Full text of Monthly Labor Review : March 1927, Volume XXIV, Number 3

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C E R T IF IC A T E
T h is p u b lic a tio n is issu ed p u rs u a n t to th e
p rovisions o f th e s u n d ry civ il a c t (41 S ta ts.
1430) a p p ro v e d M a rc h 4, 1921.

A D D IT IO N A L C O P IE S
OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM
t h e s u p e r in t e n d e n t o f d o c u m en ts

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
AT

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C o n te n ts
Special articles :
Page
Productivity of railroad labor, by Walter H. Dunlap_____________
1-8
Factory labor turnover: Two new monthly indexes, by W. A. Berridge, Brown University and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co____ 9-13
Lunch rooms in industrial establishments______________________ 13-22
Productivity of labor:
Change in molding time required on radial drill bases____________ 23, 24
Industrial relations and labor conditions:
Statistical analysis of the personnel of a silk mill________________ 25-28
Argentina—Recognition of unions____________________________
28
Portuguese East Africa—Agreement concerning recruitment of native
laborers________________________________________________
29
The money side of labor turnover_____________________________ 29, 30
Industrial accidents and hygiene:
Record of industrial accidents in the United States to 1925________31, 32
Coke-oven accidents in the United States during 1925____ ____ _
32-34
Mine accidents due to explosives_____________________________ 34, 35
The safe walkway and the “ fall of man”_______________________35, 36
Cost of accidents in the home________________________________ 36, 37
Bureau of Mines safety labels________________________________ 37, 38
Poisoning from carbon paper_________________________________
38
39
Relation of illumination to efficiency on fine work___________ ___
Housing :
Great Britain—
Housing for rural workers-----------------------------------------------40
Reduction in amount of housing subsidy----------------------------- 40, 41
Cooperation :
Status of building and loan associations, 1924-25________________
42
Condition of labor banks as of December 31, 1926----------------------43
Practicability of use of contract in consumers’ cooperative societies _ 44, 45
Consumers’ cooperation in Canada____________________________
45
Provision for arbitration of disputes between cooperative societies
and their employees-------------------------- -------------------------------46, 47
Workmen’s compensation and social insurance:
Problem of old-age pensions in industry--------------------------------------48-54
Workmen’s compensation legislation as of July 1, 1926------------------ 55, 56
Alabama—Governor’s recommendations regarding workmen’s com­
pensation law____________________________
56
Texas—Application of compensation law to cities and towns---------- 56, 57
Recent compensation reports—•
California_____________________________________________57-59
Connecticut------ ----------- -----------------------------------------------59, 60
Idaho________________________________________________ 60> 61
Iowa_________________________________________________ 61, 62
Pennsylvania__________________________________________ 62, 63
Great Britain—Amount paid in unemployment benefits---------------63
Japan—Health-insurance law becomes effective-------------------------- 64-68
Labor laws and court decisions:
Union rules discriminating against outside contractors--------- -------- 69, 70
Injury arising out of and in course of employment: Construction of
accident-insurance policy under Oregon statute----------------------- 70, 71

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h i

IV

C O N TE N T S

Industrial disputes:
Page
Strikes and lockouts in the United States in January, 1927________72-74
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in January, 1927___ 74-76
Wages and hours of labor:
Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1926_____ 77-86
Entrance wage rates for common labor, January, 1927___________ 86-88
Wage rates and hours established by recent agreements.^_________89-94
New York—Average weekly earnings in factories, 1914 to 1926____ 94, 95
95
Argentina—Prohibition of night work in bakeries_______________
Brazil—Wages in Parahyva, 1925 and 1926___ _______ _________
96
Trend of employment:
Employment in selected manufacturing industries in January, 1927_ 97-107
Employment and pay-roll totals on Class I railroads, December, 1925,
and November and December, 1926_________________________
108
State reports on employment—
California_________________ _____ __________ _________ 109, 110
Illinois----------------------------------------------- -------------------- 111, 112
Iowa----------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------- 113, 114
Maryland_____________________________________________
114
Massachusetts________________________________________
115
New York---------------------------------------------------------------- 116, 117
Oklahoma____________________________________________
118
Wisconsin____________________________________ ______ 118, 119
Uruguay—Activity of employment offices, 1920 to 1924__________
120
Wholesale and retail prices:
Retail prices of food in the United States_____________________ 121-142
Retail prices of coal in the United States_____________________ 142-145
Index numbers of wholesale prices in January, 1927___________ 145-147
Wholesale prices in the United States and in foreign countries, 1913
to 1926----147-149
Mexico—Retail prices in Mexico City, 1923 to 1926_____________
150
Labor agreements, awards, and decisions:
Labor agreements—
Bus operators—Bayonne, N. J ___________________________
151
Cloak makers—New York City________________________ 151, 152
Machinists__________________________________________ 152, 153
Shirt workers—New York City___________________________
153
Upholsterers—Boston___________________________________
153
Awards and decisions—
American Railway Express Co__________________________ 154, 155
Ladies' garment workers—Cleveland______________________
155
Railroads—Decisions of Train Service Boards of Adjustment- 155-157
Immigration and emigration:
Statistics of immigration for December, 1926_______
158-164
Activities of State labor bureaus:
California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachu­
setts, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin______
165
Changes in personnel_____________________________
165
Current notes of interest to labor:
Physical examination of workers______________________________
166
Bibliography:
Workers’ leisure—A selected list of references, compiled by Laura A.
Thompson________________________________
167-177
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States..-;_________________________________ 178-180
Official—Foreign countries_________________________________ 180, 181
Unofficial___ ___________________________________________ 181-184

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T h is Issu e in B rief
The 'productivity of railroad labor in the United States, m easured by
the average num ber of traffic units per employee, has increased about
40 per cent since 1915 and about 150 per cent since 1890. M oreover,
these increases have been alm ost uninterrupted, as indicated by the
tables and charts. See page 1.
A labor turnover index is novo being compiled monthly fo r 175 manu­
facturing companies employing about 800,000 wage earners. For the
m onth of December, 1926, the accession rate was 27.1 and the total
separation rate 30.6. The to ta l separation rate was m ade up of a vol­
u n tary q uit rate of 20.0, a lay-off rate of 7.1, and a discharge rate
of 3.5. Page 9.
Lunch rooms have become an established feature of most industrial
establishments. In a survey recently m ade by the B ureau of Labor
Statistics it was found th a t 303 of 430 establishm ents had lunch
rooms. The cafeteria is by far the m ost popular form of service.
Prices are usually very reasonable, as there is seldom any a ttem p t at
profit and in m any cases the service is rendered a t a loss. A num ber
of companies employ a dietitian to supervise the selection, prepara­
tion, and service of the food. Page 13.
Wages in the boot and shoe industry in the United States were slightly
higher in 1926 th an in 1924. Com pared w ith 1913, hours per week
in 1926 were 11.4 per cent lower, earnings per hour 118.3 per cent
higher, and full-tim e earnings per week 93.9 per cent higher. De­
tailed d a ta from the recent survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
are given on page 77.
The pension systems maintained by private employers can not be
relied upon to solve the problems of old-age dependency, according to
the research director of the Pennsylvania Old Age Pension Commis­
sion, who concludes, after a careful study of these systems, th a t
they are m ad equate in scope, th a t in a m ajority of instances their
financial position is insecure, th a t their cost makes them alm ost
impossible as a perm anent policy for m ost employers, and th a t they
do no t even accomplish the results hoped for in the way of improving
the relations between employers and employees. Page 48.
The fatal accidents in the home amount to no less than 17,000 per year,
alm ost equal to the num ber of autom obile fatalities. M ore than
one-third of the fatal home accidents involve children under 15,
while one-fourth involve people over 65. O ne-tenth of the domestic
accidents are due to falls, one-tenth to burns, and one-tenth to
drowning. Page 36.
Accidents at colce ovens in 1925 were fewer in relation to num ber of
persons employed th an in any preceding year for which figures are
available, according to the latest report on the subject by the United
States Bureau of Mines. The fatality rate was the same as in 1924,
the lowest ever attained. The nonfatal injury rate was lower than
in 1924 and represented the best record to date of report. Page 32.
v

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VI

M O N T H L Y LABOE R E V IE W

More than 200,000 'pieces of mining apparatus and equipment now
in use in the mines of the United States bear the U nited States
Bureau of M ines seal of approval as to safety, in the form of a safety
label. Included in this equipm ent are m iners' electric cap lamps,
gas masks and self-contained oxj^gen breathing apparatus, elec­
trically driven coal-cutting machines, etc. I t is said th a t it will soon
be possible to obtain approved apparatus for practically every use in
underground coal mining. Page 37.
Building and loan associations in the United States number more
than 12,000, w ith a to tal m embership of alm ost 10,000,000 persons
and total assets of $5,500,000, according to a recent report of the
U nited States League of Local Building and Loan Associations.
Page 42.
Labor banks in the United States had total deposits of $109,000,000
and to tal resources of $127,000,000 a t the end of 1926, according to
a compilation prepared by the Am algam ated Clothing W orkers of
America. Page 43.
The subject of the proper use of leisure, with particular reference to
those employments in which the hours of labor have been decreased
in recent years, has become a much discussed topic. A selected
bibliography is given on page 167.
_ A change in the housing policy of the English Government along two
lines was accomplished by parliam entary action during the autum n
session. The G overnm ent subsidy is to be m aterially reduced for
all houses n o t completed by October 1, 1927, while new subsidies are
to be given for im proving or reconstructing rural buildings which
m ay be used for housing purposes. Page 40.
The Japanese health insurance act, which became effective Ju ly 1,
1926, covers practically all wage earners in mines and factories, and
provides for medical treatm en t and cash benefits am ounting to 60
per cent of the w orker’s daily wTage. The fund is supported by con­
tributions by employers, employees, and the State. Page 6 4 /


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MONTHLY

LABOR REVI EW
OF U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
WASHINGTON

VOL. XXIV, N O . 3

M A R C H , 1927

P r o d u c tiv ity o f R a ilro a d L a b o r
By

W alter

H.

D u nlap,

C. E.

H E productive o u tp u t of railroad labor in the U nited States
has increased about 40 per cent since 1915 and about 150 per
cent since 1890. These figures are the result of a study cover­
ing all employees of Class I railroads in the U nited States based on
num ber of traffic units per employee for the period 1890 to 1915
and num ber of traffic units per “ hour on d u t37” from 1915 to 1926.
Similar figures based on traffic units per m an-hour of train and engine
crews show an increase in productivity of these workers of 33.9
per cent from 1915 to 1926. No a ttem p t is here m ade to determine
the cause of these increases in productivity, nor to allocate the credit
for the increases as between increased efficiency of labor, the intro­
duction of new machines or processes, better m anagem ent, or increased
traffic.

T

Labor Productivity of all Employees and of Train and Engine crews, 1915-1926

1 shows index num bers of traffic units per m an-hour for all
employees and for train and engine crews 1 on Class I line-haul
railroads for each year from the 23^-year base period, July, 1914December, 1916, to 1926. This base period was selected because
the rules for reporting service of employees prescribed by the In te r­
state Commerce Commission were changed as of Ju ly 1, 1914, prior
to which hours were not reported. In the first year under the new
rules (the 1915 fiscal year) about 20 of the larger carriers failed to
report any d ata for employees, and it is felt th a t the d a ta as reported
by the others were not so well and as carefully collected as in succeed­
ing reports. In 1916 the change was made from the fiscal to the
calendar year, thereby giving three full yearly reports covering a
period of 2^2 years.
Traffic units here used as the measure of transportation o utput
are com puted by adding the ton-miles to three times the num ber of
passenger-miles, this being the generally accepted m ethod of com­
bining these two incom m ensurate units in studies dealing with Class I
roads. Figures for the year 1926 are based on returns for the 10
m onths, Jan u ary to October.
1 T rain a n d engine service has been com puted separately, because this work is so directly and closely
related to th e transportation o u tp u t.


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[471]

1

2

M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W

T a b l e 1 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S

O F P R O D U C T IV IT Y O F R A IL R O A D L A B O R IN T H E
U N IT E D S T A T E S , 1915 TO 1926
[Ju ly 1, 1914-Dec. 31, 1916 = 100.0
T rain and engine
crews

All employees
Traffic
units

Y ear ending—

June 30,1915— . .................................................................
June 30, 1916 ________ ________ __________ ______ _
Dec. 31, 1916_____________________________________
Dec, 31, 1917_____________________________________
Dec. 31, 1918_____________________________________
Dec. 31, 1919_____________________________________
Dec. 31, 1920_______________________ ____________
Dec. 31, 1921_________ ____ ______________________
Dec. 31,1922____________________ ____ _____ ______
Dec. 31, 1923_________________________ ______ _____
Dec, 31, 1924_________ _______ ____________ _______
Dec. 31, 1925_________________________ ____ _______
10 m onths, 1926_____ _____________ ______ ________

Traffic H ours on Traffic
H ours on units
per
units per
d u ty
d u ty
m an-hour
m an-hour

86.8
103.6
109. 6
120. 6
125.4
118.3
129. 5
98.4
104.8
123.8
116. 7
122.6
0)

93.6
100.9
105.6
110.6
116.0
102.4
110.8
83.0
85.2
97.6
89. 7
89. 5
0)

92.8
102. 7
103.8
109.0
108. 1
115. 6
116.8
118. 5
123. 0
126.8
130.1
137. 0
140. 5

90.8
101.3
107. 9
115. 7
117. 7
102.3
115.6
84.3
88.2
103. 2
93.5
93.8
(0

95.6
102.2
101.6
104.2
106.6
115.7
112.0
116.7
118.8
119.9
124.9
130.7
134,5

1Index num bers based upon figures representing only a p art of th e y ear’s operations w ould no t be com­
parable w ith those based upon th e entire y ear’s operations. D erivative figures (traffic units per m an­
hour) are exem pt from this restriction.

As shown in the table, the o u tp u t per m an-hour of all employees
increased 40.5 per cent during the 11-year period ending in 1926.
F or train and engine crews alone the increase was 34.5 per cent.

C hart I

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O

T ra ffic U n it s p e r N a n - h o u r
A ll E m p l o y e e s .
1915-1926
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In this connection it m ay be noted th a t one im portant division of
railroad work—th a t commonly known as “ railroad shop w o rk ”—is
n o t im m ediately connected w ith transportation and, indeed, m ay

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[472]

PR O D U C T IV IT Y OF RAILROAD LABOR

3

be farm ed out to outside parties. If this outside contracting practice
had been followed to a greater extent in the later years of the present
study th an in the base period, the labor productivity index for the
later years would be unduly high, for such work would appear in
the reports of the railroads in the expense account b u t not in the
m an-hours worked. A complete analysis on this point is impossible
because of lack of inform ation. Figures of the U nited States Cen­
sus, however, show th a t the num ber of employees of railroad shops,
while fluctuating considerably by census years, shows an increase
from 1914 to 1925 equal a t least to the increase in other classes of
railroad employees. Therefore it is evident th a t the inclusion of
shop employees has not tended to raise the index num bers of all
employees as presented above.

B oth curves on C harts I and I I show a rem arkable record of
steady year-by-year progress in adapting the num ber and effective­
ness of the m an-hours to the traffic offered. T h a t is, when traffic
decreases, m an-hours decrease still more, and when traffic increases,
m an-hours increase a t a slower rate, either event causing the
productivity curve to rise.
Productivity of All Employees, 1890 to 1926

'“FA B LE 2 shows index num bers of productivity of all employees
from 1890 to 1926. I t is based on traffic units per employee
for the period 1890-1914 and traffic units per m an-hour for the
period 1915-1926, hours n o t having been reported prior to 1915.
The justification for this statistical substitution is given on page 8.

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[473]

4

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

The table shows an increase in productivity of 154 per cent in
the 373^ years from Ju ly 1, 1889 to 1926, or an average of 4.1 per
cent per year. In general, the trend of the curve (see C h art III)
is quite smooth from year to year. Productivity, however, increased
faster during the la tte r p a rt of this period th an in the first part,
the rate of increase for the 23 years from Ju ly 1, 1889, to June 30,
1912, being only 2 per cent per year as against 5.1 per cent per year
for the 143^ years from Ju ly 1, 1912 to 1926. D uring the period
ending with December 31, 1925, traffic increased 366.8 per cent, or
10 per cent per year, while m an-hours increased only 88.5 per cent,
or 2.4 per cent per year.
T a b l e 3 .—I N D E X

N U M B E R S O F P R O D U C T IV IT Y O F A L L R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S
IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , 1890 T O 1926

Y ear ending—

June
June
June
June
June
Ju n e
June
June
June
June
Ju n e
Ju n e
June
Ju n e
June
June
June
June
Ju n e

30, 1890. _________
30, 1891 _________
30, 1892___________
30, 1893--..............—3 0 ,1894_ _________
3 0 ,1895_ .................._
30, 1896--......... .........
30,1897_________
30, 1898_____
30,1899_________
30, 1900- ____30,1901- ________
30, 1902- _________
30,1903 _________
30, 1904-. _______
30, 1905___________
30, 1906_ _________
30,1907 _ - .
30, 1908- ______

Traffic M an ­
units hours 1

100.0
104. 9
114.8
122.0
110.2
109.0
120.3
118.0
138.0
149.8
169. 8
178.2
193. 6
211.2
215.0
230.7
260. 7
286. 1
273. 5

100.0
104. 7
109. 6
116.6
104.0
104. 8
110. 3
109. 9
116.7
124.0
135.8
143.0
158. 7
175.2
173.0
184.5
203.0
223. 2
191.7

Traffic
un its
per
m an­
hour
100. 0
100. 2
104.8
104. 6
108. 0
104.0
109.1
107. 4
118. 2
120. 9
125.0
124. 7
122.0
120. 5
124. 3
125. 1
128. 4
128. 2
142. 7

Y ear ending—

Ju n e 30, 1909
Ju n e 30, 1910
Ju n e 30, 1911
Ju n e 30. 1912
Ju n e 30, 1913
Ju n e 30, 1914
Ju n e 30, 1915
June 30, 1916
Dec. 31, 1916
Dec. 31, 1917
Dec. 31, 1918
Dec. 31, 1919
Dec. 31, 1920
Dec. 31. 1921
Dec. 31, 1922
Dec. 31,1923
Dec. 31, 1924
Dec. 31, 1925
10 m o n th s, 1 9 2 6 - - ._____

Traffic
Traffic M an ­ units
units hours 1 per
m an­
hour
273.9
315.0
310. 5
319.4
357. 4
347.8
330.5
394.5
417.2
459.0
477.3
450.4
492.9
374.7
398.8
471.2
444.5
466.8
(2)

200.6
226.8
213. 5
219.2
234.8
218.9
197.1
212.5
222.4
233. 1
244.3
215. 7
233.4
174. 9
179.4
205. 7
189.0
188.5
(2)

136.6
138.9
145.4
145.7
152.2
158.9
167.7
185. 7
187.6
196; 9
195.3
208.8
211. 1
214.2
222.3
229.1
235.1
247. 0
254.0

iM a n -h o u rsfo r th e years 1890-1914 are assum ed to be proportional to num ber of employees
u nder- th e- -heading
an d m
m oan-hours,”
p., 7I .
-----------c> Em ployees
w o c*u.u
u u u u io ,
p
2 ind ex num bers based upo n figures representing th e operations of only a p a rt of the year w ould not be
com parable w ith those
„„„,
lose „„„„„
based u pon th
e entire y e a r’s operations. D erivative figures (traffic units per m aarom th is restriction
^ 1
hour) are exem pt from
restriction.

Basic Data
T"1ABLE 3 gives the actual figures from which the indexes previously
presented have been derived. The sources of the data are shown
m the subsequent explanations of m ethods and sources, and the
short title “ S ta t.” is used in referring to the annual reports of the
In terstate Commerce Commission on the Statistics of Railways in
the U nited States, this being the custom ary abbreviation.


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[474]

Chari III

V

Traffic Units per Man-hour

1926.

PR O D U C T IV IT Y O F RAILROAD LABOR

¡ 850 -

B a s e , ¡8 9 0 = io o .

26o
2SO
240
g 230
to ? ? n
*?

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D 200
e 19o

©

X ISO
■S ,7°
C /6 o
;

150
0 ¿40
/3 °
d / 2o


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

lo o
90

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6

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

T a b l e 3 .—S T A T IS T IC S O F CLASS I R A IL R O A D S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S (L IN E -H A U L

R O A D S O N LY ) J

Y ear ending—

Ju n e 30, 1890__
June 30, 1891__
June 30, 1892....
June 30, 1893....
June 30, 1894. . .
June 30, 1895__
June 30, 1896....
June 30, 1897—
June 30, 1898...
June 30, 1899__
June 30, 1900__
June 30, 1901...
June 30, 1902...
June 30, 1903...
June 30, 1904__
June 30, 1905....
June 30,1906__
June 30, 1907....
June 30, 1908....
June 30, 1909__
June 30, 1910....
June 30, 1911__
June 30, 1912....
June 30, 1913__
June 30, 1914....
June 30,1915__
June 30,1916__
Dee. 31,1916-..
D ec. 31,1917—
Dec. 31,1918....
Dec. 31, 1919....
D ec. 31, 1 9 2 0 D ec. 31, 1921....
Dec. 3 1 ,1 9 2 2 D ec. 31, 1 9 2 3 Dec. 31, 1924—
Dec. 31, 1925—
10 m onths, 1926.

N et
revenue PassenTraffic
tonger-miles
un its
miles
(millions) (millions)
(millions)

76, 207
81, 074
88, 241
93, 588
80, 335
85, 228
95,328
95,139
114, 078
123, 667
141, 597
147, 077
157, 289
173, 221
174, 522
186, 463
215,878
236, 601
218, 382
218, 803
255,017
249, 843
259, 982
297, 723
284,925
273, 913
339,870
362,444
394,465
405, 379
364, 293
410, 306
306, 840
339, 285
412, 727
388, 415
413, 823
367, 064

11.848
12, 044
13,363
14, 229
14, 289
12,188
13, 049
12, 257
13,380
14, 591
16, 038
17,354
19,690

20,916

21, 923
23,800
25,167
27, 719
29,083
29,109
32,338
32, 371
32,316
33, 875
34, 567
31, 790
33, 646
34, 586
39, 477
42, 677
46,358
46.849
37,313
35, 470
37, 957
36,091
35, 950
29, 941

111,751
117,206
128, 330
136, 275
123, 202
121, 792
134, 475
131, 910
154,218
167, 440
189, 711
199,139
216, 359
235, 969
240, 291
257,863
291, 379
319,758
305, 631
306,130
352, 031
346, 956
356, 930
399, 348
388, 626
369, 283
440, 808
466, 202
512, 896
533,410
503, 367
550, 853
418, 779
445, 695
526, 598
496, 688
521, 673
456, 887

All employees

N um ber

749, 301
784, 285
821, 415
873, 602
779,608
785,034
826, 620
823,476
874, 558
928,924
1,017, 653
1,071,169
1,189, 315
1, 312, 537
1, 296,121
1,382,196
1, 521, 355
1, 672, 074
1,436, 275
1, 502,823
1, 699, 420
1, 599,854
1, 642,119
1, 759, 020
1, 640, 029
1,491, 849
1, 599, 158
1, 647, 097
1, 732, 876
1,841, 575
1,913, 422
2,022, 832
1,659, 513
1, 626, 834
1,857, 674
1,751, 362
1, 747, 207
1,783, 298

H ours on
d u ty
(thou­
sands)

4,598,317
4, 957, 655
5,189, 791
5,437, 977
5, 701, 417
5,032, 493
5, 446, 741
4,081, 773
4,186,151
4, 798, 505
4, 410, 451
4, 399,170
3, 756, 287

T rain a nd engine
crews
on
N um ber H ours
d u ty
of em­
(thou­
ployees
sands)

254, 662
288,063
302, 572
332, 539
346, 680
318, 206
339, 201
295, 738
297, 084
337, 228
313, 646
317, 042
323, 835

789, 563
881.194
937, 810
1,006,100
1,023,094
889,551
1,004,974
733.194
766, 785
897,479
812,783
815,689
694, 495

»For explanation of sources and of m ethods, see text im m ediately following this table.

Sources and Methods Used

Roads included.—As already stated, the figures used in the study
represent line-haul roads only, the service of switching and term inal
roads not being included. This does not imply th a t yard and term inal
service is excluded, for the greater p a rt of such work is done by the
line-haul roads.2 Only the roads doing this work exclusively are
excluded. This exclusion has necessitated some adjustm ent of the
figures taken from the m onthly reports and from the 1921 S tat., b u t
has avoided m any adjustm ents th a t would otherwise have been
necessary in the figures for other years. Because of the nature of
their service, switching and term inal roads do not report ton-miles
or passenger-miles, and when m aking derivative figures involving
these units, it is im portant th a t the figures for switching and term inal
roads be included in every one of the years studied, or excluded in
every year.
For the years 1890-1910, the figures represent the operations of all
railroads in the country as taken from Schedule 53 in the 1921 S tat.,
while those for the years 1911-1926 represent Class I roads only
£In th e four years, 1922-1925, th e nu m b er of all employees of Class I, line-haul roads, c o n stituted 98.78
per cent of th a t for all Class I roads, including sw itching a n d term inal companies.


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[476]

PR O D U C T IV IT Y OP RAILROAD LABOR

7

(i. e., roads having annual operating expenses of $1,000,000 or more).
Lim itations of data made this change necessary. As, however,
Class I roads include about 95 per cent of the employees of all roads,
the error thus introduced by the change from all roads to Class I
roads in 1911 can not be very great. B u t there is an error due to the
fact, th a t the Class I roads have a greater traffic density than the
smaller roads and thus the num ber of traffic units per m an-hour is
greater on Class I roads than on the smaller roads. For the five
years 1911-1916 (omitting 1915 as defective) the reports of the
In terstate Commerce Commission give the d a ta necessary for com­
puting these averages for both Class I roads and for all roads. Such
a com putation shows th a t traffic units per employee for all roads were
97.41 per cent of those for Class I roads only. If this relation can be
assumed to have held throughout the period 1890 to 1926, then the
increase in productivity of all employees, if based on all roads only or
on Class I roads only throughout the period 1890-1926, would be
slightly lower than as given in Table 2 (i. e., about 147 per cent
instead of 154 per cent).
Employees and man-hours.—From July 1, 1889, to June 30, 1914,
num ber of employees was reported as of the last day of the fiscal year,
this one count sufficing for the total year. Beginning July 1, 1914,
6 counts per year were taken and since July 1, 1921, 4 counts per
m onth, or 48 counts per year.
Prior to July, 1914, “ total num ber of days w orked” was reported
by the carriers, b u t compilations of these figures by the In terstate
Commerce Commission were published only as average daily com­
pensation of each class of employees, carried to three significant
figures, thus rendering laborious and uncertain the task of computing
yearly totals for days worked. Beginning July, 1914, “ total num ber
of hours on duty during the y e a r” was reported, and from July, 1921,
to the present the reports contain, among other item s, the num ber of
hours of “ straight time actually w orked” and the num ber of hours of
“ overtime paid for,” the sum of which approxim ates the “ hours on
d u ty ” as reported July, 1914-June, 1921. In the present study,
“ hours on d u ty ” have been used, as requiring the fewest num ber
of adjustm ents in the published compilations of the In terstate Com­
merce Commission.
In the 1921 S tat., no combination of the figures published for the
second half year will give figures for hours comparable w ith those for
the first half, and the m onthly wage reports had to be resorted to.
The hours on duty, as computed 3 from the m onthly reports, were
added to the hours in the first half year as taken from the Stat.,
and the sum properly reduced to eliminate switching and terminal
roads.4 The same procedure is necessary for 1922 except th a t the year
is not divided as in 1921. The figures for 1923 and 1926 were computed
from the m onthly reports. The m onthly reports were also the source
for hours on duty of train and engine crews for the second half of 1921,
to which were added those for the first half year taken from the Stat.,
and the sum was reduced to eliminate switching and term inal roads.5
a Sum of straig h t tim e a ctu ally w orked a n d overtim e paid for. D ays of daily paid workers converted to
hours on th e basis of 8 hours per day.
, ,
,
....
4 The percentage of reduction used is 1.326, based on th e fact th a t employees of line-haul roads only cons titu te d 98.674 per cent of those of all Class I roads, including sw itching and term inal roads.
Percentage of reduction used was 1.924, based on th e fact th a t in 1924, hours on d u ty of tra in and engine
crews of line-haul roads only constituted 98.076 per cent of those of all Class I roads including switching
and term in al roads.


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8

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

Figures for 1922, 1923, 1925, and 1926 were computed from the
m onthly reports and reduced to eliminate switching and term inal
roads.
In order to determine the productivity of labor, two series of index
num bers were developed: (1) Traffic units per employee 1890-1926
and (2) traffic units per m an-hour 1915-1926. For a period of four
and one-half years, July, 1914-December, 1918, these two series were
found to be very nearly identical, after which they diverged. The
divergence was due to change in average num ber of hours per day,
and as there was no great change in this respect from 1890 to 1914,
hours for these years have been taken as being proportional to num ber
of employees, thereby perm itting the two series to be combined into
one. This procedure gives conservative results, for the tendency
has been tow ard the shorter, rather than the longer, workday.
Traffic units.—The transportation o u tput of the railroads is meas­
ured by two incommensurable units, ton-miles in freight service and
passenger-miles in passenger service. Freight service is much the
more im portant, the num ber of ton-miles running from eight to eleven
times the num ber of passenger-miles, b u t judging by relative costs,
each passenger-mile requires from 2.54 to 3.86 times as m any m an­
hours as a ton-mile. As only a small percentage of the employees
are directly and exclusively related to either freight or passenger
service, a common m easuring u nit has been devised called the “ traffic
u n i t / ’ th e proportions of ton-miles to passenger-miles composing this
unit being, in the absence of any more reasonable basis, determ ined
on the basis of relative cost. Therefore for the purposes of this
study the u nit of transportation o u tput employed is the traffic unit,
the num ber of traffic units for any period being computed by adding
three times the num ber of passenger-miles to the num ber of ton-miles.
This factor three has been generally used and accepted as an
average value applicable to studies concerning all Class I roads, but
if used for individual roads very untrustw orthy results m ight be
obtained. I t would be preferable to use a separate factor applicable
to each particular year, b u t the necessary d a ta are lacking. How­
ever, the differences tend to compensate each other, for in those years
when the factor as determ ined by cost would approach the 3.86 limit,
the num ber of passenger-miles is com paratively small, and in those
years when it would approach the 2.54 lim it, the num ber of passengermiles is com paratively large, the effect in either case being to equal­
ize the variations to a fairly stable normal. T he use of a constant
value tends to increase the index num ber of productivity in such years
as 1919—1921 and to decrease the index in such years as 1924—1926.
Segregation of expense accounts as between freight and passenger
service does not appear in the Stats, prior to 1915.
Ton-miles.—For measuring the transportation ou tp u t of freight
service, n e t revenue ton-miles are used throughout; th a t is, the weight
of the freight in the cars for which revenue was received. This
excludes the weight of company freight in the cars, and the weight
of the cars themselves which a t times becomes quite an item as when
em pty cars are returned for loads. N et revenue ton-miles were
selected because figures for all years are available in such form as to
require the least am ount of adjustm ent.


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[478]

9

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

F a c to r y L a b o r T u r n o v e r — T w o N ew M o n th ly In d e x e s
By W. A.

B e r r id g e , B r o w n U n iv e r s it y
I n s u r a n c e C o.

and

M

e t r o p o l it a n

L if e

IN C E M ay, 1925, certain Rhode Island m anufacturers have
been reporting on their m onthly labor turnover experience to
the Bureau of Business Research a t Brown University. They
now num ber about 45, and employ about 25,000 wage earners.1 Since
January, 1926, certain national m anufacturers have been reporting,
on a similar schedule, to the M etropolitan Life Insurance Co. In
this investigation the reporting m anufacturers now num ber about 175;
they employ about 800,000 w'age earners,1 or between 8 and 10 per
cent of the to tal num ber employed in American factory industries
according to the censuses of m anufactures. In both cases, the index
num bers form only p a rt of a comprehensive project for measuring,
analyzing, and so far as possible, improving the stability of labor.
The form circulated each m onth calls simply for the following six
item s:

S

1. Total accessions.
2. Total separations:
(a)
Voluntary quits.
(b ) Lay-offs.
(c) Discharges.
3. Average number on pay roll.

The collecting organization then figures, for each reporting m anu­
facturer, the ratio of each of the first five item s to the average num ber
on pay roll. Each of the five resulting sets of rates is then arrayed
in order of m agnitude. After considerable experim ental study of the
distribution thus formed, the central or m edian item was decided
upon as the m ost reliable and significant form of average for the pur­
pose a t hand. The m edian rate successfully controls the influence of
extremely high or low rates, and th a t of companies having unusually
large work forces; it tends to approxim ate the mode or “ norm al” ; it
is easily determ ined; and it seems to avoid some of the difficulties
arising from a changing size of sample (number of reporting com­
panies). The m edian was therefore adopted for all b u t the total
separation rate, which is the sum of the medians for the three com­
ponent rates above specified.
C hart 1 presents a graphic conspectus of the two sets of index
num bers resulting from these investigations—th a t of Brown Uni­
versity (M ay, 1925, through December, 1926) a t the left, th a t of the
M etropolitan Life Co. (January through December, 1926) a t the
right. Although all the curves are plotted a t m onthly intervals, the
ch art is scaled in equivalent annual rates. In each case the full line
represents the total separation rate (ignoring “ m iscellaneous” sepa­
rations). The area beneath the full line is divided to show the chang­
ing composition of the total separation rate—the voluntary q u it rate,
the lay-off rate, and the discharge rate being represented by the three
component areas or zones. The accession rate is shown by the
crossed line.
To study the earlier effects of seasonal and cyclical changes upon
labor turnover experience, each of the indexes is being extended back
to 1919 as rapidly as the collection of returns from representative
i Figures as of early F e b ru a ry , 1927.


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[479]

10

M O N T H L Y LABOE REV IEW

establishm ents makes th a t possible. Thus far, such an extension has
been completed only for the voluntary quit rate. This more extended
picture is shown in C hart 2 for both the national and the Rhode
Island groups.
These two charts and their companion tables present several inter­
esting problems of interpretation; only a p a rt of them can yet be
solved, and a treatm en t of even these is beyond the scope of the pres-

ent descriptive article. Suffice it to say th a t system atic efforts are
being m ade to throw more light upon them by intim ate study of
length of service distribution, sex distribution, plant location, pro­
duction stabilization, personnel policy, and other factors which are
known or supposed to affect labor turnover experience. Such infor­
m ation is already proving highly valuable in interpreting the rela­
tionships between the composite experience m easured by these
indexes and the experience of an individual company or plant.

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[480]

C h a r t 2 .— I n d e x e s

of

V o lu n t a r y Q u it R a te A mong S e l e c t e d F

a c t o r ie s

33892°— 27 ------ 2

-----------U nited States (reporting to M etropolitan Life)
_______R hode Island (reporting to Brow n U niversity)
(M onthly rate on equivalent annual basis)

FACTORY LABOR TURNOVER

[481]

1919

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1920

1921

1922

1023

1924

1925

1926

1927

12

M O N T H L Y LABOE RE V IE W

Among the next steps in the index-num ber section of these investi­
gations is the preparation of corresponding indexes for (a) certain
regional labor m arkets and (5) certain selected industries. Among
the m anufacturers reporting to the M etropolitan Life Insurance C<l
certain well-represented industries will be selected for intensive
analysis. This can not, however, be done for any large num ber of
industries until the num ber of reporting establishm ents is somewhat
larger. P artly with a view to such enlargement, certain properly
equipped local organizations are being invited to cooperate in the
com pany’s undertaking. Before the end of 1927, more inform ation
along this and other lines of attack should be available.
T a b l e 1 .— A V E R A G E T U R N O V E R

R A T E S IN E A C H M O N T H O F 1926 IN S E L E C T E D
A M E R IC A N F A C T O R IE S

[M onthly rate stated on equivalent annual basis ']
R hode Island factories reporting
to B row n U niversity
M o n th
Acces­
sion
rate
1926
Ja n u a ry ____
__ . ________
F e b ru a ry ___ _______________
M a rc h _____ _____ ___ ____
A pril - ___ _ .....................
M a y ______________________
J u n e ______ . . . ___
____
J u ly -----------------------------------A u g u st... . . . . . . . . . . -----Septem ber _______ _ ______
October . _ . . ________ ____
N ovember ____________ ____
D ecember_____________ ____ _

18.8
27.4
54.2
43.8
44.7
26.8
27.1
28.3
53.5
33.0
28.0
22.4

Factories reporting to M etropolitan
Life Insurance,Co.

Total V olun­ L ay ­ D is­
V olun­
Acces­ Total
L ay ­ D is­
sepa­ tary
sepa­ ta ry
off
charge sion ration
off
charge
ration qu it
q u it
rate
rate
rate
rate
rate
rate
rate 2
rate 2 rate

28.3
19.6
38.9
43.8
36. 5
37. 7
25.9
21. 2
29. 2
31.8
20.7
23.6

16.5
15.6
25.9
30.4
20.0
24. 3
18.8
16.5
23.1
23.6
14.6
13.0

8.2
0.0
8.2
4.9
9.4
3.7
2.4
2.4
1.3
4.7
3.7
7.1

3.5
3.9
4.7
8.5
7.1
9. 7
4. 7
2.4
4.9
3.5
2.4
3.5

56. 5
56.1
56. 5
52.3
60.0
57. 2
54.2
65.9
69.4
57.7
40.2
27.1

38.9
40.4
50.6
60.8
50.6
46. 2
53.0
51.8
58.4
43.6
40.2
30.6

27.1
27.4
35.3
46.2
37.7
35. 3
38.9
40.0
47. 5
31.8
25.6
20.0

4.7
6. 5
7.1
6. 1
5.9
6 1
7.1
4. 7
4.9
4.7
8. 5
7.1

7.1
6. 5
8.2
8.5
7.1
4 9
7.1
7.1
6. 1
7.1
6.1
3.5

1T h e an n u al tu rn o v er rates are derived from th e m o n th ly rates b y m u ltiplying each m onthly rate by 365
and dividing b y th e n u m b er of calendar days in th e m o n th represented.
2 A rithm etic sum of last th ree columns.
T a b l e 2 . —A V E R A G E (M E D IA N ) V O L U N T A R Y Q U IT R A T E IN S E L E C T E D F A C T O R IE S

[M onthly rate stated on equivalent a n n u al basis ']
1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

M onth
R hode Islan d factories num bering u p to 40
Jan u a ry ................. .................... ..............
F e b ru a ry _________________________
M arch ...... ................ ................... ...........
A pril____ _______ __________
M a y ___________________
June _____
J u ly ---------------------------------------------A ugust_________________ __________
Septem ber _ ____________
O c to b e r___________________ _____
N ovem ber ______________________
D ecem ber__________ ______________
A v e ra g e ................. ...................

50. 7
80.6
33. 0
50.0
56.6
74.4
54.3
74.3
90.3
86.1
68.3
74.3

76.7
76.9
89.7
117.1
95.6
96.4
87.3
83.5
12Q. 8
50.7
43.9
44.8

21.2
15.6
28.3
30.5
24.8
15.9
14.2
11.8
34.2
18.9
9.8
8.3

11. 8
16.9
15.3
20. 7
18.9
28. 1
23.6
18.9
41.5
37.8
39.0
28.3

38.9
41.6
62.5
112. 2
101.5
80. 5
48.4
44. 8
65.9
53.1
42.7
21.2

15.3
22.7
29.5
35.4
31.9
19.5
14.2
14.2
15.9
20. 1
17.1
13.0

16.5
18.2
24.8
39.0
21.2
25.6
24.8
18.9
31.7
26.0
25.6
14.2

15.6
26.0
30.5
20.1
24.4
18.9
16. 5
23.2
23.6
14.6
13.0

66.1

82.4

19.4

25.1

59.5

20.7

23.9

20.2

1Index obtained b y m ultiplying each m o n th ’s m edian rate b y 365, and dividing b y th e num ber of calendar
days in th a t m onth. As 1920 a n d 1924 were leap years, th e figures for each m onth in those years were
m ultiplied b y 366 an d divided b y th e n u m b er of days in th a t m onth.


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[482]

13

L U N C H BOOMS IN IN D U S T R IA L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S

T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E (M E D IA N ) V O L U N T A R Y Q U IT R A T E IN S E L E C T E D F A C T O R I E S -

C ontinued
1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

American factories num bering u p to 160 —R ate n o t adjusted for
seasonal variation
47.2
41.6
50.7
54.9
57.8
95.2
68.4
88.5
96.4
85.0
84.2
66.1

96.8
103.3
140.4
142.7
105. 0
118.3
122.7
126.3
114.7
72.0
39.0
29. 5

21.2
20.8
29. 5
32.9
29. 5
34. 2
29. 5
28.3
32.9
24.8
20.7
16.5

18.9
23. 4
26. 0
36. 6
55. 5
64. 7
61.4
70. 8
83. 0
69. 6
61.0
41.3

48.4
71. 5
85. 0
115. 9
100.3
102. 5
92. 0
77.9
86. 6
54.3
37.8
26.0

30.7
27.7
44.8
57.3
42. 5
30. 5
26. 0
26:0
30. 5
27. 1
19. 5
21.2

26.0
26. 0
35.4
48.8
40. 1
41. 5
37.8
40. 1
50.0
42. 5
30. 5
24.8

27.1
27.3
35.4
■ 46.4
37.8
35.4
38.9
40. 1
47.6
31.9
25.6
20.0

Average.

69.7

100.9

26.7

51.0

74.8

32.0

37.0

CO

Jan u a ry _____

February.......

lö

M a rc h _______
A pril________
VI a y ________
J u n e ____ ____
Ju ly _________
A u g u s t s ____
Septem ber___
O ctober-..........
N ovem ber___
D ecem ber___

American factories num bering u p to 160—R ate adjusted for
seasonal variation
Jan u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry __
M arch _____
A pril______
M a y ______
J u n e ______
July _____
A ugust____
Septem ber
O ctober____
N o v e m b er-.
D ecem ber.,.
Average.

.

95.6
80.6
59.0
59. 8
66.1
85.4
89.7
115.6
83.0
100.3
124.4
127. 4

142.8
161.3
158.1
120.8
90.9
100.0
118.0
106.2
91.5
76.7
56.1
49. 6

29.5
33.8
30.7
23.2
22.4
25.6
26.0
24.8
26.8
24.8
20.8
28.3

24.8
35.1
27.1
34.2
50.7
56.1
54.3
59.0
75.6
73.2
80. 5
68.4

70.8
105. 3
93.2
92.7
88.5
81.7
73. 2
61.4
64.7
54.3
51.2
43.7

44.8
40.3
41.3
45.1
34.2
23.2
21.2
20.1
23.2
27.1
25. 6
34. 2

34. 2
42.9
33.0
36.6
34.2
31.7
29. 5
31.9
31.7
31.9
40.3
42. 5

37.8
41.6
36.6
39.0
33.0
26.8
33.0
37.8
39.0
31.9
33.6
33.0

90.6

106.0

26.9

53.3

73.4

31.7

35. 0

35.3

L u n c h R oom s in I n d u s tria l E s ta b lis h m e n ts
H E operation of m any industries at the present time not only
involves the m anufacture of the particular product or the
m aintenance of the particular service for which the industry
is organized, b u t also includes the provision, within the industry, of
m any special services for the health and comfort of the employees,
supplied often on a scale which makes them a special m anagem ent
problem. Among the more im portant features of personnel work
which contribute especially to the health and general well-being of the
employees are the provision of adequate hospitals, with physicians and
trained nurses in attendance, and of plant lunch rooms. An account
of the work of industrial medical departm ents was given in the
January issue of the Review, and the present article deals with the
restau ran t facilities provided in industrial establishments.
In the survey recently m ade by the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics, showing the extent and nature of the personnel activities
carried on by employers for the benefit of their employees, schedules
were secured from a total of 430 firms w ith approxim ately 1,977,000
employees. Of these companies, 303, w ith 1,175,388 employees,
provided some form of lunch-room service for their employees, and
in the 262 establishm ents which reported the num ber of employees
using the lunch rooms it was found th a t an average of about 30 per

T


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cent patronized them daily, although, of course, individual establish­
m ents showed very much larger percentages.
In certain industries lunch rooms m ay be taken for granted, since
the nature of the business is such th a t the provision of a place for the
employees to eat is a necessity. This is true in departm ent stores and
large offices where employees m anifestly could no t be allowed to eat
a t counters or desks, and in certain industries or processes where the
m aterials used are of such a nature th a t eating in the work places
constitutes a serious health hazard or where it m ight result in spoilage
of work. Aside from such special considerations as this, however,
the determ ining factors seem to be the lack of proper eating places in
the im m ediate vicinity, the desire to keep the employees in the estab­
lishm ent during the lunch hour, and frequently the wish to give
employees better and more nourishing food than they would be likely
to get outside, since there is a tendency on the p a rt of m any workers
to economize on food to the detrim ent of their health and efficiency.
The provision of appetizing and nourishing food is regarded by m ost
firms as an im portant factor in m aintaining the health and efficiency
of the working force, particularly as it is the best meal of the day for
m any of the workers. A num ber of the firms stated th a t an increase
in production had followed the installation of lunch-room service.
There is a decided increase in the num ber of plant lunch rooms as
compared w ith the num ber in operation 10 years ago when a sim ilar
study was m ade by the bureau. About the same num ber of firms were
scheduled in the previous study, b u t a t th a t time only a little more
than half of the companies visited m aintained lunch rooms while
about 70 per cent of the firms scheduled operate them a t the present
time. In spite of the fact th a t there was an increase in the total
num ber of lunch rooms, 16 of the firms visited had discontinued serv­
ing lunch to employees, the reason given in 13 cases being th a t the
m ajority of the employees lived near the p lan t and patronage was
not sufficient to w arrant continuing the service; one was closed for
financial reasons; another, serving a free lunch, gave the employees
an opportunity to vote on the m atte r w ith the result th a t they chose
an increase in their pay instead of the free lunch; and in the remaining
case no reason was given for discontinuing the service.
The following table shows the num ber of establishm ents and of
employees covered in the study, the num ber of establishm ents having
employees’ lunch rooms, and th e num ber of employees using lunch
rooms, by industries:


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LTJNCH ROOMS IN IN D U S T R IA L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S

N U M B E R O F E S T A B L IS H M E N T S H A V IN G L U N C H R O O M S, A N D N U M B E R O F E M ­
P L O Y E E S U S IN G L U N C H R O O M S
E stablish­
m ents having
lunch rooms

E stablishm ents report­
ing num ber of em ­
ployees using lunch
rooms

N um ­
Em N um Em­
ber
ployees
ber
ployees

N um ­
E m ­
ber of T otal ployees
em ­
using
establish- ployees lunch
m ents
rooms

E stablish­
m ents covered
in stu d y
In d u stry

M anufacturing:
A utom obiles and airplanes___ ______
Boots a n d shoes........................................
Chem icals, soaps, a nd allied products.
Cigars a nd tobacco-------------------------Clothing and furnishings___________
Electrical supplies-------------------------Fine m achines and in stru m en ts_____
Food products_____________________
F u rn itu re _________________________
Gold and silver w are_______________
Iro n and steeL .___________ _________
Leather___________________________
M achine shops_____________________
Oil refining________________________
P a p e r_____________________________
R u b b er goods__________ _____ ______
Slaughtering a n d m eat packing______
T extiles___________________________
M iscellaneous_____ ________________

19
5
7
3
16
19
12
12

4
3
12
3
49
3
11
11

4
56
29

247, 939
25, 040
13, 905
15, 854
27, 467
80, 595
53,192
21,415
3, 870
6,605
323,384
3, 390
125, 907
22, 078
12, 739
65,418
23, 400
86, 853
45,553

278 1,204, 604

Total.
M ining (coal and other)
Offices________________

24
19

Public utilities:
Steam and electric railroads______________
Gas, electricity, telephone, and te le g ra p h ..
T axicabs_______________________________
T o tal________________________________

36

56,265
40,246

19
5

4
19
21

247, 939
25, 040
11,355
15, 854
22, 467
75, 247
44,279
21, 296
2,760
3, 605
14,312
2,260
88, 259
22, 078
9, 721
64,118
23,400
39,415
38,007

197

771,412

4
15

4,535
33, 237

6

3
14
17
11
12

3
2

3
1

36
3
8
10

371,645
127, 786
8,945

90,651
110,115
7, 700

15 140, 787
5 25, 040
6 11, 355
3 15, 854
13 16, 348
16 74, 214
11 44, 279
10 18, 347
3
2, 760
3,605
2
2
1

30
2

7
9
3
18
18

10, 200

1,100

2,260
76, 988
8,340
6,946
47,411
15,100
38, 760
33,130

450
18,423
1,600
2, 780
9,810
3,975
10,375
11, 591

174 591, 724

1

13

28, 831
5,110
5,055
4,262
7, 420
13,424
14,575
9,840
650
575

149, i

1,250
30, 278

313
22, 993

4,000
38, 022
7, 700

6 ,000

400
5, 775

508,376

208,466

49, 722

12, 775

Stores-------------------------------------------------------O ther in d u stries__________________________ _

137,250
30,983

137,250
20,488

132, 308
15, 644

53,804
7,168

G rand to ta l__________________________

430 1,977, 724

1,175,388

820,926

246,899

Establishments Having General Restaurant Service
IVJANY companies go to great expense in providing lunch-room
i v l service, since frequently m any hundreds of workers m ust be
seated at one time and in addition to the very considerable am ount
of space required for the lunch room there m ust be added the space
needed for the kitchen, the refrigerating system, and the storage of
supplies. In old plants usually such space as is available is adapted
for these purposes or the plan, later described, of serving from booths
or counters in the plant is utilized, while in newer plants if circum­
stances w arrant m aintaining a restaurant this is included in the
construction plans. In some cases a separate building houses the
lunch room and recreation rooms, and sometimes a lim ited num ber
of employees are served in the club house if it is near enough to the
plant. M ining districts have their mess halls, and occasionally
there are boarding houses and hotels run by the companies for the
benefit of the workers.
I t is obvious th a t the am ount of space devoted to the plan t lunch
rooms represents an outlay from which little or no tangible return is
received, and this seems especially true in industries in which but

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one meal a day is served, although these rooms are frequently used
for social affairs outside of plant hours. In m any instances also, in
addition to up-to-date furniture and serving equipm ent, much a tte n ­
tion is paid to m aking the lunch room an attractiv e place in which
to spend the lunch period, and the rooms are alm ost uniformly clean
and well kept. The cafeterias all have equipm ent for keeping the
food hot or cold, as the case m ay be, and in m any cases the kitchens
are models w ith their m any types of labor-saving equipm ent.
In industries where large num bers of men and women are employed
it is usual to provide a separate lunch room for the women.
Provision is m ade in the m ajority of cases for those employees who
wish to bring all or p a rt of their lunch from home. In 206 establish­
m ents employees are free to take their home lunches to the cafeterias
and eat them there w hether they purchase anything or not, b u t they
sometimes hesitate to do this and in some respects a separate room
is more desirable. A few companies stated th a t lack of room in the
cafeteria m ade it unwise to divide the space w ith those bringing
lunches from home even though there was otherwise no objection.
Thirty-nine of the companies visited furnish separate rooms for
those bringing lunches from home, and in m ost of these rooms there
is some provision for cooking. There are always separate rooms for
men and girls and quite frequently separate rooms for office and
factory girls. Occasionally there is complete kitchenette equipm ent,
including an ice box, b u t more often only a gas plate or an electric
plate and tables and chairs. One company having two such rooms,
one for men and one for women, reports th a t about 300 people take
advantage of them daily. In some instances the m atron in charge
of the rest room makes coffee in the rest room or lunch room and
has it ready for the girls.
One steam -railway company furnishes a room where the men can
cook and eat their lunches, the men either bringing them, from home
or purchasing something outside to cook. Cooking utensils, a gas
stove, and dishes are provided and the men wash their own dishes
and help keep the place in order. This room is used by about 30
men a day.
One concern utilized a small building across the street, fitting it
up as a kitchenette and lunch room for the girls. This is used by
about 75 girls a day. A nother firm, employing 1,000 girls, has a
room furnished w ith tables and chairs and a player piano, where
the girls eat lunches brought from home. The arrangem ent used
by this company for disposing of the lunches in the morning has
proven very satisfactory. A large rack with num bered com part­
m ents like post-office boxes is placed a t the entrance in the morning.
The num bers on the com partm ents correspond to the num bers on
the chairs and tables in the lunch room. Each girl places her lunch
in her com partm ent in the m orning on entering, after which the rack
is taken to the lunch room. Before noon the lunches are distributed
according to num ber. This is done by the maids, who also serve
coffee, tea, or milk, a charge of 2 cents each being made. Once a
year the girls are given an opportunity to vote on continuing the
plan or having a 25-cent lunch served, as is done for the men. A
large m ajority always vote in favor of continuing the present plan,
as m any of them live a t home and their lunches cost them less under
this arrangem ent. The room is used by about 850 girls daily.

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17

Kinds of Service
Y /'A R IO U S factors have to be taken into consideration in the
’ adoption of a plan of service for lunch rooms in industrial
plants, such as the length of the lunch period, the num ber to be
served in a given length of time, and the am ount of space available
for this purpose. In the very large plants the distance from work
to the lunch rooms is also a m atter to be considered.
The cafeteria is by far the m ost popular form of service, since of
the 303 companies m aintaining lunch rooms, 259 have cafeterias;
26 have restaurants and 18 have both. As a rule the restau ran t is
m aintained for the benefit of the office employees and the cafeteria
for other workers, this form of service being preferable for factory
workers because of the larger num bers to be served. A num ber of
firms have in connection with the cafeteria a smaller room where
service can be had for a small extra charge or where a regular meal
is served w ith the charge for service included. These rooms are
not largely used as a rule, the m ajority preferring the quicker service
and greater variety in the cafeteria. I t is interesting to note the
great increase in cafeterias during the past 10 years. A t the time
of the previous survey in 1916 there were 112 cafeterias and 128
restaurants in 223 plants as compared w ith 277 cafeterias and 44
restaurants in 303 establishm ents a t the present time.
In some of the larger plants the distance is too great to use one
central dining room and lunch rooms have been installed a t con­
venient places throughout the plant. These lunch rooms are
equipped w ith steam tables and facilities for serving, the food, as a
rule, being prepared in a central kitchen and brought to the steam
tables in wagons. In this way large num bers can be served in a
short time. One company using this plan has 9 such stations in
one plant, in which 1,000 people can be served in 10 m inutes. In
addition to conserving time in going to and from lunch, this plan
makes it possible to provide separate lunch rooms for those whose
work is of such a nature th a t they hesitate to wear their work clothes
to the general lunch room. I t would seem th a t the system of scat­
tered lunch rooms is preferable to any of the various m ethods for
serving in the workrooms—a practice which is generally conceded
to be undesirable, particularly from the standpoint of health.
An example of the extension of the lunch-room service so th a t all
the employees can be reached, by installing booths or stations
throughout the plant, is th a t of a company employing about 7,600
people. The plan was adopted about nine years ago and a t the
present tim e from 80 to 90 per cent of the employees are being served
daily. In addition to one lunch room w ith service, used m ainly by
the office force, there are about 20 booths a t convenient locations
throughout the plant, each booth equipped w ith a gas stove and with
dishes for serving. The food for all the booths is prepared in one
kitchen and. is taken to the booths ju st before lunch tim e, the hot
dishes being taken in large cans on wagons and placed on the fire
in the booth. Sandwiches are w rapped in oiled paper of different
colors indicating the variety so they can be quickly selected. There
is a variety of food—soup, vegetables, m eat, pie, cake, coffee, and
cold milk in summer, each article costing 5 cents. Paper plates
and spoons are used and a special nonresinous pulp cup, which does

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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

not soften with the heat, is supplied for the soup and coffee. A t
lunch time the line passes by the booth and the workers take their
lunches to wherever they choose to eat them. Shopmen are chosen
by the foremen to take the food to the stations and w ait on the
booths during the lunch hour, the company paying them for this
service. A bout 200 men are served daily a t each booth and this
num ber can be served in from 4 to 6 minutes.
The company believes the popularity of the plan is due to the
quality of the food, reasonable prices, and the fact th a t the men
prefer not to go to a dining room in their work clothes. Selling
tickets for lunch in advance of the lunch hour was tried, bu t the
plan involved a great deal of clerical work, so it was discontinued
and a cash register was installed a t each booth. There is a restaurant
for the office force in a separate building b u t there is also a booth
convenient to the offices, and of the 500 office people an average of
300 patronize the booth and 200 eat in the restaurant. M eals are
served from the booths a t noon and a t 6 p. m. and coffee is taken
through the p lan t a t 2 a. m. for the night workers.
Similar plans w ith variations are used in m any other plants.
C arts or wagons are sent through the plant and various devices are
used for keeping the food hot. One firm serves the different articles
in individual pasteboard containers, sending them through the
plant on wagons. Another has counters which are brought on the
wagons w ith the food and set up a t lunch time, while others have
stationary counters throughout the plant. In some plants the
machines are n o t stopped a t lunch time and operators have lunch
brought to them from the cafeteria, having given their orders in the
morning.
One company, employing about 6,000 people, finds it necessary to
vary the service to suit the needs of the different plants. In one
plant the employees are forbidden to eat a t their work places and a
lunch room is provided which gives both cafeteria and restaurant
service. Those no t wishing to w ait on themselves m ay have a regular
dinner costing 30 cents served to them. Although the average
check in the cafeteria is about the same as the price of the dinner
the m ajority prefer the cafeteria. In another plant of the same com­
pany there is a small cafeteria serving less than 100 while four lunch
carts sent to different p arts of the works serve an average of 1,000
persons daily. From 80 to 100 gallons of coffee, 25 gallons of soup,
and 900 cuts of pie, in addition to large quantities of sandwiches, etc.,
are dispensed from these carts.
A num ber of firms have stations throughout the plant where coffee
and milk are served.
One small plant having no available space for a cafeteria adopted
the plan of preparing the food in the kitchen and taking it to the
different floors on carts. Order blanks are given out and each
employee wishing to do so orders lunch for the following day. There
is one room w ith tables and chairs which accommodates about 20,
b u t the m ajority eat in the workrooms or wherever they wish. About
93 per cent of the employees take advantage of this plan, and since
lunches are ordered in advance there are no left-overs and the food
is fresh each day. This plan is followed in another plan t having
lim ited space, the orders being given in the m orning and the food
being taken to the different floors on individual trays.

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19

Character of Management
IN the m ajority of cases the lunch rooms are m anaged by the com* pany and if an outsider has charge, as in a few cases, the company
still has supervision as to prices and the quality of the food. A
num ber of firms m anage the office restau ran t themselves while the
cafeteria for factory workers is run by an outsider, b u t in almost
every case the company furnishes heat, light, space, and equipm ent.
There are 265 lunch rooms managed by the company, 33 run by an
outsider, and in 23 the m anagem ent is turned over to the employees,
either the employees’ association, the benefit association, or a com­
m ittee appointed by the m anagement. W ith all overhead expenses
paid by the company, these organizations are usually able to show a
small surplus. Occasionally they are run on the cooperative basis
b u t more often the profit is turned over to the organization having
charge.
One lunch room, where 600 people are served daily, is run entirely
by the th rift club composed of employees. The club started by
furnishing coffee and milk to overtime workers; they then added
sandwiches to the menu, then other articles, until now a regular meal
is served. L ast year the club, after replacing some equipm ent, had a
surplus of $286, the company furnishing space, light, heat, and gas.

Prices Charged for Meals
T r i E prices charged in the industrial lunch rooms vary according to
the efficiency in m anagem ent, the quality of the service ren­
dered, and the loss which the employer expects to meet. In general
the prices are reasonable, as there is no disposition to m ake any money
on the lunch room except in the few cases where it is turned over to
an outside m anager or where an association of employees operates it
and expects to make a small surplus for the organization.
The usual prices charged in cafeterias for m eats range from 10 to
20 cents; salads, 10 to 15 cents; sandwiches, soups, and vegetables,
5 to 10 cents; bread and butter, 2 to 5 cents; desserts, 5 to 10 cents;
and coffee, tea, and milk, 3 to 5 cents; although the prices m ay
be lower or higher in some cases. The average check was reported
to be from 25 to 35 cents in 150 cases, while in 36 cases it varied
between 35 and 50 cents, and in about 80 cases it ranged from
15 to 25 cents. The prices charged for table d ’hote meals ranged
from 20 to 50 cents. In a num ber of places it was found th a t
in the cafeteria for factory workers a special lunch consisting
of stew or one of the cheaper meats, a vegetable, bread and
butter, tea, coffee, or milk, and a dessert could be purchased
for 20 cents. These lunches are served either a t the regular
cafeteria counter or at a special counter. The average prices of
lunches quoted do not of course include the purchases of the large
num ber of employees who buy only one or two articles to supplem ent
the lunches brought from home.

Menus
A S the cafeteria has come to be the accepted m ethod of serving
employees, there is usually a sufficiently wide range of choice
offered in the menus. There is an opportunity, also, to educate the

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M O N T H L Y LABOE REVIEW

employees in the elements of a well-balanced meal and a, num ber of
companies have a dietitian who has general supervision of the food
and the lunch room. In other cases the nurses or doctors interest
themselves in the quality of the food served and advise employees
as to the lands of food they should eat. In several of the places
visited, the nurse sees th a t a special diet is prepared for individuals
needing it. One company states th a t its woman employees usually
have a very light breakfast and try to save on food in order to buy
clothes. The welfare director, who has direct charge of the cafe­
teria, and the nurse cooperate closely and they have made a per­
sistent and steady effort to get the girls to select nourishing food,
special attention being paid to those who are underweight. A de­
m and for foods which were considered specially good has often been
created by giving samples of specially prepared puddings, custards,
salads, etc., w ith the result th a t these became the m ost popular
items on the menu. In another plant, in which the girls receive a
free lunch, they are w atched carefully by the nurse and if they are
underweight they are given a special diet, while a nutrition specialist
in the medical departm ent of a company employing large numbers
of both men and women cooperates w ith the m anager of the cafe­
teria n o t only in providing the special articles of diet needed by
those under her care b u t in providing the m ost wholesome food pos­
sible for all the employees. In still another instance, in which
more than 8,000 employees receive a free meal each day, a trained
dietitian is in charge and the food value of every item is listed on
the menu. In this cafeteria there is a special diet for those who are
overweight.

Methods of Payment
IN general, m ethods of paying in industrial lunch rooms do not
differ greatly from those in outside cafeterias, as the cash register
is used in the m ajority of cases. In one lunch room, where a special
25-cent lunch is served, a card and seat num ber are given to each one
patronizing the lunch room. Cards are punched and each one pays
at the end of two weeks, an allowance being m ade on the bill if he
has missed more th an one meal a week.
Another company has worked out a m ethod of ordering and pay­
ing for meals in advance. P rinted m enu cards w ith table and seat
num bers are given to all who wish to have lunch served to them in
the cafeteria. The employees check the m enu cards indicating the
articles w anted, and paste coupons on the back covering the am ount
of the meals. These cards are sent to the m anager, who has the
lunches ordered on the table at lunch time. There is no extra charge
for service, b u t orders m ust be given in advance, since the girls who
serve these lunches also serve the cafeteria counters.

Establishments Serving Free Meals
IN com paratively few instances are meals served free to employees,
although a num ber of companies provide the tea and coffee either
in connection w ith the regular cafeteria service or in those instances
where some provision is m ade for those bringing lunch from home.
Seven firms, however, serve a free lunch to everyone in their employ,
the num ber of employees ranging from 200 to 8,500. This is not

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loom s

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in d u s t r ia l

e s t a b l is h m e n t s

21

regarded by these companies as a gift b u t as a supplem ent to the
salary, and it is felt th a t it adds greatly to the efficiency of the workers,
since m any would not have a substantial lunch if it were no t provided
in this way. The lunch furnished by these establishm ents usually
consists of soup, m eat, two vegetables, bread and butter, coffee, tea,
or milk, and dessert. One company serving a free lunch to its 900
employees has, in addition to the cafeteria, four other lunch rooms
with service for executives and heads of departm ents. The average
cost to the company per meal, including meals served in these rooms,
is 34 cents; in the cafeteria alone the average cost per meal is 28
cents. Another firm has served a luncheon free to its employees
over a period of nearly 20 years. The luncheon, which is of good
quality and adequate variety, is served every day except Saturday,
when the office closes a t 12 o’clock. The cafeteria form of service
is used, and more than 8,000 are served daily. A street-railw ay
company employing 4,000 people serves a free lunch to 400 who work
in the shop. In several instances a free lunch is served ju st to the
office force. One of these companies, which serves 110 people a
day, estim ates the cost per meal a t 60 cents.
A large food m anufacturing establishm ent serves an a la carte
lunch to the 450 men for 10 cents, while the 300 girls are served the
same meal free. I t is estim ated th a t this meal costs the company
41 cents.
One firm serves free coffee to 300 shop people daily and another to
the night force and early morning cleaning girls. I t is quite a com­
mon custom to serve free supper to those staying to attend classes,
club meetings, or rehearsals. A num ber of companies give free
supper to the band members on rehearsal nights, and one company
gives free lunch to the members of the orchestra on the days
when they give a noon concert in the lunch room.
Employees receiving less than $18 a week are given meals a t half
price by one concern.

Financial Results of Operating Restaurants
F the 217 lunch rooms managed entirely by the company, 134
^
have reported a deficit, 79 are self-supporting, and 4 reported
a surplus. Of the 4 companies having a surplus, 2 have, in addition
to their cafeterias, lunch counters and lunch carts, which help to
m ake them self-supporting. A nother one of the four concerns
reporting a surplus serves more th an 5,000 people a day, buys through
the worker’s cooperative store in very large quantities, and does all
the baking for the workers’ store. In order further to reduce costs
each one returns his own tray when the meal is finished. One com­
pany reports th a t if the num ber served drops below 1,100 a day, it
loses money on the lunch room.
M any stated th a t the aim is to make thelunchroom self-supporting,
at least to make returns cover cost of food and labor, but they
seem to be unable to do this and serve a wholesome meal a t a mode­
rate price. Another concern has a large attractive lunch room which
is rented to other organizations for banquets. By renting the room
and serving the banquets the deficit is somewhat reduced. T he
factory girls do the serving and are paid for their time.

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One firm, serving an average of 1,000 people a day, had in 1924 a
deficit of $34,233, which included $5,500 for depreciation. This com­
pany has two small service rooms for executives, one large service
room for office people, and two cafeterias—one for office and one
for factory workers. F actory workers are free to use the office
restaurant, paying extra for service. The lunch in the restau ran t
averages 45 to 55 cents a day, w ith 5 cents extra for service. The
average in either of the cafeterias is 35 cents.
Another concern reports th a t the lunch room costs it about
$25,000 a year, including overhead expenses, and th a t the charge for
meals covers the cost of food and about one-half the cost of labor.
This company has one large main dining room, w ith six counters for
cafeteria service, seating about 1,500, this num ber being served in
10 m inutes. A t five of the counters a plate lunch is served for 20
cents, and there is one counter where special articles can be obtained.
About 650 order the plate luncheon, the average per meal a t the
other counter being 22 cents. Besides the cafeteria this com pany
m aintains a dining room, with service for m anagers and submanagers,
which seats 75. The entire staff for both dining rooms and the
kitchen consists of 16 full-time and 31 part-tim e workers, the p arttime workers being employed only a t the noon hour.
One company having booths through the plant reports th a t the
average cost per m onth of running all the booths from January, 1925,
through October, 1925, including food, labor, cups, plates, and mis­
cellaneous expense, was $7,611.81 and the average receipts $7,348.57,
m aking an average loss of $263.24. The average loss per m onth in
the restau ran t during the same period was $312.08.


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[492]

PRODUCTIVITY OF LABOR
C h a n g e in M olding T im e R eq u ired o n R ad ial D rill Bases
H E N radial drill bases were m ade in New England foundries
30 to 35 years ago, the p attern was to all intents and pur­
poses the duplicate of the casting. The base was made
some 12 to 15 inches deep, in order th a t its long, broad surface
m ight be rigid enough to stand the weight of the casting which would
be placed upon it for drilling. The underside of the base was filled
w ith strengthening ribs.
In molding this base the pattern was placed upside down from
the position it would occupy as a p a rt of the radial drill. The
flanges, or, as they m ight be called, webs, which crossed the inside
of the base from end to end and crosswise, created a large num ber of
separate depressions, or, as they are called in the foundry, pockets.
All of these had to be carefully secured by “ gaggers” and “ sodgers.”
The sand in each pocket had to be carefully ram m ed, to be followed
by a very thorough ram m ing of the sand in the cope (the upper half
of the mold). This work m ight take two days, then the cope had to
be vented thoroughly so th a t the gases could escape quickly when the
iron entered the mold.
A t this tim e it took the molder (who generally received a higher
rate than the m inimum because of his higher skill) and his helper a
week to m ake the largest radial drill bases. If the molder m et with
hard luck, which frequently happened when the ‘‘cope” was lifted
off, the job of molding and pouring m ight require six days for its
performance.
A t the present tim e the same type of base is m ade in one day by
a m older and a helper, the molder receiving only the m inimum day
rate.
The m ethod of molding has been completely changed. The p a t­
tern used is no longer a replica of the casting, except so far as the
bottom and the sides of the mold are _concerned. I t is merely a
block of wood. No cope is used in m aking the mold.
The p attern is placed upon a level bed. D ry sand cores are
placed against the sides of the pattern, and sand is ram m ed firmly
back of these. The p attern is then removed, and the bottom of the
mold finished, which is, on this kind of a job, a com paratively easy
process. Cores, m ade around cast-iron arbors, take the place of the
green sand cope formerly used. These cores are about 2 feet wide
and some 20 inches longer than the w idth of the mold. They are
brought to the m older’s floor by a crane and lowered over the mold.
Railway rails are then placed over these cores, these rails running
the entire length of the mold. The rails are secured to bed plates
buried in the floor, far beneath the bottom of the mold. "Wedges are
then driven between these rails and the cores, so th a t the la tte r are
firmly fastened down. The rem aining work for the molder is to

W


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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

build the basin through which the m elted iron is to be conveyed to
the mold.
Formerly much of the m older’s skill was required in the ram m ing
of the green sand cope, and the finishing of th a t p a rt of the mold.
All of this is eliminated through the use of the dry sand cores ju st
referred to.
This m odern m ethod has obviated much of the m older’s skill, as
well as m any hours of labor. Now, one corem aker could probably
make all of the cores used in connection w ith the base in little
more than a day, or, if he had a helper, in less th an a day.
There is another factor in addition to the increased" per capita
production which m ust be considered—the very great increase in
tonnage per square yard of the foundry floor. If a casting which
formerly took a week to m ake can now be m ade on the same floor in
a day, the increase of production per square yard of floor has a very
m aterial effect in reducing overhead charges and increasing the
earning capacity of foundry space.


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[494]

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LABOR
CONDITIONS
S ta tis tic a l A nalysis of th e P e rso n n e l of a S ilk Mill
N ANALYSIS of the personnel of the Cheney Bros, silk mill was
presented a t the American M anagem ent Association office
executives’ conference held a t Cleveland, October 11, 1926,
by M r. J. P. Lam b, em ploym ent m anager of the company.
"The plan t is situated in a town of 23,000 people, in which
there is only one other large-scale m anufacturing p lan t% The com­
pany, which has been in existence for nearly 90 years in the same
locality, occupies 36 acres of floor space and in addition owns 295
dwellings and 3 boarding houses, affording altogether living accom­
m odations for 426 families.
The normal working force, exclusive of the sales organization,
comprises 4,400 persons, 89 per cent of whom are wage earners, 6
per cent clerical workers, and 5 per cent salaried employees and
supervisory force. Approximately 60 per cent of the force are
males and 40 per cent females.
Some 16 to 18 nationalities are represented among the workers, the
outstanding ones being American born, constituting 46 per cent,
Irish 18 per cent, Italian 9 per cent, and A ustrian and German 6 per
cent. Thirteen per cent are native born and of native parentage,
33 per cent native born b u t of foreign parentage, and 54 per cent
are foreign born. As compared with the general population, the
working force of the mill shows a considerably larger proportion of
foreign bom , b u t the speaker stated th a t this condition is doubtless
typical of th a t of most New England textile mills.

A

Age Distribution
f " \ F T H E total force, 67 per cent are citizens, and 96*^ per cent
are literate.
T he age distribution is as*follows:
Per cent

16 and under 20 years________________________________
20 and under 30 years________________________________
30 and under 40 years________________________________
40 and under 50 years________________________________
50 and under 60 years________________________________
60 and under 70 years________________________________
70 years and over______________________ _______ ,__ ____

11
29
28
17
10
4
1

Total_____________________________ ______ ____ 100

Occupations
HPHE occupations in the plan t cover a wide range, “ from the lowest
grade type of m anual labor, w ith little or no dem and upon
m ental processes, to the highly specialized professional pursuits,
demanding long training and high intelligence.” N o t including

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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

the subdivisions of work in m any occupations, the pay roll covers
371 different occupations. Of the salaried group 16 per cent were
prom oted from clerical positions and 58 per cent from mill positions,
it being the policy of the company wherever possible to m ake pro­
motions from the working force, regardless of w hether the job to be
filled is a clerical or supervisory one.
Length of Service

'T H E distribution of the personnel according to length of service is
1 shown below:
D IS T R IB U T IO N O F P E R S O N N E L , B Y L E N G T H O F S E R V IC E
T otal force

Office force

Service group

U nder 1 year.
__________ ___ ____
1 year and u n d er 5 y ears___ _
5 and under 10 y ears. .
10 and un d er 15 y ears______ _
15 and un d er 20 y ears___ _
20 and un d er 25 years_________
25 a n d under 30 years_______
30 and un d er 35 years. . . _
35 and un d er 40 years _______
40 and un d er 45 years_______
45 and u n d er 50 y ears____
50 and u n d er 55 years___ _
55 and u n d er 60 years___

Males

Females

M ales

Females

P e r cent

P e r cent

P e r cent

P e r cent

5.43
17.62
23. 87
18. 72
11.36
8.44
5.10
3. 58
3.75
1. 07
.78
.24
.04

10.03
29.41
26. 87
14.64
6.19
4. 40
3.99
1.92
1.17
.76
.48
.14

2.03
23. 65
33.11
23. 65
7. 43
1.35
6. 76
1.35
.68

11. 21
26.72
27. 59
12.93
7. 76
6. 90
6.03
.86

The average service of males in the total force is 13.93 years as
compared with 9.54 years for females, or a difference of 4.39 years.

Labor Stability
| ABOR, stability is shown in term s of turnover of working personnel.
In the mills of the company, turnover figures include “ all
exits, w hether voluntary or involuntary,” b u t employees absent
because of illness of themselves or their families are carried on the
pay roll for six weeks, and those absent for other causes for three
weeks, the pay roll being cleared as soon as definite inform ation
perm its this.
The yearly rate of turnover among the whole working force in the
plant, in term s of the percentage all exits form of the average daily
num ber of persons employed, is shown below for the past 10 years:
T urnover
(per cent)

1917.
1918
1919.
1920.
1921.
1922.
1923
1924
1925.
1926.

57.
77.
57.
59.
36.
30.
36.
27.
26.
125.

1 F irst nine m onths.


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[4961

83
83
59
91
30
00
37
64
74
44

A N A LY SIS OF T H E P E E S O N N E L O F A S IL K M IL L

27

_ Excluding lay-offs and discharges, the voluntary exits from all causes, including
sickness of self and family, amounted to 21 per cent in 1925. For several years
the records of turnover by sex reveal the fact that the excess of female turnover
over that of male amounts to from 50 to 100 per cent per year, while the exits
on account of sickness were 193 per cent greater for females than for males
during the last year. By nationalities the turnover is greatest in both males
and females of the Italian group, with but little difference between the turnover
rate of other nationalities in either sex. An analysis of the exits reveals the
surprisingly small proportion of total working force removed by discharge, not
over 0.089 per cent in the last five years. The day of firing seems to have passed.

M arried men are found to be the m ost stable employees, single
women come next, single men next, and m arried women are the least
stable. “ Length of service is also another im portant consideration
in labor turnover and stability increases with length of service, which
includes the total personnel.” For each service group the rate of
turnover was as follows:
T urnover

Length of service of—
(per cent)
Under 1 year_____________________________________ 95
1 year and under 2 years___________________________ 59
2 years and under 3 years___________________________56
3 years and under 5 years___________________________ 38
5 years and under 10 years__________________________26
10 years and under 20 years________________________ 18
20 years and under 30 years________________________ 11
30 years and under 50 years________________________ 11

Records of causes of leaving are kept by the company, bu t no
outstanding reasons are shown. “ Turnover is greatly influenced by
the num ber of jobs available. In times of labor scarcity and good
business turnover increases, and in times of business depression
turnover decreases. I t is the problem of our m anagem ent to reduce
a t all times the causes th a t impel good employees to leave the com­
pany.”

Earnings

L JO U R L Y earnings which averaged 4 cents in 1843 now average
64.7 cents per hour.
With but, few exceptions of short duration the trend of wages has been con­
stantly upward during the last 83 years, while the trend of the length of the
weekly working period has been constantly downward. Only two recessions of
any magnitude have taken place. One occurred after the Civil War, between
1870 and 1880, which amounted to approximately 11 per cent and was occasioned
by the resumption of specie payment. The other took place after the World
War in 1921, amounting to approximately 14 per cent, which resulted from the
depression of 1921 and 1922. This decrease has since been restored and wages
existing before this reduction are exceeded by those paid at the present time.
The present average earnings of male employees on the pay roll are 71 cents
per hour, of female employees 53 cents per hour, and of all employees 64.7 cents
per hour. Average weekly earnings vary according to the per cent of full-time
operation, ranging from $28 to $32 for all male employees and from $18 to $24
for all female employees.
Comparing earnings of to-day with those paid in 1914 shows an increase in
average earnings from 24 cents to 71 cents per hour for males, from 15.7 cents
to 53 cents for females, and from 20.4 cents to 64.7 cents for all employees.
Average weekly earnings for males in 1914 were $13.25, for females $8.63, and all
employees $11.22 per week. Hourly earnings have increased over 200 per cent.
While weekly wages have increased approximately 145 per cent for all employees
during the period between 1914 and to-day, the purchasing value of the dollar
has decreased to approximately 60 cents, so that real earnings as compared to
1914 show an increase of approximately'45 to 50 per cent during the 12 years, or
an average yearly rate of increase of 4 per cent. In other words, for every dollar
33892°—27---- 3

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received in weekly wages in 1914 the working force receives $1.45 to $1.50 on a
comparative basis.
The present average earnings of all our employees exceed that of the average
earnings in all industries, or the textile industries, and exceed the silk in d u s try
as a whole by approximately 35 per cent.

Hours of Labor
rU TlU N G the 90 years the company has been in existence the nor'L
mai working hours have been reduced from 72 to 48 per week.
Hours actually worked average 45.5 for males, 42 for females, and
44.1 for both sexes.

Labor Cost of Production
A S C O M PA R ED w ith 1914, for each $1,000 w orth of product,
the num ber of wage earners has decreased 46 per cent, the
num ber of salaried employees has decreased 5 per cent, power con­
sumed per hour has increased 2.1 per cent, and the cost of labor has
declined 11 per cent and th a t of m anagem ent 22 per cent.
In a comparison of production per wage earner in terms of 1914 dollars, the
cost of labor has increased 65 per cent, the cost of management 45 per cent, the
power consumed per hour 126 per cent, hours of work have decreased 13 per
cent, while production has increased 86 per cent.
The lesson to be drawn from this study indicates that an increase in produc­
tion has taken place during this period, which exceeded that of the increased
cost of labor or of management. So that, notwithstanding the tremendous
increase in wages during the last 12 years it has been exceeded by the increase
in amount of production, per unit of production, and per wage earner.

R é c o g n itio n of U n io n s in A r g e n tin a 1
N S E P T E M B E R 27’, 1926, the Argentine Senate approved a
bill relating ^ to employers’ and workers’ associations. Ac­
cording to its provisions, societies, associations, or tradeunions of workers in the same trade or similar trades, or in the
same branch of industry, agriculture, commerce or transportation,
shall be considered as included among the associations recognized
by the Civil Code, provided they pursue one or more of the follow­
ing aims: (1) Regulation of wages, working hours, and labor condi­
tions of their members; (2) protection of individual rights of members
in the performance of their work; (3) benefits for unemploym ent,
sickness, invalidity, death, or m ilitary service; (4) developm ent of
em ploym ent exchanges for their m em bers; and (5) developm ent of
technical and general education. Associations fulfilling these re­
quirem ents shall have the rights and privileges conferred upon cor­
porate bodies.
Applications for recognition are to be addressed to the director of
the national labor departm ent if the associations have their head­
quarters in the Federal D istrict, or to the governor of the territory
concerned if the headquarters are in another national territory.
T he request m ust be m ade by the members of the provisional com­
m ittee of each association.

O

1 Asociación del Trabajo.


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Boletín de Servicios, Buenos Aires, Oct. 5, 1926, p p . 454-456.

[498]

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29

A g re e m e n t C o n c e rn in g R e c ru itm e n t of N ative L ab o rers in
P o rtu g u e se E a st A frica
A

R E PO R T from the American consul, J. P. M offitt, at Lourengo
M arques, Portuguese E ast Africa, contains a detailed agree* ^ m ent m ade between M ozambique and San Thome, for a period
of 10 years, regarding the recruiting of native laborers for the plan­
tations of San Thome and Principe.
U nder this agreement, recruiting agents m ust pay a tax of 25
escudos1 in gold at par and in addition a tax of 20 escudos 50 cen­
tavos. The num ber of recruits is lim ited to 3,600 per year and m ay
be recruited for a period of two or three years, the la tte r being a
maximum. Families m ay be contracted for providing their num ber
does no t exceed 25 per cent of the total num ber of recruits. The
length of the. working-day shall be nine hours, b u t an hour oyertime
m ay be worked a t double pay. Sunday work is prohibited. The
m inim um wage for male workers is to be 50 escudos and for women
and minors between the ages of 14 and 18, 25 escudos. One-half of
the wages earned by the native laborers during the period of their
engagem ent shall be paid them upon their return to M ozambique.
Clothing shall be furnished twice a year.

T h e M oney Side of L abor T u rn o v e r
W ELL-KN OW N h a t m anufacturing company has had in
operation for a num ber of years a bonus paym ent plan
which was adopted “ with a view to decreasing the labor
turnover.” I t is of interest to know th a t the question of labor
turnover was being considered at all by any one so far back as 1898.
I t was certainly 10 years later than this before any considerable
num ber of establishm ents even had a record of the stability or lack
of stability of their labor force and it was some years after th a t
before there was any realization of the fact th a t a high labor turnover
is an economic and an industrial loss. The statem ent which follows
assumes th a t it was the money consideration involved in the bonus
which alone determ ined the change in the labor turnover. I t seems,
however, th a t this leaves out of the reckoning certain psychological
conditions which began to m anifest themselves when the m anage­
m ent of an establishm ent began to realize th a t it pays to hold per­
m anently as large a percentage of the employees as possible. Con­
sciously or unconsciously, a different a ttitu d e tow ard the employees
creeps in; a different treatm ent of the men develops; the conditions
of labor are made easier or a t least more agreeable, so th a t it rem ains
very m uch, open to question as to w hether the mere money elem ent
tells the whole story in the rem arkable change in turnover as shown
by the following extract from the statem ent issued by this com pany:

A

In 1897 only 35 per cent of the hat sizers had worked steadily during the
entire year. It was decided to offer these men a 5 per cent bonus on all they
earned during the year, payable at Christmas time, provided they worked steadily
through the year. As a result, 50 per cent of the men worked continuously
1 Portuguese escudo at p a r =$1.08.


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^ lofn18^ 8, The bonus was then increased to 10 per cent, with the result that
m 1899, 67 per cent, and m 1900, 80 per cent of the men worked through the
year. At Christmas in 1902 the bonus was raised to 20 per cent, and in con­
sequence practically 100 per cent of the men have been working steadily ever
The plan was then put into operation in the trimming department, where
most of the employees are girls, and it worked so well that it was applied to the
entire plant. The plan, as now in force, pays every employee who has been with
the company for six months or more, a bonus of 10 per cent for the year ending
October 31, payable at Christmas, provided the employee has worked faithfullv
through the year.


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[500]

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE
R e c o rd o f I n d u s t r i a l A c c id e n ts in t h e U n ite d S ta te s t o 1925

H E latest statistics of industrial accidents on a national scale
have been brought together as far as possible by the U nited
S tates B ureau of Labor Statistics and are presented in its
B ulletin No. 425, ju st published. This, the fourth bulletin on the
subject by the bureau, brings the data up to 1925. The three
Federal agencies collecting accident statistics (the In terstate Com­
merce Commission, the B ureau of M ines, and the Bureau of Labor
Statistics) have so improved their m ethods of collecting and handling
accident d a ta th a t their statistics on railways, mining, and the iron
and steel industry, respectively, while naturally not entirely com­
plete, m ay fairly be claimed to be trustw orthy. While the States
have collected a mass of statistics, unfortunately they have adopted
different procedures, which makes it difficult to combine their
records into a national compilation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics,
in its effort to prom ote accident prevention, has suggested five item s
th a t are essential in effective accident statistics: Exposure to
hazard; num ber of accidents; severity of accidents; classification by
industries; and causes of accidents. No State covers all these item s
and in m ost States no a ttem p t is made to cover the very im portant
item of exposure to hazard. Some States m ake no accident reports.
As reported by the States there were 10,537 fatal accidents and
1,687,957 nonfatal accidents in 1925, as compared w ith 11,479 fatal
and 1,666,522 nonfatal accidents in 1924, and 11,062 fatal and
1,636,837 nonfatal accidents in 1920. An effort was made to
classify the available State data for 1920 and 1924 by principal
classification groups. As some of the im portant industrial States
do n o t classify their data by industry the comparison by industry
was inconclusive. As to causes of accidents the handling of tools
and objects gave rise to the greatest num ber of accidents, there
being 472,805 cases out of 1,552,065 accidents in the two periods,
m achinery coming next w ith a to tal of 294,951. “ B ruises’’ and
“ cuts, lacerations, and p unctures” led all the other groups in the
nature of injury. As to location of injury the upper extremities
were found to be the m ost often damaged, there being a total of
333,195 cases out of 801,633 accidents.
In its endeavor to encourage the developm ent of accident rates
the bureau has recently sought to utilize the d a ta contained in the
State accident reports in obtaining accident rates by relating such
data to the em ploym ent d a ta collected directly by the bureau.
Ohio, Illinois, and M innesota were the only States for which infor­
m ation was available for both 1924 and 1925.
F or 1924 the accident frequency rates range from 4.96 per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure for boots and shoes to 98.64 for automobile tires,
while in 1925 the range is from 12.39 per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure
for boots and shoes to 89.36 for glass. T he accident severity rates
for 1924 ranged from 0.17 per 1,000 hours’ exposure for boots and

T


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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

shoes to 8.04 for planing mills, while for 1925 the range was from
0.19 per 1,000 hours’ exposure for boots and shoes to 7.24 for struc­
tural-iron work.
In 12 industries there was a decline in accident frequency from
1924 to 1925, the greatest being in the following industries: A uto­
mobiles (58 per cent); agricultural implements, and electrical
m achinery (each 49 per cent); and planing mills (46 per cent). In
six industries there was a rising frequency rate, the greatest increase
being in the boot and shoe industry (150 per cent), followed by
the stove industry (56 per cent) and the flour industry (42 percent).
In accident severity also there was a decline in 12 industries,
electrical m achinery (73 per cent), glass and stoves (each 59 per
cent), and machine tools (52 per cent) having the greatest decline,
while in six industries accident severity increased, the greatest
increase being in structural-iron work (97 per cent), flour (81 per
cent), and agricultural implem ents (74 per cent).
D a ta for 1925 were gathered from 11 States and represented 1,272
plants in 24 industries, employing 555,988 full-year workers, sufficient
to m ake the accident rates therefrom a fairly dependable index of
average conditions. The highest frequency rates were for the
automobile tire industry (59.08) and structural-iron work (50.95).
The highest severity rates were for paper and pulp (4.85) and
structural-iron work (4.54).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has been collecting accident
statistics of the iron and steel industry since 1910 and has constantly
endeavored so to present these statistics as to m ake them significant
and useful in accident prevention. T hese‘statistics show th a t there
has been a steady decline in both accident frequency and severity
in the industry. From 1910 to 1925 the decline in frequency was
62.1 per cent and in severity 51.9 per cent. This steady and quite
considerable decline is also shown in all departm ents w ith the excep­
tion of foundries. Considered from the standpoint of accident
severity m achinery causes the greatest am ount of damage, while
handling of tools and m aterial is the m ajor factor in the frequency
of accidents.
Accident d a ta for the following industries, gathered from various
sources, are also presented in the bulletin: Steam railways; electric
railways; mines, quarries and _metallurgical works; agricultural
implem ents and supplies; building construction; explosives, dyes,
and chemicals; light and power; camera m anufacture; Portland
cem ent; paper mills; petroleum refining; rubber; woodworking; and
textiles.
Accident frequency rates in the various departm ents of the Federal
Governm ent and the N ational Safety Council compilation of American
industrial accident experience in 1925 are also shown.
C o k e -O v e n A c c id e n ts in t h e U n ite d S ta te s D u r in g 192S

C C ID E N T S a t coke ovens in 1925 were fewer in relation to
num ber of persons employed than in any preceding year for
which figures are available, according to a report (Technical
P aper 408) on th a t subject recently issued by the U nited States
B ureau of M ines. The fatality rate was the same as in 1924— 1.16

A


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COKE-OVEN A CCID EN TS

per thousand 300-day workers—this rate being lower th an in any
year preceding 1924. The nonfatal injury rate, based upon all lost­
time accidents, was 70.51, as compared w ith 79.54 in 1924. This is
the best nonfatal injury record th a t has ever been attained, th a t for
1924 coming next, and 1915 next w ith a rate of 90.78, which was the
lowest reached before 1924.
O perators of coke ovens, who voluntarily furnish accident d a ta for
their plants to the Bureau of M ines, reported 23,254 men employed
in 1925—2,803 m ore th an in 1924. These men worked a to tal of
7,216,239 m an-shifts, an average of 310 workdays per m an and a
gain of 7 workdays per m an over the preceding year. The total
num ber of m an-shifts worked represents a gain of 16 per cent over
1924.
Of the 1,724 injuries to coke-oven workers in 1925, 28 resulted in
death, 44 in perm anent partial disability, 406 in tem porary disability
exceeding 14 days, and 1,246 in tem porary disability exceeding the
rem ainder of the day on which the accident occurred, b u t no t exceed­
ing 14 days. T he tim e lost through these accidents is estim ated a t
223,700 m an-days, as compared w ith 195,200 in 1924, these figures
in each year am ounting to 3.1 per cent of the to tal num ber of m andays worked.
D uring the eight years 1918 to 1925, 25,053 accidents a t coke ovens
were reported to the Bureau of M ines. Of this num ber, 1.27 per cent
resulted in death, 0.05 per cent in perm anent to tal disability, 1.93
per cent in perm anent partial disability, 18.55 per cent in disability
of more th an 14 days, and 78.20 per cent in disability of 1 to 14 days,
inclusive. The average accident rate for this period was 1.63 killed
and 126.50 injured per thousand 300-day workers.
T able 1 shows th e num ber of m en employed, days of labor per­
formed, num ber of fatalities and injuries, and the fata lity and injury
rates per thousand 300-day workers a t all coke ovens in the calendar
years 1918 to 1925.

.

T a b l e 1 — N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S , D A Y S O F L A B O R P E R F O R M E D , F A T A L IT IE S ,

A N D IN J U R I E S A T C O K E O V EN S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , 1918 T O 1925
N um ber killed N um ber injured

M en em ployed

Yea»

1918 ___________________
1919 ___________________
1920_____________________
1921___________ ____ ____ 1922 __________________
1923
_______________
1924 ____________________
1925___________ ____ _____

A ver­
age
days
active

A ctual
n um ber

E q u iv a ­
le n t in
300-day
workers

329
289
319
257
284
324
303
310

32,389
28, 741
28,139
16, 204
19, 278
23,729
20,451
23,254

35,476
27,674
29, 921
13, 868
18, 236
25,627
20, 681
24,054

D ays of labor
performed

10,642,688
8,302,059
8, 976, 214
4,160, 298
5,470, 939
7,688,160
6,204,448
7, 216,239

T otal

73
53
49
17
29
45
24
28

Per
1,000
300day
w ork­
ers

T otal

2.06
1.92
1.64
1.23
1.59
1.76
1.16
1.16

7,792
4,031
3,415
1,853
1,710
2, 593
1,645
1,696

Per
1,000
300day
work­
ers
219. 64
145.66
114. 13
133. 62
93. 77
101.18
79.54
70. 51

Of the 7,246 men employed in beehive ovens in 1925, about 55 per
cent worked 8 hours a day and 30 per cent 9 hours; 517 men were
reported as working on the basis of 10 or 12 hours a day, the reports
for 574 not stating the length of shift. Of the 16,008 men employed

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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

a t by-product ovens, 76 per cent worked 8 hours a day and 9 per cent
12 hours. M en working 9, 10, and 11 hours a day aggregated only
324, and reports covering 2,032 men did n o t indicate the length of
shift. Table 2 shows the accident fatality and injury rates per
million hours’ exposure in beehive and in by-product coke ovens,
classified by length of shift, for the years 1924 and 1925.
T a b l e 2 .— F A T A L IT Y A N D IN J U R Y R A T E S IN B E E H IV E A N D B Y -P R O D U C T C O K E

O V E N S, B Y L E N G T H O P S H IF T , 1924 A N D 1925
1924
C haracter of injury

1925

R ate per m illion hours’ exposure in shifts of—
8 hours

9 hours

12 hours

8 hours

9 hours

12 hours

Beehive ovens

F a ta litie s............................................................

0. 394

D isabilities:
P erm an en t p a r t i a l ___ ___________ .
O ther serious__________________
Slight- _________ __ _ __________

.197
7. 688
42. 580

1.929
10.930
28. 612

0.465
11. 330
’ 26.695

T o tal nonfatal injuries. __________

50. 465

41. 471

38. 490

44.143

59. 938

G rand to ta l................... ..........................

50. 859

41.471

38. 490

44. 373

59. 938

3. 075

.533

0. 230
.230
8. 047
35. 866

39.959
19.979

B y -p ro d u c t ovens

F atalities............................................... ............

.598

0. 538

.515

.673
9.608
19. 366

.269
5. 648
43. 570

.888
5.669
17.181

T otal nonfatal injuries................

29. 647

49. 487

23. 738

G rand to ta l______________ .

30. 245

50.025

24. 253

D isabilities:
Perm anent p a rtia l...............................
O ther serious...................................
Slight__________________

1.067
5. 690
24.893
31. 650
3. 075

32.183

The rates at both beehive and by-product ovens were lower for
plants th a t were active the greater num ber of days during the year.
The injury ra te a t beehive ovens whose operating tim e averaged 300
or m ore days was 86.67 per thousand 300-day workers, while a t plants
which averaged less th an 50 workdays per m an the rate was 193.55.
The corresponding figures for by-product ovens were 61.46 and
1,000, respectively. The Bureau of M ines hopes to continue the com­
pilation of d a ta according to the num ber of days the plants operate to
see if later experience will confirm w hat the figures for 1925 seem to
indicate— th a t among the benefits of full-time em ploym ent is greater
safety to the men employed.
M ine A ccid en ts D ue to Explosives
H E num ber of mine accidents in the U nited States due to the use
of explosives is shown in a recent report (Technical P aper 406)
of the United States B ureau of Mines. According to this report,
during the p ast 14 years m ining accidents due to explosives have
caused 2.5 to 4.5 per cent of all fatalities a t bitum inous coal mines,
4.1 to 8.9 per cent a t anthracite and bitum inous mines combined,
8.7 to 14.2 per cent a t m etal mines, and 8.4 to 27.3 per cent a t quarries.

T


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T H E SA FE W ALKW A Y

35

The report states th a t complete data are not available on non­
fatal accidents a t coal mines, b u t special reports of nonfatalinjuries
from certain typical coal mines indicate th a t explosives cause less
than 1 per cent of all injuries to coal-mine employees. Only 1.1
to 2 per cent of all nonfatal injuries a t m etal mines and from 1.7
to 6.3 per cent of those a t quarries have been due to explosives.
These figures are based on the b u rea u ’s definition of an injury as an
accident th a t disables an employee for more than the rem ainder of
the day or shift on which the accident occurred. For every fatality
due to explosives since 1911 there have been 7.7 nonfatal injuries
a t m etal mines and 8.9 nonfatal injuries at quarries.
In 1919 the fatality rate a t anthracite mines was abnorm ally
high because of a powder explosion in a tunnel at W ilkes-Barre which
caused the death of 92 men. O m itting th a t year, it is said th a t
fatalities from the use of explosives in the anthracite mines of Penn­
sylvania from 1911 to 1925 ranged from 37 to 62 per cent of the to tal
num ber resulting from this cause in the U nited States as a whole.
The production of coal in these mines during th a t period ranged from
11 to 18 per cent of the coal tonnage of the U nited States. The
anthracite mines normally consume 49 to 73 per cent of all dynam ite
and other high explosives used at the coal mines in this country,
18 to 32 per cent of all permissible explosives, and 8 to 17 per cent
of all black blasting powder.
T h e S afe W a lk w ay a n d t h e “ F a ll of M a n ”

fatalities due to falls are more num erous than those due
to conflagrations, surface cars, and industrial m achinery
combined. A considerable portion of these falls are due
to the character or condition of the walkway surfaces. This is
pointed out in an article by H. W. Mowery in the February, 1927,
issue of the N ational Safety News.1
An interesting comparison m ay be made between the casualties
of w ar and those due to falls in time of peace. The w ar deaths in
the 150 y e a rs’ existence of the U nited States have num bered 111,012.
If it be assumed th a t the experience of nonregistration States is
the same as th a t of the registration area, the num ber of fatalities
due to falls would average about 14,000 per year, and eight years
would pile up a total equaling the war deaths of 150 years.
Another view of the hazard m ay be taken by noting th a t the A etna
Life Insurance Co. has settled 33,360 claims due to falls, by the
paym ent of $2,318,337.
Stairs.—The seriousness of the danger on stairw ays is recognized
in several States by provisions such as the following: “ In factories
over one story in height the stair treads shall be constructed and
m aintained so th a t persons walking thereon will not slip .” The
courts have recognized the obligation to provide against such hazard.
In W hite Plains, N. Y., a girl was given an award of $25,000 for
injuries sustained on account of a defective stair tread in a school
building. The State school code of New Jersey requires all concrete
steps to be equipped with approved safety treads. N ot only the
1 N atio n al Safety News, Chicago, F eb ru ary , 1927, p. 23.


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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

antislip quality of the m aterial bu t also other structural features
and conditions of use m ust be considered. For example, for grades
of more than 20 degrees and less than 50 degrees stairs should be
used, while for less th an 20 degrees a ram p is appropriate, and a
grade of over 50 degrees calls for a fixed ladder.
Ramps.—T he incline of a ram p should not usually be more than
15°, and an antislip surface should be secured by appropriate tre a t­
m ent.
Floors.—M aterials for floors should no t be chosen for their artis­
tic effect w ithout due attention to the qualities which will decrease
the hazard of slipping. Perhaps more im portant th an the original
surface characteristics of the walkway m aterial is, in certain cases,
the m ethod used in cleaning. For example, where soap is used in
cleaning floors a film is formed over the surface which m ay become
dangerously slippery on any day when atm ospheric hum idity is high.
Sidewalks.—I t is not so m uch the original surface characteristics
of sidewalk m aterial th a t give rise to danger as it is coal-hole and m an­
hole covers. From one such cover in New York, nine casualties were
reported to one insurance com pany in a single day. The hazard
is n o t only th a t of slipping bu t the hole when open, unless effectively
guarded^ offers an even more serious danger from falling into it.
D ue to increased durability, it is very common to give sidewalk
surfaces a “ trow el” finish, which much increases the clanger. Even
when an abrasive is used in a finishing coat it is desirable th a t
a wooden float be used. There is a real need of specifications re­
garding walkway surfaces which will serve as a guide in construc­
tion and maintenence.
C ost of A ccidents in th e H om e
H E author of an article in the N ational Safety News of F ebruary
1927,1
calls attention to the fact th a t the num ber of fatal
accidents (17,000) occurring in the home is nearly equal to the
num ber due to autom obiles. The automobile casualties have come
upon us so suddenly th a t they have naturally a ttrac ted a large am ount
of attention and much effort has been directed a t their control, b u t not
w ith the degree of success which m ight be desired. The attention of
the public has very naturally been concentrated on the efforts directed
tow ard industrial casualties and those of street and highway, and
this has tended to obscure the im portance of domestic happenings
which result in death and injury. The facts regarding such injuries
have n o t been>brought to public attention, and thus far there has
been no organized effort to control this class of hazards, b u t it is
one of sufficient size and im portance to deserve serious attention.
M ore th an one-third of the accidental deaths occurring in the
home involve children under 15 years of age while one-fourth in­
volve persons over 65 years of age who are to a considerable degree
infirm and helpless. The records of the M etropolitan Life In ­
surance Co. indicate th a t of the domestic accidents one-tenth are due
to falls, one-tenth to burns, and one-tenth to drowning. The oneten th due to burns arise from the gas and electric supply, the heat-

T

1 N ational Safety News, February, 1927, p. 11: “ Cost of accidents in the hom e,” b y E . W . Kopf.


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[506]

B U REA U O F M IN E S SA FETY LABELS

37

irig apparatus, cooking and other devices requiring heat. The
careless householder on occasion still fills a wooden box w ith hot
ashes from the furnace or goes exploring for a gas leak with a lighted
m atch.
I t is rather surprising th a t drowning in bathtubs and other w ater
containers is as serious a menace as are objects dangerous on account
of heat. Also a very considerable proportion of the cases of fatal
injury are due to accidental discharge of firearms, indicating the
need of much more rigorous restriction of the sale and possession
of such weapons.
The hazard, of the family medicine closet is not inconsiderable.
Adults are sometimes reckless in the use of poisonous substances
bu t nearly one-half the fatalities from poisonous substances were of
children under 15. W inding and narrow stairw ays present another
source of danger.
M uch of the gas dispensed in American cities contains a consider­
able proportion of carbon monoxide, _and constant vigilance th a t
the gas apparatus is in proper order is the only safeguard against
casualty. We are, from tim e to time, reminded-of the deadly charac­
ter of carbon monoxide gas by the death of the citizen who starts
his autom obile engine in a closed garage.
Practically every one is exposed to these domestic dangers. As a
beginning in com bating them , a vigorous educational effort is neces­
sary to acquaint the public with their seriousness.

B u re a u of M in e s S a fe ty L abels

M

O RE than 200,000 pieces of mining apparatus and equipm ent
now in use in the mines of the U nited States bear the U nited
States B ureau of M ines seal of approval as to safety, in the
form of a safety label, according to a pam phlet entitled “ Bureau of
M ines safety la b e ls /’ recently published as Inform ation Circular 6005
of th a t bureau.
Of all approved devices the one m ost widely used is said to_ be the
m iner’s electric cap lam p, nearly every one in use now having the
bureau’s label. E ach of these lam ps has been made safer by a
spring or ejector in the headpiece which disconnects the bulb from
the b a tte ry if the bulb glass is broken. As the m ajority of gas
explosions have been caused by open lights, no type of open lam p has
been approved. M any of the flame safety lam ps now have the label,
showing th a t they have stood a test in explosive m ixtures of gas and
air moving a t velocities as high as 2,500 feet per m inute. The lam p
has two gauzes, a bonnet or shield, and an internal relighter, and is
m agnetically locked. Key-locked flame safety lam ps are no t
approved, as they are too easily opened.
O ther mine equipm ent bearing the safety label includes gas masks
and self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus, electrically driven
coal-cutting machines, electric drills, storage-battery locomotives, and
shot-firing devices. In fact, it is said th a t it will soon be possible to
obtain one or more kinds of apparatus w ith this label for practically
every purpose for which m achinery and apparatus are used in under­
ground coal mining.

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M O N T H L Y LABOE R E V IE W

The label is stam ped or otherwise shown on a m etal p a rt of the
apparatus or on a plate th a t is fastened to it. Every label bears the
B ureau of M ines seal, the num ber of the approval, and the name of
the company to which the approval is granted; some of the labels
have a caution statem ent telling how to take care of the apparatus.
The approval plate is p u t on the lam p or other equipm ent by the
m anufacturer. He m ay p u t it only on equipm ent sim ilar in all
respects to th a t which was inspected, tested, and approved by the
bureau. If he m akes any change in it, thus m aking it different from
th a t approved by the bureau, he m ust have the change approved
before he has the right to p u t on the label. A record of ju st w hat
the equipm ent embodies is on file w ith the B ureau of Mines.
The bureau publishes directions called “ schedules” which are used
as guides in testing equipm ent for approval. Any m anufacturer can
subm it equipm ent for test under the conditions outlined in the sched­
ule covering th a t equipm ent. "If it m eets all the requirem ents of the
schedule it is approved.
Although the approved equipm ent m ay cost a little more as an
initial investm ent, if it prevents one mine disaster during the life of
the mine it is suggested th a t the increased cost will prove very cheap
insurance.
I t is pointed out th a t the approved equipm ent m ust be properly
m aintained and the conditions of approval obeyed in order to obtain
the measure of safety in mines for which those interested are striving.

P o is o n in g F r o m C a rb o n P a p e r

CASE of septic poisoning resulting in death which was believed
to have been caused by carbon paper has recently been re­
ported to the B ureau of Labor Statistics. The fatal case was
th a t of a m an working in a Governm ent office in W ashington, and
a t the tim e the case was reported his successor was in a very serious
condition in the hospital from the same cause. I t was believed th a t
the carbon paper had acted as a skin irrita n t and had provided the
portal of entry for the infection.
Cases of derm atitis from prin ter’s inks are no t unusual and it
appears th a t although the carbon paper does n o t become smeared
on the hands and arms to the same extent as printing ink, it does
rub off very considerably and typists have a good deal of difficulty
in rem oving it from their hands. One case of poisoning from carbon
paper is recorded in a recent report on occupational diseases in Ohio,1
and it seems th a t, while cases of poisoning from this source are so
infrequent th a t the danger has not been recognized by writers on
occupational diseases, it does present a definite hazard.

A

1 See L abor Review, Septem ber, 1925, p. 134.


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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

39

R e la tio n o f I l l u m i n a t i o n to E ffic ie n c y o n F in e W o rk

JO IN T report published recently by the British Industrial
Fatigue Research Board and the Illum ination Research Comm itte e 1 presents the results of a continuing investigation of the
relation of illum ination to the efficiency of workers engaged on fine
processes, typesetting by hand having been selected for the particular
experiments described in this study. The direct m ethod of lighting
was employed, direct glare being avoided. The copy chosen was of
a uniform character for which six-point type was used, and the work
was done entirely by artificial light. In order to avoid week-end
effects, all the tests, w ith the exception of the first, were m ade on
Tuesday and W ednesday from 9 a. m. to 12.30 p. m. and from 1.30
to 5 p. m. The o u tp u t was measured at half-hourly intervals and
account taken of the errors made.
The results show th a t generally the o utput was greater on the
second day of the test than on the first, although the report states
th a t there m ay be doubt as to whether the rate attained on the second
day could have been m aintained if continuous work by artificial light
had been prolonged for more th an two days. The d a ta gathered
indicate th a t the optim um value of illumination for hand composing
is of the order of 20 foot-candles,2 the subjects used for the experiment
complaining th a t the glare was uncom fortable when the illum ination
was as high as 24.5 foot-candles, although all direct glare in lighting
was avoided, as already mentioned. On the other hand, it was
found th a t “ if the illumination is less than 2 foot-candles nearly
one-quarter of the possible ou tp u t is lost, while the num ber of mis­
takes is more than doubled arid the fatigue experienced by the
compositors is m aterially increased. Even when the illum ination is
as m uch as 7 foot-candles— a value which is probably higher than
the present general practice—over 10 per cent of the possible output
is lost and there is an unnecessarily high percentage of errors.
* * * If work is done in artificial light only for a few hours a day,
there is no evidence th a t any undue ocular fatigue is likely to result,
providing the illumination is uniform and of the order of 10 footcandles. ”
1 G reat B ritain . In d u stria l F atig u e R esearch B oard and th e Illu m ination R esearch C om m ittee. T he
relation betw een illum ination an d efficiency in fine w ork (typesetting b y hand). London, 1926.
2 T h e “ foot-candle” is th e u n it of illum ination used in G reat B ritain a n d th e U nited States. A surface
1 foot square, situ a ted 1 foot aw ay from a lig h t source of one candle-power, a nd norm al to it, w ill have an
illum ination of 1 foot-candle. T h e am o u n t of illum ination, however, varies inversely as th e square of
the distance betw een th e light source a n d th e surface to be illu m in ated , so th a t a source of one candle power
situ a ted 2 feet aw ay will provide an illum ination of only one-quarter of a foot-candle,


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[509]

HO USING
H o u s in g fo r R u r a l W o rk e rs in E n g la n d

B IL L intended to improve the situation as regards housing for
rural workers in England passed both Houses of Parliam ent
and on December 15, 1926, received the royal assent. U nder
its term s local authorities m ay subm it to the M inister of H ealth
plans for the im provem ent or reconstruction of houses, or of buildings
which m ight be used for housing purposes, w ithin their districts,
w ith the object of providing dwellings for agricultural laborers, and
persons of similar economic position. If the M inister of H ealth
approves such a plan, the local authority concerned m ay give financial
help toward, putting the specified buildings into condition for occupa­
tion. When this is done, the Governm ent is authorized to assume
a p a rt of the expense incurred by the local authority. The M inistry
of Labor G azette (London) gives, in its issue for December, 1926, this
sum m ary of the provisions of the bill:

A

The reconstruction or improvement may consist of structural alteration,
repair, addition, provision of water supply, drainage or sanitary conveniences,
or the like; but shall not in any case include works of ordinary repair or upkeep,
except so far as they are incidental to or connected with other works. In order
to secure that the full benefit or the grant may accrue to the occupier of the
dwelling, and that the occupier is of the class described, special conditions are
to attach to the dwelling for a period of 20 years.
. The act also authorizes the Government to contribute toward any expenses
incurred by a local authority in making grants under schemes approved by the
Minister of Health (or by the Scottish Board of Health, as the case may be).
The Exchequer contributions are to be by way of annual payments for a period
of 20 years, and are to be equal to one-half of the estimated average annual charges
payable by the local authority.
The amount of the charge on the Exchequer will depend on the amount of
the grants which local authorities find it necessary to give; but, on the assump­
tion that the average amount of grants given was £75,* and that the number of
dwellings in respect of which grants are given was 20,000, the maximum charge
on the Exchequer, reckoning interest at 5 per cent, would be approximately
£60,000 a year for 20 years. The maximum charge on the local rates would,
under the scheme, be of the same amount.

R e d u c tio n in A m o u n t o f E n g lis h H o u s in g S u b s id y

N D E R the housing act of 1924 the M inister of H ealth, acting
in conjunction wuth the Scottish Board of H ealth, is em­
powered to issue orders “ altering the am ount or duration of
the contributions payable by the m inister or board in respect of
houses not completed before a specified d a te .” Acting upon this
authorization, the M inister of H ealth laid before the House of Com­
mons an order reducing the subsidy to be paid on houses not com­
pleted before October 1, 1927, and after much debate the House, on

U

1 Poun d a t p a r=$4.87; exchange rate is about $4.85.

40

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R E D U C T IO N O F E N G L IS H H O U S IN G SU B SID Y

41

December 2, 1926, approved the order. The term s of the order are
thus summarized in the M inistry of Labor G azette (London), in its
issue for December, 1926.
The order provides that, so far as respects houses which have not been com­
pleted before October 1, 1927, the contribution provided by the minister under
sections 1 and 3 of the housing act of 1923, as amended by section 1 of the act
of 1924, shall be reduced from £6 1 annually for 20 years to £4 annually for 20
years; and that for houses “ subject to special conditions” and not completed
before October 1, 1927, the contributions provided by the minister under section
2 of the act of 1924 shall be reduced from £9 annually for 40 years (£12 10s.
for houses in an agricultural parish) to £7 10s. or £11 annually, respectively,
for 40 years. The supplementary contributions payable by the London County
Council under subsection (6) of section 1 of the act of 1923 and under subsection
(5) of section 2 of the act of 1924 are also reduced.
I t will be noticed that the order does not apply to any house completed before
October 1, 1927. It should also be noted that though, as required by the act of
1924, the order is issued under the joint authority of the Minister of Health and
of the Scottish Board of Health, it does not, in fact, apply to Scotland.
1 P ound a t p a r=$4.87; exchange ra te is about $4.85.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[5111

COOPERATION
S ta tu s of B u ild in g a n d Loan A ssociations, 1924-25
H E following table was taken from the report of the secretary of
the ^United States League of Local Building and Loan Asso­
ciations (Cincinnati, Ohio) to the thirty-fourth m eeting of the
league, held a t M inneapolis, July 20-22, 1926. I t shows the num ber
of associations, membership, and assets of the local building and
loan associations in the U nited States and, of the assets, the total
outstanding in m ortgage loans:

T

ST A T U S OF B U IL D IN G A N D L O A N A S S O C IA T IO N S, 1924-25, B Y S T A T E S

State

N um ­
Total
ber of
ber­
associa­ m em
ship
tions

A rizona______________________ ________
5,530
6
A rkansas__________ ___ ____ _________ ________
63
46,286
C alifo rn ia.................................... ....................................
152
156,388
Colorado__________ ________ ______ _______
56
72,183
C onnecticut____________ ___________
37
35, 574
D elaw are_______________ __________ _
40
14, 500
D istrict of C olum bia____________________________
57, 239
23
Florida....................................... ...................................
47
25,365
Illinois______ _________________ . . . . . . .
852
783, 888
Indian a 2_______________________________________
397
349, 879
Io w a .____ ____________________________________
74
71, 800
K ansas_____________________________________ __
148
172, 272
K en tu ck y __________________________ ______ _____
125, 200
145
Louisiana.............................. '____ __________________
162,148
94
M ain e________________ _______________________
39
25, 787
M assach u setts__ _______________________ _ _
439, 553
220
M ichigan_____________________________ _______
90
177, 883
M inn eso ta..................... .....................................................
66, 429
83
M issouri_________________ ______________ .
242
182, 550
M o n tan a ______________________________________
36,
900
30
N ebrask a__ ______________ _ ____________
84
202,100
N ew H am p sh ire_____________ ________________ _
14, 773
28
N ew Je rs e y 3_______________________________
1,008, 092
1, 410
N ew M exico__________________________________ _
4 12
4 6, 300
Now Y o rk _____ _________ _____________
447, 721
305
N o rth C arolina_________________________________
246
92,007
N o rth D a k o ta __________________________________
17
13, 960
O hio_______________________ ____ ______ ____
865
2,098, 733
O klahom a____________________ __________ _
88
146, 210
Oregon________ _______________________ ______
37
34, 200
P enn sy lv an ia___ ______ _______________ ____ ____ 4 4, 440 4 1,700,000
R hode Is la n d _____ _______ ________ ____ _________
7
29, 248
South C arolina____ _____ _______ ____ ______ ____
4 25,000
4 150
S outh D a k o ta _________ ____ ________________
27
7, 950
Tennessee_________ ____ ___________________ ____
21
8, 775
Texas........ .........................................................................
a3, 562
119
U ta h ............................................ .........................................
24
61, 000
V erm ont______ ____ ____________ _____________
9
3, 533
217, 440
W ashington___________ _______________________
71
54, 500
W est V irginia_____________________ ______ ______
59
W isconsin_________________________________ ____
200, 939
167
O ther S tates.......... ................................................... ....... 4 1,379
4 433, 600
T o ta l____________________________ ________ 12, 403
1 Included w ith “ other States.”
2 As of Dec. 31,1925.

42

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

9, 886,997

T o tal assets

$2,371,970
27, 551, 264
140,657, 891
30, 458, 600
16,197, 954
7, 412, 252
46,020,000
33, 616, 550
317, 403,747
218, 479,623
37,380, 525
93, 267, 836
64,192, 658
129,924,059
16, 631, 015
369,273, 095
96,302, 277
25,212, 662
117,007, 732
13,109, 462
141,435, 904
8,145, 484
645,539, 550
4 2,950, 000
258,089, 817
81,188, 546
6,965, 555
847,570, 701
93,061, 767
14,871,323
4 990,000,000
17,075, 323
4 20,000,000
4,951, 443
5,212,066
51,971, 859
24,458, 736
1,798, 039
76,145, 600
25,000, 000
149, 648,269
4 239, 625,000

21, 840,942
1, 690,984
62, 934,356
G)
144, 999,013
594, 506,774

5, 509,176,154

5,085,009,639

3 As of M ay 31, 1925i
4 E stim ated.

[512]

M ortgage
loans

$2,060, 659
G)
130, 883, 648
27, 815, 445
(i)
6, 486, 716
44,321,000
(0
301,325,212
199,982, 657
35,377,861
81,255, 584
(0
C1)
(>)
348, 503,053
88, 636,859
21,995,587
107,651,544
C1)
126, 752, 579
7, 788, 965
614,083,318
(0
240,359, 492
73,014,392
6,014,163
766, 256,091
84, 612,070
12, 647, 854
910,000,000
16,223,294
0)

G)

4, 989,527

G)

43

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

Condition of Labor Banks as of December 31, 1926
H E research departm ent of the Am algam ated Clothing Workers
of America has furnished the following d a ta showing the con­
dition of the various labor banks on December 31, 1926.
T he num ber of banks rem ains the same as in the previous state­
m ent, given in the October, 1926, issue of the Labor Review. The
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Cooperative T ru st Co. of
New York C ity was sold to private interests in August, 1926, and
the Brotherhood Savings & T ru st Co. of Pittsburgh was closed in
October, 1926. The loss of these two was offset by two new banks—
the G ary Labor B ank and the Brotherhood N ational B ank of San
Francisco.
D uring the last half of 1926 the surplus and profits of all the banks
combined increased 0.4 per cent, the deposits 1 per cent, and the
total resources 0.4 per cent.

T

C O N D IT IO N O F L A B O R B A N K S AS O F D E C E M B E R 31, 1926

N am e of ban k and location

Surplus
and
profits

T otal
deposits

M o u n t V ernon Savings Bank,! W ashington, D . C ___________________ $144, 208 $4, 237, 408
B rotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Cooperative N ational B ank,
C leveland, Ohio................... ................ . .................................................. ........... 398, 274 23,174, 453
U nited B ank & T ru st Co., Tucson, A riz............... ..........................................
528,182
2,102
Peoples Cooperative S tate B ank, H am m ond, In d ....... .............. ..................
36, 922 1, 716, 757
N ottingham Savings & B anking Co., C leveland, Ohio_______ ________
751, 908
11,119
San B ernardino Valley B ank, San B ernardino, Calif..................................
29, 240 1, 860,163
A m algam ated T ru st & Savings B ank, Chicago, 111________ ___________ 159, 645 2, 837, 297
T ransportation B rotherhoods N ational B ank, M inneapolis, M in n _____
68, 612 2, 241, 884
A m algam ated B ank of N ew Y ork______________ ______ ______ _______ 230, 426 7, 824, 520
Labor N ational B ank of M o ntana, T hree Forks, M o n t_______________
166, 745
9, 727
Federation B ank & T ru st Co. of N ew Y o rk _________________________
948,165 16, 551,141
Telegraphers N ational B ank, St. Louis, M o_____________ ___________
192, 368 6, 266, 662
65, 919 2, 823,186
Brotherhoods Cooperative N ational B ank, Spokane, W ash...... ................
B rotherhood of R ailw ay Clerks N ational B ank, C incinnati, Ohio_____
52,183 3, 788,101
U nited L abor B ank & T ru st Co., Indianapolis, I n d ....................................
7,815
875, 323
Internatio n al U nion B ank, N ew Y ork C ity ..................................... .............. 209, 274 3, 512, 437
F irst N ational B ank in Bakersfield, Calif____________ _____ ___ ____ _
25, 384 1, 508.115
L abor N ational B ank, G reat Falls, M o n t...................................... ..............
18, 755
549, 397
Farm ers & W orkingm en’s Savings B ank, Jackson, M ich ....... ....................
792,858
18, 827
54, 363 3, 520, 701
T he Peoples N ational B ank of Los Angeles, Calif_____________ _____
B rotherhood of Locomotive Engineers N ational B ank, Boston, M a s s ...
76,108 3, 550,176
Labor C ooperative N ational B ank, Paterson, N . J ........... - .............. .......... 104, 845 3, 790, 956
B rotherhood S tate B ank, K ansas C ity, K ans................................................
669, 998
21, 786
B rotherhood Cooperative N ational B ank of Portland, Oreg___________
54, 583 2,211, 478
B rotherhood of Locomotive Engineers B an k & T ru st Co., B irm ing­
67, 351 1, 261, 803
ham , A la...............................................................................................................
5,875
B rotherhood S tate B ank, H illyard, Spokane, W ash___________ _______
192, 642
B rotherhood of Locomotive Engineers T itle & T ru st Co., Philadelphia.. 257, 495 1,247, 002
125, 000 2,407,170
Labor Cooperative N ational B an k ,2 N ew ark, N . J ________ ______ ____
B rotherhood Cooperative N ational B ank, Tacoma, W ash.........................
43,114 2, 803, 376
629, 831
T he Am erican B ank, Toledo, O h io ...................... ............................ ..............
50,000
41, 411
905, 020
B rotherhood B ank & T ru st Co., Seattle, W ash________ _____________
480, 445
11, 346
G ary L abor B ank, G ary, I n d .......... ..................................................................
L abor B ank & T ru st Co., Houston, T ex.......... .................. .............................
338,069
19,843
62, 963
H aw kins C ou n ty B an k ,3 Rogersville, Tenn__............................................ .
588, 651
65, 807 1,183, 637
L abor N ational B an k of Jersey C ity, Jersey C ity, N . J . . ...........................
B rotherhood N ational B ank of San F ran cisco ............................................... 115, 288 1, 837, 289

Total
resources

$4, 825, 216
25, 483, 728
600, 284
1, 901, 777
845, 527
2, 065, 427
3, 230, 895
2, 611, 000
8, 642,113
201, 471
19, 081, 983
7, 217. 467
3, 293, 820
4, 254, 937
1,117,126
4, 005, 226
1, 637, 095
668,152
911, 948
4, 206, 603
4, 388, 631
4, 414,147
791, 785
2, 667, 409
2,114, 092
224, 428
2, 051, 612
2, 853, 995
3, 252, 215
882, 952
1,196, 431
577, 430
460, 111
701, 614
1, 525, 652
2, 452,879

T o tal (36 b an k s)............................................................................................ 3, 806,143 109,624,781 127, 357,178

3S tatem en t as of N ov. 22, 1926.

1 Statem ent as of June 30, 1926.
3 S tatem ent as of Dec. 1, 1926.

33892°— 27------ 4


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[513]

44

M O N T H L Y LABOS BE V IE W

P r a c ti c a b i li t y o f U se o f C o n t r a c t in C o n s u m e r s ’ C o o p e ra tiv e
S o c ie tie s

S TH OSE who have followed the developm ent of the coopera­
tive m ovement in this country know, the use of the contract
by farm ers’ m arketing organizations has been increasing.
Under the contract the mem ber binds himself, for a term of years,
to deliver to the association all of his crop, to be m arketed by it.
This assures the association a certain volume of business, a Very
essential factor in its success.
One of the problems of the consumers’ society is the securing of a
sufficient patronage to m ake efficient and successful operation pos­
sible. The patronage dividend th a t increases as the m em ber’s trade
with the store increases is an inducem ent, of course, bu t n o t always
one of sufficient strength. Some societies try to m eet the situation
by penalizing a mem ber who fails to trade a t the store by withholding
his dividend if his annual patronage falls below a certain am ount.
The Canadian Cooperative (Brantford, O ntario) suggests in its
November, 1926, issue, th a t the consumers’ societies m ay be able
to profit by the m ethods of the farm ers’ m arketing organization.
The w riter points out th a t it is easier for the m arketing association
than for the consumers’ association to be successful. The society
assembles the crop of its members—usually one commodity— and
m arkets this to the best advantage.

A

In the case of the_ consumers’ society, the process is reversed. Purchases are
made m large quantities and disposed of retail to a variety of customers whose
idiosyncracies have individually to be considered in efforts to command their
good will. In marketing, the price is usually determined by world-trade condi­
tions, into which the human element does not enter to any considerable
extent. _ The commodity flows naturally to its destination according to demand.
In distribution, there is not one commodity but hundreds as to which the management must gain knowledge and experience. In the effort to unload upon the
public m small quantities the bulk purchased, considerable resource lias to be
exercised, owing to the keenness and intensity of competition by the many
private traders unnecessarily struggling with each other to provide exactly the
same service. In the case of the marketing institution, a small executive body
is responsible for the transmission of a huge volume of produce through recognized
channels, and therefore ample- funds are available to hire the best procurable
talent the interests of the organization suggest to be of advantage in promoting
successful operation. ^ As to the consumers’ society, not only is there the problem
of successfully meeting intensity of competition in providing the distributive
service, but a large variety of merchandise to understand, and much more com­
mercial detail to master, and yet, owing to the relatively restricted volume of
business done, it is not usually possible, if it were desirable, to provide large
emoluments for the most expert managerial and technical service obtainable.

The individual producer runs little risk of loss by thus giving up
his right to dispose of his produce as he pleases. This is not true in
the consumers’ society for there the success of the business depends
upon so m any factors and contingencies th a t there is no assurance
th a t the business will be conducted efficiently and economically,
especially in the early years of operation when the officials are gaining
experience.
It is imperative that the consumers’ society, if it is to live, must be able to
demonstrate its social value, and in proportion and to the extent to which it does
it will grow in success and importance. Instead, therefore, of iron-clad contracts,
the consumers’ society must depend upon the cultivation in each locality of
cooperative knowledge and spirit; and the development and expression, in the

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[ 514]

45

C O N SU M ER S’ COOPERATION IN CANADA

direction of the organization, of the practical business talent which must be
innate in many of its members.

The w riter thinks, however, th a t two exceptions m ay be made
to the above: (1) A retail society which is a member of a cooperative
wholesale society should not be perm itted to buy from private sources
any supplies which can be obtained from the cooperative wholesale.
“ If any of the cooperative wholesale society prices are higher than
those of its com petitors the retail societies collectively m ust ascertain
the cause and solve the problem, if one should exist.”
(2) I t m ight be expedient for the members of a new society to
bind themselves by contract to purchase through the society all
goods needed which are handled by it, for the first 12 m onths of the
society’s existence.
Long experience has taught us that if, say, two hundred members subscribe
to the share capital of a new society and promise trade loyalty, only one-half,
in many instances, and a considerable proportion in others, will redeem their
pledge of support. The remainder will sit on the fence to see if the loyal members
can make a success of the undertaking. If the nonpurchasing members should
find substantial economies are being effected for consumers, most of them will,
after the end of the first term, commence to trade with the view of sharing therein;
thereby taking full advantage of the labor and loyalty of others. As the operat­
ing expenses have been based upon the gross revenue likely to accrue from the
promised trade support, the initial disloyalty makes it difficult to operate with
success, and if at the end of the first term a trade loss is shown some of the mem­
bers who hitherto had been loyal get discouraged. They are liable to increase
the difficulties of the institution by transferring their patronage to private
traders; notwithstanding the fact that thereby they are jeopardizing their sharecapital investment, and gain no financial advantage in prices. If, however, all
members were required to enter into a written contract for the first twelve
months to purchase such merchandise as the society handles exclusively there­
from, the volume available would enable the organization to justify its existence.
It ought subsequently to depend upon its own achievements to merit popular
confidence.
C o n s u m e r s ’ C o o p e ra tio n in C a n a d a

^H E C anadian Cooperator (Brantford, Out.) for December, 1926,
contains 1925 d a ta for the United Grain Growers and 16 other
cooperative societies affiliated with the Canadian Cooperative
Union. The data are as follows:

T

R etail societies

Membership________
Share capital_______
Loan capital_______
Reserves__________
Sales______________
Net profit_________
Patronage dividends. _
Number of employees.

7,
$354.
$157;
$151,
$2, 792,
$154,
$118,

308
971
838
791
872
140
945
208

U nited G rain
Growers

35, 441
$2, 890, 628
$1, 203, 182
1 $2, 701, 943
$418, 574
750

The period the societies have been in operation ranges from 2 to
193dz years, the average being 9 years and 2 months.
The rate of in terst paid on capital ranged from 4 to 8 per cent,
five societies each paying 5, 6, and 8 per cent. R ate of dividend
returned on patronage ranged from 2 to 12 per cent. Five societies
paid no patronage rebates.
1 D istrib u tiv e d ep artm en ts only; figures for other item s a p p ly to all departm ents.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[515]

46

M O N T H L Y LABOK B E V IE W

P ro v is io n fo r A r b itr a tio n o f D is p u te s B e tw e e n C o o p e ra tiv e
S o c ie tie s a n d T h e ir E m p lo y e e s

Great Britain
H E necessity for some arrangem ent for the handling of relations
between cooperative societies and their employees was made
very evident during the general strike in G reat B ritain and
during the eight m onths of the lockout in the mining regions. This
is pointed, out in the January, 1927, issue of the M onthly Circular
of the Labor Research D epartm ent (London). D uring the general
strike the workers were withdraw n from the cooperative establish­
m ents even though m any of the strikers were dependent upon the
cooperative stores for their supplies, and one union which had called
out its cooperative employee members had finally to appeal to the
cooperators for financial aid.
One difficulty has been overcome by the setting up of new national
m achinery to deal w ith disputes in the cooperative establishments.
A joint com m ittee of cooperators and trade-unionists had been in
existence since 1882, b u t this was abolished in 1926.
The new plan agreed to by the Cooperative Union and the tradeunions representing the cooperative employees, provides for a national
conciliation board composed of an independent chairm an and six
representatives each from the workers and cooperative societies.
These representatives are to be chosen from a panel composed of four
representatives from each of the unions having members in cooper­
ative em ploym ent and four representatives from the Cooperative
Union and other national cooperative federations. The six represent­
atives of the workers’ side are to be chosen in any given dispute by the
trade-union or unions p arty to the dispute, b u t two representatives
m ust be chosen from the members of the panel nom inated by tradeunions other than those directly concerned. The independent
chairm an is to be chosen by rotation from a panel of six persons
to be selected from a list of fifteen. A unanim ous decision by the
twelve members of the board will constitute a binding decision on
both sides if both sides agree to abide by it; and failing other
settlem ent, if both parties agree, recourse can be had to the
independent chairm an as arbitrator.
In the various sections of the Cooperative Union, the hours and
wages boards representing the m anagem ent committees of the socie­
ties still rem ain in existence, and are being developed b}r the labor
comm ittee of the Cooperative Union. In the M idland Section a
sectional conciliation board was set up on the dissolution of the old
national joint committee, including four representatives of the M id­
land sectional wages board and four representatives of the union.
This has worked satisfactorily.
Seventeen unions are parties to the agreement for the new national
conciliation board, and have appointed their representatives to the
panel.

T


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[516]

PR O V ISIO N PO E A RBITRA TIO N O P D IS P U T E S

47

Sweden 1

YJT/ITH a view to preventing a cessation of work in case of disputes
v'
of cooperative societies w ith their employees, negotiations for
the draw ing up of regulations to govern in the above cases were
opened early in 1926 between the Swedish Cooperative Union and the
secretariat of the Confederation of Trade-Unions. An agreem ent was
arrived a t which has been approved by both parties, as follows:
With a view to promoting the settlement of all differences without a stoppage
of work, the undersigned organizations have concluded the following agreement:
(1) In accordance with the principles specified below, the parties shall appoint
a conciliation board to which disputes shall be referred in accordance with head
(3). The conciliation board shall mediate in disputes and seek to arrive at a
settlement between the disputing parties.
(2) The Cooperative Union and the Swedish Confederation of Trade-Unions
shall each appoint three members of the conciliation, board. If these members
are agreed, they may appoint an impartial chairman to preside over the work of
the board in cases in which this is considered desirable and necessary by the
board. Otherwise the chairman and secretary are appointed from among the
members of the board.
(3) It shall be the duty of the conciliation board to take up for consideration
all disputes that can not be settled by negotiation between cooperative under­
takings and trade-unions. The board shall examine without delay the matters
submitted to it, and endeavor by all means in its power to promote an agreement
between the parties.
(4) The undersigned organizations are agreed that no kind of stoppage of work
may take place before the dispute has been submitted to the conciliation board
and the latter has taken all measures it considers possible to settle the dispute.
(5) This agreement shall remain in force until January 1, 1928, subject to
three months’ notice by either party. If notice is not given, the agreement shall
be continued on a yearly basis.
1 Intern atio n al Labor Office. In d u strial and L abor Inform ation, Geneva, O ct. 4, 1926, pp. 27 and 28.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[517]

WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND
SOCIAL INSURANCE
P ro b le m o f O ld -A g e P e n s io n s i n I n d u s t r y

ND ER this title the research director of the Pennsylvania Old
Age Pension Commission (Harrisburg) has recently published
the results of an extensive stu d y of old-age pension systems
m aintained by private firms or corporations. E arly in 1925 the com­
mission sent o u t a request to approxim ately 3,000 of the larger
concerns in the United States, asking for inform ation as to provision
m ade for aged employees, and to this request over 1,600 replies were
received. Of the concerns answering, 594 sta te d th a t they provided
pensions, 370 having either a formal pension plan or a definite policy
which had been followed for a num ber of years, while 224 stated th a t
they have no formal system b u t pay pension allowances from time
to tim e in individual m eritorious cases. T he extent to which these
system s and plans are m eeting the needs of the aged workers and
providing for the future of those not y e t aged is thus summed up:

U

The total number of persons now in receipt of pensions from all industrial
concerns in the United States does not exceed 100,000. There are probably
1,800,000 dependent aged persons 65 years of age and over in the country to-day.
From 5 to 6 per cent, therefore, of all needy aged are being provided for through
the medium of pensions from firms that have employed them.
The amount of the average industrial pension is estimated to be $485 per year.
. The estimated total amount spent during the last fiscal year by all concerns
m this country paying pensions of all kinds to approximately 90,000 individuals
is about $43,000,000.
About 16 per cent of all employees engaged in the manufacturing and mechani­
cal industries, transportation, extraction of minerals, and clerical occupations
have the expectation of being paid old-age pensions by the concerns for which
they have worked.
Private pensions systems are for the most part confined to the industries in the
public service—i. e., railways, urban transit, power and light companies, etc.
Two-thirds of all -wage earners covered by formal pension plans are included in
the public service industries. If the employees in the metal industries who are
covered by pension plans are added to the number of workers so provided for in
the public utilities group, the total number of persons in these two categories who
are now covered by pension systems would represent roughly four-fifths of all the
workers protected by private pension plans.
As a rule only the_ largest and more prosperous corporations can now afford
the cost of systematically pensioning aged employees.
Seventy-two per cent of all the concerns who notified this commission that
they are operating pension plans employ over 1,000 workers each. What this
fact really signifies when seeking to determine the extent to which industrial
pension plans protect all workers, will only be realized when it is understood that
the bulk of wage earners in this country are still employed bv comparatively
small concerns. Only 6 per cent of all industrial establishments in the United
States employ 101 workers and over, it is shown in the United States census
figures for 1920.

48

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Necessity for Pension Systems
E report stresses the fact th a t some form of caring for aged em ­
ployees has become almost a necessity from a business sta n d ­
point. In former days it m ight be held th a t it was the employee’s
d uty to m ake such provision himself, and th a t if he failed to do so,
the employer had no responsibility in the m atter, b u t this a ttitu d e is
hardly tenable to-day, in view of the various studies as to the cost of
living and bringing up a family in relation to wage scales and regu­
larity of employment. “All theories about th rift and independence
and all objections to paternalism notw ithstanding, employers of labor
have found th a t, in practice, the average wages paid in m ost indus­
trial establishm ents have proved insufficient to provide for those
periods of life when the wage earner is no longer able to participate
actively in industry.” B u t the lack of such a provision tends to
prevent the employer from managing his business efficiently and
economically.
T h e e m p lo y e rs n e e d a c o m p re h e n s iv e p e n sio n s y s te m b e c a u se , _ w h ile t h e
p re se n c e of t h e s u p e r a n n u a te d e m p lo y e e s in a b u sin e ss se rio u sly im p a irs its
efficiency t h e d ic ta te s b o t h of h u m a n ity a n d of p o lic y p r e v e n t d is c h a rg e u n le ss
t h e i r fin a n c ia l n e c e ssitie s a re p ro v id e d fo r. T h e d e m a n d fo r a p e n sio n s y s te m
g ro w s m o re p re ssin g a s b u sin e sse s g ro w m o re s ta b le ; fo r in o ld e r b u sin e sse s th e r e
is a c o n s t a n t te n d e n c y t o a c c u m u la te s u p e r a n n u a te d e m p lo y e e s. T h e d e m a n d
b e c o m e s p a r tic u la r ly a c u te w h e n b u sin e sse s g ro w la rg e a s w ell a s o ld ; fo r t h e n i t
b e c o m e s d iffic u lt to p ro v id e fo r th e in d iv id u a l n e e d s of t h e a b n o r m a l e m p lo y e e .

Moreover, the uneasiness which the workers themselves feel as they
realize the lack of any safeguards for their future tends to im pair
their efficiency and to increase labor turnover. Some employers try
to m eet the situation by finding lighter jobs for the workers who have
grown too old for full work, and others simply discharge "workers as
they become inefficient, b u t both of these policies have drawbacks.

Cost of Private Pension Systems
, study deals at length with the various kinds of pension systems
lound in operation, describing the character, w hether contribu­
tory or noncontributory, the requirem ents for participation in bene­
fits, the m ethod of determining the am ount of the pension, the condi­
tions under which it is received, the m anner in which the pension
fund is financed, the extent to which employees have any legal claim
to the pensions promised, and the like. The discussion of the cost
of private systems and of the m ethods of financing them is of special
interest. The real cost of a plan, it is pointed out, has rarely been
realized a t its inception. A t the beginning of a system there are b u t
few employees in a position to claim its benefits, and for some years
the cost is small as compared w ith the advantages. B u t pension lia­
bilities extend over m any years, and actuaries point out th a t the full
cost of a system m ay not become apparent for 50 years or more after
its inauguration. “Almost universal satisfaction w ith their pension
plans is expressed by employers of labor in the early years of these
experiments. B u t after 20 or 30 years have gone by and the cost oi
pension obligations shows a continuous and unexpected tendency to
rise, the earlier satisfaction is dissipated and a reaction to pessimism
sets in.” The table following is presented bearing on this subject.

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R E L A T IO N O P P E N S IO N E R S TO T O T A L E M P L O Y E E S A N D O P E X P E N D IT U R E F O R
P E N S IO N S TO T O T A L PA Y R O L L D U R IN G F IR S T Y E A R O F O P E R A T IO N O F P L A N A N D
D U R IN G 1925-26
Pensioners

Pension fund in existence— N um ber
of firms
rep o rt­
ing

E xpenditure for pensions

Per cent of p en­
sioners of to tal
ber
employees
Per cent Nofum
firms
of in ­
report­
crease
ing
F irst
1925-26
year

Per cent of ex­
penditure for
pensions of total
pay roll
F irst
year

Per cent
of in ­
crease

1925-26

U nder 5 years.........................._
5 and u nder 10 years- ____
10 and u n d er 15 years__ _ __
15 an d u n d er 20 years_______
20 years and over....................

19
41
40
12
12

0.52
.48
.50
.62
.30

0. 92
1. 51
1. 71
1. 61
1. 76

76
214
242
*159
488

20
35
39
8
11

0.16
.13
.20
.34
.14

0.37
.52
. 57
.67
.93

131
300
*185

T o ta l-------------------------

124

.48

1. 50

236

113

. 19

.61

255

*97

564

Concerning the three cases in which the percentages of increase
shown above are starred, it is pointed out th a t these groups include
several concerns whose forces have expanded during these years out
of all proportion to the average growth of these industries, thereby
altering the normal relations of the two factors. Even so, the increase
is striking.
Among 124 pension systems, with an average age of about 9 years, the pension­
ers constituted when the plan was started 0.48 per cent of the total number of
employees. On the other hand, during the last fiscal year the percentage of
pensioners to the total number of employees had risen to 1.50, or more than three
times the number in 9 years. Similarly, while on the whole American concerns
still spend less than 1 per cent of the total pay roll on pensions, this is due solely
to the enormous increases in the working forces in practically all these establish­
ments and the tremendously increased total pay rolls due to both the larger
number of employees and the rise in the wages during the last decade. What is
exceedingly significant is that in spite of these prodigious expansions, the total
pension expenditures for all concerns reporting increased from 0.19 per cent of the
total pay roll the first year to 0.61 per cent the last fiscal year, an increase of
over 300 per cent. In the case of those concerns which have been in existence for
20 years and over, the percentage of pensioners to the total number of employees
has increased almost 500 per cent at the present time and the proportion of pen­
sion expenditure to the total pay rolls in these establishments has risen well over
500 per cent. Indeed, were it not for these additions which inherently give a
false picture of the comparisons of pension ratios, the expenditures on pensions
would have long ago reached a point beyond the capacity of many of the firms
to pay such amounts.

A nother table shows the same tendency to increased costs in another
m anner, as follows:
T O T A L E X P E N D IT U R E S ON P E N S IO N S A N D A V E R A G E P E N S IO N G R A N T E D D U R IN G
Y E A R 1924-25
N um ber of T otal spent on
concerns
pensions
reporting

F u n d in existence—

Total
num ber of
pensioners

U nder 5 years.- ........ ................................... . ..............
5 and u n d e r 10 years....... ............._................ ........ .........
10 and u n d er 15 years................................................ .
15 and u n d er 20 years.......................................................
20 years and over........... ..................................................

18
44
50
14
21

$736, 074
1, 451, 949
4, 915, 803
2, 623, 263
8, 822, 440

1, 273
2, 790
10, 329
5, 356
23^ 975

T o ta l....................... ................................................

147

18, 549, 529

43, 723


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Average
pension

$578
520
475
489
363

PR O B LEM O F OLD-A GE P E N S IO N S IN IN D U S T R Y

51

H ere the difference between the expenditures of the various con­
cerns is very striking, the time element being the main factor in this
difference, although the pensions provided by the earlier plans are
noticeably smaller than those paid under more recent plans. The
average pension given by the 21 firms who have had plans in opera­
tion for 20 years or more is only $363 against $578 and $520 paid by
firms who have had pension systems for not exceeding 10 years, yet
the total am ount expended by the first group during the year covered
is $8,822,440 against $2,188,023 of the second group.

Tendency to Rising Costs of Pension Plans
'T H E above figures merely illustrate the inevitable upward tendency
* of pension costs. When a system is started, there are usually
only a small num ber eligible for retirem ent, and their pensions form a
light burden. B u t they rem ain on the list, and each year new pen­
sioners are added, until the accum ulated num ber becomes serious.
Some, of course, are removed from the list by death, b u t for a long
while accessions outnum ber removals, and the pension expenditures
m ount rapidly. M oreover, pensions are usually calculated on the
basis of the wages the worker receives, either at the tim e of his retire­
m ent or for a specified period before th a t time. In m ost industries
the wage scale has shown a m arked increase in recent years, and this,
of course, is reflected in the am ount of the individual worker’s pension.
Again, m any of the employers who have installed systems have found
their industries have shared in the general prosperity of the country
and their working force has largely increased, thus increasing the
num ber for whom pensions m ust eventually be provided.
To illustrate the process of increase, the report assumes th a t a
typical company employing 1,000 workers in 1925 was organized in
1885, and in 1915 adopted a plan retiring all employees after 3-0 years’
service on a pension which, calculated upon a basis of 1 per cent of
the average wages during the 10 years preceding retirem ent for every
year of service, provides a pension of $30 a m onth. “ If this company
is to be typical of American concerns, its force of employees which in
1925 num bered 1,000 was somewhat smaller in 1915 and was probably
not more than one-third its present size in 1885 when it started opera­
tions.” Consequently, the num ber who in 1915 finish their 30 years
of service and retire will be very small, so small th a t the burden of
their pensions m ay seem absolutely negligible, b u t each year adds
more to the roll.
The total number of pensioners in 1925 will be made up of all the employees
retired since 1915 minus those who have already died. Assuming that our typical
company’s growth has been normal and steady it means that each year, until
30 years after the company had reached its maximum number of employees, the
number of new pensioners will continue to grow. The increase in the pension
roll will be in direct ratio to the annual increase in the number of employees 30
years before. Assuming further that our typical concern’s growth has been
steady up to 1925 and became stationary from that year on, it will mean that
the company’s annual crop of pensioners will continue to increase up to 1955,
30 years after it has reached its peak in the number of employees, and 40 years
after the inauguration of the plan.
The actual cost of the pensions in our typical concern will have increased for
another reason also. By 1925 the company will have found that although the
same basis of computing the pension had been retained, the actual pension allow­
ance will have been doubled or trebled as compared with those granted in 1915.

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This, of course, is due to the fact that the average wage upon which the pension
is based has either doubled or trebled during this period. In addition, if the
pension plan has been at all effective, it means that as the years go by the labor
turnover is greatly reduced, resulting in a proportionately larger crop of retired
employees as compared to the total number of emplovee's. All of these factors
thus tend to make pension costs continuously more burdensome.

Actual increases in Costs
'T O SHOW th a t experience conforms to theory in this case, the report
presents figures as to the cost of operation of certain pension
systems for the first year and for the latest, as follows:
A CTUAL

P E N S IO N

E X P E N D IT U R E S

BY

E S T A B L IS H M E N T S

Year
T otal
when
Paym ents
plan was paym ents during last
during
estab ­
fiscal
year
first year
lished

N am e of com pany

American Sugar Refining Co
B altim ore & Ohio R . R
Chipago, Rock Island & Pacific Railw ay Co
Galveston, H arrisburg & San A ntonio R ailw ay Co
Pennsylvania R ailroad C o .. .
P ittsb u rg h P late Glass Co __
U . S. Steel C orporation___
Average age of pension p la n s ...
1 F irst ful1 Fear-

S P E C IF IE D

1 1913
1884
1910
1903
1900
2 1909
1911

$37,031
7,354
24, 558
6. 056
300, 000
5,219
281, 457

Per cent
of in ­
crease

$199,100
452, 576
279,304
149, 780
4,194,024
34, 693
2,068, 653

437
6, 054
1,037
2,373
1, 298
564
635

19 years. Average ncrease___

1, 771

2 F irst year for which figures were obtainable.

Methods of Financing Pension Plans
^ T T E N T IG IN is called to the fact th a t in order to be financially
■
sound and adequate, a plan m ust m eet two requirem ents:
(1) It.m u st be entirely free from the commercial vicissitudes of the
particular business and the whims of the m anagem ent then in office;
(2) it m ust a t all times be selfsustaining and adequate to m eet the
needs as they arise.
In other words, in order to be financially
satisfactory, a plan m ust from the beginning be adjusted to the future
demands it is to m eet, provision being m ade which will insure th a t as
claims m ature the means will be present to pay them . There is only
one m ethod of m aking a sure provision of this nature—the building
up gradually of an independent or trusteed fund based on actuarial
calculations.
Such a fund when started sufficiently early should never become too burden­
some and the promised payments into the fund of the particular business can
automatically be met as they fall due. Whatever liabilities mature during a
given year are paid the same year. Where the pension fund is built up on an
actuarial basis not only does the accumulated interest ultimately help to reduce
the principle cost, but the necessary premiums for the purchase of the pension
extend over a long period of years and are therefore easier to meet. How much
easier this is for many concerns to carry through such a plan becomes apparent
r °wm-+ e ia<T Ik at f° retire a man at 65 on a pension of $400 a year there is a
liability on the part of the company amounting to about $300 a vear at age 55,
? i l , n u / ear aV gf \ 45’ a P d i )0ut 838 at age 25. A plan based on actuarial
calculations is further advantageous inasmuch as it removes all the fear of
uncertain contingent liabilities.

Nevertheless, it is rath er the exception for pension plans to be thus
financed.
Since 1920, out of 98 new pension systems inquired into,

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approxim ately 90 per cent have paid no heed to proper actuarial
financing.” O ut of 256 plans reported on, 165 were financed by
annual appropriations w ithout any fixed fund, 28 by contributions
from employees and company, 11 by initial endowm ent funds and
annual contributions, 32 by lim ited annual appropriations, 7 by
appropriating each year certain sums until a sufficient fund is reached,
7 by taking o u t annuities w ith insurance companies, 3 by paying
certain funds into employees’ associations, 1 by releasing a certain
am ount of stock paying 7 per cent, 1 by setting aside a percentage of
the pay roll increasing each year up to 1949, and 1 by setting aside
annually an am ount equal to $16 per $1,000 of the aggregate yearly
wage of the employees participating in the plan.
Perhaps the m ost striking feature of this list is the small num ber—
less th an a dozen—-of plans financed on an actuarially sound basis.
On the other hand, 165, or almost two-thirds of the whole num ber,
have no provision w hatever except such appropriations as the firm
m akes from current or operating expenses each year. Sometimes
the am ount which m ay be thus appropriated is definitely limited.
Thirty-two concerns limit the amounts of their appropriations to certain
specified sums, without apparent regard to th.e necessities of the fund. A num­
ber of these concerns limit their appropriations to 1 per cent of the total pay
roll. One limits it to one-fourth of 1 per cent of the operating expense, while
several others set their limitations all the way from $3,000 to $150,000 per year.
Generally, when such limits are fixed it is specified that a new rate of pension
allowance shall be established whenever disbursements exceed the total avail­
able to meet the needs. Eleven others, although they set aside special endow­
ment, funds and make annual contributions, fix these at arbitrary figures without
consideration of the actual needs of the pensioners.

Solvency of Existing Pension Plans
IT IS evident tn a t the m ajority of the plans dealt w ith in this dis* cussion are on a thoroughly unsound basis. They are m eeting
present liabilities b u t m aking no a tte m p t to provide for the heavy
expenses which m ust eventually be faced. Sometimes the em­
ployers disclaim all responsibility for these future needs.
Indeed, not infrequently, when employers of labor are asked about their
“ accrued pension liability” they complacently answer that “ we haven’t any
liability, accrued or otherwise.” In support of this they point to the rules of
their pension systems which invariably provide, as has already been pointed
out, th at the right is reserved to alter, suspend, or entirely abolish the plan,
thus giving no legal claim to such pensions on the part of the employees.

M ost of the employees undoubtedly have every intention of m eet­
ing pension claims honorably and fully, b u t in this m atte r intentions
are a poor substitute for investm ents. “As far as the employees are
concerned, and from any sound financial and actuarial point of view,
these plans are hopelessly insolvent.”
Various m ethods of insuring the solvency of a pension plan are
discussed, th e m ost generally satisfactory seeming to be some variant
of the single prem ium deferred annuity plan. Employers, however,
show little willingness to adopt such methods. To do so involves
facing the full expense of a plan from the first, and it also means
putting the adm inistration of the pension more or less into the
hands of an outside agency, neither of which is an agreeable feature.
M ost employers prefer taking a chance upon their ability to m eet
the responsibilities which their systems entail.

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General Evaluation of Private Pension Plans
'T H E report discusses fully the usual features of pension plans and
1 ends with a consideration of how far they are fulfilling their
purpose. As a means of weeding out employees who have become
incompetent, they are not very successful. The pension is usually
so small that employees do not retire voluntarily, and kindly em­
ployers shrink from enforcing their withdrawal. Then, the age set
for retirement is often so advanced that workers become incompe­
tent before reaching it, yet the employer naturally hesitates to dis­
miss a man too old to get work elsewhere who has only a few years
more to go in order to qualify for a pension. As a reward for long
service, the pensions are open to the objection that they are obtained
only by those who remain in one place for a specified period, while
the man who leaves or loses his work a little earlier has no reward for
the long time he has served faithfully. As a means of reducing
labor turnover, they are most effective with the class whom it is
least desirable to retain. The young and vigorous workers feel the
pension too remote to be taken into account when considering a
change, while the workers who are becoming older and less competent
to secure good jobs may regard the pension as an incentive to remain.
As a disciplinary measure, the report admits the pension may
have some effect. It may keep the older employees, especially, in
line when labor trouble threatens, or may be used to force them
back into service as strike breakers after they have left; it may
even have some weight in preventing a strike, or discouraging de­
mands for increased wages or better conditions. It is difficult,
however, to say how far pensions are effective along these lines,
while the social dangers of thus using them are apparent. As a
means of freeing the worker from the dread of an unprotected old
age, they are manifestly ineffective. Under most systems, the
employee has no_ legal claim to the pension, and he realizes that the
protection promised can not be counted upon with any assurance.
Pensions may have some value as humanitarian measures, but the
mixture of charity and business is hardly desirable.
Finally, ^as a_ means of solving the problem of caring for old age,
private industrial pension systems are utterly inadequate. They do
not cover the field, and they do not insure protection and care. As
to the first point:
It has been pointed out that there are probably altogether less than 90,000
men and women now in the receipt of industrial pensions throughout the country.
On the other hand, it is estimated that about 1,800,000 of the aged men and
women of the United States are in need of some support. This fundamental
fact should be sufficient to indicate how little these pension systems are capable
of meeting the needs of this body of indigent aged.

As to the second point, most plans specifically declare that the
scheme entails no legal responsibility upon the employer, who is free
to alter or amend or give up either the whole plan or any part of it
at any time when he may choose to do so. The plans in general
amount to little more than a promise that “ if every thing goes
right, and you do nothing wrong all your life and stay with us till
you get old, and if when the time comes we can afford to do it and
still think you are deserving, we may grant you a pension such as
we shall then consider proper.”

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MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

55

Workmen’s Compensation Legislation as of J u ly 1, 1926
’EARLY 35 years have elapsed since the U nited States Commis­
sioner of Labor undertook the first official study in this country

of the subject of the insurance and compensation of workmen
for injuries. At that time, compensation for industrial accidents
had been established by law in but two countries—Germany in
1884 and Austria in 1887. Other nations were considering the sub­
ject, but in none except those named had the movement passed
beyond a stage of investigative commissions and legislative discussion.
Since that date this method of treating industrial accidents, and
in many cases industrial diseases also, has girdled the world, sup­
planting the earlier remedy of suits for damages for proved negli­
gence in the countries following the British common law and closely
related systems elsewhere. Now the idea that workmen are exposed
to numerous incidental injuries as a result of the occupation, and
that they should not be left alone to bear the consequences, even if
the negligent acts of a fellow servant or the ordinary risks of the
employment are the sole cause, has become all but universal.
The U nited States Bureau of Labor Statistics in its Bulletin No.
423 presents a complete review of legislative conditions in the U nited
States and C anada up to the end of the legislative sessions of 1926.
Historical and analytical m atter is given together with the m ajor
p a rt of the texts of the laws. The entire C anadian area and all b u t
five of the U nited States and the D istrict of Columbia are covered
by compensation laws. Sporadic investigations began in the U nited
States as early as 1903, b u t no legislation resulted from them until
1910, following the appointm ent of commissions in 1909. In all, 40
commissions have been provided for, 8 in 1910 and 12 in 1911, since
which date the m ovem ent has declined. The greatest num ber of
laws in any one year was 10 in 1911; the year 1915 followed w ith
9 laws. B u t one investigative commission has been appointed since
1916 and only 3 States have enacted their first operative laws since
1919. Amendments have constantly been made, extending the scope
of the acts, increasing the am ount of benefits, reducing waiting time,
clarifying adm inistrative methods, etc. In other words, the new
system is finally accepted wherever tried, the only purpose of later
action being more fully to accomplish its beneficent aims in relieving
the consequences of industrial hazard.
. . .
.
Benefits cover fatal as well as nonfatal injuries, except in Okla­
homa where a constitutional barrier of compensation for death is
held to exist. M edical and surgical benefits are also provided by
the laws of every jurisdiction.
In m ost of the States the benefit is a percentage of the average
wages, ranging from 50 per cent in 16 States to 6 6 ^ per cent in
12. Maxiciium totals are prescribed in a num ber of States, ranging
from $3,000 to $7,800 for death and from $3,000 to $10,000 for per­
m anent to tal disability. Some States establish no lim it, so th a t
considerably larger am ounts are available according to duration of
life and num ber of dependents. The insurance of the liability
incurred under the acts is required in all b u t 3 jurisdictions, 19 States
providing S tate funds for this purpose, 8 of them being exclusive m
their operation.

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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

The volume of nearly 700 pages is, w ith its tables and charts, a
practically complete handbook of legislative provisions for the
U nited States and Canada, so far as w orkm en’s compensation for
injuries is concerned.
G o v e rn o r’s R e c o m m e n d a tio n s R e g a rd in g A la b a m a W o r k m e n ’s
C o m p e n s a tio n L aw

N H IS message to the 1927 legislature, the Governor of Alabama
recommends a liberalizing of the State compensation law and
the creation of a special commission to adm inister th a t law,
as follows:

I

_ he workmen’s compensation law should provide a shorter waiting period,
higher rates of compensation, and increased medical and hospital benefits.
A workmen’s compensation commission would, I believe, many times pay its
cost in the added benefits it would bring to those for whom the law was intended.

A p p lic a tio n o f T ex a s C o m p e n s a tio n L aw t o C itie s a n d T o w n s

H E workm en’s compensation act of Texas makes no direct pro­
vision w ith reference to public employees. Corporations m ay,
of course, become subject to the act and the question of its
application to municipal corporations is raised in a case (City of Tyler
v. Texas Em ployers’ Insurance Association, 288 S. W. 409) in
which the Texas Em ployers’ Insurance Association, an insurance
carrier created under the provisions of the workm en’s compensation
act, sought to recover unpaid premiums on a policy of insurance
issued to the city. The policy was issued in November, 1919, in
consideration of an agreement and paym ents of premiums, renewal
from tim e to time following, as well as paym ents of losses and expenses
arising onclaim s against the city on account of injuries to its employ­
ees. On M arch 1, 1924, the city canceled the contract, b u t w ith an
alleged indebtedness for prem iums and penalties owing to the insur­
ance association. On suit by the association in the D istrict C ourt
for Sm ith County, there was a judgm ent of dismissal on the ground
th a t an incorporated city or town can not become a subscribing
m em ber of an employees’ insurance association under the S tate com­
pensation act. On appeal to the court of civil appeals, this judgm ent
was reversed and the case rem anded for trial on the m erits (Texas
Em ployers’ Insurance Association v. City of Tyler, 283 S. W. 929).
From this judgm ent a w rit of error was sued out and the case brought
to the commission of appeals, where the judgm ent of the court/ of
civil appeals was reversed and the judgm ent of the district court
affirmed.
In passing upon the question of the possible inclusion of municipal
corporations, the court found its principal guidance in a provision of
the constitution (sec. 52, art. 3) which denies to the legislature any
power to authorize any county, city, town, etc., to lend its credit or
grant public money to any association or corporation w hatever or to
become a stockholder in any such corporation, association, or com­
pany. The insurance association was, by the act creating it, declared

T


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to be a body corporate w ith power to m ake insurance, constituting,
w ith its subscribing members, a m utual insurance association. The
court held th a t the constitutional prohibition effectively prevented
cities and towns from becoming stockholders in this association.
In te n t so to do was denied, and even if the legislature had decided
to include cities and towns in the act, it would have had no authority
to do so in view of this provision of the constitution.
A nother point m ade was th a t compensation provides liability
w ithout fault or, as stated in the opinion, “ the act contem plates
compensation in the absence of any legal liability other than the
acceptance of the plan.” This would in effect be providing a gratuity
or bonus to an injured employee regardless of a legal liability. “ The
city m ight as well pay his doctor’s fee, his grocer’s bill, or grant him
a pension.”
The court of civil appeals had presented the point th a t the compen­
sation act deprives employers who reject it of the common-law
defenses, saying th a t it would be unfair to deprive the city of these
defenses by this article of the act and deny it the benefits of other
provisions. T he commission of appeals found no such consequence
involved in the act. Em ployers who for any legal reason could not
subscribe to the act would be outside its term s on all questions.
“ The act simply has no application, one way or another, to any
employer except one eligible to its burdens and benefits.” 1
The commission therefore recommended the judgm ent above indi­
cated, holding th a t the city could not be required to make the
paym ents sued for. The supreme court therefore adopted the recom­
m endation, and judgm ent was entered accordingly.

R e c e n t C o m p e n s a tio n R e p o rts

California
’H E Industrial Accident Commission of the S tate of California
devotes its report for the year ending June 30, 1926, largely
to an account of the progress of the law hi its interpretation and
application to the various phases of the question of compensation.
Progressive changes have extended the benefits of the law both as
regards their nature and the num ber of persons affected. As an
experim ental enactm ent in the field of sociology and. economics, the
commission “ adopted a very conservative interpretation of the
provisions of this statu to ry legislation and the suprem e-court and
district courts of appeal were even more conservative when their
jurisdiction had been invoked to review the awards of the com­
mission. ” W ith the passage of years and the developm ent of
experience under the act, the broad interpretation enjoined by the
act itself has been more freely applied. This is true in two special
fields, hernia and lam e-hack cases. F or a num ber of years the
a ttitu d e of the medical profession th a t hernias are no t of tra u ­
m atic origin dom inated, b u t the “ constant association between
the appearance of a hernia and an industrial s tra in ” led the com-

T

1Special interest attaches to this statem en t in view of its difference from the position of a lower court in
regard to th e application of th e com pensation lav/ to occupational diseases. (See Labor R eview , F ebruary,
1927, p p . 44, 45.)


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mission to its present attitude, with the result that, “ whereas, a few
years ago a compensable hernia was rare, to-day, it is the rule rather
than the exception.” So also in the second group of cases. “ For­
merly these lame backs were attributed to rheumatism, lumbago, and
like diseases and were not considered either traumatic or industrial. ”
The commission now regards a strain affecting a predisposed work­
man so as to cause cessation from work “ just as much an industrial
injury and just as much compensable as is a terrific strain on a work­
man with a normal back. ” This policy is said to have resulted in
restoring workers to employment in a shorter time and in retaining
“ a self-respecting and contributing citizen instead of losing one.”
Other lines of liberalization have reached so-called independent
contractors, the presumption of the law being construed as in favor
of the inclusion of this class of workers, “ tending to establish them as
employees and entitled to the benefits of the act. ” A reexamination
and new interpretation of the provisions of the law as regards munic­
ipal employees has been approved by the courts, and extends greatly
the inclusion of the act in this field. A mode of caring for maritime
workers has also been developed, in line with a decision of the supreme
court, with the result that many port and harbor workers of the
State are recognized as entitled to the benefits of the act who were
formerly regarded as without its scope. Cases involving ordinary
risks of the public have also been construed, under recent interpre­
tations, as compensable, on the view that if the employer sends his
employees upon the streets and highways, the area of his premises is
automatically extended, so that injuries to his workers in those
localities to which their duties call them are within the terms of
the act.
Other constructions have protected the rights of workers who had
been tolled along by advice of the employer or others until the expira­
tion of the time limit when their claims became outlawed, so that in
such cases and in cases of a later development of permanent dis­
ability, the commission has been able to provide relief.
The commission as a department of the State government has consistentlyendeavored to carry out the social public policy of the State, as set forth in the
laws entrusted to it for enforcement, and has received, it has the pleasure to
report, the fine confidence of employees and the friendly and helpful cooperation
of employers and insurance companies.

The growth of the fund is noted, the compensation premiums
w ritten by it in competition w ith all other insurance carriers of the
State showing a steady growth since 1914 w ith the exception of a
single year. The fund now writes slightly more than 30 per cent of
the total premiums w ritten by all carriers in the State. A ttention
is called to the examination and investigation of the fund made by
expert actuaries in 1925, with the finding of solvency and adequate
surplus, together with an approval of the m ethod and am ount of
dividend distributions. The commission is earnest in its recom­
m endation th a t the existing restriction to a com petitive field be
removed, “ and th a t it be given a monopoly of the workm en’s com­
pensation insurance coverage in this State. ” W ith a free field, the
commission believes th a t “ the present upward trend of compensation
insurance rates in this S ta te ” would be turned downward, and th a t
better inspection results and preventive measures would be attained.
The argum ents are presented only briefly, b u t w ith the statem ent

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th a t a fuller presentation would be made if a serious legislative
proposal should follow its suggestion.
D uring the year covered by the report, 246,083 industrial injuries
were reported to the commission. Of these, 710 were fatal, 1,217
caused a perm anent im pairm ent of a t least 1 per cent, 91,879 caused
a tem porary disability lasting longer than the day of injury, and
152,277 caused no disability bu t required medical attention other
than ordinary first-aid treatm ent. The num ber of claims subm itted
during the year was 3,862, which, with claims on hand, gave a total
before the commission of 4,637. Of these, 3,504 were adjudicated,
leaving 1,133 pending on June 30, 1926.
Of 93,806 tabulatable injuries, the largest num ber was due to
building construction (14,060), commercial enterprises coming next
with 10,261 cases. The greatest num ber of fatalities in any group
was 84, found in both building construction and public utilities.
Engineering construction follows w ith 79 deaths, lum ber and wood
m anufacturing being responsible for 63 deaths, and railroad operation
for 57. Agriculture caused 51 deaths; it m ay be noted th a t this
frequently excluded industry was also responsible for 58 injuries of a
perm anent nature and 6,343 tabulatable tem porary disabilities, or
a total of 6,452 tabulatable injuries, ranging above oil producing
(3,692), lumber and wood m anufacturing (6,064), and engineering
construction (5,323), as well as a num ber of other so-called hazardous
employments.
By causes, the handling of objects, with 26,464 cases, leads.
M achinery is next w ith 12,991, followed closely by falls of persons,
12,449. By nature of injury, cuts and lacerations num bered 27,081,
bruises and contusions 20,523, and sprains and strains 18,274.
Injuries to upper extremities num bered 38,600 and to lower extremi­
ties 26,821, while injuries to trunk num bered 15,507.
The total am ount of premiums w ritten during the year by the
State insurance fund was $5,811,317, and the am ount paid in com­
pensation and medical aid was $3,329,601. Dividends in the am ount
of $1,664,214 were declared, assets a t the end of the year amounting
to $6,779,638. The catastrophe surplus at the end of the year was
$2,140,947.
Connecticut

'T H E eighth report of the Board of Compensation Commissioners
of Connecticut covers the two-year period from November 1,
1924, to Novem ber 1, 1926. Although the work of the board is
purely adm inistrative, a sum m ary of the operations of the law is
given, obtained from reports by insurance carriers and self-insurers.
The N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., public employees, and a single
large employer, all of whom were more or less fully included in an
earlier report, are here om itted, so th a t some lack of com parability
with previous reports exists. The data given, however, are pre­
sented as “ a very accurate and comprehensive compilation of the
m atters herein dealt w ith.”
Paym ents of compensation by insurance companies for the twoyear period am ounted to $3,250,019, and for medical, surgical, and
hospital services, $2,420,036, an increase of more than 50 per cent
over the preceding biennium. Self-insurers paid $608,232 in com­
pensation and $579,104 in medical, etc., aid, a slight decrease as
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compared with, the previous biennium, “ which is due to the change
of policy above indicated.” The total benefits under the act for the
two years am ounted to $6,932,803.
Injuries reported for the period num bered 65,555 as against 72,356
for the preceding biennium, a decrease of 6,801.

A discussion of the development of the law, particularly as affected
by court decisions in leading cases, follows. The board hesitated to
recommend legislative changes in view of the rather definite meaning
that had come to be attached to the various provisions of the law,
but holds itself in readiness to appear before the legislature in case
its opinion is requested on any measures submitted to it in this field.
The ever-present question of hernia is discussed in a brief para­
graph, in which it is sa id :
It is very probable that many hernias have been compensated in which
employment has played but a small part in their production, but it has been
recognized by many employers of labor that, from an economic standpoint,
industry is well served by compensating a hernia in which employment has
played a doubtful part by hospitalizing an employee and curing hisAondition,
and the cost of the medical, surgical, and hospital expenses in the end has been
found to be less than the cost which the replacement of the individual would
amount to.

The concluding paragraph on this section of the report seems
worthy of reproduction:
It can be safely said that since the passage of the compensation act, there
has been established a better relation between the employer and the employee
and practically no complaint is now being heard that advantage is being taken
of the ignorance or inexperience of injured emplovees. Malingerers are’ scarce
and injured workmen’s rights are being respected and protected.

Idaho
rTTiE Industrial Accident Board of Idaho renders biennial reports,
the fifth covering the period from November 1 , 1924, to October
31, 1926. The report is, for the greater part (90 of 131 pages), taken
up with rulings, orders, and decisions relative to the construction of
the act. However, a quite complete statistical presentation is given.
For the first year, 6,694 claims were received and 6,547 closed. Of
these, 56 were fatal, 3 were cases of perm anent total disability, 277 of
perm anent partial disability, 5,957 were tem porary, and 254 were
rejected. In the second year, 7,424 claims were received, of which
7,392 were closed. Of these, 51 were fatal, 3 were perm anent total
disability cases, 293 perm anent partial, 6,772 tem porary, and 273
rejected.
The lum ber industry was the m ost prolific in the num ber of claims
ciosed during the two years covered, furnishing 3,696 of the 13,939
cases. M ining was second with 2,871 cases, construction folio wine1
w ith 2,212, then trade, 1,268.
There is a com petitive State fund in Idaho, which is by far the
m ost im portant insurance -carrier in the State. Of 14,118 claims
received during the two years, 5,016 were under the fund, the next
carrier having but 2,297 cases. These proportions are in evidence also
in regard to the compensation paid. Thus, for the fiscal year ending
October 31, 1925, compensation am ounting to $587,266 was paid out”
of which nearly one-third ($180,017) was in the S tate fund. Medical
fees for the year aggregated $107,457, of which $53,689 was paid by

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the State fund. The next highest insurance carrier paid less than
one-half the amount of compensation shown, and a negligible amount
of medical fees.
In 1926 the ratio was not so high, the total compensation paid
being $608,771, of which the State fund paid $162,068. The next
highest sum was $87,059, paid b}7- a stock company.
The other tables present d a ta for the two years combined. By
cause of injury, rolling, falling, and flying objects were responsible for
the largest num ber, 3,966; stepping on, striking against, and caught
between objects is second w ith 1,971 claims subm itted; followed by
falls, 1,868; hand tools coming next w ith 1,789, and handling objects,
1,132.
Injuries to the upper extremities num ber 5,176; to the lower extrem ­
ities, 3,563 ; to the head, 2,150; and to the trunk, 2,091. Lacerations,
cuts, and punctures were m ost numerous, 4,185, followed by bruises
and contusions, 3,453.
In the 107 cases of death, 157 dependents survived.
Of the total compensation paid in the two years, $1,196,037, the
lum ber industry called for $461,226 and mining for $229,725, con­
struction following w ith $178,213.
Iow a

N E of the duties of the Industrial Commissioner of Iowa is to
adm inister the compensation law of the State. The seventh
biennial report of the W orkm en’s Com pensation Service covers the
period July 1, 1924, to June 30, 1926. The report is chiefly text
statem ents of the policy and results of the adm inistration and a
reproduction of the opinions and rulings of the commissioner. There
is also a statem ent of each fatal case and of cases reviewed and
appealed and cases arbitrated.
In line w ith other reports, the commissioner recounts the develop­
m ent of adm inistrative policies which his term of appointm ent has
covered, practically throughout the history of the law. The great
changes introduced by the adoption of the principles of compensa­
tion are said to have been such as to m ake both employers and em­
ployees “ skeptical as to satisfactory operation.” N either side has
been entirely satisfied w ith the results, “ the lure of the occasional
big damage judgm ent on the one hand and the chance to defeat ju st
claims on the o th e r” having served somewhat to obscure the actual
benefits obtained. Com pensation does not fully offset loss, nor has
the law been so perfected as to distribute w ith exact justice the same
measure of relief to all classes of employees and of injuries. However,
progress has been m ade both in the m atter of adm inistration and in
the liberalization of benefits. Security of paym ents is also greatly
increased.
The commissioner joins w ith others in his field in recognition of
the difficulty w ith regard to hernia, b u t believes th a t the solution is
to be found in a liberal treatm ent, his advice being, where good
faith on the p a rt of a claim ant is m anifested, to give a prom pt opera­
tion enabling an early return to usefulness. “ The cost is rarely in
excess of $225 in surgical and hospital expense and in compensa­
tion required, and this is better than litigation, which usually results
in defeat when arbitration discloses evidence of good faith .” This

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advice is said to be usually accepted, “ and it is m y impression th a t
first and last insurance or em ploym ent is not a loser by this process,”
The report stresses the im portance of accident prevention, more
complete coverage, and prom pt service. Legislative changes recom­
mended include a reduction of the waiting period from two weeks to
one week; authority to distribute benefits for dependent children
where rem arriage or other cause leads to their neglect; the inclusion
of clerical workers; relief for unusual healing periods; the inclusion of
occupational disease; and a term ination of awards to children arriv­
ing a t the age of 16 years. A recent decision of the suprem e court of
the S tate construes the law as allowing 300 weeks’ benefits to a child
under 16 a t the tim e of the award w ithout term ination on reaching the
age named. A change in this respect is recommended so as to term in­
ate paym ents a t th a t time. A nother change would fix the compensa­
tion for peace officers on the basis of actual earnings and no t the
m aximum benefit now provided w ithout regard to such basis.
The number of accidents reported July 1 , 1924, to June 30, 1925,
was 13,155, of which 147 were fatal; for the next year the total was
12,021, of which 118 were fatal. Compensation paid in reported
settlements for the earlier year amounted to $448,824, and for the
second year, $616,057. Medical and hospital expenses are not

included in the above amounts, and reports in respect of these items
are said to be “ very unreliable in a statistical sense.”

Pennsylvania
'T ’HE Bureau of Workmen’s Compensation of the Department of
A Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania presents annual reports, the
latest being for the calendar year 1926. The total number of acci­
dents reported for the year was 180,420, an increase of 2.3 per cent
over the preceding year. This increase is said to be clue largely to
fuller employment in the anthracite mines, which were not in opera­
tion for a period of four months in 1925. Of the total number of
accidents in 1926, 2,136 were fatal.
By far the greater number of accidents occurred in manufacturing,
70,614 as against 52,796 in coal mining. Of the latter, 28,117 were in
anthracite mines and 24,679 in bituminous mines. Construction and
contracting reported 20,710 accidents, and transportation and public
utilities 14,354, no other group reporting as many as 10,000. Fatali­
ties were most numerous in anthracite mining, 484 in number, manu­
facturing following with 474 and bituminous mining with 445, these
three groups comprising more than one-half the total.
A summary statement is made of the operation of the law, showing
impressive numbers as totals, 2,017,088 accidents being reported
during the 11 years of the law’s operation, and $121,655,455 liability
incurred by employers and their authorized insurance carriers,
covering 768,196 cases. It is interesting to note that during the
first 10 years there was an average of 183,667 cases reported annually,
with which may be compared the total for 1926, 180,420. The
average number deaths was 2,469, the number for 1926 again falling
below with 2,136 cases; while the average of nonfatal cases, 181,198,
was likewise in excess of the 178,284 cases for 1926.
Other summaries show the totals in fatal compensable cases with
number and average compensation per case. For the 11 years the

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average award for death has been $3,390, the lowest average being
for 1917, $3,113, and the highest in 1920, $3,564. In no-dependency
cases the average for funeral expenses for the last several years has
been the maximum allowance of $100.
A gruesome total of m utilations and perm anent disabilities shows
the loss of 6,245 eyes during the 11 years, w ith an average compen­
sation per case of $1,422; 4,057 fingers in the past 4 years, w ith an
average compensation of $444; 2,573 hands in the 11 years, with an
average compensation of $1,840; 821 arms, average compensation,
$2,223; 1,078 legs, average compensation, $2,250; and 1,505 feet,
average compensation, $1,691.
T he average benefit paid in the three-quarter million of tem porary
disability cases was $51, the lowest in 1917 when $29 was the amount,
the highest in 1926 w ith an average of $62.

A m o u n t P aid in U n e m p lo y m e n t B enefits in E n g la n d

O

N N O V EM B ER 24, 1926, in answer to a question in Parlia­
m ent, the M inister of Labor (Sir A rthur R am say Steel-M aitland) gave the following d a ta : 1

The total sums paid in the eight years from the date of the armistice to No­
vember 13, 1926, by way of out-of-work donation and unemployment benefit
are approximately as follows:
Out-of-work donation________________________ 2 £62, 448, 000
Unemployment benefit----------------------------------- 275, 157, 000

The out-of-work donation, it will be remembered, was a special
gratuity to demobilized service men and w ar workers, which had no
connection with the unem ploym ent insurance scheme.
A t the same session the m inister was asked for the num ber of days
for which benefit had been claimed by insured persons under the
unem ploym ent insurance acts, for each year, beginning w ith 1919.
In reply he gave out the following sta te m e n t:
The total number of days for which unemployment benefit under the unem­
ployment insurance acts was paid was approximately as follows:
1921
_
_
_____________ 453, 300, 000
1922
_____________ 345, 100, 000
1923
______________ 287, 700, 000
1924
_________ 258,500,000
1925
273,700,000
Corresponding figures for 1919 and 1920 are as follows, but it should be noted
that they are on a different basis from the figures for later years, owing to the
fact that the extended scheme of unemployment insurance did not come into
operation until November, 1920:
1919________________________________________
7, 600, 000
1920________________________________________ 24, 200, 000
The above totals do not include days of unemployment for which benefit was
not paid owing to waiting periods, disqualification for benefit, or other reasons,
and during 1919, 1920, and 1921 there were in addition days of unemployment
for which’ out-of-work donation, as distinct from unemployment insurance
benefit, was paid. The requisite statistics are not available regarding these
additional days of unemployment.
iG re a t B ritta in , P arliam en tary D ebates, N ov. 24, 1926, p. 386.
2P ou n d a t par=$4.87; exchange rate for N ovem ber, 1926, was $4.85.


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J a p a n e s e H e a lth I n s u r a n c e L aw B eco m e s E ffective 1

H E evolution of social insurance in Jap an is for the m ost p a rt
following the same lines shown in the developm ent of such
insurance in the various countries of Europe. A t first physical
hazards were covered by m utual benefit societies which received
contributions from employers and by the ordinary provisions of the
Civil Code regarding damages for injuries. Then, in the early laws
concerning mines and factories, provision was m ade for workm en’s
compensation. The basic principle of these provisions was th a t
“ the employer should be individually responsible for the paym ent of
com pensation.” He was not, however, required to insure his liability.
Like the original European legislation the provisions for compensa­
tion were applicable “ only to mines and to factories which are dan­
gerous or above a certain size.”
The Japanese health insurance act of 1922, which w ent into effect
July 1, 1926,2 shows n o t only a num ber of significant developments
but also changes of principle as compared w ith previous legislation.
Insurance has been m ade compulsory, and while the scope of the law
is still th a t of the mines and factory laws its coverage has been con­
siderably broadened. The insured risk has been extended to include
“ tem porary incapacity of w hatever origin.” Furtherm ore, both the
workers and the S tate m ust bear a share of the financial cost of the
new legislation.
As regards tem porary incapacity, the new act practically replaces
previous provisions for workm en’s compensation. The practice of
charging the compensation of m inor industrial accidents to funds for
sickness insurance originated in Germ any and was later followed by
various other E uropean countries.

T

Scope
IN SU R A N C E under the new act is compulsory for a large b u t ro1 stricted section of the laboring class, namely, all wage earners
employed in mines or in factories which are dangerous or above a
certain size, except adm inistrative employees w ith an annual salary
exceeding 1,2003 yen, and tem porary workers.
Practically all mines and those factories employing regularly 10
(previously 15) or more workers or in which the work is dangerous
or injurious to health are included under the act. The provisions
do n o t cover “ factories to wdiich it seems unnecessary for this act to
apply.”
I t has been estim ated by the actuaries th a t the compulsory pro­
visions of the law will cover 2,160,000 persons— 1,810,000 factory
workers (of whom slightly more than half are women) and 350,000
mine workers (270,000 men and 80,000 women).
In 1920 there were about 15,970,000 persons gainfully occupied, of
which num ber 9,020,000 were in agriculture, 3,530,000 in industry,
and 446,000 in mining. A t present there are apparently fewer
miners than there were in 1920, so it m ay be concluded th a t practii Intern atio n al L abor Office. Intern atio n al L abor Review. Geneva, December, 1928, pp. 863-871.
(For references to this act, see also L a b o r R e v ie w , W ashington, Ju ly , 1922, p. 164, and N ovem ber, 1926,
p. 91.)
2A ctual grants of benefits should begin Jan . 1, 1927.
a Y en a t par=49.9 cents, exchange ra te is a b o u t 48.9 cents.


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cally all m iners are covered by the act. The population engaged in
other industries, however, has been expanding since 1920 so th a t the
insurable proportion thereof constitutes somewhat less th an 50 per
cent.
The working population which is uninsured comprises the 9,000,000
farm ers and agricultural laborers, the independent handicraftsm en,
the wage earners in small enterprises, and all workers in commerce
and transportation.
T he law provides, however, th a t two classes of persons outside the
scope of compulsory insurance m ay become insured under the fol­
lowing conditions:
In an undertaking not covered by the compulsory provisions of the act but s
belonging to certain specified categories, including" undertakings excluded on
account of their smallness, mining (extraction of certain minerals not enumerated
in the mining act), and also building and transport undertakings, the employer
may, after obtaining the consent of a majority of the workers concerned and the
sanction of the Minister for Home Affairs, cause all his workers to be insured.
Thus in consequence of a process initiated by the employer, the whole of his
workers may be subjected to compulsory insurance, with the consent of the
majority of their number and the formal approval of the authorities. All the
workers remain so subject until, on the initiative of the employer, the consent
of three-quarters of the workers is obtained to the cessation of the obligation
to insure.
The other class for which entrance into insurance is permissive, and not com­
pulsory, is that of persons who, having been compulsorily insured, cease to be so.
These persons may continue to be insured by making application to their health
insurance society to that effect ; their application, however, is not accepted unless
they have been insured for more than 180 days in the course of the previous 12
months, or for more than 60 days continuously before the day they have ceased
to be insurable.

Financial Features
C O N T R IB U T IO N S from employers and wage earners, and a
^
S tate subsidy provide funds for carrying out the law. The
contribution is based on the wages of the insured worker and is the
same for both sexes. T o facilitate com putations, insured persons
are classified into 16 wage groups, the basic wage in th e lowest wage
group being 0.30 yen per day and in the highest, 4 yen per day.
In this the Japanese act conforms to the usual European legisla­
tion as contrasted wuth th a t of G reat B ritain in which the contribu­
tion ra te varies w ith sex b u t n o t w ith the wage.
E ach Japanese health insurance society fixes its own contribution
rate. In principle this rate is the same for both the employer and
the insured wnrker, b u t in particularly dangerous trades employers
m ay be obliged to pay double the rate of the worker. Furtherm ore,
in the case of wage earners who are paid less th an 55 sen 4 per day,
the em ployer’s contribution is com puted on a daily basic wage of
60 sen. T he worker’s contribution m ay never be more than 3 per
cent of his wages. No m inimum is fixed.
The S tate m eets one-tenth of the expenditure for benefits b u t its
liability is lim ited to 2 yen annually per insured person. This sub­
vention is intended to cover approxim ately the adm inistration costs.
The total cost of the insurance schemes is estimated a t 40,000,000 yen a
year, or about 18 yen per person. Of this sum, 4,000,000 yen representing
administrative expenditure, central and local, is covered by the State subsidy,
while the remainder must be found by the employer and wage earner. The
4100sen=l yen.

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MONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW

actuaries reckon on an average a total contribution of about 4 per cent of the
basic wage, which would mean about 20 yen a year per person, or 42,000,000 yen
a year for the whole insured population. Together with the State subsidy the
total revenue amounts to 46,000,000 yen a year. The surplus revenue will no
doubt be credited by the institutions to their contingencies reserve funds.
It is not anticipated that the financing of the scheme will cause any economic
reactions prejudicial to the country.

Benefits
rT 'H E act provides for sickness, injury, m aternity, and funeral
benefits.
Sickness and injury Benefits

In cases of sickness or injury medical treatm ent is granted and
also a cash benefit am ounting to 60 per cent of the w orker’s daily
wage.
The medical treatm ent is not restricted to medical advice and
medicine, b u t also includes surgical operations and dental work,
together w ith home nursing and an ambulance when considered neces­
sary. M oreover, the beneficiary m ay receive hospital treatm ent,
b u t in such case there is a reduction in the cash benefit.
The health insurance societies are responsible for the organization of the
medical service. It is they who appoint the doctors and dentists to whom their
members may have recourse. Members are allowed to choose their medical
attendants from among those so appointed. The provision of drugs is similarly
arranged for by the appointment of chemists.
The grant of medical treatment commences from the day of the occurrence of the
injury or sickness and continues for a maximum of 180 days in respect of the same
illness, or for a total of 180 days in the course of a year in respect of several
illnesses. The period has been limited to 180 days because health insurance is
intended to give relief to sickness or injury of short duration, and statistics have
confirmed that 98 per cent of cases of incapacity recover within 180 days. Cases
of illness which last more than 180 days should be considered as outside the
scope of sickness insurance and should be taken care of by a scheme of invalidity
insurance. In European countries it is likewise common to set a similar limit
of 26 weeks to the duration of medical treatment (Germany, Norway, SerbCroat-Slovene Kingdom, Switzerland).

T he Japanese practice in granting cash benefits follows the conti­
nental instead of the B ritish system , th a t is, such benefit bears a
definite relation to the wages of the beneficiary. The benefit is
granted after a waiting period of three days.
As has been pointed out already, workmen’s compensation is linked up with
sickness insurance. The provisions of the health insurance act are modified
where the sickness or injury is of industrial origin. For the first 26 weeks the
sickness insurance institutions are responsible for caring for such cases and the
three days’ waiting period is dispensed with. Moreover, days of incapacity of
industrial origin are disregarded for the purpose of reckoning the maximum
period of 180 days in the course of a year. Thus the person who suffers from a
general disease, recovers, and is immediately afterwards injured by an industrial
accident, might draw benefit in an extreme case for two periods of as much as
180 days in the course of a year.
M aternity Benefits

The factory law as amended in 1923 provides a 4-week suspension
of em ploym ent preceding confinement for women who wish to avail
themselves of this rest period, and makes obligatory an absence of 6
weeks after confinement. T he health insurance act provides a cash
benefit of 60 per cent of their wages to insured women for the above
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JAPANESE HEALTH INSURANCE LAW

67

m entioned 10-week period. These provisions come very close to
the requirem ents of the W ashington convention on this subject.
A lump sum of 20 yen is also paid to m eet the expenses of confine­
m ent, b u t this m ay be reduced to 10 yen if the insurance institution
has the beneficiary cared for in a hospital or by a midwife.
There are certain precautionary measures governing both these
m aternity allowances to prevent women’s availing themselves of such
benefits before they have been insured a designated length of time—•
the completion of a probationary period of 180 days for the suspension-of-work benefit and of 90 days for the lump-sum allowance for
expenses of confinement.
Funeral Benefits

W hen an insured worker dies a funeral benefit equivalent “ to 20
days’ wages but not less than 20 yen is payable to the surviving
relatives who have incurred the expense of the funeral.”

Administration
'"THE adm inistration of Japanese health insurance is, in general,
sim ilar to the European procedure, According to the In te r­
national Labor Eeview, “ it is highly significant th a t a social institu­
tion of the m agnitude and complexity of a compulsory sickness
insurance scheme, dependent for its working no t upon the mere force
of im perative edicts, but upon the willing and effective participation
of the parties concerned, and therefore upon a popular psychology
habituated to democratic methods, should have been, as it were,
bodily transplanted from Europe to the novel soil of the F a r E a st.”
The two types of institutions designed by the health insurance act
to carry risks thereunder are (1) health insurance societies (estab­
lishm ent funds) and (2) health insurance offices (State territorial
funds), both of which are supervised by a central departm ent.
I t is obligatory for the owners of mines or factories which employ
500 or more workers to form health insurance societies for their labor
force. In mines and factories employing under 500 b u t more than
300, the employer m ay set up a society if the m ajority of his workers
consent to such a scheme. Factories in which less than 300 persons
are employed m ay unite to organize a society, the minimum member­
ship being 300. Before a society can begin to function, its rules
m ust be approved by the central departm ent.
Persons formerly employed by an establishm ent who are volun­
tarily insured are included in the membership of the social insurance
society of such establishm ent.
Em ployers and workers have equal representation on the board of
directors and in the general m eeting of each society. I t is evidently
the purpose of the law th a t these bodies shall be self-governing in
every respect, the central departm ent’s functions being restricted to
securing compliance w ith regulations and to paying the S tate subsidy.
A very substantial percentage of wage earners are employed in
factories which are not sufficiently large to have a health insurance
society. The form ation of such a society is voluntary even in factories
employing from 300 to 500 workers. Some 50 health insurance offices
(State territorial funds) have, therefore, been set up for insurable
persons n o t belonging to health insurance societies. There is to be

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MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

a t least one of these offices in each prefecture and each office is made
responsible for a definite territory. The adm inistration of these
agencies seems to be in the hands of public officials, neither the
employers nor the workers being represented in the m anagem ent of
such offices.
The health insurance division of the Social Affairs Bureau is the
central G overnm ent agency for the supervision of health insurance
societies and for the adm inistration of the health insurance offices.
The control of safety and hygiene in mines and factories, of work­
m en’s compensation, and of health insurance is under a single minis­
ter— the M inister for Home Affairs. This concentration of control
can n o t b u t prom ote prevention work and make for economy and
efficiency in adm inistration.
I t is proposed ultim ately, when sufficient funds are available, to
carry on hygiene and safety propaganda, to establish dispensaries,
and to provide other facilities ill the interest of the health and safety
of insured workers.


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[5381

LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
U n io n P lules D is c r im in a tin g A g a in s t O u ts id e C o n tr a c to r s

H IS title is presented for the third tim e in the Labor Review
(see issues of July, 1924, pp. 215, 216; January, 1925, pp. 171173), all the cases noted arising out of the same rule. The
B rotherhood of Painters, Decorators, and Paperhangers of America
in 1922 adopted a rule requiring employers from another city engaging
in local work to pay the wage of the place of work or of the em ployer’s
home city, whichever is higher, and also to work the shorter num ber
of hours prevailing by the rules in force in either locality.
T he Supreme C ourt of the D istrict of Colum bia in April, 1924,
declared this rule invalid as an interference or attem pted interference
with, em ploym ent by the company, the contention th a t it was unjust,
discrim inatory, and in violation of public policy receiving such sup­
port by the court as an injunction against it would afford. (Barker
Painting Co. v. Brotherhood, not reported.)
A sim ilar position was adopted by the C ourt of Chancery of the
State of New Jersey in a case involving, as did the above, a New
York contractor undertaking work in a different locality. (New
Jersey Painting Co. v. Local No. 26, 122 Atl. 622.) This case was
later taken to the C ourt of Errors and Appeals of New Jersey, where
the rule was sustained as one which an organization of workingmen
m ight adopt and enforce if in their judgm ent it would effect economic
advantage (1924; 126 Atl. 399). In line w ith this position for sup­
port are unreported cases from the Superior C ourt of Rhode Island
(George A. Douglas & Bro. (Inc.) v. Clarence M allette), and the
C ourt of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pa. (H. Newton
M arshall Co. v. Brotherhood). On the other hand, the Federal C ourt
for the D istrict of Connecticut found th a t the rule inflicted an unjusti­
fiable injury and an injunction would lie against its enforcement.
(Hass v. Local Union No. 17 (1924), 300 Fed. 894.) T he same posi­
tion was adopted by a Federal court for the D istrict of New Jersey.
(Barker Painting Co. v. Local No. 734, not reported; ruling reversed,
same case (1926), 12 Fed. (2d) 945.)
I t will be noted th a t the Federal cases were in every instance
before the lower courts. In a sim ilar case before the D istrict C ourt
of the U nited States for the E astern D istrict of Pennsylvania an
injunction was sought to restrain the B rotherhood from enforcing
this rule against the B arker Painting Co. On the refusal of the court
to issue this injunction, an appeal was taken to the circuit court of
appeals, where the position of the court below was upheld. (Barker
Painting Co. v. Brotherhood of Painters, etc. (1926), 15 Fed. (2d) 16.)
Judge Woolley, who rendered the opinion, Judge Buffington dis­
senting, regarded the union as w ithin its rights in laying down term s
of employment, saying th a t “ workers have a right, individually and
collectively, to lay down term s on which they will sell their la b o r” ;
and so long as they act for their own interest and not for the purpose

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70

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

of assailing others, and do it in a manner not in itself unlawful, the
courts will not interfere. However, it was said that the decision
below would be affirmed, “ not because the respondents have shown
that the rules are lawful, but, rather, because the complainant has
failed to show that they are unlawful.”
Judge Buffington, in his dissenting opinion, considered that the
practical effect of the rules and their purpose was to stifle com­
petition, with the result that it was not “ a square deal between two
competitors generally,” while costs of construction were undoubtedly
raised and public buildings and other improvements “ hampered, if
not indeed hindered, ” by reason of the lack of equality of competition.
I t may be added that in the decision by the New Jersey Court of
Errors and Appeals, three justices and two judges dissented from the
majority opinion, one of the dissentors saying that “ the place of
residence of the contractor is not in any way germane to the wage
scale he should be required to pay” ; also that “ it seems to me a
curious condition, which, while denying to the sovereign States them­
selves this privilege of invalidating the equality rights of the citizens,
should accord such right of invasion to the star chamber ex-parte
committee” which adopted the rule to govern “ all citizens of all the
States.”
in .ju ry Arising O ut of and in Course of Employments Construc­
tion of Accident Insurance Policy U n d er Oregon S tatu te

N UNUSUAL case was recently decided by the United States
Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, involving a
series of important questions. The case was that of a work­
man, William Brunson, employed by a lumber company in clearing
land “ on the side of a precipitous mountain.” The law of the State
of Oregon permits the employer to choose whether or not he will
come under the provisions of the compensation law, certain rights of
defense being abrogated in case of failure to elect. If election is
made, the employer becomes a subscriber to the State compensation
insurance fund, which assumes all responsibility for defending claims
and paying such compensation as the industrial accident commission
may award.
In this case the lumber company had rejected the law, but had taken
insurance under a contract by which the insurance company agreed
to pay such compensation benefits as the State law provides if the
injured employee or his dependents would first give a release from all
liability on account of the injury; the injured employee was also
authorized to enforce this right. _ During the term of this contract
the employee, while engaged as indicated, together with his fellow
workmen, built a fire on the mountain side from brush and limbs,
around which they gathered while eating lunch at the noon hour,
the day being damp and cold. Brunson was seated on the side of
the mountain above the fire, and had occasion to use his pocket
knife to cut a small twig or bush which was in his way. While doing
so he accidentally cut his leg, which bled quite freely. He took off
his boot to examine the wound, and while replacing it, lost his balance,
fell into the fire, and before being extricated, was severely burned.
“ Both hands were practically destroyed and are useless. His face

A


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LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS

71

was deeply burned, leaving his lips, nostrils, and eye perm anently
distorted.” The trial court found, in accordance w ith the representa­
tions of the plaintiff, th a t he was totally and perm anently disabled
from following any gainful occupation and th a t the injury was due
to accident arising out of and in the course of the employment.
An award in the term s of the compensation law was accordingly made
against the company in the form of a judgm ent. From this it
appealed, denying the two m ain findings of perm anent total dis­
ability and injury arising out of and in the course of the employment.
T he circuit court of appeals, construing the question, announced
the statu s of the com pany writing insurance in accordance w ith the
term s of the com pensation act, saying th a t such a contract of insur­
ance placed the com pany “ in the same relation to the injured work­
m an as the State, and by the same token [it] assumes the obligations
and burdens of the employer.” I t was recognized th a t a causal rela­
tion m ust exist between the accident and the employment, and th a t
if the injury was due to some inherent or congenital weakness of the
employee, unknown to the employer, liability would n o t exist. So
far as appeared from the evidence, however, there was nothing to
indicate a congenital weakness or th a t the injury was no t due to
fainting caused by accident arising out of the employment. The
question of disability was likewise briefty disposed of, the loss of the
hands and the condition of the face as shown by the evidence, and
“ emphasized by the photo in evidence,” being conclusive.
The m ain point involved was necessarily th a t of the relationship
between the occupation and the injury. The work in which the men
were engaged was “ felling snags and clearing the land preparatory
to it being burned over.” The m en were necessarily obliged to eat
lunch, and apparently to carry it w ith them. The building of the fire
was n atu ral and justifiable, perhaps even necessary, as the day was
damp and cold. The court found “ no intervening relation or act to
interru p t the continuity of conduct of the appellee in his engagement
in felling snags and clearing the land. C utting the shrub or twig
with a jackknife was an act in harm ony w ith and in the course of
employment, in a very small way. There was no interrupting cause
or exposure to new danger, no risk to danger from other agencies.
I t was a t the place of and in line w ith his work. I t is not m aterial
th a t the twig was little and cut w ith a jackknife, instead of a shrub
or snag and cut w ith an ax. The relation of employer and employee
was not suspended.”
, ,
C itation is then m ade of a num ber of cases adduced to support the
conclusion reached, some of them at least being fairly characterizable
as border-line cases, as the case of a girl playing a t lunch time, injured
while riding on a truck draw n by a fellow-workman. (Thomas v.
Procter & Gamble Mfg. Co. (1919), 104 Kans. 432, 179 Pac. 372;
see Bui. No. 290, p. 417.) The court announced the rule th a t legal
technicalities and refinements should find no place here; when the
purpose and in ten t to effectuate the beneficent influence occasioned
by the provisions of the compensation law of Oregon, and this pohcy
in its stead, is m anifest, a broad and liberal construction should be
given.” (Zurich General Accident & Liability Ins. Co. v. Brunson,
15 Fed. (2d) p. 906.)
The judgm ent was therefore affirmed.

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[541]

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
S tr ik e s a n d L o c k o u ts in t h e U n ite d S ta te s , J a n u a r y , 1927

H E strikes and lockouts in the U nited States beginning in the
m onth of January, 1927, in so far as reports thereof have been
received by the bureau, are shown in this article. D isputes
involving fewer th an six workers and those lasting less than one day
have been om itted where inform ation on this point is reported.
In presenting these figures, it is im portant to note th a t the bureau
has no m achinery for the prom pt and full reporting of strikes and
lockouts, b u t depends largely upon newspapers, trade journals, and
labor periodicals for the prelim inary reports of disputes. These
prelim inary reports are then followed up by correspondence, and
any necessary revision is made. For the reasons m entioned, the
data here presented do not pretend to be absolutely complete or
fully accurate. I t is believed, however, th a t practically all of the
more significant strikes and lockouts are recorded, and th a t the in­
form ation presented is sufficiently accurate to give a fair picture of the
situation in th e U nited States in the m atter of strikes and lockouts.
T he B ureau of Labor Statistics solicits the cooperation of employ­
ers, labor organizations, and other interested parties in m aking this
compilation of industrial disputes as comprehensive and as accurate
as possible.

T

Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in January, 1927
T H E table following shows the num ber of strikes and lockouts
1 beginning in January, 1927, in comparison w ith Novem ber and
December, 1926, and also the num ber of persons involved, to the
extent th a t reports on this point have been received.
S T R IK E S A N D L O C K O U T S B E G IN N IN G IN N O V E M B E R A N D D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D
JA N U A R Y , 1927

N um ber
of strikes
and lock­
outs 1

M onth

N ovem ber, 1926_____________ ________
December, 1926....................................................
Jan u ary , 1927 2____________ ____________

51
33
46

1 Excluding those involving fewer th a n 6 persons.

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D isputes in w hich n um ber of em­
ployees d i r e c t l y involved is
know n 1
N um ber
of strikes
and lock­
ou ts
46
23
35

N um ber
of em ­
ployees
involved

Average
n um ber of
employees
per dispute

10, 435
9,712
5,198

2 D ata given are subject to revision.

227
422
149

73

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS IN UNITED STATES

Classification of Strikes and Lockouts by Industries and by Number of Persons
Involved

n p H E statem ent below shows the distribution of the reported strikes
^
and lockouts beginning in January, 1927, by industries:
N um ber of
disputes

Building trades______________________________________
Leather workers_____________________________________
Clothing industry____________________________________
Mining, coal________________________________________
Chauffeurs and teamsters______________________________
Textile industry_____________________________________
Miscellaneous_______________________________________

9
2
6
8
3
5
13

Total_________________________________________

46

So far as inform ation is available, the disputes beginning in Ja n ­
uary, 1927, classified by num ber of workers directly involved, are as
follows:
N um ber of
disputes

6 and under 20 workers_______________________________
20 and under 100 workers--------------------------------------------100 and under 500 workers____________________________
500 and under 1,000 workers___________________________

8
13
10
4

Total_________________________________________

35

Principal Strikes Beginning in January, 1927
J I V E poultry workers, New York.—The extensive poultry business
^
of New York C ity was affected by a strike of about 750 poultry
handlers, beginning January 3. Their demands included a wage in­
crease of $10 per week (from $40), $1.50 an hour for overtime, and
regulation of the hours of em ploym ent so th a t workers who do little
or nothing during the day will not be compelled to report during the
night or early morning hours because of the irregularity of unloading
trains. This strike was settled on January 10 on the basis of an
8-hour day, a wage of $45 per week, and $1 per hour for overtime.

Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing into January, 1927
JD A P E R -B O X makers, New York.—The strike of paper-box makers
in New York City, which began on October 5, for a 44-hour
week, wage increase, etc., has been abandoned, as reported in the
press of February 11, 1927.
Textile workers, New Jersey.—The strike of woolen and worsted
textile workers of Passaic and vicinity which began on January 25,
1926, is over, additional settlem ents having been reached w ith the
Forstm ann & Huffman Co. on February 14 and w ith the New Jersey
W orsted Mills and the Gera Mills on February 16. These mills
simply agree to reemploy the workers as rapidly as conditions will
perm it w ithout discrim ination on account of membership in legitim ate
organizations. These settlem ents were, therefore, less successful than
those w ith the Passaic W orsted Spinning Co., the B otany W orsted
Mills, the Garfield W orsted Mills, and the Dundee Textile Co.,

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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

previously alluded to, as those settlem ents recognized the right of
the workers to bargain collectively; th a t a closed shop would not be
dem anded; and th a t in the event of future trouble the workers will
rem ain a t work pending arbitration.
The strike against the rem aining mill, the U nited Piece • Dye
Works, has also been called off, as reported in the press, in accord­
ance w ith the decision of the strikers at a gathering in Lodi on the
night of February 28. The union, it was said, had the verbal as­
surance of the mill officials th a t there would be no discrim ination
against any former workers because of union affiliation.
Carpenters, California.— The strike of carpenters in San Francisco
and vicinity, which began April 1, 1926, virtually came to an end,
according to press reports, on January 14 under conditions prevailing
prior to the strike. This strike was against the open shop or so-called
American plan, and the union found it im practicable to continue the
struggle any longer. The num ber of strikers is not definitely known
but was reported in the press a t one time as 1,000.

Conciliation Work of th e D epartm ent of Labor in January, 1927
By H

ugh

L. K

e r w in ,

D

irector

op

C

o n c ilia t io n

H E Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer­
cised his good offices in connection w ith 31 labor disputes
during January, 1927. These disputes affected a known
total of 22,609 employees. The table following shows the name
and location of the establishm ent 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 term s of settlem ent, the date of beginning and ending, and the
num ber of workers directly and indirectly affected.
On February. 1, 1927, there were 48 strikes before the departm ent
for settlem ent, and, in addition, 12 controversies which had not
reached the strike stage. The total num ber of cases pending was 60.

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[544]

L A B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E U N IT E D ST A G E S D E P A R T M E N T OF L A B O R T H R O U G H IT S C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E , JA N U A R Y , 1927
M en involved

D uration
N atu re of
controversy

Cause of dispute

C raft concerned

Present statu s and term s of settlem ent

Satisfactory agreem ent
Asked increase in wages on A djusted.
concluded.
institution of vaudeville.
Unclassified.
Settled b y B uilders’
School building, Fresno, Calif______ Strike--------- B uilding c ra fts -.-. N onunion la b o r ....................
Exchange before arrival of commis­
sioner.
Optical workers, N ew Y ork C ity — ........ do_____ O ptical__________ Asked 44-hour week and Pending----- --------------------- ------------union recognition.
H addock M ining Co., H azelton, P a . ____d o _____ M ining.................... Unsatisfactory work in to p ­ A djusted. R eturned; term s to be
fixed b y officials.
ping coal ears.
G ranert & R othchild, W aukeegan, ____do _____ Clothing in d u stry . A sked union recognition----- Pending_______________ ___________
111.
Q uim by theaters, F o rt W ayne,Tnd_ Controversy- Film theaters____

[545]

P ittsb u rg h Stove & Range Co.,
P ittsb u rg h , P a .
Street-car barns, M o u n t Vernon,
N. Y.
L ive-poultry companies, N ew York
C ity.
B us drivers, B ayonne, N . J ----------Sham okin & Edgewood R ailw ay
Co., Sham okin, Pa.

L ockout___
Strike_____
___ do_____
T h reaten ed
strike.
Strike...........

E lm W oolen M ills (Inc.), T ilton,
N .H .

.do.

Porto R ican A merican Cigar Co.,
San Ju an , Porto Rico.
T u rn er C onstruction Co., Philadel­
phia, P a.
Ladies’ garm ent workers, Paterson,
N. J.
C astleton H otel, N ew Castle, P a -----

____do _____

Begin­
ning

Ending

D i­
rectly

1926
Dec. 9

1926
Dec. 31

45

Dec. 23

Dec. 27

20

Dec. 24

Dec. 27

Term s of new agreement;
wages.

U nion dispute caused clos­
ing of mill. Open shop
announced.
Cigar m aking____ G)-------------------------------- -

Woolen textiles__

Controversy. B uilding tra d e s.. .

0)

Jan. 28

A djusted. Term s not reported.

Jan. 22


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6

1927
Jan. 27

3

Jan. 18

52

10

Jan. 10

750

200

Jan . 20

50

10

Feb.

50

1

160
0)

(i)

S trik e......... . G arm ent m a k in g .. Asked union shop and res­ ___ do......................................... .................. Jan. 27
toration of wage cuts.
____do _____ All building crafts. Jurisdiction of placing iron A djusted. R eturned; w ork distributed Jan. 25
as outlined b y existing agreem ent.
boilers.
Asbestos workers, Baltim ore, M d ---- __ do _____ Asbestos w ork _ _ .. A sked 20 cents increase— A djusted. Journeym en allowed $1.25, Jan . 1
im provers 85 cents, and helpers 50
$1.25 per hour; 75 cents per
cents per hour.
hour for helpers.
i N ot reportedi

644
125

Dec. 10

A djusted. D rivers allowed increase,
and seniority rights granted motorm en and conductors.
Pending_______ ______ ___ ____ _____

Pending.

55

300

M etal polishing—. N onunion polishers em ­ Unclassified. M ediation not accepted. Ju ly 1
ployed .
B u ild in g .............. Jurisdiction of brick and A djusted. Compromised on d istrib u ­ Dec. 30
tion of w ork.
plaster work.
Poultry handling . Wages and hours of la b o r.. . A djusted. G ranted 8-hour day, $45
per week, and $1 per hour overtim e.
1927
Asked union recognition----- A djusted. U nion recognition granted. Jan. 4
D riving.
Railway.

In d i­
rectly

12, 000
(!)
350

250

Jan. 31

55

15

Jan. 14

65

CO N C ILIA TIO N W O RK IN JA N U A R Y , 1927

33892o—27-----G

Com pany or in d u stry and location

-4

LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D BY T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D E P A R T M E N T O P LA B O R T H R O U G H IT S C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E , JA N U A R Y , 1927—Con.

O
D uration
Com pany or in d u stry and location

N ature of
controversy

Carbondale K n ittin g Co., Carbon- S trik e.
dale, Pa.
Louis A bt Co., Chicago, 111_______ ........d o .

K n ittin g ..............

W eaving............

[546]

D u ry ea Silk M ills, D uryea, P a . .

T h reaten ed T ex tile.. .
strike.
H ebert K nitting M ills .W o o n so ck et, Strike........... K n ittin g .
R. I.
Gold M ark K n ittin g Co., W oon­ Lockout.
___ do___
socket, R . I.
Asbestos workers, Philadelphia, P a. Strike__

Asbestos w o rk___

W aist and dress m akers, Philadel­
phia, Pa.

W aist and dress
m aking.

N ew ark Shoe Co., M cSherrystow n, Strike........ .
Pa.
H . L. Erhlieh Co., Chicago, 111.......... ___ do _____
T o tal_______________ _______
1 N o t reported.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Discharge of forelady...........

Sheet-metal w o rk . Organization dispute fol­
lowed b y forced strike.
U nderw ear makers. Wage c u t.................................
M in in g..... .............. W orking conditions..............

Installation of radio in A. I. U . Controversy. Electrical w ork__
Building, C olum bus, Ohio.
Clinton P an ts Co., Boston, M a s s ... Strike___
P an ts m aking.
K ane Bros., contractors, Joliet, 111.. ___ d o _____ P lum bing____

T h reaten ed
strike.

Cause of dispute

Shoe in d u stry .
L eather tra d e .

0 —-.........................
Alleged violation of union
contract.

0 .......... .................

Objection to pipe cutting
machine.
Alleged violation of contract.
Alleged discrim ination for
union affiliation.
Alleged violation of agree­
m ent.
Asked 20 cents per hour in ­
crease.
A sked 42-hour week, collec­
tive bargaining, m inim um
scale, etc.

Present status and term s of settlem ent

A djusted. Forelady reinstated. _

Beginning

Ending

1927
Jan. 20

1927
Jan. 22

A djusted. R eturned w ithout change. Jan.
Pending................................. ....................
A djusted. R etu rn e d ; term s to be fixed
later.
A djusted. R eturned; joint committee
to fix wages.
A djusted. All union labor to be em­
ployed.
Pending..... .......................... ....................
A djusted. Pipe under
inches to
be cut b y hand.
A djusted. C om pany agreed to live up
to contract.
Unclassified. M ediation not desired;
open-shop policy in effect.
Unclassified. A greement term inated
b y com pany on account of insuffi­
cient business.
Unclassified. D em ands granted before
arrival of commissioner.
Pending.......................................................

Directly

Indirectly

25

5 . . . d o ___

15

Jan. 19
Jan. 13

Jan. 20

150
800

Jan. 20

Jan. 24

400

Jan.

Jan. 17

1

40
10

7

Jan. 15
Jan. 6

Jan . 20

25

Jan. 13

Jan. 18

120

Jan. 14

Jan. 14

14

0

Jan. 22

Jan.

1

Jan. 12

0 ............................

.d o .

Jan.

Change of goods to be m a d e .

.d o .

rio

3

Jan. 10

15

0
210
1,000
550
12

4,000

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Garfinkle & R itter, Paterson, N . J -.
.d o .
South Penn Colliery Co., N o rth
_do.
Scranton, Pa.
Salts Textile Co., B ridgeport, C onn. ........do_____

C raft concerned

M en involved

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
W ages a n d H o u rs of L abor in th e B oot a n d Shoe In d u s tr y , 1926
H E Bureau of Labor Statistics has recently completed the 1926
study of wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry
in the U nited States. Sum m ary figures are presented in this
article for full-time hours per week, average earnings per hour, and
average full-time earnings per week. These averages are shown by
occupation and sex in Table 2 for 29,925 males and 22,770 females
in comparison w ith 1924 averages for 27,144 males and 18,316
females. The 1924 averages were taken from Bulletin No. 374. The
1926 data in much greater detail will be published later in bulletin
form.
The 1926 survey, like those of former years, covered a representa­
tive group of establishm ents in each State where boot and shoe
m anufacturing is of m aterial im portance. These establishm ents
were lim ited to those whose principal products were m en’s, women’s,
or children’s shoes, m ade by the welt, M cK ay, or turn process.
D a ta were n o t included from establishm ents whose m ain or entire
product was nailed or pegged shoes, or specialties such as slippers,
leggings, felt or rubber footwear, etc. W herever possible the 1926
d a ta were obtained from the same establishm ents as in 1924. In
some instances, however, these plants were no t operating, had moved
to some other locality, or had ceased to be representative.
The d a ta for 1926 were copied by agents of the bureau directly
from the pay rolls or other records of 154 establishm ents in 14
States, as follows: Six establishm ents in. Illinois, 6 in M aine, 8 in
M aryland and Virginia combined, 40 in M assachusetts, 5 in M ichi­
gan, 4 in M innesota, 11 in Missouri, 11 in New Ham pshire, 4 in
New Jersey, 25 in New York, 7 in Ohio, 15 in Pennsylvania, and
12 in Wisconsin. According to the 1923 U nited States Census of
M anufactures, approxim ately 97 per cent of the wage earners in
the industry were in these 14 States.
The 1926 d a ta were taken from the July pay rolls of 20 establish­
m ents, the August pay rolls of 91 establishments, the Septem ber pay
rolls of 33 establishm ents, and the-October pay rolls of 10 establish­
ments. The inform ation, therefore, is representative of late summer
and early autum n. D a ta for a few large establishm ents are for
only a p a rt of the total num ber of employees of such establishments,
as the inclusion of the total num ber of wage earners in these estab­
lishments would have tended to im pair the representative character
of the averages for the States in which the establishm ents are located.
The first table of this sum m ary shows by index num bers the
changes in average full-time hours per week, in average earnings
per hour, and in average full-time earnings per week for each of the
years in which the bureau m ade studies of the industry from 1910
to 1926, inclusive. The averages for 1913 are used as the base or

T


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[647]

77

78

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

100. The full-time hours per week decreased slightly over 11 per
cent between 1913 and 1926, average earnings per hour increased
118 per cent, or considerably more th an doubled, and average full­
tim e earnings per week increased approxim ately 94 per cent during
the same period. Because of the reduction in the average full-time
hours per week, the average full-time earnings per week did not
show the same proportion of increase as th a t for the average earnings
per hour.
T a b l e 1 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S O P H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN T H E B O O T A N D SH O E

IN D U S T R Y IN S P E C IF IE D Y E A R S 1910 TO 1926
[1913=100]
Index num bers of—
Y ear

1910___________________
1911___________________
1912- _________________
1913___________________
1914___________________
1916______ ____ ________
1918___________________
1920___________________
1922 _________________
1924___________________
1926___________________

Full-tim e
hours per
week

Earnings
per hours

Full-tim e
earnings
per week

102.7
102.4
100. 9
100.0
99.3
99.1
94.9
88. 2
88.4
88.9
88.6

92.0
93.9
92.6
100.0
100.8
107.5
139.7
232. 0
207. 9
214.1
218.3

94.1
95.8
93, 2
100.0
100.2
106.6
132.5
203. 7
184.7
190.9
193.9

Table 2 shows for 1924 and 1926 average full-time hours per week,
average earnings per hour, and average full-time earnings per week
for each of the principal occupations in the industry and for the
industry as a whole.
Referring to the totals at the end of the table, it is seen th a t the
average full-tim e hours per week of males in all occupations com­
bined increased from 48.9 in 1924 to 49.0 in 1926, those of females
decreased from 49.0 to 48.5, and those of males and females combined
decreased from 49.0 to 48.8.
The^ average earnings per hour of males in all occupations com­
bined increased from 60.2 cents in 1924 to 62.2 cents in 1926, those
of females from 39.4 to 39.8 cents, and those of males and females
combined, or for the industry, from 51.6 to 52.6 cents.
Average full-tim e earnings per week of males increased from
$29.44 in 1924 to $30.48 in 1926. Even though their hourly rate in
1926 was slightly higher than in 1924, the weekly earnings of females
decreased from $19.31 to $19.30, due to a slight reduction in full-time
hours. The earnings for the industry as a whole, increased from
$25.28 to $25.67. <
In 1924 the highest occupational average earnings per hour of
males was 92.9 cents for Goodyear welters, and the lowest was 30.7
cents per hour for sock liners. For females the highest average was
51.9 cents for vampers, and the lowest was 25.3 cents for channel
openers and closers. In 1926 the highest average earnings per hour
for males was $1.223 for binders, and the lowest was 25.1 cents per
hour for table workers; the highest for females was 60.6 cents per
hour for heel breasters, and the lowest was 29.8 cents for tack
pullers.

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[548]

WAGES AND HOUES IN BOOT AND SHOE INDUSTBY

79

T able %.■ -A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN T H E B O O T A N D SH O E IN D U S T R Y
1924 A N D 1926, B Y D E P A R T M E N T , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D SE X

Sex

O ccupation

A ver­ A ver­ A ver­
N u m ­ N u m ­ age full­ age age full­
ber of ber of
tim e
earn­
tim e
Year estab­ em ­
ings weekly
lish­ ploy­ hours
per
per
earn­
m ents
ees
hour
ings
■week

C u ttin g d e p a r tm e n t

C utters VciTrip and whole shoe, hand
C utters yom p and whole shoe, m achine

r o tte r s trim m ings, hand

__

_ ______________

C utters trim m ings, m achine __ ___________

Skivers, uppers

_______ ___ __ . ________

C utters, linings, h a n d _____________
C utters linings, m achine ___________

M ale ......
___do_____
Fem ale___
M ale____
___do_____
Fem ale__
___do_____
M ale____
. .. d o _____
Fem ale___
___do_____
M ale____
___do_____
Fem ale__
___do_____
M ale..........
_._do____
Fem ale _
do ___
M ale........ .
_._do ___
Fem ale _
M ale____
___do___
Fem ale__

1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926 '
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1926

88
108
7
54
54
4
15
85
95
6
9
42
47
10
18
29
37
89
113
73
85
6
48
54
4

2,009
2,129
11
777
782
45
58
736
837
29
26
187
173
47
74
100
96
474
552
285
373
42
133
197
6

48.4
48.9
51.1
49.9
49.4
53.2
49.9
48.8
49.3
52.1
49.2
50.3
49.8
49.9
49.0
48.0
48.4
49.0
48.9
48.4
49.1
48.9
49.2
49.0
49.8

$0. 838
.808
.461
.687
.658
.310
.501
.485
. 516
.348
.404
.400
.439
.280
.378
.619
.668
.472
.486
.585
.642
.307
.577
.523
.354

$40.56
39. 51
23.56
34.28
32. 51
16.49
25.00
23.67
25.44
18.13
19. 88
20.12
21.86
13.97
18.52
29. 71
32.33
23.12
23.77
28.31
31.52
15.01
28.39
25.63
17.63

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

53
70
38
43
80
103
3
2
88
100
3
33
32
14
10
7
8
24
24
17
18

209
273
298
217
153
182
4
207
199
4
265
106
21
18
20
19
70
47
157
93

48.4
48.6
48.4
48.8
49.1
49.1
49.1
52.5
49.1
48.9
51.5
48.3
48.5
50.1
49.8
48.6
50.0
48.6
48.7
48.2
48.2

.731
.716
.709
.640
.591
.629
.443
.592
. 669
.709
.588
.512
.515
.506
.483
.477
.500
.516
.527
.442
.466

35.38
34.80
34.32
31.23
29.02
30. 88
21.75
31.08
32. 85
34. 67
30.28
24.73
24.98
24.35
24.05
23.18
25.00
25.08
25. 66
21.30
22.46

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

15
15
92
121
12
18
95
118
6
10
93
120
16
12
90
102

28
34
444
670
24
42
1,031
1, 426
38
61
840
1, 002
42
30
295
372
12
284
327

49.6
49.2
46.6
48.8
47.8
50.8
49.1
49.3
47.3
45.0
48.7
48.7
48.4
48.2
49.4
49.5
47.5
48.9
48.7

11

48.4

.407
.434
.380
.386
.585
.374
.328
.340
.709
.957
.420
.453
.512
.614
.430
.441
.557
.475
.480
.496

21

47.9
49.3
49.3

20.19
21.35
17. 71
18.84
27.96
19.00
16.10
16.76
33.54
43.07
20.45
22.08
24. 78
29.59
21. 24
21. 83
26.46
23.23
23.38
24.00
30.32
19. 57

Sole leather d e p a rt m en t

____ _________ M ale____
___do_____
M ale..........
-__do_—___
R ounders ont,sole or insole___ __________ M ale____
___do___
Fem ale _
___do___
Channelers, outsole or insole _________ M a l e ......
___do__ _
Fem ale _
C utters ton and heel lifts, m achine________ M ale ___
_._do ___
Heel builders, h a n d _______________ M ale____
___do_____
Fem ale__
___do_____
Hfeel hnilders m achine
_______ _____ M ale____
__.do__.....
Fem ale _
...d o ... .....
P u tters out sole

C utters, insole

_________________________

5

F ittin g or s tit'M n g d e p a r tm e n t

M ale. .....
___do___
Fem ale _
._.do__ .....
M
ale ___
C em enters and doublers, b an d and m achine.
___do___
Fem ale _
___do___
Folders hand and m achine _________ M a le ____
___do___
Fem ale _
___do___ _
M
Perforators
-»__ _-____________ ale ......
___do___
Fem ale _
_do .......
*pjp stitchers
- ___ _____ --------- M ale ___
Fem ale__
___do_____
M a le ____
Closer*5 or seamers T._T1______
-__do_.........
Fem ale__
--_do......... .
stam pers linings or u p p e r s ___


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

-------_

[ 549]

7
86
84
5
7
98
119

383

413

.633

.397
.403

19.87

80

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN T H E B O O T A N D SH O E IN D U S T R Y

1924 A N D 1926, B Y D E P A R T M E N T , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D S E X —C ontinued

O ccupation

Sex

N u m ­ N u m ­ A ver­ A ver­ A ver­
ber of ber of age full­ age age full­
tim e
earn ­
tim e
Y ear estab­ em ­
ings weekly
lish­ ploy­ hours
per
per
earn­
m ents
ees
week
hour
ings

F ittin g or stitch in g d e p a r tm e n t —C ontinued

Seam rubbers...................................... ..................

M ale
__-do_____
Fem ale___
-__do_____
M ale __
Fem ale__
---d o _____
Fem ale__
___do_____
M ale
-_-do_____
Fem ale__
-- .d o _____
M ale
Fem ale__
__-do_____
Fem ale__
-__do_____
M a Ip,
Fem ale__
---d o _____
1V1alft
-__do_____
Fem ale__
---d o _____
Malft
_ .-d o_____
Fem ale__
-_-do__........
Malft
Fem ale__
-_-do_____
M ale
Fem ale__
-_-do_____
M ale
Fem ale__
-__do_____
M ale .
Fem ale—
___do____
Male
Fem ale___
-_ .d o-------M ale
---d o _____
Fem ale___
-- .d o ......... .

1924
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

15
14
53
62
8
100
124
22
13
21
27
97
121
13
65
88
44
65
2
38
49
33
39
69
66
49
63
99
123
5
62
57
4
62j
68
19
86
112
5
67
85
5
80
98
7
7
67
72

M ale
-__do_.........
M ale _
-_-do_____
Fem ale__
_--do_____
Pullers over, h a n d _______ ___________
M ale..
---d o _____
Pullers over, m achine..................
M ale
-_-do_____
Side lasters, h a n d _______ ____ _________
M ale
-__do_____
Side lasters, m achine.......................
M ale
-_-do_____
B ed m achine operators________ .
M ale
___do-------H a n d m ethod iasting-m achine operators___ M ale.
-__do____
T u rn lasters, h a n d ...................
M ale
---d o _____
T u rn lasters, m achine___________
M ale
___do-------T u rn sew ers.........................
M ale
__do......... .

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

85
106
81
113
8
9
14

Lining m akers.......................................................
C lo se rs-o n ________ ____ _________________
T op stitc h ers-....................... ...............................

B inders.....................................................................
B utton-hole m akers..............................................
B u tto n fasteners............................. .....................
Eyeleters______________ ________________

V am pers_____________ . . . . . ______ ____ ___

Barrel's____________________ ____ ______ _
Tongue stitch ers............................ ......................
F ancy stitchers......................................................
B ackstay stitchers........ .................................
Table w orkers________ _________
Lacers_________________________ _____

L a s tin g d e p a rtm e n t

L ast pickers or sorters_______

.

Assemblers for pulling-over m achine___


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[550]

h

92
121
40
38
64
93
92
121
12
14
31
35
7
5
30
28

48 4
48! 1
47.8
48.9
46 7
49.3
49.3
49.5
50.3
47 0
47. 1
49.3
49.3
45 7
49.1
49.2
49.3
49.1

$0 407
.481
.323
.341
842
! 369
.413
.415
.338

49.4
50.0

.332
.389

$19 70
23! 14
15.44
16. 67
20 22
18. 19
20.36
20. 55
16.90
32 33
36.41
22.77
23. 98
55 80
23! 17
27. 55
18. 73
21.80
17 25
16.40
19.45

49.0
49.1
48.7

.557
.444
.473

27. 29
21.80
23.04

4A2
49.4
49.1

.741
.519
.531

35.72
25.64
26.07

49.1
49. 5

.393
.389

19. 30
19. 26

49.0
48.8
47 4
49.1
49.4
48 0
49Ì2
48.8

.413
.401
763
.451
.452
632
.413
.433

20! 24
19.57
36 17
22.14
22.33
30 34
20. 32
21.13

48! 6
48.4

.302
.303

14.68
14. 67

10
124
112

48.6
49.3
48.9

.356
.399
.386

17. 30
19.67
18. 88

969
291
421
541
33
36
50
47
467
576
288
287
402
616

48 3
49! 2
40 3
49! 1
50.0
49.6
40 3
47! 5
40 3
49! 2
48 1
47! 8
49! 5

l , 279
97

49. 1
48 5
48! 9

.700
694
! 700

34. 37
33 66
34. 23

47! 7
48 5
48/3

.870

41. 50

.835

40. 33

48! 9

.857

41.91

20
21
88
100
22
1,012
1,170
63
27
78
90
1,184
1,469
30
361
461
66
110
2
68
80
68
74
119
128
294
1,053
1,170
11
106
96
8
159
223
46
1, 467
2, 398
10
267
337
11
700
893

68
406
726
26
86
63
66

075

! 773
.462
.486
1 223
! 478
.560
.380
.444

.491
554
.596
.399
.422
704
! 828

21 98
24. 16
27 31
29.26
19.95
20. 93
34 71
39.33

.766

37. 69

. 740

35. 37

.675

33.41

WAGES AND HOURS IN BOOT AND SHOE INDUSTRY

81

T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN T H E B O O T A N D S H O E IN D U S T R Y

1924 A N D 1926, B Y D E P A R T M E N T , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D S E X —C ontinued

O ccupation

Sex

A ver­ A ver­ A v er­
N u m ­ N u m ­ age full­ age age full­
ber of ber of
tim e
tim e
earn­
Y ear estab­ em ­
ings w eekly
lish­ ploy­ hours
per
per
earn
­
m ents
ees
ings
week
hour

L a s tin g d e p a r tm e n t —C ontinued

HTfick pullers

1924
1926
1924
1926

79
98
2
3

331
321
7
8

48.9
49.3
50.0
49.0

M ale____
-_-do_____
M ale_____
___do-------M ale____
-.- d o _____
M ale____
__ do-------Fem ale__
-__do_____
M ale ,........
___do_____
M ale____
___do-------M a le ... __
---d o _____
M ale _ _
-_-do_____
Fem ale__
-_-do_____
M a le ____
-__do_____
M ale____
___do_____
M ale ___
-_-do_____
M ale____
- - d o __
M ale ,, _ _-_do_____
M ale____
---d o _____
M ale __
- ..d o _____
M ale ___
--_do_____
Fem ale___
M ale____
--_do_____
Mai©____
---d o _____

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

76
92
61
80
66
82
59
70
9
6
9
9
79
98
76
91
75
90
4
20
79
98
34
51
48
55
97
119
98
102
38
73
96
103
79
78
3
102
127
26
30

336
358
107
147
126
158
110
145
14
9
26
17
221
267
212
241
243
303
10
68
505
517
104
159
91
111
315
345
290
319
403
713
213
234
131
124
6
686
808
32
58

M ale..........
---d o _____
M a le ____
--_do_____
M ale____
---d o _____
M ale____
-_ do_____
M ale____
_-_do_____
Fem ale.
---d o _____
M ale____
_--do_____
Fem ale__
. . . d o . . ........
M ale____
---d o _____
M ale____
-__do_____
Fem ale__
_- -do_____
M ale____
__-do_____
Fem ale__
.--d o ...........

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

99
124
102
129
98
104
91
104
80
88
12
18
38
39
38
29
91
112
93
114
31
43
48
53
77

361
434
681
765
378
342
265
275
303
248
38
46
115
116
169
66
228
275
948
1,088
184
302
102
128
624
925

__________________ M ale____
___do____
Fem ale__
___do...........

_

$0.436
.462
.375
.298

$21.32
22. 78
18. 75
14.60

48.7
48.7
48.8
48.8
49. 1
49.2
49.0
48.9
50.7
48.4
51.6
49.4
4S. 9
49. 1
48.7
48.8
48.9
49.4
50.8
48.9
48.8
48.9
50.3
50. 1
49.1
48.8
49.1
49.4
49.3
49.1
48. 1
48.8
49.1
49.2
48.9
49. 1
48.0
49.1
49.2
48.2
49.0

.929
.938
.533
.569
.511
.507
.432
.456
.373
.317
.461
.650
.616
.635
.846
.825
.480
.508
.253
.444
.773
.776
.644
.687
.558
.528
.597
.655
.768
.729
.690
.823
.793
.736
.588
.631
.606
.767
.785
.563
.582

45.24
45. 68
25. 26
27. 77
25.09
24. 94
21. 17
22. 30
18.91
15.34
23. 79
32.11
30. 12
31.18
41.20
40.26
23.47
25.10
12. 85
21.71
37.72
37.95
32.39
34.42
27.40
25. 77
29. 31
32. 36
37.86
35.79
33.19
40.16
38. 94
36. 21
28.75
30.98
29. 09
37.66
38.62
27.14
28.52

49.4
49.4
49.1
49.1
49.2
49.2
50.0
49.3
49.2
49.2
50.4
50.1
48.8
48.3
48.9
48.6
49. 7
49.5
48.8
49.2
48.8
49.0
48.9
48.2
48.8
49.0

.614
.640
.756
.766
.621
.623
.584
.607
.498
.450
.445
.416
.416
.526
.342
.338
.471
.494
.624
.611
.431
.419
.511
.594
.403
.388

30. 33
31.62
37.12
37. 61
30. 55
30. 65
29. 20
29.93
24.50
22.14
22.43
20.84
20. 30
25.41
16.72
16. 43
23.41
24.45
30. 45
30.06
21.03
20. 53
24.99
28.63
19.67
19.01

B o tto m in g d e p a rtm e n t

______________ _

G oodyear welters
W elt heaters and slashers

Bottom fillers, hand and machine..
Sole p.ementers, hand and m aehine

So'e layers, h an d

_______________________

Sole layers, m achine______________________
■Rough rounders

________________________

C hannel openers and channel closers_______

floodyoar stitch ers

_____________________

M cK ay sew ers___________________________
Stitch separators

__ _________ - __ - ______

Level e r s ________________________________
Eieelers, le a th e r __________________________
TTeel ers, wood

_ __ _____________________

H eel trim m ers or sh av ers______________ - __
TTeel h re n te rs

__________________________

Edge trim m ers.............. ...................... ..................
Sluggers ________________________________
F in ish in g d e p a rtm e n t

Buffers

_ ______________________________

Rdge setters _ _ _________________________
Heel scourers

___________________________

FTeel burnish ers
B rushers

________________________

_______________________________

Shoe cleaners

________ ________ ___ ____

L ast pullers

__________ - - - - - - - __ - - ----

Treers

_______________________ _______

R epairers (not cobblers)__- - - - - - - - - - - - - ____


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[551]

no

82

M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W

T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S IN T H E B O O T A N D S H O E IN D U S T R Y

1924 A N D 1926, B Y D E P A R T M E N T , O C C U P A T IO N , A N D S E X —C ontinued

Occupation

Sex

Aver- A ver­ A ver­
N u m ­ N u m ­ age
full- age age full­
ber of ber of
tim e
earn­
tim e
Y ear estab ­ emhours
ings w eekly
lish­ ployper
per
earn­
m ents
ees
week
hour
ings

F in ish in g d e p a r tm e n t —C ontinued

D ressers.......................... ........................................

M ale _
_-_do_....... .
Fem ale__
....d o _____
Sock lin e rs .._____ _______ _______ _________ M ale
-__do_____
Fem ale__
___do_____
L acers._________ ________________________ M ale
-_ .d o_____
Fem ale__
---d o _____
P ackers. _______ ________________ . . . . _____ M ale
.-_ d o _____
Fem ale__
--_do_____
O ther employees___ . . . . . . . . . . . . ________
M ale
---d o _____
Fem ale__
-_-do_____

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

18
22
62
81
17
17
84
115
7
10
71
86
17
34
92
112
105
154
103
132

39
49
225
317
37
30
225
350
If)
21
201
194
37
110
332
387
9 202
9' 658
5, 363
6,185

All occupations___ _________________ ....

1924
1926
1924
1920
1924
1926

100
153
106
133
106
154

27 144
29,' 925
18,316
22, 770
45, 460
52, 695

M ale
___do_____
Eemale _ .
---d o _____
B o th _____
--_do....... .

49.0
49.4
49.1
49 7
50.' 1
49.0
48.9
48 4
4& 7
49.1
48.9
48 9

.428
.366
.377

20. 97
18.08
18. 51

.380
.390
.378

19.04
19. 11
18. 48

.351
.368
.326

17. 09
18. 07
15. 94

.433
.360
.377

21. 39
17.53
18. 36

48.6

.497
.350
.335

24. 35
17.15
16.28

49.0
49.0
48. 5
49.0
48.8

.622
.394
.398
.516
.526

30.48
19.31
19.30
25.28
25. 67

49.4

48. 7
48. 7
48 8
49.0
49.0

Table 3 presents, for each State, average full-time hours per week,
average earnings per hour, and average full-tim e weekly earnings in
15 of the m ost im portant occupations for which d a ta are presented
in Table 2. Of the 15 occupations shown here, 7 are presented for
both sexes. These occupations cover 17 per cent of the males and
31 per cent of the females included in the 1926 study. The purpose
of the table is to illustrate variations in hours and wages as between
the several States. T he full-time hours per week for male cutters,
vam p and whole shoe, hand, range from 46.4 in New Jersey to 53.4
in M aine; the average earnings per hour for these employees range
from 55.6 cents in M aine to 97.5 cents in Ohio; and the average
full-time weekly earnings range from $27.40 in M innesota to $48.65
in Ohio. Averages for other occupations in this table m ay be read
in like m anner.


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

[552]

83

W AGES AND H O U R S IN BOOT AND SH O E IN D U S T R Y

T a b l e 3 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S F O R 15 S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S IN

T H E B O O T A N D SH O E IN D U S T R Y , BY SE X A N D S T A T E , 1923

State

ver­
A ver­
ver­ Aage
N u m ­ N u m ­ age Aage
ber of ber of full­ earn­ full­
tim e
estab­ em ­
tim e
lish­ ploy- hours ings
per weekly
m ents ees
per
earn­
hour
week
ings

A ver­ A ver­ Aver­
N u m ­ N u m ­ age
age
age
ber of ber of full­
full­
estab­ em ­
tim e earn­
tim e
ings
lish­ ploy­ hours
per weekly
m ents ees
per
earn­
week hour ings

C utters, vam p and whole shoe,
h an d , male

Skivers, upper, male

Illinois............................................
M aine. ______ ___________
M aryland and V irginia______
M assachusetts___ .1.......... ......
M ichigan___________________
M innesota__________ _______
M issouri
________ . . .
N ew H am p sh ire____________
N ew ,Jersey. . ______________
N ew Y ork .... ... ....................
Ohio
______________ .
P e n n sy lv a n ia .. ____________
W isc o n sin ............... ................ .

2
6
6
27
3
4
4
9
4
19
4
11
9

141
151
76
658
11
53
103
137
37
351
116
180
115

T otal ................................

108

2,129

48. 0 $0. 925 $44. 40
53.4
.556 29. 69
48. 8
.615 30. 01
.857 41. 31
48. 2
49.5
.657 32. 52
49. 2
.557 27. 40
. S91 42. 77
48.0
49.8
.676 33. 66
40.4
.763 35. 40
47.4
.948 44. 94
49.9
.975 48. 65
.651 32. 81
50. 4
48.9
.753 36.82
48.9

.808

39. 51

Illinois..........................................
M ain e_____ _ ____________
M aryland and V irg in ia ..........
M assachusetts______________
M ichigan__ ____ ___________
M innesota__________________
M issouri . . . _____________
New H am p sh ire. . . . _______
N ew Jersey . .
.... ....................
New Y ork. _______________
Ohio
_____________________
P ennsylvan ia_______________
W isc o n sin _________ ____ ___

4
6
4
26
5
4
7
8
2
19
7
9
12

38
23
14
323
11
8
68
42
9
86
35
41
54

48.1 $0. 541 $26. 02
.398 21.09
53.0
.429 20. 81
48.5
47.9
.598 28.64
49. 6
.290 14. 38
48. 8
.565 27. 57
49. 6
.422 20.93
48. 8
.387 18. 89
.452 20. 79
46. 0
48.1
. 563 27. 08
49.9
.453 22. 60
51.1
.407 20. 80
48.6
.413 20. 07

T o ta l_____ _____ _______

113

552

48.9

23. 77

Cem enters, and doublers, han d and
m achine, female

Illinois_____________________
M aine______________________
M aryland and V irginia______
M assachusetts____________ _
M ic h i g a n .__ _____ _________
M in n e s o ta ..................................
M issouri. . ______________
New H am pshire____________
New Jersey_________________
N ew Y o rk __________________
O h i o . ___ __________________
P ennsylvan ia_______________
W isconsin.......... ...........................

5
6
6
25
4
4
7
10
3
22
7
10
9

67
140
48
320
12
18
138
112
29
237
109
119
77

T o tal. . ..........................

118

1,426

49.0 $0. 344 $16. 86
.274 14. 74
53.8
48.9
.214 10. 46
.386 18. 53
48.0
49.8
.245 12. 20
50.3
.346 17. 40
48.9
.363 17. 75
49.5
.331 16. 38
.472 21.05
44.6
.365 17. 74
48.6
.347
49.8
17. 28
.265 13. 28
50.1
49.2
.313 15.40
49.3

.340

6
6
37

3
1
10

0)29

48. 7

. 518

25.23

46.4

.881

40.88

5

10

52.6

.357

18.78

37

96

48.4

.668

32.33

16. 76

[553]

1
1
2

0
0

1
1

0
0

0)

0

$21.64
25.39
33.31

(>)

6

0
0

0
0

(0
0

0
0

49.3 $0. 363

0
0

$17.90
...

0
(0

..

7

12

48. 5

.618

29.97

4
1

5

51.3

. 199

10. 21

42

50.8

.374

19.00

18

0

0

0

0

Lining m akers (including lining
closers, side and top facing stitch ­
ers), female
5
6
5
28
4
4
7
10
4
21
7
11
12

77
117
29
247
7
10
96
83
20
229
56
135
64

124

1,170

i D a ta for only one establishm ent not show n here h u t included in to tal;


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

6

53.3 $0. 406
49.3
. 515
.694
48.0

Cem enters, and doublers, hand
and machine, male

Skivers upper, female

.486

3
4
11

48. 5 $0. 448
.325
53.7
.377
49.0
47.9
.504
.294
49.7
49.8
.470
.342
49.4
.384
49.4
46.8
.430
48.5
.445
49.7
.417
50.8
.332
.423
48.6

$21. 73
17.45
18.47
24.14
14.61
23.41
16.89
18.97
20.12
21.58
20.72
16.87
20.56

.413

20.36

49.3

84
T

M O N T H L Y LABOE B E V IE W

able

3 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S F O R 15 S P E C IF I E D O C C U P A T IO N S IN
T H E B O O T A N D SH O E IN D U S T R Y , BY S E N A N D S T A T E , 1926-C ontinued

State

Aver­
A ver­
N um - N u m ­ age A ver­ age
age
ber of ! ber of full­
full­
earn­
estab- emtim e
tim e
lish- ploy- hours ings weekly
per
m ents
ees
per
earn­
week hour ings

Aver­ A ver­ A ver­
N u m ­ N u m ­ age
age
age
ber of ber of full­
full­
estab­ em ­
tim e earn­
tim e
ings
lish­ ploy­ hours
per weekly
m ents
ees
per
earn­
week hour
ings

T op stitchers (including u n d e r­
trim m ers an d barb er trim m ers),
male

T op stitchers (including under­
trim m ers a nd barber trim m ers),
female

0)

Illinois................................
M a in e ........... ..................
M ary lan d an d Y irginia.
M assacliusetts...............
M ich ig an _____________
M in n eso ta____ ________
M issouri..........................
N ew H a m p sh ire ______
N ew Jersey___________
N ew Y o r k .......................
O hio................................
P e n n sy lv an ia ____ _____
W isconsin..........................

«

0
49. 5
48.3

0)

85
122

0.473 $23. 41
.673 32.51

39
315
22

0)

0

0)

0

45.2

1.001

4 5 .2 5

"~588

28.22

.773

36.41

I s .'o

T o ta l.

18
161
145
11

47. 1

285
92
97
77

V am pers, m ale
ITlinois................................
M ain e .................. ..............
M ary lan d an d V irginia.
M assach u setts.................
M ich ig an................ ..........
M in n eso ta........................
M isso u ri................... ........
N ew H am p sh ire..............
N ew Jerse y ___________
N ew Y o rk ____________
O h io ......... .........................
P en n sy lv an ia____ _____
W isconsin..........................

14
15
121

0

(l)

49. 0

6

63

T o ta l.

0)

T o ta l...................................

45. 5
46.5

26. 71
29. 18
36.81
41. 99

48.3
48.8

.917
.626

44. 29
30. 55

48.2

.741

35.72

4
6
7
22
4
4
7
9
4
18
7
11
10

39
26
32
121
7
6
92
35
12
78
35
29
29

48.3 $0. 687 $33. 18
53.2
.567 30. 16
49. 1 .442 21. 70
48.2
.676 32. 58
50.0
.420 21.00
50.0
.614 30. 70
49. 5
. 555 27. 47
49.6
.560 27.78
45. 4
.565 25. 65
48.3
.625 30.19
49.9
.672 33. 53
51.4
.501 25. 75
49.2
.541 26. 62

113
113

541

49. 1

.596

29. 26

123

[554]

49.3

.486

23. 96

20. 28
17. 65
28.88
17. 67
23. 31.
21. 64
20.72
22.83
24. 15
29. 68
21.28
25. 17

48. 5
53. 1
48.9
47.9
49.9
50.0
49.4
49.2
47.2
48.6
49.9
51.3
48.8

'. 556
. 503
.440
.635
.348
. 518
.482
. 505
.607
.525
.489
.466
.570

$26. 97
26. 71
21.52
30.42
17. 37
25.90
23. 81
24.85
28. 65
25. 52
24.40
23.91
27.82

1, 170

49. 1

.531

26.07

Assemblers for pulling-over m a­
chine, female
2
1

11

50. 0 $0. 370
0
0

10

47. 9

0

0

0

2

11

50. 0

.419

20. 95

9

36

49. 6

.422

20. 93

0

3

1

i D a ta for only one estab lish m en t n o t show n here b u t in clu d ed in total.


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

$ 22.10

47
36
214
18
15
130
87
18
240
82
107
74

102

0

.545
.586
.809
.903

A ssemblers for pulling-over m a­
chine, male
Ulinois................................
M a in e ________________
M ary lan d an d V irginia.
M assach u setts................ .
M ic h ig a n .........................
M in n eso ta .......... ..............
M isso u ri............................
N ew H a m p sh ire -............
N ew Jerse y ........ ...............
N ew Y o rk ____________
O hio............... .............. .
P en n sy lv an ia...................
W isconsin______ _____

0.452
.379
.364
.603
.357
.469
.438
.416
.490
.497
.596
.423
.518

V am pers, female

48.0 $0.890 $42. 72
53. 7
.546 29. 32
49.9
.610 30. 44
48.0
.709 34.03

4
23

48.9
53. 5
48. 5
47.9
49. 5
49. 7
49.4
49.8
46.6
48.6
49.8
50.3
48.6

0

.429

$18. 50
0
20. 55

W AGES AND H O N E S IN BOOT AND SH O E IN D U S T R Y

85

T able 3 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S F O R 15 S P E C IF I E D O C C U P A T IO N S IN
T H E B O O T A N D SH O E IN D U S T R Y , BY S E X A N D S T A T E , 1926—C ontinued

S tate

I llin o is

.. ______
M ain e ____ __
M aryland a n d V irginia______
M assachusetts___ ___
M ichigan___ _ _ _
M innesota____ ___
__
M issouri-.
..
.
N ew H am p sh ire____
___
Now Jersey
N ew Y o rk __
_ _
O h io

Pennsylvania
W is c o n s in

T o ta l____ _________

_

A ver­
ver­
ver­ Aage
N u m ­ N u m ­ age Aage
ber of ber of full­
full­
estab­ emtim e earn­ tim e
lish­ P a y ­ hours ings
weekly
per
per
earn­
m ents ees
week hour
ings

A ver­
A ver­
N u m ­ N u m ­ age A ver­ age
age
ber of ber of full­
full­
earn­
tim e
estab­ em ­
tim e
weekly
lish­ ploy­ hours ings
per
m ents ees
per
earn­
week hour
ings

B ed machine operators, male

T u rn lasters, hand (including first
and second lasters), male

4
6
7
26
5
4
7
10
4
20
6
11
11

107
68
46
315
19
15
188
99
16
211
63
54
78

121

1,279

48.6 $0. 730 $35.48
.592 31. 49
53. 2
48. 6
.603 29.31
48. 2
.737 35. 52
.584 29.02
49. 7
.685 34.25
50.0
49.5
.680 33. 66
49.2
.632 31.09
45.7
.750 34. 28
48.2
.715 36. 46
50.0
.837 41.85
51. 5
.603 31. 05
49. 5
.732 36.23
49.1

.700

34. 37

1
1
3
7
1

0
(1)
12
234
«

0
0
0
(l)
50 4 $0.674
47.8 1.009
«
0

I
12
3
4
2

C1)
235
15
155
40

0)
46. 8
49. 7
48. 2
46.8

0
. 940
. 696
.728
.704

43. 99
34, 59
35. 09
32. 95

35

726

47.7

.870

41. 50

Goodyear stitchers, male
I llin o is
M a in e

... .

M a r y la n d __ _________

M a s s a c h u s e tt s

__

M i c h i g a n __ _ _
_____
M innesota. - ______
M is s o u r i

N ew H am p sh ire___ ___ ____
Ne.w Jersey
N ew Y o rk ___
Ohio
P e n n s y lv a n ia ._______ _ .
Wisconsin
T o ta l

38
14
22
122
7
5
46
41
6
117
27
36
36

48. 0 $0. 954 $15. 79
52. 0
. 538 27. 98
48. 6
.693 33. 68
48. 1
.825 39. 68
49. 7
.636 31. 61
48. 0
.720 34. 56
49. 7
.678 33.70
48. 5
.683 33. 13
46. 0
.857 39. 42
.821 39.65
48. 3
49. 9
.910 45.41
51. 4
.638 32. 79
49.5
.738 36.53

98

517

48.9

37.95

Edge setters, male
I l l i n o i s . ................

M ain e . . .
_____ _
M aryland a n d V irginia_____
M assachusetts_____________
M ichigan___ _
____
M in n e s o ta

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

M issouri___________ .
N ew Hampshire
N ew Jersey___ ....
N ew Y o rk ___ ___ _ _ . . .
O hio________ ___ . .
____
P ennsylvan ia_______________
Wisconsin . .......
T o ta l________ ______

5
6
7
28
5
4

5
6
7
28
5
4
7
9
4
23
7
11
11

54
47
34
197
6
9
87
58
7
162
58
47
42

48. 6 $0. 844
53. 4
. 571
49.1
. 672
48.1
. 877
49.7
.810
50. 0
. 598
49. 4
.701
49. 5
.719
46. 4
.886
48. 3
.831
49. 9
.807
50. 8
.689
49.6
.814

127

808

49.2

10
4
23
7
11
12

48. 5 $0. 772 $37. 44
53.4
. 582 31. 08
49.0
.739 36. 21
48. 1 .848 40. 79
49. 6
.693 34. 37
49.3
.626 30. 86
49. 4
. 696 34. 38
49. 5
.670 33.17
46.3
.812 37.60
48. 2
.806 38.85
49.9
.815 40. 67
50.3
.658 33.10
48.9
.808 39. 51

129

765

49.1

37. 61

5

6
7
28
3
4
6
10
4
18
4
11
8

26
74
43
346
8
13
150
106
12
174
43
57
36

114

1,088

i D ata for only one establishm ent n o t show n here b u t included in total.


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

[555]

.785

$41. 02
30. 49
33.00
42.13
40. 26
29. 90
34. 63
35. 59
41.11
40.14
40. 26
35. 00
40. 37
38.62

Treers, han d a nd m achine, male

57
46
29
196
5
9
81
47
10
143
55
49
38

.766

0

Edge trim m ers, male

2
4
7
20
4
3
4
6
3
18
6
11
10

.776

0
0

$33.97
48.23
0

49. 0 $0. 565
53. 4
.470
48. 9
. 516
.710
48. 2
50. 0
. 533
50. 8
.463
49. 6
. 568
49. 7
. 568
46.4
.773
47. 9
.632
49. 9
.517
.514
50. 9
48.9
.688
49.2

.611

$27. 69
25.10
25. 23
34. 22
26. 65
23. 52
28.17
28. 23
35.87
30. 27
25. 80
26.16
33.64
30.06

86

M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W

T able 3 .—A V E R A G E H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S F O R 15 S P E C IF I E D O C C U P A T IO N S IN
T H E B O O T A N D SH O E IN D U S T R Y , B Y S E X A N D S T A T E , 1926—C ontinued

S tate

Aver­
A ver­
N u m ­ N u m ­ age A ver­ age
age
ber of ber of full­ earn­
full­
estab­ em ­
tim e
tim e
lish­ ploy­ hours ings
weekly
per
m ents ees
per
earn­
week hour ings

A ver­
A ver­
N u m ­ N u m ­ age A ver­ age
age
ber of ber of full­
full­
estab­ em ­
tim e earn­ tim e
lish­ ploy­ hours ings w eekly
per
m ents
ees
per
earn­
week hour ings

Treers, h an d an d m achine, female

R epairers (not cobblers) (including
tip fixers and scourers), male

Illinois................. _........................
M ain e...........__ .........................
M ary land and V ireinia- - ........
M assachusetts___
M ichigan - - _____ _________
M in n e so ta .. _______________
M isso u ri.. . ............................
N ew H a m p s h ir e __ _
N ew Jersey_________________
N ew Y ork . . . ___________ .
O hio_________________ _____
Pen n sy lv an ia______________
W isconsin__________________

5
1
1
4
2
3
4
1

78
0)
0
35
4
7
35
(0

9
6
2
5

43
40
2
48

49. 8
49.9
52.0
48.8

.461
.439
.522
.345

T o tal...................................

43

302

49.0

.419

22. 96
21.91
27.14
16.84

5
1
2
9
2
1
2
1
3
14
j
8
4

3
17
2
0)
4
0)
6
49
0
24
8

48.9 $0.440
0
0
.432
50.2
48.1
.575
50.0
.542
0
0
48. 5
.362
0
0
46.0
.549
46.8
.708
0
0
50.4
.543
48. 6
.577

20. 53

53

128

48.2

48.6 $0.447 $21. 72
0
0
0)
0
0
0
424 20 35
48 0
49. 5
.331 16 38
50 6
. 386 19 53
48 1
.395 19. 00
«
0
0

9
0)

.594

$21. 52
0
21.69
27.66
27.10
0
17.56
0
25.25
33.13
0
27. 37
28. 04
28.63

Repairers (not cobblers) (including
tip fixers a n d scourers), female
Illinois........ .............. ...................
M a in e ......................... ...........
M ary lan d a n d V irg in ia...........
M assachusetts___________
M ichigan_______________
M in n eso ta__________
M isso u ri____ _____________
N ew H am p sh ire____ ________
N ew Jersey _____ ___________
N ew Y o rk .. . ______
Ohio . . . . ________________
P en n sy lv an ia_______
W isconsin___ .
T o ta l__

_____

5
6
5
27
2
3
7
10
1
21
7
7
9

102
53
41
233
4
26
103
94
0)
136
29
51
46

49 0 $0. 350 $17.15
53. 6
. 362 19. 40
48. 6
. 294 14. 29
47. 9
.481 23.04
50 0
. 268 13.40
53 1
. 246 13. 06
49. 0
. 311 15 24
49. 5
.396 19. 60
0
0
0)
47. 7
.419 19. 99
49. 9
. 392 19. 56
49. 3
. 337 16. 26
48.8
.345 16. 84

110

925

49.0

.388

19. 01

i D a ta for only one establishm ent n o t shown here b u t included in to ta l.

E n tr a n c e W age R a te s for C o m m o n L abor, J a n u a r y 1, 1927
H E term common labor lias m any interpretations among dif­
ferent industries, and even among different localities or plants
in the same industry. M any employers m ake a practice of
increasing the rate of pay of a laborer after a stated length of service,
provided a sufficient degree of fitness for the job has been developed;
otherwise the employee is dropped. Owing to these difficulties in
the way of securing com parable d a ta as to wage rates for common
labor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has confined these statistics to
entrance rates alone— th a t is, the d a ta here presented are based on
rates of pay per hour given unskilled adult male common laborers
when first hired.
This survey is limited, to 13 im portant industries, which require
considerable num bers of common laborers. Some establishm ents
have reported two rates—for example, one for the 10-hour day and
one for the 8-hour day, or one for white and one for colored or M exican
workers; these distinctions have n o t been m aintained in the tab u ­
lated d ata, although it is apparent th a t the lowest rates are shown

T


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

[556]

87

E N TRA N CE W A G E RATES FOR COM MON LABOR

for those geographic divisions where there are large num bers of
colored or Mexican workers, while the highest rates are shown for
localities where an 8-hour day is more or less prevalent.
The industries included and the num ber of common laborers
reported in each on January 1 , 1927, are as follows:
Automobiles_____________________________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta_________________________
Cement._________________________________________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies_________
Foundry and machine-shop products________________
Iron and steel------------Leather_________________________________________
Lumber (sawmills)_______________________________
Paper and pulp__________________________________
Petroleum refining________________________________
Slaughtering and meat packing_____________________
Public utilities___________________________________
General contracting__________________

7, 203
3, 141
1, 790
3, 499
10, 173
20, 139
2, 579
11,143
8, 473
3, 598
5, 927
10, 561
28, 888

Total_____________________________________ 117, 114

The num ber of common laborers reported in each geographic divi­
sion is as follows:
New England____________________________________
Middle Atlantic__________________________________
East North Central_______________________________
West North Central______________________________
South Atlantic___________________________________
East South Central_______________________________
West South Central______________________________
Mountain______________________________ :________
Pacific__________ ________ ______________________

7, 121
30, 627
31, 833
6, 726
12, 825
6, 552
7, 146
3,901
10,383

Total_______________________________ _____ 117, 114

The weighted average rate for the several industries combined is
43.2 cents, the lowest and highest rates reported being 15 cents and
$1,125, respectively. The 15 cent rate appears in the E a st South
C entral division of the brick, tile, and terra cotta industry, and in the
South A tlantic division of the sawmill industry, while the $1,125 rate
is found in the M iddle A tlantic division of general contracting.
The highest average rate in any of the industries, 49.8 cents, appears
in general contracting, and the lowest average rate, 33.4 cents, appears
in the sawmill industry.
The average rate for January 1, 1927, 43.2 cents, is slightly lower
than the average rate of October 1, 1926, which was 43.4 cents. The
average rate of July 1 , 1926, was 42.8 cents.
By om itting the d a ta for general contracting, which was first
included in these compilations on July 1 , 1926, average entrance
rates for the periods studied are as follows:
C ents

Jan.
Apr.
July
Oct.
Jan.

1, 1926_______________________________________
1, 1926_______________________________________
1, 1926_______________________________________
1, 1926____________________________ _____ ____
1, 1927_____________

40. 2
40. 5
40. 9
40. 9
41.0

The table following shows for each industry the high, low, and
average rates in each geographic division and in the U nited States
as a whole.

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

[557]

M O N T H L Y LABOE E E V IE W
H O U R L Y W A G E R A T E S P A ID F O R C O M M O N L A B O R , JA N U A R Y 1, 1927
[T he rates on w hich this table is based are entrance rates paid for a dult male common labor]
Geographic divisions
In d u stry

Automobiles:
L ow . ..........................................
H ig h ............................................
A verage_________ .________
Brick, tile, a n d terra cotta:
Low _________________
H ig h ____________ ____
Average____________ ______ __
C em ent:
Low __________________
H igh----------------------------------Average___ _______
. .
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
and supplies:
Low
_______
H igh_______________________
Average________________ _
F o u n d ry and m achine-shop products:
Low _____ ___________
H igh, _________ ______
A verage______ ___________
Iro n a n d steel:
Low _______ ____ _
H igh_______________________
Average_________________ .
Leather:
L ow . ____________
H ig h ..
_____ ______
Average_____ _________
L um ber (saw m ills):
Low _______ _____
H ig h.................................... ...........
A verage. ........ ......................
P aper and pulp:
Low ________
H igh_______________________
Average.............................
Petroleum- refining:
Low ...... .......................
H igh__________ ____________
A verag e... _______________
Slaughtering a n d m eat packing:
Low .........................
H igh------------------------- --------A verage.......................
P ublic u tilitie s :1
L ow ...........................
H ig h ______________
A verage___________ ______
G eneral contracting: 2
Low ...............................
H ig h ----------------------------------A verage...................................
All industries:
L ow ____________________
H igh-------------- ------------- A v e ra g e __________

U nited
States New M id ­ E ast W est South E a st W est
E ng­ dle N o rth N orth A t­ South South M oun­ P a ­
C en­ C en­ la n ­ C en­ C en­ tain
A t­
cific
land
lantic
tral
tral
tic
tral
tral
Cents

Cents

33. 3
02. 5
45.6
15.0
55.0
40.2

C ents

C ents

Cents

35. 0
62. 5
46.1

33. 3
62. 5
35. 0

36.0
55.6
49.9

33.0
50.0
39.1

27.0
40.0
31.7

35.0
45.0
43.9

35 0
43 0
40.2

35 0
35 O

40. 0
62. 5
42.7
40.0
50.0
44.1

25.0
60.0
39.6

Cents C ents Cents

C e n ts

50 0
f‘5 0
53.2

17.5
40.0
29.9

35.0

15.0
37.0
24.9

25.0
37. 5
28.3

9.f\ n
30 ft
29] 0

27.0

38. 5
40.0
39.5

39.0

50.0
41.1

50.7

31.0
52.0
43.0

31.0
48.0
45.2

40.0
51.0
41.4

39.0
52. 0
43.9

35.0

40.0
37.5

40.0
40 0
40.0

17.5
56.0
38.7

33.0
45.0
39.4

30.0
50.0
41.8

34.0
55.0
41.1

35.0
55.0
40.3

17.5
45.0
27.3

40.0
30.6

20.0
50 0
42. 7

35.0
45 0
40.4

30.0
50 0
42.8

44! 3

35.0 20.0
35 O
37. 3

29.4

47.1

22. 5
54.2
43.1

47.9
54.2
50.3

33.3
50 0
43.8

99 5
40 n

9,7 5

44 ft

50 O
45.7

33! 6

31.0

15.0
62. 5
33.4

33.3
34.0
33.6

30.0
40.0
37.6

30.0
62. 5
35.7

32.5
35.0
34.4

15.0
35.0
25.7

16.5
25.0
21.3

22. 5
56.3
43.8

38. 0
50 0
46. 6

35 0
50 0
41.7

35 O
54 O
4L 9

35 n
33. 3

36.2

30 0
62. 0
46. 4

'

46 0
53 n
4SI 2

50.0

50.0

44.2

37 5
50. 0
41.9

3« O
50 0
41.8

40 O
45 O
43.4

4L 7

42.3

40.0

37.5

40.0

42.1

20.0
56. 3
39.4

40.0
50.0
45.4

30.0
56.3
43.2

32.5
55.0
46.3

30.0
40.0
33.7

20.0
45.0
34.7

25.0
40.0
27.9

27.0
33.3
29.6

35.0
35.0
35.0

37.0

20.0
112.5
49.8

40.0
75.0
GO. 0

30.0
112.5
57.3

30.0
90.0
63.3

32.5
85.0
43.4

20.0
62.5
34.4

20.0
40,0
28.8

20.0
50.0
35.4

35.0

62. 5
46.9

40.0
68.8
48.6

15.0
112. 5
43.2

31.0
75.0
47.4

30.0
112. 5
46.8

30.0
90.0
47.6

27.0
85.0
4L 0

15.0
62.5
33.0

15.0
40.0
27.0

20.0
50. 0
32.4

35.0
62.5
46.3

34,0
68.8
46.2

35.0
50 O

35.0

22.5

22.5
31.3
27.7

23. 5

[558]

35.0
40. 0
38.3
41.0

44.0
56.0
50.6
42.5

48.8
20.0
33.0
24.0

40.0
45.0
43.3

34.0
57.5
42.7
¿r\ n

24.9

42.8

40.1

55.0

62.0
jrx n

ain“
g street railw ays, gas works, w aterw orks, and electric power and light plants.
Including building, highw ay, public works, and railroad construction.


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Cents

56.3
50.1

89

M O N T H L Y LABOE R E V IE W

W ag e R a te s a n d

H o u rs E s ta b lis h e d b y R e c e n t A g re e m e n ts

Brewery and Soft Drink Workers—Minneapolis and St. Paul
C O M M U N IC A TIO N recently received, from the joint local
executive board of the International Union of United
Brewery, Flour, Cereal, and Soft D rink W orkers of America,
covering M inneapolis and St. Paul, stated th a t in those cities are
5 breweries, 3 m alt houses, and 12 soft-drink plants employing about
400 union members, who are working under an agreem ent providing
for 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, w ith tim e and a half overtime, at
the following weekly rates: Brewery workers, $30; brewery and
soft-drink p lan t drivers, $28; bottlers, $27; and m alt-house workers,
$33.

A

Cloakmakers—New York City

UPHE wages in the agreement of the Industrial Council of Cloak,
* Suit, and Skirt M anufacturers (Inc.) w ith the International
Ladies’ G arm ent W orkers’ Union and the Jo in t Board of the Cloak,
Skirt, Dress, and Reefer M akers’ Union of the International Ladies’
G arm ent W orkers’ Union, m ade November. 13, 1926, were increased
over the agreem ent of July 16, 1924, the scale in the two agreements
being as follows:
J u ly 16,
1924

N ov. 13,
1926

Cloak and dress cutters_______________________________ $44. 00
$52.00
Skirt cutters_______________________________________
39. 50
_____
Sample makers_____________________________________ 36. 09
45.00
Jacket, coat, reefer, and dress operators____________
50. 00
55.00
Skirt operators_____________________________________
48. 00
53.00
Piece tailors________________________________________ 43. 00
48.00
Reefer, jacket, and coat finishers_______________
41. 00
46.00
Jacket, coat, and reefer finishers’ helpers_________________ 32. 00
38.00
Jacket, coat, reefers, and dress upper pressers____________ 42. 00
50.00
Jacket, coat, reefer, and dress under pressers_____________ 37. 50
46.00
Skirt upper pressers_________________________________ 38. 00
46.00
Skirt under pressers_________________________________ 37. 50
46.00
Skirt basters_________________________________
25. 00
30.00
Skirt finishers______________________________________
20. 50
26.00
Drapers___________________________________________ 27. 50
32.00
36.00
Begraders on skirts__________________________________ 32. 00
Girls’ begraders_____________________________________ 27. 50
_____
Cloak bushelers_____________________________________ 25. 00
_____
Bushelmen who also do pinning, marking and general work
on garments______________________________________ 34, 00
40.00
Examiners________________________________________________
40. 00
Buttonhole makers were increased from $1.30 to $1.50 per hundred button­

holes.


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90

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

Firemen and Oilers—New York City
rF H E weekly wages and hours of firemen and oilers of Local No. 56,
1 New York City, according to a letter received from the secretary
of the local, Septem ber 16, 1926, are as follows:
W eekly wages

Firem en

Helpers

Cereal Beverage Co. A ssociation........ .......
$40. 00
$39. 00
O ther beverage com panies_____________ $40. 00- 44. 00 $40.00- 42. 00
N ew spaper P ublishers Association
39. 00
T h e a te rs ______
___________
1 7.00
Coal companies _ ___________
39. 00
C ity of N ew Y o r k ............ ............
1 7. 00
M ilk com panies...... .............__.........
37. 00
36. 50
Cold storage p la n ts...................................
39. 00-$41. 00
37. 50-40. 50

Coal
passers

Oilers

$36.00
38.00

$38.00
40.00
39.00

30.00

1 7 00
37. 00
36.00-38. 00

H ours
per week

48
48
48
49 a

48
48

1 P er day.

Longshoremen
ANNUAL agreements have been made by the United States
Shipping Board, deepwater steamship lines, and contracting
stevedores with longshoremen’s unions at various ports along the
Atlantic and gulf coasts. The hourly wages and working hours stated
in the agreements so far received are as follows:
P o r t la n d , M e . — Handling general cargo, 80 cents (overtime, S I.20);
wet hides, 95 cents (overtime, S I.35); bulk cargo and nitrate, 85 cents
(overtime, SI.25); sulphur in bulk, cement, and refrigerated cargo,
90 cents (overtime, S I.30); grain in bulk, 11.00 (overtime, $1.50);
work on wrecked and stranded vessels and fire iobs, S I.60 (o v e r t i m e ,
x'

12.40).

B o s to n .
The rates are the same as in Portland, with additional
items of 90 cents (overtime, $1.30) for sugar and molasses and 85 cents
(overtime, $1.25) for coffee.
N e w f o r k C ity.- F or handling general cargo, wet hides, and bulk
cargo, the rate is the same as in P o rtla n d ; oils, $1.00 (overtime, $1.50) ;
explosives down the bay, $1.60 (overtime, $2.40); cargo repairm en,
90 cents (overtime, $1.50).
Philadelphia.-—General cargo, bulk cargo, and bunkering of ships,
80 cents (overtime, $1.20); w et hides, 95 cents (overtime, $1.35);
barrel oil, 95 cents (overtime, $1.40); grain, 90 cents (overtime, $1.30);
explosives and damaged cargo, $1.60 (overtime, $2.40).
B a lt im o r e . — General and bulk cargo (winchmen, deckmen, and
leaders), 85 cents (overtime, $1.25); holdmen and truckers, 80 cents
(overtime, $1.20); handling explosives down the bay, same classes,
$1.65 and $1.60, respectively (overtime, $2.45 and $2.40); handling
grain, $1.00 (overtime, $1.50).
P e n s a c o la . — General cargo, 70 cents (overtime, $1.05); bunker
coal, 50 cents (overtime, 65 cents); creosote products, 80 cents (over­
time, $1.20); fertilizing products, 60 cents (overtime, 90 cents).
G u lf p o r t , M i s s . — General cargo, 70 cents; creosote products, 80
cents; holders and swingers, $1.06; hookers on, 93 cents; tim ber
loaders, 81 cents.


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WAGE RATES ESTABLISHED BY RECENT AGREEMENTS

91

A t the Texas cities, Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Bolivar, and
Corpus Christi, the general rate is 80 cents per hour, $1.20 for over­
time, w ith 5 cents extra per hour for loading coal, 20 cents extra for
loading grain, and 10 cents extra for handling m any enum erated
commodities.
F or tallying and checking in Portland, New York, and Baltimore,
the rates are $6.00 a day and $1.20 per hour for overtime.
Forty-four hours constitute a week’s work in the A tlantic coast
cities; 44 hours a week in April, M ay, June, and July, and 48 hours
the rest of the year in the Texas cities; and 48 hours the year around
in Pensacola and Gulfport.
The P ortland agreem ent is effective October 20, 1926, to October
1, 1927; the Philadelphia agreement, January 1, 1927, to Septem ber
30, 1927; th a t for Gulfport, August 17, 1926, for one year; all others,
October 1, 1926, for one year.
Machinists—Washington, D. C.
nTH E rate of pay for m achinists or mechanics in Lodge No. 193,
W ashington, D. C., according to the agreement in effect January
3, 1927, is $1 per hour, with double time for overtime, Sundays, and
holidays.
Plasterers—Steubenville, Ohio
IN A letter received from the business agent of Plasterers’ Local
* No. 375, Steubenville, Ohio, the statem ent is made th a t the plas­
terers in th a t district receive $1.62 per hour and cement finishers
$1.37, w ith time and one-half after eight hours.
Plumbers—Jacksonville, Fla.
rT 'H E wages of plumbers and steam fitters in Jacksonville, Fla.,
connected w ith local No. 234, were, by agreement of October 1,
1926, increased from $12 to $13 per day until April 1, 1928, with
double time for Sundays, holidays, and nightwork. The hours
worked per day are eight.
Pressmen
R T Worth, Tex.—A five-year agreement was made by Pressm en’s
F O Local
No. 47, F o rt W orth, Tex., Septem ber 19, 1926, the rates
for journeym en being $7.25 per day or night and for men in charge,
$7.75. The hours are eight per day, w ith time and a half for over­
time.
Mobile, A la .—Local No. 100 of the Pressm en’s Union m ade a threeyear agreement w ith the newspapers of Mobile, Ala., Septem ber 1,
1926, by which the m an in charge is to receive $7.83
for daywork
and $8 for nightw ork; journeym en receive $1 per day less. For
overtime, tim e and a half is paid. Beginning January 1, 1928, the
m an in charge is to receive $8.08^3 per day, $8.25 per night; journey­
men, $1 per day less.
Oakland, Calif.—The newspaper scale in the agreement of Press­
m en’s Local No. 125, made October 25, 1926, is: Foremen, day,
33892°— 27------7


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

$53.50; night, $57.50; pressman in charge, $8.25 per day or night;
journeym en, $7.91%. The hours are seven and one-half day and
seven night.
Quarry Workers—Graniteville, Mo.
bill of prices agreed upon by Graniteville, Mo., quarry workers
and quarry owners July 1, 1926, calls for eight hours, w ith over­
tim e a t the r a te o f time and a half. Derrickmen, hoisting engineers,
steam drillers, air drillers, crusher feeders, grout breakers, wedge men,
compressors, firemen, carpenters, hand drillers, and powder handlers
receive 50 cents per hour; steam drill helpers and unskilled labor,
37% cents; blacksm iths, 65% cents.
Ship Carpenters—Portland, Me,
C H IP C arpenter’s Local No. 1506, of Portland, M e., made an agreem ent effective from Novem ber 23, 1926, to October 31, 1927,
providing for 80 cents per hour, $1.20 for overtime, and a 44-hour
week.
Steamfitters—Providence, R. I.
T H IE rate for steam fitters employed by the m aster steam fitters of
1 Providence, according to the agreement m ade between Local
No. 476 and the employers, August 18, 1926, is $1.25 per hour for
journeym en and 75 cents per hour for helpers, double time after
eight hours. The agreement is for three years and calls for a
44-hour week.
Stereotypers
C A N T O N , Ohio.—An agreement, effective from October 1, 1926, to
January 1, 1930, was made by the Stereotypers’ Local No. 130
a t Canton, Ohio, whereby journeym en receive $48 per week for the
day shift and $52.50 for the night shift. One dollar is to be added
to each scale Jan u ary 1, 1928, and another dollar January 1, 1929.
Forty-eight hours constitute a week’s work and time and a half is
paid for overtime.
Knoxville, Tenn.—A three-year agreement, effective July 1, 1926,
m ade by the Stereotypers’ Local No. 128 with the newspapers of
Knoxville, Tenn., provides for an 8~hour day and an overtime rate of
tim e and^a half. Journeym en receive $6.50 per day and $6.75 per
night. Forem en receive $7.58% per day on a six-day paper, $8.33
per night on a seven-night paper, and $7.98% per day on a six day
and Saturday night paper.
Typographical Unions
A S H L A N D , K y .—A three-year book and job agreement, effective
October 1, 1926, was made by the Ashland Typographical
Union, Local No. 787, providing for a 44-hour week, with time and
a half for overtim e and a scale as follows :


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[562]

WAGE RATES ESTABLISHED BY RECENT AGREEMENTS
D ate of change

Oct.
Ja n .
A pr.
Oct.
Apr.
Oct.

1,
1,
1,
1,
1,
1,

D ay scale

1926.
1927.
1927.
1927.
1928.
1928.

$42.
43.
43.
44.
44.
45.

00
00
50
00
50
00

93

N ig h t scale

$45. 00
46. 00
46. 50
47. 00
47. 50
48. 00

A u b u r n , N . Y .—A three-year agreement of the A uburn Typo­
graphical Union, No. 536, made August 1, 1926, contains the follow­
ing scale of wages, w ith time and a half for overtim e: Job, daywork,
$35.20; nightw ork, $38.20, both for a 44-hour week. Newspaper,
daywork, $38 for a 48-hour week; nightw ork, $41 for a 45-hour
week. On August 1, 1927, all scales are to be advanced $1.
B a y C it y , M i c h . —The Bay C ity Typographical Union, Local No.
81, on October 10, 1926, made a two-year book and job agreement
for a 44-hour week a t 85 cents per hour for daywork and 90 cents
for nightwwork, w ith overtim e a t time and a half.
C h a rle s to n , S . C . —An agreement of Typographical Union, Local
No. 43, m ade on June 5, 1926, with the newspapers of Charleston,
contains the following scale:
N ight

F o rem en _____________________________________ $54. 40
A ssistan t fo rem en ______________________________ 49.50
M a c h in ists.._________________
48. 50
P rin te rs______________________________________
46.50

D ay

$51. 50
46. 50
45. 50
43. 50

This scale is for a 48-hour week, w ith time and a half for over­
time.
C o lu m b u s, Goi.—The newspaper scale of Typographical Union No.
220, in Columbus, Ga., for the year beginning November 1, 1926,
is $42 per week for daywork and $44.40 for nightw ork for hand
compositors and machine operators, and $44.40 for daywork and
$46.80 for nightw ork for foremen and m achinist-operators. This
scale is for a 48-hour week, w ith time and a half for overtime.
D u b u q u e , I o w a . —According to the agreement of Typographical
Union No. 22, of D ubuque, in effect October 1, 1926, day hands
receive 85 cents per hour for 44 hours, book and job, and 48 hours,
newspaper, and the night shift $3 per week additional.
N e w Y o rlc C it y . —According to a letter received from the secretary
of Typographia No. 7 (German-American typographical union), of
New York C ity, the three-year agreement made July 1, 1926, contains
the following scale:
Job compositors, daywork, $55; nightwork, $58; newspaper com­
positors, daywork, $53 after July 1, 1926, $54 after July 1, 1927,
$55 after July 1, 1928; nightwork, $55.50 after July 1, 1926, $56.50
after July 1, 1927, $57.50 after July 1, 1928. The day jobmen
work 44 hours, night jobmen 40 hours, and newspaper men 373^2
hours (5 days or nights of 7 ^ hours each). The overtim e rate is
time and a half, with double time for Sundays and holidays. A
bonus of from one to three dollars a week is paid those who do
translating from English into German.
N o r w ic h , N . Y .—The agreement of Local Union No. 453, of N or­
wich, N. Y., effective for one year from Septem ber 12, 1926, provides


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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

for a 44-hour week and time and a half for overtime, the daywork
rates for hand men, job printers, and linotype operators being $32
per week and for foremen, $39. For nightw ork $2 per week additional
is paid.
O k la h o m a C it y , O Jd a . —The m ailers’ scale in a three-year agreement
between the Oklahoma Publishing Co. and M ailers’ Union No. 30,
Oklahoma City, provides for a 48-hour week and tim e and a half
for overtime, the scale being $ 6 .3 3 ^ per day for daywork ancl
$6.58^3 for nightwork.
P itts b u r g h , P a . —A book and job agreement made between the
Union Em ploying P rinters’ Association and Typographical Union,
Local No. 7, at Pittsburgh, effective Septem ber 1, 1926, to M arch
31, 1928, calls for a 44-hour week, tim e and a half for overtim e to
m idnight and double tim e thereafter and for work performed on
Saturday after 4.30 p. m. and on holidays, and triple price for over
8 hours on holidays. The scale of wages is as follows:
D ay

Book an d jo b m e n ____________
$46. 00
P ro o fread ers_____________________________________
46. 00
M achine o p era to rs (lin o ty p e )___________________
49. 00
M on o ty p e k ey b o a rd o p e ra to rs____________________ 47. 00
M o n o ty p e c a ste rs_______________________________ 46. 00
L in o ty p e m ach in e te n d e rs________________________ 49. 00

N ight

$49. 00
49. 00
52. 00
50. 00
49. 00
52. 00

S a g in a w , M i c h . - — The newspaper scale in the agreement of Local
Union No. 50, Saginaw, effective M arch 1, 1926, provides for a
48-hour week, with overtim e a t the rate of time and a half. The
scale is $42 per week for daywork and $44.40 for nightwork.

Upholsterers—Boston, Mass.
A N A G R E E M E N T of upholsterers in Boston was made Septem ber 1, 1926, requiring a m inimum wage of $1 per hour, $35
per week for cushion fdlers and sewing machine operators, and $40
per week for hardwood finishers, overtime at the rate of time and
a half to Jan u ary 1, 1927, and double time thereafter.

Window Washers—Chicago
rT 'H E agreement made between Window W ashers Union No. 34
* and the M utual W indow Cleaning Contractors Association of
Chicago, October 20, 1926, calls for a 44-hour week, with a guaranty
of 40 hours each week at $1 per hour, with overtime a t the rate of
time and a half and double time for Sundays and holidays.

A v erage W eek ly E a r n in g s in N ew Y o rk S ta t e F a c to rie s , 1914 to
1926

H E following table, giving the average weekly earnings in New
York State factories, 1914 to 1926, is taken from the January,
1927, issue of the Industrial Bulletin, Albany, N. Y. (p. 116):

T


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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95

PROHIBITION OF NIGHT WORK IN ARGENTINA
AVERAGE

W EEKLY

E A R N IN G S IN R E P R E S E N T A T IV E
F A C T O R IE S , 1914 TO 1926

NEW

YORK

STA TE

[Includes all employees in both office and shop]
M onth
J a n u a ry ___________
F e b ru a ry ________
M arch _____ ______
A p ril______________
M a y _________ _____
J u n e .______________
J u ly ________ ____ —
A ugust____________
Septem ber_________
O ctober___________
N ovem ber.............
D ecem ber....................

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

$12. 44 $13. 53 $15. 28 $16. 81 $23. 03 $26. 52 $27. 61 $24. 43 $26. 21 $27. 81 $28. 30 $29. 05
12. 41 13. 77 15.31 17. 66 22. 07 26. 47 26. 77 24. 17 25. 87 27. 73 27. 96 28. 61
12.65 13. 96 15. 79 18. 71 22. 20 27. 87 26. 97 24. 57 26. 92 28. 16 28. 45 29. 04
12. 54 14. 15 15. 50 19. 25 22. 11 27. 80 26. 20 24. 15 27. 00 27. 70 27. 67 28.85
12. 74 14.24 16. 08 19. 91 22. 23 28. 45 25. 86 24. 59 27. 63 27. 56 28. 07 28. 69
$12. 70 12. 81 14. 41 16. 20 20. 44 22. 51 28. 77 25. 71 24. 91 27. 87 27. 21 27. 94 28.99
12. 54 12. 66 14. 11 16. 17 20. 78 23. 10 28. 49 25. 26 24. 77 27. 54 27.06 27.98 28. 81
12. 53 12. 89 14. 44 16.44 21.23 23. 85 28. 71 25. 43 25. 10 27. 12 27. 40 28.16 28.86
12. 48 12. 86 14. 87 16. 97 22. 31 24. 83 28. 73 25. 07 25. 71 27. 41 28. 05 28. 33 29.31
12.26 13. 30 14.95 17. 33 22. 34 24. 41 28.93 24. 53 25. 61 27. 72 27. 53 28. 5/ 29. 35
12. 32 13. 45 15. 16 17. 69 21. 60 25. 37 28. 70 24. 32 26.04 27. 64 27. 66 28. 67 29.15
12.56 13. 49 15. 51 17. 71 23.18 26. 32 28. 35 24. 91 26. 39 27. 98 28. 25 29. 05 29. 47

A verage______ 12. 48 12.85 14. 43 16. 37 20.35 23. 50 28.15 25. 72 25.04 27. 24 27.68 28. 26 29.02

P r o h ib itio n o f N ig h t W o rk in A rg e n tin e B a k e rie s 1

N N O V EM B ER 29, 1926, the President of A rgentina signed a
decree m aking effective a law (No. 11,338) which prohibits
night work (i. e., work between 9. p. m. and 5 a. m.) in
bakeries, confectioners’ establishments, and similar undertakings
throughout the territory of the Republic. The prohibition covers
all work directly or indirectly involved in this industry.
The executive m ay authorize work during these hours, provided
it is necessary to the public interest, under the following conditions:
(1) W hen it is agreeable to both the employers’ and workers’ organi­
zations; (2) when the workers are n o t employed for more than 8 hours
a day and 48 hours a week; (3) when the sanitary conditions of the
shops are entirely satisfactory.
A copy of this law m ust be posted in a conspicuous place on the
premises of the establishm ents covered by this law.
Em ployers who violate its provisions are to be punished by a fine
of 100 pesos 2 for each person unlawfully employed.
The regulative decree 3 of the above-mentioned law, which was
drafted by the M inister of the Interior and signed by the President,
confers on the N ational Labor D epartm ent of Buenos Aires the right
to grant under specified circumstances exemptions from this law to
establishm ents m anufacturing bread by m achinery. These m ay be
granted exemption: (1) When, by reason of force m ajeure, a decrease
in production occurs which hinders the regular working of the in­
dustry; (2) in emergencies in order to m eet national needs; (3) in
order to satisfy urgent requirem ents for public institutions such as
almshouses, hospitals, or schools; (4) when, by reason of an accident,
the working of the m achinery is interrupted during the daytime.
Exem ptions will be granted only on applications to the authorities,
accompanied by a statem ent of the ground on which exemption is
asked.

O

A rg e n tin a . M useo Social A rgentino, Boletin, Buenos Aires, N ovem ber, 1926, p. 431, a nd report from
the A m erican Ambassador, Peter Jay, a t Buenos Aires, dated Dec. 11, 1926.
2 Peso a t par=96.48 cents; average exchange rate in 1925=91.38 cents.
s Asociacion del Trabajo. B oletin de Servicios, Buenos Aires, Dec. 20, 1926, p p . 566, 567.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Wages in Parahyba, Brazil, 1925 and 1926
H E following table showing the daily wage rates prevailing in
various occupations in the S tate of Parahyba, Brazil, in 1925
and 1926, is taken from a report of U nited States consul,
Digby Willson, dated December 12, 1926:

T

D A IL Y W A G E S IN S P E C IF IE D O C C U P A T IO N S IN PA R A H Y B A , B R A Z IL , 1925 A N D 1926
[Average exchange rate of milreis in 1925=12.2 cents and in 1926=14.44 cents]
D ry-land work

M arsh work

O ccupation
1925

M ilr e is

Locksm iths_____
Sugar experts___
Molasses expertsJ o in e r s ________
C arpenters_____
Engineers_______
C hauffeurs_____
Q uarrym en_____
Plow m en_______
D istillers_______
Com m on laborers

U . S. c u r­
ren cy

1926

M ilr e is

U. S. cu r­
ren cy

1925

M ilr e is

U. S. cur­
ren cy

1926

M ilr e is

10 -15
$1. 22-1. 83 10 -15
$1.44-2. 17 12 -15
$1. 46-1. 83 12 -15
10 -12
1. 22-1. 46 10 -12
1. 44-1. 73 4 - 5
. 49- . 61 4 - 4. 5
3.5- 4
. 43- . 49 3 - 3 . 5
. 43- . 51 3 .5 -4
. 43- . 49 3 - 3 . 5
9 -10
1.10-1. 22 8 -10
1.16-1. 44 8 - 9
. 98-1. 10 7 - 8
8 -12
. 98-1. 46 6 -10
. 87-1. 44 5 - 9
. 61-1.10 4 - 8
5
4
.61
.58
5
4
.61
5 -7
. 61- . 85 4 - 6
.58- . 87 5 - 7
. 61- . 85 4 - 6
4 -6
. 49- . 73 3. 5- 4. 5
. 51- . 65 4 - 6
. 49- . 73 3. 5- 4. 5
4 -5
. 49- . 61 4 - 5
. 58- . 72 4 - 5
. 49- . 61 4 - 5
3. 5- 4. 5
. 43- . 55 3 - 4
. 43- . 58 3. 5- 4. 5
. 43- . 55 3 - 4
3 -3 .5
. 37- . 43 2 .5 -3
. 36- . 43 3 .5 -4
. 43- . 49 1.5- 2. 5


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[566]

U . S. c u r ­
ren cy

$1. 73-2. 17
. 58- . 65
. 43- . 51
1.01-1. 18
. 58-1.16
.58
. 58- . 87
. 51- . 65
. 58- . 72
. 43- . 58
. 22- . 36

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment in Selected Manufacturing Industries in
J a n u a r y , 1927
M PL O Y M E N T in m anufacturing industries decreased 1.7 per
cent in January, 1927, as compared with December, 1926, and
pay-roll totals decreased 4.9 per cent. Inventory taking and
repairs custom arily slow down factory operations in January and are
accountable for a m ajor p a rt of the decreases in this instance.
B oth employment and pay-roll totals were a little more than 3 per
cent lower in January, 1927, than in January, 1926.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ weighted index of employment for
January, 1927, is 89.4, as compared with 90.9 for December, 1926,
and 92.3 for January, 1926; the weighted index for pay-roll totals
for January, 1927, is 90.9, as compared, w ith 95.6 for December, 1926,
and 93.9 for January, 1926.
This report is based upon returns from 10,318 establishm ents in 54
m anufacturing industries, having in January 2,930,842 employees
whose combined earnings in one week were $74,489,880.

E

Comparison of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals in December, 1926, and
January, 1927

C E V E N T E E N of the fifty-four separate industries reported gains in
employment in January, the increases being largely seasonal and
for the m ost p a rt small. The decreases in employment likewise were
largely of a seasonal character. The changes in pay-roll totals in
the main followed changes in employment, although they were
m ostly of considerably greater volume, as shown in the following
statem ent relating to the largest industries included in this report:
P er cent of change,
January, 1927, as
compared w ith D e­
cember, 1926, in—

In d u stry

E m ploy­
m ent
Iro n and steel............................................. _...............
F o u n d ry and machine-shop products- _______
Steam -railroad car building and rep airin g_____
Electrical m achinery, apparatus, and su p p lies..
A utom obiles_______________________________
C otton goods__________________________ ____
Lum ber, saw m ills_____ ____ ____ ___________
Boots and shoes.................................................... .

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

Pay-roll
totals
- 6 .3
- 4 .4
-7 .9
- 4 .1
-1 5 .7
- 0 .8
- 9 .7
+ 2.1

The leather group of industries in January, 1927, increased l j ^ per
cent both in em ploym ent and pay-roll totals, while the chemical and
textile groups m ade smaller gains in em ploym ent and fell off some­
w hat in pay-roll totals. The rem aining 9 groups show decreases in


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98

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

both items, the outstanding losses being in the tobacco, the stone,
clay, and glass, and the lum ber groups.
Each of the nine geographic divisions showed decreases in employ­
m ent and in pay-roll totals in January, 1927. The Pacific States
reported a drop of 3.7 per cent in employment and a drop of 7.1 per
cent in am ount of pay roll. The New England States reported
decreases of only 0.8 per cent and 1.6 per cent in the two items.
The South A tlantic States showed the smallest loss in employment—
0.7 per cent— and the E ast N orth Central States showed the greatest
decrease in pay-roll totals—8.1 per cent.
For convenient reference the latest figures available relating to all
employees, excluding executives and officials, on Class I railroads,
drawn from In terstate Commerce Commission reports, are given at
the foot of Table 1 and Table 3.
T able 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
E S T A B L IS H M E N T S D U R IN G O N E W E E K E A C H IN D E C E M B E R , 1928, A N D JA N U A R Y ,
1927
N um ber on pay roll
In d u stry

Establishm ents

A m ount of p a y roll
Per
cent of
Decem ­ Jan u ary , change D ecember, January,
ber, 1926
1927
1926
1927

F o o d a n d k in d r e d p r o d u c t s . . .
Slaughtering and m eat packiu g ------------------- --------------Confectionery______________
Ic e crea m ................... .................
F lour______________________
B a k in g .............................. .........
Sugar refining, can e____ . . . .

1,483

202s638

198,874

194
256
192
343
483
15

84,125
34, 084
7,906
15, 638
51,424
9,401

84,118
31,271
7,759
15, 314
50, 722
9, 690

~ 0
- 8 .3
-2 .6
- 2 .1
- 1 .4
+ 3 .1

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__________________
Woolen and w orsted goods__
C arpets and ru g s______ _____
Dyeing and finishing textiles..
Ciothing, m en’s ____________
Shirts and collars___________
C lothing, w om en’s __________
M illinery and lace goods.........

1,836
461
244
193
199
29
95
283
88
176
68

600,203
230,849
82, 220
56, 462
66, 474
24, 300
30, 562
60, 779
20,864
17, 294
10,398

608,331
232, 386
81, 238
55, 834
66,147
24, 535
30, 409
60, 088
20,679
18, 241
10, 774

1,793
212
48
155

681,273
277, 937
14, 386
23,439

961
68
149

Per
cent of
change

$5,203,967

$5,062,210

2,202,017
648, 880
261, 646
404, 789
1,396, 991
289, 644

2,172, 699
580, 936
256,148
398, 678
1, 368, 436
285,313

—1.3
-1 0 .5
- 2 .1
- 1 .5
-2 .0
- 1 .5

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

12,095,352
3,809, 583
1, 583, 644
1,198,541
1, 528, 643
676,155
750, 308
1, 461, 684
336, 515
421, 212
239,007

11,834,114
3, 779, 263
1, 524, 715
1,149, 385
1, 492, 027
656, 666
740, 305
1,462,177
326,922
452,158
250, 496

0
-0 .8
- 3 .7
- 4 .1
-2 .4
- 2 .9
- 1 .3
+ 0
- 2 .9

S69,717
272, 958
14,112
22, 391

(!)
-1 .8
-1 .8
-4 .5

20,508, 007
8,636, 965
338, 317
699,334

19,480, 541
8, 089, 946
317, 363
625,921

0
- 6 .3
-6 .2
-1 0 .5

246, 677
33, 284
31,359

243,535
33,418
31, 053

-1 .3
+ 0 .4
-1 .0

7,426, 626
856, 953
989,842

7,101,381
842, 577
948, 573

- 4 .4
- 1 .7
-4 .2

114
86

38,385
15,826

38,552
13, 698

+ 0 .4
-1 3 .4

1, 111, 892
448,078

1,106,619
368,161

- 0 .5
-1 7 .8

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 illw ork.....................
F u r n itu re -................................

1,071
453
238
380

213,695
121, 801
30, 440
61, 454

203,489
115, 525
29, 621
58, 343

-5 .2
-2 .7
- 5 .1

0

4, 750, GG9
2,482, 360
759, 768
1,508, 541

4,290,398
2, 241, 829
696, 302
1,352, 267

- 9 .7
-8 .4
-1 0 .4

L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c ts ...........
L eather__________ ______ ___
Boots and shoes.........................

349
133
216

129, 645
28, 590
92,055

122, 390
28, 756
93,634

0
+ 0 .6
+ 1 .7

2,723, 179
728, 240
1,994, 939

2, 766, 741
730, 294
2,036, 447

0
+ 0.3
+ 2 .1

P a p e r a n d p r i n t i n g ___________
Paper and p u lp _____________
Paper boxes. .............................
P rinting, book and job______
P rinting, new spapers........ .......
Footnotes a t end of table.

910
213
182
299
216

175,510
56,103
20, 781
47, 724
50,902

172,839
56, 084
19, 757
46, 542
60,456

0
-0
-4 .9
- 2 .5
-0 .9

5, 758,852
1, 526, 546
467, 365
1,678, 150
2,086, 791

5,583,023
1,485, 361
433, 271
1,642, 990
2,021,401

0
- 2 .7
- 7 .3
- 2 .1
- 3 .1

I r o n a n d stee l a n d th e ir p ro d n e ts ................. ........................ .........
Iro n and steel..............................
Cast-iron p ip e ____ ________
Structural iro n w o rk _________
F ound ry and m achine-shop
products____________ _____
H ardw are............................... .
M achine to o ls_________
Steam fittings and steam and
hot-w ater heating apparatu s ..............................................
Stoves........ ...................................


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[5681

0

0

0

+ 4 .8

0

99

EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDTJSTBIES

T able 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
E S T A B L IS H M E N T S D U R IN G O N E W E E K E A C H IN D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y ,
1927—C ontinued
N u m b er on p ay roll
E sta b ­
lish­
m ents

In d u stry

A m ount of p ay roll
Per
cent of
Decem ­ Jan u ary , change D ecember, Jan u a ry ,
ber, 1926
1927
1926
1927

Per
cent of
change

C h em ica ls a n d allied p r o d u cts.
C hem icals...................... .............
Fertilizers__________________
Petroleum refining......... ..

290
120
109
61

91,358
30, 629
7,831
52,898

92,336
30, 529
8, 493
53, 314

0
- 0 .3
+ 8 .5
+ 0 .8

2,711,253
834, 095
160, 259
1,716,899

2,655,614
818,130
165, 483
1, 672,001

0)
-1 .9
+ 3 .3
-2 .6

S to n e , clay, a n d glass produ e ts ..................................................
C em ent _________________
B rick, tile, an d te rra co tta___
P o ttery _________ ___________
G lass.............................................

685
100
408
55
122

109,743
25,447
30, 773
12, 291
41, 232

101,639
23, 683
28, 555
11,902
37,499

0
-6 .9
-7 .2
-3 .2
- 9 .1

2,919,361
732, 637
795, 758
329,738
1, 061,228

2,559,488
643, 763
699, 924
284, 909
930, 892

0
-1 2 .1
-1 2 .0
-1 3 .6
-1 2 .3

M etal p ro d u cts, o th er th a n
iro n a n d s te e l_______________
Stam ped and enam eled w are..
Brass, bronze, and copper
products.............................. .

217
66

51,816
18, 345

51,019
17,754

0)
-3 .2

1,404, 570
451,445

1.342,353
413,394

0
- 8 .4

151

33,471

33, 265

-0 .6

953,134

928,959

- 2 .5

183

43,688

38,715

0

787,014

691,140

0

29
154

8,475
35, 213

8, 526
31,189

+ 0 .6
-1 1 .4

130,129
656, 885

141,113
550,027

+ 8 .4
-1 6 .3

1,105
192
66

427,148
262, 268
1, 593

423,078
262. 662
1, 438

0)
+ 0 .2
-9 .7

12,488,227
7,497,198
36,150

10,949,847
6, 317, 645
33, 072

CO
-1 5 .7
- 8 .5
-3 .2

T ob acco p r o d u c ts____________
Chew ing a n d sm oking tobacco and s n u ff.. ___________
Cigars and cigarettes________
V ehicles for la n d tr a n sp o r ta t io n ______ ______ _ _______
A utom obiles_________ ______
Carriages and w agons...... .........
C ar building and repairing,
electric-railroad_______ . . .
C ar building and repairing,
steam -railroad.........................
M iscella n eo u s i n d u s t r i e s . . ___
A gricultural im plem ents____
Electrical m achinery, apDaratus, and supplies................
Pianos and organs. . _______
R ubb er boots and shoes_____
A utom obile tires........................
Shipbuilding, steel__________

386

26, 244

26, 033

-0 .8

824,445

797, 886

461

137,043

132, 945

-3 .0

4,128,434

3, 801, 244

- 7 .9

396
92

258,195
26,298

255,415
26,334

0
+ 0 .1

7,592,889
764,448

7,354,411
735,196

(0
- 3 .8

157
36
10
63
38

122, 690
7, 511
17, 931
52,424
31, 341

119, 360
7,216
18,177
52, 707
31, 621

- 2 .7
-3 . 9
+ 1 .4
+0. 5
+ 0 .9

3, 594, 725
237, 740
464, 798
1, 594, 828
936,150

3, 446, 642
204,481
462, 368
1, 581, 315
924, 409

- 4 .1
-1 4 .0
-0 .5
- 0 .8
- 1 .3

78,851, 149

74,489,880

All in d u str ie s........................ 10,318 2,975,911 2,930,842

.R e c a p itu la tio n

b y

G e o g ra p h ic

0

0

D iv is io n s

GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
N ew E ng lan d _______ ________
M iddle A tlan tic________________
E ast N orth Central ___________
W est N o rth C en tral____________
South A tla n tic _________________
E ast South C e n tr a l____________
W est South C en tra l____________
M o u n ta in .____ ________________
Pacific.................................................

1,359
2,438
2,716
1,004
1, 078
472
467
168
616

425, 942
846, 569
931, 804
155, 269
278, 768
109, 287
89, 870
27, 306
111,096

422, 632
828, 791
921, 982
152,218
276, 856
106, 733
88,135
26, 555
106, 940

All d iv isio n s_______ _____ 10,318 2,975,911 2,930,842

E m p lo y m e n t

N ov. 15, 1926___________________________
Dee. 15, 1926__________________ _________

o n

C la ss

1, 811, 016
1, 756, 933

I

- 0 .8 $10,418, 989 $10, 251, 782
- 2 .1 24, 311, 261 23, 218,328
1. 1 26, 877,405 24, 693,168
-2 .0
3, 869, 825
3, 700, 624
-0 . 7
5,402, 786
5,127, 351
-2 . 3
2,179, 222
2, 056, 022
-1 .9
1, 942, 873
1,851, 051
-2 .8
762, 828
723, 207
-3 . 7
3,085, 960
2, 868, 347
-

0

78,851,149

74,489,880

- 1 .6
- 4 .5
- 8 .1
- 4 .4
- 5 .1
- 5 .7
-4 .7
- 5 .2
- 7 .1
0

R a ilr o a d s

- 3 .0

3 $244, 936, 930
3 245,350,107

+ 0 .2

iT h e per cent of change has no t been com puted for th e reason th a t th e figures in th e preceding colum ns
are unw eighted and refer only to the establishm ents reporting; for th e w eighted per cent of change, w herein
proper allowance is m ade for th e relative im portance of th e several in d u stries, so th a t the figures m a y rep­
resent all establishm ents of th e co u n try in th e industries here represented, see T able 2.
2 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
3A m o u n t of p a y roll for 1 m o n th .


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T able 2 .—P E R C E N T S O F C H A N G E , D E C E M B E R , 1926, TO JA N U A R Y , 1927,12 G R O U P S O F
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
C om puted from th e index num bers of each group, w hich are obtained b y w eighting th e index num bers of
th e several industries of th e group, b y th e n u m b er of employees, or wages paid, in the industries]
Per cent of change,
December, 1926, to
Jan u ary , 1927

Per cent of change,
December, 1926, to
January, 1927

Group

Food a n d k indred p ro d u c ts ...
Textiles a n d th e ir p ro d u c ts ...
Iron and steel and th eir prod­
ucts _______ ________ ______
L um b er and its p ro d u cts........
L eather an d its p roducts.........
P ap er a n d printing
Chem icals and allied products.
Stone, clay, and glass products.

Group
N um ber
on pay
roll

A m ount
of pay
roll

- 2 .1
+ 0 .5

-2 .6
-0 .4

- 1 .9
- 4 .8
+ 1 .6
- 1 .7
+ 1 .3
- 7 .3

-5 .6
-9 .6
+ 1 .5
-3 . 1
-1 . 5
-1 2 .4

N um ber
on pay
roll

A m ount
of pay
roll

M etal products, other th a n
iron a n d s te e l.......... ..............
Tobacco products............. .........
Vehicles for land transporta­
tio n ..___ ________________
M iscellaneous industries..........

- 1 .3
- 9 .8

- 3 .9
-1 3 .6

- 1 .7
-0 .3

-1 0 .6
- 2 .3

All in dustries......... .........

- 1 .7

- 4 .9

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 ta ls in J a n u a r y , 1927, a n d
J a n u a r y , 192S

HPHE volume of em ploym ent in m anufacturing establishm ents was
1 3.1 per cent smaller in January, 1927, than in January, 1926,
and employees’ total earnings in one week were 3.2 per cent less.
The one outstanding im provem ent in conditions, over the year’s
interval, was in the steel shipbuilding industry, which reported a
gain of 18.5 per cent in em ploym ent and a gain of 21.2 per cent in
employees’ earnings. O ther industries showing im provem ent in
both items were: Baking, cotton goods, women’s clothing, structural
ironwork, leather, printing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and
chewing and smoking tobacco.
The m ost noticeable decreases in January, 1927, as compared with
January, 1926, were in two vehicle industries—carriages and wragons
and automobiles— the first having dropped one-third of its employees
and the second one-fifth of its employees. O ther large decreases
were in agricultural implements, stam ped and enameled ware, millwork, steam fittings, hardw are, shirts, and silk goods.
The leather, paper, and chemical groups and the group of miscella­
neous industries show m arked im provem ent in this comparison, but
all other groups show a condition less satisfactory than a year ago,
especially the vehicle and tobacco groups.
The South A tlantic States show improved conditions both in
em ploym ent and employees’ earnings in January, 1927, as compared
w ith the same m onth of 1926, and the W est South C entral, M ountain,
and Pacific States all show greater pay-roll totals, b u t both items
show decreases in all other instances of the geographical-division
comparison, the E ast C entral States, both N orth and South, sho wing
the greatest declines.


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EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES

T a b l e 3 .—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 T O T A L S —J A N U A R Y , 1927,

W IT H JA N U A R Y , 1926
[T he per cents of change for each of th e 12 groups of industries, a n d for th e to ta l of all industries, are w eighted
in th e same m anner as are th e per cents of change in T able 2]
P er cent of change
Jan u a ry , 1927,
com pared w ith
Ja n u a ry , 1926

In d u s try

P e r cent of change
Jan u a ry , 1927,
com pared w ith
J an u a ry , 1926

In d u s try

N u m b er A m ount
on p ay
of pay
roll
roll
F ood a n d kin dred p r o d u cts.
Slaughtering and m eat
packing __ ___ _____
Confectionery....................... _
Ice cream ........... .......................
F lour__________ ________
B ak in g ___________________
Sugar refining, cane ______
T extiles a n d th eir p r o d u cts.
C otton g o o d s _________ _
Hosiery and k n it goods____
Silk goods _______________
W oolen and w orsted goods. .
C arpets and ru g s...................
D yeing and finishing textiles____________________
Clothing, m e n ’s __________
Shirts and collars_________
Clothing, w o m en ’s . ______
M illinery and lace goods___

- 3 .0

-1 .5

-2 .7
-3 .9
-4 .2
- 3 .1
+ 1 .1
- 9 .6

-2 . 7
-0 .5
-5 .0
-3 . 6
+ 1.5
-7 .9

- 1 .9
+ 0 .7
- 2 .9
-8 .4
- 1 .3
-4 .9

- 2 .2
+ 0 .6
+ 1. 1
—11.3
+ 0 .4
-3 .9

-3 .2
- 3 .2
- 9 .4
+ 4 .7
- 8 .6

-2 .9
-4 .4
-1 3 . 6
+ 1 .0
- 8 .4

- 2 .7
- 5 .5
- 4 .3
+ 2 .5

—4.1
-7 . 5
-1 2 .5
+ 4 .7

Iron a n d stee! a n d th eir
p r o d u c ts___ ______________
Iron and steel____________
Cast-iron p ip e ____________
Structural iro n w o rk _______
F o u n d ry and m achine-shop
products______ _________
H ard w are________________
M achine tools____________
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-w ater heating
a p p aratu s....... ......................
Stoves___________________

+ 0 .2
- 9 .9
+ 0 .7

- 0 .5
- 9 .0
- 0 .4

-1 1 .8
- 4 .8

-1 2 .9
- 6 .1

L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c t s . . .
L um ber, saw m ills_________
L um ber, m illw ork________
F u rn itu re .................................

- 5 .8
- 5 .7
-1 0 .7
- 3 .5

- 4 .2
- 4 .0
-1 0 .8
- 0 .7

L eath er a n d its p r o d u c ts___
L eath er. . . . . _____ _____
Boots and shoes__________

+ 0 .7
+ 0 .4
+ 0 .7

+ 0 .5
+ 1 .9
- 0 .1

P ap er a n d p r in tin g ____ ____

+ 1. 1

+ 2 .5
—1 9
- 2 .1

Paper boxes.............................

—0 7
-2 .4

R e c a p itu la tio n

b y

N um ber A m ount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
Paper a n d p r in tin g —C ontd.
Prin tin g , book and jo b ____
Printing, newspapers

+ 0 .4
+ 4 .8

+ 4 .5
+ 5 .2

C h em ica ls a n d allied produ c ts
C hem icals________________
F e rtilize rs,_ _
Petroleum refining.................

+ 0 .3
+ 0 .8
- 9 .7
+ 4 .4

-4-1.7
+ 4 .7
-6 .9
+ 0 .8

S to n e , clay, a n d glass produ c ts _________________ . . .
C em ent .
Brick, tile, a nd terra c o tta ..
P o tte ry .. . .
Glass___________ _________

- 4 .4
- 5 .1
-5 .0
+ 0 .9
- 5 .7

-8 .9
—3. 5
-6 .4
—3.8
-7 .4

M etal p ro d u cts, o th er th a n
iron a n d steel
Stam ped and enameled
w are_____ ____________
Brass, bronze, and copper
products.......................... .

- 7 .8

- 9 .3

-1 5 .8

-2 0 .1

T o b a cco p ro d u cts
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff_________
Cigars and cigarettes............
V ehicles for la n d tra n sp o rta tio n
A utom obiles______________
Carriages and wagons_____
C ar building and repairing,
electric-railroad
C ar building and repairing,
steam -railroad__________
M iscella n eo u s in d u str ie s .
A gricultural im plem ents___
Electrical m achinery, app aratus, and supplies____
Pianos and organs
R u b b er boots and shoes. ._
A utom obile tires_____ ____
Shipbuilding, steel
AH in d u str ies

G e o g r a p h ic

GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION

-5 .6

- 8 .5

-1 1 .5

+ 2 .2
-1 0 .0

+ 7 .8
-1 3 .9

-1 2 .4
-1 9 .9
-3 2 .8

—14.4
-3 0 .9
-2 5 .5

—1.3

+ 0 .8

- 5 .6

-1 .4

+ 3 .8
-1 1 .6

+ 6 .8
-1 3 .3

-3 .2
—5. 3
-3 .5
- 9 .1
+18.5

-1 .9
—5.2
-1 .7
-8 .9
+21.2

- 3. i

- 3 .2

- 0 .5
- 2 .3
- 1 .1

+ 1 .5
+ 0 .3
+ 1 .1

-S . 1

- 3 .2

D iv is io n s

G EO G RA PH IC D IVISION— C O n td .

N ew E n g la n d .......................
M iddle A tlan tic_________
E a st N o rth C entral.........
W est N o rth C e n tra l....... .
South A tla n tic ......................
E a st South C entral______

- 3 .7

- 4 .9
-8 .0
-3 .2
+ 0 .7
-7 .7

-5 .0
- 4 .3
- 1 1 .0
-4 .3
+0. i
- 7 .7

E m p lo y m e n t

o n

M o n th a n d year
Dec. 15, 1925____ ______ _________________ _____
Dec. 15, 1926................................... ................. ..............

W e s t South C e n t r a l . . . : __________
M o u n t a i n ________________ ________ _
P a c i f i c ____________________ _______

All

C la s s

I

1, 736, 548
1,756,933

[571]

d i v i s i o n s ______ _____ _

R a ilr o a d s

N um ber on
p ay roll

1A m ount of p a y roll for one m onth.


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

- 4 .1

Per cent of
change
+ 1 .2

A m ount of
pay roll
» $237, 405, 384
‘ 245, 350,107

Per cent of
change
+ 3.3

102

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
P er C a p ita E a r n in g s

D E R CA PITA earnings in the 54 m anufacturing industries com1
bined were 3 per cent lower in January, 1927, than in December,
1926. The 9 increases, among the separate industries, were all small,
except one of 7.8 per cent in chewing and smoking tobacco. Among
the 45 decreases 3 were of noticeable size— 15.9 per cent, in the
automobile industry; 10.8 per cent, in the pottery industry; and
10.5 per cent, in the piano and organ industry.
Per capita earnings in January, 1927, were unchanged as compared
w ith January, 1926, the increases and decreases being almost equal.
There was no change in the autom obile-tire industry, while there was
a decrease of 14.1 per cent in the automobile industry, and an increase
of 11.1 per cent in the carriage and wagon industry. All other
increases and decreases were considerably smaller.
T able 4 .—C O M P A R IS O N O F P E R C A P IT A E A R N IN G S , JA N U A R Y , 1927, W IT H D E C E M ­
B E R , 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1926
Per cent of
change January,
1927, compared
w ith —

Per cent of
change January,
1927, compared
w ith —

In d u stry

in d u stry
D ecem ­ J a n ­
ber,
uary,
1926
1926

C hew ing and smoking tobacco
and s n u ff.........................................
C lothing, w om en’s - - .......................
Carriages a n d wagons......... .............
C lothing, m en’s . ................... ..........
M illinery and lace goods................
F lo u r ........................................ ..........
Ice c re a m ............................................
Boots and shoes_________ ______
P rinting, book and jo b ....................
L e a th e r ..................... ..................... .
B akin g _____________ ___________
D yeing and finishing textiles____
Steam fittings and steam and hotw ater heating ap p aratu s_______
Slaughtering and m eat p a c k in g ...
A utom obile tir e s ..............................
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
and su p p lie s..________________
C otton goods.....................................
C h em ica ls..________ ___________
Brass, bronze, and copper prod­
u c ts ........ .........................................
R ubber boots and shoes..................
Woolen and worsted goods______
Shirts and collars..............................
H a rd w a re ...........................................
Shipbuilding, steel............................
Printin g , n e w s p a p e rs ....................
C ar building and repairing, electrie-railroad .....................................

+ 7 .8
+ 1.8
+ 1.4
*4"1. 2
+ 1 .1
+ 0 .6
+ 0 .5
+ 0 .4
+ 0 .4
-0 . 3
- 0 .7
- 0 .9

+ 5 .5
-3 .5
+11.1
- 0 .7
+ 0 .4
-0 .3
-1 .0
-1 .0
+4. 3
+ 1 .3
+ 0 .2
+ 0 .1

- 0 .9
-1 .3
-1 .4

-1 .3
+ 0 .4
0)

-1 .4
-1 .5
-1 .6

+ 1 .5
-0 .2
+ 3 .8

- 1 .9
- 1 .9
-1 .9
-2 .0
- 2 .1
-2 . 1
- 2 .3

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

- 2 .4

+2.3

D ecem ­ J a n ­
ber,
u ary ,
1926
1926
Confectionery............ ..................... . - 2 . 4
Hosiery and k n it goods................... - 2 . 5
Paper boxes______________ _____
-2 .5
Paper and p u lp __________ ______
-2 . 7
Silk goods_____________ _____ _
- 3 .0
Fou n d ry and m achine-shop prod­
ucts _________________________
-3 .2
M achine to o ls-................................... - 3 . 2
Petroleum refinining____________ - 3 .4
Glass__________________________
- 3 .6
C arpets and ru g s.............................
-3 .8
A gricultural im u lem en ts.--............ - 4 . 0
Sugar refinining, cane ________
-4 .4
Cast-iron p ip e ____________ _____
-4 . 5
Iron a n d steel..... ...............................
- 4 .6
F ertilizers_____________________
- 4 .8
Lum ber, saw m ills--- _________
- 4 .8
C ar building and repairing, steamrailro ad -.________ ____ _______
- 5 .1
Stoves_________________________
-5 . 1
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta _______ - 5 .2
Cigars an d cigarettes __________
- 5 .4
S tam ped and enam eled w are- . . .
- 5 .4
C em ent _______________ ______
-5 . 6
F u r n i t u r e ......................................... - 5 . 6
Lum ber, m illw ork_____ ______ - 5 .8
S tru ctu ral ironw ork. __________
-6 . 3
Pianos and organs______________ -1 0 . 5
P o tte r y ..-.......................................... . -1 0 .8
A utom obiles..................................... . -1 5 .9

*No change.


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

[572]

+ 3 .4
+ 4 .3
+0. 3
- 1 .1
- 3 .1
- 0 .8
-0 .7
-3 .5
- 2 .1
-0 . 1
-2 . 1
+ 2 .0
-8 .2
-2 . 2
+ 2 .9
+ 1.9
+4. 5
-1 .2
-1 .3
-4 .7
- 4 .9
+ 1 .6
+ 0 .6
-0 . 1
+ 2 .0
-0 . 1
-4 .8
-1 4 .1

103

EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
W ags C hanges

\¥ 7 A G E -R A T E increases were reported for the m onth ending January 15 by 77 establishments, in 26 industries, as giving an
average increase of 5.2 per cent to 4,787 employees; wage-rate de­
creases were reported by 12 establishments, in 7 industries, averaging
5.5 per cent to 2,214 employees.
T able 5 .—W A G E A D JU S T M E N T O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D
JA N U A R Y 15, 1927
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rates

E stablishm ents

In d u s try

N um ber
T otal reporting
n u m ­ increase
ber
or de­
report­ crease
ing
in wage
rates

Em ployees affected

Per cent of employees

Range

Average

T otal
num ber

In estab­
In all
lishm ents
reporting establish­
increase or
m ents
decrease in reporting
wage rates

Increases
Slaughtering and m eat packing.
Ice cream ________ ________
B ak in g .____________________
H osiery and k n it goods______
Silk goods___________________
W oolen and w orsted goods.
Shirts and collars........................
Clothing, w om en’s __________
M illinery and lace goods_____
Structural ironw ork_________
F o undry and machine-shop
p ro d u c ts _________ ________
H a rd w are___________________
M achine tools_________
_ .
Steam fittings and steam and
hot-w ater heating ap p aratu s.
L um ber millwork _______ _
F u rn itu re _________________
L eather_____________________
Paper boxes_________________
Printing, book and job ___ _
Printing, new spapers________
C h e m ic a ls _________________
Stam ps and enam eled w are___
Cigars and cigarettes_________
A utom obiles..................................
C ar building an d repairing,
electric-railroad______
C ar building an d repairing,
steam -railroad.....................

194
192
483
244
193
199
88
170
68
155

2
2
1
2
2
2
1
3
1
1

961
68
149

12
1
1

114
238
380
133
182
299
216
120
66
154
192

3
4
3
4
2
9
6
1
1
1
2

10
5 -12
6. 2- 7. 5
3. 5-10
9 -10
3 -11
2 -8
10
8.8
1.5
5 -7

386

4

2 -9

461

6

2-4.6

3.2
7.0
8.7
8.0
6.0
12.4
15.0

5 -6
10
11
4 -11
4 -10
10
10
6 -12
7
12.5
4 -10
1
7

6.0
10.0
11.0
6.1
9.2
10. 0
10.0
11.1
7.0
12.5

166
6
16
37
169
280
10
144
10
9

9
22
13
5
23
52
5
58
11
38

0)
0)
0)
(>)
(>)
(1)
C)

7.4
1.0
7.0

198
399
4

11
100
10

0)

10.0
6.0
6.6
5.0
9.8
5. 6
3.7
10.0
8.8
1. 5
6.4

22
275
36
278
11
321
562
77
5
21
90

9
41
9
41
14
24
24
100
23
91
6

5.0

264

82

1

3.8

1,377

36

1

1,361
15
436
231
45
91
35

76
43
75
75
90
89
69

1

0)
(')
1

(1)
0)
(')
(!)

1
1
1
1

C1)
«
0)
0)

Decreases
C otton goods................................
H osiery and k n it goods_______
L um ber, saw m ills___________
F u rn itu re . ................... ................
Fertilizers___________________
B rick, tile, a n d terra-co tta____
A utom obile tires________ ____

461
244
453
380
109
408
63

3
1
4
2
1
2
1

3 -10
7
5 -16
8
5
10 -12.5
15

i Less th a n one-half of 1 per centi


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

[573]

1
C1)
(')
0)
0)
0)

1

104

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

In d e x e s o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in M a n u fa c tu r in g in d u s t r ie s

IN D E X num bers for January, 1927, and for December and Jan u ary
- 1926, showing relatively the variation in num ber of persons
employed and in pay-roll totals, in each of the 54 industries surveyed
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, together w ith general indexes for
the combined 12 groups of industries appear in Table 6.
The general index of employment for January, 1927, is 89.4, this
num ber being 1.7 per cent lower than the index for December, 1926,
and 3.1 per cent lower than the index for January, 1926. The general
index of pay-roll totals for January, 1927, is 90.9, this num ber being
4.9 per cent lower than the index for December, 1926, and 3.2 per
cent lower than the index for January, 1926.
T able 6 .—IN D E X E S O F 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 M A N U F A C T U R ­
IN G IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y A N D D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1927
[M onthly average, 1923 = 100]
E m ploym ent

Pay-roll totals

In d u stry
January, Decem­ January, January,
ber, 1926
1926
1927
1926

Decem­ January,
ber, 1926
1927

G e n e ra l in d e x . ..................................

92.8

90.9

89.4

93.9

95.6

99.9

F o o d a n ti k in d r e d p r o d u c ts .....................
Slaughtering a n d m eat p acking______
Confectionery______________ ________
Ice cream ______________ ____________
F lo u r ._____ ___________ ________ ___
B ak in g .................................................... .
Sugar refining, can e..................................

90,3
86.7
86.4
83.8
88.9
97.6
91.9

90.4
84.4
90. 5
82.4
87.9
100.1
80.6

88.5
84.4
83.0
80.3
86.1
98.7
83.1

84. 1
90.1
92.0
90.6
91.2
102.0
90.8

95.2
88.9
102.2
87.9
89.2
105.6
84.9

93.7
87.7
91.5
86.1
87.9
103.5
83.6

T extiles a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts .__________
C otton goods_____________________ _
H osiery a n d k n it goods. .......................
Silk goods . . ____ ______ _____________
W oolen a n d w orsted goods__________
C arpets an d rugs___________________
D ying an d finishing textiles_________
C lothing, m en’s...... ..................................
Shirts an d collars _________________
C lothing, w om en’s __________ _______
M illinery an d lace g o o d s........................

89.8
85.6
100. 6
108.0
86.1
95.8
101.4
86.6
89.8
81.5
78.8

87.7
85.6
98.8
99.9
85.4
90. 2
98.7
84.7
82.2
80.8
69.5

88.1
86.2
97.7
98,9
85.0
91. 1
98.2
83.8
81.4
85. 3
72.0

SO. 8
85.4
108.2
114. 9
84.7
94.4
104.6
82.5
93.6
86.9
82.4

89.2
86.6
113. 6
106.2
87.1
93.4
102.9
78.9
83.3
81.8
72.0

88.8
85.9
109.4
101.9
85.0
90.7
101.6
78.9
80.9
87.8
75.5

I r o n a n d stee l a n d th e i r p r o d u c ts . . .
Iro n an d s te e l............................................
Cast-iron n ip e.............................................
S tru ctu ral iro n w o rk ..................................
F o u n d ry a n d machine-shop p ro d u cts..
H ardw are.....................................................
M achine tools____________________
Steam fittings a n d steam a n d hotw ater heating a p p a ra tu s. .................
S toves. ........................................................

99.5
98.4
101.6
91.8
84.0
93.1
102.1

89.8
94.7
99.0
98.5
85.3
83.5
103.8

88.1
93.0
97.2
94.1
84.2
83.9
102.8

84.8
102.6
104.0
93.7
86.4
101.9
113.6

96.3
101.3
97.0
109.6
89.9
94.3
118.2

90,9
94.9
91.0
98.1
86.0
92.7
113.2

99. 7
78.6

87.6
86.4

87.9
74.8

104.4
78.6

91.4
89.8

90.9
73.8

L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c ts .......................
L um ber, sa w m ills.......................... .........
L um ber, m illw ork___ _____ _________
F u rn itu re _________ ________________

89.2
83.9
100.9
100.5

88.2
83.4
92.6
102.2

84.0
79. 1
90. 1
97.0

90.9
85.3
102.6
102.8

96.4
90.6
99.9
114.0

87.1
81.9
91.5
102.1

L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c t s . ___________
L eather _____________ ______ _______
Boots a n d shoes..........................................

91.9
92.6
90.5

90.9
92.4
89.5

91.6
93.0
91.1

86.9
93.6
84.2

86.0
95. 1
82.4

87.3
95.4
84.1

P a p e r a n d p r i n t i n g __________________
Paper a n d p u lp ............ .............................
P aper boxes___________ ______ ______
Prin tin g , book a n d jo b ______________
Prin tin g , new spapers...............................

103,2
95.1
101.3
105.1
109.8

106.1
94.4
104. 0
108.2
116.1

104,3
94.4
98.9
105. 5
115.1

110.0
101. 9
108.1
113.4
115.0

116.3
102.8
114. 1
121.1
124.9

112.7
100.0
105.8
118.5
121.0

C h e m ic a ls a n d aid ed p r o d u c ts ...............
C h em icals.. .............................................
Fertilizers_______ _______ ___________
Petroleum ______________ „__________

88.0
95.3
107.4
97.6

87.0
96.4
89.4
101.1

98,3
96. 1
97.0
101.9

109.2
101.2
111.0
96.2

103,5
108,0
100. 0
99.6

101.9
106.0
103.3
97.0


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

1574]

105

EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES

T able 6 .—IN D E X E S O P 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 M A N U F A C T U R ­
IN G IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y A N D D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1927—C ontd,

E m ploym ent

Pay-roll totals

In d u s trj
January, Decem­ Jan u ary, January, Decem­ January,
ber, 1926
1926
1927
1926
ber, 1926
1927
S to n e , clay, a n d glass p r o d u c ts _______
C em en t____________________________
Brick, tile, a n d terra cotta
______
P o tte r y ----.................................................
G lass. ........................................ ................

93.5
86.4
90. 9
102.9
95.1

96.4
88.1
93.1
107.2
98.6

89.4
82.0
86.4
103.8
89.7

97.7
83.3
92.6
108.4
104.1

104.8
91, 5
OR 5
120. 7
109.9

91.8
80.4
86.7
104.3
96.4

M etal p ro d u cts, o th er t h a n Iron a n d
steel ________________________ _______
Stam ped and enam eled w are________
Brass, bronze, a n d copper p ro d u c ts ...

109.2
99.4
100.5

93,6
86.4
96.9

92.4
83.7
96.4

101.3
95.9
103.3

95.6
83.7
100.0

91.9
76.6
97.5

T ob acco p r o d u c ts. __________________
Chew ing and sm oking tobacco and
sn u ff_________ . . . . ________
Cigars a n d cigarettes________________

85.0

88,3

77.8

87.7

89.8

77.8

90.3
84.3

91.7
85.6

92.3
75.9

95.1
86.8

94.6
89.2

102.5
74.7

V ehicles fo r la n d tr a n s p o r ta tio n . ..
Autom obiles ..............................................
Carriages and w agons_______________
C ar building a n d repairing, electricra ilro a d .. . ___ ______ ____ _________
C ar building an d repairing, steamrailro ad __________________ ________

92.7
112.8
93. 2

82.8
90.1
69.3

81.2
90.3
62.6

88.0
99.9
89.1

82.3
81.8
72.6

73.6
69.0
66.4

89.3

88.8

88.1

88.9

92.6

89.6

80.0

77.9

75.5

76.9

82.3

75.8

M iscella n eo u s in d u s tr ie s . ___________
A gricultural im p le m e n ts...... ..................
Electrical m achinery, ap paratus, and
su p p lies......... ............................. ............
Pianos a n d organs........................ ............
R u b b er boots a n d sh o e s.........................
A utom obile t i r e s _____________ _____
Shipbuilding, steel. ________ ____ _

97,0
106.1

101.9
93.7

109.7
93.8

100.4
120.1

108.7
108.2

107.2
104.1

99. 5
98. 5
92.7
112. 6
89.0

99.0
97.1
88.2
101. 9
104.5

96.3
93.3
89.5
102. 4
105.5

103.1
103.4
104.7
114. 0
92.4

105.4
113.9
103.5
104.6
113.5

101.1
98.0
102.9
103.8
112.0

The following table shows the general index of employment in
m anufacturing industries and the general index of pay-roll totals
from January, 1923, to January, 1927.
table

'7.— G E N E R A L IN D E X O F 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 M A N U ­

F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO JA N U A R Y , 1927
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
E m ploym ent

Pay-roll totals

M o n th
1923

1924

1925

1926

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___
O ctober........ .
N ovem b er___
D ecem ber........

98.0
99.6
101. 8
101.8
101.8
101.9
100.4
99.7
99.8
99.3
98.7
96.9

95.4
96.6
96.4
94.5
99.8
87.9
84.8
85.0
86.7
87.9
87.8
89.4

90.0
91.6
92.3
92.1
90.9
90.1
89.3
89.9
90.9
92.3
92.5
92.6

92.3
93.3
93.7
92.8
91.7
91.3
89.8
90.7
92.2
92.5
91.4
90.9

A verage

100.0

99.3

ii.2

91.9


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

[575]

1927
89.4

1923

1924

91.8
95.2
100.3
101.3
104.8
104.7
99.9
99.3

94.5
99.4
99.0
96.9
92.4
87.0
80.8
83.5

100.0

86.0

102.3
98.9
100.0

101.0

1925

1926

88.5
87.6
91.7

90.0
95.1
96.6
94.2
94.4
91.7
89.6
91.4
90.4
96.2
96.2
97.3

93.9
97.9
99.1
97.2
95.6
95.5
91.2
94.6
95.1
98.6
95.4
95.6

90.6

93.6

95.8

1927
90.9

106

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

P r o p o r tio n o f T im e W ork ed a n d F o rc e E m p lo y e d in M a n u fa c tu r in g
I n d u s tr ie s in J a n u a r y , 1927

D E P O R T S from 7,921 establishm ents in January show th a t 1
* ^ per cent were idle, 81 per cent were operating on a full-time sched­
ule, and 18 per cent were operating on a part-tim e schedule; 36
per cent had a full normal force of employees and 62 per cent were
operating w ith a reduced force.
The establishm ents in operation were employing an average of 86
per cent of a full norm al force of employees, who were working an
average of 96 per cent of full time.
These averages are 1 per cent less, in each case, than were reported
for December.
T able 8 .—E S T A B L IS H M E N T S W O R K IN G F U L L A N D P A R T T IM E A N D E M P L O Y IN G
F U L L A N D P A R T W O R K IN G F O R C E IN JA N U A R Y , 1927

E stab lish ­
m ents
reporting
Industry
T otal Per
n u m ­ cent
ber
idle
F ood a n d kin dred p r o d u c ts -........... i, see
Slaughtering and m eat packing__
152
Confectionery.....................................
191
Icecream
__________ _________
165
F lo u r........................................ ............
296
B ak in g .. ___ __________________
386
Sugar refining, c a n e ......... ..............
10

L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c ts _________
Lum ber, saw m ills..............................
Lum ber, mill w o rk....................... .
F u r n itu re ............................................

857
382
182
293

L eath er a n d its p r o d u c ts_________
L e a th e r.................................. ..............
Boots a n d s h o e s ................................

252
99
153

Pap er a n d p r in t in g .................. ...........
P ap er and p u lp ........................... .......
Paper boxes..........................................
Printing, book and jo b.....................
Printing^ new spapers......................

588
124
123
221
120

15
10
27
8
25
8
20

97
99
95
98
94
99
94

40
57
10
2
56
53

59
43
89
96
43
47
100

85
94
71
61
91
94
81

84
92
81
80
80
86
67
79
96
86
81

15
8
18
20
19
14
33
15
2
14
19

97
99
96
96
99
95
94
96
100
98
95

40
58
43
47
38
38
31
42
40
48
21

53
41
55
53
61
62
69
53
57
52
79

89
93
87
03
87
87
87
86
90
87
72

76
75
52
81

23
23
43
19

95
94
86
96

28
20
30
23

71
79
66
77

84
82
87
82

74
77
95

26
23
5

96
98
100

30
23
30

70
77
70

84
85
86

4

82
60

18
36

97
92

39
26

61
70

93
78

3
5
2

77
85
61
76

2Í
10
37
24

96
98
93
96

32
31
23
40

65
64
75
59

85
81
82
90

1

81
92
74

19
7
26

90
99
94

29
34
25

71
65
75

88
88
88

91
81
86
94
100

9
16
14
6

99
96
98
99
100

55
48
32
46
100

45
49
68
54

95
95
90
05
100

1
1
1

1
1
1
1
6
2

i
1
5
(0

0
0

1
2

1 Less th a n one-half of 1 p er cent.


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

Average
per cent of
norm al
full force
em ployed
b y estab­
lishm ents
operating

84
90
73
90
75
92
80

«

T extiles a n d th eir p r o d u c ts_______ 1,287
C otton goods............... ........................
385
H osiery a n d k n it goods....................
148
Silk goods________ ____________
152
Woolen an d w orsted goods______
165
C arnets a n d ru g s.................... ...........
21
D yeing a n d finishing textiles_____
83
C lothing, m en ’s ........................ .........
159
Shirts a n d co llars.._____ ________
47
84
Clothing, w om en’s.............................
M illinery a n d lace goods..................
43
Iron a n d steel a n d a n d th eir
p r o d u c ts________________________ 1,488
Iron and steel___________________
171
Cast-iron p ip e ............................ .......
44
S tru ctu ral ironw ork_____________
124
F ou n d ry a n d machine-shop produ cts.....................................................
805
H ardw are______________________
53
M achine tools............. ................ .......
128
Steam fittings and steam a n d hotw ater heating a p p aratu s_______
85
S to v e s ...................................................
70

Per cent of
Per cent of
establish­ Average establishm ents
per cent
operating
m ents
w ith—
operating— of full
tim e oper­
ated in
establish­
Full
P art
m ents
Full P a rt
al norm al
tim e tim e operating norm
force
force

[576]

107

EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES

T able 8.—E S T A B L IS H M E N T S W O R K IN G F U L L A N D P A R T T IM E A N D E M P L O Y IN G
F U L L A N D P A R T W O R K IN G F O R C E IN JA N U A R Y , 1927—C ontinued

E stab lish ­
m ents
reporting
Industry
Total Per
n u m ­ cent
ber
idle
C h em ica ls a n d allied p r o d u cts-----nhp.mip.als
_ _________________
F ertilizers.............................................

236
92
100

S to n e , clay, a n d glass p r o d u cts----C em ent _______________ ____ ___
Brick, tile, a n d terra c o tta ..............
P o tte ry ......................... .....................Glass......... ................ ...........................

515
72
305
45
93

Brass, bronze, and copper products

81
96
59
100

19
4
40

98
99
96
100

35
51
9
59

65
49
90
41

77
91
58
92

6
1
8
4
5

72
83
65
78
85

21
15
27
18
10

92
97
89
95
97

20
19
14
29
33

74
79
77
67
61

78
82
73
95
84

77
79
76

23
21
24

96
97
96

28
17
30

* 74
83
70

82
83
82

6

67

27

97

27

67

84

7

70
67

30
26

94
97

35
25

65
68

90
82

2

86
52
82

14
48
16

98
92
98

39
10
22

61
90
76

86
70
72

179
47
132

T obacco p r o d u cts________________
Chewing a n d smoking tobacco
and snuff ___________________
Cigars a n d cigarettes.........................

116

V ehicles for la n d tr a n s p o r ta tio n ...
A utom obiles___________________
Carriages and w agons...... ................
C ar building and repairing, electrie-railroad _ ___;_____________
C ar building and repairing, steamrailroad
__________________

908
144
55

M iscella n eo u s in d u s tr ie s ------ -------A gricultural im p lem en ts...............
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
and supplies
______________
Pianos and organs ____________
R ubb er boots a n d s h o e s ________
Autom obile tires ----------------- -----Shipbuilding, steel..........................

20
96
(9

340

97

3

100

54

46

96

367

89

11

99

38

62

85

74
64

25
35

98
91

30
11

69
88

84
79

82
75
88
57
100

18
25
13
41

97
94
99
91
100

48
42
50
8
30

52
58
50
90
70

89
91
00
72
91

81

18

96

36

62

86

305
75
120
24
8
51
27

T o ta l................................................ 7, 921

1
1

2
1

1 Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.

33892°— 27----- 8


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

Average
per cent of
norm al
full force
employed
by estab­
lishm ents
operating

1

«

44

M eta! p ro d u cts, o th er th a n iron
a n d steel
_ _____________

Per cent of
Per cent of
establish­ Average establishm ents
per cent
operating
m ents
w ith—
operating— of full
iime oper­
ated in
establish­
Full
P a rt
m ents
Full P a rt
normal
tim e tim e operating normal
force
force

[577]

108

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls o n C lass I R a ilro a d s , D e c e m ­
b e r, 1925, a n d N o v e m b e r a n d D e c e m b e r , 1926

H E following tables show the num ber of employees and their
total earnings in various occupations among railroad employees
in December, 1926, and in December, 1925, and November,
1926.
The figures are for Class I roads—th a t is, all roads having operat­
ing revenues of $1,000,000 a year and over.

T

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 O F CLASS I R A IL R O A D S , D E C E M B E R . 1925,
A N D N O V E M B E R A N D D E C E M B E R , 1928
[F rom m o n th ly reports of In te rsta te Commerce Commission. As d ata for only the more im portant occu­
pations are shown separately, th e group totals are not th e sum of th e item s u nder th e respective groups;
th e grand totals w ill be found on pp. 99 and 101]
N u m b er of employees at
m iddle of m onth

T otal earnings

O ccupation
Decem ­ N ovem ­ Decem­
D ecember, N ovem ber, D ecember,
ber,
ber,
ber,
1925
1926
1926
1925
1926
1926
P rofessio n a l, clerical, a n d g e n e r a l... 283, 331
Clerks ________________________ 167,108
Stenographers and ty p ists________
25,222

287,625
169,049
25, 598

388,120 $38, 914, 554 $39, 388, 763
167, 711 21,788,895 21,876,885
25, 533
3,105,166
3,143,369

39, 768,868
22,100,032
3,184; 572

M a in te n a n c e o f w a y a n d stru ctu res 382, 224
Laborers, extra gang and work
tra in __________ _ ______
49,178
Laborers, track and roadw ay sectio n _____________________
182, 310

433, 618

377,689

33,282, 018

38, 698, 393

35,631,397

69,099

54, 611

3, 545,001

5,190,889

4,025,073

213,913

188, 295

13,121,680

15, 295, 282

14,010, 784

519, 706
113,718
60,880
115,277

516,850
111, 430
60, 742
114, 664

67, 771, 963
16, 749,921
9, 570,899
12, 580,191

67, 808, 900
16, 696,328
9,650, 738
12, 768, 700

88,802,306
16, 752, 916
9; 840; 376
13,012; 435

M a in te n a n c e o f e q u ip m e n t a n d
stores . . . _______
_ ___
534, 652
C arm en________________ ______
116, 554
M achinists_________ ____ ____
60,933
Skilled trad es’ helpers___________
115,229
Laborers (shops, engine houses,
power plants, and stores)___ _
43,820
Com m on laborers (shops, engine
houses, power plants, and stores). 59,334
T ra n sp o rta tio n , o th e r th a n tra in ,
e n g in e , a n d yard_______
S tation a g en ts... ________
Telegraphers, telephoners, and towerm en________
Truckers (stations, warehouses,
and platforms) . . . _______
Crossing and bridge flagmen and
gatem en___________ _____
T r a n sp o r ta tio n ( y a r d m a s t e r s .
sw itch ten d ers, a n d hostlers)

209, 068
30, 736

42,926

43, 594

4,207, 664

4,067, 626

4,233,086

60, 210

59, 712

4, 789, 890

4,797,725

4, 880,441

213, 743
30, 599

209,641
30, 587

25, 750, 794
4,826,910

25, 735, 546
4, 707,685

26,038, 449
L 837; 392

25,898

25, 628

25, 514

3, 937, 439

3,817,870

3, 945,152

40, 260

41,040

39, 745

3,745, 798

3, 732, 087

3, 656,013

22,321

22, 085

22,016

1,684,210

1, 659, 501

1, 678,199

24,140

24, 409

24,393

4, 538, 716

4, 498, 063

4,637,598

T ra n sp o rta tio n , t r a i n a n d e n g in e .. 333,133
R oad conductors_______
37, 275
R oad brakem en and flagm en..
75,600
Y ard brakem en and yard h e lp e rs... 55, 787
R oad engineers and m otorm en____ 44,447
R oad firemen and helpers________ 46,095

342,917
38, 288
78,052
57, 800
45, 841
47,124

342,240
38,066
77, 607
57, 852
45, 790
47, 341

67,167, 339
8,911,662
13,193,912
9, 742,827
12, 055, 589
8,984, 722

68, 897, 365
9,081, 271
13, 621,386
10, 099,113
12,376, 226
9 ,200; 964

70,471, 789
9, 395; 519
13,919, 652
10; 458; 639
12, 548; 555
9,342, 635


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

[578]

109

VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT----CALIFORNIA

State Reports on Employment
C a lifo r n ia

H E January, 1927, Labor M arket Bulletin, issued by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of California, shows the changes in volume
of em ploym ent and pay roll from December, 1925, to Decem­
ber, 1926, in 682 establishm ents in th a t State.

T

P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T
O F W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IN 682 C A L IF O R N IA E S T A B L IS H M E N T S , D E C E M B E R , 1928,
C O M P A R E D W IT H D E C E M B E R , 1925
W eekly p ay roll

Em ployees

Per cent
Per cent
N u m b er
of change, A m ount of change,
of estab­
as com­
as
com­
lishm ents NinumDber
in D e­
e­
reporting cember,
pared
cem ber, w pared
ith D e­
w
ith
D
e­
1926
1926
cember,
cember,
1925
1925

In d u stry

Stone, clay, and glass products:
M iscellaneous stone and m ineral p ro d u cts--------Lim e, cem ent, p la ster------------- ------------ --------- B rick, tile, p o tte ry --------------------------- ------------Glass---------- -------- -------------------- -------------- -----

12
8
22
8

1,585
1,908
2,838
746

+ 1 .0
-9 .8
-8 .4
+ 9 .7

$48,373
58,144
67,889
25,413

- 1 .4
-1 1 . 7
-1 2 .7
+ 7 .0

T o tal___________________________________ --

50

7,077

- 5 .2

199,819

- 7 .7

M etals, m achinery, and conveyances:
A gricultural im p lem en ts..
------- -- -------------Autom obiles, including bodies and p a rts ..........
Brass, bronze, a n d copper products-----------------Engines, pum ps, boilers, and ta n k s ... . . --------Iron and steel forgings, bolts, n u ts, e t c . . . --------Structural and ornam ental steel----------------------Ship and boat building an d naval repairs---------T in cans
.
_____________
________ - O ther iron foundry and machine-shop p ro d u cts..
O ther sheet m etal p roducts . . . . . ----------------Cars, locomotives, and railw ay repair shops____

7
13
9
7
8
21
6
6
55
22
16

1,386
2,148
1,061
739
3,048
4,432
6,599
2,335
5,744
1,651
7,447

+49.7
-5 6 .2
-1 0 .2
+ 1 .5
+17. 0
-1 3 . 1
+50. 1
+14. 7
-.2
-1 . 7
+ 6 .2

38,084
72,699
30,462
24,150
101,179
138, 408
216.103
62,885
176,100
51,167
226, 651

+41.3
-5 2 . 7
—7.4
+4. /
+ 19.2
-1 4 . 7
+40.5
+19.6
-j-2.1
+ 1.5
+ 4 .0

T o ta l________ ________ 1............................. ...........

170

30,590

+ .7 1,137,888

+ .6

W ood m anufactures:
Sawmills and logging---------------------------- .
Planing mills, sash and door factories, etc---------O ther wood m anufactures_______________ _____

20
53
34

10, 054
8,480
3, 516

-6 .8
- 7 .3
- 5 .7

277, 512
236, 522
97, 669

- 2 .0
-1 0 .6
- 3 .0

T o t a l . . ___________________________________

107

22, 050

-6 .8

611,703

- 5 .7

L eather and ru b b er goods:
T an n in g _____________ . . . ------------------------Finished leather p roducts----- -------- -------- --------R ubb er p ro d u cts--------------------------------- -------

7
6
7

689
555
2, 790

-1 2 .6
-8 .6
+ 6 .4

19,104
11,091
80,164

- 7 .9
-13. 2
+2. 5

T o t a l ...------------ ------------ -------- -------------------

20

4,034

+ .4

110, 359

- 1 .2

Chem icals, oils, paints, e tc .:
Explosives_______________ ______ ____________
M ineral oil refining------- ---------------------- -------Paints, dyes, and colors-------- ------------------------M iscellaneous chemical p roducts----------------------

4
6
6
14

512
11,819
662
2,172

+ 7 .8
+8. 6
+ 1 .8
+25.3

15, 649
449,882
17,144
60,735

+10.0
+9. 5
+ 7.3
+32.3

T o tal____________________ _______ __________

30

15,165

+ 10.3

543,410

+11.6

P rin tin g and paper goods:
P aper boxes, bags, cartons, etc________________
P rin tin g ___________________ _________________
Publishing _ -------------------------------- -----------O ther paper products............................................... .

14
37
15
7

2,141
2, 146
3,642
968

-1 1 .4
+ 1.7
-7 . 1
+22.2

54, 457
75, 737
143, 585
23,885

-1 0 .0
—. 5
+. 3
+23.4

T o tal_______ _______________ ____ - .............. .

73

8,897

- 3 .7

297,664


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

[579]

-.5

110

MONTHLY LABOE EEYIEW

P E R C E N T O P C H A N G E IN N U M B E R O P E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T
O F W E E K L Y P A Y R O L L IN 682 C A L IF O R N IA E S T A B L IS H M E N T S , D E C E M B E R , 1926,
C O M P A R E D W IT H D E C E M B E R , 1925—C o n tin u ed
Em ployees

N um ber
Per cent
Per cent
of estab­
of change, A m ount of change,
lishm ents NinumDber
as
com­
as com­
e­
in D e­
reporting
cember, w pared
cember, w pared
ith
D
e­
ith De­
1926
1926
cember,
cember,
1925
1925

In d u stry

Textiles:
K n it g o o d s.....................................................................
O ther textile p ro d u cts..................................................
T o tal..........................................- ............................. .
Clothing, millinery, and laundering:
M en ’s clothing___ _____ ________ _______ ______
V/omen’s clothing____________________________
M illinery________________ _________ _______ _
Laundering, cleaning, and dyeing.................. .........
T o t a l- - .

____

___ _______

W eekly pay roll

____________

7
6

706
1,599

- 5 .4
- 5 .2

$15, 200
36, 226

-3 .7
- 4 .2

13

2,305

- 5 .2

51,426

- 4 .0

20
9
5
19

2, 770
819
557
3,010

+ 1 .5
+ 9 .5
-2 .3
+ 4 .2

60, 054
15, 504
10, 368
70, 541

+15.3
-1 3 .1
+ 4 .4

53

7,156

+ 3. 2

156,467

+ 2 .6

Foods, beverages, and tobacco:
C anning, preserving of fruits and vegetables........
Canning, packing of fish____ _________________
Confectionery and ice cream __________________
Groceries, no t elsewhere specified-. . _________
Bread and b akery products___________ ________
Sugar...... .......... .......... .............................. ...............
Slaughtering and m eat pro d u cts_______________
Cigars and other tobacco products_____________
Beverages______________ _____________________
D airy products______________________ ____ ___
F lour and grist m ills ..______ _________________
Ice m anufactures ............... .......................................
O ther food p ro d u cts.....................................................

31
6
24
4
19
5
15
4
3
11
12
4
10

5,080
663
1, 767
471
3,028
2,476
2, 703
1,044
436
2, 670
1, 300
572
781

+ 7 .0
-.9
+ 2 .2
-1 1 .1
+2. 6
-13. 1
-8 . 1
+ 4 .7
-6 . 6
+14.9
- 6 .2
- 4 .0
+ 6 .3

102, 287
6,456
42, 501
11,156
86, 883
71, 720
80, 599
19, 551
9,276
90, 884
35, 543
18, 341
18,244

+11.2
-2 4 .6
+ 3 .0
-9 .0
+ 1 .2
-1 3 .7
-5 .2
-}-4. 4
-1 2 .6
+17.3
-.8
- 1 .2
+ 3 .7

T o tal........................................................................... .

148

22,991

+ .3

593,441

+ 1.1

W ater, light, and pow er.......... ...................................... .
M iscellaneous............ .................... ......................................

5
13

8,119
2,467

-1 2 .2
+24.0

245, 251
64, 214

-1 6 .4
+19.0

G rand total, all industries......................................

682

136, 851

-.8

4, Oil, 642

-.6


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[580]

111

VO LU M E O F E M PL O Y M E N T — IL L IN O IS
I llin o is

'T T IE January, 1927, issue of the Labor Bulletin, published by the
Illinois D epartm ent of Labor, contains the following statistics
showing the changes in employment and earnings in Illinois factories
in December, 1926, as compared w ith November, 1926:
C H A N G E S IN

E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S IN IL L IN O IS
N O V E M B E R TO D E C E M B E R , 1928
'

F A C T O R IE S

FRO M

Per cent of change from N ovem ber to December,
1926
E m ploym ent

In d u stry

M ale

Female

T otal em ­
ployees

T otal
earnings

Stone, clay, and glass products:
M iscellaneous stone and m ineral products.............
Lime, cem ent, and p la s te r .. ...................................... .
Brick, tile, and p o tte ry ..................................................
G lass.................... ................................................................

- 9 .4
- 5 .5
- 6 .4
- 4 .3

+ 4 .6
-9 . l
- 2 .3
-7 .4

- 9 .0
-5 .6
-5 . 6
- 5 .1

-1 1 .7
- 6 .4
- 6 .5
- 5 .0

T o ta l............................. ................................ ..................

- 6 .1

-5 .7

- 6 .0

-6 .8

M etals, m achinery, conveyances:
Iron and steel.......................... ................ .........................
Sheet m etal w ork and h ard w are..................................
Tools and cutlery......................................................... .
Cooking, heating, ven tilatin g ap p aratu s__________
Brass, copper, zinc, b a b b itt m e ta l_______ _____ _
Cars and locom otives__________________________
Automobiles and accessories_______ _____________
M ach in ery _______ ____ ______ ____________ _____
Electrical a p p a ra tu s........................................................
A gricultural im p lem en ts...................................... ..........
In stru m en ts a n d appliances_____________________
W atches, w atch cases, clocks, and jew elry............... .

+ •1
-2 . 5
- 3 .3
-. 6
-1 . 8
-4 . 5
-1 1 .0
+ .2
- 2 .5
- 1 .9
+ 3 .5
+ .4

+ .5
-1 1 .7
- 8 .8
- 6 .4
.0
- 3 .4
-25. 7
-2 . 9
-2 . 8
+ 4.3
-1 . 6
-.9

-.2
- 2 .3
- 2 .0
-.8
-1 .8
- 4 .4
-1 2 .2
-.3
-1 . 7
-1 .9
+2. 7
-.2

-.2
-2 .2
-4 .8
- 3 .1
—4.4
—4.1
-1 4 . 7
-.5
-1 .2
+ 1 .0
+ 5 .0
- 6 .2

T o ta l.................................................................................

- 1 .7

- 5 .6

-1 .8

- 2 .4

W ood products:
Sawmill and planing-m ill p roducts........ ................... .
F u rn itu re and cabinet w o rk___ ________________
Pianos, organs, and other m usical in stru m e n ts____
M iscellaneous wood p ro d u cts........................................
Household fu rn ish in g s ........................... ........................

- 2 .1
- 3 .0
- 3 .3
- 6 .7
-1 3 .2

+29.7
- 6 .2
-5 . 7
-. 5
-1 0 .8

- 1 .6
- 3 .3
- 4 .5
- 6 .2
-1 2 . 4

- 8 .7
- 3 .4
-4 .8
-1 4 .4
-1 1 .7

T o ta l............................................................................. .

- 3 .9

- 5 .3

- 4 .2

- 6 .3

F u rs and leather goods:
L e a th e r___________ _____________ ______________
F u rs and fur goods..................... .............. ........................
Boots and shoes._______ ________ ________________
M iscellaneous leather goods.____ _______________ _

- 3 .0
-1 9 . 7
-.2
+ 2 .0

- 5 .3
-21. 7
+ 2 .3
+ 2 .4

- 3 .4
-2 0 .5
+ 1 .6
+ 2 .2

- 5 .8
-3 6 .8
+ 6 .0
+ 2 .3

T o ta l............ ........................................................ ...........

-1 .2

+ 1 .4

+ .7

+ 2 .3

Chemicals, oils, paints, e tc .:
D rugs and chem icals........................................................
Paints, dyes, and colors................... ............... ..............
M ineral and vegetable oil...... .........................................
Miscellaneous chemical products.................................

+ .4
-.3
- 2 .4
- 2 .0

-6 . 6
-4 . 7
-1 2 . 3
-1 5 .0

- 3 .0
+ .8
-3 .0
- 3 .5

+ 2 .7

-.1
+ •

-

8

1.0

T o ta l.................................................................................

- 1 .7

- 9 .5

-2 .5

+ .8

P rintin g and paper goods:
P ap er boxes, bags, and tu b e s .........................................
M iscellaneous paper goods............ .................................
Job p rin tin g .................. .....................................................
N ew spapers and periodicals............................................
E d itio n bookbinding...................................................

+ .7
~h 2
+ 4 .9
+ 1 .8
- 7 .4

- 7 .1
+ 6 .5
- 1 .4
+ 6 .6
- 5 .9

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

-5 .2
+ • 3
+6. 5
+ 3 .2
+ .3

T o ta l................................... ........................................... .

+ 2.1

- 2 .5

+ .8

+ 2 .8


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

[581]

'

112
C H A N G E S IN

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S IN IL L IN O IS F A C T O R IE S
N O V E M B E R T O D E C E M B E R , 1926-C ontinued

FROM

Per cent of change from N ovem ber to December,
1926
In d u s try

E m ploym ent
M ale

Textiles:
C otton and woolen goods.........................
K n it goods, cotton and woolen hosiery.
T hread a n d tw in e .....................................

Fem ale

T otal em ­
ployees

T otal
earnings

+ .4
- 1 .2
- 6 .7

-1 .2
-23. 5
- 7 .4

0.0
-4 . 7
-5 . 9

+ 0 .7
-2 .2
+ 6 .8

-1 .0

-1 4 .6

-3 . 7

+ .1

+ 7 .7
.0
—4. 5
+ 5 .6
+13. 5
.0
+20. 1
-1 . 2

+12.2
-7 . 9
- 1 .7
.0
+ 5.1
+• 2
+15. 5
+ 3 .4

+ 7 .5
- 7 .4
- 2 .0
+ 3 .2
+ 7 .0
+16.7
+ 1 .9

+39.0
-1 0 .4
+ 1.1
+19.4
+11.9
-1 0 .1
+22.0
+ 2 .0

+ 6 .8

+ 7 .7

+ 5 .0

+24. 6

-10. 5
-1 9 . 8
.7
+ 2 .7
-.2
-. 7
- 3 .3
- 5 .1
+ 1 .0
-1 0 . 2
+ 5 .2

-1 6 .9
-36. 7
- 2 .0
- 4 .8
“K 4
-3 . 8
-1 1 .0
-1 1 .2
- 3 .5

-1 1 .0
-2 3 .4
- 5 .6
+ 1 .7
-.2
- 1 .7
- 4 .3
- 1 .1
-1 . 5
-1 0 . 2
+ 4 .7

-1 3 .0
- 1 .9
-.3
+ .4
-3 .8
- 3 .5
- 1 .4
+ 4 .6
-2 0 .2
- 1 .2

+ .8

-a 1

-.8

—I. 4

Total, all m anufacturing industries .

- 1 .2

-2 .6

- 1 .4

-.7

T rade—wholesale and retail:
D epartm en t stores. _______________
W holesale d ry goods......................I ____
Wholesale g r o c e r i e s ............................
M ail-order h ouses.____ _______

+ 5 .2
- 3 .2
- 1 .2
+11.3

+20.3
-8 . 6
-1 5 . 1
+10.5

+14.3
-6 . 1
-5 . 2
+ 9 .7

+ 5.4
- 5 .6
+ 1.3
+ 8 .0

+ 8 .5

+11. 8

+ 9 .5

+ 6 .6

+ .1
+. 8
- 1 .4
+ 1.1

+ 6 .8
+ .5
-1 . 9
-1 1 .8

+ 1 .0
+ .6
- 1 .0
+ .9

- 1 .0
—1.1
+ .9
+ .7

-. 2

+ .5

T o ta l.
C lothing, m illinery, laundering:
M en ’s clothing__________________
M en ’s shirts a n d furnishings_____
Overalls and w ork clothing______
M en ’s hats a n d caps______ _____ _
W om en’s clothing......... .....................
W om en’s underw ear.............. ..........
W om en’s h a ts _______ ______ ____
L aundering, cleaning, and dyeing.
T o ta l.
Food, beverages, and tobacco:
Flour, feed, and other cereal p ro d u cts............
F ru it and vegetable canning and preserving.
Miscellaneous groceries________ _________ _
Slaughtering and m eat p a c k in g .. . . I I I I " I I I
D airy p ro d u cts. . . . . _________ ____ ______ _
B read and other bakery p ro d u c ts ...................
Confectionery.............................. ^ ..................
Beverages..................... ................ I . . . I I I I I I I I '"
Cigars and other tobacco products'.'I’l l I III "
M anufactured ice_____ ____ ________
Ice cream ...................._
Total _

T o ta l.
Public utilities:
W ater, lig h t, and p o w er..
T elephone_____________
Street ra ilw a y s..................
R ailw ay car repair shops.
Total __

- 2 .0

+ .2

-.2

+9. 2

+ 9 .2

+ 7.0

-1 0 .2
-5 3 . 5
-6 . 4

-1 0 .2
-5 3 .5
- 6 .4

-1 4 .7

T o ta l.......................................

—11. 2

+11. 2

G rand total, all industries.

-.5

Coal m in in g .
B uilding and contracting:
B uilding construction........
R oad co n stru ctio n .............
M iscellaneous contracting.


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

-.1

-.5

+ 2

-.4

113

VO LU M E OF E M PL O Y M E N T — IOW A

Iowa

*“F H E Bureau of Labor of Iowa, in its publication, the Iowa Ern* ploym ent Survey, for January, 1927, gives the following statistics
showing the per cent of change in the num ber of employees in speci­
fied industries in th a t S tate in January, 1927, as compared with the
previous m o n th :
CHANGES

IN

VOLUM E

OP

E M P L O Y M E N T IN
JA N U A R Y , 1927

IO W A , D E C E M B E R ,

1926, TO

Em ployees on p ay roll
January, 1927
N um ber of
firms re­
porting

Industry

N um ber

Food and k in d red products:
M eat packing..........................................................
Cereals__________________________________
F lo u r________ ____ ____ ________ __________
B akery p ro d u c ts .________________________
Confectionery............ ................ ......................... .
P o u ltry , produce, b u tte r, e tc ______________
Sugar, starch, siru p , glucose, e tc ___________
O ther food products, coffee, e tc .........................
T o ta l.....................................................................
Textiles:
C lothing, m en’s . . ____ _____ ______________
M illinery______________________ _________
Clothing, w om en’s, and woolen goods______
Hosiery, aw nings, etc..........................................
B u tto n s, p e a r l......................................................
T o tal........ .............................................................

0

Iron and steel works:
F o u n d ry and m achine sh o p s.............................
Brass, bronze products, plum bers’ su p p lies..
Autos, tractors, and engines......... ....... ............
F u rn aces________________ _____ __________
P u m p s ______________ ____________________
A gricultural im plem ents....................................
W ashing m achines........... ....................................
T o t a l . .. ..................... .................... ....................
L um b er products:
M illw ork, interiors, e tc ____ _____ _________
F u rn itu re , desks, e tc ............................................
R efrig erato rs............. ............................... ............
Coffins, u n d ertak ers’ supplies_____________
Carriages, wagons, tru c k bodies_____ ______
T o ta l...................................................................
L eather products:
Shoes___ . . . ...........................................................
Saddlery and harness.......... ................................
F u r goods and ta n n in g ____________________
Gloves and m itten s________ _____ _____ ___
T o ta l._____________________ _____ ______
P aper products, p rinting and publishing:
Paper p ro d u cts_____________ ____ ______ _
P rin tin g a n d p u b lish in g......................................
T o ta l.____________ ______________ ______
P a te n t medicines, chem icals, and com pounds___
Stone and clay products:
Cem ent, plaster, gy p su m _______ _________
B rick a n d tile ...................... ..................................
M arble an d granite, crushed rock, a n d stone.
T o tal................................................... ..................
Tobacco and cigars............................. .........................
R ailw ay car shops..................... ..................................


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

[583]

Per cent of
change, as
compared
w ith
December,
1926

8

7,701

+ 4 .9

3
8
5
8
5
8
45

98
800
305
916
1, 514
269
11, 603

.0
-1 .4
-15.5
-2 4 .7
-2 3 .6
- 4 .3
- 4 .0

9
2
3
5
7
26

803
137
486
670
554
2, 650

-1 5 .8
+ 4 .6
+ .6
—1.2
-1 9 .5
- 7 .3

25
5
7
5
4
9
6
61

1, 645
283
2,398
265
374
864
2, 238
8,067

- 5 .1
- 8 .1
+ 2.1
+ 1 .5
-1 .3
+ 1 .6
+ 3 .8
+ .4

18
7
3
3
6
37

2, 940
754
174
100
106
4,074

-1 1 .8
-3 .3
+17.6
+ 2 .0
-4 . 5
- 9 .2

3
5
5
3
16

360
249
122
306
1,037

+ 3 .2
+ 9 .2
- 4 .7
- 2 .6
+ 1 .8

5
15
20
7

344
2,320
2,664
367

-.9
+ 1 .7
+ 1 .8
-1 1 .0

8
13
3
24
3
6

1,354
567
68
1,989
281
7,661

-1 4 .4
-3 6 .6
-2 6 .9
+22.6
- 3 .4
- 6 .9

114

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

C H A N G E S IN V O L U M E O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN IO W A , D E C E M B E R , 1926, TO JA N U A R Y
1927—C ontinued
’
Em ployees on p a y roll
January, 1927
N um ber of
firms re­
porting

In d u stry

N um ber

Various industries:
A uto tires and tu b e s...........
B room s a n d b ru s h e s ....................
L a u n d rie s ........... .........................
M e rc a n tile ............................
Public service______ _______
Seeds_______________ _______
“Wholesale h o u ses.................... ...........
Comm ission houses. . . .
O ther in d u stries...... ...................
T o tal____________

5
5
6
3
3
21
7
12
62

158
230
2.129
3,812
521
1.129
169
2,546
i 8, 694

G rand to ta l—.......................

307

149, 087

Per cent of
change, as
com pared
w ith
December,
1926

“j-±. Qy
.0
13 7

- 1 -1

— 1.1
_ j_ ll

g

— a

a

8
.0
q

Ms not th e exact sum of th e item s, h u t is as p rin ted in th e report.

M a r y la n d

T ^H E commissioner of labor and statistics of M aryland furnished the
following report on volume of em ploym ent in M aryland from
December, 1928, to January, 1927, covering 37,882 employees and a
pay roll totaling $>879,888:
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN M A R Y L A N D IN
%
JA N U A R Y , 1927

In d u stry

B akery______________
Beverages and soft d rin k s. .
Boots and shoes________
Boxes, paper and fancy_____._
Boxes, w ooden..........................
Brass and bronze_______
Brick, tile, e tc ____________
Brushes .........................
C h em icals..____ _________
Clothing, m en ’s outer g arm en ts____
Clothing, w om en’s outer garm ents
C onfectionery.......................
C otton go o d s......................
F ertilizer........ ... .............. .
Food prep aratio n_______
F o u n d ry __________
Furnishing goods, m en ’s . .
F u rn itu re ____________
Glass m anufacture_____
Ice c re a m ........... .......
Leather goods_________
L ithographing___________
L um ber a n d p lan in g ____________
M attresses a n d spring b e d s ...
Pianos_________
Plum bers’ supplies....................
P rin tin g ...... ..................
R ubber-tire m an u factu re____
Shipbuilding _______
Shirt m a n u fa c tu re ...
Stam ping an d enam eling ware ...
T in w a re ...............
Tobacco_____
U m brellas.......... .............
M iscellaneous......................


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

E m ploym ent
Pay
E sta b ­
Per cent
lish­
N u m b er of change
m ents
of em­
as com­ A m ount,
report­ ployees in pared
January,
ing both January, w ith D e­
1927
m onths
1927
cember,
1926
1i 7
3177
4, 756
i -*-• •
3
g
131
3, 396
g
24, 395
g
4 Q
375
4, 784
4
Q ft
3,828
4
58, 973
4
ft
7
523
14, 964
5
11,938
5
763
11 7
18,167
5
3,486
+3! 5
74, 737
5
798
+ 5 .2
10, 625
5
717
10, 2oS
5
.0
37, 381
5
494
0. 1
11,114
4
9 fi
147
3, 540
9
1,088
T<J. 0
27, 400
5
743
- 5.0
9, 525
10
20, 325
4
1,188
- 6 .7
ft 9
3
154
4,900
5
1
651
12, 533
4
-4- 1
538
-f-.
15, 793
8
515
-5 .6
11, 982
3
72
-1 3 .3
1,902
3
-4969
28, 888
w . 7*
4
1,375
- 9 .4
g
- .1
39,162
1
2,546
-5 .9
100, 212
3
560
-1 8 .5
17, 284
4
595
+ 1 .8
7,900
5
1,103
-9 .4
21, 876
4
4l- • R
2,741
59, 264
O
7
913
15,176
3
328
-32. 6
5,041
20
4, 995
- 3 .0
112, 613

[584]

roll
Per cent
of change
as com­
pared
w ith De­
cember,
1926
+ 0 .3
- 3 .2
+ 8 .4
—13.6
+ 2 .1
- 6 .5
-5 .3
- 12.0
-1 0 .4
+10.5
+10. 3
- 12 .6
-- . 1
-7 .4
5. 5
+ 5 .4
— 13. 9

-1 0 .0
-2 .6
+ 2 .7
+■ 6
-9 .7

6. 3
0

2d. 0

-1 3 .3
+ .9

-3 .0
- 4 .8

115

V O LU M E OF E M PL O Y M E N T — M A SSA C H U SE TT S

Massachusetts

HPHE following changes in volume of employment in various indus­
tries in M assachusetts from Novem ber to December, 1926, are
taken from a press release issued by the departm ent of labor and
industries of th a t S ta te :
N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S IN 1,060 M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN M ASSA­
C H U S E T T S , W E E K E N D IN G N E A R E S T TO N O V E M B E R 15 A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1926
N um ber of wage earners em ployed
N u m b er
of estab­
lish­
m ents
N ovem ­
reporting ber, 1926

In d u stry

A utom obiles, including bodies and p a rts ....................
B ookbinding....................................... ..............................
B oot and shoe c u t stock and findings________ ____
Boots a n d sh o e s................................................................
Boxes, p ap er___ _____________ ______ _______ ____
Boxes, wooden packing........ .......... . . . ..........................
B read a n d other b akery p ro d u c ts ........................ ........
C arpets a n d ru g s_______„____ _____ _____ _____ ___
C ars a n d general shop construction and repairs,
steam railroads............................................................ .
C lothing, m en’s . . __________ ________ ____________
C lothing, w om en’s_____________________ _______
C onfectionery......................................................................
Copper, tin , sheet iron, e tc ......................... ......................
C otton goods........................................ ................................
C utlery an d to o ls...................... ................. ................ . . . .
D yeing an d finishing textiles...........................................
Electrical m achinery, ap p aratu s, a n d supplies_____
F ou n d ry pro d u cts_________ _____ _____ __________
F u rn itu re _____________________ _____ ____________
Gas a nd b y -p ro d u cts.____ _____ _______ __________
H osiery an d k n it goods_________ _____ ________ ___
J e w e lry .................. ......................... ....................................
L eather, ta n n e d , curried, a n d finished........................
M achine-shop products____________ ______________
M achine a n d other tools_____________ _____ _______
M usical in stru m en ts............... ................................... ........
P aper an d wood p u lp ........................... ............................
P rin tin g an d publishing, book a n d jo b . .. ____ ______
P rin tin g an d publishing, n e w s p a p e r............................
R ubber footw ear.............. ...................................................
R u b b er goods.................. ....................... .............................
Silk goods____________ _______ _____ ______ _______
Slaughtering a n d m eat packing.......... ............................
Stationery goods.......... .......................................................
Steam fittings an d steam a n d hot-w ater heating
a p p a r a tu s ..___________________________________
Stoves and stove lin in g s................. ..................................
Textile m achinery a n d p a rts.............................................
Tobacco.................................................. ...............................
Woolen and worsted goods........................ .......................
All other industries........................... ..................................
T otal, all industries...................................................


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

[585]

D ecember, 1926
Full
tim e

P a rt
tim e

T otal

17
15
45
91
27
13
51
5

2,562
966
2,460
26,192
2,404
1,099
4, 336
3, 516

1,029
618
1,407
8,359
1,375
809
3, 786
1,739

1,030
343
933
15, 871
938
221
466
1,829

2,059
961
2,340
24,230
2,313
1,030
4,252
3, 568

4
30
34
18
16
56
20
10
16
27
38
13
12
35
33
45
26
13
26
51
18
3
7
10
5
12

2,927
4,0941,660
4,361
540
40, 933
2,081
6, 670
11, 387
2,932
4, 226
1,244
5,138
2,503
6,682
7, 992
2, 740
1,323
6,629
3,932
2, 453
9,403
3,127
4,113
1,536
2,068

2,266
3,373
1,110
3, 534
514
28, 354
1,773
1,480
10, 704
1,894
3, 890
1,270
3,337
1,726
4, 870
7,180
1,935
1,111
4. 554
2,905
2,451
9,458
3,124
1,499
319
2,002

663
837
415
410

2,929
4,210
1,525
3,944
514
42,485
2,097
6,663
10,769
2,929
4,134
1,270
5,082
2,452
6,552
7,867
2, 719
1,310
6,635
3,990
2,460
9,458
3,124
4,182
1,656
2,002

9
6
13
5
60
126

1, 764
1,756
4,282
868
21,014
29, 951

1,730
80
594
832
8, 324
18,336

49
1,615
3, 745
14
12, 322
11, 402

1,779
1,695
4,339
846
20, 646
29,738

1,060

245, 864

155, 651

87,103

242, 754

14,131
324
5,183
65
1,035
244
1,745
726
1, 682
687
784
199
2,081
1,085
9
2,683
1,337

116

M O N T H L Y LABOE E E V IE W

New York
New York S tate D epartm ent of Labor has furnished the fol­
T H Elowing
tabulation of changes in em ploym ent and pay rolls in
New York State factories in December, 1926. The table is based
on returns from a fixed list of approxim ately 1,650 factories, whose
weekly pay roll for th e middle week of December was $14,583,781.
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L S IN N E W Y O R K S T A T E F A C T O R IE S
F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1926, T O D E C E M B E R , 1926
Per cent of change
N ovem ber to Decem­
ber, 1926

In d u s try

E m ploy­
m ent

P a y roll

D ecember, 1925, to
D ecember, 1926
E m ploy­
m ent

P a y roll

Stone, clay, a n d glass:
M iscellaneous stone and m inerals _ ___________
T,i mo ppm ant, an d p laster.
_ _______________
He/ment
_______________________
______________________
Brick, file, and po ttery
B rick
_ _______________________________
P o tte ry ___ _________________________________
Glass___ "................. - ............................. - .................... ---

- 2 .1
- 8 .0
- 8 .3
- 5 .6
-1 4 .7
+ 3.6
+ 2 .8

- 2 .7
-1 1 .8
-1 0 .9
- 3 .9
-1 4 .4
+ 6 .3
+ 4 .2

-3 ,2
- 2 .1
-5 .0
-4 .2
- 7 .2
+ .4
- 2 .1

-0 .9
- 5 .1
-5 .6
—2.1
-5 .7
+ 3 .8
-1 .0

T o ta l________________ ______________ ____ ____

-3 .6

- 4 .1

- 2 .9

-2 .3

M etals and m achinery:
Silver and jew elry
______________________
Brass copper, and alum inum __ _______________
Tron and steel
___________________________
Structural and architectural iro n _________________
Sheet metal and hardw are
___ i ____________
H ardw are
____ ____________
Stam ped an d enam eled w are--------- ------------Firearm s, tools, and cu tle ry _____________________
___________________
C u tlery and tools
Cooking heating and vp.ntila.ting apparatus
Steam and h o t w ater heatin g____________ ____
Stoves
_ ____________________
M achinery in e lid in g electrical a p p aratu s________
Agri cii 1tn ral i m nl cm ent,s
______________
■Electrical m achinery and ap p aratu s__________
Foundries and m achine shops_________ ____ -Automobiles carriages, and airplanes____________
Automobiles a n d p arts ____________________
"Railroad equ ip m en t and repair _________________
Foenmotives and ecjnipment
_ _________
R ailw ay repair shops ______________________
B oat and ship building_ ______________
______________ ____
Tnstrnm ents and appliances

- 2 .3
+ .6
- 6 .7
- 1 .0
-2 .6
+ 3 .6
- 6 .4
+ 2 .3
+ 5 .0
- 9 .7
-9 .6
-1 2 .3
- 2 .3
+ 6 .1
- 4 .8
-.7
- 3 .1
-3 .0
+ 6 .4
+20.1
-.6
+ 8 .6
+ 2 .4

- 3 .3
+ 1 .6
- 8 .1
-2 .9
+12.4
- 4 .1
+ 1 .8
+ 2 .4
-2 0 .1
-2 0 .8
-1 2 .6
- .8
+ 9 .1
-1 .7
- 1 .3
-1 .8
-1 .9
+ 6 .8
+'23.0
-1 .0
+29.3
+ 3 .7

-6 .3
- 6 .1
-9 .2
- 5 .6
- 3 .2
-1 3 .0
-1 6 .8
+22.1
+ 6 .2
-2 7 .6
-2 8 .6
-1 0 .6
- 6 .6
- 5 .9
-1 0 .6
- .8
-1 5 .3
-1 6 .3
+ 4 .8
+15.0
0)
+12.0
+ 5. 2

-9 .0
-6 .2
-1 1 .9
-2 .9
- 3 .1
-1 1 .7
-1 6 .2
+21.0
+ 4 .9
-3 4 .1
-3 5 .6
-1 1 .6
-8 .4
-6 .3
-1 1 .0
-4 .9
-1 5 .6
—16.6
+ 7 .4
+17. 6
+ 2 .1
+39.4
+ 9 .2

T o ta l.................. ............................................................. -

-.6

+• 3

-4 .6

- 4 .7

W ood m anufactures:
Saw and planing mills
_ _________________
Mill work
____________________
Sawmills
__________________________
F u rn itu re and cabinet work _
______ ________
F u rn itu re
___ _______ __ __________
and other musical in s tru m e n ts ___________
M iscellaneous wood, etc---------------------------- --------

-1 .6
- 2 .4
+ 3 .6
+ .1
+ .4
-.6
- .1

- 1 .4
-.9
+ 3 .8
+ 1 .3
+ 1 .6
-1 .7
+ 1 .0

-3.1.
-4 .9
+ 2 .4
-2 .6
-1 .4
-.6
-.9

+ 4 .6
+ 6 .4
+ 3 .4
-4 .0
-4 .6
- 2 .4
-.2

T o ta l................ .................. ..............................................

- .4

- .1

-1 .8

-1 .3

F u rs, leather, a n d ru b b er goods:
F eather
___ _______________________________
Furs and fur goods
______________ - _______
Shoes
___________________________
O ther leather and canvas goods
_________
R u b b er and g u tta p erch a___________- ___________
Pearl, horn, bone, e tc ......................................................

+ 7 .2
- 8 .0
+ .4
-2 .0
- 3 .5
-5 .6

+16.8
-1 6 .2
+ 3 .3
- 6 .7
- 7 .3
- 6 .3

+ 8 .8
-.9
-4 .6
-3 .4
-1 0 .8
-1 1 .8

+19.3
—2.0
-.8
+ 3 .7
-7 .2
-1 3 .6

T o ta l....... .........................................................................

-.6

-.3

-4 .6

- .8


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

[58G]

VO LU M E OE E M PL O Y M E N T — N E W YORK

117

C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN N E W Y O R K S T A T E F\C T O R T F<4
F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1926, T O D E O E M B E B ,'i^ S - C o S in u id
Per cent of change
N ovem ber to Decem­
ber, 1926

In d u s try

E m ploy­
m ent
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.:
D rugs and chem icals___
P ain ts and colors___. . . .
Oil p ro d u cts....... ....... .......
Petroleum re fin in g ,.
M iscellaneous chemicals.

+ 8 .7
- 5 .9
+• 9
- 4 .9
+ 9 .2

+14.6
- 3 .1
+ 2 .5
-3 .8
+11.4

-.3

+ 1 .4

+ 4 .4

+ 7 .3

- .7

- 1 .6

-2 .0

- 2 .3

- .6
.2
- 1 .3
-. 1

- 1 .2
+ 4 .2
+ 2 .2
+ 2 .9
+ 1 .9

+ 2 .3
- 1 .1
+ 1 .5
-5 .6
-3 .0

+ 2 .0
-2 .2
+ 3 .8
+ .2
+ 4 .3

-.2

+ 2 .2

+ 1 .2

+ 3 .0

+ .4
+ .5
+• 2
+ 3 .0
-.5
- 4 .3
-.5
+ .1

-.1
+ .4
+ .5
+1. 5
-.9
- 9 .7
0)
+ 2 .7

-2 0 .5
+ 1 .9
-1 1 .4
+ 1.4
-1 5 .6
- 5 .1
- 3 .9

-1 9 .6
+ 8 .4
+11.4
-6 .0
+ 0 .7
-1 8 .5
-2 .8
- 1 .9

(>)

T o ta l....... ............................

P a y ro ll

+ 1.3
+ 1 .0
+ 1 .2
- .4
+ 1 .8

T o t a l . . ...........................

Textiles:
Silk and silk goods..............
Wool m a n u fa c tu re s........... .
C arpets and rugs...........
Woolens and w orsteds.
C otton g o o d s............. .........
K n it goods (except silk)___
O ther textiles.......................
D yeing and finishing...

E m ploy­
m ent

+ 0 .4
-.5
- 1 .6
- 2 .6
+ .9

P aper...... ..................... ................
P rin tin g and paper goods:
Paper boxes and tu b e s____
M iscellaneous paper goods.
P rin tin g and bookm aking,
P rinting, new spapers..
Printing, book and job.

P a y ro ll

D ecember, 1925, to
December, 1926

T o ta l...................................

- 1 .0

- 1 .9

-7 .8

- 4 .0

Clothing and millinery:
M en ’s clothing...... ..............
M ens’ fu rn ish in g s...............
Shirts and collars........
W om en’s clothing.................
W om en’s u n d e rw e a r...........
W om en’s headw ear..............
M iscellaneous sew in g .____
Laundering and clean in g ...

- 1 .1
- 3 .2
-2 .2
+12.9
- 2 .7
- 5 .6
- 2 .6
+ 1.1

+ 8 .6
- 7 .1
- 6 .1
+17.7
- 7 .4
- 8 .3
- 2 .1
+ .7

- 1 .8
-1 5 .3
-1 5 .8
- 3 .3
- 1 .1
-.7
- 5 .7
+ 3 .6

~K 4
-1 9 .1
-2 3 .5
-1 .2
-5 .2
+ 8 .9
- 5 .9

T o ta l.....................................

+ .6

+ 4 .5

- 5 .0

- 3 .6

- 3 .3
- 5 .4
-4 7 .7
- 6 .2
-8 .7

- 3 .1
- 4 .1
-3 5 .8
- 8 .3
-1 0 .7
+ .6
+ .6
- 2 .4
-.2
- 6 .2
- 3 .7

- 5 .8
-1 2 .6
-1 4 .8
-1 3 .7
-2 1 .3

- 6 .8
-1 1 .8
-1 2 .3
-1 3 .7
-2 0 .7
-4 .8
- 5 .3
-1 .0
+ 1 .7
+ 2 .6
-2 8 .2

Food and tobacco:
Flour, feed, and cereals___
F lo u r..................... ..........
C anning and preserving___
O ther groceries...... ................
Sugar refining. ................
M eat and dairy p ro d u c ts...
M eat packing...... ...........
B akery p ro d u cts...................
C an d y ...... ...............................
Beverages................................
Tobacco...................................

+ .4

+ .7
- 1 .2
- 6 .6
- 5 .7
- 3 .1

-4 .4

- 5 .6
- 2 .2
+• 6
- 2 .9
-2 8 .3

+4.4

T o ta l....................................

- 5 .7

- 4 .7

-8 .8

- 7 .6

W ater, light, and p o w e r...........

+ 1 .8

+ 2 .0

+ 4.4

+ 6 .2

G rand t o t a l . . . ....................

- 1 .0

+ .2

- 4 .1

-2 .7 '

1N ot reported.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[587]

118

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

O k la h o m a

'"THE January 15, 1927, issue of the Oklahoma Labor M arket,
A published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of Oklahoma,
shows the changes in employment and pay rolls in 710 establishments
in th a t State from November to December, 1926, as follows:
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN 710 IN D U S T R IA L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
IN O K L A H O M A , N O V E M B E R TO D E C E M B E R , 1926
December, 1926
E m ploym ent
N um ber
of
plants
reporting

In d u stry

Cottonseed-oil mills........... .............................................Food production:
Bakeries_________ _______ ____________ _____
C onfections.-_____ __________ _______ _____
Creameries and d a irie s ............................ ..............
Flour m ills .____________________ ___________
Ice and ice cream . . __________ ________
M eat and p o u ltr y .......................... ........................
Lead and zinc:
Alines and m ills .......................................... ...........
Sm elters...................... ................................................
M etals and m achinery:
A uto repairs, etc . _ . . ................................... .
M achine shops and foundries.. -----------------T a n k construction and erection
...............
Oil in d u stry :
Producing and gasoline m an u factu rin g .. -----Refineries--------- -------- --------- ----------------------P rinting: Job w o rk---------------------- -------------------Public utilities:
Steam-railroad shops........... .................. ..................
Street railw ays---------------- ------------- ------------W ater, light, and pow er.________ ___________
Stone, clay, and glass:
B rick a n d tile . ..................... ..............................
C em ent and p la s te r ________________________
C rushed stone _______________ ____________
Glass m anufacture-------- -------- ...........................
Textiles a n d cleaning:
Textile m anufacture........ .................... ....................
Laundries and c le a n in g ...... ...............................
W oodwork:
Sawmills -------------- ---------------------------------M illwork, etc............. ................ ............... ..............
T otal, all in d u strie s.............................................

N um ber
of em ­
ployees

Per cent
of change
as com­
pared
w ith
N ovem ­
ber, 1926

P a y roll

A m ount

Per cent
of change
as com­
pared
w ith
N ovem ­
ber, 1926

13

407

- 1 .0

$8,158. 59

+ 1 .3

35
7
11
44
33
14

579
89
145
377
327
1, 530

+ .5
- 7 .3
-1 4 .2
- 4 .3
-1 1 . 1
-1 .3

15, 004. 50
1, 218. 70
2, 689. 35
9, 033. 49
8, 989. 93
36,401. 31

+• 4
-1 3 .3
-1 5 .1
+ 1 .1
-8 .8
-4 .6

46
17

3, 372
2,274

- 3 .0
+ 6.1

98, 942. 56
64, 696. 46

- 2 .1
+ 5 .8

29
38
16

1,157
1,115
778

+ 3 .2
-.3
- 9 .3

39, 523. 67
32, 783. 72
20, 002. 43

+ 8 .7
+10.3
-1 0 .4

123
66
24

4, 283
6,072
264

+ 1 .4
+ .7
- 1 .9

131,135. 00
204, 883.85
8,058. 34

+ 1 .0
+ 1 .6
+ 2 .3

11
6
50

1,803
676
1,196

+ .3
-.9
- 6 .0

52, 317. 84
17,319. 89
32,973. 90

+ .4
-2 .8
- 4 .1

11
6
6
9

292
891
241
980

-1 4 . 1
-1 1 .9
+11.1
- 6 .8

6,125. 99
24, 538. 49
3, 908. 35
26,322. 29

-1 1 .5
- 6 .1
-4 .5
-3 .5

9
52

324
1, 359

-2 1 .4
- 1 .1

3, 980.85
24, 460. 24

-2 8 .1
- .3

14
20

405
328

-1 2 .1
-.6

4, 855. 97
8, 802. 51

-1 2 .2
-.4

710

31, 264

- 1 .5

887,128. 22

- 0 .0

Wisconsin

rT !H E Wisconsin Labor M arket for January, 1927, issued by the
^ State industrial commission, contains the following d a ta on
volume of em ploym ent in Wisconsin industries in December, 1926:


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

[588]

119

V O LU M E O F E M PL O Y M E N T ---- W ISC O N SIN

P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN N U M B E R OF E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T OF
R ° L L IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN W IS C O N S IN IN D U S T R IE S F R O M
D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1926, TO D E C E M B E R , 1926
Per cent o change—
N ovem ber to Decem­
ber, 1926

In d u s try

E m ploy­
m ent

P a y roll

December, 1925, to D e­
cember, 1926
E m ploy­
m ent

P ay roll

M anual

A griculture- ....... ..................................
L o g g in g ,,-_______________________________
M in in g . ............ ....................
Lead a n d z in c ............ ................ _
Iron_________________
Stone crushing a n d q u arry in g ____________
M anufacturing - _____________ _
Stone a n d allied in d u stries____ _________
Brick, tile, and cem ent blocks_____________
Stone finishing_______________
M e t a l ____________ ; _________ . .
Pig-iron and rolling-mill products- __________
S tru ctu ral-iro n w o rk . . .
Foundries a n d m achine shops _ - R ailroad rep air shops ________
Stoves________________________________
A lum inum a n d enam el w are _______________
M achinery___________________ . . . .
A utom obiles ____________________
O ther m etal products- ___________ .
W o o d ______ ______
Sawmills an d planing m ills_______ .
Box factories_________________
Panel and veneer m ills_______ .F u rn itu re _____________
...
Sash, door, and interior finish
__ ...................
O ther wood products____ _________ ________
R u b b er________________
___
L eather ________________________
T a n n in g _____________________
Boots and shoes______________ O ther leath er pro d u cts____________________
P a p e r ___
Paper and p u lp m ills ...____________
Paper boxes.. _____ ___________ ____
O ther paper p r o d u c t s ________ . . .
Textiles_________________________________
H osiery and other k n it goods_______
___ _
C lo th in g .___ ________________ ____
O ther textile p ro d u cts. _ ____________ ____
Foods______ ______________________
M eat packing_____________________
Baking and confectionery ___________________
-M ilk p ro d u cts______ _____ ___________
C anning and preserving_____ _________
F lour m ills_______________________________ _
Tobacco m anufacturing_____ _____________
O ther food products_______________________
L ight and pow er________________________
P rin tin g and publishing___________________
L aundering, cleaning, and dyeing________ .
Chem ical (including soap, glue, and explosives)___
Construction:
B u ild in g .......... .....................................
H ighw ay............. .............................................
R ailro ad __________________________
M arine, dredging, sewer digging. _______________
C om m uni cation :
Steam ra ilw a y s.._______ ____________
E lectric railw ays_______________________
Express, telephone, and telegraph__________ _
W holesale tra d e ________ _______________ _
H otels a n d restau ran ts_____________________

+ 4 .0
-3 .8
-3 .7
- 4 .1
-1 0 .7
- 2 .3
- 8 .6
-2 4 .6
-1 .0
- 3 .8
-2 0 . 3
-.3
+ .8
-.9
- 3 .9
-.5
+ 3 .8
-1 9 .7
-1 .7
- 3 .3
- 2 .1
- 9 .3
-2 .5
+ 1 .8
-4 .0
- 9 .5
+ 1 .3
- .1
.0
-.7
+. 6
- 3 .6
- 3 .3
- 7 .2
- 1 .7
+ 4 .3
4-1. o
+10.3
+ 4 .8
- 2 .7
+ .7
- 3 .8
+ 4 .8
-2 6 . 7
-2 5 .0
+21.9
- 2 .5
-.6
-1 .0
-.9
-2 .0

-2 .6
-.9
- 6 .1
-8 .0
-3 .2
-1 6 . 5
-3 8 .5
-8 .8
-7 .0
-2 4 .0
-.8
+ 2 .3
- 3 .3
-1 5 .6
- 2 .1
+11.9
-4 9 .9
- 8 .0
-1 .7
- 4 .2
-1 2 . 1
+ 3 .4
+ 2 .9
-. 7
- 6 .9
+10.6
-1 .4
+ .3
-2 .6
-1 .6
-2 .7
- 1 .8
-8 .0
-3 .2
+ 5 .4
-2 . 5
+19.2
+8. 7
-3 . 5
- 5 .2
- 2 .9
+15.0
-2 1 .3
+ 4 .6
+ 9 .4
-1 2 . 8
-1 .8
+. 6
-2 .8
-7 .7

-2 0 .8
—42. 2
-1 9 .3
-3 1 .6

-1 7 . 3
-2 1 .8

-1 3 .8

+26 6
1?, 5
- 4 .8
-1 1 .8
+17.5
- 1 .1
- 5 .9
+10.0
+ 1 .4
+13.6
-1 0 .1
-3 9 .1
+• 3
-1 0 .9
-.2
-1 3 .6
-2 .9
-20. 5
-7 .9
+ 4 .8
- 6 .4
-1 4 .2
+11.7
-1 .9
- 3 .4
-6 .5
-.5
- 4 .3
- 6 .3
-2 8 .4
+10. 5
+ 7 .0
+ 2 .9
+ 5 .8
- 3 .1
- 4 .1
-1 .4
-2 .7
+ .4
-.6
-8 .9
-2 7 .3
- 2 .1
+ 2.2
-3 4 .2
-3 8 .0
+28.7
+2.1
+11.7
+ 1 .7
-.8
-1 2 .9
-2 2 .2
—25 4
-.5
-6 3 .1

—0.2
-5 .0
+12.3
—16.3
—10.3
—1.8
—19.4
+ 3 .5
-1 9 .4
—39.8
+ 1 .8
-1 5 .9
+ 1 .1
-2 6 .7
—6.8
—20.5
—51.3
—14.0
—5.9
—13.2
+ 8 .9
—1.9
—3.6
—3.3
—5.0
-1 3 .1
—12.0
—33.0
+ 9 .6
-1 .2
—1.7
—, 4
—1.0
—8.4
+4. 5
+ 4 .4
+ 7 .2
- 1 .1
—7.6
-2 1 .0
—.8
+ .3
—38.7
—32.1
+ 5 .3
+ 3 .4
+14.6
—2.1
+ .7
—11.3
-2 0 .5
+ 5 .5
-5 6 .0

- 7 .9
+ 5 .5
+ 1 .8
-3 .7
—2. 9

-9 .7
-.7
-.7
-1 0 .6

+ 5 .7
+10.9
- 1 .5
+10.9
+10.9

-1 0 .1
+ 3 .6
—2.6
+11.9

+ .5
-1 .4
-2 .7
- 4 .2
+20.1
+ 2 .3
—2.1

-.3
-3 .5
-4 .3
-4 .8
+17.0
-4 .9

+ 6 .4
-2 . 7
+ .3
-1 4 .7
+ 8 .6

+ 4 .7
+ 4
+ 4 .8
—22.6
+ .5
+25.1

N onm anual

M anufacturing, mines, and q u a r r i e s .. ________
C o n stru ctio n ... _____________________
C om m unication____________________ ______
W holesale trad e____________ ____ ___ _
R etail trade (sales force on ly ). _____ .._________
M iscellaneous professional services. .........................
H otels an d restau ran ts............................................


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[589]

-4 .4

120

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

Activity of Employment Offices in Uruguay, 1920 to 1924
ABLES showing the requests for work in U ruguay and the num ber
of placements reported by the employment section of the
national labor office and the special employment agencies in
M ontevideo are included in the 1924 Statistical Yearbook of U ru­
guay.1 The figures for the five years, 1920 to 1924, have been com­
bined and are presented in the following ta b le :

T

A C T IV IT Y O F E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN U R U G U A Y , 1920 TO 1924
Placem ents

A pplicants
Sex

Age

M ales Females

16
15
years
years and
over

Sex

Age

M ales Females

16
15
years
years and
over

Y ear

1920_______ _____ _________
1921______________________
1922______________________
1923_____________ _______
1924______________________

3, 648
3,626
2, 389
2, 611
3, 328

1,004
1, 789
2, 964
3,202
3,426

66
185
62
71
61

4, 586
5,230
5,291
5, 742
6,693

T otal

4, 652
5, 415
5,353
5, 813
6,754

1,644
2,414
1,839
1,165
1,622

615
1,258
1,529
1,333
1,222

25
108
46
29
43

T otal

2,234
2, 259
3, 564
3, 672
3, 312 ° 3, 358
2,469
2, 498
2,844
2,801

° N o t th e exact sum of th e item s, by sex, b u t as given in th e report.
1 U ruguay. Dirección G eneral de E stad ística.
M ontevideo, 1926, p. 508.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Tom o X X X II, P a rte 6.

[590]

A nnuario Estadístico, 1924.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
R e ta il P ric e s o f F ood in t h e U n ite d S ta te s

r | *HE following tables are compiled from m onthly reports of actual
selling prices 1 received by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
from retail dealers.
Table 1 shows for the U nited States retail prices of food January
15, and December 15, 1926, and Jan u ary 15, 1927, as well as the
percentage changes in the year and in the m onth. F or example, the
retail price per pound of lard was 22.3 cents in January, 1926; 20.4
cents in December, 1926; and 20.0 cents in January, 1927. These
figures show decreases of 10.0 per cent in the year and 2.0 per cent
in the m onth.
^ The cost of the various articles of food combined shows a decrease
of 3.0 per cent January 15, 1927, as compared with January 15,
1926, and a decrease of 1.5 per cent January 15, 1927, as compared
w ith December 15, 1926.
T able 1 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R
C E N T O F IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E JA N U A R Y 15, 1927, C O M P A R E D W IT H D E C E M ­
B E R 15, 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y 15, 1926
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole num bers]

Average retail price onArticle

Sirloin stea k . .
R ound s te a k -_
R ib ro a s t____
C huck ro a st....
P late beef____
Pork cho p s...
Bacon______
H a m .. . ..........
L am b, leg of.
H ens...............

U nit

Pound.

an. 15,
1928

Dec. 15,
1926

Jan. 15,
1927

C ents

C ents

C ents

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

4h 8
35.0
30.0
22,1
14.5

-d o .
-d o .
.d o .
-do.
_do_

3h 5
48.2
53.3
39.1
38.6

--- do-

40.7
35.3
30.2
22.7
14.9

P er cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Jan. 15, 1927,
com pared w ith —
Jan . 15,
1926

Dec. 15,
1926

40.8
35.3
30.3
22.7
15.0

0
+1
+1
+3
+3

+ 0 .2
0
+ 0 .3
0
+1

37.2
49.6
57.1
37.7
37.2

36. 6
48.9
56.8
37.4
38.5

+ 0.3
+1
+7
-4
- 0 .3

-2
-1
-1
-1
+3

Salmon, canned, re d ________________
M ilk, fresh................. ............................... .
M ilk, e vap o rated .................................
B u t t e r .. - ........ ..........................................
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r su b stitu tes).

___ d o _____
Q u a rt...........
15-16 oz. can.
P o u n d _____
----- d o _____

37.3
14.2
11.6
55.4
31.3

34.1
14.2
11.4
59.3
29.6

33. 6
14. 1
11.4
58.4
29.1

-1 0
-1
-2
+5
-7

-1
-1
0
-2
-2

Cheese........ ....... ..................
L a rd _________ _________
Vegetable lard su b stitu te.
Eggs, strictly fresh.............
Eggs, storage.......................

----- d o .
----- d o .
___ d o .
D ozen.
___ d o .

37.6
22.3
25.6
53.9
42.2

37.4
20.4
25.4
65.2
46.9

37.6
20.0
25.3
55.9
45.0

0
-1 0
-1
+4
+7

+1
-2
- 0 .4
-1 4
-4


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

, the bureau publishes the prices of gas and eleed a ta are secured.

[591]

121

122

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T able 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 O F IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E JA N U A R Y 15, 1927, C O M P A R E D W IT H D E C E M ­
B E R 15, 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y 15, 1926—C ontinued

Average retail price on—
Article

U n it
Jan. 15,
1926

Dec. 15,
1926

Jan. 15,
1927

Cents

Cents

Cents

B re a d .. ________________ __________
F lo u r___ ___ ____ __________________
Corn m eal__________________ _______
Rolled oats................. ......................... .......
Corn flakes................................. ................

Pound ___
____d o _____
____d o . ___
____ do ___
8-oz. p k g ___

W heat cereal_____ ______ ___________
M acaroni............................. .......................
R ice..............................................................
Beans, n a v y ................................................
Potatoes..................................................... ..

28-oz. p k g ...
P o u n d _____
____do ___
____do ___
........ d o _____

25.3
20.3
11. 6
9.8
5. 8

Onions_______ ____ ________________
C abbage.................................. ................. .
Beans, baked _____________________
Corn, canned............................. ...............
Peas, canned_______________________

____do ___
____d o ____
N o. 2 can __
____do ___
........ do ___

Tom atoes, c a n n e d ... ______________
Sugar, granulated___________________
T e a .. __________________ ______
Coffee_______________ . . . ________

Jan . 15,
1926

Dec. 15,
1926

9. 4
5. 6
5.1
9.1
10.9

o
—10
—2
0
-1

o
o
o
0
0

25.4
20. 2
11.2
9.3
4.0

25.5
20.1
11.0
9.2
4.0

+1
-1
-5
-6
-3 1

+ 0 .4
- 0 .4
-2
-1
0

5.9
5. 6
12.3
16. 8
17.8

5.0
4.2
11.7
16.2
17.3

5.5
4. 7
11.7
16.1
17.2

-7
-1 6
-5
-4
-3

+10
+12
0
—1
-1

____do ___
P o u n d _____
___ do
____d o _____

12. 6
6. 7
76.1
51.3

12.2
7.3
77.0
50.7

12.2
7. 5
77.4
50.2

-3
+12
+2
-2

0
+3
+1
-1

P runes........ ............................ ................... ____d o ____
R aisin s____________________________ ____do ___
B anan as___________________________ Dozen
__
Oranges_____________ ______________ ........ d o _____

17. 2
14. 5
35. 8
46. 9

16.2
14.4
34. 9
49. 3

16.0
14.4
34. 5
46. 9

-7
-1
-4
0

-1.
0

- 3 .0

- 1 .5

W eighted food index________________

9. 4
6. 2
5.2
9.1
11.0

P er cent of increase
( + ) or decrease
( - ) Jan . 15,1927,
compared w ith—

9. 4
5. 6
5.1
9.1
10.9

-5

Table 2 shows for the U nited States average retail prices of speci­
fied food articles on January 15, 1913, and on January 15 of each
year from 1921 to 1927, together w ith percentage changes in January
of each of these specified years, compared with January, 1913. For
example, the retail price per pound of b u tte r was 40.9 cents in Ja n u ­
ary, 1913; 61 cents in January, 1921; 45.3 cents in January,
1922; 59.1 cents in January, 1923; 61.3 cents in January, 1924;
52.3 cents in January, 1925; 55.4 cents in January, 1926; and
58.4 cents in January, 1927.
As compared with January, 1913, these figures show increases of
49 per cent in January, 1921; 11 per cent in January, 1922; 44
per cent in January, 1923; 50 per cent in January, 1924; 28 per
cent in January, 1925; 35 per cent in January, 1926, and 43 per
cent in January, 1927.
The cost of the various articles of food combined shows an increase
of 62.1 per cent in January, 1927, as compared w ith January, 1913.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[592]

123

RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD

T able 2 —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 »AND P E R
C E N T O F IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E JA N U A R Y 15 OF C E R T A IN S P E C IF I E D Y E A R S
C O M P A R E D W IT H JA N U A R Y 15, 1913
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent a n d over are given in whole numbers]

Average retail price on Jan . 15—
Article

U nit

Per cent of increase N ov. 15 of each
specified year com pared w ith Jan .
15, 1913

1913 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927'
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.

Sirloin steak _______
R ound steak .
R ib roast____ _____
C huck roast...............
P late beef.
P ork chops.................
Bacon ___________
H am - _Lam b, leg of_______
H e n s __________ _

Pound.
___do___
__-do___
. .. d o ___
___do___

23.8 40.5 35.3 37.2 39.1 38.7 40.8 40.8
20.5 36. 3 30.4 31.6 33.3 32. 8 35.0 35.3
18.8 31.0 26.7 27.5 28.6 28.5 30.0 30.3
14.9 23.6 19.0 19.6 20.7 20.5 22.1 22.7
1 1 .1 16.9 12.8 12.9 13.3 13.3 14.5 15.0

70
77
65
58
52

48
48
42
28
15

56
54
46
32
16

64
62
52
39

63
60
52
38

20

20

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

18.7 35.9
25.4 45.7
25.1 48.4
18.0 36.7
20.2 42.7

28.9 29.3 27.4 30.7 36.5 36.6
37. 6 39.8 37.2 40.3 48.2 48.9
44.2 45.1 44.7 47.6 53.3 58.8
33.9 36.3 35.9 38.8 39.1 37.4
36.9 34.5 34.5 35.8 38.6 38.5

92
SO
93
104

55
48
76

57
57
80

88

102

111

83

71

47
46
78
99
71

64
59
90
116
77

83

53

54

60

49

11

44

50

74
45

48

68

00

13

167

34
53

93
103
73

38

Salmon nannfid rprj
39 5 33 3 31 3 31. 2 31. 7 37. 3 33. 6
M ilk, fresh.
____ Q u a rt... 8.9 16.3 13.6 13.7 14. 2 13.9 14.2 14.1
fvTillv Avaporat.fi d
m
14 8 12 4 12 .1 12. 2 1 1 .1 11 .6 11.4
B u tte r____________ P o u n d .. 40.9 61. 0 45.3 59.1 61.3 52.3 55.4 58.4
35.3 28.7 27.8 29.7 30.1 31.3 29.1
b u tte r substitutes)
___do___ 22.2 38.6 32.9 37.3 37.4 35.9 37.6 37.6
Cheese
L a rd ., ___________ . .. d o ___ 15.4 22.3 15.4 17.4 18.7 22.8 22.3 20.0
27.2 21.6 22.3 24.3 25.3 25.6 25.3
---d
o ___
Vegetable la rd substitu te.
D
o
zen
...
37.3
79.1 49.9 55.7 54.6 70.5 53.9 55.9
Eggs, strictly fresh-.
Eggs, storage.............. ---d o ....... 25. 7 68.7 39.3 40.0 38.6 53.7 42.2 45.0
B read_____________ P o u n d .. 5.6 10.8 8.8
F lo u r_____________ .--d o ___ 3.3 6.7 4.9
C om m eal_________ ---d o ___ 3.0 5.2 3.9
10 7 9 2
(2)
C o r n flalrfis
14. 1 10 7
(3)

TVTanaroni
R ic e ..

Pound
. .. d o .......

Potatoes...................... . .. d o .......
do
(4)
(4)
(4)

8.7 8.7 9. 2 9.4
4.9 4.5 6.0 6.2
4.0 4.4 5.4 5.2
8 8 8 8 9 0 9.1
9. 7 9. 7 10. 9 11.0

9.4
5.6
5. 1
9.1
10.9

30. 1 % 6 25 0 24 3 24 5 25. 3 25.5
21. 6 20. 3 19. 8 19. 6 20. 0 20.3 20.1
8.6 11.9 9.3 9.5 9.8 10.7 11 .6 11.0
H 9 S 9 10 9 10 1 10. 2 9. 8 9. 2
1.6 3.0 3.3 2 .1 2.8 2.5 5.8 4.0
4
3
15
17
IK

1 0
7 5
R 13
4 1fi
5 17

1 5
fi 4
5 13
0 15
7 17

71
72
61
52
35

95
90
117
91

96
93
126
108
91

56

60

58

28

35 ,

43

68
21

62
48

69
45

69
30

49
56

46
50

89
109

45
64

50
75

57
48
30

55
48
33

55
36
47

64
82
80

68
88

8

10

14

24

35

28
150

29
43

112

73

88

106

31

75

56

263

67
33
29

7
26
19

43
27
24

76
31
28

40
37
73

16
40
72

68

70
70

l 6 1 5 9 5. 9 5.5
0 4 9 4 6 5 6 4.7
1 12 9 12 5 12. 3 11. 7
3 15 7 17. 5 16. 8 16.1
5 17. 9 18. 5 17.8 17.2

(4')
12 4 13 9 19 7 12 9 13 8 32.6 12.2
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ... P o u n d .. 5.8 9.7 6.2 a 3 10.2 8 .1 6.7 7.5
T e a _________ _____ . .. d o ___ 54.3 72.1 68.3 6S. 7 71.0 74.2 76.1 77.4
Coffee............. ............. .- .d o ___ 29.9 38.5 35.7 37.0 38.2 51.6 51.3 50.2
24 2 13 8 20
32 1 95' 0 18
41 Q3f> fi 87
46! 9 46! 2 46

112

71
71
60
48
31

0 17
O15
1 38
8 40

68

9 17.4 17.2 16.0
9 14 6 14. 5 i4. 4
8 33 2 35. 8 34.5
0 44. 8 46. 9 46. 9
75.4 44.5 46.9 51.7 57.1 67.2 62.1

W eighted foo d index <•

115-16 ounce can.
2 8-ounce package.

8 28-ounce package.
4 N o 2 c&n.

s Beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921, index num bers showing th e tre n d in th e retail cost of food have been
composed of th e articles show n in T ables 1 a n d 2, w eighted according to the consum ption of the average
fa m i l y . F rom Jan u ary , 1913, to D ecember, 1920, th e index num bers included the following articles:
Sirloin steak, ro u n d steak, rib roast, chuck roast, p late beef, pork chop, bacon, ham , lard, hens, flour,
corn meal, eggs, b u tter, m ilk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, and tea.

33892°—27------9


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[593]

124

M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

Table 3 shows the changes in the retail prices of each of 22 articles
of food for which prices have been secured since 1913, as well as the
changes in the am ounts of these articles th a t could be purchased for
one dollar in specified years, 1913 to 1926, and in December 1926,
and January, 1927.
3 —A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF I E D A R T IC L E S O F PO O D A N D
A M O U N T P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1 IN E A C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1928, A N D IN D E C E M B E R ,
1926, A N D J A N U A R Y , 1927

T able

Sirloin steak
Y ear

R ib roast

C huck roast

P la te beef

AverAverAverAverAverage
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1
price
price
price
price
price
C ents
-per lb .

1913- - .............
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923...... ..........
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
D ecem ber-.
1927: J a n u a ry ..

R o u n d steak

L b s.

25.4
43.7
38.8
37. 4
39. 1
39. 6
40. 6
41. 3
40. 7
40.8

3.9
2. 3
2. 6
2. 7
2.6
2. 5
2.5
2.4
2. 5
2. 5

Bacon

C ents
p e r lb.

' CentsL bs.

p e r lb.

4. 5
2. 5
2.9
3. 1
3.0
3.0
2. 9
2. 8
2.8
2.8

22.3
39. 5
34.4
32.3
33.5
33.8
34. 7
35.6
35. 3
35.3

L b s.
5 .1

19.8
33,2
29. 1
27.6
28.4
28.8
29.6
30.3
30.2
30.3

H am

3.0
3.4
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.3
3,3

H ens

Cents
p e r lb.

L bs.

6.3
3.8
4.7
5. 1
5.0
4.8
4.6
4.4
4.4
4.4

16.0
26.2
21.2
19.7
20.2
20.8
21.6
22. 5
22.7
22.7
M ilk

C ents
p e r lb .

L bs.

12.1
18.3
14.3
12.8
12.9
13.2
13.8
14. 6
14.9
15.0

8.3
5. 5
7.0
7.8
7.8
7.6
7.2
6.8
6.7
6.7

B u tte r

Pork chops
Average
A m t.
retail for $1
price
C ents
p e r lb .

L bs.

21.0
42.3
34.9
33.0
30.4
30.8
36.6
39.5
37.2
36.6

4.8
2,4
2. 9
3, 0
3.3
3.2
2.7
2.5
2. 7
2.7

Cheese

i
C ents
p e r lb.

1913..................
1920__________
1921__________
1922._________
1923....................
1924__________
1925._________
1926__________
D ecem ber..
1927: J a n u a ry ..

L bs.

3. 7
1.9
2. 3
2. 5
2.6
2.7
2. 1
2.0
2.0
2.0

27.0
52.3
42. 7
39.8
39. 1
37.7
46. 7
50. 3
49. 6
48.9
L ard
C ents
p e r lb.

1913.....................
1920__________
1921__________
1922_________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
D ecem ber..
1927: J a n u a ry ..

6. 3
3.4
5. 6
5.9
5.6
5.3
4. 3
4.6
4.9
5.0

Potatoes
C ents
p e r lb-.

1913............. ...
1920._________
1921__________
1922__________
1923...... ..............
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
D ecem ber..
1927: J a n u a ry ..

1.7
6.3
3. 1
2.8
2.9
2.7
3. 6
4.9
4. 0
4.0

L bs.

58.8
15.9
32.3
35. 7
34. 5
37. 0
27.8
20.4
25.0
25. 0


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

L bs.

26.9
55. 5
48.8
48.8
45. 5
45.3
52.6
57.4
57.1
56.8

3.7
1.8
2.0
2.0
2.2
2.2
1.9
1.7
1.8
1.8

Eggs

L bs.

15. 8
29. 5
18.0
17. 0
17. 7
19.0
23. 3
21.9
20.4
20. 0

C ents
p e r lb .

C ents
p e r lb.

L bs.

2. 9
1.5
2.0
2.3
2.2
2. 1
1.9
2. 1
1.5
1.8

Sugar

5.5
19.4
8.0
7.3
10. 1
9.2
7. 2
6.9
7.3
7.5

L bs.

21.3
44.7
39. 7
36.0
35.0
35.3
36. ö
38.8
37.2
38.5

4.7
2.2
2.5
2 .8
2.9
2. 8
2.7
2. 6
2.7
2.6

B read

34.5
68. 1
50.9
44.4
46. 5
47.8
52. 1
48. 5
65.2
55.9

C ents
p e r lb .

Cents
p e r lb .

L bs.

18.2
5.2
12. 5
13.7
9. 9
10. 9
13.9
14. 5
13. 7
13. 3

Cents
p e r lb .

17.9
8.7
10. 1
11. 5
11. 5
11.4
10.6
10. 6
10. 6
10.6

Tea
C ents
p e r lb.

[594]

11.2
6.0
6.8
7.6
7.2
7.2
7.1
7. 1
7.0
7.1

Cents
p e r lb.

3.3
8.1
5.8
5. 1
4. 7
4.9
6. 1
6. 0
5.6
5. 6

1.8
1.4
1.4
1.5
1.4
1.4
1.3
1. 3
1.3
1.3

C ents
p e r lb.

29.8
47.0
36. 3
36. 1
37. 7
43. 3
51. 5
51.0
50. 7
50.2

C ents
p e r lb.

38.3
70.1
51.7
47.9
55.4
51.7
54.8
53. 1
69. 3
58.4

L b s.

2.6
1.4
1.9
2.1
1.8
1.9
1.8
1.-9
1.7
1.7

C om meal

L bs.

30. 3
12. 3
17.2
19. 6
21. 3
20. 4
16.4
16. 7
17. 9
17.9

Coffee

L bs.

54. 4
73.3
69. 7
68. 1
69. 5
71. 5
75. 5
76. 7
77.0
77.4

Qt-s.

8.9
16.7
14.6
13.1
13.8
13.8
14.0
14.0
14.2
14.1
F lour

L bs.

5. 6
11.5
9. 9
8. 7
8.7
8.8
9. 4
9.4
9 .4
9.4

Cents
p e r a t.

L bs.

3.4
2. 1
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.3
1.9
2.0
2.0
2.0

C ents
p e r lb.

3.0
6. o
4.5
3.9
4. 1
4.7
5.4
5. 1
5. 1
5. 1

L bs.

33. 3
15. 4
22. 2
25. 6
24. 4
21. 3
18. 5
19. 6
19. 6
19. 6

Cents
p e r lb .

L bs.

22.1
41.6
34.0
32.9
36.9
35.3
36.7
36.6
37.4
37.6

4.5
2.4
2.9
3.0
2.7
2.8
2. 7
2.7
2.7
2.7

R ice
C ents
p e r lb.

8.7
17.4
9. 5
9. 5
9.5
10. 1
11.1
11.6
11.2
11.0

L b s.

11.5
5.7
10.5
10. 5
10.5
9. 9
9.0
8.6
8.9
9.1

125

RETAIL PRICES OP FOOD
In d e x N u m b e r s o f R e ta il P r ic e s

of

F o o d in t h e U n ite d S t a t e s

IN TA BLE 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in
1 the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, for 1913 and
1920 to 1926,2 and by m onths for 1926, and for January, 1927.
These index num bers, or relative prices, are based on the year 1913
as 100 and are computed by dividing the average price of each
comm odity for each m onth and each year by the average price of
th a t commodity for 1913. These figures m ust be used with caution.
For example, the relative price of rib roast for the year 1923 was
143.4, which means th a t the average money price for the year 1923
was 43.4 per cent higher than the average money price for the year
1913. The relative price of rib roast for the year 1922 w as 139.4,
which figures show an increase of four points, but an increase of slight­
ly less than 3 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index num bers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1921, these index num bers have been computed from the
average prices of the articles of food shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted
according to the average family consumption in 1918. (See M arch,
1921, issue, p. 25.) Although previous to January, 1921, the num ber
of food articles has varied, these index num bers have been so com­
puted as to be strictly comparable for the entire period. The index
numbers based on the average for the year 1913 as 100.0 are 161.8 for
December, 1926, and 159.3 for January, 1927.
The curve shown in the chart on page 127 pictures more readily to
the eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the index
num bers given in the table.
T a b l e 4 __ IN D E X N U M B E R S O F 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 ,

B Y Y E A R S, 1913 A N D 1920 TO 1926, A N D BY M O N T H S F O R 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1927
[Average for year 1913=100.0]

Y ear and m onth

Sirloin R ound R ib C huck Plate Pork B a­
steak steak roast roast beef chops con

u t­ Cheese
H am Hens M ilk Bter
100.0
183.0
135.0
125.1
144.7
135.0
143.1

100.0
188.2
153.9
148.9
167.0
159.7
166.1

153.0

140.6 120.7 188.1 186.3 213.4 182.2 157.3 138.6

165.6

151.5
148.0
151.0
152.5
153.5
154.5
155.1
153.5
154.5
154.5
152.5
152.5
153.0

138.1
138.1
138.1
139.4
140.6
141.9
141.9
140.6
141.9
142.5
141.9
141.9
141.9

1913_____________________
1920_____________________
1 9 2 1 ._ ___________________
1922_____________________
1 9 2 3 . . . . ________________
1 9 2 4 ..___________________
1925_____________________
1926............................. .............

100.0
172.1
152.8
147.2
153.9
155.9
159.8
162.6

100.0
177.1
154.3
1 4 4.8
1 5 0.2
151.6
155.6
159.6

100.0
167. 7
147.0
139.4
143.4
145.5
149.5

1926: J a n u a ry ..............
F e b ru a ry ...............
M arc h .__ ______
A pril___________
M a y ___________
J u n e ____________
J u ly ____________
A ugust
.............
S e p te m b e r_____
O ctober_________
N ovem ber ____
D e ce m b e r...........
1927: J a n u a ry ________

160. 6
159.8
160.2
161.8
163.4
165.4
165.4
164.6
165.0
163.4
161.0
160.2
160.6

157.0
156.1
156.5
157.8
160.5
162.3
162.8
162.3
163.2
161.4
159.2
158.3
158.3

100.0
163.8
132.5
123.1
126.3
130.0
135.0

100. e
151.2
118.2
105.8
106.6
109.1
114.1

119.8
120.7
120.7
121.5
120.7
120.7
119.8
118.2
119.8
120.7
121.5
123.1
124.0

100.0
2 0 1 .4
166.2
157.1
144.8
146.7
174.3

100.0
193.7
158.2
147.4
144. 8
139.6
173.0

100.0
206.3
181.4
181.4
169.1
168.4
1.95. 5

173.8
172.9
177.1
182.4
191.9
200.0
198.6
192.9
202.4
202.9
187.1
177.1
174.3

178.5
181.1
179.3
179.6
182.6
190.7
193.7
192.6
192.2
191.5
188.9
183.7
181.1

198.1
199.3
200.7
202.6
207.8
221.9
226.4
225.7
224.5
222.3
217.1
212.3
211.2

100.0
209. 9
186.4
169.0
104.3
165.7
171.8

181.2
182.6
185.0
190.1
192.5
188.7
184.0
177. 9
177.5
176.5
174.2
174.6
180.8

100.0
187.6
164.0
147.2
155.1
155.1
157.3

159.6
159.6
157.3
156.2
156.2
155.1
155.1
156.2
157.3
157.3
158.4
159.6
158.4

144.6
142.3
139.9
132.9
130.5
131.3
130.8
132.1
137.1
141.8
145.4
154.8
152.5

170.1
169.7
168.3
165.2
162. 9
161.5
161.1
161. 5
163.3
166.1
167.0
169.2
170.1

2 For index num bers of each m onth, Jan u ary , 1913, to D ecember, 1920, see February, 1921, issue, pp.
19-21; for each m onth of 1921 and 1922, see February, 1923, issue, p. 69; and for each m onth of 1923 and 1924,
see February, 1925, issue, p. 21.


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[595]

126

M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b l e 4 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S O F R E T A IL P R IC E S O F P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F F O O D ,

B Y Y E A R S , 1913 A N D 1920 TO 1926, A N D B Y M O N T H S F O R 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1927—
C ontinued.

Y ear and m onth

Lard

Eggs

Bread Flour

Corn
meal

Rice

P ota­
toes Sugar

Tea

All
Coffee arti­
cles»

1913.....................................
1920____________ _____
1921...............................
1922_____ ____________
1923__________________
1924____ _____________
1925....................................
1926______________ _

100.0
186.7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
147.5
138.6

100.0
197.4
147.5
128.7
134.8
138.6
151.0
140.6

100.0
205.4
176.8
155.4
155.4
157.1
167.9
167.9

100.0
245.5
175.8
154.5
142. 4
148.5
184.8
181.8

100.0
216.7
150.0
130.0
136.7
156.7
180.0
170.0

100.0
200.0
109.2
109.2
109.2
116.1
127.6
133.3

100.0
370. 6
182.4
164.7
370.6
158.8
211.8
288.2

100.0
352.7
145. 5
132.7
183.6
167.3
130.9
125.5

100.0
134.7
128.1
125.2
127.8
131.4
138.8
141.0

100.0
157.7
121.8
121.1
126.5
145.3
172.8
171.1

100.0
203.4
153.3
141.6
146.2
145.9
157.4
160.6

1926: Ja n u a ry ..................
F e b ru a ry ............ .
M arch __________
A p ril___________
M ay ____________
J u n e ____________
J u l y . . . ....................
A u g u st....................
Septem ber_______
October_________
N ovem ber........ .
D ecember...............
1927: Ja n u a ry ...................

141.1
140.5
138. 6
136.1
136.1
143.0
144.9
143.7
141.1
138.6
133.5
129.1
126.6

156.2
127.0
111.6
111.9
112. 8
118.0
122.0
130.1
149.3
168.7
191.3
189.0
162.0

167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9

187.9
190.9
187.9
184.8
184.8
184.8
181.8
181.8
175.8
172.7
172. 7
169.7
169.7

173.3
173.3
173.3
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0

133.3
133.3
134.5
134.5
134.5
134.5
134.5
133.3
134.5
133.3
129.9
128.7
126.4

341.2
335.3
329.4
394.1
352.9
294.1
241.2
211.8
229.4
223.5
235.3
235.3
235.3

121.8
121.8
121.8
120.0
121.8
125.5
125.5
127.3
127.3
129.1
129.1
132.7
136.4

139.9
139. 9
139.9
140.3
140.4
141.4
141.5
141.7
141.5
142.1
141.7
141.4
142.3

172.1
172.1
172.1
171.5
171.1
171.1
171.5
171.1
171.1
170.8
170.5
170.1
168.5

164.3
161.5
159.9
162.4
161.1
159.7
157.0
155.7
158.5
160.0
161.6
161.8
159.3

130 articles in 1907; 15 articles in 1908-1912; 22 articles in 1913-1920; 43 articles in 1921-1926.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[596]

BETAIL PRICES OF FOOD

127

TREND OF RETAIL' PRICES OF FOOD
(1913 = I CO )
zooISO

! 80

! TO

f 60

S5 0

»40

i 30

! ZO

no
100
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY, OUN. OUI, AU(j.- SEP.^ OCT. NOV DEC.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[697]

128

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

Retail Prices of Food in

A V ERA G E retail food prices are shown in Table 5 for 39 cities
January 15, 1927. For 11 other cities prices are shown for the
not scheduled by the bureau until after 1913.
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L
[Exact comparisons of prices in different cities can not be made for some arti

A tlanta, Ga.
Article

U nit

Sirloin s te a k ........................
R ound s te a k ..__________
R ib roast...............................
C huck roast_____________

P o u n d ___
___do_____
__ d o _____
. . . d o _____

B altim ore, M d.

B irm ingham , Ala.

Jan. 15— Dec. Jan. Jan. 15—
Dec. Jan. J a n . 15— Dec. Jan.
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927
Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

38.6
34.6
29.6
21.5

40.8
36.8
32.9
25.4

C ts.

Cts.

23.0
20.5
17.5
13.5

40.9
36.1
32.4
24.5

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

20.7
19.0
17.0
15.0

38.3
34.6
29.9
21.6

Cts.

37.8
34.7
29.6
21.5

37.1
34 6
29.2
21.2

25.0
19.6
19.9
15.1

39.7
34.7
28.4
22.7

41.1
35.8
28.8
22.9

P late b e e f.............................
Pork chops........................ ..
Bacon, sliced.........................
H am , sliced................. .........

__ d o _____
9.8 13.2
__ d o _____ 21. (J 36.1
___do_____ 32. (J 47.4
. .- d o ........... 28.5 54.3

13.3
35. 8
46.9
58.8

13.9
36.1
46.6
58.5

10.8 14.7 15.0 14 6
18.0 36.0 35.8 35.6
21.3 42.5 43.7 43.1
29.0 56.5 58.3 58.3

L am b, leg of____________
H ens................. ......................
Salmon, canned, red _ .
M ilk, fresh.................. .........

- - d o _____ 20.0 37.1 40.0 41.3 17.3 39.6 37.1
___do_____ 19.5 38.1 36.8 37.0 20.0 39.8 37.8
___do __
39. 8 33.8 34. 0
36.3 31 2
Q u art........ 10.0 19.3 19.0 19.0 8.8 13.0 14 0

M ilk, evaporated........... ..
B u tte r__________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
su b stitu tes).
Cheese__________________
L a r d ...
_.
______
Vegetable lard su b stitu te . .
Eggs, strictly fresh.............

15-16 oz.can
13.5 13.2 13.4
12 6 12 5 12 5
11.3 11 2 11 a
P o u n d ___ 42.4 58.1 58, 6 60.5 42.8 60.4 63.8 63! 9 44 0 60! 8 60.6 61.7
__.do_____
32.8 26.9 27.9
30.6 30.0 29.9
36.8 36.5 341
__do____
25. 0
__do____ 14. 8
___do_____
Dozen .. 30. 6

Eggs, storage........................
B read___________________
F lo u r........................... ...........
Corn m eal.................... .........

. .. d o _____ 25.0 42.8 45.2 39.0 25.0 41.4 45.5 42.9 25.0 46.9 47.8 43.3
P o u n d ___ 6.0 10.3 10.7 10.8 5.4 9.4 9.8 9.8 6.4 10.3 10.3 10.4
___do_____ 3.6 7.1 6.5 6.6 3.2 5.9 5.3 5.2 3.8 7.1 6.8 6.8
- .- d o _____ 2.4 4.0 4.0 3.9 2.6 4.0 3.9 4 0 2.1 4.3 4 1 4 1

Rolled oats.........................
Corn flakes............................
W heat cereal...... ........... _
M acaroni.............................

-__do_ _
8-oz. pkg__
28-oz. pkg.
P o u n d .. .

9. 5 9. 7 9. 6
11. 6 11. 5 11.9
26.4 25.9 26.4
22. 0 21. 9 21. 9

Rice____ _______________
Beans, n a v y .................
Potatoes............................... .
O nio n s......................... .........

__ d o ____
__ d o _____
___do_____
__ d o _____

8.6 11. 5 ii. a 10 5
1 1 . 0 10. 4 10 2
2.0 7 .3
4 .8
4 .8
8 .1
7. 2 7. 8

C abbage________________
Beans, bak ed......................
Corn, c an n e d ..........
Peas, canned.........................

__ d o _____
N o. 2 can _
___do ____
..d o ____

Tom atoes, canned___
Sugar, gran u lated ________
T ea______
Coffee............... ....... ..........

-__do_____
1 1 .9 1 1 .0 11 .3
1 0 .6 10 .7 10.9
1 1 .9 1 1 .2 11.4
P o u n d ___ 6 .1 7 .2 7. 5 8. 0 5 J
6 O 6 5 6 6
7 3
7.9
60 0 i as. 5 105 9 10b 9
_do
. . . d o _____ 3 2 .0 5 1 .0 5 1 .5 51 .5 2 4 2 4 8 .4 47.5 4 6 .2 2 8 .8 54.1 53.9 53.8

Prunes.......................
R aisins............. .......
B ananas____
Oranges_________
,____________

_ .-d o ____
__ d o _____
Dozen___
. ..d o ____

36 4
21.4
23.3
55. 6

36 4
19 7
21.9
61.1

17. 8
16. 5
2 7 .3
34. 5

10.0 13.8 14 0 14 7
19.4 36.3 36.9 36.6
31.3 48.8 48.7 48.7
30.0 53.3 57.0 56.3

36.6 20.0 38.6 38.6
39.8 18.7 35.8 36.8
?,o a
41 1 35 4
14! 6 10.3 19 ! 0 18.0

39.3
37.0
35 4
18.0

37 3 23 3 36 4 35 5 36 2
38 1
37 6
20 2 14 0 20 3 18 3 T8 1 15.3
24! 3 23.9 23.0
21.4
22! 0 21.7 2 2 .5
52 2 33 8 54 0
58 3
57 6

7 .9
4 .8
5 .8
12. 3 11. 5 12 0
17 .7 17. 5 17. 5
19. 8 20. 0 19. 7

17.4
15. 7
28. 6
38. 2

C ts.

41.6
35.5
28.7
22.6

17 .5
16.4
27 .3
35. 8

8 4 83 8
10.1 10 1 10
24.1 24 3 24
19 4 18 6 18
9 .0 10 8 10 3
8*7 8 3
6.1
1 .7
4! 3
5 7 5 0
6
10
15
15

4 4
8 1ft
5 14
8 15

15 0
13 5
25 1
4 6 .2

1
0
2
8

8 1
43

3 5 2
5 10 6
7 14' ft
0 14 8

14 0
13 0
26 3
44! 2

10 1
19 2
26.3
IQ 0

10 0 10 2

12 2 12 4

26.9 27.0
18 7 18 9
111

8.2 12 1
1 .9

6 .7
7 9
6
12
18
21

5.3

5 .2
7 3

6 ft
7
7
1 18 4 18 1
3 21 4 29 5

13 7
19 Q

10 3 18 7 18 3

26* 4

3Q 7

4 1 .6

4 4 0 4 4 .5

37 7
4 1 .1

1The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirlo in ” in th is city, b u t in m ost of th e other
cities included in th is report it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak.


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

[598]

BETAIL PBICES OF FOOD

129

51 Cities on Specified Dates

for January 15, 1913 and 1926, and for December 15, 1926, and
same dates, with the exception of November, 1913, as these cities were
A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S
cles, particu larly m eats and vegetables, owing to differences in trade practices]
Bridgeport,
Conn.

Boston, M ass.

Jan. 15—
1913

1926

Cts.

Cts.

Dec.
1926

Cts.

Buffalo, N . Y.

B utte, M ont.

Jan. Dec. Jan. J a n , 15 — Dec. Jan. Jan.
15, 15,
15,
1927 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927 1926

Jan.

C ts.

C ts.

Cts.

Cts.

135.2 165.1 1 64.3 164.4 49.0 49.2 49.2
32.0 52.4 49.5 50.0 41.5 41.9 42.1
23.4 39.8 37.8 37.9 36.9 36.1 36.4
16.3 28.0 28.5 28.9 27.5 27.5 27.1

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

20.3
18.3
17.0
14.7

Cts.

40.5
35.0
29.6
22.9

39.6
34.2
30.5
23.9

40.4
34.0
31.0
24.1

10.7
18.0
20.3
24.0

14.0
40.0
45.1
51.5

14.7
39.3
45.9
56.3

C ts.

Dec.
15,
1926

C harleston, S. C.

Jan. J a n .15— Dec. Jan
15,
15, 15,
1927 1913 1926 1926 1927

Cts.

30.4
25.8
26.2
18.3

Cts.

Cts. 'C ts.

29.6
26.4
26.5
19.0

29.8
27.3
26.0
19.3

Cts.

21.2
20.0
19.4
14.5

32.5
30.5
27.0
20.2

32.7 32.3
30.0
25.0 26.0
19.4 20.1

11.4
22.8
23.3
26.0

14.7
34.8
43. 5
48.2

14.2
35.6
44.0
51.7

Cts.

20.2
39.2
47.4
57.7

19.0
39.8
49.1
61.8

19.4
38.4
48.9
62.8

12.0
37.8
52.4
57.3

11.9
39.9
54.3
61.9

11.7
37.7
53.9
60.7

14,2
38.5
45.6
56.3

12.3
34.8
56.4
58.8

12.5
36.5
56.9
61.3

12.5
36.3
56.3
60.5

40.8
41.8
36.8
14.9

38.9
40.6
33.0
15.3

38.0
41.0
32.8
14.3

40.1
41.6
34.0
16.0

38.3
41.1
32.8
16.0

37.1 17.5 36.1 32.6 33.1
40.6 19.0 41.9 38.4 40.6
33.0
38.6 32.5 32.6
16.0 8.Ö 13.2 13.0 13.0

35.4
34.9
29.9
14.3

36.3
32.4
31.9
14.3

36.0 20.0 42.5 40.0 40.6
34.4 21.2 36.4 38.4 38.2
30.7
38.3 29.6 29.6
14.0 11.7 18.0 19.0 19.0

12.3
57.6
31.3

12.2
57.8
29.2

12.2 11.6 11.6 11.5
11.4 11.2 11.3
59.2 57.7 57.4 59.0 40.2 56.4 62.8 59.3
29.7 30.1 29.4 29. 6
30.4 29. 8 29.7

11.3
53.2

11.1
53.0

11.0
11 8 11 0 11 Q
54.6 40.2 56.5 56.5 58d
31 8
20 8

41.0

39.8
22.4
25.3
65.8

38.3
20.2
24.5
85.0

38.5
20.8
24.4
70.5

39.3 21.5 38.0 37.6 38.0
18.7 14.1 21.1 19.8 18.8
25.8
26.5 26.2 25.8
75.0 37.7 57.2 69.3 59.4

36.7
25.2
29.3
59.1

35.7
24.7
29.3
66.3

35.7 20.5 35.0 35.0 36.1
23.6 13.9 22.6 20.9 21.6
28.3
24.0 23.5 22.8
58.0 32.5 57.6 66.7 53.4

26.4
5.9
3.7
3.5

47.3
9.1
6.9
6.6

54.3
9.1
6.0
6.2

51.7 46.5 51.4 51.2 23.3 43.6 45.5 43.6
9.0 9.0 8.8 8.8 5.6 9.0 8.8 8.9
6.1 6.2 5.8 5.7 2.9 5.8 5.1 5.1
6.4 7.9 7.7 7.9 2.5 5.3 5.1 5.1

35.8
9.8
6.1
6.0

45.5
9.8
5.4
5.9

43.3 24.8 43.7 44.3 44.0
9.8 6.0 10.8 10.2 11.2
5.6 3.7 7.5 7.1 7.0
5.9 2.3 4.0 3.9 3.8

..........

9.1
11.0
25.1
23.2

9.3
10.7
24.7
22.5

9.1 8.8 8.6 8.5
8.7 8.7 8.7
10.9 10.5 10. 4 10.4
10. 5 10. 2 10. 2
25.4 24.6 24.7 24.7
24. 5 24.6 24.7
23.0 22.9 22.7 22.7 ........ 21.7 21.5 21.4

7.2
12.4
28.1
19.5

7.3
12.2
28.3
19.6

7.5
12.1
28.5
20.0

11.5
9.9
4.0
5.1

12.3 11.5 10.9 11.1 9.3 11.5 11.2 10.7
9.9 10.1 9.7 9.7
9. 9 9.2 8. 8
4.0 5.9 3.8 3.8 1.4 5 .7 4.1 4.0
6.0 5.9 5.0 5.3 ........ 6.8 5.9 6 .1

12.2
10. 6

11.7
10 4

11.6
10 2

5.5

9.5

8.4

7.9

1.7
..........

12.6
10. 8
6.1
6.4

3 .7
4.6

3.0
4.5

3 .1
5 .1

2.0

6.8
6.6

4. 4

4.5
6.1

5.2
12.9
18.8
20.3

5.3 5.7 4.5 5.4
13.1 11.5 11.3 11.3
19.6 20.0 19.1 19. 6
20.6 21.7 21.5 21.2 —

4.7 3.0 3 .7
10.3 10.0 9.9
16.1 16.3 16.0
16.3 16.2 16.4

4.2

4.8

..........

6.2
13.9
19.8
21.0

14.8
16 4
15.8

14.1
16 0
15.2

14. 5
15 2
15.2

5.8
58.6
33.0

12.7
6.6
77.4
56.0

12.4
7.3
74.9
55.3

12.7 12.7 13.1 12.7
13.9 13.9 13.5
7.5 6.2 7.0 7.1 5.5 6.4 7.1 7.3
76.6 61.3 59.5 60.6 45.0 69.2 69.8 69.8
55.9 48.6 48.6 48.4 29.3 49.9 48.7 48.1

14.7
7.7
83.8
56.8

13.3
8.5
83.3
56.6

13.7
1Û. 4 10 2 10 6
8.8 5.3 6.5 6.9 7 .1
81.4 50.0 75.3 73.9 76.9
56.5 26.0 46.1 46.5 46.9

17.6
14.0
45.0
52.2

15.0
13.0
46.3
49.9

15.8
13.6
48.9
52.2

20. 0
24.4
28.3
21.3
22.0
________

8.9
38.5
23.1
15.4
________

9.2

________
________
—

40.1
21.3
25.5
70.7

16.5
13.9
36.7
52.5

39.3
19.7
25.9
87.3

15.8
14.8
34.2
50.7

15.9
14.0
35.7
55.1 ........

16.7
14.1
45.0
51.1

15.9
13.8
42.6
55.7

2 P e r pound.


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

[599]

.....

5.5

15. 8 18.0 18.4 17.6
13.6 14.9 15.2 15.0
43.2 2 15.1 2 14.5 2 14.8
55.0 48.5 54.5 44.5 ........

14.5
35.6
44.0
52.9

9.5 9.6 9.5
12 O
11 7
26. 6 26 2 26 6
19.0 18.6 18.4

5.5

6.6 4.2 4.3
10.2 0 8 9 8
16 O
17.9 17.5 16.8

16. 6
14.3
34.3
31.0

14. 7
14. 1
30.7
29.4

14 6
14.1
27.9
30.0

130

MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L
Chicago, 111.

C incinnati, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

Article

U nit

Jan. 15—

C ts.

C ts.

Cts.

C ts.

Cts.

C ts.

C ts.

C ts.

P o u n d ___
-__do_____
___do_____
___do__ ___

C ts.

C ts.

21.0
18.2
18. 2
14. 3

44. 1
34. 7
34. 7
24. 8

45.2
36.8
36.3
25. S

Cts.

Cts.

Sirloin steak ___________
R ound stea k ____________
R ib ro a st_______________
C huck ro ast..........................

45. 1
36.4
35. 9
26. 0

21.0
18.8
18.3
13. 6

36. 9
33. 2
29.7
20. 7

36.4
33. 4
30. 2
21. 6

36.5
33. 2
29. 1
22. 4

22. 3
18.8
17.8
14. 7

37.0
31.0
26. 9
22. 2

37.3
31. 3
27.1
23.1

38.2
32.4
27.7
22. 9

P late beef_______________
P ork chops___
Bacon, sliced ______
H am , s lic e d ........................

__ d o _____
___do_____
.__do_
...d o ..—

10. 9
16.0
31. 3
30.8

14. 5
33.8
51. S
52.5

15.1
36.5
55. 0
58.7

15.2
35.4
53. 1
58.6

10. 0
18. 6
22. 4
25.3

15.1
34.7
41. 7
52. 5

15. 2
32. 2
44. 4
56.8

16.1
33. 7
43. 3
57.9

10. 4
17.5
23. 9
32.0

13. 5
36.8
49. 3
55.8

13. 4
35.6
50. 3
58.3

14. 0
35.8
49. 3
57.8

Jan. 15—
Jan. 15—
Dec. Jan.
Dec. Jan.
Dec. Jan
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1927
1926
1926
1927
1913 1926
1913 1926
1913 1926 1926 1927

Lam b, leg of_____
___do_____ 18.7 39.0 38.4 37.7 16.2 36.4 35.1 35.0 17.3 37.4 34.9 35.3
H ens______
___do_____ 17.4 39.0 37.6 38.6 21.6 39.3 36. 1 38.5 19.3 43.0 36.5 39. 7
Salmon, canned, r e d . . ___ . „ d o _____
38. 2 37.4 37.0
36. 1 30.9 31. 2
37.8 33.8 33.3
M ilk, fresh__________
Q u art____ 8.Ö 14.0 14.0 14.0 8.0 12.0 14. 0 13.3 8.8 14.7 14.3 14.3
M ilk, evaporated________
B utter
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
su b stitu te s).
C h e e s e ..._________
L a r d ... . .
V egetable lard s u b stitu te ..
Eggs, strictly fresh______

15-16 oz. can
10.9 11.2 11. 2
10.9 10. 8 10.8
11.3 11.3 11.3
P o u n d ___ 39. 9 51.3 60.6 57.8 41.4 53. 5 59. 2 58.3 41.8 55. 9 64.7 60.6
_ _do_____
28.8 27. 6 27.5
31.8 28.6 28.2
33.0 31.9 30.3
___do_____ 25.0 41.5
_ do. _ _ 14. 8 22. 2
_-_do_____
26.7
D ozen___ 32. 7 52.8

42.4
20. 9
26. 7
66.8

42.3 21. 6 36.0 36. 8
20. 1 13. 3 20. 0 18. 5
26.7
25.9 25.6
58.3 30.3 49.0 63.8

37.4 23.0 38. 5
17. 7 15.8 22 9
25.7
27.3
53.1 35.0 55. 5

38. 1
21 8
27.8
70. 1

38.2
21 4
27.2
59.1

Eggs, storage______ ___ ___do_____ 23.8 40.2 50.3 47.3 23.3 38.1 43. 1 41.8 24.5 40. 8 48.8 47. 6
B read. .............................
P o u n d ___ 6.1 9.8 9.8 9.9 4.8 9.2 9.0 9.0 5.5 8. 1 7.9 7.9
F lo u r______
.__do_____
2. 8 5.9 5.3 5.3 3.4 6.2 5. 8 5.9 3.2 6.0 5.7 5. 5
Corn m e a l .. ........
_ d o ___
2. 9 6. 2 6. 6 6. 7 2.6 4. 2 3. 9 4.1 2.8 5. 5 5 3 5 4
Rolled oats............................ - _do _
Corn flakes. ____
8-oz. p k g .
W heat cereal__________
28-oz.~pkg_
M acaro n i........ ..............
P o u n d __

8. 4 8. 6 8.6
10. 0 10.1 10.1
24.4 25.4 25.3
19. 0 19. 7 19. 6

8. 6 8. 6 8. 6
10. 2 10. 4 10. 4
24.4 24. 4 24.4
18. 2 18. 8 18. 4

9. 4 9. 4 9 4
11 3 11 2 11 2
25. 5 25.3 25.3
21. 8 21. 9 21. 9

9.0 11.5 11.8 11.6
9. 6 9. 6 9. 6
1.3 5.8 3.9 3.9
5. 7 5.4 5. 7

8.8 10.8 10.8 10.5
8. 3 8. 0 8 0
1.4 6.0 4. 1 4.2
5. 8 4. 4 4. 9

8.5 11.8 11.9 11.6
8 8 8 5 8 4
1.4 5.5 4.3 4.4
5 3 4, 7 5 1

5. 3 4. 8 5. 8
12. 8 12. 9 12. 7
17.1 17.3 17. 2
17.5 17. 5 17. 5

6.3 4. 2 4. 1
11. 5 10. 9 10. 6
15. 9 14. 7 15. 0
17. 4 16. 8 16. 7

R ic e ......... .
Beans, n av y .
Potatoes_____
Onions.....................

. . . d o _____
. . do . .
. . . d o _____
___do_____

Cabbage . ____
Beans, b a k ed .
Corn, can n ed . ___
Peas, canned_____

. .do
No. 2 can
___do_
___do_

Tom atoes, can n e d ...
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ...............
T e a ____________
Coffee________

___do_
14. 1 14. 2 14.1
12. 6 11. 9 12. 1
14. 2 14 0 13 8
P o u n d ___ 5.3 6. 5 7.0 7.2 5. 7 6.8 7.4 7.6 5.6 6.9 7. 6 7.8
-__do_____ 53.3 72.2 74.3 73.8 60.0 77.3 76.4 77. 5 50.0 78.8 79.4 79.6
___do___
30.0 51. 6 50. 9 51. 1 25.6 46. 5 45. 4 45 4 26.5 54 1 54 5 54 4

P ru n es_______
Raisins
B a n a n a s.. . .
Oranges________ .

..__do_
_ _ d o . __
Dozen _.
-_-do_____

18.1
15.3
43.1
51.3

18. 9
15. 4
40. 8
58. 9

18. 5
15. 3
39.3
53. 6

17. 3
14. 3
37. 3
41.3

16. 7
14. 7
37. 5
40.2

16. 2
14. 5
36. 0
36.9

5
13
18
18

7 4 3 5
1 12 8 12
0 17 0 17
3 17 6 18

3
6
3
5

17 2 16 2 15 8
14 3 14 5 14 6
210 0 210 8 210 7
48.9 53.5 49.5

1T he steak for w hich prices are here quoted is called “ r u m p ” in th is city, b u t in m ost of th e other cities
included in th is tab le it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak.


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

[ 600 ]

131

BETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
A R T IC L E S O F F O O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
Columbus, Ohio

D allas, Tex.

D enver, Colo.

D etroit, M ich.

Fall R iver, M ass.

Jan.
Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan. .Tan. 1,5— Dec. Jan.
Dec. Jan.
15, 15, 15,
15,
15,
15, 15.
15,
15,
1926 1926 1927
1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927
Cts.

Cts.

37.2
32. 8
29.6
23.5

39. 7
34. 9
30. 8
24. 7

39.4
34, 6
30. 5
24.7

15.4
34.1
47. 0
52.2

16.0
35. 6
51. 2
58. 7

15.7
35.4
50.5
58.5

43.3
40. 4
39. 4
12.0

43.7
37.4
37. 1
12.0

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

C ts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

19.6
18.8
17.6
15.4

33.8
30. 7
26.6
21.4

36.2
32.9
27.6
22.9

35.6
32.8
28.3
22.8

22.0
19.0
15.9
14.0

31.3
27.6
23.2
18.2

32.3
29.6
23.9
18.7

32.5
29.2
24.0
18.9

22.8
18.0
18.0
14.5

41.0
33. 5
30. 1
22.5

41.4
33.6
30.9
22.9

41.1
33.8
30.0
22.7

11.8
20.0
36.0
28.8

15.0
34.7
46. 1
56.4

17.8
35.2
44. 2
59.3

16.9 9.1 11.1 11.0
35.6 17.5 33.4 34.0
44.6 26.3 49.3 50. 6
58.3 27.0 54.5 58.4

11.4
33.7
50.0
57.4

10.6
16.5
21.0
23.5

14.2
39.4
50. 7
57.7

14. 7
38.3
51.8
61. 5

14.7
13.3
38.2 18.3 36.7
51.0 24.8 45.4
61.0 28. 7 51.8

13.6
38.5
45.7
56.9

13.3
36.7
45.3
56.7

41.3 20.5 43.0 43.4
38.7 17.9 32. 5 32. 7
35. 4
41. 2 36. 5
12.0 10.0 15.0 13.0

44.2 15.0 36.2 35.6
33.5 20.4 31.8 31.3
37.8 33. 5
36.2
13.0 8.4 12.0 12.0

35.2 16.0 42.0 38.9 38.0 18.5 41.3
32.1 18.8 42.0 37.6 39.6 23.7 42.8
33.5
39. 6 35.3 34.1
38.0
12.0 9.0 14.0 14.0 14.2 9.0 14.0

41.8
43. 6
36.8
14.9

41.2
43.2
36.2
14.0

11. 5 11.5 11.5
52.6 60.9 57.1 40. 0
31.2 29. 7 28.8 ........
38.3 37.0 37.4 20.0
19.3 18.5 17.8 16.2
26. 1 26.5 26.0
48.6 62.7 54.0 34. 5

Cts.

Cts.

C ts.

Cts.

130.0 160.9 160.5 160.5
24.0 46. 1 46.0 45.4
22.6 31. 6 31.2 31.0
16. 7 22.9 22.6 22.9

11.2 10.4 10.4
11.2 11.3 11.2
13.4 13.0 13.0
12.6
55.7 57.8 57.0 40.0 50.6 52.8 53.5 39.7 54. 8 60.9 59.2 38. Î 55.7
34. 1 33.0 31. 7 ........ 29.8 26.5 25.2 —
30.3 28.6 29.4 —
30.4

12.7 12.5
54.9 56.4
30.0 30.0

37.5
26.9
23. 1
53.9

37.7 21.3 37.5 39.0 39.1 23.6 39.1
20.4 15.6 23.0 20.6 19. 7 15.0 21.7
27.2 27.2 27.2
22.8
27.0
52.4 35.0 57.1 66.5 58.4 42.8 70.9

38.5 38.8
19.3 18.6
26.9 26.9
88.9 73.8

42.2 47.3 42.5 30.0 41.0 44.0 39.0 25.0 33.9 45.8 41.9 25.2 42.3 44.9 43.4 27.2 47.3
8.1 8.1 8.0 5.5 8.6 9.5 9.5 5.4 8.4 8.3 8.1 5.6 8.7 8.4 8.4 6.2 9.3
6.2 5.5 5.4 3.3 6.0 5.5 5.5 2.6 5.4 4.5 4.4 3. 1 6.0 5.5 5.4 3.3 6.4
3.8 3.7 3.7 2. 7 4.7 4.2 4.2 2.5 4.3 4.1 4.4 2.8 5.6 5.8 5.9 3.6 7.6

50.0 50.7
9.2 9.2
6.0 5.9
6. 7 6.5

9.4 9.3 9.4
10. 8 10.9 10.9
24.8 25.2 25.8
23.3 20.4 20.4

9. 7
11.6
26.1
24. 4

9.4 9.5
11.3 11.3
25.3 25.3
23. 7 24.5

8.6 11.6 10.1 10.5 8.4 12.0 12.8 12.3 10.0 12.2
10. 2 9.6 9. 7
8. 9 8. 5 8. 3
10. 6
1.2 4.8 3.7 3.8 1.3 5.7 3.3 3.3 1.8 6.3
—
4.7 3.5 3.9 ........ 5.4 4.5 4.8 —
6.1

11.5 11.8
10.2 9.9
3.9 3.9
5.1 5.3

5.9
6.3 4.1 4.1
11.9 11. 6 11.2
12.0
15.9 16.2 16.0
17.1
16.6 17.0 16.5 ........ 18.4

4.4 5.9
12.2 12.0
17. 1 16.5
18.5 18.6

14.2 12.5 13.2
13.2 12. 6 12.6
12. 6 12. 5 12.8
13.9 12.5 12. 7
12. 5
6.9 7.7 7.9 6.5 7.6 8.1 8.1 5.8 6.7 8.0 8.0 5.2 7.0 7.5 7.5 5.5 6.7
88.4 89.5 89.3 66.7 106. 1 105.8 106.2 52.8 67.7 68. 5 68.5 43.3 71.6 73.4 74.0 44.2 62.8
51.3 51.3 51.1 36.7 59.6 59.8 60.3 29.4 52.3 51.5 51.2 29.3 52.0 51.6 51.1 33.0 53.2

12.1 13.2
7.4 7.5
60.4 61.2
52.3 52.0

10.1
11. 1
27.3
21.2

37.0
24. 6
22.2
56.0

10.2
11.4
27.0
21.4

37.0 26.1 39.3
23.6 15.6 23. 7
23.4
22.3
47.1 37.0 49.4

5.6 4.3 4.4
12.5 12.0 12.5
15.8 14.4 14.2
15.4 15.1 15.5

18.0
14.7
38.3
49.3

17.1
14.6
39.4
52.3

17.4
14.6
37.5
50.8

7.7 5.4 5.6
14.3 13.4 13.5
18.4 17.9 18.3
21.4 21.7 21.8

.....

21.1
16.7
38.3
57.0

20.9
16.5
33.8
53.5

8.9 8.1 7.9
11.8 11.0 10.9
26.0 24.5 25.0
19. 1 19.8 19.8

10.0
11.6
27.3
21.5

13.3 12.7 12.6 9.3 13.1 12.5 11.9
8. 7 8.3 8.2
11. 4 10. 8 11.0
5.8 3.9 3.9 2.0 6.3 5.1 5.1
6.3 5.1 5.4 ........ 7.4 6.5 7.0

37.6
20.8
23.4
64.6

—

20. 5
16. 1
33.8
54.1 —

4.3 3.0 3.7
13.3 11. 2 11. 1
15.6 14.3 14.3
16.1 15.5 15.5 ........

18.4 17. 5
14.3 14. 5
212. 1 212. 1
43.9 51.0

16.4
14.5
2 9. 4
45.3 .....

2 Per pound.


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

[ 601]

9.4 9.4 9.4
10.7 10.6 10.6
25.8 26. 0 25.8
21. 9 21. 9 22.0

18. 5
15.5
35.0
49.9

17.9
14.8
36.9
55.2

18. 5
14.8
36.3
53.6 .....

15.6 15.6
14.4 14.6
210. 0 2 10.2
49.6 45.9

15.4
14.1
210. 5
46.5

132

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L
H ouston, Tex.
Article

U n it

Indianapolis, Ind.

Jacksonville, Fla.

J a n . 15
J a n . 15
Jan. Dec. Jan.
Dec. Jan.
Dec. Jan.
15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926 1926 1927
1926
1927
1913 1926
1913 1926 1926 1927
Cts.

C ts.

Cts.

Cts.
23 .5

Cts.

C ts.

C ts.

Cts.

C ts.

Cts.

C ts.

17.9
36.4
51.1
56.8

18.7
36.1
50.7
55.4

35.0
35.6
32.5
15.8

35.0 17.7 4 2 .5 40.0
38.3
35.9 20.0 38.7 37.8 40.0 22.0 39.9 38.9
31.1
35. 6 34.1 33. 6
38.4 34.0
15.8 " 8.0 12.0
12.0 12."4 22.0 22.3

37.2
39.6
34.3
22.3

Sirloin steak............................
Pound
31.7 34.6
R ound steak ____ _____
3n n 33:1
do
R ib ro ast____________
do
25.0 27.5
C huck r o a s t._______________ ____d o ........... 19.0 20.2

35.2
33.1
26.8
21.0

P late b e e f....................
.do _
Pork chops_________________ ____ d o _____
Bacon, sliced___ _____ ______ ____ d o _____
H am , sliced__ ______ _______ ____ d o _____

16.2
34.0
48.9
50.8

L am b, leg of_______
do
H e n s______ ______ __________ ____ d o _____
Salmon, canned, re d ________ ____d o _____
M ilk, fre s h .________
Q u a rt............

36.0
37.4
35.1
17.3

M ilk, ev ap o rated ..
15-16 oz. can.
B u tte r_________
Pound
O leomargarine (all b u tte r ____do _____
substitutes).
Cheese________ .
do
L a rd ______ . . . . .
V egetable lard s u b stitu tes___ ____d o _____
Eggs, strictly fresh_______
Dozen_____

11.5 11.5 11.4
10.8 10.8 10.8
12.5 11.9 11.7
54.9 58. 1 57.0 40.7 53.9 61.4 59.4 43.4 58.6 58.9 58.9
31.5 29.9 29.3
32.2 31.6 31.0
32.2 31.4 30.9
34.5
24.7
17.4
49.4

Eggs, storage_________
B read ________
F lo u r__________ ____ ____ _
C orn m eal—. ........

40.5 42.4 35.0 23.7 42.7 46.0 4° 5
9.0
8.8 5.1 8. 1 8. 1 8. 1
6.0 5.6 5.4 3.2 5.9 5.5 5.6
4.2 4.2

do
____ do_____
do

34.1
21.5
17.1
52.3

36.4 38.3 37.7 26.0 37.8 36.7 35.8
20.3 35.1 36. 6 36.1
32.0 31.3
oo’ 2
16.3 28.8 29.1
27.5 27.5
14.3 24.4 24.3 24.7 14.0 19.8 20.3 20.4
•«r, r, 12.8
10. 6 15.3 15.7 15.8
18.0 34.6 33.9 33.7 22.3 36.1 36.5 35.2
27.7 44. 46.8 44. 6 26. 8 48.7 47.9 46.0
28.8 5 5 .2 57.1 57.5 25.7 52.2 56.1 52.7

34.6 21.0
22. 5
20.5 15.0
26.4 27.1 27.1
16.5
43.3 34."2 50.6 GO. o 50.5 38.3

35.3
23.8
24.4
66.4

35.2
22.6
23.1
65.4

36.2
22.6
22.8
56.1

44.7 41.7
6.5 11.0 11.0 10.9
3.7 6.9 6.6 6.6
4.2 4.2 4.2

R olled o a t s . .. ..........
do
9. 1 9.0 8.9
8.3 8.3
9.6
C orn flakes____
8-oz. p k g ___ 11.8 11.6
10.1 10.2 10.1
11.3
W heat c e r e a l............................. 28-oz. p k g ... 25.7 25.4 25.8
24.6
25.
1
25.1
—
24.7
........
M aearoni...............
Pound
18.9 18.7 18.1
18.9 19.2 19.2
20.4
R ice______ . . .
9.0 8.9 9.2 11.3 11.5 11.4 6.6 11.2
Beans, n a v y ____
__ do
10.0 9.3 9.2
8.9 8.5 8.7 “~Z~Z 11.2
P o ta to e s... _.
do
6.3
2. 0
O nions____
do
6.3 5.6 i o
6.2 o. 0 5.5
C abbage________
____ d o _____
7.0 5.2 4.9
4.5
7.2
Beans, baked___
No. 2 can __ 12.4 11.2 11.3
11.2 10. 3 9.9 —
11.3
Corn, canned____
do
15.8 14. 1 14.1
15.2 14.4 14.1 —
Peas, can n ed____
____ do __
14.6 14.0 13.4
15.6 14.4 14.1
19.9
Tom atoes, can n ed __________ ____d o _____ 10.8 11.5 11.5
13.5 12.7 12.9
11.2
Sugar, gran u lated...........
P o u n d _____ 6.8 7.0 7.3 6.3
7.7 7.9 ""¿."4 7.2
T e a ___________
do
83.0 82.7 83.1 60.0 82.9
87. 9 60.0 96.7
C offee.____________________ ------ do _____ 45.5 44.6 44.9 31.3 50.8 84.0
51.5 50.7 34.5 51.6
P ru n e s_________
------ do ____ 16.7 15.7 16.0
20.0 19.6 19.2
18.4
------do _____ 14.6 14.1 14.3 ........ 16.4 15.4 15.5 ............ 16.5
B ananas__________
D ozen_____ 29.0 29. 2
30.9 31.4 20« o —
32.
0
Oranges__________
____d o _____ 44.4 50.2 44.4
44.4 43.6
35.0

9.5
11.1 10.9
24.8 24.4
10.4

9. 5

5.0

5.0
7.1

5.3 5.3
11.0 10.8

18.6 18.1
11.1 10.7
7.6 7.8
98.5 97.9
50.3 50.0
16.9
15.9
25. 0
28.0

16.4
15.2
22. 5
25.8

^ ? ich p riP8i? are ??r® Quoted is called “ sirlo in ” in th is city, b u t in m ost of th e other
cities included in th is report it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak,


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

[ 602]

133

RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
A R T IC L E S O F FO OD IN 51 C IT IE S O N S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
K ansas C ity, M o.

L ittle Rock, A rk.

Los Angeles, Calif.

Louisville, K y.

Manchester, N. H.

J a n . 15
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Dec. Jan.
Dec. Jan.
Dec. Jan,
Dec. Jan.
Dec. Jan.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1927 1913
1927
1927
1926
1926
1927
1926
1926
1913 1926
1913 1926
1926
1913 1926
1913 1926 1926 1927
Jan. 15:

Cts.

Cts. Cts. Cts.

Cts.

C ts. Cts. Cts.

C ts.

C ts. Cts. Cts.

C ts.

Cts.

21.8
19.5
10.7
14.0

37.7
31. 1
26.4
19.5

37.7
33.0
26.4
19.6

37.2
32.7
26.8
19.6

23.3
19.2
17.7
15.0

33.8
30.4
26.5
18.2

35.2
31.9
27.0
21.8

35.0 22.0
31. 5 20.0
28.0 17.4
22.3 14.7

36.4
29.6
28.8
20.3

36. 5
30. 2
30. 2
20.5

37.5
30.6
30.5
20.8

20.6
17.5
18.1
13.0

33.2
28.8
24.7
18.3

35.4
31. 5
26.8
20.3

35.4 ‘ 33.6 ‘ 56.8
31. 5 27.6 45.2
26. 3 18.4 28.3
20.3 16.4 22.9

10.3
18.0
28.2
26.4

12.9
34. 1
49.0
54.3

13.3
33. 1
48.4
55.9

13.5 12.5
33. 0 19. 3
47.0 33.8
55.9 28.3

14.8
34.2
48.2
50.0

16.8
34.8
51.7
56.5

16.6 11.8
33.9 24. 4
50.0 33.8
55.4 35.0

14.7
41.9
57.0
67.1

15.1
45.2
57.3
68.4

15.2 10.6
45.2 18.0
57.4 27. 5
69. 5 27.0

15.2
32.8
46. 1
47.9

16.8
32.2
50.0
54.2

16.5
32.8 17. 6
48.8 22.2
53. 1 25.4

16.2
35.9
42.0
44.0

16.3
38. 4
41.6
45.0

16.0
35.9
41.3
45.9

16. 1 33.9 33.8
16.0 34.4 32.2
37.5 36.4
8.7 13.0 13.0

34.5 19.2
35. 1 17. 2
35.9
13.0 ÌÒ.Ò

40.0
30.5
38.0
15.0

40.6
29.4
35. 1
15.0

40.0 17.4
31.5 26.8
33.4
15.0 ÌÒ.Ò

37.7
42.9
34.8
15.0

36. 6
44.9
32.2
15.0

36.8 16.9
44. 6 20. 6
32. 1
15.0 8.8

39.0
38.8
36. 1
13.8

38.8
36.4
34.6
13.0

39.7 17.0 38.3
38.4 23.2 42. 1
32.6
39.1
13.0 8.Ö 14.0

36.9
43. 1
33.9
14.0

37.6
44.6
33.4
14.0

Cts. C ts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

‘ 54.9 ‘ 55.2
43.9 45.7
27.2 27.1
22.9 22.7

11.8 11.7 11.6
12.4 11.8 11.8
10.2 10.2 10.2
11.9 11.7 11.7
13. 1 12.7 12.9
40.0 54.0 56.5 56.4 45. Ò 56.1 57.5 5a 3 44:5 54.3 56.7 59.6 4L 3 55.6 62.3 60.9 41. 2 57.2 57.6 59.1
— - 28.0 27.0 26.9 — - 31.1 30.2 28.8 . . . . 34.0 30.7 30.6 . . . . 34.5 27.3 26.9 ........ 27.5 25.5 25.8
21.5 36.4 37.9
15.9 21.9 19.9
27.2 27.0
31.3 47.4 59.7

37.9 21.7 37.2 37.6 38.6 19.5
19.4 14.8 23.4 22.7 22.6 18.0
27.7
23.6 22.8 22. 5
50.0 33.3 49.1 57.0 50.6 41.0

40.0
24.4
25. 7
42.9

39.5
22.4
26.0
52.6

38.3 20.8 38.1 37.5 37.4 21.3 36.9 36.4 36.4
21.7 15.5 21.2 18.6 18.0 16.0 21.3 19.8 18.6
28.2 29.5 28.7
26.2
26.3 25.4 25.8
46.9 30.0 50.7 62.4 51.8 37.2 58.5 77.7 65.1

25.0 37.7 43.4 39.8 25.0 42.3 48.3 41.3 30.0 36.5 44.5 43.0 24.2 43.7 50.0 41.5 25.0 44.6 50.0 49.3
5.9 9.9 9. 7 9.6 6.0 8.7 9.5 9.6 6.2 8.6 8.5 8.5 5.7 9.3 9.3 9.3 5.9 8.7 8.7 8.7
3.1 6.2 5.3 5.3 3.6 6.8 6.4 6.4 3.4 5.9 5.4 5.4 3.5 7. 1 6.2 6.0 3.4 6.5 5. 7 5.8
2.5 5.1 4.7 4.8 2.4 4.2 4.0 3.9 3.3 5.2 5.4 5.4 2.2 4. 1 3.8 3.7 3.8 5.2 5.3 5.2
——

9.2 9.1
12.2 11. 1
26.9 26.0
20. 1 20.1

8.7 11.0
9.7
1. 5 5.6
6.8
—

—

9.5
9.0
3.8
5.3

9.2 ~ ~
11.0
26.3
20.1 — -

10.2
12. 5
24.8
20.8

10.6
11.9
25.8
20.8

9.8 8.3 10.0
9.1
9.9
3.9 1.7 6.3
7.2
6.2 —

9.5
9.2
4. 7
5.4

10.8
12.0
26.0
21.7

... .

—

9.7
10.2
24.7
17.5

10.2
10.1
25.0
18.2

10.1
10.1
25.0
18.2

8.6 8.4 8.4 ........ 9.0 8.9 9.0
10.7 10.7 10.6
11. 4 11.1 11.1
24.3 26.2 25.8
25.2 25.7 25.5
19.5 18.1 18.3 ........ 24.5 23.8 23.8

... .

... .

9.3 7.7 11.1 10.8 10.6 8,1 11. 2 11.0 11.5 8.5 11.1
8.4 8.0 8.0
9.8 9. 1 9.2
9.5
9.3
4.7 Ì. 1 5.5 4.4 4.4 Ï. 6 6.0 3.9 3.8 1. 5 5.9
5.8 5.2 5.2 ........ 5.3
6.2 . . . .
6.3 4.8 5.5 —

6.4 3.9 4.3
6.9 4.8 5.1
11.9 11.5 11.(1
13.5 12.5 12.5
15.4 15.0 14.5
16. t 16.5 17.6
15.7 14.9 15.1 — - 18.7 17.5 18.8

... .

4.9 3.8 4.2
11.6 11.7 11.5
19.2 16.2 16. C
18.0 17.5 17.2 . . . .

6.4 4.7 4.7
11.0 9.9 10. €
17.5 15. 1 15.1
16.1 16.0 15.3 —

12.2 11.3 11.7
12.4 11.6 11.7
215. 6 215.4 215. 6
5.9 6.9 7.5 7.8 5.9 7.5 7.9 8.3 5.9 6.6 7.1 7.4 5.5
54.0 79.4 88.3 89.4 50. C 103. i 106.6 106.1 54.5 73.9 76. C 74.5 60. C
27.8 53.6 53.2 52.8 30.8 56.2 55.3 53.5 36.3 54.6 53.4 53.3 27.5
17.8 16.8 17.0
15.4 14.8 14.8
311. 5 311.2 310.9
— - 47.8 53.7 49.6

—

18.5
15.7
3 8.9
45.1

17. 1
15.7
5 9.5
45.3

17.5
15. 4
3 8.6
48.0

16.6
12.5
3 9.8
43.1

15.3
12.9
310.4
44.6

2N o. 2K can.


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

15.0
12.8
39.3
47.3

... .

4.6 4.0 4.2
14.1 13.9 13.5
18. 1 17.2 16.9
19.4 18.9 18.5

12.0 10.5 10.7
13.5 12.2 12.6
7.1 7.6 7.9 5.8 6.7 7.6 7.8
80.4 89.4 90.3 45.0 63.7 62.9 62.9
50.7 50.1 48.2 32.0 52.5 52.6 52.3
16.9 15.5 16.4
14. 8 14.4 14.7
310.6 310, 2 310.7
40.3 39.5 36.8

8P e r pound.

[603]

9.8 10.0
9.0 9.1
3.6 3.6
4.6 5.1

.....

15.7
14.5
3 9.9
45.7

15.2
13.9
3 9. 6
49.6

15.2
14.0
3 9.8
49.4

134

MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L
M em phis, T enn.
Article

Unit

Sirloin stea k ..... .................. .
R ound ste a k ____ ____ ___
R ib ro a st_______ _______ _
C huck r o a s t........................

P o u n d ___
...d o _____
...d o _____
...d o ...........

P late beef______ ______ _
Pork ch o p s.._____ _______
Bacon, sliced...... .................
H am , sliced______ _____ _

_do.
.do_
.d o .
_do.

L am b, leg of____________
H ens______________ _____
Salmon, canned, re d _____
M ilk, fresh...... ......................

. . . d o .'.
...d o ..
. . . d o ..
Q u art.

M ilk, evaporated________
B u tte r______ ____ _______
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
su b stitu tes).
Cheese....................................
L a rd ___________________
Vegetable lard su b stitu te ..
Eggs, stric tly fr e s h ............

15-16 oz.can
P o u n d ___
...d o _____

M ilw aukee, W is.

M inneapolis, M inn.

Jan. 15-

Dec. Jan. Jan . 15— Dec Jan. Jan. 15— Dec Jan.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
20. U 35.3 35. £

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

20.5
18.5
17.3
15.0

Cts.

37.3
33.5
28.2
23.5

C ts.

37.8
33.2
28.0
24.5

C ts.

16.8 31
32. 7
18.2 26.4 25.9
13.9 19.2 19.4

37.6
33.6
28.4
24.8

20. (
17.7
16.5
14.1

30.9
27.8
24.7
19r 4

31.1
27.9
24. <
20.4

31.9
28.9
26.6
20.6

10.1 14.6
18.6 31.1
29.1 42.
26.4 49.6

10.5
15.3
25.5
26.0

14. i
33.9
46. 7
49.8

14.5
33.0
48.8
51.3

14. 7 9.0
33. 7 16. c
48.6 25.0
52.8 27.5

11.2
33.2
48.4
50.4

12.4
32.4
48.8
52.5

12.8
33.1
47.4
52.9

18.5
17.8
........
7.0

40.5
36.6
32. 2
10.0

36.5
32.1
33. 6
11.0

37.7 13.6 36.0 34.4
35.4 17.5 35. £ 32.9
34. C
39. 2 39 0
11.0 7.5 11.7 11.0

34.4
35.1
38 7
1L0

15.2
33.2
42.7
55.0

20.1 39.6 37.

19.4 33.5 31.0
33.8 34.3
10.0 15.0 15.0
11.6 11.2

11.3 11.0 11.1
12. 1 11 4 11 5
38.0 50.5 60.1 56.1 39.6 50.0 60.0 54.6
........ 29. 2 27. 2 27.1
29 0 25 8

55.1 56.
27.2 27.4

...d o __
...d o __
...d o _____
D ozen___

20.0 34.4 33.8

15.2 20.1 17.6
23.7 21. 2
31.4 48. 52.2

22.3 35.3 35.4
15.0 22.3 20.4
26.9 26. 7
34.6 48.4 63.3

Eggs, storage........ ................ ...d o _____
B read__________ _____ _
P o u n d __
F lo u r_______________ ___ ...d o ____
C orn m eal............................ ..d o ____

25.0 38.3 43.3
6.0 9.7 9.5
3.6 7.1 6. i
2.1
3. 7 3.7

25.3 38.7 43.1 42.2 23.0 38.3 39.6 40.0
5.6 9.0 9.0 9.0 5.7 9.9 8.9 8.9
3.1 5.7 5. 2 5.1 2.8 5.8 5.4 5.3
3.3 5.6 5.7 5. 5 2.4 5.4 5.2 5.2

R ic e ............................. .........
Beans, n a v y ............... .........
P o ta to e s................................
O nio n s...................................

.d o __
.d o __
.d o _____
.d o __

C ab b a g e ................................
Beans, b a k ed ____________
Corn, can n ed.................... .
Peas, canned.........................

...d o ____
No. 2 can.
...d o ____
...d o ____

Tom atoes, can n ed ...............
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ..............
T e a .. ......................................
Coffee.... .................................

...d o ____
P o u n d ._.
...d o ____
—do ____

P run es..................
R aisin s............ .....................
B a n a n a s................................
Oranges...................................

...d o ____
—do ____
Dozen___
—do____

i Whole.


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

9.4

9.1

11.0 10.

9.1

25. 25.1
19.5 19.2 19.3

8.0

10.3
9.6

9.4
9.4
4.5
5.1

8.7 8.5 8.4
10. 5 10. 2 10. 3
24. 5 24.6 24.5
18.1 18. 0 17.3

4.6
5.3

9.0 11.8 11.3 10.8
8.8 8.5 8.5
1.2 4.9 3.5 3. 5
5.1 4.6 5.0

3.
4.7
11.6 11.5
16.6 15.6 15.5
17. 7 16.9 16.0

5.1 4.0 5.1
11.3 11. 1 11.2
16.5 15.5 15.6
17.1 16.3 15.8

6.2
5.4

5.8

12.1

Oi__

...d o ___
8-oz. pkg
28-oz. pk g .
Pound.

0°

Rolled oats............................
C orn flakes...........................
W heat cereal...... ..................
M acaroni...............................

36.0 20.3 35.4 35.4 36.1
19.7 15.0 20.9 18.9 18.9
26.8
27.4 27.4 27.1
51.8 31.5 46.1 54.8 50.3

1.0

8.4 8.2 8.3
10 9 10 8
25.8 2A3 25.'3
19 4 18 9
11.9 11.0 10.7
9.3 9.5 9.6
5. 1 3.2 3.3
5.4 5.0 5.4
4.9 3.7 4.0
13.4 12.4 12.2
16.0 14.3 14.2
16.2 14.7 14.4

11.5 10.4 10.2
14.0 13.4 13.6
14.5 13.7 13.8
5.8 6.9 7.1 7.3 5.5 6.3 6.9 7.2 5.6 6.8 7.3 7.5
63.8 94.4 99.0 99.5 50.0 71.3 71.0 71.6 45.0 61.8 60.6 61.7
27.5 51.7 49.6 49.5 27.5 47.0 46.8 45.9 30.8 54.3 53.9 53.8
17. 7 15.9 15.5
17.4 16.5 15.7
17.2 16.8 16.0
15.3 14.6 14.6
14.8 14.6 14.7
15.3 14.4 14.5
29.1
i. 1 28. 7
2 9. 8 29. 9 2 9. 9
2H .3 211.8 211.9
41. 7 37.3 33.4
47.1 52.9 46.0
49.8 5 7 .6 50.3

135

BETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
A R T IC L E S O F F O O D IN 61 C IT IE S O N S P E C IF I E D D A T E S
M obile, Ala.

N ew ark, N . J.

N ew H aven, Conn.

N ew Orleans, La.

N ew Y ork, N . Y.

Jan. Dec. Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan
15,
15,
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927
1926 1927
1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926
C ts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

33. 3
32.1
27.3
21.7

34.5
33.6
28.2
22.3

34. 5
33.6
28.6
23.9

25.2
24.8
19.6
16.8

44.8
42. 7
36.0
24.8

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

44.5
42. 7
35.4
24.8

43.9
42. 3
34.2
24.4

30.0
26.2
22.6
17.6

54.1
43.9
37.0
27.5

53. 5
43.7
35.9
26.8

53.7
44.0
35. 6
26.3

19. 6
17. 1
18.3
12.1

34.6
30. 1
29.0
20.4

34.9
31.0
29.6
20.9

34.9
31.2
30.0
20.7

24.4
23.1
21.0
14.9

45.6
43.4
38.9
24.9

44. 1
43.0
38.8
24.6

44.3
42.7
38.6
24.6

17.2
38.3
48.4
50.0

17.3
39.1
51.2
54.3

17.8
38.6
48.8
52.7

11.6
20.0
22.4
U8. 4

14.0
36.1
44.6
57.6

13.0
37.2
48.4
56.2

12.8
37.1 19. 2
47.6 25.8
55.3 30.0

15.2
36.6
49.9
57.7

15.5
38.2
49. 7
62.9

15.6
37.1
50.1
61.5

10.9
20. 0
29.8
26.3

18.3
35.2
45.2
49.3

18.2
36.9
51.4
54.0

18.5
36.0
50.5
50.3

13.7
19.5
23.0
27.8

21.0
39.1
49.8
59.0

20.2 19.5
41.5 39.2
50.1 49.3
61.3 62.0

41.3
37.6
39.0
17.8

40.7
36.8
34.0
17.8

40.0 21.2 39.4 37.3 36.2 19.0 39.9 38.8 38.0 19.8 39.5 38.6 38.5 15.9 37.5
38.0 21.2 39.6 3&3 37.3 21.8 42.4 42.0 42.0 20.8 39.8 37.3 37.6 19.8 39. 7
35.8
32.8
35.7 32.4 31.9
34.1 32.8 32.1
37.7 37.4 37.6
18.5 9.5 15.0 15.0 15.0 9.Ö 16.0 16.0 16.0 1Ö.Ö 14.0 14.0 14.0 9.0 15.0

36.9
40.3
31.9
15.0

35.3
39.5
30.5
15.0

11.1
11.7 11.8 11.8
11.3 11.2 11.2
11.1 11.1 11.2
12.3 12.1 12.1
68.8 60.2 59.9 43.2 55.8 63.6 60.1 38.3 56.3 57. 7 57.7 41. Î 56.6 58. 5 59.0 40. 8 54.4
31.0
31.3 30. 9 29.1
31.1 30. 5 30. 7
32.1 29.9 29.4
33.1 31. 7 31.1

11.1 11.1
63.3 58.8
31. 3 30.2

38.0
22.3
21. 6
50.6

37.7
20. 5
26.2
76.8

37.5
20.3
20.6
64.6

37.8 '24.5
19.2 16.3
20.4
50.3 48.8

39.5
22.6
26.3
63.2

39.8
20.8
25.8
73.8

39.7 22.0 39.4 38.3 39.1 22.0 35.4 36.7 37.5 20.0 38.5
20.1 15.2 22.3 20. 4 19.4 14.4 22.1 20.1 19.8 15.9 23.2
25.9
25.7
22.6 19.7 19.0
25.8 26.0 25.7
63.9 45.9 70.2 89.1 75.1 35.6 53.2 56.1 51.1 42.6 61.6

38.1
20.5
26.2
64.7

44.1 48.2 42.6 29.4 43.6 48.1 48.2 28.2 46.4 52.2 50.7 25.0 40.7 41.5 40.8 27.4 46.3
9.6 9.8 10.1 5.7 9.3 9.6 9.6 5.7 9.0 9.2 9.2 5.1 8.9 8.8 8.8 6.0 9.6
6.8 6.4 6.4 3.8 6.0 5.5 5.4 3.2 6.3 5.7 5.6 3.7 7.6 7.0 6.8 3.3 6.3
4.1 4.0 3.8 3.6 6.8 6.7 6. 7 3.2 7.0 6.7 6.8 2.6 4.0 4.0 4.1 3.5 6.4

48.0 47.4
9.0 9.6
5.4 5.5
6. 5 6.5

8.7
9.1 9.0 9.0
10.0
10.7 10.3 10.4
24.0
24.8 24.6 24.5
9.3 10.0 10.5 ........ 20.8

8.6 8.7
10.0 10,0
24.1 23.9
21.1 20.8

8.8 8.6 8.6
11.2 11.1 11. 1
24.8 25. 4 25.3
20.6 20.9 20.5 —

8.4 8.5 8.2
10.1 10.0 10.0
24.1 24.3 24.5
21.1 21.0 20.9

....

9.4 9.3 9.3
10.9 10.8 10.7
25.1 24.9 24.8
22.9 22.4 22.3

—

9.8
8.4
4.7
4.5

8.0 10.7
11.0
2.5 6.4
— 5.9

10.1 10.1
10.2 9.9
4.3 4.3
5.0 5.9

5.7 4.5 4.9
5.2 4.1 4.1
11.4 10.7 11.0
11.6 11.2 11.4
18.6 18.9 18.6
15.3 15.4 15.6
19.9 20.3 J9. 3 ..... 16.4 17.5 17.4

5.4
11.2
15.1
15.7

4.2 5.0
10.6 10.5
14.5 14.7
15.3 14.8

11.4
6. 7
80. C
49.4

10.8 10.9
12.4 12.6 12.6
11.0
11.2 11.8 11.8
11.2 10.3 11.6
7.4 7. 5 5.7 6.6 6.6 6.7 5.7 6.5 7.2 7.4 5.7 6.1 6.9 7.1 5. Î 5.8
80.7 78.9 53.8 64.2 62. S 63.2 55.0 59.5 60.4 60. 0 62.1 82.4 82.6 80.4 43.3 64.7
50.1 50.0 29.3 49.7 49.1 48.8 33.8 53.3 52.2 52.3 27.1 37.6 35.5 35.6 27.5 48.0

10.8 11.4
6.5 6.8
65.7 65.9
47.4 46.7

16.9
14.5
24.0
40.9

15.4
14.4
23.0
38.7

11.2 10.4 10.3
10.1 8.9 9.1
6.4 5.0 4.9
5.5 5.1 4.8

9.0 11.2 10.9 10.8
10.0 9.5 9.7
2.5 6.3 4.4 4.4
.... 6.2 5.0 5.6

5.4 4.1 4.3
5.7 4.9 5.3
11.6 10.0 10.7
11.0 10.9 10.7
17.5 16.4 16.2
16.8 17.5 18.1
10.3 16.6 16.3 ........ 17.2 17.0 16.2

15.8
14.5
23.9
36.8 ........

16.3
14.6
36.6
51.1

14.8
14.8
38.1
50.7

9.3 12.1 11.6 11.1
9.8 9.7 9.6
i. 7 6.1 3.9 4.0
— 6.2 5.5 6.0

—

14.9
14.6
38.6
49.2 ........

16.2
14.1
34.1
50.8

15.9
14. Ü
34.5
53.2

2 Per pound.


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

[605]

15.9
13.9
35.0
50.7

7.4 10.5
9.1
6.1
— 5.1
2.5

.....

18.1
14.2
17.9
41. 5

9.9
8.5
4.7
4.3

17.8
14.2
14. 6
40.0

—

17.3
13.9
15.7
40.5 ........

16.1
14.5
37.1
54.9

14.6
14.3
40.3
58.5

13.9
14.3
37.7
49.8

136

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I

Norfolk, Va.
U nit

Article

Jan. Dec. Jan.
15, 15, 15,
1926 1926 1927

Cts.

Cts.

Om aha, N ebr.
J a n 15—

Peoria, 111.

1913

1926

Dec.
15,
1926

Jan.
15,
1927

Jan.
15,
1926

Dec.
15,
1926

Jan.
15,
1927

C ts.

Cts.

Cts.

C ts.

36.8
34.0
26.3
21.7

33.6
32.1
23.7
20.4

34.8
34.1
25.1
22.2

35.0
34.1
25.5
21.5

Sirloin ste a k _______ ____
Pound.
R ound stea k ______________ ____d o ..
R ib roast_______ ________ ____d o ..
C huck roast_____________ ........ d o ..

40.1
34.1
31.3
22.3

40.6
33.8
31.
22.7

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

40.6
34.5
31.6
22.5

Cts.

23.6
19.2
16.7
13.8

36.6
32.8
26.1
21.7

37.1
34.5
26.3
22.0

Plate beef_____________
Pork chops____________
Bacon, sliced.....................
H am , sliced____ ;______

____d o ..
____d o ..
____d o ..
____d o ..

14.9
34.9
44.5
46.8

16.3
34.8
48.0
49.5

15.5
35.6
46.8
49.8

9.2
16.7
25.4
27.0

12.1
35.7
51.1
54.7

12.8
36.2
53. (
58,7

13.2
34.7
51.2
57.8

13.8
33.2
50. C
52.1

15.0
34.7
50.4
56.8

14.3
33.7
50.4
56.8

L am b, leg of_______
H ens______________
Salmon, canned, re d .
M ilk, fre s h .................

____do........ .
____do_____
____do...........
Q u a r t..___

41.3
38.4
36.7
17.5

38.6
37.1
34.0
17.5

39.3 15.0
40.2 16.3
33.1 :__
17.5;
8.2

37.7
33.4
38.1
11.6

36.2
31.2
36.0
11.3

36.3
32.6
35.1
11.3

36.2
34. t
38.4
11.7

40.0
33.3
35.6
12.0

39.3
35.0
35.2
13.0

11.9
51.4
31.3

11.6
53.9
28.0

11.8
54.7
26.2

11.6
51.7
31.2

11.4
57.8
29.4

11.3
56.1
28.9

29.5

37.5
24.9
27.0
47.1

36.3
23.4
27.3
52.1

37.0
22.8
26.7
45.1

35.9
22.5
27.2
48.3

37.0
20.4
27.1
64.7

37.6
20.0
27.1
52.5

5.2
2.9
2.3

39.8
10.1
5.7
5.0

43.2
10.2
4.7
4.9

38.8
10.2
4.7
4.8

40.4 45.4
10. C 10.1
6.1
5.6
4.9
5.0

42.4
10.0
5.5
4.9

10.3
12.0
28.3
21.3

10.4
12.8
28.0
21.2

10.2
12.4
28.0
20.7

9.0
12.0
25.4
20.8

9.1
11.9
25.2
19.4

8.8
11.8
26.3
18.7

11.4
10.3
5.7
5.9

11.4
9.9
4.0
5.3

11.0
9.8
3.9
5.9

11.8
9.0
5.6
6.1

11.7
9.0
3.8
5.8

11.8
8.8
3.7
5.7

5.7
14.6
16.5
17.4

4.3
13.7
15.6
16.1

4.4
12.8
15.8
15.5

5.9
11.7
15.9
18.0

3.7
11.7
16.2
18.1

4.5
11.3
16.0
17.5

14.3
6.9
78.5
57.4

13.6
7.6
78.8
55.0

13.3
7.8
80.3
54.4

14.5
7.3
64.8
52.1

13.3
7.7
70.1
51.3

12.7
8.5
72.1
50.9

M ilk, e v ap o rated _________
B u tte r___________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
su b stitu tes).
'C heese___________________
L a rd _____________________
Vegetable lard s u b s titu te s ..
Eggs, stric tly fresh______

15-16 oz. can. 11.4 11.2 11.2
P o u n d ____ 58.6 59.6 60.8
........ do_____ 28.9 27.2 27.7
____do..........
........ do_____
____do_____
D ozen____

34.5 34.7 35.4
20.9 19.1 19.0
21.6 21.9 22.1
55.5 64.7 55.0

Eggs, storage______________
B read.............................. ..
F lo u r_______ _____________
Corn m eal_________ _______

____d o ..
Pound.
____d o ..
____d o ..

41. 5 48.0 48.8
9.
9.9 9.9
6.3 5.8 5.9
4.7 4.5 4.5

Rolled oats_________ _____
Corn flakes_______________
W heat c erea l.........................
M acaroni____________

___ do........
8-oz. pfeg..
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___

8.5 8.7 9.0
10.4 10.3 10.4
23.9 23.8 24.8
19.3 19.0 19.1

.d o .
.d o .
.d o .
.d o .

11.6 12.3 12.1

___ d e.......
No. 2 c an .
___ do___
___ do___

5.1 4.7 4.6
9.8 9.8
15.6 15.4 15.8
20.3 .19.8 19.5

R ice_______
Beans, n a v y .
Potatoes____
Onions...........
C abbage_________
Beans, b a k ed ____
Corn, can n ed____
Peas, eanned_____

22.9
16.4

__

__
8.5

8.6 8.8 __
4.6
6.6 6.0 6.6 1.3
9.1
6.4

4.6

10.1

Tom atoes, canned________
___d o ..
Sugar, gran u lated.......... ....... P o u n d .
T e a .. ................... ...........
------ d o ..
Coffee_____ _____
..d o ..

10.2 9.9 9.9
6.2 7.0 7.2
89.5 89.4 94.0
50.4 51.3 50.9

P ru n es............. ................ .........
R aisins________ ____ ___ ” 1
B ananas___ _____ _______
O ranges._____________ II III

17.0
14.1
33.5
49.2

___ do.
___ do.
Dozen.
----- do.

39.2

__
5.9
56.0
30.0

15.0 15.4
17.3 16.4 16.5
14.5 14. S __
15.3 15.3 15.5
33.3 32.8
3 11. 8 3 11. 7 3 12.0
43.9
43.9 55.1 47.7

. report it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak


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

20.5 18.6 18.8
14.8 15.1 14.5
3 9. 9 3 10. 7 3 11.3
41.2 52.1 51.7

137

RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
C L E S OF FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF I E D D A T E S —C ontinued
Philadelphia, Pa.

P ittsbu rg h , Pa.

Portland, Me.

Portland, Oreg.

Providence, R. I.

Jan. 15— Dec. Jan. Jan. 15—
Dec. Jan.. Jan. Dec. Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. J an. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan.
15.
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1928 1927
1926 1927
1926 1927
1913 1926 1926 1927 1926
1913 1925
1913 1926
1913 1920 1926 1927
Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

i 28.3 i 55.6 i 54.4
23.1 41. 7 41.2
21.4 37.2 36.3
16.5 23.8 26.0
10.5
19.8
23.6
29.1

12.3
40. 1
46.2
55.8

12.8
40.9
47. 5
59.7

17.7 41.0 40.2
20.8 41.4 40.9
38.0 29.9
8.0 12.0 13.0

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

24.8
21.4
20.4
15.4

46.6
38.3
35.0
24.8

Cts.

■55.0
41. 5
36.5
26.0

Cts.

45.3
38.8
34.1
25.0

45.5
38.1
33.2
25.0

12.8
40.0
46.9
59.7

10.8
19.4
27.2
29.0

12.6
38.1
51.2
59.8

13.6
37.6
53.5
62.4

13.3
37.3
54.0
60.8

39.1 21.3 41.1 40.0 40.1
41. 1 24.3 44.6 44. 1 44.1
37.7 32.9 31.6
29. 6
13.0 8.8 14.7 14.7 15.0

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

i 60.9 i 60.1
45. 9 46.0
29.6 29.7
20.8 21.6

> 58.6
45. 1
29.3
20.8

21.0
19.0
18.7
15.8

28.9
25.7
24.9
18.0

29.4
26. 1
24.6
18.6

29.4
26. 3
25.0
18.8

39.6
29.4
24.6
18.4

16.2
38.5
45.2
52.4

16.6
39.5
45.5
57.9

17.7
37.0
45.4
56.8

12.6
20.2
28.8
28.8

13.2
36.3
52.1
52.8

13. 5
38. 1
55.0
57.4

13.9
19.8
38.4 18.0 39.4
54.7 21.8 45.9
57.4 28. 5 56. 5

18.0
40. 0
45.9
60.4

17.9
38.8
45.6
60.0

38.3
40.9
39.1
13.5

37.5
41.3
33.1
13.8

37.3 17.7 38.0 35.8
41.8 20.9 35.9 35.0
37. 2 36. 2
31. 3
13.8 9.7 12.7 12.0

35.9 18.7 42.5
36. 9 23.2 43.1
34. 8
37. 2
12.0 9.0 14.7

40.2
42.5
35.3
15.2

38.8
42.5
33 5
14.3

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

C ts.

i 72.3 >-70.2 >70.2
50.6 49. 4 49.2
39.2 38.3 37.2
29.2 29.0 27.9

11.6 11. 5 11.6
11.6 11.4 11.3 12.5 12.4 12.4
10.4 10.7 10.8
12.2
46.4 58.2 65.3 62.9 41. 9 56. 4 64.0 60.7 58.4 58.9 60.3 44.5 54.7 55.6 56.7 40.0 56.2
32.4 30.8 30.8 —
32.1 32.0 31.9 29.7 28.0 28.0
29. 7
31.0 30.3 30.2

12.2 12.1
56. 6 57. 2
28.9 28.8

25.0 41.0 39.3
14.4 22.0 19. 2
25.6 25. 1
38.4 56.7 74.0

36.8
18.9
26.6
76.5

—

39.8 24. 5
19.3 15.6
25.6
62.4 37.6

39.8
22.3
26.9
57.5

39.7
20. 9
27.5
70.6

39.6
20. 5
27.7
61.5

38.7
21.1
24.1
59.3

37.9
19.1
25.8
80.3

37.7 21.3 39.3 38.2 38.3 22. 7 36.0
18.5 17.9 24.8 22.8 22. 6 14. 7 21.7
27.2
28.3 28.9 28.8
25.7
64.1 41.7 39. 2 53.5 40.7 42.5 67.7

25.2 41. 5 49.3 47.6 25.0 43.3 49.1 45.9 46.5 52.4 51.3 25.0 32.0 44.0
4.8 9.4 9. 5 9.5 5.3 9. 1 9.2 9. 2 10.0 9.9 10.1 5.7 9.4 9.5
3.2 6. 1 5.4 5.4 3.0 6.0 5.3 5.3 6.3 5.6 5.5 2.8 5.5 5.2
2.8 4.8 4.7 4.9 2.7 5.8 5.9 5.9 5.2 5.1 5.1 3.1 5.5 5.5

36.7
18.6
26.7
67.3

9.5
5.2
5.3

26.8 43.9
6.0 9.2
3.4 6.8
2.9 5. 1

50.4 48.9
9.2 9.2
5.9 5.9
5.0 5.0

10.4
11.6
26.7
18.4

9.3
10.8
25.1
23.7

9.2 9.1
10.8 10.9
25.4 25.2
23.7 23.3

8.6 8.5 8.6
10.0 10.1 10. 1
24.4 24.4 24.8
........ 21.5 20.8 20.7

9.4 9.4 9.3 7.5 8.1 7.9
10.6 10. 5 10.5 11.6 11.6 11.6
25.2 25.0 25. 3 25.9 25.8 25.9
22.6 23.7 23.6 25.1 24.9 24.7

9.8 12.0 11.8 11.4
___ 9.3 9.0 9.2
2.1 6.6 4.7 4.6
5.8 4.8 5.3

9.2 12.5 12.5 12.2 12.9 13.5 12.8
8.9 8.8 8.8 9.9 9.5 9.3
1. 5 6.0 4.0 4.0 5. 7 3.6 3.6
6.5 5.4 5.7 5.5 4.6 5.3

8.6 11.4 10.4 10.3
9.8 9.8 9.7
7.0 3.8 2.6 2.4
4.4 3. 7 4.2

9.3 11.6
9.8
1.7 5.9
5.6

11.8 11.9
9.9 9.7
3.7 3.7
5.0 5.3

7.4 4.6 4.9
10.9 10. 5 10.7
15.2 14.8 14, 5
........ 15.3 15.3 15.3

6.3 5.0 5.3 4.2 3.4 3.4
12. 9 12.6 12.4 15.2 15.4 15.3
17.8 16.8 16.1 16.9 16.9 16.0
18.2 17.1 17.3 18.8 18.4 18.4

3.1 3.6 4.0
14.4 12.8 13.2
19.7 18.1 19.2
19.3 19.0 19.6

4.9
11.8
18.0
19.7

3.9 4.4
11.4 11.4
18.1 17. 7
19i 5 19.0

11.3 12.1 12. 5
12.4 12.5 12.3 12.6 12.5 12.6
217.3 2 16.1 2 16.3
13.7
5.2 6.1 6.7 6. 9 6. 0 6. 7 7.4 7. 7 6.7 7.5 7.6 6.6 6.8 7.3 7.5 5.3 6.5
71.1
69.4
69.4
54.0
58.0 84.0 85. 1 85.1 60.9 61.9 61.4 55.0 76.1 70. 6 77.6 48.3 61.2
25.0 46.0 45.9 44.8 30.0 51.2 51.3 50.7 54.1 53.7 52.4 35.0 52.6 51.9 53.1 30.0 54.3

13.4 13.2
7.1 7.3
60.8 60.4
53.6 53.7

__
.....

16.2
13.5
32.8
50.1

14.4
13.6
30.7
45.7

13.8
13. 5'
31. 3
46.3 —

18.1
14. 7
40.0
48.5
2 No.


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

17.1
14. 6
40. 3
47.6
can,

17.2 15.8 15.1 15.0
14.3 13.1 13.8 13.5
39. 7 310.3 310.9 310.9
48.8 47.1 52.7 54.2

—

—

10.5
11.3
26.4
18.5

10.3
11.4
26.8
18.0

—

14.3 10.1 9.8
13.8 13.5 13.5
313.7 312.9 313.1
46.4 51.1 48.7 - - - - Per pound.

16.7
14.1
33. 8
51.4

15.2
14.3
32. 5
53.0

14.7
14.3
32. 5
53.1

138

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5 —A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L
R ichm ond, Va.
Article

U nit

Sirloin steak________________
R ound steak
____________
________________
R ib roast
C huck ro ast...... .........................

P o u n d _____
____do______
____do______
........do_____

R ochester,N .Y .

St. Louis, M o.

Jan . 15— Dec. Jan. Jan. Dec. Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan.
15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1913 1926 1926 1927 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927
Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

C ts.

21.8
19. 5
18. 3
14.3

38.8
34. 4
31. 5
22. 7

40.1
35.1
31. 5
23.3

39. f
35. 0
31. 2
23.2

40.1
34. 1
30. 6
24.7

41.0
34. 5
30. 0
24.8

40.5
34. 0
30. 6
24.7

22.7
19.1
16. 8
13.3

36. E
34.7
30.6
21.1

36. 7
35.2
30.4
21.7

36.4
34.9
30.4
21.8

P late beef__ _______________
___do_____ 11. 3
P ork chops_________________ ____do______ 18. 1
Bacon, sliced. _____________ ____do______ 23. 2
H am , sliced................................ ____do______ 22. 5

15.9
36.4
44. 1
44. 6

16.1
37.9
45. 3
47.1

16. 5
36. 8
44. 9
46. 3

13.9
39. 5
43. 5
52.1

14.0
39. 2
44. 8
56. 3

14.2 9.2 14.4
39. 2 17. 7 32. 3
44. 4 23. 0 46.2
55.8 25.0 49.6

16.0
33. 0
46.2
53.9

15.9
32.5
45.0
52.0

L am b, leg of________________
H en s___ ___________________
Salmon, canned, red ________
M ilk, fresh____ ’___________ _

____d o ........... 18. 7
___ do
19.8
____do______
Q u art______ 10.0

45. 5
39.9
36. 5
14.0

44.1
35. 8
34.4
14.0

44. 2
38. 7
34. 2
14.0

39. 5
42. 2
37. 5
12.5

36. 8
39. 9
32. 3
12.5

37.2 17.7 37.8
41. 7 17. 8 35. 6
32. 6
39.0
12.5 8.0 13.0

37.8
33.9
35. 5
13.0

36.8
35.5
34.8
13.0

M ilk, evaporated________ _
B u tter
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
substitutes).
Cheese........................... .............
Lard
__________________
Vegetable lard s u b stitu te ____
Eggs, strictly fresh....................

10.6 10.3 10.4
15-16 oz.can.
12.8 12.4 12.4 11. 6 11.9 11.5
43. 6 62. 4 62. 9 63. 6 56. 5 57. 5 58. 4 40. 7 56. 3 63.6 60. 6
Pound
28.7 27.6 27.0
____do______
31.9 31.9 31.9 32.4 30.1 30.4

Eggs, s to ra g e ...........................
B read ___ __________________
Flour__________ ___________
Corn m eal................. ..............

____do______ 23.7 46.4 45.6 42.0 44.1 47.4 45.0 25.0 36.4 41.7 40.0
Pound
5. 4 9. 5 9. 3 9.4 8. 9 9.0 9. 0 5.6 9.9 9.8 9.8
___do____
3. 3 6. 3 5. 8 5. 7 6.1 5. 6 5. 5 3.1 5.8 5.3 5.2
____do.......... . 2. 0 5. 0 4. 5 4. 7 6.4 5. 5 5.5 2.3 4.7 4.3 4.2

Rolled o a t s ...............................
Corn flakes ................................
W heat cereal
__________
M a c a ro n i....................................

____do
8-oz. p k g __
28-oz."pkg .
P o u n d . ___

9. 2 8. 9 8. 9 9. 5 9.2 9.2
11.2 10.9 10. 9 10. 5 10.6 10.3
25. 4 25.4 25. 6 25. 7 25.4 24. 9
20.6 20.2 20.2 23.2 20. 7 19. 6

8.8 8.4 8.5
10.1 10. 0 10.1
24. 7 24. 5 24.4
21.2 20. 9 20.7

Rice_____________ __________
Beans, n a v y ......................... .....
Potatoes___________________
O nions.......... ...............................

____d o __
____do______
____do______
____do______

9. 8 12. 7 12. 7 12.1 11.1 10. 2 11.1
10. 0 9. 3 9. 2 9. 7 9.1 9.1
1.8 7. 0 4. 5 4.5 5. 6 3. 3 3.2
6.9 6.8 6. 9 4.9 4.8 4. 6

8.6 10. 7 10. 7 10.3
8.4 8.1 8.0
1. 7 5. 7 4.3 4.3
6.1 5.0 5.4

C abbage.. ..................................
Beans, baked ............... .............
Corn, canned______ ________
Peas, canned_______________

____ do______
No. 2 c an __
____do ___
____do___

4. 6 4. 6 3.9 3.0 2. 4
10. 7 9. 9 9. 7 10. 9 10. 4 10. 4
16. 0 15.4 15. 5 16. 5 16. 8 15. 5
20. 7 20.0 20. 3 18. 9 18. 4 18. 7

5. 4 3. 8 4.3
10. 9 10. 6 10.6
16.2 15. 8 15. 7
16. 9 15. 6 15.3

___do
22. 3 36. 7
____do___ _ 15. 0 22.1
___do_______
26. 2
Dozen........... 29.7 55.7

36. 6
19. 5
25.4
60.6

36. 9
19. 2
'.25. 9
52.7

38. 5
21.3
23. 4
60.0

36.3
19. 2
24. 5
72.7

37.6 20.2 36.1 36.3 37.4
18. 0 13.1 17.9 16.4 16.1
23.5
26.6 25.7 25.6
59.5 29.3 47.7 57.6 50.2

Tom atoes, canned ................... ____do______
12. 2 11. 5 11.4
11.0 10. 3 10.2 14. 3 13. 8 13. 5
Sugar, g ran u lated . .................. Pound ____ 5.8 6.6 7.1 7.4 6.2 6.9 7.0 5.8 6.7 7.4 7.6
Tea............. ............. ........... ____d o _____ 56. 0 91.8 88.9 90. 9 67. 4 68. 7 68. 7 55. 0 73. 6 73. 8 74. 4
do
Coffee________________ _____
27.4 49.9 48.7 48.0 48. 9 47. 7 47.2 24.3 48.0 48.2 48.0
P ru n es. ___________ _____
____do______
R a is in s ___________________ _ _ d o _____
B ananas........................................ D o z e n . .. __
___ do____
O ranges..
. . .

18.2
14. 4
35. 8
45. 3

1No. 2 can,


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

[ 608]

16. 7
13. 9
37. 7
45.4

16. 3
14.1
37. 7
42.2

18. 3
14. 1
38. 6
48.4

15.8
13. 9
37. 7
52.4

16.1
14.1
38. 6
44. 7

18.9
14. 8
32. 3
46. 4

17.9
14. 5
32.3
48. 7

18.3
14. 3
31.4
48.8

139

BETAIL PRICES OP FOOD
A R T IC L E S O F F O t)D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —Continued
St. Paul, M inn.

Jan.
15,
1926

Dec.
15,
1926

Jan.
15,
1927

Cts.

C ts.

34.4
28.9
28.3
22.2

35.1
30.2
28.3
22.9

12. 7
32. 5
47.6
48.9

Salt Lake C ity, U tah
Jan. 15—

Dec.
15,
1926

San Francisco, Calif. Savannah Ga.

Scranton, Pa.

Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan. Jan. Dec. Jan. Jan. 15— Dec. Jan.
15,
15, 15, 15, 15,
15,
1927 1913 1926 1926 1927 1926 1926 1927 1913 1926 1926 1927

1913

1926

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

Cts.

C ts.

35.2
29.9
29.1
22.9

23. 1
19.5
19.2
14.8

29.0
25. 7
22.3
17.5

30.4
27.7
23.9
18.5

30.8
28.0
23.5
18.8

20.3
18. 7
20.3
15.0

32.5
29.9
30.3
19.2

32.0
29.4
30.0
19.1

32. 7
29. 8
30.5
19. 7

31.0
26.0
25. 0
16.3

33.6
26.8
27.3
18.2

34.5
27. 5
27. 5
18. 1

21.8
17.5
18.4
14.3

50.9
42.7
37.4
28.5

50. 5
42.5
37.6
28. 1

51.2
42.3
38.0
28.0

13.3
32.7
47.6
49.7

13.4
32.7
45.9
49.3

11.5
21.4
32.0
29.0

12.4
35.5
47.3
51.7

13.2
38.0
50.8
60.0

13.4
38. 5
49.7
60.0

12.5
21.8
32.8
30.0

15.5
43. 2
62.3
63.3

15.7
45.0
61.8
66.2

15.6
44. 1
61.5
65.7

13.6
33. 7
43.7
45.0

13.7
34. 5
46.9
48.8

15.0 9.8 13.0 13.3
33.8 18.0 41.0 42. 7
46. 1 24.6 50.3 52. 1
47.7 25.5 57.7 60.6

13.2
40.6
49.9
60.9

33.7
34.7
37. 7
11.7

31.8
30.6
37. 7
11.0

31.7
33.0
36. 3
11.0

17.2
23.6

35.5
32.6
34. 5
11.5

34.6
33. 3
36.8
11.3

33.9 17.2 38.6 37.0
33.2 24.2 43.6 45. 1
34.5 31. 5
36.1
10.8 10.0 14.0 14.0

36.6
45.4
31.3
14.0

39.0
35.8
39. 1
17.3

39.0
35.7
35.6
17.0

38.0 18.7 45.7 44.3 44.0
34.6 21.5 45.3 43.9 45.0
36. 1 34.2 33.3
33.8
17.3 8.8 12.0 12.0 12.0

12. 0
48. 7
28. 2

11. 7
57.3
26. 4

11. 7
53.9
25. 9

10. 6
51.9
31. 0

10. 6
52.4
29.2

12.1 11.8 11.8
10.3 10. 1 10. 1 11.3 11.0 11.1
10.6
52.6 41.4 55.4 55.8 57.2 59.8 59.2 60.7 39.0 56.4 56.4 57.8
29.2 29.0
34.9
32.0
34.
9
30.8
32.1 30.8
36. 7
29.2

35.4
21.2
27.4
47.0

35.5
19.8
27.6
55.4

36.0
19.0
28. 5
49.2

40.0

32.7
24. 2
29. 7
38.5

30.2
23.2
29.4
50.1

30. 7 21.0 39.9
23.2 17.6 25. 1
27.8
29.4
42.1 31.4 44.8

38. 0
10.2
6.1
5.4

42. 4
10.0
5.0

41. 6
10.0
5.4
5.1

27. 5
5.9
2.4
3.4

25.0
10.0
4.9
5.4

9.9
4.2
5.4

10.1
12. 0
25 7
19.0

10. 0
12. 0
26. 8
18. 7

10. 0
11. 8
26. 8
18.7

8.9
12. 5
25.4
20.0

8. 9
12. 4
25. 3
20.2

11.3

11.9

10. 7

8.2

4. 7
6.5

a 2
4.7

3.2
4.8

1.1
................

11.2
10 4
3.4
3.0

10.4
9 1
2.6
2.7

9.7
9.1
2.6
3.2

5. 0
13 9
15. 3
16.3

3.7
13. 9
15. 0
15.6

4.0
14. 1
14. 6
15. 9 ................

3.1
14. 5
16.4
16.5

3.2
14. 1
14.9
16.1

3.4
14.0
14.8
15.8

14. 2
7. 1
69.6
52.0

14. 3
7.5
68. 7
52.8

14. 3
7.6
66. 9
51. 9

15. 7
7.4
85.3
57.4

14.0
8.2
87.7
56.0

12.8 12.6 12.6
115.5 114.6 114.9 10.3 10.2 10.2
14.0
8.3 5. 7 6.4 7. 1 7.3 6.6 7.3 7.4 6.2 6.7 7.2 7.3
65.9
67.9 70.4
82.9
52.5
87.9 50.0 68.8 69.3 71.8 77. 1 81.3
55.4 32.0 52.8 53.4 53.5 49.1 47.7 47.3 31.3 52.8 52.8 52.7

8.3
40.0
24.2
18.4

6.8
65.7
35.8

9.9
4.2
5.8

36. 1
22. 0
19.0
54.3

35.6
19.3
16.6
62.9

36.3 18.8
19. 2 15.6
16.3 ______
52.0 37.5

35.6
23.2
26.4
57.8

35.9
21.2
26.8
72.7

35.8
20.8
26.1
65.0

10.2 9.9 9.9
11.1 11.0 11.1
25.6 25. 5 25.4
23.7 23.0 23.0

10.0 9.1 8.9 8.8
10.6 10.5 10.3 10.3
25.3 24.5 24.3 24.2
15.3 18.0 18.3 18.2

8.5 11.7 11.9 11.7 10.8 9.9
10.1 0.5 9. 2 11. 1 10. 2
1.6 5.2 3.9 4.0 6.8 4.6
4.5 4.0 4.6 6.8 6.2
—

9.7
9.5
4.7
6.2

8.5 11.5 11.7 11.5
12.3 11.3 10.8
1.7 5.7 4.1 3.9
5.8 5.4 5. 6
—

6.2 4.8 4.8
13. 5 13.4 13. 2 11.6 12.3 12.5
18. 5 18.3 18. 4 16.5 15. 1 15.1 ______
18.7 18.4 18.2 17.2 16.5 17.6 ........

—

.....

15.0
12. 5
35.6
47.5

2 Per pound.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

39.4
24.3
28.4
44.0

22.5 42.5 44.8 42.0 46. 7 46.8 41.0 26.3 41.6 50.2 48.2
5.9 9.8 9.8 9. 7 10.4 10.5 10.8 5.5 10.3 10.4 10.4
3.3 6.3 5.9 5.9 7. 1 6. 7 6.6 3.6 6.5 6. 1 6.0
7.6 7.7 8.0
3.4 6.4 6.3 6.3 3.6 3.6 3.4

9.5 9. 7
8.8
10. 5 10. 5
12.1
25.2 25.3
25.6
20.4 ........ 14.8 16.0

16.3 15.6 14.8
17. 1 16.4 15.4
13.9 13.6 13.4
15. 6 15.4 15.2
2 15. 5 2 14.2 2 14.0
2 11.9 2 12.0 2 11. 5
51.6 58.1 49.2 ...... 42.6 45.2 42.8

33892°— 27------10

38.9
24. 5
28.4
53.3

[609]

14.0
12.8
30. 5
50.3

13.9
13. 1
31.1
48.4

15.4
13. 5
30.9
39.1

14.9
14.4
31.0
32.3

14.4
14.6 ______
28.2 ______
36.3 —

5.2 3.6 4.8
11.5 11.0 11.2
17.5 17.5 16.8
18.4 17.1 17.7

18.6
14.4
34.0
51.8

16.9
14.7
33.0
56.3

16.6
14. 6
33.0
51.1

140

MONTHLY LABOR BEVIEW

T a b l e 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F F O O D IN 51

C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —Continued
Seattle , W ash.

Springfielc , 111.

W ashington, D . C.

A rticle

U n it

Sirloin ste a k ......................
R ound steak __________
R ib ro a st_____________
C huck ro a st___________

C ts.

C ts.

C ts.

P o u n d _____
____d o _____
____ d o ............
____d o _____

C ts.

C ts.

C ts.

22. C 33. 1 32. 7
20.0 28.6 29.0
18. C 25. 9 27 2
15. 2 18. 6 19. 5

Cts.

32. £
29.3
27 3
20. 0

33. 6
32.9
23 7
21. 2

35. 4
35.0
23 8

25. 0 45. 6
21.4 38.9
20 3 34 9
15. 6 24. 0

46. 4
39.3
34 5
25. 4

46. 6

21.9

35. 8
35.4
23 8
21. 4

34 4
24. 6

P la te beef...... ....................
P ork c h o p s.____ ______
Bacon, sliced__________
H am , sliced...................

____d o _____
____d o _____
____d o _____
___ d o . .........

11. 7
23.4
30. C
28. 3

14. 5
38.3
55. 6
57. 5

14.7
39.5
56. S
61. 5

15.3 13.8
40. 1 33.1
57. 3 46. 5
61. 7 51. 3

14.0
33.8
48. 1
55 4

15.0
33.3
48. 5
53 8

10.7 13.4 14. 1
20.3 39. 5 39.8
23.0 46.2 48.6
28 9 58 3 60 3

14.5
39.2
46.9
59 1

L am b, leg o f ................ ____d o ............ 18.6
H e n s ___________ _____ ____d o _____ 24. 3
Salmon, canned, re d ___ ____d o _____
M ilk, fr e s h ___________ Q u a rt........... 9. 1

37.3
35. 5
37. 2
12.7

36.3
35.1
34. 8

36.9
36. 8
34. 4

37.5

40 5

12.0

12.0

12.5

31. 7
37 9
14. 4

38.3 19.3 43.4 40. 3 39.2
36. 8 20.6 41 0 39. 3 40 4
36 6
37 6 31 9 31 3
14.4 9.0 15 ! 6 iö.O 15.0

M ilk, e v ap o rated ______
B u tte r________________
Oleomargarine (all butte r su b stitu tes).
Cheese________________
L ard_________ _ _____
Vegetable lard substitu te .
Eggs, strictly fresh_____

15-16 oz. can.
Pound
44. 6
____d o _____

10. 8
54 7
32. 1

10.7

56 4
28.7

10. 6
56 6
28.3

u. 9
51 7
32.8

11. 8
61 5
30.3

12 0 12 1 12 0
11 8
57 Q 43 4 59 9 63 7
29.3
31.3 30. 6 act 5

____d o ......... .. 21.6
___ do
-- 17. 8
____d o _____

37. 0
24. 2
28.6

35.0
22 2
28.2

35. 5
21 6
27.7

37. 3
21 9
28.3

38.0
20 8
28.0

38. 5 22.8 39.0 40.2 40.8
10 5 14.2 90 5 19 4 18 7
28.0
24. 7 25. 1 24. 6

D ozen........... 39.0

41. 1

Eggs, storage__________
B read_________________
F lo u r_________________
C orn m eal..........................

____d o _____
Pou n d
____d o _____
____d o _____

R olled o a t s . . ............ .......
C orn flakes........................
W heat cereal__________
M acaro n i____ ____ ____

____d o ____
8-oz. pkg
28-oz?pkg_._
P o u n d _____

Rice .......... ..............
Beans, n a v y ......................
P otato es____ __________
O nions________________

____d o _____
____d o ____
____ d o _____
____d o _____

C abbage_________ .
Beans, b a k e d __________
C orn, can n ed __________
Peas, canned__________

____d o _____
No. 2 can
. . . d o ..........
____d o _____

Jan. 15—

Dec.
15,
1913 1926 1926
C ts.

32. 5
6. 0
2.8
3.1

7 7

C ts.

C ts.

Jan .
15,
1927

Jan . Dec.
15,
15,
1926 1926

39.1
35.1

Jan.
15,
1927

Jan. 15—

Dec. Jan.
15, 15,
1913 1926 1926 1927
C ts.

39.2

51.8

44. 1

52. 1

65.8

55.2 33. 1 59.1 72.8 61.4

37.5
9 8

32.5
9 8

5.0

5.0

48.3
10 1
5.9
4 9

40.7 25.0 44. 6 49.8 45.0
8 9 8 Q
5 .7
3 ! 8 6. 7 6. 3 a 0
d 9 2. 6 5 3 5 O 5 1

5. 1

5. 5

42.5
10 1
6.4
5 0

9. 1 9 0
12. 0 11. 4
26. 8 27. 6
18.4 18. 4

9 1
11. 5
27. 6
18. 7

10 2
11 6
27. 2
19. 2

10 1
11 8
27. 3
19. 3

10
11
27
19

12 2

12 1
9. 9
3 1
4. 4

11
9
6
5

11
9
4
4

10 Q Q 9 12 2 19 4 12 3
9 O
9 1 8 7 8 8
1. 6 6 6 4 4 4 4
6 6 5 5 5 5
54

9 7
5. 5
5. 3

12 8

2
3
1
9

2
4
0
6

1
6
1
0

9
10
24
23

3 9 9 9
6 10 8 10
6 24 5 24
7 23 9 23

9
7
6
2

10.5

9.8

4. 4
4. 6

2. 9

3.3

4.0

4.7

14. 2
19. 3
20. 6

12. 9
18. 2
20.1

12. 6
18. 0
19 7

6. 1
11 9
16 3
17 5

10 9
15 2
17 1

10 8
15 O
16 8

Tom atoes, canned...........
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ..........
T e a .. ___________ _____
C offee...............................

____d o ...........
1 18.2
P o u n d _____ 6. 1
7.0
____d o _____ 50.0 78.0
____d o ........... 28.0 52.0

17.4
7.4
78. 1
51.5

17.0
7.6
78. 1
51.8

13. 7
7.2
78. 7
53.2

13.8
8.2
82. 1
54.0

14. 0
11 .3 11. 3 11.0
8.2 5. 5 6. 5 7.0 7.2
83.2 57. 5 87. 7 89. 5 90.6
52.3 28.8 48. 7 48. 5 47.5

P ru n es________________
R a isin s ..............................
B a n a n a s ...........................
O ranges.............................

........ d o _____
____d o _____
D o zen _____
........ d o _____

1. 0

3.8

4.2

4.7

15.2 14.0 14. 2 17.0 15.9 15.2
14 1 14. 1 13 8 15 2 15 9 15 3
3 13. 3 3 13 9 3 13 7 3 TO fi 2 112 2 9 8
45. 0 50. 4 47. 5 49.5 60.8 49.5

1 N o. ‘lY z can.

7.3

4. 7

4.8

11 1 10 5 10 2
15 6 15 7 15 Q
16 Q
17 1

17. 4
14 9
34 7
49! 3

17.8 16.9
14 9
35 0 35 7
50.0 47.3

2 p er pound.

C o m p a r iso n o f R e ta il F o o d C o s ts in 51 C itie s

rT ’ABLE 6 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
in the retail cost of food3 in January, 1927, compared with the
average cost in the year 1913, in January, 1926, and in December,
1926. For 12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-vear
8For list of articles see note 5, p. 123,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[610]

141

RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD

and the one-m onth periods. These cities have been scheduled by the
bureau a t different dates since 1913. These percentage changes are
based on actual retail prices secured each m onth from retail dealers
and on the average family consumption of these articles in each city.4
T able 6 .—P E R C E N T A G E C H A N G E IN T H E R E T A IL C O ST F O P FO O D IN JA N U A R Y .
1927, C O M P A R E D W IT H T H E C O ST IN D E C E M B E R , 1926, JA N U A R Y , 1926, A N D W IT H
T H E A V E R A G E C O ST IN T H E Y E A R 1913, B Y C IT IE S

C ity

A tlanta . _ _ _____
Baltim ore.
B irm ingham ___ _
Boston.
Bridgeport
Buffalo....... ..............
B u tte . ______
C harleston, S. C .. .
Chicago .
C incinnati________
C leveland___
C olum bus..______
D allas____________
D enver_____ ____
D etroit . . .

Percent­ Percentage decrease,
Jan u ary ,
1927,
age in ­
com pared w ith —
crease,
January,
1927, com­
J anuary, D ecem ­
pared
w ith 1913
ber, 1926
1926

C ity

63.9
66. 8
66. 7
60.3

2.9
2.0
2.9
3.7
J&. 1

0.5
1.2
0.7
2.1
1.6

M inneapolis............
M obile..................... N ew ark__________
New H aven______
New Orleans______

65.7

3.2
0.9
3.3
1.5
2.8

2.0
0.9
0.2
1.4
1.7

New Y o rk ________
Norfolk_____ _____
O m a h a ....................
Peoria____ _______
P hiladelphia______

2.5
3.1
3.0
2.0
5.3

1.9
2.1
1.3
2.4
1.3

P ittsb u rg h ___ _
Portland, M e _____
Portland, Oreg____
Providence_______
R ichm ond________

63.5
71.5
60.1
59.5
55.4
44.3
66.6

F all R iver______
H ouston. _______
Indianapolis______
J a c k s o n v ille ..___
Kansas C ity __

57. 6
54.7
55.6
55.4

3.9
3. 8
4.1
6.9
4.4

2.7
2.2
1.9
2.4
1.0

R ochester_____
St. Louis___ ___
St. P au l__________
Salt Lake C ity___
San Francisco__ _

L ittle R o c k ..
Los A n g e le s .__
Louisville ___
M anchester.
M em phis___ _____
M ilw aukee_______

53.3
46. 8
54. 9
55. 8
49.3
61.4

0.9
0,6
3.8
3.2
4.3
1.5

0.7
0.6
2.4
1.4
0.7
1.8

Savannah.... ...........
Scranton...................
Seattle_____ ____
Springfield, III____
W ashington, D . C__

Percent­ Percentage decrease,
January,
1927,
age in ­
com pared w ith —
crease,
January,
1927, com­
January, D ecem ­
pared
w ith 1913
1928
ber, 1926
55.7
52.4
61.1
56.8
61.6
55.9
64.9
63.7
39.4
58.4
67.2
62.7
34.9
53.4
66.0
46.7
68.4

5.2
1.4
3.1
2.8
3.0

0.6
1.8
2.4
2.0
1.0

3.1
1.2
5.2
1.5
1.7

2.7
0.6
1.6
1.1
2.1

2:3
2.6
1.9
4.9
4.8

1.8
2.4
1.9
2.3
1.2

4.8
2.9
4.3
1.0
1.7

2.4
1.5
1.7
1.9
0.9

3.0
1.9
1,6
1.6
2.3

1.1
1.1
0. 4
2.1
2.4

Effort has been m ade by the bureau each m onth to have ail sched­
ules for each city included in the average prices. For the m onth
of Jan uary 98.0 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices in
the 51 cities sent in a report prom ptly. The foUowing-named 35
cities had a perfect record; th a t is, every m erchant who is cooperating
with the bureau sent in his report in time for his prices to be included
in the city averages: A tlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Bridgeport, Buffalo,
Charleston, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, D etroit, Fall
River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Little
Rock, Louisville, M anchester, M emphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis,
Mobile, Newark, New H aven, New York, Omaha, Portland, M e.,
Richmond, Rochester, St. Louis, St. Paul, Scranton, Springfield,
111., W ashington, D. C.
»The consum ption figures used from Jan u ary , 1913, to D ecember, 1920, for each article in each city are
given in the Labor Review for N ovem ber, 1918, pp. 94 and 95. _ T he consum ption figures w hich have been
used for each m o n th beginning w ith Jan u ary , 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

[ 611]

142

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

The following sum m ary shows the prom ptness with which the
m erchants responded in January, 1927:
R E T A IL P R IC E R E P O R T S R E C E IV E D F O R JA N U A R Y , 1927
Geographic division
Ite m

Percentage of reports received___________
N um b er of cities in each section from
w hich every report w as received. _ ____

U nited
States

N o rth
A tlantic

South
A tlantic

N orth
C entral

South
C entral

98.0

99.0

99.0

99.2

98.0

93.0

35

11

6

11

6

1

W estern

R e ta il P ric e s of C oal in t h e U n ite d S ta te s “

H E following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
January 15 and July 15, 1913, January 15 and December 15,
1926, and Jan u ary 15, 1927, for the U nited States and for each
of the cities from which retail food prices have been obtained. The
prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers, b u t do not include
charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin where an extra handling
is necessary.
In addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales
for household use.
The prices shown for bitum inous coal are averages of prices of the
several kinds 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 A L P E R T O N OF 2,000 PO U N D S , F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, JA N U A R Y 15 A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D
JA N U A R Y 15, 1927
1913

1926

1927

City, and kind of coal
J a n .15
U n ited S ta te s:
P e n n sy lv a n ia a n th r a cite —
Stove—
A verage price....................... .
In d ex (1913=100.0)__________
C h e s tn u t—
Average price_________ ____
In d ex (1913=100.0)__________
B itu m in o u s Average price___ _______ . _
In d ex (1913=100.0)__________
Atlanta, Ga.:
Bitum inous________________________
Baltimore, M d.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_______ __________________
Chestnut___________________ . .
Bituminous____ __________________
Birmingham, Ala.:
Bitum inous....... .........................................

July 15

J a n .15

Dec. 15

Jan. 15

$7.99
103.4

$7.46
96.6

0
0

$15. 66
203.7

$15.66
202.7

$8.15
103.0

$7.68
97.0

0)
0

$15. 44
195.0

$15. 42
194.8

$5. 48
100.8

$5. 39
99.2

$9. 74
179.3

$10.15
186.8

$9.97
183.4

$5.88

$4.83

$8.47

$9.10

$8.67

2 7.70
2 7.93

2 7.24
2 7.49

8.00

2 16.00
2 15. 50
8.38

2 16.00
2 15.50
8.32

7.62

8. 09

8.09

4.22

4. 01

0
(0

° Prices of coal were form erly secured sem iannually and published in the M arch and Septem ber issues.
Since Ju n e, 1920, these prices have been secured and published m onthly.
1 Insufficient data.
2 P er to n of 2,240 pounds.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[ 612 ]

143

BETAIL PRICES OF COAL

A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F C O A L P E R T O N O F 2,000 P O U N D S , F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, JA N U A R Y 15 A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D
JA N U A R Y 15, 1927—Continued
1913

1926

1927

C ity, and k in d of coal
J a n . 15
Boston, M ass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___________________________
$8.25
C h estn u t_______________________
8.25
B ridgeport, C onn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove....................................................
C h estn u t.......... ...................................
Buffalo, N . Y .:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove_____ ,_______ ____________
6. 75
C h estn u t...............................................
6.99
B u tte, M ont.:
B itum inous __________ _____ ______
C harleston, S. C.:
B itum inous _______________________
2 6. 75
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___________________________
8. 00
C h estn u t_______________________
8. 25
B itum inous__ ______________________
4. 97
C incinnati, Ohio:
B itum inous _______________________
3. 50
C leveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___________________________
7. 50
C h estn u t____________________ _
7. 75
B itum inous ............ ...................................
4.14
C olum bus, Ohio:
B itum inous_______ - ________________
D allas, Tex.:
A rkansas an th racite—
Egg__ ...................................................
B itum inous ..........................................
8. 25
D enver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 a n d 2 m ixed................... .
8. 88
Stove, 3 a n d 5 m ixed........................ .
8. 50
B itum inous ____________________ _
5. 25
D etro it, M ich.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_______ ____ ____________
8. 00
C h estn u t____________ ____ _ _
8. 25
B itum inous .................................... .........
5. 20
Fall R iver, M ass.:
P ennsylvania an thracite—
Stove............. ........................................
8.25
C h e s tn u t............................................
8.25
H ouston, Tex.:
B itu m in o u s..... ...... ...... ........................... .
Indianapolis, In d .:
B itu m in o u s. .............................................
3. 81
Jacksonville, F la.:
B itum inous. ______________________
7. 50
K ansas C ity , M o.:
A rkansas anthracite—
F u rn ace________________________
Stove N o. 4___________________ .
B itum inous________________________
4. 39
L ittle Rock, A rk.:
A rkansas anthracite—
E gg____________________________
B itu m in o u s________________________
6. 00
Los Angeles, Calif.:
13.52
B itu m in o u s________________ ______ _
Louisville, K y.:
4. 20
B itu m in o u s____________________ ____
M anchester, N . H .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
1C. 00
Stove _________________________
C h estn u t_______________________
10.00
M em phis, T en n .:
3.4. 34
B itu m in o u s...................... ...........................
1 Insufficient d ata.
2 Per to n of 2,240 pounds.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[613]

Ju ly 15

Jan. 15

Dec. 15

J a n . 15

0
0

$16. 50
16. 25

$16. 50
16. 25

(1)
(1)

16.00
16.00

16. 00
16. 00

0
0

13. 76
13. 39

13.75
13. 37

11.04

11.04

11. 02

11.00

11.00

11.00

9.48

17. 00
16. 80
10. 34

17.00
16.80
9.85

3.38

7.77

8.90

7.89

7. 25
7. 50
4.14

(l)
0
9.47

15. 40
15. 00
10. 38

15.40
15 ns
9.73

7.69

8.29

7.75

13.83

16.00
13.22

16. 00
13.22

$ 7 .50
7.75

6. 54
6.80

2 6. 75
7. 80
8.05
4. 65

7. 21

0
(0

0

9. 00
8. 50
4.88

0
0

10.68

16.00
16.50
10. 71

16.00
16. 50
10. 73

7 45
7. 65
5. 20

0
0
10.59

16.17
15.83
11.05

16.17
15. 75
10.34

7. 43
7. 61

(0
(0

16.75
16.25

16.75
16.25
13. 50

12.75

13.50

3. 70

7.53

7.94

7. 67

7.00

14.00

14.00

14.00

7.98

14. 50
15.83
7.93

14.50
15.83
7. 81

11.27

14.00
10.83

14.00
10.80

12.50

15.94

16.50

16.50

4.00

7.43

8.40

8.42

17. 50
17.50

17. 50
17.50

8. 78

8.80

3.94

5. 33

8. 60
8.50
8 4. 22

0
0

0

0
0
7.84

8 Per 10-barrel lot (1,800 pounds).

144

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F C O A L P E R T O N O F 2,000 P O U N D S , F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, JA N U A R Y 15 A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D
JA N U A R Y 15, 1927—C ontinued
1913

1926

1927

C ity, and k in d of coal
J a n . 15
M ilw aukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove______
____
$8.00
C h e s tn u t...
8, 25
B itum in o u s___
6. 25
M inneapolis, M inn.:
Penn sy lv an ia an th racite—
S to v e.. .
9. 25
9. 50
C h estn u t
B itum inous
5. 89
M obile, Ala.:
B itum in o u s__
N ew ark, N . J.:
P ennsylvania anthracite—
S t o v e . . . ___
_______
6. 50
C h e s tn u t... .
6.75
N ew H aven, C onn.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
S tove._______
________
7. 50
C h estn u t.
7. 50
N ew Orleans, La.:
B itu m in o u s___
36. 06
N ew Y ork, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e ...
7. 07
________
7.14
C h e stn u t________
N orfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e..
C h estn u t.
B itum inous
O maha, N ebr.:
B itum in o u s............
..................
6.63
Peoria, 111.:
B itum inous .
P hiladelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove______
____ ____
2 7.16
C h estn u t.
27.38
P ittsburg h , Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
C h e s tn u t.. .
..................
28.00
B itum inous
43.16
P ortland, M e.:
. Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e..
C h e s tn u t..
P ortland, Oreg.:
B itu m in o u s. . . .
9.79
Providence, R . I.:
P ennsylvania an th racite—
________
Stove_______
58. 25
C h e s tn u t_______ .
_______
58.25
R ichm ond, Va.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
S to v e..
.
. .
8. 00
C h estn u t . . .
8. 00
B itum inous
5. 50
Rochester, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
S to v e..
C h e stn u t______ . .
________
St. Louis, M o.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove________
_______
8. 44
C h estn u t________
________
8. 68
B itu m in o u s ...........
.
..............
3.36
1 Insufficient data.
2Per to n of 2,240 pounds.
3Per 10-barrel lo t (1,800 pounds).
4P er 25-bushel lot (1,900 pounds).
550 cents per ton additional is charged for “ b in n in g .”
the coal into th e cellar.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[614]

Ju ly 15

$7. 85

8.10
5. 71

9. 05
9. 30
5. 79

Jan. 15

0
011.42

Dec. 15

Jan. 15

$16. 80
16.65
11.40

$16. 80
16. 65
11.32

11.35

18.10
17.95
11. 83

18,10
17. 75
11.75

9.62

10.12

10.12

0(!)

6. 25
6. 50

(0
i 1)

14. 00
13. 50

14.00
13. 50

6. 25
6. 25
36. 06

0
0

15.30
15. 30

15. 40
15.40

11.21

11.29

6. 66
6. 80

0
0

14.75
14.50

14. 75
14. 50

0

(i)
10. 52

16.00
16.00
10. 25

16.00
16.00
9.68

10. 33

10. 32

10, 19

7.11

7. 45

7.29

2 15. 79
2 15. 61

215. 79
2 15. 54

6. 49

15. 88
6. 24

16. 80
16. 80

16. 80
16.80

13.46

13. 34

6.13

11.14

26. 89
27.14

0)
0

27. 44
43.18

0

6.13

0
0
9. 66

13.24

57. 50

» 7. 75

0
0

516. 50
516.50

3 16 50
5 16. 50

7. 25
7.25
4. 94

0
0

16.50
16. 50
11. 84

11.66

0
0

14. 60
14.15

14 60
14.15

17. 45
17. 20
7.50

17. 45
17. 20
7.50

7. 74
7. 99
3. 04

11.39

0
0

6.62

16. 50
16. 50

M ost custom ers require binning or basketing

145

INDEX NUMBERS OFs WHOLESALE PRICES

A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF C O AL P E R T O N OF 2,000 P O U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, JA N U A R Y 15 A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D
JA N U A R Y 15, 1927—C ontinued
1926

1913

1927

C ity, and k in d of coal
J a n . 15

J a n . 15

9. 20
9. 45
6.07

9.05
9.30
6.04

11.00
11.00
5. 64

11. 50
11.50
5.46

0
0

17.00

17.00

17.00
12.00

17.00
12. 00

4. 25
4.50

4.31
4.56

7.63

7.70

2 7. 50
2 7.65

2 7.38
2 7. 53

Dec. 15

Jan. 15

cc

St. Paul, M inn.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
S to v e .......... .........................................
C h estn u t_____________________ _
B itu m in o u s.............. .................................
Salt Lake C ity, U tah:
Colorado an th racite—
Furnace, 1 a n d 2 m ixed-_________
Stove, 3 an d 5 m ixed....... .............. .
B itum inous______ _____ .........................
San Francisco, Calif.:
N ew Mexico an th racite—
Cerillos egg--___________________
Colorado anth racite—
Egg_, ...... .......... ............................
B itu m in o u s.................................................
Savannah, Ga.:
B itu m in o u s________________________
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove--- ...............................................
C h e stn u t...... ................................... .
Seattle, W ash.:
B itu m in o u s................ ................................
Springfield, 111.:
B itu m in o u s. _____ _ ______________
W ashington, D . C.:
Pennsylvania an th racite----Stove................. .....................................
C h e stn u t_________ ____ _________
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes, low volatile_______
Prepared sizes, high volatile.
R u n of mine, m ix e d .. ________ .

Ju ly 15

18.10
17.95
12.16

18.10
17. 75
12.16

8.43

18.00
18.00
8.46

18.00
18.00
8.47

0

26.50

26.50

0

17.06

25.75
17.11

25.75
17.11

6 12.75

613. 50

« 13.25

11.00
10.67

11.00
10.67

6.96

10.44

10.47

4.38

4.38

4.38

0
0

215. 91
215. 59

215. 86
215. 54

213.83
2 9. 88
2 8.19

212. 00
2 9. 75
2 8.94

2 12. 00
3 9.75
2 8.31

0
0

i Insufficient data.
a Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
6
All coal sold in S avannah is weighed b y the city. A charge of 10 cents per to n or half ton is m ade.
T his additional charge has been included in th e above prices.

Index N u m b e rs of W holesale P rices in J a n u a r y , 1927
SLIG H T decline in the general level of wholesale prices in
January as compared w ith the preceding m onth is shown by
inform ation collected in representative m arkets by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U. S. D epartm ent of Labor. The bureau’s
weighted index num ber, which includes 404 commodities or price
series, registered 146.9 for January, compared w ith 147.2 for Decem­
ber, a decline of tw o-tenths of 1 per cent. Com pared with January,
1926, w ith an index num ber of 156, there was a decrease of more
than
per cent.
In all groups of commodities included in the comparison, except
farm products and miscellaneous commodities, there were decreases
in the price level from December to January, ranging from threefourths of 1 per cent in the case of clothing m aterials to 4% Per cent
in the case of chemicals and drugs. Farm products, owing chiefly to
small increases in the prices of cattle, hogs, sheep, and poultry, also
cotton, hides, and potatoes, showed a general increase of approxi­
m ately 1% per cent over prices in December, 1926. Practically no
change in the general price level was shown for the group designated
as miscellaneous.

A


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[615]

146

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Of the 404 commodities or price series for which comparable
inform ation for December and January was collected, increases were
shown in 97 instances and decreases in 153 instances. In 154 in­
stances no change in price was reported.
I N 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 , B Y G R O U P S O F C O M M O D IT IE S
[1913 = 100.0]

1926
C om m odity group

January, 1927
Jan u ary

F a rm p ro d u cts. _________ ______________________
Foods ..................
.....
Clothing m aterials__________ ______ ________ ____
F uels_________________________ _____________________
M etals and m etal products________ __________________
B uilding m a te ria ls............................. ......................................
Chemicals and drugs. ..................................................... . .
H ouse-furnishing goods............................................................
M iscellaneous.________ ____________ . . . .
.................
_________________
All com m odities_______ _______ _
R aw materials 1 ___________________ . .
Producers’ goods 1_______________________________
C onsum ers’ goods 1..................... ...................... ...........

151. 8
156 2
185. 5
176. 5
128. 9
177. 9
133. 2
164. 9
135.3
156. 0
160.0
132.1
165.6

D ecem ber
134. 9
151.0
168. 6
182. 9
125. 7
172. 7
128. 2
159. 4
117. 8
147.2
148. 6
125. 9
158.2

137.2
149.6
167 3
179 8
124. 4
169 7
122 1
157.4
117. 9
146. 9
149. 6
124. 5
156.9

i Federal Reserve B oard grouping.

Com paring prices in Jan u ary w ith those of a year ago, as measured
by changes in the index num bers, it is seen th a t large decreases took
place in farm products, clothing m aterials, chemicals and drugs, and
miscellaneous commodities, w ith smaller decreases in foods, metals,
building m aterials, and house-furnishing goods. Fuels, on the con­
trary, averaged 1% per cent higher than in the corresponding m onth
of 1926.
A g r ic u ltu r a l a n d N o n a g r ic u ltu r a l C o m m o d itie s

T 'H E figures in the following table furnish a comparison of wholesale
1 price trends of agricultural and nonagricultural commodities
during the period from January, 1925, to January, 1927, inclusive.
These index num bers have been made by combining into two groups
the weighted prices of all commodities included in the bureau’s
regular series of index numbers. Roughly speaking, all articles
originating on American farms have been placed in the first group,
while all remaining articles have been p u t in the second. The fiveyear period 1910-1914, instead of the year 1913, forms the base in
this presentation.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

147

INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PBICES

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 O F A G R IC U L T U R A L A N D N O N A G R IC U L T U R A L C O M M O D IT IE S , B Y M O N T H S , JA N U A R Y , 1925, TO JA N U A R Y , 1927
[1910—1914=100]
1925

1926

1927

Agricul­ Nonagritural
cultural

Agrieul- Nonagritu ral
cultural

Agrieul- Nonagritu ral
cultural

Y ear and m onth

Average for year.
J a n u a ry ___
F e b r u a r y ...
M a r c h .........
A pril______
M a y ______
J u n e _______

158.4
160.8
159.4
162.0
155.4
154.3
156.9
160.9
162. 5
161.5
156.0
154.9
152.8

July_____

A ugust_____
S e p te m b e r..
October........
N o v e m b er..
D ecem b er...

165.3
164.7
167.3
165.4
162.3
161.3
163.2
164.3
163. 7
163.3
164. 5
165.9
165.0

146. 5
152. 7
150. 9
146. 7
147.8
148. 5
149.9
147.3
143.6
145.6
144. 5
140. 5
141. 3

160.8
164.7
164.5
161. 6
159.5
160. 2
159.9
159.2
160. 1
160.6
160.0
161.0
158.3

142. 5

156.3

W h o le sa le P ric e s in t h e U n ite d S ta te s a n d in F o re ig n C o u n trie s ,
1913 t o 1926
o

N TPIE following table the more im portant index num bers of
wholesale prices in foreign countries and those of the United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics have been brought together
in order th a t the trend of prices in the several countries m ay be
directly compared. In some instances the results here shown have
been obtained by merely shifting the base to the year 1913—i. e.,
by dividing the index num ber for each year or m onth on the original
base by the index num ber for 1913 on th a t base as published. In
such cases, therefore, these results are to be regarded only as approxi­
m ations of the correct index num bers. I t should be understood,
also, th a t the validity of the comparisons here made is affected by
the wide difference in the num ber of commodities included in the
different series of index numbers. For the U nited States and several
other countries the index num bers are published to the fourth signifi­
cant figure in order to show m inor price variations.

I


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[617]

Y

148

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

I N 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 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
[Index num bers expressed as percentages of th e index n u m b er for 1913.

C o u n try ___

U nited
States

C anada Belgium B ulgaria Czecho­
slovakia

Bureau D om in­ M inis­ D irecto r
C om p u tin g of Labor ion B u ­ try of General
agency___ Statis­ reau of In d u s­ of Sta­
Statis­ try and
tics
tistics
tics
Labor
C o m m o d ities______

404

i 238

128

D en­
m ark

F inland

See text explanation!

France

Ger­
m any

Ita ly

Central
B ureau
C entral G eneral Federal
of Sta­ Finans- B ureau S tatisti­ S tatisti­ R ic­
tistics tid en d e of Sta­ cal B u­ cal B u­ cardo
Bachi
(revised
tistics
reau
reau
index)

38

135

33

100
121

1 100

6 100

135

45

38

2 107

Y ea r a n d
m on th

1913_______
1914_______
1915_______
1916_______
1917_______
1918_______
1919_______
1920_______
1921_______
1922_______
1923_______
1924_______
1925_______
1923
Jan u a ry ____
A pril______
J u ly _______
O ctober____
1924
J a n u a r y ___
F e b ru a ry __
M arch ___
A p ril___ _
M a y ___ _
J u n e _______
J u ly _______
A ugust____
S eptem ber. _
O ctober___
N o v e m b e r..
D ecem ber. __
1925
J a n u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry __
M arch _____
A p r i l _____
M a y _______
J u n e ____
J u ly _______
A ugust____
S e p te m b e r..
O c to b e r___
N ovem b er. _
D ecem b er...
1926
Ja n u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry __
M arch
A pril______
M a y _______
J u n e . ____
Ju iy _______
A ugust____
S eptem ber. _
O c to b e r___
N ovem ber
D ecem b er...

100.0

98.1

100.0
2 100

126.8
177.2
194.3
206.4
226.2
146. 9
148.8
153. 7
149. 7
158.7

102.3
109.9
131.6
178.5
199. 0
209. 2
243.5
171. 8
152.0
153.0
155.2
160.3

155.8
158.7
150. 6
153.1

151.4
156.9
153.5
153.1

434
480
504
515

2657
2757
2408
2263

151.2
151.7
149.9
148.4
146.9
144. 6
147. 0
149. 7
148.8
151. 9
152. 7
157.0

156.9
156.8
154.4
151.1
150. 6
152. 3
153.9
156.8
153.9
157.0
157.7
180.9

580
642
625
555
557
565
566
547
550
555
569
566

2711
2658
2612
2798
2551
2811
2737
2853
2848
2988
3132
3181

160.0
160.6
161. 0
156. 2
155. 2
157.4
159.9
160.4
159. 7
157.6
157. 7
156.2

165. 5
164. 7
161.6
156.6
158.8
158.6
158.1
158. 9
156. 2
156.0
101.2
163.5

559
551
546
538
537
552
559
567
577
575
589
565

156.0
155.0
151. 5
151.1
151.7
,152. 3
150. 7
149.2
150. 5
149. 7
148.1
147.2

163.8
162.2
160. 1
160.6
157.0
155. 7
156.2
153.9
152.5
151. 1
151. 5
150.5

530
556
583
621
692
761
876
836
859
856
865
860

100.8

367
497
573
558

185
268
667
831
1166
2392
2006
2472
2525
2823

100

100.0

95

200

1129

181

1134
1096
1080
1077

387
415
407
421

117. 9

968
953
986
982
999
1013
1024

223
227
228
225
219
220
233
231
234
231
232

1071
1078
1094
1095
1090
1088
1085
m i
1117
1114
1120
1139

494
544
499
450
458
465
481
477
486
497
504
507

117. 3
116. 2
120. 7
124.1
122. 5
115. 9
115.0
120 4
126. 9
131. 2
128 5
131. 3

563
567
572
580
602
621
640

3275
3309
3272
3244
3177
3225
3041
2870
2834
2823
2822
2913

1045
1048
1034
1020
1006
998
1009
993
996
989
977
977

234
234
230
220
216
216
206
189
168
163
158
160

1137
1141
1131
1133
1122
1129
1118
1142
1133
1121
1118
1120

514
515
514
513
520
543
557
557
556
572
605
633

138 2
136 5
134. 4
131. 0
131. 9
133. 8
134 8
131 7
125 9
123. 7
121 1
121.5

G5S
660
659
658
660
683
707
731
721
716
712
715

2901
2899
2844
2774
2938
2842
2838
2759
2723
2716

966
950
938
923
928
926
948
963
973
972
978
978

157
151
145
141
141
140
141
143
141
145
150
145

1094
1091
1081
1081
1070
1079
1079
1092
1093
1095

634
636
632
650
688
738
836
769
787
751

120.0
118. 4
118. 3
122. 7
123. 2
124. 6
127. 4
127. 0
126.8
130. 2

708
704
693
692
698
709
724
741
731
712

1101

627

131.1

.681

1334
977
997
1001

991
1012

201

226

200

949
960

207
205

974
999

210

1021

1008
1001

1 236 commodities since April, 1924.
2 36 commodities prior to 1920; 76 commodities in 1920 and 1921;
100 commodities in 1922.


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

102

140
1 ««
262
33Q
356
50Q
345
327
419
489
551

138
164
228
293
294
382
250
179

[ 618]

1183
1219
1095
1100

•

209
409
364

95.1
122. 5
130.4
65.0
89. 5
88.8

3 April.
4 Ju ly
« J u iy 'l, 1912-June 30, 1914.

562
575
585
690
575
588
566
563
571
573
579
579
571

149

INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES

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 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
e th ­
C o u n try ___ Ner­
lands

N or­
w ay

Spain

Cen­ C en­ In sti­
tu te
tral
tral
of
B u­ Geog­
B u­
C om puting
reau rap h y
agency----- reau
of
of
and
Sta­
Sta­
Sta­
tistics tistics tistics

C o m m o d i­
ties ______

8 48

174

74

Swe­
den

C ham ­ Dr. J.
ber of Lo­
Com ­ renz
merce

160

A us­
tralia

New
Zea­
land

South
Africa

Board
of
T rade

Bureau
of
C en­
sus
and
Sta­
tistics

Cen­
sus
and
Sta­
tistics
Office
(re­
vised)

B u­
reau of
M ar­
Office
kets,
of
Cen­ B ank
Treas­
of
u ry
sus
Japan,
and
D e­
Tokyo
p a rt­
Sta­
ment,
tistics
Shang­
hai

150

92

180

Sw it­ U nited
K ing­
zer­
dom
lan d

71

187

Japan China India

Labor
Officej
B om ­
bay

50

7 117

42

100
97.
107
128
141
153
165
223
161
129
127
129
128

100
95
97
117
147
193
236
259
200
196
199
200
202

100.0

152.0
150.2
145.5
156.4
153.9
159.4

236
222
216
199
187
181
182
163

Y ear and
m on th

1913_______
1914_______
1915_______
1916_______
1917_______
1918_______
1919_______
1920_______
1921_______
1922_______
1923_______
1924_______
1925_______
1923
Jan u a ry ____
April _____
J u l y ...........
O ctober____
1924
J a n u a ry ____
F ebruary
M a rc h ........ .
A p ril_____
M a y __
June ______
J u ly ____ _
A ugust _ _
September^
O c to b e r___
N ovem ber. _
D ecem ber..
1925
Jan u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry __
M a rc h ___ _
A p ril______
M a y _____
J u n e . ___
J u ly ----------A ugust
S e p te m b e r..
O ctober___
N o v e m b e r..
D ecem b er...
1926
J a n u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry __
M a rc h . .
A p ril_____
M a y ...........
June
J u ly _______
August
S e p te m b e r..
O ctober. _!_
N ovem ber.
D ecember
4 Ju ly .

100
109
146
226
276
373
304
292
182
160
151
156
155

100

100.0

100

232
267
253

100
101
119
141
168
207
204
221
190
176
172
183
188

359
222
173
163
162
161

157
156
145
148

223
229
231
235

170
174
170
171

156
158
155
154
153
151
151
151
158
161
161
160

251
281
264
263
28]
262
265
271
272
273
276
279

160
158
155
151
151
153
155
155
155
154
154
155
153
149
145
143
143
144
141
139
140
143
147
146

100
104
117
126
143
169
176
207
192
165
158
165
181

196. 5
167. 7
179.9
175.7
162.9

307.3
197.2
158. 8
159.1
166. 2
159.7

4 100
141
132
146
170
180
218
167
154
170
165
162

163
168
162
161

174. 7
185.9
179. 8
181.1

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

181
180
178
181

178
180
180
184
179
179
182
182
184
186
181
198

161
162
162
181
160
158
157
160
163
167
167
168

183. 2
183.4
180. 1
181.4
180.4
178.3
173.3
170.6
169. 9
169.0
168.5
169. 8

165. 4
167.0
165. 4
164. 7
163. 7
162. 6
162.6
165.2
166. 9
170.0
169.8
170.1

174
170
167
166
165
163
163
162
162
163
163
165

131

211
208
206
207
205
199
195
200
206
213
214
213

155.8
159. 5
157.5
153.7
154.3
151.8
151. 5
148.8
149.3
152.8
154.9
157.4

183
188
181
184
181
185
184
184
181
181
176
176

279
281
279
273
262
260
254
249
237
223
220
220

191
192
193
190
191
187
188
184
185
187
186
187

169
169
168
163
162
161
161
159
157
154
155
156

170.8
170. 8
169. 9
165.9
163.0
161. 9
160.6
159. 6
159.4
159. 2
157. 0
156.7

171.1
168.9
166.3
161.9
158.6
157. 2
156.9
158. 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

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
180.2
159.0
158.4
158.1

173
173
171
165
164
160
158
160
157
158
160
154

214
211
205
199
197
194
192
193
193
198
199
184

186
186
183
179
179
177
178
180
178
179
185
186

153
152
149
150
151
150
148
147
146
148
148
150

155. 5
154. 5
150.8
148.4
146. 6
145. 1
145.0
145. 5
146. 0
145.3
146.9
148.3

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

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
149
147
146

4 100.0

126
125
133

153
153
151
153

130
130
127
124

124
120
122
127

8 52 commodities in 1920; 53 commodities from August, 1920, to Decem ber, 1921.


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

[619]

4 100

7 147 item s.

150

MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

R e ta il P ric e s in M exico C ity , 1S23 to 1926

H E following table, taken from the October 31, 1926, issue of
E stadistica Nacional, published by the M exican Statistical
D epartm ent, shows the average retail prices of specified food
and miscellaneous articles in Mexico C ity in October, 1924, 1925,
and 1926, compared w ith the average for the year 1923, and the corre­
sponding index num bers:

T

A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D A R T IC L E S A N D I N D E X N U M B E R S T H E R E ­
O F IN M E X IC O C IT Y , O C T O B E R , 1924,1925, A N D 1926, C O M P A R E D W IT H A V E R A G E F O R
1923
[Peso a t par=49.85 cents; average exchange rates for 1924, 1925, and 1926=48.51, 49.39, and 48.30 cents.
1 kilogram =2.2 pounds; 1 litro=1.06 quarts]
Average retail prices
U n it

A rticle

Y ear
1923

Octo­ Octo­
ber,
ber,
1924
1925

Octo­ Octo­ Octo­ Octo­
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
1924
1926
1925
1926

P eso s

P e so s

P e so s

P e so s

K ilogram .. 0. 51
.48
__do______
___do_____
.39
___do...........
.43
.34
. .. d o _____
.31
___do_____
___do_____
.31
__do______
. 75
...d o _____
1. 83
__do______ 1.34
1.90
___do_____
.91
. . . d o ___
.80
. ..d o ...........
.75
-_.do...........
.53.
. .. d o _____
. ..d o _____
.46
.40
. ..d o _____
___do—........
.83
. .. d o _____
.75
__do______
. 71
.69
. ..d o ..........__do______ 1.75
__do______
.72
. ..d o ...........
.83
. .. d o _____
2.08
. .. d o _____
1. 89
. ..d o _____
.17
.16
. .. d o _____
.60
. .. d o _____
__ do............
.35
.22
__do______
.28
__ do______
.25
_._do_..........
__do______
.23
E ach _____
.07
L itro _____
. 19
.31
K ilogram ..
.09
. ..d o ...........
.08
. ..d o ____
.79
__do_____
___do_.........
. 76
. 15
. .. d o _____
.08
. .. d o _____
. .. d o ___
.09
.40
. ..d o ..........
.77
__do............
__do______ 1.39
. .. d o ...........
.07
.08
. ..d o ...........
.07
. . . d o . ..........
Cord_____ 36. 00
_______ L itro _____
. 19
Kilogram_ 1.39
do
.48
.49
_______ __do........ ..

0. 34
.29
. 24
.46
.30
.28
.31

0. 28
.25
.19
.44
.29
.27
.28

2. 20
1. 50
2.37
1.32
1.30
1.22
.54
.46
.34
.91
.83
.74
.71
1.21
1.43
.88
1.44
1. 70
.32
.22
.50
.28
. 15
.36
.30
. 22

2. 29
1. 75
2. 44
1. 36
1.19
1.06
1.12
.88
. 72
1.08
.93
1. 36
1.10
.90
.90
.93
2. 87
1.22
.26
.36
.47
.30
. 19
.34
.31

.26
.50
.08
.08
1.07
1.05
. 24
.08
.15

.28
.53
. 10
. 11
1.13
1.04
.26
.14
.19

.09
.09
.07

.08
.08
.08

0.28
.22
. 18
.38
.30
.28
.30
1. 25
2. 20
1. 65
3. 95
1.40
1. 20
1.10
1.00
.60
.50
1.10
1.00
L 20
1. 10
1.25
.90
2. 00
2. 20
1. 00
. 16
.16
.70
.32
. 18
.40
.30
.28
.09
.26
.44
. 10
.12
1.00
.95
.23
.12
.16
.38
1.15
1.30
.10
. 10
.08
43.00
.22
1.50
. 53

Rice, e x t r a .. . .................................. ..............
Rice, first class
Rice, second class____________ ________
.
_______
Sugar, c u b e_______
Sugar, g ran u lated , first class
Sugar, g ran u lated , second class________
Sugar, loaf__________
_
_ ..
Fish, fresh __
Cocoa, C eylon an d J a v a ______ _______
Cocoa, Sanchez_________ ___ _ _______
Cocoa, tobasco_______. ____ ____ ____
Coffee, Caracoldlo—
Coffee, P lanchuela, first class. _______
Coffee, Planchuela, second class_____ . .
Beef, first class_________ .
___
Beef, second class.................. .
..............
. . . ..
Beef, th ird class_______
M u tto n , first class........................... ............
_____
M u tto n , second class. _
P ork, first class____ ____ _____ ________
Pork , second class________ ___ ________
.....................
Chile peppers, aneho
Chile peppers, cascab el... . . . _______
C hile peppers, chilpotle. - _ _______
C hile peppers, m u lato .
_____
Chile peppers) p asilla___ _ . . . _______
Beans, b lack ....................... ... .
_______
Beans! colored................................................
C hick peas, first class___ _____________
C hick peas, second class.. _ . ________
C hick peas, s m a ll.. .
. _____
F lo u r, A m e ric a n .. .
____ __
F lour, M exican, first class
. _______
F lour, M exican, second class
..........
E gg s.............................................
M ilk ............ ...................................... ...............
L entils.......... ....................................................
C orn, in la n d ____ * . .....................................
C orn, c o a sta l......................
. . .
____
B u tte r, Sancocho
.
_______
B u tter, A m erican
.
_____
Potatoes, y e llo w .......................... ................
Potatoes, w h ite ..
__ ___
. . _____
Potatoes, s p o tte d ... _ _ .
. _____
Paste for s o u p .. .
.
. _____
Cheese, fresh
. ..
Cheese, old
Salt, grain
_____
Salt, ground
___
_ _______
Charcoal, vegetable__ - _______________
P etroleum _ _ _____ _
Candles, stearine
C an dips, paraffin
Candles, t a l l o w . . . . . . .
.


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

Index num bers (av­
erage for 1923=100)

[ 620 ]

1.00

67
60
62
107
88
90
100

55
52
49
102
85
87
90

120
112
125
145
162
163
102
100
85
110
111
104
103
69
199
106
69
90
188
138
83
80
68
129
120
96

125
131
128
149
149
141
211
191
180
130
124
192
159
51
125
112
138
65
153
225
78
86
86
121
124

137
161
89
100
135
138
160
100
167

147
171
111
138
143
137
173
175
211
107
103
101
114
100
114
108'
106
100
104
104

129
113
100

55
46
46
88
88
90
97
167
120
123
208
154
150
147
189
130
125
133
133
169
159
71
125
241
106
53
94
100
117
91
82
143
120
122
129
137
142
111
150
127
125
153
150
178
95
149
94
143
125
114
119
116
108

110

204

LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND
DECISIONS
L a b o r A g re e m e n ts
B u s O p e r a to r s— B a y o n n e , N . J,

N A G R E E M E N T was made between the Broadway Bus
Owners’ Association of Bayonne, N. J., and the Bus Oper­
ators Local No. 461 of Hudson County, January 14, 1927,
whereby the association agreed to recognize the union and the
union agreed to adm it to membership the chauffeurs of the associa­
tion except any who have “ ever engaged in scab em ploym ent,”
and no strike was to be called on the line except on an affirmative
vote of two-thirds of the members of the organization. The only
reference to wages is the following:

A

It is further agreed by and between the parties above referred to that the
conditions regarding wages, working hours, etc., are to remain the same as before
the strike. At the expiration of one year from date a representative of the
chauffeurs’ union of the Broadway line may investigate the financial condition
of the bus owners’ association and report his finding to the said Broadway line
union and provided two-thirds of the members of the chauffeurs of the Broadway
line vote an increase in pay of $2 per week, notice shall be served on the bus
owners within 30 days to that effect.
C lo a k M a k e rs— N ew Y o rk C ity

In d u s tria l C ouncil of C loak, Suit, and S k irt M an u factu rers

vine.), representing the inside m anufacturers, made an agree­
m ent with the International Ladies’ G arm ent W orkers’ Union
and the Joint Board of the Cloak, Skirt, Dress, and Reefer M akers’
Union of the International Ladies’ G arm ent W orkers’ Union, No­
vem ber 13, 1926, thus bringing to an end the strike th a t started last
summ er a t the expiration of the preceding agreement. I t was the
m aking of this agreement th a t led later to the appointm ent of the
arbitration board by the American Cloak and Suit M anufacturers’
Association and the International Ladies’ G arm ent W orkers’ Union,
whose opinion in p a rt was printed in the Labor Review for February,
1927, pages 201 to 203.
The agreement of Novem ber 13, 1926, which is to rem ain in effect
until June 1, 1929, is very similar to th a t of July 16, 1924. The
council agreed to continue to m aintain union shops or deal only with
such m anufacturers as conduct union shops, purchase no garm ents from
m anufacturers whose employees are on strike, send no cut goods to
contractors n o t operating an inside shop, m aintain an unemploy­
m ent insurance fund m ade up of contributions equal to 2 per cent of
the weekly pay roll and 1 per cent deducted from the weekly wages

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of the workers, use the “ Pro-Sanis” label, continue the existing
m achinery for settling disputes, continue the research bureau,
furnish workers with sewing machines driven by electric power, and
w ith all m aterials, and w ith the requisites of work.
Several new clauses were added. An accountant was appointed
to see “ w hether the contracts between the parties are being carried
o u t.” The research bureau was directed to make investigations “ and
build up a body of information about the industry which will enable
problems of unemployment, productivity, and wages to be dealt
with intelligently.”
The appointm ent of examiners was authorized. Foremen who
supervise and superintend are not required to be members of the
union. Additional reorganization rights were granted by the union.
Em ployers who have a force of 35 or more employees, or 40 after
June 1, 1928, and have given them a t least 32 weeks of employment
during the preceding year are given the right to reorganize their
shops, provided the reorganization does not cause a total displace­
m ent of more than 10 per cent of the workers in the shop a t any
reorganization period, and th a t such workers are replaced through
an em ploym ent bureau established in accordance w ith this agree­
m ent. Such reorganization rights are to be exercised only during
the m onths of June, 1927, June, 1928, and December, 1928.
M anufacturers and union shops are thus defined in the second section
of the agreement.
T he te rm " m a n u fa c tu re r” w ith in th e m ean in g of th is ag reem en t com prises
all ty p e s of em ployers p ro d u cin g g a rm en ts on th e ir own prem ises, in cluding
m a n u fa c tu re rs who pro d u ce g a rm en ts from th e ir ow n m a te ria l, "s u b m a n u fa c ­
tu r e r s ” w ho c u t an d m ak e u p g a rm en ts from goods delivered or sold to th e m by
th e m e rc h a n t or " jo b b e r,” a n d " c o n tra c to rs ” w ho m ak e u p g a rm en ts from
goods delivered to th e m in c u t form .
A " u n io n s h o p ” w ith in th e m ean in g of th is ag reem en t is one t h a t em ploys
a t least 14 m achine o p e ra to rs a n d a corresponding n u m b er of em ployees in o th e r
bran ch es of th e w ork, a n d is o p e ra te d u n d e r a c o n tra c t w ith th e u n ion. W ith
resp ect to estab lish m en ts co n d u cte d d irectly b y m em bers of th e council a " u n io n
s h o p ” is one th a t em ploys none b u t m em bers in good sta n d in g of th e union to
perform all o p eratio n s in co nnection w ith th e p ro d u c tio n of th e garm en ts,
observes th e union sta n d a rd s h ere in a fte r en u m e ra te d , a n d com plies w ith th e
o th e r req u irem en ts above set fo rth .

M a c h in ists

m achinists’ union has recently made two jurisdictional agree­
m ents with other unions. The first was made October 7, 1926,
with the team sters’ union to the effect th a t in garages where auto­
mobiles are housed and repaired, the m achinists’ union is to have
jurisdiction over assembling, dism antling, adjusting, and repairing
mechanical parts and chassis of automobiles, trucks, and busses,
while the team sters’ union is to have jurisdiction over washing,
polishing, oiling, greasing, changing of tires, and cleaning up of
garages.
Oil October 12 the m achinists agreed with the steam and operating
engineers th a t the former were to have jurisdiction over the building,
assembling, erecting, dism antling, and repairing of engines and


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m achinery of all description, while the la tte r are to have charge of
the engines and operate them, regardless of their motive power, and
to m ake tem porary emergency running repairs when necessary to
keep the plant in operation. D isputes between the parties th a t can
n o t be adjusted by the business representatives are to be referred to
the international presidents of the two organizations.
B oth agreements contain clauses to the effect th a t the agreements
are not intended to abridge or trespass on the recognized jurisdiction
of other organizations affiliated with the American Federation of
Labor.
S h ir t W o rk ers— N ew Y o r k C ity

^"AN D E C E M B E R 6, 1926, the following clauses were added to
^
the agreement existing between the Joint Board of the Shirt,
Boys’ W aist, and Collar W orkers’ Union, affiliated to the Amalga­
m ated Clothing Workers of America, and the United Shirt M anu­
facturers’ Association (Inc.), of New York.
F irst. I t is u n d ersto o d t h a t th e union will n o t re q u e st a n y secu rity in a n y
form from a n y m em ber of th e U nited S h irt M a n u fa c tu re rs’ A ssociation (Inc.),
an d t h a t w ith resp ect to th o se m em bers w ho h av e d eposited secu rity w ith th e
association, such secu rity is to b e re tu rn e d to th e m em bers.
Second. I t is fu rth e r u n d ersto o d a n d agreed t h a t should a n y m em bers of th e
U n ited S h irt M an u fa c tu re rs’ A ssociation (Inc.) tu r n th e ir p la n ts in to non u n io n
shops o r open n o nunion shops, in or o u t of tow n, d u rin g th e life of th e p resen t
ag reem en t w hich expires F e b ru a ry 15, 1928, t h a t u p o n a c o m p lain t filed b y th e
u n ion a g a in st such m em b er fo r such a v iolation, th e sam e will be d eterm in ed
b y a b o ard com posed of d u ly a p p o in te d m em bers of th e u n io n a n d th e association
a n d head ed b y th e im p a rtia l ch airm an . If th is b o a rd finds th e m em b er guilty,
th e n u pon re q u e st of th e u n ion, th is m em b er should be penalized b y th e executive
b o ard of th e U n ited S h irt M a n u fa c tu re rs’ A ssociation (Inc.) in accordance w ith
article 18 of o u r lab o r agreem en t.
T h ird . In th e e v e n t t h a t th e m em ber so penalized fails to p a y a n y fine w hich
th e executive b o ard of th e U n ited S h irt M a n u fa c tu re rs’ A ssociation (Inc.)
im poses u p o n him , th e association agrees to b rin g legal a ctio n th ro u g h its counsel
to enforce p a y m e n t thereo f, a n d it is fu rth e r agreed t h a t th e u n io n m ay have
associate counsel in th e p ro secu tio n of su ch su it— it being fu rth e r u n d ersto o d ,
how ever, t h a t th e u n ion is to p ro v id e a n d p a y fo r th e asso ciate counsel a n d t h a t
th e association is to be p u t to no expense w h atso ev er fo r th is associate counsel.
F o u rth . A ny m oneys collected b y th e association because of violatio n of th is
u n d e rsta n d in g should be tu rn e d over to th e union.

U p h o ls te r e r s — B o sto n

A N A G R E E M E N T made by Upholsterers’ Local No. 37 w ith the
individual employers of Boston, effective Septem ber 1, 1926,
calls for a closed shop, a 44-hour week, and cash paym ent of wages.
T he article in relation to springers is as follows:
A r t i c l e I I I , S e c t io n A. One sp rin g er shall be allow ed to e v ery te n jo u rn e y ­
m en. E v ery shop m ay h av e one springer. M ore can be h ired w ith perm ission
of th e union, p ro v id in g th e em ployer can g u a ra n te e th e u n io n enough w ork for
all u p h o lsterers em ployed. T h ey shall be m em b ers of th e union.
S e c . B. Springers shall be allow ed to sp rin g u p seats a n d arm s only.
S e c . C.. Springers shall w ork th e sam e h o u rs as th e jo u rn ey m en an d shall n o t
w ork w hen th e jo u rn ey m en in th e shop are n o t w orking. W hen th e jo u rn ey m en
w ork sh o rt tim e th e w ork shall be d ivided eq u ally am o n g th e springers.
S e c . D . F u tu re a p p re n tic e s shall be ta k e n from th e springers.
N o t e .— W ages of springers to be decided a t tim e of signing th is agreem ent.


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Awards and Decisions
A m e r ic a n R a ilw a y E x p ress Co.

A D E C ISIO N affecting 65,000 employees of the American Rail‘r * way Express Co. was rendered January 13, 1927, by arbitrators
appointed under an agreement signed by the company and its em ­
ployees December 1, 1926.
Negotiations had begun January 21, 1926, when the Brotherhood
of Railway and Steam ship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and
Station Employees asked the express company for an increase in
wages of 11 to 12 cents per hour. The company definitely refused
the brotherhood’s request, and on M arch 27 the dispute was laid
before the Railroad Labor Board. On the dissolution of the latte r
board w ithout action in the case a new demand for increase was
made on the express company and when this dem and was refused
the m atte r was brought before the newly created U nited States
Board of M ediation.
The company finally agreed to arbitrate the question, the Order of
Railw ay Expressmen and the American Federation of Express
W orkers, representing other employees of the company, joining the
brotherhood for this purpose. The arbitration board consisted of
H on. William B. Wilson, formerly Secretary of Labor, Em ory A.
Stedm an, of Chicago, a vice president of the express company, and
John H. Clarke, formerly justice of the U nited States Supreme Court,
th e last nam ed being selected by the other two, who had been
appointed by the employees and company, respectively.
The board, after hearing both sides, rendered the following unani­
mous decision:
U pon full hearin g a n d consideration of th e q uestions su b m itte d , th e follow ing
aw a rd is m ad e:
1. A n increase in th e ra te s of p a y of 2 H cen ts p e r h o u r shall be p aid to all
em ployees com preh en d ed w ith in th e te rm s of th e a g reem en t of subm ission.
2. T h e sam e re la tiv e in crease in th e ra te s of p a y shall be ap p lied to all em ployees
com prehended w ith in th e te rm s of th e a g reem en t of subm ission a n d ra te d upon
daily, w eekly, o r m o n th ly bases.
3. R a te s of p a y in effect u p o n D ecem ber 31, 1926, shall be th e bases upon
w hich th e increased^ ra te s of p a y prescribed herein shall be com puted.
4. T h e increases in th e ra te s of p a y h ereinbefore p ro v id ed fo r shall be effective
as of J a n u a ry 1, 1927.
5. Messengers^ in tra in service req u ired to h an d le baggage shall be p aid 4 H
cen ts p e r h o u r in ad d itio n to th e general ra te s hereinbefore estab lish ed by th is
aw ard,
6. M essengers in tr a in service req u ired to h a n d le U n ited S ta te s m ail shall be
p aid 4 x/ i cen ts p e r h o u r in a d d itio n to th e g eneral ra te s hereinbefore established
by th is aw ard.
7. M essengers in tra in service req u ired to h an d le b o th baggage a n d U nited
S ta te s m ail shall be p a id 8 H cen ts p e r h o u r in a d d itio n to th e general ra te s
hereinbefore established b y th is aw ard.
T h e e x tra allow ance to m essengers in tra in service h an d lin g U n ited S ta te s
m ail will n o t a p p ly w hen th e a m o u n t of such m ail h a n d led does n o t exceed in
volum e, betw een a n y tw o p o in ts, t h a t pro v id ed fo r th e m inim um space t h a t can
be au th o rized b y th e P o st Office D e p a rtm e n t; viz, 3 fe e t o r its eq u iv alen t, 54
sacks o r pieces. L oading U n ited S ta te s m ail in to car, sto rin g i t in car, so rtin g
it en ro u te o r unloading i t a t in te rm e d ia te o r te rm in a l p o in ts will c o n stitu te
“ h a n d lin g ” u n d e r th is aw ard.
T h e e x tra allow ance fo r h an d lin g U n ited S ta te s m ail will n o t a p p ly w hen
“ s to ra g e ” m ail is in charge of th e m essenger, p ro v id ed h e is n o t req u ire d to
“ h a n d le ” it.


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T h e e x tra allow ance fo r h an d lin g baggage a n d /o r U n ited S ta te s m ail by
m essengers w ill ap p ly to o th e r tr a in service em ployees who m ay be assigned
regularly o r tem p o rarily to t h a t w ork.
T h e ex tra allow ances herein p rovided for h an d lin g baggage a n d /o r U n ited
S ta te s m ail b y m essengers shall becom e effective as of J a n u a ry 16, 1927.

L a d ie s’ G a r m e n t W o rk ers— C le v e la n d

IN RE SPO N SE to a complaint of the union th a t the workers in a
* certain shop had had more than 12 weeks’ lay off and were there­
fore entitled to be compensated from the unem ploym ent fund, the
im partial chairm an in case No. 3085, on December 11, 1926, stated
his position in regard to th a t fund as follows:
In a series of earlier decisions, th e im p a rtia l ch a irm an h as so u g h t to establish
th e claim of th e w orkers to th e p ro te c tio n of th e u n em p lo y m en t fu n d . T his title
h as been m a in ta in e d in re p e a te d in stan ces in th e case of firm s liq u id a tin g th e ir
businesses, e ith e r d elib erately or in consequence of m ishap. _ O nly u n d e r e x tra ­
o rd in ary circum stances of th e clearest a n d m o st c ertain q u a lity h a s th e claim of
th e w orkers to th e benefits of th e fu n d been denied.
In all such in stan ces one elem en t h as been p resen t. T h is is, t h a t th e firm in ­
volved h as n o t offered th e chance for fu rth e r em p lo y m en t to th e w orkers.
In th e p resen t case th e firm notified its w orkers— o rd in arily in w riting, occa­
sionally in responsible verbal m an n er— to re tu rn to w ork on a specified d a te .
T h e firm acknow ledges its liab ility for u n em p lo y m en t p a y u p to such specified
d ate, b u t denies such lia b ility th e re a fte r in th e case of w orkers n o t re tu rn in g
upo n th e d a te se t fo rth .
T he a p p ellan ts co n ten d th a t such notices were n o t given m good fa ith , an d
t h a t no w ork of an y consequence w ould h av e been p ro v id ed . _T h e firm vigorously
denies such allegations a n d in sists w ith considerable su p p o rtin g evidence t h a t its
p rocedure w as in en tire good fa ith .
_
.
i In th e absence of an y u n m istak ab le evidence of b a d fa ith on th e p a r t of tn e
firm , th e im p a itia l ch airm an is com pelled to base his decision u p o n th e form al
provisions of th e agreem ent. A ny w orker who, u p o n fo rm al notificatio n fails to
re tu rn to w ork disassociates him self from th e benefits of th e u n em p lo y m en t fu n d .
H ad a single one of th e w orkers so notified re tu rn e d to w ork, a n d fo u n d t h a t th e
notification w as m erely a ruse, th e re w ould h av e been a stro n g p resu m p tio n in
favor of th e ap p e lla n ts’ claim . T h ere w as no such in stan ce. _ T h e firm a cte d
w ithin its form al rig h ts. T h e ap p ellan ts, w h eth er th ro u g h m isapprehension or
neglect or deliberate choice, p u rsu ed a course w hich m u st be reg ard ed as a w aiver
of claim .
T he ap p eal of th e ap p e lla n ts is accordingly dism issed.

R a ilr o a d s— D e c is io n s o f T r a in S e r v ic e B o a r d s o f A d j u s t m e n t

E a s te rn

IN D O C K ET No. 366, the T rain Service Board of A djustm ent
* (Eastern), on January 6, 1927, considered the claim for hostlers’
rate of pay for men located a t Thurston, Ohio, on the line of the New
York C entral Railroad. These m en received pay for two hours at
hostler rates and six hours a t engine w atchm an’s rate and overtime
rate when worked. The position of the comm ittee and the decision
of the board are as follows:
W e co n ten d t h a t th e m an a g e m e n t h as no rig h t to p a y sp lit ra te s in a n y class of
service, an d as th e y h av e a d m itte d t h a t tw o h o u rs of th e service is h o stler service,
by pay in g th e h o stler ra te s for th e tw o hours, t h a t th e y should p a y th e hig h est

33892°—27-


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r a te fo r t h e e n tire d a y . T h e re a re n o p ro v is io n s , in o u r sc h e d u le fo r t h e p a y m e n t
of less t h a n a d a y in a n y service.
D e c is io n .— T he evidence before th e b o a rd show s th a t a t le a st a p a rt of th e tim e
of th e em ployees in quescion is consum ed in perfo rm in g h o stler w ork, w hich is
a d m itte d b y th e p a y m e n t of tw o h o u rs p er d ay a t h o stle rs’ ra te s to each of th e
m en em ployed a t T h u rsto n , Ohio. On O ctober 7, 1914, th e referee d ecided th a t
in th e case of split service th e h o stler ra te should a p p ly fo r th e e n tire d a y irresp ec­
tiv e of how sh o rt w as th e period d u rin g w hich h o stler service w as perform ed.
A rticle 69 of th e c u rre n t ag reem en t pro v id es t h a t decisions of th e referee in con­
nection w ith th e 1913 firem en’s a n d h o stle rs’ a w a rd shall be applicable. T he
b o ard therefore decides t h a t th e claim of th e co m m ittee is sustained.

Western
Expenses

A, CONDUCTOR of the Arizona division of the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe Railway was sent by the company as a witness in a
court a t E l Paso, Tex. His Pullm an fare was $12.50, of which the
company allowed only half. The conductor claimed the total am ount
under article 30 of the agreement, a p a rt of which reads as follows:
T rain m en a tte n d in g c o u rt a t th e re q u e st of th e co m p an y will be p aid th e sam e
ra te s as th e y w ould h a v e e a rn e d h a d th e y rem ain ed on th e ir ru n s; a n d if aw ay
from hom e sta tio n , in a d d itio n th e re to , th e ir leg itim a te expenses.

The position of the company and the decision of the board (No.
2156) on Septem ber 24, 1926, were as follows:
P o s itio n o f m a n a g e m e n t .— Schedule p rovides t h a t tra in m e n will be allow ed th e ir
leg itim ate expenses.” T h e expense in th is case w as increased because of con­
d u c to r’s wife accom p an y in g him .
T h e e x tra expense w hich th e railw ay w as
p u t to in th is case on a c c o u n t of M rs. J. should be bo rn e b y th e em ployee, n o t th e
carrier.
D e cisio n .- In view^ of th e provisions of article 30 for leg itim ate expenses, th e
evidence in th is case in d icates t h a t th e am o u n t of P u llm an expense w as th e sam e
a m o u n t as if C o nducto r J. were alone on th e trip . Therefore, claim is sustain ed .

Deadhead Mileage

In Decision No. 2163, Septem ber 28, 1926, a fireman on the Colo­
rado & Southern Railway working south from Trinidad deadheaded
by direction of the company from Trinidad to Denver and return on
trains operated by the Colorado & Southern Railway, though over a
p a rt of the distance (between Pueblo and Denver) the tracks belong
to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, b u t are operated by
the two companies as a joint line.
In settling w ith the fireman, the company allowed deadhead mileage
between Trinidad and Pueblo only, taking the position th a t inasmuch
as the presence of the fireman had been directed at the request of the
joint agency operating between Pueblo and Denver, the expenses of
the fireman between those points should be borne by the joint agency.
The position of the parties and the decision were as follows:
P o s itio n o f'co m m ittee.
W e co n ten d t h a t th e d ead h ead in g perfo rm ed b y firem an
w as ‘ com pany b u sin e ss’(w ith in th e m ean in g of R ule 21, as th e d ead h ead in g was
perform ed u n d er in stru c tio n s of th e com pany. R ule 21 p rovides fo r p a y m e n t of
a c tu a l m iles d ead h ead ed a n d specifies no ro u te t h a t m u s t be ta k e n ; n e ith e r does
i t req u ire th e dead h ead in g to be confined to th e line o p e ra te d b y th e com pany
ordering th e m an to d ead h ead . T he ra te s of p a y or rules ap p licab le to th e fire­
m an actually^ firing th e locom otive of th e tr a in on w hich th e m an is d ead h ead in g
have no b earin g u pon th e com pensation fo r dead h eadin g , as is co n ten d e d b y th e
com pany in th is case.


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T h e com pany h as th e rig h t to o rd er a firem an to d ead h ead from a n y p o in t to
a n y o th e r p o in t w ith in reason w here th e ir business req u ires his presence, b u t,
a fte r h av in g done so, a n d th e orders h av in g been com plied w ith , R ule 21 of th e
schedule p rovides for th e p a y m e n t of th e a c tu a l m iles d ead h ead ed to be m ad e by
th e C olorado & S o u th ern R ailw ay Co., w ho o rd ers th e m an to p erfo rm th e serv ­
ice, a n d does n o t p e rm it th e com pany to com pel th e firem an to look to som e o th er
com pany o r concern fo r h is com pensation.
P o s itio n o f m a n a g e m e n t .— T h e C olorado & S o u th ern h as allow ed d ead h ead
m ileage, T rin id a d to P ueblo a n d re tu rn , u n d e r C olorado & S o u th ern schedule,
b u t has declined to allow th e d ead h ead m ileage P ueblo to D en v er a n d re tu rn for
th e reason t h a t all p a y m e n ts fo r service of a n y k in d p erform ed b etw een P ueblo
an d D enver is p aid u n d e r th e S a n ta F e schedule a n d n o t u n d er th e C olorado &
S o u th ern schedule, such p a y m e n ts n o t being carried on C olorado & S o u th ern
p a y rolls.
T he passenger ru n s betw een D enver a n d T rin id a d are w h a t is know n as la p
ru n s a n d m en com ing to th ese la p ru n s from th e C olorado & S o u th e rn a c cep t
service w ith full know ledge of th e fa c t t h a t th e y are to w ork u n d e r th e S a n ta Fe
ag reem en t on th e jo in t line, a n d th e case a t h a n d p re se n ts ra th e r a p e cu liar s itu a ­
tio n in t h a t firem an is req u e stin g p a y m e n t u n d e r a C olorado & S o u th ern schedule
rule fo r service perform ed on th e S a n ta F e jo in t line, w here S a n ta F e schedule
governs fo r all service p erform ed of w h atev er kin d . I t is o u r co n te n tio n t h a t fire­
m a n ’s claim should be h a n d led w ith th e S a n ta F e C om pany as w e h av e n o t, a n d do
n o t a p p ly C olorado & S o u th ern rules to jo in t line service o r S a n ta F e ru les to
C olorado & S o u th ern service. T h e p a y m e n t for services perfo rm ed should, in
every case, be u n d er th e ag reem en t in effect a n d th e C olorado & S o u th ern schedule
is n o t in effect on th e S a n ta F e jo in t line.
D e c is io n .— C laim sustain ed .


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IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
S ta s tis tic s of Im m ig ra tio n fo r D e c e m b e r, 1926
By

J. J.

K u n n a , C h ie 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

H E alien population of the U nited States in December, 1926,
was increased by 9,252, a total of 35,608 aliens arriving this
m onth and 26,356 departing. Of the arrivals, 23,805 were
im m igrants and 11,803 nonimm igrants, while the departures included
9,481 emigrants and 16,875 nonemigrants. The above net increase
was less than th a t for any m onth since July, 1925, when 6,268 more
aliens were adm itted than departed.
Aliens debarred during December num bered 1,915, m aking the
total debarm ents for the last half of the year 10,358. The principal
races among the debarred for the half year were the English (1,945),
French (1,080), Scotch (1,033), Irish (979), M exican (788), Hebrew
(584), German (561), and Scandinavian (515). B y far, the main
cause for debarm ent was “ w ithout proper im m igration visa,”
7,367 aliens having been denied admission during the six m onths for
this reason.
Of the 23,805 im m igrant aliens adm itted in December last 13,053
came from Europe, and over one-third of these gave Germ any as
their last perm anent residence. G reat B ritain contributed 1,689
im m igrants during the same m onth; the Irish Free State sent 1,396;
Italy, 1,206; Poland, 1,121; and the other countries of Europe less
than 1,009 each. C anada sent 5,825 and Mexico 3,666.
D uring the six m onths ended December 31, 1926, C anada and
Mexico provided by far the greater p a rt of the total net immigration
to the U nited States, 79,277 im m igrants coming from these countries
against only 2,254 departed. Canadian im m igration increased 5.2
per cent and Mexican imm igration 144.4 per cent as compared to
the same m onths of the preceding year. Im m igration from Europe
increased 12.4 per cent over the same period of last year, principally
from northw estern Europe, w ith Germ any furnishing the greatest
num ber and the Irish Free State second.
There is a continuous large exodus of aliens to Europe, particu­
larly to the southern and eastern sections. D uring the six m onths—
July to December last—38 em igrant aliens returned to Europe for
every 100 im m igrants adm itted from th a t continent, bu t consider­
ing as a separate group Greece, Italy, Portugal, Rum ania, Spain,
and Yugoslavia the emigration was greater by 7,000 than the immi­
gration from these countries. In the case of Mexico, only 5 emi­
grants were recorded as leaving here to m ake their future homes in
th a t country for every 100 im m igrants adm itted therefrom. For
every 100 im m igrant aliens entering the U nited States from Canada,
less than 2 em igrant aliens went in the opposite direction.

T

158


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[ 628 ]

STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION

159

In the same six m onths of 1926 there were 6,248 aliens arrested
and deported from the U nited States for various causes under the
immigration laws. Of this num ber 2,651 were returned to Europe,
1,618 to Canada, 1,381 to Mexico, and 309 to other countries in the
W estern Hemisphere. China received 93 of the 245 deportees sent
to Asia, and 44 went to Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
Over half of the total deportees entered the country over the inter­
national land boundaries, 2,296 coming from Canada and 1,627 from
Mexico. Of the remainder, 1,644 came in a t A tlantic seaports,
principally New York; 399 a t Gulf of Mexico ports, m ainly New
Orleans; 270 a t Pacific seaports; and 12 to Alaska, Hawaii, and Porto
Rico. Mexicans outnum bered all the others among the deportees,
1,343 aliens of this race having been deported during the half year in
question. Other races w ith over 300 deportees during the same
period were the English (939), German (468), Italian (383), Irish
(353), and Scandinavian (308).
Alien stowaways found on board of vessels arriving a t U nited
States ports during the six m onths ended December 31, 1926, num ­
bered 1,003, and deserting alien seamen 14,354. This is an increase
of both classes over the same m onths of the preceding year, when
816 stowaways and 8,704 deserting seamen were reported.
While the men outnum bered the women among the 175,955 im ­
m igrant aliens from all countries adm itted from July 1 to December
31, 1926, the opposite was true of the im m igration from several of
the European countries. Conspicuous among the la tte r was Greece
with 301 males and 785 females. O ther countries sending more
women than men were Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, England,
Scotland, H ungary, L atvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Poland, Rum ania,
Russia, Turkey, and Yugoslavia. The excess of females over males
from these E uropean countries were adm itted largely as wives of
United States citizens under the imm igration act of 1924.
In the am ount of money per capita shown to the imm igration
officers on arriving, which is taken as a rough indication of the
economic welfare of im m igrants, the Welsh stood first, followed
closely by the Spanish, D utch and Flemish, Scotch, Slovak, English,
French, and Spanish American. Im m igrants of these races were
recorded as bringing an average am ount of over $80 each during the
half year ended December 31, 1926.
A "total of 9,495 aliens “ ineligible to citizenship ” were adm itted
from July to December last, the Chinese comprising 5,427, E ast
Indian 124, Japanese 3,889, K orean 45, and the Pacific Islander 10.
They were adm itted m ainly as returning residents, visitors, or
transits.
The num ber of aliens adm itted at Canadian borderland ports
during the same six m onths was 56,737. Only 45,248, or 79.8 per
cent, of these were born in Canada and the greater p a rt of them came
in under the act of 1924 as natives of th a t country. Of the re­
m ainder, 10,278 were born in Europe, being m ostly quota im m igrants;
187 were born in Asia; 209 in A ustralia and New Zealand; and 815
in other countries. Over 95 per cent of the num ber of aliens ad­
m itted a t M exican borderland ports were natives of Mexico.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[629]

160

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T able 1 . — 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 T O
D E C E M B E R 31, 1926
In w ard
U nited
States
citi­
N
on­
zens
Im m i­ im m i­
ar­
grant grant T o tal
rived
Aliens a d m itted

Period

1926
J u ly -------------A ugust___ . . .
Septem ber___
O ctober______
N ovem ber___
D ecem ber . . .
T o ta l__

O utw ard
A lie n s
A lien s
de­
de­
U nited
Aliens departed
b a rre d
p o rted
States
from
after
citi­
T otal en ter­
T otal land­
N on­
zens
ing i E m i­ em i­ T otal
in g 2
de­
g ra n t grant
parted

22, 283 16, 096 38, 379 25, 981 64, 360 1, 746 7,052
29,286 20,467 49, 753 52, 683 102, 436 1,601 7, 376
35, 297 25, 680 60, 977 71, 268 132, 245 1,817 6,634
34, 528 22,059 56,587 34,176 90,763 1,566 5, 377
30, 756 16,185 46, 941 21,844 68, 785 1,713 6, 859
23, 805 11, 803 35, 608 16, 777 52, 385 1,915 9,481
175, 955 112,290 288, 245 222, 729 510, 974 10, 358 42, 779

17, 970 25, 022 60, 223 85, 245
15, 410 22, 786 42, 248 65, 034
16, 392 23,026 26,268 49, 294
13, 803 19,180 18,150 37, 330
13, 078 19, 937 17,992 37, 929
16,875 26, 356 19, 608 45, 964
93, 528 136,307 184, 489 320, 796

816
1,121
885
1,100
1,085
1,241
6,248

I JJese aliens are not included among arrivals, as they were not permitted to enter the United States
... rV,ese
arg included among aliens departed, they having entered the United States, legally or
illegally, and later being deported.
T able 2 .—IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO A N D E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D
F R O M T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D U R IN G T H E F IS C A L Y E A R E N D E D J U N E 30 1926 T H E
e n d e d D E C E M B E R 31, 1926, A N D T H E M O N T H O F D E C E M B E R , 1926^
BY R A C E OR P E O P L E , SEX , A N D A G E G R O U P
’
’
Im m igrant
Race or people

A frican (black).................................................
A rm enian....................................................... .
B ohem ian an d M oravian (C zech)______
B ulgarian, Serbian, and M ontenegrin___
C h in e se ............ ................ ...............................
C roatian a n d S lo v en ian .........................1.1.
C u b a n ........... ........................................ ...........
D alm atian , Bosnian, and H erzegovinian.
D u tc h a n d F lem ish ........................................
E a st In d ia n .......................................................
E n g lish ............ ..................................... .............
F in n ish __________ _____ ______________
F ren ch ......................
I ll”
G erm an............... ...............................................
G reek_______________________ _________
H ebrew ___ _____
I.IIIII
Irish ............ ........................................................
Ita lia n (n o rth )____ ________________ 11.1
Ita lia n (so u th )..................................................
Japanese.......... ..................................................
K o re a n .............................................. IIIIIIIII
L ith u an ia n ______________
IIIIII
M ag y ar_______________________________
M exican______________________________
Pacific Isla n d er.......................... I I I I I I I I I I I I
P olish............................................. ...................
Portuguese____________________
Ill'
R u m a n ian ..................................................... .
R ussian........ ....................................................
R u th en ian (R u ssn iak )____ ______ ______ _
Scandinavian (Norw egians, .D a n e s,'a n d
Swedes)......................................... ...........
Scotch.............................................. ................. .
Slovak...... ..................................
H I'
Spanish__________
IIIIIII!
Spanish A m erican_____________ ______ _
S y r ia n .................................................
T u rk ish .................................... ...................
W elsh........... ............................................... .
W est In d ia n (except C u b an )......................I.
O ther peo p les............... ....................................
T o t a l........................................................
M ale_________________________________
Fem ale_________________
U nder 16 y ears__
16 to 44 years____
46 years a n d over.


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

Fiscal
year
1926

E m igrant

Ju ly to
Decem­ Decem­
ber, 1926 ber, 1926

894
741
2, 494
532
1,375
692
1,476
75
3,156
50
44,206
674
22, 237
58, 675
1,385
10,267
42, 475
1,486
7,888
598
52
393
1,076
42, 638
2
3,175
793
319
938
505

517
538
1,618
367
777
394
1,177
36
1,673
35
23, 430
369
11,304
28,988
1,284
5,614
25,065
1,331
8,329
399
32
262
612
29,457
5
2, 422
442
174
082
219

63
82
251
60
61
71
62
10
273
5
2, 665
64
1,447
5,087
182
1,227
2, 605
232
1,100
62
3
31
95
3, 585

19, 418
9,619
27,298
14, 729
534
183
699
559
2, 519
1,625
488
457
197
58
1,314
707
373
225
381
241
304, 488
175, 955
170, 567 " 98, 538“
133, 921
77, 417
47,347
28,480
228, 527
131,342
28, 614
16,133

[630]

Fiscal
year
1926

Ju ly to
Decem­ Decem ­
ber, 1926 ber, 1926
450
34
838
932
2, 404
180
469
246
464
57
3, 801
255
890
2, 232
1,884
133
956
1,591
10, 903
581
33
205
504
1,409
6
1, 565
1,769
720
289
10

147
6
161
162
447
32
163
49
74
16
593
67
165
502
205
20
93
349
3,625
84
4
15
78
285

474
49
27
139
35

865
90
1,468
1,681
2, 873
592
1,287
545
993
69
6,935
560
1,277
4, 509
5,188
341
1,225
3,036
16,968
1,201
27
439
1,063
3,158
1
2,823
2,989
1, 302
581
65

1,372
1,819
34
97
160
109
8
105
26
28
23, 805
13,224
10, 581
4,098
17,416
2,291

4,188
1,912
850
2, 972
1,404
260
201
76
660
318
76, 992
54, 989
22,003
3, 347
57. 986
15, 659

1,880
1,373
421
1,624
840
102
100
38
463
128
42, 779
30,899'
11, 880
1,637
31,432
9,710

671
155
40
392
169
2
8
7
136
8
9, 481
L837
1,644
240
7, 372
1,869

159
250
106
36

161

STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION

T able 3 .—LA ST P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O F IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M I T T E D T O
A N D F U T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E OF E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D F R O M
T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D U R IN G T H E F IS C A L Y E A R E N D E D J U N E 30, 1926, T H E SIX
M O N T H S E N D E D D E C E M B E R 31, 1926, A N D T H E M O N T H O F D E C E M B E R , 1926, B Y
COUNTRY
[Residence for a year or more is regarded as p erm anent residence]
Im m igrant
C o u n try
Fiscal
year 1926

A lbania_______________ ________________
A ustria ________ ______ ______ __________
Belgium ...................................................... .
B ulgaria................ ..............................................
0 zechoslo v a k ia ............ ............ . ......................
D anzig, Free C ity of________ __________
D e n m ark ______ ’..............................................
Estonia_________ ___ ______ ___________
F in lan d ..................................................... ...........
France, including C orsica______________
G erm any _____________________ _____ _
G reat B ritain and N orth ern Ireland:
E n g lan d ___________ ____________ _
N orthern Irela n d . . .............................
Scotland....................... ...............................
W ales...... ....................................................
G reece___________ I ____________________
H ungary ________________________ ____ _
Irish Free S ta te . _____________________
Italy , including Sicily a n d S ard in ia..........
L a tv ia _______________________________ .
L ith u an ia............................................................
Luxem burg____________________________
N eth erlan d s.......................................................
N orw ay................... ............................................
P o la n d ............ . ....................... ........................
Portugal, including Azores, C ape Verde,
and M adeira Islan d s__________________
R u m a n ia .. . . _______ _____ ____ _______
R ussia____ _______ _____________________
Spain, including C an ary a n d Balearic
Isla n d s....................................... .....................
Sw eden___ ___________________________ _
Sw itzerland____________________________
T u rk ey in E u ro p e .. __________________
Y ugoslavia_________________ ____ ______
O ther E u ro p e_________________________
T o tal, E urope.........................................
A rm enia__ ______ ______________________
C hina_____ ___________________________
In d ia ...................... ..............................................
J a p a n ________ _________ _______________
Palestine________________________ ______
Persia____________________ ____________
S yria...................... ................ .............................
T u rk ey in A sia................................................ .
O ther Asia...........................................................
T o tal, A sia ..................... ................... ..
C an ad a_________________________ ______
N ew foundland.................. ....... .......................
Mexico___ _________ _______ ___________
C u b a . ____ _________ _____ ______ ______
O ther W est I n d i e s .. . ......................................
B ritish H o n d u ras...................................... .......
O ther C entral A m erica_________________
B razil.............................. ............................... .
O ther South A m e ric a .................................. .
O ther America_________________________
T o tal, America........ ...............................
E g y p t.................... ..............................................
O ther A frica................................. .....................
A u s tra lia __ _______ ____________ ____ _
N ew Z ealand. ____________ ___ ________
O ther Pacific Islands........................................
T o tal, o th e rs .........................................
G rand total, all countries....... ............


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

E m igrant

Ju ly to
Ju ly to
Fiscal
Decem­ D ecem ­
Decem­ Decem­
ber, 1926 ber, 1926 year 1926 ber, 1926 ber, 1926

158
1,102
718
175
2,953
210
2,549
132
491
4,181
50, 421

124
531
415
166
1,879
168
1,281
106
245
2, 341
24,545

20
122
75
20
298
22
98
11
41
399
4,391

314
487
491
88
2,301
1
691
15
519
1,011
3,908

154
242
236
76
1,134
2
321
9
232
742
1,963

10, 599
419
13,661
1,268
1,121
' 906
24,478
8,253
298
636
127
1,753
5,756
7,126

5,028
128
6,456
598
1,086
460
15,188
8,964
246
325
45
863
2,766
4, 760

685
20
897
87
142
67
1,396
1,206
43
44
11
134
250
1,121

4,921
208
1,332
37
5,164
'871
851
19,980
58
408
7
379
2,087
2,881

2,704
144
1,097
24
1,886
433
663
12,467
8
198
4
196
984
1,544

369
23
125
3
200
67
60
3, 966

666
1,211
1,766

315
605
651

36
137
149

2,926
1,404
181

1, 763
735
138

253
112
13

326
8,513
1,994
210
1,059
326
155,562
16
1,751
93
654
250
56
429
21
143
3,413
91,019
2,349
43,316
2,281
941
39
1,335
877
2,230
6
144,393
214
315
376
180
35
1,120
304,488

258
4,325
1,110
119
623
240
86, 960
6
971
59
441
269
21
379
27
132
2,305
49,335
1,622
29, 942
1,756
503
81
840
521
1,405

28
809
120
■ 29
109
36
13,053
1
98
4
68
72
7
102
3
26
381
5,825
231
3,666
138
65
1
131
32
218

1,364
473
310
15
1,201
4
33,466
15
2,454
83
609
98
18
87
46
28
3,438
840
222
1,414
740
1,207

341
127
60

86,005
122
159
232
149
23
685
175, 955

10, 307
5
16
25
17
1
64
23,805

2,465
1,150
486
30
2,342
46
60,040
43
2,989
113
1,208
173
27
208
126
44
4,931
2,173
283
3,198
1,922
1,917
45
521
210
1,215
1
11,485
38
88
257
134
19
536
76, 992

[631]

14
47
28
1
205
108
68
112
465

15
37
423
157

196

326
119
637

7, 595
1
449
17
88
2
1
2
6
2
568
91
72
290
238
382
1
54
23
131

5,514
14
52
200
77
18
361
42,779

1,282
1
10
21
3
1
36
9,481

9

162

MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

T a b l e 4 .—A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N

A C T O F 1924 D U R IN G D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1 TO D E C E M B E R 31, 1926, B Y
C O U N T R Y OR A R E A O F B IR T H
[Q uota im m igrant aliens are charged to th e quota; nonim m igrant and nonquota im m igrant aliens are
no t charged to th e quota]
A dm itted

A nnual
quota

C o u n try or area of b irth

A lb an ia. ........ ........................................
A ndorra__________________________
A u s tria ............ ........................................
B e lg iu m __________ ____ ____ _____
B u lg a ria ................................ ..................
Czechoslovakia__ _____ ____________
D anzig, Free C ity of. ___________
D enm ark ______ _______ ___________
E s to n ia .. . ______________________
F i n l a n d ___ _________ _ _______ _
France ___________________ _____
G erm any_________________________
G reat B ritain and N o rth ern Ireland:
E ng lan d ________ _______ ______
N o rth ern Irela n d ........ ...............
Scotland_____________________ •
W ales _______________________
Greece________ ___________________
H u n g a ry .. ______________ _______
Iceland_____ _______ _ __ _______
Irish Free S ta te . _ ________________
I ta ly . _______ . ________________
L a tv ia . __ ________________________
L iechtenstein_____________________
L ith u an ia ____ ____________________
Luxem burg_______________________
M onaco _________________________
N etherlan d s_________________ ____ _
N o rw ay _________________ ____ ____
Poland ______ _______ __________
P o r tu g a l____________ . _________
R u m a n ia ...................... ...........................
R ussia_________ ____ _____________
San M arin o . _______ ___________
S p a in _________ ______________ ___
Sw eden_________________ _______
Sw itzerland ______ ____ _________
T u rk ey in E u r o p e ... _____________
Y ugoslavia. _____________________
O ther Europe .............................. .......

100
100
785
i 512
100
3, 073
228
i 2, 789
124
471
i 3, 954
51, 227
|
r

J

87
53
19
281
24
116
10
41
341
4,487

f 6,130
357
o Aj UU* 1 7,083
1
649
100
110
473
265
100
41
28, 567
17, 051
i 3, 845
2, 216
142
118
100
15
344
164
100
46
100
5
i 1, 648
781
6, 453
2,882
5,982
3,209
i 503
237
603
367
i 2, 248
1, 070
100
i 131
106
9, 561
4, 600
2, 081
1,033
1 100
61
671
359
147
(0

Total, A sia___________ _____ _

100
100
124
100
100
100
100
100
ICO
100
100
100
100
100

N onim m igrant
and nonquota
im m igrant

T otal
T otal
during Ju ly to
Decem ­ Decem ­
July to
ber, 1926 ber, 1926
Ju ly to
Decem ­ D ecem ­ Decem­ D ecem ­
ber, 1926 ber, 1926 ber, 1926 ber, 1926
49
3
438
285
103
1, 705
162
1, 346
104
239
1, 885
25, 048

T otal, E u ro p e__________ ____ i 161,422
A fghanistan______________________
A rabia_____________________ ______
A rm enia__________________________
B h u ta n .._ . . . .
C h in a _____
In d ia _________ ____ _________ _____
Iraq (M esopotam ia)_______________
Japan ____ ____
. . . _.
_____________
M uscat_________
N e p a l__________
_______ _____
P alestin e________
. . . _____ _
P ersia____________________________
S ia m .____ _____________ _______
S y ria .____________________________
T u rk e y in A sia_____________ _____ _
O ther A sia............................ ..................

Q uota im m igrant

80, 541
]
7
30
1
85
58
56
20
114
64
1
99

3

394
3
948
994
137
2,383
35
1,227
74
1,120
3, 815
8,645

48

51

443

116
95
18
269
4
96
9
82
419
793

203
148
37
550
28
212
19
123
760
5, 280

1,386
1, 279
240
4,088
197
2, 573
178
1, 359
5, 700
33, 693

867
68
1,008
92
12
47
5
1, 694
321
18
1
24
11
1
137
286
716
27
67
265
1
11
853
115
14
46
36

15, 024
303
6,171
649
2, 296
1,132
12
3, 625
18,135
174

1,293
24
455
52
333
131
1
197
2,109
18

514
84
5
1, 497
2, 471
3,900
1,338
1, 097
1, 722
1
2, 702
2, 543
1,615
838
1,492
99

79
8
1
187
163
746
112
137
313
315
193
130
162
231
15

2,160
92
1, 463
144
345
178
6
1,891
2,430
36
1
103
19
2
324
449
1,462
139
204
578
1
326
1,046
245
176
277
51

21,154
660
13, 254
1,298
2, 406
1,397
53
20, 651
20, 376
292
15
678
130
10
2, 278
5, 353
7,109
1,575
1,464
2,792
73
2, 808
7,143
2,648
899
1, 851
246

12, 205

89,214

9, 354

21, 559

169,755

3
2

1
1
62

11

3
13

10
4
9
2

5,500
308
22
3, 968
2

537
24

14
21

34
6

48
27

136
17
8

148
17
29

324
124
19
631
307
210

1,348

1,446

11, 737

0)
(')

110

21

210
60
18
532
274
100

1,424

679

98

11,058

12

33

6

3

572

547
28
12
574

2
8
92
1
5,585
366
78
3,988
2

1 A nnual quota for colonies, dependencies, or protectorates in O ther Europe, O ther Asia, O ther Africa,
O ther Pacific, and in America is included w ith the annual quota for the European country to w hich they
belong. Quota for T u rk ey in Asia is in c lu d e d w ith th a t for T u rk ey in Europe.


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[632]

163

STATISTICS OP IMMIGRATION

T able 4 .—A L IE N S A D M I T T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T O F 1924 D U R IN G D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1 TO D E C E M B E R 31, 1926, B Y
C O U N T R Y O R A R E A O F B IR T H —C ontinued
A dm itted

C o u n try or area of b irth

Cam eroon (B ritish ).......................... .
Cam eroon (F re n ch )__________ ____
E g y p t-----------------------------------------E th io p ia _________________________
L iberia___________________________
M orocco_____ . . . ________________
R u an d a a n d U ru n d i...
________
South Africa, U nion of__ ____ _____
S outh W est A frica__
T angany ik a
Togoland (B ritish )___
Togoland (French)
O ther Africa_________ _______ _____

A nnual
quota

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

Q uota im m igrant

N onim m igrant
and nonquota
im m igrant

T otal
T otal
during Ju ly to
Decem­ Decem­
ber, 1926 ber, 1926
Ju ly to
Ju ly to
Decem­ Decem­ Decem­ Decem­
ber, 1926 ber, 1926 ber, 1926 ber,-1926
1

1

1

1

2

6S

1

6

7

2
12

2

68
1
3
11

1
1

1
3

136
1
5
23

88

9

212

24

33

300

35

3

63

5

8

98

T otal, A frica________________

1,200

206

16

359

37

53

565

A u s tra lia .._______________________
N a u ru ...
N ew Zealand____________ _____ . . .
N ew G uinea
Samoa__
Y ap
O ther Pacific_____________________

121
100
100
100
100
100
(>)

97

13

2, 066

226

239

2,163

77

6

585

60

66

662

6

2

6
3
89

7

9

9
3
95

T otal, Pacific________________

621

183

21

2, 749

293

314

2,932

48,135
2, 704
37, 986
5,174
514
127
2,484
82
31

5, 509
' 332
4, 997
'385
53
15
217
12
3

5, 509
332
4, 997
385
53
15
261
13
9

48,135
2,704
37,986
5,174
514
127
2,812
97
53

51
7
1,840

6
1
166

7
1
166

87
7
1,840

778
78
10

106
9
6

106
13
6

778
108
12

2,787

353

353

2,787

2
30

9

10

2
33

C anada___
N ew foundland________
M exico. . .
____ _
C uba_____________________________
D om inican R epublic
H a iti_____________________________
B ritish W est Indies_______________
D u tch W est In d ie s________________
F rench W est In d ie s........................... .
B ritish H o n d u ras..............................
C anal Zone
O ther C entral A m erica.. . _______
Brazil
_
_________
B ritish G u ian a____________ _______
D u tch G uiana. _ .
French G uiana
O ther S outh America___
G reenland
M iquelon and St. P ie r r e ----------------

0)

(0
0)
0)

328
15
22

44
1
6

(!)

36

1

0)
(1)
(!)

30
2

4

0)
0)

T otal, A m erica________ _____
G rand total, all countries_____

3

164, 667

3

1

•

436

57

102,820

12,179

12, 236

103,256

82,045

12, 397

206, 200

23, 211

35,608

288,245

l A nnual quota for colonies, dependencies, or protectorates in O ther Europe, O ther Asia, O ther Africa,
O ther Pacific, a n d in America is included w ith th e annual quota for th e European country to w hich they
belong. Q uota for T u rk ey in Asia is included w ith th a t for T u rk e y in Europe.


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[633]

164

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T able 5.—A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T O F 1924, D U R IN G D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1 TO D E C E M B E R 31, 1926,
B Y S P E C IF IE D C LA SSES
'
[The num ber of im m igrants appearing in th is table a n d in T able 4 is not com parable w ith the num ber of
statistical im m igrant aliens show n in th e other tables, b y races, countries, States, and occupations]
Ju ly to
Fiscal year December,
D ecember,
1926
1926
1926

Class

N o n im m ig r a n ts

G overnm ent officials, th eir families, atten d an ts, servants, and em ­
ployees............ ....................................................................................
T em porary visitors for—
Business...................................................................................... ................
P leasu re................................... ................................................. I ll” III!
I n continuous tra n sit thro u g h th e U n ited S ta te s .................. .........HI!
T o carry on trad e u n d er existing tre a ty ..................................
T o tal...................................................................................

5,666

3,081

380

19, 951
36, 663
25, 574
904

11,434
19, 305
13, 898
681

1,620
2,140
1, 856
85

88, 758

48,399

6,081

i 6, 810
i 4, 344
83, 754

14, 741
13,810
55,509

1836
1813
4,445

2 150, 299
i 965
1 190
664
235
436
151
39
26
1,920
72
3

286, 935
i 495
i 85
343
177
341
108
30

210, 321
i 61

N o n q u o ta im m ig r a n ts

Wives of United States citizens.......................................................
Children of United States citizens............ ..................IIIIIIIIIIIIIH
Residents of the United States returning from a visit abroad
Natives of Canada, Newfoundland, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Domini­
can Republic, Canal Zone, or an independent country of Central
or South America................. ......................... .....................................
Their wives........ ............. .......................... ..................................
Their children............... ........ ........ ..................IIIIIIIIIH ..........
Ministers of religious denominations...................... .1 .1 .1
Wives and ministers.............................................
Children of ministers_______ ____
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH !
Professors of colleges, academies, seminaries, or universities
Wives of professors...................... .................... ......
Children of professors................... ..................... I
..............
Students_________ _________ _______________ "III"!""........
Veterans of the World W ar_____ _____I.IIIIIIIIIIIIIH
...........
Wives of veterans....... ............. ............................ IIIIIIIIIIIH I
Children of veterans_______ _____ ________ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIH IIII"
Spanish subject adm itted into Porto Rico (act approved May 26,

1 11

47
25
61
22
2

11

8

1,331
2,860
445
579

T o tal.................................. ........................

249, 916

157, 801

17,130

T o tal qu o ta im m igrants (charged to quota).

157, 432

82,045

12,397

G rand to tal a d m itte d ........................... .

496,106

288, 245

35, 608

103
220

72
91

1

1 W ives, and unm arried children under 18 years of age, born in q u o ta countries
2 D 0es not include aliens born m nonquota countries, who were a d m itte d under th e act as G overnm ent
officials, visitors, retu rn in g residents, etc.


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[634]

ACTIVITIES OF STATE LABOR BUREAUS
A M O N G the activities of State labor bureaus, the following,
***■ reported either directly by the bureaus themselves or through
the medium of their printed reports, are noted in the present issue
of the Labor Review:
California.— R eport of operations under the State workm en’s
compensation act, page 57; and changes in volume of employment
in 682 establishm ents, page 109.
Connecticut.-—R eport of operations under the State workm en’s
compensation act, page 59.
Idaho.—R eport of operations under the State W orkm en’s com­
pensation act, page 60.
Illinois.— Changes in employment in the State, page 111.
Iowa.—R eport of operations under the State workm en’s compen­
sation act, page 61; and per cent of change in num ber of employees
in specified industries in the State, page 113.
M aryland.—Changes in employment in M aryland industries,
page 114.
Massachusetts.—Changes in volume of employment in the indus­
tries in th a t State, page 115.
New T o r i.—Average weekly earnings of factory workers, 1914 to
1926, page 94; and changes in employment and pay roll in New
York State factories, page 116.
Oldahoma.—Changes in employment and am ount paid in wages
in 710 establishments, page 118.
Pennsylvania.—R eport of operations under the State workm en’s
compensation act, page 62.
Wisconsin.—Volume of employment in Wisconsin industries,
page 118.
C h a n g e s in P e r so n n e l

C T A T E labor offices.—M rs. Em m a Fall Schofield resigned on Jan^
uary 20, 1927, as one of the commissioners of the M assachusetts
D epartm ent of Industrial Accidents to become an assistant attorney
general of th a t State. In her new capacity she will have charge of
the workm en’s compensation cases for the State.
J. B. Clinedinst, labor commissioner of Nevada, has resigned the
commissionership, his resignation to become effective April 1, 1927.
I t it is reported th a t M r. Chas. A. W aters has been appointed
secretary of labor and industry of Pennsylvania, succeeding M r.
R ichard Lansburgh.
Labor unions.—G. W. Perkins, president of the Cigar M akers’
International Union, has retired after a continuous service of 35
years as president and of 42 years in various official capacities in th a t
organization. His successor in office is I. M. Ornburn, who assumed
office on January 1, 1927.


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[635 ]

165

CURRENT NOTES OF INTEREST TO
LABOR
P h y s ic a l E x a m in a tio n o f W ork ers

OHYSICAL examination of workers in hazardous employ for their
A own protection has been advocated but has met antagonism
on the part of many workers, wdio fear that in some way the weaker
framed or less fortunate physically would be discriminated against,
disregarding the fact of their economic need for remunerative employ­
ment. On this subject the views of Frank C. MacDonald, president
of the California State Building Trades Council are of interest:
To the average workman his job is in a sense synonymous to life. He must
work to live. He views with suspicion the activities of employers with regard to
medical examinations and safety rules. He thinks that medical examinations
are held for the purpose of eliminating him from his job. He imagines that
most-safety rules are promulgated for the purpose of speeding him up in his
work. Because of this suspicion and misunderstanding, the nation is subjected
to great loss and the workman to grave danger.
Millions of workmen are doing heavy work which they are physically unfit toperform, such as men whose hearts have become injured through years of
laborious effort. Such workmen are frequently required to do heavy lifting,
and other strenuous work that jeopardizes their lives because of this weakened
heart condition of which they are in ignorance. Countless workmen have other
impaired or diseased physical conditions which make them liable to attacks
of dizziness or fainting, yet such workmen are sent to work in highly dangerous
places.
Then again there are numerous workmen with defective vision who, because
of such impaired eyesight, are barely able to do their work. If these workmen
were examined by competent oculists they could be furnished with corrective
glasses. This would make them more efficient "workmen and less liable to
accidents.
It might be possible for arrangements to be made through the United States
Department of Labor whereby doctors in the Federal, State, and municipal
employ would examine such workmen who would voluntarily submit to exami­
nation. Such a procedure would obviate the fear that the workman has, that
if. the doctor representing the company for whom he works were to examine
him he might cause hisdischarge because of some physical disability. Unques­
tionably if the doctors in the employ of the Federal, State, and municipal gov­
ernments were to make such examinations they would discover physical defects
in thousands of cases, and would be able to advise workmen as to the proper
corrective treatment. In many other cases they could warn the physically
defective worker against that particular character of work which jeopardizes his
life.

166

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[636]

BIBLIOGRAPHY
W o rk e rs ’ L e is u r e : A S e le c te d L is t o f R e f e r e n c e s 1
Compiled by

Laura

A.

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of L abo r

General Discussion
W.
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A lg er, G eorge

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Organized leisure as a factor in conservation.
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The uses of leisure.
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Social work in relation to industry.
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L. R.
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B urnett,

B y th e D irector of R ecreation, Paterson, N . I.

C. J.
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Cannon,

C h il d , R ic h a r d W a s h b u r n .

How are you expressing yourself?
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Leisure time.

The last problem of conservation.

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16 pp.

R ep rin ted from T h e Playground, June, 1912, v. 6, pp. 93-106.
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Leisure and education.
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■
----- The Threat of Leisure. New Haven, Yale University Press, 1926.

166 pp.

C o n t e n t s : I. Leisure?—II . H ow did we o b tain our leisure?—III. Shall we standardize w ork and

play?—IV . H ow are we investing our leisure?—V. Is leisure a menace?—V I. C an we use leisure to advan­
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What to do with the other eight hours . . . Tucson, Ariz., University of
Arizona, Bureau of Mines, 1917. 14 pp. (Arizona, State Bureau of
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G r e e n , W il l ia m .

The five-day week.
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i Does not include W orkers’ Education, w hich was covered in separate bibliographies in th e Labor
R eview for Ju n e, 1922 (pp. 181-198) and Septem ber, 1924 (pp. 190-203).


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[637]

167

168

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

H art, J oseph K .

Place of leisure in life.
American Academy of Political and Social Science.
1925, v. 118, pp. 111-115.

Annals, March,

H o w e , F r e d e r ic k C .

Leisure.
Survey, January 3, 1914, v. 31, pp. 415, 416.
Some suggestions for the redemption of leisure by the substitution by the community itself
of new kinds of play and culture for those of the commercialized agencies.

----- The Modern City and Its Problems.

New York, Scribner, 1915.

390 pp.

R ecreation and th e problem of leisure: pp. 305-321.
J o r d a n , H. W.

Spare time.
Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, March, 1921, v. 13,
pp. 253, 254.

K elley , M rs. F lorence.

The right to leisure. ^
Charities, September 2, 1905, v. 14, pp. 1055-1062.
L i e s , E u g e n e T.
Community recreation: Its significance, objectives, machinery and standards.
(I n
National Conference of Social Work, Proceedings, 1926. pp.
493-500.)
L l o y d , A l f r e d H.
Ages of leisure.
American Journal of Sociology, September, 1922, v. 28, pp. 160-178.
N eed of a new culture for th e age of the au tom atic tool.
M ackaye, P ercy.

Civic Theater in Relation to the Redemption of Leisure: A book of sugges­
tions. New York, Mitchell Kennedy, 1912. 308 pp.
M a n n in g , W il l ia m

T hom as.

The church and wholesome play.
Playground, January, 1927, v. 20, pp. 537, 538.
Address before T h irte en th R ecreation Congress.

Leisure needed for physical development, for culture, and for spiritual life,
M e n n ic k e , C a r l .

Die kulturbedeutung des achtstundentages.
Die Arbeit (Berlin), July 15, 1924, v. 1, pp. 32-38.
M u l l e n b a c ii, J a m e s .

Industry and leisure time.
Playground, September, 1924, v. 18, pp. 333, 334, 369, 370.
Speed and m onotony of m odern in d u stry has deadened the creative im pulse of th.8 w orker.
T h e dem and of the w orker for leisure is for a chance for adequate personal expression.
P angburn, W eaver.

Community responsibility for the conservation of leisure time and child life.
American Review, July, 1924, v. 2, pp. 411-419.
----- The workers’ leisure and his individuality.
American Journal of Sociology, January, 1922, v. 27, pp. 433-441.
P a t r i c k , G. J. W.
The play of a nation.
Scientific Monthly, October, 1921, pp. 350-362.
P a y n e , A. A.
Education for leisure as well as for vocation.
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P ound, A rthur.

The Iron Man in Industry: An outline of the social significance of automatic
machinery. Boston, Atlantic Monthly Press, 1922. 230 pp.
The need of education for leisure because it has become, u nder the conditions of autom atic
production, education for life is discussed in chapter 10 (pp. 196-215).

—— The right use of leisure.
Journal of the National Institute of Social Sciences, 1924, v. 9, pp. 27-35.
Delivered a t annual meeting of N ational In s titu te of Social Sciences, Jan u a ry 29, 1924.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[638]

WORKERS’ LEISURE

169

E.
Socialized leisure.
Journal of Applied Sociology, May-June, 1923, v. 7, pp. 255-259.
e e v e , M r s . A. H.
Leisure and the home.
Playground, December, 1926, v. 20, pp. 494-496, 523.

R a in w a t e r , C l a r e n c e

R

Address a t T h irteen th Recreation Congress, A tlan tic C ity , October 18-22, 1926.
R oosevelt, T h eo d o re.

Leisure and the home.
Playground, December, 1926, v. 20, pp. 487-493.
P ap er read a t T h irte en th Recreation Congress, A tlantic C ity, O ctober 18-22, 1926.

Ross, E d w a r d A.
Adult recreation as a social problem.
American Journal of Sociology, January, 1918, pp. 516-528.
R u s s e l l , B.
Leisure and mechanism.
Dial, August, 1923, v. 75, pp. 105-122.
S i m o n , A. M.
Evolution of leisure for the many.
Craftsman, September, 1905, v. 8, pp. 777-780.
T a ft, L orado.

Beauty and leisure time.
Playground, December, 1923, v. 17, pp. 492-494, 523.

T h o r n d ik e , E d w a r d L e e .

The right use of leisure.
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Address delivered a t th e annual meeting of the N ational In stitu te of Social Sciences, Jan u ­
a ry 29,1924.
T ow ers, A l.

Recreation and industry.
Playground, September, 1924, v. 18, pp. 335, 336, 370.

U n w in , R a y m o n d .

_

The influence of housing conditions on the use of leisure.
International Labour Review, June, 1924, v. 9, pp. [815]-828.

Discusses th e need of space in and about the house and in the neighborhood for th e whole­
some use of leisure and the advantages afforded by the adoption of the garden city principle.
Pleads also for the introduction of handicraft as a p art of the leisure tim e program.
Same in p art in Tow n Planning In stitu te Journal, February, 1925, v. 7, pp. 204-207.
V i e w s o f W e l f a r e W o r k e r s . Leisure organization a community problem.

Industrial and Labour Information, April 7, 1924, v. 10, pp. 34-37.

Q uotations from th e m em orandum of the In te rim C om m ittee of the International Association for
the Prom otion of In d u strial Welfare, and sum m ary of a report of th e Liverpool Council of V oluntary
Aid.

WEARING, S. J.

The workman’s leisure.
Ways and Means, May 3, 1919, pp. 276, 277.
Leisure to be w o rth w hile needs happiness of home life, contact w ith nature, aocess to books.

W a tso n , E .

Significance of leisure.

Contemporary Review, August, 1920, v. 118, pp. 238-24o.

W oll, M a tth ew .

Leisure and labor.
,__ „„„
Playground, September, 1925, v. 19, pp. 322, 323.
Y a r r o s , V. S .
M echanism , leisure, a n d b e a u ty .
Open Court (Chicago), December, 1923, v. 37, pp. 734-M0.
Reports by Countries
General and International
B e a u f r e t o n , M a u r ic e .

Leisure time occupations in the country.
,, ,
International Review of Agricultural Economics, January-Marcn, I92o,
n. s. v. 3, pp. 3-27.
Belgium, France, G erm any, G reat B ritain , C anada, a nd U nited States.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

B o u tiio u l , G a ston .

La duree du travail et ¡’utilisation des loisirs. Paris, Giard, 1924. 152 pp.
w o rk e rs’ r ec r ea tio n s.
The problem of rural life.
Industrial and Labour Information, June 30, 1924, v. 10, pp. 506-510.

C ountry

Brief notes on France, Belgium, Luxem burg, G erm any, and A ustria.

G ia n i , M a r i o .

II dopolavoro all’estero. Roma, Opera nazionale dopolavoro [1925?] 60 pp.
(Quaderni del dopolavoro, No. 2.)
“ Bibliografla dopolavoro,” pp. [59], 60.
G reat B ritain, France, Belgium, G erm any, and U nited States, w ith brief notes regarding
other countries.

I n te r n a t io n a l L abor C o n f e r e n c e .

Labour Office, 1924. 2 v.

6 th

s e s s io n ,

G en eva ,

1924.

International

Stenographic report in French and English.
R eport of th e com m ittee on th e u tilization of w orkers’ spare tim e, pp. 552-562: Discussion, pp.
272-279, 282-300, 440-444, 643; Recom m endation adopted, p p. 644-649.

I n ter n a t io n a l L abor O f f ic e ,

G en eva .

International labor conference. Sixth session. Geneva, June, 1924.
Development of facilities for the utilization of workers’ leisure. Geneva,
1923. 30 pp. (Questionnaire I.)
----- Report of the director, 1925. Geneva, 1925.
French and English in parallel columns.
“ D evelopm ent of facilities for th e utilization of spare tim e ,” pp. 238-241.

----- Report of the director, 1926.

Geneva, 1926.

“ U tilization of workers’ spare tim e ” (sum m ary of reports from the various G overnm ents), p d .
256-264.

—— - Report on the development of facilities for the utilization of workers’
leisure. Item I on the agenda. Geneva, 1924. 112 pp. (Report I.)
Prepared for th e Sixth In tern atio n al L abor Conference, Geneva, June, 1924. Includes the reports
of th e different G overnm ents in alphabetical order on each question contained in th e Questionnaire
and a general survey of th e question in th e light of these replies un d er the headings: M eans of preserving
w orkers’ leisure, M ethods of utilizing leisure, a n d General principles.

----- Supplementary report on the development of facilities for the utilization
of workers’ leisure. Geneva, 1924. 47 pp.
—— Second supplementary report on the development of facilities for the utiliza­
tion of workers’ leisure. Geneva, 1924. 19 pp.
----- Utilization of spare time. List of documents received by the International
Labour Office and placed at the disposal of delegates to the Sixth International
Labour Conference ... Geneva, 1924. 19 pp.
T he

l e isu r e tim e of w o r k e r s.

Playground, September, 1924, v. 18, pp. 342-347.
Sum m ary of articles in th e In tern atio n al Labour Review for June, 1924.

M

il h a u d ,

E dgard.

.

The results of the adoption of the eight-hour day: II. The eight-hour day
and the human factor in production.
International Labour Review, February, 1926, v. 13, pp. 175-210.
Includes effect on th e fam ily and social life of the w orker w ith quotations from various
reports.

T ransport

and

spare tim e.

Industrial and Labour Information, January 12, 1925, v. 13, pp. 51-53.
L ’u t i l i s a t i o n

des

l o isir s.

LTnformation Sociale (Paris), May 15 and 22, 1924, v. 17, pp. 7, 8.
Replies of th e G overnm ents of Belgium, France, and G erm any to the questionnaire of the In te r­
national L abour Office a n d quotations from th e French and Belgian labor press.

U tiliz a tio n

of w o r k e r s’ l e isu r e in v arious c o u n t r ie s.

Monthly Labor Review, August, 1924, v. 19, pp. 296-303.
Sum m ary of th e articles published in th e International L abour R eview for June, 1924.

W

orkers’ gardens.

International Labour Review, July, 1924, v. 10, pp. 86-119.
Traces th e progress and developm ent of the m ovem ent, particularly in G reat B ritain, Belgium,
France, and G erm any, character and size of gardens, rents, com pensation for im provem ents, and
general results.

W

o rkers’ spare

tim e.

Industrial and Labour Information, April 20, 1925, v. 14, pp. 87-90.
Brief notes relating to U nited States, Belgium, and Italy .


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WORKERS* LEISURE
Y o u n g M e n ’s C h r i s t i a n A s s o c i a t i o n .

W o r l d ’s

c o m m itte e .

The leisure of the young worker: A report by the world’s committee of the
Y. M. C. A.
International Labour Review, June, 1924, v. 9, pp. 829-844.
Discusses th e value a n d use ofleisure w ith some examples of Y . M . C. A. educational and
recreation work in different countries.

Australia and Canada
S o u t h A u s t r a l ia a n d w o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t im e .

Industrial and Labour Information, July 12, 1926, v. 19, pp. 37-40.

Sum m ary of statem en t from th e G overnm ent of South A ustralia.
(Intern atio n al Labour Office), Ju ly 30, 1926, v. 11, pp. 127-131.
S p a r e t i m e i n t h e c o u n t r y . II. Overseas methods of

F o r text see Official B ulletin

organization.
International. Labour Review, July, 1924, v. 10, pp. 120-135.

In C anada and th e U nited States. T he sections tre a t of com m unity halls, use of open spaces,
agricultural extension work, farm and home bureaus, public libraries and w om en’s in stitutes and
clubs.
U t il iz a t io n o f w o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t im e .
Recommendation of International

Labour Conference on this subject brought before the Dominion Parliament
and provincial governments.
Labour Gazette (Canada), March, 1926, v. 26, pp. 243-248.
W o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t i m e i n A u s t r a l i a . The position in New South Wales.
Industrial and Labour Information, April 5, 1926, v. 18, pp. 3, 4.
Sum m ary of statem en t from th e G overnm ent of N ew South W ales. F or text see Official
B ulletin (In tern atio n al L abour Office), M ay 15, 1926, v. 11, p p. 92-95.
“ W o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t im e ” in C a n a d a .
Existing provisions for workers on farms.

Labour Gazette (Canada), September, 1924, v. 24, pp. 764-766.

W o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t im e i n

C anada.

Industrial and Labour Information, May 3, 1926, v. 18, pp. 143-146.

Sum m ary of th e C anadian order in council dated February 22,1926. For full report of C anadian
G overnm ent see Official B u lletin (In tern atio n al Labour Office), M ay 15, 1926, v. 11, pp. 95-102.
W o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t im e i n W e s t e r n A u s t r a l ia .

Industrial and Labour Information, January 11, 1926, v. 17, pp. 3-5.
Sum m ary of statem ent from G overnm ent of W estern Australia.

Austria
K allbeunner, H erm ann.

The cultivation of allotments during the war.
International Review of Agricultural Economics, June, 1922, v. 13, pp.
436-450.
----- The decline of allotment gardens.
International Review of Agricultural Economics, April-June, 1925, n. s.,
v. 3, pp. 270-272.
■
----- Development of State railway allotment gardens.
International Review of Agricultural Economics, January-March, 1923,
n. s., v. 1, pp. 144-146.
R a g e r , F r it z .

Das problem der freizeit der arbeiter in Österreich.
Arbeit und Wirtschaft, January 1 and 15, 1924, v. 2, pp. 23, 24, 58-62.
----- The utilization of leisure in Austria.
International Labour Review, February, 1924, v. 9, pp. 227-241.
Subject is treated w ith special relation to the effect of th e 8-hour day introduced by law in Decem­
ber 1918. M ore active participation in trade-unionism , in politics and m cooperative societies,
wid’er support of th e w orkers’ education m ovem ent, th e developm ent of the organization of workertourists, know n as “ T h e Friends of N a tu re ” (D ie N a tu rfre u n d e) and an increase in the num ber of
allotm ent gardens are some of th e results of greater leisure noted. T he conclusion reached is th a t m
spite of certain indications to th e contrary, “ the great m ajority of the workers in A ustria prefer to
spend th e extra leisure secured to th em by the 8-hour day in w ays w hich not only are for their own
personal benefit b u t also add to th e general well-being and level of culture.”
W o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t im e in

A u s t r ia .

Industrial and Labour Information, February 8, 1926, v. 17, pp. 167-169.
Sum m ary of a report m ade by the A ustrian G overnm ent to the International L abour Office.

Belgium
A l l o t m e n t s d u r in g t h e w a r : B e l g iu m .

International Review of Agricultural Economics, November, 1922, v. 13,
pp. 793-798.

12
33892°—27
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A

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

B ILL FO B E ST A B L ISH IN G A N A T IO N A L IN S T IT U T E FOR W O R K E R S’ L E IS U R E .

Industrial and Labour Information, January 6, 1922, v. 1, pp. 30, 31.
News note from Le Peuple, D ecember 22, 1921, regarding proposal for a national in stitu te to
encourage projects and organizations intended to secure the best possible utilization of their leisure
by the workers.

H

(Province). C o m m i s s i o n p r o v i n c i a l e l e s l o i s i r s
général, 1921-22, 1922-23. (Its Fascicule 4, 10.)

a in a u t

o u v r ie r s .

.

.

.

Rapport

T h is com m ittee publishes also a review “ Les loisirs ouvriers.”

M.
Rural recreation.
International Review of Agricultural Economics, April-June, 1925, n. s.,
v. 3, pp. 273-286.

L in d e m a n s ,

Sum m ary of an in q u iry m ade a t th e request of th e Belgian M in istry of A griculture b y the
State agricultural experts and S tate wom an advisors on farm household m anagem ent.

W

o r k e r s’ le isu r e

co m m ittees

B elg iu m .

in

International Labour Review, June, 1924, v. 9, pp. 863-878.
A n interesting account of th e activities of the w orkers’ leisure com m ittees set up b y the provincial
Councils of H ainault, B rab an t, and Liège. See also Sum m ary of the 1924 H ainault report in in d u s­
trial and L abour Inform ation, A pril 20,1925, v. 14, pp. 89, 90.

W

o r k e r s’ spare tim e in

B e l g iu m .

Industrial and Labour Information-, September 13, 1926, v. 19, pp. 393-398.
Sum m ary of m em orandum to th e International L abour Office from the Belgian G overnm ent on
measures tak en and results achieved as regards the question of utilization of w orkers’ spare tim e in
Belgium.

France
A llotm ents

d u rin g t h e w a r :

F rance.

International Review of Agricultural Economics, October, 1922, v. 13, pp
725-734.
’ x1
B ea u d em o u lin , J e a n .

La Loi de Huit Heures (23 avril, 1919). Enquête sur son application et
sur les loisirs de l’ouvrier (étendue, répartition, utilisation). Paris,
Librairie Dalloz, 1924. 275 pp.
T h e section entitled “ E n q u ête su r l ’utilisation des loisirs” (pp. 135-256) includes quotations
from various official reports as well as letters received b y the author in a personal investigation
“ Bibliographie, ” p p. [2671-269.

F rance.

M in is tè r e

d u

T r a v a il.

Enquête sur l’utilisation des loisirs crées par la journée de 8 heures.
Bulletin du Ministère du Travail, August—October—November—Decem­
ber, 1920, v. 27, pp. 402-409, 509-513; April-June, July-September,
1921, v. 28, pp. 170-176, 309-315; April-June, July-September, October-December, 1922, v. 29, pp. 190-195, 311-313, 408-419; JanuaryMarch, April-June, October-December, 1923, v. 30, pp. 54-60,
176-180, 419-424; April-June, July-September, October-December,
1924, v. 31, pp. 140-149, 226-232, 362-379.
Based largely u pon d ata collected b y th e French factory inspectors under special instructions
from the M in istry of L abor im m ediately upon th e passage of the 8-hour law . Cover special
facilities provided b y industrial an d commercial concerns, trade-unions, and various social
organizations, and include special reports on th e developm ent of outdoor sports, w orkers’
gardens, educational extension, etc.

I n q u ir y

c o n c e rn in g t h e u tiliza tio n of w o r k e r s ’ l e is u r e h o u r s : w o r k e r s ’

G A R D E N S.

Industrial and Labour Information, March 9, 1922, v. 5, pp. 492-494.
Sum m ary of report in th e B ulletin d u M inistère du Travail, O ctober-December, 1922, pp. 408-417.

R

iv e s,

P aul.

La corvée de joie.

Paris, Les Presses universitaires de France, 1924.

211 pp.

Facts, figures, and opinions collected b y the au th o r in a personal inquiry into the a ttitu d e adopted
to ffie question of th e utilization of w orkers’ spare tim e b y individual employers, workers, em ployers’
associations, socialist and C hristian trade-unions, welfare and other organizations, a nd public
officials.
^

Germany
A lbrecht, Otto.

Deutsche kleingartenpolitik.
Die Arbeit (Allgemeiner Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund), September 15,
1924, v. 1, pp. 168-176.


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WORKERS’ LEISURE
T h e e i g h t - h o u r d a y i n G e r m a n y i n 1021 a n d 1922.

International Labour Review, December, 1923, v. 8, pp. 863-873.
Sum m ary of the G erm an industrial inspection reports for 1921 and 1922. T he section on leisure
discusses th e use of increased leisure due to th e introduction of the 8-hour day. M an y of the older
workers were found to engage in subsidiary occupations, while others spent th e tim e in developm ent
of kitchen gardens. O utdoor sports are particularly favored b y th e younger workers.
G e r m a n y a n d w o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t i m e . Review of the situation.

Industrial and Labour Information, September 27, 1926, v. 19, pp. 446-449.

Sections of the report m ade b y the G erm an Federal M inistry of Labor on the measures taken in
G erm any to gi ve effect to th e recom m endation of th e 1924 In tern ational L abor Conference concern­
ing th e utilization of w orkers' spare time.
G e r m a n y : I n s t it u t io n

op

a

p e o p l e ’s

c in e m a

a s s o c ia t io n

in

B e r l in .

Industrial and Labour Information, September 22, 1922, v. 2, p. 575.

R ie d e l , J o h a n n e s .

Arbeitskunde; grundlagen, bedingungen und ziele der wirtschaftlichen
arbeit ... Leipzig, B. G. Teubner, 1925. 364 pp.
“ B eruf u n d freizeit in ihren kulturellen Zusammenhängen,” von Ludw ig Preller, pp. 244-250.

Great Britain
T he

co n feren ce

of

w o rk ers’ travel

o r g a n iz a t io n s .

International Information (Labour & Socialist International, Zurich), Janu­
ary 29, 1927, v. 4, pp. 45-46.
Conference held in London, Jan u ary 9-15, 1927, prom oted b y the B ritish W orkers’ Travel
Association, w ith delegates from Austria, Belgium, G erm any, H olland, Sw itzerland, and Czecho­
slovakia.
C onferen ce

on

C h r is t ia n

p o l it ic s ,

e c o n o m ic s ,

and

c it iz e n s h ip .

Leizure; being the report presented to the conference ... at Birmingham,
April 5-12, 1924. London, Pub. for the conference committee by Long­
mans, Green & Co., 1924. I l l pp. (C. O. P. E. C. commission report,
vol. V.)
G r e a t B r it a in .

A d u lt

E d u c a tio n

The drama in adult education.

C o m m itte e .

London, 1926. 232 pp.

Includes su rv ey of activities of th e B ritish D ram a League and of am ateur societies in the tow ns
and countryside. See also P a p e r No. 5 on B ritish music.

■
-----

M in e s

D e p a r tm e n t.

M in e r s ’ W e lfa r e

Report, lst-4th, 1921/22-1925.

F u n d .

London, 1923-1926.

C onstituted un d er th e term s of th e M ining in d u stry act, 1920, b y means of a levy of Id. per ton
on th e coal production of G reat B ritain (£1,210,561 in 1925). Joint local welfare com m ittees consist­
ing of representatives of owners a n d workers assist in th e adm inistration of the fund, four-fifths of
w hich is used for establishing a n d m aintaining recreation grounds, sw im m ing pools and gym na­
siums, pit-head baths, hospitals a n d convalescent and rest homes, and in fostering athletic, musical
and social organizations.
Sum m ary of th e w ork of th e fund in M o n th ly Labor Review, A ugust, 1926, v. 23, pp. 217-224.
I n t e r n a t io n a l L a b o r C o n f e r e n c e , 7 t h s e s s i o n , G e n e v a , 1 9 2 5 .

Proposed action by the British Government regarding recommendation
adopted by the Conference at its sixth session, 16th June to 5th July,
1924. London, 1925. 3 pp. (Great Britain, Parliament, Papers by
command, Crnd. 2441.)
The recom m endation was regarding th e developm ent of facilities for the utilization of workers’
spare tim e. See also Official B u lletin (In tern atio n al L ab o u r Office), Sept. 21, 1925, v. 10,
p p . 150, 151.
L e is u r e o f t h e p e o p l e .

Spectator, April 24, 1920, v. 124, pp. 543, 544.
L i v e r p o o l C o u n c il o f V o l u n t a r y A id

( I n c .) .

Report on the uses of leisure in Liverpool.
N a t io n a l C o n f e r e n c e

on

the

L e is u r e

of

Liverpool, 1923. 28 pp.
the

P eo ple.

Leisure of the people: A handbook, being the report of the national con­
ference held at Manchester, November 17-20, 1919. 95 pp.
N a t io n a l C o u n c il o f S o c ia l S e r v i c e .

Memorandum on rural development. London, 1922.
t h e c o u n t r y : I . An English experiment in organization.
International Labour Review, June, 1924, v. 9, pp. 917-938.

S p a r e t im e in

Discusses th e conditions determ ining leisure in the country a n d th e work carried on b y various
organizations along th e lines of w om en’s in stitu tes, village clubs, music, dram a, folk-dancing, educa­
tional extension, etc.


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S t e w a r t , B . M a r t in .

Recreation, use of leisure time.
Edinburgh, 1926, p. 70-75.)

(I n

A social survey of the city of Edinburgh.

T o m l in s o n , F . L .

The allotment movement in Scotland during the war.
International Review of Agricultural Economics, January-March, 1925,
n. s., v. 3, pp. 73-88.
----- The cultivation o f allotments in England and Wales during the war.
International Review of Agricultural Economics, April-June, 1923. n. s
v. 1, pp. 162-210.
Italy
[ C o s t a n z o , G i u l i o .]

National organization of workers’ spare time.
International Review of Agricultural Economics, October—December,
1925, n. s., v. 3, pp. 704-708.
A review of th e Italian D o p o la vo ro m ovem ent and particularly of the organization and
activities of th e N ational In stitu te of W orkers’ Spare Tim e ( O p e ra N a z io n a le D o p o la vo ro )
I l D o p o l a v o r o . Anno 1- (15 Feb. 1923-) Roma [1923-].
Issued indep en d en tly from F eb ru ary 15 to N ovem ber 15, 1923, under title “ Il Dopo-lavoro; revista
quindicinale illu s tra ta ” ; from December 1923 to D ecember, 1925, as a section in “ La S tirp e” issued
b y the Ufficio C entrale Dopolavoro of th e Confederazione delle Corporazioni Sindacali Fasciste, In
Jan u ary , 1926, became th e officiai organ of th e O p era N a z io n a le D op o la vo ro .
F a s c is t i p r o g r a m m e f o r t h e u t il iz a t io n o f w o r k e r s ’ l e i s u r e .

Industrial and Labour Information, July 6, 1923, v. 7, p. 46.
G ia n i, M a r io .

II Dopolavoro. Roma, Opera Nazionale dopolavoro [1925?]. 46 pp.
(Quaderni del dopolavoro, No. 1.)
Includes illustrations.

— L’utilisation des loisirs des ouvriers en Italie.

Rome, 1924. 81 pp.

P am p h let presented to th e m em bers of the Sixth International Labor Conference containing a review
of'the in stitu tio n s concerned w ith w orkers’ leisure in Italy .
I taly. O p e r a N a z io n a le D o p o la v o r o .
Scopi ed organizzazione. Roma, Tip. ditta L . Cecchini, 1927. 44 pp.
Issued as th e first n u m b er of its B ollettino Ufficiale, Jan u a ry 1, 1927.
?
T his in s titu te was established by royal decree M ay 1, 1925, to coordinate and prom ote activities
for th e u tilizatio n of w orkers’ spare tim e. See also report of Ita lia n G overnm ent to In ternational
L abour Office in its Official B ulletin, M arch 15, 1926, v. 11, pp. 49-51.
L ’O e u v r e n a t i o n a l e d e s l o i s i r s d e l ’o u v r i e r .

Bulletin du Ministère du Travail et de l’Hygiene (France), October-December, 1925, v. 32, pp. 458-460.
Sum m ary of th e act creating the Opera Nazionale del Dopolavoro.
P o p u l a r e d u c a t io n in I t a l y .

Industrial and Labour Information, April 21 and 28, 1924, v. 10, pp. 127-131
Rivista delie Corporazioni fasciste ... Critica e cultura, sindacale,
dopo lavoro, illustrazione dell’ attività economica-politica-artistica d’Italia ...
Anno 1- (die. 1923-) Roma, [1923-]. (Monthly.)

L a St ir p e ;

U t il iz a t io n

of

spare

t im e

in

I taly.

Industrial and Labour Information, June 22, 1925, v. 14, pp. 548, 549.
U n ite d S ta te s

W. R.
War gardens in the United States.
International Review of Agricultural Economics, April-June, 1924,
n. s., v. 2, pp. 194-214.
B e v a n s , G e o r g e E.
How Workingmen Spend their Spare Time . . . New York, 1913. 97 pp.
B e a t t ie ,

A n investigation m ade in 1912-13 as p art of th e work for th e degree of doctor of philosophy a t Co­
lu m b ia U niversity; 1070 schedules were filled out b y personal interview s w ith w orkingmen, princi­
pally in New York C ity. “ F rom th e d ata secured it w ould seem conclusive th a t the num ber of
hours which a group of m en work per day is directly related to the w ays in which leisure tim e is used.
T he greatest contrast is apparent betw een the spare tim e spent by m en in the 8-9 hour group and m en
m th e 11-hour and over group. T h e 8-9 h o u r m en engage in more social and cultural pastim es, whereas
tfie 11-hour and over m en spend m ost of th eir spare tim e in w ays which are cheaper and more con­
venient. Between these tw o extremes the gradation of th e 9-10 and 10-11 hour group is an indica­
tio n th a t th e longer the working-day the less social and educational d e velopm ent.”


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WORKERS' LEISURE

B.
The Labor Problem in the United States and Great Britain.
Harper Bros., 1926. 659 pp.

C a t l in , W a r r e n

T he

New York,

“ Value and use of leisure, ” pp. 83, 84, 90-92, 201, 202, 536.
w o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t im e in t h e U n it e d S t a t e s .

c it y

International Labour Review, June, 1924, v. 9, pp. 896-916.
A description of some of th e agencies and opportunities for recreation a t the disposal of American
workers.
C o m m u n i t y S e r v i c e ( I n c .) .

Comrades in Play; Leisure time activities which the young men and young
women of America can enjoy together. New York City, Community
Service (Inc.), 1920. 84 pp.
See also “ C om m u n ity buildings for in d u strial to w n s ” (1921); “ Pioneering for p la y ” (1921);
and “ R u ral and small co m m unity recreatio n ” (1920), published b y this organization.

C ro w th er, Sam uel.

Henry Ford: Why I favor five days’ work with six days’ pay.
World’s Work, October, 1926, v. 52, pp. 613-616.
“ I t is high tim e to rid ourselves of th e notion th a t leisure for w orkm en is either 'lost tim e’
or a class privilege . . . W e have faith th a t th e average m an w ill find his own best w ay . . .
W e do know th a t m an y of th e m en have been building homes for themselves, and to meet
th eir dem and for good and cheap lum ber we have established a lum ber yard where th e y can
b u y from our own forests. T he m en help each other ou t in this b u ilding.”

O. W.
Industrial recreation; a recent phase in the playground movement.
American City (Town & Country ed.), October, 1917, v. 17, pp. 365-369.

D ouglas,

F e d e r a t e d A m e r ic a n E n g in e e r in g S o c ie t ie s .
c o n tin u o u s

in d u s tr y .

The Twelve-hour Shift in Industry.
302 pp.

C o m m itte e

o n

w o r k -p e r io d s

in

New York, E. P. Dutton & Co., 1922.

T h e investigators found conclusive evidence th a t where th e w orking-day was shortened to eight
hours th e leisure tim e was used to good advantage in gardening, tru ck farming, odd jobs and
recreation (p. 216).
G a r d n e r , L. C .

Community athletic recreation for the employees and their families.
American Physical Education Review, January, 1924, v. 29, pp. 4-7.
G i l l i n , John L.
Wholesome Citizens and Spare Time. Cleveland, Ohio. The survey com­
mittee of the Cleveland Foundation, 1918. 182 pp. (Cleveland Foun­
dation, Publication 29.)
Includes results of an investigation of th e spare-time activities of a selected group.
G l e n n , J o h n M.

Industrial recreation.
Playground, September, 1924, v. 18, pp. 337-339, 366.

R ecreation facilities in connection w ith industrial establishm ents.
H e in b a u g h , Z e l a h .

The Why and How of Leisure-time Activities among Younger Employed
Girls. New York, The Womans Press [cl925]. 76 pp.
L i e s , E u g e n e T.
Organized labor and recreation.
American Federationist, August, 1923, v. 30, pp. 648, 649.

N ason, W ayne C .

Uses of rural community buildings. Washington, 1922. 32 pp.
Department of Agriculture. Farmers’ bulletin 1274).

(U.

s.

See also F arm ers’ b u lletin s 1173 and 1388.
N a t io n a l C o n f e r e n c e o n O u t d o o r R e c r e a t i o n ,

t v a s h i n g t o n , D . C . , 1924_.
Proceedings of the meeting of the Advisory council of the National Confer­
ence on Outdoor Recreation held in Washington, D. C., December 11-12,
1924. Washington, 1925. 55 pp. (S. Doc. 229, 68 th Cong., 2d sess.)

Address of H erb ert H oover stressing need for providing increased facilities for recreation and of
education for th e increasing leisure tim e of th e population, p p. 3-6.

------ Proceedings of the National Conference on Outdoor Recreation held in
Washington, D. C., May 22-24, 1924. Washington, 1924. 244 pp. (S. Doc.
151, 68 th Cong., 1st sess.)
R eport of th e com m ittee on th e value of outdoor recreation to industrial workers, pp. 214, 215. See
„
,,,
T h e addresses of President Coolidge and Col. Theodore Roosevelt a nd a sum m ary of th e pioceedmgs
are prin ted in T h e Playground for Ju ly , 1924.

also R esolution X II, p. 154.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[645]

176

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

P l a y g r o u n d a n d R e c r e a t io n

As s o c i a t i o n

of

A m e r ic a .

Yearbook for 1925.
A review and statistical report of com m unity recreation in th e U nited States, published as the April,
1926, n um ber of its journal, T h e Playground. T h e flies of th is journal contain the proceedings of the
annual recreation congress an d other papers on various phases of com m unity recreation.
R e p o r t o n o u t d o o r r e c r e a t io n f o r in d u s t r ia l w o r k e r s .

Monthly Labor Review, September, 1928, v. 23, pp. 521, 522.
R eport and recom m endations of th e com m ittee on policy and adm inistration of outdoor recreation
for industrial w orkers to th e executive council of th e N ational Conference on O utdoor Recreation.
S a x m a n , E t h e l J.

Students’ use in leisure time of activities learned in physical education in
State teachers colleges. New York City, 1926. 90 pp. (Teachers College,
Columbia University, Contributions to education No. 217.)
S p a r e t i m e i n t h e c o u n t r y . II. Overseas methods of organization.
International Labour Review, July, 1924, v. 1 0 , pp. 120-135.
In U nited States and C anada. T h e sections tre a t of com m unity halls, use of open spaces a<ricultural extension w ork, farm and hom e bureaus, public libraries, and w om en’s institutes and clubs.
S telzle, C h arles.

How one thousand workingmen spend their spare time.
Outlook, April 4, 1914, v. 106, pp. 762-766.
Sum m arizes th e results of th e investigation m ade in 1912-13 b y George E . Bevans.
S t o n e , R u t h I.

Recreational activities for women employees.
American Physical Education Review, January, 1924, v. 29, pp. 7-9.
S u L L E N G E R , T. E a RL.
One city’s program for leisure time [Omaha, Neb.].
Journal of Social Forces, September, 1924, v. 2 , pp. 718-721.
U n it e d

Sta tes.

D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r .

B u re a u

o f L a b o r

S ta tis tic s .

Welfare work for employees in industrial establishments in the United
States. Washington, 1919. 139 pp. ( I t s Bui. No. 250.)
Indoor recreation, pp. 68-86; O utdoor recreation, p p . 87-93; E ducation, pp. 94-99.
U s e o f s p a r e t im e in t h e U n it e d S t a t e s .
Industrial and Labour Information, December 27, 1926, v. 2 0 , pp. 611, 612.
. Sum m ary of discussion a t T h irte en th R ecreation Congress of Playground and Recreation Asso­
ciation, A tlan tic C ity, October 18-22, 1926. F o r papers read see T he Playground, Jan u ary and
DeDruary, 1927.
W aldo, R ussell J.

Recreation as a stimulus to production; many leading plants after several
years’ experience indorse it as an important factor in industry.
Manufacturing Industries, January, 1927, v. 13, pp. 53-56.
W e i r , L e b e I i t H.
Vocational recreation in Indiana, 1916; vocational recreation facilities and
activities of 141 business establishments. [Bloomington, Inch], 1917. 126
pp. (Bulletin of the extension division, Indiana University, Vol III
No. 5.)
’
Other Countries
A l l o t m e n t g a r d e n s d u r in g t h e

w ar

[ B u l g a r i a ].

International Review of Agricultural Economics, January-March, 1924
n. s., v. 2 , pp. 160-162.
’
N y str o m , B e r t il .

The use of spare time in Sweden.
International Labour Review, June, 1924, v. 9 , pp. [845]-862.
Based on th e investigation un d ertak en b y the Swedish G overnm ent in 1922 into the economic
a n d social effects of th e eight-hour act a n d th e su p p lem en tary in q u iry m ade in January, 1924
among s ta te factory inspectors and various social organizations. Describes th e measures
for prom oting th e satisfactory use of leisure b y th e S tate and m unicipalities and b y tradeunions a n a employers a n d p articu larly th e developm ents in sports, popular education, and small
Holdings and allotm ents.
T h e r e s u l t s o f t h e e ig h t -h o u r d a y i n

Sw eden.

International Labour Review, February-March, 1923, v. 7 , pp. 321-327.
Sum m ary of an in q u iry m ade b y th e Swedish M in istry of Social Affairs in 1922. T h e section on
social results notes th e shorter w orking-day as having been p articularly useful to the w orker owning
a house, a small garden, or an allotm ent.
6


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[646]

WORKERS’ LEISURE
T

he

T

he

r ig h t

to

177

l e is u r e .

Industrial and Labour Information, November 1, 1926, v. 20, pp. 190, 191.
M em orandum from th e Japanese Association for In tern atio n al L abor Legislation.
use

of

spare

t im e

in

C z e c h o s l o v a k ia .

International Labour Review, June, 1924, v. 9, pp. 879-895.
Covers trade-union, political and cooperative activities, sport, building, and gardening, th e de­
velopm ent of public libraries and workers’ education.
See also notes of later developm ents in In d u strial and L abour Inform ation, Jan u a ry 12,1925, v, 13,
pp. 54, 55, an d A pril 20, 1925, v. 14, pp. 52, 53.

U t il iz a t io n

o f l e is u r e

in

F in l a n d .

International Labour Review, April, 1924, v. 9, pp. 573-586.

Based on inform ation supplied to the Intern atio n al Labor Office b y M r. Niilo A. M annio, D irector
of th e General D ep artm en t of th e Finnish M in istry of Social Aflairs. U tilization of leisure has been
facilitated in F in lan d b y th e three-fold effort of th e workers, the employers and the State and
m unicipalities. F o r action tak en b y G overnm ent of F in lan d see Official B ulletin (International
Labour Office), v. 11, No. 5 (rev. ed.), p. 324.
o f w o r k e r s ’ s p a r e t im e in I n d ia .
Facilities for education and
recreation.
Industrial and Labour Information, January 19, 1925, v. 13, pp. 97, 98.

U t il iz a t io n

M em orandum sent b y th e Social Service League of B om bay to th e D eputy-secretary of the
G overnm ent of Bom bay.

W

o r k er s’ spare

W

o r k e r s ’ sp a r e t im e in

t im e

in

D

enm ark.

Industrial and Labour Information, March 22, 1926, v. 17, pp. 377-379;
December 6 , 1926, v. 20, pp. 426-428.
Inform ation su b m itted b y th e D anish D ep artm en t for Intellectual Cooperation in Social
Questions regarding D anish institutions for th e utilization of spare time.

P o l a n d . _Survey o f the situation.
Industrial and Labour Information, April 26, 1926, v. 18, pp. 95-99.
M em orandum from th e Polish G overnm ent.
Office), M ay 15, 1926, v. 11, p p. 103-109.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[647]

See a lso Official B ulletin (International L abour

PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
O fficial—U n ite d S ta te s
C a l i f o r n i a .—Industrial
J u n e

3 0 ,

1 9 2 6 .

Accident Commission.

S a c r a m e n to ,

1 9 2 6 .

4 8

R e p o r t,

This report is reviewed on page 57 of this issue.
C o n n e c t i c u t .—Board of Compensation Commissioners.
H a r tf o r d ,

1 9 2 6 .

2 6

fr o m

J u ly

E ig h th

A brief review of this report is given on page 59 of this issue.
Accident Board. F i f t h r e p o r t , f r o m N o v e m
1 9 2 6 .

1 9 2 5 ,

to

r e p o r t, 1 9 2 5 - 2 6 .

p p .

I d a h o .—Industrial
O c to b e r 3 1 ,

1,

p p .

B o is e ,

1 9 2 6 .

1 3 1

b er

1,

1 9 2 A,

to

p p .

Data from this report are presented on page 60 of this issue.
of Public Welfare. Bureau of Social Surveys.

I l l i n o i s ( C h i c a g o ) . —Department
S e le c te d
ca g o ,

b ib lio g r a p h y

N o v em b er,

I o w a .—Workmen’s
en d ed

J u n e

c o u r ts .

D e s

o n

1 9 2 6 .

h o u s in g , z o n in g ,
1 9

Compensation Service.

3 0 ,

1 9 2 6 ,

M o in e s ,

a n d

a n d

c ity

p la n n in g

re p o rt

1 9 2 6 .

1 9 5

o f

S e v e n th

d e c is io n s

b ie n n ia l
b y

th e

This report is reviewed briefly on page 61 of this issue.
Y o r k .— Board of Housing.
P r e lim in a r y
r e p o r t,
1 9 2 6 .

31

p p .,

C h ic a g o .

C h i­

r e p o r t, f o r

d e p a r tm e n t

th e p e r io d
a n d

S ta le

p p .

N ew

A lb a n y ,

in

p p .

D ecem b er

1 5 ,

1 9 2 6 .

p la n s .

The report contains a summary of the State housing law of 1926 (see Labor
Review, July, 1926, p. 77), the results of a survey of land values in Manhattan
and Brooklyn, and a study of various plans of buildings, covering varying pro­
portions of the ground site. In the most congested parts of the city, the board
found about 950 assessment blocks, or about 1,250 ordinary blocks, suitable
for housing of the kind contemplated. Including all costs of condemnation pro­
ceedings, compensation, and the like, the costs of these blocks range from less
than $6 up to $14 a square foot. With land costing $6 a square foot, it is esti­
mated that the various types of tenements could be erected to rent at from
$9.25 to $12.29 per room per month, the bathroom not being counted as a room
in fixing the rent. With land at $14 a square foot, the range of rentals would
be from $12.09 to $17.80. Considerable reductions from these rents might be
made possible by letting the ground floors for stores.
----- Department of Labor. M e m o r a n d u m o n t h e 4 8 - h o u r i v e e k f o r w o m e n , b y
J a m e s

A .

H a m ilto n ,

S ta te

I n d u s tr ia l

C o m m is s io n e r .

A lb a n y ,

1 9 2 6 .

7

p p .

A reply to the argument that a 48-hour week is economically impossible,
based on the number of workers who already have this or an even shorter week.
A study made by the department in December, 1923, covering 400,000 factory
workers showed the following results:
Percentage w orking44 hours or less__________________________________
18
45—48 h o u r s _____________________________________ 44
49-51 hours_____________________________________ 21
52-54 hours_____________________________________
10
7
Over 54 hours___________________________________
Total------------------------------------------- _----------------- 100
178


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[648]

179

PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR

This study was completed before the steel mills changed their continuous
operations from a two-shift to a three-shift basis and so changed a large number
of workers from the 12-hour to the 8 -hour day. The effect of this change would
be to decrease by about two points the proportion of workers in the last group
and increase by about two points the proportion of workers on the 48-hour week.
That leaves close to two-thirds of the workers in factories in this State enjoying
the benefits of an 8 -hour day.
A study made in the spring of 1923 covering about 29,000 woman employees
in mercantile establishments in all parts of the State showed that ^2 per cent
had a working week of 48 hours or less, and that in New York City the proportion was even larger.
O h i o .—Industrial Commission and the Department of Industrial Relations.
A c tu a r ia l a u d it o f th e O h io S ta te I n s u r a n c e F u n d
(w o r k m e n ’ s c o m p e n s a t i o n ) .
C o lu m b u s

[1 9 2 6 ).

7 2

p p .

A review of the summary of this report contained in the September, 1926,
issue of Industrial Relations, the periodical published by the two departments
listed above, was carried in the November, 1926, Labor Review.
U n i t e d S t a t e s .—Civil Service Commission.
F o r ty -th ir d
a n n u a l r e p o r t, f o r th e
fis c a l

y e a r

en d ed

J u n e

SO ,

1 9 2 6 .

W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 6 .

I x x x v iii,

1 7 6

p p .

The report shows that on June 30, 1926, there were 60,811 persons employed
in the Government service in the District of Columbia and 499,894 outside of the
District, as compared with 63,756 and 500,962, respectively, in 1925. An account
of the work of the director of research, included in the volume, gives samples and
descriptions of tests used to ascertain the adaptability or aptitude of applicants
for different types of work.
----- Congress. Senate. Committee on Immigration. I m m i g r a t i o n o f a l i e n s
in to
to n ,

th e

U n ite d

1 9 2 6 .

S ta te s .

H e a r in g

----- Department of Commerce.
C o m m erce,

on

S .

4 4 2 5 ,

D ecem b er

2 2 ,

1 9 2 6 .

W a s h in g ­

PP•

1 4

1 9 2 6 .

F o u r te e n th

W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 6 .

a n n u a l

x ii,

2 9 7

re p o rt

o f

th e

S e c r e ta r y

o f

p p .

In addition to the usual reviews of the various activities of the department
during the preceding year, this report contains valuable information on the
progress of the movement for the elimination of waste in industry.
------------ Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. S t a t i s t i c a l a b s t r a c t o f
th e

U n ite d

S ta te s ,

1 9 2 5 .

W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 6 .

x v i,

846

p p .

The sections of this publication which are of interest to labor give statistics
of prices and cost of living, wages and hours of labor, industrial accidents, voca­
tional education, and immigration.
------------ Bureau of Mines. I n f o r m a t i o n c i r c u l a r 6 0 0 5 : B u r e a u o f M i n e s s a f e t y
la b e ls ,

by

L .

C .

I ls le y .

W a s h in g to n ,

1926.

1 4

PP-,

U lu s .

A brief review of this pamphlet is given on page 37 of this issue.
------------------- S i x t e e n t h a n n u a l r e p o r t , f o r t h e f i s c a l y e a r e n d e d J u n e
W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 6 .

v,

4 6

3 0 ,

1 9 2 6 .

p p .

The annual report of the Director of the Bureau of Mines outlines the work
accomplished during the year in the promotion of safety in mines and in the
rescue and first-aid work and gives an account of the studies in health, sanitation,
and ventilation.
--------------------T e c h n i c a l p a p e r 3 9 2 : A c c i d e n t s i n t h e p e t r o l e u m i n d u s t r y o f O k l a ­
h o m a ,

1 9 1 5 -1 9 2 4 ,

b y

- --------------- T e c h n i c a l
in g
-

e ffic ie n c y ,

b y

S .

H .

--------------- T e c h n i c a l
o f

th e

in g to n ,

s o u th w e s t,
1 9 2 6 .

2 9


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

a s

H .

C .

p a p e r

F o ld e r .
3 9 4 :

K a tz

p a p e r
sh o w n

a n d
4 0 0 :

b y

W a s h in g to n ,

D u s t r e s p ir a to r s ,
o th e r s .

W a s h in g to n ,

A c c id e n ts

reco rd s

in

p p .

[649]

1 9 2 6 .
th e ir

d u e

to

A r iz o n a ,

iv ,

1 9 2 6 .

e x p lo s iv e s
b y

2 9

p p .,

c o n s tr u c tio n

E .

D .

iv , 5 2
in

c h a r ts .

a n d filte r ­
p p .,

m e ta l

G a rd n er.

U lu s .

m in e s
W a sh ­

180

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

U n it e d

S t a t e s .—

p a p e r
y e a r

4 0 6 :
1 9 2 5 ,

A d a m s.

Department of Commerce.

P r o d u c tio n
w ith

n o te s

o f e x p lo s iv e s
o n

W a s h in g to n ,

m in e

1 9 2 6 .

in

th e

a c c id e n ts
3 9

Bureau of Mines.

U n ite d
d u e

to

S ta te s

d u r in g

e x p lo s iv e s ,

T e c h n ic a l

th e

b y

c a le n d a r

W illia m

W .

p p .

Data on mine accidents due to explosives, taken from this report, are given
on page 34 of this issue.
-------------------T e c h n i c a l p a p e r 4 0 8 : C o k e - o v e n a c c i d e n t s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
d u r in g

th e

c a le n d a r

y e a r

1 9 2 5 ,

b y

W illia m

W .

A d a m s .

W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 6 .

40 pp«

Data from this report are published on page 32 of this issue.
• ---Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. B
W a g es
to n ,

a n d

1 9 2 7 .

h o u rs
H i,

o f

1 5 9

la b o r

in

fo u n d r ie s

a n d

m a c h in e

u lle tin

sh o p s,

N o .

1 9 2 5 .

422:

W a s h in g ­

p p .

An advance summary of this report was published in the Labor Review for
December, 1925 (pp. 63-69).
----- ------ ------ B u l l e t i n N o . 4 - 2 3 : W o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a t i o n l e g i s l a t i o n o f t h e
U n ite d

S ta te s

a n d

C a n a d a

a s

o f J u ly

1 ,

1 9 2 6 .

W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 6 .

A brief review of this bulletin is given on page 55 of this issue.
■
------------------ B u l l e t i n N o . 4 2 5 : R e c o r d o f i n d u s t r i a l a c c i d e n t s
S ta te s

to

1 9 2 5 .

W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 7 .

iv ,

1 1 3

W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 6 .

iv ,

* ---- -----Employment Service.
U n ite d

S ta te s

E m p lo y m e n t

G en era l fo r

p re sse s

o f a c tiv itie s

1 9 2 8 .

y e a r

a n d fo o t

o f th e f a r m

W a s h in g to n ,

Public Health Service.

th e fis c a l

U n ite d

a n d

h a n d

p p ., U lu s .

S u m m a r y
S e r v ic e ,

----- Treasurjr Department.
S u rg e o n

6 4

th e

p p .

p p .

This bulletin is reviewed on page 31 of this issue.
------------------- B u l l e t i n A To . 4 8 0 : S a f e t y c o d e f o r p o w e r
p resse s.

in

v, 6 8 7

1 9 2 6 .

W a s h in g to n ,

la b o r

1 9 2 7 .

3

A n n u a l
1 9 2 6 .

d iv is io n ,

p p .

re p o rt
v ii,

3 3 0

o f

th e

p p .

This report gives a summary (pp. 42-49) of the studies carried out during the
year by the office of industrial hygiene and sanitation. These studies include
an investigation of tetraethyl lead and studies of ventilation and illumination,
the effects of various dusts, and posture in industry.
------------------- P u b l i c h e a l t h b u l l e t i n N o . 1 6 3 : T h e u s e o f t e t r a e t h y l l e a d g a s o l i n e
in

its

r e la tio n

to

p u b lic

h e a lth .

W a s h in g to n ,

1 9 2 6 .

v iii,

Î2 S

p p .,

illu s .,

c h a r ts .

A summary of an advance copy of the report of the committee appointed to
investigate the health hazards connected with the use of tetraethyl lead gasoline
was published in the Labor Review for March, 1926. The bulletin here noted
is the finished report and includes the final recommendations of the committee.
O fficial— F o re ig n C o u n tr ie s
Department of Labor.

A u s t r a l ia ( W e s t e r n A u s t r a l ia ) . —
th e

y e a r

1 9 2 5 -1 9 2 6 .

P e r th ,

1 9 2 6 .

5 2

A n n u a l

re p o rt fo r

p p .

The report shows that during the three years 1923 to 1925 there was a steady
increase in the number of factory workers, the figurés for 1925 being 24,151 as
against 20,770 in 1923. This took place mainly among the male workers, the
number of female employees having increased only by 281.
C z e c h o s l o v a k i a .— Office d e S ta tistiq u e .
M a n u e l S ta tis tiq u e
d e la
R é p u b liq u e
T c h é c o s lo v a q u e ,

I I .

P ra g u e ,

1 9 2 5 .

x x v iii,

6 5 6

p p .

Contains a wealth of data, including wholesale and retail prices, cost of living,
insurance against industrial accidents, sickness, and old-age, occupational distri­
bution of population, emigration, collective agreements, unemployment, strikes
and lockouts, social welfare, cooperative societies, and various industrial and
labor statistics. Most of the data cover one or more years in the period from
1919 to 1923.

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[650]

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181

PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
D e n m a r k .—Statistiske

Departement.

C o p en h a g e n , 1 9 2 6 .

8 6

S tr e jk e r o g lo c k o u te r i D a n m a r k , 1 9 2 1 - 1 9 2 5 .

p p .

A report by the Statistical Department of Denmark on strikes and lockouts in
that country from 1921 to 1925.
F e d e r a t e d M a l a y S t a t e s .—Labor Department.
A n n u a l re p o rt fo r
th e y e a r
1 9 2 5 .

G reat

K u a la

L u m p u r ,

1 9 2 6 .

B r i t a i n .—Industrial

4 5

Research Committee.

T h e

fin e

h a n d ),

w o rk

1 9 2 6 .

(ty p e s e ttin g

v,

11

p p .,

b y

p p .

Fatigue Research Board and the Illumination
r e la tio n
b y

b e tw e e n

H .

C .

illu m in a tio n

W e s to n

a n d

A .

a n d

K .

e ffic ie n c y

T a y lo r .

in

L o n d o n ,

illu s .

A brief review of this study is given on page 39 of this issue.
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r O f f i c e .—
b y

th e

I n te r n a tio n a l

1 9 2 6 .

U n io n

of

r e p o r ts

L a b o r

D ra ft

c o n v e n tio n s

C o n feren ce

G en eva ,

1 9 2 6 .

S outh

A f r i c a .—Department

o f

th e

1 2 7

d u r in g

S e c r e ta r y

a n d

its

r e c o m m e n d a tio n s

fir s t

n in e

s e s s io n s

a d o p te d

h e ld

1 9 1 9 -

p p .

fo r

M in e s

a n d

of Mines and Industries.
I n d u s tr ie s

a n d

th e

A n n u a l

G o v ern m e n t

m in in g

.] T a b l e s a n d c h a r t s .
This report on conditions in the various mines of the Union of South Africa
contains data on labor which includes wages, accidents to workers, miners’
phthisis, etc.
U r u g u a y .—Dirección General de Estadística, A n u a r i o e s t a d í s t i c o d e l a R e p ú b l i c a
e n g in e e r ,

o r ie n ta l
1 0 0

1 9 2 5 .

d el

P r e to r ia ,

U ru g u a y ,

1 9 2 6 .

1 9 2 4 .

[V a r io u s

T o m o

p a g in g

X X X I I ,

P a r te

6 .

M o n te v id e o ,

1 9 2 6 .

p p .

One section of the yearbook of Uruguay, containing statistical tables and other
data on industrial accidents, strikes and lockouts, etc., covering specified years
ending with 1924. The part of the report giving statistics of the work of employ­
ment offices is summarized on page 1 2 0 of this issue.
U n o fficial
A m e r ic a n M a n a g e m e n t A s s o c ia t io n .
tis tic a l

a n a ly s is

1 9 2 6 .

1 5

o f

p e r s o n n e l,

b y

J .

O ffic e
P .

e x e c u tiv e s '

L a m b .

N e w

s e r ie s ,
Y o rk ,

N o .
2 0

2 1 :

A

s ta ­

,

V e se y

S tr e e t

Y o rk ,

H e n ry

p p .

This analysis is summarized on page 25 of this issue.
B lack,
H o lt

J ohn
&

D.

C o .,

I n tr o d u c tio n

1 9 2 6 .

x v i, 9 7 5

to
p p .,

p r o d u c tio n

e c o n o m ic s .

N exo

c h a r ts .

A textbook in economics, which instead of attempting to cover the whole
field limits itself to the subject of the factors entering into production and treats
these in very considerable detail. Chapter 16, under the title of “ The human
agent in production,” discusses labor, management, and entrepreneurship.
C o l u m b ia U n i v e r s it y .
C a n a d ia n
5 0 1

la b o r

la w s

S tu d ie s
a n d

th e

in

h is to r y ,

tr e a ty ,

b y

e c o n o m ic s ,
B ry c e

M .

a n d

p u b lic

S te w a r t.

la x o ,

N e w

N o .

Y o rk ,

2 7 8 :
1 9 2 6 .

p p .

This study traces the development of labor legislation in Canada, Dominion
and provincial, with detailed comparisons of such legislation with the principles
set forth in the labor section of the Treaty of Versailles. The first three chap­
ters review the history and general problems of labor legislation in Canada»
nine of the remaining ten chapters dealing, in order, with the nine principles set
forth in the Peace Treaty, such as the 8 -hour day, weekly rest day, child labor, etc.
C o m m o n s , J o h n R., a n d A n d r e w s , J o h n B.
P r in c ip le s
o f la b o r
le g is la tio n .
N e w

Y o rk

a n d

L o n d o n ,

H a rp e r

&

B r o s .,

1 9 2 7 .

x v i,

6 1 6

p p .

The last previous revision of this work was in 1920. The present revision
follows the same methods of treatment as the earlier one, with such changes
and additions as were made necessary by developments subsequent to 1920.


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182

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

E l d r id g e ,

Seba .

m o vem en t

in

x v iii,

p p .

3 8 2

P o litic a l

r e la tio n

to

a c tio n :
th e

A

n a tu r a lis tic

S ta te .

L i p p i n c o t t ’s

in te r p r e ta tio n

P h ila d e lp h ia ,

s o c io lo g ic a l

J .

B .

o f

L ip p in c o tt

th e

la b o r

C o .,

1 9 2 4 .

s e r ie s .

This volume deals with the question of the uses and limitations of political
action in the promotion of the economic interests of subordinate income classes,
and of the wage-earning class in particular. As a result of the inquiry the author
draws the inference that “ these classes will come to rely more and more on non­
political or direct methods for the attainment of their more fundamental aims.”
G il m a n , J o s e p h .
U n iv e r s ity

o f

R e n t

le v e ls

P itts b u r g h ,

in

P itts b u r g h ,

1 9 2 6 .

x iii,

7 4

P a .,
p p .,

a n d

th e ir

c h a r ts ,

ca u ses.

P itts b u r g h ,

m a p .

This pamphlet brings together the material previously published as bulletins
2 and 3 of the University of Pittsburgh studies in business administration.
G u est, L. H aden.
C o . { L td .) ,

T h e

1 9 2 6 .

L a b o r

9 5

P a r ty

a n d

th e

E m p ir e .

L o n d o n , L a b o r P u b lis h in g

p p .

Gives a general discussion of the policy of the Labor Party, dealing especially
with the questions of Empire organization or Empire preference, labor and migra­
tion, and the attitude of labor toward India and Africa, respectively.
H

ull, G eo r g e
w ith

a,

II.

I n d u s tr ia l

p r a c tic a l

re m e d y

ir o n , th e

b a r o m e te r o f

3 2 1

c h a r ts .

p p .,

fo r

d e p r e s s io n s ,
su ch

tr a d e .

a s

N e w

th e ir

r e s u lt

Y o rk ,

c a u se s

fr o m

C o d ex

a n a ly z e d

in d u s tr ia l
B o o k

C o.

a n d

c la s s ifie d ,

d e r a n g e m e n ts ,

( I n c .) , 1 9 2 6 .

or

x v iii,

A historical and analytical study of industrial depressions with particular
reference to the production and price of iron as a leading factor in such depressions.
H u t c h i n s , B. L., a n d H a r r i s o n , A.
A
h is to r y o f f a c to r y le g is la tio n
[in G r e a t
B r i t a i n ].
L o n d o n , P . S . K in g & S o n ( L td .) , 1 9 2 6 .
x v i, 2 9 S p p .
3 d e d itio n .
J o h n s e n , J u l i a E. S p e c i a l l e g i s l a t i o n f o r w o m e n .
N e w
Y o rk , H . W .
W ils o n
C o .,

1 9 2 6 .

1 4 2

p p .

T h e

referen ce

s h e lf,

V o l.

I V ,

N o .

7.

Deals with the relative merits of protective legislation for women and the
policy of the advocates of the equal rights amendment, who propose to make the
job safe, whoever the worker may be, and to refrain from putting women, as a
group, under legislative restrictions not equally applicable to men. Gives a
bibliography, and a number of articles on each side.
L a b o r P a r t y [Great Britain],
L a b o r ’s p o l i c y o n a g r i c u lt u r e .
L o n d o n , 3 3 E c c le s to n

S q u a re ,

1 9 2 6 .

3 9

p p .

Sets forth briefly the reasons for believing that land should be a national pos­
session, the plan for acquiring its ownership with compensation to the present
holders, the methods of dealing with special problems such as the deer forests
present, and the method of public control. The policy is based upon the need
for increasing the productivity of English land. The object is “ to secure the
fullest possible use of land for and by the community by the most economical
and effective means. * * * Without any assistance from the public purse
in the form of subsidies, it has been admitted that the production of British food
can be very largely increased. If this increased output can be secured by leveling
up the general methods of farming to the best methods now followed by practical
farmers, still further progress awaits us in the future through the steady advance­
ment in agricultural methods and the collective and cooperative development of
the industry.”
L a b o r R e s e a r c h D e p a r t m e n t [London],
T h e
g en era l
s tr ik e ,
M a y ,
1 9 2 6 :
T ra d e

c o u n c ils

R o a d , S .

W .

1 ,

in

a c tio n ,

1 9 2 6 .

b y

19 1

E m ile

B u rn s.

L o n d o n ,

1 6 2

B u c k in g h a m

P a la c e

p p .

G ives a n acco u n t of th e m eth o d s of o rg an izatio n a d o p te d by th e tra d e s coun­
cils d u rin g th e n in e d ay s of th e g eneral strik e, a n d of th e d ifferent activ ities th e y
fo s te re d .


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[652]

183

P U B L IC A T IO N S E E L A T IN G TO LABOE

W. J e t t . P o l i t i c o . i l a n d i n d u s t r i a l d e m o c r a c y , 1776-1926. N e w Y o r k ,
&
W a g n a i l s C o . , 1926. x, 374 PPA general discussion of th e fu n d a m e n ta ls of in d u stria l relations. T he a u th o r,
a fte r review ing a n d an aly z in g th e nu m ero u s p lan s of em ployee rep resen tatio n ,
profit sharing, a n d stock ow nership in effect in v arious com panies a n d in s titu ­
tions, concludes t h a t “ a definite, in d e p e n d e n t org an izatio n of em ployees is an
essential p relim in ary to cooperation a n d in d u stria l dem o cracy .”
L auck,

F u n k

E.

L in c o l n , E d m u n d

S te p s

in

in d u s tr y .

N e w

Y o rk ,

M a c m illa n

C o .,

1 9 2 6 .

x iv , 2 1 5 .

T he a u th o r seeks in th is book to “ p o p u la riz e ” th e su b je c t of econom ics for
th e benefit of th e averag e m an in in d u stry .
C., E d ito r.

M etcalf, H enry
B a ltim o r e ,
s e r ie s ,

W illia m s

S c ie n tif ic

&

W ilk in s

fo u n d a tio n s

C o .,

1 9 2 6 .

o f

3 4 1

b u s in e s s
p p .

a d m in is tr a tio n .

H u m a n

r e la tio n s

I V .

A series of lectu res co n d u cted in 1924-25 by th e B u reau of P ersonnel A dm in­
is tra tio n (N ew Y ork C ity) for th e stu d y of th e basic elem ents u n d erly in g th e
problem s of business a d m in istra tio n a n d m an ag em en t.
M il n e s , N o r a .
{ L td .) ,

T h e

1 9 2 6 .

e c o n o m ic s

v ii,

1 9 7

o f

w a g es

a n d

la b o r .

L o n d o n ,

P .

S .

K in g

&

S o n

p p .

T he a u th o r, w ho is d irecto r of th e E d in b u rg h School of Social S tu d y , dis­
cusses in th is book fu n d a m e n ta l econom ic conceptions, p ra c tic a l a n d th eo retical
q uestions reg ard in g wages, earnings of w om en, a n d th e d evelopm ent of tra d e unionism .
N a t i o n a l B u r e a u o f E c o n o m i c R e s e a r c h ( I n c .) .
tio n

a n d

1 9 2 6 .

b u s in e s s

2 5 6

p p .,

c y c le s ,

b y

H a r r y

J e ro m e .

P u b lic a tio n

N e w

Y o rk ,

4 7 4

N o .

W e st

9 :

2 4 th

M ig r a ­
S tr e e t,

c h a r ts .

T his volum e p resen ts th e resu lts of in v estig atio n s m ad e by th e N atio n al
B ureau of E conom ic R esearch a t th e re q u e st of a co m m ittee of th e N atio n al
R esearch Council. I t form s p a r t of tw o series of studies. One series, p lan n ed
by th e com m ittee on scientific problem s of h u m a n m ig ratio n a p p o in te d in 1922
by th e N atio n al R esearch Council, deals w ith th e c h aracter, causes, a n d effects
of m ass-m ovem ents of m en. T he second series, p lan n ed by th e N a tio n a l B ureau
of Econom ic R esearch, deals w ith th e ch ara c te r,’ causes, a n d effects of cyclical
flu ctu atio n s in econom ic activ ities.
N a t io n a l E d u c a t io n A s s o c ia t io n o f t h e U n it e d S t a t e s .
s ix ty -fo u r th
u m e

64•

, h e ld

a n n u a l m e e tin g

W a s h in g to n ,

D .

C .

a t P h ila d e lp h ia , J u n e

[1 9 2 6 ],

1 2 0 8

P r o c e e d in g s

2 7 - J u ly

o f

2 , 1 9 2 6 .

th e

V o l­

p p .

A m ong th e su b jects discussed in th is volum e, w hich are of special in te re st to
labor, a re : “ M aking th e c o n trib u tio n of th e social stu d ies effective,” “ D evelop­
m en ts in in d u stria l a rts e d u c a tio n ,” “ R elatio n sh ip betw een th e tra in in g of fore­
m en a n d c ity p rogram s fo r v o catio n al e d u c a tio n ,” “ A renaissance of a p p re n tic e ­
sh ip ,” “ W h a t can a girls’ tra d e school do for girls a n d w om en in in d u s try ,” “ A dult
ed u catio n as th e n ex t b a ttle in o u r d em o cracy ’s fight for ex isten ce,” “ Progress
in a d u lt e d u c a tio n ,” “ A d u lt e d u catio n al in te re sts a n d ac tiv itie s in o u r foreign
language o rg an izatio n s,” a n d “ Im m ig ra tio n p ro b lem s.”
P e n n s y l v a n ia O l d A g e P e n s io n C o m m is s io n .
in

in d u s tr y :

fu r th e r
1 2 6

s tu d y

A n
o f

u p -to -d a te
o ld -a g e

su m m a r y

p e n s io n s ,

o f

b y

T h e

th e f a c ts

A b ra h a m

p r o b le m
a n d

o f o ld -a g e

fig u r e s

E p s te in .

H a r r is b u r g ,

p p .~

An article based on th is stu d y will be fo u n d on page 48 of th is issue.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[653]

p e n s io n s

d e v e lo p e d

in

th e

1 9 2 6 .

184
P o s t , L o u is

M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W

P.

W h a t is the sin g le ta x?

N e w Y o r k , V a n g u a r d P re ss, 1 9 2 6 .

x iii,

140 pp .

One of a series of o u tlin es of social philosophies p u b lish ed by th e V anguard
Press. T his p a rtic u la r o u tlin e, by th e form er A ssista n t S ecretary of th e U n ited
S ta te s D e p a rtm e n t of L ab o r, is a n a tte m p t to se t fo rth in a brief form a com pre­
hensive answ er to th e q u estio n “ W h a t is th e single ta x .”
E d ito r. I c e la n d . R e y k j a v ik , 1926. 184 PPT his handbook, published in E nglish, describes th e c o u n try a n d its g o v ern m en t,
resources, in s titu tio n s, etc. T h e section on a g ric u ltu re includes in fo rm atio n on
a g ricu ltu ral co operativ e societies a n d enterprises, a n d th e one on social conditions
gives in fo rm atio n on prices, w ages, a n d social in surance.
T h o r s t e in s s o n , T h o r s t e in n ,

L e lib re s a la ir e de la f e m m e m a r ié e et la c o n tr ib u tio n aes e p o u x
a u x ch a rg es d u m é n a g e. P a r is , L ib r a ir ie D a l l o z , 1 9 2 6 . 1 0 8 p p .

Veaux, A ndré.

A s tu d y of th e F ren ch a c t of Ju ly 13, 1907, reg ard in g wages of m arrie d w om en.
E n g l i s h . A m e r ic a n la b o r a n d A m e r ic a n d e m o c r a c y .
Y o r k a n d L o n d o n , H a r p e r & B r o s ., 1 9 2 6 . [ V a r io u s p a g in g .]

W a l l in g , W il l ia m

N evj

In his in tro d u c tio n th e e d ito r of th e volum e says t h a t “ th is book is as n early
an a u th o rita tiv e s ta te m e n t of th e p rinciples a n d policies of th e A m erican o rg an ­
ized lab o r m ovem ent of th e p a s t 40 y ears as an y s ta te m e n t th a t could be issued by
an y person n o t a n activ e official o r w orking m em ber of a n A m erican u n io n .”


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o