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MONTHLY REVIEW
OF THE
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
W A SHIN GTO N
N o v e m b e r , 1917
C O ST O F L IV IN G IN T H E D IS T R IC T O F C O L U M B IA .
SECOND ARTICLE— SUMMARY OF FAMILY EXPENDITURES.
In the October number of the M o n t h l y R e v i e w a brief study was
presented of the incomes of the 2,110 families covered by the bureau’s
investigation of the cost of living in Washington for the year 1916.
This brief summary presents a corresponding study of the expendi
tures of these families especially as to the extent to which the ex
penditures for the different primary needs may be considered
sufficient to maintain a reasonably healthy family life.
The material for the study consists of the general schedules ob
tained from 1,181 white and 629 colored families and of detailed
expenditure schedules furnished by 182 white and 277 colored fami
lies. As explained last month, the information was obtained entirely
through personal visits by special agents of the bureau. Schedules
were secured in a fair proportion from every district of the city, so
as to obtain a representative cross section of workers’ families in
the District. Only those families were included in which the prin
cipal breadwinner worked for wages or, if paid a salary, received
not more than $1,800 a year. No families were taken which had not
resided in the District of Columbia for all of the year 1916.
In the study published last month it was intimated that a large
proportion of families, both white and colored, in Washington received
incomes inadequate to maintain normal family life in comfort, or
even decency. If the income is insufficient, it needs no elaborate
statistical computation to prove that expenditure is also insufficient.
The different devices adopted by different families in their efforts to
purchase a dollar’s worth of necessities with 65 or 90 cents is most
interesting. Nevertheless, our interest in and sympathy with the
families struggling to bear up under the crushing load of poverty
should not make us forget that many families are far above the
poverty line and are therefore able to buy all the comforts and many
of the discomforts of modern life in a city.
1
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2
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS,
FOOD,
The schedules show clearly that a very considerable proportion of
the low-income families of Washington do not buy enough food to
maintain the family members in health and strength. It was imprac
ticable in this study to go into the physiological and hygienic aspects
of food consumption. That matter was made the object of a special
dietary study of some 30 families, the results of which will be given
later. It needs no statistical demonstration to prove that a family
which buys insufficient food is either underfed or, what is perhaps
as bad or worse, is fed at the expense, voluntary or involuntary, of
some other family.
Authorities do not agree entirely upon what are the necessary food
requirements of persons in various employments and of different
ages. Certain minimum standards, however, can not well be ques
tioned on the ground of undue liberality, such, for instance, as the
minimum food cost standards worked out in 1907 by Prof. F. P.
Underhill, of the Sheffield Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry,
using as a basis the earlier dietary investigations of the United States
Department of Agriculture.
These studies showed that, in New York City in the year 1907, an
adult male could not be maintained in health at a less expenditure
for food than 22 cents per day.1 The retail index numbers for food
issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a rise in food prices of
approximately 40 per cent between 1907 and 1910. Adding 40 per
cent to 22 cents gives 31 cents as the minimum per day in 1910. An
average of 31 cents per day is equivalent to $2.17 per week or $113
per year. The unit here is the adult male. I t is commonly agreed
that women and children require less food than do men. The scale
of equivalents used in the present study was the one used in former
cost of living studies made by the. bureau. It is assumed that a
woman requires 90 per cent as much food as a man; a child 11 to 14
years, 90 per cent; a child 7 to 10 years, 75 per cent; a child 4 to 0
y e a r s , 40 per cent; and a child of 3 years or under, 15 per cent.2 By
using this scale, the food costs of different families can be reduced
to the cost per equivalent adult males. It is necessary to reduce
expenditures for food to a common denominator, else we can make
no accurate comparison of food consumption and expenditures for
1 The details of this study are printed in Chapin's Standard of Living in New York
City, Appendix VI. A comparison of the retail prices of food, as given in the retail price
reports of the United States Bureau of Labor S ta tistics shows no important differences
between the prices in New York and those in W ashington in 1916. The reports for Oct.
15, 1916, show m eats and dairy products to be substantially the same price in both
cities : Hour appears as about 10 per cent higher in W ashington ; potatoes as about 18
per cent lower. (See Bui. 228.) On Sept. 15, 1917, the average retail prices of 16 out
of 28 articles were higher in W ashington than in New York. (See pp. 70 and 73, below.)
2 See eighteenth annual report of the Commissioner of Labor, 1903, Cost of Living and
Retail Prices of Pood.
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MO X T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E BU REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
3
families of differing composition. For example, suppose the sched
ules show that family A spends $690 a year for food, while family
B spends only $250. We can not guess as to the sufficiency or in
sufficiency of the food purchases until we study the composition of
the two families. Family A, we find, consists of man and wife, the
wife’s mother, two sons aged 20' and 18, and three other children
aged 14,12, and 10 years, respectively. Family B, we find, consists of
a widowed mother, a girl of 22, and a grandson of 6 years. Is family
A well nourished? Is family A better nourished than family B ?
In order to answer these questions we must adopt some means for
reducing the consumption of the adults of both sexes and the chil
dren of various ages to a common unit. Using the scale given above,
we find that family A should consume as much food as 7.35 adult men.
Dividing $690, the amount spent for food, by 7.35 gives $94, the
expenditure per adult male per annum. Similarly family B has the
equivalent of 2.2 adult males, which gives a yearly expenditure for
food for adult males of about $113. According to this showing,
family A doesn’t get enough to eat while family B gets the minimum
requirement.
Such minimum standards of food requirements as these do not
seem too liberal. Most practical housewives would no doubt con
sider them as entirely too low. Moreover such scientifically pre
pared standards assume a correspondingly scientific knowledge of
food values and of food buying, and assume also an entire absence
of waste—factors which can not be expected of the average house
wife.
Nevertheless, even when such low standards are taken, and no
allowance is made for waste and lack of knowledge of food values, a
very large number of the families covered by this investigation fell,
below the “ minimum of subsistence ” line and many fell far below.
Thus, of the 245 families with incomes of less than $600 per year, over
two-thirds (72 per cent) were unable to spend for food as much as
$112.50 per year—i. e., 31 cents a day—per equivalent adult male. Of
the 562 families with incomes between $600 and $900 per year, more
than one-half (51 per cent) spent less than the minimum amount upon
food. Even in the case of the 488 families with incomes between
$900 and $1,200 per year, more than one-third (34 per cent) fell
below the above standard of food expenditure. The colored families
-showed worse conditions than the white families, but the more fav
orable position of the latter was not very marked.
It is evident that the members of many of the families reporting
could not have had sufficient food for proper nourishment. Some
families, owing to exceptional circumstances, were able to feed them
selves on less than the minimum here used as a rough guide. Other
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4
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
families lived as parasites maintained willingly or unwillingly by
others in more favorable circumstances, but cases of this kind were
exceptional.
The following summary table groups the families scheduled ac
cording to the amounts spent on food during the year:
EXPENDITURES FOR FOOD PER EQUIVALENT ADULT MALE, PER FULL YEAR, 1910.
Per cent of families spending, per equivalent adult male per year—
Income group.
oer oi
fami Under Under Under Under Under Under Under Under Under
lies.
$75. $87.50. $100. $112.50. $125. $137.50. $150. $162.50. $175.
$175
and
over.
Under .$000:
White..........
Colored.........
65
180
29.2
40.6
38.5
52.8
49.2
66.1
60.0
76.7
73.8
88.3
80.0
91.7
S7.7
93.9
92.3
96. 7
95.4
93.3
4.6
1.7
Total.........
215
37.6
49.0
61. 6
72.2
84.5
88. 6
92.2
95. 5
9L6
2.4
$600 and under
$900:
W hite..........
Colored.........
270
292
8. 5
16.8
18.1
34.9
28.1
49.0
41.9
69.3
53.0
67. 8
65.9
74.3
77.0
81.8
84.1
83.4
90.4
92.8
9.6
7.2
Total.........
562
12.8
26.9
39.0
51.4
60.7
70.3
79.5
86.3
91.6
8.4
$900 and under
$1,200:
W hite..........
Colored.........
375
113
2.1
12.4
5.9
23.9
17.3
36.3
29.6
49.6
40.8
63.7
52.5
71.7
63.2
77.0
73.1
81.4
81.3
88.5
18.7
11.5
Total.........
488
4. 5
10.0
21.7
34.2
46.1
57.0
66.4
75.0
83.0
17.0
$1,200 and under
$1,500:
W hite..........
Colored.........
400
26
1.3
15. 4
5.0
23.1
11.3
30.8
21. 0
50.0
30.8
53.8
45. 5
01.5
55.3
73.1
64.5
76.9
73.3
76.9
26.7
23.1
Total.........
426
2.1
6.1
12.4
22.8
32.2
46. 5
56.3
65. 3
73.5
26.5
$1,500 and over:
W hite..........
Colored.........
371
IS
.3
5. 6
1.6
11.1
4.9
16.7
11.1
33.3
21.8
44.4
34. 8
50.0
48.2
66.7
60.9
77.8
69.8
77.8
30.2
22.2
Total.........
3S9
.5
2.1
5.4
12.1
22.9
35. 5
49.1
61.7
70.2
29.8
Total, allgroups:
White..........
Colored.........
1,481
62D
3.8
22.4
8.2
36.9
15.9
49.9
26.2
61.8
37.0
71.7
49.8
77.6
60.9
83.6
70.6
88.7
78.5
92.5
21.5
7.5
Total.........
2,110
9.3
16.8
26.1
36.8
47.3
58.1
67.6
76.0
82.7
17.3
CLOTHING.
What constitutes adequate clothing is even more difficult to deter
mine than adequate food requirements. It may be said without hesi
tation, however, that a large proportion of the families included in
this investigation were not supplied with necessary and respectable
clothing and were financially unable to keep themselves so clothed.
As in the case of food, the precise number of families and individuals
in this situation can not be determined, as no satisfactory wardrobe
standards have ever been worked out. But from the present and
previous studies on this subject it is quite possible to arrive at some
approximately correct conclusions.
Most, if not all, of the clothing standards so far offered have placed
the minimum clothing costs too low. If clothes are to be regarded
with rigorous utilitarianism as a convenient camouflage to conceal
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5
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
nakedness or as a mere cocoon for conserving the animal warmth
of the body, perhaps the amounts allowed for clothing expenditures
in previous cost of living reports may be accepted as adequate. If
the workingman is to participate fully in the life and development
of the community, he can not be clothed as a mere hewer of wood,
nor his wife as a mere domestic housekeeping animal. To fall
below the level of decency in dress, fixed not by the individual but by
the community, constitutes a practical bar to almost all healthy
forms of social life and development.
Of the estimates of minimum clothing necessities made by previous
studies, the most liberal is that of the New York State Factory Investigating Commission submitted in 19I5.1 These placed the necessary
cost of clothing of a workingman’s family in New York City as fol
lows : For the man at work, $50 per year; a woman in the home, $38.50;
a boy 13 years of age, $32; and a girl 13 years of age, $24.75, with cor
responding lower costs for younger children. That these estimates
are not unduly generous is indicated by the following table, which
shows the detailed items in the estimates as made for a man at work
and a woman in the home.2
C lo th in g for. one y e a r fo r a w o m a n
th e hom e.
C lo th in g f o r one y e a r fo r a m an .
3.0 0
H a t ___
_
$4.00
Coat, one-fo u rth of $12
..
3 .0 0
S k irt
__
..
4 .0 0
S h irt w aists, 3, a t 50 c e n ts_____ 1. 50
W ash dresses
2. 00
U n d erw ear
2 .5 0
C orsets
_
1 .5 0
C orset covers
1. 00
P e ttic o a t
..
. 50
___
1.5 0
S tockings
Shoes, 11 p a irs, $3.50, an d re
p a irs
8.0 0
R u b b ers
_
. 50
U m brella
_
1.0 0
G loves _
1. 00
N ig h td resses
1 .0 0
A prons
_ _
. 50
In c id e n ta ls
5.0 0
50. 00
3S.50
H a ts
___
$2.50
O vercoat, one-fourth of $15----- 3. 75
S u it
. .. .. - __
- - - _ 15.00
Shoes,
p a irs, $3.50, an d reSocks
U nderclothing
S h irts, 4. a t $1
C ollars
_
in
1.5 0
3 .5 0
4. 00
1.5 0
N ig h tsh irts _
R ubbers
Gloves
U m brella
. 50
.7 5
1 .0 0
1.0 0
W ork s h irts
In cidentals, suspenders, g a rte rs,
h andkerchiefs, etc
-
1. 50
1 Fourth report of the New York State Factory In vestigatin g Commission, 1915, voi. 4,
appendix 7, pp. 1660-1665. For other estim ates see— Report on condition of woman and
child wage earners (S. Doc. No. 615, 61st Cong., 2d sess.) Vol. XVI, Fam ily budgets of
typical cotton-mill operatives ; R. C. Chapin, The Standard of L iving in New York City,
1909 ; Report on the increased cost of living for an unskilled laborer’s fam ily in New
York City, prepared by Bureau of Personal Service of the Board of E stim ate and
Apportionment, 1st report, 1915, 2d report, 1917.
2 Fourth report of the New York State Factory In vestigatin g Commission, 1915, voi. 4,
appendix 7, pp. 1661-1662.
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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
As regards these estimates the commission states that a man at
work can “barely clothe himself on $50 a year,” and that a woman’s
wardrobe, made possible by the expenditure of $38, is “ all too
scant.” The estimates, as will be noted on examination, presuppose
the purchase of the cheapest grades of clothing and the most rigid
economy in their use. They make almost no allowance for anything
more than the most primitive needs.
These estimates may, therefore, be taken as conservative standards
of necessary clothing costs. They were made originally for New
York City, but may be fairly applied to Washington, as retail
clothing prices were certainly no lower in Washington in 1916 than
in New York in 1915.1
It appears that the average expenditures for clothing in 1916, by
the white families with incomes of less than $900 a year were, for
husbands,only $26.01 and for wives,only $17.60. For colored families
the expenditures were slightly less—for husbands, $20.72, and for
wives, $16.29. Even for the families with incomes between $900 and
$1,200 the average clothing expenditures were only $34.36 for the
husbands and $26.94 for the wives in white families, and $28.92 for
husbands and $25.23 for wives in colored families. These averages
are far below the cost standards described above as absolutely nec
essary minimum expenditures for healthy and decent clothing. For
the sake of brevity this analysis has been limited to husbands and
wives. The expenditures for children were correspondingly low.
A more detailed analysis of this subject is shown in the following
table, which classifies the families by income groups and by classified
expenditure groups.
1 See United States Bureau of Labor S ta tistics’ bulletins on retail prices, Nos. 197 and
22S.
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M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STATISTICS,
EXPEND ITU RES FOR CLOTHING FOR HUSBANDS AND WIVES FOR FULL YEAR
1916.
HUSBANDS.
Per cent spending for clothing _
Incom e group.
U nder $600:
W hHe .................................................
Colored
N um
ber. U n d er
«10.
U nder
»20.
U rider
$30.
U nder
$40.
U nder
$50.
U nder $60 an d
$60.
over.
12
32
41.7
37.5
59.4
91.7
81.3
91.7
93.8
100.0 i 100.0
100.0 ; 100.0
100.0 j 100.0
..............................
44
38.6
61. 4
84.1
93.2
$600 and u n d e r $900:
W h ite ......................................................
C olored......................... .........................
115
125
13.9
18.4
39.1
46.4
59.1
68.0
71.8
S7.2
84.3 i
95.2
95.7
97.6
4.3
2.4
Total
T o tal....................................................
240
16.2
42.9
63.7
81.3
90.0
96.7
3.3
$900 and u n d e r $1,200:
W h ite ......................................................
C olored...................................................
16S
57
6.0
12.3
23.8
36.8
44.6
54.4
61.9
73.7
78. 0
84.2
84.5
91.2
15. 5
8.8
T o tal....................................................
225
7.6
27.1
47.1
64.9
80.0
86. 2
13.8
$1,200 a nd u n d e r $1,500:
W h ite ......................................................
C olored...................................................
212
11
1.9
7.5
27.3
36.4
43.4
45.5
59.9
63.6
75.0
90.9
25.0
9.1
T o tal....................................................
223
1.8
8.5
26.0
43.5
60.1
75.8
24.2
$1,500 and over:
W h ite ......................................................
C olored...................................................
203
1.5
6.9
14.3
14.8
28.6
25.6
57.1
37.9 !
71.4
51.7.
71.4
48.3
28.6
210
1.4
7.1
15.2
26.7
39.0 ;
52.4
47. Ö
710
232
5.4
18.1
17.3
44.0
33. 5
63.8
48.6
81.9
63.7
90.9
74.4
95.3
25.6
4.7
942
8.5
23.9
41.0
56. 8
69.6
79.5
20. ö
T otal, all groups:
W h i t e ....................................................
C olored...................................................
Total
.................................................
WIVES.
U n d e r $600:
W h i t e ......................................................
2.5
57
44.0
52.6
76.0
75.4 j
92.0
94.7
92.0
98.2
96.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
T o t a l ....................................................
82
50.0
75.6
93.9
96.3
98 .8
100.0
$600 a n d u n d e r $900:
W h i t e ......................................................
C o l o r e d ....................................................
131
139
34.4
34.5
58.8
61.9
77.9
79.9
92.4
87.1
93.1
93.5
98.5
97.8
1.5
9 2
T o t a l ....................................................
270
34.4
60.4 j
78.9
89.0
93.3
98.1
1.9
$ 9 0 0 a n d u n d e r $1,200:
W h ite
.................................................
C o l o r e d ....................................................
185
59
40.8
16.9
36.8
44.1 i
60.5
64. 1
76.2
84.7
88.1
88. 1
95.7
96.6
4.3
3.4
T o t a l ....................................................
244
12.3
38 .5 j
61. 5
78.3
88.1
95.9
4. 1
$1,2 0 0 a n d u n d e r $1,500:
W h ite
......................................
C o l o r e d ...................................................
220
12
9.1
8.3
28.2 :
16.7
46.8
41.7
60.9
66.7
72.3
75.0
85.9
83.3
14.1
IS. 7
T o t a l ................................... - ...............
232
9.1
27 .6
46.6
61.2
72.4
85. 7
14.3
$1,500 a n d o v er:
W h i t e .....................................................
C n ] oru.d
..............................
211
8
1.4
11.4
12.5 !
25.1
12.5
38.9
50.0
49.3
62.5
67.3
62. 5
32.7
37.5
219
1.4
11.4 |
24. 7
39.3
49.8
67.1
32.9
772
275
12.8
32.4
i
32.4
57. 5 ,
50.9
76.0
64.9
86.9
74.1
92 .0
85.8
96.4
14.2
3 .6
T o t a l .................................................... 1 , 0 4 7
18.0
57. 5
70.7
78.8
88.5
11.5
T o t a l ..............................» .............- _ _
T o ta l, all g r o u p s:
W h i t e ......................................................
C o l o r e d ....................................................
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39.0 |
1
■
8
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
A study of this table shows an extremely low expenditure for
clothing' in most income groups. It is only among the families re
ceiving incomes of $1,500 per year or over that the minimum stand
ards referred to ($50 for a man and $38.50 for a woman) were reached
by the majority of families. Many of the families fell far below
these standards. Thus, among all white families one-third of the
male heads (33.5 per cent) spent less than $30 per year on clothing
and one-third of the female heads (32.4 per cent) spent less than $20
per year.
In considering the above figures, two qualifications must be made.
First, gifts of second-hand clothing are not estimated. Such gifts
were noted by the agents, but their value could not be guessed at.
A total of 83 white families and 128 colored families report gifts of
second-hand clothes. Gifts of new clothes were given a value and
included as a part of income. Second, some items of clothing ex
penses are not equally distributed over successive years. A coat
bought in 1912 may still be doing service in 1916. On the other hand,
another family may have bought in 1916 certain articles which are
intended to last until 1919. Enough families were scheduled to
balance excessively small and excessively large expenditures.
HOUSING CONDITIONS.
Housing conditions were found to be good, and in many cases very
good, among the great majority of the families covered by this in
vestigation. Congested districts in "Washington are confined to the
back alleys, and tenements such as exist in the larger industrial cities
are unknown. The bad conditions that were found to exist were
largely individual; that is to say, were dependent upon the individual
house, landlord, or family.
Among the total of 2,110 families scheduled, 1,527, or 72 per cent,
had an average of one person or less per room, and were thus free
from overcrowding. Another group of 335, or 16 per cent, had an
average of over one but not over one and one-half persons per room,
and thus were on the line where it may be said that overcrowding
begins. Of the remaining 248 families, 92, or 4 per cent of the total,
had over one and one-half persons per room, and 156, or 7 per cent
of the total, were subrenting part of their houses or living in joint
occupancy with other families. It is among this group that serious
overcrowding is most likely to occur. A further analysis of this
subject will have to wait upon a more complete tabulation of the
data in the bureau’s possession.
As regards the ownership of houses, it was found that of the 1,833
who remained in the same house or apartment the full year 442
families, 24 per cent of the total, owned their houses and 1,391, or
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1842]
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
9
76 per cent, rented. Of the families renting, 1,218 lived in separate
houses and 173 lived in apartments.
SICKNESS.
Sickness, requiring expenditure for medical attention, occurred
in the great majority, almost 90 per cent, of the families scheduled.
Its distribution was almost uniform among the different income
groups, both white and colored. The actual amounts expended for
this purpose, however, varied greatly. In general the average ex
penditure per case of sickness increased rapidly with the income of
the family group. Thus, among the families with incomes of less
than $600 the average expenditure for sickness by the families in
which sickness occurred was $12; in the $900 to $1,200 income group
the corresponding average was $10; while among those families with
incomes of over $1,500 per year this average increased to $59. This
rapid increase in medical expenditure with increased income indicates
that among the poorer families sickness is endured without calling
in a doctor, with results that are undoubtedly detrimental to the
health of the individual sufferers and the welfare of the community.
Closely related to the item of sickness is that of funeral expense in
case of death. In 36 of the 1,059 families for which information on
this subject was obtained, death had occurred during the year. The
average outlay for funeral expenses by these 36 families was $123.57.
One family, with a total income of less than $600 per year, spent
$135 on one funeral. But such cases of display are exceptional, and,
at best, the cost of death is a serious item to all families of small
income.
AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION.
Among almost all of the families of low incomes amusements which
cost money are rarely indulged in. Out of 83 families with incomes
of less than $600 per year only 35 incurred any direct expenditure for
amusement, the average being $2.79 per year for all members of the
family, and only 15 reported any expenditure for vacations, the aver
age being $8.69. With increased income the expenditures for these
purposes of course become larger in amount. But even among the
families with incomes of $900 to $1,200, only 193 out of 216 had any
expense for amusement, the average being $9.27 per year for all
members of the family, and only 67 reported any expense for vaca
tions, the average for this item being $25.10.
As regards the need and minimum cost of amusement, the New
York State Factory Investigating Commission, in its report upon the
cost of living in that State, made the following remarks:1 “Amuse
ment is a necessity in a normal life. The joyless life can hardly be
1 Fourth report, 1915, vol. 4, appendix VII, p. 1667.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8 4 3 ]
10
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
said to be receiving as much as is sacrificed in maintaining a bare
existence. Amusement is imperative, also, in order that efficiency
may be realized, for it is only a mind freshened by social contact or
by diversion from cares that is in fit condition to cope with the prob
lems of industry or to meet the crises which frequently come in man
aging children. For these reasons it has been deemed wise to include
as part of the minimum cost of living for a normal family an allow
ance of $50 for recreation and amusement. This is less than $1 per
week or less than 20 cents per person per week—really a very small
sum.”
INSURANCE, CAR FARE, AND OTHER INCIDENTALS.
Food, clothing, shelter (including fire and light), medical care when
sick, and some amusement when well, constitute perhaps the primary
needs of human existence. But, without practicing a thrift that
is in the end harmful, no family can avoid a number of minor house
hold expenses for other purposes. House furnishings must be re
newed from time to time; some car riding is usually unavoidable;
soap, towels, and similar items must be bought. Church affiliation
and membership in trade-unions, beneficial lodges, and other social
or religious organizations almost always make some demand upon
the purse.
In this day, life, health, and accident insurance for the bread
winner of the family are so important, both from the standpoint of
society and of the individual, as to warrant classification as neces
sities. In almost all the families one or more members were insured
against some one or more of life’s hazards, although the amount
carried was usually very small. The average expenditure for all
forms of personal insurance made by 1,059 families in all income
groups was $51.65 per annum. In the income group under $600 the
white families spent in 1916 an average of $26.05 and the colored
families $31.92. In view of the extravagant rates charged for socalled “ casualty,” “ health,” and “ industrial” (funeral) insurance,
and the fact that workmen’s families are necessarily limited to the
purchase of these most expensive and least adequate and satisfactory
forms of insurance, it will be readily seen that the insurance protec
tion carried by these families is very limited.
Almost every family purchased a daily newspaper. This was
usually the only form of literature upon which money was spent.
Further details regarding the amount and distribution of expendi
tures upon these various items are shown in the table following:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[844]
N U M B E R O F FA M IL IE S R E P O R T IN G SICK N ESS, A M U SEM EN T, IN SU R A N C E , AND V A R IO U S IN C ID E N T A L S AND A V E R A G E A M OUNT E X P E N D E D
FO R TH E SE PU R PO SES.
Incom e group.
Total
fami
lies.
A m usem ent.
Vacation.
Insurance.
C harity.
Religion.
F urniture.
Life.
Aver
Aver
A ver
A ver
A ver
A ver
Fam i age ex Fam i age ex Fam i age ex Fam i age ex
am i age ex Fam i age ex
A ver Flies.
A
ver
lies.
pendi lies.
lies.
pendi lies.
pendi lies.
pendi
pendi
pendi Fam i age ex F am i age
ex
ture.
ture.
ture.
ture.
ture.
ture.
lies.
lies.
pendi
pendi
ture.
ture.
26
57
19
46
$10. 03
12. 83
T o tal...........................................
' 83
65
$600 an d u n d e r $900:
W h ite .............................................
r—,
Colored...........................................
136
140
[845 j
U nder $600:
W h ite .............................................
Colored............... ..........................
T o ta l................. .
Funeral.
1 $135.00
14
21
$2. 52
2.98
5
10
$6.87
9.60
2
6
$3. 78
3.14
22
55
$26.05
31.92
2
2
$6.50
.88
13
43
$7.52
5.57
12.01
1
135.00
35
2.79
15
8.69
8
3.30
77
30.24
4
3.69
56
6.02
117
118
25. 52
16.20
5
6
68.00
49. 75
99
94
8.44
4.19
34
33
13.05
14.97
13
22
3.91
4.68
122
138
37. 25
38.82
20
14
19.31
10.16
103
118
9.07
8.26
58.05
193
6.37
67
13.99
35
4.39
260
38.08
34
15.54
221
8.63
276
235
20. 84
$900 and u n d e r $1,200:
W h ite .............................................
Colored...........................................
186
60
167
48
42. 31
32.84
3
5
101.00
59.40
154
39
10.01
6.36
50
17
28.18
17.18
30
12
4.24
4.49
174
57
44. 73
44. 44
29
13
4.73
7. 62
151
52
12.11
11.36
u
T o tal...........................................
246
215
40.19
8
75.00
193
9. 27
67
25.40
42
4.31
231
44. 66
42
5.63
203
11.92
$1,200 a n d u n d e r $1,500:
W h ite .............................................
Colored...........................................
222
12
198
11
43.16
28.95
6
118.00
195
10
15. 80
7. 53
85
3
29.50
7.00
40
2
3.99
7.10
208
12
60. 38
52.84
63
3
10.89
15.33
1,86
12
17. 61
15. 78
T o ta l...........................................
234
209
42. 42
6
118.00
205
15.39
88
28.73
42
4.14
220
59.97
66
11.09
198
17.50
$1,500 a n d over:
W h i t e . . . . .....................................
Colored...........................................
212
191
7
59.57
35. 21
8
2
230.25
262.50
197
21.22
13.09
106
3
55.24
17.67
41
3. 7S
202
7
75.08
84.39
81
3
16. 78
57.00
191
S
19. 42
69.00
8
T o ta i...........................................
220
198
58.71
10
236. 70
204
20.94
109
54.21
41
3. 78
209
75.39
84
18.21
199
21.41
Total, all incomes:
W h ite .............................................
Colored...........................................
782
277
692
230
43. 59
20.19
23
13
144. 70
86.19
659
171
14. 68
5.10
280
60
36.61
14. 4S
126
42
3.97
4. 52
728
269
55.80
40.41
195
35
13.24
13.14
644
233
15.29
10.93
T o ta l...........................................
1,059
922
37. 75
36
123.57
830
12.70
346
32.39
168
4.11
997
51.65
230
13.22
877
14.13
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
Sickness.
N U M B E R O F F A M IL IE S R E P O R T IN G S IC K N E S S, A M U SEM EN T, IN S U R A N C E , A N D V A R IO U S IN C ID E N T A L S AN D A V E R A G E A M O U N T E X P E N D E D
F O R T H E S E P U R P O S E S —Concluded.
Labor.
Income group.
Car fare.
O ther.
Averi age ex
Aver
Aver Fam
lies.
pendi
Fami age ex F am i age ex
ture.
lies.
pendi
lies.
pendi
ture.
ture.
F urniture.
Books and
newspapers.
Liquor.
Tobacco.
O ther inci
dentals.
Average ex
pendi
AverAver- tu re—
AverAverAverFam i age ex Fam i age ex Fam i age ex Fam i age ex F am i age ex all inci
lies.
lies.
lies.
pendi den
lies.
pendi
pendi
lies.
pendi
pendi
ture.
tals.
ture.
ture.
ture.
ture.
U nder $600:
W h ite .............................................
Colored...........................................
$3. 60
6. 71
24
49
$1 1 .1 6
12.41
14
45
$7.17
14.34
19
33
$5.23
4.18
1
7
6 .1 6
10
23
$9. 53
8.08
25
$3.00
2
7
$8.00
1
$20.73
14.64
$83.95
91.92
T o ta l...........................................
1
3.00
9
6. 02
7.1
12.00
59
12.64
52
4. 56
8
6.39
33
8. 52
80
16.54
89.43
and under $900:
W h ite .............................................
Colored...........................................
36
9
10. 52
5.93
18
20
6.61
9. 96
130
132
18.18
16.33
109
125
20. 65
22.20
117
111
5.59
5.40
»
37
14. 72
14. 48
96
97
11.96
10.14
136
140
32.08
22.87
164.38
144.13
$600
£846]
T o ta l...........................................
45
9.60
38
8.38
262
17. 25
234
21.48
228
5.50
75
14.60
193
11.05
276
27.41
154.11
$900 and under $1,200:
W h ite .............................................
Colored.....................................
49
4
12. 98
9.75
23
22
8. 99
9.30
182
60
21.81
19.46
352
56
32. 99
27.25
178
56
7.43
7.31
45
19
19.08
11.17
125
45
15.14
14.09
185
59
49. 70
48. 98
232.54
212. 88
T o ta l...........................................
53
12. 73
45
9.14
242
21.23
208
31.45
229
7.40
64
16.74
170
14.87
244
49.53
227. 75
$1,200 and under $1,500:
W h ite .............................................
Colored...........................................
S3
15.62
67
7.67
8.62
220
11
25.20
25.05
198
10
47.02
35.66
214
11
10.71
7.21
47
3
37. 70
73.00
157
8
16. 27
10.90
222
12
86.97
37. 51
333.83
234-12
T o ta l..........................................
83
15.62
72
7.73
231
25. 20
208
46.47
225
10.53
50
39.82
165
16.01
234
84.43
328. 72
$1,500 a nd over:
W h ite .............................................
Colored...........................................
87
17. 75
8-1
4
10. 85
13.00
208
8
31.86
35.51
195
8
52.19
24.63
209
8
15.66
19.08
51
2
24.48
125.50
139
4
21.14
21.95
212
8
158.38
134. 58
490.28
541.36
T o ta l...........................................
87
17. 75
88
10. 94
216
31.99
203
51.10
217
15. 79
53
28.30
143
21.16
220
157.51
492.14
T otal, all incomes:
W h ite .............................................
Colored.........................................
255
14
15.12
6. 81
191
58
9. 06
9.41
764
260
24. 57
17.27
668
244
40. 20
22. 54
732
219
10. 38
6.29
182
68
24.43
IS. 55
527
177
16. 38
11.18
780
274
85. 84
30. 74
314. 37
163.65
T o ta l...........................................
209
14.68
252
9.14
1,024
22. 72
912
35.47
951
9.44
250
22.83
704
15.07
1,054
71.52
274.95
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STATISTICS,
O rganizations.
u-t
CO
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
TREND
O F A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y R A T E S IN T H E IR O N
S T E E L IN D U S T R Y D U R IN G T H E W A R P E R IO D .
13
AND
BY LU CIA N W . C H A N E Y .
There is properly much interest in the effect of war conditions
upon the occurrence of industrial accidents. No branch of industry
has been more rapidly expanding under these conditions or working
under higher tension than the iron and steel industry. It is therefore
particularly appropriate to present at this time such data as the Bu
reau of Labor Statistics has gathered showing the accident experience
in this industry since the outbreak of the war.
The returns now available cover something more than 50 per cent
of the industry. They come from plants so distributed both geo
graphically and industrially that they may be accepted as representa
tive.
The following table presents the trend of frequency rates of fatali
ties and of all accidents. The table is extended back to 1913 for the
reason that a fair comparison is not possible unless periods of
similar industrial stress are brought into relation. In the years now
covered by the bureau’s studies there are four periods of high indus
trial tension, namely, 1907, 1910, 1913, and 1916, extending with
slight diminution into 1917. In these years the fatality frequency
rates per thousand 300-day workers have been as follows in the iron
and steel industry: 1907, 2.20; 1910, 1.50; 1913, 1.31; 1916, 1.11. It
should be remembered that this is the experience of the industry as
represented by the plants from which data were collected. Particu
lar hazardous employments show a more striking decline.
The fatality rates and the frequency rates of all accidents from
1913 to 1917, as given in the table, are shown by overlapping years
ending with March, June, September, and December. This method
of showing the accident rates by years ending with different months
gives a more complete view of the changes occurring than is possible
by any presentation by months or even by successive calendar years.
A still more complete showing of the progressive changes is afforded
by Table 3 (p. 16), in which the years ending with each month of
the period are presented.
1S9SS°—17----- 2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[847]
14
M O N T H L Y EE V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U O F LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
T a ble 1.—F R E Q U E N C Y
R A T E S O F F A T A L IT IE S A N D OF A L L A C CID EN TS IN
IR O N A N D S T E E L IN D U S T R Y , 1913 TO 1917.
THE
F a ta l
T otal
N um ber ities per accidents
of 300-day 1,000 300- per 1,000
w o rk ers.1 day
300-day
workers. workers.
Y ear ending w ith —
D ecember, 1913............................
March, 1914....................................
June, 1.914................. -..................
Septem ber, 1914...........................
D ecember, 1914............................
March, 1915....................................
June, 1915......................................
Septem ber, 1915...........................
December, 1915............................
March, 1916....................................
June, 1916......................................
Septem ber, 1916...........................
December, 1916............................
March, 1917..............................
June, 1917......................................
153,098
146,522
137,816
128,023
117,214
111.881
111, 794
U 7| 933
133,627
148,221
160,819
168,790
175,013
178,937
182,587
1.34
1.29
1.09
.81
.70
.63
.85
.86
.96
1.09
1.02
1, 11
1.15
1.08
181.0
168.4
154.7
138. 9
130.4
118.0
114 i)
118.0
124. 5
131.8
134.1
135.5
133.2
128.5
121.6
1 A 300-day w orker is th e equivalent of one who w orks 10 hours per day for 300 days.
The changing’ frequency rates both for fatalities and for all acci
dents as shown by the table are very noteworthy. They indicate
that in this great and basic industry the influences tending to acci
dent reduction have been reasonably successful.
Following the table step by step it will be noted that from Decem
ber, 1913, there is a steady decline both in the fatality rate and in
the frequency rate for all accidents, extending to March, 1915, for
fatalities, and to June, 1915, for all accidents. This parallels very
closely the decline in industrial activity shown by decreasing em
ployment. From the low point in 1915 rising accident rates are the
rule until about September. 1916, at which time decline begins in
the total rate and later in the fatality rate. This decline is a very
notable fact since it occurs in the face of a still rising tide of employ
ment. These facts are presented graphically in Charts A and 1»
(pp. 18 and 19), which show, respectively, the relation of employ
ment to fatality and of employment to frequency of all accidents.
Since a varied industry like iron and steel may have very different
conditions in its constituent units, the material collected by the
bureau has also been classified according to the nature of the product.
This is less satisfactory than a departmental classification, such as
by blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling mills, for example, but an
attempt to secure the latter would involve much additional labor and
necessarily delay publication. For the sake of prompt presentation
it seems desirable to offer the classification here given. Table 2 pre
sents six groups of plants, four producing fabricated products, sheets,
wire products, and tubes, and two producing miscellaneous steel
products.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[S48]
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
15
T a ble 2.—F A T A L IT Y R A T E S IN P L A N T S PR O D U C IN G S P E C IF IE D PR O D U C T S, 1913 TO 1917.
F a ta lity rates per 1,000 300-day w orkers in plants producing
Y ear ending w ith —
D ecember, 1913..................................................
March, 1914-.........................................................
June, i914............................................................
Septem ber, 1914.................................................
D ecember, 1914..................................................
March, 1915.........................................................
June, 1915...........................................................
Septem ber, 1915.................................................
D ecember, 1915.................................................
March, 1916.......................................................
June, 1916............................................................
Septem ber, 1916.................................................
D ecember, 1916..................................................
March, 1917...................................................
June, 1917............................................................
F a b ri
cated
products.
Sheets.
0.62
.64
.49
.49
.60
1.05
1.01
1.07
1.09
1.01
1.17
1. 11
1.29
0.70
.78
.59
.44
.20
.27
.38
.43
.48
.58
.60
. 65
.60
W ire
prod
ucts.
0.86
.61
.31
.24
.04
.09
.27
.47
.48
.71
.76
.68
.83
. 89
. 76
Miscel
laneous
steel
prod
ucts A.
1.84
1. 86
1. 77
1. 30
1. 21
.89
.67
.82
.88
1.11
1.42
1.45
1.63
1. 63
1.44
Miscel
laneous
steel
prod
ucts B.
1.50
1.48
1.22
.83
.87
.95
1.34
1.44
1.42
1.12
1.22
1.11
1.19
1.3&
1.33
Tubes.
0. 58
.61
.45
.45
.43
.38
.57
.55
.53
.48
.35
.33
.33
. 40
There is considerable diversity in the experience of the plants pro
ducing the different products. Four of the six groups, sheets,
miscellaneous steel products A, miscellaneous steel products 1», and
tubes, have the same general movement in fatality rates as the
industry as a whole, although variations in detail are not always the
same in the several groups. In wire products the high point occurs
early in 1917 and is slightly higher than the high rate of 1913. The
marked exception brought out by this classification is in fabricated
products which, after some decline during the depression of 1914,
maintain a pretty steadily rising fatality rate, the high point being
the year ending with June, 1917.
Table 3 gives in detail the total accident frequency for the plants
producing the various products. The lower portion of the table giv
ing the number of 300-day workers is introduced to give an idea of
the size of the plants from which the information comes.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[84ft]
16
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OE T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STATISTICS,
T a ble 3.— T R E N D O F A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y R A T E S , 1913 TO 1917, IN P L A N T S PR O
D U C IN G S P E C IF IE D PR O D U C T S.
Accident frequency rates per 1,000 300-day workers in p lants producingY ear ending w ith —
F a b ri
cated
pro d
ucts.
December, 1913..............................
January , 1914..................................
F ebru ary , 1914..............................
March, 1914............................ .........
A pril, 1914.......................................
May, 1914..... ..................................
June, 1914........................................
July, 1914.........................................
August, 1914....................................
Septem ber, 1914.............................
October, 1914..................................
N ovem ber, 1914.............................
December, 1914..............................
January , 1915.................................
F ebru ary , 1915...............................
March, 1915......................................
A pril, 1915.......................................
May, 1915.........................................
June, 1915........................................
J u l y , 1915.........................................
August, 1915....................................
Septem ber, 1915.............................
October, 1915..................................
Novem ber, 1915.............................
D ecember, 1915..............................
January, 1916..................................
F ebruary, 1916...............................
March, 1916.....................................
A pril, 1916.......................................
May, 1916.........................................
June, 1916........................................
July, 1916.........................................
A ugust, 1916....................................
Septem ber, 1916............................
October, 1916..................................
N ovem ber, 1916.............................
December, 1916..............................
January . 1917..................................
February , 1917...............................
March, 1917............. ........................
A pril, 1917.......................................
May, 1917.........................................
June, 1917........................................
300.9
288.7
276.6
263.6
254.5
236.0
226.6
215.6
200.0
189.5
184. 9
178.5
176.9
170.9
165.3
164.9
159.9
159.9
153.6
147.9
152.6
156.7
155.5
159.1
160.4
160.3
159.9
158.3
158.2
161.8
163.6
162.3
164.1
160.4
160.3
157.2
156.2
158.7
159.3
161.9
162.8
161.9
159.8
Sheets.
184.9
179.7
176.6
173.0
169. 7
164.9
161.0
157.3
148.3
142.1
141.7
141.8
141.5
140. 7
139.9
135.4
134.2
128.9
125.3
120.0
117.1
115.5
114.1
114.3
111.8
110.9
111.0
111.8
111.2
110.5
109.4
109. 7
108.4
107.2
105.6
104.3
102.0
102.3
100.9
99.4
96.8
96.5
97.0
W ire
prod
ucts.
177.9
169.6
164.2
159.4
159.3
157.6
152.9
148.7
146.6
143.9
140.4
110.2
138.6
136.1
131.6
131.0
129.5
129.9
132.9
135.4
138.5
149.8
154.2
154.4
157.2
157.9
158.4
159.9
158.8
158.8
156.5
154.5
153.2
149.2
146.7
147.9
144.5
141.4
139.1
136.6
135.1
132.6
127.7
Miscel
laneous
steel
prod
ucts, A.
Miscel
laneous
steel
prod
ucts, B.
212.8
210.4
208.0
205.8
201.9
196.6
188.3
181.7
173.3
167.1
160.6
155.4
152.0
145.3
136.1
130.4
126. S
126.2
128.1
130.5
134. 9
140.3
145.5
151.2
155.8
164.1
172.5
179.3
183.6
186.1
188.2
193.0
197.9
200.1
202.8
203. 6
202.7
201.5
199.6
196.4
193.9
190.9
186.7
123.1
118.3
115.6
116.7
106.4
102.7
100.0
91.1
92.9
88.1
85.2
82.1
82.7
80.8
8.3.1
81.3
79.1
75.2
69.9
65.4
60.3
61.3
62.9
66.4
69.0
73.5
76.1
75.9
76.1
78.3
81.0
82.5
85.6
86.2
86.9
86.1
84.6
82.1
79.7
78.5
77.4
76.0
73.4
81.5
76.9
72.1
67.4
63.6
60.4
57.2
51.9
48.1
45.0
41.8
39.5
37.5
35.5
33.4
30.7
27.9
27.1
26.1
26.3
28.8
30.0
31.4
32.2
32.3
33.4
34.0
34.9
36.2
36.5
36.7
37.2
37.0
36.7
36.6
36.2
37.1
36.1
36.2
35.6
34.8
34. 6
34.6
181.0
176.0
171.9
168.4
164.0
159.5
154.7
149.7
143.7
138.9
134.9
132.1
130.4
127.1
123.1
118.0
117.2
114.9
114.0
112.8
114.3
118.6
120.8
122.8
124.5
127.3
129.8
131.8
132.7
133.8
134.1
135.4
136.3
135.5
135.1
134.8
133.2
131.7
130.1
128.5
126.7
124.7
121.6
18,922
13,477
23,000
27,046
19,944
13,329
21,031
24,880
137,816
111,794
160,819
182,587
Tubes.
Total.1
N U M B E R O F 300-DAY W O R K E R S .
June,
June,
June,
Juno,
1914........................................
1915........................................
1916........................................
1917........................................
8, 817
6, 706
8,276
10,110
16,841
15, 759
21,906
25,504
25,575
22,434
31,377
32,928
41, 744
35,670
45,673
49,893
1Includes some p la n ts n o t shown in detail.
This table illustrates a method of presentation which has been
found most effective when it is desired to trace progressive changes.
It is possible to construct such a table whenever the amount of em
ployment and the accidents are recorded by intervals less than one
year. In Table 1 the record is quarterly; in Table 4 it is monthly. It
is frequently the case that important conditions exist in years other
than the calendar year. For example, the year ending with July,
1915, is the period of lowest accident frequency. The rise which
follows does not culminate with a calendar year but with the year
ending with August, 1916.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[850]
M O N T H L Y BEVIE-W OF T H E BU R E A U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
17
The calendar years or any other series of successive years can be
easily isolated from the table if desired. For example, taking the
years ending with December gives the calendar years with their
rates as follows: 1913, 181 cases per 1,000 300-day workers; 1914,
130.4 cases; 1915, 124.5 cases; 1916, 133.2 cases. In a similar manner,
successive years ending with June could be compared, e. g., June,
1914, 154.7 cases; June, 1915, 114 cases; June, 1916, 134.1 cases;
June, 1917, 121.6 cases. From such a table annual periods charac
terized by particular conditions can be abstracted and compared wTith
periods in which other conditions prevailed. By using six months
instead of a year other interesting facts and relations might be
brought out.
The charts which follow present the facts graphically. Chart A
shows the relation of employment to death frequency; Chart B shows
employment and the total accident rate; Charts C and D should be
considered together, Chart C giving the course of employment in the
plants producing the different products, and Chart D giving the
course of the total accident rates in the same plants.
These charts are plotted by a method which projects the per
centage of change, from period to period, rather than the amount.
On the ordinary chart the distance from 100 to 200 is one hundred
times as great as that from 1 to 2. On a percentage chart, such as
here used, the distances are identical. Stated in general terms, this
means that on a chart plotted on the percentage basis a given vertical
distance in any part of the chart always represents the same per
centage of change.1
1 Renewed interest in this method of charting has resulted from
publications of the American S tatistical Association, June, 1917,
Irving Fisher of Yale U niversity. Such charts have been called
F isher suggests the simpler and more suggestive name of “ ratio ”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
the appearance in the
of an article by Prof.
“ logarithm ic.” Prof.
charts.
TREND OP EMPLOYMENT AMD
FATALITY RATES, YEAR ENDING WITH
SPECIFIED
00
M ONTHLY BE VIEW ON T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
[852J
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTH.
C h a r t A,
TREND
a ND a COIDENT FREQUENCY,
SPECIF! ED M ONTH.
YEAR ENDIMS WiTfl
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E BU REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
[853]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
OF EMPLOYMENT
WORKERS
FOR
SPECIFIED
MONTH-
YEAR
ENDING
W ITH
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
NUMBER OF 300-DAY
ACOÒENT
FREQUENCY RATES FOR YEAR ENDING WITH
SPE C IF IE D
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STATISTICS.
[855]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTH.
22
M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
On comparing Chart A with Chart B it will at once appear that the
death frequency varies in a more pronounced manner than the total
accident frequency. In spite of this naturally greater fluctuation,
always likely to occur when the number of cases considered is small,
the form of the fatality curve is strikingly similar to that of total
accident frequency. Beyond question, there are some fundamental
causes underlying this similarity.
The entirely evident factors in determining the form of these
accident curves are industrial conditions and accident-prevention
effort. The fact, constantly recurring, that accident rates rise with
recovery from depression and fall again with declining industrial
activity, indicates the importance of the industrial factor. The
equally constant fact that each successive rise has not reached the
altitude of the preceding one shows that this rising rate is controllable
in some considerable degree. The extent of this control remains
to be determined. That it can be held in check to an extent not yet
imagined is indicated by all recent studies.
Charts C and D bring out the fact that the variations noted above
are characteristic of each of the groups of plants which make up
the industry. They also indicate the different inherent hazard of
varying types of productive activity. The fact that Miscellaneous
Steel Products B shows a lower frequency for all accidents than
Fabrication, although its death frequency, as shown in Table 2,
p. 15, is considerably higher, is in accord with the normal differences
in these industrial groups. The point most emphasized by Chart D
is, however, that in all the groups accident-prevention efforts were
effective in keeping the rates of 1910 below those of 1913.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[856]
P IE C E -R A T E W A G E S Y S T E M S IN T H E
IN D U S T R Y .
M E N 'S CLO TH IN G -
BY BORIS EM M ET, P H . D.
The standardization of the methods for piece-rate making is o f1
great importance in this highly competitive industry for two reasons: j
First, because only through such standardization could the rates of j
wages for identical occupations in the various establishments of the
same industry within a certain locality or manufacturing center be
equalized, and, second, because such standardization, if properly and
impartially carried out, would undoubtedly eliminate many of the
serious, sometimes even disastrous, piece-rate controversies between
employees and employers now occurring rather frequently.
The question of equalization of wage rates for identical processes
of manufacturing is of great moment in the ready-to-wear clothing
trades. This is so in view of the fact that there are in these trades
a great many small employers, technically known as contractors and
subcontractors, who, on account of their inefficient manufacturing
methods are compelled to underpay their help, maintaining very low |
standards of safety and sanitation, while their efficient competitors
pay a living wage and count on making legitimate profits through
superior manufacturing and selling methods. An equalization in
wage rates would undoubtedly eliminate from the industry many of
the inefficient employers and raise thereby the level of competition.
The ability to organize, manufacture, and sell, and not the policy of
paying the lowest possible wage, would then become the basis of
competition.
Regarding the elimination of piece-rate controversies, a time stand
ardization of operations would result in a diminution of the number
of such controversies, for the reason that in most of the better man
aged establishments there exist minimum hourly rates for each opera
tion, irrespective altogether of changes in the styles which might
occur. With the establishment of time standards for operations piece
rates could be arrived at almost automatically bv multiplying the
time standard set for a specific operation by the hourly rate for that
operation.
The question of piece rates was of small moment in the days of in
dividual bargaining. Employers then set piece rates without con
sulting the wishes of their employees on the theory that the employees
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[857]
23
24
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
had “ the freedom of choice ” and could refuse to work for rates
which they might consider unfair.
The introduction of collective bargaining during recent years, how
ever, brought with it an active participation of workers in piece-rate
making. The majority of the collective agreements now in operation
in the ready-to-wear clothing trades specify that piece rates are to be
set by the employer in consultation with representatives of his em
ployees, constituting a shop piece-rate committee. On account of the
absence of definitely established time or money standards for the
various processes of manufacturing this collective piece-rate making
consisted until very recently of a series of haggling processes. The
employees, on the one hand, were in the habit of asking much more
than they actually expected, while the employer, on the other hand,
was accustomed to offer at first much less than he was ready to grant.
Each hoped to bluff the other into making the utmost concession. By
the process of haggling, employees slowly reduced the rate asked for
and the employer gradually increased his offer until finally piece
rates were fixed.
During the busy seasons, and with the rush of orders for immediate
delivery, the employer under this system was at a great disadvantage,
being obliged to concede almost anything for which his employees
asked. The employees, however, were under a similar disadvantage
during the dull seasons. Employment being scarce, they were com
pelled to work for any piece rate offered or go unemployed. The par
ties soon realized that such methods of piece-rate determination were
extremely unsatisfactory. Gradually, improvements in methods were
introduced.
The various methods of piece-rate determination or wage systems
described below are presented for the purpose of showing the im
proved methods used in piece-rate making in three of the largest
and best known men’s clothing establishments in this country. The
aggregate number of employees of these three firms is over 11,000.
E ST A B L ISH M E N T NO. 1.
The relations between this firm and its 3,100 employees are gov
erned by a collective agreement with the Amalgamated ClothingWorkers of America, originally signed January 3, 1916, and renewed
for a two-year period January 3, 1917.
The agreement establishes three separate and distinct agencies—
a trade board, a wage board, and a board of arbitration.
The trade board is composed of 15 members, seven elected by
the employees from their own number and who are affiliated with
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, seven representa
tives of the company, and an impartial chairman chosen by both
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[858]
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
25
parties. All complaints except those relating to wage questions are
to be referred to this board.
The wage board is composed of five members, two representing the
company, two the employees, and the fifth being the chairman of the
trade board referred to above. The wage board has exclusive juris
diction over questions involving rates of wages and earnings.
The board of arbitration consists of three members, one represent
ing the firm, one the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
and the third being chosen by mutual agreement of these two.
Either of the parties concerned may appeal from any decision of
the trade on the wage board to this board of arbitration. All de
cisions rendered by the board of arbitration are final and binding
upon both parties throughout the life of the agreement.
Nine-tenths of the workers of this establishment are paid by the
week. Established weekly rates are subject to increase provided the
productivity of the worker exceeds the standard of output set by
the company on his work. Every operation, on each of the various
products of the company is standardized in terms of time and money.
The time standard is arrived at by time study and observation,
liberal allowances being made for delays attributable to factors not
within the control of the worker. The money standard is arrived
at by multiplying the time standard by a specific rate, the latter be
ing the average earnings per hour over a number of weeks of a
group of operatives.
The company keeps records showing the actual weekly output of
each employee. At the end of the week the actual money value of
the work involved in each employee’s output is computed on the
basis of the standard described above. This value is known as the
“ amount earned" and is sought for the purpose of comparing it
with the weekly wages paid to the worker. If the “ amount earned ”
exceeds the weekly wage which he receives he is credited with a
“ gain.” Such “ gains ” serve subsequently as a basis for the grant
ing of increases in weekly rates to the employee. If, however, the
“ amount earned ” is less than the weekly rate a “ loss ” correspond
ing to the difference is registered on the worker’s record. The names
of employees with frequent “ losses ” on their record are brought to
the attention of the shop representative of the union (the shop
chairman), whose duty it is to take up the matter with each worker
in question, calling to his attention the necessity of increasing his
efforts. If still further “ losses” appear the matter is brought to
the attention of the wage board. In such instances the employee con
cerned is requested to appear before the board to state the reasons
for his inability to maintain the prevailing standard of efficiency.
If his explanation appears reasonable to the board the matter
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[859]
26
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OE T H E BU R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
is closed. Failure to present a satisfactory explanation results
usually in disciplinary action by the wage board, in the form of short
suspension, or, in very extreme cases, in discharge. As a matter of
fact, discharges for “ losses ” occur very infrequently, the usual
disciplinary action being limited to a reprimand or, in more extreme
cases, to suspension for a short period of time.
It is the custom of those in charge of the labor department of this
firm to inspect, from time to time, the individual records of em
ployees in order to grant increases to those deserving them. In
creases of wages may also come through requests on the part of the
workers. Such requests usually take the form of complaints, and
are made through the office of the union. If the company declines
to grant an increase requested, the matter is referred officially to the
wage board. Very frequently, however, the representatives of the
parties on the wage board reach an informal understanding without
the assistance of the impartial chairman, that is, by mutual agree
ment and without the formal action of the board as such. In cases
where the representatives of the two parties on the board are unable
to reach an agreement, the impartial chairman is called upon to ren
der a decision.
The following table shows the increases granted during the sixmonth period ending July 1, 1917, classified by agencies which
granted them, that is, according to whether the increase was granted
voluntarily by the company, informally by representatives of the two
parties on the wage board, or by a formal decision of the wage board.
IN C R E A S E S G R A N T E D TO W E E K W O R K E R S D U R IN G T H E SIX -M O N T H P E R IO D E N D IN G
JU L Y 1, 1917, B Y D E P A R T M E N T S .
Increases granted by—
D epartm ent.
Average
nu m b er
em
ployed.
N um ber
of in
dividual
increases
granted.
M embers of wage
board inform ally.
Com pany.
Form al decision of
wage board.
N um ber. P e r cent. N u m b er. Per cent . N um ber. Per cent.
C u ttin g .........................
T rim m in g ....................
Shop A .........................
Shop B .........................
Shop 0 .........................
Shop D .........................
Shop E .........................
277
112
1,035
215
124
304
228
266
116
1,140
157
115
227
248
216
881,000
91
70
211
240
81.2
75.9
87.7
58.0
60.9
93.0
96. 8
5
7
70
T o ta l..................
2,295
2,269
1,916
84.4
19
li
1.9
6.0
6.1
4.4
16. 5
4,8
45
21
70
59
20
5
s
22. 6
2. 2
3 2
119
5.2
234
10.3
10.9
18.1
6.1
During the six-month period ending July 1, 1917, the average
number of employees in the manufacturing department of this es
tablishment was 2,295. During this period a total of 2,269 indi
vidual increases were granted—that is, practically each of the em
ployees of the company received one increase during; this period.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 860 ]
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
27
These increases augmented the weekly pay roll of the company by
$2,347, the average increase thus having been slightly over $1 per
week. Of the 2,269 increases, 1,916, or 84.4 per cent, were granted
voluntarily by the company; 119, or 5.2 per cent, were brought about
informally through mediation by the representatives of the two par
ties on the wage board; and 234, or 10.3 per cent, were ordered by a
formal action of the wage board.
E ST A B L ISH M E N T NO. 2.
There is no collective bargaining in this establishment, which em
ploys about 800 women. The wage payments on all of the manufac
turing processes are on a piecework basis, the actual biweekly earn
ings of the operatives being computed by multiplying the piece rate
by the number of pieces produced. Two factors enter into the de
termination of a piece rate—the time allowance and the class rate.
The time allowance for every operation is arrived at by careful time
study. The time result thus arrived at is interpreted in terms of so
many pieces per hour. To determine the piece rate for any particular
operation the hourly rate of the operation is divided by the number
of pieces produced in one hour. In all, seven class rates are in ex
istence. These are as follows :
C la ss
C la s s
C lass
C la ss
C la ss
C la ss
C la s s
1------------------------------------- ----------------------------- 25 c e n ts
2 -------------------------------------------:_______________ 30 c e n ts
3 ____________________________________________ 35 c e n ts
4 ____________________________________________ 40 c e n ts
5____________________________________________ 45 c e n ts
6 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 c e n ts
7---- ------------------------------------:________________ 55 c e n ts
per
per
per
per
per
per
per
h o u r.
h o u r.
h o u r.
h o u r.
h o u r.
h o u r.
h o u r.
It was stated by the management that in arriving at these class
rates the following factors were taken into consideration: (1) The
best local market rate for similar work; (2) the relative amount of
skill required to perform the operations; (3) the needs of the worker.
It was further stated that as a matter of fact the rate finally deter
mined upon is usually “ about 25 per cent greater than what is
thought to be the best local market rate for similar work.”
The relative amount of skill involved in specific operations for
purposes of rate classification is arrived at by time study and careful
observation and by consultations with the superintendents and shop
instructors concerned.
The needs of the workers are taken into account by a rule specify
ing minimum rates of 20 cents and 32 cents per hour, respectively,
for female and male employees, without regard to the nature of the
work performed.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[861]
28
M O N T H L Y BE VIEW OE T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
Only females are employed on operations classified as one, two,
and three. On operations four, five, and six both males and females
are employed, and on operation seven, only males. The initial or
starting rate for inexperienced hands is 20 cents per hour on opera
tions classified under one, and 22 cents per hour for those under two,
three, and four, subject, of course, to the minimum per hour specified
above for males. No beginners are hired for operations classified as
five, six, and seven.
Specific operations are kept in the same class as long as the
methods used and the time required remain unchanged. It was
stated, however, that by virtue of the progressive manufacturing
methods employed by this establishment operations are frequently so
modified that they can be removed from one class to another and
thereby made subject to the rate of the new class. Such removals do
not, however, result in any pecuniary loss to the employee concerned,
because in such instances it is the policy of the company to guarantee
to the employee concerned a certain minimum as a retainer. The
amount of this retainer is the difference between the new rate set
and the old rate. This retainer is paid to the employee until he is
transferred to an operation on which he can earn at least as much
as he did prior to the change.
The newly hired worker receives the initial rate of the class in
which his specific operation falls until he is able actually to earn 30
per cent of the standard class rate. Upon arriving at this point he
is put on a so-called “ retainer ” basis, the retainer being an amount
guaranteed him in addition to his actual piecework earnings. The
amount of this retainer for the first week is 70 per cent of the
standard class rate per hour plus 2 cents. The amount of the re
tainer is reduced by 2 cents each successive week on all operations
except pressing, in which case it is reduced 5 cents, until it is wiped
out. Thus the learner on the retainer basis is able for the first week
to make actually more than the standard rate for his class of work,
and, if his operating skill during the succeeding weeks increases
faster than 2 cents per hour (5 cents in the case of pressers), he will
be able to continue to make more than his class rate as long as he
remains on the retainer basis. This system is designed to encourage
the learners and at the same time leave some incentive for bringing
their operating skill up to the standard.
For the purpose of determining exactly the amounts of time in
volved in- specific operations scientific time tests are resorted to.
These studies are made under the immediate direction of a competent
time-study man. Only highly efficient employees are selected as
test hands. The previous efficiency record of the test hand must be
continuous and uniform, the latter being easily evident from his or
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[SG2]
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR S T A T IST IC S.
29
her earnings over a certain number of weeks. The dexterity of th e..
test hand and the ability to correctly follow instructions are also
considered in the selection.
For the purpose of closer time study each operation is broken up ,
into numerous component elements. Each element is timed sepa
rately in the order of its regular appearance in the course of the
operation; that is, the tests are continuous for each complete oper
ation. From 40 to 50 separate tests are usually resorted to in order
to arrive at the final time allowed. The results of one such test may
be cited as an illustration. It was necessary to determine the exact
amount of time involved in an operation known as “ pockets tacked
on trousers.” This operation, for which a time allowance of 0.84
minute was subsequently established, was split into 11 distinctly
separate elements, as follows: (1) Pick up trouser, place in lap, open,
place left leg in machine; (2) tack underside of side pocket; (3)
move trouser over, tack lower part of side pocket; (4) move trouser
over, tack left side of back pocket; (5) move trouser over, tack right
side of back pocket; (6) place left leg on ledge, pick up right leg,
place in machine; (7) tack left side of back pocket; (8) move trouser ,
over, tack right side of back pocket; (9) move trouser over, tack
upper part of side pocket; (10) move trouser over, tack lower part
of side pocket; (11) place right leg on top of left, fold, place pair on
lower deck of table.
The entire operation, as well as each of the elements involved in it,
was timed by 40 successive experiments.
After recording the test results, averages based upon all perform
ances for each of the 11 elements were calculated. The sum of the
averages for all these elements was 0.795 minute. This time was
then established as the average time for the entire operation in
question.
The pure or fiat time involved in each operation is known as the
standard time. It varies from the average time shown above, beingbased in a great majority of instances upon the modal performance
time—that is, the time within which each of the elements of the
operation is performed most frequently. Seven-tenths of one minute
was found to be the standard time for this operation.
In order to arrive at the final time allowed, or “ allowed time,”
certain factors which delay the work and which are not within the
control of the operative have to be considered. The number of these
factors varies, of course, with the specific operation in question. In
this instance certain time allowances were made for (1) changing
the work, (2) personal needs, (3) needle and bobbin, and (4) extra
machine time, the last two involving adjustments that the operative
has to make in the bobbin and threading of the needle, and in the
1S98S°— 17—
3
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oiling, fixing belt, etc., of the machine. The percentage of the pure
or standard time allowed for each of these unavoidable delays was
5, the total being 20 per cent, or 0.14 minute. Thus the “ allowed
time ” for this operation was established as 0.84 minute, i. e. the
standard time, 0.70 minute, plus 0.14 minute.
Aside from the cutting, 91 different operations, each of which is
performed by a different operative, containing in the aggregate 053
separate elements, are involved in the making of a stock sack coat.
The standard time for the manufacture of one of these garments is
79.1 minutes, with an additional time allowance for unavoidable
delays of 14.52 minutes, making the total or final time allowed 93.02
minutes. This is equivalent to the continuous work of one operative
for slightly over one and one-half hours. The making of a pair of
ordinary trousers involves 43 operations performed by as many dif
ferent operatives and takes 334 minutes; that is, is equivalent to the
continuous work of one operative for a period of slightly over onehalf of one hour.
The management of this establishment realizes that such time
^ standard will appear as unusual to persons familiar with the low
efficiency standards usually found prevailing in the men’s ready-towear clothing trades. Standards such as these could not possibly be
attained without a highly effective working organization and scien
tific methods of management. The effectiveness of the working or
ganization of this establishment is achieved, it was stated, through
the existence of the following: (1) standardization of equipment of
machines, tools, and accessories; (2) proper placement of equipment;
(3) efficiency and speed of machines; (4) motion studies of oper
ations resulting in an elimination of wasted effort; (5) installation
of accurate methods for the routing and handling of product; (6)
functional foremanship, which in this instance expresses itself in the
existence of specialized foremen in charge of production, quality,
inspection, and detailed and careful instruction.
E S T A B L ISH M E N T NO. 3.
Rate making in this establishment, which employs 7,500 workers,
is governed by the provisions of a collective agreement between the
firm and its employees represented through the Amalgamated Cloth
ing Workers of America.
The method for the settlement of grievances, including those
involving piece-rate controversies, under this agreement is as fol
lows : When a grievance arises in any of the numerous shops of the
company the complainant is obliged to report promptly to the shop
representative of the union. This union representative, called the
shop chairman, then takes up the matter with the shop superin
tendent, and these two endeavor to adjust the difficulty. In the event
that the shop chairman is not satisfied with the action of the super
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intendent he reports to the union office, giving all the details of the
case in dispute. The official representatives of the union and of the
company, to whom the complaint is then referred, are known as
deputies. When shop officials report a disputed complaint to their,
respective deputies, the latter make a detailed investigation on the
premises by visitation or by taking testimony and endeavor to adjust
the matter. In the event of failure to agree on the part of the depu
ties they are required to certify the case to the trade board for trial,
agreeing, if possible, on a statement of the facts involved in the con
troversy.
The trade board is the primary board for the adjustment of all
grievances, and has original jurisdiction over all disputed matters
arising under the agreement and the decisions relating thereto, con
sidering and disposing of all controversies when regularly brought
before it.
Decisions of the trade board may be appealed from to the board
of arbitration, which consists of three members, one of whom is
chosen by the union and one by the company, the third member, who
is also chairman of the board of arbitration, being chosen by the mu
tual consent of the parties. This board has full and final jurisdiction
over all matters arising under this agreement. By agreement between
the representatives of the union and the company cases may be heard
and decided by the chairman of the board of arbitration alone.
Piece-rate disputes usually arise in one of the following ways:
(1) Employees working on a specific operation may complain that
the work on the garment is slower and more difficult than it was
expected to be, necessitating a higher piece rate in order to maintain
their earnings; (2) the company may desire to substitute piecework
for timework. It was stated that about two-thirds of the formally
adjusted piece-rate cases originated at the request of the company.
This is due to the fact that in the opinion of the management the
piece-rate system of wage payment results in greater efficiency than
timework.
Piece-rate complaints filed by employees proceed through the regu
lar adjustment channels already described : Shop chairman and super
intendent, deputies, rate committee, trade board, board of arbitration.
Unless specified by the agreement, no piecework is permitted if not
mutually agreed upon by the parties or ordered by either of the
boards. Pending the introduction of piecework the manufacturing
is to be done on a time basis. Requests on the part of the company
for the substitution of piece for time work, or for the making of
new rates, are not considered by the representatives of the parties
on the factory floor—the shop chairman and the shop superintend
ent—being referred directly to the rate committee.
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
Responsibility for making piece rates is lodged primarily in the
trade board which delegates this power to a rate committee composed
of three members—a representative of the company, a representative of
the workers, and the chairman of the board. As a matter of prac
tice, the work of rate making is carried on almost exclusively by the
two members representing the company and the employees. While
some cases are brought before the full committee, such instances are
exceptional. Of a total of 103 piece-rate adjustments made during
the four-month period ending August 1, 1917, 115, or more than twothirds, were made by the two members of the rate committee without
the assistance of the chairman.
Every piece-rate controversy is taken up in the first instance by the
two members of the rate committee, who attempt to reach an agree
ment. If an agreement is reached, a specification of the work to be
performed and the rate to be paid is prepared and signed by both
representatives. In case of disagreement the matter is referred to
the full rate committee, which makes a decision fixing the specifica
tion and rate. After the specification and rate have been authorized
by the rate committee, there can be no alteration of the terms by
either of the parties without permission from the rate committee. If
this decision is unsatisfactory to either of the parties, it may be ap
pealed from to the board of arbitration.
New rates are provisional and temporary, subject to review after a
sufficient period of trial to determine their merit.
As an illustration of the methods usually followed by the rate
committee in determining piece rates the following adjustment may
be cited. A rate was to be set on the finishing process of a new gar
ment;—coats for officers of the Army. On regular coats this process
consists of the following operations, the rates on which are standard
ized: (1) Felling the lining around the sleeve head; (2) felling the
lining at the bottom of the sleeves; (3) felling the lining at the
shoulder seams; (4) felling the top collar to lining; (5) fellingdown the under collar; (6) sewing on hanger; and (7) sewing on the
label. This process, which covers all the seven operations enumer
ated, is paid for at the rate of $17.71 per 100 coats. The necessity
of setting a new rate for the finishing work on military coats arose
because of the fact that the finishing specifications on such coats
called only for standard operations (1), (2), (3), and (7). The
problem then was to deduct from the standard rate of $17.71 the
values of operations (4), (5), and (6). The values of (5) and (6)
were easily agreed upon on the basis of former decisions made by
the trade board specifying $3.06 and $0.90 per 100 coats for these
operations. The value of operation (4) was arrived at by an actual
time study and found to be $1.25 per 100 coats. The final rate on the
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finishing operations on military coats thus arrived at was $17.71. less
«S3.06 for operation (5), $0.90 for operation (6), and $1.25 for opera
tion (4), an aggregate deduction of $5.21 or a rate of $12.50 per 100.
This rate, however, was not satisfactory to the representative of the
employees on the rate committee, who thought that a rate of $13.50
would be fairer to the employees. The final rate agreed upon by the
rate committee was $13 per 100 coats.
In the determination of piece rates in this establishment time
studies are resorted to frequently. If the results of such studies
should be unsatisfactory to either of the parties, or to the chair
man of the rate committee or of the trade board, the figures thus
arrived at are sometimes modified in accordance with opinions of
members of the. committee or of expert tailors called in on such
occasions for consultation. Such modifications, as a rule, consist of
allowing some additional time in order to take into consideration
possible variations due to the personality of the worker. It has been
stated by the representatives of the company, and confirmed by the
chairman of the trade board, that in a majority of the piece-rate
adjustments the employees are given the benefit of the doubt.
The present annual output of this company in round numbers is
1,000,000 suits, 300,000 overcoats, and 150.000 extra trousers. Ninetenths of the suits consist of three pieces—coat, vest, and trousers«
Notwithstanding the high quality of the clothing manufactured by
this firm the processes of manufacturing on the bulk of the goods are
standardized to the point where a piece rate, once established, may be
in force for years. Such a standardization eliminates the necessity
of frequent controversies regarding piece rates. Approximately 40
per cent of the vests and 90 per cent of the trousers are termed
“ regular” and are made ordinarily without any possibility of piecerate disagreements. Only now and then, on account of some change
in manufacture, a new piece rate has to be set on garments termed
regular. Only 6 out of the 163 piece-rate settlements mentioned
above related to the regular product.
Models other than those termed regular are known as “ feature
stuff.” The principal characterization of this “ feature ” output is
shown by its name; instead of being more or less standard its minor
details vary frequently, being subject to changes in style.
The basic operations involved in the making of regular coats, vests,
and trousers are involved also in the manufacture of feature goods;
therefore comparatively few piece-rate- difficulties arise regarding
basic operations even on feature garments. The features usually con
stitute small variations in the make-up of specified minor parts of
the product—such as pockets, belts, collars, etc., and never cause a
rerating of the entire garment. Instead of remaking the rate on the
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
entire operation the difference from the standard operation is meas
ured and so-called “ differentials” arrived at for deductions or
increases.
The director of labor of this concern stated that the principal
defect of this scheme for piece-rate making lies in its cumbersome
ness; too many preliminary efforts must be made before the matter
may reach the trade board. Attention was called to the fact that
it frequently takes, from two to three weeks to get a formal piecerate decision made by the trade board. In the meantime the work
must be either continued on a time basis, which, in the opinion of
the management, is highly expensive because of its inefficiency, or
temporarily laid aside. The solution of this difficulty, it was said,
may be found in an understanding between the workers and the
company which would grant to the latter the initiative in introducing
piecework and tentative rates, subject, of course, to protest by the
employees and to appeal to the trade board or, if necessary, to the
board of arbitration. If the action of the company under such
a rule should be found to be contradictory to some of the principles
of the agreement its decisions might be declared void and the former
status resumed. If the rate set were considered too low an increase
with back pay could be ordered. To protect the employees still
further priority of hearing and trial before the trade board could be
accorded to cases involving protests against tentative piece rates.
Such a system, it was said, would enable the company to employ more
efficient manufacturing methods and at the same time protect the
employees from any possible unfairness that the substitution of piece
for time work might incidentally bring.
The representatives of the unions concerned object to giving the
company the privilege of setting tentative rates because it is their
belief that such a system might easily result in a decentralization
of the rate-making system. Numerous tentative piece-rate readjust
ments would take place as rapidly as any section head felt the neces
sity for a change. An increase in the number of rate cases would
make it impossible for the union officials to control the rate situa
tion. The number of shop stoppages would be bound to increase
under such a system. This would naturally have a tendency to
shatter the solidity of the entire agreement. The representatives of
the employees are of the opinion that the number of serious piecerate difficulties has been rather small and that the privilege accorded
to the company to specify priority of hearing and trial for certain
rate cases prevents the really important rate controversies from
dragging on for an unreasonably long time.
The chairman of the trade board under the present and former
agreement is of the opinion that, generally speaking, the existing
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piece-rate making system is satisfactory, and that the setting of
tentative piece rates by the company would contribute little to the
improvement of the rate-making system or to efficiency.
That the method of adjusting piece-rate controversies specified in
the agreement and described in detail above has been more satisfac
tory than any other method ever tried in the shops of this company
is conceded by all the representatives of the company and of the
working people. Within the organization of the company, however,
there seems to exist some difference of opinion regarding the de
sirability, above discussed, of permitting the company to put in
tentative piece rates subject to review by the trade board. The
official representative of the company on the rate committee was
formerly in favor of an amendment in the agreement to this effect,
purely as a means of clearing up speedily a large accumulation of
cases which the cumbersome machinery of rate making seemed unable
to handle. During the past year, however, a sustained effort has been
made by all concerned to clear up this accumulation and the need
for a change in method is not so pressing. It now seems probable
that the existing machinery will be able to dispose of new cases
with a fair degree of promptness.
E M P L O Y E R S ’ H O U S IN G IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S .1
BY LEIFUR M A G N U SSO N .
IN T R O D U C T IO N .
Company housing in the United States dates from the beginning
of the factory system. The colonial manufacturer who established
his mill where water power was available usually found an unde
veloped country, and by force of necessity had to provide accom
modations for the labor which he brought to his establishment.
A good many early housing developments were found by the agents
of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in the present study
of industrial housing. One project connected with a cotton mill in
Wilmington, Del., dates back to 1831.
Before undertaking its investigation the bureau secured from vari
ous sources a list of firms which did housing work for their em
ployees. "This list contained over 700 firms, but without question
was incomplete. A thousand would probably be a conservative esti
mate of the number of industrial employers in the United States
who do housing work.
1 S u m m a ry o f a fo r th c o m in g r e p o r t o f th e U n ite d S ta te s B u re a u of L a b o r S ta tis tic s on
E m p lo y e rs ’ H o u sin g in th e U n ite d S ta te s .
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M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
Altogether 213 companies were covered in the study, including
subsidiary companies of large holding corporations which were
classed as separate companies. The companies included controlled
423 establishments or plants and employed 466,991 men, of whom
160,645, or 34 per cent, were accommodated in company houses.
Boarding houses were not included in this study. The data gathered
were generally for the year 1916. It can be readily understood that
the investigation was not comprehensive but merely representative,
though it covered a considerable extent of territory, as is readily
seen from Table 1 (p. 49).
T H E COM PANY TO W N .
The survey revealed that town planning has not been given any
great consideration in the large majority of cases; technical town
planners had been consulted by 15 per cent of the employing com
panies studied. The idea of consulting town planning experts, fur
thermore, is of recent origin; and the employment of such experts
seems relatively more frequent on the part of manufacturing employ
ers than of mine operators. Model towns, with few exceptions, are
of recent origin.
Employers are little hampered by existing buildings and city
development, in the planning of their housing projects, Tor of the
236 developments for which separate information was secured, 157,
or two-thirds, are reported as located on undeveloped land requiring
the laying out of new towns. Streets in company towns are almost
without exception ample in width, frequently if anything too wide,
making the cost of original construction and upkeep unnecessarily
high, frequently resulting in untidiness. The prevailing width for
streets is 45 feet, and for alleys 15 feet.
The technical districting of land areas, restricting the land for
special uses, is not generally practiced by employers in laying out
company towns. There is always a natural tendency, however, to
place stores at the center of the community and to group houses
around that center.
Aside from restrictions against the keeping of saloons or the fol
lowing of noxious trades contained in all leases and deeds of sales,
such other limitations as are attempted relate to the keeping of do
mestic animals, type of fences and outbuildings, type and cost of
house, etc.
In the matter of race restrictions, one employer alternated the
negro and immigrant families in his houses, declaring his purpose
to be to avoid too great clannishness and quarreling of neighbors.
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Negroes are always segregated in the South, as are Mexicans in the
southwestern company towns.
Public utilities are provided and certain governmental functions
are exercised by the employing companies themselves in the large
majority of cases in the 236 communities studied. And when the
agency providing the utility is a private company, such company is
frequently a subsidiary of the employing company, or controlled by
the same individuals who control the employing company. No water
system other than wells or hydrants outside are provided in 14, or 6
per cent of the 226 communities reporting; no sanitary sewers in
91, or 40 per cent; no storm sewers in 116, or 50 per cent; no electric
lights in 39, or 17 per cent; no gas in 173, or 76 per cent; no street
paving in 103, or 45 per cent; and no sidewalks or gutters in 43, or
19 per cent of the communities studied.
In over one-half of the 232 communities reporting, street cleaning
and lighting, lire protection, garbage collection, sanitary regulations,
and restrictions upon the use of the land for stores, sale of liquors
and type of residences, etc., are functions of the employing company
and not of the community. In 85 cases the company also provides
the police protection of the community. Generally speaking, em
ployers merely assist in the provision of schools and churches.
The chief characteristic noticeable in every company town is its
uniformity, due to the tendency to erect a certain uniform style oi
house and to lay the town out along rectangular lines of survey. The
company town suffers from a wrong kind of deliberate planning—
wherein it does not differ greatly from the noncompany town—
largely because the housing work is incidental to the principal busi
ness of the employer and does not receive consideration in proportion
to that given the purely business part of the employer’s enterprise.
Another characteristic of the company town which it shares with
most other communities has been its disregard of the advantages of
vegetation, planting of trees, grass, and shrubbery. Bare court yards
and surroundings are not only unsightly, but as one large coal opera
tor in Pennsylvania pointed out they are a menace to health as the
dust and dirt which generally collect are prolific carriers of disease.
As land is plentiful in practically all company housing develop
ments, with the exception of a few in the Eastern States located
within the limits of large cities, there is found no tendency toward
crowding on lots. The narrowest lots (one-third being 20 and
under 25 feet in width) found are for houses built by explosive
manufacturers, unquestionably due to the prevalence of row houses.
Lots for company houses built by copper mining companies in Michi
gan and Tennessee and coal operators in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsyl
vania, West Virginia, Colorado, and Wyoming are generally 50 and
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under 60 feet in width. In the mining region of the North few
lots less than 50 feet wide are found, and few less than 40 feet in
Alabama. Narrower lots are found in a group of certain miscellane
ous industries, where one-third are under 40 feet.
TH E CO M PAN Y HOUSE.
The company house tends to become standardized both as respects
its plan and material of construction. The standardization goes even
to the matter of the color of its exterior. Certain types of houses are
characteristic of different sections of the country; and in the Eastern
States there is a further difference between the type of house in the
manufacturing town and in the mining town, a thing which is not
true in the Southern and Northern States, where there is no essential
difference in the company house in the manufacturing town and in
the mining town. As no company towns in the far Western States
enter into this study no statement can be made as respects those
sections of the country.
A dwelling, for the purposes of this survey, is defined as the family
unit, the selling or renting unit, as the case may be. Thus a double
house is counted as two dwellings.
Before indicating the character of the types of dwellings which
prevail in the different sections of the country covered by the sur
vey, it may be well to point out some of the general features of com
pany houses as disclosed by the bureau’s investigation. Of the 53,470
individual dwellings, 25,582, or 48 per cent, are single dwellings;
18,765, or 35 per cent, double dwellings; and 6,014, or 11 per cent, row
dwellings, while all other types combined number only 2,044, or about
4 per cent of the total. The type is not reported in 1 per cent of all
cases.1
Since 1881 there has been a significant development in the type of
buildings erected by employers for their workmen. The prevailing
type of house erected before 1881 was the double dwelling; 870, or
48 per cent, of the 1,800 dwellings erected before that date were of
that type; the row dwelling was the next most common, 423, or
24 per cent, being of that type. The prevalence of the row type of
dwelling declined somewhat irregularly from that time to the pres
ent, so that now it forms about 11 per cent of all company dwellings.
I t is noted as significant that of 3,547 houses erected by employers
m 1916, 1,529, or 43 per cent, are of the row type and of 1,177 erected
in 1917, 375, or 32 per cent, are of the row type. The prevalence of
the row type of house before 1881 is undoubtedly due to the fact that
in the early days mine operators erected thousands of one-story frame
rows. The increase in row houses in 1916 and 1917 is explained by
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1 See Table 2. p. 50. for details.
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OE T H E B U R E A U O F LA B O R S T A T IS T IC S .
39
the fact that the new company developments which were reported
as of those years happened to be laid out in large cities where land
is high.
The frame structure is the most prevalent style of company house,
with brick less than a tenth as prevalent, and all other types of mate
rial combined even less prevalent than brick.1
The largest proportion of the company houses, 17,64-3 dwellings or
one-third of a total of 53,176, have four rooms. A little over onesixth (9,407) of the houses have five rooms; and an equal proportion
(9,097) six rooms. That is, a little over two-thirds of all company
houses are four, five, and six room dwellings. There are 160 oneroom dwellings, but this is less than 1 per cent of the total.
The four, five, and six room dwellings are therefore typical-sized
company houses. Of 17,643 four-room dwellings 30 per cent rent
for less than $5 a month; 40 per cent for less than $6; 58 per cent for
less than $7; and 76 per cent for less than $8. Of the five-room com
pany houses 63 per cent and of the six-room houses 43 per cent rent
for less than $8 per month. Considering ail company dwellings, 69
per cent rent for less than $8 a month.2 It is then quite conservative to
say that over two-thirds of all company houses are well within the
means of the low-paid unskilled laborer. For while no study has
been made of the actual relation between wages and rent, two em
ployers report that they limit rent to a definite percentage of wages—namely, 25 per cent in one case and 10 per cent in the other. Assum
ing either of these ratios to be the correct one, the estimate that twothirds of all company houses are within the means of the low-paid
worker is not exaggerated. It presupposes, on the basis of the higher
ration of 25 per cent, earnings of about $32 a month.
It is not to be expected that a large proportion of all company
houses should have such modern conveniences as a bath, water-closet,
sewer connections, and water or lighting system. However, consider
ing all company houses (53,176), 8,238, or 15.5 per cent, are equipped
with bath, water-closet, sewer or cesspool, water system, and gas or
electric light, and many of them with laundry tubs and hot water
connections; 859, or 1.6 per cent have bath, water-closet, sewer or
cesspool, or a water system; 1,917, or 3.6 per cent, have water-closet,
sewer or cesspool, running water inside, and gas or electric light; and
2,534, or 4.8 per cent, have water-closet, sewer or cesspool, and run
ning water inside. There are no modern conveniences, except run
ning water inside, in 10,600, or 19.9 per cent, of all company dwell
ings, and no modern conveniences, except gas or electric light, in
2,593, or 4.9 per cent, of all dwellings. On the other hand, the
1 See T a b le 8, p. 51, fo r d e ta ils .
2 See T a b le s 4 a n d 5, pp. 51, 52, fo r d e ta ils .
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M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
largest proportion of ail company dwellings, 18,649, or 35 per cent,
have no modern inside sanitary conveniences. The facts as to sani
tary equipment are not reported for 5,596, or 10.5 per cent, of all
buildings included in the survey,1
While nine-tenths of all company houses are of frame construc
tion. several employers are experimenting with construction materials
of concrete and hollow tile in various combinations. A large an
thracite coal operator in Pennsylvania built a group of 20 double
houses (40 dwellings) of poured concrete without air spaces in the
walls, but lie has not found them as successful" as he had anticipated.
They cost more than the same style and size of brick house, while
some of the tenants report them as damp, and to an observer they
appear rather cold and forbidding on the inside. The plaster has
peeled off in spots, and where pieces have broken off the stair coping,
which is also of poured concrete, it would seem difficult or im
possible to make repairs. Hollow tile with stucco exterior is being
used successfully in a mining town in Arizona, and variety is being
obtained by tinting the stucco various colors. A company in Penn
sylvania in its housing development has experimented with the
hollow-wall form of concrete construction, but the development
is too recent to say as to its success. Two large manufacturers have
erected some 3,000-odd houses of the ready-built frame type. While
making for rapid construction, difficulty was experienced in match
ing parts, which may have been due to confusion growing out of a
hurry arising from the urgent necessity to get something done and
up at once.
C ost o f th e ty p ic a l c o m p a n y h o u se .2
The cost of a few typical company houses in different sections of
the country may be of some interest. Costs as here given include
only cost of the house—not outbuildings or land or street improve
ments.
The cost of the double mine-type of house in the Pennsylvania and
West Virginia mining regions ranges from $600 to $800 per dwelling,
or the renting unit of 4 to 5 rooms. A similar type of house of 5
rooms per family erected in Michigan in 1907 cost $825. The double
frame cottage in the New England States cost in 1914 from $800 to
$1,000 per dwelling.
The 4-room miner’s frame house in Ohio costs $600 to $800; similar
houses in Colorado cost in 1914 $750. A group of 40 was built in
1914 in Colorado for $700 each. A cement-block house of 4 rooms in
1 See T a b le 6, p p . 53, 54, f o r d e ta ils .
2 T h e c o sts to -d a y w o u ld be m u c h g r e a te r th a n th o s e g iv e n in th is r e p o rt, o w in g to
in c re a s e d w a g e s a n d c o st o f m a te r ia ls . T h e in c re a s e s w o u ld v a r y w ith th e m a te r ia ls
u s e d a n d th e lo c a lity .
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Colorado cost $650 in 1900. The simple 4-room house on open piers
built in the South cost $670 in 1917; a group of thirty-five 4-room
two-story frame houses built in northern Minnesota cost in 1910
$750. A 4-room, one-story, one-family house of the ready-built type
cost $1,500 in 1913 in Virginia; a 5-room ready-built house of a simi
lar type erected in New Jersey cost in 1915 approximately $1,200. A
4-room ready-built house erected in 1914 in Pennsylvania by a cer
tain railway-equipment company cost $1,500. A 4-room, one-family
frame bungalow, neither ceiled nor plastered inside but having in
side sanitary conveniences, erected by companies in Arizona, costs
$1,000. These costs of typical 4-room company houses are cited
merely by way of example, but even these few examples show how
widely costs vary and how dependent they are upon local conditions
and changes in the materials market from time to time.
M A IN T E N A N C E .
Good company developments are found to be greatly marred by a
failure to maintain the houses and their surroundings properly.
Relatively poor housing accommodations are redeemed to an extent
by a good system of upkeep. Employers are practically one in their
belief that problems of maintenance are the most important ones for
the success of any housing undertaking. The old style type of miner’s
house in anthracite and bituminous regions of Pennsylvania is being
rejuvenated, as it were, by repainting and repair, construction of
whitewashed fences, the planting of trees and shrubbery, and the
encouragement of gardening. Streets and alleys and backyards are
kept clean by a system of garbage and sanitary collection.
It is the policy of about a third of the companies included in the
survey to encourage gardening by means of prizes, and it is found
that once gardening has been started in this manner it tends to main
tain itself. Another method of encouraging gardening is by the
distribution of handbooks on the subject. A few employers report
the giving of prizes a failure, and suggest instead the giving of a
flat- bonus to each tenant who keeps a garden of a specified standard.
As a preliminary to the inauguration of successful gardening it is
usually necessary to erect fences; for almost inevitably it is found
that a tenant who starts a garden will build a fence about his
premises. Where the tenant is left to make his own fence a
nondescript makeshift is the usual result, a fence made of the odds
and ends of loose boards, pieces of corrugated iron and waste wire
as a rule. Uniform company fences, on the other hand, add much to
the appearance of a town.
Some companies, however, are able to enforce a rule of no fences;
and when that is the case all yards are kept well turfed and mowed,
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M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OE T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
and provision made for supplying trash and garbage receptacles,
which are regularly removed and emptied.
The repair and upkeep of company houses are generally committed
to the repair department of the establishment, with the result that
house repairs are given secondary consideration to general plant
repair. Several companies, on the other hand, have found it better
to keep a separate repair department in connection with their real
estate or housing department; the houses are then given the proper
attention, regular men being charged with the duty of repair and
maintenance.
T H E H O USING IN V E S T M E N T ,
With few exceptions the housing work is conducted as a general
part of the employer’s principal business; the accounting and admin
istrative work connected with it is done in the general office of the
employer and by a staff which has other duties to perform. In some
instances a special department has been created for the conduct of
the work, usually termed the land department or land agent, Where
the housing is ’conducted by a subsidiary company the housing en
terprise usually becomes more elaborate and is found more gener
ally in connection with a model village development.
Although the largest proportion of company housing is 'done
directly by the employer as a general part of his business, there is
discernible a slight tendency toward the indirect method of the sub
sidiary company or the real estate company controlled by stock own
ership of the employer.
Out of 213 different employers canvassed in the inquiry, only 33
reported the practice of constructing and selling houses to their
workmen. The practice of selling is finding its limited vogue among
the more highly specialized and permanent industries. Mine oper
ators do not encourage their employees .to buy houses because the
industry is not permanent, as mines gradually become worked out
after a period of years.
Of the employing firms scheduled, only one encouraged the em
ployees to take out a life insurance policy to guarantee the payment
of his loan in the event of death prior to final payment. The plan
is optional, yet about 51 per cent of the purchasers have taken ad
vantage of it. Three companies have been found which are try
ing to prevent speculation in the houses which they sell to their
employees. One large manufacturer in Ohio aims to have the specu
lative increase accrue to the employee. This is done by basing the
monthly installments of the purchase price for the first five years
on the initial real estate value of the property. This value is placed
at 25 per cent above the actual cost price to the company; and if at
the end of the five years the employee is still with the company there
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43
is returned to him the difference between the real estate value and
the cost value of the house. All payments after that date are made
on the basis of the actual cost price of the property.
Another method of preventing speculation is to require the erec
tion within a limited time, usually less than a year, of a house upon
the lot sold to an employee. This method is in fact, however, only
a temporary limitation against speculation.
C ost of co m p a n y h o u sin g 7
To an employer who expects to undertake housing work the firstconsideration is usually the cost. On this point the survey is able
to throw some light, 60 different companies having reported the total
original cost of all company houses, not including land, as $15,948,502.
This amount is 28 per cent of the average annual pay roll of these
companies for a five-year period (1911-1915). The houses ac
commodated 42 per rnent of their employees, a factor which must
be taken into consideration in comparing the cost of the houses
with the pay roll. The proportion which the cost of the houses
forms of the pay roll (28 per cent) is to the proportion of employees
housed (42 per cent) as 2 is to 3. For example, if an employer pro
poses to house one-half of his employees he may expect to invest in
houses, not including land, an amount equal to one-third of his
annual pay roll; if he proposes to house all he will need to invest
an amount equal to two-thirds of his annual pay roll. Separate in
dustries show considerable variation because in some localities cli
matic conditions require a more substantial construction or because
better houses than the average are sometimes built. Thus for one
company in a group of miscellaneous industries, where a better class
of house has been built, having modern conveniences and consider
able architectural variety, the total original cost of the company
houses is 52.3 per cent of the annual pay roll for a five-year period,
while only 27.8 per cent of its 1,800 employees were housed.2 This
proportion is the reverse of that shown above for the 60 companies
investigated taken together.
On his housing investment the employer gets a gross return of 8.3
per cent, a percentage based on the original cost of all houses as re
ported by 60 different companies. The total original cost of the
houses was about $15,126,125. Reports from eight different coal com
panies in Pennsylvania show a gross return of 11 per cent on a total
inventory value of $2,855,912. In calculating these percentages aver
age annual rent receipts for a five-year period (1911-1915) have
1 The relation of cost of housing to amount of pay roll has probably changed since the
period covered by this report. The figures given can be taken only as a rough approxima
tion of relative costs to-day.
2 See Table 7, p. 55, for details.
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been used. The gross returns received by companies in different sec
tions of the country and for different industries vary considerably—
e. g., from a maximum of 20 per cent on company houses of certain
mining companies in Alabama to 6.2 per cent on the houses belonging
to five steel companies in Pennsylvania and Ohio.1
G en era l a sp e cts o f c o m p a n y h o u sin g .
Employers undertake to house their workmen primarily because
there is a dearth of houses. Only in two industrial villages were
there found vacant houses at the time of this survey, and that was
because the houses were obviously bad. Aside from the immediate
necessity for more houses, other reasons moved employers to main
tain at least a nucleus of company houses. There was first the need
of certain emergency men near the plant for the sake of added safety
(as in mine operations in case of fire or accident) ; the desire for a
stable supply of labor, married men particularly; and the belief that
a more efficient labor force would thereby be secured.
Some of the reasons given are as follows: It pays as a business
proposition; stockholders interested in real estate company which
built the houses; property bought for plant extension (which shows
the housing enterprise was merely an incidental feature) ; feeling that
employer owes employee something; as an experiment; to prove out
factory village plan as a new theory; to promote general welfare
of mankind ; and to obtain a supply of foreign labor.
It is extremely difficult to say whether employers secure all the
ends in question. Certainly they do not supply nearly enough houses
for all their labor force, as only one-third of their employees are
accommodated in company houses. The cotton mills of the South
house relatively the largest proportion of their labor supply, namely
71 per cent, followed by soft-coal mine operators in all sections of
the country, w7ho house 62 per cent. The lowest percentage housed,
or 15.9 per cent, is in the copper and gold mining regions of the
Southwest. This is due to the fact that the unskilled Mexican laborer
is not generally housed by the companies in this region.2
While 165 out of 213 companies stated that their practice is to
supply houses to all classes of their employees, preference is naturally
given to men most difficult to retain; that is, the higher paid skilled
workmen. No definite data are available to show what proportion
of each particular class of labor is housed in company houses.
Practically all companies state that they are satisfied with the
results of their housing work; only a few* report an unfavorable
experience, the commonest complaint being that the housing business
is unprofitable. There were received altogether some 350 replies to
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1 See Tables 9 and 10, p. 50. for details.
2 See Table 1, p. 49, for details.
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45
the inquiry asking for the results to employers of their housing work.
Arranged according to the frequency with which they have been
noted, the results of company housing are declared to be as follows:
(1) Secures a better class of workmen, (2) greater stability in the
supply of labor, (3) reduction in the number of floaters, (4) better
living conditions, (5) greater loyalty from employees, (6) more con
tented and (7) more efficient workmen, (8) better control of the labor
situation (that is, hire and discharge with greater freedom), (9)
attracts married men, (10) greater regularity of employment, (11) a
better house for less money for the workman, (12 brings profit to the
company, (13) facilitates part time, and (14) serves to advertise
the company and to keep it favorably before the public. From this
statement of results it is quite plain that housing is probably one of
the most important factors in maintaining a steady supply of labor;
that is, i* is a factor in reducing labor turnover, a problem which
is now receiving a great deal of attention from employers.
As this survey was not conducted as a house to house investigation,
it has not been possible to secure any information concerning crowd
ing in company houses. Incidentally, some light, however, has been
thrown upon this question. A certain cotton mill in the Southern
States required that each house should provide one employee per
room. Furthermore, in general there is disclosed no policy on the
part of the employer to restrict the keeping of roomers and boarders.
Only a few of the leases out of a considerable number examined
contain such restriction.
A housed labor supply is a controlled labor supply. Employers
are in a position carefully to select their tenants from among their
most desirable employees as there is always a dearth of houses and
a long waiting list of applications. This control of the labor situ
ation by the employer through the company house is most conspicu
ously brought out in the brevity of the notice to vacate contained
in the rental lease which the employee signs, as also by the general
practice of using no written lease. Many leases contain the stipula
tion that the tenancy of the house is for the period of employment
only. Under such circumstances it has been held by a Federal court
that no notice to vacate the premises is necessary.1 On the whole,
therefore, both the formal leases and tlie informal lettings show that
tire landlord and tenant relation of the employer and the employee
can be severed upon short notice or upon no notice at all; it is quite
informal.
In addition to the brevity of the notice required, the provisions of
leases as to the rights of third parties to have access' to the premises
1 H ackett v. M armet Co., 8 U. S. App. 149.
18988°— 17------4
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M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E B U R EA U OE LABOR STA TISTICS.
become of great importance in times of strikes. Such provisions
as the following are contained in five leases submitted:
N e c e ss a ry in g re s s a n d e g re ss o v e r th e a d jo in in g p re m is e s o f th e le s so r to
re a c h th e n e a r e s t p u b lic h ig h w a y is h e re b y g iv en to th e le sse e a n d m e m b e rs o f
h is fa m ily liv in g w ith h im . A w a y o f in g re s s a n d e g re s s m ay , h o w e v er, be
d e s ig n a te d by th e le s so r to th e e n jo y m e n t o f w h ic h le s se e a n d h is fa m ily sh a ll
th e r e a f t e r be r e s tr ic te d ; a n d th e le s so r m a y a t a n y tim e fo rb id in g re s s a n d e g re ss
o v e r a d jo in in g p re m ise s o f th e le s s o r to re a c h th e le a se d p re m ise s to a n y o r a ll
p e rso n s o th e r t h a n th e lesse e a n d th e m e m b e rs o f h is f a m ily liv in g w ith him .
CONCLUSION.
Company housing is, therefore, not merely a problem concerned
with the provision of more houses for industrial employees; it affects
not only the fundamental relations of employer and employee, but
it also has wide social significance.
Many employers frankly recognize that a social responsibility
rests upon them. Through their control of community streets, lights,
public utilities, houses, recreational centers, and the industry which
supports the economic life of their community employers are in a
position to control the character of the community. The rules pro
mulgated by the employer are readily enforceable as they carry with
them the threat of discharge from employment.
It is difficult to see how this responsibility can be avoided in a
mining town. The isolation of mining towns, the impermanence
of many of them, the shifting character of the labor force, the ab
sence of local self-government, all cumulate to throw the responsi
bility upon the employer. In a manufacturing community, usually
placed near populous centers where community life already exists,
and where other agencies are already established to provide com
munity needs, the responsibility of the employer is not so complete.
It is therefore not necessary for him so thoroughly to control or
dominate the life of the community.
But whether in the isolated mining community or in the populous
city center the employer is placed in an advantageous position in
relation to the housing problem. He knows the purposes which he
wants his community to serve and can therefore lay it out with fore
thought, take advantage of the advice of experts, and consult town
planners, architects, and large-scale builders. He knows how many
families he will need to supply with houses; that is, he can gauge the
supply of and demand for his houses. He can build on a large scale
so as to cut down costs. He knows the type of labor he will want
to house and can erect his houses to supply the needs of that particu
lar class of employees.
This survey has shown quite clearly that the employer has had
both successes and failures in this work. Too little attention has
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been given to the layout and arrangement of the company town;
there has been a tendency toward uniformity in the type of house
and its arrangement on rectangular streets; there has been a failure
to study the desires of the workman in the matter of the type of
house to be provided. Maintenance has been neglected even where
good houses have been originally provided, and restriction in the
matter of keeping roomers and boarders has been almost utterly dis
regarded.
The survey reveals that as regards size, the 4, 5, and 6 room houses
are the more prevalent, but at the same time the conditions which
determine the best type of house to construct are varied—the char
acter of the labor to be housed, native or immigrant, skilled or
unskilled, high paid or low paid; climatic conditions; accessibility
of material; building costs; and availability of building labor. It
is, nevertheless, possible to standardize the interior plans of houses
of different sizes which appear to have established themselves as most
acceptable, thereby reducing costs and securing rapid construction.
But a standardized interior need not mean a uniformity of exterior.
It is possible to avoid uniformity in several ways, among which may
be suggested careful town planning; judicious use of a few curving
streets, which tend to minimize the monotony of similar houses, as
no long vistas are exposed; and introducing variations in the exterior
of the houses. One employer, in fact, has a standardized plan for a
brick house, for which he has 14 different elevations.
This exterior variation may be produced (1) by alternating the
position of houses in relation to the street, as, for instance, in the case
of a gable house, turning the gables to the street in one instance and
the side in the next ; (2) by variation in outlines of porches and
dormer windows; (3) by alternating houses with different forms of
roof—hip, gable, gambrel, or flat; (4) by alternating single and
double houses; (5) by variety in color; and (6) by the use of varying
types of material—frame, brick, concrete (poured concrete or block
construction), and stucco work upon frame in differing combinations.
And finally, the dreariness of many company towns is remarkably
reduced if they are properly maintained and regard had to the uses
of vegetation. There should be no excuse for the tolerance of filth
and disorder—and this is something upon which all employers are
agreed.
Touching the evils which arise from the dual relation of landlord
and employer, it should be stated that many employers are desirous
of avoiding the evils of this relationship as much as possible, and
decry all forms of paternalism. This landlord-tenant relationship is
being partially obviated by many employers by separating the hous
ing business from the general business—i. e., by organizing the hous-
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M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OE TITE B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
ing under subsidiary companies more or less detached from the prin
cipal business. Many model towns are now conducted by subsidiaries
of the principal company. The consequent tendency is for the em
ployer to concern himself as little as possible with the landlord
business.
Some companies are abandoning the method of collecting rent or
installments of purchase price by deducting from wages due, or at
least are permitting the employees to exercise their choice in the
matter. The employee is also now more frequently being given
the choice of renting or buying his house from the employer.
One company suggested the unique possibility of having a joint
trusteeship of the buildings funds, where houses are sold, in the
hands of a board on which there is a representative of the company
and also a representative of the employees who are purchasing the
houses.
Finally, there is the possibility, indeed, the desire on the part of
some large corporations to surrender the distinctly community func
tions to the independent control of the community itself. A model
mine town in the soft-coal region of Pennsylvania was erected from
the ground up by the employing company and about a year or two
later was turned over to the community after the inhabitants had
voted for incorporation. Another employer—a steel company—left
it to the employees to place restrictions upon the property, but in
this particular community only a building-line restriction was estab
lished, and conditions reverted to a state of disorder and untidiness.
Thus there are absolutely controlled company towns where conditions
are ideal and others where conditions are disreputable. On the other
hand, there are small industrial towns without any company control,
the companies confining their housing activities to a minimum, where
conditions of disorder and community slothfulness prevail and where
high ideals and efficient community control exist.
The accompanying tables give in statistical form the principal
results of the investigation. Following the tables are a number of
illustrations showing certain features of company housing in a few
sections of the country.
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T a ble 1 . — SCO PE O F T H E H O U SIN G IN V E S T IG A T IO N .
N um ber
of com
panies.
In d u s try group.
B itum inous coal m ining:
Pennsylvania a n d W est V irginia.............................
Ohio and In d ia n a ..........................................................
A labam a, Tennessee, an d K e n tu ck y .......................
Colorado a n d W yom ing..............................................
32
3
24
5
T o ta l......................................... : .................................
N u m b er N um ber
of estab
of em
lish
ployees.
m ents.
N um ber
of em
ployees
housed.
78, 218
lj 287
2 18,694
4,644
43, 877
688
215,035
3' i48
56.1
53.5
80.4
67.8
102,843
62, 748
61.0
90,608
«20,660
22.8
5 5,433
1, 497
5 1,447
805
26.6
53.8
1 114
4
29
16
64
163
A nthracite coal m in in g ...................................................
24
a 104
Iron m ining:
Michigan, W isconsin, a n d M innesota.....................
A lab am a.................................... ..................................
10
3
33
3
T o tal.............................................................................
13
36
*
Per cent
of em
ployees
housed.
6,930
2,252
32.5
10,064
3,290
32.7
5,398
857
15.9
25
3
30 6 116,904
3
3,180
e 20,625
930
17.6
29.2
33
Copper m ining: Michigan and Tennessee ...................
O ther copper and gold m ining: Arizona, New Mexico,
and Colorado......................................................................
6
Iron and steel and allied industries:
N orth ern d is tric t..........................................................
Southern d is tric t.......................................................
6
T o tal.............................................................................
28
M anufacture of explosives.................................................
2
T extile m anufacture:
N orthern d is tric t..........................................................
Southern d is tric t...........................................................
6
48
6
48
120,084
21,555
17.9
28, 777
10,840
37.7
7 10,624
35, 643
7 2,047
25,289
19.3
71.0
59.1
T o tal.............................................................................
54
54
46,267
27,336
Miscellaneous in d u stries.....................................................
17
17
8 56,020
8 11,107
19.3
G rand to ta l.................................................................
213
423
466,991
160,645
34.4
1 One company did no t rep o rt num ber of establishm ents.
2 N ot including 1 com pany w ith 500. em ployees; nu m b er housed was not reported.
3 Two companies did no t re p o rt nu m b er of establishm ents.
4 N ot including 1 com pany w ith 25,600 employees; n u m b er housed was not reported,
s N ot including 1 com pany w ith 1,450 employees; n u m b er housed w as not reported.
6 N ot including 7 companies w ith 21,050 employees; num ber housed was not reported.
7 N ot including 1 com pany w ith 700 employees; n u m b er housed was not reported.
8 N o t including 2 companies w ith 2,400 employees; nu m b er housed was n o t reported.
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S,
T a ble 2 .—N U M B E R AND P E R C E N T O F D W E L L IN G S O F EA C H S P E C IF IE D T Y P E , B Y
IN D U S T R Y
Single.
G R O U P S.
Double.
Miscella
neous.
Row.
T ype not
reported.
Total.
In d u stry group.
N u m Per N u m Per N u m Per N u m Per N um Per
ber. cent. ber. cent. ber. cent. ber. cent. ber. cent.
B itum inous eoal m ining:
Pennsy lv an ia an d W est V irginia .. 3,886 33.2 7,388 63.1
Oliin and In d ian a . ........................
129 54,9
521 9.1
A labam a. Tennessee,and K entucky 5,177 90.9
5:1 4.4
Colorado an d W yom ing.................... 1,158 93.8
T o tal................................................... 10,350 54.8 7,963 42.2
429
3.7
22
1.8
451
2.4
438
6.4
8 0.1
106 45.1
114
.6
Anfchmcitp, eoal m in in g ............................
728 10.6 4,923 71.8
Iron m ining:
Michigan, W isconsin, a n d Minnes o ta .....................................................
A labam a...............................................
915 84.9
482 92.0
100
42
9.3
8.0
56
5.2
T o ta l...................................................
1,397 87.2
142
8.9
56
3.5
Copper m ining: Michigan and Tennessee .........................................................
O ther copper a n d gold m ining: Ari
zona,N ew Mexico, a n d Colorado.
Iron and steel and allied industries:
N orthern d is tric t................................
Southern d is tr ic t,..............................
743 81.8
162 17.8
349 54.4
90 14.0
11,711
' 235
5,698
1,234
18,878
764 11.1 6,853
.6 1.078
524
7
. 4 1,602
3
.3
908
11
1.7
642
28.9 1,302 22.3 1,865 32.6
246 35.0
457 65.0
900 15.7
5.722
703
T o tal................................................... 2.112 32.9 1 ,5 ‘8 24.1 1,865 29.0
900 14.0
6, 125
M anufacture of explosives.........— ......... 1,254 39.6
Textile m anufacture:
N orthern d is tric t................................
Southern d is tric t..............................
170
5.4 1,740 55.0
194 29.9
101 15.6
7,425 70.0 2,772 26.1
T o tal................................................... 7,526 66.9 2,966 26.3
Miscellaneous in d u strie s........................... 1,123 32.6
192 29.9
801 23.2
208 32.0
149
357
3.2
971 28.2
3,164
146 22.5
263 2.5
649
10,609
3.6
11,258
409
551 16.0
G rand t o ta l...................... .............. 25,582 48.1 18,765 35. 3 6,014 11.3 2,044
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8841
!
3.8
3,446
771
1.4 53,176
51
M O N T H L Y EE VIEW OF T H E 15 L E E A U OF LABOR ST A T IS T IC S .
T a b l e 3 . —N U M B E R A N D P E R C EN T O F D W E L L IN G S O F E A C H S P E C IF IE D
K IN D O F
C O N STR U C T IO N M A T E R IA L , B Y IN D U S T R Y G R O U P S.
Brick.
Fram e.
In d u s try group.
Total.
Per
cent.
Number.
Per
cent.
N um ber.
Per
cent.
1 1 ,1 0 1
94.8
331
2 .8
279
2.4
235
5,698
'968
10 0 .0
100 , 0
266
2 1 .6
11,7 1 1
235
5,698
ij 234
95. 4 .
331
1 .8
545
2.9
18,878
43
.6
102
1.5
6,853
N um ber.
B itum inous coal m ining:
Pennsylvania and W est V irg in ia...........................
Ohio, In d ian a, and Illinois.......................................
A labam a, Tennessee, and K e n tu ck y ......................
Colorado a n d W y om ing............................................
Other.
T o tal............................................................................ 18,002
78.4
A n thracite coal m in in g ..............................................
6,708
97. 9
Iron m ining:
Michigan, W isconsin, an d M innesota....................
A lab am a........................................................................
1,071
'524
100. 0
T o tal...........................................................................
1,595
99.
Copper m ining: Michigan and T ennessee....................
O ther copper an d gold m ining: Arizona, New Mexico.
a nd Colorado....................................................................
Iron and steel a n d allied industries:
N orthern d is tric t........................................................
Southern d is tric t.........................................................
902
99.3
3
•3
3
.3
908
393
61.2
20
3.1
229
35.7
642
3,290
57. 5
95.0
1,310
35
22. 9
5. 0
1 ,1 2 2
19.6
5,722
703
20. 9
1 ,1 2 2
17.5
6,425
668
99.4
6
T o tal...........................................................................
3,958
61.6
1,345
M anufacture of explosives................................................
3,163
100.0
1
Textile m anufacture:
402
N orthern d is tric t.........................................................
Southern d is tric t......................................................... 10,287
61.9
97.0
213
293
T o tal...........................................................................
10,689
94. 9
506
( Miscellaneous in d u strie s..................................................
2,363
68 . 6
970
G rand to ta l................................................................ 47,773
1 Including
7, k in d of m aterial not reported.
89.8, 3,219
2 Less
1
1,078
'524
1
1,602
3,164
(3)
32.8
2 .8
4. 5
34
29
5. 2
.3
649
10,609
11,2.58
63
.6
1
113
3. 3
3,446
6. 1
2,177
4. 1
53,176
28.
th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
T a ble 4 . —N U M B E R O F H O U SE S O F EA C H S P E C IF IE D N U M B E R O F ROOM S A T C LA SSI
F IE D A M O U N T O F R E N T P E R M O N T H , F O R A L L IN D U S T R IE S C O M B IN ED .
N u m b er of houses having—
Classified am ount of
rent per m onth.
Total
7
8
rooms not re- houses.
2
3
4
6
1
5
portroom. rooms. rooms. rooms. rooms. rooms. rooms. rooms. and
over.
ed.
U nder S3.......................
$3 a n d u n d er $4...........
$4 an d u n d er $5...........
$5 a nd u n d e r $6 ...........
$6 and u n d er $7.........
$7 a nd u n d er ¿ 8 ...........
¿8 a nd u n d er $9.........
$Q and u n d er ¿ 1 0 __
$10 an d u n d e r $ 1 1 ........
* 11 and u n d er *12
812 and un d er $14__ .
$14 and u n d er $16.......
$16 an d u n d er $18 ..
$18 and ov er.................
R ent not re p o rte d ___
T o ta l...................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3
48
13
96
1,186
923
887
534
494
7
57
16
1
1,143
2 , 066
706
1,416
1,321
141
530
34
23
13
66
3
160
4,113
9
9
16
4
847
1,105
3; 305
1,714
3,274
3; 220
1,985
774
611
28
188
31
254
276
31
7,497 17,643
234
576
810
1,428
1,137
1,735
'939
460
930,
65
238
301
104
447
3
25
204
488
783
1,440
1,007
1,458
403
1,217
280
722
226
272
538
34
221
1
9,407
9,097
1,6 8 6
[885]
57
65
77
114
115
194
220
29
128
49
226
117
73
1
2
1
1
13
19
81
130
217
108
184
4
203
126
58
182
2
7
7
29
49
40
13
58
3
24
42
84
177
5
1,330
540
9
3, 528
5,128
6.648
6,322
8,161
6,711
5,702
1,883
3,287
142
1,680
872
858
1,862
92
1,703
53,176
31
.138
355
294
270
228
256
46
39
13
15
4
5
52
M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E BU R EA U OF LABOR STATISTICS.
T a b l e 5 . —N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T O P H O U S E S O F S P E C IF IE D N U M B E R O F ROOM S
R E N T IN G U N D E R C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D A M O U N TS P E R M O N T H .
NUM BER.
R en t per m onth.
9 rooms Rooms
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
and
not re Total
room. rooms. rooms. rooms. rooms. rooms. rooms. rooms.
over. ported. houses.
U nder $3...................
U nder $4...................
U nder 15...................
U nder $ 6 ...................
U nder $7...................
U nder $ 8 ...................
U n d er $9....................
U nder $ 10 ..................
U nder $ 1 1 ..................
U nder $ 1 2 ..................
U nder $14..................
U nder $16..................
U nder $18..................
$18 and over..............
N ot re p o rte d ............
3
51
51
64
64
64
64
64
160
T o ta l...............
100
1,180
2,109
2,996
3,530
4,024
4,031
4,088
4,104
4,105
4,105
4 ,105
4 ,110
4 .110
1,143
3,209
3,915
5,331
6,652
6 ,793
7,323
7,357
7,380
7,393
7' 459
7,468
7,477
16
4
3
4,113
847
1,952
5,257
6,971
10,245
13,465
15,450
16,224
16,835
16,863
17,051
17' 082
17,336
'276
31
234
810
1,620
3,048
4,185
5,920
6,859
7,319
8,249
8,314
8,552
8,853
8 ,957
447
3
25
229
717
1,500
2,940
3,947
5,405
5,808
7,025
7 305
8 027
8 253
8,525
538
34
199
313
428
622
842
871
999
1,048
1 274
1 391
1 404
7,497 17,643
9,407
9,097
1 , 6)86
57
122
221
1
i
3
16
35
116
246
463
571
755
759
902
088
1140
; 182
1
2
2
9
16
45
94
134
147
205
208
232
274
358
177
5
1,330
540
1
31
169
524
818
1,088
1,316
1,572
1,618
1,657
3,528
S, 656
15,304
2 1 ', 626
29,787
36,498
42;200
44,083
47,370
11 070
1?085
50; 304
1 057
47 812
1 ’ 089
’
5
1 *802
9
' 92
1,703
53,176
1 .8
9 .9
6.6
16.3
28.8
40.7
56.0
68.6
79.4
82.9
89.1
P E R C EN T.
U nder $3.....................
1.9
U nder $4..................... 31.9
U nder $5..................... 31.9
U nder $6..................... 40.0
U n d er $7..................... 40.0
U nder $8..................... 40.0
U nder $9..................... 40.0
U n d e r $10.................... 40.0
U nder $11................... 100.0
U nder $12...................
U nder $14...................
U nder $16...................
U nder $18...................
$18 and over...............
N ot rep o rte d ..............
28.8
51.3
72.8
85.8
97.8
98.0
99. 4
99.8
99.8
99. 8
99. 8
99.9
99.9
.1
.1
.2
C1)
.4
.1
.2
"9
.5
.2
T o tal.................
100.0
m o
10 0.0
m o
10 0.0
100.0
10 0.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1
15.2
42 8
52.2
71.1
88.7
90. 6
97.7
98.1
98.4
98. 6
99. 5
99. 6
99.7
.2
4 ,8
1 1 .1
29.8
39.5
58. 1
76.3
87.6
92.0
95.4
95. 0
96. 6
96. 8
98. 3
1. 6
2 .5
S. 6
17.2
32.4
44.5
62.9
72.9
77.8
87.7
88. 4
90. 9
94.1
95. 2
4. 8
0 .3
2 .5
7 .9
3 .4
7 .2
1 1 .8
16.5
32.3
43. 4
59.4
63. 8
77.2
80 3
88 2
90 7
93 7
5 9
18.6
25.4
36.9
49.9
51.7
59.3
02
2
75 0
82 5
80 8
13
Less th a n one-tenth of 1 p e r cent.
1
0 .1
.2
1 .2
2 .6
8 .7
0 .2
.1
1 .7
3 .0
8 .3
18.5
34.8
42.9
56.8
17.4
24.8
27.2
38.0
57 1
72 3
81 8
80 2
13 7
38 5
50
30.8
48.0
63.9
77.3
92.3
95.0
97.3
7
53
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E BU REA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
T a b l e 6 .— N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T OP C O M P A N Y H O U S E S H A V IN G
S P E C IF IE D
S A N IT A R Y E Q U IP M E N T , B Y IN D U S T R Y G RO U PS.
NUM BER.
In d u stry group.
B itum inous coal m ining:
Pennsylvania and W est V ir
ginia ..........................................
Ohio and In d ia n a ....................
A labam a, Tennessee, and
K e n tu c k y ................................
Colorado and W yom ing..........
B ath,
w a
tercloset,
sewer
or
cess
pool,
w ater
sys
tem ,
and
gas or
elec
tric
light.
B ath,
w a
tercloset,
sewer
or
cess
pool,
and
w ater
sys
tem .
R un
ning
w ater
in
side,
b a th
and
gas or
elec
tric
light.
i 242
3
12
25
53
1
37
58
298
13
A nthracite coal m in in g ...................
^ 234
21
Iron mining:
Michigan, W isconsin, aud
M innesota................................
A labam a..................................
T o ta l..............................
W a
tercloset,
sewer
or
cess
pool;
ru n
ning
w ater
in
side,
and
gas or
elec
tric
light.
1
142
10
538
6
95
33
113
447
21 1,078
'524
1
96
152
544
128
500
21 1,602
54
134
5 57
250 6 305
908
127
97
121
042
472 1,410
1 '222
0
473 1,632
6 0,425
8
76
2,290
276
T extile m anufacture:
Northern district, . .
Southern d is tric t..........
5
31
507
8
652
55
62
428
31
515
652
60
490
8
141
242
391
66
9
5
633
14
Miscellaneous in d u strie s.................
1,569
503
G rand to ta l.............................
8, 238
859
T o ta l.......................................
8
2,762
........
5,722
703
184
3,164
188
797
5 6 ____
648
344 2,546
129
19
249 4,912
649
6
717110,609
985
704
378 4,931
72311.258
344 2,546
45! 3.440
1 '
ISO 1,9! 7 2,534 2.010 10,600! 2,593 18,649! 5,596 53,176
1
1
1
1
1
1
121
587
548
6
1 15 have “ K a u stin e ” privies.
2 4 have shower baths; 1 has no gas or electric lights,
s 1 has shower h a th and no gas or electric lights.
« 40 have com bination b a th an d la u n d ry tu b in kitchen.
6 3 have pum ps inside house.
* 173 have pum ps inside house.
i 29 of these have no gas or electric lights.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
370 5,698
20 li 234
96
92
T o ta l.........................................
148 3, 871
29
940 1,813 2,819 6,853
T o t a l . .. ....................................
M anufacture of explosives ..
1,189
6 1,121
303 9,098 1,982 18,878
Copper m ining: Michigan and
Tennessee........................................
O ther copper an d gold m ining:
A rizona, Colorado, and New
i
215 5,042 1,592 11,711
156
235
16
1
274
2
To
tal.
418
8
2S4
.
No
m od
ern
con N ot
ven re
iences p ort
(out ed.
side
priv
ies).
353 6,700
1
73
19
M exico . -
No
m od
e rn
con
ven
iences
ex
cept
gas or
elec
tric
light.
360
170
Iron and steel and allied industries:
N orthern d is tric t....................... 2.259
Southern d istric t. .
31
No
m od
ern
con
ven
iences
ex
cept
ru n
ning
water
in
side.
289 4,314
76
70
32
Gas
or
elec
tric
light
and
ru n
ning
w ater
in
side.
..........
02
*
W a
tercloset
and
sewer
or
cess
pool;
ru n
ning
w ater
in
side.
1887]
61
5
54
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S,
T able 6 .— NUMBER AND PER CENT O P COMPANY HOUSES HAVING SPECIFIED
SANITARY EQUIPMENT, BY INDUSTRY GROUPS— Concluded.
PER CENT.
•
In d u s try group.
B itum inous coal m ining:
Pennsylvania and W est Virg in ia ..........................................
O hio and In d ia n a .....................
A labam a, Tennessee, and
K e n tu c k y ................................
Colorado a n d W y om ing...........
B ath,
w a
ter- B ath,
closet, w a
sewer teror closet,
cess sew er
pool,
ox
w ater ees ssys pool,
te m , and
and w ater
gas or sys
elec tem .
tric
light.
W a
tercloset, W a
R u n sewer terning
or closet
w ater cess a n d
in pool; sewer
side, ru n or
b a th ning cess
an d w ater pool;
gas or in ru n
elec sid e, ning
tric .and w ater
light. gas or in
elec side.
tric
light.
2.1
1.3
0.1
(U
.9
0)
0.1
T o ta l.........................................
1.6
A
.4
A nthracite coal m in in g ...................
3.4
.3
.9
Iron m ining:
Michigan, W isconsin, and
M innesota................................
A lab am a......................................
T o ta l.........................................
Gas
or
elec
tric
lig ht
and
ru n
ning
w ater
in
side.
No
m od
ern
con
ven
iences
ex
cept
ru n
ning
w atef
in
side.
No
m od
ern
con
ven
iences
ex
cept
gas'or
elec
tric
light.
2.5
36.8
32.3
1.8
43.1
66.4
13.6
100 0
100.0
1.0
20.9
90. S
2.6
67.9
2. 4
. 6.5
1.6
100.0
100.0
0)
1.9
35.5
1.9
48.2
10.5
100.0
5.3
0.1
.2
13.7
26. 5
41.1
100.0
8.9
13.2
1.9
49 9
1 l
8 8
6.3
10 5
85.3
1,9
100 0
100.0
.1
6.0
9.5
34.0
8.0
35.0
1.3
100.0
5.9
14.8
6.3
27.5
33.6
100.0
18.8
100.0
0)
2. 5
6.8
.2
.5
5.7
Copper m ining: Michigan .and
Tennessee........................................ 8.4
3.5
O ther copper and gold m ining:
Arizona, Colorado, and New
Mexico...................................... 44. 2 —
1.2
Iron and steel m anufacture:
N orthern d is tric t....................... 39.5
Southern d is tric t....................... 4.4
4.8
.3
.5
8.9
1.1
11.4
T o ta l.........................................
4.3
• S : 8.0
10.1
35.6
M anufacture of explosives.............. 87.3
T extile m anufacture:
N orth ern d is tr ic t...................... 37.3
Southern d is tric t............ .......... 3.7
29.0
7.5
8.0
6.1
To
tal.
19.8
15.1
1.0
.7
1.1
60.9
8.2
.1
24.6.
31.6
.9
.9
7.6
7.4
25.4
.1
3
4 0
3.2
24.0
19.9
2.3
2.9
46.3
.9
6.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.1
1.4
(0
No
m od
ern
con N ot
ven re
iences p o rt
(out ed.
side
p riv
ies).
5.8
100,0
100.0
100.0
100.0
T o tal..........................................
.5.6
(0
8.7
6.3
3.1
22.6
3.4
43.8
6.4
Miscellaneous in d u stries.................
45,5
14.6
C1)
3.5
17.0
15.9
.2
1.8
.1
1.3
100.0
G rand to ta l............................ 15.5
1.6
.3
3.6
4.8
3.8
19.9
4.9
35.1
10,5
100.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
M O N T H L Y EE V IE W OF T H E B U B E A U OF LABOE STA T ISTIC S,
55
T able 7 .—R E L A T IO N O F T O T A L O R IG IN A L COST O F COM PA N Y H O U SE S TO A V E R A G E
ANNUAL PA Y ROLL.
In d u s try group.
B itum inous coal m ining:
Pennsy lv an ia an d "West Virginia........................................... ..
Ohio and In d ia n a ..........................
A labam a, Tennessee, and Kentu c k y ...................................... .
Colorado and W yom ing...............
A nthracite coal m ining........................
Iron mining*.
Michigan, W isconsin, and Minnesota...........................................
A labam a...........................................
Copper m ining: M ichigan an d Tennessee...................................................
O ther copper and gold m ining: Colorado, N ew Mexico, and A riz o n a ...
Iron a n d steel m anufacture: N orthem d is tric t..........................................
T extile m anufacture: Southern distr i c t.......................................................
Miscellaneous in d u strie s.....................
T otal..............................................
Em ployees
housed.
N um N um
Average
annual
ber of b er of
pay roll
com
em
Per
(1911-1915).
panies. ployees. N u m
cen t.
ber.
Original
cost of
houses.
P er cent
original
cost
forms of
pay roll.
7
2
8,488
1,037
6,253
648
73.-7 4$6,018,788
459,339
62.5
*2,831,575
155,818
47.0
33.9
13
o
6
8,987
3,712
25,052
6,750
2,253
5,499
75.1
60.7
22.0
2 3,887,939
3 2,588, 116
17,191,875
1,552,948
707, 706
3,182,079
39.9
27.3
18.5
5 43,476
1
522
4 1,146
390
33.0 5 3,526,767
74. 7
146,536
663,203
75,105
18.8
51.3
25.1
5
10,064
3,290
32.7
6 6, 762,088
1,695,154
2
1,459
494
33.9
7 1, 583, 813
269, 401
17.0
6
24,304
7,431
30.6 5 11,764,611
3,124,651
26.6
10
1
10.811
1,800
7,020
500
64.9
27.8
3 2,883.057
671,289
1,339, 715
351,147
46.5
52.3
41.8 957,484,220
15,948,502
27. 7
60 499,712 441,674
11 com pany reported for 3 years and 3 for 4 years.
2 1 com pany reported for 3 years, 2 for 4 years, and 4 for 6 years.
3 1 com pany reported for 3 years.,
4 N ot including 1 com pany having 1,450 employees; n u m b er housed no t reported.
* 1 com pany reported for 4 years.
6 2 companies reported for 6 years.
7 1 com pany reported for 6 years.
* 3 companies reported for 4 years and 3 for 6 j^ears.
9 3 companies reported for 3 years, 9 for 4 years, and 10 for 6 years.
•
T able 1 0 .—R E L A T IO N O F H O U SIN G IN V E S T M E N T (IN V E N T O R Y V A L U E ) TO A V E R A G E
A N N U A L PA Y R O L L .
In d u stry group.
Em ployees
housed.
N u m N um
ber of ber of
com
em
Per
panies. ployees. N um
cent.
ber.
Average
In v e n to ry
a n n u al
value of
p ay roll
houses.
(1911-1915.)
P er cent
inven
tory
value
fox-ms
of pay
roll.
'
B itum inou s coal mining:
Pennsylvania an d W est Virginia..................................... .
A labam a, Tennessee, a n d Kentu c k y ....................................... .
A nthracite coal m in in g .......................
i
652
652
100.0
8612,843
28.5
2
4
678
40,511
440
6,473
84.9
16.0
89,605
699,811
2,469,530 228,051,246
12.3
8.8
T o ta l.............................................
7
41,841
7,565
18.1
2,733,847
i $174,712
1 Including im provem ents.
2 2 companies reported for 3 years a n d 6 years, respectively.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
29,363,900
9.3
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STA T ISTIC S.
OF
H O U SIN G IN V E S T M E N T (O R IG IN A L COST) TO
A N N U A L R E N T R E C E IP T S .
N um ber
oi com
panies.
In d u stry group.
B itum inous coal m ining:
Pennsylvania and W est V irginia..............................
Ohio, In d ian a, an d Illin o is..........................................
A labam a, Tennessee, and K e n tu c k y ........................
Colorado and W y om m g...............................................
A nthracite coal m ining.........................................................
Iron m ining:
Michigan, W isconsin, and M innesota......................
A labam a...........................................................................
Copper m ining: Michigan and Tennessee.......................
O th e r copper and gold m ining: Colorado, New
Mexico, an d A rizona...... .................................................
Iron and steel m anufacture: N orthern d istric t..............
T extile m anufacture: Southern d istric t..........................
Miscellaneous in d u stries.......................................................
T o tal...............................................................................
Original
cost of
houses.
Average
annual re n t
receipts
(1911-1915).
AVERAGE
Per cent
re n t re
ceipts
form of
original
cost.
7
2
12
3
6
$2,831,575
155,818
1,471,873
803,862
3,182,079
i 8248,621
12,124
2 170,193
3 92,976
211,536
8.8
7.8
11.6
11.6
6.6
5
2
4
663,203
112,305
1,587,154
1 57,502
14,686
4 120, 214
8.7
13.1
7.6
2
5
10
2
269,401
2,249,651
1,339,715
459,489
5 40,893
138,721
6 117,736
7 28,386
15.2
0.2
8.8
6.2
60
15,126,125
QO
00
T a b l e 9 __ R E L A T IO N
S. 3
bO
56
1 1 com pany reported for 3 years and 1 for 4 years.
com pany reported for 3 years, 2 for 4 years, and 3 for 6 years,
s 1 com pany reported for 3 years a n d 1 for 4 years. •
4 2 com panies reported for 6 years.
* 1 com pany reported for 6 years.
6 3 companies reported for 4 years and 3 for 6 years.
72 companies reported for 4 years.
21
T a b l e 1 0 . — R E L A T IO N O F H O U SIN G IN V E S T M E N T (IN V E N T O R Y V A L U E ) TO A V E R A G E
A N N U A L R E N T R E C E IP T S .
N um ber
of com
panies.
In d u stry group.
1
B itum inous coal m ining:
Pennsylvania and W est V irginia......................................
A labam a, Tennessee, and K e n tu c k y ...............................
A nthraeite coal m in in g ................................................................
T o ta l...............................
.............................................
Per cent
Inventory a nAverage
receipts
n u al ren t rent
value of
form of
receiuts
inventory
houses.
(1911-1915).
value.
1
3
4
i 1174,712
211,670
2,469,530
829,060
43,259
2 242,158
16.6
20.4
9.8
8
2,855,912
314,477
11.0
1 Including im provem ents.
2 Including receipts of 2 companies for 3 years and 6 years, respectively.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[S90]
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STA T ISTIC S.
57
FIG. 2.—FLO OR PLAN OF T Y P I
CAL 4-R O O M H O U SE.
This house (Figs. 1 and 2) cost, in 1912, less th a n $500 ; ren ts for $6.50 per m onth. N ote th e doors
a t fro n t and rear, so th a t the house m ay be converted into a 2-dwelling house in emergency.
T he recent tendency is aw ay from th a t practice, however.
FIG. 3.—M I NI NG T O WN IN OHI O.
Note the uniform type and arrangement of houses and rectangular street layout.
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[S91J
58
M O N T H L Y REVIEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STA T ISTIC S.
F I G . 4.—G R O U P OF H O U S E S IN B I T U M I N O U S C O A L R E G I O N OF P E N N S Y L V A N I A .
N ote th e placing of houses in rows on hillside and th e uniform ity of architecture; also, all houses are
p ain ted red w ith w hite trim . Single houses are placed in one row , double houses in another. T he
larger outbuilding in th e foreground is a n outside bathhouse and laundry, b u t has no m odem
equipm ent in it E ach family has 4 rooms in b o th double a n d single houses, 2 rooms upstairs an d
2 dow nstairs D ouble houses re n t for $8 per m o n th for each family; single houses about 88.50.
FIG. 5.— F I R S T - F L O O R P L A N S
OF O N E - F A M I L Y H O U S E .
Pour-room house, 2 rooms dow nstairs
a nd 2 rooms upstairs; cost, in 1914,
about $900; rent, $8 to $8.50 per
m onth.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Pour rooms to each family; 2 rooms dow nstairs and 2 rooms
upstairs. Cost per dwelling or renting unit, in 1914, $800;
re n t per family, $8 per m onth,
[892 j
M O N T H L Y REVIEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
PIG. 7.— B E T T E R CLASS C O M P A N Y H O U S E IN N E W E N G L A N D .
Electric light; stove h eat.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
R ent, S16.50 per m onth.
[893]
Lot, 50 b y 105 feet.
59
60
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STA T ISTIC S.
FIG . 10.— F R O N T V I E W OF F O R E I G N
L A B O R E R S ’ R OW .
FIG . 11.— RE AR OF R O W S H O W N IN FI G. 10
FIG . 12.— F R O N T V I E W B E T T E R CLASS O N E - F A M I L Y H O U S E S .
Figs. 10, 11, 12, are houses belonging to a steel-car com pany in Pennsyl
vania. There are 254 dwellings of rows show n in Fig. 10, and 200 single
houses in Fig. 12; 206 row dwellings b u ilt in 1904,58 in 1902; single houses
b u iltin l9 0 2 . R o w sh a v e 4 ro o m s p e rfa m ily ,2 u p a n d 2 d o w n ; noinside
conveniences; cost $330 per dwelling or fam ily u n it; ren t $4 per m onth
p er fam ily for those b u ilt in 1904, and $6 for those b u ilt in 1902. Single
houses have 5 rooms an d cellar; 125 have kitch en sink, sewer connec
tions, water-closets in cellar, a n d hot-w ater connections, 72 renting for
$10 a m o n th and 53 for $12 per m onth, a n d each costing $1,150; 75 have
b ath tu b s, water-closets, a n d sewer connections, kitchen sinks a nd hotw ater connections, each renting for $14 p er m o n th and costing $1,500.
R ow houses heated w ith stoves; single, houses w ith gas grates,
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[894]
LABOR AND THE WAR.
H O U R S OF LABO R IN R EL A TIO N TO O U T P U T IN B R IT ISH
M U N IT IO N F A C T O R IE S.1
Memorandum No. 18 of the Health of Munition Workers’ Com
mittee of Great Britain, recently received by the bureau, is a continu
ation of the study of output in relation to hours of work with which
several of the earlier memoranda have been concerned.2 This report
will be published in a future bulletin of the bureau. Its more im
portant findings and conclusions are shown in the following sum
mary taken from the report itself:
W hile the investigations described in this report are, perhaps, too lim ited in
the types of labor investigated to permit of final deductions being drawn from
them, I am not aware of the existence of any exceptional conditions which
would render such deductions inapplicable to other processes and industries.
For convenience I attach the follow ing provisional summary of the results of
my in vestigation s:
( a ) Observations extending over a period of 131 months upon the output of
workers employed in making fuses showed that a reduction of working hours
w as associated w ith an increase of production both relative and absolute. The
rate of production changed gradually, and did not reach an equilibrium value
before the expiration of four months. Thereafter it remained steady during
the period of 3J to 5 months during which it w as observed. The gradual change
negatives the suggestion th at the effect w as a mere consequence of the desire to
earn the sam e w eekly w age as before the hours were shortened.
( b ) Owing to the reduction of the working time, first by a change from a 12hour day to a 10-liour day and subsequently by the abolition of Sunday labor,
it Avas possible to compare output under three conditions. The group of women
(numbering from 80 to 100) engaged in the m oderately heavy labor of turning
aluminum fuse bodies provided the follow ing comparative results:
(i) When actually Avorking 66.2 hours a AATeek and nom inally 74.8 hours
their relative hourly production Avas 100 and their relative gross production 100.
( i i ) W h e n a c t u a l l y w o r k i n g 54.8 and n o m i n a l l y A v o r k in g from 58.5 to 66
h o u r s t h e i r h o u r l y p r o d u c t i o n A vas 134 a n d t h e i r g r o s s p r o d u c t i o n 111.
( i i i ) When actually A v o rk in g 45.6 hours a n d n o m i n a lly w o r k i n g from 49.5
to 58.5 hours their h o u r ly p r o d u c t io n Avas 158 and their g ro s s p r o d u c t io n 109.
It is t h e r e f o r e to be i n f e r r e d that h a d these Avomen been Avorking u n i f o r m l y
a n o m in a l 50-hour week t h e i r gross output A vould h a v e b e e n as la r g e as Avhen
1 H ealth of Munition Workers Committee, M inistry of M unitions. Memorandum No.
IS, Appendix to Memorandum No. 5 (Hours of W ork). Further statistical information
concerning output in relation to hours of work, w ith special reference to the influence of
Sunday labor. April, 1917. By H. M. Vernon, M. I>.
2 Memorandum No. 5, Hours of work, and Memorandum No. 12, S tatistical information
concerning output in relation to hours of work, are reprinted in Bulletin No. 221 of the
Bureau of Labor S ta tistics; and Interim Report, Industrial efficiency and fatigue, is re
printed in Bulletin No. 230.
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[895]
61
62
M O N T H L Y REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OE LABOR STATISTICS,
they were working a nominal 66-hour week, and considerably greater than
when they were working a 77-hour week. In other words, a considerable
addition to the leisure tim e of the operatives would have substantially improved
the total output of the factory.
(c) A group of 40 women engaged in the light labor of m illing a screw
thread on the fuse bodies improved their gross output by 2 per cent when
actually working 54.8 hours a week, the standard being their gross output
when working 64.9 hours per week. A further reduction of actual working
hours to 48.1 resulted in such an improvement of hourly output that the gross
output was only 1 per cent less than when the actual working time w as 16.8
hours more.
( d ) A group of 56 men, engaged in the heavy labor of sizing the fuse bodies,
improved their hourly output by 37 per cent and their gross output by 21
per cent when actually working 51.2 hours, the standards being the hourly
and gross outputs observed when the actual weekly hours were 58.2.
(e) F ifteen youths, engaged in the light labor of boring top caps by means
of autom atic machines, produced only 3 per cent less output when their actual
w eekly hours of work were 54.5 hours than when they were 72.5.
( / ) In none of the operations studied w as there any change either in the
nature of the operation or of the type of machinery during the period under
notice. The data were also so chosen as to elim inate any possible disturbances
due to increasing skill.
( y ) A part of the improvement in output w as due to the workers startin g
work more promptly when on shorter hours. At one period the women engaged
in turning fuse bodies lost on the average 37 minutes daily by starting work
after, and stopping before, the nominal time. Nine months later, when their
hourly output w as 25 per cent better, they lost only 26.5 m inutes daily in
these ways.
( h )
A rest from work on Sunday is follow ed by a relatively low output
on Monday, and this output steadily rises in the course of the week, owing
to the increased efficiency produced by practice. Generally' the cum ulative
effects of fatigue neutralize and overpower th is increased efficiency, and
the output may fall after the second day (or night) of the working week if
the hours are long and the work laborious, or not till after the third, fourth,
or even fifth day, if the hours are shorter. In the absence of a Sunday rest
the fatigued worker has no opportunity for complete recuperation, and his
output, though more uniform, remains permanently at a lower level than that
shown on Monday by a worker who has rested on Sunday.
( i ) When the hourly outputs of individuals are plotted on a diagram, the
distribution in the majority of operations is roughly sym metrical, persons who
exceed the value reached by the largest group being about as numerous as those
who fall short of it. In certain operations ( “ d ra w in g ” and “ r e c tify in g ”
cartridge cases) where the machine itself places an upper lim it upon the pos
sible speed of production, the shape of the diagram w as different, the number
that exceeded the output most frequently attained—w hat may be termed the
fashionable or “ modal ” value— being much sm aller than that which fell short
of it. A corresponding result was obtained for women sorting cartridge cases,
when paid at time r a te s ; but for sim ilar operatives when paid at piece rates
the sym m etrical distribution was once more observed. It is accordingly con
tended that the form of distribution, whether approxim ately sym metrical or
asym metrical, may be a useful test as to the existence of lim itation of output,
and that in the majority of the operations here studied no such lim itation
occurred.
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[896]
MONTHLY BEVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
63
B R IT IS H M U N IT IO N S OF W AR ACT, 1917.1
The Munitions of War Acts, 1915 and 1916, have been amended and
extended by a new act, dated August 21, 1917. The act empowers the
Minister of Munitions to give such directions as he may consider
necessary for the purpose of the maintenance or increase of output,
with respect to the remuneration of workpeople on time rates, em
ployed on munitions work or work in connection therewith, or work
in any controlled establishment. The minister is also given power
to repeal the provisions of section 7 2 of the Munitions of War Act,
1915, on being satisfied that they can be repealed consistently with the
national interests. In the event of their repeal alternative provisions
are to have effect, prohibiting the employment of the workmen con
cerned on work other than certain munitions work, except with the
consent of the minister; and, subject to certain exceptions, a contract
of service between an employer and a workman employed on or in
connection with munitions work is not to be determinable by either
party except by a week’s notice or on payment of a sum equal to an
average week's wages under the contract.
Under another section of the new act, where an award has been
made either under Part I of the Munitions of War Act, 1915, or in
pursuance of an agreement between representatives of employers
and workpeople, as to wages, hours, or other conditions of employ
ment of persons engaged on munitions work, and the Minister of
Munitions is satisfied that the award is binding upon employers em
ploying the majority of the workpeople so engaged in any trade or
branch of a trade, either generally or in a particular district, he
may, by order, direct that the award shall be binding on all or any
employers and persons so engaged, either without modification or
subject to such modifications as he may consider necessary.
The Minister of Labor is empowered to make regulations as to the
reporting of differences under section 1 of the Munitions of War Act,
1915, and with a view to preventing undue delay in negotiations for
settling such differenced, may prescribe the time within which any
such difference is to be reported. Differences may also be reported
henceforth by or on behalf of any Government department. The
tribunals to which differences are referred under Schedule I of the
act of 1915 are to make their awards without delay and, where prac
ticable, within If days of the date of reference. Piece prices, time
allowances, bonuses on output, or the rates or prices payable under
any other system of payment by results, once fixed in a controlled
1 Reprinted from The Labour Gazette, London, Sept., 1917, p. 314.
2 The section referred to prohibits the employment of a workman who, during the
previous six weeks, has been employed on or in connection w ith m unitions work in any
establishm ent of a class to which the section has been applied unless he holds a leaving
certificate.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[897]
64
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
establishment, may not be altered except in accordance with pro
cedure adopted by agreement between the owner of the establishment
and the workmen or their representatives and in force at the passing
of the act or, under certain conditions, by direction of the minister.
No workman employed on or in connection with munitions work
may be discharged on the ground that he has joined or is a member of
a trade-union or that he has taken part in any trade dispute.
E X E M P T IO N OF FARM LAB O R E R S FROM M IL IT A R Y SE R V IC E IN
GREAT B R IT A IN .1
The president of the Local Government Board has issued a circular
to local and appeal tribunals regarding agricultural cases, in which
he intimates that, in view of the urgency of increased food produc
tion, the Government has made new arrangements with regard to
the retention of men on the land. Agricultural executive committees
have been given the right of claiming, under certain conditions, the
retention of men in agriculture.
Accompanying the circular is a memorandum for the guidance of
tribunals, in which it is stated that if a voucher is issued by the execu
tive committee stating that a man is employed wholly on farm work,
that he was engaged in such work on June 1, 1917, and is employed
on work of national importance, he is not to be posted for service
with the colors or to be called up for medical examination or reexami
nation without the consent of the committee. This provision holds
good, even though a substitute may have been provided or offered.
If a man engaged whole time on a particular farm on farm work
changes his place of employment the previous voucher by the execu
tive committee will cease to be of effect ; but they may issue a voucher
for his new employment if this is warranted. Employment “whole
time on a farm on farm work” is intended to cover the production
of essential food supplies, and therefore includes the work of men
whose whole time is employed on a market garden exclusively in
production of food of a kind and quantity of national importance.
Farm work covers the employment of men in agriculture as
ihatchers, or as drivers of engines or motor tractors (including
tractor plowmen) ; but these men must comply with the conditions
laid down if vouchers are to be issued in respect of them.
E M IG R A TIO N FROM IT A L Y A F T E R T H E W A R.
Some interesting facts and opinions are set forth in a brief article
in the Journal of Commerce and Commercial Bulletin for October 9,
1917, with regard to the labor supply of Italy and the potential emi1 Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Aug. 27, 1917.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[898]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
65
gration from that country after the war. Dr. Francesco Saverio
Nitti, professor of economics at the University of Naples and a mem
ber of the Italian Parliament, is quoted as saying that Italy will have
more men to spare to other parts of the world than she had at the
beginning of the war. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities Italy had
been sending 350,000 men annually to other countries, chiefly to
America. This was the number of permanent emigrants, not includ
ing those who returned after brief sojourns abroad. Dr. Nitti points
out that with the cessation of this drain nearly a million men have
been kept at home who would otherwise by this time have become
residents of other countries. In addition to this number, 700,000
citizens have been called home from other countries. While Italy
does not publish her casualty figures, the losses, though heavy, are
said to be “insignificant compared to this gain in men due to the
temporary stopping of emigration.”
Dr. Nitti further points out that there has been no devastation
within the Italian boundaries, so that there will be no great restora
tion undertakings necessary. However, the conditions in the allied
countries of France and Belgium are very different, and will offer
fields of employment “ where the need will be tremendous, and wages,
no doubt, the most attractive that the world will have to offer. You
must remember that France and Belgium saved nothing in man
power by the stopping of emigration, because there was practically
no emigration from those countries to stop. On the other hand, their
losses by warfare are very heavy, and they have been invaded.”
From these facts the conclusion is reached that there will be little
emigration to America, which, in past years, has been the chief des
tination of Italians seeking other places of residence.
Speaking of the economic situation, the opinion is expressed that
this will be improved rather than adversely affected by the war.
Essential industries are being maintained, the mistake of drawingmen therefrom for the army having been corrected soon after the
beginning of the war. Of the labor situation as it now stands, Dr.
Nitti says:
In a way every man in Italy is a soldier, whether he is under arms or not.
Our munitions works and transportation system s, for example, are all under
fu ll m ilitary discipline, and every man employed in such industry is rated as
a soldier. B ut he gets the pay of a mechanic that prevails in th at industry,
which is very high ju st now, alm ost fan tastically so for Italy.
We have had no strikes, no labor troubles of any sort since the war began,
and w e do not fear any. I would like particularly, in that connection, to say
a word of praise for our railroad men, even those of them who in the past
caused much of our labor troubles. They are all soldiers and practically all
of their work is military, for two-thirds of Italian rolling stock is devoted to
transportation of troops and munitions, but these railroad men have done their
full share.
18988°— 17------5
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[899]
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PRICES AND THE COST OF LIVING,
R E T A IL P R IC E S O F F O O D IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S .
Food as a whole shows an increase of 2 per cent from August to
September, according to reports received by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Of the 27 articles for which prices are received, 17 in
creased in price, 7 decreased, and 3 articles remained the same.
Plate beef shows a decline of 5 per cent; and round steak, 4 per
cent. Pork chops increased 13 per cent, eggs 14 per cent, while corn
meal shows the greatest increase, or 24 per cent. Potatoes decreased
16 per cent, bread 4 per cent, and beans 2 per cent. Other articles
show comparatively little change.
The following table shows the course of prices in the United
States in August and September, 1917:
A V E R A G E M O N EY R E T A IL P R IC E S A N D R E L A T IV E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F FO O D ON A UG.
15 AN D S E P T . 15 , 1917.
[The relative price shows th e p er cent th a t th e average price on th e 15th of each m onth was of the average
price for th e year 1916.]
Average m oney price.
U nit.
Article.
Sirloin steak .........................................................
R ound ste a k ........................................................
R ib ro a s t..
...................................................
Chuck ro a st.........................................................
P late beef.............................................................
P ork chops..........................................................
B acon. .
.......................................................
H a m ......................................................................
L a rd ......................................................................
H en s......................................................................
Salmon, c an n e d ..................................................
E g g s ......................................................................
B u tte r...................................................................
Cheese...................................................................
M ilk.......................................................................
B re ad ....................................................................
F lo u r.....................................................................
Corn m eal.............................................................
R ice........................................................................
P otato es................................................................
O nions...................................................................
Beans, n a v y .........................................................
P ru n es..................................................................
Raisins, seeded...................................................
Sugar................................. ...................................
Coffee............
............................................
T e a ....... ..............................................................
P o u n d ___
. . .d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
. . . d o ..........
. . .d o ...........
__d o ...........
. . . d o ...........
. . .d o ...........
. . . d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
D ozen__
Pound...
. . .d o ...........
Q u a rt........
16-oz. lo a f1
P o u n d ...
. . .d o ...........
. . . d o ...........
. . . d o ...........
. . .d o ..........
__d o ...........
. . . d o ..........
__d o ...........
. . .d o ...........
. . . d o ...........
. . .d o ...........
Aug. 15,
1917.
$0.329
.308
.255
.217
.172
.344
.430
.395
.277
.279
.271
.460
.476
.328
.114
.091
.075
.066
.106
.054
.046
.192
.162
.148
.099
.305
.602
All articles com bined....................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Sept. 15,
1917.
$0.333
.296
.259
.218
.163
.388
.442
.409
.296
.302
.277
.525
.496
.335
.118
,08S
.073
.082
.108
.045
.046
.188
.163
.148
.098
.305
.012
R elative price.
Aug. 15,
1917.
Sept. 15,
1917.
121
126
120
126
134
152
150
134
158
118
134
123
121
127
125
140
170
194
116
133
94
175
121
115
124
102
110
122
121
122
127
127
171
154
139
169
128
137
140
126
130
130
135
166
241
119
111
94
171
122
115
123
102
112
131
134
1 16 ounces, w eight of dough.
1901]
67
68
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
In the year from September 15, 1916, to September 15, 1917, prices
of food as a whole advanced 29 per cent. No article declined in
price. Corn meal advanced 141 per cent, beans 55 per cent, and
flour 51 per cent. Onions showed no change in price.
A comparison of prices as between September, 1914, and Septem
ber, 1917, shows that the increase for all articles combined was 43
per cent. During this period corn meal advanced 148 per cent, flour
98 per cent, potatoes 63 per cent, and bread 55 per cent.
A table showing the average and relative retail prices in Septem
ber of each year from 1913 to 1917 follows:
A V E R A G E M O N E Y R E T A IL P R IC E S A N D R E L A T IV E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F FO O D ON
S E P T . 15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1917, IN C L U SIV E .
[The relative price shows th e per cent th a t th e average price on the lo th of each m onth was of the average
price for the year 1916.]
Average m oney price, Sept. 15.
Article.
1913
Sirloin steah .................
R ound steak .................
R ib ro a st.......................
Chuck ro a s t..................
P late beef.....................
P ork cho p s...................
B acon ............................
H a m ...............................
L a rd ...............................
H e n s ..............................
Salmon, c a n n e d ..........
E ggs...............................
B u tte r............................
Cheese............................
M ilk................................
B re a d .............................
F lour..............................
Corn m e a l.....................
R ice................................
Potatoes.........................
O nions...........................
Beans, n a v y .................
P ru n e s...........................
Raisins, seed ed ............
Sugar..............................
Coffee..............................
T ea..................................
All articles com bined.
R elative price, Sept. 15.
U nit.
P o u n d ___
........d o . . . .
....... do........
....... do........
........do........
....... do........
....... do........
....... do........
....... do........
....... do........
....... do........
Dozen........
P o u n d ___
....... do........
Q u a rt........
16 oz. lo a f1
P o u n d ___
___ do........
___ do........
....... do........
___ do........
___ do........
___ do ........
___ do........
___ do ........
___ do ........
___ do........
089
019
057
1914
1915
1916
$0.265 $0.284
.238
.257
.204
.218
.177
.165
.123
.131
.225
.261
.270
.296
.262
.332
.138
.222
.208
.243
.198
.202
.349
.413
.335
.390
.227
.230
.088
.091
.062
.068
.038
.048
.033
.034
.091
.091
.014
.028
.030
.046
.076
.121
.135
.134
.125
.129
079
.065
.077
.299
.299
.546
. 546
1917 | 1913 ! 1914 | 1915
0.333
.296
.259
.218
.163
.388
.442
.409
.296
.302
.277
.525
.496
.335
.118
.088
.073
.082
.103
.045
.046
.188
.163
.148
.098
.305
.612
100
98
96
92
91
100
96
1916
104
104
105
103
103
102
102
104
101
99
89
93
115
103
113
127
103
93
85
88
97
96
87
96
100
51
61
69
101
97
81
100
110
99
89
100
105
no
100
100
1917
122
121
122
127
127
171
154
139
169
128
137
140
126
130
130
135
166
241
119
104
94
111
110
100
100
122
94
171
96
100
100
115
123
100
100
102
112
89
104
134
1 16 ounces, w eight of dough.
The two tables which follow give average retail prices for 28
articles of food in 43 cities.
For 13 cities, average prices are shown for September 15, 1913,
September 15; 1916, and for August 15 and September 15, 1917.
Average prices for 30 cities are shown for September 15, 1917.
Prices for two cities—Atlanta, Ga., and Columbus, Ohio—are not
given, as less than 80 per cent of the meat and grocery firms for these
two cities sent in their reports to the bureau.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[902]
MONTHLY EEVIEW OF THE BUEEAU OF LABOE STATISTICS.
69
The price per pound is given for potatoes and flour in order that
a comparison may be made with the other articles, as, for instance,
corn meal. The units of measure reported from the different cities
vary in some cases. Potatoes are quoted by the peck or fraction
thereof in most cities. Some cities, however, quote on a single pound
basis and some of the western cities quote on 100 pounds. Flour
prices, as a rule, are given on an eighth-barrel-bag basis. A few
firms quote on the fourth, sixteenth, or thirty-second barrel basis,
with an occasional one-half barrel bag basis for some Pacific coast
cities. In Indianapolis a few firms give prices for 20-pound bags.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[903]
70
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
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 FO O D IN S E L E C T E D
SEPTEM
[The average prices shown below are com puted from rep o rts sent m o nthly to th e bureau by retail dealers.
A rticle.
U nit.
Sirloin steak .............
R ound ste a k ............
R ib ro ast...................
Chuck ro a st.............
P la te beef.................
P ork chops...............
Bacon, sliced...........
H am , sliced.............
L a rd ...........................
L am b.........................
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
D o z ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
Q t...
16-oz.2
loaf.
F lo u r......................... L b . ..
L
b . ..
Corn m eal.................
H ens...........................
Salmon, can n ed ___
Eggs...........................
B u tte r.......................
Cheese.......................
M ilk...........................
B read.........................
R ice............................
P o ta to e s....................
O nions.......................
Beans, n a v y .............
P runes.......................
R aisins......................
S ugar.........................
Coffee.........................
T e a .............................
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b ...
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
L b . ..
1917
1917
1917
Sept. Sept.
Sept. Sept.
Sept. Sept.
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1913. 1916. Aug. Sept. 1913. 1916. Aug. Sept. 1913. 1916. Aug. Sept.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
19
19
(9
(9
P)
(9
(9
(9
19
(9
19
19
19
19
19
(9
(9
(9
(*>
(9
(9 SO.250 SO.264 SO.332 $0.334 $0.358 $0.413 10.429 SO.464
.230 .250 .322 .319 .356 .375 . 452 .467
19
. 190 .216 .258 .259 .256 .275 .310 .327
19
.160 .ISO .230 .225 .187 .225 .269 .273
(9
. 148 . 163 . 171
(9
.220 .256 .352 .395 .250 .267 .351 .405
(9
.265 .237 .422 .454 .258 .275 .416 .439
(9
.320 .365 .428 .445 .320 .360 .424 .447
19
.153 . 185 .268 .299 .158 . 1S2 .279 .295
19
.193 .268 .295 .326 .205 .264 .340 .346
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
19
(9
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
(9
19
P>
(9
(9
.218
(9
(9
19
(9
19
(9
(9
(9
.032
.025
(9
(9
(9
(9
19
(9
(9
19
(9
19
19
19
<*)
19
19
19
19
(9
19
19
19
(9
19
19
19
19
9
19
19
(9
(9
(
(9
19
19
19
0)
<l >
0)
<‘ >
.347
.386
.087
.018
.052
.250
. 163
.373
.399
.260
.088
.060
.295
. 257
.424
.496
.352
.108
.079
.315
.254
.491
.528
.350
.117
. 07S
.050
.028
.076
.062
.075
.063
.093
.027
.046
. 128
. 120
.120
.073
.235
.550
.108
.029
.046
. 186
. 159
.142
.095
.274
.624
.110
.028
.052
. 180
. 164
.145
.092
. 271
.638
.262
.471
.374
.089
.037
.035
.017
.056
.278
.191
.540
.385
.248
.089
.062
.308
.290
.580
.471
.318
.130
.083
.329
.294
.652
.512
.324
.130
.085
.054
.041
.083
.074
.078
.075
.097
.025
.055
.118
.142
.124
.074
. 34C
.600
.110
.033
.052
.188
.168
.146
.097
.341
.632
.112
.027
.057
.184
.167
.150
.097
.340
.652
Philadelphia, Pa.
New Y ork, N. Y.
Milwaukee, W is.
Sirloin steak .............
R ound ste a k ............
R ib ro ast...................
Chuck ro a s t.............
P la t ft bftftf
P ork chops...............
Bacon, sliced............
H am , sliced..............
L a rd ...........................
L a m b ........................
B oston Mass.
B altim ore, Md.
A tlan ta, Ga.
L b . .. SO. 236 $0.256^10.305 $0.300 SO. 264 SO.292 SO. 351 SO. 368 SO.317 SO. 339 SO.387 SO.402
L b . .. .216 .233 .285 .281 .257 .287 .351 .368 .271 .305 .364 .374
L b . .. .192 .198 .242 .240 .215 . 240 .286 .298 .223 .248 .286 .295
L b . .. .164 .175 .221 .219 .161 .178 .226 .2.35 .182 .202 .248 .258
.129 .168 .171
.163 .206 .211
.125 .156 .161
Lb.
L b . .. .216 .255 .342 .383 .230 .267 .348 .394 .232 .275 .361 .403
L b . .. .286 .303 .420 .452 .262 .275 .423 .440 .282 .302 .417 .447
L b . .. .290 .303 .398 .418 3 .212 3 .229 3 .283 3 .300 .326 .362 .453 .470
L b . .. .158 . 1S9 .277 .294 .163 .182 .275 .294 .159 .191 .283 .303
L b ... .205 .240 .305 .321 .153 .213 .264 .295 .197 .244 .311 .335
H ens.......................... L b . .. .198
8alnion. ftivnnftr!
Lb.
E g g s ../..................... D o z .. .300
B u tte r....................... L b ... .348
T,b
M ilk .. '. '. ! ./ .! ! ! ! . .. Q t . . . ".Ò7Ò
R read_.
loaf.
F lo u r......................... L b . .. .031
Corn m eal................. L b . .. .033
.230
.207
.338
.380
.255
.070
.067
.259
.271
.425
.454
.321
.090
. 101
.297
.266
.454
.485
.331
.090
.093
.048
.039
.078
.074
.073
.080
Rioft.........
P otato es....................
Onions.
Re.ans, n a v y , ,. _T_
Prunes.
R aisins___
Sugar.........................
Clouftft
Tfta. . ..
.096
.032
.048
.128
.140
.128
.073
.280
.528
.115
.038
.045
.203
. 158
.148
.099
.281
.594
.113
.029
.046
.188
.159
.150
.094
.273
.599
L b . ..
L b ...
Lb.
Lb.
Lb.
Lb.
L b . ..
Lb.
L b . ..
.016
.055
.218
.442
.374
.Ó9Ò
.032
.034
.025
.051
.259
.233
.490
.390
.244
.090
.063
.288
.322
.544
.470
.331
.125
.088
.316 .229
.332
.592 .397
.507 .425
.338 ..........
.124 .080
.088
.271
.177
.431
.443
.251
.080
.050
.306
.260
.476
.531
.348
.110
.079
.327
.251
.531
.559
.355
.110
.079
.050
.040
.079
.067
.079
.076
.032
.027
.049
.032
.076
.057
.076
.066
.091
.030
.055
.115
.133
. 124
.072
.262
.445
.104
.032
.047
.189
.165
.146
.090
.263
.501
.107
.033
. 05G
.185
.164
.145
.092
.256
.536
.096
.031
.049
.104
.133
.120
.072
.286
.536
.110
.035
.049
.183
.153
.138
.090
.270
.576
.112
.035
.054
.182
.157
.138
.091
.277
.583
.022
.050
1 Prices no t shown; less th a n 80 per cent of rep o rts for Septem ber, 1917, received by bureau.
2 16 ounces, w eight of dough.
3 Whole.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[904]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
71
C IT IE S F O R S E P T E M B E R 15, 1913, S E P T E M B E R 15, 1916, A N D F O R A U G U ST 15 A N D
B E R 15,1917.
As some dealers occasionally fail to rep o rt, th e nu m b er of q uotations varies from m onth to m onth.]
D etroit , Mich.
D enver, Colo.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Chicago, 111.
1917
1917
1917
Sept. Sept.
Sept. Sept.
Sept. Sept.
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
Aug. Sept. 1913. 1916. Aug. Sept. 1913. 1916. Aug. Sept. 1913. 1916. Aug. Sept.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
1917
15,
1916.
15,
1913.
1
$0.243 80. 277 $0. 308 80.315 80. 254 80. 280 $0.308 80.312 80. 243 80.253 SO. 315 80. 317 SO. 263 80.262 SO.316 SO. 313
.214
.240 .273 .281 .229 .243 .291 .291 .214 .219 .296 .283 .210 .228 .286 .283
.203
.227 .251 .258 .189 .205 .235 .238 .178 .195 .239 .239 .200 .212 .258 .252
.177 .213 .220 .169 . 185 .215 .214 .158 .176 .211 .206 .150 .162 .202 .205
.159
.126 .152 .161
.105 . 147 . 140
. 129 . 167 . 165
. 123 . 151 .158
.264 .322 .374 .244 .280 .392 .415 .204 .240 .347 .399 .223 .250 .355 .403
.218
.455
.253 .427 .448
.317
.480
.247
.452
.441
.290
.303
.325 .429 .476 .296
.326
.322
.359 .407 .439 .373 .350 .441 .421 .333 .333 .438 .464 .270 1 .227 .417 .425
.310
.169
.177 .275 .303
.165
.193
.289
.302
.281
.192
.164
.180 .265 .283
.150
.235 .288 .320 .187 .244 .285 .308 .160 .223 .308 .302 .160 .214 .300 .316
.199
.192
.304
.353
.080
.029
.028
.018
.052
.231
.229
.358
.372
.266
.090
.059
.265
.270
.428
.448
.342
.100
.093
.294
.283
.465
.484
.344
.100
. 093
.249
. 175
.436
.413
.255
• OSO • OSO
.060
.302
.249
.495
.478
.313
.120
.090
.327
.262
.542
.516
.332
.120
.090
.321
.386
.045
.033
.072
.059
.069
.065
.032
.029
.049
.033
.076
.063
.073
.069
.026
.026
.094
.031
.042
. 124
. 128
. 131
.072
. 300
.518
. 105
.034
.037
.192
. 165
. 146
.094
. 292
.571
. 103
.027
.039
. 183
.159
. 147
.091
.284
.564
.093
.031
.048
.131
. 129
.124
.076
.288
.492
.103
.033
.047
. 199
.153
. 140
.100
.280
.512
.106
.029
.049
. 186
.165
.143
.098
.294
.565
.219
.368
.383
.020
.056
.197
.084
.018
.059
.267
.264
.450
.448
.347
.103
.090
.285
.275
.493
. 494
.352
.115
.091
040
.026
.065
.062
.058
.059
.092
.026
.033
.113
.131
.131
.074
.288
.488
.112
.041
.044
.202
.178
.147
.097
.307
.569
.113
.025
.039
.191
.183
.145
.095
.304
.572
San Francisco, Cal.
St. Louis, Mo.
P ittsb u rg h , Pa.
.208
. 181
.388
.383
.250
.083
.058
.205
.320
.359
.080
.031
.028
.019
.057
.242
.195
.390
.375
.246
.090
.062
.288
.258
.463
.455
.308
.120
.080
.331
. 2S9
.511
.497
.329
.120
.080
.047
.030
.076
.067
.071
.072
.089
.032
.041
.124
.122
.108
.072
.280
.438
.107
.035
.048
.190
.164
.138
.100
.294
.508
.113
.028
.048
.190
.170
.140
.099
.310
.559
Seattle W ash.
I
®0.277 80. 300 $0.364 80. 365 80.260 $0. 267 $0.311 80.308 80. 213 SO. 203 SO. 231 SO. 230 $0. 240'$0. 224 $0. 261 SO. 264
.247
.270 .331 .337 .243 .257 .305 .307 .197 .190 .226 .225 .207 .204 .248 .250
.222
.231 .277 .279 .195 .206 .255 .253 .211 .207 .227 .226 .193 .192 .219 .218
.189 .235 .242 .156 .166 .210 .214 . 150 .133 .157 .159 .160 .128 . 178 .178
.175
. 10S . 15C .150
.128 .153 . 154
. 124 . 160 . 163
. 124 . 168 . 170
.252
.280 .360 .403 .210 .253 .355 .382 .237 .237 .328 .335 .243 .234 .339 .401
.317 .443 .462 .275 .273 .420 .463 .344 .342 .446 .470 .325 .320 .460 .494
.304
.350 .437 .453 .273 .293 .416 .439 .330 .333 .430 .456 .300 .300 .406 .410
.316
.188 .281 .308 .143 .177 .263 .291 .187 .188 .284 .290 .176 .178 .269 .285
.157
.253 .329 .353 .183 .223 .280 .296 .165 .201 .266 .274 .193 .210 .270 .269
.200
.171
.203
.173
.342
.389
.241
.080
.064
.246
.271
.377
.475
.324
.110
.096
.271
.277
.459
.509
.340
.110
.094
.242
.046
.028
.071
.062
.066
.065
.034
.035
.086
.210
. 18E
.393
.385
.231
.088
.258
. 27C
.511
.491
. 302
.120
.092
.262
.269
.528
.530
.308
.120
.092
.029
.032
.038
.037
.067
.073
.065
.075
.270
.179
.450
.371
.229
.100
.058
.262
.245
.475
.504
.306
.100
.083
.291
.245
.538
.530
.316
.121
.083
.233
.043
.036
.069
.069
.068
.071
.346
. 287
.435
.475
.326
.125
0Q2
.371
.297
.509
.517
.338
.125
. 092
.273
.368
.086
.294
.210
.380
.400
24Q
.093
.032
.028
.050
.032
.078
.070
.075
.079
.029
.025
.021
.084 . 103 . 104
.085 .099 . 102
OQfi 106 . 106
.086 .099 . 100
.024
! 036 .032 .030 .Ò2Ò .030 .033 .028 .017 .025 .035 .032 .014 .016 ..027
021 .031
.034
.028 .024 .026
.042 .043 . 043
051 . 050
053
.258
.348
.393
.058
122
126
121
. 080
265
.575
. 189
. 159
146
.102
302
.685
. 184
. 162
. 147
.099
.303
.693
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.090
.055
.120
. 121
. 133
.076
.242
.543
.194
. 168
. 170
. 100
.280
.610
.191
.169
. 170
.093
. 28C
.617
.464
.429
.100
.056
i W hole.
[905]
.124
.128
.108
.071
.317
.517
.185
. 144
.142
.091
.304
.521
.180
.146
.143
.089
.304
.540
.433
.400
.060
.126
.122
.128
.079
.326
.500
.197
.142
. 147
.098
.301
.520
. 191
.147
. 145
.095
.313
.533
72
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
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 FO O D IN 30 C IT IE S
F O R S E P T . 15, 1917.
Sirloin steak...............
Round steak..............
Rib roast....................
Chuck roast................
Plate beef...................
Pork chops.................
Bacon, sliced..............
Ham, sliced................
Lard............................
Lamb..........................
Hens............................
Salmon, canned.........
Eggs............................
Butter.........................
Cheese.........................
Milk............................
Bread..........................
Flour..........................
Corn meal...................
Rice............................
Potatoes.....................
Onions.........................
Beans, navy...............
Prunes........................
Raisins.......................
Sugar..........................
Coffee..........................
Tea..............................
(9
(9
(9
(9
In d ia n a p o lis,
Ind.
R iver,
Mass.
F all
Jac k so n v ille ,
Fla.
O maha, N ebr.
(9
New Orleans,
La.
(9
(9
(9
New H aven,
Conn.
(9
(9
Dallas, Tex.
C o lu m b u s ,
Ohio.
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
SO. 302 SO. 432 SO. 325 SO. 325
.290 .370 .325 .288
.252 .294 .234 .252
.218 .247 .218 .197
.ISO
.162 .150
.354 .392 .400 .388
.475 .420 .457 .446
. 445 .415 .441 .400
.284 .289 .297 .298
.319 .336 .250 .303
.256 .323 .280 .281
.278 .278 .236 .285
.439 . 6S1 .454 .511
.489 .494 .504 .507
.357 .321 .363 .338
. 138 .130 .100 .130
.089 .085 .085 .094
.069 .078 .072 .075
.073 .073 .058 .060
.096 .116 .120 .099
.045 .027 .031 .037
.044 .048 .052 .056
.180 . 174 .197 .191
.174 . 160 .173 . 174
.147 .148 . 165 . 158
.102 .099 .103 .101
.352 .333 .295 .327
.820 .473 .735 .717
1
Newark, N . J . I
A
M e m p h is ,
Term.
> ¡A
.2M
s
o
C1)
(9
(»)
0)
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
Minneapolis,
Minn.
C in c in n a ti,
Ohio.
C h a r le s to n ,
S. C.
B u tte , Mont.
<D
M a n c h e s te r,
N. H.
U nit.
Los Angeles,
Cal.
Article.
L b ............. 0. 350 0. 430 SO. 318 SO. 305 SO. 273 SO. 274
.316 .398 .298 .273 .262 .202
.. .d o ..........
. .. d o .......... .262 .333 .251 .246 .240 .232
. .. d o .......... .212 .275 .218 . 196 . 180 .188
. .. d o .......... .165 .180 . 173 .131 .145 .153
.377 .400 .415 .378 .395 .373
...d o .........
.491 .489 . 433 .535 .450 .439
. .. d o .........
.427 .490 . 425 .471 .404 .401
...d o .........
. .. d o .......... .293 .295 .286 .296 .291 .290
.333 .351 .283 .303 .307 .283
.. .d o .........
.266 .340 .314 .315 .303 .321
. .. d o .........
. .. d o .........
.267 .319 .263 .330 .249 .263
D oz..........
.489 .670 .536 .636 .480 .468
L b ............
.540 .497 .493 .555 .500 .505
. .. d o .........
.344 .337 .325 .344 .321 .350
.152 .125 . 110 . 145 .140 . 120
Q t ............
16-oz. lo a f; .093 .094 .086 . 107 .090 .080
.074 .076 .069 .082 .079 .076
L b ............
. .. d o .......... .057 .072 .062 .070 .060 .068
...d o ......... . .120 .115 . 106 .127 .084 .117
. .. d o .......... .037 .029 .029 .025 .030 .029
...d o ......... . .056 .059 .056 .043 .049 .037
-do.
.197 .186 .185 .188 . 163 . 189
.d o .
.163 .165 .150 .164 .166 . 162
.164 .149 .130 .145 .138 .158
.d o .
.102
.095 .107 .095 .095
.d o .
.286 .418 .282 .265
.d o .
.333
.762
.d o .
.496 .725 .620 .724
| L ittle R o ck ,
Ark.
Sirloin s te a k ................
R ound s te a k ...............
R ib ro a s t......................
Chuck ro a st.................
P late beef.....................
Pork c h o p s..................
Bacon, s lic e d ............
H am , s l i c e d . .. .. ........
L a rd ..............................
L a m b .............................
H ens..............................
Salmon, c an n e d ..........
E ggs..............................
B u tte r ...........................
Cheese...........................
M ilk...............................
B read.............................
F lo u r.............................
Corn m eal.....................
R ice...............................
P o ta to e s.......................
O nions...........................
Beans, n a v y ................
P ru n es.........................'.
R aisins..........................
S ugar.............................
Coffee.............................
T e a ................................
U nit.
K ansas City,
Mo.
Article.
Buffalo, N . Y .
[The average prices shown below are com puted from reports sent m o n th ly to th e bureau b y retail dealers.
As some dealers occasionally fail to report, th e n u m b er of quotations varies from m onth to m onth.)
L b ............. SO. 314 SO. 305 SO. 272 SO. 288 SO. 448 SO. 300 SO. 268 $0. 386 $0. 435 SO. 277 SO. 322
. . . d o ..........
.292 .276 .246 .273 .410 .280 .253 .391 .405 .242 .300
. . . d o ..........
.233 .250 .229 .228 .280 .245 .213 .307 .326 .232 .228
. . .d o ........... .201 .194 .181 .200 .246 .205 .181 .268 .283 .181 .204
.. .d o ..........
.167 .169 . 149 . 168
. 160 . 134 . 195
. 153 . 158
.. .d o ..........
.375 .377 .363 .360 . 4ÒÌ .366 .364 .412 .412 .368 .379
. . .d o ..........
.463 . 495 .490 .470 .424 .475 .445 .437 . 4S0 .488 .458
.419 .455 .471 .404 .406 .401 .420 .310 .494 .397 .387
. . .d o ..........
. . .d o ........... .302 .298 .289 .293 .299 .288 .288 .298 .296 .281 .304
.262 .307 .285 .280 .343 .339 .269 .361 .377 .316 .295
. . . d o ..........
. . . d o ..........
.257 .259 .277 .289 .332 .270 .271 .333 .333 .300 .270
. . .d o ..........
.292 .289 .257 .252 .296 .257 .295 .318 .305 .285 .285
D oz............ .446 .508 .533 .462 .629 .444 .439 .597 .683 .443 .446
.491 .517 .499 .515 .535 .486 .465 .525 .506 .505 .483
L b .............
. . . d o ..........
.348 .343 .332 .367 .324 .321 .321 .348 .329 .330 .327
Q t.............. .100 .150 .120 .110 .120 .122 .100 .125 .116 .116 .118
16-oz. loaf2 .098 .089 .081 .090 .084 .096 .093 .083 .089 .076 .096
L b .............
.068 .074 .068 .071 .079 .070 .063 .077 .078 .079 .064
. . . d o ..........
.065 .065 .069 .059 .071 .059 .059 .069 .069 .072 .063
. . . d o ..........
.105 . 101 .103 .105 .103 .100 .101 .108 .110 . 101 .102
. .. d o ........... .029 .038 .031 .029 .026 .030 .024 .031 .031 .039 .029
. . . d o ..........
.045 .049 .028 .040 .052 .042 .036 .058 .050 .035 .044
. . . d o ..........
.194 . 197 .172 .210 .184 .195 .185 .182 .188 .171 .202
. . . d o ..........
.158 . 163 .161 . 151 . 154 .164 .158 .163 .168 .174 .161
. . .d o ..........
.145 . 149 .144 .160 . 148 .157 .143 .146 .147 .154 .158
. . . d o ........... .101 .099 .090 .100 .103 .100 .098 .095 .099 .097 .098
.292 .341 .323 .279 .342 .305 .312 .298 .328 .266 .319
.. .d o ..........
. . . d o ........... .613 .777 .589 .702 .562 .709 .488 .567 .535 .615 .588
1 Prices no t shown; less th an 80 p e r cent of reports for Septem ber, 1917, received b y bureau.
2 16 ounces, weight of dough.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[906]
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
73
cé
Ph
d
0
1S-i
O
m
S p r in g f ie ld ,
111.
1 St. Paul, Minn.
1
S a lt L ak e
C ity, U tah.
R o c h e s te r,
N . Y.
R ic h m o n d ,
Va.
U nit.
P r o v id e n c e ,
R . I.
Article.
P o rtla n d ,
Oreg.
A V E R A G E R E T A IL PR IC E S OF TH E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OF FOOD IN 30 CITIES
FO R SE P T . 15, 1917— Concluded.
d
o
d°
c3
is
Sirloin s te a k ................ L b ............. $0. 250 SO. 529 SO. 325 SO. 313 SO. 304 SO. 280 SO. 356 $0.335 SO. 364
.244 .445 .305 .302 .267 .262 .317 .325! .348
R ound s te a k ............... .. .d o ..........
.227 .333 .254 .255 .237 .236 .275 .249 .281
R ib roast...................... .. .d o ..........
.176 .307 .229 .244 .202 .206 .231 .231 .238
Chunk ro a st................. .. .d o ..........
. 186 .177 .141 .159 . 165 . 179 .182
P late beef
.. .d o ........... .142
.376 .431 .365 .380 .366 .390 .381 .383 .431
Pork c ho p s.................. . . . d o ..........
. 461 .449 .437 .413 .444 .459 . 456 .462 .462
Bacon, sliced............... . . .d o ..........
. 422 .484 .368 .402 .415 .418 . 428 .440 . 433
H am , sliced ............... .. .d o ..........
.300 .309 .291 .298 .295 .323 .287 .307 .303
Lard
.. .d o ..........
..
.d
o
..........
.260 .362 .300 .315 .257 .283 .341 .352 .347
L a m b ............................
.244 .344 .292 .320 .265 .310 .336 .240 .310
H ens.............................. .. .d o ..........
.340 .284 .210 .278 .259 .295 .274 .274 .248
Salmon, c an n e d .......... .. .d o ..........
HggS ........................... D oz............ . 494 .638 .494 .553 .436 .549 .528 .473 .545
B litter ......................... L b ............. .550 .526 .540 .505 .472 .544 .488 .516 .523
.308 .337 .341 .325 .313 .345 .319 .366 .346
Cheese ......................... .. .d o ..........
Milk
....................... Q t.............. . 113 .120 .123 .116 . 10C • 10C . 12C .110 .110
B read............................. 16-oz. loaf1 . 086 . 0S8 .085 .086 .091 .090 .093 .099 .091
Floor ......................... L b ............. .062 .076 .075 .079 . 064 .059 .077 .073 .077
.071 .064
.071 .072 .064 .074 .068 .073
Corn m eal..................... .. .d o ..........
R ice............................... .. .d o ........... .108 .101 . Hi .11c .105 . 107 . 108 .118 .112
.027
.031 .028
.032 .031 .034 .028 . 024 .035
P o ta to e s....................... . . . d o ..........
.029 .052 .061 .049 .036 .039 .047 .046 .066
Onions........................... .. .d o ..........
.211 .193
.192
. 192 .184 .189 .195 .203 .220
Beans, n a v y ................ . . . d o ..........
.14! . 17( .135 .195 . 158 .166 . 160 . 169 . 167
P ru n es........................... .. .d o ..........
.189 .148
.139
.142 .143 .141 .152 .143 .148
R aisin s.......................... . . . d o ..........
S ugar............................. . . . d o ........... .094 .101 .099 .098 .102 . 10' .097 .108 .092
.319
.295 .284
.319
.
36(
. 32C .341 .291 .299
Coffee............................ . . . d o ..........
T e a ................................. . . . d o ........... . 54C .565 . 67( .515 .515 .625 .525 .630 .607
s 16 ounces, weight oi dough.
P R IC E
CHANGES, W H O L E SA L E AND
STATES.
R E T A IL , IN
THE
U N IT E D
Information collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows
that fluctuations in the retail prices of important food articles in the
United States have conformed quite closely to changes in wholesale
prices during recent months. It is apparent, however, that the
margin between the wholesale and retail prices of some articles has
widened materially since September, 1913.
In collecting data for the comparison, it was found that in some
instances slight differences of grade or quality existed between the
articles for which wholesale prices were obtainable and those for
which retail prices could be secured. It was found impracticable
also, in most instances, to obtain both kinds of quotations for the
same date. The retail prices shown are uniformly those prevailing
on the 15th of the month, while the wholesale prices are for a vari
able date, usually several days in advance of the 15th. For these
reasons exact comparisons of retail with wholesale prices can not
be made. The figures are believed to be of interest, however, in
showing price variations in the retail as compared with the whole
sale markets.
In the table which follows the wholesale pricy represents, in each
case, the mean of the high and low quotations on the date selected,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[907]
74
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
while the retail price is the simple average of all prices reported for
the article and city in question. For convenience of comparison with
retail prices, beans and corn meal are here quoted by the pound,
wholesale, instead of the customary 100 pounds. Similarly, to facili
tate comparison with the wholesale price, flour at retail is priced by
the barrel instead of the one-eighth barrel. The initials W. and R.
are used to designate wholesale and retail prices, respectively.
W H O L E S A L E AN D R E T A IL P R IC E S OP IM P O R T A N T FO O D A R T IC L E S IN S E L E C T E D
C IT IE S, S E P T E M B E R , 1913 TO 1916, AN D JA N U A R Y , A P R IL , JU L Y , AU G U ST, AN D
S E P T E M B E R , 1917.
[The initials W=wholesale and R=retail prices.]
September.
Article and city.
1913
Bacon, short clear sides, Chicago... W . .
Bacon, sliced, Chicago.......................R ..
Beans, medium, choice, New York. W ..
Beans, navy, small, white, New
York................................................. R ..
Beef, fresh, carcass, Chicago...........W ..
Round steak, Chicago.......................R ..
Beef, fresh, sides, New Y o rk ...........W . .
Rib roast, bone in, New Y o rk ......... R ..
Butter, creamery, extra. Chicago... W ..
Butter, creamery, extra, Chicago. . . R ..
Butter
creamery,
extra,
New
Y o r k .............................................. w . .
Butter, creamery, extra, New Y o r k .R ..
Butter, creamery, extra, San Fran
cisco................................................. W ..
Butter, creamery, extra, San Fran
cisco .................................................R ..
Cheese, whole milk, American twins,
Chicago........................................... w . .
Cheese, full cream, American, Chi
cago.................................................. r . .
Cheese, whole milk, State, "'N ew '
Y o rk ............................................... W ..
Cheese, full cream, American, New
York................................................. R ..
Cheese, fancy California flats, San
Francisco........................................ W ..
Cheese, full cream, American, San
Francisco.........................................R ..
Eggs, fresh, firsts, Chicago.............. W.
Eggs, strictly fresh, Chicago............ R ..
Eggs, fresh, firsts, New Y o rk ...........W ..
Eggs, strictly fresh, New Y o rk ........R ..
Eggs, fresh, extra pullets, San Fran
cisco............................................... W
Eggs, strictly fresh, San Francisco. .R ..
Flour, winter patent, Kansas C ity .. W ..
Flour, Aristos, Kansas C ity ............. R ..
Flour, standard patent, Minneap
olis .................................................. W..
Flour, Pillsbury’s Best, Minneap-’
olis....................................................R ..
Flour, first patent, St. Louis...........W ..
Flour, Gold Medal, St. Louis...........R ..
Ham, smoked, Chicago.................... W ..
Ham, smoked, sliced, Chicago......... R . .
Lamb, dressed, round, Chicago__ W ..
Lamb, leg of, yearling, Chicago....... R . .
Lard, prime, contract, New Y o r k ..W ..
Lard, pure, tub, New Y o rk ..............R ..
Meal, fine, yellow, New Y o rk ......... W ..
Meal, New Y o rk ................................ R ..
Milk, fresh, Chicago..........................W !.
Milk, fresh, bottled, delivered, Chi„ eago..................................................R ..
Milk, fresh, New Y ork......................W ..
Milk, fresh, bottled, delivered, New
York................................................. R „.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1917
Unit.
1914
1915
1916
Jan.
Apr. July. Aug. Sept.
L b .. $0.131 .$0.146 $0. 098 80.161 $0.158 $0. 218 $0. 247 $0. 261 SO. 274
L b ..
.326 .338 .307 .325 .316 .395 .439 .429 .476
L b ... .039 .052 .057 .090 .108 . 13C .154 .150 .135
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
.129
.214
.130
.215
.310
.353
.144
.236
.145
.231
.300
.340
.083
.133
.227
.133
.227
. 24;
.302
.115
.138
. 24(
.14:
. 24(
. 32(
.372
. 149
.138
.227
.133
.238
.370
.438
.166
.256
.173
.270
.440
.484
.163
.266
.163
.279
.375
.432
.168
.273
.170
.286
.394
.448
. 190
.281
.185
.298
.425
.484
L b ...
L b ...
.313
.374
.323
.373
.255
.321
.330
.390
.395
.460
.450
.513
.395
.453
.408
.470
.444
.507
.435
L b ...
.385
.315
.280
.300
.355
.390
.385
.435
L b ...
.429
.379
.350
.371
.425
.452
.455
.504
.530
L b ...
.143
.130
.130
.179
.218
.223
.216
.215
.240
.226
.266
.321
.327
.339
.342
.344
.155
.156
.145
.188
.220
.245
.238
.229
.244
.228
.244
.301
.335
.328
.331
.338
L b ...
.170
.145
.110
.145
.180
.215
.200
.235
.235
L b ...
D oz..
D oz..
D oz..
D oz..
.233
.304
.255
.442
.233
.298
.265
.409
.208
.229
.290
.253
.386
.229
.273
.358
.325
.490
_249
.485
.525
.505
.667
. 305
.376
.330
.424
.310
.406
.350
.477
.323
.428
.380
.544
.385
.465
.413
.592
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
D oz.. .300 .360 .310 .330 .380 .280 .320 .370 .430
D oz.. .464 .458 .450 .450 .480 .374 .392 .475 .538
B b l.. 4.200 5.375 4.775 7. 650 8.950 11. 450 11.150 12. 900 10. 700
B b l.. 5. 900 6.800 7.400 9.200 10.600 13. 689 13. 680 14.32013.289
B b l.. 4. 700 5.725 5. 425 8.475 9.450 11.025 12.000 13.20011.350
B b l.. 5.600 7.000 7.000 9.200 10.800 13.200 13. 424jl4.336 12.208
B b l.. 4.000 5.175 5. 250 7.375 8.800 11.425 10.500 11.37510. 350
B b l.. 6. 200 7.400 7.147 9.200 10.587 12.853 13 200 14.800 13. 700
L b ... .174 .193 .143 .190 .188 .243 .243 .233 .263
L b ... .322 .350 .328 .359 .333 .382 .414 .407 .439
L b ... .140 .145 .160 .190 .200 .220 .260 .230 .280
L b ... .199 .207 .209 .235 .232 .263 .287 .288 .320
L b ... .116 .097 .083 .146 .159 .215 .201 .226 .240
L b ... .163 .161 .148 .182 .213 .263 .274 .275 .294
L b ... .015 .019 .017 .021 .027 .031 .040 .052 .050
L b ... .034 .036 .035 .040 .051 .057 .070 .067 .076
Q t ... .037 .037 .039 .039 .045 .054 .047 .051 .051
Q t ...
Q t ...
.080
.038
.080
.035
.080
.035
.090
.037
.100
.051
.100
.049
.100
.050
.100
.060
.100
.060
Q t ...
.090
.090
.090
.090
.100
.109
.114
.125
.124
[908]
M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OF T H E B U REA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
75
W H O L E S A L E A N D R E T A IL PR IC E S O F IM P O R T A N T FO OD A R T IC L E S IN S E L E C T E D
CIT IE S , S E P T E M B E R , 1913 TO 1916, A N D J A N U A R Y , A P R IL , J U L Y , A U G U S T , AN D
S E P T E M B E R , 1917— Concluded.
[The initials W =w holesale and R = re ta il prices.]
September.
Article and city.
1913
Milk,fresh, San Francisco......... . . . W . .
Milk, fresh, bottled, delivered. San
Francisco................................. . . . R . .
Potatoes, white, good to choice, Chicago............................................ . . . W . .
Potatoes, Chicago....................... . . . R . .
Poultry, dressed fowls, New Y o rk . . W . .
Poultry, hens, dressed, New Y o r k ..R ..
Rice, head, Honduras, New Orleans.......................................... . . . W . .
Rice,head. Louisiana. New O rleans.R..
Sugar, granulated, New Y o rk . . . . . .W ..
Sugar, granulated, New Y o r k . . . . . R . .
1917
Unit.
1914
1915
1916
Jan.
Apr. July. Aug.
Sept
Q t . . . SO.039 $0.039 $0.038 $0.038 $0.03S SO.038 SO. 043 SO.043 SO. 058
Q t...
.100
.100
.100
.100
.100
.100
.100
.100
.121
B u ... .750 .775
B u ... 1.089 1.035
L b ... .188 .195
L b ... .218 .227
.450 1.350 1.750 2. 700 2.625 1.600 1.250
.655 1.844 2.370 3.455 2.975 2.012 1. 623
.175 .220 .220 .265 .248 .240 .258
.216 .259 .261 .293 .287 .288 .316
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
L b ...
.043
.063
.052
.059
.051
.055
.045
.051
.071
.072
.044
.071
.063
.072
.048
.074
.066
.074
.049
. O&ft
.081
.087
.071
. 101
.074
.084
.072
. 103
.082
.090
.070
lot
.082
.092
P R IC E S A N D W A G E S IN IN D IA .1
This report contains statistics of wholesale prices, retail prices,
and wages up to the year 1915 and in some cases to January, 1916.
The wholesale prices for 24 articles in 87 markets are based in gen
eral on fortnightly returns and market reports published by cham
bers of commerce. The retail prices are reported fortnightly by
district officers, the averages being calculated for meteorological dis
tricts and for Provinces, based on prices in the headquarters of each
district. The wages reported are in general the average paid in
certain occupations during the last half of the year, while those for
State railways, post offices, workshops, and business establishments,
collieries, mills, etc., are compiled from reports made by these
interests.
The average of the annual wholesale prices of 24 articles for all
Provinces shows no fluctuation in 1915 as compared with 1914. Cer
tain articles, however, fluctuated in price, varying in degree accord
ing to the locality. For example, taking India as a whole, refined
sugar increased 34 per cent, raw sugar 31 per cent, wheat 13 per cent,
wheat flour 16 per cent, and tobacco leaf 3 per cent; while the price
of cotton decreased 22 per cent, poppy seed 17 per cent, cotton seed
8 per cent, linseed 11 per cent, and mustard and sesamum seed 14
per cent each. When a comparison is made between the years 1913
and 1915 the variation in the wholesale prices of many articles is
considerably greater. The price of wheat increased 27 per cent,
barley 21 per cent, maize 28 per cent, flour 28 per cent, grain 29 per
cent, raw sugar 43 per cent, and refined sugar 31 per cent as com
pared with 1913; while the price of mustard seed decreased 13 per
1
In d ia . D e p a r tm e n t o f s ta t is tic s .
C a lc u tta , 1917. v iii, 2 6 6 pp. P ric e , 3s.
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P r ic e s a n d w a g es in In d ia .
[909]
T h irty -s e c o n d issue,
76
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
cent, sesamum 18 per cent, poppy seed 25 per cent, raw cotton 34
per cent, and raw jute 30 per cent. Prices of certain goods varied
considerably when comparing one port or market with another.
Rice was 12 per cent lower in Mysore and 19 per cent higher in Cal
cutta in 1915 than in 1913, and wheat prices were 40 per cent higher
in Bihar and Orissa and only 11 per cent higher in Bombay Presi
dency in 1915 than in 1913. The prices of wheat, wheat flour, and
sugar were higher in 1914 and 1915 than in 1913 in every port from
which prices were reported. Prices of fibers and oil seeds, with the
exception of one quotation for cotton (1 per cent) and one for cotton
seed (2 per cent), were lower in every market reported in 1915 than
in 1914, and lower in every market than in 1913. In general, how
ever, these commodities showed a tendency toward recovery in 1915.
The following table shows for all India the per cent of increase
or decrease in the average wholesale prices of 24 articles in 1915 as
compared with prices in 1913 and 1914, based on reports received
from 17 ports and Provinces.
P E R C E N T O F IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E IN A V E R A G E W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F 24
A R T IC L E S IN T H E M A R K E T S O F IN D IA IN 1915 AS C O M PA R ED W IT H P R IC E S IN 1913
A N D 1914.
Commodity.
Per cent of
increase (+) or
decrease (—) in
1915 as com
pared with
price in—
1913
Cereals:
R ice...................................... .
W heat...................................
B arley...................................
Jaw ar (In d ian m ille t)__
B ajra (pearl m illet)...........
Maize........................ ...........
R agi (cereal grass).............
Flour, w h e a t...... ...............
Pulse:
G ram (chick peas).............
A rhar Dal (p u ls e ).............
O ther foodstuffs and tobacco:
Ghi (b u tte r oil)..................
Sugar, ra w ............................
Sugar, refined......................
Commodity.
1914
+ 3
+27
+ 21
+ 12
+17
+28
+ 10
+28
+ 1
+ 13
+ 6
0)
+ 4
+ 7
- 7
+ 16
+29
+41
- 1
+ 7
-13
+ 43
+ 31
- 3
+31
+34
Per cent of
increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) in
1915 as com
pared with
price in—
1913
Other foodstuffs and tobacco—
Concluded.
Tumeric....................................
Tobacco, leaf.............................
Oil seeds:
Cotton........................................
Linseed.....................................
Mustard and rape....................
Sesamum...........................
Poppy........................................
Fibers:
Cotton....................................
Jute.........................................
Live stock:
Sheep.......................................
Plow bullocks.........................
1914
-13
+ 11
+ 5
+ 3
-12
-13
-13
-18
-2 5
- 8
-11
-14
-14
-17
-34
-30
-14
-22
+ 3
+ 6
- 1
0)
1 No change.
The same general trend of prices as shown by the wholesale market
reports is shown in the reports for retail markets. In certain locali
ties and with certain articles the changes were more pronounced.
The greatest advance reported in the retail price of wheat in 1915
over 1913 was in the United Provinces and in Central India, being 36
per cent in each of these districts, while in Mysore there was no
change. In India as a whole the average price was 22 per cent higher
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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
77
in 1915 than in 1913 and 12 per cent higher than in 1914. Retail
prices are shown for food grains and salt. The following table shows
the per cent of increase or decrease in average wholesale prices of
food grains and salt in 1915 as compared with prices in 1913 and
1914, as reported by ports and Provinces:
P E R C E N T O P IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A SE IN A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F FO O D
G R A IN S AN D SA L T IN 1915, AS C O M PA R ED W IT H P R IC E S IN 1913 A N D 1914.
Commodity.
Per cent of
increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) in
1915 as com
pared with
price in—
1913
Rice...................................................
W heat....... .......................................
Barley...............................................
Jawar (Indian millet).....................
Bajra (pearl millet).........................
Mauri or Ragi (cereal grass)...........
(9
+22
+ 14
+ 9
+ 15
+ 6
Commodity.
1914
Per cent of
increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) in
1915 as com
pared with
price in—
1913
- 1
+ 12
+ 3
- 2
+ 2
- 1
K angni.............................................
Maize__
. . ..........................
Gram (chick peas) . .
Arhar Dal (pulse)’. ..........................
Salt....................................................
+ 12
+24
+26
+34
+ 6
1914
+7
+6
(9
+7
+5
1 No change.
Summary tables are given showing the average annual wholesale
prices and, by index numbers, the trend of prices of 24 principal
articles of consumption by port and Provinces for 1913, 1914, 1915,
and the average annual wholesale prices of food grains and other
articles for each year, 1897 to 1915, together with wholesale prices
of staple articles in Calcutta in 1873, and from 1891 to 1916, with
index numbers for the same period based on prices in 1873. Similar
tables are given for retail prices, covering 11 articles.
The average rise in wholesale prices in Calcutta for 74 articles
was 8 per cent at the end of the first year of the war and 21 per cent
at the end of the second j^ear. The greatest increase as compared
with the price at the end of July, 1914, when considered by groups,
is found in metals (80 per cent). Jute (raw) and oil and oil seeds
fell 24 and 23 per cent, respectively. Paw cotton advanced 10 per
cent and cotton manufactures 44 per cent.
Statistics of wages of skilled and unskilled labor in districts of
British India are collected every 5 years, the last census being in
1911-12. Statistics for the Central Provinces are, however, collected
annually. The following table shows the rate of wages for 1914,
1915, and 1916 for certain classes of wage earners in the chief indus
tries of India, namely, the cotton industry of Bombay, the woolen
industry of Cawnpore, the jute, paper, and mining (coal) industries
of Bengal, the tea industry of Assam, the rice industry of Rangoon,
and the brewing industry of Punjab. The wages given are those
paid in the month of January, except for tea 'laborers, which are
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OE T H E B U R E A U OP LABOR STATISTICS.
the average of the wages earned in September and March of each
official year.
A V E R A G E W A G E S PA ID TO C E R T A IN CLA SSES O F W A G E E A R N E R S IN S E L E C T E D
IN D U S T R IE S IN IN D IA , 1914, 1915, A N D 1916.
R ate of wages p aid in —
In d u s try .
Wages p a id by—
1914
Cotton:
W eav ers.........................
S izers..............................
Wool:
W ea v e rs....................... .
D y ers..............................
Jute:
W eav ers.........................
S p in n e rs.........................
Coolies............................
Paper:
M achine m e n ................
Coolies............................
RiceM ill t i n d a l s .................
M ill c o o lie s .................
Coal:
M in ers...........................
B la ck sm ith s..................
Brewing:
C oopers...........................
M altm en .......................
Tea:
A ct laborers, m a le ----N onact laborers, male
1916
1915
M o n th ___
....... d o ___
$10. 53
13. 77
$11.34
13. 77
$11 34
13. 77
........d o . . .1
....... d o ___
4.32
3.15
4.54
3.03
4 60
3.19
W eek ........
___ d o ___
D a y ...........
1.83
.13
1.82
1.13
.14
1.83
1.13
.14
M o n th ___
........d o ___
9.72
3.89
8. 75
3.89
8.42
3.89
........d o ___
........d o ___
24.30
4.54
24.30
4.54
24.30
4.54
1.12
.12
.10
D a y ...........
........d o ___
.12
.10
.12
.10
M o n th ___
........d o ___
6.62
2.69
2.66
7.64
2.96
........d o ___
........d o ___
1.85
1.97
1.96
1.95
1.95
7.07
1.86
Later reports on prices in India made possible the preparation of
the following tables, showing index numbers of wholesale and retail
prices of certain commodities:
IN D E X N U M B E R S SH O W IN G V A R IA T IO N S IN A V E R A G E W E E K L Y W H O L E S A L E
P R IC E S O F C E R T A IN G R A D E S OF W H E A T IN IN D IA N P O R T S A N D IN LO N D O N
FO R SELECTED W E E K S !
[Average price week ending Ju ly 30, 1914=100.]
In d ex nu m b ers of
prices in In d ian
p o rts for—
W eek ending—
K arachi
(w h ite).2
Ju ly 30, 1914.
Jan. 7, 1915..
Ju ly 23, 1915.
Jan. 7,1916..
July 28, 1916.
Jan. 26,1917.
A pr. 6,1917.
A pr. 27, 1917
July 20, 1917.
100
135
110
119
106
129
121
122
117
Index num bers of
prices in London
for—
W eek ending—
B om bay
(D elhi
No. 1,
w h ite
Pessy).
100
125
118
122
108
111
116
112
121
K arachi
(w hite,
choice).
Ju ly 30, 1914.................................
Jan. 8, 1915...................................
Ju ly 23, 1915.................................
A p r. 19,1916.................................
Ju ly 28, 1916.................................
Jan. 26,1917.................................
A p r. 4, 1917..................................
A pr. 13 to 27, 1917.......................
Ju ly 13 to 20, 1917.......................
100
132
142
154
155
208
210
215
220
D elhi.3
(9
(9
(9
105
111
157
157
157
171
1 W heat prices in In d ia from second half of July, 1914, to second h alf of June, 1917, C alcutta, Ju ly 26,1917.
2 5 per cent barley, 3 p er cent d irt, 30 p er cent red.
3 Price on Dec. 16,1914, ta k e n as. 100, since no earlier quotation is available.
4 No quotation.
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR S T A T IST IC S.
IN D E X N U M B E R S S H O W IN G V A R IA T IO N S IN A V E R A G E W E E K L Y R E T A IL
O F W H E A T IN IN D IA N M A R K E T S ON S E L E C T E D D A T E S .1
79
P R IC E S
[W eek ending Ju ly 30, 1914=100.]
In d ex
num ber.
W eek ending—
J u l y SO 1Q14
100
135
Jan 7
Ju ly 23 1Q15
Jan 7 1916
110
...............
Index
num ber.
W eek ending—
119
106
129
Ju ly 28,1916................................................
Jan . 26,' 1917.................................................
Mar. 30,1917...............................................
Ju ly 20, 1917................................................
121
117
1 W heat prices in In d ia from second half of Ju ly , 1914, to second half of June, 1917. C alcutta, Ju ly 26,1917.
The following table compares the average wholesale prices of 10
commodities in Indian markets for fortnight ending June 30, 1915,
(equals 100) with prices of June 30, 1916, and June 30, 1917:
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F 10 C O M M O D ITIES ON JU N E 30, 1916, A N D
JU N E 30, 1917, AS C O M PA R E D W IT H JU N E 30, 1915.1
In d e x num bers.
In d e x num bers.
1916
Com m odity.
1917
Com m odity.
98
91
110
97
95
93
109
99
100
104
91
99
109
97
99
G ram (chick p eas)..
A rhar D a l (p u lse )..
Ghi (b u tte r o il)---S ugar.........................
S a lt............................
1 Wholesale and retail (fortnightly) prices, Ju ly 25,1916.
2 Wholesale a n d retail (fortnightly) prices, Ju ly 24,1917.
3 Com puted b y th is office.
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1917
June 30, June 30, June 30.
1915=1001 1916=1002 1915=1003
June 30, June 30, June 30,
1915=100! 1916= 1002 1915=1003
R ic e .............................
W h e a t.........................
B arley.........................
1916
[913]
98
91
114
96
119
C alcutta.
97
90
111
94
110
95
82
127
90
131
FOOD AND FUEL CONTROL.
P R O G R E S S O F F O O D A N D F U E L C O N T R O L IN T H E U N IT E D
STATES.
B y C y r u s F . S toddard.
FOOD.
Wheat.
On August 30 the fair price committee, under the chairmanship of
Dr. Harry A. Garfield, appointed to establish a price for the 1917
u heat crop,1 submitted its report to the President. It recommended
a price of $2.20 for No. 1 northern spring wheat at Chicago, and
the President issued an order, based upon this determination, es
tablishing this price as the basic price from which prices of other
grades are determined, applicable at each primary market in the
country. Taking $2.20 as the basic price, the prices of other grades
at Chicago range from $2.10 for No. 1 humpback to $2.24 for No. 1
dark hard winter, No. 1 dark northern spring, and No. 1 amber
durum, and the differentials between the different primary markets
of the United States are as follows:
Kansas City and Omaha, 5 cents less than basic; Duluth and Min
neapolis, 3 cents less; St. Louis, 2 cents less; New Orleans and Gal
veston, basic; Buffalo, 5 cents more; Baltimore and Philadelphia,
9 cents more; and New York, 10 cents more than basic. Nos. 2, 3,
and 4 of each grade are, respectively, 3, 6, and 10 cents less than
basic.
The committee reported that in its deliberations it had kept con
stantly in mind three factors: First, the fact that the United
States is at war; second, the need of encouraging the producer:
and third, the necessity of reducing the cost of living to the con
sumer. It recognized the fact that the normal laws of supply
and demand may have been violently interfered with and that prices
should be stabilized by artificial means. The committee gave at
tention to the fact that “ the wheat yield in a great and important
section of the country has this year been below the normal; that
over against this situation is the need among the whole body of
the population, especially the wage earners, that the rising tide
of costs shall be stayed and reduced as rapidly as possible con
sistent with the welfare of the producer; that the Government is
1 The p e rs o n n e l o f th is c o m m itte e w a s g iv e n in th e M o n t h l y R e v ie w fo r S e p te m b e r
1917, p. 70.
80
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81
at the present time engaged in the great task of reducing and sta
bilizing costs of other staple commodities; that the wheat of the
world is abundant for its needs even disregarding the stores in Rus
sia, but because of lack of shipping and war conditions the burden
of supplying wheat to the Allies and to neutral nations rests for the
time being upon the United States and Canada.” Cost estimates for
the crop of 1917 were furnished by the Department of Agriculture,
by independent investigations by the committee, and by the evidence
submitted to the committee by producers and their representatives.
The committee also considered “ the regulations recently established
by the United States Food Administration grain corporation1 for
the different grades of the wheat through which all transactions in
wheat are to be standardized and speculation to be entirely elimi
nated; also that profits to the grain dealer, miller, and flour dealer
have been regulated and reduced by the grain corporation, affecting
a material reduction in the cost of flour.” In arriving at the price
determined upon, the committee was guided by the principle an
nounced by the President that a fair price should be based upon the
cost of production for the entire country plus a reasonable profit.
S u g a r.
During the latter half of September the international sugar com
mittee was formed to arrange for the distribution of the sugar im
ported from the West Indies and the United States insular posses
sions. Two of the members of this committee, Sir Joseph WhiteTodd and John V. Drake, sr., both of whom are familiar with the
sugar situation, were appointed by the Allied Governments, while the
American members are Earl D. Babst, president of the American
Sugar Refining Co., and William A. Jamison, of Arbuckle Bros.,
neither of whom is interested in any way in the production of Cuban
sugar; Mr. George M. Rolph, head of the sugar division of the Food
Administration, is the fifth member of the committee. It is the duty
of this committee to arrange for the purchase and distribution of all
sugar, whether for the United States or the Allied Governments.
The three American members are to serve as a subcommittee to handle
and decide purely domestic questions with which the Allied members
are not concerned. A committee of American refiners, consisting of
C. A. Spreckels, James H. Post, and C. M. Warner, of Few York;
George H. Earle, jr., of Philadelphia; and Dwight P. Thomas, of
Boston, also has been appointed to cooperate with the international
committee, with the idea of assisting in the distribution of a part of
the imported sugar that comes to the United States refiners.
1 The organization of this corporation and its personnel were given in the M o n t h l y
R e v ie w for September, 1917, p. 71.
18988°—17----- 6
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MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
As the result of a conference between representatives of the
entire sugar-refining industry and the Food Administration, the
refiners voluntarily agreed for the duration of the war, not only to
obtain their supplies of raw sugar under the direction of the inter
national sugar committee, but also to work on a stipulated margin
between the cost of raw sugar and the selling price of refined sugar,
thus limiting profits and going a long way toward stabilizing prices
and eliminating speculation.
They further agreed to refine sugar on a net margin between the
cost of their raw material and the selling price of their refined prod
uct of approximately 1.30 cents per pound after trade discounts have
been deducted. The figure was arrived at by taking the average
margin for five years previous to and including 1914 and adding the
increased cost of operation which refiners must now face. For ex
ample, in refining sugar there is a loss in weight of about T pounds
on every 100, and as raw sugar is expected to cost, in round figures,
about 2 cents per pound more than in the 5-year prewar period,
this alone amounts to an increased cost of 14 cents per 100 pounds.
Bags, jute and cotton, have increased in price equivalent to about 15
cents per 100, coal 5 cents, labor 8 cents, and bone black 2 cents.
These increases, added to the old prewar basis, bring the figure up to
1.281 cents, so that in selling on a margin of 1.30 cents net, only
0.019 cent per pound has been left to cover the increased cost of
lighterage and cartage, added interest on the larger amount of money
invested in the business, increased insurance due to explosion risks
and the higher valuation of sugar, as well as the higher cost of all
materials used in the refineries.
“ The refiner sells his product to the wholesale grocery jobber
through a broker and, in turn, the jobber sells to the retail trade. The
margin of profit for the jobber and the broker, like that of the refiner,
will be limited by the Food Administration to an amount that will
represent a reasonable charge for the services performed. By these
regulations and agreements the Food Administration hopes to elimi
nate speculation and to deliver sugar into the hands of the retail trade
at a fair cost, based upon the present cost of production, manufactur
ing, and distribution. There the Food Administration’s control stops,
and it will be necessary for the consuming public to see that they ob
tain their sugar at a proper price from the retail trade. The admin
istration will assist in every way through publicity in keeping the
country posted as to what the retailer should charge in the various
sections of the United States.”
On September 21 the Food Administration announced that the
beet-sugar producers of the country unanimously agreed to place the
entire beet-sugar production of the country in the hands of the Food
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
83
Administration to be sold at a wholesale price not exceeding $7.25
per hundred pounds, cane basis, f. o. b. seaboard refining points.
Arrangements of the details of distribution of beet sugar have been
placed in the hands of the Food Administration sugar distributing
committee, composed of H. A. Douglass, Detroit, Mich.; E. C. Howe,
Denver, Colo.; W. H. Hannam, San Francisco, Cal.; S. H. Love,
Salt Lake City, Utah; W. S. Petriken, Denver, Colo.; S. W. Sinsheimer, Huntington Beach, Cal.; and W. P. Turner, Detroit, Mich.
The Western Sugar Refining Co. and the California-Hawaiian
Sugar Refining Co., both located at San Francisco, have notified the
Food Administration that while it will result in tremendous losses
to their interests, they will make the wholesale price for cane sugar
in the western half of the United States not to exceed $7.25 per hun
dred pounds f. o. b. seaboard refining points.
There is, according to the Food Administration, no occasion for
alarm over the prospect of a short crop of sugar this year. Neverthe
less the American people are urged to make every effort to reduce
the per capita consumption in order to conserve the supply and per
mit greater shipments than heretofore to the Allied Armies at the
front. The world’s present supply is estimated at 18,659,792 tons, as
compared with an average production of 18,712,997 tons for a pre
war period of five years. The beet-sugar crop in this country has
been estimated at 1,000,000 tons, as against a prewar five-year aver
age production of 724,346 tons, and the domestic cane-sugar crop,
it is estimated, will be about 300,000 tons, as against a prewar fiveyear average of 241,837 tons. The per capita consumption in the
United States is approximately 781 pounds, while in France it is about
45 pounds. In England the consumption per person is to be reduced
from 97.4 pounds to less than 30 pounds per annum, but no such
sacrifice is asked of the American people.
M e a t.
In conference with the meat packers in Chicago during the latter
part of August Mr. Hoover assured them that he had no intention
of fixing the price of beef and pork products, as had been unofficially
announced, but that he hoped “ to develop by discussion with repre
sentative committees of the hog producers, the cattle producers, the
commission men, and the packers greater stabilization of the indus
try during the war, and in such a way as to encourage production, to
eliminate speculative profits, and risk, so far as may be, and by so
doing to protect the consumer.”
The Food Administration and the Department of Agriculture
have impressed upon the farmers and stockmen the great necessity of
1 United States S tatistical Abstract for 1916, pp. 529, 719.
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increasing the meat supply of the country. Especially should the
energies of the farmers be directed to increasing the sheep stock,
since sheep supply a demand not only for food and fertility, bat
also for wool for clothing. Also it is urged that every heifer calf
or ewe lamb should be brought to maturity, and that hog produc
tion should be increased. These are important considerations, since
now the farmers of this country must supply our own soldiers and
citizens as well as help feed the soldiers and citizens of our allies.
It is estimated that the world’s herds have been diminished by
28,080,000 cattle, 32,425,000 hogs, and 54,500,000 sheep.1 After the
war Europe, with diminished number of animals and, therefore,
diminished annual production of animal food, will require large
imports of meat during the years of recuperation, and will probably
require the actual importation of breeding animals. Therefore, in a
broad way, the outlook to the American producer from now on will
be a large demand for animal products, and a continued need for
meat and dairy animals to convert forage and grain not needed for
human consumption into meat and dairy products. Since the herds
and flocks of the country can be increased only over a period of years
the foundation for such increase should be laid at once.
The packers’ committee, representing all classes of packers, met
with the Food Administration on September 12 and expressed ap
proval of the Government’s proposed plan to place the entire industry
under license and a desire to cooperate with the Food Administration
in working out war problems. Live-stock producers have recom
mended to the Food Administration that the main hope of reducing
the price of meats lies in the establishment of municipal markets
“ because the greatest expense in meat handling occurs with the re
tailer.”
O th e r
fo o d s .
Contrary to belief in some quarters, the Food Administration has
no power to control or fix the price of milk. However, manufac
turers of canned milk have demonstrated a desire to assist in pre
venting exorbitant prices by voluntarily agreeing to submit their
business to the supervision of the Food Administration during the
period of the war, and to limit the price to the public so as not to
return to the industry a greater profit than was received before the
war, at which time, they declare, a profit of 30 cents a case on evapor
ated milk and 40 cents a case on condensed milk was considered fair.
The Food Administration, in conjunction with the Department of
Agriculture, has established a method of grading potatoes and will
take steps to obtain an equitable distribution of the 1917 crop. This
1 Official Bulletin for Oct. 9, 1917, p, 16.
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85
plan and that of licensing potato shippers met with the unanimous
approval of 80 large potato shippers, representing practically every
important potato section in the United States. The practice of buy
ing and selling potatoes by the hundred pounds, instead of by the
sack or bushel, will be followed in the future.
The President, on October 8, issued a proclamation, the provisions
of which are effective November 1, 1917, requiring all persons en
gaged in the import, manufacture, storage, and distribution of cer
tain fundamental foodstuffs to secure a license from the Food Ad
ministration. Those affected by this order include meat packers,
cold-storage warehousemen, millers, canners, elevator operators,
grain dealers, wholesale distributors, and retailers doing a business
of more than $100,000 per year and handling the commodities set
forth in the proclamation. After November 1 no unlicensed person
will be permitted to trade in the commodities enumerated. Licensees
will be required to report from time to time to the Food Administra
tion on their activities. This licensing system was authorized by the
food control law and provides effective machinery for its enforce
ment. After quoting those provisions of the Food Control Act under
which the action is taken, the proclamation proceeds:
I t is essen tial in o rd e r to c a rry into effect th e purposes of said ac t to license
th e im portation, m an u fa c tu re , sto rag e and d istrib u tio n of necessaries to th e
e x te n t h e re in a fte r specified.
All persons, firms, co rp o ratio n s an d asso ciatio n s engaged in th e business
eith e r of (1) o p eratin g cold-storage w areh o u ses (a cold-storage w arehouse, fo r
th e purposes of th is proclam ation, being defined as an y place artificially or m e
chanically cooled to or below a te m p e ra tu re of 45 degrees above zero F a h re n h e it,
in w hich food p ro d u cts a re placed a n d h eld fo r th irty d a y s or m o re ), (2) o p e ra t
ing elevators, w arehouses or o th e r places fo r sto rag e of corn, oats, b arley, beans,
rice, cottonseed, cottonseed cake, cottonseed m eal or p e a n u t m e a l; or, (3) im
porting, m a n u fa c tu rin g (in clu d in g m illing, m ix in g or p a c k in g ), or d istrib u tin g
(including buying a n d selling) a n y o f th e follow ing com m odities:
W heat, w h eat flour, rye, or ry e flour.
B arley or barley flour.
O ats, oatm eal, or rolled oats.
Com , corn g rits, cornm eal, hom iny, corn flour, sta rc h from corn, corn oil,
corn sirup, or glucose.
Rice, rice flour.
D ried beans.
P ea seed or d ried peas.
C ottonseed, cottonseed oil, cottonseed cake, or cottonseed meal.
P e a n u t oil or p ean u t meal.
Soya bean oil, soya bean m eal, palm oil, or copra oil.
O leom argarine, la rd , la rd su b stitu te s, oleo oils, or cooking fa ts.
Milk, b u tte r, or cheese.
Condensed, evaporated , or pow dered milk.
F resh , canned, or cured beef, pork, or m utton.
P o u ltry or eggs.
F re s h o r frozen fish.
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F re sh fr u its o r vegetables.
C anned : Peas, d ried beans, tom atoes, corn, salm on, or sardines.
D ried : P runes, apples, peaches, or raisin s.
Sugar, sirups, or m olasses.
E xcepting, how ever :
1. O perators of all elev a to rs or w areh o u ses h an d lin g w h e a t or rye, an d m a n u
fa c tu re s of th e d eriv a tiv e p ro d u cts of w h eat or rye, who have alre a d y been
licensed.
2. Im p o rters, m a n u fa c tu re rs, a n d refin ers of su g ar an d m a n u fa c tu re rs of
su g ar siru p s a n d m olasses, who have a lread y been licensed.
3. R e ta ile rs w hose gross sales of food com m odities do n o t exceed $100,000
p er annum .
4. Common carriers.
5. F a rm e rs, gardeners, co-operative associations of fa rm e rs or gard en ers,
including live-stock fa rm e rs a n d o th e r persons w ith resp ect to th e p ro d u cts
of any farm , garden, or o th e r la n d owned, leased, or cu ltiv a te d by them .
6. F ish erm en w hose business does not ex ten d beyond p rim a ry consignm ent.
7. T hose dealing in any of th e above com m odities on any exchange, b o ard of
tra d e or sim ila r in s titu tio n as defined by section 13 of tb e a c t o f A ugust 10,
1917, to th e e x te n t of th e ir d ealin g s on such exchange or b o ard of tra d e .
8. M illers of corn, oats, barley, w heat, rye, or rice o p eratin g only p la n ts of a
d aily capacity of less th a n 75 b arre ls.
9. C anners of peas, d ried beans, corn, tom atoes, salm on, o r sa rd in e s w hose
gross production does n o t exceed 5,000 cases p e r annum .
10. P erso n s slau g h terin g , packing, an d d is trib u tin g fresh, canned, or cured
beef, pork, o r m u tton, w hose gross sales of such com m odities do n o t exceed
$100,000 p e r annum .
11. O perators of p o u ltry o r egg-packing p la n ts, w hose gross sales do n o t exceed
$50,000 p er annum .
12. M an u fa c tu re rs of m aple sirup, m aple sugar, an d m aple com pounds.
13. G inners, buyers, agents, dealers, o r o th e r h a n d le rs of cotton seed who h an d le
y early betw een Septem ber 1 an d A ugust 31 less th a n 150 to n s of cotton seed
a re hereby req u ired to secure on or before N ovem ber 1, 1917, a license, w hich
license w ill be issued u n d e r such ru le s an d reg u la tio n s governing th e conduct
of th e business as m ay be prescribed.
A pplications for licenses m u st be m ade to th e U n ited S ta te s Food A d m in istra
tion, W ashington, D. C., law d e p a rtm e n t, license division, on form s p re p a re d by
it fo r th a t purpose, w hich m ay be secured on request.
Any person, firm, or c o rp o ratio n or asso ciatio n o th e r th a n those herein b efo re
excepted who sh all engage in or c a rry on any business h erein b efo re specified
a fte r N ovem ber 1, 1917, w ith o u t first secu rin g such license w ill be liable to th e
p en alty prescribed by said ac t of Congress.
The Food Administration lias issued a number of bulletins bring
ing together some of the more important statements it has prepared
for the daily press, tracing its activities and plans for food conser
vation. Among these is one containing 10 lessons on food conser
vation, the aim in preparing them being to acquaint students in the
country with the world situation as respects food supplies and pro
duction and to outline definite and immediate things to do and,
wherever possible, to show how to do them. The subjects included
are: Food the deciding factor; Plan of food administration; Food
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87
conservation measures; Wheat conservation, with demonstrations of
emergency breads; Conservation of meat, fats, and sugars; Food
preservation, with demonstrations of canning and drying; Funda
mentals of an adequate diet; and Methods of organizing local groups
into a working unit.
A d m in is tr a t io n .
To assist in carrying out the provisions of the food control law
the President, on August 16, approved the appointment, for each
State, of a Federal food administrator, whose duty is to assist in the
enforcement of the policies of the Food Administration in its efforts
to stabilize conditions, to defend honest enterprises against illegiti
mate competition, to correct the abnormalities and abuses that have
crept into trade by reason of the world disturbance, and to restore
business, so far as may be possible, to a reasonable basis. The Food
Administration announces that it feels justified in counting on the
patriotic cooperation of the great majority of business men, but in
case any person should be found trying to exploit the country in
this time of war these State food administrators are empowered “ to
take steps to see that the drastic powers that Congress has conferred
upon the Food Administration for handling such cases are em
ployed.” The men who have been selected as Federal food adminis
trators in the various States represent a wide variety of interests
and include leading business men, college presidents and educators,
and farmers. These administrators have been appointed in all States
except Delaware, New York, South Dakota, and the District of
Columbia, and are as follows:
A labam a.....................
A rizona.......................
A rkansas.....................
California...................
Colorado.....................
C onnecticut...............
D elaw are1..................
D istrict of Columbia
F lo rid a........................
Georgia.......................
H a w a ii......................
Id a h o ..........................
Illin o is........................
In d ia n a ......................
Iow a............................
K ansas........................
K e n tu c k y ..................
L ouisiana...................
M aine..........................
M aryland...................
M assachusetts...........
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
R ichard M. H o b b ie ..
T im othy A. R iordan.
Hon. H am p W illiams
R alph P. M erritt. . . .
Thos. B. S tearns.
R obert Scoville.........
.Montgomery.
.Phoenix.
.L ittle Rock.
. San Francisco.
Denver.
H artford.
Clarence R . W ilson ..
.B raxton B eacham . . . .
Dr. Andrew M. Soule.
.J. F. C h ild s ................
R. F. B ic k n e ll.............
H arry A. W heeler. . . .
Dr. H arry E. B arnard
J. F. D eem s..................
Dr. H en ry J. W aters..
Fred M. S a c k e tt..........
John M. P a rk e r...........
Dr. Leon S. M e rrill...
E dw in G. B aetjer. . . .
.H enry B . E n d ic o tt. ..
W ashington.
.Orlando.
Athens.
.Honolulu.
Boise.
Chicago.
Indianapolis.
Burlington.
M anhattan.
Louisville.
.New Orleans.
.Orono.
Baltimore.
.Boston.
i A d m in istrato r n o t y e t appointed.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
M ichigan........................
M innesota....................
M ississippi................... .
M issouri........................
M ontana.......................
N ebraska......................
N evada.........................
New H am pshire.........
New Jersey ..................
New M exico................
New York (city only)
N orth Carolina............
N orth D akota..............
O hio..............................
O klahom a....................
Oregon..........................
P enn sy lv an ia..............
Porto R ic o ..................
Rhode Isla n d ..............
South C arolina............
South D akota..............
T ennessee....................
T exas..... .......................
U ta h ..............................
V erm ont.......................
V irginia........................
W ashington..................
West V irginia..............
W isconsin.....................
W yoming.....................
George A. P resco tt.......
A. D. W ilson..................
P. M. H a rd in g ...............
F rederick B . M um ford.
Prof. Alfred A tkinson..
Gurdon W. W attles___
H enry M. H o y t.............
H u n tley N. S paulding.
Hon. Jam es F. F ielder.
.R alp h C. E ly .................
.A rth u r W illia m s..........
.H enry A. P ag e..............
.Dr. E dw in F. L ad d . . .
.Fred C. C roxton...........
.Dr. S tratton D. Brooks
.W. B. A y e r.....................
.Howard H e in z ...............
.A lb ert E. L e e..............
.Alfred M. Coats.............
.D avid R . C oker............
.Charles M. H e rre id ___
.Prof. H . A. Morgan___
.E . A. P e d e n ...................
.W. W. A rm strong.........
.Jam es H artn ess.............
.Col. E. B. W h ite..........
.Charles H e b b e rd ...........
.E arl W. O glebay...........
.Magnus Swenson...........
.Theodore C. D iers.......
Lansing.
.St. Paul.
.Vicksburg.
.Columbia.
.Bozeman.
.Omaha.
.Reno.
.Concord.
Jersey City.
.Santa Fe.
.New York City.
.Raleigh.
. Fargo.
.Columbus.
.Norman.
.Portland.
.P hiladelphia.
.S an Juan.
.Providence.
.Columbia.
.A berdeen.
.N ashville.
.H ouston.
.S alt Lake City.
.Springfield.
. Leesburg.
.Spokane.
.W heeling.
.Madison.
.Sheridan.
To assist the Food Administration, appointments of State mer
chant representatives have been made, the duty of these representa
tives being primarily to effect a mobilization of the retail merchants
m order to secure their assistance in publicity work in food conserva
tion by means of window displays, advertising, demonstrations,
posters, etc.
Briefly stated, the problem which confronts the Food Administra
tion and which it is endeavoring to solve is to feed our allies this
winter by sending them as much food as can be spared, of the most
concentrated nutritive value in the least shipping space. These foods
are wheat, beef, pork, dairy products, and sugar. The solution of
this problem lies in the hands of the American people and may be
attained by eating less of the foods enumerated and more of other
foods of which we have an abundance, and by wasting less of all
foods. As President Wilson said:
This is the tim e for America to correct her unpardonable fa u lt of w astefu l
ness and extravagance. Let every man and every woman assume the duty of
careful, provident use and expenditure as a public duty, as a dictate of patriot
ism which no one can now expect ever to be excused or forgiven for ignoring.
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89
FU E L.
The prices for bituminous and anthracite coal at the mine were
established by the President, effective August 21 and September 1,
respectively. These prices, which are provisional, will stand unless
changed by the President for good cause shown, and all applications
for revision will be carefully examined by the Fuel Administration.
The President has directed that a jobber dealing in bituminous coal
shall not add to the purchase price a gross margin in excess of 15
cents per ton of 2,000 pounds. The jobber dealing in anthracite
coal is not permitted to add to his purchase price a gross margin in
excess of 20 cents per ton of 2,240 pounds, when delivery of such
coal is to be effected at or east of Buffalo. Ten cents additional may
be charged if delivery is to be made west of Buffalo.
The bituminous coal prices are based on a division of the country
into 29 districts, in each of which producers will market their output
at the same price. The maximum rates fixed by the President on
the run-of-mine basis range from $1.90 for Alabama big seam coal
to $3.25 in the State of Washington, the average price being approxi
mately $2.36 per ton. To meet exceptional conditions in certain out
lying fields prices ranging from $2.15 to $3.30 for run-of-mine coal
have been fixed. The maximum prices for anthracite coal estab
lished by the President in his order of August 23, effective September
1, 1917, are as follows:
M AXIMUM P R IC E S F O R A N T H R A C IT E COAL P E R T O N O F 2,240 P O U N D S F R E E ON
B O A R D CARS A T T H E M IN E.
Size.
B ro k en ................................
E g g ........ : ............................
Stove...................................
C h estn u t.............................
P e a .......................................
W hite ash
grade.
$4.55
4.45
4.70
4.80
14.00
R ed ash
grade.
Lykens
Valley
grade.
$4.75
4.65
4.90
4.90
14 .1 0
$5.00
4.90
5. 30
5.30
14.35
1 A n order issued b y th e F u el A d m in istratio n , effective Oct. 1,1917, reduced this price b y 60 cents.
On September 30 the fuel administrator announced the method by
which the retail coal and coke dealers should fix their maximum gross
margins—that is, the difference between the average cost of coal or
coke at the retailer’s yard, wharf, or siding and the prices at which
they sell to the consumer. Under the plan announced, the retailer is
to ascertain his retail margin in the year 1915, when more normal
conditions prevailed than at present. To this he may add not to ex
ceed 30 per cent of that margin, including his profits at that time. It
is provided, however, that in no case shall the retail margin added
by any retail dealer exceed the average added by him for the same
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size, grade, and class of business during July, 1917. Since it is the
retail price of coal in which the average householder is interested it
may be well to go a little more fully into this matter. The Fuel
Administration has defined the retail gross margin as being the
difference between the price charged by retail coal or coke dealers to
consumers and the average cost of coal or coke to such retailer, free
on board cars at his railroad siding, yard, pocket, or trestle, or free
alongside his wharf, pocket, or water yard, or the average cost to
such retailer at wholesalers’ pockets, trestles, railroad sidings, mines,
tipples, docks, yards, or wharves as the case may be. This average
cost of coal or coke, to which the gross retail margin may be added,
shall be ascertained by the dealer for each size and grade on the first
and sixteenth of each calendar month,’ according to a method an
nounced by the Fuel Administration, as follows:
The tonnage and average cost of coal or coke on hand a t the beginning o f a
period is to be combined w ith the tonnage and average cost of coal or coke
received during the period.
E X A M P L E —EG G COAL.
Tons.
On h a n d , Oct. 1 ................................................................................................
Received Oct. 1 to 15, inclusive....................................................................
T o tal.....................................................................................................
T otal cost.
Average
cost per
ton.
300
100
®600.00
1,500.00
16.00
5.00
400
2,100.00
5.25
Sold Oct. 1 to 15, inclusive............................................................................
350
On hand Oct. 10..................................................................
. .
Received Oct. 15 to 31, inclusive...............................................
50
300
262.50
1,425.00
5. 25
4. 75
350
1, G87. 50
4.82
T o tal.......................................................................................................
In the above example the average cost per ton of egg coal to which the gross
margin should be added for sales during the period October 1 to October 15,
inclusive, is $6; during the period October 16 to 31, inclusive, it is $5.25; and
for sales during the period November 1 to 15, inclusive, the average cost is
$4.82. The same method of computation m ust be applied by each dealer in
ascertaining his average cost of each size and grade of coal or coke.
Arrangements for the apportionment of the coal supply and the
regulation of the retail sale of coal are in the hands of State fuel
administrators and local committees of citizens in each county and
in each city having a population of more than 2,500 or such other
population as the State fuel administrator may determine. These
local committees are charged with the duty of ascertaining and
reporting to the fuel administrator the reasonable retail margin
(that is, “ the cost of local distribution at a reasonable dealer’s
profit”) to be allowed, which, when duly fixed by order, together
with the cost at the mine named by the President, the transportation
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91
charges, and the jobber’s commission (when sold through a jobber),
will constitute the price to the consumer. These figures will be
compiled with relation to local needs in order that the fuel adminis
tration may, if necessary, apportion the supply of coal with careful
regard to the greatest existing needs. So far as appointed the State
fuel administrators are as follows:
A labam a.....................................S. P. K e n n e d y .............
A rizona.......................................W ill L. C lark................
California................................... A lbert E . Schw abacher
Colorado..................................... W illiam J. G alligan___
C onnecticut...............................Thomas W. R u ssell___
D elaw are.................................... Charles H . T en Weeges.
D istrict of C olum bia...............John L. W eaver..............
Georgia....................................... Dr. L. G. H a rd m an __
Id a h o .......................................... F. R . Gooding.................
Illin o is........................................ John E. W illiam s...........
In d ia n a ...................................... E vans W oolen................
Iow a............................................ Charles W. W ebster__
K ansas........................................ Em erson T. C arey..........
Louisiana................................... John G. O ’K elley ..........
M aine..........................................J. H . H am len .................
M ichigan....................................W illiam K. P ru d d e n . ..
M ississippi................................. C. L. Townes................
M assachusetts........................... Jam es J. Storrow............
M ontana..................................... M. J. S w in d leh u rst. . . .
N ebraska....................................John L. K e n n e d y ..........
N evada.......................................E . H . W alker..................
New H am pshire.......................Charles M. F lo y d .........
New M exico..............................W illiam C. M cDonald.
New Y ork..................................A lbert H . W iggin..........
N orth Carolina......................... A. W. M cA llister............
N orth D akota............................I. P. B arker...................
O hio............................................Homer II. Johnson. . . .
O klahom a..................................P . A. N orris...................
Oregon........................................ F red J. H olm es............
P ennsy lvania............................W illiam P o tte r.............
R hode Is la n d ............................George H . H olm es.......
South C arolina.........................B. B. G ossett................
U ta h ............................................W. W. A rm strong.........
V erm ont.....................................H . J. M. Jones..............
W ashington............................... D avid W hitcom b............
W isconsin.................................. W. N. F itzg erald .........
A nniston.
Flagstaff.
San Francisco.
Denver.
H artford.
W ilm ington.
W ashington.
.Commerce.
.Gooding.
,Streator.
Indianapolis.
W aucoma.
.H utchinson.
.New Orleans.
.Portland.
Lansing.
.M inter City.
.Boston.
.H elena.
.Omaha.
.Carson City.
.M anchester.
.Carrizozo.
.New York City.
.Greensboro.
.Bism arck.
.C leveland.
.Ada.
.L a Grande.
.P hiladelphia.
.Providence.
.A nderson.
.S alt Lake City.
.M ontpelier.
.S eattle.
.W ilwaukee.
F O O D C O N T R O L IN G R E A T B R IT A IN .1
STATEMENT OF FOOD CONTROLLER TO THE PUBLIC.
In the recently published first number of the National Food
Journal,2 the official organ of the British Ministry of Food, Lord
1
2
F o r previous a rticle s on food control in G rea t B rita in see M o n t h l y R e v ie w , M arch,
10.17, pp. 392-407, June, 19 17, pp. 928-945, and Ju ly, 19 17 , pp. G9-78.
The N ation al Food Journ al. Issued by the M in istry of Food. No. 1, London, Sept.
12, 1917.
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Rliondda, the Food Controller, makes a statement of his policy and
welcomes the appearance of this Journal as a means of giving to the
public detailed and official information in respect to the action taken
by the Ministry of Food.
Fie- states that his policy, broadly speaking, is to fix prices of those
articles of prime necessity over the supply of which he can obtain
control at all stages, from producer down to the retailer. The pur
pose is to fix such prices on the principle of allowing a reasonable
prewar profit to those engaged in the production and distribution of
the particular commodity. The policy contemplates the prevention
of speculation, the elimination of unnecessary middlemen, and the
utilization of existing agencies for the purpose of distribution,
under license and control and under supervision of local food con
trollers to be appointed by the local authorities. Lord Rhondda
states that while he is primarily concerned with the protection of
the consumers, he must see that the legitimate interests of food
producers and other traders are safeguarded, and above all avoid ac
tion that will curtail the necessarj^ supplies. In short, his object is
to see that supplies are forthcoming so far as they are available and
that the prices are not excessive.
The matter of profiteering has engaged the attention of the con
troller, who takes occasion to make clear three points in this connec
tion : “ 1, That the worst form of profiteering, which consists in the
intervention of the unnecessary middleman, has already been almost
entirely eliminated in the case of essential foodstuffs; 2, that the
more prevalent, if more excusable, habit of selling a commodity for
what it will fetch can only be checked by a complete system of con
trol ; 3, that this control has already become operative in respect of
bread, flour, sugar, and a variety of imported foodstuffs and is grad
ually being extended to meat and all descriptions of food.”
The aim of the food controller has been to economize and maintain
supplies of essential foodstuffs and insure their equitable distribution
at the lowest prices which the circumstances permit. This problem
is being met by inducing people to eat less and to eliminate waste, and
by encouraging the use of all foodstuffs to the greatest nutritive ad
vantage.
The percentage of increase in retail food prices in the United King
dom on August 1, 1917. was 101.7 as compared with normal prices
at the outbreak of the war. Among the causes of this rise are the
following: “ 1, The high prices charged in countries from which im
ports of foods are obtained, owing in large measure to either excep
tional demand or general shortage in supply. These high prices are
outside the control of the home Government; 2, the rise in price due
to inflation, which may occur either directly through an increase in
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93
currency, or more indirectly through the additional extent to which
credit is increased, when loans are raised, and the Government which
borrows is a large spender; 3, the high freight rates on the Atlantic
routes, the great increase in war-risk insurances, and the difference
in rates of exchange.”
Since the last publication in the M o n t h l y R e v ie w of an article on
food control in Great Britain,1 the Food Controller has issued such a
large number of new orders that the space available for the present
article does not permit the reproduction of their text in full. It
therefore seems expedient to give a general summary of the orders
now in force. The following statement taken from the first issue of
the National Food Journal for September 12, 1917, gives first a
summary of the orders enacted up to August 22, 1917, following
which is given a summary of the orders beginning with that date.
SUMMARY OF FOOD ORDERS ISSUED UP TO AUGUST 22, 1917.
BEA N S, PEA S, AND PU LSE.
All imported beans, peas, and pulse have been taken over by the m inistry of
food.
The follow ing maximum retail prices have been fixed: Large butter beans
8d. (16 cents) per pound; w hite haricot beans, 6d. (12 cents) ; colored haricot
beans, 5p i. (11 cents) ; blue and green peas (w hole and sp lit), 9d. (18 cents) ;
large m anufactured lentils, 8d. (16 cents) ; small manufactured lentils, 7d. (14
cents) ; yellow split peas, 6d. (12 cen ts).
All m ust be sold by w eight only and may be used only for human consumption.
The sale of peas in packages is authorized under certain conditions. The
packages may contain only peas and a bag of cooking requisites and must be of
the approxim ate gross w eights of 1 pound, three-fourths pound, or one-half
pound, which may be sold at 9d. (18 cen ts), 6p l. (13 cen ts), and 4p l. (9 cen ts),
provided the respective net w eights of the peas is not less than 144 ounces, 102ounces, and 6A ounces.
The use before December 1 of winter-sown w inter beans grown in the United
Kingdom in the year 1917 is forbidden for any purpose other than seed. No
such beans may be bought or sold to any person other than such persons as
ordinarily deal in them and w ith a view to their being used or resold for the
purposes of seed. In cases o f purchase the buyer must give a certificate to the
seller, giving the name and address of the buyer and stating the purpose for
which such beans are required. T his certificate m ust be retained by the seller
and be open to the inspection of any authorized person. The order does not
refer to Ireland.
BREAD
AND
CEREALS.
Bread m ust not be sold until it has been made at least 12 hours.
The only loaves allowed are the tin loaf, the one-piece oven-bottom loaf,
pan Coburg shape, and twin sister brick loaves, and rolls w eighing not less
than 1 ounce and not more than 2 ounces.
No currant, sultana, or milk bread may be made.
No sugar may be used in bread.
1 See M o n t h l y R e v i e w for July, 1917, pp. 69-78.
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All bread must be sold by weight. All loaves must be 1 pound or an even
number of pounds.
No wheat, rye, rice, tapioca, sago, manioc, or arrowroot or products thereof
may be used except for human food.
No wheat, rye, rice, no flour thereof, nor any article containing such flour,
shall be damaged or wasted.
No maize, barley, or oats, or products thereof may be used except for seed or
human or anim al food.
The extraction of flour from w heat is raised to a nominal basis of 81 per
c e n t.; the percentage of flour from other cereals to be mixed w ith wheaten
flour shall be as fixed by the Flour M ills Control Committee from time to time.
Barley, maize, oats, rye, rice, and beans are the permitted cereals from which
flour may be manufactured as adm ixtures to w heaten flour. Soya-bean flour is
also permitted, but is lim ited to 5 per cent.
The maximum retail price of maize flour, maize flakes, m aize semolina,
hominy, cerealine, or maize meal is 34d. (7 cents) per pound; and of oatmeal,
rolled oats, flaked oats, or other like products of oats, 4Jd. (9 cents) per pound
in Scotland and 5d. (10 cents) per pound elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
No person shall, w ithout a permit issued under the authority of the Food
Controller, sell any wheat, barley, oats, or rye of the 1917 crop grown in the
United Kingdom. All existing contracts are canceled, except in such cases as
the Food Controller shall otherw ise determine, or in the case of contracts made
by any Government department.
Maximum prices have been fixed for the 1917 harvest of the United Kingdom
of wheat, rye, oats, and barley.
Grain suitable for seed and sold specifically for that purpose is exempt from
the order.
All grain specified in the order must be sold by w eight— w heat and rye 504
pounds a quarter, oats 336 pounds, and barley 448 pounds.
No person may torrefy or bleach any wheat, rye, oats, or barley, whether im
ported or home grown.
No barley may be used except for the purpose of seed or m anufacturing of
flour. Tailings, screenings, or barley so damaged as to be unfit for m illing are
excluded.
Barley flour may not be used except in the manufacture of articles suitable
for human food, and no article containing barley flour may be used otherwise
than as human food. This does not apply to barley flour which, before Sep
tember 1, had been so treated as to be unsuitable for human food, or which may
become unfit for such purpose.
To damage barley or barley flour or any article containing the latter is an
offense.
No winter-sown winter oats grown in the United Kingdom in 1917 may be
used in England or W ales before November 1, or rye before January 1, 1918,
for any purpose other than seed.
The Food Controller has taken over all flour mills' of the United Kingdom
which use w heat in the making of flour.
BEEWING.
The Food Controller has taken over all barley, foreign and home grown, other
than home-grown barley which has not been kiln dried.
By an order made in March the output of beer in each quarter w as lim ited
to one-third of the output during the corresponding quarter of the year 1 April,
1915, to 31 March, 1916.
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By a further order made in July the barrelage during the quarter commencing
1 July, 1917, w as increased by 20 per cent, provided th at any brewer accepting
this increase brews one-half of his total output at a gravity not exceeding an
original gravity of 1,036°. The remaining h alf shall be brewed at an average
original gravity not exceeding that of the total brewed by him during the quar
ter commencing 1 July, 1916.
A further increase of barrelage not exceeding 134 per cent may be authorized
by license of the Food Controller and w ill be allocated to such m unition and
agricultural areas as are found still to be deficient in supplies.
Brewers who do not elect to come under the order are not affected.
The manufacture and sale of malt is prohibited, except under license.
CAKES AND PASTRIES.
The making of any light fancy pastries, muffins, crumpets, and other light
articles of food is prohibited.
Cakes, buns, scones, and biscuits must conform to certain requirem ents as
to the amount of sugar and wheaten flour that may be used.
Fifteen per cent of sugar is allowed in cakes and biscuits; 10 per cent in
buns. No sugar may be used in scones.
Not more than 30 per cent of wheaten flour may be used in cakes and 50 per
cent in buns and scones.
No ornamented cake or bun may be made.
CHEESE.
The Food Controller has taken over all cheese imported from th e United
States, Canada, A ustralia, and New Zealand.
The Board of Trade has placed a quantity of cheese on the market at a price
which enables retailers to sell at Is. 4d. (32 cents) per pound.
CONDITIONS OP SALE.
No trader, in selling an article, may impose a condition relating to the pur
chase of any other article.
F IS H .
The board of agriculture is empowered to authorize the taking of sea fish in
tidal or territorial w aters by any method or appliance now unlawful, and at
tim es and places otherw ise forbidden, and to permit the sale of fish so caught.
The use of fixed nets, stake nets, or other erections on tidal lands may not be
sanctioned w ithout the consent of the Board o f Trade or on the foreshore under
the control of the commissioners of woods and forests w ithout the consent of
those commissioners.
Every person owning or having power to sell pickled herrings o f the kinds
known as largefulls, fulls, m atfulls, m ediumfulls, m atties (gutted or ungutted),
large spents, spents, tornbellies (gutted on ly), cured on or after May 1, 1917,
must on or before the 14th of each month furnish to the Food Controller a return
giving particulars of ( a ) all such herrings in his possession or under his control
on the last day of the preceding m o n th ; ( b ) all sold or disposed of during that
month; and (c) such other particulars as may be required to complete the
prescribed form on which the return must be made and which may be had from
the M inistry of Food, Grosvenor House, London, W. 1.
A person who does not own more than 25 barrels at the end of any month
shall not be required to make a return in respect of that month.
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FRUIT.
No jam manufacturer shall buy, for preserving or bottling, any of the fol
lowing fruits grown in the U nited Kingdom at prices exceeding those specified:
Egg plums, £10 10s. ($51.12) per ton; other plums, £12 10s. ($60.85) per ton;
Farleigh or Kent damsons, £12 ($58.40) per ton; pin, or prune, or other dam
sons £14 ($68.13) per ton; greengages, £22 ($107.06) per ton.
These prices include picking and packing, and are f. o. r. or f. o. b., but
where the fruit is delivered by the seller to the purchaser’s premises, or for
sale in a market, the customary charges may be added. Other permitted
charges are the m arket tolls actually paid, and not more than 25s. ($6.08) a
ton for the use of baskets or usual packages other than sacks. The commission
of an agent buying on behalf of a manufacturer is lim ited to 12s. 6d. ($3.04)
per ton.
It is an offense to offer such fruit to a jam manufacturer a t prices in excess
of the above, or to enter into any fictitious transaction.
HOARDING.
No person shall acquire supplies of food beyond the needs of his ordinary
consumption.
A tradesman shall not sell any article of food where he has reasonable
grounds for believing that the quantity ordered is in excess o f requirements.
The Food Controller may order the inspection o f prem ises in which he has
reason to believe that hoarding is taking place.
HORSE RATIONING.
R estrictions are imposed on the feeding of horses w ith cereal foodstuffs.
Hay, straw, bran, or dried brewers’ grains are still allowable.
These restrictions do not apply to horses used exclusively for purposes of
the Army Council or Admiralty, or in agriculture, stallions used for stud pur
poses, thoroughbred brood mares, and brood mares in foal or w ith foal at foot.
In the case of horses used for trade or business purposes, and of certain
classes of thoroughbreds, a ration is fixed, the amount of which may be ascer
tained from the order.
All other horses are precluded from receiving any cereal foodstuffs, except
those mentioned in the first paragraph.
JA M .
The Food Controller has fixed w holesale and retail prices of jam s and jellies.
In regard to w holesale sales the buyer may require the goods to be delivered
free of charge to his station. The seller may add to the maximum price appli
cable the cost of the outside package inclosing the jars or other containers,
provided this is refunded on return of the package. In retail sales the m axi
mum prices are to include all charges for jars or other containers and for all
packages. When the jam or jelly is contained in a 7-pound jar the buyer is
entitled to recover from the seller 6 d. (12 cents) on each jar returned in good
condition.
R estrictions are imposed as to the composition of jam s and jellies.
Except under authority o f the food controller, no person may buy, sell, or
deal in any apricot pulp or bitter or sour oranges, or pulp made from such
oranges, outside the United Kingdom, whether or not the transaction is effected
in the United Kingdom.
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MEAT SALES.
A person, called the dealer, who buys any fa t cattle may only resell them
to a person, called the permitted buyer, who undertakes to slaughter them
w ithin 14 days. T his undertaking must be entered in a book kept at the market
where the sale takes place, or, in other cases, on an authorized form which
must be sent by the dealer to the nearest market authority. Market authori
ties may grant licenses under certain conditions for a second dealer, called
the distributing dealer, to purchase fa t cattle for removal to another speci
fied market for sale to a permitted buyer.
In respect to dead meat it is provided that a salesm an— that is, a person who
has bought any dead meat— may sell it only to a retailer or a consumer, and
his profit is lim ited by the order.
All persons engaged in the production, purchase, sale, distribution, transport,
storage, or shipment of any cattle or meat shall furnish such particulars as
to their businesses as may from tim e to time be specified by or on behalf of
the Food Controller, and shall verify the same in such manner as he may direct.
Rams, ewes, wethers, lambs, deer, goats, and sw ine are included in the ex
pression “ cattle,” in addition to cattle usually so called.
M ILK .
The maximum w holesale price o f milk is 6£d. (13 cents) per imperial gal
lon and the retail price 2d. (4 cents) a quart over the price on the fifteenth
of the same month in 1914.
PUBLIC MEALS.
Hotels, restaurants, clubs, boarding houses w here the number of bedrooms
for letting exceeds 10, and refreshm ent places generally are rationed in bulk
according to the ascertained weekly average of meals served in them. The
allowance of meat is based on an average of 5 ounces for each luncheon and
dinner, and 2 ounces for each breakfast se rv ed ; bread, 2 ounces for each break
fast, luncheon, tea, and dinner, w ith 1 ounce of flour for each luncheon and
dinner; and sugar, ? of an ounce for each breakfast, luncheon, tea, and dinner.
E stablishm ents at which no meal is served costing more than Is. 3d. (30
cents) exclusive of beverages, are not rationed. But where a public eating
place is excluded from the public m eals order by reason of th e fact that it
never charges more than Is. 3d. (30 cents) for any meal, it shall not serve any
individual between the hours of 3 p. m. and 6 p. in. with more than 2 ounces in
all of bread and cakes. T his does not apply to places which lim it to 6d. (12
cents) the maximum price charged for any meal served between the hours of
3 p. m. and 6 p. m. and not containing meat, fish, or eggs.
SUGAR.
No chocolate must be sold or bought retail at a price exceeding 3d. (6 cents)
per ounce, or any other sw eetm eats at a price exceeding 2d. (4 cents) per
ounce.
The quantity of sugar used by m anufacturers other than of jam, marmalade,
or condensed milk is reduced to 25 per cent of the 1915 supply.
TEA AND COFFEE.
No tea may be packed other than the net weight.
All tea sold retail, w hether contained in a package or not, shall be sold by
net weight.
18988°—17-
-7
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B y arrangement w ith the trade 30 per cent of the total imports of tea from
India and Ceylon is allocated to be sold to the public retail at 2s. 4d. (57 cents)
per pound, 35 per cent at 2s. 8d, (65 cen ts), and 25 per cent at 3s. (73 cen ts).
The balance of 10 per cent consists of fine teas at above 3s. (73 cents) a pound.
An arrangement has also been made w ith the Coffee Trade A ssociation to
supply a good, sound, pure coffee at a rate which would enable grocers to sell
retail at Is. 6d. (37 cents) per pound.
ENFORCEMENT OF ORDERS.
Any infringem ent o f an order made by the Food Controller is a summary
offense under the D efense of the Realm Regulations, and the offender is liable
to imprisonment for six months, w ith or w ithout hard labor, or a fine of £100
($486.65), or both.
Contraventions of the orders can in all cases be investigated and prosecuted
by the police, and, in the case of those provisions w ith w hich the public are
most directly concerned, by the local authorities.
In England and W ales the local authorities concerned are the councils of the
several m etropolitan and municipal boroughs and the urban and rural districts,
but not the county councils. In Scotland they are the town councils in all
burghs, and outside the burghs the district comm ittee or, where the county is
not divided, the county council.
Inspectors and deputy inspectors of w eights and measures and other persons
performing such duties are authorized to take sam ples of any flour in possession
of millers, bakers, or others who have bread or flour for sa le; to require any
retailer of package tea to weigh such in their presence, and in England and
Ireland to prosecute in cases of infringements.
inform ation regarding contravention of orders should be given to the police
or to an officer of the local authority and not to the M inistry of Food.
FOOD ORDERS ENACTED BEGINNING W ITH AUGUST 22, 1917.
Several important food orders have recently been issued by the
food controller. A digest of these orders is given below. This
digest, together with the summary of orders issued before August 22,
1917, and given on the preceding pages, makes a complete record for
reference of all food orders enacted in Great Britain up to Septem
ber 6, 1917.
FOOD-CONTROL COMMITTEES
(C O N STITU TIO N )
(N O .
ORDER,
1 9 1 7 , DATED A UG UST 2 2 ,
1917
8 6 9 ).
The above order was issued after the Food Controller had ap
proached local authorities throughout Great Britain with a request
for cooperation in food control, and had forwarded to them certain
detailed information as to the method of control to be adpted. The
authorities approached for England and Wales were—in London, the
common council of the city and the metropolitan borough councils;
outside London, the municipal borough council and the urban and
rural district councils. The authorities for Scotland were— (a) in
each county a joint committee of the county council and the town coun
cils of those burghs whose population in 1911 did not exceed 5,000,
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provided that the town council of any large burgh may also join;
and (b) in all other burghs, the town council. The present order
requests these authorities to appoint food-control committees which
will administer a new scheme of sugar distribution, to continue the
campaign for food economy, and, when their organization is com
plete, to deal with other food supplies, including bread and meat.
They wrill be asked, also, at an early date, to assume special responsi
bilities in regard to food prices. For all important foodstuffs the
Food Controller will fix a general scale of prices based at each stage
on the reasonable profits of traders. The committees will be en
trusted with the enforcement of this scale and will be asked to advise
on any modification of it that may be shown to be necessary in their
districts.
Food-control committees thus constituted consist of not more than
12 members each, who need not necessarily be members of the coun
cil. Each committee must include at least one woman and one repre
sentative of labor. Their necessary expenses will be a charge on the
exchequer. The term of office of members of such committees is to
be one year, with permissible reappointment at the expiration of this
period. The quorum necessary for the prosecution of the business of
a food-control committee may be determined by the committee, pro
vided-that in no case shall the quorum be less than three. Each com
mittee appoints its own chairman from among its members. A foodcontrol committee may appoint such and so many subcommittees
consisting wholly or partly of the members of the committee as it
thinks fit, and may delegate to the subcommittee, so far as the Food
Controller may direct, any of its powers and duties. So far as is
practicable, at least one member of each subcommittee shall be a
woman and at least one other a representative of labor.
The powers and duties of a food-control committee are to be such
as are from time to time assigned to it by the Food Controller, and
the committee in the exercise of those powers and the performance
of those duties shall comply with such instructions as may be given
by the Food Controller from time to time.
The order does not apply to Ireland.
On the recommendation of the chief secretary to the Lord Lieuten
ant of Ireland, the Food Controller has appointed a food-control
committee for Ireland for the purposes set out below :
(a ) To advise the Food Controller (1) as to maintenance of the food supply
and its distribution in Ireland; (2) as to any modifications that may be
necessary in orders made or proposed to be made by him under the D efense
of the Realm R egulations in view of any special requirements of Ireland; (3)
as to the steps to be taken for the adm inistration and enforcement of the Food
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Controller’s orders in Ireland; (4) and generally as to any question referred
to them by the Food Controller.
( b ) To take steps, subject to the direction of the Food Controller, for
giving effect in Ireland to orders issued by the Food Controller.
It is in contemplation to set up local committees in the county
boroughs of Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Derry, Limerick, and Waterford.
TH E
SUGAR
(REGISTRARION
OF RETAILERS)
ORDER,
1 9 1 7 , DATED AUGUST
23,
1917
(N O . 8 8 5 ) .
This order provides that no person shall on or after October 1,
1917, sell or deal in sugar by retail on any premises unless he is the
holder, in respect of such premises, of a certificate of registration, for
the time being in force, granted by the food-control committee
within whose area such premises are situated. The committee shall
grant a certificate of registration to any applicant who makes an
application to them before September 15, 1917, and who, or whose
predecessor in business, was in the year 1915 dealing in sugar by
retail, and who at the date of his application is so dealing in sugar.
Such certificates may be granted to every applicant if it is the opin
ion of the committee that the grant is necessary in the interests of
the public within its area. Certificates of registration may be re
voked by the committee with the consent of the Food Controller if the
regulations issued by the Food Controller are not observed by the
holder of the certificate.
Holders of such certificates of registration and their employees
shall give to the committee such information, reports, and returns
relating to the stock of sugar and dealings in sugar as the Food
Controller or committee may from time to time require, and shall
permit any person authorized by the Food Controller or committee
to inspect all relevant books, documents, and accounts.
In outlining the new scheme of sugar distribution in the House of
Lords on July 26, Lord Rhondda explained that while the present
system required alteration, he had decided against the introduction
of any rigid system of rationing by sugar tickets. “ The success of
the scheme,” he said, “ would largely depend on the willing and
intelligent cooperation of the public.”
To facilitate enforcement of the above order, consumers will by
the end of September receive at their homes or be able to obtain
at the post office a form of application for a sugar registration card,
and after having completed and returned this to their local food
office they will, in due time, receive through the mail a sugar registra
tion card. Each consumer will be free to deposit his card with
any sugar retailer he may choose, and the retailer will in due course
receive an allowance of sugar in respect of each card deposited with
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101
him. There is no advantage in depositing with one grocer rather
than with another. The smallest retailer will have the same oppor
tunity of getting supplies for each card deposited with him as the
largest retailer. The order making it an olfense to impose any con
ditions as to buying other goods in order to obtain sugar still re
mains in force. As a matter of fact, everything else being equal,
it will facilitate the new sugar distributing scheme if consumers, as
far as practicable, deposit their sugar registration cards, when
received, with the retailers with whom they at present deal.
MEAT (M A X IM U M PRICES) ORDER, 1 9 1 7 , DATED AUGUST 2 9 , 1 9 1 7
(N O . 9 0 3 ) .
The above order schedules maximum wholesale prices for dead
meat as from September 3, the profit of the wholesale dealer being
already limited under the meat (sales) order of May 31, 1917, and
contains provisions for the limitation of retail prices. The effect of
these provisions is that the retail butcher must not sell meat over
the counter at prices which in the aggregate exceed the -price paid by
him for such meat by more than 2-|d. (5 cents) per pound, or
20 per cent, whichever is the less, his acounts being balanced over
fortnightly periods. Out of this difference the retailer will have to
pay the expenses of carriage, wages, rents, rates and all the other
expenses of his business, including his personal remuneration.
Further, the local food-control committee are empowered to fix
schedules of maximum retail prices for the various joints, with
which the butcher will, in addition, be required to comply. These
schedules may vary from district to district, according to varying
local conditions. A butcher is required to keep posted in his shop
in a conspicuous position the prices which he actually charges for
the various cuts and joints. The responsibility of enforcing the
retail prices and of securing that the charges made by the butcher
do not exceed those allowed by the order will rest on the local foodcontrol committee.
T H E BACON, IIA M , AND LARD
(M A X IM U M PRICES)
1917
ORDER, 1 9 1 7 , DATED AUG UST 3 0 ,
(N O . 9 1 0 ) .
This order fixes maximum producers’ and importers’ prices for
bacon, ham, and lard. In connection therewith, it is pointed out that
importers’ prices are mainly determined by the market prices ruling
in foreign countries, over which the Food Controller has no control,
and that they must be maintained at such figures as will insure a
regular shipment to Great Britain of adequate supplies.
The present order was issued in conjunction with a royal proclama
tion dated August 29, 1917, which prohibits the importation, except
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[935]
102
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
under license, of bacon, hams, and lard (other than neutral lard).
The object of this proclamation is to enable the Government to take
over the whole import of these articles and to concentrate the pur
chase of them in various countries in a single organization.
T H E CHEESE
(M A X IM U M PR ICES)
ORDER, 1 9 1 7 , DATED A UG UST 3 1 , 1 9 1 7
(N O . 9 1 1 ) .
This order fixes maximum wholesale prices for various kinds of
British-made cheese, to go into effect beginning with September 3,
1917.
THE BUTTER
(M A X IM U M PRICES)
ORDER, 1 9 1 7 , DATED A UG UST 3 1 , 1 9 1 7
(N O . 9 1 3 ) .
By this order the Food Controller prescribes, beginning with Sep
tember 3, 1917, maximum wholesale prices for butters of various
kinds, and also beginning from September 10, 1917, that no person
shall retail butter at more than 2^d. (5 cents) per pound in excess
of the actual cost to him, an additional |d . (1 cent) per pound being
permitted, however, for credit or delivery. I t is further provided
that the food-control committees may from time to time prescribe
a scale of maximum prices for butter in accordance with general
directions from the Food Controller.
TH E SEED POTATOES
(IM M U N E VARIETIES)
ORDER, 1 9 1 7 , DATED SEPTEMBER 5,
1917
(N O . 9 3 5 ) .
In this order it is laid down that except under certain conditions
no potatoes of the King George V II, Great Scot, Lochar, and Temp
lar varieties, grown in Scotland or in England or Wales in 1917, may
be sold or otherwise disposed of -or moved from the premises on
which they are situate on September 6, 1917, except under a license
issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries or by the Board
of Agriculture for Scotland. The order does not apply to persons
holding less than 5 tons or cultivating less than one-half acre of such
potatoes.
T H E FLOUR AND BREAD (PR IC ES) ORDER, 1 9 1 7 , DATED SEPTEMBER 6 , 1 9 1 7
(N O . 9 3 7 ) .
Beginning with September 17, 1917, this order fixes the following
maximum retail prices for bread and flour:
B read.
Per 4 lb. loaf.
Per 2 lb. loaf.
Per 1 lb. loaf.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-9cl. (18 cen ts).
,4id. (9 cen ts).
..2id. (5 cents).
[936]
M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS.
103
F lo u r.
Sack of 280 lbs. or h alf sack, per sack ( sack e x tr a ) 50s. ($12.17).
7 lbs. or more, but under h alf sack, per 14 lbs__ 2s. 8d. (65 cen ts).
Per quartern (3£ lb s .)_________________________Sid. (17 cen ts).
Per half-quartern ( I f lb s .)______ .____________ 41d. (9 cen ts).
Per 1 lb_______________________________________24d. (5 cents).
Self-raising flour, per lb_______________________3 |d . (7 cen ts).
These prices refer to sales for cash over the counter. A reasonable
additional charge may be made by the retailer if he gives credit to
his customer or delivers the bread or flour at the customer’s house.
For special and proprietary brands higher prices may be permitted
by license of the Food Controller. I t will be laid down that no re
tailer may charge special prices for proprietary breads unless he
has bread on offer at the same time at or below the maximum price.
Similarly he may not sell 1 pound loaves (or rolls) at a higher price
than 2-|d. (4J cents) a pound unless he has also on offer bread at or
below 2fd. (4 | cents) a pound, nor may he sell flour at 2|-d. (5 cents)
a pound unless he is also selling quarterns and half quarterns of flour
at or below the maximum prices.
Food-control committees will be authorized to grant temporary and
provisional licenses for the charging of retail prices in excess of
those specified, either by particular retailers or in their district gen
erally, where they are satisfied that ordinary bread and flour can
not be retailed at those prices. Every case in which a provisional
license is granted will be reported to the Ministry of Food for
examination by cost accountants of the ministry, and the license will
be allowed to continue only if the Food Controller is satisfied that
the claim for a higher price is justified.
To enable the retailer to sell to the public at the retail prices named,
wholesale prices have been fixed for flour. On and after Septem
ber 17, wheat meal and flour manufactured in the United King
dom will be sold wholesale at 44s. 3d. ($10.77) per sack of 280 pounds
at the mill door, subject to a discount of 6d. (12 cents) a sack for
cash within seven days. Imported flour will be sold at higher prices,
according to quality. The price of 44s. 3d. ($10.77) has been fixed
with a view to allowing the retailer a reasonable and not more than
a reasonable profit. If it is found that in practice the profit is un
reasonably high or unreasonably low, the wholesale price of flour
will be varied.
The flour mills of the country are already under the control of
the Ministry of Food, and the flour importers are largely controlled
by the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies. A further step is now
being taken by forming a register of flour factors, and it will be
illegal for any person to trade in home-milled flour after October
1 as a flour factor unless he has been licensed by the Food Controller.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[937]
104
MONTHLY EE VIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Arrangements have been made for providing compensation to
bakers and other retailers holding stocks of flour or having stocks in
transit invoiced at the old prices, and also for compensating factors
and importers for the stocks they hold.
CONVICTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE FOOD REGULATIONS.
An interesting feature of the National Food Journal is a section
devoted to an account of prosecutions for violations of the food
regulations and orders. In one case a farmer was fined £5,750
($27,982.38) for selling “ ware ” and seed potatoes at prices exceeding
the maximum rates fixed by the Potatoes 1916 Main Crop (Prices)
Order (No. 2), 1917. There were 55 charges, and in each case the
fine was the maximum of £100 ($186.65) with an additional £25*0
($1,216.63) for costs. Another man was fined £100 ($486.65) on six
summonses, one being that he had sold potatoes to a retailer at £22
($107.06) per ton instead of £11 10s. ($55.96) and 10s. ($2.43)
carriage. A farmer was fined £5 ($24.33) for having in his posses
sion 2 hundredweight (224 pounds) of sugar, and in another case a
fine of £1 ($4.87) was assessed against a man for having in his pos
session 45 pounds of sugar, 3 pounds of tea, and 6 half sacks of flour.
A certain baker was fined £25 ($121.66) for selling new bread, and
another baker was fined £25 for exposing and £25 for selling such
bread. It appears that more than 60 persons of all classes have been
fined sums ranging from £15 ($73) to £1 ($4.87) for having obtained
preserving sugar by false declarations.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[938]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
N EW W AGE SCALE FO R ANACONDA
E M P L O Y E E S .1
C O P P E R M IN IN G
CO.
On September IT, following a strike by the employees of the
Anaconda Copper Mining Co. at its mines at Butte and its reduction
works at Anaconda and Great Falls, Mont., work was resumed, the
new wage scale offered by the company in June having been accepted
by the employees. The new wages are based on the price per pound
of electrotytic copper, and the following table shows the old and the
new wage rate of the principal occupations at the mines and reduc
tion works. I t should be explained that the schedule does not stop
at 31 cents, as indicated in the table; the wages continue to advance
at the rate of 25 cents for each 2 cents’ increase in the price of copper.
The column “ 25 and under 27 cents ” represents the wage scale at
the present time.
C O M PA R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L O C CU PA TIO N S A T T H E M IN ES A N D
R E D U C T IO N W O R K S O F T H E AN A CO N D A C O P P E R M IN IN G CO.
O ccupation.
Miners, all underground m en engaged in mining:
Old scale....
.................................................
N ew scale.............................................................
Miners in shaft, statio n cu ttin g a n d winzes:
Old scale...............................................................
N ew scale.............................................................
B lacksm iths, carpenters, m achinists, elec
tricians, boiler m akers, painters:
Old scale...............................................................
N ew scale.............................................................
H elpers for craftsm en:
Old scale...............................................................
New scale.............................................................
S tationary engineers:
Old scale...............................................................
New scale.............................................................
H oisting engineers (first motion):
Old scale...............................................................
N ew scale.............................................................
H oisting engineers (geared):
O ld scale .......... .............................................
N ew scale.............................................................
Boiler cleaners:
Old scale
.........................
N ew scale.............................................................
Boiler cleaners’ helpers:
Old scale...............................................................
N ew scale.............................................................
21
23
15
17
19
27
25
29
U n and
and and and and and and and
der under under
under
under
under
under
under
under
15
17
19
21
23
29
27
31
25
cents. cents.
cents. cents. cents. cents. cents. cents. cents.
$3.50 $3. 75 $4.00 $4.25 $4.25 $4.25 $4.50 $4.50
3.50 4. 00 4.25 4.50 4. 75 5.00 5.25 5.50
4.00
4.00
4. 25
4.50
4.50
4. 75
4.75
5.00
4. 75
5.25
4. 75
5.50
5.00
5. 75
5.00
6. 00
5.25
6. 25
4.50
4.50
4. 75
4. 75
4. 75
5.00
5.00
5.25
5.00
5.50
5.00
5. 75
5. 25
6.00
5.25
6.25
5.50
6. 50
3.50
3.50
3.75
3. 75
3. 75
4.00
4.00
4. 25
4.00
4.50
4.00
4.75
4.25
5.00
4.25
5. 25
4. .50
5.50
4.00
4.50
4.25
4. 75
4.50
5.00
4. 50
5. 25
4. 75
5.50
4. 75
5. 75
5.00
6.00
5.00
6. 25
5. 25
6.50
4. 50
5.00
4. 75
5.25
5.00
5. 50
5.25
5.75
5. 25
6.00
5. 25
6.25
5.50
6.50
5.50
6. 75
5. 75
7. 00
4.00
4. 50
4. 25
4. 75
4.50
5.00
4. 50
5.25
4. 75
5.50
4. 75
5.75
5.00
6.00
5.00
6. 25
5. 25
6. ,50
3. 75
4.00
4. 00
4. 25
4.00
4.50
4.25
4. 75
4.25
5.00
4. 50
5.25
4. 75
5. 50
4. 75
5. 75
5. (X)
6.00
3.00
3. 50
3.25
3. 75
3.25
4.00
3.50
4.25
3.50
4.50
3. 75
4. 75
4.00
5.00
4.00
5. 25
4.25
5.50
i D ata tak en from M etallurgical a n d Chem ical Engineering, 239 W est 39th Street, New Y ork.
1,1917, p. 370.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$4. 75
[9391
105
Oct.
106
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L O C C U PA T IO N S A T T H E M IN E S A N D
R E D U C T IO N W O R K S O F T H E A N A C O N D A C O P P E R M IN IN G CO.—Concluded.
27
23
25
29
21
17
19
15
U n and
and and and and and and and
der under under
un d er under under under under under
15
27
31
29
21
23
25
17
19
cents. cents.
cents. cents. cents. cents. cents. cents. cents.
O ccupation.
D iam ond d rill runners:
..................................
Old scale ..
.
New scale.............................................................
Firem en:
Old scale...............................................................
N ew scale.............................................................
Laborers, special:
Old scale...............................................................
New scale.............................................................
Laborers:
Old scale...............................................................
New s c a le ............................................................
D rivers, locomotive, surface:
Old scale...............................................................
New scale.............................................................
P u m p men:
Old scale...............................................................
New sca le ............................................................
Shift bosses:
Old scale...............................................................
New scale.............................................................
Station tenders:
Old scale...............................................................
New scale.............................................................
Team sters and stablem en:
Old scale...............................................................
N ew scale.............................................................
Tool sharpeners:
Old scale...............................................................
New scale.............................................................
$4.00 $4.25 $4.50 $4. 50 $4. 75 $4. 75 $5.00 $5.00
4.00 4. 50 4.75 5.00 5.25 5.50 5. 75 6.00
$5.25
6.25
3. 50
4.00
3. 75
4. 25
4.00
4. 50
4.00
4. 75
4. 25
5.00
4. 25
5. 25
4. 50
5. 50
4.50
5. 75
4.75
6.00
3.50
3. 50
3. 50
3. 75
3. 50
4.00
3. 50
4. 25
3. 75
4. 50
3. 75
4. 75
4.00
5.00
4.00
5. 25
4.25
5. 50
3.00
3. 00
3. 25
3.25
3. 25
3.50
3. 50
3. 75
3. 50
4. 00
3. 75
4.25
4.00
4. 50
4.00
4. 75
4.25
5. 00
3. 50
3. 50
3. 75
3. 75
3. 75
4.00
4.00
4. 25
4. 25
4.50
4. 25
4. 75
4. 50
5.00
4.50
5. 25
4. 75
5. 50
4.00
4. 50
4. 25
4. 75
4. 50
5.00
4. 50
5. 25
4. 75
5.50
4. 75
5. 75
5. 00
6. 00
5.00
6.25
5. 25
6.50
5. 00
5.00
5. 25
5. 50
5.50
5.75
5. 50
6.00
5. 75
6.25
5. 75
6. 50
6. 00
6.75
6.00
7.00
6. 25
7. 25
4.00
4. 00
4. 25
4.50
4. 50
4. 75
4. 50
5.00
4. 75
5.25
4.75
5.50
5.00
5. 75
5. 00
6. 00
5. 25
6. 25
3.25
3.25
3. 50
3.50
3. 50
3. 75
3.50
4.00
3. 75
4. 25
3. 75
4. 50
4.00
4. 75
4. 00
5.00
4.25
5.25
4.00
4.50
4. 25
4. 75
4. 25
5.00
4.25
5.25
4.50
5. 50
4.50
5. 75
4. 75
6.00
4. 75
6. 25
5. 00
6. 50
An agreement, announced on September 20,1 has been effected be
tween the War Industries Board and the copper producers by which
the latter will furnish copper to the Government at the rate of 23^
cents per pound, f. o. b. New York, subject to revision after four
months, the establishment of this price being based upon the cost
of production as determined by the Federal Trade Commission. In
effecting this agreement the War Industries Board stipulated (1)
that the producers shall not reduce the wages now paid; (2) that
the operators shall sell to the allies and to the public at the same
price paid by the Government, and take the necessary measures, un
der the direction of the War Industries Board, for the distribution
of the copper to prevent it from falling into the hands of specula
tors who would increase the price to the public; and (3) that the
operators shall pledge themselves to exert every effort necessary to
keep the production of copper up to the maximum of the past so
long as the war lasts. The official announcement of the fixing of the
price mentioned contains the following statement:
“ The War Industries Board felt that the maintenance of the largest
production should be assured and that a reduction in wages should
be avoided. The stipulation that present wages shall not be reduced
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Official Bulletin for Sept. 21, 1917.
[940]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
107
compels the maintenance of the highest wages ever paid in the in
dustry, which without such stipulation would, with the reduction
made in the price of copper, be reduced under the sliding scale so
long in effect in the copper mines. Within this year copper has sold
as high as 36 cents per pound, and the market price would now be
higher than it is had it not been well known for some weeks that the
Government would fix the price.”
N E W F A IR W A G E S C H E D U L E IN M A N ITO B A .
The Fair Wage Board of the Province of Manitoba, Canada,
recently formulated a schedule of hourly wage rates and hours per
week applicable in the city of Winnipeg and in the province itself
(other than Winnipeg and a radius of 30 miles therefrom) from
August 15, 1917, to August 14, 1918. This schedule has received the
approval of the minister of public works, under the provisions of
the Fair Wage Act, 1916, being section 10 of chapter 121 of the
Statutes of Manitoba, 1916.
SC H E D U L E O F W A G E R A T E S P E R H O U R A N D H O U R S P E R W E E K F IX E D B Y T H E
F A IR W A G E B O A R D O F M A N ITO B A , A P P L IC A B L E TO T H E C IT Y O F W IN N IP E G A N D
A R A D IU S O F 30 M IL E S T H E R E F R O M .
R ate of
wages p er
hour.
Occupation.
Common lab o rers.....................................................................................................................
B uilders’ laborers (being those d irectly engaged in assisting tradesm en n o t other
wise classified).......................................................................................................................
Team sters (em ployed d ire c tly from or on th e b u ild in g )...............................................
B ricklay ers................................................................................................................................
Stonem asons.............................................................................................................................
M arble s etters............................................................................................................................
Mosaic and tile se tte rs.............................................................................................................
Terrazo w orkers........................................................................................................................
S tonecutters:
Journeym en........................................................................................................................
Planer m en and la th e m e n ............................................................................................
P lasterers...................................................................................................................................
W ood, wire, an d m e ta l la th e rs ................................................................................... ........
P lu m b ers....................................................................................................................................
Steam fitte rs ..............................................................................................................................
H oist engineers:
Engineers in charge of double-drum m achines used for hoisting m aterials,
operating boom a n d guy derricks, locom otive cranes, cablew ays, traveling
derricks, steam shovels, clam shells, orange peels, pile drivers, irrespective
of th e m otive p o w er.....................................................................................................
Engineers in charge of single-drum m achines used for hoisting m aterials or
operating tracto rs, concrete m ixers, p u m p s, syphons, pulsom eters, stone
crushers, a ir compressors, d in k y locom otives, irresp ectiv e of th e m otive
pow er, or operating p o rtab le or statio n ary boilers used on th e building
during construction for a n y of th e before-m entioned purposes........................
Sheet-m etal w orkers................................................................................................................
Painters, decorators, p a p er hangers, glaziers....................................................................
B lack sm ith s..............................................................................................................................
E lectrical workers (journeym en inside w irem en )...........................................................
S tru ctu ra l steel a n d iron w orkers........................................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[941]
$0.30
H ours p e r
week.
60
.35
.30
.75
.75
.70
• 62J
.45
60
66
44
44
44
48
54
.72^
.55
.70
.60
.621
.65
44
59
44
44
44
44
.65
60
.55
.50
.50
.50
. 55
. 55
60
54
50
54
50
54
108
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
SC H E D U LE OF W A G E R A T E S P E R H O U R AN D H OURS P E R W E E K F IX E D B Y TH E
F A IR W A G E B O A R D O F M AN ITO B A , A P P L IC A B L E TO T H E C IT Y OF W IN N IPE G
A N D A R A D IU S OF 30 M ILES T H E R E F R O M — Concluded.
Rate of
wages per
hour.
Occupation.
Asbestos workers:
Journey men..............................................................................................................
PItst-class improvers...............................................................................................
Second-class improvers...........................................................................................
Third-class improvers.............................................................................................
Asphalters (including mastic and patent flooring and roofs):
Finishers...................................................................................................................
Mon engaged in preparing, mixing, and heating m aterial.................................
Carpenters:
Journeymen..............................................................................................................
(Except during the months of June, July, and August, when the hours
shall he)..........................................................................................................
Form carpenter or carpenter’s helper...................................................................
(Men considered by*employers to be qualified for a higher rate per hour
than 35 cents on account of the class of work being performed, to be paid
not less than 551 cents per hour.)
Hours per
week.
$0.50
.40
.35
.25
44
44
44
44
.10
.35
54
00
.55
54
.35
50
60
1 50 cents outside of Winnipeg and a radius of 30 miles therefrom.
In the Province, outside of Winnipeg and a radius of 30 miles
therefrom, the rate provided for each occupation is the same except
that it is 5 cents less per hour in the case of common laborers, build
ers' laborers, teamsters, journeymen carpenters, and painters, deco
rators, paper hangers, and glaziers. Also, the hours per week are
the same for each occupation, except in the case of painters, deco
rators, paper hangers, and glaziers, who work 50 hours in the Winni
peg district and 54 hours in other parts of the Province.
C O U R SE
OF
IN D U S T R I A L
W A G E S IN
W A R .1
G E R M AN Y
D U R IN G
THE
In order to arrive at some general conclusion as to the rise in the
level of wages of adult workers during the war period in various
trade groups, the Imperial Statistical Office recently sent out forms
of inquiry to all the firms from which it receives monthly reports
on the state of employment. The particulars asked for included
data concerning the total number of days worked by men and women
employed and the aggregate wages paid in the last two full weeks
of March and September of 1914, 1915, and 1916. The number of
returns secured and capable of being utilized was 369, which have
been classified under 13 groups of industries. A preliminary sum
mary of the chief results appears in the Deutscher Keichsanzeiger of
August 27, from which the following particulars have been extracted:
In September, 1914, nearly all trades experienced a fall in wages
as compared with March of that year, but from September onward
a constant increase was recorded. In the case of men the average
earnings for a day’s work in all the trades combined fell by about
1 R eprinted from The Labour G azette, London, Septem ber, 19 17 , p. 310.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[942]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
109
1 per cent between March and September, 1914, but by September,
1916, it had risen 46 per cent above the level of March, 1914. The
period of greatest increase (14.8 per cent) was during the first winter
of the war. From March, 1915, to September, 1915, there was a rise
of 11.4 per cent, in the next six months a rise of 6.7 per cent, and
from March, 1916, to September, 1916, a rise of 7.8 per cent.
In the case of women workers there was a drop of 15.3 per cent
in daily earnings between March and September, 1914, but by Sep
tember, 1916, women’s earnings had risen to a figure 54.1 per cent
above that of March, 1914. The greatest increase in women’s wages
did not occur during the first winter of the war (as was the case with
men’s), but between September, 1915, and March, 1916, the rise in
this period being 18.3 per cent.
Data in regard to various important groups of industries separately
are summarized below:
Average earnings per day.
Women.
Men.
Trade group.
March, 1914.
Metal...................................
Engineering........................
Electrical............................
Paper...................................
Woodworking.....................
Chemical.............................
Stoneworking and pottery.
Food, drink, and tobacco.
Leather and rubber...........
s. d.
5
5
4
3
4
5
4
5
4
5
3
6
10
2
1
5
7
11
($1.32)
( 1-28)
( 1 - 07 )
( -93)
(
1 . 01 )
( 1-24)
( 1.07)
( 1.36)
(
1 . 20 )
September,
1916.
s. d.
7 11
7 11
7 4
5 5
5 6
6 9
5 4
6 1
6 2
($1.93)
( 1.93)
( 1.78)
( 1.32)
( 1.34)
( 1.64)
( 1.30)
( 1.48)
( 1.50)
Increase
per
cent.1
44.5
48.0
64.6
40.6
32.9
34.2
21.3
8.2
24.6
March, 1914.
s. d.
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
0
3
8
3
11
4
8
1
9
($0.49)
( .55)
( .65)
( .55)
( .47)
( .57)
( .41)
( .51)
( .67)
September,
1916.
s. d.
4 0
3 10
4 9
2 11
2 7
3 6
2 2
2 10
3 2
($0.97)
( -93)
( 1.16)
( .71)
( -63)
( -85)
( -53)
( -69)
( -77)
Increase
per
cent.1
99.5
70.2
74.5
28.4
30.2
50.4
31.1
37.6
13.6
1 The percentages are computed from the amounts given in the original (in marks and pfennigs) and
do not in every case agree exactly with those derived from a comparison of the sums representing the con
versions into English currency.
Owing to the limited number of industrial concerns covered by the
inquiry, as well as to disturbing influences resulting from war condi
tions, the German Department of Labor Statistics are of opinion that
any conclusions drawn from the foregoing figures as to the move
ment of the level of wages in German industry during the war must
necessarily be subject to certain reservations.
It may be added that no reference is made in the source to the
question as to how far increased earnings may be due to the working
of overtime.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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110
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
M IN E R S ’ W A G E S IN GER M A N Y .1
“ While in upper Silesia the demands of the miners for increased
pay may be considered to have been satisfied,” says Soziale Praxis of
16th August, “ in lower Silesia, Saxony, and upper Bavaria fresh
demands have recently been put forward. In lower Silesia hewers
were granted a wage of 6s. lid . [$1.68], and the workmen did not
press for more as the administration proved that the mines did not
pay. In the Oelsnitz-Lugau district the rate per shift was increased
by more than 6d. [12 cents], and a new war bonus of Td. [14 cents]
was also granted. At upper Bavarian mines (Penzberg, Hausham
Marienstein, and Peissenberg) a hewer’s rate of 6s. 4d. [$1.54] was
demanded, the rates of other workpeople to be increased in proportion.
Besides war bonuses, a supplement of 30 per cent on overtime and an
increase of 50 per cent on the Sunday-shift rate were also demanded.
The employers refuse to grant the last named, as they consider this
would encourage the practice of not working on Monday. The
miners, however, still persist in all their demands. A large meeting
of miners at Essen held recently showed that besides obtaining bet
ter conditions for their members, the trade-unions have to bring
about the recognition of the principle of negotiation. Herr Hue,
member of Parliament, and a local official of the Christian TradeUnions, acting in concert, called upon the employers to abate their
claim to be ‘masters in their own houses.’ They also directed at
tention to the increased number of shifts worked, and to the necessity
of providing sufficient- stores of food, especially of potatoes. At the
same time the meeting declared their intention of increasing the ex
isting output as much as possible.”
WAGES AND
E A R N I N G S IN V A R IO U S
N O R W A Y , 1915.
O C C U P A T IO N S
IN
The Central Statistical Bureau of Norway has just issued a report
relative to wages and earnings in Norway for the year 1915.2 The
report shows that there has been a general increase in earnings dur
ing the period 1910-1915, as compared with 1905-1910. In 1915 the
increase over 1910 was 31.9 per cent in country districts and 29.5 in
the cities. During the period 1905-1910 wages increased 18.4 per cent
in country districts and 21.9 per cent in the cities.
Average daily wages paid by the city of Christiania on public works
were reported as follows: Carpenters, smiths, and bricklayers, in 1910,
$1.072 and in 1915, $1.367; and laborers, $0.938 in 1910 and .$1.313
in 1915.
1 Reprinted from T he Labor G azette, London, Septem ber 19 17 , p. 316.
2 Arbeidsl0nninger, 19 15 . U tg it av det S ta tistis k e C en tra lb yra a, 19 17 .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[944]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Ill
The following table shows the average daily wages paid adult
laborers, 1905, 1910-1914, as reported by the State Insurance In
stitute :
A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S O F L A B O R E R S , A S R E P O R T E D B Y S T A T E IN SU R A N C E
IN S T IT U T E , 1905 TO 1914.
Increase, per cent.
1905
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1905-1910 1910-1914
$0.836
.402
M ales.............................
Fem ales........................
$0.962
. 4S0
80.997
.498
$1.051
.525
$1.120
.563
$1.185
.582
15.1
19.3
21.3
19.7
The following table shows the average wages for 1910, 1911, 1913,
and 1915, as reported by trade-unions :
A V E R A G E W A G E S IN V A R IO U S O C CU PA TIO N S, AS R E P O R T E D B Y T R A D E -U N IO N S ,
1910 TO 1915.
Average hourly wages paid in—
District and occupation.
1910
1911
1913
1915
Iron and metal workers:
The Kingdom.
Shipyards and machine shops....................................
Metal-goods makers......................................................
Blacksmiths..................................................................
0)
0)
(9
$0.108
.112
.112
$0.117
.129
.131
$0.125
.139
.156
.113
.113
.116
.121
.130
.135
.129
.134
.155
Christiania.
Shipyards and machine shops....................................
Metal-goods makers......................................................
Blacksmiths..................................................................
$0.105
.111
.116
W eekly earnings.
Goldsmiths:
Males..............................................................................
Females..........................................................................
$6.72
3.63
(')
(9
1910
Lithographers.. , .................................................................
Bookbinding:
Book and job printing.................................................
Compositors, newspaper..............................................
Compositors, machine..................................................
Compositors, female.....................................................
Press feeders, female....................................................
1912
$7.41
4.10
1914
1915
$9.56
$9.90
$10. 34
(9
6.90
6.69
9.79
4.15
3.10
5.12
7.60
6.90
4.63
3.30
8.40
7.84
10.58
5.24
3. 70
(9
(9
(9
(9
(9
1913
Shoemakers:
Hand..............................................................................
Factory workers—
Males.......................................................................
Females ................................................................
$7.80
4.33
1916
$5.77
$8.06
12.49
7.48
17.02
10.16
1 N ot reported.
The Statistical Yearbook of Norway summarizes earnings for the
year 1915 by industries, and gives comparable data, by quinquennial
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112
MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
periods, 1895-1915. There has been a somewhat regular and contin
uous increase in daily, monthly, and yearly earnings in rural districts
as well as in cities, in all industries reported. The per cent of increase
in the last 20 years has in many cases exceeded 100.
The following table shows the average earnings in cities by indus
trial groups and quinquennial periods, 1895-1915:
W A G E S IN T H E C IT IE S O F N O R W A Y , B Y IN D U S T R IE S A N D O C CU PA TIO N S, 1895 TO
1915.
Industrial group.
1900
1895
1905
1910
1915
ANN UAL EAKNINGS .
Domestic labor:
Males..........................................................................
Females....................................................
$ 71.02
26.80
$ 81.20
$ 80.40
$ 93.26
34.84
35.64
45.02
.69
.41
.88
.86
.69
.43
.87
.85
.88
.54
1.05
1.12
.98
.92
.86
.91
.97
1.01
.90
.97
.96
1.07
1.02
1.54
1.22
1.07
(2)
1.02
1.18
1.20
1.22
.80
1.36
1.56
1.47
1.17
1.08
1.19
1.34
1.33
1.14
1.22
1.23
1.30
1.32
1.84
1.52
1.42
1.52
1.38
1.56
1.55
.84
.86
.97
.86
1.09
.56
1.29
.54
1 01
1.10
1.13
1.03
1.32
.92
1.66
.65
1.22
1.22
1.33
$ 140. 70
58.16
DAILY W AGES .
Farm labor:
1
General labor:
Males i .......................................................
Females i ..................................................
Blacksmiths....... ...........................................
Ironworkers....................................................
Pine layers......................................................
Painters...........................................................
Tanners ............................................................................
Butchers ..........................................................................
Bakers ...............................................................................
Shoemakers, hand w ork .........................................
Shoemakers, factories....................................
Clothing................... ......................................
Furriers...........................................................
Saddlery..........................................................
Masons............................................................
Masons’ , helpers.............................................
Furniture making..........................................
Cabinetmakers8.............................................
Coopers............................................................
Carpenters.......................................................
Painters3.........................................................
Compositors:
Males.........................................................
Females....................................................
Master machinists..........................................
Press feeders (females)...................................
Bookbinding..................................................
Tile making....................................................
Foundry working..........................................
Machine operators.........................................
Molders
....................................................
Sheet-iron w orkers........................ ...............
Telephone.......................................................
Ship carpenters...............................................
Spinning:
Males.........................................................
Females....................................................
AVeaving:
Males.........................................................
Females....................................................
Sawyers, wood .............................................................
Planing mills..................................................
AVood pulp .....................................................................
Celluloid m aking............................................
Millers, grist...................................................................
Brewing...........................................................
Food oreserving (canning):
Males.........................................................
Females....................................................
Tobacco working:
Males.........................................................
Females....................................................
.61
.37
.73
.70
(2)
(2)
.69
.63
.69
.68
.76
.62
.71
.75
(2)
1.04
.71
.68
(2)
.68
.77
.79
(2)
.72
.68
.85
.75
.77
.73
.79
.77
.88
.77
.83
.88
(2)
1.24
.88
.85
(2)
.89
.90
.93
. 77
g)
u)
(2)
(2)
.70
.82
.79
.81
.72
(2)
.85
.89
.82
1.20
.87
.84
(2)
.92
.92
.99
.94
.93
(2)
(2)
(2)
.87
.76
.94
.88
. /8
(2)
(2)
(*)
(2)
.70
.71
.81
.82
.83
.87
.97
1.02
1.34
1.33
1.21
1.34
.66
.34
.70
.34
.72
.36
.91
.47
1.11
.59
.75
.35
.70
.77
.65
.84
.64
.63
.77
.40
.75
.77
.70
.80
.73
.72
.81
.43
.77
.77
.69
.76
.73
.73
.85
.47
.96
.98
.98
1.06
.87
.87
1.15
.56
1.22
1.19
1.10
1.25
1.18
1.18
.69
.34
.77
.36
.71
.37
.87
.47
1.16
.63
.69
.39
.83
.37
.80
.53
.90
.56
1.31
.58
i Tenants having th e ir own lodging a n d hoard.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(2)
[946]
2 N ot reported.
3 B uilding trades.
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
113
W A G E S IN T H E C IT IE S O F N O R W A Y , B Y IN D U S T R IE S A N D O C CU PA TIO N S, 1895 TO
1915—Concluded.
In d u strial group.
1895
Cigar making:
Males........................................
Fem ales..................................
Cloak m akers................................
R oad construction, common labor:
Sum m er..............................
W in te r........................................
P avers........................................................
Stevedores:
Sum m er..................................
W in te r................................
W ood-yard employees:
Sum m er......... '...................
W in te r...............................................
1900
1905
1910
1915
SO. 92
(')
0)
SO. 92
.36
.38
SO. 92
.47
. 35
S I.02
.60
.52
.65
.57
.86
.76
.66
.95
.78
.67
1.06
.99
.88
1.11
1.27
1.17
1.40
.72
.59
.83
.74
.92
.86
1.00
.91
1.34
1.29
.67
.60
.76
.66
.79
.69
.99
.90
1.19
1.13
24.12
17.69
38.06
23.32
13.13
16.62
14.20
12.06
9.11
17.96
6.70
28.41
20.37
45.29
28.41
14.47
18.49
16.35
13.67
10.45
21.71
8.58
29.21
21.98
47.70
31.36
14.74
19.03
16.35
13.67
10.99
22.24
8.04
30.02
23.32
48.24
31.62
16.35
21.17
18.49
15.81
11.52
26.00
8.31
51.72
40.47
68.07
49.31
24.66
30.55
28.94
23.85
17.69
41.81
13.40
18.49
14.47
17.15
14.20
11.52
14.74
6.97
21.44
17.15
18.76
16.35
13.40
16.62
8.04
22.78
18.22
18.76
16.35
13.40
19.56
7.77
26.26
20.64
21.17
17.96
14.74
23.85
8.31
57.89
46.90
34.30
29.75
26.00
38.59
13.13
$1.43
.88
0)
S E A M E N — M ONTHLY AVAGES.
Steam ships:
F irst officers.................................................
Second officers.......................
F irst engineers....................................
Second engineers.............................
I irem en..................................
C arpenters.................................
B oatsw ains...........................................
Seamen, a b le ........................................
Stew ard s.......................................................
Seamen, o rd in ary ....................................
Seamen, apprentices..................................
Sailing vessels:
F irst officers.............................................
Second officers..........................
C arpenters.................................................
B oatsw ains...................................................
Seamen, a b le ...............................................
Seamen, ord in ary.......................................
Seamen, apprentices..................................
1 N ot reported.
W A G ES IN O C CU PA TIO N S IN R U R A L D IS T R IC T S , 1895 TO 1915.
Occupational group.
1895
W oodm en............................................................
R aftsm en:
R ivers............................................................
L a k e s.............................................................
Miners................................................................
G lassw orkers.......................................................
A gricultural laborers, males 1.........................
1900
1915
$0.70
$0.69
$0.80
$1.14
.66
.69
.62
.80
.35
.79
.80
.76
.85
.39
.81
.79
.81
.87
.40
.90
.94
1.01
1.17
.55
1.23
1.22
1.14
1.41
.69
8
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1910
$0.57
1 Lodging a n d board no t included.
18988°—17—
1905
[947]
MINIMUM WAGE.
M I N IM U M W A G E L A W
OF ARKANSAS
HELD
C O N ST IT U T IO N A L.
The Supreme Court of Arkansas on June 4 sustained the mini
mum wage law of the State (Act No. 191, Acts of 1915). The act in
question establishes the hours of labor for females, and makes it un
lawful for manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile establishments,
laundries, and express and transportation companies to pay female
workers of six months’ practical experience less than $1.25 per day;
inexperienced workers wTho have not had six months’ experience are
to receive not less than $1 per day. Employment in excess of the
prescribed working-day of nine hours is to be paid for at the rate of
time and a h a lf; the period in which overtime may be worked is lim
ited to a maximum of 90 days per year. Provision is made for piece
workers, and for investigations as to work in canneries, hotels, res
taurants, and telephone establishments, special findings within fixed
limits being authorized.
In the case in question (State v. Crowe, 197 S. W. 4), the State
proceeded against J. B. Crowe for violation of the law, the court
below deciding against the validity of the act. The State appealed
and secured a reversal of this finding, the supreme court upholding
the law and remanding the case for proceedings in accordance with
its view of constitutionality. Technical questions as to procedure and
enactment were first disposed of, and the court then noted the gen
eral tendency of the States to regulate employment and conditions of
women and children in behalf of the welfare of the race. For itself
the court said: “ It is a matter of common knowledge, of which we
take judicial notice, that conditions have arisen with reference to the
employment of women which have made it necessary for many of the
States to appoint commissions to make a detailed investigation of
the subject of women’s work and their wages.” Reference was
made to the action of the Supreme Court of the United States which
by its equal division left undisturbed the opinion of the Supreme
Court of Oregon in the case Stettler v. O’Hara (69 Ore. 519, 139
Pac. 743). I t was pointed out that the legislature was obligated
not to fix an unreasonable or arbitrary minimum wage, but that there
114
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
115
is no more appropriate standard than the normal needs of the average
employee, this being the basis on which the legislature proceeded in
its enactment of the law in question.
Chief Justice McCullough dissented on the ground that no rela
tion could be discerned between the wages earned by female em
ployees and their health or morals, holding, also, that the action of
the Supreme Court in the O’Hara case was without persuasive effect
and not a precedent as a decision by the court itself. Another justice
concurred in the conclusion that the act invades the Constitution of
the United States and of the State of Arkansas, but took the view
that the action of the Supreme Court was controlling, and must
stand until otherwise decided.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[949]
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
PR O C E E D IN G S O F T H E F IF T H A N N U A L M E E T IN G OF T H E A M E R I
CAN A S S O C IA T IO N O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S .
REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDIZATION.
[ P r e s e n te d a n d a d o p te d a t th e fif th a n n u a l m e e tin g o f th e a s s o c ia tio n h e ld a t M ilw au k e e ,
W is., S e p t. 20 a n d 21, 1 9 1 7 .]
In January, 1916, the Bureau of Labor Statistics began publish
ing in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w the reports of the operation of State
and municipal public employment offices in the United States. From
the outset it was apparent that the figures published for the different
employment offices were not comparable because there was no uni
formity of method or practice in compiling the information which
was furnished by the different offices. There were no generally ac
cepted definitions or interpretation of the several items in the reports
presented. In some offices every person who comes in to apply for a
job is registered, in others only those are registered for whom posi
tions are available. Some bureaus renew the application of a per
son each day he comes to the employment office, others make no
record whatever of renewals. Some offices report, as positions filled,
all persons sent out to positions ; others report only those whom they
ascertain to have been actually hired. I t is plain, therefore, that
figures compiled on such indiscriminate bases are not comparable
and are in a sense misleading. With full knowledge of these dis
crepancies, the United States Commissioner of Labor Statistics has
continued to collect and publish these reports each month in the
M o n t h l y R e v i e w . This has been done with the hope that the super
intendents and directors of the various employment offices would note
these discrepancies and would appreciate the importance of record
ing the statistical facts on a uniform basis. Unfortunately this hope
has not been fully realized, although some progress has been made.
x\t the last meeting of this association, held in Buffalo a year ago
last July, these deficiencies were clearly presented and the sentiment
was expressed that the compilation of statistics relative to the activi
ties of employment offices was worth while. I t was concluded that
agreement must be reached upon uniform definitions and practices so
that the reports from all offices will be on the same basis. For the
purpose of formulating such definitions and practices a committee
116
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
117
on standardization Avas named as follows: Royal Meeker, chairman,
Charles F. Gettemy, H. J. Beckerle, C. H. Mayhugh, and Luke D.
McCoy. This committee was charged with the task of drawing up a
system of uniform records and formulating standard definitions of
terms and methods of Avork to be followed by all the offices through
out the country.
During the year four meetings of the committee on standardiza
tion have been held. The first was held in New York Cit^y, January
23 and 24; the second in Cleveland, Ohio, March 12 and 13; the
third in Chicago, 111., June 6 and 7; and the fourth in Milwaukee,
Wis., September 19.
To assist the committee in its deliberations, the chairman invited
directors and superintendents of employment offices and others ac
tively interested in employment office work in the various States to
come to the meetings and give us the benefit of their advice. Many
have responded to the invitation and have given valuable service and
counsel.
All of the meetings were well attended, although it was not pos
sible to have present at any one meeting representatives of all the
States which conduct public employment offices. HoAvever, tAvelve
States and the Federal Government have been represented at one or
more of these meetings.
At the New York meeting consideration was given to the kinds of
records that should be kept by the offices and the interpretation that
should be made of the terms used in the various official reports.
These subjects were full” discussed and the folloAving resolutions
adopted:
R e s o l v e d , Tha„ when any public employment office receives an order calling
for more than tw o workers, the employer shall be asked to give definitely the
actual number of places he has open. The employer’s statem ent of the number
of places he has open shall be set down as his demand for employees.
R e s o l v e d , T hat when all efforts fa il to ascertain from an employer the number
of positions he has open, the number o f persons sent to him for positions on
any one day shall be taken as the number of persons called for by him on that
day and such number shall be entered each day as h is demand for employees.
Whereas the records of applications from employers are not now being re
ported on a uniform basis, and
AVliereas figures giving the number of such applications, even if secured on
a uniform basis, would treat the sm all employer and the large employer as of
equal importance, and
Whereas such figures are thought to be of little significance: Therefore be it
R e s o l v e d , That hereafter the records o f the number of applications from em
ployers shall not be reported to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Put the number of different employers who make application to the office in a
year shall be reported to the said bureau.
R e s o l v e d , That every public employment office should register each applicant
who applies at the desk or by mail for work, for the first time, and that suf-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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118
MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
ficient clerical force and office facilities to register all such applicants should
be provided for each office.
If for any reason an office is unable to register all applicants for employment
its reports, annual or other, shall state w hat classes have not been registered
and the reasons necessitating the om ission of such classes.
R e s o l v e d , T hat as soon as possible the several public employment offices in
their annual reports make all sta tistica l tabulations cover the calendar year.
R e s o l v e d , That there be adopted a system of elim inating the application
cards from the files at the end of some period to be subsequently decided upon.
R e s o l v e d , That at the close of each calendar year the cards of all applicants
for positions who have not renewed their applications or been referred to posi
tions during the two fu ll calendar years preceding shall be elim inated perma
nently from the files. If an elim inated card is consulted for any purpose it
shall in no case be restored to the files or used in lieu of a new application
card, and any applicant w hose card has been elim inated shall, if again making
application, be treated as a new applicant and registered accordingly on a new
card.
I
l l u s t r a t io n .
Suppose it is decided to begin the elim ination of the cards from the files on
January 1, 1918. Elim ination should be made only of the cards of those appli
cants who have had no dealings w ith the Bureau either by original registration,
renewal, or reference to a position for at least tw o fu ll calendar years preceding
January 1, 1918. Suppose Mr. A registered January 2, 1916, and has since had
no dealings w ith the office. H is card should not be elim inated because his
registration has not run tw o fu ll calendar years preceding January 1, 1918, the
date of elim inating cards from the files. H is card should not be elim inated
until the next day of elim ination comes, namely, January 1, 1919. The reso
lution as adopted provides for the elim ination o f the cards o f applicants who
have had no dealings w ith the employment office for a period of a t least two
full calendar years and less than three full calendar years. W hat is true of
new registrations is equally true o f renewals. Any applicant who either regis
ters, renews his registration, or is sent out to employment subsequent to
January 1, 1916, should have his card retained in the files until January 1, 1919.
This m eans that on January 1, 1918, registration and renewal cards w ill be
elim inated running back to and including January 2, 1915.
R e s o l v e d , That the report of this m eeting shall be edited by the Federal
Bureau of Labor Statistics and shall be published in the Monthly R eview .
The subject of renewals was discussed at length, but no definite
agreement was reached.
The committee then adjourned to meet March 8 and 9, 1917, at the
rooms of the Cleveland Public Employment Office. This city was
chosen to enable the members of the committee to study the forms,
methods, and practices of the Cleveland office.
To enable those attending to visit the State employment office on
a Monday morning the date for holding the Cleveland meeting was
changed to March 12 and 18, and it was held as planned, in the Cleve
land Public Employment Office.
The meeting was convened at 7 o’clock a. m., the opening hour of
the employment office, in order that the members of the committee
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might observe the methods pursued and the manner in which the
work of that office is handled. During the morning about 500 new
applications and renewals were received and over 250 employees
were sent out to positions. We had the opportunity to follow the
office procedure from the original application filled out by the appli
cant through to the placement of the worker in the position to which
he is sent. All of the blank forms used were examined and their
uses and purposes fully explained. The committee then repaired to
the mayor’s reception room in the city hall, where the conferences
were held. The order of business was (1) the uniform definition
of terms to be used in employment records and the interpretation of
same; (2) the question of renewals of applications; (3) references to
positions; (4) placements; and (5) the classification of occupations
and industries. An extended discussion of these subjects resulted in
the adoption of the following resolutions:
R e s o l v e d , That applications should be renewed and renew als recorded every
day that a registered applicant for employment appears at an employment
bureau. Bureaus may permit renew als by mail or telephone.
R e s o l v e d , That on the first of each month all applications which were made
prior to the fifteenth day of the preceding month shall be placed in the inactive
file unless in the meantime they have been renewed.
R e s o l v e d , That at the close of each calendar year the cards of all employers
who have not renewed their applications during the two fu ll calendar years
preceding shall be elim inated permanently from the files. I f an elim inated
card is consulted for any purpose it shall in no case be restored to the files or
used in lieu of a new order card, and an an employer w hose card has been
elim inated shall, if again making application, be treated as a new employer
and registered accordingly on a new card.
R e s o l v e d , That sta tistics be tabulated showing the number of persons who
have secured one position and the number o f persons who have secured more
than one position through the employment bureau during the calendar year.
R e s o l v e d , That a record be kept of the number of offers of positions made
through each employment bureau, and that the term “ offer of position ” be
understood to refer to an individual offer to one person.
There may therefore be no direct relation between the number of
offers of positions and the number of positions offered. For example,
if an applicant is sent to a position which he does not secure and an
other applicant is subsequently referred to the same position, then
the number of offers of positions is two, while, as a matter of fact,
there was but one position offered. I t is the number of offers of
positions that should be reported.
R e s o l v e d , T hat a position shall be considered secured only when the employ
ment bureau has direct evidence that a person sent to it has been actually
employed and that such evidence shall be in the form of a record that the
information w as received by telephone or inquiry from the office, or voluntarily
from the employer, or by mail, or at the office personally by either the employer
or employee.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
R e s o l v e d , T hat the active tiles shall contain only em ployers’ or employees’
record cards and verification cards o f places filled which have been used w ithin
one month.
R e s o l v e d , That the inactive files shall contain only em ployers’ and em ployees’
record cards and verification cards of places filled which have not been used
w ithin one month, but which have been used w ithin the two preceding calendar
years.
R e s o l v e d , That the dead files shall contain only em ployers’ and em ployees’
record cards and verification cards of positions filled which have been in disuse
for two previous calendar years but which may have to be preserved as public
records.
R e s o l v e d , That data for males and fem ales be clearly distinguished on the
records and in reports.
R e s o l v e d , That registrations and placem ents of minors under 19 be reported
separately, and that the minimum age in this group be stated.
R e s o l v e d , That bureaus should distinguish in their records and reports
between temporary and steady positions. A ll data should be reported by occu
pation, but, in addition, the total number of placem ents for each sex should be
divided into three general groups, as follow s: (1) Temporary, one day; (2)
temporary, other (tw o days or less than one month) ; (3) steady (one month
or m ore). The duration of the position in each case is to be determined from
the facts secured in connection w ith making the placements.
A resolution was proposed by Mr. Kruesi, which offered the services
of the public employment offices to the United States to assist in re
cruiting men for the Army and Navy, and to secure men in other
capacities needed by the Federal Government. After long debate
this resolution was withdrawn. The opposition to this resolution Avas
mainly on the ground that it was not the function of the public
employment offices to serve as recruiting stations for the Army and
Navy, and that any extensive use of the offices as such would be detri
mental to the regular placement work for which they were created.
The third meeting of the committee was held at the Congress Hotel,
Chicago, 111., June 6 and 7.
The order of business as outlined in the call was as follows:
1. Classification of occupations and industries, to be used by public employ
ment offices.
2. Standard blank forms.
3. Employment problems growing out of the war.
a. W hat special problems in securing employees and employments have the
different offices met A v i t h ?
b. W hat reorganization and changes in practices have been found necessary
to meet war emergencies?
Each delegate w ill be called upon to give his experience and opinion.
4. Plans for working out a national system of public employment offices.
a. Federal subsidies to State and municipal offices.
b. An independent system of Federal offices.
c. Shook! efforts be made at this time to secure Federal legislation and
appropriations to bring about a national system o f employment offices?
5. New business.
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121
After a brief reference to topics 1 and 2, it was decided to defer
discussion of them and the committee proceeded to the consideration
of topic 3, “ Employment problems growing out of the war.” Each
Federal, State, and city representative was called upon to outline
the special problems met with in securing employees and employ
ments as a result of the war situation, and to specify what reorgani
zation and changes in practices have been necessary to meet war
emergencies. The reports and discussion emphasized the urgent
need for the establishment of a Federal system of employment serv
ice to unify the State systems.
The remainder of the conference, therefore, was devoted to the
consideration of “ Plans for working out a national system of public
employment offices.” This very important topic was discussed at
length and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
W hereas the necessity for a N ational Bureau of Employment Offices has been
long recognized, and
W hereas the present w ar emergency further em phasizes the need of such
a bureau : Therefore be it
R e s o l v e d , That the American A ssociation of Public Employment Offices rec
ommends to Congress the im m ediate establishm ent o f a N ational Bureau of
Employment Offices under the United S tates Departm ent o f Labor, as follow s :
1. The N ational Bureau of Employment Offices shall aid and a ssist the several
State system s already in existence and encourage and aid the establishm ent
of such system s in other States under the follow ing conditions:
( a ) T hat each State shall adopt such record system , methods of work, and
form of reporting as shall be approved by the N ational Bureau.
(t>) That each State shall report as an entire State to such place and at
such tim es as shall be approved by the N ational Bureau.
(c) That the N ational Bureau shall furnish trained and experienced agents,
whose duty it shall be to aid in organizing system s in States w here no system
has already been established ; in the establishm ent of new offices in States now
having such system s ; and in increasing the efficiency of offices previously estab
lished. Said agents shall make such w ritten reports concerning any office as
may be required by the N ational Bureau upon its own in itiative or at the
request of the State director of employment offices. Copies of all such reports
shall be furnished the State director. All questions involving individual offices
shall be taken up w ith the State director.
(tZ) That the N ational Government shall contribute to every State work
ing under the system approved by the N ational Bureau one dollar for every
dollar appropriated and expended by said State for employment office work,
including such amounts as may be contributed by any political subdivision
cooperating w ith the State and a reasonable allowance for rental or other
service. The amount contributed by the National Bureau shall be used for
employment office work under the supervision of the State director of em
ployment offices.
2. The N ational Bureau of Employment Offices shall establish clearing houses
in such groups of States as shall be deemed necessary for the efficient exchange
of information and the proper distribution o f labor.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
3. The N ational Bureau of Employment Offices shall have an advisory com
m ittee consisting of the director of the N ational Bureau and the State direc
tors of employment offices. The director of the N ational Bureau shall be
ex officio chairman of the advisory committee. Said committee shall meet at
least tw ice a year, traveling and other necessary expenses incident thereto
being borne by the N ational Government.
4. The National Bureau of Employment Offices shall be given authority to
license, supervise, and regulate all private employment agencies doing an
interstate business.
R e s o l v e d , That the next m eeting of this comm ittee shall be held at Mil
waukee, W is., on the 19th day of September, 1917, at which tim e the order
of business w ill be the discussion o f standard blank form s and proposed classi
fication of occupations and industries.
On motion, it was voted that the President of the American Asso
ciation of Employment Offices be requested to appoint a committee
of three to present to the Council of National Defense the proposal
to establish a National Association of Public Employment Offices,
as embodied in the above resolutions. In accordance therewith,
Messrs. Charles B. Barnes, director, State employment bureaus,
New York; Fred C. Croxton, labor director, Ohio branch, Council
of National Defense; and W. G. Ashton, commissioner of labor of
Oklahoma, were appointed as such committee.
The fourth meeting of the committee on standardization was
held at the Republican House, Milwaukee, Wis., on September 19,
1917, at 9 o’clock a. m.
The order of business as outlined in the call issued by the chair
man for the meeting was—
1. Unfinished b u sin ess:
(a)
Classification of occupations and industries to be used by public em
ployment offices.
(&) Standard blank forms.
(c)
Review and reconsideration of resolutions adopted in previous confer
ences w ith the view of final ratification.
2. New business.
After the reading of the minutes of the Chicago meeting, by
unanimous consent, the first topic was deferred for the present and
the committee took up the consideration of topic 2, standard blank
forms. Copies of sample forms were distributed and after extended
discussion which resulted in some revision, the three following forms
were unanimously adopted:
1. Employers’ order card.
2. Employees’ record card.
3. Introduction cards.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
FO R M 1.
[F ro n t of card.]
em plo y er s’ o r d e r
.
N u m b e r.................
N am e
D ate
A ddress
Telephone
O ccupation
N um ber w anted
W ages
H ours
N atio n ality
Sex
P robable d u ration
of work
Age lim it
Color
M arried
or
Single
A pply to
R em arks
[Back of card.]
HELP SEN T.
N ationality.
Persons sent.
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[957]
D ate sent.
Result.
123
124
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR STATISTICS,
FO R M 2 .
[F ront of card.]
APPLICATION FOR W ORK.
No.
Name:
D ate:
-Address:
Telephone:
O ccupation:
W ages w anted:
Also willing to w ork as
W ages w anted:
Age:
Color:
Birthplace:
Citizen of U . S.:
Married.
Single.
W idowed.
Speak English.
R ead English.
W illing to w ork
out of tow n:
N um ber of depend
ents:
Renewals:
LAST EM PLO Y M EN T.
W here:
Occupation:
Time employed:
Wages:
Reasons for leaving:
H ow long unem ployed:
R em arks:
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M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
POSITIONS OFFERED.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
D ate sent.
O ccupation.
Em ployer.
1
*
[959]
R esult.
125
126
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
INTRODUCTION CARD.
[F ront.]
F r e e E m p l o y m e n t O f f ic e .
(C it y ) ..............................................., 1917.
T o.
This w ill introduce.
as an ap p lican t for th e position of....................................................... a t
(occupation)
(wages)
3upt.
Em ployer please fill ou t space below and re tu rn card b y m ail.
I h a v e ..................... h ire d .........................................................................
.for the
position of...........................................................a n d he w ent to w ork.
. . . 1917.
N am e of em p lo y er...............................
A d d ress....................................
[Back.]
POST CARD.
]l-cent stam p.]
F r e e E m p l o y m e n t O f f ic e
In the opinion of the committee these three cards were ail that
were needed to record all necessary information.
The resolutions adopted at the three previous meetings of the com
mittee were next taken up. Each resolution was considered sepa
rately and all were, by unanimous vote, reaffirmed, except the third
resolution adopted at the New York meeting, reading as follows:
W h e r e a s th e r e c o r d s o f a p p lic a t io n s fr o m e m p lo y e r s a r e n o t n o w b e in g r e
p o r te d o n a u n ifo r m b a s i s ; a n d
W h e r e a s fig u r e s g iv in g th e n u m b e r o f s u c h a p p lic a t io n s , e v e n i f s e c u r e d o n
a u n i f o r m b a s i s , w o u l d t r e a t t h e s m a l l e m p lo y e r a n d t h e l a r g e e m p l o y e r a s o f
e q u a l im p o r ta n c e ; a n d
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127
W h e r e a s s u c h fig u r e s a r e th o u g h t to b e o f lit t le s ig n if ic a n c e : T h e r e fo r e b e it
T h a t h e r e a ft e r th e r e c o r d s o f th e n u m b e r o f a p p lic a tio n s fr o m e m
p lo y e r s s h a ll n o t b e r e p o r te d to th e U n ite d S t a te s B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a tis tic s ,
h u t t h e n u m b e r o f d i f f e r e n t e m p l o y e r s w h o m a k e a p p l i c a t i o n t o t h e o ff ic e i n a
y e a r s h a ll b e r e p o r te d to th e s a id b u r e a u .
R eso lved ,
This resolution was reconsidered and, after discussion, was re
pealed, because the figures referred to are as accurate and as signifi
cant as the figures for persons asked for, new registrations, and
renewals.
The question of a uniform classification of occupations was next
taken up. Two sample lists were presented for consideration, one an
extended list embodying practically all occupations met with in the
several employment offices of the various States; the other an abbrevi
ated list including only what was deemed the minimum that should
be recorded. Considerable discussion was had as to the merits of
each, after which a motion was made and seconded to adopt and
amend the shorter classification. The motion was lost.
It was then moved that it was the sense of the committee that more
consideration should be given this important question than was pos
sible at this meeting and that the committee should not, at this time,
present any classification of occupations for adoption. The motion
was carried, with the understanding that the committee would ask
for further time to consider this very important subject.1
The meeting of the committee then adjourned.
R
C
oyal
M
harles
eeker
F.
G
, Chairm an .
.
ettem y
H. J. B e c k e r l e .
C. H. M a y h u g h .
L
uk e
D . M
cC oy
.
PROPOSED BILL FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNITED STATES EMPLOYMENT
SERVICE.
The committee on standardization of the American Association of
Public Employment Offices, at a meeting held in Chicago, 111., June
6 and 7, 1917, passed a resolution recommending to Congress the
establishment of a national bureau of employment offices. A spe
cial committee was appointed which gave further consideration to
the matter and prepared a draft of a bill to be introduced in Con
gress. The proposed bill was presented for consideration to the
American Association of Public Employment Offices at its fifth
annual meeting held in Milwaukee, Wis., September 20 and 21, 1917,
and received unanimous indorsement. A copy of the bill follows:
1 The com mittee on standardization was continued by vote of the association.
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OE T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
A B ill T o
S ta te s;
m ent o f
a n d fo r
p r o m o te th e w e lfa r e o f in d u s tr ie s a n d w a g e e a r n e r s o f th e U n ite d
to e x te n d th e U n ite d S t a t e s E m p lo y m e n t S e r v ic e in th e D e p a r t
L a b o r ; to r e g u la t e e m p lo y m e n t a g e n c ie s d o in g a n in t e r s t a t e b u s i n e s s ;
o th e r p u r p o se s.
B e i t en a cted
by
th e
S en a te
and
th e H o u s e
o f R e p r e s e n ta tiv e s in
C ongress
a ssem b led :
S e c t io n 1 . T h a t t h e r e i s h e r e b y e x t e n d e d a n d e s t a b l i s h e d i n t h e D e p a r t m e n t
o f L a b o r a U n ite d S t a t e s E m p lo y m e n t S e r v ic e , in c h a r g e o f a d ir e c to r , w h o
s h a l l b e a p p o i n t e d b y t h e P r e s i d e n t a n d s h a l l r e c e i v e a s a l a r y o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 p e r
a n n u m . T h e r e s h a ll a ls o b e in t h e S e r v ic e s u c h a s s is t a n t s , e x p e r ts , s p e c ia l
a g e n t s , c le r k s , a n d o th e r e m p lo y e e s a s m a y b e n e c e s s a r y to c a r r y o u t th e p u r
p o s e s o f t h is a c t a n d a s m a y fr o m tim e to t im e b e a u th o r iz e d b y a p p r o p r ia tio n
o r o th e r la w .
S ec. 2. T h a t th e S e r v ic e s h a ll ( a ) h a v e g e n e r a l c h a r g e o f a n y a n d a ll e m
p lo y m e n t a c tiv itie s o f th e D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r , a n d , s u b je c t to th e a p p r o v a l o f
th e S e c r e ta r y o f L a b o r , p r e s c r ib e r u le s a n d r e g u la t io n s fo r t h e c o n d u c t o f th e
S e r v ic e : P r o v id e d , T h a t n o w a g e e a r n e r s h a ll b e d ir e c te d w it h o u t f u ll n o tic e
to a n y e s t a b lis h m e n t w h e r e in a s t r ik e i s k n o w n to e x is t o r t o im p e n d ; (b )
c o l l e c t a n d f u r n i s h t o w a g e e a r n e r s a n d e m p l o y e r s a c c u r a t e i n f o r m a t i o n in
r e f e r e n c e t o e m p l o y e r s s e e k i n g w o r k e r s o r w o r k e r s s e e k i n g e m p lo y m e n t , u s i n g
a n y a p p r o p r ia te m e a n s fo r s e c u r in g a n d d is t r ib u t in g s u c h in fo r m a t io n a n d fo r
p r e v e n tin g m is r e p r e s e n ta tio n a n d th e d is s e m in a tio n o f m is le a d in g s ta te m e n ts
b y o th e r a g e n c ie s p u r p o r tin g to c o n v e y s u c h in fo r m a t io n ; ( c ) c o o p e r a te w it h
a l l p u b l i c e m p l o y m e n t o f f ic e s in d e v i s i n g , i n s t a l l i n g , a n d f r o m t i m e t o t i m e
a m e n d i n g a n d im p r o v i n g t h e b e s t a d a p t e d , m o s t e f f ic i e n t a n d e c o n o m i c a l s y s
t e m s o f r e c o r d s a n d m e t h o d s o f c o n d u c t i n g b u s i n e s s f o r s u c h o f f ic e s , a n d
i n t e r c h a n g i n g i n f o r m a t i o n w i t h a l l s u c h o f f ic e s o r o t h e r a u t h o r i t i e s a n d o r g a n i z a
tio n s h a v in g to d o w it h s im ila r w o r k ; ( d ) e n c o u r a g e a n d a id S t a te a n d
m u n i c i p a l a u t h o r i t i e s i n e s t a b l i s h i n g a n d o p e r a t i n g p u b l i c e m p l o y m e n t o f f ic e s
in c o n f o r m it y w it h s ta n d a r d s a p p r o v e d b y th e S e r v ic e ; ( e ) lic e n s e a n d r e g u la t e
p r i v a t e a g e n c i e s e n g a g e d in t h e i n t e r s t a t e e m p l o y m e n t b u s i n e s s f o r p r o f it .
S ec. 3 . T h a t t h e S e r v ic e m a y s u b d iv id e th e c o u n tr y in to d is t r ic t s a n d z o n e s
a n d t h e r e i n a t c o n v e n i e n t l o c a t i o n s e s t a b l i s h c l e a r i n g h o u s e s f o r e m p lo y m e n t
i n f o r m a t i o n t o w h i c h p u b l i c e m p l o y m e n t o f f ic e s l o c a t e d w i t h i n s u c h d i s t r i c t s
m a y m a k e r e g u la r r e p o r ts a t s u c h t im e s a n d c o n t a in in g s u c h e m p lo y m e n t in
fo r m a tio n a n d r e le v a n t d a ta a s th e d ir e c to r m a y r e q u ir e . I t s h a ll b e th e
f u n c t i o n o f s u c h c l e a r i n g h o u s e s t o c o n n e c t o f f ic e s r e g i s t e r i n g e m p l o y e r s s e e k i n g
w o r k e r s b u t u n a b l e t o s u p p l y t h e m f r o m t h e i r o w n p a t r o n s , w i t h o f f ic e s r e g i s
te r in g w o r k e r s o f th e ty p e d e s ir e d b u t u n a b le to c o n n e c t th e m w it h o p p o r tu n i
t ie s fo r e m p lo y m e n t w it h in th e d is t r ic t s w h ic h t h e y r e s p e c t iv e ly s e r v e .
S ec. 4. T h a t fo r th e g e n e r a l p u r p o s e s o f t h is a c t is h e r e b y a p p r o p r ia te d
o u t o f a n y m o n e y i n t h e T r e a s u r y n o t o t h e r w i s e a p p r o p r ia t e d t h e s u m o f
$------------ — fo r th e fis c a l y e a r e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 1 8 . T h a t fo r th e p u r p o s e
o f a i d i n g S t a t e s i n e s t a b l i s h i n g a n d m a i n t a i n i n g p u b l i c e m p l o y m e n t o ff ic e s
th e r e is h e r e b y a p p r o p r ia te d o u t o f a n y m o n e y in th e T r e a s u r y n o t o th e r w is e
a p p r o p r ia te d t h e f o llo w in g a d d itio n a l s u m s :
F o r th e fis c a l y e a r e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 1 8 , _____ d o lla r s a n d fo r th e fisc a l
y e a r e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 1 9 , a n d a n n u a lly th e r e a f t e r t h e s u m o f _____ d o lla r s .
S e c . 5. T h a t t h e s u m s s o a p p r o p r i a t e d i n e a c h f i s c a l y e a r s h a l l b e a l l o t t e d
t o t h e S t a t e s i n p r o p o r t io n t o t h e s u m s w h i c h t h e y h a v e a p p r o p r i a t e d a n d
e x p e n d e d f o r t h e m a i n t e n a n c e o f p u b li c e m p l o y m e n t o ff ic e s d u r i n g t h e c u r r e n t
y e a r , b u t s u c h a llo tm e n t s h a ll b e m a d e u p o n th e c o n d itio n t h a t fo r e v e r y
o n e d o lla r a llo tte d fr o m th e F e d e r a l fu n d th e S t a t e r e c e iv in g it s h a ll e x p e n d
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[9 6 2 ]
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E BU R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
129
during the current year for the maintenance o f public employment offices not
less than one dollar.
In computing the allotm ent of any State sum s expended by municipalities,
counties, or other districts in the State shall be included : P r o v i d e d , T hat the
employment agencies of such m unicipalities, counties, or other districts are
under the supervision of and are cooperating w ith the S tate public employment
bureau. Any money allotted to a State on the basis of sum s expended by
m unicipalities, counties, or other districts, in the State shall be turned over
by the State to such m unicipalities, counties, or other districts in proportion
to the sum s which they have expended in th e m aintenance o f public employ
ment agencies. The United States Employment Service shall annually ascer
tain whether the States are operating their public employment offices in accord
ance w ith the purposes and provisions of th is act and of the standards set
from tim e to tim e by the director w ith the approval o f the Secretary o f Labor,
and on or before the first day o f January o f each year shall certify to the Secre
tary of the Treasury the nam es o f the States which have accepted the provisions
of this act and have complied therew ith and the amount which each such State
is entitled to receive for the current fiscal year. Upon such certification the
Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to the treasurer or other custodian of
each State the money which it is entitled to receive and the money so received
by the State treasurer or other custodian under the provisions of this act
shall be paid by him to the public employment bureaus entitled thereto.
S ec . 6. T hat in order to secure th e benefit o f the appropriation provided for
in section four o f th is act, any State shall, (1) through the executive authority
thereof, accept the provisions of this act and designate three or more persons
connected w ith the Departm ent o f Labor or the public employment bureau to
serve as a State board, and have all necessary power to cooperate as herein
provided w ith the Service in the adm inistration of this a c t; (2 ) appoint the
State treasurer or other State officer custodian to receive and disburse moneys
paid to the State from the Treasury in pursuance o f th is a ct; (3 ) empower
the State board to (a ) organize a competent system of public employment
offices, w ith adm inistrative power to make and from tim e to time amend neces
sary regulations for securing the efficient and economical operation of such
offices w ithin the State, in cooperation w ith the Service; (b) to prepare and
subm it to the director of the Service for his approval and to put into operation,
when approved, plans for organizing such offices, such plans to include provi
sions for operation of such offices by the State separately or jointly w ith
m unicipalities or other districts and for the selection of all officers upon
competency and merit and w ith tenure of office during good behavior and
efficiency; and such offices shall be required to make such reports to the
director o f the Service, at such tim es and stating such facts as he may
require. On or before the first day o f September in every year the State
treasurer or other State officer appointed as custodian by any State shall report
in detail the expenditures o f every public employment office cooperating with
the Service and receiving funds under the provisions of this act, and the
board appointed as herein provided shall report in full regarding the opera
tions of such offices, giving such facts as may previously be outlined and
required by the director ; all such reports being for the period ending w ith
the 30th day of June next preceding.
S ec . 7. T hat no person, corporation, or association shall, w ithout a license
issued by the director, engage in the business for profit of sending or persuading,
inducing, enticing, procuring, or causing to be sent from or to any point
w ithin a State, Territory, or the D istrict of Columbia to or from any point out189880— 17
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-9
[963]
130
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
side of such State, Territory, or th e D istrict of Columbia, or from any point in a
Territory or the D istrict of Columbia to another point w ithin said Territory or
the D istrict of Columbia (a ) any person seeking employment, or (b) any infor
m ation regarding employers seeking workers or workers seeking employment.
Application for such license shall be made, under oath, upon blanks furnished
by the director and shall be in such form and contain such information as he
may require. The application shall be accompanied by a bond in the penal sum
of one thousand dollars conditioned upon the faith fu l observance of the provi
sions of this act and of any rules or regulations issued thereunder. Licenses
issued under th is act shall run for a period of not more than one year, shall not
be transferable, and the fee for the issuance of each license shall be twentyfive dollars.
The director shall, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Labor, pre
scribe uniform rules and regulations respecting applications for licenses, bonds
to be given by licensees, and terms and conditions upon which the business
required by this act to be licensed shall be conducted by licensees.
S ec . 8. That if any person, corporation, or association licensed under this
act is guilty of fraud or m isrepresentation or violates any of the provisions*
of this act or any rule or regulations thereunder or any of the conditions of
his bond, the director may revoke his license and declare his bond forfeited
in whole or in part after giving him such notice as the director may deem
sufficient and an opportunity to answer the charges against him.
S ec . 9. Any person, corporation, or association who shall conduct the business
required by this act to be licensed w ithout first obtaining such a license, or
after his license has been revoked and before procuring a new license in the
manner provided by th is act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be
punished b y a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one
thousand dollars or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or by
both such fine and imprisonment.
S ec . 10. The duties required by law to be performed by the D ivision of Infor
mation of the Bureau o f Im migration in the Departm ent of Labor authorized
by section 40 of the act o f February 20, 1907, entitled “An act to regulate the
im m igration of aliens into the U nited States,” and the officers, clerks, and
other employees occupying statutory positions in the said D ivision of Inform a
tion are hereby transferred to and combined w ith the United States Employ
ment Service hereby created at such tim e and in such manner, arrangement,
and organization as the Secretary of Labor may determine. All appropriations
or allotm ents of appropriations hereto or hereafter made for the division of
information shall remain available for the said division until such time as it
shall be transferred to and combined w ith the U nited States Employment
Service as herein provided.
S ec . 11. That this act shall take effect im mediately.
W ORK OF F E D E R A L , ST A T E , A N D M U N IC IP A L E M PL O Y M E N T
O F F IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D OF P R O V IN C IA L EM
P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN C A N A D A .
Data are presented in the following table showing the operations of
the public employment offices for the month of September, 1917, and
in cases where figures are available, for the corresponding month in
1916. For the United States figures are given from Federal employ
ment offices in 31 States and the District of Columbia, Federal-State
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[964]
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR S T A T IST IC S.
131
employment offices in 3 States, a Federal-State-county-municipal
employment office in 1 State, Federal-municipal employment offices in
1 State, State employment offices in 16 States, a State-county-munici
pal employment office in 1 State, State-municipal employment offices
in 2 States, municipal employment offices in 8 States, and a munici
pal-private employment office in 1 State. Figures from 2 Canadian
employment offices are also given.
O PE R A T IO N S OF PU B LIC E M P LO Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, AN D SE PTE M
B E R , 1917.
UNITED STATES.
State, city , and k in d of office.
Persons applying
for w ork.
Applica Persons
asked for
tions
New
from em b y em
ployers. ployers. registra R enew
als.
tions.
A labam a:
Mobile (Federal):
Septem ber 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
California:
Fresno (S tate):
Septem ber 1917..................................
Los Angeles (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
O akland (S tate):
Septem ber 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Sacram ento (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber 1917..................................
Sacram ento (m unicipal):
Septem ber 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
San Diego (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
San Francisco [Federal) :
Septem ber, 1916..................................
September^ 1917..................................
San Francisco [S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Positions
filled.
2
410
i 31
1 10
(2)
(2)
127
1
127
1
929
3,181
1,522
(2)
2,650
2,487
4
17
i 93
(2)
(2)
(2)
18
(2)
17
(2)
(2)
(2)
846
1,298
2,505
536
807
(2)
(2)
1,121
1,841
801
1,453
655
664
1,583
1,850
944
930
(2)
(2)
1,450
1,607
1,322
1,463
(2)
216
332
(2)
67
52
(2)
(2)
332
(2)
332
278
431
(2)
713
(2)
i 757
(2)
(2)
(2)
898
(2)
394
427
763
650
i 1,314
i 407
(2)
(2)
865
458
401
185
1,513
3,735
6,327
2,764
2[ 805
(2)
(2) -
3,207
5 , 131
2,572
4,153
7,891
(2)
6,120
8 10,019
2 , 884
1,285
Total:
Septem ber 1916.....................
Septem ber 1917.......................
675
(2)
(2)
(2)
582
(2)
26
22
(2)
(2)
7
22
3
4
612
1,309
410
746
(2)
(2)
385
(2)
(2)
674
462
894
370
440
(2)
(2)
263
(2)
575
575
1 398
(2)
(2)
(2)
550
983
550
944
467
(2)
(2)
862
(2)
(2)
2,099
(2)
(2)
2,301
(2)
700
656
700
4
10
6
25
(2)
1,309
(2)
894
Total:
Septem ber, 1916......................
Septem ber 1917__
610
488
1
1
(2)
443
CN
C
Colorado:
Colorado Springs (S tate):
Septem ber 1916..................................
Septem ber 1917..................................
D enver (Federal):
Septem ber 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
D enver No. 1 (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
D enver No. 2 (S tate):
Septem ber 1916..................................
September^ 1917..................................
G rand Junction (S tate):4
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Pueblo (State):
Septem ber 1916..................................
Septem ber 1917..................................
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
316
1 Number applying for work. 8 Exclusive of Los Angeles and San Diego Federal offices, not reported.
2 Not reported.
4 Temporary office conducted during fruit season.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[965]
462
132
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
O P E R A T IO N S OF PU B LIC E M P LO Y M E N T O FF IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, AN D S E PT E M
B E R , 1917— Continued.
UNITED STATES — Continued.
State, city, and k in d of office.
Connecticut:
B ridgeport (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
H artford (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
New H aven (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
N orw ich (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
W aterb u ry (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
Delaware:
W ilm ington (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
D istrict of Columbia:
W ashington (Federal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Florida:
Jacksonville (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Miami* (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Total:
Septem ber, 1916......................
Septem ber, 1917......................
Georgia:
Savannah (F ederal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Idaho:
Boise (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Moscow (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
Illinois:
Chicago (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Chicago (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
E a st St. Louis (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Peoria (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
R ock Island-M oline (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Rockford (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Persons applying
for work.
Applica Persons
asked for
tions
from em by em
New
ployers. ployers. registra R enew
als.
tions.
Posi
tions
filled.
(2)
(2)
973
601
1,118
730
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
852
564
(?)
(J)
941
1,301
1,232
1,524
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
725
1,049
0)
6)
918
908
1.079
985
0)
G)
C1)
(»)
765
774
6)
6)
217
302
235
351
C)
(»)
0)
(!)
202
290
0)
(l )
207
224
205
246
0)
(*)
«
0)
146
154
? fiQO
2 ¿31
------------—
_________ _________
16
34
108
500
2 61
2 312
«
(*)
49
346
40
318
303
1,678
2 802
(0
721
654
16
110
2 37
2 538
(1)
(l)
9
35
2
2
2 67
2 24
(!)
C)
35
30
2
1
35
3
3,
40
4,000
2 236
2 304
(!)
(*)
38
160
38
125
75
94
78
200
75
175
(')
C1)
75
166
47
160
5
520
5
520
25
2 31
C1)
0)
5
31
5
31
80
197
559
709
1,855
3,305
0)
4,356
1,677
2 3,063
(>)
(i)
9,523
14,662
11,693
11,156
823
1,472
1,325
922
(»)
768
(0
0)
(0
813
1 Not reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
[966]
1,574
2,741
2 ,525
(!)
2,274
C)
13,128
loj 812
1,720
399
C1)
591
(i)
987
1,135
7926
1,225
1,535
946
382
(!)
743
(!)
1,112
882
1,099
717
2,143
742
1,071
(!)
437
( 1)
1,452
630
1,336
(!)
762
1,136
'678
2
1,692
1,426
(i)
1,427
743
159
2 Number applying for work.
1,524
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
133
O PE R A T IO N S OF PU B LIC E M P LO Y M E N T O FF IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, AN D SEPTEM B E R , 1917—Continued.
UNITED STATES — Continued.
State, c ity and k in d of office.
Illinois—Concluded.
Springfield (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Persons applying
for work.”
A pplica Persons
tions
asked for
from em b y em
New
ployers. ployers.
registra Renew
als.
tions.
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
v
0)
553
958
841
608
336
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber j 1917..................... .
Iowa:
Des Moines (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
K ansas:
Topeka (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
K entucky:
Louisville (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Louisville (m unicipal-private):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
Louisiana:
New Orleans (Federal-State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Maine:
P ortlan d (Federal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
M aryland:
B altim ore (F ederal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
M assachusetts:
Boston (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
1 Not reported.
2 Number applying for work.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
770
559
582
(i)
20,952
14 416
17' 958
0)
i 1)
483
Total:
Septem ber, 1916......................
Septem ber’ 1917.......................
Indiana:
Evansville (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
F t. W ayne (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Indianapolis (F ederal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Indianapolis (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
S outh B end (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Terre H au te (S tate):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Posi
tions
filled.
453
180
453
453
90
407
40
104
502
487
453
482
359
394
520
807
380
117
43
616
420
801
381
733
90
170
653
985
2 660
2 1,852
574
924
542
796
719
1,476
799
1,497
(>)
1,358
(l )
118
799
1,476
587
1,392
237
203
767
379
349
260
43
47
361
307
311
278
150
350
209
52
261
258
3 2 6.56
4 , 25h
3’ 939
____
0)
(»)
_______
36
62
220
321
-
114
124
32
110
35
1,230
35
355
37
15
123
126
''
3
11
'
737
232
737
217
904
2 265
U)
180
290
538
373
157
50
154
1,078
1,029
13
109
59
45
65
C1)
C1)
595
268
36
347
-----
27
333
737
217
737
217
243
302
109
127
980
519
846
344
2 500
3 258
0)
<‘ )
173
927
27
718
2 59
(*)
33
33
90
442
2 163
2 257
U)
C1)
106
731
106
613
2,620
2 51
2 1,817
C1)
*
(i)
1,360
8Exclusive of Terre Haute office, not reported.
[967]
93
96
------------ —
1,202
134
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
O P E R A T IO N S O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, A N D S E P T E M
B E R , 1917—Continued.
UNITED STATES— C o n tin u e d .
State, city, and k in d of office.
Persons applying
for work.
Applica Persons
asked for
tions
from em b y em
New
R enew
ployers. ployers. registra
als.
tions.
M assachusetts—Concluded.
Boston (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917................................ .
Springfield (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
W orcester (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
2,783
2, 761
1 1,259
i 1, 527
(2)
(2)
8 3,519
8 3, 781
1,450
1,473
1.182
1,026
1,601
1,468
i 691
1 616
(2)
(2)
8 1,824
8 1, 683
1,135
1,054
1,064
1,107
1,419
1,438
i 594
i 603
(2)
(2)
8 1,443
8 1, 521
744
806
6,786
8) 345
3 329
4, 535
78
299
228
403
4146
403
(2)
(2)
135
403
135
403
43
42
163
88
4 81
101
(2)
(2)
81
112
81
110
331
56
971
250
4 688
4 281
(2)
(2)
688
217
673
195
602
1,144
5,216
6,097
4 5,549
6,100
(2)
(2)
4,680
6,075
4,680
6,075
404
447
806
1,335
4 778
779
(2)
(2)
778
742
778
702
457
478
993
1,189
4 874
945
(2)
(2)
852
808
852
746
396
511
898
552
4 768
429
(2)
(2)
755
439
749
409
350
463
514
603
4 490
710
(2)
(2)
490
556
490
437
69
134
270
639
4 233
651
(2)
(2)
217
639
217
620
64
65
285
437
< 214
232
(2)
(2)
212
157
201
150
171
131
1,012
688
4 741
448
(2)
(2)
741
448
741
448
7
3
1,033
97
4 50
4 64
(2)
(2)
36
45
36
45
9,665
10,641
9 633
lô; 340
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
M innesota:
D u lu th (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
M inneapolis (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
M inneapolis (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917.................................
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
26
11
(2)
(2)
1 N um ber who w ere registered.
2 N ot reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Posi
tions
filled.
2,543
2,454
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.....................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
Michigan:
B attle Creek (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
B ay C ity (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
D etro it (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
D etro it (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
F lin t (State):
Septem ber, 1916................... .............
Septem ber, 1917..................................
G rand R apids (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Jackson (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Kalamazoo (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Lansing (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Muskegon (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Saginaw (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Sault Ste. Marie (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
[9 6 8 ]
(2)
(2)
43
24
4 36
4 74
(2)
2,643
(2)
2,194
(2)
(2)
1,241
1,221
(2)
(2)
120
12
0
(2)
(2)
2,129
(2)
8 N u m b er of offers of positions.
■*N um ber applying for w ork.
2,060
1,939
(2)
(2)
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
135
O P E R A T IO N S O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, A N D S E P T E M
B E R , 1917—Continued.
UNITED STATES— C o n tin u e d .
State, city , and k in d of office.
M innesota—Concluded.
St. I’aul (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Persons applying
for work.
Applica Persons
asked for
tions
from em b y em
New
ployers. ployers. registra
R enew
als.
tions.
0)
0)
0)
0)
0)
0)
C1)
(*)
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber j 1917.......................
M ississippi:
G ulfport (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Missouri:
K ansas C ity (F ederal-S tate) :
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
S t. Joseph (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
S t. Louis (Federal-State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
New Jersey:
Jersey C ity (Federal-State):
Septem ber, 1916...........................
Septem ber, 1917...........................
N ew ark (Federal-State):
Septem ber, 1916.........................
Septem ber, 1917...........................
Orange (Federal-State):
Septem ber, 1917................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(i)
0)
4 559
4^337
0)
(*)
0
4
0
4
677
1,034
1,524
2,190
2 1,339
2 1,673
(')
C)
1,403
1,625
1,077
1,522
659
429
1,680
1,198
2 1,285
2 780
0)
0)
1,264
780
1,254
'778
160
348
819
3,259
358
1,363
(0
385
1,300
370
1,275
3 052
3^ 705
2 701
27
3 , 575
300
(i)
374
408
560
2 413
(1)
(1)
340
(!)
298
352
4
1
4
1
2 11
23
(!)
(l )
3
3
3
3
343
0)
301
393
393
1,266
989
291
488
2 393
918
1, 751
810
C1)
468
355
1,659
-
1,382
—
75
126
263
426
2 303
2 211
0)
C)
252
209
237
198
12
87
407
941
2 173
2 173
(!)
(!)
125
687
107
622
1,237
2,485
1,643
8,858
2 2,978
2 1,531
(1)
(1)
1,712
6,694
1,317
5,867
268
546
181
0)
282
264
3 1, 837
7,663
3 1 424
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
1 N ot reported.
2 N um ber applying for w ork.
1,246
1,177
2 59
2 31
Total:
Septem ber, 1917.....................
N evada:
R eno (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916.........................
Septem ber, 1917..............................
(')
0)
300
2,546
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.....................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
N ebraska:
Lincoln (Federal):
Septem ber, 1917............................
O m aha (Federal-State-county-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917............................
Posi
tions
filled.
1
5
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
M ontana:
B u tte (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916............................
Septem ber, 1917..............................
H elena (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916............................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
...
...
----------------------
3 E xclusive of Orange office, not reported.
T9691
6 ,7 5 3
136
MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
O P E R A T IO N S O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, A N D S E P T E M
B E R , 1917—Continued.
UNITED STATES— C o n tin u e d .
State, city, and kind of office.
New Y ork:
A lbany (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
Buffalo (F ederal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
Buffalo (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
New Y ork C ity (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916......
.................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
New Y ork C ity (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
New Y ork C ity (m unicipal):
September”, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
Rochester (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
Syracuse (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916......
.................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
Persons applying
for work.
Applica Persons
asked for
tions
from em b y em
New
R enew
ployers. ployers. registra
als.
tions.
597
641
864
958
536
464
147
(2)
1.032
(2)
i 1.002
(2)
982
1,208
1,966
2,138
1.264
1.711
162
3,913
635
6,597
i 219, 5
10,433
1,335
2.107
1.911
2,862
1,081
1,206
2,167
2,529
2,530
2,647
1,058
1,574
1,038
1,196
277
275
72
179
1 N um ber applying for w ork.
2 N ot rep orted.'
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
95
(2)
(2)
Posttions
filled.
790
817
971
(2)
(2)
(2)
435
609
859
(2)
1.831
2.539
1,421
1. 937
347
10,754
328
5,049
504
875
2,025
2.810
1 ,1S5
1,864
2,163
1,876
(2)
2,219
3,486
3,409
2,053
1.987
1,681
2,837
890
1,605
343
582
2,237
980
1,186
1,420
1,802
713
905
145
212
1,146
1.494
734
1,065
12,146
324,060
7.995
313,697
290
290
1,574
1,946
1,359
1,644
(2)
( 2)
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber' 1917......................
N orth D akota:
B ism arck (Federal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Ohio:
A kron (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917...................
A thens (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
C anton (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Chillicothe (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
C incinnati (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
Cleveland (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917.....................
Cleveland (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917........... . ....................
Columbus (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917..................................
D ayton (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
H am ilto n (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Lim a (S tate-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Mansfield (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917...........’......................
M arietta (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
M arion (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
P ortsm o u th ( State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
300
i 290
1,853
2,699
772
998
(2)
1.269
1,836
(2)
122
107
59
110
80
(2)
496
429
128
465
294
(2)
5, 795
5,724
99
(2)
(2)
1,840
2,935
1,317
3,690
2.434
3,358
36
1,270
i 111
i 141
(2)
(2)
7,928
8,030
2,344
3,433
(2)
(2)
2,612
3,567
(2)
(2)
1,182
1,616
4
44
5, 751
1,743
2,485
952
1,697
96
113
26
41
6,744
7,243
6,694
6,788
5,374
5,651
924
1.079
2,050
2,501
2,155
2,941
1,839
2,407
670
1,083
1,006
1,240
908
1,376
822
1,142
(2)
(2)
(2)
209
148
43
136
105
(2)
382
358
110
382
314
169
(2)
224
180
74
206
(2)
317
200
101
226
184
(2)
643
247
91
282
229
403
393
107
364
309
(2)
3 Exclusive of Buffalo Federal office, n o t reported.
[970]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
137
O P E R A T IO N S O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, A N D S E P T E M
B E R , 1917—Continued.
UNITED STATES— C o n tin u e d .
State, city, a n d k in d of office.
Ohio—Concluded.
S audusky (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917................................
Springfield (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917................................
Steubenville (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917................................
Tiffin (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917................................
Toledo (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916................................
Septem ber, 1917................................
W ashington C. H . (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917................................
Y oungstow n (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916................................
Septem ber, 1917................................
Zanesville (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917................................
C entral office (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1917................................
Persons applying
for work.
A pplica Persons
tions
asked for
from em b y em
New
R enew
ployers. ployers. registra
als.
tions.
248
184
56
194
(9
313
263
167
218
130
(l)
676
340
354
650
502
110
(9
305
260
196
283
198
(9
(9
4,338
4,924
1,362
2,341
1,754
2,911
2,431
4,610
2,016
3, 815
(9
291
114
69
165
119
(9
(9
1,185
2,025
584
965
1,052
1,354
1,141
1,714
957
1,504
(9
231
243
102
236
136
(9
90
818
90
86
742
31,775
2 13,345
2 16,
26.617
(9
119
316
135
3 137
(9
(9
(9
109
115
(9
336
600
187
3 339
(9
(9
(9
153
325
(9
839
930
515
3 607
(9
(9
(9
451
515
(9
850
1,928
658
a 1,369
(9
(9
(9
658
1,247
(9
2,292
1,371
2,202
178
391
259
969
Septem ber, 1916.
Septem ber, 1917.
Oregon:
A storia (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916...........
Septem ber, 1917...........
P ortlan d (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916...........
Septem ber, 1917...........
P ortlan d (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916...........
Septem ber, 1917...........
Posi
tions
filled.
«
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.....................
Septem ber, 1917.....................
O klahoma:
E nid (State):
Septem ber, 1916...........
Septem ber, 1917...........
Muskogee (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916...........
Septem ber, 1917...........
O klahom a C ity (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916
Septem ber, 1917...........
Tulsa (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916...........
Septem ber, 1917...........
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
121
328
583
1,260
31
13
276
361
3 283
3 37
(9
(9
124
17
119
16
1,556
1,984
5,177
4,318
s 4,017
3 3, 720
(9
(9
3,963
3,824
3,755
3, 635
(9
5,177
3, 818
84
78
(9
(9
(9
(9
3, 214
3,184
1,594
Septem ber, 1916.
Septem ber, 1917.
..........
4 4, 087
4 3, 841
7,088
6 835
Pennsylvania:
A ltoona (State):
28
l
35
62
52
Septem ber, 1916...........
(9
55
56
39
29
76
30
Septem ber, 1917...........
H arrisburg (State):
176
226
94
216
356
Septem ber, 1916...........
(9
387
415
117
367
720
140
Septem ber, 1917...........
1 N ot reported.
3 N um ber applying for work.
2 Exclusive of 16 offices n o t in operation in 1916.
4 Exclusive of P o rtland m unicipal office, not reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[971]
138
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.
O P E R A T IO N S O F PU B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1910, A N D S E P T E M
B E R , 1917—Continued.
UNITED STATES— C o n tin u e d .
State, city, and k in d of office.
Pennsylvania—Concluded.
Johnstow n (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem berj 1917..................................
P hiladelphia (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917 3 .............................
Philadelphia (S tate):
Septem ber. 1916..................................
Septem berj 1917..................................
P ittsb u rg h (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
P ittsb u rg h (State):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem berj 1917................................
Persons applying
for work.
A pplica Persons
tions
asked for
from em b y em
New
ployers. ployers. registra
Renew
als.
tions.
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
14
13
63
91
47
70
174
650
115
591
1,123
1,693
996
1,614
495
461
83
178
142
57
70
81
153
131
2,392
2 14 4
2 763
)
477
1,158
1,891
2 ,2 0 1
28
6
590
114
2 757
2 106
)
260
765
813
692
311
(i)
0
0
(!)
C1)
815
502
635
C1)
C1)
21
463
274
266
313
404
2
465
T otal:
Sentem ber. 1916______
1 N ot reported.
2 N um ber applying for w ork.
3 Includes Bourse B ranch.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100
528
321
483
290
2,644
3,328
2,306
3,107
88
319
(!)
153
322
203
146
T otal:
Septem ber, 1916..
Septem berj 1917......................
S o u th Carolina:
Charleston (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917................................
S outh D akota:
H uron (Federal):
Septem ber, 1917............. ................
Tennessee:
M emphis (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916................................
' Septem berj 1917..................................
Texas:
D allas (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem berj 1917..................................
E l Paso (Federal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
F o rt W o rth (Federal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
F o rt W o rth (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem berj 1917..................................
G alvest on ( F ederal ) :
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
H ouston (F ederal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem berj 1917..................................
102
137
Total:
Septem ber, 1916....
Septem ber, 1917.......................
R hode Island:
Providence (F ederal):
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Providence (S tate):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber' 1917...........................
>
145
43
55
2 31
0
5
523
10
1,2 2 2
236
615
630
643
2
2
264
(i)
G)
313
404
C1)
C1)
0
2
Positions
filled.
0
)
668
799
(0
(0
127
145
127
145
2 82
(l)
67
46
)
)
37
1,930
37
1,884
9
642
608
606
491
2 104
1,942
0
0
53
4 512
6
4
4
2 20
7
1
7
3,032
2 848
4
848
311
227
834
901
442
1,064.
27
13
427
660
400
644
122
3
0
)
1
1
5
247
2 28
2 15
(x)
C)
7
65
41
4
11
20
2 17
2 10
0
(l)
)
2
8
7
1
___
« 1,078
2,196
6
2
6 1,014
1,495
* Includes 448 transients.
6 Includes 400 transients.
« Exclusive of E l Paso and F o rt W o rth offices, n o t reported.
[972]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
139
O P E R A T IO N S O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, A N D S E P T E M .
B E R , 1917—Continued.
UNITED STATES— C o n tin u e d .
State, city, and k in d of office.
Virginia:
Norfolk (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
R ichm ond (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
September^ 1917..................................
Persons applying
for work.
Applica Persons
tions
asked for
from em b y em
New
Renew
ployers. ployers. registra
als.
tions.
18
5,011
1 122
(2)
(2)
32
84
23
14
293
234
485
300
463
339
(2)
(2)
555
400
231
185
587
484
254
199
(2)
(2)
101
101
39
39
250
151
81
61
i 71
14
7
300
39
i 329
l 77
142
139
315
319
1
263
i 270
(2)
(2)
268
166
9
30
23
75
i 18
i 125
(2)
(2)
81
672
(2)
(2)
465
821
885
2,505
2 ,0 0 1
169
178
825
1,177
4,106
i , 428
7,433
7,880
99
165
258
657
2,690
1,915
3,572
2,560
686
635
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
459
284
(2)
(2)
1
i 1,864
2,511
(2)
(2)
1,712
1,796
1,549
1,697
i 1,092
1 1,983
(2)
(2)
357
465
319
436
(2)
(2)
6,996
7,805
6,519
7,092
(2)
(2)
258
542
246
537
(2)
'(2)
(2)
(2)
3,882
2,410
3,822
2,350
1,333
1,303
i 1,084
i 1,884
(2)
(2)
1,267
1,141
1,252
1,125
164
430
278
495
i 235
i 415
(2)
(2)
164
261
152
240
113
87
405
300
i 364
i 892
(2)
(2)
328
203
328
195
15,414
14,894
15,078
14,207
(2)
(2)
i 792
i 683
Septem ber, 1916.
Septem ber, 1917.
1 N um ber applying for w ork.
2 N o t reported.
66
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
T o ta l *
W isconsin:
L a Crosse (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916................................
Septem ber, 1917................................
M ilwaukee (Federal):
Septem ber, 1917................................
M ilwaukee (State-county-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916................................
Septem ber, 1917................................
O shkosh (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916................................
Septem ber, 1917................................
Positions
filled.
9
15
T otal:
Septem ber, 1916.
Septem ber, 1917.
W ashington:
A berdeen (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
B ellingham (Federal-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Colfax (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
E v e re tt (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
N o rth Y akim a"(Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Seattle (F ederal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Seattle (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Spokane (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Spokane (m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Tacom a (Federal-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
W alla W alla (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
W enatchee (Federal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
152
149
216
219
111
i 179
149
( 2)
(2)
1,021
3,776
13,379
( 2)
3,095
2,487
1,880
4,326
3,770
1 2,892
3,648
(2)
3,169
3,791
2,289
2,679
1,886
( 2)
101
151
i 157
249
165
(2)
131
234
179
(?)
3E xclusive of E v e re tt m unicipal office, n o t reported.
[973]
90
75
140
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
O P E R A T IO N S O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, A N D S E P T E M
B E R . 1917—Concluded.
UNITED STATES— C o n clu d ed .
Persons applying
for work.
A pplica Persons
tions
asked for
from em b y em
New
ployers. ployers.
registra Renew
als.
tions.
State, city, and kind of office.
W isconsin—Concluded.
Superior (State-m unicipal):
Septem ber, 1916..................................
Septem ber, 1917..................................
391
1,133
1,116
343
i 943
999
Persons
referred
to posi
tions.
926
965
604
838
a 4,398
8,051
s 3,057
6,518
(2)
(2)
Total:
Septem ber, 1916.......................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
Posi
tions
filled.
CANADA.
Quebec:
M ontreal (provincial):
Septem ber, 1916................................
Septem ber’ 1917...........................
Quebec (provincial):
Septem ber, 1916................................
Septem ber, 1917................................
954
198
(2)
46
(2)
570
i 340
i 274
(2)
(2)
454
366
374
316
291
387
117
i 233
(2)
(*>
(2)
173
84
155
(2)
539
458
471
Total:
Septem ber, Ì916.................
Septem ber, 1917.......................
i N um ber applying for w ork.
2 N ot
reported.
s Exclusive of M ilwaukee Federal office, n o t reported.
R E P O R T O F E M P L O Y M E N T E X C H A N G E S IN T H E U N IT E D K IN G
D OM (G R E A T B R IT A IN A N D
E N D IN G A U G U S T 10, 1917.
IR E L A N D )
FO R
FO U R
W EEKS
According to the British Labor Gazette of August, 1917, the
number of workpeople on the register of the 382 British employment
offices at some time or other during the four weeks ending August
10, 1917, was 327,178, exclusive of workmen in occupations of a more
oi less casual nature, as dock laborers, etc. The figures comprise
workers in professional, commercial, and clerical, as well as indus
trial occupations. The operations for the four weeks are summarized
as follows:
Men.
W omen.
Boys.
Girls.
T otal.
On registers a t Ju ly 13, 1917....................................
N um ber of in d iv id u als registered d uring period'
32,376
63, 794
64,123
112,899
6,814
19, 056
9,309
18,807
112,622
214, 556
T o tal....................................................................
96,170
177, 022
25,870
28,116
327,178
R eregistrations d uring period........
On registers a t Aug. 10, 1917..........7
Vacancies notified during period............................
Vacancies filled during period..................
A pplicants placed in o th er d is tric ts .! 7 . 7 ............
2,501
28,189
55,318
37,341
9,229
2, 730
56,494
51,130
42,669
9,956
323
6.632
10,006
8,433
1,457
290
8,280
8,612
7,063
987
5, 844
99, 595
125,066
95, 506
21,629
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1974]
141
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
The average daily number of registrations and of vacancies filled
for the four weeks ending August 10, 1917, is shown in the following
table, together with comparative figures for a month ago and a
year ago:
Average registrations per d ay
in period ending—
Average vacancies filled per
day in period ending—
Aug. 10,
1917.
Ju ly 13,
1917.
Aug. 11,
1916.
Aug. 10,
1917.
Ju ly 13,
1917.
M en.......................................................................
W om en................................................................
B oys.......................................................
G irls....................................................................
2,882
5,028
843
830
3,310
5,575
824
880
3,664
5,750
854
870
1,623
1,855
367
307
1,875
2,193
385
351
2,012
2,389
386
354
T o ta l..........................................................
9,583
10,589
11,138
4,152
4,804
5,141
D epartm ent.
E M P L O Y M E N T IN
SELECTED
Aug. 11,
1916.
IN D U S T R IE S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1917.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics received reports concerning the
volume of employment in September, 1917, from representative
manufacturing establishments in 13 different industries. Compar
ing the figures for September of this year with those from identical
establishments for September, 1916, it appears that in 7 industries
there was an increase in the number of people employed and in 6 a
decrease. The men’s ready-made clothing industry showed an in
crease in this respect of 10.6 per cent. A decrease of 14.8 per cent
appeared in car building and repairing. This decline would not be
so great but for the fact that the falling off in two large plants was
very marked.
C O M PA R ISO 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 S E P T E M B E R ,
1916, A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1917.
In d u stry .
stab
E stab Elish
lish m ents
m ents
re
to
which porting
for
in
Sep
quiries tem
ber
were both
sent. years.
Boots and shoes..................
C otton m an u factu rin g ___
C otton finishing.................
H osiery and u n d erw ear...
W oolen..................................
S ilk ........................................
Men’s ready-m ade cloth
ing ......................................
Iron and steel......................
Car building and repairing.
Cigar m anufacturing.........
A utom obile m anufactur
ing ......................................
L eather m an u factu rin g . . .
P aper m ak in g .....................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
85
88
19
82
56
65
86
141
78
103
66
46
80
77
57
15
58
44
41
N um ber on
p a y roll in Sep
tem ber—
Period
of p ay
roll.
1 w eek . .
. . . d o .......
.. .d o .......
. . . d o .......
.. .d o .......
2 weeks .
32 1 w eek..
112 | m o n th .
22 .. .d o .......
63 1 w eek . .
1916
1917
52,835
45,859
11,382
28,765
39,369
19,060
48,611
45,097
11.342
28,944
40,807
17,673
16,751 18,521
177,146 189,581
29,513 25,156
17,677 17,320
38 .. .d o ....... 89,926
35 . . . d o ....... 13,244
48 .. .d o ....... 25,766
[975]
91,742
13,700
27,344
A m ount of p a y
Per
roll in Septem ber—
cent
of in
crease
( + ) or
de
crease
1916
1917
(-).
Per
cent
of in
crease
( + ) or
de
crease
(-)•
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
8.0
1.7
.4
.6
3.7
7.3
$076,803
442,812
134,144
271,779
482,240
426,023
$707,556
517,741
158,411
320,941
614,340
428,664
4.5
16.9
18.1
18.1
27.4
+
.6
+ 10.6
230,071
279,724
+ 7.0 6,658,489 8,562,105
-1 4 .8
909,994
920,019
- 2.0
204,749
222,537
+ 28.6
+ 2.0 1,861,768 2,158,537
+ 3.0
187,656
229,553
+ 6. 1 357,396
432,744
+15.9
+ 22.3
+ 21.6
+
1.1
+ 8.7
+ 21.1
142
MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Each of the 13 industries canvassed showed an increase in the total
amount of the pay roll for September, 1917, as compared with Sep
tember, 1916. The greatest increase indicated—28.6 per cent—was
in the iron and steel industry. There was an increase of 27.4 per
cent in woolen manufacturing.
One shoe factory was closed during September, 1917, and another
was practically closed. The report rendered by one cotton manufac
turing plant stated that the number of workmen available was far
short of the number needed to run the mill with present orders.
The next table shows the number of persons actually working on
the last full day of the reported pay period in September, 1916, and
September, 1917. Many establishments do not keep a record of this
fact and consequently the number reporting such data is small. This
should be taken into consideration when using these figures.
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 ON L A S T
F U L L D A Y ’S O P E R A T IO N IN S E P T E M B E R , 1916, A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1917.
In d u stry .
E stablish
m ents re
porting for
Septem ber
b o th years.
Period of
p a y roll.
N um ber a c t u a l l y
w orking on last full
d ay of reported p ay Per cent of
period in Septem
increase
ber—
( + ) or de
crease (—).
1916
Boots a n d sh o es....................
C otton m a n u factu rin g........
C otton fin ish in g ....................
H osiery a n d un d erw ear___
W oolen....................................
S i l k .. .'....................................
Men’s ready-m ade clo th in g .
Iron an d steel........................
Car building an d repairing.
Cigar m anufacturing...........
A utom obile m anufacturing
L eather m a n u factu rin g___
Paper m a k in g .......................
19 1 w e ek ___
32 . .. d o ...........
11 .. .d o ...........
12 . .. d o ...........
38 . .. d o ...........
25 2 w eek s. . .
6 1 w e ek ___
90 J m o n th ...
19 .. .d o ...........
27 1 w e ek ___
18 .. .d o ...........
19 .. .d o ...........
15 . .. d o ...........
9,891
23,686
7,451
8,610
31,718
10,173
1,429
140,075
23,421
5,219
53,161
6,962
9,271
1917
9,272
23,312
7,149
8,903
34,070
8,917
1,121
149,425
19,499
4,855
53,141
6,930
9,703
- 6.3
-
1.6
- 4.1
+ 3.4
+ 7.4
-1 2 .3
-
21.6
+ 6.7
-1 6 .7
- 7.0
(9
- .5
+ 4.7
1 Decrease of less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
The figures in the next table show that in 7 industries there were
more persons on the pay roll in September, 1917, than in August,
1917. A 5.4 per cent increase in paper making was the greatest.
Car building and repairing here again shows a marked decrease, due
in part to the great falling off in one or two large plants.
Employees in 9 of the industries received more money in September
than in August, 1917. There was an increase of 12.7 per cent in au
tomobile manufacturing, which was the largest.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[976]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
143
C O M PA R ISO N O F E M PL 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 A U G U ST, 1917,
A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1917.
In d u stry .
85
88
19
82
56
65
86
Boots and shoes..................
C otton m an u factu rin g___
Cotton finish in g ..................
H osiery a nd u n d erw ear...
S ilk ........................................
Men’s ready-m ade clothtagiro n and steel......................
Car building and repairing
Cigar m anufacturing..........
A utom obile m anufacturmg.
L eather m an u factu rin g . . .
P a p e r m ak in g .....................
N um ber on p ay
roll in—
E s ta b
E s ta b mlish
lish repents
o rt
m ents ing
to
for
which A u
in
quiries gust
and
were Sep
sent. tem
ber.
141
78
103
66
46
80
65
56
16
55
47
41
34
A m ount of p a y roll
in—
P er
cent
of in
crease
) or
Sep ( +de
A ugust, tem
ber, crease
1917.
1917.
(-).
Period
of p a y
roll.
1 w eek . .
. . . d o .......
.. .d o .......
. . .d o .......
. . .d o .......
2 w e ek s.
1 w e e k ..
110 | m o n th .
22 .. .d o .......
64 1 w eek . .
40 . . . d o .......
49,905
46,477
13,733
27,963
40,534
18; 037
17,654
47,238
46,070
14,014
28,240
41,484
17,673
16,762
+
+
+
-
187,730 186,213
28,005 25,156
18,421 19,404
92,070 95,672
- 33 .. .d o ....... 12,369
46 .. .d o ....... 24,519
12,995
25,846
5.3
.9
2.0
1.0
2.3
2.0
5.1
A ugust,
1917.
708,201
520,492
202,650
306,150
598,054
428,022
264,707
Per
cent
of in
crease
( + ) or
Septem
de
ber, 1917. crease
(-).
697,703
537,895
206,448
314;861
625,235
428,664
256,326
—
+
+
+
+
+
-
1.5
3.3
1.9
2.8
4.5
.1
3.2
- .8 8,603,361 8,422,703
-1 0 .2 1,039,809
920,019
244,060
+ 5.3
228,455
+ 3.9 1,994,419 2,246,978
- 2.1
-1 1 .5
+ 6.8
+ 12.7
212,031
391,924
+ 4.2
+ 3.6
+ .2
+ 5.4
220,966
406,104
A very much smaller number of establishments reported as to the
number of persons actually working on the last full day of the re
ported pay period. The following table gives in comparable form the
figures for August and September of this year. The small number of
establishments represented should be noted when using the figures.
C O M PA R ISO 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 ON LA ST F U L L
D A Y ’S O P E R A T IO N IN A U G U ST, 1917, A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1917.
E stab lish
m ents re
porting for
A ugust
and Sep
tem ber.
In d u stry .
Boots a nd shoes..................................................
Cotton m an u factu rin g......................................
Cotton finishing________________________
Hosiery and underw ear....................................
W o o le n ................................................................
Silk
................................................................
Men’s ready-m ade clo th in g____ ________
Iron and steel......................................................
Car building and rep airin g .. _____________
Cigar m anufacturing.........................................
A utnmobile m a n u fa c tu rin g ...........................
L eather m anufacturing....................................
Paper m aking ...................................................
23
35
11
17
40
27
7
87
22
■ 30
22
17
13
Period of
p a y roll.
N um ber actually w ork
ing on la st full day of
reported p a y period
P e r cent
in —
of increase
( + ) or decrease ( —).
August,
September,
1917.
1917.
1 w e ek ___
.. .d o ...........
. ..d o ...........
. ..d o ...........
. ..d o ...........
2 w eeks. . .
1 w eek ___
J m o n th ...
.A d o ...........
1 w eek___
.. .d o ...........
. ..d o ...........
. ..d o ...........
11,588
28,094
6,838
11,842
33,750
13,623
4,218
141,786
24,122
5,791
58,633
7,361
7,600
10,771
27,908
7,149
11,877
34,664
13,377
3,843
143,939
22,206
6,043
60,211
7,386
8,250
- 7 .1
- .7
+ 4 .5
+ -3
+ 2 .7
-1 .2
-8 .9
+ 1.5
-7 .9
+ 4 .4
+ 2 .7
+ .3
+ 8.6
CHANGES IN WAGE RATES.
The reports received by the bureau from establishments in the 13 in
dustries show that changes in wage rates were made in 10 industries in
the period August 15 to September 15,1917. No changes were reported
in boot and shoe manufacturing, men’s ready-made clothing, and
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[977]
144
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
woolen. A number of establishments gave no definite answer to the
inquiry relative to wage-rate changes, but in such cases it is probably
safe to assume that no changes were made.
Increases in wage rates were reported by 13 plants in the iron and
steel industry. Four plants reported a 10.98 per cent increase, affect
ing 37 per cent, 38.8 per cent, 27.9 per cent, and 38.5 per cent of their
forces, respectively. Another plant gave a 47 per cent increase to
about one-third of the force. In one instance there was an increase
of 6 per cent granted to tonnage men, about 60 per cent of the en
tire force. Two establishments reported a 5 per cent increase, affect
ing one-half of the force in each instance, the employees receiving
such increase in one of them being tonnage men. In 4 plants there
was an increase of 9.83 per cent to 48.9 per cent, 50.9 per cent, 47.8
per cent, and 47.6 per cent of the forces, respectively.
In leather manufacturing 2 establishments gave a 10 per cent in
crease, this affecting the entire force in one, and one-third of the force
in the second. Another plant in this industry granted an 8 per cent
increase but did not state the proportion of the force affected; while
a fourth reported a 5.7 per cent increase to setters, or 1.5 per cent of
the employees, and an increase of approximately 14 per cent to
lumpers, or 2 per cent of the force.
Two establishments in paper making reported increases. One
plant gave an increase of 2 cents per hour to the entire force, while
the second granted an additional 25 cents per day to some boiler
makers but did not make any general increase.
In the silk industry one establishment reported a 5 per cent gen
eral increase. In a second instance 17.5 per cent of the force received
a 10 per cent increase. One plant gave a 10 per cent increase to 7
per cent of the force and a 5 per cent increase to 5 per cent of the
force. A fourth granted a 10 per cent special bonus for the quarter
ending August 25, 1917.
There were two increases reported in car building and repairing.
One plant in this industry stated that 92 per cent of the force was
granted a 15 per cent increase, while the second gave an increase of
6.5 per cent, affecting 20 per cent of the employees.
The entire force in one hosiery and underwear plant received an 8
per cent increase. In another establishment there wras an increase
of 5 per cent, affecting 50 per cent of the people empolyed.
Only one increase—5 per cent to all except overseers—was reported
in cotton manufacturing. One plant in cotton finishing reported a
5 per cent increase but failed to state whether or not it wTas general.
In automobile manufacturing one establishment stated that the pro
ductive average hourly rate had increased $0.0114. One plant in
cigar manufacturing stated that pieceworkers were given increased
rates.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[978]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
V O L U M E O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN T H E U N IT E D K IN G D O M
B R IT A IN A N D IR E L A N D ) IN A U G U S T , 1917.
145
(G R E A T
The following figures as to the condition of employment in Great
Britain and Ireland in August, 1917, as compared with July, 1917,
and August, 1916, have been compiled from figures appearing in the
British Labor Gazette of September, 1917. The most important
changes appear in the tin-plate, steel, and galvanized sheet trades,
which show an increase of 2.7 per cent of the mills in operation as
compared with the preceding month and a decrease of 27.2 per cent
of mills in operation as compared with August, 1916. The textile
trades show a decrease in the number of employees on account of the
scarcity of labor, while the change of earnings is due to advances in
rates of wages and war bonuses. Shortage of labor was reported in
the following trades: Pig iron industry; quarrying; iron and steel;
cotton trade; woolen and worsted trades; jute trades; silk trade;
carpet trade; lace trade; bleaching, printing, dyeing, and finishing
trades; tailoring trades; shirt and collar trade; other clothing
trades; brick and cement trades; bookbinding trades; paper trades;
glass trades; and food preparation trades. In agriculture there was
a shortage of labor, but with the assistance of soldiers, women, and
school boys, the farmers managed to keep pace with the work.
Short time was reported in certain cases, but the following trades
reported overtime: Engineering trades, shipbuilding trades, leather
trades, sawmilling and machining trades, cement trade, printing and
bookbinding trades, paper trades, pottery trades, and food prepara
tion trades.
1898S°— 17----- 10
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[979]
146
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
VOLUME 'OP EMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN AND
IRELAND) IN AUGUST, 1917, AS COMPARED WITH JULY, 1917, AND AUGUST,
1916.
[Compiled from figures in th e L abor G azette (London), Septem ber, 1917.]
P e r cent of in
crease ( + ) or
decrease (—)
in August,
1917, as com
pared w ith—
Industries, and basis of com
parison.
Coal m ining: Average n u m b er of
Iron m ining: Average n u m b e r of
days w o rk ed ....................................
Q uarrving: N u m b er of em ployees.
Pig iron: N u m b er of furnaces in
b la s t...................................................
Iron and steel works:
N um b er of em ployees...............
Engineering trades: N u m b e r of
em ployees1
Shipbuilding trades: N u m b e r of
em ployees1
T inplate, steel, an d galvanized
sheet trades: N u m b er of m ills in
operation...........................................
Cotton trade:
N um b er of em ployees...............
"Earnings of employees .
W oolen trade:
Earnings of employees _.
W orsted trade:
N um b er of employees ..
H osiery trade:
N um b er of em ployees...............
E arnings of em ployees..............
Ju te trade:
N um b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of em ployees..............
L inen trade:
N um b er of em ployees...............
E arnings of em ployees..............
Silk trade:
N u m b er of em ployees...............
E arnings of em ployees..............
C arpet trade:
N um b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of em ployees..............
Lace trade:
N um b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of employees ._
Bleaching, “printing, dyeing, and
finishing:
N u m b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of em ployees..............
Boot and shoe trade:
N um b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of em ployees..............
L eather trades: N u m b er of employees...............................................
Tailoring trades:
N um ber of em ployees..........
E arnings of em ployees..............
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
July,
1917.
August,
1916.
+ 6.2
-2.8
+ 1.2
- .3
+ .3
-1 1 .8
-1 .7
+ 3.6
+ 2 .5
+ 2 .5
+ 8.7
+ 8.3
+ .03 + 20
— .06 +
• 12
+ 2.7
-2 7 .2
- .7
+ .0
-8.0
+ 3.2
-1 .4
- .2
- 4.8
+ 8.8
- .7
— .9
-3.0
+ 13.2
- .5
- 1 .1
-4.9
+ 6.8
+ .2
-1 . 1
+ 1.1
+ 19.0
+ 1.3
+ 2 .6
+ 2.2
+ 27.1
-1 .0
+ .4
-3.5
+ 13.8
+ 1.8
-1 .0
-3.5
+ 15.0
-1 .2
— .8
-8.8
4-1.4
- .1
- 2 .1
-4.0
+ 12.5
- .7
-1 .4
-5.2
+ 7.5
+ .1
+ 1.3
— .3
- .2
+ -9
+ 25.3
P e r cent of in
crease (+ ) or
decrease (—)
in A u g u s t ,
1917, as com
pared w ith—
Industries, and basis, of com
parison.
July,
1917.
Shirt a n d collar trade:
N u m b er of em ployees...............
E arnings of em ployees..............
O th er clothing trades:
D ressm aking a nd m illinery—•
N u m b er of em ployees........
W holesale m antle, costum e,
blouse, etc.—
N u m b er of employees—
L o n d o n ..............................
N u m b er of employees—
M anchester........................
N u m b er of employees—
Glasgow.............................
Corset trad e—N um ber of employees.......................................
Building and construction of
works: N u m b er of em ployees1. .
Sawmilling
and
machining:
N u m b er of em p loyees1.................
B rick trade:
N u m b er of em ployees...............
E arnings of em ployees..............
Cem ent trade:
N u m b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of em ployees..............
P rin tin g , bookbinding", and paper
trades:
P rin tin g trades—
N um ber of em plo 5rees reported b y trade-unions1.
N u m b er of em ployees reported b y em ployers___
E arnings of em ployees reported b y em ployers___
B ookbinding trades—
N u m b er of employees repo rted b y trade-unions1.
N u m b er of em ployees reported b y em ployers___
Earnings of employees reported b y em plos'ers___
P a p e r trades: N um ber of employees.......................................
P o tte ry trades:
N u m b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of em ployees..............
Glass trades:
N u m b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of em ployees..............
Food preparation trades:
N u m b er of em ployees...............
Earnings of em ployees..............
Dock and riverside labor: N um b e r of em ployees.............................
Seamen: N u m b er of em ployees__
1 Based on unem ploym ent returns.
[980]
A ugust,
1916.
-1 .5
+ .3
- 8.6
+ 6.9
-2 6 .0
- 9.8
-2 .3
— 8.3
-3 .6
-2.7
+ 3. 8
- 3.5
-1 .8
-1 4 .5
-
.10
-
.06
+ .1
-
.1
-1 . 7
+ 1.0
-2.7
+ 12.2
+ .3
+ 1.5
-1 0 . 1
+ 3.5
+ .1
-
- .7
- 9.3
.8
- 2 .1
+ 4.6
+ .1
+
.1
+ .3
-
8.6
+ 3.3
+ 9 s
— .5
— 5.5
- .2
-2 . 8
- .9
+ 17.5
-1 .7
+ 1.9
- 1.3
+ 11.8
- .8
+ 2.5
- 8.1
+ 16.0
- 3.5
-1 1 .1
— 8.8
-2 4 .7
INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES.
IN D U S T R IA L D E V E L O P M E N T OF J A P A N .1
Notwithstanding the industrial development of Japan within the
last few years, it may still be considered an agricultural country.
While there has been a remarkable increase in the value of manu
factures in Japan, agriculture still remains the predominant industry.
The following table shows the annual production of certain food
articles in 1895 and in 1911 to 1915 :
A N N U A L P R O D U C T IO N O F C E R T A IN A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN JA P A N , 1895, A N D 1911 TO 1915.
Y ear.
1895 a ................
1911...................
1912..
1913___
1914...................
1915...................
Rice (bushels).
194,609, 466
256,496,253
249,106,156
249,268,637
282, 755,294
277,388,763
a
b
B arley, rye,
and w heat
(bushels).
P otatoes
(tons).
Sweet
potatoes
(tons).
Sugar cane
(tons).
(b)
(b)
194,335
755,055
770,070
784,158
969,356
(6)
94,211,640
108,645,461
113,437,936
124,251,504
105,375,890
117,957, 141
4,158,067
4,053,068
4,287,476
4,055,572
W
Tea (tons).
34,061
35,882
37,133
36,295
35,836
37,832
947,351
879,625
954,762
1,103,500
(¡0
S ix teen th Financial and Economic A n n u al of Japan, 1916.
N o t reported.
As an indication of the industrial development in Japan since
1895, the following summary of manufacturing establishments is
made :
N U M B E R O F F A C T O R IE S , H O R S E P O W E R U S E D , A N D P E R S O N S E M P L O Y E D IN FA C TO
R IE S IN JA P A N IN S E L E C T E D Y E A R S , 1895 TO 1914.
N um ber of persons employed.
N u m b er of factories.
Year.
N ot
Using using
power. power.
1895. 2,758
1903. 3, 741
1910. 6; 731
1914. 10,334
4,396
4,533
6,792
6, 728
Horsepower
of m otors
used.
T otal.
7,154
8,274
13,523
17,062
61,000
107,000
781,000
1,323,000
Males.
a
168,000
182,000
274,587
318,667
Fem ales.
a
246,000
301,000
442,574
535,297
T otal.
a
414,000
483,000
717,161
853,964
P er cent of—
Males.
a
40.6
37.7
38.3
37.3
Per
cent
of in
crease
in n u m
ber of
Fe
em
males. ployees
over
1896.
a
59. 4
62.3
61.7
62.7
16.7
73.2
106.3
a Figures n o t available for 1895.
T h e n u m b er em ployed are for 1896 as given in a w ork on “ Japan a t
th e beginning of th e tw e n tie th c e n tu ry ,” pub lish ed b y th e Im p erial Japanese Commission to th e Loui
siana Purchase Exposition, 1904, p . 403.
1 D ata are from B u lletin de la S tatistiq u e G énéral de la France et d u Service d ’O bservation des P rix ,
A pril, 1917.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[981]
147
148
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
From the foregoing table it is seen that in the period covered the
number of factories using mechanical power has increased rapidly;
that the number not using power increased up to 1910, but was less in
1914 than in 1910; and that for the entire period considered, 20 years,
there has been an increase of over 138 per cent in total number of
factories, nearly 2,069 per cent in amount of power used, and over
100 per cent in number of employees.
Of the total number of employees in factories in 1914, 39,575 were
under 14 years of age, of whom 7,644 were males and 31,931 were
females.
The following table compares the number of mills, machines, etc.,
employees, value of products, and capital invested in the more im
portant branches of manufacturing, 1905 and 1914:
N U M B E R O P M ILL S, M A C H IN ES, ET C ., IN O P E R A T IO N , P E R S O N S E M P L O Y E D , V A L U E
O F PR O D U C T S, A N D C A PIT A L IN V E S T E D , IN C E R T A IN CLASSES O F F A C T O R IE S , 1905
A N D 1914.
N um ber of mills,
etc.
N um ber of em
ployees.
Value of products.
Capital invested.
In d u stry .
1905
1914
1905
1914
1905
1914
1905
1914
Cotton yarn and
w a ste .....................
i 78
i 103 65,911 116, 005
2 205,291
2 386,230 $18,421,557 $40,455,963
W oven goods.......... 3734,809 3622,099 769,491 610, 777 $76,984,493 $142,067,437
(9
(9
Japanese p a p er....... 5 61,641 6 48,960 24, 529 15,664
6, 833,670
9,244,407
(9
(9
« 21
6 38 | 4,894
E uropean p a p er___ /
7,906
5,507,426
12,498,295
4, 722,925 13,341,939
\ 7 109
7 360
M atches...............
6 254
« 181 24,529 15,664
6,085.347
7, 741,836
(9
(9
Porcelain and e arth
enware ...............
6 4,834
6 5, 540 22, 026 29,964
4,393,129
7, 797,114
(9
(9
M ats a nd m a ttin g ..
3,900,283
4,005,827
0)
0)
(9
(9
(9
(9
Cam phor................... 6 1,564 5 3.211
25S, 628
594,397
(9
(9
(9
(9
L acquered w a re . . . « 5,442 s 6,820 16,188 19.317
2, 768,814
4,351,763
(9
(9
S t r a w p laits and
wood ch ip -b raid s. 5 77,877 6101,000 282,271 232,317
2, 702,434
865,578
(9
(9
'■ Mills.
2 Tons.
2 Looms.
4 N ot reported.
6 Fam ilies.
6 Factories.
7 Machines.
Considerable wage data are shown by industries, but in most cases
these are for all operators and apprentices, both males and females,
14 years of age and over, as an industrial group and not by occupa
tions. However, the presentation shows that there has been a gradual
and comparatively continuous increase in wages in nearly if not all
branches of industry.
The table following shows the average daily and the relative wages
of persons over 14 years of age in various industries and occupations
for the years 1905, 1909, and 1914, the wages of 1900 being used as
the base for computing the relative wages:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[982]
M O N T H L Y E EVIE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOE ST A T IST IC S.
A V E R A G E D A IL Y A N D R E L A T IV E W A G ES O F E M P L O Y E E S IN S P E C IF IE D
TIO N S, 1905, 1909, A N D 1914.
149
OCCUPA
R elative wages (wages of
1900=100).
Average daily wages.
O ccupation.
1905
A griculture, etc.:
F arm laborer, m a le ...................................
F arm laborer, fem ale................................
Sericultural laborer, m a le .......................
Sericultural laborer, fem ale....................
Silk spinner, fem ale..................................
G arden er......................................................
F ish e rm a n ...............................................
Clothing, etc.:
W eaver, m a le .............................................
W eaver, fem ale......................................
D yer......................................................
C otton w h ip p e r..........................................
Tailor (for Japanese d ress)......................
Tailor (for E u ro p ean d ress)....................
Pouch m a k e r......................................
Clog (wooden shoes) m a k e r....................
Shoem aker.................................................
Food, drink, etc.
Soy m aker, m o n th ly contract................
B rew ery hand, m o n th ly co n tract........
Confectioner................................................
Tobacco c u tte r...........................................
Rice p o u n d e r..............................................
H ouse building, etc.:
C arpen ter.....................................................
Plasterer............. : ...................................
S tonecu tter.................................................
S aw yer.....................................................
Shingle roofer.............................................
Tile roofer................................................
B ricklayer...............................................
B rickm aker.................................................
S hipw rig h t..........................................
Floor-mat m a k e r....................................
Screen and door m ak er........................
Paper h an g er..........................................
Instrum en ts, etc.:
C abinetm aker.............................................
Cooper......................................................
C artw right............................................
Harness m ak er........... .......................
L acqu erer................................................
Jew eler.....................................................
F o u n d e r...................................................
B lack sm ith ..........................................
P o tte r...........................................................
Miscellaneous:
Lacquer-juice e x tra c to r...........................
Oil presser...................................................
Paper m ak er...........................................
Com positor..............................................
P rin te r.........................................................
D ay laborer.............................................
Male servant, m o n th ly c o n tra c t. . . .
Fem ale servant, m o n th ly c o n tra c t___
1909
1914
1905
I
1909
1914
$0.16
.10
.14
. 11
.11
.27
.21
so. i9
,ii
.21
.13
.13
.36
.24
$0.23
. 15
.25
.14
.17
.41
.30
106.7
105. 3
93. 5
121.1
110. 0
107.8
107.7
126. 7
121.1
138. 7
142.1
135.0
143.1
123.1
156.7
157.9
161.3
147.4
175.0
162.7
153.8
.17
.09
. 16
.20
.23
.32
.28
.21
.28
.22
.13
.23
.26
.26
.39
.30
.28
.33
.23
.14
.25
.27
.31
.42
.32
.30
.36
103.0
90.0
110.3
110. 8
123.7
108.5
129.5
105.0
121.3
133.3
130.0
158.6
140. 5
135.9
133.9
138.6
142. 5
140.4
139.4
145.0
175.9
145.9
161.5
142.4
145.5
150. 0
153.2
13. 57
15.16
. 17
.27
.16
i 4.82
i 7. 93
.20
.28
. 17
i 5.40
i 8. 63
.23
.35
.20
115.1
95.1
113.3
125. 6
106. 7
155.6
145.9
133.3
132.6
116.7
174. 5
158.8
153.3
162. 7
136.6
.30
.30
.33
.29
.28
.32
.35
.27
.32
.25
.27
.28
.40
.41
.46
.39
.39
.47
.50
.38
.40
.37
.38
.36
.43
.44
.50
.42
.43
.52
.52
.37
.46
.39
.41
.38
111. 1
111.1
108.2
111.3
111.8
110.2
112. 7
122.2
114.3
108. 5
107. 8
112.0
148.1
151.9
152.5
149.1
154.9
159. 3
160. 3
168.9
144. 6
157.4
149.0
146.0
159.3
164.8
165. 6
158. 5
170.6
176.3
166. 7
166.7
164.3
166. 0
160.8
152.0
.27
.23
.25
.31
.24
.26
.26
.27
.23
.37
.30
.32
.35
.29
.31
.33
.33
.32
.40
.34
.36
.37
.35
.32
.37
.37
.32
110.0
107.0
108.5
131.9
104. 3
123.8
112.8
114. 6
121.1
150.0
139. 5
138.3
148.9
125. 5
147.6
142.6
139.6
168.4
160. 0
160.5
155.3
159.6
151.1
154. 7
157.4
154.2
168.4
. 19
.21
. 16
.21
. 19
.20
i 1. 60
i .89
.27
.27
.21
.25
.24
.26
i 2.17
i 1.47
.30
.22
.30
.27
.28
i 2.29
i 1.47
105 6
116.7
100.0
120.0
111.8
110.8
119.3
114.7
152 K
152.8
131.3
145.7
144.1
140.5
161.5
189.1
169. 4
140. 6
171.4
161. 8
151.4
170. 4*
189.1
1 Per m onth.
In 1914 wages of male and female farm laborers under yearly con
tract averaged 53.89 yen ($26.84) per year and 32.18 yen ($16.03)
per year, respectively.
There were 137,543 operatives and apprentices employed in Gov
ernment shops—arsenals, machine shops, steel works, sail lofts, ship
yards, etc. The daily wages of male workers varied from that
paid in the forest office as a minimum, 46 sen (23 cents), to the maxi
mum of 91 sen (45 cents), paid in a factory of the imperial railway.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[983]
150
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Generally speaking, daily wages in these Government shops varied
from 60 sen (30 cents) to 80 sen (40 cents) per day for males.
C ooperative societies .—During the period 1906 to 1915 there has
been a continuous increase in the number of cooperative associations.
The number of each kind of such societies is shown for each of the
years 1906, 1910, and 1915 in the table which follows:
NUM BER
OF
C O O P E R A T IV E
S O C IE T IE S IN O P E R A T IO N
S E L E C T E D Y E A R S , B Y K IN D O F SO C IE T Y .
ON
D EC. 31, IN
N u m b er of societies in operation on
Dee. 31—
K in d of society.
1906
1910
1915
C re d it........................................................................
S a le ............................................................................
P u rch a se ..................................................................
P ro d u ctiv e ..............................................................
Sale a n d p u rc h a se ..................................................
Sale a n d p ro d u c tiv e ..............................................
Purchase and p ro d u c tiv e ....................................
Sale, purchase, a n d p ro d u c tiv e .........................
C redit and s a le .......................................................
C redit a n d p u rc h a se .............................................
C redit a n d p ro d u c tiv e ..........................................
C redit, sale, a n d p u rch ase...................................
C redit, sale, a n d p ro d u c tiv e ...............................
C redit, purchase, a n d p ro d u c tiv e .....................
C redit, sale, purchase, and p ro d u c tiv e ............
1,292
126
446
48
271
81
46
82
5
41
1
24
1
1
5
2,226
217
772
78
503
136
49
222
381
1,239
14
1,062
14
26
369
3,015
234
535
133
461
141
37
230
400
2,582
39
2,609
90
57
946
T o ta l..............................................................
2,470
7,308
11,509
In one class of society only—purchase and productive—is a de
crease in the number reported.
Sickn ess insurance .—Only one company is reported as issuing sick
ness insurance policies, and this appears to have done but little busi
ness since its organization, and no business is reported since 1912.
A ccid en t insurance .—Accident insurance is reported from 1912-13
to 1914—15. One company with a paid-up capital of 250,000 yen
($124,500) issues this class of policy only, and two other companies
having a combined paid-up capital of 2,000,000 yen ($996,000) issue
accident insurance in connection with other lines of business. The
number of policies in force in 1912-13 was 6,079 and amount of risk
carried was 9,226,040 yen ($4,594,568). In 1914—15 there were 13,291
contracts, with risk amounting to 15,946,333 yen ($7,941,274).
P ostal savings bank .—The transactions of the post-office savings’
bank show an increase from 5,848,498 deposits, amounting to 54,248,775 yen ($27,015,890), on March 31, 1906, to 11,971,580 deposits,
amounting to 191,375,715 yen ($95,305,106), on March 31, 1915. Of
the deposits reported in 1915, 4,087,967, amounting to 54,730,822 yen
($27,255,949), were credited to agriculturists, and 879,970 deposits,
amounting to 13,317,357 yen ($6,632,044), were credited to operatives.
The rate of interest on deposits was increased from 4.2 per cent to
4.8 per cent in April, 1915.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[984]
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION.
W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N S A T IO N L E G IS L A T IO N O F 1917— A M E N D IN G
A CTS.
BY BINDLEY D. CLARK.
Attention has already been called to the fact that five States have
this year joined the ranks of those jurisdictions which substitute
compensation remedies for suits at law in cases of injury to em
ployees. Brief accounts of the laws of those States were given, for
New Mexico in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for May (pp. 744-746), for
Delaware and Utah in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for June (pp. 973-976),
and for Idaho and South Dakota in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for July
(pp. 96-100).
By reason of these enactments the number of States having com
pensation laws is now 37, besides the Territories of Alaska and
Hawaii and the island possession of Porto Rico. There is also a
Federal statute covering civil employees of the United States. Of
the 35 local laws in force at the beginning of this year 24 were
amended, and supplemental laws were enacted in two other States.
The changes made by the amendments, as well as the new laws en
acted, will be presented in a bulletin on Workmen’s Compensation
Laws now in preparation, but the great interest in legislation on this
subject warrants an earlier summary presentation of the effects of the
principal changes made. In practically every case the tendency has
been to enlarge the scope of the laws and to liberalize their provisions.
Numerous details as to administration, insurance, and the like, are
of less general interest than the substantive provisions, though their
importance in securing the adequate and prompt enforcement of the
laws can not be overlooked.
Among the important changes is one in the law of California,
which is broadened to cover occupational diseases, as is that of
Hawaii. The law of Illinois is made compulsory in its application,
instead of election being presumed. In Nevada, on the other hand,
the method of a presumed election is abolished and active election
required.
A number of changes were made as to coverage. In Indiana
railroad train service is excluded from the provisions of the law;
the same is done in Washington, railroad labor, with the exception of
construction work, being made subject to liability or other provisions
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of law such as exist or may be enacted by reason of acts of Congress.
This action of the Washington Legislature is its answer to the prob
lem of conflict of laws as regards interstate and intrastate commerce,
and makes the rights and liabilities the same in either case, thus
gaining an end which it has been proposed to reach by amending the
Federal Constitution so as to permit the National Government to
take control of common carriers by railroad in whatever field. This
end is clearly much more easily attainable, so far as the situation
in any individual State is concerned, by such action as was taken
by the Washington Legislature.1 In this connection attention may
be called to the act of Congress noted on another page (Workmen’s
Compensation and Admiralty, p. 153),in which a very different solu
tion of a similar problem was attempted, Congress proposing to
bestow alternative rights upon claimants injured in maritime under
takings, offering them their choice between State and Federal laws.
A limitation that is found in some laws requires the industries
covered by the act to be carried on “ for pecuniary gain,” a provision
of the Iowa statute which was stricken out by an amendment of this
year. So-called numerical exemptions are changed in a number of
Jaws. Thus, in Texas the law was formerly applicable only where
6 or more persons were employed ; 5 or more was the number fixed
by the laws of Nebraska and Wyoming, and 4 or more in Wisconsin.
The law of Nebraska now applies without regard to the number
of employees, while in the other States named it applies where
there are 3 or more employees. The employments included are
enumerated in New York and Wyoming, and the list was ex
tended by specific inclusions, w-hile in Texas the exclusion of cotton
ginning was stricken out. The Texas statute, however, excluded
vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce from its scope.
Employées of the State and of municipalities, irrigation districts,
etc., may elect to come under the law in Oregon, the same as those of
private employers, while in Rhode Island State employees are in
cluded, and also such employees of cities and towns as are designated
in any local act adopted by the municipality at an election held to
decide on the acceptance of the compensation law. In Vermont em
ployees were formerly excluded from the act if they earned wages
or salary in an amount exceeding $1,500. This barrier was this year
advanced so as to include persons earning not more than $2,000.
1 T h e n o v e lty o f m e th o d in th is c a s e c o n s is ts r a t h e r in th e a d o p tio n o f th e F e d e ra l la w
in its p r e s e n t o r a n y f u tu r e fo rm , w ith o u t s t a t i n g in te r m s w h a t t h a t la w is, th a n in th e
a c c e p ta n c e o f th e lia b ility p rin c ip le s o f th e F e d e ra l la w , s in c e th is h a s been d o n e in a
n u m b e r o f S ta te s in w h ic h th e la w a s to c o m m o n c a r r ie r s is la rg e ly c opied fro m th e
F e d e ra l s ta t u te .
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A very general movement is in evidence to reduce the period of
waiting time which must intervene between the receipt of an injury
and the beginning of compensation payments. Thus the common
period of two weeks, or 14 days, is reduced one-half in Hawaii,
Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, and Nebraska, and in Vermont after
July 1, 1918. In California the time is reduced from two weeks to
10 days, and in Connecticut from 10 days to 7 days. The three weeks’
period originally fixed by the Colorado statute is reduced to two;
while the Washington law, which originally provided for benefits in
case the “ loss of earning power shall exceed 5 per cent,” now gives
compensation after eight days of disability. The effect of the estab
lishment of this standard, however, is to extend the waiting time,
since the earlier law had been construed to be applicable in cases in
which 5 per cent of a working month was lost.
The purposes of a waiting time are usually said to be to do away
with numerous cases of trivial injury and to reduce malingering.
Where a more serious injury is received neither of these reasons is
operative, so that a number of States grant benefits from the date
of the injury in cases in which disability continues beyond a fixed
period. The Nebraska law was amended to reduce this period from
eight weeks to six. In New York, if a disability continues for more
than 49 days, payments will be made from the beginning; 30 days is
the period fixed by amendments in Washington and Wyoming and
28 days in Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
A number of changes were made with regard to beneficiaries, not
so much as to the classes to be included, but for the purpose of de
termining their relative rights and the conditions under which pay
ments should be continued or terminated. The Alaska statute was
amended so as definitely to include posthumous children; benefits
may also be paid to children beyond the age of 16 (the limitation in
the law of this Territory), where there is dependence on account of
mental or physical incompetency. The age when payments cease was
advanced from 16 years to 18 years in Nevada.
The changes in benefits were too numerous to be noted here in
detail, but were generally in the direction of enlargement. An ex
ception is found in the Colorado law, which reduces the $100 allow
ance for burial expenses to $75. A rather peculiar provision of the
laws of California and Massachusetts requires the payment of burial
expenses in an amount not exceeding $100 in all cases of death, but
directs that where there are dependents receiving benefits the sum so
advanced shall be deducted from the award. The Massachusetts act
originally made an allowance of $200 for the expenses of the last
sickness and burial of persons dying without dependents, and that
of California of $100 for burial and made no burial allowance
in other cases. The law of Wisconsin also formerly provided
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burial allowances only in case there were no dependents, but by
amendment these allowances are now payable in all fatal cases. In
Kansas the allowance where there are no dependents is increased to
$150 from $100, wThile under the Vermont law $100 may be paid in
all cases instead of $75 as formerly.
Medical, surgical, etc., aid may be required in any amount neces
sary under the law of California, while in Wisconsin it is to be con
tinued as long as in the judgment of the commission the treatment
will lessen the compensation period. The Wisconsin law also directs
artificial limbs to be furnished. In Washington a medical and hos
pital fund is to be maintained by equal contributions of employers
and employees, and necessary aid is to be furnished from this fund
during temporary disability, and in cases of permanent disability
until the compensation award is made. In Hawaii the amount of
the benefits is advanced from $50 to $150 and the term of medical
treatment is unlimited. In Iowa and. Rhode Island the period of
treatment is extended from two weeks to four; while in the former
State compensation benefits for the fifth, sixth, and seventh weeks
are to be advanced to 83^ per cent, but if disability continues beyond
the seventh week the normal 50 per cent basis is resumed—a form
of temporary increase that may be regarded as a method of extend
ing the period of medical treatment.
As in Washington, the Kansas law originally made no provision
for medical treatment, but the amendment provides that such treat
ment may be had on demand for a period of 50 days and in an amount
not exceeding $150. The value of the treatment is increased from
$75 to $100 in Vermont, and its term from one week to two weeks in
Texas, though in the latter State hospital services for an additional
two weeks must be furnished if found necessary. In Nevada the
term of customary treatment is reduced from 4 months to 90 days,
but a maximum of one year is fixed in cases in which the industrial
commission orders it to be furnished.
Benefits for disability or death are measured either by lump sums
or by percentages of the employee’s wages, and in the latter case
minimum and maximum benefits may be fixed. The weekly benefit
under the Connecticut statute is fixed at a maximum of $14 instead
of $10 as formerly, a similar change being made in Massachusetts for
cases of total disability. Maximum death benefits are advanced in
Illinois from $3,500 to $4,000, and the maximum percentage allowance
in cases of disability where the injured man has children is fixed at 65
per cent instead of 50. The Iowa statute fixes the minimum and
maximum payments for disability at $6 and $15 per week, respec
tively, instead of $5 and $10 as formerly. The benefit allowed
in cases of disability is advanced in Kansas from 50 per cent to 60
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per cent, the minimum death benefit from $1,200 to $1,100, and the
maximum from $3,600 to $3,800. The Minnesota statute also ad
vances the disability benefit from 50 per cent to 60 per cent of the in
jured person’s earnings, and makes the maximum $12 instead of $11
per week as formerly. The Nebraska law adopts a 66f per cent basis
in lieu of its former 50 per cent basis, and makes the weekly minimum
and maximum $6 and $12, respectively, instead of $5 and $10. This
rate is paid for 300 weeks in cases of permanent disability, after
which 45 per cent of the injured man’s wages is to be paid instead
of 40 per cent as formerly, and the weekly minimum and maximum
in such prolonged cases are set at $4.50 and $9 instead of $4 and $8
as before. Benefits payable to widows or widowers under the law
of Nevada are reduced from 40 per cent to 30 per cent, with a uniform
addition of 10 per cent for each child entitled to benefits, the maxi
mum allowance being 66§ per cent of the decedent’s earnings instead
of 60 per cent as before.
The period for which death benefits may run is increased from six
to eight years in Ohio, and the minimum and maximum amounts are
fixed at $2,000 and $5,000, respectively, instead of $1,500 and $3,750.
The law of Wyoming increases the lump-sum benefits provided for in
cases of death and permanent disability, and advances the awards
payable to nonresident alien beneficiaries from 25 per cent of the
citizens’ allowances to 33 per cent of the same. Payments in case
of temporary disability are fixed at $18 per month for single per
sons instead of $15 and $24 per month for married persons instead
of $20 as previously provided; additions for children may bring the
total up to $40 per month, instead of $35 as formerly. The maximum
period for disability payments in Vermont was formerly 260 weeks,
with a possible extension of 52 weeks. An amendment of the current
year strikes out the provision for an extension, but on the other hand
it also removes the maximum limit of the basic wages to be consid
ered in computing benefits, which was $25 per week.
The law of Texas formerly stood alone in making a provision for
the payment of the debts of deceased persons where no dependents
survived. This was a departure from the intent of compensation
legislation, which is to relieve the economic distress due to the re
moval of the family support in case of death and not to provide means
of securing creditors’ claims. An amendment of this year strikes out
the provision that authorizes the payment to creditors of such-sums
as would have been due to beneficiaries had any survived.
It is interesting to observe that of the new laws enacted this year
each contains a schedule providing compensation for specified periods
or in specified amounts for specific injuries causing permanent partial
disability. In addition to these, Kansas and Washington, two of the
States whose laws formerly had no schedules of this kind, this year
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enacted laws providing for the payment of lump sums for a list of
specified injuries, the law of Kansas providing that for permanent
partial disability not thus provided for there shall be a payment
of 60 per cent of the wage loss for eight years, while in Washington
injuries not named in the schedule are to be compensated according
to their degree in proportion to the schedule rates named. Iowa adds
loss of hearing to the disabilities for which compensation is to be
provided, while the Wisconsin statute is amended by extending the
compensation period for the disabilities named in its schedule in a
great majority of the cases enumerated.
The purpose of securing the payment of compensation when
awarded is evident in amendments to the laws of California, Ne
braska, and New Jersey, insurance being required in all cases unless
there is a proved ability to carry one’s own risk. In Pennsylvania
contractors with the State or its municipalities are required to insure
their employees in accordance with the provisions of the State com
pensation law.
Another phase of the insurance question was dealt with by the
Nevada Legislature, which struck out from the law its schedule of
premiums for certain classes of industries, relegating the subject of
premium rates to the industrial commission.
As indicated in the beginning, numerous administrative changes
have been made, details of which will not be here presented. It may
be noted, however, that in Michigan a board Avas created to exercise
certain advisory functions with regard to the insurance features of
the law. An investigative .board Avas also created to consider the
subject of needed amendments to the act. The administration of the
L ay of Nebraska is placed in charge of a compensation division in
the bureau of labor of the State. The commissioner of labor is made
compensation commissioner, but is authorized to appoint a chief
deputy compensation commissioner, to be charged with the poAvers
and to discharge the duties of the compensation commissioner. The
industrial accident board of Vermont is abolished and the adminis
tration of the act conferred upon one man, to be known as commis
sioner of industries, who is also charged AAdth the enforcement of the
labor laws generally.
The most far-reaching and most suggestive change made by the
legislature of any State during the year, and indeed one of the most
far-reaching amendments to any compensation laAV since the idea was
given its present general form, is the provision of an amendment to
the Washington statute, which provides for the creation of local aid
boards, to assist in the administration of the law, including the care
and treatment of injured workmen. These boards are to consist of
tAATo members each, one to be selected and removed at pleasure by a
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majority of the workmen coming under the jurisdiction of the board,
and one by a majority of the employers. In case of disagreement,
the chairman of the State board or his assistant is to make decisions.
These local boards are to be distributed throughout the State with
reference to the localities and industries in accordance with determi
nations of the State board, the numbers to be such as experience
determines to be necessary or advisable for the proper and economi
cal administration of the service. It is the duty of these local boards
to provide for the care and treatment of injured persons coming
under the act, reporting to the State board the commencement of
every disability, its termination and cause, together with recommen
dations for the improvement of the service and the administration.
A State medical aid board is also created, to establish rules and
practices for the care and treatment of injured workmen, these to be
administered only by the local aid boards.
Taking into consideration the mode of appointment and the duties
of these boards, together with the maintenance of a medical aid fund
through the joint contribution of employers and employees, it is clear
that there is here an attempt to enlist the interest and the service of
local agencies in a manner not hitherto attempted. It is the first
approximation to the local administrative methods of the German
accident insurance system, with its supervision by fellow workmen
financially interested by reason of their contributions, that has been
attempted in this country. The outcome of the experiment will be
awaited with interest.
W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N S A T IO N
AND
A D M IR A L T Y .
Decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States holding that
State compensation laws could have no application to cases of injury
where maritime or admiralty law would apply, were noted in the
M o n t h l y R e v ie w for July, 1917 (pp. 100-109). The cases then be
fore the court involved the employment of longshoremen loading
and unloading steamships in New York Harbor, the titles of the
cases being Southern Pacific Co. v. Jensen, 37 Sup. Ct. 524, and Clyde
Steamship Co. v. Walker, 37 Sup. Ct. 544. The opinions were de
livered on May 21, 1917. There were vigorous dissents to this ruling
on the part of four justices, while the industrial commissions of
California and New York were strongly outspoken in favor of such
readjustment of the laws as would enable the States to assume juris
diction.
In pursuance of the purpose to relieve the situation produced by
these decisions, which, according to Mr. A. J. Pillsbury, chairman
of the Industrial Accident Commission of California, “ placed
thousands of workers beyond protection, for, under the admiralty
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laws, no compensation at all is payable where death results, and very
little is obtainable in cases of injury,” a bill was introduced in Con
gress, with the purpose of transferring to the States the control of
such cases, or at least of giving concurrent jurisdiction. This bill
(S. 2916) was first presented in the Senate of the United States on
September 25, by Senator Johnson of California, and was, in form,
an .amendment of the Judicial Code, section 24, clause 3. The sec
tion named declared the extent of the original jurisdiction of the
United States, which included “ all civil cases of admiralty and
maritime jurisdiction, saving to suitors in all cases the right of a
common-law remedy where the common law is competent to give it.”
The amendment proposed to add “ and to claimants the rights and
remedies under the workman’s compensation law of any State.” A
similar amendment was proposed also for clause 3 of section 256,
which declared that the jurisdiction vested in the courts of the United
States in certain classes of cases should be exclusive of the courts of
the several States. This saving effect is intended to result in allow
ing the State compensation laws to operate where territorially ap
plicable, without regard to the maritime nature of the case. The
same bill was presented in the House (H. R. 6329) by Representative
Gard of Ohio on September 29.
A memorandum accompanying the bill, prepared by its supporters,
sets forth the fact that the effect of the Supreme Court decisions was
to terminate the exercise of a power that had operated beneficially in
the case of numerous accidents in the harbors of New York and San
Francisco, affecting citizen workers whose injuries entail burdens
upon the local community, without power for such alleviation or dis
tribution as is possible in the case of other industrial employees.
On October 2 the bill was considered by the Senate by unanimous
consent, and was passed after a brief statement as to its intent. It
was similarly acted upon in the House on October 5, and received
presidential approval on October 6, thus becoming a law within
eleven days from its introduction into Congress.
In connection with the fact that the commissions had, prior to the
Supreme Court decisions, proceeded on the assumption that the com
pensation laws were applicable, it is of interest to note that steam
ship and navigation companies which had paid premiums into the
New York State fund, subsequent to the decision, applied for a refund
of these premiums on the ground of the inapplicability of the law
to them. This request was denied by the industrial commission on
the ground that the courts have held as a recognized principle that
no relief can be given litigants from a mistake of law, the theory
being that everyone is supposed to be acquainted with its provisions.
The same commission had before it the cases of a number of bene-
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ficiaries to whom awards had been made prior to the rendering of
the Supreme Court decisions, but whose benefits were being withheld
by the insurance carriers on the ground of the invalidity of the
awards. I t developed, however, that in each case payments had been
made by the insurance company to the beneficiary subsequent to the
rendering of these decisions, and the commission ruled that this pay
ment amounted to an acquiescence in the mode of settlement in force,
and that by this acquiescence claimants have been lulled into security
until some of their rights may have expired by limitation, and their
opportunity to secure evidence for a suit at law or in admiralty been
lost; both employer and insurer were therefore held to be obligated
to abide by the awards as made.
A very similar case was before the industrial accident board of
Texas, payment to a widow from the insurance company having been
suspended on account of the decisions of the Supreme Court. The
beneficiary’s husband had been drowned by the sinking of a tug
while attempting to tow a steamship from the harbor to sea. The
company owning the boat had accepted the provisions of the Texas
compensation law, and had insured its liability thereunder; on
the occurrence of the accident an award was made, and payments
for 16 weeks were made by the company. Further payments were
refused on the ground, as already indicated, that the State had no
jurisdiction, the insurance company contending that decisions, both
on interstate commerce and on admiralty, relieved it from paying
awards made under a State compensation law.
As to admiralty, it was stated by the industrial accident board that
the towboat company, the employer, had the right to have its liability
determined in a Federal court, with admiralty jurisdiction, but that
it could invoke or waive this right as it saw fit. The same option was
held to belong to the claimant, but not to the insurance company,
which simply entered the case voluntarily “ upon a three-cornered
contract for a valuable consideration, assuming certain contingent
liabilities which it assumed to pay as they matured.” I t was held
that the insurance company had no admiralty rights whatever, that
its liability was merely one of contract, the fruits of which it had
already reaped, so that it was not now in a position to avoid its
obligations. It was pointed out that under the Texas act this was a
suit between the insurance company and the employee or his bene
ficiaries, and on a different footing from that which would obtain if
the claimant had brought action against the towboat comqiany itself.
Certain provisions of the laws of New York, New Jersey, and Texas
were dwelt upon, and the conclusion was reached that the differences
disclosed warranted the inference that the Texas act was not to be
construed in accordance with the Supreme Court decisions on the New
York and New Jersey laws, either as regards admiralty or interstate
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commerce, the chief emphasis as to the latter point being laid on the
optional nature of the Texas statute, as contrasted with the com
pulsory law of New York and the New Jersey statute, which was
said to embody “ compulsory presumptions which in effect challenge
the propriety” of classifying it as an elective statute. It was con
cluded therefore that the company’s liability on its contract con
tinued, and “ that the Employers’ Liability Act of Texas in no way
trenches upon the admiralty jurisdiction of the Federal court and
does not encroach upon the jurisdiction of the Federal courts upon
matters affecting interstate commerce in any way.”
Appeals to the courts from both the rulings of the New York com
mission noted above were announced as probable. However, premium
payments will again apparently become due by reason of the amend
ment permitting application of the remedies under the workmen’s
compensation law of the State, so that any procedure for recovery of
premiums may now be abandoned.
Some doubt has been expressed as to the constitutionality of this
amendment in view of the provision of the Constitution which ex
tends the judicial power of the United States courts “ to all cases
•of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction,” the contention being that a
mere act of Congress can not confer the right to recover under com
pensation laws which establish a remedy said by the Supreme Court
to be “ of a character wholly unknown to the common law, incapable
of enforcement by the ordinary processes of any court, and not
saved to suitors from the grant of exclusive jurisdiction” ; but in
considering the outcome of any action at law to avoid the effect of
the amending legislation it must be kept in mind that four of the
nine justices of the Supreme Court bench believed that the State had
the right to enforce its law under existing conditions, and that this
amendment is a direct attempt by Congress to protect the States in
such action.
D R A F T O F W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N S A T IO N B IL L F O R T H E S T A T E
O F V IR G IN IA .
A joint resolution of the General Assembly of Virginia, agreed to
February 5, 1916, provided for the appointment of a commission to
draft a bill for a workmen’s compensation law such as “ having
regard to the peculiar conditions of Virginia, will do justice to both
employers and employees.” A tentative draft has been prepared by
this commission and submitted for consideration in anticipation of
the meeting of the legislature in January of next year. The bill is
elective in form, but election is presumed by both employer and
employee in the absence of contrary notice. Employers electing to
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reject the act forfeit the common-law defenses, while employees elect
ing to reject the act are subject to those defenses in cases in which
the employer accepts the compensation provisions. The law proposed
is exclusive where applicable, and employers are compelled to insure
the payment of compensation thereunder.
The bill is limited to accidental injuries and does not include dis
eases in any form except as they result from the injury.
Excluded from the operation of the act are casual laborers, em
ployees of steam railways and carriers in interstate commerce gener
ally, farm laborers and domestic servants, and employers of less than
three operatives regularly in the same business; voluntary election
may, however, be made by persons not otherwise covered by the bill,
except of course those in interstate commerce. The proposed law
applies compulsorily to State and municipal corporations and their
employees.
A waiting period of 14 days is fixed, and the compensation basis
is one-half the average weekly wages of the injured employee. Totaldisability pajments may not be more than $10 per week nor less
than $5, nor continue more than 500 weeks nor exceed a total of
$4,000. Partial disability is to be compensated by the payment of
one-half the wage loss, the amount to be not more than $10 per week
and to continue for not more than 300 weeks. A schedule of awards
is provided for specific injuries.
Death benefits have the same maximum and minimum limitations
as total disability, but are restricted to a term of 300 weeks. Pay
ments to alien beneficiaries other than those resident in the Do
minion of Canada may not exceed $1,000, while in other cases the
total amount shall not exceed $4,000. Conversion to lump sums is
provided for if deemed by the industrial commission to be for the
best interests of the parties. Payments to children cease on their
reaching the age of 18, unless physically or mentally incapacitated
from earning a livelihood, and to a widow or widower and dependent
children living with them on the remarriage of the widow or wid
ower. Necessary medical attention must be provided for not more
than 30 days after the injury, and in fatal cases burial expenses
not exceeding $100 must be paid.
A commission to administer the proposed act is provided for, to
be known as the industrial commission of Virginia, consisting of
three members to be appointed by the governor for terms of six years.
A salary of $4,000 per year is to be paid each member; and a secre
tary, who is to receive not more than $2,500 per year, is provided
for. Disputes passed upon by this dommission may be appealed
within 15 days from the award to the courts, in a form and manner
to be prescribed by the supreme court of appeals of the State.
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R E P O R T O F IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N T B O A R D O F M O N T A N A , Y E A R
E N D IN G J U N E 30, 1917.
The Industrial Accident Board of Montana has recently issued its
second annual report for the 12 months ending June 30, 1917, which
includes a review of the operations of the law since it became effec
tive, July 1, 1915.1
The Montana law is elective and applies only to hazardous employ
ments having five or more employees. Insurance may be taken under
one of three plans: (1) Self-insurance upon satisfactory showing of
solvency, (2) private insurance companies, or (3) State accidentinsurance fund. On July 1, 1917, there were 1,918 employers oper
ating under the compensation act, and these constitute 99 per cent of
all employers engaged on hazardous occupations subject to the act.
These employers reported having 48,502 employees during 1916, but
the board estimates the present number of employees at approxi
mately 73,000, which represents 97 per cent of the workmen engaged
in hazardous occupations.
The report states that during the two years ending June 30, 1917,
65 employers2 operated under plan 1, paying in compensation, includ
ing 123 lump-sum death settlements and 358 burial expenses, the
sum of $631,906.67. The total of the claims awaiting settlement
under this plan is estimated at about $190,000, making a compensa
tion liability amounting to $821,906.67. Computed on an estimated
pay roll of $75,142,611 for the two-year period, this would indicate
a total cost to employers of a little more than 1 per cent.
Under the second plan there were operating at the end of the fiscal
year 1,141 insured employers employing approximately 23,000 men,
and representing a pay roll of $27,039,852. I t appears that during the
first two years of the act the 13 insurance companies carrying risks
under this plan have paid out $131,371.12 in compensation, burial,
medical, and hospital expenses. The outstanding losses for the same
period are estimated at $32,000, making $163,371.12 as total losses
incurred. Computed on a reported pay roll of $27,039,852, as given
above, the actual accident cost approximated 0.6 per cent. The
amount of premium collected by these insurance companies is esti
mated at something over $600,000, or about 2^ per cent of the entire
pay roll. “ The actual accident cost under this plan, of a little over
one-half of 1 per cent, compared with the premium cost of over
2^ per cent of the pay roll, would indicate the necessity for a sub
stantial reduction in the prevailing insurance rates, which undoubt
edly will be the case.”
1 M o n ta n a I n d u s tr ia l A c c id e n t B o a rd , s ec o n d a n n u a l r e p o r t f o r th e 12 m o n th s e n d in g
J u n e 30, 1917. W o rk m e n ’s C o m p e n sa tio n A ct.
[H e le n a , 1 9 1 7 .]
344 pp.
2 S ix o f th e s e c o m p a n ie s w ith d re w fro m a c tiv e b u s in e s s th r e e m o n th s b e fo re th e close
o f th e fisc al y e a r e n d in g J u n e 3 0, 1 9 1 7 , le a v in g 59 r e g is te re d a t t h a t d a te .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[9961
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IS T IC S .
163
The T18 employers with 9,691 employees who insured in the State
fund paid in premiums a total of $73,050.08, levied in four assess
ments, during the two-year period, upon a total reported pay roll of
$9,589,932, representing a premium cost to the employers of less than
1 per cent. The report shows that the State fund has paid out in
compensation of all kinds $41,542.87, with pending claims aggregat
ing about $11,500, making a total liability for the two-year period
of $53,042.87, which, computed on the pay-roll total indicated above,
makes an accident cost under this plan of a little more than one-half
of 1 per cent.
Referring to the accident records, the report states that of the
73,000 employees covered by the three plans, 8,325, or 11.4 per cent,
were injured, 307 injuries resulting in death, 10 in permanent total
disability, 184 in permanent partial disability, and 7,824 in tempo
rary disability. Of this latter number 1,461 received compensation
and the rest returned to work before the expiration of the two-weeks
waiting period and received only the medical and hospital attention
prescribed by the law.
During the two-year period 15,1271 accidents were reported, 443
being fatal, 13 permanent total disabilities, 273 permanent partial
disabilities, and 14,398 temporary disabilities, of which number 2,862
received compensation and 11,536 returned to work before the expira
tion of the waiting period. Of the 15,127 accidents, 9,803 came
under plan 1, 4,622 under plan 2, and 702 under plan 3.
The following table shows for the two years the benefits paid
under each specified plan:
B E N E F IT S PA ID U N D E R EA C H S P E C IF IE D PL A N OF IN SU R A N C E F O R T H E 2 Y E A R S
E N D IN G JU N E 30, 1917.
porary
P erm an en t Perm anent Tem
to ta l
to ta l
p a rtia l
d
isab
ility
d isab ility d isab ility
(14,398 a
(13 cases). (273 cases).
cases).
Medical
and
hospital
benefits.
B urial
expenses.
T otal.
F i r s t ....................... $379,989.28
Second.................... 26,744. 77
13,178. 46
T h ir d . . .
$30,947.00
7,612.38
$9,500.97
18,245.32
5,301. 55
$21,040.90
3.750.00
1.490.00
$631,906.67
131,371.12
40,890. 52
419,912.51
38,559. 38
33,047.84
26,280.90
804,168.31
Plan.
T o ta l...........
F a ta l (443
cases).
$54,184. 91 $136,243. 61
17,648.99
57,369.66
4,219.89
16,700. 62
76,053.79
210,313. 89
b
a Of th is n u m b er 2,862 received com pensation.
6 This, as explained, is exclusive of th e cost of h o sp ital contracts or agreem ents,, w hich are held b y fully
four-fifths of th e employees u n d e r th e act. The re p o rt states th a t th e w orkm en have p a id out for this
service during th e 24 m onths som ething like one m illion a n d a h alf dollars.
The report shows that 3,591 workmen were injured sufficiently to
draw compensation, including death benefits, and that the amount
so paid was $1,035,668,2 or an average of about $300 each.
1 Of these, 6,802 occurred d u rin g th e first year.
2 T h is in c lu d e s a n e s tim a te o f $ 2 3 1 ,5 0 0 n e c e s s a ry to s e ttle p e n d in g c la im s, w h ic h , su b
t r a c te d fro m th e $ 1 ,0 3 5 ,6 6 8 , le a v e s a p p ro x im a te ly th e t o t a l in th e p re c e d in g ta b le .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[997]
164
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
The following is the financial statement covering the period
March i, 1915, to June 30, 1917:
ASSETS.
In d u s tria l fu n d _______________________________________$32,754.31
A d m in istrativ e fu n d _________________________________ 12, 095. 92
In v estm en t fu n d (re g iste re d w a r r a n ts ) ______________
4,5 0 2 .8 5
C o m p en satio n ________________________________________ 40, 890. 52
A d m in istrativ e e x p e n se ______________________________ 56, 854. 02
R e fu n d s______________________________________________
1, 063. 84
B onds an d secu ritie s (deposited fo r p lan No. 1 ) _______ 35,000.00
F u rn itu re and fix tu re s_______________________________
2, 431. 97
E x p e n d itu re s a u th o r iz e d _____________________________ 107, 600. 00
A ccrued d isa b ilitie s__________________________________
15, 026. 95
308,220. 38
LIABILITIES.
P rem ium incom e__________________________ $77,179. 25
Less uncollected__________________________
3. 713. 42
C ollections ___________________________________________
A d m in istrativ e in c o m e ___________________
12. 343.17
L ess uncollected__________________________
247. 25
73, 465. 83
C ollections (insp ectio n f e e s ) _________________________ 12,095.92
In d u s tria l fu n d w a rra n t a c co u n t_____________ _______
5. 336. 91
A d m in istrativ e fu n d w a rra n t acco u n t________________ 15, 998. 21
A p p ro p riatio n s (in clu d in g boiler, q u artz, and coal m ine
inspection ) _________________________________________ 150, 883. 52
B onds and secu rities in tr u s t_________________________ 35, 000. 00
Special d e p o s its ________________________________ 1_____
1. 02
In te re s t re c e iv e d ____________________________________
412. 02
R eserve fo r know n lia b ilitie s_________________________ 15, 026. 95
308, 220. 38
IN C R E A SE D B E N E F IT S IN B R IT IS H W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N SA T IO N
(W A R A D D IT IO N ) ACT, 1917/
The British Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1906 has recently
been amended by the enactment of the Workmen’s Compensation
(War Addition) Act, 1917, which came into force on September 1
of the current year.
The act places upon employers a 25 per cent increased liability
for such weekly compensation as may become payable at any time
during the period of validity of the act—namely, the period of the
war, and six months thereafter—to every employee who on or after
September 1, 1917, may be suffering total disability as the result of
an accident which arose out of and in the course of his employment,
1 Journal of Commerce, New York, Sept. 19, 1917.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[998]
M O N T H L Y R EV IEW OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
165
even if such accident occurred prior to the coining into force of
the act.
The full text of the new act is reprinted below :
1. (1) W here any w orkm an is a t any tim e d u rin g th e p eriod fo r w hich th is
a c t continues in force en title d d u rin g to ta l in cap acity to a w eekly paym ent by
w ay of com pensation u n d e r th e W orkm en’s C om pensation Act, 190G, he shall,
w h eth er th e incapacity aro se before o r a fte r th e com m encem ent of th is act, he
e n titled to receive from th e person liab le to pay th e com pensation, by w ay of
ad d itio n to each such w eekly p ay m en t p ay ab le in respect of any w eek w ith in
th e said period, a sum equal to one-fourth of th e am o u n t of th a t paym ent.
(2) T he a d d itio n al w eekly sum p ay ab le u n d e r th is a c t sh all be deem ed to be
p a r t of th e w eekly p ay m en t u n d er th e W orkm en’s C om pensation Act, 1906, fo r
th e purposes of—
(a ) T he provisions re la tin g to th e recovery of w eekly p a y m e n ts;
(b) Any o rd er m ade w ith resp ect to p ay m en t into co u rt of a w eekly p ay
m ent ;
(c) T he provisions of p a ra g ra p h (19) of th e first schedule to th e W o rk
m en’s C om pensation Act, 1906, (w hich p ro h ib its th e assignm ent, etc., of w eekly
p ay m en ts) ; and shall, n o tw ith sta n d in g th a t th e lia b ility to m ake th e said
w eekly p ay m en t is redeem ed subsequent to th e com m encem ent of th is act, con
tin u e to be pay ab le in th e sam e m an n er as if th a t lia b ility h ad n o t been re
deemed.
2. W here an em ployer is liable to pay benefits u n d er a schem e certified by
th e re g is tra r of frien d ly societies u n d e r section th re e of th e W orkm en’s Com
p ensation Act, 1906, th e re g is tra r m ay d ire c t th a t w orkm en who a re a t any
tim e d u rin g th e period fo r w hich th is a c t continues in force en title d to benefits
u n d er th e schem e as on account of to ta l in cap acity shall receive such a d d i
tio n al benefit as is specified by th e re g is tr a r in th e directio n as being in his
opinion of equivalent v alu e to th e ad d itio n a l sum pay ab le u n d e r th e foregoing
provisions of th is act.
3. (1) T his act shall come into o p eratio n on th e first day of Septem ber, 1917,
an d shall continue in force d u rin g th e co n tin u an ce of th e p re se n t w a r and fo r a
period of six m onths th e re a fte r.
(2) T h is a c t m ay be cited as th e W orkm en’s C om pensation (W a r A d dition)
Act, 1917.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[999]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES.
A C C ID E N T S E V E R IT Y R A T E S .
[A comparison of tlie scale used by the Bureau of Labor S tatistics and the scale proposed
by the I. A. I. A. B. C.]
One of the most interesting results of the August meeting of the
International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Com
missions at Boston was the association’s acceptance of a report of its
committee on statistics, recommending the adoption by the several
State commissions of a system of accident severity rating. Inasmuch
as the Bureau of Labor Statistics had earlier worked out and applied
a somewhat similar scheme of severity rating in two comprehensive
reports, now in press,1 a comparison of the two systems becomes of
interest.2
Both systems are based on the same fundamental idea—that, be
cause accidents differ so greatly in the seriousness of the resulting
injuries, the mere frequency of accidents does not offer a true measure
of accident hazard; and that such a measure can be obtained only by
comparing accidents on the basis of their severity. Also, both sys
tems adopt the same scheme for the measurement of severity, namely,
the time loss resulting from the injury. In the case of temporary
disability, this time loss is accurately measured by the number of
days during which the worker is incapacitated for labor. In the
case of death and permanent disabilities, it is necessary to use a
more or less arbitrary scale.
I t is in the fixing of this scale that the two systems differ. The
bureau’s scale values death as equivalent to the loss of 9,000 work
days, on the basis that the average age of men killed by accident is
about 30 years, and their expectancy of active labor, at that time,
about 30 years (300 workdays per yearX30 years expectancy=9,000
workdays). Permanent total disability was given a rating of 10,500
days, on the ground that total invalidism is economically more
severe than death, inasmuch as it not only deprives the victim of all
his productive power but makes him, to some extent, a burden on the
time of others. In valuing permanent partial disability, the bureau’s
scale took the loss of the arm as the most severe of such disabilities,
and rated this injury at 2,808 days (or 31 per cent of death). In so
doing it was recognized that existing industrial and educational con
ditions probably make the loss of an arm to most workers a more
1 Accidents and accident prevention in machine building. B ulletin 216, U. S. Bureau
of Labor S ta tistics (in press) ; Accidents and accident prevention in the iron and steel
industry. Bulletin 234, U. S. Bureau of Labor S tatistics (in press).
2 The report o f the committee on statistics of the I. A. I. A. B. C. was published in
the October, 1917, number of the M o n t h l y R e v i e w , pp. 123 to 143. The scale devised
by the Bureau of Labor S tatistics was published in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for July, 1916,
pp. 6 to 17.
166
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1000]
MONTHLY RE V IE W OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.
167
serious injury, from the standpoint of earning capacity, than is rep
resented by a 31 per cent of death rating. But, on the other hand, it
appears probable that better methods of functional rehabilitation
and education in the future will tend greatly to diminish the
economic importance of almost all partial disabilities.
The proposed association scale rates death much lower, and per
manent disabilities much higher than does the bureau’s scale. Death,
by the association’s scale, is rated at 6,000 days (i. e., 20 years),
total permanent disability being classed the same as death, and the
arm is assigned a value of 4,500 days, or 75 per cent of death. The
time losses assigned the lesser partial disabilities are correspondingly
higher than those for similar disabilities in the bureau’s scale.
The two scales, in detail, are as follows:
SCALES OF TIME LOSSES FOR WEIGHTING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS SO AS TO
SHOW SEVERITY OF ACCIDENTS.
S ca le
used
by
th e
U n ited
S ta tes
B ureau of Labor
a n d 2 3 If .
Death....................................
Permanent total disability.
Loss of members:
A rm ...............................
Leg.................................
H a n d ................................
Foot...............................
E ye .................................
Thum b..........................
First finger....................
Second finger.................
Third finger...................
Fourth finger................
Great toe........................
by
B u lletin s
9,000
10,500
31.0
29.0
24.0
2,808
2,592
2,196
1,845
1,152
540
414
270
225
135
342
21.0
13.0
6.0
5.0
3.0
2.5
1.5
3.8
th e c o m m itte e
216
100.0
117.0
o n s t a t i s t i c s o f t h e 1. A . I . A .
B . C.
Degree of
disability
in p e r'
cent of
Days lost.
permanent
total
disability.
Result of injury.
D e a th ...........................................................................................................
P erm anent to tal d is ab ility ....................................................................
A rm above elbow, d ism em b erm en t....................................................
A rm a t or below elbow, dism em b erm en t..........................................
H and, d ism em b erm en t..........................................................................
Thum b, a n y perm an en t disability of.................................................
A ny one finger, a n y perm an en t disability of....................................
Tw o fingers, any perm an en t disability of..........................................
Three fingers, a n y perm an en t disability of.......................................
F o u r fingers, a n y perm an en t disability of.........................................
T hum b a nd one finger, a n y perm an en t d isab ility of.....................
T hum b a n d tw o fingers, an y p erm an en t disability of...................
T h um b a nd th ree fingers, a n y perm an en t disability of................
T h u m b and four fingers, a n y perm an en t d isab ility o f..................
Leg above knee, dism em b erm en t.......................................................
Leg a t or below knee, d ism em b erm en t..............................................
Foot, dism em b erm en t............................................................................
Great toe, or any tw o or more toes, a n y perm an en t d isab ility of
One toe, other th a n great toe, a n y perm an en t d isab ility of.........
One eye, loss of sig h t...............................................................................
B oth eyes, loss of s ig h t...........................................................................
One ear, loss of hearin g ...........................................................................
B oth ears, loss of h earing........................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
in
Per cent of Time losses
death loss.
in days.
Result of injury.
S ca le p ro p o se d
S ta tistic s
[10011
100
100
75
60
50
10
5
12*
20
30
20
25
33J
40
75
50
40
5
0
30
100
10
50
6,000
6,000
4,500
3,600
3,000
600
300
750
1,200
1,800
1,200
1,500
2,000
2,400
4,500
3,000
2,400
300
300
1,800
6,000
600
3,000
168
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR ST A T IST IC S.
The following table shows the results obtained by applying the
two scales to the same groups of accidents. The data used are from
the forthcoming reports of the bureau on accidents in the iron and
steel and machine-building industries.
A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y AN D S E V E R IT Y R A T E S IN T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L
IN D U S T R Y F O R T H E F IV E -Y E A R P E R IO D , 1910 TO 1914, A N D F O R M A C H IN E B U IL D
IN G IN 1912.
[The severity rates are com puted b o th on th e scale of tim e allowances used b y th e U nited States B ureau of
Labor Statistics in B ulletins 216 and 234 and upon th e scale proposed b y the com m ittee on statistics of
the In tern atio n al Association of In d u stria l A ccident B oards and Commissions.]
D ays lo st per 1,000 300-day w orkers.
A ccident frequency rates
per 1,000100-day
w orkers.
N um ber
D epartm ent.
Steel ind u stry :
B last fu rn aces..
Steel works:
B essem er...........
Open h e a rth __
C rucible.............
Foundries.................
Rolling mills:
H e a v y ................
P la te ...................
P u d d le ...............
R o d .....................
Sheet...................
T u b e ...................
M iscellaneous...
Fabricating sh o p s. .
Forge sh o p s..............
W ire draw in g ...........
E lectrical..................
M echanical...............
Power houses...........
Y ards.........................
Coke ovens................
A rm or p la te ..............
Axle w orks...............
Car w heels.................
Docks.........................
E recting.....................
300-day
workers.
Per
ma
nent
D eath. dis
abil
ity.
B u reau of L abor S ta
tistics scale.
Tem
po
rary To
dis tal. D eath.
abil
ity .
Per
ma
nent
dis
abil
ity .
I. A. I. A. B. C. scale.
Tem
po
rary To D eath.
dis tal.
abil
ity .
Per
ma
nent
dis
abil
ity .
Tem
po
rary To
dis tal.
abil
ity .
124,636
2.6
2.9 181.1 186.7
23.4
2.8
2.5 28.7
15.6
3.3
2.5 21.4
28,101
71,293
5,144
95,917
2.0
2.0
.4
.9
5.2 262.1 269.3
4.6 218.4 224.9
4.1 99.0 103.5
4.7 185.2 190.8
17.9
17.9
3.5
7.9
3.1
3.0
2.1
2.6
3.8 24.8
2.9 23.7
1.6 7.2
2.2 12.7
11.9
11.9
2.3
5.3
4.0
4.7
3.4
3. ‘
3.8 19.3
2.9 19.5
1.6 7.7
2.2 10.9
67,663
21,711
12, 788
13,244
128,423
73,338
98,809
108,538
6,249
59,481
14,421
97,162
8,083
55,932
13,282
3,000
1,326
2,367
1,293
2,157
1.1
.9
.7
.6
.7
.5
.8
.9
1.3
.3
2.3
1.1
2.0
2.0
1.3
1.5
1.3
2.3
12.1
13.5
6.3 2.8
12.9
5.3 4.1
10.0
4.2 2.8
11.5
3.6 5.1
9.2
4.1 1.9
7.7
3.0 2.1
12.8
5.1 3.3
12.4
5.2 2.8
14.9
7.7 1.9
2.0 5.6
9.3
24.9
13.8 3.6
14.2 ■ 6.3 3.2
10.1
4.5 2.5
23.0
12.0 4.1
23.3
12.2 4.4
15.1
8.0 1.8
23.5
9.1 7.6
17.4
7.6 2.2
30.0
13.9 9.3
128.6
85.7 16.5
1.9 11.0
2.0 11.4
1.7 8.7
2.0 10.7
1.7 7.7
1.5 6.6
2.8 11.2
2.4 10.4
2. C 11.6
1.9 9.5
1.6 19.0
2.3 11.8
.9 7.9
1.9 18.0
1.7 18.3
2.0 11.8
4.9 21.6
4.0 13.8
2.5 25.7
5.4 107.6
T o tal............... 1,310,911
Machine b u ild in g ... 115, 703
1.2
.3
■3
3.9
4.8
4.5
5.9
2.6
3.4
3.6
3.9
3.1
6.3
3.3
4.0
2.6
4.4
2.9
4.0
3.0
6.3
8.5
11.1
133.1
144.1
131.5
153.9
150. 0
117.6
215.4
235.0
172.8
190.4
135.7
183.1
67.3
145. 8
124.3
120.7
330.3
257.3
107.5
342.1
138.0
149.8
136.7
159.9
153.3
121.5
219.9
239.7
177.2
197.1
141.3
188.2
70.6
152.1
129.2
126.0
334.8
264.9
118.3
365.3
3.9 171.6 176.7
3.6 114.6 118.0
9.4 2.2
7.9 3.0
6.3 2.0
5.4 4.1
6.1 1.4
4.5 1.7
7.6 2.4
7.8 2.2
11.5 1.4
3.0 4.3
20.7 2.6
9.5 2.5
6.7 2.5
18.0 3.1
18.3 3.3
12.0 1.1
13.6 5.0
11.4 2.0
20.9 6.6
108.5 14.7
10.5
2.9
2.5
1.6
1.9
2.0
1.7
2.0
1.7
1.5
2.8
2.4
2.0
1.9
1.6
2.3
.9
1.9
1.7
2.0
4.9
4.0
2.5
5.4
2.1 15.1
1.1 5.6
7.0
1.9
3.2
2.1
2.1 12.3
1.1 5.1
Examination of the table shows that the severity rates obtained
under the association’s scale are, for the most part, considerably lower
than those derived by the bureau’s scale. Thus, the severity rate
for the steel industry as a whole is decreased from 15.1 days to 12.3
days lost per worker and for machine building from 5.6 clays to 5.1
days. In one instance, however, the reverse is true. Thus, in cruci
ble melting the bureau’s scale gives a severity rate of 7.2 days while
the association’s scale gives 7.3 days.
A most interesting point to be noted is that while the use of the
different scales alters the rates, there is no important change in the
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relations between the rates for the several departments and indus
tries. This emphasizes the fact that the precise scale used is not of
primary importance. Severity rates, as absolute amounts, are not
significant. Their importance lies in the fact that they offer the most
satisfactory measure of accident hazards as between different indus
trial groups. As long as the scale used is reasonably accurate it will
fulfil its function.
F IR S T IN D U S T R IA L S A F E T Y C O N G R E S S O F N E W
Y O R K S T A T E .1
The first industrial safety congress of New York State was held
under the auspices of the State industrial commission at Syracuse,
December 11-14, 1916. At the first session a paper was read by
George M. Pope, president of the National Association of Manu
facturers, on the duty of employers in the matter of prevention of
accidents and the conservation of health of employees. “ It is the
manifest duty first for employers,” he declared, “ to study the most
approved schemes of hygienic prevention, adopt such devices, and
then see to it that the employees understand fully their part in sys
tematic preventive cooperation. Health is a factor in production,
and healthy industry will produce wholesome products.” To estab
lish adequate accident prevention and health conservation in indus
try, two distinct duties were suggested: First, the employer’s indi
vidual responsibility in his particular plant, factory, or industry;
and, second, his cooperation with local, State, and national organiza
tions whose activities are directed toward this beneficent result. The
safety campaign of the National Association of Manufacturers was
then outlined, embracing efforts to obtain (1) an ultimate uniform
workmen’s compensation system, (2) organization by manufacturers
of their own relief associations, preferably in cooperation with their
workers, and (3) recognition of the three essential principles in com
pensation legislation, namely, the encouragement of accident preven
tion, assurance of compensation, preferably by compensatory insur
ance, and coverage for all wage workers, provision being made that
doctors’ and lawyers’ fees shall not rob the injured. Edward J.
Barcalo, president of the Associated Manufacturers and Merchants
of New York State, spoke on the attitude of New York organized
industry 'toward the safety movement, saying the reasons which
prompted industry to indorse safety efforts were humanitarian and
economic. Employers desire to save lives and prevent injuries and
illness to workers, and they recognize that a feeling of safety and
security on the part of employees brings economic returns which
amply repay them for the expenditure necessary to improve working
conditions.
1 P ro c e e d in g s o f th e F i r s t I n d u s tr ia l S a fe ty C o n g re ss o f N ew Y o rk S ta te , h e ld u n d e r
th e a u sp ic e s o f th e S ta te I n d u s t r i a l C o m m issio n , S y ra c u s e , D ec. 11-14, 1916, J. B. L y o n
Co., p r in t e r s , A lb a n y , 1917. 236 p p .
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The attitude of New York organized labor toward the safety
movement was discussed by James P. Holland, president of the New
York State Federation of Labor, who urged that employers should
consult with their workers in the preparation of shop rules to search
out and correct preventable hazards, and that these rules should be
“ vigorously enforced without fear or favor in the higher interest
of a ll”
,
An entire session was devoted to the general subject of women in
industry, the discussion revolving about the question, Do women
wage earners present any special problem in accident prevention and
the conservation of health as distinguished from that involved in
safeguarding workmen? In a paper by Dr. Lucy A. Bannister, Westinghouse Lamp Co., emphasis was laid upon the importance of in
structing and developing new untrained young women workers so
that in the shortest possible time, with the expenditure of a minimum
amount of energy on the part of the operative, the maximum of
efficiency may be obtained. This embraces care in the selection of
workers as to their physical fitness, their ability and aptitude, intelli
gence in the assignment of labor, thorough and interesting instruc
tion, and an adequate follow-up system. The speaker advocated for
all women equal pay for doing the same work as that done by men.
“ The relation of the home woman to safety,” “ The working woman’s
point of view,” and “ The necessity for educating employers and
employees in factories and mercantile establishments ” were the titles
of other papers.
At the morning session on the second day of the congress, John
Price Jackson, Pennsylvania State commissioner of labor, spoke on
the guarding of elevators, cranes, and moving machines, and Fred
erick S. Crum, assistant statistician, Prudential Insurance Company,
introduced some statistics of boiler explosions Avhich showed that in
the United States, covering the period 1868 to 1915, the annual aver
age number of explosions was 281, killing an average each year of
256 persons and injuring 380. These figures were compared with an
annual average in the United Kingdom (1883 to 1915) of 72 explo
sions, killing 26 and injuring 58 persons, and with an annual average
in Germany (1877 to 1914) of 15 explosions, killing 10 and injuring
6 persons. The fatality rate, based on population, in the period
1910 to 1914 was 2.3 in the United States, 0.1 in Germany, and 0.5 in
the United Kingdom.
“ Safety and efficiency ” was the title of a paper by C. W. Price,
field secretary, National Safety Council, the purpose of the speaker
being to show that an expenditure to improve sanitary conditions or
factory equipment is more than compensated by the increased effi
ciency of the workers. An appreciation of the value of the human
equipment, he declared, is increasing among manufacturers, who are
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waking up to a realization of the fact that if they deliberately pursue
a course that disregards the rights of employees to live their lives,
to preserve their limbs and health, to be contented and happy, they
are pursuing a course that at last leads to loss and inefficiency.
L. W. Hatch, chief statistician, New York Industrial Commission,
urged upon employers the importance of reporting to their State
industrial commissions such statistics as are required by law, and that
these should include all that will afford information of practical
value in the work of prevention or compensation. It is through this
cooperation that the industrial commission is able to assist in the
prevention of accidents, wffiich, after all, is the first interest of the
employer.
That good lighting constitutes a safeguard against accident and
undue visual fatigue of the workers, and is a vital factor in the
economics of industrial plants, was brought out by L. B. Marks, con
sulting illuminating engineer, whose paper on factory lighting and
its bearing on the health and productivity of workers was illustrated
by lantern slides. An exhaustive paper on heat and ventilation, their
bearing on the health and productivity of workers from the viewpoint
of tile physican in industrial practice, was presented by Dr. Charles
A. Lauffer, Westinghouse Electrical & Manufacturing Co. The fol
lowing excerpt summarizes the main points brought out in this paper:
B ody te m p e ra tu re is m a in ta in e d by so la r h eat. T h e e v a p o ratio n of p e rs p ira
tio n from th e skin is th e ch ief m ethod of h e a t d is s ip a tio n ; clo th in g an d h eate d
houses a re m easures fo r m a in ta in in g body h eat. T he m a n u fa c tu re d indoor
clim ate is incom plete if coal is m erely fed in to th e fu rn a c e a n d h u m id ity con
d itio n s a re ignored. W hen fe rn s an d house p la n ts w ith e r an d die th e h u m id ity
is too lo w ; h u m id ity is -m aintained to p reserv e p a in tin g s, a n tiq u e fu rn itu re ,
an d cabinet w ork from sh rin k in g a n d c ra c k in g ; excessively d ry a ir d ra w s
p a rticles of m o istu re from ev e ry th in g indoors, inclu d in g th e su rfa c e of our
bodies and th e a ir passag es o f nose a n d th ro a t. M ore w a te r in th e atm o sp h ere
of hom es and fa cto ries is o ften re q u ire d a n d less h eat. W hen in doors i t is
cold, outdoors a t th e sam e te m p e ra tu re it is w arm an d balm y, th e re la tiv e
h u m id ity is g re a te r outdoors th a n indoors.
E x p ired a ir is unfit to u se over a n d over again. E x h a u st fa n s fo r local
v en tilatio n , to rem ove du st, fum es, odors, an d im p u ritie s a t th e ir source, to
p rev en t th e ir d issem inatio n by g en eral v e n tila tio n re n d e r th e atm o sp h ere of th e
facto ry m ore salubrious.
T he diffusion of gases is s u c h - th a t crow ded b uildings m ay re q u ire th e ex it
fo r v itia te d a ir from b oth floor an d ceiling, th o u g h conditions encountered,
r a th e r th a n p et theories, should co ntrol th e selection of a v e n tila tin g system .
A rchaic view s of th e to x icity of carb o n dioxide an d th e w ith d ra w a l of
oxygen from th e atm o sp h ere of b u ildings a re su b sid in g ; th e sta g n a tio n of air,
high hum idity, and o th e r fa c to rs in te n sify th e d iscom fort from an atm o sp h ere
a p p a re n tly v itiated . Y et a d eq u ate v e n tila tio n should be m a in ta in e d to prom ote
th e h e a lth and p ro d u ctiv ity of w orkers.
E xcessively d ry te m p e ra tu re s a re read ily en d u red by m an, b u t h igh w etbulb te m p e ra tu re s im p a ir th e p ro d u ctiv ity of w orkers, m ay induce fatig u e, even
h e a t collapse, or th erm ic fever.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
By a tte n tio n to such m easu res of p erso n al hygiene as relieve fatig u e— sleep,
b athing, clothing, diet, etc.— th e in d iv id u a l’s a b ility to w ith s ta n d flu ctu atio n s
o f d iu rn a l and seasonal te m p e ra tu re is enhanced.
This same subject was presented from the viewpoint of the heating
and ventilating engineer by C. A. Booth, Buffalo Forge Co.
Other papers presented at the congress included: “ Psychology of
the emergency hospital,” by Hubert Hornsby, National Civic Federa
tion ; “ Classification of buildings and materials of manufacture as
the basis of safety requirements,” by James C. Heckman, general
superintendent, Larkin Co., Buffalo, N. Y .; “ Industrial safety in
California,” by Paul Scharrenberg, editor, Coast Seamen’s Journal,
San Francisco, Cal.; “ Occupancy and its relation to exit facilities
from the viewpoint of life hazard,” by H. W. Forster, general mana
ger, Independence Inspection Bureau, Philadelphia, P a .; “ Hori
zontal vs. vertical exits,” by H. F. J. Porter, consulting industrial
engineer, New York City; “ Standardization of safety appliances,”
by H. H. Cannon, National Workmen’s Compensation Service Bu
reau, New York City; “ Machine shop hazards,” by L. D. Burlingame,
Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Co., Providence, B. I.; “ Wood
working hazards,” by Albert S. Regula, American Museum of Safety,
New York City; “ Hazards in a lineman’s work,” by J. F. Naylon,
district superintendent, New York Telephone Co., Syracuse, N. Y .;
and “ Practical benefits derived from safety organization,” by John
A. Robertson, general manager, Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N. Y.
M IN IN G
F A T A L IT IE S
IN T H E U N IT E D
E X P L O S IV E S .
STATES
DUE
TO
In Technical Paper 175, entitled “ Production of explosives in the
United States during the calendar year 1916,” recently issued by the
United States Bureau of Mines, four tables are presented showing
the number of fatalities due to the use of explosives in the mining
industry. In two of these tables all of the explosives fatalities in
coal mines are shown, while one table gives those at bituminous mines
alone. A fourth table gives the number and percentage of fatalities
due to explosives at metal mines and at quarries. In all coal mines
there were 148 fatalities, 146 underground and 2 on the surface. Of
the 146, 58, or 39.7 per cent, were due to premature blasts and short
fuses, while the next largest number, 21, or 14.4 per cent, were due to
handling and transportation. Approximately 66 per cent of these
fatalities occurred in Pennsylvania mines. In bituminous mines
alone the fatalities due to explosives amounted to 60, or 2.8 per cent
of the total killed, the fatality rate being 0.096 per 1,000 employed.
This is a decrease from 1916 of 16 in the number killed, of 0.56 in the
percentage of total killed, and of 0.004 in the fatality rate. In 1903
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9.8 per cent of the fatalities at bituminous mines was clue to the use
of explosives. Attention is called to the fact that 80 per cent of the
permissible explosives1 used in coal mines is used in bituminous
mines and that the amount so used has increased steadily each year
from 1901, with the exception of 1914. This, taken in connection
with the reduction in the number of fatalities in bituminous mines,
which has also occurred each year since 1903, with the exception of
1907, 1909, and 1915, olfers an interesting comparison.
In metal mines in 1915 there were 78 fatalities due to explosives,
or 14.1 per cent of all killed, and in quarries there were 28 fatalities,
or 18.9 per cent of all killed.
T R E A T M E N T O F W O U N D S W IT H C A R R E L -D A K IN S O L U T IO N
A N D F O R M U L A S F O R IT S P R E P A R A T IO N .
It became apparent at the outbreak of the war that with the pos
sible exception of those wounds caused by high velocity bullets all
wounds were infected, so that one of the first considerations in their
successful treatment was the development of a means to prevent or
control this infection. In an effort to work out this problem, Dr.
Alexis Carrel and Dr. H. D. Dakin began their research work at the
Beaujon Hospital, Paris, in 1914, and after experimenting with 200
or more antiseptics the so-called Dakin hypochlorite solution was
perfected. This solution is not a cure-all, but it has strong bacteri
cidal properties and is said to be ideal as an antiseptic because it is
nontoxic and nonirritating. A new method of wound sterilization
with this solution has been developed by Dr. Carrel, whose technique
has in large measure assured the success which has attended its use
in preventing infection and controlling suppuration. In fact it has
been stated that Dakin’s solution represents 20 per cent of the cure
and the technique of Carrel represents 80 per cent. I t seems to be
proved beyond airy question of doubt that the Carrel method of
wound sterilization with Dakin’s solution is a specific, that it not
only aborts infection but is efficacious after infection has become
established. Used in a number of military hospitals in Europe it has
been the means of saving the lives of soldiers who otherwise would
have succumbed to wounds not necessarily fatal in themselves but
in which infection had made its deadly way. As already suggested,
the success of Dakin’s solution depends largely upon a thorough
1 “ I n th is c la s s ,” s t a t e s th e r e p o r t, “ a r e in c lu d e d a m m o n iu m n i t r a t e e x p lo siv e s, h y
d r a te d e x p lo siv e s, o rg a n ic n i t r a t e e x p lo siv e s, a n d c e r ta in n itr o g ly c e r in e x p lo siv e s c on
ta in in g a n e x ce ss o f fre e w a te r o r c a rb o n . A ll p e rm is s ib le e x p lo siv e s h a v e p a ss e d c e r ta in
te s t s of th e B u re a u o f M in es a n d a r e n o t to be r e g a rd e d a s p e rm is s ib le u n le s s u s e d in th e
m a n n e r sp ecified by th e b u re a u .”
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understanding and careful use of the technique of Carrel, the details
of which if applied in army hospitals would unquestionably result
in checking tremendous loss of life and in preventing the untold num
ber of amputations, frightful deformities, and permanent disabilities
which soldiers suffer as a result of infected wounds. Dr. Carrel has
expressed the opinion that the application of his method is not so
practical in ambulatory cases as in hospital cases.
Dakin’s solution has been tried by the medical departments of a
number of industrial plants in this country, and the report of its
successful application in the dispensary of the General Electric Co.
at West Lynn, Mass., has just come to the attention of this bureau.
Dr. Frank E. Schubmehl, the works physician, states that early in
December, 1916, Dakin’s solution was prepared according to the
original formula, which was immediately used in the treatment of
all wounds. Since the Carrel technique was found to be imprac
ticable in ambulatory cases, as suggested above, experiments were
made in various forms of dressing to facilitate the use of the solution
in these cases. The procedure as finally developed out of these ex
periments is described by Dr. Schubmehl as follows:
All w ounds o ccurrin g in th is p la n t a r e considered infected w ounds a t th e
very beginning and a re tre a te d as such. A d ressin g is applied over th e w ounded
a re a in such a w ay th a t th e den u d ed o r exposed tissu e la c e ra tio n is fre e from
p ressu re. F irst, th e w ound is thoroughly, b u t carefu lly , cleansed w ith D a k in ’s
solution, eith e r by sp ray o r sw abbing off w ith cotton. P re s su re is m ad e aro u n d
an d about th e outside edges of th e w ound, p reviously covering th e u n in ju re d
p a rts to be included in th e bandage, w ith vaselin e gauze.1 T he b an d ag e is th en
applied and th e p a tie n t is in s tru c te d to p o u r th ro u g h th e d epression in th e
b andag e w here th e opening of th e o rig in a l d ressin g ap p ears, sufficient of th e
D ak in solution, every tw o h ours, to th o ro u g h ly w ash o u t th e cham ber w ith in .
T he p a tie n t is supplied w ith a b o ttle of th e D ak in so lu tio n sufficient to c a rry
him over to th e n ex t dressing. W hen th e in ju ry is a sm all one, th e d ressin g is
applied a s above, an d th e p a tie n t is supplied w ith a m edicine d ro p p er in a d d i
tion to th e b o ttle of th e solution, an d is in s tru c te d ab o u t th e use of th e solution.
From an observation of 6,000 injuries, large and small, at this
plant since the introduction of this treatment by Dakin’s solution,
Dr. Schubmehl expresses his belief that the treatment of ambulatory
cases by the method above described is the most efficient that has yet
come to his attention. “ Many wounds,” he states, “which come to us
infected clear up most marvelously, and new injuries treated early
with the solution heal by first intention.” He mentions several strik
ing instances of lacerated fingers and of compound fractures of the
1 D r. A. W . C o lc o rd , s e c r e ta r y , R a ilw a y S u rg e o n s A ss o c ia tio n , C la irto n , P a ., in a p a p e r
r e a d a t th e h e a l th s e rv ic e s e c tio n o f th e s ix th a n n u a l c o n g re ss o f th e N a tio n a l S a fe ty
C ouncil, h e ld a t N ew Y o rk in S e p te m b e r, e m p h a siz e d th e im p o r ta n c e o f p r o te c tin g th e sk in
tw o to fo u r in c h e s a b o u t t h e w o u n d w ith s te r ile v a s e lin e g a u ze , s in c e “ w e h a v e h a d sev
e r a l r a t h e r s e v e re b u rn s o f th e s k in fro m D a k in ’s s o lu tio n . I f s te r ile v a s e lin e g a u z e is
n o t a t h a n d , s te r ile v a s e lin e o f 5 p e r c e n t b o ric a c id o in tm e n t m a y be s m e a re d o v e r th e
s k in .”
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bone in which by the use of Dakin’s solution the partially severed
members, held only by the slightest piece of integument, have been
saved. The method of preparing Dakin’s solution as used at the
dispensary at West Lynn in the treatment of these cases is given by
Dr. Schubmehl as follows:
D irections for Making 15 L iters of Carrel-D ak in S olution, After the
Original F ormula.
1. W eigh out 300 gram s chloride of lime.
2. W eigh out 210 gram s sodium carbonate.
3. P u t th e chloride of lim e, w ith one-half lite r of w ate r, in a c o n tain er w here
it m ay be th o roughly dissolved or m ace rated w ith a wooden o r glass m ixer.
W hen th is is thoroughly m ace rated , w ash th e w hole m ass into a la rg e con tain er,
to hoid th e en tire p rep ara tio n .
4. D issolve th e sodium carb o n ate in a b o u t 1 lite r of ho t w a te r, a n d p o u r th is
solution also into th e larg e container.
5. Add 15 lite rs of cold w ater.
6. L et th e w hole m ass sta n d fo r a t le a s t 30 m inutes.
7. W eigh o u t 60 gram s of pow dered boric acid, an d ru b th is to a consistency
o f so ft p u tty by ad d in g from 1 to 2 ounces of th e solu tio n from th e larg e
container.
8. T hen w ash th is m ass into th e la rg e con tain er. T h is w ill m ak e 15 lite rs
of th e solution, plus.
9. Add sufficient cold w a te r to m ake a b u lk of 18 lite rs.
10. T he w hole m ass should th en be a g ita te d vigorously fo r three- o r fo u r
m inutes. ' T hen it should be allow ed to sta n d fo r any tim e over 30 m in u tes fo r
th e liquid to clarify.
11. T h ere w ill be ab o u t 3 lite rs of sedim ent a t th e bottom of th e c o n ta in e r
w hich should not be distu rb ed .
12. T he 15 lite rs of c lea r liq u id should th e n be syphoned off. T h e clear
solution is th en read y fo r use. T he sedim ent rem ain in g in larg e c o n tain er is
w o rth less an d should be th ro w n aw ay.
T he solution should be m ade freq u en tly . S olutions as m uch as fo u r o r five
days old have given us sa tisfa c to ry resu lts.
T his solution is used fo r p rim a ry clean sin g of th e w ound, an d fo r w h atev er
subsequent redressings m ay be necessary. In ad d itio n , according to th e e x te n t
of th e in ju ry , a 4 ounce or 8 ounce b o ttle of th e solution is fu rn ish e d to th e in ju red ,
w ith in stru c tio n s to keep th e b an d ag e over th e in ju ry continuously m oistened
w ith it betw een redressings.
A method of preparing Dakin’s solution, as described by Dr. G. E.
Cullen, chemist in the Carrel clinic at the Rockefeller Institute, in
cluding directions for testing the same, will, according to Dr.
Schubmehl, be introduced at the West Lynn dispensary. Dr.
Cullen’s description is as follows:
D e f i n i t i o n . — D a k in ’s solution is a solution of sodium h y pochlorite
(N aO C l)
w hich co n tain s not less th a n 0.45 p e r cent nor m ore th a n 0.50 p er cent sodium
hypochlorite, and w hich is not alk a lin e to solid phen o lp h th alein . I f th e p e r
centage of sodium hypochlorite is less th a n 0.45 p e r cent th e an tise p tic pow er
of th e solution is too lo w ; if g re a te r th a n 0.50 p e r cen t th e solution is i r r i t a t
ing. I f th e solution is a lk a lin e to phen o lp h th alein , it is irrita tin g .
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T i t r a t i o n o f D a k i n ’s s o l u t i o n — T he percen tag e of sodium h y pochlorite is
determ ined by titr a tin g w ith te n th n orm al sodium hyp o su lp h ite (th io su lp h a te )
th e am ount of iodine lib e ra te d by a m easu red am o u n t of D a k in ’s solution. T he
technique is as follow s :
M easure 10 c. c. of D a k in ’s solution, u sin g a bulb p ip ette, into a b e a k e r or
E rlenm eyer flask co n tain in g ab o u t 50 to 75 c. c. of w ater.
(N ote.— T he d isap p e a ra n c e of color is m ost easily observed w hen th e volum e
of fluid in th e vessel is betw een 50 an d 100 c. c.)
Add 10 c. c. of a 10 p e r cent p o tassiu m iodide solu tio n and 2 c. c. o f glacial
acetic acid. T hen ru n d ecinorm al h y posulphite solution in to th e flask from a
b u re tte u n til th e d isco lo ratio n of th e solution is complete.
T he num ber of cubic cen tim eters d ecinorm al hyp o su lp h ite req u ire d to de
colorize th e solution m ultiplied by th e fa c to r 0.03723 gives th e percen tag e
of sodium hypochlorite. F o r exam ple, 12.10 c. c.X 0.03723=0.45 p e r cent,
13.43 c. c .X 0.03723=0.50 p er cent.
T e s t f o r a l k a l i n i t y — A few c ry sta ls of pow dered p h en o lp h th alein a re dropped
on th e su rface of 10 to 20 c. c. of th e solution to be tested. D a k in ’s solution
should rem ain en tirely colorless. I f th e re is any red discoloration, th e solution
is too a lk a lin e and m u st e ith e r be d iscard ed or n eu tralized .
(N ote.— I t is im p o rta n t to rem em ber th a t th e te sts of D a k in ’s solution for
alk a lin ity and fo r stre n g th of sodium h y pochlorite a re e n tirely independent,
b u t equally im p o rtan t.)
P r e p a r a t i o n . — D a k in ’s solu tio n m ay be sa tisfa c to rily p re p a re d in any one of
sev eral w ays.
F ir s t : By th e electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution. T h is m ethod gives
a m ore sa tisfa c to ry pro d u ct, b u t re q u ire s a p p a ra tu s an d electric c u rre n t th a t
a re not alw ay s available.
Second: By th e actio n of ch lorine on sodium carbonate. T his, th e m ost d i
re c t m ethod, h as h ith e rto been p ra c tic a lly u n av ailab le because of th e difficulty
of m easu rin g liquid chlorine. W hen th is d isa d v a n ta g e h as been overcome, th is
m ethod should prove e n tire ly sa tisfa c to ry .
T h i r d : By th e double decom position o f calcium h y p ochlorite an d sodium
carb onate. T his m ethod, th e one first used by D akin, h as been, because of th e
ease of o b taining th e necessary chem icals, th e m ost av ailab le one. T he a lk a
lin ity of th e solution, a fte r th e p re c ip ita tio n of th e calcium carb o n ate, m ay be
n e u tra liz e d eith e r by th e ad d itio n of boric acid or by th e use of a m ix tu re of
sodium c arb o n ate an d sodium b ica rb o n a te in th e p recip itatio n . In e ith e r case
it is necessary to d eterm in e th e p ercen tag e of av ailab le ch lorine in th e b leach
ing pow der w ith w hich one is w orking.
T i t r a t i o n o f b l e a c h i n g p o w d e r . —E x a c tly 20 g ram s of b leaching pow der m ade
up of sm all sam ples from d ifferen t p a rts of th e ja r , in o rd er to o b tain a u n i
form sam ple, a re w ell s tirre d up th ro u g h a filter p a p er an d a 10 c. c. sam ple of
th e filtra te is titr a te d in ex actly th e sam e m a n n e r as in th e titr a tio n of D a k in ’s
solution. In th is case th e num ber of c. c. of d ecinorm al hyp o su lp h ite re q u ire d
to decolorize is m ultip lied by th e fa c to r 1.773 to give th e p ercen tag e of active
chlorine.
T he follow ing tab le by D a u fresn e gives directly , according to th e am o u n t of
activ e chlorine contain ed in th e b leaching pow der, th e q u a n tity of bleaching
pow der, sodium carb o n a te (d r y ), a n d sodium b ic arb o n ate to p re p a re 10 lite rs
of D a k in ’s so lu tio n :
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177
Q uantities of ingredients to
use for preparing 10 liters of
D akin’s solution a t 0.475
per cent of NaOCl.
Percentage in active chlorine
of th e chloride of lime.
Chloride
of lime.
20.....................................................
21.....................................................
22.....................................................
23.....................................................
D ry
sodium
carbon
ate.
Sodium
bicar
bonate.
Grains. Grains. Grains.
24....................................................
25 ...............................................................
23 ...............................................................
27.....................................................
28............................................
23.....................................................
33 .....................................................
31....................................
32 .....................................................
33.....................................................
31.....................................................
35..............................................
35..........................................
37.....................................................
230
220
210
200
192
184
177
170
164
159
154
148
144
140
136
132
128
124
115
110
105
100
96
92
89
85
82
80
77
74
72
70
68
66
64
62
96
92
88
84
80
76
72
70
68
66
64
62
60
59
57
55
53
52
E x a m p l e — I f 1 0 c. c. of th e filtra te re q u ire 16 .6 c. c. of d ecinorm al hyp o su lp h ite
p ercentage of active chlorine is 16.6X 1,773=29.4 p e r cent. T h a t is, w e re q u ire
to p rep are 10 lite rs of th e solution 159 g ram s b leaching pow der, 80 g ram s c a r
bonate of sodium, and 66 g ram s of b icarb o n ate of sodium . I f d ry sodium c a r
bonate is u n av ailab le one should use 2.85 tim es as m uch of th e sodium c a r
bonate crystals. T h a t is, 228 g ram s sodium c a rb o n ate (c ry s ta ls ).
D e ta ils
o f p r e p a r a t i o n .— P lace in a 20-liter flask or b o ttle th e am o u n t of
bleaching pow der in d icated by th e titr a tio n an d m ix w ell w ith 5 lite rs of ta p
w ater. Shake vigorously a n d allow to sta n d fo r sev eral h o u rs (o v e rn ig h t).
D issolve th e d esignated am ounts of sodium c a rb o n ate an d sodium b icarb o n ate
in an o th er 5 lite rs of ta p w ate r. In th e m orning, o r a fte r 6 to 12 hours, p o u r
th e solution of sodium carb o n a te s into th e b o ttle c o n tain in g th e bleaching
p o w d e r; sh ak e well, and allow th e p re c ip ita te d calcium c a rb o n ate to settle.
A fter h a lf an h o u r siphon off th e c lea r liq u id th ro u g h a double filter paper.
T he p ro d u ct should be p erfectly clea r an d should be titr a te d fo r stre n g th of
hypochlorite a n d tested fo r alk alin ity .
P r e s e r v a t i o n .— Since lig h t g re a tly a ccelerates th e ra te of decom position of
th e hypochlorite solution, it is b est to keep D a k in ’s solution e ith e r in d a rk
bo ttles or a d a rk cupboard or an ice box. D a u fresn e h a s fo u n d th a t th e a d d i
tion of 5 m illigram s p o tassiu m p erm a n g a n a te p er lite r of solution e x e rts a
m arkedly stab ilizin g effect. I t is convenient to m ake a h a lf p e r cent (5 grs.
p er lite r) solution of potassiu m p e rm a n g a n a te a n d add 1 c. c. of th is solution per
lite r of D ak in ’s solution. T h e color im p a rte d by th e p e rm a n g a n a te does not
in te rfe re w ith th e titra tio n .
The following statement regarding the use of Dakin’s solution
is made by Dr. W. G. Hudson, medical director of E. I. clu Pont
de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Del.:
D a k in 's
s o l u t i o n .— W ith o u t being able to offer an y d e ta il case h isto ry , I can
say th a t D a k in ’s solution h a s been of co nsiderable use to us a n d is u n d o u b t
edly a long step fo rw a rd in th e a n tise p tic tre a tm e n t of w ounds. W e have
18988°—17—
12
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MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OE LABOR STATISTICS.
adhered to the original Dakin formula, which is prepared by one of our chem
ists. I believe, however, that there w ill be many improvements in the tech
nique of making this solution, * * *. W e should not lose sight of the fact,
however, that at least h alf of the Carrel-Dakin method of wound treatm ent
lies in the method of application.
T R E A T M E N T O F B U R N S W IT H P R E P A R A T IO N S
A M B R IN E .
S IM IL A R TO
In connection with the use of Carrel-Dakin solution in treating
wounds it is interesting to note the method of treating burns as used
at the West Lynn dispensary of the General Electric Co. Dr.
Schubmehl has supplied the bureau with directions for making and
using a preparation similar to ambrine for this treatment, as
follows:
H eat in separate containers until liquefied equal parts parowax, powdered
rosin, and commercial w hite wax. Combine by stirring each into the other.
W hile still hot, remove floating foreign particles by straining through three or
four thicknesses of gauze. Pour into 1-ounce, 2-ounce, or 3-ounce molds as de
sired. Keep in sterile container.
To apply, heat until liquefied properly, not over 70° C. (158° F .). Cleanse
burned area w ith Dakin solution. Cover wound temporarily w ith dry sterile
gauze and apply blast from electric fan until wound is thoroughly dry. Remove
temporary gauze from wound, then, w ith a fine cam el’s-hair brush, paint wound
w ith the hot preparation, cover wound w ith thin layer of absorbent cotton,
paint over the cotton-covered wound again, apply another thin layer of cotton,
cover w ith sterile gauze and bandage lightly.
T his dressing is easily removed w ithout pain to the injured or harm to the
injury by simply liftin g the dressing from the wound. To re-dress, which
should be done every 24 hours, the wound should be recleansed w ith D akin’s
solution, the hot preparation applied, and the injury rebandaged as previously.
Regarding paraffin burn dressings, as used by E. I. du Pont de
Nemours & Co., Dr. W. G. Hudson, the medical director of that com
pany, says:
P a r a f f i n b u r n d r e s s i n g s .—W e have made some experim ents in regard to
artificial preparations resembling ambrine, but can not see that the addition
of either rosin or w hite w ax is any advantage. Both of these substances seem
to me to impair the physical qualities of the paraffin, and the rosin, in particular,
is prone to separate out in sm all spots. I do not believe there is any rosin in
the original ambrine. * * *
We have used a considerable amount of the genuine imported ambrine, and
have lately been trying the m ixture prepared by Johnson & Johnson under the
name of Redintol w ith equally good results. Redintol seem s to have the right
physical characters, and is stated to be chiefly a m ixture of paraffin w ith a small
percentage of gutta-percha.
When our stock of these two m aterials is used up I propose to try a sample
of plain paraffin submitted by the Standard Oil Co. as being adapted to the
treatm ent of burns. It seems that different lots of paraffin differ widely in
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179
their physical characters, and the Standard Oil Oo. has succeeded in selecting
a particular variety of paraffin which has all the appearances of possessing the
right physical characteristics for burn treatm ent w ithout the necessity of mak
ing any adm ixtures. * * *
I believe an essential part of this treatm ent is to get the burned area into
a reasonably aseptic condition before applying the paraffin m ixture. There is
room for considerable study here, for, w hile D akin’s solution undoubtedly does
the work, there are some patients who complain bitterly of the pain which it
causes. It is possible that some other antiseptic may be found equally ap
plicable to this field and less painful, bearing in mind alw ays the danger from
poisoning by absorption of the m aterial used.
In our early use of paraffin dressings w e used a spraying apparatus, follow
ing the original technique reported from France. W e found no spraying appa
ratus which the market afforded at that time w as adapted for spraying such
preparations, and I therefore had to design one for this purpose. * * *
Further experience, however, showed that there is not enough advantage to be
gained from the use of sprays to pay for the complications introduced by such
apparatus, and in applying this treatm ent at the present tim e our surgeons
generally make use of sterilized brushes. The chief advantage of the spray is
in connection w ith the first part of the application, the first coat when applied
by a spray being practically painless, w hereas it gives a slight amount of pain
when a brush is used. The difference, however, is very slight.
C O N F E R E N C E O F IN D U S T R IA L P H Y S IC IA N S A T H A R R IS B U R G ,
F E B R U A R Y , 1917.
Under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and
Industry the fourth annual conference1 of industrial physicians was
held at Harrisburg, February 16, 1917, the proceedings of which were
published in the Pennsylvania Medical Journal for June and re
printed as a pamphlet of 49 pages recently issued by the department.
Dr. Francis D. Patterson, chief of the division of industrial hygiene
and engineering of the State department of labor and industry, acted
as chairman of the conference, and the address of welcome was deliv
ered by Dr. John Price Jackson, commissioner.
Dr. W. L. Estes, of St. Luke’s Hospital, South Bethlehem, discussed
the workman’s compensation law of Pennsylvania from the physi
cian’s standpoint. He pointed out that in his opinion the time during
which the employer shall furnish reasonable medical, surgical, and
hospital services, medicines, and supplies as provided by law, namely
14 days, and the maximum amount of the fee allowed physicians by
law, namely $25 except for a major operation, for which the fee
allowed is $75, are inadequate. He suggested that, as the records of
hospitals show that the average treatment of each case in a hospital
extends over 17 days, under the Pennsylvania law it may be neces1
A n a c c o u n t o f tw o s im ila r c o n fe re n c e s, o n e h e ld on F e b r u a r y 17 a n d th e o th e r o n
M ay 18, 1916, is g iv e n in th e M o n t h l y R e v i e w f o r F e b ru a ry , 1917, p a g e s 267 to 272.
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
sary for a physician either to give up a case at the end of the 14
days or to treat it at a dead loss to himself. As to the amount of
fee allowed, Dr. Estes showed that the expense to the physician in
treating certain severe cases might amount to a considerable sum,
leaving for his services for two weeks a remuneration wholly inade
quate to compensate for the time spent and skill required. Mention
was made of a commission of physicians organized to propose definite
suggestions for amendments to the law, which commission has recom
mended (1) an extension of the period of direct compensation of
physicians frojn 14 days to 30 days, and (2) an increase of the
maximum compensation for treatment from $75 to $200.
Frederick L. Hoffman, of the Prudential Life Insurance Co.,
advocated the payment of compensation for industrial diseases,
asserting that it is “most regrettable that there should not be a more
active public interest in a condition which is obviously evidence of
gross unfairness and inequality, in that the man who is injured by
lead poisoning, or anthrax, or industrial phthisis, in consequence of
his occupation, is as rightly entitled to compensation as the man who
is injured by a boiler explosion, or a train collision, or the fall of
a ladder.” He suggested that the economic burden resulting from
occupational diseases should rest directly and exclusively upon the
industries concerned. The occurrence of obviously preventable dis
eases of workmen in the course of their employment is matter of
community responsibility, the first essential requirement of which
was declared to be the prompt reporting of all occupational diseases
to the local or State board of health, for “it is the duty of every
physician to assist the State to the fullest possible extent in this
direction.” The second requirement mentioned was the necessity
for more frequent reporting of interesting cases of occupational dis
eases with regard to which the American medical literature at the
present time is of very limited extent. The importance of perfecting
a list of the more important or readily cognizable occupational
diseases was also suggested. In this connection hernia was referred
to as a “ borderland ” case, being often wrongfully attributed to oc
cupational strain when it is in fact the resultant effect of normal
causes. Pulmonary tuberculosis or fibroid phthisis was noted as a
disease of the utmost importance to employers and employees, since
its diagnosis frequently is difficult and often long delayed. The
Massachusetts act providing compensation for occupational diseases
was suggested as a possible model of legislation along this line,
although the speaker declared that after all it is a primary question
of social justice and the method or means of accomplishing this is of
secondary importance.
A paper of more than ordinary interest and importance was read
by Dr. William O’Neill Sherman, chief surgeon, Carnegie Steel
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181
Co., Pittsburgh, describing the Carrel method of wound sterilization
by the use of Dakin’s solution. This solution is now being success
fully employed in Europe in the treatment of wounded soldiers to
abort or prevent infection and control suppuration. One of the
great problems attached to the treatment of soldiers wounded in
battle is that of combating wound infection, which appears to be far
greater in the present war than in previous wars. “ The virulence
of infection surpasses anything known heretofore of wound infec
tion. d he first efforts to combat suppuration at the early outbreak
of the war were woefully inefficient; malignant suppuration was very
common, and all efforts to suppress it were futile.”
Dakin’s solution, as now used, is thus described by Dr. Sherman:
W ith chloride of lime (bleaching powder) having 25 per cent of active
chlorine the quantities of necessary substances to prepare 10 liters of solution
are the follow ing: 200 grams chloride of lim e (bleaching powder) (25 per cent
active chlorine) ; 100 grams sodium carbonate, dry (soda of Solw ay) ; 80
grams sodium bicarbonate, dry. P ut into a 12-liter flask the 200 grams of
chloride of lime and 5 liters of ordinary water, shake vigorously for a few
minutes, and leave in contact for 6 to 12 hours, one night for example. ( Shake
until dissolved— at least until the big pieces are dissolved. Not all the pieces
w ill dissolve, large pieces float, notice only floating pieces.) At the same time
dissolve in 5 liters of ordinary cold w ater the carbonate and bicarbonate of
soda. A fter leaving from 6 to 12 hours pour the salt solution in the flask con
taining the macerated chloride of lime, shake vigorously for a few minutes,
and leave to allow the calcium carbonate to be precipitated. In about one-half
hour siphon the liquid and filter w ith a double paper to obtain a good, clear
liquid, which should alw ays be kept in a dark place.
The successful treatment of a wound depends upon a careful fol
lowing of the technic of Carrel, for, it is stated, Dakin’s solution
represents 20 per cent of the cure and the technic of Carrel represents
80 per cent
The method is not one of drainage or m ultiple in cisio n s; it is the opposite
of this procedure. The success of the treatm ent is dependent on the thorough
ness w ith which it is applied and the care given to the most m inute details of
the technic. * * *.
The area surrounding the wound should be disinfected w ith tincture of iodine,
and an injection of D akin’s solution in the wound, if it is sm all or narrow,
should be made. If it is w ide and freely open a gauze pack w hich is saturated
w ith D akin’s solution should be applied. The prognosis is m aterially aided if
this dressing is used.
If the wounds are extensive or conditions w arrant a general anesthetic should
be administered and the operating field prepared in the usual way. A free
incision and thorough exploration for foreign bodies of all wounds should be
made at the earliest possible opportunity. The foreign bodies are localized with
the fluoroseope or w ith stereoscopic skiagrams. All bleeding points should be
lig a te d ; the shell tract should be freely opened and ail devitalized tissue ex
cised. The Carrel tubes should be carried to the bottom of the wound and
gauze loosely placed between them. Before completing the final dressing the
solution can be injected in the wound to ascertain the amount of solution neces-
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MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
sary to fill the cavity completely and w hether or not it is reaching all parts.
The final dressing consists of a gauze pad saturated w ith D akin’s solution,
over which a large pad of nonabsorbent cotton, which completely envelops the
extrem ity, is placed. Turkish tow eling can be used instead o f nonabsorbent
gauze pads, if desired.
Dr. Sherman stated that the Carrel method of wound sterilization
has proved very effective in aborting or preventing infection, which
causes a vast majority of the deaths, amputations, disabilities, and
complications among soldiers. In conclusion he pointed out that it
has been demonstrated that the great majority of wounds can be
closed by sutures and without suppuration; that the stay in the hospi
tal and period of convalescence is greatly shortened, many now leav
ing in four to six weeks who would have required treatment for
from three to six months under former methods; that all complica
tions such as atrophies, ankyloses, adhesions, septecemia, and ampu
tations are minimized; and that the mortality rate is greatly reduced.
One instance is mentioned where a certain surgeon has reported that
he is now doing one amputation for sepsis and hemorrhage where
formerly 20 were necessary; that there is now but 1 death where for
merly there were 10, and that many cases which were labeled at the
front “ amputate on arrival ” have been saved from amputation.
The paper was concluded with the following summary:
1. Infection can be aborted if the treatm ent is begun w ithin the first 24 hours.
2. Suppuration, when w ell established, can be controlled if the focus can be
reached.
3. The success of the treatm ent is dependent on the perfection of the Carrel
technic and the acceptance of all the details.
4. The effect of D akin’s solution is entirely lo c a l; there being no danger of
•toxemia from absorption, regardless of the amount Used.
5. Carrel’s technic, using D akin’s solution, is a specific against infection of
wounds.
The application of Carrel’s method to infections resulting from
industrial injuries was briefly discussed by Dr. J. S. Lawrence, of
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, who told how the method was
being applied in Johns Hopkins Hospital.
At the afternoon session Dr. Edward Martin, professor of surgery,
University of Pennsylvania, read a paper on the treatment of frac
tures of the long bones from the viewpoint of function, emphasizing
the importance of immediate anatomic reduction and of ascertaining
definitely whether such reduction is adequate or perfect in order to
restore function. For the latter a radiogram or fluoroscopic examina
tion was recommended.
The last speaker, Dr. J. C. Bloodgood, associate professor of
clinical surgery, Johns Hopkins University, urged the value of stand
ardization in first-aid methods so as to avoid conflict, possibly with
serious consequences, in determining and using the most effective
practices.
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SOCIAL INSURANCE.
S O C IA L IN S U R A N C E B Y T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S G O V E R N M E N T .
Articles in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for August, 1917 (pp. 92 to 104),
and for September (pp. 100 to 103), gave some account of the action
and proposed action of Congress with regard to the protection of
persons and property exposed to hazards on account of war condi
tions and with regard to the compensation of persons injured. The
act of September 2, 1914, creating a Bureau of War Risk Insurance
in the Treasury Department, amended June 12, 1917, was further
amended by an act approved by the President on October 6, the law
as it now stands going far beyond its original intent. First enacted
as a temporary provision for providing insurance for American
vessels and cargoes against the risk of war, the act by the amendment
of June 12, as pointed out in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for August, pro
vided also for the insurance of the persons and personal property of
masters, officers, and crews of American vessels whenever it appeared
that adequate war-risk insurance was not otherwise obtainable on
reasonable terms. By the amendment of October 6, various amend
ments and additions are made to the original act as amended July
12, the whole becoming Article I of the act, and three new articles
are added.
These amendments and additions relate in large measure to the
personnel and administrative methods of the bureau, but also make
appropriations for the amounts to be expended under the three
additional articles enacted. Thus the expenses under Article II,
which relates to military and naval family allowances, are provided
for by an appropriation of $141,000,000; those under Article III,
which relates to a military and naval compensation system, by an
appropriation of $12,150,000; and those under Article IV, a military
and naval insurance scheme, by an appropriation of $23,000,000. A
military and naval pay deposit fund, made up of such portions of
one-half of an enlisted man’s monthly pay, not allotted, as the
Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy may require to be
deposited, is also provided for, and whatever sum may be necessary
for the payment of interest thereon is likewise appropriated.
In construing the law, the term “ injury ” is held to include disease.
The term “ child ” includes a child adopted six months before the
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MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
enactment of the amendatory act or before enlistment or entrance
into active service in the military or naval forces of the United
States; also a stepchild, if a member of the man’s household, and an
illegitimate child, if acknowledged by the father in an instrument
in writing, or if he has been judicially ordered to contribute to the
child’s support. Illegitimate children, to come within the act, must,
if born after December 81, 1917, have been born in the United States.
A child’s dependency is assumed to cease on marriage, or on the at
tainment of 18 years of age unless insane, idiotic, or otherwise per
manently helpless.
As already indicated, the second article of the act provides for al
lotments and family allowances, and directs certain payments to be
made, not more than one-half the pay nor less than $15 per month
in amount; but if the payments are to a divorced wife the amount
shall not exceed the amount specified in a court order or written
agreement, or for an illegitimate child supported under a judicial
order the amount fixed in the order or decree. The allotment
from the pay of enlisted men will be supplemented by the Gov
ernment to an amount not exceeding $50 per month, on written ap
plication to the bureau in accordance with conditions and limita
tions provided in the act. Payments by the Government are $15
monthly to a wife alone, $25 to a wife and one child, $32.50 to a wife
and tAo children, and $5 per month for each additional child. To
an orphan child $5 per month will be paid, to two such children
$12.50, to three $20, and to four $30, and to each additional child
$5 per month. One or two parents receive $10 per month each;
grandchildren, brothers, and sisters receive $5 each from the Govern
ment, and parents in excess of two the same amount, grandparents
and step-parents being included in that term. Payments to grand
children, parents (including grandparents), brothers, and sisters, are
to be made only if there is actual dependency, and payments to wife
and children are made only if and wThile a compulsory allotment is
being made from the pay of the enlisted man. Provision is also made
for cases in which allotments are to be made to more than one class of
dependents.
A notable departure appears in the provisions of Article III, in
which there is established a system of compensation for death or
disability, this system being designed to take the place of the pen
sion system which has been supported by the Government practically
since its foundation. Compensation is to be paid for death or dis
ability resulting from personal injury suffered or disease contracted
in the line of duty by commissioned officers or enlisted men, or by any
member of the Army Nurse Corps (female), or the Navy Nurse
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185
Corps (female), when employed in active service under the War De
partment or Navy Department. The phrase “ in the course of the
service ” appearing in the act as it came from the House was stricken
out by the Senate, and a provision added “ but no compensation shall
be paid if the injury or disease has been caused by his own willful
misconduct.” Beneficiaries under the act are the injured person, a
wife or child, or a dependent widowed mother, and none other. The
benefits in cases of death are fixed sums and are uniform for de
pendents of all classes of persons without regard to rank. Payments
to a widow alone are $25 monthly; to a widow and one child $35; to
a widow and two children $47.50, with $5 for each additional child
up to twTo. An orphan child receives $20, two orphans $30, three
$40, and each additional child up to two $5. The payment to a
widowed mother is $20 per month, but the aggregate of payments to
dependents in any individual case may not exceed $75. A widowed
mother may receive benefits by reason of the death of one child only,
and not then if she is receiving compensation benefits for the death
of her husband. Payments to a widow or widowed mother continue
until death or remarriage, and no widow is to be entitled to bene
fits if the marriage takes place later than 10 years after the time of
the injury.
Payments for total disability are fixed at $30 per month for a
man alone, $45 if he has a wife but no child, $55 if there is a wife
and one child, $65 if wife and two children, and $75 if wife and three
or more children living. If the wife is not living, but there is one
child, $40 is to be paid, with $10 for each additional child up to two.
An additional $10 is to be paid in case there is also a dependent wid
owed mother. If a constant attendant is required, an amount not
exceeding $20 per month may be paid in addition to the foregoing.
For the loss of both feet or both hands or for total blindness, or
where the person is helplessly and permanently bedridden from
causes occurring in the line of duty in the service of the United
States, the monthly payment is fixed at $100 without other allowance.
Partial disability is to be compensated on the basis of reduction of
earning capacity, no payments being made where the reduction is less
than 10 per cent. A schedule of disability ratings, based upon the
average impairments of earning capacity from such injuries in civil
occupations and not upon the impairment in the individual case, so
as to avoid reducing the rate of compensation where there has been
successful rehabilitation is to be adopted and applied by the bureau.
Medical, surgical, and hospital services are to be furnished, with
such supplies, including artificial limbs, as the director may deter
mine to be useful and reasonably necessary. Where death ensues
before discharge or resignation from service, burial expenses and
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cost of return of the body to the home of the decedent may be met in
an amount not to exceed $100.
Provision is made for instruction in such courses of rehabilitation,
reeducation, and vocational training as may be provided by the
Government. If such course will interfere with a gainful occupation
already engaged in, a form of enlistment may be required which will
bring the person again into the service, and will entitle him to the
rate of pay received during the last month of his active service and
his family to family allowances during the period of his training.
Refusal to accept such training and refusal to accept reasonable medi
cal and surgical treatment are grounds for the suspension of com
pensation.
Provision is made for the review of awards. Benefits under the
article are not payable while the person is in receipt of service or
retirement pay, are not assignable, and are exempt from attachment,
execution, and taxation. Payments because of disability or death of
members of the Army Nurse Corps (female) or the Navy Nurse
Corps (female) are to be in lieu of any compensation under the
Federal Employees’ Compensation Act of September 7, 1916. In
juries received under circumstances creating a legal liability upon
third parties will be compensated by the Government on condition
that the beneficiary assign to it any right of action he may have to
enforce such liability.
The fourth article relates to insurance and permits every commis
sioned officer and enlisted man and every member of the Army Nurse
Corps (female) and the Navy Nurse Corps (female), when em
ployed in active service under the War Department or Navy Depart
ment, to take out insurance in amounts not less than $1,000 nor more
than $10,000, in any multiple of $500, the policy coming due in case
of total disability or death. The premium rates are to be the net rates
based upon, the American Experience Table of Mortality, and in
terest at 3^ per cent per annum, all expense of administration and
the excess mortality and disability cost caused by the hazards of war
being borne by the United States. Beneficiaries that may be named
are a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, brother, or sister. Bene
ficiaries may be changed by the insured within the above classes, sub
ject to regulations; but if none of them survive the insured, the
reserve value of the policy is payable to the estate of the insured.
During the war and until conversion, the insurance is to be adminis
tered as term insurance for successive terms of one year, provision
being made for conversion not later than five years after the date of
the termination of the war into ordinary life, twenty-payment life,
endowments maturing at age 62, or other usual forms of insurance.
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U OF LABOR S T A T IST IC S.
The text of the act approved on October 6, 1917, is as follows:
[P u b lic — N o. 90— 65t h C ongress.]
[H. R. 5723.]
An A ct To amend an Act entitled “An Act to authorize the establishm ent o f a
Bureau of War B isk Insurance in the Treasury Departm ent,” approved
September second, nineteen hundred and fourteen, and for other purposes.
Be
it
en a cted
by
th e
S en a te
and
H ouse
of
R ep resen ta tives
of
th e
U n ited
T hat the first section of the Act
entitled “An Act to authorize the establishm ent of a Bureau o f War R isk
Insurance in the Treasury Departm ent,” approved September second, nineteen
hundred and fourteen, as amended, is hereby amended to read as fo llo w s:
S ta tes
o f A m erica
in
C ongress
a ssem b led ,
“ A r t ic l e
I.
“ Section 1. T hat there is established in the Treasury Department a Bureau
to be known as the Bureau of W ar R isk Insurance, the director of which shall
receive a salary at the rate of $5,000 per annum.
“ That there be in such bureau a D ivision of M arine and Seamen’s Insurance
and a D ivision of M ilitary and N aval Insurance in charge of a commissioner
of Marine and Seam en’s Insurance and a commissioner of M ilitary and Naval
Insurance, respectively, each of whom shall receive a salary of $4,000 per
annum.”
Sec. 2. T hat such A ct o f September second, nineteen hundred and fourteen,
as amended, is hereby amended by adding new sections, as fo llo w s:
“ Sec. 12. T hat sections two to seven, inclusive, and section nine, shall be
construed to refer only to the D ivision of Marine and Seamen’s Insurance.
“ Sec. H3. That the director, subject to the general direction of the Secretary
of the Treasury, shall administer, execute, and enforce the provisions o f this
Act, and for that purpose have full power and authority to make rules and
regulations, not inconsistent w ith the provisions of this Act, necessary or appro
priate to carry out its purposes, and shall decide all questions arising under
the Act, except as otherw ise provided in sections five and four hundred and
five. W herever under any provision or provisions of the Act regulations are
directed or authorized to be made, such regulations, unless the context other
w ise requires, shall or may be made by the director, subject to the general
direction of the Secretary o f the Treasury. The director shall adopt reasonable
and proper rules to govern the procedure of the divisions, to regulate the matter
of the compensation, if any, but in no case to exceed ten per centum, to be
paid to claim agents and attorneys for services in connection w ith any of
the m atters provided for in articles two, three, and four, and to regulate and
provide for the nature and extent of the proofs and evidence and the method
of taking and furnishing the same in order to establish the right to benefits of
allowance, allotment, compensation, or insurance provided for in this Act, the
form s of application of those claim ing to be entitled to such benefits, the method
of making investigations and medical exam inations, and the manner and form
of adjudications and awards.
“ Sec. 14. That the bureau and its divisions shall have such deputies, as
sistants, actuaries, clerks, and other employees as may be from time to time
provided by Congress. The bureau shall, by arrangement w ith the Secretary of
War and the Secretary of the Navy, respectively, make use of the services of
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surgeons in the Army and Navy. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized
to establish an advisory board consisting of three members skilled in the prac
tice of insurance against death or disability for the purpose of assisting the
D ivision of M ilitary and N aval Insurance in fixing premium rates and in the
adjustm ent of claim s for losses under the contracts of insurance provided for
in article four and in adjusting claim s for compensation under article th r e e ;
compensation for the persons so appointed to be determined by the Secretary
of the Treasury, but not to exceed $20 a day each w hile actually employed.
“ Sec. 15. That for the purposes of th is Act, the director, commissioners, and
deputy commissioners shall have power to issue subpoenas for and compel the
attendance of w itnesses w ithin a radius of one hundred miles, to require the
production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence, to administer oaths
and to exam ine w itnesses upon any matter w ithin the jurisdiction of the bureau.
The director may obtain'such information anti such reports from officials and
employees of the departments of the Government of the United States and of
the States as may be agreed upon by the heads of the respective departments.
In case of disobedience to a subpoena, the bureau may invoke the aid of any
district court of the United States in requiring the attendance and testim ony
of w itnesses and the production of documentary evidence, and such court, w ithin
the jurisdiction of which the inquiry is carried on, may, in case of contumacy
or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any officer, agent, or employee of any
corporation or other person, issue an order requiring such corporation or other
person to appear before the bureau, or to give evidence touching the m atter in
q u estion ; and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by
such court as a contempt thereof. Any person so required to attend as a w itness
shall be allowed and paid the same fees and m ileage as are paid w itnesses in the
district courts of the United States.
“ Sec. 16. That the director shall submit annually to the Secretary o f the
Treasury estim ates of the appropriations necessary for the work of the bureau.
“ Sec. 17. That for the purpose o f carrying out the provisions o f th is Act there
is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherw ise appro
priated, the sum of $100,000, for the payment o f all expenses incident to the
work authorized under this Act, including salaries of the director and commis
sioners and of such deputies, assistants, accountants, experts, clerks, and other
employees in the D istrict of Columbia or elsewhere, as the Secretary of the
Treasury may deem necessary, traveling expenses, rent and equipment of offices,
typew riters and exchange of same, purchase of law books and books of refer
ence, printing and binding to be done at the Government Printing Office, and all
other necessary expenses. W ith the exception of the director, the commis
sioners, and such special experts as the Secretary of the Treasury may from
tim e to tim e find necessary for the conduct of the work of the bureau, all
employees of the bureau shall be appointed from lists of eligibles to be supplied
by the Civil Service Commission and in accordance w ith the civil-service law.
Such fees, allowances, and salaries shall be the same as are paid for sim ilar
services in other departm ents of the Government.
“ Sec. 18. That there is hereby appropriated from any money in the Treasury
not otherw ise appropriated, the sum of $141,000,000, to be known as the m ilitary
and naval fam ily allowance appropriation, for the payment of the fam ily allow
ances provided by A rticle II. Paym ents out of this appropriation shall be made
upon and in accordance w ith awards by the Commissioner of the D ivision of
M ilitary and Naval Insurance.
“ Sec. 19. That there is hereby appropriated, from any money in the Treasury
not otherw ise appropriated, the sum of $12,150,000, to be known as the military
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and naval compensation appropriation, for the payment of the compensation,
funeral expenses, services, and supplies provided by Article III. Paym ents out
of this appropriation shall be made upon and in accordance w ith awards by the
director.
“ Sec. 20. T hat there is hereby appropriated, from any money in the Treasury
not otherw ise appropriated, the sum of $23,000,000, to be known as the m ilitary
and naval insurance appropriation. All premiums that may be collected for the
insurance provided by the provisions of Article IV shall be deposited and cov
ered into the Treasury to the credit of this appropriation.
“ Such sum, including all premium payments, is hereby made available for the
payment of the liabilities of the United States incurred under contracts of insur
ance made under the provisions.of A rticle IV. Paym ents from this appropriation
shall be made upon and in accordance w ith awards by the director.
“ Sec. 21. T hat there shall be set aside as a separate fund in the Treasury,
to be known as the m ilitary and naval pay deposit fund, all sums held out of
pay as provided by section two hundred and three of this Act. Such fund, in
cluding all additions, is hereby made available for the payment o f the sums
so held and deposited, w ith interest, as provided in section two hundred and
three, and the amount necessary to pay interest is hereby appropriated.
“ Sec. 22. That for the purpose of this am endatory Act the marriage o f the
claim ant to the person on account of whom the claim is made shall be shown—
“ (1) By a duly verified copy of a public or church record; or
“ (2) By the affidavit of the clergyman or m agistrate who officiated; or
“ (3) By the testim ony of two or more eyew itnesses to the ceremony; or
“ (4) By a duly verified copy of the church record of baptism of the chil
dren ; or
“ (5) By the testim ony of two or more w itnesses who know th at the parties
lived together as husband and w ife, and w ere recognized as such, and who shall
state how long, w ithin their knowledge, such relation con tin u ed : P r o v i d e d ,
That marriages, except such as are mentioned in section forty-seven hundred
and five of the Revised Statutes, shall be proven in compensation or insurance
cases to be legal marriages according to the law of the place where the parties
resided at the tim e of marriage or at the tim e when the right to compensation
or insurance accrued ; and the open and notorious illicit cohabitation of a widow
who is a claim ant shall operate to term inate her right to compensation or insur
ance from the commencement of such cohabitation: P r o v i d e d f u r t h e r , T hat for
the purpose of the adm inistration of A rticle II of this Act marriage shall be
conclusively presumed, in the absence of proof, that there is a legal spouse
living, if the man and woman have lived together in the openly acknowledged
relation of husband and w ife during the two years im m ediately preceding the
date of the declaration of war, or the date of enlistm ent or of entrance into
or employment in active service in the m ilitary or naval forces of the United
States if subsequent to such declaration.”
In Articles II, III, and IV of this Act unless the context otherw ise requires—
“ (1) The term ‘ c h ild ’ includes—
“ (a ) A legitim ate child.
“ (b) A child legally adopted more than six months before the enactment
of this amendatory Act or before enlistm ent or entrance into our employment
in active service in the m ilitary or naval forces of the United States, w hich
ever of these dates is the later.
“ (c) A stepchild, if a member of the man’s household.
“ (d) An illegitim ate child, but, as to the father, only, if acknowledged by in
strument in w riting signed by him, or if he has been judicially ordered or decreed
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to contribute to such child’s support, and if such child, if born after December
thirty-first, nineteen hundred and seventeen, shall have been born in the
United States, or in its insular possessions.
“ (2) The term ‘ gran d ch ild ’ m eans a child as above defined of a child as
above defined.
“ (3) Except a s used in section four hundred and one and in section four
hundred and two the terms ‘ child ’ and ‘ grandchild ’ are lim ited to unmar
ried persons either (a ) under eighteen years of age, or (b) of any age, if in
sane, idiotic, or otherw ise permanently helpless.
“ (4) The term ‘ p a r e n t’ includes a father, mother, grandfather, grand
mother, stepfather, and stepmother, either of the person in the service or of the
spouse.
“ (5) The term s ‘ b roth er’ and ‘ s is te r ’ include brothers and sisters of the
half blood as w ell as those of the whole blood, stepbrothers and stepsisters, and
brothers and sisters through adoption.
“ (6) The term ‘ commissioned officer’ includes a warrant officer, but
includes only an officer in active service in the m ilitary or naval forces of the
United States.
“ (7) The terms ‘ m a n ’ and ‘ enlisted m a n ’ mean a person, whether male or
fem ale, and whether enlisted, enrolled, or drafted into active service in the
m ilitary or naval forces of the United States, and include noncommissioned and
petty officers, and members of training camps authorized by law.
“ (8) The term ‘ en listm en t’ includes voluntary enlistm ent, draft, and enroll
ment in active service in the m ilitary or naval forces of the United States.
“ (9) The term ‘ com m issioner’ means the Commissioner of M ilitary and
N aval Insurance.
“ (10) The term ‘ in ju r y ’ includes disease.
“ (11) The term ‘ pay ’ means the pay for service in the United States accord
ing to grade and length o f service, excluding all allowances.
“ (12) The term ‘ m ilitary or naval fo r c e s’ means the Army, the Navy, the
Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Naval Reserves, the N ational N aval Volun
teers, and any other branch of the United States service w hile serving pursuant
to law w ith the Army or the Navy.
“ Sec. 23. That when, by the term s of this am endatory Act, any payment is to
be made to a minor, other than a person in the m ilitary or naval forces of the
United States, or to a person m entally incompetent, such payment shall be
made to the person who is constituted guardian or curator by the law s of the
State or residence of claimant, or is otherw ise legally vested w ith responsibility
or care of the claimant.
“ Sec. 24. T hat the Bureau of W ar R isk Insurance, so far as practicable,
shall upon request furnish inform ation to and act for persons in the m ilitary or
naval service, w ith respect to any contracts o f insurance whether w ith the
Government or otherwise, as may be prescribed by regulations. Said bureau
may upon request procure from and keep a record of the amount and kind of
insurance held by evfery commissioned and appointive officer and of every en
listed man in the m ilitary or naval service of the United States, including the
name and principal place of business of the company, society, or organization
in which such insurance is held, the date of the policy, amount of premium,
name and relationship of the beneficiary, and such other data as may be deemed
of service in protecting the interests of the insured and beneficiaries.
“ Sec. 25. That whoever in any claim for fam ily allowance, compensation, or
insurance, or in any document required by this Act or by regulation made under
this Act, m akes any statem ent of a m aterial fact knowing it to be false, shall
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be guilty of perjury and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000, or
by imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
“ Sec. 26. That if any person entitled to paym ent of fam ily allowance or
compensation under this Act, w hose right to such payment under this Act
ceases upon the happening of any contingency, thereafter fraudulently accepts
any such payment, he shall be punished by a fine of not more than $2,000, or by
imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.”
A
r t ic l e
II.
ALLOTMENTS AND FA M ILY ALLOW ANCES.
Sec. 200. That the provisions of th is article shall apply to all enlisted men
in the m ilitary or naval forces of the United States.
Sec. 201. T hat allotm ent o f pay shall, subject to the conditions, lim itations,
and exceptions hereinafter specified, be compulsory as to w ife, a former w ife
divorced who has not remarried and to whom alimony has been decreed, and a
child, and voluntary as to any other p erso n ; but on the w ritten consent of the
w ife or former w ife divorced, supported by evidence satisfactory to the bureau
of her ability to support herself and the children in her custody, the allotm ent
for her and for such children may be w a iv e d ; and on the enlisted man’s appli
cation or otherw ise for good cause shown, exemption from the allotm ent may
be granted upon such conditions as may be prescribed by regulations.
The monthly compulsory allotm ent shall be in an amount equal to the fam ily
allowance hereinafter specified except that it shall not be more than one-half
the pay, or less than $15; but for a w ife living separate and apart under court
order or w ritten agreement or for a former w ife divorced, it shall not exceed
the amount specified in the court order, decree, or w ritten agreement to be paid
to her. For an illegitim ate child, to whose support the father has been judicially
ordered or decreed to contribute, it shall not exceed the amount fixed in the
order or decree.
I f there be an allotm ent for a w ife or child, a former w ife divorced and who
has not remarried shall be entitled to a compulsory allotm ent only out of the
difference, if any, between the allotm ent for the w ife or child or both and oneh alf of the pay.
Sec. 202. That the enlisted man may allot any proportion or proportions or
any fixed amount or amounts of his monthly pay or of the proportion thereof
remaining after the compulsory allotment, for such purposes and for the benefit
of such person or persons as he may direct, subject, however, to such conditions
and lim itations as may be prescribed under regulations to be made by the
Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy, respectively.
Sec. 203. T hat in case one-half of an enlisted man’s monthly pay is not
allotted, regulations to be made by the Secretary o f W ar and the Secreary of
the Navy, respectively, may require, under such circum stances and conditions
as may be prescribed in such regulations, that any proportion of such one-half
pay as is not allotted shall be deposited to his credit, to be held during such
period of his service as may be prescribed. Such deposits shall bear interest
at the rate of four per centum per annum, w ith sem iannual rests and, when
payable, shall be paid principal and interest to the enlisted man, if living,
otherw ise to any beneficiary or beneficiaries he may have designated, or if there
be no such beneficiary, then to the person or persons who would under the law s
of the State of his residence be entitled to his personal property in case of
intestacy-.
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Sec. 204. That a fam ily allowance of not exceeding $50 per month shall be
granted and paid by the United States upon w ritten application to the bureau
by such enlisted man or by or on behalf of any prospective beneficiary, in ac
cordance with and subject to the conditions, lim itations, and exceptions here
inafter specified.
The fam ily allowance shall be paid from the tim e of enlistm ent to death in
or one month after discharge from the service, but not for more than one month
after the term ination of the present w ar emergency. No fam ily allowance shall
be made for any period preceding November first, nineteen hundred and seven
teen. The payment shall be subject to such regulations as may be prescribed
relative to cases of desertion and imprisonment and of m issing men.
Subject to the conditions, lim itations, and exceptions hereinabove and here
inafter specified, the fam ily allowance payable per month shall be as fo llo w s:
Class A. In the case of a man, to his w ife (including a former w ife divorced)
and to his child or ch ild ren :
(a ) I f there be a w ife but no child, $15.
(b) I f there be a w ife and one child, $25.
(c) I f there be a w ife and two children, $32.50, w ith $5 per month addi
tional for each additional child.
(d) I f there be no w ife, but one child, $5.
(e) If there be no w ife, but two children, $12.50.
(f) I f there be no w ife, but three children, $20.
(g) If there be no w ife, but four children, $30, w ith $5 per month additional
for each additional child.
Class B. In the case o f a man or woman, to a grandchild, a parent, brother,
or s is te r :
(a ) If there be one parent, $10.
(b) If there be tw o parents, $20.
(c) For each grandchild, brother, sister, and additional parent, $5.
In the case of a woman, to a child or ch ild ren :
(d) If there be one child, $5.
(e) I f there be two children, $12.50.'
(f) If there be three children, $20.
(g) If there be four children, $30, w ith $5 per month additional for each
additional child.
Sec. 205. ThiTt fam ily allowances for members of Class A shall be paid only
if and w hile a compulsory allotm ent is made to a member or members of such
class. The monthly fam ily allowance to a former w ife divorced shall be payable
only out of the difference, if any, between the monthly fam ily allowance to the
other members of Class A and the sum of $50, and only then if alimony shall
have been decreed to her. For a w ife living separate and apart under court
order or w ritten agreement or to a former w ife divorced the monthly allow
ance, together w ith the allotment, if any, shall not exceed the amount specified
in the court order, decree, or w ritten agreement to be paid to her. For an
illegitim ate child, to whose support the father has been judicially ordered or
decreed to contribute, it shall not exceed the amount fixed in the order or decree.
Sec. 206. That fam ily allowances to members o f Class B shall be granted
only if and w hile the member is dependent in whole or in part on the enlisted
man, and then only if and w hile the enlisted man m akes a monthly allotment
of his pay for such member or members equal to the amount of the monthly
fam ily allowance as hereinabove specified, except that—
(a )
The maximum monthly allotm ent so required to be made to members of
Class B shall be one-half of his pay.
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(b) I f he is making no allotm ent to a member of Class A, the minimum
monthly allotm ent so designated to be made to members of Class B shall be
$15 per month.
(c) I f he is making the compulsory allotm ent to a member of Class A, the
minimum monthly allotm ent so designated to be made to members o f Class B
shall be one-seventh of his pay, but not less than $5 per month.
On the enlisted man’s application, or otherw ise for good cause shown, exemp
tion from this additional allotm ent under Class B as a condition to the
allowance may be granted, upon such conditions as may be prescribed by
regulations.
Sec. 207. That the amount of the fam ily allowance to members o f Class B
shall be subject to each of the follow ing lim ita tio n s:
(a) I f an allowance is paid to one or more beneficiaries o f Class A, the total
allowance to be paid to th e beneficiaries of Class B shall not exceed the differ
ence between the allowance paid to the beneficiaries o f Class A and th e sum
of $50.
(b) The total monthly allowance to beneficiaries of Class B added to the
enlisted man’s monthly allotm ent to them shall not exceed the average sum
habitually contributed by him to their support monthly during the period of
dependency but not exceeding a year im m ediately preceding his enlistm ent or
the enactment of this amendatory Act.
Sec. 208. That as between the members of Class A and as between the mem
bers of Class B, the amount of the allotm ent and fam ily allowance shall be
apportioned as may be prescribed by regulations.
Sec. 209. The W ar and N avy Departments, respectively, shall pay over to
the Treasury Department monthly the entire amount of such allotm ents for
distribution to the beneficiaries, and the allotm ents and fam ily allowances shall
be paid by the bureau to or for the beneficiaries.
Sec. 210. T hat upon receipt o f any application for fam ily allowance the com
missioner shall m ake all proper investigations and shall make an award, on
the basis of which award the amount of the allotm ents to be made by the man
shall be certified to the W ar Department or N avy Department, as may be
proper. W henever the commissioner shall have reason to believe that an
allowance has been improperly made or th at the conditions have changed, he
shall investigate or reinvestigate and may modify the award. The amount of
each monthly allotm ent and allowance shall be determined according to the
conditions then existing.
A
r t ic l e
III.
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR D ISA BIL ITY .
Sec. 300. T hat for death or disability resulting from personal injury suffered
or disease contracted in the line of duty, by any commissioned officer or enlisted
man or by any member o f the Army Nurse Corps (fem ale) or' o f the Navy
Nurse Corps (fem ale) when employed in the active service under the War
Department or Navy Department, the United States shall pay compensation as
hereinafter provided ; but no compensation shall be paid if the injury or disease
has been caused by his own w illfu l misconduct.
Sec. 301. That if death results from injury—
If the deceased leaves a widow or child, or if he leaves a widowed mother
dependent upon him for support, the monthly compensation shall be the follow
ing amounts :
(a ) For a widow alone, $25.
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(b) For a widow and one child, $35.
(c) For a widow and two children, $47.50, w ith $5 for each additional child
up to two.
(d) If there be no widow, then for one child, $20.
(e) For two children, $30.
(f) For three children, $40, w ith $5 for each additional child up to two.
(g) For a widowed mother, $20. The amount payable under this subdivision
shall not be greater than a sum which, when added to the total amount payable
to the widow and children, does not exceed $75. T his compensation shall be
payable for the death of but one child, and no compensation for the death
of a child shall be payable if such widowed mother is in receipt of compensation
under the provisions of this article for the death of her husband. Such com
pensation shall be payable w hether her widowhood arises before or after the
death of the person and whenever her condition is such th at if the person were
living the widowed mother would have been dependent ixpon him for support.
If the death occur before discharge or resignation from service, the United
States shall pay for burial expenses and the return of body to h is home a sum
not to exceed $100, as may be fixed by regulations.
The payment of compensation to a widow or widowed mother shall continue
until her death or remarriage.
The payment of compensation to or for a child shall continue until such child
reaches the age of eighteen years or marries, or if such child be incapable, be
cause of insanity, idiocy, or being otherw ise permanently helpless, then during
such incapacity.
Whenever the compensation payable to or for the benefit of any person under
the provisions of this section is term inated by the happening o f the contingency
upon which it is lim ited, the compensation thereafter for the rem aining bene
ficiary or beneficiaries, if any, shall be the amount which would have been pay
able to them if they had been the sole original beneficiaries.
As between the widow and the children not in her custody, and as between
children, the amount of the compensation shall be apportioned as may be pre
scribed by regulations. The word “ w id o w ” as used in this section shall not
include one who shall have married the deceased later than ten years after the
tim e of injury.
Sec. 302. T hat if disability results from the injury—
(1)
If and w hile the disability is total, the monthly compensation shall be
the follow ing am ounts:
(a ) If he has neither w ife nor child living, $30.
(b) If he has a w ife but no child living, $45.
(c) I f he has a w ife and one child living, $55.
(d) I f he has a w ife and two children living, $65.
(e) If he has a w ife and three or more children living, $75.
(f) I f he has no w ife but one child living, $40, w ith $10 for each additional
child up to two.
(g) I f he has a widowed mother dependent on him for support, then, in
addition to the above amounts, $10.
To an injured person who is totally disabled and in addition so helpless as
to be in constant need of a nurse or attendant, such additional sum shall be
paid, but not exceeding $20 per month, as the director may deem reasonable:
P r o v i d e d , h o w e v e r , That for the loss of both feet or both hands or both eyes,
or for becoming totally blind or helpless and permanently bedridden from
causes occurring in the line of duty in the service of the United States, the
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rate of compensation shall be $100 per month : P r o v i d e d f u r t h e r , That no
allowance shall be made for nurse or attendant.
(2) I f and w hile the disability is partial, the monthly compensation shall
be a percentage of the compensation that would be payable for his total d is
ability, equal to the degree of the reduction in earning capacity resulting from
the disability, but no compensation shall be payable for a reduction in earning
capacity rated at less than ten per centum.
A schedule of ratings of reductions in earning capacity from specific injuries
or combinations of injuries of a permanent nature shall be adopted and applied
by the bureau. R atings may be as high as one hundred per centum. The
ratings shall be based, as far as practicable, upon the average im pairments of
earning capacity resulting from such injuries in civil occupations and not upon
the impairment in earning capacity in each individual case, so that there shall
be no reduction in the rate of compensation for individual success in over
coming the handicap of permanent injury. The bureau shall from tim e to
time readjust this schedule of ratings in accordance w ith actual experience.
(3) In addition to the compensation above provided, the injured person shall
be furnished by the United States such reasonable governmental medical,
surgical, and hospital services and w ith such supplies, including artificial limbs,
trusses, and sim ilar appliances, as the director may determine to be useful and
reasonably necessary : P r o v i d e d , T hat nothing in this Act shall be construed
to affect the necessary m ilitary control over any member of the m ilitary or
naval establishm ents before he shall have been discharged from the m ilitary
or naval service.
(4) The amount of each monthly payment shall be determined according to
the fam ily conditions then existing.
Sec. 303. That every person applying for or in receipt of compensation for
disability under the provisions of th is article shall, as frequently and at such
tim es and places as may be reasonably required, subm it him self to exam ination
by a medical officer of the United States or by a duly qualified physican desig
nated or approved by the director. H e may have a duly qualified physician
designated and paid by him present to participate in such exam ination. For
all exam inations he shall, in the discretion of the director, be paid his reason
able traveling and other expenses and also loss of w ages incurred in order
to subm it to such exam ination. I f he refuses to submit him self for, or in any
way obstructs, any exam ination, his right to claim compensation under th is
article shall be suspended until such refusal or obstruction ceases. No com
pensation shall be payable w hile such refusal or obstruction continues, and no
compensation shall be payable for the intervening period.
Every person in receipt o f compensation for disability shall submit to any
reasonable medical or surgical treatm ent furnished by the bureau whenever
requested by the bureau ; and the consequences of unreasonable refusal to
submit to any such treatm ent shall not be deemed to result from the injury
compensated for.
Sec. 304. That in cases of dismemberment, o f injuries to sight or hearing,
and of other injuries commonly causing permanent disability, th e injured per
son shall follow such course or courses of rehabilitation, reeducation, and voca
tional training as the United States may provide or procure to be provided.
Should such course prevent the injured person from follow ing a substantially
gainful occupation w hile taking same, a form o f enlistm ent may be required
which shall bring the injured person into the m ilitary or naval service. Such
enlistm ent shall entitle the person to full pay as during the la st month o f his
active service, and his fam ily to fam ily allowances and allotm ent as hereinbe
fore provided, in lieu of all other compensation for the tim e being.
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In ease of his w illfu l failure properly to follow such course or so to enlist,
payment of compensation shall be suspended until such w illfu l failure ceases
and no compensation shall be payable for the intervening period.
Sec. 305. T hat upon its own motion or upon application the bureau may at
any time review an award, and, in accordance w ith the facts found upon such
review, may end, diminish, or increase the compensation previously awarded,
or, if compensation has been refused or discontinued, may award compensa
tion.
Sec. 306. That no compensation shall be payable for death or disability
which does not occur prior to or w ithin one year after discharge or resignation
from the service, except that where, after a medical exam ination made pur
suant to regulations, at the tim e of discharge or resignation from the service,
or w ithin such reasonable time thereafter, not exceeding one year, as may be
allowed by regulations, a certificate has been obtained from the director to
the effect that the injured person at the tim e of his discharge or resignation
w as suffering from injury likely to result in death or disability, compensation
shall be payable for death or disability, whenever occurring, proxim ately re
sulting from such injury.
Sec. 307. That compensation shall not be payable for death in the course
of the service until the deatli be officially recorded in the department under
which he may be serving. No compensation shall be payable for a period
during which the man has been reported “ m issing ” and a fam ily allowance
has been paid for him under the provisions of A rticle II.
Sec. 308. That no compensation shall be payable for death inflicted as a law
ful punishment for a crime or m ilitary offense except when inflicted by the
enemy. A dism issal or dishonorable or bad conduct discharge from the service
shall bar and term inate all right to any compensation \mder the provisions of
this article.
Sec. 309. T hat no compensation shall be payable unless a claim therefor be
filed, in case of disability, w ithin five years after discharge or resignation from
the service, or, in case o f death during the service, w ithin five years after such
death is officially recorded in the department under which he may be serving:
P r o v i d e d , h o w e v e r , That where compensation is payable for death or disability
occurring after discharge or resignation from the service, claim must be made
w ithin five years after such death or the beginning of such disability.
The tim e herein provided may be extended by the director not to exceed
one year for good cause shown. If at the tim e that any right accrues to any
person under the provisions of this article, such person is a minor, or is of
unsound mind or physically unable to make a claim, the tim e herein provided
shall not begin to run until such disability ceases.
Sec. 310. T hat no compensation shall be payable for any period more than
two years prior to the date of claim therefor, nor shall increased compensation
be awarded to revert back more than one year prior to the date of claim
therefor.
Sec. 311. That compensation under this article shall not be assignable, and
shall be exempt from attachm ent and execution and from all taxation.
Sec. 312. That compensation under this article shall not be paid w hile the
person is in receipt of service or retirem ent pay. The law s providing for
gratuities or payments in the event of death in the service and existin g pension
law s shall not be applicable after the enactm ent of this amendment to persons
now or hereafter entering the m ilitary or naval service, or to their widows,
children, or their dependents, except in so far as rights under any such law
shall have heretofore accrued.
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Compensation because of disability or death of members of the Army Nurse
Corps (fem ale) or of the Navy Nurse Corps (fem ale) shall be in lieu of any
compensation for such disability or death under the Act entitled “An Act to
provide compensation for employees of the United States suffering injuries
w hile in the performance of their duties, and for other purposes,” approved
September seventh, nineteen hundred and sixteen.
Sec. 313. That if an injury or death for which compensation is payable under
this amendatory Act is caused under circum stances creating a legal liability
upon some person other than the United States or the enemy to pay damages
therefor, the director, as a condition to payment of compensation by the United
States, shall require the beneficiary to assign to the United States any right
of action he may have to enforce such liability o f such other person or any
right which he may have to share in any money or other property received in
satisfaction of such liability of such other person. The cause of action so
assigned to the U nited States may be prosecuted or compromised by the director
and any money realized thereon shall be placed to the credit of the compen
sation fund.
Sec. 314. T hat from and after the passage o f this Act the rate of pension for
a widow of an officer or enlisted man of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of
the United States who served in the Civil War, the W ar w ith Spain, or the
Philippine Insurrection, now on the pension roll or hereafter to be placed on
the pension roll, and entitled to receive a less rate than hereinafter provided,
shall be $25 per m onth; and nothing herein shall be construed to affect the
additional allowance provided by existin g pension law s on account of a helpless
child or child under sixteen years of age: P r o v i d e d , h o w e v e r , That this Act
shall not be so construed as to reduce any pension under any Act, 'public or
private: A n d p r o v i d e d f u r t h e r , T hat the provisions of this section shall be
administered, executed, and enforced by the Commissioner of Pensions.
A b t ic l e
IV.
IN SU R A N C E.
Sec. 400. That in order to give to every commissioned officer and enlisted
man and to every member of the Army N urse Corps (fem ale) and of the
Navy Nurse Corps (fem ale) when employed in active service under the
War Department or Navy Department greater protection for them selves and
their dependents than is provided in A rticle III, the United States, upon appli
cation to the bureau and w ithout medical exam ination, shall grant insurance
against the death or total permanent disability of any such person in any
multiple of $500, and not less than $1,000 or more than $10,000, upon the pay
ment of the premiums as hereinafter provided.
Sec. 401. That such insurance m ust be applied for w ithin one hundred and
tw enty days after enlistm ent or after entrance into or employment in the
active service and before discharge or resignation, except that those persons
who are in the active w ar service at the tim e of the publication of the terms
and conditions of such contract of insurance may apply at any tim e w ithin
one hundred and tw enty days thereafter and w hile in such service. Any
person in the active service on or after the sixth day of April, nineteen hun
dred and seventeen, who, w hile in such service and before the expiration of
one hundred and tw enty days from and after such publication, becomes or
has become totally and permanently disabled or dies, or has died, w ithout
having applied for insurance, shall be deemed to have applied for and to
have been granted insurance, payable to such person during his life in monthly
installm ents of $25 each. I f he shall die either before he shall have received
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any of such monthly installm ents or before he shall have received tw o hundred
and forty of such monthly installm ents, then $25 per month shall be paid to
his w ife from the time of his death and during her widowhood, or to his child,
or widowed mother if and w hile they survive him : P r o v i d e d , h o w e v e r , That
not more than tw o hundred and forty of such monthly installm ents, including
those received by such person during h is total and permanent disability, shall
be so paid; and in that event the amount of the monthly installm ents shall
be apportioned between them as may be provided by regulations.
Sec. 402. That the director, subject to the general direction of the Secre
tary of the Treasury, shall promptly determine upon and publish the fu ll and
exact term s and conditions of such contract of insurance. The insurance shall
not be assignable, and shall not be subject to the claim s o f creditors of the
insured or of the beneficiary. It shall be payable only to a spouse, child,
grandchild, parent, brother or sister, and also during total and permanent
disability to the injured person, or to any or all of them. The insurance shall
be payable in tw o hundred and forty equal monthly installm ents. Provisions
for m aturity at certain ages, for continuous installm ents during the life of
the insured or beneficiaries, or both, for cash, loan, paid-up and extended
values, dividends from gains and savings, and such other provisions for the
protection and advantage o f and for alternative benefits to the insured and
the beneficiaries as may be found to be reasonable and practicable, may be
provided for in the contract of insurance, or from tim e to tim e by regulations.
All calculations shall be based upon the American Experience Table of Mortal
ity and interest at three and one-half per centum per annum, except that no
deduction shall be made for continuous installm ents during the life of the
insured in case his total and permanent disability continues more than two
hundred and forty months. Subject to regulations, the insured shall at all
tim es have the right to change the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such insurance
w ithout the consent of such beneficiary or beneficiaries, but only w ithin the
classes herein provided. I f no beneficiary w ithin the perm itted class be des
ignated by the insured, either in his lifetim e or by his la st w ill and testament,
or if the designated beneficiary does not survive the insured, the insurance
shall be payable to such person or persons, w ithin the permitted class of
beneficiaries as w ould under the law s of the State of the residence of the
insured, be entitled to his personal property in case of intestacy. If no such
person survive the insured, then there shall be paid to the estate of the insured
an amount equal to the reserve value, if any, of the insurance at the time
of his death, calculated on the basis of the American Experience Table of
M ortality and three and one-half per centum interest in full of all obligations
under the contract of insurance.
Sec. 408. T hat the United States shall bear the expenses of adm inistration
and the excess m ortality and disability cost resulting from the hazards of war.
The premium rates shall be the net rates based upon the American Experience
Table of M ortality and interest at three and one-half per centum per annum.
Sec. 404. That during the period of war and thereafter until converted the
insurance shall be term insurance for successive terms of one year each. Not
later than five years after the date of the term ination o f the war as declared
by proclam ation of the President o f the United States, the term insurance shall
be converted, w ithout medical exam ination, into such form or form s of insur
ance as may be prescribed by regulations and as the insured may request.
Regulations shall provide for the right to convert into ordinary life, tw entypayment life, endowment maturing at age sixty-tw o and into other usual forms
of insurance and shall prescribe the tim e and method of paym ent of the pre
miums thereon, but paym ents of premiums in advance shall not be required
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for periods of more than one month each and may be deducted from the pay
or deposit of the insured or be otherw ise made at his election.
Sec. 405. T hat in the event o f disagreement as to a claim under the contract
of insurance between the bureau and any beneficiary or beneficiaries thereunder,
an action on the claim may be brought against the U nited States in the district
court of the U nited States in and for the district in which such beneficiaries or
any one of them resides. The court, as part of its judgment, shall determ ine
and allow such reasonable attorney’s fees, not to exceed ten per centum of the
amount recovered, to be paid by the claim ant on behalf of" whom such proceed
ings are instituted to his attorney; and it shall be unlaw ful for the attorney
or for any other person acting as claim agent or otherw ise to ask for, contract
for, or receive any other compensation because of such action. No other com
pensation or fee shall be charged or received by any person except such as may
be authorized by the commissioner in regulations to be promulgated by him.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall, for each and every such offense,
be fined not exceeding $500, or be imprisoned at hard labor not exceeding two
years, or both, in the discretion of the court.
M E M B E R SH IP OF SO C IA L IN S U R A N C E CO M M ISSIO N S.
Later information as to the personnel of the social insurance
commissions created in a number of States (see pp. 149, 150, Sep
tember M o n t h l y R e v i e w ) indicates the appointment of the follow
ing persons as members of these commissions: Connecticut, Mr.
William Brosmith, H artford; Mr. Howard S. Neilson, Darien; Mr.
Jacob B. Klein, Bridgeport; Mr. William J. Fitzgerald, Norwich;
and Mr. George C. Clark, Plymouth. The Illinois commission has
not as yet (Oct. 27) been appointed. The legislative members of
the Pennsylvania commission have not been procured, but those
appointed by the governor are: Mr. William Flinn, Pittsburgh;
Prof. William Draper Lewis, University of Pennsylvania, Phila
delphia; and Dr. J. B. McAlister, Harrisburg. The committee in
Wisconsin is entirely legislative, and consists of Senators W. W.
Albers, pharmacist, Wausau, and Theo. Benfey, attorney, Sheboy
gan; and Assemblymen John P. Donnelly, attorney, Milwaukee;
W. L. Smith, manager telephone company, Neillsville; and Henry
Ohl, jr., printer, Milwaukee.
A T T IT U D E OF T H E A M ER IC A N M E D IC A L A S S O C IA T IO N T O W A RD
S IC K N E S S IN S U R A N C E .1
At the sixty-eighth annual session of the house of delegates of the
American Medical Association, held at New York City, June 4 to
8, 1917, the committee on social insurance of the council of health
and public instruction submitted an exhaustive report on the general
subjects of health insurance, old-age insurance, workmen’s compen
sation, and unemployment, both in this country and in Europe. On
1 D ata taken from the Journal of the American Medical Association, 535 North Dearhorn Street, Chicago, June 9, 1917, pp. 1754 and 1755.
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the subject of medical service under insurance laws the committee
makes the following statement :
There are four fundam ental principles in the consideration of any insurance
law s in relation to the medical profession which seem to be essential for the
just working of these law s : First, the freedom of choice of physician by the
insured, because only in this way can conditions of m utual confidence between
physician and patient be preserved. Second, a sufficient medical representation
in the adm inistration of the insurance law s, because only in this w ay can the
profession be protected against exploitation by the insurance carriers and
from destructive com petition w ithin its own ranks. Third, a standard of pay
ment in proportion to the amount of work done, preferably on a basis of fees
per visit. The payment by capitation, and com petition and exploitation w ithin
its own ranks, w ill surely bring on contract practice and all its evils to the
profession and to the patients. Fourth, there must be a separation between
the medical superintendence of the funds and the daily medical care o f the
individual patient. The physician that superintends the medical questions
relating to the funds must not be perm itted to perform the duties of the
personal care of the sick, nor can the physician who cares for the sick among
the insured act in the position of superintending medical questions relative to
the fund. These two can, to advantage, m utually help each other and m utually
keep the medical questions between funds and patients in equilibrium ; but it
w ill surely be to the disadvantage of both funds and insured if the functions
of these two physicians are blended in one man. Only by adherence to these
general principles w ill the social insurance law s here discussed run smoothly
and only by adherence to these principles w ill ju stice be done to the medical
profession.
The committee offered to the house of delegates the following
resolutions, which were adopted :
W hereas, the report of the committee on social insurance of the American
Medical A ssociation has shown that the world-wide movement for social insur
ance has made such rapid progress that it has become one of the most important
branches of industrial legislation in many countries, and
W hereas, the growth of social insurance in this country is m anifested by the
w ide acceptance of the principle that industrial accidents should be compensated
and it is probable that this movement, as in other countries, w ill further de
mand protection of workers against the hazard of illness through sicknessinsurance and other social-insurance legislation, and
W hereas, all m atters affecting sanitation and the health of the community
and the prevention of disease are the especial concern of the medical profes
sion and affect the economic condition of the medical profession, be it therefore
R e s o l v e d , T hat the house of delegates of the American Medical Association
in the interests of both the w age earners and the medical profession, authorize
its council on health and public instruction to continue to study and to make
reports on the future development of social insurance legislation and to co
operate when possible in the molding of these law s that the health of the com
munity may be properly safeguarded and the interests of the medical pro
fession protected, and be it further
R e s o l v e d , That the house of delegates instruct its council on health and
public instruction to in sist that such legislation shall provide for freedom of
choice of physician by the insured ; payment o f the physician in proportion to
the amount of work done ; the separation of the functions of medical official
supervision from the function of daily care of the sick, and adequate repre
sentation of the medical profession on the appropriate adm inistrative bodies.
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HOUSING AND WELFARE WORK.
C LU B S,
G Y M N A SIU M S, A N D R EC R E A TIO N
E M PL O Y E E S.
GROUNDS
FO R
BY A NIC E L. W H IT N E Y .
In a recent study of industrial betterment1 as carried on by em
ployers, which was conducted by agents of the United States Bureau
of Labor Statistics, schedules were taken for 431 establishments.
These establishments cover a great variety of industries, such as
mining, foundries and machine shops, manufacturing of iron and
steel, electrical supplies, automobiles, furniture, boots and shoes, tex
tiles, and explosives; also steam and electric railroads, telegraph
and telephone companies, electric light and power companies, and
stores.
Of the 431 establishments for which schedules were taken 256, with
a total of 1,175,242 employees, provide one or more of the various
features included under the general head of clubs, gymnasiums, and
recreation grounds.
This section of the study of industrial betterment covers the vari
ous accommodations usually found in clubhouses, such as smoking
rooms, billiard and pool rooms, bowling alleys, basket-ball courts,
swimming pools and shower baths, as well as gymnasiums of varying
degrees of excellence. Most of the outdoor sports are provided for
and assisted financially by the different companies, the most popu
lar ones, as would be expected, being baseball and tennis.
One hundred and thirty-seven firms with 813,904 employees pro
vide club rooms or houses. These range all the way from a few
small, plainly furnished rooms in the plant to large and elaborately
furnished houses. Six companies provide club facilities for officials,
superintendents, and foremen only, 1 restricts them to members of
the benefit association, 10 did not report as to membership limitations,
and 120 with 705,674 employees reported that the privilege of mem
bership is open to all classes of employees.
Many of the establishments having club rooms or houses did not
report as to the number of members, and many others did not report
1 See “ Medical, hospital, and surgical treatm ent for em ployees,” in M o n t h l y R e v i e w
of the Bureau of Labor S tatistics for September, 1917 ; and “ R est and recreation rooms
for em ployees,” in R e v i e w for October, 1917.
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the amount of the club membership fee, but 53 establishments em
ploying 175,770 persons reported the club membership to be 51,120,
or 29 per cent of the total number of employees. Fifty-nine estab
lishments reported as to the amount of the annual dues. These dues
range from less than one dollar to $25, the average being $3.50 a year.
Forty other establishments reported that no club dues are charged.
These clubs are open to all employees and in several cases to mem
bers of their families and the entire community.
No special inquiry into the question of club management was
made, but this information was furnished in 58 cases. In 23 instances
the management of the club rooms or houses is kept entirely in the
hands of the company. Twenty-five firms manage them in coopera
tion with the employees and 10 companies allow the members to have
entire control.
There are 80 companies that have provided separate clubhouses for
their employees. This number includes several cases where the
house is, in a measure, a settlement house, but nevertheless serves all
the purposes of a clubhouse, with a rather wider range of activities
than the ordinary club, since it is not limited to the employees but
is open to the families as well and sometimes to other members of
the community.
Other companies, notably the railroads, have chosen the Y. M. C. A.
as the medium through which their club work is carried on. In these
cases, where large numbers of men are employed, the well-built-up
organization of the Y. M. C. A. probably offers them the most effec
tive means for carrying on this work. One large railroad system, in
addition to its many branches of the Y. M. C. A., has a number of
clubhouses maintained by various athletic associations which are
fostered by the company. The company furnishes the buildings and
equipment, while the running expenses are paid by the members, the
dues being 50 cents and $1 per year. In addition to the usual games,
there are basket-ball and volley-ball courts and shooting galleries of
an improved type. One of these clubs also has an athletic field, ad
joining which is a commodious building with lockers and shower
baths. This company also maintains a clubhouse at the seashore, ac
commodating about 60, under the direction of the Y. M. 0. A. secre
tary, as a vacation place for the sons of its employees. The rates are
nominal and the sports of swimming, surf bathing, and boating are
supervised by older men. This house is reserved for girls for two
weeks in the early part of the season and for wives of the employees
for one week. This same company provides for a camp of its com
mon laborers a recreation hall furnished with reading matter, cards,
checkers, shuffleboard, a piano, and a phonograph.
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The largest Y. M. C. A. of another great railroad system provides
for its many members practically all club facilities. There is a
large and excellently equipped gymnasium, with a physical director
in charge, a very good library and reading room, a restaurant, and a
dormitory for over 200 men, sleeping accommodations being fur
nished to members at a very low rate. Much social and educational
work is done, many series of concerts and social affairs are ar
ranged for throughout the year, and various classes and a good
orchestra and glee club are maintained.
Still another large railroad company provides 13 clubhouses, which
are not connected with the Y. M. C. A. These clubs are located, for
the most part, in out of the way places, and the aim of the company is
to furnish good food and lodging, a chance for baths, and also good,
clean amusements to its employees. No membership dues are charged
and only such rates and fees as barely cover the cost of maintenance.
Several of the smaller railway systems do not provide the club
houses, but merely contribute to the support of the railroad branches
of the Y. M. C. A. The membership fees charged for these clubs vary
from $1 to $5 per year, according as the company contributes much
or little toward their support.
A company employing over 2,000 women has a branch of the
Y. W. C. A., with about 800 members, its employees composing the
entire membership. Classes in music, domestic science, sewing, paint
ing, and dancing are taught at nominal rates of tuition, and there
is a well-equipped gymnasium, with a woman in charge as physical
director. The classes meet in the recreation rooms of the plant. The
membership fee is $1 per year; no fees are charged for the gymnasium
work. The company bears the greater part of the expenses, stipulat
ing that the major part of the advantages offered shall be open to all
girls, whether members or not. A summer cottage, under the super
vision of the Y. W. C. A. secretary, is provided with accommo
dations for about 25 girls, and board is furnished at a very moderate
rate.
Another large corporation whose employees are of many nationali
ties centers its club activities about the libraries by making liberal
donations, and in several instances an officer or other employee of the
company is a member of the board of library directors. In such
cases the libraries are operated more as private clubs than as public
institutions. The company’s employees usually pay a smaller mem
bership fee than that paid by nonemployees and a less charge is made
for bowling, billiards and pool, and for the use of the gymnasium
and baths. One of these libraries boasts a membership of more than
3,500, with a total attendance at games and social gatherings of
80,000 for the year, during which period 60,000 games of billiards
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and 12,000 bowling games were played. There were 35 basket-ball
teams and 1,000 members in gymnasium classes.
Another distinctive type of clubhouse found was the “ com
munity,” “ settlement,” “ neighborhood,” or “ mission ” house which
many companies have adopted as the center of their welfare work
This type was found more often where plants had been established
in outlying sections. A striking example of this kind is where what
was originally intended as a kindergarten house center has developed,
within a very few years, into a large and well-appointed neigh
borhood house, with reading rooms and a free public library with
books in different languages, and with the kindergarten feature still
intact. In this clubhouse, classes in manual training, sewing, and
cooking are conducted, as well as special classes in English for for
eigners. Entertainments are given for the benefit of the towns
people from time to time in the gymnasium and dances are con
ducted at regular intervals. The gymnasium is open to the public
on Saturday nights for general recreational purposes, and amuse
ment and entertainment may be found for every class; some bowl,
some play basket ball, some play games, some use the library, while
others dance. It is said that the attendance on Saturday nights
ranges from three to six hundred people of all ages, drawn from a
community of 6,000 inhabitants of various nationalities. That the
company has succeeded in cultivating a taste for clean, health
ful, and protected amusement is evident from the fact that there is
not a commercial dance hall in the town.
In connection with this clubhouse are to be found playgrounds with
tennis courts, swings, and various out-of-door games, all free to the
people of the town, with the gymnasium instructor in charge during
t he summer months.
In this clubhouse, the advantages of which are entirely free to all,
practically all of the employees and townspeople meet on terms of
friendship and equality, which is rather remarkable since many
nationalities are represented. In striking contrast to this are some
of the mining communities in Arizona in which the common labor is
chiefly Mexican, where companies provide very good clubhouses for
their American employees, but make no provision for the entertain
ment of the ordinary laborers. The club dues in some of these cases
are in themselves prohibitive, being as much as $25 per year. Some
mines in other sections of the country report that the clubhouses
are open to and used by all classes of white employees.
One company with many Negro employees has a club, run on the
principles of the Y. M. C. A. but financed and managed by the com
pany, in which club facilities are provided on separate floors of the
club building for the colored and white employees and their families.
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Another company employing about 2,400 men has three clubs, one
for American employees, one for foreigners, and one for the ISegro
employees. The first club began in a small way but has outgrown two
buildings and now occupies a well-equipped clubhouse. The club
holds many entertainments and excursions and encourages athletics,
having good baseball, basket ball and bowling. Club dues are 25
cents per month, 40 per cent of which goes into the club’s benefit
fund. This club is used for special or emergency needs among the
members. The club also makes it a rule to help the needy at Christ
mas and other times. The foreigners’ club is under the supervision
of the welfare secretary and has resulted in instilling in the minds
of the foreign workers a better idea of American ideals. The club
for Negro workers is along the lines of the first club and a majority
of the colored employees are members.
Another clubhouse, in the nature of a general recreation building,
Avas erected by the company at a cost of a quarter of a million dollars,
for the free use of all the people in the town, which has a population
of about 8,000 and is located in a section remote from any large city.
The building is a brick and stone structure of three stories and con
tains rest rooms, billiard and pool rooms for adults and children,
gymnasium, bowling alleys, plunge and shower baths, library, and
theater. No charge is made for the use of any part of the building,
except the theater, where a 10-cent show is given daily except Sunday.
The theater is said to be very popular, the attendance being about
20,000 per month.
The swimming pool is constructed of white tile, and is 25 by 75
feet, the depth of the water ranging from 4 to 9 feet. The water is
filtered, disinfected, and warmed. It is changed once a week. The
plunge is patronized by approximately 2,000 people per month, the
number of the men, women, boys, and girls being about equal. There
are six bowling alleys, which are kept well polished and which are
equipped with automatic pin setters. Some 3,000 people use these
alleys each month and tournaments are carried on throughout the
winter. The pool and billiard rooms are equipped with seven tables,
four for adults and three for children, and are used by 5,000 people
per month. In the main rest room of the building are to be found
card and chess tables, and ample room for lounging.
It is more often the rule than the exception, in the case of southern
cotton mills, that any welfare work that is attempted is done through
the “ settlement” or “ mission” house or through the school or church,
which is established, taken over, or fostered by the mill owner. In
one instance of this kind the “ mission house ” is mainly supported
by several mills and is the center of industrial betterment for the
entire community. In this mission a large hall, which is used for
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kindergarten work in the morning, is provided for club meetings.
There are also a chapel, a library, a domestic science room, shower
and tub baths, and playground apparatus in the large yard about
the mission. A training school for settlement workers is conducted
here and the 44mission ” has charge of the hospital, where it is said
that employees and members of their families are charged a weekly
rate of less than one-third the rate charged others.
In a few instances the club work of the mills is carried on through
the Y. M. C. A. and in others no intermediary is employed, but the
work is administered directly by the company and employees. From
the fact, however, that the majority of the cotton mills in the South
form isolated communities, and also that the workers are recruited
from all branches of the family, the work is necessarily more in the
line of family work than of ordinary club activities.
The head of the firm of one large factory in New England pre
sented a very beautiful and commodious clubhouse to his employees.
The house has bowling alleys, smoking and lounging rooms for men,
clubrooms for women, a large general recreation room, and a music
hall, with stage, so constructed that it may be inclosed and heated in
winter, but in the summer may be opened up to form a roofed-over
summer garden. In connection with the clubhouse is an athletic
field of 13 acres, which can be flooded in winter for skating. Club
membership is open to all employees and members of their families
and about one-third of the total number of employees belong to the
club. The dues are $2 a year and the government of the organization
is in the hands of a board of directors, the majority of whom are
elected from the rank and file of the factory workers. This club is
located close to the factories so it can be used at the noon hour.
Another club, which is composed entirely of men, is a very live
organization. It is open every day from 9 in the morning until mid
night, and while it is not close enough to the factory to be used during
the factory hours, it is used by practically all employees at other
times. Each male employee automatically becomes a member after
working one week for the firm; there are no club clues and only small
fees for bowling and pool are charged.
The clubhouse is open to women employees and members of fami
lies one evening a month. This club manages an unusually successful
savings and loan department. The control of the club is in the
hands of the employees, who elect their own officers by secret ballot.
Another company with about 2,900 employees has donated to its force
an excellent, large clubhouse. With the exception of one representa
tive of the management on the board of governors, it is managed by
the athletic association, which has a membership of about 2,000. Two
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hundred of these are outsiders, it being a provision of the club rules
that outsiders may belong to the club, but that they may never form
more than 25 per cent of the membership. The annual dues are $1.
Many acres are devoted to athletics, baseball, football, cricket, field
sports, and tennis, and there is also a fine shooting range. At a
recent annual field day 10,000 persons assembled for the events.
The street railway companies almost universally provide rest and
recreation rooms for their men, as has been discussed in an article
in a previous issue of the R e v ie w .1 In addition to these rooms, one
company with about 10,000 employees has a clubhouse at one of its
terminals, which while plainly furnished meets the needs of the men
and is very generally used by them. It has a billiard room, bowling
alley, gymnasium, tub and shower baths, lockers and electric clothes
dryers, a reading room, restaurant, and auditorium.
It is a fact of some interest that of the many clubhouses and
rooms for men which were visited only two cases were found where
liquor was sold to the members.
One company with many mining camps establishes clubs only when
the people of the community ask for them. Usually an old building
is remodeled and equipped by the company and the club is financed
until such time as it becomes self-supporting. A board of governors
is appointed from among the employees who are interested in the
betterment of the town, and the management left entirely in their
hands. The dues are usually 50 cents a month and the families of
members also enjoy the privileges of the clubhouse.
There are a number of firms which maintain country clubs or sum
mer camps for their employees. One company, employing about 1,200
women, has a very beautiful country place where the girls may spend
their vacations or go to recuperate after illness. That it is extremely
popular is attested by the fact that more than half of the women
employees spent their vacations there last year.
One company, employing several thousand people, has four clubs,
two in the town and two in the country. One of these is open to
others than employees and is not largely used by the factory people,
but the one which is maintained solely for the employees and their
families is very popular. Field days, attended by thousands, are held
here several times during the summer. In addition to the two club
houses, one for men and one for women, there are booths, lunch
houses, an outdoor stage for evening entertainments, and a dancing
pavilion. In the women’s clubhouse there is a nursery for the babies
and small children.
Another country club, which can easily be reached by train or
trolley, has a membership of 1,800, about half the employees of the
company; membership dues for men and women are 10 cents and 5
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cents a week, respectively. It is managed entirely by the employees,
the company exercising no powers other than those of a purely ad
visory character. In addition to the usual equipment there is a large
concrete swimming pool.
Six of the department stores visited maintain summer camps for
employees. One firm which provides a camp for its juvenile em
ployees allows the boys and girls to go to it on alternate weeks at no
cost whatever to the young people. Another camp which is much
used charges for board on the basis of the employees’ pay.
One large department store maintains a summer camp near the
ocean for all of its employees. The junior employees, both boys and
girls, are obliged to take systematic physical instruction, the boys
being organized as a cadet regiment conforming to the United States
regulations and fully equipped and uniformed. These cadets as part
of their regular store duty are required to spend two weeks at the
camp each summer. This camp is under military regulations, the
boys sleeping in Army tents and spending much time in drilling and
in athletic sports.
Attendance at the camp for the girls and adult employees is op
tional with the employees, but the opportunity is much appreciated,
since the management provides all possible means of diversion and
entertainment.
According to the reports received as to the hours that the clubrooms are kept open, the time ranges from an hour at noontime and
a short while in the evening at a few clubs, to the entire 24 hours
of the day at others. On this point, however, the establishments
reporting may be placed in two groups—those that open early in
the morning and remain open until late at night, and those that do
not open until some time in the afternoon, but are usually open in the
evening. There are 66 establishments in the former class and 22
in the latter. The remaining 49 establishments did not report as to
the hours the clubrooms are kept open.
Of the 256 establishments having one or more of the features in
cluded under clubs, etc., 94 provide pool tables (sometimes referred
to as pocket billiards) or bowling alleys; 31 of these provide pool
tables only; 20 provide bowling alleys only; while 43 provide both
pool tables and bowling alleys. Some of the pool rooms were found
to be in connection with the rest rooms. This was especially true of
the street railway companies, many of which provide pool tables in
the employees’ waiting rooms. In addition to the number of estab
lishments mentioned above, several street railway companies reported
that pool tables are to be found at most of their car houses, but did
not state the number of barns.
Quite a few of the companies make no charge whatsoever for pool
playing, and of those reporting on this point, only one charges as
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much as 5 cents per cue, the other rates ranging from 1 to 2^ cents.
In other establishments the charge is 10 to 30 cents per hour. The
fees at the bowling alleys are correspondingly low.
As to the extent to which employees take advantage of the poolroom privileges, one company, employing 2,815 people, reported that
14,209 games were played during one year. Another establishment,
with 2,600 employees, which has provided two Y. M. C. A. buildings,
reported that the pool room at each was used by 200 employees daily.
Still another, having 2,370 employees, said that nearly 5,000 per
month used the pool rooms.
Reporting on the number using the bowling alleys, one establish
ment having 12,600 employees made the statement that 125 use
the alleys daily. Another with 2,370 employees said the alleys were
used by 3,000 per month. Still another said that 276 persons had
played 17,392 games in one year.
It is owing to the fact that careful records of the numbers using
these facilities are seldom kept, that such very incomplete reports
on this point were secured. Reports were given, however, in a suffi
cient number of instances to indicate that such means of amusement
are much used and appreciated.
Of the 137 establishments having clubrooms, 41 have provided
baths or swimming pools. In 27 of these the pool is inside the club
house, in 13 establishments outdoor swimming pools are found, and
one establishment did not report the location of its pool.
Among the comparatively few establishments reporting as to the
number using the swimming pools, one, having 2,370 employees, said
its indoor pool was used by 2,000 in a given month; another, with
2,815 employees, reported that the pool was used by 3,713 in one
season; still another, having only 748 employees, said that 1,580
used the pool in one month. One concern, with 1,708 employees,
said that its outdoor pool was used by 200 persons per day during
hot weather, and another establishment, with 6,681 employees, that
has an outdoor pool convenient to the homes of many of its em
ployees, reported that 102,000 had made use of it during the season.
This pool is very large and well constructed and there are very good
bathhouses with showers for men and women.
Most of the reports, both as to indoor and outdoor pools, stated
that the water was changed once, or in some cases, twice a week,
and in one or two instances it was reported that a continuous flow
of water was supplied.
Fifty-two establishments, with a total of 535,107 employees, were
found to have provided gymnasium facilities for their employees.
These places for exercise vary from small rooms with simple equip
ment to large and well-equipped rooms or buildings, with instruc18988°— 17
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tors in charge. Quite frequently, as a means of saving space, the
auditorium, either in plant or clubhouse, has gymnasium equipment,
thus securing double service for the one room.
In a few instances companies have built separate gymnasium build
ings. One company employing several thousand people has built a
very complete gymnasium for its office employees, with squash and
hand-ball courts, and exercise room. There is a large swimming
pool having a continuous flow of filtered and warmed water and
rooms with shower, needle, and electric-light baths. This gym
nasium is in charge of three instructors and classes are held alter
nately on employers’ and employees’ time.
Another company equipped a gymnasium very completely and
turned it over to an association of employees to manage. A very
competent instructor was engaged and a nominal fee for member
ship charged. There was not, however, sufficient interest shown to
warrant retaining the instructor, and the result was an almost com
plete waste of space and valuable equipment.
Still another company has an excellent athletic field and grand
stand, with a gymnasium and lockers and showers, as well as clubrooms for the athletic teams.
In addition to the 52 plants mentioned above, several companies
which do not have gymnasiums of their own make it a practice to
pay part or all of the membership fees in the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W.
C. A. for those of their younger employees who wish to take the
courses.
Not a great many of the 52 establishments having gymnasiums
reported as to the number using these accommodations, but it would
seem from those which did report that they are usually used by only a
small proportion of the employees. Fourteen of the 52 plants reported
that no fees were charged for the use of the gymnasiums; one estab
lishment, having 15,000 employees, reported a charge of $5 per year
and a membership fee of $4; another with 1,200 employees charged
only $1; while the remaining establishments did not report on this
point.
When studied as a welfare feature, “ the great American game”
shows up with its usual popularity. One hundred and fifty-two
establishments, employing 815,535 persons, reported having baseball
grounds. In the majority of these establishments the company pro
vides the ball grounds only, but in 38 cases the company also pro
vides the equipment or makes cash donations to the teams. Twelve
companies provide only equipment, which is most cases includes
the uniforms; ancf half a dozen other establishments reported ball
teams but made no statement as to where the games were played.
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111 several' cases where companies have a number of plants the
employees have formed leagues. One company had 25 teams in its
various camps, forming a league, all these teams competing for the
championship. For some time this company expended a large sum
of money each year on baseball. It was found, however, that the
superintendents were putting good ball players on the pay roll who
were not good workers, and that the players were losing too much
time, so the policy of the company was changed. The company now
contributes $50 annually to each ball team and helps maintain the
grounds and stands.
Basket-ball courts were found at 50 establishments. In quite a
few instances outdoor courts were found, but in most cases these
courts are in the clubhouses or gymnasiums, where, as a rule, no fees
are charged beyond the club dues. In some cases the companies pro
vide uniforms and equipment.
Although tennis, like basket ball, is a game patronized chiefly by
office workers, it is somewhat more popular than basket ball, as indi
cated by the fact that courts are provided at 82 establishments. In
many instances several courts were found at a single establishment,
and in exceptional cases as many as 7, 10, and 16.
In regard to fees charged for use of the tennis courts, a consider
able number of establishments reported that no charge whatever is
made, while the fees reported by others range from 50 cents to $4
per season, the predominating fees being 50 cents and $1. As in the
case of basket ball, when the courts were found in connection with the
club no fees other than the club dues were charged.
Reports from 19 establishments showr that it is the custom to
hold an annual “ field day,” and at one establishment, employing
more than 25,000 people, “ field day ” is held twice a year. While
only eight of these establishments reported as to “ field day ” attend
ance, the interest manifested in such events is shown by the fact that
in the eight plants there were 40,100 employees and the total attend
ance on the eight “ field days ” was 35,650.
Twenty-eight establishments provide athletic fields for the use of
their employees and their families in the enjoyment of outdoor
sports. In most cases baseball, football, and tennis are provided for,
and several establishments have good track teams. In many cases
there is a good grand stand. One company, w7ith about 16,000 em
ployees, has a large athletic field with a house each for the men and
. women. These houses are equipped with lockers, showers, etc., and
have porches with chairs. There are 16 tennis courts and 4 baseball
diamonds. An instructor in tennis playing is hired by the company,
and a court is always reserved for beginners. These courts are open
to the public during the hours the plant is in operation. There are
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eight baseball teams, and at the annual field day, when* all the usual
track events are scheduled, there is an attendance of about 20,000
persons.
Another large company has a federation of employees’ clubs,
educational as well as athletic, governed by a “ central committee ”
composed of one representative from each club and one member rep
resenting the factory management. The company does not expect
to finance these organizations so long as they can succeed by them
selves, but if, for good reasons, they need assistance, the company
stands ready to furnish it. A fine athletic field is provided for the
employees. An unusual club is the aero club, with 40 active mem
bers. The company provides the balloon and keeps it in repair, and
the running expenses of the club are provided for by dues and fees
for flights.
Other sports which are found occasionally were golf, cricket, boat
ing, indoor baseball, gun clubs, quoits, and hockey.
It would seem that the reason actuating employers to provide club
rooms or houses and the means for athletic recreation for their em
ployees is, in many cases, the belief that since in a large measure the
success of the business depends upon the loyalty and efficiency of the
ployees is, in many cases, the belief that in a large measure the
employees, and that these qualities will be stimulated by providing
opportunities for healthful and sane recreation which are usually
beyond the reach of the average worker.
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CHILD LABOR.
C H IL D L A B O R IN W IS C O N S IN .
An attempt was recently made by the Wisconsin Industrial Com
mission to secure information respecting such matters as the number
of years children between 14 and 16, to whom permits to work are
issued, have attended school, the grade completed, the particular oc
cupations in which the children are engaged, reasons for working,
frequency of change of positions, occupations of parents, and the
like. Blanks were furnished officials issuing permits with the re
quest that such information be sent to the commission. Since the
matter was not compulsory, the commission reports considerable diffi
culty in getting the information desired, especially as respects spe
cific occupations of the children, reasons for working, occupations
of fathers, and frequency of change of position. However, data as
to the number of permits issued, the number of years the children
were in school, and the grades finished were obtained and published
by the industrial commission in August, 1917, the facts tabulated
covering the city of Milwaukee, other cities of the State, and the
State as a whole.1 Additional information relating to occupations
of fathers and frequency of change of positions by the children was
obtained for Milwaukee. The report covers the twelve-month period
beginning August 1, 1915.
It should be explained that in Wisconsin children under 12 years
of age may not be employed in gainful occupations; children between
12 and 14 may be employed in certain specified occupations, but only
during the vacation period; labor permits may be issued to children
between 14 and 16 authorizing their employment at any time during
1he year. In order to secure a permit such pupils must furnish proof
of age, a certificate of educational attainments, and a letter from an
employer showing that they have a promise of employment. The
educational standard fixed by law for a regular labor permit is sub
stantially the completion of the fifth grade, but under certain con
ditions children between 14 and 16 who have not completed the fifth
grade may be given permits to work.
According to tables published in this report, 3,911 regular permits
(2.292 to boys and 1,619 to girls) were issued during the year ending
1
I n d u s tr ia l C o m m issio n o f W isc o n sin .
[M a d iso n ] A u g u st, 1917. 11 pp.
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[1047]
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
August 31, 1916, to children in Milwaukee. Of this number all but
223 children had at least completed the fifth grade, and about 74
per cent had completed the sixth grade or better, while more children
had completed the eighth grade than any other grade.
To compare the amount of education received by the children 14
and 15 years of age granted regular permits with that received by
public-school children in general of the same age, data were obtained
from the State board of education covering the year 1913-14, the
last year for which such statistics were available, and tabulated for
Milwaukee, for other cities of the State, and for the State as a whole.
These tables show that the children who were granted regular
child-labor permits were not as far advanced in school as were most
public-school children of the same age. The percentage of the chil
dren 14 years old to whom permits were issued who had not com
pleted the seventh grade was approximately 52.5 in Milwaukee
and in other cities for which data were secured. Of the public-school
children of the same age only 24.2 per cent in Milwaukee and 15.9 in
other cities were so far behind. Only 25.8 per cent of the permit
children in Milwaukee and 26.6 per cent of the permit children out
side of Milwaukee had completed the eighth grade. These per
centages are to be contrasted with the percentages of public-school
children in general who at the age of 14 had completed at least the
eighth grade, which according to the tables were 51.6 per cent in
Milwaukee and 66.8 per cent in other cities of the State. The same
contrast is to be observed as to children 15 years of age. It is shown
that in Wisconsin as a whole 38.8 per cent of the children 15 years of
age to whom regular child-labor permits were granted had not com
pleted the seventh grade, while only 7.4 per cent of the public-school
children in general of that age had not done so.1 No definite explan
ation is offered as to the reason why permit children are more back
ward than the average children in school, although the report sug
gests that possibly the explanation is poverty with its attendant
effects of bad housing and malnutrition; or foreign parentage with
its frequent lack of knowledge of the English language; or, again,
it may be inferior mental capacity.
As stated, data were obtained as to the occupations of fathers of
children granted labor permits in Milwaukee, and also as to the num
ber of positions held by such children. The fathers of 21.5 per cent
of the 3,911 children to whom regular labor permits had been granted
were dead, had deserted, or were sick or unemployed, while 27 per
1T h e r e p o r t s ta t e s in th i s c o n n e c tio n t h a t th e n u m b e r o f y e a r s o f sch o o l a tte n d a n c e
does
m its
w e re
t h e ir
n o t ta k e in to c o n s id e ra tio n th e q u e s tio n o f re g u la r ity . T h e c h ild re n to w h o m p e r
w e re g r a n te d m a y h a v e b e en m o re ir r e g u l a r in t h e i r sch o o l a tte n d a n c e , a lth o u g h th e y
c re d ite d w ith h a v in g g o n e to sch o o l th e sa m e n u m b e r o f y e a r s a s o th e r c h ild re n o f
age.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1048]
MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.
215
cent had fathers who were common laborers, indicating, it would
seem, that poverty is one of the chief reasons why children go to
work.
A considerable shifting about of children is indicated by a table
which shows that 27 per cent of the children granted permits were
going to their first position, 30.2 per cent to their second position,
21.1 per cent to their third position, and 10.3 per cent to their fourth
position.
E D U C A T IO N A L R E Q U IR E M E N T S F O R T H E A D M IS S IO N
C H IL D R E N T O IN D U S T R Y IN IT A L Y .
OF
Up to the time of the enactment of the law of June 26, 1913, the
regulations as to educational requirements for the admission of
children to industrial labor varied greatly in the different com
munes of Italy. The above law, enacted to bring definitive order
out of this chaos of existing regulations determines, in articles 2 and
3, the grade of primary education on the possession of which the issu
ance of a working pass book is conditioned. It provides that be
ginning with July 1, 1913, the admission of children tu industrial
labor shall be conditioned on the possession of a certificate of pro
motion to the second grade, or of completion of the lower elementary
course, according to whether the proportion between the number of
elementary public schools and the census population of the commune
which issues the working pass book is lower than, the same as, or
higher than the average proportion for the entire Kingdom.
The law does not determine this grade of education uniformly for
the entire Kingdom, because it was the intention of the legislators to
grade the educational requirements according to the varying local
educational level, which was assumed to be indicated by the number
of schools existing in each commune in proportion to its population.
The scope of the law is, however, such, that ultimately all children
who gain admission to industrial labor shall have complied with the
requirements of the laws on elementary education. Therefore the
law of 1913 establishes transitory periods during which the educa
tional requirements on which the issuing of a working pass book is
conditioned are gradually increased by one school grade.
These transitory periods begin with July 1 of the years 1913, 1916,
and 1919, respectively. By July 1, 1922, it will become obligatory for
all children 12 to 15 years of age to have complied with the require
ments of the laws on elementary education before they may enter in
dustrial employment.
Up to July 1, 1922, the law of 1913 has substantially a transitory
character and merely establishes obligatory minimum grades of edu
cation. These minimum grades might, however, eventually happen
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1049]
216
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
to be lower than the local educational level. To prevent the high
educational standard of some communes being lowered in this
manner, the law provides that the minimum grade of education pre
scribed by it may never be lower than the minimum grade already in
practical operation in the individual communes.
The application of the law involved the two following preliminary
tasks: First, the determination for each commune of the propor
tion of the number of existing schools to the census population; and,
second, the determination of the grade of education in practice in
each commune up to June 30, 1913, and which would be required for
the issuing of a working pass book to children between 12 and 15
years of age.
The first task was accomplished by the Ministry of Public Instruc
tion through data obtained with the aid of the school inspectors. The
following rules were observed in the compilation of these data: (1)
All individual classes to which a special teacher was assigned were
considered as schools. (2) If the instruction in two or more classes
of a school was intrusted to one teacher and given during the same
hours these classes were counted as only one school. (3) If two or
more classes of a school were in charge of the same teacher but were
instructed at different hours, each of these classes was counted as one
school. The compilation of the data obtained by this method gave
the following results:
CO M M U N E S O F T H E I T A L IA N K IN G D O M H A V IN G A S P E C IF I E D N U M B E R O F
E L E M E N T A R Y SC H O O LS P E R 1,000 IN H A B IT A N T S FO R T H E S C H O O L Y E A R
19 11-12 .
N um ber of schools p er 1,000 in h ab itan ts.
N um ber of
communes.
4.5 to 5 ................................................................................
4 to 4.499 .......................
3.5 to 3.999.........................................................................
3 to 3.499............................................................................
2.5 to 2.999.........................................................................
2.165 to 2.499.....................................................................
2.164 L ................................................................................
2 to 2.163............................................................................
1.5 to 1.999.........................................................................
1 to 1.499............................................................................
0.5 to 0.999.................................................... ....................
Less th a n 0.5.....................................................................
440
146
230
381
700
1,460
1,346
3
681
1,942
' 847
140
7
Total n um ber of com m unes.............................
8,323
1 This is th e average for th e K ingdom .
The above-shown average number of schools for the entire King
dom per 1,000 inhabitants is based on a total of 74,197 schools for
a total population of 35,848,963.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry was charged
with the second preliminary task, the determination of those com
munes which, prior to June 30, 1913, in practice required a higher
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1050]
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
217
grade of education for the admission of children to industry than
the minimum grade prescribed by the law of 1913. With the aid of
the factory inspectors the ministry ascertained that on June 30, 1913,
2,719 communes had the following higher educational requirements:
C om m îm es.
Promotion to the third grade______________________________ •
Attendance in the third grade--------------------------------------------Completion of the third grade-------------------------------------------- 2,
Attendance in the fourth grade-------------------------------------------Promotion to the fifth grade----------------------------------------------Attendance in the fifth grade--------------------------------------------Promotion to the sixth grade---------------------------------------------Attendance in the sixth grade--------------------------------------------Completion of the sixth grade--------------------------------------------
TO
47
077
173
54
132
11
141
8
T o ta l_______________________________________________ 2, 719
The above data have recently been published by the Italian Labor
Office as a supplement to its bulletin.1 This volume is divided into
two parts, the first part showing the educational coefficient (number
of schools per 1,000 inhabitants) of each commune, and the second
part consisting of a list of communes having higher educational re
quirements for the admission of children to industry than those pre
scribed by the law of 1913 and showing the grade required.
i I ta ly . M in is te ro p e r l ’I n d u s tr ia , il C o m m ercio e il L a v o ro . Ufficio del L a v o ro .
R e q u is iti d ’is tru z io n e p e r l ’a m m is sio n e d e i fa n c iu lli a l la v o ro in d u s tr ia le (s u p p le m e n to a l
B o lle tin o d e ll’Ufficio d e l Lavoro, No. 28). Rome, 1917. XXXII, 217 pp.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1051]
ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION.
C O N C IL IA T IO N W O R K O F T H E D E P A R T M E N T O F
S E P T E M B E R 16 T O O C T O B E R 15, 1917.
LABOR,
Under the organic act of the department, which gives the Secre
tary 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 September 16 and Oc
tober 15, 1917, in 71 labor disputes. The companies involved, the
number of employees affected, and the results secured, so far as
information is available, were as follows:
ST A T E M E N T S H O W IN G N U M B E R O F L A B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E D E P A R T
M E N T O P L A B O R , T H R O U G H IT S CO M M ISSIO N ER S O P C O N C IL IA T IO N , S U B S E Q U E N T
TO S E P T . 16, 1917.
W orkm en affectedName.
R esult.
D irectly.
Strike of iron molders, V an W ie P u m p W orks, Syracuse,
C ontroversy, Georgia M arble Co., A tlan ta, G a........................
Strike of boiler m akers, Volk & M urdock’s Boiler Shop,
C harleston, S. C.
Controversy, steam roller engineers, Chicago, 111....................
Strike, L. Wolff M anufacturing Co., Chicago, 111.....................
Strike of box m akers, K ansas City, Mo..................................... .
Controversy betw een A n n A rbor R . R . Co. a n d its m a
chinists.
Shipbuilding controversy, San Francisco...................................
Strike of railw ay clerks and freight handlers, 14 railroads
entering K ansas C ity, Mo.
C ontroversy betw een T. St. L . & W . R . R . (Clover Leaf)
and its mechanical shop employees, P ran k p o rt, Ind.
Controversy, Loose-Wiles Co., K ansas City, Mo......................
Controversy, N ational B iscuit Co., K ansas C ity, M o............
Strike of bag m akers, Chase Bag Co. a n d Bem is Bag Co.,
K ansas City, Mo.
Strike of bag m akers, Fo rest & Mace, K ansas C ity Packing
Box Co., C. F . D ow ney, a n d In m a n Packing Box Co.,
K ansas C ity, Mo.
Controversy, Jackson Iro n & Steel Co., Jackson, Ohio...........
Threatened strik e of m anganese m iners, Philipsburg Dis
trict, M oat.
M achinists’ controversy, Buffalo, N. Y .................................
Strike of boiler m akers, H en ry G oldner Boiler & T a n k '
W orks, Philadelphia, Pa.
L abor disputes, Lazarus R aincoat Co., New Y ork C ity
L abor dispute, P lo ttel R aincoat Co., New Y ork C ity__ . 7
L abor dispute, M anchester W aterproof Co., New Y ork C ity
L abor dispute, Pines R u b b er Co., Brooklyn, N. Y
L abor dispute, Y orkshire Mfg. Co., New Y ork C ity
L abor dispute, N ew ark R ubber Co., New Y ork C ity
L abor dispute, Phoenix A uto & R aincoat Co., New Y ork
City.
L abor dispute, H arry G oodm an Co., New Y ork C ity
L abor dispute, H an n au er & R osenthal, New Y ork C ity
L abor dispute, Louis J. Freid, New Y ork C ity
218
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 0 5 2 ]
Indirectly.
50
Com pany operat
ing full capacity
under open shop
rules.
Pending.
Do.
1,000
1,200
550
800
1,500
5,000
120
A djusted.
Pending.
U nable to adjust.
A djusted.
Pending.
A djusted.
Do.
Pending.
Commissioner re
p orts no contro
versy exists.
A djusted.
550
150
357
800
C o m m is s io n e r
w ithdrew from
case.
A djusted before ar
rival of Commis
sioner.
U nable to adjust.
Strike averted.
A djusted.
500
125
150
165
75
180
125
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
100
Do.
Do.
Do.
140
70
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
219
S T A T E M E N T SH O W IN G N U M B E R O F L A B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E D E P A R T M E N T O F L A B O R , T H R O U G H IT S CO M M ISSIO N ER S O F C O N C IL IA TIO N , S U B S E Q U E N T
TO S E P T . 16, 1917—Concluded.
W orkm en affected—
Name.
R esult.
D irectly.
L abor dispute, Peerless Co., N ew ark ,N . J ................................
L abor dispute, K ohen & K arsh, Brooklyn, N. Y .....................
L abor dispute, W ashington A uto Coat Co., New Y ork C ity.
L abor dispute, tra c k laborers on A tla n tic Coast R. R ., a t or
near R ocky M ount, N. C.
Controversy betw een th e B altim ore & Ohio R. R . and its
clerks a n d statio n employees, Connellsville Pa., and Cum
berland, Md.
Controversy betw een m achinists a n d th eir employers, A t
lanta, Ga.
Controversy betw een th e C. C. C. & St. L. R. R . (Big Four)
and its m achinists on entire system.
C ontroversy betw een th e C entral R. R. of New Jersey and its
shopm en, Ashley, Pa.
C ontroversy betw een B ethlehem Steel Co. and its p a tte rn
makers, Sparrows P oint, B altim ore, Md.
Strike of grain handlers, Chicago, 111...........................................
Strike, Cochran Coal Co., Salina, P a ............................................
Controversy betw een th e Burgess-Curtis Aeroplane Co. and
its employees, Marblehead, Mass.
Strike, Jones & M cLaughlin Co., Pittsb u rg h , P a .....................
Strike a t th e packing house of T hom as R u d d y Co., K ansas
City, Mo.
Strike in stockyards, K ansas City, M o........................................
Controversy betw een C urtis Aeroplane Co. and its p a tte rn
makers, Buffalo, N. Y.
Strike of miners, M onterey Coal Co., W est M onterey, P a ___
Strike, Bossert M achine Co., U tica, N. Y ................. ................
Strikes a t th e H itch m an Coal Co., Benwood and Glendale,
W. Va.; M ound C ity Coal Co., M oundsville, W . Va.
Strike of telephone operators, F o rt Sm ith a n d V an B urén,
Ark.
Controversy betw een th e L ake Carriers’ Association and
seamen on G reat Lakes.
Strike, C. L . B est T raction Co. and B est Steel Casting Co.,
San Leandro, Cal.
Strike of boiler m akers and helpers of th e D enver & Rio
G rande R . R .
Controversy, car inspectors, Peoria, 111.......................................
Controversy, inside w irem en, Los Angeles, C al........................
Strike of m achinists, L ake Torpedo B oat Co., Bridgeport,
Conn.
Strike, F lin t glass w orkers, L . E . Sm ith Glass Co., M ount
Pleasant, P a.
Controversy betw een N orthern Pacific R . R . an d its railw ay
clerks and statio n employees.
Controversy, Columbus Oil Producing Co., Fullerton, C al..
Controversy, B elm ont Stam ping & Enam eling Co., New
Philadelphia, Pa.
Lockout, m achinists, A nniston, A la ............................................
General controversy of weavers, P h ilad e lp h ia ..........................
Strike of m achinists, Sym ington-A nderson P lan t, Rochester,
N. V.
Strike, coal mines, Shoem aker Coal M ining Co., Pennsyl
vania.
Controversy, jew elry employees and m anufacturers, New
ark, N. J. (18 shops).
Strike of velvet w orkers, A m erican V elvet Co., Stonington,
Conn.
Strike, Graff Coal Co. mines a t Conemaugh, Trunall, and
W hite Station, In d ian a C ounty, Pa.
Strike of street railw ay employees, St. P au l, M inn.................
140
175
40
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A djusted.
Do.
Do.
Do.
400 W hole svstern.
35
520
Do.
Do.
2,500
800
M atter held
abeyance
present.
A djusted.
30
Pending.
70
129
Do.
A djusted.
Do.
260
2,500
400
22,500
300
2,000
140
400
2,000
in
for
Do.
Do.
Do.
Pending.
A djusted.
Men who w ent on
strike are work
ing elsewhere.
Pending.
Do.
A djusted.
500
550
Do.
Pending.
300
150
100
250
108
22
2,000
Indefinite.
A djusted.
Pending.
A djusted.
Do.
Pending.
Do.
Do.
300
11
Do.
Do.
Do.
A djusted.
700
1adjusted.
168
Pending.
Controversy, Texas & Pacific R . R . Co. and car d ep artm en t .....................
employees, D allas, Tex.
Lockout, American Lace Co., E lyria, O h io ...............................
34
Controversy betw een th e T am p a Shipbuilding & Engineer- .....................
ing Co. and its employees, Tam pa, Fla.
Strike of roofers, Los Angeles, C al.......................................................................
Strike, Stan d ard Shipbuilding C o............................................ ..
2,000
[1053]
Indirectly.
Do.
Commissioner
learned upon ar
rival th a t case
had been ad
justed.
Pending.
250
Do.
Do.
Do.
A djusted.
220
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Cases noted in statem ent dated September 17 have been disposed of as
fo llo w s:
Controversy, Furness, W ithy & Co. (L td.) and its longshoremen, Norfolk and
Newport News, Va.—Adjusted.
Strike of woodsmen, Saginaw & M anistee Lumber Co., W illiams, Ariz. (Sam e
as strike of lumbermen, Flagstaff, A riz.)—Commissioner states no strike exists.
Controversy, H ercules Mining Co., W allace, Idaho.— Adjusted.
Strike, Chattanooga Street Ry. Co., Chattanooga, Tenn.—Unable to adjust.
• Controversy between M issouri & Northern Arkansas It. It. Co. and its maintenance-of-way employees, Harrison, Ark.-—Adjusted.
Strike at Peet Bros. Mfg, Co., K ansas City, Mo.— Adjusted.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1054]
IMMIGRATION.
IM M IG R A T IO N IN JU L Y , 1917.
The number of immigrant aliens admitted to the United States
during the year 1916 was 355,767, as compared with 258,678 for
the year 1915, an increase of 97,089, or 37.5 per cent. There was also
an increase from month to month during 7 of the 12 months in 1916.
During the current year the figures for the first three months show
a considerable decrease from month to month. The decrease from
the preceding month for January, February, and March, 1917, is
19.9, 22.3, and 19.4 per cent, respectively. For April, however, the
number of immigrant aliens admitted shows an increase of 32.3 per
cent over the number admitted in March. As compared with April,
the figures for May show a decrease of 48.9 per cent. The figures
for June indicate an increase of 5.5 per cent over those for May.
During July immigration reached a very low point, only 9,367 immi
grant aliens having been admitted, a total even smaller than that
for May, which was the smallest total for any month in many years.
Compared with the figures for June, those for July show a decrease
of 15.6 per.cent. These facts are brought out in the following table:
IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D IN T O T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D M O N T H S,
1913 TO 1917.
19 17
M onth.
1913
1914
1915
1916
N um ber.
J a n u a ry .........................................
F e b ru a ry ......................................
M arch.............................................
A p ril...............................................
M ay.................................................
J u n e ...............................................
J u ly ................................................
A ugust__
S eptem ber. .
O ctober.
N o v e m b e r.. . .
D ecem ber..
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
46, 441
59,156
96,958
136,371
137,262
176,261
138,244
126,180
136' 247
134,440
104'671
95,387
44, 708
46,873
92,621
119,885
107, 796
71, 728
60,377
37, 706
29,143
30,416
26,298
20,944
15,481
13,873
19,263
24,532
26,069
22,598
21,504
21,949
24' 513
25'450
24,545
18,901
17, 293
24, 740
27,586
30,560
31,021
30,764
25,035
29,975
36,398
37,056
34,437
30', 902
P e r cent
increase
over
preceding
m onth.
24, 745
19,238
15,512
20,523
10,487
11,095
9,367
i 19.9
* 22.3
i 19.4
32.3
i 48.9
5.5
i 15.6
1 Decrease.
[1055]
221
222
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
Classified by races, the number of immigrant aliens admitted to
and emigrant aliens departing from the United States during July,
1916 and 1917, was as follows:
IMM IGRANT A L IE N S A D M ITT E D TO A N D E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T IN G FRO M TH E
U N ITE D S T A T E S , J U L Y , 1916 A N D 1917.
A d m itted.
D eparted.
R ace.
A frican (b lack )...........................................................................
A rm enian .....................................................................................
B ohem ian and M oravian........................................................
B ulgarian, Servian, M ontenegrin..........................................
C hinese.........................................................................................
C roatian a n d Slovenian...........................................................
C u b an ...........................................................................................
D alm atian, B osnian, H erzegovinian....................................
D u tch and F lem ish .'................................................................
E a st In d ia n .................................................................................
E n g lish .........................................................................................
F in n ish .........................................................................................
F ren ch ..........................................................................................
G erm an.........................................................................................
G reek............................................................................................
H ebrew .........................................................................................
Ir is h ..............................................................................................
Italian (n o r th )............................................................................
Ita lia n (s o u th )...........................................................................
Japanese.......................................................................................
K orean..........................................................................................
L ith u a n ia n .............................................. .......................
M agyar.........................................................................................
M exican........................................................................................
Pacific Isla n d er..................................................... ....................
P olish............................................................................................
P ortuguese...................................................................................
R o u m an ian .................................................................................
R ussian........................................................................................
R u th in ia n (R u ssn iak )..............................................................
Scandin av ian ..............................................................................
Scotch...........................................................................................
Slovak...........................................................................................
S panish .........................................................................................
Sp anish-A m erican.....................................................................
S y rian ...........................................................................................
T u rk ish ........................................................................................
W elsh....................................... ...................................................
W est In d ian (except C u b an ).................................................
O ther peoples.............................................................................
N ot specified...............................................................................
T o ta l..................................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1056]
Ju ly , 1916.
July, 1917.
797
US
15
160
180
33
719
3
322
631
2
3, 119
631
1,526
783
1,692
1,031
1,618
340
3,004
686
5
37
17
1,132
3
283
1,118
49
413
109
1,706
1,081
12
1,467
211
93
39
73
205
203
25,035
21
140
15
1
50
4
13
219
6
163
232
161
76
3
617
45
325
55
188
2
825
238
441
199
276
506
284
78
676
853
29
9
3
1,052
”*
July, 1916, Ju ly , 1917.
62
69
7
119
4
799
292
11
1,025
181
19
2
10
60
23
9,367
12
186
212
489
50
7
12
101
4
9
53
2
522
1
387
184
3
202
46
6
8
20
54
1,107
5,429
145
274
7
4
91
6
101
81
2
1,087
883
870
54
215
135
239
62
958
104
4
20
i
21
6
1,179
8
197
620
342
113
445
90
19
6
21
37
92
8,594
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
O F F IC IA L — U N IT E D S T A T E S .
G e o r g i a .— D e p a r t m e n t
of C om m erce and Labor.
F ifth
c o m m is s io n e r , fiscal y e a r e n d in g D e c e m b e r 31, 1916.
annual report
A tla n ta , 1917.
o f th e
89 pp.
In this report the commissioner comments upon the shortage of the labor
supply, due largely to the exodus of negroes, and suggests the need for legis
lation to protect the people against too sudden a shortage of labor and to place
them in a position to become independent of anyone preferring another section.
Em igrant agents are required to pay a tax of $500 a year in each county in
which they operate, but it is thought that the law is not enforced, since no one
person appears to be responsible for the collection o f this tax. It is recom
mended that supervision of employment agencies and em igrant agents be given
to the Department of Commerce and Labor, w ith the requirement of State
licenses, and that the department itself be authorized to conduct an employment
bureau at a minimum o f cost to the State and at no cost to the man out of a
job. The follow ing table indicates the number of em ployees and the w ages paid
to them in the various textile m ills of the State for the year ending December
31, 1916:
N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S , A N D W A G E S P A ID , IN T H E T E X T IL E M ILLS O F G EO R G IA
F O R T H E Y E A R E N D IN G D EC. 31, 1916.
N um ber of wage earners.
Males.
Class of mills.
W ages paid.
Fem ales.
Average
per
worker.
12to 16
years of
age.
Over 16
years of
age.
12to 16
years of
age.
Over 16
years of
age.
C otton and silk ...................
W oolen..................................
K n ittin g ...............................
Mills th a t spin and k n it. .
1,964
1 55
108
80
22,305
333
578
698
1,576
i 49
136
13,154
257
1,345
1,073
38,999
694
2,167
1,961
T o tal..........................
2,207
23,914
1,871
15,829
43,821
15,165,152.25 1
346.07
1913.
S p rin g field ,
1917.
110
Total.
A m ount.
$13,760,632. 83
269,422.38
485,790. 30
649,306. 74
$352.85
388.22
224.18
331.11
i None un d er 14| years of age.
I l l i n o i s .— B o a r d
of
A rb itra tio n .
Annual
rep o rt,
78 pp.
States that there w as an increase of over 42 per cent, as compared w ith the
preceding year, in the number of localities in which strikes took place, and
that at many places the strike w as of short duration, in some cases settlem ent
being effected in a day. “ The year closed w ithout any serious industrial d is
turbances unsettled.” T his report gives a brief history of the cases that came
to the attention of the Board of Arbitration, and in the introduction to this
resume the board states that its observations have led to the conclusion that
in the few strikes which were long drawn out and finally settled, or where
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224
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
operations were resumed w ithout a form al settlem ent being made, the strikers
“ would have been better off had they accepted the conditions on which an
agreement could have been reached in th e first place and thus avoided a strug
gle which apparently did no one any good.”
I l l i n o i s .— B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t i s t i c s .
E ig h te e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t o f th e Illin o is
f r e e e m p l o y m e n t offices, a n d t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f p r i v a t e e m p l o y m e n t a g e n c i e s ,
fo r th e g e a r e n d in g S e p te m b e r 30, 1916.
S p rin g field , 1917.
73 pp.
This report states that the Illinois free employment offices “ have made a
great advance this year over preceding years,” the number of persons apply
ing for positions in 1916 being alm ost tw ice the number th at applied in 1915
and about two and one-half tim es the number applying in 1914. Of the calls for
help, the number asked for w as more than three tim es the number asked for
in 1915 and about two and one-half tim es th at of 1914. The number of persons
placed in positions during 1916 w as three tim es as great as in 1915 and tw ice
as many as in 1914. The follow ing table show s the combined business of the
six free employment offices in 1916 as compared w ith 1915 :
ST A TISTIC S O F IL L IN O IS F R E E E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S F O R T H E Y E A R S E N D IN G
S E P T 30, 1915, A N D 1916.
A ppbcations for help.
A pplications for em ploym ent.
Office.
N um ber filed.
1915
Chicago....................... 47,693
E a st St. L o u is..........
P e o ria .........................
8,465
R ockford.................... 5,613
Rock Island-M oline. 4,830
Springfield.................
4,863
10,022
N u m b er u n
filled.
N um ber of po
sitions secured.
N um ber filed.
N um ber u n
filled.
1916
1915
1916
1915
1916
1915
1916
1915
96,539
20,748
9,866
12,053
7,716
6,894
14,197
6,697
6,927
3,954
3,328
3,037
66,529
13,072
9,325
9,541
6,054
6,358
33,496
3,325
1,538
1,659
1,502
1,826
30,010
7,676
541
2,512
1,662
536
18,460
6,850
7,140
4,168
3,366
3,042
73,182
18,016
12,188
12,597
8,177
7,496
4,263
153
213
214
38
5
6,653
4,944
2,863
3,056
2,123
1,138
38,140 110,879
43,346
42,937
43,026 131,656
4,886
20,777
T o ta l................ 81,486 153,816
1916
The report states that of the total number who applied for positions, 80.49
per cent were m ales and 19.51 per cent were fe m a le s; that of the total number
who were asked for by employers, 75.47 per cent were males and 24.53 per cent
were fe m a le s; that of the total number of positions filled, 78.84 per cent were
by m ales and 21.16 per cent were by fem ales. Classified by occupations, the
largest number of males, 43,910, or 50.23 per cent, were placed in positions as
laborers, and the next largest number, 4,564, or 5.22 per cent, were given posi
tions as handy men. The largest number of fem ales, 5,501, or 23.44 per cent,
were placed as laundresses, and the next largest1 number, 4,802, or 20.47 per
cent, were placed as day workers.
The total cost of m aintaining the six offices and one branch office, according
to the report, w as $73,824.23, or about 25 per cent more than in 1915. The per
capita cost, based on applications for employment, w as 48 cents, as compared
w ith 72 cents in 1915.
A separate part of the report deals w ith licensed private employment agencies
conducted for profit. The total received for license fees during the year end
ing August 31, 1916, w as $15,775. The department investigated 1,669 com
plaints, and refunds of money by agents to complainants were secured in 1.196
cases, the amount of refund being $9,104.98, or an average of $7.61 per case.
Thirty-five warrants were issued for violations of the employment agency act.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W O F T H E B U R E A U O F L A B O R S T A T IS T IC S .
I l l in o is .— D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , D i v i s i o n o f F a c t o r y I n s p e c t i o n .
la b o r la w .
6 0 8 S . D e a r b o r n S t r e e t , C h ic a g o , 1 9 1 7 .
225
C o p y o f c h ild -
18 p p .
This is the text of the new child-labor law, superseding the act of May 15,
1903.
-----
W o r k m e n ' s C o m p e n s a t i o n A c t o f t h e S t a t e o f I l l i n o i s , i n f o r c e J u l y 1, 1 9 1 7 .
S p r in g fie ld , 1917. 30 p p .
This is the text of the new workmen’s compensation law of Illinois, which
superseded the law of June 10, 1911. At the conclusion of the law tables are
presented to facilitate the finding of the present value of any sum payable
weekly for a specified number of w eeks up to eight years and o f any sum pay
able semimonthly for any term from one-half month up to eight years.
M o n t a n a .— I n d u s t r i a l A c c i d e n t B o a r d .
S e c o n d a n n u a l r e p o r t f o r th e tw e lv e
m o n t h s e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 1 7 .
W o r k m e n 's C o m p e n s a tio n A c t, in e ffe c t J u ly
1 , 1 9 1 5 . H e l e n a [ 1 .9 1 7 ], 3 4 4 p p .
This report is noted on pages 162 to 164 of this issue of the M o n t h l y R e v ie w .
N ew J ersey .— D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h .
1917.
F o r tie th a n n u a l r e p o r t, 1916.
T r e n to n ,
343 pp.
N ew Y ork .— D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r .
o f e m p lo y m e n t in N e w
pp.
c h a r ts .
24
S p e c ia l b u lle tin N o . 85, J u ly , 1917. C o u rse
Y o r k S t a t e f r o m 1 9 0 4 to 1 9 1 6 . A l b a n y , 1 9 1 7 . 5 0
This bulletin presents a study of the general problems of unemployment, the
charts picturing seasonal and cyclical fluctuations in employment, the former
occasioned by clim atic conditions and social habits and the latter caused by
changes in business conditions. There are two parts to the bulletin, one showing
the trend of employment in representative factories in New York State for
the period June, 1914, to December, 1916, inclusive, and the other showing
the idleness in representative trade-unions for the period January, 1904, to
June, 1916, inclusive. Charts are presented for the various representative
factories and mills, but one chart shows the general trend o f employment in
all factories from June, 1914, to December, 1916, inclusive, as measured by the
number of workers employed and the total amount of w ages paid.
Except for August, 1914, the month in w hich the shock o f the European
war first showed its effect upon American m anufacturing industry, the low
point in the number of employees w as reached in January, 1915. The recovery
from then until August, 1915, w as gradual. Beginning in September, 1915, the
number of employees increased very rapidly until by April, 1916, it w as 25 per
cent higher than the low mark of January, 1915. From April, 1916, until
December, 1916, the number of employees increased but 4 per cent. The curve
of total w ages also reached its low est point in January, 1915, and rose gradu
ally until August, 1915. Starting w ith the latter month, it mounted upward
alm ost continuously from month to month. By December, 1916, it w as 65 per
cent higher than its low mark of January, 1915.
The difference between the low and high m arks o f the w ages curve is greater
than the difference between the low and high m arks of the employees curve for
several reasons. During the period of depression in 1914, part tim e employment
w as common in many industries. Hence the total number of workers on the
pay roll w as relatively greater than the aggregate amount of their wages.
W ith the beginning of industrial recovery fu ll time for the workers already on
the pay roll w as resumed before new workers were added. This caused total
wages to increase faster than the number of employees. W ith the continual
increase in industrial activity new men were added and fu ll tim e w as succeeded
by overtime in some cases. W henever overtim e w as practiced this tended to
increase total w ages faster than the number of employees. F inally, the relative
scarcity of labor which accompanied the return to prosperity resulted in in
creases in wage rates. This increase in rates augmented total w ages propor
tionately and helped to account for the more rapid rise in the curve o f total
wages.
18988°—17—
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
15
[1059]
226
M ONTHLY REVIEW OF T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
The chart showing trade-union idleness in all representative unions since
January, 1904, indicates a maximum of idleness (approxim ately 40 per cent)
in December, 1913, and January, 1915, and a minimum of idleness (approxi
m ately 6 per cent) in October, 1905, August, 1906, and September, 1912.
N e w Y ork .— I n d u s t r i a l
C o m m is s io n , B u r e a u o f S t a t i s t i c s a n d I n f o r m a tio n .
W o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a ti o n l a w , w i t h a m e n d m e n t s , a d d i t i o n s , a n d a n n o t a t io n s
to J u l y 1, 1 9 1 7 . A l b a n y , 1 9 1 7 . 7 9 p p .
As stated, this is an annotated copy of the workmen’s compensation law of
New York State. There is also a comprehensive general index and a finding
list of employments mentioned in section 2 of the law.
P e n n s y l v a n ia .— C o m m i t t e e o f P u b l i c S a f e t y f o r t h e C o m m o n w e a lt h o f P e n n
s y lv a n ia .
O u tlin e
1 9 1 7 . 21f p p .
of
d e p a r tm e n ta l
a c tiv itie s .
P h ila d e lp h ia ,
A u gu st
S I,
This committee, composed of more than 300 representative citizens o f the
State, w as appointed by the governor in the spring of 1917 to mobilize and con
serve all State resources and energies and assist the Federal Government in
prosecuting the war. Its activities have been carried on through five major
divisions, viz: (1) Adm inistration, which includes departments of finance,
publicity, legislation, and allied bodies; (2) relief, including departm ents of
sanitation, medicine, and Red Cross and civic relief; (3) equipment and supply,
w ith departments of food supply, m aterials, plants and motors, and motor
trucks; (4) service, w ith departments of civilian service and labor, m ilitary
service, naval service, and guards, police, and inspection; and (5) transporta
tion, w ith departments o f railroads, electric railw ays and motors, and highways
and waterways.
It is stated that up to the present the m ilitary and naval situation and acute
food conditions have taken much of the tim e of the committee. This report
outlines the work proposed to be done by the different departments, and gives
a r6sum6 of w hat has been accomplished. For example, the work of the de
partment of civilian service and labor provides for the educating and instruct
ing of labor recruits, as w ell as organizing and making more mobile and effective
the existing labor force, and to this end efforts have been concentrated on a
determ ination of the needs for industrial labor, the needs for agricultural labor,
the establishm ent of employment offices, and the appointment of district super
intendents of the Federal boys’ working reserve. The department of food sup
ply has undertaken to promote the cultivation of unused land, the substitution
of necessary crops for luxuries, the elim ination of w aste in food production,
and to find the necessary additional man power for the speeding up of agri
culture. Considering the work of all the departments under the supervision
of the committee, the report suggests that a concentration of effort has been
effected “ not paralleled at any other time in Pennsylvania’s history and prob
ably unexcelled by any other State mobilization of potential resources.”
------
D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s tr y .
1917. 119 pp.
M o n t h l y b u l l e t i n , V o l. I V , N o . 4 , A p r i l ,
Nearly 50 pages of this bulletin are devoted to tables classifying, by months,
2,670 fatal industrial accidents during 1916, according to industry, cause, nature
of injury, sex and social condition of the victims, the number of dependents, and
whether the fatalities occurred in general industry, in mines, or in public
service. It appears that the industries and mining groups were each re
sponsible for approxim ately 42 per cent of the fatalities, the remainder occurring
in public serv ice; that 27.3 per cent were caused by power vehicles, 25.6 per cent
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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M ONTHLY EEVIEW OF T H E BUBEAU OF LABOB STATISTICS.
227
by falling objects, 15 per cent by explosives, electricity, tires, hot and corrosive
substances, 10.5 per cent by falls of persons, and 8.2 per cent by machinery, the
remainder being attributed to other causes; that 31.8 per cent of those killed
met their death as the result of crushes and bruises, 25.3 per cent as the result
of fractures, sprains, and dislocations, 7.5 per cent as the result of cuts and
lacerations, and 6.7 per cent as the result of burns and scalds.
The bulletin also gives a summary of the activities of the bureau of employ
ment through its five public employment offices during 1916. Of 28,432 workers
applying for positions 19,260, or 67.7 per cent, were referred to positions, and
of this number 16,115, or 83.7 per cent, received work. Employers asked for
35,314 workers. The bureau o f employment turned in to the State treasurer
$25,500 in license fees collected from private employment agencies.
P e n n s y l v a n ia .— D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r y .
P r o c e e d in g s o f th e f o u r th
c o n f e r e n c e o f i n d u s t r i a l p h y s i c i a n s , h e ld a t H a r r i s b u r g , F e b r u a r y 1 6 , 1 9 1 7 .
R e p r in te d f r o m th e P e n n s y lv a n ia M e d ic a l J o u r n a l, J u n e , 1917.
LH a r r i s
b u r g , 1 9 1 7 .]
1}9 p p .
A brief summary of some of the addresses contained in this pamphlet appears
on pages 179 to 182 of this issue of the M o n t h l y R e v i e w .
----------- —
S e c o n d a n n u a l r e p o r t o f th e c o m m is s io n e r o f la b o r a n d in d u s tr y o f
th e C o m m o n w e a lt h o f P e n n s y l v a n i a , 1 9 1 5 .
P a rt II.
H a rr isb u r g , 1916,
621 p p .
Annual reports of the various divisions and bureaus of th is department.
Contains a report by the division of hygiene and engineering on the physical
condition of a group of tex tile operatives, numbering 497 m ales and 575 females,
in a Pennsylvania tex tile center.
P oeto R ico.— B u r e a u o f L a b o r . F i f t h a n n u a l r e p o r t . S a n J u a n , 1917. 31f p p .
L ists 33 strikes occurring in 1916, giving the result of each, and presents a
table showing for 187 investigations made in connection w ith the workmen’s
compensation act from July 1 to December 31, 1916, the occupations, age, and
sex of the injured persons, and the nature of the injuries and industries where
injured were employed. Under the law providing for the payment of salaries
due it appears that 218 claim s were filed, involving w ages amounting to
$1,960.66; 118 claim s were settled. According to the report the approximate
numbers of laborers employed in the most important agricultural industries on
the Island w e r e : Coffee, 156,700; cane, 191,750; tobacco, 41,450; fruit, 15,075.
“ Only 50 per cent of said workers are occupied the whole year th rou gh ; the
other half working only about 6 months.” In connection w ith the enforcement
of the scaffold law a table show s the number of workers, wages, and hours
of labor on the work under construction during the year 1916. Masons received
$1.31 to $2.58 per d a y ; carpenters from $1 to $2.28 per d a y ; helpers from 50
cents to 94 cents per day. Hours of labor ranged from 8 to 10 per day. The
employment agency reported 333 applicants for work. Of these, 220 were rec
ommended to positions, 56 being finally placed. A large insert table gives the
w holesale and retail prices of the principal articles of food for the period June
to December, 1916, as compared w ith the same period in 1915. The follow
ing range of retail prices is taken from this ta b le :
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1061]
228
M O N T H L Y R E V IE W OF T H E B U R E A U O F LA B O R S T A T IS T IC S .
R AN GE OF R E T A IL PRICES P E R POUND OF E ACH SPE C IF IE D A R T IC L E
PO RTO RICO , JUNE TO D E C E M B E R , 1915 AN D 1916.
A rticle.
1916
1915
Bacon............................ ..............
Beans, colored...........................
Beans, w h ite ..............................
B read...........................................
Codfish.........................................
Coflee, first.................................
Coffee, second............................
H am .............................................
L a rd .............................................
M eat.............................................
M ilk (q u a rt)..............................
P o tato es.................................... .
Rice, fir s t....................................
Rice, second...............................
Sugar, first............. ....................
Sugar, second............................
9
Cents.
to 14.16
0
)
7 to 12
10.5 to 18
12
8
to 25
to 20
(0
(0
to
2
4
1 to 6
5.5 to 10
4 to 8
OF FOOD IN
Cents.
12
to 20
6. 75 to 18
4.18 to
. 8.4 to
12
to
10
to
17
to
12
to
8
to
5
to
2
to
4.5 to
4
to
7
to
6.2 to
16
12
28
20
32
30
18
16
7
6.5
6.5
10
8
1 No q uotation given.
The report recommends (1 ) a law regulating, in accordance w ith the value
of the property, the rents to be obtained from every house occupied by w ork ers;
(2) a law prohibiting the working of prisoners; (3) a law fixing a minimum
w age for women; (4) a law providing for safety devices in factories; (5) a
law reorganizing the bureau of labor.
W is c o n s in .— I n d u s t r i a l C o m m is s io n .
c o n s in .
[M a d is o n ]
A u g u s t, 1911.
H om e s ta tis tic s
11 p p .
on
c h ild
la b o r in
W is
T his report is noted on pages 213 to 215 of this issue of the M o n t h l y R e v ie w .
U n ite d
Sta tes .— D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m m e r c e , B u r e a u o f t h e C e n s u s . B i r t h
s ta tis tic s f o r th e r e g is tr a tio n a r e a o f th e U n ite d S ta te s , 1915. F ir s t a n n u a l
re p o r t.
W a s h in g to n , 1 911. 18 p p . P r ic e 20 c e n ts .
The registration area covered by th is report includes the six New England
States, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, and the D istrict of
Columbia, representing about 10 per cent of the area of the United States and
approxim ately 31 per cent of the total population. It is the first report ever
published by the Census Bureau presenting statistics of births based upon data
obtained from birth registration records.
---------------------G en eral
S ta tis tic s o f c itie s : 1916.
W a s h i n g to n , 1 9 1 1 .
88 p p .
This volum e includes also statistics of parks, playgrounds, museums and art
galleries, zoological collections, music and entertainm ents, swim m ing pools and
bathing beaches, and other features of the recreation service.
------
D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r , B u r e a u o f M in e s . A b s t r a c t s o f c u r r e n t d e
c i s io n s o n m i n e s a n d m i n i n g .
R e p o r t f o r S e p t e m b e r to D e c e m b e r , 1 9 1 6 , b y
J . W . T h o m p s o n . B u l l e t i n 11/1. L a w S e r i a l 1 0 .
W a s h i n g to n , 1 9 1 1 . 84 p p .
---------------------
S a n d s to n e q u a r r y in g in th e U n ite d S ta te s , b y O liv e r B o w le s .
B u l l e t i n 1 2 4 . M i n e r a l T e c h n o lo g y 1 1 .
W a s h i n g to n , 1 9 1 1 . 1 4 3 p p .
This report contains a section on safety and health in sandstone quarrying,
which includes a brief discussion of the causes of quarry accidents m ost com
mon in this type of quarrying and the means that may be employed to overcome
them. A table shows that in 1915 there were 431 employees injured and 6
killed in and about sandstone and bluestone quarries, and another table shows
that of 46 men killed in the five-year period 1911 to 1915, 40, or 86.9 per cent, of
the deaths were caused by falls of workmen, fa lls of rock or overburden, ex
plosives, haulage, and machinery. The attention of workmen is called par
ticularly to these dangers, and each is described in some detail w ith suggestions
for minim izing it. Since tuberculosis or other lung trouble may result from
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M ONTHLY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
229
continued breathing of an atmosphere containing silica dust, the author sug
gests the importance of using a device for keeping dust away from workmen.
This is accomplished in some plants where lathes for toning down grindstones
are used, by providing powerful suction fans which blow the dust from the pit
beneath the stone and conduct it through pipes to places where it can do no
harm. However, it is stated that many crushing and pulverizing plants are
very dusty and are provided w ith no adequate means for removing the dust.
U n ite d States .—
m in o u s c o a l.
F e d e r a l T r a d e C o m m is s io n .
W a s h in g to n , J u n e 20, 1 9 1 7 .
R ep o rt on
420 pp.
a n th r a c ite
and
b itu
This report, prepared at the direction o f the United States Senate, outlines
the present conditions in the anthracite industry, and the outlook for anthra
cite ; the im possibility of solving the anthracite problem w ithout action by Con
gress that w ill at the same time cure the present evil conditions in the bitumi
nous industry and in transportation; anthracite r o y a ltie s; the panic conditions
and prices in the anthracite trade last fall and w in te r ; the response to the ques
tion of justification of the price increases in May, 1916, in relation to the wage
agreement of that d a te ; and the bituminous coal situation. The commission
ascribes the high price o f anthracite that prevailed last fall chiefly to a “ buying
panic,” the consumers being induced to buy coal because they were led to be
lieve there w as a threatened shortage in the supply when such did not ac
tually exist except to a lim ited extent— the shortage being approxim ately 31
per cent less than in the year ending March 31, 1916. It is shown that there
was an increase in the cost of production over the preceding year, but the com
mission concludes that the increase in price as measured by a comparison of
the average sales receipts w as not justified by the increase in cost.
“ It is clear that the increase in labor cost alone did not ju stify the price
increase. The average increase of direct labor cost w as only 15 cents a ton
and of indirect labor cost (included in general expense) probably not more
than 3 cents a ton, making the total average labor cost increase about 18 cents,
as against the average increase of 46 cents in sales receipts, though other items
brought the increase in cost accepted as comparable up to 28 cents.”
Briefly summarizing, the commission states that the serious condition as to
anthracite has not been a m atter of production but rather the fact that anthra
cite w as being diverted from its ordinary use and storage to compete w ith and
take the place of bituminous coal and coke in the industries, and that frequent
embargoes also disorganized well-laid plans for prudent distribution and en
couraged the diversion of anthracite from its proper and normal channels.
The serious conditions w ith respect to bituminous coal, it is suggested, are un
necessarily curtailed production and a widely fluctuating market in which
speculation feeds upon panic. Many remedies were urged upon the commission,
but its chief recommendations are contained in the follow ing paragraphs taken
from the rep ort:
F i r s t . That the production and distribution of coal and coke be conducted
through a pool in the hands of a Government a g en cy ; that the producers of
various grades of fuel be paid their full cost of production plus a uniform
profit per ton (w ith due allowance for quality of product and efficiency of
service).
S e c o n d . T hat the transportation agencies of the United States, both rail and
water, be sim ilarly pooled and operated on Government account, under the
direction of the President, and that all such means of transportation be operated
as a unit, the owning corporations being paid a just and fair compensation
w hich would cover normal net profit, upkeep, and betterments.
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M O NTH LY REVIEW OF T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
O F F IC IA L — F O R E IG N C O U N TR IES.
A u s t r a l ia (N ew So u th W a l e s ). — B u r e a u o f S t a t i s t i c s .
b u lle tin , J u n e , 1917.
S y d n e y , 1917.
M o n th ly
s ta tis tic a l
51 p p .
-------------
D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s tr y .
S y d n e y , 1917. 153 pp.
I n d u s tr ia l G a z e tte , J u ly , 1917.
The review of the industrial situation for the month of June contains under
the heading, “ N ew legislation of industrial im port,” the text of the regulations
for carrying out the workmen’s compensation act, 1916.
------
(V ic t o r ia ). — R e p o r t o f t h e c h i e f i n s p e c t o r o f f a c t o r i e s a n d s h o p s f o r th e
y e a r e n d e d 3 1 'st D e c e m b e r , 1 9 1 6 . M e lb o u r n e . 2 8 p p .
According to this report the number of factories returned for 1916 w as 7,618,
employing 92,320 persons, an increase over 1915 of 132 factories and 432
employees. It is explained, however, th at in many factories the number of
those employed w as considerably reduced at the tim e the reports were filed
early in December, 1916, owing to the far-reaching effects o f the coal m iners’
strike, which began in November and “ w as more serious in its effects on
m anufactures in general than the other disputes,” of which three are recorded.
Tables are given show ing the average weekly w ages in the various trades for
which special boards have been appointed, and in trades not regulated by
special boards. In 144 factories 3,266 hours of overtime were worked by 14,952
fem ales and 685 boys. For breaches of the factories and shops act during
1916, 262 prosecutions were brought, of which 223 resulted in convictions, the
fines collected am ounting to £247 4s. 6d. ($1,203.12). The report records 503
accidents during the year, 10 being fatal. Most of these accidents (382 or
75.9 per cent) affected the hands. The percentage of accidents to employees
in factories w as about 0.5.
C a n a d a .— C a n a d i a n F o o d B u l l e t i n , N o . 1.
O c t o b e r 6, 1 9 1 7 .
O tta w a .
8 pp.
This bulletin is published under authority of the food controller for the
information of official organizations cooperating in the work of food control,
and of other bodies or individuals interested. It contains an article on the
cost of lower prices by W. J. Hanna, food controller, and a statem ent o f the
policy of the United States food administrator. Several short item s note that
after November 1 the net profits of Canadian m illers w ill be lim ited to a
maximum average of 25 cents on the m illing of sufficient w heat to make a
barrel of flour of 196 pounds and the offals produced in connection th erew ith ;
that prelim inary reports from hotels and restaurants in the chief cities o f the
Dominion indicate an average reduction of consumption during the month suc
ceeding the institution of beefless and baconless days of 51 per cent of bacon
and 40 per cent of beef, the standard o f comparison being the im mediately
preceding m on th ; and that an effort is being made to develop a market for
Canadian fish.
■
------ (S a s k a t c h e w a n ). — D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e , B u r e a u o f L a b o r .
a n n u a l r e p o r t f o r th e 12 m o n th s e n d e d A p r il 30, 1917.
R e g in a , 1 9 1 7 .
S ix th
35 pp.
The mine inspector reports 49 mines in operation in 1916-17 as against 29
in 1915, the number employed being 367 as compared w ith 388 in 1915. There
were no fatal accidents and only 4 minor accidents. The tonnage mined w as
267,234, an increase of 12.6 per cent over 1915. The number of industrial acci
dents during the period January 1, 1916, to April 30, 1917, w as 25 fa ta l and 848
nonfatal, as compared w ith 13 fa tal and 334 nonfatal in the preceding 12
months. In the 16-month period 68 per cent of the fa ta l and 69.6 per cent of
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MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
231
the nonfatal accidents were in connection w ith steam or electric railways.
More than 33.000 laborers were sent to the harvest fields, an increase of 6,211
over 1915, and the w ages paid averaged $2.50 per day, w ith an average of $3.50
per day during the rush period o f the season. In 1915 w ages averaged $2 and
$3 per day, as compared w ith $2.50 and $3 per day in 1914. The w ages paid
to farm help in 1916-17 were $450 to $480 (w ith board) per year (yearly con
tract) to hired men, and $20 to $25 (w ith board) per month to servant girls.
Through the employment offices 13,359 applications for help were filed and
9,575 positions were secured.
G reat B r it a in .— M i n i s t r y o f F o o d .
te m b e r 12, 1917.
London.
16 p p .
T h e N a tio n a l F o o d J o u r n a l, N o . 1.
P r ic e 2 d . n e t.
Sep
This is the initial issue of this publication, which is to be published on the
second and fourth W ednesdays of each month. It contains a supplement giv
ing statutory rules and regulations from August 22, 1917, which also includes
a summary of orders issued before this date in order to make a complete record
for reference. The Journal is noted more fully on pages 91 to 104 of this issue
o f the M o n t h l y R e v ie w .
------ M
i n i s t r y o f P e n s i o n s . D r a f t s o f a r o y a l w a r r a n t a n d o f a n o r d e r i n c o u n c il
f o r th e p e n s io n s o f s o ld ie r s a n d s a ilo r s d is a b le d a n d o f th e f a m ilie s a n d d e
p e n d e n ts o f s o ld ie r s a n d s a ilo r s d e c e a s e d in c o n se q u e n c e o f th e p r e s e n t
w a r , to w h ic h a r e a p p e n d e d an e x p la n a to r y n o te a n d a n a c tu a r ia l r e p o r t.
L o n d o n , 1917. 29 p p . P r ic e 3 d . n e t.
— — ------R o y a l
w a r r a n t f o r th e p e n s io n s o f s o ld ie r s d is a b le d , a n d o f th e f a m
ilie s a n d d e p e n d e n ts o f s o ld ie r s d e c e a se d , in c o n se q u e n c e o f th e p r e s e n t w a r ,
t o g e t h e r w i t h o r d e r i n c o u n c il a n d r e g u l a t i o n s f o r p e n s i o n s o f B r i t i s h s e a
m e n a n d m a r in e s , th e ir w id o w s , r e la tiv e s a n d d e p e n d e n ts . L o n d o n , 1917.
20 p p . P r ic e 3 d . n e t.
-----
N a tio n a l I n s u r a n c e A u d it D e p a r tm e n t.
22 p p . P r ic e 2 d . n e t.
T h ir d r e p o r t, 1916.
L o n d o n , 1917.
------ N a tio n a l
r e lie f fu n d .
R e p o r t o n th e a d m in is tr a tio n o f th e n a tio n a l r e lie f
f u n d u p to t h e 3 0 t h S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 1 6 . L o n d o n , 1 9 1 7 . 3 6 p p . P r i c e Ifd. n e t.
The aggregate receipts of the Prince of W ales’s Fund up to September 30,
1916, amounted to £5,964,895 ($29,028,162) ; the total issues for naval and
m ilitary relief were £2,920,800 ($14,214,073), and for civil relief £487,385
($2,371,859). In reporting on an institution for training blinded soldiers and
sailors, to which the fund has contributed, the statem ent is made that of the
142 cases which had passed through the institution the m ajority are now
settled in trades or occupations in which they earn from 15s. to £3 ($3.65 to
$14.60) a week.
I n d i a .— A n n u a l r e p o r t o n t h e w o r k i n g o f t h e I n d i a n F a c t o r y A c t , 1 9 1 1 , i n t h e
P u n ja b , D e lh i, a n d N o r th w e s t F r o n tie r P r o v in c e s f o r th e y e a r 1916. L a h o r e ,
1917.
Reports 184 factories, employing about 32,000 operatives, subject to control
under the a c t ; 149 of these factories were inspected, some several times. An
improvement over the preceding year is noted in the lighting and general sani
tary conditions and provisions for escape in case of fire. However, it is stated
that Indian employers “ show a marked indifference to the general well-being
and comfort of their em ployees; the workers are merely considered as part of
the machinery of production.” Attention is directed to the excessive hours of
work required of women and children, especially in the cotton-ginning factories.
“ The profits of illegal working are so large compared w ith any possible fines
that may be inflicted that I believe occupiers and m anagers deliberately take
the risk of prosecution rather than work reasonable hours.” A tendency to
avoid giving the proper rest interval is noted.
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M ONTHLY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. ,.
A wage statem ent is appended showing a monthly range for skilled laborers
of from 8 rupees ($2.59) paid to press distributors to 150 rupees ($48.60) paid
to engineers (first class) ; and for unskilled laborers a range of from 2 annas
(4.1 cents) per day paid to coolies (children) on gins to 12 annas (24.3 cents)
per day paid to coolies generally. There were 190 accidents during 1916, 11
being fatal and 13 serious. Thirty-one convictions were secured for violations
of law.
I t a l y .— C o m i t a t o C e n t r a l e d i M o b i l i t a s i o n e I n d u s t r i a l .
1917.
R om e.
B o l l e t t i n o N o . 1.
J u ly ,
32 pp.
The first number of a monthly bulletin published by the Italian central com
m ittee on industrial mobilization. The present number gives the text of the
vice-regal decree of July 16, 1917, amending the regulations on industrial mobili
zation, and several circulars of the central committee to the district committees,
one of which deals w ith protective measures for women and juvenile workers
employed in the m anufacture of w ar m aterials. The rest of the bulletin is
given over to technical articles, opinions rendered by the commission on piece
work, and m iscellaneous news relating to industrial mobilization in Italy and
foreign countries. One of the technical articles describes appliances intended
to facilitate the execution of heavy work by women and juvenile workers in
arms and munition factories.
------ M in is te r o
p e r V I n d u s t r i a , i l C o m m e r c io e i l L a v o r o .
V ffic io d e l L a v o r o .
I s p e tto r a to m e d ic o d e lV in d u s tr ia e d e l la v o r o .
L e g is la z io n e ig ie n ic o -s a n it a r ia d e l la v o r o a lV e s te r o . E u r o p e .
R o m e , 1 9 1 7 . X V I , 671 p p .
In order to acquaint the Italian public w ith legislation on industrial hygiene
enacted in other European countries, the Italian Office on Credit and Insur
ance (D irezione Generale del Credito e della Previdenza), in connection w ith
the work of a commission appointed in 1901 to study the cause of and pre
ventive m easures against industrial diseases, compiled all protective labor
law s. T his compilation w as published in 1911. The continuous and rapid evo
lution in most European countries of this branch of legislation has made it
necessary to bring this first compilation up to date. As Ita ly ’s existin g law s
for the prevention of accidents compare favorably w ith the best legislation
enacted in this respect in other countries, such legislation w as omitted in the
present compilation and only strictly sanitary law s included in it, in which
latter Italy is som ewhat deficient.
The com pilation of hygienic legislation presented in the volume under re
view includes the follow ing European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Great B ritain, Luxemburg, Norway, the
Netherlands, Portugal, Roumania, Russia, Serbia. Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
and Hungary. The text of the two international conventions on the use of
w hite phosphorus in the match industry and on night work of women is also
given. A subject index completes the volume. The volume seem s to have been
delayed in publication, as the com pilation does not go beyond the year 1912.
-------------------- N o tiz ie
s u l l a a p p l i c a z i o n e d e l l e l e g g i 1 6 g iu g n o 1 9 0 7 , n . 3 3 7 , e. 17,
l u g lio 1 9 1 0 , n . .'¡87, s u l l a r i s i c o l t u r a .
( S u p p l e m e n t o a l B o l l e t t i n o delVXJ,fflc io d e l L a v o r o , N o . 2 9 .)
R o m e , 1 9 1 7 . 81/- p p .
A report of the Italian Labor Office on the enforcement of the law s of June
16, 1907, and July 17, 1910, relating to the cultivation of rice and the protec
tion of labor employed at it. The Italian Government is finding considerable
difficulty in enforcing the above law s and their amendment is being requested
by inspectors charged w ith their enforcement as w ell as by em ployers’ and
workmen’s organizations. As the defects of a law can be best shown by the
number and nature of contraventions agains it and by the court decisions
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233
relating to these contraventions, the labor office has compiled all contraventions
of the law s on the cultivation of rice and the sentences pronounced by the courts
of different instance and published them in the present volume.
From June, 1907, to December 31, 1915, the total number of contraventions
w as 2,035. Of this total, 119 related to the establishm ent of new rice fields,
359 to hours of labor and rest periods, 540 to housing o f workmen and to
drinking water, 326 to the contract of employment, 327 to birth and medical
certificates, 44 to establishm ent hospitals, 12 to quarantine, and 308 were of a
m iscellaneous character. A total of 1,373 contraventions were reported by the
inspectors during the three-year period 1913-1915, and conviction of the contraveners w as obtained in 1,179 (86 per cent) of these cases. During the re
maining period covered by the report (June, 1907, to December 31, 1912), the
total number of contraventions w as only 718. These figures demonstrate
clearly that during the first years after the enactm ent of the protective law the
inspection service for its enforcement w as insufficient. D uring the period 19131915, the inspection service w as considerably extended. In 1915 it covered
137,000 hectares (338,533 acres) of a total of 145,000 hectares (358,301 acres)
under cultivation in rice.
I t a l y .— M i n i s t è r e p e r V I n d u s t r i a , i l C o m m e r c io e i l L a v o r o .
V ffic io d e l L a v o r o .
R e q u i s i t i d ’ i s t r u z i o n e p e r V a m m i s s i o n e deü f a n c i u l l i a l l a v o r a i n d u s t r i a l e .
( S u p p le r n e n to a l B o l l e t t i n o d e l l ’ TJfficio d e l L a v o r o , N o . 2 8 .)
R o m e, 1917.
X X X I I , 217 pp.
A supplementary volume to the bulletin of the Italian Labor Office, showing
the legal educational requirements for the adm ission of children to industrial
labor. The contents of this volume are being discussed in a special article in
the present M o n t h l y R eview on pages 215 to 217.
N ew Z e a l a n d .— R e g i s t r a r o f f r i e n d l y s o c i e t i e s .
th e y e a r e n d e d 3 1 st D e c e m b e r, 1916.
W e l li n g t o n , 1 9 1 7 . 3 6 p p .
F o r tie th
a n n u a l r e p o r t, fo r
F r ie n d ly s o c ie tie s a n d tr a d e -u n io n s .
These societies are analogous to fraternal organizations in this country. The
report states that at the close of 1916 there were 876 local societies, a decrease
of 41 during the year. Tabulated returns from 727 lodges show a membership
of 70,360, a decrease of 3.7 per cent from 1915, and total funds amounting to
£1,954,940 ($9,513,715.51), an increase of 5.5 per cent over 1915. The average
capital is given as £27 15s. 8d. ($135.21). The amount of sickness benefits paid
w as £75,677 ($368,282.12), equal to £6 18s. 3d. ($33.64) per member sick,
and £1 Is. Id. ($5.13) per member, as against £6 9s. Id. ($31.41) and £1 0s. 9d.
($5.05), respectively, for 1915. Based on the amount of time lost on account of
sickness, the average benefit paid w as 13s. ($3.16) per week. The funeral
benefits paid amounted to £26,855 ($130,689.86), equal to 7s. 6d. ($1.83) per
member, as compared w ith 5s. 4d. ($1.30) in 1915. The report states that there
were 31 trade-unions on the register at the end of 1916.
The report notes that as the result of a conference held by the Government
w ith representatives o f the friendly societies in April, 1916, a scheme for the
extension of State benefits to members o f friendly societies, on special terms,
was embodied in an act passed by the general assembly. The objects of this are
threefold: (1) To enlarge the adm inistration of m aternity assistance by
extending its operations to members of provident organizations; (2) to extend
the State’s propaganda for the establishm ent of a contributory system of provi
sion for old age; (3) to enable friendly societies to secure a provision in old
age for their members at specially low rates and at the same time relieve
their funds in respect of aged-sickness liability.
To assist the societies in carrying their war risks, the Government agreed
in November, 1914, to subsidize the reinsurance of death benefits of soldier
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M ONTHLY REVIEW OF T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
members on active service to tbe extent of paying one-half of the premiums.
Up to September 30, 1916, the State liability had reached the sum of £11.867
5s. 9d. ($57,752.15).
N o r w ay .— S t a t i s t i s k e C e n t r a l b y r a a .
12*, 36 p p .
A r b e id s lg n n in g e r , 1915.
N o r g e s O f fic ie lle S t a t i s t i c .
V I . 93.
C h r is tia n ia , 1917.
In this report annual earnings of domestics and wages of laborers are reported
in detail, for the year 1915, and comparative tables of sim ilar w ages for pre
vious years are given. The w ages and earnings reported for various industries
are reproduced in this number o f the M o n t h l y R eview (pp. 110 to 113).
------------- S ta tis tis k
tia n ia , 1917.
A a r b o k f o r K o n g e r ik e t N o rg e , 3 6 th A a r g a n g , 1916.
198 p p .
C h r is
This volume gives the data usually found in yearbooks. The table relative
to w ages and earnings has been reproduced in th is number of the M o n t h l y
R e v ie w (pp. I l l to 113), in an article entitled “ W ages and earnings in various
occupations in Norway, 1915.”
Sw itze r la n d
(Z u r ic h ). — S t a t i s t i s c h e s A m t d e r S t a d t Z ü r ic h .
S ta tis tis c h c s
J a h r b u c h d e r S t a d t Z ii r i c h .
Z e h n te r u n d E lf te r J a h rg a n g 1914 u n d 1915,
zu m T e il a u ch 1916.
Z iir ic h , 1 9 1 7 . X X V I I , 2 2 * , 4 5 6 p p .
The present tenth and eleventh volume of the statistical yearbook of the city
of Ziirich gives for the years 1914 and 1915 and partly also for the year 1916
the same kind of local statistical data which were shown in preceding issues
of this yearbook. Of interest to labor are the data on the distribution of the
population by occupations, the labor market, retail prices, and housing. The
data on retail prices and housing show the influence of the war on the price of
foodstuffs and on rents of dwellings.
U N O FFIC IA L .
A m e r ic a n
I ron
an d
N e io Y o r k , 1917.
Steel I n s t it u t e .
Annual
s ta tis tic a l
rep o rt
fo r
1916.
96 pp.
Contains statistics of the iron and steel and allied industries of the United
States and Canada for 1916 and earlier years.
B la n c h a r d , R a l p h H.
L i a b i l i t y a n d c o m p e n s a ti o n i n s u r a n c e . I n d u s t r i a l a c c i
d e n t s a n d t h e i r p r e v e n t i o n , e m p l o y e r s ’ l i a b i l i t y , w o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a ti o n ,
i n s u r a n c e o f e m p l o y e r s ’ l i a b i l i t y a n d w o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a ti o n . N e w Y o r k ,
D . A p p l e t o n a n d C o ., 1 9 1 7 . 3 9 4 PP-
In this volume the author aims to present the results of the workmen’s com
pensation movement in the United States, in term s of legislation and insurance
practice, and to explain the industrial accident problem and the development of
liability and compensation principles as a background for the comprehension
of present problems. The presentation follow s in general outline the course of
instruction given by the w riter in the W harton School of the U niversity of
Pennsylvania. It deals w ith industrial accidents and their prevention, the law
of negligence, the development of workmen’s compensation, existin g compen
sation statutes, and the principles and practices of insurance as applied to
em ployers’ liability and workmen’s compensation.
B r it is h Steel Sm elter s , M i l l , I ron , T in P l a t e , a n d K indred T rades A ssocia
t io n . A n n u a l r e p o r t f o r 1 9 1 6 .
7 6 - 7 8 S t o i n to n S t r e e t , G r a y s I n n R o a d ,
L ondon
IVC
1.
\1 9 1 7 ] 151 p p .
The membership of
December 31, 1916, an
ciety increased during
415.63) w as credited
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I llu s tr a te d .
the association, according to this report, was 39,507 on
increase of 2,491 over 1915. The total funds of the so
the year by £32,022 ($155,835.06), of which £6,250 ($30,to a special war fund. A reduction of nearly £1,000
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M ONTHLY REVIEW OF T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
235
($4,866.50) in unempolyment and dispute benefits is reported, this being more
than balanced by an increase of £2,385 ($11,606.60) in accident and funeral
benefits. Taking all benefits paid, the net increase reported w as £1,544 10s. 5d.
($7,516.41). Of 41 members who were paid accident benefits, 13 were disabled
w hile serving in the army or navy and the amount paid on this account w as
£1,068 6s. 8d. ($5,199.04). Funeral benefits paid a s a result of deaths of 158
members who joined the forces amounted to £1,892 ($9,207.42). The total bene
fits paid to members during 1916 amounted to £11,838 10s. 4 |d . ($57,612.15),
or an average of 6s. 1 | d. [$1.49] per member, based on an average membership
during the year of 38,778. The average payment per member per year to the
benefit funds w as £ 1 12s. 4fd. [$7.88], or a total of £62,837 5s. 8d. [$305,797.64].
The follow ing table shows the amount paid on account of each specified benefit,
showing the average paid per member based on a membership of 39,507 as
reported ab ove:
B E N E F IT S P A ID TO M E M B E R S D U R IN G 1916.1
A m o u n t.
Average
per
m em ber.
A ccident.................................................
D istress...................................................
F u n e ra l...................................................
G rants, etc., to other tra d e s ..............
O th e r.......................................................
$16,994. 79
3,734.43
29,914.38
1,446.51
3,105. 41
$0.43
.09
.76
.01
.08
T o tal.............................................
55,195. 52
1.40
K in d of benefit.
i This statem e n t is ta k e n from th e re p o rt (pace 151). T he to ta l does no t agree w ith th e to ta l benefits
paid as m entioned in th e above p aragraph. I t does n o t ap p ear w hich statem en t is correct.
C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e o f t h e U n it e d S t a t e s . W a r c o n v e n tio n o f A m e r ic a n
b u s in e s s . A t l a n t i c C i t y , N .
S e p te m b e r 1 8 -2 1 , 1911. S u m m a r y o f p ro
c e e d in g s ; r e s o lu tio n s a d o p te d .
W a s h in g to n , 1 917. 30 p p .
This convention, representing nearly 1,000 chambers of commerce and com
mercial organizations in all the S tates of the Union, w as called for the purpose
of discussing questions directly pertaining to business and the war. Among
the addresses was one by Secretary W ilson, of the Department of Labor, who
discussed industrial relations, including in his remarks the follow ing state
ment, as reported in the pamphlet under review :
There is a lim it to which employers can go, no matter how generous they
may be toward their employees, and th at lim it is the extent to which they are
forced by their less generous competitors. M aterial things are not the only
things for which w e stand, and when I say “ w e ” I mean both employer and
employee. So far as the employee is concerned, w hile he may appreciate your
generosity, admire your charity in the housing conditions and other fine sur
roundings in which you place him, he would rather live in a log cabin, a home
of his own, and on hominy of his own production than live in a palace and feel
that it came from charity.
The chamber of commerce recommended the creation o f a Federal arbitra
tion board and indorsed the U nited States employment service under the
Department of Labor, in the follow ing resolutions :
R e s o l v e d , That w e recommend the creation of a Federal board to be con
stituted equally of representatives of employers, employees, and the Government
to which shall be referred all major disputes between employers and employees
during the war ; and we affirm th at during the adjustm ent of such disputes
there should be no interruption of production by lockout, strike, or other causes
w ithin the control of employer or employee, and that the decisions of the board
should be accepted as binding by both parties. To this end w e invite the
cooperation of labor and pledge our own efforts.
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M ONTHLY EE VIEW OF T H E BUEEAU OF LABOE STATISTICS.
236
Whereas, in considering employment problems raised by the war, the Chamber
of Commerce o f the United S tates finds im perative need for a common agency
whereby employers may be connected w ith workers seeking em ploym ent; and
Whereas, the evidence of business men who have used it agrees that the
United States employment service of the Department of Labor as such an
agency is lacking for war emergencies only because too lim ited in e x te n t:
Therefore be it
R e s o l v e d , That the Chamber of Commerce o f the United States approves the
usefulness of the United States employment service and recommends that
Congress sustain the said service by ample appropriation and direct its im
mediate extension as a w ar measure.
C o m m o n w e a l t h C lu b
N o . 7.
San
of C a l if o r n ia . O r i e n t a l t r a d e .
F r a n c is c o , 1 9 1 7 .
p p . 3 0 5 -3 4 0 .
T r a n s a c tio n s , V o l. X I I ,
A discussion of American trade in the Orient, its present condition and its
future possibilities.
C opeland , M e l v in T.,
ed . B u s i n e s s s t a t i s t i c s .
C a m b r id g e (M a s s .) , H a r v a r d
U n iv e r s ity P r e s s , a n d L o n d o n { E n g la n d ) , H u m p h r e y M ilfo r d , 1 9 1 7 .
696 pp.
H a r v a r d B u s in e s s S tu d ie s .
Prepared, by the director of the bureau o f business research of Harvard U ni
versity, “ to bring together, in a form accessible for class use, scattered ar
ticles and selections upon the subject o f business sta tistics.” D eals chiefly w ith
statistics used in mercantile and m anufacturing businesses. The main heads
are as fo llo w s: I. Statistical m eth od s; II. Statistical indices of business con
ditions; III. Sales and advertising sta tistics; IV. Factory statistics; and V.
S tatistics for the chief executive.
D e u t s c h -A m e r ik a n is c h e T y p o g r aph ia .—
1.
J u li 1 9 1 6 b is 3 0 . J u n i 1 9 1 7 .
V ie r u n d v ie r z ig s te r J a h r e sb e ric h t v o m
{ P la c e o f p u b li c a tio n n o t s h o w n .)
1917.
The forty-fourth annual report, for the fiscal year ended .Tune 30, 1917, of
the Federation of German-American Typographical Lhiions, a branch of the
International Typographical Union. According to this report the federation
had 849 members at the close of the fiscal year under review. The total re
ceipts of the federation were $77,087.80 and the expenditures $47,110.09, leaving
in the treasury a balance of $29,977.71. The federation disbursed $3,586 for
unemployed benefits, $3,892.50 for sick benefits, $8,930 for death benefits,
and $12,470 for old-age pensions. The expenses for adm inistration amounted
to $951.39. The number of unemployed members varied between a minimum
of 23 in August, 1916, and a maximum of 38 in September of the sam e year.
W age increases of $1 per week are reported for members of the unions in P hila
delphia, Pa., and Rochester, N. Y., and of $1.20 per week for the union in
E vansville, Ind. The union in Detroit, Mich., reports a w age increase of $2
per week for compositors and the grant of a working week of five days for
hand compositiors.
E l m e r , M a n u e l C.
Co-., 1 9 1 7 .
T e c h n iq u e
of
s o c ia l
su rveys.
L aw ren ce
{ K a n s .) ,
W o r ld
93 pp.
A handbook for social survey workers by the author of Social Surveys of
Urban Communities.
H
ammond,
z a tio n .
.1. L.
an d B arbara . T h e t o w n l a b o r e r , 1 7 6 0 - 1 8 3 2 : T h e n e w c i v i l i
L o n d o n a n d N e w Y o r k , L o n g m a n s , G r e e n c£- C o ., 1 9 1 7 . 3 1 /6 p p .
The first part of a remarkable study of the industrial revolution in Great
B ritain, describing the general features, as a later volume is to give a detailed
history of the working people, of the new civilization. The Home Office papers,
now accessible to students, have been freely consulted, as have the journals of
both houses of Parliam ent and other public records.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1070]
M O NTH LY REVIEW OF T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
237
H oagland , H. E.
C o l l e c t i v e b a r g a i n i n g i n th e l i t h o g r a p h i c i n d u s t r y . N e w Y o r k ,
C o lu m b ia U n i v e r s i t y ( L o n g m a n s , G r e e n cG C o ., a g e n t s ) , a n d L o n d o n , P . S .
K i n g , 1 0 1 7 . 1 8 0 p p . C o l u m b i a U n i v e r s i t y s t u d i e s i n h i s t o r y , e c o n o m ic s , a n d
p u b lic la w , N o . 176. P r ic e $1.
One of a series of investigations of wage bargaining made for the United
States Commission on Industrial Relations, supplemented by later study. Four
stages in the method of w age determ ination are n o ted : 1. By cu stom ; 2. By
union d icta tio n ; 3. By mutual agreement between unions and em ployers; and
4. By dictation by an em ployers’ association. “ In each stage most of the
terms of the labor contract were stan d ard ized ; and in every stage some o f its
terms, especially the differentials from the standard w age rate, varied accord
ing to the different capacities o f individual workmen.”
The poster artists constitute only about 5 per cent o f the workmen employed
in the lithographic industry. The success o f their union “ in m aintaining the
balance of power against an organization of employers which has succeeded
in wresting such power from all other unions in the sam e industry, is due
to the restrictive apprenticeship policy of that one union in the face o f a
growing demand for the products o f the labor of its members.”
I n t e r n a t io n a l M a r k e t
of
M il k
M i l k P roducts.
and
S ec o n d q u a rte r , 1917.
A pamphlet compiled hy the price inquiry office of the Sw iss Agricultural
Association from data received from 12 or more countries. “ Owing to the in
creasing difficulties of supplying the population w ith provision, the States are
compelled to take energetic measures w ith a view to stim ulate the produc
tion, to control the shapening of prices, and to regulate the consumption and
m anufacturing of milk and dairy produce.”
L am b er t , H e n r i .
1917.
Pax
E c o n o m ic a .
N ew
Y o rk , J o h n C. R a n k in
C o ., A u g u s t ,
99 p p .
In this book the author endeavors to show that “ force can not solve inter
national problems any more than other problems, can not make the world
more secure in the future than it has made it in the past, can not establish a
peace worthy to be lived, can not save civilization— th at these results can be
attained only by justice and m orality in international relations.” It is main
tained that only an economic peace can be a permanent peace, that free trade
between nations is the only solution to the present conflict. “ It fortunately
rem ains possible for both sides to surrender to a principle,” which is, “ that
freedom, equity, equality in the economic relations, rights, and opportunities of
the nations form the natural and necessary basis of international harmony, se
curity, and peace.” There are four parts to the book, v iz .: The economic
cause and solution of the European c r is is ; International morality and ex
change ; The w ay to salvation—-an economic p e a c e ; and The treaty of economic
peace, being a sketch of the conclusive settlem ent of the international problem.
[N a t io n a l E d ucation A sso c iatio n .]
N a t i o n a l C o u n c il o f E d u c a t i o n .
C om
m itte e o n t h r i f t e d u c a tio n .
A g r ic u ltu r a l p re p a re d n e s s a n d fo o d c o n se r
v a t i o n : A s tu d y in th r if t.
[San Francisco, 1917.] 3 2 p p .
At a meeting of the N ational Council of Education held at Portland, Oreg.,
in July, 1917, an entire session w as devoted to consideration of the problem
of thrift, of w aste, and of food, and the addresses delivered at that session are
here reproduced in pamphlet form through the efforts of the committee on
thrift education which w as appointed in August, 1915, upon the recommenda
tion of the International Congress for Thrift, to investigate the advisability
and feasibility of teaching th rift in the public schools of the country. The titles
of the addresses are: T hrift— a patriotic necessity, by S. W. Straus, president
American Society for Thrift, New York C ity ; How the schools may help in18988°— 17
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-16
[1071]
238
M ONTHLY REVIEW OF T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
crease food production, by R. H. W ilson, State superintendent of schools,
Oklahoma, O kla.; W aste of food from the producer to the household, by J. A.
Bexell, dean, School of Commerce, Oregon Agricultural College, Corvallis,
O reg.; Thrift in the home, by K atherine Devereux Blake, principal public
school No. 6, New York C ity ; Adaptation of courses in domestic economy and
industrial arts to meet existing demands, by Clarence H. Dempsey, superin
tendent of schools, H averhill, M a ss.; Food storage and preservation, by Henry
R. Daniel, secretary American Society for Thrift, Chicago, 111.; and The schools
and the food problem, by Arthur H. Chamberlain, chairman committee on
thrift education.
On the last page of the pamphlet is a copy o f resolutions adopted by the
N ational Council of Education at its Portland meeting, suggesting “ th at it is
the urgent duty and patriotic opportunity of th is committee to take such im
m ediate action as shall look toward the introduction o f the study of th rift in
our schools, * * * ” and that “ this committee recommend the preparation
of such literature as shall be advantageous in making possible the application
of th rift studies in connection w ith arithmetic, domestic science, history, and
E nglish composition, and other school branches.”
Poos L a w C onfeeences (G eeat B e it a in ).
W . O. L e w is , 1916.
O f fic ia l r e p o r t s , 1 9 1 5 - 1 6 .
London,
96 pp.
In three p a r ts : 1. Report of the reception by the president of the local gov
ernment board, March 4, 1915, of a deputation from the central comm ittee of
poor-law conferences and the Association of Poor Law Unions of England and
W ales on the question of the overlapping of old-age pensions and national insur
ance and poor-law relief; 2. Report of the forty-sixth annual poor-law confer
ence for the W est Midland district, in May, 1915, w ith papers on “ Treatment
and care of children w hose parents are receiving outrelief ” and “ Treatment of
sane epileptics ” ; 3. Report of the M etropolitan Poor Law Conference, in May,
3915, w ith papers on “ M anagement of poor-law schools ” and “ Value and scope
of women’s work as poor-law officers.”
R hodes , J. E., 2d.
T 911.
300 p p .
W o r k m e n ' s c o m p e n s a ti o n .
P r i c e $ 1 .5 0 n e t .
N ew
Y o r k , T h e M a c m i l l a n C o .,
This contribution to workmen’s compensation literature, declares the author
in a foreword, has been w ritten in an attem pt to give a brief history of the
movement in this country and an outline of the principles on which the system
is based. D etails have been omitted. The position is taken th at the problem
is one w hich is national in scope, but local in its solution because of constitu
tional restrictions, and it has been considered in its national rather than its
local aspects. Differences in the various State law s have not been emphasized,
attention being given entirely to the general fundam ental principles upon which
all are based. Copious references to the literature of th is movement are given,
so that a student of the subject who desires to make a deep study may do so.
The chapters include introductory survey, industrial accidents and accident
insurance, the European background, the agitation in the United States, early
attem pts in the United States, the constitutionality of compensation legislation,
compensation legislation in the United States, the insurance of the compensa
tion obligation, the adm inistration o f compensation law s, and some social aspects
of workmen’s compensation. Three appendixes give the workmen’s compensa
tion movement in New York, standards for workmen’s compensation laws, and a
digest of workmen’s compensation laws.
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