Full text of Monthly Labor Review : May 1916, Volume II, Number 5
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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ROYAL MEEKER, Commissioner
MONTHLY REVIEW
OF THE
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
VOLUME II—MAY, 1916—NUMBER 5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1916
SERIES OF BULLETINS PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
[T h e p u b lic a tio n o f th e A n n u a l a n d S p e c ia l R e p o r ts a n d o f th e b im o n th ly B u lle tin h a s
b een d is c o n tin u e d , a n d sin c e J u ly , 1912, a B u lle tin h a s b een p u b lis h e d a t irreg u la r in te r v a ls.
E ach n u m b e r c o n ta in s m a tte r d e v o te d to o n e o f a serie s o f g e n e ra l s u b je c ts . T h ese B u lle
tin s a re n u m b e r e d c o n s e c u tiv e ly in e a ch serie s a n d a lso c a rry a c o n s e c u tiv e w h o le n u m b e r %
b e g in n in g w ith N o . 101. A lis t o f th e serie s, to g e th e r w ith th e in d iv id u a l B u lle tin s fa llin g
u n d er ea ch , is g iv e n b elo w . A lis t o f th e R e p o r ts a n d B u lle tin s o f th e B u rea u is su e d p r io r
to J u ly 1, 1912, w ill be fu rn ish e d o n a p p lic a tio n .]
Wholesale Prices.
No. 1. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1912. (Bui. 11 1.)
No. 2. Wholesale prices, 1890 lo 1913. (Bui. 119.)
No. 3. Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States and foreign countries. (Bui. 173.)
No. 4. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1914. (Bui. 181.)
No. 5. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1915. (Bui. 200.) [In press.)
Retail Prices and Cost of Living.
No. 1. Retail prices, 1890 to 1911: P art I. (Bui. 105: P art I.)
Retail prices, 1890 to 1911: P art II—General tables. (Bui. 105: P art II.;
No. 2. Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1912: P art I. (Bui. 106: P art I.)
Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1912: P art II—General tables. (Bui. 106: Part II.)
No. 3. Retail prices, 1890 to August, 1912. (Bui. 108.)
No. 4. Retail prices, 1890 to October, 1912. (Bui. 110.)
No. 5. Retail prices, 1890 to December, 1912. (Bui. 113.)
.
.
No. 6. Retail prices, 1S90 to February, 1913. (Bui. 115.)
No. 7. Sugar prices, from refiner to consumer. (Bui. 121.)
.■
No. 8. Retail prices, 1890 to April, 1913. (Bui. 125.)
No. 9. W heat and flour prices, from farmer to consumer. (Bui. 130.)
No. 10. Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1913. (Bui. 132.)
No. 11. Retail prices, 1S90 to August, 1313. (Bui. 136.)
No. 12. Retail prices,. 1890 to October, 1913* (Bui. 13S.)
No. 13. Retail prices, 1890 to December, 1913. (Bui. 140.)
No. 14. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1914. (Bui. 156.)
No. 15. Butter prices, from producer to consumer. (Bui. 164.)
No. 16. Retail prices, 1907 to June, 1915. (Bui. 184.)
No. 17. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1915. (Bui. 197.) (In-press.]
Wages and Hours of Labor.
No. 1. W agesandhoursoflaborinthecotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1890 to 1912. (Bui. 128.)
No. 2. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, mill work, and furniture industries, 1890 to 1912. (Bui.
129.)
No. 3. Uuion scale of wages and hours of labor, 1907 to 1912. (Bui. 131.)
No. 4. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe and hosiery and knit goods Industries, 1890 to
1912. (Bui. 134.)
No. 5. Wages and hours of labor in the cigar and clothing Industries, 1911 and 1912. (Bui, 135.)
No. 6. Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad cars, 1890 to 1912.
(Bui. 137.)
No. 7. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15,1913. (Bui. 143.)
No. 8. Wages and regularity of employment in the dress and waist industry of New York City. (Bui.
146.)
No. 9. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry. (Bui. 147.)
No. 10. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907 to 1913. (Bui. 150.)
No. 11. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry in the United States, 1907 to 1912.
(Bui. 151.) ..
F L ,.
No. 12. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture industries, 1907 to 1913.
(Bui. 153.)
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No. 13. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe and hosiery and underwear industries, 1907 to
1913. (Bui. 154.)
.•-•Y.'.
No. 14. Wages and hours of labor in the clothing and cigar industries, 1911 to 1913. (Bui. 161.)
No. 15. Wages and hours of labor iu the building and repairing of steam railroad cars, 1907 to 1913.
(Bui. 163.)
No. 16. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1913. (Bill. 168.)
No. 17. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 1,1914. (Bui. 171.)
'
A.
No. 18. Wages'and hours of labor in the hosiery and underwear industry, 1907 to 1914. (Bui. 177.)
No. 19. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1914. (Bui. 178.)
No. 20. Wages and hours of labor in the men’s clothing industry, 1911 to 1914. (Bui. 187.) [In.press.]
No. 21. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907 to 1914. (Bui. 190.)
[Tiiprcss.]
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No. 22. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 1,1915: (Bui. 194.) [In press.]
Employment niul'Dnemploy merit.
l Pro«
of tl American Association of Public Employment Offices. (Bui. 192 ) (In
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press. ]No. 2. Unemployment in the United States. (Bui. 195.) (In pres «.]
No. 3. Proceedings of Employment Managers’ Conference. (Bui. 196.) [In press.]
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[Sea ¡also th ir d p a g e o f cover.
{C o n tin u e d fr o m s e c o n d p a g e o f cover.)
Women in Industry.
No. 1. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-earning women in selected industries in
the District of Columbia. (Bui. No. 11G.)
No. 2. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin. (Bui. No. 119.)
No. 3. Employment of women in power laundries in Milwaukee. (Bui. No. 122.)
' No. 4. Hours, earnings, and conditions of labor of women in Indiana mercantile establishments and
garment factories. (Bui. No. 160.)
No. 5. Summary of the report on condition of woman and child wage earners in the United States.
(Bui. No. 175.)
No. 6. Effect of minimum-wage determinations in Oregon. (Bui. No. 176.)
No. 7. Women in the boot and shoe industry in Massachusetts. (Bui. No. 180.)
No. 8. Unemployment among women in department and other retail stores of Boston, Mass. (Bui.
' No. 182.)
No. 9. Dressmaking as a trad e for women. (Bui. No. 193.)
Workmen’s Insurance and Compensation (including laws relating thereto).
No. 1. Care of tuberculous wage earners in Germany. (Bui. bjb. 101.)
No. 2. British National Insurance Act, 1911. (Bui. No. 102.)
No. 3. Sickness and accident insurance law of Switzerland. (Bui. No. 103.)
No. 4. Law relating to insurance of salaried employees in Germany. (Bui. No. 107.)
No. 5. Workmen’s compensation laws of the United States and foreign countries. (Bui. No. 126.)
No. 6. Compensation for accidents to employees of the United States. (Bui. No. 155.)
No. 7. Compensation legislation of 1914 and 1915. (Bui. No. 185.)
Industrial Accidents and Hygiene.
No. 1. Lead poisoning in potteries, tile works, and porcelain enameled sanitary ware factories. (Bui.
No. 104.)
No. 2. Hygiene of the painters’ trade. (Bui. No. 120.)
No. 3. Dangers to workers from dusts and fumes, and methods of protection. (Bui. No. 127.)
No. 4. Lead poisoning in the smelting and refining of lead. (Bui. No. 141.)
No. 5. Industrial accident statistics. (Bui. No. 157.)
No. 6. Lead poisoning in the manufacture of storage batteries. (Bui. No. 165.)
No. 7. Industrial poisons used in the rubber industry. (Bui. No. 179.)
No. 8. Report of British departm ental committee on the danger in the use of lead in the painting of
buildings. (Bul.N o. 18S.) [In press.]
Conciliation and Arbitration (including strikes and lockouts).
No. 1. Conciliation and arbitration in the building trades of Greater New York. (Bui. No. 124.)
No. 2. Report of the industrial council of the British Board of Trade on its inquiry into industrial
agreements. (Bui. No. 133.)
No. 3. Michigan copper district strike. (Bui. No. 139.)
No. 4. Industrial court of the cloak, suit, and skirt industry of New York City. (Bui. No. 144.)
No. 5. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry of New York City.
(Bui. No. 145.)
No. 6. Collective bargaining in the anthracite coal industry. (Bui. No. 191.)
Labor Laws of the United States (including decisions of courts relating to labor).
No. 1. Labor legislation of 1912. (Bui. No. 111.)
No. 2. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1912. (Bui. No. 112.)
No. 3. Labor laws of the United States, with decisions of courts relating thereto. (Bui. No. 148.)
No. 4. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1913. (Bui. No. 152.)
No. 5. Labor legislation of 1914. (Bui. No. 166.) No. 6. Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1914. (Bui. No. 169.)
No. 7. Labor legislation of 1915. (Bui. No. 186.)
No.8. Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1915. (Bui. No. 189.) [In press.]
Foreign Labor Laws.
No. 1. Administration of labor laws and factory inspection in certain European countries. (Bui.
No. 142.)
Miscellaneous Series.
No. 1. Statistics of unemployment and the work of employment offices in the United States. (Bui.
No. 109.)
No. 2. Prohibition of night work of young persons. (Bui. No. 117.)
No. 3. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons. (Bui. No. 118.)
No. 4. Employers’ welfare work. (Bui. No. 123.)
No. 5. Government aid to home owning and housing of working people in foreign countries. (Bui.
No. 158.)
No. 6. Short-unit courses for wage earners, and a factory school experiment. (Bui. No. 159.)
No. 7. Vocational education survey of Richmond, Va. (Bui. No. 162.)
No. 8. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries. (Bui. No. 167.)
No. 9. Foreign food prices as affected by the war. (Bui. No. 170.)
No. 10. Unemployment in New York City, N. Y. (Bui. No. 172.)
No. 11. Subject index of the publications of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics up to May 1,
1915. (Bui. No. 174.)
No. 12. Regularity of employment in the women’s ready-to-wear garment industry. (Bui. No. 183.)
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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ROYAL MEEKER, Commissioner
MONTHLY REVIEW
OF THE
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
VOLUME II—MAY, 1916—NUMBER 5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1916
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CONTENTS.
Page.
The longshoreman...............................................................................................
1-7
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor, March 16 to April 15, 1916---7
Federal employment work of the Department of Labor..................................... 7-9
Work of State and municipal employment bureaus........................................... 10-13
Employment in selected industries in March, 1916............................................ 13-15
Employment in the State of New York in March, 1916..................................... 15,16
Report of Mayor’s Committee on Unemployment, New York City...........----- 16-26
Report on unemployment in Ontario................................................................. 26-35
Strikes and lockouts from September, 1915, through March, 1916..................... 35-39
Retail prices of food in the United States.......................................................... 39-41
Living conditions of self-supporting women in New York City......................... 41-47
Report of New York State Commission on Ventilation...................................... 48-51
Recent reports relating to workmen’s compensation and industrial accidents:
California...................................................................................................... 51-54
Massachusetts............................................................................................... 54-57
New York..................................................................................................... 58-62
Employment in mines and quarries in Ohio, 1914............................................. 62-65
Health of munition workers in Great Britain..................................................... 66-70
Social insurance in Denmark..............................................................................
70
Social insurance in Germany.............................................................................. 71-78
Miners’ accident insurance statistics of Germany, 1914...................................... 79-82
International trade-union statistics.................................................................... 82, 83
Immigration in February, 1916.......................................................................... 83, 84
Official reports relating to labor:
United States............................................................................................... 85-92
Foreign countries......................................................................................... 92-99
Periodical publications relating to labor......................................................... 100-104
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MONTHLY REVIEW
OF THE
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
vol.
ii—n o . 5
WASHINGTON
m a y , 191 G
THE LONGSHOREMAN.1
The lack of public interest in the longshoreman, reflected in the
dearth of literature and current mention, led to a study of this
industry in 1912 by Charles B. Barnes, director of the New York
City public employment bureau, who has given the results of his
investigation in a volume issued in 1915 by the Russell Sage Founda
tion. The study was concentrated upon conditions in Manhattan,
Brooklyn, and Hoboken, and its aim was to give a picture of the
men, of the conditions of labor which affect them, of the relations
existing between them and their employers and bosses, and of their
own efforts to improve their lot in life.
It is estimated, in the absence of accurate figures, that in 1911
there were 35,000 longshoremen in the port of New York City.
Since practically all of them are casual or intermittent workers, the
necessity and social value of an extensive study of the occupation
seemed apparent.
I t is estimated that as late as 1880, 95 per cent of the longshore
men in both foreign and coastwise commerce were Irish and IrishAmericans, the remaining 5 per cent being Germans, English, and
Scandinavians. At the time of the investigation Irishmen had been
superseded largely by Italians, who made up about two-thirds of the
total. Many Polaks, Jews, and Negroes have also taken the place of the
Irishmen. This shifting of races has been a factor in bringing about
what the author characterizes as a “ deterioration in efficiency among
longshoremen of the port,” but he adds that “ the readiness of fore
men and stevedores to engage a poorer grade of labor, and the gen
eral lack of consideration on the part of the employers for the
safety and well-being of their employees, must not be disregarded as
contributing causes.”
The author takes occasion to correct what he believes to be a general
impression—that these workers are industrial outcasts, shiftless
drunkards, and unworthy of serious attention personally and socially,
as well as industrially. A distinction is drawn between the “ regu
lar ” longshoreman and the “ shenango,” who does the odd work
1 The L ongshorem an, by C harles B. B arnes.
287 pp. Illu s tra te d .
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New York Survey A ssociates, Inc., 1915.
2
M O N T H L Y E E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
on lighters and barges and who is characterized as the parasite of
the trade. I t was found that the majority of the regular longshore
men are sturdy, well-built, muscular men; that they are shy but
independent, and hate toadyism; that nine-tenths of them are sup
porters of families; that they are ashamed to be known as long
shoremen because of the unsavory reputation the trade has gained;
that they are honest, as a rule; have little appreciation of the value
of money; are gregariously inclined; and lack thrift. Drunken
ness is prevalent but seems to be diminishing. They have few oppor
tunities for advancement. An effort has been made to provide shelter
for them while waiting for opportunity to work, but it has resulted
in the establishment of only one longshoremen’s rest, which was
opened on June 15, 1910. During the year 1911 a daily average of
424 people visited the shelter. Up to the date of the report no other
provision had been made to shelter these men, and the author con
cludes that “ the facts seem to show that some suitable provision
should be made if only in the interest of better citizenship.”
Shipping in the port of New York City falls into three divisions—•
(1) foreign commerce, (2) coastwise trade, and (3) local trade—and
it is estimated that three-fourths of the longshoremen are working on
vessels which sail to foreign ports. Every phase of the work of long
shoremen is described in minute detail, emphasis being given to the
lack of standardization of the work and the irregularity of employ
ment. The essential differences between foreign commerce and
coastwise and local trade are suggested. Special mention is made
of the banana trade, which is a “ branch of foreign commerce so
different fundamentally from all other types of work which pass
under that head that it requires separate treatment.” The author
concludes, from his detailed analysis of the work performed by the
« pier 55 merij the “ deck ” men, and the “ hold ” men, that “ longshore
work can by no means be classed as unskilled labor.”
As a rule longshoremen are hired by the steamship companies
themselves, although many are given work by contracting stevedores.
The men are engaged either by individuals and gangs or by
hundreds. If by the first method, selection may be made by the fore
man because of some previous knowledge of them or because they
look strong and capable, and they are then given numbered checks
of brass to keep until the work is done. By the latter method these
brass checks are issued indiscriminately and the men are selected in
groups of 100 or less. Those holding the lowest numbers are the first
selected and are thus always assured of employment.
I t is stated that the rate of pay for longshoremen in foreign com
merce has varied many times during the past 50 years, and there has
never been complete uniformity throughout the port. Before the
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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
3
Civil War they were paid $1.50 per day of 10 hours. Later the rate
was raised to 25 cents per hour, then to 30 cents, then to 33 cents, and
finally to 40 cents per hour. In 1872 they were paid 80 cents per hour
for nightwork and $1 per hour for Sunday work, the day rate re
maining at 40 cents. This schedule was reduced in 1874 and the men
went on strike, but lost. Thirty cents per hour for daywork and 45
cents for nightwork and Sunday work was then paid. Later the men
were paid extra for work during the meal hour. These frequent
fluctuations in wage rates have characterized the industry. On Sep
tember 2, 1912, the present schedule was arranged—33 cents per hour
for daywork, 50 cents for nightwork and on holidays, and 60 cents
on Sundays, Christmas, July 4, and for work during mealtime.
Foremen are generally paid by the day or week, the usual weekly
wage being about $24. In the coastwise trade the prevailing wage is
30 cents per hour for daywork, 30 to 45 cents for nightwork, and 35
to 50 cents for Sunday work. There is little opportunity for deduc
tions for fines, although instances are given where such have occurred.
Some cases of graft among foremen are mentioned. It is stated that
earnings of men who work in the local traffic are even more pre
carious and difficult to estimate than those of the foreign commerce
or coastwise men because their work is still more haphazard. Kecords kept by some of the longshoremen indicate that—
The work is uncertain for even the best men. Stability of income is therefore
impossible. In the case of four exceptional men who kept wage records
average weekly earnings ranged from $10.57 to $21.78, and in order to attain
the higher average the men were obliged to work much at night. There is
absolutely no way of knowing the average earnings of the less regularly em
ployed.
Men familiar with longshore work estimate the average yearly earnings of
longshoremen at from $520 to $621 a year. Other men of equal experience place
this average considerably lower—at less than $500.
There is no guaranty of permanency of employment when ob
tained; it depends entirely upon the time the ship docks and the
urgency of immediate discharge or loading of cargo. Often the men
work through the meal hour, at night, and on Sundays and holidays,
and it was found that these long stretches are exceedingly exhausting,
resulting in increased risk of accidents and liability to disease due
to physical depletion. Men are discharged without notice whenever
a job is finished, or turned off for an hour or two without pay when
a delay in the work occurs. This irregularity of employment is
illustrated by the diary record of a certain longshoreman which
shows that on 298 days out of 602, or nearly one-half (49.5 per cent),
he did no work. Assuming that the longshoreman, like any other
workman, should normally rest one day in seven, his abnormal un
employment would be represented by 298 days minus 86 days, or 212
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4
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E BU REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
days, which is only 35.2 per cent of the total of 602 clays. Moreover,
on 73 of the 307 days when he was at work his time was five hours
or less. Yet there were 53 days on which he worked from 13 to 22
hours, and on four of these days his work continued more than 20
hours. There were 15 weeks (not consecutive) in which there was
lack of employment throughout the entire week.
The demoralizing effect of this irregularity of employment is em
phasized. Hanging about the piers in the hope of obtaining work—
and being frequently turned away without securing it—has given
the longshoreman the reputation for loafing and shiftlessness and
has tended directly to encourage irregular habits and drinking
and to discourage thrift. The maladjustment of available labor
along the water front, due to lack of cooperation among employers,
works to the disadvantage of the men, meaning for many unem
ployment or chronic underemployment. It was developed that the
greatest evil of this work is its casual or intermittent character,
which, if it cannot be entirely eradicated, should be minimized.
How dock labor has been largely decasualized in Europe is described
in great detail in appendixes giving the results achieved, particularly
in London and Liverpool.
Numerous disputes have arisen between these workers and the
steamship companies, but only three strikes of any consequence have
occurred—in 1874, 1887, and 1907. In each case the matter of wages
was the chief grievance, the strike being caused by a rejection on
the part of the companies of definite demands by the men or being
called as a protest by the men against reductions in rates of wages
initiated by the companies.
The great strikes left in their wake decreased vitality, dissensions, or litter
ruin. After the strike of 1887 the unions entirely died out and it was 10 years
before they were again organized. The result of the strike of 1907 was the
division of the unions into two separate bodies with all the evil that attends
such division. The loss of the first two strikes resulted in a decrease of wages,
while after the strike of 1907 the wages remained the same. Whenever an
advance in wages has been secured it has been the result of a demand presented
with calm determination to the companies. In some cases the companies seeing
the justice of the demand have acceded; at other times they have been forced
to yield by the united resolution of the men to hinder the work in all possible
ways until they won their point. Thus, quiet persistence and not the strike has
been the road to success.
Longshoremen’s unions have existed since the middle of the last century.
They have had an active and stormy history. But the slight advantages won
after the strikes have usually been lost again. The unions have never been
strong enough to exact their demands from the employers, nor have they been
sufficiently united in spirit and purpose to maintain any consistent policy.
Poor judgment, stubbornness, dishonesty among the leaders, jealousies, antago
nisms among the men and between locals have prevented any effective use of
the power at their disposal.
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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
5
In the author’s opinion it is probable that there is no other heavy
physical work which is accompanied with so much overtime and such
l o n g stretches of toil without interruption as the work of the long
shoreman.
Efforts to secure definite information as to accidents were almost a
failure, but data were obtained concerning 309 authentic cases. Of
these 96 were fatal and 213 nonfatal. The exact places where the
accidents happened were ascertained in 191 cases and indicated that
the work in the hold entails greater risk by far than that in any other
position. “ Yet it must be remembered that although the majority of
accidents are reported as occurring in the hold, it is not always the
hold men who are hurt. The deck men may be thrown down the
hatchway. It is questionable whether they or the hold men are the
most exposed of the entire hatch gang.”
Of the nonfatal injuries it is stated that “ there is practically no
part of the human frame that is not in danger of fracture, laceration,
or contusion.” The leg and the foot were most often hurt. The loss
of time varied from a few weeks to several months, with five cases
in which the men were laid off two years or more. The average age
of those whose ages were learned was 39 years, and of the 153 men
whose conjugal condition was ascertained, two-thirds were married.
In 65 fatal accidents the circumstances of which were ascertained, not
one was found to be due to the carelessness of the victim himself.
Three were attributed to the carelessness of fellow workmen, 30 were
classed as due to defective equipment or faulty methods, and 32 re
sulted from sudden dangers which could not be foreseen by the men,
“ which goes far to prove the extrahazardous nature of the occupa
tion.” Of the 97 nonfatal accidents studied, at least 56 were prevent
able, it is stated, and only 4 of these were due to carelessness of the
person injured.
The difficulty of discovering the compensation paid to dependents
when a longshoreman is killed at work is alluded to. In the 96 fatal
cases compensation ranging from $100 to $1,000 wTas awarded in five
instances. In 27 cases, almost 30 per cent, it is stated that there is
evidence that no damages were paid, and in 64 cases it was impos
sible to learn whether or not payment had been made. In nonfatal
cases it was found that indemnity ranging from a wooden leg to
$1,000 was given in 20 cases. In several instances amounts ranging
from $25 to $75 were paid for fractures or other injuries when the
victim through no fault of his own had lost from one to four months’
time. The author points out that the workers themselves are quick
to respond to calls for help for fellow workers and the collections
which have been taken ranged in amount from $40 to $78.
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6
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
In Europe, where more definite and accurate information is avail
able, in the ratings of the English and Continental insurance com
panies water-front work heads the list or is a close second among all
the hazardous occupations.
The British statistics showing mortality in 105 occupation groups
from specific causes other than accidents indicate that during the
period 1900-1902 the deaths among dock and wharf laborers in a
standard population of 71,005 were 632 from phthisis, pneumonia,
and bronchitis combined, or a decrease of 34.1 per cent over the
period 1890-1892. The mortality among these laborers was greater
than that of any other occupation group dealt with, being in the
latter period more than twice that of coal miners and only slightly
less than twice that of stone and slate quarriers, and bricklayers,
masons, and builders.
In view of excessive mortality among longshoremen, the author
points out that this country “ has the unenviable reputation of being
practically the only nation with a large foreign commerce which
has absolutely no regulations for the protection of men engaged in
longshore work” ; and to illustrate the extent to which safety regula
tions have been adopted in certain foreign ports the full text of the
British statutory rules and orders of 1904, and the revised accident
prevention regulations of the accident insurance association of the
stevedoring industry for 1905 governing the work in British ports,
and the regulations for prevention of accidents issued by the harbor
inspection department of Hamburg are presented in the appendixes.
The author is strong in his suggestion that radical changes are neces
sary in order to secure protection to workmen in the New York City
port. Some improvements are noted, but they have been improve
ments in machinery and “ have tended chiefly toward increased effi
ciency so that the work may be done with greater rapidity and on a
larger scale.” Emphasis is placed on the necessity for the proper
inspection of gear and machinery, and the installation of proper safe
guards, and the prohibition of careless habits of work.
Based on the results achieved in European ports and other ports
of this country where public interest has been aroused, the author
sees possibilities for bettering the condition of these workmen. In
Europe the great attainment of employers has been the decasualization of labor by the establishment of preference classes and by pool
ing of labor over a large area, thus reducing to a minimum the
irregularity of employment. How this has been done is described
in the appendixes. It is pointed out in the report and elaborated in
an appendix that in efficiency and organization Hamburg is pre
eminent, but its “ system under which contract laborers are employed
is arbitrary and oppressive.”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[436]
M O N T H L Y EE V IE W OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
7
What has been done can be done again. England and Germany have blazed
a trail which is of immense service in pointing the direction our own progress
should take. This direction is toward increased good will, greater cooperation
of supposed conflicting interests, an enlarged sense of legislative responsibility,
and a more farseeing application of the principle of efficiency throughout all
phases of the industry of the port.
CONCILIATION WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR,
MARCH 16 TO APRIL 15, 1916.
On the authority contained in the organic act of the department
to mediate in labor disputes and to appoint commissioners of con
ciliation in its discretion, the Secretary of Labor, through the com
missioners of conciliation, exercised his good offices in eight labor
disputes between March 16 and April 15, 1916.
The companies involved in the eight controversies, the number of
employees affected, and the results secured, as far as available, are
shown in the following statement:
NUMBER OF LABOR DISPUTES HANDLED BY T H E DEPA RTM EN T OF LABOR THROUGH
ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION, MAR. 16 TO APR. 15,1916.
Workmen affected.
Name.
Directly.
Haynes j\ ilI ottipIi]1p C!n TCokomo, In d —lockout........ ..... ...................
Grand Central TerminalOo New York—controversv..........................
Texas & Pacific Ry. Co. and clerks—controversy.. . ............................
Pullm an Gar Gleaners—stuike
.............................................................
Andersen Prop Forge Go Dp.trnit, Mich —strike of machinists...........
Hancook TTnittinpr Mills, Philadelphia—strike........................................
Cramp Ship Building Yards, Philadelphia—strike of boiler makers
and"ship builders .....................................................................................
Chicago <£ Alton R . R . and its maintenance of way employees—controver sy ......................................................................................................
Indi
rectly.
25
1,075
700
800
8,000
1,500
Result.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Do.
Adjusted. .
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Do.
There has been an adjustment in the following cases which were
noted as pending in the statement submitted March 15, 1916, and pub
lished in last month’s R eview :
Controversy, New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad and
its mechanical forces.
Strike of machinists, Edwards Valve Co., East Chicago, Inch
New York, Ontario & Western Railway, Middletown, N. Y.
FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR.
During March, 1916, the Division of Information of the Depart
ment of Labor placed 7,030 persons in employment as compared
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[437]
8
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
with 4,185 during February, 1916. As there were 19,484 applica
tions for work, 36.08 per cent were therefore placed, as compared
with 29.35 per cent for February. The operations of the division by
months since May, 1915, when fuller reports began to be made, are
contained in the following statement:
OPERATIONS OF T H E DIVISION OF INFORM ATION, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, DUR
ING T H E MONTHS OF MAY, 1915, TO MARCH, 1916.
Month.
Number of Number of Number of Number
Number
applica
referred
ap applicants
actually
tions for persons
employ employed.
plied for. for places. to ment.
help.
Per cent
of appli
cants
placed.
1915.
May............................................
Ju n e..........................................
Ju ly ............................................
A ugust.......................................
September.................................
October......................................
November.................................
December..................................
638
1,249
1,160
1,279
1,201
1,104
847
698
3,826
3,601
8,665
7,931
4,551
5,423
4,650
3,588
12,132
14,530
18,061
17,827
13,334
12,215
11,908
11,902
3,752
5,131
6,360
7,321
5,671
5,460
4,459
2,622
3,495
4,646
6,035
6,757
5,405
5,006
4,146
2,170
28.81
31.98
33.41
37.90
40.54
40.98
34.82
18.23
1916.
January.....................................
February...................................
March.........................................
933
1,423
3,443
5,063
6,413
10,209
15,015
14,257
19,484
4,300
5,036
8,113
3,419
4,185
7,030
22. 78
29.35
36.08
The following statement of the employment work of the 18 sepa
rate zones of operation covering the whole country gives the usual
details for February and March, 1916:
SUMMARY OF A CTIV ITIES FO R T H E MONTHS OF F E B R U A R Y AND MARCH, 1916.
Opportunities received.
Zone.
Applications
for help.
Persons ap
plied for.
Applications for employment.
Applications Referred to
received.
employment.
Number
actually
employed.
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
ruary. March. ruary. March. ruary. March. ruary. March. ruary. March.
1. Boston, Mass........................
Portland, M e.......................
i
2
i
50
26
73
10
6
T otal..........................
i
2
i
50
26
73
2. New York, N. Y ..................
Buffalo, N. Y .......................
106
50
157
60
1,189
1,787
789
791
1,122
855
1,229
811
500
638
785
703
363
498
637
600
10
Total.........................
156
217
2,976
1,580
1,977
2,040
1,138
1,488
861
1,237
3. Philadelphia, P a..................
Pittsburgh, P a ...................
93
8
113
30
117
18
1,371
176
412
508
413
774
227
206
384
319
166
88
230
148
Total.........................
101
143
135
1,547
920
1,187
433
703
254
378
4. Baltimore, Md......................
24
15
47
17
233
158
173
137
173
137
5. Norfolk, V a..........................
25
20
29
215
95
104
18
25
22
59
6
226
16
16
52
98
6
37
58
21
1
54
18
56
13
28
7
30
9
74
98
7
72
44
30
30
20
278
260
209
123
103
99
55
6. Jacksonville, F la.................
Charleston, S. C ...................
Miami, Fla'............................
Mobile, A la...........................
Savannah, Ga.......................
5
16
1
5
3
40
25
i
374
Total.........................
27
16
440
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2
3
8
1438]
M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
9
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES FOR T H E MONTHS OF F EB R U A R Y AND MARCH, 1916—Contd.
Applications for employment.
Opportunities received.
Zone.
Applications
for help.
Applications Referred to
employment.
received.
Persons ap
plied for.
Number
actually
employed.
Feb March. Feb March. Feb March.
Feb
Feb
ruary.
ruary.
ruary. March. ruary. March. ruary.
3
3
1
3
1
22
5
3
20
96
47
38
214
64
23
20
Memphis, T enn..................
3
1
2
1
17
3
2
T otal.........................
6
7
26
28
181
301
21
7. New Orleans, L a ................
8. Galveston, T ex...................
6
3
pT
9
70
1
64
8
155
78
19
i
2
i
2
22
2
4
13
11
8
1
5
5
10
1
5
23
11
234
148
24
14
16
8
33
90
365
100
197
113
124
88
42
34
10. Chicago, 111..........................
Detroit, Mich......................
Indianapolis, I n d ...............
Saulte Ste. Marie, Mich__
95
64
33
7
138
158
51
5
156
147
235
54
952
523
225
33
2,503 6,152
376
137
257
309
64
45
850
82
250
35
950
288
247
46
840
79
250
34
924
288
247
42
1,501
8
1
T otal.........................
14
9. Cleveland, Ohio..................
Houston, T ex.....................
1
5
i
1
San Angelo, T ex...... ..........
Total.........................
199
352
592
1,733
2,994
6,849
1,217
1,531
1,203
11. Minneapolis, M inn.............
103
156
114
164
63
162
31
69
29
69
12. St. Louis, Mo......................
Kansas City, Mo................
13
41
29
61
31
93
610
125
237
493
227
591
29
45
61
203
23
40
49
97
T otal.........................
54
90
124
735
730
818
74
264
63
146
126
70
50
40
11
7
7
13. Denver, Colo.......................
15
12
17
15
Total.........................
15
12
17
15
126
70
50
40
11
2
2
3
5
2
4
18
11
11
5
7
1
2
Total.........................
4
3
7
4
18
11
16
7
3
15. Seattle, W ash.....................
Aberdeen, W ash................
Bellingham, W ash.............
Everett, W ash....................
North Yakima, W ash.......
Spokane, W ash...................
Takoma’ W ash...................
Walla Walla, W ash...........
26
10
9
5
122
57
53
58
72
33
26
15
352
81
162
138
40
41
11
8
168
65
in
77
120
98
63
21
563
110
465
235
322
175
94
25
487
137
538
308
512
230
179
53
980
139
1,421
343
29
41
9
8
165
38
no
64
no
98
59
21
542
100
465
180
28
41
8
8
164
38
109
60
101
98
50
16
512
97
465
179
T otal.........................
340
879
521
1,675
2,086
3,857
464
1,575
456
1,518
906
16. Portland, Oreg...................
8
946
13
1,043
126
783
8
910
8
305
184
248
17. San Francisco, Cal.............
174
216
215
281
2,180
1,286
308
T otal.........................
174
216
215
281
2,180
1,286
308
305
184
248
18. Los Angeles, Cal.................
1
1
2
761
1
731
557
3
753
2
1
273
540
29
1,241
1
1
San Diego, Cal....................
Tucson, Ariz.......................
1
1
136
1
808
821
1
5
753
716
Total.........................
139
274
768
733
1,811
1,315
814
822
759
717
6,413 10,209 14,257 jl9,484
5,036
8,113
4,185
7,030
Total for m onth....... 1,423
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3,443
[439]
1
10
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E BU R EA U OF LABOR STATISTICS*
WORK OF STATE AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYMENT
BUREAUS.
In continuation of the publication of data relative to the operations
of free public employment offices, begun in the January, 1916, issue of
the R e v i e w , the following table is presented. In this table, informa
tion is given for State employment bureaus in 11 States, municipal
employment bureaus in 8 States, State-city employment bureaus in 2
States, and a city-private employment bureau in 1 State. Data are
given for February, 1915, and February, 1916, from bureaus not in
cluded in the April issue of the R e v i e w , but which have furnished
such information since the publication of that number. Figures for
March, 1916, are given for all bureaus that have reported those data,
and figures for March, 1915, are also presented for comparative pur
poses in cases where reports for that month have been received.
OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, FEB R U A R Y AND MARCH, 1915
AND 1916.
Number of—
State and city.
California (municipal).
Berkeley:
March, 1915...................
March, 1916...................
Los Angeles1: March, 1916.
Sacramento:
March, 1915...................
March, 1916...................
Colorado (State).
Colorado Springs:
March, 1915..........................
March, 1916..........................
Denver No. 1:
March, 1915..........................
March, 1916..........................
Denver No. 2:
March, 1915..........................
March, 1916..........................
Pueblo:
March, 1915................ .........
March, 1916..........................
Connecticut (State).
Bridgeport:
February, 1915.....................
February, 1916.....................
March, 1915..........................
March, 1916..........................
Hartford:
F eb ru ary ,1915.....................
F eb ru ary ,1916.....................
March, 1915......... ................
March, 1916..........................
New Haven:
February, 1915.....................
February, 1916.....................
March, 1915..........................
March, 1916..........................
Norwich:
February, 1915.....................
February, 1916.....................
March, 1915..........................
March, 1916.............., ..........
1 State-city.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Persons applying
Applica Persons
for work.
tions
asked
from
for by
New
employ employ registra
Re
ers.
ers.
newals.
tions.
271
240
( 2)
170
182
306
259
7,366
197
104
1,972
306
259
6,879
(2)
313
312
313
312
681
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
509
(2)
214
( 2)
(2)
146
(2)
(2)
233
(2)
(2)
223
(2)
113
82
( 2)
(2)
322
552
( 2)
( 2)
3 104
196
( 2)
217
260
(2)
51
243
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
169
383
233
541
181
550
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
[4401
(2)
(2)
(2)
146
451
180
510
32
161
40
213
2 Not reported.
253
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
562
446
(2)
(2)
( 2)
210
(2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
304
164
217
49
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
155
335
207
482
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
162
460
166
' 427
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
119
325
133
403
(2)
(2)
(2)
( 2)
(2)
3 Not reported for males.
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
Posi
tions
filled.
306
259
7,468
( 2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
705
554
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
27
156
32
201
M O N T H L Y BE V IE W OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
11
OPER A TIO N S OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, F E B R U A R Y AND MARCH, 1915
AND 1916—Continued.
Number of—
State and city.
Persons applying
for work.
Applica Persons
asked
tions
for by
from
New
employ employ registra
ers.
ers.
tions.
Connecticut (State)—Concluded.
W aterbury :
February, 1915........................................
February i 1916........................................
March, 1915.............................................
Marchi 1916.............................................
123
179
175
202
Georgia (municipal).
Atlanta: March, 1916....................................
99
113
214
Illinois (municipal).
Chicago: March, 1916....................................
2 67
1,624
350
G)
0)
125
178
(*)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
Re
newals.
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
Positions
filled.
93
92
143
110
125
79
G)
1,624
912
3 289
3 268
G)
G)
132
1S4
122
159
132
301
»348
3 290
G)
G)
148
273
127
259
G)
0)
154
356
3 367
3425
G)
G)
160
367
152
338
0)
0)
174
430
3 587
3 482
G)
G)
182
344
172
322
3 397
G)
G)
130
Indiana (State).
Evansville:
March, 1915.............................................
March' 1916.............................................
Fort Wayne:
March, 1915........................ ....................
March' 1916.............................................
Indianapolis:
March, 1915.............................................
Marchi 1916.............................................
South Bend:
March, 1915.............................................
March' 1916.............................................
Terre Haute:
March, 1915.............................................
Marchi 1916.............................................
G)
245
0)
0)
G)
Kansas (State).
Topeka:
March, 1915.............................................
Marchi 1916.............................................
Kentucky (city-private).
Louisville: March, 1916................................
G)
242
G)
228
0)
10
21
58
86
5
6
10
16
7
16
174
331
713
183
88
1.179
1,984
1.350
2,341
4 770
4 1,419
G)
G)
5 2,367
3 3,955
1,134
1,701
120
127
132
143
4 29
4 38
G)
G)
3 114
5 133
no
688
786
724
962
4 246
4 334
G)
G)
5 882
51,133
547
727
477
956
562
1,191
4 565
4 703
G)
G)
6 834
6 1,483
379
735
10
21
G)
Massachusetts (State).
Boston:
March, 1915.............................................
March', 1916.............................................
Fall River :
March, 1915.............................................
March! 1916.............................................
Springfield:
March, 1915.............................................
Marchi 1916.............................................
Worcester:
March, 1915.............................................
Marchi 1916.............................................
Michigan (State).
Detroit:
March. 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Kalamazoo:
March 1915.............................................
March', 1916....................: ........................
Saginaw: March, 1916...................................
100
G)
G)
6,000
G)
G)
G)
G) .
G)
2,064
5,189
(l)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
250
406
640
5,733
670
620
670
3 600
3 640
5,849
640
Minnesota (State).
Duluth:
408
March, 1915.............................................
G)
G)
G)
G)
0)
650
March', 1916.............................................
G)
G)
G)
0)
G)
Minneapolis:
1,156
March, 1915.............................................
G)
G)
G)
G)
0)
1,251
March, 1916.............................................
G)
G)
G)
G)
0)
St. Paul:
571
March, 1915..........................................;
G)
0)
G)
G)
G)
708
March. 1916.............................................
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
1 Not reported.
3 Number applying for work.
&Number of offers of positions.
2 Number of requisitions.
4 Number who were registered.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[441]
12
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E BU REA U OF LABOR STATISTICS,
OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, FE B R U A " Y AND MARCH, 1915
AND 1916—Continued.
s Number of—
State and city.
Persons applying
for work.
Applica Persons
tions
asked
from
for by
employ employ
New
Re
ers.
ers.
registra newals.
tions.
Montana (municipal).
Butte:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
Positions
filled.
2 359
2 660
C)
0)
146
0)
130
357
2,645
2,316
0)
0)
1,233
2, 761
402
1,926
1,445
1,360
1,110
6,676
4,130
1.066
2,020
761
1,356
12,711
7,819
3,715
5,151
3,273
4,377
75S
900
4,695
2,601
1,989
2,128
1,751
1,604
525
1.235
465
518
1,908
1,214
548
1,013
396
845
771
3,008
1,115
1,115
1,227
816
2,749
2,267
1,191
709
2,414
1,170
672
1,999
908
47
239
(*)
C1)
2 112
2 265
0)
0)
0)
(')
51
237
S3
254
(')
(l)
2 118
2 1S7
(>)
0)
(')
C1)
60
150
222
267
0)
0)
2 462
2 271
0)
0)
211
220
0)
362
(>)
0)
0)
2 324
0)
. (*>
(l )
(')
(D
(!)
0)
0)
320
264
647
2,959
316
82
761
1,170
118
17
350
37
396
258
691
268
578
196
133
150
Texas (municipal).
Dallas:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Fort Worth:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1910.............................................
70
188
84
238
153
86
20
6
93
284
S4
238
103
160
138
217
2 1,088
239
63
146
201
133
185
Virginia (municipal).
Richmond:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
1 Not reported.
2 Number applying for work.
128
237
454
2 851
505
(')
489
555
380
(0
8 Does not include branches.
4 Includes branches.
333
171
0)
(*)
f1)
0)
360
2,279
1,168
2,502
0)
1,789
586
C1)
C1)
1,009
2,286
1.387
1,790
C1)
C1)
3.S32
7,209
3,265
1,984
(D
(*)
1,947
2,223
0)
(')
C)
0)
C1)
New York (municipal).
New York City:
March, 1915 3...........................................
March, 19164...........................................
Ohio (State-city).
Akron: March, 1916......................................
Cincinnati:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Cleveland:
March, 1915.............................................
Maich, 1916.............................................
Columbus:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Dayton:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Toledo:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Youngstown: March, 1916...........................
Oklahoma (State).
Enid:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1910.............................................
Muskogee:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Oklahoma City:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Tulsa:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
0)
(')
0)
320
Pennsylvania (State).
Harrisburg: March, 1916..............................
Johnstown: March, 1916...............................
Philadelphia: March, 1916...........................
Pittsburgh: March, 1916...............................
Rhode Island (State).
Providence:
March, 1915............ : ...............................
March, 1916.............................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[442]
(')
336
66
589
708
F)
C1)
221
42
391
668
691
268
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
13
OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, FEB R U A R Y AND MARCH, 1915
AND 1916—Concluded.
Number of—
State and city.
Persons applying
for work.
Applica Persons
asked
tions
from
for by
New
employ employ
Re
ers.
ers.
registra newals.
tions.
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
Positions
filled.
Washington ( municipal).
Seattle: March, 1916......................................
Spokane:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Wisconsin (State).
La Crosse:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Milwaukee:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Oshkosh:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916.............................................
Superior:
March, 1915.............................................
March, 1916............................................
972
2,900
0)
0)
2,870
965
(>)
960
0)
1,250
(>)
100
(!)
1,011
1,194
804
1,194
136
164
164
173
2 307
2 290
(')
0)
147
159
59
82
1,364
1,757
1,558
3,053
2 2,757
2 2,602
0)
0)
1,581
2,669
970
1,948
114
152
133
166
2 448
2 242
(l)
101
149
91
103
175
246
212
399
2 506
2 452
(>)
0)
276
449
161
344
1 Not reported.
50
2 Registrations.
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN MARCH, 1916.
The changes in the amount of employment in March, 1916, as
compared with February, 1916, and with March, 1915, are given in
two tables presented below. While these tables are in continuation
of those first presented in the January R e v i e w , it should be borne
in mind that establishments which furnished comparable informa
tion for March, 1916, and February, 1916, are not in all cases the
same ones which furnished comparable figures for March, 1916, and
March, 1915. The sc.ope of the work has been enlarged by the addi
tion of the industry of cigar manufacturing.
The table for February, 1916, and March, 1916, shows that the
number of employees in all industries, except cotton manufacturing
and woolen, was greater in March, 1916, than in February, 1916.
The decrease in both of these industries is negligible, being less than
one-tenth of 1 per cent in the woolen industry, while in the cotton
manufacturing industry the decrease is only 0.2 per cent. The
amount of money paid to employees was greater in all industries in
March, 1916, than in February, 1916, ranging from 1 per cent increase
in the woolen industry to 7.9 per cent in the car building and repair
ing industry.
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14
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS IN FEB RU A R Y ,
1916, AND MARCH, 1916.
Industry.
Estab
lish
ments
to
which
Estab
lish
ments
report
ing
Period of
pay roll.
qui- Feb
ries ruary
were and
sent. March.
Boots and shoes..............
Cotton manufacturing. . .
Cotton finishing..............
Hosiery and underwear..
Woolen.............................
Silk...................................
Men’s ready-made clothing.
Iron and steel..................
Car building and repair
ing.
88
92
19
83
26
64
86
139
74
65
60
17
56
19
47
29
1 week___
. ..do ..........
. ..do..........
. ..do..........
..d o ...
2 weeks. . .
l » t o ___
Employees.
Earnings.
Number on pay
roll in—
Per
cent
of increase
)
Febru March, or(+de
ary,
1916.
crease
1916.
(-) •
53,779
56,759
14,191
29,265
19,443
22' 027
13,630
53,928
56,647
14,451
'29,973
19,438
22,578
13,633
Amount of pay
roll in—"
Febru
ary,
1916.
March,
1916.
+0.3
699,067
710,423
- .2
516,943
525,010
+ 1.8
162,114
165,538
+2.4
277,102 285,827
211 661 213,695
-0 )
+2.5
478^ 798 498,633
172,311
168,420
+0)
+2.2 4,211,272 4,272,717
+2.2 1,482,969 1,600,734
95 | m onth... 118,268 120,901
40 ...d o .......... 48,172 49,221
Per
cent
of increase
(+ )
or de
crease
(-)•
+1.6
+1.6
+2.1
+3.1
+ 1.0
+3.7
+2.3
+1.5
+7.9
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
From an examination of the table giving number of employees
and their earnings for March, 1916, and March, 1915, it will be noted
that the number of employees in March, 1916, was greater in all
industries than in March, 1915, except in the cotton manufacturing
and cigar-manufacturing industries. The greatest increase shown in
the number of employees on the pay roll in March, 1916, over March,
1915, was in the car building and repairing industry, where the
increase was 36.9 per cent. More money was paid out to employees
in all the industries listed, in March, 1916, than in March, 1915. The
greatest increase in the amount of the pay roll was in the iron and
steel industry, where employees received 60.3 per cent more money
in March, 1916, than in March, 1915. The smallest increase shown
is 4.6 per cent for the cotton-manufacturing industry.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS IN MARCH, 1915,
AND MARCH, 1916.
Industry.
Estab
lish Estab
ments lish
to
ments
which report Period of
ing for pay roll.
qui- March,
both
ries
were years.
sent.
Boots and shoes..............
Cotton m anufacturing...
Cotton finishing..............
Hosiery and underwear..
Woolen.............................
Silk...................................
Men’s ready-made clothmg.
Iron and steel..................
Car building and repairmg.
Cigar manufacturing.......
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
88
92
19
83
26
64
86
139
74
107
Employees.
Number on pay
roll in—
Per
cent
of increase
(+ )
March, March, or de
1916. crease
1915.
( -) •
Earnings.
Amount of pay
roll in—
Per
cent
of increase
(+ )
or de
crease
(-) •
March,
1915.
March,
1916.
$554,671
530,040
137,347
241,230
168,014
397,783
199,575
$786,363
554,163
165,538
307,188
216,461
473,706
246,158
+ 41.8
+ 4.6
+ 20.5
+ 27.3
+28.8
+ 19.1
+23.3
103 i m on,h... 105,190 143,318 +36. 2 3,223,996 5,167,920
51 .. .d o ......... 44,449 60,839 + 36.9 1,293,637 1,963,810
+60.3
+51.8
72
63
17
59
20
48
39
74
1 week___
...d o i.........
. . . d o .........
. . . d o .........
. ..d o .........
2 weeks. . .
1 week___
1 week__
49,377
61,244
12,873
28,970
17,547
20,179
17,299
24,086
[444]
59,552
60,311
14,451
32,742
19,660
21,695
18,849
+20.6
- 1.5
+ 12.3
+ 13.0
+ 12.0
+ 7.5
+ 9.0
22, 432 - 6 . 9
224,736
240,616
+ 7.1
M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E BU R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS,
15
In addition to the data presented in the above tables for number
of employees on the pay roll, 85 plants in the iron and steel industry
reported 112,475 employees as actually working on the last full day
of the pay period reported for in March, 1916, as against 81,546 for
the reported pay-roll period in March, 1915, an increase of 37.9 per
cent. Returns furnished by 83 establishments in the same industry
for March, 1916, and February, 1916, show that 97,002 employees
were actually working on the last full day of the pay period reported
for in March, 1916, as against 94,474 for the reported period in
February, 1916, an increase of 2.7 per cent.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN MARCH,
1916.
The New York State Industrial Commission receives monthly re
ports concerning the number of employees and wages paid in the
principal manufacturing establishments of the State. As this State
ranks first in manufacturing, the returns are of much significance.
A statement concerning conditions in March, 1916, issued by the com
mission, reads as follows:
The factories of New York State in March paid out 2 per cent more in wages
than in February of this year and 30 per cent more than in the corresponding
month of 1915. Although March made only a small gain over the record volume
of business transacted the previous month, nothing is disclosed by the pay rolls
of February or March to indicate that the tremendous boom in manufacturing
in this State has reached its height. These facts are brought out by * * *
x*eports received from 1,275 representative manufacturing establishments, with
nearly a half million employees, scattered throughout the State. * * *
Each industry group in the State did a larger volume of business in March
of this year than in March of 1915, the greatest gain over a year ago being in
the metals, machinery, and conveyances group.
The stone, clay, and glass products group paid 10 per cent more wages in
March than in February, the increase being mostly in the glass industry
and in the miscellaneous stone and mineral products industry.
The metals, machinery, and conveyances group showed practically no change
in volume of business between February and March. The group as a whole
in March employed 35 per cent more operatives and paid out 51 per cent more
wages than one year ago. Marked increase in activity between February and
March was shown by the gold, silver, and precious stones industry, by rolling
mills and steel works, by concerns fabricating structural and architectural
iron, by establishments manufacturing cutlery, tools, and firearms, by manu
facturers of general machinery, and by railway repair shops and manufacturers
of railway equipment. Less business was recorded by concerns manufacturing
automobiles and parts and by boat and ship builders. A large part of the
decrease in the automobile industry was due to a serious labor dispute in
Buffalo. The metals group as a whole is maintaining the marked gain over
last year in volume of business made during the winter.
The wood manufactures group paid 4 per cent more wages in March than in
February. The improvement was most marked in the sawmill and planing mill
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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16
M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E BU REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
•
industry. The group as a whole was 20 per cent more active in March of this
year than in March of 1915.
The furs, leather, and rubber goods group reveals a slight increase in activity
between February and March, the improvement being largely among boot and
shoe manufacturers, among manufacturers of miscellaneous leather and canvas
goods and in the fur-working industry. The only decrease in activity was re
ported by concerns tanning leather. The group as a whole paid out in March 35
per cent more in wages than a year ago.
Although the chemicals, oils, and paints group recorded practically no change
in volume of business between February and March, the group is doing a fourth
more business than one year ago.
The paper-making industry was slightly less active in March than in Feb
ruary. The printing and paper goods group in March paid 5 per cent more
wages than in February and 11 per cent more than in March of 1915.
The textiles industry showed almost no change between February and March,
still employing a sixth more operatives and paying a fourth more wages than
one year ago. The clothing, millinery, and laundering group recorded a most im
portant increase in volume of business between February and March, total wages
paid being 4 per cent greater. The most important gains within the group
were recorded by the women’s clothing industry, by the women’s underwear and
furnishings industry, and by the miscellaneous sewing industry. In March
the clothing group was employing 4 per cent more operatives and paying 12
per cent more wages than one year ago. The improvement over last year was
most striking in the men’s clothing industry, in the men’s shirts and furnishings
industry, and in the miscellaneous sewing industry.
The food, liquors, and tobacco group paid in March 5 per cent more wages
than in February. The most marked increase in business was shown by the
miscellaneous grocery industry, inclusive of salt and sugar refining, by bakeries,
and by confectionery establishments. Decreases in volume of business were
reported by the flour, feed, and cereal industry, and by the slaughtering
industry. The group, as a whole, in March did 12 per cent more business than
one year ago.
REPORT OF THE MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON UNEMPLOY
MENT, NEW YORK CITY»1
The Mayor’s Committee on Unemployment, appointed on Decem
ber 2, 1914, seeks, in its report, to summarize its experience with
unemployment during the winter of 1914-15. It also presents infor
mation regarding similar efforts elsewhere, and discusses various
constructive measures tried in Europe and America to reduce the
evil of unemployment and to minimize its distressing effect. This
report is divided into four parts: (1) Work accomplished, (2) pro
gram for dealing with unemployment in New York City, (3) con
structive proposals for an immediate program, and (4) appendixes.
Subcommittees considered particular phases of the program, as
follows:
1. Facts regarding existing unemployment;
2. Immediate private and public employment opportunities.
1 New York City. R ep ort of M ayor’s C om m ittee on U nem ploym ent.
109 pp. Illu s tra te d .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[446]
Ja n u a ry , 1916.
M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
17
Relief needs and measures.
Unemployment among women.
Cooperation of business and industry to promote employment.
National, State, and municipal policies.
Emergency workrooms for men.
For the purpose of ascertaining the number of persons employed
on full time and on part time during the week ending December 10,
1911, as compared with the corresponding week in December, 1913,
the committee sent a questionnaire to representative employers in all
branches of industry in the city. The results of this inquiry were
summarized in Bulletin 172 of this bureau, “ Unemployment in New
York City.”
The demands upon relief societies for care and support are sug
gested as an index of general unemployment conditions. Summing
up the comparative data for the fiscal years 1912FL3, 1913-11, and
1911-15, the figures show that the average monthly number of fami
lies cared for by the four large relief societies in the city was 8,192,
10,108, and 12,915, respectively. The amount expended for material
relief for each of these fiscal years was $133,681, $195,158, and $668,575. The average number of families under care in 1913-11 and
1911-15 was 23 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively, more than the
number cared for in 1912-13, while the expenditures for relief in
creased 11 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively.
In order to relieve, by offering emergency employment, the acute
distress of the winter of 1911-15, the mayor’s committee opened 22
workrooms in which employment was given to as many as 5,000
persons daily, the expense being met by funds raised and admin
istered by the committee. In these workrooms those who could not
be placed for the time being in regular employment were given jobs
for five days a week, the hours being from 10 to 3. A “ tide over ”
wage of 50 cents a day and a noonday lunch were received by the
men; 60 cents was paid to each woman worker. All thus employed
were encouraged to seek regular employment. The men were en
gaged in rolling bandages, making other surgical supplies, chaircaning, cabinetmaking, cobbling, furniture repairing, raffia weaving,
rug weaving, basketry, in the manufacture of flytraps for the health
department, and in the making of toys and other wooden articles.
The women made women’s and children’s garments by hand, includ
ing blouses, petticoats, small dresses, kimonos, and boys’ blouses. A
rummage committee collected old paper, discarded furniture, and
other household supplies. The paper and other marketable waste
were sorted and baled. The furniture and other material having a
salable value were repaired by the unemployed. The revenue from
the sale of paper, furniture, and miscellaneous articles, amounting
to $1,103.92, was used to employ more men in the remunerative
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[447]
18
M O N T H L Y E E V IE W OF T H E B U E E A U OF LABOB STA TISTICS.
branches of the work. Nothing made in these workrooms was sold
in the market. Many of the garments made by the women went to
the families of those who worked on them. Hospitals, settlements,
and relief societies received a share of what was made. The report
thus summarizes the work accomplished:
The 13 men’s workrooms employed 8,558 different men for a total of 138,686
days’ work from January 28, 1915, to April 16, 1915. The four women’s work
rooms employed a daily average of 886 women for a total of 51,720 days’ work
from January 21, 1915, to April 30, 1915. These totals include a daily average
of 26 women employed for a total of 5,642 days’ work as supervisors, cutters,
forewomen, and helpers who, except for three individuals, were themselves
among the unemployed who would otherwise have been in distress. The five
workrooms conducted by the rummage committee employed 1,629 men and
women for a total of 25,023 days. The 22 workrooms gave a total of 215,429
days’ work over the period during which the workrooms were operated.
Training classes, covering instruction in stenography, office work,
bookkeeping, clerical work, the trades, needlework, and domestic
science, were organized for the benefit of girls out of work in order
to render them more efficient in the employment to which they might
be sent. “ Scholarships ” of 60 cents a day for a 5-day week were
provided so that the girls might be “ tided over ” while being trained.
Over 1,000 different girls were reached in the various classes; 448
were placed in regular employment, “ some at double their former
wages, because of the additional training received.” Six thousand
dollars was appropriated by the mayor’s committee to pay for the
scholarships.
A special study made of the records of 305 (30.T per cent) of these
girls indicated that 59 per cent were unemployed because of business
conditions; that 37 per cent were between 16 and 18 years of age,
43 per cent of those in the trades being between these ages and 30
per cent being less than 16 years of age; and that 45 per cent had
left school at or below the eighth grade. It was found that 23 per
cent had been engaged in manufacturing and mercantile pursuits, 15
per cent in domestic and personal service, and 56 per cent in clerical
work. The greatest handicap under which the girls were suffering
appeared to be poverty. Only 8 per cent boarded. Of those living at
home, 67 per cent contributed all of their earnings to the support of
the family.
In only 13, or 5 per cent, of the families of the girls living at home was the
girl the only wage earner. Thirty-two per cent of the families had one other
wage earner, 37 per cent two others, and 25 per cent three or more others. In
25 per cent, however, of the families with one other wage earner, that one was
unemployed; in 35 per cent of the families with two other wage earners one
of these two was unemployed, and in 7 per cent both were unemployed; of the
families with three or more wage earners 37 per cent had one unemployed, 18
per cent two unemployed, 12 per cent three unemployed, and 3 per cent four
unemployed. Of all the families for whom information was obtained, 16 per
[448]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W O F T H E B U R E A U OF LABO R S T A T IS T IC S .
19
cent had no wage earner employed, and 30 per cent had one or more wage
earners out of employment. The importance of the contribution of the girl
to the support of her family is evidenced by these figures.
That a system of training classes for unemployed girls can help to remove
some of these handicaps seems a self-evident fact. Insufficient general educa
tion can be supplemented. Lack of technical education can be supplied. In
formation can be given as to industrial conditions and opportunities, and
proper facilities for securing employment can be provided in connection with
the classes.
The successful placement by the Young Women’s Christian Association of 7G
per cent of the girls who went through their scholarship classes last winter,
with one-third of that number placed at a higher wage than they had formerly
earned, is an indication of the real value of this form of continuation class,
and a proof that they fulfill a need for supplementary training which is dis
closed upon examination of the records of a majority of the girls studied.1
Over 2,000,000 articles of clothing were distributed to approxi
mately 300,000 persons in Manhattan and The Bronx as a result of
bundle day on February 4, 1915. In this connection an emergency
workshop was conducted where 400 workers were paid $1 per day.
The committee received and disbursed $15,520.48.
In discussing the securing of regular employment, mention is
made of the city and State public employment bureaus, the former
being opened in November, 1914. From the date of opening to Janu
ary 1, 1916, 66,043 persons were registered for employment and
12,306 jobs were filled. Employers called for 19,494 persons, of whom
the number given above (12,306) are known to have been definitely
employed. An appropriation of $800 was made by the mayor’s
committee to assist the municipal bureau in its advertising and pub
licity work.
In order to stimulate employment or mitigate unemployment, ap
peals were made by the committee to private employers and also to the
Building Trades Employers’ Association urging its members to dis
tribute among the largest number of individuals practicable the work
then available by working them in shifts or in alternate weeks rather
than permitting some men to become wholly unemployed, and to
give preference of employment to married men. The effect of this
appeal was that about four weeks later 2,400 more men were employed
under this arrangement than previously. Supplementing the work of
the other agencies, the report states that the police department found
places for 2,811 men and women in 103 different occupations. Only
11 per cent of the jobs, it is believed, were temporary. The mayor’s
committee succeeded in federating representatives of public and
private noncommercial employment bureaus with a view to working
out a cooperative program for the correlation of the work and the
i T he rep o rt of th e com m ittee fo r vocational sc h o larsh ip s of th e H enry S tre e t S e ttle
m en t fo r 1915 show s t h a t “ th e am ount of w ages earned by sch o larsh ip children averages
tw ice th a t earn ed by an equal num ber of children of th e sam e age who have received no
special tra in in g .”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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20
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
prevention of duplication and overlapping. A meeting of a group of
executives responsible for the employment policies of some of the
largest business and industrial establishments in the city was ar
ranged, the purpose being to talk over their relation to problems of
management in industry as they affect the securing, training, and
maintaining of a regular labor force. Many churches conducted
emergency workshops both independently and in conjunction with
the mayor’s committee, and Sunday, January 31, 1915, was observed
as “ unemployment Sunday,” when the clergymen of the city
preached on this general subject.
In presenting the program for dealing with unemployment, the
committee recognized the prime necessitj^ of taking steps to prevent
such a condition, for “ after employment has been lost it is obviously
more difficult to prevent the distress that follows.” The unemployed
are placed in four classes “ sufficiently accurate to afford a sound
basis for a constructive policy.”
1. Those who have recently been and normally are in long-time jobs—who
have “ steady jobs,” such as engineers, railway employees, clerks in wholesale
and retail trade, etc.
2. Those who, when employed, shift from job to job, or from employer to
employer—the seasonal workers, such as those in the building trades, con
tractor’s laborers, and in similar occupations.
3. Those whose employment is from day to day, or from hour to hour, who do
not work by the week, but are subject to dismissal on a moment's notice—the
casual laborers, such as workers along the docks, handy men, and odd-job men
of all kinds.
4. Those who are unable to perform regular labor, whether because of sick
ness, old age, or some physical handicap, and those who have drifted into
becoming tramps or loafers, “ can’t-works,” and “ won’t-works ”—the so-called
unemployables. .
The report states that the first and most important need for pre
venting unemployment among those out of long-time jobs is the
proper development of efficient machinery for making known the
needs of employers in all parts of the city and of the country for
workers and bringing such employers and workers together. To
this end public employment exchanges are suggested, which must not
only meet the problems of seasonal employment and decasualization
of labor but must exercise the real function of an employment bu
reau, namely, organizing the employment market so as to prevent
seasonality in industry from resulting in seasonal unemployment.
The subject of the development of public employment bureaus was
thoroughly considered by a conference called by the mayor’s com
mittee, and the following statement briefly summarizes the conclu
sions and recommendations of this conference:
Public bureaus can perform a most useful and necessary function in central
izing and pooling the demands of all employers, particularly in casual and sea
sonal occupations, thereby stabilizing employment and concentrating regular
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21
employment for tlie largest number of weeks throughout the year on individual
workmen, so that they may become regular employees in the industry though not
always regularly employed by a single employer. The bureaus when performing
their function as the central organized labor market of a community will prevent
much unemployment by making prompt connections between the job and the
worker.
The State and municipal bureaus should keep in daily contact with each other
by the interchange of information as to unfilled employment opportunities in
either bureau and as to such other matters as experience may prove expedient.
In the extension of the work of both the municipal and State bureaus through
out the greater city, there should be kept constantly in mind the desirability of
all the employment bureaus within the city of New York being operated ulti
mately as part of a single system under a single management.
The management of both bureaus should work out, in conference, a plan for
the development and extension of the work of each, the territory in which each
will operate, the establishment of branches and cooperating centers, in accord
ance with the needs of the city and the ability of each bureau to serve a par
ticular section or accomplish a given result.
The public employment bureau must be promoted from the public point of view
on business principles. Its approach must be that it seeks to place workmen in
employment because they are industrially capable for .some particular industrial
opportunity, not merely because they are unemployed. To both employer and
employee it acts as a time saver and an acceptable medium of approach. The
city and State governments are justified in investing money in this enterprise
because it will work in the interests of business and social efficiency and
economy.
Public employment bureaus should be located so as to be readily accessible
to employers in the various centers of business and industry.
The close cooperation of all noncommercial employment agencies, both public
and private, will result in the development of effective cooperative methods,
such as the clearing (preferably through the public bureaus) of all unfilled
orders from employers and a unified policy of solicitation of employers, pub
licity, etc.
Steps should be taken as promptly as possible to develop the juvenile depart
ments of the public exchanges.
There should be an advisory committee of employers and employees whose
duty should be to make the bureaus known to a wider circle and to insure their
fuller development.
There should be a national system of employment exchanges to act as a co
ordinating and correlating agency to link up the city and State bureaus with
each other and to supplement and standardize activities of local communities.
To offset any falling off in employment as a result of business de
pression, the committee strongly recommends a serious effort to pro
mote a method of planning public emplojunent and expenditure for
a period of from 7 to 10 years so that a certain percentage each year
shall be postponed to be undertaken in years of extraordinary un
employment. How this plan has been worked out in foreign coun
tries is briefly described.
A study of individual industries where attempts have been made
by employers to cut down fluctuations in employment led the commit
tee to conclude that it is not at all impossible to regularize employ
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
nient and that this is more particularly true in the highly organized
industries in which facilities exist for study of the conditions of
manufacture, the state of the trade, and means of marketing the
product. I t is onty necessary to plan for steadiness of employment,
it is asserted.
Unemployment insurance, it is suggested, may exert a great in
fluence in preventing unemployment, and the report outlines briefly
how this has been worked out in England. It is believed that this
subject sliould be brought forcibly to the attention of leaders of
opinion in industry, politics, and government, and that information
should be gathered as to the operation of out-of-work benefits among
trade-unions in this country. Unemployment insurance is suggested
as a relief measure also.
The various systems in Europe are here grouped under three heads:
Compulsory insurance, the insurance being compulsory for certain classes of
workers.
>
Provided voluntary insurance, the insurance being provided by public au
thority or somebody other than the insured persons, and being usually open to
workers in general.
Autonomous voluntary insurance, the insurance being organized and ad
ministered by the insured themselves, such insurance associations being gener
ally restricted to persons following the same or allied trades.
A somewhat detailed description of the British National Insurance
Act of 1911 and of the Unemployed Workmen Act of 1905 are in
cluded in the report. The experience of other European countries
and of cities in this country in providing relief measures for unem
ployment are briefly recited.
Part III of the report is devoted to constructive proposals for an immediate
program. Believing that irregularity7 of employment and unemployment should
receive constant attention and study, it is recommended that a new mayor’s
committee be appointed 1 to deal constructively with the problem of unemploy
ment and prepare against a recurrence of unemployment crises. The plan of
organization suggested is as follows:
Central committee: Consisting of about 20 members.
Executive committee: Consisting of general chairman, general secretary and
chairman of subcommittees.
Subcommittees dealing with definite phases of the problem:
1. Investigations—
a. Securing facts.
Special studies and investigations of irregularity of employment
and seasonal employment and casual labor should be made, and a
fact center on employment data maintained.
b. Supervising investigations.
Supervise special investigations, required by other committees (if
desired) and initiate studies and inquiries related to unemploy
ment made by public, educational, civic and other investigating
bodies.
1A new
com m ittee w as ap p o in ted by th e m ayor on Ja n . 25, 1916.
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M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
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Subcommittees dealing with definite phases of the problem—Continued.
2. Seasonality and irregularity of employment—a. Seasonal industries.
b. Irregularity of employment.
These subjects should receive special attention as among the most
important aspects of the problem of unemployment as it affects
industry. This subcommittee should be representative of in
fluential interests in industry, particularly “seasonal industries.”
It should study, with constructive ends in view, the problem of
seasonality and irregularity of employment in the more impor
tant industries of the city.
c. Employment policies in representative industries.
Special effort should be made to cooperate with the new Society
for the Study of Employment Problems (employment managers’
association), bringing to the attention of the employers of New
York the desirability of studying their own employment problems,
of cutting down the labor “ turn over ” and of developing regu
larity and continuity in the labor force.
3. Public policy—
a. Developing public employment bureaus.
Special consideration should be given to assisting in developing
the public employment bureaus, encouraging and assisting them
in securing cooperation from the employing public, and in ob
taining adequate financial support.
b. Organizing schemes for decasualizing casual labor.
Preliminary inquiries have been made of representatives of the
International Longshoremen’s Association and of employing in
terests, in part, from which we believe that an organized em
ployment scheme for dock laborers in New York is possible of
achievement. Steps in this direction should be undertaken.
This proposal suggests efforts which can be made in other in
dustries employing casual labor.
c. Federating noncommercial employment agencies.
A study has been made of the private noncommercial employment
bureaus as the basis of the coordination and correlation of the
placement work now being done by all these agencies. Confer
ences are being held between bureaus serving similar classes of
applicants to promote the best methods of cooperation.
d. Planning public expenditures to compensate for decreased private
employment during trade crises.
At a conference of mayors of New York State, held in June, 1915,
the general secretary of the mayor’s committee introduced a reso
lution for the appointment of a committee of five mayors to
report a practical program for carrying out this suggestion.
e. . Unemployment insurance.
The basis upon which unemployment insurance can be under
taken in New York City and New York State, as well as the
nation at large, should receive careful consideration. * * *
Knowledge of unemployment insurance of other countries should
be brought to the attention of the citizens of New York.
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W O F T H E B U R E A U O F LABO R S T A T IS T IC S .
Subcommittees dealing with definite phases of the problem—Concluded.
4. Industrial training and vocational guidance—1
a. Industrial training.
An industrial survey of the city to precede the adoption of a
general scheme of industrial education, lias been authorized.
This survey, it is urged, will enable the board of education, in
planning the course of study in industrial subjects, to take fully
into account existing employment opportunities.
b. Study of private commercial schools and their effect on unemploy
ment.
The decidedly superficial character of the training received by un
employed girls in these schools suggests the necessity of a study
of the effect on unemployment of turning out a horde of illyequipped commercial workers.
c. Vocational help to minors.
The opening up of constructive employment opportunities for minors
through vocational guidance is an extremely important aspect
of the problem of preventing unemployment.
d. Training the unemployed.
5. Relief and emergency employment—
a. Cooperation and coordination of relief.
A permanent association or federation of relief and appropriate
public welfare agencies should be organized to function promptly
in unemployment crises. The general program of such an emer
gency body and the part assigned to each cooperating organiza
tion in such a program, should be worked out as far as practi
cable in advance. The example of the National Red Cross, with
existing relief societies as auxiliaries and working units, illus
trates the advantage of preparedness when emergencies arise/
Organizations other than the large relief societies should be
brought into this plan, as complete success will depend upon a
unified city-wide program supported by all agencies capable of
participation.
b. Emergency employment.
A satisfactory plan of emergency employment would be one of the
problems to be worked out by the proposed federation of relief
and welfare agencies.
c. Loan fund and credit union.
An attempt should be made to promote a central loan or credit
union plan which would be self-sustaining and self-perpetuating.
d. Homeless men and vagrancy.
The knitting together of various voluntary religious and philan
thropic organizations and the municipal lodging house in dealing
with homeless men, and the further development of plans already
under way for industrial work in the municipal lodging house
may need the cooperation of this committee.
Under the direction of the mayor’s committee a study was made of
the relation between children and unemployment, based on informa
tion secured from the department of health, under whose supervision
work certificates are granted. In the period from January 1 to
1Specific
recom m endations on th is subject are p resented on p. 25.
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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
25
April 15, 1914, 4,020 children applied for work papers and in the
corresponding period of 1915 the number was 4,505, an increase of
12 per cent. Of 1,011 children interviewed, 42.4 per cent reported
that the head of the family was unemployed at the time of the in
vestigation, while of 2,107 wage earners in the families represented,
24.G per cent were unemployed. Only 36 per cent of 805 children
who had attended public school were graduated. Two-thirds of the
children urged the necessity of their earnings, either in the family
support or in self-support, as the reason for their not continuing
in school. It was found that most of the idleness among wage
earners in these families occurred in January and February and
affected the clothing and building trades. The committee concluded
that, notwithstanding other factors, financial hardships in the fam
ilies caused by the existing crisis were responsible for taking so
many children from school for the purpose of contributing to the
family income.
In Appendix II are presented recommendations of the conference
on methods and means of training the unemployed:
1. Establishment of a juvenile department of the municipal employment
bureau to work in close cooperation with the public schools.
2. Enlargement of opportunities for vocational training before children enter
upon any kind of work, so that all possible guidance and training may be
given previous to the taking of a job.
3. Establishment of trade annexes (or continuation schools) for three types
of workers:
a. For wholly unskilled workers, especially adolescents, who alternate be
tween odd jobs and periods of drifting about. Not only should train
ing be provided for these children, but they should be required to be
in school during periods of unemployment.
b. For those who are out of work because they find themselves unfit for or
imperfectly adjusted to their chosen work. Such schools should offer
opportunity for new lines of training.
c. For workers who are temporarily unemployed because of shifting busi
ness conditions (seasonal work, contraction of industry due to busi
ness crises, etc.) both in commercial and industrial lines. Such
schools should provide supplementary training in accordance with the
different trades and commercial pursuits to enable workers to utilize
their periods of unemployment for industrial and commercial ad
vancement.
4. Further development of a system of tests * * * for the purpose of
determining the relation between employment and temperamental, educational,
and physical qualifications of seekers after positions. Schools giving such
tests should work in close affiliation with employment agencies, so that the
agencies might have their applicants for positions tested, to determine their
fitness for the type of work desired. All organized effort for special training,
tests, etc., as a means of permanently bettering conditions of unemployment
should be under the department of education.
5. Organization of a cooperating social-service committee representing the
private noncommercial employment agencies and other philanthropic groups
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M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
which will provide funds for “ scholarships ” and “ student aid.” The amount
of “ scholarships ” and “ student aid ” should be flexible and administered in
accordance with the needs of the student.
The committee recommends immediate action along certain specific
lines outlined above, and the report suggests that steps are being
taken to carry out the above plan in full. A beginning has been
made.
REPORT ON UNEMPLOYMENT IN ONTARIO.1
The Ontario commission on unemployment, which was appointed
to examine into the permanent causes of recurring unemployment in
the Province and to recommend measures to mitigate or abolish the
evil, made inquiries into the extent and character of unemployment,
the work of public and private employment offices, the methods
adopted by municipal authorities in dealing with unemployment,
and unemployment in women's occupations. In a report recently
issued the results of these inquiries are'presented in four parts:
(1) Conclusions and recommendations. (2) Data in regard to
unemployment in Ontario. (3) Studies in representative women’s
emplojunents. (4) Evidence taken before the commission. Nearly
half of the report is devoted to a presentation of conclusions and
recommendations.
Based on the returns on employment during 1914 received from
651 Ontario manufacturers, showing that the decrease in the volume
of employment was equal to the full working time of at least 30,000
persons, not including unskilled labor and the building trades,
the commission arrived at the following general conclusion:
General well-being is dependent upon the largest possible production with a
fair distribution of rewards. This would increase the demand for manufac
tured goods and increase the manufacturers’ profit, for his success depends
upon the purchasing power of the public. It appears, therefore, (1) that the
cutting down of production, which means the power to purchase, is detri
mental both to capital and labor; (2) that the larger the power to purchase
possessed by labor, the greater will be the ultimate advantage of the manufac
turer who caters to his wants; (3) that the greater the prosperity of the
laborer (as illustrated by the ownership of his own home) the less necessity
will there be for him to overwork, and consequently the greater will become
the demand for the labor of others.
In taking up provisions dealing with the prevention of unemploy
ment, the report states that the proper adjustment between work
and the number and qualification of the workers is the one genuine
remedy ; and to this end the greater recognition of the general prob
lem of proportionate national development as a means of securing
1 C anada.
R ep o rt of th e O n tario Com m ission on U nem ploym ent, T oronto, 1916.
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M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E BU R EA U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
27
stability of labor conditions is urged. “ Individual effort is neces
sarily inadequate to cope successfully with economic tendencies and
organized influences. The more widely a division of responsibility
is recognized, the more speedily -will that united action be secured,
through which alone can be found effective remedies.” The com
mission believes that public work and expenditures should be so
planned as to compensate for a lessened private demand for labor.
It is pointed out, however, that employers themselves may largely
regularize their staffs of workers—
(1)
By improved methods of employment and training, which will lessen
the present large “ turn over” of employees; (2) by adding new lines of prod
ucts to insure greater continuity of employment; (3) by standardizing a por
tion of products, thereby making it feasible to manufacture for stock more
largely in slack seasons; (4) by securing orders from customers longer in
advance than is now the practice, so that the factory output may be made
more uniform; and (5) by developing export trade, which would not only
stabilize the labor market and employ our excessive industrial plant, but
would help to redress an adverse balance of trade and at the same time stim
ulate production for home consumption.
The commission recommends a policy of community and assisted
land settlement in order to develop natural resources and assist in
restoring industrial activities. The establishment of provincial
farms and training schools for agricultural laborers is suggested
as a means of lessening unemployment and of training for employ
ment, and this contemplates a plan by which settlers may devote
part time to their own work and part time to wage earning in the
employ of the Government. These plans, it is believed, would not
involve uneconomic expenditures; on the contrary, the whole settle
ment policy would be to link closer together all expenditures—public
and private—in order to insure economic and speedy units of produc
tion.
In a chapter on provisions dealing with the mobility of labor, the
commission recommends the establishment of a system of provincial
labor bureaus and outlines some of the services which would thus be
rendered to workmen. A provincial labor commission, upon which
workmen and employers should be fairly represented, is recom
mended, its duties being—
(1) To administer a system of free public employement bureaus; (2) to con
trol private employment offices; (3) to cooperate with rural and urban com
mittees in regard to vocational guidance, extension of tbe school age, develop
ment of local rural interests, and the extension of technical, trade, agricultural,
and domestic training; (4) to develop an adequate system of statistics; (5) to
interpret these statistics so that the causes of unemployment and other features
of labor problems may be more generally understood, and that constructive
measures of prevention may be brought to the attention of workmen, em
ployers, and the public authorities; (6) to bring the knowledge and experience
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of other countries to bear upon Canadian labor problems; (7) to further the
organization of provincial employment bureaus throughout Canada with a view
to their ultimate linking together in an effective national system.
Declaring that the volume of immigration has an.important in
fluence upon conditions of labor in every industry, the report em
phasizes the need of further controlling, guiding, and stimulating it,
and of taking advantage of the present slackening of immigration
to organize effectively all agencies which will insure the reception of
those only who are fitted and required to supplement existing activi
ties, and thus preserve the labor market from future serious dis
organization. Certain proposals, intended to perfect the work of
the department of immigration, are presented; also proposals relat
ing to an imperial migration board to be organized in London (Eng
land), whose primary duty would be to distribute information re
garding opportunities in the Dominions, their demand for labor, and
the facilities and cost of transport.
The commission made a survey of unemployment in six women’s
occupations, nafnely, the house worker, the factory worker, sales
women, stenographers, trained nurses, and women who work by the
day, these groups representing about 135,000 employees. Estimat
ing that other employments bring the total up to about 175,000 the
report states that unemployment in 191-1-15 was experienced by be
tween 8,000 and 10,000. women workers, judging from the amount of
unemployment found in the occupations studied. The reasons
ascribed for this condition are lack of training, indifference, and in
efficiency. Reference is made to the work of employment bureaus,
the general unanimity of opinion as to the need for vocational guid
ance, the importance of health as a factor in satisfactory employ
ment, the advantage of domestic training, 'mothers’ pensions, and the
necessity for instruction in the management and spending of the
family income. Considerable emphasis is placed on the importance
of the care of children as an employment for women, the result of
which, it is asserted, would be to reduce infant mortality by at least
one-half. The commission urges a careful statistical study of the
state of employment for women in the country. All women are
strongly urged to interest themselves, both as individuals and in
organizations, in such matters as the practical education of girls,
vocational guidance, after-care committees for young workers, women
workers’ associations, the training and organization of house work
ers, the advocacy of thrift, the use of small gardens, and the recog
nition of home making and the care of children as occupations. The
commission believes that the important position in paid employments
now occupied by women is imperfectly appreciated, that the effect
of this employment upon home life and the care of children is far
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reaching, and that there is necessity, therefore, to train women both
for wage-earning occupations and home duties.
The commission is of the opinion that much unemployment occurs
in the transition from the school to paid employment. Improved
juvenile training and vocational guidance under the direction of
education authorities are given as important measures of preven
tion. By amending the act regulating attendance at school and by
providing for vocational guidance, it is believed that much may
be done to lessen the number of misfits and improve the position and
future outlook of many industrial workers. It is proposed that all
primary schools supported by the public funds be required to pro
vide facilities for domestic and manual or agricultural instruction,
and that the school age be raised so as to leave with the parent the
choice either ( a ) of leaving the child in school until the fifteenth
birthday; or ( b ) of placing the child in an industrial, agricultural,
or domestic school from the fourteenth to the fifteenth birthday;
or (c) of removing the child from school at the present school age,
for an industrial, agricultural, or domestic pursuit, to be combined
with part-time industrial, agricultural, or domestic instruction until
the sixteenth birthday.
Asserting that it is the fringe of the unemployed which directly
thwarts the effort constantly made by labor to secure a fair remuner
ation and greater certainty of regular employment, the commission
recommends industrial centers for the physically handicapped, for
whom specially designed occupations may be developed, and for the
aged, but not infirm, capable in proper surroundings of earning at
least a measure of self-support. Similar provision is suggested for
the destitute casual laborer. An extension of the present system of
industrial prison farms is proposed for vagrants and for the indo
lent who prefer casual labor.
In presenting provisions for the relief of unemployment it is
stated that workmen connected chiefly with building trades are sub
ject to irregular employment, owing to the seasons, and for these un
employment insurance, with Government assistance, is advocated.
This assistance should be open to all voluntary associations of work
ingmen organized for the purpose of securing unemployment benefit.
“ The scheme must be contributory, for only by insisting rigorously,
as a necessary qualification for benefit, that a sufficient number of
weeks’ contribution shall have been paid by each recipient can we
possibly hope to put limits on the exceptionally bad risks.” The
British national insurance act is suggested as a model. A better
organization of charitable activities is recommended, with a view
to coordinating all preventive and remedial efforts.
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Ill Part I I data regarding unemployment in Ontario are presented
in six chapters: (1) Extent and duration of unemployment, (2)
vagrancy, (3) distribution of labor, (4) public employment bureaus,
(5) the control of public expenditures, and (6) the land problem of
Ontario. Of 1,637 1 factories to which schedules were sent on May
20, 1915, 651 tabulatable replies were received, covering three years,
1912 to 1914, inclusive. It was found that the average number em
ployed in the 651 factories was 73,259 in 1912, 78,077 in 1913, and
65,698 in 1914, indicating a decline of 15.8 per cent in the volume of
employment in 1914. Estimates are given of the average number
employed in all factories in 14 groups of industries, and these show
a weighted average decline of 11.8 per cent in 1914. The largest
decline, 27.1 per cent, was in iron and steel products; food products
and tobacco and its manufactures showed an increase in employment
of 10.2 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively. The distribution of
employment by sex is represented in the following table, the figures
being estimated:
D ISTRIBU TIO N OF EMPLOYMENT BY S EX , SHOWING THE P E R CENT OF INCREASE,
1913 OVER 1912, AND T H E P E R CENT OF DECREASE, 1914 OVER 1913.
Number employed.
Sex.
Males................................................................
F emales..................................................
Total............................................................
Per cent
Per cent
of in
Number
of de
crease, employed, crease,
1913 over
1914.
1914 over
1912.
1913.
1912
1913
166,013
56,421
175,069
58,478
5.4
3.7
152,372
53,734
12.4
8.1
222,434
233,547
5.0
206,106
11.8
From the above it appears that the greater risk of unemployment
is among the men, which is due to large fluctuations in industries in
which very few women are employed, particularly in the iron and
steel industry.
Conditions of employment in every branch of industry have been
affected by the war, but the difficulty of indicating to what extent
unemployment has resulted from the war, from restriction of credit
which began more than a year before war was declared, and from
industrial depression due to other causes is recognized. A table is
presented showing that in the 651 factories tabulated the average
number employed in the last six months of 1914, during which the
war was in progress, was 14.5 per cent less than the average number
employed in the first six months of that year, indicating the effect
of the war. On the other hand, the average number employed,
1 The report suggests th at one possibility of error m ust be noted and allowed for before the results can be
taken as an index of actual conditions. The number of industrial establishments in Ontario, which had
increased since 1901, was, excluding hand trades, 7,780 in 1911. Thus, the 1,637 factories to which the request
was sent by the commission represent only 21 per cent of all industrial establishments in the Province.
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January to June, 1914, was 11.4 per cent Less than the average num
ber employed in the first six months of 1913, and 6.9 per cent less
than the average number employed in the last half of 1913, indicat
ing the effect of causes other than the war. It is explained, however,
that the conditions in the latter half of 1914 can not be taken as an
index of the distress existing at that time, since of about 45,009
workers who had been discharged from the factories many had
enlisted. It is concluded that had there been no war, with its con
comitant distress, the volume of unemployment in manufacturing
industries alone would have equalled the full working time of more
than 20,000 persons, which does not necessarily mean that this
number was continuously out of work. No special study was made
of the duration of unemployment, but based upon admittedly inac
curate and incomplete data collected in three previous inquiries the
commission reports that the average period of unemployment wTas
from 12 to 15 weeks, this being uniformly true where skilled workers
predominated and where laborers formed the great majority.
In its study of vagrancy as related to unemployment, the com
mission classified 670 men found in the shelters in Toronto, Ottawa,
Hamilton, and London as (1) bona fide workmen traveling in search
of employment, (2) those willing to undertake casual labor but who
object to or are not fitted for any continued work, (3) the habitual
vagrant, and (4) old and infirm persons, many of whom are crazy
and all of whom live by begging. Of the 670 only a few were placed
in the first class, conservatively estimated at 5 per cent; the u pro
portion belonging to the fourth class is by no means small.” Condi
tions in the four cities are compared, the ratio of vagrancy per 1,000
population for each specified age being shown. The following state
ment indicates the conclusion of the commission:
It appears that the vagrants clo not form a homogeneous body, but consist of
several kinds of men, calling for separate treatment; that the bulk of them are
unwilling to take up steady work; and that, in general, they are somewhat older
and less capable of self-support than the normal population. * * * It ap
pears that their numbers are continuously recruited by immigration and indus
trial depression and that good workers in the prime of life are driven down
wards into vagrancy; that the vagrant is nobody’s business, wanders from place
to place, and does not get proper treatment anywhere; that public opinion
opposes a more stringent application of the law, perhaps because it is felt that
there is not yet adequate provision for the vagrant class.
In its investigation of the distribution of labor in Ontario the
commission found that the six agencies which attempted to find work
for those without employment secured more than 70,000 situations
in 1914, about 85 per cent of the work being done by private effort
through agencies working for profit; some of it is philanthropic.
The employment secured by these six groups of agencies, two being
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32
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
Federal, two provincial, one municipal, and one private, is distrib
uted as follows:
NUMBER AND P E R CENT OF THOSE OUT OF EMPLOYMENT WHO RECEIVED AID
THROUGH FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL, MUNICIPAL, AND PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT
AGENCIES, 1914.
Agency.
Number.
Per cent.
Salaried immigration officials...........................................................................................
Canadian Government employment agents...................................................................
Provincial employment offices.................. ......................................................................
Department of colonization..............................................................................................
Toronto registration bureau.....................................................................
. . .
Private employment agencies..........................................................................................
6,007
1 2,136
1,933
1,835
861
60,000
2.7
2.6
1.2
84.9
T otal........................................................................................................................
70,036
100.0
8.5
1 This number is included in the 6,007 above and is therefore omitted in arriving at the total.
The Federal Government agents work on a commission and almost
three-fourths of the work was done b}7one-fourth of the agents. The
provincial government agents receive a salary of $300, and like the
other agents are permitted to do other work. The department of
colonization places farm laborers almost entirely and its system is
declared to be the most complete. The commission states that the
Toronto employment bureau “ has departed from the first condition
of the successful working of any employment office—that of sending
the men best fitted to the job, instead of sending the man whose
need appears to be the greatest. Only by following the former policy
can the confidence of employers be secured.” In so far as private
agencies deal with immigrants they are under the control of the
Dominion Government; others are not under Government super
vision. It is estimated that the cost to the Province of the 98 phil
anthropic and commercial private agencies was about $57,000, while
the joint income of the 55 which reported was, in 1914, approxi
mately $38,000. Under an order in council passed in May, 1913,
these agencies are regulated as follows:
1. A license must be obtained from the superintendent of immigrants.
2. These licenses, for which no fee is charged, are not transferrable and may
be revoked by the superintendent.
3. Every holder of a license shall keep in a book the full name and address
in Canada, and home address of every immigrant with whom he deals, report
ing date of immigrant’s arrival, name of steamship or railway by which he
came, name and address of his next of kin, name and address of the employer
to whom he goes, nature of the work, and rate of wages and other terms of
employment.
4. The fee charged shall in no case exceed $1.
5. No engagement shall be made unless the agent has a written and dated
order from the employer stating exactly his demands.
6. If any license holder be convicted of an indictable ofiense, his license
shall, ipso facto, be canceled.
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' M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
33
7.
If any holder of this license fail to comply with these regulations he shall
be liable, on summary conviction, to a penalty of not more than $100, or three
months’ imprisonment.
The report cites several instances of fraud practiced by these pri
vate agencies, chiefly upon immigrants.
In a chapter on public employment bureaus, the report presents
in detail a description of the systems in Germany, Great Britain,
and Massachusetts, asserting that two things are vital to the good
service of a system of labor exchanges, namely, that they shall com
mand the confidence of both employers and employees, and that
they shall be administered by men and women of real devotion and
business ability who can turn the system to good account. A gen
eral policy is advocated, followed by an outline of the methods of
selecting officials, and the plan by which the agencies are controlled.
In support of the statement that unemployment can in a meas
ure be prevented by the judicious control of public expenditures,
the commission undertakes to show that if spent with this end in
view they would help materially to counterbalance the falling off
in the demand for labor when ordinary business declines. It is ex
plained that in England the first economic effect of the outbreak of
war was a large increase in unemployment which was partly met
by the use of a fund available for road building.
The prevention of unemployment in this country by the control of public
expenditure will therefore depend, in part, on the machinery for measuring
local changes in employment. When this shows that conditions are abnormal,
such public works as are available can at once be started. It does not fol
low, however, that useful public work will be available in quantities sufficient
to absorb all idle workers. In so far as trade depressions, coming at irregu
lar intervals, and with uncertain intensity, prevent the systematic planning
of expenditure in future j’ears, all measurements of changes in the volume of
employment, whatever their usefulness in other directions may prove to be,
will be found useless for this purpose.
After presenting tables showing that periods of industrial depres
sion and consequent unemployment have recurred about every seven
years, both in England and Canada, the commission concludes that
plans should be made to meet this condition by a proper control of
public expenditure.
As a means of relieving the embarrassment created by a condition
of unemployment in industrial centers, the commission emphasizes
the value of adopting a policy of encouraging land settlement by
immigrants. It is stated that a surprisingly large number of for
eigners with farm experience, upon landing in Canada, secure em
ployment as laborers without knowledge' of the opportunities offered
them by the immense farm areas in the Dominion. How best to meet
this situation is discussed in a chapter on land settlement, in which
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M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
are outlined several schemes that have been tried with varying suc
cess. Considerable attention is given to policies adopted in Aus
tralia and New Zealand, the statement being made that in the former
country, during 20 years following 1801, a great mass of land-settle
ment legislation was enacted by every State making it possible for
intending settlers to secure land on easy-term payment, borrowing
from the Government a large part of their working capital. As a
result of this policy the population in the capital cities in 1911 was
only 39 per cent of the total, while the population in the rural dis
tricts has materially increased.
Part I I I of the report is devoted to studies of representative
women's occupations, including the house worker, the factory worker,
the saleswoman, the trained nurse, and women working by the day.
A concluding chapter presents replies and statistics from reformatory
and penal institutions for girls and women. I t is perhaps sufficient
to present here the recommendations made by the commission as a
result of its findings in connection with each employment. The con
ditions disclosed by these inquiries may be deduced, in part at least,
from the nature of the recommendations which are intended to be
corrective as well as constructive.
T h e h o m e w o r k e r .— ( a ) Training schools to be established in connection with
existing welcome hostels for immigrant women intending to be houseworkers
and certificates granted to competent workers. (6) Training classes (with
certificates to graduates) to be established in connection with technical schools
and in other schools where such arrangements are possible, (c) Part-time
courses of training, with certificates, to be arranged for houseworkers in posi
tions. ((7) The provincial employment bureau to cooperate with these training
schools and classes.
T h e f a c t o r y g i r l .—Tour commissioners recommend that the provincial labor
commission undertake the following work: (1) An inquiry into seasonal em
ployments. (2) A study of factory employment with a view to learning how
far the training obtained from work in factories gives skill that insures em
ployment, along with other conclusions as to the desirability of factory employ
ments for women; an inquiry to be made as to what special training for factory
workers can be provided in schools. (3) To cooperate with the employment
departments of factories for the purpose of improving employment methods.
(4) To require factories to furnish statistics regarding number of employees
and such other matters as may be considered desirable by the commission.
T h e s a l e s w o m a n .—Your commissioners recommend that the government pass
legislation to secure the following: Classes in salesmanship in technical schools;
and that the provincial labor commission undertake the following work: (1)
To cooperate with the employment departments of stores for the purpose of
improving employment methods. (2) To require stores to furnish statistics
regarding number of employees and such other matters as may be considered
desirable by the commission.
T h e s t e n o g r a p h e r .—Your commissioners recommend that the Government
should pass legislation to secure the following: No business college to be allowed
to teach without license from the department of education. Such schools and
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M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E BU R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
35
colleges to be inspected and required to maintain a standard of teaching to be
fixed by the department; and that the provincial labor commission undertake
the following work: To require private employment offices for stenographers
to maintain a uniform test in proficiency before registering applicants, and a
minimum standard in age.
T h e t r a i n e d n u r s e . —Your commissioners recommend that the provincial labor
commission undertake the following work: An inquiry as to whether the nursing
profession is becoming overcrowded, and if hospitals should continue to gradu
ate trained nurses at the present rate. Data to be collected as to the number
of Canadian nurses trained in the United States who return to practice in
Canada.
W o m e n w h o w o r k b y t h e d a y . —Your commissioners recommend that the
provincial labor commission undertake the following work: A study of the em
ployment of women who work by the day,- with a special view to the effect on
the workers’ children; the employment of office cleaners to be studied with a
view to determining whether it may not be a more suitable and advantageous
employment for men.
R e f o r m a t o r y a n d p e n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s f o r g i r l s a n d w o m e n . —Your commission
ers recommend that the prison-farm system, which has been begun for women
prisoners, be extended as speedily and widely as practicable, with an indeter
minate sentence, and that inmates of reformatories who have no trade receive
training in some skilled occupation.
The appendixes include special studies on the subjects of labor
exchanges in the United Kingdom, calculations of probability, the
regularization of industry by employers, local government in Great
Britain and Canada, mental defect as a cause of unemployment,
relief and philanthropy, immigration, unemployment and thrift,
unemployment and the liquor problem, immigration and employ
ment,. and unemployment.
There are also tables showing the number of manufacturing op
eratives employed during three years in 651 factories in Ontario and
tables relating to vagrancy in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, and
London.
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS FROM SEPTEMBER, 1915,
THROUGH MARCH, 1916.
According to data- compiled from various sources by the United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of strikes and lock
outs during the six months September, 1915, to February, 1916, in
clusive, was 8-15, and for the six months October, 1915, to March,
1916, inclusive, 805.
The following table, which has been corrected for months pre
vious to March, 1916, as reports have come in during the latter
month, shows the number of strikes and lockouts begun in each of
the months of September, 1915, to March, 1916, inclusive, but ex
cluding 36 strikes and 6 lockouts which started during months not
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36
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
specified. The strikes and lockouts were distributed among the
months as follows:
NUM BER OF STR IK ES AND LOCKOUTS, SEPTEM BER, 1915, THROUGH MARCH, 1310, BY
MONTHS.
Kind of dispute.
Septem October.
ber.
N ovember.
Decem January.
ber.
Febrm
ary.
March.
Strikes..........................................
Lookouts......................................
146
14
102
7
102
10
70
8
147
8
148
4
180
7
T otal..................................
ICO
109
112
78
155
152
187
A brief account of the character of the strikes occurring from
September, 1915, to January, 1916, may be found in preceding num
bers of the R e v i e w .
Though the number of strikes reported during the tvTo months of
February and March is large, the importance of the strikes is much
less than usual. Munitions strikes still continue to occur, nearly all
of which have been for increase in wages. Though a general in
crease in wages was secured last fall and in the early part of the
winter, the increase in the cost of living has been the main argument
urged in favor of a still further increase in wages, many of the
strikes having occurred in establishments where increases had been
recently voluntarily made by employers. This was especially true
in Massachusetts, where the mill strikes have been short and partici
pated in by comparatively small numbers of unorganized men, who
Avere generally foreigners. In Buffalo, N. Y., there have been several
strikes of machinists. In Chicago and cities in Indiana and Michi
gan strikes against leading band instrument makers have been made.
The Alaskan railroad strike called attention to the efforts that the
Government is making to connect the mines of the Matanuska region
with civilization. That the substitution of a new agreement in place
of the protocol in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry in New York
last spring has not tended to keep peace in that industry is evi
denced by the series of strikes in February, involving upwards of
75,000 persons. In Colorado the enactment of a statute requiring
30 days’ notice to be given before a strike can be legally called re
sulted in the quick ending of two strikes of smeltermen called in ig
norance of the existence of the law.
The data in the tables which follow relate to 402 strikes and
lockouts concerning which information was received by the bureau
during the months of February and March, as follows : One hundred
and eighty strikes and 7 lockouts occurring in March, 148 strikes
and 4 lockouts in February, 38 strikes and 3 lockouts in January, 2
strikes and 1 lockout in December, and 16 strikes and 3 lockouts, for
which the dates of commencement were not reported. In the tables
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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
37
that follow 9 strikes and 1 lockout are counted with the March
strikes and lockouts, and the rest are counted with those of Febru
ary, making 197 considered in the former month and 205 in the latter.
Inasmuch as strikes which start toward the end of a month are frequently not brought to the attention of the bureau until after the
report for the month has been prepared, it is probable that the cor
rected figures for the month of March will show a material increase
over the number of strikes herein reported for that month.
Most of the disputes reported during February and March were
in the northeastern section of the country, and all but 31 in each
month were in States east of the Mississippi and north of the Po
tomac and Ohio Eivers.
STATES IN W HICH FIV E OR MORE STR IK ES AND LOCKOUTS OCCURRED DURING
E IT H E R FEB R U A R Y OR MARCH, 1916.
February.
March.
State.
Strikes. Lockouts.
New Y ork......................................................
Pennsylvania................................................
New Jersey....................................................
Massachusetts................................................
Ohio................................................................
Connecticut....................................................
Missouri..........................................................
Illinois............................................................
Indiana...............................
Michigan.........................................................
Rhode Island.................................................
Washington........................
Wisconsin.......................................................
Other States..................................................
2
3
3
28
1
Total.....................................................
195
10
37
29
21
19
17
11
8
8
4
1
1
1
2
1
3
Total.
Strikes. Lockouts.
Total.
2
1
37
30
22
19
18
11
10
9
7
5
3
3
3
28
43
17
17
23
11
9
7
9
4
7
2
4
28
1
2
5
30
205
189
8
197
18
17
23
13
9
7
9
4
7
In February, 12 strikes were confined to women and 15 included
both men and women; in March, II strikes were confined to women
and 8 included both men and women, as did also one lockout.
The industries in which five or more strikes and lockouts were
reported were as follows:
NUMBER OF STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS IN SPEC IFIED INDUSTRIES, R E PO R T ED
DURING FEB R U A R Y AND MARCH, 1916.
February.
March.
Industry.
Strikes. Lockouts.
Building trades.............................................
Cigar makers..................................................
Clothing industries........................................
Iron anä steel mills................................
Metal trades..................................................
Mining..........................................................
Printing trades..............................................
Railroads.................................................
Street railways...............................................
Stoneworkers................................................
Teamsters............................................
Textile workers.............................................
M iscellaneous...,.........................................
20
8
36
22
4
14
2
4
11
17
42
Total.....................................................
195
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3
Total.
Strikes. Lockouts.
H
13
20
8
36
22
6
21
32
1
3
Total.
13
1
24
2
12
17
44
1
15
4
11
1
14
64
3
35
5
1
15
5
11
1
14
67
10
205
1S9
8
197
2
1
1
1
2
1
S8
M O N T H L Y EE V IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
Included in the above are: For February, G strikes of machinists,
18 of molders, and 18 of coal miners; and for March, 19 strikes and
1 lockout of machinists and 8 strikes and 1 lockout of molders.
In February the employees in 126 strikes and 8 lockouts were
connected with unions; in 26 strikes they were not so connected;
and in 10 strikes they were not connected with unions at the time of
striking, but organized themselves into unions as a result of the
strike. In March the employees in 93 strikes and T lockouts were
connected with unions; in 10 strikes and 1 lockout they were not
so connected; and in 10 strikes they were not connected with unions
at the time of striking, but organized themselves into unions as a
result of the strike. In the remaining strikes and lockouts it was
not stated whether the employees had union affiliations or not.
In 16S disturbances in February and in 182 in March the causes
were given. In about 72 per cent each month the question of wages or
hours or both was the main issue in dispute. The leading causes are
shown in the following table:
PRIN CIPA L CAUSES OF STR IK ES AND LOCKOUTS R E PO R T ED DURING FEBRUARY
AND MARCH, 1916.
February.
March.
Cause.
Strikes. Lockouts.
69
2
2
19
12
10
1
8
4
4
3
6
2
3
3
2
4
Increase oi wages............................
Decrease of wages..........................
Decrease of hours...........................
Wages and hours...........................
General conditions........................
Conditions an d wages...................
Conditions, wages, and hours.......
Recognition of the union............ .
Recognition and wages.................
Recognition, wages, and h o u rs...
Open or closed shop..................... .
Discharge of employees.................
Because nonunion men employed.
In regard to the agreement...........
Jurisdictional................................
Sym pathetic....... ..........................
Miscellaneous.................................
Not reported...................................
35
2
Total......................................
195
10
1
2
1
Total.
73
2
2
19
12
11
4
10
4
5
3
6
2
3
3
2
7
37 .
205
Strikes. Lockouts.
80
4
4
23
Total.
1
1
81
5
4
23
7
6
4
2
h
1
4
3
12
5
3
8
13
1
2
9
15
1S9
8
197
6
4
9
5
4
3
11
5
3
In 90 of the strikes in February the number of persons involved
was reported to be 150,837, an average of 1,676 per strike. In 18
strikes, in each of which the number involved was over 1,000, the
strikers numbered 131,800 persons, thus leaving 16,037 involved in the
remaining 72 strikes, or an average of 223 each. In 3 lockouts the
number of persons involved was reported as 125, or an average of
112 each. In 88 of the strikes in March the number of persons in
volved was reported to be 15,570, an average of 518 per strike. In
13 strikes, in each of which the number involved was over 1,000, the
strikers numbered 29,950 persons, thus leaving 15,620 involved in
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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
39
the remaining 75 strikes, or an average of 208 to each. In 6 lockouts
the number of persons involved was reported as 1,353, or an average
of 226 in each.
Only one employer was concerned in each of 157 strikes and 7
lockouts in February, while in 17 strikes the number of employers
struck against was more than 1. In March only 1 employer was
concerned in each of 155 strikes and 8 lockouts, while in 9 strikes
the number of employers struck against was more than 1.
Sixty-seven strikes and 6 lockouts were reported as ending in
February. The duration of 46 strikes was given as 1,160 days, or
an average length of 25 daj^s for each strike. If 6 strikes are omitted
from consideration, each of which lasted for more than 3 months,
the average length of the remaining 40 strikes was 11 days. Three
lockouts lasted 369 days, or an average of 123 days each. Sixty-one
strikes were reported as ending in March. The duration of 45 strikes
was given as 1,276 days, or an average length of 28 days for each
strike. If 2 strikes are omitted from consideration, each of which
lasted for nearly a year, the average length of the remaining 43
strikes was 13 days. The results in 55 strikes and 5 lockouts ending
in February and 52 strikes ending in March were given as follows:
R E S U L T S o r S T R IK E S A N D L O C K O U TS E N D IN G IN F E B R U A R Y A N D M ARCH , 1910.
February.
Strikes. Lockouts.
Won ..............................................................
Compromised................................................
L ost................................................................
Employees returned pending arbitration..
12
25
15
3
Total.................................................
55
1
4
March.
Total.
Strikes. Lockouts.
Total.
12
26
19
23
21
2
6
23
21
2
6
60
52
52
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD IN THE UNITED STATES.
Reports to the Bureau of Labor Statistics from approximately 725
retail dealers in 44 of the principal industrial cities of the United
States covering the principal staple articles of food show that for
the month from January 15 to February 15, 1916, the price of food,
taken as a whole, declined 2 per cent. This drop was almost entirely
due to a sharp decline in the price of eggs, which are of great im
portance in the consumption of the average family, and are there
fore heavily weighted in the food index. The only other article to
decline in price from January to February was butter.
A table showing the relative retail prices of food on January 15,
1915, and on February 15, 1916, is given herewith. The relative
numbers given are simply percentages in which the average price for
the entire year 1915 is taken as the base, or 100 per cent.
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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
RELA TIVE R E T A IL PRICES OF FOOD ON JAN. 15 AND ON F E B . 15, 1916.
[Average price for the year 1915= 100.]
Jan. 15,
1916.
Feb. 15,
1916.
Jan. 15,
1916.
Feb, 15,
1916.
1
Sirloin steak.............................
Round steak.............................
Rib roast...................................
Chuck roast..............................
Plate boiling beef.....................
Pork chops...............................
Bacon, smoked........................
Ham, smoked.............. _..........
Lard, pure................................
H e n s/.......................................
Salmon, canned.............. .......
Eggs, strictly fresh..................
Bnttpr praam pry
Cheese’............ .”.......................
100
99
100
99
99
93
101
104
99
104
100
124
107
105
100
99
100
99
100
96
101
105
100
107
100
102
100
107
Milk, fresh......................
Flour, w heat.........
Corn m eal...........
Rice...................
Potatoes..............
Onions........
Beans, navy..............................
Prunes....................
Raisins, seeded...
Sugar, granulated........
Coffee.” ...................
T ea....................
101
95
99
100
153
117
117
98
101
102
100
100
101
99
99
100
158
127
119
98
101
104
100
100
All articles combined. ..
106
104
Another table shows the relative prices on January 15 each year
from 1912 to 1916, with the average for the year 19i5 taken as the
base.
RELA TIV E R E TA IL PRICES OF FOOD IN F EB R U A R Y OF EACH Y E A R , 1912 TO 1916,
' AS COMPARED W ITH AVERAGE PRICES FOR T H E Y EA R 1915.
[Average price for the year 1915= 100.]
Feb. 15,
1912.
Sirloin steak....................................................
Round steak...................................................
Rib roast.........................................................
Chuck roast.....................................................
Plate boiling beef...........................................
Pork chops......................................................
Bacon, smoked...........................................
Ham, smoked..........................................
Lard, p u re......................................................
H ens..................................................
Salmon, canned..............................................
Eggs, strictly fresh.........................................
B utter, creamery...........................................
Cheese..............................................................
Milk, fresh.....................................................
Flour, w heat...................................................
Corn m eal........................................................
Rice.................................................................
Potatoes...........................................................
Onions.............................................................
Beans, n avy....................................................
Prunes.............................................................
Raisins, seeded............................................ .
Sugar, granulated......................... ...... ..........
Coffee..............................................
Tea...................................................................
All articles combined..........................
Feb. 15,
1913.
Feb. 15,
1914.
81
78
S5
93
90
94
80
85
89
92
93
93
97
104
100
98
100
100
104
102
104
99
101
106
107
118
111
93
115
107
100
98
S3
90
101
80
91
103
78
171
102
122
101
84
78
95
95
99
Feb. 15,
1915.
97
97
98
99
101
88
99
99
104
100
100
99
105
101
101
110
101
100
94
97
98
101
100
98
100
100
99
Feb. 15,
1916.
100
99
100
99
io n
96
101
105
100
107
100
102
106
107
101
99
99
100
158
127
11Q
98
101
104
100
100
104
All meats for which information was secured for the five years
from February, 1912, to February, 1916, were higher in February,
1916, than in February, 1912; also lard, milk, flour, corn meal, and
sugar. Food as a whole was 9 per cent higher in February, 1916,
than in February, 1912.
Between February, 1915, and February, 1916, only five articles—
plate boiling beef, lard, flour, corn meal, and prunes—declined in
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
41
price. Potatoes, which showed the greatest advance from February,
1915, to February, 1916, were still 8 per cent lower in February,
1916, than in February, 4912.
While the price of food as a whole was the same in February,
1912, and February, 1913, it advanced 4 per cent as between that
date and February, 1914. It was the same in February, 1914, and
February, 1915, with another advance, 5 per cent, between February,
1915, and February, 1916.
LIVING CONDITIONS OF SELF-SUPPORTING WOMEN IN
NEW YORK CITY.1
Before entering'upon the building of a boarding home or hotel
for girls in the Borough of Manhattan, New York; City, the Metro
politan Board of the Young Woman’s Christian Association, in
March, April, and May, 1915, made a study of living conditions of
self-supporting women, including those residing in organized homes,
in furnished rooms, with private families, or in apartments of their
own, the purpose being to find an answer to each of the following
questions:
1. To what extent is the need for such a boarding place met by the houses
already in existence?
2. What results are accomplished by these houses in terms of their social
and economic influence, and in connection with this test, of their work, what
are the advantages and disadvantages of their policies?
3. What is the need which is not now being met? How do girls live who are
alone in New York and who are not living in one of these homes?
4. What type of girl ought to be reached in the Young Women’s Christian
Association plan? In general, what range of wages ought the directors of the
house to have in mind, and what proportion of such wages might be expected
to be paid in board?
5. In what district or districts of the city are such houses needed?
6. Is a fair-sized hotel the most desirable from the point of view of its social
results, or would it be more desirable to have several smaller houses in the
nature of clubs, similar to the Eleanor Association in Chicago?
7. What are the most successful experiments in this line in other cities?
The results of this study and certain conclusions and recommenda
tions are presented in a 96-page pamphlet recently issued, which in
cludes also an appendix detailing life in 15 organized homes as ex
perienced by a trained investigator who spent from three days to
two weeks in each home in an effort to ascertain from the girls them
selves just to what extent these places are meeting the need of the
1 A Study of L iving C onditions of S elf-supporting Women in New York City, by E sth e r
P ack ard . M etro p o litan B oard of th e Y oung W om en’s C h ristia n A ssociation, 19X5. 96 pp.
Illu s tra te d .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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42
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
girls away from lióme and in what respect they are failing in this
purpose. The investigation included 54 organized, noncommercial1
homes capable of accommodating 3,599 girls. The report says:
The good which these homes do in providing safe and comfortable living
places for girls who would otherwise have to live in furnished-room houses
ean hardly be estimated. They have proved of vital service in the lives of
hundreds of girls, and the testimony which many residents, especially the
younger girls, offer as to the effect of the congenial surroundings must in
deed be gratifying to the boards of managers and house superintendents. Those
parents who see their daughters start off to the city to begin their “ research
magnificent ” must feel a cause for serious anxiety removed, when they know
that these daughters are safely located in a heme with pleasant surroundings
and congenial associates.
From only 140 girls in T homes was it possible to secure data
through personal interview, but this was supplemented by the records
of the homes which, although incomplete, or not open to inspection,
furnished considerable data concerning several hundred girls. As
to living conditions of girls not reached by these homes a certain
amount of information was secured for 84*2, of whom 535 were per
sonally seen, *206 living in furnished rooms or boarding houses, 292
boarding with private families, and 37 housed in small apartments
of their own. The following table presents the nationality, ages,
occupations, and wages of the girls in the homes and those adrift,
showing the per cent under each specified item.
NATIO N A LITY , AGES, OCCUPATION, AND WAGES OP GIRLS IN T H E HOMES AND THOSE
A D R IF T , SHOWING NUM BER AND P E R CENT U N D E R EACH SPEC IFIED ITEM .
Girls in homes.
Girls ad rift.
Item .
Number.
Per cent.
Num ber.
133
14
38
59
P e r cent.
Nationality:
American............. ............................................... .........
English..........................................................................
German.......................... ................................................
Iris h ...............................................................................
Ita lia n ......................................................
All others...................... ....................................... ........
232
205
119
104
A
163
28.0
24.7
14.4
12.5
19! 7
484
57.5
T otal........ ..................................................................
829
100.0
842
100.0
Age:
Under 16 years..............................................................
16 an d less than 19.... ........ ..... .....................................
19 and less th an 22................................... ....................
22 and less th an 26............................ ...........................
26 and less th an 31..... ..................................................
31 and 1ess th an 36..... ................... ..............................
36 and less th an 41......................................................
41 and over........ ..........................................................
N ot reoorted............................. ..............................
2
44
80
86
72
31
14
29
12.3
22.3
24.0
20.1
8.7
3.9
97
150
138
128
46
19
11.5
17.8
16.4
15.2
5.5
2.3
9.54
30 2
842
100.0
Total...............................................................
358
15.8
1.7
4.5
7.0
A
8.1
100.0
10
1.2
1 T h is term is used in an in fo rm al sense, A few hom es m ake a profit and p ay dividends
of 4 per cent or 5 per cent to stockholders. T h eir aim, how ever, is social, n ot com m ercial,
an d in th a t lies th e difference betw een them an d th e o rd in ary fu rn ish ed room or board
ing house.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY -REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
43
NATIONALITY, AGES, OCCUPATION, AND WAGES OF GIRLS IN TH E HOMES AND THOSE
A D R IF T , SHOW ING NUM BER AND P E R CENT U N D E R EACH SPEC IFIED IT E M -C on.
Oirls in homes.
■Girls adrift.
Item.
Number.
Per cent.
Number.
Per cent.
Occupation:
Office workers, stenographers......................... ............
Servants, domestic helpers, etc..................................
Teachers, kindergartners, governesses......................
Nurses............................................................... ............
Factory workers----- ------------------------ ----- --------Departm ent store employees............ - .......................
All others.................................. ...................................
252
249
207
114
71
62
246
21.0
20.7
17.2
9.5
5.9
5.2
20.5
107
172
17
15
199
194
138
12.7
20.4
2.0
1.8
23.6
23.0
16.4
T o ta l............... .........................................................
1,201
100.0
842
100.0
Wages:
Under $4.........................................................................
S4 and less th an S7.......................................................
$7 and less th an $10......................................................
$10 and less th an $13...................................................
$13 and less th an $16....................................................
$16 and less th an $21...................................................
$21 and over..................................................................
N ot reported......................................
7
73
102
83
31
17
1
2.2
23.2
32.5
26.4
9.9
5.4
.3
6
167
355
169
63
37
20
25
.7
19.8
42.2
20.1
7.5
4.4
2.4
3.0
Total..........................................................................
314
100.0
842
100.0
In addition to the more personal information secured by interviews
with the girls, investigation was made of 500 furnished rooms in
order to afford a more thorough understanding of the work and op
portunity of the organized homes. It was found that many of the
homes have certain restrictions as to age, nationality, wage, and oc
cupation of the girls admitted, and the time during which they may
remain in the home. Some have religious restrictions. The whole
problem of closing hours, rules, and regulations was found to be one
of the most difficult which the homes have to meet. The girls appear
to recognize the need for certain restrictions, but object to definite
rules “ stuck up in your face all the time.” In several homes a spirit
of self-government prevails, but the investigation seems to show that
it can not be forced upon the girls, and in some cases where it was
tried the plan broke down utterly.
Of 51 homes reporting, 27 have no age restrictions, 2 have an age
limit of 25 years, 3 of below 25, 5 of 30, 13 of 35, and 1 of 40. Of
358 girls in 8 homes, 12.9 per cent were less than 19 years of age, 6G.4
per cent were 19 and less than 31, and 20.7 per cent were 31 and over.
Turn of the homes will not take girls who earn more than $8 a week,
1 has a limit of $9, 5 limit the wage to $10, 7 to $12, 3 to $15, 1 to $17,
and 2 to $18, while 30 have no wage restriction. Data obtained for
314 girls in 12 homes show that 182, or 57.9 per cent, were receiving
less than $10 a week, while 80, or 25.4 per cent, were receiving less
than $7. Twenty-eight per cent of the girls scheduled are American,
with English (24.7 per cent), German (14.4 per cent), and Irish (12.5
per cent) following in the order named; the remainder (20.4 per cent)
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS»
represent 20 other nationalities. Of 1,201 girls in 15 homes, 252 (21
per cent) were office workers and stenographers, 249 (20.7 per cent)
were servants, and 207 (17.2 per cent) were teachers, kindergartners,
and governesses, the remainder (41.1 per cent) being scattered among
20 other occupations.
It was found that only 5 of the 54 organized homes were entirely
self-supporting. Most of the homes frankly appeal to the public for
help, and, although intended primarily for the girl earning low
wages, admit girls “ earning well above what economists say is a
living wage.” For instance, in 10 subsidized homes the investiga
tion showed that 41.6 per cent of 286 girls were earning above $10 a
week. The price the girls are required to pay for board and room
in these homes varies from $2.80 to $12 a week. TVhere the house is
subsidized and thus able to offer board at a price far below the ordi
nary commercial rate, the claim is advanced by some that the effect
on the girls is detrimental, since it tends directly to reduce their
wages. Testimony is offered in support of this view. The girls them
selves, feeling that a subsidy is in the nature of a charity, appear to
be opposed to the plan, although some were found who took the atti
tude expressed by one girl, who said: “A home should not depend for
support on the earnings of hard-working girls. The homes are adver
tised as charity. Let us, therefore, get as much out of them as we
can.” The ability of a house to meet expenses depends very largely,
it is pointed out, upon the management; the number accommodated
and the price paid have comparatively little to do with it. Mention
is made of three entirely self-supporting houses accommodating 38,
40, and 45 girls, respectively, where the prices are from $4 to $6 a
week for three meals a day, while one heavily subsidized place ac
commodates many hundred girls and charges from $4.25 to $10. De
tailed expenditures of three self-supporting homes are presented, the
following apportionment being typical:
P e r cent.
Rent________________________________________________ 23
Salary and wages_____________________________________ 21
Food_________ _________ ____________________________ 40
Light and heat------- __----- ------------------------------------ :— — 8
Repairs andreplenishing________________________________ 5
Sundries_____________________________________________
1
Balance--------------------------------------------------------------------2
Total_____ ______________________________________ 100
The receipts and disbursements for one month and for the year
1914-15 of the Eleanor Associations, a similar enterprise in Chicago,
are given in full, showing the percentage of expenditure and cost
per capita.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
45
In order to determine why many girls fail to take advantage of
these homes, why they apparently prefer ordinary commercial room
ing houses, what class or classes of girls need accommodations the
most, and in short, what need is not now being met, an investigation
of living conditions of girls adrift was planned. The inquiry was
not confined to any one class nor to any wage level. As already sug
gested, 842 schedules1 were secured representing diverse nationalities
and occupations, almost every wage level and ages from 14 to 55.
The kind of firms cooperating in this study resulted in a preponder
ance of factory workers (23.6 per cent) and department-store em
ployees (23 per cent). Approximately 16.4 per cent of these girls
were in the 22 to 26 age group, and 513 (60.9 per cent) were under
31 years of age. Nearly 63 per cent were receiving less than $10
a week and more than 20 per cent were receiving less than $7. Of
the 535 girls who were personally interviewed those living in fur
nished rooms received a higher wage than those living with private
families. Also, it was found that of 159 in the group receiving less
than $7 a week by far the largest proportion, 144, or 90.5 per cent,
were compelled to live with private families, relatives, or friends
who were willing to “ knock off on the price.” The following table
indicates the weekly wage of 535 girls living away from home:
W E EK L Y WAGE OF 535 GIRLS LIVING AWAY FROM HOME IN NEW Y ORK CITY, CLAS
SIFIED BY MODE OF LIVING.
Living in fur
nished rooms.
Living with pri Living in apart
vate families.
ments.
Total.
Weekly wage.
Num
ber.
Per
Num
cent.1 ber.
Per
Num
cent.1 ber.
Per
Num
cent.1 ber.
Per
cent.1
Less than 84..........................................
$4 and less than 17................................
$7 and less th an $10..............................
$10 and less th an $13............................
$13 and less th an $16............................
$16 and less than $20............................
$20 and over..........................................
Not reported.........................................
10
103
53
19
11
4.9
50.0
25.7
9.2
5.3
3
141
105
30
6
1
48.3
36.0
10.3
2.1
.3
3
2
9
12
6
3
8.1
5.4
24.3
32.4
16.2
8.1
6
153
217
95
31
15
9
4.4
6
2.1
2
5.4
17
1.1
28.6
40.6
17.8
5.8
2.8
.2
3.2
Total............................................
206
100.0
292
100.0
37
100.0
535
100.0
1
1.0
1
1 Although this table is taken from the report, the per cents have been changed in some instances
because of inaccuracy of original figures.
Of 119 living in furnished rooms and reporting, the largest num
ber (28.6 per cent) paid $6 and less than $7 for room and board,
while of 205 living with private families and reporting, the largest
number (37.6 per cent) paid less than $4 a week. It was found,'how
ever, that the low-wage girl had to pay a higher per cent of her
wages for board and room than the girl earning a better wage.
37620°—16-----4
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 See table on pp. 42 and 43.
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46
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Of 423 girls, 260, or 61.5 per cent, spent more than 50 per cent of
their wages for room and board. Of this number 132, or 50.8 per
cent, were receiving less than $10 a week, and 85, or 32.7 per cent,
were receiving less than $7.
The report discloses conditions in 500 furnished-room houses. It
was found that preference is given to men roomers, that in only 26
houses was there a public parlor where the roomers could entertain
their friends; that houses changed hands many times in brief periods,
making it dangerous to recommend them unless an investigation is
made frequently, and in general, that, as one landlady expressed it,
“ Danger obviously lurks everywhere in a furnished room locality.
With the system of subletting flourishing, with roomers coming and
going, with no public parlor in which to entertain friends, is it any
wonder that the moral conditions in many rooming houses are de
cidedly bad?” The testimony of several girls is given, indicating the
loneliness of furnished-room life. It was found that accommodations
vary greatly for the same price. The price for single rooms ranges
from $2 to $6 a week, with the average about $3, which secures a very
good room in some sections of the city, and “ a tiny hall bedroom,
shabbily and meagerly furnished,” in other sections.
One of the features of the investigation was to discover why girls
are not living in the homes. The one reason heard most frequently
was the fear of restrictions. “ I don’t know which is worse,” declared
one girl, “ the cramped and awful loneliness of a hall bedroom or the
humiliating and soul-depressing charity and rules of a home.” An
other reason was the “ fear of gossip and everybody knowing your
own personal affairs.” The testimony oi the girls may be thus
summed up—
Tell the Y. W. C. A. to build a place where girls like me can feel they really
belong, where we can have one or two rooms by ourselves and a place, no matter
how small, that’s really our own. I guess I ’d stay there forever if they’d let me.
I ’m so tired of this drifting around.
Of those living with private families the report says:
It would be quite misleading to convey the impression that all low-wage girls
who live with private families are better situated than if they were living in
homes. Living conditions, almost indecent, and moral dangers, certainly very
grave, oftentimes confront girls boarding with strangers.
Living in small apartments was found to be the most ideal for
these girls. The report says:
For real economy in. living, economy combined not with shocking overcrowd
ing and evil conditions, but with a normal and happy mode of life, one must
turti to the woman who rents an apartment, does her own work, and buys her
food at the lowest possible prices.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY EEVIEW OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.
47
Of the 37 girls interviewed who wTere keeping house it is declared
that not one would change her way of living. These apartments
may be had for as low as $2.25 a week, and the cost of food for those
girls who bought their own supplies and cooked their own meals was
$2 to $2.50 a week for two meals a day.
From this investigation of living conditions it is definitely con
cluded that—
1. There is need for further suitable housing accommodations for selfsupporting women.
2. There is need for a house where meals would be optional.
3. The institutional atmosphere which is bound to result when even 40 girls
live together offers no real, permanently satisfying solution of the problem of
living.
4. The blind but nevertheless very real prejudice against organized homes
in the minds of no small number of girls brought out the fact that if a new
home were built there would always be a considerable class whom no amount
of argument could induce to live in such a place.
5. There was constantly shown throughout the investigation the deep long
ing on the part of wage-earning women for “ a home of their own.”
These facts, declares the report, point “toward a socialized apart
ment house for women, with apartments ranging in size from one
room and kitchenette to several rooms; a cafeteria open to the public
as well as to residents of the house; a large reception room on the
main floor, surrounded by several smaller and more private recep
tion rooms; and a socially minded woman superintendent in charge.”
It is believed that the training which such a place would offer in real
home making is no minor argument in its favor. “ The home in
stinct is strong in nearly all women; and if it is a precious thing, as
so many people would have us believe, is it not right that it should
have some means of expression ? It may even be that the restlessness
among wage-earning women, of which we hear so much nowadays,
can in some part be laid to inadequate living accommodations. Cer
tainly if women are increasingly entering industry, to be there per
manently, there should be some adequate provision made for them.
Such an undertaking as the proposed socialized apartment house will
be, if it proves nothing else, a valuable social experiment.”
Examples furnished in the course of the investigation by the
numerous model tenement buildings which have apartments designed
for families renting as low as $2.25 a week per room, and which pay
dividends to stockholders of 4 per cent and 5 per cent, led to the con
clusion that apartments in this proposed building could be rented at a
price within the range of wage-earning women and still be entirely
self-supporting.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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48
MONTHLY REVIEW OF TITE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,,
REPORT OF NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION ON
VENTILATION.
This commission was appointed in June, 1913, and began actual
experimental work in the following December. Its duty was “ to
examine and investigate the subject of ventilating systems in the
public schools and other public buildings of the State and the proper
installation of the same, to the end that a thorough and effective
system, which will assure an adequate supply of fresh air under the
best conditions, will be maintained.” The need for such a commis
sion was suggested by the governor, who in appointing it said:
Even the most fundamental facts which must lie at the basis of any efforts
to ventilate our school buildings have not been scientifically determined by any
experiments which have been made thus far. It is not known, for example,
and can not be known without more adequate experiments than have been
possible up to this time, what temperature should be maintained in publicschool buildings. Indeed, it has not even been proven whether a constant
temperature or a varying temperature is more beneficial. We do not know
scientifically what degree of humidity should be maintained in our schoolrooms.
All of these questions in regard to school ventilation are equally
important as to factory ventilation.
The efforts of the commission during the first year were devoted
mainly to a study of the effect on the body of temperature and
chemical purity of the air.1 This was the inital step in carrying out
the program of determining the relative importance of the different
factors in ventilation, namely, temperature, humidity, air motion,
chemical composition, odor, dust, and bacteria. The commission
realized that four atmospheric conditions produce, or are supposed
to produce, unfavorable effects upon those exposed to them: High
heat, alone or combined with high humidity, chemical effluvia of
various sorts resulting from human occupancy, drafts or exposure to
cold air, and air of unduly low humidity, and it determined to make
a careful study of the physiological effect of all four of these condi
tions. Experiments were carried on in the College of the City of
New York, four subjects being placed in the observation room for
periods varying from three and one-lialf to eight hours a day. In
all, 93 different subjects were under observation. Describing the
plan pursued, the commission says:
The physiological condition of the subjects was determined at the beginning
and the end of the day’s routine and at intermediate periods by observations of
body temperature, blood pressure and pulse, standing and reclining, and rate of
respiration. During certain of the experiments more elaborate studies were
1 Some re su lts of th e first y ear’s w ork of th e Xew York S ta te Com m ission on Ventila
tio n — a p a p e r read before J o in t Session L ab o rato ry an d S a n ita ry E ngineering Sections,
A m erican P ublic H ealth A ssociation, Jacksonville, F la., Dec. 3, 1914. R eprinted from
A m erican Jo u rn a l of P ublic H ealth , vol. 5, No. 2. B oston, 1915. 34 pp. Illu s tra te d , Q
c h a rts.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[478]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
49
made of the return of the pulse to its normal rate after physical work, of the
respiratory quotient, of the carbohydrate and protein metabolism, of the size of
the dead space of the respiratory passages, of the amount of heat produced by
the body, of the constitution of the air in the alveoli of the lungs and hence
of the acidosis of the blood, of the duration of digestion, of the dissociation
of the oxyhemoglobin of the blood, and of the specific gravity and the freezing
point of the urine.
The amount of physical work performed under various conditions was
measured by the use of a Krogh bicycle ergometer and by a simple apparatus
in which dumb-bells were successively raised and lowered through a known
height, the completion of each excursion being recorded by a lever attached to
the counter.
The quantity and quality of intellectual product per unit of time under dif
ferent air conditions was exhaustively studied by a long series of psychological
tests, including naming of colors, and opposites, cancellation, addition, mental
multiplication, typewriting and grading specimens of handwriting, poetry, and
English composition.
Finally in two series of experiments the effect of air conditions upon appetite
was studied by serving standard lunches to the subjects in the observation room
and determining the number of calories consumed.
In the pamphlet outlining the results of the first year’s work of
the commission numerous charts are presented and each experiment
is described in detail. In general, all the experiments tended to show
that as compared with chemical purity of the air temperature is by
far the more important item in determining comfort in an occupied
room. It was found that even slight differences in temperature pro
duce characteristic physiological responses in the body, and affect
the output of physical work and likewise the inclination to do mental
work. In only one respect did the chemical quality of the air
breathed seem to show any characteristic effect on the body mecha
nism, this effect appearing in the slightly diminished appetite for
food in a stale, unventilated atmosphere.
Based on these experiments the commission reached the following
conclusions:
1. A very high room temperature, such as 86° F., with 80 per cent relative
humidity, produces slight but distinct elevation of body temperature, an
increase in reclining heart rate, an increase in the excess of standing over
reclining heart rate, a very slight lowering of systolic blood pressure, and a
marked fall in the Crampton value.
2. A moderately high room temperature, 75°, with 50 per cent relative hu
midity, has all the effects noted above, although, of course, in less degree than
the extreme temperature condition.
3. Even the extreme room temperature of 86°, with 80 per cent relative hu
midity, shows no effect upon rate of respiration, dead space in the lungs, acidosis
of the blood, dissociation'of oxyhemoglobin, respiratory quotient, rate of heat
production, rate of digestion, carbohydrate or protein metabolism, concentra
tion of the urine, and skin sensitivity.
4. The power to do either mental or physical work, measured by the quantity
and quality of the product by subjects doing their utmost, is not all dimin
ished by a room temperature of 86°, with 80 per cent relative humidity.
[479]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
50
MONTHLY KEVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
5. On the other hand, the inclination to do physical work and the inclination
to do mental work are diminished by sufficiently high room temperatures. So
far as physical work is concerned, our tests show a decrease in actual work
performed, when the subject had a choice between working or not working, of
15 per cent under the 75° condition and of 37 per cent under the 86° condition,
as compared in each case with 68°.
6. Stagnant air at the same temperature as fresh air, even when it contains
20 or more parts of carbon dioxide and all the organic and other substances in
the breathed air of occupied rooms, has, so far, shown no effect on any of the
physiological responses listed above under 1 and 3, nor on the power or inclina
tion to do physical or mental work, nor on the sensations of comfort of the
subjects breathing it.
7. On the other hand, the appetite for food of subjects exposed to such stag
nant air may be slightly reduced.
8. These experiments seem to indicate that overheated rooms are not only
uncomfortable, but produce well-marked effects upon the heat regulating and
circulatory systems of the body and materially reduce the inclination of occu
pants to do physical work. The most important effects of “ bad air ” are due
to its high temperature, and the effects of even a slightly elevated room tem
perature, such as 75°, are sufficiently clear and important to warrant careful
precautions against overheating.
9. The chemical changes in the breathed air of occupied rooms are of com
paratively minor importance, although the substances present in such air may
exert a slight decrease in the appetite for food.
During the year 1915,1 besides repeating certain of the studies on
temperature and stale air, the commission gave attention to (1) the
relation of heat and cold to respiratory affections, (2) the influence
of humidity on comfort and mental work, (3) methods for deter
mining the dust content of the air, (4) the comparative effects of
different types of natural and mechanical ventilation on comfort,
mental efficiency, and physical condition, and (5) the course taken
by air currents in a fan-ventilated room. I t was thought desirable
to determine, if stale air is bad, what particular element of staleness
is bad, whether it is the odor, the increase of carbon dioxide, or of
organic poisons which dull the appetite. As to the relation of heat
and cold to respiratory affections, the commission experimented with
nearly 150 subjects exposed to varied conditions of heat, cold, and
humidity. It was found that heat causes a swelling of the inferior
turbinates of the nose, tending to diminish the size of the breathing
space, and increased secretion and reddening of the membranes,
while the action of cold as a rule is just the opposite. These ex
periments also led the commission to conclude that chilling and over
heating tend to diminish the body’s resistance to infection.
1 An o u tlin e of th e a c tiv itie s of the New York S ta te Com m ission on V en tilatio n , fo r th e
y e a r 1915, p resen ted a t th e a n n u a l m eeting of th e A m erican Society of H eatin g an d
V e n tilatin g E ngineers, New York C ity, Ja n . 20, 1916, by George T. P alm er, C hief of I n
v e stig a tin g Staff, New York S ta te Com m ission on V en tilatio n . 18 pp. Illu s tra te d . 11
c h a rts.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
51
In its study of the influence of humidity on comfort and mental
work, the experiments, based on a dry-schoolroom condition of 75°
and 20 per cent relative humidity, seemed to indicate that interme
diate humidities around 35 per cent are at least more comfortable
than either the extreme dryness or the 50 per cent humidity which
feels quite moist. The effect of dryness in increasing the steadiness
of the hand, the eye, or the arm or in causing confusion of mind or
distraction, if indicated at all, appeared to be very slight. As
measured by the saturation deficit the dryness of 20 per cent humidity
at 75° is greater than at 68°, and it is therefore more than probable
that dryness at 68° would be even less easily detected if at all.
In considering the dust problem as a ventilation factor, the com
mission found itself handicapped by lack of satisfactory devices for
collecting and analyzing dust, and the results of experiments of this
character are reserved for a future report.
The commission made a study of the comparative efficiency of
natural ventilation and the more complex mechanical ventilation, de
siring to find out whether there is an appreciable advantage to com
fort in admitting air to a schoolroom directly from open windows,
and, if such an advantage exists, to determine whether it is of such
moment as to influence the physical and mental development of pupils.
Much of the work of the commission, it is explained, is being re
peated for verification, the result of which may influence the inter
pretation of the preceding efforts, and many of the experiments have
not yet been concluded.
RECENT REPORTS RELATING TO WORKMEN’S COMPEN
SATION AND INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
CALIFORNIA.1
The report of the industrial accident commission of California
presents the activities of the five departments—compensation, per
manent disability rating, medical, insurance, and safety—and gives
statistics for the year ending December 31, 1911. On June 30, 1915,
0,858 employers had filed with the commission written acceptances
of the compensation provisions of the law ; the number of employees
given protection is not stated. Of the 1,209 cases filed with the com
mission for adjudication during the fiscal year, 939 were decided, of
which 598 involved awards as follows:
1 C alifo rn ia. R ep o rt of th e in d u stria l accident com m ission, Ju ly 1, 1914, to Ju n e SO,
1915. San F ran cisco [19 1 5 ]. 140 pp. Illu s tra te d .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4SI]
52
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE B U R E A U OF LABOR STATISTICS.
VALUE OF AWARDS IN DECIDED CASES, JU LY 1,1914, TO JU N E 30,1915.
Number.
Nature of injury.
Amount of
award.
F atal............................
T’ermanent disabilities
Temporary disabilities
121
314
$310,898.48
141,945.51
31,041.00
Total..................
598
482,884.99
The insurance department reports that “ it has now been demon
strated beyond a doubt that it is possible for the State permanently
and economically to conduct an insurance enterprise,” and adds that
at the close of the first year the “ fund ” had written $547,101.24 in
net compensation insurance premiums, or approximately $144,000
in excess of the writings of its nearest competitor. On June 30,
1915, a refund to policyholders, amounting to 15 per cent of the
earned premiums, was declared. From January 1, 1914, to June
30, 1915, 5,861 cases of accidental injuries were reported to the
“ f u n d 5,392 of these cases resulted in temporary total disability,
83 resulted in permanent partial disability, and 37 resulted in death.
Of the total cases reported, 349 were rejected as creating no liability
on the part of the State compensation insurance fund. The financial
statement of the fund as of June 30, 1915, covering 18 months, is as
follows:
S ta te c o m p e n sa tio n in su ra n c e fu n d .
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation____________________ $100, 000. 00
Premiums written, less premiums re
turned ________________________. 928, 152. 09
Interest received, due and accrued___
24, 840. 26
Total_______ _________________________$1, 052, 992. 35
DISBU RSEM E NTS.
Expenses and salaries (other Than
claim department) ______________
Expenses and salaries (claim depart
ment) ________________________
Compensation and statutory medical
payment ______________________
Statutory reserve for outstandingliabilities ______________________
Unearned premiums ______________
Total
$76,651.62
31, 216. 34
162,488. 73
385, 796. 84
145, 041. 40
SOI, 194. 93
Total su rplus______________________________________ $251, 797. 42
Less refund allowed policyholders__________________________
65. 866. 85
Net surplus________________________________________
185, 930. 57
Appropriation____________ ____ ___________________________ 100, 000. 00
Net accumulated surplus (unapportioned)___ _________________
85,930.57
[4821
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
53
The above statement, it is explained, is based on the statutory re
serve of $385,796.81 to cover outstanding liabilities. If the indicated
amount of such liabilities ($171,920.77, including liberal estimates for
all undetermined cases) were used the surplus would be as follows:
Total surplus________________________________ 1$465, 673. 49
65, 866. 85
Less refund allowed policyholders_______________
Net surplus___ _______________________________
399, 806. 64
The safety department reports 716 inspections affecting 76,843
employees. In these visits emphasis was laid upon the importance
of employers purchasing machinery properly protected. There is
one safety museum in San Francisco which received a large number
of additional exhibits during the year. A branch safety museum is
located at Los Angeles. The value of these museums is emphasized.
The reporting of industrial accidents in California is obligatory,
even farmers and employers of domestic and casual labor, who are
exempted from liability for compensation, being required to submit
reports. Failure to report or give intelligence of industrial accidents
is, upon conviction, punishable by a fine. It is stated that this power
to punish has never yet been invoked by the commission. In those
industries where accident compensation is not paid, it is fair to as
sume that the total accidents reported will be considerably below the
number which actually occurred, for this has been the experience in
all countries.
During the year 1914, 62,2112 accidents were reported to the
commission. Of this number 678 were fatal, 1,292 were permanent,
and 60,241 were temporary. Employers and insurance companies
paid $1,861,809.35 to relieve and compensate the injuries resulting
from the year’s accidents. The following statement indicates the
total and average payments for compensation and medical and
burial benefits for each class of injury:
AMOUNT PAID IN COMPENSATION, AND MEDICAL AND BURIA L B E N E FIT S, FOR EACH
SPEC IFIED CLASS OF IN JU R Y , SHOWING AVERAGE P E R CASE, 1914.
Compensation.
Num
ber.
Per
cent.
678
F atal...........................
Permanent................. 1,292
Temporary................. «60,241
1.1
2.1
96.8
Total................ 62,211
100.0
Nature of disability.
Aver
age per
case.
Paid.
Medical aid.
Paid.
Aver
age per
case.
Total benefits.
Paid.
Aver
age per
case.
$243,366.20 $358.95 3$34,751.29 $51.26
283,521.59 211. 70 79,721. 03 61.70
10. 22
604,743.00
10.04 615,706.24
$278,117.49
363,242.62
1,220,449.24
$41.02
281.15
20.25
11.74
1,861,809.35
29.92
1,131,630. 79
18.19
730,178.56
1 This is obtained by substituting $171,920.77 for $385,796.84 in the statement of disbursements.
2In all, 62,666 accidents were reported, but 455 are not included in the report since it was impossible
to determine whether they were bona fide accidents.
3 Includes burial expenses, the amount of which is not stated.
4 Of this number, 12,737 were compensable, that is, caused a time lost of 15 days or more, making the
average compensation paid per case $47.48, the average medical aid $48.34, and the total average paid $95.82.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[483]
54
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Of the 678 fatal accidents, 226, or 33.33 per cent, occurred in trans
portation; 121, or 17.85 per cent, in manufacturing; and 115, or
16.96 per cent, in construction work. Nearly 22 per cent were caused
by collisions, 20.94 per cent by persons falling, and 20.06 per cent
by dangerous substances. The average age of those killed was 39
years, 25.81 per cent falling in the 30 to 39 year group and 67.55
per cent being between the ages of 20 and 50. Approximately 52 per
cent were receiving between $10 and $19 per week, and 83.19 per
cent were receiving $30 or less a week. Nearly 40 per cent were
married men, and 59.14 per cent were native Americans.
In a study of the 1,292 permanently injured, it is shown that
during 1914 compensation amounting to $283,521.59, or about $219
each, was paid to those so disabled. The average per case in 1913
was $126.84. More than one-third (37.3 per cent) of these injuries
resulted in amputation of one finger. The largest number of per
manent injuries (450, or 34.83 per cent) occurred in manufacturing
industries, involving compensation and medical benefits amounting
to $87,088.92. Machinery caused 584, or 45.20 per cent, of the acci
dents, the total compensation and medical benefits being $122,091.77.
More than 55 per cent were receiving between $10 and $19 per week
in wages. The married men numbered 636, or 49.22 per cent.
The 60,241 accidents which occasioned only temporary disabilities
caused a loss in time of 695,394 days, or an average for all cases
where disability lasted through the day of injury of 16.8 days.
These accidents represent a*n estimated total wage loss of about
$2,000,000. Against this figure of wage loss is set the sum of
$604,743, which employers and insurance companies paid in com
pensation, or a total of $1,220,449.24, if medical benefits be included.
Of the entire number, 18,452 caused no time loss, but required medi
cal attention ; 27,664 caused time loss of less than 15 days and were
not compensable; and 12,737 caused a time loss of 15 days or more
and were compensable. Considering only these last cases, the aver
age compensation paid was $47.48. The amount paid for medical
benefits was $615,706.24, or an average of $19.74 per case considered.
Most of these accidents, 19,004, or 31.55 per cent, occurred in manu
facturing; transportation came second with 15,836, or 26.29 per
cent. The chief cause of these temporary accidents were falling
objects, 17,126 cases, or 28.43 per cent; and dangerous substances,
12,059 cases, or 20.02 per cent.
Considerable space is devoted to detailed studies of these tem
porary accidents.
MASSACHUSETTS.
In the R e v i e w of September, 1915 (p. 37), was given, by industry
classifications, the experience under the Massachusetts workmen’s
compensation act for the period July 1, 1912, to September 30, 1914,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[484]
MONTHLY EEYIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
55
for each classification for which pay rolls of not less than $500,000
were reported. The losses actually paid and outstanding (estimated)
were given so as to show separately payments for death and specified
injuries, weekly indemnity, and medical services. The loss rates
per $100 of pay roll were also given for each classification.
The accompanying table shows the experience under the Massachu
setts workmen’s compensation act from July 1, 1912, to December 31,
1914, on all policies written by each authorized insurance company in
the State. The earned premiums are based upon estimated pay rolls,
except for those policies which terminated prior to December 31 of
the respective years. On these policies the earned premiums are
based upon audited pay rolls. These data were compiled from the
schedules and records in the office of the Massachusetts insurance
department.
The table shows the net premium written and earned, losses paid
and incurred, per cent of loss and expense of premiums earned, and
amount spent for inspection and accident prevention work for each
year.
It will be noted that the total earned premiums for the two and
one-half years amounted to $11,730,971, while the losses incurred were
$5,466,892. The per cent of loss incurred of total premiums earned
for the combined companies was for stock companies 37.06 per cent
in 1912, 46.45 per cent in 1913, and 57.96 per cent in 1914, while for
mutual companies it was 27.63 per cent in 1912, 35.32 per cent in
1913, and 53.35 per cent in 1914. The increase was due to reductions
in premium rates on the one hand and increased cost of the act on
the other.
The average acquisition expense—that is, the expense of getting
business—together with taxes incurred, was for stock companies 19.05
per cent of the premiums earned in 1912, 18.97 per cent in 1913, and
18.72 per cent in 1914, and for mutual companies, nothing in 1912
and 2.43 per cent in 1913 and in 1914.
Expenses other than taxes and commissions for stock companies
amounted to 13.77 per cent of earned premiums in 1912, 17.61 per cent
in 1913, and 17.61 per cent in 1914, while for mutual companies they
amounted to 13.17 per cent in 1912, 14.59 per cent in 1913, and 14.94
per cent in 1914.
The total expense for the stock companies was 32.81 per cent of
earned premiums in 1912, 36.58 per cent in 1913, and 36.33 per cent
in 1914, while for the mutuals the percentages were 14.17, 17.02. and
17.37 for the same years.
Expenditures for accident inspection and prevention work for the
combined companies were $31,169 in 1912, $98,123 in 1913, and
$83,671 in 1914, making a total of $212,963.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[485]
56
MASSACHUSETTS WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION EXPERIENCE, FROM JULY 1, 1912, TO DEC. 31, 1914.
[Compiled from records of Massachusetts Insurance Department.]
Losses paid.
Premiums earned.1
Losses incurred.
1912
[486]
Stock.
1. Aetna..............................................
2. American F idelity........................
3. Casualty Co. of America...............
4. Employers’ In d em n ity ................
5. Employers’ L iability...................
6. Fidelity and Casualty...................
7. Fidelity and Deposit....................
8. Frankfort General.........................
9. General Accident..........................
10. Globe Indem nity..........................
11. Hartford Accident and Indemnity
12. London Guarantee and Accident.
>13. London and Lancashire...............
[g 14. Maryland Casualty.......................
O 15. Massachusetts Bonding................
1—110. New Amsterdam Casualty..........
17. New England Casualty.."...........
18. Ocean Accident and Guarantee..
19. Prudential Casualty.....................
20. Preferred Accident........................
21. Royal Indem nity..........................
22. Standard Accident........................
23. T rav elers.....................................
24. U. S. Casualty...............................
25. U. S. Fidelity and Guarantee.
26. Zurich General Accident..............
27.
28.
29.
30.
1913
1914
$204,672 $264,301 $220,354
62,178 28,875
5,558
129,674 190,826 143,807
9,150
1,086,547 1,070,397 826,110
63,239 64,403 58,726
44,277 49,879 53,281
84,459 65,332 40,260
32,031 35,892 32,232
32,463 52,344
53,208
49, 400
138,674 123,498 81,923
8,172 11,459
102,217 92,357 63,964
42,758 105,343 126, 427
4,349
67,055 91,929 107,709
55,931 67,107 54,074
2,507
2,159
114,548 98,960 92,780
45,003 35,770 ■ 31,900
659,374 688,002 672,041
52,804
48,310 39,273
50,122 60,079 71,250
19,464 41,894
1912
$13,723
4,212
14,383
58,034
2,643
2,903
3,702
1,464
3,028
1,964
5,796
1,695
1,95Í
2,554
12
6,153
1,532
40,866
2,797
3,964
1913
1914
1912
1913
1914
1912
1913
1914
Per cent of losses incurred
of premiums earned.
1912
$73,983 $112,161 $105,674 $285,013 $215,468 $50,668 $156,672 $132,045
47.94
18,277
6,277 31,517 59,530
5,558 13,598 28,527
1,598
43.14
46,434 74,771 89,221 172,428 158,307 38,452 109,669. 65,550
43.09
91
1,525
390
326,556 376,388 562,259 1,233,302 887,362 142,429 519,501 494,108
25.33
18,983 30,579 31,999 72,653 63,577
9,269 39,929 32,022
28. 96
17,216 24,181
17,828 56,862 55,223
15,037 44,140 41,367
84.34
21,713 20,894 50,574 79,350 45,915
19,110 45,701
13,570
37.78
10,500 17,434 12,423 30,057
8,990 29,269 28,245
43,711
72.37
14, 792 25,147 16,090 51,933 55,394
5,490 25,301 30,526 • 34.12
9,721
34,384
29,311
30,319 39,353 70,87Í 144,669 87,847
15,104 64,823 65,830
21.31
714
7,852
2,385 15,640
3,943 13,773
38,894 39,842 55,364 107,296 72,930 40,463 63,219 50,426
73. 09
20,137 58,411 22,005 88,273 123,559 11,194 24,955 101,426
50. 87
1,435
1,862
4,200
18,183 49,131 23,1(o 98,877 101,364
9,662 27,208 68,274
41. 69
14,614 24,290 32,007 70,336 58,549 15,654 33,124 25,735
48.91
294
1,076
514
873
447
51.20
45,001 61,889 116,569 101,571 16,353 47,953 51,843
35,9~i
26. 42
10,492 14,472 24,614 43,367 33,208 11,423 20,761 14, 095
46. 41
211,057 285,950 299,567 786,703 742,636 135,626 320,641 421,521
45. 27
16,425 22,014 22,066 58,685 39,509
7,952 27,530 27,604
36.03
21,185 29,206 15,883 75,672 70,967
5,923
47,143 40,593
37. 29
932 11,416
8,823 39,598
12,204 16,555
1913
1914
54. 97
47. 90
63. 60
61.28
28. 76
41.41
25. 57
55. 70
50.36
74.90
29.50
64. 67
55.10
85. 25
74. 93
88. 06
69.14
82.09
225.55
67.36
43.95
47. 79
42.12
54.96
77. 63
57. 60
97. 38
48. 70
44.81
165.30
58.90
28. 27
27.52
47.10
41.14
47. 87
40. 80
46. 90
62.30
138. 43
51.04
42. 44
56. 76
69. 88
57.20
41.81
37.06
46. 45
57.96
19.72
46. 32
35. 42
29.18
38.90
40. 74
91.52
25. 70
43. 60
32. 73
735,790
27.63
35.32
53. 35
Grand total................................ 4,480,059 4,500,302 4,287,402 223,566 1,286,035 1,803,811 2,185,400 5,110,008 4,435,563 749,569 2,210,413 2,506,910
34.30
43.23
56.53
Total........................................... 3,070,185 3,261,240 2,893,637 173,376 967,378 1,326,310 1,545,899
Mutua!.
American Mutual.......................... 725,260 386,486 335,044 20,563 134,006 182,315 342,320
Contractors’ M utual..................... 65,357 145,948 146,896
6,868 31,673 33,639 35,862
Massachusetts Employees............ 619,257 706,628 817,569 22,759 152,978 253,048 261,319
Security Mutual............................
94,256
8,499
Total........................................... 1,409,873 1,239,062 1,393,766
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
50,190
318,657
477,501
3,642,789 3,056,440 572,844 1,692,216 1,771,120
657,953 344,351
137, 425 136,323
671,841 842,137
56,311
67,529 192,029 315.146
16,612 52,457 35,044
92,584 273,711 367,165
18,434
639,501 1,467,219 1,379,123 176,725
518,197
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Net premiums written.
Companies.
Companies.
Stock.
1. Aetna..............................................
2. American F idelity........................
3. Casualty Co. of America...............
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Employers’ L iab ility...................
Fidelity and Casualty...................
Fidelity and Deposit....................
Frankfort General.........................
General Accident..........................
Globe Indem nity.........................
Hartford Accident and Indemnity
London Guarantee and Accident.
Per cent, of acquisition
expense incurred of
premiums earned.
1912
1913
1914
17. IS
17.5
17.5
17.99
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
16.02
17.5
17.2
17.5
17.7
17.5
15.26
16. 65
17.57
5
17.5
16.6
17.5
17.89
24.11
17.5
21.7
17.62
12.9
17.35
13. 98
17.5
16. 66
16.4
17.5
14. Maryland Casualty.......................
15. Massachusetts Bonding................
17.5
9.25
17.5
17.4
17.2
9.61
17. New England Casualty................
18. Ocean Accident and Guarantee..
14.4
17.5
14.63
17.5
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Royal Indem nity..........................
Standard Accident.......................
Travelers........................................
U. S. Casualty...............................
U. S. Fidelity and Guarantee__
Zurich General Accident..............
Total...........................................
Mutual.
27. American Mutual..........................
28. Contractors’ M utual..... ...............
29. Massachusetts Employees............
17.42
17.5
10.89
17.04
16.98
16.84
16.01
15. SI
17.3
17.4
17
17.5
16. 53
22.19
16.25
17.01
15.65
17.5
17.11 2 18.97
2 IS. 72
2.3
1.55
4.27
1.33
Total...........................................
0
2 2.43
2 2. 43
Grand total................................
12.10
2 14. 42
2 13.42
Per cent pro rata expenses
other than taxes and
commissions were of
premiums earned.
Per cent of taxes in
curred of premiums
earned.
1912
1913
1914
2
2
2
2.24
1.91
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2.12
2
2
2
2.1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2.1
2
2
2
2
2.1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1.94
(3)
(3)
1
1
1
1.4
1.4
1.24
1
1.12
2
1
(•)
(3)
1.67
(3)
( 3)
2.07
1.96
1
1914
1912
1913
1914
1912
1913
1914
Total.
11.45
6.84
14.10
16.38
21.48
15.3
18.46
14.87
16.87'
30.63
26.34
33.60
36.61
40. 98
34.80
$1,761
$8,669
1,173
2,419
$7,272
6.93
11.97
24.36
28.1
12.06
25. 77
21.3
28.17
37.11
21.5
35.28
14.84
29.85
12.64
21.91
28. 92
18.54
16.47
23.5
26.43
40.78
40. 71
37.45
32.05
50.52
31.47
42.5
47.6
41.4
36. 94
44.8
6,833
500
550
2,318
453
1,361
30.68
$17,702
1,173
4,429
............
16,964
2.451
1,173
7,085
879
3.452
93
4,680
38.15
26.85
34. 47
76.7
44.3
25.12
44.98
29.67
33.03
37.5
35.63
33.52
36.44
7
31.63
44.33
40.8
48.06
63.22
41.1
58.3
34.52
44. 93
31. 99
35.89
48.42
35.2
34.87
43
50.13
32.56
40.7
46.3
36.3
63.96
17.95
12.55
31.02
2
17.44
25
18.65
17.6
30.58
10.17
18.4
17.9
i 17.21
19.99
15.83
21.26
20.71
1. 76
22.94
2
36.63
39.49
28. 72
40.30
39.69
41.78
705
H
3
£
^
W
ttt
<J
g
J
<
o
bg
1,412
1,957
8,718
986
273
2,182
385
1,091
93
1,311
409
3,766
1,053
4,342
1,580
8,517
2,634
ffl
H
368
608
431
865
75
799
!,948
l5
2
475
36. 79
46.81
37.36
46.01
33.17
44.04
909
895
11,601
2,003
6,164
483
27,061
2,768
4,296
474
16,422
1,413
965
350
2,585
40
1,000
11,369
1,851
55,084
7,457
2,686
...............
2,076
1,491
¿3
(Tj
rj
18.26
22.62
19.11
27.24
15.52
24.54
13.77
17.61
17.61
32.81
36. 58
36.33
27,124
69,089
55,676
151,889
- .
O
fcd
9.48
23. 36
16.61
8.87
17.3
19.55
15.67
20.86
10.48
24.36
17.61
9.87
21.5
22.5
16.91
26.13
16.62
9.55
1,123
615
2,307
3,409
2, 753
22,872
3,995
■2,552
20,848
600
8,527
5,919
46,028
600
¡>
H
%
13.17
14.59
14. 94
14.17
17.02
17.37
4,045
29,034
27,995
16.74
17.28
27.36
31.16
30.7
31,169
98,123
83,671
61,014
----- ----212,963
O
13.59
14.17
7.55
i The earned premiums are based upon estimated payroll except for those policies which terminated prior to Dec. 31
of the respective years. On these policies earned premiums are based upon audited pay rolls.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1,305
y
O
32.12
14.75
21.3
26.9
17.3
44.46
2
I
22.2
14.97
57.33
25.1
15.51
11.18
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1913
21.21
1.32
2.06
2.18
Inspection and accident prevention
expense.
1912
21.28
2
2
2
2.1
Per cent of total ex
pense of premiums
earned.
585
2 Includes taxes,
3 Included in acquisition expense.
O
^
t-1
h
m
Oi
58
MONTHLY BE VIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
NEW YORK.1
Since 1901 the New York Department of Labor lias published annual
reports on industrial accidents occurring within the State. In 1911
employers in factories, mines, and quarries and building and en
gineering work were required to report to the department all acci
dents which caused any interruption of work or required any treat
ment, medical or otherwise. The reports for this year are believed
by the department to be more complete than the statistics for previous
years, although they are by no means complete.
Of the various causes of nonfatal accidents by far the most signifi
cant was power machinery. To this factor were chargeable 26.7
per cent out of a total of 88,314 nonfatal accidents reported during
the year ending September 30, 1914. Of this proportion 18.7 per
cent were chargeable to machines at which the person injured was
working, 5.4 per cent to conveying and hoisting machinery, 2.6 per
cent to transmission of power. Next to power machinery as a factor
in causing nonfatal accidents stands weights and falling objects,
which accounted for 24.4 per cent; hand tools accounted for 10.8
per cent; fall of person, 9.6 per cent; heat and electricity, 6.9 per
cent; and vehicles and animals, 2.5 per cent; while miscellaneous
causes—including knocking against objects, stepping upon or strik
ing against nails, handling sharp objects, flying objects, whose source
is unknown, poisoning gases, etc.—accounted for 19.1 per cent.
Distribution of the causes of accidents within industries showed
very similar results as to the importance of power machinery in
producing accidents. Thus, in factories, this item accounted for
31.7 per cent of the 64,250 factory accidents reported. In mines and
quarries the heaviest factor in producing accidents was that of
weights and falling objects, which accounted for 48 per cent of the
total of 1,277 accidents. This was also the most important factor
in causing accidents in building and engineering operations, account
ing for 36 per cent out of a total of 22,787 nonfatal accidents. In
each of the three groups of industries the cause to which is attributed
the smallest proportion of accidents is vehicles and animals.
The highest accident rates due to power machinery are found in
the following factory industries:
P e r cent.
. Printing and paper goods________ -_______________ 1-----------------54. 9
Wood m anufactu rin g_______________________________________54. 5
Furs, leather, and rubber goods_____________________________ 54. 0
T extiles______________________________________________________ 49.3
Clothing, millinery, etc________________ ____________________ 44. 2
P a p e r ______________________________________________________3 7 .0
1 New York D ep artm en t of L abor, Special B ulletin, issued u n d er th e d irection of th e
In d u s tria l Commission, No. 75 : S ta tis tic s of in d u stria l accidents, 1914. P re p are d by
th e B u reau of S ta tis tic s an d In fo rm atio n . 77 pp.
.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[488]
* MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
59
On the other hand the following show low rates due to this cause:
Stone, clay, and glass products; chemicals, oils, paints, etc.; food,
liquor, and tobacco; and water, light, and power.
These facts are, of course, in keeping with the character of the
industry and are determined very largely by the proportion of power
machinery in use.
High proportions of accidents due to fall of person are shown for
chemicals, oils, paints, etc.; paper, clothing, millinery, laundry, etc.;
food, liquor, and tobacco; and water, light, and power. This is ex
plained as due to the fact that a number of employees work on wTet
and slippery floors in many of these industries.
Compared with factories, the report declares, the industries in the
building and engineering group show a low proportion of accidents
due to power machinery.
To show in greater detail the percentage distribution of the nonfatal accidents classified according to their cause, the following table
has been taken from the report:
NONFATAL ACCIDENTS DURING Y EAR ENDING SEPT . 30, 1914, R E P O R T E D PR IO R TO
NOV. 1, 1914, BY IN D U STR IES AND CAUSES.
Percentage of nonfatal accidents due to—
Industry.
Mach nery.
Total
re
ported
Con
non- Pow vey
er
fatal
ing
acci trans and Work
dents. mis hoist ing To
ma tal.
sion ing
ma ma chines.
chin chin
ery. ery.
To
Heat Fall Weights Vehi
and of
cles Hand Mis tal.
and
elec per falling and tools. cella
neous.,
tric son. objects. ani
mals.
ity.
Factories.
Stone, clay, and glass
products........................ 2,077
Metals, machines, and
conveyances.................. 38,766
Wood manufactures........ 2,743
Furs, leather, and rubber
goods.............................. 2,148
Chemicals, oils, paints,
e tc .................................. 2,576
P aper................................. 2,010
Printing and paper goods. 2,364
Textiles............................. 3,115
Clothing, millinery, e t c .. 1,048
Food, liquors, and tobacco.............................. 4,617
Water, light, and power.. 2,738
48
Miscellaneous................
5.7
6.3
8.6 20.6
12.4
7.9
23.8
4.6
9.9
20.8 100.0
2.2
4.4
3.6
2.7
23.7 29.4
47.3 54.5
7.7
2.5
6.1
7.8
21.2
15.0
1.6
2.7
11.6
5.9
22.3 100.0
11.7 100.0
1.3
12.3
4.6
2.2
47.2 54.0
2.5
5.8
4.6
10.5
4.1
4.5
4.1
2.3
2.0
2.8
10.1
27. 1
48.0
36.8
37.3
4.6
2.7
6.6
4.5
33.3
12.1 23.3
4.8 12.0
33.3
3.3
3.8
24.7 31.7
7.8
565
712
.7
1.3
13.4
12.4
5.0 19.1
3.2 16.8
4.1
5.7
T otal....................... 1,277
1.0
12.8
4.0 17.9
5.0
T otal....................... 64,250
17.1
37.0
54.9
49.3
44.2
3.6
5.8
9.1
18.5
5.6
2.6
3.9
4.3
12.3
11. 7
8. 2
10.3
15.9
20.5
23.6
15.6
11. 7
8.3
2.4
7.5
3. 1 8.6
1. 9 4.1
1.9
8.7
1.0 10.5
13.9 100.0
6.9 13.9
17.0 11.6
4.2 20.8
21.1
21.3
29.2
5.5
4.0
6.8
12.9
2.1
22.5 100.0
21.2 100.0
10. 4 100.0
7.9
19.8
2.2
10.3
20.2 100.0
7.6
0.0
52.6
44.4
1.8
2.8
9.5
14.5
5.3 100.0
5.7 100.0
8.9
48.0
2.4
12.3
5.6 100.0
21.7
10.4
12.7
14.2
15.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Mines and Quarries.
Mines.................................
Quarries............................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[489]
60
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. *
NONFATAL ACCIDENTS DURING Y EA R ENDING SEPT. 30, 1914, R E P O R T E D P R IO R TO
NOV. 1, 1914, BY IN D U STR IE S AND CAUSES—Concluded.
Percentage of nonfatal accidents due to—
Machinery.
Total
re
ported
Con
Heat Fall Weights Vehi
non Pow vey
er
cles Hand
and of
fatal
ing
and
elec per
acci trans and Work
falling and
mis
ani tools.
ing
To
tric
dents.
sion hoist
m a tal. ity. son. objects. mals.
ing chines.
ma ma
chin chin
ery. ery.
Industry.
To
Mis- tal.
cellaneous.
Building and Engineering.
10,984
0.7
11.0
3.2 14.9
4.2 n . i
39.2
4. 5
11.5
7,401
.5
10.3
2.9 13.7
3.8 10.2
41.9
Jf. 5
10.3
15.6 100.0
5,481
2,649
71
3,602
.4
.3
2.3 9.6
2.0 7.4
1.4 4.2
3.9 16.1
19.3
24.5
16.9
9.6
33.7
26.8
39.4
36.7
2.1
1.4
.4
6.9
5.1
2.8
11.7
4.3
9.1
10.2
11.3
18.8
24.0
18.6
25.4
9.9
Total....................... 22,787
.6
9.4
2.9 12.9
4.6 14.4
36.0
3.5
11.9
16.7 100.0
Grand to tal............ 88,314
2.6
5.4
18.7 26.7
6.9
24.4
2.5
10.8
19.1 100.0
Excavating.......................
Thereof shafts and tun
nels .............................
Erecting and structural
work...............................
Finishing and furnishing.
Wrecking and m oving...
Other or miscellaneous...
1
2.2
11.1
2.8
4. 7
9.6
14.6 100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
That section of the report under review which relates to the causes
of fatal industrial accidents is based on the number of accidents
(2,819) reported to the department during the years 1911 to 1914.
Accidents occurring in connection with three catastrophies which
caused 204 deaths are not included.
The greatest proportion of fatal accidents in factories, 42.3 per
cent, was caused by mechanical power. Mechanical power is, there
fore, the most significant factor in producing fatal accidents, as well
as nonfatal ones. Heat and electricity caused 23.9 per cent and fall of
person 18.4 per cent of all fatal accidents in factories, 1911 to 1914.
The classified number and distribution of the causes of 2,819 fatal
industrial accidents, 1911 to 1914, is as follows:
NUM BER AND COMPARATIVE PERCENTAGES OF FATAL ACCIDENTS IN FACTORIES,
MINES AND QUARRIES, AND BUILDING AND E N G IN EER IN G , 1911 TO 1914, BY MAIN
CAUSES.
Number.
Cause.
Per cent.
Mines Building
Mines Building
and engi
and engi Factories.
and
Factories.
and
quarries. neering.
quarries. neering.
Mechanical power..........................................
Heat and electricity......................................
Fall of person.................................................
Weights and falling objects..........................
Miscellaneous.................................................
457
259
199
81
85
20
24
8
35
4
518
239
545
246
93
42.3
23.9
18.4
7. 5
7.9
26.8
24.7
8.2
36.1
4.2
31.6
14.6
33.2
15.0
5.6
Total.....................................................
1,081
97
1,641
100.0
100.0
100.0
“Assuming the technique of industry to remain substantially the
same as it has been during the years from 1911 to 1914, inclusive, the
completeness of the reports recorded in the above table justifies the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4901
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
61
following tentative conclusions: First, that mechanical power will
continue to cause most fatalities in factories, followed in order by
heat and electricity, fall of person, weights and falling objects, and
miscellaneous causes. With increased knowledge of the cause of
accidents some of the fatalities classified now in the last-named
group will undoubtedly'* be shifted to the other groups. Second,
that weights and falling objects will continue to be the leading cause
of fatalities in mines and quarries, followed in order by mechanical,
power, heat and electricity, fall of person, and miscellaneous causes.
And, third, that fall of person will continue to cause most fatal acci
dents in building and engineering, followed in order by mechanical
power, heat and electricity, weights and falling objects, and mis
cellaneous causes. Mechanical power may lead fall of person in
the number of fatalities, and it is almost certain that the comple
tion of the subways in New York City will reduce the proportion
of deaths in the building and engineering group due to weights and
falling objects.'5
The department, in addition to its inquiries regarding the causes
of industrial accidents, made a special investigation of 1,571 ma
chinery accidents in factories during the years 1913 and 1914 with
a view to ascertaining the relation of the use of guards to the occur
rence of accidents. The character of the selection of the accidents
investigated does not permit of any conclusions as to the frequency
of occurrence of accidents in connection with the use of guards on
machinery but does reflect some information concerning the atti
tude of employers and employees regarding the question of the
use of guards, and also throws some light on the extent of our knowl
edge of practical and effective machine guards.
The results of the investigations, as reported by the investigators
who made them, are recorded as follows:
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBU TIO N OF INVESTIGA TED MACHINE ACCIDENTS IN FACTORIES
IN RELA TIO N TO GUARDS.
Kind of machinery.
Guard
was
used.
Saws.............................................
Gearing.........................................
Stamping machines....................
Elevators......................................
Planers and jointers...................
Paper cutting,_ stitching, and
staying machines.....................
Miscellaneous...............................
48.3
26.0
21.7
34.9
44.8
38.5
30.2
All machines.....................
34.8
Guard
vided
b ut not
used.
Guard
was not
practi
cable.
Guard was practicable but
not provided at time of
accident.
Not pro Provided
vided
before
before
investi investi
gation.
gation.
Un
known.1
Total.
27.0
7.7
5. 6
31.9
1.8
3.8
15.9
28.0
18.1
35.8
8.0
7.7
20.3
16.3
22.9
13.3
23.0
54.3
34.4
58.7
21.9
4.0
3.6
5.4
4.6
1.9
10.3
5.0
19.2
31.1
13.5
12.3
9.0
18. 0
23.1
30.9
2.9
2.8
10.7
17.0
17.7
10.3
34.0
3.5
10.4
10.5
0. G
1 Cause of accident no longer existed at time of investigation because machine had been removed or
factory was closed, etc.
37620°—1G----- 5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[491]
62
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
As no statistics are available to show the number of guarded and
of unguarded machines in the State, no conclusion, the report points
out, can be drawn concerning the accident hazard of unguarded ma
chines as compared with the accident hazard of the same machines
guarded. Furthermore, as the accidents investigated were carefully
selected, including only those resulting in death, dismemberment, or
long-time disablement, or cases where violation of law might be
suspected and were not random samples, the statistics in this table
are not therefore representative of all accidents occurring at such
machines. Nevertheless, with these limitations in view, the report
deems that the table unquestionably shows four significant facts:
(1) In over one-third of all accidents investigated (34 per cent)
and in over one-half of those occurring at two kinds of machinery—
gearing (54.3 per cent) and elevators (58.7 per cent)- mi o guards were
provided at the time of the accident; (2) in over one-tenth of all
accidents investigated and in over one-fourth of those occurring at
planers and jointers guards were provided, but were not in use at
the time of the accident; (3) over one-third of all accidents investi
gated and nearly one-half of those occurring at saws, planers, and
jointers happened in spite of the fact that machines were guarded
as fully as possible at the time of the accident; (4) in over one-sixth
of all accidents investigated and in nearly one-third of those occur
ring at stamping machines and miscellaneous machines guards were
not practicable.
“ The two outstanding conclusions to be drawn from the above facts
are these: First, that neither employers nor employees recognize the
necessity of utilizing to the fullest extent the known means of guard
ing machinery to prevent accidents; and, second, that our knowledge
of practicable and effective machine guards is still elementary.”
EMPLOYMENT IN MINES AND QUARRIES IN OHIO, 1914.
A report has recently been issued by the department of investiga
tion of statistics of the industrial commission of Ohio,1 which pre
sents statistics of employment and, incidentally, of production for
the mines and quarries of Ohio during the calendar year 1914. It
is very similar in its purpose and scope to a report by the same
department on conditions of employment in the general manufac
turing industries of the State. This latter report, it is noted, was
summarized in the preceding, or April, number of the R e v ie w .
The report under review relates to 54,896 employees in mines and
quarries, indicating for these the number of days worked, the average
wages, total annual wage and salary payments, and accident hazard.
1 T he In d u s tria l Com m ission of Ohio. D ep artm en t of In v e stig a tio n and S ta tistic s, Re
p o rt No. 19 : S ta tis tic s of M ines a n d Q u arries in Ohio, 1914. Columbus, Ohio, 1916.
104 pp.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[492]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
63
The report is presented in five sections, the first of which deals with
coal mines, while the other five deal with fire-clay mines, gypsum
mines, iron mines, limestone quarries, and sandstone quarries.
Employment conditions in the coal mines of Ohio in 1914 were
marked by a serious strike, which began on April 1, 1914, and ter
minated generally on July 2 9 of that year, although in eastern Ohio
no settlement was secured until May 22, 1915, and it was not until
a yet later date that agreements were reached in some other districts.
This strike and the industrial conditions in the State, the report de
clares, resulted in a very much reduced output of coal—48.4 per
cent less than in 1914, 45.6 per cent less than in 1910, and 27.5 per
cent less than in 1905.
Progress in mining technique throughout the State, which pro
duced during 1914 approximately 19,000,000 tons of coal, is shown by
the fact that the per cent of machine-mined coal, which in 1900
formed 48.7 per cent of the total mined, was 85.4 per cent in 1914.
Regarding conditions of work it is noted that the month of maxi
mum employment was March, while the month of minimum employ
ment was June. This information comes from 795 firms, reporting
in these months, respectively, 43,190 and 5,331 men. This is not a
normal fluctuation (87.7 per cent), but was caused by the general
strike in the coal field.
The annual tonnage per employee was reduced in proportion to
the reduced number of days worked, but on the other hand the re
duction per employee per day shows very little variation from pre
ceding years. The average number of tons mined per day per pick
miner was 3.3 tons, while the production per day for machine run
ners and helpers was 45.2 tons; the daily output per loader (includ
ing driller and shooters) was 6.1 tons per day for the year.
The average rate of wages per day in 1914 for the various occu
pations is contained in the following statement:
AVERAGE WAGES OP EM PLOYEES IN COAL MINES, BY OCCUPATION, FO R T H E YEAR
ENDING DEC. 31, 1914.
Occupation.
TMiVlr m iners__
Machine runners and helpers..
Loaders (including drillers and
sh not era)
T r&eTrlayera
T'rTCVIfvyer^s pipers
Trappers
Bottom eagers
Drivers
.............................
Trip rope riders
Water haulers
Machine haulers
Tim her men
"Pumpers
"Pipemen
TT,1ee.triei an a
Electricians’ helpers................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Number Average
rate of
of em
wages
ployees. per
day.
4,985
3^ 489
$2.59
4.30
25,677
643
329
924
241
2,378
88
125
49
600
276
8
206
148
2.97
2.81
2.63
1.31
2.71
2.74
2. 77
2. 77
2.86
2. 77
2.63
2.73
3. 22
2.77
Occupation.
Motormen..................................
Motormen’s helpers..................
Other inside day labor.............
Engineers...................................
Firem en....................................
Dynamo m en............................
First blacksm ith.......................
Second blacksm ith...................
Blacksmiths’ helpers................
Carpenters.................................
Dum pers....................................
Trim m ers...................................
Slack haulers............................
Greasers.................. ..................
Couplers.....................................
Other outside help...................
Office employees.*....................
[493]
Number
of em
ployees.
622
432
1,281
454
292
19
286
114
41
206
461
877
34
151
191
1,060
278
Average
rate of
wages
per day.
$2.83
2. 79
2.68
2.83
2.48
2.98
3.02
2.83
2. 71
2. 75
2.42
2.43
2.11
1.96
2. 02
2.37
2. 40
64
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
The minimum average rate of wages per day appears to be $1.31,
applicable to 924 trappers, while the maximum is $4.30, applicable
to 3.489 machine runners and helpers.
The total wage and salary payments for 936 mines included in
the report for the year 1914 was $16,095,749, of which amount 98.3
per cent went to wage earners exclusive of office employees, while
1.7 per cent went to pay the office clerical force.
The accident data of the report under review are based on the re
turns from the inspector of mines and from the workmen’s com
pensation division of the commission. Owing to the lack of data,
it has not been possible to ascertain the number of accidents on the
basis of the number of full-time workers, and recourse has been had
in ascertaining the relative increase or decrease in accidents to the
number of men employed per accident and the number of tons of coal
mined per accident. In Ohio these comparisons are limited to fatal
accidents as reported to the division of mines and to accidents result
ing in disability of more than three weeks, as tabulated by the depart
ment of investigation and statistics from claims allowed by the in
dustrial commission.
On the basis of the •number of persons employed per accident, it
appears that in 1913 one man was killed to every 293 employed (3.41
per 1,000), while in 1914 one man was killed to every 810 men em
ployed (1.23 per 1,000). On the tonnage basis, during 1914 one fatal
accident occurred to every 323,042 tons of coal mined, while in 1913
one such accident occurred to every 219,912 tons of coal mined. The
10-year average preceding 1914 was one fatal accident to every
228,655 tons mined, the figure for 1914 therefore representing per
haps some real gain.
There were 7 fatal accidents not included in the above presenta
tion because in 4 the award was not determined during the year, 2
were in mines not under the act, and 1 case is still pending.
Judged from awards under the workmen’s compensation act,
“ coal-mine accidents in a year when the output of the State was
practically the half of the normal output cost in actual money outlay
a quarter of a million dollars.” Computed on a time basis, “ the
time lost as a result of coal-mine accidents for which awards were
made during 1914 was equal to the entire time of 1,682 men for one
year.”
During the year the predominant cause of fatal accidents in the
mines was falls of stone, slate, and coal, which accounted for 35
deaths out of 51 tabulated from awards of the commission. Only
one accident was reported as resulting in permanent total disability
and was due to a fall of slate. Sixty-two awards for accidents re
sulting in permanent partial disability were made during the year.
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For temporary disabilities of more than seven days awards were
made in 1,470 instances.
The following comparative data are given for the purpose of con
trasting the duration of disability in injuries received in coal mines
with those received in all industries, including coal mines:
DURATION OF D ISABILITY IN IN JU R IE S RECEIVED IN COAL MINES, AND IN ALL
INDUSTRIES.
Coal mining.
All industries.
Classified duration.
Number.
Ter cent.
Number.
Under 1 w p p ,1c ...................................................................
1 and u n d e r 2 weeks...........................................................
2 and n n d p r 3 weeks .........................................................
3 find n n d p r 4 weeks .........................................................
4 a n d n n d p r 13 weeks.........................................................
13 weeks and over ............................................................
N"ot r p p n r t p d ...................................................................................................
482
318
308
244
510
90
2 4 .7
1 6 .3
1 5 .8
1 2 .5
2 6 .1
4 .6
3 8 ,6 6 6
1 1 ,2 6 7
7 ,6 9 9
4 ,4 0 6
8 ,1 8 3
1 ,1 2 2
44
Total .........................................................................
1 ,9 5 2
1 0 0 .0
7 1 ,3 8 7
Per cent.
(9
5 4 .2
1 5 .8
1 0 .8
6 .2
1 1 .4
1 .6
1 0 0 .0
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
From this statement it appears that 59 per cent of the accidents
resulted in disabilities of two weeks or more, while 30.7 per cent
resulted in disabilities of five weeks or more. It appears, therefore,
that, considering only temporary disabilities, the severity of acci
dents in coal mines is considerably greater than that in other indus
tries in general, inasmuch as only 30 per cent of the accidents
distributed through many industries caused disabilities of two weeks
or more and only 13 per cent caused disabilities of five weeks or more.
The total compensation paid for accidents occurring in Ohio coal
mines during 1914 was $242,824.31.
Statistical tables showing the number of employees in the various
occupations, number of working days, tons of coal mined per day
per employee, by occupations, and average daily wages, causes of
accidents resulting in injuries, duration of disability, and character
of the injury received are presented.
For coal and other mines and for quarries the annual production,
number of employees by months, days of operation, classified wages,
and hours of labor per week are reported.
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HEALTH OF MUNITION WORKERS, GREAT BRITAIN.1
The health of munition workers committee, which was appointed
in September, 1915, “ to consider and advise on questions of indus
trial fatigue, hours of labor, and other matters affecting the physi
cal health and physical efficiency of workers in munition factories
and workshops,” in November and December, 1915, submitted three
interim reports on special phases of their work, including Sunday
labor, welfare supervision, and industrial canteens. Evidence was
taken in London and other important centers from employers, rep
resentatives of workers, and other interested persons, and a large
number of factories and workshops situated in different parts of
the country was visited by one or more members of the committee.
It was found that the problem of Sunday labor, as respects muni
tion factories, is primarily a question of the extent to which work
ers actually require weekly or periodic rest if they are to maintain
their health and energy over long periods, since intervals of rest
are needed to overcome mental as well as physical fatigue. Account
was taken not only of the hours of labor, the environment of the
work and the physical strain involved, but also the mental fatigue
or boredom resulting from continuous attention to work. The great
majority of employers seem to object to Sunday labor, declaring
that it interferes with proper supervision and imposes a severe
strain on the foremen; that it means high wages often coupled with
increased cost of running the works; that it does not always result
in a satisfactory individual output; that it is frequently accompanied
by bad timekeeping on other days of the week; and, finally, that
there is a considerable feeling that the seventh day as a period of
rest is good for body and mind. Llowever, Sunday work has been
widely adopted, it is stated, on account of heavy demands for out
put or because employers have been forced into it by a desire of
their workpeople to obtain the double, or at least increased, pay.
When adopted the hours are often considerably shorter than on
other days, overtime is generally dispensed with, Saturday night
shifts are frequently abandoned, and Sunday night shifts start at
a later hour than usual.
About 50 orders, covering women, girls, and boys, and another
30 for boys only, have been issued permitting Sunday labor by “ pro
tected ” persons, i. e., women and young persons under 18 years of
age, but in these cases, as a rule, Sunday labor has been sanctioned
only when the hours of labor on other days of the week are moderate.
Even when Sunday work has been allowed certain restrictions have
1 G reat B rita in . M in istry of m unitions. H e a lth of m u n itio n w orkers com m ittee.
M em orandum No. 1, R eport on S unday labor ; M em orandum No. 2, W elfare su p e rv is io n ;
M em orandum No. 3, R eport on in d u s tria l canteens. London, 1915. 3 pam ps. (20 p.)
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been imposed: (1) Women and young persons shall not be employed
on two consecutive Sundays; (2) they shall have time off on Satur
day; (3) they shall only be employed on Sunday in cases of emer
gency; and (I) they shall be employed for a portion of the day only.
Asserting that statistical evidence in respect to Sunday work is not
available, the committee ascertained from, many emploj^ers that
44seven days only produce six days’ output; that reductions in Sun
day work have not, in fact, involved any appreciable loss of output,
and even the least observant of the managers seem to be impressed
with the fact that the strain is showing an evil effect. * * *
There is undoubtedly some tendency toward a reduction or discon
tinuance of Sunday labor.”
The trade-union officials and representatives of the workers seem
clearly of opinion that “ the men are beginning to get 4fed up ’ and
are feeling the need of more rest, to which need is attributed much of
the lost time.”
The committee concludes that if maximum output is to be secured
and maintained for any length of time, a weekly period of rest, pref
erably on Sunday, must be allowed, and th a t44except for quite short
periods, continuous work is a profound mistake and does not pay—
output is not increased.” It is believed that Sunday work should be
confined to sudden emergencies, and to repairs, tending furnaces, etc.,
the men so employed being given a rest period at some other time
during the week. It is further concluded that the need for relief
from Sunday labor is more urgent for 44protected ” persons than for
adult males and for men on overtime than for those on double shifts.
Should the stoppage of all Sunday work be considered difficult, if
not impossible, to bring about, the committee believes that it tvill at
least be practicable to lay down the principle that Sunday labor is
an evil which shonld be steadily and systematically discouraged and
restricted. Pending a general discontinuance of such labor, various
ways are suggested in which an improvement might be effected:
1. Where two shifts are worked, to discontinue the practice by which the
change from one shift to the other is made by requiring the men to work con
tinuously for a period and a half instead of by closing down on Saturday night
or during the period of the day shift on Sunday. Closure on Saturday night
seems desirable even when the change of shift is made less often than once a
week, since the night shift seems to be generally regarded as a greater strain
than the day shift.
2. Where three 8-liour shifts are worked to omit one or two shifts on Sunday.
3. Where workers are employed only during the day with overtime, to reduce
so far as possible the hours of work on Sunday.
4. To give all workers alternate Sundays off, or at the very least a Sunday
off at frequent intervals—
( a ) By allowing a certain number to get off each Sunday.
(7;) By closing completely, say, one Sunday in every two or three.
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(c) By closing alternately in particular departments.
5. To give another day off in place of Sunday or, at any rate, to let workers
on long hours off early on Saturdays or at other times.
6. To increase the employment of relief gangs where this can he satisfactorily
arranged for, by obtaining either—
( a ) Relief workers amongst ordinary staff, or
( b ) Relief week-end shifts of volunteers.
While the conclusions of the committee have reference to hours
of labor of workers, it is urged that foremen and the higher man
agement even more certainly require definite periods of rest. Sum
marizing, the committee says:
In conclusion the committee desire to emphasize their conviction that some
action must be taken in regard to continuous labor and excessive hours of work
if it is desired to secure and maintain, over a long period, the maximum output.
To secure any large measure of reform it may be necessary to impose certain
restrictions on all controlled establishments, since competition and other causes
frequently make it difficult for individual employers to act independently of one
another.
In its study of welfare supervision among munition workers, the
committee found that “ almost more important than the immediate
or technical environment in which work is carried on and the length
of hours during which the workers are employed,” are four chief in
fluencés which affect industrial efficiency, namely, questions of hous
ing, transit, canteen provision, and individual welfare of the em
ployees. The committee suggests that the influx of workers in cer
tain districts has seriously overtaxed housing accommodation; that
many workers, because of inability to obtain housing accommodation
near the factory, are compelled to travel to and from work, occasion
ing much loss of time; that the provision of facilities for obtaining
a hot meal at the factory is often inadequate, especially for night
workers; and, finally, that without special arrangement by which the
management may deal with the numerous problems of labor effi
ciency and the personal welfare of the employees, there can not fail
to be diminished output, discontent, and unsmooth working.
I t is stated that welfare supervision has already been undertaken
in a number of munition factories and testimony of managers is given
commending the services rendered by welfare supervisors. In one
factory, where men only are employed, an educated man devotes all
his time to matters concerning welfare, in particular supervising
safety appliances, organizing first-aid staffs and canteen accommo
dation, and in cases of injury and sickness visiting the workers at
their homes. Instances of the successful work of women supervisors
are mentioned, and employers stated to the committee that the
presence of a capable woman of broad sympathies has in itself pro
vided the best and quickest aid to the solution of many of the prob
lems affecting women’s labor by which they are assailed. The com
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69
mittee suggests that helpful oversight is especially needed in the
case of women and girls if the highest and most enduring efficiency
is to be attained, and recommends for this purpose the appointment
of a competent woman of experience and sympathy, tactful and
sensible in her dealings with others, who should concern herself
with the various questions and issues raised in respect of the conduct
of forewomen toward women workers, of the character and behavior
of fellow women workers, of the maintenance of suitable and suffi
cient sanitary accommodation*, of the worker’s own state of health,
of her capacity to withstand the physical strain and stress of work,
and of her power to endure long hours, overtime, or nightwork.
Welfare supervision in factories where not less than 500 men and 100
boys are employed is strongly urged.
The duties of welfare supervision as outlined by the committee
include the following:
1. To be in close touch with the engagement of new labor, or, when desired,
to engage the labor.
2. To keep a register of available houses and lodgings, to inform the manage
ment when housing accommodation is inadequate, and to render assistance to
workers seeking accommodation.
3. To ascertain the means of transit used, and the length of time spent in
traveling; to indicate the need of increased train, tram, or motor service; or to
suggest modification of factory hours to suit existing means of transit.
4. To advise and assist workers in regard to feeding arrangements ; to in
vestigate the need for provision of canteen facilities, or any inadequacy in the
provision already made ; and to supervise the management of such canteens.
5. To investigate records of sickness and broken time arising therefrom ; and
in cases of sickness to visit, where desired, the homes of workers.
G. To investigate and advise in cases of slow and inefficient work or in
capacity arising from conditions of health, fatigue, or physical strain.
7.
To consider, particularly for delicate and young workers, all questions of
sanitation and hygiene affecting health and physical efficiency, and to supervise
the conditions of nightwork, Sunday work, long hours, and overtime.
S. To advise on means of recreation and educational work.
9. To investigate complaints and assist in the maintenance of proper discipline
and good order.
10. To keep in touch with responsible organizations having for their object
the promotion of the welfare of the worker.
Based upon the proposition that productive output in regard to
quality, amount, and speed is largely dependent upon the physical
efficiency and health of the workers, which in turn is dependent upon
nutrition, and that a dietary containing a sufficient proportion and
quantity of nutritive material, suitably mixed, easily digestible, and
obtainable at a reasonable cost is essential, the committee expresses
the conviction that “ in the highest interest of both employer and
worker, proper facilities for adequate feeding arrangements should
be available in or near, and should form an integral part of, the
equipment of all modern factories and workshops.” Many em
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ployers, it is pointed out, have established industrial canteens, and
this practice “ has abundantly justified itself from a business and
commercial point of -view,” and in the opinion of the committee “ the
time has come for a large extension of this method of solving the
problem” of supplying suitable food at a low price for large num
bers of persons for specified times. Speaking generally, the accommo
dation provided accords with one or other of the following types:
(1) An available room for the workers to eat their prepared food; (2) a
room furnished with a “ hot plate ” or “ warming cupboard ” or provided with
hot water; (3) a refreshment barrow to perambulate the workshops at ap
pointed hours (particularly useful for light refreshments during long spells
of night shifts) ; (4) a fixed refreshment bar or buffet; (5) a dining room sup
plying cheap hot and cold dinners; and (6) such dining room associated with
an institute or club with facilities for rest and recreation.
In order to insure effective results of the establishment of in
dustrial canteens, certain essential conditions are suggested and out
lined, including accessibility and attractiveness, form, construction,
and equipment, food and dietaries with suggested prices, prompt
service, convenient hours, methods of payment for meals, and man
agement.
The report indicates that substantial advantages, both to employers
and workers, have followed the establishment of effective and wellmanagecl canteens. Marked improvement in the health and physical
condition of workers, a reduction of sickness, less absence and broken
time, less tendency to alcoholism, an increased efficiency and output,
a saving of time of the workmen, greater contentment, and better
mid-day ventilation of the workshops are some of the benefits noted.
SOCIAL INSURANCE IN DENMARK.
According to the Danish statistical office, there was paid out by
various elements of the population for social insurance during the
years 1910 and 1914 the sum of 13,150,000 crowns ($3,524,200) and
17,500,000 crowns ($4,690,000), respectively. The various items
for this and other forms of insurance were as follows:
INSURANCE PREMIUMS PAID IN DENM ARK, 1910,1911.
Kinds of insurance.
1910
Fire insurance............................
Life insurance.............................
Industrial accident insurance. ..
Sickness insurance.....................
Burial insurance.........................
Unemployment insurance.........
Marine insurance 1.....................
Live-stock insurance.................
Hail insurance............................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
13, 634, 800
6.217.600
1.661.600
1,331,960
201,000
329, 640
1,122, 920
1,013, 040
32,160
84,904,400
8.710.000
2.211.000
1, 742,000
268, 000
469, 000
1,809,000
2 1,340,000
107,200
15,544,000
21,560,600
1Not including special war risks.
[500]
1914
2 Estimated.
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
71
SOCIAL. INSURANCE IN GERMANY.
INTRODUCTION.
Germany began its organization of social insurance by the intro
duction of State compulsory sickness insurance in 1883 ; its system
of workmen’s compensation was organized in 1884 ; and its invalidity
and old-age insurance system was begun in 1889. All of these insur
ance laws were revised and partially codified between the years 1899
and 1903, while a final codification was completed by the law of
July 19, 1911.
EXTENT.
Wage earners insured against sickness are workmen, helpers, jour
neymen, apprentices and servants, establishment officials of various
kinds, clerks and apprentices in commercial offices, members of the
stage and of orchestras, teachers, home workers, and crewTs of German
seagoing vessels not otherwise provided for. A wage earner is
defined as one who works for compensation; salaried workers, of
those enumerated above, must not have annual earnings exceeding
2,500 marks ($595).
The extent of the accident insurance, so far as industries are con
cerned, is materially greater than that of the sickness insurance
system. Under accident insurance are included mining and quarry
ing of every description, manufacturing plants, building work, com
munication and transportation, inland navigation and fishing, ex
pressing and hauling, warehousing of every kind, and agricultural
employments.
The invalidity and old-age insurance is identical in scope with
that of the sickness insurance, save that the average annual earnings
of the salaried employees must not exceed 2,000 marks ($476).
All these three systems have a voluntary feature which permits
insurance by persons in the higher-wage classes. There is in addi
tion a special compulsory system (act of December, 1911) which
includes salaried employees who do not come within the scope of the
code of July, 1911.
Unemployment insurance also prevails in Germany but to a much
more limited extent than the forms already indicated. The unem
ployment insurance system is not imperial in scope but confined to
different municipalities. I t usually takes three forms—subsidies by
the different municipalities to industrial societies, or to savings
societies, or public voluntary insurance. The system did not come
into vogue until 1909. In 1912, the latest year for which such data
are available, it appears that it was found in practice in 18 cities.
In Berlin-Schoneberg, Stuttgart, Feuerbach, and Freiburg in Baden
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subsidies by the city were made both to industrial societies and to
savings societies and individuals.
In proportion to the population of the country the number of per
sons insured in the accident-insurance system was in 1913 approxi
mately 39 per cent; in the sickness-insurance system, 22 per cent;
and in the invalidity a*nd old-age insurance system, 24 per cent. If
a more proper comparison were made between the number insured
and the total number of wage earners, the extent of the social in
surance for the wage earners of the country would appear consider
ably greater. Calculations made at the time of the industrial census
in 1907 show that 91.9 per cent of the wage earners in Germany in
1906 were subject to the invalidity and old-age insurance law. The
estimated number of persons insured under the accident-compensation
law in 1906 was in excess of the so-called wage earners, a fact due
to the duplication of the same persons in agriculture and industry,
and in part to the inclusion of a number of employers. Estimates
by officials as to the number insured against sickness show that in
1906 the percentage was 80.7, and considering either actual or poten
tial heads of families over 86 per cent were insured against sickness
or temporary disability. The insurance code of 1911, which codified
the separate, compulsory workmen’s insurance laws, extended the
system to classes of wage earners hitherto excluded. It is not an ex
aggeration to say, therefore, that practically the entire industrial
population of Germany is protected by a system of compulsory in
surance which provides compensation for loss of earning power due
to industrial accidents, sickness, invalidity, and old age. Not merely
are the wage earners themselves given economic assistance by the
State, but their dependents and survivors were especially included
in 1912.
BURDEN OF PAYMENT.
As already stated, the system of social insurance in Germany is
State organized and compulsory.1 The burden of payment for its
support is distributed between the Government, the employers, and
the employees. The figures in the following table show in what pro
portion the actual contributions toward its support have been dis
tributed among the three parties since the year 1885. The first 13
weeks of accident disability expense for those insured in the accident
system are provided for in the sickness-insurance system; to this
expense the employer contributes one-third, the employee twothirds. But after the 13 weeks the whole burden, as the table shows,
is upon the employer. In the sickness-insurance system proper the
1 F o r a fu ll sta te m e n t of th e provisions of these law s an d th e benefits conferred by
them , reference is m ade to th e In d u s tria l In su ran ce Code of 1911, w hich m ay be found
in tra n s la tio n in B u lletin No. 96 of th is B ureau.
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burden is divided between the employer and the employee in the
proportion of one-third for the former and two-thirds for the latter.
The fact that the table shows this proportion a trifle less than the onethird prescribed may be explained as due to the inclusion of the
voluntary feature of the sickness system in which the insured as
sumes the entire burden. In the invalidity system, the actual facts
in the table are in conformity with the law ; the insured pays a share
equal to that of the employer, while the State contributes a uniform
amount (50 marks or $11.90) to each pension paid out, except to
orphans’ pensions, for which the subsidy is 25 marks ($5.95).
D ISTRIBU TION OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD TH E SU PPO RT OF THE GERMAN
SOCIAL INSURANCE SYSTEM, 1885 TO 1913.
Per cent.
Amounts.
Items.
Accident,
1885-1913.
Contributions by em
ployers.................... $709,059,063
Contributions of in
sured persons.........
Subsidy by E m pire..
Total................ 709,059,668
Sickness,
1885-1913.
Invalidity
and old age,
1891-1913.
Total.
$460,471,701
$418,020,865 $1,587,558,289
997, 922,005
418,026,865 1,415,948, 870
191,981,177
191,981,177
1,458,393, 706 1,028,034,907 3,195,488,336
In
valid
Acci Sick ity Total.
dent. ness. and
old
age.
31.6
40.7
49.7
68.4
40.7
18.6
44.3
16.0
100 100.0 100.0
100.0
100
i For an exact showing the share of the Empire should include the adm inistrative expenses which are
largely borne by it, but in what proportions can not be stated.
BENEFITS PAID.
The maximum and minimum benefits of the insurance system can
not be stated definitely as they are proportional to the earnings of
the insured person. Under the accident system, in case of death,
funeral benefits are paid, equivalent to one-fifteenth of the annual
earnings of the deceased, but not less than 50 marks ($11.90) ; and
pensions are paid to dependent heirs not exceeding 60 per cent of the
annual earnings of the deceased. Compensation for disability con
sists of free medical and surgical treatment p for temporary or per
manent total disability 50 per cent of the daily wages, but not exceed
ing 3 marks (71 cents) per day, paid from the beginning of the fourth
day to the end of the fourth week, increased after the fourth week
to 66S per cent of the average annual earnings of the injured. For
complete helplessness payments may be increased to 100 per cent of
the annual earnings, and for partial disability a corresponding reduc
tion in payments is made. In calculating both the death and the dis
ability benefits, if the annual earnings exceed 1,800 marks ($424.40),
only one-thircl of the excess is considered in computing disability or
pension payments.
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The sickness insurance system provides free medical care and pecu
niary benefits up to 50 per cent of the earnings of the insured during
26 weeks, or in lieu of the above free hospital.treatment for the in
sured and one-half of the pecuniary benefits for the dependents.
Similar benefits are paid in maternity cases during eight weeks.
Funeral benefits are paid up to twenty times the average daily wages.
Under the invalidity and old-age insurance system, for the purpose
of assessing contributions, one-half of which are paid by the insured,
one-half by the employer, while the State pays an annual subsidy
of 50 marks ($11.90) to each pensioner, all wage earners are placed
in five wage-earning classes, based upon estimated average annual
earnings, and not, it should be noted, on actual earnings. The con
tributions are graded according to these classes. The wage classes
and the weekly contributions are as follows.:
Wage
class.
I
II
III
IV
V
Annual earnings.
Weekly contributions.
351 marks or under ($83.30 or under) ...............................................
351 to 550 marks ($83.30 to $130.90)..'...............................................„
551 to 850 marks ($130.90 to $202.30)....................................................
851 to 1,150 m arks ($202.30 to $273.70)................................................
1,151 marks or over ($273.70 or over)..................................................
16 pfennigs (3.8 cents).
24 pfennigs (5.7 cents).
32 pfennigs (7.6 cents).
40 pfennigs (9.5 cents).
48 pfennigs (11.4 cents).
The benefits provided by the system are two: (1) Pensions, i.
invalidity pensions for permanent disability and sickness, pensions
for temporary disability, and old-age pensions and pensions to sur
vivors; (2) certain miscellaneous benefits, such as medical treatment
or care in institutions, etc.
To become entitled to the benefits of the insurance, the insured
person must have paid the regular dues or contributions for specified
periods of time, designated as the “ waiting time.” For invalidity
pensions this period is 200 weeks, provided that during this time at
least 100 weekly contributions have been made ; otherwise the wait
ing time is 500 weeks. For old-age pensions the waiting time is
1,200 weeks of. contributions.
The annual amount of old-age pension payable at age of 70 to
those insured in each of the five classes of wTage earners is as follows :
Wage
class.
I
II
III
IV
V
Insurance pension.
State subsidy.
Total.
60 marks ($14.28).................................
90 marks ($21.42)..................................
120 marks(28.56)...............
150 marks ($35.70)................................
180 marks ($42.84)............................
50 marks ($il.90)..............................
50 marks ($11.90)..............................
50 marks ($11.90)..............................
50 marks ($11.90)..............................
50 marks ($11.90)..............................
110 marks ($26.18).
140 marks ($33.32).
170 marks ($40.46).
200 marks ($47.60).
230 marks ($54.74).
As the wage earners during the time, when they are paying pen
sion premiums are probably shifting from one wage-earning group
to another, no particular individual will receive any one of the indi
cated amounts of pension, but will be in receipt of some different
amount, varying from the highest to the lowest.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
75
The calculation of the amounts of the invalidity and temporary
disability pensions is somewhat complex. The amount provided by
the insurance consists of two parts, the basic amount and the
supplementary amount. The basic amount of the invalidity pension
varies from 60 marks ($14.28) for the lowest wage-earning class
up to 100 marks ($23.80) for the highest or fifth class. The amount
of the supplementary increase is dependent upon the number of
weeks for which contributions have been paid. To these two sums,
then, the basic and the supplementary amounts, is added the im
perial subsidy to each pension of 50 marks ($11.90), so that the
minimum amount of invalidity pension for each of the classes of
wage-earners would be as follows:
Wage class.
Minimum pension.
I _________________________________ 116. 4 marks
II_________________________________ 126.0 marks
III ________________________________ 134.4 marks
IV ________________________________142.2 marks
V____ ,_____________________________ 150. 0 marks
($27. 70).
($29.99).
($31.99).
($33.84).
($35. 70).
STATISTICS OF OPERATION.
The study of the social insurance system of Germany, which ap
peared as a part of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Report of the Com
missioner of Labor, 1909, included data extending through the year
1908. The following tables present summarized statistics of opera
tion for the years 1911, 1912, and 1913.
The table which follows shows the number insured in the different
systems in proportion to the estimated average population for the
years 1909 to 1913, inclusive. I t shows, among other things, that a
very much larger proportion of the population is covered by acci
dent insurance than by either of the other two forms, due to the fact
that a larger number of industries are included under the accident
insurance system.
T
a b l e
NUMBER AND P E R CENT OF POPULA TION IN GERMANY COVERED BY
EACH CLASS OF SOCIAL INSURANCE, 1909 TO 1913.
[Source: Statistisches Jahrbuch fur das Deutsche Reich, vols. 32 to 36. Berlin, 1911-1915.]
1 .—
Accident insurance.
Year. •
1809..............................
1910 ............................
1911..v........................
1912..............................
1913..............................
Average
total
population.
63.879.000
64.551.000
65.429.000
66.096.000
66.835.000
Sickness insurance.
Invalidity and oldage insurance.
Number of
persons
insured.1
Per
cent of
popu
lation.
Number of
persons
insured.2
Per
cent of
popu
lation.
Number of
persons
insured.
Per
cent of
popu
lation.
23.767.000
24.154.000
24.627.000
24.990.000
25.800.000
37.2
37.4
37.6
37.8
38.6
13,404,298
13,954,973
14,518.764
15,110,046
14,555,669
21.0
21.6
22.2
22.9
21.8
15,444,300
15,659,700
15,878,000
16,099,400
16,323,800
24.2
24.3
24.3
24.4
24.4
1After deduction of duplications for persons insured in more than one trade accident association, esti
mated to number 3,400,000.
2 Including miners’ sick funds.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[505]
76
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Table 2, which relates to the accident insurance system, shows that
the compensation payments for each accident subject to compensation
during 1913 amounted to $41.60, and that the cost of administration
per accident compensated was $7.60.
Table 3, relating to the sickness insurance system, shows that the
cost of sickness per member was $7.36 in 1913. The cost of admin
istration per member for the same year was 50 cents.
Tables 4 and 5 relate to the system of invalidity and old-age insur
ance, Table 4 showing the actual amounts of the different items for
the years 1911 to 1913 and for the period 1891 to 1913, while Table 5
shows the average amount of the different kinds of pensions paid.
That the different forms of pensions granted are not very large,
measured by American standards, is quite apparent. The average
invalidity pension in 1913 was $46.51, with no material change since
1909 ; the average sickness pension amounted to $48.45, and the aver
age old-age pension to $39.75. The pensions to survivors were even
smaller, averaging a trifle less than $19.
T
a b l e
2 .—
S T A T IS T IC S O F T H E
G E R M A N A C C I D E N T I N S U R A N C E S Y S T E M , 1S85 T O 1913.
[ S o u rc e : S ta t i s t i s c h e s J a h r b u c h f ü r d a s D e u ts c h e R e i c h , v o l. 3 6 , 1S15.
B e r l in , 1915.]
A m o u n t p e r a c c i
d e n t c o m p e n s a te d .
•
1885 t o 1913
Ite m s .
1912
1911
1913
1911
2 ,6 8 1 ,9 6 6
A c c id e n ts
c o m p e n s a te d
1 ,0 1 8 ,0 7 5
1 ,0 1 4 ,1 2 2
1 ,0 1 0 ,4 9 5
132,114
137,089
139,633
1912
1913
fo r t h e
O r d i n a r y r e c e ip ts :
C o n t r i b u t i o n s of e m p l o y e r s . . . $709,059,668 $ 4 6 ,8 4 8 ,4 2 0 $5 5 ,8 7 7 ,8 3 2 $46 ,3 3 3 ,9 8 3 $46.02 $45.24 $45.85
7.6 8 8 .1 5
8 ,2 3 1 ,9 2 0
7.21
7, 784,671
9 9 ,4 1 8 ,8 8 3
7, 343,942
I n t e r e s t , e t c .......................................
6 3 ,6 6 2 ,5 0 3
5 4 ,5 6 5 ,9 0 3
53.2 3
5 2 .9 2 5 4 .0 0
3 9 ,6 5 3 ,3 9 4
4 0 ,5 3 2 ,0 1 9
4 2 ,0 3 9 ,8 6 8
38.9 5
39.9 7 4 1 .6 0
2 ,7 4 1 ,6 6 5
7 ,0 8 5 ,1 1 8
2 ,9 0 1 ,3 3 9
7 ,3 1 5 ,8 3 4
3 ,1 1 8 ,3 9 5
7 ,6 7 4 ,7 8 6
2 .7 0
6 .9 6
T o t a l o r d i n a r y d is b u r s e
m e n t s ........................................... i 666,186,681 i 4 8,211, 184 i 4 9 ,3 1 2 ,3 1 5 i 51, 206, 771
47.3 5
T o t a l o r d i n a r y r e c e i p t s ..........
8 08,478,551
O r d i n a r y d is b u r s e m e n t s :
T o t a l c o m p e n s a ti o n s .................... 1591, 736,068
S ic k n e s s c a r e in c lu d e d i n
4 4 ,9 6 8 ,1 2 5
t o t a l c o m p e n s a ti o n s ) ...........
C o s ts of a d m i n i s t r a t i o n .............. 105,0 0 1 ,5 3 0
5 1 ,1 9 2 ,3 6 2
I
N e t a s s e t s .................................................... .........................| 1 3 4 ,5 8 2 ,5 5 0 138,93 2 ,7 3 8
2 .8 6
7.21
3 .0 9
7 .6 0
.
48.63 50.6 7
14 2 ,2 9 1 ,8 7 0 1132.19 137.00 140.81
1
I n 1909 t h e P o s t O ffice D e p a r t m e n t p a i d o u t c o m p e n s a ti o n s a m o u n t i n g t o $38,056,200, fo r t h e a c c o u n t o f
t h e in s u r e r s , w h i c h w e r e n o t r e f u n d e d b y t h e l a t t e r . B y t h e la w of J u l y 15, 1909, t h e a b o v e a d v a n c e w a s
c o m m u t e d i n t o a f lo a tin g d e b t w h ic h is t o b e r e f u n d e d w i t h 31 p e r c e n t e a c h y e a r a n d b e a r s
p e r c e n t in te r
e s t . I n t h e p r e s e n t t a b l e t h e e n t i r e a m o u n t of t h e f lo a tin g d e b t is in c l u d e d i n t h e c o m p e n s a ti o n p a i d d u r in g
t h e p e r i o d 1885-1913, b u t n o t i n t h e t o t a l o r d i n a r y d i s b u r s e m e n t s . T h e r e is i n c lu d e d i n t h e t o t a l o r d in a r y
d i s b u r s e m e n t s fo r e a c h y e a r , 1 911,1912, a n d 1913, so m u c h o f i t a s is p a i d o n a c c o u n t e a c h y e a r , i n c lu d in g
p r in c ip a l a n d in te re s t.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
T
a b l e
2 __ S T A T I S T I C S O F T H E G E R M A N A C C I D E N T I N S U R A N C E S Y S T E M ,
1 8 8 5
77
TO
1 9 1 3 —
C o n c lu d e d .
A m o u n t p e r a c c i
d e n t c o m p e n s a te d .
I te m s .
1885 to 1913
1913
1912
1911
1912
1911
C o m p e n s a tio n p a y m e n t s :
M e d ic a l t r e a t m e n t ........................
C a re d u r i n g w a i t i n g t i m e ..........
H o s p i t a l t r e a t m e n t .......................
B e n e f its t o d e p e n d e n t s d u r i n g
t r e a t m e n t .......................................
D i s a b i l i t y b e n e f i t s .........................
L u m p - s u m s e t t l e m e n t s ..............
F u n e r a l b e n e f i t s .............................
S u r v iv o r s ’ p e n s io n s ......................
L u m p - s u m p a y m e n t s t o w id
o w s .....................................................
L u m p - s u m p a y m e n t s t o a lie n s
T o t a l d i s b u r s e m e n t s for
c o m p e n s a ti o n s .........................
T
14,271,503
3, 707,611
21,1 6 2 ,9 8 4
864,630
295,168
1 ,2 3 0 ,2 4 6
901,734
323,870
1,3 0 6 ,0 0 1
9 8 !, 201
30S, 401
1 ,4 2 1 ,0 1 8
.8 5
.2 9
1.21
5 ,8 2 6 ,0 2 6
423,222,381
5 ,9 6 7 ,4 2 2
3 ,2 1 5 ,6 8 9
109,179,454
351,621
2 8 ,0 8 5 ,7 8 5
572,937
173,193
7 ,7 7 0 ,3 6 7
369,733
2 8 ,1 6 0 ,6 8 4
772,096
196,540
8 ,1 5 9 ,9 7 3
406,694
2 8 ,5 0 0 ,3 1 0
1,214, 776
207,227
8 ,6 1 5 ,1 2 4
. 35
2 7 .5 9
. 56
. 17
7.6 3
3 ,9 4 7 ,6 8 2
1 ,2 3 5 ,1 9 6
241, 427
68,020
270,892
70,496
285,957
98,080
.2 4
.0 7
5 91,736,068
3 9 ,6 5 3 ,3 9 4
4 0 ,5 3 2 ,0 1 9
42,0 3 9 ,8 6 8
38.9 5
.8 9
.3 2
1.2 9
1913
.9 7
.3 0
1.41
.3 6
.4 0
27.7 7 2 8 .2 0
1 .2 0
.7 6
.21
.1 9
8 .5 3
8 .0 5
.2 7
.0 7
.2 8
.1 0
39.9 7 4 1 .6 0
3 __ S T A T I S T I C S O F G E R M A N S I C K N E S S I N S U R A N C E I N C L U S I V E O F M I N E R S '
F U N D S i F O R T H E Y E A R S 1911, 1912, A N D 1913 A N D F O R T H E P E R I O D 1885 t o 1913.
a b l e
[S o u rc e : S ta t is tis c h e s J a h r b u c h f ü r d a s D e u ts c h e R e i c h , v o l. 36, 1915.
B e r l in , 1915.]
T o ta l, a ll fu n d s .
P e r m e m b e r.
K e rn s .
1885-1913
N u m b er of fu n d s. . .
A v e ra g e m e m b e r s h i p .
C a se s o f s ic k n e s s i n v o l v in g d is a b ility
D a y s o f s ic k n e s s i n v o l v in g p a y m e n t o f p e c u n i a r y b e n e f i ts o r
O r d i n a r y r e c e ip ts ( i n t e r e s t , e n
t r a n c e fe e s, c o n t r i b u t i o n s , s u b
s id ie s , a n d m is c e lla n e o u s r e
c e ip ts e x c lu s iv e o f r e c e ip ts fo r
C o n t r i b u t i o n s o f e m p l o y e r s ...........
C o n tr i b u tio n s o f in s u r e d p e r s o n s .
O r d in a r y d is b u r s e m e n ts ( c o s ts o f
s ic k n e s s , r e f u n d o f c o n t r i b u
ti o n s a n d e n t r a n c e fees, c o s ts o f
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n e x c lu s iv e of
th o s e fo r in v a lid ity in s u ra n c e ,
m is c e lla n e o u s d i s b u r s e m e n t s ) . .
C o s ts o f s i c k n e s s ....................................
C o s ts o f a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( e x c lu s iv e o f th o s e fo r i n v a l i d i t y in s u r a n c e ) .................................................
1911
1912
1913
22,937
14,518'764
2 21,499
14,150;582
2 21,238
14 555,669
112,047,026
0,308,009
6,525,858
6,630,840
2,065,991,736
124,372,461
128,381,213
133,685,017
1911 1912 1913
3$1 n26 371 207 3$106,621,620 *8115,577,084 38121,259,239 $7.34 $8.17 88- 33
33,428,052
36,274,603
38,246,695 2.30 2.50 2.63
460^471,761
77,662,565 4.73 5.23 5.34
68,776,502
74,056,437
997,922,005
1,423,794,350
1,319,237,142
82,277,100
100,745,067
93,204,275
107,493,224
99,241,883
116,700,587 6.94 7.60 8.02
100,933,257 6.42 7.01 7.30
7,246,933 .39 .44 .50
6,201,376
5,693,341
<80,509,022 4 86,251,105 4 88,974,872 5.55 6.10 6.11
1 T h e s ic k n e s s in s u r a n c e s t a t i s t i c s o f m i n e r s ’ f u n d s in c l u d e d h e r e a r e a c c o r d in g t o t h e o ffic ia l s t a t e m e n t
s o m e w h a t in a c c u r a t e b y r e a s o n o f t h e f a c t t h a t s ic k n e s s a n d i n v a l i d i t y i n s u r a n c e a r e j o i n t l y a d m i n i s t e r e d
i n s o m e m i n e r s ’ f u n d s s o t h a t th e f in a n c ia l d a t a r e l a t i n g t o th e s e tw o k i n d s o f i n s u r a n c e c a n n o t a l w a y s b e
s e p a r a t e d a n d m u s t b e e s ti m a t e d .
„ „
2 E x c l u s i v e o f a u x i l i a r y f u n d s (Hilfskassen) a b o l is h e d b y t h e l a w o f D e c . 2 0 ,1 9 1 1 .
3 R e f u n d s b y s ic k f u n d s a n d t r a d e a c c i d e n t a s s o c ia tio n s a s w e ll a s r e f u n d s o f c o n t r i b u t i o n s a n d e n t r a n c e
fees w e r e d e d u c t e d f r o m t h e o r d i n a r y r e c e ip ts .
.
.
,
,
1 O r d i n a r y r e c e ip ts a n d d is b u r s e m e n ts a s s h o w n h e r e i n c l u d e o n ly c a s h ite m s . T h e n e t a s s e ts a s s h o w n
h e r e i n c lu d e a ls o b o o k it e m s a n d th e r e f o r e d o n o t r e p r e s e n t t h e e x c e ss o f r e c e ip ts o v e r d is b u r s e m e n ts .
6
37620°—16
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[507]
78
T
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
4.—STATISTICS OF TH E INVALIDITY AND OLD-AGE STATE COMPULSORY
INSURANCE SYSTEM IN GERMANY, 1891 TO 1913.
a b l e
[Source: Statistisches Jahrbuch für das Deutsche Reich, vol. 36, 1915. Berlin, 1915.]
1911
1891— 1913
I te m s .
N u m b e r o f i n v a l i d i t y p e n s io n s in f o r c e ..............
N u n T b e r o f s ic k n e s s p e n s io n s i n f o r e e ..................
N u m b e r o f o ld -a g e p e n s io n s i n f o r c e .....................
N u m b e r o f w id o w s a n d w id o w e r s ’ p e n s io n s
i n f o r c e .......................................................... ...................
N u m b e r o f w id o w s ’ s ic k n e s s p e n s io n s i n fo rce.
N u m b e r o f o r p h a n s ’ p e n s i o n s .................................
N u m b e r o f w id o w s ’ m o n e y s p a i d .........................
N u m b e r o f o r p h a n s ’ s e t t l e m e n t s p a i d ................
2 ,2 3 9 ,9 3 2
i 150,610
528,599
1912
1,0 3 6 ,8 9 3
28,747
109,924
1913 '
1 ,0 6 5 ,7 0 0
27,383
105,480
1 ,099,783
27,711
101,977
3,811
110
13,962
4 ,1 1 8
108
11,500
350
37,000
8 ,0 2 2
460
2 12,285
413
39,881
O r d i n a r y r e c e ip ts :
C o n t r i b u t i o n s o f e m p l o y e r s ...............................
C o n t r i b u t i o n s o f i n s u r e d p e r s o n s ...................
S u b s i d y o f t h e E m p i r e ........................................
I n t e r e s t , e t c .................................................................
$418,026,865
418,02 6 ,8 6 5
191,981,177
185,8 1 7 ,8 1 0
824,9 6 6 ,8 6 6
2 4 ,9 6 6 ,8 6 6
1 2,681,378
1 4,363,086
832,53 6 ,8 1 3
3 2 ,5 3 6 ,8 1 3
13,10 6 ,4 9 4
17,00 5 ,1 4 8
834,50 4 ,3 5 9
3 4 ,5 0 4 ,3 5 9
13,92 9 ,2 1 2
16,86 6 ,2 7 5
T o t a l o r d i n a r y r e c e i p t s ....................................
1 ,2 1 3 ,8 5 2 ,7 1 7
7 6 ,9 7 8 ,1 9 6
9 5 ,1 8 5 ,2 6 8
9 9 ,8 0 4 ,2 0 5
64 1 ,6 0 6 ,8 0 2
4 8,520,179
48,83 5 ,6 7 2
51,96 4 ,1 1 1
5 6 ,6 4 7 ,5 7 0
7 1 ,1 3 9 ,8 9 0
5 ,6 4 9 ,0 0 1
5 ,3 3 4 ,4 6 1
6 ,0 6 0 ,1 2 3
5 ,9 4 2 ,2 6 5
6 ,8 0 5 ,8 7 2
5 ,8 5 8 ,7 2 7
O r d i n a r y d is b u r s e m e n ts :
T o t a l d i s b u r s e m e n t s fo r b e n e f i t s ...................
S ic k b e n e f i ts ( in c lu d e d in t o t a l b e n e
f its ) .....................................................................
C o s ts o f a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ........................................
T o t a l o r d in a r y d i s b u r s e m e n t s .....................
712,746,692
N e t a s s e t s . ..........................................................................
5 3 ,8 5 4 ,6 4 0
54,7 7 7 ,9 3 7
5 7 ,8 2 2 ,8 3 8
4 18,728,180
4 59,124,681
5 01,107,001
B e n e f it p a y m e n t s :
M e d ic a l t r e a t m e n t ..................................................
A d d iti o n a l s ie k b e n e f i t s ......................................
C a re in i n s t i t u t i o n s ................................................
I n v a l i d i t y p e n s i o n s ................................................
S ic k n e s s p e n s i o n s ....................................................
O ld -a g e p e n s i o n s ......................................................
O t h e r b e n e fit p a y m e n t s ......................................
53,5 0 3 ,8 0 4
3 ,1 4 3 ,7 6 6
1 ,6 5 0 ,1 7 3
430,502,087
9,3 0 0 ,7 3 1
114,427,425
2 9 ,0 7 8 ,8 1 6
5 ,2 5 4 ,8 7 3
394,128
216,841
3 6 ,0 1 6 ,5 6 4
755,721
3 ,4 4 3 ,4 5 5
2 ,4 3 8 ,6 6 7
5 ,6 3 3 ,3 4 1
426,782
286,846
3 7 ,7 4 9 ,5 1 3
761, 505
3 ,3 4 4 ,5 4 3
658,332
6 ,3 0 3 ,5 0 1
502,470
298,714
3 9 ,8 1 6 ,1 1 5
8 2 2 ,3 3 8
3 ,2 6 9 ,5 7 3
951,570
T o t a l d i s b u r s e m e n t s fo r b e n e f i ts ...............
641,60 6 ,8 0 2
4 8 ,5 2 0 ,1 7 9
4 8 ,8 3 5 ,6 7 2
51,96 4 ,1 1 1
1 Sickness pensions paid only since 1900.
2 Survivors’ insurance has been applicable only since 1912.
T
a b l e
5 .—
NUM BER AND AVERAGE AMOUNT OF PENSIONS NEW LY AW ARDED U N DER
THE IN VALIDITY AND OLD-AGE INSURANCE LAW, 1909 TO 1913.
[Source: Amtliche Nachrichten das Reichs-Versicherungs-Amt. Berlin.]
Invalidity
pensions.
Sickness pen
sions.
Old-age pen
sions.
Widows’ and
widowers’
pensions.
Widows' sick Orphans’ pen
ness pen
sions.
sions.
Year.
Num Aver
Num Aver
Num Aver
Num Aver
Num Aver
Num Aver
age
age
age
age
age
age
ber.
ber.
ber.
ber.
ber.
ber.
amt.
amt.
amt.
amt.
amt.
amt.
1909.........
1910.........
1911.........
1912
1913
116, 294 $41.60
114, 755 42.11
118,158 42.86
124,825
....................
44.50
134,161
....................
46.51
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
12, 884 $41.45
12, 287 41.83
11, 789 42.24
17,570 45.76
11, 809 48.45
11,036 $38.93
11, 625 39.11
11,585 39.34
12, 111 39.54
11,905 39.75
[5081
3, 811 $18.34
8,479 18.49
110 $18.46
303 18.59
13,962
25,916
$19.25
19.07
MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.
79
MINERS’ ACCIDENT INSURANCE STATISTICS IN GER
MANY, 1914.
In its thirtieth annual report for the year 19141 the Miners’ Trade
Accident Association (K n a p p s c h a f t s - B e r u f s g e n o s s e n s c h a f t ), the car
rier of the German workmen’s accident insurance for the mining
industry, notes that like other industries the mining industry has
suffered greatly from the war. During the year the number of per
sons employed in mining decreased by 8.5 per cent, and the total
wages paid to insured persons in the industry in 1914 was 13 per cent
less than in 1913. The amount of assessments levied upon em
ployers for the support of the insurance system decreased 5 per cent,
due, it is explained, not to a decrease of the amount of compensation
paid, but to the fact that a desired increase of 2,500,000 marks
($595,000) in the capital of the accident association which had been
made in 1913 and was contemplated in 1914 had to be foregone on
account of the disorganization caused by the war.
The development in the number of establishments and workmen
employed during the period 1886 to 1914 for the Miners’ Trade Acci
dent Association is shown in the table which follows:
N U M B E R O F E S T A B L IS H M E N T S , I N S U R E D W O R K M E N , A N D A M O U N T O F W A G E S P A ID
M I N E R S ’ A C C I D E N T I N S U R A N C E A S S O C I A T I O N , 1886 T O 1914.
[S o u rc e : D r e is s ig s te r B e r i c h t d e r K n a p p s c h a f ts - B e r u f s g e n o s s e n s e h a f t,p . 30.]
N u m b e r of—
N u m b e r of—
W ages
e a rn e d
per
w o rk
m an.
I n d u s tr y .
In d u s try .
Y ear.
C o a l m i n i n g ....................
1886
1896
1906
1914
357
337
342
340
L i g n i t e m i n i n g ..............
1886
1896
1906
1914
423
534
528
484
2 8 ,9 5 0
41,391
6 3 ,3 6 3
72,640
165.96
191.43
259. 85
307. 76
E x t r a c t i o n o f o th e r
m i n e r a l s .....................
1886
1896
1906
1914
574
574
749'
410
79, 691
74', 332
81,897
7 6 ,535
146.84
185.30
2 4 4.69
3 1 0.05
T o t a l ....................
O re m i n i n g a n d s m e l ti n g ___
E s ta b W o rk
lis h
m en.
m e n ts .
221, 364 1182.96
311,233 2 3 5.48
505,509 3 2 6.13
642,908 373. 34
S a l t m i n i n g ...................
Y e a r.
W ages
e a rn e d
per
E s ta b W o rk w o rk
lis h
m en.
m an.
m e n ts .
1886
1896
1906
1914
50
70
128
275
8,7 1 3 $226.50
12, 794 239.63
3 0 ,3 5 8 293.54
3 7 ,520 3 4 0 .2 2
1886
1896
1906
1914
254
307
439
387
4,9 9 1
6 ,5 9 2
8,121
11,515
142.28
168.09
226.05
2 6 6 .0 6
1886
1896
1906
1914
1 ,6 5 8
L822
2 ,1 8 6
1,8 9 6
343, 709
446; 342
689,248
841,118
173. 67
2 2 2 .1 6
307.74
3 5 8 . 97
- A - -------
1
D reissig ster B erich t ü ber die V erw altu n g d er K nappsch afts-B eru fsg en o ssen sch aft fü r
das J a h r 1914. B erlin , 1915. 69 pp.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
The absolute and relative number of all accidents reported, as well
as of the compensated accidents and their results, and the amount
of compensation paid by industries represented in the Miners’ Trade
Accident Insurance Association are shown in the following table :
N U M B E R O F A C C ID E N T S A N D T H E I R R E S U L T S , A N D T O T A L C O M P E N S A T IO N
M I N E R S ’ T R A D E A C C I D E N T I N S U R A N C E A S S O C I A T I O N , 1913 A N D 1914.
P A ID
[S o u rc e : D r e is s ig s te r B e r i c h t d e r K n a p p s c h a f ts - B e r u f s g e n o s s e n s c h a f t, p p . 36 t o 39.]
In su re d p er
s o n s in j u r e d
in a c c id e n t s .
In d u s try .
C o m p e n s a te d a c c id e n t s
re s u ltin g in —
N um b e r of
com Y ear.
pens a te d
a
c c i
N um Per
D e a th .
b e r.
1,000. d e n ts .
C o a l m i n i n g ____
1913 112,180 162.73 11,212
1914 105,327 163.83 10,412
L i g n i t e m i n in g .
1913
1914
9,063 116.38
8,147 112.16
890
874
126
155
1913
1914
7,830 88.5 8
6,219 81.2 6
936
816
160
133
1913
1914
4,074 8 1 .7 0
2,753 73.37
599
464
138
102
1913
1914
563 42.2 6
536 46.5 5
126
106
17
13
1913 133,710 145.53 13,763
1914 122,982 146.21 12,672
1
2,121
1,952
O re m i n i n g a n d
s m e l t i n g ............
S a l t m i n i n g .........
E x tra c tio n
of
o th e r m in e r
a l s .........................
T o ta l.....
1,680
1,549
P er
m a
nent
to ta l
d is
a b i l
it y .
P e r
m a
nent
p ar
ti a l
d is
a b i l
it y .
C o m p e n s a te d
a c c id e n ts p e r 10,000
in s u re d p e rso n s,
r e s u lt in g in —
Tem por a r y D e a th .
d is a
b il ity .
48^1,917 7,137
57 j1,669 7,567
P e r
m a
nent
d is
a b il
ity .
C o m p e n s a tio n s
p a id .
Tem Per
P'Jr a r y A m o u n t . $10,000
d is a
w ages.
b il ity .
24.37 28.51 109.78 $ 5 ,4 7 5 ,6 9 2 $200.34
24.09 26.85 111.01 -5 ,6 8 6 ,2 6 8 236.91
5
2
376
325
383
392
16.18 48.92 49.1 8
21.3 4 45.02 5 3 .9 6
445,234 183.71
477,196 213.46
i
250
202
519
475
18.10 29.07 58. 71
17.38 2 7 .1 8 62.0 6
600,381 210. 56
611,737 257.80
7
7
213
160
241
195
27.68 44.1 2 48.33
27.1 9 44.51 51.9 7
260,746 150.22
283,714 222.26
1
3S
36
»
57
12. 76 29.28 52. 55
11.29 31.26 49.5 0
67,877 182.00
71,202 232.41
6
6 8 2 ,7 9 4 8,7 8 0
72 2,392 8,2 5 6
23.0 8 31.15 9 5 .5 6 6 ,8 4 9 ,9 3 0 197.32
23.21 29.29 9 8 .1 6 7 ,1 3 0 ,1 1 7 236.15
From this table there is noted a decrease in the number of acci
dents, which is due to a, decrease in the number of persons insured,
indicated by the fact that the accident rate per 1,000 insured persons
shows a slight increase over 1913; and a decrease in the number of
compensated accidents would naturally follow a decrease in the
number of accidents reported. The death rate of insured persons
lias remained stationary, but the rate for permanent disability has
decreased, while the rate for temporary disability has increased.
This would suggest increased efficiency in first aid and general medi
cal care. The amount of compensation paid has increased 4.1 per
cent, and the rate of compensation per $10,000 of wages earned has
increased from $197.33 to $236.15, or 19.7 per cent, due to the fact
that the number of insured persons, and consequently tlie total
amount of wages earned by them, decreased during the year.
As to the fault of accidents it is reported for 1913 and 1914 that
practically two-thirds have been due to occupational risk, that a trifle
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81
over one-fourth have been due to the fault of the workman himself,
and the remaining one-twelfth' have been due to special defects in
operation and fault of fellow workmen.
In 1914 the Miners’ Accident Association reported 12,672 acci
dents, distributed by causes, as follows :
NUM BER
AND
PER
C E N T O F A C C ID E N T S R E P O R T E D B Y T H E
A S S O C I A T I O N I N 1914, B Y C A U S E S .
C a u s e of a c c id e n t s .
M o to r s a n d tr a n s m i s s i o n o f p o w e r ,
m a c h i n e r y ................................................
L i f ts a n d c r a n e s .........................................
B o ile r a n d s t e a m p i p e e x p l o s i o n s ..
E x p l o s i v e s ....................................................
H e a t , a c id s , s te a m , g a s e s , e t c ............
C o lla p s e s o r b r e a k d o w n s .....................
F a l l s f r o m la d d e r s , s t a i r s , e t c ...........
L o a d in g a n d u n lo a d i n g b y h a n d ,
li f tin g , c a r r y i n g , e t c ...........................
N um
b e r.
Per
c e n t.
403
1,271
24
320
214
4,4 1 2
947
3 .2
1 0 .0
.2
2 .5
1 .7
3 4 .8
7 .5
980
7 .7
M IN E R S ’ A C C ID E N T
C a u s e o f a c c id e n t s .
N um
b er.
T e a m i n g , v e h ic le s ....................................
R a i l r o a d s ....................... • ............................
A n i m a l s .........................................
T o o l s ...............................................................
E l e c t r i c c u r r e n t s ......................................
M is c e lla n e o u s c a u s e s ..............................
113
2 ,9 1 5
51
266
69
687
0 .9
2 3 .0
.4
2 .1
.6
5 .4
T o t a l ....................................................
12,672
100.0
Per
c e n t.
In the course of a year there were paid out 29,958,475.06 marks
($7,130,117.06) for compensation, of which 7.9 per cent was paid for
medical treatment, sick benefits, etc.; 55.3 per cent for pensions and
lump-sum settlement to injured persons; 0.7 per cent for funeral
benefits; and 36.1 per cent for pensions and lump-sum payments to
survivors. The total costs of the min’ers’ accident insurance computed
per workman and per $1,000 wages for selected years during the
period of 1886-1914 were as follows:
C O S T S O F I N S U R A N C E P E R W O R K M A N A N D P E R $1,000 W A G E S I N T H E M I N E R S ’ T R A D E
A C C ID E N T
IN S U R A N C E
A S S O C IA T IO N , F O R
S E L E C T E D Y E A R S , D U R IN G T H E
P E R I O D 1886 T O 1914.
[S o u rc e : D r e is s ig s te r B e r i c h t d e r K n a p p s c h a f ts - B e r u f s g e n o s s e n s c h a f t, p . 26.]
C o s ts o f i n s u r
an ce p er—
C o s ts of i n s u r
ance p e r—
Y e a r.
1886...................................................................
1890...................................................................
1895...................................................................
1900...................................................................
Y e a r.
W o r li
m an.
$1,000
w ages.
$ 1 .8 0
3 .5 7
4 .8 5
4 .5 4
$ 8 .2 0
16.6 5
22. 76
17. 23
W o rk
m an.
1905..................................:
1910.
1913.................................................................
1914..........................................................
$ 7 .9 2
9. 10
8. 51
8. 83
$1,000
w ages.
$ 2 7 .9 8
28. 44
22. 51
2 4 .5 9
As compared with 1913 the cost of insurance in 1914 increased 1.34
marks (31.9 cents) per workman and $2..08 per $1,000 wages earned.
The report under review notes that this increase has taken place in
spite of the fact that the total assessments levied were 1,500,000 marks
($357,000), or 5 per cent less than in the last preceding year, and
that it is to be explained by the fact that on account of the war the
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82
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
number of insured persons lias decreased, as already noted, by 8.5
per cent, and the total wages paid by 13 per cent.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE-UNION STATISTICS.
This bureau has prepared the following two tables from the latest
official sources available, showing the membership in trade-unions in
the years 1912, 1913, and 1914 in each of 14 principal countries,
including the United States. It should be said that these figures are
by no means. complete, and, furthermore, that they are not com
parable as between 'the different countries except in the most general
way. They serve, however, as an indication of the development of
the trade-union movement within the respective countries.
The table relating to the distribution of the annual disbursements
of trade-unions in various countries relates to the year 1912, the
latest for which information with any degree of completeness is
available.
M E M B E R S H I P O F T R A D E - U N I O N S I N V A R I O U S C O U N T R I E S F O R T H E Y E A R S 1912, 1913,
A N D 1914.1
M e m b e r s h ip .
1912
C o u n tr y .
T o t a l.
A u s t r a l i a ( C o m m o n w e a l t h ) ...
A u s t r i a ............................................... •.
B e l g i u m ................................................
D e n m a r k ..............................................
F r a n c e ....................................................
G e r m a n y ..............................................
G r e a t B r i t a i n ....................................
I t a l y ........................................................
N e t h e r l a n d s (D e c . 3 1 ) . ................
N e w Z e a l a n d .....................................
N o r w a y .................................................
S w e d e n (D e c . 3 1 ) ............................
S w i t z e r l a n d ........................................
U n i t e d S t a t e s ....................................
497,925
692,681
231,835
1 3 9,012
1 ,0 2 7 ,0 5 9
3 ,7 5 3 ,8 0 7
3 ,2 8 1 ,0 0 3
971,667
189,030
60,622
6 0 ,975
87,024
131,380
2 ,3 8 9 ,7 2 3
1913
N u m b e r of
w om en.
20,204
6 9 ,340
1 5 ,896
9 6 ,0 0 8
318,868
318,443
8,3 9 4
T o ta l.
748,760
202,746
152,787
1 ,0 2 6 ,3 0 2
3 ,8 3 5 ,6 6 0
3 ,9 2 8 ,1 9 1
220,275
71,544
6 4 ,10S
9 7 ,252
1914
N u m b e r of
w om en.
T o ta l.
N u m b e r of
w om en.
6 5 ,652
155,783
8 9 ,346
332,567
357,783
3 ,9 5 9 ,8 6 3
3 5 2,944
67,235
101,207
4 ,8 0 9
8 ,8 0 9
4,1 5 6
16,487
2,6 0 4 ,7 0 1
1 T h e o ffic ia l p u b l i c a t i o n s f r o m w h i c h f ig u re s w e r e t a k e n a r e a s fo llo w s : A u s t r a l i a .— C o m m o n w e a lth
B u r e a u o f C e n s u s a n d S t a t i s t i c s , L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r i a l B r a n c h , R e p o r t N o . 5 , p . 7. A u s t r i a .— D ie A r b e it s
e i n s t e ll u n g e n u n d A u s s p e r r u n g e n i n O e s te r r e i c h w ä h r e n d d e s J a h r e s 1912. H e r a u s g e g e b e n v o m k . k .
A r b e i t s s t a t i s t i s c h e n A m t e i m H a n d e l s m i n i s t e r i u m . A p p e n d i x , p p . 102 ff.; 1913, p p . 80 ff. B e l g iu m .—
R e v u e d u T r a v a i l 1914, p . 754. D e n m a r k .— S t a t i s t i s k A a r b o g , 1913, p . 130; 1914, p . 132; 1915, p . 140.
F r a n c e .— B u l l e t i n d u M in is tè r e d u T r a v a i l e t d e la P r é v o y a n c e S o c ia le , 1913, p . 1173; 1915, p . 2 9. G e r
m a n y . — S t a t is tis c h e s J a h r b u c h f ü r d a s D e u ts c h e R e i c h , 1915, p . 79*; a n n u a l a v e ra g e . G r e a t B r i t a i n . — T h e
B o a r d o f T r a d e L a b o r G a z e t te , 1914, p . 123; 1 9 1 5 , p . 318. I t a l y . — B o ll e tt in o d e l l’ U ffic io d e l L a v o r o , 1914,
p . 71. N e t h e r l a n d s .— B ij d r a g e n t o t d e S t a t i s t i e k v a n N e d e r la n d , N ie u w e v o lg r e e k s , B e k n o p t o v e r z i c h t
v a n d e n o m v a n g d e r V a k b e w e g in g o p 1 J ä n u a r i , 1914, p . 7. N e w Z e a la n d .— T w e n t y - t h i r d A n n u a l R e p o r t
o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , 1914, p . 7. N o r w a y .— A r b e id e r n e s fa g lig e L a n d s o r g a n i s a tio n B e r e t n i n g , 1913,
1914. S w e d e n .— S o c ia la M e d d e l a n d e n , 1913, p . 741; 1 9 14, p . 1049; 1915, p . 1254. S w i tz e r la n d .— S c h w e i
z e ris c h e r G e w e r k s e h a f ts b u n d , J a h r e s b e r i c h t , 1912. U n i t e d S ta t e s .— B u l l e t i n of t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r ,
S t a t e o f N e w Y o r k , 1913, N o . 56, p . 407; e x c lu s iv e o f m e m b e r s h ip i n C a n a d a a n d i n c l u d i n g o n ly t h o s e u n io n s
f r o m w h i c h a c t u a l r e t u r n s w e r e r e c e iv e d ; N o . 67, p . 1.
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D IS T R IB U T IO N
83
O F T H E A N N U A L D IS B U R S E M E N T S O F T R A D E U N IO N S IN V A R IO U S
C O U N T R I E S F O R T H E Y E A R 1912.
[S o u rc e : S u p p l e m e n t 11 t o t h e R e i c h s a r b e i t s b l a t t , p t . 2, p p . 68, 69, B e r l in , 1915.]
M e m b e r s h ip .
T o ta l
d is b u r s e
m e n ts .
C o u n try .
N u m b er.
1 3 ,0 07,074
G e r m a n y ___ j 2 529,040
G r e a t B r i t a i n . 2,0 0 0 ,1 0 2
A u s t r i a ..............
580,279
119,866
S w e d e n .............
60,414
N e th e rla n d s ..
D e n m a r k .........
130,638
86,313
S w itz e rla n d ..
N o r w a y ............
60,975
U n i t e d S ta t e s 31,770,145
Per
cent
of
to t a l.
U n e m p lo y
m ent and
tr a v e l i n g
b e n e f its .
A m o u n t.
S ic k n e s s , in v a
lid ity , fu n e ra l,
a n d o th e r
s o c ia l b e n e fits .
S trik e a n d
lo c k - o u t
b e n e fits .
A d m in is tra
tio n , p r o p a
g a n d a , le g a l
a id , p u b lic a
ti o n s , li b r a r ie s ,
e tc .
Per
P er
Per
Per
A m o u n t . c e n t.
A m o u n t.
A m o u n t.
c e n t.
c e n t.
c e n t.
80.1 $16,375,933 $ 2 ,3 3 0 ,7 4 4 14.23 $ 3,721,861
341,988
14,238
2 ,9 4 1 ,4 8 1
14.1
6 1 .0 1 8,562,775 2 ,9 0 1 ,7 6 9 15.63 5 ,5 7 1 ,2 9 8
590,680
401,958 14.87
2 ,7 0 3 ,4 9 8
8 3 .8
2 6 ,130
9 8 .4
505,927
64,228 12.69
58,084
23,532 7 .2 1
3 2 6,254
3 2 .0
47,454
418,197 56.03
746,406
9 4 .0
97,060
6 5 .7
27,058 8 .8 0
307,477
39,662 9 .1 9
167,787
431,553
9 0 .6
2 ,5 0 0 ,0 7 4
255,867
70.1
22.73 $ 3 ,4 6 5 ,9 1 4 21.16 $ 6 ,8 5 7 ,4 1 4
509,974
75,281
30.0 2 6 ,6 7 5 ,3 3 7 3 5 .9 6 3 ,4 1 4 ,3 7 1
21.85
324,996 12.02 1 ,3 8 5 ,8 6 4
277,286
138,283 27.33
5 .1 7
176,171
68,467 20.98
17.81
213,879
6 6 ,878 8 .9 6
6 .3 6
109,917
73,442 23.8 8
31.5 7
82,243
141,861 32.8 7
38.8 8
41.88
18.39
51.2 6
54.81
54.0 0
28.65
35 .7 5
19.06
1 S o c ia l- d e m o c r a tic , C h r is ti a n , a n d H i r s c h - D u n c k e r t r a d e u n io n s .
2 I n d e p e n d e n t t r a d e s o c ie tie s a n d n o n m i l i t a n t w o r k m e n ’s f e d e r a tio n s a n d s o c ie tie s .
3 B u l l e t i n o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , S t a t e o f N e w Y o r k , 1913, p . 413; o n ly d a t a r e l a t i n g t o b e n e f i t
e x p e n d i t u r e s a r e d is c u s s e d i n t h e B u l l e t i n .
IMMIGRATION IN FEBRUARY, 1916.
During the month of February there were 7 , 4 4 7 , or 43.1 per cent,
more immigrant aliens admitted to the United States than in the
preceding month. Compared with February, 1915, there was an
increase of 10,867, or 78.3 per cent, in the number admitted; but
there were 22,133, or 47.2 per cent, fewer persons admitted than in
February, 1914. The following table shows the total number of im
migrant aliens admitted during December, January, February, and
March, 1914-15, and the three last-named months in 1916:
IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D IN T O T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D M O N T H S ,
1 9 1 4 ,1 9 1 5 , A N D 1916.
M o n th .
D e c e m b e r ................................
J a n u a r y ....................................
F e b r u a r y ..................................
M a r c h ........................................
1914
1915
1916
2 0 ,9 4 4
44, 708
46, 873
92, 621
18,901
15; 481
13, 873
19,263
17, 293
2 4 ,740
2 7 ,616
The largest number of immigrants for some months past has come
from Italy, England, and the Scandinavian countries, in the order
named.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1513]
84
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
Classified by races, the immigrant aliens admitted into and emi
grant aliens departing from the United States during February,
1915 and 1916, were as follows:
IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADM ITTED TO AND EMIGRANT A LIENS D EPA RTIN G FROM THE
U N ITED STATES, F E B R U A R Y , 1915 AND 1916.
D e p a rte d .
A d m itte d .
R aces.
1915
A f r ic a n ( b l a c k ) ........................................................................................
A r m e n i a n ....................................................................................................
B o h e m ia n a n d M o r a v i a n ...................................................................
B u lg a r i a n , S e r v ia n , M o n t e n e g r i n .................................................
C h in e s e ..........................................................................................................
C r o a t ia n a n d S l a v o n i a n ......................................................................
C u b a n ............................................................................................................
D a l m a t i a n , B o s n ia n , a n d H e r z e g o v i n i a n ................................
D u t c h a n d F l e m i s h ' ............................................................................
E a s t I n d i a n ................................................................................................
E n g l i s h .........................................................................................................
F i n n i s h .........................................................................................................
F r e n c h ...........................................................................................................
G e r m a n .........................................................................................................
G r e e k . ...........................................................................................................
H e b r e w .........................................................................................................
I r i s h ................................................................................................................
I t a l i a n ( n o r t h ) ..........................................................................................
I t a l i a n ( s o u t h ) ..........................................................................................
J a p a n e s e .......................................................................................................
K o r e a n ..........................................................................................................
1916
89
25
70
82
138
51
70
553
5
2,1 3 7
155
695
860
313
641
923
657
2 ,4 4 8
668
M a g y a r ..........................................................................................................
M e x i c a n ........................................................... ............................................
P a c if ic i s l a n d e r .
.
............................................................
P o l i s h ............................................................................................................
P o r t u g u e s e ..................................................................................................
R o u m a n i a n ................................................................................................
R u s s i a n .........................................................................................................
R u t h e n i a n ( R u s s n i a k ) ........................................................................
S c a n d i n a v i a n ............................................................................................
S c o t c h ............................................................................................................
S lo v a k .........................................................................................................
S p a n i s h .......................................................................................................S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n .................................................................................
S y r i a n ............................................................................................................
T u r k i s h .........................................................................................................
W e l s h ............................................................................................................
W e s t I n d i a n ( e x c e p t C u b a n ) ..........................................................
O t h e r p e o p l e s ............................................................................................
N o t s p e c if ie d ..............................................................................................
38
484
2
101
70
6
128
28
1,107
731
25
270
56
46
21
74
30
56
T o t a l ....................................... .........................................................
13, 873
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Decrease.
[514]
1916
1915
42
15
2
1
no
12
104
129
68
51
124
' 90
27
57
1
410
5
2 ,5 7 9
835
1,164
823
647
1,103
1,153
402
3,871
494
12
50
98
4 ,1 7 5
70
14
3
181
76
6
69
1
40
4
554
39
125
43
356
32
120
238
2,813
59
29
3
423
31
145
50
324
27
64
178
799
57
13
16
30
32
43
368
2,4 5 4
59
514
42
1,164
908
46
493
97
34
6
70
32
85
47
133
5
566
24, 740
78.3
96
148
124
33
16
4
13
24
22
953
7,086
18
57
9
155
2
233
95
2
152
73
3
9
39
16
676
4,035
i 43.1
OFFICIAL REPORTS RELATING TO LABOR,
UNITED STATES.
California.— C o m m i s s i o n
of I m m ig r a tio n a n d H o u sin g .
T he hom e teach er: The
a c t , i c i t h a w o r k i n g p l a n a n d .)0 l e s s o n s i n E n g l i s h .
S a c r a m e n to , 1915.
50 pp.
Contains a copy of the act which became effective August S, 1915, an act
which permits boards of education to employ home teachers to work in the
homes of the pupils, instructing children and adults in matters relating to
school attendance; also in sanitation, in the English language, in household
duties, and in the fundamental principles of the American system of govern
ment and the rights and duties of citizenship. This pamphlet contains a plan
of 40 tentative lessons in English.
California.— I n d u s t r i a l
d en t C o m m issio n
[1 915].
A c c id e n t C om m ission .
D ecision s o f th e I n d u s tria l A cci
o f C a lifo rn ia .
V ol. I I , N o s. 12, 13.
S a n F ra n cisco ,
Illinois.—M i n e r s ’
an d M e c h a n ic s’ I n s titu te s . F ir s t a n n u a l r e p o r t o f th e d ir e c to r
f o r th e y e a r 1915.
U r b a n a , 111., t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f I l l i n o i s .
[19 1 5 .]
35 pp.
( U n i v e r s i t y o f I llin o is b u lle tin , vo l. 12, N o . 26 .)
Miners’ and mechanics’ institutes were created by special law in 1910 for the
purpose of investigating and preventing accidents in mines and other industrial
plants and to conserve the resources of the State. They are authorized to
promote the education and training of all classes of industrial workers. They
have conducted classes of mine employees, instructing them regarding the
maintenance of safety in their work.
Two-year courses have been organized in 13 different towns, of which an
aggregate of 404 sessions were held with a total attendance of 11,897. A short
course of six weeks’ instruction at the University of Illinois is also provided for.
At this course 132 lectures were delivered and 43 laboratory sessions conducted,
the total attendance being 1,213 for a total enrollment of 33.
The report recommends an increased appropriation ($15,000 to $55,000) and
an increased extension of its work both by organizing more classes and by
establishing correspondence courses.
Illinois.—M i n t e r s ’ a n d M e c h a n i c s ’ I n s t i t u t e s .
M i n e g a s e s a n d s a f e t y l a m p s , b y R . Y . W i l l i a m s a n d II. E . S m i t h .
U rbana,
III.
[191 5 .]’ 58 pp.
( In s tr u c tio n p a m p h le t No. 2 ; U n iv e r s ity o f Illin ois
b u lle tin , v o l. 12, N o. 9 .)
V en tila tio n .
U r b a n a , III.
[1 9 1 5 .]
65 p p .
(In s tru c tio n p a m p h le t No. 3 ;
U n i v e r s i t y o f I l l i n o i s b u l l e t i n , v o l. 1 1 , N o .
.)
56
--------
S ta te M in in g B oard.
T h ir ty -fo u rth a n n u al r e p o r t of Illin o is S ta te M in
in g B o a r d , 1915. [S p r in g fie ld , 1 915.] 295 p p .
The following summary table shows the principal totals of operations for the
years 1914 and 1915.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[515]
85
86
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
SUMMARY OF COAL-MINE OPER A TIO N S FOR T H E YEARS 1914 AND 1915.
S u m m a ry ite m s .
N u m b e r o f m i n e s a n d o p e n i n g s ...................................................................................................
O u t p u t ( t o n s o f 2,000 l b s . ) ...............................................................................................................
T o n s s h i p p e d ...........................................................................................................................................
T o n s s o ld t o r a i l r o a d c o m p a n i e s ..................................................................................................
T o n s s o ld t o lo c a l t r a d e
................................................................................................................
T o n s s o ld o r w a s t e d a t p l a n t s . . ..................................................................................................
A v e r a g e d a y s o f a c t i v e o p e r a t i o n ( s h i p p i n g m i n e s ) .........................................................
A v e r a g e d a y s o f a c t i v e o p e r a t i o n a l l m i n e s ...........................................................................
N u m b e r o f m i n i n g m a c h i n e s i n u s e ...........................................................................................
N u m b e r o f t o n s u n d e r c u t b y m a c h i n e s ...................................................................................
N u m b e r o f t o n s m i n e d b y h a n d ..................................................................................................
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f m i n e r s e m p lo y e d d u r i n g t h e y e a r ...................................................
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f o t h e r e m p lo y e e s u n d e r g r o u n d ( m e n ) ...........................................
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f b o y s e m p lo y e d u n d e r g r o u n d .............................................................
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f e m p lo y e e s a b o v e g r o u n d ......................................................................
T o t a l n u m b e r o f e m p lo y e e s ( a v e r a g e ) ......................................................................................
A v e r a g e p r i c e p a i d p e r g r o s s t o n fo r h a n d m i n i n g ( s h i p p i n g m i n e s ) ..................
A v e r a g e p r i c e p a i d p e r g r o s s t o n m a c h i n e m i n i n g ...........................................................
N u m b e r o f m e n a c c i d e n t a l l y k i l l e d ...........................................................................................
N u m b e r o f m e n i n j u r e d , i n c a n a e i t y 1 m o n t h o r m o r e ...................................................
N u m b e r o f g r o s s t o n s m i n e d t o e a c h lif e l o s t ..... ..................................................................
N u m b e r o f e m p lo y e e s t o e a e h lif e l o s t .....................................................................................
N u m b e r o f d e a t h s 'p e r 1,000 e m p l o y e e s . . . ..............................................................................
N u m b e r o f t o n s m i n e d t o e a c h m a n i n j u r e d ........................................................................
N u m b e r o f e m p lo y e e s t o e a c h m a n i n j i i r e d ..........................................................................
1914
796
6 0 ,7 1 5 ,7 9 5
4 5 ,0 3 8 ,1 1 9
1 0 ,0 9 6 ,9 3 9
2 ,4 0 0 ,9 8 5
2 ,4 7 0 ,1 6 1
174
162
1,828
3 1 ,4 4 6 ,8 2 3
2 9 ,2 6 8 ,9 7 2
3 2 ,262
39,281
1,4 9 2
7,0 0 0
80,035
SO. 6575
$0.524
159
1,071
381,' 860
'5 0 3
1.99
56,691
75
1915
779
5 7 ,6 0 1 ,6 9 4
4 1 ,4 6 1 ,2 1 8
11,0 9 0 ,3 7 7
2 , 184^853
2 ' 2 4 9 , 347
172
158
1,6 8 6
3 4 ,0 3 7 ,4 2 6
2 3 ,5 6 4 ,2 6 8
29,560
38; 622
1,190
6 ' 235
75,607
SO. 666
$ 0 .5 2
ISO
1,013
320,009
420
2 .3 8
56 ,8 6 2
Detailed tables relative to output, days of operation, number employed, ex
penses, machine production, pick mine production, etc., are given for the
State and for each of the 12 mining districts separately.
Michigan.— A n n u a l r e p o r t o f t h e i n s p e c t o r o f m i n e s , G o g e b i c C o u n t y , 1 9 1 3 - 1 4
a n d 1914-15.
68 pp.
Gives the amount of ore mined and number of men employed in each mine in
the county ; also detailed description of each fatal accident, including the name
of injured miner and the circumstances of the injury. During 1914-15, 3,154,124
tons of ore were mined, as against 4,209,267 in 1913-14. There were 23 fatal
accidents in 1913-14 and 8 in 1914-15.
Missouri.— B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t i s t i c s . M i s s o u r i R e d B o o h , 1 9 1 4 . J e f f e r s o n
C ity.
1915.
222 pp., f o ld e r .
U lu s.
Statistical details and information relating to all departments of labor, and
especially in relation to the commercial, industrial, social, educational, and
sanitary conditions of the laboring classes. The following is a statement taken
from a table based upon the reports received by mail from employers :
Reports were received from 2,237 factories and workshops, employing 184,098
persons, of whom 25,959 were injured by accidents, 82 resulting fatally, 82 in
partial recovery only, and 25,795 in full recovery. Insurance as a protection to
employees was carried by 2,015 employers for which $534,595 was paid in
premiums. The reports of 514 public-service corporations—telephone, electric
railway, steam railroad, or mining companies—showed a total of 76,813 em
ployees, among whom occurred 3,096 accidents, of which 127 resulted fatally.
Only four of these corporations carried accident insurance, for which they paid
in premiums $4,065.
The operations of the State free employment exchanges during the year were
as follows : Applications for employment, 37,047 ; Vacancies reported by em
ployers, 33,526 ; Positions secured, 27,637.
Considerable data are given relative to organized labor, membership, wages,
hours of labor and yearly earnings, out-of-work benefits paid, strike, sickness,
etc., benefits ; union scale of wages and hours of labor and overtime pay in St.
Louis and Kansas City.
[516]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
87
Missouri.—L a w s
o f M isso u ri, labor, in d u s tr ia l, a n d s ta tis tic a l, in c lu d in g c e r ta in
se ssio n a c ts o f 1 9 1 3 ;
* * * a lso c e r ta in fa c to ry -in sp e c tio n re g u la tio n s,
1913-1914.
P r e p a r e d a n d p u b lish e d b y th e b u reau of la b o r s ta tis tic s .
Jef
fe rso n C ity, M o.
[ 1 9 1 5 f] 9 9 p p .
[ S u p p l e m e n t a r y to t h e 1913 R e d B o o k .)
Nevada.—B u r e a u
of In d u stry , A gricu ltu re,
1 9 1 3 - 1 ' / . . C a r s o n c i t y , 1 9 1 5 . 2 2 pp.
and
Irrig a tio n .
B ien n ia l
re p o rt,
Discusses the agricultural development of the State, and reports acreage and
value of the most important crops grown.
New York.—B u r e a u o f S t a t i s t i c s a n d I n f o r m a t i o n . S t a t i s t i c s o f i n d u s t r i a l a c c i
d e n t s , 1911/, p r e p a r e d b y t h e b u r e a u o f s t a t i s t i c s a n d i n f o r m a t i o n .
[A lb a n y,
1 9 1 6 ] 77 p p .
[ D e p a r tm e n t o f labor.
S p ecia l bu lletin, iss u e d u n d e r th e
d ir e c t io n o f t h e i n d u s t r i a l c o m m is s io n . N o . 7 5.)
This bulletin consists of three parts: (1) Statistics of industrial accidents re
ported to the department of labor during the year ending September 30, 1914;
(2) discussion of the relation of safeguards to accidents in a selected number of
cases investigated; (3) discussion of the causes of fatal accidents reported to
the department for the live years ending September 30, 1914. The statistics,
it is stated, are designed chiefly to throw light on the causes of industrial acci
dents. An analysis of this bulletin will be found elsewhere in this number of
the Review. (See pp. 58 to 62.)
-----------------E u r o p e a n r e g u l a t i o n s f o r p r e v e n t i o n o f o c c u p a t i o n a l d i s e a s e s .
P r e p a r e d b y th e b u rea u of s ta tis tic s a n d in fo r m a tio n .
[A lb a n y, 1 916]
77 p p .
[ D e p a r tm e n t o f labor.
S p e c ia l b u lle tin iss u e d u n d e r th e d ire c tio n
o f t h e i n d u s t r i a l c o m m i s s i o n . N o . 7 6.)
There are presented in this bulletin a collection of regulations, in force in lead
ing industrial European countries, which are designed to minimize and to protect
employees from the dangers of occupational diseases. The collection does not
claim to be complete either as to industries or as to countries. The collection
includes regulations most recently adopted for a number of industries, each of
which is also represented in New York State, and cover five industrial diseases:
Poisoning by lead, brass, and mercury; compressed-air illness; and anthrax.
The countries included are Great Britain, Germany, France, Austria, and the
Netherlands.
-------- N e w Y o r k C i t y . D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n . P a r t - t i m e c o o p e r a t i v e a n d
c o n tin u a tio n cla sses.
P r e s e n t e d t o t h e b o a r d o f e d u c a t i o n N o v . 1 0, 1 9 1 5 .
[ N e i v Y o r k C i t y , 1 9 1 5 . ) 11/1 p p . , f o l d e d t a b l e .
[1 7 th a n n u a l r e p o r t of th e
c i t y s u p e r in te n d e n t o f sch ools, 1 9 U /-1 5 .)
On September 16, 1914, the board of education of New York City authorized
an experiment in the conduct of continuation cooperative and part-time classes
in conjunction with the high schools. This report is a result of that experi
ment. Some definitions are perhaps necessary. The cooperative system is
based on an agreement between a group of manufacturers and a school system
whereby the manufacturers agree to institute and carry on a thorough and com
prehensive apprentice course in the particular trades, and whereby the school
agrees to give both general and specialized instruction to the apprentices. The
shop course must be approved by the school authorities, and in most cases the
amount of school instruction is made equal to the amount of shopwork. The
apprentices are generally divided into sections which alternate with each other
so that one section is at the shop while the other is at school. A special teacher,
called a coordinator, is employed to coordinate the work of the shop with the
instruction in the schools. Under the continuation system the employer re
leases his employee of school age for a certain period of time each week in
order that the latter may continue his academic or mental instruction.
The experiment in question was carried on in 10 high schools during the
spring term of 1915 and through August 1, 1915. There were 341 students
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
88
MONTHLY RKVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
enrolled. As a result of tlie experiment of less tlian a year the report con
cludes as follows concerning the cooperative system: (1) Employment will be
given to liigh-school pupils in pairs for alternate periods; (2) industry profits by
the arrangement; (3) cooperative schools are applicable in industry, as well
as in salesrooms and business offices; (4) suitable programs may be arranged;
(5) the supplemental instruction is valuable; (G) the period required for
graduation is not necessarily prolonged; (7) the plan provides for completing
the students’ education; (8) permanent business and industrial positions are
opened to students; (9) the interest of the pupils is increased; (10) proper
supervision is a valuable feature of the plan.
North Carolina.— D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d P r i n t i n g . T w e n t y - n i n t h a n n u a l
rep o rt.
R a leig h , 1915.
477 pp.
Except for a brief introduction, and a classification of industries covering 68
pages, the report is largely statistical, including tables showing the condition
of farmers, the trades, miscellaneous factories, cotton, woolen and s^lk mills,
furniture factories, newspapers, and railroads and employees. The highest
average wage paid to male laborers on the farms was $1.06 per day, and to
female laborers, 67 cents. The average wage of children under 16 years of age
was 37 cents. In the trades, wages showed a slight decrease as compared with
1914, due, it is explained, to a falling off in employment which resulted from
the low price of cotton, the influence of which was to stagnate business.
Plumbers received the highest average, wage, $4.50, and electric engineers the
lowest average wage, $1.42. The following table shows the number of mill and
factory operatives and the total pay roll and estimated yearly output for eachspecified industry:
NUMBER OF EM PLOY EES, TOTAL PAY RO LL, AND ESTIM ATED VALUE OF YEARLY
OUTPUT IN EACH SPEC IFIED IND U STR Y IN 1915.
Employees.
Industry.
Estim ated
Num value of
yearly,
ber.
output.
4
Cordage mills................
Cotton mills................. 318
Furniture factories. . . . 102
Knitting mills..............
81
Silk mills......................
4
Woolen m ills................
6
Other factories.............. 3,706
Total................... 4,221
Pay roll.
Wage earners.1
Male.
Per
Per
cent. Female. cent.
$1,149,306
84,349,678
10,595,959
11,960,362
585,887
759,764
136,066,168
260
31,S41
5,622
22,562
230
304
55,568
61.0
61.8
99.6
36.3
31.3
60.0
89.3
245,458,124
296,387
1 Including 7,417 persons under 16 years of age.
166 39.0
19,653 38.1
22 .4
24,498 63.7
506 68.7
203 40.0
6,691 10.7
75.2 231,739
24.8
Sala
ried.
\V a^e
earners.
Salaried
em
ployees.
10
$192,506
$9,475
16,542,121 1,427,539
1,866,910
472,114
2,001,628
248,430
2 268,246
1,661
16
198,452
21,430
4,624 23,470,581 5,117,478
1.137
403
240
6,437
44,540, 444
7,298,127
2 Not including 206 wage earners, sex not reported.
The report shows 326 newspapers in the State, employing 1,466 persons, with
an aggregate yearly pay roll of $785,802. The highest average daily wage re
ported was $2.51, and the lowest was $1.09. A railroad mileage of 4,919.57 is
reported. The average daily wage paid to railroad employees was $2.36 re
ceived by general office clerks, and the lowest was $1.10 paid to watchmen and
switch tenders.
Pennsylvania.— D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r y . S a f e t y s t a n d a r d s o f t h e i n
d u s tr ia l b o a rd : B o ilers.
O p e r a tiv e on a n d a f t e r J u l y 1 ,1 9 1 6 .
[H a r r i s b u r g ,
1 9 1 5 ] 1 0 4 VP(To?. I , N o . 1 2 . ) C o n s i s t s o f t h e s a f e t y s t a n d a r d s a d o p t e d
b y th e in d u s tr ia l b o a rd a n d o u tlin e s th e re g u la tio n s w h ic h w ill be in s is te d
u p o n b y t h e d e p a r t m e n t in i t s in s p e c tio n o f b oilers.
Texas.— S t a t e
M in e
fo ld e d table.
In sp ecto r.
F o u rth
annual
report,
A u stin ,
1915.
2 4 PP-,
During the year 1914, 48 mines were in operation. Of these 19 were bitumi
nous coal mines and 28 lignite mines. The average number of days of operation
(518]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
89
of the bituminous mines during the year was 222, and of the lignite mines 207
days. The total bituminous tonnage for the year was 1,123,220, and of the lig
nite coal it was approximately 732,000 tons. The total number of workers in
bituminous coal mines was 3,430, of whom 3,ISO were employed underground.
The total number of workers in the lignite field was approximately 1,300.
The total number of fatal accidents reported during the year was 11, and of
nonfatal accidents of a serious nature, 19.
As shown by a diminished output and a decrease in the number of days of
operation during the year, there was a considerable industrial depression in the
Texas coal fields during the year, explained as due to the competition with oil
and gas, the development of which is increasing.
Virginia.—R i c h m o n d . B o a r d o f P u b l i c E m p l o y m e n t B u r e a u C o m m i s s i o n e r s .
F ir s t a n n u al re p o r t of th e p u blic e m p lo y m e n t b u rea u of th e c ity o f R ic h
m o n d , Y a., f o r th e y e a r e n d in g D e c e m b e r 31, 1915.
[R i c h m o n d , 1 9 1 6 ] 5 p p .
The report covers the period February S to December 31, 1915, during which
1,909 employers filed applications calling for 4,277 persons, and 7,222 persons
registered for work, while 4,235 were sent out and 2,179 were known to have
been given employment.
The expenses of the bureau amounted to $3,768.79 for the period February 8
to December 31, 1915.
United States.—B u r e a u o f F o r e i g n a n d D o m e s t i c C o m m e r c e ( D e p a r t m e n t o f
C o m m e r c e ) . W h o le sa le p ric es o f lea d in g a rtic le s in U n ite d S ta te s m a r k e ts ,
J a n u a r y , 1913, to D e c e m b e r , 1915. W a s h in g to n , 1916. 14 pp.
-------- B u r e a u
of M in e s ( D e p a r tm e n t o f th e I n te r io r ) .
A c c id e n ts a t m e ta l
lu rg ic a l w o r k s in th e U n ited S ta te s d u rin g th e c a le n d a r y e a r s 1913 a n d
1911/. W a s h i n g t o n , 1 9 1 5 . 2 8 p p .
( T e c h n i c a l P a p e r 121f .)
This paper is the first report of the Bureau of Mines on this subject. It
shows that during these two years 119 men were killed, 2,285 seriously injured,
and 11,046 slightly injured at smelters and mills, representing rates of 1.56,
29.67, and 143.44, respectively, per 1,000 men employed. In this report a
serious injury is one disabling a man and keeping him from duty 20 days
or more. The total number of men reported employed in the 390 metallurgical
works, both smelters and ore-dressing plants, was in 1913, 35,549, while in 1914
the total number employed in 57S such plants was 41,461. Detailed tables are
presented showing the number of fatal, serious, and slight accidents, by States
and by causes, at smelters and ore-dressing plants for each year. In the oredressing plants machinery was responsible for 25 6 per cent of the fatalities,
and in the smelters haulage was responsible for the greatest number of fatali
ties, 25 per cent. The following table presents a summary of these accidents,
by years:
NUM BER OF MEN EMPLOYED, NUM BER OF DAYS W ORKED, AND NUM BER OF MEN
K ILLED AND IN JU R ED IN METALLURGICAL W ORKS IN THE UNITED STATES IN
TH E YEARS 1913 AND 1914.
Killed.
Seriously injured.
Slightly injured.
Number
of em
ployees.
Total days
worked.
Aver
age
active
days.
Total.
1913................
1914................
35,549
41,461
12,139,104
13,787,956
341
333
63
56
1.78
1.35
1,047
1,238
29.45
29.86
5,177
5,869
145.63
141.55
T o tal...
77,010
25,927,060
336
119
1.56
2,285
29.67
11,046
143.44
Year.
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Per
1,000
em
ployed.
Total.
Per
1,000
em
ployed.
Total.
Per
1,000
em
ployed.
90
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
United States.—
B u re a u o f M in e s ( D e p a r tm e n t of th e I n te r io r ) .
M e ta l m in in g
a c c id e n ts i n t h e U n ite d S t a t e s d u r in g th e ca-lendar y e a r 1 9 1 . W a s h i n g
ton, 1916. 96 p p.
( T e c h n ic a l P a p e r 1 29.)
4
This report is largely statistical. It shows that the death rate in the metal
mines of the United States (excepting coal mines) in 1914 was slightly less
than in any of the three previous years, the fatality rate being 3.54 per 1,000
men employed as against 3.57 per 1,000 in 1913, 3.91 in 1912, and 4.19 in 1911.
These reductions from year to year, it is explained, are due largely to the in
troduction of safety appliances, better supervision, stricter enforcement of
rules and regulations, and closer observance of State laws. The following table
gives a summary of the accidents occurring in these mines :
NUM BER OF EM PLOYEES, DAYS W O R K ED , AND ACCIDENTS, SHOWING ACCIDENT
RATE P E R 1,000 EM PLOYED U N D ER EACH SPEC IFIED GROUP OF MINES, 1914.
Employees.
Num
ber
ac
Kind of mine. of
tive
oper Under Sur Total.
ators. ground. face.
Copper............
585
Gold and misc e 11 a neous
m etal........... 3,536
Iro n .................
196
Lead and zinc 3 248
Miscellaneous
240
mineral.......
Days' work
done.
Total.
Killed.
Seriously
injured.i
Slightly in
jured 2
Rate
Rate
Rate
per
Av Num per Num per Num
er ber. 1,000 ber. 1,000 ber.
1,000
em
em
em
age.
ployed.
ployed.
ployed.
31,265 13,421 44,686 12,845,058
287
165
3.69 2,037
45.58 11,330
253.55
35,432 13,006 48,438 13,241,280
24,847 19,960 44,807 11,745,978
7,609 3,326 10,935 2,779,109
273
262
254
179
148
40
3.70
911
3.30 1,851
3.66
146
18.81
41.31
13.35
4,690
6,922
1,605
96.82
154. 48
146.78
13.84
596
64. 44
32.08 25,143
159.02
9,249 2,177,306
235
27
T otal__ 4,805 101,618 56,497 158,115,42,788,731
2,465 6,784
271
559
2.92
128
3. 54 5,073
1 Involving loss of 20 days or more.
2 Involving loss of less than 20 days, h ut more than 1 day.
3 Mississippi Valley only.
Of all fatalities, 37.56 per cent were due to falls of ore or rock from roof,
wall, or bank. Of 361 fatal accidents reported by 258 companies employing
75,453 men, by far the largest death rate per 1,000 employed, 5.76, was in 41
of the mines where the room-and-pillar method of mining prevails, while of
3,899 serious injuries reported by 258 companies, the highest rate per 1,000
employed was 62.89 occurring in 53 of the mines where a caving system is used.
A comparison of metal mine, coal mine, and quarry accidents is given, showing
that on a 300-day basis the fatality rate per 1.000 300-day workers is, respec
tively, 3.92, 4.67. and 2.64. The report closes with a brief summary of various
State laws relating to reporting of accidents.
-----------------H o w a m i n e r c a n a v o i d s o m e d a n g e r o u s d i s e a s e s . W a s h i n g t o n ,
1916. 22 pp.
(M i n e r s ’ C i r c u l a r 2 0 . )
One of a series of publications on health and sanitation in the mineral
industry, prepared for miners as a result of studies by representatives of the
Bureau of Mines and the Bureau of the Public Health Service. It describes
briefly the causes and symptoms of some of the more deadly diseases found in
mine towns and the means by which these diseases can be largely avoided if
not entirely prevented. Emphasis is laid upon proper sanitation, pure water,
and pure air. The diseases for which preventive measures are specifically given
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91
are tuberculosis, typhoid fever, smallpox, and pneumonia. The pamphlet con
cludes :
Sickness is the miner’s worst foe, but much of it can be avoided by observance
of rules aimed to prevent rather than cure disease. Keep the home and its
surroundings clean; keep the privy clean; keep your working place clean; don’t
spit carelessly; avoid needless exposure; breathe as little dust as possible and
you will avoid much sickness and useless suffering to yourself and to others.
United States.-—B u r e a u o f M i n e s ( D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r ) . M o n t h l y s t a t e
m e n t o f c o a l-m in e f a t a li t i e s in th e U n ite d S t a t e s .
in g to n , 1916. I S pp.
J a n u a r y , 1916.
W ash
Report is based upon returns received from State mine inspectors. Comparable
data show that in January, 1915, there were 159 fatalities reported, while in
1916 there were 180. During the year 1915 there were 2,226 fatalities as com
pared with 2,454 during 1914, or a decrease of 8 per cent.
Of the 180 fatalities in January, 1916, 161 occurred underground, 8 in shafts,
and 11 on the surface; January, 1915, the numbers were 141 underground, 8
in shafts, and 17 on the surface.
The copy of the report form adopted by the Bureau of Mines for use after
January 1, 1916, is appended.
The following statement summarizes the situation for the years 1910 to 1915:
STATISTICS OF COAL PRODUCTION, NUM BER EM PLOYED, AND COAL-MINE FATAL
IT IE S IN TH E U N ITE D STATES, 1910 TO 1915.
Average ton
nage per man.
Number killed.
Production
Year. (short
tons).
Number
employed.
Total.
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
19151
501,596,378
498,371,126
534,466,580
570, 048,125
513,525,477
518,000,000
725,030
728,348
722,662
747,644
763,185
767,553
2,821
2, 656
2,419
2,785
2, 454
2,266
Per
1,000
em
ployed.
3. 89
3.65
3. 35
3. 73
3. 22
2.95
Per
1,000,000
tons
mined.
5.62
5. 35
4.53
4.89
4. 78
4.37
Produc
tion per
death
(short
tons).
177,808
186,887
220,945
204,685
209.261
228,597
Days
worked.
220
220
225
238
207
Per
year.
692
682
740
762
673
Per
day.
3.15
3.10
3. 29
3.20
3. 25
1 Subject to revision.
-------- C o n g r e s s .
H ou se. C o m m itte e on Im m ig r a tio n a n d N a tu ra liza tio n .
Re
strictio n of im m ig ra tio n .
H e a r in g s befo re th e C o m m itte e on I m m ig r a tio n
a n d N a tu ra liz a tio n , H o u se of R e p r e s e n ta tiv e s , S ix ty -f o u r th C ongress, first
se ss io n -, o n H . R . 5 5 8 .
J a n u a r y 20, 21, 1916.
T en p a rts.
W a sh in g to n
[19J6].
---------------- S e n a t e .
C o m m itte e on th e J u d ic ia ry .
A c c i d e n t c o m p e n s a t i o n to
G o v e r n m e n t em p lo yees. H e a r in g b efo re th e su b c o m m itte e of th e C o m m itte e
o n th e J u d i c i a r y , U n ite d S t a t e s S e n a te . F e b r u a r y 26, 1916.
W a sh in g to n ,
1916. 57 pp.
( 6 J ft h C o n g . , 1 s t s e s s . )
These hearings relate to a bill (S. 2846) to provide compensation for acci
dental injuries to employees of the United States resulting in disability or death.
The bill is commonly known as the Sutherland bill.
-------- P u b l i c H e a l t h S e r v i c e ( T r e a s u r y D e p a r t m e n t ) . H e a l t h i n s u r a n c e : I t s
r e l a ti o n to th e p u b lic h e a lth . P r e p a r e d tin d e r th e d ir e c t io n o f th e S u r g e o n
G en era l. W a s h in g to n , 1916. 7 6 p p .
( P u b l i c H e a l t h B u i , N o . 7 6.)
This bulletin is a presentation of the economic claims and data underlying a
system of sickness insurance for wage earners. There have been brought to
gether here in systematic form those facts and figures compiled by official and
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private investigators having a bearing on the prevalence and cost of sickness
and the conditions causing sickness among wageworkers, such as occupational
diseases, irregularity of employment, unhealthful conditions of living, employ
ment of women, inadequate earnings, and poverty. An attempt is made to
apportion the responsibility for these conditions as between employer and em
ployee and the general public.
Cooperative action for relief is considered necessary, and analogies are drawn
from foreign experiences in dealing with the problem. The plain remedy is held
to be some system of State-administered compulsory sickness insurance. On
this point the summary and conclusions of the point are as follows:
Health insurance is the most feasible measure, because ( a ) it is a method
by which the cost of sickness is distributed among those responsible for con
ditions causing sickness and whereby the burden upon the individual is light
ened, and ( b ) it gives a financial incentive for the prevention of sickness to
those who are responsible for conditions causing sickness.
Health insurance in its most highly developed form (o) provides for ade
quate cash and medical benefits to all wage earners in times of sickness; ( b )
distributes the cost among employers, the public, and wage earners according
to their responsibilities; (c) becomes an effective health measure by stimulat
ing the cooperative effort of the three responsible groups and by linking their
efforts with those of national, State, and local health agencies: ( d ) correlates
all the forces at work in the prevention of disease, and ( c ) affords a better
basis for the cooperation of the medical profession.
Under an efficient health insurance system a contribution of approximately
50 cents per week per insured person (25 cents by employees, 20 cents by em
ployers, and 5 cents by Government) should enable the insured person to re
ceive: ( a ) $7 per week when disabled on account of sickness or nonindustrial
accident for a period as long as 26 weeks in one year; ( b ) adequate medical
and surgical care during disability; (c) medical and surgical care of wife of
insured person during confinement; ( d ) a death benefit of $100. Budgetary
studies of large numbers of workingmen’s families show that many workers
pay as high as 00 cents per week and receive little more than actual funeral
expenses.
A governmental system of health insurance can be adapted to American
conditions, and when adapted will prove to be a health measure of extra
ordinary value.
The fact that under such a system the employee has such a large measure of
ownership and control will remove all elements of paternalism. The employee
will then regard the benefits as rights, not charities.
Adequate medical relief will be placed within the reach of even the lowestpaid worker, and provide for him and his family during sickness.
It will give to those responsible for conditions causing sickness a -financial
incentive to prevent disease.
Its administration must be closely coordinated with public health agencies
if it is to attain the greatest degree of success as a preventive measure.
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Australia
(C o m m o n w e a lth .)— B u re a u of C ensus a n d S ta tistic s.— T h e A u stra lia n
C o m m o n w e a lth , its re so u rc e s a n d p ro d u c tio n , 1915.
[M e l b o u r n e , 1 9 1 5 . )
112 pp. Illu stra te d .
A descriptive yearbook for the Commonwealth, indicating such matters as
physical features, history, climate, commerce, finances, and social conditions.
Austria.—A r b e i t s s t a t i s c h e s A m t . A r b e i t s z e i t v e r l a n g e r u n g e n ( Ü b e r s t u n d e n ) i n
J a h r e 1913 in fa b r ik s m ä s s ig e n B e tr ie b e n Ö s te rre ic h s.
V ien n a , 1915.
2S p p .
The Austrian Labor Code fixes the normal hours of labor at 11 per day, but
permits overtime in certain instances. The report here listed is one which is
annually submitted to parliament by the factory-inspection service, reporting
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the amount of permissible overtime worked in 1913. The principal data of the
report, with the figures for 1912 in parenthesis, are as follows :
During the year under review 471 (6S8) establishments, or 2.S (3.9) per
cent of the 17,034 (16,929) factories existing in 1913 worked overtime (in the
meaning of the law). These 471 establishments worked in excess of the 11-hour
legal limit in 940 (1,276) instances; in 186 (247) instances (involving not
more than 3 days in one month) this was done by merely reporting the pro
posed overtime work to the industrial authorities, while in 754 (1,029) in
stances of longer periods of overtime, work permits were obtained from the
provincial political authorities. The total hours worked in excess of the legal
limit during the year by all workmen affected were 1,891,796 (2,744,341). Of
this total the textile industry contributed 680,367 (1,184,268) hours; the stone,
earthenware, and glass industries, 26i,7S6 (345,458) hours; and the foodstuff in
dustry, 249,901 (300,431) hours. These data are shown for the j’ear 1913 in
four tables : By provinces, by industries, and by provinces and industries
combined ; and for the 5 years, 1909-1913, by provinces.
Austria.— A r b e i t s s t a t i s t i s c h e s A m t . D i e k o U e k t i v e n A r b c i t s - v n d L o l i n v e r t r d g e
in O esterreich .
191J,. 3 3 8 p p .
A b sch liisse u n d E r n eu erun gen
d e s J a lir e s 1912.
V ien n a ,
The present report on collective agreements entered into in Austria during
1912 continues a series begun in 1906 by the Austrian bureau of labor statistics.
During the year 1912, 822 collective agreements, covering 13,336 establishments
and affecting 180,382 workmen, were concluded. Out of this total 298 agree
ments, affecting 145,228 workmen, were local agreements, while 524, affecting
35,124 workmen, were shop agreements. Of the total agreements concluded
during the year, 56 per cent were new agreements and 44 per cent were re
newals.
The report states that its data concerning the number of agreements in
force during the year are defective because many agreements are broken
or terminated by notice before their actual expiration, without this fact being
reported to the bureau, and partly because agreements of indeterminate dura
tion, which form about 15 per cent of all agreements in force, were not included
in the compilation, as no information could be obtained as to whether or not
these agreements were still in force. The data obtained concerning the dura
tion of agreements in force in 1912 have been summarized in the table following:
CLASSIFIED DURATION OF COLLECTIVE AGREEM ENTS IN FORCE IN AUSTRIA, 1912-
Agree
ments.
Duration.»
Estab
lish
ments
covered.
Workmen
covered.
Less than one year...............................
One year b ut not over two.................
Two years b ut not over three............
Three years b ut not over four............
Four years but not over five..............
Five years and over............................
21
159
229
199
52
29
41
L090
4,695
2.325
1,200
1,065
2,095
10.138
25,106
71,843
27,514
9; 613
Total...........................................
689
10,416
146,309
i The duration is unreported in 133 cases, covering 2,920 establishments and 34,073 persons.
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The follow ing table shows the total number of collective agreements in force,
w ith the number of establishm ents included and number of employees affected,
on December 31, 1912, by industries :
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIES IN FORCE IN AUSTRIA DECEMBER 31, 1912.
N um ber
of e s ta b
lis h m e n ts
c o v e re d .
N um ber
o f a g re e
m e n ts .
I n d u s t r y a n d o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s .
A g r ic u l tu r e a n d g a r d e n i n g ............................................................................................
M in in g .......................................................................................................................................
S to n e , e a r t h e n w a r e , g la s s , a n d c h i n a ...................................................................
M e ta l'w o r k in g , m a c h i n e r y , a p p a r a t u s , i n s t r u m e n t s , a n d v e h ic le in d u s t r i e s .................................................................................................................................
W o o d w o r k in g i n d u s t r y ................................................................................................
R u b b e r a n d c e llu lo id i n d u s t r i e s ...............................................................................
L e a t h e r i n d u s t r y ................................................................................................................
T e x t i l e i n d u s t r y ........................................................ - .....................................................
U p h o l s t e r i n g .........................................................................................................................
C l o t h i n g ....... ..........................................................................................................................
P a p e r .........................................................................................................................................
F o o d s t u f f s ...........................................................................................................................
H o t e l s , r e s t a u r a n t s , c a fé s, e t c .....................................................................................
C h e m ic a l i n d u s t r y ...........................................................................................................
B u i l d i n g t r a d e s ....................................................................................................................
P r i n t i n g t r a d e s ....................................................................................................................
C o m m e r c e , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ............................................................................................
E n g i n e e r s a n d f ir e m e n ................................................................................................
O t h e r o c c u p a t i o n s ..................................................................................... ........................
•
T o t a l .............................................................................................................................
2
2
180
2
41
901
477
170
1
53
18
187
29
174
9
22
259
25
75
16
17
3 ,1 0 2
3; 299
1
233
179
627
17,033
1,093
2 , 427
1 ,9 1 5
22
6 ,978
L969
2,669
46
19
1,766
4 2 ,556
50
N um ber
of w o r k
m e n cov
ere d .
127
39,200
27,579
-
78,154
2 4 ,976
35
3 ,5 6 4
21,868
1,857
64; 743
9 ,0 5 2
27,538
5, 526
2 ,636
99,655
24.000
18;973
'3 2 3
419
450,225
The principal regulations in agreements entered into in 1912 relate to the
hours of labor (81 per cent of all agreem ents) and to w ages (99 per cen t). The
principal facts in regard to hours and w ages as reflected in collective agreements
are disclosed in the table fo llo w in g :
NUM BER AND P E R CENT OF AGREEMENTS, ESTABLISHM ENTS COVERED, AND
W ORKMEN A FFEC TED , CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO NORMAL HOURS OF LABOR
ON TH E FIR ST FIV E DAYS OF TH E W EEK .
Normal
hours of
labor on
the first
five days
of the
week.
Earlier closing on Saturdays.1
Number. Per cent. Number. Per cent. Number. Per cent.
Estab
Work
Agree
men
ments. lishments
covered. covered.
9 | ...............
1Ö .............
10].............
l o i .............
10f.............
11..............
12...............
13 .
1
4
11
6
146
24
154
49
201
2
19
1
22
7
1
0.2
.6
1.7
.9
22.4
3.7
23.8
7.6
31.0
.3
2.9
.2
3.4
1.1
.2
Total
648
100.0
7 ................
8 ................
8J
8 | ..............
9 ................
91..............
QÎ
Establishments
covered.
Workmen covered.
Agreements.
1
5
179
9
1,961
1,005
135
2,467
31
2,659
8
1,041
1,010
31
(2)
(2)
1.7
.1
18.5
.4
9.5
1.3
23.3
.3
25.1
.1
9.8
9.6
.3
10
127
1,182
259
40,744
1,538
17,239
3,569
24,610
88
6,427
17
4,699
2,179
'450
(2)
0.1
1.1
.3
39.5
1. 5
16.7
3.5
23.9
.1
6.2
(2)
4.6
2.1
.4
10,587
100.0
103,138
100.0
1
80
21
134
46
135
1
8
1
2
1
1
l
170
1
1,245
42
818
122
550
1
28
8
17
25
16
925
40
15,950
1,237
15,300
3,303
13,095
26
207
17
145
17
3 438
3,028
50,278
1 Of the agreements shown here 16, covering 36 establishments and 836 workmen, also provide for earlier
closing on Mondays, 1 covering 1 establishment with 39 workmen for earlier closing on Mondays and Tues
days; 3 agreements covering 10 establishments with 477 workmen provide for earlier closing on Saturdays
and longer hours on Fridays; 1 agreement for 9 establishments with 16 workmen provides for earlier closing
on Mondays instead of on Saturdays.
2 Less than 0.05 per cent.
3 In addition 11 agreements covering 76 establishments and 13,308 workmen proride for earlier closing on
Saturdays without regulating the daily hours of labor.
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[524]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Austria.— A r b e i t s s t a t i s t i s c h e s
b e ira te s, 1913 a n d 1914.
A m t.
S itzu n g sp ro to k o lle des stä n d ig en
V ien n a , 1914,
%%4 PP-
95
A rb eits
Contains tlie program and minutes of the meetings in 1913 and 1914 of the
Austrian permanent advisory labor council. The meeting discussed the follow
ing m atters: Homework in clothing, shoe, and lingerie industries; insurance of
miners; working and wage conditions in the Austrian iron and steel industry;
vacations for all workers in industrial establishments; congress on labor legis
lation in Berne; draft of decree relating to the application of several provisions
of the Industrial Code and of the law on factory inspection to specified service
conditions regulated in the mercantile employes’ law; draft of a law amending
articles 79 to 81 of the Industrial Code (workmen’s pass books) ; and day
nurseries in factories.
Canada.— I m p e r i a l Y e a r b o o k , 1 9 1 5 - 1 6 . S e c o n d y e a r o f p u b l i c a t i o n . M o n t r e a l ,
1915.
663 pp.
The widespread approval and circulation, suggests the editor of this yearbook,
which were accorded the first edition encouraged the preparation of this edition
in which a rearrangement of form, including curtailments and additions due
entirely to war, have been made. The aim appears to be to give statistics of
Canada and the Empire and to show relations between them. By the presenta
tion of special tables added to the trade and commercial and imperial sections,
an effort has been made to show the existing extent of Canada’s trade and “ to
help the Canadian citizen to gauge the possibilities arising from the cessation
of Germany’s enormous trade with the Empire and Canada.” Thirty-two pages
are devoted to a review of the war, followed by such general information about
Canada as is usually found in a publication of this kind.
--------S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f i m m i g r a t i o n . R e p o r t o n i m m i g r a t i o n . O t t a w a . 1 9 1 5 .
03 pp.
( D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n te r io r , P a r t I I a n n u a l r e p o r t, 1 915.)
The total immigration into Canada for the year ending March 31, 1915, was
144,789, a decrease of 240,089 over the preceding year. Immigration from the
United States into Canada fell from 107,530 in the fiscal year 1913-14 to 59,779
in the year 1914-15. Of the 59,779 persons 21,819 were reported as farmers
(12,780 males, 4,321 females, and 4,718 children). The report notes that every
American State contributed to the immigration to Canada, the largest contribu
tor being Massachusetts, with 9,697.
Denmark.— S t a t e n s S t a t i s t i s J c e D e p a r t e m e n t . S t a t i s t i s k e m e d d e l e l s e r . F j e r d e
R cekke, n i og f y r r e t y v e n d e bin d.
C o p e n h a g en , 1916.
(D a n m a rk s S ta tistik .)
The forty-ninth volume of the fourth series of general statistics for Denmark.
The report consists of four p arts: Cooperative dairies, 1914; Collective agree
ments between employer and employees in Denmark, August 1, 1915; State
taxes on incomes and property, 1915-1916; Agricultural production in 1915.
The following table summarizes the collective agreements in force on
August 1, 1915:
COLLECTIVE AGREEM ENTS IN FORCE IN DENM ARK AUG. 1, 1915.
Occupations.
Laborers (unskilled)......................................
W oodworkers.................................................
B utchers.........................................................
Bakers.............................................................
Brewers and distillers...................................
Carpenters......................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Agree
ments in
force.
397
16
42
44
106
15
' [525]
Number of employees.
Number of
employers.
4,268
310
155
1, 644
1,558
Males.
32,054
1,373
2,667
2,391
2,442
4,075
Females.
3,441
345
1,342
Total.
35,495
1,373
3,012
2,391
3,784
4', 075
96
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
C O L L E C T IV E A G R E E M E N T S IN
F O R C E I N D E N M A R K A U G . 1 ,1 9 1 5 — C o n ti n u e d .
Agree
ments in
force.
Occupations.
Firemen, m arine............................................
Shoemakers....................................................
Tinsm iths.......................................................
Blacksmiths, sawyers, and machinists.......
Masons....... 1............. .....................................
Seamen............................................................
Furniture m akers..........................................
Millers..............................................................
Paper makers..........: .....................................
Painters...........................................................
Saddle makers and upholsterers..................
Tailors......................7.....................................
Tobacco workers............................................
Textile workers..............................................
Printing, etc...................................................
Other skilled occupations.............................
17
7
3
40
21
29
10
31
3
9
43
7
3
12
3
209
Total......................................................
1.127
Number of employees.
Number of
employers.
54
1,840
660
1,045
8,709
6,012
2,538
4,7(30
537
743
3,378
67
2,133
71
3
504
340
91
06
295
(!)
Males.
Females.
Total.
5,810
2,587
1,853
3,412
13,099
1,500
3,312
2,383
595
2,106
1, 840
2,758
1 045
8, 709
6,012
2,538
4, 760
544
1,0(31
3,378
1,506
7,310
5, 899
4,236
4,007
15,205
105,589
15,340
120,938
7
318
1 Not reported.
Of tlie agreements, TO, affecting 1,768 employees, run for less than 1 year ;
1S6, affecting 11,309 employees, 1 year but less than 2 years ; 272, affecting
32,350 employees, from 2 to less than 3 years ; 195, affecting 19,399 employees,
from 3 to less than 4 years ; 250, affecting 40,802 employees, from 4 to less than
5 years ; and 41, affecting 8,439 employees, for a period exceeding 5 years.
Agreements in 48 cases, affecting 53,800 employees, covered the entire country,
but of which 14 are not applicable to the capital ; 36, affecting 4,680 employees,
a Province or two or more cities ; 317, affecting 37,900 employees, a city ; and
726, affecting 24,512 employees, an establishment only.
France.— P r é f e c t u r e d e P o l i c e . R a p p o r t s u r l e s O p é r a t i o n s d u S e r v i c e d ’i n s p e c
tio n d es É ta b lis s e m e n ts
P a r i s , 1915. 81 pp.
C la ssés
dans
le
D é p a rta ien t
de
la
S ein e,
1914.
This volume constitutes the report of the factory inspectors for the district of
Paris during the year 1914. The number of classified establishments subject to
inspection on December 31, 1914, was 6,659, and of so-called nonclassified estab
lishments 313, making a total of 6,972. The number of inspections made was
12,518.
Great Britain .— B o a r d o f T r a d e . R a i l w a y a c c i d e n t s . S u m m a r y o f a c c i d e n t s
and ca su a lties re p o rted
p a n ie s d u r in y th e th r e e
B o a r d o f T r a d e b y th e
c erta in a ccid en ts w h ic h
to th e B o a r d o f T r a d e b y th e s e v e r a l r a i l w a y c o m
m o n th s e n d in g 3 0 th S e p te m b e r , 1915 ; r e p o r t s to th e
i n s p e c t i n g officers o f th e r a i l w a y d e p a r t m e n t u p o n
w e r e in q u ire d in to.
L o n d o n , 1916. 50 pp.
--------H o m e
D e p a r tm e n t. E x p lo s io n s in M in es C o m m itte e .
S even th re p o rt of
th e e x p lo s io n s in m in e s c o m m itte e , s u b m ittin g a r e p o r t on th e effe cts o f
in h a lin g d u s ts a p p lic a b le fo r sto n e d u stin g in coal m in es.
L o n d o n , 1915.
22 pp.
The explosions in mines committee has already submitted six reports upon the
effect of inert dust in preventing or limiting the explosions of coal dust. At the
same time that these incombustible dusts were found to be of value in suppress
ing or limiting coal-dust explosions it was incidentally apparent that they might
also give rise to additional danger on their own account, particularly if such
dusts contain silica.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[526]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
97
This particular investigation on the effects of inhaling dust used in coal mines
was conducted by Dr. J. S. Haldane, of Manchester. A summary of his conclu
sions is as follows:
(1) Both from human experience in coal mines and from experiments on ani
mals there is clear evidence that shale dust, when inhaled, is no more deleterious
than coal dust, so that shale dust may be used quite safely for stone dusting in
coal mines; (2) flue dust, when inhaled, produces in animals effects which point
to the conclusion that it may be unwise to employ it for stone dusting in mines;
(3) indications are given as to what varieties of stone-dusting material may be
used in mines without detriment to health; (4) it is desirable from the point
of view of health to reduce, as far as practicable, the inhalation of any kind
of dust in mines.
Great Britain.—M i n i s t r y o f m u n i t i o n s . H e a l t h o f m u n i t i o n w o r k e r s c o m m i t t e e .
M e m o r a n d u m N o . 1, R e p o r t o n S u n d a y l a b o r ; M e m o r a n d u m N o . 2, W e l f a r e
s u p e r v i s i o n ; M e m o r a n d u m N o . 3, R e p o r t o n i n d u s t r i a l c a n t e e n s , L o n d o n ,
1915. 3 p a m p h l e t s .
India (Bombay).—F a c t o r y
b a y ], 1915.
D e p a rtm e n t.
A n n u a l f a c t o r y r e p o r t , 191.\.
[B om
8, x x i v p p .
A report of the factory-inspection service in Bombay Presidency on sanitation,
ventilation, wages, employment of women and children, guarding dangerous
machinery, and accidents.
There were 777 factories subject to inspection, 71 of which were closed during
the entire year. The 706 factories in operation employed 265,975 persons, of
which number 206,350 were engaged in the cotton industry.
Netherlands (Amsterdam.)—B u r e a u r a n S t a t i s t i c ! ' . C a t a l o g u s v a n b o e k e n c n
bro ch u res, c n d e b ib lio th e e k v a n h e t B u r e a u v a n sta tistie lc , te n S ta d lm iz e .
A m s t e r d a m , 1915. 22 p p.
( S t a t i s t i s c h e m e d e d e e l i n g c n , N o . 1/6.)
A catalogue of books and pamphlets in the municipal library at Amsterdam
on the protection of nursing infants and mothers and on infant mortality.
Norway (Christiania).—A r b e i d s k o n t o r . A a r s b e r e t n i n g [ C h r i s t i a n i a , 1 9 1 6 . 2 7
pp .]
( N o r g e s O ffen tU g e A r b e id s fo r m id lin g .)
This pamphlet contains the annual report of the labor exchange of Christiania
which functions as a central body for the Kingdom. It is administered by an
equi-partisan board representing employers and employees with a State ap
pointed director. During 1915, 41,627 applications for work were filed with it,
35,231 vacancies, reported 30,994 applicants given work, and 31,078 situations
filled. This represents an increase over 1914 of 17 per cent in the number of
applicants for work, of 23.7 per cent in the number of vacancies reported, and
26 per cent in the number of situations filled. Classified by sex, there was an
increase in all items except as respects the woman’s division.
---------------- S t a t i s t i s k e k o n t o r . H u s h o l d n i n g s r e g n s k a p e r f o r t a v e n d e l m i n d r e
bem id led e fa m ilie r i K r istia n ia , B ergen, T ro n d h jem , D ra m m e n , K r istia n ss a n d o g H a m a r i a a r e t 1 9 1 2 - 1 3 . T Jtg it r e d K r i s t i a n i a k o m m u n e s s t a t i s t i s k e
k o n t o r . C h r i s t i a n i a , 1 9 1 5 . L X X I X , (1). 1 7 9 p p . ( S p e c i a l U n k e r s p k e l s e r , /,.)
This volume presents the results of an inquiry into the cost of living in six
principal cities in Norway, based on 174 family budget books kept for one
year (1912-13) under the supervision of the city authorities. The tables in
general present the results of a study of the budgets of 171 families, having a
range from 1,186.06 crowns (.$317.86) to 3,795.92 crowns ($1,01 (.31) for the
year, while special study is made of the three families having an income in
excess of 4,000 crowns ($1,072).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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98
MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
The largest single proportion of families, or 25.3 per cent, was found in
income group 1,750 to 2,000 crowns (.$469 to $536) ; 23.6 per cent, 2,000 to 2,500
crowns ($536 to $670) ; 20.7 per cent, 1,500 to 1,750 crowns ($402 to $469) ;
14.9 per cent, 1,200 to 1,500 crowns ($322 to $402) ; 7.5 per cent, 3,000 to 4,000
crowns ($804 to $1,072) ; and 1.7 per cent, over 4,000 crowns ($1,072). The
average income for all 171 families was 2,021 crowns ($542).
As to occupation of 168 heads of families, 65 per cent were ordinary workmen,
35 per cent commercial and office employees, and three worked on their own
account. The average size of the 171 families was 5.23 persons for those having
incomes ranging from 1,200 to 4,000 crowns ($322 to $1,072), and 6.33 persons
for the three with incomes exceeding 4,000 crowns ($1,072) annually. It is
noticeable that in general there was a gradual increase in the size of the family
as the income increased up to 3,000 crowns ($804), the maximum, or 6.45 per
sons per family, being found in the income group 2,500 to 3,000 crowns ($670
to $804), with a decline to 6.31 per family in the next highest income group of
3,000 to 4,000 crowns ($804 to $1,072).
N U M B E R O F F A M IL IE S B Y C L A S S IF IE D IN C O M E .
F r o m 1,200 t o 4,000 c r o w n s ($321.60 t o $1,072).
1,200 to 1,500 t o 1,750 to 2,000 t o 2,500 t o 3,000 t o
1,500
1,750
2,500
3,000
2,000
4,000
c ro w n s c r o w n s c r o w n s c r o w n s c r o w n s c r o w n s
($321.60 ($402
($536
($469
($670
($804
to
to
to
to
to
to
$402).
$469).
$536).
$804). $1,072).
$670).
N u m b e r o f f a m ili e s .....................
A v e ra g e n u m b e r of p erso n s
p e r f a m i l v ....................................
T o ta l.
O ver
4,000
c r o w n s T o t a l.
($1,072).
26
36
44
41
11
13
171
3
4. 58
4 .9 7
5 .1 8
5 .2 7
6 .4 5
6.31
5.23
6 .3 3
174
6)
1 N o t re p o rte d .
The sources of income of the different income classes for the 171 households
having an income under 4,000 crowns ($1,072) and for the three having an
income in excess of that amount are set forth in the first table following, while
the distribution of the expenditures is shown in the second statement.
SOU RCES
O F IN C O M E
Sources of income.
OF
F A M IL IE S , B Y
C L A S S IF IE D
IN C O M E .
A m o u n t o f in c o m e o f fa m ilie s h a v i n g
a n in c o m e of—
P e r c e n t o f e a r n i n g s f r o m e a c h s o u rc e
o f f a m ilie s h a v i n g a n in c o m e of—
$321.60
$1,072
to
$469 $670
to
$1,072 $321.60
to
to
to
$1,608
(171 $469.
$670.
$1,072.
(3
fami
fami
lies).
lies).
$321.60
$1,072
to
$469 $670
to
$1,072 $321.60
to
to
to
$1,608
(171 $469.
$670.
$1,072.
(3
fam
fami
ilies).
lies).
Total income.......................... $541.53 $423.25 $553.67 $804.14 $1,235.87 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Earnings of—
489.97 398. 87 499.13 692. 89 1,148.32 90.48 94. 24 90.14 86.17 92.92
Husband, wages___ 443.55 369.92 456.93 586.36
808.61 81.91 87.40 85.52 72.92 65.43
Husband, other than
wages..................... 16.30 12.61 14.91 30.77
201.89
3.01
2.98
2.69
3.83 16.34
Wife.......................... 10. 8E 13.17 8.03 15.10
1 «8
2.01
1.45
3.11
Children................... 19. 23 3.17 19.25 60.66
137.82 3* i)D
.75
3.48
7.54 11.15
Lodgings and boarders...
Insurance........................
Gifts, etc..........................
Other...............................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
21.10
2. 94
7.53
19.99
11.59
2.60
5.36
4.83
22.69
3.09
5.84
22.92
40.04
3.30
19.12
48.79
[528]
34.55
53.00
3.90
.54
1.39
3.69
2.74
.61
1.27
1.14
4.10
.56
1.06
4.14
4.98
.41
2.38
6.06
2.80
4.28
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
AVERAGE
E X P E N D IT U R E
PER
F A M IL Y , F O R
Average expenditure per family,
having an expenditure of—
Item s of expenditure.
$321.60
$1,072
to
to
$469 $670
$1,072 $321.60
$1,608
to
to
to
(171 $469. $670. $1,072. (3 fami
fami
lies).
lies).
99
V A R IO U S IT E M S .
Per cent of total expenditure for
each item of expenditure per
family having an expenditure of—
$321.60
to
$349
$1,072 $321.60
to
to
(171 $469.
$670.
fami
lies).
Food......................................... $234.76 $196.41 $238.60 $320.26 $403.89 44.13 47.95
Beverages and tobacco........... 10.45
25.50
1.96 2.05
8.37 11.47 12.15
Clothing................................... 77.06 51.83 82.59 122.60 174.25 14.48 12.66
R e n t.. ................................... 85.57 64.12 89.62 126.61 218.43 16.08
5.38
H eat and light............ ........... 26.80 22.04 27.10 38.07
58.11
5.03
1.58
L aundry..................................
9.12 17.29
22. 80
1.75
6.49
9.31
1.99
1.94
F urniture................................. 10.35
8.14 10.30 16.23 107.28
Medicine and medical treat
31.45
1.26
1.11
ment .....................................
4.57
5.04 18.15
6.71
Servants...................................
.44
1.78
35.22
.36
.11
1.89
6.03
Society dues, and insurance
4.56
4.35
premiums............................. 23.16 18.68 19. 81 43.58
54.03
1.32
Taxes
1.64
5.42
8.73 16.89
45.09
8.67
1.10
9.51
Gifts, etc..................................
5.44
1.07
4.49
13.13
5.67
1.34
Education, etc.........................
1.69
5.49
8.56 19.71
29.12
9.01
Amusements...........................
14.14
.84
.73
4.50
2.98
4. 81 7.32
.22
Lottery tickets........................
.90
1.79
2.98
4.96
.31
1.63
1.65
T ravel...................................... 11.96
2.24
6.78 12.81 22.33
31.47
.60
Other expenses.......................
4.62 2.43
9.41
4.86
13.59
.87
$1,072
to
$670
$1,608
to
$1,072. (3 fam
ilies).
43.97
2.12
15.23
16.52
5. 00
1.68
1.90
39.44
1.50
15.10
15.59
4.68
2.14
1.99
31.49
1.99
13.59
17.03
4.53
1. 78
8.37
.93
.33
2.23
.74
2. 45
2.75
3.65
1.61
1.00
1.58
.89
.33
2.36
.90
5.74
2.08
1.16
2.43
.90
.37
2.75
1.16
4.21
3.52
1.02
2. 27
1.10
.39
2.45
1.06
T otal.............................. 532.12 409.51 542.45 812. la! 1. 282.45 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Nova Scotia.— D e p a r t m e n t
m i n e s , 1 915.
o f P u b lic W o r k s a n d M in es.
H a lifa x , 1916.
A n n u a l re p o r t of th e
181 p p.
Report of the production of minerals in tne Province for the fiscal year end
ing September 30. 1915: Equipment, working conditions, and development in
the collieries; Regulations for installing and operating electricity in the mines.
Tables are given showing the number of accidents in mines. The report in
cludes brick kilns and quarrying.
The average daily force employed in the coal mines of Nova Scotia for the
year ending September 30, 1915, was 16.G26, and the total number of days
worked by this force during the year was 3,310,934.
Victoria (Australia) . — C h i e f I n s p e c t o r o f F a c t o r i e s . R e p o r t o f t h e c h i e f i n
s p e c to r of fa c to rie s, M e lbou rn e, on a n tis tr ik e le g isla tio n in o p e ra tio n
th ro u g h o u t th e A u s tra la sia n S t a t e s ; a n d re co m m en d a tio n s re g a rd in g such
l e g i s l a t i o n f o r V i c t o r i a . M e l b o u r n e , 1 9 1 5 . SO p p .
This document consists principally of a digest of the various laws on strikes
and on the settlement of industrial disputes in the various States of the Com
monwealth of Australia. It briefly describes the results obtained by such
legislation.
As applicable to the State of Victoria, it is recommended that the system
of wage boards in that State be extended; that the determinations of the wage
board be automatically suspended upon the occurrence of a strike; that legis
lation be enacted requiring notice of intention to strike or lockout; that any
determination of a strike should be preceded by a secret ballot on the ques
tion, such a vote to be carried by a majority of the voters on the rolls of the
wage board; that 7 days’ notice be given to an employer preceding the decla
ration of a strike; that penalties be automatic and become a charge on the
property, earnings, and wages of the parties concerned until recovered; and,
finally, that the prerogative of the Crown to pardon offenders or remit fines
be abrogated.
[529]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100
MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
LABOR DEPARTMENTS AND BUREAUS.
Austria.— S o z i a l e R u n d s c h a u ,
liera usgegeben
A m t im H a iid elsm in isteriu m .
V ien n a.
vom
K.
K.
A r b e it ssta tistisc lie n
O c t o b e r - N o v e m b e r , 1 9 1 5 . —General labor legislation: Norway, law, Septem
ber 19, 1915, relating to the protection of workmen in industrial establishments;
Austria, Decrees of the minister of commerce, of September 11 and October 21,
1915, relating to night and overtime work of women and juvenile workers; In
dustrial inspection in Austria, 1914. Special labor legislation: Spain, pro
posed prohibition of nightwork in bakeries ; France, law of July 10, 1915, regu
lating the wages of female home workers in the clothing industry ; Norway,
proposed regulation of home work; Austria, Imperial decree, October 3, 1915,
extending the term of office of officers of mine guilds. Labor disputes : Norway,
law, August 6, 1915, relating to labor disputes ; Sweden, statistics of labor dis
putes, 1914. Employment bureaus and unemployment : Austria, measures for the
employment of war invalids ; Measures for the aid of unemployed salaried work
ers ; Statistics of employment offices, July and August, 1915 ; Unemployment in
Austrian trade unions, June-September, 1915 ; Germany, compulsory reporting
by free employment offices ; Bulgaria, unemployment during 1914. Labor offices :
Activities of the Austrian bureau of labor statistics, 1914. Workmen’s insurance :
Germany, Insurance of salaried employees during the war ; Extension of the
Prussian miners’ funds war law to Austro-Hungarian citizens ; Netherlands, in
troduction of compulsory sickness insurance. Social measures : Austria, Decree,
October 21, 1915, regulating the cultivation of fallow lands ; Decree, September
29,1915, prohibiting the use of potatoes and restricting the use of sugar beets in the
manufacture of spirits; Decree, October 30, 1915, regulating the sale of legumes;
Extension of furloughs for engineers and firemen employed in operating agri
cultural machinery; Financial aid by the Government to dependents of men
called in for army service, to invalid enlisted men and their dependents, and to
survivors of enlisted men fallen in the war; Denmark, investigation into the
social consequences of the war ; Review of social and economic literature.
Brazil.
SÂo P a u l o ( S t a t e ) . — B o l e t i m d o D e p a r t a m e n t o E s t a d u a l d o T r a b a l h o .
S d o P aulo.
V o l . .’i , N o . 15, ( 2 d q u a r t e r , 1 9 1 5 ) . —Accidents to employees in industrial, com
mercial, and transportation establishm ents and enterprises in Sfio Paulo,
Brazil, in 1914; Proposed labor contract law, Italy, March IS, 1915; Proceed
ings of the seven conventions of the International Association for Labor Legis
lation ; Proposed law on industrial accidents; Safety and hygienic regulations
for m anufacturing establishm ents, and for operations in which poisonous sub
stances are employed ; Im migration to America, 1904-1913 ; Eight-hour day and
nightwork; Colonization of North P au lista; Portuguese legislation (hours of
labor in commercial and industrial establishm ents, and employment o f women
and m inors) ; D etailed statistics of accidents in the State capital; Prices of
necessities ; W ages on coffee plantations ; Immigration, 1915 ; Im m igrants pro
vided for by the S tate; Labor exchange, Department of Labor; Publications
received.
Denmark.—S t a t i s t i s k e
E fterretn in g er
u d g ivet
af
det
S ta tistisk e
D ep a rtm en t.
Copenhagen.
M a r c h 6, 1 9 1 6 ( V o l . S, N o . lt ) . — Production and sale of sugar in Denmark,
1915; Exports of dairy products; Imports of hides and skins, 1915; Imports of
lumber from coniferous trees ; Growth of the D anish merchant marine ; The
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101
index numbers of the Economist; Population of Denmark, February, 1916,
and other brief notices.
France.—B u l l e t i n d u M i n i s t è r e d u T r a v a i l e t d e l a P r é v o y a n c e S o c i a l e . P a r i s .
N o v e m b e r - D e c e t n b e r , 1915.
( V o l . 2 2 , N o s . 11 a n d 1 2 . ) —Social movement—
France: Inquiry concerning industrial and social activities October, 1915;
Mine labor, October and November, 1915; Strikes in November and December,
1915; Work of tlie mixed commissions in the departments for the securing of
employment; Unemployment relief, 1913; Operations of the national unemploy
ment fund for Paris; Central employment exchange; British inquiry on condi
tions of labor in munition factories in France; Determination of the average
wage of agricultural laborers for purposes of accident compensation; Appoint
ment of a central wage board for home workers ; Savings banks, 1912, 1913;
Economic situation expressed in index number, third quarter 1915. Foreign
countries: Cost of living since the outbreak of the war; Reports on labor and
labor conditions, Germany, Spain, United States, Great Britain, Italy, Norway,
the Netherlands, Switzerland. Miscellaneous reports: Wholesale prices, Paris,
November-Deeember, 1915. Foreign commerce of France, 1914, 1915; Rail
road receipts, August and October; Production of sugar and alcohol. Court
decisions, legislative reports, laws, official documents, etc.
Germany.—R e i c h s - A r b e i t s b l a t t , h e r a u s g e g e b e n v o r n K a i s e r l i c h e n S t a t i s t i s c h c n
A m t e , A b t e i l u n g f i i r A r b e i t e r s t a t is t i k .
B erlin .
F e b r u a r y , 1 9 1 6 . —Labor
market in Germany, January, 1916 ; Labor market in
foreign countries (Great Britain, Switzerland, New York, Canada) ; Employ
ment in January, 1916, according to reports of industrial establishments and
sick funds; Unemployment in German trade unions, January, 1916; Unem
ployment in foreign countries ( Sweden, third quarter, 1915 ; Denmark, Sep
tember and October, 1915; Netherlands, November, 1915). Labor market from
the middle of January to the middle of February, 1916, according to reports of
public employment offices ; New form for the compulsory monthly reports of
public employment offices; Activities of public employment offices, January,
1916; War measures of the maritime trade accident insurance association;
Labor shortage, wage increases, and high cost of living in Great Britain dur
ing the year 1915; Wage statistics of the Leipzig local sick fund; Universal
old-age pensions in Sweden ; Prussian regulations of December 16, 1915, for
the compulsory monthly reporting of public employment offices to the Im
perial statistical office; Statistical tables of the labor market.
Great Britain .— B o a r d o f T r a d e L a b o r G a z e t t e . L o n d o n .
M a r c h , 1 9 1 6 . —Employment chart; The labor market; Special articles on em
ployment of women ; Employment in Germany ; Retail food prices in the United
Kingdom, Berlin, and Australia; Rise in the cost of living in Copenhagen; New
Norwegian factory act; Reports on employment in the principal industries;
Labor in the British dominions over-sea and foreign countries—Canada, Aus
tralia, Holland, Denmark, Austria-Hungary, Norway, United States; Board of
Trade labor exchanges. Statistical tables : Trade disputes ; Changes in rates of
wages; Prices of wheat, flour, and bread; Diseases of occupations; Distress
committees; Fatal industrial accidents; Unemployment insurance; Pauperism ;
Foreign trade ; Cooperative wholesale societies. Legal cases, official notices, etc.
Italy.—B o l l e t t i n o d e l V U f f i c i o d e l L a v o r o , M i n i s t e r o d i A g r i c o l t u r a , I n d u s t r i a
e C om m crcio.
Rom e.
M a r c h 1, 1 9 1 6 . —Labor
(S e m im o n th ly .)
market by localities and industries; Labor disputes,
January and first half of February, 1916; Retail prices (actual and relative)
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
of foodstuffs in Italian cities, first six months 1914 and January, 1916 ; Retail
prices of foodstuffs in foreign countries; Great Britain (July, 1914, and Feb
ruary 1, 1916) ; Germany, Berlin (July, 1914, and December, 1915) ; Austria,
Vienna (July, 1914, and December, 1915) ; Switzerland (June, 1914, September
and December, 1915) ; Employers’ and employees’ associations; Congresses and
conventions; Activities of the bureau of labor; Decree, February 3, 1916, post
poning the election of new members of the superior labor council; The more
common diseases among cultivators of hemp; Court decisions relating to labor.
M a r c h 1 6 , 1 9 1 6 . —Labor market by localities and industries; Labor disputes,
second half of February; Employers’ and employees’ associations; Congresses
and conventions; Interpellation in Parliament as to the employment of war
prisoners; Activities of the labor office; Meeting of the permanent labor council,
March 2 and 3, 1916; Decree, February 24, 1916, extending agricultural con
tracts ; Decree, February 27, 1916, making provision for the expediting of public
works during the w ar; Decree, February 28, 1816, providing that during the
war the national insurance fund shall credit workmen called into the army with
the minimum premiums prescribed by law; Decree, March 11, 1916, regulating
the prices of domestic grain; Decree, March 11, 1916, regulating the milling of
grain; Cases of poisoning by trinitrotoluol; Provisions for the protection of
employees of public carriers; Court decisions relating to labor.
Netherlands.— M a a n d s c h r i f t v a n h e t C e n t r a a l B u r e a u v o o r cle S t a t i s t i e k . T h e
H ague.
J a n u a r y , 1 9 1 6 . —Review
of industrial and social progress, 1915; Labor market,
1915; Dock labor and employment of interned soldiers, January, 1916; Unem
ployment and unemployment insurance, 1915, and December, 1915; Labor ex
changes, December, 1915; Strikes and lockouts, 1914 and December, 1915;
Minimum wages and maximum hours on Government work, January, 1916;
Collective agreements, 1915; Trade union activity; Wholesale and retail prices,
1915, January, 1916; Immigration and emigration, December, 1915; Decisions
of courts; Miscellaneous labor and industrial statistics; Principal war measures
in the Netherlands and foreign countries; Reports from foreign countries on
the labor market, strikes and lockouts, labor exchanges, prices, etc.; Sta
tistical tables on the labor market, labor exchanges, prices, unemployment,
unemployment insurance, building activities, occupational diseases, State
finances ; Laws, decrees, etc.
New York.— T h e B u l l e t i n I s s u e d M o n t h l y b y t h e N e w Y o r k S t a t e I n d u s t r i a l
C om m ission .
A lb a n y.
( v o l . 1, N o . 6 ) . —“ New Rule No. 2 ” (equipment of factory
buildings with Are escapes, etc.) ; Report on anthrax February 26, 1916; De
cisions of the commission; Insurance in the State fund; Fire-alarm hearing;
The labor m arket; Factory inspection; Reports of the bureaus.
Pennsylvania.— M o n t h l y B u l l e t i n o f t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d
M arch,
1916,
In d u stry.
H a rrisb u rg .
( v o l , 3, N o . 2 ) . —Hazards to health from industrial dust;
“ Petromortis,” a new disease; State regulation of bake shops; Benzol poison
ing ; Hints for safety and health; Timely hints for foundrymen, bakers, ma
chinists ; Hazards of gas works; State and national cooperation for study of
unliealthful conditions in industry; Obligation to obey orders of fire inspec
tors; Inclines as stairways for greater safety in public schools, factories, and
halls; Work of the bureau of employment; Women in Pennsylvania industries;
Aid of Bryn Mawr alumnae in reducing fire hazards for women workers;
F ebruary,
1916,
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Cooperation of department in Americanization of immigrants; Immigrant sta
tistics; Compilation of statistics of public-service corporations ; Financial statis
tics of tlie bureau of statistics and information; Bureau of workmen’s compen
sation ; Hearings on tentative rules relating to construction, maintenance, and
operation of cereal mills, malt bouses, and grain elevators.
Spain.—B o l e t i n d e l I n s t i t u t e d e R e f o r m a s S o c i a l e s . P u b l i c a c i o n M e n s u a l .
M a d rid .
F e b r u a r y , 1 9 1 6 . —Report
of the secretary’s office and of the special divisions;
Accident statistics, 1914; Social conditions in the rice-growing sections in the
province of Valencia; Strike and lockout statistics; Cost of living for laborers;
Cheap houses; Unemployment; Savings; Legislation and decrees: Proposed
law in France relative to the cultivation of lands unused as a result of the
w a r; Proposed eight-hour law in Uruguay; Amendatory war measures of social
import adopted by Germany.
Sweden.—S o c i a l a M e d d e l a n d e n u t g i v n a a v K . S o c i a l s t y r e l s e n . S t o c k h o l m .
N o . 1, 1 9 1 6 . —Hours of labor in barber and hairdressing establishments; Labor
movement in the merchant marine; Conditions in Denmark arising from the
w ar; Restriction of the sale of spirituous liquors; Work of the labor-inspection
service, 1914; Pension bureau, 1914; Recent protective labor legislation in Nor
way ; State subsidies to asylums for inebriates; Instructions for treatment of
inebriates; Approval of an asylum for treatment of inebriates; Regulations
relating to the bolting of rye flour; Reduction of rates on transportation of
wood; Reports of labor inspectors concerning fatal industrial accidents; Regis
tration of sick funds under the new law ; Brief notices; Marine ordinances;
Public contracts; Sickness and unemployment insurance committee; Benefit
funds in Denmark, 1914; Labor market in England, December, 1915; Labor
market in Germany, December, 1915; Swedish emigration, 1915; Cooperative
union; Coooperation (wholesale) in foreign countries; Housing in Gottenborg,
activities of the commune in an effort to provide dwellings in Gottenborg;
Regulating house rents in Norway; Inquiry relative to uniform rates of wages
in the bureau of State railways, in the postal, telegraph, and customs service,
and in the water-power bureau; Municipal measures taken in Denmark rela
tive to high prices; Public labor exchanges in Sweden, December, 1915; Flour
and bread prices, 1915; Review of prices of articles of consumption in Sweden,
fourth quarter, 1915; Food prices in Sweden, 1904-December, 1915; Food
prices in various localities, Sweden, fourth quarter, 1915; Prices of cattle,
Sweden, 1914-December, 1915; Prices of cattle, Sweden, fourth quarter, 1915;
Prices of fish, Stockholm, December, 1914-December, 1915.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Austria.—A m t l i c h e
N a c h r i c h t e n d e s k . 1c. M i n i s t e r i u m s d e s I n n e r n b e t r e f f e n d d i e
U n fa ll-u n d K r a n k e n v e r s ic h e r u n g d e r A r b e ite r .
V ien n a .
F e b r u a r y , 1 9 1 6 . —Accident insurance; Elections and appointments of officers
of the workmen’s accident insurance institutes and courts of arbitration; Joint
decree, January 24, 1916, of the ministers of the interior and of public works
relating to the premium tariff of the miners’ accident insurance institute; De
cisions of the administrative court relating to workmen’s accident insurance;
Decisions of courts of arbitration. Sickness insurance; New determination of
the customary local wages for the territory of Prague; Decisions of the adminis
trative court relating to workmen’s sickness insurance.
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G e r m a n y .— A m t l i c h e N a d i r i c l i t e n d e s R e i c h s v e r s i c h e r u n g s a m t s . B e r l i n .
(Monthly.)
J a n u a r y 1 5 , 1 9 1 6 . —Accident insurance: Financial statistics of tlie carriers
of accident insurance for the year 1914. Sickness, invalidity, and survivors’
insurance. Business and financial statistics for the year 1914 of the insurance
institutes and special institutes established in pursuance of the Imperial
Insurance Code.
Germany.—V i e r t e l j a h r s h e f t e s u r S t a t i s t i k de-s D e u t s c h e n R e i e h s , J i e r a u s g e g e b c n
ro m K a iserlich en S ta tistisc h e n A m te.
B e rlin .
( v o l . 2 4 , N o . 4 ).—Distribution of crop areas, forests,
waste lands, etc. Hop crop for 1915. Bankruptcy statistics, third quarter,
1915. Tobacco culture, 1915. Changes in the number and capital of German
stock companies. Bankruptcy statistics for the year 1914. Strikes and lock
outs, third quarter, 1915. Price statistics: Live-stock prices in 10 German
cities, third quarter, 1911-1915. Cattle and hog prices in 5 German cities,
January to September, 1908-1915. Live-stock prices in foreign countries, third
quarter, 1911-1915. Meat prices in Berlin, 1910-1914. Retail prices of legumes
in 24 German cities 1895-1914. Prices of food stuffs in Strassburg, in Alsace,
1910-1914. Charts.
Italy.—B o l l e t t i n o d e l l a E m i g r a s i o n e , C o m m i s s a r i a t o d e l l a E m i g r a s i o n e . R o m e .
(Monthly.)
J a n u a r y , 1 9 1 6 . —Living and working conditions in French coal-mining dis
tricts. Law, December 19, 1914, regulating the immigration and naturalization
of aliens in the Republic of Panama. Changes in the staff of the commission.
Decree, December 23, 1915, regulating expatriation for the purpose of securing
work.
F e b r u a r y , 1 9 1 6 . —Statistics of the Italian trans-Atlantic emigration for 1914
and 1915, and the supervisory activities of the emigration commission. Living
and working conditions in French coal-mining districts (continued). Dis
cussions in the House of Deputies, December, 1915, relating to emigration and
labor. Monthly statistics of trans-Atlantic emigration, January, 1916. Changes
in the staff of the commission. Decree, January 2, 1916, relating to the issu
ance of passports to nonresident Italians.
Italy.—B o l l e t t i n o d c l V I s p e t t o r a t o d e l V I n d u s t r i a e d e l L a v o r o . M i n i s t c r o d i
A g r i c o l t u r a , I n d u s t r i a c C o m m e r c i o , TJfficio d e l L a v o r o . R o m e . ( B i m o n t h l y . )
S e p t e m b e r - 0 c t o b e r , 1 9 1 5 . —Personnel of the inspection service; Activities of
the inspectors during September and October, 1915; Administrative orders; Pro
duction, imports, and exports of raw and partly worked up wool with special
reference to the actual needs of Italian wool-combing establishments; Inspec
tion work in rice fields during the polishing season of 1915.
Spain.—B o l e t í n d e l C o n s e j o S u p e r i o r d e E m i g r a c i ó n . M a d r i d .
N o v e m b e r , 1 9 1 5 . —Report of the conditions among Spanish emigrants in
the States of Para and Amazonas, and upon the Madeira-Mamore Railroad;
Royal decree and regulations of the commission on emigration; Prevention of
trachoma; Operations of the emigration commission; Emigration statistics;
Spanish cooperative associations in Cuba; Current notes; Bibliographic notes.
D e c e m b e r , 1 9 1 5 . —Report of conditions among Spanish emigrants in the
States of Para and Amazonas, and upon the Madeira-Mamore Railroad, con
tinued; Report of the finance bureau; Operations of the emigration commis
sion ; Rulings of the commission; Emigration statistics; Current notes; Biblio
graphic notices; and index for Vol. VII.
F o u rth
q u a rte r, 1915
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