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II. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ROYAL MEEKER Commissioner
MONTHLY
LABOR REVIEW
VOLUME VIII
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
NUMBER 5
MAY, 1919
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1919
BUY
VICTORY LIBERTY LOAN NOTES
INTEREST RATE, 4 % PER CENT.
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MATURITY DATE, 1923
CONTENTS.
Special articles:
Page.
Report of the Commission on International Labor Legislation to the Peace
Conference........................................................................................................ 1-26
Lessons from housing developments of the United States Housing Corpora
tion, by Frederick Law O lm sted.................................................................. 27-38
Medical benefits and the medical profession under workmen’s compen
sation laws, by Carl Hookstadt....................................................................... 39-61
Labor turnover among employees of a California copper mining and
smelting company, by Paul F. Brissenden................................................... 63-84
Demobilization and resettlement in the United Kingdom, by Benjamin M.
Squires................................................................................................................ 85-100
Reconstruction:
Report of Government commission of employers to study labor conditions
in Europe........................................................................................................ 101,102
Recommendations of the Michigan reconstruction committee................... 102-104
National Industrial Conference, Great Britain............................................. 104-108
Interim report of the British Coal Industry Commission..... ...................... 109-114
Whitley council plan applied to British Government departments......... 114-116
Suggestions as to functions and constitution of district councils and of
works committees.......................................................................................... 116-122
Prices and cost of living:
Retail prices of food in the United States..................................................... 123-141
Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States, 1913 to March,
1919.................................................................................................................. 142,143
Changes in wholesale prices in the United States........................................ 143-146
Cost of living in the United States................................................................. 147-165
Price changes in shipbuilding centers........................................................... 166-168
Increase in cost of living in Great Britain, by Prof. William F. Ogburn. 169-177
Cost of living in Italy ...........................................................................................
177
Employment and unemployment:
Conference on national employment service, Washington, D. C., April 23
to 25, 1919.........................................................................................................178-181
Employment in selected industries in March, 1919..................................... 182-185
Index numbers of employment and of pay roll, January, 1915, to March,
1919.................................................................................................................. 185-187
Employment in France in July, 1918............................................................ 188-190
Extent of employment of women in Germany during the war......................
191
Collective^ bargaining:
Bridgeport plan of organization for collective bargaining committees— 192-200
Wages and hours of labor:
Earnings of women in candy factories in Massachusetts............................. 201-204
Brief for the eight-hour day for women......................................................... 204-209
United States Shipping Board report on marine and dock labor............... 209-212
Legal introduction of the eight-hour working day in Germany................. 213-215
Minimum wage:
Minimum wage in the D istrict of Columbia................................................. 216-219
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IV
CONTENTS.
Women in industry:
PageEmployment of women in acetylene welding, by Helen G. Fisk............. 221-230
Case of woman street car conductors in Cleveland...................................... 230-232
Standard working conditions for women in California laundry and manu
facturing industries....................................................................................... 232-235
New York law forbidding woman night workers in restaurants held con-.
stitutional............................................................................................... ».........
235
English working women during the war and after....................................... 236-243
Industrial accidents and diseases:
Accidents at metallurgical works in the United States, 1917..................... 244, 245
New hazards in electric arc welding.............................................................. 245, 246
Fatal industrial accidents in Canada during 1917........................................ 246, 247
Workmen’s compensation:
Selection of the physician under compensation laws, by John W. Mowell,
M. D ................................................................................................................ 248-250
Report on Ohio workmen’s compensation insurance fund by State Board
of Commerce.................................................................................................. 250-252
Compensation for permanent partial disabilities under Federal Compen
sation A ct....................................................................................................... 253-255
Safety and merit rating law of Washington................................................... 255-258
Reports of workmen’s compensation commissions:
Connecticut................................................................................................ 258,259
Oklahoma................................................................................................... 259, 260
Pennsylvania.............................................................................................. 260-263
Wisconsin.................................................................................................... 263, 264
Social insurance:
Report of Wisconsin social insurance committee......................................... 265-269
Rights of beneficiaries under War-Risk Insurance A ct...................................
270
Labor laws:
Workmen’s compensation law of Argentina.................................................. 271-279
Queensland compensation act amended........................................................ 279, 280
Government bureaus:
Plan for promotions and increases in salaries of nontechnical employees of
United States Housing Corporation............................................................ 281-285
Strikes and lockouts:
Labor disputes in Canada in 1918................................................................... 286, 287
Conciliation and arbitration:
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor, March 16, 1919, to April
15, 1919.............................................
288-291
Provision for conciliation and arbitration in the State of Vera Cruz,
Mexico........................................................................................................... 291, 292
Immigration :
Immigration in February, 1919....................................................................... 293, 294
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States....................................................................................... 295-304
Official—foreign countries................................................................................ 304-311
Unofficial.......................
311-323
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
vol.
vm —n o . 5
WASHINGTON
m ay
, m n
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL LABOR LEGISLA
TION TO THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
The report of the Commission on International Labor Legislation,
dated Paris, March 24, 1919, containing a draft convention creating
a permanent organization for the promotion of the international
regulation of labor conditions, was accepted by the Peace Conference
on April 11, 1919, together with certain amendments proposed by
G. N. Barnes, of Great Britain. This report embodies nine labor
clauses (see p. 23) which were proposed to be inserted in the Treaty
of Peace, and on April 28, in plenary session, the Peace Conference
considered and adopted these clauses as amended by a redraft (see
p. 25) moved by Sir Robert Borden (Canada). The text of the report
of the Commission on International Labor Legislation and the amend
ments are here presented in full.
1.
T E R M S O F R E F E R E N C E A N D C O N S T IT U T IO N O F C O M M IS S IO N .
The Commission on International Labor Legislation was appointed
by the Peace Conference on the 31st of January, 1919. The terms
of reference were as follows :
That a commission, composed of two representatives apiece from the five Great
Powers, and five representatives to be elected by the other Powers represented at
the Peace Conference, be appointed to inquire into the conditions of employment
from the international aspect, and to consider the international means necessary to
secure common action on matters affecting conditions of employment, and to recom
mend the form of a permanent agency to continue such inquiry and consideration in
cooperation with and under the direction of the League of Nations.
At a meeting of the other States on the 27th of January, 1919, it
was agreed that Belgium should nominate two representatives on the
commission, and Cuba, Poland, and the Czecho-Slovak Republic
one each.
The commission was composed as follows:
United States of America.—Mr. Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor; Hon. E. N. Hurley, president of the
American Shipping Board. (Substitutes: Hon. H. M. Robinson;
Dr. J. T. Shotwell, professor at Columbia University.)
The British Empire.—The Right Hon. G. N. Barnes, M. P., member
of the war cabinet. (Substitute: Mr. H. B. Butler, C. B., assistant
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secretary, Ministry of Labor.) Sir Malcolm Delevingne, K. C. B.,
assistant undersecretary of state, Home Office.
France.—Mr. Colliard, Minister of Labor. (Substitute: Mr. Arthur
Fontaine, counselor of state, director of labor.) Mr. Loucheur,
minister of industrial reconstruction. (Substitute: Mr. Léon Jouhaux, general secretary of the Confédération Générale du Travail.)
Italy.—Baron Mayor des Planches, honorable ambassador, com
missioner general for emigration. Mr. Cabrini, deputy, vice president
of the Supreme Labor Council. (Substitute: Mr. Coletti.)
Japan.—Mr. Otchiai, envoy extraordinary, minister plenipoten
tiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at The Hague. Mr. Oka,
formerly director of commercial and industrial affairs at the Ministry
of Agriculture and Commerce.
Belgium.—Mr. Vandervelde, minister of justice and of state.
(Substitute: Mr. La Fontaine, senator.) Mr. Mahaim, professor at
Liege University, secretary to the Belgian section of the Association
for the Legal Piotection of Workmen.
Cuba.—Mr. De Bustamante, professor at Habana University.
(Substitutes: Mr. Raphael Martinez Ortiz, minister plenipotentiary;
Mr. De Blanck, minister plenipotentiary.)
Poland.—Count Zoltowski, member of the Polish National Com
mittee, afterwards replaced by Mr. Stanislas Patek, counselor, of
the court of cassation. (Substitute: Mr. François Sokal, director
general of labor.)
Czecho-Slovak Republic.—Mr. Benès, minister for foreign affairs,
afterwards replaced by Mr. Rudolph Broz.
The following were appointed officers of the commission:
President, Mr. Samuel Gompers (U. S. A.).
Vice presidents: The Right Hon. G. N. Barnes, M. P. (British
Empire); Mr. Colliard (France).
General secretary, Mr. Arthur Fontaine (France).
Assistant geneial secretary, Mr. H. B. Butler (British Empire).
Secretaries: Baron Capelle (substitute, Count de Grunne), Bel
gium; Mr. di Palma Castiglione, Italy; Mr. Oyster, U. S. A.; Mr.
Yoshisaka, Japan.
2.
R E P O R T O F T H E C O M M IS S IO N .
The commission has held 35 meetings, and has drawn up its con
clusions in two parts. The first is a draft convention containing pro
visions for the establishment of a permanent organization for inter
national labor legislation. This convention, which was based on a
draft presented by the British delegation, has been the subject of the
most careful examination and discussion. The first part of this
report may conveniently take the form of a commentary thereon.
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3
The second part of the commission’s conclusions is in the form of
clauses containing declarations of principle in regard to a number of
matters which are of vital importance to the labor world. At the
opening sittings, the various delegations agreed on the need for such
declarations, which the commission suggests should be included in
the Treaty of Peace, in order that it may mark not only the close of
the period which culminated in the World War, but also the begin
ning of a better social order and the birth of a new civilization.
Part I .—Permanent Organization.
P ream ble.
The main idea underlying the scheme embodied in the convention
is that the constitution of the League of Nations will not provide a
real solution of the troubles which have beset the world in the past,
and will not even be able to eliminate the seeds of international strife,
unless it provides a remedy for the industrial evils and injustices
which mar the present state of society. In proposing, therefore, to
establish a permanent organization in order to adjust labor conditions
by international action, the commission felt that it was taking an
indispensable step toward the achievement of the objects of the
League of Nations and has given expression to this idea in the
Preamble, which defines the objects and scope of the proposed
organization.
C h a p t e r I.
Chapter I provides the machinery of the permanent organization
proposed. In the first place, it is stipulated (art. 1) that participa
tion in this organization shall be a condition of membership of the
League of Nations, since every State member of the league is morally
bound to accept the principles set forth in the Preamble, if it has
really at heart the promotion of the cause of justice and humanity.
The organization itself is divided into two parts: (1) The Interna
tional Labor Conference; (2) The International Labor Office con
trolled by a Governing Body. (Art. 2.)
1. International Labor Conference.
This conference will meet at least annually and will consist of dele
gates nominated by each of the High Contracting Parties, two of
whom will be directly appointed by the Governments, and the other
two will be chosen in agreement with the industrial organizations
representative of their employers and workpeople, respectively.
(Art. 3.)
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Each delegate will vote individually (art. 4). It was strongly felt
by the commission that if the conference was really to be represen
tative of all those concerned with industry and to command their
confidence, the employers and work people must be allowed to express
their views with complete frankness and freedom, and that a de
parture from the traditional procedure of voting by national units was
therefore necessary. It was accordingly thought that the employers’
and workpeople’s delegates should be entitled to speak and vote
independently of their Governments.
Some difference of opinion made itself felt on the commission as to
the relative numbers of the delegates representing the Governments,
the employers, and the workpeople, respectively. The French,
American, Italian, and Cuban delegations contended that each of
these three parties should have equal voting power. They main
tained that the working classes would never be satisfied with a rep
resentation which left the Government and the employers combined
in a majority of three to their one. In other words the proposal
amounted to giving the States a veto on the proceedings of the con
ference which would create so much distrust of it among the workers
that its influence would be seriously prejudiced from the start. This
view was contested by the British, Belgian, and other delegations,
who pointed out that as the conference was not simply an assembly
for the purpose of passing resolutions, but would draw up draft con
ventions which the States would have to present to their legislative
authorities it was essential that the Governments should have at
least an equal voice. Otherwise it might often happen that con
ventions adopted by a two-thirds majority of the conference would
be rejected by the legislatures of the various States, which would
have the effect of rendering the proceedings of the conference nugatory
and would quickly destroy its influence and prestige. The adoption
of a proposal to which the majority of the Governments were opposed
would not lead to any practical result, as the legislative authorities
of the Governments whose delegates were in the minority would in
all probability refuse to accept it. Moreover it was likely, especially
in the future, that the Government delegates would vote more often
with the workers than against them. If this were so, it was obviously
to the advantage of the latter that the Governments should have two
votes instead of one, as it would render it easier for them to obtain
a two-thirds majority, which under the Franco-American proposal
would be practically impossible if the employers voted in a body
against them.
The commission finally decided by a narrow majority to maintain
the proposal that each Government should have two delegates.
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5
The Italian delegation, which united with the French delegation in
urging the importance of securing representation for agricultutal
interests, were to some extent reconciled to thè above decision by
the consideration that, as the Governments would have two dele
gates, it would be easier to secure such representation. I t should
also be observed that, as different technical advisers may be ap
pointed for each subject of discussion, agricultural advisers may be
selected when necessary.
8. International Labor Office {arts. 6 to 18).
This office will be established at the seat of the League of Nations,
as part of its administrative organization. I t will be controlled by a
governing body of 24 members, the composition of which is provided
for in the protocol to article 7. Like the conference, the governing
body will consist of representatives of the Governments, employers,
and workpeople. It will include 12 representatives of the Govern
ments, 8 of whom will be nominated by the States of chief industrial
importance, and the remaining 12 will consist of 6 members nomi
nated by the employers’ delegates to the conference, and 6 nomi
nated by the workers’ delegates. The objects and functions of the
office are sufficiently explained in the articles referred to.
Ch a pter
II.
1. Procedure {arts. 1 4 to 21).
This portion of the convention contains one article of vital impor
tance, namely, article 19, which treats of the obligations of the
States concerned in regard to the adoption and ratification of draft
conventions agreed upon by the International Conference.
The original draft proposed that any draft convention adopted by
the conference by a two-thirds majority must be ratified by every
State participating, unless within one year the national legislature
should have expressed its disapproval of the draft convention. This
implied an obligation on every State to submit any draft convention
approved by the conference to its national legislature within one year,
whether its own Government representatives had voted in favor of
its adoption or not. This provision was inspired by the belief that
although the time had not yet come when anything in the nature of
an international legislature whose decisions should be binding on
the different States was possible, yet it was essential for the progress
of international labor legislation to require the Governments to give
their national legislatures the opportunity of expressing their opinion
on the measures favored by a two-thirds majority of the Labor
Conference.
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The French and Italian delegations, on the other hand, desired that
States should be under an obligation to ratify conventions so adopted,
whether their legislative authorities approved them or not, subject
to a right of appeal to the Executive Council of the League of Nations.
The council might invite the conference to reconsider its decision,
and in the event of its being reaffirmed there would be no further
right of appeal.
Other delegations, though not unsympathetic to the hope expressed
in the first resolution printed at the end of the draft convention, that
in course of time the labor conference might, through the growth of
the spirit of internationality, acquire the powers of a truly legislative
international assembly, felt that the time for such a development was
not yet ripe. If an attempt were made at this stage to deprive
States of a large measure of their sovereignty in regard to labor
legislation, the result would be that a considerable number of States
would either refuse to accept the present convention altogether, or,
if they accepted it, would subsequently denounce it, and might even
prefer to resign their membership of the League of Nations rather
than jeopardize their national economic position by being obliged to
carry out the decisions of the International Labor Conference. Hie
majority of the commission, therefore, decided in favor of making
ratification of a convention subject to the approval of the national
legislatures or other competent authorities.
The American delegation, however, found themselves unable to
accept the obligations implied in the British draft on account of the
limitations imposed on the central executive and legislative powers
by the constitution of certain Federal States, and notably of the
United States themselves. They pointed out that the Federal
Government could not accept the obligation to ratify conventions
dealing with matters within the competence of the 48 States of the
Union, with which the power of labor legislation for the most part
rested. Further, the Federal Government could not guarantee that
the constituent States, even if they passed the necessary legislation
to give effect to a convention, would put it into effective operation,
nor could it provide against the possibility of such legislation being
declared unconstitutional by the supreme judicial authorities. The
Government could not, therefore, engage to do something which was
not within their power to perform, and the nonperformance of which
would render them liable to complaint.
The commission felt that they were here faced by a serious dilemma
which threatened to make the establishment of any real system of
international labor legislation impossible. On the one hand, its
range and effectiveness would be almost fatally limited if a country
of such industrial importance as the United States did not participate.
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7
On the other hand, if the scheme were so weakened as to impose no
obligation on States to give effect to, or even to bring before their legis
lative authorities, the decisions of the labor conference, it was clear
that its work would tend to be confined to the mere passage of resolu
tions instead of resulting in the promotion of social reforms with
the sanction of law behind them.
The commission spent a considerable amount of time in attempting
to devise a way out of this dilemma and is glad to be able to record
that it ultimately succeeded in doing so. Article 19 as now drafted
represents a solution found by a subcommission consisting of repre
sentatives of the American, British, and Belgian delegations specially
appointed to consider the question. It provides that the decisions
of the labor conference may take the form either of recommendations
or of draft conventions. Either must be deposited with the secre
tary-general of the League of Nations and each State undertakes to
bring it within one year before its competent authorities for the
enactment of legislation or other action. If no legislation or other
action to make a recommendation effective follows, or if a draft
convention fails to obtain the consent of the competent authorities
concerned, no further obligation will rest on the State in question.
In the case of a Federal State, however, whose power to enter into
conventions on labor matters is subject to limitations, its Govern
ment may treat a draft convention to which such limitations apply
as a recommendation only.
The commission felt that there might in any event be instances in
which the form of a recommendation affirming a principle would be
more suitable than that of a draft convention, which must neces
sarily provide for the detailed application of principles in a form
which would be generally applicable by every State concerned.
Subjects will probably come before the conference which, owing
to their complexity and the wide differences in the circumstances of
different countries, will be incapable of being reduced to any universal
and uniform mode of application. In such cases a convention might
prove impossible, but a recommendation of principles in more or less
detail which left the individual States freedom to apply them in the
manner best suited to their conditions would undoubtedly have con
siderable value.
The exception in the case of Federal States is of greater impor
tance. It places the United States and States which are in a similar
position under a less degree of obligation than other States in regard
to draft conventions. But it will be observed that the exception
extends only to those Federal States which are subject to limitations
in respect of their treaty-making powers on labor matters, and, further,
that it only extends in so far as those limitations apply in any par
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ticular case. It will not apply in the case of a convention to which
the limitations do not apply, or after any such limitations as may at
present exist have been removed. Though reluctant to contemplate
an arrangement under which all States would not be under identical
obligations, the commission felt that it was impossible not to recog
nize the constitutional difficulties which undoubtedly existed in the
case of certain Federal States, and therefore proposed the above
solution as the best possible in the circumstances.
Attention should be drawn to the protocol to article 19. The fear
was expressed that the article might be interpreted as implying that a
State would be required to diminish the protection already afforded
to the workers by its legislation as a result of the adoption of a recom
mendation or draft convention by the conference; and in consequence
the protocol was added in order to make it quite clear that such an
interpretation was inadmissible.
It should be added that the Japanese delegation abstained from
voting on article 19, as they had not yet received instructions from
their Government in the matter. The Italian delegation also abstained
on the ground of the inadequacy of the powers given to the con
ference.
2. Enforcement (arts. 22 to 3f).
4
These articles provide machinery whereby a State which fails to
carry out its obligations arising under article 19, or which fails to
enforce a convention which it has ratified, may be made subject to
economic measures. This machinery is briefly as follows:
An industrial association of employers and workpeople may make
representations to the International Labor Office which the governing
body may at its discretion communicate to the State complained of
for its observations. (Art. 23.) If no satisfactory reply is received,
the governing body may publish the correspondence (art. 24), which
in most cases will probably create sufficient pressure by public opinion
to cause the complaint to be remedied.
The governing body also has the power, either on its own motion
or on receipt of a complaint from a Government or from a delegate
to the conference, to apply to the secretary-general of the League of
Nations to nominate a commission of inquiry. For the purpose of
such inquiries, each high contracting party undertakes to nominate
one employer, one workman, and one person of independent standing,
and each commission shall consist of one person drawn from each -of
these three categories. (Arts. 25 and 26.) The commission will re
port on the facts, recommend the steps which should be taken to
meet the complaint, and indicate the economic measures, if any,
which it considers would be appropriate in the event of the condition
complained of not being remedied. (Art. 28.)
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Appeal may be made to the Permanent Court of International
Justice of the League of Nations, which shall have power to review
the findings of the commission. (Arts. 29 to 32.) If the defaulting
State fails to carry out the recommendations of the commission or the
parmanent court, as the case may be, within the specified time, it will
then be open to the other States to take the economic measures
indicated against it. (Art. 33.)
It will be seen that the above procedure has been carefully devised.
in order to avoid the imposition of penalties, except in the last resort,
when a State has flagrantly and persistently refused to carry out its
obligations under a convention. It can hardly be doubted that it will
seldom, if ever, be necessary to bring these powers into operation,
but the commission consider that the fact of their existence is never
theless a matter of almost vital importance to the success of the
scheme.
The representatives of the working classes in some countries have
pressed their delegates to urge more drastic provisions in regard to
penalties. The commission, while taking the view that it will in the
long run be preferable as well as more effective to rely on the pres
sure of international public opinion rather than on economic measures,
nevertheless considers it necessary to retain the possibility of the
latter in the background. If all forms of sanction were removed, the
effectiveness of the scheme, and, what is almost equally important,
the belief in its effectiveness, would be in a great measure destroyed.
Ch a p t e r
III.
General.
This chapter does not call for much comment, but attention should
perhaps be drawn to the provisions of article 35, which provide that
the British Dominions and India, and any colonies or possessions of
any State which may hereafter be recognized as fully self-governing
by the executive council of the League of Nations, shall have the same
rights and obligations under the convention as if they were separate
high contracting parties. It seemed evident to the commission that
colonies which were fully self-governing, not only as regards labor
legislation but generally, must be regarded as separate entities for
the purposes of the labor conference, but it was decided that a State
and its self-governing colonies should not have more than one seat in
the governing body. In the case of colonies which are not fully selfgoverning, the mother country undertakes the obligation to apply
labor conventions to them, unless local conditions render it impossible
to apply them either wholly or in part.
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C h a p t e r IV .
Transitory provisions.
This chapter provides, inter alia, for the holding of the first confer
ence in October, 1919.
The commission felt it was essential that the conference should meet
at the earliest possible moment, but that, if it was to do its work
effectively, some time must be allowed for the collection of informa
tion and for the different countries to prepare their views on the
various subjects for discussion. The conference could, therefore,
hardly meet earlier than October. In the schedule to article 39 it is
proposed that the arrangements for this conference should be made
by an international committee consisting of representatives of the
States named, with power to invite other States to send representa
tives, if necessary. I t is suggested that the United States Govern
ment might be willing to convene the conference at Washington, and
the commission much hopes that they will be willing to undertake this
task. It is also suggested that the peace conference should approve
the agenda set out in the same schedule.
The Italian delegation proposed that all nations should be admitted
to the conference immediately after the signature of the peace treaty,
but the commission oonfined itself to passing the second resolution
attached to the draft convention.
In conclusion, it should be remarked that after a long discussion on
the question of adopting certain measures in the interest of seamen,
the commission thought that “ the very speoial questions concerning
the minimum conditions to be accorded to seamen might be dealt with
at a special meeting of the International Labor Conference devoted
exclusively to the affairs of seamen,” at which the delegates and
technical advisers could accordingly be chosen from the shipping
community. (See resolution attaohed to the convention.)
Part
n.—Labor
Clauses.
The commission were unanimous in thinking that their work would
not be complete if it were simply confined to setting up a permanent
machinery for international labor legislation. I t was not within their
competence or within their terms of reference to deal with specific
questions relating to industrial conditions and to work them out with
the detail necessary for the framing of proposals which could be
accepted in a binding form. So impressed were they, however, with
the urgent need for recognizing explicitly certain fundamental
principles as necessary to social progress, that they decided to submit
a series of declarations for insertion in the peace treaty. They did
not feel called upon, however, to draw up a charter containing all the
reforms which may be hoped for in a more or less distant future, but
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confined themselves to principles the realization of which may be con
templated in the near future.
It will be seen that the high contracting parties are not asked to give
immediate effect to them, but only to indorse them generally. It will
be the duty of the International Labor Conference to examine them
thoroughly and to put them in the form of recommendations or draft
conventions elaborated with the detail necessary for their practical
application.
Proposals were placed before the commission by the Italian, French,
American, Belgian, and British delegations as to the declarations
which should be made. The commission decided that no declaration
should be submitted to the peace conference unless it were adopted
by a two-thirds majority, and it now has the honor of submitting nine
declarations, all of which obtained such a majority and some of which
were adopted unanimously.
It should be added, in conclusion, that a majority, but not a twothirds majority, was obtained for a proposal, couched in very general
terms, which suggested the application to agriculture of the general
principles of labor legislation and which arose out of an Italian pro
posal in regard to the limitation of the hours of work in agriculture.
The delegates who voted against this proposal were, as they explained,
by no means hostile to its general idea, but they thought that a pro
posal in such wide terms was not suitable for inclusion among the
declarations to be put forward.
Sam uel G o m pers,
President.
A r t h u r F o n t a in e ,
General Secretary.
H
arold
B utler,
Assistant General Secretary.
P a r is , March 24, 1919.
A DRAFT CONVENTION CREATING A PERMANENT ORGANIZATION
FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATION OF
LABOR CONDITIONS.
P ream ble.
Whereas the League of Nations has for its object the establishment
of universal peace, and such a peace can be established only if it is
based upon social justice;
And whereas conditions of labor exist involving such injustice,
hardship, and privation to large numbers of people as to produce
unrest so great that the peace and harmony of the world are imperiled,
and an improvement of those conditions is urgently required, as, for
example, by the regulation of the hours of work, including the
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establishment of a maximum working day and week, the regulation
of the labor supply, the prevention of unemployment, the provision
of an adequate living wage, the protection of the worker against
sickness, disease, and injury arising out of his employment, the
protection of children, young persons and women, provision for old
age and injury, protection of the interests of workers when em
ployed in countries other than their own, recognition of the principle
of freedom of association, the organization of technical and vocational
education and other measures;
Whereas, also, the failure of any nation to adopt humane con
ditions of labor is an obstacle in the way of other nations which desire
to improve the conditions in their own countries;
The high contracting parties, moved by sentiments of justice and
humanity, as well as by the desire to secure the permanent peace of
the world, agree to the following convention:
Ch a p t e r
I. — Organization.
A r t ic l e 1. The high contracting parties, being the States members
of the League of Nations, hereby decide to establish a permanent
organization for the promotion of the objects set forth in the preamble,
and for this purpose hereby accept the provisions contained in the
following articles.
A r t . 2. The permanent organization shall consist of (i) a general
conference of representatives of the high contracting parties and
(ii) an international labor office controlled by the governing body
described in article 7.
A r t . 3. The meetings of the general conference of representatives
of the high contracting parties shall be held from time to time as
occasion may require, and at least once in every year. It shall be
composed of four representatives of each of the high contracting
parties, of whom two shall be Government delegates and the two
others shall be delegates representing respectively the employers and
the workpeople of each of the high contracting parties.
Each delegate may be accompanied by advisers, who shall not
exceed two in number for each item on the agenda of the meeting.
When questions specially affecting women are to be considered by
the conference, one at least of the advisers should be a woman.
The high contracting parties undertake to nominate non-Government delegates and advisers chosen in agreement with the industrial
organizations, if such organizations exist, which are most repre
sentative of employers or workpeople, as the case may be, in their
respective countries.
Each delegate may be accompanied at each sitting of the conference
by not more than two advisers. The advisers shall not speak except
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on a request made by the delegate whom they accompany and by
the special authorization of the president of the conference, and may
not vote.
A delegate may in w'riting addressed to the president appoint one
of his advisers to act as his deputy, and the adviser, while so acting,
shall be allowed to speak and vote.
The names of the delegates and their advisers will be communi
cated to the International Labor Office by the Government of each
of the high contracting parties.
The credentials of delegates and their advisers shall be subject to
scrutiny by the conference, which may, by two-thirds of the votes
cast by the delegates present, refuse to admit any delegate or
adviser whom it deems not to have been nominated in accordance
with the undertaking contained in this article.
A rt . 4. Every delegate shall be entitled to vote individually on
all matters which are taken into consideration by the conference.
If one of the high contracting parties fails to nominate one of the
non-Government delegates whom it is entitled to nominate, the
other non-Government delegate shall be allowed to sit and speak at
the conference, but not to vote.
If in accordance with article 3 the conference refuses admission to
a delegate of one of the high contracting parties, the provisions of
the present article shall apply as if that delegate had not been
nominated.
A rt . 5. The meetings of the conference shall be held at the seat
of the League of Nations, or at such other place as may be decided
by the conference at a previous meeting by two-thirds of the votes
cast by the delegates present.
A rt . 6. The International Labor Office shall be established at the
seat of the League of Nations as part of the organization of the
league.
A rt . 7. The International Labor Office shall be under the control
of a governing body consisting of 24 members, appointed in accord
ance with the provisions of the protocol hereto.
The governing body shall, from time to time, elect one of its
members to act as its chairman, shall regulate its own procedure
and shall fix its own times of meeting. A special meeting shall be
held if a written request to that effect is made by at least 10
members.
A r t . 8. There shall be a director of the International Labor Office,
appointed by the governing body, who shall, subject to the instruc
tions of the governing body, be responsible for the efficient conduct
of the International Labor Office and for such other duties as may be
assigned to him.
114339°—19— 2
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The director or his deputy shall attend all meetings of the govern
ing body.
A r t . 9. The staff of the International Labor Office shall be ap
pointed by the director, who shall, so far as is possible with due
regard to the efficiency of the work of the office, select persons of
different nationalities. A certain number of these persons should be
women.
A r t . 10. The functions of the International Labor Office shall
include the collection and distribution of information on all subjects
relating to the international adjustment of conditions of industrial
life and labor, and particularly the examination of subjects which
it is proposed to bring before the conference with a view to the
conclusion of international conventions, and the conduct of such
special investigations as may be ordered by the conference.
It will prepare the agenda for the meetings of the conference.
It will carry out the duties required of it by the provisions of
this convention in connection with international disputes.
It will edit and publish a periodical paper in the French and
English languages, and in such other languages as the governing
body may think desirable, dealing with problems of industry and
employment of international interest.
Generally, in addition to the functions set out in this article, it
shall have such other functions, powers, and duties as may be assigned
to it by the conference.
A r t . 11. The Government departments of any of the high con
tracting parties which deal with questions of industry and employ
ment may communicate directly with the director through the
representative of their State on the governing body of the Inter
national Labor Office, or failing any such representative, through such
other qualified official as the Government may nominate for the
purpose.
A r t . 12. The International Labor Office shall be entitled to the
assistance of the secretary-general of the League of Nations in any
matter in which it can be given.
A r t . 13. Each of the high contracting parties will pay the traveling
and subsistence expenses of its delegates and their advisers and of
its representatives attending the meetings of the conference or govern
ing body, as the case may be.
All the other expenses of the International Labor Office and of the
meetings of the conference or governing body shall be paid to the
director by the secretary-general of the League of Nations out of the
general funds of the league.
The director shall be responsible to the secretary-general of the
league for the proper expenditure of all moneys paid to him in
pursuance of this article.
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Ch a p t e r
15
II.—Procedure.
Art . 14. The agenda for all meetings of the conference will be
settled by the governing body, who shall consider any suggestion as
to the agenda that may be made by the Government of any of the
high contracting parties or by any representative organization
recognized for the purpose of article 3.
A r t . 15. The director shall act as the secretary of the conference,
and shall circulate the agenda to reach the high contracting parties,
and through them the non-Government delegates when appointed,
four months before the meeting of the conference.
A r t . 16. Any of the Governments of the high contracting parties
may formally object to the inclusion of any item or items in the
agenda. The grounds for such objection shall be set forth in a
reasoned statement addressed to the director, who shall circulate it
to all the high contracting parties. Items to which such objection
has been made shall not, however, be excluded from the agenda, if at
the conference a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast by the
delegates present is in favor of considering them.
If the conference decides (otherwise than under the preceding
paragraph) by two-thirds of the votes cast by the delegates present
that any subject shall be considered by the conference, that subject
shall be included in the agenda for the following meeting.
A r t . 17. The conference shall regulate its own procedure, shall
elect its own president, and may appoint committees to consider
and report on any matter.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this convention, all
matters shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast by
the delegates present.
A vote shall be void unless the total number of votes cast is equal
to half the number of the delegates attending the conference.
A r t . 18. The conference may add to any committees which it
appoints technical experts, who shall be assessors without power to
vote.
Art. 19. When the conference has decided on the adoption of
proposals with regard to an item in the agenda, it will rest with the
conference to determine whether these proposals should take the
form: (a) Of a recommendation to be submitted to the high con
tracting parties for consideration with a view to its being given
effect by national legislation or otherwise, or (6) of a draft interna
tional convention for ratification by the high contracting parties.
In either case a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast by the
delegates present shall be necessary on the final vote for the adop
tion of the recommendation or draft convention, as the case may be,
by the conference.
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A copy of the recommendation or draft convention shall be au
thenticated by the signature of the president of the conference and
of the director and shall be deposited with the secretary-general of
the League of Nations. The secretary-general will communicate a
certified copy of the recommendation or draft convention to each
of the high contracting parties.
Each of the high contracting parties undertakes that it will,
within the period of one year at most from the end of the meeting
of the conference, bring the recommendation or draft convention
before the authority or authorities within whose competence the
matter lies for the enactment of legislation or other action.
In the case of a recommendation, the high contracting parties
will inform the secretary-general of the action taken.
In the case of a draft convention, the high contracting party will,
if it obtains the consent of the authority or authorities within whose
competence the matter lies, communicate the formal ratification of
the convention to the secretary-general and will take such action
as may be necessary to make effective the provisions of such con
vention.
If on a recommendation no legislative or other action to make
such recommendation effective is taken, or if the draft convention
fails to obtain the consent of the authority or authorities within
whose competence the matter lies, no further obligation shall rest
upon the high contracting party.
In the case of a Federal State, the power of which to enter into
conventions on labor matters is subject to limitations, it shall be in
the discretion of the Government of such State to treat a draft con
vention to which such limitations apply as a recommendation only,
and the provisions of this article with respect to recommendations
shall apply in such case.
{In regard to the interpretation of this article reference should be
made to the protocol.)
A e t . 20. Any convention so ratified shall be registered by the
secretary-general of the League of Nations, but shall only be bind
ing upon the States which ratify it, subject to any conditions which
may be contained in the convention itself.
A e t . 21. If any convention laid before the conference for final
consideration fails to secure the support of two-thirds of the votes
cast by the delegates present, it shall nevertheless be within the
right of any of the high contracting parties to agree to such conven
tion among themselves.
Any convention so agreed to shall be communicated by the Gov
ernments of the States concerned to the secretary-general of the
League of Nations, who shall register it.
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A r t . 22. Each of the high contracting parties agrees to make an
annual report to the International Labor Office on the measures
Avhich it has taken to give effect to the provisions of conventions to
which it is a party. These reports shall be made in such form and
shall contain such particulars as the governing body may request.
The director shall lay a summary of these reports before the next
meeting of the conference.
A rt . 23. In the event of any representation being made to the
International Labor Office by an industrial association of employers
or of workpeople that any of the high contracting parties has failed
to secure in any respect the effective observance within its jurisdic
tion of any convention to which it is a party, the governing body
may communicate this representation to the State against which it is
made and may invite that State to make such statement on the
subject as it may think fit.
A rt . 24. If no statement is received within a reasonable time from
the State against which the representation is made, or if the state
ment when received is not deemed to be satisfactory by the govern
ing body, the latter shall have the right to publish the representa
tion and the statement, if any, made in reply to it.
A rt . 25. Any of the high contracting parties shall have the right
to file a complaint with the International Labor Office if it is not
satisfied that any other of the high contracting parties is securing
the effective observance of any convention which both have ratified
in accordance with the foregoing articles.
The governing body may, if it thinks fit, before referring such a
complaint to a commission of inquiry, as hereinafter provided for,
communicate with the State against which the complaint is made in
the manner described in article 23.
If the governing body do not think it necessary to communicate
the complaint to the State against which it is made, or if, when they
have made such communication, no statement in reply has been
received within a reasonable time which the governing body con
siders to be satisfactory, the governing body may apply for the
appointment of a commission of inquiry to consider the complaint
and to report thereon.
The governing body may adopt the same procedure either of its
own motion or on receipt of a complaint from a delegate to the
conference.
When any matter arising out of articles 24 or 25 is being con
sidered by the governing body, the State against which the represen
tation or complaint is made shall, if not already represented thereon,
be entitled to send a representative to take part in the proceedings
of the governing body while the matter is under consideration.
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Adequate notice of the date on which the matter will be considered
shall be given to the State against which the representation or com
plaint is made.
A rt . 26. The commission of inquiry shall be constituted in
accordance with the following provisions:
Each of the high contracting parties agrees to nominate within
six months of the date on which this convention comes into force,
three persons of industrial experience, of whom one shall be a repre
sentative of employers, one a representative of workpeople, and one
a person of independent standing, who shall together form a panel
from which the members of the commission of inquiry shall be
drawn.
The qualifications of the persons so nominated shall be subject to
scrutiny by the governing body, which may by two-thirds of the votes
cast by the members present refuse to accept the nomination of any
person whose qualifications do not in its opinion comply with the
requirements of the present article.
Upon the application of the governing body, the secretary-general
of the League of Nations shall nominate three persons, one from each
section of this panel, to constitute the commission of inquiry, and
shall designate one of them as the president of the commission.
None of these three persons shall be a person nominated to the panel
by any State directly concerned in the complaint.
A rt . 27. The high contracting parties agree that, in the event of
the reference of a complaint to a commission of inquiry under article
25, they will each, whether directly concerned in the complaint or
not, place at the disposal of the commission all the information in
their possession which bears upon the subject matter of the com
plaint.
A rt . 28. When the commission of inquiry has fully considered the
complaint, it shall prepare a report embodying its findings on all
questions of fact relevant to determining the issue between the
parties and containing such recommendations as it may think proper
as to the steps which should be taken to meet the complaint and the
time within which they should be taken.
It shall also indicate in this report the measures, if any, of an
economic character against a defaulting State which it considers to
be appropriate, and which it considers other States would be justified
in adopting.
A r t . 29. The secretary-general of the League of Nations shall
communicate the report of the commission of inquiry to each of the
States concerned in the complaint, and shall cause it to be published.
Each of these States shall within one month inform the secretarygeneral of the League of Nations whether or not it accepts the recom
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mendations contained in the report of the commission; and if not,
whether it proposes to refer the complaint to the Permanent Court
of International Justice of the League of Nations.
A rt . 30. In the event of any of the high contracting parties
failing to take within the specified period the action required by
article 19, any other of the high contracting parties shall be entitled
to refer the matter to the Permanent Court of International Justice.
A r t . 31. The decision of the Permanent Court of International
Justice to which a complaint has been referred shall be final.
Art . 32. The Permanent Court of International Justice may
affirm, vary, or reverse any of the findings or recommendations of
the commission of inquiry, if any, and shall in its decision indicate
the measures, if any, of an economic character against a defaulting
State which it considers to be appropriate, and which other States
would be justified in adopting.
A rt . 33. In the event of any State failing to carry out within the
time specified the recommendations, if any, contained in the report
of the commission of inquiry, or in the decision of the Permanent
Court of International Justice, as the case may be, any other State
may take against that State the measures of an economic character
indicated in the report of the commission or in the decision of the
court as appropriate to the case.
A rt . 34. The defaulting State may at any time inform the gov
erning body that it has taken the steps necessary to comply with the
recommendations of the commission of inquiry or in the decision of
the Permanent Court of International Justice, as the case may be,
and may request it to apply to the secretary-general of the league
to constitute a commission of inquiry to verify its contention. In
this case the provisions of articles 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, and 32 shall
apply, and if the report of the commission of inquiry or decision of
the Permanent Court of International Justice is in favor of the
defaulting State, the other States shall forthwith discontinue the
measures of an economic character that they have taken against the
defaulting State.
C h a p t e r III.—General.
A rt . 35. The British Dominions and India shall have the same
rights and obligations under this convention as if they were separate
high contracting parties.
The same shall apply to any colony or possession of any of the high
contracting parties which on the application of such high con
tracting party is recognized as fully self-governing by the executive
council of the League of Nations.
The high contracting parties engage to apply conventions which
they have ratified in accordance with the provisions of the present
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convention to their colonies, protectorates, and possessions which
are not fully self-governing :
(1) Except where owing to the local conditions the convention
is inapplicable; or
(2) Subject to such modifications as may be necessary to adapt
the convention to local conditions.
And each of the high contracting parties shall notify to the inter
national labor office the action taken in respect of each of its colonies,
protectorates, and possessions which are not fully self-governing.
A rt . 36. Any State not a party to this convention, which may
hereafter become a member of the League of Nations, shall be deemed
ipso facto to have adhered to this convention.
A rt . 37. Amendments to this convention which are adopted by
the conference by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast by the
delegates present shall take effect when ratified by the States whose
representatives compose the executive council of the League of Na
tions and by three-fourths of the States whose representatives com
pose the body of delegates of the league.
A r t . 38. Any question or dispute relating to the interpretation of
this convention or of any subsequent convention concluded by the
high contracting parties in pursuance of the provisions of this con
vention shall be referred for decision to the Permanent Court of
International Justice.
Ch a p t e r
TV.— Transitory Provisions.
A rt . 39. The first meeting of the conference shall take place in
October, 1919. The place and agenda for this meeting shall be as
specified in the schedule annexed hereto.
Arrangements for the convening and the organization of the first
meeting of the conference will be made by the Government designated
for the purpose in the said schedule. That Government shall be
assisted in the preparation of the documents for submission to the
conference by an international committee constituted as provided
in the said schedule.
The expenses of the first meeting and of all subsequent meetings
held before the League of Nations has been able to establish a gen
eral fund, other than the expenses of delegates and their advisers,
will be borne by the high contracting parties in accordance with the
apportionment of the expenses of the International Bureau of the
Universal Postal Union.
A r t . 40. Until the League of Nations has been constituted all
communications which under the provisions of the foregoing articles
should be addressed to the secretary-general of the League will be
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preserved by the director of the International Labor Office, who will
transmit them to the secretary-general of the League when appointed.
A r t . 41. Pending the creation of a Permanent Court of Inter
national Justice, disputes which in accordance with this convention
would be submitted to it for decision will be referred to a tribunal of
three persons appointed by the executive council of the League of
Nations.
P rotocol
to
A r t ic l e 7.
The governing body of the international labor office shall be
constituted as follows: Twelve representatives of the Governments,
six members elected by the delegates to the conference representing
the employers, six members elected by the delegates to the conference
representing the workpeople.
Of the 12 members representing the Governments eight shall be
nominated by the high contracting parties which are of the chief
industrial importance, and four shall be nominated by the high
contracting parties selected for the purpose by the Government
delegates to the conference, excluding the delegates of the eight
States mentioned above. No high contracting party, together with
its Dominions and Colonies, whether self-governing or not, shall bo
entitled to nominate more than one member.
Any question as to which are the high contracting parties of the
chief industrial importance shall be decided by the executive council
of the League of Nations.
The period of office of members of the governing body will bo
three years. The method of filling vacancies and other similar
questions may be determined by the governing body subject to the
approval of the conference.
P rotocol
to
A r t ic l e
19.
In no case shall any of the high contracting parties be asked or
required, as a result of the adoption of any recommendation or
draft convention by the conference, to diminish the protection,
afforded by its existing legislation to the workers concerned.
Schedule
r eferred
to in
A r t ic l e 39.
First meeting of Annual Labor Conference, 1919.
The place of meeting will be Washington.
The Government of the United States of America is requested toconvene the conference.
The international organizing committee will consist of seven
members, appointed by the United States of America, Great Britain,,
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France, Italy, Japan, Belgium, and Switzerland. The committee
may, if it thinks necessary, invite other States to appoint represen
tatives.
Agenda:
1. Application of principle of 8 hours day or of 48 hours week.
2. Question of preventing or providing against unemployment.
3. Women’s employmentla) Before and after childbirth, including the question of
maternity benefit.
Cb) During the night.
(c) In unhealthy processes.
4. Employment of children—
(a) Minimum age of employment.
(b) During the night.
(c) In unhealthy processes.
5. Extension and application of the international conventions
adopted at Bern in 1906 on the prohibition of night work for
women employed in industry and the prohibition of the use
of white phosphorus in the manufacture of matches.
4. R E S O L U T IO N S A D O P T E D B Y T H E C O M M IS S IO N .
I .—Resolution proposed by the Belgian, French, and Italian delegations.
The commission expresses the hope that as soon as it may be pos
sible an agreement will be arrived at between the high contracting
parties with a view to endowing the international labor conference
under the auspices of the League of Nations with power to take, under
conditions to be determined, resolutions possessing the force of
international law.
IF —Resolution proposed by the Belgian, French, and Italian delegations.
The commission being of opinion that an international code of
labor legislation which will be really effective can not be secured
without the cooperation of all industrial countries, expresses the
wish that pending the signature of the treaty of peace, which will
permit all such countries to be approached, the Peace Conference
will communicate the present draft convention to the neutral powers
for their information before finally adopting it.
III.—Resolution proposed by the French delegation.
The commission considers that the very special questions concern
ing the minimum conditions to be accorded to seamen might be
dealt with at a special meeting of the international labor conference
devoted exclusively to the affairs of seamen.
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5. C L A U S E S P R O P O S E D F O R I N S E R T I O N I N T H E T R E A T Y O F P E A C E .
The high contracting parties declare their acceptance of the fol
lowing principles and engage to take all necessary steps to secure
their realization in accordance with the recommendation to be made
by the International Labor Conference as to their practical application:
1. In right and in fact the labor of a human being should not be
treated as merchandise or an article of commerce.
2. Employers and workers should be allowed the right of asso
ciation for all lawful purposes.
3. No child should be permitted to be employed in industry or
commerce before the age of 14 years, in order that every child
may be insured reasonable opportunities for mental and physical
education.
Between the years of 14 and 18 young persons of either sex may
only be employed on work which is not harmful to their physical
development and on condition that the continuation of their technical
or general education is insured.
4. Every worker has a right to a wage adequate to maintain a
reasonable standard of life, having regard to the civilization of his
time and country.
5. Equal pay should be given to women and to men for work of
equal value in quantity and quality.
6. A weekly rest, including Sunday or its equivalent, for all workers.
7. Limitations of the hours of work in industry on the basis of 8
hours a day, or 48 hours a week, subject to an exception for coun
tries in which climatic conditions, the imperfect development of
industrial organization, or other special circumstances render the
industrial efficiency of the workers substantially different.
The International Labor Conference will recommend a basis approxi
mately eqnivalent to the above for adoption in such countries.
8. In all matters concerning their status as workers and social
insurance foreign workmen lawfully admitted to any country and
their families should be insured the same treatment as the nationals
of that country.
9. All States should institute a system of inspection in which
women should take part, in order to insure the enforcement of the
laws and regulations for the protection of the workers.
R E S O L U T IO N A N D A M E N D M E N T S A D O P T E D B Y T H E P E A C E C O N F E R E N C E ,
A P R I L 11, 1919.
The following statement with reference to the Barnes resolution and
amendments is taken from a cable message from the American mis
sion to the Peace Conference, dated April 16, 1919, and is subject to
correction.
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Mr. Barnes (British) moved the following resolution: “ That the
conference approve the draft convention creating a permanent organi
zation for the promotion of the international regulation of labor condi
tions which has been submitted by the labor commission, with the
amendment proposed by the British delegation, instruct the secre
taries to request the governments concerned to nominate forthwith
the representatives on the original committee at the October confer
ence, and authorize that committee to proceed at once with its
work.” The foregoing resolution included approval of two amend
ments to article 19 of the draft convention, proposed by the British
delegation with the concurrence of other delegations represented on
the commission. These amendments are as follows:
(1) Additional protocol to article 19: “ In framing an act, recom
mendation, or draft of a convention of general application, the con
ference shall have due regard to those countries in which climatic
conditions, the imperfect development of industrial organization,
or other special circumstances make industrial conditions substan
tially different, and shall suggest modifications, if any, which it con
siders may be required to meet the case of such countries.”
(2) Article 19, fourth paragraph, after the words “ meeting of the
conference,” insert the following words: “ or if it is impossible owing
to exceptional circumstances to do so within the period of one year,
then at the earliest possible moment and in no case later than 18
months from the end of the meeting of the conference.”
Mr. De Bustamante (Cuba) accepted the Barnes proposal with
reservation in regard to article 37 which includes propositions incom
patible with the Cuban constitution. Similar action was taken by
Montes (Bolivia), Dorn Y Alsua (Ecuador), and Burgos (Panama).
Sir Robert Borden moved that the conference authorize the drafting
committee to make such amendments as may be necessary to have
the convention conform to the covenant of the League of Nations
in the character of its membership and in the method of adherence,
which motion, together with the Barnes resolution, was adopted.
The above given amendments were explained by a statement sup
porting them as follows: (1) Additional protocol to article 19: “ This
protocol is proposed in view of the representations which have been
made since the commission submitted its report. Its object is to
make clear that it would be the duty of the labor conference to take
into consideration the special circumstances of those countries where
owing to climatic conditions or other causes the industrial conditions
are substantially different from those of the industrial countries of
Europe and America. The habits of the workers in oriental coun
tries, the fact that industries in some countries are still largely carried
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25
on as home industries and the development of the factory system is
still in its early stages, and so forth, are matters which make absolute
uniformity in labor legislation impossible and must be allowed for
in the framing of conventions.” (2) Article 19: “ This alteration is
proposed in order to meet the technical difficulty which will occa
sionally arise when there is no sitting of the national legislature to
deal with a draft convention within the prescribed period of one year. *\
L A B O R C L A U S E S A D O P T E D B Y T H E P E A C E C O N F E R E N C E , A P R I L 28, 1919.
The following clauses proposed by the Commission on International
Labor Legislation and in revised form as presented by Sir Robert
Borden for insertion in the Treaty of Peace were adopted by the
Peace Conference in Plenary Session yesterday:
“ The High Contracting Parties, recognizing that the well being,
physical, moral, and intellectual, of industrial wage earners is of
supreme international importance, have framed a permanent ma
chinery associated with that of the League of Nations to further this
great end. They recognize that difference of climate, habits, and
customs of economic opportunity and industrial tradition make strict
uniformity in the conditions of labor difficult of immediate attain
ment. But, holding as they do, that labor should not be regarded
merely as an article of commerce, they think that there are methods
and principles for the ratification of labor conditions which all indus
trial communities should endeavor to apply so far as their special
circumstances will permit.
“Among these methods and principles, the following seem to the
High Contracting Parties to be of special and urgent importance:
“ First. The guiding principle above enunciated that labor should
not be regarded merely as a commodity or article of commerce.
“ Second. The right of association for all lawful purposes by the
employed as well as by the employers.
“ Third. The payment to the employed of a wage adequate to
maintain a reasonable standard of life as this is understood in their
time and country.
“ Fourth. The adoption of an eight hours day or a forty-eight hours
week as the standard to be aimed at where it has not already been
obtained.
“ Fifth. The adoption of a weekly rest of at least twenty-four hours
which should include Sunday whenever practicable.
“ Sixth. The abolition of child labor and the imposition of such
limitations on the labor of young persons as shall permit the con
tinuation of their education and assure their proper physical developme it.
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“ Seventh. The principle that men and women should receive equal
remuneration for work of equal value.
“ Eighth. The standard set by law in each country with respect to
the conditions of labor should have due regard to the equitable
economic treatment of all workers lawfully resident therein.
“ Ninth. Each State should make provision for a system of inspection
in which women should take part in order to insure the enforcement
of the laws and regulations for the protection of the employed.
“ Without claiming that these methods and principles are either
complete or final, the High Contracting Parties are of opinion that
they are well fitted to guide the policy of the League of Nations and
that if adopted by the industrial communities who ar9 members of
League and safeguarded in practice by an adequate system of such
inspection, they will confer lasting benefits upon the wage earner of
the world.”
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L E SSO N S FROM H O U SIN G D E V E L O PM E N T S OF T H E U N IT E D
ST A T E S H O U SIN G C O R PO RA TIO N .
BY EEED EEICK LA W OLM STED, M AN A GES, TO W N P L A N N IN G D IV IS IO N , U N IT E D STA TES
H O U S IN G COEPOEATION.
While the Bureau of Industrial Housing and Transportation of the
Department of Labor was created to meet a war-time emergency, it
should be understood that that emergency developed from acute local
situations which even in peace times were becoming widespread and
were steadily growing worse. These local conditions and the result
ing general situation as to housing demand serious consideration
and must hereafter be faced and treated by methods more widely
applicable to the nature of American institutions than the arbitrary
measures of local relief adopted under the pressure of war.
Inability of many war industries to obtain sufficient workers be
cause of lack of housing facilities within easy access of the factory,
and the consequent failure to achieve the maximum of production
constituted the emergency to which reference has been made. This
housing shortage was at bottom an absolute shortage in the quantity
of housing accommodation, although the quality of the housing was
soon found to be intimately involved in the quantity shortage.
Under the pressure of appeals to patriotism and of high pay, a
given amount of housing was early in the war made to shelter a much
larger number of workers than usual. I t seemed a simple matter,
for example, to double and quadruple the number of beds in a room.
By having three men use the same bed in successive eight-hour shifts
some workingmen’s lodging houses provided an extraordinary quan
tity of housing. Boarders and roomers were crowded into private
houses, families doubled up, and rooms and houses too miserable and
insanitary to find tenants in ordinary times were forced into use.
Thus, irrespective of any new house construction, there was provided,
almost parallel with the sudden increase in manufacturing capacity
which came from enlargement of plant facilities and from running
two or three shifts, an increase in housing facilities, but at a heavy
social price.
This implied a considerable reduction in the average quality of
housing, already very bad in many places, and immediately resulted
in a marked lowering of the average of efficiency of the increased
labor supply and a consequent failure of the production vitally
necessary.
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Increased pay and fervid appeals to patriotism brought many
highly skilled and self-respecting workers to the jobs. These men—usually married men, with families—found conditions so intolerable
that they would soon throw up their jobs and shift, hoping to find
other jobs under less outrageous living conditions.
The labor turnover rose to startling proportions. Examples of
excessive labor turnover were supplied by the war industries of
practically every city in which the Housing Corporation investigated
conditions in housing of labor. Though unsuitable or inadequate
housing was not the sole cause of this excessive labor turnover, it is
mentioned by employment managers of corporations in many in
stances as the chief cause and in others as a contributing cause.
The constant training of new employees produced a great reduction
in the average of efficiency. Despite unprecedented wages, with a
corresponding rapidly increasing unit cost of production, a point
was soon reached beyond which there could not occur any further
effective increase of the labor force. No urge of patriotism or high
wages could compensate for the overloaded accommodations for indi
vidual and family life. Inadequate access not only to sleeping places
but to food, merchandise, recreation, and everything relating to family
and social life outside of working hours, put a limit on production
far below the maximum capacity of the increased plants.
H O U S IN G A N D P L A N T I N V E S T M E N T .
These conditions forced attention to the fundamental fact that the
necessary industrial plant investment, including the housing of ma
chinery and of the workers during working hours, is relatively small
as compared with the investment required properly to house and keep
in working efficiency the workers and their families outside of work
ing hours.
Stimulated by war prices, or by direct capital advancement by the
Government as a war necessity, plant investment was readily and
rapidly increased. The far greater investment necessary for a cor
responding expansion of living quarters for the workers failed to
materialize, for many reasons. Even under normal conditions this
greater investment tends to lag behind industrial expansion. As a
business proposition it depends on the prospect of financial returns,
under the law of supply and demand. In the supply of houses, which
tends to fix the scale of rents and of house prices, the amount of
existing housing bulks very much larger in relation to the possible
annual production of new houses than does, for example, the stock
on hand of any ordinary merchandise in relation to the annual pro
duction of such merchandise. New investments in houses built on a
rising market must, consequently, compete with existing houses, dis
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advantageously dividing with them any increase in prevailing rental
and purchase rates. Seldom is the investment in new houses returned
to the investor save after a long period of years. The enormous war
increase in demand offered no proportionate inducement to the in
vestor because it was obviously not a permanent demand.
Since 1914 the rapidly increasing cost of house construction and the
diversion of capital into channels of more profitable return have re
sulted, even in the face of an increasing need for houses, in a steady
decline in the number of houses actually built. The American Con
tractor gives the total investment in residential building in the
eastern, central, and northern sections of this country (representing
69 per cent of the total population) as $432,337,000 for the year 1916,
and only $252,000,000 for 1918.
It became clearly apparent in the summer of 1917 that this part
of the failure to produce needed war supplies had become a matter oi
Government concern. Only such methods of arbitrary stimulation as
were already producing notable results in expanding manufacturing
capacity could make that capacity effective by supplying the requisite
housing facilities.
In one set of cases the problem was so clearly unescapable that
there was but little hesitation in meeting it. These were the cases
of new industrial establishments created at the order of the Govern
ment for the sole purpose of producing munitions. They included
powder plants, loading plants, and the like, established for reasons
of public safety in isolated locations where nothing before existed.
Here, quite obviously, the entire facilities for housing employees and
for providing some approximation to community life had to be
created along with the plant itself. It is interesting to note that even
with the temporary class of structures appropriate for these short
lived communities, and even with the use of a large proportion of
dormitories for single men and women willing to live apart from
family life while temporarily engaged in war work, the investment
in housing facilities rose to large proportions in comparison with the
cost of the industrial plant itself.
Much more usually, the war-stimulated industries formed a part of
permanent communities. In these the prewar housing shortage be
came unendurably aggravated. The problem was complicated with
the gradually failing normal process of building and marketing
houses and their accessories in accordance with the law of supply and
demand. Very few people recognized either the gravity or the enor
mous size of the housing problem as compared with the more obvious
problem of expanding manufacturing facilities. When the need was
recognized, the difficulty of balancing ultimate economic gains and
losses against the necessary speed of construction, the greatly en
114339°—19-— 3
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lianced cost, and the reservation to war needs of every productive
power of the country, brought about a long and very costly period of
hesitation.
Indeed, it was obviously beyond the physical powers of the country,
in the stress of the urgent demand for everything directly relating
to war necessities, to create promptly an adequate expansion of hous
ing facilities in proportion to the localized expansion of manufactur
ing capacity and demand for labor. It may be that if hostilities had
not come to an end when they did, the attempt to carry through the
greatly increased program of military effort and production adopted
in 1918 might have proved that the country had “ bitten off more than
it could chew.” It is not unlikely that it would have been necessary
to curtail or postpone the war production program at many points
in order first to provide housing for the workers needed for the
increased output of war materials, upon which the whole program
was based.
C O N G R E S S IO N A L A C T IO N .
A tardy and incomplete recognition of the fundamental nature of
the housing problem in its relation to successful war production oc
curred on March 1, 1918. On this date Congress authorized the ex
penditure of $50,000,000 by the United States Shipping Board for
accelerating the production of housing facilities in connection with
shipyards. This was a mere drop in the bucket compared with the
investment in shipbuilding plants. Another step was taken when
Congress authorized the President, on May 16, 1918, to apply
$60,000,000 “ for the purposes of providing housing, local transporta
tion, and other general community utilities for such industrial work
ers as are engaged in arsenals and navy yards of the United States
and industries connected with and essential to the national defense,
and their families * * * only during the continuation of the ex
isting war,” and on June 4 provided the necessary appropriation. On
July 8, 1918, this amount was increased to $100,000,000.
U N I T E D S T A T E S H O U S IN G C O R P O R A T IO N .
By Executive order, confirmed in the act of June 4,1918, the Bureau
of Industrial Housing and Transportation was created in the Depart
ment of Labor to serve these ends, and the funds were expended by
it through the United States Housing Corporation, legally created
July 9, 1918.
The first effort was, through the establishment of the homes regis
tration service, to discover and use to the utmost capacity the existing
housing facilities in every community where the lack of such facili
ties was retarding the production of war materials. A further effort
was for the improvement of transportation facilities, by better service
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and by extension of trackage, to increase the number of existing houses
available for war workers. As a last resort there was undertaken the
construction of new living quarters, both in the way of temporary dor
mitories and of permanent houses with accessories suitable for decent
family life.
The available and prospective funds were never enough to justify
more house construction than would simply take the peak oif the
war-time shortage. Nevertheless, the building projects recognized
as urgently essential by the production authorities of the Army and
Navy and by the United States Housing Corporation at the time of
the signing of the armistice involved an estimated expenditure of
$194,000,000, and the projects actually under way had been allotted
the full limit of the appropriation of $100,000,000 then available.
As at that time reduced, the total expenditure for construction, in
cluding amounts lost on canceled projects, will not exceed $45,000,000.
TEM PO RA RY AND PER M A N EN T
H O U S IN G .
The progress of the purely temporary housing developments in
connection with isolated munition plants, and the temporary dormi
tories at certain other points, could and did cease when the urgent
necessity terminated. The bulk of new housing undertaken to stim
ulate production consisted of dwellings forming a part of com
munities likely to need an even larger amount of new house con
struction to meet their postwar needs. It seemed economically wise
to complete so much of this permanent housing as was far advanced
in construction at the signing of the armistice.
Since the new housing which could be undertaken during the stress
of war fell so far short of meeting the full war-time needs, it was
designed to serve those workers whom it was most essential to keep
steadily on the job and whom it had proved most difficult to retain
under bad living conditions. These were usually the most skilled
and steady, self-respecting men, generally married men with families,
the strength of American industrial life. It is these men who not
only fully deserve but who demand and are normally able and will
ing to pay for decent and comfortable living conditions, schooling
and play opportunities for their children, and all reasonable essen
tials of civilized life for themselves and their families.
Thus it happens that these Government housing operations, like
so many of the private developments which can be studied, have
dealt but little with the more difficult problem of satisfactory and
economical housing for the families of unskilled and relatively lowpaid workers. Within the scale of accommodations which these
developments undertook to supply they are, however, very instruc
tive.
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L E S S O N S O F G O V E R N M E N T H O U S IN G .
Two sorts of lessons are to be derived from the Government’s
emergency operations in the housing field. One sort is concerned
with the physical, social, and economic qualities of the several hous
ing projects as object lessons. They are intelligent, even if hurried,
experiments on a large scale, directed toward securing the best
obtainable results in the way of comfortable, healthful, pleasant
living conditions for persons of limited means. These attempts
will be valuable to all who may aim at similar ends. They will be
helpful to the individual home builder, to the so-called speculative
builder, whose business is the manufacture and sale of houses in
tended for those unable or unwilling to venture on building for
themselves. They will also be useful to cooperative building organi
zations or to manufacturers or other investors who may desire to
build houses on a large scale, in view of the indirect benefits which
flow from satisfactory living conditions in any community. Some
of the results attained by the United States Housing Corporation
are here briefly suggested from this point of view, but a much fuller
and more detailed discussion of them may be expected in the forth
coming official report of the corporation.1
The other sort of lessons is concerned with the social and economic
conditions which have caused the general shortage of good housing so
strikingly emphasized and exaggerated for a time by the war. We
have here a great national problem, more acute in some places than
in others, taking different forms according to local conditions, but
critical throughout the length and breadth of the land. It is a prob
lem that needs the most careful study to find the most effective means
of relief, for some of its causes are obscure though some are fairly
evident. On the economic and financial side it is in the aggregate
enormous; while on the social side there is probably no other activity
in the nation which does more to fix the conditions that determine the
health and mold the character of our people than housing.
On the side of quantity of house construction, which fundamentally
governs all questions of quality, it appears to be a fact that capital
has for some years been more and more inclined to seek other channels
of investment than housing. The individual home builder and the
large operator alike have been finding it progressively more difficult
to obtain mortgage loans on favorable terms as compared with the
terms on which loans can be secured for other classes of investment.
Rented dwellings, especially rented individual dwellings, with their
many social advantages to the community as compared with tene
ment houses, due to the favorable conditions they offer for sound
family life, have been growing less and less profitable as investments.
1 A p relim in ary rep o rt, p rincipally h isto rical, w as issued Dec. 3, 1918, and w as sum
m arized in the Monthly L abok R eview for F eb ru ary , 1919 (pp. 24G -251).
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The characteristically American impulse toward the making of a
permanent home for the family in a place of its very own, while still
very strong and very general, appears to be losing rather than gaining
among people of small means. Especially is this true among working
men, who feel the danger of being tied by home ownership to a limited
choice as to their place of employment.
All of these causes, and others more obscure, doubtless lie back of
the unmistakable tendency toward insufficient construction of new
houses to meet the growth of population.
This growing scarcity of satisfactory housing reflects itself in
overcrowding and in the enforced acceptance of unsatisfactory ac
commodations. There follows a lowering of the average quality of
housing, with a drift on the one hand toward tenement living and
on the other toward slum conditions of another sort. On the score
of quality, the diminution of investment building proper, both by
the individual home maker and by the investor in rental property,
tends to increase the proportion of houses built to sell and not to
endure. Such houses depreciate rapidly, are not in the long run a
good economic investment for the country, and tend continually
toward slum conditions unfavorable to that self-respecting home life
upon which the security of our democracy rests.
The country must face this national problem. It must face it
squarely and courageously and must patiently devise such improve
ments in the methods of financing the home builder, and in the pre
vailing mechanisms for wholesale construction of dwellings, as will
correct these tendencies without dangerously revolutionary change
of method. Such success as may have attended the Government’s
adventures in housing under the stimulus of wTar should have a farreaching result in pointing the way for other agencies.
It is to other agencies rather than to a peace-time extension of
the building activities of the United States Housing Corporation
that the writer looks for relief. A governmental building organiza
tion in peace times could hardly be expected to attain the excep
tionally high standard of personnel and of devotion to the work in
hand which was secured in the war-time organization under the
inspiration of war service, and would be subject to many of the
administrative difficulties under which the war work suffered. This
is all the more a reason, on the one hand, for making the best use
of lessons learned, and on the other hand, for recognizing the diffi
culties in the way of any proposition looking toward direct partici
pation by the Government in the building of houses in peace time.
The country must come to recognize the house problem as a na
tional problem of the most vital importance to the security of our
democracy. The country, too, must come to understand that it takes
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a great deal more money to house the workers outside the factory
than to shelter and work them inside the factory. Some satisfactory
solution of the problem must be found and will be found as its im
portance is realized. It is not impossible that in some way parallel
to the operation of the Federal Farm Loan Act financial support may
be offered which will stimulate individual and collective housing
extension, while at the same time utilizing to some extent the ex
pensively acquired information and experience of war time. But
the most immediate need, if the results of the war-time housing ex
perience are to be salvaged and made the basis for further advance,
is the establishment of a continuing Government agency for research
and as a clearing house of information on matters of housing and
community planning.
T Y PE S OF H OU SES.
,
This brief article can give only the most inadequate idea of the sort
of houses and of residential neighborhoods which the United States
Housing Corporation has been creating, to say nothing of the still
larger range of housing the construction of which was stopped on the
signing of the armistice, but the plans of which are all available.
Taking a few examples almost at random, the first illustration is that
of a pair of semidetached five-room houses in a development at Waterbury, Conn. The development comprises five and six room houses,
both detached and semidetached, housing 55 families.
The plan is very economical not only in the utilization of space
within a simple rectangular outline but also in the method of framing,
with its continuous longitudinal partition in both stories, in the cen
tral chimney, and in the basement stair arrangement, giving outside
access to the cellar without an area. The simple wall and roof treat
ment and the skillful placing of the windows make a building not only
very attractive in itself but also of special value in a series of small
houses.
The site covers 18 acres of comparatively rough bouldery land in
the southerly outskirts of the city, the most accessible and available
area of sufficient size. The portion actually used for the develop
ment, as curtailed at the time of the armistice, comprises 8 | acres,
divided into lots about 110 feet deep and 40 to 50 feet wide, giving
a space between houses along the street of 15 to 30 feet, and a density
of about 7.5 families per acre, gross (including streets).
All the houses are of frame construction, stuccoed. All the fiveroom houses are practically on the same plan as illustrated, and all
the six-room houses are on one plan. Both are varied by differences
in the location of the porches and in the roof treatment, as well a3
by their use in the detached as well as in the semidetached form,
with corresponding variations in window placing. With judicious
modifications in the set-back of the houses from the street, with the
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W A T E R B U R Y , CONN.
Pair of 6-room semidetached houses.
34-1
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B R ID G E P O R T , CONN.
Facing Old Mill Green. Six-room detached house; pair of 5-room semidetached two-family houses
of 5-room flats.
B R ID G E P O R T , CONN.
Black Rock Apartment House Group. Five-room apartment unit, type G3.
34-2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SECOND-FLOOR PLAN.
FIRST-FLOOR PLAN.
B R ID G E P O R T , CONN.
Black Rock Apartment House Group. Five-room apartment unit, type G3.
34-3
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natural irregularity of slope in the site, and with slight bends in
some of the streets, there is such a happy avoidance of monotony and
regularity of appearance that it is hard to realize that only two
house plans are used in the entire development. And the adherence
throughout to one material—stucco—for outside walls, to one mate
rial for roofing, and to one good set of simple details gives an archi
tectural harmony to this varied arrangement which is thoroughly
pleasing.
The project at Old Mill Green, Bridgeport, is shown in general
plan and by a half tone of three of the types of houses. The land
was irregular in outline and in the portion marked “ Mill Green Ex
tension” was broken by large ledges. There were numerous existing
trees, and the land bordered on an old public common and was crossed
by two old streets. The houses are mainly semidetached and two-flat
houses with a few short rows of four-room houses, giving an average
density of 10.3 families per acre, gross. The resulting general plan
is irregular, offering some very interesting compositions. In the
middle of the plan is one of the very few cases in which houses were
built about three sides of a recessed court. The special economic
justification for this court is the existence of the ledges in the rear
which made it unprofitable to open a street from Goddard Avenue
to Asylum Street, parallel with Mill Green, and build on the rear
portion of the property. This ledgy ground is made into a local
park in the interior of the block. The skillfully straightforward
architecture of these buildings, all of simple outline with plain
brick walls and uncomplicated slate roofs, produces some of the
most attractive results to be found in any of the projects of the Hous
ing Corporation.
Bridgeport also presents two excellent examples of apartmenthouse groups, among the few instances where high land values forced
the use of this type of housing. The normal unit of construction,
illustrated in plan, contains six apartments of five rooms each.
Another closely similar unit has six 4-room apartments, and a special
corner unit has six 3-room apartments. These units are grouped and
combined with great ingenuity, forming pleasant interior courts of
considerable size overlooked by the rear porches. For service these
interior courts are reached by roadways, and in one case a good-sized
playground is provided in the court. The Black Rock group here
illustrated houses 216 families, with a density of 31.9 families per
acre, gross; the other group houses 108 families, with a density of 35.8
per acre, gross. While these are higher densities than are generally
produced by the too familiar “ three-decker ” development of New
England cities, they give far better light, air, privacy, and conven
ience, to say nothing of the vastly better appearance and the freedom
from rapid deterioration.
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ARCHITECTURAL AND TOWN PLAN NING FEATURES.
The speed with which the erection of all buildings had to be pushed
ruled out experiments in new methods of construction, however
promising of economies or even of possible increased speed. It was
necessary to use only those materials obtainable quickly and certainly
in the necessary quantities and the methods of construction so well
tried and familiar as to minimize the chance of unforeseen delays.
Thus there is little new to be learned from the projects on the side of
construction, except in choices of detail as between well-known alter
natives. Some economies of detail forced by the war-time shortage of
materials would be inexpedient for peace-time work; others, such as,
notably, the simplifications of plumbing, are permanently desirable.
With regard to the general designs of the houses and of the towns or
residential neighborhoods created in building them, there was a
somewhat greater latitude for inventive ability; but even here the
speed and the large scale of the operations required a conservative
attitude, with a strong presumption in favor of types of plan so
well tested by experience as to give assurance that all their draw
backs could be known in advance and could be either overcome or de
liberately accepted as a fair price to pay for their known advantages.
If time had permitted the deliberate study of promising inventions
of a more radical sort in respect to plans of arrangement and methods
of construction it would have been reasonable to expect notable im
provements in the “ state of the art,” from concentrating upon the
scrutiny of such inventions the great range of technical skill and
practical experience that was gathered in the service of the Housing
Corporation, which included men of many types of mind in each of the
fields of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, contract
ing, real-estate operations, finance, management of labor, and social
work. And although the staff of the Housing Corporation resolutely
limited its work to what would produce reasonably satisfactory re
sults for the relief of the war industries in the quickest possible
time, its members came to feel very strongly that after the war
a permanent Government agency ought to be set up which could
make such thorough and deliberate studies both of alternative cus
tomary types of plan and materials and of promising new types, and
make the results of such comparisons available for the whole country.
Even under conditions as they were the Housing Corporation assem
bled and compared and analyzed many types of more or less ac
ceptable plans, both of houses and of town layouts, and will be able
to make available to the public in its final report many of these com
parisons and selections, covering a large variety of plans based on a
few widely used types and a few plans which are, if more experi
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1262 ]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SECOND FLOOR.
FIRST FLOOR.
IL IO N , N. Y.
Six-room semidetached house, type C2.
36-2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
'
'■ * Æ
f i » ‘ *< ■ $& %
1-U 1
_ “J ib 4
r i drrH
11H
x .r.
FIRST FLOOR.
h
SECOND FLOOR.
W A T E R T O W N , N. Y.
Six-room detached house, type 3A.
36-3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
r
. v
^
'
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR-PLAN.
r —=»%
A B E R D E E N , MD.
Six-room detached house, type E.
36-4
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
37
mental, at least so promising as to have led to their limited use even
under the stress of war-time conditions.
On the score of architectural appearance there are lessons to be
learned from the work of the Housing Corporation, both positive
and negative, concerning the means by which small houses may be
made beautiful consistently with economy of construction and con
venience of use; but perhaps the most striking lessons in this respect
concern the location of the houses and the general town planning.
When long lines of houses on long, straight streets are imposed by an
existing rectangular street plan, the houses being small and close
together by force of economy, hardly any architectural skill can pro
duce a thoroughly agreeable result, even by resort to grouping and
to such variations in set-back as are normally acceptable to the occu
pants. The experience of the corporation has merely confirmed in
this respect a generally accepted opinion of town planners that in
residential developments, especially for small houses, comparatively
short street vistas in proper scale with the houses are extremely im
portant, whether secured by absolute discontinuity of the minor
streets or by moderate curves or angles in them; and that such de
partures from the theoretical economy of the rectangular plan need
not involve, if well designed, an appreciably greater cost per house
for streets, utilities, and land.
Another general point as to house arrangement has been borne out
by the experience of the Housing Corporation. It is possible to
unify and formalize a scheme by making the houses so rigidly
related and balanced along the street and across the street that
the whole development looks unpleasantly like a charitable or
penal institution. It is also possible by too much seeking of variety
and picturesque quality in the color and shape and arrangement of
the buildings to make the development look like a piece of stage
scenery and not like the dwellings of modern American citizens.
It is a fact, however, that if the whole development is treated
as a business proposition, considering all the aspects of site and street
plan and utilities and houses, taking into account the fair money
value of good appearance in detail and in arrangement, and weighing
value and cost in each case, the very reasonableness of the result will
go far to make it pleasing to look at as well as inexpensive to build
and to operate.
How far the Housing Corporation has succeeded in all these regards
in the developments which it now has under way, and how far its
canceled projects would have succeeded if they had been constructed,
is still a matter of opinion.
The forthcoming report of the Housing Corporation, however, will
give anyone interested in the larger aspects of town planning, as
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1203]
38
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
well as anyone interested more particularly in houses, an oppor
tunity to study these matters for himself to good advantage, because
tiie corporation sets forth on about 100 projects not only what ar
rangement and appearance were intended but what the design entailed
in each case in the way of architectural, engineering, and landscape
construction and consequent cost. This data, tabulated for ready
comparison, should be of great value to anyone undertaking prob
lems, large or small, similar to those which the corporation has faced.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1264]
MEDICAL BENEFITS AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSION UNDER WORK
M EN’S COMPENSATION LAWS.
BY CARL HOOKSTADT.
STATUTORY PROVISIONS.
Of the 42 workmen’s compensation laws in effect in the United
States on January 1, 1919, only 5 (California, Connecticut, Idaho,
Porto Rico, and the Federal Government) place no limitation except
reasonableness upon the amount of medical treatment which the
employer must furnish in cases of industrial accident. All of the
other laws limit the employer’s liability either as to length of time
or amount, or both. The following table shows the States classified
as to length of time and maximum amount of medical service for
which the employer is liable:
COMPENSATION STATES, CLASSIFIED BY LENGTH OF TIME DURING WHICH MEDICAL
SERVICE IS FURNISHED, AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS.
None.
2 weeks.
3 weeks.
4 weeks.
30 days.
60
8 weeks. days.
Del. ($25).
Iowa ($100).. Colo. ($100) 111. ($200) N.Y. Ky. ($100)..
Ariz... Me. ($30).. Nebr. ’(*200) R. I .............
Minn. ($100)
($150)
N. H .. Mass.1....... N. Mex.(-$50) S.Dak.($100) V a.............
W yo.. Mont.($50)
Wis 1
N..T. ($50).
Okla.8.......
Pa. ($25)..
Tex.4........
Vt. ($100).
•
Unlimited
as to time.
90 days.
Calif.
Conn.
H a w a ii
($150).
Idaho.
La. ($150).
Md. ($150).
Ohio($200).®
Oreg.($250).
P. R.8
Utah ($200)7
Wash.8
W.Va,($150)
1 Longer period under certain conditions.
2 50 days.
_ 8 15 days.
42 weeks additional in hospital cases.
6 Except in unusual cases.
6 Necessary medical attendance as.preseribed by commission.
7 Such medical service as employer or insurer m ay deem proper.
8 Medical service furnished during disability. Employees must contribute one-half.
It will be noted that 4 States 1 do not provide for medical service
in the real acceptation of the term. Three of these 4 States 2 provide
that in fatal cases involving no dependents the medical expenses of
the last sickness shall be paid by the employer.
The following table gives in more detail the amount of medical
aid and the conditions mider which it is furnished. It will be noted
that many States, in addition to the time limitation, also limit the
amount, ranging from $25 in Delaware and Pennsylvania to $250 in
Oregon. Others allow additional medical service in certain cases, at
the discretion of the commission or court.
1Alaska, Arizona, New Hampshire, and Wyoming.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1265]
*Alaska, Arizona, and New Hampshire.
39
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
40
AMOUNT OF AND CONDITIONS FOR MEDICAL SERVICE UNDER COMPENSATION
,
LAWS.
Medical and surgical aid.
State.
Period.
Alaska.
Ariz__
Calif .
Colo..
Unlim ited.
30 days----
Conn.
Unlim ited.
Del......... 2 weeks__
Hawaii...
Idaho__ Unlimited.
111...
Ind.
8 weeks.
30 days..
Iow a..
Kans.
K y ...
4 weeks.
50 days..
90 days..
L a ...
M e...
Md...
Mass.
Mich.
Minn.
2 weeks.
2 weeks.
3 weeks.
90 days..
Mont.
2 weeks.
Nebr.
21 days.
Nev..
90 days.
N. H.
N. J...
2 weeks.
N. Mex.. 3 weeks.
N. Y.
Ohio.
60 days..
Okla.
Oreg.
15 days.
P a ...
14 days.
P . R .......
R. I . . . . . .
S. D ak ...
Tex.........
U tah.......
Unlim ited.
4 weeks__
4 weeks__
2 weeks —
V t.
Va.
14 days.
30 days.
W a s h .... During disability
W. Va.
Wis__
W yo...
u. s...
90 days___
None........ .
Unlimited.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Maximum amount and other qualifications.
Only in death cases involving no dependents; maximum $150 for medical
expenses between injury and death.
Reasonable medical and burial expenses in death cases involving no
dependents.
Such service as reasonably required.
Maximum $100 unless there is a hospital fund. Special operating fee of
$50 in case of hernia.
Such service as deemed reasonable by attending physician. Special pro
vision for seamen on United States vessels.
If requested by employee or ordered by board; maximum $25.
Maximum $150.
Reasonable service for reasonable period. Hospital benefit fund may be
permitted in lieu of statutory provision.
Maximum $200.
Such service as deemed necessary by attending physician or board; longer
at option of employer. Employee must accept unless otherwise ordered
by board.
Maximum $100. If requested by employee, court, or commissioner.
If demanded by employee; maximum $150.
Unless board fixes other period. Maximum $100, or $200 for hernia opera
tions.
Reasonable services unless employee refuses to accept; maximum $150.
Maximum $30, except for major surgical operations.
Such service as may be required by commission; maximum $150.
Longer in unusual cases at discretion of board.
Maximum $100; court may allow additional treatm ent, not over $200, if
need is shown within 100 days of injury.
Unless employee refuses; maximum $50 unless there is a hospital fund;
special operating fee of $50 in case of hernia.
Unless employee refuses; maximum $200; no time limit in case of major
operations; employer not liable for aggravation of injury if employee
refuses to accept.
Time may be extended to 1 year by commission; transportation furnished.
Medical service and burial expenses in death cases involving no depend
ents; maximum $100.
Unless employee refuses such treatment; maximum $50.
Maximum $50, unless there is a hospital fund; special operating fee of $50
in case of hernia.
Such service as may be required or requested by employee.
Such service as commission deems proper; maximum $200, except in
unusual cases.
Includes transportation; maximum $250.
Unless employee refuses; maximum $25, or $75 when a major surgical
operation is necessary. Employer not responsible for aggravation of
injury if employee refuses.
Necessary medical service as prescribed by commission.
Maximum $100.
Two weeks additional in hospital cases.
Such medical and hospital services as employer or insurer may deem
proper; maximum $200; hospital benefit fund permitted in lieu of
statutory provision.
Maximum' $100.
Such service as deemed necessary by attending physician or com
mission; longer at option of employer. Employee must accept unless
otherwise ordered by commission.
Transportation included; employees must contribute one-half medical
cost.
Maximum $150; $300 in special cases where disability can he reduced.
Longer if disability period can be reduced.
Commission shall furnish necessary medical service for reasonable period
unless employee refuses; transportation furnished if necessary.
[ 1266 ]
MONTHLY LABOE EEYIEW.
41
KIND OF SERVICE.
Most of the States provide that “ reasonable or necessary medical,
surgical, and hospital service” must be furnished, leaving the ques
tion of reasonableness or adequacy to the commissions or courts to
determine. Twenty-seven States include medicines within this pro
vision; 15 1 include surgical appliances and supplies; 9 2 include
nursing; while Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and the Federal Gov
ernment include transportation. In Utah, oddly enough, such
medical service shall be furnished as the employer or insurer deems
proper. The medical service provisions of the California and Wis
consin laws are probably the most comprehensive of all the Stato
compensation acts in this respect. For example, the California pro
vision, “ Such medical, surgical, and hospital treatment, including
nursing, medicines, medical and surgical supplies, crutches and
apparatus, including artificial members, as may reasonably be required
to cure and relieve from the effects of the injury,” is about as inclusive
as it is possible to make it.
I t must not be understood, however, that the specific services just
mentioned are not furnished in the States which do not specifically
mention them in the law. The inclusiveness of the term depends
upon the liberality of the administering body. Furthermore, em
ployers and insurance carriers as a matter of policy often furnish
additional service, including artificial limbs and other surgical appli
ances in order to restore the earning capacity of the employees and
thereby reduce their compensation costs.
ADEQUACY OF MEDICAL SERVICE.
Although adequate medical treatment is absolutely essential to
complete rehabilitation and restoration of an injured employee’s earn
ing capacity only five laws, as already noted, require the employer
to furnish unlimited medical service. Several States make no pro
vision whatever for medical treatment, while in others the low maxi
mum limits make adequate treatment impossible. Reference to the
preceding table shows that in seven States the employer is not
required to furnish medical service beyond two weeks and in less
than one-half of the States is he required to provide such service for
more than 30 days. Quite a number of the States, in addition to the
time limits, also place a limitation upon the amount or cost of service
to be provided, thus increasing the inadequacy of the laws still
urther. Some idea of the inadequacy of the medical service pro
visions may be obtained from a study of the severity of industrial
1California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New
York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
* California, Idaho, Kansas, Kontucky, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Ohio, and Utah.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[12671
42
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
accidents. In what percentage of accident cases does the period of
disability extend beyond the statutory medical periods of the work
men’s compensation acts! The disability period is not necessarily
always coterminous with the medical period. The length of the
disability periods will throw considerable light upon the adequacy
of the medical service furnished.
The following table shows, for certain States, the percentage distri
bution of nonfatal industrial accidents causing disability of more
than one week, classified by periods of disability. Accidents which
resulted in an incapacity of one week or less were eliminated for two
reasons: First, the number of minor accidents reported varies enor
mously among the several States, thus impairing the comparability
of the accident data. For example, in California the disability in
more than one-half of the total accidents reported terminated within
one week, whereas in Washington less than one-fourth of the cases
terminated within this period. Second, the adequacy of the medical
provisions of compensation laws can best be determined from the
number or percentage of the serious accidents affected by the statu
tory limitations placed upon the medical service to be furnished.
In other words, the inadequacy of medical treatment provided is
determined not by the percentage of total accidents covered but
rather by the percentage of serious accidents adequately treated.
An investigation made by the Ohio Industrial Commission in 1914
showed that of 8,277 cases of minor accident (less than 1 week's
disability), the medical expense in 82 per cent was under $5 and in
97 per cent under $10.
P E R CENT OF NONFATAL INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS OF OVER ONE W E E K ’S DISABILITY
IN CERTAIN STATES, CLASSIFIED BY PER IO D OF DISABILITY.
Period of disability.
Wash
ington,
1917
(13,941
tempo
rary
total
cases).
Nevada,
1913-1910
(1,730
nonfatal
cases).
Oregon,
1915
(1,808
tempo
rary
total
cases).
Cali
fornia,
1917
(27,775
tempo
rary
total
cases).
Wis
consin,
1916-17
(15,915
tempo
rary
total
cases).
Over 1 to 2 weeks.......................
Over 2 to 3 weeks.......................
Over 3 to 4 weeks.......................
Over 4 to 5 weeks.......................
Over 5 to 6 w eeks.....................
Over 6 to 7 weeks_____ _____
Over 7 to 8 weeks.......................
Over 8 to 9 weeks_____ ______
Over 9 to 10 "weeks.....................
Over 10 to 11 weeks...................
Over 11 to 12 weeks...................
Over 12 to 13 weeks....................
Over 13 to 29 weeks...................
Over 26 weeks.............................
32.3
19.6
11.7
8. 8
5.2
4.2
2.9
2.8
1.4
1.3
.9
1.4
5.1
2.5
29.9
19.8
14.7
9.4
5.5
4.0
2.5
4.0
2.1
1.0
.9
.4
3.6
2.1
37.8
20.4
12.7
10.0
4.6
3.4
1.8
2.0
1.1
.9
.6
1.3
2.8
.7
38.8
16.3
11.4
8.8
6.3
4. 4
3.0
2.3
1.6
1.1
1.1
.8
1 3.3
2 .8
37.4
22.7
12.9
8.6
5.1
3.1
2.4
1.6
1.1
.8
.7
.5
2.3
.8
Total..................................
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1 Over 13 to 25 weeks.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 Over 25 weeks.
[ 1208]
Massa Standard
Table
chusetts, (100,000
• 1917
tempo
(47,190
rary
nonfatal
total
cases).
cases).
}
1
[
30.1
30.0 /\
38.9
19.9
11.7
23.7
19. S
[
8.7
» 6.1
j
4.6
2.8 }
100.0
3.5
100.0
43
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
It will be noted that Nevada and Massachusetts include all nonfatal
accidents of over one week’s disability while the other States and the
Standard Accident Table cover only temporary disabilities. This
explains in part at least the smaller percentages of less serious acci
dents in Nevada and Massachusetts. The percentages are possibly
affected also by the differences in the completeness with which acci
dents are reported in the several States. There is a close similarity
between Washington, Nevada, and Massachusetts and also between
Oregon, California, Wisconsin, and the Standard Table, the former
group having relatively fewer minor accidents and a greater number
of long-term disabilities. It will be observed also that Dr. Rubinow’s
Standard Accident Table has a relatively greater number of accidents
causing disability of 1 to 2 weeks and fewer causing disability of
over 13 weeks.
The following tabulation of the above data shows the percentages
of accidents in which disability did not terminate within certain
specified periods:
PER CENT OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS OF OVER ONE W EEK ’S DISABILITY IN WHICH
DISABILITY DID NOT TERMINATE W ITHIN CERTAIN SPECIFIED PERIODS.
Disability did not terminate
in—
2 weeks........................................
3 weeks.......................................
4 Weeks........................................
8 weeks........................................
9 weeks........................................
13 weeks......................................
Wash
ington.
Nevada.
Oregon.
67.7
48.1
36.4
15.3
12.5
7.5
70.1
50.3
35.6
14.2
10.2
5.8
62.2
41.8
29.1
10.3
8.3
4.4
Cali
fornia.
61.2
44.9
33.5
11.0
8.7
4.1
Wis
consin.
62.6
39.9
27.0
7.8
6.2
3.1
Massa Standard
chusetts. Table.
69.9
39.9
16.2
61.1
41 2
29.5
9.7
7.5
3.6
Using the Washington statistics as the criterion, it will be seen
that in those States which limit the medical service to two weeks1
about 68 per cent of the accidents are inadequately provided for; in
those States having provisions with a three weeks’ limit (Michigan,
Nebraska, and New Mexico) this inadequacy covers 48 per cent of the
accidents; even in the 90-day States (Kentucky and Minnesota) 7
per cent are insufficiently provided for. The relative inadequacy of
the other States may be obtained from the preceding tables.
The inadequacy of medical service due to the statutory time limits
is still further increased in some States by limitations upon the
amount or cost of treatment which employers are required to furnish.
These maximum limitations range from $25 in Delaware and Pennsyl
vania to $250 in Oregon. The effect of such limitations may be seen
from the following table which shows the medical costs of accidents
in Ohio.
1 Delaware, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, Oklahoma (15 days), Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1269]
44
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
NUMBER AND P E R CENT OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT CASES IN OHIO FROM MAR. 1,1912,
TO DEC. 31, 1913, CLASSIFIED BY AMOUNT OF MEDICAL AW ARD!
Amount of medical award.
Number.
Per cent.
Tempo
Perma
rary
Fatal. nent dis disability Total.
ability. of over 1
week.
Tempo
rary
Perma
Fatal. nent dis disability Total.
ability. of over 1
week.
Under $25................................
$25 to $50..................................
$50 to $100................................
$100 to $150..............................
$150 to $200..............................
$200 and over...........................
14
8
4
1
1
2
161
50
32
«9
7
87
3,858
244
67
14
10
4
4,033
302
103
24
18
13
46.7
26.7
13.3
3.3
3.3
6.7
60.5
18.8
12.0
3.4
2.6
2.6
91.9
5.8
1.6
.3
.2
.1
89.8
6.7
2.3
.5
.4
.3
Total..................................
30
266
4,197
4,493
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1 Ohio Industrial Commission, Department of Investigation and Statistics. Report No. 2,1914, pp. 23-30.
* One permanent total case.
It will be rioted that a low maximum limitation upon the amount
of medical service affects adversely cases of permanent disability in
particular. In 40 per cent of such cases the medical costs were $25
or more; in 21 per cent the costs were $50 or more; and in 2.6 per cent
the costs were $200 or over. In 10 per cent of the accident cases
the medical costs were $25 or more.
In several of the States the maximum limit is high enough to
cover practically all except the more serious injuries, but it is in
severe injury cases that the workman’s needs are greatest. Hawaii,
Louisiana, Maryland, and West Virginia have $150 limits, Ohio and
Utah have a $200 limit, and Oregon has a $250 limit. But that
even these high maximums are inadequate is shown by the following
recommendation of the compensation commissioner of West Vir
ginia :
The present act provides for a maximum of $150 to be expended for medical, surgical,
and hospital treatment in any one case, but to relieve what would otherwise be perma
nent disabilities the commissioner may spend for secondary treatment a sum in
excess of $150, but not to exceed $300. I find that the lim it of $150 is sufficient in a
great majority of cases and that the additional $150 has enabled us to relieve and make
useful citizens of employees who would otherwise be possible cripples for life and
placed upon the pension rolls of the department. However, some employees are so
severely injured, burned, multiple fractures, etc., that the maximum of $150 is insuffi
cient and the cases can not be considered as covered by the $300 maximum. I am,
therefore, of the opinion, that provision should be made for the payment of an addi
tional $150, making the total payment for medical, surgical, hospital, and artificial
appliances not to exceed $4502
“ There is no doubt, ” says the Ohio Industrial Commission in thi3
connection, “ that in a very small per cent of the severe cases of
industrial accidents the limit of $200 does not take care of the
medical aid which is necessary to be rendered, and in some of these
» Report of West Virginia State Compensation Commissioner for 1917, pp. 6, 7.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[12701
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
45
cases an injustice is done to the injured workman and the physician
or the hospital."1
It must be admitted, however, that in many cases employers and
insurance companies furnish medical service in excess of the statu
tory requirements, especially if by so doing the period of disability
can be materially shortened. Furthermore, it is a common practice
of many of the larger employers, who have an organized establish
ment medical service and hospital, to provide full medical treatment
irrespective of the statutory provisions of the compensation acts.
SELECTION OF PHYSICIANS.
Should the employer or the employee have the right to select the
physician in industrial accident cases? And should this right or
privilege be exclusive or restricted? These mooted questions have
in recent years received a great deal of attention in the workmen’s
compensation field. The subject is particularly important because
it directly affects the employee, the physician, and the employer.
The employee is interested in his own speedy recovery and in having
a physician in whom he has confidence; the employer is interested
in reducing his compensation and medical costs; and the plwsician is
interested both financially and professionally. The interplay of
these various and sometimes conflicting interests constantly causes
friction and creates innumerable difficulties.
The statutory provisions and actual practices as regards selection
of physicians are as follows:
Selection by employee at employer's expense.—In seven States injured
employees are granted the right to select their own physicians at
the employers’ expense. In three of these States (Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, and Washington) this right is granted specifically in
the act, while in four States (Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Vermont)
the employee is granted this privilege by virtue of rules or interpreta
tions of the administrative commission. In addition, the Texas act
allows the employee to select the physician if the employer, having
engaged a contract physician, fails or refuses to file the contract
agreement with the industrial accident board. Attention is called
to the fact that Nevada, Ohio, and Oregon have exclusive State
funds, in which the State becomes the disburser of compensation
payments.
Selection by employee at employee's expense.—The laws in four
States (California, Connecticut, Illinois, and South Dakota) grant
the employee the right to select his own physician—at the employee’s
expense, however.
* Ohio Industrial Commission Bulletin for Oct. 1, 1914, p. 21.
114339°—19----4
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1271]
46
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
Selection by employee if employer neglects or refuses to provide
adequate service.—If the employer neglects or refuses to furnish
competent medical service, the employee is given the right to select
the physician at the employer’s expense in 17 States.1
Authority to order change of physicians.—If the medical service fur
nished is incompetent or inimical to the injured employee, the laws
of six States (California, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Texas, and
Virginia) provide that a change of physicians shall be made if re
quested by the administrative commission or by the employee. In
Washington, also, the State medical aid board, by rule, reserves the
right to transfer a man for treatment to a surgeon where it becomes
evident that the injured workman is not receiving the service that
he should at the hands of the physician of his choice.
Selection of physician by employer.—In all of the other States
which provide for medical service in case of injury, the employer or his
representative, the insurance carrier, has the right to select the phy
sician. Most of these laws, however, make no specific provisions as
to the selection of physicians, but the courts and commissions gen
erally hold that the obligation of the employer to “ furnish” or
“ provide” medical service carries with it the privilege of chooshig
the physician. This practice has been based on two theories: First,
that the employer is more competent to judge the efficiency of the
doctor employed and to provide efficient medical and hospital treat
ment; and, second, that it is to the interest of the employer to fur
nish the very best medical and surgical treatment, so as to minimize
the result of the injury and to secure as early a recovery as possible.
As a matter of practice, however, in quite a large percentage of cases
the employee is allowed to choose his own physician, but the ex
tent of this practice depends upon the policy of the employers and
insurance carriers. The large employers, especially those having an
organized medical service within their establishments, generally in
sist upon their legal right to select the physician.
Panel system.—No State compensation law makes specific provision
for a panel of physicians from which a choice is to be made. Cali
fornia, however, has an incipient panel system, as shown in the fol
lowing statutory provision: “ If the employee so requests, the em
ployer shall tender him one change of physicians and shall nominate
at least three practicing physicians competent to treat the particular
case, or as many as may be available if three can not be reasonably
named, from which the employee may choose; the employee shall
also be entitled, in any serious case, upon request, to the services of
a consulting physician to be provided by the employer; all of said
i Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada,
New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
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treatment to be at the expense of the employer. If the employee
so requests, the employer must secure certification by the commission
or a commissioner of the competency for the particular case of the
consulting or additional physicians.” The foregoing provision does
not apply, however, to employers’ establishment hospital funds ap
proved by the commission.
A majority of the medical profession thus far seem to be opposed
or at least apathetic toward the panel system. Quite a number of
State commissioners and members of the medical profession, espe
cially those who have been in close touch with the administration of
compensation laws, have come to the conclusion that some check
upon free choice, exercised either by the employee or employer, is
necessary.
In a paper prepared for the 1918 meeting of the International
Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, Dr.
Raphael Lewy, chief medical adviser of the New York Industrial
Commission, stated that the ideal plan would be to leave the choice
to the medical department of the industrial commission. At the
same conference Dr. Charles H. Lemon, of Milwaukee, Wis., stated
that no man is justified in doing major surgical work who has not
been trained under a competent surgeon; while Dr. J. W. Mowell,
chief medical adviser of the Washington Industrial Commission, be
lieved that there should be free choice in ordinary cases, but that
in serious cases it would be better for the employee to take the advice
of an expert. The State medical aid board reserves the right to or
der a change of physicians. In a letter to the bureau Dr. F. W.
Sears, chairman of the committee on legislation of the Vermont State
Medical Society, stated that physicians should be selected by mut
ual agreement; the employer might allow the employee a choice
from a list of physicians.
The California Industrial Accident Commission found “ by bitter
experience that all physicians qualified by the laws of the State to
practice surgery are not necessarily surgeons.” The commission ad
vocated a traveling medical inspector who “ will be able greatly to
diminish the abuse, now frequent, of overstay in hospitals, with the
consequent overcharge against the State compensation insurance
fund.”1 According to the commission unfit practitioners should be
excluded either through the enforcement of the medical practice act
or by the commission.
The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of September 21, 1916,
speaks editorially as follows: “ It may be also that absolute free
choice will eliminate competition between the present 27 insurance
companies and bring about the concentration of all the compensation
1Report of California Industrial Accident Commission, 1914-15, pp. 25, 26.
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business under one insurance company, with whom all would be re
quired to transact business under direct State supervision. There is
a probability that the problem may be solved by the combination of
free choice under a supervising consultant, agreeable to and appointed
by the insurance companies.”
Dr. William. L. Estes, chairman of the committee on workmen’s
compensation of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, in a paper
read before a conference of industrial physicians in Pennsylvania
said:
Again, for injuries a surgeon should be called; few family practitioners have the
requisite skill and experience to meet in the most modem way the emergencies of a
serious surgical condition. The sufferings and disability of the injured man may be
increased and greatly prolonged by the injudicious selection of a surgeon. * * *
Most of the best modern hospitals have a definite organized staff of surgeons to carry
on the work of the institutions, and the management of the hospital not only expects
but requires them to treat the cases sent to the institution. Many injured men must
go to hospitals. I t would therefore result in serious confusion and disorganization
were it permitted the injured workman to demand that his family physician shall
treat him in the hospital. Besides, as stated above, it might result in placing an
inexperienced man in charge of him instead of a man whose qualifications had been
proved before he was given the place on the hospital staff.1
Furthermore, under the present system of selection by the em
ployer, it is not an uncommon practice in some States to allow em
ployees to choose a physician from a panel nominated by the employer
or insurance carrier.
REASONS WHY EMPLOYER SHOULD SELECT PHYSICIAN.
Inasmuch as the burden of paying the medical costs rests upon
the employer, it seems reasonable that he should have a voice in the
selection of the physician. He is naturally interested in reducing
his compensation costs. This reduction depends to some extent
upon the speedy restoration, of the injured employee’s earning
capacity, which in turn is dependent largely upon the adequacy of
the medical and surgical treatment furnished. Competent medical
treatment, however, is not always possible if the selection of the
physician is beyond the control of the employer, who is, as a rule,
more competent than the injured employee to judge the efficiency
of the physician. The foreign, non-English speaking, and not
infrequently illiterate workman naturally chooses a physician of his
own nationality, who is often incompetent and sometimes dis
reputable. Some of these physicians not only attempt to mulct the
employers by prolonging treatment, making unnecessary calls,
padding their bills, and overcharging generally, but because of their
incompetency are an actual menace to the patients themselves.
Numerous cases are on record in which injuries which should have
1
Monthly Bulletin of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for February, 1917, pp. 51, 52.
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had the attention of highly skilled surgeons were treated by physicians
without surgical practice and wholly incompetent. Such treatment
is always costly to the employer and frequently harmful to the
injured workman. As stated by Dr. J. W. Mowell, chief medical
adviser of the Washington State Industrial Commission, before the
meeting of the International Association of Industrial Accident
Boards and Commissions previously mentioned:
While this plan [selection by employee] seems quite equitable and it appears to
be the natural thing to do, it has a good many shortcomings. For instance, to the
isolated workman who is employed in a locality where there are only one or two
physicians, free choice means little, and the injured workman has to accept the serv
ices of the first physician he can obtain. However, in the larger cities where there
is a great number of physicians we find that some of the workmen make a wise choice
while quite a large per cent of them, for some reason or other, select a physician who
is not very well equipped for the work at hand. We often find that a workman who
has received a serious fracture will select a physician who knows very little about
fractures; also a man who receives an injury to his eyes may go to an ordinary prac
titioner for treatment until the serious nature of the case makes it necessary to transfer
him to an eye specialist, whom he should have consulted in the first instance. This
occurs more or less with reference to all kinds of injuries. * * *
To my mind the principal thing that can be said in favor of free choice of physician
by the injured workman is the effect it has on his mind—that is, the feeling that he
is getting what he wants.
Because of these conditions many employers and insurance car
riers have insisted upon their legal right to select the physicians, and
the tendency to exercise this right seems to be on the increase. Most
of the large manufacturing establishments, and even some of the
insurance companies, have established hospitals in connection with
their plants. It is maintained that more efficient medical service
can thus be rendered at much less cost. Furthermore, it allows
closer medical supervision. A common complaint made by employers
is that workmen will not report minor injuries, many of which become
septic and develop into serious cases. The prompt attention given
to injuries and the close personal supervision made possible through
an establishment hospital minimize the danger of blood poisoning
and result in earlier recoveries. It is also maintained that malin
gering can be better controlled and prevented when the employer
has supervision over the medical service furnished.
REASONS WHY EMPLOYEE SHOULD SELECT PHYSICIAN.
On the other hand, during the last two or three years, there has
been a widespread reaction against the present system of selection
by employers, and it may well be asked, Why this reaction if the
system is as beneficial as is maintained by its advocates? Three
reasons are generally advanced in favor of free choice of physicians
by employees.
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In the first place, the free and unhampered choice of one’s own
physician has generally been considered as one of the inalienable
rights of mankind. The relationship existing between a patient and
his physician is private and personal. Furthermore, the thera
peutic value of confidence and faith in one’s physician is well recog
nized by the medical profession, and this confidence naturally is
assured when the injured workman selects his own physician. More
over, the injured man has most at stake. It is he, and not the em
ployer or physician, who suffers; it is his life which hangs in the
balance. A man desires a doctor whom he knows, with whom he
can freely and unreservedly discuss his ailment, and in whom he has
confidence.
Another factor which has influenced the movement for free choice
has been the dissatisfaction with the kind of medical service fre
quently furnished by employers and insurance carriers. While it is
true that many employers maintain excellent hospitals with highly
skilled surgeons and trained nurses in charge and provide medical
treatment even in excess of statutory requirements, this is by
no means the general practice. The kind of service furnished by
many employers, and particularly by insurance companies, is entirely
inadequate. There has been a tendency to employ contract doctors
(and this tendency is increasing), many of whom have not been
especially competent. Furthermore, physicians employed on a con
tract basis frequently have more cases than they can take care of
properly and in addition are not inclined to give them the same
personal attention as would be given by physicians engaged directly
by the employee. The evils and abuses of this contract system have
been repeatedly pointed out and condemned by compensation com
missions and the medical profession.
Another important problem is to determine when the injured work
man has sufficiently recovered to be able to return to work. Obvi
ously it is to the employer’s interest to reduce the disability period
as much as possible, and frequently this fact influences unduly the
decision of the employer’s physician, especially if employed on a
contract basis.
The third factor in the movement for free choice has been the oppo
sition of the medical profession to the medical practices of the employ
ers, and particularly of the insurance companies, which have devel
oped under the compensation laws. Physicians have demanded their
regular rates—those which they had charged before the advent of
workmen’s compensation laws. Insurance companies, on the other
hand, have insisted that the increased security of payments under
compensation and the economic and financial status of the injured
employee should be taken into consideration in determining the
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reasonableness of fees for medical and hospital services. There has
also been a tendency on the part of some physicians to pad their bills
and raise their rates. As might be expected, such a condition imme
diately resulted in numerous and acrimonious disputes, between the
medical profession on the one hand and the employers and insurance
carriers on the other, as to medical fees. The compensation com
missioners were usually able to effect a working compromise, but such
compromises have on the whole been unsatisfactory. Insurance com
panies have refused to pay medical bills unless they were satisfactory,
and physicians in retaliation have threatened to refuse to treat indus
trial cases unless guaranteed their regular rates. As a counter meas
ure employers and insurance carriers have begun to furnish their own
medical service, establishing dispensaries and hospitals and engaging
surgeons and trained nurses. Obviously a continued extension of the
system of establishment hospitals and contract doctors would ulti
mately exclude a large majority of the medical profession from the
field of industrial surgery. It is the evident extension of this practice
that causes apprehension in the ranks of the profession and is the
motive power behind their movement for free choice of physicians.
CONTRACT DOCTORS AND ESTABLISHMENT HOSPITALS.
The medical practices or the form of medical organization for taking
care of injured workmen under compensation laws vary with the dif
ferent sections of the country, with the size of the establishment,
and with the policy of the insurance carrier. When State compensa
tion laws were first enacted many of the larger employers had in
operation benefit schemes for the protection of their employees in
case of accident or sickness. The compensation laws in about onehalf of the States permitted these substitute schemes to continue, pro
vided the benefits furnished equaled those provided in the compensa
tion acts. Thus, many, if not most, of the larger employers in the
United States at present, have their own organized medical service
and establishment hospitals with surgeons and nurses in charge. A
welfare investigation recently made by the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics 1 included a study of 375 establishments having
welfare departments. These 375 establishments employed 1,204,000
workers. Of these 375 establishments 71 per cent had a hospital or
emergency room and 46 per cent had a doctor.
In the western States, especially in the mining regions, the system
of establishment hospital and benefit funds prevails. The compen
sation laws of seven western States 2 specifically authorize employers
to make contracts with their employees for medical and hospital
service.
i Welfare work for employees in industrial establishments in the United States, Bulletin of the U. S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics No. 250, p. 15.
s Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington.
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The extent of this contract hospital system may he seen from the
following: In Washington 60 per cent of the employees paid hospital
dues; in Oregon 57 per cent of employees paid such dues; in Montana
80 per cent of the employees are under hospital agreements; in Minne
sota 60 per cent of the cost of the medical service is on a contract
basis. Employees generally are required to contribute $1 a month
for the support of these funds and hospitals, but the medical service
furnished usually covers sickness as well as accidents.
One criticism against the contract system is that the cost of the
medical benefits under the compensation law—a burden it was
intended for the employer to assume—is shifted to the employees.
Another criticism is the commercialization of the medical service by
nonmedical men. As pointed out by Dr. J. W. Mowell, chief medical
adviser for the Washington Industrial Commission; before the
I. A. I. A. B. C. conference already referred to—■
There is one unfortunate feature of the contract plan that has given and is at present
giving the State medical aid board considerable trouble. It is the commercializing
of the contract plan by nonmedical men who form a hospital association and then go
to the employer and employees and by offering them some special inducement get
the signatures of the workmen giving their consent to the employer to make a contract
for their care. Then they secure the services of a surgeon and pay a small part of the
proceeds to him for the work and keep the remainder. This has brought about a lot
of dissatisfaction among the workmen and physicians of the State causing some agita
tion at the present time toward State hospitals for the care of workmen under the
industrial act.
The most potent criticism against contract practice is that
through it injured employees receive inferior service. As already
stated, many employers furnish medical and surgical treatment
of the highest character, but that is not the general custom
and is especially not true in case of many insurance companies.
The California Industrial Accident Commission in its 1916-17 annual
report made the following observation regarding the contract system:
Many poorly equipped medical men are not above accepting industrial cases which
they can not handle. The commission feels keenly its responsibility in this matter,
and, of course, desires that the very best services shall be accorded the injured work
ingman .
There has been noted in the last fiscal year an ever-increasing tendency toward
“ contract practice” among the insurance companies. This is a most deplorable
condition, since the contracts are frequently made with men of poor judgment and
some whose only equipment appears to be a willingness to work for little money.
One great failing in this contract work is that treatment and results of treatment are
seldom subject to comparison or supervision. There is a tendency toward surgical
“ inbreeding” in that a man, secure in his exclusive care of the cases for an insurance
company, may do pretty much as he pleases as long as he is acceptable to the com
pany. The result is poor work.
Very often has contract practice brought to this office cases for inspection by our
medical department. These injured men present themselves for the purpose of satis
fying their doubts as to the results or character of treatment which they have received.
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These examinations frequently result in change of doctors or exactions of satisfac
tory treatment by the insurance companies. * * *
Whether the control of the medical practice and the exclusion from the industrial
accident field of the unfit practitioners shall come through an enforcement of the
medical practice act, or whether through regulations of the industrial accident board
specifying the character of physicians eligible for industrial work is not yet known.
The situation constitutes a distinct menace at the present time, and suggests possible
failure of the good effects of a most excellent law.1
“ There are many good doctors,” said Dr. B. P. Magnuson, medical
director of the Illinois Industrial Commission, before the recent
workmen’s compensation conference, “ who work on a salary basis,
but most of them will not do it, especially in the large cities where
they have a large outside practice. There are many good men who
have started as contract surgeons, simply as a stepping stone to
work up, but those men leave it, because they can’t get adequate
compensation for their work from the corporation. The contract
surgeon, therefore, has fallen into disrepute, because, on the average,
he doesn’t measure up to men in civil practice who are doing the best
kind of service. * * * The contract surgeon is often careless;
he gets a biased view. The claim agent bothers the life out of him
to get a man back to work.”
MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL FEES.
Probably no one phase of workmen’s compensation has created
more administrative difficulties or caused more ill feeling than the
question of medical and hospital fees.
Basis for medical fees.—Prior to the enactment of workmen’s
compensation laws there had been little distinction in the treatment
of injuries which arose out of the employment and those which arose
outside of the employment. In either case the person sustaining the
injury was financially responsible for the medical and hospital
treatment furnished; but since a large proportion of such persons
were unable to pay for the treatment received the hospitals and
physicians accepted them as charity patients, usually charging low
rates and collecting fees only in cases where the patient could afford
to pay. The compensation laws, however, definitely placed upon
the employer the burden of furnishing medical services in industrial
accident cases; but no provision was made as to medical fees, except
that they should be reasonable, and, in 14 States,2 that they should be
limited to such charges as prevail in the same community for similar
treatment of injured persons of a like standard of living when treat
ment is paid for by the injured persons. In view of these facts the
medical profession as a whole maintained that medical services in
1 Report of California Industrial Accident Commission, 1916-17, pp. 21, 22.
2 Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York,
Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.
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industrial cases should be remunerated at full value and that such
cut rates and charity as had been granted the sufferers by hospitals
and doctors should be discontinued. They also believed it to be an
injustice to expect the medical profession to adopt a sliding scale
of fees, governed by their clients’ ability to pay, when other institu
tions and businesses, including the very same employers and insur
ance companies, are not subjected to the same principles and prac
tices.
Obviously, the medical profession, in common with other pro
fessions and vocations, should receive a just and adequate remunera
tion for its services. The ordinary fee rates of physicians are probably
determined in a general way with reference to the paying ability of
the moderately well-to-do classes of society. Undoubtedly they are
also influenced by the fact that much of the medical service rendered
the poorer classes will never be paid for. In view of these facts
what would be a just basis for determining reasonable and equitable
fees for medical services? As already stated, 14 laws provide that
the standards prevailing in the community for treatment of persons
having the same standard of living should be taken into consideration.
Three States (Idaho, Kentucky, and Texas) further provide that the
increased security of payment guaranteed by a workmen’s compen
sation law should also be taken into account. Practically all of the
State commissions do consider these factors in determining the rea
sonableness of medical fees.
Fee schedules.—The ultimate determination of the reasonableness
of medical fees in workmen’s compensation cases lies with the admin
istrative commissions and courts.
In 26 1 States the compensation commissions or courts are specifi
cally authorized to approve, regulate, or fix the amount of medical
and hospital fees. The laws of two States (Colorado and Washington)
authorize the commission to issue a table or schedule of fees which
shall serve as a basis for compensating medical services rendered.
Moreover, medical fee schedules have been put into effect, under
general authority to regulate or approve medical fees, by the com
pensation commissions of the following States: California, Maryland,
Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and West Virginia. In passing it may bo
noted that all of these States have either exclusive or competitive
State insurance funds. Also, the Massachusetts and New York
compensation commissions, in approving medical fees, have been
governed by a medieal and a hospital fee schedule formulated in
cooperation with the medical profession, hospitals, and insurance
companies of the State. In New York, however, the State medical
1 California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
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society later repudiated the fee bill because the insurance companies
interpreted it as “ a maximum fee bill, not as a minimum fee bib.”1
In addition to the foregoing official schedules promulgated by the
State compensation commissions, medical fee schedules have been
adopted quite extensively by insurance companies, by many county
medical societies, and by a few State medical societies. There is a
fundamental difference, however, between the schedules adopted by
the medical societies and those adopted by the insurance companies.
The former are generally minimum fee schedules, whereas the latter
are maximum schedules. Moreover, the medical societies have
difficulty in maintaining strict adherence to their schedules on the
part of the members of the profession; on the other hand, relatively
few of the experienced physicians and surgeons will sign the schedules
of the insurance companies.
The rates contained in the fee schedules adopted by the several
States enumerated above are somewhat lower than the regular
rates of the profession. In many of the States the rates approved
vary between different communities, depending upon the prevailing
rates in the locality. In Massachusetts, for example, the guideposts by which the »industrial accident board determined the reason
ableness of fees were (1) the locality in which the doctor practices,
(2) the nature of the complaint, (3) the ability of the man to pay,
and (4) the standing of the practitioner in his profession.2 In Ohio,
however, the amount of medical fees was determined with a view
to impartiality and uniformity. Said the Ohio Industrial Com
mission in this connection:
We can not consider and maintain this impartiality and uniformity, of which we
speak, if, as has been suggested by some physicians, we consider that the same services
demand different fees from different localities, in industrial accident work. It is to
be remembered that this act contemplates the considering of this whole subject on
an industrial accident basis. This is an industrial accident law, based on industrial
conditions, and the lack of appreciation of this very fact is the one great reason why
there is difficulty regarding the medical aid feature. The medical aid compensation
is charged to the employer on an industrial accident basis. The act contemplates tho
payment of reasonable compensation to the injured and reasonable compensation for
medical attention.3
Because of the great variations in kind and amount of treatment
required even for similar and apparently identical injuries, it is
impossible to determine in advance what would be a reasonable fee
for a particular injury. Consequently a medical fee schedule is
commonly used merely as a guide or as a minimum fee table.
Because of the medical fee question, workmen’s compensation laws
have been the subject of considerable objection and adverse criticism
1 Quoted from American Medical Association Bulletin of May 15, 1915, p. 388, by Dr. I. M. Rubinow
in July, 1917, issue of the Journal of Political Economy, p. 717.
2 First annual report of Massachusetts Industrial Accident Board, 1912-13, p. 56.
* Ohio Industrial Commission Bulletin, Oct. 1, 1914, pp. 14, 15.
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by a part of the medical profession. Generally tbis criticism is of
two kinds: (1) That directed against the law and its administration,
and (2) that directed against the unfair and unreasonable practices
of certain employers and insurance carriers. The first kind is
generally heard most when a compensation law is first put into effect
and is due primarily to the physicians’ unfamiliarity with the law and
with the duties and functions of the compensation commission. The
loudest criticisms, too, generally come from those physicians who do
not stand highest in the profession. The large majority of the pro
fession have cheerfully cooperated with the commissions in the
administration of the laws in the interest of the working classes for
whose benefit such laws were enacted, and it is seldom indeed that a
compensation commission has had difficulty with the higher class
physician and surgeon. The second criticism is generally the result
of certain practices on the part of employers and insurance carriers
which are considered unfair to the medical profession and inimical
to the best interest of the injured workmen.
The following extracts from a report made by the Massachusetts
medical advisory committee to the physicians of the State probably
epitomize the general experience under compensation laws in the
United States:
A small proportion of these [insurance] companies have adjusters and other subordi
nates who are at times inclined to play cheaper games than proper. There has been
a tendency on the part of some physicians, not many of them members of our societies,
but still physicians ostensibly respectable, to pad their bills and raise their rates; in
other words, to treat this law as an opportunity for medical graft. In many of these
matters the medical advisory board has been able to help the industrial board toward
a solution. * * *
I t seems to us that the whole intent of the law is not charity, but rather to lift the
injured workmen out of the pauper class and, at least for the fortnight following the
injury, to furnish them with the best care, to give them the best possible chance for
complete and early recovery and return to working power. Some of the insurance
men regard the whole matter, seemingly, as a partially charitable service, and argue
that as cut rates and charity were granted the sufferers by doctors and hospitals before
this act went into effect, therefore this sort of thing should continue. * * *
Here and there insurance companies, usually the unimportant ones, have shown
a desire to press the advantage given them by the phrase of the current law. In the
main, however, the better companies * * * have shown themselves decent and
reasonable, not inclined to overwork a technical advantage.1
Hospital fees.-—The problem of determining the reasonableness of
medical fees is further complicated when the injured man is sent to
the hospital. The added difficulty arises from the fact that hos
pitals are in part charitable institutions and supported by donations
of public-spirited citizens. Hospitals usually have three classes of
service—public wards, semiprivate rooms, and private rooms. The
public wards are maintained, at nominal prices, frequently less than
‘ Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Sept. 18, 1913, p. 444.
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actual cost, for patients who have limited means, which includes
most of die industrial workers. Moreover, in case of public ward
patients, no charge is made for the attending physician or surgeon.
For the other classes of service the rates are not only much higher,
but fees for attending physicians and surgeons must be paid in addi
tion. The question immediately arises, Should injured employees
be placed in public wards, as they probably would have been before
the enactment of compensation laws, or should they be placed in
semiprivate or private rooms? If the former practice is followed the
employers and insurance companies are benefited at the expense of
the physicians and hospitals; whereas, if the latter plan is adopted,
the remuneration received by the medical profession would not be
in accord with, the compensation acts, which provide that medical
fees should “ be limited to such charges as prevail in the same com
munity for similar treatment of injured persons of a like standard of
living when such treatment is paid for by the injured persons” ; and
consequently empWers and insurance carriers would be required to
pay more than was intended by the law. The insurance companies
maintain that were the injured workman to pay for his own medical
and hospital bills he would in most cases be sent to a public ward,
and physicians would graduate their charges according to the pa
tient’s income and ability to pay. They contend, further, that when
the large majority of industrial workers receive under $15 a week it
is idle to assume that such employees would be charged semiprivateroom rates and for the doctor’s services in addition. In one of the com
pensation districts in Connecticut an agreement between insurance com
panies and physicians was reached whereby employees receiving over
$12 a week should be placed in semiprivate wards at a weekly rate
of $10, plus charges of the attending physician. Employees receiving
under $12 were to be placed in a public ward at $7 a week, with no
fees for the attending physician.
On the other hand, the hospitals maintain that they should not be
asked to treat compensation cases at a loss. The practice among
hospitals varies. Some place compensation cases in public wards,
some in semiprivate rooms, and others maintain a “ compensation
ward” at intermediate rates. The practice of doctors in sending
patients to hospitals also varies. The majoritjq however, recom
mend that patients be placed in semiprivate wards, thus entitling
them, according to the rules of the profession, to charge for their
services in hospital cases.
The following recommendation of the Connecticut Medical Society
probably voices the opinion of hospitals and the medical profession
in general as regards proper hospital fees in compensation cases:
If the spirit underlying this act is to make each industry carry the expense of the
casualties that occur in the conduct of that business, it fails of doing so when the hos
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pitáis and physicians are forced to care for them at a loss, or as charity cases. It
costs the hospitals from $10 to $15 per week to care for cases. If compensation cases
are placed in public wards at $7 per week, the balance has to be made up by contri
butions that are made for charity, and physicians should not be asked to treat these
cases for nothing in hospitals, any more than they are asked to treat them outside
for nothing.
We recommend that these cases when needing hospital treatment be placed in
semiprivate wards at a rate that reimburses the hospital for the expense of their care,
and that physicians rendering services to such cases be paid at the rate of office charges
as prevail in the same community for similar treatment of injured persons of a like
standard of living when such treatment is paid for by the injured person.1
In Massachusetts the industrial accident board found that as a
result of the enactment of the compensation law many of the hos
pitals throughout the State increased their rates and discriminated
against employers insured under the act in favor of those who did
not insure.3 The board met this problem by calling a conference of
the hospitals of the State, which resulted in the appointment of a
special committee to consider the subject and suggest a remedy. As
a result of the recommendations of this committee the board adopted
a plan by which the hospitals were allowed to charge the insurance
companies for the care of an injured patient the same rate that they
would charge an employee of a man not insured. In a general
way the payment for hospital services was based upon the rule that
for the first two weeks' services $15 per week would be allowed,
provided that $15 was not a higher rate than was charged the
uninsured employee or the public at large; for subsequent weeks
in unusual cases it was felt that some concessions should be made
by the hospitals, and many of them made concessions from this rate,
even if the rate did not cover the actual cost. Reasonable extras were
allowed—a fee for the taking of X-ray plates; ambulance fee; fee for
plaster of Paris casts; fees for special nurses, not exceeding $4 per day;
and fees for private rooms, not exceeding $25 per week, when the con
dition of the patient or the character of the injury is such that he needs
isolation.3 By the plan adopted, when a surgeon was employed to
care for an injured person and such person was admitted to the hos
pital, or when the custom or rule of the hospital provided that
the patient pay the surgeon’s fee, the board would approve of the
payment of a reasonable fee to the surgeon, in addition to the hos
pital charges.
1 Report of the Connecticut Board of Compensation Commissioners for 1914, pp. 17,18.
2 First report of Massachusetts Industrial Accident Board, 1912-13, p. 57.
3 See statement of Dr. F. D. Donoghue, medical adviser of Massachusetts Industrial Accident Board
before Conference on Social Insurance, 1915. United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 212,
p. 311.
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E F F E C T O F C O M P E N S A T IO N L A W S U P O N IN C O M E O F P H Y S I C I A N S .
It is the consensus of compensation commissions and many physi
cians who have investigated the matter that workmen’s compensation
laws have increased rather than diminished the income of the medical
profession, and this despite the fact that the rates in industrial acci
dent cases have been somewhat reduced. Certainly the effect has
not been detrimental in a pecuniary way. The lower schedule of
fees has been counterbalanced by certainty of payments. “ It is of
great interest to physicians to remember,” says the Ohio Industrial
Commission, “ that in the past, in from 50 to 75 per cent of the cases
taken in aggregate, no pay was received for medical service rendered.”1
Several investigations of the effect of compensation laws upon the
income of physicians have been made by members of the profession.
Dr. F. T. Rogers, former editor of the Providence Medical Journal,
as a result of a questionnaire sent to the doctors of the State of Rhode
Island, found that in about one-half of the cases in which replies were
received there was no appreciable change in income; in about onequarter there was an increase in the income ; while in the other quar
ter there was a decrease in income. Summing up, Dr. Rogers said:
“An act which affects but 13 per cent of the profession2 unfavor
ably can not be a serious menace to our interests.” 3 Dr. William
L. Estes as a result of a questionnaire sent to the physicians of
Pennsylvania said: “ It is evident, therefore, that a majority of
the physicians of the State believe the law a good one, and is
working efficiently for the good of the workingman, and not to the
detriment of the physicians.” 4 Dr. Sears in a letter to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics stated that in his judgment the Vermont com
pensation law has somewhat increased the remuneration of the medi
cal profession. “ It is probable,” says the Wisconsin Industrial
Commission,5 “ that the compensation act has very greatly increased
the income of the medical profession as a whole.” The medical
advisory committee of Massachusetts stated as its opinion that the
compensation law “ has worked out well so far—for a new law—and
that on the whole the medical profession has lost nothing by it.”6
As a result of a study of the operation of the compensation law in
Massachusetts the Industrial Accident Board reached the following
conclusion:
The medical profession is benefited by the workmen’s compensation act in many
ways. From the standpoint of money it can be shown that the doctors will get more
1 Bulletin of Ohio Industrial Commission, Oct. 1, 1914, p. 4.
2That is, 13 per cent of those to whom questions were sent.
s Providence Medical Journal for March, 1915.
* Monthly Bulletin of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for February, 1917, p. 48.
6 Fourth annual report of the Wisconsin Industrial Commission, 1914-15, p. 4.
* Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Sept. 18,1913, p. 444.
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for services to injured people than was paid out for all kinds of things under the em
ployers’ liability act. * * * Many members of the medical profession in all
industrial centers have been for years employed by the insurance companies or the
corporations to care for accident cases, their payment including not only compensa
tion for the work actually done, but a certain amount extra to secure their good will,
which might later be utilized. Although this was true of doctors favored under the
old liability insurance acts, a tremendous amount of free work was done by family
physicians and hospitals.1
A D M IN IS T R A T IO N —M E D IC A L A D V IS E R S .
All except nine 2 of the 42 workmen’s compensation jurisdictions
have industrial accident boards or commissions to administer the
compensation acts. The numerous technical medical questions
involved and the constant need for medical advice have led to the
appointment of medical advisers or directors in 13 States 3 and the
Federal Government to assist the commissions in administering the
medical provisions of the acts.
The duties and functions of these medical advisers generally
include the following: (1) To examine claimants; (2) to be witness
or give counsel at hearings; (3) to make medical reports on cases;
(4) to be present at conference of physicians examining claimants;
(5) to make arrangements for specialists’ examinations; (6) to select
impartial physicians for examinations of claimants; (7) to pass upon
the reasonableness of medical and hospital fees.
Administration by local boards in Washington.—A notable experi
ment in the field of medical administration was put into effect in the
State of Washington in 1917. The Washington act provides for a
State medical aid board composed of the medical adviser of the
industrial commission and one representative each of the employers
and employees. This board is authorized to divide the industries of
the State into five classes, according to hazard. Employers subject
to the act are assessed from 1 to 3 cents for each working day of
each employee, and contributions to the State medical fund are
required once a month. Deductions, from the employees’ wages, of
one-half of the contributions are authorized by law. The State
board is also authorized to promulgate rules, issue a maximum med
ical fee bill, approve physicians’ and hospital bills, and approve
contracts between employers and employees as to hospital benefit
funds.
The act also provides for the establishment of local medical aid
boards for the actual administration of the medical service. Each of
these boards, composed of one representative each of the employers
Massachusetts Industrial Accident Board Bulletin No. 6, pp. 8, 9, 11.
i Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and
Wyoming.
8California, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia.
1
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61
and employees, must provide care and treatment for the injured,
report the beginning and termination of disability and the cause of
the injury, and also certify the medical bills. In case of disagreement
the local boards shall appeal to the State medical board.
One of the most difficult problems the State board was called upon
to solve concerned the appointment and functioning of the local med
ical aid boards.1 The framers of the law evidently intended that
there should be a local board at each plant. Such local boards were
workable in the larger plants but were utterly impracticable in the
case of the smaller employers. The board, therefore, divided the
State into districts and established a local board in each locality
where a physician resides. The larger cities were divided on an
industrial basis, six such districts being established in Seattle, and
five each in Tacoma and Spokane. The State board experienced great
difficulty in having the local boards appointed. The employers as a
rule refused to serve on the board because they could not spare the
time from their business and since the law allowed only S3 a day the
workmen did not want to give up good-paying jobs to attend to
local board work.
This situation was remedied by a 1919 amendment (ch. 130) to the
workmen’s compensation law. The act now provides for the creation
of three local aid districts (one each in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane).
In each district there shall be a local aid board to consist of two mem
bers who are to be appointed by the newly created State safety board.
Each member of a local aid board shall receive a salary of $300 a
month. Their duties are enlarged to include accident prevention
work.
1Report of Washington State Industrial Insurance Department for 1917, pp. 54-56.
114339°—19 ----- 5
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LABOR TURNOVER AMONG EMPLOYEES OF A CALIFORNIA COPPER
MINING AND SMELTING COMPANY.
BY PAUL P. BRISSENDEN.
In an article in the February R e v i e w reporting the volume of the
labor turnover in a group of California establishments for the year
June 1, 1917, to June 1, 1918, there were included summary figures for
a copper mining and smelting company.1 The figures reported in that
article showed, for the plant as a whole, (1) the per cent of turnover,
(2) the number of accessions to and separations from service, (3) the
number and per cent distribution of separations of different types, and
(4) the number and per cent of both those on the pay roll at the end
of the year and those who left during the year who had worked con
tinuously for specified periods of time. In the following pages more
detailed information is given on each of these four points with the
purpose of showing the extent to which the different plant divisions
were affected by turnover, and especially to show the relative sta
bility of mine workers and smelter men. There are also presented
figures showing for each semimonthly pay-roll period of the year cov
ered the number of workers actually employed in each plant division
as compared with the equivalent number of full-time workers.
SYSTEM O F EM PLO Y M EN T.
The employment system at this establishment, as was pointed out
in the earlier report,2 is semicentralized. There is an employment
bureau in operation, but it has jurisdiction and authority over
hiring only. The foremen continue to exercise final authority in
the matter of discharge. The employment department, through
and by which are hired all the men for both mines and smelters, is
in the immediate charge of an employment clerk, who works under
the authority of the assistant superintendent of the plant. The
latter official, who is also in reality the employment manager, is
directly responsible to the superintendent for the work of the em
ployment department and usually spends a good part of each day
at the employment office. Although the power of discharge is in the
hands of the foremen, the records of discharges as well as of other
separations “clear” through the employment department, so that the
recording of both accessions and separations is centralized in that
department. All applicants for work apply at the employment
department, which is housed by itself in a small building at the
1 “ Labor turnover in the San Francisco B ay region,” in Monthly L abor R eview , February, 1919, pp.
45-62. The company here reported in detail is establishment No. 10 in the earlier article referred to, and
is one of three located at points in California comparatively rernoto from the San Francisco Bay region,
s Monthly L abor R eview , February, 1919, p. 46.
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64
entrance to the company’s mining properties. Applicants are
required to fill out application blanks and give references, which are
afterwards verified.
G E N E R A L L A E O R P O L IC IE S .
The plant is operated as an open shop, all properly qualified appli
cants being hired without regard to affiliation or nonaffiliation with
labor organizations. Company officials state that their employees
are entirely free to affiliate with labor unions if they care to do so.
This policy does not apply to the I. W. W., members of which organi
zation, it is stated, are not knowingly hired under any circumstances
and are immediately discharged when found to be in the service of
the company. A majority of the mechanics and a large proportion
of the mine workers and smelter men belong to the unions of their
respective crafts. No collective agreements, however, are entered
into between the company and its employees.
Despite the lack of machinery for collective bargaining, the com
pany has made no definite provision for the consideration and settle
ment of grievances. There is no formal procedure whatever in this
matter, the custom being simply for the company officials to meet
informal committees of employees to discuss difficulties as they may
arise. Appeals from the decisions of foremen or other subordinate
officials, including those involving discharges considered unjust, may
be taken to the manager or superintendent.
The entire plant operates on a basic 8-hour day schedule. In the
machine shop there are six 8-hour shifts a week. In all other parts
of the plant there are twenty-one 8-hour shifts a week. The wages
paid during the period covered ranged in the smelter from 83.52 per
day for laborers to 86.50 per day for furnace foremen and in the
mines from 83.75 for laborers (surface men) and 84 for muckers to
85.75 for shift bosses.1 The principal daily rates for other under
ground jobs were as follows: Mucker bosses, 85.25; pipemen, 84.75;
trackmen, motormen, cage tenders, machine men, timber men, and
cavers, 84.50; brakemen, mule drivers, chuck tenders, nippers,
powder men, hand miners, and helpers, 84.25.
The company does nothing in the way of shop training for em
ployees except in the machine shop, where there is a 4-year apprentice
ship course of the traditional type.
The company maintains a hospital for the care of sick or injured
employees and makes it a rule to care for members of employees’
families at the hospital and to assume half the cost of such care. No
hospital fees are charged.
The mines and smelters whose labor turnover is reported in this
article are located about 200 miles from the nearest labor market.
i The rate for foremen (underground) was $210 per month.
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The works are situated near a small village which is located on the
main line of a transcontinental railway. The smelters and electro
zinc plant are located at some distance from the mines and it is nec
essary for the mine workers to live at the mine and for the smelter
men to live at the smelters, or at least no farther away than the
village. The company operates a mine tramway from the smelters
to the mines and this serves, in a measure, for the transportation of
newly hired employees. There are no other transportation facilities.
This remote location of the plant has obliged the company to do
a great deal in the way of company housing of employees. It has
about 50 houses in the vicinity of the smelters. These are rented to
employees at rates ranging from $10 to $15 a month. For the same
type of house in the adjacent village the company states that em
ployees would be obliged to pay from $15 to $30. At the mines the
company has about 40 houses renting at $5 a month, including light,
water, and fuel. Bunks are provided for single men at the rate of
one dollar per month. The houses at the mines are usually all occu
pied. The company believes that its own housing facilities, supple
mented by the facilities offered in the village, are equal to the
present demand.
The usual conveniences for employees in the way of “ change
rooms,” ice water, etc., are provided. The “ change room” at the
smelters is inadequate and leaves much to be desired. The “ change
room” at the mines is very good and its facilities apparently adequate.
The company operates a boarding house at the mines but not at the
smelters. The charge for board is $1 per day. It is deducted from
the employee’s wages. There seem to be very few complaints about
the food served in the company boarding house, but there is much
fault found with the board available in the town.
M E T H O D O F C O M P U T IN G T H E T U R N O V E R .
Except where otherwise indicated the same method of computing
the turnover is used here as in previous articles in this series.1 The
volume of turnover is measured by comparing the average number of
full-time workers with the gross number of separations occurring
during the period under consideration. Specifically the percentage
of turnover for any period is found by dividing the total separations
during the period covered (in this report, the year ending May 31,
1918) by the average number actually working each day throughout
the period.2 The resulting figure is the rate of separation from service
1 See the Monthly R eview for June, 1918, and the Monthly L abor R eview for October, 1918, and
January, February, March, and A pril, 1919.
2 The average number actually working, i. e., the average number of full-time employees, is found by
dividing the aggregate number of 1-man days worked (as shown on the pay roll) by 332 (the standard
annual number of days in operation for mines and smelters used by the California Industrial Accident
Board). Certain exceptions to this method are noted in the text at the points where they are made.
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per 100 full-time workers. This definition of it shows its character
more precisely than does the expression, “ percentage of turnover."
Since it includes all separations regardless of replacements, it should
be called the gross separation rate as distinguished from the net sepa
ration or replacement rate. This gross separation rate per 100 full
time workers is the particular rate approved as the proper turnover
index or percentage by the Rochester Conference of Employment
Managers in May, 1918, indorsed by the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics and used, for the most part, as the basis of computa
tion in this article.1 The nature of the gross separation rate—the
particular rate primarily used in this report—and its relation to both
the accession (or hiring) rate and the replacement rate are revealed
in Table 1.
1.—LABOR TURNOVER AND NATURE OF SEPARATIONS DURING TH E YEAR
ENDING MAY 31,1918, SHOWING THE NUMBER, P E R CENT DISTRIBUTION, AND RATE
P E R 1,000 FULL-TIME W ORKERS IN EACH MINE OR PLANT DIVISION.
T able
Mine or plant division.
Aver
age
number
of full
time
work
ers.
1
Separations.
Em
ployees
En
hired
tered
during Dis
mili
the charged. tary
year.
service.
2
3
4
Q u it .
6
Per
cent of
Total
No
Grand
turn
classi record. total.
over.
fied.
6
7
8
9
Number.
Mine A....................................
Mine B ....................................
Smelter...................................
Electrozinc p lan t...................
58
247
391
138
Total................................
834
13
37
5
115
921
768
488
144
1,215
945
581
29
173
45
61
567
29
281
o 140
88
lo
1,260
1,006
591
510.1
257.3
428.3
2,610
538
55
2,292
2,885
145
3,030
363.3
210
883
950
Per cent distribution of separations.
Mine A....................................
Mine B ....................................
Smelter...................................
Electrozinc plan t...................
20
23
15
15
1
4
1
80
76
81
84
100
100
100
100
Total................................
19
2
79
100
Rate per 1,000 full-time workers in each division.
Mine A ....................................
Mine B ....................................
Smelter...................................
Electrozinc plan t___ _____
58
247
391
138
3 ,5 7 5
2,430
4,109
500
1,137
358
493
53
Total................................
834
3 ,1 2 9
645
3,621
36
1,983
3' 279
lj 964
3,536
2 483
4 935
2 417
210
500
182
156
72
2 933
101
9 S73
4^283
66
2,748
3,459
174
3,633
a Including 47 who were laid off for Indefinite periods on account of lack of work.
1The “ Standard definition of labor turnover and method of computing the percentage of labor turn
over ’’ formulated by a special committee at the Rochester Conference of Employment Managers is expressed
as follows:
The percentage oflabor turnover for any period considered is the ratio of the total number of separations
duringthe period to the average number of employees on the force report during th at period. The force
report gives the number of men actually working each day as shown by attendance record. * * * To
compute the percentage of labor turnover for any period find the total separations for the period considered
and divide by the average of the number actually working each day throughout the period.
The complete report of the committee was published in the Monthly R eview of the U. S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics for June, 1918, pp. 172 and 173.
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The figures in column 9 were computed, as just explained, by
dividing the grand total of separations by the average number of
full-time workers and multiplying the quotient by 100. It will be
observed that these figures are the same as the figures in rate column
8, except that .the latter shows the rate per thousand whereas the
‘'percentage of turnover’' is the rate per 100. Accession rates per
1,000 full-time workers in each group, corresponding to the separation
rates per 1,000, are shown in rate column 2. These two series of
rates—accession rates and separation rates—-in columns 2 and 8,
together with the average numbers of full-time workers shown in
column 1, present the whole labor stability situation in a nutshell—
and quite independently of any so-called “ turnover percentage.”
It will be noted (columns 2 and 8) that, for the plant as a whole
and for every plant division except mine A, there were more separa
tions than accessions. This relation naturally shows itself in the
hiring and separation rates at the bottom of the same columns and
reveals the fact that only in mine A was there an increase in the size
of the working force during the year studied. In all other divisions,
and, as would be expected, in the working force as a whole, the labor
force underwent a more or less permanent reduction. The amount
and direction of those changes which are over and above maintenance
or replacement changes are shown in Table 2.
T able 2.—CHANGES IN THE WORKING FORCE DURING THE YEAR ENDING MAY 31, 1913.
Mine or plant
division.
Number Excess of Excess of Per c e n t,
of em
of in
separa
acces
ployees sions
(+ )
over tions over crease
on pay
or
deacces crease(—)
roll June separa
tions.
sions.
1, 1917.
in force.
Mine A ...... ............. .
Mine B .....................
Smelter.....................
Electrozinc plant__
87
475
407
144
Total..................
1,113
37
377
56
24
+43
-79
—14
-17
420
-3 8
It is evident from these figures that the amount of the reduction
undergone by the working force as a whole was 38 per cent and that
three of the four indicated plant divisions suffered more or less
serious contraction—the loss in mine B being particularly heavy.
The only section of the working force which was augmented in size
during the year was that of mine A, the number of mine workers in
which was increased 43 per cent.1 When during any given period
the normal labor complement (expressed in these pages as the average
1 The manager of the company attributed a large part of the decrease in the size of the ■working force as a
whole to the impossibility of getting the necessary flux for smelting operations. He explained further that
the very great decrease in the labor force of mine B was largely due to the opening up in October, 1917,
of another mine and the resulting transfer to the new operation of a considerable number of the employees
in mine B.
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number of full-time workers) in any industrial establishment under
goes a reduction such as that undergone by the concern here
reported—a reduction, be it noted, which is more or less permanent
and which therefore requires no labor replacements—the number
of separations during the period will naturally exceed the number of
accessions. Assuming that at the beginning of the period there were
no vacant jobs left unfilled from the preceding period, it follows that the
number of separations which are replaced is represented by the
number of accessions. This latter may be called the net separation or
replacement figure. The difference between it and the total or
gross separation figure measures the extent to which the working
force has suffered (more or less) permanent reduction. The net
separation figure divided by the average number of full-time workers
(or, what would be better, by the number of 300-day workers) gives
the net separation or replacement rate. If the establishment had
undergone an enlargement of its normal labor complement during
the given period, the accessions, to the extent that they exceeded
the separations in number (and assuming, as before, that there had
been no unfilled vacancies carried over from the preceding period),
would measure the (more or less) permanent enlargement of the
working force. In these circumstances all the separated employees
would be replaced1 and their number would be equal to the net
accessions. Since the total separation figure in an expanding con
cern is a net or replacement figure it follows that in such a concern
the number of separations can safely be taken without discount in
measuring the amount of labor flow involved in maintaining the
normal labor complement.
This somewhat labored explanation seems to be necessary in order
to make it perfectly clear why certain slightly unorthodox methods
of measuring labor stability are resorted to in this article. The
analysis of the turnover situation in two western oil refineries in a
recent article 2 was developed for the most part on the basis of the
Rochester definition quoted on page 66—a definition which identifies
“ the percentage of labor turnover” as the gross separation rate per
100 full-time employees. These refineries both happened to be
undergoing expansion of personnel during the period studied, and
all of the separations in that situation represented replacements.
For that reason no modification of the Rochester formula was neces1It is not believed th at the net replacement figure is likely to contain any nonreplacoment Items. The
most im portant of such items which might be thought to lurk in the net replacement figure are those cases
of nonreplacement brought about by a discontinuance of certain occupations either because of the shut
down of th at part of the plant which includes those occupations or because of changes in the industrial
arts. By definition the net replacement rate excludes all such cases, which by the very process of discount
ing to get tho net rate, are automatically eliminated along with other unreplaced separations. This is
believed to be true of either an expanding or a contracting business.
2 “ Labor policios and labor turnovor in the California oil-refining industry,” in Monthly L abob
R e v i e w , April, 1919, pp. 23-52.
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69
sary. But in the mining and smelting plant here considered the sit
uation is reversed. The normal labor complement suffered contrac
tion. The separations, therefore, must be discounted to eliminate
those which are caused by this more or less permanent contraction
of force. The Rochester formula makes no provision for such a
discount.
The importance of this matter of method can not easily be exag
gerated. It is a matter of no little urgency just now when to a long
period of expanding business—which means expanding personnel—
has succeeded, for a time at least, a period of hesitating industrial
enterprise when the labor forces of our staple industries are being
greatly reduced—when, in other words, separations are swinging
ahead of accessions, and so coming to measure not merely turnover,
the labor flow involved in maintenance of force, but also much of
the movement of labor between shops or between the shop and the
“ road”—that is to say, unemployment in general.
I t has already been noticed that even the discounted separations
or accessions can not be taken as exactly measuring the number of
replacements necessary to maintenance of force during a given
period, if at the beginning of the period there were unfilled hold-over
vacancies caused by separations in the preceding period. The num
ber hired to fill such positions may be conveniently included with
other accessions for the period. Strictly speaking, however, they
should be charged to the labor-maintenance account of the preceding
period. If the period is only a week such hold-over vacancies will
be of considerable moment and should be accounted for in some
way. But for periods of a month or longer—certainly for periods
as long as a year—it would seem to be quite safe to treat all the
accessions and separations of the period as pertaining to labor main
tenance for that period.
Labor turnover, then, is meant to refer, or at least it ought to
refer, to the amount of labor replacement which is found to be neces
sary in order to maintain a labor force. I t follows that what is
called “ labor turnover”—establishment labor flow involved in main
tenance of force—is most accurately measured by the rate of replace
ment, a rate which coincides with the separation rate in the case of
an expanding business, with the accession rate in a contracting
business, and with both rates in a stationary business. Any net
excess, either of accessions or separations, is something distinct from
maintenance. It has nothing to do with replacement, the ratio of
which to the normal working force is labor turnover. I t has much
to do with unemployment, but it has nothing to do with that special
shop-personnel-maintenance phase of unemployment commonly
known as “ labor turnover.”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1295]
70
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
I t is apparent from the figures of Table 1 that in mine A the 173
separations must all have been replacements, inasmuch as they
were exceeded in number by the accessions. The replacement or
turnover rate, therefore, is 2,983 per 1,000 full-time workers, and in
this case is the same as the separation rate. In the case of the
other three plant divisions, and in the case of the working force
as a whole, however, it is evident that not all of the separations
were replaced, since smaller numbers in each case were hired.
The number of accessions, therefore, must indicate the replace
ments, and the rates of turnover on this replacement basis would
be those in column 2. In this case, then, the turnover or replace
ment rate would be the same as the accession rate. In Table 1
the replacement numbers and rates are set in boldface type. It
would seem that, in all establishments such as the one here reported,
where the normal working force has undergone a (more or less) per
manent reduction during the period under consideration, the gross
separation method is bound to show a much heavier turnover than
actually exists. And the amount of this distortion is roughly pro
portionate to the amount of shrinkage in the labor force. Thus
Table 2 shows that the smelter suffered the least shrinkage (14 per
cent), and mine B the greatest (79 per cent) during the year. The
turnover rate for the smelter is 2,573 on the gross separation basis
and 2,430 on the replacement basis. The rate for mine B is 5,101 on
the gross separation and 3,575 on the replacement basis.
T H E N A T U R E O F T H E S E P A R A T IO N S .
The separations from service during the year are so classified in
Table 1 as to show the number in each mine or plant division who
were discharged, entered military service, and left voluntarily. Of
the 3,030 separations from the whole plant, 145 could not be classi
fied. Taking the whole working force, of the 2,885 classified separa
tions, 79 per cent left voluntarily, 19 per cent were discharged, and
2 per cent entered military service.1 Taking into consideration only
the 2,885 separating employees the character of whose separations
were known, it appears that for the plant as a whole their voluntary
leaving rate was 2,748, their discharge rate 645, and their rate of
entry into military service 66 per 1,000 full-time workers. In the
different plant divisions the rate of voluntary separation ranged
from 1,964 per 1,000 full-time workers in the smelter to 3,536 per
1.000 full-time workers in the electrozinc plant; the rate of discharge
from 358 per 1,000 full-time workers in the smelter to 1,137 per
1.000 in mine B, and the rate of leaving to enter military service
1 All lay-offs for lack of work were permanent, so far as known at the time of separation, and they have
consequently been classified as discharges.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1296]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
71
from 36 per 1,000 in the eleetrozinc plant to 95 per 1,000 in the smelter.
In other words, the smelter men make the least unfavorable showing
both as to rate of discharge and rate of voluntary separation. It is
to be noted also that they show the highest rate of separation for
military service. The most unfavorable showing as regards volun
tary separation is made by electrozinc plant employees and as regards
discharges, by the mine workers of mine B. The lowest militaryservice separation rate is that for the electrozinc plant.
GENERAL EXTENT OF THE TURNOVER.
The extent of turnover for the year ending May 31,1918, as well as
the nature of the separations, both for the whole working force and
for the several plant divisions, are shown in Table 1. It appears
from these figures that there were in the course of the year 3,030
separations from, and 2,610 accessions to, a force whose average
active personnel was equivalent during that year to 834 full-time
workers.1 Following the accepted formula, this gives a turnover of
363.3 per cent for the whole working force for the year reported. On
the same basis it appears that of the indicated subdivisions of the
working force, the smelter suffered the lowest and mine B the highest
turnover, the percentage figures being257.3 for the former and 510.1 for
the latter. These figures, which purport to measure the turnover
by dividing the normal personnel into the gross separations, are to
be accepted in the case of this establishment, as has been already
pointed out, only with very important reservations. Because of the
very-considerable reduction in the size of the working force these
gross separation percentage figures should be considered in con
nection with the accession rates, which—in every instance except
that of mine A—are also identical with what have already been
described as replacement rates. On this replacement rate basis the
smelter still shows the lowest turnover—the difference in its favor be
ing even greater than on the gross separation basis. The highest turn
over on the replacement basis, however, is to be charged to the electrozinc plant, whereas the other method shows the greatest instability to
be in mine B. The gross separation figure for mine B is unquestiona
bly much too high. In view of the fact, as shown in Table 2, that its
personnel decreased 79 per cent, or much more than that of any other
plant division, it is quite evident that the turnover percentage of
510.1, corresponding to a rate per 1,000 of 5,101, covers a good deal
of labor flow which is not turnover—a large amount of labor change,
that is to say, which has no reference to replacement or maintenance
1 There were formally hired during the year in addition to the accessions reported in Table 1 as many as
2C9 persons who failed to report for work and who were never seen again. The inclusion of these cases would,
of course, have materially increased the accession rates. These 269 cases were distributed as follows: Mine
A, 8; mine B, 42; smelter, 102; eleetrozinc plant, 117.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1297]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
72
of force. The extent of this nonreplacement element in the whole
volume of labor change involved in the gross separation rate of 5,101
per 1,000 is indicated by the difference between that rate and the
indicated replacement rate of 3,575 shown in column 2 of Table 1.
LENGTH-OF-SERVICE RECORDS OF ACTIVE AND SEPARATED EMPLOYEES.
Monthly and yearly employment figures, expressed in the form of
accession and separation rates, are valuable for the purpose of showing
the general extent of turnover in the labor force as a whole and its
trend during any given period of time. Such figures, however, do
not throw much light on the incidence of turnover within the working
force. They avail us little in attempting to determine which jobs
or groups of jobs are most frequently affected by turnover—that is
to say, which jobs are most likely to be occupied by short-time job
holders. The individual length-of-service records of active and sepa
rated employees help to supply this lack. In Table 3 there is given
a length-of-service classification of 588 employees on the pay roll at
the end of the year (May 31, 1918), and 2,783 employees who left
during the year reported.
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£12981
T able 3,—NUMBER, PER CENT DISTRIBUTION, AND RATE PER 1,000 FULL-TIME W ORKERS IN EACH DIVISION, OF ACTIVE AND SEPARATED
EMPLOYEES WHO HAD SERVED SPECIFIED PERIODS OF TIME.
Mine or plant division.
Employees on pay roll at end of year (“active” employees)
Aver
S eparated employees who had worked continuously
who had worked continuously—
age
number
of
Over Over Over Over Over Over Over
Total. One Over Over Over Over Over Over Over Over
Total.
One Over
full week
1
2
1
3
2
6
1
3 Over
2
1
2
1
3
6
1
3 Over
week wk.
wk.
time
wks.
mos.
mo.
mos.
vrs.
wks.
yrs.
5
mo.
mos.
mos.
yrs.
yrs.
5
yr.
yr.
or
or
work less.
to 2 to 1 to 3 to 6 to 1 to 2 to 3 to 5 yrs.
to 2 to 1 to 3 to 6 to 1 to 2 to 3 to 5 yrs.
less. wks.
ers.
wks. mo. mos. mos. yr. yrs. yrs. yrs.
mo. mos. mos. yr. yrs. yrs. yrs.
[1299]
Mine A ..................................
Mine B ..................................
Smelter..................................
Electrozinc p la n t.................
58
247
391
138
5
3
31
14
3
13
17
4
1
14
16
8
19
17
35
17
10
7
28
10
8
31
60
19
0
9
19
17
1
3
19
1
0
2
16
0
9
101
0
1
48
108
342
90
20
135
195
142
15
111
112
76
15
182
165
111
59
327
198
107
17
267
93
45
13
83
55
65
1
22
27
20
2
10
16
0
0
5
14
0
0
142
19 1,161
38
913
Total...............................
834
53
37
39
88
55
118
45
24
18
111
1 588
492
314
473
691
422
216
70
28
19
58 2 2,783
42
1
567
Per cent distribution.
2
8
30
0
100
100
100
100
14
12
21
25
11
10
12
13
11
16
18
20
9
7
6
11
1
28
22
19
12
23
10
8
1
2
3
4
1
2
0
(J)
1
0
2
5
0
4
3
19
100
18
11
17
25
15
8
3
1
(3)
Mine A..................................
Mine B ..................................
Smelter..................................
Electrozinc p la n t.................
10
3
9
1G
6
12
5
4
2
13
5
9
40
16
10
19
21
6
8
11
17
29
18
21
0
8
6
19
2
3
6
Total...............................
9
6
7
15
9
20
8
o
o
2
0
4
0
100
100
100
100
3
100
1
Rate per 1,000 full-time workers in each division.
Mine A ..................................
Mine B ..................................
Sm elter...*...........................
Electrozinc p la n t.................
58
247
391
138
86
12
79
101
52
53
43
30
17
57
41
60
328
69
89
123
172
28
71
72
138
126
153
138
36
48
123
0
17
12
48
7
0
8
41
0
17
36
257
0
828
345
437
547
870
496
652 1,029
259
449
285
551
259 1,017 293
737 1,324 1,081
420 504 237
804 775 326
224
336
140
471
17
89
69
145
35
40
41
0
0
20
36
0
0
77
97
7
2,448
4,700
2,323
4', 109
Total...............................
834
64
44
47
106
66
141
54
29
22
133
705
376
567
829
259
84
34
23
70
3,337
590
506
1Not including 25 employees whose length of service was not recorded. 2 Not including 247 employees whose length of service was not recorded. * Less than one-half of 1 per ocnt.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Number.
74
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The table shows for each plant division and for the working force
as a whole the number, per cent distribution, and rate per 1,000
full-time workers in each division, of active and separated employees
who had served continuously for the specified periods of time. Not
included in the 1-week-or-less separations are records of 269 men
who failed to report for work after being hired.1 It appears that
the highest separation rate for 1-week-or-less “ quitters,”2 which is
the service group most responsible for turnover, is to be charged
to the electrozinc plant, where 1,029 per 1,000 full-time workers, or
25 per cent of all leaving this plant, left after having served one
week or less. Next most unstable is mine B, where 547 per 1,000
full-time workers, or 12 per cent of those leaving, had served one
week or less. It is to be noted that, although this mine’s 1-weekor-less separation rate is higher than that of any other division
except the electro zinc plant, this rate is lower in proportion to its
total separation rate—i. e., only 12 per cent—than that of any other
division. This is explained by the fact that there were relatively
large numbers leaving whose service records fell in the other
under-l-year groups.
Turning to the active-service distribution rates, it is at once evi
dent that the greatest stability—that is to say, the highest long-term
service rates—are to be credited to the smelter, with no other division
really in its class for long-service tenure. Its highest service rate is
257, in the over-5-years group, a rate only exceeded among the estab
lishment’s active employees in the over-l-month-to-3-months group
of mine A. The percentage distribution figures indicate that this
over-5-years group made up no less than 30 per cent of the smelter’s
active employees. Despite the relatively favorable showing made by
the smelter, its turnover, as shown in Table 1, was as high as 257.3
per cent, or, using the replacement rate to make the best possible
showing, 243 per cent for the 12 months then ending. Obviously
the greater part of this turnover must be due to a small but rapidly
changing group within the working force. The separation rates and
percentages on the opposite side of the table testify that this is so.
No less than 21 per cent of the smelter men leaving during the year
had served one week or less. In terms of rates, this means that 496
in each 1,000 leaving the smelter had served one week or less. The
length-of-service situation is presented for the establishment as a
whole in Table 4.
1 See note on page 71.
2 The word “ quitters” is used in these pages In the sense of “ terminating,” and refers to all employees
leaving service for whatever reason.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1300]
75
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T able 4.—NUMBER, P E R CENT DISTRIBUTION, AND RATE P E R 1,000 FULL-TIME WORK
ERS, OF ACTIVE AND SEPARATED EMPLOYEES WHO HAD SERVED SPECIFIED
PERIOD S OF TIME.
Number of
employees
Rate per
who had
Per cent
1,000 full
served each distribution. time
workers!
specified pe
riod of time.
Length-of-servlce period.
Active employees.
Onn week or loss............................................................................
Over l week to 2 weeks................................................................
Oyer 2 weeks to 1 m onth.............................................................
Oyer 1 month to 3 m o n th s.................... ............................... .....
Over 3 months to 6 m onths.........................................................
Over 6 months to 1 year...............................................................•
Over 1 year to 2 years...................................................................
Over 2 years to 3 years..................................................................
Over 3 years to 5 years.................................................................
Over 5 years...................................................................................
Total..... ..............................................................................
53
37
39
88
55
118
45
24
18
ni
9
6
7
15
9
20
8
4
3
19
64
44
47
1%
66
141
54
29
22
133
2588
100
705
Separated employees.
One week or less..... ......... ...........................................................
Over 1 week to 2 weeks................................... ...................... ......
Over 2 weeks to 1 m onth.............................................................
Over 1 month to 3 m onths............... ...........................................
Over 3 months to 6 months.........................................................
Over 6 months to 1 year.............................................................
O v e r 1 y e a r to 2 y e a r s ____ _______ __________ __________
Over 2 years to 3 years.................................................................
Over 3 years to 5 years.................................................................
Over 5 years...................................................................................
492
314
473
691
422
216
70
28
19
58
T o t a l . . . . . . . . . ..... ..............................................................
<2,783
18
11
17
25
15
8
3
1
(“)
590
376
829
3
259
84
34
23
70
100
3,337
1 Based on 834 full-time workers.
J Not including 25 employees whose service time was not recorded.
s Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
4 Not including 247 employees whose service time was not reported.
The figures in the upper half of the table show as in Table 3 the
length-of-service distribution of employees on the pay roll at the
end of the year. They may be assumed to indicate fairly closely the
normal length-of-service distribution of the active working force
throughout the 12-month period covered in this report. It is quite
true that the length-of-service distribution of the active force might
have proved materially different had a cross-section been taken at
some other date in the year studied. Allowance should be made for
a possible margin of error on this score, but it is not believed that
this difference is likely to be large enough to be of serious consequence.
The figures of Table 4 show very clearly the enormous difference in
length-of-service distribution between active and separated em
ployees. An inspection of the rate and percentage columns makes
it very evident that it is the short-time employee who contributes the
overwhelmingly greater proportion of the turnover. Thus, of those
leaving, 590 per 1,000 full-time workers, or 18 per cent of all leaving,
had served 1 week or less, whereas among the active employees the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1301]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
76
separation rate for 1-week-or-less “ quitters” was only 64, and this
shortest time group made up only 9 per cent of those on the active
list.
The data presented in the preceding pages make it quite evident
that in all divisions both active and separated groups contain
rather large proportions of persons with under-l-year service records.
Naturally, this proportion of what may be termed “ unstable” em
ployees is a great deal higher among “ separated” employees than
among those found on the pay roll at any given time—the “ active ”
employees. This difference between the active and separated groups
is an important measure of the stability of the working force. If the
proportion of under-l-year (“ unstable”) employees in any occupa
tion or establishment is only slightly greater among separated than
among active employees, it follows that the turnover in that group
is relatively light. In Table 5 a comparison is made between active
and separated stable and unstable sections of each occupation group
and of the working force as a whole.1
T able 5.—NUMBER, P E R CENT DISTRIBUTION, AND RATE PER 1,000 FULL-TIME W ORK
ERS IN EACH DIVISION, OF ACTIVE AND SEPARATED EMPLOYEES WHO HAD SERVED
ONE YEAR OR LESS AND MORE THAN ONE YEAR, RESPECTIVELY.
Employees who had served one year or
less or more than one year, respectively.
Average
number
of full
time
workers.
Mine or plant division.
On pay roll at end
of year (active).
Stable.
Unstable.
Separated during
the year.
Stable.
Unstable.
Number.
Mine A............................................................................
Mine B ............................................................................
Smelter...........................................................................
Electrozinc plan t...........................................................
58
247
391
138
2
23
155
18
46
85
187
72
3
56
95
21
139
1,105
818
548
Total.....................................................................
834
198
390
175
2,608
Per cent distribution.
Mine A................
Mine B ................
Smelter...............
Electrozinc plant
4
21
45
20
96
79
55
80
2
5
10
4
98
95
90
96
Total.........
34
66
6
94
Rate per 1,000 full-time workers.«
Mine A................
Mine B ...............
Smelter...............
Electrozinc plant
34
93
394
130
793
344
476
522
52
227
242
152
2,397
4,474
2,081
3,957
Total.........
237
463
210
3,127
a
Based on the average number oi full-time workers in the respective divisions,
i See the discussion of this point in the article on “ Labor turnover in Cincinnati,” in Monthly L abob
R eview , March, 1919, p. 50.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1302 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
77
Here again, tlie relatively greater stability of smelter men is strik
ingly evident. Among active employees what may be called their
“ stable” rate is higher by far than that of any other group and their
“ unstable” rate the lowest but one. Among separated employees
their “ stable” rate is highest of all and their “unstable” rate lowest
of all. In general and for the working force as a whole, it appears
that the “ unstable” ones made up 94 per cent of the separated em
ployees, but only 66 per cent of the active employees.
AVERAGE WEEKLY SERVICE RATES.
For both the active and separated groups of employees, it quite
obviously holds true that as the period of service increases the
number of employees serving such period decreases—and that
usually at a progressively increasing rate. The length-of-service
figures already presented do not show up this tendency for the
reason that the length-of-service records were not tabulated on
a scale made up of equal time intervals. For example, in Table 4
it is evident that about the same number of separated employees
had service records falling within a range of from 1 to 7 days as had
service records falling within a range of from 15 to 30 days—a range,
be it observed, which is twice as great. The significant comparison
to be made is not the one just indicated—between the number leaving
in a 7-day period and the number leaving in a twice-7-day or a tentimes-7-day period—but between the number of “ quitters” who
had worked one week or less and the “ average weekly number” of
“ quitters. ” The important item is not so much the number leaving
who had, say, 2-weeks-to-l-month service records as it is the num
ber of “ quitters” assignable, on the average, to each of the 2 weeks
of the 2-weeks-to-l-month period—what may be called, briefly, the
“ average weekly number” leaving (or working on the active force)
in each classified service period.
Such a weekly average is the basis of Table 6 which, with this
very important difference, covers the same ground as Table 3. It
shows the “ average weekly number” and rate per 1,000 full-time
workers in each plant division and in the working force as a whole,
of the active and separated employees who had served specified
periods of time. Here the declining scales of numbers indicate
much more truly than do the unsubdivided figures the relative
importance of long and short time employees as factors in the turn
over situation. Relatively high average weekly separation rates,
especially in the shorter time periods, indicate relatively low sta
bility—that is to say, high turnover.
114339°—19----6
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1303]
T able 6. AVERAGE W EEK LY NUMBER AND RATE P E R 1,000 FULL-TIME 'WORKERS, IN EACH DIVISION, OF ACTIVE AND SEPARATED EMPLOYEES
WHO HAD SERVED SPECIFIED PERIODS OF TIME.
Mine or plant division.
00
Aver Employees on pay roll at end of year (“active” e m p lo y e e s ) who
S eparated employees who had
had worked continuously—
age
num
ber of
full One Over Over 2 Over Over Over Over Over Over
One
Over Over 2 Over Over
time week 1 week weeks 1 mo. 3 mos. 6 mos. 1 year 2 years 3 years week 1 week weeks 1 mo. 3 mos.
work
or
to 2
to 1
to 3
to 1
to 6
to 2
to 3
to 5
or
to 2
to 3
to 1
to 6
ers.
less. weeks. mo.
mos. mos. year. years. years. years. less. weeks. mo. mos. mos.
worked continuously—
Over Over Over Over
6 mos. 1 year 2 years 3 years
to 1
to 2
to 5
to 3
year. years. years. years.
Average weekly number.1
All employees.............................
58 5.0
247 3.0
391 31.0
138 14.0
3.0
13.0
17.0
4.0
0.5
7.0
8.0
4.0
2.1
1.9
3.9
1.9
0.77
.54
2.2
.77
0.31
1.2
2.3
.73
834
37.0
19.5
9.8
4.2
4.5
53.0
.17
.37
.33
0.02
.06
.37
.02
0.0
.02
.15
.0
20.0
135.0
195.0
142.0
15.0
111.0
112.0
76.0
7.5
91.0
82.5
55.6
6.56
36.3
22.0
11.9
1.31
20.5
7.2
3.5
0.50
3.2
2.1
2.5
0.02
.42
.52
.38
0.04
.87
.46
.17
492.0
314.0
236.5
76.8
32.5
8.3
0.0
0.0
.19
.31
.48
.13
.0
.0
1.35
.54
.18
8.62
12.96
5.34
1.81
0.35
1.70
1.32
.28
0.69
.77
.79
9.95
1.62
.65
Average weekly rate per 1,000 full-time workers.s
Mine A..........
Mine B ..........
Smelter..........
Electrozinc p la n t.......
All employees...................
58 86.21
247 12.15
391 78.88
138 101.45
51.72
52.63
43.26
28.99
8.62
28.74
20.36
28.99
36.21
7.69
9.92
13.77
13.27
2.19
5.60
5.58
5.34
4.86
5.85
5.29
.69
.94
2.39
0.34
.24
.94
.15
834
44.36
23.38
11.75
5.04
5.40
1.04
.55
63.55
0.0
344.83 258.64 129.31 113.13 22.59
.08
546.56 449.39 368.42 146.96 83.0
.38
496.18 284.99 209.92 55.98 18.32
.0 1,028.98 55.07 40.29 8.62 2.54
0.0
.20
589.93 376.50 283.57
92.09
38.97
0.0
1.94
.33
.0
.0
.22
as f o l l o w ! * ™ wce'^"Tnumbers are obtained by dividing the whole numbers in each group (as shown in Table 3) by the approximate number of weeks in the respective groups
One week or less..................
1
Over 1 week to 2 weeks......
1
Over 2 weeks to 1 m o n th ...
2
Over 1 month to 3 months.
9
Over 3 months to 6 months.
i
Based upon the number of full-time workers for each plant division shown in the first
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Over 6 months to 1 year.
Over 1 year to 2 years...
Over 2 years to 3 years..
Over 3 years to 5 years..
colum n
26
52
52
104
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Mine A .................
Mine B .........
Smelter....................
Electrozinc p la n t.....................
79
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
A summary of the figures in Table 6 is presented in Table 7 which
shows the total number and “ average weekly number” and rate per
1,000 full-time workers, of active and separated employees who had
served continuously specified periods of time. The figures show how
rapidly the “ weekly rate” of separation declines and how entirely
out of proportion these separation rates are to the active service
distribution rates. It demonstrates also, just as in an article in the
April R e v i e w 1 it was demonstrated for certain oil refineries, that
the great bulk of the turnover is caused by the separation from serv
ice of those who had worked less than one month and t.iat after the
over-1-to-3-months group is passed the decline in the separation rate
is roughly proportionate to the decline in the active service distribu
tion rate. This again seems to indicate that there is no very great
amount of avoidable turnover caused by the separation of employees
who had served six months or more.
T able 7.—TOTAL NUMBER AND AVERAGE W EEK LY NUMBER AND RATE P E R 1,000
FULL-TIME W ORKERS, OF ACTIVE AND SEPARATED EMPLOYEES WHO HAD SERVED
CONTINUOUSLY SPECIFIED PERIODS OF TIME.
Total
number
Approx - of em Average Average
mate
ployees weekly weekly
number who had number rate per
1,000
of weeks served
of em
in period.
each
ployees.» full-time
workers.
i>
classified
period.
Length-of-service period.
1
2
3
4
Active employees.
One week or less...............................................................................
Over 1 week to 2 weeks...................................................................
Over 2 weeks to 1 m onth..............................................................
Over 1 month to 3 months..............................................................
Over 3 months to 6 months............................................................
Over 6 months to 1 year.................................................... ............
Over 1 year to 2 years.....................................................................
Over 2 years to 3 years....................................................................
Over 3 years to 5 years....................................................................
Over 6 years...................................................................................
1
1
2
9
13
26
52
52
104
Total..................................................................................
53
37
39
88
55
118
45
24
18
111
53.0
37.0
19.5
9.8
4.2
4.5
.87
.46
.17
44.36
23. 38
11.75
5.04
5. 40
1.04
.55
.20
588
Separated employees
One week or less...............................................................................
Over 1 week to 2 weeks...................................................................
Over 2 weeks to 1 m onth................................................................
Over 1 month to 3 months..............................................................
Over 3 months to 6 months...........................................................
Over 6 months to 1 year..................................................................
Over 1 year to 2 years.....................................................................
Over 2 years to 3 years....................................................................
Over 3 years to 5 years....................................................................
Over 5 years..................................................................................
Total.......................................................................................
o Column 2 divided by column 1.
1
1
2
9
13
26
52
52
104
492
314
473
691
422
216
70
28
19
58
492.0
314.0
236.5
76.8
32.5
8.3
1.35
.54
.18
589.93
376.50
283.57
92.09
38.97
9.95
1.62
. 65
.22
2,783
6 Based upon 834 full-time workers.
1 “ L abor policies and labor turnover in the California oil-refining industry,” in M onthly L abor R e
view , A pril, 1919, pp. 44-46.
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[1305]
80
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
N U M B E R O F JO B S A F F E C T E D B Y T U R N O V E R .
A s already explained in earlier numbers of this R e v ie w , i t is possible
to arrive at a fairly accurate determination of the ‘‘number of equiva
lent full-time jobs” in any particular group of employees which are
always occupied by men who have served one week or less, one to
two weeks, and so on—the “ number of equivalent full-time jobs”
which are, that is to say, affected by varying degrees of turnover.
Quite detailed discussions of this matter have appeared in preceding
articles in this series 1 and it is therefore treated very briefly here.
The steps of the process are indicated in Table 8, which shows the
separation frequency distribution of the jobs affected by turnover.
The items and relations involved in this table are (with the exception
of column 5, which is introduced here) precisely the same as those in
Table 8 in the earlier article on turnover in the California oil
refining industry 2 and the figures in the various columns are derived
in exactly the same way, the whole analysis resting, as before, upon
the assumed mean-length-of-service figures of column 2.
T able
8 .— S E P A R A T I O N
F R E Q U E N C Y D IS T R IB U T IO N
BY
L e n g t h - o f - s e r v ic e p e r io d .
Ap
p r o x i
m a te
num
ber of
w eeks
in
p e r io d .
1
O n e w e e k or l e s s ......................
O v e r 1 w e e k t o 2 w e e k s ___
O ver 2 w e e k s to 1 m o n t h ..
O ver 1 m o n th to 3 m o n th s.
O ver 3 m o n th s to 6 m o n th s
O ver 6 m o n th s to 1 y e a r .. .
O v e r 1 y e a r t o 2 y e a r s ..........
O v e r 2 y e a r s t o 3 y e a r s ____
O v e r 3 y e a r s t o 5 y e a r s ____
1
1
2
9
13
26
52
52
104
OF
JO B S
D IR E C T L Y A F F E C T E D
TURNOVER.
C o rre
sp o n d
in g
per
M ean
c e n t
le n g th
age
of
s e r v ic e
tu r n
(d a y s).
over
for
one
year.
2
3
4
11
22
60
135
274
548
913
1 ,4 6 0
9 ,0 2 5
3 ,2 1 8
1 ,5 5 9
508
170
33
A ver
A ver
T o ta l
age
Num
age
num
A v e r w e e k ly
ber of
w e e k ly
b er of
age
num
e q u iv
num
sep a
T o ta l
E q u iv
w e e k ly b er o f
ber of
a le n t
r a te d
num
a le n t
n u m e q u iv
f u ll
sep a
em b er of
num
b er of a le n t
t im e
r a te d
b er of
e q u i v f u ll
p lo y 1 -m a n
j o b s af
em
ees
f u ll
days
a le n t
t im e
fe c te d
p lo y e e s
f u ll j o b s af
who
w orked
t im e
per
who
had
j
o
b
s
i
n
tim e fe c te d
by
1,000
had
each
each
served
jo b s
p er
f u ll
served
group. group.
in
each
1,000
each
t im e
s p e c i
f u ll
each
w orks p e c i
f ie d
g r o u p . t im e
e r s.a
f ie d
p e r io d .
w orkp e r io d .
e r s.o
4
492
314
473
091
422
216
70
28
19
5
6
7
8
9
4 9 2 .0 0
3 1 4 .0 0
2 3 6 .5 0
7 6 .7 8
3 2 .4 6
8 .3 1
1 .3 5
.5 4
.1 3
1 ,9 6 8
3 ,4 5 4
1 0 ,4 0 6
4 1 ,4 6 0
5 6 ,9 7 0
5 9 ,1 8 4
3 8 ,3 6 0
2 5 ,5 6 4
8 ,7 4 0
5 .3 9
9 .4 6
2 8 .5 1
1 1 3 .5 9
1 5 6 .0 8
1 6 2 .1 5
1 0 5 .1 0
7 0 .0 4
2 3 .9 5
6 .4 6
1 1 .3 4
3 4 .1 8
1 3 6 .2 0
1 8 7 .1 5
1 9 4 .4 2
1 2 6 .0 2
8 3 .9 8
2 8 .7 2
5 .3 9
9 .4 6
1 4 .2 6
1 2 .6 2
12 .0 1
6 .2 4
2 .0 2
1 .3 5
.2 3
6 .4 6
1 1 .3 4
1 7 .1 0
1 5 .1 3
1 4 .4 0
7 .4 8
2 .4 2
1 .6 2
.2 8
F eb ru ary,
1919,p p .
1919, p p .
10
a B a s e d o n 834 f u l l - t i m e w o r k e r s .
1 “ L a b o r tu r n o v e r in th e S a n F r a n c isc o B a y r e g io n ,” in
59-62; “ L a b o r p o l ic i e s a n d la b o r t u r n o v e r i n t h e
47-51.
2 Monthly L abor R eview , April, 1919, p. 48.
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Monthly L abor R eview ,
C a lifo r n ia o il- r e f in in g i n d u s t r y , ” I d e m . , A p r i l ,
[1308]
81
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
There are set out in parallel columns in Table 9 the standard scale
turnover percentages for the different length-of-service groups and
the number of equivalent full-time jobs affected by each per 1,000
full-time employees. This table very clearly reveals the relation
between the intensity of turnover and the number of jobs affeoted by it.
Thus, it appears that in the over-l-to-3-months, over-3-to-6-months,
and over-6-months-to-l-year groups there were 136, 187, and 194
equivalent full-time jobs (per 1,000 full-time workers) affected by turn
over intensities of 508,170, and 33 per cent, respectively. In oontrast
with this it is evident that, at the heavy-turnover end of the scale, in
the 1-week-or-less, over-l-to-2-weeks and over-2-weeks-to-l-month
groups there were 6, 11, and 34 equivalent full-time jobs (per 1,000
full-time workers) affeoted by turnover intensities of 9,025, 3,128, and
1,559 per cent, respectively.
T able
9.— E S T I M A T E D
NUM BER
OF
E Q U IV A L E N T
F U L L -T IM E
JO B S
AFFECTED
BY
I N T E N S I T Y O F T U R N O V E R I N E A C H L E N G T H -O F -S E R V IC E G R O U P .
Y e a r ly per
c e n t of tu r n
o v e r for e a c h
group.
L e n g t h - o f - s e r v ic e p e r io d .
O n e w e e k o r l e s s ..........................................................................................
O v e r 1 w e e k t o 2 w e e k s ............................................................................
O v e r 2 w e e k s t o 1 m o n t h ........................................................................
O v e r 1 m o n t h t o 3 m o n t h s .....................................................................
O v e r 3 m o n t h s t o 6 m o n t h s ..................................................................
O v e r 6 m o n t h s t o 1 y e a r ..........................................................................
O v e r 1 y e a r t o 2 y e a r s ................................................................................
O v e r 2 y e a r s t o 3 y e a r s ..............................................................................
O v e r 3 y e a r s t o 5 y e a r s ..............................................................................
9 ,0 2 5
3 ,1 2 8
1 ,5 5 9
508
170
33
N u m b e r of
e q u iv a le n t
fu ll-tim e jo b s
a ffe c ted .
5 .3 9
9 .4 6
2 8 .5 1
1 1 3 .5 9
1 5 6 .0 8
1 6 2 .1 5
1 0 5 .1 0
7 0 .0 4
2 3 .9 5
N u m b e r of
e q u iv a le n t
fu ll-tim e jo b s
a ffe c ted p er
1,000 f u ll - t i m e
w o r k e r s .1
6 .4 6
1 1 .3 4
3 4 .1 8
1 3 6 .2 0
1 8 7 .1 6
1 9 4 .4 2
1 2 6 .0 2
8 3 .9 8
2 8 .7 2
1B a s e d o n 834 f u ll- tim e w o r k e r s.
The analysis shown in Table 8, giving the separation frequency
distribution of jobs affected by turnover and designed to show the
total number and average weekly number of equivalent full-time jobs
(per 1,000 full-time workers) affected by varying degrees of turnover,
was made separately for each of the four plant divisions. The results
(viz., the figures of column 10 of Table 8 for the plant as a whole
and the corresponding figures for each plant division) are given in
Table 10 which makes a comparison of the number, in each plant
division and in the working force as a whole, of equivalent full-time
jobs (expressed in rates per 1,000 full-time workers in each group)
affected by the percentage of turnover in the various length-ofservice groups.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T able 10.— N U M
(E X P R E S S E D
AFFECTED
BER,
IN
BY
IN
EACH
RATES
PLANT
PER
D IV IS IO N , O F
1,0 0 0
F U L L -T IM E
T U R N O V E R IN EA C H
E Q U IV A L E N T
W ORKERS
L E N G T H -O F -S E R V IC E
IN
F U L L -T IM E
EACH
JO B S
D IV IS IO N )
GRO UP.
W e e k ly n u m b e r o f e q u iv a le n t f u ll- tim e jo b s a ffe c te d p er
1,0 0 0 f u l l - t i m e w o r k e r s i n e a c h d i v i s i o n .
L e n g t h - o f - s e r v ic e p e r io d .
Per cen t of
tu r n o v e r.
M in e A .
O n e w e e k o r l e s s ................................
O v e r 1 w e e k t o 2 w e e k s ................
O v e r 2 w e e k s t o 1 m o n t h ............
O v e r 1 m o n t h t o 3 m o n t h s -----O v e r 3 m o n t h s t o 6 m o n t h s ___
O v e r 6 m o n t h s t o 1 y e a r ..............
O v e r 1 y e a r t o 2 y e a r s ...................
O v e r 2 y e a r s t o 3 y e a r s .................
O v e r 3 y e a r s t o 5 y e a r s .................
9,025
3,128
1,559
508
170
33
M in e B .
3 .7 9
7.76
7 .7 6
1 8 .5 7
8 .3 5
6 .4 7
.5 0
1 .6 6
5 .9 9
1 3 .5 6
2 2 .2 1
2 4 .1 8
3 0 .7 5
9 .7 0
2 .5 7
1 .9 5
.7 7
S m e lt e r .
5 .4 5
8 .6 0
1 2 .6 6
9 .2 0
6 .7 3
4 .0 4
2 .0 2
1 .9 6
1 .3 7
E le c tr o
z in c p l a n t .
1 1 .3 4
1 6 .5 9
2 4 .2 4
1 4 .2 0
9 .2 8
1 3 .6 0
2 .7 9
E n tir e
e sta b lish
m e n t.
6.46
11.34
17.10
15.13
14.40
7.48
2.42
1.62
.28
These figures bring out very clearly two very fundamental factors
in any labor turnover situation: (1) The intensity of turnover of
the separating employees in the various stability groups and
(2) the relative size of these groups, i. e., the number of equivalent
full-time jobs affected. The figures show the quantitative stability
relations between the several plant divisions. For example, for each
week (on the average) of the 2-weeks-to-l-month service group, its
particular intensity of turnover— 1,559 per cent—affected 13
equivalent full-time smelter men’s jobs per 1,000 full-time smelter
workers in the plant and 24 equivalent full-time electrozinc plant
employees’ jobs per 1,000 full-time electrozinc plant employees.
Judging from these figures it may be said in a general way that
the heaviest turnover must be charged up to the electrozinc
plant and mine B, with the smelter and mine A running con
siderably lighter. It is noticeable also that it is the relatively large
job groups which are affected by the heavy turnover rates. In
other words the relatively large job groups are tied up with under1-year separations and the relatively small job groups with the
over-l-year separations.
C O N C L U S IO N .
The general extent of labor instability indicated in the preceding
pages is very great. The situation as a whole is described in the
statement (based upon Table 1) that for every 1,000 full-time
workers 3,129 were hired and 3,633 left during the year reported.
The situation was least unfavorable among the smelter men, of whom
2,430 per 1,000 full-time smelter men were hired and 2,573 per 1,000
left. The most unfavorable situation was in mine B where 3,575
per 1,000 were hired and 5,101 per 1,000 left during the year. In
the electrozinc plant the showing was also quite unfavorable. Its
accessions were 4,109 and its separations 4,283 per 1,000. The
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[1308]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
83
opinion expressed by the company that the turnover was greater
among the mine workers than among the smelter men is strongly
confirmed by the statistical data presented in the preceding pages.
The mine superintendent, speaking for the company, stated that
among the mine workers the heaviest turnover occurred among
muckers and mine-worker’s helpers. Unfortunately the data upon
which this report is based do not include sufficiently detailed figures
to reveal anything about the different occupations except for the
very general classification of mine workers and smelter men. The
mine superintendent stated that turnover was heavier among mine
workers (underground men) than among smelter men (surface men)
because it is “ more unpleasant to work in the mines” and because
employees prefer surface work.
Even if the electrozinc plant and mines had as low a turnover as the
smelter, the situation would be none too favorable. A replacement
rate of 2,500 includes a vast amount of avoidable turnover. Without
doubt the very remote location of the plant at a distance from the
labor market accounts for much of it. The company is obliged to
depend very largely upon migratory laborers beating their way along
the railroad and upon “ blanket stiffs” shipped out by employment
agencies in some distant city. If these men do “ hire on,” they often
stay only long enough to “ make a stake,” and then hit the road again.
The figures in Table 3 show that except in the smelter there is no
such thing as long service tenure, and even there each job is held,
on the average, only about five months. In the plant as a whole
each job, on the average, is held somewhat less than four months.
The remedy for such a situation as this, in so far as labor conditions
in the mining and smelting industry are bad, would seem to be a
general and thoroughgoing improvement in working conditions as
to safety, sanitation, etc., surrounding the employment of mine work
ers and smelter men. Quite apart from any humanitarian point of
view, if the mining and smelting job is to be made more stable,
it would seem that mining and smelting wages should be increased,
hours reduced, and working conditions improved, if possible, to
a point where the mining and smelting job becomes attractive
enough, in comparison with other jobs, to keep its incumbent in it.
Other possible remedial measures are suggested by the figures of
Table 1. One would seem to be indicated in the quite dispropor
tionately heavy discharge rate in mine B—1,137 per 1,000—a rate more
than twice as heavy as that of any other plant division. The fore
men, as already stated, exercise final authority in the matter of dis
charge, and possibly such exercise of this authority is an important
immediate cause of much of the underground turnover. The remedy
appears to be either to curtail the discharge powers of the shift and
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[1309]
84
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
mucker bosses, or to educate them out of the tradition of hasty and
indiscriminate discharging. Again, there is believed to be some signifi
cance in the fact—brought out in the same table—that although the
turnover in the electrozinc plant was less than that of mine B, its volun
tary leaving rate was higher than that of any other plant division.
This suggests that an important cause of the turnover here may have
been the relatively unfavorable working conditions in the electrozinc
plant. This supposition is supported by reports at the plant that of
the different surface jobs the electrozinc plant jobs were the least
attractive to the men. The remedy is similar to that already sug
gested, namely, definite improvement in the matter of wages and
working conditions, at least to the point where the added induce
ments bring about a job attraction at least as strong as that which
appears to exist in the smelter.
The probable abuse of their authority on the part of the foremen
or shift bosses would seem to emphasize the need for some improve
ment in the direction of a further development and centralization of
the company’s system of employment, including especially the par
tial or complete curtailment of the foreman’s power of discharge. A
definite system—preferably one in which the employee has a part—
for the hearing and adjustment of grievances, including particularly
appeals from alleged unjust discharges, would probably make for
greater satisfaction—and therefore greater stability. It might even
be wise to set up a joint committee of employees and company offi
cials, with power to review cases of discharge.
The preventives suggested would be likely to be much more effect
tive if employers and employees acted jointly in working them ouand in their practical administration. It is an axiom that labor
instability is caused primarily by labor discontent. This discontent
can never be completely allayed until and unless the workers are
recognized as investors in the industry and therefore as entitled to a
share in the determination of the conditions governing their work
and in the management of the plant in which they have invested
their strength and skill. When there has been established some such
joint representation of employers and employees in shop manage
ment the workers may reasonably be expected to show greater and
more lasting attachment to their jobs.
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risio]
DEMOBILIZATION AND RESETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.1
BY BENJAMIN M. SQUIRES.
The British Government’s plan for demobilization and resettlement
appeared in the January and February, 1919, issues of the M o n t h l y
L a b o r R e v i e w . The plan provided for the demobilization of armed
forces by trades in accordance with the needs of industry and only
as rapidly as industry was prepared to absorb them.
Obviously, less direct control could be exercised by the Government
in the demobilization of civilian war workers. The plan contem
plated, however, active assistance by the Government in the reor
ganization of industry.
In connection with the plan of demobilization and resettlement,
the Government adopted a temporary system of noncontributory
out-of-work donations both for men demobilized from the forces and
for civilian workers.
The extent of the problem of demobilization and resettlement in
the United Kingdom may be indicated in a measure by changes in
employment during the war. No exact information is available as
to the state of employment in all industries at the signing of the
armistice. However, estimates and figures compiled for earlier dates
help to an appreciation of the situation.
The Board of Trade returns for January, 1918, summarize the
employment of that date as compared with July, 1914:
SUMMARY OF THE STATE OF EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY, 1918, COMPARED W ITH
JULY, 1914, AND ENLISTMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, JULY, 1914, TO JANU
ARY, 1918.
Males.
Item.
Esti
mated
number Left to
join the
employed, forces.
July,
1914.
Females.
Expansion (+)
Expansion (+ ) or
Esti
Conse
contraction (—)
Em quent net or contraction (—) mated
since
July,
1914.
number since July, 1914.
ployed replace
emin Jan- ment (+)
or dis
ployed,
uary,
July, Numbers. Per cent.
1918. placement Numbers. Per
1914.
cent.
(-)•
24.5
Total industries 6,163,000 2,501,000 4,947,000 +1,285,000 -1,216,000 - 19.7 2,175,500 +533,000 +
Gas, water and
electricity un
der local au
8,000 - 13.2
600 + 4,500 +
743.5
13,000 63,000 21,000 55,000 +
thorities.........
Government es
2,000 +207,500 +10,127.1
75,000 42,000 256,000 + 223,000 + 181,000 +241.9
tablishment ..
34.2
Total....... 6,301,000 2,564,000 5,258,000 +1,521,000 -1,043,000 - 16.6 2,178,100 +745,000 +
The following statement prepared by the Ministry of Labor shows
the numbers employed in April, 1918, in metal, chemical, and rubber
industries for Ministry of Munitions, also on work for Admiralty
i Unless otherwise indicated, all figures used in this summary are taken from the weekly reports on de
mobilization and resettlement subm itted to the Controller General.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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85
86
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
(including shipbuilding), War Office,
Departments 4
and other Government
E s tim a te d n u m b e r o f p e r so n s e m p lo y e d , A p r i l , 1918.
Ministry of Munitions:
Gun ammunition...........................................................................................
Ordnance........................................................................................................
Rifles, machine guns,trench warfare, other than chemicals....................
Explosives and chemicals............................................................................
Aeronautical supplies....................................................................................
Mechanical warfare.......................................................................................
Railway materials..........................................................................................
Optical munitions and glass.........................................................................
Mechanical transport.....................................................................................
Iron and steel....................................................................................................
Nonferrous metals..........................................................................................
Construction engineering, etc......................................................................
Machine tools.................................................................................................
Gauges, tools, screws, etc.............................................................................
Inspection.......................................................................................................
Admiralty:
Shipbuilding and repairs—
Private yards..........................................................................................
Royal dockyards.....................................................................................
Guns, ammunition, mines, etc.......................................................................
War Ofhce, miscellaneous....................................................................................
Other British Government work.........................................................................
Allies.......................................................................................................................
456, 400
86, 600
132,100
120, 600
183, 700
15, 600
22, 300
9, 500
59, 800
217,600
44,300
107, 500
27, 900
55, 300
57,000
372, 030
60, 070
440,300
154, 300
158, 500
42, 200
Total..................................................................................................... 2,823,600
The Board of Trade returns of employment for April, 1918, show
the extent to which substitute labor had been employed since July,
1914. The figures given are net, arrived at after making allowance
for those industries in which the number of men or women employed
showed an actual decrease.
INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES AND REPLACEM ENT OR DISPLACEMENT OF
MALES SINCE JULY, 1914.
Net replace
Increase in the ment (+ ) or
employment of displacement
(—) of male
females since
labor since
July, 1914.
July, 1914.
Industrial group.
Industries (other than Government establishments and metal and chemtrad os)
......................................................................
Gas water clp.p.trinity (under local authorities)..........................................
Transport (excluding tramways under local authorities)...........................
Tramways (under local authorities).............................................................
Finance and hanking ...................................................................................
Commerce
................. ................................................................
Professions (mainly clerks)......... .................................................................
TTotels theaters, etc.......................................................................................
fh'vil service (post o f f i c e ) ............................................................................
Other civil service..........................................................................................
Other services under local authorities..........................................................
89.000
4,000
78.000
18.000
63.000
354,000
57.000
25.000
59.500
99.500
31.000
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Total......................................................................................................
878,000
+ 1,064,000
496,000
10,000
108,000
7,000
28,000
293,000
20,000
46,000
500
49,500
7,000
iNot all industries are included and it is estimated that the total number of employees has exceeded
3,CC0,000.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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87
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
Commenting on the above figures the civil war workers’ committee
of the Ministry of Reconstruction observes: “ Two-thirds of the male
replacements have been effected by (1) the natural growth of the
male population; (2) the entry into employment of boys at an
unusually early age; (3) the return of men from the forces. It is
improbable that any considerable number of these will be displaced
at the end of the war. The replacements include, too, a large number
of older men who have either deferred retirement or have returned
to work after having retired. It may be assumed that these will
drop out in the normal course. The number of male substitutes
who are likely to be left without employment is, therefore, not
serious. * * * With regard to women the position is more
critical * * * and is one of great importance and difficulty.”1
Reporting in March, 1918, on “ The position of women in industry
after the war,” the Bristol Association for Industrial Reconstruction
estimates the number of women in industrial occupations to be
4,713,000 or an increase of 1,426,000 over the number on July, 1914.
Of this increase it is estimated that 1,413,000 were directly replacing
men. The number of women employed solely on munitions work
was estimated to be 704,000 out of a total of 1,400,000 employed in
the production and distribution of commodities for the British and
Allied Governments. The following table taken from the report
compares by industries the number employed:
NUMBER o r WOMEN EMPLOYED IN JULY, 1914, AND OCTOBER, 1917.
[The figures given in the table do not include domestic workers, women employed in certain small work
shops and workrooms, or women working in naval, military, or Red Cross hospitals. In prewar days
domestic service provided employment for a far larger number of women than any other form of occupa
tion. The number so employed in 1911 was 1,620,000. It is estimated that since the outbreak of war
there has been a displacement of some 400,000 women from domestic service and small workshops.]
Number employed in—
Industrial group.
July, 1914.
Controlled find private industrips
................. .....................................................
....... ........ ........ ........................................
Government establishment^
water and electricity (lo^al anthnrities)
____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agriculture (Great Britain) pprma.rio.nt, labor ......................................................
Transport including tramway sorviops (estimated)____________ _
Finance (banking i-nsnrance; etc.) ................................. ............................- .............
Hotels public houses Pill pm fh patprs^ e t c _______________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Civil service (post office)
................. ............................................................
Other civil services
............ .................................. ....................................
Other services under local authorities____ . . . ................. .......................................
2,176,000
2,000
600
i 80,000
18,200
9.500
496.000
67.500
176.000
60.500
4.500
196,200
October,
1917.
2,706,000
216,000
4,600
189.000
111,200
67.500
831.000
89.500
200.000
107,000
51,000
226,200
1 Numbers vary according to the season of the year.
The report goes on to state that “ Presumably it will be possible
for 400,000 women to return to domestic service or small workshops,
from which they have been withdrawn either by the attraction of
higher remuneration or the needs of the country.” It was antici1Final Report Civil War Workers’ Committee, Ministry of Reconstruction, p. 1.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1313]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
88
pated, however, that the 704,000 women engaged on munitions work
would either have to seek other employment or cease to be industrial
workers and that a considerable number of the 696,000 engaged on
Government work other than munitions would no longer be needed.
The first weekly report on demobilization and resettlement pre
pared under direction of the Controller General and submitted for the
week ending December 28, 1918, states that ‘‘An effort has been made
to get the Tong view’ as to the number of civilian workers which will
be demobilized from war industry and for whom work will be required.
Reliable and up-to-date information as to this will not be available
for some considerable time yet. A questionnaire has been issued to
about 45,000 firms, but these are only being received slowly at the
(employment) exchanges, and when a sufficient number have come to
hand they will have to be tabulated and considered. * * * Prob
ably over 3,000,000 people have been employed on war work for the
various departments. It is difficult to form any reliable estimate as
to the numbers who will be dispensed with, but * * * it looks as
though from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 will be affected by the suspension
of war contracts.”
In the demobilizing of the armed forces the Government has had
exact figures to deal with. The numbers to be retained by the Army
and Royal Air Force, however, were not determined until late in
February, 1919, and the number to be retained by the Royal Navy
had not been announced up to March 8, 1919. During December,
1918, and January, 1919, demobilization proceeded in accordance
with the original plan of releasing demobilizers and pivotal men in
advance of others, but following the general scheme of trade priority
and industrial classification. With the announcement on January 30,
1919, of the Government’s decision as to the constitution of the army
of occupation, in effect that all men under the age of 37 who joined
the Army or Air Force after January 1, 1916, would be retained for
that service, the system of selection of pivotal men was terminated.
“ The rest of the forces will be demobilized so rapidly that no system
of individual selection by the civil authorities could be effective.
Pivotal men whose names have gone forward will receive the highest
industrial priority; next will come slip and contract men.” 1
The numbers demobilized up to March 6, 1919, together with the
strength at November 11, 1918, and the number to be retained are
shown in the following tables:
1
Instructions No. 54 to Local Advisory Committees by the Ministry of Labor.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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89
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
DEMOBILIZATION OF HIS MAJESTY’S FORCES, FOR W E EK ENDING MAR. 6,1919.
M EN.
Navy.
Item.
Offi
cers.
Army.
Other
ranks.
Offi
cers.
Royal Air Force.
Other
ranks.
Offi
cers.
Total.
Other
ranks.
Offi
cers.
Other
ranks.
Strength at Nov. 11, 1918......... 37,850 360,000 162,866 3,583,258 129,000 1250,000 229,716
Number to be retained (ap
proximate figure)...................
Total number to be demobil
ized (approximate)...............
Total number demobilized to
Mar. 6, 1919..............................
Number demobilized during
week ended Mar. 6,1919.........
Number demobilized during
week ended Feb. 27,1919.......
(2)
(J)
(’)
(5)
53,000
5,420 127,814
4,193,253
860,000
6,508
•75,342
(J)
(2)
109,866 2,723,258
22,492
174,658
(3)
(5)
45,617 1,740,593
1,993,113
5,427
124,706
56,464
608
10,865
4,080
126,360
721
7,784
5,409
145,009
431
13,449
4,109
140,740
743
11,063
5,283
165,252
W O M EN.
W. R N.S.3 Q. M. A. A. C.a W .R .A .F .s
Item.
Offi- Other Officers. ranks. cers.
Strength at Nov. 11, 1918..........
Total number demobilized at
Mar. 6, 1919 ............................
Total number demobilized
week ending Mar. 6, 191 9. ..
Total number demobilized
week ending Feb. 27, 1919__
Other
ranks.
415
4,300
1,125
42,290
85
930
40
Offi- Other
cers. ranks.
500
AV. F. C.»
Total.
Offi- Other Offi- Other
cers. ranks. cers. ranks.
23,000
7,670
2,040
77,260
5,422
3,101
125
9,453
436
111
547
924
74
998
1 444 officers and 4,152 other ranks have also been returned to Army units.
a Figures not yet available.
* These initials stand, respectively, for Women’s Royal Naval Service, Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary
Corps, Women’s Royal Air Force, and Women’s Forestry Corps.
NUMBER OF NAMES OF DEMOBILIZERS AND PIVOTAL MEN RECEIVED, RELEASE
ORDERS ISSUED, AND THE ACTUAL NUMBERS RELEASED UP TO MAR. 6, 1919.
Number of
names
received.
Item.
Release
orders
issued.
Number
released.
A r m y a n d R o y a l A i r Force.
Dom ohiliznrs.................................................................................
Pivotal - _______ - __ _____. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
59,894
211,310
48,019
192,032
31,951
52,920
Total __________ ______ __ - ........................................
271,204
240,051
84,871
R o y a l Navy.
Dorp nidi] zo.rs ............ .............................. ........................................................
p i votal
...................... ..............................................................
Total___________ _______________________
2,999
14,857
2,771
12,915 |
17,856
15,686
112,090
12,090
1 The division of these figures between demobilizers and pivotal men not available.
Of the total to be demobilized from the forces, the following per
centages had been demobilized March 6, 1919:
PERCENTAGE DEMOBILIZATION U P TO MAR. 6, 1918.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Officers.
Service.
41.3
26.1
[1315]
Other
ranks.
63.8
73.7
Total.
62.9
68.3
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
90
Out of the total of 2,049,577 demobilized, the dispersal certificates
of 1,538,278 have been analyzed according to industrial groups as
follows:
DEMOBILIZATION OF HIS MAJESTY’S FORCES BY INDUSTRIAL GROUPS AS AT
MAR. 6, 1919.
Army and
Air Force
(officers and
other ranks).
Industrial group.
Total.
Navy.
Agri c u ltu re ............................. ......................................... - .........
Seamen pud fishermen ......................... ...... ..............................
Goal and shale mining ...................... ........................................
'Food drink' and tobacco.................... ........................................
Textile trades...............................................................................
no, and leather trades................................................................
Shipbuilding
..........................................................................
Fnaiueering and metal trades......................................................
Brick and building trades............................................................
Bail ways and tra n sp o rt..............................................................
Employees of public authorities..................................................
General laborers............................................................................
Commercial and clerical...............................................................
Domestic and personal.................................................................
Professional men
....... ........................................................
Students and teachers........................... - ....................................
Other groups.................................................................................
136,599
15,262
203,198
32,666
47,214
25,905
18,463
133,999
128,975
122,783
62,779
47,036
175,618
29,657
14,759
35,366
187,749
7,050
20,520
8,787
2,001
2,752
1,228
3,400
20,283
7,696
10,120
5,199
4,376
11,489
1,846
357
983
12,163
143,649
35,782
211,985
34,667
49,968
27,133
21,863
154,282
136,671
132,903
67,978
51,412
187,107
31,503
15,116
36,349
199,912
Total - ..... .........................................................................
1,418,028
120,250
1,538,278
An analysis has also been made of approximately the first
2,000,000 civil employment forms received from the forces, showing
the distribution by occupation.
NUMBER AND P E R CENT OF CIVIL EMPLOYMENT FORMS RECEIVED FROM THE
FORCES, BY OCCUPATIONS.
Occupation.
Carpenters, joiners, bricklayers,
etc...............................................
"Work- of construction
Sawmilling and machine woodwork:.
................................
Shipbuilding
.......... .....
■engineering
_____ _____. ..
Cabi n et.m akin g e tc
........... .....
Manufacture of metals
Manufacture of electrical apparatus, etc.....................................
Bricks and cem ent........................
Ch p.mi cal s
.......... _
Rubber and waterproof goods---Leather, boots and shoes...............
Domestic offices and services.......
Commercial occupations...............
Conveyance of men, goods, etc.:
On railways.............................
Over roads, seas, etc...............
Per
Number. cent
age.
178,683
7,104
9.0
.3
21,193 1.0
37,810 2.0
278,655 13.0
16^ 009
.8
.8
16,271
22' 395 1.1
8, S07
8,269
14,164
6; 255
11,303
3', 495
2,388
12,987
.43
.4
.6
.3
.6
.17
.1
.6
77' 869
160,515
4.0
8.0
74,775
196,743
3.6
9.5
Occupation.
Agriculture......................................
Mines and quarries..........................
Brushes, brooms, etc......................
Pottery and glass............................
Paper, prints, etc............................
Cotton.*............................................
Wool and worsted...........................
Silk, flax, linen, e tc .......................
Other workers in dress...................
Boots and shoes...............................
Food.................................................
Tobacco, drink, and lodging..........
Gas, water, etc................................
General laborers..............................
•Others (excluding general laborers)................................................
Government defense, professional..
Miscellaneous..................................
Time expired, soldiers and sailors.
Per
Number. cent
age.
145,772
56,465
1,091
li; 129
35,332
51,350
17,198
36, 460
35,857
35,278
52,448
13,915
13,077
44,860
7.0
2.7
.05
.5
129,872
164,964
54,020
i , 995
0.3
8.0
2.6
.2
1.7
2.5
.8
1.8
1.7
1.7
2.5
.7
.6
2.2
.
2,062,976 100.0
Information is not available as to the total number of civilian war
workers demobilized. For Government and national munition fac
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1316]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
91
tories, however, demobilization figures have been analyzed as of
January 11, 1919, and are presented in the following table, together
with the numbers employed in such factories on or about November
11, 1918, and the percentage reduction as of January 4 and 11, 1919.
It will be observed that by January 11, 1919, 60 per cent had been
demobilized.
DEMOBILIZATION OF MUNITION WORKERS FROM GOVERNMENT AND NATIONAL
FACTORIES.
Number employed Number employed
Percentage reduction since Nov. 11,
on or about Nov.
on Jan. 11,1919.
1918.
11,1918.
Kind of factory.
Males.
Fe Total. Males. Fe Total.
Males. males.
males.
Jan. Jan.
11.
4.
Gun ammunition:
Manufacture___...
Filling.....................
Ordnance......................
Small arms and machine guns.................
Small -arms ammunition.............................
Explosives 2..................
National aircraft factories..........................
Antigas factories...........
Woolwich, miscellaneneous..........................
Other national factories.
39,567 40,263 79,830 18,247 5,882 24,129
25,724 70,372 96,096 13,920 15,940 29,860
15,496 4,635 20,131 10,533 722 11,255
8,851
1,769 10,620 6,928
59
45
31
Jan.
4.
82
75
so
Jan.
11.
82
77
84
Total.
Jan.
4.
65
67
40
Jan.
11.
75
69
44
7,615
17
21
59
61
23
28
4,427 10,142 14,569 12,467 14,052 16,519
17,832 17,393 35,225 9,597 5,274 14,871
37
46
44
46
54
64
60
69
46
55
55
57
12,093 6,479 18,572 13,076 14,214 1 7,290
'759 11,753 12,512 '521 6; 854 7,375
32
74
31
39
34
40
39
60
41
8,569
3,899
16
37
18
39
13
50
14
56
15
44
17
48
Total.................... 136,112 169,337 305,449 73,772 47,610 121,382
39
46
69
73
55
60
7,703
3,660
687
48
46
28
Females.
2,731 10,434 6,242 2,327
3,800 7,460 2,241 1,658
Included in above:
Woolwich, all departm ents........... 39,581 24,360 63,941 31,433 14,395 45,828
National projectile
factories............... 24,033 22,826 46,859 8,513 2,432 10,945
National shell factories.................... 5,291 13,073 18,364 1,168 997 2,165
1Figures for Jan. 10.
17
17
32
41
23
26
58
64
87
89
72
76
72
77
88
92
83
86
*Incomplete.
The Government’s out-of-work donation plan replaced, during the
period of its effectiveness, the unemployment insurance provided by
the acts of 1911 and 1916 and was made applicable as wTell to what had
previously been classed as “ uninsured trades.” The Government is
thus in a position to keep a very close check on employment. In
practice donation policies are “ issued” to those demobilized from the
forces or from Government or national factories and to other civilian
employees out of work. The policies are “ lodged” during the
period of unemployment at the employment exchanges. Policies
“ remaining lodged,” therefore, represent unemployments and,
owing to the scope of the plan, probably most of the unemployment.
The following table shows the “ policies remaining lodged,” or the
unemployment, by weeks, for the period November 29, 1918, to
February 28, 1919. It will be observed that there has been a steady
increase in the volume of unemployment from 69,803 on November
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13171
92
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
29, 1918, to 948,620 on February 28, 1919. It is significant, however,
that of the 1,857,010 demobilized from the forces by February 28,
1919, donation policies remained lodged for but 166,257:
UNEM PLOYM ENT
P O L IC IE S R E M A IN IN G
W om en .
M en.
W e e k e n d in g —
H . M.
fo r c e s .
C i v il
ia n s .
LODGED.
T o ta l
m en .
B o y s.
C iv il
ia n s .
H . M.
fo r c e s .
T o ta l
w om en.
G ir ls.
G ra n d
to ta l.
1918.
o v . 2 9 .......................................
e c . 6 .........................................
e c . 13.........................................
e c . 2 0 .........................................
1 6 ,6 3 6
3 1 ,7 6 8
4 3 ,9 8 9
6 3 ,4 1 3
4 ,6 9 8
1 1 ,2 6 4
1 5 ,5 4 7
1 8 ,6 0 4
2 1 ,3 3 4
4 3 ,0 3 2
5 9 ,5 3 6
8 2 ,0 1 7
2 ,0 8 8
4 ,8 0 1
8 ,0 1 5
1 1 ,1 2 8
4 5 ,1 0 7
7 7 ,8 2 4
1 2 2 ,2 2 8
1 6 7 ,0 0 9
11
62
81
37
4 5 ,1 1 8
7 7 ,8 8 6
1 2 2 ,3 0 9
1 6 7 ,0 4 6
1 ,2 6 3
2 ,8 6 4
6 ,9 0 9
9 ,1 7 0
6 9 ,8 0 3
1 2 8 ,5 8 3
1 9 6 ,7 6 9
2 6 9 ,3 6 1
1919.
J a n . 3 ..........................................
J a n . 1 0 ........................................
J a n . 1 7 ..........................................
J a n . 2 4 ..........................................
J a n . 3 1 ..........................................
F e b . 7 .........................................
F e b . 1 4 .........................................
F e b . 2 1 .............................■...........
F e b . 2 8 .........................................
1 0 1 ,3 9 0
1 1 9 ,3 1 5
1 3 9 ,1 1 3
1 5 6 ,6 7 1
1 7 7 ,3 6 1
1 9 1 ,3 7 1
2 1 2 ,2 0 5
2 1 8 ,2 7 8
2 2 7 ,8 3 6
2 3 ,9 3 8
3 1 ,5 4 3
4 0 ,4 0 0
4 7 ,2 0 9
5 3 ,3 1 6
6 3 ,2 7 7
8 4 ,2 9 8
1 3 2 ,4 7 1
1 6 5 ,4 2 9
1 2 5 ,3 2 8
1 5 0 ,8 5 8
1 7 9 ,5 1 3
2 0 3 ,8 8 0
2 3 0 ,6 7 7
2 5 4 ,6 4 8
2 9 6 ,5 0 3
3 5 0 ,7 4 9
3 9 3 ,2 6 5
1 6 ,9 8 8
1 6 ,4 6 2
1 8 ,1 3 1
2 0 ,5 4 3
2 2 ,5 6 2
2 4 ,5 3 8
2 6 ,7 5 2
2 8 ,1 9 5
2 8 ,0 1 9
2 2 4 ,9 5 5
2 6 5 ,4 7 9
3 0 3 ,8 1 3
3 4 3 ,7 4 2
3 9 9 ,8 6 4
4 2 7 ,7 3 4
4 5 2 ,8 1 0
4 7 0 ,2 9 4
4 9 4 ,4 7 1
50
88
131
170
238
380
394
841
828
2 2 5 ,0 0 5
2 6 5 ,5 6 7
3 0 3 ,9 4 4
3 4 3 ,9 1 2
4 0 0 ,1 0 2
4 2 8 ,1 1 4
4 5 3 ,2 0 4
4 7 1 ,1 3 5
4 9 5 ,2 9 9
1 3 ,3 7 4
1 6 ,3 6 5
1 8 ,0 1 8
2 2 ,2 5 9
2 5 ,3 6 2
2 6 ,7 9 0
2 8 ,1 8 3
3 1 ,5 4 4
3 2 ,0 3 7
3 8 0 ,6 9 5
4 4 9 ,2 5 2
5 1 9 ,6 0 6
5 9 0 ,5 9 4
6 7 8 ,7 0 3
7 3 4 ,0 9 0
8 0 4 ,6 4 2
8 8 1 ,6 2 3
9 4 8 ,6 2 0
N
D
D
D
No analysis of unemployment by industries was made under the
out-of-work donation plan until the week ending December 13, 1918.
Beginning with the wTeek of January 3, 1919, an analysis has been
made for each week. The following table presents the analysis for
10 weeks:
NUM BER
OF
C IV IL IA N
AND
R E M A IN IN G
H . M. F O R C E S
LODGED
AT
O U T -O F -W O R K
ALL
LOCAL
D O N A T IO N
P O L IC IE S
O F F IC E S .
P o l i c i e s r e m a i n i n g l o d g e d i n 1919.
In d u stry .
D ec.
13,
1918.
Jan.
3.
Jan.
10.
Jan.
17.
Jan.
24.
Jan.
31.
F eb.
7.
F eb.
14.
Feb.
21.
F eb.
28.
B u i l d i n g .................................................. 1 0 ,9 1 3 2 4 ,4 5 0 2 8 ,5 3 9 3 1 ,7 7 3 3 3 ,7 3 9 3 6 ,4 9 2 4 0 ,6 2 9 4 5 ,8 0 3 5 2 ,4 1 5 5 5 ,9 0 4
3 ,5 0 1
4 ,9 6 7
5 ,9 6 4
1 ,6 9 1
4 ,1 0 6
5 ,4 0 0
6 ,4 4 7
C o n s t r u c t io n o f w o r k s ....................
6 ,9 2 6
7 ,4 5 9
7 ,6 6 0
6 ,7 5 4
3 ,0 5 8
7 ,8 2 0 1 0 ,0 2 4 1 0 ,3 9 7 1 2 ,3 7 9 1 2 ,8 0 1 1 5 ,2 7 3 1 4 ,5 2 2 1 6 ,1 4 6
S h i p b u i l d i n g .........................................
E n g i n e e r i n g a n d i r o n f o u n d i n g 5 9 ,5 9 9 1 1 9 ,5 1 7 14 1 ,0 1 1 1 5 9 ,1 4 3 1 7 2 ,4 5 4 1 8 4 ,4 4 8 1 8 7 ,1 5 2 2 0 4 ,6 1 6 1 9 7 ,0 1 5 2 0 0 ,3 9 0
3 ,1 5 4
5 ,8 3 6
5 ,5 7 3
8 ,5 0 8
9 ,8 0 8 10,5301 1 0 ,3 4 7 1 2 ,3 0 9 1 1 ,7 1 5
C o n s t r u c t io n o f v e h i c l e s ...............
7 ,2 0 0
464
561
989
236
813
1 ,1 2 7
1 ,1 4 8
1 ,1 9 0
1 ,7 0 2
S a w m i l l i n g .............................................
2 ,4 5 8
458
365
357
365
441
434
O t h e r in s u r e d w o r k p e o p l e ..........
437
358
357
T o t a l , u n d e r 1911 a c t ____
A m m u n itio n a n d e x p lo s iv e s ...
C h e m i c a l s ................................................
I r o n a n d s t e e l m a n u f a c t u r e ___
T i n p l a t e m a n u f a c t u r e ....................
W i r e m a n u f a c t u r e ............................
A n c h o r s , c h a in s , n a ils , b o lts ,
n u t s , r i v e t s , e t c ..............................
B r a s s ..........................................................
C o p p e r , t i n , l e a d , z in c , e t c ..........
H a r d w a r e a n d h o l l o w w a r e ___
T o o l s , f il e s , s a w s , i m p l e m e n t s ,
c u t l e r y ..................................................
C lo c k s , p l a t e , j e w e l r y . . .................
N e e d le s , p in s , t y p e fo u n d in g ,
d i e s , e t c ................................................
E le c tr ic a l, s c ie n t if ic , e tc ., a p p l i a n c e s , a n d a p p a r a t u s ..........
M is c e lla n e o u s m e t a l ........................
Leather and leather g o o d s ..........
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7 8 ,6 5 1 1 6 0 ,8 7 9 1 8 8 ,0 6 8 2 1 4 ,2 8 5 2 3 1 ,8 5 2 2 5 0 ,6 5 9 2 5 9 ,1 4 1 2 8 4 ,5 9 2 2 8 5 ,7 8 0 2 9 4 ,6 3 0
2 8 ,7 9 1
1 ,8 3 2
1 ,8 0 2
141
318
4 1 ,5 3 4 4 5 ,1 4 3
4 ,3 5 5
3 ,4 7 7
3 , 94C
5 ,6 6 6
294
37S
1 ,3 9 2
900
4 6 ,6 9 8 5 0 ,5 3 3 5 2 ,8 1 9 5 5 ,1 1 0 5 6 ,0 1 9
4 ,7 9 6
5 ,1 0 2
5 ,7 1 2
4 ,0 5 9
5 ,9 6 4
7 ,1 3 4
7 ,1 4 3
7 ,7 4 2
5 , 92C
6 ,7 4 9
396
38C
369
370
375
1 ,2 3 6
1 ,2 0 6
1 ,3 0 6
1 ,3 4 9
1 ,4 5 5
4 1 ,9 1 3
6 ,2 0 8
6 ,6 7 9
299
1 ,6 3 9
3 7 ,3 0 8
6 ,3 1 5
5 ,9 9 1
275
1 ,6 8 3
407
1 ,0 7 2
503
2 ,4 7 5
907
1 ,4 8 7
706
4 ,6 5 2
1 ,0 8 6
1 ,8 3 0
910
5 ,4 0 0
1 ,1 5 7
1 ,8 8 9
1 ,1 7 7
5 ,9 3 3
1 ,7 3 4
2 ,1 4 5
1 ,7 8 5
6 ,5 9 3
1 ,7 4 6
2 ,1 5 2
1 ,9 4 4
7 ,3 6 0
1 ,9 3 9
2, 424
2 ,0 5 0
7 ,8 0 3
1 ,8 1 8
2 ,4 5 8
2 ,4 2 9
8 ,5 8 9
2 ,5 3 9
1 ,9 1 9
2 ,7 3 5
7 ,6 5 0
1 ,6 6 3
1 ,3 2 6
2 ,6 6 0
6 ,1 3 5
178
101
422
209
373
262
423
367
675
437
892
477
931
451
962
657
998
662
1 ,0 1 3
'6 1 2
164
391
396
388
567
612
735
867
800
642
826
290
942
1 ,5 9 5
1 ,4 4 5
1 ,9 3 9
2 ,3 8 2
670
2 ,8 6 2
2 ,9 8 7
834
3 ,3 8 3
3 ,0 5 2
840
3 ,2 8 6
3 ,7 9 5
797
3 ,4 3 2
4 ,0 6 3
1 ,0 5 9
3 ,9 1 7
4 ,4 6 4
1 ,1 6 3
4 ,8 1 9
4 ,4 1 1
1 ,4 2 7
3 ,8 4 2
4 ,1 7 2
1 ,2 6 5
3 ,7 5 0
[1 3 1 8 ]
93
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
NUM BER
OF
C IV IL IA N
AND
R E M A IN IN G
H.
M.
LODGED
FO RCES
AT
ALL
O U T -O F -W O R K
D O N A T IO N
P O L IC IE S
L O C A L O F F I C E S — C o n c lu d e d .
P o l i c i e s r e m a i n i n g l o d g e d i n 1919.
D ec.
In d u stry .
A
,
Jan.
3.
Jan.
10.
Jan.
24.
Jan.
17.
Jan.
31.
F eb.
14.
F eb.
7.
F eb.
21.
F eb.
28.
B r i c k , t i l e , a n d a r t i f ic i a l B u il d
i n g m a t e r i a l ......................................
S a w m illin g , m a c h in e d w o o d
w o r k , a n d w o o d e n c a s e s ..........
R ubber
and
m a n u fa ctu res
t h e r e o f ..................................................
429
660
720
1 ,0 2 5
1 ,1 7 6
1 ,0 4 0
1 ,0 9 2
1 ,1 4 8
1 ,0 4 2
2 ,1 2 8
2 ,3 0 5
4 ,5 7 1
5 ,3 6 1
6 ,6 9 5
7 ,1 0 9
7 ,6 9 6
8 ,1 1 2
8 ,2 9 7
7 ,1 0 7
6 ,1 6 4
1 ,1 6 7
2 ,0 6 6
2 ,5 5 0
2 ,9 5 5
3 ,4 6 0
3 ,6 6 3
3 ,6 9 7
4 ,0 7 4
3 ,8 7 7
3 ,5 4 7
T o t a l , u n d e r 1916 a c t ___
4 3 ,7 7 3
7 1 ,6 8 7
8 1 ,2 4 4
8 8 ,6 8 8
9 6 ,9 5 4 1 0 2 ,9 8 8 1 0 6 ,7 0 1 1 1 2 ,3 0 7
9 5 ,7 4 7
8 6 ,6 5 5
T o t a l , 1911 a n d 1916 a c t s . 1 2 2 ,4 2 4 2 3 2 ,5 6 6 2 6 9 ,3 1 2 3 0 2 ,9 7 3 3 2 8 ,8 0 6 3 5 3 ,6 4 7 3 6 5 ,8 4 2 3 9 6 ,8 9 9 3 8 1 ,5 2 7 3 8 1 ,2 8 5
T o ta l, u n in s u r a b le o c c u
p a t i o n s . . . . ........................ 7 4 ,3 5 5 1 4 8 ,1 2 9 1 7 9 ,9 4 0 .2 1 6 ,6 3 3 2 6 1 ,7 8 8 3 2 5 ,0 5 6 3 6 8 ,2 4 8 4 0 7 ,7 4 3 5 0 0 ,0 9 4 5 6 7 ,3 3 5
G r a n d t o t a l ........................... . 1 9 6 ,7 7 9 3 8 0 ,6 9 5 4 4 9 ,2 5 2 |ö l 9 ,606^590,594 6 7 8 ,7 0 3 7 3 4 ,0 9 0 8 0 4 ,6 4 2 j8 8 1 ,621 9 4 8 ,6 2 0
It will be observed from tbe above table that of the three groups of
industries, the greatest increase of unemployment is shown in the
uninsurable occupations. On this point the Controller of Statistics
observes: “ It should however be noted that workers in the insurable
munitions industries are now being classified in larger numbers under
their normal peace-time occupations, which in the case of women are
largely uninsured trades. The rapid rise in the uninsurable occupa
tions is accordingly not to be attributed wholly to lack of employ
ment in these occupations but is partly occasioned by return of
workers from munitions industries.”
The analysis of unemployment in the uninsured trades is incom
plete. The latest figures available are for the week ending February
21, 1919, and show the distribution of the 500,094 policies remaining
lodged on that date.
U M B E R O F O U T -O F -W O R K
D O N A T IO N P O L IC IE S R E M A IN IN G L O D G E D
F E B . 21, 1919, F O R T H E U N I N S U R E D T R A D E S , G R O U P E D
A C C O R D IN G
O N F R ID A Y ,
TO T H E
P R IN
C IP A L T R A D E S .
C i v i li a n s .
H . M . F o rces.
T o ta l.
In d u str y group.
D o m e s t i c o f fic e s a n d s e r v i c e s ........................................
C o m m e r c i a l ................................................................................
C o n v e y a n c e o f m e n , g o o d s , a n d m e s s a g e s ...........
A g r i c u l t u r e .................................................................................
M in e s a n d q u a r r i e s ..............................................................
P a p e r , p r i n t s , b o o k s , a n d s t a t i o n e r y ......................
T e x t ile s :
C o t t o n ..................................................................................
W o o l e n a n d w o r s t e d ..................................................
O th e r t e x t i l e s ( i n c l u d i n g d y e i n g a n d f in
i s h i n g ) ................. ...........................................................
D r e s s ...............................................................................................
F o o d , d r i n k , a n d t o b a c c o ................................................
S h o p a s s i s t a n t s .......................................................................
G e n e r a l la b o r e r s , f a c t o r y w o r k e r s , e t c . , o t h e r
u n i n s u r e d o c c u p a t i o n s ..................................................
T o t a l .................................................................................
1 1 4 3 3 9 °— 19-------7
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M en.
B oys.
W om
en.
G ir ls .
M en.
W om
en.
2 ,8 8 1
4 ,7 3 0
1 2 ,9 7 4
4 ,0 0 4
3 ,3 9 3
1 ,5 7 1
198
762
2 ,5 5 0
203
346
155
5 4 ,5 0 5
1 5 ,5 3 4
1 6 ,1 1 5
3 ,7 5 3
359
5 ,6 2 2
2 ,2 3 7
2 ,4 2 7
9.54
115
10
345
4 ,7 0 7
6 ,2 8 3
2 2 ,4 3 3
1 ,5 1 8
7 ,2 1 8
964
245
86
48
32
2
8
6 4 ,7 7 3
2 9 ,8 2 2
5 5 ,0 7 4
9 ,6 2 5
1 1 ,3 2 8
8 ,6 6 5
6 ,5 3 8
769
1 ,4 3 7
200
4 4 ,3 8 0
3 ,8 9 9
4 ,7 0 7
152
2 ,0 3 7
359
8
7
5 9 ,1 0 7
5 ,3 8 6
1 0 ,0 5 5
2 ,4 6 5
1 .1 7 5
1 ,3 3 9
1 ,4 3 7
864
358
166
1 9 ,0 7 9
2 6 ,6 5 0
1 3 ,6 0 6
2 2 ,7 8 3
1 ,7 0 2
1 ,5 3 4
598
1 ,6 7 1
1 ,6 9 7
1 ,9 7 5
1 ,1 9 3
1 ,8 1 6
8
21
40
79
3 3 ,9 7 8
3 3 ,5 0 9
1 6 ,9 7 0
2 7 ,8 5 4
2 9 ,7 7 8
5 ,0 7 6
7 0 ,2 1 6
5 ,3 8 3
3 3 ,3 5 5
195
1 4 4 ,0 0 3
1 3 ,7 5 2
2 9 6 ,5 0 1
2 1 ,8 3 5
8 5 ,5 5 5
779
5 0 0 ,0 9 4
8 1 ,6 7 2
[1 3 1 9 ]
94
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
The percentage of unemployment in the insured trades is shown
by industries and by weeks during the period December 6, 1918,
to February 28, 1919, in the table below. Information upon which
to base percentages for the uninsured trades is apparently not
available. It will be observed that in industries under the 1911
act, unemployment increased from 2.32 per cent on December 6,
1918, to 11.82 per cent on February 28, 1919. In industries under
the 1916 act the increase was less—from 3.06 to 8.09 per cent.
PERCENTAGE
O F U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN
THE
IN S U R E D
TR A D ES.
1919
1918
In d u str y .
D ec.
6.
D ec.
13.
D ec.
20.
Jan.
3.
Jan.
10.
Jan.
17.
Jan.
24.
Jan.
31.
F eb.
7.
F eb.
14.
F eb.
21.
B u i l d i n g ......................................... 1 .9 8
C o n s t r u c t io n o f w o r k s ............ 1 .6 7
.7 9
S h i p b u i l d i n g ..................................
E n g in e e r in g a n d ir o n fo u n d
2
.9 9
i n g ....................................................
.6 6
C o n s t r u c t io n o f v e h i c l e s ___
9
.2 0
S a w m i l l i n g ......................................
O th e r in s u r e d w o r k p e o p le ..
2 .3 6
1 .8 1
1 .1 0
3 .2 8
2 .2 7
1 .4 7
5 .3 0
3 .7 6
2 .4 3
6 .1 8
4 .4 1
2 .8 2
6 .8 8
5 .3 3
3 .6 1
6 .8 4
5 .3 7
3 .9 1
7 .4 0
5 .9 3
4 .6 5
8 .2 4
6 .4 1
4 .8 1
9 .2 9
6 .8 9
5 .7 4
1 0 .6 3
7 .4 2
5 .4 6
1 1 .3 4
7 .6 2
6 .0 7
4 .3 0
1 .9 2
2 .3 3
5 .9 0
2 .4 3
2 .4 9
.6 3
8 .6 2
3 .5 6
4 .5 8
1 .0 2
1 0 .1 7
3 .4 0
5 .5 5
1 .3 0
1 1 .4 8
4 .3 0
8 .0 3
1 .0 4
1 2 .2 1
5 .0 7
9 .1 1
.9 2
1 3 .0 5
5 .8 5
1 0 .3 8
1 .1 1
1 3 .2 5
6 .2 8
1 0 .5 8
1 .0 9
1 4 .4 8
6 .1 7
1 0 .9 7
1 .1 0
1 3 .9 5
7 .3 4
1 5 .6 8
.9 0
1 4 .1 8
6 .9 9
2 2 .6 5
.9 0
T o ta l in d u s tr ie s u n d er
1911 a c t ...........................
A m m u n itio n « n d e x p lo siv e s
C h e m i c a l s .........................................
Iro n a n d ste e l m a u u fa c tu r e .
T i n p l a t e m a n u f a c t u r e ............
W i r e m a n u f a c t u r e .....................
A n c h o r s ,c h a i n s ,n a i l s ,b o l t s ,
n u t s , r i v e t s , e t c ......................
B r a s s ...................................................
C o p p e r, t in , le a d , z in c , e t c . .
H a r d w a r e a n d h o llo w w a r e .
T o o l s , f il e s , s a w s , i m p l e
m e n t s , c u t l e r y .........................
C lo c k s , p l a t e , j e w e l r y ..............
N e e d le s, p in s , ty p e fo u n d
i n g , d i e s , e t c ..............................
E le c tr ic a l, s c ie n tific , e tc .,
a p p lia n c e s a n d a p p a r a tu s .
M is c e ll a n e o u s m e t a l .................
L e a th e r a n d lea th e r g o o d s ..
B r i c k , t i l e , a n d a r t i f ic i a l
b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l ..................
S a w m illin g ,
m a c h in e d
w ood w ork , an d w ood en
c a s e s ................................................
R u b b e r a n d m a n u fa ctu r e s
t h e r e o f ...........................................
Feb.
28.
2 .3 2
3 .2 4
4 .4 3
6 .6 2
7 .7 4
8 .8 2
9 .3 1
1 0 .0 6
1 0 .4 0
1 1 .4 3
1 1 .4 7
1 1 .8 2
9 .0 5
1 .4 6
.6 0
.6 0
1 .1 7
1 1 .2 5
1 .9 5
1 .0 9
1 .1 1
1 .4 3
1 3 .2 8
2 .9 9
1 .1 0
1 .3 8
1 .4 7
1 7 .1 0
3 .7 7
2 .3 8
2 .3 2
5 .7 3
1 8 .5 8
4 .7 2
3 .4 3
2 .9 9
3 .7 1
1 9 .0 4
4 .4 0
4 .3 2
2 .9 2
4 .9 7
1 9 .9 0
4 .5 7
4 .3 6
2 .7 0
4 .9 6
2 0 .8 0
4 .5 6
4 .7 3
2 .2 2
5 .4 2
2 1 .7 0
5 .4 4
3 .6 2
2 .5 9
5 .8 4
2 2 .0 6
5 .6 8
4 .1 2
2 .5 6
5 .8 4
1 6 .5 1
5 .9 2
4 .0 8
2 .0 4
6 .5 8
1 4 .6 9
6 .0 2
3 .6 6
1 .8 7
6 .7 6
1 .0 3
2 .0 4
3 .1 1
.6 3
1 .6 3
8 .9 4
1 .7 3
2 .4 2
2 .2 7
3 .9 4
1 .8 9
3 .0 1
3 .6 3
5 .4 6
2 .4 2
4 .5 5
4 .3 4
6 .7 2
3 .1 2
5 .2 8
4 .6 3
6 .9 4
4 .0 0
5 .8 0
7 .3 8
8 .1 6
6 .0 0
6 .4 6
7 .9 3
8 .1 9
6 .5 4
7 .2 1
8 .2 5
9 .2 2
6 .8 9
7 .6 4
7 .7 3
9 .3 5
8 .1 7
8 .4 1
1 0 .8 0
7 .3 0
9 .2 0
7 .4 9
7 .0 7
5 .0 5
8 .9 5
6 .0 1
.3 6
.4 3
.8 0
.8 0
.9 1
1 .1 6
1 .9 1
1 .6 5
1 .6 8
2 .0 7
1 .9 9
2 .9 0
3 .3 3
3 .7 6
4 .4 0
4 .1 1
4 .5 9
3 .8 8
4 .7 4
5 .6 6
4 .9 2
5 .7 0
4 .9 9
5 .2 7
.7 8
1 .5 8
2 .3 1
3 .7 6
3 .8 1
3 .7 3
5 .6 0
6 .0 5
7 .2 6
8 .5 7
7 .9 1
6 .3 5
2 .0 1
4 .3 2
1 .0 6
1 .5 8
4 .4 4
1 .8 0
1 .8 1
6 .3 3
2 .7 0
3 .0 4 - 4 .5 5
9 .7 3 1 0 .2 7
5 .4 8
3 .7 1
5 .7 0
1 2 .7 8
6 .4 7
5 .6 5
1 1 .8 5
5 .5 7
7 .0 3
1 1 .2 4
5 .8 1
7 .5 2
1 4 .9 4
6 .6 4
8 .2 7
1 6 .4 1
8 .1 6
8 .1 7
2 0 .1 3
6 .5 1
7 .7 3
1 7 .8 4
6 .3 6
.7 9
1 .7 9
2 .9 1
2 .7 5
3 .0 0
4 .2 6
3 .7 4
3 .3 1
3 .4 7
3 .6 3
3 .3 1
6 .7 7
1 .8 0
3 .1 9
3 .9 8
6 .3 3
7 .4 2
9 .2 7
9 .0 3
9 .7 8
1 0 .3 0
1 0 .5 4
9 .0 3
7 .8 3
1 .4 0
2 .2 4
2 .4 9
3 .9 6
4 .8 9
5 .6 7
6 .3 1
6 .6 8
6 .7 4
7 .4 2
7 .0 7
6 .4 6
T o ta l in d u s tr ie s u n d er
1916 a c t ...........................
3 .0 6
4 .2 7
4 .9 6
6 .9 1
7 .9 2
8 .6 1
9 .0 5
9 .6 2
9 .9 6 ¡1 0 .4 9
8 .9 4
8 .0 9
T o t a l i n d u s t r i e s , 1911
a n d 1916 a c t s ...............
2 .5 4
3 .5 4
4 .5 9
5 .9 0
7 .8 0
8 .7 6
9 .2 3
9 .9 3
1 0 .7 1
1 0 .7 1
1 0 .2 7
1 1 .1 4
Another indication of the trend of unemployment during the
period of resettlement is the number of unemployment policies
remaining lodged per 10,000 of sugar-buying population, which,
as shown in the statement below, increased from 17.1 on November
29, 1918, to 220.0 on February 28, 1919.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 3 2 0 ]
95
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
O ut-of-worJe d o n a tio n p o lic ie s lo d g e d p e r 1 0 ,0 0 0 o f s u g a r -b u y in g p o p u la tio n o f the
U n ite d K in g d o m .
N o v . 29, 1 9 1 8 .............................................................................................................1 1 7 .1
D e c . 6, 1918............................................................................................................... 3 0 .1
D e c . 13, 1918........................................
4 6 .0
D e c . 20, 1918............................................................................................................. 63. 0
Jan. 3, 1919................................................................................................................
8 8 .5
Jan . 10, 1919.............................................................................................................. 1 0 4 .0
Jan . 17, 1919.............................................................................................................. 1 2 0 .0
Jan . 24, 19 1 9 .............................................................................................................. 136. 0
Jan. 31, 1919..............................
1 5 7 .0
F eb . 7, 1919............................................................................................................... 1 7 0 .0
F e b . 14, 1 9 1 9 ............................................................................................................. 1 8 7 .5
F e b . 21, 1919............................................................................................................. 2 0 5 .0
F e b . 28, 1919............................................................................................................. 2 2 0 .0
The duration of unemployment is summarized in the following
analysis according to the periods for which payments have been made
during the week ending February 28, 1919:
POLICIES LODGED, ANALYZED ACCORDING TO PERIOD FOR WHICH PAYMENTS HAVE
BEEN MADE DURING W E EK ENDING FEB . 28, 1919.
N u m b e r o f p o l ic i e s o n w h i c h p a y m e n t s
w e r e m a d e fo r e a c h p e r io d , o f—
T o ta l.
P e r io d .
Men.
C i v i li a n s :
1 48 d a y s ..............................................................................................
40_fi0 c la y s .................. . ........... ................................ ..
61—77 d a y s ......................................................................................
78 d a y s .................................................................................................
P o l i c i e s l o d g e d b u t n o p a y m e n t m a d e .........................
T o ta l
....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H i s M a j e s t y ’s F o r c e s :
1 f>0 d a y s
............ .............................................................
61 120 d a y s
................................................................P o l i c i e s l o d g e d b u t n o p a y m e n t m a d e .........................
T o ta l
G ran d to ta l
. tv —___________________ . . . . . . . . .
- ___________ ___ _______. . . . . . . . . .
B oys.
W om en .
G ir ls .
1 5 6 ,7 3 6
2 5 ,6 4 2
2 1 ,1 7 9
1 ,8 3 0
2 2 ,4 4 9
2 0 ,1 0 2
2 ,5 4 4
1 ,9 8 1
51
3 ,3 4 1
3 0 3 ,4 5 6
6 7 ,3 8 5
7 9 ,7 0 0
9 ,7 6 8
3 4 ,1 6 2
2 0 ,6 8 2
4 ,0 7 9
3 ,1 1 4
272
3 ,8 9 0
5 0 0 ,9 7 6
9 9 ,6 5 0
1 0 5 ,9 7 4
1 1 ,9 2 1
6 3 ,8 4 2
2 2 7 ,8 3 6
2 8 ,0 1 9
4 9 4 ,4 7 1
3 2 ,0 3 7
7 8 2 ,3 6 3
1 1 9 ,2 9 2
1 3 ,0 9 4
3 3 ,0 4 3
715
25
88
1 2 0 ,0 0 7
1 3 ,1 1 9
3 3 ,1 3 1
1 6 5 ,4 2 9
828
1 6 6 ,2 5 7
9 4 8 ,6 2 0
Information is not available on which to base a comparison of
unemployment in all industries as between the period of demobiliza
tion and before or during the war. The following table, however,
shows the percentage of unemployment in the trades insured under
the 1911 act for the years 1913 to 1917 and for July and September,
1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Groat Britain only.
[1321 ]
96
MONTHLY LABOE KEVIEW.
PERCENTAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN INSURED TRADES (1911 ACT), 1913 TO 1918.
M ean
fo r
J u ly .
year.
Sep
tem
b er.
M ean
fo r
D ec.
year.
3.9
5.1
3.4
5.0
2.1
/ 2.80
5.20
\ -47
.57
3.75
2.40
.83
.75
1.23
.34
.32
1.20
.40
.36
0.81
.42
.34
0.84
.44
.35
0.55
.56
.25
0.51
.48
.23
3.0
2.9
3.3
1.7
2.4
2.5
2.5
1.4
1.8
2.9
1.8
1.0
3.40
3.50
3.30
1.80
.38
.59
.68
.29
.57
.80
1.04
.40
.45
.40
.44
.14
.43
.50
.57
.17
.76
.43
.52
.11
.65
.40
.56
.12
.69
.28
.46
.07
.72
.26
.40
.04
4.6
3.6
3 .3
4.2
1.14
1.20
.65
.60
.67
.60
.57
.57
D eo.
T o t a l .....................................
M ean
fo r
D ec.
year.
M ean
fo r
D ec.
year.
Y ear.
B u i l d i n g ...........................................
}
C o n s t r u c t io n o f w o r k s ............
S h i p b u i l d i n g .................................. '
E n g in e e r in g
and
ir o n
f o u n d i n g ......................................
C o n s t r u c t io n o f v e h i c l e s ____
S a w m i l l i n g .....................................
O t h e r in s u r e d w o r k p e o p l e . .
M ean
fo r
D ec.
year.
1918
1917
1916
1915
1914
1913
6.9
A further indication of the trend of unemployment appears from
the following table of the percentage of trade-union members unem
ployed, 1908 to 1918:
PERCENTAGE
OF
T R A D E - U N I O N M E M B E R S U N E M P L O Y E D , 1908 T O 1918 ( A L L T R A D E U N IO N S
1908
M A K IN G
1909
1910
R E T U R N S ).
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
J 1918
D e c e m b e r ........................................................
9 .1
6 .6
5 .0
3 .1
2 .3
2 .6
2 .5
0 .6
0 .3
1 .4
2 .5
Y e a r l y m e a n .................................................
7 .8
7 .7
4 .7
3 .0
2 3 .2
2 .1
3 .3
1 .1
.4
.6
.9
1 E s t i m a t e d f ig u r e s .
J A ffe c te d b y n a t io n a l c o a l d is p u te .
The number of members of unions making returns in November,
1918, was 1,140,000, excluding men on service. The total number
of members of trade-unions is over 5,000,000 but this figure includes
a large number of men serving in His Majesty’s forces.
In addition to figures summarizing unemployment, statements
are prepared each week by the Ministry of Labor showing the principal
occupations and areas in which unemployment is highest. The
following is the statement for the week ending February 28, 1919:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1822 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
97
P r in c ip a l o c c u p a tio n s o n liv e re g iste r i n L o c a l A d v is o r y C o m m itte e areas w here u n e m
p lo y m e n t is h ig h est f o r w eek e n d in g F e b . 2 8 , 1 9 1 9 .
[ P e r c e n t a g e s o f t o t a l r e g i s t r a t i o n s .]
L o c a l A d v is o r y C o m
m itte e areas.
L ondon and Sou th
E astern:
C am den T o w n M en ..................
W o m e n ............
Porters, e tc ., 27 per cen t; en g in eerin g, 12 per cen t; b u ild in g ,
8 per c en t.
G eneral laborers, 37 per cen t; d o m estic se r v ic e, 20 per cen t;
clo th in g , 12 p er c en t.
T o tten h a m —
M en ..................
G eneral laborers, 16 per cen t; b u ild in g , 16 per cen t; e n g in eer
in g , 13 per cen t.
W o m e n ............ C lothing, 29 per cen t; a m m u n itio n and e x p lo siv e s , 20 per
cen t; en g in eerin g, 12 p er c en t.
Sh ep h erd s B u sh —
M en ................... Porters, e tc ., 21 per cen t; en g in eerin g , 14 per c en t; general
laborers, 14 p er c en t.
W o m e n ............ G eneral laborers, 64 per cen t; d o m estic se r v ic e, 17 per c en t.
B orough—
M en .................. Porters, e tc ., 21 p er cen t; gen eral laborers, 19 p er c en t; en g i
n eerin g, 12 per c en t.
W o m e n ............ C lothing, 21 per cen t; general laborers, 15 per cen t; en g in eer
in g , 9 per c en t.
E n fie ld —
M e n .................. E n gin eerin g, 22 per cen t; general laborers, 21 par cen t; build
in g, 10 per c en t.
W o m e n ............ D om estic serv ice, 32 per cen t; general laborers, 22 per cen t;
e le ctr ic apparatus, e tc ., 11 per c en t.
S o u th M id lan ds and
E a ste r n :
L u to n —
M en ................... E n g in eerin g laborers, 31 per cen t; en g in eerin g , 13 per cen t;
c lo th in g trades, 11 per c en t.
W o m e n ............ G eneral laborers, 35 per cen t; c lo th in g trades, 25 per cen t;
sh op assistants, 10 per c en t.
Ip sw ic h —
M en .................. Porters, e tc ., 14 per cen t; e n g in eerin g laborers, 14 per cen t;
general laborers, 10 per c en t.
W o m e n ............ G eneral laborers, 30 per c en t; d o m estic se r v ic e, 20 per cen t;
shop assistants, 20 per c en t.
L ow estoft—
M en ................... G eneral laborers, 21 per cen t; m erch an t se r v ic e, 9 per c en t.
W o m e n ............ G eneral laborers, 44 per cen t; en gin eerin g, 18 p er c en t.
L etch w o rth —
M en .................. E n g in eerin g laborers, 14 per cen t; b u ild e r s’ laborers, 9 per
cen t.
W o m e n ............ E n g in eerin g , 72 per c en t.
S t. A lb an s—
M en .................. G eneral laborers, 16 per c en t.
W o m e n ............ G eneral laborers, 60 per cen t; d o m estic se r v ic e, 19 per c en t.
S o u th w este r n :
G lou cester—
M en .................. G eneral laborers, 23 per cen t; porters, e tc ., 18 per cen t; e n g i
n eerin g, 15 per c en t.
W o m e n ............ G eneral laborers, 49 per cen t; domestic service, 21 per cen t;
sh op assistants, 11 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1323 ]
98
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
P r i n c i p a l o c c u p a tio n s o n liv e re g iste r i n L o c a l A d v is o r y C o m m itte e areas w here u n e m
p lo y m e n t is h ig h est f o r w eek e n d in g F e b . 2 8 , 1 9 1 9 —Continued.
L o c a l A d v is o r y C o m
m itte e a rea s —Con.
S o u t h western—Con
cluded.
Cheltenham—
Men.............
Women........
Southampton—
Men.............
Women........
Bristol—
Men.............
Women........
West Midlands:
Tipton—
Men..............
Women........
Dudley—
Men.............
Women........
Old H i l l Men..............
Women........
Oldbury—
Men.............
Women........
Birmingham—
Men.............
Women........
Yorkshire and East
Midlands:
Todmorden—
Men.............
Women........
Castleford—
Men.............
Women........
Ilkeston—
Men.............
Women........
Leeds—
Men..............
Women........
Spen Valley.......
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
G eneral laborers, 25 per cen t; porters, e tc ., 17 per cen t;
d o m estic serv ice, 10 per c en t.
D o m estic se r v ic e, 52 per cen t; sh op assistan ts, 18 per c en t.
Porters, e tc ., 54 per cen t; gen eral laborers, 7 per cen t.
D o m estic se r v ic e, 22 per cen t; a m m u n itio n an d e x p lo siv es, 12
per cen t; sh op assistan ts, 8 per c en t.
Porters, e tc ., 31 p er cen t; en gin eerin g, 11 per cen t; general
laborers, 11 per c en t.
G eneral laborers, 41 per cen t; sh op assistan ts, 13 per cen t;
com m ercial, 13 per c en t.
E n g in eerin g laborers, 37 per cen t; en g in eerin g, 30 per cen t.
A m m u n itio n an d e x p lo siv es, 42 per cen t; en gin eerin g, 39 per
cen t; en g in eerin g laborers, 9 per cen t.
E n g in eerin g laborers, 64 per cen t; en g in eerin g, 32 per c en t.
E n g in eerin g , 51 per cen t; en g in eerin g laborers, 17 per cen t;
a m m u n itio n , 14 per c en t.
E n g in eerin g laborers, 36 per cen t; en gin eerin g, 25 per cen t;
m etals, 15 per c en t.
A m m u n itio n , 50 per cen t; en gin eerin g, 26 per cen t; m isc el
lan eou s m etals, 17 per c en t.
E n gin eerin g, 40 per cen t; a m m u n itio n , 11 per c en t.
G en eral laborers, 30 per cen t; en g in eerin g , 28 per cen t;
d o m estic serv ice, 10 p er c en t.
E n g in eerin g , 51 per cen t; en g in eerin g laborers, 11 per cen t;
porters, e tc ., 8 per c en t.
E n g in eerin g , 59 per cen t; a m m u n itio n an d e x p lo siv e s , 9 per
cen t; c o n v e y a n c e of m en , e tc ., 6 per c en t.
C otton, 52 per cen t; en gin eerin g, 6 per c en t.
C otton, 84 per cen t; clo th in g , 8 per cen t.
M ines, 35 per cen t; general laborers, 24 per c en t.
G eneral laborers, 80 per cen t; d o m estic serv ice, 6 per cen t.
L ace, 58 per cen t; general laborers, 13 per cen t.
L ace, 56 per cen t; d o m estic serv ice, 12 per cen t; hosiery, 8
per cen t.
E n g in eerin g , 21 per cen t; en g in eerin g laborers, 20 per cen t;
gen eral laborers, 9 per cen t.
C lothing, 16 per cen t; d om estic se r v ic e, 10 per cen t; w ool, 9
per cen t.
No returns received.
[1324]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
99
P r in c ip a l o c c u p a tio n s o n liv e re g iste r i n L o c a l A d v is o r y C o m m itte e areas w here u n e m
p lo y m e n t i s h ig h e st f o r w eek e n d in g F e b . 2 8 , 1 9 1 9 —Continued.
L o c a l A d v is o r y C o m
m itte e area s —Con.
Northwestern:
Accrington 1—
Men..........
W om en...
Burnley 1—
Men..........
W omen...
Blackburn—
Men..........
W omen...
Bury 1—
Men..........
Women....
Hyde 1—
Men..........
W om en...
Northern:
Jarrow—
Men..........
W omen...
Gateshead—
Men......
W omen...
Newcastle—
Men..........
W omen...
Darlington—
Men..........
Women....
Stockton—
Men____
W omen...
Scotland:
Clydebank—
Men.........
W omen...
Glasgow—
Men.........
W omen...
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Cotton trades, 17 per cent; general laborers, 13 per cent; engi
neering laborers, 12 per cent.
Cotton, 81 per cent; textile printing, etc., 7 per cent.
Cotton, 56 per cent; general laborers, 10 per cent.
Cotton, 92 per cent.
Figures not available.
Do.
Textile printing, 39 per cent; cotton, 16 per cent; general
laborers, 10 per cent.
Cotton, 64 per cent; textile printing, 11 per cent.
Textile printing, 15 per cent; engineering laborers, 12 per
cent.
Cotton, 57 per cent; textile printing, etc., 11 per cent.
Shipbuilding laborers, 36 per cent; shipbuilders, 28 per cent;
mines and quarries, 9 per cent.
General laborers, 35 per cent; ammunition and explosives, 14
per cent; miscellaneous metals, 8 per cent.
Engineering, 31 per cent; general laborers, 25 per cent; engi
neering laborers, 18 per cent.
General laborers, 24 per cent; domestic service, 23 per cent;
shop assistants, 14 per cent.
Engineering, 19 per cent; general laborers, 15 per cent; engi
neering laborers, 8 per cent.
Domestic service, 20 per cent; shop assistants, 10 per cent;
commercial occupations, 7 per cent.
Engineering laborers, 39 per cent; engineering, 24 per cent;
building, 6 per cent.
Domestic service, 39 per cent; shop assistants, 27 per cent;
general laborers, 7 per cent.
Engineering, 25 per cent; engineering laborers, 17 per cent;
shipbuilding, 17 per cent.
Domestic service, 19 per cent; building, 18 per cent; general
laborers, 16 per cent.
Engineering, 43 per cent; shipbuilding, 38 per cent.
General laborers, 70 per cent; engineering, 12 per cent.
Engineering, 27 per cent; engineering laborers, 18 per cent;
general laborers, 9 per cent.
General laborers, 42 per cent; shop assistants, 14 per cent;
domestic service, 13 per cent.
* Figures are for Feb. 21.
[1325]
100
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
P r in c ip a l o c c u p a tio n s c n liv e re g iste r i n L o c a l A d v is o r y C o m m itte e are a s w here u n e m p l o y m e n t is h ig h est f o r w eek e n d in g F e b . 2 8 , 1 919 —Concluded.
L o c a l A d v is o r y C o m
m itte e a reas —Con.
Scotland—Concluded.
Kilmarnook—
Men............... Engineering, 16 per cent; mines, 15 per cent; engineering
laborers, 14 per cent.
Women.......... Hosiery, 22 per cent; domestic service, 15 per cent; general
laborers, 15 per cent.
Paisley—
Men............... Engineering, 29 per cent; engineering laborers, 26 per cent;
general laborers, 8 per cent.
Women.......... General laborers, 20 per cent; textile smallware, 16 per cent;
shop assistants, 10 per cent.
Arbroath—
Men............... Linen and jute, 22 per cent; engineering, 18 per cent; general
laborers, 10 per cent.
Women.......... Linen and jute, 67 per cent; boots and shoes, 14 per cent.
Wales:
Flint—
Men............... Metals, 72 per cent; general laborers, 10 per cent; building
laborers, 9 per cent.
Women.......... Ammunition, 39 per cent; domestic service, 22 per cent; am
munition laborers, 16 per cent.
Swansea—
Men............... Porters, etc., 37 per cent; metals, 8 per cent.
Women.......... Ammunition laborers, 39 per cent; general laborers, 28 per
cent; shop assistants, 13 per cent.
Newport—
Men............... General laborers, 15 per cent; porters, etc., 14 per cent;
metals, 10 per cent.
Women.......... Engineering, 25 per cent; engineering laborers, 17 per cent;
domestic service, 15 per cent.
Cardiff—
Men............... Porters, etc., 16 per cent; shipbuilding laborers, 18 per cent;
general laborers, 11 per cent.
Women.......... General laborers, 49 per cent; commercial, 17 per cent;
domestic service, 12 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1820 ]
RECONSTRUCTION,
REPORT OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION OF EMPLOYERS TO STUDY
LABOR CONDITIONS IN EUROPE.
As noted in a previous issue of the R eview / a commission of six
employers appointed by the Secretary of Labor left the United
States late in January, 1919, for the purpose of studying, in Great
Britain, France, and other European countries, all phases of labor
conditions (including the problem of unemployment) and govern
mental policies relating thereto. The commission’s report,2 just
issued, deals specifically with conditions found in Great Britain.
In the course of its work the commission held conferences with
members of both houses of Parliament, the Federation of British
Industries, the chairman of the Engineering and National Employers’
Federations, and prominent students of industrial problems; a
great many large employers, officials of labor organizations, and
groups of workingmen of all degrees of radical and conservative
thought; the admiral commander in chief of the Rosyth Government
Dockyard; and chiefs of the municipal tramways, and gas and elec
trical works of Manchester and Glasgow.
The commission reports that under the seething unrest, as expressed
in speeches and in newspapers, they found a remarkable harmony
of purpose among Government officials, conservative employees,
and practically all employers.
Following are the findings of the commission:
1. Employers in Great Britain generally recognize the desirability of bargaining
collectively with labor.
2. Employers nearly all agree that collective bargaining should always be under
taken between associations of employers and the regularly established well-organized
trade-unions.
While many manufacturers welcome organizations of workmen in their factories
(shop or works committees), they want to limit the activities of such bodies to purely
local grievances, and decidedly desire that the committee members come under the
discipline of their unions.
3. Most employers freely recognize the right of labor to organize; they regard organi
zation as greatly contributing to the stability of industry. Some large manufacturers
declare that they wish to see every workman within the unions, so that they must
all come under organization control. Others feel that 100 per cent organization might
lead to dangerous types of universal strikes and lockouts. The more conservative
1M
o n t h l y L a b o r R eview , March, 1919, p. 53.
2U. S. Department of Labor. Employers’ Industrial Commission. Report on British Labor Problems.
Washington, 1919. 31 pp.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1327]
101
102
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
employers appear to make no effort to help along organizations of labor, merely dealing
with such organizations when they appear on the scene.
4. Employees in Great Britain are divided in sentiment shading from those who
want to maintain the trade-unions along the regularly established so-called “ consti
tutional” lines to ultraradical socialists.
5. Employees are nearly a unit, however, in expressing opposition to the use of
force. The most radical who desire “ now” a complete overturning of the present
social structure usually admit on close questioning that “ now” may mean many
years. They want to “ sta rt” now. Practically none appear to approve of a sudden
change, as in Russia.
6. Employees of the ultraradical type look askance at collective bargaining and
organizations of labor and capital. They freely express the view that they do not
wish harmony between employees and employers, since harmony would help to con
tinue the present system of society.
7. Employees of the more conservative type (and to your commissioners they
appear to represent the vast majority of British workmen) are largely in accord with
employers in the desire (1) to head off labor unrest at this period; (2) to strengthen
the unions by holding members under control; (3) to increase production for the sake
of the nation, workmen included—with no restriction on output except as it affects
the health of the worker; (4) to leave control of business policies in the hands of those
managing the business.
8. Government officials appear to be uniformly of the opinion that the Government
should function in labor unrest only as an absolutely last unavoidable resort. On
the other hand, they maintain the right of the Government to step in when necessary
in order to protect public interests against minorities which try to force their terms
upon the people.
9. In general, the Government and most employers and conservative employees
appear to be agreed:
That the spirit of cooperation between labor and capital is highly desirable.
That the spirit of conciliation is important for the benefit of the employer in stabiliz
ing his business and for the benefit of the employee in preserving his regularly organ
ized unions.
That in collective bargaining the right-minded employer will not attem pt to return
to the prewar industrial era, and that the right-minded employee will not attem pt to
crowd his demands to the point at which the stimulus for private business enterprise
would disappear.
The spirit of a genuinely better new (and not novel) era is thus being fostered by
widely varied elements of Great Britain’s industrial systerfi.
RECOMMENDATIONS
OF
THE
MICHIGAN
MITTEE.
RECONSTRUCTION
COM
Mention was made in the March, 1919, issue of the M o n t h l y
R e v i e w (p. 56) of the appointment by the Governor of
Michigan of a reconstruction committee of men and women to study
unemployment and other problems arising in the transition period
between war and peace and to make recommendations, as a result
of these investigations, to a reconstruction commission which was
to meet in Lansing in March. These recommendations are embodied
in a report,1 together with an explanation of the problems upon
which they are based.
L
abor
■Michigan. Reconstruction committee.
1919.
Report.
Reconstruction in Michigan
20 pp.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1328]
Lansing, Mar. II,
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
103
Before entering upon a discussion of the problems involved, the
committee defines the term “ reconstruction” as follows:
The term is not used by all speakers with the same meaning, and sometimes it is
applied in a sense quite at variance with its proper significance. The term recon
struction, in its proper acceptation, applies to those changes and innovations that
represent an actual transformation of previous ideals, principles, policies, or methods—in other words, radical and basic reforms that have become necessary in the light of
experience during the last four years.
Reconstruction means much more than readjustment, and when a speaker refers
to a problem of reconstruction as a mere matter of readjustment, it means that he is
not yet in step with the march of events, and that his eyes are not yet open to the
new light. For example, the liquidation of war contracts, the proper disposal of
accumulated stores by the Government, or the restoration of civil rights temporarily
abridged, are matters of readjustment. But such matters as Americanization,
permanent community organization, and the recognition and establishment of the
just rights of labor are problems of reconstruction. These are more than mere matters
of readjustment; they go deeper, touching the very foundations of our polity. They
are not temporary problems arising out of war conditions and destined to disappear
when peace conditions are restored; they are permanent problems—problems that
have been latent for years, but to which our eyes have only just been opened—prob
lems that will continue, regardless of war or peace, to call more and more insistently
for an answer.
The report suggests the wisdom of approaching the whole subject
of reconstruction from the proper angle; that to deal with the issues
of 1919 from the view point of 1913 means failure. The war brought
on a world-wide revolution in ideals as well as in actual conditions,
and "we must pull with the new current of forces now at work or we
shall be swept along helplessly.”
A summary of the committee’s report is arranged for the con
venience of the conference and enumerates various suggestions and
recommendations and emphasizes those upon which the committee
would urge definite action. This summary makes 37 definite recom
mendations upon the following subjects: Organization; soldiers and
sailors; conservation and relief; employment and housing; industrial
relations; Americanization; education; health and child welfare;
agriculture; and publicity and morale.
Under employment and housing the committee recommends:
That the existing war boards should act immediately and cooperate
with the Government in measures to provide work for discharged
soldiers and sailors; that the conference approve of the present
Federal and local campaigns to encourage all forms of building;
that the conference recommend a general survey of all industries
by State authority, as outlined in the report of the subcommittee
on employment and housing, to develop permanent policies and
methods for reducing unemployment; and that State and local coun
cils be recommended to acquaint the public with the provisions of
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104
the State housing law and to encourage the establishment of housing
standards for all house construction.
Referring to industrial relations, the committee suggests that the
conference recommend to the legislature the immediate establish
ment by law of an industrial relations commission; and that con
ferences of employers and employees be encouraged by local war
boards and other local organizations.
Among the recommendations concerning soldiers and sailors the
following are of special interest: “ That the State cooperate with the
Department of the Interior in providing farms for returned soldiers
and others desiring land; that the conference recommend construc
tion of needed public works to furnish immediate employment;
* * * that county war boards try to make sure that disabled men
take the vocational retraining provided by the Government; * * *
and that local war boards and councils assist the Government in
detecting payment of insurance and allowances to those not entitled
to receive them.”
On the subject of Americanization the committee recommends:
Tnat the conference indorse the Smith-Bankhead bill for Americani
zation and the removal of illiteracy; that the conference recommend
that the State, without waiting for Federal action, proceed at once
with a program for the same purposes contemplated in the SmithBankhead bill, and cooperate with the work of the Department of
the Interior in that line; and that the State and community councils
promote a campaign of publicity as to the need of adult education
and Americanization.
NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE, GREAT BRITAIN.
On February 27, 1919, a national industrial conference was con
vened in London by the Premier, Mr. Lloyd-George. Realizing
that the continuance of disputes was a menace to the life of the
nation, and feeling that it was of prime necessity to ascertain, if
possible, the basic causes of the prevailing unrest, the Government
invited representatives of employers and of workers to this confer
ence to get their views on the general situation and to seek their
advice and assistance in meeting it.
The conference, which consisted of 500 workpeople’s and 300
employers’ representatives, was presided over by the Minister of
Labor, Sir Robert Horne. At the close of a frank and illuminating
discussion of particular phases of present industrial discontent,
during which Mr. Lloyd-George addressed the conference and made
an appeal to all sections “ to hold together,” Mr. Arthur Henderson
introduced a resolution to the effect that:
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This conference, being of the opinion that any preventable dislocation of industry
is always to be deplored, and in the present critical period of reconstruction might
be disastrous to the interests of the nation, and thinking that every effort should be
made to remove legitimate grievances and promote harmony and good will, resolves
to appoint a joint committee, consisting of equal numbers of employers and workers,
men and women, together with a chairman appointed by the Government, to consider
and report to a further meeting of this conference on the causes of the present unrest
and the steps necessary to safeguard and promote the best interests of employers,
workpeople, and the State, and especially to consider—
1. Questions relating to hours, wages, and general conditions of employment.
2. Unemployment and its prevention.
3. The best methods of promoting cooperation between capital and labor.
The joint committee is empowered to appoint such subcommittees as may be
Considered necessary, consisting of equal numbers of employers and workers, the
Government to be invited to nominate a representative for each.
In view of the urgency of the question the joint committee is empowered to
arrange w ith the Government for the reassembling of the National Conference not
later than April 5, for the purpose of considering the report of the joint committee.1
The resolution was adopted by a majority of the conference,
although a small labor group vigorously opposed it on the ground
that the conference was not representative of the whole of labor.
Representatives, numbering 30 for each side and including two
women to look after the interests of women workers, were chosen in
separate meetings of the delegates as members of the joint committee.
The first meeting of the committee held March 4, 1919, was presided
over by Sir Thomas Munro whom the Government had appointed
independent chairman, Sir Allen Smith acting as chairman of the
employers’ representatives, and Mr. Arthur Henderson acting as
chairman of the trade-union representatives.
After a discussion as to the best method of procedure it was
decided that the work could be most thoroughly and expeditiously
done by dividing the committee into three subcommittees with
separate terms of reference. Sir Thomas Munro (chairman of the
joint committee) was made chairman of the subcommittee dealing
with trade negotiations, wage advances, and the establishment of
a permanent industrial council; Prof. L. T. Hobhouse acted as
chairman of the subcommittee on maximum hours and minimum
wages per week; and Sir David Shackleton of the Ministry of Labor
was made chairman of the subcommittee considering unemployment.
Several days before the meeting of the National Industrial Con
ference scheduled for April 4, the full report of the joint committee
was circulated, giving the delegates to the conference an opportunity
to consider it beforehand. The following summary quoted from the
report gives the views of the committee on the questions considered
by them:2
1National Industrial Conference, London. Minutes of proceedings . . . London, 1919. 58 pp.
2National Industrial Conference. Report of the provisional joint committee for presentation to further
meeting of Industrial Conference . . . Apr. 4,1919. London, 1919. pp. 12,13.
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H
o u r s
.
(a) The establishment by legal enactment of the principle of a maximum normal
working week of 48 hours, subject to—
(b ) Provision for varying the normal hours in proper cases, with adequate safe
guards.
t
(c) Hours agreements between employers and trade-unions to be capable of appli
cation to the trade concerned.
(d ) Systematic overtime to be discouraged, and unavoidable overtime to be paid
for at special rates.
W
a g e s
.
(а ) The establishment by legal enactment of minimum time rates of wages to be
of universal applicability.
(б) A commission to report within three months as to what these minimum rates
should be.
(c) Extension of the establishment of trade boards for less organized trades.
(d) Minimum time-rates agreements between employers and trade-unions to be
capable of application to all employers engaged in the trade falling within the scope
of the agreement.
(e) The Wages (Temporary Regulation) Act, 1918, to continue for a further period
of six months from May 21, 1919.
(/) Trade conferences to be held to consider how war advances and bonuses should
be dealt with, and, in particular, whether they should be added to the time rates
or piecework prices or should be treated separately as advances given on account
of the conditions due to the war.
R
e c o g n it io n
o f
,
a n d
N
B
e g o t ia t io n s
a n d
W
e t w e e n
,
o r k p e o p l e
O
r g a n iz a t io n s
o f
E
m pl o y e r s
.
(а) The basis of negotiation between employers and workpeople should be full
and frank acceptance of employers’ organizations and trade-unions as the recognized
organizations to speak and act on behalf of their members.
(б) Members should accept the jurisdiction of their respective organizations.
(c) Employers’ organizations and trade-unions should enter into negotiations for
the establishment of machinery or the revision of existing machinery for the avoid
ance of disputes, with provision for a representative method of negotiation in questions
in which the same class of employers or workpeople are represented by more than
one organization respectively, and for the protection of employers’ interests where
members of trade-unions of workpeople are engaged in positions of trust or confi
dentiality, provided the right of such employees to join or remain members of any
trade-union is not thereby affected.
U
n e m p l o y m e n t
.
(1) P re ve n tio n o f u n e m p lo y m e n t.
(а ) Organized short time has considerable value in periods of depression. The
joint representatives bodies in each trade afford convenient machinery for controlling
and regulating short time.
(б) Government orders should be regulated with a view to stabilizing employment.
(c) Government housing schemes should be pressed forward without delay.
('d ) Demand for labor can be increased by State development of new industries.
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(2 ) M a in te n a n c e o f u n e m p lo y e d w o r k p e o p le .
(e )
Normal provision for maintenance during unemployment should be more
adequate and of wider application, and should be extended to under-employment.
(/) Unemployed persons, and particularly young persons, should have free opportu
nities of continuing their education.
(g ) The employment of married women and widows who have young children
should be the subject of a special inquiry.
(h) The age at which a child should enter employment should be raised beyond
the present limit.
( i ) Sickness and infirmity benefits and old-age pensions require immediate investi
gation, with a view to more generous provision being made.
N
a t io n a l
I
n d u s t r ia l
C
o u n c il
.
(a ) A permanent National Industrial Council should be established to consider and
advise the Government on national industrial questions.
( b ) I t should consist of 400 members, 200 elected by employers’ organizations and
200 by trade-unions.
(c) The Minister of Labor should be president of the council.
(<d ) There should be a standing committee of the council numbering 50 members,
and consisting of 25 members elected by and from the employers’ representatives
and 25 by and from the trade-union representatives on the council.
The conference held its resumed meeting April 4, 1919, as planned.
After a full joint discussion of the committee’s report, the two sec
tions of the conference went into separate session for a more special
ized consideration of the recommendations. When they met again
in joint session, Mr. Arthur Henderson introduced a resolution agree
ing to submit the report for acceptance to their constituent organi
zations upon the Government’s official announcement of its readiness
to carry it into effect. The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Attached to the report but not a part of it was a memorandum
submitted by the trade-union representatives on the joint com
mittee and signed by Mr. Arthur Henderson who also signed the
draft report. In the memorandum the fundamental causes of indus
trial unrest, as the trade-unionists see them, are outlined and remedies
suggested, and the statement is made that unless some constructive
policy is adopted which will place industry on a more democratic
basis the diminution of industrial unrest will be only temporary.
This conference consisting as it did of representatives of the
various Whitley councils, National Alliance of Employers and
Employed, Federation of British Industries, Parliamentary Com
mittee of the Trade-Union Congress, of employers’ associations and
trade-unionists was unique in that it was a pioneer effort of its kind—
the first conference made up of the representatives of the greater
part of industry. Several of the largest and most powerful tradeunions, however, were not represented on the joint committee.
Delegates from the “ Triple Alliance” (railway men, miners, and
transport workers) abstained from voting and many of the Amalga
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mated Society of Engineers did likewise because they had received
no instructions to agree to the plan of the joint committee. The
railway men attended the meeting of the conference on April 4,1919,
but the miners and transport workers decided not to take part in the
resumed conference.
The recommendations of the committee would mean much to the
strongly organized trades in that they would secure the full recog
nition of trade-unions in all industries. But it is among the less
organized trades that its recommendations would be especially
effective. The provisions for a 48-hour week, the general extension
of trade boards, special rates of pay for overtime, and the right of
maintenance for unemployment extended to underemployment,
would all mean a great gain to workers unable through lack of
organization to protect their own interests.
It is generally expected that Parliament will accept the report and
that immediate steps will be taken to organize the permanent
National Industrial Council. If this is done and the Government,
labor, and capital cooperate promptly in carrying out the rest of the
committee’s program it will be a step forward in industrial rela
tions, the influence of which can not at present be estimated.
According to the report, it is the opinion of the committee that
the permanent National Industrial Council should unify and direct
the existing means of dealing with industrial unrest rather than
displace them. It should be an elective body, the method of elec
tion to be “ determined by each side for itself, subject to two con
ditions—first, that the members must be representative of organi
zations, not of individual employers or workpeople; and, second,
that the organizations concerned adopt such a method of election or
appointment that their nominees can be regarded as fully representa
tive.” The committee also believes that if the council is effectively
to perform its functions as an advisory body to the Government it
should receive Government recognition as the authoritative source
of information and advice regarding questions affecting industry
as a whole.
The constitution provides that the standing committee of the
council shall take such action as is necessary to carry out the objects
of the council; shall consider “ questions referred to it by the council
or the Government and shall report to the council its decisions.”
It shall meet at least once a month and shall be empowered to choose
representatives of any trade not directly represented upon it for the
consideration of any question affecting that trade.
Appendix II of the report contains a provisional scheme for tradeunion representation on the National Industrial Council.
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109
INTERIM REPORT OF THE BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY COMMISSION.
In January, 1919, the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain pre
sented to the Government claims for a readjustment of their posi
tion, covering four points. They asked for a 30 per cent increase in
wages, together with a retention of the war bonus which had been
given in recognition of the rise in the cost of living; a reduction of
the working day to six hours; certain specified provisions for de
mobilized miners; and the nationalization of the coal mines.
To this the Government replied by offering an increase in wages
of one shilling a day to meet the increase in the cost of living since
the last wage adjustment; this would maintain the real value of
their wages, which was all the Government was prepared to do
offhand. Furthermore, the claims for an increase in real value of
wages, for shorter hours, and for the nationalization of the mines
were so important in regard to their probable effect on the industrial
position of the country and the daily life of the entire community,
including the miners themselves, that they ought not to be granted
without investigation. The Government therefore proposed to set
up a committee of inquiry, for which the miners should nominate
their own representatives, to inquire into the matters raised and the
position of the coal trade generally. As to demobilized miners,
‘'the considered view of the Government is that it is impossible to
give to the miners on demobilization different terms from those
which are applied to all the other workmen of the country.” This
reply was submitted to the miners’ representatives February 10,
1919.
The miners found this reply unsatisfactory. They were not
willing merely to maintain their position; they intended to improve
it. They pointed out that they had had no increase in real wages
since the outbreak of the war. While the war lasted they had re
frained from any attempt to secure a real advance, but now that it
was over they would not be satisfied with anything less than an im
provement in their standard of living. They believed that the
economies possible under unified control would make it easily practi
cable to give the advance they demanded without increasing the
cost of coal to the consumer. But the increased wage was only one
item in their program for a better standard of living; they wanted
the shorter hours, and more than all they wanted a real share in
the determination of working conditions and of management. They
looked with open suspicion on the offer of a committee of inquiry,
regarding it as a mere pretext for indefinite delay. Consequently,
following the receipt of the Government’s reply, a strike ballot was
prepared and sent out, the question being whether the Government’s
offer should be accepted or whether the miners should strike on
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110
March 15, 1919, to enforce their full demands. The Miners’ Fed
eration has about 750,000 members; the vote stood 611,998 in favor
of striking and 104,997 against.
In the meantime, even while the vote was being taken, earnest
efforts were being made to reach some ground of agreement which
would prevent the strike. The Government felt strongly that no
wise decision could be given on such far-reaching demands without
an inquiry into the actual situation, but they were willing to give
guarantees that the inquiry should not be used to delay matters un
duly. A compromise was at last agreed upon by which the execu
tives of the Miners’ Federation were to recommend a postponement
of the strike date to March 22, provided, first, that the commission
to be appointed should render an interim report on hours and wages
by March 20, and, second, that the miners should choose half the
members of the commission. The bill authorizing such a commis
sion was hastily passed and received the royal assent February 26.
The terms of reference authorized inquiry into the position of, and
conditions prevailing in, the coal industry. In particular the com
mission was to inquire into:
(a)
The wages and hours of work in the various grades of colliery workers, and
whether, and, if so, to what extent, and by what method, such wages should be in
creased and hours reduced, regard being had to a reasonable standard of living amongst
the colliery workers, and to the effect of such changes on the economic life of the
country.
(&) Any inequalities between different grades of colliery workers as regards wages,
hours of work, and other conditions, and whether, and, if so, to what extent any of
these inequalities are unjustifiable and capable of remedy.
(c) The cost of production and distribution in the coal industry, or any industry
commonly carried on in connection therewith or as ancillary or incidental thereto,
and the general organization of the coal field and the industry as a whole.
(d ) Selling prices and profits in the coal industry, or any industry commonly car
ried on in connection therewith or as ancillary or incidental thereto.
(e) The social conditions under which colliery workers carry on their industry.
(/) Any scheme that may be submitted to or formulated by the commissioners for
the future organization of the coal industry, whether on the present basis, or on the
basis of joint control, nationalization, or any other basis.
(g) The effect of the present incidence of, and practice in regard to, mining royal
ties and way leaves upon the coal industry and the cost of coal, and whether any and
what changes in these respects are desirable.
(h) The effect of proposals under the above heads upon the development of the
coal industry and the economic life of the country.1
The commission was also given power to summon witnesses, to
compel the production of figures and documents, and to do whatever
was necessary to obtain full information as to the real situation of
the coal industry.
‘Great Britain.
Laws, s t a t u t e s ,
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e tc .
C o a l I n d u s t r y C o m m is s io n A c t ,
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1919.
L ondon,
1919.
pp. 1,2.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Ill
The commission was appointed at the end of February, its per
sonnel being as follows: Chairman: Mr. Justice Sankey; representa
tives of employers in general: Arthur Balfour, Sir Arthur Duckham,
and Sir Thomas Hoyden; representatives of the mine owners: J. T.
Forgie, R. W. Cooper and Evan Williams; representatives of labor,
in general: Sir Leo Chiozza Money, Sidney Webb, and R. H. Tawney; representatives of the miners: Robert Smillie, Frank Hodges,
and Herbert Smith.
The hearings held by the commission were fully reported in the
daily press, and the evidence brought forward aroused much atten
tion and apparently produced an impression favorable to the miners.
On March 20 not one but three interim reports were handed in, signed
respectively by the chairman and the three representatives of em
ployers in general, the representatives of the mine owners, and the
representatives of the miners and of labor in general.1
The mine owners recommended an increase in wages of Is. 6d.
(36.5 cents) per day and a reduction of the statutory day to seven
hours below ground and eight hours for surface workers, to begin
July 1, 1919, holding that this is all that the industry can endure
“ without seriously affecting our home industries, which are depend
ent upon our coal supply.” This report is based solely upon the ex
isting status, and does not contain any discussion of whether, under
a different system of management, greater concessions may not be
possible.
The representatives of the miners and of labor generally recom
mended granting the original demands of the miners, except as to
the special treatment of demobilized miners, on which point they
were willing to yield entirely. They pointed out that the six-hour
day asked for means six hours “ at the face,” i. e., actual working
time, not including the time spent in getting down the shaft and to
their places in the mine, so that their six-hour day really means from
seven to eight hours underground. A considerable portion of the
report is devoted to a discussion of the necessity for nationalizing
the mines as a means of making possible the improvement in living
conditions asked by the miners. Emphasis is placed on the waste
and extravagance of the present system of individual ownership,
whereby the management of the 3,300 mines of England is vested in
1,500 separate commercial enterprises. The report states that uni
fied management is a prerequisite to economical and efficient admin
istration and that nationalization is the only practical means of
1 G reat B r ita in .
C o a l I n d u s t r y C o m m is s io n .
C o a l I n d u s t r y C o m m i s s i o n A c t , 1919.
I n te r im rep o rt b y
t h e H o n o r a b l e M r. J u s t i c e S a n k e y ( c h a i r m a n ) , M r. A r t h u r B a l f o u r , S ir A r t h u r D u c k h a m , a n d S ir T h o m a s
R o y d e n , M a r c h 2 0 ,1 9 1 9 .
L o n d o n , 1919.
14 p p .
C m d . 84.
R e p o r t b y M e ssr s. R . S m illie , F r a n k H o d g e s,
a n d H e r b e r t S m i t h , S ir L e o C h io z z a M o n e y , M e s s r s . R . H . T a w n e y a n d S i d n e y W e b b .
L o n d o n , 1919.
lia m s .
20 p p .
C m d . 85.
L o n d o n , M a r c h 2 0 ,1 9 1 9 .
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M a r c h 2 0 ,1 9 1 9 ,
I n t e r im r e p o r t b y M e ssr s. R . W . C o o p er, J. T . F o r g ie , a n d E v a n W il
8 pp.
C m d . 86.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
securing unified management, as it is incredible that public sentiment
would support the formation of a trust, privately owned, which
should control the entire coal supply of the Kingdom. The commis
sion, it is admitted, had not had time to come to any opinion upon
plans and methods of nationalization, but it is urged that the princi
ple be recognized.
The report signed by the chairman and the representatives of em
ployers in general recommended a shortening of the statutory day
underground to seven hours, beginning July 16, 1919, with a further
reduction to six hours July 13, 1921, provided the economic condi
tion of the industry should justify it. It recommended also an in
crease in wages of 2s. (48.7 cents) per day for adults and Is. (24.3
cents) for workers under 16, which is roughly two-thirds of the in
crease asked for by the men. The report points out that this will
mean the distribution of an additional sum of £30,000,000 ($145,995,000) per annum as wages among the colliery workers, and that
this advance can be made, it is believed, without raising the cost of
coal to the consumer.
The methods by which the increase is to be met are gone into in
some detail. The reduction of the day by one hour will, it is esti
mated, mean a falling off in production of 10 per cent for the six
months of 1919 during which it is in effect, representing a money
loss of £13,000,000 ($63,264,500), which, added to the increase in
wages, makes £43,000,000 ($209,259,500) to be raised. In part this
is to be met by limiting the coal owners’ profits to Is. 2d. (28.4 cents)
per ton of coal raised. This will give the owners, on a basis of an
output of 250,000,000 tons, a profit of about £15,000,000 ($72,997,500), and the difference between this and the £54,000,000 ($262,791,000) which they would have received on the basis of the present
hours and wages is £39,000,000 ($189,793,500). This leaves £4,000,000 ($19,466,000) to be made up, and in addition to this another loss
must be faced. It is regarded as certain that the present price of
coal exported to neutrals can not be maintained, and the falling off
from this source is estimated at about £9,000,000 ($43,798,500),
making a total deficit of £13,000,000 ($63,264,500). This must be
made up by various methods. The miners have pledged themselves
to do their best to secure good production, and it is suggested that
the owners can introduce improved methods of coal getting and
more economical methods of management and distribution, which
will materially reduce the cost.
Wages and hours were the only subjects on which a report had been
promised by March 20, but the chairman’s report goes further. The
commission, it states, should continue the plan of making interim
reports.
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113
When this commission meets again it ought, in our opinion, to continue to make
interim reports with suggestions as to the different ways in which economies and
improvements in the coal industry can be effected, and power should be given under
which these reports could be immediately acted upon. * * *
I t is suggested that the best method of proceeding would be to make these reports
as rapidly as possible and at short intervals, so that at the end of a period, say, of six
months, it would be seen after due trial whether these suggestions are worthy of being
permanently adopted in the act of Parliament, which must eventually be sought to
secure the reorganization of the industry.
As the last sentence indicates, the chairman and the three members
signing his report look forward to some change in the manner of
managing the mines, though they are not yet prepared to say what
this shall be. They are emphatic, however, in their view that the
testimony already heard makes it apparent that the present system
is unsatisfactory.
Even upon the evidence already given, the present system of ownership and work
ing in the coal industry stands condemned and some other system must be substituted
for it, either nationalization or a method of unification by national purchase and/or
by joint control. * * *
No sufficient evidence has as yet been tendered, and no sufficient criticism has as
yet been made, to show whether nationalization or a method of unification by
national purchase and/or by joint control is best in the interests of the country and its
export trade, the workers, and the owners.
We are not prepared to report now, one way or the other, upon evidence which is
at present insufficient, and after a time which is wholly inadequate. * * *
We are prepared, however, to report now that it is in the interests of the country
that the colliery worker shall in the future have an effective voice in the direction
of the mine. For a generation the colliery worker has been educated socially and
technically. The result is a great national asset. Why not use it?
We are further prepared to report now that the economies which should be effected
by improved methods would be in the interests of the country, and should result in
the industry yielding even better terms for the colliery workers than those which
we are at present able to recommend, and at the same time yielding a fair and just
return to the capital employed.
We think that the result of the colliery workers having an effective voice in the
direction of the mine, coupled with the better terms just referred to, will enable
them to reach a higher standard of living, to which, in our view, they are entitled,
and which many of them do not now enjoy.
We think nothing but good can come from public discussion between workers and
owners, and also from private deliberations between them. There has been too much
secrecy in the past.
The signers of this report rather apologize for including one further
subject, which they had not expected to touch upon in the promised
interim report, but which they feel is so urgent that public attention
should be drawn to it at once:
Evidence has been placed before the commission as to the housing accommodation
of the colliery workers in various districts. Although it is true that there is good
housing accommodation in certain districts, there are houses in some districts which
are a reproach to our civilization. No judicial language is sufficiently strong or
sufficiently severe to apply to their condemnation.
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It is a matter for careful consideration whether a penny per ton should not at once
be collected on coal raised, and applied to improve the housing and amenities of each
particular colliery district. A penny per ton on our present output means about
£1,000,000 [$4,866,500] per year.
Upon the receipt of these three reports the Government adopted
that signed by the chairman and the representatives of employers in
general as embodying in the main the terms it was willing to make
with the miners. They added to it the proviso that the increase in
wages should be retroactive to January 9,1919, the date at which the
miners' claims for an advance were first laid before the Government,
and the promise that the commission would be continued and would
bring in a report on nationalization by May 20. The executive of
the Miners' Federation reported these terms back to the members
of the federation, with a strong recommendation that they should be
accepted. At the conference of the Miners’ Federation, held April 16,
it was announced that the ballot on the Government’s terms stood as
follows: For acceptance, 693,004; against acceptance, 76,992. In
accordance with the agreement, therefore, the Coal Commission has
resumed its sittings, and is considering the question of nationalization.
WHITLEY COUNCIL PLAN APPLIED TO BRITISH GOVERNMENT DEPART
MENTS.1
A draft scheme has recently been approved by the British War
Cabinet, providing for the application of the Whitley industrial
council plan to all Government departments having industrial
establishments, such as the War Office, Admiralty, Office of Works,
Ministry of Labor, etc. The proposed scheme has for its basis the
setting up of two types of councils :
(1) A departmental joint council in each department having
industrial establishments, composed of responsible officials appointed
by the department, a representative of the Ministry of Labor, and
representatives of the trade-unions having members employed in
the various establishments belonging to the department.
It is not possible to formulate a definite list of matters with which these depart
mental councils will deal. This will be settled by joint action, and by the experience
of the councils. Among the subjects coming within their scope, however, will usually
be those involving the common interests of all the employees of the department,
such as the consideration of the general principles laid down in the department’s
establishments, for the treatment of disciplinary questions, general organization and
management, accommodation and working conditions, welfare, education and tech
nique, etc. In addition an important work of these councils or of the trade joint
council will be the consideration and provision of machinery for the ventilation and
avoidance of grievances.
iD ata taken from British Labor Gazette (London) for March, 1919 (pp 81, 82).
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(2) A trade joint council, composed of the representatives of the
departments employing the particular class of labor, and represent
atives of the unions in the trades concerned, to deal with wages
and other matters usually settled on a trade basis. I t is proposed
that the Treasury and the Ministry of Labor shall be represented
on these trade councils.
The draft scheme provides for local machinery by way of one or more
of the following types of committee: (a) Works or yard committee;
(b) department committee (covering a department, including several
shops, of a works or yard); (c) trade committee (covering a trade
or group of trades normally acting together on trade matters);
(d) shop committee.
I t is suggested that one of the early duties of the department and
trade joint councils will be to arrange for the setting up of these
bodies. The procedure of these committees is thus described in the
British Labor Gazette for March, from which this account is drawn:
PROCEDURE.
Following the lines which have been indicated above, a question which arises
in a shop would, according as it was of (a) a general, or ( b ) a trade character, be dealt
with as follows:
(a) A g en era l q u e s tio n .—For example, a question of welfare, a question of discipline,
etc. If not capable of settlement between the workman or workmen concerned
(with the assistance of the secretary of the shop committee or other shop steward)
and the foreman, the question would be discussed by the shop committee in meeting
with the representatives of the management or by the secretary of the shop committee
and the shop superintendent or other official. If it could not be thus settled the ques
tion would be referred to the works committee for discussion, and if possible, settle
ment with the representatives of the management, or possibly the secretary of the
works committee himself might be able to settle the matter with the management.
If a solution could not be arrived at on the works committee, the question would be
referred to the departmental council.
In large works it may be found necessary to establish an intermediate committee
between the shop and works committees, i. e., a departmental committee, on which
the procedure will be similar, and where settlement of certain questions may be
achieved.
(b ) A trade q u e s tio n .—For example, a question of wages, etc. If not capable of
settlement between the workman or workmen concerned (with one or more of their
trade representatives in the shop) and the foreman, the question would be referred
to the trade committee or its secretary for negotiation with the works management.
If the question could not be so settled the district representative (or representatives)
of the union (or unions) would take part in or wholly take over the negotiations;
if a settlement could not then be agreed upon the matter would be referred to the
trade joint council.
I t is important to recognize that, in dealing with trade questions,
many of the most important trade-unions have district organizations
as an integral part of their structure, and that it is the practice for
the district officials to negotiate with the management of all works
(including Government establishments) in their district, on matters
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affecting the district rate of wages or other district arrangements.
Provision has, therefore, been made above, that in the progress of a
trade question from the shop upwards to the trade joint council the
position of the district organization of the trade-union should, where
it exists, be recognized.
At a meeting of men and women delegates from the departments
concerned held on February 20, 1919, a resolution was passed adopting
the scheme as presented by the Minister of Labor and recommending
the creation of a standing arbitration council, or other suitable body, to
which cases in which theTreasury or the employing departments are not
prepared to approve and adopt a recommendation of a joint council
could be referred. A provisional committee of 20 members from the
engineering, shipbuilding, building, miscellaneous trades, and general
labor was appointed to draft, in cooperation with the Treasury,
Admiralty, War Office, Ministry of Munitions, Air Ministry, Office
of Works, and Ministry of Labor, the constitutions of the various
departmental and trade joint councils.
SUGGESTIONS AS TO FUNCTIONS AND CONSTITUTION OF DISTRICT
COUNCILS AND OF WORKS COMMITTEES.
The August, 1918, issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w (pp. 76-79)
contained a reprint of a circular (H. Q. 7A), put out by the British
Ministry of Labor, giving suggestions as to functions and constitution
of a national joint industrial council. Following its plan to make the
industrial council scheme as widely known as possible in order that
employers and employees may thoroughly understand the results in
tended to be effected by such organizations, the Ministry of Labor
prepared two additional circulars, one (H. Q. 7L) giving suggestions
as to functions and constitution of district councils of national joint
industrial councils, and the other (H. Q. 7K) giving suggestions as to
functions and constitution of works committees in industries in which
national joint industrial councils are established. These three circu
lars were, in January, 1919, issued as one pamphlet and put out by
the Ministry of Labor as Industrial Reports, No. 4.
C O N S T IT U T IO N
AND
F U N C T IO N S O F D I S T R I C T
C O M M IT T E E S .
C O U N C IL S A N D
OF W ORKS
The suggestions as to constitution and functions of district councils
and of works committees are reproduced herewith:
D
is t r ic t
C
o u n c il s
.
The Whitley report states that:
The National Joint Industrial Council should not be regarded as complete in itself:
What is needed is a triple organization—in the workshops, the districts, and nationally.
Moreover, it is essential that the organization at each of these stages should proceed on
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a common principle, and that the greatest measure of common action between them
should be secured. With this end in view, we are of opinion th at the following pro
posal should belaid before the National Joint Industrial Councils. That district councils
representative of the trade-unions and of employers’ associations in the industry should
be created or developed out of the existing machinery for negotiation in the various
trades.
It is clear that the Whitley report contemplates wherever possible th at the joint
industrial council should be established in the first instance, and that this national
council should as soon as possible consider the question of the formation of district
councils. In almost all the constitutions of joint industrial councils hitherto sub
mitted to the Minister of Labor, the following appears among the more specific objects
of the joint industrial council:
The consideration of the proposal for district councils as put forward in the Whitley
report, having regard in each case to any such organization as may already be in
existence.
At the request of several of the joint industrial councils already formed, the Ministry
of Labor has drawn up the following memorandum on the constitution and functions
of district councils, which is to be regarded as putting forward not hard-and-fast rules,
but suggestions which may serve as a basis for discussion when the question of district
councils is being considered by joint industrial councils. The underlying principle
of the Whitley report is that the constitution and functions not only of the joint in
dustrial council but also of the district councils should be left to be determined by the
industries themselves in accordance wTith their special conditions and circumstances.
A.-—FUNCTIONS OF DISTRICT COUNCILS.
The main functions of district councils would be as follows:
1. To consider any matters that may be referred to them by the National Joint
Industrial Council, and to take executive action within their district in connection
with decisions arrived at and matters deputed to them by it.
2. To make recommendations to the National Joint Industrial Council.
3. To consider any matters of interest to their district, including matters referred
to them by works committees, and to take executive action with regard to matters
that affect only their particular district, subject to the right of the national council to
veto any such action if it be found to involve the interests of other districts.
The following may be regarded as among the more specific functions falling under
this head (No. 3):
(a) The regular consideration of hours, wTages, and working conditions, including
the codification, unification, and amendment of working rules relating to holidays,
juvenile labor, overtime, the shift system, etc. (N. B.—Special attention is called
to the fact that no executive action should be taken upon these matters if such action
is likely to involve the interests of other districts. In any cases of doubt, the district
council should consult the national council before taking action.)
(b ) The coordination of local workshop practice.
(c) General district matters relating to welfare work.
(d ) The provision of facilities for the full consideration and utilization of inventions,
and any improvement in machinery or method, and for the adequate safeguarding of
the rights of the designers of such improvements, and to secure that such improvement
or invention shall give to each party an equitable share of the benefits (financially or
otherwise) arising therefrom.
(e) The i mprovement of health conditions obtaining in the industry and the pro
vision of special treatment, where necessary, for workers in the industry.
(/) The supervision of entry into, and training for, the industry and cooperation
with the educational authorities in arranging education in all its branches for the
industry.
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(g ) The arrangement of lectures and the holding of conferences in the district on
subjects of general interest to the industry.
4. Cooperation with the district councils for other industries to deal with problems
of common interest.
5. Where no adequate machinery exists for the settlement of differences between
different parties and sections of the industry, to consider any such differences as can
not be settled within an individual factory .or workshop, and to refer to the national
council any such matters upon which the district council fails to come to a decision.
B .— CONSTITUTION OP DISTRICT COUNCILS.
1. A r e a s o f d is tr ic t c o u n c ils .—I t would clearly be the work of the National Joint
Industrial Council in consultation with the existing local associations to define the
suitable areas to be covered by district councils. I t is suggested that a district
council should not cover a larger area than is compatible with decentralized action.
2. M e m b e rsh ip .—The council shall consist o f-------- members, appointed as to onehalf by associations of employers and as to the other half by trade-unions. Members
of the national council shall be ex officio members of the district council in their area.
A s s o c ia tio n s o f e m p lo y e r s.
N o . o f re p re s e n ta tiv e s.
(1)
(2 )
(3)
&c.
Total
T ra d e -u n io n s .
(1)
(2)
(3)
&c.
Total
(N. B.—When the question of membership is under consideration the national
council will have to consider carefully the question of linking up district councils
with works committees, if and when such exist. Provision might be made in the
constitution for a certain proportion of members of the district council to be represen
tatives elected from a conference of works committees if and when a sufficient number
of works committees are set up within the area of the district council. The national
council should also consider the advisability of linking up the district councils with
the local advisory committees appointed by the Ministry of Labor to advise the local
employment exchanges, especially on matters connected with demobilization.)
3. R e a p p o in tm e n t .—The representatives of the said associations and trade-unions
shall retire annually and shall be eligible for reappointment by their respective
associations and unions. Casual vacancies shall be filled by the association con
cerned, which shall appoint a member to sit until the end of the current year.
4. C o m m itte e s .—The district council may delegate special powers to any committee
it appoints. The reports of all committees shall be submitted to the district council
for confirmation, except where special powers have been delegated to the committee,
and the district council shall have power to appoint on committees, or to allow com
mittees to coopt such persons of special knowledge, not being members of the council,
as may serve the special purposes of the district council.
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5. O fficers. —I t might be advisable under this head to follow the method adopted
in the constitution of the corresponding National Joint Industrial Council.
6. M e e tin g s o f the d is tr ic t c o u n c il .—The ordinary meetings of the district council
shall be held as often as necessary and not less than once a quarter. The annual
meeting shall be held at least 14 days before the annual meeting of the National
Joint Industrial Council. A special meeting of the council shall be called within
-------- days of the receipt of a requisition from one-third of the members of the council.
The matters to be discussed at such meetings shall be stated upon the notice summon
ing the meeting.
7. V o tin g .—The voting, both in council and in the committees, shall be by show
of hands or otherwise, as the district council may determine. No resolution shall be
regarded as carried unless it has been approved by a majority of members present
on each side of the district council.
8. Q u o r u m .—The quorum shall b e -------- members on each side of the council.
9. F in a n c e . —I t might be advisable to adopt the method laid down in the constitu
tion of the corresponding National Joint Industrial Council.
10. M in u te s .—Copies of the minutes of all meetings of district councils shall be for
warded to the joint secretaries of the national council within one week of the meeting.
N
o t e
.
T he re la tio n o f d is tr ic t c o u n c ils to the N a tio n a l J o in t I n d u s tr ia l C o u n c il a n d to the
G o v e r n m e n t.
The functions and constitution of district councils shall be submitted to the national
council for their approval, and copies of such constitutions and the membership of
the various district councils should be sent by the National Joint Industrial Council
to the Ministry of Labor.
Any communications addressed to Government departments by district councils
must not be sent direct, but through the national industrial council.
W
o r k s
C
o m m it t e e s
.
The differing circumstances of different industries make it impossible to devise any
scheme suitable to every industry. Again, the type of works committee suitable will
vary with the size of the firm and the form taken by organization among the employees.
In preparing a scheme, therefore, the machinery outlined in the following suggestions
may require to be adapted in greater or less degree if the general objects for which
works committees are recommended are to be attained. These general objects are:
1. That the workpeople should be given a wider interest in, and greater responsi
bility for, the conditions under which their work is performed.
2. That the regulations contained in collective agreements drawn up by district
and national authorities be enforced in the works.
3. That friction and misunderstanding be prevented so far as possible.
The attainment of these objects demands the establishment of recognized means
for consultation between management and workpeople. At the same time anything
that is done—whether or not it is embodied in the works rules drawn up by the works
committee—must be consistent with the principles of the collective agreements
accepted by the district and national authorities. For this reason steps should be
taken to secure the closest possible connection between the works committee and the
district and national councils.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
CONSTITUTION.
(1)
The works joint committee shall be composed of (a) representatives of the
workpeople and (b) representatives of the management.
In considering questions of membership it will be found more convenient to treat
(a) and (6) separately.
(a) W orkers, sid e o f j o i n t c o m m ittee.
(i) The number of representatives will vary with the size and the complexity of
the particular works. Some number from 5 to 12 is suggested as likely to suit most
circumstances.
(ii) The members of the workers side should be trade-union representatives.
The national and district councils are based solely upon the representation of
organizations. In the case of the works, in order to secure cohesion of policy as
between the works committee and the district and national councils, it is advisable
that the works committee should normally be based on a recognition of the work
people’s organizations.
But, in particular factories where the workmen are not strongly organized or where
the functions of the works committee are such as to require the presence of workers
who are not organized, it may be found necessary to depart from the principle laid
down above. In these circumstances, however, the shop stewards, or other tradeunion representatives in the works, should be consulted on all questions affecting
district or national agreements. Any deviation from the general scheme should be
adopted only after approval by the industrial council on a consideration of the merits
of the case.
(iii) The representation should normally be on the basis of departments, due
allowance being made for the various sections of workers engaged in any department,
In order that this may not sometimes necessitate a committee of unwieldy size,
it is suggested that for large or complex works the workers’ side of the joint committee
should be appointed by and from a larger body of workers’ representatives elected
from the various departments.1
(iv) The representatives should be appointed for a definite term of office—6 or at
most 12 months—and should be eligible for reelection.
(v) The election should be by ballot or by departmental (or sectional) meetings
especially convened for the purpose.
(vi) The workers’ side should appoint a chairman and a secretary.
(vii) On any representative leaving the employment of the firm or resigning his
position as member a successor shall be appointed in the ordinary way by the depart
ment or section concerned, to hold office for the remainder of the term.
(b) M a n a g e m e n t sid e o f j o i n t co m m itte e .
(1) Certain members of the managerial staff should form a constant nucleus of the
management side. (See (4) below.)
(ii) The number required for (i) will vary, but two, three, or four is suggested as a
suitable number.
To have an equal number of members on the two sides would in most works be
impracticable, and, in view of the suggested procedure, is unnecessary. (See, in
particular, paragraph (11) under Procedure below.)
(iii) This number should be made up of such individuals as a managing director,
the works manager, and, where there is such an official, the labor or welfare super
intendent.
(2) The joint committee will be composed of the individuals in (a ) (i) and (b ) (i)
coming together in joint meeting.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
121
(3) The joint committee should appoint a chairman and a vice chairman (one from
each side). Each side should appoint its own secretary.
(4) Either side shall have the right to add to its number representatives of the
particular departments or sections of departments affected by a question under dis
cussion and not directly represented on the committee. The addition shall be made
only for the period during which the question affecting the particular departments
or sections of departments is before the committee.
(5) The recognized district official of any trade-union or employers’ association
concerned may attend any meeting in an advisory capacity.
N o t e ( 1 ) . —I t may be found necessary to leave certain questions to be settled not
by the whole works committee, but by a subcommittee of it on which the workers’
representatives are drawn only from the particular department or section directly
concerned, for example, a piecework question in one department of a works which
is mainly on time work. The size of the works, also, is a factor which must be taken
into account in considering the need for subcommittees. In some instances depart
mental subcommittees and in others functional subcommittees (e . g ., a “ safety”
committee or a welfare committee) may best suit the circumstances. Even where
definite subcommittees are not arranged for, work of the same kind as these would
perform may often be carried out by consultation between the representatives of the
management and the secretary of the workers’ side along with the representatives
of a department.
N o t e (2).—In large works it will probably be found desirable to establish depart
mental committees, with a works committee representative of all the departments
chosen from the departmental committees. In such cases, the functions of the depart
mental committees will be confined to matters affecting the department only, whilst
the works committee will consider questions affecting more than one department or
the whole works. The workers’ side of a departmental committee should be so elected
as to give representation to each of the various sections of workers engaged in the
department.
PROCEDURE.
(1) Meetings of the joint committee shall be held at regular intervals of
weeks. The meetings shall be held during working hours.
(2) Special meetings of the joint committee shall be called at ---------hours’ notice
on a request on behalf of one side by its secretary to the secretary of the other side.
(3) The agenda of business shall be submitted by the secretaries to each member
of the committee at le ast-------- hours before a meeting, except in the case of special
meetings.
(4) No business other than that appearing on the agenda shall be transacted at any
meeting unless both sides agree to its introduction.
(5) When an individual workman desires to bring any question before the com
mittee he should report to his departmental or sectional representative, who in the
case of grievances shall endeavor to reach a settlement. Failing a settlement, the
representative shall inform the workers’ secretary. The latter shall endeavor to
arrange a settlement. Failing a settlement, the question shall come before the joint
committee.
(6) In the course of his duties the secretary of the workers’ side should have the
right to enter any department in the works, and the representative of any department
or section the right to enter the department in which the secretary is at work.
(7) Facilities should be provided for meetings of the workers’ side of the committee
in the works, normally after working hours or during meal hours.
(8) The workers’ representatives should be paid at their ordinary rate for time
spent at meetings of the joint committee.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
(9) Duplicate books of minutes should be kept, one by the secretary of each side
(10 Copies of the minutes of all meetings of the joint committee must be sent to
the secretaries of the district council within seven days of the date of meeting.
(11) Decisions shall be arrived at only by agreement between the two sides.
(12) In the event of any matter arising which the committee can not agree upon,
the officials of the trade-union or unions concerned shall negotiate with the firm or,
f desired, with the officials of the employers’ association. The question may there
after be referred by either side to the district council.
(13) The works committee shall not have any power to come to an aggrement
inconsistent with the powers or decisions of the district or national councils or with
any agreement between a trade-union and the employers’ association. Further, any
agreement come to by a works committee may at any time be superseded by the
district or national council or by agreement between a trade-union and the employers’
association.
FUNCTIONS.
The list of functions outlined below is not meant to be exhaustive. Almost every
industry has rules or customs which arise from the particular conditions under which
the work of the industry is carried on (e .g ., the payment of “ dirty money,” provision
of tools, allowances for working away from the works or from home, allowances on
standard district piece prices for deficiencies in material or machinery, etc.). In a
well-regulated industry many such matters will be subject to district or national
agreements, and the powers of a works committee will be limited in the same manner
as they will be in regard to the more general questions of district or national agreement
(standard rates, piece prices, normal hours, overtime, etc.). No attempt has been
made to include such questions as arise only in some industries, for which each national
council concerned will have to decide upon a method of regulation, including the
powers to be vested in works committees.
In regard to any function, the powers of a works committee will be controlled in
accordance with paragraph (13) under procedure.
(1) The issue and revision of works rules.
(2) The distribution of working hours, breaks, time recording, etc.
(3) The payment of wages (time, form of pay ticket, etc.), explanation of methods
of payment, the adjustment of piece prices, subject to district or national agreements,
records of piece prices, deductions, etc.
(4) The settlement of grievances.
(5) Holiday arrangements.
(6) Questions of physical welfare (provision of meals, drinking water, lavatories,
and washing accommodation, cloakrooms, ventilation, heating and sanitation, acci
dents, safety appliances, first aid, ambulance, etc.).
(7) Questions of discipline and conduct as between management and workpeople
(malingering, bullying, time keeping, publicity in regard ro rules, supervision of
notice boards, etc.).
(8) Terms of engagement of workpeople.
(9) The training of apprentices and young persons.
(10) Technical library, lectures on the technical and social aspects of the industry.
(11) Suggestions of improvements in method and organization of work, the testing
of suggestions.
(12) Investigation of circumstances tending to reduce efficiency or in any way to
interfere with the satisfactory working of the factory.
(13) Collections (for clubs, charities, etc.).
(14) Entertainments and sports.
(15) The provision of facilities for the workers’ side of the joint committee (or of
a departmental committee, if any) to conduct its own work.
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PRICES AND COST OF LIVING.
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD IN THE UNITED STATES.
There was an increase of 2 per cent in the retail price of 22 articles
of food combined in March, 1919, as compared with February, 1919,
for the United States as a whole. The greatest increases were shown
in onions, which were 40 per cent higher, and cabbage, which was 23
per cent higher than in the previous month. Butter shows an increase
of 16 per cent; and oranges, 14 per cent. Coffee and tea each in
creased 3 per cent during the month. The five cuts of fresh beef
which in February either remained stationary in price or declined
slightly, show for March a slight advance in price. Eighteen articles
declined in price during the month. Those articles having the largest
per cent of decrease are as follows: Navy beans, 9 per cent; evapo
rated milk and potatoes, 7 per cent each; rice, 6 per cent; eggs and
fresh milk, 5 per cent each.
A comparison of the year period shows an increase of 13 per cent
in March, 1919, as compared with March, 1918. Onions show the
greatest increase, or 50 per cent. Prunes show an increase of 27 per
cent; rib roast, 25 per cent; sirloin steak, round steak, and coffee,
24 per cent, each. Other articles which show an increase of 20 per
cent or over are: Butter, 20 per cent; plate beef, 21 per cent; and
chuck roast, 22 per cent. Bread was 7 per cent cheaper and navy
beans 31 per cent cheaper in March, 1919, than in March, 1918.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R I C E S A N D P E R C E N T O F I N C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E , M A R . 1 5 ,1 9 1 9 ,
C O M P A R E D W IT H
M A R . 15, 1918, A N D
F E B . 15, 1919.
Per cent of in
crease (+ ) or
decrease (—)
Mar. 15,1919,
compared with
Mar. 15. 1918,
and Feb. 15,
1919.
Average retail price.
m
Unit.
Article.
Mar. 15,
1918.
Feb. 15,
1919.
Cents.
Cents.
Pound —
.. .do..........
.. .do..........
.. .do..........
.. .do..........
33.8
31.8
26.8
23.2
18.2
41.2
38.8
32.6
27.9
21.9
Pork chops........ ................. ........................... __do..........
Bacon................................................................ .. .do..........
TTam.......... .................................. ................. .. .do..........
Lamb. ............ ..................... .......................... .do. __
TTens........ ...... .................................................. .do. __
33.9
48.8
44.1
__do..........
Q uart.......
(O
P ound___
do .......
29.5
13.4
Sirloin steak............................ ........................
RofiTid steak________________ _____. . . . . .
■Rib roast._________________________. . . . .
Chuck roast___________________ . . . . . . . . .
Plate beef................................... ...... . . . . . . . . .
Salmon, canned...............................................
Milk, fresh........................................................
Milk evaporateti (onsweetened)
B u tter...............................................................
Olenm argarin e .................................................
Nnt. margarine................................................. .do..........
Cheese............................................................... __do..........
L ard.................................................................. .do..........
Ori sco........................................... ..................
.do .......
Eggs, strictly fresh.......................................... Dozen......
55.2
35.1
33.2
44.3
Mar. 15, Mar. 15, Feb. 15,
1919.
1918.
1919.
Cents.
41.8
39.4
33.4
28.4
22.1
+24
+24
+25
+22
+21
+
+
+
+
+
1
2
2
2
1
37.9
55.3
51.8
36.4
39.6
38.6
54.9
51.4
38.0
41.1
+14
+13
+17
+
+
+
2
1
1
4
4
31.7
15.5
16.4
57.2
39.2
32.1
14.8
15.3
66.5
39.0
+ 9
+10
+ 1
- 5
- 7
+16
- 1
35.9
40.9
32.1
33.8
50.6
35.5
40.5
33.4
33.2
48.3
+20
+ 9
Bread................................................................
Flour, wheat.....................................................
Corn m eal.........................................................
Com flakes.......................................................
Cream of W heat____ __________________
Pound *...
Pound__
__do..........
8-oz. pkg..
28-oz. pkg.
10.5
6.6
7.2
9.8
6.7
6.0
14.1
25.1
9.8
6.8
5.9
14.1
25.1
- 7
+ 3
-18
Rice..................................................................
Beans, n av y .....................................................
Potatoes............................................................
Onions.......... ...................................................
Cabbage...........................................................
P ound__
.. .do..........
.. .do..........
.. .do..........
__do..........
12.0
18.1
2.5
4.0
14.3
13.7
3.1
4.3
4.3
13.4
12.5
2.9
6.0
5.3
+12
-31
+16
+50
18.6
19.6
19.2
17.0
10.7
18.1
19.3
19.0
16.4
10.6
68.4
36.6
20.3
16.2
35.0
46.8
70.4
37.6
20.9
16.4
36.6
53.2
Beans baked____
No. 2 can..
Corn can n ed
.do..........
Peas, carnieri .
.................................. . .do..........
Tomatoes canned.
.do..........
Sugar, granulated............................................ P ound__
T ea....................................................................
Coffee.................................................................
Prunes...............................................................
Raisins___ __________________ . . . . . . . . . . .
R an an a s __ - - ____________________
Oranges
, , . , ______________________
.. .do..........
.. .do..........
. . .do..........
. . .do..........
Dozen......
__do..........
All articles combined
115-16 ounce can.
1 Baked weight.
9.2
61.5
30.4
16.5
15.1
+
-
+15
+ 1
«
+ 1
- 2
(3)
(»)
- 6
- 9
- 7
+40
+23
-
+15
1
1
4
2
5
-
3
2
1
4
1
+14
+24
+27
+ 9
+ 3
+ 3
+ 3
+ 1
+ 5
+14
+13
+ 2
3 No change in price.
For the six-year period March, 1913, to March, 1919, all articles
of food combined show an increase of 80 per cent. Three articles
increased over 100 per cent; flour, 106 per cent; bacon, 110 per cent;
and lard, 114 per cent. All other articles show advances of 61 per
cent or over.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1350]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
125
AVERAGE R ETA IL PRICE AND P E R CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE, MAR. 15 OF
EACH SPEC IFIED YEAR COMPARED W ITH MAR. 15, 1913.
Per cent of increase (+ ) or de
crease (—) Mar. 15 of each
specific year compared with
Mar. 15, 1913.
Average retail price Mar. 15—
Article.
Unit.
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919
Cts.
Cts.
Sirloin steak..................
Round steak.................
Rib ro ast.......................
Chuck roast...................
Plate beef................... ..
P o u n d ..
.. .do......
__do___
...d o ......
.. .do......
24.6
21.3
19.3
15.6
11.7
25.4 24.6 26.2 29.5 33.8
23.0 22.1 23.3 26.7 31.8
19.9 19.5 20.6 23.3 26.8
16.9 16.0 16.5 19.3 23.2
12.4 12.2 12.4 14.6 18.2
Pork chops...................
Bacon............................
H am ............................. .
Lam b.............................
H ens...............................
.do......
.. .do.......
__do.......
__do..
__do.......
20.2 20.9
Salmon, canned.......... .
Milk, fresh.....................
MilkJ evaporated (un
sweetened).
B u tte r............................
Oleomargarine..............
Nut m argarine..............
Cheese............................
L ard...............................
.. -do......
Q uart...
C an.......
Crisco..............................
Eggs, strictly fresh.......
Bread.............................
Flour, w heat.................
Corn m eal......................
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
17.7 21.8 27.9 33.9
26.1 26.7 26.4 27.6 33.3 48.8
26.2 26.5 25.6 30.3 33.8 44.1
19.1 18.9 19.5 22.0 26.2 31.7
21.5 22.4 21.2 22.9 27.6
8.9
9.0
20.0 22.2 29.5
8.8 8.8 10.0 13.4
19.8
C ts.
41.8
39.4
33.4
28.4
22.1
+
+
+
+
+
3
8
3
8
6
0) + 7 +
+ 4 + 9+
+ 1 + 7+
+ 3 + 6+
+
+ 6+
20 +
25 +
21 +
24 +
25 +
37 +
49 +
39 +
49 +
56 +
38.6
54.9
51.4
38.0
41.1
+
+
+
+
3
2
1
1
4
+ 1
—2
+ 2
- 1
-12
38 +
28 +
29 +
37 +
28
68 + 91
87 +110
68 + 96
66 + 99
+ 91
32.1
14.8 + 1 - 1 - 1 + 12 + 51 + 66
15.3
Pound -. 41.4 35.1 35.9 40.2 46.1 55.2 66.5 -15
.. .do.......
39.0
__do.......
35.5
__do.......
23.2 25.0 32.3 35.1 40.5
__do....... 15.6 15.6 15.2 18.2 23.8 33.2 33.4 (Q
. . .do......
33.2
Dozen... 26.3 30.8 25.5 28.5 34.9 44.3 48.3 +17
P ound2. 5.6 6.2 7.1 7.2 8.1 9.5 9.8 + 11
Pound - - 3.3 3.3 4.4 3.9 5.7 6.6 6.8 C)
__do....... 3.0 3.1 3.3 3.2 4.1 7.2 5.9 + 3
Corn flakes.....................
Cream of W h eat...........
R ice................................
Beans, n a v y ..................
Potatoes.........................
Pound - __do.......
__do.......
Onions............................
Cabbage.........................
Beans, baked................
Corn, canned.................
Peas, canned.................
__do.......
__do.......
No. 2 can
__do.......
__do.......
Tomatoes, canned.........
Sugar, granulated.........
T ea. .'.T..........................
Coffee.............................
__do.......
P o u n d ..
__do.......
.. .do......
P runes............................
Raisins...........................
Bananas........................
Oranges........................ .
.. .do......
__do.......
Dozen...
.. .do......
1.5
5.4
1.9
5.1
- 3 +17 + 53 +113 +114
- 3 + 8+
+27 +29 +
+33 +18 +
+10 + 7 +
33 + 68 + 84
45 + 70 + 75
73 +100 +106
37 +140 +130
14.1
25.1
9.1 9.1 12.0 13.4
9.2 15.4 18.1 12.5
2.4 5.2 2.5 2-9 +27 - 7 +60 +247 + 67 + 93
3.3
4.5 12.5
4.0
6.0
5.3
18.1
19.3
19.0
16.4
6.6 7.4 8.7 9.2 10.6 - 6
54.6 54.6 54.6 61.5 70.4
29.9 29.9 29.9 30.4 37.6
+22
+37 + 61 + 70 + 96
13.7 13.3 14.1 16.5 20.9
12.5 12.6 14.1 15.1 16.4
36.6
53.2
All articles combined...
+ 2 + 1
+10 +
88-ounce package.
1 No change in price.
2 Baked weight.
114339°—19---- 9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-13 - 3 + 11 + 33 + 61
9.1
7.6
1.4
(3 ) .........
(<).........
+ 8+
+ 6+
+16 +
+15 +
+ 7+
70
85
73
82
89
* 28-ounce
[1351]
package.
36 + 57 + 80
126
RELATIVE R ETA IL PRICES OF T H E P R IN IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD IN THE UNITED STATES, JANUARY, 1913, TO MARCH, 1919.
Round
Year and month. Sirloin
steak. steak.
1813.......................
1914.......................
1915.......................
1916.......................
1917.......................
1918.......................
L1352]
January.........
February.......
March............
April..............
May................
Ju n e...............
July................
A ugust...........
September__
October.........
November__
December----
1914: Av. for year
January.........
February.......
March............
A pril..............
May................
J urie...............
Ju ly ................
August...........
September__
October.........
November__
December----
1915: Av. for year
January.........
February.......
March. .......
A pril..............
May................
Ju n e...............
July................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
100
108
124
153
106
103
DO
130
165
100
100
94
94
97
92
93
96
99
100
103
101
107
126
155
100
95
95
98
Chuck
roast.
100
104
101
108
131
166
100
93
93
98
100
100
100
100
91
92
96
99
102
101
101
102
106
103
104
104
100
100
102
103
103
105
106
109
113
103
105
108
105
104
103
103
103
105
106
109
108
106
104
103
104
104
103
101
100
99
99
103
106
110
107
103
100
101
101
100
98
97
99
101
103
105
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
104
104
104
104
102
102
110
107
105
103
103
102
100
99
100
103
105
107
100
101
101
102
102
101
101
101
100
99
100
101
103
103
103
103
W.02
102
102
102
101
101
99
98
98
101
103 < 103
104
103
100
106
130
170
101
100
100
115
101
102
102
102
102
100
101
Pork
chops. Bacon.
105
96
• 108
152
186
104
101
101
102
102
102
101
101
100
100
101
101
102
101
101
102
Plate
beef.
102
102
102
102
103
104
104
107
107
105
105
103
100
102
101
100
100
101
101
101
89
90
97
103
100
99
103
104
108
107
102
97
105
99
100
100
103
106
103
106
119
113
110
104
93
96
88
85
85
94
99
98
100
100
102
100
Ham.
100
102
106
152
196
97
109
142
178
100
100
94
95
97
99
93
94
97
99
99
Lard.
100
99
93
111
175
211
100
97
98
99
101
102
100
99
100
100
100
101
102
102
101
101
100
102
102
99
100
101
104
105
104
103
99
98
98
99
99
99
100
101
107
108
106
104
103
100
101
99
98
98
98
99
100
102
104
106
104
98
99
99
99
99
100
Hens.
100
102
134
177
99
109
139
165
94
93
103
127
151
100
100
100
95
97
100
104
104
103
102
101
101
100
107
108
108
106
94
92
91
92
98
100
112
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
112
125
156
99
99
99
99
104
93
92
97
94
89
94
98
98
103
103
99
93
102
100
104
105
108
106
103
103
104
103
93
97
97
97
96
96
90
95
93
100
101
100
95
97
99
98
97
121
144
138
102
129
98
74
75
76
78
81
100
101
104
94
86
85
88
101
98
94
94
91
90
90
Bread. Flour.
100
100
99
102
126
106
90
74
77
82
87
96
107
113
131
139
97
98
97
98
96
95
94
95
97
98
108
91
77
73
76
81
87
96
109
100
Milk.
100
101
102
102
100
102
102
101
100
100
100
100
100
100
101
101
101
102
100
100
B ut
ter.
100
102
97
111
99
99
99
98
97
97
99
99
98
99
97
103
108
108
105
Eggs.
126
130
164
172
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
112
100
104
126
135
211
203
100
100
100
100
100
101
101
101
100
100
100
100
99
98
98
98
98
98
98
100
102
105
99
126
126
99
99
99
98
98
126
126
126
128
126
126
111
112
124
138
136
137
139
130
125
100
108
89
155
253
188
104
98
99
99
99
99
99
98
106
113
Pota
toes.
105
108
113
192
227
103
104
104
113
120
100
99
99
99
114
114
114
116
101
100
Corn
meal.
91
90
88
87
91
104
no
no
109
106
107
106
108
104
103
103
103
103
103
103
105
109
109
109
107
108
108
107
105
108
109
89
109
109
109
10S
86
no
no
112
132
155
111
105
89
83
84
85
84
82
89
99
85
All
Sugar. articles
com
bined.
100
108
120
100
102
101
100
106
100
100
100
102
104
101
100
101
102
108
102
104
101
146
169
176
99
98
97
97
99
98
95
94
93
91
91
93
95
143
145
132
113
no
114
146
168
98
97
97
98
97
98
104
105
104
99
97
98
99
102
107
107
105
105
105
118
101
103
101
124
126
127
100
100
100
120
no
120
122
98
99
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
1813: Av. for year
100
102
101
Rib
roast.
104
103
102
101
100
103
102
101
99
99
101
101
99
98
98
103
107
110
99
87
100
100
101
101
101
98
97
99
100
100
89
88
91
92
92
88
101
117
133
135
88
88
92
95
101
99
99
100
100
100
126
124
124
124
124
124
117
113
113
114
108
108
108
107
107
82
79
94
97
106
123
118
111
119
124
1 916: A v . f o r y e a r
J a n u a r y .............
F e b r u a r y ..........
M a r c h .................
A p r i l ....................
M a y ......................
J u n e ......................
J u l y ......................
A u g u s t ...............
S e p t e m b e r ___
O c t o b e r .............
N o v e m b e r ____
D e c e m b e r ____
108
101
101
104
106
109
113
113
112
111
108
106
106
110
102
102
104
108
112
117
116
115
115
111
108
107
107
101
102
104
106
110
113
112
111
110
108
106
106
108
99
118
103
106
109
113
112
110
110
108
107
106
106
99
100
102
105
107
111
109
107
107
106
106
106
108
89
92
104
107
109
110
111
116
125
118
111
106
106
101
101
103
104
105
107
107
108
110
110
111
110
109
109
110
113
116
118
119
120
121
123
123
123
123
111
111
112
115
119
127
130
132
133
141
147
162
164
109
123
101
82
79
82
87
93
105
120
132
149
154
103
100
99
105
108
97
95
93
95
102
109
114
118
102
100
100
100
99
99
99
100
101
102
105
109
112
130
124
124
128
124
124
124
124
128
136
144
150
140
135
120
125
120
119
119
117
116
134
148
155
174
167
113
107
108
107
108
108
108
108
110
113
117
126
131
155
136
141
140
138
140
167
134
141
161
165
198
198
146
123
125
137
145
156
158
160
155
141
149
157
151
1917: A v . f o r y e a r
J a n u a r y .............
F e b r u a r y ..........
M a r c h .................
A p r i l ....................
M a y ......................
J u n e ......................
J u l y ......................
A u g u s t ...............
S e p t e m b e r ___
O c t o b e r .............
N o v e m b e r ____
D e c e m b e r ____
124
109
113
116
125
127
129
129
130
131
130
124
126
130
111
117
119
130
133
135
137
138
133
138
133
134
126
109
114
118
127
130
132
130
129
131
130
127
128
131
109
116
128
131
134
137
137
136
137
136
132
134
130
108
116
121
132
135
137
136
134
135
136
134
134
152
113
125
133
146
146
148
151
164
185
185
165
161
152
110
114
123
141
155
158
159
160
164
178
179
181
142
114
118
125
136
144
145
147
147
152
159
159
161
175
136
138
151
167
176
177
174
176
188
198
207
211
139
158
147
101
112
116
119
122
134
152
160
168
184
127
118
122
121
133
122
123
120
124
129
133
138
142
125
112
112
112
114
117
119
125
128
132
143
144
147
164
140
142
144
150
170
170
1761
182
176
176
176
166
211
171
171
174
206
266
246
220
229
223
214
208
205
192
132
136
137
154
178
182
195
219
272
232
235
235
253
225
290
297
339
352
366
246
206
172
178
183
178
169
146
148
160
175
183
170
166
181
179
177
174
172
1918: A v . f o r y e a r
J a n u a r y .............
F e b r u a r y ..........
M a r c h ..................
A p r i l ....................
M a y ......................
J u n e . ....................
J u l y ......................
A u g u s t ...............
S e p t e m b e r ___
O c t o b e r .............
N o v e m b e r ____
D e c e m b e r ____
153
129
131
133
144
157
168
166
163
164
161
159
159
1S5
137
141
143
155
170
182
181
178
178
175
173
171
155
130
133
135
148
161
169
168
165
165
163
162
161
166
138
142
145
159
174
184
182
177
178
174
172
171
170
142
146
150
164
181
188
185
179
181
178
175
174
186
163
160
161
170
175
177
180
201
220
216
206
197
196
180
179
181
183
187
191
194
200
208
214
216
217
178
162
163
164
166
170
173
181
180
193
193
195
198
211
208
209
210
209
208
206
206
209
213
216
216
216
177
165
195
177
128
123
123
123
142
155
170
186
215
235
151
148
151
144
132
133
133
137
141
155
170
174
190
156
151
151
151
148
148
146
149
153
161
166
173
176
172
166
166
168
172
174
174
174
174
174
172
172
172
203
200
200
200
200
200
203
203
206
206
203
203
203
227
233
233
240
237
233
223
223
227
230
227
217
213
188
188
188
147
129
129
171
229
229
229
206
194
188
176
173
193
167
165
165
165
167
169
175
193
196
196
1 919:
J a n u a r y .............
F e b r u a r y ..........
M a r c h .................
162
162
165
175
174
177
165
165
169
175
174
178
181
181
183
193
180
184
217
205
203
199
193
191
211
203
211
188
218
147
140
184
149
174
175
174
166
172
172
172
200
203
206
207
200
197
188
182
171
196
195
193
[1353]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
134
119
126
129
136
138
136
131
131
142
146
138
143
154
170
186
193
100
101
103
104
105
127
107
106
104
102
ioi
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
104
104
103
101
99 ;
A u g u s t ..........
S e p t e m b e r ___
O c t o b e r .............
N o v e m b e r ____
D e c e m b e r ____
128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F F O O D
( T h e p r ic e s s h o w n i n t h e t a b le s f o llo w in g a r e c o m p u te d fr o m r e p o r ts s e n t m o n t h ly t o t h e b u r e a u b y
m o n th to
Atlanta, Ga.
Article.
Baltimore, Md.
1919
Unit.
Mar., Mar Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
Feb. Mar.
C ts.
C ts.
Sirloin steak.................................
Round steak................................
Rib roast.......................................
Chuck roast...................................
Plate beef......................................
L b .. 2 2 . 6 24.3 26.6 31.4
L b.. 20.5 2 1 . 1 23.0 28.6
L b .. 18.4 18.6 20.7 23.9
L b.. 13.0 15.4 15.9 2 1 . 2
L b.. 1 1 . 1 9.5 1 1 . 8 17.1
38.8
36 2
30 8
26 1
B0 . 2
38.6
36.4
31.2
25.6
20.5
Pork chops....................................
Bacon, sliced.................................
Ham, sliced...................................
Lam b.............................................
Hens___ _________ ________
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
35.4
60 0
54 7
41 0
37 1
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
Feb. Mar.
C ts.
C ts.
43.9
43.2
34.6
30.6
24.4
44.3
43.5
35.3
30.5
24.4
36.9 19.3 18.4 25.8 34.3 39.2
59.6 2 2 . 0 23.6 28.8 44.6 49.9
53.5 30.0 29.0 38.0 48.2 57.2
40.6 18.3 18.5 26.5 33.7 38.2
36.8 2 1 . 8 2 0 . 8 27.8
43.9
38.4
49.0
57.2
38.8
44.9
Salmon, canned............................
Milk, fresh.....................................
Milk, evaporated (unsweetened).
B u tter. . *......................................
Oleomargarine..............................
18.0 24.2 28 0 28.1
18.3 25.6 29. 2
L b..
Q t . . 1 0 . 0 1 0 . 0 13.2 17.5 2 1 7 21.7 8.8 8.7 9.2 13.0 16.0
(!)
16J 15.9
16. 6
L b .. 42.4 38.1 47.5 58.4 60.0 68.9 42.1 37.4 48.6 58.3 61.3
40. 7 41.5
L b ..
36.6
29.2
15.0
15.1
N ut m argarine.............................
Cheese............................................
L ard...............................................
Grisco.............................................
Eggs, strictly fresh.......................
38 9
L b..
L b..
33.3 35.6 39 7
L b.. 14.8 15.3 23.3 33.9 33.8
L b ..
33 3
Doz. 20.9 28.2 28.6 42.6 44. 2
Cts.
Bread............................................. Lb 2 .
Flour............................................. L b..
Corn meal..................................... L b..
Corn flakes.................................... (3)
Cream of W h eat.......................... (<)
Rice...............................................
Beans, n a v y .................................
P otatoes.. ...................................
Onions...........................................
L b ..
L b ..
L b..
L b..
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
21.5 2 2 . 1 28.0
31. 0 29.8 34.7
29.0 29.3 35.6
2 0 . 6 19.8 27.3
19.3 21. 7 24.8
6.0
3.6
2.4
2 .0
5.9
3.5
2.7
2 .3
8.4
5.7
3.2
7 .9
1 5 .4
5 .8
1 2 .3
34.0
50.8
44.4
35.0
10.0
7.1
5.5
Tomatoes, canned........................ (5)
Sugar, granulated........................ L b ..
T ea................................................ L b ..
C o f f e e . ............................................................. L b ..
Prunes........................................... L b ..
Raisins.......................................... L b..
Bananas........................................
5 .6
5 .0
1 1 5 -1 6 o u n c e c a n .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9.5 5.4
7.0 7.0 3.2
5,6 5.5 2.5
14.1 14. 0
10.0
2 6 .1
2 4 .9
1 3 .1
1 5 .0
4 .1
7 .2
5 .5
1 9 .3
2 1 .3
2 0 .9
6 .3
18. 6
2 1 .2
2 0 .2
1 4 .6
1 1 .2
8 8 .3
3 6 .4
1 4 .0
1 1 .1
9 1 .5
3 7 .4
9 .0
6 8 .3
2 8 .2
9 .9
81.1
2 8 .3
1 4 .5
1 4 .4
16. 8 2 0 .5 2 1 .0
1 6 .4 18. 2 17. .9
2 9 .8 3 1 .0
4 1 .3 5 3 .1
O r a n g e s ..........................................................
2 B a k e d w e ig h t.
[1354]
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
23.8 28.2 33.8
20.7 2 1 . 8 26.8 32.9
18.0 18.0 2 1 . 8 26.8
15.3 15.3 19.0 23.7
12.4 1 2 . 8 15.4 18.9
68.0
36.1
39.2
35. 8 34.8
33.5 36.4 43. 0 41.7
40.7
34.8 14.0 14.4 23.8 32.5 30.5 31.4
32. 6
32.3 32. 2
42.2 21.7 31.6 31.4 42.1 52.8 46.9
1 2 .2 1 3 .3
18. 7 1 6 .3
3 .7
4 .2
5 .2
5. 2
Cabbage........................................ L b ..
Beans, baked................................ (6)
Corn, canned................................. (5)
Peas, canned................................. (6)
C ts .
22.0
1 .5
5.5
3.2
2.5
1 .9
7.4
5.8
3.6
9.8
9 .3
1 5 .0
5 .6
1 3 .9
11. 7
18. 4
2 .7
4 .1
6.8
6.7
9.7 9.6
6.7 6 . 8
5.7 5.3
13. 5 13. 4
2 3 .1
23. 4
1 3 .4
1 4 .5
3 .3
4. 2
1 3 .1
1 3 .1
4 .4
17. 0
2o. 0
1 8 .2
5 .1
4 .6
8 .6
8 .7
55. C 63. 3
2 3 .5 2 8 .5
1 3 .0
1 4 .0
1 6 .9
1 4 .9
s 8 -o u n c e p a c k a g e .
2.9
5 .7
5.9
15. 9
19. 4
17. 7
1 6 .0 1 5 .5
1 0 .3 1 0 .2
74. 7 73. 0
34. 4 3 5 .5
2 0 .1 21 2
16. 0 1 6 .1
29. 5 30. 0
4 6 .3 53. 8
129
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
FO R MAR. 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1918, 1919, AND FEB R U A R Y , 1919, FOR 19 CITIES.
retail dealers. As some dealers occasionally fail to report, the number of quotations varies from
month.]
Birmingham, Ala.
Boston Mass.
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
Cts.
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
Feb. Mar.
1
Mar., Mar., Mar.
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
1919
Feb. Mar.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
24.9
21.3
19.3
16.1
10.5
28.0
23.0
21.0
16.5
12.0
29.2
25.4
22.8
19.6
14.2
34.9
32.2
26.7
22.3
17.8
40.5
37.2
32.4
27.9
21.5
Cts.
41.6
39.3
33.4
29.8
22.4
Cts.
34.6
33.0
23.4
17.7
Cts.
32.2
34.3
24.4
16.8
Cts.
39.6
37.6
27.4
21.8
42.3
42.8
29.8
24.9
56.8
55.5
39.3
30.7
59.2
56.5
39.9
32.4
Cts.
22.0
19.0
17.3
15.3
11.5
Cts.
Cts.
21.6
19.4
16.8
15.4
11 8
26.5
23.8
20.0
18.0
15 0
32.4
30.1
25.7
23.4
17 9
39.3
36.5
31.6
27.5
21 5
01 Q
20.0
31.3
30.0
21.3
18.7
22.9
34.0
32.0
21.5
19.5
27.5
36.7
37.5
28.3
23.0
32.5
53.0
44.5
35.0
34.3
58.9
53.0
37.5
35.8
36.2
60.7
53.0
41.1
36.6
22.2
25.4
28.8
21.8
24.2
22.7
25.0
31.3
21.2
24.7
27.9
31.7
37.3
27.9
30.0
34.6
46.3
45.8
33.4
38.3
50.6
55.3
40.2
41.1
38.6
51.0
56.2
41.6
43.0
19.3
21.0
25.0
17.3
21.7
19.8
20.2
25.3
16.3
21.8
30.3
29.0
35.0
23.3
28.0
34.2 3 7 . 7
44.8 48.6
45.3 5p. 2
30.1 32.4
40.5
40.9
46.5
51.4
34.6
41.2
22.5 27.5 31.2
10.0 12.8 15.2 20.0
17.1
39.6 50.0 58.8 59.9
40.5
30.9
20.0
16.6
70.8
41.0
39.3
35.0 35.3 40.8
16.3 23.8 32.3 32.1
33.3
28.8 31.0 39.6 43.0
40.1
40.7
33.7
32.9
45.6
10.3
45.0
15.4
25.5
Cts.
Feb. Mar.
Búllalo , N. Y.
5.0
3.8
2.1
5.6
3.7
2.6
1.9
9.0 11.8 13.4 13.2
17.5 18.5 15.8 14.9
2.3 6.1 3.0 3.9 3.9
14.4 4.0 4.8 6.9
10.0 10.8
6.1 6.7 7.3
3.5 5.6 5.0
14. 6
25.3
10.8
7.4
4.9
14.7
25.3
Cts.
8.9
41.4
15.7
32.8
Cts.
22. 5 30.8 32. 2
8.9 10.5 14.5 16.5
17.1
35.7 45.7 55.8 56.7
39.0
32. 5
16.5 8.0
10 0
65.1 40.6
39.8
35. 0
32.1 35. 5 41 1
15.4 24.3 33.5 32.3
33.3
34.7 45.0 54.6 62.1
35.2
5.1
15.7
9.1 9.1 11.0
71.3 79.6 82.9
31.0 32.3 39.1
14.3
11.0
85.3
41.0
15.0 16.1 20.5
14. 9 15.7 16.9
39.2
44.5
21.1
17.3
39.7
51.4
1.6
9. 8 19 3 14 1 13 fi
15.3 18. fi 13. 5 11 8
1.9 5.2 2.5 2.9 2.7
12.1 4.3 3 9 0 1
8.9
7.0
7.9
5.3
4.9
9.1
6.7
6.6
13. 8
24.3
9.2
7.2
6.7
13.3
24.7
4. 3
20. 2
21. 2
21.3
6.2
19.0
21.9
22.1
20.2
8.3 9.3 10.6
60.0 63.8 66.6
33. 4 34.1 41.1
'
14.4 17.0 20 5
14.0 14.9 15. 9
41. 3
45.8
20.4
10.4
68.6
42.5
* 2 8 -o u n c e p a c k a g e .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
35.1 14.1
33. 2
60.2 24.7
5.9
3.7
3.5
7.8
5.3
4.8
5.6
2.9
2.5
C ts.
39.2
36.7
32. 2
28.0
28 8
8.0 10.0 14.0 15.0 15.0
10 7 15 5
34.1 45.0 54.0 5 5 . 5 65.5
3Q 2 Qfi A.
3 3 fi
3Q g
33 4
14.1 22.5 32Í 3 29.7
31 0
32.7 38.0 46.8 51.8
3h7
30 8
50.8
5.2
2.9
2.6
8.6
5.3
4.0
9.3
6.4
7.8
9.4
6.2
5.4
13 4
24 4
9.5
6.4
5.3
12 9
Ozi Q
11
1.4
1.7
5.5
20.8
2.4
3.9
2.6
3 Q
3
15
20
17
5.3
21 7
15 8
4fi. 3
57.1
» N o . 2 can.
[13551
Cts.
41 7
5.9
3.7
3.5
5.2 6.1
20.3 20.1
20.0 20.1
20.8 20.6
5.2
Cts.
4.9
2.4
pí
7
2 36
7 15 1
1 20 1
Q 17 7
17 3
15 5
8.8 9.8 1 0 . 6 1 0 . 4
42. 5 57.0 63 3 67 9
33 3 30 5 35 fi 36 4
13 9 17 5 90 Q 22 1
12.2 1 4 . 2 1 4 fi 14 7
38 8 4 0 Q
52.4 57.4
130
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
AVERAGE R E T A IL PR IC E S OF THE PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FO O D FOR
_______1
Chicago, 111.
Article.
Cleveland, Ohio.
1919
Unit.
Mar., Mar,, Mar., Mar..
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
M ar j
Feb. Mar.
Feb. Mar.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
Sirloin steak.................................
Round ste a k .................................
Rib ro ast................................ ...........
Chuck roast......................... .........
Plate beef......................................
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
22.0
18.9
19.4
15.3
11.2
24.2
21.0
19.4
16.0
11.9
26.9
23.3
21.6
18.2
13.7
30.3
27.4
25.5
22.0
16.9
Pork chops-...................................
Bacon, sliced...................... .. ........
Ham, sliced...................................
L am b............ ............... ..... .............
Hens...............................................
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
Lb...
17.9
29.8
31.3
19.7
19.9
18.4
30.9
31.2
19.5
20.3
25.8 ' 30.9
34.8 49.2
34.3 45.0
25.0 . 31.6
26.8
Salmon, canned ......... ............. ........
Milk,, fresh....................................
Milk,evaporated (unsweetened).
B u t t e r ...................... ........... ..................
Oleomargarine..............................
Lb-..
Q t. .
24.6 28.6 31.6
9..0 11.9 14.0
16.2
L b .. 40.4 32.9 44.5 50.6 53.5
L b..
38.6
31.9
20; 0 28.5 30.4 30.6
13.0 8.8 8.0 10.0 13,0 14.0 13.0
16.6 15.0
14.9
63.9 43.4 38. Ò 49.5 53.9 57.3 68.2
39.2 38.7
36.4
N u t m argarine................... ...........
Cheese.................. ........................................
L ard...............................................
Crisco.......................................................................
Eggs, strietly fresh _________________
L b ..
33.7
L b ..
31.8 38.1 38.9
L b .. Ì4.6 Ì5.2 22.6 32.1 30.4
Lb .
32 8
Doz. 23.4 27.7 32.3 40.7 46.1
35.0 35.1
33.5
31.7 34.0 42.4 41.8
38.5
32.2 16.1 16.3 25.2 32.8 32.4 34.0
32.7 32.6
32,7
46.1 27.2 28.7 35.4 44.6 53.3 50.2
Lb
Lb.
Lb
L b ..
Lb
Tomatoes, canned........................ (5)
Sugar, granulated........................ L b ..
T ea................................................ L b ..
Coffee............................................. L b ..
Prunes........................................... L b ..
Raisins.................. ....................... L b ..
Bananas........................................
Oranges................. .................... .. Doz.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts..
C ts .
38.0
34.4
32.4
28.0
20.9
23.7
21.0
19.2
16.2
11.8
24.9
22.1
19.6
17.0
12.4
28.2
25.8
22.7
20.2
14.3
31.8
30.1
25.9
23,9
18,4
38.1 38.9
34.5 36.4
29.8 30.7
27.9 28.3
21.0 , 20,8
33.3
57.1
52.1
36.3
35.9
35.5
57.1
50.8
37.1
38.0
19.8
25.6
33.5
20,3
22 7
20.3
27.8
35.7
19.1
23,0
31.2
34.9
40.0
28.8
30.7
33.6
48.3
46.9
32.3
37.9
55.8
56.1
35.8
40.6
8.Ö
6.1
2.7
2.9
6.1
2.9
2.9
1.3
1.7
8.2 10.1 .10.2
5.3 6.4 6.2
4.7 7.1 5.6
12 6
24.0
8.7
15.7
4.5
11. 1
10.2 5.5
6.4 3.2
5.5 2.7
12 7
23.9
12.4 13 3 13 3
18.4 12 8 11 9
2.0 2.4 2.5
3 6 2 R &7
Cabbage .......................... ........ ............................. Lb
Beans, baked ................................................... ( 5 )
Corn, canned .............. ...................................... (6)
Peasj canned.. ............................................... ( 5 )
1 1 5 -1 6 o u n c e c a n ,
C ts .
37.9
34.4
32.0
27.8
20.7
( i)
Bread _______________ ___________________ Lb 2.
Flour ......................................................................... L b ..
Corn m eal ........................................................... L b ..
Cornflakes............................. .............................. ( 3 )
Cream of W heat ..................................... . . . (4
R ice ...........................................................................
Beans, n av y ......................................................
Potatoes ................................................................
Onions________________________
8.0
C ts .
1.4
5.6
3.2
2.9
Ì.
8
7.9
5,8
4.3
9.2
6.7
7.1
5.0
16.1 16.0
8.2 8.7 10.2 10.0
53.6 58.3 62.6 .62 7
28.3 28.6 33.4 34.3
14.3 16.5 21.2
14.4 15.0 15.9
34.1
41.9
2 B a k e d w e ig h t.
[1356]
21.1
16.4
41.3
45.1
41.2
55.3
55.5
38.5
43.4
9.6 9.7
6.7 8.8
6.0 5.8
14.2 14.3
24.5 24.8
9 2 12.1 13.8 13.5
16 0 17 7 11.7 11.3
5.4 2.2 3.0 2.8
13.0 3.4 3.8 5 7
4.1 5.8
17.0 16.5
20.3 20.5
19.5 19.4
4.7 5.2
17.5 16 8
17.5 17.6
• 16.9 17.0
4.9
C ts .
5.5
5 .0
17.4
9.2 8.9 10.7
43.3 59 5 68.1
23. 8 30.0 35.9
16.9
10.8
67.7
37.5
14.0 17.3 20.1
13.0 14.6 14.7
40.8
46.3
21.7
15.4
42.3
58.0
2 8 -o u n c a p a c k a g e .
131
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
/
.
MAR. 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1918, 1919, AND FEB R U A R Y , 1919, FOR 19 C ITIES—Continued.
Denver, Colo.
Detroit, Mich.
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
1919
Feb. Mar.
C ts.
Los Angeles, Calif.
C ts.
Mar., Mar., Mar. Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
Cts.
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918
Feb. Mar.
22.7 22.9 24,4 30.7
19.6 21.1 22. 5 28.6
16.6 16. 7 19.8 23.8
14.6 15.8 17.5 21. 7
9.4
9.7 11.8 15.2
36.5
34.4
28.5
25.7
18.6
C ts.
38.4
35.6
29.4
26.2
18.6
C ts.
24.1
20.3
19.8
15.6
11.9
as.
C ts.
24.0
19.4
19.8
15.4
11.0
27.0
23.2
23.6
17.8
13.4
32.1
29.3
27.1
22.4
18.1
35.9
32.7
28.6
24.5
19.6
37.2
33.4
29.8
25.5
20.1
17.6
27.0
28.3
16.9
20.7
35.4
59.1
57.8
30.2
34.6
37.6
59.4
58.1
32.0
36.2
18.6
22.4
25.5
17.2
21.6
18.8
22.8
28. C
17.0
22.3
26.2
30.0
30.0
24.4
27.6
33.1
47.4
42.8
32.7
35.0
51.7
53.6
36.1
38.6
36.6
50.5
51.7
38.6
40.8
8.4
39.0
16.3
26.1
5.3
2.6
2. 4
1.0
19.2
27.4
35.1
16.4
20.4
25.5
36.7
36.7
23.6
23.3
33.0
51.8
48.9
29.7
20.0 28.0 32.0
8.3 11.5 12.3
17. C
33.6 42.8 49.7 50.8
38.5
31. 5
13.0 8.0
15.4
64.9 40.6
39. 2
35.5
32. 5
43 3
16.3 24.3 34.4 33.6
32.1
26.0 35.0 41.5 47.7
34.7
32.5
46.5
8.4
5.4
2.6
2.6
C ts.
11.3
5.9
5.4
14. 7
25.4
9.2 12.0 14.3
13.8 17.3 13.9
1.5 4.7 2.0 2.4
3.4 4. 2
14. 2
13. 7
2.3
5. 8
4.8
1
1
15.3
8.2 9.2 11.4
48.8 57.6 67.2
28.8 29.5 38.0
15.3
11.2
67.3
39.6
13.8 16.8 20.0
13.1 14.7 16.6
41.0
45.2
20.4
17.4
43. 2
50.9
25.2
16.0 23.0 33.5 32.7 3 3 . 4
32.9 .32.7
3Ì.4 35.0 44.9 50.3 49.1
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
24.4
33.8
34.2
19.2
26.5
Ì7.9
26.0
5.6
3.1
2.7
5.6
3.0
2.9
1.2
8 fi 12 2 13 3 13 2
1.5 5 17 9 12 2 11 3
1.6 5.1 2.1 2 . 4 2 . 3
11.9 4.4 4 2 5 Q
8.2
5.6
4.5
9.5
6.8
7.4
9.5
6.5
6.3
14 0
25.0
41
17.7
19.0
17. 7
5.0
5.0
9.5
6.5
6.2
13 0
24.9
25.6
33.5
34.8
19.2
28.6
28.7
39.2
42.1
24.7
29.2
38.8
56.4
52.9
32.0
12.9 17.0 19. 8 20.3
12.8 14.1 16.1 16 0
28 0 30. 7
4 9 . 1 52.3
package.
6.2
3.6
3.1
40
36.5
36.1
32.2
33.3
44.1
6.1
3.6
3.5
6.8
5.6
4.8
8.9
6.3
8.3
8.9
7.2
6.8
13 9
8.9
7.2
6.6
13 3
94 3
24 3
1.8
4.8
11.1
1.9
2.6
3.0
13 7
10 $
3Ì0
2s
20 1
19 3
13* 7
IS 9
5.2
44.6
65. 6
62.2
34.1
45.6
9.0 14.0 14.0
14 2
1 .0
34.9
32.4
31.1
24.9
20.7
is. 0 23.4 33.7 33.1
33.8
25.8 30.4 43.0 47.1
4.9
8.1
8.8
55 0 fio 5
2Q Q 30* 3
12 3 15 fi
12!4 13!8
..........
6 No. 2 can.
[1357]
43.9
65.6
62.5
34.5
45. 7
C ts .
6
14.0
13 4
29.7 39.0 53.8 59! 1 64.1
40 6
10.0
51
16 6
18 8
17. 7
16. 8 16.6
9.0 8.8 1 0 . 5 1 0 . 5
47.5 54. 7 62.6 63. 0
27. 5 30.1 36. 7 37. 2
1
* 28-ounce
C ts.
34. 8 34.6
16.2
3.8 3 8
18.8 19.2
18.6 18.9
19.1 19.4
5.4
Cts.
22.8 23.3 27.0 31.0 34.8
20.4 21.3 23.4 27.8 32.7
19.0 19.7 21.7 26.2 30.4
16.0 16.6 17.8 22.3 25.4
12.7 13.5 15.0 18.5 21.2
20 0 29 0 32.1 32 Q
8.9 11.0 14.0 15.0 15.0 10.0
16.1 15 2
33.7 45.4 52.6 54.0 65.9 43.5
30 fi 38 7
35.2
8.4 10.0 11.8
4.7 5.6 5.9
3.2 6.0 5.6
14. 6
25.3
Cts.
Feb Mar.
I fi S
1Ò! 6
fit) ft
3fi ft
20 fi
Ifi O
3S fi
fi J
3 2
19 2
19 4
1fi 2
10.5
70 5
3S 1
22 5
Ifi 7
37 0
3ô! 0 3 5 ! 2
132
M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW ,
AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF FOOD FOR
Milwaukee, Wis.
Article.
■
1919
Unit.
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
•
Sirloin steak................................
Round steak.................................
Rib roast......................................
Chuck roast..................................
Plate beef......................................
New Orleans, La.
Feb. Mar.
1919
Mar , Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917.' 1918.
Feb. Mar
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
21.5
20.0
17.8
15.5
11.3
23.0
21.0
18.5
16.3
11.8
27.7
24.7
21.8
19.5
14.0
30.3
28.8
24.9
22.9
17.3
35.8
34.3
29.8
27.5
20.7
37.0
35.2
31.0
27.9
21.0
20.0
17.5
19.6
13.0
11.1
22.5
19.7
20.4
15.0
11.9
24.3
22.1
21.6
17.0
14.3
30.1
25.9
25.3
19.9
17.2
34.9
31.9
31.4
25.2
21.3
35.6
32.7
32.0
25.
Pork chops.................................... L b ..
Bacon, sliced................................. L b ..
Ham, sliced.................................. L b ..
Lam b............................................ L b ..
Hens.............................................. L b ..
18.8
27.3
26.8
20.0
21.8
18.2
27.3
27.7
18.8
21.2
27.2
32.5
34.2
29.0
27.3
31.1
48.2
45.1
32.8
32.6
54.1
52.4
36.8
36.9
36.5
55.2
51.9
39.3
39.1
21.1
29.3
26.0
20.5
23.2
23.5
30.6
26.0
20.5
24.1
29.0
38.5
34.4
28.0
28.1
35.0
50.0
43.8
31.9
40.6
57.4
50.0
39.8
39
41.0
57.7
50.3
41.8
40.8
21.1
31.8
23.6 32.8 35.6 35.1
12.0 iö.ö 9.7 11.5 14.3 16.2 16.0
16.0 15.2
15.7
65.3 41.9 34.8 48.9 54.9 56.4 66.4
40.2 39.8
37.8
Salmon, canned..........................
Milk, fresh....................................
Milk, evaporated (unsweetened).
B u tter.. .*......................................
Oleomargarine..............................
L b ..
Q t..
Nut margarine..............................
Cheese...........................................
L ard..............................................
Crisco.............................................
Eggs, strictly fresh......................
36.4 35.8
L b ..
34.0 33.8
34.2 34.5 42.1 41.7
L b ..
31.7 35.4 36.3 38.4
L b .. 15.3 io.6 24.4 32.8 31.6 33.5 14.6 14.9 23.7 33.6 31.5 32.6
33.4 33.7
L b ..
32.7 32.7
Doz. 23.2 25.9 34.2 41.1 44.4 43.8 23.4 25.7 30.4 39.5 43.8 41.6
23.3 28.4 28.6
8.0 11.0 13.0
16.2
0)
L b .. 39.6 32.4 47.5 51.4 54.8
L b ..
37.8
Bread............................................. Lb.2.
Flour............................................. L b ..
Com meal...................................... L b ..
Cornflakes..................................... (3)
Cream of W heat........................... 0)
Rice ............................................
Beans, n av y ..................................
Potatoes...'...................................
Onions...........................................
Lb.
L b ..
L b ..
Lb
7.0
7.0
5.6
3.1
3.3
5.7
3.0
3.3
1.2
1.6
9.2 9.2
6.5 6.6
6.0 6.2
14.6 14.3
24.9 24.9
3.8
2.6
4.8
3.8
2.8
9.5 12.0 14.4 14.4
15.3 18.3 12.4 11.5
5.1 1.9 2.7 2.6
13.7 3.8 3.S 5.4
1.9
2.2
8.7
5.7
5.0
8.8
6.5
8.2
Prunes ........................................ L b ..
Raisins ....................................... L b ..
Bananas .........
Oranges.........................................
1 15-16 ounce can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8.9
7.0
6.0
5.4
5.0
17.6
8.1 8.9 10.7
55.7 60.6 66.2
28.3 27.0 33.6
16.3
10.7
67.3
35.6
14.8 15.9 19.9
14.5 14.6 15.8
35.0
44.2
21.8
16.0
35.9
50.7
3 Baked weight.
[1358]
9.2 9.2
7.3 7.3
5.2 5.1
13 14.
24 24.
7.7 11.0 12.1 12.2
14.3 17.3 13.6 12.2
3.8
6.0 3.4 3.
12.3 3.7 4.2 6.3
4.4 5.8
16.9 16.5
17.6 18.2
17.0 17.1
Cabbage........................................ Lb
Beans, baked ............................ (5)
Corn, canned................................. (5)
Peas, canned................................ (5)
Tomatoes, canned........................ (5)
Sugar, granulated........................ L b ..
Tea ............................................. L b ..
Lb..
Coffee
6.9
5.9
3.9
2.7 4.2
17.9 18.1
18.5 18.1
18.8 18.4
5.2
4.8
15.4
8.3 8.8 10.4
63. ( 63.7 62.9
28.4 26.1 33.4
15.1
10.4
67.1
33.8
14.2 15.5 19.3
14.3 15.4 16.9
16.7
44.3
20.0
3 8-ounce package.
16.8
16.3
56.4
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW ,
133
MAR. 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1918, 1919, AND FEB R U A R Y , 1919, FOR 19 CITIES—Continued.
New York, N. Y.
Philadelphia, Pa.
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
1919
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
Feb. Mar.
Feb. Mar.'
'V
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
29.6
29.1
25.4
19.2
17.2
34.6
35.7
29.6
23.3
22.1
44.9
40.9
40.9
31.7
28.5
Cts.
44.9
46.8
40.7
32.1
28.7
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
28.6
23.5
21.4
16.5
11.4
30.0
25.7
21.9
17.8
11.9
34.5
30.9
25.6
21.5
14.5
Cts.
39.8
37.4
30.3
26.0
19.0
47.4
47.3
37.6
32.1
21.9
Cts.
C ts.
51.6
48.0
39.1
32.6
22.1
C ts.
C ts.
26.0
22.0
21.8
16.2
11.6
27.7
23.7
21.7
16.8
12.8
C ts.
23.8
21.7
15.8
14.5
26.0
25.4
21.8
16.1
14.8
31.5
28.5
24.7
20.0
14.8
37.3
34.7
29.6
25.7
18.8
46.1
42.7
36.0
31.2
22.9
21.3
23.6
28.5
17.3
21.1
21.8
25.1
30.0
16.6
21.0
28.5
31.1
37.3
23.7
27.4
34.9
45.7
46.9
30.1
39.9
50.3
56.0
32.3
39.5
39.8
49.9
55.8
33.9
40.4
20.3
23.8
29.7
18.6
21.8
21.5
25.7
29.6
19.5
23.8
29.4
32.6
39.5
26.6
29.3
35.6
46.6
48.9
32.6
57.9
55.3
56.6
37.0
42.5
41.0
54.4
55.4
40.3
43.6
21.3
28.1
28.8
22.5
26.4
21.8
29.5
30.1
20.3
27.0
30.8
33.7
37.3
30.3
35.0
34.7
50.2
47.8
36.4
38.8
57.0
57.5
40.0
45.1
39.0
56.0
58.0
41.9
46.2
25.8 35.3 35.6
9.0 10.9 14.6 16.0
15.7
34.9 47.0 52.7 58.1
37.1
36.7
15.5
14.3
67.3
37.8
31 2
1 4 !0
14 8
67.6
34.0
31.3 34.4 42.6
15.7 23.2 33.4 31.8
31.7
39.8 40.8 50.1 60.5
33.0
42.3
33.7
31.9
56.9
C ts.
25.4
9.0
41.2
16.0
31.8
C ts.
Feb. Mar.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
0.0
3.2
3.4
6.2
3.2
3.4
2.3
2.5
8.7
5.7
5.1
8.9 10.0 10.0
7.8 6.8 7.0
8.2 6.1 6.6
12.4 12.0
24.0 23.9
8.9 11.9 13.3 13.2
15.2 18.3 14.3 12. 6
6.3 3.6 4.0 3.7
11.1 3.8 4.4 5.9
8.0
47.5
15.0
25.4
4.5
15.5 15.1
8.4 8.8 9.9 9.9
55.1
45.4 52.8
55.7
26.7 26. 6 33.5 34.1
29 4
13.0
8.8
15.1
71.3 43.4
40. 7
9?. 7 80 6 30 7
9.2 10.3 13.5 15.0
15 5
36.7 48.9 56.8 5 7 . 8
30 2
36.4
33. 3 37.7 44. 4
15.2 23.5 33.4 30.7
32. 2i
34.7 36.8 46.0 55.2
36. 6
44 O
32.3 15.1
32 2
51.2 25.4
15.6 23! 6 33.0 32.3 3 3 . 4
23 6 33 0
34.3 35.0 45.8 5 3 . 9 51.2
4.8
3.2
2.8
4.8
3.1
2.8
2.1
9.7 13.1 14. 5
14.8 18.4 13. 6
2.5 6.2 2.8 3.8
12.2 3.9 4.1
7.2
5.8
3.7
8.0
7.0
7.6
14.2 17.1 22.9
13.7 14.9 15.7
32.1
50.0
23.1
15.7
35.9
58.1
* 28-ounce
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9.4 9.4
6.6 6.8
6.0 5.8
12.7 12.5
24.3 24. 5
14. 6
12. 5
3.7
59
5.4
3.1
2.7
1.5
26 6 36 8
5.4
3.2
2.9
1.8
8.0
5.8
4.5
9.9
6.8
8.2
4.5
16.4
7.9 8.8 10.0
54.4 58.7 62. 8
28.5 27. 9 32.8
14. 9
10.0
62.-9
33. 6
5.4
12.9
2.6
3.7
2.8
6
1
55
17 2 17 9
19J) 19 2
19 7 19. Q
5.6
5.5
* No. 2 can.
[1359]
3 .0
4 2
14.2 17.1 20.7 22.3
12.7 14.2 15.1 15 0
33.3 35.1
47.2 57.2
package.
10.0
6.6
6.7
6.7
6.0
13 9 13 4
25 1 25 3
10.0
9 4 19 2 14 9 14 2
14 1 12 1
4.5 6.8
14.8 14.2
19.8 19.2
18.1 18.3
4.9
32.5
23.4
19.3 26.5 29.6
9.0 13.2 14.0
15.9
40.7 51.9 59.2 62.8
40.4
8.0
3.7 5.3
16.8 15.8
19.0 18.9
18.2 18.0
4.8
C ts . <
.
4 7 .6
43.7
37.5
9.9
9.9
17 2
15 t
10.8
10.8
56 7 73 2 79 5 20 0
27 0 30 1 26 3 2 6 4
13 8 17 2 21 9 23 2
14.2 14.6 15 9 16 0
40.3 41. 6
48.2 56.4
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
134
AVERAGE R E T A IL PR IC E S OF T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD FO R
St. Louis, Mo.
Article.
Unit.
San Francisco. Calif.
1919
Mar., Mar.,;Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914.j 1917. 1918.
1919
Feb. Mar.
Mar., Mar., Mar., Mar.,
1913. 1914. 1917. 1918.
Feb. Mar.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Sirloin steak.................................
Round steak.................................
R ib roast.......................................
Chuck roast..................................
Plate beef......................................
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
22.8
20.2
18.4
15.4
10.7
25.8
23.4
20.0
15.5
14.2
27.6
26.3
22.1
17.9
13.6
31.7
31.2
26.9
22.2
18.0
38.5
37.8
30.9
25.6
21.6
39.4
38.8
32.3
25.9
22.0
20.3
19.0
20.7
14.6
12.9
21.0
19.7
22.1
15.5
15.0
23.1
22.7
23.7
16.3
15.6
28.4
28.2
26.7
20.6
19.8
33.3
32.4
31.2
24.0
22.4
33.3
32.4
30.9
23.9
22.3
Pork chops...................................
Bacon, sliced.................................
Ham, sliced..................................
Lam b.............................................
Hens..............................................
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
18.0
23.8
26.7
17.1
18.6
18.8
25.0
27.5
17.9
19.6
25.7
32.2
35.6
26.5
30.0
48.8
46.7
31.7
34.2
53.2
54.2
36.5
35.9
36.1
53.3
54.5
39.6
37.9
24.0
32.1
27.0
17.3
23.8
25.0
33.7
27.9
18.3
24.0
30.8
37.5
38.3
25.3
28.3
35.6
53.5
49.4
31.4
43.8
60.0
58.3
34.7
48.6
43.3
59.5
57.1
33.8
49.3
Salmon, canned...........................
Milk, fresh....................................
Milk, evaporated (unsweetened).
B u tte r ..! ......................................
Oleomargarine..............................
L b ..
19.6 28.9 32.0 31.8
19.6 25.3 27.9 28.1
Q t.. 8.0 8.0 9.5 12.0 14.0 14.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 12.1 14.0 14.0
16.5 14.7
16.0 13.9
(l)
L b .. 4L 2 34.2 47.6 56.3 57.0 68.1 42.9 30.7 41.7 56.8 62.7 64.5
L d ..
37.0 37.0
36.8 37.4
N ut margarine.............................
C heese..!......................................
L ard...............................................
Crisco.............................................
Eggs, strictly fresh......................
L b ..
35.2 34.8
36.9 36.0
L b ..
31.4 36.8 38.0 38.9
28.8 32.6 37.4 40.5
L b .. Î3.6 1 2 . 6 22.6 30.3 29.2 32.0 16.9 16.5 23.5 33.7 33.3 33.7
Lb .
33.3 32.8
34.6 32.5
Doz. 22.0 25.6 29.8 39.8 44.9 44.5 23.5 24.6 32.5 43.3 44.4 44.6
Bread............................................. L b.2
Flour............................................. L b ..
Cornmeal...................................... L b ..
Corn flakes.................................... (3)
Cream of W h eat.......................... (4)
Rice...............................................
Beans, n av y ..................................
P otatoes.. ! ...................................
Onions...........................................
L b ..
L b ..
L b ..
Lb
5.5
3.0
2.1
5.6
2.8
2.6
1.3
1.6
8.3
5.3
3.5
9.8 10.0 10.0
6.1 6.3 6.5
6.8 5.0 5.0
13.9 13.9
24.8 24.2
8.6 11.3 13.4 13.3
14.9 18.0 11.8 11.8
4.8 2.3 3.0 2.7
11.4 2.9 4 3 6.8
Cabbage........................................ L b ..
Beans, baked................................ (5)
Com, canned............ ................... (5)
Peas, canned................................. (5)
Tomatoes, canned........................ (5)
Sugar, granulated........................ L b ..
T ea................................................ L b ..
Coffee............................................. L b ..
Prunes.......................................... L b ..
Raisins.......................................... L b ..
Bananas..........................
Oranges.........................................
115-16 ounc9 can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
5.7
3.3
3.4
5.9
3.4
3.5
1.2
1.7
7.1 10.0 10.0
5.1 6.1 7.2
4.4 7.3 7.0
14. 0
24.7
10.0
7.1
6.3
14.0
24.8
8.8 12.0 13.9
14.7 15.9 12.5
4.5 2.3 2.9
9. 2 2.6 3 1
13.6
10.6
2.9
49
1.7
20. 4
19. 7
18.6
50
20.0
19.6
17.9
4.2 5.7
16.0 16.1
LG. 9 16. 4
17.5 16.9
5.1
4.9
15.7
8.3 8.6 10.8
54.3 66.0 73.6
23.7 27.5 34.9
14.0
10.7
72.7
34.9
14.1 16.8 19.9
15.0 16.9 15.7
32.5
42.8
20.4
16. 4
33.5
50.4
2 Baked weight.
[1360]
5.3
5.1
15.6 15.8
7.9 8.8 10.6 10.5
51. 7 52 9 56 9 57 2
31.7 30.0 36.4 36.6
12.4 13.5 18.4 19 1
13.5 13. 7 14 7 14 6
35.0
50.9 50.8
3 8-ounce package.
M ONTHLY
135
L A B O R R E V IE W ,
MAR. 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1913, 1919, AND FEB R U A R Y , 1919, FOR 19 CITIES—Concluded.
Seattle, Wash.
Washington, I). C.
1919
Mar.
1913.
C ts .
Mar.,
1914.
C ts.
21.8
20.0
18.2
15.0
11.2
24.0
21.2
19.1
15.1
12.8
23.4
30.0
30.0
18.2
24.0
Mar.,
1917.
C ts.
Mar
1918.
C ts.
1919
Feb.
Mar.
C ts.
C ts.
Mar.,
1913.
Mar
1914.
Mar.,
1917.
Mar.,
1918.
as.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
Feb.
C ts.
Mar. j
C ts.
25.0
23.0
22.2
17.2
13.5
30.5
29.0
25.5
21.7
18.4
36.9
35.6
31.3
26.8
21.8
38.6
36.3
32. C
27.1
22.4
26.4
23.1
21.6
16.6
11.7
27.1
23.3
21.0
17.6
12.8
29.1
27.8
24.6
20.5
15.8
39.2
36.9
30.8
26.6
19.6
50. C
47.5
40.9
33.8
23.3
49.9
47.4
40.2
34.2
23.5
24.0
31.4
30.0
19.1
25.0
28.8
37.6
36.0
26.2
27.5
38.8
53.3
46.5
32.8
45.2
60.8
56.1
36.6
43.2
45.7
60.2
55.4
37.8
44.5
21.9
25.4
28.6
21.4
22.1
20.8
24.6
28.6
19.9
23.0
28.3
30.8
35.6
28.2
28.3
38.7
48.5
48.1
36.8
44.4
52.6
58.1
42.5
45.3
44. 5
52.0
57.7
44.8
45.6
8.6
8.8
21.8
10.0
28.9
12.6
9.0
19.7
10.0
30 0
14.0
35.0
44.4
58.2
32.2
13.7
13. S
68.4
42.5
9.0
44.0
31.2
15,7
15.3
58.4
42.0
44.1
35.9
49.0
59.2
34.4
17.0
16.6
60.2
37.4
34.7
17.0
16.1
71.1
37.9
17 .3
16.2
28.1
24.0
30.8
33.4
14.3
32.6
23.0
36.3
33.3
25.7
32.1
45.6
38.4
40.8
33.4
35.7
50.0
14.6
23.5
39,6
42.2
34.2
35.7
53.5
22.6
29.4
33.1
44.3
35.8
43.7
31.8
33.3
53.9
35.3
41. 8
33.0
33.0
47.9
5.5
3.0
3.0
5.7
2.9
3.2
9.1
4.8
4.0
9.9
5.8
7.2
10.3
6,5
7.1
14.8
27.3
10.0
6.5
6.9
14.9
27.2
5.5
3.6
2.5
5.6
3.8
2.5
8.0
5.7
3.6
9.1
6.8
6.4
10.0
6.7
5.2
14.1
24.4
9.9
6.8
5.2
13.9
24.3
.9
1.2
8.6
15.0
3.8
11.5
12.1
16.9
1.6
3.4
14.2
14.0
2.2
3.9
14.2
11.8
2.1
5.9
1.5
1.9
8.9
15. 6
5.1
13.8
12 7
19.1
2.9
3.9
14.0
13.7
3.0
3.8
14. 3
13.5
2.7
5. 8
5.3
22.8
21.1
19.9
5.6
23.3
21.0
20.4
4.1
17.3
20.6
20.3
7.0
16. $
19.5
20.1
20,2
10.9
62.6
36.4
19.7
10.8
63. 8
39.0
18.4
10.2
77.1
34.4
17.5
10.2
77.2
36.3
19.3
15.6
45.0
52.8
19.5
15.8
50.0
57.8
22.2
15.9
40.8
48.8
22 6
15. 8
41.3
58.6
6.1
5.6
8.5
50.0
32.6
9.1
55.6
31.5
13.0
13.1
14.5
14.5
128-ounee package.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
5.0
4.8
8.3
55.7
28.6
8.9
65.2
29.6
14.0
13.5
17.5
15.5
s No. 2 can.
[1301]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
136
AVERAGE R ETA IL PRICES OF TH E PRINCIPAL ARTICLES
Bridgeport,
Conn.
Article.
Butte,
Mont.
Charleston, Cincinnati, Columbus,
S. C.
Ohio.
Ohio.
Unit.
Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar.,
1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919.
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
Sirloin steak..................................
Round steak.................................
Rib roast.......................................
Chuck roast..................................
Plate beef......................................
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
51.4
48.6
38.6
32.5
22.2
51.2
49.2
39.5
33.1
21.9
36.0
33.2
2S.6
24.1
16.9
37.7
35.2
32.3
26.2
19.3
37.7
36.8
32.0
26.4
21.4
39.7
39.5
34.1
28.2
22.1
35.5
34.1
30.3
24.6
22.7
36.1
34.5
30.0
25.2
23.0
37.8
36.3
31.6
27.9
22.3
38.4
36.7
32.3
28.4
22.9
Pork chops............. .....................
Bacon, sliced.................................
Ham, sliced..................................
Lamb.............................................
Hens...............................................
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
37.1
58.9
59.6
37.4
41.1
37.8
58.1
59.5
40.0
42.6
36.2
61.7
52.5
32.1
38.4
37.3
60.0
55.6
34.2
40.7
40.6
58.3
52.1
40.0
47.1
39.7
56.4
52.1
41.1
46.3
35.1
52.6
52.7
34.0
41.9
38.6
51.7
53.0
36.4
43.3
33.8
50.6
53.6
30.7
36.4
35.9
49.8
53.8
35.0
38.9
Salmon, canned............................
Milk, fresh....................................
Milk, evaporated (unsweetened).
B u tter...........................................
Oleomargarine..............................
L b ...
Q t ...
0)
L b ...
L b ...
37.1
16.0
16.6
57.0
38.2
37.7
16.0
15.9
63.8
37.3
40.5
15.5
17.1
53.5
43.0
43.2
15.5
15.4
64.6
44.0
30.5
21.0
17.3
58.5
41.5
30.1
20.3
15.1
66.1
40.9
29.2
14.0
15.5
54.9
37.8
29.2
14.0
14.1
65.9
37.4
30.0
15.0
15.9
55.5
37.8
30.9
13.7
15.1
70.0
37.5
Nut margarine.............................
Cheese............................................
L ard...............................................
Crisco.............................................
Eggs, strictly fresh......................
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
D oz..
35.9
42.5
30.6
33.0
67.7
36.2
42.6
33.3
33.5
62.2
41.0
43.6
32.1
36.7
49.5
42.0
41.3
33.3
36.4
55.8
40.3
42.4
33.9
34.1
55.3
39.7
39.9
33.9
34.0
50.9
35.1
38.9
28.6
31.9
44.0
34.1
40.0
30.8
31.8
42.5
35.0
41.3
29.6
31.9
42.4
35.1
39.8
31.3
32.3
41.0
Bread..................... ....................... Lb. 2. 10.0
Flour............................................. L b ... 6.3
Cornmeal...................................... L b ... 7.5
13.7
Corn flakes....................................
(3)
24.0
Cream of W h eat.......................... 0)
10.0
6.6
7.1
13.9
24.1
10.0
6.8
7.7
13.9
30.0
10.6
6.9
7.8
14.4
29.2
10.0
7.1
5.0
14.9
25.0
10.0
7.3
4.9
15.0
25.0
9.7
6.3
5.1
13.3
24.9
9.9
6.7
4.9
13.8
24.7
9.5
6.6
5.7
14.3
26.5
9.6
6.5
5.7
14.3
26.0
L b ... 14.0
L b ... 15.5
L b ... 3.3
L b ... 4.4
13.9
13.7
2.9
5.2
12.7
13.5
1.9
3.9
12.9
11.7
1.9
4.4
12.5
16.4
3.8
4.9
12.3
14.4
3.6
6.7
13.6
11.6
3.3
3.6
13.6
11.3
3.0
5.2
12.8
11.8
3.4
4.3
12.9
11.0
2.6
5.8
Cabbage........................................ L b ... 4.3
17.3
Beans, baked................................ (»)
21.5
Corn, canned................................. (5)
21.2
Peas, canned................................. (*)
18.9
Tomatoes, canned........................ (6)
Sugar, granulated........................ L b ... 10.5
67.1
L
b
...
T ea................................................
Coffee............................................. L b ... 35.9
6.1
17.5
21.7
21.0
5.6
23.3
18.9
19.1
6.4
22.1
19.3
19.0
4.6
18.3
22.0
22.7
6.1
17.0
21.8
22.8
3.3
16.8
17.8
17.0
4.4
16.0
17.4
17.2
4.2
18.3
16.2
16.5
5.4
17.4
16.1
16.1
18.1
10.4
65.6
36.2
19.0
11.9
76.8
44.5
18.5
11.9
77.0
49.2
15.7
10.6
74.7
35.7
15.4
10.6
75.0
38.2
15.6
10.5
67.9
34.8
14.8
10.5
70.8
35.0
15.3
10.7
82.7
36.5
14.4
10.7
80.8
38.4
21.5
16.5
35.6
48.4
22.8
16.5
36.7
53.7
18.1
15.5
46.7
49.1
19.2
16.0
46.7
47.5
22.6
16.6
40.0
45.0
23.0
16.8
40.0
57.1
19.9
16.0
34.0
38.9
20.6
16.9
35.0
49.8
21.2
15.1
38.2
44.8
20.9
15.0
38,2
49.5
Rice...............................................
Beans, n av y ..................................
Potatoes........................................
Onions...........................................
Primes...........................................
Raisins..........................................
Bananas........................................
Oranges..........................................
1 15-16 ounce can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
L b ...
L b ...
D oz..
Doz..
2 Baked weight.
[1362]
3 8-ounce package.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
137
OF FOOD FO R F E B . 15 AND MAR. 15, 1919, FO R 31 CITIES.
Dallas, Tex.
Fall River,
Mass.
Houston,
Tex.
Indianapolis,
Ind.
Jacksonville,
Fla.
Kansas City,
Mo.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
42.8
41.8
35.8
32.4
26.8
44.8
43.8
36.6
33.5
28.1
59.5
50.0
35.6
29.5
59.8
50.1
37.2
31.3
37.9
38.2
30.8
27.9
24.8
39.5
39.3
33.2
30.0
26.2
37.0
36.4
27.6
26.2
20.6
38.3
37.8
28.6
26.8
21.0
41.1
38.6
31.2
27.8
20.9
42.5
40.0
33.5
27.8
21.3
37.8
35.0
27.4
24.5
20.4
39.2
36.2
29.1
25.3
20.6
38.5
62.2
56.9
43.6
33.3
40.5
60.0
57.5
41.0
36.2
35.3
51.9
53.7
36.2
44.2
36.4
51.6
53.9
39.6
44.1
37.4
63.2
52.8
38.8
38.5
38.6
62.4
52.2
40.0
47.5
37.1
52.8
55.1
45.0
34.1
37.8
54.3
56.4
45.0
36.3
38.6
58.1
54.6
35.4
39.1
38.3
56.2
54.7
36.3
42.4
33.6
58.3
54.4
33.6
34.4
35.3
54.0
53.1
34.3
35.5
31.6
19.0
16.3
56.2
36.8
31.7
20.0
16.2
64.5
35.3
31.3
16.0
15.6
55.5
38.8
30.5
16.0
15.8
62.6
38.7
31.3
19.7
16.5
56.4
39.3
29.6
18.7
15.9
64.2
39.1
26.4
13.7
16.6
53.3
40.3
26.7
12.7
15.1
65.4
39.8
30.8
18.0
16.7
62.3
40.8
29.5
18.0
15.4
67.0
40.3
32.7
16.0
17.6
55.6
38.1
31.4
15.0
15.8
65.1
37.4
38.6
42.2
34.5
33.4
40.6
36.9
40.5
35.5
32.9
40.3
35.6
40.9
30.8
31.8
73.9
36.6
41.6
33.2
33.0
62.2
38.3
37.5
30.9
32.0
39.0
37.2
39.5
31.9
33.9
39.6
35.9
40.6
31.7
33.5
44.5
35.4
41.5
32.9
34.1
42.3
38.3
42.5
33.3
33.8
49.1
36.3
39.9
33.4
32.8
46.8
35.1
40.7
34.5
35.2
45.4
35.2
41.1
35.2
35.0
45.9
10.0
7.0
6.4
15.8
25.6
10.0
7.0
6.5
15.0
25.2
10.0
6.7
7.4
14.7
25.3
10.0
7.0
7.8
14.4
25.2
8.8
7.0
5.9
14.4
24.7
8.9
7.1
5.6
14.1
24.7
9.9
6.6
5.3
14.4
25.2
9.5
6.8
5.2
14.6
25.9
10.0
7.1
5.1
14.4
25.5
10.0
7.1
5.1
14.6
25.3
9.3
6.4
6.4
14.9
25.0
10.0
6.4
6.0
14.8
25.0
13.5
14.7
3.4
5.1
13.0
13.6
3.0
7.5
13.4
13.9
3.2
4.6
13.4
13.1
3.0
6.2
12.0
14.7
3.3
4.8
11.8
13.2
3.4
6.1
14.2
11.1
2.7
4.3
14.0
11.0
2.6
6.5
12.4
15.3
3.8
5.4
12.0
14.5
3.4
6.7
13.4
14.0
2.8
4.7
13.1
13.0
2.7
8.9
4.9
21.4
20.6
20.4
5.6
20.4
19.5
19.3
4.1
18.3
20.3
19.6
6.8
18.2
21.6
20.0
3.6
19.7
18.6
19.6
3.7
19.3
18.3
19.1
4.4
19.4
19.4
17.9
4.7
19.6
18.9
18.3
5.3
19.3
21.5
21.5
4.8
18.5
21.2
20.2
4.4
16.6
17.8
17.7
5.3
17.2
17.3
17.8
17.8
11.2
78.1
39.3
16.1
11.2
78.0
40.7
18.9
10.8
62.1
37.2
17.4
10.6
62.0
38.1
14.6
10.8
60.7
32.9
14.1
10.8
64.4
33.5
17.6
11.0
83.1
37.9
16.2
11.0
83.6
39.3
15.6
10.9
81.4
40.5
14.5
10.5
82.9
39.9
17.4
11.3
79.7
37.1
16.2
11.1
77.2
38.6
20.9
17.1
36.7
47.8
21.8
16.8
36.3
47.2
18.4
15.8
28.8
40.9
20.1
16.2
35.8
53.0
19.7
17.3
31.7
45.2
20.6
16.5
32.5
48.7
18.3
17.8
26.2
45.9
19.7
20.5
29.4
48.3
21.6
18.3
33.3
40.5
21.3
17.4
37.5
47.1
19.0
18.2
41.4
52.3
19.0
19.3
41.3
55.6
5 No. 2 can.
128-ounce package.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11363]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
138
AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF
Little Rock, Louisville,
Ark.
Ky.
Article.
Manches
ter, N. H.
Memphis,
Tenn.
Minneapo
lis, Minn.
Unit.
Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar.,
1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
C ts.
Sirloin steak..................................
Round steak.................................
Rib roast.......................................
Chuck roast...................................
Plate beef......................................
41.3
38.8
34.2
28.7
24.1
41.8
38.8
34.6
29.1
25.0
37.7
36. 2
31.3
27.6
23.1
38.0
37.0
31.8
27.5
23. 2
53.6
48.1
33.2
29.8
55.4
49.9
33.0
30.4
39.2
36. 7
30.9
26.8
23.0
40.4
37.9
31.9
27.8
23. 5
33.5
31.4
28.1
23.9
18. 7
35.2
33.0
29.3
24.3
18.9
Pork chops....................................
Bacon, sliced.................................
Ham, sliced...................................
Lamb.............................................
H ens..............................................
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
38.3
60.0
53.3
40.0
34.7
38.1
59.2
53.6
42.5
34.7
34.9
57.9
53.8
40.0
41.3
35.1
56.3
53.3
36.4
44.0
35.5
51.0
49.1
37.2
43.8
36.1
50. 1
48.7
38.5
43.4
35.7
57.8
51.5
36.9
34.0
37.1
58.4
52.3
36.7
36.0
33.9
43.3
52.5
31.6
33.7
35.2
57.4
53.6
33.4
35.1
Salmon, canned............................
Milk, fresh....................................
Milk, evaporated (unsweetened).
B u tter...........................................
Oleomargarine..............................
L b ...
Qt- - (*)
L b ...
L b ...
30.5
18.5
16.3
54.3
39.4
30.1
18.5
15.8
65.5
39.3
30.4
15.0
15.2
56.8
40.6
29.7
15.0
15.0
68.3
40.3
30.9
15.0
18.1
59.7
38.2
31.1
15.0
16.9
68.1
38.6
33.7
18.0
16.5
58.9
41.3
34.6
18.0
16.3
68.7
41.2
36.7
13.0
15.0
50.8
36.4
37.2
13.0
15.3
62.2
37.1
N ut m argarine.............................
Cheese.............. ............................
Lard..............................................
Crisco.............................................
Eggs, strictly fresh......................
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
Doz..
40.0
40.5
33.2
34.4
43.5
38.8
41.7
33.6
33.2
41.5
35.0
39.9
30.2
32.4
43.2
35.7
40.0
32.4
33.3
41.9
35.2
40. 1
31.9
33.8
63.5
34.2
40.1
32.9
33.7
60.7
40.0
39.1
32.8
32.8
43.7
39.4
39.3
34.5
32.9
43.6
31.8
35.5
31.0
33.2
41.8
32.1
36.8
32.3
33.7
42.7
Bread............................................. Lb.2. . 10.0
Flour............................................. L b ... 6.9
Corn meal...................................... L b ... 5.4
Corn flakes....................................
14.8
(3)
Cream of W h e a t.......................... (4)
25.0
10.0
7.1
5.1
15. 0
25.0
9.8
6.8
4.9
13.8
25.3
9.8
6.8
5.0
13.5
25.2
9.3
6.7
7.5
15.0
25.0
9.3
6.8
7.3
15.0
25.2
10.0
7.2
5.1
14.5
24.5
10.0
7.2
5.1
14.3
24.6
9.2
6.2
5.3
14.3
25.2
9.2
6.4
5.3
14.2
25.2
Rice...............................................
Beans, n av y................ .................
Potatoes........................................
Onions...........................................
L b ... 13.0
L b ... 13.8
L b ... 3.4
L b ... 5.0
12.9
13.3
3.1
6.5
13.3
13.9
2.4
4.1
13.0
13.0
2.3
6.4
13.1
14.0
2.7
4.1
13.3
12.5
2.5
5.4
12.3
13.5
3.1
4.6
12.4
13.4
2.9
7.2
13.6
9. 8
2.4
3.2
13. 7
9.8
2.3
4.6
Cabbage......................................... L b ... 5.2
Beans, baked................................ (5
20.3
( orn, canned................................. 0)
19.4
Peas, canned................................. (5)
19.1
6.0
19.1
19.4
20.8
4.9
17.6
19.6
19.2
6.1
16.3
18.6
18.7
3.5
19.5
22.2
21.2
4.3
18.8
21.9
21.0
4.2
19.6
18.7
18.2
4.8
19.2
18.8
17.9
2.8
18.6
16.3
15.4
3.7
20.0
16.6
17.1
Tomatoes, canned........................ 00
Sugar, granulated........................ L b ...
T ea................................................ L b ...
Coffee............................................. L b ...
17.6
10.9
80.8
39.2
15.7
11.1
86.4
42.1
15.6
10.8
79.0
37.0
15.4
10.7
79.8
37.3
22.8
10.7
62.7
39.8
21. .5
10.7
63.1
41.2
15.1
10.8
83.1
38.3
15.2
10.8
83.7
39.2
16.3
11.0
58.9
38.6
16.4
10.9
61.0
40.4
Prunes...........................................
Raisins..........................................
Bananas........................................
Oranges..........................................
17.2
18.0
35.6
56.7
17.5 19.7
18.8 15.7
35. 6 36.7
57.3 41.2
21.0
16.4
37.1
48.1
19.5
16.5
32.5
46.9
20.2
16.2
34.5
51.8
20.8 22.5
16. 8 16.7
33. 8 35.0
45.2 51.1
22.2
15. 2
35.6
46.0
21.8
15.8
39.3
53.4
1 15-16 ounce can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
L b ...
L b ...
D oz..
Doz..
* Baked weight.
[13641
* 8-ounce package.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
139
FO O D F O R F E B . 15 A N D M AR. 15, 1919, F O R 31 C IT IE S —Continued.
Mobile, Ala.
N ew ark, N . J.
New H av en , Conn.
Norfolk, Va.
O m aha, Nebr.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
F eb.,
1919.
M ar.,
1919.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
35.3
35.1
30.7
25.8
22.7
35.7
35.4
31.2
27.1
24.5
47.3
47.6
40.2
33.8
25-3
48.1
48.3
40.5
33.4
25.1
41.0
62.5
55.0
36.1
39.4
41.8
61.1
54.0
37.8
43.6
39.4
49.9
55.0
40.3
41.6
39.7
49.7
55.0
42.8
42.8
30.9
18.3
17.6
59.3
41.0
31.0
18.3
16.2
68.7
41.1
34.7
18.0
15.5
61.4
39.6
42.3
33.7
34.0
48.6
37.0
40.2
34.0
33.5
43.4
9.7
7.2
5.9
14.7
25.3
55.3
49.5
38.4
33.6
55.5
49.7
38.8
33.3
46.7
42.0
37.2
31.3
22.8
47.9
43.2
38.9
34.0
21.8
37.0
35.3
28.3
25.0
36.5
57.9
58.4
40.1
41.4
37.4
56.8
58.2
41.1
42.9
36.2
56.6
42.2
43.2
46.2
39.1
55.7
42.0
44.3
45.8
33.3
58.4
55.0
29.4
33.9
36.1
58.8
55.9
34.9
37.1
36.4
15.5
14.3
69.5
39.4
34.3
16.0
15.7
57.2
39.3
35.9
16.0
15.3
63.5
38.7
34.1
18.0
16.8
62.3
43.8
34.2
21.5
15.0
67.1
43.3
31.4
15.0
17.0
52.5
39.5
31.9
13.8
16.8
64.9
40.1
36.0
43.5
32.8
32.2
63.8
35.8
44.2
33.5
31.4
58.6
36.6
42.9
31.7
34.0
68.5
36.5
42.3
33.7
34.0
60.7
39.5
41.2
34.5
33.6
49.8
38.0
40.6
35.1
33.9
46.5
36.2
39.5
33.5
33.6
44.7
36.0
38.3
35.1
32.9
45.3
9.7
7.2
5.5
14.7
25.3
9.8
6.8
6.9
12.8
23.8
9.9
6.9
7.0
12.6
23.8
10.0
6.3
7.8
14.1
24.6
10.0
6.4
7.4
14.0
24.6
9.9
6.9
5.6
14.0
24.8
9.9
6.9
5.9
14.3
25.3
10.0
10.0
6.3
5.9
14.7
25.4
6.3
5.6
14.9
25.2
12.9
15.7
4.1
4.7
12.8
13.9
3.8
6.0
14.2
13.8
3.9
5.1
13.6
13.1
3.6
6.2
14.3
15.2
3.2
4.8
14.1
14.6
2.8
6.3
14.2
14.3
3.0
5.2
14.8
12.1
3.0
7.2
14.1
13.3
2.6
4.2
13.9
13:3
2.5
6.4
4.8
19.8
20.0
19.6
5.2
18.9
19.0
19.1
3.9
16.8
21.9
19.8
5.6
15.7
19.7
19.5
4.3
18.9
21.5
21.8
5.7
18.7
21.7
21.9
5.6
15.2
23.4
22.9
6.5
14.8
24.6
23.3
4.2
21.8
18.5
19.7
5.5
21.5
17.2
18.1
15.2
10.9
73.3
34.2
15.6
10.8
73.6
34.9
17.5
10.0
59.2
34.4
15.1
10.0
57.7
35.4
18.3
10.3
64.3
38.5
18.1
10.1
65.5
39.1
16.4
10.4
84.4
39.9
15.5
10.3
86.3
40.9
18.0
10.8
72.6
38.3
17.4
10.9
75.9
40.3
21.4
20.0
30.0
45.7
20.3
19.4
30.0
54.7
21.8
15.5
37.7
50.0
22.2
15.5
39.0
60.8
24.4
16.4
33.8
53.5
24.4
16.5
35.6
58.9
21.3
16.1
35.8
48.6
22.7
16.3
38.6
70.0
20.8
17.2
40.0
49.2
20.7
17.1
36.3
52.4
i 28-ouaoe package.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
* No. 2 can-
[ 1365 ]
JR. R
38.6
36.5
30.3
26.3
IQ 1
MONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW,
140
A VERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF T H E P R IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF
Peoria,
111.
Article.
Portland,
Me.
Portland,
Oreg.
Providence, Richmond,
R. I.
Va.
Unit.
Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar., Feb., Mar.,
1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919.
as.
Sirloin steak.................................
Round steak.................................
Rib roast.......................................
Chuck roast...................................
Plate beef......................................
Cts.
Cts.
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
42.1
33.3
20.5
24.4
19.4
C ts.
C ts.
36.3
35.3
27.8
25.9
20.4
58.1
49.7
33.9
29.3
61.1
53.0
35.1
30.2
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
33.6
31.6
29.9
23.9
19. 2
35.2
33.1
31.6
25.4
20.4
Cts.
C ts.
65.6
53.1
42.5
36.5
65.5
53.3
42.3
36.3
44. 4
4L 8
35.2
31.6
44.8
41.8
35.7
31.4
Pork chops....................................
Bacon, sliced.................................
Ham, sliced...................................
Lam b.............................................
Hens...............................................
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
33.1
57.9
54.6
35.5
34.0
35.5
56.8
55.0
37.0
38.4
36.6
52.4
54.8
36.1
43.3
37.6
52.1
54.2
38.2
44.5
41.1
57.3
54.9
34.6
40.3
41.2
58.1
55.4
38.7
41.8
41.2
52.7
60.9
41.2
43.6
39.6
52.1
60.3
43.5
44.5
36.8
51.1
49.0
40.7
42.9
37.6
50.7
49.6
42.1
42.6
Salmon, canned............................
Milk, fresh.....................................
Milk, evaporated (unsweetened).
B u tter...........................................
Oleomargarine..............................
L b ...
Q t ...
0)
L b ...
L b ...
30.5
11.9
18.0
54.1
39.9
30.3
11.9
16.0
64.8
39.6
29.9
16.0
15.9
60.2
39.0
29.3
16.0
15.8
39.2
32.7
15.5
16.1
56.2
41.5
36.1
14.7
15.0
68.3
40.7
35.2
16.4
16.3
57.3
36.9
35.6
16.5
15.9
64.7
36.6
28.4
15.5
15.5
61.7
40.4
28.2
16.0
15.3
68.5
39.8
N ut m argarine..............................
Cheese............................................
L ard ...............................................
Crisco.............................................
Eggs, strictly fresh......................
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
Doz..
36.3
40.6
32.1
33.2
40.0
35.9
40.9
34.3
33.6
44.1
35.6
41.9
31.9
33.6
62.6
35.4
42.0
34.9
33.6
59.1
38.0
42.8
34.2
35.7
49.8
36.5
40.2
34.5
35.2
45.9
33.6
40.7
32.4
34.7
69.9
33.8
41.9
34.4
33.8
60.5
37.8
43.1
33.5
33.3
49.9
37.3
41.4
33.7
33.8
45.2
66.8
Bread............................................. Lb.2.. 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 9.8
9.9
H o u r............................................. L b ... 7.0
7.0 6.4
6.5
6.6 6.5
Corn meal...................................... L b ... 6.0 5.9 6.6 6.0 7.3
7.4
Corn flakes....................................
14.9 14.9 13.8 14.1 14.7 14.6
(3)
Cream of W h e a t.......................... (<)
26.2 26.4 25.1 24.6 28.9 28.2
13.9
24.3
14.2
24.6
14.6
24.8
14.6
24.8
R ice...............................................
Beans, n avy.................................
Potatoes........................................
Onions...........................................
12.1
2.8
13.5
14.7
15.3
3.3
5.2
14.7
14.3
L b ... 14.0
L b ... 13.8
L b ... 2.7
L b ... 4.6
14.0
13.0
2.5
6.7
Cabbage......................................... L b ... 4.4
Beans, baked................................ (5)
19.6
Corn, canned................................. (0
17.2
Peas, canned................................. (6) 19.0
19.0
17.0
18.9
6.1
14.0
13.4
2.8
4.1
2.5
21.9
13.9
13.3
2.5
6.4
3.1
22.0
10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
6.5
7.0
6. 8 6.8
6.1 5. 8 5.7 5.4
13.8
12.7
13.6
3.3
4.9
13.3
13.5
2.9
4.1
4.7
24.3
4.7
24.4
22.3
21.7
3.7
17.6
19.4
19.7
5.4
18.4
19.9
19.9
20.0 19.2
21.2 21.2
4.7
16.9
6.5
16.7
10.8 10.8 10.6
18.0
10.5
63.4
41.2
18.2
10.9
78.9
35.5
10.8
20.1
21.4
15.6
38.0
59.3
18.9
16.1
41.5
44.6
19.3
16.2
41.8
57.1
11.1
2.2 2.0
21.6
19.9
21.9
20.4
20.8
21.0
Tomatoes, canned........................ (6)
16.1 16.3 20.6
Sugar, granulated........................ L b ... 11.1 11.1 10.5
T ea................................................ L b ... 71.4 71.8 64.7
Coilee............................................. L b ... 36.2 35.9 37.5
21.7
10.4
63.6
38.3
18.6
20.3
18.7
62.3
38.0
61.1
39.7
62.5
40.0
20.5
15.3
37.5
61.3
14.8
15.6
43.5
53.3
15.2
15.3
45.0
57.5
15.5
35.0
52.2
Prunes...........................................
Raisins...........................................
Bananas........................................
Oranges..........................................
1 15-16 ounce can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
L b ... 21.0 22.6
L b ... 16.8 17.6
Doz.. 09.6 010.0
Doz.. 47.5 48.2
20.3
15.2
35.0
55.4
2 Baked weight.
[ 1366 ]
5.9
3 8-ounce package.
2.8
6.8
18.5
80.1
36.2
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
141
FOOD FOR F E B . 15 AND MAR. 15, 1919, FOR 31 CITIES—Concluded.
Rochester, N. Y.
St. Paul, Minn.
Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
Feb.,
1919.
Mar.,
1919.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
39. 2
37. 3
32. 2
29.8
30.2
39.5
37.5
32.7
30.1
22.3
36.4
31.9
29.2
23. 0
18.6
36.9
33.5
31.8
26.7
19.2
34.1
32.7
27.9
24.0
18. 7
38.1
49.6
51.6
35.7
43.7
38.3
48.6
51.9
36.8
44.3
32.0
53.3
52.5
29.8
33.7
35.4
53.9
52.9
32.0
36.3
30.9
14. 0
16.8
57.6
40.8
30.4
13.5
15.2
65.5
40.9
31.7
13.0
14.9
51.9
37.9
33.5
40.9
32.5
32.8
54.3
33.9
40.8
32.8
32.8
51.6
10.0
6.5
6.3
13.6
24.3
Scranton, Pa.
Springfield, 111.
Feb.,
1919.
C ts .
Mar.,
1919.
C ts .
36.8
34.3
29.7
26. 1
20.1
46.5
42.3
38.0
31.8
22.8
47.6
43.2
38.2
32.5
22.8
33.1
33.1
27.8
24.9
20.4
40.5
60.0
52.3
32.8
35.7
39.5
59.5
53.5
32.6
36.6
39.8
60.0
58.9
40.3
45.1
39.4
57.3
55.0
42.2
45.3
34.3
53.8
4971
35.4
32.0
35.9
53.3
49.7
35.0
35.7
31.5
13.0
14.9
63.0
38.1
32.7
12.5
16.6
54.4
40.0
33.3
12.5
14.9
66.3
40.0
32.2
14.0
15.2
56.9
38.9
32.9
14.0
15.4
62.1
38.4
32.0
14.3
17.4
56.0
40.2
32.5
14.3
17.3
66.9
39.7
33.9
38.0
31.7
34.3
41.4
33.1
36.9
34.0
34.1
42.1
39.3
38.3
34.5
36.1
48.1
39.4
37.3
34.6
36.2
48.8
35.5
41.4
32.3
33.4
57.0
36.0
40. 3
33.4
33.8
51.9
37.4
41.0
32.2
34.4
42.3
36.2
40.9
33.5
35.0
46.4
9.9
6.6
6.4
13.7
24.4
8.6
6.3
6.0
14.8
25.8
8.8
6.5
5.8
14.9
25.4
10.0
5.6
7.5
14.8
25.7
10.0
5.6
7.4
14.8
26.0
10.0
7.0
6.4
14.1
24.7
10.0
6.9
6.8
14.0
24.8
10.0
6.7
6.6
14.7
26.8
10.0
6.6
6.1
14.7
26.4
14.0
13.4
2.5
3.4
14.0
12.1
2.4
5.7
14.0
11.8
2.1
3.3
13.5
10.5
2.1
4.6
13.7
14.2
2.1
4.6
13.0
12.7
2.0
5.0
13.2
15.4
2.7
4.2
13.1
14.5
2.6
5.5
13.8
13.6
3.9
4.5
13.4
12.8
2.7
6.4
4.5
16.4
21.4
19.2
4.0
16.2
20.7
19.3
3.5
20.2
17.9
16.8
4.4
19.8
17.6
16.7
5.2
20.4
18.3
17.9
5.5
17.9
18.0
18.0
3.6
16.5
20.3
18.1
4.1
16.2
19.6
17.8
4.2
19.3
17.6
18.0
4.8
19.1
16.7
17.4
19.7
10.4
61.1
34.4
18.6
10.3
60.8
34.9
18.8
11.1
58.3
36.3
16.5
11.1
59.5
36.3
15.7
11.4
08.0
40.4
16.6
11.1
68.0
42.5
18.9
10.6
64.6
36.3
17.8
10.3
64.2
35.8
17.6
10.9
80.0
36.3
17.3
10.9
81.1
37.0
21.2
15.1
39.8
47.3
20.8
15.2
40.5
53.1
19.4
15.4
40.0
45.4
21.0
15.6
50.0
51.4
17.5
15.2
45.7
48.8
18.6
15.2
44.3
48.8
19.5
14.7
31.8
45.9
19.4
14.8
34.1
49.5
18.6
17.2
36.0
49.3
19.8
18.0
40.0
52.0
4 28-ounce package.
114339°—19--- -10
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
&No. 2 can.
[1367J
6 Per pound.
35 7
35.0
29.5
26.0
22.1
142
M ONTHLY
LABOR REVIEW.
INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1913
TO MARCH, 1919.
A strong reaction took place in the trend of wholesale prices in the
United States during March, the bureau's weighted index number
rising to 200, as compared with 197 for February. Decided changes
occurred in several of the commodity groups, the index for farm
products increasing from 215 to 225, food, etc., from 193 to 200, and
articles classed as miscellaneous from 207 to 218. A smaller increase
was shown for lumber and building materials. On the other hand,
cloths and clothing dropped from 220 to 214, and metals and metal
products from 167 to 161. Smaller decreases were registered in the
groups of fuel and lighting and chemicals and drugs, while no change
occurred in the group of house-furnishing goods.
Among the important articles whose wholesale price averaged higher
in March than in February were flaxseed, barley, corn, oats, rye,
wheat, hay, cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry, tobacco, butter, cheese,
coffee, rye flour, wheat flour, fruits, glucose, lard, com meal, bacon,
beef, hams, lamb, mutton, cabbage, raw silk, cement, lime, linseed
oil, rope, and whisky. Peanuts, beans, milk, oleomargarine, tea,
carpets, cotton and woolen goods, hosiery, coal, coke, bar iron,
copper, copper wire, pig iron, bar silver, steel, zinc, rosin, glycerin,
sulphuric acid, nitrate of soda, jute, wrapping paper, rubber, and soap
averaged lower in price, while cotton, canned goods, eggs, rice, sugar,
vinegar, prunes, brick, and shoes remained practically unchanged in
price.
In the period from March, 1918, to March, 1919, the index number
of farm products increased from 211 to 225, that of food, etc., from 178
to 200, and that of fuel and lighting from 171 to 179. During the
same time the index number of lumber and building materials in
creased from 142 to 163, that of house-furnishing goods, which is
built on a limited number of tableware articles, from 188 to 233,
and that of miscellaneous commodities, including such important
articles as cottonseed meal, jute, malt, lubricating oil, newsprint
paper, rubber, starch, soap, plug tobacco, whisky, and woodpulp,
from 184 to 218. On the other hand the index number of cloths and
clothing decreased from 220 to 214, that of metals and metal products
from 175 to 161, and that of chemicals and drugs from 217 to 171.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13681
143
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
IN D E X NUMBERS OF W HOLESALE PRICES IN SPEC IFIED MONTHS, 191 3 , TO MARCH,
BY GROUPS OF COMMODITIES.
1919,
[ 1 9 1 3 = 1 0 0 .]
Year and month.
Lum
Metals ber
and Chem House Mis
and
build
icals furnish cella
metal
ing
ing
and
prod mate
drugs.
goods. neous.
ucts.
rials.
Farm
prod
ucts.
Food,
etc.
Cloths
and
cloth
ing.
Fuel
and
light
ing.
100
97
97
101
103
100
99
96
101
102
100
100
100
100
100
100
99
99
100
100
100
107
102
98
99
100
100
101
101
98
100
101
100
99
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
99
102
100
100
99
98
101
101
101
103
104
103
102
95
103
107
99
100
100
98
99
98
90
87
92
91
85
83
98
99
97
96
101
101
101
109
103
103
103
103
98
99
97
95
100
98
99
99
102
107
108
105
106
105
104
104
96
98
99
103
86
84
84
90
83
91
102
100
94
94
94
93
106
102
107
121
101
101
101
101
98
97
96
99
93
99
101
101
108
114
118
136
114
117
121
140
110
119
126
137
102
105
105
128
126
147
145
151
99
102
98
101
140
150
143
135
105
109
111
114
107
111
122
132
HO
116
119
133
147
150
162
180
196
198
198
204
203
207
211
204
150
160
161
182
191
187
180
180
178
183
184
185
161
162
163
169
173
179
187
193
193
194
202
206
170
178
181
178
187
193
183
159
155
142
151
153
183
190
199
208
217
239
257
249
228
182
173
173
106
108
111
114
117
127
132
133
134
134
135
135
144
146
151
155
164
165
185
198
203
242
232
230
128
129
129
151
151
162
165
165
165
165
175
175
137
138
140
144
148
153
151
156
155
164
165
166
150
165
160
171
181
184
185
184
182
180
182
181
205
207
211
217
212
214
221
229
236
223
219
221
188
186
178
179
178
179
185
191
199
199
203
207
209
213
220
230
234
243
249
251
251
253
253
246
169
171
171
170
172
171
178
178
179
179
182
183
173
175
175
176
177
177
183
183
183
186
186
183
136
137
142
145
147
148
152
156
158
157
163
163
216
217
217
214
209
205
202
207
206
204
201
182
188
188
188
188
188
192
192
227
233
233
233
233
178
181
184
193
197
199
192
191
195
197
207
204
185
187
187
191
191
193
198
202
297
204
206
206
220
215
225
204
193
200
231
220
214
181
181
179
172
167
161
160
162
163
179
173
171
233
233
233
206
207
218
202
197
200
A ll
com
modi
ties.
1913.
Average lor year___
January.....................
April..........................
July...........................
October.....................
1914.
January.....................
April..........................
July...........................
October.....................
1915.
January.....................
April..........................
July...........................
October.....................
1916.
January.....................
April..........................
Ju ly ...........................
October.....................
1917.
January.....................
February..................
March........................
April.........................
May...........................
Ju n e..........................
July...........................
August......................
September................
October.....................
November................
December..................
1918.
January.....................
F ebruary..................
March........................
April..........................
May...........................
Ju n e..........................
July...........................
August......................
September................
October.....................
November................
December.................
19 1 9 .
January.....................
February..................
M arch1.....................
1 Preliminary.
CHANGES IN WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES.
Decreases in the wholesale price of many important commodities
in the United States during the first quarter of 1919 are shown by
information collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in representa
tive markets. Among the articles showing a decrease are butter,
eggs, milk, oats, rye, rye flour, potatoes, cotton, wool, cotton and
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1369]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
144
wool textiles, coal, coke, copper, pig iron, steel, and spelter. On the
other hand, some articles, as cattle, hogs, sheep, bacon, lard, mutton,
wheat, wheat flour, corn, barley, and leather increased in price during
the quarter. A few articles, as beef, rice, sugar, hides, pig tin, pig
lead, and petroleum, showed practically no change in price.
Comparing prices in January with those at the beginning of 1918,
it is seen that a number of commodities were much higher. Con
spicuous examples of these are cattle, beef, hogs, hams, butter, milk,
sugar, shoes, and coal. Decreases between these two dates are shown
for sheep, mutton, corn, oats, rye, rye flour, barley, potatoes, cotton,
cotton yarn, wool, worsted yarn, hides, coke, copper, pig iron, steel,
pig tin, and pig lead.
W H O LESA LE
P R IC E S IN
1918 A N D
J U L Y , 1914, 1915, 1916, A N D
1919, A S C O M P A R E D
1917, A N D
W IT H A V E R A G E
IN C E R T A IN
P R IC E S IN
M ONTHS OF
1913.
AVERAGE MONEY PRICES.
U n it.
1919.
1918.
J u ly A r t ic l e .
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
Jan.
A p r.
J u ly .
O ct.
Jan.
F eb.
M ar.
FOODSTUFFS.
(a ) A n im a l.
$
8
C a t t le , g o o d to
100 l b s . . 8 .5 0 7 9 .2 1 9
c h o ic e ste e r s .
.1 3 5
.1 3 0
B e e f, fresh , g o o d
L b ..........
n a t iv e ste e r s .
B e e f, s a lt, e x tr a
B b l ____ 1 8 .9 2 3 1 7 .2 5 0
m ess.
H o g s , h e a v y ............ 100 l b s . . 8 .3 6 5 8 .7 6 9
B a c o n , s h o r tc le a r
.1 4 1
.1 2 7
L b ..........
s id e s .
H am s, sm ok ed ,
.1 6 6
.1 7 7
L b ..........
lo o se .
L a r d , p r im e , c o n .1 1 0
.1 0 2
L b ..........
tra ct.
P o r k , s a l t , m e s s . . B b l . . . . 22. 471 2 3 .6 2 5
S h e e p , e w e s .............. 100 l b s . . 4 .6 8 7 4 .5 3 8
.1 0 3
.0 9 5
M u t t o n , d r e s s e d . . L b ..........
B u tte r , crea m ery ,
.2 7 0
L b ..........
.3 1 0
e x tr a .
E g g s , f r e s h , f i r s t s . . D o z ____
.2 2 6
.1 8 7
M illc ................................
.0 3 5
.0 3 0
8
©
$
%
?
?
%
$
%
9 .2 1 3 ' 9 .9 8 5 1 2 .5 6 0 1 3 .1 1 3 1 5 .1 7 5 1 7 .6 2 5 1 7 .8 5 6 1 8 .4 1 3 1 8 .4 6 9 1 8 .5 7 5
.1 3 2
.1 4 1
.1 6 4
.1 7 5
.2 0 5
.2 4 0
.2 4 5
.2 4 5
.2 4 5
.2 4 5
1 7 .5 0 0 1 8 .2 5 0 3 0 .5 0 0 3 1 .5 0 0 3 1 .9 0 0 3 4 .8 7 5 3 5 .5 0 0 3 5 .5 0 0 3 5 .5 0 0 3 5 .5 0 0
7 .2 8 1
.1 1 1
9 .8 2 5 1 5 .4 6 0 1 6 .3 0 0 1 7 .1 5 0 1 7 .7 2 0 1 7 .8 5 0 1 7 .5 3 8 1 7 .6 3 8 1 8 .9 5 5
.2 8 9
.2 8 6
.3 0 5
.2 9 3
.2 7 1
.2 8 3
.2 4 8
.2 7 6
.1 5 7
.1 6 1
.1 9 0
.2 4 0
.2 9 5
.3 0 8
.3 0 3
.3 3 6
.3 4 9
.3 3 4
.3 3 8
.0 8 1
.1 3 1
.2 0 1
.2 5 0
.2 5 8
.2 6 4
.2 6 6
.2 3 8
.2 5 2
.2 8 0
1 8 .5 0 0 2 7 .1 6 7 4 2 .2 5 0 5 0 .4 0 0 5 3 .2 0 0 4 8 .5 0 0 4 2 .5 0 0 5 0 .3 7 5 4 9 .6 2 5 5 0 .1 2 5
5 .4 6 9 6 .5 4 5 8 .6 0 0 1 1 .1 4 4 1 4 .9 5 0 1 0 .9 7 5 9 .4 6 9 9 .5 5 6 1 0 .3 7 5 1 2 .5 5 0
.1 5 1
.1 7 6
.2 1 4
.1 4 5
.1 9 2
.2 4 3
.2 0 5
.1 9 1
.1 0 9
.1 3 1
.4 1 5
.5 5 4
.6 1 8
.4 9 3
.6 0 2
.2 6 1
.2 7 6
.3 7 6
.4 8 7
.4 3 2
.1 6 9
. 03C
.2 2 3
.0 3 1
.3 1 8
.0 5 0
.5 5 7
.0 8 1
.3 3 0
.0 5 9
.3 7 4
.0 5 4
.4 9 7
.0 8 2
.5 7 9
.0 9 1
.3 7 9
.0 8 1
.3 8 9
.0 7 6
2 .5 8 2
2 .1 7 0
2 .1 7 0
2 .1 7 0
2 .2 1 6
2 .2 2 3
2 .2 3 5
2 .3 2 8
( 6 ) Vegetable.
W h e a t , N o . 1,
B u ..........
n o rth ern .
W h e a t flo u r ,
B b l....
s ta n d a r d p a te n t.
C o m , N o . 2 ,m i x e d . B u ..........
C o r n m e a l .................. 100 l b s . .
O a ts, s ta n d a r d , in
B u ..........
sto r e .
R y e , N o 2 .................. B u ..........
R y e f l o u r .................... B b l . . . .
B a r l e y , f a ir t o
B u ..........
g o o d m a lt in g .
L b ..........
R ic e , H o n d u r a s,
head.
P o ta to e s, w h it e ..
B u ..........
S u g a r , g r a n u l a t e d . L b ..........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.8 7 4
.8 9 7
1 .3 9 0
1 .1 7 0
4 .5 8 4
4 .5 9 4
7 .0 3 1
6 .1 0 0 1 2 .7 5 0 110.085 1 9 .9 8 5 110.702 110.21C 1 0 .2 7 5 10.55C 1 1 .2 1 3
.6 2 5
1 .5 9 t
.3 7 6
.7 1 0
1.78C
.3 6 9
.7 8 3
1 .7 5 0
.5 2 9
.8 0 8
1 .9 8 2
.4 0 5
1 .0 3 5
4 .8 2 5
.7 6 5
1 .3 8 5
3 .3 7 0
. 691
1 .4 0 1
3 . 15C
.6 5 3
1 .2 9 5
2 .8 3 8
.5 7 8
1 .4 8 5
3 .1 5 0
.6 2 7
.6 3 6
3 .4 6 8
.6 2 5
.6 1 8
3 .0 7 5
.533
1 .0 3 6
5 .5 3 3
. 743
.9 6 6 2 .2 2 6 1 .9 1 5 2 .6 4 8 1 .7 0 5
5 .0 3 5 1 1 .4 1 7 1 0 .3 5 6 1 3 .6 8 7 1 0 .5 0 0
.7 4 6 1 .3 9 1 1 .5 3 ' 1 .7 2 2 1 .1 2 5
1 .6 2 5
9 .1 6 9
.9 5 7
1.6 1 3
8 .7 3 8
.9 5 6
1 .3 6 7
8 .0 0 0
. 90C
1 .5 6 8
8 .6 0 6
.9 8 1
.0 5 ]
.054
. 041
.0 4 5
. 07C
. 07«
.0 8 7
.0 9 '
.091
.0 9 ]
. 09(
.0 9 1
.6 1 '
.0 4 3
1 .2 0 6
.0 4 2
.4 4 '
.0 5 8
.8 6 3
.0 7 5
2 .3 7 5
.0 7 5
1 .2 7 2
.0 7 4
.6 8 7
.0 7 3
1 .0 3 5
.0 7 4
.9 9 3
.0 8 8
1 .0 8 '
.0 8 8
1 .0 0 ]
.0 8 8
1 .0 0 1
.0 8 8
2 .0 4 4
4.88C
.7 6 4
1 .7 7 5
4 .8 3 5
. 79i
1 S t a n d a r d w a r f lo u r .
[1370]
1 .6 6 5
5.35C
.8 7 2
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
145
W H O LESA LE PRICES IN JU LY, 1914, 1915, 1916, AND 1917, AND IN CERTAIN MONTHS OF
1918 AND 1919, AS COMPARED W ITH AVERAGE PRICES IN 1913-Continued.
A V E R A G E M O N E Y P R I C E S — Concluded.
J u ly —
A r t ic le .
U n it.
1918
1919
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
Jan.
A p r.
J u ly .
O ct.
Jan.
F eb.
M ar.
TEXTILES AND
LEATHER GOODS.
C o tto n , u p la n d ,
m id d lin g .
C o tto n
yarn,
c a r d e d , 10/1.
S h e e t in g , b r o w n ,
P e p p e r e ll.
B le a c h e d m u s lin ,
L o n s d a le .
W o o l , 1 /4 a n d 3 /8
grad es, sco u red .
W o r ste d
yarn,
2 /3 2 ’s.
C la y w o r s t e d s u i t
i n g s , 1 6 -o z.
S t o r m s e r g e , a l lw o o l , 5 0 -in .
H id e s ,
p a ck ers’
heavy
n a t iv e
ste e r s.
L ea th er, ch ro m e
c a lf .
L e a t h e r , s o le , o a k .
S h o e s , m e n ’s ,
G o o d y ea r w e lt,
v i c i c a l f ,b l u c h e r .
S h o e s , w o m e n ’s ,
G o o d y ea r w e lt,
g u n m e ta l, b u t
to n .
L b .......... $ 0 ,1 2 8 $ 0 .1 3 1 $ 0 .0 9 2 $ 0 .1 3 0 $0. 261 $ 0 .3 2 4 $ 0 .3 1 7 $ 0 .3 1 2 $. 0325 $ 0 .2 9 6 $ 0 .2 6 3
$ 0 .2 7 3
L b ..........
.2 2 1
.2 1 5
.1 6 0
.2 5 3
.4 5 0
.5 3 6
.6 1 6
.6 4 1
.6 1 0
.4 5 5
.4 1 6
.4 0 0
Y d ..........
.0 7 3
.0 7 0
.0 6 0
.0 7 8
.1 4 0
.1 7 1
.2 4 0
0)
0)
.1 9 1
.1 6 8
.1 5 4
Y d ..........
.0 8 2
.0 8 5
.0 7 5
.0 8 8
.1 6 0
.1 8 0
.2 3 0
.2 5 0
.2 5 0
.2 0 9
.1 8 6
.1 8 6
L b ...........
.4 7 1
.4 4 4
. 557
.6 8 6
1 .2 0 0
1 .4 5 5
1 .4 5 5
1 .4 3 7
1 .4 3 7
1 .2 0 0
1 .0 9 1
1 .2 0 0
2 .1 5 0
1 .7 5 0
L b ..........
.7 7 7
.6 5 0
.8 5 0
1 .1 0 0
1. 600 2 .0 0 0
2 .1 5 0
2 .1 5 0
Y d ..........
1 .3 8 2
1 .3 2 8
1 .5 0 8
2 .0 0 0
3 .2 5 0
4 .0 6 5
4 .2 7 5
4 .4 5 0
Y d ..........
.5 6 3
.5 0 5
.5 3 9
.7 6 0
1 .1 7 6
1 .3 0 8
1 .3 0 8
1 .4 7 0
1 .6 4 2
L b ..........
.1 8 4
.1 9 4
.2 5 8
.2 7 0
.3 3 0
.3 2 8
.2 7 2
.3 2 4
.3 0 0
S q .ft ...
.2 7 0
.2 7 5
.2 8 0
.4 6 0
.5 4 0
.5 3 0
. 550
.6 4 0
.6 3 0
.6 6 0
.6 8 0
.6 8 0
L b ..........
P a i r ____
.4 4 9
3 .1 1 3
.4 7 5
3 .1 5 0
.4 9 5
3. 250
.6 3 5
3 .7 5 0
.8 1 5
4 .7 5 0
.8 3 0
4 .7 5 0
.8 0 0
5 .0 0 0
.8 3 0
5. 645
.7 7 0
6 .5 0 0
.7 8 5
6 .5 0 0
.8 1 5
6 .5 0 0
.8 1 5
6 .5 0 0
P a i r ___
2 .1 7 5
2. 260
2 .3 5 0
2 .7 5 0
3 .5 0 0
3 .5 0 0
3 .5 0 0
4 .5 0 0
4 .8 5 0
4 .8 5 0
4 .8 5 0
4 .8 5 0
0)
1 .7 0 0
1 .5 0 0
3 .1 5 0
3 .1 5 0
1 .6 4 2
1 .6 4 2
1 .0 5 4
.2 8 0
.2 8 0
.2 7 6
0)
MINERAL AND
METAL PRODUCTS.
C o a l, a n t h r a c i t e ,
c h e stn u t.
C o a l, b i t u m i n o u s ,
r u n o f m in e .
C o k e , fu r n a c e,
p r o m p t.
C op p er,
e le c t r o
ly tic .
C o p p e r w ir e , b a re,
N o . 8.
P ig ir o n , B e s s e m er.
S t e e l b i l l e t s ...............
T in p la te , d o m e s
t ic , c o k e .
P i g t i n ..........................
P i g l e a d .......................
S p e l t e r .........................
P e tr o le u m , c r u d e .
P e tr o le u m ,
re
fin e d ,
w a te r w h it e .
G a s o lin e , m o t o r . .
2 ,2 4 0 l b s .
5 .3 1 3
5 .2 4 1
5 .2 0 0
5 .5 0 7
5 .9 3 3
6 .6 0 0
6 .3 7 0
6. 693
7 .0 0 0
8 .0 5 0
8 .0 5 0
8 .0 0 4
2 ,0 0 0 l b s .
2 .2 0 0
2 .2 0 0
2 .2 0 0
2 .2 0 0
5. 000 3 .6 0 0
3 .0 0 0
4 .1 0 0
4 .1 0 0
4 .1 0 0
4 .0 0 0
4 .0 0 0
2 ,0 0 0 l b s .
2 .5 3 8
2 .0 0 0
2 .7 5 0
2 .7 5 0 1 5 .0 0 0
6 .0 0 0
6 .0 0 0
6 .0 0 0
6 .0 0 0
5 .7 8 1
5 .2 1 9
4 .4 6 9
L b ..........
.1 5 7
.1 3 4
.1 9 9
.2 6 5
.3 1 8
.2 3 5
.2 3 5
.2 5 5
.2 6 0
.2 0 4
.1 7 3
.1 5 1
L b ..........
.1 6 7
.1 4 8
.2 1 0
.3 2 5
.3 3 8
.2 6 3
.2 6 3
.2 8 5
.2 9 0
.2 2 8
.2 0 5
.1 7 4
2 ,2 4 0 lb s . 1 7 .1 3 3 1 4 .9 0 0 1 4 .9 5 0 2 1 .9 5 0 5 7 .4 5 0 37. 250 3 6 .1 5 0 3 6 .6 0 0 3 6 .6 0 0 3 3 .6 0 0 3 3 .6 0 0 3 2 .5 3 8
2 ,2 4 0 lb s . 2 5 .7 8 9 1 9 .0 0 0 2 1 .3 8 0 41. 000 100.000 4 7 .5 0 0 4 7 .5 0 0 4 7 .5 0 0 4 7 .5 0 0 4 3 .5 0 0 4 3 .5 0 0 42. 250
100 l b s . . 3 .5 5 8 3 .3 5 0 3 .1 7 5 5 .8 7 5 1 2 .0 0 0 7 .7 5 0 7 .7 5 0 7 .7 5 0 7 .7 5 0 7 .3 5 0 7 .3 5 0 7 .2 6 3
L b ....
Lb
.
L b ..
B b l ____
G a l ____
.4 4 9
.0 4 4
.0 5 8
2. 450
.1 2 3
.3 1 1
.0 3 9
.0 5 1
1 .7 5 0
.1 2 0
.3 9 1
.0 5 8
.2 2 0
1 .3 5 0
.1 2 0
G a l.. . .
.1 6 8
.1 4 0
.1 2 0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.6 2 0
.3 8 9
.8 4 2
.1 1 4
.0 6 9
.0 6 8
.0 9 3
.1 1 3
.0 7 9
2. 600 3 .1 0 0 3 .7 5 0
.1 2 0
120
.1 6 0
.2 4 0
.2 4 0 , .2 4 0
1 No quotation.
[1371]
.8 8 0
.0 7 0
.0 7 0
4 .0 0 0
.1 6 8
.9 3 2
.0 8 0
.0 8 7
4 .0 0 0
.1 7 1
.7 9 6
.0 8 1
.0 9 1
4 .0 0 0
. 175
.7 1 5
.0 5 6
.0 7 4
4 .0 0 0
.1 7 5
.7 2 4
.0 5 1
.0 6 7
4 .0 0 0
.1 7 5
.0 5 2
.0 6 5
4 .0 0 0
.1 8 1
.2 4 0
.2 4 1
.2 4 5
.2 4 5
.2 4 5
.2 4 5
146
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
W HOLESALE PRICES IN JULY, 1914, 1915, 1916, AND 1917, AND IN CERTAIN MONTHS
OF 1 918 AND 19 1 9 , AS COMPARED W ITH AVERAGE PRICES IN 1913— Concluded.
R E L A T IV E P R IC E S ,
July—
j
1918
j
1919
iLI tlClU.
1914
1915
1917
1916
Jan.
Apr. j July. Oct.
Jan.
Feb. Mar.
!
FOODSTUFFS.
(a )
Animal.
Cattle, good to choice steers
Beef, fresh, good native
steers.................................
Beef, salt, extra mess..........
Hogs, heavy.........................
Bacon, short clear sides. . . .
Hams, smoked, loose...........
Lard, prime, contract.........
Pork, salt, mess...................
Sheep, ewes..........................
Mutton, dressed..................
Butter, creamery, extra___
Eggs, fresh, firsts.................
M ilk...................................
(6 )
100
1 0 8 .4
lOt
103. ?
9 1 .2
10(
1(X 1 0 4 .8
lOt 1 1 1 .0
100 106. €
9 2 .7
10(
100 105. j
lOt 9 6 .8
100 i 9 2 .2
100 1 87.1
10(
8 2 .7
100
8 5 .7
108.
1 1 7 .4
1 4 7 .6
15 4 .1
1 7 8 .4
2 0 7 .2
2 0 9 .9
2 1 6 .4
217.
2 1 8 .3
101. ■
9 2 .,
87. (
8 7 .97. (
73. (
82.
116. '
105.
8 4 .2
7 4 .8
8 5 .7
108.
9 6 .117.
1 2 3 .6
1 1 4 .5
1 1 9 .]
1 2 0 .9
1 3 9 .6
1 2 7 .2
89. (
9 8 .7
8 8 .6
1 2 6 .2
1 6 1 .2
1 8 4 .8
1 9 5 .3
1 4 4 .0
1 8 2 .7
188. (
1 8 3 .5
1 4 0 .8
1 2 1 .3
140. 7
1 4 2 .9
1 3 4 .6
166. 7
194. t
230.
17 7 .7
2 2 7 .3
2 2 4 . .'
2 3 7 .8
186. 157. J
2 4 6 .5
2 3 1 .4
1 5 7 .7
1 6 8 .6 ,
2 0 5 .0
213. 1 8 5 .5 i
234.51
2 3 6 .7 !
3 1 9 .0
235. !
1 3 3 .9
146. t
1 6 8 .6
184. (
1 8 4 .3
211.
2 1 7 .;
182.
24 0 . C
2 1 5 .8
2 3 4 .2
199. (
1 3 9 .1 6 5 .5
1 5 4 .3
1 8 8 .5
1 8 7 .6
2 13. 225. 2
2 0 2 .4
2 4 1 .8
1 8 9 .]
2 0 2 .0
1 4 6 .6
1 7 8 .7
2 1 9 .9
2 3 4 .3
1 8 8 .5
1 8 7 .6
2 0 9 .7
2 2 7 .6
2 1 0 .2
2 1 6 .2 2 4 .2
2 0 3 .9
1 7 0 .9
1 9 9 .2 5 6 .2
2 6 0 .0
188.
187. (
2 1 0 .9
222.
201.
2 2 9 .:
220.
2 2 1 .4
1 8 5 .4
159. (
1 6 7 .7
2 3 1 .4
1 8 8 .5
1 8 7 .6
2 2 6 .6
2 4 0 .2
2 0 3 .6
2 5 4 .5
2 2 3 .1
2 6 7 .8
2 0 7 .8
194,. 2
1 7 2 .1
2 1 7 .1
2 4 8 .3
2 5 3 .5
2 5 4 .3
2 5 5 .7
2 6 6 .4
Vegetable.
Wheat, No. 1, n o rthern___
W heat flour, standard pate n t......................................
Corn, No. 2 , m ix e d .............
Corn meal.......... ..................
Oats, standard, in store___
Rye, No. 2 .......................................
Rye flour..............................
Barley, fair to good malting.
Rice, Honduras, head.........
Potatoes, w hite...................
Sugar, granulated................
100
159. C 1 3 3 .9
2 9 5 .4
2 4 8 .3
2 4 8 .3
1 0 0 .2
100 1 1 3 .6
100 1 1 1 .3
100
9 8 .1
9 7 .2
100
lot 88. 7
lot 8 5 .3
lot 1 0 5 .9
lot 19 6 .4
9 7 .7
100
1 5 3 .1 2 5 .3
1 0 9 .4
1 4 0 .7
162. S
1 5 9 .5
118. t
96.1
72 .;
134. 9
133. f
1 2 9 .3
1 2 4 .0
1 0 7 .7
1 5 1 .9
145. 2
119.4
8 8 .2
1 4 0 .6
1 7 4 .4
2 7 8 .1 1220. t 1 2 1 7 .8
3 2 7 .0 2 8 4 .0 2 6 6 .4
3 0 5 .2 3 0 2 .4 3 3 4 .6
2 0 3 .2 2 1 2 .5 2 3 1 .9
3 5 0 .0 3 0 1 .1 4 1 6 .4
3 2 9 .2 2 9 8 .6 3 9 4 .7
2 2 2 .6 2 4 5 .4 2 7 5 .5
1 3 7 .3 1 5 4 .9 1 7 0 .6
3 8 6 .8 2 0 7 .2 111. Ê
1 7 4 .4 1 7 2 .1 1 6 9 .8
1 2 3 3 .5
2 6 6 .4
3 0 1 .8
203. 5
2 6 8 .1
3 0 2 .8
1 8 0 .0
1 8 4 .3
1 6 8 .6
17 2 .1
100 1 0 2 .3
9 7 .3
100
100
9 5 .9
100 1 0 3 .7
9 4 .3
100
100
8 3 .7
7 1 .9
7 2.4
8 2 .2
9 1 .5
1 1 8 .3
1 0 9 .4
1 0 1 .6
1 1 4 .5
1 0 6 .8
1 0 7 .3
1 4 5 .6
1 4 1 .6
2 0 3 .9 2 5 3 .1 2 4 7 .7
2 0 3 .6 2 4 2 .5 2 7 8 .7
1 9 1 .8 2 3 4 .2 3 2 8 .8
1 9 5 .1 2 1 9 .5 2 8 0 .5
2 5 4 .8 3 0 8 .9 3 0 8 .9
2 0 5 .9 2 5 7 .4 2 7 6 .7
2 4 3 .8
2 8 9 .6
( 2)
3 0 4 .9
3 0 5 .1
2 7 6 .7
1 0 2 .6
lot
1 2 2 2 .7 2 2 4 .1 2 3 0 .1 2 4 4 .6
2 2 1 .6
210. 8
1 8 4 .3
2 5 5 .5
2 6 4 .4
1 5 3 .1
1 7 8 .4
1 6 1 .7
2 0 4 .7
2 2 4 .2
2 0 7 .2
2 3 7 .6
1 7 3 .7
2 5 3 .6
2 5 2 .0
1 5 3 .0
1 7 8 .4
1 7 6 .5
2 0 4 .7
1 5 3 .7
2 1 4 .9
230. 7
1 4 4 .0
1 7 6 .5
1 6 3 .0
2 0 4 .7
1 6 6 .8
2 4 6 .5
2 4 8 .2
1 5 7 .0
1 7 8 .4
1 6 3 .0
2 0 4 .7
253. 9
2 7 6 .0
( 2)
3 0 4 .9
3 0 5 .1
2 7 6 .7
2 3 1 .3
2 0 5 .9
2 6 1 .6
2 5 4 .9
2 5 4 .8
2 2 5 .2
2 0 5 .5 2 1 3 .3
1 8 8 .2 1 8 1 .0
2 3 0 .1 2 1 1 .0
2 2 6 .8 2 2 6 .8
2 3 1 .6 2 5 4 .8
2 1 8 .8 1 9 3 .1
TEXTILES AND LEATHER
GOODS.
Cotton, upland, m iddling..
Cotton yarn, carded, 1 0 / 1 . ..
Sheeting, brown,Peppered.
Bleached muslin, Lonsdale.
Wool, I to # grades, scoured.
W orsted yarn, 2 / 3 2 s ..................
Clay worsted suitings, 16ounce.................................
Storm serge, all wool, 50inch....................................
Hides, packers, heavy nalive steers..........................
Leather, chrome calf...........
Leather, sole, oak................
Shoes, men’s, Goodyear
welt, vici calf, blucher__
Shoes, women’s, Goodyear
welt, gun metal, b u tto n ..
100
9 6 .1
1 0 9 .1
1 4 4 .7
2 3 5 .2
2 9 4 .1
3 0 9 .3
3 2 2 .0
( 2)
(2)
2 2 7 .9
2 2 7 .9
100
8 9 .7
9 5 .7
1 3 5 .0
2 0 8 .9
2 3 2 .3
2 3 2 .3
2 6 1 .1
2 9 1 .7
2 9 1 .7
2 9 1 .7
1 8 7 .2
100
100
100
1 0 5 .4
1 0 1 .9
1 0 5 .8
1 4 0 .2
1 0 3 .7
1 1 0 .2
1 4 6 .7
1 7 0 .4
1 4 1 .4
1 7 9 .3
2 0 0 .0
1 8 1 .5
1 7 8 .3
1 9 6 .3
1 8 4 .9
1 4 7 .8 1 7 6 .1
203. 7 2 3 7 .0
1 7 8 .2 1 8 4 .9
1 6 3 .0
2 3 3 .3
1 7 1 .5
1 5 2 .2
2 4 4 .4
1 7 4 .8
1 5 2 .2 150. 0
251. 9 2 5 1 .9
1 8 1 .5 1 8 1 .5
100
1 0 1 .2
1 0 4 .4
1 2 0 .5
1 5 2 .6
1 5 2 .6
1 6 0 .6
1 8 1 .3
2 0 8 .8
2 0 8 .8
2 0 8 .8
2 0 8 .8
100
1 0 3 .9
1 0 8 .1
1 2 6 .4
1 6 0 .9
1 6 0 .9
1 6 0 .9
2 0 6 .9
2 2 3 .0
2 2 3 .0
2 2 3 .0
2 2 3 .0
MINERAL AND METAL
RBODUCTS.
Coal, anthracite, chestnut. .
Coal, bituminous, run of
m ine..................................
Coke, furnace, prompt shipm ent...................................
Copper, electrolytic.............
Copper wire, bare, No. 8 . . .
Pig iron, Bessemer..............
Steel billets..........................
Tin plate, domestic, coke...
Pig tin ...................................
Pig lead................................
Spelter...................................
Petroleum, crude................
Petroleum, refined, waterw hite.................................
Gasoline, m otor..............
100
9 8 .6
9 7 .9
1 0 3 .7
1 1 1 .7
1 2 4 .2
1 1 9 .9
1 2 6 .0
1 3 1 .8
1 5 1 .5
1 5 1 .5
1 5 0 .6
100
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
2 2 7 .3
1 6 2 .7
1 6 2 .7
1 8 6 .4
1 8 6 .4
1 8 6 .4
1 8 1 .8
1 8 1 .8
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
7 8 .8
6 9 .0
8 5 .4 1 2 6 .8
8 8 .6 125. 7
8 7 .0
8 7 .3
7 3 .7
8 2 .9
9 4 .2
8 9 .2
6 9 .3
8 7 .1
8 8 .6 1 3 1 .8
8 7 .9 3 7 9 .3
7 1 .4
5 5 .1
1 0 8 .4
1 6 8 .8
1 9 5 .6
1 2 8 .1
1 5 9 .0
1 6 5 .1
8 6 .6
1 5 6 .8
1 9 4 .8
1 0 6 .1
5 9 1 .0
2 0 2 .5
2 0 2 .4
3 3 5 .3
3 8 7 .8
3 3 7 .3
1 3 8 .1
2 5 9 .1
1 6 0 .3
1 2 6 .5
2 3 6 .4
1 4 9 .7
1 5 7 .5
2 1 7 .4
1 8 4 .2
2 1 7 .8
1 8 7 .5
1 5 4 .5
1 3 6 .2
1 5 3 .1
2 3 6 .4
1 4 9 .7
1 5 7 .5
2 1 1 .0
1 8 4 .2
2 1 7 .8
1 9 6 .0
1 5 9 .1
1 2 0 .7
1 6 3 .3
2 3 6 .4
1 6 2 .4
1 7 0 .7
2 1 3 .6
1 8 4 .2
2 1 7 .8
2 0 7 .6
1 8 1 .8
1 5 1 .7
1 6 3 .3
2 3 6 .4
1 6 5 .6
1 7 3 .7
2 1 3 .6
1 8 4 .2
2 1 7 .8
1 7 7 .3
1 8 4 .1
1 5 6 .9
1 6 3 .3
2 2 7 .8 2 0 5 .6
1 2 9 .9 1 1 0 .2
1 3 6 .5 1 2 2 .8
1 9 6 .1 19 6 .1
1 6 8 .7 1 6 8 .7
2 0 6 .6 206. 6
159. 2 1 6 1 .2
1 2 7 .3 115. 9
1 2 7 .6 1 1 5 .5
1 6 3 .3 1 6 3 .3
1 7 6 .1
9 6 .2
1 0 4 .2
1 8 9 .9
163. S
2 0 4 .1
1 6 1 .5
1 1 8 .2
1 1 2 .1
1 6 3 .3
100
100
9 7 .6
8 3 .3
9 7 .6
1 4 2 .9
9 7 .6
1 4 2 .9
1 3 0 .1
1 4 2 .9
1 3 6 .6
1 4 2 .9
1 3 9 .0
1 4 3 .5
1 4 2 .3 1 4 2 .3
145. 81 1 4 5 .8
9 7 .6
7 1 .4
1 Standard war flour.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 n
[1372]
0 quotation.
1 4 2 .3
145 8
1 4 7 .2
1 4 5 .8
COST OF LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics in cooperation with the National
War Labor Board has been making an investigation into the cost of
living in industrial centers in the United States. This investiga
tion covered 92 cities or localities in 42 States, the cities varying in
size from New York to small country towns of a few thousand popu
lation. In selecting these cities it was the aim of the bureau to get
representative data that would show living conditions in all sec
tions of the country and in all kinds of localities.
The data were secured through personal visits by agents of the
bureau to the homes of wage earners and small-salaried men, where,
by means of interviews with the wife or other members of the family,
information was obtained relative to the income and expenditures
of the family for a period of one year.
The requirements to be met in order to be scheduled were, that—
1. The family must be that of a wage earner or salaried worker,
but not of a person in business for himself. The families taken should
represent proportionally the wage earners and the low or medium
salaried families of the locality. 2. The family must have as a mini
mum a husband and wife and at least one child who is not a boarder
or lodger. 3. The family must have kept house in the locality for the
entire year covered. 4. At least 75 per cent of the family income
must come from the principal breadwinner or others who contribute
all earnings to family fund. 5. All items of income or expenditure
of members other than those living as lodgers must be obtainable.
6. The family may not have boarders nor over three lodgers either
outsiders or children living as such. 7. The family must have no
subrental other than furnished rooms for lodgers. 8. Slum or
charity families or non-English speaking families who have been
less than five years in the United States should not be taken.
Requirement 6 has been construed not to refer to or include
relatives, servants, nurses, etc., temporarily in the home, who were
furnished board free.
Data showing expenditures were grouped under six divisions,
namely: food, clothing, housing, fuel and light, furniture and fur
nishings, and miscellaneous items. Each group was subdivided
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1373]
147
148
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
into a number of items in order to show as specifically as possible
just what articles were purchased.
The summary table on pages 150 to 165 shows the results of the
investigation for 22 cities in the Atlantic coast States. The period
covered by the investigation in these cities varied from the year end
ing July 31 to the year ending November 30, 1918.
In addition to giving the average number of persons per family
in each group of families, the table shows the average “ equivalent
number of adult males” per family. This number is based on the
sex and age of the members of the family and the number of weeks
each person was in the family during the year. Careful studies and
comparisons of food consumption have led to the following assump
tion: That, as a rule, using the food consumed by an adult male
(one 15 years of age or over) as a basis, the following table may be
constructed:
A dult m ale........................
Adult female.....................
Child 11 to 14 years.........
Child 7 to 10 years...........
Child 4 to 6 years.............
Child 3 years or u n d e r ...
=
=
=
=
=
=
1.00
.90
.90
.75
.40
.15
With these figures to represent the food consumption in one year
by the different members of a family, respectively, and taking into
consideration the number of weeks each member of the family was
in the home, the number of equivalent adult males has been com
puted and entered in the table, and thus the different families and
groups of families can be reduced to the same basis for the purpose
of comparing the expenditures for food. No system has been devised
by which satisfactory comparisons between families can be made
with reference to expenditures other than for food, although probably
comparisons on the above basis would be about as accurate as any
that could be made.
The other columns of the table are self-explanatory.
There is a noticeable agreement in the per cent of expenditure for
the several groups of items respectively between the several cities.
As between income groups the actual amount spent for food increased
with the income, while as a rule, the per cent of expenditure devoted
to food decreased with the increase of income. The per cent expended
for clothing clearly increased with the income, while miscellaneous
expenditures, which include insurance, church, religious and labor
organizations, gifts to charity, street-car fares, movies, payments on
account of illness, and all other expenses not provided for in any of
the specific groups named, increased with the income, but not with
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1374]
MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW.
149
the same degree of regularity. The per cent of expenditure for rent
and for fuel and light, while decreasing slightly with the increase of
income, does not seem to bear much comparative relation to income,
nor is there apparently any relation between income and per cent
of expenditure for furniture and house furnishings. Data from other
cities will be published in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w from time
to time.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1375]
150
AVERAGE AMOUNT AND P E R CENT OF E X PE N D IT U R E PER ANNUM FOR TH E PRINCIPAL GROUPS OF ITEMS OF COST OF LIVING OF
FAMILIES IN SPEC IFIED INDUSTRIAL CENTERS, BY CITIES AND BY INCOME GROUPS.
BALTIM ORE, MD.: W hite F am ilies.
Income group.
Total.....................
Families Aver
Total
Deficit.
Surplus.
age
having
average
sur
neither
yearly
plus
Furniture Miscel expenses Families Average Families Average surplus
for
nor
per
and fur
having— amount. having— amount. deficit. group.
nishings. laneous. family.
Average yearly expenses per family for—
Food.
Clothing.
Rent.
Fuel
and
light.
3 .9
4 .7
4 .8
5 .1
5 .8
5 .8
8 .0
2 .7 9
3 .1 9
3 .1 6
3 .6 4
4 .1 8
4 .8 3
5 .0 4
$ 3 8 2 .9 4
4 6 8 .6 6
5 4 6 .8 8
5 9 8 .8 5
7 2 0 .6 1
7 8 6 .0 1
8 7 8 .1 3
$ 9 9 .0 4
1 3 8 .9 2
1 8 6 .5 3
2 6 0 .2 2
3 6 6 .9 8
4 2 4 .3 1
5 4 9 .9 0
$ 1 2 0 .4 4
1 1 5 6 .8 2
2 0 1 .6 5
2 1 8 7 .5 9
1 8 8 .8 9
1 6 1 .7 5
3 0 7 .0 0
$ 4 5 .9 3
1 5 3 .2 2
6 7 .9 6
2 7 1 .3 5
7 6 .6 2
8 7 .2 4
1 1 6 .0 0
$ 1 7 .0 2
.32.81
6 1 .7 7
9 4 .8 1
6 8 .7 7
1 3 1 .7 0
7 1 .9 3
$ 1 5 9 .0 1
1 9 6 .2 8
2 4 5 .0 9
3 2 9 .4 5
3 4 9 .9 4
5 1 5 .5 6
7 3 5 .4 3
$ 8 2 4 .3 7
1 ,0 4 6 .7 1
1 ,3 0 9 .8 8
1 ,5 4 2 .4 1
1 ,7 7 1 .8 0
1 0 6 .5 5
2 ,6 5 8 .3 8
9
42
47
22
9
4
2
$ 2 3 .3 8
4 6 .0 4
6 6 .2 9
1 2 6 .1 6
1 1 3 .5 3
1 9 1 .6 0
5 8 .8 9
2
27
11
5
$ 7 .4 0
4 6 .2 9
8 0 .2 7
8 8 .2 5
2
8
2
3
$ 1 5 .0 5
8. 85
37. 21
77. 81
1 1 3 .5 3
191. 60
5 8 .8 9
195
4 .8
3 .3 2
5 2 9 .3 8
1 9 0 .1 7
s 1 7 6 .1 8
3 6 2 .5 3
5 4 .3 0
2 4 8 .4 7
1 ,2 6 0 .8 6
135
7 3 .6 4
45
5 7 .5 3
15
3 7 .7 0
100.0
15.4
35.1
18.3
16.7
15.4
10.4
3.3
10.0
23.1
7.7
[1376]
13
77
60
30
9
4
2
2,
P E R CENT.
Under 1900....................
$900 and under $1,200...
$1,200 and under $1,500$1,500 and under $1,800$1,800 and under $2,100$2,100 and under $2,500$2,500 and over..............
6.7
39.5
30.8
15.4
4.6
2.1
1.0
46.5
44.8
41.8
38.8
40.7
37.3
33.0
13.3
14.2
16.9
20.7
Total................
100.0
42.0
15.1
12.0
20.1
20.7
3 14.0
19.3
18.8
18.7
21.4
19.8
24.5
27.7
100.0
69.2
54.5
78.3
73.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
19.7
100.0
69.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
BA LTIM O R E, MD.: Colored F am ilies.
Under $900....................
$900 and under $1,200...
$1,200 and under $1,500$1,500 and under $1,800$1,800 and under $2,100$2,100 and under $2,500$2,500 and over..............
10
48
40
6
3
5.3
4.8
6.0
7.7
6.7
3.33
3.15
3.76
4.64
4.53
$365.49
442. 74
550.23
674.64
705.29
$102.97
140.40
194.57
275.40
339.28
$130.04
183.98
203.88
258.25
171.50
$56.24
70.17
85.19
99.59
67.12
Total....................
107
5.5
3.52
496.07
170.30
190.19
76.04
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$14. 88 $109.70
24.12
185.18
43.95 222.58
43.33
278.88
71.94 368.87
$779.31
1,046.59
1,300.40
1,630.08
1,724.00
$64.00
38.96
37.09
32.50
150.00
1
8
4
1
$7.00
24.42
25.19
221.62
7
25
15
3
$12.10
8.11
16.95
4 26.10
150.00
202.51
1,168.21
46.66
14
37.48
50
13.85
33.09
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Under $ 9 0 0 ...............................
8900 and under $ 1 , 2 0 0 .. .
$ 1 ,2 0 0 and under $ 1 ,5 0 0 - .
$ 1 ,5 0 0 and under $ 1 ,8 0 0 - $ 1 ,8 0 0 and under $ 2 ,1 0 0 -.
$ 2 ,1 0 0 and under $ 2 ,5 0 0 - $ 2 ,5 0 0 and over...............
Average persons
in family.
Num
ber of
Equiva
fami
lies. Total. lent adult
males.
P E R CENT,
Under $900...................
$900 and under $1,200..
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1,800
$1,800 and under $2,100
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over............
9.3
44.9
37.4
5.6
2.8
46.9
42.3
42.3
41.4
40.9
13.2
13.4
15.0
16.9
19.7
16.7
17.6
15.7
15.8
9.9
7.2
6.7
6.6
6.1
3.9
1.9
2.3
3.4
2.7
4.2
14.1
17.7
17.1
17.1
21.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
20.0
31.3
52.5
33.3
100.0
10.0
16.7
10.0
16.7
70.0
52.1
37.5
50.0
T otal.................. .
100.0
42.5
14.6
16.3
6.5
2.8
17.3
100.0
40.2
13.1
46.7
$118.29 $891.87
1,86.58 1,092.90
223.52 1, 296.19
291.13 1, 605.17
375. 73 1,849.08
467.il 2,128.88
549.25 2,736.38
3
33
100
50
32
16
12
$41.67
39.68
80.64
91.18
134.24
246.40
240.88
2
43
42
14
6
1
1
$177.69
78.33
72.99
84.19
95.36
354.61
491.76
1,438.13
246
102.38
109
86.11
50.0
34.0
62.5
72.5
76.2
80.0
92.3
BOSTON, MASS.
6
97
160
69
42
20
13
4.7
4.7
4.9
5.7
6.3
6.0
7.7
2.72
2.91
3.22
3.85
4.48
4.44
6.39
$437.63
497.95
578. 73
738.82
793.71
855.84
1,209.68
$119.19 $129.67
142.99 2 159.95
196.44 5 180.21
192.55
243.80
298.74 i 215.44
399.63 210. 00
546.96 253.54
85.52
i 95.27
99.45
117.07
$33.67
31.98
41.16
53.36
66.73
96.86
59.88
Total......................
407
5.3
3.54
640.50
222.33 « 184.12
« 79.88
46.90
$53.42
2 71.54
ü 73.97
262.71
1 4 $38.40
21 4 21.23
18
31. 24
5
48.99
4
88.66
3 179.39
184.53
52
PER CENT.
tjnder $900......................
$900 and under $1,200. ..
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800- $1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2^500..
$2,500 and over...............
1.5
23.8
39.3
17.0
10.3
4.9
3.2
Total...................... 1G6.0
49.1
45.6
44.6
46.0
42.9
40.2
44.2
13.4
13.1
15.2
15.2
16.2
18.8
20.0
14.5
2 14.6
5 13.9
12.0
1 11.7
9.9
9.3
6.0
2 6.5
6 5.7
5.3
i 5.2
e 12.8
1 Not including 2 families in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
2 Not including 1 family in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
s Not including 3 families in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4.3
3.8
2.9
3.2
3.3
3.6
4.5
2.2
13.3
17.1
17.2
18.1
20.3
21.9
20.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
65.6
3.3
18.3
100.0
33.3
44.3
26.3
20.3
14.3
5.0
7. 7
16.7
21.6
11.3
7.2
9.5
15.0
26.8
12.8
4 Deficit.
5 Not including 4 families in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
* Not including 7 families m which rent is combined with fuel and light.
38.82
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
[1377]
Under $900.......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500-.
$1,500 and under $1,800-.
$1,800 and under $2,100- $2,100 and under $2,500-.
$2,500 and over................
152
AVERAGE AMOUNT AND P E R CENT OF E X P E N D IT U R E P E R ANNUM FO R T H E PR IN C IPA L GROUPS OF ITEMS OF COST OF LIVING OF
FAM ILIES IN SPEC IFIED IN D U STR IA L CENTERS, BY CITIES AND BY INCOME GROUPS—Continued.
B R ID G E PO R T , CONN.
Income group.
Average persons
in family.
Num
ber of
Equiva
fami
lies. Total. lent adult
males.
Food.
25
44
41
9
16
7
4.3
4.2
4.4
5.3
4.9
6.9
?! 20
2 . 78
2.76
2.91
3.56
3. 54
5.73
460.43
514.00
532.99
622.24
704.73
905.57
Total.....................
143
4.6
3.09
556.08
Clothing.
£127 02
173.53
219.84
268.17
359.51
345.41
506.67
Rent.
Fuel
and
light.
2 189.33
2240.58
2 256.36
2 297.38
277. 50
295.14
$82.35
2 69.22
2 80. 80
2 83.04
2 90.04
94.23
109.01
261.90 3 246.53
3 82.96
$940 00
$15. 60 $129.32
56.97 195.44
68.15 262.45
91.56 311.01
79.63 381.86
165.82 471.95
99.23 511. 93
$929.25
1,145.91
1,386.10
1,543.29
1,829.67
2,059.64
2,427.55
11
23
33
6
13
7
$58.21
80.80
108.07
133.67
318.83
451.49
306. 89
1,540.24
93
152.39
85.71
1
12
18
7
3
3
$69.00
154.19
145.81
165.34
68.13
261.21
2
3
1
44
152.03
6
1 $69.00
1 48.40
1 17.41
58.75
66.40
210. 07
451.49
52.33
[1378]
PER CENT.
Under $900....................
$900 and under $1,200...
$1,200 and under $1,500.
$1,500 and under $1,800.
$1,800 and under $2,100.
$2,100 and under $2,500.
$2,500 and over..............
Total....................
100.0
35.0
40.2
37.1
34.5
34.0
34.2
37.3
14.8
15.1
15.9
17.4
19.6
16.8
20.9
25.8
2 16.7
2 17.3
2 16.8
2 16.1
13.5
36.1
17.0
3 16.0
13.9
17.1
18.9
5.6
100.0
44.0
52.3
80.5
66.7
81.3
100.0
48.0
40.9
17.1
33.3
18.8
8.0
6.8
2.4
30.8
4.2
21.1
100.0
19.9
100.0
65.0
$140.28 $850.16
205.19 1,073.27
243.94 1,291.47
293. 40 1,493.24
381.73 1,737.92
503. 50 2,124.10
243.92
644.24
3
27
60
46
34
11
11
$45.42
69.02
117.83
160.73
213.41
241.93
401.48
8
20
10
3
3
1
1
$124.40
83.79
114.12
97. 60
117.05
181.00
68.00
1,460.00
192
160.40
47
109.35
20.9
22.9
3 5.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
20.2
12.2
100.0
-
B U FFA L O , N. Y.
6
42
83
60
39
14
12
4.2
3.9
4.6
4.7
5.0
4.7
5.8
2.58
2.45
3.02
3.05
3.74
3.91
4.47
$361.76
417.10
478.99
538.39
601.57
713.06
797.13
$102.54 $152.33
156.40 173.89
222. 80 2 218.01
265.36 228.42
325.93 257.90
' 403.87 269.82
440.30 321.16
$55.39
54.72
2 65.03
76.44
85.15
87.19
94.78
$37.87
65.98
63.41
91.24
85.64
146.65
142.31
256
T otal.......................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4.6
3.15
526.40
254.87 2 225.45
2 71.48
81.39
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200—
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over.................
300. 69
2 1 $18.76
28.41
7
57. 68
3
4 106.9ff
2 177. Ot
151.30
362.3C
17
100.2S
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$E800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2'500 and over— .........
T T ^ ^ n r conn
Families Aver
Total
Deficit.
Surplus.
having
age
average
neither
sur
yearly
plus
surplus
Furniture Miscel expenses Families Average Families Average
for
nor
per
and fur
having— amount. having— amount. deficit. group.
nishings. laneous. family.
Average yearly expenses per family for—
P E R CENT,
12.1
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200—
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over...............
2.3
16.4
32.4
23.4
15.2
5.5
4.7
42.6
38.9.
37.1
36.1
34.6
33.6
32.7
14.6
17.3
17.8
18.8
19.0
18.0
216.9
T otal.....................
100.0
36.1
17.5
17.9
16.2
15.3
14.8
12.7
13.2
6.5
5.1
2 5.0
5.1
4.9
4.1
3.9
4.9
6.9
5.8
2 15.4
2 4.9
5.6
4.5
6.1
4.9
6.1
16.5
19.1
18.9
19.6
22.0
23.7
26.4
20.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
50.0
64.3
72.3
76.7
87.2
78.6
91.7
33.3
19.0
24.1
16.7
7.7
21.4
8.3
16.7
16.7
3.6
6.7
5.1
75.0
18.4
6.6
CHAMBERSBTJRG, PA.
4
27
24
14
5
T otal.....................
77
3.5
4.5
4.7
6.3
5.0
5.5
2.09
2.98
3.10
4.22
2.97
4. 65
6.75
$324.19
459.07
481.45
670.21
563.22
701. 60
985.00
4.9
3.29
517.32
2
1 8.0
$126.05
176.81
218.98
285.57
280.06
464. 75
513.80
$124.50
106.99
120. 94
137.16
180. 00
198.00
132. 00
$56. 07
2 66.75
85.23
92.96
109. 95
118.55
70. 85
225.65 2 125.40
281.11
2
$13. 65 $117.83 $762.28
77. 08 162.39 1,052.92
74. 95 232.52 1,214.07
67.15 237.36 1, 490. 41
138.33 318. 85 1,590.41
108. 45 493. 23 2,084.58
129.00 193.18 2,023.83
76.78
214.71
1,241.90
3
17
13
5
$93.27
73.90
135.24
127.23
256.85
320. 00
820.67
62
138.55
22
1
1
1
1
1
1
$13.50
98.01
70.30
20.65
11
74.52
7
3
1
29.15
4
PER CENT.
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over...............
T otal.....................
1 Deficit.
16.5
16.8
18.0
19.2
17.6
22.3
25.4
210.2
10.0
1.3
42.5
43.6
39.7
45.0
35.4
33.7
48.7
100.0
41.7
18.2
210.1
5.2
35.1
31.2
18.2
6.5
2.6
16.3
9.2
11.3
9.5
6.5
7.4
26.3
7.0
6.2
2
15.5
15.4
19.2
15.9
6.9
5.7
3.5
4.5
8.7
5.2
6.4
20.0
6.5
6.2
17.3
3 Not including 1 family in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1.8
7.3
6.2
23.7
9.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
75.0
63.0
91.7
92.9
100.0
50.0
100.0
80.5
25.0
25.9
4.2
7.1
1.1
4.2
50.0
14.3
$66.58
21.12
121.05
116.66
256.85
145.43
820.67
100.92
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
[1379]
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200—
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over...............
5.2
* Not including 4 families in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
Or
05
AVERAGE AMOUNT AND P E R CENT OF E X P E N D IT U R E P E R ANNUM FOR T H E PR IN C IPA L GROUPS OF ITEMS OF COST O F LIVING OF
FA M ILIES IN S P E C IF IE D INDUSTRIAL CENTERS, BY CITIES AND BY INCOME G RO U PS-Continued.
(-J
D O V E R ,, N . J .
Income group.
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over................
Total................ .
Average persons
in family.
Num
ber of
fami
Equiva
lies. Total. lent adult
males.
12
18
21
10
6
7
4.1
5.2
5.2
5.0
6.3
6.9
2. 78
3.43
3.09
3. 41
3.72
5.39
$437.53
521.35
539.62
611.20
642.25
883. 78
74
5.3
3. 44
569.17
i—i
M
w
g
1—1
I
Families AverTotal
Deficit.
Surplus.
having
age
average
neither
suryearly
plus
Furniture Miscel expenses Families Average Families Average surplus
for
nor
per
and fur
nishings. laneous. family. having— amount. having— amount. deficit. group.
1
1
1
1
1
I
Average yearly expenses per family for—
Food.
Clothing.
Rent.
Fuel
and
light.
$179. 49 »$179.59 1 $59. 45
80. 42
231. 42 197.33
78.05
261. 51 206.50
84. 77
308.35
195.20
324.86 287. 00 111.29
634.94 218.23
91.70
287.68 1 206.38
i 80. 79
$95.38 $188.54 $1,133. 57
76.14 238. 49 1,345.16
108. 46 363.33 1,557.47
159.85 534.36 1,893. 73
151.06 427.57 1,944.03
174.12 569. 57 2,562.35
3
13
19
7
6
7
$40.07
85.83
122.25
200.05
243.04
210.95
7
4
2
3
$43. 42
108. 66
26.00
337.00
2 2 $if>. i9
37.84
1
108.13
38.94
243.04
210.95
1,608.92
55
143.53
16
112. 63
3
115.09
351.51
82.32
,,
g
0
V,
(j
^
P E R CENT.
Under $900.................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and uader $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over... .
Total...............
Cd
O
w
16.2
24.3
28.4
13.5
8.1
9.5
38.6
38.8
34.6
32.3
33.0
34.5
15.8
17.2
16.8
16.3
16.7
24.8
1 15.8
14.7
13.3
10.3
14.8
8.5
15.2
6.0
5.0
4.5
5.7
3.6
8.4
5.7
7.0
8.4
7.8
6.8
16.6
17.7
23.3
28.2
22.0
21.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
25.0
72.2
90.5
70.0
100.0
100.0
58.3
22.2
9.5
30.0
16.7
5.6
100.0
35.4
17.9
112.8
1 5.0
7.2
21.8
100.0
74.3
21.6
4.1
$27. 78 $135.64 $826.23
39.94
191. 99 1,058.30
50.51 216.87 1,292.54
279.14
1,551.87
56.50
74.89 357.48 1,764. 47
85.09 345. 22 2,072.58
181.15 542. 42 2,674. 27
1
26
29
17
8
6
5
$69.00
33.93
84.19
109.86
208. 49
270. 78
213. 76
7
19
9
1
$54.19
67.26
75.97
144.00
1
154.01
92
104.35
37
71.33
::::::::
............
............
F A L L R IV E R , M A SS.
Under $900 ..........
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
82,500 and river
12
56
48
20
9
7
6
4.6
4.8
5.4
5.6
6.2
7.7
8.2
3.10
3.01
3.76
4.10
4.37
6.08
6.64
$394.26
493.40
624. 43
694.88
762.81
930. 51
1,129.83
Total......................
158
5.4
3.73
610.06
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
104.72
146.34
199.33
293.00
305.81
461. 68
537.31
$105.10
123. 46
133.02
147.58
175.25
152.32
185.52
$58. 72
63.17
68.38
80.77
88.24
97. 76
98.04
215. 74 ' 134.61
70.93
53.68
1
1
235.82 : 1,320.84
4 2 $25.86
2 7. 44
11
36. 61
10
2
86.18
1 185. 33
1 232.09
152. 47
29
43. 79
Sd
K
¡S
H
|
PEP. CENT.
Under $900...................
$900 and under $1,200..
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1,800
$1,800 and under $2,100
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over............
7.6
35.4
30.4
12.7
5.7
4.4
3.8
47.7
46.6
48.3
44.8
43.2
44.9
42.2
12.7
13.8
15.4
18.9
17.3
22.3
20.1
12.7
11.7
10.3
9.5
9.9
7.3
6.9
7.1
6.0
5.3
5.2
5.0
4.7
3.7
3.4
3.8
3.9
3.6
4.2
4.1
6.8
16.4
18.1
16.8
18.0
20.3
16.7
20.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
8.3
46.4
60.4
85.0
88.9
85.7
83.3
58.3
33.9
18.8
5.0
Total....................
100.0
46.2
16.3
10.2
5.4
4.1
17.9
100.0
58.2
23.4
$158.94
$806. 44
184. 41 1,125.50
263. 33 1,340.38
275.00 1,510.40
601. 46 1,913.16
350. 00 2,263.00
794. 82 2,134. 50
11
21
5
4
1
1
$21.80
79.82
95.70
107.26
321.16
129.00
452. 40
I
14
11
2
1
$56.90
97. 89
90. 46
13.95
987.98
1,308.51
47
114. 41
29
118.56
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
80.0
42.3
63.6
71.4
80.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
60.3
33.3
19.6
20.8
10.0
11.1
14.3
16.7
18.4
JOHNSTOWN, N. Y.
5
26
33
7
5
1
1
3.2
4.2
4.7
5.0
5.0
8.0
5.0
2.35
2.75
3.11
3.30
3.72
6.25
4.80
$323.23
500.69
557.16
562.11
655.35
850.00
729.07
Total......................
78
4.5
3.06
536.04
$120.47 $109.90
165.05
138. 31
219.91
140.13
260. 90 195. 43
286. 69 205.20
440. 00 240.00
294. 94 180. 00
206.99
148. 51
874.22
90.25
93.99
119.76
112.86
159.00
131. 47
$19.68
46.78
65.87
97.21
51.60
224.00
4.20
96.31
59.68
260.98
4
1
1
24. 86
PER CENT.
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100 ..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over................
6.4
33.3
42.3
9.0
6.4
1.3
1.3
T otal...................... 100.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
40.1
44.5
41.6
37.2
34.3
37.6
34.2
14.9
14.7
16.4
17.3
15.0
19.4
13.8
13.6
12.3
10.5
12.9
10.7
10.6
8.4
9.2
8.0
7.0
7.9
5.9
7.0
6.2
2.7
9.9
.2
19. 7
16.4
19.6
18.2
31.4
15.5
37.2
41.0
15.8
11.3
7.4
4.6
19.9
2.4
4.2
4.9
1 Not including 1 family in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
2
$6.06
2 18. 94
30. 74
72.63
59.33
129. 00
452. 40
20.0
53.8
33. 3
28.6
20.0
3.8
3.0
37.2
2 fi
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
[1381]
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under SI.500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over................
Deficit.
Ü1
C7T
156
AVERAGE AMOUNT AND P E R CENT OF E X P E N D IT U R E P E R ANNUM FOR TH E PRIN CIPA L GROUPS OF ITEMS OF COST OF LIVING OF
FAM ILIES IN SPEC IFIED IN D U STR IA L CENTERS, BY CITIES AND BY INCOME GROUPS—Continued.
LAW BENC E, M A SS.
Income group.
Average persons
in family.
Num
ber of
Equiva
fami
lies. Total. lent adult
males.
Families Aver
Total
Deficit.
Surplus.
having
age
average
sur
neither
yearlysurplus
plus
Furniture Miscel expenses Families Average Families Average
nor
for
per
and fur
having— amount. having— amount. deficit. group.
nishings. laneous. family.
Average yearly expenses per family for—
Food.
Clothing.
Rent.
Fuel
and
light.
4.5
4.9
5.6
4.9
5.2
5.1
7.2
3.05
3.16
3.62
3.18
3.98
4.10
6.09
$421.42
526.80
601.38
652.02
742.55
764.02
1,075.01
$113.14
159.29
208.60
273.24
324.50
362.58
560.16
$148.06
160.47
163.58
191.58
190.35
179.14
214.08
$64.80
67.19
72.43
85-55
84.92
69.80
105.48
$17.94
30.47
50.26
87.33
91.60
159.11
164.40
$150.13
177.50
207.36
257.56
334.27
449.20
586.84
$915.79
1,121.73
1,303.62
1,547.28
1,768.20
1,983.85
2,705.97
1
6
22
20
16
7
6
$65.00
41.51
82.23
132.53
218.39
239.71
375.20
3
8
8
2
$116.02
130.51
80.48
379.00
Total....................
109
5.3
3.64
651.46
258.06
176.59
77.72
73.51
267.32
1,504.67
78
156.38
21
133.05
25.0
31.6
21.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
17.8
100.0
71. (
$798.68
$157.21
206.12 1,090.22
240.56 1,280.88
287.20 1,483.91
267.81 1,692.45
370.25 1,954.45
484.87 2,558.01
1
11
31
20
10
6
2
$20.00
56.38
97.40
190.81
249.71
351.17
361.85
1,370.83
81
158.07
5
2
2
1
1 $70.77
1 41.85
36.42
78.86
205.54
239.71
375.20
10
86.27
P E R CENT.
Under $900...................
$900 and under $1,200..
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1,800
$1,800 and under $2,100
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over............
Total....................
100.0
46.0
47.0
46.1
42.1
42.0
38.5
39.7
12.4
14.2
16.0
17.7
18.4
18.3
20.7
43.3
17.2
16.4
15.8
15.9
16.6
18.9
22.6
11.7
5.2
4.9
75.0
42.1
25.0
8.3
68.8
83.3
94.1
9.2
19.3
M ANCHE STEH , N. H.
Under $900...............
$900 and under $1,200...
$1,200 and under $1,500.
$1,500 and under $1,800.
$1,800 and under $2,100.
$2,100 and under $2,500.
$2,500 and over.........
Total...............
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
112
3.5
4.5
5.3
5.7
6.0
5.8
6.5
2.52
2.67
3.22
3.94
4.57
5.02
5.94
$329.38
468.37
551.67
654.85
726.75
715.14
982.19
$94.95
148.53
183.32
230.35
299.81
402.16
659.65
$108.00
143.49
157.53
174.22
198.91
213.00
222.00
$57.04
83.68
92.40
96.01
112.08
123.58
124.21
$52.10
40.04
55.40
41.28
87.09
130.31
105.10
5.3
3.51
583.76
215.41
165.15
94.69
56.76
255.06
$10.00
12
9
4
$68.66
67.26
167.26
1 7.84
58.80
131.13
227.01
351.17
361.85
25
83.93
95.58
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
4
19
32
24
17
7
6
[1382]
Under $900...................
$900 and under $1,200..
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1,800
$1,800 and under $2,100
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over............
P E R CENT.
114339°— 19 ------ 11
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1 ,5 0 0 ..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over.........
1.8
23.2
36.6
21.4
9.8
5.4
1.8
41.2
43.0
43.1
44.1
42.9
36.6
37.6
11.9
13.6
14.3
15.5
17.7
20.6
25.8
13.5
13.2
12.3
11.7
11.8
10.9
7.1
77
7.2
6 5
66
03
Total.....................
100.0
42.6
15.7
12.0
6.9
6.7
4.1
19.7
18.9
18.8
19.4
15.8
18.9
19.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
50.0
42.3
75.6
83.3
90.9
100.0
100.0
4.1
18.6
100.0
72.3
6.5
3.7
4.3
2.8
5.1
50.0
11.5
2.4
46.2
22.0
16.7
9.1
22.3
5.4
N EW A R K , N . J.
2
33
46
33
16
11
6
4.0
4.8
4.3
5.0
5.1
4.8
5.7
2.50
3.22
2.92
3.18
3.93
4.01
5.09
$366.00
481.68
553.05
608.54
710.67
686.79
931.66
T otal.....................
147
4.7
3.32
589.56
$76.20
146.73
190.56
265.32
296.32
404.78
520.31
$114.00
161.24
197.37
209.58
243.00
2 191.75
245.33
$39.99
57.48
68.76
73.63
78.07
2 76.90
94.10
$18.44
25.88
37.57
63.23
63.48
85.75
69.02
$121.00
189.63
250.06
323.50
393.14
574.72
547.35
$735.62
1,062.65
1,297.37
1,543.81
1,784.68
2,028.29
2,407.77
1
18
34
25
14
11
6
$107.50
62.81
83.47
156.28
219.13
301.51
418.74
5
7
5
2
$164.31
108.69
66.16
190.85
236.95 2 197.41
2 69.54
48.16
303.23
1,445.41
109
154.86
19
120.78
1 $107.50
10
9.36
5
45.16
3 108.37
167.88
301.51
418.74
19
PE R CENT.
Under $900...................
$900 and under $1,200..
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1,800
$1,800 and under $2,100
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over............
T otal.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1.4
22.4
31.3
22.4
10.9
7.5
4.1
49.8
45.3
42.6
39.4
39.8
33.9
38.7
10.4
13.8
14.7
17.2
16.6
20.0
21.6
100.0
40.8
16.4
1 Deficit.
15.5
15.2
15.2
13.6
13.6
2 8.7
10.2
5.4
5.4
5.3
4.8
4.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
50.0
54.5
73.9
75.8
87.5
100.0
100.0
4.8
3.3
21.0
100.0
74.1
12.9
235
2
2
16.4
17.8
19.3
21.0
22.0
28.3
22.7
15.2
15.2
15.2
12.5
3.9
2.5
2.4
2.9
4.1
3.6
4.2
2.9
50.0
30.3
10.9
9.1
99.22
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
[1 3 8 3 ]
Under $900.....................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over............
12.9
Not including 1 family in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
Or
l“ i
04
OO
AVERAGE AMOUNT AND P E R CENT OF E X P E N D IT U R E P E R ANNUM FOR T H E PR IN CIPA L GROUPS OF ITEMS OF COST OF LIVING OF
FAM ILIES IN S P EC IFIED IN D U STR IA L CENTERS, BY CITIES AND BY INCOME GROUPS—Continued.
NEW YORK, N. Y.
Income group.
Average persons
in family.
Num
ber of
Equiva
fami
lies. Total. lent adult
males.
Families Aver
Total
Deficit.
Surplus.
age
having
average
sur
neither
yearly
plus
Furniture Miscel expenses Families Average Families Average surplus
for
nor
per
and fur
having— amount. having— amount. deficit. group.
nishings. laneous. family.
Average yearly expenses per family for—
Food.
..........
Under $900..
$900 and under $1,200—
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and Over................
16
107
151
115
66
38
25
4.2
4.5
4.7
4.7
4.9
6.3
7.4
2.76
2.98
3.15
3.38
3.62
4.67
5.87
$396.84
510.88
584.40
646.53
736.52
844.84
1,106.89
Total......................
518
4.9
3.45
640.92
Clothing.
Rent.
Fuel
and
light.
i$167.57
s 177.42
4206.86
« 221.63
« 223.98
3 271.61
1355. 73
1 $47.71
253.68 8 214.62
8 64.30
$88.27
153.31
199.95
277.01
309.84
423.77
599.50
3 57.54
4 59.05
« 67.13
8 69.61
3 85.23
■>90.51
51.05
109.81
175.05
239.35
250.04
6
37
33
22
7
11
6
$117.60
146.08
194.87
137.98
123.54
232.68
259.45
114.97
122
168.51
$868.30
1,109. 86
1,343.54
1,581.92
1, 790. 78
2,192.80
2,853.22
7
47
89
79
50
26
19
$21.03
44.47
284. 55 1,525.66
317
$18.74 $136.85
29.50 175. 77
49.93 228.22
49.58 301.74
62.87 353.13
88.07 487.22
90.00 616.74
60.26
3 2 $34.90
23 2 30.98
2 4.12
29
49.04
14
9 119.51
96.41
1
127. 76
30.67
79
F
P E R CENT.
I
120.0
10.2
12.7
7.3
4.8
45.7
46.0
43.5
40.9
41.1
38.5
38.8
21.0
3 12.0
’ 12.3
100.0
42.0
16.6
814.3
Under S900..................
$900 and under $1,200..
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1,800
$1,800 and under $2,100
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over............
3.1
20.7
29.2
Total.................
22.2
13.8
14.9
17.5
17.3
19.3
316.0
« 15.4
5 14.1
6 12.3
15.7
35.2
4 4.4
2.2
M.3
«3.8
3 3.8
33.1
2.7
3.7
3.1
3.5
4.0
3.2
84.3
3.3
15.8
15.8
17.0
19.1
19.7
22.2
21.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
18. 1
43.8
43.9
58.9
68.7
75.8
68.4
76.0
37.5
34.6
21.9
19.1
10.6
28.9
9.4.0
18.8
21.5
19.2
12.2
13.6
2.6
61.2
23.6
15.3
-
iN,, N. J.
P H IL A D E L P H IA , P A ., A N D C A M D EN
Under $900..................
$900 and under $1,200..
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1,800
$1,800 and under $2,100
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over............
Total...................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4
63
86
75
40
22
11
301
4.3
4.3
4.7
4.7
5.2
6.5
7.2
2.73
2.87
3.16
3.23
3.96
4.64
5.71
$365.40
462.86
532.63
593.69
716.11
832.46
914.42
3.42
591.27
$63.01
$100.87 $176.25
139.60 9167. 46 o 63.16
194. 70 io 186. 72 io 74.12
200.94 9 75.66
273.53
85.54
309. 72 206. 85
87.39
372.09 230.27
95.16
476.39 250.36
240.11 n 194.52
n 75.41
$821.26
1,052.94
1,306.06
1,535.77
l ' 783.58
2,091.61
2,527.89
3
41
62
62
33
18
11
$24.33
60.66
81.47
125.03
197.51
253.54
409.42
305. 05 1,469.40
230
134. 56
$15.22 $100.52
189.50
31.71
57. 72 263.14
76.92 316.60
83.50 381.86
91.08 478.32
127.23 664.31
64.90
o
*H
Im
t1
F
Kl
1
4
$157.35
95.14
132.87
103.81
107.28
68.97
................. *
55
111.29
16
15
21
9
5
2
7
3
4
2
$21.09
16.82
26.29
90.90
149.53
194.90
409.42
82.48
oW
F
F
F
<
1
H
Cd
3
PER CENT,
Under $900.........................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1 , 2 0 0 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and.under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2 .1 0 0 ..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,590 and over.................
1.3
20.9
28.6
24.9
13.3
7.3
3.7
44.5
44.0
40.8
38.7
40.2
39.8
36.2
12.3
13.3
14.9
17.8
17.4
17.8
18.8
T otal........................
1 0 0 .0
40.2
16.3
21.5
9 15.9
1014.3
9 13.1
7.7
9.9
5.7
4.9
4.8
4.2
3.8
1.9
3.0
4.4
5.0
4.7
4.4
5.0
13.2
a 5.1
4.4
9 6 .0
10
9
1 1 .6
1 1 .0
11
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 ,0
75.0
65.1
72.1
82.7
82.5
81.8
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
76.4
1 2 .2
1 0 0 .0
18.0
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
2 0 .1
2 0 .6
21.4
22.9
26.3
2 0 .8
...........
25.0
23.8
24.4
1 1 .1
3.5
5.3
5.0
1 2 .0
12.5
18.2
18.3
5.3
P I T T S B U R G H , P A .: W h ite f a m ilie s .
54
81
58
41
12
6
Total........................
254
2
5.5
4.4
4.8
5.2
6.3
5.8
3.83
2.94
3.07
3.54
4.18
4.24
4.88
$418.81
459.34
•534.98
617.49
620.13
723.84
952.69
$122.89 $156.00
182,39 9 147.87
227. 58
188.33
261.51 i 207.40
316.87 i 270.28
371.27
319. 03
515.24
300.50
5.1
3.44
569.36
252.89 i» 206.08
6 .2
$24.09
33. 6 8
39.23
i 49.98
i 52. 60
62.33
84.62
9
io 4 4
. 74
47.11
60.24
84.33
102.96
112. 72
232.28
$108.34
185.21
234.79
286.65
327. 50
429. 92
600. 81
$835.88
1,056.96
1,285.15
1,505,84
1,693.03
2,019.12
2,686.14
75.96
267.92
1,417.10
1
38
57
52
38
11
5
202
75
69.20
107.61
345.08
269.11
278. 78
278.55
13
14
3
3
1
75.45
110.14
117.19
95.00
93.20
67.12
153.45
36
92.55
1
3
3
30.53
56.69
124,01
242.47
247. 78
220. 94
16
108.92
10
PER CENT.
Under $900........................
$900 and under $i ,200....
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500and under $1,800..
$1 , 8 0 0 and under $2 ,1 0 0 ..
$2,110 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over.................
2 2 .8
Total........................
1
2
3
4
5
6
16.1
4.7
2.4
50.1
43. 5
41.6
41.0
36. 6
35. 8
35.5
14.7
17.3
17.7
17.4
18.7
18.4
19.2
1 0 0 .0
40.2
17.8
0 .8
21.3
31.9
18.7
14,0
14,7
113.8
J 16.0
15. 8
1 1 .2
2.9
3.2
3.1
1 3.3
13.1
3.1
3.2
14. 5
i° 3.2
9
10
N ot including 1 family in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
Deficit.
Not including 1 1 families in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
Not including 34 families in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
Not including 25 families in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
N ot including 23 families in which rent is combined w ith fuel and light.
8 .6
13.0
17.5
18.3
39^ 0
19.3
21.3
22.4
5.4
18.9
6 .1
5.6
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
50.0
70.4
70.4
89.7
92.7
91.7
83.3
50.0
24.1
37.3
5.2
7.3
8.3
36.7
1 0 0 .0
79.5
14.2
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
5. ft
12.3
5.2
6.3
I Not including 5 families in which rent is combined w ith fuel and light,
8
9
19
II
Not including 110 families in which rent is combined w ith fuel and light,
Not including 2 families in which rent is combined w ith fuel and light.
Not including 4 families in which rent is combined with fuel and fight.
Not including 8 families in which rent is combined v ith fuel and light.
159
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0.7
4.5
4.7
5.6
9
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
[13853,
Under $900.......................
$900 and under $1 , 2 0 0 __
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $i ,800..
$1,800 and under $2 .1 0 0 ..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over.................
160
AVERAGE AMOUNT AND P E R CENT OF E X P E N D IT U R E P E R ANNUM FOR T H E PRIN CIPA L GROUPS OF ITEMS OF COST OF LIVING OF
FAM ILIES IN S P EC IFIED IN D U STR IA L CEN TERS, BY CITIES AND BY INCOME GROUPS—Continued.
PITTSBURGH, P A .: Colored F am ilies.
Income group.
Total.....................
Families Aver
Total
Deficit.
Surplus.
having
age
average
neither
sur
yearly
plus
Furniture Miscel expenses Families Average Families Average surplus
for
nor
per
and fur
amount. deficit.
group.
nishings. laneous. family. having— amount. having—
Average yearly expenses per family for—
Food.
Clothing.
Rent.
Fuel
and
light.
5
17
20
6
1
3.8
4.4
5.0
4.8
5.0
2. 82
3.11
3.05
3.51
3.90
$355 65
430. 53
461. 23
564. 38
657. 82
$95. 82 8189 20
152. 87 1167.75
220. 98 i 214. 53
291. 00 279.92
156.52 264.00
#27. 55
i 34.44
i 45. 98
58.24
53. 35
#7. 87 $138.40 $764.49
43.98 181.52 1,024.76
71.20 231.60 1,243.53
96. 88 234. 68 1,525.09
56.85 239.41 1,427.95
2
13
15
5
1
$75.00
64.30
105.48
193.67
376.00
3
2
1
$52.30
25. 41
132.11
49
4.7
3.12
456.45
191.84 2199.99
2 41.81
60.19
36
108.68
6
56.64
205.25 1,156.99
3
1
3
$30.00
39.94
76.57
139. 38
376.00
7
72.91
[1386]
P E R CENT.
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200...
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2‘l00 and under $2*500..
$2,500 and over...............
10. 2
34.7
40. 8
12.2
2.0
46 5
42. 0
37.1
37.0
46.1
12. 5
14. 9
17. 8
19.1
11.0
18 2
1 16. 3
i 17.1
18. A18.5
3.6
i 3. 3
1 3. 7
3. 8
3.7
1.0
4. 9
5.7
6.4
4.0
18.1
17.7
18.6
15.4
16.8
100.0
100. 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
40. 0
76. 5
75. 0
83.3
100.0
17.6
10.0
16.7
Total...................... 100.0
39.5
16.6
2
17.2
2 3.6
5.2
17.7
100.0
73.5
12.2
60.0
5.9
15.0
14.3
PO RTLA N D , ME.
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over...............
Total....................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2
25
38
14
9
8
1
5.0
4.4
4.6
4.9
5.6
6.0
10.0
97
4.9
2. 53 $391.72
2.98
477. 22
3.24
533.06
3.14
596.17
4.01
735. 48
4.80
869. 70
6.85 1,538.75
$86.22 $135.00
Î 79.11 1164.16
197.03 169.22
253.34 193.20
380. 82 173.42
501.18 218. 25
686. 71 165.00
$79.75
i 72. 43
88.17
95. 92
102.69
133. 60
94.51
$6.92
49.42
53.06
70.71
64.84
78.09
113.48
$120.14
193. 30
241.52
286.13
319.98
431. 99
813. 80
$819.75
1,139.23
1,282.06
1,495.46
1,777.25
2,232.81
3,412.25
11
29
13
8
6
$54. 30
82.79
149.07
169.42
102.97
1
10
5
1
1
2
1
$46.50
127.56
256.65
130.11
100.00
74.22
16.25
1 3$46. 50
4 3 27.13
4
3.10
128.13
139. 48
18. 77
3 16.25
3. 38
245.44
1175.18
i 90. 40
57. 50
261.92
1,412.84
67
103.12
21
142. 86
9
581.77
40.30
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2A00 and under $2,500..
$2’500 and over...............
Average persons
in family.
Num
ber of
fami
Equiva
lies. Total. lent adult
males.
P E R CENT.
Under 3900
3900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
32,500 and river...........
Total....................
47.8
41.9
41.6
39.9
41.4
39.0
45.1
10.5
15.7
15.4
16.9
21.4
22.4
20.1
16.5
i 14.6
13.2
12.9
9.8
9.8
4. 8
9.7
16.4
6.9
6.4
5.8
6.0
2.8
0.8
4.3
4.1
4.7
3.6
3.5
3.3
14.7
17.0
18.8
19.1
18.0
19.3
23.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
44.0
76.3
92.9
88.9
75.0
50.0
40.0
13.2
7.1
11.1
25.0
100.0
50.0
16. 0
10.5
100.0
41.2
17.4
i 12.4
i 6.4
4.1
18.5
100.0
69.1
21.7
9.3
$23.03 $164. 95 $842.25
43.10 188. 72 1,079. 24
55.31 238. 72 1,295.91
64.10 288. 93 1,522.51
50. 95 425. 35 1,748.46
96. 40 418. 20 2,148.71
99.80 543. 55 2 , 625.55
1
22
38
21
8
9
7
$23.00
33.40
77. 45
125. 82
192. 53
109.29
131.65
4
25
8
4
1
$76. 25
85.63
156. 55
71.43
9.18
2
4
3
265. 27 1,393.18
106
92.35
42
95.07
10
P R O V ID E N C E , R I.
[1387]
Under S900
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2 100 and under $2,500..
$2^500 and-over................
T otal...............
5
49
50
28
9
10
7
3.6
5.1
4.8
5.6
5.9
6.4
8.7
158
5.3
2. 84 $376.27
3.26
487. 02
529. 83
3. 33
3.84
636. 55
668. 42
' 4.69
864. 84
5. 48
7.05 1,094. 67
$88.95 $135.06
145. 90 144. 57
211.87 179.74
273. 22 i 173.65
367. 81 151. 33
466. 70 197. 20
575.55 204.14
$53.99
69. 93
80.45
i 82. 89
84. 60
105. 37
107. 84
584.73
239. 52 1166. 86
i 79. 79
3.76
56.38
3 $56. 40
3 28.69
33.82
84.16
170.11
1
98. 37
131.65
P E R CENT.
Under SQ00
3.2
$000 and under SI,200__ 31.0
$1 200 and under SI,500 . 31.6
S1 ,500 and under ¿1,800.. 17.7
SI 800 and under $2,100. _ 5. 7
82,100 and under 82,500..
6. 3
$2,500 and over...............
4. 4
44.7
45.1
40.9
41. 8
38.2
40.2
41.7
10.6
13. 5
16. 3
17.9
21. 0
21.7
21.9
16.0
13.4
13. 9
1 11.4
8.7
9.2
7. 8
6.4
6.5
6.2
i 5.5
4. 8
4.9
4.1
2.7
4.0
4.3
4.2
2.9
4.5
3. 8
19.6
17. 5
18.4
19.0
24. 3
19. 5
20.7
100.0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
100.0
20.0
44.9
76.0
75.0
88.9
90.0
100.0
80.0
51.0
16.0
14.3
11.1
4.1
8.0
10.7
Total_____ _____ 100.0
42.0
17.2
1 12.0
i 5.7
4.0
19.0
100.0
67.1
26.6
6.3
1 Not including 1 family in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
10.0
3 Deficit.
161
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 Not including 2 families in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
36.68
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
2.1
25.8
39.2
14.4
9.3
8.2
1.0
162
AVERAGE AMOUNT AND P E R CENT 01 E X P E N D IT U R E P E R ANNUM FOR T H E PR IN C IPA L GROUPS OF ITEMS OF COST OF LIVING OF
FAM ILIES IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U STR IA L CENTERS, BY CITIES AND BY INCOME GROUPS—Continued.
R U T L A N D , VT.
Income group.
Average persons
in family.
Num
ber of
Equiva
fami
lies. Total. lent adult
males.
Families Aver
Total
Deficit.
Surplus.
age
having
average
sur
neither
yearlyplus
Furniture Miscel expenses Families Average Families Average surplus
for
nor
per
and fur
having— amount. having— amount. deficit. group.
nishings. laneous. family.
Average yearly expenses per family for—
Food.
1
30
31
7
8
3
3.0
4.7
4.7
7.0
5.5
8.3
2.05
3.09
3.44
5.34
4.15
6.53
$341.22
452.36
501.40
692.12
637. 51
881.46
Total......................
80
5.1
3.64
526.56
Rent.
Fuel
and
light.
$117.05 $120.00
156. 69 145.53
198.50 169. 84
226.14 139. 71
303.48 166.81
419.98 185. 77
$71.90
81.77
94.53
80. 76
104.14
110.54
$77.76
39.96
39.82
46.87
101.47
116.53
$75.07
196.29
242. 39
241. 79
335.32
399.17
$803.00
1,072.60
1,246.47
1,427.41
1,648.72
2,113.46
18
25
6
7
2
$72.82
108.76
248.66
258.35
323.09
9
6
1
1
1
$72.34
107.02
15.00
20.00
33.50
157.76
89.82
50.00
238.13
1,264.29
58
137.52
18
75.65
203.03
1
. 3
4
$21.99
67.00
211.00
223. 56
204.23
82.68
[1388]
PER CENT.
55
t-1
1.3
37.5
38.8
8.8
10.0
3.8
42.5
42.2
40.2
48.5
38.7
41.7
14.6
14.6
15.9
15.8
18.4
19.9
14.9
13.6
13.6
9.8
10.1
8.8
9.0
7.6
7.6
5.7
6.3
5.2
9.7
3.7
3.2
3.3
6.2
5.5
9.3
18.3
19.4
16.9
20.3
18.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
60.0
80.6
85.7
87.5
66.7
30.0
19.4
14.3
12.5
33.3
Total...................... 100.0
41.6
16.1
12.5
7.1
4.0
18.8
100.0
72.5
22.5
$900 and under $1,200—
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
100.0
10.0
5.0
SC RA NTO N , PA .
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over.. . . . . . . . .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
5
35
62
28
14
3
4
3.8
4.5
4.6
5.9
7.3
6.7
7.8
2.49
3.27
3.29
4.31
5.51
5.22
6.15
$365.68
436.42
548.54
638.38
829.94
798.57
868.94
$106.54 $134.00
141.89
183.23
231.36 138.75
155.96
285.81
354.70 1162.21
309.89 174. 67
564.75 207.00
$58.19
60.31
60.44
62.42
172.64
84.97
65.47
$26.17
54.69
60.31
75'. 96
72.95
194.43
105.90
$161. 55
200.72
227.20
293.52
307. 27
517. 73
403.98
$852.13
1.077.26
1,266.59
1,512.05
1, 797.03
2.080.26
2,216.03
2
24
54
24
11
2
4
$65.64
62.69
108.26
182.93
239.95
234.00
608.93
2
9
7
4
3
151
5.2
3.77
572. 70
247.99 1147.11
i 62.39
65.82
249.06
1,344.99
121
143.93
25
1
$87.56
2
103.62
1
128.28
230. 56
52.43 ............ Ó'
1
$8.77
16.34
79.81
123.86
177.30
156.00
608.93
5
94.90
123.41
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W
Under $900......................
1900 and under $1,200—
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
Clothing.
P E R CENT,
Under $900...................
$900 and Tinder $1,200..
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1,800
$1,800and under $2,100
$2,100 and under $2,500
$2,500 and over............
3.3
23.2
41.1
18.5
9.3
42.9
40.5
43.3
42.2
46.2
38.4
39.2
12.5
17.0
18.3
18.9
19.7
14.9
25.5
Total....................
100.0
42.6
18.4
2.0
2.6
1
15.7
13.2
11.0
10.3
19.1
8.4
9.3
4.8
4.1
14.1
4.1
3 .0
3.1
5.1
4.8
5.0
4.1
9.3
4.8
19.0
18.6
18.0
19.4
17.1
24.9
18.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
40.0
68.6
87.1
85.7
78.6
66.7
100.0
40.0
25.7
11.3
14.3
21.4
20.0
5.7
1.6
10.9
14.6
4.9
18.5
100.0
80.1
16.6
3.3
$56.68 $831.00
180.60 1,051.35
238.43 1,319.17
337.09 1,563.03
379.28 1,814.67
589.35 2,079.55
598.58 2,474.39
23
44
23
10
6.8
5. 6
33.3
SYRACUSE, N. Y.
1
35
69
31
11
5
6
4.0
4.3
4.9
5.1
6.2
5.8
6.5
3.05
3.10
3.38
3.73
4.19
3.61
5.88
$301.61
436.46
528.43
586.67
709.09
598.50
792.56
$158.81- $240.00
176.14
158.86
213.47 1198.82
262. 52 217.91
290.37 294.64
401.71
302.40
606.43
246.00
$58.40
66.05
i 84.66
88.96
86.02
91.09
113.29
$15.50
33.24
53.97
69.88
55.28
96.50
117.54
T o ta l....................
158
4.9
3.54
542.87
236.88 i 209.61
i 82.59
56.11
278.42
5
$68.76
66.70
142.27
172.82
205.38
331.58
1,407.03
110
110.92
1
9
19
8
1
$24.00
74.34
93.84
61.73
496.00
1
94.20
39
91.29
3
6
9
P E R CENT.
Under $900__
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500
$1,500 and under $1 ,800
l l 'soo and under $2,100
¿2, TOOand under ¿‘2,500
S2j500 and over...
Total__
36. 3
41. 5
40. 1
37. 5
39. 1
28. 8
32. 0
19.1
15.1
16.2
16.8
16. 0
19.3
24.5
28.9
16.8
1 15.1
13.9
16.2
14.5
9. 9
6.3
i 6.4
5.7
4.7
4.4
4.6
7.0
1.9
3.2
4.1
4.5
3.0
4.6
4.8
6.8
17.2
18.1
21.6
20.9
28.3
24.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
65.7
63.8
74.2
90.9
100.0
83.3
100.0
38. 6
16.8
114.9
i 5.9
4.0
19.8
100.0
69.6
100.0
25.7
27.5
25.8
9.1
8.6
8.7
54.69
16.7
24.7
5.7
i Not including one family in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
163
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0.6
22.2
43. 7
19. 6
7. 0
3. 2
3. 8
$24.00
26.07
16.69
89.62
112.01
205,38
260.62
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
[ 1389]
Under $900..
.........
$900and under $1,200....
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1.800..
$1 ,8 0 0 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over................
164
AVERAGE AMOUNT AND P E R CENT OF E X P E N D IT U R E P E R ANNUM FOR T H E PRIN CIPA L GROUPS OF ITEMS OF COST OF LIVING OF
FAMILIES IN SPEC IFIED IND U STR IA L CENTERS, BY CITIES AND BY INCOME GROUPS—Concluded.
TREN TO N , N. J.
Income group.
Total.....................
11
50
22
9
5
3
100
4.2
4.4
4.5
4.2
4.4
6.3
4.4
2.94
3.06
3.27
2.96
3.44
4.97
3.16
Families Aver
Total
Deficit.
Surplus.
having
age
average
sur
neither
yearly
plus
Furniture Miscel expenses Families Average Families Average surplus
for
nor
per
and fur
having— amount. having— amount. deficit. group.
nishings. laneous. family.
Average yearly expenses per family for—
Food.
$456.52
524.13
562.26
592.28
585.71
859.32
544.35
Clothing.
Rent.
$169.04 «172.82
214.10 2195.86
301.67 204.67
350.82 242.96
383.54 227.20
546.58 264.00
259.16 2 203.19
Fuel
and
light.
$69.90
2 79.67
88.30
90.68
99.82
92.09
282.80
$44.¿i
60.41
80.58
109.27
98.17
94.59
70.44
$180.75
224.45
258.22
420.96
331.00
555.00
$85.30
75.51
135.36
89.09
[1390]
$1,092.98
1,295.95
1,495.70
1,806.97
1,725.43
2,411.58
6
36
20
8
5
2
$22.29
104.10
146.70
165.14
591.97
716.15
2
10
1
1
1
43.80
1,418.50
77
162.71
15
79.60
54.5
72.0
90.9
88.9
100.0
66.7
260.00
$3.35
59.85
127.21
136.90
591.97
462.83
3
4
1
1
8
113.35
P E R CENT.
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over...............
11.0
50.0
22.0
9.0
5.0
3.0
Total.....................
100.0
.......
41.8
40.4
37.6
32.8
33.9
35.6
15.5
16.5
20.2
19.4
22.2
22.7
15.8
2 15.1
13.7
13 4
13.2
10.9
6.3
2 6.1
5.9
5.0
5.8
3.8
4.1
4.7
5.4
6.0
5.7
3.9
16.5
17.3
17.3
23 3
19.2
23.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
38.4
18.3
2 14.3
25.8
5.0
18.3
100.0
27.3
8.0
4.5
18.2
20.0
4.5
11.1
33.3
77.0 ................
15.0
8.0
W E S T FIE L D , MASS.
Under $900......................
$900 and under $1,200—
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over...............
1
18
29
14
5
3
4
5.0
5.1
4.5
5.1
6.6
6.7
8.3
4.45
3.26
3.01
3.52
5.65
5.99
6.14
$380.85
527.30
528.32
612.11
851.14
809.86
945.62
$132.00 $120.00
218. 90 140.19
209.24 2 171.52
262.63 182. 82
370.08 236.40
450.24 180.00
745.37 256.25
Total.....................
74
5.2
3.65
597.71
270.26 2 174.69
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$63.60
72.18
2 86.58
96.22
127.25
104.03
131.58
$28.40
43.64
59.18
78.72
61.15
165.29
134.05
90.53
67.16
2
$188.75 $913.60
225.25 1,227.46
277.81 1,332.84
286.08 1,518.57
389.30 2,035.32
388.35 2,097.77
594.06 2,806.93
1
7
19
9
2
3
4
$29.70
144.77
163.18
132.01
335.94
256.67
10
9
3
3
$29.00
244.90
300.89
35.17
268.83
1
1
2
1,494.84
44
152.86
26
234.54
4
294.50
1 $29.00
1 124.51
1.48
07.37
1 108.50
335.94
256. G7
8.48
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW,
$900 and under $1,200—
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over...............
Average persons
in family.
Num
ber of
Equiva
fami
lies. Total. lent adult
males.
PER CERT.
Under $900.......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over................
1.4
24.3
39.2
18.9
6.8
4.1
5.4
Total...................... 100.0
...............
41.7
43.0
39.6
40.3
41.8
38.6
33.7
14.4
17.8
15.7
17.3
18.2
21.5
26.6
13.1
11.4
2 12.8
12.0
11.6
8.6
9.1
7.0
5.9
26.5
6.3
6.3
5.0
4.7
3.1
3.6
4.4
5.2
3.0
7.9
4.8
20.7
18.4
20.8
18.8
19.1
18.5
21.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
38.9
65.5
64.3
40.0
100.0
100.0
40.0
18.1
2 11.7
2 6.0
4.5
19.7
100.0
59.5
100.0
55.6
31.0
21.4
60.0
5.6
3.4
14.3
35.1
5.4
WILMINGTON, D EL.
1
2
25
23
21
16
10
8.0
3.5
4.2
4.4
4.6
5.3
4.7
5.61
2.93
2.86
3.05
2.92
3.67
3. 71
$461.30
416.12
491.78
569.06
572.20
680.92
701.01
$162.45 $216.00
132.09 201.00
235.65 2 193.21
275.50 227.54
340.65 241.38
347.77 241.33
281.40
493.11
$80.90
69.00
2 75.40
85.45
92.97
87.03
107.86
$15.25 $220.55 $1,156.45
40.55 211.25 1 , 070.00
52.95 247.01 1,295.78
101.77 280.82 1 , 540.14
173.50 316.08 1,736.78
119.74 492. 81 1,969.61
121.64 461.86 2,166.89
1
2
21
19
18
14
9
$101.50
78.72
162.67
265.38
325.59
625.40
$295.00
4
3
3
2
1
74.75
101.00
160.67
83.57
20.50
i $295.00
101.50
54.16
1 121.20
204.51
274.44
560.81
Total......................
98
4.6
3.16
577.52
309.22 2 229.20
2 86.78
107.52
1,640.50
83
239.88
14
111.90
1
330.80
P E R CENT.
Under $900.......................
$900 and under $1.200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,300 and over__ ’........
1.0
2.0
25.5
23.5
21.4
16.3
10.2
Total...................... 100.0
1 Deficit.
14.0
12.3
18.2
17.9
19.6
17.7
22.8
35.2
18.8
18.7
18.8
2 14.8
14.8
13. 9
12.3
13.0
7.0
6.4
2 5.8
5.5
5.4
4.4
5.0
1.3
3.8
4.1
6.6
10.0
6.1
5.6
19.1
19.7
19.1
18.2
18.2
25.0
2D3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
84.0
82.6
85.7
87.5
90.0
13.9
2 5.3
6.6
20.2
100.0
84.7
2
100.0
16.0
13.0
14.3
12.5
10.0
14.3
I
4.3
1.0
2 Not including 1 family in which rent is combined with fuel and light.
165
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
...........
...........
39.9
38.9
38.0
36.9
32. 9
34.6
32.4
187.18
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
Under $900.......................
$900 and under $1,200__
$1,200 and under $1,500..
$1,500 and under $1,800..
$1,800 and under $2,100..
$2,100 and under $2,500..
$2,500 and over................
166
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW,
PRICE CHANGES IN SHIPBUILDING CENTERS.
Continuing reports of changes in retail prices in connection with the
cost of living in shipbuilding centers as given in former numbers of
the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w ,1 the following table shows increases
during the period from 1914 to 1918, inclusive, for 18 shipbuilding
centers on the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts, and on the Great
Lakes.
Taking the prices for December, 1914, as a base, the table shows the
per cent of increase in December of each of the ensuing years, in prices
of the various groups of items entering into the usual family budget.
P E R CENT OF INCREASE IN R ETA IL PRICES IN DECEMBER, 1915, 1916, 1917, AND 1918,
OVER TH E PRICES IN DECEMBER, 1914.
*
V
Item of expenditure.
P O R T L A N D , M E.
BO ST O N , M ASS.
Per cent of increase over
December, 1914, in—
Per cent of increase over
December, 1914, in—
Decem Decem Decem Decem Decem Decem Decem Decem
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
1915.
1916.
1917.
1917.
1918.
1918.
1916.
1915.
Food.............................................. ........
Clothing:
Male................................................
Female............................................
a 1.96
18.59
49.83
87.17
c 0.33
18.03
45.76
74.15
1.09
3.21
8.98
10.48
31.45
34.15
82.27
89.37
6.06
7.76
20.95
22. 85
45.31
49.92
112.79
122.54
Total............................................
2.13
9.72
32.78
85.77
6.63
21. 86
47.53
117.48
Housing.................................................
Fuel and light.......................................
Furniture and furnishings...................
Miscellaneous........................................
.24
.37
6.24
a. 42
.61
11.39
20.94
13. 83
2.38
28.85
43. 49
37.96
2.48
67. 69
110.83
'65.55
a . 07
1.12
8.40
1.57
.06
10. 51
26.31
15. 72
a . 06
29. 21
58.37
38.13
2/76
56.56
137.62
61.96
.42
13.83
37.96
72.38
1.57
15.72
3S. 13
70.29
All item s.......— .........................
a
NEW
Food.......................................................
Clothing:
Male................................................
Female............................................
P H IL A D E L P H IA , P A .
Y O R K , N . Y.
1.34
16.26
55.28
85.99
0.34
18.92
54.41
83.35
4.78
4. 87
20.32
24.73
51.40
57.63
126.39
137.15
3.30
3.94
16.15
15.90
54.11
49.12
119.61
101.71
T otal............................................
4. 82
22.31
54.21
131.25
3.60
16.03
51.33
111.16
Housing.................................................
Fuel and light.......................................
Furniture and furnishings...................
Miscellaneous........................................
a . 10
a . 06
8.43
1.97
a . 05
10.98
27.60
14.91
2.63
19. 92
56.47
44. 68
6.47
45.47
126.51
70.01
a. 29
a . 81
6. 94
1.19
a . 72
5.37
19. 87
14.65
2. 60
21.54
49. 84
43. 81
8.00
47.94
107. 69
67.47
All item s......................................
1.97
14.91
44.08
78.79
1.19
14.65
43.81
75.02
a
Decrease.
i M o n th ly R e v ie w , March, April, June, 1918; M o n th ly L
November, 1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1392]
abor
R e v ie w , August, September, and.
167
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
P E R C E N T OF INCREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES IN DECEM BER, 1915, 1916. 1917, AND 1918,
OVER T H E PRICES IN DECEM BER, 1914—Continued.
1
Item of expenditure.
BALTIM ORE, MD.
NORFOLK, VA.
Per cent of increase over
December 1914,in—
Per cent of increase over
December, 1914, in
i
Decern- Decern- I Decern Decern- Decern- Decern- Decern- Decernher,
ber,
ber,
ber,
her, i ber,
ber,
ber,
1915.
1916. I 1917.
1918.
1915.
1916.
1917.
1918.
Pood..................................
Clothing:
Males..........................
Females........ ..... .......
.
All item s..................
4.08
20.87
64.35
100.28
0. 75
22.38
63.89
86.20
2.46
3.03
22.97
25.09
49.55
54.75
98.66
117.35
1.60
10.33
1.08
37.15
26.02
97.61
91. 58
2.74
24.00
52.07
107.72
.80
L IS
.49
.
5.59
11.37
.85
9.14
26.38
18.51
2. 96 13. 78
25.54 45. 97
60.79 122.34
78.71
51.27
.07
U.37
18.51
51.27
86.37
T otal.......................
Housing..............................
Fuel and light....................
Furniture and furnishings
Miscellaneous.....................
i
.
SAVANNAH, GA.
Food....................................
Clothing:
Male.............................
Female............... .........
38.96
74.62
105.51
76.75
45.15
SO. 73
.62
.61
.61
14.73
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
1 0. 26
17.57
50.83
61.09
1 0.26
17. 57
50.83
96.17
Ì. 65
25.62
22.21
60.03
52.51
137.90
128.17
10.35
10.61
35.06
32.03
74. 76
68. 49
136.56
123.10
33.69
71.92
130. 47
18.15 1 18. 65
2. 30 15. 07
43. 42 73. 73
14. 66 41.63
5.89
55.19
126. 47
60.59
.76
24.06
56.58
133. 57
10. 47
1 1.44
1 1.30
1.84
i . 21
13.04
1 1. 65
12.75
14.59
1 4.32
21.11
50. 67
42. 49
5. 90
37. 50
128. 61
68.63
1 6.87
All item s...................
.21
14.59
42.49
68.63
1.27
15.13
1.27
MOBILE, ALA.
19.92
57.32
82.74
1.77
2.35
9.12
8.82
37. 91
39. 72
74. 64
98. 74
38.76
85. 99
Total.........................
2.04
8. 98
1 1.86
(3)
4.07
1.40
i 4.33
8.76
15. 29
13.82
All item s.................
1.40
13.82
. 60 11.16
27.11
57.11
42. 76 108. 34
43.16 72.38
13
43.16
1
14.66
41.63
79.88
HOUSTON, TEX .
1 1.04
Housing..............................
Fuel and light....................
Furniture and furnishings.
Miscellaneous....................
72.39
1
1
1.04
19.92
57.32
83.83
3.11
2.13
24. 76
25.34
49.32
53.85
117. 38
117. 28
2.66
25.04
51.49
117.3-3
2.29
1 .85
6.12
1 .29
1
7. 34
8. 28
29. 62
16.41
1
7. 72
22. 70
62.31
44. 89
1 1.68
47. 46
119.93
67. 55
16.41
44.89
74.61
1
.29
SAN FRANCISCO AND
OAKLAND, CALIF.
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
1 4.12
0.41
33.41
63.97
1 4.31
9.63
35.90
67.75
1.65
3.95
10.33
18.36
41.85
48.29
104. 59
113. 79
2.14
2. 77
14.43
14.53
42.05
45.07
118. 40
99.55
14.28
45.02
109.12
2. 46
14.48
43. 56
108. 96
2. 54
2. 34
23.09
7.68
1.64
4. 43
10. 40 18. 26
56. 43 118. 49
28.85 52.03
1.72
1.14
5. 96
1 1.66
1 2.52
4.57
21. 71
8.30
4.02
14.35
48. 21
28.63
1 3. 93
30.10
103. 42
50.52
28.63
58.38
Total.........................
2.78
Housing— ........................
Fuel and light............. ......
Furniture and furnishings.
Miscellaneous.....................
! 12.68
.36
6.28
11.93
All item s...................
1 1.93
1
7. 68
1 Decrease.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
94.53
1.72
33. 30
38.96
45.15'
1
Housing— ........................
Fuel and light................
Furniture and furnishings.
Miscellaneous.....................
Food....................................
Clothing:
Male.............................
Female.........................
31. 55
1.72
17. 03
8.73
14.73
Total.........................
Food....................................
Clothing:
Male.............................
Female..... ...................
5.98
1
28.85
58.88
1 1.66
2 No change.
[1393]
8.30
1
168
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
P E R CENT OF INCREASE IN R E T A IL PRICES IN DECEM BER, 1915, 1916, 1917, AND 1918,
OVER T H E PRICES IN DECEM BER, 1914—Continued.
Items of expenditure.
PORTLAND, OREG.
SEATTLE, WASH.
Per cent of increase above
December, 1914, in—
Per cent of increase above
December, 1914, in—
Decem Decem Decem Decem Decem Decem Decem Decem
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
ber,
1918.
1915.
1915.
1916.
1917.
1916.
1917.
1918.
Food.......................................................
Clothing:
Male................................................
Female............................................
i 3.81
9.75
42.17
73.89
'2.75
8.46
38.65
74.14
3.44
2. 60
16.75
14.71
44.30
44.47
99.54
93.52
.79
1.55
10.87
11.72
34.81
37.93
89.88
Total............................................
3.03
15.75
44.38
96.59
1.19
11.31
36. 44
87.97
Housing................................................. i 10. 91 i 19. 55 i 22.16
'.96
3. 44 20. 24
Fuel and light.......................................
2. 87 18.02 54.47
Furniture and furnishings...................
6.14
31.23
Miscellaneous........................................ i 3.05
12.28
30.85
109. 01
57.91
i 2.42
'. 19
8.52
i 1.02
i 5. 41
2.93
27.43
7.40
1.55
23.85
52.29
31.08
44.31
51.78
141. 52
58.49
65.50
i 1.02
7.40
31.08
70.47
All item s......................................
i 3.05
6.14
31.23
CHICAGO, ILL
86.21
DETR O IT, MICH.
Food.......................................................
Clothing:
Male................................................
Female............................................
2.66
8. 51
25.23
53.42
83.44
4.05
26.51
59.69
86.82
6.15
26.53
21.22
51.01
50.03
137.06
141.29
1.70
3.00
19.35
18.30
46. 91
46.46
123.66
102.54
Total............................................
7.48
24.21
50.58
138.91
2.31
18.86
46.70
113. 82
Housing..................................................
Fuel and light.......................................
Furniture and furnishings...................
Miscellaneous.........................................
1.08
1.93
5. 91
3. 01
.70
6. 64
19.96
19.51
1.36
19. 34
47. 45
41.78
2. 55
37.06
108. 89
58.72
2. 08
1.62
8. 73
3.51
17. 52
9. 94
24.50
22.25
32.64
30.20
50. 40
49.85
39.03
47.56
107.31
72.58
All item s.....................................
3.01
19.51
41.78
74.14
3.51
22.25
49.85
79.80
CLEVELAND, OHIO.
BUFFALO, N. Y.
Food.......................................................
Clothing:
Male.................................................
Female............................................
1.43
26.43
54.33
82.85
2. 44
30.09
64.07
91.65
1.60
2.36
17. 43
18.57
42. 85
44.65
102. 73
102.38
9.11
8.76
31.01
27.92
59.27
57.54
127. 93
117.51
Total............................................
1.96
17.97
43. 71
102.56
8. 95
29.58
58.47
123.11
Housing..................................................
Fuel and light.......................................
Furniture and furnishings...................
Miscellaneous........................................
.12
.30
4.72
1.42
.92
10. 04
19. 67
19.10
11.29
26.80
47.84
42.93
16. 49
51.94
102.44
67.07
1.15
1.30
7.05
3.53
4. 70
9. 30
24.13
24. 38
9.35
23. 46
50.15
51.13
20.72
49. 34
106.34
75.96
All item s.....................................
1.42
19.10
42.93
72.50
3.53
24.38
51.13
82.24
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1Decrease.
[1394]
INCREASE IN COST OF LIVING IN GREAT BRITAIN.
BY
PRO F.
W IL L IA M
F.
OGBURN.
The results of the investigation of the Working Classes Cost of
Living Committee 1 for Great Britain appointed by the Chancellor of
the Exchequer have been published, showing the increase in the cost
of living from July, 1914, to June, 1918. The most general statement
of their conclusions is that the cost of living has increased over this
period 74 per cent. Allowing for roughness and approximation, this
increase in the cost of living is placed at not more than 80 per cent
nor less than 68 per cent. Broken up into classes of expenditure the
increases have been, for food, 90 per cent; for fuel and light, 79 per
cent; for rent, 2.5 per cent; for fares, 20 per cent; for clothing, 95
per cent; for cleaning materials, matches, candles, etc., 114 per cent;
and for insurance, no increase.
The figures for the increase in the cost of living in the United States
are not strictly comparable with these British figures, as will be shown
in the following paragraphs. Broken up into classes of expenditure
the following increases occurred over this period: Food, 60 per cent;
clothing, 82 per cent; fuel and light, 39 per cent; furniture, 92 per
cent; and rent, 11 per cent.
A comparison of the American estimates with the British estimates
indicate that by June, 1918, the cost of living had risen somewhat
more in Great Britain than in the United States, and that with the
exception of rent the greater increase was true of all classes of ex
penditure. The lower housing figure in Great Britain may be due
to the fact that there was legal prohibition against raising rents,
except as taxes were increased. In comparing these two rates of
increase in the two countries it is well to remember that perhaps the
increase in the cost of living started earlier in Great Britain than in
America. I t is also to be noted that transportation and insurance
are included in the British estimate and not in the American, and
that the British figures are from July, 1914, while the American
figures are from January, 1914. The most probable basis of incom
parability lies in the fact that the American figures represent the cost
of living as measured by the increase in prices, weighted according
to their importance in the family budget, whereas the British figures
not only represent the change in prices but include also a second
factor, namely, the change in the nature of the standard of living.
The American figures were determined by pricing a list of commodi
ties in 1914 and again in 1918, and by computing a weighted average
1 Great Britain. Working Classes Cost of Living Committee, 1918. London, 1918. 28 pp. Cd. 8980.
Price, 3d.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13951
169
170
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
per cent increase. The British report presents a working-class cost-ofliving budget in 1914 and another working-class cost-of-living budget
in 1918. A percentage increase of the 1918 budget over the 1914
budget is computed, the significant fact being that the budget in 1918
does not include the same class of commodities nor the same amount
of consumption of particular commodities as does the 1914 budget.
In other words, in Great Britain the war has changed substantially,
over the four-year period, the nature of the standard of living. Less
butter, sugar, eggs, and cheese are consumed and more margarine,
cereals, and potatoes. Similarly, there has been a distinct change
in the quality of clothing. The British figures for the cost of living
therefore represent two things: One, the change in price level; the
other, the change in the quality of the standard of living. The Ameri
can figures represent only one thing, the change in price, and no at
tempt is made to show the change in the cost of living as measured
by the change in the quality of the standard of living. Although
analysis shows that the British figures measure two aspects of the
change in the cost of living and that the American figures measure
only one aspect, the resultant average figures of increase are fairly
comparable as a measure of the cost of living because in the United
States it is probable that the change in the quality of the standard of
living over this time has been very slight.
The British report therefore should be of special interest to Ameri
can readers in that it attempts to measure the amount of substitution
of one article for another that has taken place during this era of rising
prices. The change in the quality of the standard of living may be
due partly to the efforts of the working classes to meet the mounting
prices but is probably largely due to the fact that the prewar com
modities could not be purchased on the market and the population
was forced to take substitutes. Of particular interest is the change
in the standard of living in regard to food. The change in the prices
of food in Great Britain as measured by the prices of exactly the same
budget in 1914 as in 1918 is, according to the figures of the Ministry
of Labor, an increase of 118 per cent, whereas if the same prices of the
Ministry of Labor are applied to the 1914 budget and to a budget in
1918 based upon the changes and substitutes in foodstuffs, the in
crease in the cost of food is only 90 per cent. In other words, if the
family had continued to purchase the same kind of food in 1918 that
it purchased in 1914 it would have had to pay 118 per cent more,
but by the use of substitutes it had to pay only 90 per cent more.
The nature of this substitution is shown in detail in the tables.
A comparison of the quality of food consumed by the average
working-class family in 1918 and in 1914 shows that there has been a
falling off of about 3 per cent in calories. However, the standard of
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1396]
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
171
the unskilled class was slightly raised ; that is, about 3 per cent more
calories were consumed per man per day. That of the semiskilled
class fell only slightly while the consumption of the skilled class fell
about 180 calories per man per day. The report makes no attempt
to state whether the proteins and various other chemical constitu
ents have been perceptibly changed or whether the dietary was less
well balanced in 1918 than in 1914. I t is recalled that the rationed
articles were sugar, butter, margarine, meat, bacon, and tea.
In regard to the change in the standard of clothing, the committee
observes that there has been a marked deterioration in the quality of
clothing; that is, a particular ugrade” in 1918 is inferior in one respect
or another to the corresponding grade in 1914. On the other hand,
the statement is made that there was a marked tendency to purchase
better qualities in 1918 than in 1914, so that these two opposing forces
tended somewhat to balance one another. So marked has been this
latter tendency that many of the lowest 1914 grades have practically
disappeared from the market through lack of demand. All-wool
garments, which are stated to have predominated in 1914, were dif
ficult to obtain in 1918, having been replaced by mixed wool and
cotton. Inferiority is estimated at from 10 per cent to 30 per cent,
the inferiority usually being in respect to weaving, make, and finish.
I t is also of interest to observe that in the opinion of many of the
firms dealing in clothing the introduction of standard suits has re
sulted in an improvement in quality. The deterioration in under
clothing seems not to be particularly marked, but a decided deterio
ration appears in hosiery. The quality of shoes in 1918 is hardly
inferior to that of shoes in 1914, although the repairing is said
to be markedly inferior. The change in the nature of the standard
of living seems to be more noticeable in food and clothing than in.
fuel, light, insurance, and other general classes of expenditure.
A consideration of classes of expenditure other than food and
clothing shows that there has been no change in the price of insurance.
The only increase in rents has been, according to governmental regu
lation, in local taxes, which the committee estimates to be on the
average about 2d. (4 cents) per week.
The report says nothing about the deterioration in the value of
the houses. In all probability little or no repairing has been done on
houses and there has doubtless been some deterioration. Twentyfive towns out of forty-three investigated had not increased tram
and railway fares. The increases in the remaining 18 had been rela
tively insignificant, never exceeding one-half pence per mile. The
increase in minor household necessaries is measured only for cleaning
materials, firewood, matches, candles, and paraffin.
American readers will be interested not only in the percentage
increases in the cost of living, but also in the British budgets, one
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11397]
172
M O N T H L Y LABO R R E V IE W .
for 1914 and one for 1918, shown in the accompanying tables. These
budgets are general working-class budgets and represent an average
of the skilled, the unskilled, and the semiskilled classes. The size of
the family is 4.57 equivalent adult males as measured by the InterAllied Scientific Food Commission, which recommends the following
measurements:
Male, over 14 years.................................................................................... 1 . 0 0
Female, over 14 years..................................................................................... 83
Children, 10 to 14 years.................................................................................. 83
Children, 6 to 10 years.................................................................................... 70
Children, under 6 years.................................................................................. 50
AVERAGE W E EK L Y E X PE N D IT U R E OF AN URBAN WORKING-CLASS FAMILY OF
4.57 EQUIVALENT ADULT MALES IN GREAT BRITAIN, JU LY, 1914, AND JU N E, 1918.
GENERAL EX PE N D ITU R ES.
Average weekly
expenditure.
Class of expenditure.
July, 1914. June, 1918.
F o o d ...............................................................................................................................
Sundries...........................................................................................................................
Fuel and light...................................................................... ..........................................
Rent........................................................................................ ........................................
.
....................................................................................
Fares................
Insurance........................................................................................................................
Clothing...........................................................................................................................
$6.06
.28
.57
1.C0
.20
.73
1.34
$11.50
.61
1.01
1.64
.24
.73
2.62
T otal......................................................................................................................
10.79
18.35
E X PE N D ITU R ES FOR FOOD.
July, 1914.
June, 1918.
Article.
Quantity.
Cost
Quantity.
Pounds.
Bread and flour.................................
Biscuits, cake....................................
Meat sold by weight, and sausages.
Bacon..................................................
Other m eat and fish..........................
Lard, suet, e tc ............................ ......
Eggs (num ber)...................................
Fresh m ilk (pints)............................
Condensed m ilk.................................
Cheese.................................................
B u tter.................................................
Margarine...........................................
Potatoes.............................................
Vegetables.........................................
F ru it (fresh).......................................
Rice and tapioca...............................
Oatm eal..............................................
Tea.
Coffee.........
Cocoa......... .
Sugar......... .
Jam ............
S irup...........
Pickles.......
Other food..
Meals o u t..,
33.50
6.80
1.20
1.00
13.00
9.20
.84
1.70
.42
15.60
.68
.09
.18
5.90
.11
1.19
.28
.25
.15
.26
.33
.03
.15
.50
.05
.22
.14
.09
.05
.29
.03
.07
.26
.10
.02
.02
.19
.12
Total.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Pounds.
$1.02
34.50
4.40
2.55
.78
9.10
11.70
.41
.79
.91
20.00
.10
1.40
1.30
6.06
[1398]
Cost.
1.30
1.40
.57
.12
.23
2.83
$1.65
.26
1.66
1.35
.64
.28
.74
.72
.17
.17
.48
.22
.51
.26
.09
.15
.12
.39
.06
.15
.41
.33
.14
.05
.29
.18
173
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW ,
AVERAGE W E EK L Y E X PE N D ITU R E OF AN URBAN WORKING-CLASS FAMILY OF
4.57 EQUIVALENT ADULT MALES IN GREAT BRITAIN, JULY, 1914, AND JUNE,
1918—Concluded.
EX PENDITURES FOR CLOTHING.
Price per article.
Article.
Weight.
July, 1914. June, 1918.
M EN.
S u i t s .............................................................................
O v e r c o a t s .................................................................
S h i r t s ( u n i o n f l a n n e l ) ......................................
U n d e r w e a r ( u n i o n ) ...........................................
H o s i e r y ( u n i o n ) ...................................................
B o o t s ( w o r k i n g ) ..................................................
B o o t s ( l i g h t e r ) ........... ..........................................
B o o t s ( r e p a i r s ) .....................................................
H a t s .............................................................................
C a p s ..............................................................................
C o lia r s .........................................................................
16.93
6.65
1.10
.71
.20
2. 64
3.12
.81
.73
.34
.10
*14.60
11.36
2. 00
1.32
.51
6.25
6.53
1.44
1.50
.63
.14
10.71
1.95
.77
.97
2.58
. 41
.32
2. SO
2.31
.51
19.53
3.87
1.46
1.68
4.66
.89
.55
5. 43
5.29
.93
3.83
.61
.59
.10
.22
3.26
1.08
.57
8.54
.97
1.05
.75
.14
.47
7.64
3.06
1.07
6
2
2
23
23
7
4.42
.87
.41
.61
1.76
.47
8.17
1.54
.89
1.16
3.57
.89
27
18
5
14
28
8
1.05
.45
.26
.18
.73
2.01
.81
.63
.45
1.12
19
19
23
4
35
34
23
6
5
3
}
16
7
3
1
2
WOMEN.
C o s t u m e s ............................... .....................................
D r e s s e s ..........................................................................
U n d e r w e a r .................................................................
C o r s e t s ...........................................................................
H a t s ................................................................................
S t o c k in g s .....................................................................
A p r o n s .........................................................................
B o o t s ..............................................................................
S h o e s .............................................................................. .
B o o t s ( r e p a i r s ) ............. . ........................................
30
13
15
2
15
4
3
}
14
4
BOYS OF SCHOOL AGE.
S u i t s ......................................................................... .....................
S h i r t s .............................................................................................
U n d e r - w e a r .................................................................................
S t o c k i n g s .....................................................................................
C o lla r s ............................................................................................
C a p s .................................................................................................
O v e r c o a t s ....................................................................................
B o o t s ..............................................................................................
B o o t s ( r e p a i r s ) ........................................................................
.3 9
23
8
6
GIRLS OF SCHOOL AGE.
D r e s s e s .................
U n d e r w e a r ____
S t o c k i n g s ............
H a t s .......................
B o o t s .....................
B o o t s (r e p a ir s)
YOUNG CHILDREN.
F r o c k s ......................................................................................
P i n a f o r e s .................................................................................
U n d e r w e a r ............................................................................
S o c k s .......................................................................................... .
S h o e s .......................................................................................... .
The preceding paragraphs present the most interesting conclusions
of this report, and in the remaining paragraphs a few comments will
he made on the method of investigation.
The data for 1918 come largely from questionnaires. Ten thousand
of these were sent out in reasonable proportions to various sec
tions of England, Scotland, and Wales, and 1,400 were returned,
but none were collected from Ireland and none from the rural dis
tricts. Of those that were returned only 66 budgets were thrown out
as being defective. At first glance this would seem to be rather too
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small a percentage to discard, but of course the questionnaires may
have been unusually well filled out. The forms for the collection of
budgets were distributed through the assistance of voluntary services
of the trade-unions, cooperative societies, medical officers of health,
and others. The American experience in general in the collection of
budgetary material has been such as to give very little confidence to
the “ questionnaire method.” Several attempts along this line have
been more or less disastrous, particularly when the attempt has been
made to collect statistics through voluntary services. While in gen
eral this criticism seems sound, an examination of the form schedules
used by this Working Class Cost of Living Committee as compared
with schedules sent out in American inquiries shows that the specific
or particular liability to error in this British survey is not as great
as would be supposed. The schedule, which is all on one sheet, is
accompanied by a page of instructions on another sheet. Food,
fuel and light, rent, insurance, tram fares, and cleaning materials are
the items of information requested. The prices and quantities of
about 40 foodstuffs are asked for. The occupation, but not the wage,
is requested, and only the ages of children under 18 are required.
The food expenditures are for only one week, and if tabulated at all
will be fairly accurate, the greatest source of error being the supplies
on hand at the beginning of the week and at the close of the week.
But no doubt the negative and positive errors will tend to balance
and reduce the error here. This method of collecting food data is
employed by the United States Department of Agriculture and usu
ally by the schools of home economics, with the additional precaution,
however, that paid investigators check up and supervise the tabu
lation. The form shows that the amount of coal is based upon the
average estimate for the recent weeks. By omitting from the
schedules clothing and sundries the questionnaire method has been
made possible. Quantities and prices of clothing were obtained from
firms, particularly the cooperative stores.
One of the most difficult problems in connection with the survey
was to get the budgetary material for 1914, there being no available
budgets for that year. The Board of Trade had made a budgetary
study of food in 1904, which the committee brought up to the date
July, 1914. This could be done because the change in prices of
various articles between 1904 and 1914 had been collected and also
because it was possible to make some estimates of the change in the
nature of the commodities consumed in 1914 as contrasted with
1904, from various sources, particularly the statistical abstracts of
the United Kingdom on the consumption per head of population of
various foodstuffs. As the changes in prices were slight, as was also
the change in the standard of living, the quantity and price expenditure
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in 1914 were approximated on the basis of the 1904 figures. In
order to make the 1914 figures comparable with the June, 1918,
figures, since they are based upon weekly estimates, the 1914 figures
should be adjusted to a summer month, which it is presumed the
committee did.
Through the assistance of the cooperative societies and various
clothing establishments the clothing budget for 1914 was derived
by working back from 1918. The same method was followed in
securing the estimates for fares, gas, coal, and insurance. As pre
viously stated, the rent item was assumed to be the same in both
budgetary periods. It was thus possible to reconstruct a budget
for 1914 to compare with that of 1918. Another difficulty in the
problem lay in the fact that the 1904 budgetary studies were classed
on the basis of income, whereas in collecting the 1918 figures it
was thought inadvisable to ask the wages, so the classification in
1918 was made on the basis of skilled, semiskilled, and unskilled
classes. It is somewhat difficult to classify occupations according
to these classes because of the fact that there is usually a large num
ber of border line or doubtful cases. It is somewhat more accurate
to throw out the border line and doubtful cases than to use them,
although errors in one direction may be balanced by errors in another.
Apparently this committee did not throw out the doubtful cases.
It should be remembered, therefore, that the comparison is of
working-class budgets averaged from budgets classified according to
skilled, unskilled, and semiskilled classes, and that the average is
derived after weighting the different articles of consumption.
The committee also makes the classification of budgets by localities;
and shows the probable error of the averages by the accepted statis
tical method of dividing the standard deviation by the square root
of the number of cases.
Still another problem in making the comparisons valid lay in the
fact that the budgets were for families of different sizes, budgets
being comparable only for families of the same size. Thus the 1914
budget was for a family of 4.37 equivalent adult males and the 1918
budget for a family of 4.57 equivalent adult males and the average
size of the families of skilled class was 4.5, of the semiskilled, 4.3,
of the unskilled, 4.8, and of the clerks, 3.7. To make the compari
sons, therefore, all families were reduced to a standard family of
4.57. This was done by increasing the items of expenditure by the
same percentage of increase by which the size of the family was
increased. Thus the size of the family in 1918 is 4.6 per cent greater
than the size of the family in 1914. Therefore the items of ex
penditure in 1914 were increased 4.6 per cent in order to make them
comparable with the expenditures of the family of 1918. This
method of reducing the families to a standard unit may be criticised
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
from the theoretical point of view and while the source of error due
to this procedure may be small the procedure is not to be recom
mended. In other words, the percentage increase in expenditure,
say of food, is not the same as the percentage increase in the size of
family. In fact, practical observation leads to the conclusion that
as the family grows larger the percentage increase in the amount of
expenditure on food is not as great as the percentage increase in the
size of family. This point has been studied from American data by
the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. For instance, in
New York City the relationship between size of family and percentage
of expenditure for food has been found to be x = 41.32 + 1.128 yQ)
and the relationship between size of family and income s= 1034.3 4115 y, where x equals the percentage, of the total annual expendi
ture, spent for food; y equals the size of the family expressed in
units of the adult male; and z equals the total annual family ex
penditure. From the first equation we find, by substituting 4.37
for y and solving for x, that when the family is 4.37 the percentage
spent for food is on the average 46.25. And from the second equa
tion, by substituting 4.37 for y and solving for z, we find that when
the family is this size the total expenditure is on the average $1,537,
and hence the total amount spent for food is 1711. Now when the
family is increased to 4.57 the percentage spent for food is on the
average 46.475, the total expenditure is on the average $1,560, and
hence the total amount spent for food is $726. Thus when the
family is increased from 4.37 to 4.57, or 4.6 per cent the amount
spent for food is increased from $711 to $726 which is not 4.6 per
cent but only about 2 per cent. This relationship between the
increase in size of family and increase in expenditure for food as
shown from New York data is also borne out by data from a number
of other cities. A description of the equations is to be published in
a future publication of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A correction made according to this criticism would show a slightly
greater per cent of increase in the cost of living from 1914 to 1918
than the committee report shows. Corrections would also modify
somewhat the findings as to the change in the calories consumed
by the three classes of workers’ families in 1918 as compared with
1914.
A general consideration of the method employed in the study
shows that the committee has by the use of considerable ingenuity
in checking made the greatest possible use of data which in their
raw state are not the best imaginable. The committee has checked
its various estimates from a large number of other sources all along
through the survey; indeed in many ways it has been very resource
ful in handling the data. Its practice is also quite admirable in
the fact that it gives the reader an estimate of errors here and there
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177
and it reports size of error where approximations and estimates are
made. It is exceedingly good practice in statistical reports to fur
nish the reader estimates of the size of error and it is greatly to bo
hoped that future reports will continue this good practice.
COST OF LIVING IN ITALY.
That the cost of living in Italy had advanced to an extraordinary
point in the latter half of 1917 is indicated by a recent report from
the American consul at Turin, which reveals the situation in that
consular district lying in the Piedmont section of Italy. Turin,
the principal city, contains about 600,000 people, being approxi
mately the size of Milan. The consul states that the scarcity of
labor, which restricted the crops, and the demands of the army fur
ther reduced the amount of foodstuffs available for civil distribu
tion and thus contributed to the general advance in prices.
During the year the Government found it necessary to introduce the card, or coupon,
system for rationing food supplies for the population. The series began with sugar
and speedily embraced bread, rice, corn meal, macaroni, and olive oil. Two meat
less days per week (Thursday and Friday) were introduced; the manufacture of all
cakes and candy ceased; the gas supply was reduced in pressure and cut off entirely
except during certain hours in the day in order to limit consumption; and war bread
was not allowed to be placed on sale until 24 hours after it had been baked.
The following table indicates the increase in cost of living in the
period July-December, 1917, as compared with the period, JanuaryJune, 1914.
INCREASE IN COST OF LIVING IN PERIOD JULY-DECEMBER, 1917, AS COMPARED WITH
PERIOD JANUARY-JUNE, 1914, AS REPORTED BY AMERICAN CONSUL AT TURIN,
ITALY.
Item.
Unit.
Rent:
Two rooms and bath, furnished, per month.
Small apartment, per month.......................
Six to eight room apartment, unfurnished,
per month.
Eight to ten room house, unfurnished, per
month.
Hard coal.............................................................. Short to n ....
W ood............................................................................ Ton..............
Shoes............................................................................ Pair..............
Underwear............................................................ Suit..............
S h irts........................................................................... Each............
Suitings............
Y ard............
Bread................
Pound.........
B u tte r...............
.......do..........
.......do..........
Cheese......... .
Eggs.................
Dozen..........
Fish, preserved
Pound.........
Fruit, fresh___
.......do..........
Meat, fresh.......
.......do..........
Milk, skimmed.
Q uart..........
Potatoes............
Pound.........
Rice..................
.......do..........
Sugar.................
....... do..........
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January to
June, 1914.
$25.00
60.00
40.00
July to
December,
1917.
$50.00
80.00
60.00
Per cent
of increase.
100.0
33.3
50.0
60.00
75.00
25.0
9.00
0.00
6. 00
2.00
2. 40
3.00
.05
.32
.32
.30
.30
.09
.30
.06
.02
.05
.12
120.00
40.00
13.00
6.00
2.50
7.00
.07
.90
.50
.60
.80
.27
.80
.09
.06
.08
.35
1,233.3
566.7
160.0
200.0
4.2
133.3
40.0
181.3
56.3
100.0
166.7
200.0
166.7
50.0
200.0
60.0
191.7
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, WASHINGTON,
D. C., APRIL 23 TO 25, 1919.
Under date of April 16, 1919, the Secretary of Labor sent a letter
to the governors of the several States inviting them to attend a
conference to discuss the subject of a national employment service.
The Federal directors of employment in the several States were also
invited to the conference. The call of the Secretary of Labor ad
dressed to the governors was as follows:
A conference will be held on April 23, 24, and 25 in Washington with the Secretary
of Labor, the director general, United States Employment Service, and the repre
sentatives of the States, to discuss the subject of a National Employment Service in
cooperation with States and municipalities, and to project a program for legislation.
The purpose of the conference will be to define and establish the most effective
form of relationship between National and State employment activities and in general
agreement bring out a definite objective toward which all may work to the end that
a thorough and comprehensive public employment service may be permanently
established.
In order that there may be a full discussion and the views of each State presented,
you are invited to send a representative to this conference. In view of the impor
tance of the subject and the necessity for prompt action thereon, may I urge that
you designate some one to attend the conference and advise me by telegraph.
The conference will be held in the United States Employment Service Building,
Nineteenth and D Streets, NW., Washington, D. 0., beginning promptly at 10.30
a. m., April 23.
W . B. W i l s o n ,
S e c re ta ry o f L a b o r.
In response to this call 60 conferees met in the offices of the
United States Employment Service in Washington, D. C., for three
days of strenuous work, from April 23 to 25, inclusive. The list of
representatives and other conferees follows:
CONFEREES IN ATTENDANCE.
John P. McLaughlin, State labor commissioner, representing Gov. Stephens of
California.
James R. Noland, secretary of state, of Denver, Colo., representing Gov. Shoup.
W. W. Phillips, State representative, representing Gov. Catts, of Florida.
P. E. Glenn, Atlanta, Ga., representing Gov. Dorsey.
Barney Cohen, State director of labor, Springfield, 111., representing Gov. Lowden.
Prof. F. S. Deibler, State general advisory board, representing Gov. Lowden of
Illinois.
178
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179
J. H. Crawford, State commissioner of labor, Topeka, Kans., representing Gov.
Allen.
Lynn R. Meekins, of Baltimore, Md., representing Gov. Harrington.
Charles F. Gettemy, State commissioner of labor statistics, representing Gov.
Coolidgo, of Massachusetts.
Charles V. Safford, representing Gov. Pankey of New Mexico.
Bernard L. Shientag, representing Gov. Smith of New York.
Mr. Moses, New York State reconstruction committee, representing Mr. John G.
Agar.
Hon. J. M. Baer, Congressman, representing Gov. Frazier, of North Dakota.
W. H. Fitzgerald, Portland, Oreg., representing Gov. Wolcott.
John D. Frost, assistant adjutant general, representing Gov. Cooper of South Carolina.
George Dixon, representing Gov. Norbeck of South Dakota.
O. R. Keilley, executive secretary, State council of defense, Richmond, Va., repre
senting Gov. Davis.
John Hirschberg, State commissioner of labor, Richmond, Va., representing Gov.
Davis.
L. L. Westfall, representing Acting Gov. Hart, of Washington.
J. L. Pauley, secretary State federation of labor, Charleston, W. Va., representing
Gov. Cornwell.
Harry 0. Hoffman, State commissioner of labor, representing Gov. Carey of Wyoming.
William T. Boyce, Federal director, employment service, for California.
Roady Kenehan, Federal director, employment service, for Colorado.
David Elder, acting Federal director, employment service, for Connecticut.
S. P. Doherty, Federal director, employment service, for Delaware.
*H. M. Stanley, commissioner of commerce and labor and Federal director, employ
ment service for Georgia, representing Gov. Dorsey.
P. L. Prentis, Federal director, employment service, for Illinois.
J. Will Kelley, Federal director, employment service, for Kansas.
*W. Pratt Dale, Federal director, employment service, representing Gov. Black
of Kentucky.
Charles S. Hichborn, Federal director, employment service, for Maine.
E. F. McGrady, assistant Federal director, employment service, for Massachussets.
W. W. Brown, Federal director, employment service, for Missouri.
Scott Leavitt, Federal director, employment service, for Montana.
*Col. Lewis T. Bryant, State commissioner of labor and Federal director, employment
service, for New Jersey, representing Gov. Edge.
Dean George W. Kirchwey, Federal director, employment service, for New York.
Dr. George J. Ramsey, Federal director, employment service, for North Carolina.
0. H. Mayhugh, acting Federal director, employment service, for Ohio.
*Claud E. Connally, State commissioner of labor and Federal director, employment
service, for Oklahoma, representing Gov. Robertson.
Wilfred F. Smith, Federal director, employment service, for Oregon.
Harry L. Parks, acting Federal director, employment service, for Pennsylvania.
Joseph T. Ware, Federal director, employment service, for Tennessee.
H. W. Lewis, State labor commissioner and Federal director, Employment Service,
for Texas.
James B. Botts, Federal director, employment serviee, for Virginia.
Lawrence Wood, Federal director, employment service, for Washington.
George P. Hambrecht, chairman, State Industrial Commission and Federal director,
employment service, for Wisconsin.
(The delegates marked with an asterisk (*) represent both the Employment Service
and the State.)
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180
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
F. C. Roberts, representing Samuel Gompers, American Federation of Labor, Wash
ington, D. C.
E. J. Davidson, United States Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D. C.
Fred C. Croxton, formerly chief statistician, State industrial commission, and Federal
director, employment service, for Ohio.
George F. Miles, chief statistician, State industrial commission of Ohio.
Jesse H. Evans, central bureau planning statistics, Washington, D. C.
Dr. Royal Meeker, commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor,
Washington, D. C.
John B. Densmore, director general, employment service.
Nathan A. Smyth, assistant director general, employment service.
William E. Hall, acting assistant director general, employment service.
Mrs. Margaretta Neale, assistant to director general for women’s work, employment
service.
Wade H. Skinner, director organization division, employment service.
Edward Easton, jr., assistant director, operation division, employment service.
A. D. Chiquoine, jr., director, information division, employment service.
S. W. Mason, acting director, control division, employment service.
J. L. McGrew, acting director general, employment service, and secretary of the
conference.
REPRESENTATIVES DESIGNATED BUT NOT PRESENT.
J. B. Carrington, Anniston, Ala., representing Gov. Killby.
A. D. Warner, president chamber of commerce, Wilmington, Del., representing Gov.
Townsend.
Hon. Key Pittman, United States Senator, representing Gov. Boyle of Nevada.
John G. Agar, chairman committee on unemployment, New York State reconstruc
tion committee, representing Gov. Smith.
Hon. Frank R. McNinch, mayor of Charlotte, N. C., representing Gov. Bickett.
T. J. Duffy, chairman State industrial commission, representing Gov. Cox of Ohio.
George H. Auerback, member Council of Defense and chairman employment commit
tee, representing Gov. Bamberger of Utah.
As a result of the exchange of views, a resolution was adopted
just before adjournment setting forth the principles and general
features which, in the judgment of the conferees, should be embodied
in legislation to make permanent the United States Employment
Service and maintain a national employment system. The resolu
tion follows:
1. The United States Employment Service shall be continued as a permanent
bureau in the Department of Labor. It shall be managed by a director general who
slmll be appointed by the President and who shall be assisted in working out standards
and policies for the operation of the employment system of the Nation by an advisory
board, which may also be appointed by the President. A woman assistant to the
director general shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor to have general super
vision of all matters relating to the employment of women, and there shall be such
other assistants and employees in the District of Columbia and elsewhere as shall be
necessary to carry out the purposes of the act.
2. It shall be the province and duty of the said bureau, under the direction of the
Secretary of Labor, to establish and maintain a system of employment offices in the
States which do not maintain an employment service, and in States which do main
tain such a service, to aid as hereinafter provided in the development thereof, and, in
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
181
addition, to coordinate the public employment offices throughout the country by
furnishing information as to labor conditions by maintaining a system for clearing labor
between the several States and by establishing and maintaining a uniform policy and
procedure.
3. For the use of the sendee there shall be appropriated annually a sum of money
from which a specified amount may be used by the Secretary of Labor for maintaining
the offices and staff of the director general, offices for clearing labor between the States,
and for inspection forces; of the balance of the appropriation, so much as shall be neces
sary shall be allotted among the States on the basis of their respective populations,
the unexpended balance remaining after such allotment has been made to be expended
in the discretion of the Secretary of Labor as shall be required where necessary to sup
plement the service maintained in the several States.
4. When any State has made, or shall hereafter make, an appropriation for the main
tenance of a public employment service under State control, and which is maintaining
or is prepared to maintain such an employment service in cooperation with the Federal
Government, there shall be paid to the treasurer of such State, upon certificate by the
Secretary of Labor, for the benefit of the State employment system an amount not
exceeding the allotment for the State and equal to the amount which is appropriated
by the State and its local subdivisions for such purpose, provided that the amount
so appropriated shall not be less than 25 per cent of the allotment on the basis of popu
lation made to such State, nor less than the amount expended by such State for public
employment offices in the year 1918, such payment to be conditional upon the conduct
of the State employment system in accordance with uniform rules and regulations
and with the standards of efficiency prescribed by the director general with the ap
proval of the Secretary of Labor.
5. During a period of two years the Secretary of Labor shall have authority to
spend so much of the sum apportioned to the States as he may deem necessary in the
respective States, as follows:
(а) In States where there is no State employment service, in establishing and main
taining a system of public employment offices.
(б) In States where there is a State system of public employment offices, but which
are not entitled to receive Federal funds under the provisions of paragraph 4, in main
taining a cooperative State and Federal system of public employment offices which
shall be maintained by such officer or board and in such manner as may be agreed
by and between the governor of the State and the Secretary of Labor.
6. That provision shall be made providing for the extension to the system of employ
ment offices operated in conformity with the provisions of this bill and under the rules
and regulations of the United States Employment Service the use of post-office and
postal facilities, including the franking privilege.
The United States Employment Service is to prepare, as soon as
possible, a draft of a bill embodying the principles and general fea
tures stated in the resolution for submission to the subcommittee
which drafted the resolution. It is greatly to be hoped that at last
a permanent national system of employment offices administered
under uniform rules and standards prescribed by Federal authority
will be provided for at the forthcoming extra session of Congress.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN MARCH, 1919.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics received and tabulated reports
concerning the volume of employment in March, 1919, from repre
sentative manufacturing establishments in 13 industries.
The figures for March of this year as compared with those from
identical establishments for March, 1918, show that there was a
decrease in the number of people employed in all of the industries.
The largest decrease, 48.8 per cent, appears in woolen; while cotton
finishing, men’s ready-made clothing, and hosiery and underwear
show decreases of 24.7, 22.3 and 20.4 per cent, respectively.
The reports from 8 industries show an increase in the total amount
of the pay roll for March, 1919, when compared with March, 1918.
Respective increases of 27.7, 22.9 and 21.1 per cent appear in car
building and repairing, leather manufacturing, and automobile
manufacturing. The other increases range from 5.3 per cent in
cigar manufacturing to 17.6 per cent in iron and steel. Five indus
tries show decreases. The greatest decrease, 47.7 per cent, is shown
in woolen.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN MARCH, 1918,
AND MARCH, 1919.
Industry.
Automobile manufactur
ing....................................
Boots and shoes__
Car building and repairing.
Cigar manufacturing.........
Men’s ready-made clothing
Cotton finishing__
Cotton manufacturing.......
Hosiery and underwear...
Iron and steel....................
Leather manufacturing—
Paper making....................
Silk.....................................
Woolen...............................
Number on pay
Estab
roll in—
lish
Per
ments
cent of
report Period of
increase
ing for pay roll.
(+ ) or
March
March, March, decrease
1918.
of both
1919.
( -) •
years.
48
74
39
55
35
18
56
67
102
34
56
48
49
1week.. 114,793 111,228
.do...... 64,807 61,721
J month. 44,459 43,652
1week.. 19,948 17,391
...d o ...... 23,408 18,191
.do....... 15,084 11,360
...d o ....... 51,999 50,153
...d o ....... 34,200 27,221
1month. 182,872 166,897
1w eek.. 15,040 14,714
...d o ...... 25,965 25,729
2weeks. 15,648 14,761
1week.. 48,141 24,625
Amount of pay
roll in—
March,
1918.
March,
1919.
- 3.1 82,717,266 $3,291,213
- 4.8 1,081,815 1,243,685
- 1.8 1,871,658 2,389,750
-12.8
269,070
283,419
-22.3
417,456
393,345
-24.7
244,357
205,205
- 3.6
705,178
702,577
-20.4
437,415
377,244
- 8.7 9,555,253 11,239,659
- 2.2
264,266
324,839
- .9
490,887
565,825
440,230
- 5.7
509,652
-48.8
806,939
421,999
Per
cent of
increase
(+ ) or
decrease
( -) •
+21.1
+15.0
+27.7
- 5.8
-16.0
- .4
-13.8
+ 17.6
+22.9
+15.3
+15.8
-47.7
The following table shows the number of persons actually working
on the last full day of the reported pay period in March, 1918, and
March, 1919. The number of establishments reporting on this
question is small, and this fact should be taken into consideration
when studying these figures.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S O N T H E L A S T F U L L
D A Y 'S O P E R A T IO N IN
E s t a b lis h
m e n ts
r e p o r tin g
for M a r c h o f
b o t h y e a r s.
In d u str y .
M A R C H , 1918, A N D
P e r io d o f
p a y r o ll.
M A R C H , 1919.
N u m b e r a c tu a lly w o r k in g
o n la s t f u ll d a y o f re
p o r t e d p a y p e r io d I n
M arch —
1918
A n t o m o b i 1ft m a n n f a c t n ri n g ______
R o o f s a n d sb o fts
________
C a r b u i l d i n g a n d r o p a i r i n g ..............
Hi g a r m a n u f a c t u r i n g .............................
M e n ’s r e a d y - m a d e c l o t h i n g .............
C o tto n fin is h in g
................. ..
C o t t o n m a n u f a c t u r i n g ........................
TTosiftry a n d u n d e r w e a r ......................
I r o n a n d s t e e l ............................................
I .fiat, h e r m a n u f a c t u r i n g _________
P a p fir m a k in g .....................................
S ilt
..............................................................
W o o l e n ............................................................
26
21
38
20
5
13
34
24
76
18
21
24
39
1 w e e k .............
..........d o ...............
J m o n t h ..........
1 w e e k .............
.......... d o ............ ..
..........d o ...............
.......... d o ............ ..
.......... d o ...............
J m o n t h ..........
1 w e e k .............
.......... d o ...............
2 w e e k s ...........
1 w e e k .............
7 1 ,2 9 3
1 2 ,0 2 9
38', 523
5 ,9 2 4
10 ,3 8 1
1 0 ,4 5 6
2 4 ,5 0 4
13 ,4 0 3
141 ; 929
1 0 ,8 3 5
7 ,8 9 1
8 ,5 3 9
3 6 ,8 4 8
P e r c e n t of
in c r e a s e
( + ) or d e
c r e a s e ( — ).
1919
7 3 ,4 1 8
1 0 ,8 3 7
39; 046
5', 349
9 ,3 4 6
7 ,8 3 8
2 4 ,3 0 7
1 1 ,0 8 1
132;574
1 0 ,7 5 0
8 ,0 6 7
7', 848
1 5 ,2 1 1
+ 3 .0
- 9 .9
+ 1 .4
- 9 .7
- 1 0 .0
- 2 5 .0
.8
- 1 7 .3
- 6 .6
.8
+ 2 .2
- 8 .1
- 5 8 .7
The figures in the next table show that in 8 industries there
were more persons on the pay roll in March, 1919, than in February,
1919. An increase of 31.2 per cent in woolen is the greatest increase
shown, while the largest decrease, 2.7 per cent, appears in iron and
steel.
C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN F E B R U A R Y
AND
Industry.
M A R C H , 1919.
Amount of pay
Number on pay
Estab
roll in—
roll In—
Per
lish
cent of
ments
increase
report Period of
ing for pay roll.
(+ ) or
March,
Febru March, decrease Febru
Febru
ary,1919. 1919.
ary, 1919.
1919.
ary and
(-) •
March.
Automobile manufacturing
Roots and shoes.................
Car building and repairing.
Cigar manufacturing.........
Men’s ready-made clothing
C o tto n finishing-
Cotton manufacturing.......
Hosiery and underw ear...
Iron and steel.....................
Leather manufacturing—
Pap fir m a k in g .... ................ .
Silk.....................................
Woolen...............................
47
72
40
54
45
18
56
62
99
34
56
48
49
1 week.. 108,236 111,030
__do....... 61,479 61,152
44', 567
J month. 45,131
1 week.. 17,373
17,428
...d o ...... 18,453
18,718
...d o ....... 11,059 11,360
...d o ....... 49i 029 49', 471
...d o ...... 25,854 25,705
i month. 170,585 165,950
1 week.. 14,450 14,714
.. .do...... 25,890 25,729
2 weeks - 13,286 14', 761
1 week.. 18,763 24,625
+
+
+
+
+
-
2.6 $3,231,080 $3,284,687
.5 1,241,895 1,234,655
1.3 2,398,751 2,444,858
272,603
284,550
.8
390,881
407,249
1.4
194,881
2.7
205,205
697,800
679,569
.9
369,512
362,945
.6
2.7 11,773,656 11,143,225
315,957
324,839
+ 1.8
- .6
590,594
665,825
609,652
419,279
+11.1
+31.2
305,502
421,099
Per
cent of
Increase
(+ ) or
decrease
(-) •
+ 1.7
- .6
+ 1.9
+ 4.4
+ 4.2
+ 5.3
+ 2.7
- 1 .8
- 5.4
+ 2.8
- 4.2
+21.6
+37. 8
Nine of the 13 industries reporting show increases and 4 decreases
in the total amount of the pay roll in March, 1919, when compared
with February, 1919. An increase of 37.8 per cent appears in
woolen, which is largely due to the unsettled labor conditions during
January and February. Silk shows an increase of 21.6 per cent.
Iron and steel and paper making show percentage decreases of 5.4
and 4.2, respectively.
A comparatively small number of establishments reported as to
the number of persons working on the last full day of the reported
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1409]
184
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
pay periods. The following table gives in comparable form the
figures for February, 1919, and March, 1919:
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE LAST FULL
DAY’S OPERATION IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 1919.
Industry.
Antnmnhile manufacturing.........
Boots and shoos............................
Car building and repairing_____
Ci rrar manufacturing....................
1Men *s road y-m ad a cTnth in ?.........
Cotton finishing ..........................
Cotton manufacturing ...............
Hosiery and underwear............. _
Jr on and ste e l............................ Heather manufacturing _______
V finer making ..... ................ . . . .
S ilt.............° ................................
’W oolen.......................................
Establish
ments
reporting
for February
and March.
26
30
39
22
6
15
33
22
85
20
25
24
43
Period of
pay roll.
1 week.........
...d o .............
J month.......
I week.........
.......do..........
.......do..........
....... do..........
....... do..........
§ month.......
1 week....... .
.......do..........
2 weeks........
1 week.........
Number actually working
on last full day of reported
pay period in—
Per cent of in
crease (+ ) or
decrease (—).
February, March, 1919.
1919.
68,127
15,0.86
39; 994
5 ', 385
9', 134
8; 076
23', 510
10; 737
141', 840
1R217
Hi 553
7', 710
11,290
73,448
15,001
39,885
5,507
9,410
8,425
23,615
IO) 808
137,771
11,283
10,749
8,246
15,832
+ 7.8
- .6
- .3
+ 2.3
+ 3.0
+ 4.3
+ •4
+ .7
- 2.9
+ -6
- 7.0
+ 7.0
+40.2
C H A N G ES IN W A G E R A T E S .
During the period February 15 to March 15, 1919, there were
establishments which reported increases in the wage rates hi 7
industries and decreases in 2 industries, while 1 establishment in
boots and shoes reported a change but did not state whether it
was an increase or a decrease. Of the establishments reporting
many did not answer the inquiry relative to this item, but in such
cases it is not likely that changes were made.
Automobile manufacturing: In one establishment the average
hourly rate was increased 0.0331 cent.
Boots and shoes: A small number of the employees in one factory
received an increase of 21 per cent. One plant reported an increase
but did not give any further particulars, while another plant reported
a change of 10 per cent, affecting all of the employees, but failed to
state if this were an increase or a decrease.
Cigar manufacturing: An increase of 10 per cent was reported by
one concern,but no data were given as to the percentage of employees
affected.
Men’s ready-made clothing: Approximately 78 per cent of the
force in one establishment received an increase of 10 per cent; and
about 10 per cent of the force in another establishment received an
increase of approximately 12 per cent.
Cotton finishing: An increase of 3 per cent was given by one firm
but no statement was made as to the number of employees receiving
the increase.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1410]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
185
Cotton manufacturing: Two decreases of 10 per cent were reported,
one of which affected the entire force, while no information was given
as to the number of the employees affected in the second plant.
Iron and steel: A decrease of 17$ per cent, affecting 40 per cent
of the force, was made in one plant; and a 17 per cent decrease
was reported by another plant, but no information was given as to
the number of the employees affected. Decreases of 10 per cent
went into effect in three establishments and affected 40 per cent of
the men in one, 25 per cent in another, but the third plant failed
to give any further data, while approximately 68$ and 40 per cent
of the employees were decreased about 10 per cent in two other
plants. Seven establishments made decreases ranging from 5 to 9
per cent, affecting 37$ per cent of the employees in one plant, the
tonnage men in another, about 1 per cent of the employees in the
third, and 33$ per cent of the force in the fourth plant, while the
decreases in the remaining establishments affected 20 per cent of
the men in one, 50 per cent in another, and 66f per cent of the em
ployees in the seventh establishment. The tonnage men in one
concern were decreased but no data were given as to the per cent of
increase or the number of men affected.
Paper making: An increase of about 10 per cent was given in two
mills, affecting approximately 7 per cent of the force in one mill and
slightly more than 1 per cent in the second mill.
Silk manufacturing: An increase of 10 per cent to 25 per cent of
the employees was reported by one concern.
INDEX NUMBERS OF EMPLOYMENT AND OF PAY ROLL, JANUARY,
1915, TO MARCH, 1919.
Index numbers showing relatively the variation in the number of
persons employed and in pay-roll totals in 13 industries by months
from January, 1915, to March, 1919, have been compiled and are
presented in the two following tables. These index numbers are
based on the figures for “ Employment in selected industries/'
appearing in this and preceding issues of the R e v i e w . The seven
industries shown in the first table are the only ones for which the
bureau has comparable data as far back as January, 1915. Therefore,
January, 1916, is taken as the basis of comparison.
The number of persons whose names appeared on the pay roll for
the base month is represented by 100. The amount of money carried
on the pay rolls is likewise represented by 100. To illustrate, if the
number of persons employed in the iron and steel industry in January,
1919, is taken as 100, then the number employed in that industry
in March, 1919, was 125; that is, it had increased 25 per cent; and
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1411]
186
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
if the money pay roll in January, 1916, be taken as 100, the pay roll
in March, 1919, represented 236; or, in other words, the amount
paid in wages was more than twice as much in March, 1919, as in
January, 1916.
INDEX NUMBERS 0 7 EMPLOYMENT AND OF PAY ROLL, JANUARY, 1915, TO
MARCH, 1919.
[January, 1916—100.]
Boots and
shoes.
Month and
year.
Cotton
finishing.
Cotton
manu
facturing.
Hosiery
and
underwear.
Iron and
steel.
Woolen
manu
facturing.
Silk.
Num Amt. Num Amt. Num Amt. Num Amt. Num Amt. Num Amt. Num
ber
ber Amt.
ber
ber
ber
ber
ber
of
of
of
of
of
of
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
of
pay pay pay
roli roil. roll. roll.
rolf rPo¥. roli rPo¥. roli
a Si & ?$. EL
1915.
January..........
February........
March..............
April...............
May................
June............
July................
August............
September___
October...........
November___
December.......
87
87
83
77
79
80
81
82
82
90
94
109
80
77
71
61
66
71
73
76
76
89
97
103
85
94
91
93
93
87
92
90
90
94
104
97
1916.
January..........
February........
March.............
April...............
May.................
June................
July................
August...........
September___
October..........
November___
December.......
100
100
101
99
98
99
100
99
98
98
102
107
100
99
101
97
99
102
101
98
98
99
113
125
100
101
103
98
95
96
96
97
96
96
99
101
100
105
107
103
110
110
107
107
109
1917.
January..........
February........
March.............
April........
May................
June................
July................
August............
September___
October..........
N ovember___
December.......
108
108
107
105
104
105
102
97
91
93
101
101
12Q
12ft
126
117
122
132
123
122
121
121
137
162
1918.
January.......... 101
February........ 102
March............. 103
April...............
99
May................. : 97
June................
96
July.................
98
August............
96
September___
95
October..........
89
November___
92
December.......
95
1919.
January..........
February........
March.............
95
95
95
74
71
77
80
82
85
87
90
93
97
97
97
82
65
72
75
74
81
73
83
87
91
98
101
91
93
93
00
90
90
89
91
92
94
97
93
83
90
92
85
88
85
85
87
87
94
100
100
88
88
91
93
94
89
92
90
99
99
102
103
81
80
84
88
86
79
79
78
90
82
94
98
100
102
105
104
108
109
100
102
102
104
105
103
101
97
101
102
103
105
100
108
109
no
100
97
100
101
09
100
101
100
99
100
08
100
100
105
109
108
108
113
115
115
117
118
100
113
115
115
126
128
111
125
130
135
138
144
121
120
124
117
126
128
126
122
125
133
144
148
122
123
124
124
127
129
130
134
133
135
136
138
152
149
159
148
176
178
165
183
179
213
214
207
100
99
98
97
95
93
93
91
89
88
88
88
112
114
118
115
118
113
107
107
107
111
111
111
107
106
108
105
106
104
104
102
104
107
112
132
131
131
124
140
139
140
136
142
155
108
175
105
107
108
108
107
107
108
107
105
95
101
101
134
135
159
161
166
165
175
171
175
155
148
179
134
135
137
136
138
139
137
138
137
138
135
138
184
190
206
206
236
235
220
245
249
282
257
279
86
88
89
88
87
87
85
83
79
79
76
77
102
104
120
123
127
124
121
123
127
128
107
127
107
105
109
109
106
106
105
104
103
95
98
90
159
139
172
186
180
180
185
199
191
162
148
156
97
90
90
159
144
141
136
128
125
265
250
236
79
75
83
123
108
131
74
43
56
117
65
89
101
101
103
102
103
102
103
101
101
102
103
102
98
103
105
103
104
99
99
100
101
94
99
98
87
91
91
94
96
98
96
94
98
100
101
104
100
108
114
129
100
101
101
101
101
102
102
100
100
100
100
102
115
123
100
101
103
104
105
105
104
102
104
106
107
108
99
99
99
96
98
98
94
94
96
95
98
100
123
122
124
121
132
134
124
123
125
128
140
146
101
102
101
101
100
100
101
99
98
98
100
101
121
123
125
123
127
135
135
129
133
135
153
160
107
108
109
106
108
107
105
103
104
105
106
10S
161
158
172
166
166
173
176
173
183
171
156
207
96
96
98
94
93
93
97
95
92
88
89
92
132
129
141
147
149
158
169
161
165
152
147
170
100
95
100
98
96
96
97
97
95
87
92
98
153
140
162
168
173
179
192
189
193
163
164
206
211
201
200
84
71
73
143
114
120
99
95
95
198
160
165
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
81
90
89
92
93
86
85
88
87
92
94
100
no
no
m
116
115
112
112
114
no
[1412]
76
81
85
85
90
92
90
89
89
n
100
105
109
105
108
108
111
no
102
102
108
112
119
124
no
100
103
104
109
108
112
no
no
117
112
no
104
111
108
116
128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
187
INDEX NUMBERS OP EMPLOYMENT AND OP PAY ROLL, FEBRUARY, MARCH, OR
NOVEMBER, 1915, TO MARCH, 1919.
[January, 1916—100.]
A u to m o b ile
m anu
fa c tu r in g .
M o n th a n d y e a r .
C ig a r
m anu
fa c tu r in g .
M e n ’s
r e a d y -m a d e
c lo t h in g .
L e a th e r
m anu
fa c tu r in g .
Paper
m anu
fa c tu r in g .
Num
Num
Num
Num
Num
Num
A m t.
A m t.
t.
A m t.
A m t.
A m t.
ber
ber
ber
b er
ber A m
ber
of
of
of
of
of
of
on
on
on
on
on
on
pay
pay
pay
pay
Pay
rPoaiI
a
r o ll
r o ll.
r o ll .
¡S L
f f l.
r o ll .
r o ll .
r o ll .
a .
1915.
71
80
67
86
87
92
89
95
F e b r u a r y .........................................
March.................... ..............
April............. ......................
May.....................................
J u n e ......................................... ...........
J u l y .................. ........... . . . . . . . . . .
August..................................
S e p t e m b e r ......................................
O c t o b e r .............................................
N o v e m b e r .......................................
D e c e m b e r .........................................
C ar b u i l d
in g a n d
r e p a ir i n g .
99
71
87
71
91
97
104
92
97
108
113
133
100
99
108
100
104
108
100
112
111
112
113
109
116
117
123
132
129
125
100
111
117
114
119
115
105
119
132
148
155
135
100
104
109
133
134
185
183
130
125
H8
120
125
126
122
121
137
149
158
153
156
146
141
136
153
160
165
156
112
109
104
105
104
108
107
96
103
108
113
119
119
123
137
142
113
112
May......................................
J u n e .....................................
124
126
J u l y ..................................... ................
A u g u s t ...............................................
S e p t e m b e r ...........................
O c t o b e r ................................
N o v e m b e r ................ ...........
D e c e m b e r .............................
122
172
175
170
177
182
192
174
174
108
109
102
110
116
119
125
126
125
177
163
196
240
242
271
263
250
159
172
175
122
109
107
234
197
106
90
98
94
96
92
97
108
108
106
9Í
88
92
94
99
94
93
1Ó9
116
111
100
100
94
98
92
80
94
95
97
83
80
84
88
81
98
80
70
86
95
107
86
83
95
107
93
100
98
100
97
102
105
105
97
93
95
101
92
123
132
123
135
144
151
141
136
139
154
162
97
101
91
84
96
92
103
100
105
106
106
105
116
122
118
112
118
128
117
100
112
111
100
111
105
108
111
129
118
lid
100
105
103
104
106
108
107
109
102
103
141
101
114
100
109
106
107
112
118
117
122
118
122
124
138
117
124
121
119
114
109
100
105
104
104
104
111
114
141
145
142
133
133
129
126
130
130
144
157
172
117
117
116
113
115
111
103
109
110
111
114
118
135
135
136
135
141
144
139
138
143
148
161
160
111
10S
112
109
113
112
113
113
114
114
114
106
112
116
146
147
105
102
98
99
100
163
154
165
161
175
192
192
194
188
177
172
198
101
101
103
191
190
201
115
113
112
206
197
189
99
1916.
J a n u a r y .............................................
F e b r u a r y ..........................................
M a r c h ..................................................
A p r i l ....................................................
M a y ......................................................
J u n e .....................................................
J u l y ......................................................
August.............................. .
S e p t e m b e r .......................................
O c t o b e r ..............................................
N o v e m b e r .......................................
D e c e m b e r .........................................
no
109
111
108
109
113
111
117
116
100
121
132
132
133
134
95
99
97
03
90
91
91
90
93
97
93
no
96
117
136
134
142
ISO
144
144
134
140
129
153
166
170
97
98
100
92
92
04
94
87
91
98
103
103
113
117
106
113
118
117
107
114
127
137
136
111
107
107
110
110
113
118
113
108
103
101
104
107
151
154
167
103
101
104
103
102
105
101
101
101
101
102
98
94
86
85
83
147
155
159
154
94
90
92
93
87
92
95
129
131
141
142
121
138
139
121
135
125
137
155
89
89
89
141
137
143
76
78
79
142
142
148
126
125
128
132
145
154
96
96
98
99
97
105
112
no
106
104
106
no
101
111
109
112
113
118
131
1917.
J a n u a r y .............................................
F e b r u a r y ..............................
M a r c h ..................................................
A p r i l ....................................................
M a y ......................................................
J u n e .....................................................
J u l y ......................................................
A u g u s t ..................................
S e p t e m b e r ...........................
O c t o b e r ................................
N o v e m b e r ............................
D e c e m b e r .......................... ..............
1918.
J a n u a r v .............................................
F e b r u a r y ........................... ..............
M a r c h ..................................................
A p r i l .....................................
124
118
120
121
123
114
1919.
J a n u a r y ................................
F e b r u a r y ..............................
108
108
M a r c h ..................................................
111
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
158
161
111
111
166
200
[1413]
88
168
170
172
163
154
146
139
147
106
102
101
104
100
168
171
174
181
191
204
203
194
191
217
188
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
E M P L O Y M E N T IN F R A N C E IN JULY, 1918.»
Following the precedent employed in previous investigations made
by the labor inspectors relative to industrial employment, data were
collected in July, 1918, from 41,475 establishments, employing in
normal times 1,384,049 persons. On this date, 38,556 of these estab
lishments were operating, and employing 1,318,903 persons. The
distribution by industry groups, of the establishments open and per
sons employed, at the various dates on which investigations were
made, are as follows:
NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS REPORTING AND NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN
NORMAL TIMES, AUGUST, 1914, AND JULY, 1918.
Number of employees
reported in—
Number of establish
ments reporting in—
Industry group.
Per cent of—
Establish Employ
ments re ees re
ported
porting
In—
in—
Au
gust,
1914.
July,
1918.
45,534
27,995
14,425
11,456
101,349
43,558
25,496
18,771
101,499
1,119
513
57,958
77,118
34.471
17,441
239,275
103,811
57,308
68.560
485,486
5,142
1,383
74
60
46
49
47
60
58
36
45
78,370 10,424
76,712 16,021
25,336 13,599
84,129 37,887
41,304
42,579
25,130
61,942
44
35
Total................................. 41,475 22,448 38,556 1,384,049 469,746 1,318,903
Food preparations......................
Chemical.....................................
Rubber, paper, and cardboard .
Printing......................................
Textiles.......................................
Clothing......................................
Leather and hides......................
Woodworking.............................
Metallurgy (crude).....................
Metals (refined)..........................
Precious stones...........................
Building trades, including
stoneworking...........................
E arth, clay, and stoneware.......
Storage and transportation.......
Commerce...................................
Nor Au
mal gust,
times. 1914.
July,
1918.
4,028 2,980
1,322
793
316
689
1,110 549
3,614 1,074
7,998 4,731
2,095 1,227
4,202 1,527
6,176 2,780
60
519
60
81
3,765
1,244
656
Normal
times.
1,020
3.323
7; 464
1,943
3,770
5,864
484
69
676 1,237
1,532
866
373
1,063
416
425
273
6,621 5,029 6,435
84,481
66,768
44,883
81,742
301,739
123,380
66,220
74,663
316,071
6,996
2,559
Au
Au
gust, Julv,
gust, July,
1914. 1918. 1914. 1918.
93
94
95
92
92
93
93
90
95
93
85
54
42
32
36
34
35
39
25
32
15
24
69
115
77
55
79
84
87
92
154
73
54
18
88
21
76
81
81
98
97
45
45
53
56
99
74
54
93
34
95
12
74
The data given in the above table are not exactly comparable
with that reported for previous investigations, for the reasons that
the establishments reporting in July, 1918, are not identical with
those reported for earlier dates. But the differences are of such small
importance that they may be considered as negligible.
As shown by the table the number of employees in these establish
ments form 95 per cent of the number employed in them in normal
times. The number of mobilized men employed in these establish
ments may be estimated as forming 24 per cent of all employees
engaged in them; it therefore follows that, if from the number
employed in normal times this proportion is deducted, the number
employed in July, 1918, exceeds by 19 per cent the number employed
1Bulletin du Ministère du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale (Paris), November and December, 1918.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 4 1 4 ]
189
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
just after mobilization. The groups of industry in which an increased
number of employees was found, after making deductions for mobili
zation, are as follows: Chemicals, 42; rubber, paper, and cardboard,
34; woodworking, 13; metallurgy (crude), 22; metals (refined), 86;
and storage and transportation, 31 per cent. The only industries
employing more persons in July, 1918, than under normal conditions,
no deduction for mobilized men being made, W'ere chemicals and
metallurgy (crude), in which the per cent of increase was 15 and 54,
respectively.
The investigation applies to such establishments only as are
subject to inspection by the labor office, and does not include mines,
quarries, common carriers (railways and tramways), or establish
ments under the control of the ministries of war and navy. In these
last two services there has been a notable increase in the number of
employees.
The following table shows the number and proportion of each sex
employed in these 41,475 establishments before the war, in August,
1914, and July, 1918.
NUMBER AND PROPORTION OF MEN AND WOMEN EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRIAL
ESTABLISHMENTS BEFO RE THE WAR, AUGUST, 1914, AND JULY, 1918.
Number of employees.
Per cent of employees.
Proportion of each sex
employed in July,
1918, compared with
August, 1914.
Men. Women. Total.
Men. Women. Total.
Date of
investigation.
Men.
Before the w ar...
August, 1914.......
J u ly ,1918............
929,407
290,348
785,380
114339°—19---- 18
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Women.
454,642
179,398
533,523
Total.
1,384,049
469,746
1,318,903
[1415]
67.2
61.5
59.5
82.8
88.2
40.5
100
100
100
100
81
84
100
39
117
100
34
95
190
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
The following table shows the distribution of women in the various
industries before the war, in August, 1914, and July, 1918,
NUMBER OF WOMEN EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS BEFORE THE
WAR, AUGUST,, 1914, AND IN JULY, 1918.
Number of women employed In—
Industry group.
Normal
times.
Food preparations................................................
Chemical......................................... .
Rubber, paper, and cardboard............................
Printing.................................................................
Textiles.................................................................
Clothing................................ ...............................
Leather and hides.............................................. J*
W ood working.......................................................
Metallurgy (crude)...............................................
Metals (refined)...................................................
Precious stones....................................... .............
Building trades, including stoneworking...........
E arth, clay, and stoneware.................................
Storage and transportation.................................
Com m erce..........................................................
Total................. .........................................
August,
1914.
Per cent of women
employed, com
pared ’ with bofore-war employ
ment,. in—
July, 1918. August,
1914.
July,
1918.
32,774
13,085
17, 705
», 635
183,881
98^971
22,119
9,360
17; 731
2,646
1,245
420
14,504
'223
30,342
14,958
6,217
6,964
4,602
72,631
32,113
9,094
2', 311
7,452
549
392
236
3,115
192
18,072
22,587
18,439
17,335
7,073
169,814
90,191
24,604
14,571
119,966
2,252
'983
1,264
11,394
1,029
32,021
59
156.
677
85
79
sot
79
461
105
454,642
179,398
533,523
39
117
46
48
39
48
39
32
41
30
42
21
31
56
21
86
69
141
98
73
92
91
101
In addition to the number of women working in establishments
subject to the inspection service, there were in September, 1918,
600,733 women engaged in service connected with the national
defense, including the larger railway systems (grands réseaux).
In most of the various branches of the national defense service
women formed approximately 20 per cent of all employees. In
September, 1918, the percentage of women to all employees in the
air service was 27.96; in health service 47.39; and in armament 12.21.
During the period October 1, 1917, to September, 1918, the number
of women employed in branches of service for national defense
increased from 446,212 to 600,733. The total number of all em
ployees on October 1, 1917, was 2,922,461, and on September 1, 1918,
2,973,783, an increase of 51,322, of which 12,912 were men and 38,410
were women. On September 1, 1918, there were 301,239 persons
employed on the important lines of railroads {grands réseaux), of
whom 57,910 were women. From December 1, 1917, to September
1, 1918, the number of women employees in this service increased
9,275, or 19.1 per cent.
The report gives in some detail the occupations in which women
are engaged, and in some instances indicates that when an opportune
time is reached there should be a readjustment in the character of
labor which they are now called upon to perform.
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[1416]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
191
E X T E N T O F E M P L O Y M E N T O F W O M E N IN G E R M A N Y D U R IN G T H E W AR .
No reliable figures appear to be available as to the real extent of the
employment of women in Germany during the war, but data as to
employment of both males and females have been compiled, based
on returns from 5,135 sickness insurance societies, which, it is esti
mated, represent from one-lialf to three-fourths of the total number
of persons employed for a wage or salary in Germany. These data
are given in the Deutscher Reichsanzeiger for February 25, 1919,
and are reproduced in the British Labor Gazette for March, 1919
(page 87), from which this account is taken. These figures, depicting
the situation as of July 1, 1918, are presented in the following table
in comparison with the extent of employment of males and females
on July 1, 1914, and July 1, 1917, respectively:
EX TEN T OE EMPLOYMENT OF MALES AND FEMALES IN GERMANY ON JULY 1, 1914,
' 1917 AND 1918, AND P E R CENT OF CHANGE AT EACH DATE.
Number of employed per
sons covered by returns.
Date.
Males.
July 1, 1914............................................................
July 1, 1917............................................................
July 1, 1918...........................................................
6,473,392
3,888,183
3,874,698
Females.
3,466,731
4,014,977
4,050,189
Per cent of increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) as compared
with preceding date.
Males.
-39.9
- .3
Females.
+15.8
+ .9
The total number of women employed on July 1, 1918, is estimated
at between seven and eight millions.
Considering the extent of employment of women by trades, it
appears that the maximum increase occurred in the munitions
industry proper, and the ore smelting, metal, and engineering indus
tries (where the numbers rose about 408 per cent between July 1,
1914, and July 1, 1918), in the electrical trades (288 per cent), and in
the chemical industry (364 per cent). In the building trades the
number of women workers increased about 225 per cent between
those two dates. A decrease in the number of woman employees is
reported in the textile, clothing, food, and tobacco trades, in all of
which the output was greatly restricted owing to lack of raw material.
A considerable influx of women is noted in the so-called nonfactory
trades, such as smithing, miscellaneous metal working, and plumbing,
where the numbers employed increased 350 per cent between the
dates mentioned; in the joinery trades, where they increased 153 per
cent; and in hairdressing, where the increase was 67 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[14171
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
B R ID G E P O R T P L A N O F O R G A N IZ A T IO N F O R CO LLECTIVE B A R G A IN IN G
C O M M IT T E E S .
The labor disturbances which occurred during the latter part of
1918 at Bridgeport, Conn., affecting the production of munitions and
other war supplies, assumed such a serious aspect that the National
War Labor Board was called upon to investigate and, if possible,
compose the differences between the employers and the striking
workers. After an exhaustive investigation of the questions at issue
and the failure on the part of the board to reach a unanimous agree
ment upon certain disputed points, an umpire was appointed to
render a decision that would be acceptable alike to the board and
to the parties in disagreement. In August the umpire submitted
his report to the board, which approved it, and the decision was.
later accepted by a large number of the employees. Many, however,,
refused to agree to its terms and President Wilson thereupon ad
dressed a letter to them requesting that they return to work and
suggesting certain penalties that would be imposed should they
refuse. The President also addressed a letter to the employers
whom, he was informed, had refused to reemploy the workers after
they had indicated a willingness to return to work. An account of
this controversy, the award of the umpire, and the letters of the
President are published in the Monthly L abor R eview' for October,
1918 (pp. 19-25).
This controversy emphasized the desirability of providing for the
constitution of collective bargaming committees under a plan which
should be applicable to all the plants in Bridgeport working on war
contracts; said committee in each instance to be organized for the
purpose of developing a clearer understanding of the problems per
taining to the company and its employees, by furnishing a means
of free interchange of opinions and suggestions on all matters of
mutual concern and interest within the business. The plan which
vTas finally adopted was the result of careful and mature delibera
tions on the part of the representatives of employers and employees,
each of whom went into the conferences with the determination to
effect some workable scheme by which the workpeople and the
management could get together and mutually agree upon questions
affecting the interests of all. This plan provides for the election of
192
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1418]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
193
employees’ department committees and employees’ general commit
tees and prescribes by-laws governing the powers and functions and
the method of procedure of these committees, and also makes provi
sion for a referendum and recall of duly elected committeemen, and
for amendment of the by-laws. This plan was approved on November
27, 1918, by the machinists union of Bridgeport and by the National
War Labor Board, and on December 16 by the manufacturers and
employees of Bridgeport.
One of the early announced principles of the National War Labor
Board relates to the right of employees to organize and to bargain
collectively, and reads as follows :
T h e righ t of w orkers to organize in trad e-u n ion s an d ^to bargain c o lle c tiv e ly an d
th rou gh ch o sen r ep resen ta tiv es is reco g n ized a n d affirm ed. T h is righ t sh a ll n o t b e
d e n ie d , ab rid ged , or in terfered w ith b y em p loyers in a n y m an n er w h atsoever.
A similar provision recognizes the right of employers to organize
and to bargain collectively. This general principle has been re
affirmed by the board in a great many of its subsequent decisions,
and the plan for the organization of collective bargaining committees
which was prepared primarily for the Bridgeport industries has been
put out by the board as a concrete development of the general
principle which it has consistently urged. It may be said that the
National War Labor Board is daily receiving requests for copies of
this Bridgeport plan from business concerns all over the country,
indicating the widespread interest manifested by employers who
are coming to realize the necessity of meeting in some definite way
the demand for closer cooperation between workers and management.
T EX T OF PLAN OF ORGANIZATION FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMMITTEES.
The text of the plan of organization and the by-laws for collective
bargaining committees instituted by the National War Labor Board
for Bridgeport, Conn., is as follows:
O R G A N IZ A T IO N .
A. EMPLOYEES’ DEPARTMENT COMMITTEES.
E le ctio n s.— 1. E m p lo y e e s ’ d ep a rtm en t c o m m itte es sh a ll co n sist of th ree e m p lo y ee s
w h o h a v e a c tu a lly w ork ed in th e d ep a rtm en t or se c tio n of th e p la n t in v o lv e d for a
p erio d of th ree (3) m o n th s im m e d ia te ly p r eced in g e le c tio n . T h ere sh a ll b e su ch a
c o m m itte e for ea ch d ep a rtm en t or se c tio n in charge of a forem an or forelad y.
2. S a id c o m m itte e sh a ll b e e le c te d b y th e d irect v o te of th e e m p lo y ee s. E a c h em
p lo y e e of a n y d ep a rtm en t sh a ll h a v e th e p r iv ile g e of v o tin g for th ree fello w e m p lo y ee s
as h is or h er c h o ice for sa id c o m m itte e m em b ersh ip . T h e th ree e m p lo y ee s r ec eiv in g
th e h ig h est n u m b er of v o te s sh a ll b e d eclared e le c te d .
3. N o tic e of a ll sa id e le c tio n s m u st b e e ith er d e liv e r ed to ea ch e m p lo y ee in th e
d ep a rtm en t or se c tio n in v o lv e d , or sa id d ep a rtm en t or se c tio n m u st b e a d e q u a tely
p la ca rd ed w ith posters; sa id n o tic es or placard s m u st fu lly e x p la in th e pu rp oses an d
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 4 1 9 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
194
c o n d itio n s of said e le c tio n s an d th e y m u st b e d istrib u ted or p o sted a t lea st one fu ll
w e ek prior to th e date of a ctu a l e le ctio n .
4. T h e ju d ges of e le c tio n for th e first e le c tio n sh a ll b e an ex a m in er or other n on p arti
san rep resen ta tiv e of th e N a tio n a l War Labor Board an d tw o or m ore e m p lo y ee s ch osen
b y h im from th e d ep a rtm en t or se c tio n in v o lv e d , one of w h om sh a ll b e, w h en ev er
p o ssib le, th e tim ek ee p e r of th e dep artm en t, w h o w ill serve as c h eck er of th ose v o tin g
or som e e m p lo y ee q u a lified to recogn ize th e e m p lo y ee s v o tin g as bon a fid e e m p lo y ees
of th a t d ep a rtm en t. S u ch ju d ges sh all h o ld th e e le ctio n , c o u n t th e vo tes, certify th e
returns, a n d a n n o u n ce, a t th e e a rliest p o ssib le hour, th e n am es of th ose e le cte d .
E m p lo y e e ju d g es sh a ll h a v e b e e n e m p lo y ed in th e d ep a rtm en t or se c tio n in v o lv e d
for a t lea st th ree (3) m on th s im m e d ia te ly p reced in g electio n s.
T h e jud ges of e le ctio n sh all h a v e final d ecisio n as to all q u estion s arisin g at th e
tim e of and in co n n ectio n w ith said e le c tio n s , e x c e p t th a t th e y sh all b e gu id ed and
govern ed b y th e co n d itio n s of said e le ctio n s as se t forth u p on said n o tic es or posters,
w h ic h sh a ll b e in fu ll accord w ith th e organization p lan an d b y-law s.
5. T h e e m p lo y ee r ec eiv in g th e h ig h est n u m b er of v o tes in ea ch su ch e le c tio n sh all
b e d ecla red th e chairm an of th e c o m m ittee, b u t in case of a resign ation as chairm an
th e co m m itte e e le c te d sh all h a v e th e righ t of ch oice.
6. W here b o th m en and w om en are e m p lo y ed in a d ep a rtm en t or sectio n , proper
rep resen tation u p o n its c o m m ittee sh all b e gu aran teed to both .
7. T h e first e le ctio n sh all b e h e ld a t su ch tim e as th e ad m in istra tiv e ex a m in er sh a ll
d e c id e , an d a t su ch p la ce as in h is o p in ion th e greatest n u m b er of v o te s of th e e lig ib le
e m p lo y ee s w o u ld b e ob tain ed . S u ch em p lo y ee s w ill b e g iv e n a p rin ted b a llo t and a
free o p p o rtu n ity to v o te in accord an ce w ith th eir w ish es and ch oice. T h e p riv ileg e of
an a b so lu tely secret b a llo t sh all b e guaranteed and enforced.
S. D u rin g th e actu al tim e covered b y th e e lectio n s, all forem en, h igh er officials,
em p lo y ee s of other d ep artm en ts an d non e m p lo y ees sh all a b sen t th e m se lv es from th e
p la ce of e le ctio n , e x c e p t for good and su fficien t reason u n d er th e personal su p erv isio n
of th e N a tio n a l War L abor B oard ’s rep resen tative.
9. W here a tie occurs for th e last p la ce, or w h ere a tie occurs for th e ch airm an sh ip
of a co m m ittee, su ch tie sh all b e d e c id ed b y lo t b y th e ju d ges of th e e le ctio n . If
th ere sh a ll b e a co m p lete tie, th e em p lo y ee s th u s e le c te d sh a ll choose th eir ow n
chairm an .
b
. em ploy ees’ gen era l
c o m m it t e e s
.
10. E le ctio n s.— I n a d d itio n to said d ep artm en t com m ittees, th ere sh a ll b e in stitu te d
for ea ch p la n t an e m p lo y e e s’ general co m m itte e com p osed of th e ch airm en of all th e
d ep a rtm en t co m m ittees, e x c e p t th a t a n y p la n t in w h ic h th e n u m b er of e m p lo y ee s is
su ch th a t o n ly one d ep artm en t co m m itte e is ch osen sh all h a v e no general or e x e c u tiv e
co m m ittee.
11. If th e n u m b er of a n y general c o m m ittee as orig in a lly c o n stitu te d is too large
for efficien t w orking, said c o m m ittee sh all m e et as soon as p ra ctica b le after th e e le ctio n
of th e d ep a rtm en t c o m m ittees an d proceed to e le c t from th eir ow n n u m b er an e x e c u tiv e
c o m m ittee, to b e te c h n ic a lly k n ow n as th e e m p lo y e e s’ e x e c u tiv e c o m m ittee, w h ic h
sh a ll b e v e ste d w ith th e d u tie s and pow ers of said general c o m m ittee, e x c e p t th ose
reserved for th e c o m m itte e as a w h ole.
12. W h en ev er a t th e in itia l e le ctio n it is fou n d a d v isa b le to e le c t an e x e c u tiv e
c o m m ittee, said general c o m m itte e sh all b e c a lle d togeth er b y th e a d m in istra tiv e
ex a m in er a n d presid ed over, for th is on e pu rp ose o n ly , b y an exam in er, or other n o n
partisan rep resen ta tiv e of th e N a tion al War Labor B oard, w h o sh a ll see th a t th e e le ctio n
of said e x e c u t iv e c o m m itte e is c o n d u cte d in accord an ce w ith su ch in stru ctio n s as the
a d m in istra tiv e e x a m in er m a y issu e in order to in su re a fairly e le c te d an d rep resenta
tiv e e x e c u tiv e c o m m ittee.
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IS. S aid e x e c u tiv e co m m ittee sh a ll con sist of th ree, five, se v e n , or n in e e m p lo y ee
m em b ers, th e n u m b er for each p la n t to b e d eterm in ed p reced in g th e first e le ctio n , b y
th e a d m in istra tiv e ex a m in er.
14. E a ch general an d e x e c u tiv e c o m m itte e sh all e le c t from its ow n m em b ers, b y a
m ajority v o te , a p erm a n en t chairm an.
15. W here general co m m ittees are herein after referred to it sh all m ean e x e c u tiv e
c o m m ittees, w h erev er su ch h a v e b e e n e le c te d , u n less oth erw ise sp e c ific a lly in d ic a ted .
BY-LAWS.
A. EMPLOYEESr DEPARTMENT COMMITTEES.
IG. P o w e r s a n d f u n c tio n s . — D ep artm en t c o m m ittees, u p o n req u est, m a y ad ju st
w ith a lik e or less n u m b er of th e m a n agem en t’s rep resen tatives, b y agreem en t, all
q u estio n s arising in th eir r esp e ctiv e d ep artm en ts w h ic h th e in d iv id u a l em p lo y ee s
w ere u n a b le to se ttle b y d irect n eg o tia tio n w ith th eir forem en.
17. D ep a rtm en t c o m m ittees m ay, an d sh ou ld , refrain from referring to th e m anage
m en t a ll q u estio n s presen ted b y req u est, or otherw ise, from in d iv id u a l e m p lo y ees,
w h ic h u p on in v e stig a tio n b y said c o m m ittee are found to b e w ith o u t m erit.
18. D ep a rtm en t co m m ittees, up on d irect p resen tation in d iv id u a lly or c o lle c tiv e ly ,
b y em p lo y ee s of th eir r esp e ctiv e d ep artm en ts, m ay ad ju st w ith th e m an agem en t, b y
a g reem en t, all q u estio n s of m u tu al in terest.
19. D ep a rtm en t co m m ittees m ay in itia te an d ad ju st w ith th e m an agem en t, b y agree
m en t, a n y and a ll m atters a ffectin g or a p p ertain in g to th e e m p lo y ees, in d iv id u a lly or
c o lle c tiv e ly , of th eir r esp ectiv e d ep artm en ts.
20. D ep a rtm en t c o m m ittees m a y tak e u p , of th eir ow n accord or u p on req u est b y
th e m a n a g em en t, su ch problem s as th e c o n d u ct of e m p lo y ee s, in d iv id u a lly or c o lle c
t iv e ly , and th u s en d eavor to in crease p rod u ction an d cooperation.
21. D ep a rtm en t c o m m ittees m a y ad ju st w ith th e m an agem en t, b y agreem en t,
w h eth er presen ted b y ap p eal, referen ce or in itia tio n , all q u estion s in reference to th e
correct an d proper a p p lica tio n of th e B rid gep ort award, in c lu d in g th e ru lin gs and
in terp reta tio n s thereof, as m ade b y th e local exam in er, to th e e m p lo y ee s, in d iv id u a lly
or c o lle c tiv e ly , of th eir r esp e ctiv e d ep artm en ts, w ith th e proviso th a t th e rights of
a p p ea l gu aranteed b y th e aw ard, in c lu d in g said ru lin gs and in terp retation s, sh all
n o t b e in a n y w a y d en ied . P ow er to alter, ch an ge, or ad d to th e ru lin gs and in te r
p retation s of th e award as m ade b y th e local ex a m in er is n o t v e ste d in a n y c o m m itte e.
22. D ep a rtm en t c o m m ittees sh a ll n o t h a v e e x e c u t iv e or v e to pow ers, su ch as th e
rig h t to d e c id e w h o sh a ll, or sh a ll n ot, b e e m p lo y ed ; w h o sh all, or sh a ll not, b e d is
charged ; w h o sh a ll, or sh a ll not, r e c e iv e an in crease in wage; h ow a certa in operation
sh a ll, or sh a ll not, b e perform ed, e tc .
23. T h e in d iv id u a l m em b ers of d ep a rtm en t c o m m ittees are an d sh a ll rem ain u n der
th e sam e ru les an d reg u lation s as th e oth er e m p lo y ee s.
24. D ep a rtm en t c o m m itte es are restricted to th e a d ju stm e n t of m atters o n ly w ith in
th e ir ju risd ictio n , as o u tlin e d u n d er th e organ ization and b y-law s, b y agreem en t,
w ith th e ir m an a g em en ts. T h e ob lig a tio n to p ro m p tly p u t in to e ffe c t all m atters
agreed u p o n is p la c ed e n tir e ly u p on th e m an agem en t.
25. D e p a r tm en t c o m m itte es m ay, b y m u tu a l co n sen t of th e r ep resen ta tiv es of th e
m a n a g em en t, con sid er an d h a v e p u t in to force, b y agreem en t, a n y m atter n ot o th er
w ise sp e c ific a lly co v ered in th e se b y -law s.
26. M em bers of d e p a r tm en t c o m m itte es sh a ll serve for on e fu ll year, or u n til th eir
su ccessors are e le c te d .
27. Any vacancy, or vacancies, in the membership of a department committee
shall be filled by a special departmental election.
28. After the initial election under the supervision of the examiner of the National
War Labor Board, rules for subsequent elections, and any general rules or regulations
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pertaining to department, general, and executive committees, may be decided by a
two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the joint executive committee, or general
committee wherever an executive committee was not elected.
29. No employee shall be eligible to membership on a department committee, nor
to appointment as judge of election, who has not been continuously in the employ of
the department involved for at least three (3) months immediately preceding the
election; provided, however, that if there shall not be at the time of the election at
least six employees of three months’ standing, said three months’ service qualification
shall be omitted.
30. M eth o d o f p ro c e d u re .—Employees desiring to have their department com
mittee act for them, individually or collectively, whether as an appeal from a decision
of their foreman, or as a direct presentation, shall file their case with the chairman
of said committee in writing and signed, if practicable; otherwise, the chairman of
the committee shall reduce same to writing. These matters shall be transacted on
the premises outside of working hours.
31. The chairman of department committees shall accept for consideration all
cases filed as provided under section 30.
32. The chairman of any department committee shall call a meeting of the committee
at such times and places as the circumstances demand for the consideration of such
cases as have been filed, and also of such matters as the committee contemplates
initiating. Such meeting shall be held on the premises b ut not during working hours
or on company time, except upon consent of the management.
33. Whether cases or matters considered in accordance with the provisions of
section 32 shall be taken up with the management shall be decided by a vote of the
committee; two votes for or against any proposition shall decide, and no reference
or appeal to the joint department, executive, or general committee can thereafter be
made.
34. Whenever it is desirable for a department committee to meet with the manage
ment for the presentation and consideration of prepared cases or other matters the
chairman of said committee shall request through the foreman of the department
involved a joint conference with such representative or representatives as the manage
ment shall designate for this purpose, not to exceed in number the membership of
said department committee. Such request shall be accompanied by a specification
in writing of the matters to be considered.
35. The management shall meet with such committee department in a joint confer
ence upon the date requested, or, if for any reason this is impracticable, upon one
of the next six days thereafter mutually agreed upon, not counting Sundays and
holidays.
36. Any management shall have the privilege of calling a department committee
to a joint conference by the method set forth in sections 34 and 35.
37. The chairmanship of each joint conference shall alternate between the chairman
of the department committee and the spokesman for the management’s representatives.
38. All joint conferences shall be held immediately following the close of the day’s
work upon the date fixed, unless by unanimous vote some other date is fixed, either
in the department involved or in some suitable room convenient thereto provided
by the management for this purpose. Joint conferences may be held on company
time by the consent of the management.
39. Joint conferences shall be private except where witnesses may be called. Full
and free opportunity shall be granted to all present to discuss, from every angle and
viewpoint, all cases and matters presented by either side at each joint conference.
40. Immediately following discussion of any issue at a joint conference a vote shall
be taken upon the question at issue, and a majority of two votes of the entire mem
bership of the joint committee shall decide; that is, five votes out of a joint committee
of six shall control.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
41. When an agreement has been reached the case or matter in issue is settled beyond
appeal, and shall be promptly adjusted in accordance therewith.
42. When no agreement has been reached, the chairman of the joint conference,
unless such case be withdrawn by the party proposing the action, shall immediately
refer in written form the case or matter in issue to the chairman of the employees’
general committee for presentation, discussion, consideration, and disposition at a
joint conference between said employees’ general committee and a like or less num
ber of the management’s representatives.
43. A record of proceedings of all joint conferences shall be made, signed by all
members present.
44. Annual elections for members of department committees shall be held during
November of each year.
b
. em ploy ees’ g eneral
c o m m it t e e s
.
P o w e r s a n d f u n c t i o n s . —45. General committees in joint conference with the manage
ment’s representatives shall review all cases and matters not settled in a joint con
ference between the department committee and the management, unless such case
be withdrawn by the party proposing the action.
46. General committees, as a whole, in cooperation with the management’s rep
resentatives, shall hold annual or special elections for members of the department
committees in accordance with the above organization rules and regulations and
such amendments thereto as may be decided upon by a two-thirds vote of the entire
membership of the joint executive committee, or joint general committee, wherever
an executive committee was not elected.
47. General committees, as a whole, shall have the right to fill by election from its
members any vacancy occurring in their executive committees.
48. General committees are not vested with executive or administrative authority,
except as specified in section 46.
49. General committees are restricted to the adjustment of matters only within
their jurisdiction, as authorized under the organization and by-laws, by agreement
with the management. The obligation to promptly put into effect all matters agreed
upon is placed entirely upon the management.
50. Members of the general committees shall serve for one year, or until their suc
cessors have been elected.
51. Vacancies in general committees, as a whole, are automatically filled by the
new chairman of the department committees from which the outgoing members
originally came.
52. The right of a general committee, and also of the representatives of the manage
ment, to initiate and discuss in a joint conference any matter appertaining to the
plant, as a whole, is hereby granted.
M eth od o f p ro c e d u re . —53. Whenever the chairman of a joint conference between
a department committee and the management shall refer in written form any unad
justed case or question to the chairman of a general committee, the latter shall promptly
turn the original or copy thereof over to the designated spokesman of the manage
m ent’s representatives, together with a request for a joint conference on some specific
day.
54. The management shall meet with such general committee in joint conference
upon the date requested, or, if for any reason this is impracticable, upon one of six
days thereafter mutually agreed upon, not including Sundays or holidays.
55. Any management shall have the privilege of calling a general committee to
joint conference by the method set forth in section 53.
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56. The chairmanship of each joint conference shall alternate between the chair
man of the general committee and the spokesman for the management’s representatives.
57. All joint conferences shall be held immediately following the close of the day’s
work upon th e date fixed, unless by unanimous consent some other date and time is
selected, either in the department involved or in some suitable room convenient
thereto provided by the management for this purpose. Joint conferences may be
held during, working hours and upon company time by the consent of the management.
58. Joint conferences shall be private, except when witnesses maybe called. Full
and free opportunity shall be granted to all present to discuss from every angle and
viewpoint all cases and matters presented by either side at each joint conference.
59. Immediately following- discussion of any issue at a joint conference a vote
shall be taken upon the question at issue, and a majority of two votes of the entire
membership of the joint committee shall decide; that is, five votes out of a joint com
mittee of six, or seven votes out of a joint committee of ten, shall control.
60. When an agreement has been reached the case or matter in issue is settled
beyond appeal and shall be promptly adjusted in accordance therewith.
61. In case the general or executive committee in joint conference fails to reach an
agreement before other action shall be taken, said committee shall refer the matter
in question to the highest executives of the plant management for consideration and
recommendation.
62. A record of proceedings of all joint conferences shall be made, signed by all
members present, and filed.
C. R E F E R E N D U M
AND
RECALu.
M ethod o f procedure.— 63. Whenever the services of any committeeman as such
becomes unsatisfactory the employees of the department which he represents shall
have the privilege of the referendum and recall.
64. Whenever 20 per cent of the employees of any department shall sign a
petition asking for a vote upon the recall of their committeeman and file said
petition with the c h a irm a n of the general committee, a special election for that de
partment shall be held by said committee promptly in order to determine whether
said committeeman shall be recalled or continued in office.
65. If, at said special election, one-third or more of the actual employees of the
department involved shall vote to retain the services of the committeeman in question,
he shall not be recalled from service.
6 6 . If at said special election more than two-thirds of the actual employees of
the department involved shall vote to recall the committeeman in question his
services as such shall cease forthwith.
67. Whenever a committeeman shall have been recalled, in accordance with
section 6 6 , the vacancy thus created shall be immediately filled in line with the
provisions set forth in section 27.
D.
AM EN DM EN TS.
6 8 . The foregoing by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at a joint con
ference of the general committee and the management.
PROCEDURE IN ELECTION OF SHOP COMMITTEES.
Prior to the formulation of the Bridgeport plan, the joint chairmen
of the National War Labor Board approved a procedure for the
election of shop committees which had been prepared for a specific
case, but which is recognized as applicable, with certain modifications,
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to conditions existing in manufacturing plants generally. The text
of this plan of procedure, approved October 4, 1918, is as follows:
In cases where elections are required to be held for the purpose of selecting shop
committees the following shall be the procedure:
1. NUMBER OF COMMITTEEMEN.
Shop committees shall be selected to meet with an equal or a lesser number of
representatives to be selected by the employer. Each department or section of
the shop shall be entitled to 1 committeeman for each 1 0 0 employees employed
in the department or section. If in any department or section there shall be employees
in excess of any even hundred, then an additional committeeman may be elected
provided the additional employees beyond the even hundred shall be 50 or more;
if less than 50 no additional representation shall be allowed. As an example: In
a department or section employing 330 men, 3 committeemen will be elected; in
a department employing 375 men, 4 committeemen will be elected.
2.
NOMINATIONS.
Due notice having been given of an election, 1 0 days shall be allowed during which
nominations may be made for candidates. In order that a candidate’s name may
appear on the ballot, such person must be nominated either at a meeting of the em
ployees or any part of them duly called for that purpose, or by petition signed by not
less than 1 0 per cent of those qualified to vote for any candidate so nominated.
(а) B y co n ve n tio n . —Meetings for nomination of candidates may be held at any
places named in the calls for the same. The nominations and the attendance of at
least 1 0 per cent of the persons entitled to vote for nominees at any such meeting
must be certified to by the chairman and secretary of the meeting.
(б ) B y p e titio n . —All nominating petitions must clearly name the candidate or
candidates and have the signature of not less than 1 0 per cent of the bona-fide em
ployees qualified to vote for such candidate.
(c) F ilin g n o m in a tio n s — Nominations made either by meeting or by petition
must be sent to the examiner of the National War Labor Board not later than 1 0
days after the notice of election is given, and the election shall be held on the fifth
day next succeeding unless such day should be Saturday or Sunday or a holiday,
in which event the election shall be held on the next successive workday.
(d) P u b lis h in g lists o f n o m in e e s — Lists of candidates selected by convention or
petition and distinctively designated, may be posted by their respective supporters
on a bulletin board to be provided by the employer, convenient to the voting booths,
to assist voters in marking their ballots.
3. ELECTIONS.
(a) P lace. The election shall be held in the place where the largest total vote of
the men can be secured, consistent with fairness of count and full and free expression
of choice, either in the shop or in some convenient public building, as the chief
examiner shall decide after conference, if need be, w ith the secretary of the National
War Labor Board.
(5) E le ctio n officers.— The election shall be conducted under the supervision of an
examiner of the National War Labor Board, who shall select as assistants two or more
employees of the department or section for which the election is held. These persona
shall constitute the election board, which will conduct the election, count the votea,
and certify as to the correctness of the count.
An employee of the company to be nominated by the employer, who shall preferably be the timekeeper or someone connected with the proper department or
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eection, who ia qualified to certify to and identify the voters as bona fide employees,
shall assist the election board in its duties.
(c) F reed o m f r o m u n d u e in flu e n c e .—All elections shall be held in accordance with
the Australian or secret ballot. The names of all the nominees shall be printed in
alphabetical order on the ballot, which shall clearly state the number to be voted for.
This ballot shall be in the form that it may be folded so as to conceal the nature of the
vote. Each employee presenting himself shall be certified to as qualified to vote
and handed a ballot by the tellers. Upon indicating upon the ballot by marking a
cross opposite the names of the candidates for whom the employee wishes to vote
he shall himself place it in the ballot box. A booth or booths shall be provided
where the employee may indicate his choice free from observation.
Foremen and other officials of the company shall absent themselves from the
election to remove ground for a claim of undue influence.
(d ) D e c la r a tio n o f e le c tio n .—The candidates receiving the greatest number of votes
shall be declared elected by the election board. In the event of a tie vote, the
examiner of the National War Labor board shall call for a new election within five
days.
4.
CHANGE OP PROCEDURE BY AGREEMENT.
After the initial election under the supervision of the examiner of the National
War Labor Board, subsequent elections and any general rules or regulations pertain
ing to the selection of shop committees m aybe carried out through agreement between
the employer and the committee so elected. Proper provision should be made for
reports of the shop committees from time to time to their respective constituencies.
Approved by the joint chairmen, October 4,1918.
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WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOR.
EARNINGS OF WOMEN IN CANDY FACTORIES IN MASSACHUSETTS.1
When in 1911 Massachusetts was considering the advisability of
setting up minimum-wage boards, candy making was selected as
on« of four industries for investigation as to whether or not existing
conditions called for such boards. In 1913, when the minimumwage commission began its work, candy making was selected for a
more extended investigation, which confirmed the findings of the
earlier inquiry; both showed a low level of wage rates, with seasonal
depression and irregular employment bringing actual earnings far
below nominal rates.
In 1914 the commission established a wage board for the industry,
which in February, 1915, brought in a majority report recommend
ing $8.75 per week as a minimum wage for experienced women. At
this point the candy manufacturers applied for an injunction against
the establishment of such a wage, questioning, among other grounds
of action, the constitutionality of the minimum-wage law, and the
board suspended proceedings until this question could be settled.
In September, 1918, the Supreme Court of Massachusetts upheld
the constitutionality of the minimum-wage law, and the commission,
returning to its interrupted program, decided to make a new survey
of wage conditions in candy making, to determine whether the
situation, as then existing, called for the setting up of a minimumwage board.
The results of this survey, which have recently been published,
show several changes in conditions, the most important being the
change in average weekly earnings. The inquiry included seven
factories, in three localities, some working on war contracts and
others not so engaged, selected as being fairly representative of wage
conditions. In each establishment a transcript was made of the
pay-roll records for all women and girls employed during the four
months, June to September, 1918, inclusive, and data relating to
wage rates, methods of payment, and so on, were secured. The
earnings ranged as follows:
1Massachusetts Minimum Wage Commission. Supplementary report on the wages of women in
candy factories in Massachusetts, January, 1919. 42 pp. Bui. No. 18.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
AVERAGE W EEKLY EARNINGS, BY OCCUPATIONS.
[Based on pay-roll records in 7 factories for the period June-September, 1918.]
Per cent of workers with weekly earnings of—
Occupation.
Total
num
$12
ber. Under U nder Under Under Under Under Under and
$12. over.
$6.
$7.
$8.
$10.
$9.
$11.
174
247
137
169
73
114
5
12.1
20.0
139
38.5
23.7
40.0
84.6
43.2
29.3
47.4
41.6
39.6
76.7
41.2
80.0
84.6
52.5
Total............................................ 1,071
17.6
31.1
45.1
Dipper....................................................
Plain packer...................... ...................
Fancy packer.........................................
Machine tender.....................................
Floor girl...............................................
Candy wrapper.....................................
N ut sorter..............................................
Molder....................................................
Miscellaneous.........................................
13
15.8
17.5
10.1
50.7
10.5
21.3
29.6
27.7
23.1
64.4
22.8
48.3
64.4
65.7
62.1
90.4
55.3
58.6
80.2
78.8
85.2
94.5
67.5
68.4
88.7
88.3
93.5
98.6
78.1
80.5
93.9
92.0
96.4
98.6
19.5
64.7
76.3
83.5
90.6
9.4
62.8
76.7
85.1
91.3
8.7
88.6
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
84.6 92.3 62.3 100.0
6.1
8.0
3.6
1.4
11.4
In 1915 the minimum-wage board had fixed $8.75 per week as the
lowest rate which should be paid to an experienced worker; this
table shows that in the autumn of 1918 nearly half the workers
considered, 45.1 per cent, were earning less than $8 a week. Even
the dippers, the most highly skilled group, showed nearly one-third
of their number earning less than $8. In 1918 the minimum-wage
board appointed to deal with the wages of women employed as
office cleaners decided that $11.54 was the lowest sum on which a
self-supporting woman could live healthfully in Massachusetts; this
table shows that only 15 per cent of the candy workers were earning
as much or more than $11 a week.
Considerable variations in earnings were found in the different
factories.
In establishments Nos. 1, 3, and 4, 51.7 per cent, 48.6 per cent, and 38.5 per cent,
respectively, are receiving $9 a week or over. In the other four establishments, over
three-fourths of the employees are receiving under $9 a week. This group includes
two small factories, one medium-sized, and one large factory; three are in the same
general locality as the establishments paying the highest wages. * * * A similar
contrast in earnings of employees in these same establishments existed at the time
of the previous investigation.
The table given above deals with earnings, not wages. It was
found that since the outbreak of the war the straight-time wage had
been largely superseded by piece rates combined with some form of
bonus system, so that it was difficult to secure data concerning wages.
In the case of three factories,, however, it was found possible to
compare wage rates with those of the earlier investigation, the
figures for the two periods being as follows :
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
W EEK LY RATES, BY ESTABLISHMENTS.
[Rates in 3 factories June-September, 1913, and June-September, 1918.]
Per cent of workers with weekly rates of—
Establishment and year.
Under
Under
80.
$7.
Under
88.
Under
$9.
$9 a n d
over.
E s t a b l i s h m e n t N o . 5:
1913...........................................................................
1918...........................................................................
4 2 .1
7 2 .0
1 0 .7
9 5 .3
3 1 .0
1 0 0 .0
5 4 .8
4 5 .2
70.8
7 5 .0
4 3 .9
7 9 .?
7 8 .0
8 3 .3
8 5 .4
1 6 .7
1 4 .5
20.6
8 4 .1
4 4 .1
9 0 .9
6 1 .8
1 0 0 .0
73. !>
26.5
5 2 .6
1 0 .1
7 5 .4
2 6 .4
92.0
49.7
9 7 .7
0 6 .7
2.3
33.3
E s t a b l i s h m e n t N o . 6:
1913...........................................................................
1918.................................................. .........................
2 2 .0
E s t a b l i s h m e n t N o . 7:
1913...........................................................................
1918...........................................................................
6 8 .2
T o ta l:
1913.................................................................
1918.......................................................... .
In commenting on these figures the report calls attention to the
increase in nominal wages since 1913:
At that time the proportion with rates under $9 was 100, 83.3, and 100 per cent,
respectively; while the corresponding percentages for 1918 are 54.8 , 85.4, and 73.5
per cent. In the present study no employees appear in the lowest classes, those with
rates of under $5 weekly. The proportion of workers in the groups of under $6 , $7,
and $9 in 1913 corresponds roughly to that in the groups under $9, $10, and $12 in 1918,
which would indicate an approximate increase of nearly $3 a week in scheduled
rates during the five-year period. As reported by the firm visited, a considerable
part of this increase came within the past year. Reasons ascribed for the advances
are the labor shortage and competition with munition plants.
An advance of $3 a week would mean an increase of 60 per cent
on $5, of 50 per cent on $6, of 43 per cent on $7, and so on. According
to conservative estimates the rise in the cost of living between July,
1914, and November, 1918, was from 65 to 70 per cent, so that onlyin the case of those receiving the lowest rates would the increase
in wages approach the increase in cost of living. In spite of increases,
real wages are apparently lower than in 1913.
The report brings to view some changes which have taken place
in the industry as a result of war conditions. Hours were shorter
than those prevailing in 1913, owing partly to the fact that the
investigation covered a part of the dull summer season and partly
to the restrictions on sugar, under which manufacturers found it
difficult to secure enough to run their plants full time. Little substi
tution of women for men was observed. In part this was because
men are largely employed in making hard candy, and when the
sugar supply was reduced, hard candy, which requires proportionately
more sugar than other kinds, was dropped, or made only for Govern
ment orders; and in part it was due to the fact that it was nearly
as hard to secure women as men.
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The most interesting change was in the methods of payment.
Apparently up to the spring of 1918 there had been no great difficulty
in securing the usual supply of workers at the usual low wages, but
by that time the demand for women workers had become so strong
that the candy manufacturers had to increase wages or go without
help. But when wages were higher and help hard to get, it became
an object to secure prompt and regular attendance and to encourage
good workers to remain, so piece rates and bonus systems were
introduced.
In four of the largest factories visited bonus systems were in operation. Three of
the four paid in addition to the production bonus an attendance bonus. This is
usually paid for perfect weekly attendance, and is frequently limited to the busy
season. In one of the factories visited, however, it was paid throughout the year.
The purpose of such a bonus is to enable the firm to keep a regular working force.
Special kinds of production bonus were found in different factories, where they
were variously described as piece-rate system, task system, premium bonus, and
differential bonus. All represent a reward for production beyond a definite standard.
Up to that standard the employee receives a fixed time or piece rate as the case may
be. On reaching the standard, she receives a special rate in addition to the regular
rate. This is usually a piece rate or a percentage of the guaranteed wage.
One firm had worked out a detailed system of production standards for every oper
ation in the factory. These standards are figured on the basis of hourly production,
and have corresponding hourly bonus rates. If an employee averages one of these
standard rates for the week, she receives, in addition to the regular wage, the bonus
corresponding to the standard for that operation. * * * In each of the factories
where bonus systems were found, from two to three different forms were in operation.
In summing up the whole situation, the report calls attention to
the fact that while there has been a considerable advance in wage
rates and earnings since 1913, the advance has not equaled the in
crease in living cost for the same period. There has been no general
increase in real wages, and for a considerable number of the women
in the group investigated, average earnings remain at a level below
the present cost of living.
BRIEF FOR THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY FOR WOMEN.
A report has recently been issued giving the findings of the Illinois
Industrial Survey, a commission created in accordance with an act
of the legislature to “ make a complete survey of all those industries
in Illinois in which women are engaged as workers, with special
reference to the hours of labor for women in such industries,” and
“ the effect of such hours of labor upon the health of women workers.” 1
The commission was appointed in January, 1918, and consisted of
three doctors and two prominent labor women.
1 Hours and health of women workers. Report of Illinois Industrial Survey, December, 1918. Springfield, 111. 120 pp.
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The commission recognizes at the outset that their findings are not
conclusive, nor, from a scientific point of view, satisfactory. A real
determination of the effect of hours of work upon health would re
quire long, difficult, and minute research, with the power of con
trolling conditions to such an extent that it would be almost impos
sible for any employer to submit his establishment to the experimen
tation necessary, and almost equally difficult to find employees who
would accept the supervision required.
Nevertheless, the commission felt that much might be done in
showing the trend of industrial practice with respect to hours, and
by collating the opinions of the workers themselves and of health
specialists as to the effect of long hours. Moreover, by comparing
output under different schedules, where no factors except the hours
had been changed, it might be possible to get an indication of the
point at which fatigue enters as a handicap to the efficiency of the
individual worker, the presumption being that fatigue carried beyond
this point would be definitely harmful.
The data gathered on the first point show an unmistakable trend
toward shorter hours. Reports giving the hours worked by women
employees were received from 2,410 Illinois employers, covering
103,119 employees. The following table shows the situation, and
also gives, for Chicago, corresponding data for five years ago:
NUMBER OF FIRMS AND EMPLOYEES AND PER CENT HAVING WORKING-DAY OF
SPECIFED HOURS IN CHICAGO, 1913 AND 1918, AND IN ILLINOIS OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO,
1918.
Per cent having
working-day of—
Total mimber reporting.
Item.
Chicago, 1913:
Firms....................................................................................................
Employees............................................................................................
Chicago* 1918:
Firms....................................................................................................
Employees...........................................................................................
Illinois,‘outside of Chicago, 1918:
Firms....................................................................................................
Employees............................................................................................
Under 9 9 hours
hours. and over.
3,049
101,643
33.0
23.2
67.0
76.8
1,613
85^348
62.9
70.8
37.1
29. 2
797
17,771
32.6
31.6
67.4
68.4
The proportion of workers studied in Chicago having a day of
under nine hours had risen from less than one-fourth in 1913 to seventenths in 1918, an increase of more than 200 per cent. This is espe
cially significant because the Illinois law permits a 10-hour day and
a 70-hour week for women, so that this change was not brought
about by legislation. More than three-fifths of the Chicago employers
studied were voluntarily setting hours for women at a lower figure
than that permitted by law. An employer in fixing conditions of
114339°—19----- 14
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work is naturally guided to a large extent by considerations of profit;
naturally, also, whatever promotes the worker’s efficiency tends to
the employer’s profit. Health is an important factor in efficiency.
Hence, this trend toward lower working hours indicates a very prac
tical belief on the part of employers that a working day of less than
nine hours contributes to the health and efficiency of their women
workers.
Opinions as to the effect of given conditions are always open to
question; nevertheless the opinions of those who are working under
or in connection with certain conditions have at least some signifi
cance, even though they may not be conclusive. Therefore the com
mission made a field study of 4,711 women working in Illinois estab
lishments, selecting them at random in order to obtain a representa
tive census of opinions. The women were asked whether or not
their occupation affected their health in any way, and were also
questioned as to the use of overtime, Sunday, or holiday work, pos
ture while working, length of time in occupation, etc. The differ
ence in the returns made by the long-hour and short-hour workers
was striking:
In Illinois outside of Chicago 58.8 per cent of women working 61 hours or more
pet week made complaints concerning their work, while only 26.5 per cent of those
working 43 to 48 hours made complaints. In Chicago 51.8 per cent of women working
61 hours or more per week made complaints, compared to 15.2 per cent among those
working 44 to 48 hours.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Complaints include “ tired,” “ feet sore,” “ backache,” “ eyes tired,” “ nervous,”
“ too tired for recreation.” A number of employees stated that they “ stalled” dur
ing the last hour of the day, and a number gave it as their opinion that they could do
as much in a shorter working-day.
The report notes that in general bad conditions were grouped
together. The long-hour industries were also the industries in which
overtime and Sunday work were found most frequently, in which
work which required standing was most prevalent, and in which the
proportion of employed mothers was greatest. They were also the
industries in which the labor overturn was greatest.
The group working 61 hours or more per wrnek shows the lowest proportion of em
ployees who have been in their positions one year or over of any of the hour groups
in Chicago or in the remainder of the State. The greatest permanence is found in the
43-to-48 hour group in Chicago and in the under-43-hour group in Illinois outside of
Chicago. This finding brings out perhaps more clearly than any other the employee’s
reaction to long hours.
Forty-one industrial physicians, supervising the health of 31,950
women workers, returned replies concerning the connection between
hours of work and health of women workers. Nine of these were
working for firms outside of Chicago, 30 for firms in Chicago, and 2 were
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207
State employees doing work throughout the State. In general they
agreed that long hours exercised a definite effect on health, and that
good effects had been observed where hours were shortened. Thirtyfive answered the question, “ What, in your opinion, is the best
length for the working day and week for women in industry?”
Of these, 26 said eight hours; one said eight to ten hours; one said
seven and one-half to nine hours; one said seven and one-half hours;
one said seven hours; one said six hours; one said nine hours; one said
ten hours; two said they did not know.
A number of physicians gave as their reason for advocating the eight-hour day that
it makes for a more efficient working force, and so favors both employer and employee.
The physician (supervising a department store) giving eight to ten hours as the best
length for the working day stated that longer hours were possible for the girls under his
supervision because the work in that store was easy and the conditions good, but that
his reply referred to his own industry alone. One physician advocating the eighthour day stated that hours should be fewer than eight for workers in “ hazardous” or
“ nervous” occupations.
The third line of approach, the study of comparative output under
different schedules of hours, was undertaken not so much for its
economic as for its physiological significance:
Since there is a direct connection between health and production, fatigue studies
for varying hours are valuable. As the report of the divisional committee on indus
trial fatigue states, “ one of the readiest means of detecting fatigue is by keeping a
record of the output of the individual employee. * * * A falling off in the output
indicates fatigue. Where the duration of the working period has been changed
fatigue can also be tested by comparing the average output per hour under the earlier
and the later schedules.”
Such comparisons are difficult to make, since so often when hours
are changed other conditions are changed also. Three firms were
found, however, which had reduced hours without making any other
changes which would affect output, these firms being classed as
belonging to (A) garment industry, (B) soap industry, and (C) corset
industry. In shops A and B piece rates had been increased when
hours were reduced, while in shop C they remained the same. In
shops B and C the same group of workers was studied before and
after the change. In shop A the entire force in a single department
was studied. The following table shows the results:
EFFECT OF REDUCTION OF HOURS UPON OUTPUT OF THREE SPECIFIED SHOPS.
Shop.
Length of period Decrease in hours Increase in total Increase in hourly
studied.
per week.
output (per cent). output (per cent).
A ................................................. 4 years............... 54 to 48...........
B ................................................. 9 months............ 55 to 48............... 3.97 ..............
C.................................................. 1J years.............. 54 to 48............. 13.4
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The report contains accounts of detailed studies on which the above
summary is based, and of these perhaps the most decisive is that
made in shop B. Here a group of 24 workers engaged in wrapping
and packing a standard brand of soap was selected for special studjh
These had all been employed at this same work for at least three
years previous to the period covered. Their output was studied for
10 weeks from February 25 to May 4, 1918, during wdiich period
they were working a 10-hour day, and for 10 weeks from August 5
to October 12, 1918, during which they had an 8^-hour day. In
both periods the department was running to capacity, so that the
factor of slack time did not enter.
When the company officials were asked for permission to study
the output records, they replied, in effect, that they were willing
but considered such a study unnecessary, since they knew the situa
tion by observation.
Survey representatives were informed that the production per hour remained pre
cisely stationary under 8-t hours as under 10, and that the production per week had
fallen off in accordance with the decrease in hours. The rate of production per day
per girl, the survey was informed, wTas 50 cases of soap in a 10-hour day. Likewise
it was stated that in an Sphour day the girls would pack 42 or 43 cases of soap.
Nevertheless, the investigators thought it worth while to check
up the records for the two periods, and found that production varied
as follows:
AVERAGE NUMBER OF CASES PACKED PER HOUR AND PER DAY IN THE SOAP
INDUSTRY, FOR A PERIOD OF 10 WEEKS.
Per hour.
Per day.
Week.
10-hour day. SJ-hour day. 10-hour day. 8t-hour day.
First.......................................................................
Second....................................................................
Third.....................................................................
Fourth...................................................................
Fifth.......................................................................
Sixth......................................................................
Seventh.................................................................
Eighth....................................................................
Ninth.....................................................................
Tenth.....................................................................
5
5.2
5.3
5
5.2
5.3
5
5.4
5
4.9
5.5
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.5
5.8
5.8
5.8
5.9
5.8
43.7
42.1
38.6
49.7
41.8
40.9
40.6
46.2
39.5
48.3
41.4
43.5
45.6
44.8
43.8
45.8
46.3
45.8
46.9
36
Entire period..............................................
5.1
5.7
42.8
44.5
Production under the shorter day proved not only larger than under
the 10-hour day but considerably steadier; both the hourly and the
weekly output show smaller fluctuations. An apparent exception to
this occurs in the tenth week of the 8^-hour day period, but this is
explained as due to the fact that during that week a large quantity
of soap was spoiled, and the packers were held back by shortage of
material. It must be remembered that the piece rates for this work
had been increased when the hours were cut, so that the workers were
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209
not urged on to undue exertion by the desire of keeping up their
former standard of earnings. Apparently the larger output of the
second period is due solely to increased efficiency springing from
shorter hours of work.
As a result of their investigation, the commission presented the
following recommendations:
A. The Illinois Industrial Survey recommends the adoption of an 8-hour working
day and a 48-hour working week for women in industry.
B. It recommends that this standard be applied to all industries covered by the
present women’s 10-hour law, including all office workers and excepting graduate
nurses.
0. I t recommends a law based on the hours of labor law at present in force, with the
substitution of an 8-hour maximum for the present 10-hour maximum, a maximum
for the week of 48 hours, and the additions of such provisions as may make the law
easily enforceable.
D. It recommends legislative provision for the further study of night work by
women, as well as the need for rest periods, regulation of time for luncheon, and other
similar conditions of employment of women.
The survey also presents a bill embodying these points, which it
recommends for passage.
UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD REPORT ON MARINE AND DOCK
LABOR.
“ Marine and Dock Labor: Work, WTages, and Industrial Relations
During the Period of the W ar” is the title of a report just issued by
the Marine and Dock Industrial Relations Division of the United
States Shipping Board.1 The report, which was prepared by II. B.
Drury, was submitted to the Shipping Board as of December 31,
1918, by Robert P. Bass, then director of the division.
In his letter of submittal, Mr. Bass emphasizes the need of giving
complete publicity to all facts bearing on the Government’s part in
industrial relations and this may be taken as the keynote of the
report, which is a frank discussion of the policies of the Division of
Marine and Dock Industrial Relations as well as a resume of the work
of the division.
To avoid a “ period of chaotic and revolutionary readjustment” in
this country, Mr. Bass would have the Government take the initiative
in formulating a constructive industrial program, and by education
or publicity:
1. Acquaint labor with the Government’s activities and service to labor in the past;
2. Create in labor an appreciation of its joint interest with capital and with the
Government in the problems of production;
1Marine and dock labor: Work, wages, and industrial relations during the period of the war. Report
of the Director of the Marine and Dock Labor Industrial Relations Division, United States Shipping
Board. Washington, 1919. 203 pp.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
3. Give satisfactory assurance that labor will have a substantial voice in determining
the distribution between capital and labor of the profits of production;
4 . Promise to labor its reasonable share of any increase in production.
The program calls further for a joint determination (by employers
and employees) of wages, hours, and conditions of work; the placing
of great emphasis on labor’s interest and responsibility in the proc
ess of production and a detailed analysis and full explanation of all
the processes and problems of production, accompanied by expla
nations to each group of workmen as to the particular way in which
they can facilitate and improve these processes.
The program is in accord in large measure with the recommenda
tions of the Whitley committee on the relations of employers and
employed in Great Britain; with the demands of British labor, and
with the expressed labor policy of the present British Government.
It is to be noted that the danger of a revolutionary readjustment,
which Mr. Bass felt to be imminent in Great Britain, seems now to
be averted by an earnest effort to make such a program effective.
The report itself is divided into three parts.
Part I deals with the adjustment of labor issues and is primarily
a history of the Shipping Board’s relations with labor through the
National Adjustment Commission and the Marine and Dock Indus
trial Relations Division. One chapter is devoted to a “ Future labor
policy,” in which it is recommended that permanent machinery be
set up by the Shipping Board along the lines of the existing plan for
the adjustment of peace-time matters affecting marine interests.
Such a plan, however, is predicated on the assumption that the Ship
ping Board will continue to be an owner and operator of vessels.
Part II deals with marine and dock labor and is chiefly a descrip
tion and statistical summary. Chapter V deals with marine and
dock occupations; Chapter VI with the number and distribution of
marine and dock employees; Chapter VII with employers’ associa
tions; and Chapter VIII with labor organizations.
Part III is a summary of wage rates and working conditions of
marine and dock labor during the period 1914-1918.
The awards of the National Adjustment Commission and the agree
ment creating the commission form an appendix to the report.
W A G E S O F M A R IN E A N D
DOCK LABOR.
The two tables following, taken from the report, show the percent
age increases in the wages of marine and dock labor during the period
1914-1918 and the significance of the increases as compared with
the increases in the cost of living during the same period.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
PER CENT OF INCREASE IN WAGES OF MARINE AND DOCK EMPLOYEES, JAN. 1, 1919,
OVER JULY, 1914.
Occupation.
L ic e n s e d o fficers.
TransAtlantic.
Atlantic
and Gulf,
coastwise.
West
Indian,
Mexican,
Central
and South
American.
Pacific.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
First m ate...........................................................................
Second m ate.......................................................................
Chief engineer.....................................................................
First assistant engineer.....................................................
Second assistant engineer.................................................
70.8
118.9
42.2
77.8
111.4
96.7
124.8
52.2
80.6
81.8
96.9
125.4
51.2
77.6
81.0
43.1
51.9
36.4
44.9
46.6
Average....................................................................
85.4
87.2
86.4
44.6
164.2
89.4
147.0
88.5
145.7
90.5
81.8
44.6
Seam en.
Able seamen.......................................................................
Firemen
........................................................................
Occupation.
North
Atlantic
district.
South
Atlantic
district.
Gulf
district.
Pacific
district.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
L o n g s h o re m e n .
122.6
Deep-water longshoremen.................................................
Coastwise longshoremen....................................................
122.2
79.4
161.0
77.1
53.3
55.9
61.1
New York harbor craft.
Occupation.
Officers
C re w
.................................................
t t # T, t Tt T...................................................
Officers ........................................................
Crew
........................................................
Captains ................................ ...................
Captains and engineers................................
Captains ...................... ...... .....................
Floatmen .....................- ................ .........
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Tow
boats.
Ferry
boats.
Covered
barges.
Lighters
with
hoists.
Coal
boats,
grain
boats,
and
scows.
Car
floats.
P e r cent.
...........
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
33.5
60.4
[14371
20.9
42.6
88.0
86.5
89.4
72.3
212
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
INCREASES OR DECREASES IN THE PURCHASING POW ER OF MARINE AND DOCK
EMPLOYEES, JANUARY 1, 1919, AS COMPARED W ITH JULY, 1914, A FTER ALLOWING
FOR INCREASE IN THE COST OF LIVING, DECEMBER, 1914, TO DECEMBER, 1918.
[The plus sign (+ ) indicates an increase, the minus sign (—) a decrease.] »
Vessels sailing from New York.
Occupation.
L ic e n s e d officers.
Trans-At
lantic.
Atlantic
and Gulf,
coastwise.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
Vessels
West In
sailing
dian, Mex from
San
ican, Cen Francisco.
tral and
South
American.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
First m ate...................... ................................................. .
Second mate ..................................................................
Chief engineer..................................................................
First assistant engineer......................................................
Second assistant engineer................................................ .
- 1.1
+22.4
-20.5
- .6
+ 18.2
+ 10.0
+25.7
-14.9
+ 1.0
+ 1-7
+10.1
+26.1
-15.4
- .7
+ 1.2
-11.1
- 5.6
-15.2
- 9.9
. - 8.9
Average........................................................................
+ 3.7
+ 4.7
+ 4.3
-10.1
Able seamen.......................................................................
Firemen..............................................................................
+47.8
+ 5.9
+38.1
+ 5.4
+37.4
+ 6.5
+ 13.0
-10.1
Average........................................................................
+26.9
+21.8
+22.0
+ 1.5
S ea m en .
Occupation.
North
Atlantic
district.
South
Atlantic
district.
Gulf
district.
Pacific
district.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
L o n g s h o re m e n .
Deep-water longshoremen.................................................
Coastwise longshoremen....................................................
+24.5
+46.0
+27.5
+ 2.9
+ 2.7
-11.1
—3.1
+ -1
New York City harbor craft.
Occupation.
Officers on harbor craft......................................................
Crew on harbor craft..........................................................
Towboats.
Ferry
boats.
Covered
barges.
Lighters
with
hoists.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
P e r cent.
-25.3
-10.3
-32.4
-20.2
+5.1
+ 4 .3
Of particular interest at this time because of the place that this
country may take in the world’s shipping is the chapter in the report
devoted to a comparison of American and foreign wage rates with
especial reference to the Seamen’s Act. The information for foreign
vessels, however, is not sufficiently comprehensive to give a clean-cut
comparison and is almost altogether lacking in the case of vessels not
clearing from American ports.
Much of the information contained in the report is from secondary
sources, but its compilation and analysis has made it much more
useful.
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213
LEGAL INTRODUCTION OF THE 8-HOUR WORKING DAY IN GERMANY.
In a manifesto1 published on November 12, 1918, the Council of
People’s Commissioners, in addition to suspending martial law, abol
ishing all domestic-servant laws, special laws relating to agricultural
workers, the auxiliary national service law, and the censorship of the
press, and granting full freedom of speech, association, assemblage,
combination, religious exercise, and amnesty for all political crimes,
also held out the promise that a maximum 8-hour workday would
be established by law not later than January 1, 1919.
Even before this promise had been redeemed, the employers’ asso
ciations included in the Federation of German Employers’ Associa
tions on November 15 concluded a comprehensive agreement with
the workers’ and salaried employees’ central organizations which,
among other things, provided for a maximum 8-hour workday
and thereby brought about a momentous change in the conditions of
labor. Dr. Tanzler, the director of the Federation of German Em
ployers’ Associations, in an article in the Wirtschaftszeitung 2 says
that “ though he can not confess great anxiety as to the effects of
this step, it must be borne in mind that it is a period of demobiliza
tion. The patriotic duty of employers is to find employment for re
turning soldiers. As orders are few, this can only be done by shorten
ing working time so that as many workers as possible may find em
ployment. It must not be forgotten that the prolonged war has
done much to weaken the physical powers of the population. The
question whether an 8-hour day is feasible thus passes from theory
into practice, and the result will have to be abided by. It was clear
when the agreement was concluded that Germany could not be the
only nation to adopt this measure without being much handicapped
in competing with other nations. Further efforts by the Labor
Party must, therefore, be directed toward inducing the other indus
trial countries to follow Germany’s lead.”
According to the Weithandel,8German iron exporters are already
experiencing the effect of the shorter working-day and higher wages.
In consequence of these they have been compelled to raise prices,
and now find their English competitors underbidding them in Dutch
markets.
Even sooner than had been promised the German Provisional
Government gave legal force to the 8-hour workday. This was
effected through the following order regulating the hours of labor of
industrial workers, issued on November 23, 1918, by the National
Office for Economic Demobilization:4
J Berliner Tageblatt, Berlin, Nov. 13,1918. Morning edition.
2 Wirtschaftszeitung, Berlin, Nov. 29,1919.
* Welthandel, Berlin, Nov. 29, 1918.
«Deutscher Reiehsanzeiger, Berlin, Nov. 27,1918.
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In pursuance of the decree of November 12, 1918, of the Council of
People's Commissioners as to the creation of a national office for
economic demobilization, the following order with reference to the
regulation of the hours of labor of industrial workers is herewith
issued :
A r t i c l e 1 . The regulation applies to industrial workers in all industrial establish
ments, inclusive of mining, in Fédérai, State, and communal establishments even if
they are not operated with a view to profit, and in agricultural subsidiary establish
ments of an industrial nature.
A r t . 2 . The regular daily hours of labor, exclusive of rest periods, must not exceed
eight. If by agreement the working hours are curtailed on the afternoons preceding
Sundays and holidays, the time thus lost may be made up on other working days.
A r t . 3 . In the case of general exceptions to the foregoing regulations made necessary
in industries connected with transportation and communication, including the rail
ways and post and telegraph service, and called for by existing conditions agreements
must be arrived at between those in charge of the establishments and the workmen’s
organizations. Should such agreements not be concluded within two weeks, the
right to issue further orders is reserved.
A r t . 4. In order to introduce a regular weekly change of shifts in establishments
whose nature does not admit of any interruption of operation, or in which at the
present time continuous Sunday labor is necessary in the public interest, male workers
over 16 years of age may once within three weeks, work a maximum of 16 hours,
inclusive of rest periods, provided that during these three weeks they are twice
granted an uninterrupted rest of 24 hours at a time.
A r t . 5. Notwithstanding the general regulations of the Industrial Code, female
workers over 16 years of age in establishments with two or more shifts may be employed
up to 10 p. m., provided that, after quitting work, they are given a rest lasting at least
16 hours. In such cases, in place of a noon rest of one hour, there may be a rest period
of only half an hour, which is to be counted as working time.
A r t . 6 . The foregoing regulations shall not be applicable to temporary emergency
work, which has to proceed without delay.
A r t . 7. If, in establishments whose nature does not admit of any interruption, or
in which unrestricted operation is necessary in the interests of the public, the required
number of suitable workmen is not available, a regulation deviating from the foregoing
may be approved provisionally by the competent factory inspection official, or, in the
case of mining establishments, by the district mining inspector. This must be pre
ceded by a request on the part of the employer, and should no agreement have been
concluded between the employers’ and workmen’s organizations, a declaration of
consent on the part of the workers’ committee, or, should no such committee exist, on
the part of all the workers in the establishment. Should more comprehensive agree
ments between employers’ and workmen’s organizations with respect to exceptions
to the limitations of employment of industrial workers be arrived at in establish
ments designated in this article, the officials of the factory or mine inspection service
are authorized to permit further provisional exceptions from the protective labor
regulations. Immediately after giving their approval the said officials shall cal!
the attention of the proper employment offices to the shortage of labor in the establish
ments in question. The competent commissioner of demobilization must also
be informed of the permits granted and he is authorized to call upon the officials to
revoke such permits.
A r t . 8 . The commencement and termination of the daily hours of labor and rest
periods are, so far as they have not been regulated by collective agreement, to be
fixed in accordance with the foregoing regulations by the employer in agreement with
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the workers’ committee, or should no such committee exist, with all the workers in
the establishment, and to be published by posting in the establishment.
A r t . 9 . The officials of the factory and mine inspection service are charged with
the enforcement of the foregoing regulations. For this purpose they are authorized
to negotiate with the workers’ committees in the presence of the employer, or with
either party alone, and to summon the workers’ committee.
A r t . 10. Violations of these regulations or of orders issued in pursuance of them
shall be punished by a fine up to 2,000 marks ($476), or, in case of inability to pay
the fine, with imprisonment up to six months.
If the offender at the time of the violation has already been punished for a viola
tion in accordance with paragraph 1, and the violation has been premeditated, the
penalty may be a fine of between 100 and 3,000 marks ($23.80 and $714), or imprison
ment for a term not exceeding six months.
A r t . 1 1 . Existing imperial and State laws and regulations issued in pursuance
of these laws shall be applicable in so far as they do not contravene the foregoing
regulations.
A r t . 12. T h e p resen t order com es in to force on th e d a y of its p rom ulgation.
According to the Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung,1 the introduction
of the eight-hour day has led to a considerable increase in hourly
wages in the building trades, amounting to 25 per cent in districts
where the normal working day was 10 hours, and correspondingly
less where the working day was shorter. The Central Committee
of the Joint Council of Employers’ and Employees’ Associations has
determined that the increased wages shall be payable as from No
vember 30. Where wages arbitration already exists it is to apply to
this question. Existing wage agreements between employers’ and
workers’ organizations remain in force until the end of March, 1919;
all interference by unauthorized bodies in the system of agreements
is forbidden. Builders who accepted contracts before November
30, 1918, may demand special compensation for the increase in
wages from the awarders of the contracts.
iD e u tsc h e
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Allgemeine Zeitung, Berlin,
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X o v . 2 9 ,1 9 1 8 .
M INIM UM WAGE.
MINIMUM WAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Under the terms of the Keating-Trammel bill, which became a law
in September, 1918, a minimum wage board for the District of
Columbia was appointed, October 19, 1918, composed of three mem
bers: Mr. Jesse C. Adkins, attorney, representing the general public;
Mr. Joseph A. Berberich, vice-president (now president) of the Mer
chants’ and Manufacturers’ Association, representing the employers;
and Miss Ethel M. Smith, secretary of the Women’s Trade-Union
League, representing labor. Mr. Adkins was elected president of
the board, and Miss Clara Mortenson was secured as secretary.
The board’s first duty, under the terms of the law, was to make a
survey of the wage conditions of women in private employ in the
District. This showed about 15,600 women industrially employed,
omitting Government employees, workers in the telegraph and télé
phoné services, and employees of railroad and express companies.
The numbers in specified industrial groups were approximately as
follows :
In retail stores........................................................................................
Restaurants, hotels, and personal service establishments...............
Manufacturing and mechanical industries........................................
Office work..............................................................................................
7, 000
2,700
4, 500
1,400
The board selected the printing and publishing industry as the
first to be dealt with, and made a preliminary survey of its condi
tions. This industry in the District employs about 700 women, of
whom 47 per cent were receiving less than $11 a week, while 76 per
cent received less than $15 a week. The interested groups were
invited to nominate candidates to represent them upon the conference
which should “ investigate, consider, and recommend to the minimum
wage board itself the standard of living and the wage which should
be fixed as the minimum in that industry,” and from the nominees
the board chose three representatives each for the employers, the
employees, and the public. In addition to these nine, one member
of the board was required to serve on the wage conference, and for
this purpose the labor member of the board was chosen. The other
members of the board attended one or more meetings of the confer
ence, though not required by law to do so.
216
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While the process of securing the members of the conference was
going on the board had obtained from the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics figures showing the cost of living in the District of
Columbia for a woman without dependents. These were based on a
study of actual budgets of 137 working women, brought down to
January 15, 1919. Taking these as a basis, the board announced
that $16 a week is the minimum cost of living for a woman in the
District. The board, however, has no power to fix a minimum wage
of its own initiative; it can act only upon recommendations submitted
to it by a conference appointed to consider a specific industry, so that
this announcement of the board carried with it no binding force.
The conference promptly organized and set about determining the
minimum rate which it should recommend. The representatives of
the public and the employees each prepared a detailed budget, show
ing what, in their opinions, was necessary for decent and healthful
living, excluding all unnecessary expenses. These were prepared
separately, but when they were brought before the conference it ap
peared that while the employees had fixed on $17 per week the rep
resentatives of the public had decided on $17.15. The representa
tives of the employers did not present a budget, but fixed on a lump
sum, $14 per week, which they considered sufficient.
Four meetings were held, at which the different parties went over
their figures carefully, seeking an adjustment of the differences. All
had at the outset accepted the figures given by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics for room and board—$9 a week. The representatives of
the employers suggested that this might well be reduced to $7, since
it represented the wartime figures, and since now that hostilities are
over board and rent are coming down. No conclusive evidence that
this is the case was presented, however, and lacking such evidence
the conference as a whole was not willing to make a reduction here.
The item of clothing, which had been fixed by the public’s repre
sentatives at $4.11 per week, and by the empk^ees’ at $3.84, was
next approached. The employers contended that there were two
reasons for reducing these figures—sufficient allowance had not been
made for the extent to which the articles purchased in one year
would last over into the next, and there was every reason to believe
that the price of clothing would soon fall, perhaps very considerably.
After much consideration this item was cut down to $3.35 per week.
Car fare for any purposes except going to and from work was omitted,
and various small reductions in other items were made. Early in
April an agreement was reached, and the following report was sub
mitted to the board:
The members of the conference on the printing, publishing, and allied trades do
hereby respectfully submit the following report:
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
The conference met for organization on March 4, 1919, and continued to meet
weekly until April 8, 1919. After consideration of the facts concerning cost of living
presented by the board, supplemented by additional evidence, the conference
unanimously voted that $15.50 per week was the minimum amount required to meet
the necessary cost of living to self-supporting women in the trades under consideration
and to maintain them in health and protect their morals. The items comprised in
this amount are:
Per week.
Room and board..................................................................................... $9.00
Clothing................................................................................................... 3- 35
Laundry.......................................... - .............................................................75
Sickness, dentistry, oculist...........................................................................50
Amusements....................................................................................................20
Vacation.......................................................................................................... 25
Savings and insurance................................................................................... 35
Church and charity........................................................................................10
Organizations.................................................................................................. 10
Self-improvement...........................................................................................10
Car fare.............................................................................................................60
Other incidentals....................................
20
Total............................................................................................. 15.50
The conference therefore submits the following wage determina
tions as a result of its study and deliberations:
1. The wage to be paid to any female of average ordinary ability who has had one
year’s experience in the printing, publishing, and allied trades shall be not less
than $15.50 per week.
2. The wage to be paid to any female of average ordinary ability who has had more
than nine months’ and less than one year’s experience in the printing, publishing,
and allied trades shall be not less than $12 per week.
3. The wage to be paid to any female of average ordinary ability who has had more
than six months’ and less than nine months’ experience in the printing, publishing,
and allied trades shall be not less than $11 per week.
4. The wage to be paid to any female of average ordinary ability who has had more
than three months’ and less than six months’ experience in the printing, publishing,
and allied trades shall be not less than $9 per week.
5. The wage to be paid to any female of average ordinary ability who has had less
than three months’ experience in the printing, publishing, and allied trades shall be
not less than $8 per week.
This is a higher minimum than has as yet been fixed anywhere in
the United States, the nearest approach to it being the $13.20 per
week which was fixed by the Washington Industrial Welfare Com
mission as the lowest wage which might, during the period of the war,
be paid to any woman, aged 18 or over, ‘‘in any occupation, trade,
or industry throughout the State.”
Under the law prevailing in the District of Columbia, before a
minimum wage can be adopted by the board, a public hearing, ad
vertised for a period of 30 days, must first be held, so that the above
rates can not yet be regarded as definitely accepted. Their advo
cates, however, feel that the prospect for their adoption is very good,
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since the conference was unanimous in its recommendations, and
since the employer member of the board, who was present when the
rates were decided upon, also assented to them.
’ If, after the public hearing, the rates are authorized by the board,
a further period of 60 days, designed to permit employers to adjust
their pay rolls, must elapse before they become obligatory. This will
bring them into operation in all probability at some time in August,
1919. If adopted, the rates are mandatory, and the failure of any
employer to pay them renders him liable to fine or imprisonment.
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W OMEN IN INDUSTRY.
EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN IN ACETYLENE WELDING.1
BY HELEN G. FISK.
HISTORY AND NATURE OF ACETYLENE WELDING.
Oxyacetylene welding not only is one of the newer occupations
for women, but also is itself a young industry. So long as the use of
wrought iron has existed, welding by heating the metal to a plastic
state and hammering has been common. The inclusion under the term
“ welding” of the uniting of two metals by fusion without recourse
to pressure is, however, very modern.
Oxyacetylene welding is the process of uniting metals through
fusion by means of a gas flame, the heat of which is so great as to
reduce the metal to a molten state. The beginning of oxyacetylene
welding in its present application dates back only to 1895 and the
first really practical and safe torch was put out in 1903. Since
1905 the industry has grown rapidly in the United States as facilities
for obtaining supplies of oxygen and acetylene have improved.
Acetylene is produced by the reaction between calcium carbide
and water. The user may manufacture the acetylene in automatic
generators which feed calcium carbide to water or he may buy
cylinders containing acetylene dissoUed in acetone usually at a pres
sure of about 250 pounds per square inch.
In large establishments oxygen may be generated by either the
electrolytic or liquid air process, but it is more commonly procured
in cylinders at a pressure of about 1,800 pounds per square inch.
As both gases are supplied at much higher pressure than they are
used, gauges and regulators are provided to control the pressure of
gas in the tanks and the feeding into’ the torch where the two gases
are mixed and ignited at the tip. The temperature of the flame is
6,300° F. (3,482° C.) when it is neutral—that is, when no excess of
either gas is present. The very speedy welding made possible by this
1 Prepared by the Women’s Branch of the Industrial Service Section of the Ordnance Department.
Inspections were made in the plants of ordnance contractors employing women for this work. Question
naires were sent to companies known to be employing women, in November, 1918, requesting information
as to numbers employed, wages, and hours. A total of 1,134 woman welders was reported from 38 com
panies, 1,033 of these women being engaged entirely on war wTork. Leading welding authorities were
consulted regarding training and the scope of women’s work, and the makers of wTelding apparatus and the
National Board of Fire Underwriters, regarding hazards. Much valuable assistance was given by the
editors of the Welding Engineer and The Journal of Acetylene Welding.
114339°—19---- 15
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high temperature, together with the fact that the equipment is easily
transportable, has made the oxyacetylene process of great value
in repair work on all sorts of metal parts and machinery.
W E L D IN G A N D
THE
W AK.
Women entered the welding field at a time when it was being
rapidly enlarged and changed by the necessities of war production.
The manufacturers’ problem included not only the adjustment of
the process to a new class of labor but also changing welding methods
and equipment to fit them into separate stages of a continued proc
ess of manufacture.
The great need for conservation of metal has made it necessary
and profitable to repair much broken machinery which would have
been scrapped heretofore. The demand for good welders, always
greater than the supply, has been enormously increased. Probably
1,400 welders were engaged in salvage work alone behind the line of
Pershing’s forces in France, a larger number was needed for repair
work in this country, and still others were required to carry on
welding processes in the course of manufacture of ships, airplanes,
and munitions.
EXTENT
AND
C H A R A C T E R O F W O M E N 'S W O R K .
As was the case in many other occupations, the increased demand
was met in this country, as well as in England and France, by the
introduction of women into the industry. The need for an extra
supply of welders was recognized in England early in the war and
short welding courses for women were immediately instituted with
decided success. Two hundred and twenty were trained and placed
in the first year, and the welding courses in many of the technical
schools are now open to women. English women have done all
types of welding with marked success.
In the United States woman welders have not been given as many
or as difficult types of work as have the English women, but their
field of work has nevertheless been varied.
It is the consensus of opinion that women have been most suc
cessful in the lighter grades of work, such as are centered in the
airplane manufacturing around Detroit. A welding engineer says
in comment on this work:
They are rendering excellent service, and by reason of their greater dexterity in
handling small work, they have opened for themselves and their sex a permanent
field.
On the other hand, it is agreed that work from which very heavy
lifting can not be eliminated is unsuitable for women.
The estimates of welding authorities place the number of woman
welders in this country at from 1,000 to 1,500 or more. Very few
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of these are sufficiently skilled to do general high-class welding
repair work. Neither has it been considered advisable to employ
women for very large work such as the welding of stationary boilers
and engines. The necessity for preheating this large work makes it
unsuitable for women, as is any occupation involving intense heat
or heavy lifting. The shipbuilding industry has not used‘woman
welders, since this class of work requires a high degree of strength,
agility, and endurance. At least 500 women have welded on muni
tions for our Army. Many more have helped to make our airplanes.
The large companies making airplane motors and parts have been
highly pleased with the results of employing women for this work.
One manufacturer says:
I found that on about 50 per cent of our work that women are equal to men, on 25
per cent women are superior to men, and on the other 25 per cent men are superior
to women. You will always notice that where women take an interest in their work
you can depend upon 100 per cent efficiency. This is a valuable point to remember,
as in welding there is an excellent chance to camouflage, as it is impossible to tell a
perfect weld by visual inspection.
T Y P E S O F W E L D IN G .
Welding of drop bombs.—A good example of the simplest type of
welding done by women on fairly heavy material is the welding of
the seams of aerial demolition bombs. These bombs are loaded
with high explosive and dropped from airplanes to cause explosions
on contact.
The nose end of the bomb “shell” or casing is of fairly heavy steel
and must be welded to the rear end of drawn steel. A rod is placed
through the center of the shell, forming an axis on which it revolves
when placed on bearings of a stand which is adjusted to the height of
the worker. The shells are brought to the welders and adjusted for
them by men helpers.
The weldor holds the wire or fdler rod in her left hand, and the
torch in her right. She must light the torch, turning on both the
oxygen and acetylene and regulating the flow until a neutral flame is
secured. The inner white flame should be rounded to the shape of a
tiny gas mantle and the torch held so that the tip of the inner flame,
the hottest point, will just come in contact with the metal.
The technique of handling the torch, including the manipulation
of the cocks and the different movements of the flame over the
metal, varies both with the material and the style of torch. The
chief object is to make a weld which goes deep enough to stand the
strain and not to concentrate the flame too long on the thinner metal
so as to burn holes.
The seam must first be “ tacked” in four places, that is, the edge
melted together at four points on the circumference of the bomb so
as to prevent the edges from slipping apart. The operative must
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
then keep the tip of the small inner flame moving over the seam.
As the two edges are melted, the end of the wire is placed under the
flame and the resulting additional drop is spread out over the seam
by the next movement of the torch.
The welding of the seams of the incendiary drop bombs is a very
similar process but requires somewhat greater dexterity and skill
because the metal is thinner. It therefore burns through more
quickly (and a hole or a poor weld is not so easily repaired) than in
the heavier work, where a smooth surface is not so important.
Welding on motor parts.—Probably the most highly skilled welding
operations upon which women are generally engaged are those in the
manufacture of motor parts, such, for instance, as the different steps
in welding the pressed steel water jacket into shape and attaching
it to the cylinder of the Liberty motor.
The first of these is tacking the seam of the water jacket in six
places. The water jacket must be adjusted in a clamp so that when
the heat is applied the two edges of the seam will not spring so close
together as to make the diameter of the water jacket too small.
The operative must make three or four adjustments of the clamp for
each seam. One woman does this tacking. Another-welds the seams
together. Both operations require some skill, both because the
rolled steel of which the water jacket is made is very fine and thin
and therefore easily burned, and because of the necessity of having
the diameter of the jacket exactly correct. One thirty-second to
three thirty-seconds of an inch leeway may be allowed in tacking
the seam, according to whether the jacket has been annealed or
not before welding.
Other welds on the motor cylinder are those of the edge of the
pressed steel water jacket onto the bottom of the cast and machined
steel cylinder and of the jacket to the valve stem of the cylinder.
These are similar to the one just described.
Machine welding.—The acetylene welding machine is used for
welding seams of straight tubing. The set-up consists of an oxyacetylene torch held rigid so that the inner cone just touches the
seam as the tubing is passed through under the torch. The opera
tive tends two machines, simply feeding in the tubing and making
any necessary adjustments of the flame. The work is easy but
necessitates almost constant standing.
C H A N G IN G
SH O P M ETH O DS.
The changes in welding equipment and methods which have been
introduced to make possible the employment of women in the occu
pation are for the most part the same which are necessitated by the use
of any semiskilled labor for these operations. Where the problem is
the maximum number of welding inches three considerations are of
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prime importance: Good equipment, economy of motion, and the
elimination of fatigue.
The use of conveyors has eliminated the lifting and carrying of
parts and made available all of the time of the operative for actual
welding. The work is rendered at the same time much less fatiguing.
Revolving cradles to hold the work have obviated strained and
inconvenient positions on the part of the worker and given her more
time to cultivate speed and dexterity in handling the torch and wire.
Adjustable chairs, by increasing comfort and convenience of posi
tion and thus reducing fatigue, are regarded as a factor in satisfac
tory production.
Standard equipment.—A defective or dirty torch will seriously
delay production. Every time the tip becomes clogged so that the
flame flashes back into the head of the torch it means not only a loss
of some minutes in cooling the overheated torch, cleaning it out and
readjusting the flame, but a further delay in reheating the weld.
Much time has been saved by providing improved equipment and
by carefully instructing the workers in the proper use and care of
the torch.
A variable oxygen supply is in the same way a frequent cause of
production delays, by making necessary additional readjustments
of the torch. Where each torch is dependent upon a single oxygen
tank, the pressure of the gas varies with the amount of oxygen
remaining in the tank. By attaching all the oxygen tanks to one
manifold pipe system, a more even flow of oxgyen is secured.
The use of women in welding has hastened the consideration of
all these points, through the desire to insure the suitability of the
occupation for women, but the same methods will secure better pro
duction from men as well.
WORKING CONDITIONS.
Shop construction.—Working conditions for women welders vary
greatly with the individual concern. Better conditions are generally
found in the larger plants where the welding process can be
segregated from the other shop processes. The confusion of a noisy
shop is particularly troublesome to the welder, not only because she
must concentrate her attention very closely upon her work, but also
because the dark goggles shut out the sight of everything but the
flame, the wire, the spot of white-hot molten metal at the weld, and
the larger area of red-hot metal surrounding it.
Adequate fire protection measures are obviously of increased
necessity in a shop where welding is done. Good shop ventilation
is also especially important both on account of the unpleasant odor
of acetylene and to counteract the effect of working with such intense
heat.
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Hours.—Data concerning hours and wages were available from 11
of the 38 companies known to be employing women as acetylene
welders. This data affects 369 of the total 1,134 women known
to be so employed.
An 8-hour day was in force in only two of the plants. One com
pany maintained a 10-hour day, and the others were equally divided
between 9 and
hour days. It is important in work demanding
as close attention as welding that the welder have occasional let-ups
in her work. Where the welder must wait for each piece of finished
work to be inspected and taken off the cradle and the next piece of
work put on, a recurring rest period is created. Where this is not
the case it has been found advantageous to introduce rest periods of
10 minutes at the end of each two hours of work.
Wages,—The lowest beginning rate prevalent in these 11 com
panies was 224 cents per hour, which was the rate in force in three
plants. The other companies paid a beginning rate of 25 to 30 cen ts
per hour.
Experienced welders are usually paid a piece rate. The average
hourly earnings for pieceworkers varied from 25 to 70 cents an hour.
The majority of workers received 45 cents or over. It is doubtful,
however, on account of poor timekeeping and irregular work whether
a majority of these pieceworkers earned as much as $25 a week.
TRAINING.
With the sudden demand for large numbers of welders, the old,
slow methods of training by apprenticeship had to be abandoned.
The Navy, Army, and the Bureau of Aircraft Production all started
welding courses, as did also the engineering and automobile schools
of the country. Shop training of more or less formal character has
been given to the larger number of women who have been engaged
in the semiskilled work.
Time required.—It is the unanimous opinion of men responsible
for the training of welders that there is in every group a certain
number of persons who can never master the art of welding. These
should be weeded out in the early part of the training course.
The training time varies greatly witli the individual. Experts
say that it takes years to produce a really good all-round welder, in
spite of the fact that a number of 30-day courses are offered at
present.
The shop training for one operation on one metal is, of course, a
much simpler and shorter process than general welding training. It
is difficult, however, even to state a minimum training time for one
operation, since individual adaptability to the work varies so greatly.
Probably several days should be devoted to training for such an
operation as the welding of demolition drop bombs. For the more
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complicated operations on finer metal, such as the welding of motor
parts, different companies give the necessary time as from one week
to three weeks. Manufacturers agree on three points: The time
allowed must vary with the individual; training time for women need
not be longer than for men and may often be shorter; training time
is materially shortened by means of a training room separated from
the shop.
Separate training rooms.—The separate training room has proved
more satisfactory than training in the regular shop. It gives an
opportunity for the welder to become accustomed to the apparatus
and to work away from the noise and confusion of the shop, and
enables her to make much more rapid progress. By making use of
a separate set of apparatus, she may take her time in learning
methods of work without holding up the production schedule in the
shop.
The separate training rooms not only make easier a careful weed
ing out of unpromising pupils, but also permit a better choice of the
teacher. The best welder often is not a good teacher. The foreman
who can manage his shop excellently may not be able to give clear
explanations of how or why a given operation should be performed
in the prescribed manner, and it is in the clear understanding of
instructions and the reasons back of them that the most important
foundation of good training lies.
Points to he covered.—All welders, irrespective of the particular
work they are to do, should first be made thoroughly familiar with
the equipment and apparatus in the shop. As a general thing it
has been found better for the women not to regulate the pressure of
the gas until they are thoroughly expert welders, but they should
know the use and proper regulation of every part of the apparatus
in order to avoid danger of accidents from careless handling.
The introduction of the workers to the equipment in most training
rooms includes careful instruction in just how to adjust the flame
and keep the torch and tip in good working order. A poorly ad
justed flame may entirely spoil what would otherwise be a good
weld.
The welder is also taught something of the material on which
she is working—for instance, the difference between pressed and cast
steel in their reaction to the flame—and is carefully instructed just
how to hold the torch so as to get the maximum of heat directed at
the most important part of the weld and to save unnecessary
motions.
It is found generally more satisfactory to start training on scrap
metal. The length of time before the operative is put on direct
production varies with the class of work, welds on finer metal
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requiring longer training. From the training room the welder can
go directly into quantity production in the shop without causing
loss from spoiled material.
Cost of training.—Few data have been accumulated on the cost
of training women. This must vary widely with methods adopted
and the degree of skill aimed at. One manufacturer who employed
women for welding on aerial bombs estimated the cost of training
at $80 for each worker.
HAZARDS AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES.
The main accident hazards are in the possible explosion of the
gas tanks and in burns from contact with the torch.
Explosions.—Careful installation of the equipment and detailed
instruction of the workers for its manipulation will greatly reduce
the danger of explosion. The operatives must also be warned not
to bring anything containing carbon in contact with oxygen or to
use any oil or grease on the fittings of the apparatus. The National
Board of Fire Underwriters states:
T h e a c e ty le n e and o x y g e n gas m ix tu r e is h ig h ly e x p lo siv e , b u t w ith m odern a p p li
an ces, if p roperly k e p t u p , th ere is l it t le danger from th is.
Burns.—Three precautions against burns are of primary impor
tance. They are:
A llo w a n ce of su fficien t sp ace b e tw e en set-u p s so th a t a ca relessly h e ld torch w ill n ot
endan ger th e n e x t person.
Careful in stru ctio n of th e workers in th e m ech a n ism of th eir app aratu s, and in siste n c e
u p on care in its use.
P ro v isio n of proper p r o te ctiv e clo th in g and orders to in su re its b ein g worn.
Women should wear uniform one-piece overalls and close-fitting
caps. Gauntlet gloves should be worn to protect the hands from
the heat of the torch and metal worked on, and from the flying
sparks.
Mr. George W. Booth, chief engineer of the National Board of Fire
Underwriters, says:
T h e hazards of th e occu p a tio n are p r in c ip a lly th e p o s sib ility of sev ere burns and
danger to e y esig h t. I n w eld in g , w h eth er a c e ty le n e or e le ctr ic, it is n ecessa ry for th e
user to w ear a m ask , c o m p le te ly coverin g th e face, w ith colored glass to p rotect th e
e y e s a gain st th e e x c e ssiv e lig h t. A t tim es th ere is a sp atterin g of sm all p a rticles of
m o lten m e ta l, w h ich w ou ld en d an ger th e face, if n o t p rotected , and also th e han ds,
w h ich m u st b e wTe ll g lo v ed w ith sp ecia l g lo v es of a h e a t-re sistiv e character.
The wearing of a mask as above recommended is generally required
only for electric welders, and would seem an excess of caution for
the lighter types of acetylene welding which women have most com
monly performed.
One company has found canvas gloves more satisfactory if the
thumb and first two fingers are reinforced on the under side or if the
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whole palm is of leather. For heavy work some sort of heavy apron
of leather or stiff canvas or asbestos is an advisable precaution to
prevent burning holes in the uniform.
The chief health hazards appear to lie in the exposure to sudden
changes of heat and cold and in the possibility of eyestrain.
The heat of the operation is intense—the torch is at 6,300° F. (3,482°
C.)—but it is localized and except on hot days is not complained of.
It does not affect the worker as unfavorably as the heat of a laundry.
If there is exposure to sudden changes or if the work is done in a cold
draft, harmful results are likely to follow. Workers who went from
welding to a cold rest and lunch room took cold very easily.
Eyestrain is reduced by the use of dark glasses, without which the
operative should never be allowed to do any work. The goggles
should be as light weight as possible and preferably with an elastic
band to fit around the back of the head, rather than with steel bows
to hold the goggles in place.
Although some manufacturers insist that the welder who wears
goggles is not subjected to eyestrain, it is more generally admitted
that there is danger even with this protection. The following state
ment is made by the engineering department of one of the leading
companies manufacturing oxyacetylene apparatus:
A c e ty le n e w eld in g , or a n y other work in strong lig h t, sh ou ld n o t b e u n d ertak en
e x c e p t b y p eo p le w ith th orou gh ly norm al ey es. A n y original w eak n ess or irritation
w ill be en h a n ced to som e e x te n t b y co n stan t exp osu re to strong lig h t. On th e other
han d, ex p erim en ts c o n d u cted for us b y Prof. M. F . W ein rich , of C olu m b ia U n iv e r
sity , h a v e sh ow n th a t, w ith p rop erly tin te d sp ec ta cle s or goggles, no in ju r y w ill occur
to th e e y e s of th e operator origin atin g from a strong lig h t.
Gases.—Formerly there was considered some hazard to the user
of acetylene from gas poisoning, but with the present acetylene
generating machines the impurities present are believed to have been
removed and there is. little danger from this source.
FUTU RE SCOPE OF WELDING AS AN OCCUPATION FOR WOMEN.
Despite the hazards of the occupation, welding has been a very
attractive field for women. Training for the less skilled operations
may be easily and quickly obtained. The work gains in interest,
and is always presenting the worker with opportunities to increase
her skill. The pay received is considered good.
The future scope of the welding field for women is hard to predict.
Welding as an industry is only in its infancy and the demand for
welders therefore may not be materially decreased with the cessation
of war production. Men will always be preferred for many sorts of
welding and perhaps for all classes when the supply of men and
women is equal, but women have demonstrated that they are better
suited to the lightest sorts of welding than men. Manufacturers wTho
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had a force of woman welders for war work did not give them up for
men unused to the shop and methods, but made arrangements to
shift their woman welders from war to peace production. There
seems no reason why women should not enter the field of general
automobile repair work and skilled welding if the demand for
welders continues ahead of the available supply of men welders.
CASE OF WOMAN STREET CAR CONDUCTORS IN CLEVELAND.
In the Monthly L abor R eview for January, 1919, an account was
given of the circumstances leading up to the strike of the men em
ployed by the Cleveland Street Railway Co. against the employment
of women as conductors, the issuance by the National War Labor
Board of a recommendation that the women should be dismissed,
and the settlement of the strike on that basis, it being agreed that
the dismissal of the women should not be obligatory before March
1, 1919.
The settlement was at once followed by vigorous protest from
women’s organizations all over the country against its terms, and
particularly against the recommendations issued by the War Labor
Board. The Women’s Trade Union League took a particularly
active part in organizing meetings of protest and sending in resolu
tions criticizing the action of the board and calling for a hearing for
the woman conductors. It was urged that they had been promised
a hearing, which they had never been given; that the recommenda
tion for their dismissal had been issued without giving them any
opportunity to present their claims, and that in issuing this recom
mendation the board had violated its own interlocutory order of
November 29, 1918. It was pointed out that no reason, except the
demand of the men, had been given for the dismissal of the women,
and that it was a dangerous precedent to exclude women from work
which they were doing to the satisfaction of their employers, the
public, and themselves merely because men employed in the same
occupation demanded their discharge. It was not even a general
demand from the men in the same occupation, for in other cities
women and men were working amicably together on the cars, and
the national union of the street and electric railway employees had
authorized and advised the admittance as members of the union of
women employed in street railway work.
As a result of these protests and representations the National War
Labor Board announced that it would give the women a hearing.
An early date was set, but unfortunately, through no fault or over
sight of the women, it became necessary to postpone the hearing for
several months. In the meantime the 1st of March arrived, and all
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the women still employed as conductors by the Cleveland Street
Railway Co., 64 in number, were dismissed in a body. Two weeks
later, March 14> their hearing was held in Washington, the former
joint chairman of the board, Mr. Frank P. Walsh, appearing on behalf
of the women.
The women asked for reinstatement, claiming that they had been
engaged with the understanding that they should be dismissed only
for cause, and that no cause had been shown. They brought forward,
briefly, testimony showing the healthfulness and safety of the work
as compared with occupations in which they had been engaged
before entering the street-car service. They testified that they had
not in any way underbidden or undercut the men, but had entered
on precisely the same terms, had taken the undesirable runs at first,
and had worked up to “ seniority rights,” exactly as the men could
do. As to keeping returned soldiers out of jobs, they presented
figures from the company’s records showing that every returned
soldier who had applied for reinstatement had at once received his
old position, and that the service could to advantage reabsorb every
man who had left it to go to war without displacing a single woman.
The men employees presented no testimony, but, through their
representative, denied the jurisdiction of the National War Labor
Board in the case.
On March 17 the board handed down an award. The first part of
this rehearses the circumstances of the case up to and including the
latest hearing, points out that the joint chairmen had had no part
in the action of the board which resulted in the issuance of the rec
ommendation of December 3, 1918, and after summarizing the argu
ments of the women, continues:
A fter a fu ll co n sid era tio n th e board as now c o n stitu te d fe els th a t an in ju s tic e was
d on e to th e w om en a p p lic a n ts in m a k in g th e order of D ecem b er 3, 1918; th a t i t w a 3
m ade u p o n th e a p p lic a tio n of th e m ayor of C levelan d and in th e a b sen ce of th e w om en
w h o w ere a ffected and w h o h ad n o t u n d erstood th a t th e issu e w as before th e board
and on it s m erits. In oth er words, th e w om en d id n o t h a v e th e ir d ay in court. T h at
req uires th a t t h is board sh ou ld reesta b lish th e sta tu s w h ic h e x is te d before th e order
w as m ade. A r u lin g w as m ade b y th e jo in t ch airm en in D etro it th a t, u n d er th e con
tra ct w h ic h b o u n d th e co m p a n y and th e m en in th a t case, th e tim e h ad arrived w h en
th e co m p a n y w as n o t ju stified in co n tin u in g th e e m p lo y m en t of w om en , b eca u se su ch
e m p lo y m en t w as lim ite d b y th e con tract to th e e x is te n c e of th e n e c e s sity for th eir
e m p lo y m en t, b u t th a t th e w om en a lread y e m p lo y ed and in th e se r v ic e sh o u ld co n tin u e
th ere u n til in th e ord in ary course th e ir e m p lo y m e n t sh o u ld cease eith er b y v o lu n tary
w ith d ra w a l or b y d isch a rg e for cause or oth er su ffic ien t reason. W e fe el th a t th e p rin
c ip le w h ic h o b ta in ed in th e D e tro it S treet R a ilw a y case sh o u ld a p p ly h ere. T h e
o n ly q u estio n before u s is w h eth er th ese w om en w h o w ere d isch arged - on th e 1st of
M arch sh o u ld h a v e b e e n d isch arged b y reason of a n y con tract b e tw e e n th e com p an y
and th e m en . W e th in k th e term s of th e ir e m p lo y m e n t ju stified th e m in b e lie v in g
th a t th eir e m p lo y m e n t w ou ld c o n tin u e u n til n o rm a lly e n d e d by' t h e ir vo lu n ta ry
w ith d ra w a l or th e fa ilu re on th e ir p art to ren der proper se r v ic e or oth er su fficien t
reason.
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W e h a v e drafted th is op in ion in accord w ith th e resolu tion of th e board, as follow s,
to w it:
T h a t th e m atter b e referred to th e jo in t ch airm en , w ith d irectio n s to fram e an order
d ecla rin g th e sim ila r ity b e tw e e n th is an d th e D etro it case, app rovin g th e p rin cip les
h eld in th e D etro it case, an d on th e b asis of th a t case d ir ec tin g th a t th e 64 -women
heretofore discharged b y th e co m p a n y b e rein sta ted to th e ir e m p lo y m en t.
For th e se reasons th e p resen t order w ill b e th a t th e order or recom m en d ation of
D ecem b er 3 la s t b e set asid e, an d th a t th e com p a n y b e d irected to restore th ese w om en
d isch arged on th e 1st of M arch la st to th e p o sitio n th a t th e y had in sen io rity and other
p r iv ile g e s.
W m . II. T a f t ,
B a s il M . M a n l y ,
J o in t C h airm en .
M arch
17, 1919.
Following the publication of this award, the daily papers of March
19 carried the following item:
M
arch
18.
T h e C lev ela n d R a ilw a y Co. w ill ab id e b y its agreem en t w ith th e c it y and th e
ca rm en ’s u n ion n ot to e m p lo y w om en con d u ctors after M arch 1, n o tw ith sta n d in g an
order of th e War Labor Board d irectin g th e rein sta tem en t of 64 co n d u ctorettes, John
J. S ta n le y , p resid en t of th e co m p an y, a n n ou n ced la te to-d ay.
U n d er th e agreem en t a th ree-d a y street car strike was se ttled , and Mr. S ta n le y said
h e cou ld n o t rein state th e w om en and b e a p a rty to anoth er strike.
Mr. Stanley himself had no criticism to make of the women, and
would have retained them but for the opposition of the men. He
stated his position in a signed communication to the War Labor
Board as follows:
If your h on orab le board can p revail upon D iv isio n 268 of th e A m algam ated
A ssociation of S treet and E le c tr ic R a ilw a y E m p lo y e es of A m erica to agree to the
rein sta tem en t of th e w om en condu ctors, I sh all b e v e ry glad to order th eir rein state
m en t.
STANDARD WORKING CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN IN CALIFORNIA
LAUNDRY AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
On January 7, 1919, the Industrial Welfare Commission of the State
of California issued an order (I. W. C. Order No. 4 amended) effective
March 7, 1919, prescribing standard conditions of employment for
female workers in laundries and manufacturing industries. With
the exception of paragraphs 4 to 16, inclusive, which set forth in
somewhat minute detail requirements as to types, arrangement,
equipment, etc., of toilet rooms, the text of the order is as follows:
N o person, firm, or corporation sh all em p lo y or suffer or p erm it a n y w om an or m inor
to work in a n y factory in w h ic h the con d ition s of e m p lo y m en t are b elow th e standards
se t forth hereinafter; p rovid ed , h ow ever, th a t in cases Avhere, in th e o p in ion of th e
In d u stria l W elfare C om m ission, after d u e in v e stig a tio n , th e en forcem en t of a n y rule
w ou ld n o t m a ter ia lly in crease th e com fort, h ea lth , or sa fety of e m p lo y ee s, and w ou ld
work u n d u e h ard sh ip on th e em p loyer, e x em p tio n s m a y b e m ad e at th e discretion of
said com m ission, b u t su ch e x em p tio n s m ust be in w ritin g to b e e ffe c tiv e , and can
be rev o k ed after reasonable n o tic e is g iv e n in w ritin g. A ll a p p lica tio n s for su ch
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e x em p tio n s sh all b e m ad e b y th e em p lo y er to th e com m ission in w ritin g. E v e r y
person, firm, or corporation e m p lo y in g w om en or m inors in a n y factory sh all post a
co p y of th is order in a con sp icu ou s p la ce in ea ch room in w h ic h w om en or m inors
are e m p lo y ed . T h e term “ fa c to r y ” in c lu d e s a n y m ill, w orkshop, or other m an u
factu rin g esta b lish m en t, and all b u ild in g s, sh ed s, structures, or other p laces used for
or in co n n ectio n th e r ew ith , w h ere one or m ore persons are em p lo y ed at m an u factu r
in g , in c lu d in g m ak in g, a lterin g , rep airin g, fin ish in g , b o ttlin g , ca n n in g , p reservin g,
d ry in g , p a ck in g, clea n in g , or lau n d erin g of a n y article or th in g .
1. jL ig h tin g o f w o rk ro o m s. — E v e r y workroom sh all b e su p p lie d w ith ad eq u ate
natural or artificial lig h t d u rin g th e w orking hours. T h e sources of illu m in a tio n sh all
b e of su ch a natu re and so p laced as to p rovid e a reason ab ly con stan t and uniform
illu m in a tio n over th e n ecessa ry area of work and avoid th e castin g of sh adow s on the
work. T h e y sh all b e so p laced or sh ad ed th a t lig h t from th e m does n ot fall d ir ec tly
on th e e y e s of an operator w h en engaged on her work.
2. V e n tila tio n a n d tem p e ra tu re o f w o rk ro o m s. —{ a ) T h e v en tila tio n of e a ch workroom
sh all b e ad eq u a te.
( b) If d u st, gases, fum es, vapors, fibers, or other im p u rities are gen erated or released
in th e course of th e process carried on in th e workroom , in q u a n tities te n d in g to
injure th e h e a lth of th ose e m p lo y ed th erein , su ch su ction or other sp ecia l d e v ic e s as
m a y b e n ecessa ry to rem ove at th e p o in t of origin, or render harm less, su ch im p u rities,
sh a ll be in sta lled and operated.
(c) T h e natu re of th e process p erm ittin g , th ere sh all be m a in tain ed in each work
room d u rin g th e m o n th s from O ctober to A p ril, in c lu siv e , a m in im u m tem p erature
of 58° F . and, th e w eath er p erm ittin g , a m a x im u m tem p eratu re of 72° F . If, ow ing
to th e natu re of th e process, e x ce ssiv e h ea t b e created in th e workroom, su ch sp ecial
d e v ic e s as m ay b e req uired to red u ce su ch e x c e ssiv e h ea t sh all b e in sta lled and
operated.
3. F lo o r s o f w o r k ro o m s . — (a ) E a c h workroom sh all be p rovid ed w ith a sm ooth,
tig h t floor, w h ic h can be k ep t in a clea n and san itary con d ition .
(b) A ll sw eep in gs, w aste, and refu se sh all be rem oved in su ch m ann er as to avoid
raising of d u st or odors, as often as is n ecessary to m a in ta in th e workroom in a clean
and san itary co n d itio n .
(c) W here w et processes are e m p lo y ed , th e floors m ust b e p itc h e d to p rovid e for
drainage so th a t there w ill b e no u n reason able d e p th of liq u id at a n y p o in t.
(d ) W here floors are w et and w om en are req uired b y th eir work to w a lk over or
stand up on th em , w ood en racks or gratings of an a d eq u ate h e ig h t shall be provided
at su ch p o in ts. U n le ss floors are of w ood, cork, or rubber com p osition , or oth er a p
proved n o n h ea t-co n d u ctin g and r esilien t m aterial, m ats or gratin gs of su ch app roved
m aterial sh a ll b e su p p lie d at all p oin ts w h ere w om en are req uired b y th eir work to
stan d .
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
17. W a te r s u p p l y . — E a ch p lace of e m p lo y m en t sh all b e su p p lie d w ith pure d rin k
in g w ater so p la ced as to b e c o n v e n ie n t to th e em p lo y ee s. C om m on d rin k in g cu p 3
are p ro h ib ited . In d iv id u a l cu p s m u st b e u sed or san itary d rin k in g fo u n tain s of an
app roved d esig n m u st b e in sta lled . D rin k in g fou n tain s sh all b e k e p t in a san itary
co n d itio n and sh a ll be of su ch d esign th a t it is im p o ssib le to p la ce th e lip s in con
ta c t w ith th e orifice from w h ic h th e je t of w ater issu es, or for th e su p p ly orifice to
b eco m e su bm erged b y th e w aste w ater. T h e w ater su p p ly of d rin k in g fou n tain s
sh all be so regu lated and m a in ta in ed th a t a je t of at lea st 2 in c h e s in h e ig h t sh all be
c o n sta n tly a v a ila b le.
18. L o c a tio n o f w ash ro o m s . — T h ere sh all b e ad eq u a te w ash in g fa c ilitie s p rovid ed
as h erein after sp ecified . A su fficien t n u m b er of w ash b ow ls or sin k sp ace sh all be
lo ca ted eith er w ith in th e to ile t room or ad jacen t to th e to ile t room and in th e d irect
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route b e tw e en th e to ile t rooms and th e work p la ce. A n y w ash sin k s or b ow ls n o t so
lo ca ted sh all b e in sta lle d in a n ap p roved lo ca tio n .
19. W a sh in g f a c ilitie s . — A t lea st 20 lin ea r in c h e s of sin k sp a ce w ith o n e w a ter-su p p lied
fa u cet sh a ll b e s u p p lie d for each 20 w o m en e m p lo y ed , or fraction th ereof, based on th e
average n u m b er of w o m en e m p lo y e d d u rin g th a t p eriod of tw o w eek s d u rin g w h ic h
th e largest n u m b er of w om en are e m p lo y ed , e x c e p t th a t o n e w a sh b ow l sh a ll b e con
sid ered th e e q u iv a le n t of 20 in c h e s of sin k sp ace. E v e r y w ash b ow l ot sin k sh a ll bo
of v itre o u s ch in a , en a m eled iron, or oth er a p p roved m aterial im p e rv io u s to w ater,
and if u sed on o n e sid e o n ly sh a ll b e n o t less th a n 12 in c h e s w id e in sid e m easu rem en t,
or if u sed on b o th sid es n o t less th a n 22 in c h e s in s id e m easu rem en t. S elf-closin g
fa u cets sh a ll n o t b e u sed , e x c e p t w h ere w ash b asin s or b ow ls are p ro v id ed . S u fficien t
soap an d eith er in d iv id u a l or pap er to w els sh a ll b e su p p lie d . R o ller or other tow els
to b e u sed in com m on w ill n o t b e p erm itted .
20. L o ck er a n d re st ro o m s . — (a) I n esta b lish m en ts w h ere 20 or m ore w om en are
e m p lo y ed , a su ita b le room a d e q u a te ly v e n tila te d an d k e p t h e a te d to a m in im u m te m
perature of 58° F . a t a ll tim e s d u rin g w orking hours sh a ll b e p ro v id ed w h ere w om en
m a y ch a n g e th eir clo th in g in p r iv a c y an d com fort; w h ere less th a n 20 w om en are
e m p lo y ed , a sep arate room n e e d n o t be p ro v id ed for th is p u rp ose if an a d eq u a te sp ace
is screen ed or cu rta in ed off or oth er arran gem ent satisfactory to t h e co m m ission m ad e
for p r iv a cy and com fort in dressing.
( h) In or a d ja cen t to th e a b o v e -m en tio n e d room or sp a ce su fficien t an d a d eq u a te
p ro v isio n sh a ll b e m a d e for th e proper an d safe k e e p in g of th e ou ter c lo th in g of th e
w o m en w orkers du rin g th e w orking hou rs an d of th e ir w ork in g c lo th es du rin g th e
n on w ork in g hours.
•(e) W here m ore th a n 19 or less th a n 50 w om en are e m p lo y e d , th e r e sh a ll b e p ro v id ed
at lea st o n e co u ch , b ed , or cot. W here m ore th a n 50 an d less th a n 100 w om en are
e m p lo y ed , tw o sh a ll b e p ro v id ed , an d thereafter at lea st on e for e v e r y 100, or fraction
thereof, w o m en e m p lo y ed . W here th e se cou ch es, b ed s, or cots are n o t p la c ed in a
separate room, th e y sh a ll b e p la c ed in th e lock er or dressing room an d p ro tected from
d irect observ a tio n b y a su ita b le screen , an d t h e first-aid k it sh a ll b e k e p t ad ja cen t to
th em .
(d ) Where 2 0 or more women are employed, there shall also be one stretcher for use
in case of accident or illness, except that where one of the above-required couches,
beds, or cots is a cot of a type suitable for use as a stretcher a separate stretcher need
not be provided.
21. T im e f o r m e a ls . — E v e r y w om an a n d m inor sh a ll b e e n title d to at lea st on e hour
for n o o n d a y m eal; p ro v id ed , h o w ever, th a t no w om an or m inor sh a ll b e p e r m itte d to
return to work in less th an on e-h alf hour. If work is to b e c o n tin u e d through th e
ev en in g , e v e r y w o m a n an d m inor sh a ll b e e n title d to at lea st on e hou r for th e e v e n in g
m eal.
22. launch r o o m s . — W here lu n c h rooms are p rov id ed , th e y sh a ll b e a d e q u a tely
lig h ted an d v e n tila te d an d k e p t h e a te d to a m in im u m tem p eratu re of 58° du rin g
m ea l period s. T h e y sh a ll b e k e p t in a san itary co n d itio n , an d a d eq u a te fa c ilitie s
for th e disp o sa l of w a ste p r o v id e d .1
23. S e a ts a n d vjork ta b le s. — A s far as, an d to w h a tev e r e x te n t, in th e ju d g m en t of
th e com m ission , th e n atu re of th e w ork perm its, th e fo llo w in g p rovision s sh a ll b e
e ffe c tiv e : Sea ts sh a ll b e p ro v id ed a t work ta b les or m a ch in es for each a n d e v er y w om an
or m inor e m p lo y ed , an d su ch seats sh a ll b e ca p a b le of s u c h a d ju stm e n t a n d sh a ll b e
k e p t so a d ju sted to th e w ork ta b les or m a c h in e s th a t th e p o sitio n of th e w orker r e la tiv e
to th e work sh a ll b e su b sta n tia lly th e sam e w h eth er seated or stan d in g. W ork tab les,
in c lu d in g c u ttin g an d ca n n in g ta b le s an d sorting b elts, sh a ll b e of su ch d im en sio n s
1It is recommended th at except during inclement weather or after dark, where no adequate lunch-room
space is provided, and without exception where such space is provided, all women shall be required to
leave and remain out of the workroom during the meal.
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and d esig n th a t th ere are no p h y sic a l im p e d im e n ts to efficien t work in e ith er a s ittin g
or a sta n d in g p o sitio n , an d in d iv id u a lly a d ju sta b le foot rests sh a ll b e p ro v id ed . N e w
in sta lla tio n s to b e ap p ro ved b y th e com m ission .
24. C a rryin g.— N o w om an sh a ll b e req u ired or p erm itted to lif t or carry a n y e x c e s s iv e
bu rd en .
25. E le va to r service.— I n e v er y b u ild in g in w h ic h a to ta l of 10 or m ore w om en are
regu larly e m p lo y ed on th e fourth or h ig h er floors th ere sh a ll b e p ro v id ed a d eq u a te
elev a to r serv ice to su ch floors, an d su ch w om en w orkers sh a ll b e freely p e r m itte d to
u se su ch elev a to r serv ice.
26. F ire exits.— (a) F rom each floor a b o v e th e ground floor of a n y b u ild in g in w h ich
w o m en to th e n u m b er of 10 or m ore are e m p lo y ed a b o v e th e ground floor th ere sh all
b e a t lea st tw o a d e q u a te e x its rem ote from each other. O ne of th e se e x its sh a ll b e
an o u tsid e stairw ay or ru n w ay.
(b) A ll e x its sh a ll b e p la in ly m arked and sh a ll b e k e p t clear of ob stru ction and in
a safe co n d itio n ; no co m b u stib le m aterials sh a ll b e k e p t or stored in close p r o x im ity to
a n y e x it. A ll e x it doors sh a ll o p en outw ard. T h e y sh a ll b e at all tim es k e p t clear of
ob stru ction and , d u rin g w orking hours, k e p t u n lo ck ed .
(c) In a n y b u ild in g in w h ic h a total of 20 or m ore w om en are regu larly e m p lo y ed on
th e th ird or h ig h er floors th ere sh a ll b e p rov id ed an a d eq u a te sy s te m for g iv in g th e
alarm in case of fire, an d fire d rills sh all b e h e ld a t lea st o n ce in ea ch m on th .
T h is order sh a ll b eco m e e ffe c tiv e 60 d ays from th e d a te hereof.
D a ted a t San F ran cisco, C alif., th is 7th d a y of Janu ary, 1919.
O rder N o. 4 of th e In d u stria l W elfare C om m ission, d ated A p ril 16, 1917, is h ereb y
rescin d ed as a n d of th e d a te w h en th is order b ecom es e ffe c tiv e .
NEW YORK LAW FORBIDDING WOMAN NIGHT WORKERS IN RESTAU
RANTS HELD CONSTITUTIONAL.
The power of the New York Legislature to forbid night work by
women was sustained in a recent decision by Judge Ilartzell, of the
Buffalo City Court. Though this is a court of subordinate jurisdic
tion, the matter is of such interest as being the first decision under
a new act that a brief account of it is in order.
The legislature of 1917 enacted a new section of the labor law,
specifically forbidding the employment of women in restaurants
between the hours of 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. in cities of the first and
second class. This law was violated by one Radice, proprietor of a
restaurant in Buffalo, who contended that the act was in conflict
with the constitution of the State and of the United States.
Judge Hartzell, in sustaining the law, referred to a report of the
State industrial commission setting forth the evils of night work by
women and rehearsed the outstanding objections thereto. Reference
was made to the action of 14 European States in 1906 in agreeing to
prohibit the employment of women between 10 p. m. and 5 a. m.,
and to similar action by 9 of the States of the Union.
This long and effective discussion and agitation was held to be due
to a desire to protect not only the health and safety of women, but
the welfare of the State as well. The act was therefore held
constitutional.
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
ENGLISH WORKING WOMEN DURING THE WAR AND AFTER.
EMPLOYMENT OF ENGLISH WOMEN DURING THE WAR.
The Board of Trade Journal (London) for March 6, 1919, contains
an article on changes in employment during the war, which shows the
number of employed women in certain occupations compared with
those in the same occupations July, 1914. The figures are as follows:
E S T IM A T E D
ENGLAND,
E X P A N S IO N
NUM BER
JU L Y ,
S IN C E
—
OF
1914,
W OM EN
AND
JU L Y ,
EM PLOYED
1918,
AND
IN
S P E C IF IE D
PERCENTAG E
O C C U P A T IO N S
C O N T R A C T IO N
IN
OR
J U L Y , 1914, U P T O J U L Y , 1918.
Percentage
contrac
Estimated Estimated tion
(—)
numbers
numbers
or
expan
employed employed
sion
(+
)
in July, since July,
in July,
1918.
1914.'
1914, up to
Ju ly ,1918.
Occupation.
Building.................................... •.............................................................
Mines........................................................................................................
Metals.......................................................................................................
Chemicals.................................................................................................
Textiles...................................................................................................
Clothing trades ......................................................................................
Food, drink, and tobacco trades...........................................................
Paper trades............................................................................................
W óod trades............................................................................................
Other trades............................................................................................
7,000
7,000
170,000
40,000
863.000
612.000
196,000
147,500
44,000
89,500
29.000
13.000
594.000
104.000
827.000
568.000
235.000
141.500
79.000
150.500
Total industries (estimated figure)..............................................
Government establishments..................................................................
Agriculture in Great Britain (permanent labor)..................................
I,deal authorities....................................................................................
Civil service.............................................................................................
Other occupations, including commerce, transport, etc.....................
2,176,000
754,000
2,741,000
225,000
113.000
250.000
234,000
1,372,000
425.9
+ 10.100.0
41.3
+
+
+
254.4
81.9
+
Total..............................................................................................
3,276,000
4,935,000
+
2,000
80,000
198,000
66,000
+
+
+
+
_
+
+
+
320.2
89.0
249.2
158.9
4.2
7.3
19.8
4.3
80.6
08.4
50.6
These figures do not include the women in the Army and Navy
services, nor the women police, nor the women employed in timber
cutting under the Board of Trade; it is estimated that about 60,000
women were engaged in these various services in July, 1918. On the
other hand, the table does not take into account the number coming
into the specified occupations from domestic service or from very
small shops in the dressmaking trade. It is estimated that from
these two sources there came about 400,000 women, who, though
they appear in the above table as an addition to the number of gain
fully employed women, were yet employed in various capacities before
the war.
The table shows that in the occupations with which it deals
1,659,000 more women were employed in July, 1918, than in July,
1914. It also shows that by far the most striking increase has been
in the Government establishments (arsenals, dockyards, and national
factories) in which the number of women employed rose from 2,000
to 225,000. The industries which before the war showed the largest
numbers of woman workers, the textile and clothing trades, show an
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actual falling off, as do the paper trades. The increase in the number
of women in agriculture is of special interest, in view of the opinion
freely expressed in England at present that the demand for women
in farming work will continue and even increase now that hostilities
are over.
The number employed under the local authorities and in the civil
service increased largely:
In the post office the women doubled in numbers, and in other branches of the
civil service they advanced from 5,500 to 107,500, an increase of 1,950 per cent. In
the tramway service (under local authorities) there was an increase in numbers from
1,200 to 18,000 (1,500 per cent). In finance and banking there was a jump from
9,500 before the war to 05,000 in July, 1918, or 687 per cent.
P H Y S IC A L F I T N E S S O F W O M E N F O R E N G IN E E R I N G W O R K .
The question of the effect upon women of the heavy work they
have done during the war in English munition factories has been
much discussed, but reliable data on the subject have been few and
difficult to obtain. In a recent number of an English periodical1
Dr. Ithoda Adamson gives conclusions drawn from a wide experience
with women engaged in engineering work.
From April, 1916, till after the termination of hostilities in Novem
ber, 1918, Dr. Adamson had the medical supervision of several thou
sand women engaged in various processes of engineering work which
before the war would have been considered men’s work. Before
taking the position Dr. Adamson had stipulated that she should have
free access to the shops at any time in order to study the different
operations which women might be called upon to perform, so that
she might be able to form an opinion as to the degree of physical
and mental development required for such work. Thereafter as
women were engaged, each one was subjected to a complete phys
ical examination, and assigned to the grade of work for which she
seemed fitted. A careful record was kept of this examination, and
any defects which it revealed were noted, even though they might
not seem to have much significance in connection with the
occupational strain. A reexamination was made at any time when
it seemed desirable—if, for instance, a woman were losing time
through illness, or complained that she found her work heavy, or if
there had been an injury liable to be made the ground for a claim
under the workmen’s compensation act. Through these successive
examinations Dr. Adamson had an excellent opportunity to observe
any changes in health and physique which might take place, and to
determine whether the occupation could be held responsible for them.
i “ Future possibilities for the work of women,” by Rhoda H. B. Adamson, M. D., in The Common
Cause (London), Feb. 7, 1919, pp. 512-514.
1 1 4 3 3 9 °— 1 9 —— 16
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MONTHLY1 LABOR REVIEW.
In deciding on the suitability of a woman for heavy work, one of
the first questions was whether she had ever borne children, and if
so, whether she had suffered any permanent defect from pregnancy
or childbirth. “ Women suffering from defective abdominal and
pelvic support, as a result of childbearing, were unfit to carry out
processes involving long standing, heavy lifting, or sudden strain.”
Therefore, women who had at any time suffered from such troubles,
no matter how well they might be at the time of the examination,
were passed as fit for light work only. Another group who needed
special assignments were those who, apart from any question of
childbirth, were sufferers from chronic pelvic inflammation, venereal
in origin. These were deemed unfit for heavy standing work, or
work which involved the risk of wet feet or wet clothing, but they
could perform sedentary work perfectly well without any danger of
aggravating their trouble. Women suffering from defective eye
sight or neglected teeth were encouraged to receive treatment,
adopt glasses, etc., so that they were often relieved from minor
troubles which had previously handicapped them.
As a result of two years' experience Dr. Adamson is of the opinion
that, provided care is taken in assigning women to work suited
to their strength, they can perform without risk the engineering
operations to which they have been assigned during the war, some
of which were formerly regarded as entirely beyond their powers.
Shell making is perhaps the most striking instance of their ability
to carry on heavy work without detriment to themselves. In
this, the worker must lift a shell into a lathe, perform certain
operations, lift it out, replace it with another, and so on. In the
English factories women were expected to lift shells weighing up to
60 pounds unaided; beyond that weight, lifting tackle was provided,
but it was a common experience that up to 80 pounds women were
apt, if not closely watched, to lift the shell by hand rather than to
use the tackle. Yet cases of injury due to heavy lifting were very
rare.
In 4,700 medical examinations during the year 1917 there were two cases of hernia
due to strain at work. These were demonstrated on a second medical examination and
paid for under the workmen’s compensation act. Other cases attributed to strain by
the women were found to be due to other medical causes entirely unconnected with
their work, and when suitably treated disappeared. Uterine prolapse never occurred
at all in these previously sound women. Oases of cardiac strain in previously sound
hearts were also extremely rare.
The findings were as satisfactory in the case of the women who
were not previously sound, and who were considered unfit for the
heavier work. The lighter work to which they were put was well
within their powers, and in many cases they “ actually improved in
general health as a result of regular hours, good food, and exercise.”
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Possibly, also, the care taken in correcting minor defects had some
thing to do with this result.
■
, 0 )1.
Dr. Adamson suggests the probability that in other occupations
women would be found equally able to carry on the work without
injury to themselves or their future offspring if the same care were
taken in assigning them to work suited to their individual capacities.
As a further question for consideration, she suggests the possibility
that such examination and grading according to physical status
might be desirable for all employees without distinction of sex, as
tending to secure “ better output of work, and a lessened tale of acci
dents due to work.”
P O S T W A R OUTLOOK FOR WOMEN IN NONMUNITION FACTORIES IN E N G L A N D .i
In the early part of 1917 the British Government prepared careful
reports showing for each of the principal industries the extent to
which women had been substituted for men, the suitability of the
work for women in normal times, changes in method or equipment
rendered necessary by their introduction, the degree of skill involved
in the processes to which they had been introduced, etc. Now, at
the close of the war, they issue a revision of this material, “ brought
up to date by further inquiries and supplementary reports.” In
this later edition, special consideration is given to the question of
whether or not women are likely to be retained in the new fields they
have entered.
The new work done by women is divided according to its nature
into five groups—management, supervision, scientific work, process
work, and laboring, both indoors and out.
In management there was less substitution of women for men than
in the other groups, partly owing to the fact that there was at the
outset no supply of trained women fit to take command. In the
Government munition factories, where women were carefully trained,
there were some remarkable instances of women charged with the
full management of shell, cartridge, and filling factories. In the nonmunition factories, under private management, women reached such
posts more slowly, but before the end of the war they were holding
them in numerous industries. Reports that women were serving
successfully as managers or assistant managers were received from 21
industries, ranging from general engineering to brewing. In addition,
it is known that there has been considerable substitution of women
for men managers in steam laundries and clothing factories, and a
considerable number of women superintendents and heads of labor
bureaus in large works are acting practically as assistant managers
in the matter of engaging, allocating, and dismissing labor. How far
52
1 Home Office. Substitution of women in nonmunition factories during the war. London, 1919.
pp. Price 9d. net.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
these managerial positions will remain open to women in peace times
caifnot be forecast, but it is believed that “ some at least of these
will provide 'opportunities’ for women after the war.”
In supervisory work there was at first the same difficulty as in the
case of managers—there was a lack of sufficiently trained women for
the posts, but the drawback was more easily overcome. Contrary to
expectation, it was found that women worked better and got on
more easily under other women than under men, and the employment
of forewomen has been increasingly common. In this line it is
believed that an important field for the employment of women has
been opened up.
W ith th e en try of w om en in to th e m ore sk ille d b ran ch es of trade th ere has arisen
a d em a n d for th e te c h n ic a lly train ed forew om an, w h ic h w ill c e r ta in ly persist, and
m a y e v e n in crea se after th e war, w h en th e staffing of th e u p p er ranks of w o m en ’s
trades b y m en w ill fr eq u e n tly p resen t d ifficu lties. In ad d itio n , th e e x ten sio n of
w elfare p rov isio n u n d er th e P o lic e , F actories, e tc ., A ct, w ill create and m u ltip ly
p osts in co n n e c tio n w ith th e m a n a g em en t and w ork in g of ca n teen s and k itch en s,
m essroom s, cloakroom s, lavatories, an d th e a d m in istration of first aid , ca llin g for
train ed w o m en to fill th em .
In scientific work it is believed that women have secured a perma
nent footing. There is likely to be a considerable demand both for
women with university training who can act as works chemists and
carry on research in factory laboratories, and for intelligent working
women in routine laboratory work. In the making of scientific
instruments women have done particularly well:
T h e sp ecia l a p titu d e of w om en for m a n y of th e processes is n ow recogn ized am ong
em p lo y ers, w h o sh ow a strong d isp o sitio n to c o n tin u e to em p lo y th em after th e war
an d are in som e cases alread y m a k in g p lan s to do so. B o th on its sc ie n tific and on
its m e ch a n ica l sid e th e lig h t, clea n and d e lic a te work of sc ien tific in str u m e n t m ak in g
ren ders i t a p e c u lia r ly su ita b le in d u str y for w om en and girls; and one of th e m ain
o b jectio n s to th eir e m p lo y m en t— th a t th e prewar w orks w ere for th e m ost part old
an d u n com fortab le and ill-a d a p ted to th e n e e d s of w o m en — is fast passin g aw ay w ith
th e erection of n e w factories b u ilt to m e et war req u irem en ts, som e of th em w ith th e
exp ress pu rp ose of staffing th em w ith w om en .
In process work it was found that women could be successfully
employed on many of the heavier processes formerly considered suitable
only for men. Their work in skilled processes has not been carried
so far as in the munition factories, possibly because less provision
for their training was made in the nonmunition factories. Many of
the new processes undertaken by women might well be retained by
them permanently:
So far as u n sk illed , an d to a certain e x te n t se m isk ille d , processes are con cern ed , a
v ery large proportion, form erly in th e h a n d s of m en , are n ow b e in g satisfactorily
carried o u t b y w o m en , and m ost of th em w ou ld b e su ita b le for th e e m p lo y m en t of
w om en after th e war if th ere is a d em an d for th e ir labor. S u ch satisfactory su b stitu
tio n , co v erin g a v e ry w id e field , is seen to a d v a n ta g e in th e boot and shoe in d u stry
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in w h ic h w om en are n o w b e in g e m p lo y ed in som e areas in m an u factu rin g th e h e a v ie s t
t y p e of boots, in c lu d in g arm y boots.
In a few p rocesses su b d iv isio n has. b e e p fgu n d
n ecessary, b u t in th e great m ajority of cases w om en perform th e op eration s ju st as
form erly m en perform ed th em . L ig h t lea th er ta n n in g is an oth er good e x a m p le of
general su b stitu tio n of w om en for m en th rou gh ou t a ll th e processes of an in d u stry .
The substitution of women for men in laboring work was general
and continued up to November, 1918. The success of such substitu
tion, especially in work carried on in the open air, depends on the
careful selection of women of the right type. The general feeling
seems to be that where light laboring work is concerned, women
render good service and will very probably be retained, but where
heavy work is in question their employment is economically dis
advantageous and is open to objection on other grounds.
The question of the retention of women in the new occupations
in which they have made good depends largely upon the attitude of
trade-unions. In the engineering trades, there was a definite promise
on the part of the Government that the suspension of trade-union
restrictions which made possible the introduction of women should
be only for the duration of the war, and that on the coming of peace
the old conditions should be restored. This, however, would affect
only the Government and munition factories. But in many of the
nonmunition industries agreements were made between employers’
associations and the unions relating to the employment of women, in
which definite stipulations were made as to the processes in which
they might be substituted, and permitting their work in these occupa
tions only so long as there should be a scarcity of suitable male labor.
In other industries women came in without any agreements having
been made concerning them. The situation, therefore, is a compli
cated one, with the outcome depending to a considerable degree upon
the attitude taken by the trade-unions. Nevertheless, the authors
of this report are inclined to think that women will retain a con
siderable part of the wider field they have occupied during the war:
T w o co n sid eration s, h o w ev er, arise a t th e p resen t stage. F irst, th ere w ou ld appear
to b e a fairly large n e w field of p ossib le fu tu re a c t iv it y for w om en in trades in to w h ic h
th e y h a v e b een b rou gh t d u rin g th e war w ith o u t agreem en t. S e c o n d ly , it seem s
clear th a t if th e c o u n tr y ’s in d u stries are to b e m a in ta in ed and its w ea lth in creased
(m atters of v ita l im p o rtan ce in v ie w of war losses, ex p e n d itu r e s, and d e b t), th e em
p lo y m e n t of w o m en m u st b e m u ch m ore e x te n s iv e th an heretofore. Large n u m b ers
of m en h a v e b een in c a p a c ita te d for th eir p rev io u s in d u stria l o ccu p ation s; others m ay
n o t resu m e th eir prew ar work. M oreover, great ex ten sio n s of factory p rem ises and
p la n t h a v e ta k en p la c e d u rin g th e period of th e war, and i t m a y rea son ab ly b e e x
p e c ted th a t, for m a n y years to com e, th ere w ill b e a d em an d for p ro d u ctio n from
B ritish factories in e x ce ss of th e prew ar p u tp u t. T o m e e t th is d em an d fresh su p p lie s
of labor w ill b e n e e d e d , an d th e o n ly con sid era b le u n ta p p ed reserve of labor e x is tin g
before th e war w as th e labo.* of w om en . I t is therefore to w om en th a t th e n ation m u st
look to su p p ly a n y la rg ely in creased d em an d for w orkers.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1407]
M O N T H L Y LABOK R E V IE W .
242
T h e d efin itio n an d regu larization of w o m en ’s p o sition in in d u str y sh ou ld b e assisted
b y th e rem arkab le in crease d u rin g th e war of w o m e n ’s organizations, an d th e o p e n in g
to w o m en , in a n u m b er of trades, of m e n ’s u n io n s w h ic h h ad n e v e r p r e v io u sly a c ce p te d
w o m en m em b ers.
DEMANDS OE ENGLISH WORKING WOMEN.i
Since the signing of the armistice, unemployment has been in
creasing among English women at an alarming rate. The closing
of munition factories threw thousands out of work, and as yet the
normal industries of peace time have not revived sufficiently to
relieve the situation among these ex-munition workers. There is a
demand for women in domestic service and also in laundries, but in
both cases the wages offered are so low and the conditions of work
so unattractive that the women say they will not take the positions
except as a last resort. Apparently employers still wish to gauge
women’s wages by the standards prevailing before the war, while
the women not only maintain that due allowance shall be made for
the rise in the cost of living, but also insist that prewar standards
were too low, and that wages must not be permitted to sink again
to those levels. There is a determined effort on foot among the
workers, men as well as women, to secure a larger portion of the
returns of labor than fell to their lot before the war. Different
organizations naturally seek to compass this end by different means,
and the women have adopted as one method a campaign of publicity.
As a first step in the program a mass meeting was held February
15, in Albert Flail, London, at which woman workers, skilled and
unskilled, drawn from every kind of work in which the women of the
country are engaged, were represented. The great majority, ac
cording to the newspaper reports, were “ young and lively girls,”
who nevertheless were able to discuss, keenly and intelligently, the
situation in which they and their comrades found themselves. “ The
deadly significance of the meeting was that so large a proportion of
its members were already out of employment, drawing the unem
ployment donation because employment can not be found, and that
they represented close on half a million women throughout the
country who are also at this moment out of work.”
The special purpose of the meeting was to put forward what the
women term the three points of the working women’s charter: The
right to work, the right to live, and the right to leisure. The fol
lowing resolutions were presented, discussed, and passed:
The right to w o rk.— T h a t th is m e e tin g affirms th e righ t of ev er y m em b er of th e com
m u n ity to work or m a in ten a n ce. I t v ie w s w ith alarm th e h u g e arm y of u n em p lo y e d
w orkers for w h o m th ere seem s no p rosp ect of s u ita b le e m p lo y m en t. I t c a lls u p on th a
G o v ern m en t to ta k e im m e d ia te ste p s to organize sc h e m es of u sefu l w ork a n d of train *Compiled from Manchester (England) Guardian and labor papers.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[14G 8]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
243
in g w ith fu ll m a in te n a n c e for w orkers w h o can n o t find e m p lo y m e n t in th e ir ow n
o ccu p a tio n s so th a t th e y m ay h e e q u ip p e d for n e w occu p ation s. I t d em an d s th e
rete n tio n of th e n a tio n a l factories as cen ters of p ro d u ction of a n atio n a l k in d , an d also
as tra in in g and e x p e rim en ta l cen ters. I t p o in ts o u t th a t th e r ep le n ish m en t g en era lly
of n a tio n a l w e a lth lo st ow in g to th e war, and th e satisfaction of th e le g itim a te n e e d s of
th e c o m m u n ity for a ll k in d s of co m m o d ities an d serv ices, w ou ld p ro v id e su fficien t
e m p lo y m en t for a ll if organized on th e basis of p u b lic good in stea d of p r iv a te profit.
T h e m e e tin g reco g n izes th a t a ll workers, w h eth er b y brain or h a n d , sk ille d or
u n sk ille d , h a v e a com m on b on d of u n io n in th e ir com m on serv ice. I t d em an d s eq u al
con sid eration for clerica l an d professional workers, an d p led g es itse lf to w ork for
closer cooperation b e tw e e n u n ion s, an d again st a n y se x or class d istin ctio n s.
The rig h t to life .— T h a t th is m e etin g v ie w s w ith grave con cern th e d eterm in ed
efforts w h ic h are a t p resen t b e in g m ad e to u n d erm in e th e standard of w o m e n ’s w ages,
and in m a n y cases to red u ce w ages to far b elo w e v e n th e ir prew ar pu rch asin g pow er.
I t therefore desires to im p ress u p on th e m in ister of labor th e a b so lu te n e c e s sity for
th e im m ed ia te e x ercise of h is pow ers u n d er t h e W ages (T em porary) R eg u la tio n A c t
and th e ex ten sio n of th e a c t p e n d in g th e e sta b lish m e n t of p erm an en t m a ch in ery to
fix a leg a l, b a sic w age su fficien t to in su re to e v e r y a d u lt w orker, as th e v e r y lo w est
sta tu to ry b ase lin e of w ages, su fficien t to p ro v id e a ll th e req u irem en ts of a fu ll d e v e l
o p m e n t of b o d y , m in d , an d character.
The rig h t to leisure.— T h a t th is m e etin g ca lls u p on th e G o vern m en t for th e im m e
d ia te in tro d u ctio n of a righ t to leisu re b ill fix in g a norm al w orking w e ek of 40 hours,
w ith a m a x im u m of e ig h t hours p er d a y , so th a t fu ll o p p o rtu n ity for recreation an d
p h y sic a l an d m en ta l d e v e lo p m e n t m ay b e a v a ila b le for all.
. *U
:
Throughout the meeting emphasis was laid on the fact that the
unemployment from which women and men alike were suffering co
existed with a tremendous need of manufactured articles, and that
if peace-time production were organized with a tithe of the energy,
resource, and determination shown in the days of the war, the need
for work and the need for goods might both be satisfied. The na
tional factories, instead of being sold to private capitalists, might
easily be utilized for production on a national scale. A shop steward
from Woolwich Arsenal presented this point effectively:
In W oolw ich , sh e said, th e m a ch in es w ere id le in sid e th e arsenal, an d th e girls
w ere id le o u tsid e th e Labor E x c h a n g e . T h e y k n ew th a t m a n y th in g s w ere n e e d e d ;
th e y k n ew th e y co u ld m ak e th em . W h y sh o u ld th e y b e c u t off from u sefu ln ess, an d
forced to su b sist u p on doles?
A deputation was appointed from the audience present to wait
upon the Prime Minister and lay the resolutions before him. No
report has yet been received as to what reply the Prime Minister made.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[14G 9]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES.
a'dXJi . .., . ■ i .
; j.;. -j,.-:
ACCIDENTS AT METALLURGICAL WORKS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1917.
The fourth report of the United States Bureau of Mines on accidents
at metallurgical works, recently issued as Technical Paper 215, shows
a slight increase in the fatality rate and a small decrease in the rate
for nonfatal injuries for both ore-dressing plants and smelting plants.
The returns for smelting plants include copper, lead, zinc, and
quicksilver smelters, as well as refineries, but do not include iron
blast furnaces. The figures for ore-dressing plants cover concen
trating plants for copper, lead, and zinc ores, stamp mills, cyanide
plants, iron-ore washers, flotation mills, sampling works, etc. ‘
While this report is not absolutely complete, it is said to cover
more than 90 per cent of the industry in the United States. The
number of men reported employed at both smelters and ore-dressing
plants in 1917 was 08,487, as compared with 66,194 in 1916.
The number of fatal injuries reported for 1917 was 47 at ore-dressing
plants and 53 at smelters, the fatality rates being 1.93 and 1.05 per
1,000 300-day workers, respectively. In 1916 the rates were 1.41 for
ore-dressing and 0.73 for smelting plants.
In 1917 there were 2,952 nonfatal injuries reported at ore-dressing
plants and 7,745 at smelters, the rates for nonfatal injuries being
121.12 per 1,000 300-day workers for ore-dressing plants and 152.88
for smelters. The rates for 1916 were 135.66 and 195.61, respectively,
for the two classes of plants.
The table following shows the number of days of work performed,
the actual number employed, the number of 300-day workers, and the
accident rates for both fatal and nonfatal injuries at metallurgical
works in 1915, 1916, and 1917:
SUMMARY OF LABOR AND ACCIDENTS AT METALLURGICAL WORKS IN THE UNITED
STATES, 1915, 1916, AND 1917.
Killed.
Employees.
Industry and year.
Days’
work per Actual
formed.
num
ber.
Ore-dressing plants:
1915......................... 5,732,184
1916 i ...................... 7,041,083
1917 i ...................... 7,311,499
Smelting p lan ts:2
1915......................... 10,878,486
1916 i ........................ 14,809,046
19171...................... 15,197,643
Per
Ac
tual 1,000
em
num ployday
basis. ber.
ees.
On
300-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per
1,000 Actual Per 1,000 Per 1,000
300num employ 300-day
day
ber.
ees.
workers.
work
ers.
18,564
22,365
24,111
19,107
23,470
24,372
30
33
47
1.62
1.48
1.95
1.57
1.41
1.93
2,095
3,184
2,952
112.85
142.37
122.43
109.65
135.66
121.12
31,327
43,829
44,376
36,262
49,363
50,659
38
36
53
1.21
.82
1.19
1.05
.73
1.05
5,718
9,656
7,745
182.53
220.31
174.53
157.69
195.61
152.88
1Not including auxiliary works, as shops, yards, etc.
244
Injured.
[1 4 7 0 ]
2Not including iron and steel.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
245
Tables showing causes of accidents indicate that at the ore-dressing
plants machinery was responsible for about 30 per cent of all fatalities
and for over 15 per cent of all nonfatal injuries. In the smelting
plants machinery caused about 23 per cent of the deaths and nearly 7
per cent.of the nonfatal injuries. Falls of persons represented over
19 per cent of the fatalities at ore-dressing plants and over 15 per
cent at smelting plants.
The report contains separate data relating to auxiliary plants,
which include machine shops, carpenter shops, yards, and general
construction. In these plants 50 per cent of the fatalities were due
to falls of persons, and a large percentage of nonfatal injuries were
due to hand tools, falling objects, and falls of persons.
The tables show the importance of the various causes of accidents
at metallurgical works and should serve as guides for the safety
engineer as to where preventive measures might be used most
effectively.
NEW HAZARDS IN ELECTRIC ARC WELDING.
The following article on new hazards in electric arc welding, by
Alfred W. Jansen, safety engineer, New York Navy Yard, is reprinted
from “ Safety,” the bulletin of the Safety Institute of America, for
February 1919 (pp. 44-46):
T h e a d o p tio n of e lectric arc w e ld in g in th e sh ip b u ild in g in d u str y as a su b stitu te for
r iv e tin g has p resen ted n e w dangers to w ork m en , w h ic h , u n d er som e c o n d itio n s are
u n u su a lly hazardous. T h e e y e has b e e n ta k en care of, for in r ec en t years th e dangers
from th is in te n se lig h t h a v e b een stu d ied b y sp ec ia lists an d a d eq u a te p rotection has
b e e n g iv e n . B u t th e harm ful effect of th ese lig h t rays u p on th e tissu es of th e h u m an
b o d y has h ad lit t le a tten tio n . H ow to p rotect th e w orkm an from th is hazard is m ore
e a sily so lv e d w h en th e cau se of th e in te n s ity of th e lig h t ray is k n ow n u n d er a ll con
d itio n s.
T h e c o m p lete sp ectru m u su a lly p resen ted in th e process of e lectric arc w e ld in g
is com p osed of th e v is ib le , th e u ltr a -v io le t, an d th e infra-red rays. T h e e ffe c tiv e
sp ectru m sca le ranges from abou t 0.2 to 2.5 m icrons. Of th is th e u ltr a -v io le t is from
0.2 to 0.4; th e v isu a l sp ectru m from 0.4 to 0.7; and th e infra-red from 0.7 to 2.5. T h e
u ltr a -v io le t and th e infra-red, th e in v is ib le rays, are th ose h arm fu l to th e exp osed
tissu es of th e b o d y . T h e in te n s ity of th e in v is ib le rays is d eterm in ed b y th e tem p er
atu re of th e arc and th e surroun dings w h ic h m ay eith er reflect or absorb th e lig h t.
W h ile it has b e e n k n o w n th a t p a in fu l b o d y bu rn s h a v e resu lted from exp osu re to
th e se ex trem e lig h t rays, it has n o t b een d eterm in ed w h eth er th e y are caused b y
th e u ltr a -v io le t or th e rays in th a t p o in t of th e sp ectru m w h ere th e X ray is foun d.
T h e infra-red rays are n o t th e c a u se, for th e y h a v e o n ly an irr ita tin g effe c t an d are
rather u n co m fo rta b le an d fa tig u in g , b u t n o t e s p e c ia lly dangerous.
T h ere are no great hazards in arc w e ld in g d o n e in th e o p en , in shops, or in p laces
w h ere sp e c ia l screen s m ay b e erected to p ro tect th e w e ld e r an d th o se n ear b y . T h ey
h a v e n o t b e e n seriou s in con fin ed p la c e s su ch as boilers, w h ere th e su rrou n d in gs h a v e
absorbed so m e of th e in t e n s it y of th e lig h t a n d n o t reflected it. B u t on board sh ip ,
in c o m p a r tm e n ts w h ere th e w ork in g sp a ce is h a r d ly large en ou gh for tw o m en to b e
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1471]
246
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
e m p lo y ed a t th e sam e tim e a n d w h ere th e e n tire su rrou n d in gs h a v e b e e n co v ered w ith
re$ lea d , th e dangers of th e lig h t rays se e m to b e g rea tly in creased .
jNot v e ry lo n g ago, e le ctr ic arc w e ld in g wrae in tro d u ced aboard a large s te e l sh ip
u n d er co n stru ctio n , in a co m p artm en t as d escrib ed a b o v e. T h e w eld er h ad w orked
w ith th e sa m e app aratu s for som e tim e u n d er ord in ary c o n d itio n s an d h ad n o t e x p e
rien ced a n y bu rn s on th e ex p o sed parts of h is b o d y . W ith in a few hours th e m an
c o m p la in ed of bu rn s on h is n e c k a n d c h est. A close e x a m in a tio n of th e sk in sh ow ed
it to b e d ried u p a n d crack ed , v e ry m u c h lik e an old p ie c e of ch in a , on w h ich th e
g la zin g h a s b eco m e crazed. A d d ed to th is th e sk in wras s lig h tly in fla m ed an d was
d eep er in color on th e righ t sid e of th e n eck . H ere th ere w as a sp ot ab o u t th e s iz e of
a n egg w h ic h seem ed to h a v e b e e n su b jected to m ore exp osu re th a n other parts of th e
b o d y . T h ere w as a l it t le tin g e of b lu e on th e in fla m ed sp ot w h ic h look ed lik e a burn
ca u sed b y th e X ray. I t w as d e c id e d th a t th is w as d u e to th e im proper ad ju stm en t
of th e face m ask , w h ic h cau sed co n sta n t exp osu re to th e d ir e c t rays. T h e b u m s on
th e back of th e n e c k w ere a p p a ren tly cau sed b y th e in te n sifie d rays reflected from
th e red lea d . T h e th in cotton sh irt worn b y th e w eld er d id n o t afford su fficien t pro
te c tio n for h is ch est. O ther parts of t h e b o d y covered b y m ore c lo th in g w ere n o t
a ffected in a n y w a y .
A fter four d a y s th e b u rn ed co n d itio n h e a led su ffic ien tly to p erm it further e x p e r i
m e n ts to d eterm in e th e cau se of th is u n u su a l co n d itio n . T h e w eld er w as su p p lie d
w ith a lin e n ban dage lin e d w ith lea d foil, w h ic h h e wore as a collar to p ro tect th e
en tire n e c k . A s u ltr a -v io le t rays w ill n o t pass throu gh lea d , an d as no fu rth er b u m s
ap p eared , i t w as d e c id e d th a t th e u ltr a -v io le t rays w ere th e cau se of th e trou b le.
A s th e w eld er had w orked w ith th e sam e app aratu s u n d er oth er surroundings, i t w as
c o n c lu d e d th a t th e reflected rays from th e su rfaces p a in te d w ith red lead w ere in creas
in g th e pow er of th e h arm fu l rays to su ch a d egree as to cau se p a in fu l bu rn s. T h e
u ltim a te resu lt of su ch sev ere b u m s m ig h t e v e n lea d to cancer.
T h e n e x t e x p e r im e n t w as m ad e b y w e ld in g in a co m p artm en t w h ic h h ad n o t b een
red lea d ed , a n d w h ere t h e su rfaces w ere m ore or less of th e n atu ral m e ta l color. T h e
hazard in th is case w as v e ry m u ch red u ced . N o sp ec ia l app aratu s b e in g a v a ila b le
for m easu rin g th e in te n s ity of th e rays in th e red -lead ed com p artm en t, it is n o t know n
w h eth er th e u ltra -v io let rays had reached th a t p o in t in th e sp ectru m sca le w h ere th e
X ray is foun d. I t seem s, howrever, th a t th e red lea d h ad eith er th e e ffect of absorb
in g th e infra-red rays, an d th e r eb y in te n sify in g th e u ltr a -v io le t, or th e red lead con
v erted th e infra-red to u ltr a -v io le t rays.
A s in sh ip b u ild in g th e se w orking co n d itio n s in a co m p artm en t are e x tre m ely com
m on, an d as th e burns p rove so in te n se , it seem s a v e ry n ecessary p recau tion to h a v e
a ll t h e w e ld in g d o n e before th e su rroun ding su rfaces are red lea d ed . T h is is th e su rest
w a y of g iv in g th e w orkm an m a x im u m p rotection .
FATAL INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN CANADA DURING 1917.
During 1917, according to a report1of the Canadian Department of
Labor, there were 1,195 fatal industrial accidents in Canada, an
increase of 245, or 25.8 per cent, as compared with 1916. The
steam railway service, the report states, showed a slight reduction
and the mining group a slight increase in percentage of fatalities as
compared with 1916. In the lumber industry the percentage was
more than doubled, while in the metal group the percentage remained
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 The Labor Gazette (Ottawa), March, 1919, pp. 372-374.
[14721
247
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
the same as that of 1916. The following table shows the total num
ber of fatalities and the percentage distribution by industry or occu
pation :
NUMBER OF FATAL INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION, BY
INDUSTRY OR OCCUPATION, IN CANADA, IN 1917.
Industry or occupation.
Agriculture...........................................................................................................
Fishing...................................................................................................................
Lumbering..........................................„..............................................................
Mines, smelters, and quarries.............................................................................
Railway, canal, and harbor construction...........................................................
Building and construction...................................................................................
Metals, machinery, and conveyances..................................................................
Woodworking trades.............................................................................................
Pulp and paper mills................ ...........................................................................
Clothing................................................................................
Textile.................I.................................................................................................
Food, tobacco, and liquor....................................................................................
Chemicals and explosives...................................................................................
L eather..................................................................................................................
Steam railway service.........................................................................................
Electric railway service.................................................
Miscellaneous transport........................................................................................
Navigation.............................................................................................................
Public utilities....... ...............................................................................................
Public and municipal employment.....................................................................
Miscellaneous trades.............................................................................................
T otal......................................................................................................
Fatal
accidents.
Percentage
of total.
40
24
156
235
13
64
123
7
24
2
2
16
26
2
262
10
45
53
29
20
42
1 ,1 9 5
3 .4
2 .0
1 3 .0
2 0 .0
1 .1
5.4
1 0 .3
.6
2 .0
.1 7
.1 7
1 .3
2 .2
.1 7
9.9.. 0
.8
3 .8
4 ,5
2 .4
1 .7
3 .5
1 0 0 .0
Of the fatalities 200 were caused by falling objects, 150 by explo
sive substances, 144 by railroad cars, 124 by persons falling, and 112
by drowning, while a number of different causes were responsible for
the remainder.
The report states that the practice in previous years of recording
nonfatal accidents has been discontinued owing to the difficulties
involved in compiling the information, and because the results when
obtained were of a nature so approximate as to be of little use for
statistical purposes.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 4 7 3 ]
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W ORKM EN’S COMPENSATION.
SELECTION OF THE PHYSICIAN UNDER COMPENSATION LAWS.
BY JOHN W. MOWELL, M. D., MEDICAL ADVISER TO THE INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE COMMIS
SION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE MEDICAL AID
BOARD.
[Paper read before the fifth annual m eeting of the Internationa! Association of Industrial Accident Boards
and Commissions, held a t Madison, Wis., Septem ber 24-27, 1918.]
The selection of a physician under compensation laws depends
largely upon the law itself; so what I have to say will be from the
standpoint of the compensation law of the State of Washington, and
it resolves itself into the following:
First. The free choice of a physician by the injured workman.
Second. The selection of a physician by the employer, after se
c u r i n g the consent of his workmen to contract for their care.
Third. The selection of the physician for special work, by the in
dustrial insurance commission through the medical aid board.
Under what is known in our State as the “ State plan,” the law
grants the workman the privilege of select ing his own physician in case
of injury, provided he resides within a reasonable distance from the
injured workman. While this plan seems quite equitable and it ap
pears to be the natural thing to do, it has a good many shortcomings.
For instance, to the isolated workman who is employed in a locality
where there are only one or two physicians, free choice means little,
and the injured workman has to accept the services of the first physician
he can obtain. However, in the larger cities where there is a great
number of physicians we find that some of the workmen make a wise
choice while quite a large per cent of them for some reason or other,
select a physician who is not very well equipped for the work at hand.
We often find that a workman who has received a serious fracture
will select a physician who knows little about fractures; also a man
who receives an injury to his eyes may go to an ordinary practitioner
for treatment until the serious nature of the case makes it necessary
to transfer him to an eye specialist, whom he should have consulted
in the first instance. This occurs more or less with reference to all
kinds of injuries. We have seen numerous times, and once within
the last month, a workman who had received a Colies’ fracture,1 that
had never been badly displaced, but had been treated by a long an
terior and posterior splint extending over the fingers. The splints
1A Colles’ fracture is a fracture of the lower end of th e radius, w ith displacem ent backward.
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were retained two months. This man was past middle age and not
only his arm but his entire hand was so disabled that it was practically
useless, not due to the fracture but due to the manner in which it was
handled. His condition is such that he practically will have a useless
arm and hand the rest of his life.
We have also seen numerous Pott’s fractures 1 that were treated
by physicians who were not well up in handling this particular frac
ture, and did not appreciate the final results that are so apt to follow.
The claimants are disabled from lack of proper alignment and left
in a seriously crippled condition.
Since surgeons learn largely from experience in handling these cases,
the surgeon who handles few may entirely fail to appreciate the con
dition that he is dealing with and trust too much to chance, and after
it is too late to remedy the condition he finds that he has been quite
shortsighted.
To my mind the principal thing that can be said in favor of free
choice of physician by the injured workman is the effect that it has
on his mind; that is, the feeling that he is getting what he wants.
Under the contract plan we have a good deal of the same condi
tions to contend with, since in isolated districts it is impossible to
keep a physician in the locality under the “ free choice plan,” so some
physician, and very often the man with very little experience, locates
in the district and contracts with the employer for the care of his
workmen, on a monthly payment basis, so that he may be able to
maintain himself in that location. He proceeds to handle everything
that may follow, to the misfortune of the workmen, and gets his expe
rience, sometimes, at the expense of the workmen and employer. If
he is a close observer his work will improve, as it is largely along one
line.
In the larger industrial centers some of the contract men are very
efficient “ business getters” and obtain their contracts largely from
enterprise in that direction. They must, however, give service equal
to any that can be given in the district, or they are not able to retain
their contracts. This they either do by becoming quite efficient
themselves or associating themselves with some surgeon who is well
equipped to do the work. The medical aid board also has this check
with reference to contract work, that it must be satisfied that the
surgeon who is taking the contract is able to give the men as good
service as they can get in that locality. The same rule holds good in
the isolated districts.
There is one unfortunate feature of the contract plan that has
given and is at present giving the State medical aid board considerable
trouble. It is the commercializing of the contract plan by noni A P o tt’s fracture is a fracture of the lower end of the fibula, accompanied w ith injury to the ankle joint
so th a t the foot is dislocated outw ard.
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medical men who form a hospital association and then go to the
employer and employees and by offering them some special induce
ment get the signatures of the workmen; giving their consent to the
employer to make a contract for their care. Then they secure the
services of a surgeon and pay a small part of the proceeds to him
for the work and keep the remainder. This has brought about a
lot of dissatisfaction among the workmen and the physicians of the
State, causing some agitation at the present time toward State
hospitals for the care of workmen under the industrial act.
Under the head of “ Selection of surgeon for special work,” the
medical aid board requires, by rule, where a contracting surgeon
is not able to do the work personally that he must furnish the services
of a specialist.
Under free choice of physician the medical aid board, by rule,
reserves the right to transfer a man for treatment to a surgeon of its
own choice where it becomes evident that the injured workman is not
receiving the service that he should at the hands of the physician
of his choice. In making this selection the board is guided entirely
by its knowledge of the various kinds of work that the different
surgeons of the State are best fitted to do. This knowledge is based
on seven year’s experience observing the work done by the physicians
in the State.
In conclusion, I would like to say that for the ordinary accident
I feel that the workman should have “ free choice of physician,” but
in more serious accidents it would be much better if he would take
the advice of some one who is in a position to know what physician
is best equipped by experience, or otherwise, to treat the particular
condition from which he is suffering. In this way the permanent
partial disabilities resulting would be fewer and the injured man
would be left in better shape to take up a gainful occupation, for the
disability awards, although as liberal as under any compensation
act, are not in keeping with what the workman loses.
REPORT ON OHIO WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND
BY STATE BOARD OF COMMERCE.
The Ohio State Board of Commerce has issued a report of 22 type
written foolscap pages presenting the results of an investigation
made by it of the workmen’s compensation insurance fund of the
State. This investigation was conducted by means of questions
sent to employer members of the Board of Commerce, to “ about
500 employers selected at random and without reference to the
number of their employees, their business, or location ” to be answered
by their employees who had been injured, and to about 2,000 doctors,
likewise selected at random.
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The investigation was made early in March of this year. Answers
were received from 307 employers and 576 doctors, though not5all
of these answered every question. The number of employees
answering is not given, but the largest number reported as answering
any single question is 180. The object in undertaking the investi
gation is stated to be “ for the purpose of ascertaining as accurately
as possible the facts as to just how the State fund in Ohio is being
administered, and how effectively it is accomplishing the results
contemplated by the workmen’s compensation law of the State.”
Numerous inquiries had been received from interested persons within
and without the State, employers, business organizations, and
legislators, and the facts are sought to enable the board to make
answers thereto. All letters asked for a “ fair, comprehensive
report,” not proposing to discuss the workmen’s compensation
principle on its merits but asking for an “ opinion of how the law
is being administered.”
Employers were asked the number of their employees, whether
or not they are subscribers to the State insurance fund", whether the
State inspects plants to determine classification, and whether such
classification is satisfactory, data as to procedure and results includ
ing promptness and fullness of settlement, complaints by employees
and medical practitioners or hospitals, whether the employers
advance money for benefits or for doctors’ services, etc.
Questions to employees inquired as to the promptness of first
payments, number of papers required to be filled out, need or other
wise of help in filling out the papers, payment of fees to doctors or
others in order to get medical attention or to secure an award, delavs
or incompleteness of payments, etc.
Physicians and surgeons were asked whether they treated indus
trial accident cases and if not why, how much filling out of papers
was required and whether it could be reduced, whether charges were
cut down, whether they were promptly paid, whether they required
from employer or workmen a guarantee of payments in advance,
whether benefits were promptly paid, etc.
All classes were asked whether correspondence was promptly
answered, and employers and doctors were asked if they had changes
to recommend.
The answers furnished were summarized with comment, and while
a measure of importance must be attached to the results of this
investigation, they can not be looked upon as in any sense complete
or authoritative. Most disconcerting of all is the frequent mani
festation of a spirit willing to discover faults, rather than to secure
unbiased statements. Some of the questions are so phrased as to
encourage the airing of dissatisfaction and the making of complaints
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rather than the development of the facts on which an opinion might
be formed. Then, too, the complaints enumerated in the report
are mainly such as may be offered against an}?- compensation law,
few of them being based on matters peculiar to a State fund system.
For instance, the law makes insurance compulsory on employers
of five or more persons, unless financial competency as self-insurers
is satisfactorily proved, self-insurers contributing also to the State
surplus fund. It is commonplace that such competence can most
often be shown by large employers and that they normally make
up the class of persons who desire such a privilege and secure legal
provision for the same. Yet the fact that large employers consti
tute the larger percentage of self-insurers is dwelt upon with con
siderable elaboration, reaching the conclusion that “ it would seem
that there must be some particularly important reason for so large a
percentage of the employers of larger numbers of employees not taking
advantage of the State insurance fund.”
Again, to the question: “ Are you satisfied that you are properly
classified?” 179 answers were received, many employers not answer
ing it. Thirteen employers “ did not know.”
As against only 105 who answer this question in the affirmative, 61 answer that they
are not satisfied that they are properly classified. * * * With only 105 affirm
atives out of 179 answers to this question, we are unable to say that, as for our mem
bership at least, there is any general satisfaction that the various plants are under the
proper classification for rates.
It is computed that “ of those answering (this question) 34 per cent
were dissatisfied.” It is just as easily derivable that of 307 employers
returning schedules but 20 per cent took exceptions to the State’s
ratings, and that “ only” 61 in all were not satisfied.
Doctors feel quite generally the burden of writing out reports,
keeping records, etc., but are far from being agreed as to how practi
cably to reduce this work. Asked if they are satisfied with the
dealings of the commission with them, 361 say “ yes,” 155 answer
“ no,” and 21 indicate qualified approval.
No attempt is made to generalize on the answers of employees
beyond an opinion that there is delay in settlement, and but little
information of real significance seems to have been obtained from
them.
Two persons, one employer and one doctor, are quoted as speak
ing of political influences affecting undesirably the work of the
commission, while several doctors object to the commission’s methods
of handling their bills. Some employers complain that rates are
too high and that settlements are slow. On the other hand, improve
ment in the medical administration is noted by one doctor, while
employers’ letters are quoted expressing satisfaction with the law
and its administration.
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COMPENSATION FOR PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITIES UNDER
FEDERAL COMPENSATION ACT.
Recent compensation data compiled by the United States Em
ployees’ Compensation Commission show that the benefits awarded
under the permanent partial disability provisions of the Federal
Compensation Act are exceedingly low as compared with similar
benefits awarded under most of the States acts.
The working out of a satisfactory basis of compensation benefits
for injuries causing partial disability has been most difficult. Com
pensation for temporary total disability is inadequate, especially
in view of the fact that while the employee may be able to return to
work of some sort within a few weeks he is handicapped for life by
reason of some maiming or other injury which interferes with his
ability as a workman. To provide for such contingencies two
methods have generally been adopted. One method, found in most
of the State acts, is the adoption of a specific schedule of injuries for
which benefits are awarded for fixed periods, ranging generally from
200 weeks for the loss of an arm to 15 weeks for the loss of a little
finger, the payments being based upon the percentage of wages earned
at the time of the injury. According to the second method, found in
three or four State laws and in the Federal act, compensation benefits
are based upon the wage loss occasioned by such disability, payments
continuing during incapacity but usually subject to maximum limits.
The advantages of the “ schedule” method of compensating for
partial disabilities is its simplicity and definiteness. It is maintained
that there is an apparent fixed proportionate loss for which an
equitable award can be made, and which should be made in every
case at the time of the injury. The advocates of the “ percentageof-wage-loss” method contend that the wage loss may develop with
the passing years and that the subject of the amount of compensa
tion should be open to revision in accordance with the changing
conditions. On the other hand, this method leaves the matter open
to remote contingencies and to the possibility of the disability arising
at a time when there would be no fund available from which the
employee could be compensated. Furthermore, the removal of the
employee or other change of conditions might make it impossible to
take any steps in the way of proof and the securing of the contem
plated compensation. For example, take a typical case under the
Federal act: A man sustains an injury which results in the loss of a
hand. In three months he returns to work for the United States
Government at his previous wage. Under the circumstances the
only compensation he can be awarded under the provisions of the
act is for the three months total disability period. True, as long as
he receives full wages he is financially better off than he would bo
114339°— 19-----17
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drawing compensation benefits. On the other hand it is undoubtedly
also true that the loss of a hand ordinarily constitutes a serious economic
handicap, the effect of which, though not discernible at present will
nevertheless be felt eventually. The probability of his receiving no
additional compensation in the event of a future decreased wage or
loss of employment increases with the lapse of time.
The average duration of disability and the amount of compensa
tion paid in cases of permanent partial disability under the Federal
Compensation Act from September 7, 1916, to December 31, 1917, is
shown in the following table:
COMPENSATION AWARDED FOR PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITIES UNDER
FED ERA L COMPENSATION ACT, SEPT. 7, 1916, TO DEC. 31, 1917.
Nature of injury.
Number.
Dismemberments: Loss of—
Hand
........................................................
Thumb.............................................................
Finger..............................................................
Two nr more fingers.......................................
One phalange..................................................
One loot...........................................................
One leg.............................................................
One eye...........................................................
Toe or toes.......................................................
Tnfe.1 rjismemherments______________
Average
Average Average Average total com
days of compensa medical pensation
and
total dis
expendi
tion
medical
ability.
ture.
paid.
expendi
ture.
6
4
51
47
98
3
6
25
19
8 8 .3
5 8 .5
6 2 .8
6 9 .6
3 8 .6
1 2 9 .0
2 5 9 .8
5 1 .3
6 9 .2
$ 1 5 5 .7 7
7 2 .1 5
7 7 .7 4
1 0 4 .5 5
5 6 .6 0
1 4 7 .9 1
3 4 4 .2 2
7 5 .0 0
8 7 .9 2
$ 1 4 7 .0 0
9 .3 8
2 7 .2 3
3 0 .5 9
1 7 .4 0
7 3 .1 7
66. 74
8 1 .0 6
3 2 .3 0
$3 0 2 . 77
8 1 .5 3
1 0 3 .6 1
135. 77
7 4 .0 1
2 2 1 .0 8
4 1 1 .1 6
1 5 6 .0 6
1 2 0 .2 2
259
5 7 .2
8 3 .8 4
3 3 .6 4
1 1 7 .4 8
6
48
4 8 .2
5 6 .5
6 8 .8
4 8 .3
1 0 1 .1 2
1 1 2 .0 6
1 6 9 .5 7
7 3 .1 1
1 1 .3 4
4 2 .5 9
3 6 .8 4
1 5 .8 8
64.01
115.35
185. 77
234.26
195.56
77.34
9.73
70. 00
178.51
31.11
15.35
49. 71
66.40
86.28
43.17
87.53
39.15
51.55
138.11
1 1 2 .4 5
1 5 4 .6 5
206. 41
8 9 .0 0
71.81
165.06
252.16
320.54
240.06
164.87
48.88
121.55
316.62
31.11
Loss of Use of—
Shoulder..........................................................
Arm..... ...........................................................
Hand................................................................
Thumb.............................................................
Finger..............................................................
Two or more fin g e rs .......................................
One foot...........................................................
One leg.............................................................
Both legs.........................................................
One eye”(partial loss of vision)......................
Both eves (partial loss of vision)...................
One ear............................................................
Jaw ...................................................................
Great toe.........................................................
31
1
2
2
1
42.5
71.5
103.66
147.9
105.7
51.1
9.0
35.0
91.0
18.0
Total loss of use...........................................
265
72.6
120.44
47.80
168.23
1
1
1
1
5
2
1
1
1
14.7
267.0
87.0
72.0
57.8
131.0
15.0
52.0
32.0
557.81
153.34
123.82
98.50
233.34
24.45
42. 96
152.89
60.00
60.00
51.00
244. 55
28.45
10.00
28.69
710. 70
213. 34
183.82
149.50
477.89
52. 90
10. 00
71.65
Total other permanent partials.................
14
68.5
116.30
59. 97
176.28
Grand total...................................................
538
62.9
102.70
41.30
144.00
10
15
70
12
20
44
3
Other Permanent Partials:
Impairment of hearing...................................
Mitral regurgitation; aortic stenosis............
Cardiac dilitation...........................................
Myocardiac degeneration...............................
Weakness of back...........................................
Loss of testicles...............................................
Stricture in meatus.........................................
Tuberculosis....................................................
Palsied condition............................................
The above cases include only those in which the disability ter
minated before June 30, 1918. In addition there were 50 cases of per
manent disability (including several total disability cases) for which com
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pensation was still being paid on the above date. Were these cases
included in the table the average amount of compensation would of
course be somewhat greater, but would far from equal the amount paid
in similar cases under most of the State compensation acts. It will
be noted that the average compensation paid for the loss of a hand
was only $155.77; the average for the loss of a foot, $147. 91; and the
average for the loss of an eye was $75. These amounts would
only be about 10 per cent of the benefits which would probably be
received under State acts. It should be borne in mind, however,
as previously stated, that the compensation amounts shown in the
table do not include benefits which would be receivable in case of
future disability.
SAFETY AND MERIT RATING LAW OF WASHINGTON.
The Legislature of Washington at its session in 1917 enacted a law
embodying features that were novel in the United States, providing
for a State medical aid board of three members, with local boards
to assist in the work of administering the medical benefits of the
State compensation law. The State board consisted of the chief
medical adviser of the industrial insurance commission, and two
other members appointed by the governor on the nomination of the
employers and the employees of the State, two persons being proposed
by each group, and the governor selecting one. This board issued
rules and regulations and promulgated forms, but had no administra
tive authority, this devolving upon the local boards. Both classes
of members were to be paid for actual days of service rendered,
only part-time service being contemplated. The number of local
boards was to be fixed by the State board.
This measure is said to have effected great savings in time lost and
compensation required, but did not go to the root of the matter, in
that it contained no provisions as to safety and accident prevention.
The legislative session just closed enacted a law (chapter 30) which adds
important supplemental provisions, also superseding the former law in
part. It is the product of action taken by a committee appointed by
the industrial insurance commission to consider the question and make
recommendations. Seven employers and seven employees composed
the commission, which was unanimous in its recommendations, the
measure also passing with but a single opposing vote in the house,
and unanimously in the senate.
The provisions of the act are summarized by this committee in a
statement which is in the main as follows:
This safety bill is the result of the deliberation of the committee appointed by the
State Industrial Insurance Committee last September for the purpose of providing
safety measures under the State laws for workmen working under the classification of
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the industrial insurance act. It is the third of the industrial welfare measures coming
under this act; the first being the industrial insurance act itself, providing for com
pensation to injured workmen, framed by a committee appointed by the governor and
passed at the legislative session of 1911. The second was the medical aid bill which
is amendatory and a part of the industrial insurance act passed by the legislature at
the 1917 session. This is the third of these measures, an amendment to the com
pensation act, and its provisions are such as are intended to decrease the number of
industrial accidents occurring in the State, and thereby decreasing the time loss of
workmen and the consequent expense to the State accident fund, and rewarding or
penalizing those industries that respectively comply with the law or fail to comply
with the law.
The medical aid act passed in 1917 according to the statement of the chairman of
the industrial insurance commission was largely responsible for the decreased time
loss and consequent decreased expense to the State accident fund of 1918 over the
previous year of 1917, this in face of the larger employment throughout the State
during the year of 1918.
The framers of this measure have every confidence that when once this measure
becomes a law a still larger decrease of accidents throughout the State will be the
result of its operations.
The measure provides that every workman employed in industries classified under
the compensation act shall have, first, a safe place to work; second, the machinery
with which they work shall be so safeguarded as to reduce injury to a minimum, and
third, that these workmen shall receive educational instruction by qualified safety
engineers to the end that they will know the dangers incident to their employment
and be .alert to these dangers always.
The measure provides that it shall be administered by the two members of the
present medical aid board other than its medical member, and further provides
that the State coal-mine inspector and the State labor commissioner shall be advisory
members of this board, but without vote. It couples the machinery of the State labor
commissioner and the State mine inspector offices in such a manner that both of these
departments have supervision over the industries of the State in their respective
spheres as regards the safe place and safety-device provisions of this act; that is, these
two offices with their traveling inspectors see to and report upon what establishments
do or do not comply with the provisions of the law as laid down under the rules and
regulations promulgated by the State safety board.
The measure further provides for the division of the State into
three districts, each of which is to have a district board comprised
of two members, one member—being an employer nominee, and one an employee nominee to the State central
board which has the power of final appointment. Each of the members of the dis
trict board must pass a qualifying examination before the State safety board on
safety engineering, its educational features and other functions entering into safety
work, as well as on first aid to the injured workmen.
The functions of these district boards will be dual in nature; that is, their work
will come under both the State safety board and the State medical aid board. They
will have charge of the educational features of the work within their district. In
addition it will be their duty to analyze every serious accident th at occurs within
their district to the end that they shall place the responsibility for the same and
endeavor to prevent similar accidents in the same or other establishments presenting
similar conditions. They will also have supervision of the care of workmen injured
in industries within their district, and will thus replace the present local medical aid
boards, which are done away with under the provisions of this new measure. That
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is, it is made a part of their duty to see that all the services th at enter into the care
of a workman who is injured are adequate and efficient under the provisions of the
medical aid law, to the end that the time loss sustained by such workmen shall be
as small as possible, thus increasing the working time of the individual and decreasing
the drain upon the State accident fund resulting from his injury.
These local district boards are under the direct supervision of the State central
board, to which they make all reports, and from which they receive the rules and
regulations provided for by this act.
The merit rating features of the measure are fourfold in character:
1-—Providing for safe place standards, or safe place of work, providing that es
tablishments fully complying with the same shall receive a merit reward of five per
cent of the total of the contribution of the establishment so complying to its class
accident fund, and inversely, those establishments not complying shall be penalized
five per cent of their total annual assessment.
2. —Those establishments placing into effect the safety device standards or ma
chinery safeguards will receive a merit reward of another five per cent of their con
tribution to their class accident fund, and if they fail to comply they will be penalized
by having to pay into their class accident fund five per cent of the total of their
contribution.
3.
—Establishments fully placing into effect within their establishments and
amongst their workmen the educational features of the bill, will be rewarded an
additional ten per cent of their annual contribution, or penalized ten per cent if
they fail to do so. This will make it possible for an establishment to receive under
the above three rules a total of 20 per cent of their contribution to their class accident
fund annually, or failing to do so have a penalty of 20 per cent assessed against them;
or, they may have the reward or penalty under any one or two of the above rules.
The fourth feature of the merit rating section of the measure provides that an
establishment that has complied fully with the three previous rules, that is, safe
place, safety device, and educational standards, and shall by experience show to
have cost its class accident fund 25 per cent less than the average of the class to which
it belongs, shall receive a reward of five per cent, and if it fails to comply with the
three foregoing rules, is penalized five per cent, provided that its cost does not exceed
25 per cent of the average of the class; but if experience shows that the establishment
cost its class 50 per cent, or more, than the average of the class, then the establish
ment is penalized 10 per cent, and inversely, if the establishment has cost 50 per
cent less than the average cost of its class, it is rewarded 10 per cent. Thus it is
possible for an establishment under the provisions of this act that has fully com
plied with all of its rules, and whose experience has proven of the best, to receive a
reward of a total of 30 per cent of its entire contribution to its class accident fund
annually.
The experience rating under the bill is made to cover an experience period of
five years, and for this purpose a statistical department is created under this board
for the purpose of compiling an experience table from the files and records of the
industrial insurance department covering the period from January 1, 1915, to
December 31, 1919, thus obtaining a five-year basic experience rating table; here
after the first year of each five-year period will be dropped and the last previous
year added, thus making a continuous five-year period upon which to base the ex
perience rating under this measure.
The members of the State safety board and of the district boards shall be full time
members devoting their entire time to the work of this and the medical aid law. It
is provided that the members of the State board shall have a salary of $4,800 annually
each, and the members of the district board, $3,600 per year. The bill further pro
vides for the expense of the administration of the same. I t makes the tenure of
office for all members of all boards six years.
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The sum of $350,000 was appropriated for the first two years’
operation of the act, one-half payable out of the general fund of
the State, and one-half out of the medical aid fund. The act will
go into effect June 13 of this year, and a reduction of accidents by
50 per cent is the minimum result to be sought.
REPORTS OF WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION COMMISSIONS.
CONNECTICUT.!
By an act of the legislature of 1917, the report of operations under
the compensation law of Connecticut was changed from annual to
biennial, the pamphlet here noted being the first since the amend
ment. There is no provision in the law for such reports as would
make possible any complete statement as to the number of persons
under the act, the duration of incapacity, or the results of the
injuries, either as to disabilities finally existing or costs of compensa
tion. The report discloses, therefore, only in a very general and
indefinite fashion the facts that are of primary statistical importance
as to the operations of an act of this kind.
Reports of accidents have been required since the law was enacted
in 1913, but statistics of accidents given in this report for the 5
districts taken together cover a period of but 22 months, from January
1, 1917, to November 1, 1918. The number reported for this period is
79,184. During the same time 19,083 voluntary agreements were
approved by the commissioners, 1,890 hearings had, and 1,291
findings and awards made.
Other data were obtained by correspondence, the reply to which was
dependent on the inclination of the person addressed. The period
covered by the inquiries was the two years ending November 1 , 1918.
Self-insurers reporting had an average of 145,705 employees, paid
compensation in 6,262 instances, and furnished medical or surgical
aid in 263,666 additional cases where compensation was not due.
Compensation paid during the period amounted to $556,821, and
medical, surgical, and hospital bills to $535,543. It must be kept in
mind that medical and surgical aid under the Connecticut law is not
limited, except that it must be “ reasonable,” and it is set forth in the
report that “ the keynote of our system” is “ that the proper time to
cease treating an injured employee is when he needs no further treat
ment.” The amount spent by self-insurers for compensation and for
medical aid approximate quite closely; even so, the medical cost per
case is slightly below $2, taking compensated and noncompensated
cases together.
1Fourth Report of the Board of Compensation Commissioners, for the years 1917 and 191-8.
ford, 1918.
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259
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
Insurance companies reported approximately 399,180 employees
covered by insurance policies during the same two-year period, during
which they paid out $1,169,513 in compensation, and $820,842 for
medical, surgical, and hospital services. The number of beneficiaries
is not reported.
A number of recommendations for amendments conclude the report.
These vary in importance, but among them may be noted one affect
ing the schedule of awards for maimings, suggesting that such awards
instead of being in lieu of all other payments be in lieu of all other
awards except for the period of total disability following the loss of a
member; one extending the maximum benefit period for partial
disability from 312 to 520 weeks; and one adding the following pro
vision as to the kind of injuries that may be compensated:
If an in ju ry arises o u t of an d in th e course of th e em p lo y m en t, i t sh a ll b e no bar
to a cla im for com p en sa tio n th a t i t can n o t b e traced to a d e fin ite occu rren ce w h ic h can b e
lo ca ted in p o in t of tim e an d p la ce, nor sh a ll it be a d e fe n se th a t it is, eith er in w h o le
or in part, a d isease.
OKLAHOMA.
The biennial report of the Industrial Commission of Oklahoma,
reviewing the operation of the workmen’s compensation law for the
two-year period, September 1, 1916, to August 31, 1918, shows the
following amounts paid out in compensation and medical benefits
during this period: For the year 1916-17 there was paid out in com
pensation the sum of $318,681.46, while the amount paid out for
medical expense amounted to $188,015.12. For the year 1917-18
the compensation paid to injured employees aggregated $456,988.88,
and for medical attention there was expended the sum of $210,776.24.
The number of accidents reported under the compensation law
during this period is shown in the following table:
NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS REPORTED UNDER OKLAHOMA COMPENSATION ACT FOR
TWO-YEAR PERIOD, 1916-1918.
Accidents resulting in
disability of1—
Permanent
total
disability.
Permanent
partial
disability.
1916-17...........................................
1917-18...........................................
4
7
363
401
12,281
16', 213
2,912
3,705
15,193
19,918
Total...................................
11
764
28,494
6,617
35, 111
Year.
Total.
2 weeks or
less.
Over 2
weeks.
1 Apparently Includes permanent disability accidents.
Although the Oklahoma act is a compulsory one, many of the
employers apparently refused to comply with its provisions. The
1917 legislature found it necessary to create the position of inspector
whose duty it is to look up the delinquents. The inspector reported
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
1,220 employers who had failed to comply with the provisions of the
act.
The recommendations of the commission included the following:
The period of medical attention should be extended from 15 days to
30 or even to 60 days in the discretion of the commission; compensa
tion should be granted for disfigurement; the maximum weekly
compensation, which is $10 at present, has been found to be inade
quate and should be increased; and the scope of the law should be
increased to cover more employments.
P E N N S Y L V A N IA .
The insurance commissioner of the State has published in separate
form that portion of his report for 1918 which contains the tables
showing “ the significant facts pertaining to workmen’s compensation
insurance in Pennsylvania during the years 1916 and 1917.m The
tables show coal mining and other industries separately, the business
of insuring workmen’s benefits in coal mining under the compensation
law being handled as a distinct class, apart from all others. This
work is carried on mainly by an organization known as the Associated
Companies, only three other agencies handling bituminous business,
and but one other—the State fund—anthracite business.
Attention is called to the fact that the expense ratio for insurance
in the State is less than the average for the whole country. Actuarial
computation had fixed the expense ratio at 42.5 per cent of the pre
miums, while the experience of 1916 and 1917 showed but 38.3 per
cent as the expense ratio of nonparticipating companies writing
general lines, and 31.5 per cent for those writing mining insurance.
The difference in the case of mining is accounted for by the fact that
the amount allowed for commissions is 7.5 per cent less than in other
lines. Participating companies generally showed an expense ratio
of 19.4 per cent, while that of the State fund was 14.9 per cent for all
lines of insurance except coal mining.
An independent rating and inspection bureau is stated to have
effected a considerable saving in operating expense, and to have
worked more economically and efficiently than could be the case
where the work is done by the individual companies. One achieve
ment of this bureau, under the chairmanship of the insurance depart
ment of the State, was the revision and reduction of rates in the fall
of 1918, when the effect of the abnormal increases in wages could be
taken into consideration. This review resulted in a 5 per cent
reduction in the general classes and of 10 per cent in bituminous
mining, saving to the employers of the first group approximately
1 Forty-fifth annual repo rt of the Insurance Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
I I . H arrisburg, 1918. x x v iii pp.
1918. P art
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
S500,000 per year, and to those of the second group about $300,000.
No substantial change was found to be warranted in anthracite
mining.
The following table shows premiums, losses, and expenses of all
companies writing a general compensation business and of those
earning premiums in excess of $1,000,000 for the two years, 1916, 1917.
FR EM IU M S, LO SSES, AND E X P E N S E S , 1916, 1917 F O R A L L P R IN C IP A L C O M PA N IES W R IT
IN G C O M PEN SA TIO N IN SU R A N C E O T H E R TH A N COAL M INING.
E x
pense
ratio.
Prem ium s
earned.
Losses
incurred.
Expenses
incurred.
All carriers............. ................................................
$15,358,033
$8,513,327
$5,227,814
55.4
34.0
P articip atin g ..................................................
N onparticipating...........................................
3,423,113
11,934,920
1,848,162
6,665,165
664,290
4,563,524
54.0
55.8
19.4
38.3
A etna Life...............................................................
M aryland C asualty...............................................
Ocean A ccident.....................................................
Pennsylvania M anufacturers.............................
State fun d ...........................................................
Travelers.................................................................
1,560,923
1,175,404
1,120,384
1,078,761
1,277,166
2,535,007
785,286
734,625
614,906
499,616
801,999
1,383,465
579,154
446,131
408,587
184,129
190,682
980,035
50.3
62.5
54.9
46.3
62.9
54.6
37.1
38.0
38.5
17.1
14.9
38.7
Insurance carrier.
Loss
ratio.
Similar data are shown in the following table for coal mining for
the same period, but covering all business written:
PR EM IU M S, LO SSES, AND E X P E N S E S , 1916, 1917, FO R A LL COM PA N IES W R IT IN G COAL
M IN IN G CO M PEN SA TIO N IN SU R A N C E.
Insurance carrier.
Prem ium s
earned.
Losses
incurred.
Expenses
incurred.
Loss
ratio.
E x
pense
ratio.
All carriers..............................................................
$6,272,045
$3,898,272
$1,772,549
62.1
28.3
Associated co’ panies..........................................
E ureka C asualty...................................................
Pennsylvania B itum inous M u tu al...................
State fu n d ...............................................................
4,562,878
434,137
260,015
1,015,015
2,928,061
174,160
99,601
696,450
1,442,033
'100;060
79,510
150,946
64.2
40.1
38.3
68.7
31.5
23.0
30.6
14.9
The following table shows the amount and distribution of the pure
premium, i. e., the net premium required to pay compensation
benefits only, and the number of compensable injuries, by classes,
for all compensation insurance and for selected industries, based on
the experience of policies issued in 1916.
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262
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
PURE PREMIUM E X PERIEN CE AND COMPENSABLE INJURIES, POLICIES ISSUED
IN 1916.
Pure premium.
Industries.
Per Per
Pay roll Death
and Other
ma ma
In(mil perma
nent nent
Med
delions). nent com
Tem terpen ical Total. Death. total par
Total.
porary.
tial
total sa- aid.
dis dis
midisa tion.
abil abil
nate.
bility.
ity. ity.
All schedules........................ $1,234.0
30.24 $0.28 $0.11 $0.63
1,276
64
853
43,460
890
46,543
.16
1.56
.71
.22
.94
.70
.10
.27
.20
.48
2.77
1.62
786
128
362
39
3
22
691
19
143
32,619
1,643
9,198
731
26
133
34,866
1,819
9,858
.77
.11
.04
.02
.12
.04
.15
.70
.20
.08
.04
.13
. 14
.29
.18
.10
.05
. 03
.06
.05
.13
1.65
.41
.17
. 09
.31
.23
.57
44
26
14
3
9
5
13
2
89.4
34.1
17.3
22.7
21.8
2
39
37
22
3
8
13
27
860
1,443
1,276
300
335
316
1,006
35
29
14
5
9
4
15
980
1,535
1,328
377
362
338
1,063
53.7
75.2
70.7
13.7
22.3
15.8
.31
.14
.11
.30
.08
.37
.37
.30
.32
.33
.23
.26
.18
.17
.19
.10
.86
.61
.62
.73
.42
.78
70
44
36
17
2
2
2
2
2,979
3,992
3,170
517
14
623
92
66
41
16
16
3,192
4,183
3,348
567
26
2
2
49
79
99
15
23.7
69.4
37.8
123.3
.42
.60
.51
.59
.32
1.24
1.17
.74
.27
65
125
50
4
7
3
1
30
75
1,029
3,782
2,209
2,665
All except coal mining.. 1,090.2
Anthracite mining........
18.7
Bituminous mining.......
125.2
Quarrying and stone crushm g.....................................
Pood, beverages and tobacco
Textiles................................
Needle trades.......................
Leather and leather goods..
Printing and publishing__
Wood products....................
Iron and steel manufacturm g......................................
Metal working......................
Machinery building.............
Clay products.......................
Glass products......................
Chemicals.............................
Construction, other than
building.............................
Building construction.........
Cartage and trucking...........
Stores and dealers................
Compensable Injuries.
13.3
45.4
.29
.10
.11
.11
.15
.13
.16
.13
.06
6
58
2
1
12
11
33
886
922
8
673
54
1,182
4,077
2¡ 314
2', 793
88
41
36
Indeterminate injuries will, of course, ultimately be distributed
among the other classes.
Certain details as to losses are shown for coal mining, in addition
to the general classes. The following table sets forth experience
under policies issued in 1916, showing the number of accidents,
classified by results, the total estimated losses incurred, the amount
paid and the estimated amount outstanding on December 31, 1917,
the average cost per case, the number of compensable accidents per
million dollars of pay roll and the distribution of net and pure
premium. The pay roll covered was for anthracite mines, $18,686,200,
and for bituminous mines, $125,175,800.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
LOSS A N A L Y S IS , C O A L M IN IN G COMPENSATION INSURANCE, POLICIES ISSUED IN 1916.
Injuries.
N um
ber oi Estim ated
total
acci
cost.
dents.
Paid to
Dec. 31,
1917.
ber
Aver Nofum
com
age
O utstand cost
pensable Pure
ing Dec.
accidents pre
per
31,1917.
per
mium.
acci $1,000,000
dent. pay roll.
A n t h r a c ite .
D e a th .......................................................
128
Perm anent to ta l.....................................
3
Perm anent p a rtia l.................................
19
Indeterm in ate.........................................
26
T em porary.............................................. 1,643
M edical................ ....................................
$283,925
8,182
23,037
51,411
95,928
51,045
$53,243
1,587
7,557
8.850
59,188
48,417
1,819
516,282
178,848
337,434
D e a th .......................................................
362
Perm anent to ta l.....................................
22
Perm anent p a rtia l.................................
143
Indeterm in ate.........................................
133
T em porary.............................................. 9,198
Medical.....................................................
815,883
69,345
168,893
205,306
498,426
254,586
129,316
8,506
65,987
22,047
360,953
222,972
686,567
60,839
102,906
183,258
137,473
31,615
2,026,611
809,781
1,216,830
All accidents................................
$230,682 $2,218
6,595 2,727
15,480 1,213
42,555 1,977
36,740
58
2,628
6.84
.16
1.02
1.39
87.86
$1.52
.04
.12
.28
.51
.27
97.00
2.77
3.0
.2
1.2
1.1
74.0
.65
.06
.14
.16
.40
.20
79.0
1.62
B it u m in o u s .
All accidents................................
9,858
2,254
3,152
1,181
1,544
54
WISCONSIN.
For the years 1914, 1915, and 1916, the experience of insurance
companies writing workmen’s compensation insurance was compiled
and published by the industrial commission. On August 1, 1917, the
regulation of this branch of insurance was transferred from the com
mission to the compensation insurance board. A recent report
issued by the board 1 shows the compensation business of insurance
companies in 1917; the expenses of companies in 1917 divided into the
main groups; the combined business since September 1, 1911; and the
experience by industry classes on policies issued in 1916.
Since the compensation act was passed Wisconsin employers have
paid to insurance companies slightly over nine million dollars in
premiums, and insurance companies have become liable for over five
and one-half millions in compensation and medical aid. Experience
by industry classes, for rate checking purposes, rests upon a pay roll
of $471,483,904.
During the year 1917 the total premiums earned by insurance
companies on workmen’s compensation policies amounted to
$2,258,040, or over one-half a million more than in 1916. This
increase is occasioned by stimulated industrial activity, a large in
crease in wages, and by an increase in rates which became effective
on September 1, 1917. In the figures and tables presented, several
companies which withdrew during the year are not included.
i Wisconsin Compensation Insurance Board. Insurance Experience Under Compensation Act. 1919.
18 pp.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
264
The premiums and losses were divided among the various groups
of companies as follows:
D IS T R IB U T IO N O F PR EM IU M S AND LO SSES.
Per cent of
to tal prem ium .
Insurance company.
68
73
73
77
31
1
4
64
W isconsin m u tu a ls ...................................................................
O ther m u tu a ls...........................................................................
Interinsu rers..............................................................................
Stock companies........................................................................
Expense ratio.
Loss ratio.
17
34
37
39
The expenses of insurance companies for compensation business
transacted in 1917 is shown in the following table:
E X P E N S E S O F IN SU R A N C E C O M PA N IES F O R 1917 C O M PE N SA TIO N B U SIN ESS.
Inspection.
Insurance company.
A djustm ent of
claims.
Acquisition.
Taxes.
Home office.
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
cent of
cent of
cent of
cent of
cent of
earned A mount. earned Amount. earned A m ount. earned Amount. earned
Amount. pre
pre
pre
pre
pre
m i
mi
m i
m i
m i
ums.
ums.
ums.
um s.
ums.
Wisconsin m u tu als.. $13,468
1,552
Foreign m u tu a ls___
Stock com panies___
220
36,150
All companies.
51,390
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3.0
264,624
2.8
is. 3
$880
923
3,013
31^ 460
0.1
3.0
3.1
2.2
$62,271
5,820
29,900
141,722
9.0
19.4
30.0
9.8
286,292
12.7
36,276
1.6
239,713
10.6
2.8
$20,838
830
6.3
5.1
2.0
5.1
.2
3.9
3.8
2.4
$19,074
1,178
3,812
91,104
2.3
115,168
[1*90]
SOCIAL INSURANCE
REPORT OF WISCONSIN SOCIAL INSURANCE COMMITTEE.
The Wisconsin Special Committee on Social Insurance, appointed
in 1917 by virtue of legislative enactment, has just made its report.1
The committee was authorized “ to thoroughly investigate the subject
of 'social insurance/ including insurance against occupational dis
eases and sickness, as to the necessity as well as the wisdom of legis
lation upon this subject.”
After hearing the representatives of various organizations the
committee decided to limit itself to a study of the subject of health
insurance. No consideration was therefore given to old-age, invalid
ity, or unemployment insurance. “A careful study of the subject
in the light of economic and social conditions in Wisconsin,” says the
report, “ has lead the committee to the conclusion that the acceptance
of compulsory health insurance is neither practical nor feasible at
this time.” The chief reason given for rejecting a compulsory
health insurance system was that there was no urgent demand or
special need in Wisconsin at this time “ which would make health
insurance, as a compulsory measure administered by governmental
authority, either necessary or expedient.” The committee recog
nized, however, “ that sickness of the wage earner, with the consequent
loss of wages, is a problem more or less serious in our State.”
In place of health insurance the committee recommended that the
present agencies for preventing sickness should be extended and made
more efficient. As regards occupational diseases, the committee is
of the opinion that these should be included in the workmen’s
compensation act.
F IN D IN G S O F T H E C O M M IT T E E .
The number of wage earners engaged in industrial activities was
estimated at 400,000, the annual pay roll of the State at about
8400,000,000, and the cost of a compulsory health insurance system
operated by the State at about $20,000,000. The views of the several
groups in the State directly interested in the subject were as follows:
Organized labor favored a compulsory health insurance system; the
attitude of the employers “ would seem to be that the subject is still
in its theoretical stage and has not as yet received sufficient study
and investigation to justify any legislative action or definite recom»R eport of the Special C om m ittee on Social Insurance.
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265
266
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
mendations ” ; the State Medical Society at its annual convention in
1917 went on record as indorsing the general principle of health
insurance, although there was a wide divergence of opinion among
the rank and file of the physicians of the State.
Other findings of the committee included data on savings deposits;
investments in building and loan associations; labor-union, fraternal,
and establishment insurance; housing and sanitation; dependency
and poor relief ; and mortality among young children.
C O N C L U S IO N S O F M A J O R IT Y .
The conclusions reached by the majority of the committee are as
follows:
In approaching the subject of health insurance, it must be conceded that its appeal
is at once humanitarian in motive and that it possesses at the same time the promise
of economic value; and any project that involves the general welfare of mankind is
worthy of acceptance, providing that it lies within the province of feasibility. A
careful study of the subject in the light of economic and social conditions in Wisconsin
has led the committee to the conclusion that the acceptance of compulsory health
insurance is neither practical nor feasible at this time. There is no urgent, welldefined demand for an innovation which on the one hand imposes a heavy tax upon a
large nonparticipating constituency, and on the other intends to serve only a com
paratively small number of beneficiaries.
While it is true that the Wisconsin Fed action of Labor and State Medical Society
have gone on record in favor of the principle of health insurance, investigation among
individual members of both organizations shows a woeful lack of knowledge or informa
tion on the subject, with no definite plan for the practical operation of such a law.
Outside of these two organizations, the committee has been unable to find that there
is any demand for the proposed legislation. In fact, the committee was at a dis
advantage at all times during its investigations because the public generally knew
nothing about the subject and the few who did appear at the hearings had only very
meager information.
The committee has not been convinced from the evidence presented that there is
any necessity for such an act. The wage earners of the State are on the whole thrifty
and independent, and they have not sought paternalistic direction or aid in 'their
private affairs and home life. We believe that the Liberty Loans and Thrift Stamp
campaigns have produced a remarkable development in the saving habit, especially
among the wage earners, which will further aid this group to tide over periods of
sickness.
The climatic conditions of the State are conducive to health and longevity; the
average housing is sanitary and the general living habits of the people are commend
able. There are no fever-ridden lowlands, nor are the cities afflicted with slum dis
tricts. Consequently, the health status of the State compares most favorably with
that of other States. In fact, there are no extraordinary conditions which would
justify unusual relief measures.
In brief, there are no outstanding social or economic conditions in Wisconsin at this
time which would make health insurance, as a compulsory measure administered by
governmental authority, either necessary or expedient.
If health insurance, which admittedly possesses the ring of human appeal, were
really deemed a necessity in relieving distress and raising standards of physical
efficiency, it could not at this time under the constitution of the State be made a com
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
267
pulsory act. At best it would have to remain a voluntary instrument until an amend
ment to the constitution would enable the legislature to adopt a compulsory system.
The suggestion that such voluntary system could be made effective through the
application of the ingenious devices which now characterize the workmen’s compensa
tion act will hardly hold. True, the compensation act is a voluntary instrument,
but its successful operation is not due so much to the device which brings industrial
forces automatically under its operation, unless definite objection is filed, as it is to
the ready acceptance by both employer and employee.
A voluntary health insurance law would not meet with the same ready acceptance
because it involves wider and deeper considerations. I t is on the whole a greater
project from an economical point of view, and carries with it serious and complicated
administrative considerations.
The controlling feature in the compulsory health insurance movement should, after
all, be in the direction of prevention rather than cure. While its immediate object
is to afford temporary relief, financial and physical, to the man who is ill, its ultimate
aim should be to establish surroundings and a mode of life that will insure bodily
health and vigor.
The question, therefore, “ Shall the effort of the State and of private management
be directed chiefly toward prevention of sickness, or instead, toward relief through
treatment and compensation after disability arises?” is both timely and reasonable.
Or in the language of another authority “ A n y system of health insurance for the
United States or for any State should have at its inception prevention of sickness as
one of its fundamental purposes. ’’ Thus the problem is summed up in the final query
“ Is it more humanitarian to indemnify or to prevent?”
This being the real problem, it also follows that the State which is deeply concerned
in the physical and moral welfare of its citizens must strive toward preventive meas
ures of a permanent nature, rather than trifle with curative expedients.
If the State of Wisconsin has not as yet, through proper legislation, realized her
own possibilities in raising the health standards of her population to their highest
attainable point, then the opportunity to do so is still within her grasp. If her cli
matic conditions, the living habits of her people, together with incomplete statutory
regulation, have produced results far more favorable than those attained by the
country at large, then it also logically follows that the attainment of more complete
regulation in these directions is in order. Hence, it would seem wise to hold that the
expenditure of $1,000,000 for preventive measures will serve the cause of public
health in the State more effectively than the expenditure of twenty times that sum
in an experimental curative.
The remarkable results being obtained in this State by means of preventive work
inaugurated by the State and local health departments are more than gratifying,
considering the limited appropriations available for the purpose.
The speedy adoption by the other large cities in the State of the public nurse
system, which is already rendering such efficient preventive-service in Milwaukee,
will do much to solve the problem of sickness at large.
While the committee recognizes that sickness of the wage earner with the conse
quent loss of wages is a problem more or less serious in our State, it is not satisfied that
health insurance would be a proper remedy.
The committee feels that before adopting legislation of this nature, with its cum
bersome and coercive administrative features, an effort should be first made to extend
and make more efficient our present preventive agencies.
A more liberal attitude in appropriations to our State and local boards of health
will do much in solving the health problem. The machinery of these agencies is
already in operation, and but little, if any, legislation would be necessary to extend
the scope of their work.
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We believe that prevention rather than indemnification is a better solution of the
problem.
We see no reason why sickness of the wage earner can not be fully met by dimin
ishing illness, without attaching at the same time to this effort a complicated plan of
insurance as contemplated by the proposed health insurance legislation.
Practically all the provisions of the so-called standard bill refer to the method of
inaugurating the insurance system and the question of the prevention of illness
receives but little, if any, consideration.
Since any compulsory health insurance measure which contemplates a contribu
tion to the fund on the part of the State will first require a constitutional amendment,
the committee in the meantime offers the following suggestions:
1. We urge upon the legislature the necessity for more liberal appropriations for
the support of the State board of health and the encouragement of correspondingly
liberal appropriations on the part of the local boards of health, including the appoint
ment of a paid county health officer in every county of the State. We also deem it
advisable to direct special attention to the State health laboratories, with the hope
that they may be made in the course of time centers of preventive medicine and
become useful in the possible future development of so-called group medicine.
2. We urgently recommend the universal introduction of physical and medical
examinations into all the public schools and other State educational institutions of
Wisconsin. We have arrived at the opinion that a reorganized State health service
must rest primarily upon adequate methods of child and school hygiene, including
the periodical physical and medical examination of all children during the period of
school life.
3. As a means of securing more adequate care, especially during prolonged illness,
we are of the opinion that the legislature should give encouragement to the establish
ment of district nursing centers of various types best adapted to local requirements.
4. The reduction of infant mortality should be made a part of the public health
program and we recommend that a bureau of child welfare be established in connection
with the present State health organization.
5. The legislature also should give liberal encouragement to the development of
financial community support of hospitals and sanatoria, as most urgently called for
by local conditions, subject, of course, to wide variation throughout the State. We,
however, feel that every county should have not less than one (1) thoroughly equipped
modern hospital for general purposes.
6. While our investigations have not disclosed very serious deficiencies in the
housing of our wage earners, we are of the opinion, nevertheless, that the legislature
should provide for the adoption of a comprehensive housing plan adapted to the future
needs of our growing industrial population. The relation of ill health to unsanitary
methods of housing is so clearly established that it requires no arguments to reem
phasize the urgency of this recommendation by an appeal to the facts, which are
understood by all who have given the matter serious consideration.
7. We are of the opinion that occupational diseases should be included in the
workmen’s compensation act, and recommend that proper legislation to this end be
enacted.
8. Finally, we would recommend that the State insurance department concern
itself more actively with the supervision and control of voluntary insurance under
takings having for their object the pecuniary relief or medical attendance, or both,
of wage earners during more or less prolonged periods of illness. I t seems to us that a
standardized plan of organization and procedure might be worked out under the
direction of the insurance commissioner, and recommended to the wage earners of the
State as well as to the employers of labor for individual or collective adoption.
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MEMORANDUM OF MINORITY.
In submitting its report the minority made the following com
ments:
The committee appointed pursuant to joint resolution No. 5A (1917) and chapter
604, Laws of 1917, since its creation has held a few hearings and attended one con
ference each in Philadelphia, Pa., and Cleveland, Ohio. The decision of the com
mittee at its first meeting, to devote itself mainly to the subject of health insurance,
was not because accident, invalidity, old age, unemployment, and mortuary were
not subjects which merited attention, but only to stay within the appropriation.
These matters should be given close consideration by the legislature and laws should
be enacted to extend to the workers necessary safeguards.
At the hearings little was brought out which had not already been presented in
volumes of literature on the subject of health insurance.
The legislature did not create this committee particularly to ascertain the consti
tutionality of bill No. 610A, which I introduced in the 1917 session of the legislature,
or the so-called, standard bill tentatively adopted by the American Association for
Labor Legislation. If this bill is, as stated by the majority committee, constitu
tionally defective in some particular instance, it does not imply that it can not be
made adaptable to Wisconsin laws, or that Wisconsin laws may not be fitted to the
social needs of the State, and that it was not within the scope of the committee to so
recommend.
The majority of the committee makes certain recommendations based on the sup
position that “ any compulsory health insurance measure which contemplates a con
tribution to the fund on part of the State will first require a constitutional amend
m ent.”
At least one State has adopted a plan which eliminates the State as a contributor,
although I am inclined to think that participation in the fund on part of the State
would be held to be of a public nature and therefore valid in law.
At the last meeting of the committee, held January 7, 1918, I was requested to
eliminate criticism of the report of the majority. If I refrain from doing so to any
considerable extent it is because I believe that the position of the majority relative
to the feasibility of the plan contained in the standard bill is obviously untenable.
I can not agree, for instance, that the “ voluntary thrift ” of the people of Wisconsin
and the hardiness of the woodsmen of the last generation make health insurance
to-day undesirable or unnecessary.
I t has been said that the working people of the State do not understand the plan
proposed in the standard bill. This argument may likewise be applied to the com
pensation law, inasmuch as a great number are not conversant with the details of the
act, and yet they would not tolerate its repeal because of its general beneficial nature.
I have interviewed numerous representatives of labor and individual workers, and
the consensus is favorable to the plan of State health insurance. There seems to be
no disagreement as to the necessity of greater attention to the health of the people of
the State, and I am confident that the so-called standard bill generally is feasible
and will supply that need.
I can not join in the findings and conclusions of the majority of the committee,
and, therefore, recommend that a compulsory health insurance law be enacted
embodying the general scheme of bill 610A, introduced in the 1917 legislature.
114339°—19-----18
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RIGHTS OF BENEFICIARIES UNDER WAR-RISK INSURANCE ACT.
To correct an erroneous impression among relatives and benefici
aries of men in the military and naval service as to their rights under
the War-Risk Insurance Act the Secretary of the Treasury has issued
the following statement:
Considerable confusion and much misunderstanding seems to prevail among the
relatives and beneficiaries of men in the m ilitary and naval service as to their rights
under the War-Risk Insurance Act. Many mothers and fathers named as beneficiaries
of the Government insurance applied for by their sons have gained the impression
th a t they must prove dependency in order to receive payments of insurance. This
is an entirely erroneous impression probably due to a confusion of the insurance and
compensation provisions of the act of Congress of October 6, 1917, and to a mistaken
assumption that the terms “ insurance” and “ compensation” are used interchange
ably, whereas they represent two entirely separate and distinct benefits.
Insurance is payable regardless of any dependency and a beneficiary designated in
an application for Government insurance, if w ithin the permitted class of spouse,
child, grandchild, parent, brother, or sister is entitled to receive the insurance in
monthly installments without proving any dependency upon the insured.
“ Compensation,” however, which is separate and apart from insurance and takes
the place of the pensions provided under the old pension system is payable only
to a wife, child, dependent mother, or dependent father of a man who is disabled or
dies as a result of injury suffered or disease contracted in the line of duty while em
ployed in the active service. Compensation may be payable in addition to insurance,
but a mother or father must prove actual dependency in order to receive monthly
payments of compensation, although they will receive the insurance in monthly
installments if named as the beneficiary thereof whether they are dependent or not.
No dependency need be shown by any beneficiary in order to receive the Govern
ment insurance, but a mother or father must prove actual dependency upon their
deceased son for the necessaries of life in order to receive the additional payment of
compensation.
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LABOR LAWS.
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION LAW OF ARGENTINA.1
The compensation law of Argentina, which went into effect January
14, 1916, presents a few unique features in this class of legislation.
Under its provisions every employer, whether an individual or
corporate body, is responsible for injuries or death of persons em
ployed, occurring while engaged in and performing labor, whether
arising out of or in the course of such employment or due to a for
tuitous occurrence orto a force majeure inherent in the employment.
The act covers employees and laborers earning not more than
$3,000 Argentina money2 and who are employed in any of the follow
ing enterprises: (1) Factories, workshops, and in general all industrial
establishments using other motive force than man power; (2) con
struction, maintenance, and repair of buildings, railroads, docks,
dikes, canals and similar works; (3) operation of mines and quarries;
(4) transportation, loading, and unloading; (5) manufacture or use of
explosives, or inflammable materials or electricity; (6) forestry
(lumbering) and agriculture, but only persons engaged in transporta
tion service or in operating mechanical motors; (7) installing, repair
ing or dismounting telegraph or telephone systems or lightning rods;
and (8) every other similar industry or undertaking which under the
advice and recommendation of the department of labor shall at least
30 days prior to the occurrence of the accident have been declared
by the executive to be included.
No compensation is payable unless the injury oauses a loss of 6
working days, nor is the employer liable for injuries or death arising
from (1) the intentional act of the injured or deceased, or due to
his grave misconduct, or (2) by a force majeure foreign to the em
ployment. The faot that the injured man was working under the
supervision of a contractor does not relieve the employer of respon
sibility, except that in forestry or agriculture the contractor becomes
responsible for accidents due to the use of mechanical machinery
exclusively and directly owned by him.
Responsibility may be transferred to an insurance company, or an
employers’ mutual association complying with the following require
ments: (1) Maintaining a deposit in the National Bank of $50,000
1 Colección Legislativa de la República Argentina. Leyes Nationales. 1915. pp. 60 ff. Buenos Aires,
1917.
2In this article, up to the section “ Financial operations, 1916,” all money is Argentina paper money.
The Argentina paper dollar is equivalent to 42.5 cents United States currency.
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MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
Argentina money; (2) providing such funds by an established scale
of premiums as will be required to fill its obligations; (3) instituting a
reserve fund as fixed by the executive, and based on risks accepted
by the company; (4) exclusion of all clauses relative to the age of the
insured; and (5) maintaining a separate account of operations under
this law.
The amount of compensation provided for is as follows:
(1) For death, funeral expenses, not exceeding $100 Argentina
money and to the family an amount equal to the earnings of the
deceased for the 1,000 days of work next preceding the date of the
accident, not exceeding $6,000 Argentina money. Dependents are
limited to the surviving consort, and children under 16 years of age;
ascendants, grandchildren, brothers and sisters under 16 years of age,
living with and dependent upon the deceased at the time of the acci
dent.
(2) For permanent total disability, a sum equal to the compen
sation payable in case of death.
(3) For permanent partial disability, a sum equal to 1,000 times
the reduction in daily earning capacity.
(4) For temporary disability, one-half wages during the period of
incapacity. Temporary disability lasting more than one year is con
sidered permanent, and compensated as such, less any compensation
paid for temporary disability.
The Executive is authorized to determine by regulations the de
grees of incapacity.1
The obligation of employers and insurers (except in case of simple
temporary incapacity which is paid for directly by the employer)2
shall cease only upon the payment of the compensation awarded
into the National Annuity and Pension Fund, to be invested in bonds
of the national debt. The accruing interest shall be paid in monthly
installments as compensation due the claimant.
A guaranty fund is provided for, constituted by (1) compensation
due on account of death, no dependents being found; (2) annuities
remaining unpaid by reason of the death of claimants; (3) compensa
tion or annuities unpaid because the claimant leaves the country;
and (4) fines collected for contraventions of this law. This fund is
formed exclusively for payment of the expenses of the accident bureau,
and to satisfy claims unpaid by reason of a judicial decree of absolute
insolvency of the responsible party.
Compensation payments provided for are subject to no writ of
attachment or distraint, nor are they transferable or subject to com
promise or renunciation, nor can an employer be relieved of responsi1 T h is h a s b e e n d o n e .
S e e p . 276.
*Cr<5nica Mensual del Departamento Nacional del Trabajo. Buenos Aires, May, 1818.
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bility by any stipulation, and all agreements in conflict with the law
are declared null and void.
Upon the failure through fraud or negligence of the employer
to pay compensation the claimant may elect to recover under this
law or the common law, but the election of either forfeits, ipso facto,
all rights under the other, and the acceptance of any sum under
either limits his rights to proceedings under that method.
In case of bankruptcy of an insurance carrier, the share of the
assets belonging to the workmen’s compensation fund shall be re
funded to the insured employer, as determined by his rights in equity
or passed to the credit of the annuity and pension fund.
Occupational diseases causing incapacity or death are compensable
when the disease was contracted during the year previous to the
incapacity or death and originated exclusively in the exercise of the
occupation. The last employer is held responsible unless it is proved
that the disease was contracted while employed by another, in which
case the latter becomes responsible. If contracted gradually the
other employers for whom the claimant may have worked during
the year are required to share in the payment. In case of dis
agreement as to the amount of responsibility of each the question
must be submitted to arbitrators.
The same scale of compensation applies to occupational diseases
as to accidents. The Executive is authorized to prepare a schedule
of occupational diseases. This becomes effective 90 days after
publication.1
All accidents resulting in injury or death and occupational diseases
producing incapacity or death are required to be reported to the
department of labor by the injured or incapacitated person, or in
case of death, by his dependents and also by the employer.
The executive is directed to prepare a list of accident-prevention
measures to be adopted in industrial operations recognized as dan
gerous, and employers are required under penalty to install such
measures.
IN TERPRETA TIO N OF THE LAW.
The following interpretation of this law is taken from a work by
Alejandro M. Unsain, which gives at length an exposition of the
law.2 This law is national in its scope. The executive is charged
with formulating regulations thereunder for the Federal district
and the national territories, while each province may issue regula
tions for its enforcement within its own area. The fact that a
province fails to issue such regulations does not in the least diminish
the rights of employees nor the responsibility of employers.
1See Accidentes del Trabajo, Exposición y Commentaries, by Alejandro M. Unsain, p. 278.
2
Accidentes del Trabajo, Exposición y Commentarios, Alejandro M. Unsain. Buenos Aires. 289 pp.
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Industries Covered.
The law enumerates the classes of industrial establishments
covered by it, but some provinces have issued regulations in much
greater detail.
Classification of Injuries.
The Province of Buenos Aires enumerates the various classes of com
pensable injuries as: Traumatic lesions; wounds and bruises, internal
or external; articular dislocations; deformities, fractures, loss of
parts, mutilations, loss of functions due to traumatism, toxic poison
ing from gases, etc.; burns and scalds from heat or acids; lesions and
disorganized functions due to electricity, light, high or low tempera
ture; and other injuries, including acute infections from absorption
of any infectious materials with which a laborer has been brought
in contact or any contagious disease directly and exclusively due to
work being performed.
Method of Determining Earnings.
The regulations issued by the executive for determining the annua
earnings as a base for computing compensation provide that the
fixed wages, value of rent of living quarters furnished by the em
ployer, food, light and fuel, all bonuses, premiums for economies in
use of materials, extra paj^ for extra hours, night or holiday work,
shall be considered.1 If these amount to more than $3,000 Argen
tina money the employee is not covered by this law. The employer
however, is not exempt from responsibility, as the injured person
retains his rights under the civil law.
Medical Aid.
Medical aid and medicines until death, recovery, or declared per
manent disability are required to be furnished at the expense of the
employer regardless of the man’s annual earnings.
Insurance.
Employers carrying policies issued by a recognized insurance
company covering industrial accidents are exempt from further
responsibility. However there is no obligation of insurance nor is
there any requirement that if insurance is effected it shall be with a
recognized company. Before any policies are issued their form
and conditions must be approved by the executive.
Compensation.
Burden of compensation.—Because the law is silent in regard to as
sessing a portion of the insurance premiums, or in withholding a
portion of wages, a few establishments have compelled their em1The average earnings of male laborers in the Federal capital is approximately $4 per day—$1,200 per
year.
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ployees to contribute. It is clearly the meaning of the law, however,
that the entire burden of accident compensation shall rest upon the
employer.
Methods of payment.—Attention is called to a defect in the law, in
that the compensation having been deposited in the annuity fund as
provided, is required to be “ invested in bonds representing the
national debt,” and “ this fund shall pay monthly to the claimants
the interest accruing on the sum invested.,, These bonds yield about
5.6 per cent annual income, and as this constitutes the entire annuity
payable to a dependent mother and children, the compensation pro
vided is but a monthly pittance. Thus if the average daily wage
in the Federal capital is approximately $4 per day, the compen
sation required to be deposited is $4,000. The monthly allowance
based on accruing interest would equal less than $19 per month,
“ an income far inferior to the needs of a family” whose monthly
income heretofore has been $100.
Article 17 of the law provides that the claimant “ may elect to
claim compensation under this act or under the common law.” If a
claimant considers the rate of compensation small, or the accident
occurred in some line of work not covered by this law, or if the
workman was earning wages greater than $3,000 per year, or the
accident resulted from the evident culpability of the employer, action
may be commenced under the common law. Certain employers have
resorted to methods of settlement “ hardly honest.” The employer
who is being required to pay $4,000 into the accident fund offers a
dependent family a cash settlement of $2,000. In view of the small
annuity accruing from the investment in bonds and that minors’
annuities cease upon their reaching 16 years of age, claimants are
easily convinced that a compromise is much more advantageous, and
are persuaded to base their claim on the common law. The proposi
tion is perfectly legal, provided the claimant specifies that the settle
ment is based on the common law. The regulations, however,
contain a provision intended to prevent employers from taking undue
advantage of this situation, by inserting a clause providing that
“ such settlements effected through misrepresentation, fraud or deceit
do not irrevocably renounce the claimant’s right to benefits under
the compensation law.”
In a case 1 where compensation became payable by an insurance
company the company deposited in the proper fund the amount of
compensation due under this law. Before the deposit was made the
claimant had notified the company of his election to initiate pro
ceedings under the common law. The matter was referred to the
1
Cronica Mensual del Departamento Nacional del Trabajo, May, 1918, p. G5.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Procurador General who decided that the company should not have
made the deposit, hut have paid it directly to the claimant.
In another case 1 the sum of $5,000 had been regularly deposited
as compensation for death. The widow petitioned the Procurador
General demanding the immediate payment of $1,000 of this sum.
It was ordered that the petition be granted.
The Province of Buenos Aires has endeavored to amend the
situation by leaving to the judgment of the department of labor the
question as to whether “ the compensation shall be distributed among
the dependents, or invested in national or provincial bonds.” The
factors to be considered are: (1) The amount of compensation;
(2) advantages to be derived by acquiring a dwelling, establishing
a business or industry; (3) the number of children belonging to the
claimant, their ages and their educational requirements; and (4)
circumstances peculiar to each case. These modifications (according
to Unsain) are clearly in conflict with the law. Its defects can be
remedied only by the national congress.
D eg re e o f i n c a p a c i t y .—The National Executive under authority of
article 12, has issued a schedule designating such injuries as are
considered as producing partial and total incapacity, respectively.
This has been based not alone upon the severity of the injury but
also upon the age and sex of the injured person.
The following classes of injuries are considered as resulting in total
permanent incapacity: (a) The loss of both arms, or of their essential
parts; of both legs; or of an arm and a leg. A hand or a foot is
understood to be an essential part. (b) A functional injury to these
members producing results equivalent to their loss, (c) Loss of both
eyes, or total loss of sight. (d ) Loss of one eye, and an important
loss of visual power in the other, (e) Incurable mental derangement.
(/) Incurable organic or functional lesions of the brain, circulatory
or respiratory system, whether resulting directly, or indirectly from
mechanical or toxic action, (g) Hernias, inguinal or femoral, simple
or double.
Cases resulting as follows are also considered as permanent total
disability: (1) Injury to a member producing partial incapacity,
when in connection therewith other bodily injuries reduce the capacity
for work 50 per cent. (2) When capacity for work by the combined
injuries is reduced 42 per cent, and the injured person is over 50
years of age. (3) When the reduction of capacity amounts to 36
per cent and the age exceeds 70 years. When the injured person is
a female, the per cent of reduction in capacity producing total perma
nent incapacity is specified in the law as being 2 per cent less in
each of the three cases above mentioned.
s C r ó n ic a M e n s u a l
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
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Before the law was passed, insurance companies issued policies
containing a clause specifying that no compensation was payable
to a person injured after having reached the age of 55 or 60 years.
This law prohibits such stipulations. As a result certain important
enterprises refuse to give employment to persons over 50 years
of age.
In the matter of partial disability the regulations provide that
the following percentages of the salary received during the year imme
diately preceding the injury be paid as compensation for the injuries
specified:
Loss of either arm, fore arm, hand, thigh or leg, 60 per cent; of
either foot, 50 per cent; of either thumb, 30 per cent; right index
finger, 24 per cent; left index finger, second phalange of the right
index finger, and double hernia, inguinal or femoral, 18 per cent;
loss of sight of either eye or total deafness, 42 per cent; loss of hearing
of one ear, or simple hernia, 12 per cent; loss of the second phalange
other than above mentioned, 9 per cent; one phalange of any other
finger or toe, 6 per cent.
The Province of Buenos Aires in adopting this schedule specifies,
however, that the percentages indicate the minimum compensation
to be paid.
Time of 'payment.—Both the law and regulations are silent rela
tive to the time when the compensation is payable. In the case
of death it has been held that compensation must be paid within 30
days following the accident. In case of total disability the practice
has been to make the deposit within 30 days after the degree of
incapacity has been determined. In the case of other compensable
injuries, payments are usually made weekly, semimonthly, or monthly,
according to the periodic payment of wages in the establishment in
which the accident occurred.
The Accumulating Fund.
Another peculiarity, not to say defect, in the law, is the failure
to provide for the final disposition of the constantly accumulating
fund, formed by this deposit of the original contribution for estab
lishing annuities, and the accruing interest on lapsed annuities.
Only the interest on each deposit can be distributed. This ceases
at the death of the beneficiary, and, in the case of minors, upon their
reaching the age of 16 years, and the deposit and accruing interest
revert to the fund.
There is built up through this system, at the cost of the depositor
and without any advantages to the claimants, a reserve for the
exclusive benefit of the fund, which becomes an accumulating alien
ated fund subject to no withdrawals for any purpose, upon which no
one can have any legal claim and on which the interest continues.
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Another feature is the implied theory that “ the death of a laborer
works destruction of a specific and valuable economic factor.” In
cases in which there are no claimants the employer is required to
pay for this loss by depositing in the guaranty fund a stipulated
sum as an equivalent of “ value destroyed.”
The functions of the two funds created by this law are entirely
distinct. The accident fund receives the compensation payable
because of total or partial incapacity, or of the death of an employee
leaving dependents, converts the compensation into Government
bonds, and distributes the interest among the dependents. The
guaranty fund receives specific classes of compensation. It is
under no obligation to invest this fund in any interest-producing
securities, and the fund can be drawn upon to pay benefits only
when a judicial decree of the insolvency of the responsible parties
has been issued.
The only deposits which are being paid into the national acci
dent fund are those due for accidents occurring in the Federal
capital, the Territories and Provinces not having as yet adopted
regulations.
No demand has been made on the guaranty fund, and all indi
cations warrant the conclusion that in a few years a large and abso
lutely unemployed and unproductive fund will be established,
which it will become necessary to devote to some useful purpose.
Inherent O ccupational Risk.
This law is founded on the principle that there is an inherent
occupational risk in all industrial undertakings, and assumes:
(1) That every injury to an employee during the time in which he
is employed, by reason of or in the exercise of his occupation, is
the result of an industrial accident. (2) That the employer is
responsible for every accident, the burden of proof resting upon him
in cases where culpability of the employee is alleged.
Occupational Diseases.
The National Executive is authorized to determine by a decree
such diseases as are to be recognized as occupational diseases. By
decree of January 14, 1916, certain diseases arising from the inhala
tion of or as a result of coming in contact with gases, dust, poisonous
fumes, etc., are designated as compensable occupational diseases.
In cases of anthrax and bubonic plague,1 the court, in the former,
and the bureau of hygiene, in the latter, have held that they are not
occupational diseases, but industrial accidents and compensable as
such.
»Crónica Mensual del Departamento Nacional dol Trabajo, May, 1918, pp. 79,80.
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F IN A N C IA L O P E R A T IO N S , 1916.1
During the year ending December 31, 1916, 10 recognized insur
ance companies in the Federal capital issued 7,472 policies covering
199,233 laborers whose annual earnings were calculated as amount
ing to $128,740,639. These companies paid compensation amount
ing to $596,647, of which $211,654 was paid as death claims, $104,335
for injuries resulting in permanent incapacity, and $280,658 for cases
of temporary incapacity.2 During the year 1917 the 10 recognized
insurance companies issued 5,194 policies, covering 151,593 laborers,
whose yearly wages were estimated $104,801,264. Premiums
paid amounted to $1,929,945. Compensation on account of deaths
due to accidents amounted to $167,098, for partial and permanent
incapacity $112,450, and for temporary incapacity $300,211.3 The
sum paid into the National Retirement Fund for the payment of
compensation of accidents occurring during the year was $416,340,
of which $228,458 was deposited by insurance companies and
$187,882 by employers.4
In the first four months of the year 19185 the deposits in the
accident fund for the payment of indemnities for injuries resulting
from industrial accidents reached the sum of $257,779. Of this
amount $153,171 was for the payment of compensation in 47 cases
of death, an average of $3,371 per death; $5,244 in the one case of
permanent total disability; and $99,364 in 157 cases of permanent
partial disability, or an average of $633 per case.
No data are available relative to the number of cases of temporary
incapacity, as in such cases the compensation is paid by the employer
directly to the injured person.
Q U E E N S L A N D C O M P E N S A T IO N ACT A M E N D E D .«
A number of amendments, some of them of considerable impor
tance, were made to the compensation act of Queensland by an act
of November 23, 1918. One change involves the substitution of
industrial magistrates appointed under the Industrial Arbitration
Act of 1916 for referees, for the hearing and determination of dis
putes as to awards, etc. The list of occupational diseases for which
compensation is to be paid is increased by adding copper, zinc, or
1 All amounts given below are Argentina gold money. The Argentina gold dollar is equivalent to 96.5
cents, United States currency.
2 Accidentes dol Trabajo, p. 125.
3 Boletin de Industria Commercio y Trabajo, August, 1918, Mexico, p. 06.
* Boletin do la Union Industrial Argentina, October, 1918, p. 47.
sCronica Mensual del Departamento Nacional del Trabajo, May, 1918, p. 68.
«Data from Queensland Industrial Gazette (Brisbane), Feb. 10, 1919, pp. 146-148. Published by the
Queensland Department of Labor.
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other mineral poisoning to the group already covered. Miners’ itch,
copper itch, dermatitis caused by working in mineralized or acid
water, and caisson disease are added to the table of compensable
mining diseases.
A departure from previous administrative methods is found in
the enactment of a schedule of awards for designated injuries, the
amounts being fixed by the act, and to be paid on this basis and not
on the basis of wages earned. As enacted in 1914 the schedule fixed
a percentage rate only, but the amendments set forth only the sums
fixed.
The table below presents the awards, converted from pounds and
shillings to the nearest dollar, and the percentage each one is of a
total disability.
AMOUNT PAYABLE FOR EACH SPECIFIED KIND OF INJURY AND THE PERCENTAGE
EACH IS OF TOTAL DISABILITY.
Nature of injury.
Per
cent
Amount of
payable. total
Nature of injury.
disa
bility.
Loss of—
Both eyes..................................
An only eye...............................
Both hands................................
Both feet....................................
A hand and a foot.....................
Mental powers, involving inbility to work.........................
Use of limbs or mental powers
by paralysis...........................
Right arm or greater part
thereof....................................
Left arm or greater part thereof.
Right hand or five fingers
thereof or lower part of right
arm.........................................
Same for the left hand and arm.
Leg.............................................
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$3,650
3,650
3,650
3,650
3,650
100
100
100
100
100
3,050
100
3,650
100
2,920
2,737
80
75
2,555
2,872
2,787
70
65
76
Loss of—
Foot or the lower part of the leg.
Sight of one eye, with serious
diminution of sight of other
eye..........................................
Hearing......................................
Hearing of one ear....................
Sight of one eye........................
Thumb of the right hand..........
Thumb of the left hand............
Forefinger of the right hand...
Forefinger of the left hand.......
Joint of the thumb...................
Little finger...............................
Middle of ring finger.................
Great toe....................................
Joint of great toe.......................
Any other toe or a joint of a
finger...................................
115001
Per
cent
Amount of
payable. total
disa
bility.
2,190
60
2,737
1,825
365
1,460
1,095
912
730
547
547
438
292
730
365
75
50
10
40
30
25
20
15
15
12
8
20
10
182
5
GOVERNMENT BUREAUS
PLAN FOR PROMOTIONS AND INCREASES IN SALARIES OF NONTECH
NICAL EMPLOYEES OF UNITED STATES HOUSING CORPORATION.1
In the formulation of any thought-out plan for governing promo
tions and increases of nontechnical employees of the Housing Corpora
tion receiving $2,000 or less a year, allowance must be made for time
and experience to adjust such a plan to the varying circumstances
of individual employees. Only after its operation is closely studied
can such a plan be made to fit in with exceptional conditions it is
likely to encounter.
The committee realizes that the application of any system must bo
experimental for some months. For this reason it recommends that
its operation be given close study and that the entire ground of its
experimentation be thoroughly reviewed at the end of six months or
a year. It is possible that at the end of that period it may be nec
essary to make such revisions as the developments of particular
instances show to be necessary.
In formulating this proposed plan for governing promotions and
increases of nontechnical employees the committee has made diligent
inquiries of numerous other departments of the Federal Government
with the view of securing some guidance toward the attainment of
its object, but it has been able to secure very little assistance in this
direction. All these other departments or bureaus appear to be and
have for years been confronted by problems somewhat similar to
those now facing the Housing Corporation, and your committee ex
presses its surprise at finding that no intelligent or satisfactory plan,
as far as it has been able to learn, has yet been worked out in any of
these departments. There is very great need for such a plan as
your committee has tried to formulate. The fact that your com
mittee seems to have had set for it a task which it has had to perform
largely without the experience of other departments to assist it is
called attention to here as explanation in part of some of the diffi
culties that confronted your committee.
The committee believes fundamentally that promotions and in
creases in salaries should not depend either upon the initiative of the
employee or of his or her direct superior but rather that they should
occur automatically, thus assuming the continued performance of
his or her duties in an able and efficient manner. The action of the
1Prepared by the committeo on salaries and personnel of the United States Housing Corporation.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
employee’s superior officer should be negative rather than affirma
tive—that is, any action taken by him should be in the direction of
interfering with automatic promotion and increase by an adverse
report as to the employee’s ability and efficiency, these latter being
assumed when not so adversely reported upon. With this principle
as the basis the committee recommends the following:
For the present the salary of 8900 a year is recognized as the mini
mum for all nontechnical employees with the exception of messen
gers and night telephone operators. It may be necessary to increase
this minimum upon investigation of the facts. Such an investigation
the committee expects to have made.
The annual salary of each employee receiving from $900 up to but
not including 81,400 is automatically to be increased at the end of
every six months of service in the amount of 850, dating from the
date of appointment.
The annual salary of each employee receiving from 81,400 up to
but not including 81,600 is automatically to be increased at the end
of each year of service in the amount of 8100, dating from the date
of appointment.
The annual salary payable to a typist is limited to 81,400.
The annual salary payable to a stenographer is limited to 81,600.
The annual salary payable to a secretary is limited to 81,800.
The classification of secretary should be given a clear and definite
status. To this end, the committee suggest that a secretary be re
garded as an employee of a division or of an administrative or ex
ecutive branch of the corporation who is called upon at times by the
head of a division or an administrator or executive to conduct the
division or the duties of a particular office during the absence of the
head. In brief, a secretary is a regular employee to whom the chief
of the division or the executive intrusts unusual responsibilities.
While the salary of the secretary is herein limited to 81,800 a year, in
cases of employees of this class who exhibit exceptional ability and
who, in the judgment of the head of the division or executive, deserve
a higher compensation, then such an employee is to be given the
title “ assistant to the chief” or “ assistant to the manager,” with a
salary commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the
position.
The primary value of some such plan as is herein proposed is that
it tends to eliminate all favoritism or undue influence. Instead of in
creases and promotions depending, as now, largely upon the initiative
of the employee and the favorable recommendation of his or her
superior, they follow automatically, the assumption being that the
continuance of the employee in his or her position of itself is a rec
ommendation of continuing ability and efficiency. A report to the
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
283
contrary to the chief clerk automatically drops the employee from
the pay roll of the corporation. Thus incompetents are weeded out
not only within a reasonable time after their first employment but
also by preventing their entrance into a higher class with larger
compensation.
Such a plan also removes any uncertainty the employee may have
as to recognition of increasing ability and efficiency. He or she
knows that evidence of these qualities in the work performed is
alone necessary to an increase in salary or a promotion to a higher
position; that its absence means dismissal. Thus, automatic
removal from the service of the corporation is provided for in case
the employee does not indicate ordinary attention in the performance
of his or her duties, and this in itself removes the necessity of any
personal adjustments on the part of the heads of divisions. This
plan is based on the belief that such an employee is worth to the
Housing Corporation $50 more at the end of six months or $100
more at the end of a year, and that if he or she is not that much
more valuable, then such an employee should not be continued in
the service of the corporation. Under the present system, or lack
of system, there is no assurance to the employee, other than the
personal opinion or influence of the head of the division, that ability
and efficiency will be properly recognized. We believe this plan
will not only stabilize the personnel, which of itself is an asset, but
that it will continue the more able employees in longer terms of
service and will attract others to the corporation.
In the formulation of this plan for governing increases and pro
motions for nontechnical employees of the Housing Corporation the
committee has had in mind the enactment of the Sixty-fifth Congress,
approved March 1, 1919, and entitled “An act making appropriations
for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the Govern
ment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, and for other purposes.”
This act provides, in substance, that “ all civilian employees of the
Government of the United States and the District of Columbia who
receive a total of compensation at the rate of $2,500 per annum or
less, except as otherwise provided in this section, shall receive,
during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, additional compensation
at the rate of $240 per annum.” Numerous exceptions are made to
this, but for our present purpose only the following are important:
Excluded from the application of the act are “ employees paid from
lump-sum appropriations in bureaus, divisions, commissions, or any
other governmental agencies or employments created by law since
January 1, 1916.” Such a provision would seem to exclude employees
of the Housing Corporation from the benefits of this act. A similar
effect seems to be also involved in the clause of the act excluding from
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
its application “ persons employed by or through corporations, firms,
or individuals acting for or on behalf of or as agents of the United
States or any department or independent establishment of the
Government of the United States in connection with the construction
work or the operation of plants.” If the basis of the act referred to
rests on justice, your committee sees no reason why the principle
should not be made applicable to employees of the Housing Corpora
tion. The adoption of the plan herein suggested for governing
increases in salaries and promotions of nontechnical employees
receiving $2,000 or less would seem to your committee to apply this
principle to corporation employees. It is true the total amount is
not given at one time or in any one year, but over a period of years
this amount, and even more, is secured by the capable and efficient
employee who continues in service.
The committee does not believe it conducive to the efficiency or
the esprit de corps of the personnel to reduce salaries. It believes,
on the contrary, that a situation such action may be designed to
remedy, if such a situation exists, can better be met by dispensing
with the services of such employee or employees.
It has been found necessary in the past, and may no doubt be
found necessary in the future, although possible to a lesser extent,
to require of nontechnical employees a certain amount of extra work
or overtime. This overtime employment is to be limited to the
absolute minimum. In cases where it is found necessary, then, the
employee is to secure time off from work at such time as a slackening
in the duties of her regular employment will permit, such time off
being equal to the amount of time given in extra work. Such extra
time is not to be considered as a factor in an increase of salary or in
promotion to a higher position, although the spirit in which such
extra service is performed is to be favorably considered as an element
in determining ability and efficiency.
Employees in the service of the Housing Corporation are entitled
to a reasonable vacation period, not only for recreation and recuper
ation but also as a reward for faithful and continuous service. Such
vacation, however, should not begin to operate until after the employee
has been in the service of the corporation at least six months. As to
the length of the annual vacation period, the committee is con
fronted by a choice between two plans. One of these is to allow a
vacation period of 30 days with Saturday afternoon holiday only
from the 15th of June to the 15th of September. The other plan is
to limit the annual vacation to two weeks and have a half holiday
on Saturday the year round. For the present the committee believes
that the former plan should be adopted, as this is in accordance with
the custom now prevailing in Washington. This vacation is to be
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MONTHLY LABOK EE VIEW.
285
used by the employee when he or she determines, but only upon
notification of a sufficient time in advance to the head of his or her
division and the chief clerk and with the written approval of both
these officials. No employee is permitted to have more days’vacation
than are actually due as measured by time of service.
Other things being equal, such as the factors determining ability
and efficiency as outlined by the chief clerk, promotions to higher
positions are to be based on seniority of service.
Increases in salaries and promotions already made affecting em
ployees of the corporation are to be adjusted to the operation of the
plan herein presented.
This plan is to be retroactive in its application in that the time of
service of employees subject to salary increases is to begin at the
date of their original appointment.
In order to prevent the operation of the plan from becoming too
rigid, attention is here called to the possibility of at any time pro
moting an employee from any position with a comparatively low
salary to any other position with a relatively larger salary without
the particular employee being limited to the automatic operation of
the semiannual or annual increase. As the misuse of this action,
however, would seriously jeopardize the value of the plan, such pro
motions should be made only rarely and then in cases only of excep
tional ability and efficiency.
F. J. W aen e , Chairman.
H arlean J ames.
J. T uckerman .
Approved:
L. K. S herman , President.
A pril 16, 1919.
1 1 4 3 3 9 °— 1 9 — 19
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[linn
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS
LABOR DISPUTES IN CANADA IN 1918.
The Canadian Department of Labor reports 1 that the number of
strikes which began in Canada in 1918 was 191 which, with 5 dis
putes carried over from 1917, makes a total of 196 in existence in the
year. This is an increase of 48, or 32.4 per cent, as compared with
1917. The number of employees involved also showed a large in
crease over 1917, the figures for the two years being 68,489 and
48,329, respectively. The number of employers involved in 1918 was
766, as compared with 714 in 1917. There was a reduction in total
time loss from 1,134,970 days in 1917 to 763,341 days in 1918.
It is stated that 72 disputes, or 36.7 per cent of the total number,
were due to requests for increased wages and that 41 disputes, or
20.9 per cent, were due to requests for increased wages and other
changes. In 14 cases, or 7.1 per cent, the dispute was against the
discharge of employees, and in 12 cases the cause was for recognition
of the union. There were 13 sympathetic strikes. Most of the dis
putes were of minor importance, not more than 1,000 employees
being involved in about 89 per cent of the cases and 36.7 per cent
were for 5 days or less. In 55 per cent of the disputes the number
of working days lost was under 1,500.
As in 1917, Ontario led in the number of disputes, 71, or 36.2 per
cent of the total number, occurring within this Province. As to time
loss, however, Ontario ranked second, with 17.6 per cent of the total
number of working days lost. British Columbia stood first, with
26.4 per cent; interprovincial strikes ranked third, with 13.4 per
cent; Quebec, fourth, with 11.3 per cent; and Manitoba fifth, with
10.7 per cent. The class of industry most affected was metals,
machinery, and conveyances, 45 strikes, involving 188 concerns and
22,069 workers, whose time losses were estimated at 229,574 working
days, being recorded.
Of the total number of disputes 8 remained unterminated at the
close of the year. More than one-half, 113, or 57.7 per cent, were
terminated in favor of the employees, and 41, or 20.9 per cent, were
terminated in favor of the employers. In 21, or 10.7 per cent of the
cases, the disputes ended in a compromise, while a like percentage
was indefinite or unterminated. Direct negotiations between the
1The Labor Gazette, Ottawa, March, 1919, pp. 277-303.
286
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
287
parties brought about a settlement in 102 disputes, or 52 per cent of
the total, while 34, or 17.3 per cfimt, were settled by conciliation or
mediation. Twenty-one cases were settled by arbitration and 4 were
settled by reference to boards of conciliation under the Industrial
Disputes Investigation Act.
The following table shows the number of disputes, the number of
employees involved, and the time loss, by industries, in all strikes in
Canada in 1918:
NUM BER OF D ISPU T ES, NUM BER OF E M P L O Y E E S INVOLVED, AN D TIME LOSS
B Y IN D U ST R IE S, IN IN D U ST R IA L DIS PU T E S IN CANADA, IN 1918.
Disputes.
Number
of em
ployees
cent involved.
Number. Per
of total.
Industry.
Lumbering ................................................
Mines, smelters, quarries, clay products, etc..............
Building and construction.
............ .......................
Metals, machinery, and conveyances...........................
Woodworking__V........................................................
Pulp and paper..............................................................
Printing and' publishing..............................................
Clothing................................................
Textiles!..................................................................
Foods, liquors, and tobacco .............................
Chemicals and explosives............................
Leather...............! ..........................................................
Transportation...............................................................
Electric railway service.................................................
Cartage............................................................................
Miscellaneous transport.................................................
Navigation............. .......................................................
Public utilities....... .......................................................
Municipal employment.................................................
Miscellaneous!..."...........................................................
Total............. ............................................................
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[1 5 1 8 ]
2
36
19
45
3
7
3
9
5
81
1
16
4
4
3
6
5
7
12
196
1.0
18.4
9.7
22.9
1.5
3.6
1.5
4.6
2.6
4.1
.5
.5
8.2
2.0
2.0
1.5
3.1
2.6
3.6
6.1
100.0
Time loss.
Days.
Per cent
of total.
1,357
13,850
1,912
22' 069
' 408
2,055
' 400
984
357
1,271
'170
40
8,182
3,560
726
565
2,309
3,091
3,861
1,322
29,407
163,585
18,453
229,574
3,432
18,305
3,284
14,156
16,611
61,869
2,040
400
62,875
21,540
4 000
7'oei
19,272
28,608
28,064
30,805
3.9
21.4
2.4
30.1
.5
2.4
,4
1.9
68,489
763,341
100.0
2.2
8.13
1
8.2
2.85
.9
2.5
3.7
3.7
4.0
CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION,
CONCILIATION WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, MARCH 16,
1919, TO APRIL 15, 1919.
Under the organic act of the department, which gives the Secretarjr of Labor the authority to mediate in labor disputes through the
appointment, in his discretion, of commissioners of conciliation, the
Secretary exercised his good offices between March 16, 1919, and
April 15, 1919, in 94 labor disputes. The companies involved, the
number of employees affected, and the results secured, so far as
information is available, were as follows:
STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF LABOR DISPUTES HANDLED BY THE
DEPARTM ENT OF LABOR THROUGH ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION,
MAR. 16 TO APR. 15, 1919.
Workmen affected.
Name.
Directly.
Strike, linemen, Dallas Light & Power Co.,
Texas Construction Co., Dallas & Wichita
Falls, Tex.
Strike, oil workers, Prairie Oil & Gas Co.,
Schaffer Oil Co., Oilton & Drumright, Okla.
Controversy, Kimberly Clark Paper Co.,
Neenah, Wis.
.Controversy, New York Central Lines, South
Bend, Ind.
Controversy, waiters in Washington hotels and
cafes, Washington, D. C.
Strike, trainmen and shopmen, East Broad Top
Railroad, Orbisona, Pa.
Strike, shoe factories, Chicago, 111........................
Threatened strike, printers, Louisville, K y .......
Controversy, Park Drop Forge Co., Cleveland,
Ohio.
Controversy, Jackson Iron & Steel Co., Jackson,
Ohio.
Strike, electrical workers, building trades, At
lanta, Ga.
Walkout, General Equipment Co., Paterson,
N. J.
Threatened strike, Northwest Engineering
Works, Green Bay, Wis.
Strike, Power Specialty Co., Dansville, N. Y __
Threatened strike. Pacific Electric Railway Co.,
Los Angeles, Cal.
Strike, Brunswick-Balke Co., Dubuque, Io w a..
Controversy, Rath Packing Co., Waterloo, Iowa.
Strike, metal polishers, Garford Manufacturing
Co., Elyria, Ohio.
Controversy, S. F. Bowser Co., Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Strike, tobacco workers, San Juan, Porto R ico..
Controversy, Standard Car Tank Co., Sharon,
Pa.
Strike, cigar makers, 26 shops, Fort Wayne and
vicinity, Ind.
Lockout, machinists, specialists, helpers, Collis
Plant, Clinton, Iowa.
288
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rectly.
60
So far case seems to be deadlocked
and the strike threatens to
spread to other cities. Pending.
Claims of discrimination not well
substantiated, but companies do
not welcome the advent of an oilworkers’ union. General organ
izer of oil workers said if the
m atter had disclosed itself at the
beginning as it did after commis
sioner’s arrival he would not
have reported it.
Pending.
420
1 ............... Adjusted.
423
250
1,000
2,000
1,000
1
1,500
400
70
150
30
59
All adjusted, except that of the
Raleigh Hotel.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Adjusted.
Company declined mediation on
grounds that dismissal was for
just cause.
Adjusted.
Pending.
17 Adjusted.
600 Pending.
300
1,350
2,"500
37
900
Do.
Adjusted.
Pending.
50
15,000
1,000
Adjusted.
Pending.
Adjusted.
80
30
14
200
[1514]
Do.
Do.
Do.
Unable to adjust.
289
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF LABOR DISPUTES HANDLED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THROUGH ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION,
MAR. 16 TO APR. 15, 1919—Continued.
Workmen affected.
Name.
Directly.
Strike, garment workers, Sherman & Sons,
Louisville, Kv.
Controversy, Kuhlman Car Co., Cleveland,
Ohio.
Threatened strike, boilermakers and car
workers, Standard Car Construction Co.,
Masury, Ohio.
Strike, Imperial Valley Irrigation District,
Andrade, Calif.
Controversy, Acme Packing Co., Chicago, 111...
Strike, boot and shoe workers, M. & S. Shoe Co.,
Baltimore, Md.
Strike, bicycle tire workers, Ajax Rubber Co.,
Racme, Wis.
Threatened strike, Stecher Lithographic Co.,
Rochester, N. Y.
Threatened strike, building trades, Lorain,
Elyria, Oberlin, Mahurst, La Grange, Grafton,
&Vermillion, Ohio.
Controversy, boiler makers, Oil City Boiler
Works, Oil City, Pa.
Controversy, employees, D. T. & C. Railroad,
Mendon, Ohio.
Controversy, tobacco workers, Winston-Salem,
N. C.
Strike, Racine Auto Tire Co., Racine, Wis........
Controversy, Lucas Iron Works, Peoria, 111.......
Controversy^ boiler makers, machinists, Oak
land, Calif.
Controversy, Haskell & Barker Plant, Michigan
City, Ind.
Controversy, laborers on construction of round
house for New York Central, Syracuse, N. Y.
Strike, machinists, Standard Steel Car Co.,
Hammond, Ind.
Threatened strike, building trades, Atlanta, Ga.
Controversy, Home Packing Co., Terre Haute,
Ind.
Strike, Illinois Car Co., Hammond, In d .............
Threatened strike, independent Pneumatic
Tool Co., Aurora, 111.
Controversy, boiler makers, Williams Bros., St.
Paul, Minn.
Strike, building trades and building construc
tion of all kinds, Rochester, N. Y.
Strike, American Car & Foundry Co., Terre
Haute, Ind.
Controversy, fire fighters, Cincinnati, Ohio........
Controversy, United States Zinc Co., Sand
Springs, Okla.
Controversy, sheet-metal workers, Baltimore,
Md.
Controversy, boiler makers and helpers, Stand
ard Oil Co., Louisville, Ky.
Strike, all industrial plants where organized
labor is employed, Seattle and Tacoma, Wash.
Strike, pipe fitters and helpers, Midvale Steel
& Ordnance Co., Coatesville, Pa.
Strike, East St. Louis Bridge &Construction
Co., East St. Louis, 111.
Threatened strike, New York Belting & Pack
ing Co., Passaic, N. J.
Strike, Standard Bleaching Co., Passaic, N. J . . .
250
75
142
Do.
58 Pending.
40
Do.
80 Company officials decline media
tion. They deny discrimination
and claim men were discharged
for inefficiency.
250 Adjusted.
10
500
Do.
700
800
Do.
57
100
Do.
Pending.
2,000
8,000
40
84
1,000
60
Adjusted.
Pending.
Unable to adjust.
All differences have been adjusted
with but one exception. Union
claims that 150 of their men who
are blacklisted by the employers
are not permitted to resume their
old positions.
360 Adjusted.
10,000
Pending.
600
2,100
3,500
3
2,500
97
300
350
Adjusted.
Do.
Can do nothing, as company is lay
ing off men on account of lack of
work.
200 Adjusted.
Do.
500
Pending.
350
1,000
450
500
540
7
Do.
Do.
Unable to adjust.
Pending.
Do.
157
23
Adjusted.
60
2,500
Strike called off voluntarily by
Central Labor Council.
Adjusted.
1,200
1,500
Adjusted.
60,000
Pending.
500
Strike, boilermakers and helpers, McDermott
Bros., Allentown, Pa.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Unable to adjust.
475 Adjusted.
478
125
40
Result.
Indi
rectly.
2
[1 5 1 5 ]
350 Men back to work; company con
ceded nothing; organization only
a few months old.
Men involved have obtained work
elsewhere; company short of
orders.
290
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
STATEMENT SHOWING TH E NUMBER O F LABOR DISPUTES HANDLED B Y TH E
DEPARTM ENT OF LABOR THROUGH ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION,
MAR. 16 TO APR. IS, 1919—Concluded.
Workmen aflected.
Name.
Directly.
S trike, cranemen and electrical workers, Wheel87
ing Molding & Foundry Co., Wheeling, W.Va.
Strike, journeymen union painters, Memphis, ...............
Tenn.
Lockout, machinists, Barber-Green Co., Aurora,
56
111.
Lockout, Allsteelequip Co., Aurora, 111..............
Controversy, furniture manufacturingindustry,
Rockford, 111.
Controversy, Interstate Packing Co., Winona,
Minn.
Strike, Skandia Pacific Oil Engine Co., Oak
land, Calif.
Threatened strike, Amalgamated Meat Cutters
and Butcher Workmen, Parker Webb & Co.,
Hammond Standish & Co., Sullivan Packing
Co., Detroit, Mich.
Lockout, wire workers. Clinton, Iowa................
Controversy, George A. Hormel Packing Co.,
Austin, Minn.
Strike, Wharton Steel Co., Wharton, N. J ........
Controversy, leather workers, New Castle
Leather Co., Wilmington, Del.
Controversy, painters, housing project, Moline
and Rock Island, 111.
Controversy, operators, power house, Muscle
Shoals, Ala.
Lockout, Consolidated Water Power & Paper
Co., Grand Rapids, Wis.
Controversy, Liberty Ship Co., Wilmington,
N. C.
Strike, gas-house employees, Racine, Wis..........
Strike, sheet-metal workers, Symonds-Sabo
Sheet Metal Fire Door Co., East St. Louis, 111.
Controversy, Page Co. (steel mill), Monesson,
Pa.
Strike, Bethlehem Steel Co. and Lebanon Iron
& Steel Co7 Lebanon, Pa.
Strike, affecting building trades, Wheeling, W.
Va.
Strike, electrical workers, housing project,
Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa.
Controversy, Aluminum Goods Co., Two Riv
ers, Wis.
Controversy, textile employees. Mooresville
Cotton Mills, Mooresville, N. C.
Strike, American Steel Wire Co., De Kalb, 111..
Strike, journeymen tailors, Los Angeles, Calif.:
Mullen & Bluett, Desmond Co., Silverwood &
Co., Nebraska Clothing Co., Bush Co., Harris
& Frank, Hub Clothing Co., Scott Bros.,
Wood Bros.
Controversy, carpenters v. coal company and
breaker company contractors, Wilkes-Barre,
Pa.
Strike, ironworkers’ union, East St. Louis
Bridge Plant, East St. Louis, 111.
Strike, American Fabrics Co., Clinton, Io w a....
Strike, machinists and helpers, Pennsylvania
R. R., Terre Haute, Ind.
900
Pending.
Do.
4 Unable to adjust.
Adjusted.
Pending.
20
90
Do.
Do.
1,300
200
Do.
667 .................
Do.
Do.
300
600
Do.
Do.
Adjusted.
Pending.
150
56
5
Adjusted.
650
Do.
Pending.
15 Adjusted.
700
1,000
3,000
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
300
500
Adjusted.
64
200
Pending.
Do.
Do.
15
60
Adjusted.
60 .................
Do.
50
100 Got men together and persuaded
them to submit case to Railroad
Wage Adjustment Board.
Pending.
Controversy, construction work by Phoenix
Bridge Co. for Central R. R. of New Jersey,
Easton, Pa.
Controversy, building trades, Lorain Power
Plant, Lorain, Ohio.
Controversy, linemen, Mahoning & Shenango
Railway & Light Co., Youngstown, Ohio.
Controversy, St. Joseph Lead Co., Hercu
laneum, Mo.
Controversy, Master Painters Association v.
District Council Brotherhood of Painters,
Paper Hangers and Decorators, Los Angeles,
Calif.
Controversy, building trades, Topeka, ICans__
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Result.
Indi
rectly.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
[1 5 1 6 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
291
The following cases, noted as pending in the April statement, have
been adjusted:
T h rea ten ed strik e, b u ild in g trad es, N e w Y ork .
C ontroversy, t e x tile situ a tio n , P assaic, N . J.
S trik e, b la ck sm ith s, Cooper Iron W orks, J a ck so n v ille, F la .
S trik e, g arm en t a n d au to-tire workers, C hicago R u b b er C loth in g Co., R a cin e,
T h rea ten ed strik e, in d e p e n d e n t p a c k in g hou ses, S t. L ouis, Mo.
T h rea ten ed str ik e , o il field , gas w ell, and refin ery workers, Coalinga, Calif.
Wia.
PROVISION FOR CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION IN THE STATE OF
VERA CRUZ, MEXICO.1
For the settling of all disputes and differences that arise between
employers and employees in the State of Vera Cruz, a State law passed
in 1918 creates (a) municipal conciliation boards and (b) a State
central conciliation and arbitration board.
The duties of these boards are stated thus: “ To consider and
resolve disputes between workers and employers regarding the labor
contract, hours, wages, responsibility for industrial accidents and
diseases, strikes, and any other matters connected with this law.”
MUNICIPAL CONCILIATION BOARDS.
In each municipality a conciliation board, subordinate to the State
board, shall be established for each industrial dispute that does not
affect interests outside that municipality. Its powers are limited to
investigation and conciliation. A board consists of five members,
two representatives designated by employers and two by workers,
and the municipal counselor-at-law who acts as president.
Upon application of an employer or employee involved in a dispute,
the president of the municipality forms and installs a board. The
proceedings consist of two meetings for investigation, and one for
conciliation, in which both sides present their cases. After the third
meeting, at w'hich the dispute must be either settled or passed along to
the State board, the municipal board is dissolved. When an agree
ment is reached, the same must be recorded in writing, and signed
by the parties thereto and the members of the board.
STATE CENTRAL CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION BOARD.
The State Central Conciliation and Arbitration Board, which sits
hi the State capital, consists of seven members, three representatives
elected by employers’ organizations and three by workers’, and the
governor of the State or his representative as president. The presi
dent is changed as desired by the executive power; the six repre
sentatives hold office one year, are eligible to reelection, and receive
emoluments fixed by the bodies they represent.
1 Boletín de Industria, Comercio y Trabajo, No. 3, pp. 91-93. Mexico, September, 1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11517]
292
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The State board conciliates every dispute that affects interests in
more than one municipality, and arbitrates all disputes in which
conciliation has failed. It has jurisdiction over all conciliation
boards and special minimum wages commissions.
Upon the failure of conciliation attempted either by-itself or by a
municipal board, or the refusal to accept a minimum scale fixed by
a wage commission, the State board takes up the matter as an appeal
and notifies the disputants of its intention to arbitrate. Eight days
are then allowed for the arguing of the case, and the following eight
days for the finding and publication of the award. Each award,
together with all discussions and reasons relative thereto, must be
issued in writing.
In case of a strike, the jurisdiction and procedure of municipal
conciliation boards and the State central board are the same as before
described.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1518]
IMMIGRATION,
IMMIGRATION IN FEBRUARY, 1919.
The following tables, prepared by the Bureau of Immigration of
the Department of Labor, show the total number of immigrant aliens
admitted into the United States in each month from January, 1913,
to February, 1919, and the numbers admitted in each fiscal year, 1915
to 1918, and in February, 1919, by nationality. The total departures
of emigrant aliens in February, 1919, numbered 11,010.
IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADMITTED INTO THE UNITED STATES IN SPECIFIED MONTHS,
JANUARY, 1913, TO FEBRUARY, 1919.
1919
Month.
January......................
February...................
March.........................
April..........................
May..................... ......
June.................... ......
Ju lv ..................... ......
August.......................
September.................
October......................
N ovember..................
December...................
1913
46,441
59,156
96,958
136,371
137,262
176,261
138,244
126,180
136,247
134,440
104,671
95,387
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1914
44,708
46,873
92,621
119,885
107,796
71,728
60,377
37,706
29,143
30,416
26,298
20,944
1915
15,481
13,873
19,263
24,532
26,069
22,598
21,504
21,949
24,513
25,450
24,545
18,901
1910
17,293
24,710
27,586
30,560
31,021
30,764
25,035
29,975
36,398
37,056
34,437
30,902
i Decrease.
ridsi
1917
24,745
19,238
15,512
20,523
10,487
11,095
9,367
10,047
9,228
9,284
6,446
6,987
Number.
Per cent
increase
over
preceding
month.
9,852
10,586
'8.3
7.5
1918
6,356
7,388
6,510
9,541
15,217
14,247
7,780
7,862
9,997
11,771
8,499
10,748
293
294
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Classified by nationality, the number of immigrant aliens admitted
into the United States during specified periods and in February, 1919,
was as follows:
IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADMITTED INTO THE UNITED STATES DURING SPECIFIED
PERIOD S AND IN FEBRUARY, 1919, BY NATIONALITY.!
Year ending June 30Nationality.
1917
1915
1916
5,660
932
1,651
3,506
2,469
1,912
3; 402
305
6,675
82
38,662
3,472
12,636
20,729
15,187
26,497
23,503
10,660
46,557
8,609
146
2,638
3; 604
10,993
19,596
13,350
244
15,019
2,587
976
454
793
1,369
2,097
295,403
African (black)...............................................................
Armenian.......................................................................
Bohemian and Moravian..............................................
Bulgarian, Serbian, Montenegrin.................................
Chinese............................................................................
Croatian and Slovenian.................................................
Cuban..............................................................................
Dalmatian, Bosnian, Herzegovinian...........................
Dutch and Flemish.......................................................
East Indian.............................................. .....................
English...........................................................................
F innish..........................................................................
French............................................................................
German...........................................................................
Greek..............................................................................
Hebrew...........................................................................
Irish.................................................................................
Italian (north)................................................................
Italian (south)................................................................
Japanese..........................................................................
Korean ..........................................................................
Lithuanian.....................................................................
Magyar............................................................................
Mexican...........................................................................
Pacific Islander..............................................................
Polish ............................................................................
Portuguese.....................................................................
Roumanian.....................................................................
Russian
.....................................................................
Ruthenian (Russniak)..................................................
Scandinavian..................................................................
Scotch.............................................................................
Slovak.............................................................................
Spanish...........................................................................
Spanish-American.........................................................
Syrian.............................................................................
Turkish...........................................................................
Welsh..............................................................................
West Indian (except Cuban)........................................
Other peoples.................................................................
4,459
2,933
24,263
14,310
2,069
5; 705
1,667
1,767
273
1,390
'823
1,877
4,576
964
642
3,146
2,239
791
3,442
114
6,443
80
36,168
5,649
19,518
11,555
26^ 792
15,108
20,636
4,905
33,909
8,711
154
599
981
17,198
5
4,502
12,208
953
4,858
1,365
19,172
13,515
577
9,259
1,881
676
216
983
948
3,388
Total.....................................................................
326,700
298,826
6
9,065
4; 376
1,200
1918
7,971
5,706
327
1,134
1,843
'305
3,428
94
5,393
69
32,246
5,900
24,405
9,682
25,919
17,342
17,462
3,796
35,154
8,925
194
479
434
16,438
74
150
1,576
33
1,179
15
1,221
10
3,109
10,194
'522
3,711
1,211
221
2,200
61
12,980
1,867
6,840
1,992
2,002
3,672
4,657
1,074
5,234
10,168
149
135
32
17,602
17
668
2,319
155
1,513
49
8,741
5,204
35
7,909
2,231
'210
24
278
732
314
110,618
iTlie total number of departures of emigrant aliens in February was 11,010.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[15201
February,
1919.
273
16
6
17
91
25
158
2
'120
2,192
859
97
64
264
629
93
153
253
7
11
1
3,029
59
134
8
129
4
637
750
14
229
131
24
1
38
44
24
10,586
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR,
OFFICIAL—UNITED STATES.
Ca
. — B u re a u o f L abor S ta tistics.
m en to , 1918. 470 p p . Chart.
l if o r n ia
E ig h teen th bien n ia l report, 1917-18.
Sacra
Contains a statement of the operations of public and private employment offices
for the fiscal years 1916-17 and 1917-18; statistical data as to union scales of wages
and hours of labor on January 1, 1918; classified weekly wages paid during 1917 in
2,379 industrial establishments employing 131,118 male and 37,805 female wage earners;
and a special report on the Alaska salmon canning industry for the season of 1918.
The report on classified weekly wages received by workers in 1917 shows that 10.6
per cent of the males 18 years of age and over received under $15 per week as against
35.5 per cent in this group in 1916; and 25.5 per cent of the females 18 years of age and
over received under $9 per week as compared with 43.7 per cent in the $9 and under
group in 1916. Nearly 22 per cent of all workers received over $25 per week.
During the period of the report 20,176 complaints were filed with the bureau,
16,832 (83.4 per cent) of which were on account of nonpayment of wages. The wages
collected in 8 , 6 6 8 of these wage claims amounted to $271,502.89 for the two years,
or an average of $31.32 per claim. The following table shows the number of complaints
investigated by the bureau during the two years, and the grounds on which com
plaint was made:
C O M P L A IN T S
IN V E S T IG A T E D
AND
D U R IN G T H E
P R O S E C U T IO N S
CONDUCTED
F I S C A L Y E A R S 1 9 1 6 -1 7 A N D
BY
THE
BUREAU
1 9 1 7 -1 8 .
1916-17
1917-18
N a t u r e o f c o m p la in t .
C o m p la in ts
f il e d .
Blowers..........................................................
Child labor............. ......................................
Eight-hour law—public work.....................
Eight-hour law—underground work..........
Eight-hour law—women.............................
Employment agencies—license...................
Employment agencies—misrepresentation.
Medical cabinet law .....................................
Nonpayment of wages.................................
Sanitation.....................................................
Scaffolding, flooring, etc..............................
Seats for females...........................................
Semimonthly pay d ay .................................
Ten-hour law for drug clerks......................
Weekly day of rest.......................................
Pay check law ..............................................
Obtaining labor by false pretenses.............
Miscellaneous................................................
7
130
15
7
569
37
463
26
8 ,7 7 4
39
14
5
43
10
9
Total....................................................
1 0 ,3 8 5
-----
I n d u s tr ia l a c cid en t c o m m iss io n .
ra m e n to , 1 9 1 9 . P p . 1 9 8 -2 2 4 .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P rosecu
tio n s .
9
27
5
2
42
C o m p la in ts
f ile d .
P rosecu
t io n s .
4
211
2
2
581
23
525
1
8 ,0 5 8
163
4
1
39
12
6
13
15
2
13
8
2
159
237
95
43
9 ,7 9 1
R e p o r te d d ec isio n s, V o l. V , B u lle tin N o . 7 , S a c
[1 5 2 1 ]
295
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
296
C o n n e c t i c u t .— B o a rd
o f C o m pensation C om m issioners.
P u b lic D o c u m e n t N o . 58. H artford, 1918.
F o u r th
R e p o r t,
This report is noted more fully on pages 258 and 259 of this issue of the
1 9 1 7 -1 8 .
M
onthly
------ D e p a rtm en t o f L a bor a n d F actory In sp e ctio n . B u re a u o f L abor S ta tistics.
L a w s, R e v is io n o f 1918. H a rtfo rd [1918]. 91 p p .
Labor
L
abor
R
e v ie w
.
Gives the text and the number of the sections in the General Statutes of Connecticut,
Revision of 1918, which pertain to labor.
I
l l i n o i s .—
D e p a rtm e n t o f Labor.
S p rin g fie ld , 1918. 138 p p .
General in fo r m a tio n a n d laws effective J u ly 1, 1917.
Contains only those laws which bear directly upon the administration of the de
partment of labor as it is now constituted. All other labor laws are issued by the
departments which administer them.
•------ D ep a rtm en t o f P u b lic H ealth. F ir s t a n n u a l report, J u ly 1, 1917, to J u n e 30,
1918. S p rin g fie ld , 1919. 76 p p .
Report of the first year’s work of this State department of public health, which,
under the provisions of the Civil Administrative Code creating it, inherited the powers,
authority, and duties of the former State board of health as far as they applied to health
and sanitation, and besides has had added new powers and duties. To carry out these
duties the department was organized with ten divisions, an eleventh having since
been added, each under a chief selected through civil service on account of special
experience and training. These include divisions of tuberculosis, sanitation, vital
statistics, child hygiene and public health nursing, surveys and rural hygiene, hotel
and lodging house inspection, public health instruction, and social hygiene.
— — I n d u s tr ia l su rvey. R ep o rt.
December, 1918. 120 p p .
H o u rs a n d health o f w o m en w orkers.
S p r in g fie ld ,
A digest of this report appears on pages 204 to 209 of this issue of the
I
n d ia n a
.— In d u stria l board.
olis, 1919.
M
R ep o rt f o r the year ending S eptem ber SO, 1918.
R
e v ie w
.
I n d ia n a p
64 p p .
a s s a c h u s e t t s .—
chusetts.
B o ard o f E d u ca tio n . State-aided vocational education i n M assa
B o sto n , 1918. 89 p p . B u lle tin , 1918, N o . 4■ W hole N o . 95.
This bulletin, which is a reprint from the eighty-first report of the Massachusetts
Board of Education, is divided into two parts. The first part considers the SmithHughes act—“ what it is, the board created by it, the funds it provides, the conditions
it imposes, and our plans regarding it;” and the second part gives statistics regarding
State-aided vocational schools, 1916-17. In connection with the plans for complying
with the provisions of the Smith-Hughes Act it is proposed to use the appropriations
allotted to Massachusetts in the promotion of all kinds of vocational education author
ized as State-aided or State-conducted vocational education. This will include all
the education offered in schools or classes under public control, classified as follows:
Agricultural education, industrial education, household arts education, practical arts
education, part-time education, continuation education, and vocational normal
education.
------ B u re a u o f S ta tistics.
The decennial census, 1915. P a rt I I .
characteristics o f the p o p u la tio n . B o sto n , 1918. 285 p p .
C o m p o sitio n and
--------------- Thirty-second a n n u a l report o n the statistics o f m a n u fa ctu res, 1917.
1919. 129 p p . P u b lic docum ent N o . 36.
B o sto n ,
The report covers 9,865 establishments for 1917, an increase of 36 over 1916. The
average number of wage earners employed is given as 708,421, an increase of 25,800
over 1916. Of this number 212,590, or about 30 per cent, were women. Compared
with 1913, the greatest increases in employment in 1917, aside from those in the
purely war industry classified as military and naval equipment (textile), were in the
manufacture of foundry and machine-shop products, where the increase was 71.3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1522]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
297
per cent, and of rubber goods, with an increase of 73.6 per cent. The maximum
employment was reached in December, when the average was 728,171. The
following table shows the number of wage earners in 1913 and in 1917 and the
percentage of adult males, adult females, and young persons under 18 years of age who
received under $15 and $15 and over per week. The pr oportion receiving $15 and.
over in 1917 was twice as great as that in 1913 for adult males, and five times as great
for adult females, indicating that there was a very general upward trend of wages
in 1917.
P E R CENT OF WAGE EARNERS IN EACH SPECIFIED W EEK LY WAGE GROUP, 1917
AS COMPARED W ITH 1913.
1913
Itom.
Number.
Adult males............................................
Adull females.........................................
Young persons under 18 years..............
Under
$15.
1917
$15 and
over.
64.9
96.0
99.8
446,630
189,743
57; 298
Under
$15.
Number.
530,890
212.464
60,603
35.1
4.0
.2
$15 and
over.
70.1
20.3
2.5
29.9
79. 7
97.5
M a s s a c h u s e t t s . — B u re a u o f S ta tis tic s .
L abor d ivisio n . F o rty-fo u rth quarterly report
o n em p lo ym e n t i n M assachusetts, quarter ending December 31, 1918. B o sto n [1919].
16 p p .
------- M in im u m wage co m m issio n . S u p p le m e n ta r y report o n the wages o f w o m e n i n
candy fa cto ries in M assachusetts. B o sto n , J a n u a ry , 1919. 42 p p . B u lle tin
N o . 18.
This report is noted on pages
M
ic h ig a n
201
to
204
. — R eco n stru ctio n com m ittee.
sin g , March 11, 1919.
of this issue
R ep o rt.
of
the
R
e v ie w
R eco n stru ctio n i n
e v ie w
M
i s s o u r i .—
Lan
26 p p .
This report is summarized on pages 102 to 104 of this issue of the
R
.
M ichigan.
M
onthly
L
abor
.
C h ild ren 's code com m ission.
R ep o rt.
Jefferson C ity, 1918.
231 p p .
This commission was appointed by the governor to revise and codify the laws
relating to children, for submission to the fiftieth general assembly in 1919. In nine
chapters the commission discusses the general and specific State laws for the protection
of children, one chapter being devoted to laws relating to the employment of children.
A number of recommendations are suggested for amending the child labor law, as
follows :
1. Prohibiting the employment of children under 14 years in any occupation in the
State, except that children may work in agriculture when school is not in session.
2. Raising the age limits for boys in street trades to 12 and for girls to 18 and requiring
licenses and badges.
3. Prohibiting the employment of children under 12 years in night messenger
service.
4. Prohibiting the employment of girls under 18 years in messenger service.
5. Prohibiting the employment of children under 16 years in mines, underground
work, on power machinery, and prohibiting their employment on the stage unless
a special permit has been obtained from the factory inspector.
6 . Requiring physical examination and completion of the eighth grade in school
for the issuance of employment certificates for children between 14 and 16 years.
7. Issuing a certificate of age proof to children between 16 and 18 years to be filed
with the employer.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1523]
298
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
N ew
H a m p s h i r e . — B u re a u o f Labor.
T w e lfth b ien n ia l report f o r the fisca l period
ending A u g u s t S I , 1918. Concord, N . H ., 1918. 110 p p .
Contains reports on factory inspection, industrial accidents, strikes and lockouts,
and free employment. A directory of labor organizations in New Hampshire and a
financial statement of the Bureau of Labor for the two fiscal years ending August 31,
1917, and August 31, 1918, conclude the volume.
N
ew
Y o r k ( C i t y ) . — S u rv e y C om m ittee.
The in d u stria l education survey o f the city o f
N ew Y o rk. R ep o rt o f C om m ittee authorized by the B o a rd o f E stim a te a n d A p p o r
tio n m en t. 5 vols. 104, 65, 79, 60, 225 p p ., respectively. N ew Y o rk C ity, 1918.
These five volumes, dealing respectively with The printing trade—The composing
room and the pressroom; Inside electrical work; Carpentry and joinery; The machinist
trade; and Industrial classes in the public schools, constitute the complete report
of the committee appointed by the mayor to make a survey of industrial education
in the city of New York. This survey is the outcome of a demand made by organized
labor in New York City, expressed in the form of a “ Declaration of principles and
policies of organized labor of the city of New York” at a conference held April 20, 1915,
and officially ratified by a number of labor organizations. This statement demanded
the extension of vocational training in the public schools of the city and insisted that
such training be based upon and continually modified with reference to the industrial
character of the community; that the data upon which vocational training is organized
must be gathered in the workshops of the city by a systematic and continuous survey
which shall embrace the whole range of industrial activity. The statement said,
“ The school authorities must provide that sort of industrial training that employers
and wage earners jointly demand.” As a result of these demands made by organized
labor the Board of Education requested the Board of Estimate and Apportionment
to appropriate $15,000 for the purpose of cooperating with the United States Depart
ment of Labor in making an industrial survey for the better guidance of the board of
education in its extension of industrial education. It was decided to confine the
industrial studies to the four trades of printing, machine work, inside electrial work,
and carpentry and joinery, and on the school side to investigate only the four-day
vocational schools maintained by the city and the evening, part-time, and cooperative
industrial classes then in operation. Each of these studies gives a complete result
of the conditions of the specific industry as found by the committee, also resolutions
and recommendations of the committee. The fifth volume, devoted to industrial
classes in the public schools, deals with the administration of industrial education
in New York City; licensing and employment of teachers; day vocational schools;
evening trade schools; cooperative classes in New York City high schools; part-time
industrial classes; and recommendations of the committee and advisory committees.
N
orth
C a r o l i n a . — D ep a rtm en t o f L abor a n d P r in tin g .
R aleigh, 1918.
T h irty -first report, 1917-18.
352 p p .
Information bearing on farms and farm labor, the trades, cotton, woolen, and silk
mills, knitting mills, furniture factories, miscellaneous factories, newspapers, and
railroads and employees is presented. The commissioner recommends that the age
at which children should be permitted to work in industrial plants or workshops
should be raised to 14 years for day service and that adequate machinery be provided
for effective law enforcement. He also urges the enactment of safety requirements
for machinery, boilers, etc., sanitary laws, and statutes looking to the prevention of
fires and accidents. Tables are given showing the highest and the lowest daily wages
p rid males and females in each mill or factory reporting, no distinction being made,
however, as to the occupations in which these wages were paid. The ranges of wages
(excluding several amounts evidently representing sums paid to technical or pro
fessional employees) shown for all factories and mills reporting are as follows: Cotton
mills, men, 75 cents to $8 , women, 60 cents to $7; woolen mills, men, $1 to $6.75,
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299
women, $1 to $3.75; silk mills, men, $1.67 to $4.10, women, 67 cents to $4.10; cordage
mills, men, $2 to $3; knitting mills, men, 75 cents to $7.50, women, 50 cents to $5.92;
furniture factories, men, 60 cents to $7, women, 75 cents to $5; miscellaneous factories,
men, 25 cents to $10, women, 42 cents to $7. On farms the wages for men ranged from
65 cents to $3.38; for women from 38 cents to $1.75; and for children, from 25 cents
to $1. In the trades the average wages paid ranged from $2.90 to $6.50. The pre
vailing number of hours of labor in each industry reporting was 1 0 per day.
The following table shows the number of employees in the industries reportingNUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIES OF NORTH CAROLINA,
SHOWING PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN EMPLOYED.
Women and chil
dren.
Number Total em
reporting. ployees.
Industry.
Number. Per cent.
Cotton mills......................................................................................
Woolen mills....................................................................................
Silk mills..........................................................................................
Cordage mills...................................................................................
Knitting mills..................................................................................
Furniture factories..........................................................................
Miscellaneous factories...................................................
331
5
2
2
131
89
1,568
68,292
'529
1,010
44
1 15,832
2 6'933
‘ 54,346
32 816
204
693
48 1
38.6
68.6
1 10 618
4 928
« 11,855
67.1
13. 4
21.8
1 Reported by 119 mills.
2 Number of 'women, 9,323, reported by 119 mills; number of children, 1,295, reported by 54 mills
2 Reported by 82 factories.
4 Number of women, 603, reported by 41 factories; number of children, 325, reported by 26 factories.
‘ Reported by 1,457 factories.
6Number of women, 9,769, reported by 329 factories; number of children, 2,086, reported by 110 factories.
O
. — H ea lth a n d O ld A g e In su ra n ce C o m m issio n .
R ep o rt, recom m endations, dis
sen tin g o p in io n s . C olum bus, F ebruary, 1919. 448 p p .
h io
The summary of findings and the recommendations of this commission were pub
lished in full in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for March, 1919 (pp. 264-282). A m o r e
detailed digest of the report itself will appear in a future issue of the R e v i e w .
O
k l a h o m a . — I n d u s tr ia l
31, 1918.
C o m m is sio n . B ie n n ia l re p o r t.
O k la h o m a C ity , 1918. 18 p p .
S e p te m b e r
This report is noted on pages 259 and 260 of this issue of the
P e n n s y l v a n i a .—
C o m m ission o n old-age p e n sio n s.
R ep o rt.
R
1
, 1916, to A u g u s t
e v ie w
.
H arrisburg, March, 1919.
293 p p .
A
R
d ig e s t o f th i s r e p o r t w ill b e p u b lis h e d i n a f u tu r e is s u e o f t h e M
e v ie w
onthly
L
abor
.
----- C o u n c il
o f N a tio n a l D e fe n se .
In d u stry .
W o m a n ’s C o m m itte e .
P e n n s y lv a n ia w om en i n w ar w ork.
1919.
D e p a r tm e n t o f W o m e n in
41 p p .
Gives a brief account of the steps taken by the Woman’s Committee, first, to enroll
women for war work and, second, to secure for them proper conditions and the pro
tective standards contained in General Orders No. 13 of the Ordnance Department.
The committee was warmly interested in the policy of installing woman employment
managers in pi ants with a large force of woman workers and secured their engagement
in a number of instances. The report contains a discussion of various features of the
employment of women in work formerly done mainly by men. Their adaptability
to new work was limited only by their physical strength. In machine plants good
results were found to come from rest periods of 10 or 15 minutes in the middle of the
morning and the afternoon. The policy of the employers in regard to paying women
equal wages with men varied widely; a majority reported that they paid equal piece
rates, and it was on piece rates that women made their highest earnings. The labor
turnover was largest among the unskilled, decreasing according to the amount of pre
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
liminary training women had had. “ Indications point to the fact that where the work
was adapted to the women’s strength and Bkill there was a very low percentage of
turnover of woman labor, it ranging from 2 to 5 per cent.” A list is given of different
paid occupations in which women were employed in Pennsylvania during the war
period.
P
. — D ep a rtm en t o f L abor a n d In d u stry .
T h ird a n n u a l report, 1915.
P a rt I: S ta tistics o f production, wages, a n d em ployees. H arrisburg, 1918. 620 p p .
e n n s y l v a n ia
------ In su ra n ce C o m m ission. F o rty-fifth a n n u a l report.
p en sa tio n insurance. H arrisburg, 1918. x x v iii p p .
P a rt I I .
W o rkm en 's com
This report is noted more fully on pages 260 to 263 of this issue of the R e v i e w .
------ W o rkm en 's C o m p en sa tio n B oard. Three years' a d m in istra tio n o f the w o rkm en 's
co m p en sa tio n act i n P e n n s y lv a n ia . P h ila d e lp h ia [1919~\. 16 p p .
This pamphlet, by the secretary of the workmen’s compensation board of Pennsyl
vania, gives the number of accidents reported to the State for three years to be
255,616 in 1916, 227,880 in 1917, and 184,844 in 1918. The total number of agree
ments between employers and employees approved by the board was 54,500 in 1916,
75,076 in 1917, and 65,574 in 1918.
P h il ip p i n e I s l a n d s .— D ep artm ent
E ig h teen th a n n u a l report, 1917.
o f P u b lic In stru c tio n .
M a n ila , 1918. 165 p p .
B u re a u o f
Illu stra te d .
E d u c a tio n .
Contains sections on industrial instruction, agricultural education, physical educa
tion, the public school and the community, and the schools and the conservation of
human life.
T e n n e s s e e .— D ep a rtm e n t o f W orkshop a n d F actory In sp e c tio n .
1918. N a sh ville [1919]. 187 p p . Illu stra te d .
S ix th a n n u a l report,
During the year the department made 1,608 inspections of 1,546 establishments
employing 139,588 workers, of whom 21.4 per cent were females.
From January 1,1918, to December 31,1918, 1,662 accidents (44 fatal) were reported,
resulting in a time loss of 13,851 days. Falling objects, falls of persons, and machinery
were the most important sources of accidents, 284, 292, and 224 accidents being due
to these respective causes.
The report presents a comparison of estimated average weekly wages received by
workers in specified occupations in 1917 and 1918, as shown in the following table.
The per cent of increase has been computed; it does not appear in the report.
ESTIMATED AVERAGE W EEK LY WAGES RECEIVED BY SPECIFIED CLASSES OF MALE
WORKERS AND BY FEMALES IN SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS IN TENNESSEE, IN 1917
AND 1918.
Average weeklywages in—
Class of worker and occupation.
1917
Per cent,
of
increase.
1918
M ALE.
Construction work:
Skilled mechanics.............................................................................
Semiskilled laborers.........................................................................
Common laborers..............................................................................
Fac- ory operatives:
Skilled mechanics.............................................................................
Semiskilled........................................................................................
Common laborers..............................................................................
80.0
$ 2 5 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
9 .0 0
$ 4 5 .0 0
2 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
5 5 .6
1 0 0 .0
2 2 .5 0
1 8 .0 0
9 .0 0
3 8 .0 0
2 6 .5 0
1 8 .0 0
6 8 .9
4 7 .2
1 0 0 .0
1 5 .0 0
6 .0 0
1 2 .0 0
8 .0 0
2 2 .0 0
9 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
1 5 .0 0
4 6 .7
5 0 .0
5 0 .0
8 7 .5
FEMALE.
Clerical work............................................................................................
Machine operatives, b e g i n n e r s ..................................................................................
Machine operatives^ e x p e r i e n c e d .............................................................................
Hand workers....... ... .*...........................................................................
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
W
.— In d u s tr ia l in surance a n d m edical a id d e p a r tm e n ts . S e v e n th a n n u a l
report fo r the 12 m o n th s en d in g Septem ber 30, 1918. The w o rk m e n ’s co m p en sa tio n
act. O ly m p ia , 1919. 88, 46 p p .
a s h in g t o n
Besides workmen’s compensation experience data, this report contains the pro
ceedings of a conference held by the industrial commission at Seattle, September 4,
1918, relating to standards of accident prevention and merit rating.
W
. — C o m p en sa tio n insurance board.
Ja n u a ry 3, 1919. 18 p p .
In su ra n ce experience under co m pensation
is c o n s in
act.
This report
is
noted on pages
263
and
264
of this issue
of
the
------ I n d u s tr ia l C o m m issio n . R ep o rt o n a llied f u n c tio n s f o r
J u n e SO, 1918. [ M a d ison, 1919.] 71 p p .
R
e v ie w
.
the fisca l year ending
Gives a brief review of the activities of the safety and sanitation department, the
workmen’s compensation department, the employment department, the woman and
child labor department, the apprenticeship department, the statistical department,
and of miscellaneous duties performed by the commission. The commission issued a
total of 15,654 orders relating to safety and sanitation, 9,240, or 59 per cent, pertaining
to transmission apparatus. The report suggests that the most striking feature in the
administration of the workmen’s compensation act has been the increase in the average
benefits per case—from $93 in 1916-17 to $108 in 1917-18. This increase in average
benefits paid, it is stated, was most pronounced in cases involving permanent dis
ability, either partial or total, in which cases the average increased from $445 to $524.
Two reasons are given for the increase: (1) The amendments to the act, effective
September 1, 1917, and (2) the general increase in wages. The total benefits paid
amounted to $1,705,468, of which sum $1,278,383 was paid in indemnities and $427,085
in medical aid (including $7,538 funeral benefits in fatal cases). The number of
compensatable accidents reported was 19,361 and the cases settled totaled 15,825.
Reference is made to the creation in August, 1917, of the compensation insurance
board, which “ altered materially the functions of the industrial commission with
reference to compensation insurance.” This board is charged with insuring the
solvency of all companies writing compensation insurance in the State, and to this
end must approve all rates of insurance companies as to their adequacy. I t also has
supervision of the Wisconsin compensation rating and inspection bureau, which in
spects all manufacturing plants in the State to determine their insurance rating.
The employment department reports 76,129 cases of help wanted, 63,360 references
to positions, and 44,705 positions secured. There were 63,338 applications for work.
The largest number of positions secured was in the logging industry, being 12.7 per
cent of the total. The report contains the text of a number of orders relating to hours
of labor for woman workers and notes the appointment of an advisory wage board to
assist the commission in determining what is a living wage for woman and minor
employees, which data will be considered in establishing a minimum wage.
------ S p ecia l com m ittee o n social insurance.
1919. 85 p p .
T h is r e p o r t is d ig e s te d o n p a g e s
U n it e d
170.
S t a t e s .—
2 vo ls.
265
Congress. S en a te.
W a sh in g ton, 1918.
to
269
R ep o rt.
J a n u a ry 1, 1919.
of th is is s u e o f th e R
C om m ittee o n Commerce.
1218, 1219-2515 p p .
e v ie w
M adison,
.
H earings o n S . R es.
The resolution directs the Committee on Commerce to investigate all matters con
nected with the building of merchant vessels under the direction of the United States
Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation and report its findings to the Senate,
together with its recommendations thereon.
_______________ C om m ittee o n E d u ca tio n a n d L abor. S o cia l a n d in d u stria l co n d itio n s
i n the U nited S ta te s. H earings p u r s u a n t to S . R es. 382. W ashington, 1919. 224
p p . 65th Congress, 3d session.
S. Res. 382 directs the Committee on Education and Labor to recommend to the
Senate methods of promoting better social and industrial conditions in the country.
I t w a s published in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for January, 1919, p. 49.
114339°—19----- 20
[1527]
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U
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
S t a t e s . — D ep a rtm e n t o f A g r ic u ltu r e . B u re a u o f M arkets.
tio n f o r ru ra l d istricts. W ashington, J a n u a ry 2 9 ,1 9 1 9 . 32 p p .
n it e d
M otor transporta
B u lle tin N o . 770.
This report is the result of an investigation as to the feasibility of establishing motor
service in rural districts. It covers such subjects as the character of the roads, location
of proposed routes, commodities to be carried each way, amount of business that would
be placed, service given by other carriers, schedules that should be maintained,
methods of collecting and delivering, operating costs, etc. The conclusion reached
is that under proper conditions, and where a fair knowledge of the limitations and
difficulties obtains, motor truck transportation promises to play an important r61e in
rural districts.
------ D e p a rtm e n t o f the In terio r. B u re a u o f E d u ca tio n . The cooperative school, by
W illia m T . B a w d en . W ashington, F ebruary, 1919. 10 p p . I n d u s tr ia l education
circular N o . 2.
A brief account of the “ cooperative system of education” as it has been tried in
different secondary schools of the country; an outline of the plan as proposed for the
College of Technology, Newark, N. J., engineering school, for the school year beginning
September, 1919; and a summary of the special advantages of the plan for secondary
schools. The plan is based upon a cooperative arrangement between the educational
institution and one or more industrial plants, by which theoretical instruction is
given by the institution and practical instruction by the industries, the students being
divided in each class into two groups, one group being in school while the other is at
work in the plants for a definite period at the end of which the two groups exchange
places. This “ cooperative system” of education on which later efforts have been
based was developed in the college of engineering, University of Cincinnati, during
the year 1906-7. The pamphlet concludes with a bibliography.
-------------- B u re a u o f M ines. A ccidents at m eta llurgical w orks in the U nited S ta tes, 1917.
W ash in g to n , 1919. 23 p p . Technical pa p er 215.
This report is noted on pages 244 and 245 of this issue of the
R
e v ie w
------------------------L a b o r sa vin g at lim estone quarries, by O liver B o w les.
1919. 26 p p . Technical p a p e r 203.
.
W ashington,
—-— D e p a rtm e n t o f L ab o r. B u re a u o f L abor S ta tistic s. D escrip tio n s o f occupations,
prepared f o r the U nited S ta tes E m p lo y m e n t Service. W a sh in g to n , 1918-19.
B o o ts a n d shoes; harness a n d saddlery; ta n n in g . 70 p p .
Cane-sugar refining; flo u r m illin g . 17 p p .
Coal a n d water gas; p a in t a n d varnish; paper; p r in tin g trades; rubber goods.
[1919.] 52 p p .
E lectrical m a n u fa c tu rin g ; d istrib u tio n a n d m aintenance. S3 p p .
L o g g in g cam ps a n d sa w m ills. 32 p p .
M edicinal m a n u fa c tu rin g . 13 p p .
M etal w orking; b u ild in g a n d general construction; railroad tra n sp o rta tio n ; sh ip
b u ild in g . 123 p p .
M in es a n d m in in g . 37 p p .
Office em ployees. 20 p p .
S la u g h te rin g a n d m eat p acking. 43 p p .
S treet railw ays. 23 p p .
T extiles a n d clothing. 94 p p .
W ater tra n sp o rta tio n . 32 p p .
■ — ------ C hildren's B u re a u . The S ta tes a n d child labor. W ashington, 1919.
B u re a u p u b lic a tio n N o . 58. C hildren’s year leaflet N o . 13.
46 p p .
This bulletin, prepared in collaboration with the child conservation section of the
field division, Council of National Defense, summarizes briefly the age and hour
restrictions placed by the various State laws upon the employment of children under
16 years in factories and stores and the age restrictions placed upon the employment
of boys in mines. These regulations are of two types, those fixing minimum ages
and maximum hours and prohibiting night work, and compulsory school-attendance
laws.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
U
n it e d
S
t a t e s
o n B r itis h
.—
D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r . E m p lo y e r s ’ I n d u s tr ia l C o m m is sio n .
la b o r p ro b le m s .
W a sh in g to n , 191 9 . S I p p .
T h is r e p o r t is n o te d o n p a g e s
•----------- -
E m p lo y m e n t
S e rv ic e .
101 a n d 1 0 2 o f t h is i s s u e o f t h e R
M a n u a l.
34
pages,
e v ie w
m im e o g ra p h e d .
R ep o rt
.
[ W a s h in g to n ,
191 9 .]
This manual was designed to be issued in loose-leaf form to all employees and asso
ciates of the service by the training section immediately after the first normal confer
ence. It contains sections on Function of service; Professional spirit and standards;
Functional administration—Federal, State; Community labor boards; Personnel regu
lations; Fiscal regulations; Special post-war activities—cancellation of contracts,
demobilization, placement of handicapped; Office layout; Interviewing and place
ment; Recruiting; Job soliciting; Clearance; Forms and files; Reports and statistics;
and Community coordination.
—•—• —•—• T r a in in g S e rv ic e . L a b o r tu rn o v e r a n d in d u s tr ia l tr a in in g . W a sh in g to n ,
191 9 .
8 pp.
T r a in in g b u lle tin N o . 6.
---------------- -—
I n d u s tr ia l tr a in in g
T r a in in g b u lle tin N o . 7.
a n d fo r e ig n
trade.
—--------- --—-—• S o m e
a d v a n ta g e s o f in d u s tr ia l tr a in in g .
T r a in in g b u lle tin N o . 8.
W a sh in g to n ,
1919.
W a sh in g to n , 1919.
12
pp.
12 p p .
—— ----- ------ S e v e n
m illio n ca n d id a tes f o r tr a in in g . E x tr a c t f r o m The I n d u s tr ia l A r ts
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 1 9 . 15 p p .
T r a in in g b u lle tin N o . 9 .
M a g a zin e.
--------- -—• —•—
A b u sin ess m a n ’s experien ce w ith in d u s tr ia l tr a in in g a n d w h a t h is f ir m
p ro p o s e s to do because o f i t .
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 1 9 . 12 p p .
T r a in in g b u lle tin N o . 10.
■----- F ederal B o a r d f o r V o c a tio n a l E d u c a tio n .
J o u r n a lis m as a v o c a tio n .
W a sh in g to n ,
J a n u a ry , 1919. 10 p p . O p p o r tu n ity m o n o g ra p h , V o c a tio n a l r e h a b ilita tio n series
N o . 18.
■
--------- The
15 p p .
lu m b er in d u s tr y . L o g g in g ; s a w m illin g .
W a sh in g to n , J a n u a r y , 1919.
O p p o r tu n ity m o n o g ra p h , V o c a tio n a l r e h a b ilita tio n series N o . 19.
■ --------- O c c u p a tio n s
a ry , 1 9 1 9 .
-----
in the a u to m o b ile m a n u fa c tu r in g in d u s tr y .
W a sh in g to n , J a n u
O p p o r tu n ity m o n o g ra p h , V o c a tio n a l r e h a b ilita tio n series N o . 20.
F ed era l T rade C o m m is sio n . R e p o r t o n c a n n ed fo o d s .
1 9 18 .
W a sh in g to n , 191 9 . 83 p p .
-
-----
SI p p .
C a n n e d sa lm o n .
D ecem ber,
F u e l A d m in is tr a tio n . G en era l orders, re g u la tio n s , a n d r u lin g s , in c lu d in g the acts
o f C on gress, E x e c u tiv e orders, a n d p r o c la m a tio n s o f the P r e s id e n t p u r s u a n t to w hich
the U n ite d S ta te s F u e l A d m in is tr a tio n w a s created a n d is a c tin g . A u g u s t 10, 1 9 1 7 D ecem ber 81, 191 8 .
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 1 9 . 614 p p .
R a ilr o a d A d m in is tr a tio n . E x te n s io n o f ten u re o f G o v e rn m e n t a n d co n tro l o f r a il
road s. S ta te m e n ts o f M r. W a lk er D . H in e s , D ire c to r G en eral o f R a ilr o a d s, before
the In te r sta te C om m erce C o m m itte e o f the U n ite d S ta te s S e n a te , F e b ru a ry S, 4 , 5 , a n d
6, 191 9 .
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 1 9 . 184 p p .
---- -
S h ip p in g B o a r d . M a rin e a n d dock la b o r. W o rk , w ages, a n d in d u s tr ia l c o n d itio n
re la tio n s d u rin g the w a r. R e p o r t o f d ire cto r o f m a rin e a n d dock in d u s tr ia l r e la tio n s
d iv is io n . D ecem ber S I , 1 9 1 8 .
W a sh in g to n , 19 1 9 . 20S p p .
------------ E m erg en cy
F le e t C o r p o ra tio n . I n d u s tr ia l R e la tio n s D i v is io n . R e p o r t o f
a n in q u ir y as to w o rk s c o m m ittees m ade b y B r itis h M in is te r o f L a b o r. \ W ash
in g to n ] 1919. 1S1 p p .
This booklet, besides containing a reprint of the report on the constitution and work
ing of works committees, contains in appendixes reprints of the questionnaire used
in the inquiry; the report upon individual works committees, etc.; the summary of
a district investigation; the report of the joint committee on absenteeism; the national
and district schemes—shop stewards; the Whitley report—supplementary report on
works committees; and the scheme of local joint pits committees.
This report is n o t e d m o r e f u l l y o n pages 2 0 9 t o 2 1 2 o f t h i s i s s u e o f t h e M o n t h l y
L
abor
R
e v ie w
.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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U
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
S t a t e s . — T a r if f C o m m is sio n .
W a sh in g to n , 1919. 55 p p .
C harts.
n it e d
C o sts o f 'produ ction in the su g a r in d u s tr y .
T a r if f in fo r m a tio n series N o . 9.
Discusses the changes in costs and prices which were brought about in the sugar
industry by the world war. The report states that in all regions of the industry labor
cost was an important element in the increases in both factory and raw material costs.
This was especially true, it is stated, in Hawaii, where the “ laborers are paid a stand
ard wage, to which is added a bonus based, according to a sliding scale, on the New
York quotations of the price of raw sugar. This bonus, amounting to only 4 or 5 per
cent of the standard wage before the war, had risen to 78 per cent in 1916-17. In
that year the system was changed, but even after the change the bonus in the following
year amounted to 54 per cent of the standard wage. * * * It is estimated that for
every dollar per ton added to the price of sugar the cost per ton of producing sugar in
Hawaii is increased 35 to 50 cents from this source.” The report concludes that
“ considering the present trend of prices of the necessities of life, some such automatic
increment to wages is equitable.” Each element that enters into the cost of pro
duction is considered, including the tariff, which is fully discussed.
—— T rea su ry D e p a r tm e n t. P u b lic H ea lth S e rv ic e . S a n ita tio n o f ru r a l w orlcm en ’s
areas, w ith s p e c ia l reference to h o u sin g .
W a sh in g to n , 1918.
487 fro m the P u b lic H e a lth R e p o rts, S e p te m b e r 6, 1918.
35 p p .
R e p r in t N o .
This is a report of the divisional committee on village and public sanitation, section
on sanitation, committee on welfare work of the committee on labor, advisory commis
sion, Coimcil of National Defense. Besides dealing with the selection and prepara
tion of new sites and the laying out and the improvement of streets, the report
considers the water supply, the collection and disposal of excreta, the collection and
disposal of garbage and other refuse, the housing of wage earners in labor camps,
permanent houses, rat-proofing premises, control of other vermin, house cleaning and
general cleanliness, and local legislation.
OFFICIAL—FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
A
. — D e p a r ta m e n to N a c io n a l d el
B u e n o s A ir e s , 1918. 71 p p .
r g e n t in a
T ra b a jo .
B o le tín
N o . 39, O ctober, 1918.
This bulletin is devoted entirely to a discussion of the benefits arising from collective
contracts between employer and employees, and refers to the printers’ strike in the
Federal district in 1906, and to the permanence of the agreement entered into at its
conclusion.
--------- ( B
u e n o s
T ra b a jo .
i r e s ) . — D ire c c ió n G en era l de E s ta d ís tic a y D e p a r ta m e n to P r o v in c ia l del
B o le tín N o . 199. A p r i l - J u n e , 1917. 1 5 9 -2 9 1 p p .
A
This report contains vital, financial, school, labor, and accident statistics for the
second quarter of 1917, and a digest of laws and decrees affecting labor.
A
. — B u r e a u o f C ensu s a n d S ta tis tic s , L a b o r a n d I n d u s tr ia l B ra n ch .
P ric e s ,
p u rc h a s in g p o w e r o f m o n e y , w a g es, tra d e -u n io n s, u n e m p lo y m e n t, a n d g en eral in d u s
tr ia l c o n d itio n s, 1917.
M e lb o u rn e, J u ly , 1918. 186 p p . R e p o r t, N o . 8.
u s t r a l ia
This report contains information in summarized form regarding trade-unionism,
unemployment, prices, rents, purchasing power of money, wages, and general indus
trial conditions. In addition, the several appendixes to the report furnish detailed
information in comparable form as to wholesale and retail prices and rents for the year
1917, and also as to current rates of wages and hours of labor in all the more important
trades and occupations in the different States of the commonwealth. It is stated that
most, if not all, of the subjects dealt with in the report have not received in the past
that attention in the commonwealth that they now demand and that, in view of the
lack of data bearing thereon, it became necessary to commence the collection of infor
mation a n e w a n d t o create a suitable organization for t h a t p u r p o s e .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
In collecting data for the report, a great variety of sources of information was utilized.
Particulars as to the purchasing power of money were obtained direct from retail dealers
and house agents. Wholesale prices were taken from market quotations in the daily
press and in trade journals. Information as to unemployment was obtained from tradeunions, while that relating to industrial disputes and changes in rates of wages was
obtained both from trade-unions and from employers’ associations. A large number
of returns were also received from official sources.
Sections of the report relate to the operation of the State free employment bureaus,
the assistance given to immigrants, industrial accidents, import and export prices,
and operations under the arbitration and wages board acts. A section is also devoted
to international labor statistics.
A
. — B u r e a u o f C e n su s a n d S ta tis tic s , L a b o r a n d I n d u s tr ia l B ra n c h .
Q u a rte rly
S u m m a r y o f A u s tr a lia n S ta tis tic s . S e p te m b e r , 1918.
M e lb o u rn e, 1918. 72 p p .
B u lle tin N o . 78.
u s t r a l ia
■--------- ( V
ic t o r ia
) . — G overn m en t
s ta tis t.
F o r tie th a n n u a l r e p o rt o n F r ie n d ly S o c ie tie s
* * * f o r the yea r 1917. M elb o u rn e [1915]. x iv , 84 p p .
Reports a total of 46 societies with 1,516 branches, having 158,181 members and an
annual income of £653,055 ($3,178,092.16). The total funds available in 1917 was
£3,017,503 ($14,684,678.35), or £19 Is. 6d. ($92.83) per member.
B r a z i l . — M in is te rio da A g r ic u ltu r a , I n d u s tr ia e C o m m ercio .
H is to r ia da co lon isagao do
B r a s il o rg a n iza d a p o r J o a q u im da S ilv a R o ch a , D ire c to ría do S e rv ic o de P o v o a m e n to .
V ol. 1, 191 8 . R io de J a n e iro , 1918. 314 p p .
This is the first of a series of historical studies on colonization and immigration. The
first chapter reviews the colonization projects from the Phoenician period to the present
date, their purpose and results, and their influence on commerce, industry, and
civilization. Other chapters are: Systems of organization; Chinese and Japanese;
European emigration; Portuguese in Brazil; Historical periods in America; and several
chapters on various subjects relating particularly to colonization in Brazil.
—— M in is te rio da V iagao e O bras P u b lic a s . R e la to r io a p re sen ta d o ao p re sid e n te da
re p ú b lic a dos E s ta d o s
x x v, 508 p p .
U n id o s do B r a z il.
A n n o de 191 7.
R io de J a n e iro , 1918.
An annual report prepared by the minister of railways and public works, relative to
the maintenance and operation of State and other railway systems, ocean and river
transportation, public postal, telegraph, telephone, lighting, and water-supply services
operated in whole or in part under State control.
Ca n a d a ..— D epartment o f Labor.
Ottawa, 1919. 156 pp.
■
--
E ighth annual report on w h olesale p ric e s, 1917.
D e p a r tm e n t o f P u b lic I n fo r m a tio n .
J a n u a r y , 1919. 64 p p .
C harts.
C a n a d a ’s p a r t in
the g reat w a r.
O tta w a ,
Concise and complete account with statistics, of Canada’s war effort. Sections
devoted to Women’s work, National registration and labor, and Rehabilitation of
returned soldiers are of special interest to labor.
------------The p ro g ra m o f r e p a tr ia tio n . Is s u e d fo r the R e p a tr ia tio n C o m m itte e . O tta w a
[1919].
48 pp.
------------- R e tu r n e d so ld ie r’s h a n d b o o k . C o n ta in s v a lu a b le in fo r m a tio n a n d te lls y o u
where to g et m o re. I s s u e d f o r the R e p a tr ia tio n C o m m itte e . O tta w a [1919]. 30 p p .
.----- D e p a r tm e n t
R e p o r t.
o f S o ld ie r s ’ C iv il R e e sta b lish m e n t.
O tta w a , M ay , 1918. 107 p p .
I n v a lid e d S o ld ie r s ’ C o m m is sio n .
A summary of the work accomplished during the year by the commission, which
superseded the Military Hospitals Commission, and which was placed under the
direction and control of the Minister of Soldiers’ Civil Reestablishment in February,
1918. The report gives detailed information concerning institutions, order of pro
cedure regarding returned men, vocational training, employment, special provision
for those suffering from special diseases, and other related matter.
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306
MONTHLY LABOK REVIEW.
C a n a d a .—
R e p a tr ia tio n C o m m itte e . G en era l su r v e y
O tta w a , 1918. 5 8 p p . 29 charts. P . C. 282 3 .
o f C a n a d a ’s r e p a tr ia tio n p la n s .
The repatriation committee, which was created by an order in council, “ is charged
with the duty and responsibility of securing the closest cooperation of all departments
of the Government and of other agencies now existing or th at may be hereafter created
for the purpose of dealing with the following: (a) The absorption into civil life and
occupation of discharged soldiers; and (£>) Industrial labor conditions which may arise
from industrial dislocation and readjustment.” This survey treats, in turn, The
problem of repatriation; The machinery of repatriation; Getting the boys out of khaki;
Bringing home the soldiers’ dependents; The war service gratuity; Helping the
wounded to overcome handicaps, including the scales of pensions and allowances for
deaths and disabilities; Distributing employment opportunities; Insuring employ
ment opportunities; and Insuring better living and working conditions. Charts show
the organization of various branches of repatriation work.
------------ W a r to peace: T he p ro g r a m o f the C a n a d ia n G o v e r n m e n t re g a rd in g the re tu rn e d
so ld iers a n d re a d ju s tm e n t o f in d u s tr ia l c o n d itio n s.
[O tta w a , 19 1 9 .]
29 p p .
The chief features of the program are the finding of employment for returned soldiers;
the provision of free medical and hospital care, orthopedic and surgical appliances,
vocational training, and pensions, for the disabled soldier; and the taking over, at cost
price, of land to be sold to soldiers on the amortization plan.
------ S o ld ie r S e ttle m e n t B o a r d . H a n d b o o k , g iv in g in fo r m a tio n re g a rd in g la n d s e ttle m e n t,
a g ric u ltu r a l tr a in in g , a n d lo a n s f o r re tu r n e d so ld iers.
20 p p .
This will be reviewed in a future number
----------- A n n o u n c e m e n t. S u p p le m e n t to the
m ent H andbook.
T h is
-----
will
(N
S
c o t ia
m in e s, 1 9 1 8 .
the
in
M
L
a b o r
R
e v ie w
.
4 PP-
a fu tu r e n u m b e r of th e M
) . — D e p a r tm e n t
H a lifa x , 191 9 .
o n t h l y
seco n d e d itio n o f the S o ld ie r L a n d S e ttle
O tta w a , F e b ru a ry 14, 1919.
b e r e v ie w e d
o v a
of
O tta w a , D ecem ber 31, 1918.
o n t h l y
L
a b o r
o f P u b lic W o rk s a n d M in es.
76 p p .
C h a rts.
R
e v ie w
.
A n n u a l re p o rt o n
During the year ending September 30, 1918, 122 fatal accidents occurred in coal
mines in Nova Scotia, 88 of these having been caused by one explosion. An average
of 12,823 workmen were employed in 23 coal mines for which figures are given. Atten
tion is called to the fact that the number of employees was practically the same as in
the previous year, but that there was a considerable decrease in coal-producing men,
with a resultant decrease in output.
--------- ( O n t a r i o ) . —B u r e a u o f M in es.
T w e n ty -se v e n th a n n u a l re p o r t, 1 9 18.
T o ro n to ,
191 8 .
265 p p .
M a p s.
I llu s tr a te d .
During the year 1917 at the mines, metallurgical works, quarries, clay and gravel
pits regulated by the mining act of Ontario there were 34 fatal accidents, causing the
death of 36 men, as compared with 51 deaths in 1916. Of these, 18 accidents resulting
in 19 deaths, occurred underground. Above ground 7 men were killed at the mines,
6 at metallurgical works, and 4 at the quarries. Seventeen companies had fatal acci
dents during the year.
C
h il e
.—
O ficin a C e n tra l de E s ta d ís tic a . A n u a r io E s ta d ís tic o d e la R e p ú b lic a d e C h ile,
S a n tia g o de C h ile, 1917 a n d 1918. 8 v o ls .
1916-17.
. — D ire k to ra te t f o r A r b e jd s-o g F a b r ik tils y n e ts .
B e r e tn in g o m arbejd s-o g f a b r ik tils y n e ts v irk so m h ed . A a r ene 1 9 1 6 o g 1 9 1 7 .
C o p e n h a g en , 1918. 49 p p .
D
e n m a r k
F
r a n c e
Report of the factory inspection service of Denmark for the years 1916 and 1917.
. — M in istè re d u C om m erce, de l ’In d u s tr ie , des P o s te s et des T élégraph es.
de ré o rg a n isa tio n des services d u M in istè re d u C om m erce et de l ’I n d u s tr ie .
1917.
P r o je t
P a r is ,
160 pp.
This project for the reorganization of the services of the Ministries of Commerce and
of Industry is worked out in detail in six parts, of which the fourth part—devoted to
the development of French institutions and establishments for technical instruction—
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
is of special interest to labor. After considering the inadequacy of the present facilities
for technical and vocational instruction in France, plans are proposed for the creation
of national laboratories, and the various institutions at present existing are considered
with regard to their present equipment and possible improvement. Among these
are special technical institutes; the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts; the
Central School of Arts and Manufactures; the Normal School for Technical Instruc
tion; national schools of arts and crafts; national vocational schools of Armentières,
Nantes, Vierzon, and Voiron, which prepare pupils for admission to the national
schools of arts and crafts and turn out overseers, shop managers, and designers; trade
schools; and practical schools of commerce and industry. The report states that—
It has been rightly said that the disappearance of apprenticeship constitutes “ a
double peril”—a national peril from the point of view of our economic prosperity,
and a social peril in that it concerns the condition and the future of wage earners.
The Senate, m voting the Astièr law, which makes vocational courses obligatory
upon young men and women less than 18 years of age employed in commerce and
industry, has estimated that the best means of defense against this double menace
consists in making vocational instruction universal. It is to this heavy task that the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry ought to consecrate itself as soon as the law now
submitted to the Chamber of Deputies is passed.
. — M in istère d u T r a v a il et de la P ré v o y a n c e S o c ia le .
R a p p o r t s u r V a p p lic a tio n
p e n d a n t les a n n ées 1 915 et 1916 de la L o i des R e tra ite s O u vriè res et P a y sa n n e s.
P a r is , 1 9 1 9 . 2 2 2 p p .
F
r a n c e
G
r e a t
T h is r e p o r t w ill b e n o te d m o re f u lly in a f u tu r e is s u e o f th e R
e v ie w
.
o f A g r ic u ltu r e a n d F ish eries. R e p o r t o n W ages a n d C o n d itio n s
o f E m p lo y m e n t in A g r ic u ltu r e .
V o l. 1, G en era l R e p o r t. L o n d o n , 1919. 202 p p .
P ric e , I s . 9d . n e t.
B
r it a in
.— B oard
Contains results of an investigation of wages and conditions of employment in
agriculture in England and Wales, under the following sections: I. Survey of farming;
II. Supply of labor and its quality; I II. Conditions of labor; IV. Wages and earnings;
V. Cottage accommodation and rents; VI. Relations of employers and employed.
Gardens, allotments, small holdings, etc.
— C o a l I n d u s tr y C o m m is sio n . I n te r im re p o rt b y M essrs. R . W . C o o p e r, J . T. F o rg ie ,
a n d E v a n W illia m s .
L o n d o n , 19 1 9 .
8 pp.
C m d . 86 .
R e v i e w e d o n p a g e s 109 to 114 of t h i s n u m b e r of t h e M o n t h l y L
abor
R
e v ie w
.
----------- I n te r im
re p o rt b y the H o n o ra b le M r. J u stic e S a n k e y (c h a irm a n ), M r. A r th u r
B a lf o u r , S i r A r th u r D u c k h a m , a n d S i r T h o m a s R o y d e n . L o n d o n , 1919
14 v v
C m d. 84.
Reviewed on pages 1 0 9 to
------------ R e p o r t b y M essrs.
114
of this number of the
M
onthly
Labor R
e v ie w
.
R . S m illie , F r a n k H o d g es, a n d H erb ert S m ith , S i r L eo
C h iozza M o n ey , M essrs. R . H . T a w n e y , a n d S id n e y W ebb. L o n d o n , 1919. 20 p v
C m d . 85 .
R e v ie w e d o n p a g e s 109 to 114 of t h i s n u m b e r o f t h e M
-----
onthly
Labor R
e v ie w
.
C o m m ittee o n R e c r u itm e n t f o r the C iv il S e rv ic e a fte r the W ar. I n te r im re p o rt, da ted
F e b ru a ry 2 8 ,1 9 1 8 ; 5 p p . , C m d . 3 4 ; S e c o n d in te r im re p o rt, d a te d M a y 1 7 ,1 9 1 8 , 5 p p . ,
C m d . 3 5 ; T h ir d in te r im re p o rt, d a te d O ctober SO, 191 8 , 7 p p . , C m d . 36. L o n d o n ,
1919. P ric e , I d . n e t, each.
The first report indicates the modifications in the usual physical standards for
certification which were considered desirable in order to facilitate the entry to the
permanent civil service, or the promotion within that service of persons whose health
had been impaired through naval or military duty. The second report takes up
“ the steps to be taken to utilize, in suitable clerical or administrative employments,
the services of officers and men discharged from the Navy and Army on account of ill
health.” The third deals with the method of filling permanent vacancies in class 1
and intermediate or corresponding grades pending a resumption of open competition.
The examination for class 1 before the war having presupposed a complete university
education, which few, if any, of the available candidates will now possess, it will
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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308
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
be impossible to resume competitive examinations of the prewar type for at least two
or three years after demobilization.
G
B r i t a i n . — I m p e r ia l w a r conference, 191 8 .
E x tr a c ts f r o m m in u te s o f proceed
in g s a n d p a p e r s la id before the conference.
L o n d o n , 1918.
252 p p .
C d. 9 1 7 7 .
P r ic e , 2s. n e t.
r e a t
Among the subjects under consideration and upon which resolutions were unani
mously agreed to by the conference, subject to an exception noted, were the control
of raw materials, the nonferrous metal industry, the dye manufacturing industry,
central emigration authority, the imperial mineral resources bureau, and naturalization,
----- M in is tr y o f P e n s io n s . F ir s t a n n u a l re p o rt, to M arch 8 1 , 1 9 18. L o n d o n , 1919.
142 p p .
C m d. 14.
P ric e , 9 d . n e t.
Sections deal with vocational training—training of disabled men, war widows, and
disabled officers and nurses; and employment of the war disabled—men and officers.
------------ R e p o r t u p o n o p e n in g s in a g ric u ltu r e s u ita b le f o r d isa b le d sa ilo r s a n d so ld iers.
L o n d o n , 1918.
6 pp.
P ric e , I d . n e t.
This report, which is issued in collaboration with the Board of Agriculture, con
siders openings in farm work, dairying, forestry, horticulture, market gardening,
fruit growing, poultry and bee keeping; also training, maintenance during training,
and wages and hours of work. The question of agricultural motor-tractor work is not
included, being dealt with in a separate report.
----- M in is tr y o f R e c o n stru c tio n . A d v is o r y C o u n c il. W o m e n ’s H o u s in g S u b c o m m it
tee.
F in a l re p o rt.
L o n d o n , 191 9 .
21pp.
C d .9 2 3 2 .
The committee was appointed early in 1918 and submitted a preliminary report in
May, 1918 ( M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , December, 1918, pp. 335-337). It was the
purpose of the committee to call attention to and make recommendation to secure
improvements in those features of all houses which affect the woman who does the
housework. The recommendations of the committee not contained in the prelim
inary report are for a high standard of material and workmanship, neighborhood plan
ning as well as house planning, increased attention to ventilation and heating, cheap
electricity for domestic purposes, compulsory published registration of landlords,
compulsory sanitary certification by the medical officer of health to prevent crowd
ing, improved water supply, and for limitation of number of cottages where no drain
age system exists.
------------ C o m m itte e o n the In crease o f R e n t a n d M o rtg a ge I n te r e st ( w a r re stric tio n s)
acts.
R e p o r t.
L o n d o n , 19 1 9 .
17 p p .
(C d . 9 2 3 5 .)
This committee was appointed in April, 1918, to report with reference to the work
ing of the acts for the restriction of rent profiteering during the war and their effect
upon postwar housing. The recommendations of the committee are to the effect
that (1) present restrictions on increasing rents Bhould be continued with modifica
tions for a further period of
years; (2) in particular cases the standard rent should
be subject to variation by the local courts; (3) the restrictions should not apply to
houses built from now on; (4) taxes should not be increased on existing houses be
cause of certain gradual rent increases recommended by the committee.
“ The final solution of the housing question, so far as the working classes are con
cerned, is that wages should be sufficient to enable workers to pay economic (or
‘commercial’) rents for suitable houses.” Only in special cases should subsidizing
be resorted to.
A minority report was made.
------------ R e c o n stru c tio n p ro b le m s 1 3 . R u r a l in d u strie s. L o n d o n , 1919. 16 p p .
P ric e , 2d .
Considers: What is a rural industry? Alternative occupations for agriculturists;
The problem of low wages; State aid; and related subjects.
-------- -— R e c o n stru c tio n p ro b le m s 1 4 . F o o d p r o d u c tio n a n d its p ro b le m s f o r the con
su m e r.
L on don , 1919.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
24 p p .
P ric e . 2 d .
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW ,
Great B ritain.— N a tio n a l
H e a lth In su ra n c e C o m m is sio n (E n g la n d ). R e p o r ts o f in
q u irie s a n d a p p e a ls u n d e r the N a tio n a l H ea lth In s u ra n c e (M e d ic a l B e n e fit) R e g u la
tio n s (E n g la n d ), 19 1 8 .
V o l. I I . L o n d o n , 191 9 . 78 p p .
C m d . 1 8 . P ric e , 4 d.
This volume comprises reports of cases dealt with since the issue of Volume I up to
the end of June, 1918. The several parts of the volume correspond with those in
Volume I, with the exception of Part V, which contains reports of cases referred to
the commissioners for arbitration. Since the issue of Volume I no cases relating to
questions of “ competence and skill” of the kind reported in Part V of that volume
have been referred to referees. The report includes inquiries relating to medical
practitioners, inquiries relating to persons, firms, and bodies corporate supplying
drugs and appliances, appeals by medical practitioners against decisions of insurance
committees to deduct sums on the ground of excessive prescribing, appeals by med
ical practitioners against decisions of insurance committees, and cases referred to the
commissioners for arbitration under clause 14 of the agreement between medical
practitioners and insurance committees.
—— N a tio n a l H e a lth In su ra n c e J o in t C o m m itte e . M ed ica l R esearch C o m m itte e . A
s tu d y o f so c ia l a n d eco n o m ic fa c to r s in the c a u sa tio n o f ric k ets, hy M arg a re t F e rg u so n .
W ith a n in tr o d u c to r y h isto ric a l su r v e y by L e o n a rd F in d la y . L o n d o n , 1 918. 99 p p .
C h arts. ( S p e c ia l r e p o rt series N o . 2 0 .) P ric e , 2 s. n e t.
The first part comprises the historical survey; the second contains chapters on
Object, methods, and material; Family history; The rachitic child; The rachitic
family; Income and expenditure; Housing; Bourneville and Port Sunlight—a com
parison with conditions in Glasgow; Conclusions; and References; and the third
part deals with the pathology and etiology of the disease. The study goes in con
siderable detail into the relation of the disease to living conditions, including diet,
housing, and exercise.
----- N a tio n a l I n d u s tr ia l C onference. M in u te s o f p ro c e e d in g s, F e b . 2 7 ,1 9 1 9 . L o n d o n ,
191 9 .
64 p p .
A report of the National Industrial Conference called by the Prime Minister, Mr.
Lloyd-George. A more complete discussion of this report appears on pages 104 to 108
of this number of the Monthly Labor R eview.
________ R e p o r t o f p r o v is io n a l jo in t co m m itte e f o r p r e s e n ta tio n to f u r th e r m e e tin g o f
in d u s tr ia l conference . . . A p r i l 4, 191 9 .
L o n d o n , 191 9.
14, x v i i i p p .
This report is reviewed in some detail on pages 104 to 108 of this issue of the
M o n t h l y L abor R eview. The report contains two appendixes: I—Memorandum
on the causes of and remedies for labor unrest, presented by the trade-union repre
sentatives on the joint committee appointed at the National Industrial Conference,
held at Central Hall, London, on February 27; and I I —Provisional scheme for tradeunion representation on the National Industrial Council.
___ N a tio n a l R e lie f F u n d . R e p o r t o f the a d m in is tr a tio n o f the f u n d u p to the 3 0th
S e p te m b e r, 1 9 1 8 .
P ric e , 2 d . n e t.
( I n c o n tin u a tio n o f C d. 9 1 1 1 .)
L o n d o n , 1 9 19.
11 p p .
C m d. 16.
_____ ( S c o t l a n d ) . — L o c a l
classes.
G o v e rn m e n t B o a r d . P r o v is io n o f houses f o r the w o r k in g
E d in b u rg h , 1 9 1 9 . 10 p p . ( H o u s in g a n d to w n p la n n in g [circu lar] N o . 1 .)
Circular explaining plans of the board for assisting local authorities in housing.
I n d i a .—
D e p a r tm e n t o f S ta tis tic s . S ta tis tic s o j B r itis h I n d ia .
V ol. 3 . P u b lic health.
C a lc u tta , 1919. 116 p p .
N in th issu e. N o . 7 8 7 . P ric e , 1 ru p ee , o r I s . 6 d.
The note contains vital statistics and tables of mortality rates from fevers, from
principal diseases, infantile mortality, and other matters.
___ I n d u s tr ia l C o m m is sio n . R e p o r t, 1 9 1 6 -1 9 1 8 . C m d . 5 1 . C a lc u tta , 1 9 18. 515 p p .
P ric e , 4 s. 6 d. n e t.
India as an industrial country—her present position and possibilities of develop
ment—is the subject of the first chapters of the report. Passing to a discussion of the
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
Indian in industry, the report shows that the relatively low wages of the Indian work
man are counterbalanced by his comparative inefficiency. The commission attributes
this inefficiency to the absence of education, the low standard of comfort, and the
effects of preventable disease. The opinion is expressed that the remedy lies in
raising the standard of comfort and improving the public health—ends which “ can
be attained only by education, improving housing, and a general policy of better
ment, in which an organization for the care of public health must play an important
part.”
M e x ic o .— R e señ a y M e m o ria s d el P r im e r C ongreso N a c io n a l de I n d u s tr ia le s .
1918.
M exico,
636 p p .
This is a report of the proceedings of the first national congress of manufacturers
called by the Department of Industry, Commerce, and Labor and held in the City
of Mexico, November 16 to December 15, 1917. The congress was composed of repre
sentatives of manufacturers’ associations, elected by conventions called for that pur
pose. The proceedings were limited to discussions, debates, and study of industrial
conditions: (1) The organization of industrial chambers and their confederation for
mutual aid, and the establishment of bureaus in the Capital which should act as a
consultative body between the branches of industry; (2 ) methods of promoting the
development of the industrial resources of the country; and (3) consideration of indus
trial legislation.
S w e d e n .— R ik s fô r s a k r in g s a n s ta lte n
âr
1917.
S to c k h o lm ,
1 9 18.
154
pp.
(S v e r ig e s
o fficiella s ta tis tik .)
Report of the State Insurance Institute for the year 1917. The following is a sum
mary table of the operations of the institute. In order to make the figures compara
ble, the preliminary figures for each year for the number of accidents reported and
compensated have been used.
STATISTICS OF THE SWEDISH STATE INSURANCE INSTITUTE, 1903 TO 1917.
Item.
Collective policies1.......................................
Workmen insured.........................................
Accidents reported........................................
Compensated cases........................................
Disability................................................
D eath......................................................
Compensation paid for—
Sick benefits...........................................
Disability and death..............................
Funeral benefits.....................................
Assets, Dec. 31..............................................
Liabilities, Dec. 31........................................
Premiums......................................................
Cost of administration..................................
1903
1,464
32,091
'135
56
51
5
$686
$1,289
$80
$85,531
$ 7 2 , 621
$47,255
$19,834
1908
1913
1914
3,539
70,554
»4,181
3,877
3,844
33
7,169
127', 722
9,101
8^251
8; 175
76
8,003
135,765
10' 596
2 ,736
9' 664
72
10,975
195,735
16 127
14,327
14 224
103
$29,421
$65,441
$87,336
$5fi047
$1,158
$531
$912,391 $1,586,100
$865,044 $1,501,402
$110,145 » $211,492
» $50,577
3$31,946
$77,406
$97,881
$1,222
$1,745,211
$1,651,702
3 $235,005
3$60,079
$105,515
$128,264
$1,688
$2,364,476
$2,155,316
$297,431
$140,613
1917
1 Practically the number of aJl policies issued.
» Large increase due to fact that beginning in 1905 insurance could be taken out for accidents of 00 days’
duration or less.
3 Includes cost of administration of fishermen’s insurance operative since Jan. 1, 1909.
----- S o c ia ls ty r e ls e n .
1919.
S jo m a n s y r k e t i S v e r ig e a v K . S o c ia ls ty r e ls e n .
texte, 2 6 7 p p ; ta b eller, 160 p p .
D e l I I . S to c k h o lm ,
This comprises Part II of a very comprehensive investigation by the labor office of
Sweden into the working and living conditions of Swedish seamen. Part I, dealing
with conditions on board, registration, hiring, and discharging, food, and quarters,
appeared in 1914. With board, the average monthly wages of various classes of per
sonnel on steamships, 1860 to 1917, have been as follows:
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGES, INCLUDING BOARD AND QUARTERS, OF SEAMEN ON
SWEDISH STEAMBOATS, 1860-1917.
Year.
Sea
Seamen men’s Fire
Chief
men Fire Cargo Stew Cooks.
Ship Boat Seamen
(first (second ap (first
helms Helms
men. ards.
swain. class).
man.
wrights.
class). pren class). men.
man.
tice.
1860......... $12.33 $12.32 $11.52 $11.52
1870......... 14.20 14.20 13.13 12.60
1880......... 15.54 17.96 12.86 12. 60
1890......... 15.54 16.88 14.74 13.13
1900......... 17. 96 19.83 16. 62 15. 81
1910......... 19.83 21.44 18. 76 17.96
19.30 18. 22
1912......... 19.56 20.64
30.02 23.85 23. 32
1917......... 29.21
$9. 65
10. 45
10.45
11.52
13.13
14. 74
15.01
20.10
$8.04 $4.29
8.04 5.36
8. 31 5.90
6.43
9.11
10.45 7. 24
12.06 7.50
12.06 8.04
16. 62 10. 99
$13.40
14.47
15.28
15. 81
18. 49
19.83
17. 69
24.39
$9. 65 $6. 97
10. 45 8. 04
11.52 8.58
11.79 8.31
12.86 9.11
14.47 10. 45
14.47 10. 72
19. 83 13.40
$7. 50
10.45
13.13
15.23
17.37
21.90
22.37
33.56
$7.50
8.04
8. 33
10. 72
12. 32
14.47
15. 81
22.13
U nion
of South Africa .— Office o f cen su s a n d sta tis tic s . O fficial yea rb o o k . N o . 1 ,
1 9 1 7 . C o n ta in in g s ta tis tic s m a in ly f o r the p e r io d 1910 to 1916. P re to r ia , 1918.
676 p p .
M ap.
Contains chapters on vital statistics, public health and hospitals, education, social
conditions, agriculture, and fisheries, mines, manufacturing industries, and other
matters of interest to labor.
UNOFFICIAL.
American Academy
of P olitical and Social Science. T he A n n a ls , v o l. 8 2 , w h ole
N o . 1 7 1 . In d u s tr ie s i n re a d ju s tm e n t. P h ila d e lp h ia , T h ir ty -s ix th S tre e t a n d W ood
la n d A v e n u e , M arch, 1 9 1 9 . 3 7 9 p p .
The articles in this number are grouped into five classes: Industries in readjust
ment; capital and labor in readjustment; economic utilization of industrial equip
ment; standardization of industrial equipment; and the industrial and financial out
look. Articles of special interest in connection with labor problems include: Human
izing industry, by Irving Fisher, of Yale University; The labor aspect of reconstruc
tion, by Clarence M. Woolley, of the War Trade Board; The civil service in postwar
readjustment by Herbert E. Morgan, of the United States Civil Service Commission;
Reconstruction—a survey and a forecast, by A. J. Portenar, of the United States
Employment Service; and How American manufacturers view employment relations,
by Steven C. Mason, president of the National Association of Manufacturers. Other
subjects of special interest are food in the reconstruction period, cooperation, compe
tition and combination, and the readjustment of prices.
American Economic Association. T he A m e r ic a n eco n om ic re v ie w , M arch, 1919.
Ith a ca , N . Y ., 191 9 . 2 1 2 p p . P ric e , $1 .2 5 .
Articles of special interest in this number are: Price fixing in a competitive indus
try: A pioneer case, by Lewis H. Haney; The Federal farm loan system, by George
E. Putnam; and Labor turnover, by George J. Eberle. The author of the last article
emphasizes the point that a certain portion of labor turnover is desirable, and divides
the study and solution of this problem into two broad phases: (1) To define and dis
courage undesirable labor turnover; and (2 ) to define and encourage desirable labor
turnover, and lays stress upon home ownership as a remedy for undesirable labor
turnover, which is usually either ignored or not accorded the prominence it deserves.
—--------- S u p p le m e n t. P a p e r s a n d p ro c eed in g s o f tjie th ir ty -fir s t a n n u a l _m e e tin g ,
R ic h m o n d , V a ., D ecem ber, 1918.
Ith a ca , N . Y ., M arch, 1919.
368 p p .
P ric e , $ 1 .2 5 .
A brief notice of this meeting was given in the Monthly Labor R eview of Feb
ruary, 1919, pp. 85, 8 6 , before the receipt of the present report w ith full account oj
papers and proceedings. Three of the papers contained in the report were also pub
lished in full in the March, 1919, issue of the R eview, as follows: The possibility of
compiling an index of the cost of living, by Royal Meeker, pp. 1-9; Stabilizing the
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
dollar, by Irving Fisher, pp. 10-14; A legal dismissal wage, by Edward Alsworth Ross,
pp. 15-19. Other papers of special interest are Effect of Government control on mar
keting methods and costs, by B. H. Hibbard—this paper being in the nature of a
preliminary sketch of work which is being done by the Committee on Markets; Provi
sions of the Food Act and activities which should be made permanent, by W. F.
Gephart; Tenancy in an ideal system of landownership, by Richard T. Ely and
Charles J. Galpin; Land tenure and public policy, by William Kent; Some purposes
and results of price fixing, by G. F. Warren; The possibilities of price fixing in time
of peace, by T. N. Carver; Price-fixing policies of the Food Administration, by Lewis
Cecil Gray; The psychological basis for the economic interpretation of history, by
William F. Ogburn; Securing the initiative of the workman: Industrial and national
organic unity a necessity for developing individual initiative, by Robert B. Wolf.
A merican E conomic Association. T he A m e r ic a n e c o n o m ic re v ie w , M arch, 1 9 19.
S u p p le m e n t N o . 2 . R e p o r t o f the c o m m itte e o n w a r fin a n c e . Ith a ca , N . Y .,
M arch, 191 9 . 144 PP- P ric e , 50 cen ts.
American F ederation of Labor. N e w Y o rk (S ta te ) branch. R e c o n s tr u c tio n p r o
g ra m a d o p te d in conference o f re p re s e n ta tiv e s o f the u n io n s o f the S ta te . A lb a n y ,
J a n u a r y 16 , 1 9 1 9 . 14 p p .
■-----
W is c o n sin branch.
1919. 2 6 p p .
The n e x t ste p s.
A
p ro g ra m
o f c o n str u c tio n .
M ilw a u k ee,
The introduction calls attention to three points to be kept in mind in studying this
program. “ The first is that we are presenting not a complete program of reform but a
single statement of the next steps to be taken in Wisconsin. * * * The second thing
to keep in mind is that we are under no delusion as to the inefficacy of any one of these
measures taken alone to bring about desired results. * * * The third point is that we
insist that every piece of legislation affecting labor be made to fit perfectly with this
program in order that certain acts proposed in the interest of labor may not be detri
mental to its success until all fundamental items in the program are secured.”
American Wool and Cotton R eporter. D ire c to ry o f m a n u fa c tu r e rs . B o s to n ,
M arch 6 , 1 9 1 9 .
113 0 p p .
S e c tio n 2 .
V o l. 3 3 , N o . 1 0 .
P ric e , $3 p e r a n n u m .
A merican Y earbook.
A record o f e v e n ts a n d p ro g re ss 1 9 18. E d ite d by F r a n c is G .
W ick w a re, w ith the c o o p e r a tio n o f a s u p e r v is o r y b o a rd re p re s e n tin g n a tio n a l learned
so cieties. N e w Y o rk , D . A p p le to n & C o ., 1 9 1 9 . 8 5 0 p p .
B arker, J. Ellis.
E c o n o m ic sta te s m a n sh ip .
T he g re a t in d u s tr ia l a n d fin a n c ia l
p ro b le m s a r is in g f r o m the w a r . L o n d o n , J o h n M u rra y , 1 9 18. 4 0 8 p p .
Much of the subject matter in this book is based upon, or has more or less reference
to, the author’s study of political, social, and economic conditions in the United
States and in Canada. The feature of the book, as stated by him, “ is that it analyzes
the causes of America’s success and that it considers the great economic problems of
the future in the light of American experience, so that England and the Empire may
learn from America’s example.” The chapter on Labor and capital after the war is
devoted chiefly to a comparison of American industrial conditions—wages, hours,
etc.—w ith those of Great Britain.
B owley, Arthur L. T he d iv is io n o f the p r o d u c t o f in d u s tr y . A n a n a ly s is o f n a tio n a l
in co m e before the w a r.
2 s. 6 d. n e t.
O x fo rd [ E n g la n d ], C la ren d o n P re s s, 1919.
60 p p .
P ric e ,
In view of the inconsistent estimates offered by different writers on this subject the
author of this work considered it “ expedient to examine closely the statistics on
which they are based, and to restate them in such a way as to show the amount and the
origins of the aggregate incomes of the people of the United Kingdom and the propor
tions of the aggregate th at go to various economic classses. ” As a result of this exami
nation he finds that “ the spendable wealth of the nation derived from home industry
has been grossly exaggerated by loose reasoning,” and says th at “ When it is realized
that the whole income of the nation was only sufficient for reasonable needs if equally
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M O N T H L Y LABO E K E V IE W .
divided, luxurious expenditure is seen to be more unjustifiable even than has com
monly been supposed, and the problems of obtaining a distribution th at is more reason
able and of reducing poverty appear more difficult, though none the less urgent.”
Cameron, James R. I n s tr u c tio n o f d isa b le d m e n in m o tio n -p ic tu r e p r o je c tio n . A n
e le m e n ta ry tex tb o o k .
M en, 191 9 . 140 p p .
N ew
Y o rk , R e d C ross I n s titu te f o r C r ip p le d a n d D is a b le d
Based upon the course of instruction in motion-picture operation introduced in the
Red Cross Institute in May, 1918, w ith the author of this book as instructor. All of the
men who have taken up this course, with one exception, have passed the municipal
examination, and have secured positions through the institute.
Carver, T. N. F o u r la b o r p ro g r a m s. C a m b rid g e, H a rv a rd U n iv e r s ity P re ss, 1 9 19.
p p . 3 4 4 -3 6 7 . R e p r in te d f r o m
F e b ru a ry , 1919.
the Q u a rte r ly
J o u rn a l o f
E c o n o m ic s ,
V o l.
33,
The author believes th at all programs for the improvement of the condition of the
wage earners fall into four general classes, though there are many combinations and
mixtures o.f these four. He arranges the four classes as follows: Programs depending
upon voluntary agreements among free citizens—namely, I. The balancing-up pro
grams and, II. The Collective bargaining programs; and programs depending upon
authority and compulsion, namely, III. The voting programs, and IV. The fighting
programs. Each one of these programs is then treated in detail in its application to
American institutions.
Centraal B ureau voor S ociale Adviezen. J a a rv ersla g , 1 9 18. [A m ste r d a m , 1 9 1 8 .]
31 p p .
Annual report for year ending June 30, 1918, of the central bureau for Advice on
Social Questions, a private organization both endowed and subsidized. I t may be
described as an office of social counsellors.
City Club of N ew Y ork. R e c o n stru c tio n p ro g r a m , 191 9 . N e w Y o rk , 1 9 19. 12 p p .
The program submitted in this pamphlet includes outlines for Social insurance:
1. Workmen’s compensation. 2. Workmen’s health insurance. 3. Old age retire
ment allowance. 4. Unemployment insurance; Public work to reduce unemploy
ment; Public employment service; Land colonization; Housing; Taxation; M iuim nm
wage legislation; Education; Port development; and Democratic shop management.
Confédération Generale du Travail. R a p p o r ts des c o m ités et des c o m m iss io n s
p o u r l'exercise 1 9 1 4 -1 9 1 8 p ré sen tés a u X I X e congrès c o r p o r a tif X I I I e de la C. G . T .
te n u à V ersa illes, d u 1 5 a u 18 J u ille t 191 8 . P a r is , I m p r im e r ie N o u v e lle ( A s s o c ia tio n
O u v riè re ), 191 8 . 89 p p .
This report of the General Confederation of Labor (France), which was presented at
the Nineteenth Corporate Congress (thirteenth of the Confederation), held at Ver
sailles, July 15 to 18, 1918, may be divided into two parts. The first part comprises
brief accounts of the conferences of the Confederation held during the war, and of its
cooperation with the Government in relief work. Among its friendly society activities
wrere measures for the prevention of unemployment, direct assistance to the families of
workmen at the front, the supply and distribution of food, and efforts to reduce the
high cost of living. Part two discusses the international action of the Confederation
in the days preceding the declaration of war and from August, 1914, to June, 1918.
An account of this Confederation is given in the Monthly L abor Review for March,
1919 (p. 75).
Cross, John J., and Outhwaite, L eonard. P e rs o n n e l m a n a g e m e n t. T o p ic a l o u t
lin e a n d b ib lio g ra p h y . [ W a s h in g to n .] J a n u a r y , 191 9 . 59 p p .
Prepared by two officers of the Classification Division, Adjutant General’s Office, as
an aid to personnel adjutants during the period of discharge in their relations with the
Federal Employment Service and civilian employers, the new work of discharging
enlisted men having brought the personnel management into close relations w ith
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
representatives of the Federal Employment Service and entailed new problems
regarding the instruction of soldiers being discharged as to employment possibilities.
D uchêne, G. L e s p ro g rès de la lé g is la tio n s u r le m in im u m de sa la ire avec la tra d u c tio n
des d erniers textes lé g isla tifs des É ta ts - U n is.
P a r is , 1918.
V I , 198 p p .
This volume is a study of wages, and is more especially devoted to the development
of minimum wage legislation in the various countries. A preface by Georges Renard
says the author has traced a brief but thoroughly authenticated history of the progress
of the movement guaranteeing laborers at least their existence.
F abian Society. T h irty -fifth a n n u a l r e p o rt f o r the y ea r en ded M arch 8 1 ,1 9 1 8 . L o n d o n ,
T he F a b ia n S o c ie ty , 1918.
23 p p .
A concise account of the activities and finances of the society for the time indicated,
together with rules of the society.
Garde, E rik. U n ders 0 gelser o ver syg elig h e d en b la n d t arbejdere i d a n sk e p a p ir fa b r ik k e r
a f L æ ge E r ik G arde.
C o p en h a g en , 19 1 7 . 58 p p . , 7 f o ld , tab les. { I n M eddelelser f r a
U n iv e rsite te ts h y g ie jn isk e in s titu t, I I , 1 91V -17, C o p en h agen , 1 9 1 8 .)
Comprises the results of an intensive study of the health conditions among workers
in the paper industry. The study was undertaken for the advisory labor council of
the factory administration in order to determine whether the paper industry is one
which exposes the workers to such dangers to health as to justify reducing hours of
employment therein. Dr. Garde made the investigation for the special committee
of the labor council, the statistical department prepared data as to the health of paper
workers in 1915-16, and Prof. Lundbye made a study of the temperature and humidity
in paper factories.
General Society op Mechanics and Tradesmen op the City op N ew Y ork.
R e p o r t, v o l. 1 8 3 , 1918.
N e w Y o rk , 1919.
117 p p .
Giles, F rederic Mayor, and Giles, I mogene Kean.
I llu s tr a te d .
V o c a tio n a l civics.
o c c u p a tio n s as a b a c k g ro u n d f o r the c o n sid e ra tio n o f a life career. N e w
M a c m illa n C o ., 1919. 252 p p .
A s tu d y o f
Y o rk , The
The plan and foundation of this volume were the result of an experiment in voca
tional guidance carried on for a period of years by the late Mr. Giles while he was a
high-school principal. The book contains chapters on Finding your place in the
world of occupation; Government service; Earth occupations; Transferring occupa- '
tions; Manufacturing and the building trades; Commercial occupations; The profes
sions; Personal services and professions for entertainment; and Personal qualifications.
Gowin, E noch B urton. The se lectio n a n d tr a in in g o f the b u sin e ss execu tive. N e w
Y o rk , The M a c m illa n C o ., 1918.
225 p p .
H aldane, Lord [Richard B urdon],
T he f u tu r e o f d em ocracy. R e p o r t o f a n address
d elivered a t a m e e tin g u n d e r the a u sp ic e s o f the W o rk e rs’ E d u c a tio n a l A s so c ia tio n ,
C o v e n try branch, i n S t . M a rys H a ll, C o v e n try , o n 13 A p r i l , 1918. L o n d o n H e a d le y
B r o s. { L td .) , 1918. 21 p p . P ric e , I s . n e t.
Taking as his ideal of democracy “ the infinite value of human personality, humble
and great standing on the same footing,” the author traces the possible application of
this ideal to working conditions and “ to the point that our ideal for the workman is
that he should be neither a laborer nor a capitalist, but a director, receiving the wages
of a director, which will vary very much according to his capacity.” He believes
that a six-hour working day is a practical possibility under conditions which he points
out, and says, “ If you get rid of the monotony of labor, educate your workman, give
him a good home, treat him properly, and see that these minima are maintained, have
your electricity taking the place of the deficiency of power that there is at the present
time; if you get the human machine as far as possible superseded by the machine
directed by the man with a certain professional skill, the educated workman, you will
have gone a long way towards the point where the elite of talent may take the place
of the old-fashioned aristocracy. That is what I believe in; that is what I mean to
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
work for; that is what I hold to be the only thing that in the days in which we live
can give stability to the Constitution of this country.”
H alstead, William Riley. T he tra g e d y o f la b o r. A m o n o g ra p h in f o l k p h ilo so p h y .
N e w Y o r k , T he A b in g d o n P re s s, 1919.
107 p p .
A brief discussion of social and economic problems and tendencies of to-day on their
human side, under the headings of Appropriation; Private property and the wage;
The opportunity to make a living; The community and the classes; The economic
side of socialism; The soil.
H art, H astings H. S o c ia l p ro b le m s o f A la b a m a . A s tu d y o f the s o c ia l in s titu tio n s
a n d a gen cies o f the S ta te o f A la b a m a as re la te d to its w a r a c tiv itie s.
D ecem ber, 1918. 87 p p . R u s s e ll S a g e F o u n d a tio n .
C. H . 8 8 .
M o n tg o m e r y ,
In a section devoted to the labor problem the author says: “ The labor problem in
Alabama is more complicated than in any other Southern State, because of the great
and growing industrial development of the State. This development has not only
resulted in bringing in a considerable emigration of foreign labor and skilled labor
from Northern States, but it has also affected materially the Negro labor problem.
* * * I t is impossible to predict at this time the outcome, but it indicates a per
manent change in labor conditions and calls for wisdom, patience, and statesmanship
to meet the changing situation. ’’
H elen S. Trounstine F oundation. T he S o c ia l U n it O r g a n iz a tio n o f C in c in n a ti, by
W illia m J . N o r to n .
S tu d ie s , v o l. 1 , N o . 5 .
F e b ru a ry 1 , 1919.
P p . 1 8 1 -1 8 7 .
The result of an investigation of the Social U nit Organization of Cincinnati, made
at the invitation of the Helen S. Trounstine Foundation, to discover what the original
plan was that the promoters of the Social U nit Organization announced before they
were asked to go to Cincinnati; whether any departure had been made from this
plan, and especially whether its officers and employees had been using the organiza
tion for the dissemination of any political or economic doctrine. Mr. Norton’s report
reaches the conclusion that the Social U nit Organization has not departed from its
original plan and that there is no evidence of any political connection or political
propaganda; and the report is accepted by the committee appointed to consider it
for the Helen S. Trounstine Foundation. The purpose of the Cincinnati Social Unit
Organization, as stated in its constitution, is “ to hasten the coming of a democracy
both genuine and efficient by building up on a basis of geographical units an organ
ization through which the people can get a clear idea of their common needs and can
utilize the technical skill of the occupational groups in formulating and carrying out
programs to meet those needs.
H etherington, H. J. W., and Muirhead, J. H. S o c ia l p u r p o s e . A c o n tr ib u tio n to
a p h ilo s o p h y o f c iv ic so c iety.
pp.
L o n d o n , G eorge A lle n &
U n w in { L td .) , 1918.
817
Ethical values are the concern of this work which traces social purpose in its
aims and manifestations through various present-day institutions and the problems
involved in their working. The aim of the authors has been to demonstrate the fact
that ‘ 1 However manifold the forms in which social purpose expresses itself, its nature
and principle are one and indivisible.” Of special interest is the chapter on The
industrial system, which considers in turn: Industry as an institution, The ethical
values of industry, New movements of industry, Examination of tendencies, and The
possibilities of large-scale industry. In reference to New movements in industry the
authors say: “ It is clear that so long as we maintain large-scale industry, we main
tain thereby extreme specialization of function, and therefore essentially monotony.
In the long run the only way to get rid of monotony is to revert to a much more primi
tive and much less productive economic order. On the other hand, a much greater
degree of democratic control is perfectly compatible with the maintenance of large
industries; and the chief reason why the reformist movement in this country has
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concerned itself mainly with this side of the problem is that it has assumed the per
manence of great industrial organizations. We may distinguish, then, four proposed
lines of reform.” The first of these, prominent both in France and Russia, where
large-scale industry has not established itself so comprehensively as in Great Britain,
is a return to a system of small-scale production. Its ideal is the small rural commu
nity, which will from within itself produce all the primary requisites of human life.
The second is the Syndicalist or Industrial Unionist movement. The third is the
system called Guild Socialism. And the fourth is a school which holds that while
the policy of the Guild Socialists is eminently and immediately practicable, the
ultimate aim of reform should be to replace the great national guilds by local guilds—
apparently an attem pt to reach the ideal of the small production unit by means of
the national guild. The conclusion is reached, after an examination of the claims
of these four lines of reform, “ that the ethical values which we hope to win from
industry must be sought in relation to all the values of social life, and every industry
be regarded as an instrument of social purposes which are shared by others than those
who carry it on.” The book is the outcome of a series of lectures delivered at the
University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, in August, 1916, to the summer school of
the Civic and Moral Education League.
H opkinson, Sir Alfred. R e b u ild in g B r ita in . A s u r v e y o f p ro b le m s o f re c o n stru c tio n
a fter the W o r ld W ar.
L o n d o n , C a ssell C o. { L td .) , 1918.
186 p p .
Reconstruction problems are considered in this work in five parts: The course;
Peace—International peace, Political peace, Industrial peace, Religious peace; Re
trenchment; Reform; and The goal. Under Industrial peace chapters are devoted
to industrial councils, hours, and wages.
I nternational I nstitute of Agriculture. A n n u a ir e I n te r n a tio n a l de L é g is la tio n
A g r ic o le .
V I I cmu A n n é e 191 7 .
R o m e , 191 8 .
Ix x iv , 1220 p p .
The character of agricultural legislation in 1917 was exceptional owing to the
influence of conditions produced by the war. As indicated by the title, the volume
is a compilation of laws enacted relative to agriculture in its broadest sense: commer
cial statistics; products, machinery, manures, and live stock; financial laws, including
taxes, customs, duties, etc.; crops and vegetable products industries; livestock-breed
ing, organization, and education; plant enemies; cooperation, insurance, and credit;
rural property; relations between capital and labor; and rural hygiene and protective
measures.
Jenkinson, M. Webster. T he w o rk ers’ in te re st in c o stin g . { A f a c to r o f in d u s tr ia l
re c o n stru c tio n .)
L o n d o n , Gee dc C o. { L td .) 1919.
27 p p .
The author, who is controller of factory audits and costs at the Ministry of Muni
tions, in presenting this paper before the Industrial Reconstruction Council, January
28,1919, says that “ at a certain factory the tool-room cost for each production unit of
1,000 articles manufactured was 10s. ($2.43); at a corresponding factory the cost was
4s. 6 d. ($1.10) per unit.” In eight months after a costing system was introduced in
the tool room the cost per unit was reduced from 10s. ($2.43) to 2s. lOd. ($0.69) per
unit. Improvements effected by the introduction of this system were: (1) The firm
reduced the tool cost by 72 per cent; (2) the tool-room operatives earned higher
wages owing to the reduction in wasters and consequent increased production; (3) the
foremen and charge hands received a bonus above their normal wage; (4) the works
operatives were insured a regular supply of tools, thus facilitating production and
avoiding the idle time which had previously occurred.
I t is not stated that these improvements were actually produced by the introduc
tion of the costing system, but were rather the result of efficient organization, still,
according to the testimony of the manager, the information available therefrom made
the reduction possible by serving as a guide to the management in detecting and
correcting weak spots. In discussing the opposition of workers to a costing system,
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the writer expresses the opinion that once the workers are convinced that such a
system secures economy in time, effort, and material to both employer and employed
and, therefore, means higher wages, their support and assistance will be given.
JnwiSH Agricultural and I ndustrial Aid Society. A n n u a l r e p o rt f o r the year
1918.
N e w Y o rk , 174 S e c o n d A v e n u e .
[1 9 1 9 .] 49 p p .
Gives detailed reports on war activities, the farm loan department, loans and pur
poses of loans, equities of borrowers, repayments, farm finding bureau, farm labor
bureau, sanitation bureau, and other matter. The farm labor bureau placed 1,009
men in first placements in 1918 as against 1,529 in 1917. The farm finding bureau
directed the settlement of 49 farmers, while the loan department reported the granting
of 360 loans aggregating $222,937.12.
Lane, R alph [Norman Angell], The B r itis h r e v o lu tio n a n d the A m e r ic a n dem ocracy.
A n in te r p r e ta tio n o f B r itis h la b o r p ro g r a m s.
819 p p .
N ew
Y o rk .
B . W . H u ebsch, 1919.
In this analysis of British labor programs and the forces behind them and their
relation to American democracy an attem pt is made, to quote the author, “ to explain
the outstanding moral forc;es which have brought these programs into being, and with
which the world will have to reckon in facing its problems of reconstruction.”
L egal Aid Society. F o r ty -th ir d a n n u a l r e p o rt o f the p re sid e n t, treasu rer, a n d a tto rn e y ,
f o r the yea r 191 8 .
N e w Y o rk , 191 9 .
72 p .
During the year covered by the report 38,287 applications for legal advice and
assistance were received by the society, this number being 6,333 less than for the
year 1917. The principal nationalities represented were as follows: Russian Empire,
4,770; British Empire 4,477; Austria 2,875; Germany 1,664; Italy 1,532; Sweden 1,287;
United States 16,424. Of the clients 21,505 were men and 16,782 were women; 14,567
were aliens; 16,424 native born; and 7,296 naturalized citizens.
L eitch, John. M a n -to -m a n . T he sto r y o f in d u s tr ia l dem ocracy. N e w Y o rk , B . C.
F orbes C o ., 191 9 .
249 p p .
The data in several chapters of this book are founded on the experiences of certain
manufacturers with their employees. The chapters cover: The factory worker of
to-day; Why men strike; Building men to build pianos; Out of a confusion of tongues;
The supervision that counts; Must a foreman be a pugilist? Industrial democracy;
Industrial democracy, the employees, and the unions; Industrial democracy and the
employer; Keeping alive the community spirit; and Putting labor behind America.
L émonon, E rnest. IA ap rès-g u erre et la m a in -d ’œ u vre I ta lie n n e en F ra n ce. P a n s ,
L ib r a irie F é lix A lc a n , 191 8 .
90 p p .
This volume deals with the problem of Italian labor in France after the war, which
the author considers of special importance in a consideration of emigrant labor.
Mackenzie, J. S. O u tlin e s o f so c ia l p h ilo s o p h y . L o n d o n , G eorge A lle n & U n w in
( L td .) , 191 8 .
280 p p .
The object of this book is to provide a suitable textbook for students of the subject.
The work has grown out of a short course of lectures delivered at the London School of
Economics and Political Science in 1916-17. The book is in three parts: The founda
tions of social order; National order; and World order. In the second part is a chapter
devoted to industrial institutions.
Maurras, Charles. L e s chefs so c ia liste s p e n d a n t la guerre. P a r is , N o u v e lle L ib ra rie
N a tio n a le , 191 9 .
320 p p .
Sketches of the activities of socialist leaders in France during the war.
N ational Association or Manufacturers. (R e p o r t o n b u sin ess c o n d itio n s
p r o b a b ilitie s .)
N e w Y o rk C ity , A p r i l 8 , 1 9 1 9 .
and
21 p p .
This pamphlet contains the expression of individual opinion of many members
of the association with regard to business conditions and prospects. The canvass of
the membership covered 4,400 large firms in practically all lines of industry and the
survey shows that “ with the exception of 5 out of 22 principal groups of industries
1143.39°—19----- 21
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throughout the United States, business activity is approximately between 25 and 50
per cent of normal.” There are discussions of the methods necessary to relievo busi
ness of the after-war uncertainty and to insure a return to general prosperity and
reports of the results of the survey on the following topics: Conditions of stock on hand
as compared with normal prewar supply; The scale at which buying stands; The
relative importance of foreign and domestic markets for the immediate future; Govern
ment ownership of public utilities; Private ownership of public utilities under Govern
ment regulation; The repeal of the LaFollette seamen’s law; Legalized fixed resale
prices on trade-marked articles; A legally vested national labor board to adjudicate
disputes; Imposing of statutory (legal) responsibility on trade-unions.
L a b o r C o m m it t e e .
The c h ild la b o r b u lle tin , F e b ru a ry , 1919.
E a s t T w e n ty -se c o n d S tr e e t, N e w Y o rk C ity . 69 p p . 50 cen ts.
N a t io n a l C h il d
105
This issue of the bulletin is largely devoted to a report of the fourteenth annual
conference on child labor, and to a discussion of State programs for social legislation
in 1919. The conference dealt with Federal aid to State education, the health of school
children and working children, the new Federal child-labor measure, and child-welfare
programs. A prominent feature of the legislative programs i 3 th.e growth of the move
ment toward codification of State laws relating to children.
N ational E fficiency Quarterly. R e c o n stru c tio n . V o l. I , N o . 4 , N e w Y o r k .
F e b ru a ry , 1919.
P p . 2 4 1 -3 5 0 .
This publication, which is the fourth number after its succession to the Efficiency
Society Journal, contains three articles of special interest. The first of these is “ Hir
ing,” by Norris A. Brisco, of the State University of Iowa, in which the old system of
hiring workers on the snap judgments of foremen or superintendents is condemned as
highly inefficient and expensive; a new method of hiring by specially trained experts
having special ability to judge human nature and who have made an intensive study
of the various jobs and their requirements in his employers establishment is advocated.
Great emphasis is laid upon choosing men who are physically fit, and the suggestion
is made that physicians be retained to give applicants for work careful examinations.
In an article on “ Disabled Men in War and Peace,” Paul S. Pierce, professor of
Economics in the State University of Iowa, after giving a brief sketch of former methods
of dealing with disabled soldiers and sailors, outlines the proper manner of conducting
rehabilitation work. This article reviews the work of various organizations, both
private and governmental, in rehabilitating the disabled soldier or sailor not only in a
physical way but also by reeducation and employment.
In “ Health Insurance,” by S. W. Wassan, also of the State University of Iowa, statis
tics are cited showing the condition of the health of the United States, the numbers
of workers who become sick annually, and the amount of money lost by their idleness.
The whole article is a practical plea for the establishment of systems of health insur
ance over the United States.
N ational I ndustrial Conference B oard. W a r -tim e changes i n the co st o f liv in g ,
J u l y , 19 1 4 , to N o v e m b e r, 1918. B o s to n , 1919. 15 B e a c o n S tre e t. 8 8 p p . Research
r e p o rt N o . 14.
In its Fesearch Peport No. 9, which was noted in the Monthly Labor B eview
for November, 1918 (pp. 328,329), the board presented a statement of war-time changes
in the cost of living in representative communities from July, 1914, to June, 1918.
The present report is supplementary, covering the period July, 1914, to November,
1918, thus showing for the entire war period the increases in the various items enter
ing into the cost of living. The figures are given as general averages only, represent
ing the country as a whole. The following table shows for each budget item the
increases in the cost during the war period and the increases in cost as related to total
budget. For purpose of comparison similar figures from the preceding report (Re
search Report No. 9) are included.
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PER
CENT
O F IN C R E A S E
D E T E R M IN E D
IN
BY
THE
C O ST
N A T IO N A L
O F L I V I N G , J U L Y , 1914, T O
IN D U S T R IA L
R e la tiv e
im p o r ta n c e
in f a m ily
b u d g et.
I te m .
F o o d ........................................................................................
S h e l t e r ....................................................................................
C l o t h i n g .................................................................................
F u e l a n d l i g h t ...................................................................
S u n d r i e s ......... ......................................................................
4 3 .1
1 7 .7
1 3 .2
5 .6
2 0 .4
T o t a l .............................................
1 0 0 .0
P e r c e n t o f in c r e a s e
i n c o s t o v e r 1914 a t —
N ovem ber,
1918.
June,
1918.
62
15
77
45
.50
N O V E M B E R , 19 1 8 ,
CONFERENCE
83
20
93
55
55
BOARD.
P e r c e n t o f in c r e a se
o v e r 1914, a s r e la t e d
to to ta l b u d g et, a t—
June,
1918.
N ovem ber,
1918.
2 6 .7
2 .7
1 0 .2
2 .5
1 0 .2
3 5 .8
3 .5
1 2 .3
3 .1
1 1 .2
5 2 .3
0 5 .9
The most marked increases were noted in the cases of clothing and food. The
advance in the cost of these two items, although varying somewhat from place to
place, were, on the whole, fairly uniform; differences in these must, however, at
times be considered. Much wider deviations from the average increases occurred
in rents and in the prices of fuel. For these, particularly, some adjustments may
be required in applying to specific communities the general average increase reached
by the board. By making due allowance for local variations, however, the board’s
figures may readily be applied to most American communities.
National Labor Congress on the Mooney Case . P ro c e e d in g s, C h icago, J a n
u a r y 14 to 1 7 , 1 9 1 9 .
R u s s B u ild in g , 1 9 1 9 .
S a n F ra n c isc o , I n te r n a tio n a l W o r k e r s’ D efen se L ea g u e, 3 0 7
71 p p .
National T uberculosis A ssociation.
c u lo sis D e m o n s tr a tio n .
1919. 3 5 p p .
C h a rts.
F r a m in g h a m C o m m u n ity H e a lth a n d T u b e r
T u b e rc u lo sis f in d in g s . F r a m in g h a m , M a ss.,
M arch,
M o n o g ra p h N o . 5 .
M ed ica l S e rie s I I I .
One of the series of monographs being published by a special committee of the
National Tuberculosis Association in a “ drive for h ealth” carried on in Framingham,
Mass. Three of the previous monographs of the series were noted in the January,
1919, issue of the Monthly Labor R eview. In the present report it is intended
to consider all of the cases of tuberculosis that have come to the attention of the
Health Demonstration from the beginning of the work in Framingham, January 1,
1917, to November 15,1918. Among the main points emphasized by the data secured
through the investigation are that the total number of cases under care during the
demonstration was 242, with an additional 69 suspicious cases; that Framingham is a
typical industrial American community with a population of about 17,000, the indus
trial population approximating 6,000; that 55 per cent of the deaths were of persons
between 16 and 45 years of age, and that 63 per cent of the living cases are between
these ages; that 33 per cent were recorded as “ housewives,” or were engaged in house
work; and that the application of the Framingham findings to the United States as
a whole would indicate that there are about 1,000,000 active cases and over 2,000,000
active and arrested cases in the country.
N orsk Centralforening for B oktrykkere. A a r sb e r e tn in g , 1 9 17. C h r istia n ia ,
1918.
100 p p .
Comprises the annual report for 1917 of the National Federation of Book Printers
of Norway. The average membership during 1917 was 3,050 as compared with 2,881
in 1914.
Open Stair D wellings Co., N ew Y ork City. A n n u a l r e p o r t, F e b
@FedFRASER