization of the pay-roll function; assist
ing in reorganizing the various groups and departments; assigning
to the factory key men their individual tasks, such as the employing
of new help, promoting various employees to foremen and foreladies;
rearranging production schedules and so on.
As a result of this careful preparation there was absolutely no
confusion at the time of the change. A complete program of proce
dure was prepared in advance and followed out to the letter.
.Before the adoption of the plan careful studies had been made in
every department in our factory, so that employees might be put on
the jobs best suited to them, and also for the best interests of the
company. Ratings were set, whereby an employee in one depart
ment working at the same job as an employee in another, would get
the same occupational rating, except that an additional allowance
was given to employees who had been with the company for a period
of years.
This careful placement of employees was not necessarily peculiar
to the 6-hour shift, but special care was taken at the time of reorgan
izing the various groups to place persons especially fitted for certain
tasks so that the increased force required by the 6-hour shift would
be minimized. This was an opportune time for such adjusting to
be done.
The Proof of the Pudding
The plan has now been in operation for nearly six months. While
no executive is safe in stating that any given policy will be followed
out in perpetuity, I have no hesitancy in stating that unless some at
present unlooked-for development occurs, or some unsuspected weak
ness develops in the plan, we shall continue to operate on the 6-hour
day permanently. It is a profitable operating plan—profitable for the
workers and equally profitable for the business, due to the increased
operating efficiency and the lowered cost per unit of production.
What are the Disadvantages?
I am often asked, “ What disadvantages have you encountered in
connection with the 6-hour day?”
To date we have discovered no real disadvantages in the new sys
tem. In fact, the plan is indorsed by everyone concerned,
5 8 7 2 6 ° — 3 1 -------1 1
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From the workers’ standpoint, the real benefits will be fully real
ized this summer, due to their greatly increased leisure time. Aside
from a few discontented employees, who had formerly_ enjoyed
abnormal earnings due to working unnecessary hours involving
overtime pay, Sunday work and night wage allowances, the employees
are throughly satisfied with the new plan and there is no evidence of
anyone wanting to go back to the 8-hour basis.
The reaction of organized labor, as has been evidenced by letters
received, and by articles in various publications, indicates an enthusi
astic indorsement of the new plan.
That the plan has considerable merit and is causing unusual inter
est is also evidenced by the fact that research agencies, such as
Princeton, Harvard, Columbia universities, and the Department of
Labor, are obtaining data relative to the operation of the plan and
its various economic, social, and industrial phases.
The world-wide publicity which attended the inauguration of the
plan indicates that the general public also unanimously approves
the 6-hour day.
Another question that is often asked us is, “ Is there no rest period
in the 6-hour day?”
No rest period is provided. However, employees are provided with
relief by foremen and foreladies, and other available help, for personal
care. In determining our wage incentive standards an allowance is
made for personal attention amounting to 30 minutes per day for
woman workers and 18 minutes for male employees.
Because the majority of our production operations are machineattending tasks, rather than machine operating, cumulative fatigue
is iiot created as in the case of intensive production. In the operation
of automatic packing machinery and continuous-process^ equipment,
the operators only care for the machines and make minor adjust
ments, check weights, and inspect the product. There is no strain
connected with any of these operations; merely dexterity and normal
vigilance.
Short Shifts Solve Many Problems
Still another group of questions that is sometimes put to us con
cerns the arrangement of shifts: “ Was it necessary to put younger
men and women on the night shifts?” “ Were the workers given any
choice?” “ If so, did they express any objection to any particular
shift?” “Are they changed from one shift to another on a regular
schedule?”
It was not necessary to put younger men and women on the night
shifts. Night shifts are nothing new in our business, and it was
possible to recruit all the additional employees we needed from among
people who had been previously employed by the company during
the peak summer months.
The workers are given a choice only where it is necessary to accom
modate children in the nursery, as we endeavor to group the nursery
attendance on the two daylight shifts. And I might mention that
our company maintains a nursery where mothers who work in our
plant may, while they work, leave their children in charge of capable
nurses who see that they receive the proper rest and food at no cost.
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Workers are not changed from one shift to another. They are
hired for a particular shift, and ordinarily they stay on this shift
One great advantage of the 6-hour day is that each shift is in one
unbroken unit, and that unit is not a long enough period to be a
hardship to anyone, day or night.
The 6-hour day does not, of course, extend to the office. It is con
fined to the production, mechanical, and maintenance departments.
I am aware that this plan would not fit all businesses. Perhaps it
could not be adopted very generally. But might it not be ad ap te d adjusted as to some of its features—by many industries? I t seems
probable that American business will shortly face the need of provid
ing for a shorter working-day, and at a wage providing for a decent
American standard of living, if we are to keep our people busy and
stabilize our prosperity. Some such formula as the 6-hour day may
force itself upon us. Meanwhile, it will do us no harm to be studying
the problem and conducting research to determine its broad economic
effect.
W ages in M in in g C am ps in N evada
T
HE accompanying table, showing the average wages in various
occupations in Nevada mining camps in effect in 1930, is com
piled from more detailed statistics published in the biennial report of
the State commissioner of labor for 1929-30.
A V E R A G E W A G ES IN N E V A D A M IN IN G C A M PS, 1930
Occupation
B attery m en
_ .
B lacksm ith s..,
B lacksm iths’ h e lp e rs...
Cagers_________ .
C arpenters________ _ .
C o n v e y o rm e n ... _
C rusher m e n ..
Electricians_______
F ilter m en ___
Average
daily wage
$5.17
5.90
4.78
4.90
6.13
4.63
5. 29
6.32
5.15
Occupation
Helpers
Hoisting engineers
M achine miners
M ill labor
M uckers
Pipe titters
Refinery men
Solution men
Tool sharpeners
Average
daily wage
$4. 90
5. 63
5. 20
4.86
4. 64
5.54
5. 25
5. 45
5. 75
W ages of M iners in U tah
Coal Mining, 1929
T
HE wage rates prevailing in Utah coal mines in 1929, which are
given in the accompanying tables, are taken from Bulletin No. 4
of the industrial commission of that State. This bulletin contains the
biennial reports of several departments of the commission for the
biennium closing June 30, 1930.
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W A G E S C H E D U L E A D O P T E D B Y U T A H C O A L P R O D U C E R S , M A R C H 26, 1929
R ate per
day
Occupation
Occupation
R ate per
day
Inside
Outside
Armatiirp, winders
____________ -Blaeksm iths
_____ _ _ ___
Blacksmiths* helpers
_______ _____
Blacksm iths, s e c o n d _____ _________
Bony pickers, hoys _ ______ _____ Bony pickers, men
_ _ _ __ ___
Rnv-car loader runners_____ __
C ar droppers, head
_ _
_
droppers, other
___
P a r oilers, hoys
_ _ __
_ _
C ar oilers, men
_
- - _ _ __
C ar repairers, head _ __
C ar repairers, other
__ _______
(Carpenters, head
_
_ _ _
C arpenter s’ helpers____ _ - ______
Carpenters house
C arpenters, other __ ______
Checkmen and lam p m en . _ __ _ __
Couplers, hoys
_______ ___ - ___
Couplers, m en _ __ __ - __- ___
D um pers
____
________ —
Electricians
__________ ___ _______
H eaters, firemen
__
- - __
H oist men
_ _ _ _ _
IVTasons and bricklayers _ ______
M echanics
_ __
______M echanics, a ssistan t-_ _ _ _ ________
M eehanics, helpers _ ___
- __
____
Pipem en
Pi pern en*s helpers
_____ _
- Plum bers
________ _____________
Prop sawyers
__ __
-- ____
Prop sawyers* helpers
_ _ ______
Rope riders
- __
Shapers and spiral ru n n ers______ _ _
Team sters _______ - - -- -- ----------Tipple men
____
__
Weighmen, mine cars _________ _____
Unclassified labor:
Boys
- __ ___ ____________
M en ________ _____ ___ ______
$7.20
7.28
6.16
6.88
4.00
5.80
6. 60
6.16
6.00
4.00
5.92
6.56
6. 20
7.00
6.16
6. 96
6.96
6.32
4.00
5. 92
6.20
7.00
6. 40
7.00
7.00
7.00
6. 56
6.32
6. 80
5. 92
7.00
6.00
5. 92
6. 72
6.60
6.16
6.20
7.00
B rattice m en........................................
Drillers in coal___________________
D rivers, boys_____________________
Drivers, m en------------------------------Fire bosses----------------------------------H oist m en----------------------------------M achine runners, dayw ork.----------M achine runners’ helpers, day work.
M a s o n s ...----------------------------------M iners, tak en from face---------------M otorm en_______________________
N ippers--------------------------------------Pipe m en--------- --------------------------P u m p m en______________________
Rock men, head________ _________
Rock men, others------------------------Roller men, boys_________________
Roller men, m en-------------------------Rope rid ers______________________
Shot firers_______________________
Shovel operators_________
Shovel operators, assistant.
Sprinklers, boys-------------Sprinklers, m en-------------T im berm en--------- - --------T im berm en’s helpers-----Trackm en, h e ad ------------T rackm en’s helpers--------Trackm en, other------- ----W irem en .------ --------------W iremen’s helpers.
Unclassified labor:
Boys.
M en.
$6. 72
7.20
5.12
6.72
8.00
7.00
7.20
6.80
7.00
6.80
7.00
5.56
6.80
6.56
6.96
6.56
5.12
6.72
6.72
8.00
8.50
7.80
5.12
6.56
6.96
6. 56
6.96
6.56
6.72
6.96
6.56
4.00
6.56
4. 00
5.92
C o n tr a c t r a te s
Hand mining after machine cutting (including drilling, loading, track work,
timber, and explosives) per ton of 2,000 pounds:
5-foot coal or over______________________________________________ $0 . 68
.7 2
Under 5-foot coal_______________________________________________
.68
Pillar mining, per ton of 2,000 pounds------------------------------------------------. 45
Loading, per ton of 2,000 pounds-------------------------------------------------------. 10
Machinemen and helpers, 5 feet or over, per t o n 1--------------------------------. 12
Machinemen and helpers, under 5 feet, per ton 1---------------------------------Yardage miners, entry, 12 feet or under---------------------------------------------- 1. 17
Yardage miners, wet places---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. 77
. 87
Yardage machinemen_______________________________________ .________
. 07
Motormen and nippers, per ton---------------------------------------------------------Metal Mines, 1928-1930
T he average daily wage scales in effect in metal mines in 1928—29
and 1929-30 in certain districts in Utah were as follows, according to
the above-mentioned bulletin:
1 Differential of 2 cents per to n over these prices allowed a t Castle Gate No. 2 M ine, U tah Fuel Co.,
because of unusual conditions.
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D A IL Y W A G E SC A LE S IN M E T A L M IN E S IN S P E C IF IE D D IS T R IC T S , 1928-29 A N D
1929-30
D istricts
Occupation
Bingham ,
Park C ity,
T intic
(1928-29)
H and m iners._____________________
M achine m iners___________________
M uckers____ _______ _ ._____ _______
T im berm en_____ ___________ ___
L a b o re rs ... __________ ______ _____
Bingham
(1929-30)
$5.00
5. 25
4.75
5. 25
4. 00
$4. 75
5. 00
4. 50
5.00
3.75
W agcs-Collection W ork of U tah In d u strial C o m m issio n ,
1928-1930
T
HE biennial report of the wage collection department of the Utah
Industrial Commission for the biennium ending June 30, 1930, is
published in Bulletin No. 4 of that body. A statistical summary of
the report is given below :
R E P O R T O F W A G E -C O L L E C T IO N D E P A R T M E N T O F IN D U S T R IA L C O M M IS S IO N OF
U T A H , JU L Y 1, 1928, TO JU N E 30, 1930
Claims
Item
N um ber
On books, Ju ly 1, 1928:
Collected by d e p artm en t_____________________
Collected through legal service. _________ ________
Carried over, judgm ents, e tc _______________ _
Closed out, noncollectible, etc. _________ . . . . .
T o ta l. __________ . . . . • _________ _____ _ . .
_
Filed Ju ly 1, 1928, to June 30, 1930:
Collected by d ep artm en t.. ____________________ _ ._
___ _____ ____ _ . . . . ._
Collected through legal service.
Claimed in excess of collection___ _ ______ _ __ . . . ______
N ot collected b u t closed out—
Em ployers irresponsible (no legal service needed) _. _____
Em ployers irresponsible (legal services required) _ . . . _____
D id not re tu rn or answ er correspondence.".____
C laim ants advised to seek legal s e rv ic e _______
. . . . _____
N o cause for action (no legal service needed)____________ ____
N o cause for action (legal service required) _.
______ _ . .
N o foundation in fact (no legal service needed)___________
N o foundation in fact (legal service re q u ire d ).___
Cases w ithdraw n, no reason given ______ 1___ _ .
D epartm ent could no t take jurisdiction. _ ____
Claim ants came for advice; no statem ents as to am ount involved______
Release of baggage secured, no wage collections. _____________________
Total closed out, 1928-1930 ______ . .
Carried over to Ju ly 1, 1930 ___ . _________ _
__ _______ _
___________ .
Total filed Ju ly 1, 1928, to Ju n e 30, 1930___
_____________
T otal collected, Ju ly 1, 1928, to June 30, 1930 ___ .
T otal carried over to Ju ly 1, 1930.. . . . . . . . . . . ___________ .
____
________
A m ount
32
20
17
65
$1, 004. 47
5,671. 88
3, 606. 28
15, 746.12
134
1 26, 028. 77
482
132
23,375.47
13,702. 75
2,743. 88
102
33
58
20
139
20
32
3
18
16
53
3
4, 766. 83
2, 756.19
5,122.03
3,866. 74
4, 278. 46
2, 518. 85
2, 546. 58
5, 283. 59
4, 584.80
1, 550. 29
1, 111
305
77,096. 46
41, 480. 23
1,416
118, 576.69
2 666
322
2 43, 754. 57
45,086. 51
1 As given in report; no t th e exact sum of items.
2 Includes collections of claims carried over from preceding biennium .
In concluding his report the wage collector states that a careful
analysis of it, of his records, and of the provisions of chapter 71,
Session Laws of 1919 will completely “ justify the recommendation that
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this law be repealed in its entirety and that more effective legislation,
such as surrounding States have, be enacted in its stead.
He also
calls attention to the need of an appropriation adequate to the needs
and importance of the wage collection department.
H ours of Labor in M an ila, 1928 and 1929
T
HE hours of labor of different industry groups in the city of Manila
for 1929 as compared with 1928 are reported as follows in the
Statistical Bulletin of the Philippines, 1929, published by the Depart
ment of Commerce and Communications of the Islands:
H O U R S OF L A B O R IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S IN M A N IL A , 1928 A N D 1S29
Industrial group
Food and kindred p ro d u cts----- ----------------------Textiles a nd clothing------------------------------------M etal, mechanical, a n d electrical--------------------Home construction a n d fu rn itu re m aking--------L eather a n d allied p ro d u cts---------------------------Prin tin g a n d allied industries-------------------------Liquor, beverages, an d tobacco----------------------Chemical an d allied p ro d u cts-------------------------Clay, stones, a n d glass pro d u cts---------------------Cars and carriages an d allied industries— ------W orks of a rts -----------------------------------------------L um ber an d wood m anufactures------- ------------T ransportation a n d com m unication------ ---------M iscellaneous------------------------- ---------------------
1928
1929
N um
N um ber
ber of
ours of
of la
estab H labor
borers
lish
ments
N um
ber of Hours N um ber
of la
estab of
labor borers
lish
ments
156 8. 5-10. 0
809 8. 0- 9. 0
9.0
241
9.0
127
9.0
270
8.
59. 0
99
89 8. 5- 9. 0
9.
0
42
16 8. 5- 9. 0
9.
0
80
42 8. 5- 9. 0
9.
0-10.
0
92
19.0
62
8.
59.
0
237
2, 362
2,592
7, 566
2,476
3,163
1,729
1,900
10,794
1,288
282
1,348
361
1, 324
8, 781
1,216
170
527
116
95
14
66
50
43
12
59
102
13
33
447
44,820
1,747
8-12
8-12
8-11
8-11
8- 9
8- 9
788-12
98-10
9-10
9-12
8-12
1,777
4,338
1,206
2,727
75
1,669
4,593
12
12
400
142
660
10
891
114
520
3,236
22,348
1 Garages and stables and fishing industries have no fixed hours.
Salaries in P h ilip p in e Civil Service, 1925 to 1929
T
HE table below gives the average salaries of the regular and
permanent personnel in the Philippine civil service: 1
SA L A R IE S IN P H IL IP P IN E C IV IL S E R V IC E —R E G U L A R A N D P E R M A N E N T P E R S O N
N E L , 1925-1929
[Peso= about 50 cents in U nited States currency]
Average salaries
Officers and employees
Year
Americans
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929______
506
462
484
494
471
Filipinos
16, 339
17, 756
19,165
19, 606
20, 332
16,845
18, 218
19, 649
20. 100
20,803
i Philippine Islands. D ep artm en t of Commerce and Com munications.
industry. S tatistical bulletin, 1929. M anila, 1930, p. 87.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 4 2 4 ]
Americans
T otal
Pesos
4, 229. 22
4,338. 35
4,225. 96
4, 298. 25
4, 471. 75
Filipinos
Pesos
1,253. 56
1,270. 46
1, 275. 54
1,279. 20
1, 283. 98
B ureau of commerce and
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
159
A d ju stm e n t of W age C laim s by P h ilip p in e B ureau o f Labor
1925 to 1929
W
ORKERS who can not afford to pay for legal aid are assisted
by the 1 hilippme Bureau of Labor in the prosecution of their
claims involving industrial relations. Not only Filipino laborers
but also American employees and other nationals avail themselves
of this service. A statistical summary of the activities of the bureau
along this line for the 5-year period, 1925—1929, is taken from the
annual report of the Governor General of the islands for the lastmentioned year:
A D JU S T M E N T OF W A G E C LA IM S, P H IL IP P IN E B U R E A U OF L A B O R , 1925-1929
_____________ [P eso= about 50 cents in U nited States currency]
N um ber of
cases
Y ear
1925____________
1926___________
1927__________
1928_______
1929____ ______
A m ount
collected
1 Q71
11, Ovt
£07
1 A4IÖ
IQ
1,
2,146
1O
£9G
1,
oU
9ßK
O
OO
‘a±‘a1n/
493
511
560
250
319
235
412
396
Pesos
19, 209. 63
23, 575. 26
18,171. 91
22, 912. 21
22, 611. /9
3, 988 j 8, 262
9 ¿W
97aO
Z,
1, 612
106,480. 80
615
766
728
923
956
T o tal________
A djustm ents
N um
ber of
claim
Favor U nfav
ants
able
orable
X jU T i.
W ages in C zech oslovak G lass F actories U sin g th e F ou rcau lt
S y ste m , 1930
T
HE table below, supplied by John W. Bailey, jr., American
consul at Prague, shows the 1930 minimum and maximum wages
lor a week of 48 hours, in Czechoslovak window-glass factories using
the Fourcault system. The range is due, it is explained, to the varia
tion in the general wage scale during the year and to the bonuses on
production. The rates are “ net” rates; i. e., exclusive of the con
tributions lor social insurance (which are paid by the employers) and
various items such as housing, coal, etc., supplied by employers and
valued at from 7 to 10 per cent of the money wage.
W E E K L Y W A G E S IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U PA T IO N S IN T H E C Z E C H O SL O V A K W IN D O W G LA SS F A C T O R IE S U S IN G FO U R C A U L T S Y S T E M , 1930
[Conversions in to U . S. currency on basis of crown=2.96 cents]
Minimum rate
Occupation
Mixers.................................
Drawers. . . ... __
Cutters__ ______
Box makers__ _____ ...
Packers____
____ .
Gas producer men
Glass carriers _. _ . . .
Furnace operators . ..
Electricians..
__
Machinists..______ __ _
Foremen__ ___ . . .
Laborers... _____ ___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1425]
Czecho
slovak
currency
United
States
currency
Crowns
235. 57
297. 72
183. 70
200. 22
202.68
204. 60
172.00
185.00
188.00
258. 00
305. 00
148. 80
$6.97
8.81
5.44
5. 93
6.00
6.06
5.09
5.48
5.56
7.64
9.03
4.40
Maximum rate
Czecho
slovak
currency
United
States
currency
Crowns
397.18
477.44
379. 86
335.68
301.00
309.00
331.00
366.00
347.00
475.00
$10. 22
11
li. 77
1i
1A 1Io9
Lt.
11 Le
OA
11.
k
9 94
Q yi
ni
o.
9.15
G oU
on
y.
IG Q
1U.
oo9
in 97
1U.
Z/
Aß
11A
*K1.uo
90
o. ¿»y
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
160
A gricu ltu ral W ages in C anada, 1929 and 1930
I
N CANADA in 1930 the wages of farm help declined, as farmers
were not able to pay as much for such labor. During the summer
season of that year, for the Dominion as a whole, the average monthly
wages of male helpers were $34 as compared with $40 in the correspond
ing season of 1929, and for woman helpers, $20 as compared with $23.
In the later period the value of board per month for men was $22 as
against $23 for the previous summer season, while the women’s
board was valued at $18 in 1930 as against $20 in 1929. Combining
wages and board, the figures are $56 as compared with $63 for men,
and $38 as compared with $43 for women.
By the year, wages and board together for men amounted in 1930 to
$559 as against $627 in 1929, and for wonien to $409 as against $465.
Average wages of agricultural labor in the various Provinces of
Canada in 1929 and 1930 are given in the following table, compiled
from the February, 1931, issue of the Monthly Bulletin of Agricultural
Statistics, published by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics:
A V E R A G E W A G E S O F F A R M W O R K E R S IN C A N A D A , 1929 A N D 1930
Per year
Per m onth, sum m er season
Females
M ales
Females
M ales
Province and year
R ate Value
R ate Value
R ate Value
R ate Value
of Total
of T otal of
of
of
of Total
of Total
of
pay board
pay board
pay board
pay board
Canada:
1929
_______
1930_________________
A lberta:
1929
_ _ _
1930
_______ B ritish Columbia:
1929
____ --- ____
1930 _______________
M anitoba:
1929
________ --1930
__________
New Brunswick:
1929
_ - _
1930
___ _______
N ova Scotia:
1929
__ _
___
1930
_____________
Ontario:
1929
--- - ____
1930
________ _____
Prince E dw ard Island:
___- _______
1929
1930 _______________
Quebec:
______________ . .
1929
1930
_ _ ______
Saskatchewan:
1929
- - --- --- -1930 ______ ________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$23
22
$63
56
$23
20
$20
18
$43
38
$373
326
$254
233
$627
559
$242
210
$223
199
$465
409
43
37
25
23
68
60
25
21
21
20
46
41
404
342
274
256
678
598
253
223
232
222
485
445
49
46
27
26
76
72
28
25
23
21
51
46
482
450
310
291
792
741
291
270
271
242
562
512
38
32
23
21
61
53
21
18
19
18
40
36
352
298
256
238
608
536
222
194
216
204
438
398
40
34
20
2fV
60
54
18
16
15
15
33
31
375
335
214
215
589
650
198
181
169
164
367
345
38
34
19
20
57
54
19
17
15
14
34
31
383
353
222
209
605
562
212
187
179
157
391
344
35
31
22
20
57
51
22
21
19
17
41
38
341
304
254
228
595
532
242
229
212
194
454
423
34
32
18
18
52
50
19
16
13
14
32
30
327
308
207
205
534
513
196
179
159
165
355
344
41
33
20
19
61
52
19
17
14
13
33
30
369
316
208
194
577
510
191
175
151
139
342
314
44
37
25
23
69
60
24
21
22
19
46
40
398
340
287
253
685
593
256
215
240
212
496
427
--------.
$40
34
[1426]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
161
W ages and W orking C o n d itio n s of M aid S ervan ts in T okyo
A N INVESTIGATION was recently undertaken by the women’s
x j L commission of
the Japanese Association for Social Legislation to
ascertain the working conditions of maid servants in Tokyo and
its suburbs.1 Data were received concerning 834 women and girls
between 13 and 65 years of age, over 80 per cent being between 16 and
25. As to marital status, 2.9 per cent reported they were married
and 83.5 that they were single; the remainder did not reply. Those
who had completed at least their compulsory education formed 47
per cent of the total, while 25 per cent are reported as having gone
through continuation school and 8 per cent had received higher
education. Less than 10 per cent had not finished their compulsory
schooling.
Working hours and wages.—Approximately 90 per cent of these
women and girls rose between 5 and 6.30 in the morning and retired
between 10 and 12 at night. Of the total number, 10 per cent were
on duty for over 18 hours; 80 per cent, from 16 to 18 hours; and 10
per cent for less than 16 hours. Slightly over 23 per cent had no time
off duty during the day; 10.4 per cent had 1 hour; 22 per cent, 2
hours; and 29 per cent, 3 hours. No rest day was reported by 20 per
cent; 1 rest day per month, by 50 per cent; and 1 to 5 rest days per
annum, by 18 per cent.
Wages were paid monthly to 85 per cent of these domestic servants
and annually to 4.6 per cent. The monthly wages ranged from 2 to
60 yen2 ($0.99 to $29.64), the majority of maids receiving from 10 to
15 yen ($4.94 to $7.41). The minimum annual wage was 30 yen
($14.82), the maximum 200 yen ($98.80), the usual amount beinoapproximately 100 yen ($49.40). When low wages were paid, the
maids usually were accorded such advantages as an opportunity to go
to school, dismissal allowances, or gifts of clothing. Wages were
generally low and usually had no relation to the length of time the
maid had been in the household. No case was reported of an increase
in wages in proportion to the period of continuous service.
As a rule, bonuses were granted twice a year—once at the close oi
the year and once for the Buddhist festival which occurs in midsum
mer. In approximately 50 per cent of all cases these bonuses were
in kind, ordinarily clothing; in 30 per cent of the cases the allowances
were in kind and in cash, the latter approximating 5 yen ($2.47) and
in 10 per cent of the cases these additions to wages were in cash only
and amounted to 5 to* 10 yen ($2.47 to $4.94) for each bonus period.
Of the women and girls included in this survey, only 3.2 per cent
were afforded opportunity for training, ordinarily in cooking, sewing,
arrangement of flowers, tea ceremony, etc. In the majority of
cases in which they had such opportunity the employers paid for the
training.
Nearly two-thirds of these servants reported that it was customary
for their employers to pay their maids’ medical expenses in case of
accident ot sickness, but 15 per cent reported that such was not the
practice in the households in which they were employed.
1 International L abor Office. Industrial and Labor Inform ation, Geneva, Jan. 26, 1931, dd 102 103
2 Average exchange rate of yen for 1030=49.4 cents.
'
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1427]
162
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Personal expenditures.—The monthly personal expenditures of 10
per cent of these maids was from 1 to 5 yen ($0.49 to $2.47), while 14
per cent reported spending no money. Remittances of from 3 to 10
yen ($1.48 to $4.94) per month were sent by 25 per cent of the maids
to their families and 75 per cent made no such remittances. Monthly
savings of from 5 to 15 yen ($2.47 to $7.41) were reported by 75 per
cent; and no savings by 23.5 per cent.
Living conditions.—Rooms for maids were provided for about 81
per cent of all the women and girls covered, but 18.5 per cent reported
that they had no separate private rooms. The size of the rooms
were in 22.1 per cent of the cases 2% mats 3 per person; in 17.4 per
cent, 2 mats; in 16.6 per cent, 1% mats; in 10.2 per cent, 3 mats.
In 86 per cent of the cases the maid servants were furnished the same
quality of food as the family, and in 11.9 per cent of the cases they
were provided with inferior food.
Improvements desired.—Nearly all the maids interviewed expressed
the wish for higher wages, more time for sleep, an increase in free
hours, and more frequent holidays. The outstanding demands with
reference to health and sanitation were for better accommodations,
better food, improvement in the heating system, and sanitary bedding.
Demand was also made that the family members should not take a
contemptuous attitude toward their maids, should not call them by
their surnames, that children should not be allowed to annoy servants,
and that mistresses should treat them more kindly. A demand was
made by some of these domestics for the establishment of a maid
servants’ union or club. Comparatively slight interest was mani
fested in the matter of cultural opportunities.
As a rule, the maids who were engaged through employment
agencies were better treated than others. They also seemed more
interested in replying to the questionnaires and expressed their wishes
more freely concerning working conditions.
_
_
Recommendations of Japanese Association jor Social Legislation.—
In view of the facts brought out in the investigation, the findings of
which are summarized above, the Japanese Association for Social
Legislation at its sixth annual general meeting adopted a resolution
urging various improvements in the treatment of maid servants, such
improvements to include:
A guaranty of 8 hours for sleep in every 24 hours and of at least 1 rest day in
the month; the grant of at least 2 hours’ free time during the day, and the utili
zation of these hours for cultural development; the provision of a separate room,
well lighted and ventilated, the size of which should be at least IV 2 mats per per
son, and of clean bedding; the payment of wages monthly in cash to the maid
herself ; the abolition of discrimination in regard to food and of the contemptuous
manner of addressing the maid; the grant of a reasonable discharge allowance
when the maid is dismissed through no fault of her own, and the grant of reason
able medical treatment in the event of injury or sickness arising out of the
employment.
a One m a t is equal to approxim ately 18 square feet.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1428]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
S u m m ary for April, 1931
E
MPLOYMENT increased 0.2 per cent in April, 1931, as com
pared with March, 1931, and pay-roll totals decreased 1.5 per
cent.
The industrial groups surveyed, the number of establishments
reporting in each group, the number of employees covered, and the
total pay rolls for one week, for both March and April, together
with the per cent of change in April, are shown in the following
summary:
SU M M A R Y OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S, M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931
Industrial group
E sta b
lish
m ents
Em ploym ent
M arch,
1931
Per
cent of
change
April,
1931
1. M an u factu rin g........... ........ 14,633 2,967, 762 2,966,475
2. Coal m in in g _____________
1,534
327,325
324,611
A n thracite______________
B itum inous_____________
M arch,
1931
Per
cent of
change
April, 1931
1 -0 .4 $72,286,472 $71,637,447
- 0 .8
6,886, 149
6,630,461
+ 3 .9
2,834, 904
2, 988,394
- 3 .3
4,051, 245
3, 642, 067
+ 0 .7
1,055,916
1,028,132
1 -1.8
- 3 .7
+ 5.4
-1 0 .1
- 2 .6
162
1,372
324
112,281
215,044
41,827
30,268
32,897
+ 8.7
671,646
722,017
+ 7.5
8,061
3, 708
28,503
701.307
314, 231
241.307
27,553
700,982
312,244
242,299
- 3 .3
(2)
—0. 6
+ 0 .4
1,064,472
22,083,075
9, 386,610
7,954,852
964, 464
21,345,528
9,103, 687
7, 583,183
- 9 .4
- 3 .3
- 3 .0
- 4 .7
528
11,666
2,315
9,351
Hotels__________________ " 2,083
C anning and preserving__
826
Laundries____________
374
Dyeing and cleaning___ Ik
156
145,769
375,459
G9,330
306,129
155,334
32,190
32,075
5,172
146,439
383,504
69,353
314,151
153,960
36,216
32,432
5,628
+ 0 .5
+ 2.1
+ (2)
+ 2 .6
- 0 .9
+12.5
+ 1.1
+ 8.8
4,741, 613
4, 658, 658
9,581,847
9,548,880
2, 236, 760
2,138, 723
7, 345,087
7, 410,157
3 2,584,059 3 2,486,453
547,289
620,930
600,603
615,344
114,773
131,116
- 1 .7
- 0 .3
- 4 .4
+ 0.9
- 3 .8
+13. 5
+ 1.4
+14.2
3. Metalliferous m in in g____
4. Quarrying and nonm etailic m in in g ______________
765
5. Crude petroleum produc
in g—
570
6. Public u tilities.__________ 12,297
Telephone and telegraph..
Power, light, and w a te r...
Electric railroad operation
and m aintenance, exclu
sive of car shops..
7. Trade__________
8.
9.
10.
11.
A m ount of p ay roll
(1 week)
Wholesale__________
R etail______________
Total________________
45,228 4,697,222 4, 706,379
R e c a p it u l a t io n
G E O G K A P H IC
116, 616
207,995
42,121
by
+ 0.2 117,482,301 115, 730, 772
- 1 .5
G e o g r a p h ic D iv i s i o n s
D IV IS IO N
N ew E ngland L__________
M iddle A tlantic 5_________
E ast N o rth C e n tra l6______
W est N o rth C e n tra l7_____
South A tlantic 8__________
E ast South C e n tra l8______
W est South C e n tra l10_____
M ountain u __ ___________
Pacific 12_____ . . . . ______ .1
All divisions___ ___
5,448
488, 095
7,340 1,399, 945
9,985 1, 302,996
4,865
297, 764
4,644
478, 795
2,424
195, 990
3,379
182, 460
1,663
86,854
5,477
264, 323
490,118
398, 237
307, 967
298,146
477, 648
194,411
181, 976
86, 622
271, 254
45,228 4,697,222 4,706,379
+ 0 .4 $11,745,070 $11, 675,819
36, 787, 949 36,205, 207
34, 646, 293 34, 338, 315
+ 0.1
7, 358, 267
7, 216, 720
9,447, 389
9,172, 389
- 0.8
3,494, 370
3,401, 279
- 0 .3
4,421, 390
4, 245,109
- 0 .3
2, 308, 711
2, 311, 985
+ 2.6
7, 272, 862
7,163, 949
-0.1
+ 0 .4
—0.2
j
+ 0 .2 117,482,301 115,730,772
-
0.6
1.6
- 0 .9
-1 .9
-2.4»
-2 .7
-4 .0
+ 0.1
- 1 .5
- 1 .5
n iso ethfltvQ<^ ? ? h cent of cbang® f°r the combined 54 m anufacturing industries, repeated from Table 2
p. 169, the rem aining per cents of change, including total, are unweighted
2 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
3 Cash paym ents only; see note 3, p. 181.
« Connecticut, M aine, M assachusetts, New H am pshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
5 New Jersey, N ew Y ork, Pennsylvania.
6 Illinois, Indiana, M ichigan, Ohio, Wisconsin.
7 Iowa, Kansas, M innesota, M issouri, N ebraska, N orth D akota, South D akota.
giniiu'West v ’ir^ n ia 1Ct °f C olum bla’ Florlda> Georgia, M aryland, N o rth Carolina, South Carolina, Vir®Alabam a, K entucky, M ississippi, Tennessee.
° A rkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas.
" £ ™ a , Colorado, Idaho, M ontana, New Mexico, N evada, U tah, Wyoming.
11 California, Oregon, W ashington.
’ J
&
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1429]
163
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
164
The per cents of change shown for the total figures represent only
the changes in the establishments reporting, as the figures for the
several industrial groups are not weighted according to the relative
importance of each group.
#
Increased employment in April was shown in 10 of the 15 industrial
groups: Anthracite mining, 3.9 per cent; metalliferous mining, 0.7
per cent; quarrying and nonmetallic mining, 8.7 per cent; power,
light, and water, 0.4 per cent; electric railroads, 0.5 per cent; whole
sale trade, less than one-tenth of 1 per cent; retail trade, 2.6 per cent;
canning and preserving, 12.5 per cent; laundries, 1.1 per cent; and
dyeing and cleaning, 8.8 per cent.
Decreased employment was shown in April in the remaining 5
groups: Manufacturing, 0.4 per cent; bituminous coal mining, 3.3
per cent; crude petroleum producing, 3.3 per cent; telephone and
telegraph, 0.6 per cent; and hotels, 0.9 per cent.
Pay-roll totals were greater in April than in March in 6 of the 15
industrial groups, namely, anthracite mining, quarrying and non
metallic mining, retail trade, canning and preserving, laundries, and
dyeing and cleaning. The remaining nine groups showed decreased
earnings over the month interval.
The Pacific geographic division showed an increase in employment
of 2.6 per cent, the New England and East North Central divisions
reported increases of 0.4 per cent each, and the West North Central
division increased 0.1 per cent. The remaining 5 divisions reported
decreased employment, the East South Central showing the greatest
loss, 0.8 per cent. Decreased pay-roll totals were shown in each geo
graphic division with the exception of the Mountain division, which
reported a slight increase over the month interval.
P E R C A P IT A W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN A P R IL , 1931, A N D C O M P A R IS O N W IT H M A R C H ,
1931, A N D A P R IL , 1930
Per cent of change April,
Per capita 1931, compared w ith—
weekly
earnings in
April, 1931 M arch, 1931 April, 1930
In d u strial group
1 M an ii fantil ring
_____________ ___ _____ ___ ____
2. Coal mining:
A nthracite
__ _ __ ___ ______ __ -- -B itum inous
____ _____
______
3 Metalliferous m ining
__ _
_ __
4 Quarrying and nonmetallic mining
_____ _
5 Crude petrol ahm producing
__ _ _____ ___
6. Public utilities:
Telephone and telegraph
__ __ __ - ___________
Power light, and w ater
____
__
"Electric railroads
_
__ ______ - __
--7. Trade:
Wholesale
____ __ __ - ____ _____ ____
Retail
__________ __ __ -- ---------8 H otels (cash paym ents only)1
_____ ___ -- _______
Q Canning and preserving
____ ___________
10 Laundries
______
___
___ ___
— ___
11 "Dyeing and cleaning
________ ___ ___ ___
Total
___
____
--
$24. 12
-1 .2
-1 0 .2
25.63
17. 51
24.40
21.95
35.00
+ 1 .5
-7 . 1
- 3 .2
- 1 .0
- 6 .3
- 1 .0
-2 1 . 2
-1 8 . 7
-1 5 .8
-4 .8
29.16
31.30
31.81
- 2 .4
- 5 .1
-2 .2
+ 3.1
- 1 .4
- 2 .2
30.84
23.59
16.15
17.15
18.97
23.30
- 4 .3
- 1 .7
- 2 .9
+ 0.9
+ 0.3
+ 5 .0
- 3 .1
-2 .2
-6 .5
-1 .3
(2)
(2)
24.59
- 1 .7
(2)
___
1 T he additional value of board, room, and tips can not be com puted.
2 D ata not available.
Per capita earnings for April, 1931, given in the preceding table
must not be confused with full-time weekly rates of wages; they are
actual per capita weekly earnings computed by dividing the total
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ri430]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
165
number of employees reported into the total amount of pay roll in
the week reported, and the “ number of employees” includes all
persons who worked any part of the period reported—that is, parttime workers as well as full-time workers.
Comparisons are made with per capita earnings in March, 1931,
and with April, 1930, where data are available.
For convenient reference the latest data available relating to all
employees, excluding executives and officials, on Class I railroads,
drawn from Interstate Commerce Commission reports, are shown in the
following statement. These reports are for the months of February
and March, 1931, instead of for March and April, 1931, consequently
the figures can not be combined with those presented in the foregoing
table.
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S, CLASS I R A IL R O A D S
Em ploym ent
In d u stry
Class I railroads
Feb. 15,
1931
M ar. 15,
1931
1,300,580
1,303,468
Per
cent
of
change
+ 0 .2
A m ount of pay roll in
entire m onth
February,
1931
M arch,
1931
$168,126,650
$181,744,757
Per
cent
of
change
+ 8 .1
The total number of employees included in this summary is about
6,000,000 whose combined earnings in one week amounted to approxi
mately $156,000,000.
1. E m p lo y m en t in S elected M a n u fa ctu r in g In d u strie s in April,
1931
C o m p a r iso n o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o t a ls in M a n u fa c tu r in g I n d u s
tr ie s , M arch a n d A p ril, 1931
E
MPLOYMENT in manufacturing industries in April, 1931,
decreased 0.4 per cent as compared with March, and pay-roll
totals decreased 1.6 per cent. These changes are based upon returns
from 13,623 identical establishments in 54 of the principal manufac
turing industries in the United States, having in April 2,828,807
employees whose combined earnings in one week were $68,226,331.
Decreased employment and earnings in manufacturing industries
have been shown in April as compared with March in 7 of the 9 years
covered by the bureau’s indexes, the decrease of 0.4 per cent in employ
ment in April, 1931, being slightly less than the average decreases
shown from March to April in previous years.
The bureau’s weighted index of employment for April, 1931, is 74.5,
as compared with 74.8 for March, 1931, 74.1 for February, 1931, and
89.1 for April, 1930; the index of pay-roll totals for April, 1931, is
67.4, as compared with 68.5 for March, 1931, 67.0 for February, 1931,
and 89.8 for April, 1930. The monthly average for 1926 equals 100.
Three of the 12 groups of manufacturing industries—chemicals,
stone-clay-glass, and vehicles—showed gains in both employment and
pay rolls, while the lumber group reported increased employment
coupled with decreased earnings. The remaining 8 groups reported
decreases in both employment and pay-roll totals.
Increased employment in April was shown in 24 of the 54 separate
manufacturing industries, and increased pay-roll totals in 14 indus
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[14311
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
166
tries. The outstanding increase in employment, 24.3 per cent in the
fertilizer industry, was greater than the usual seasonal gain shown in
this industry from March to April. Rubber boots and shoes increased
10.6 per cent in employment; petroleum refining, 8.9 per cent; brick
and carriages and wagons over 7 per cent each, and cement 6.5 per
cent. The ice cream and the cast-iron pipe industries increased oyer
3 per cent in employment, automobiles 2.1 per cent, and shipbuilding
2.8 per cent, from March to April.
The greatest increase in pay-roll totals was a seasonal one in fertil
izers, 34.5 per cent. The rubber boot and shoe industry reported an
increase of 25.9 per cent in earnings, a recovery to some extent from
the decrease of 26.4 per cent reported in March. Other sizable in
creases in pay-roll totals were shown in cement (8.3 per cent), petro
leum and cast-iron pipe (6.5 per cent), brick (4.8 per cent), pottery
(4.7 per cent), and automobiles (4.3 per cent);
The outstanding decreases in employment in April in the separate
industries were: Chewing and smoking tobacco, 13.5 per cent; agri
cultural implements, 9.9 per cent; woolen and worsted goods, 6.2
per cent; confectionery, 5.2 per cent; millinery and lace goods, 4.4
per cent; and steam fittings, 3.9 per cent. Decreases ranging from
2.9 to 2.0 per cent were shown in 7 industries, while the remaining 16
manufacturing industries in which decreased employment occurred
reported decreases of less than 2 per cent.
Five of the 10 manufacturing industries surveyed but not included
in the bureau’s indexes reported gains in employment in April over
March; these were rayon, radio, paint and varnish, beet sugar,_and
beverages. The remaining 5 industries, aircraft, jewelry, miscel
laneous rubber goods, cash registers, and typewriters reported fewer
employees in April.
Employment increased in April in 4 of the 9 geographic divisions,
the Mountain and the Pacific divisions reporting gains of 3.1 and 1.3
per cent, respectively, while the South Atlantic and the East North
Central divisions showed smaller increases. The decreases in em
ployment in the remaining 5 divisions were 0.6 per cent or less.
T abu s 1.—C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L
MANUFACTURING E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931, BY IN D U S
T R IE S
N um ber on pay roll
In d u stry
E sta b
lish
m ents
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
Per
cent of
change
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
M arch,
1931
A pril,
1931
$5,566,332
$5,508,029
Per
cent of
change
2,006
221,988
219,736
(>)
Slaughtering and m eat
packing________________
Confectionery____________
Ice cream ______________ -Flour _________________
B ak in g ., ________________
Sugar refining, cane------- --
213
332
322
399
725
15
84,427
35,497
12,098
15,916
65,482
8,568
83,765
33, 653
12,477
15,969
65,168
8,704
- 0 .8
- 5 .2
+ 3.1
+ 0.3
- 0 .5
+ 1 .6
2,157,335
627, 570
408,184
401,437
1,718,587
253,219
2,152,984
595,056
421, 736 .
397, 679
1, 690, 290
250, 284
—0. 2
—5. 2
+3. 3
- 0 .9
- 1 .6
—1. 2
Textiles and their products.-
2,369
546,891
541,386
9,784,250
169,093
86, 501
55,421
53, 235
18,166
170,184
86,999
53, 813
49,918
18,431
0
+ 0 .6
+ 0 .6
- 2 .9
-6 .2
+ 1 .5
19,242,680
445
350
254
193
30
2,472, 242
1,465,602
1,032, 838
1,134,196
404,841
2, 529, 335
1,453, 776
975,034
1,016,322
404, 294
0
+2. 3
—0. 8
—5. 6
—10. 4
—0.1
120
37,280
36, 526
- 2 .0
942,368
902, 577
—4. 2
Food and kindred products.
C otton goods.__ _________
Hosiery and k n it goods____
Silk goods ____
______
Woolen and worsted goods..
C arpets and rugs___
D yeing and finishing textiles_____________ ____
See footnotes a t end of table.
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167
T a b l e 1.— C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L
MANUFACTURING E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN M A R C H A N D A P R IL
T R IE S —C ontinued
N um ber on pay roll
In d u stry
E stab
lish
m ents
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
Per
cent of
change
1931
B Y IN D U S
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
$1,263,668
237,933
920,889
368,103
$l; 110, 669
239, 360
820,992
331, 891
Per
cent of
change
Textiles and their products—
C ontinued.
Clothing, m en’s ..................
Shirts and c o lla rs ______
Clothing, w om en’s ___ . . .
M illinery and lace goods__
Iron and steel and their
products _
Iron and steel______ ______
Cast-iron pipe _ ______
Structural ironw ork__ _
Fou n d ry and machine-shop
p ro d u c ts .,..___
______
H ardw are___ _______
M achine tools___
Steam fittings and steam and
hot-w ater heating appara tu s__ . _ _____
Stoves. . . . . . ______
Lumber and its products __
Lum ber, saw m ills________
Lum ber, m illw ork____
F u rn itu re . ______________
Leather and its products___
L eath er.... . _
Boots and shoes____
Paper and p rin tin g .. _ .
Paper and p u lp _______
P aper boxes . .
_____
Printing, book and job __
Printing, new spapers______
Chemicals and allied produ cts__
Chem icals_____________
Fertilizers____________
Petroleum refining...
Stone, clay, and glass prodnets___ . .
Cem ent
. .
Brick, tile, and terra cotta
P o ttery ________________
Glass .
...... .........
Metal products, other than
iron and steel
Stam ped and enameled
w are____
_ ___
Brass, bronze, and copper
p ro d u c ts... ___________
-1.8
349
107
399
122
61,155
17,164
33, 513
15,363
60,040
17,373
33,419
14,683
1,976
187
43
170
559,041
227, 238
9,295
23,760
553,014
226,930
9, 622
23,359
+ 3 .5
- 1 .7
(>)
-0.1
14,191,338
6,164,463
201,925
601,374
13,906,075
6,123,289
214,973
571, 407
- 0 .7
+ 6 .5
- 5 .0
1,093
91
150
203, 577
26,853
24,023
199,652
26,662
23, 324
- 1 .9
- 0 .7
- 2 .9
5,044,061
554, 336
594, 754
4,893, 707
538,187
572,432
- 3 .0
- 2 .9
- 3 .8
107
135
26,419
17,876
25,395
18,070
- 3 .9
616,688
413,737
580, 843
411, 237
- 5 .8
1,454
668
324
462
166,343
88, 655
23,828
53,860
166,674
89,981
23,928
52,765
+1.1
(>)
+ 1 .5
3,048,721
1, 505, 869
484,153
1,058, 699
2,954,920
1,467,038
484,758
1,003,124
434
131
303
129,140
23, 770
105,370
127,982
23,534
104,448
2,619,150
557,491
2,061, 659
2,518,088
553,384
1,964,704
(■
)
- 0 .7
1,6X3
246
312
608
447
221,295
58,471
24, 212
57,978
80,634
220,375
58,471
24,230
57,261
80,413
7, 107,473
1,444,127
537,994
1,942,732
3,182, 620
7,028,896
1,414, 253
532, 222
1,906, 007
3,176,414
«-2.1
-1.1
- 1 .9
-0.2
466
160
205
101
97,396
37, 315
13,611
46,470
103,928
36,382
16,923
50,623
- 2 .5
+24.3
+ 8 .9
(')
2,714,295
1,011,408
207,429
1,495,458
2,848,333
976,002
279, 092
1,593, 239
1,128
113
729
116
170
104,145
18, 669
28, 792
16,787
39,897
108,188
19,884
30,903
17,112
40,289
+ 6 .5
+ 7 .3
+ 1.9
(>)
2,386,753
486, 277
562,858
366,360
971, 258
2,456,577
526, 650
589, 764
383, 596
956, 567
(>
)
+ 8.3
234
44,049
43,909
1,018,710
16,546
16,816
0)
+1.6
1,031,569
78
366,194
365, 812
(')
-0.1
+ 1.2
- 0 .3
- 4 .4
+ 0 .4
-2.0
0)
-1.0
- 0 .9
8
+0.1
-1.2
- 0 .3
+1.0
-
12.1
+0.6
10.8
-9 .8
0)
-0.6
(')
-2.6
+0.1
-5 .2
- 4 .7
(>)
- 3 .5
+34.5
+ 6 .5
+ 4 .8
+ 4.7
- 1 .5
156
27, 503
27,093
- 1 .5
665, 375
652, 898
- 1 .9
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff
Cigars and cigarettes . . .
212
58,526
56,315
(>)
839,681
803,050
(>)
27
185
9,196
49, 330
7,951
48, 364
-1 3 .5
-2.0
139, 341
700, 340
122,175
680, 875
-1 2 .3
Vehicles for land transportalion _____
1,242
419,433
424,211
218
49
289, 335
778
295,434
836
(>)
+2.1
12, 076,977
8, 309, 816
16, 648
12,402,761
8, 668, 097
16, 642
889,185
870,718
0)
+4 3
-0
-2.1
Tobacco products. ______
Automobiles___
_. _ . . .
Carriages and w agons.......
C ar building and repairing,
electric-railroad. ______
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad _ .
....
See footnotes a t end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
438
28,822
28. 640
537
100, 498
99, 301
[1 4 3 3 ]
+ 7 .5
-0.6
-1.2
2,861,328 I 2,847,304
-2.8
- 0 .5
168
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 1 —C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L
MANUFACTURING E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN M A R C H A N D A P R IL , 1931, BY IN D U S
T R IE S —C ontinued
N u m b er on pay roll
E sta b
lish
m ents
In d u stry
Miscellaneous industries ___
M arch,
1931
489
83
263,847
206
65
10
April,
1931
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
Per
cent of
change
0)
- 9 .9
|7 ,062,800
?6,996,642
15,176
388,414
315,424
(•)
-1 8 .8
157,991
5,335
10,603
156, 568
5,230
11,724
- 0 .9
- 2 .0
+10.6
4,339,974
128, 862
154,561
4,252,594
125,113
194,626
-2 .0
- 2 .9
+25.9
38
87
38, 541
34, 533
38,908
35,483
+ 1 .0
+ 2.8
1,097,310
953, 679
1,128,044
980,841
+ 2.8
+ 2.8
T o ta l—54 in d u stries
used in com p utin g
index num bers of
em ploym ent and pay
roll________________
13,623
2, 832,094
2,828,807
(‘)
68,887,769
68,226,331
Industries added since Feb
ruary, 1929, for which data
for th e index-base year
(1926) are n ot available___
1,010
135,668
137,668
20, 699
20, 491
7,916
15,483
16, 797
(4)
+ 2 .2
+ 9.7
- 3 .4
- 1 .2
+ 1 .6
3,398, 703
3,411,116
A gricultural im plem ents___
Electrical machinery, apparatu s, and supplies ------Pianos and organs, _ _ ___
R ubber boots and shoes___
A utomobile tires and inner
tu b es, _________________
Shipbuilding..........................
R ayon________ . . . . . . . .
_____ _
Radio
A irc ra ft,. ............
Jew elry____ ______ . _,
P ain t and varnish _
R u b b er goods, other than
boots, shoes, tires, and
inner tubes ___
_____
Beet sugar_____
.. ..
Beverages
____
Cash registers, adding m a
chines, and calculating
machines
Typew riters and su p p lies,,.
All Industries________
16,844
16
47
39
159
284
20, 252
18, 687
8,194
15, 674
16, 536
263,089
Per
cent of
change
417, 642
448, 612
281,694
336,409
461,924
(0
416,010
491, 378
259,733
322, 620
460,220
0)
- 0 .4
+ 9.5
- 7 .8
-4 .1
+ 0.9
69
255
81
16, 623
2,311
10,917
16, 541
2,320
11,493
- 0 .5
+ 0.4
+ 5.3
367,104
79, 841
328,681
360.839
74, 078
348,627
- 1 .7
- 7 .2
+ 6.1
45
15
16,939
9,535
16,916
9,012
- 0 .1
- 5 .5
481,042
195, 754
477, 678
193,933
- 0 .7
- 0 .9
14,633
2,967,762
2,966,475
72,286,472
71,637,447
(4)
-1 .4
-1 .8
-0 .1
-0 .2
-2 .0
-2 .0
-1 .7
+11.7
-0 .4
(4)
By
G e o g r a p h ic
1,620
3, 651
3, 556
1,393
1,713
707
813
311
869
353,177
865,926
954, 608
159, 558
313, 032
107,188
86,484
26, 035
101, 754
352, 979
861,118
956,023
158, 639
314, 359
106,995
86, 483
26, 842
103,037
All divisions__________ 14,633
2, 967,762
2,966,475
R e c a p it u l a t io n
D iv is io n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS 5
New England____________
M iddle A tlantic , _______
E ast N o rth C e n tra l,, ___ _
W est N orth C entral .
_____
South A tlan tic__
....
E ast South Central _________
W est South C entral___ _______
M o u n tain .. _____ __________
Pacific_________________ ____
-0 .1
-0 .6
+0.1
-0 .6
+0.4
-0 .2
- (')
+3.1
+1.3
$7, 917,052
22, 347, 567
25,189,631
3,854,876
5, 788,004
1,916, 322
1,922, 313
700,790
2, 649,917
$7,802,296
21, 951,148
25,175, 502
3,846, 729
5,671,468
1,878,164
1,889,051
783,102
2, 639,987
(4)
72,286,472
71,637,447
(4)
1 The per cent of change has not been com puted for the reason th a t the figures in the preceding columns
are unw eighted and refer only to the establishm ents reporting; for the w eighted per cent of change, wherein
proper allowance is made for the relative im portance of the several industries, so th a t the figures m ay rep
resent all establishm ents of the country in the industries here represented, see Table 2.
2 No change.
3 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
4 The per cent of change has not been com puted for the reason th a t the figures in the preceding columns
are unw eighted and refer only to th e establishm ents reporting.
5 See footnotes 4 to 12, p. 163.
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TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
169
T able 2.—P E R C E N T OF C H A N G E , M A R C H TO A P R IL , 1931—12 G R O U P S O F MANUFAC
TURING IN D U S T R IE S A N D T O T A L O F A L L IN D U S T R IE S
[Compute*! from th e index num bers of each group, which are obtained by w eighting the index num bers
ol the several industries of the group, by the num ber of employees, or wages paid, in the industries]
Per cent of change,
M arch to A pril,
1931
Per cent of change,
M arch to April,
1931
G roup
G roup
N um ber A m ount
on pay
of pay
roll
roll
Food and kindred products__
Textiles and their p roducts___
Iron and steel and their prod
ucts______________________
L um ber and its products____
L eather and its products_____
Paper and printing__________
Chemicals and allied products.
- 1 .0
- 1 .1
- 1 .0
+ 0 .4
-1 .0
- 0 .4
+ 5 .6
-1 .2
- 5 .3
-2 . 1
- 2 .9
- 3 .8
-1 . 2
+ 3 .8
N um ber A m ount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
Stone, clay, and glass products..
M etal products, other than
iron and steel
Tobacco products .
Vehicles for land transportation
Miscellaneous in d u strie s...
54 Industries..
_
+ 4.1
+ 3 .0
-0 .4
- 3 .4
+ 0.6
- 0 .1
-1 . 4
- 4 .0
+ 1. 9
- 0 .7
- 0 .4
—1. G
C o m p a riso n o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in M a n u fa c tu r in g In d u s
tr ie s, A p ril, 1931, w ith A p ril, 1930
T h e level of employment in manufacturing industries in April,
1931, was 16.4 per cent below the level of April, 1930, and pay-roll
totals were 24.9 per cent lower.
Each of the 54 industries upon which the bureau’s indexes are based
had fewer employees and smaller pay-roll totals in April, 1931, than
in April, 1930. The greatest decreases in employment in the separate
industries were 47.8 per cent in agricultural implements, 36.7 per cent
in carriages and wagons, 35.9 per cent in machine tools, 30.7 per cent
in sawmills, 28.3 per cent in rubber boots and shoes, and 26.5 per cent
in foundries and machine shops. Structural ironwork, furniture, ferti
lizers, brick, automobiles, steam-railroad car shops, and electrical
machinery decreased more than 20 per cent in employment over the
year period. The iron and steel industry had 16.1 per cent fewer
employees and cotton goods decreased 11.0 per cent during the
12-month interval.
Each of the nine geographic divisions showed a falling-off in employ
ment and earnings in April, 1931, as compared with April, 1930, the
West South Central division reporting the largest decrease in emplovment—22.2 per cent.
58726°—>31----- 12
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1435]
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
170
T able 3 .—C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN MANUFAC
TURING IN D U S T R IE S , A P R IL , 1931, W IT H A P R IL , 1930
[The per cents of change for each of the 12 groups of industries and for the total of all industries are weighted
in the same m anner as are th e per cents of change m Table 2J
Per cent of
change, April,
1930, compared
w ith April, 1931
Per cent of
change, April,
1930, compared
w ith A pril, 1931
Industry
Industry
N um Amount
of pay
ber on
roll
pay roll
N u m A m ount
of pay
ber on
roll
pay roll
Food and kindred products.
Slaughtering and m eat
packing— -------------------Confectionery-----------------Ice cream ------------------ -----F lour___________________
B aking__________________
Sugar refining, cane---------
Iron and steel and their
products...... ........ .................
Iron and steel------------------Cast-iron pipe------- ---------Structural ironw ork---------Foundry and machine-shop
products------- --------------H ardw are------------. . . ------M achine tools____________
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-w ater heating ap
p aratu s________________
Stoves__________________
Lum ber and its p rod u cts...
Lum ber, saw m ills-----------Lum ber, mill w ork---- -----F u rn itu re -----------------------
-1 1 .5
6.1
6.2
- 8 .9
-1 4 .0
- 8 .9
-1 6 .2
-1 2 .5
-
- 8 .9
- 8 .3
- 7 .4
-1 1 .9
- 4 .6
- 7 .1
-1 3 .6
- 5 .3
-1 3 .6
- 5 .9
-1 3 .4
-1 8 .2
-1 4 .2
-2 0 .4
11.0
21.8
-34.6
-28.6
-21.9
-37.0
-26.5
-17.5
-35.9
-39.9
-28.3
-47.9
-31.8
-16.1
-16.0
-
-16.1
-1 7 .6
-2 6 .7
-3 0 .7
-1 8 .8
21.0
-
- 8 .3
12.1
-
-7 .4
- 7 .7
-1 3 .6
Paper and printing.
Paper and p u lp ...
Paper boxes_____
-
8.2
R e c a p it u l a t io n
Printing, book and jo b ----Printing, new spapers-------
Chemicals and allied prod
u cts____________________
C h em icals.-.------ -----------Fertilizers----------------------Petroleum refining. ---------
11.2
-1 4 .2
-1 3 .1
-1 9 .7
-2 2 .5
- 2 .5
-1 6 .8
- 9 .7
-
Leather and its products. . .
L eath er___ . . . . -------Boots and shoes--------------
-
Paper and printing—Contd.
-1 1 .4
-1 5 .3
- 2 .7
-1 8 .7
Textiles and their products..
C otton goods_____________
Hosiery and k n it goods-----Silk goods-----------------------Woolen and worsted goods..
C arpets and rugs------------- Dyeing and finishing tex
tiles____________ _______
Clothing, m en’s---------------Shirts and collars-------------Clothing, wom en’s-----------M illinery and lace go o d s.^.
-7.2
Stone, clay, and glass produ c ts..-__________________
C e m e n t.._______________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta..
P o ttery __________________
Glass------ ------------------------
Metal products, other than
iron and steel---- -------------
Stam ped and enameled
w are___________________
Brass, bronze, and copper
products_______________
Chewing and smoking to
bacco and snuff_________
Cigars and cigarettes--------
Vehicles for land transpor
tation __________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
14.7
- 8 .3
-17.9
20.1
-
-18.9
-
12.8
-24.7
-20.9
-19.3
-27.7
-25.9
-37.7
-16.5
-24.2
-15.3
-2 3 .6
-11.7
-1 7 .6
-16.9
-2 5 .8
- 8 .9
-1 4 .9
10.1
-1 5 .3
-1 4 .8
-19.1
-17.3
-23.7
-
-
11.0
- 8 .7
-1 1 .7
-1 5 .9
-2 3 .7
-2 9 .7
22.1
-4 7 .8
-3 1 .8
-6 2 .9
21.1
-1 5 .7
-2 8 .3
-1 7 .0
-1 7 .6
-3 0 .9
-2 6 .3
-4 7 .3
-2 5 .2
-2 4 .6
-16.4
-2 4 .9
W est South C entral------- ----M o u n ta in -.----------- -----Pacific_____
-- - -------------
-22. 2
-18.7
-19.5
-28.7
-18.2
-28.8
All divisions__________
-16.4
-24.9
Miscellaneous industries----A gricultural im plem ents...
Electrical m achinery, appa
ratus, and supplies-------Pianos and organs----------R ubber boots and shoes—
A utomobile tires_________
Shipbuilding____________
11.1
22.6
All industries.
-11.9
G e o g r a p h ic D
-2 1 .4
20.1
-
-
-
iv i s i o n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION—COn.
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
New E n g lan d----------------M iddle A tlan tic_________
E ast N orth C en tral--------W est N orth C entral--------South A tlan tic---------------E ast South C entral— ........
- 3 .8
-2 9 .3
-2 9 .9
-4 2 .9
-13.6
-15.0
-13.0
by
11. 1
-
-3 6 .7
Autom obiles_____________
Carriages and w agons------Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad________
Car building and repairing,
steam -railroad_________
-39.3
-46.8
-29.1
-29.8
8.6
- 1 .3
Tobacco products--------------
-31.2
-29.3
-
-
-11.9
-15. 2
-19.1
—17. 1
-13. 5
-19.1
-18.1
-23.9
-28.9
—23. 1
-21.8
-26.8
[1 4 3 6 ]
TREND OF EM PLOYM ENT
171
P er C a p ita E a r n in g s in M a n u f a c t u r in g In d u s tr ie s
A c t u a l per capita weekly earnings in April, 1931, for each of the
64 manufacturing industries surveyed by the Bureau of Labor
statistics, together with per cents of change in April, 1931 as com
pared with March, 1931, and April, 1930, are shown in Table 4
.Per capita earnings in April, 1931, for the combined 54 chief manu
facturing industries of the United States, upon which the bureau’s
indexes ol employment and pay rolls are based, were 1.2 per cent less
thaii m March, 1931, and 10.2 per cent less than in April, 1930.
lhe actual average per capita weekly earnings in April, 1931 for
the 54 manufacturing industries were $24.12; the average per capita
earnings for all of the 64 manufacturing industries surveyed were
.lo.
Per capita earnings given m Table 4 must not be confused with
lull-time weekly rates of wages. They are actual per capita weekly
earnings computed by dividing the total number of employees reported
into the total amount of pay roll in the week reported, and the
number of employees” includes all persons who worked any part
ol the period reported—that is, part-time workers as well as full
time workers.
T a b l e 4.
P E R C A P IT A W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN MANUFACTURING IN D U S T R IE S
A P R IL , 1931, A N D C O M P A R IS O N W IT H M A R C H , 1931, A N D A P R l f , 1930
Per capita
weekly
earnings
in April,
1931
In d u stry
Food and kindred products:
Slaughtering and m eat packing
Confectionery
Ice cream ____
F lo u r _____
B aking____
Sugar refining, cane
Textiles and th eir products:
C otton goods. ___
H osiery and k n it goods
Silk go ods..
W oolen a n d worsted goods _
C arpets and rugs . _
Dyeing and finishing textiles.
Clothing, m en ’s . .
Shirts and collars
Clothing, w om en’s.
M illinery and lace goods. .
I f on and steel and their products:
Iron and steel___
Cast-iron pipe
Structural iro n w o rk ..
Foundry and machine-shop products
H a rd w are..
M achine to o ls ..
steam n ttm gs a n a steam and hot-w ater heatine annaratns
Stoves______
L um ber and its products:
Lum ber, saw m ills. . .
Lum ber, m illw ork..
F u rnitu re _ _
L eather and its products:
Leather _ .
Boots and shoes
Paper and printing:
Paper and p u lp ...
Paper boxes___
Printing, book and io b____
Printing, new spapers____
1 No change.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1437]
t n
Per cent of change,
April, 1931, compared
w ith—
M arch,
1931
April,
1930
In a
“j-U.
0
/IN
C l
+ 0.2
—1. 3
— 1.2
2. 7
-2 .8
—8. 2
—0.1
—8. 5
—5. 4
+ 0.9
14
QO
A
1*1. O
16 71
1ft
19
lo. JLz
20 36
21 94
24 71
18 50
13 78
24 57
22 60
+ 1.6
1
I. 44
—2.8
A tr
4.
O
1.6
2. 3
10. 5
0.6
m a
1U. 0
—2. 1
- 9 .5
—8. 6
+ 0.5
+ 2.2
- 1 .6
—7. 0
—5. 3
- 9 .8
- 7 .9
26 98
22 34
24 46
24. 51
z90
u . IQ
iy
24 54
22.87
0,6
+ 2.9
9 4
4
o.
1 .6
—14. 7
—7. 0
—19. 6
18. 4
— 13. 2
—18. 6
-1 7 .9
—13. 9
16 30
20 26
19 01
4d .
0
U.
o
O.
Q
o
o
O
23. 2
12. 5
—11. 2
23 51
18 81
+ 0. 3
o o
o. y
—3. 5
6.1
24 Ie1
21 Q7
33.29
39.50
2 1
0 7
+ ò: ì
10. 7
3. 7
$25. 70
17
1/. A
DQ
o
OÓ. oU
z4. yu
zOK
o . 04
y4
9ft 7A
9Z
9 . 7IO
A
Z
r n
O. /
2 2
0. 9
- 2 .0
i1
1 1
I. 1
- 2 .5
172
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
T a ble 4. —P E R C A PIT A W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN MANUFACTURING IN D U S T R IE S IN
A P R IL , 1931, A N D C O M P A R IS O N W IT H M A R C H , 1931, A N D A P R IL , 1930—Continued
Per capita
weekly
earnings
in April,
1931
In d u stry
Chemicals and allied products:
Chem icals_______________
Fertilizers________________
Petroleum refining________
Stone, clay, and glass products:
C em ent________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta.
P o ttery _________________
Glass___________________
M etal products, other th a n iron and steel:
Stam ped and enameled w are__________
Brass, bronze, and copper products_____
Tobacco products:
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff.
Cigars and cigarettes__________________
Vehicles for land transportation:
Automobiles_______ ______ ______________
Carriages and w agons__ ____ ____________
C ar building and repairing, electric-railroad.
C ar building and repairing, steam -railroad..
Miscellaneous industries:
A gricultural im plem ents___________________________________
Electrical m achinery, apparatus, and supplies_______________
Pianos and organs_________________________________________
R ubber boots and shoes____________________________________
A utomobile tires and inner tu b e s___________________________
Shipbuilding______________________________________________
Industries added since February, 1929, for which d ata for the indexbase year (1926) are not available:
R ayon____ ____ __________________________________________
R adio____ _____ __________________________________________
A ircraft__________________________________________________
Jew elry__________________________________________________
P ain t and v arn ish ______________________________ __________
R u b b er goods, other th an boots, shoes, tires, and inner tubes___
Beet sugar________________________ _______________________
Beverages___________________ _____________________________
Cash registers, adding machines, and calculating m achines-----Typew riters and supplies________________ ______ ___________
Per cent of change,
April, 1931, compared
w ith—
M arch,
1931
April,
1930
-1.0
-5 . 1
$26. 83
16. 49
31.47
+ 8.2
-
2.2
-
26.49
19.08
22. 42
23.74
+ 1 .7
- 2 .4
+ 2.7
- 2 .5
-1 0 .4
-1 8 .3
21.75
24.10
-1 .7
- 0 .4
-10.6
15. 37
14.08
+ 1 .5
-5 .1
- 6.8
29. 34
19. 91
30. 40
28.67
+ 2.2
20.78
27.16
23.92
16.60
28.99
27. 64
- 9 .9
20.10
23.98
32. 81
20. 84
27. 76
-21. 81
31.93
30. 33
28.24
21. 52
-
-
-1.1
-1.0
+13.9
+ 1.8
+ 0.1
- 2 .5
-0.1
- 4 .6
- 2 .9
-
0.6
1.2
- 7 .6
+ 0.7
-0.6
+ 4 .8
6-2
-
-5 .9
-6 .9
0.8
- 7 .0
- 1 .5
+ 0.7
6.0
2.6
-1 1 .9
- 9 .4
- 4 .9
-7 .8
-2 9 .0
-1 2 .4
-1 2 .9
-2 6 .5
-
10.1
-8.6
-2 .9
-12.8
+2.1
-1 3 .0
- 3 .6
-
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
10.1
2 D ata not available.
In d ex N u m b e r s o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in M a n u fa c tu r in g
In d u str ie s
T a b l e 5 shows the general index of employment in manufacturing
industries and the general index of pay-roll totals, by months, from
January, 1923, to April, 1931, together with the average indexes for
each of the years 1923 to 1930, inclusive.
Index numbers showing relatively the variation in number of
persons employed and in pay-roll totals in each of the 54 manu
facturing industries surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and
in each of the 12 groups of industries, and also general indexes for the
combined 12 groups of industries, are shown in Table 6 for April,
1930, and February, March, and April, 1931.
In computing the general indexes and the group indexes the index
numbers of separate industries are weighted according to the relative
importance of the industries.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 4 3 8 ]
TREND OF EM PLOYMENT
T a b le 5 .
173
G E N E R A L IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S TN MANTT
FACTORING IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y , 1 9 2 3 ,% A P R IL , 1931
J
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
E m ploym ent
Pay-roll totals
1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
J a n ___ 106. 6 103.8 97.9 100.4
F e b ___ 108.4 105.1 99.7 101. 5
M ar___ 110.8 104.9 100.4 102.0
A pr___ 110.8 102.8 100.2 101.0
M a y ... 110.8 98.8 .98.9 99.8
J u n e ... 110.9 95.6 98.0 99.3
J u ly .... 109.2 92.3 97.2 97.7
A ug---- 108.5 92.5 97.8 98.7
Sept___ 108.6 94.3 98. 9 100.3
O ct___ 108.1 95.6 100.4 100.7
N ov__ 107.4 95.5 100.7 99.5
D ec___ 105.4 97.3 100.8 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
1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
95.2
97.4
98.6
99.1
99.2
98.8
98.2
98.6
99.3
98.3
94.8
91.9
73.1
74.1
74.8
74.5
Av.__ 108.8 98.2 99.2 100.0 96.4 93.8 97.5
95.8 98.6 93.9 98.0 94.9
99.4 103.8 99.3 102.2 100.6
104.7 103. 3 100.8 103. 4 102.0
105. 7 101.1 98.3 101.5 100.8
109.4 96.5 98.5 99.8 99.8
109.3 90.8 95.7 99.7 97.4
104.3 84.3 93.5 95.2 93.0
103.7 87.2 95.4 98.7 95.0
104.4 89.8 94.4 99.3 94.1
106. 8 92.4 100.4 102. 9 95.2
105.4 91.4 100.4 99.6 91.6
103.2 95.7 101.6 99.8 93.2
89.6 94.5 87.6 62.3
93.9 101.8 90.7 67.0
95.2 103.9 90.8 68.5
93.8 104.6 89.8 67.4
94.1 104.8 87.6
94.2 102.8 84.1
91.2 98.2 75.9
94.2 102.1 73.9
95.4 102.6 74.2
99.0 102.3 72.7
96.1 95.1 68.3
97.7 92.0 67.4 —
104.3 94.6 97.7 100.0 96.5 94.5 100.4 80.3 166.3
■Average for 4 months.
. Following Table 6 are two charts which represent the 54 separate
industries combined and show the course of pay-roll totals as well as
the course of employment for each month of the years 1926 to 1930
and January, February, March, and April, 1931, inclusive.
T a b l e 6.
IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A LS IN M A N IJF A C T T T R n v rr1
IN D U S T R IE S , A P R IL , 1930, A N D F E B R U A R Y , M A R C H A N D A P R IL fo il
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
Em ploym ent
In d u stry
1930
April
1931
February M arch
General index.
89.1
74.1
Food and kindred prod
u cts__________________
Slaughtering and m eat
packing_____________
Confectionery__________
Ice cream ______________
F lour_________________
Baking________________
Sugar refining, cane____
93.7
89. %
95.2
83.3
86.2
95.9
97.3
94.8
94.0
83.9
74.7
89.0
90.6
79.9
Textiles and their products
88.7
78.6
81.0
C otton goods___________
Hosiery and k n it g o o d s..
Silk goods_____________
Woolen and worsted
goods________________
C arpets and ru g s ..._____
D yeing and finishing tex
tiles_________________
Clothing, m en’s________
Shirts and collars_______
Clothing, w omen’s______
M illinery and lace goods.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Pay-roll totals
74.8
1930
April
April
1931
February M arch
74.5
89.8
87.9
87.0
97.1
90. 2
82.3
76.2
87. 7
90.6
82.2
89.4
78.1
78. 5
87.9
90. 1
83. 5
85.1
87.2
100.7
94.0
96.3
79.1
76.2
87.9
89.5
82.3
80.1
83.2
72.3
100.0
86.9
91.0
95.3
73.3
79.3
84.3
76.8
80.1
83.2
77.3
80.6
80.7
82.2
90.8
92.8
73.7
95.0
74.8
71.7
76.4
76.1
71.7
77.2
98.0
81.9
86.9
103.8
97.7
95. 5
75.6
71.5
93.6
82.4
95.4
77.5
74. 2
98.6
88.3 1
93.5
76.1
75.1
98.3
84.4
[1439]
67.0
April
68.5
67.4
86.9
85.9
90.2
77.2
76.9
85.2
88.9
84.5
90.0
73.2
79.4
84.4
87.5
83.5
75.4
71.4
65.8
72.0
78.6
69.8
73.4
76.2
71.4
72.9
71.9
67.1
77.6
71.9
62.8
73.0
64.6
65.4
64.6
96.3
67.2
76.8
97.5
97.6
96.2
62.9
59.1
85.3
73.0
94.5
62.4
93.8
86.1
90.6
58.2
62.8
83.7
77.7
66.2
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
174
T a b l e 6.—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN MANUFACTURING
IN D U S T R IE S , A P R IL , 1930, A N D F E B R U A R Y , M A R C H , A N D A P R IL , 1931—C ontinued
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
Pay-roll totals
Em ploym ent
In d u stry
April
Iron and steel and tlieir
products
______
February M arch
1931
1930
1931
1930
April
April
February M arch
April
91.9
90.8
72.1
94.7
73.0
75.1
56.8
75.8
72.6
76.2
58.5
75.4
71.9
76. 2
60.6
74.1
92.8
94.3
74.5
96.3
60.4
64.9
50.6
64.6
62.0
67.8
54.6
63.9
60.7
67.3
58.2
60. 7
96.4
83.4
110.4
72.3
69.2
73.0
72.3
69.3
72.9
70.9
68.8
70.8
96.8
74.8
107.6
59.1
54.1
57.6
59.9
55. 2
58.3
58.2
53. 6
, 56.1
68.8
79.4
60.0
60.0
60.1
64.7
57.7
65.4
65.0
70.7
49.9
47.1
47.4
50. 3
44.7
50.0
Lumber and its products—
74.1
73.7
68.0
78.7
54.3
50.6
54.8
63.7
54.1
50.3
55.0
63.4
54.3
51.1
55.2
62.2
72.7
75.4
67.3
70.8
44.7
40.3
47.1
52.2
45.4
41. 2
47.6
52.4
44.1
40. 1
47.7
49.7
Leather and its products..
88.9
88.3
89.1
79.4
77.6
79.9
83.3
78.4
83.3
81.5
77.6
82.5
78.9
86.2
76.8
66.5
72.0
64.9
70.9
73.8
70.1
68.2
73.3
66.8
99.7
94.9
89.3
100.5
109.0
92.5
82.4
81.7
94.8
105.8
92.4
82.0
81.9
93.0
107.9
93.0
82.0
82.0
91.9
107.6
105.1
97.5
93.2
104.2
114.6
93.3
77.9
80.6
94.0
107.2
94.5
77.1
83.0
94.4
110. 4
93.4
75. 5
82.1
92.6
110. 2
101.7
94.4
145.7
96.1
83.9
90.5
74.2
79.7
82.3
88.8
93.7
71.5
86.8
86.6
116.4
77.9
102.0
96.5
139.9
100.7
83.7
87.5
66.5
83.1
80.6
87.2
78.3
74.8
83.7
84.
105.4
79.7
78,6
77.3
67.0
90.6
90.3
58.8
56.9
44.5
79.5
70.1
61.1
60.0
47.7
79.1
72.2
63.6
63.9
51.1
80.6
72.9
75.7
77.7
61.8
84.6
89.8
50.7
50.3
34.0
65.4
67.3
53.1
53. 2
36.8
67.4
69.1
54.7
57.6
38. £
70.6
68.
83.8
70.7
71.3
71.0
82.6
62.4
64.0
63.1
81.7
67.0
67.3
67.
60.6
62.7
61.
69.3
72.4
69.
73.
69.
Iron and steel__________
Cast-iron pipe___ - --Structural ironwork-----Foundry and machineshop products_______
H ardw are _ ______ -M achine tools__________
Steam Attings and steam
and hot-w ater heating
ap p aratu s-----------------Stoves_________________
Lum ber, s a w m ills ..-----Lum ber, mill w ork______
F u rn itu re .________ . . . .
Leather.
. . . _____. . .
Boots and shoes_______
Paper and printing ---------Paper and p u lp --- --------Paper b o x e s .___
____
Printing, book and jo b ...
Printing, newspapers___
Chemicals and allied produ c t s __________________
Chemicals_____________
Fertilizers.. _ _________
Petroleum reüning______
Stone, clay, and glass produ cts___________________
C em ent---- -- ----------Brick, tile, and terra cotta
P o ttery .......... ................. —
G la s s .._______ _________
Metal products, other
th a n iron and steel........
Stam ped and enameled
w are_________________
Brass, bronze, and copper
products_____________
Tobacco products------------
Chewing and smoking to
bacco and snuff_______
•Cigars and cigarettes.. ..
Vehicles for land transportation
_________
Automobiles _ __ _____
Carriages and wagons---Car building and repair
ing, electric-railroad___
Car building and repair
ing, steam -railroad____
Miscellaneous industries .
Agricultural im plem ents.
Electrical machinery, ap
paratus, and supplies.
Pianos and o rg a n s .____
R ubber boots and shoes.
A utomobile tires. _____
Shipbuilding---------------
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
83.6
83.9
90.1
72.7
69.8
85.6
72.7
70.7
85.0
73.8
69.7
82.1
82.9
81.7
88.8
90.3
93.8
84.6
92.2
84.1
79.8
82.4
87.2
81.0
88.1
67.0
84.3
71.0
86.8
96.1
64.5
66.9
71.5
36.4
67.8
75.2
37.9
68.2
76.8
40.8
91.5
98.1
71.6
61.0
59.4
38.4
63.5
65.9
40.9
64.
68.
40.
89.4
79.7
79.4
78.9
92.6
78.3
79.5
77.
78.5
62.1
60.6
59.9
84.8
61.5
59.9
59.
101.8
114.7
81.3
75.8
79.4
66.4
79.3
59.9
105.4
117.5
73.6
66.6
72.4
53.7
71.
43.
109.2
49.2
86.0
83.1
121.7
87.7
42.1
68.1
68. 1
100.3
87.0
42.4
55.8
68.3
97.6
86.2
41.5
61.7
69.0
100.3
114.2
42.9
83.3
87.0
125.9
80.5
30.6
47.4
60.9
96.2
80. 5
32. 5
34.9
63.3
92.3
78.
31.
43.
65.
94.
[1440]
TREND OP EM PLOYM ENT
m a n u fa ct u r in g
in d u st r ies
MONTHLY INDEXES,
M ONTHLY
AVERAGE!
175
1926-1931
1926 = 1 0 0
EMPLOYMENT
TOS
••••
>92i
1 05
..
100
1927
• > 77
>v
\
/
--Y '
,
1929
___
: 95
F
- - -
1928
X
X.
,/
—
\
N,
s—
1930
N
90
" x
\
\
\
85
80
\
\
x ^
75
—X
X
70
.
JAN
FEB
M AR .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
APR
MAY
JUNE
JU LY
[1441]
AU Q
SEPT
OCT
NOV.
DEC
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
176
M A N U FAC TU RIN G
IN D U S T R IE S .
MONTHLY INDEXES,
M ONTHLY
PA Y -R O LL
1 9 2 6 - 1931 .
1926
AVERAGE
100.
=
T O T A LS.
1 05
‘ -X
S
\
' '
\
1326
.V
i
\
r
\
r
:
1929
/
s'
•"A '-.
\
'' -------- — 4 /
\
/
a
/
19 2 ‘ r
'
y
'v
\
/
-
\
i
100
*’
\
\
^
/
A
s
/
— \
1926
95
\
/
V
\
X
/
------------- \
/
\7
\
_ A _____
/
\
V
^
/
/
V
' "
/
/1 9 3
90
>
V
\
\
65
\
\
\
60
\
V
75
_______A
\
N
\
70
v -----------\
" " A
, _
A
65
60
JAN.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
FEB
MAR.
APR.
MAY
JUNE
JULY
[ 1442 ]
AUG. S E P T
OCT.
MOV.
DEC
TR EN D OF EMPLOYM ENT
177
T im e W orked in M a n u fa c tu r in g In d u str ie s in A p ril, 1931
R e p o r t s as to working time of employees in April were received
Irom 11,948 establishments in 62 manufacturing industries. One per
cent oi the establishments were idle, while employees in 60 per cent
veie working full time, and employees in 38 per cent were workingpart time.
°
Employees in the establishments in operation in April were working
an average of 91 per cent of full time, this percentage remaining
unchanged over the month interval.
Employees in the 38 per cent of the establishments working part
time in Apul were averaging 76 per cent of full-time operation.
TABLE 7- P R 0 P 0 ^Bb? 0eÌ & Fb I Y s^
in d u s t r ie s
Establishm ents
reporting
Per cent of estab
lishm ents in
w hich employees
w orked
Average per cent of
full tim e reported
by—
Industry
Total Per ceni
num ber
idle
F o o d a n d k in d re d p ro d u c ts
Slaughtering and m eat p a c k in g s 'll'"
C onfectionery. _________
Ic e c re a m _________
F lo u r__________________ y y
B aking_________________~~~y
Sugar refining, cane______________
1,734
T extiles a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts __
C otton goods_____________
Hosiery and k n it goods___
silk goods___________________ y y y
Woolen and worsted goods.______ “““
C arpets and rugs___
D yeing and finishing textiles
Clothing, m en ’s_______
Shirts and collars_________ I I I I I I I I I I I
Clothing, w om en’s______
M illinery and lace g o o d s...11111111111
1,931
Ir o n a n d steel a n d th e ir p ro d u c ts
Iron and steel___________
Cast-iron p ip e ...._______ y y y y y y
Structural ironw ork____________ “
Foundry and machine-shop products ~
H ardw are____________
M achine tools_______ I . k l ' k ’ y y y
Steam fittings and steam and hot-w ater
heating a p p aratu s______
Stoves______________________
1,768
L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c ts ___ ________
Lum ber, saw m ills_____________
Lum ber, m ill w ork___
F u r n itu r e ..._____________ 1111111’
L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c t s .. .
L eather___________________
Boots and shoes_____________ I I I ” ’ "’ "
P a p e r a n d p r i n t i n g ___________
Paper and p u lp ____ _________
Paper boxes___________
"
Printing, book and joblZIZZIZIIIZZII
P rinting, new spapers_____ ________ y ’
402
300
236
171
26
111
258
18
267
82
1
3
7
1
2
1
0
1
1
6
1
1
132
39
162
1,008
61
140
5
13
1
1
102
124
1,048
416
271
361
381
116
265
1,352
146
264
548
394
1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1
1t8
273
235
367
667
14
[14431
Full
tim e
80
76
52
86
79
91
50
68
65
62
79
64
42
59
71
64
79
71
31
tim e
19
96
80
91
98
95
98
86
81
86
73
81
69
31
74
76
80
95
81
91
81
83
80
83
67
80
70
1
21
34
78
65
3
46
52
65
0
1
5
46
54
57
35
65
65
35
35
74
25
57
50
77
92
81
91
91
96
93
89
92
95
95
96
95
1
2
(0
93
33
37
22
35
58
41
28
29
21
29
40
69
62
68
80
80
50
45
41
Establishoperating
p art time
46
14
18
9
43
55
18
37
31
20
19
4
1
2
All operat
ing estab-
38
50
23
8
86
68
86
80
77
75
66
59
77
71
71
69
75
81
71
86
86
87
84
92
92
92
95
91
90
96
99
68
73
71
77
71
77
76
77
82
76
81
83
90
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
178
T able
7 . — P R O P O R T IO N OF F U L L T I M E W O R K E D IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S
BY E S T A B L IS H M E N T S R E P O R T IN G IN A P R IL , 1931—Continued
P er cent of estab Average per cent of
lishm ents in
full tim e reported
which employees
byw orked
Establishm ents
reporting
In d u stry
T otal | Per cent
num ber 1 idle
Establish
All operat m ents
ing estab operating
lishm ents p a rt time
P a rt
tim e
Full
tim e
C h em ica l« a n d allied p ro d u c ts
___ _
Chemicals _________- ____ _ ___ ______________ ___ - Fertilizers
Petiole11in refining
_____
362
130
163
69
1
2
1
79
65
83
96
20
32
16
4
97
94
98
100
84
83
85
91
S to n e clay , a n d glass p ro d u c ts _
C em ent
_______ _ ________
___
Brick tile, and terra c o tta ____
P o ttery
_______ __ -- ____ _
Class
________________ _____
701
88
388
101
124
7
3
10
2
6
59
83
50
50
77
34
14
40
49
17
91
96
89
89
96
76
73
75
79
76
M eta ! p ro d u c ts , o th e r t h a n Iro n a n d
steel
- Stam ped and enameled ware,
Brass, bronze, and copper p ro d u cts-----
210
69
141
1
41
61
32
58
39
67
86
91
84
76
76
76
204
2
40
58
86
76
26
178
8
2
46
39
46
60
92
85
84
75
7
59
48
45
41
52
48
92
89
90
80
79
80
85
15
98
84
____ . . __ . _
T o b a c c o p r o d u c ts
Chewing a n d smoking tobacco and
snuff
_______________________
Cigars and c ig a re tte s ______________ V ehicles fo r la n d t r a n s p o r ta tio n
Automobiles
________ Carriages and w agons_
_____Car building and repairing, electric__ - railroad
Car building and repairing, steam-railroad
___________ ___
1,116
180
42
(■)
392
.
44
56
89
80
1
4
42
29
57
67
88
79
78
71
1
35
33
33
41
78
65
67
67
59
21
88
82
83
89
97
82
73
75
82
84
716
44
6
35
127
225
69
70
67
77
41
75
31
30
33
23
59
25
94
94
94
98
85
96
80
80
83
91
75
83
69
177
54
85
46
15
92
97
82
81
67
33
94
81
60
38
91
76
502
M isc e lla n e o u s in d u s trie s
_ ____
________
Agricultural im plem ents.
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and
supplies
_ ..
__
Pianos and organs
_______
R ubber boots and shoes
_____
A utomobile tiros and inner tubes
___________ ____ Shipbuilding
425
73
I n d u s trie « a d d e d in 1929 a n d 1930
Radio
_______ _
R a yon
__ __
Aircraft
_ ________ ___
Jew elry
_ __ _
paint, and varnish
_ _
R u b b er goods, other th a n boots, shoes,
tire« and inner tubes
Beverages
___ ___ ___
Cash registers, adding machines, and
calculating machines
T o ta l
(>)
176
54
9
32
81
(>)
33
11,948
1
i Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.
2. E m p lo y m en t in N o n m a n u fa ctu rin g In d u stries in April, 1931
I
N THE following table the bureau presents by geographic divisions
the data for 14 nonmanufacturing industries, the totals for which
also appear in the summary of employment and pay-roll totals, page 163,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 4 4 4 ]
TREND OF EM PLOYM ENT
179
T a b l e :!.■— C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T
in°
™ ™ K A C ™ B ,N G
e s t a b l is h m e n t s
i n m a r c h
N um ber on pay roll
E stab
lish
ments
Geographic division
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
Per
C61lt of
change
1
at
<3
tm
m u 'w m r n A T
A°NDL i r a i L DES , I 0 BY
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
Per
cent of
change
ANTHRACITE MINING
Middle Atlantic.
1G2
112,281
116,616
+3.9
$2,834,904
$2,988,394
+5.4
BITUMINOUS COAL MINING
M iddle A tla n tic .....
E ast N orth C en tra lW est N orth C entralSouth A tlan tic_____
E ast South C e n tra lW est South C en tral.
M o u n tain ...................
Pacific_____________
All divisions -
-
406
108
56
341
234
29
127
11
63, 477
31, 028
5, 522
52, 978
43,165
1, 639
15,639
1, 596
62, 590
28, 701
4,818
52,700
42,113
1, 692
13, 818
1,563
- 1 .4
- 7 .5
-1 2 .7
- 0 .5
- 2 .4
+ 3 .2
-1 1 .6
- 2 .1
$1,178, 575
695,717
109, 487
952, 250
656, 262
29, 932
384, 933
44, 089
$1,100,312
526, 705
88,665
892,250
628, 757
29,153
332, 745
43, 480
-6 .6
-2 4 .3
-1 9 .0
-6 .3
-4 .2
-2 .6
-1 3 .6
- 1 .4
1,372
215,044
207,995
-3 .3
4,051,245
3,642,067
-10.1
METALLIFEROUS MINING
M iddle A tlantic____
E ast N orth C e n tra lW est N orth C entralEast South C entral. _
W est South C entralM ountain _________
Pacific_____________
All divisions.
7
48
50
13
GO
103
34
1,095
10,677
6,250
2,688
2,229
16, 774
2,114
1, 092
10, 607
6,245
2,628
, 2,452
16, 963
2, 134
- 0 .3
- 0 .7
-0 . 1
-2 . 2
+10.0
+1. 1
+ 0 .9
$23, 375
216, 713
170, 568
49,211
43,247
488, 593
64, 209
$21,445
208, 350
160,437
52, 283
45, 322
477, 089
63, 206
- 8 .3
- 3 .9
- 5 .9
+ 6 .2
+ 4.8
- 2 .4
- 1 .6
324
41,827
42,121
+0.7
1,055,916
1,028,132
-2 .6
QUARRYING AND NONMETALLIC MINING
N ew E nglan d______
M iddle A tlan tic____
E ast N orth C entral..
W est N orth C entralSouth A tla n tic _____
E ast South C e n tra lW est South C entralM ou n tain _________
Pacific_____________
All divisions.
107
114
225
72
101
60
44
4
38
3,832
5,493
7,362
1,766
5,159
2,887
2,438
66
1,265
4,457
6,193
8,096
1,890
5,454
3,128
2,401
69
1,209
+16:3
+12.7
+ 10.0
+ 7 .0
+ 5 .7
+ 8 .3
- 1 .5
+ 4 .5
- 4 .4
$106, 441
137, 282
180, 219
37,729
80, 769
39, 947
51, 972
2,289
34,998
$123, 878
152, 636
194,603
39,657
87, 483
39, 260
49, 511
2, 418
32,571
+16.4
+11.2
+ 8 .0
+ 5.1
+ 8 .3
- 1 .7
- 4 .7
+ 5.6
- 6 .9
765
30,268
32,897
+8.7
671,646
722,017
+7.5
CRUDE PETROLEUM PRODUCING
M iddle A tlan tic___
E ast N orth CentralW est N orth C entral
South A tlan tic____
East South C entralW est South C entral.
M o u n tain ____ ____
Pacific..__________
All divisions.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
42
5
21
12
5
381
20
84
685
34
105
458
222
19,117
284
7,598
697
29
103
395
212
18, 562
274
7,281
+ 1.8
—14. 7
- 1 .9
-1 3 .8
- 4 .5
- 2 .9
- 3 .5
- 4 .2
570
28,503
27,553
-3 .3
[1445]
$19, 457
812
2,332
12, 774
5,254
702, 518
10,026
311, 299
$16, 969
597
2,164
11,512
4,285
640,899
9, 132
278, 906
-1 0 .4
1,064,472
964,464
-9 .4
-1 2 .8
-2 6 .5
- 7 .2
- 9 .9
-1 8 .4
- 8 .8
-8 .9
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
180
-C ontinued
N um ber on pay roll
Geographic division
E sta b
lish
ments
Per
cent of
change
April,
1931
M arch,
1931
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
April,
1931
M arch,
1931
Per
cent of
change
TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH
New E n g lan d ------------------M iddle A tlan tic--------------E ast N orth C en tral----------W est N orth C en tral---------South A tlan tic----------------E ast South C entral----------W est South C en tral---------M o u n tain -----------------------Pacific—
---------------------
720
1, 230
1, 460
1,374
560
621
693
482
921
27, 349
101, 058
71, 691
28, 947
20,389
10,104
17, 383
7,196
30,114
27, 201
100,491
70,841
28,857
20, 329
10,060
17, 239
7, 172
30, 054
- 0 .5
- 0 .6
- 1 .2
- 0 .3
- 0 .3
- 0 .4
- 0 .8
- 0 .3
- 0 .2
$855,748
3, 379,099
2, 049, 588
749, 929
570,117
230,895
409,890
182, 486
958,858
$868,034
3, 270, 639
1, 960, 799
724, 520
560,346
224, 249
396, 950
177,311
920,839
+ r.4
- 3 .2
- 4 .3
- 3 .4
- 1 .7
- 2 .9
- 3 .2
- 2 .8
- 4 .0
All divisions -----------
8,061
314,231
312,244
-0 .6
9,386,610
9,103,687
-3 .0
POWER, LIGHT, AND WATER
New E n g lan d ------------------M iddle A tlan tic--------------E ast N orth C entral----------W est N orth C en tral--------South A tlan tic----------------East South C entral----------W est South C en tral---------M o u n tain -----------------------Pacific___________________
All divisions. . .
271
322
660
437
274
176
598
124
846
21,681
61, 203
53,859
27, 351
24,091
6,821
17, 221
5, 763
23,317
22,186
59, 375
55,811
27, 542
23, 952
6,568
17, 214
6,108
23, 543
+ 2 .3
-3 .0
+ 3.6
+0. 7
- 0 .6
- 3 .7
-(>)
+ 6 .0
+ 1.0
$714,862
2, 090,446
1,873,816
832, 681
765, 302
177, 394
510, 357
185, 013
804,981
$714, 302
1,963,802
1,800,896
793, 672
727, 639
163, 881
474, 827
183, 127
761,034
- 0 .1
-6 . 1
- 3 .9
- 4 .7
-4 9
- 7 .6
- 7 .0
-1 .0
-5 . 5
3,708
241,307
242,299
+0.4
7,954,852
7,583,183
-4 .7
ELECTRIC RAILROADS
New E n g lan d --------M iddle A tlan tic-----E ast N orth C en tral..
W est N orth C entralSouth A tlan tic-------East South C e n tra lW est South C entral.
M o u n tain -------------Pacific-------------------
All divisions.
49
156
109
69
45
11
37
14
38
13, 495
37, 057
43,885
13, 307
11, 093
3,462
5, 322
1,893
16, 255
13, £09
36,988
44, £52
13, 528
10, 962
3, 436
5,225
1,887
16, 352
+ 0.1
- 0 .2
+ 1.5
+1-7
- 1 .2
- 0 .8
- 1 .8
- 0 .3
+ 0.6
$486, 356
1, 225, 096
1, 455,817
426,840
315,856
96, 307
149, 539
54,194
531,608
$484,422
1, 211, 572
1, 451, 623
405, 364
309,927
93, 421
139, 525
49, 964
512, 840
- 0 .4
-1 . 1
- 0 .3
- 5 .0
- 1 .9
- 3 .0
- 6 .7
- 7 .8
- 3 .5
528
145,769
146,439
+0.5
4, 741,613
4,658,658
-1 .7
WHOLESALE TRADE
493
308
290
265
187
66
271
85
350
11, 599
9,402
11,871
12,983
3,619
1,683
6,051
1,849
10, 273
11,666
9,372
11,825
13,045
3,595
1,678
6,089
1,863
10, 220
+ 0.6
-0 . 3
- 0 .4
+ 0.5
- 0 .7
- 0 .3
+ 0.6
+ 0.8
- 0 .5
$359, 557
318,382
379,276
403,539
111,039
48,979
188, 390
66, 075
361,523
$360, 768
309,765
367, 225
376,427
106, 288
45, 799
174,413
63. 230
334, 808
+ 0.3
- 2 .7
- 3 .2
- 6 .7
- 4 .3
- 6 .5
- 7 .4
- 4 .3
- 7 .4
2, 315
69, 330
69, 353
+ (‘)
2,236, 760
2.138, 723
-4 .4
$1,115,183
2,042, 632
1, 869, 292
430,816
460,843
163, 285
261, 572
114,942
951,592
+ 0,6
+ 1.0
+ 2.1
N ew E n g lan d--------M iddle A tlan tic-----E ast N o rth C e n tra lW est N orth C entral.
South A tlan tic-------E ast South C e n tra lW est South C en tral.
M o u n ta in .------------Pacific-------------------
All divisions.
RETAIL TRADE
N ew E n g lan d --------M iddle A tlan tic-----E ast N o rth C e n tra lW est N orth C entral.
South A tlan tic-------E ast South C e n tra lW est South C entral .
M o u n tain -------------Pacific-------------------
1,985
397
2, 746
691
1,062
372
236
201
1,661
45,724
78,002
75,147
19,672
20,911
8, 574
12,820
5,054
40, 225
46,428
79,540
77, 536
20, 879
21, 202
8,691
13, 238
5, 264
41,373
+ 1.5
+ 2 .0
+ 3 .2
+ 6.1
+ 1.4
+1. 4
+ 3.3
+ 4 .2
+ 2.9
All divisions..
9, 351
306,129
314,151
+2.6
See footnotes a t end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[144Ö1
$1,108,
2, 023,
1,831,
422,
459,
163,
265,
114,
956
7,345,087
7, 410,157
+ 1.9
+ 0.4
+(')
- 1 .5
+ 0.4
- 0 .5
+09
TREN D OF EM PLOYM ENT
A m ount of pay roll
(1 week)
N um ber on pay roll
E stab
lish
ments
Geographic division
M arch,
1931
Per
cent of
change
April,
1931
M arch,
1931
April,
1931
Per
cent of
change
HOTELS
N ew E ng lan d ..........
M iddle A tlan tic____
E ast N orth C e n tra lW est N orth C entralSouth A tlan tic_____
E ast South C e n tra lW est South C entral .
M o untain........ ...........
Pacific.....................
All divisions.
-
99
387
402
290
195
100
149
110
351
7,965
47, 552
31,410
15, 207
16,848
6,179
9,394
3, 562
17, 217
7,932
47,137
31, 763
15, 236
15, 859
6, 218
9,186
3, 559
17, 070
- 0 .4
- 0 .9
+1.1
+ 0 .2
- 5 .9
+ 0 .6
- 2 .2
- 0 .1
- 0 .9
$131, 261
855,341
548, 084
218,029
247, 231
76, 202
123, 217
61, 196
323,498
$130,989
815,692
546, 778
211, 531
209, 781
74, 753
119,932
59, 550
317,447
- 0 .2
-4 .6
-0 .2
- 3 .0
-1 5 .1
- 1 .9
- 2 .7
- 2 .7
- 1 .9
2,083
155, 334
153, 960
-0 .9
2, 584, 059
2,486, 453
-3 .8
CANNING AND PRESERVING
New E nglan d ______
M iddle A tlan tic____
E ast N orth C e n tra lW est N orth C entralSouth A tlan tic_____
E ast South C e n tra lW est South C entral .
M ou n tain _____:____
Pacific........... ..............
All divisions.
-
57
83
230
44
90
32
34
48
208
957
7,055
6,029
1,109
4,891
1,678
1,167
890
8,414
1,414
7,202
6,645
1,136
3,456
1,290
985
920
13,168
+47.8
+ 2.1
+ 10.2
+ 2 .4
-2 9 .3
-2 3 .1
-1 5 .6
+ 3.4
+56.5
$16, 543
151, 827
118,945
19,914
56,170
15, 567
6,109
24,187
138, 027
$26, 524
149, 782
122,919
20, 691
43,489
13, 635
5, 679
24,295
213,916
+60.3
- 1 .3
+ 3 .3
+ 3.9
-2 2 .6
-1 2 .4
-7 .0
+ 0 .4
+55.0
1826
32,190
36, 216
+12.5
547, 289
620, 930
+13.5
LAUNDRIES
N ew E ngland............
M iddle A tlan tic____
E ast N orth C en tra lW est N orth C en tral.
South A tlan tic_____
E ast South C e n tra lW est South C entral.
M o untain _________
Pacific_______ ____ _
All divisions.
37
64
63
64
40
20
15
17
54
1,955
8,959
4,232
5,129
4,596
1,122
980
1,617
3,485
1,968
9,059
4,241
5,267
4, 620
1,151
979
1,631
3, 516
+ 0 .7
+ 1.1
+ 0 .2
+ 2.7
+ 0 .5
+ 2 .6
- 0 .1
+ 0.9
+ 0 .9
$38,847
186,898
81,222
90,698
74,999
14,919
14, 208
28, 745
76,067
$38, 811
189, 681
82, 770
94, 232
76,275
15, 015
14,121
28, 917
75, 522
- 0 .1
+ 1.5
+ 1.9
+ 3.9
+ 1.7
+ 0.6
—0.6
+ 0.6
- 0 .7
374
32,075
32,432
+1.1
606, 603
615, 344
+1.4
DYEING AND CLEANING
N ew E nglan d______
M iddle A tlan tic____
E ast N orth C en tra lW est N orth C entralSouth A tlan tic_____
E ast South C e n tra lWest South C entral .
M ountain_________
Pacific_____________
10
14
23
39
24
7
13
14
12
361
700
1,163
858
730
217
215
232
696
378
767
1,297
961
765
243
231
252
734
+ 4 .7
+ 9 .6
+11.5
+12.0
+ 4 .8
+12.0
+ 7.4
+ 8 .6
+ 5 .5
$9,446
16,617
25,177
18,897
13, 714
3,860
4,008
5,718
17,336
$10, 612
20, 738
30, 256
21,815
15,088
4,489
4,154
6,163
17,801
+12.3
+24.8
+20.2
+15.4
+10.0
+16.3
+ 3.6
+ 7.8
+ 2.7
All divisions..
156
5,172
5, 628
+ 8 .8
114, 773
131,116
+14.2
uidii oiie-ientn oi 1 per cent.
3Th!
an d repairing, see m anufacturing industries, p 167 et sea
tips c a n Z t be compute™!
represents cash P ^ e n t s only; th e additional value of board, room, and
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1447]
182
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a b l e 2 —C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN N O N M A N U -
F A C T IJR IN G IN D U S T R IE S , A P R IL , 1931, W IT H A P R IL , 1930
Per cent of change,
April, 1931, com
pared w ith April,
1930
Per cent of change,
A pril, 1931, com
pared w ith A pril,
1930
In d u stry
In d u stry
N um ber A m ount
on pay of pay roll
roll
N um ber A m ount
on pay of pay roll
roll
A nthracite m ining. __ ___
B itum inous coal m in in g ..
_
M etalliferous m ining_______
Q uarrying and nonm etallic
m ining________ ________
C rude petroleum p ro d u cin g ...
Telephone and telegraph___
Power, light, and w a t e r ___
+ 1 .3
- 9 .0
-2 8 .4
+ 0 .3
-2 8 .3
-4 1 .8
-1 2 .9
-1 9 .6
-1 0 .9
- 3 .6
-2 6 .7
-2 3 . 4—8.1
- 4 .9
Electric railroads___________
Wholesale trade ___________
R etail tr a d e ._______ ____ . . .
H o te ls... ._
..
. . __ . . .
C anning and preserving___ _
Laundries____________ _____
D yeing and cleaning.._ __
- 8 .8
-10. 2
- 7 .4
- 4 .2
-2 0 .3
0)
(')
-1 0 .8
-1 3 .0
- 9 .4
-1 0 .4
-2 1 .3
(')
(>)
1 D ata no t available.
In d e x es o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls for N o n m a n u fa c tu r in g
In d u str ie s
T a b l e 3 shows the index numbers of employment and pay-roll
totals for anthracite, bituminous coal, and metalliferous mining,
quarrying, crude petroleum producing, telephone and telegraph,
power, light, and water, electric railroads, wholesale and retail trade,
hotels, and canning and preserving, by months, from January, 1930,
to April, 1931, with the monthly average for 1929 as 100.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1448]
T able 3.—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A LS F O R NONMANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, JA N U A R Y , 1930, TO A P R IL , 1931
[M onthly average, 1929= 100]
A nthracite B itum inous M etallifer
mining
coal mining ous mining
Quarrying
and nonmetallic
mining
C rude
petroleum
producing
Telephone
and tele
graph
Power,
light, and
w ater
Year and month
O peration
and m ain
tenance
of electric
railroads 1
W holesale
trade
R etail
trade
Hotels
C anning
and pre
serving
E m P ay E m P a y E m P ay E m Pay E m P a y E m P ay E m P ay E m P a y E m P a y E m P a y E m P ay E m P a y
ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll ploy roll
m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals m ent totals
95.7
92.3
90.9
92.7
92.5
90.8
79.6
79.8
83.0
71.9
73.5
80.0
92.7
90.8
89.3
94.0 101.6 105.1
88.6 100.2 101.9
91.3 99.4 105.8
[1449]
99.6 99.7
98.8 100.4
99.7 102.1
97.1
95.1
94.4
97.8 100.0 100.0
95.7 98. 7 98.3
95.4 97.7 99.7
98.9
94.4
93.9
99.7 100.4 100.3
96.0 102.4 103.8
95.5 102.4 104.4
46.1
45.7
49.7
50.3
51. 5
50.8
74.8
65.7
83.0
72.6
66.9
81.5
A priL — _____________
M a y __________ ______
Ju n e _________________
84.1
93.8
90.8
75.0
98.8
94.3
94.4
90.4
88.4
81.7
77.5
75.6
89.3
87.5
84.6
88.3
85.6
81.6
87.4
90.8
90.3
85.4
90.2
90.9
86.8
89.8
90.2
86.6
85.4
87.1
98.9 103.4 100.7 102.6
99.7 103. 2 103.4 104.5
99.8 103.4 104. 6 107.8
95.2
95.2
94.8
97.1
96.0
97.0
97.3
96.8
96.5
97.9
97.4
98.6
97.3
96.7
93.9
97.5 100.1 100.3
97.3 98.0 98.4
96.8 98.0 98.1
Ju ly _________________
A ugust _____________
September
91.6
80.2
93.8
84.0
78.8
91.6
88.0
89.2
90.5
68.9
71.1
74.9
80.5
79.0
78.1
71.9
71.0
69.9
89.9
89.3
87.7
75.5
85.8
82.5
89.9
87.7
85.0
88.5 100.0 106.6 105.9 106. 7
86. C 98.8 102.5 106. 4 106.6
84.0 . 96.8 102.2 105.2 106.1
95.3
92.9
91.8
95.6
92. 1
90.5
96.0
95.0
94.8
96.0
93.6
93.6
89.0
85.6
92.0
91.7 101 3
87.6 101.5
92.4 100.1
99.8 126.3 112.7
98.6 185.7 172.0
97.1 246.6 214.8
October . . _________
N ovem ber____ _______
D ecem ber____________
99.0 117.2
97.2 98.0
99.1 100.0
91.8
92.5
92.5
79.4
79.1
77.7
77.2
72.8
70.1
68.6
63.4
59.9
84.7
78.3
70.2
79.3
66.8
59.9
85.2
83.6
77.4
82.6 - 94.5 100.9 104.8 105. 6
80. C 93. 0 97.9 103.4 103. 7
77.2 91.6 101.3 103.2 106.3
91.0
89.3
88.8
88.9
87.7
88.6
94.2
92.6
92.0
92.9 95.5 95.1
91.0 98.4 96.8
91.3 115.1 107.7
97.5
95.2
93.5
95.5 164.7 140.0
93.6 96.7 82.9
91. 5 61.6 57.4
93.4
95.3
93.4
81.3
83.2
78.0
84.3
79.3
87.4
85.9
97.9 102.9 103.0 104.3
93.4
93.5
96.0
95.9
95.9
96.2
99.2
98.5 103.9
96.1
90. 6 89. 3
2 89. 5 2101. 9
F eb ru ary ___ ___ _
282. 0 271.3
M arch ________ _
A pril__ ____________ 85.2 75.2
93.9
91.5
88.8
85.9
73. 3
68.3
65.2
58.6
68.3
65.3
63.5
63.9
55.0
54.6
52.8
51.4
64.4
66.6
70.0
76.1
50.4
54.4
58.2
62.6
74.8
73.2
72.2
69.8
71.5
70.0
73.2
66.3
90.5
89.2
88:6
88.1
99.2 98.6
97.8 99.7
96.7 102.4
97.1 97.6
86.9
86.6
86.4
86.8
85.6
87.1
88.1
86.6
89.5
88.2
87.4
87.4
87.5
88.4
89.1
85.2
90.0
87.1
87.8
90.1
89.4
86.7
87.5
88.3
95.0
96.8
96.8
95.9
91.0
93.7
93.4
89.9
48.9
48.3
53.0
59.6
46.1
48.6
50.3
57.1
Average...............
1931
96.3
94.8
97.9
95.0
TREND OF EM PLOYM ENT
1930
Jan u a ry ______________ 102.1 105. 8 102.5 101.4
F eb ru ary ____________ 100.9 121.5 102.4 102.1
M arch _______________ 82.6 78.5 98.6 86.4
1 N o t including electric-railroad car building and repairing; see vehicles group, m anufacturing industries, p. 167, et seq.
2 Revised.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
00
CO
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
184
E m p lo y m en t in B u ild in g C o n stru ctio n in A pril, 1931
T
HE Bureau of Labor Statistics here presents reports as to employ
ment and pay rolls from establishments engaged m building con
struction in Washington, Providence, St. Louis, Atlanta, Dallas, and
th In Addition, figures collected by the Maryland Commission of
Labor and Statistics, Massachusetts Department of Labor and in
dustries, and the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin also are
presented.
C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L IN B m B I S O
Locality
W ashington, D . CProvidence, R. I —
St. Louis, M o -----A tlanta, G a --------D allas, Tex---------Baltimore, M d ----M assachusetts-----W isc o n sin ........... T o tal.
P a y roll (1 week)
Employees
N um
ber of
estab
lish
ments
M arch,
1931
C O N S T R U C T IO N .
Per
cent of
change
April, 1931
M arch,
1931
April, 1931
Per 1
cent of
change
444
228
451
104
95
69
634
74
7,224
2,289
4,146
1,442
1,379
1,409
9,015
2,246
7,781
2,479
4, 341
1,809
1, 506
1,920
10,185
2, 475
+ 7 .7
+ 8.3
+ 4.7
+25.5
+ 9.2
+36.3
+13.0
+10.2
$228, 269
63, 877
146, 037
27,188
41,161
36, 565
305, 086
59, 718
$255, 036
78,600
165, 756
32, 677
45,121
43, 801
338, 299
64,181
+11.7
+23.0
+13.5
+20.2
+ 9.6
+19.8
+10.9
+ 7.5
2,099
29,150
32,496
+11.5
907, 901
1,023,471
+12.7
The employees included in these reports are such a small part of
the total number of employees engaged in building construction m
the United States that building construction figures are not yet in
cluded in the summary tables.
E m p lo y m en t on Class 1 S tea m R ailroads in th e U n ited S ta te s
HE monthly trend of employment from January, 1923, to March,
1931, on Class I railroads—that is, all roadsi having operating rev
enues of $1,000,000 or over—is shown by the index numbers published
in Table 1. These index numbers are constructed iron1 monthly
reports of the Interstate Commerce Commission, using the monthly
average for 1926 as 100.
T
IM P L O Y M E N T ON CLASS I STEAM RAILROADS IN T H E U N IT E D
ST A T E S , JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO M A R C H , 1931
T a b l e 1 —IN D E X O F
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
M onth
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
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
Ju ly
_________
Awgnst.
________
fleptfvmhfir ______
O et,ober
_ _____
N ovem ber
_____
D ecem ber-----------
98.3
98.6
100.5
102.0
105.0
107.1
108.2
109.4
107.8
107.3
105.2
99.4
A verage____
104.1
98. 3
97.9
190.0
97.5
92.9
93.3
83.5
173.1
_______
Jpnnnry
F eb ru ary_________
IVTareh_______ .____
April ___ ________
TVTay
_________
i Average for 3 months.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 4 5 0 ]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
185
Table 2 shows the total number of employees on the 15th day each
of March, 1930, and February and March, 1931, and pay-roll totals for
the entire months.
In these tabulations data for the occupational group reported as
“ executives, officials, and staff assistants” are omitted.
T able 3.—E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S OF R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S —M A R C H 1930
A N D F E B R U A R Y A N D M A R C H , 1931
’
[From m onthly reports of In terstate Commerce Commission. As d ata for only the more im portant occu
pations are shown separately, th e group totals are no t the sum of the item s under the respective groups]
N um ber of employees at
middle of m onth
T otal earnings
Occupation
P ro fe ssio n a l, clerical, a n d g e n e ra l
C lerks________________________
Stenographers and ty p is ts ..........
M a in te n a n c e o f w a y a n d s t r u c
t u r e s ___________________________
Laborers, extra gang a n d work
tra in ________________________
Laborers, track, and roadw ay sec
tio n .. ............................... ..............
M a in te n a n c e o f e q u ip m e n t a n d
s to re s __________________________
C arm en_______________________
M achinists____________________
Skilled trades helpers__________
Laborers (shops, engine houses,
power plants, a n d stores)_____
Common laborers (shops, engine
houses, power plants, and
stores)______________________
T r a n s p o r ta tio n , o th e r t h a n tr a in ,
e n g in e , a n d y a r d ___________
S tation agents_______ ____ _____
Telegraphers, telephoners, and
tow erm en___________________
Truckers (stations, warehouses,
and platform s)_______________
Crossing and bridge flagmen and
gatem en____________ _____ _
M arch,
1930
F eb ru
ary, 1931
263,139
147,085
24, 364
233, 862
127, 745
21,911
232,325 $38, 968, 399 $33, 156,314 $34,512,272
127, 011 20, 631, 972 16,980, 658 17, 791, 296
21, 703
3, 226, 286
2,815, 371
2,867, 003
337,188
260, 900
269,047
32, 833, 004
22, 908,153
43, 547
22,064
24,708
3,275, 144
1,403, 660
1, 754,802
171,358
135,486
140, 287
12,593,196
8,123, 353
9, 593, 712
429, 624
91,406
52,809
94,914
370, 633
77,372
48,023
81, 220
367,593
76,358
47,988
80, 763
59, 902, 372
14, 511,458
8,869, 790
11, 346,380
43, 819, 898
9,999,311
6, 639, 547
7,981,869
47,455,024
11, 016,008
7,286, 742
8,754,144
35,834
30, 536
30,170
3, 516, 694
2,628,247
2, 843, 957
48, 201
39,806
39,358
3, 983,335
2, 711, 554
2,985,670
187, 219
28,907
1G4, 804
28,015
164,788
27,960
23, 882, 320
4, 649,059
19, 519,450
4,185, 344
20,909,629
4,452, 211
M arch,
1931
M arch,
1930
February,
1931
M arch,
1931
25,492,320
22,439
20, 425
20, 255
3, 563, 481
2, 923, 245
3,198, 288
31,065
24, 261
24, 744
2, 991,309
2,015,963
2, 288,523
20, 070
19,110
19,063
1, 565, 680
1,469,880
1,480, 658
T r a n s p o r ta tio n (y a rd m a s te rs ,
s w itc h te n d e rs , a n d h o s tle rs).
21, 017
18, 648
18,520
4,179, 510
3, 442,146
3,616,242
T r a n s p o r ta tio n , tr a i n a n d e n g in e .
R oad conductors_______________
R oad brakem en a n d flagmen____
Y ard brakem en, and yard helpers.
Road engineers a n d m otorm en__
R oad firemen and helpers.............
291, 551
32, 760
64,105
49,423
39,070
39, 740
251, 733
' 28,526
55,011
42, 800
33,839
34,684
251,195
28, 526
54,874
42,592
33, 719
34, 652
59, 225, 796
7,931,414
11,133, 352
8, 697, 668
10, 611, 708
7, 752, 833
44, 980, 689
6,141,822
8, 341, 494
6, 501,887
8,139,147
5, 901,375
49. 759,270
6, 785, 540
9,235,939
7,177, 387
9, 035,912
6, 540,947
All em ployees.
5 8 7 2 6 ° — 3 1 -------1 3
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1, 529, 729 1, 300, 580 1,303,468 218, 991, 401 168,126,650 181, 744, 757
1
[1 4 5 1 ]
186
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C h an ges in E m p lo y m en t and Pay R olls in V arious S ta tes
HE following data as to changes in employment and pay rolls
have been compiled from reports received from the various State
T
labor offices:
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF I E D S T A T E S
M o n th ly p e r io d
Per cent of change,
February to M arch,
1931
Per cent of change,
.M a r c h to April,
1931
State, and in d u stry group
State, and in d u stry group
E m ploy
m ent
E m ploy
m ent
Pay roll
Illinois
Arkansas
A uto dealers, garages------A uto bodies, wood p a rts.-Bakeries an d cafés..
----B everages.. . . . . . . . . . .
B rick and tile . . .
C andy a n d confections----Cooperage,heading, veneer.
C otton compresses, gins,
an d p ro d u c ts .-.
-----C o alm in es______________
F u rn itu re m anufacture----Flour, grain, feed, fertilizer.
Glass factories------ ------H andles, hubs, spokes___
H otels__________________
L a u n d rie s.. . . ------------L um ber m ills.
M achinery, f o u n d r i e s ,
____
p arts, sm elters .
N ewspapers and p rin te rs..
P a c k in g h o u se s..
_____
Petroleum products -----Sand, gravel, s to n e .. . . . .
Textile mills, garm ents___
Public u tilities__________
Wholesale and r e t a i l _____
M iscellaneous_________ .
+ 2 .5
+16.4
+ 1.5
0)
+ 6 .7
-1 .4
-5 . 5
+ 5 .5
+21.4
+ 2 .5
(*)
„
+ 4 .7
+ 4 .4
-1 5 .3
-2 7 .0
-4 2 .5
+ 1 .3
+ 6 .9
- 2 .5
- 7 .4
- 4 .0
- 1 .4
+ 1 .0
-4 6 .4
-5 1 .3
-2 0 .8
+ 1 .7
-1 3 . 3
+18.9
- 5 .0
+ 8 .9
+ 5 .2
+ 5 .0
+ 1.9
+ 2 .2
- 7 .7
+23.2
-.2
0)
+ 1 .1
+ 5 .0
+• 2
+ 4 .9
+3. 2
-2 1 .9
+48.7
+ 1.9
+ 4 .4
- 1 .3
+ 1.9
February to M arch,1931
California
Stone, clay, and glass produ c ts ________ _ ----------M etals, m achinery, and
conveyances------- -----W ood m anufactures. .
Leather and ru b b er goods .
Petroleum producing and
refining
_____ _
O ther miscellaneous chemical p roducts___ . . . . .
P rin tin g and paper goods. .
T extiles. . . _________ _
Clothing, m illinery, and
laundering
Foods, beverages, and
tobacco ___ . .
M otion pictures______ .
M iscellaneous___________
All industries______
- 1 .1
+ 3.1
- 3 .1
+ 3 .8
- 3 .7
+ 1.8
- 1 .3
-.9
- 1 .8
+ 4 .6
- 3 .5
-. 1
+ 5 .0
-.5
+ 5 .5
+ 2 .7
+ 7 .0
+ 9 .8
- 2 .5
- 3 .6
+ 9 .3
+ 1.3
+ 1.4
-.5
Stone, clay, and glass prod
u c ts_____ ______ _______
M etals, m achinery, and
conveyances___________
Wood products__________
Furs and leather goods____
Chemicals, oils, paints,
etc . ____ . ________
P rin tin g and paper goods. .
Textiles __________ ____
Clothing and m illinery........
Foods, beverages, and
to b acco ... ____________
M iscellaneous.. . . . . _ __
All m anufacturing. . .
Trade, wholesale and retail.
Services_________ ____ _
Public u tilities. _ . . . ___
Coal m in in g ____________
B uilding and contracting. _
All nonm anufactur
in g —
All industries______
+6.1
+ 3.0
+ .1
+ 3.4
+ 7.9
+ 1.2
+ 6.0
+8.8
-.3
- 5 .4
+ 5.5
+ .1
-.4
- 5 .2
+10.6
-.7
- 1 .8
+ 2.0
+ .1
- 3 .8
+5.9
+ .1
-1 . 1
- 1 .8
-.0
- 1 .4
- 5 .4
- 1 .5
- 5 .7
-5 .1
+ 8.8
- 4 .9
- .6
- 3 .5
-.1
- 1 .4
M arch to April, 1931
Iowa
Food and kindred products
T extiles. ._ _________
iro n and steel works . .
L um ber products . ..
Leather p ro d u c ts..
Paper products, printing
and publishing .
P a te n t medicines, chemicals, and compounds
Stone and clay products__
Tobacco and. cigars
Railway-car shops
Various industries___
All industries
-1 .2
-2 . 0
-6 . 2
+ 2.1
-8 . 5
- 1 .0
+ 7 .5
- 1 .6
.0
+ 14. 6
- 1 .1
-1 . 4
Maryland
Food products ______ ____
Textiles . . __________
Iron and steel a nd their
p roducts_____________
Lum ber and its pro d u cts..
L eather a nd its p ro d u c ts..
R u b b er tire s ..___________
Paper and p rin tin g -----------
1 N o change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P ay roll
[1452]
+ 1.5
- .6
+ 2.7
- 1 .3
- 1 .1
- 5 .6
+ 2 .4
-1 . 1
+ 1 .7
+ 1.9
- 7 .1
-.8
+23.8
+ 1.6
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
187
P k R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF IE D S T A T E S —
Continued
M o n th ly p e r io d — Continued
P er cent of change,
M arch to
April,
1931
State, a n d in d u stry groupP
P er cent of change,
F ebruary to M arch,
1931
State, a n d in d u stry group
Em ploy
m ent
Em ploy
m ent
P ay roll
Maryla nd—C ontinued
P a y roll
Michigan
+16. 0
+17.1
2.9
+ 1 .5
t.
- 1 .3
0)
- 7 .5
- 1 .2
+ 8 .6
+2.1
+3. 5
-1 8 . 1
+ 1 .5
+ 1 .8
All m an u factu rin g ...
- .0 2
+1. 07
+ .6
+ .7
+1. 3
1.4
+14. 3
+42. 7
+32. 9
+ .7
- .6
-. 1
+ 7.3
- 5 .5
+9. 5
+70. 1
+17.9
- .5
+ 4 .8
+ 9 .4
iron and steel__
Tobacco products.
M iscellaneous.
R etail establishm ents___
Wholesale establishm ents.
Public u tilities__________
Coal m ines_____________
H otels_________________
Q uarries_______________
Building construction___
Laundries______________
lishm ents.
E m p lo y m e n t—index
num bers (1925-1927
= 100)
February,
1931
M arch,
1931
M assachusetts
Boot and shoe cu t stock
and findings__________
Boots and shoes_________
B read and other bakery
products______ _______
Clothing, m en’s _________
Clothing, wom en’s ______
Confectionery___________
C otton goods____________
D yeing and finishing tex
tiles______________ ____
Electrical machinery, ap
paratus, and supplies___
F oundry and machineshop products_________
F u rn itu re ______________
H osiery and k n it goods___
Leather, tanned, curried,
and finished__________
P aper and wood p u lp ____
Printing and p u b lishing...
R ubber footwear.............. .
R ubber goods, tires, and
tubes________________
Silk goods______________
Textile m achinery and
p a rts_________________
Woolen and worsted goods
Ah industries______
87.7
72.1
88.3
76.1
100.9
60.8
97.9
92.7
50.7
99.0
62.2
102. 1
88. 2
53.8
92.7
95.7
69.8
70.2
85.7
75.2
66.0
86.0
74.4
67.1
92.8
82.5
99.6
72.4
95.2
83.6
97.6
33.4
61.7
80.5
60.8
81.7
65.5
65.5
64.0
67.9
71.2 1
Paper and p rin ting______
Chemicals and allied prod
u cts__ ____ ___________
Stone, clay, and glass prod
u cts__________________
M etal products, n o t iron
and steel______________
Iron and steel products___
L um ber and its p ro d u c ts..
L eather and its p roducts...
Food and kindred products.
Textiles and th eir products.
Tobacco products________
Vehicles for land transpor
ta tio n _________________
Miscellaneous___________
+ 2 .5
+13.7
+11.4
+22.1
Ah industries.
+ 2 .5
+ 9.3
+ 3.3
+ 6 .2
+ 2 .7
+ .8
- 1 .3
-3 . 7
+ .6
+ .6
+ 2 .3
-.6
+ .5
+ 1 .7
+15.5
- 2 .4
+ 1 .5
- 3 .1
- 2 .1
- 2 .5
+ 3 .8
+ 4 .4
+ 3 .4
+ 6 .2
+• 1
+ 3.3
- 5 .4
+ .5
-1 . 2
+ 3.1
+ 6.9
- 4 .5
+ 6.6
-1 0 . 1
+ 6 .5
+ 4 .7
New Jersey
Food and kindred prod
u c ts__________________
Textiles and th eir products.
Iron and steel and their
products______________
L um ber and its p ro d u c ts,.
L eather and its p ro d u c ts...
Tobacco p ro d u c ts ..._____
Paper and p rin tin g ______
Chemicals and allied prod
u c ts__________________
Stone, clay, and glass prod
ucts__________________
M etal products other th a n
iron and steel__________
71.9
1 No change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- 0 .9
-4 .4
[1453]
tatio n .
All industries.
+ 1 .0
+ .1
- 2 .8
- 4 .1
- 9 .5
-1 3 .0
-7 . 7
- 4 .3
-.4
-1 .6
M arch to April, 1931
New York
M iscellaneous stone
and m inerals..........
Lime, cem ent, and
plaster____________
Brick, tile, and pottery.
Glass_______________
itals and m achinery___
Silver and jew elry____
Brass, copper, and
alum inum ________
Iron and steel_______
Structural and archi
tectural iron_______
Sheet m etal and h a rd
w are______________
Firearm s, tools, and
cutlery____ ________
+ 6.1
+ 6 .6
-1 .0
+ 1.4
+17.2
+13.3
- 2 .1
- 1 .2
+ 1.4
+15.8
+ 14.8
-.8
- 1 .7
+ 4.8
-3 .2
-4 .9
- 2 .4
- 4 .2
+ 1 .0
- 4 .1
—.3
+ 1.3
- .9
- 3 .8
188
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O LLS IN S P E C IF IE D S T A T E S —
C ontinued
M o n t h l y p e r i o d —Continued
State, and in d u stry group
Per cent of change,
M arch to Aprii,
1931
Em ploym ent
p
State, and in d u stry group
E m ploy
m ent
u
J
P ay roll
New York—C ontinued
New York—C ontinued
M etals a n d m a c h in e ry c o n tin u ed .
Cooking, heating, and
-0 .2
- 0 .9
ventilating apparatus.
M achinery, including
- 6 .9
- 2 .4
electrical a p p a ra tu s..
Automobiles, carriages,
+ 7 .3
+ 4 .6
and a irp lan es......... .
R ailroad equipm ent
-1 .3
+• 4
and rep air_________
+12.6
+10.1
B oat and ship buildingin stru m en ts a n d ap
- 1 .0
- 2 .4
pliances____________
- 1 .0
-.7
Wood m anufactures______
- 2 .5
.
8
Saw and planing m ills.
F u rn itu re and cabinet
- 3 .2
2
.0
w ork______________
Pianos and other m usi
+
2 .1
.
6
cal in stru m en ts------+ 1 .7
+ 1 .3
M iscellaneous wood___
Furs, leather, a n d ru bber
- 2 .2
- 1 .7
goods--------------------------.6
L eather_____________
+• 1
+ 5 .6
+14.0
Fu rs and fu r goods----- .2
1
.1
Shoes_______________
O ther leather and can
-1
6 .1
-1
1
.0
vas goods--------------R u b b er and g u tta
+
1 .8
2
.0
percha____________ _
- 2 .4
-.4
Pearl, horn, bone, etc—.
1
.4
.
4
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
- 8 .1
- 6 .4
D rugs and chem icals...
+
2
.3
+ 1 .3
P ain ts and colors------- 2 .2
- 1 .2
Oil products_________
M iscellaneous chem i
+ 2 .7
+ 1 .8
cals________ ____ _
+ 3 .7
+ .1
P ap er__________________
- 2 .3
- 1 .4
Prin tin g and paper goods...
- 4 .1
- .4
Paper boxes and tu b es..
M iscellaneous paper
- 4 .6
- 2 .7
goods........ ..............
Printing and book
- 1 .9
- 1 .3
m aking. __............—
+ 1.4
+ 2 .6
Textiles_______ _____ ___
-5 . 2
+ 2 .9
Silk and silk goods----+ 2 .6
+ 1.1
Wool m anufactures__ _
+26.2
+12.3
C otton goods-----------K n it goods (excluding
+ 1 .5
+ 1 .6
silk )______________
+ 2 .4
-1 . 7
O ther textiles...... .........
-1 0 .8
-1 .8
C lothing and m illin e ry ..—
-1 2 . 3
- 1 .9
M en ’s clothing--------- 7 .1
-1 . 5
M en’s furnishings___
-1 4 .4
-2 . 2
W om en’s clothing___
- 6 .6
- 1 .6
W om en’s u n derw ear..
- 9 .4
+ .7
W om en’s headw ear___
-1 6 . 2
-1 7 .7
M iscellaneous sewing.
Laundering and clean
+ 3 .4
+ 1 .0
ing---------------------! Change of less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per cent of change,
April,
M arch to
1931
Food and tobacco________
Flour, feed, and cereal.
C anning and preservin g-----------------------O ther groceries_______
M eat and dairy produ cts___ -- ------------Bakery products______
C andy______________
Beverages___________
Tobacco ----------------W ater, light, and pow er----All industries______
-1 .7
+ 1 .0
- 4 .7
- 5 .1
+ 8 .3
0
+ 4.8
- .2
- 3 .1
- 2 .9
- 7 .3
+ 2.2
+ 1 .9
- 2 .7
- 2 .8
- 8 .8
-1 2 .4
+ 3.2
- 2 .0
- 4 .3
-.8
- 2 .9
- 7 .4
- 4 .3
- 2 .2
+ 8 .0
+ .8
- .3
+8. 5
-. 1
-.5
- 5 .9
+2.1
- 3 .0
+ 8.3
- 4 .3
+10.9
+ 9 .2
+11.2
+ 9.9
- 1 .5
+ 5.4
O k lah om a
Cottonseed-oil m ills______
Pood production:
Bakeries_____________
Confections____ ___
Creameries and dairies.
Flour m ills. ________
Ice and ice cream _____
M eat and p o u ltry -----Lead and zinc:
M ines and m ills______
Smelters..........................
M etals and m achinery:
A uto repairs, etc___ .
M achine shops and
foundries.. . . . . . . .
T ank construction and
erection____________
Oil industry:
Producing and gasoline m anufacture----Refineries----------------Printing: Job w ork------Public utilities:
Steam-railroad shops.
Street railw ays______
W ater, light,
and
p o w e r.__ ------------Stone, clay, and glass:
B rick and tile . ------C em ent and p la ste r.._
Crushed stone ----Glass m anufacture _.
Textiles and cleaning:
Textile m anufacture..
Laundries, e tc ... . . .
W oodworking:
Sawmills __ ____
M illwork, etc ..
[1454]
All industries.
- 1 .4
+ 2.3
-1 3 .2
-4 0 .6
- 3 .8
+ .3
- 1 .1
- 4 .0
—1.4
- 2 .8
+ 4 .0
- 5 .2
+ 3.6
- 1 .5
+ 6 .5
+ 1.7
+ 8.1
- 4 .1
+48.0
+29. 7
-13. 2
+ 6.2
+31.2
+ 3 .2
+ .6
- 2 .5
+ 2 .0
6
.0
—3. 6
+ 2.9
+ 3 .7
+.5
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
PER CENT OF CHANGE IN
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S
C ontinued
189
IN SPECIFIED STATES—
M o n t h l y -p erio d — Continued
Index num bers (19231925=100) —employ
m ent
State, and in d u stry group
M arch,
1931
State, and in d u stry group
April,
1931
E m ploy
m ent
Pennsylvania
M etal products . . .
T ransportation equipm ent
Foods a n d tobacco____ .
Stone, clay, and glass
products_________ _
L um ber products
Chem ical p ro d u cts. . . _
L eather an d ru b b er products
P aper and p rin tin g ______
All m an u factu rin g ...
75.0
53.6
90. 5
74.9
3 52. 8
90. 9
105.0
58.5
57.4
103.1
60.4
57.4
90.9
94.5
94.8
79.5
90.5
94.4
94.6
79.4
61.4
37.1
83.3
96.3
64.4
3 44. 8
80.9
93.3
45.0
54.6
89.1
16 5
50.6
90.2
92.7
99.6
67.7
93.6
97. 8
69.5
H otels _ .
M iscellaneous__
All industries____
Wisconsin
M anual
Logging_________________
M ining:
Lead and zinc.
I r o n ...
Stone crushing and quarry
in g —
M anufacturing:
Stone and allied industries. . .
M etal
W ood.
L eather__
Paper ___
Textiles _
Foods
Printing and publish
ing—
Chemicals (including
soap, glue and ex
plosives) ___
All m an u factu rin g ..
P a y roll
Texas
A uto and body w orks. .
Bakeries ..
Confectioneries. _.
P ure food p roducts______
Ice cream factories ...
Flour m ills____
Ice factories. _ _____
M e a t p a c k in g a n d
slaughtering.. . .
C otton-oil mills
C otton compresses..
M en’s clothing • m an u
facture____
W om en’s clothing m an u
facture.
B rick, tile, a n d terra
cotta . . . .
Foundries a n d machine
s h o p s . . _____
Structural-iron works
R ailroad car shops
Electric-railw ay car sh o p s..
Petroleum refining
Sawmills__
L um ber mills
F u rn itu re m anufacture__
Paper-box m anufacture___
Cotton-textile mills
C em ent p la n ts.
+11.2
—1. 1
—25. 4
-2 4 . 2
+ 8 .2
- 5 .3
+ 5 .1
+ 3 .7
+21.9
-3 5 .5
-5 .0
+ 2 .8
+14.2
—. 4
+5. 1
—2.6
+ .1
+ .9
-1 .5
-6 . 7
-.4
+ 6 .5
-5 . 5
+ 9 .1
l
Construction:
Building_____
H ighw ay________
Railroad
M a r in e d r e d g in g ,
sewer digging___
Communication:
Steam railw ays.
Electric railw ays.
E x p re s s , te le p h o n e ,
an d telegraph. . .
L ight and pow er. .
Wholesale trade
H otels and restaurants
L aundering and dyeing___
-2 6 .5
- 7 .9
- 1 .5
-1 3 .4
+ 6 .0
+49.6
- 6 .0
.0
-1 . 2
+• 9
+ 3 .0
- 1 .1
+ 5.2
- 1 .4
-9 . 5
+ 4 .3
.0
+20. 5
+ 4 .0
- 1 .6
+12. 1
+. 2
'
+ .9
+ 1.4
- 1 .3
+ .2
+ 3.4
+ 2 .8
+21. 2
—4
+3. 4
+22.4
+ 4.2
■+53.0
+58.5
- 5 .1
- .7
- 2 .8
+ 3 .6
.0
- 1 .8
-1 . 7
-1 . 5
- 1 .8
+ 8.9
+ .7
- 1 .9
+ .i
-.7
N onm anual
M a n u fa c tu rin g , m ines,
a n d quarries
Con stn i nt ion
R etail trad e—sales force
only
M iscellaneous professional
—. 8
- 1 .4
+3. 5
+2. 9
+• 6
+ 2 .2
+ 3.8
+ .3
3 Prelim inary figures.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- 3 .6
+. 9
+20.0
- 0 .1
+ 5 .9
+ .6
- 1 .5
+15.3
+ .6
F ebruary to M arch,
1931
Per cent of change,
M arch to April,
1931
Em ploy
m ent
P a y ro ll
Texas—C ontinued
Commercial printing
N ew spaper publishing
Quarrying
Public utilities
R etail stores -
P ay roll
M etal products_____
T ransportation equipm ent.
Textile products
Foods and tobacco__ ____
Stone, clay, a n d glass
products
L um ber products_______
Chem ical products
L eather a n d ru b b e r pro d
u c t s . .. . . .
P aper and printing
All m an u factu rin g ...
P er cent of change,
M arch to A pril,
1931
ri4551
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
190
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O LLS IN S P E C IF IE D S T A T E S—
C ontinued
Y e a r ly p e r io d
E m ploym ent—in dex n u m b e rs
(1925-1927=100)
P er cent of change,
M a r c h , 1930, to
M arch, 1931
State, and in dustry group
S tate, and in d u stry group
E m ploy
m ent
M arch,
1930
P ay roll
California
M assachu setts—C on.
Stone, clay, and glass prod
u c ts___________________
M etals, m achinery, and
conveyances.....................
W ood m anufactures-------L eather and ru b b er goods..
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
P rin tin g an d paper goods..
Textiles------------------------C lothing, m illinery, and
laundering____________
Foods, beverages, and to
bacco_________________
M iscellaneous 4--------------
F o u n d ry a nd machineshop p roducts_________
F u rn itu re _______________
H osiery a n d k n it goods---L eather, tan n ed , curried,
and finished----------------P ap er a n d wood p u lp ------P rin tin g a n d publishing-. .
R u b b er footw ear------------R u b b er goods, tires, and
tu b es_________________
Silk goods___ ___________
Textile m achinery and
p a rts__________________
Woolen and worsted goods_
-2 3 .0
-2 1 .4
-2 3 .7
-1 8 .2
-1 4 .4
-2 8 .3
- 9 .4
- 7 .8
-2 7 . 2
-2 6 . 3
-1 9 .6
-3 0 .9
-1 3 .2
-1 0 .5
- 6 .4
- 6 .3
- 4 .7
- 4 .4
-1 4 .0
-21.7
All industries..
P ublic utilities----- W holesale and retail.
- 9 .9
-
6 .2
-
All industries.
- 5 .6
100.8
93.7
104. 5
87.0
95.2
83.6
97.6
33.4
84.8
92.1
60.8
81.7
85.2
64.0
67.9
74.4
67.1
68.0
85.0
Per cent of change,
M arch,
1930, to
M arch, 1931
M ichigan
Stone, clay, a n d glass
p roducts_________
M etals, m achinery, and
conveyances---------------W ood products--------------F u rs and leather goods---Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
P rin tin g and paper goods..
Textiles
____________
Clothing an d m illin e ry ....
Foods, beverages, a n d to
b acco ........................... —
80.3
64.3
107.9
65.5
93.5
99.6
99.0
90.1
86.9
77.1
54.0
87.6
85.8
90.5
89.4
76.4
85.4
75.4
All m an u factu rin g ...
96.9
76.6
Trade, wholesale and retail.
P ublic u tilities---------------Coal m ining__________ _
Building and contracting..
73.3
102.5
76.2
50.7
64.3
95.3
87.5
26.4
All industries______
95.0
79. ‘
105.5
91.1
88.3
76.1
106.7
69.5
102.4
89.0
68.5
99.0
62.2
102.1
88.2
94.3
95.7
80.2
70.2
P ap er and p rin tin g ---------Chemicals and allied prod
u cts__________________
Stone, clay, a nd glass
products______________
M etal products, n o t iron
and steel_____________
Iro n and steel p roducts—
L um ber an d its p ro d u c ts ..
L eather an d its products...
Food a n d kindred prod
u c ts__________________
Textiles a nd th e ir prod
u c ts__________________
Tobacco p roducts_______
Vehicles for land transpor
tatio n
Miscellaneous
All industries.
A pril, 1930, to A pril,
1931
M assachusetts
53.8
New York
Stone, clay, and glass------M iscellaneous stone
a n d m inerals---------Lime, cem ent, and
plaster____________
B rick, tile, a n d p o t
te ry .............................
Glasc.............................. .
4 Includes m otion pictures.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
86.0
M arch,
1931
Illinois
B oot and shoe c u t stock
and findings---------------Boots an d shoes-------------B read a n d oth er bakery
products_____________
C lothing, m en’s ------------C lothing, w om en’s ---------Confectionery................ .......
C otton goods-----------------D yeing and finishing tex
tiles___________________
Electrical m achinery, a p
paratu s, an d supplies----
104.9
94.1
71.1
12. 0
E m p lo y m e n t—i n
d e x n u m b e rs
(192 5-1927 = 100)
M arch,
1930
M arch,
1931
[14561
-1 0 .3
-1 6 .4
-1 6 .3
-
21.1
-3 .2
- 8 .3
- 7 .1
-1 3 .2
-1 4 .8
-1 8 .3
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
191
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF IE D S T A T E S —
C ontinued
Y e a r l y p e r io d — Continued
Per cent of change,
April, 1930, to April,
1931
State, and in d u stry group
Per cent of change,
A pril, 1930, to April,
1931
State, and in d u stry group
E m ploy
m ent
E m ploy
m ent
P a y roll
N ew Y o rk —C ontinued
M etals and m achinery____
Silver and jew elry........
B rass, copper, an d
alu m in u m ...................
Iron and steel________
S tructu ral a n d archi
tectural iro n ,-............
Sheet m etal and h a rd
w are_______________
Firearm s, tools, a n d
cu tlery ____________
Cooking, heating, and
ventilating ap p ara
tu s ________________
M achinery, including
electrical a p p a ra tu s..
Automobiles, carriages,
a nd airplanes______
R ailroad equipm ent
and repairs________
B oat and ship building.
Instru m en ts a n d ap p li
ances______________
W ood m anufactures______
Saw a n d planing m ills.
F u rn itu re and cabinet
w ork______________
Pianos an d other m usi
cal in stru m en ts_____
M iscellaneous w ood__
F urs, leather, an d ru b b er
goods__________________
Leather________ _____
Furs and fur goods___
Shoes________________
O ther leather a n d can
vas goods_________ _
R ubber a n d g u tta percha________________
Pearl, horn, bone, e tc ..
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
D rugs and ch em icals...
P aints a n d colors_____
Oil products_________
M iscellaneous chem i
cals___________ ____
P a p e r___________________
P rinting a n d paper goods..
Paper boxes a n d tu b e s.
M iscellaneous paper
goods______________
P rin tin g an d book
m aking.........................
Textiles_________________
Silk and silk goods___
Wool m anufactures___
C otton goods________
K n it goods (excluding
silk)_______________
O ther textiles_______ _
Clothing and m illinery___
M en ’s clothing_______
M en’s furnishings____
W om en’s clothing........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P a y roll
N ew Y o rk —C ontinued
-2 2 .0
-1 6 .9
-3 1 .3
-2 0 .0
-1 8 .2
-2 5 .6
-2 5 . 1
-3 4 .4
-1 4 .7
-3 2 .2
-1 4 .6
-1 9 .8
—18.9
-3 2 .0
—19.0
-3 2 .9
—21.3
-3 3 .1
—33.9
-4 1 .6
-2 2 .7
-2 9 .9
-2 8 .7
-3 7 .4
-1 7 .2
-1 6 .1
-2 0 .6
-2 5 .2
-2 5 .0
-2 8 .7
-2 1 .1
—6. 8
-1 0 .0
- 8 .8
—18 9
+ .3
-5 .6
-1 5 .8
-1 5 .6
-2 0 . 5
- 8 .2
- 8 .9
—13. 9
—fi fi
—8 0
—12 4
—7.4
-1 0 .2
-1 1 .4
—6. 5
—16. 9
—13.8
-1 6 .9
-1 3 .4
-1 6 .6
—19. 6
-5 . 5
+ 2 .7
-1 6 .6
- 6 .5
Clothing and m illinery—
Continued.
W om en’s underw ear
W om en’s headw ear. _
M iscellaneous sewing.
L aundering and cleanin g .............. ................ .
Food and tobacco________
Flour, feed, and cereals.
Canning an d preservin g-----------------------O ther groceries____ _
M eat and dairy produ c ts______________
B akery products_____
C andy.
Beverages j _______
Tobacco______
W ater, light, and p ow er.. .
All industries_____
—14 4
—18 1
-3 3 .3
-.9
- 9 .3
-1 .8
-2 .4
—13 6
-8 .4
+ 1 .9
-1 9 .5
- 9 .4
-1 6 .3
-1 2 .4
-1 1 .5
+ 2 .0
- 6 .8
- 1 .3
- 4 .9
-14. 1
-1 4 .1
-1 8 .3
-1 1 .3
—4.1
- 4 .9
- 3 .1
-2 0 .2
O k la h o m a
Cottonseed-oil mills
Food production:
Bakeries________
-2 9 .3
Confections. .
Creameries a n d dairies
20 2
Flour
m ills_______
-1 6 .2
Ice an d ice crea m
M
eat
and
po u ltry
-1 3 .0
Lead and zinc:
M
ines
a
n
d
mills
—9 7
Smelters_______
- 6 .4
M etals and m achinery:
A uto repairs, etc
-2 5 .2
M achine shops and
foundries______
'
-2 3 .8
T
an k c o n s t r u c t i o n
—31 1
and erection___
-1 2 .2
Oil in d u stry :
-1 5 .0
Producing a n d gaso—15 9
line m anufacture
-1 0 .6
Refineries- _____
Prin
tin
g : Job w ork____
h n
Public utilities:
Steam-railroad
shops. .
—8 0
Street railw ays..........
-1 1 .7
W ater, light,
and
pow er____ ________
-1 2 .2
Stone, clay, and glass:
B rick and tile ___ _
—7 3
C em ent and p la ste r...
—19 4
■ Crushed sto n e .. _____
—18 1
Glass
m anufacture
-1 7 .0
Textiles and cleaning:
-1 0 .6
Textile m a n u fa c tu re ...
Laundries, etc.......... .
-2 0 .9
—23 5 W oodworking:
Sawmills___________
—10 1
M illw ork, etc_______
+ 3 .2
-1 6 .9
All industries______
-1 2 .8
[1 4 5 7 ]
—5. 3
—2. 4
-3 2 .8
+ 7 .0
-2 2 .7
-1 3 .9
+20.0
- 8 .2
-1 7 .2
-3 3 .1
-1 0 .6
-2 2 .2
—20 3
—5.0
-3 4 .1
—24 7
-1 7 .3
-2 5 .7
-3 .7
-4 6 .3
-3 3 .0
-2 9 .8
-4 3 .2
-3 4 .2
-5 0 .1
-2 7 .3
-4 3 .1
-2 8 .5
-8 .7
-6 .0
—26. 2
—17 8
-1 3 .3
-1 9 .1
-3 6 .6
-2 2 .8
-2 9 .6
-1 5 .0
-1 9 .2
-3 0 .6
-2 1 .2
-.6
-2 5 . 2
-4 1 .2
-4 5 .9
-3 1 .5
-2 7 .1
+36.1
-.4
+21.1
-1 4 .6
-5 1 . 1
-2 2 .0
-18. 3
-6 7 .2
-3 8 .0
-2 6 .6
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
192
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN S P E C IF IE D ST A T E S—
C ontinued
Y e a r l y -p erio d — Continued
Per cent of change,
April, 1930, to April,
1931
Index num bers (19231925=100)— employm ent
State, and in d u stry group
State, and in d u stry group
A pril,
1930
E m ploy
m ent
April,
1931
Texas
Pennsylvania
M etal products--------------T ransportation equipm ent
Textile products-------------Foods a n d tobacco........—
Stone, clay, a n d glass
products____ _____ ____
L um ber products-----------Chem ical p ro d u cts---------L eather a n d ru b b e r pro d
u c ts____________ ____
Paper and p rin tin g ........ .
All m anufacturing.
95.3
74.9
85.2
102.5
3 52.8
90.9
108.8
86.0
80.9
103.1
60.4
57.4
103.8
97.4
99.4
90.5
94.4
94. 6
96.5
79.4
P a y roll
M etal products-----T ransportation equipm ent
Textile p roducts---Foods a n d tobacco..
Stone, clay, an d glass
products ----------------L um ber p roducts----------Chem ical p ro d u cts--------Leather an d ru b b er pro d
u c ts__________________
Paper and p rin tin g ---------
99.2
88.6
99.9
103.1
64.4
3 44.8
80.9
93.3
87.7
78.9
111.0
46.5
50.6
90.2
100. 0
111.7
93.6
97.8
All m an u factu rin g ...
99.0
69.5
A uto and b ody w orks-----Bakeries________ _________
Confectioneries............... .
P ure food products--------- Ice cream factories_____. . .
Flour m ills______________
Ice factories_____________
M eat packing an d slaugh
terin g !_______________ Cotton-oil m ills--------------C otton compresses_______
M en ’s clothing m anufac
tu re —
W om en’s clothing m anu
facture________________
Brick, tile, a nd te rra cotta
Foundries an d m achine
shops_________________
Structural-iron w orks____
R ailroad car shops---------Electric-railw ay car shops..
Petroleum refining--------S aw m ills.------ --------------L um ber m ills___________
F u rn itu re m anufacture _. _
Paper-box m a n u fa c tu re ...
Cotton-textile m ills ..-----C em ent p la n ts--------------Commercial p rin tin g -----N ew spaper publishing---Q uarrying--------------------P u b lic u tilities-------------R etail stores____________
W holesale stores________
H otels_________________
M iscellaneous__________
All industries.
3 Prelim inary figures.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P ay roll
[1 4 5 8 ]
-1 0 .4
11.2
-
-2 8 .2
-3 2 .6
-9 .8
-1 9 .0
-1 5 .8
-1 3 .1
-1 3 .8
+20.4
-1 4 .2
+27.9
-4 2 .0
-3 1 .0
-8 .9
-2 6 . 1
-5 .6
-1 4 .8
-3 4 .0
-1 9 .8
-1 9 .5
+13.3
-1 2 .8
-.8
..
.
.
.
.
.
-1 6 .1 -5 .9 .
-2 5 .0 -
6.8
.
- 3 .1
-6 .4
-5 .2 _
-3 .4 .
-
12. 1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
R etail Prices of Food in April, 1931
following tables are compiled from simple averages of the
actual selling prices 1 received monthly by the Bureau of Labor
T HE
Statistics from retail dealers.
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food April 15,
1930, and March 15 and April 15, 1931, as well as the percentage
changes in the year and in the month. For example, the retail price
per pound of coffee was 41.4 cents on April 15, 1930; 36.3 cents on
March 15, 1931; and 34.6 cents on April 15, 1931. These figures
show decreases of 16 per cent in the year and 5 per cent in the month.
The cost of various articles of food combined shows a decrease of 18.0
per cent April 15, 1931, as compared with April 15, 1930, and a decrease
of 1.9 per cent April 15, 1931, as compared with March 15, 1931.
1 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R
1931N A N D A P R IL 2 1SSE19°oR D E C R E A S E A P R IL 15> 1931, C O M P A R E D W IT H M A R C H 15,
T a b le
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
Article
Sirloin steak.
R ound steak.
R ib roast__
Chuck roast.
P late beef__
Pork chops...
Bacon, sliced.
H am, sliced ..
Lam b, leg of.
H ens_______
Salmon, red, canned______________
M ilk, fresh______________________
M ilk, evaporated__________.______
B u tte r__________________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r substi
tutes) .
Cheese______________________ ____
L a rd ________ ___________________
Vegetable lard su b stitu te_____ ____
Eggs, strictly fresh_______________
B read_________________ : ________
U nit
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Apr. 15, 1931,
compared w ith—
Apr. 15,
1930
M ar. 15,
1931
Apr. 15,
1931
Apr. 15,
1930
M ar. 15,
1931
Cents
48.3
43.1
35.9
29.2
20.4
Cents
40.3
35. 2
30.3
22. 7
15.5
Cents
40.0
34.9
29. 7
22. 3
15. 1
-1 7
-1 9
-1 7
-2 4
-2 6
-1
-1
_2
-3
37. 1
42. 5
53.9
35.8
38.2
29.4
38.6
48.0
31. 0
32. 0
29. 7
38. 1
47.2
31.3
32.6
-2 0
-1 0
—12
-1 3
-1 5
+ 1
-1
_2
+i
+2
___ do_______
Q u art_______
16-oz. can____
P o u n d ______
----- do_______
31.8
14.0
10.3
48. 1
26.0
34. 2
12.9
9.5
37.3
21.9
34.0
12.6
9.4
35.2
21.2
+7
-1 0
-9
-2 7
-1 8
-1
_2
-i
-6
-3
----- do_______
----- do_______
----- do_______
Dozen_______
P o u n d ______
36.0
16.8
24.3
34.5
30.3
14.2
23. 7
28. 5
7.9
29.3
14. 2
23.4
27.4
7.7
-1 9
-1 5
-4
-21
-1 3
—3
0
-1
Pou n d .
___do.
----d o .
-----do.
---- do..
do.
do.
.do.
.do.
do.
8.8
—X
-3'
1In addition to m onthly retail prices of food and coal, the bureau publishes periodically the prices of
gas and electricity for household use in each of 51 cities. A t present this inform ation is being collected
m June and December of each year.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1459]
193
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
194
T a b l e 1 .— A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
OF IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E A P R IL 15, 1931, C O M P A R E D W IT H M A R C H 15, 1931, A N D
A P R IL 15, 1930—C ontinued
Average retail price on-—
Article
U n it
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Apr. 15, 1931,
compared w ith—
Apr. 15,
. 1930
M ar. 15,
1931
Apr. 15,
1931
A pr. 15,
1930
M ar. 15,
1931
_____ _____
______
_ _ ______ ____
_____
Pound
__ _do _ _ _
do__ .
8-oz. package^..
28-oz. package.
Cents
4.9
5.3
8.7
9.4
25. 5
Cents
3.9
5.0
8.3
9.2
24.9
Cents
3.8
4.8
8.2
9.1
24. 5
-2 2
-9
-6
-3
-4
-3
-4
-1
-1
-2
Afaearoni
_________
Rice __
_
Reans, n av y _
_ ___
____
Potatoes
- - - __
Onions _
_ __ ______ __
__ _do_
_ _ do_
__ ___ do_ _ _
____do __ _ _
____do____ ___
19. 5
9.6
11.8
4. 1
5.6
17.7
8.6
8.7
2.7
3.5
17.4
8.4
8.4
2.8
3.6
-11
-1 3
-2 9
-3 2
-3 6
-2
-2
-3
+4
+3
do _
Cabbage
_
__ __
No. 2 can
Pork and beans _ ________
___do_______
Corn, canned
_ ______
____do
_ ___
Peas, canned
________ _
do_ __ _ _
Tomatoes, canned
..........._
Sugar
__
__ P o u n d __ . .
9.8
11.1
15.4
16.4
12.6
6.3
4.1
10.0
14.3
15.0
10.8
5.8
4.1
9.7
13.9
14.6
10.5
5.7
-5 8
-1 3
-1 0
-1 1
-1 7
-1 0
0
-3
-3
-3
-3
-2
___ do_______
__ __do_______
___do_____
____do______
D ozen___ _ .
_do_____ _
77.5
41.4
18.1
12. 1
30.6
60.9
76.0
36.3
12.4
11.3
28.7
32.3
75.2
34.6
12. 1
11.2
27.8
33. 1
-3
-1 6
-3 3
-7
-9
-4 6
-1
-5
-2
-1
-3
+2
-18. 0
- 1 .9
Flour
Corn meal
Rolled oats
Corn flakes____
W heat cereal
Tea
CofTee
Prunes
Raisins
Rananas
Oranges
___ -- -- -___
__- ___
____________
____
_
___ _ ________
__
Weighted food index
Table 2 shows for the United. States average retail prices of specified
food articles on April 15, 1913, and on April 15 of each year from 1925
to 1931, together with percentage changes in April of each of these
specified years compared with April, 1913. For example, the retail
price per pound of sugar was 5.4 cents in April, 1913; 7.5 cents in
April, 1925; 6.6 cents in April, 1926; 7.3 cents in April, 1927; 7.1 cents
in April, 1928; 6.4 cents in April, 1929; 6.3 cents in April, 1930; and
5.7 cents in April, 1931.
As compared with April, 1913, these figures show increases of 39
per cent in April, 1925; 22 per cent in April, 1926; 35 per cent in April,
1927; 31 per cent in April, 1928; 19 per cent in April, 1929; 17 per cent
in April, 1930; and 6 per cent in April, 1931.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an increase
of 26.4 per cent in April, 1931, as compared with April, 1913.
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WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
195
T able
2 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R
C E N T O F IN C R E A S E A P R IL 15 O F C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D Y EA R S C O M P A R E D W IT H
A P R IL 15, 1913
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 p er cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Per cent of increase Apr. 15 of each
specified year compared w ith Apr.
15, 1913
Average retail prices on Apr. 15—
Article
1913 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
Sirloin steak -.p o u n d .
R ound stea k ___ d o ...
R ib ro a s t..........-d o ..C huck roast___ d o ...
P late beef______d o ...
Pork chops_____d o ...
Bacon, sliced___d o ...
H am , sliced____ d o ...
Lam b, leg of___ d o ...
H e n s................—do—.
as. as. as. as.
as.
as.
58
5(
49
33
11
6
59
51
33
2(
61
6'
5£
4‘
2
78
7
67
6:
47
92
9,
82
82
69
89
99
8(
8(
67
57
57
49
38
24
37.1
42.5
53.9
35.8
38.2
7
7C
1 74
2 102
1 91
6
71
77
81
10(
88
82
71
79
IP
98
75
45
6(
91
97
70
72
62
lOf
107
88
72
59
103
77
72
38
42
78
47
32.7 35. 31.5 31.8
14.0 1 4 .1 14. 2 14.0
3 ____
55
50
57
58
60
57
42
11.4 11.1 11. 1
58.4 55.1 55.8
____
32
26
45
36
38
19
U3
28.6 27.2 27.4 26.0
37. 1 38.2 38. 1 36.0
19. 1 17.8 18. 5 16.
........
66
47
66
36
69
21
74
13
73
17
64
33
6 i 10
25. 1 24.9
____
51
68
85
90
53
68
85
76
35
68
67
76
42
63
64
83
46
61
55
83
37
57
48
83
9
38
15
66
28
36
24
16
14
12
i2
60
347
147
133
53
173
87
31
42
64
19
43
66
17
43
39
6
38
16
20.0 29.7 30.2 30.9 33.4 36.4 35.9
16.2 21.6 22.3 23.3 26.1 29. 5 29.2
12.2 13.8 14.7 15.2 17.9 20.6 20.4
21.6 36.
38.3
26.8 46.6 48. 5
26.5 53.5 54. 5
20.2 38.6 37.
22. 2 37.9 40.5
Salmon, red, canned
----------------- p o u n d 31.2 37.8
M ilk, fresh___ q u a rt.
13.
13.9
M ilk, evaporated
______ 16-ounce can
11.2 11.5
B u tte r______ pound .
40.4 53.3 50. 9
O l e o m a r g a r i n e (all
b u tte r substitutes)
......................p o u n d ..
30.1 30.5
C heese,........... ..d o ___ 22. 0 36. 5 26. 5
L a rd ---------------do___ 15.8 23.2 21.5
Vegetable lard substi
tu te -----------p o u n d Eggs, sorictly fresh
----------------- dozen..
38.6
B read_______ p o u n d ..
9.4
F lo u r_________ do___
Corn meal_____do___
5.5
Rolled o ats____d o ....
9.3
Corn flakes
__ 8-ounce package..
11.0 11.0
W heat cereal
. .28-ounce pack ag e..
24. 25.4
M acaroni____ p o u n d -.
20.4 2 0 .2
R ice__________ do___
11.0 11.7
Beans, n a v y ___ do___
10.4 9.3
6.1
Potatoes______ do___
Onions________do___
C abbage______ do___
Pork and beans
- ........ .......No. 2 can..
Corn, canned__ do___
Peas, canned__ do___
Tomatoes, canned
------------- No. 2 can..
Sugar, granulated
----------------- p o u n d ..
T e a ___________do___
Coffee................. do ___
Prunes...... ...........do___
as
25.5 40.4 41.1 41.8 45.3 49.0 48.3
22.2 34.6 35.2 36.4 39.6 43.4 43.1
2.4
6.9
5.5
6.7
6.3
7.4
36.9
48. 1
56.7
40.0
38.9
31.3
42.9
50.6
39.7
37. 7[
37. 1
43.3
54. 7
41.
41.
0
9
7
3
1
24.
33.9 35.8 36.
9.4 9. 1 9.0
5.5 5.4 5.1
5.1 5.3 5.3
9.0
8.9
4.9
5.3
8.7
10.2
9.4
9.5
25.4 25.6 25. 25.5
20.0 19.
19.6 19.5
10.7 10.0
9.6
9.1 11.5
11
3.7
7.4
5.5
3.5
7.4
2.3
8.2
5.2
4.1
5.6
9.8
12.6 12.0 11.6 11.4 11.9 11.1 9.7
18.0 16. 5 15.8 15.9 15.81 15.4 13.
18.5 17.6 17.0 16.7 16.7 16.4 14.6
____1____
13.9 12.0 12.1 11.7 13. 1 12.6 10.5
6.6
5.4 7.5
7.3 7. 1 6.4 6.3 5.7
54.3 75.5 76.3 77.6 77.2 77. 6 77.5 75.2
29.8 52. 1 51.1 48.8 48.9 49.6 41.4 34.6
17.4 17.1 15.5 13.6 14.3 18. 1 12.1
R aisins________ d o ..
B ananas_____ dozen.
Oranges________d o ..
39
39
75
22
41
71
35
43
64
14. 5 14.6 14.3 13.6 11.5 12.1 11.2
37.4 35. 5 34.0 33.0 31.8 30.6 27.8
51.8 52.6 48.3 55.2 39.8 60.9 33. 1
All articles combined 2.
53.8 65.6 56.6 55. 1 54.6 54.2 26.4
1 Decrease.
2 Beginning w ith January, 1921, index num bers showing the tren d of the retail cost of food have been
composed of th e articles shown m Tables 1 and 2, weighted according to the consumption of the average
fam ily. From January, 1913, to December, 1920, the index num bers included the following articles: Sir
loin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, p late beef, pork chops, bacon, ham , lard, hens, flour, corn
meal, eggs, b u tter, m ilk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, and tea.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
196
Table 3 shows the trend in the retail cost of three important groups
of food commodities, viz, cereals, meats, and dairy products, by years,
from 1913 to 1930, and by months for 1929, 1930, and 1931. The
articles within these groups are as follows:
Cereals: Bread, flour, corn meal, rice, rolled oats, corn flakes,
wheat cereal, and macaroni.
Meats: Sirloin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate
beef, pork chops, bacon, ham, hens, and leg of lamb.
Dairy products: Butter, cheese, fresh milk, and evaporated milk.
T able 3.—IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL C O ST OF C E R E A L S , M E A T S , A N D D A IR Y
P R O D U C T S F O R T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S , 1913, TO A P R IL , 1931
[Average cost in 1913=100.0]
Y ear and m onth
1913:
1914:
1915:
1916:
1917:
1918:
1919:
1920:
1921:
1922:
1923:
1924:
1925:
1926:
1927:
1928:
1929:
Average for year---Average for year---Average for y ear..Average for year___
Average for year, ,
Average for year___
Average for year..
Average for year___
Average for y ear,.
Average for year , ,
Average for year___
Average for year.
Average for year___
Average for year___
Average for year___
Average for year___
Average for year . .
M arch ______ _______
.Tilly
Cereals M eats
100.0
106.7
121.6
126.8
186.5
194.3
198.0
232.1
179.8
159. 3
156. 9
160. 4
176.2
175.5
170.7
167. 2
164. 1
164.1
164. 1
164. 1
164. 1
163. 5
163. 0
163.5
100.0
103.4
99.6
108.2
137.0
172.8
184.2
185.7
158. 1
150.3
149. 0
150.2
163. 0
171. 3
169. 9
179.2
188.4
180. 9
180.3
182.8
187. 5
191.2
192.4
195.9
D airy
prod
ucts
100.0
97.1
96.1
103.2
127.6
153. 4
176.6
185.1
149.5
135.9
147.6
142.8
147.1
145.5
148.7
150.0
148.6
151.9
152.6
152. 4
148.9
147 5
146.8
146.8
Y ear and m onth
1929—C ontinued.
A ugust_____________
Septem ber_________
O c to b e r..._________
N ovem ber_________
December . ________
1930: Average for year___
Jan u a ry ,. _________
F e b ru a ry __________
M arch _________ _
April________
, .,
M a y _______________
Ju n e _______ _____
Ju ly _______________
A ugust__________ . .
Septem ber_________
O c to b e r ,___ _ _ . . .
N ovem ber____ _
D ecember__________
1931:
Jan u ary __________ .
F e b ru a ry ___ _ . . . .
M arch . . . .
A pril______________
Cereals M eats
D airy
prod
ucts
164.7
165.2
163.5
163.6
162.9
158. 0
162.9
161.6
160.9
160.3
159.8
160. 1
158.6
156.9
156.4
154.4
152.4
151. 6
196.0
194. 2
189.2
184.1
181.8
175.8
183.6
183. 1
183.0
183.3
181.5
179.9
175.2
169.9
173.3
171.1
164.0
161.6
147.1
148. 1
149.3
147.0
144.9
136. 5
138.9
138. 5
137.6
138.9
137.0
133. 7
133.9
137.4
138.8
137.8
135. 3
129.8
147. 1
144.6
142.4
138.9
159.5
153. 4
152. 5
151.4
123.6
120.2
120.5
116. 5
In d ex N u m b e r s o f R e ta il P rice s o f F ood in t h e U n ite d S ta te s
I n T able 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in
the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, for 1913 and 1920
to 1930,2 by months for 1930 and 1931. These index numbers, or
relative prices, are based on the year 1913 as 100, and are computed
by dividing the average price of each commodity for each month and
each year by the average price of that commodity for 1913. These
figures must be used with caution. For example, the relative price
of sirloin steak for the year 1930 was 182.7, which means that the
average money price for the year 1930 was 82.7 per cent higher than
the average money price for the year 1913. As compared with the
relative price, 196.9 in 1929, the figures for 1930 show a decrease of
14.2 points, but a decrease of 7.2 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index numbers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1921, these index numbers have been computed from the
average prices of the articles of food shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted
2 For index num bers of each m onth, Jan u ary , 1913, to December, 1928, see B ulletin No. 396, pp. 44 to
61; and B ulletin No. 495, pp. 32 to 45. Index num bers for 1929 are published in each L abor Review, F eb
ruary, 1930, to February, 1931.
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WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
197
according to the average family consumption in 1918. (See March,
1921, issue, p. 25.) Although previous to January, 1921, the number
of focrd articles varied, these index numbers have been so computed
as to be strictly comparable for the entire period. The index num
bers based on the average for the year 1913 as 100.0 are 126.4 for
March, 1931, and 124.0 for April, 1931.
T a b le 4 . - I N D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL P R IC E S OF P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D
BY Y E A R S, 1913, 1920, TO 1930, A N D BY M O N T H S F O R 1930 A N D 1931
[Average for year 1913= 100.0]
Sirloin R ound R ib Chuck Plate
steak steak roast roast beef
Pork
H am
chops Bacon
H ens
M ilk B utter Cheese
100.0
172.1
152.8
147. 2
153.9
155.9
159.8
162. 6
167.7
188.2
196. 9
182.7
192. 9
191.3
190.6
190. 2
190. 2
188. 6
182.3
175.6
177. 2
175.2
170.5
168.9
100.0
177.1
154.3
144.8
150.2
151.6
155.6
159.6
166.4
188.3
199.1
184.8
195.5
194.2
192.8
193. 3
192.8
191.5
184.3
176.7
178.0
176.2
170.9
169.1
100.0
167.7
147.0
139.4
143.4
145.5
149.5
153.0
158.1
176.8
185.4
172.7
183.3
181.8
181.3
181.3
179.8
177.3
171.7
163.1
166. 7
164.1
160.6
159.6
100.0
163.8
132.5
123.1
126.3
130.0
135.0
140.6
148.1
174.4
186.9
170.0
184.4
184.4
182.5
182.5
179.4
175.6
166.3
155. 6
160.0
158.7
154.4
153.8
100.0
151.2
118.2
105.8
106.6
109.1
114.1
120.7
127.3
157.0
172.7
155.4
172.7
171.9
170.2
168.6
164.5
160.3
149.6
138.8
142.1
142.1
139.7
139.7
100.0
201.4
166.2
157.1
144.8
146.7
174.3
188.1
175.2
165.7
175.7
171.0
168.1
167.6
171.9
176.7
171.9
174.3
173.8
174.8
186.2
180.5
156.2
149.5
100.0
193.7
158.2
147.4
144.8
139.6
173.0
186.3
174.8
163.0
161.1
156.7
157.0
157.8
157.8
157.4
156.7
156.7
156.7
155. 6
158.1
157.8
155.9
153.0
100.0
206.3
181.4
181.4
169.1
168.4
195.5
213.4
204.5
196.7
204.1
198. 5
199.3
200.7
201.1
200.4
200.7
200.7
200.0
198. 1
198.9
197.4
193.7
191.4
100.0
209.9
186.4
169.0
164.3
165.7
171.8
182.2
173.2
175.6
186.4
166.7
178.4
179. 3
179.8
179.3
175.6
167. 6
161.5
158.7
159.6
158.7
153.1
150.2
100.0
187.6
164.0
147.2
155.1
155.1
157.3
157.3
158.4
159.6
160.7
157.3
159.6
158.4
157.3
157. 3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
151.7
100.0
183.0
135.0
125.1
144.7
135.0
143.1
138.6
145.2
147.5
143.9
120.4
121.9
122.7
121.9
125.6
120.9
113.1
114.1
123.8
127.2
124.8
118.5
111.0
100.0
188.2
153.9
148.9
167.0
159.7
166.1
165.6
170. 1
174.2
171. 9
158.8
169.2
167.0
164. 7
162. 9
162.0
157.9
155. 2
153.4
154.8
154.8
152.9
150.2
167.3
161.4
158. 7
157. 5
168.2
161.0
157.8
156.5
159.1
154.0
153.0
150.0
152.5
145.6
141.9
139.4
138.0
131.4
128.1
124.8
141.9
131.4
140. 0
141.4
148.9
145.2
143.0
141.1
188.1
183.3
178.4
175.5
153.5
148.8
150.2
153.1
149. 4
146.1
144.9
141. 6
98.4
94.8
97.4
91.9
145.2
141.2
137.1
132. 6
Year and m onth
Lard
Eggs
Bread Flour
Corn
meal
Rice
P o ta Sugar
toes
1913_________________
1920
_________
1921_________________
1922
_________
1923
_________
1924
__________
1925
_________
1926
_________
1927
_, ________
1928
_________
1929
_________
1930
_________
Jan u ary _
F eb ru ary . . . . . . . .
M arch ___________
April . . .
M ay
_____ . .
Ju n e __ .
. .
J u ly _____________
A ug u st__________
Septem ber____
October . . .
N ov em b er._. . . . . .
D e c e m b e r ..____
1931:
Jan u ary
_____
F e b r u a r y .____ .
M arch ___________
A pril _ _ _ ____
100.0
186. 7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
147.5
138.6
122.2
117.7
115.8
107.6
108.9
108. 2
107.0
106.3
105. 7
105.1
103.2
104.4
110.8
112.0
110.8
105.7
100.0
197.4
147.5
128.7
134.8
138.6
151.0
140.6
131.0
134.5
142.0
118.8
160.6
136. 8
102.3
100.0
97. 7
97.4
101. 7
112.5
124.9
129.9
140.3
120. 6
100.0
205.4
176.8
155.4
155.4
157.1
167.9
167.9
166.1
162. 5
160.7
155.4
158.9
157. 1
157.1
157.1
157.1
157.1
157.1
155.4
155.4
153.6
151.8
151.8
100.0
245.5
175.8
154.5
142.4
148.5
184.8
181.8
166.7
163.6
154.5
142.4
154.5
154.5
151.5
148.5
145.5
145.5
139.4
136.4
133.3
130.3
127.3
124.2
100.0
216.7
150.0
130.0
136.7
156.7
180.0
170.0
173.3
176.7
176.7
176.7
180.0
176.7
176.7
176.7
176.7
176.7
176.7
176.7
176.7
176.7
173.3
173.3
100.0
200.0
109.2
109.2
109.2
116.1
127.6
133.3
123.0
114.9
111.5
109.2
110.3
110.3
109.2
110.3
109.2
109.2
109.2
109.2
110.3
109.2
106.9
105.8
100.0
370.6
182.4
164.7
170.6
158.8
211.8
288.2
223.5
158.8
188.2
211.8
229.4
229.4
229.4
241.2
252.9
247.1
194.1
182.4
188.2
182.4
170.6
170.6
100.0
352.7
145.5
132.7
183.6
167.3
130.9
125.5
132.7
129.1
120.0
112.7
120.0
118.2
116.4
114.5
114.5
110.9
110.9
110.9
107.3
105.5
107.3
107.3
100.0
134.7
128.1
125.2
127.8
131.4
138.8
141.0
142.5
142.3
142.6
142.5
143.4
143.2
142.8
142.5
142.5
143.0
142.6
142.3
142.1
141.9
141.4
141.4
100.0
157.7
121.8
121.1
126.5
145.3
172.8
171.1
162.1
165.1
164.8
136.2
147.0
143.3
140.6
138.9
137.2
136.2
135.6
134.6
132.6
131.2
129.9
129.2
100.0
203.4
153.3
141. 6
146.2
145. 9
157.4
160. 6
155.4
154.3
156. 7
147.1
155.4
153.0
150. 1
151.2
150. 1
147. 9
144.0
143.7
145.6
144.4
141.4
137.2
99.4
91.8
89. 9
89. 9
104.6
78.8
82.6
79.4
146.4
142.9
141. 1
137. 5
121.2
121.2
118.2
115.2
170.0
166.7
166.7
163.3
102.3
102.3
98.9
96.6
170.6
158.8
158.8
164.7
107.3
107.3
105.5
103.6
141.0
140.6
139.7
138. 2
126.8
125.2
121.8
116.1
132.8
127.0
126.4
124.0
Y ear and
m onth
1913__________
1920
___
1921
___
1922
___
1923
___
1924
___
1925
___
1926
___
1927
___
1928
___
1929
___
1930
___
Jan u a ry ___
F eb ru ary - _
M arch ____
A pril__ __
M a y ______
June__
J u ly ______
A ugust___
S eptem ber,
O ctober___
N o v em b er.
D ecem ber,.
1931:
Jan u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry -.
M arch ____
April ___
i 22 articles in 1913-1920; 42 articles in 1921-1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1463]
Tea
All ar
Coffee ticles
1
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
198
The curve shown in the chart below pictures more readily to the
eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the index
numbers given in the table.
C o m p a riso n o f R e ta il F ood C o sts in 51 C itie s
T a b l e 5 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
in the retail cost of food 3 April, 1931, compared with the average
cost in the year 1913, in April, 1930, and March, 1931. For 12 other
cities comparisions are given for the 1-year and the 1-month periods;
these cities have been scheduled by the bureau at different dates since
1913. The percentage changes are based on actual retail prices
secured each month from retail dealers and on the average consump
tion of these articles in each city.4
Effort has been made by the bureau each montn to have all sched
ules for each city included in the average prices. For the month of
April, 99.2 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices in the
51 cities sent in a report promptly. The following-named 39 cities
had a perfect record; that is, every merchant who is cooperating with
the bureau sent in his report in time for his prices to be included in
the city averages: Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Bridgeport,
Butte, Charleston (S. C.), Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas,
Denver, Detroit, Fall River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville,
Louisville, Manchester, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Mobile,
Newark, New Haven, New Orleans, Norfolk, Omaha, Peoria, Pitts
burgh, Portland (Me.), Portland (Oreg.), Providence, Richmond,
Rochester, St. Louis, St. Paul, Savannah. Scranton, and Springfield
(HI.).
3 For list of articles see note 2, p. 195.
* T h e consum ption figures used for January, 1913, to December, 1920, for each article in each city are
given in th e Labor Review for N ovem ber, 1918, pp. 94 and 95. T h e consum ption figures which have been
used for each m onth beginning w ith January, 1921, are given in th e L abor Review for M arch, 1921, p. 26.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
fl4 6 4 ]
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
199
TAP A R e 'd ^V ITH E T H F S T D S T ^ / row 0 R E T A I L CO ST o f FO O D IN APRIL, 1931, COM COST IN Th I YEAR SfaT BY C I T O S ’
’ APRIL’ 193°’ AN° W IT H T H E A V EKAGK
City
Atlanta___
Baltimore__
Birmingham.
Boston____
Bridgeport...
Buffalo______
Butte________
Charleston, S. C.
Chicago______
Cincinnati____
Cleveland.
Columbus.
Dallas___
Denver__
Detroit__
Fall River...
Houston___
Indianapolis.
Jacksonville..
Kansas City.
Little Rock.
Los Angeles.
Louisville.. _
ManchesterMemphis...
Milwaukee..
age in
crease
April,
931, com
pared
25.6
29.5
22.2
25.0
26.1
30.0
34.5
31.2
19.8
11.6
25.5
21.5
18.7
15.4
26.1
17.5
11.1
15.6
22.1
15.1
25.1
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Percentage decrease
April. 1931, com
pared w ith—
City
April,
1930
16.3
16.3
20.5
18.5
14.5
18.5
18.3
15.9
18.2
18.6
19.9
19.0
20.0
17.7
19.7
17.2
19.9
21.6
16.4
16.9
19.6
20.8
22.6
17.3
21.4
19.9
M arch,
1931
w ith 1913
Minneapolis .
Mobile____
Newark___
New Haven..
New Orleans.
L I 1 New York...
0.9 Norfolk___
1.5
Omaha____
1.7 Peoria____
L 7 Philadelphia.
3.7 : Pittsburgh___
0.4 ; Portland, Me..
4.7 i Portland, Oreg.
0.5 Providence__
1.3 Richmond___
0.6
Rochester___
0.8 St. Louis____
3.0 ! St. Paul_____
3.9 Salt Lake City.
0.6
San Francisco..
1.7 Savannah______
3.0 Scranton_______
0.6
2.0
3.3 !
2.3 1
0.9
2.5
0.9
0.5
1.5
Percent Percentage decrease
April, 1931, com
age in
pared with—
crease
April,
1931, com
pared
April
M arch
Seattle___________
Springfield, 111___
Washington, D. C.
[1465]
23.8
24.8
28.7
20.5
28.8
1930
1931
18.9
18.6
14.2
14.4
20.3
2.7
15.8
15.7
0.9
2.7
0.4
1.0
2.0
1.6
1.6
17.4
20.0
29."5
19.2
14.9
0.7
0.3
8.4
23.0
27.3
16.4
16.3
22.7
19.2
18.8
2.4
1.5
3.5
6.5
23.3
16.9
19.3
19.4
19.3
18.7
25.2
30.1
19.0
34.1
17.2
17.4
19.3
23.2
14.7
1.6
1.1
0.5
1.7
2.5
2.0
2.7
0.7
0.7
0.9
4.6
1.4
200
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
R etail Prices of Coal in th e U n ited S ta te s 1
HE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
April 15, 1930, and March 15 and April 15, 1931, for the United
States and for each of the cities from which retail food prices have
been obtained. The prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers,
but do not include charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bm
where an extra handling is necessary.
In addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales
for household use.
,
The prices shown for bituminous coal are averages ol prices ol the
several kinds sold for household use.
T
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F C O AL P E R T O N O F 2,0W PO U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE, ON A P R IL 15, 1930, A N D M A R C H 15 A N D A P R IL 15, 1931
1930
1931
C ity, and kind of coal
C ity, and k ind of coal
Apr.
15
Mar.
15
Apr.
15
U nited States:
Pennsylvania anthracite—•
Stove—
Average price------------ $15.32 $15. 09 ¡14.45
Index (1913=100)_____ 198.3 195.4 187.0
C h estn u t—
Average p rice----------- $14.99 $14.85 $14. 39
Index (1913=100)_____ 189.4 187.7 181.8
B itum inous—
$8.84 $8.71 $8. 46
Average price_________
162. 7 160.3 155. 8
Index (1923=100)______
C incinnati, Ohio:
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—■
H igh volatile---------Low volatile_______
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite-
Stove____________
C h estn u t-----------------B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile______
Low volatile_______
Columbus, Ohio:
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile----------:--Low volatile_________
D allas, Tex.:
A rkansas anthracite—E gg..
Bitum inous, prepared sizes.
D enver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 m ix e d .Stove, 3 and 5 mixed —
Bitum inous, prepared sizes.
D etroit, M ich.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_________________
C h estn u t--------------------B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile_________
Low volatile_________
R u n of mine—
Low volatile_________
Fall River, M ass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Sto v e_________________
C h estn u t-------------------H ouston, Tex.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes.
Indianapolis, Ind.:
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile-------Low volatile______
R u n of mine—
Low volatile______
Apr.
15
1931
M ar.
15
$5. 55
7. 53
6. 30
8.53
$5.05
7.03
15.24
14.85
14. 56
14. 38
14.56
14.44
6.83
7.18
9.96
10.03
A tlanta, Ga.:
$6.66
Bitum inous, prepared sizes $7.28 $7. 42
Baltimore, M d.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
5.93
Stove_________________ 14. 25 14.25 14.00
8. 25
C h estn u t-------------------- 13.75 13. 75 13. 50
B itum inous, ru n of mine—
14. 25 15.00
7.82
H igh volatile__________
11.92 12.58
B irm ingham , Ala.:
6.
54
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 7.11
Boston, Mass.:
14. 75 15. 25
Pennsylvania anthracite—
14. 75 15. 25
Stove_________________ 16. 25 16. 25 14. 75
9. 55
10.41
C h estn u t______________ 15. 75 15. 75 14. 75
Bridgeport, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
16.00 14.58
Stove_________________ 15.25 14.50 14. 00
15.50 14. 58
C h estn u t--------------------- 15. 25 14. 50 14.00
Buffalo, N . Y .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
6. 93
8. 05
Stove_________________ 13. 77 13. 79 12.40
8. 33
9.46
C h e s tn u t.------ ------------- 13.32 13.29 12.40
7.25
7.67
B utte, M ont.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 11.07 10.49 10.49
Charleston, S. C.:
16.50 16.50
9. 67
9. 67
Bitum inous, prepared sizes
16. 25 16. 25
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_________________ 16. 85 16. 40 16. 40
16.40 16. 30 16. 30
C h estn u t_____________
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
5.93
5.94
7. 93
7. 93
8. 52
H igh volatile_______ _
9.17
8. 44
12.18 11.45 11.46
Low v o latile________
R u n of m ine—
6. 95
7. 75
Low v o la tile .________ I 8. 25
i Prices of coal were formerly secured sem iannually and published in the M arch and September
of the Labor Review. Since June, 1920, these prices have been secured and published m onthly.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ri466|
Apr.
15
6. 67
9. 25
5.43
7.17
15.00
12. 58
15. 25
15. 25
9. 57
14. 50
14.50
6.94
8.16
7.13
15. 00
15.00
11.40
5.93
9.17
7.00
issues
w h o lesale a n d
r e t a il
201
p r ic e s
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF CO AL P E R T O N OF 2,000 P O U N D S , F O R H O U SE H O L D
U SE, ON A P R IL 15, 1930, A N D M A R C H 15 A N D A P R IL 15, 1931—Continued
1930
C ity, and kind of coal
Apr.
15
1931
Mar.
15
1930
C ity, and kind of coal
Apr.
15
Jacksonville, Fla.:
B itum inous, prepared sizes. $14.00 $10. 00 $10.00
K ansas C ity, M o.:
A rkansas anthracite—
Furnace
__________ 12.55 12.44 12.44
Stove No. 4 .. _______
13. 67 13.50 13.50
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 7.15
6.77
6. 71
L ittle Rock, Ark:
Arkansas an thracite—Egg.. 13.50 13.50 13. 00
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 9. 75
9.90
9.90
Los Angeles, Calif.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 16.50 16.50 16. 50
Louisville, K y.:
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile_________
5.83
6.34
4.93
Low volatile_________
8.10
8. 75
7. 50
M anchester, N . H .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove _________________ 17.00 16. 83 15. 50
C hestnut
. _________ 17.00 16. 83 15. 50
M em phis, Tenn.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 7. 69
7.52
7. 66
M ilw aukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________ 16. 30 15. 75 15. 75
C hestnut _ ____ ____ 15. 85 15. 50 15. £0
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile_________
7.68
7.70
7. 70
Low volatile-------------- 10.99 10.60 10. 60
M inneapolis, M inn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—•
Stove__________________ 18. 30 16.90 16. 90
C h estn u t- ------------------- 17.85 16.90 16. 90
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
H igh v o la tile ________ 10.56
9. 65
9.61
Low volatile
_____ 12. 39 12. 63 12.63
M obile, Ala.:
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 8. 70
9.38
8. 38
N ewark, N . J.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove . . . _. __________ 13.96 13.90 12. 70
C h estn u t. ________ _ 13.46 13.40 12. 70
N ew H aven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___
___________ 15.17 14. 90 14.90
C h estn u t______________ 15.17 14.90 14. 90
N ew Orleans, La,:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 10. 96 10. 93
8. 07
N ew York, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove . .
__________ 14. 58 14.17 12. 92
C hestn u t- ___________ 14.08 13. 67 12.92
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove__________________ 14.00 15. 00 15. 00
C hestnut ___ _________ 14.00 15.00 15. 00
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
H igh volatile_________
7.25
7.38
7.38
Low volatile___ ______ 8.50
9.00
9.00
R un of mine—
Low volatile_________
6.50
7.00
7.00
O maha, N ebr.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 9.64
9.66
9.45
Peoria, 111.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 6.52
6.39
6. 33
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove. __________ ____ 115. 00 14.00 12. 25
C hestnut ____________ • 14. 50 13.50 12. 25
Apr.
15
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
C h e s tn u t.. . _________ $15. 00
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 5.29
Portland, M e.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_________________ 16. 80
C h estn u t. _______ _
16.50
Portland, Oreg.:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 13. 26
Providence, R. L:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove...... ............................. 216. 00
C h estn u t. ________ __ 216. 00
Richmond, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
15.00
Stove
C h estn u t. ___________ 15.00
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile
8. 38
Low v o la tile .......... . _ 9.09
R u n of m ine—
7.25
Low volatile
___ _
Rochester, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
14. 63
Stove
C hestnut
. . . _______ 14.13
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
16. 70
16.45
C h estn u t. _____ . .
6. 75
Bitum inous, prepared sizes
St. Paul, M inn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___ ___ ____
18.28
17. 85
C hestnut
______
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes—•
High volatile________
10.27
Low volatile ________ 12.63
Salt Lake C ity, U tah:
Bitum inous, prepared sizes. 8. 38
San Francisco, Calif.:
N ew Mexico anthracite—
26.00
Cerillos egg
_ _____
Colorado anthracite—
Egg. .
25. 50
B itum inous, prepared sizes 16.88
Savannah, Ga.:
B itum inous, prepared sizes. 3 9.84
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
10. 28
9. 92
C hestnut
Seattle, W ash.:
B itum inous, prepared sizes 10. 75
Springfield, 111.:
B itum inous, prepared sizes
4. 34
W ashington, D. C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
115. 73
Stove
C h e s tn u t__________
i 15. 23
B itum inous— Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________ 1 8.63
Low volatile............ ....... il l . 43
R un of mine—
M ixed_______________ i 7. 75
1931
M ar.
15
Apr.
15
$14. 50 $14. 50
4.73
4.73
16. 80
16.80
15.84
16. 80
' 13.15
13. 21
216. 00 214. 75
216.00 214. 75
15.00
15.00
15. 00
15.00
8. 75
9.88
8 75
9. 83
7.50
7. 50
14. 75
14. 25
13 38
13. 38
16. 20
15.95
5.87
16. 20
15.95
5.86
16.90
16.90
16.90
16.90
9.58
12. 66
9.70
12.80
7.99
7.58
26.00
26.00
25. 50
17.00
25 50
17.00
310. 45 s 9. 62
10.18
9. 88
0 30
9.28
10.79
10.88
4. 34
4. 34
i 15. 73
115. 23
]2. 76
12. 76
18. 61
U1.43
7. 39
9. 32
i 7.81
6.98
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
2 The average price of coal delivered in bins is 50 cents higher th a n here shown. Practically all coal is
delivered in bin.
3 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.
58726°—31— >—14
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[14671
202
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Index N u m b ers o f W h olesale P rices in A pril, 1931
T
HE index number of wholesale prices computed by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor shows
a decline for April. This index number, which includes 550 commodi
ties or price quotations weighted according to the importance of each
article and based on prices in 1926 as 100.0, declined from 74.5 in
March to 73.3 in April, a decrease of more than 1%per cent. The
purchasing power of the 1926 dollar in April was $1,364.
Farm products as a group averaged three-fourths of 1 per cent
below March prices, due to decreases for corn, oats, rye, beef steers,
hogs, sheep, cotton, eggs, and wool. Wheat, lambs, and hay, on the
other hand, were higher than in the month before.
TREND OF WHOLESALE PRICES.
DEC.
JAN. FEB.
MAR.
APR.
MAY
JUNE JULY
AUG. SEPT.
OCT.
NOV.
DEC.
Among foods price decreases were reported for butter, cheese, fresh
and cured meats, lard, rye flour, and corn meal, resulting in a net
decrease of nearly l){ per cent for the group. Wheat flour and
dressed poultry averaged higher than in March.
Hides and leather products showed little change in the price level
from the month before, the trend being upward for packers’ hides
and country calfskins and downward for country cowhides and im
ported goatskins. Boots and shoes showed a negligible decrease,
while no change was reported for leather.
In the group of textile products appreciable decreases are shown
for cotton goods, silk and rayon, woolen and worsted goods, and
other textiles. The decrease in the group as a whole was over 2
per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1468]
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
203
Anthracite and bituminous coal showed customary April price
reductions, while coke was stationary. Petroleum products again
declined sharply with lower prices for crude petroleum, fuel oil, and
gasoline.
Among metals and metal products there were price declines in iron
and steel and nonferrous metals, causing a small decrease in the
group total.
In the building materials group slight declines are shown for lum
ber, brick, cement, and paint materials. The group as a whole
showed a decrease.
Chemicals and drugs, including fertilizer materials and mixed fer
tilizers, moved downward in the month.
No change in the price, level was shown for furniture and furnish
ings in the group of house-furnishing goods.
In the group of miscellaneous commodities, cattle feed, paper and
pulp, and crude rubber declined, while automobile tires were un
changed in price.
Raw materials as a whole averaged lower than in March, as did
also semimanufactured articles and finished products.
In the large group of nonagricultural commodities, including all
articles other than farm products, and among all commodities other
than farm products and foods, April prices averaged lower than those
of the month before.
IN D E X
N UM BERS
O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S BY
C O M M O D IT IE S
[1926=100.0]
GROUPS
April,
1930
Groups and subgroups
All com m odities.-- _______
F arm products___ __ __ ____ _ . . .
G ra in s .. _________________ . _
Livestock and p o u ltry ___ __________
O ther farm p roducts_____ _________________
AND
M arch,
1931
SU B G R O U P S
April,
1931
OF
Purchas
ing power
of the
dollar
April, 1931
90.7
95.8
84. 1
96.9
99.0
74.5
70.6
59.3
70.7
74.2
73.3
70. 1
59.5
70.3
73.4
$1.364
1.427
1.681
1. 422
1.362
F o o d s ... . . _____ _____________
B utter, cheese, and m ilk _ ____________
M e a ts ...
...
. . ._
_ _____
O ther foods__ _ ______ __
______
94.6
99.3
103.2
87.7
76.7
83.7
82.0
70.8
75.6
80.9
79.9
70.9
1. 323
1.236
1.252
1.410
Hides and leather p ro d u c ts ... . ______ _
Hides and skins.
.. ...
. .. ..
L eather
. . .
Boots and shoes.
_ _ . . . ________
O ther leather p ro d u cts_______ _____________
102.7
95.8
105.3
103.8
105.3
87.4
62.1
88.4
94.9
102. 0
87.3
62.0
88.4
94.8
101.6
1.145
1.613
1.131
1.055
.984
Textile p r o d u c ts _____ ____ . . . __ __________
.
C otton goods_______ . . . _______ ________
Silk and ray o n . .
. ____ _
Woolen and w orsted goods. ______ . . . ____
O ther textile p ro d u c ts ... . .
_____. . . ______
85.5
91.4
72.0
89.6
72.3
69.2
76. 5
47.0
79.7
57.4
67.6
75.7
45.2
77.3
55.6
1.479
1.321
2. 212
1. 294
1.799
Fuel and lighting m aterials______________________ ..
A nthracite coal ______
_______ .
B itum inous coal____________ ____ ____________
C o k e ____________________ ________ _ ______
G as.
___ _____
_. ________
Petroleum products . . . _______
_. ______
77.9
90.2
88.4
84.2
94. 9
65.6
64.5
88.2
85.8
83.7
94.6
41.8
61.6
86.6
84.4
83.7
1.623
1.155
1.185
1.195
37.4
2. 674
M etals and m etal products_________________________
Iron and s te e l..
_________ __ __________
Nonferrous m etals_________ . _ ...... ......................
A gricultural im plem ents___________ _ ________
A u to m o b ile s.. . . . ______________ . .
____
O ther m etal p ro d u cts__________ ____ ____ ___ _
1 D a ta not yet available.
98.8
93.8
90.5
95.0
106.8
98.4
89.0
88.1
67.1
94.7
98.0
95.0
88.7
87.5
65.1
94.7
98.6
95.0
1.127
1. 143
1.536
1.056
1.014
1.053
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1469]
0)
204
IN D E X
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
NUM BERS
OF W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S B Y G R O U P S
C O M M O D IT IE S —C ontinued
April,
1930
Groups and subgroups
AND
M arch,
1931
SU B G R O U P S
April,
1931
OF
Purchas
ing power
of the
dollar
April, 1931
Building m aterials_____________ — ---------------- -L u m b er._
----------- -------------B rick _________
- ---------- --------------------C em ent
.
-----Structural steel___ _
------- -- ----- _____
- ------- _
P a in t m aterials___
O ther building m aterials _
---- -
94.7
91.8
88.4
92.7
91.9
91.4
104.0
81.9
74.2
81.5
84.1
84.3
73.0
95.4
80.9
73.3
81.0
81.0
84.3
72.5
94.2
$1,236
1,364
1.235
1.235
1.186
1.379
1.062
Chemicals and drugs_____
_ --------- __ _
Chemicals
__
-_
D rugs and p h arm aceu ticals._ _ _ -----___
Fertilizer m aterials____
— ----------____
M ixed fe rtilize rs____
—----------- - _
91.0
96.6
68.0
88.1
94.4
81.9
84.8
64.6
80.8
88.3
80.1
83.3
63.0
GO. 6
83.5
1. 248
1.200
1.587
1.241
1.198
H ousefurnishing goods______
____ — ------F u rn itu re
----------Furnishings________
--- ---------- _ - -
96.2
96.6
95.8
90.8
95.5
86.7
90.8
95.5
86.7
1.101
1.047
1.153
M iscellaneous. ----------- ---------- ------ -_
C attle feed
---------------- - __
Paper and p u lp ________________
.
_ -----R u b b e r ..
_ ---------- -A utomobile tires------- ------------- ---------Other miscellaneous___- ---------------
78.5
117.1
86.0
30.9
54.7
108.3
64.7
82.1
82.3
16.0
45.7
86.3
63.9
81.2
81.4
13.3
45.7
85.9
1. 565
1.232
1. 229
7. 519
2. 188
1.164
------ ---------- ---------Raw m aterials _ -Sem im anufactured articles, . ------ ------Finished products —_
_ ---- -- - - - - - - - -----N onagricultural commodities_______ _ _____ -----All commodities less farm products and foods. __ _ . _
89.8
87.9
91.9
89.4
88.3
69.4
72.2
78.4
75.7
75.6
68.3
71.1
77.1
74.3
74.2
1.464
1.406
1.297
1.346
1.348
W h olesale P rices in th e U n ited S ta te s and in Foreign C ou n tries,
1923 to M arch, 1931
I
N THE following table the more important index numbers of
wholesale prices in foreign countries and those of the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics have been brought together in order that
the trend of prices in the several countries may be compared. The
base periods here shown are those appearing in the sources from which
the information has been drawn, in most cases being the year 1913
or some other pre-war period. Only general comparisons can be made
from these figures, since, in addition to differences in the base periods,
there are important differences in the composition of the index
numbers themselves.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11470]
205
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D IN C E R T A IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S
nited
C o u n try ___ UStates
B ureau
C om puting of Labor
Statis
agency
tics
C anada A ustria Belgium Czecho
slovakia
D en
m ark
D om in
M inis
ion B u Federal try of
reau of Statis
Indus
tical
Statis
and
Bureau try
tics
Labor
Central
B ureau
of Sta
tistics
Statis Central General
Federal
tical
B ureau Statis Statis
D e
of
Sta
tical
tical
p a rt
tistics B ureau Bureau
m ent
JanuaryJune,
1914
July,
1914
Base period.
1926
1926
C o m in o d ities___ __
550
502
100. 6
98. 1
103. 5
100.0
95.4
97.7
96.5
98.0
99. 4
102.6
100. 0
97.7
96.4
95.6
47
April,
1914
132
69
F inland
France
Ger
m any
Italy
Riccar
do
Bachi
1913
1926
1913
1913
1913
118
139
45
400
138
Year and,
month
1923_______
1924_______
1925_______
1926_______
1927_______
1928_______
1929_______
124
136
136
123
133
130
130
497
573
558
744
847
843
851
977
997
1008
955
979
979
924
102.0
103.9
98.4
99.4
'
434
480
504
515
991
1012
949
960
387
415
407
421
516 1
595 7
503 9
499.6
99.6
97.3
95.6
98.2
580
555
566
555
974
1008
953
999
494
450
481
497
504 4
510 3
497 4
522.0
1925
J a n u a ry ...
F e b ru a ry __
M a rc h .. . . .
A pril-------M ay . ._
Ju n e ___
Ju ly _______
A ugust___
Septem ber. _
October __
N o v e m b er..
D ecem ber...
102.9
104.0
104. 2
101.9
101.6
103.0
104.3
103.9
103.4
103. 6
104.5
103.4
559
551
546
538
537
552
559
567
577
575
569
565
1045
1048
1034
1020
1006
998
1009
993
996
989
977
977
243
240
236
230
227
223
212
197
186
179
176
176
514
515
514
513
520
543
557
557
556
572
605
633
1926
Jan u a ry ___
F eb ru ary .
M a rc h .. . .
A pril_____
M a y _____
J u n e . .. . . .
Ju ly _______
A ugust___
S eptem b er-.
October____
N o v em b er..
D ecem ber...
103. 6
102.1
100.4
100. 1
100.5
100.5
99.5
99.0
99.7
99.4
98.4
97.9
560
556
583
621
692
761
876
836
859
856
865
860
966
950
938
923
928
926
948
963
973
972
978
978
172
165
158
157
158
157
158
162
162
178
170
158
634
636
632
650
688
738
836
769
787
751
684
627
1923
January _ .
A pril___
Ju ly _______
O ctober.
.
1924
J a n u a ry ...
April _. ___
J u ly _______
O ctober____
103.0
102.1
101. 3
101. 2
100. 2
100. 2
100. 2
99.1
98.5
98.1
97.6
97.9
122
120
119
119
118
124
126
126
123
125
128
127
1 July.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1471]
210
163
153
153
150
100
101
102
98
419
488
551
703
617
620
611
137 3
141 8
134.4
137.6
140.0
137.2
1 503 9
1 497 4
1 612 0
i 61& 2
1 466. 7
i 453.1
i 439. 7
568 2
571 1
571 9
,570 1
571 9
590 9
619 0
630 6
691 5
617 1
619 3
613.8
135 8
134.3
133 1
132 7
132 3
131 Q
133.1
134 0
134.9
136 2
137.1
137.1
608 0
603.5
599 3
590 0
595 8
604 9
618.2
632 5
622.0
596 7
594.2
573.6
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
206
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D IN C E R T A IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S —Continued
nited
C o u n try ___ UStates
Bureau
C om puting of Labor
Statis
agency
tics
Ger
m any
Czecho
C anada A ustria Belgium slovakia
D en
m ark
D om in Federal M inis
ion B u Statis
try of
In d u s
reau of
try
and
Statis Btical
ureau Labor
tics
Statis Central General Federal
tical
B ureau Statis Statis
D e
of Sta
tical
tical
p a rt
tistics B ureau Bureau
m ent
Base period.
1926
1926
C o m m o d ities ____
650
502
January- April,
June,
1914
1914
47
Central
B ureau
of Sta
tistics
July,
1914
132
69
Finland
France
Italy
Riccar
do
Bachi
1913
1926
1913
1913
1913
118
139
45
400
138
1927
J a n u a r y ---F eb ru ary —
M arch------A pril__ . .
M a y ______
Ju n e. . . . .
Ju ly ----------A u g u st__
S ep tem b er-.
October . . .
N ovem ber .
D ecem ber...
96.6
95.9
94.5
93.7
93.7
93.8
94.1
95.2
96.5
97.0
96.7
96.8
97.8
97.6
97.3
97.5
98.5
98.9
98.6
98.3
97.1
97.2
96.9
97.3
130
130
133
135
137
142
140
133
130
129
127
127
856
854
858
846
848
851
845
850
837
839
838
841
979
975
976
979
988
990
992
983
975
966
967
975
157
156
153
152
152
152
152
153
153
154
154
154
100
101
101
100
100
101
101
102
101
10i
103
103
622
632
641
636
628
622
621
618
600
587
594
604
135.9
135. 6
135. 0
134.8
137.1
137. 9
137.6
137.9
139.7
139. 8
140.1
139.6
558. 2
555.8
544. 7
521. 3
496. 2
473.4
466.7
465.4
465. 4
467. 5
466.0
462.9
1928
Jan u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry __
M a rc n ..
April .
M a y ---- -- .
Ju n e. _ .
J u ly _______
A ugust__ _
S ep tem b er-.
O ctober. .
N ovem ber _.
D ecem ber...
96.3
96.4
96.0
97.4
98.6
97.6
98.3
98.9
100.1
97.8
96.7
96.7
96.9
96.8
97.7
98.3
97.7
97.1
96.2
95.4
95.5
95.4
94.9
94.5
129
128
129
131
131
133
133
133
131
129
128
127
851
848
848
847
844
844
841
831
830
835
847
855
982
985
978
984
987
986
979
996
986
971
957
955
153
15?
153
154
155
155
155
154
151
150
151
151
102
102
103
103
103
103
103
103
101
101
101
101
607
609
623
624
632
626
624
617
620
617
626
624
138.7
137.9
138.5
139.5
141.2
141.3
141. 6
141.5
139.9
140. 1
140.3
139.9
463. 5
461.3
463.9
464.4
464. 9
461.7
453.1
456.2
457.8
463.3
465.6
464.4
1929
Jan u a ry ___
F eb ru ary __
M arch .
A p ril...
M a y ------ -June
. .
Ju ly _______
A ugust____
S ep tem b er..
October. .
N o v em b er..
D ecem ber...
97.2
96.7
97.5
96.8
95.8
96.4
98.0
97.7
97.5
96.3
94.4
94.2
93.7
94.9
95.5
94.1
92.4
92.6
96.0
98.1
97.3
96.7
95.8
96.2
128
130
133
134
135
134
132
132
128
127
125
123
867
865
869
862
851
848
858
850
846
838
834
823
953
950
964
963
940
917
922
916
902
895
888
876
151
159
154
150
148
146
149
150
150
149
147
146
100
100
100
99
98
98
97
97
96
96
95
95
630
638
640
627
623
611
613
597
597
590
584
576
138.9
139.3
139. 6
137.1
135.5
135.1
137.8
138.1
138.1
137.2
135.5
134.3
461.2
462. 7
461.1
455.0
451.6
446.6
439.7
437.4
437.0
435.8
430.8
424.5
1930
Jan u ary ____
Feb ru ary __
M a r c h -----A pril______
M a y ______
June _____
Ju ly _______
A ugust____
S eptem ber-.
October
N o v e m b er..
December—.
93.4
92.1
90.8
90.7
89.1
86.8
84.0
84.0
84.2
82.6
80.4
78.4
95.6
95.0
91.9
91.7
89.9
88.0
85.8
84.1
82.5
81.4
79.8
77.8
125
123
121
119
118
121
119
118
115
112
110
107
808
791
774
777
774
750
739
729
712
705
693
679
^ 126.1
2 124. 2
2121.5
2 121. 0
2 120. 2
2 119.1
2 119. 7
2 118.1
2 115.1
2 113.3
2 112.7
2 111.1
143
140
136
135
132
130
129
128
126
123
122
120
94
93
92
92
90
90
90
89
88
86
87
86
564
564
553
548
542
533
538
532
524
508
494
488
132. 3
129.3
126.4
126.7
125.7
124.5
125.1
124.7
122.8
120.2
120.1
117.8
417.4
408.0
399.7
396.1
390.3
380.6
374.9
379.4
374. 6
364.4
360.6
349.6
1931
Jan u ary ____
F eb ru ary __
M arch_____
77.0
75.5
74.5
76.7
76.0
75.1
105
107
107
661
658
660
2 110.0
2 108.9
2 108. 8
118
117
116
86
86
86
484
482
482
115.2
114.0
113.9
341. 7
338.1
? In gold,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1472]
WHOLESALE AND .RETAIL PRICES
207
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S A N D IN C E R T A IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S —Continued
C o u n try ___
N eth
er
lands
N or
way
Spain
Swe
den
Swit U nited
zer
King
land
dom
Cen Cen In sti
tu te
Fed
tral
tral
of
Cham
eral
Bu
B u
Board
C om puting
Geog
ber
of
Labor
reau
of
agency----- reau
raphy Com
De
of
of
Trade
and
merce
p
a
rt
S ta
S ta
m ent
tistics tistics Sta
tistics
Base period _
C o m m o d i
ties______
1913
48
Aus
tralia
New
Zea
land
South
Africa Japan China India
N a
Bureau Cen Office
tional
of
sus
of
Bank Tariff
Census and Census
Com
of
and
Sta
and Japan, mis
Sta tistics
Sta Tokyo sion,
tistics Office tistics
Shang
hai
Labor
Office,
Bom
bay
July,
1914
1913
July,
1914
1913
1913
1913
150
92
180
188
56
3 117
127
129
128
123
124
121
116
199
206
202
179
170
171
166
156.4
153.9
159.4
164.1
170.4
160.7
163.7
181
182
163
149
147
146
145
74
160
118
172
183
188
181
172
168
171
163
162
161
149
146
148
140
181
175
162
145
142
145
141
170
174
170
171
1913
July,
1914
44
Year and
month
3923_______
232
151
1924
_
156
268
1925
_
155
253
1926
_
145
198
1927
___________
148
167
1928
_
149
161
1929
_
142
153
1923
Jan u a ry ___
157
223
A pril______
156
229
J u ly ----------145
231
O ctober____
148
235
1924
Jan u a ry ___
156
251
A pril______
154
263
J u ly ----------151
265
October____
161
273
1925
Jan u a ry ___
160
279
F eb ru ary __
158
281
M arch_____
155
279
A pril______
151
273
M a y ______
151
262
Ju n e _______
153
260
Ju ly ----------155
254
A ugust____
155
249
Septem ber. _
155
237
October____
154
223
N o v e m b er..
154
220
December__
155
220
1926
Jan u a ry ___
153
214
F eb ru ary __
211
149
M arch_____
145
205
A pril______
143
199
M a y ___j . . .
143
197
J u n e _______
144
194
J u ly _______
141
192
A ugust____
193
139
S eptem ber..
140
193
O ctober____
143
198
N o v e m b er..
147
199
D ecem ber__
184
147
1927
J a n u a iy ___
174
145
F e b ru a ry __
172
146
M atc h _____
144
167
A pril__ _ _
164
143
M ay ---------162
145
Ju n e ........ .
149
166
Ju ly ----------151
165
A ugust___ _
167
149
150
Septem ber. .
167
O ctober____
150
165
N ovem ber .
151
166
D ecem ber__
151
166
3147 items.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
158.9
166.2
159.1
148. 1
141.4
140.3
136.5
170
165
162
161
159
157
163
168
162
161
157.0
162.0
156.5
158.1
163
167
180
171
131
126
124
125
184
196
192
212
152 7
157' 7
155.4
156.1
178
181
178
184
182
186
161
161
157
167
165.4
164.7
162.6
170.0
174
166
163
163
131
126
125
133
211
207
195
213
155.8
153.7
151.5
152.8
188
184
184
181
191
192
193
190
191
187
188
184
185
187
186
187
169
169
168
163
162
161
161
159
157
154
155
156
171.1
168.9
166.3
161.9
158.6
157.2
156.9
156. 2
155.1
153.9
152.7
152.1
163
162
160
158
159
162
162
162
162
163
165
160
166
162
162
162
162
162
161
161
160
162
161
160
130
214
210
204
202
199
200
198
200
201
200
198
194
159.9
159.2
160.3
159.3
157.8
157.3
162.8
160.3
160.2
159.0
158.4
158.1
173
173
171
165
164
160
158
160
157
158
160
154
186
186
183
179
179
177
178
180
178
179
185
186
153
152
149
150
151
150
148
147
146
148
148
150
153
147
146
145
143
143
145
142
142
144
142
142
151.3
148.8
144.4
143.6
144.9
146.4
148.7
149. 1
150.9
152.1
152.4
146.1
161
160
163
168
167
163
162
162
158
154
155
155
159
159
157
156
156
155
156
154
153
153
151
153
192
188
184
181
177
177
179
177
176
174
171
170
164.0
163.0
164.4
162.8
159 7
155 8
156.9
160 5
164 2
171.1
174.4
172.0
154
151
150
151
151
150
149
148
14Q
147
146
146
184
180
179
177
172
171
168
168
169
169
168
169
146
146
145
143
145
146
146
146
148
147
148
148
141
141
141
140
141
140
140
142
144
145
147
146
143.6
142.6
140.6
139.8
141. 1
141.8
141.1
140.9
142. 1
141.4
141. 1
140.4
154
153
150
151
152
155
161
165
170
173
166
162
151
147
147
147
145
146
146
146
146
146
147
148
170
171
171
170
171
172
170
167
169
170
168
168
172.8
172 0
174.7
173.1
171 3
169 3
171.0
170 8
171 8
168.7
165. 7
163.5
146
148
146
145
146
147
147
148
148
146
144
143
[1473]
158
165
161
154
146
147
147
130
127
124
124
120
122
127
128
126
120
122
I
208
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D IN C E R T A IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S —C ontinued
C o u n try .—
N eth
er
lands
Com puting
agency—
sti
Cen Cen In
tu te
tral
tral
of
B u Geog
B u
reau raphy
reau
of
of
and
Sta
Sta
Sta
tistics tistics tistics
N or
way
Spain
Swe
den
Swit U nited
King
zer
dom
land
Aus
tralia
New
Zea
land
South Japan China India
Africa
N a
tional
B ureau C en Office
Fed
B ank Tariff
sus
of
of
C ham eral
Board Census and Census
Com
of
ber of Labor
of
and Japan, mis
Sta
and
Com De Trade
Sta Tokyo sion,
Sta tistics
merce p a rt
Shang
tistics Office tistics
m ent
hai
July,
1914
July,
1914
Base period _
C om m odi
ties_____
1913
1913
1913
Labor
Office,
Bom
bay
July,
1914
150
1928
Jan u ary ___
F eb ru ary .
M arch____
A pril______
M ay ______
Ju n e ______
Ju ly _______
A ugust____
Septem ber..
October___
N o v em b er.
D ecem b er-
153
150
152
153
152
153
148
144
145
146
148
148
164
163
164
162
162
161
162
162
158
157
157
157
166
166
165
166
164
164
164
166
168
174
176
175
148
147
149
151
152
151
150
149
146
145
145
145
145
144
145
146
145
145
144
144
144
145
145
144
141.1
140.3
140.8
142.9
143.6
142.6
141.1
139.3
137.6
137.9
137.9
138.3
1929
Jan u ary ---F e b ru a ry . _
M arch____
April_____
M a y ______
Ju n e ______
Ju ly ______
A ugust___
September .
October___
N ovem ber.
D ecem b er-
146
146
147
144
142
141
141
142
141
140
137
135
154
155
155
154
152
151
152
154
154
154
152
152
171
175
174
174
171
170
169
170
171
172
171
172
144
145
144
141
140
139
140
141
140
138
135
134
143
143
142
140
139
139
143
143
142
142
140
139
1930
Jan u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry -.
M arch____
April_____
M ay ______
Ju n e ______
Ju ly ______
A ugust___
Septem ber.
October___
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber-
131
126
122
122
118
118
115
114
112
in
150
147
146
145
144
143
142
141
141
140
139
13fi
172
173
173
172
168
166
170
173
174
175
175
175
131
128
125
124
123
123
121
121
119
118
117
117
1931
Jan u a ry __
F e b ru a ry -.
M arch____
105
104
135
133
131
173
175
115
114
113
107
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
163
160
160
162
159
158
157
154
153
152
152
154
150
147
147
147
148
148
148
147
148
149
150
149
123
138.3
138.4
140.1
138.8
135. 8
135.6
137.4
135. 8
135.8
136. 1
134.0
132.5
157
156
157
158
156
158
159
160
162
161
158
154
147
146
146
146
147
147
147
148
148
148
147
146
120
136
133
131
129
128
126
126
126
123
122
120
117
131.0
127.8
124.5
123.7
122.0
120.7
119.2
117. 8
115.5
113.0
112. 0
108. 9
151
147
144
146
148
145
144
142
134
130
126
123
147
146
146
146
146
145
144
146
144
142
141
141
107
115
115
114
106.9
106. 2
105.9
124
140
137
102
[1474l
.
121
119
120
117
115
113
104
100
99
169
169
169
170
171
169
169
170
174
174
173
174
163.1
164.3
163.4
163.1
164. 5
160.0
159.2
157.2
156.2
158.8
159.2
159.9
141
142
140
142
145
149
147
146
148
150
149
145
172
171
171
170
169
168
166
165
164
163
160
155
160.1
162 4
164 2
161.2
161.7
162. 6
162. 7
164.7
167.1
168.0
164.7
164. 7
148
150
147
144
141
143
145
146
147
146
143
141
152
151
148
147
143
138
134
133
130
124
123
122
169.6
174.7
173.9
174. 2
173.4
185.9
190.1
189.4
187.5
182.3
177.7
177.7
139
137
137
134
130
127
124
124
120
117
112
110
120
119
1
111
112
Wh o l e s a l e
and
r e t a il
209
p r ic e s
W holesale and R etail Prices in th e P h ilip p in es, 1927 and 1928
T
ABLE 1 gives the average retail prices of foodstuffs in the markets
of the city of Manila in 1927 and 1928, and Table 2 the average
prices of the most important articles of food for sale in the public
markets of Philippine municipalities.1
T
able
1 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P F O O D S T U F F S IN M A N IL A , 1927 A N D 1928
[One peso= about 50 cents in U nited States currency]
Article
U nit
Cereals and grains:
Coffee _ _
Mongo __ _ ___
Rice_
Sea food:
Bangus . ___ . . .
Candole. .
Crabs _
Shrim ps. . . . .
Fowls:
Chicken
H ens____
Roosters . . . .
F ruits:
Bananas, la tu n d a n ...
Coconuts___ ____
Lemons
___
Papayas .... ___
M eat:
Beef, fresh. _____ _
P o rk .. .
Liter i ___
do__ _
G anta 2. . .
1927
1928
Pesos Pesos
0. 78
0. 87
. 21
. 16
.36
.36
One _ _ _ .31
_ do__
___do__.. ___ . 22
100______ 3.91
.37
. 38
. 22
2. 90
One
. 57
_do___ _ 1. 06
_do__
1.12
62
1. 09
.06
100______
One___ __
100______
One
.92
.07
.81
. 16
Kilogram 3. .82
_ _do__ ...
1. 00
* L ite r= 0.908 d ry qu art.
Article
U nit
Vegetables:
Amargosa
Beans native
Eggplants
Onions, B om bay. . .
Potatoes
Squash red
Squash, w hite
Sweet potatoes
T o m ato es.. ________
Condensed millr
Eggs
Chinese .
D uck
N ative
Salt, white
.75
.08
.60
. 12
B row n.
Refined
Vinegar
.99
. 78
2 G anta=2.71 quarts.
1927
1928
Pesos Pesos
0 02
0 03
0^
05
100
2 00
1 71
Kilogram _ .24
! 38
do
17
12
One
°7
25
do
27
24
1 20 4 1 04
100___
1. 00
l 37
One
.36
.34
100
do
do
"Liter
4. 00
5 00
4 00
A 00
5 00
6 00
.06
.05
___ Kilogram
do
.32
.31
35
.06
.02
3 K ilo g ram = 2.2046 pounds.
4 P er 100.
T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E P R IC E S OF FO O D IN P H IL IP P IN E M U N IC IP A L IT IE S , 1927 A N D 1928
Article
U nit
R ice________
____
Corn.
M ongo.
Beef_______
P ork ______
Chicken
Eggs, h en ’s______
Eggs, d u ck ’s _______
Bangus
. . . ___
D alag..
I lito ________
,
Sapsap. . . . _ ___
Sardines _____
W hite salt
_________
Vinegar
Sugar___________ _ .
L iter L
___do___ _
_do ___ _
Kilogram?,
___do _ _
One
__ do___ _
-__do_____
__do ___
_do
__
__do__
100______
_do___ _
Liter
_ _do_____
Kilogram _
1927
1928
Pesos Pesos
0. 14
0.13
. 13
. 11
. 17
. 20
. 85
.83
. 83
. 77
.29
. 37
.04
. 03
.04
.05
.42
. 59
.38
.34
. 15
. 09
.60
. 71
.90
1.22
. 07
. 10
. 12
.10
.36
.36
1 Liter=0.908 d ry quart.
Article
Coffee
Garlic
Tom atoes
N ativ e onions
Peppers
Ginger
Amargosa
Eggplants
Squash, red
Patola
Radishes
Sweet potatoes
Gabe
B ananas, Bungulan
B ananas, L acatan .
B ananas, L a tu n d a n _____
U nit
1927
1928
Pesos Pesos
0. 44
0.60
1. 11
1. 25
. 13
. 10
.51
.89
.05
.06
do
• 15
. 13
100
1.04
1.16
do
.71
.63
One
. 14
. 14
do
.04
.04
D ozen___ . 12
. 11
100
93
1.08
do
1. 68
1. 56
Dozen
. 11
. 13
___do____
. 14
. 12
. .. d o _____
. 11
.09
ion
Dozen
100
2 Kilogram=2.2046 pounds.
In Table 3 are reported the average wholesale prices of staple
products, for 1913 and for 1925 to 1929, by years.2
1 Philippine Islands. D ep artm en t of Commerce and Communications. B ureau of Labor. T he activi
ties of th e B ureau of Labor. M anila, 1930, pp. 144, 145, and 148.
2 Philippine Islands. D ep artm en t of Commerce and Com munications. Bureau of Commerce and
Industry. Statistical B ulletin, 1929. M anila, 1930, p. 185.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
210
T a b l e 3 .—A V E R A G E W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D P R O D U C T S IN T H E P H IL IP
P IN E S , 1925-1929
Year
1913
___________ ________
1925
1926
............................ ..............
1927
....................... ..............
1928
.......................................
1929.............. ...............................
i C av an =2.13 bushels.
Rice (per
c a v a n )1
M anila
hemp
(per
picul)2
Pesos
5. 34
9. 40
9. 32
7. 56
7. 86
8. 90
Pesos
16. 02
33.90
28. 56
28.14
21.78
18. 37
2 P icu l=140 pounds.
Sugar
(per
picul)
Pesos
4. 79
6.85
6.46
7.06
7.13
6.25
Coconut
oil (per
kilo
gram )2
Pesos
0.03
.41
.40
.35
.34
.31
Copra
(per
picul)
Pesos
14.31
13. 21
12. 39
11. 37
11.23
9.45
3 K ilogram =2.2046 pounds.
Tobacco M aguey
(per quin
(per
tal) <
picul)
Pesos
15. 90
18.04
16. 67
14. 83
12. 87
14.24
Pesos
9.13
16. 35
16. 42
14. 05
12. 29
12. 16
* Quintal=100.
R etail Prices of C lo th in g in E nglan d , 1914 to 1931
I
N ITS issue for April, 1931, the English Ministry of Labor Gazette
gives some details as to the relative cost of clothing at present
compared with prices prevailing in 1914. The cost-of-living figure
for working-class families, published monthly, is based on statistics
concerning four groups of commodities—food, rents, clothing, and
fuel and light. The data as to clothing are secured by sending out
forms of inquiry each month to a large number of dealers in the
principal towns asking for retail prices of articles of the same general
style and quality as were covered by earlier returns. The goods
specified are those most generally bought by the working classes,
including suits and overcoats (both ready made and made to order),
woolen and cotton materials, underclothing, and boots and shoes.
When the replies come in, a calculation is made, for each article
separately, of the percentage change in price as compared with the
returns for the previous month. These percentages are averaged,
and the average percentage increase since July, 1914, is calculated
by linking up these figures with those obtained for earlier dates. _ At
April 1 the average percentage increases in price for the articles
covered since July, 1914, were as follows:
Article
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Per cent of increase
Men’s suits and overcoats________________________________________ 70-75
Woolen material for women’s outer garments----------------------------------125
115
Woolen underclothing and hosiery_____________________ v --------------Cotton material for women’s outer garm ents.,,-------------------------------155
Cotton underclothing material and hosiery-------------------------------------105
Boots___________________________________________________________
95
The final percentage, representing the general increase in the retail prices of
clothing, is then computed by averaging the figures for these six groups, those in
Groups 2 and 4 being first modified on account of the cost of making up mate
rials (which inquiries have shown to be less than one and a half times, as much
as in 1914) and the relatively greater importance of Group 1 and the smaller
importance of Group 4 being recognized by giving a weight of 1% to Group 1 and
y2 to Group 4, compared with 1 to each of the other four groups. _The_ result
of this final averaging shows that the average increase in the retail prices of
working-class clothing at April 1, 1931, as compared with July, 1914, was approx
imately 100 per cent. This increase of 100 per cent corresponds with an increase
of 110 per cent at the end of the summer of 1930.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1476]
211
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
The per cent of increase on April 1, 1931, for the cost of living as a
whole and for the separate groups of items entering into it, as com
pared with 1914, is given as follows:
Per cent of increase
R ent__________________________________________________________
54
Clothing-------------------------------------------------------------------------------100
Fuel and light_______________________________________________
75
Food---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------29
All items.
47
No explanation is given of the higher level of clothing prices than
of those of the other necessaries included in the calculation of the
cost of living, but it appears that since the conclusion of the war
clothing prices have been consistently high.
Comparison with the level of retail prices of clothing in earlier years is afforded
by the figures given below, which represent the average of the percentage in
creases as compared with July, 1914, at the beginning of each of the 12 months
of the respective years:
Increase
(per cent)
1919__________ _________ 261
1920__________ _________ 316
1921__________ _________ 203
1922__________ _________ 138
1923__________ _________ 122. 5
1924_________ _________ 125
1925__________ _________ 129
Increase
(per cent)
1926____________ ________ 121
1927____________ ________ 114
1928____________ _______ 119
1929_____________ ________ 118
1930____________ ________ 111
April, 1931 _
________ 100
The percentages given in this article are necessarily only of the nature of
approximations, since, owing to the wide range of quotations, both now and before
the war, to changes in qualities and in stocks held by retailers, and to the varia
tions in the extent to which different articles and qualities have been affected by
price changes, it is not possible to make exact calculations of the average per
centage changes in the prices of clothing. Subject, however, to this general quali
fication, the results of the investigations may be taken to be broadly representa
tive of the general course of prices of the cheaper grades of clothing.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1477]
COST OF LIVING
In co m es and E xpen d itu res of S treet-C ar M en ’s F a m ilies
HE study of the budgets of 98 street-car men’s families was under
taken by the University of California Heller committee for re
search in social economics, in order to ascertain the “ spending ways”
of a group of semiskilled workers and their dependents.1 In the judg
ment of the committee, street-railway men represent workers who
stand between the highly skilled topographers of a preceding study 2
and casual laborers. "The detailed estimates of the incomes and ex
penditures of these 98 San Francisco (East Bay Region) families were
secured for the 12 months ending with June, 1925, with the collabora
tion of the Oakland division of the Amalgamated Association of Street
and Electrical Railway Employees.
Attention is called to the fact that street-car employees in general
have the advantage of the ordinary low-skilled workers in the matter
of steady employment throughout the year. In the families included
in the study a majority of the men and their wives were American
born. Most of the foreigners were from English-speaking countries,
and all of them had been in this country long enough to have families.
Their standard of living, therefore, the report declares, may be safely
considered as American. The average man and wife in the group
covered were between 30 and 40 years of age. The typical family
included no adult dependents (other than the wife), no gainfully
employed children, and no boarders or lodgers. The average man
earned between $1,600 and $1,800 per annum, the mean earnings for
the group being $1,658.25, as shown in the following table:
T
T a b l e 1 —IN C O M E OF F A M IL IE S O F S T R E E T -C A B M E N
N um ber
of fam
ilies re
porting
0
Source of income
M an ’s regular earn in g s.. ---- ------O ther income - --------------------------------------M an ’s supplem entary earnings------- -------Wife’s earnings -------------- -C hildren’s earnings.- -- ----------- -- - --Boarders and lodgers— --------- -- ---------Property .
--------------------------------M oney g ifts ..- ---- ------------------------ --Sick benefits------------ ---------------------- O th e r __ -- . . - -----------------------------T o tal. _ ------
-------- ------
- ---------
Average am ount for
families reporting
M ean
Average per family
for group of 98
M edian
M ean
am ount
98
71
14
16
14
22
19
17
12
14
$1, 658. 25
314. 72
93.17
302. 34
172. 71
295. 54
183. 73
29. 74
112. 20
138. 61
$1, 705.12
- 165.58
22.80
90. 00
51.00
280. 50
84. 00
15.00
36.00
42. 50
$1,658. 25
228. 01
13.31
49. 36
24. 67
(36. 35
35. 62
5.16
13. 74
19. 80
98
1, 886. 26
1, 789. 55
1, 886. 26
Per cent
of total
87.9
12.1
.7
2. 6
1.3
3. 5
1.9
.3
.8
1.0
100. 00
As will be noted, in 71 of the 98 families the regular earnings of the
husband were increased by income from some other source. These
supplements, however, were ordinarily not large. In the typical
household the earnings of the husband constituted 90 per cent or more
of the total income, and the additional income from all sources was
1 U niversity of California. Cost of Living Studies IV : Spending W ays of a Semiskilled Group. B er
keley, 1931. (P ublication in Economics, vol. 5, No. 5.)
.
2 Peixotto, J. B.: How W orkers Spend a Living Wage, U niversity of California Publications m Econ
omics, vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 161-245, Berkeley, 1929. Summ arized in M onthly Labor Review, W ashington,
M arch, 1930, pp. 204-205.
212
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ri47SI
COST OF LIVING
213
under $200. Two-thirds of the wives were reported as earning
nothing during the year, and only 15 per cent of the children made
contributions to the family exchequer. Moreover, the additions
made by two-thirds of these children were less than $100 each per child.
Only one family in five owned income-producing property, and the
returns therefrom were generally small.
The accompanying tabulation shows the average expenditures for
the various items in the 98 family budgets :
T able 3.—A V E R A G E E X P E N D IT U R E F O R S P E C IF IE D IT E M S OF F A M IL Y B U D G E T S ,
JU N E , 1924, TO JU N E , 1925
Expenditure
N um ber
of families
reporting
Item s of expenditure
A m ount
M ean
F ood__________ ___________________________
C lothing_____ - ___________ _ ____________
Shelter__ ___________________________________
___
House operation
__ . . . . .
F u rn itu re and furnishings- . . . . . . . . . ____
M iscellaneous ..
. ...
.
_____________
A utom obiles..
Investm en t and savings_____ _ _________
M edical c a re ... . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ___
Recreation ___
.
. . . _________
D ependents__ ____________ ____ ________
Incidentals________ . . . . . ._ __________
Associations_________ _________ _______
G ifts ................. ..... ._ _ _______ ________
Tobacco____________ . _______ _ ______
E ducation______ .
. . . .
C hurch...... .......... . . . _______ . _______
Bicycles___________________ _____ _____
C h arity _____ ______ _____________________
T o tal_____
. . . . . ___ _
________
Per cent
M edian
M ean
M edian
98
98
98
98
96
98
29
95
93
94
6
98
98
89
62
91
55
4
83
$789. 80
239. 32
373. 19
145. 35
75. 87
487. 42
188. 73
113. 95
91.56
67. 15
67. 00
56. 86
32. 88
28. 69
27. 80
25.20
11.80
8. 66
2. 29
$780. 00
215. 85
337. 60
136. 65
50. 05
426. 68
88. 00
74.28
67. 00
32. 87
58.00
33. 85
26. 10
21.00
26. 00
13. 00
10. 40
9. 75
1.00
38.0
11.2
17.9
7.0
3.6
22.4
8.0
5. 2
4.3
3.0
3.0
2.6
1.6
1. 4
1. 4
1.2
.6
.4
.1
38.0
10.6
17.6
6.7
2.4
21.1
4.5
3.4
’ 3.2
1.6
2.4
1.8
1.2
1.0
1.1
.6
.5
.4
.1
98
2,109. 40
2, 059. 79
100.0
100.0
The expenditures reported for the average family during the year
exceeded the average income. In at least 40 per cent of the house
holds there was a deficit met by recourse to savings or occasionally
by borrowing. The remaining discrepancy may be accounted for by
the ordinary tendency to overestimate expenses in a study of this
kind.
The heaviest expense in budgets of wage earners with incomes
similar to those of the street-car men is food. In these families it
averaged 38 per cent of the total expenditures and sometimes was
more than 50 per cent. The average expenditure of 69 cents a day
per equivalent adult male is reported as an indication that the families
were well fed. Indeed, 90 per cent of the families were found to be
above standard on food allowances.
On the other hand, clothing showed the results of compulsory
economies. The average amount spent for this item of the budget by
these families was found to be always less than the estimated necessary
expenditures in 1925 for San Francisco families of various sizes living
at a standard of health and comfort.
Housing conditions on the whole were good, thanks to the suburban conditions
of the East Bay region—no tenements and an abundance of cheap, modern
cottages for sale on “ easy paym ent” plans.
Half of the families owned their
homes; 70 per cent of these were still paying off mortgages. Ninety-seven of
the 98 families had modern bathrooms. All but one-sixth of the families lived
in separate dwellings. Two-thirds of them met or exceeded the standard require
ment of one room per person. Housing costs varied widely according to whether
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
214
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
the family owned its house clear, was paying installments, or was renting.
most common rentals were between $20 and $30 a month.
The
The principal house-operation expense was light and fuel, which
averaged approximately $6 per month. Expenditure for telephones
was reported by only 34 families and a number of these shared this
convenience with another family. In the year under review ice was
purchased by only 12 families out of the 98 and this was done only in
cases of illness.
The entire burden of the housework was borne by the wives. In
40 families there was no laundry given out for the 12 months covered,
and only 15 of the 98 families expended enough in this connection to
pay laundry charges for the regular weekly heavy flat work of the
household. Only 7 of the 98 families reported anything for service
even in childbirth cases. The chief reliance in times of sickness was
on relatives and neighbors.
The heavy proportion of the income spent for bare necessaries
brought down to about 22 per cent of the income, the amount avail
able for the miscellaneous group of expenses. Automobiles cost
more than any other item in the miscellaneous group, but only 26
families owned such machines. Investments, medical care, and
recreation taken together constituted a mean expenditure of 12.5
per cent of the family budget. The usual investments were a lifeinsurance policy of $2,500 or less, savings of some kind, one share of
company stock, union sickness insurance, or insurance in a mutual
benefit association which included premiums in the dues. The wages
of these men did not allow of actual provision for the future, but each
man hoped to leave his family a house, a small savings account, and
sufficient insurance to bury him and tide his dependents over a year
or two.
The average expense for medical care was between $65 and $100 a
year—not enough to provide adequately for dental and preventive
attention. Few families had recourse to free clinics and hospitals.
The monthly expenditure of the average family on commercial
amusement, ordinarily the movies, was from $2 to $3. Under their
wage agreement the carmen were entitled to take a vacation of two
weeks without pay, but only 24 families could afford to go out of town.
Every man, of course, paid his monthly union dues, which amounted
to $1.50. Membership in other organizations, principally mutual
benefit associations, was reported by 59 families. Carfare and
barbers’ fees, which were listed under incidentals, averaged respec
tively about $1.50 and $1 per month. The usual contribution to
charity was $1 a year, while the contributions to church, although
constituting a slightly higher percentage of the family budget, were
reported by fewer families. Only six families stated that they made
allowances to outside dependents, but the amounts were quite sub
stantial. Occasional budgets included expenditures for moving,
legal fees, and funerals.
Briefly, the "average” street-car man’s family had enough to eat and was
comfortably housed. It could not be described as suffering from want. On the
other hand, the income was not sufficient to provide for the rising standard of
dress, especially for children in school, to free the wife from the heaviest house
keeping burdens, to pay for adequate medical care, or to make adequate provi
sion for old age or for the husband’s death. Such a generalization, of course,
applies only to the "average” family. In the group of 98 there were cases^ of
undernourishment, overcrowding, overwork, a burden of debt, and— surest sign
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
COST OF LIVING
215
of poverty the removal of children from high school to go to work. To be
comfortable, the family must be small and healthy, and the wife must be a good
manager. One man summed up the situation by the comment that “ if Mrs B
was not such a good mother, cook, seamstress, doctor, barber, and laundress ’ we
could never make ends meet.”
tire cl°Se °f eacl1 visit the investigator asked the family how it
would use an increase in income. Among the wants cited were
medical attention, payments on a home, savings, more insurance a
vacation for the overworked father or for sickly children, furniture
lor greater comfort or because it was necessary, enough cash to obvi
ate buying on the installment plan with its high interest rates, and
money to settle old bills. Occasionally a desire was expressed for a
higher living standard involving more clothes, more recreation, an
automobile^ music lessons for the children, and an opportunity to
raise them into another class.
Aside from the inability to make provision against old age and
death, the outstanding hardship of these families, according to the
report, was inadequate medical care. Their income and possibly
their pride barred them from attending free clinics, but at least 50
per cent of these families needed medical attention for which they
were unable to raise the money. It was necessary for children to
have their tonsils and adenoids removed, for wives to undergo
operations, for a tubercular child to be sent to the mountains, for&a
wife to have major dental work done, and for a husband’s teeth to be
extracted, but the family purse could not stand the strain. A birth,
as a rule used up the savings of a year, and a slight illness, particu
larly of the breadwinner, resulted in debt for years.
Cost of Living in the Philippines, 1929
HE cost of living for skilled and unskilled workers in Manila
and six other towns in the Philippines in 1929 is shown in the
following table, compiled from the report of the Governor General
ol the islands for that year:
T
A V E R A G E CO ST O F L IV IN G P E R D A Y IN S P E C IF IE D C IT IE S A N D TO W N S IN T H F
P H IL IP P IN E S , 1929 1
[One peso—about 50 cents in U. S. currency]
Skilled
C ity or tow n
C ebu..
C otabato
Iloilo_____
L a U nion__
Legaspi____ __ .
M anila, c ity o f.. . .
M indoro. _
Occidental Negros
Oriental Negros _
Average, 1929
Average, 1928
Common
Single
M arried
Single
Pesos
1 31
1 34
1 23
1 23
1 40
1. 57
1 28
1.29
1.04
■ Pesos
O oZ
fiO
Z.
9z. A
oyO
9 0/
Q7
Z.
9Z. O
kq
u
9Z. DO
KQ
9 g4
9. 01
£1
Z
9Z . oo
GQ
9. Q
Z
U<Q
7
Pesos
0. 85
1.10
1.50
1.08
.96
.97
Pesos
2.11
2. 35
2. 25
2. 01
2.16
2. 1/
1. 92
2.13
1. 82
1.30
02
___ __2__
1.05
2.10
1 14
9 Q9
'
_____
..
1. 07
M arried
1.79
1 E stim ated b y deputies of the Philippine Bureau of Labor.
It will be noted that the average cost of living was considerably
higher in 1929 than in the preceding year. This is reported as due
principally to generally higher prices of rice. Other items of the
lamdy budget showed slight changes.
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[1481]
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
S ta tistic s of Im m ig r a tio n for M arch, 1931
By J. J.
K u n n a , C h i e f S t a t is t ic ia n U n it e d S t a t e s B u r e a u o f I m m ig r a t io n
monthly statistics for March, 1931, show an increase in
the inward movement of both aliens and citizens as compared
T HE
with the previous month. In March, 16,344 aliens were admitted to
the United States and 34,861 American citizens returned, as against
12,212 and 27,508, respectively, for February.
During March, 597 aliens were refused admission to the United
States, 509 having been turned back at points along the Canadian
and the Mexican borders and 88 at the seaports of entry. _ Of the
latter number only 48 were rejected at New hork, at which port
nearly four-fifths of the aliens from overseas landed. About 5 out of
every 1,000 alien applicants for admission at New York this month
were denied admission.
Undesirable aliens deported from the United States numbered
1,726 for the month of March, 1931. The average number of deporta
tions for the nine months ended March 31, 1931, was 1,440, compared
with 1,354 for the same months a year ago. Of the 1,726 aliens
deported during March last, 674 were sent to Mexico, 172 to Canada,
790 to European countries, principally Great Britain, Scandinavia,
Germany, Yugoslavia, Poland, and Italy; 32 to China and other
Asiatic countries; and 58 to other countries. Over one-third of these
March deportees came from Mexico, 678 having entered the United
States via the southern land border, while 493 crossed via the Cana
dian border; 438 landed at Atlantic seaports, 78 at Gulf of Mexico
ports, and 39 at Pacific ports. Nearly three-fourths of the deportees
who entered the country at Atlantic ports came in via New York, 327
landing at that port. The same port saw the departure of 712 of the
March deportees; and of the remainder, 86 left from other points
along the Atlantic, 77 departed from Gulf of Mexico ports, 149 from
Pacific ports, and 702 departed to Canada or Mexico over the inter
national land borders.
216
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[1482]
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
217
IN W A R D A N D O U T W A R D P A S S E N G E R M O V E M E N T F R O M JU L Y 1, 1930, TO M A R C H
31, 1931
In w ard
Period
1930
J u ly -------------A ugust___Septem ber___
October _ _ __
N ovem ber___
D ecem ber___
1931
Jan u a ry _____
F e b ru a ry . . . .
M arch _______
Aliens ad m itted
U nited
States T otal
N
on
citizens
Im m i im m i T otal
arrived
grant grant
13,323
14,816
17, 792
13,942
9, 209
6, 439
16,466
19, 724
29, 359
23, 304
13, 032
9, 939
O utw ard
Aliens
Aliens
de
de
Aliens departed
U nited
barred
p orted
from
after
citi
en ter
la n d
zens T otal ing 2
ing i E m i Nongrant emi T otal
de
grant
parted
29, 789
34, 540
47,151
37, 246
22, 241
16,378
38,822 68, 611
69,957 104, 497
80, 900 128,051
40, 702 77,948
22,381 44,622
28,535 44, 913
881
837
929
854
734
806
4, 818
5, 245
5,100
5, 352
4,951
5, 450
55, 366 82, 772
88, 372 122,783
56, 526 86, 230
32,988 61, 278
24,420 48, 656
21,140 44,193
1,440
1, 208
1, 552
1, 526
1, 405
1, 377
4, 091 8, 724 12, 815
3,147 9,065 12, 212
3, 577 12, 767 16, 344
19,844 32, 659
27,508 39, 720
34,861 51,205
693
689
597
4, 397 17,169 21, 566 24,885 46,451
4,720 16,170 20,890 33,172 54,062
4,693 12, 751 17,444 32, 278 49, 722
1, 517
1, 210
1, 726
T o tal__ 86, 336 142, 380 228, 716 363, 510 592, 226
22, 588
29, 166
24, 604
22, 938
19, 285
17, 603
27, 406
34, 411
29, 704
28, 290
24, 236
23,053
7,020 44, 726 182,274 227,000 369,147596,147 12,961
1 These aliens are no t included among arrivals, as th e y were not p erm itted to enter the U nited States
2 These aliens are included among aliens departed, th ey having entered the U nited States, legally or
illegally, and later being deported.
M igration o f P h ilip p in e Labor to H aw aii, 1925 to 1929
accompanying table shows the migration of Filipinos to and
from Hawaii for five years, 1925 to 1929.1
T HE
F IL IP IN O E M IG R A N T S G O IN G T O A N D R E T U R N IN G F R O M H A W A II, 1925 TO 1929
Going to H aw aii
R eturning from H aw aii
Year
M en
W omen
M inors
Total
M en
Women
M inors
T o tal
1925________________
1926________________
1927________________
1928________________
1929_______________
6,104
2, 977
9,784
9,026
8,189
256
160
120
153
134
159
219
170
143
46
6,519
3,356
10, 074
9, 322
8,369
2,183
2, 562
2,410
3, 968
3,402
264
348
510
379
241
307
480
645
492
348
2,754:
3,390
3,565
4,8393; 991
T o tal_________
36,080
823
737
37, 640
14, 525
1,742
2,272
18,539
1 Philippine Islands. D ep artm en t of Commerce and Com m unications.
Industry . Statistical b ulletin, 1929. M anila, 1930, p. 78.
58720°—31
-15
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1483]
B ureau of Commerce and
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
O fficial— U n ited S ta te s
C o l o r a d o .—Coal
D en ver, 193 1 .
Mine Inspection Department.
E ig h te e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t, 1 9 8 0 .
5 6 p p . ; f o ld e r .
Includes data on fatal and nonfatal accidents, number of employees, and
production, and a directory of the coal mines of the State showing type of mine,
ventilation, etc.
M a r y l a n d .-—Industrial Accident Commission.
S ix te e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t, f o r th e
y e a r N o v e m b e r 1 , 1 9 2 9 , to O c to b e r 3 1 , 1 9 3 0 .
B a ltim o r e , [ 1 9 3 1 1 ],
4 4 VP-
D ata taken from this report, showing the operations of the State workmen’s
compensation act, are given in this issue.
M i s s o u r i . —Board for Vocational Education.
B u l l e t i n N o . 2 2 : R e p o r t [ f o r th e
p e r io d ] b e g in n in g J u l y 1 , 1 9 2 8 , a n d e n d in g J u n e 8 0 , 1 9 3 0 . J e f f e r s o n C i t y , 1 9 3 0 .
8 1 p p . ; f o l d e r s , m a p s , c h a r ts , U lu s .
Evening schools for adult farmers are reported as an outstanding feature in
the vocational education program of Missouri, the classes "last year” having a
total enrollment of 4,381, of whom 2,933 were men and 1,448, women.
N e v a d a .— Commissioner of Labor.
B i e n n i a l r e p o r t, 1 9 2 9 —1 9 3 0 .
C a rso n C ity ,
1931.
38 pp.
Data from this report, relating to wages in mining camps and activities of fee
charging employment agencies, are given in this issue.
N e w J e r s e y .— Commission to Investigate the Employment of Migratory Chil
dren in the State of New' Jersey. R e p o r t. T r e n to n , 1 9 3 1 . 1 3 1 p p . ; m a p s ,
i l lu s .
N
Reviewed in this issue.
e w Y o r k . —Committee on Stabilization of Industry for the Prevention o f
Unemployment. L e s s u n e m p lo y m e n t th r o u g h s t a b i l i z a ti o n o f o p e r a tio n s :
R e p o r t to G o v e r n o r, N o v e m b e r , 1 9 3 0 .
A l b a n y , [ 1 9 3 1 1 ].
9 6 p p . , c h a r ts .
Part I of this report was summarized in the January, 1931, issue of the Labor
Review. Part II gives in some detail the experience of various firms in grappling
with seasonal fluctuations in employment.
O r e g o n .— Emergency Employment Commission.
U n e m p lo y m e n t i n O r e g o n .
S a le m , 1 9 3 1 .
31 p p .
P e n n s y l v a n i a .— Department of Labor and Industry.
S p e c ia l B u lle tin N o . 5 :
L a w s a d m in is te r e d b y th e D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r y .
H a r r is b u r g ,
1930.
1 7 4 PP-
A revision of the pamphlet entitled "Labor Laws” issued by the Pennsylvania
department in 1925. The present bulletin contains all amendments and new
legislation passed by the State legislature in 1927 and 1929.
------------- S p e c i a l B u l l e t i n N o . 3 2 : U n io n s c a le o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , 1 9 2 8 —
1929.
I s s u e d b y th e B u r e a u o f S t a t i s t i c s .
P h i l i p p i n e I s l a n d s .-—Department
H a r r is b u r g , 1 9 3 1 .
126 pp.
of Commerce and Communications.
Bureau
of Commerce and Industry.
1929.
M a n ila , 1 9 3 0 .
S t a t i s t i c a l B u l l e t i n o f th e P h i l i p p i n e I s l a n d s ,
2 8 9 p p . , c h a r ts .
Data from this report, relating to accidents, labor disputes, hours of labor in
Manila, salaries in the civil service, and migration of Philippine labor to Hawaii,
are given in this issue.
218
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1484]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
P h i l i p p i n e I s l a n d s . — Governor General.
A n n u a l r e p o r t, 1 9 2 9 .
1 9 3 1 . 2 5 7 p p . ( H o u s e D o c . N o . 6 6 5 , 7 1 s t U . S . C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .)
219
W a s h in g to n ,
Includes the reports of the heads of departments of the Philippine government
for the calendar year 1929. Data from the report of the Philippine Bureau of
Labor relating to cost of living, factory inspection, and woman and child labor,
are given in this issue of the review.
T e x a s .— Industrial Accident Board. R e p o r t, f r o m S e p te m b e r 1 , 1 9 2 8 , to A u g u s t
31, 1930.
[ A u s tin , 1 9 3 0 ? ]
7 p p . , m im e o g r a p h e d .
Reviewed in this issue.
U t a h .— Industrial Commission. [ B i e n n ia l r e p o r t, J u l y 1 , 1 9 2 8 , to J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 3 0 .]
B u l l e t i n N o . 4 : R e p o r ts o f th e m in e , f a c t o r y , a n d la b o r i n s p e c to r s a n d o f th e w a g e
c o lle c tio n d e p a r tm e n t.
[ S a lt L a k e C ity , 1 9 3 0 ? ]
171 p p .
Data relating to wages of miners and wage collections, taken from this publica
tion, are given in this issue.
W i s c o n s i n .— Industrial
1931: 55 pp.
Commission.
B ie n n ia l
r e p o r t,
1 9 2 8 -1 9 3 0 .
M a d is o n
The commission reports that the legislature has taken note of the fact that
certain types of agricultural work, such as the harvesting of sugar beets, cherries,
and cranberries, have become specialized in form, taking on many of the character
istics of factory work. Accordingly, the industrialized agriculture law was
passed, empowering the commission to regulate conditions under which children
may be employed in such work. Under the terms of this law the commission has
passed orders regulating the employment of children in sugar-beet fields.
The State-controlled apprenticeship system has been carried on along its usual
lines. On August 1, 1930, there were 3,350 live apprenticeship contracts on file.
During the two years covered by the report, 1,420 new indentures were entered
into and 654 apprentices received diplomas, indicating the accomplishment of an
apprenticeship averaging four years.
“ Since 1915, when the present apprenticeship law was adopted, a total of 2,567
indentured apprentices completed their terms of training.”
W y o m i n g .— Workmen’s Compensation Department.
F o u r te e n th r e p o r t, J a n u a r y
1 to D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 1 9 2 9 .
F o u r th r e p o r t, C o a l M i n e C a ta s tr o p h e I n s u r a n c e
P r e m i u m F u n d ; S e v e n th r e p o r t, W y o m in g P e a c e O ffic e rs’ I n d e m n i t y F u n d .
S h e r id a n , 1 9 3 0 . 1 5 6 p p .
Reviewed in this issue.
U n i t e d S t a t e s .— Congress.
Senate. D o c u m e n t N o . 3 0 9 (7 1 s t C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) :
V o c a tio n a l e d u c a tio n i n th e U n ite d S ta te s .
T h e p r o g r a m o f c o o p e r a tio n o f th e
F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t w ith th e S ta te s i n v o c a tio n a l e d u c a tio n a n d v o c a tio n a l
r e h a b ilita tio n o f th e d is a b le d .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
30 pp.
This report is based upon the researches of the Federal Board for Vocational
Education and the President’s Emergency Committee for Employment.
R e p o r t N o . 1 2 6 4 (7 1 s t C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) : D r o u g h t r e lie f a r id u n e m
p lo y m e n t— L a F o lle tte r e s o lu tio n .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
152 pp.
-------------- --—-—
R e p o r t N o . 1 5 1 9 ( 7 1 s t C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) : I n c o r p o r a tio n o f c r e d it
u n io n s i n th e D i s t r i c t o f C o lu m b ia .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
9 pp.
------ ------ ------ Committee on Education and Labor.
H e a r in g o n S . 3 9 6 9 (7 1 s t C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) , J a n u a r y
1931.
V o c a tio n a l e d u c a tio n .
7, 1 9 3 1 .
W a s h in g to n ,
52 pp.
------ ■— ---------- Committee on the District of Columbia. C r e d it u n io n s a n d
s m a ll lo a n s .
H e a r in g s o n S . 4 7 7 5 a n d S . 5 6 2 9 . ( 7 1 s t C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) , J a n u a r y
23, 1931.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
74 PP•
------ Department of Agriculture.
C ir c u la r N o . 1 5 9 : E x te n s io n w o r k i n c o o p e r a
tiv e m a r k e tin g , b y B . B . D e r r ic k .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
39 pp.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[14S51
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
220
U n i t e d S t a t e s .— Department of Commerce.
I n s t i t u t i o n a l c o n s tr u c tio n — a n
a v e n u e to e m p lo y m e n t.
A s e r ie s o f r a d io a d d r e s s e s b y n a tio n a l le a d e r s o n th e
c o n s tr u c tio n , r e p a i r , a n d im p r o v e m e n t o f c h u rc h e s , sc h o o ls, c o lleg es, u n iv e r s itie s ,
h o s p ita ls , a n d s i m i l a r i n s t i t u t i o n s , g iv e n u n d e r th e a u s p ic e s o f th e P r e s i d e n t ’s
E m e r g e n c y C o m m itte e f o r E m p lo y m e n t.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
20 pp.
------------- -
P o lic ie s a n d p r a c tic e s f o r th e s t a b i l i z a ti o n o f e m p lo y m e n t i n r e ta il e s ta b
lis h m e n ts .
P r e p a r e d f o r th e P r e s i d e n t ’s E m e r g e n c y C o m m itte e f o r E m p l o y
m e n t.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
6 pp.
Reproduced in this issue.
------Department of Labor.
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
L a b o r c o n d itio n s i n th e T e r r ito r y o f H a w a i i , 1 9 2 9 - 1 9 3 0 .
129 pp.
B u lle tin N o . 5 3 4 :
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
------------- Women’s Bureau.
B u lle tin N o . 8 3 :
F lu c tu a tio n o f e m p lo y m e n t i n
th e r a d io i n d u s t r y , b y C a r o lin e M a n n in g .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
6 3 p p ., c h a r ts .
Reviewed in this issue.
------ Federal Board for Vocational Education.
sc h o o ls.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 0 .
D ir e c to r y o f tr a d e a n d i n d u s t r i a l
370 pp.
Includes all trade and industrial schools in the United States which were
federally aided in the year ending June 30, 1929.
------Federal Farm Board. B u l l e t i n N o . 6 : C o o p e r a tio n i n A g r ic u ltu r e — a se le c te d
a n d a n n o ta te d b ib lio g r a p h y w ith s p e c ia l r e fe r e n c e to m a r k e tin g , p u r c h a s in g , a n d
c r e d it.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
113 pp.
O fficial— F oreign C ou n tries
A u s t r a l i a .— Bureau o f Census and Statistics.
O ffic ia l y e a r b o o k o f th e C o m m o n
w e a lth o f A u s t r a l i a , N o . 2 3 , 1 9 3 0 .
M e lb o u r n e , [1 9 3 1 ? ]. x x x ii, 8 0 5 p p . ;
m a p s , c h a r ts .
Includes statistics on retail and wholesale prices, wages, hours of labor, pro
duction, employment, industrial disputes, workers’ and employers’ organizations,
and child labor.
C a n a d a .— Department of Labor.
T w e n tie th a n n u a l r e p o r t o n la b o r o r g a n iz a tio n
i n C a n a d a ( f o r th e c a le n d a r y e a r 1 9 3 0 ) .
O tta w a , 1 9 3 1 .
254 pp.
Data from this publication, relating to membership of labor organizations,
tracle-union benefits, and labor journals, are given in this issue.
G r e a t B r i t a i n .— Ministry of Labor.
T w e n tie th a b s tr a c t o f la b o r s t a tis tic s o f
th e U n ite d K i n g d o m .
London, 1931.
205 pp.
( C m d . 3 8 3 1 .)
Includes statistics on employment, unemployment, and unemployment insur
ance; wages and hours of labor; profit sharing and copartnership; wholesale
and retail prices and cost of living; strikes and lockouts; trade-unions and
federations; cooperative societies, friendly societies, and building societies;
national health insurance; old-age pensions; industrial accidents and diseases,
and workmen’s compensation; poor-law relief ; migration; and cost of buildings.
G r e a t e r S h a n g h a i .— Bureau of Social Affairs. I n d u s t r i a l d i s p u t e s (n o t i n
c lu d in g s tr ik e s a n d lo c k o u ts ) , G r e a te r S h a n g h a i, 1 9 2 9 .
G r e a te r S h a n g h a i
[1 9 3 0 ? ].
V a r io u s p a g in g ,
( i n C h in e s e a n d E n g lis h .)
The chief matters in dispute in the 372 cases covered in this report were, in
order of importance, hiring and dismissal, collective agreement, suspension of
business and closing down of establishments, and wrages.
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r O f f i c e .— S tu d ie s a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s D ( w a g e s a n d h o u r s
o f w o r k ) , N o . 1 9 : W a g e s a n d r e g u la tio n o f c o n d itio n s o f la b o r i n th e U . S . S . R . ,
by S . Z a g o rsk y.
G eneva, 1 9 8 0 .
212 pp.
O s l o ( N o r w a y ) . — Statistiske
O s lo , 1 9 3 1 .
109 pp.
Kontor.
S ta tis tis k
ârb o k
fo r
O s lo
b y .,
1930.
Contains statistics relating to various conditions and affairs of the city of
Oslo during 1930, including public health, occupations, cost of living, wages,
employment, and unemployment.
[1486]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
S w e d e n .— Kommerskollegium.
102 pp.
I n d u s t r i b e r a tte ls e f o r d r 1 9 2 9 .
221
S to c k h o lm , 1 9 3 1 .
Contains a summary review of the industrial developments in Sweden during
1929, including employment in various industries and their branches.
•------ [Socialdepartementet.]
dr 1928.
Socialstyrelsen.
S to c k h o lm , 1 9 3 0 .
K o o p e r a tiv v e r k s a m h e t i S v e r ig e ,
[ V a r i o u s p a g i n g .]
Detailed statistics of the consumers’, milk distribution, restaurant, and workers’
productive societies. There is a resume in French, as well as an explanation, in
that language, of the tabular matter.
U nofficial
A m e r i c a n L a b o r Y e a r B o o k , 1931.
B y th e L a b o r R e s e a r c h D e p a r tm e n t o f th e
R a n d S c h o o l o f S o c ia l S c ie n c e .
V o l. X I I .
N e w Y o rk , R a n d S ch o o l P re s s,
1931.
337 pp.
A m e r i c a n M a n a g e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n . P e r s o n n e l S e r ie s 1 2 : M e th o d s o f m i n i
m i z i n g th e effe ct o f b u s in e s s d e p r e s s io n o n th e w o r k in g f o r c e s , b y E r n e s t G .
D r a p e r a n d E le a n o r I I . P a r k .
N e w Y o r k , 2 0 V e s e y S tr e e t, 1 9 3 1 .
30 pp.
C a l i f o r n i a , U n i v e r s i t y o f . Heller Committee for Research in Social Eco
nomics. C o s t o f L iv in g S t u d i e s , I V : S p e n d i n g w a y s o f a s e m is k ille d g r o u p .
A s t u d y o f th e in c o m e s o f 9 8 s tr e e t- c a r m e n 's f a m i l i e s i n th e S a n F r a n c is c o B a y
r e g io n .
B e r k e le y , C a lif ., 1 9 3 1 .
( U n iv e r s ity o f C a lif o r n ia P u b lic a tio n s in
E c o n o m ic s , v o l. 5 , N o . 5 , p p . 2 9 5 - 3 6 6 .)
Reviewed in this issue.
C a l l c o t t , M a r y S t e v e n s o n . C h ild la b o r le g is la tio n i n N e w Y o r k : T h e h is
to r ic a l d e v e lo p m e n t a n d th e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e p r a c tic e s o f c h ild la b o r la w s i n th e
S ta te o f N e w Y o r k , 1 9 0 5 —1 9 3 0 .
N e w Y o r k , M a c m il l a n C o ., 1 9 3 1 .
267 pp.
(.A m e r ic a n S o c ia l P r o g r e s s S e r ie s .)
C arm an, H arry J.
S o c i a l a n d e c o n o m ic h is to r y o f th e U n ite d S ta te s .
I . F rom
h a n d ic r a f t to f a c t o r y , 1 5 0 0 to 1 8 2 0 .
B o s to n , N e w Y o r k , e tc ., D . C . H e a th &
C o ., 1 9 3 0 .
6 1 6 p p . ; m a p s , c h a r ts , i l l u s .
C o l l m a n , C h a r l e s A l b e r t . O u r m y s te r io u s p a n ic s , 1 8 3 0 - 1 9 3 0 : A s to r y o f
e v e n ts a n d th e m e n in v o lv e d .
N e w Y o r k , W i l l i a m M o r r o w & C o ., 1 9 3 1 .
310 pp.
D e M i c h e l i s , G i u s e p p e . L a d i s o c c u p a z io n e o p e r a i a : U n a m ig lio r e d i s tr ib u z io n e d e lla p o p u l a z i o n e d e lla te r r a e d e i c a p i t a l i .
R o m e , C a r lo C o lu m b o , 1 9 3 1 .
28 pp.
Remarks on unemployment by the author at the meeting of the International
Labor Office, at Geneva, January 27 and 31, 1931.
F a m il y W e l f a r e A s s o c ia t io n o f A m e r i c a .
T h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f r e l ie f i n
u n e m p lo y m e n t e m e r g e n c ie s , c o m p ile d b y M a r g a r e t E . R ic h .
N ew Y ork, 130
E a s t T w e n ty - s e c o n d S tr e e t, 1 9 3 1 .
28 pp.
------
C a r e o f th e h o m e le ss i n u n e m p lo y m e n t e m e r g e n c ie s : S u g g e s tio n s f o r a c o m
m u n i t y p r o g r a m , c o m p ile d b y H a r r ie t E . A n d e r s o n a n d M a r g a r e t E . R ic h .
N e w Y o r k , 1 3 0 E a s t T w e n ty - s e c o n d S tr e e t [1 9 3 1 ? ]. 2 9 p p .
G e n e v a R e s e a r c h I n f o r m a t i o n C o m m i t t e e . G e n e v a S p e c i a l S tu d ie s , V o l. I I ,
N o . 3 , M a r c h , 1 9 3 1 : U n e m p lo y m e n t a s a n i n te r n a tio n a l p r o b le m .
G e n e v a , Jf
R u e d e M o n th o u x , 1 9 3 1 .
30 pp.
G o v e r n m e n t a l R e s e a r c h A s s o c i a t i o n . P r o c e e d in g s , n in e te e n th a n n u a l m e e tin g ,
C le v e la n d , O h io , N o v e m b e r 1 0 - 1 2 , 1 9 3 0 .
N e w Y o r k C ity , 2 6 1 B r o a d w a y ,
[ 1 9 3 1 ? ].
102 pp.
The subjects of the addresses included the Cincinnati plan for relieving unem
ployment, pensions and retirement systems, and personnel administration.
H e in r ic h , H . W .
I n d u s t r i a l a c c id e n t p r e v e n tio n — a s c ie n tif ic a p p r o a c h .
Y o r k a n d L o n d o n , M c G r a w - H i l l B o o k C o ., 1 9 3 1 .
366 pp.
Reviewed in this issue.
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[1487]
N ew
222
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
J o h n s o n , A l b e r t A. P a s t ,
fo rm e r R u s s ia n E m p ir e \.
p r e s e n t, f u t u r e p r o g r e s s i n th e S o v ie t
S p r in g f ie ld , M a s s ., 1 9 3 1 . 5 2 c h a r ts .
U n io n
[th e
The subjects covered in this volume, composed entirely of charts, include wages,
employment, unemployment relief, and production in various industries.
N a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e o n C i t y P l a n n i n g . P la n n i n g p r o b le m s o f to w n , c i t y ,
a n d r e g io n .
P a p e r s a n d d is c u s s io n s a t th e tw e n ty - s e c o n d n a tio n a l c o n fe re n c e
o n c i t y p la n n in g , h e ld a t D e n v e r , C o lo ., J u n e 2 3 —2 6 , 1 9 3 0 P h i l a d e l p h i a , W m . F .
F e ll C o ., 1 9 3 0 .
239 pp.
N a t i o n a l I n d u s t r i a l C o n f e r e n c e B o a r d ( I n c .).
A p ic tu r e o f w o r ld e c o n o m ic
c o n d itio n s a t th e b e g in n in g o f 1 9 3 1 .
N e w Y o r k , 2J+7 P a r k A v e n u e , 1 9 3 1 .
350 pp.
Contains a general review of the recent economic conditions and tendencies,
including those pertaining to labor, in various countries at the beginning of 1931.
N a t io n a l S a f e t y C o u n c il .
1930.
9 1 p p . , c h a r ts .
I n d u s t r i a l a c c id e n t s t a t i s t ic s , 1 9 3 0 e d itio n .
C h ic a g o ,
Data on the accident experience of establishments reporting to the National
Safety Council, taken from this publication, are given in this issue of the Labor
Review.
N a t i o n a l U r b a n L e a g u e . Department of Industrial Relations.
H ow un em
p lo y m e n t a ffe c ts n e g ro e s.
A s ta te m e n t c o v e r in g p r i n c i p a l c itie s i n th e N a t i o n
a n d b a s e d u p o n in f o r m a tio n s u p p l i e d b y p e r s o n s i n d a i l y c o n ta c t w ith e m p lo y
m e n t p r o b le m s .
N e w Y o rk , 1 1 3 3 B r o a d w a y , 1 9 3 1 .
41 p p . , m im e o g r a p h e d .
Reviewed in this issue.
P a g e , K ir b y .
387 pp.
A n e w e c o n o m ic o r d e r .
N e w Y o r k , H a r c o u r t, B r a c e & C o ., 1 9 3 0 .
R u s s e l l S a g e F o u n d a t i o n . S a l a r i e s a n d v a c a tio n s i n f a m i l y c a s e w o r k i n 1 9 2 9 ,
b y R a lp h G . H u r l i n .
N e iv Y o r k , 1 9 3 0 .
24 pp.
Reviewed in this issue.
T h o m a s , N o r m a n . A m e r i c a ’s w a y o u t— a p r o g r a m f o r d e m o c r a c y .
M a c m il l a n C o ., 1 9 3 1 .
324 pp-
N ew
Y o rk ,
V e r b a n d S c h w e i z . K o n s u m v e r e i n e (V . S . K . ) , B a s e l . R a p p o r t s et c o m p te s
s u r l ’a c tiv ité d e s o r g a n e s d e l ’u n io n e n 1 9 3 0 .
B a s e l, 1 9 3 1 .
108 pp.
Detailed report of the 1930 activities of the Swiss Cooperative Union and its
constituent societies.
V i t e l e s , M o r r is S.
P s y c h o lo g y i n i n d u s t r y .
N e w Y o rk , P e rs o n n e l R esea rch
F e d e r a tio n , 2 9 W e s t T h i r t y - N i n t h S tr e e t, R e p r i n t a n d C ir c u la r S e r ie s N o . 2 2 .
( R e p r i n t e d f r o m T h e P s y c h o lo g ic a l B u lle tin , vo l. 2 7 , N o . 8 , O c to b er, 1 9 3 0 ,
p p . 5 6 7 - 6 3 5 .)
Reviews publications in the specified field appearing from January 1, 1927,
to June 30, 1930, inclusive. An extended bibliography is appended.
V o c a t i o n a l S e r v i c e f o r J u n i o r s . O p p o r tu n itie s f o r v o c a tin a l tr a i n i n g i n
N e w Y o r k C ity .
N e w Y o r k , 1 2 2 E a s t T w e n ty - f if th S tr e e t, S e p te m b e r , 1 9 3 0 .
96 pp.
As this directory (fifth edition) was compiled primarily for the use of young
persons over 14 years of age, vocational courses in junior high schools have not
been included.
Y a l e U n i v e r s i t y . B u lle tin , T w e n ty - s e v e n th S e r ie s , N o . 1 4 ' I n s t i t u t e o f H u m a n
R e la tio n s .
N e w H aven , A p r il 1, 1931. 59 p p .
According to this report on the research activities of the institute, its industrial
studies for some years to come are to be concentrated around a “ total science”
investigation of the human problems resulting from the introducton of laborsaving methods or machinery.
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