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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commi.sioner
MONTHLY
LABOR REVIEW
VOLUME XVII
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
NUMBER 5
NOVEMBER, 1923
.
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1923
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CERTIFICATE.
This publication is issued pursuant to the
provisions of the sundry civil act (41 Stats.
1430), approved March 4, 1921.
A D D IT IO N A L C O P IE S
OF T H IS PU B LIC A TIO N M A T B E P E O C U E E D FRO M
T H E S U PE R IN T E N D E N T OF D OCUM EN TS
G O V E R N M E N T P R IN T IN G OFFICE
W A SH IN G TO N , D . C.
AT
15 C E N T S P E R C O PY
S u b s c r i p t i o n P r i c e , $1.50 P e r
Y
ear
PU R C H A SE R A G R E E S N O T TO R E SE L L O R D IST R IB U T E TH IS
COPY F O R P R O F IT .— P U B . R E S . 5 7 , A P PR O V E D M AY 11, 1922
Contents.
Special articles:
Page>
Estimated annual number and cost of industrial accidents in the United
States, by Carl Hookstadt...........................................................................
1_9
Present economic situation of the German student body, by Dr. E. Boehler,
privatdozent, University of Goettingen...............................
10-16
Industrial relations and labor conditions:
Final report of the United States Coal Commission...................................... 17-24
The automobile industry: Methods that have revolutionized manufactur
ing----- - - ......................................................................
.....25,26
Great Britain—Report on joint industrial councils....................................... 27-29
South Africa-—Labor conditions...................................................................... 29-31
Prices and cost of living:
Retail prices of food in the United States.................................................... 32-54
Retail prices of coal in the United States..................................................... 54-57
Retail prices of gas in the United States...................................................... 58-60
Retail prices of electricity in the United States.......................................... 61-66
Retail prices of dry goods in the United States........................................... 67-76
Index numbers of wholesale prices in September, 1923...............................
77
Wholesale prices of commodities, July to September, 1923.......................... 78-86
Changes in cost of living in the United States............................................. 87-100
Scandinavia—Retail prices in Stockholm, Christiania, and Copenhagen,
July, 1914, 1922, and 1923, and January, 1923...................................... 101,102
Wages and hours of labor:
Wages and hours of labor in the automobile tire industry, 1923.............. 103-105
New York State—Average weekly earnings of men and women in factories,
June and July, 1923................................................................................ 105,106
Germany—The problem of a stable basis for wages................................... 107-117
Minimum wage:
Recent minimum wage reports—
Massachusetts............................................................................................
118
British Columbia.................................................................................. H 9; 120
Woman and child labor:
Trend of child labor in the United States, 1920 to 1923: A correction.......
121
Third congress of International Federation of Working Women............... 121,122
Labor agreements, awards, and decisions:
Railroads—Decisions of the Railroad Labor Board—
Express employees—Wage increases..........................................................
123
Agreements—
Cap trade—New York—Minimum wage.............................................. 123,124
Cloak industry—New York.................................................................. 124,125
Clothing industry—Chicago—Unemployment insurance................... 125-130
Commercial telegraphers—
Press agreements—United States.................................................. 130-132
National telegraphs—Canada........ ............................................... 132,133
Street railways—Detroit....................................................................... 133-138
Italy—Tripartite collective agreement in the sugar industry................... 138-140
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IV
IN D EX .
Employment and unemployment:
'Page.
Employment in selected industries in September, 1923........... . ....... ...... 141-148
Employment and earnings of railroad employees, August, 1922, and July
and August, 1923...................................................................................... 149,150
Extent of operation of bituminous coal mines, August 18 to September 15,
1923.................................................... ............................ - ........................ 150,15.1
Recent employment statistics—
Massachusetts........................................................................................ 151,152
Pennsylvania..........................................................................................
153
Wisconsin......................................................................... .................. . 153; 154
Unemployment in foreign countries...........................' . . .................... ....... 155-164
Housing:
Massachusetts—Housing and town-planning regulation.........................
165
Pennsylvania—Housing in Philadelphia.................................................... 165-168
Germany—Law for protection of tenants................................................... 168-170
Great Britain—Housing shortage and housing activities.......................... 170-172
Rehabilitation:
Training and employment of disabled workmen in the Ford plant......... 173,174
industrial accidents and hygiene:
Twelfth congress of National Safety Council............................................. 175,176
176
Wisconsin—Decrease in corn-shredder accidents........................................ .
Belgium—Protecting the worker’s health.................................................. 177,178
Workmen’s compensation and social insurance:
Tenth annual meeting of the International Association of Industrial Acci
dent Boards and Commissions................................................................. 179-182
Legislative action on old-age pensions, 1923............................................... 182-184
Recent workmen’s compensation reports—
Kentucky..................................................................................................
185
Maryland...................................................................................................
185
Ohio...........................................................................................................
186
Wisconsin..................................................................................................
186
Wyoming...................................................................................................
187
Argentina—Development of workmen’s compensation................................
187
Norway—First Scandinavian health insurance meeting, Christiania.................... 188
Labor laws and court decisions:
Analysis of Mexican State laws on wages and hours of labor, and employ
ment of women and children, by John Ritchie, 3 d ............................. 189-201
Injunction against railroad shopmen.......................................................... 201-203
Control of coal distribution.............................................................................
203
Norway—Extension of law on industrial home work....................................
204
Labor organizations:
Belgium—Twenty-second congress of Trade-Union Committee.............. 205, 206
France—Membership of employers’ and workers’ organizations, January,
1922................................................................................................................
207
India—Trade-unions in the Bombay Presidency.........................................
207
Strikes and lockouts:
Germany—Strikes and lockouts, 1922........................................................ 208-211
Italy—Industrial strikes and lockouts, 1922.............................................. 212-214
Japan—Agricultural disputes...................................................................... 214, 215
Mexico—Strikes in 1922..................................................................................
215
Conciliation and arbitration:
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in September, 1923, by Hugh
L. Kerwin, Director of Conciliation....................................................... 216, 217
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IN D EX .
V
Immigration:
.
Page.
1 Statistics of immigration for July and August, 1923. by W. W. Husband,
Commissioner General of Immigration . ................................. ............ . 218-223
Current notes of interest to labor:
New Jersey—New commissioner of labor............................................. 224
International conference on labor statistics...............................................
Denmark—Prison labor and industry.................................................. . . . . .
Great Britain—Woman chairman of British Trade-Union Council---------Italy—Ministry of National Economy established......................................
224
224
225
225
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States................................................................ . . . . . . . . 226, 227
Official—Foreign countries.......................................................................... 227-231
Unofficial............................................................................
231-233
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
vo l .
xvii. no . 5
WASHINGTON
No v em b er , 1923
Estimated Annual Number and Cost of Industrial Accidents in the
United States.
By Carl H
oo k sta d t.
LTHOUGH hundreds of thousands of dollars are being expended
annually upon accident prevention work in the United States,
yet year after year industry takes its toll of thousands of
deaths and millions of injuries. In view of the extensive safety
activities which have been carried on by State departments, private
safety organizations, insurance carriers and individual employers,
it would seem that the number of accidents would show a con
stantly d e c r e a s i n g tendency. This, however, is not true. In general
if may be said that the number of industrial accidents has varied
directly with the volume of employment. Present indications point
to an exceptionally large number of accidents for the year 1923
—in some States more than have ever before been reported. That
the increased safety activities have resulted in accident reduction
would seem probable, but because of the absence of uniform and
reliable statistics, particularly the lack of accident frequency and
severity rates, the extent and nature of this reduction, if any, can
only be surmised.
Effective prevention of accidents depends largely upon a knowledge
of their causes, frequency, and nature. The factory inspector or
safety engineer must know not only the relative hazard and danger
points in industry but whether his work is bringing results and this
can be obtained only by an accurate analysis of accident statistics.
It is essential, therefore, that compensation commissions or accident
revention departments should make an analysis of their accidents
y industry, cause, nature and extent of disability. They should
know whether and what kind of accidents have been prevented and to
what extent and in what industries. They should compute accurate
frequency and severity rates, as without them it is impossible to
evaluate the effectiveness of accident prevention work.
Llowever, most of this information is unavailable at the present
time. Many of the compensation commissions make no statistical
analysis of accidents at all, while the value of the accident data pub
lished by other commissions is greatly impaired because of their
incomparability and incompleteness. In some States the scope of the
workmen’s compensation and accident reporting laws is limited to
so-called hazardous employments, excluding mercantile establish
ments, professional employments and clerical occupations. One-half
of the States exempt the smaller employers, that is, those having less
than a stipulated number of employees. All of the States except
A
E
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[991]
1
2
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
New Jersey exclude agriculture and domestic service. In addition,
many States exempt casual labor, employments not conducted for
gain, and other minor employments. Six States and the District
of Columbia have no workmen’s compensation and accident reporting
laws at all and consequently no accident statistics are available.
Even in those States which have compensation laws the method of
compiling accident statistics varies so much that in many cases the
data published are not comparable and so can not be combined with
the statistics of other States. Some States use as a unit the number of
accidents which occurred during the year, some use the number
reported during the year, and others use the number of cases closed
or adjudicated during the year; also, some States present their data
for the calendar year and others for the fiscal year.
Because of the lack of completeness in reporting accidents no one
knows with any substantial degree of accuracy how many industrial
accidents occur annually in the United States. No one even knows
the number of industrial fatalities. Estimates as to the probable
annual number of industrial deaths range from 12,500 to 35,00o.1
Because of the lack of reliable and complete accident statistics in the
United States, if one desires a comprehensive and satisfactory view
of the accident problem as a whole, it becomes necessary to make an
estimate.
In the present article an attempt has been made to determine as
accurately as is possible with the limited statistical data available the
number and cost of industrial accidents in the United States under
normal industrial conditions. Given certain factors, such as accident
rates for one industry, the relative hazard between industries, and the
number employed, fairly reliable results are obtainable. The fatality
rates in coal mining have been accurately determined, while the relative
hazard and the exposure are obtainable with a reasonable degree of
accuracy. With this information available the first problem was to
compute fatality rates for all industries by applying the relative
hazard to the known rates for coal mines, and then to apply these
rates to the exposures in each industry. This would give the number
of industrial fatalities. In order to obtain the number of nonfatal
accidents, both permanent and temporary, the standard accidentfrequency distribution tables were applied to the number of fatal
accidents. A more detailed description and explanation of the pre
cise methods used is given on pages 6 to 9 of this article.
Table 1 shows the results obtained according to the methods out
lined. This table shows the estimated annual number and cost of
industrial accidents to employees in the United States under normal
industrial conditions, by type of injury.
1 T he following estim ates have been m ade by different persons a t various times:
D r. L . I. D ublin, statistic ia n of th e M etropolitan Life Insurance C o.,and chairm an of th e com m ittee on
public accident statistics of th e N ational Safety Council, e stim ated th a t 12,600 indu strial deaths occurred
in th e y e ar 1922 (R e p o rt of th e C om m ittee on Public A ccident Statistics, p. 12).
D r. F . L . H offm an, statistician of th e P ru d en tial Insurance Co., estim ated th a t th ere were 25,000 indus
trial d eath s an d 700,000 no n fatal accidents causing over 4 w eeks’ disability during th e y ear 1913 (U . S.
B ureau of L abor Statistics B ui. No. 157, p. 6).
. . . . . .
The U n ited S tates Commission on In d u stria l R elations states th a t there were 35,000 indu strial deaths
a nd 700,000 no n fatal accidents causing over 4 w eeks’ disability in 1915 (F in al report of U . S. Commission
on In d u stria l R elations, p . 95).
Mr. F . S. C rum , assistan t statistician of th e P ru d en tial Insurance Co., e stim ated th a t there were 23,000
indu strial d eath s in 1919 (quoted b y S. J. W illiams in U . S. B u reau of L abor Statistics B ui. No. 304, p. 59).
Mr. Sidney J. W illiam s, secretary of th e N ational Safety Council, in a p a p er read before th e eighth
a n n u al m eeting of th e In te rn a tio n a l Association of In d u strial A ccident B oards a n d Commissions, estim ated
th e nu m b er of in d u strial accidents for th e y ear 1919 as follows: 23,000 indu strial deaths, 115,000 p erm anent
disabilities, an d 2,862,000 tem p o rary disabilities (U . S. B u reau of L abor Statistics B ui. No. 304, p p . 59, 60).
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[ 992 ]
IN D U ST R IA L A CCID EN TS IN T H E U N IT E D STATES.
3
T able 1.—E S T IM A T E D A N N U A L N U M B E R A N D COST O F IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N TS TO
E M P L O Y E E S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S , B Y T Y P E O F IN J U R Y .
N um ber of
accidents.
T ype of injury.
W orking-days
lost.
W age loss
($4.50 p e r day).
D e a th .................................. ................ ........ ..........................
P erm a n e n t to ta l disability..................................................
P e rm a n e n t p a rtia l disability......................................... ..
T em porary to ta l d isab ility 1"........................................ .......
21,232
1,728
105,629
2,324,829
127,392,000
10,368,000
51,494,357
37,915,613
$573,264,000
46,656,000
231,724,607
¡170,620,259
T o tal...............................................................................
2,453,418
227,169,970
1,022,264,866
1 A ccidents re su ltin g in loss of tim e other th a n th e d ay on w hich th e in ju ry occurred.
Table 2 contains the same information as Table 1, but in more de
tail, showing the number and cost of each type of disability.
T able 2 .—E S T IM A T E D A N N U A L N U M B E R O F IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N TS, N U M B E R O F
D A Y S LO ST, A N D W A G E LOSS, BY T Y P E O F IN JU R Y .
In ju ry resulting in —
ays lost T otal work
N um ber of D
acci
ing-days
accidents. p er
dent.
lost.
T otal wage loss
($4.50 p e r day).
(1)
(2)
D e ath ........... ..................................................................
P erm anent to ta l d isab ility ........................... ..........
P erm anent p a rtia l d is a b ility :1
D ism em berm ent or com plete loss of use of—
A rm ..........................................
H a n d .......................................
T h u m b ..................... ..............
T hum b, 1 p h alan g e..............
Index finger............................
Ind ex finger, 1 p h a la n g e ....
Middle finger..........................
Middle finger, 1 p h alan g e...
R ing finger..............................
R ing finger, 1 phalange.......
L ittle finger............................
L ittle finger, 1 phalange—
2 or more th u m b s or fingers
L eg..................... .....................
F o o t..........................................
G reat to e..................................
G reat toe, 1 phalange...........
O ther to e .................................
O ther toe, 1 p h a la n g e ..........
2 or m ore to e s........................
H earing, 1 e a r.....................
H earing, b o th e a rs ................
E y e...........................................
21,232
1,728
6.000
6.000
127,392,000
10,368,000
$573,264,000
46,656,00C
1,699
2,399
2,675
4,225
8,387
7,283
4,098
4,798
2.550
2,888
180
90
180
90
600
2.550
1,500
240
8,089
21
2,010
1,200
4.332.450
4,821 ; 990
1.605.000
1.267.500
2,516,100
1.092.450
983,520
575,760
519,840
223,560
596,160
162,450
8.892.000
4,386, 000
1.783.500
249,600
53,520
33,120
8,910
117,240
44,700
42,210
9,706,800
19,496,025
21,698,955
7,222,500
5.703.750
11,322,450
4,916,025
4,425,840
2,590,920
2,339,280
1,006,020
2,682,720
731,025
40.014.000
19.737.000
8.025.750
1,123,200
240,840
149,040
40,095
527,580
201,150
189,945
43,680,600
Subtotal (dism em berm ents, etc.).
D isfigurem ent.................... .........................
O ther perm anent p a rtia l disab ility .......
75,353
1,401
28,875
___
300
....
44,014,380
420,300
7,059,677
198,064,710
1,891,350
31,768,547
T otal (perm anent p a rtia l d isab ility ).
105,629
51,494,357
231,724,607
2 2,756,286
591,099
660,073
655,157
650,609
652,978
579,629
733,776
4,436,519
3,594,631
3,176,242
2,427,353
12,403,287
2,659,945
2.970.329
2,948,206
2,927,740
2,938,401
2.608.330
3,301,992
19,964,335
16,175,840
14,293,089
10,923,088
2,484
3,312
1,805
14,820
1,720
1,189
1,040
446
552
297
977
149
Tem porary to ta l disability o f 2—
I week a n d u n d e r........................................
8 days.............................................................
9 days.............................................................
10 days...........................................................
II days...........................................................
12 days...........................................................
13 days........................................................
14 d a y s ..........................................................
O ver 2 to 3 w eeks........................................
O ver 3 to 4 w eeks..................... ..................
O ver 4 to 5 w eeks.......................................
Over 5 to 6 w eeks........................................
918,762
86,202
85,565
76,435
69,004
63,484
52,018
61,148
304,467
174,739
119,536
74,524
(3)
2,010
600
300
300
150
240
120
120
60
30
120
300
2 3.5
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
17
24
31
38
(4)
1 P erm an en t p a rtia l disability ratings based on p erm an en t p a rtia l disability schedule form ulated by
com m ittee ou statistics a n d com pensation insurance cost of I. À. I. A . B . C.
2 T he days lost p e r accid en t (col. 2) from tem p o rary disabilities are calendar days w hich have been
reduced b y one-seventh to o b tain n u m b er of w orking-days lost (col. 3).
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[ 993 ]
4
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W ,
T able 2 .—E S T IM A T E D A N N U A L N U M B E R O F IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N TS, N U M B E R O F
D AYS LO ST, A N D W A G E LOSS, B Y T Y P E O F IN J U R Y —Concluded.
ays lost
N u m b er of D
r acci
accidents. p edent.
In ju ry resulting in —
(1)
Tem porary to ta l d isab ility of—Concluded.
Over 6 to 7 w eeks.......................................................
O ver 7 to 8 w eeks.......................................................
Over 8 to 9 w eeks.......................................................
Over 9 to 10 w eeks.....................................................
Over 10 to 11 w eeks...................................................
Over 11 to 12 w eeks...................................................
Over 12 to 13 w eeks___
Over 13 to 14 w eeks...................................................
Over 14 to 15 w eeks...................................................
Over 15 to 16 w eeks...................................................
Over 16 to 17 w eeks...................................................
Over 17 to 18 w eeks.................................................
Over 18 to 19 w eeks.................................................
Over 19 to 20 w eeks...................................................
Over 20 to 21 w eeks.................................................
Over 21 to 22 w eeks.................................................
Over 22 to 23 w eeks...............................................
Over 23 to 24 w eeks......................................
Over 24 to 25 w eeks............................................
Over 25 to 26 w eeks...................
Over 26 weeks............................................................
(2)
53,505
36,094
26,965
20,765
15,287
12,483
9,979
8,238
7,070
6,009
5,074
4,289
3,652
3,057
2,612
2,208
1,890
l ' 550
L 253
L 125
15', 860
45
52
59
66
73
80
87
94
101
108
115
122
129
136
143
150
157
164
171
178
240
T otal work
ing-days
lost.
T otal wage loss
($4.50 per day).
(3)
(U
2,063,764
1,608,761
l ' 363', 659
1,174,706
956,529
854,606
744,148
663,747
612,060
556' 262
500,151
448,507
403,807
356,359
320,157
283.886
254,340
217.886
183,654
171,643
3,262,629
$9,286,938
7,239,424
6,136,466
5,286,177
4,304,381
3,845,727
3,348,666
2 , 986^ 862
2,754,270
2,503,179
2,250,679
2,018,282
1,817,132
1,603,616
1,440,707
1,277,487
1,144, 530
' 980; 487
826,443
772,393
14,681,831
T otal (tem porary to ta l d is a b ility )..................
2,324,829
37,915,613
170,620,259
G rand to ta l............................................................
2,453,418
227,169,970
1,022,264,866
Table 3 shows the number of fatalities by industry. This is the
basic table used to compute the number of nonfatal accidents and
contains in addition to the number of fatalities, the number of em
ployees, the fatality rate per one thousand 300-day workers, the per
cent of full-time employment in each industry, and the fatality rate
per thousand employees. The number of employees is based upon
U. S. Census o f Occupations for 1920 (see M o nth ly L abor R e v ie w
for July, 1923, pages 1 to 14).
T able 3 .—E S T IM A T E D A N N U A L N U M B E R O F IN D U S T R IA L F A T A L IT IE S , N U M B E R O F
E M P L O Y E E S , F A T A L IT Y R A T E S P E R 1,000 F U L L -T IM E W O R K E R S A N D P E R 1,000
E M P L O Y E E S , IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S , B Y IN D U S T R Y .
N um ber N um ber of
of fa
talities. employees.
In d u stry .
(2)
(1)
A griculture, forestry, an d anim al h u sbandry:
G eneral farm in g ............................................................
G ardening, fru it growing, e tc ....................................
L um berm en, w oodchoppers, e tc ..............................
E x tractio n of m inerals:
Coal m in in g 2..................................................................
M etal m ining 2...............................................................
Q uarrying 2.....................................................................
Oil an d gas p ro d u c tio n ................................................
M anufacturing:
F o o d .................................................................................
Tobacco...........................................................................
Liquors an d be%rerag es................................................
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P er
cent of
full-time
em ploy
m e n t in
in d u s
try .1
F a ta lity
ra te per
1,000 em
ployees
(col. 3 X
col. 4).
(3)
(4)
(5)
2,359
30
903
2,335,761
160,083
205,315
1.02
.20
5.00
99
95
88
1.01
.19
4.40
2,370
524
135
177
780,837
151,792
77,960
91,022
4.08
3.66
2.04
2.05
75
94
85
95
3.04
3.45
1.74
1.95
494,523
191,526
27,857
.67
.01
1.02
75
88
85
.50
.01
.87
247
2
24
1 R atio betw een full-time a n d average n u m b er of employees.
2 D ata ta k e n from rep o rts of U . S. B u reau of Mines an d represents
[ 994 ]
F a ta lity
rate p er
1,000
300-day
workers.
average for 5-year period 1917-1921.
IN D U S T R IA L ACCID EN TS I N T H E U N IT E D STATES,
5
T able 3 .—E S T IM A T E D A N N U A L N U M B E R O F IN D U S T R IA L F A T A L IT IE S , N U M B E R O F
E M P L O Y E E S , F A T A L IT Y R A T E S P E R 1,000 F U L L -T IM E W O R K E R S A N D P E R 1,000
E M P L O Y E E S , IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S , B Y IN D U S T R Y —Concluded.
N um ber N u m b er of
of fa
talities. employees.
In d u s try .
(1)
M anufacturing—Concluded.
P rin tin g a n d p u b lish in g.............................................
W ood p ro d u c ts..............................................................
Glass, clay, an d stone p ro d u c ts................................
L eath er p ro d u c ts..........................................................
P a p e r a n d p u lp p ro d u c ts ...........................................
P a p e r goods (boxes).....................................................
Chem ical a n d allied p ro d u c ts....................................
T e x tile s............................................................................
L aundries, cleaning a n d d y ein g ...............................
C lothing...........................................................................
R u b b er a n d com position goods................... ............
Iro n a n d s te e l.................................................................
S hipb u ild in g..................................................................
M etal w orking................................................................
M etal products (not iron an d ste e l).........................
Miscellaneous in d u strie s.............................................
Construction;
R oad an d s tre et b u ild in g ...........................................
B uilding erectio n ..........................................................
T ransportation;
W ater (all occupations except longshorem an).......
Stevedoring....................................................................
R o ad a n d s tre et (chauffeurs, deliverym en, etc.),.
Steam railroads 5...........................................................
Street railro ad s..............................................................
Telegraph a n d telephone companies 7.....................
O ther, including pipe lin e s........................................
P ublic utilities:
Electric lig h t an d po w er.............................................
Gas a n d w ater works, a n d miscellaneous...............
Trade:
Stores, e tc ......................................................................
W arehouses, e tc .............................................................
Clerical a n d professional service:
A gents, inspectors, etc. (o u tsid e).............................
Office em ployees...........................................................
Professional e m p lo y m en ts..........................................
Care a n d custody of buildings an d g ro u n d s8........
Domestic a n d personal service..................................
F irem en...........................................................................
Policemen, sheriffs, e tc ................................................
Miscellaneous occupations »........................................
T o ta l.............................................................................
(2)
F a ta lity
ra te per
1,000
300-day
workers.
Per
cent of
full-time
em ploy
m ent m
indus
try .
F a ta lity
ra te per
1,000 em
ployees
(col. 3 X
c o l.4.)
(3)
(4)
(5)
31
467
178
113
187
2
324
4137
44
43
32
571
200
1,532
106
773
308,141
753,806
257,942
388,209
113,620
25,508
198,996
1,021,864
137,320
719,109
161,530
497,330
166,862
2,393,957
459,201
1,309,909
0.13
.70
.78
.32
1.76
.08
1.76
.20
.34
.07
.23
1.35
1.33
.72
.26
,66
s 75
88
88
92
94
94
93
93
95
88
89
85
90
89
89
88
0.10
.62
.69
.29
1.65
.07
1.63
. 19
.32
.06
.20
1. 15
1.20
.64
.23
.59
170
1,773
129.829
2,162,268
1.54
1.46
85
3 56
1.31
.82
384
113
1,625
« 2,591
303
229
13
96,067
85,928
878,669
8 1,280,137
177,146
343,879
29,114
4.00
1.76
2.05
2.25
1.90
.74
.50
100
75
90
90
90
90
90
4.00
1.32
1,85
2.02
1.71
.67
.45
160
104
31,366
146, 418
5. 73
.79
90
90
5.16
.71
453
333
1,968,373
131,442
.26
2.84
90
90
.23
2,56
99
89
99
250
178
80
431
244
708,167
2,950,769
1,655,337
373,160
2,546,739
50,771
116,621
387,283
.18
.04
.08
.74
.08
1.76
4.10
.66
3 80
*80
3 80
90
90
90
90
95
.14
.03
.06
.67
.07
1.5S
3.70
.63
21,232
29,679,763
.72
» R eduction factor of 20 p er c en t applied because of 8-hour d ay prevailing in in d u stry .
4 R eduction factor of 30 p e r cen t applied because of low wage level prevailing in in d u stry .
6 D a ta ta k e n from reports of In te rsta te Commerce Commission an d represents average for 5-year period
1917-1921.
8 Includes persons carried u n d er contract, such as postal clerks, express messengers, a nd P u llm an porters.
7 37,917 linem en w ith rate of 5.80 p er 1,000 em ployed; 305,962 operators, etc., w ith ra te of 0.03.
»Charw om en, elevator tenders, janitors, guards, etc.
a S tatio n ary engineers an d firem en a n d aeronauts.
The data in the foregoing tables apply only to employees and do
not include accidents to employers and self-employed persons, such
as farmers and other independent workers. However, from the
standpoint of ascertaining the total cost of industrial or work acci
dents to society and for purposes of accident prevention, it is desir
able to determine the number and. cost of all accidents due to the
employment sustained by those gainfully employed.
Table 4 shows the estimated number of fatalities sustained in
industry by gainfully employed persons in the United States.
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6
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
T able 4 .—E S T IM A T E D A N N U A L N U M B E R O F F A T A L IT IE S SU ST A IN E D IN IN D U S T R Y
B Y G A IN F U L L Y E M P L O Y E D P E R S O N S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S .
N um ber of persons gainfully
em ployed.
In d u stry .
Em ployers
and selfEmployees'. em
ployed
persons.
A griculture and anim al h u sb an d ry .............
E x tractio n of m in e ra ls2..................................
M anufacturing...................................................
C onstruction......................................................
T ransportation..................................................
Public u tilities...................................................
T rad e...................................................................
Clerical and professional service...................
M iscellaneous3. .................................................
2,701.159
1,101,611
9,627,210
2,292,097
2.891,240
' 177,784
2,099,815
8,401,564
387,283
1 8,2.51,999
T o tal.......................................................... 29,679, 763
11,720,370
531,013
175,942
130,614
1,195,251
1,435,521
Total.
N um ber of fatalities.
Em
ployers
and
selfEm
Total.
ployees. em
ployed
per
sons.
10,953,158
1,101,611
10,158,253
2,468,039
3,021,854
177,784'
3,295,066
9,837,085
387,283
3,292
3,206
5,013
1,943
5,258
264
786
1,226
244
8,074
41,400,133
21,232
8,806
64
144
146
275
103
11,366
3,208
5,077
2,087
5,405
264
1,061
1,329
244
30,039
1 Includes hom e farm laborers.
2 B ureau of Mines figures used in lieu of census figures.
2 S tationery engineers and firemen, an d aeronauts.
Explanation of Methods Employed.
stated, if the accident rate for a particular industry,
the relative hazard of the various industries, and the number
of employees in each industry were known, the number of accidents
could be computed with a reasonable degree of accuracy. The
following is an explanation of how these several factors were obtained:
A S ALREADY
*
*
Fatality Rates by Industry.
The first step in the process was to obtain the number of fatalities.
An examination of Table 3 will show how these were computed.
The fatality rate for coal mining was used as a base. For a number
of years the United States Bureau of Mines has computed accurate
coal-mine fatality rates for the United States. These rates are
expressed in full-time (300-day) workers. The average fatality rate
for all coal mining in the United States for the five-year period
1917-1921 was 4.08 per one thousand 300-day workers. Having
obtained the rate for one industry, the next step was to obtain the
relative fatality hazard for the various industries. The accident
and insurance experience of Pennsylvania,2 modified and amplified
by other data, particularly the accident statistics of Oregon, Cali
fornia, Massachusetts, and the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics, was used for this purpose. The accident rates and pure
premium cost as given for Pennsylvania are stated in terms of
pay roll and not in terms of full-time workers. However, by using
the coal-mine fatality rate as computed by the Bureau of Mines as
the base and then applying the relative hazard as shown in the
2Statistical Analysis of W orkm en’s Compensation Insurance in Pennsylvania from Jan . 1,1916, to Dec.
31, 1920, compiled b y th e statistical d ep artm en t of th e Pen n sy lvania Com pensation R ating a nd Inspec
tion B ureau.
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INDUSTRIAL, ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
7
Pennsylvania experience, full-time fatality rates were computed for
all the industries. I t should be explained, however, that the bitu
minous coal mine hazard in Pennsylvania is lower than the average
hazard for the country as a whole. I t was necessary, therefore, to
apply a factor to correct this difference in hazards. This was easily
done, since the Bureau of Mines gives separate rates for each State
and also gives separate rates for bituminous and anthracite mining.
Moreover, inasmuch as the rates for Pennsylvania are stated in
terms of pay roll, these rates are relatively accurate as expressing
the accident hazard only if the wages in the several industries are
practically identical. The wages by industry were obtained from
the wage statistics published by the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics and tests were made which showed that, with one
or two exceptions, the wage differential could be disregarded. Be
cause of the general low wage level in the textile industry, it was
necessary to apply a reduction factor to this industry.
Having obtained the fatality rate per full-time worker (column 3,
Table 3), the next step was to obtain the fatality rate per person
employed, because the average number of employees in the several
industries is obtainable, whereas the number of full-time workers,
with the exception of one or two industries, is not. It became neces
sary, therefore, to convert the number of full-time rates into rates
per average number of employees. To this end the U. S. Census of
Manufactures of 1919 was used for the manufacturing industries.
The Federal census contains the average number of employees for
each industry by month. The per cent of employment in each in
dustry, or rather the ratio between the full-time and average number
of employees, was obtained as follows:
The number of employees in the month of maximum employment
was assumed to be the number of employees in that industry. From
this maximum number was then subtracted the number of employees
in each one of the other months. The ratio of the sum of these
items to 12 times the maximum number gave the per cent of un
employment in each industry. The results are shown in column 4,
of Table 3. Corrections had to be made for certain industries, such as
printing and publishing, building erection, etc., in which the eighthour day prevailed. For such industries a special reduction factor
of 20 per cent was applied. In the case of mining and quarrying,
the ratio of full-time to average number of employees was given in
the reports of the Bureau of Mines. The percentage of unemployment
for the building trades was based upon data for New York as published
in special Bulletin 85 of the State Department of Labor.
Having now obtained the fatality rates per full-time worker and
the ratio of full-time to average number of employees, it was merely
necessary to multiply the former by the latter (column 3 X column 4,
Table 3) in order to obtain fatality rates expressed in average number
of employees (column 5, Table 3).
The next step was to obtain the exposure; that is, the average num
ber of employees by industry. This had already been clone, a clas
sification of all employees in the United States by industry having
been published in the M o n t h l y L abo r R e v ie w for July, 1923 (pp.
1-14). To the numbers of employees (column 2, Table 3) were applied
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M O N T H L Y LABOIl R E V IE W .
the fatality rates per 1,000 employees (column 5, Table 3). The results,
giving the number of fatalities for each industry, are shown in col
umn 1 of Table 3. All of the fatalities here given, with the exception of
mining and quarrying and steam railroads, were computed. Data
for these two industries were taken from the reports of the United
States Bureau of Mines and the United States Interstate Commerce
Commission, respectively.
Another and perhaps simpler method of obtaining the number of
fatalities would have been to convert the average number of employees
into full-time workers and then apply the full-time fatality rates.
The results, however, would have been the same.
Number of Nonfatal Accidents.
It was impracticable to apply to nonfatal accidents the methods
employed for obtaining the number of fatal accidents, because of the
impossibility of obtaining rates and also because of the great varia
tion in the number of nonfatal accidents, especially permanent
disabilities, between industries. The number of nonfatal accidents
was obtained by applying a combination of the American (Cutwater)
and Standard (Rubinow) Accident Distribution Tables. It has been
well established from experience that, given a general distribution of
industries with varying hazards, the ratio of fatal accidents to per
manent and temporary disabilities remains reasonably constant. The
distribution of accidents resulting in death, permanent total disa
bility, permanent partial disability and temporary total disability
over one week as shown in the American Accident Table was used.
A new table was constructed, eliminating the accidents having a
disability of less than eight days. This was done because it is
believed that the American Table contains too large a number of
minor injuries, thus impairing the ratios between different types of
injury.3 The ratios as shown in this reconstructed distribution table
were then applied to the 21,232 fatalities. The results are shown in
column 1 of Table 2.
Number of Working-days Lost from industrial Accidents.
The number of working-days lost as a result of industrial accidents
is shown in column 3 of Table 2. Six thousand days were used to
measure the economic loss resulting from death or permanent total
disability. The economic loss as expressed in days lost in the case of
permanent partial disabilities was obtained by applying to the 6,000
days the permanent partial disability ratings computed by the
committee on statistics and compensation insurance cost of the
International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Com
missions, which was adopted by the association at its tenth annual
meeting in St. Paul, September 24-27, 1923. In the case of tempo
rary disabilities the economic loss is shown by the number of days of
actual disability reduced by one-seventh in order to convert the days
lost into working-days lost. The days lost per accident as shown in
the table are calendar days.
8 See ‘Discussion of an Am erican A ccident T a b le ” in July, 1921, Monthly L abor R e v ie w , pages 1-5.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 998 ]
IN D U S T R IA L ACCID EN TS I N T H E U N IT E D STATES.
9
Cost of industrial Accidents.
The average weekly earnings for the industries in which most of
the accidents occur range from $24 to $30 per week. The average
wage loss per working-day from industrial accidents, therefore,
would be at least $4.50 per day. The annual cost of industrial
accidents in the United States would be the total number of days lost
(227,356,541) multiplied by $4.50, or $1,023,104,435. This, however,
does not represent the entire cost. To this should be added at least
$75,000,000 for medical and hospital service. There should also be
added the administrative expenses of compensation commissions and
insurance companies and the indirect effect upon production which,
though serious, is incapable of measurement. On the other hand, to
be strictly accurate it would probably be necessary to deduct from
the total cost the maintenance cost of the 21,232 persons killed.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
10
M O N T H L Y LABOE B E V IE W .
Present Economic Situation oi the German Student Body.
B y D r . E . B oeh ler , P rivatdozent , 1 U n iv er sit y
of
G o ettin g en .
NE of the most striking differences between the social structure
of Germany and that of the United States is the respective
importance attributed to university training as a means of
acquiring standing and advancement in society. In America the
business man dominates and business success itself is an opening to
the doors of society, but in Germany up to the end of the war the
army and the academic grades of the civil service (together with the
“ liberal” vocations, medical men, barristers, etc.) were the leading
classes, and usually only the second and third generations of self-made
wealth, after having acquired an academic degree, were admitted to
society. Moreover, the higher positions in business life, especially
in the great corporations, such as banks, are open only to men with
university training in law. While, therefore, there is no immediate
advancement from the rank and file, university training paves the
way to everything and is practically the only means, the conditio
sine qua non, of social advancement.
That is why the German student body was, up to the beginning of
the war, recruited, not so much from the wealthy classes, as from the
lower and middle classes. To study at the university was the ambi
tion of their sons; business success never has been an ideal of the
younger generation. This has especially been revealed by statistics
as to the origin of the student body in southern Germany, where
social differentiation is less than in Prussia. In Württemberg, for
instance, on the average, 56.7 per cent of the students came from the
lower middle classes, viz., lower grades of civil service employees,
teachers, artisans, small farmers and the like (but practically none
from the working classes) , 28.8 per cent from vocations with academic
training, viz., officials, high-school teachers, professors, medical men,
barristers and officers, and only 14.5 per cent from the moneyed
classes, viz., manufacturers, merchants, and landowners. For the
whole of Germany, owing to the greater industrial and commercial
importance of Prussia, the percentage of the commercial classes is
considerably higher, viz., 46.6 per cent, but this percentage contains
also the sons of artisans, who were included with the lower middle
classes in the statistics for Württemberg. Even so, the lower middle
class is represented by 32.1 per cent, and the academic vocations
with 21.2 per cent, making together 53.3 percent of the whole student
body.
While the rising of new classes and the expropriation of others owing
to money inflation has certainly reacted on the composition of the
student body, as will be seen at once from the statistics of attendance,
postwar statistics show that on the whole the proportion is the
same as before the war.
Thus, of the students attending the
University of Munich during the summer term of 1922, 25.4 per cent
came from the lower middle classes, 28.4 per cent from higher civil
servants and liberal vocations, and only 30.4 per cent from business
men. An inquiry as to the students of Marburg University in May,
O
1Unpaid lecturer.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1000 ]
E C O N O M IC SIT U A T IO N OF T H E GERM A N S T U D E N T BODY.
11
1922, covering 83.9 per cent of the student body, showed similar
results: 43.2 per cent came from the lower middle classes, 32.7 per
cent from the academic vocations, and only 24.1 per cent from the
commercial classes.
This relation of the German student body to the middle classes,
together with the importance attributed to university training for
social advancement, is the key to the present economic situation of
German students. For the lower and academic middle classes are
just the part of the German population which has suffered most by
the depreciation of the currency. Recent official statistics show
that the German civil servant now draws a salary the purchasing
power of which, based on the respective index numbers, is less
than one-half of the income of corresponding civil servant classes of
countries with comparatively little inflation of currency. Moreover,
even before the latest depreciation of the mark, the income of the civil
servant of academic qualifications would buy only 70.9 per cent of
the necessaries included in a fair physical and social minimum-ofsubsistence budget for mental workers, while before the war his
income would buy 133.8 per cent of this budget. That is to say, the
pre-war positive difference between the minimum of subsistence and
the actual income—33.8 per cent—has not only disappeared, but has
given way to a deficiency of about the same amount, so that the
civil servant of this class is not able to nourish and clothe even
himself properly, still less one or more sons living outside his
household.
The middle classes, however, have not only lost a considerable
part of their pre-war income, but they have also practically lost the
capital reserve out of which the cost of schooling for the children was
partly financed. They are the chief holders of the Imperial, State,
and municipal loans and especially of the war loans, now yielding
returns which will not even cover postage. In addition, the whole
class of persons formerly living solely on their capital and rent
maintain an existence only by the aid of an insufficient allowance
from the State.
Such are the conditions confronting the greater part of the younger
generation desiring to study at the university, or some other school
of higher learning. How has this younger generation adapted itself
to these new conditions ?
First of all we glance, of course, at the statistics of attendance.
They show a marked increase. The number of students at Prussian
universities (exclusive of technical, geological, agricultural, and
commercial colleges) during the winter terms of 1913-14 and 1921-22
was as follows:
N U M B E R O F S T U D E N T S A T P R U S S IA N U N IV E R S IT IE S D U R IN G W IN T E R T E R M S OF
1913-14 A N D 1921-22, B Y S E X .
Sex.
1913-14
1921-22
M ales.........................................................
Fem ales................................................
27,564
2,217
36,346
3,757
T o tal..............................................
29,781
40,103
G7655°— 23
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-2
L1001]
12
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
According to these figures, between 1914 and 1922 the number of
German university students increased by about a third. For the
later terms complete data are not yet available, but it is assumed that
on the whole, up to the end of the summer term of 1923, the number
of students not only did not show a decrease, but on the contrary a
further, though retarded, increase. How is this fact to be explained ?
Certainly not by the increase of foreign students, as is sometimes sug
gested, because they have increased only from 2,334 to 2,598. Apart
from other less important conditions, the increase is due: (1) To the
postponement of studies by students in active service during the war;
(2) to the elimination of the army and navy as a vocation; (3) to the
liberalization of the conditions of admission, owing to the revolution;
(4) to the transformation of colleges (commercial or colonial) to real
universities like those of Cologne, Frankfort, and Hamburg, though
with a somewhat different composition of the student body; and (5)
to the comparative, though in reality delusive, prosperity of the
classes which have gained by the inflation of the currency, viz., agri
culture, industry, and wholesale commerce. Thus, for instance, ninetenths of the increase in the total can be accounted for by the increase
of students in agriculture, who no doubt come chiefly from the farm
ing class. But after all the chief reason is the determination of the
younger middle-class generation to endure hunger, cold, and physical
work rather than resign the social standing attained by the parents or
the ambition of rising to a higher social standing.
The immediate effect of the pauperization of the middle classes
has been a steady lowering of the standard of living of the average
German student; this is clearly brought out by inquiries by the stu
dent bodies themselves. While in 1914 the average monthly sum
the German student was receiving from his family amounted to about
80 marks, which then was equal to about 50 per cent of the minimum
of subsistence calculated by the Census office for a family of five, in
April, 1922, his monthly allowance, then approximately 113 marks,
had decreased to 21 per cent of the same minimum and at last, in
February, 1923, when about 45,000 marks had decreased to about 11
per cent of the accepted family minimum. That is to say, the in
crease in the cost of living was five times as great as the income of the
average German student.
The following statistics are for the students of the University of
Cologne for December, 1922, at a time when the monthly sum with
which a student, with the help of the students’ dinners, could just
support life was 20,000 marks:
Students with—Per ceQtNo income from home..................................................................................... 17. 5
An income of less than 5,000 marks............................................................... 12. 0
An income of 5,000 to 8,000 marks.................................................................. 19. 0
An income of 8,000 to 10,000 marks................................................................ 13. 2
An income of 10,000 to 15,000 marks.............................................................. 19. 5
An income of more than 15,000 marks............................................................ 18. 8
Thus not even 20 per cent of the Cologne students reached tlie sum
which was to be regarded as the student’s minimum (excluding any
clothing).
Since that time a further, progressive diminution of the students’
income has begun, the bearing of which can not be foreseen.
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EC O N O M IC SIT U A T IO N OF T H E G ERM A N S T U D E N T BODY.
13
Since about the spring of 1921 (to a smaller extent since 1919)
ever-increasing numbers of students have seen themselves unable to
continue their studies if they did not succeed in finding some other
source of income than the allowance received from their parents.
The result of this necessity was that a rising flood of students was
pouring into the channels of industry, mining, commerce, and agri
culture to earn their livelihood themselves. The novelty of this
development did not lie so much in the fact that they worked—there
has always been a certain percentage of students earning their liveli
hood—as that they were compelled to earn by another sort of work
than that for which they were going to qualify, in the most cases
not by mental but by manual labor, and that the movement com
prised the greater part of the students. From working in the fac
tory, the “ Works,” the new type of German student, the “ Workstudent” got his name.
But this new development at once raised new problems, political,
economic, and social. The political problems are centering in the
question: Is the new development a desirable one or should it be
opposed by all means ? There has been from the beginning a power
ful faction within the student body as well as in political life which
feared that the younger generation working in the factories might be
imbued by the spirit of money-making on the one hand and by the
political ideas of the workmg people, socialism and internationalism,
on the other. These, therefore, wanted to apply to the State for
help in solving the students' problem, because it was, they said, the
duty of the State to preserve the mental and moral resources of the
nation.
But economic necessity was stronger than this attitude and has
created new ideals. Not State help, but self-help, is the guiding
principle of the new type of student. Though not blinded to the ill
effects of continued manual labor on study, they felt that the facing
of the actual difficulties of life would result in "freeing mental facul
ties which have been dormant in the German mind for centuries
and would qualify them as future leaders and bring them into contact
with all other classes of the people. Beal factory work would make
money-makers of none of them, but on the contrary they would learn
with what difficulty nioney is earned. Beal idealism, they felt, lay
in action, not in mental attitude.
There was a threefold task to undertake: (1) To keep the students’
cost of living as low as possible by rationing, especially during the
time before examination; (2) to do real welfare work for students in
especially distressing conditions who could not help themselves; (3) to
assist the students in finding vacant positions.
At first only local organizations sprang up. But soon the necessity
of coordinating the scattered efforts was apparent, and in 1921 a
central organization under the title of “ Wirtschaftshilde der Deutschen Studentschaft” was created to take care of the economic
interests of the German student body, to gather the experience of
local organizations, and to pass this on to others. At present there
are 42 local bodies working with the central organization. The most
important step in solving the first problem was the providing of a
cheap dinner and supper for the students by setting up special
“ students’ kitchens.” They, too, rest on the principle of self-help, in
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
that, apart from a general manager, the administrative work as well
as a great part of the manual work is being done by students. Still
it was not possible to forego outside help altogether, for three reasons:
(1) Students preparing for examinations can not earn their living;
(2) the rapid depreciation of the currency enabled the students to live
on their earnings only a very short time; and (3) the students7savings,
even apart from underpayment, were not such as to enable them to
live as regular wage earners. So far, therefore, even the working
student was dependent on outside help, and some of this, apart from
gifts from agricultural and industrial circles, has been obtained from
English and American relief organizations. To these latter too, the
German student owes the possibility of investing his savings from
vacation work on a stable basis in order to preserve them from de
preciation.
Besides the providing of dinner and supper, several local bodies
have set up boarding houses or homes, where the students are able
to work in heated rooms. Moreover, they have organized shoe
repairing shops, mending shops, and cooperative buying of neces
saries such as clothing and books. Several local bodies are raising
their own vegetables with students’ labor and have even acquired
their own farms.
Individual welfare work, the second economic problem, becomes
necessary chiefly for students about to take their examinations, as
well as for sick students. In the first case the relief takes the form
of distribution of provisions and clothing, either free or at reduced
prices. In the second case the sick are either treated at the univer
sity and given food or, especially in case of tuberculosis, they are sent
to convalescent homes.
The third, and paramount, economic problem of assisting students
to help themselves centers in the question of finding work for thou
sands of students who are not accustomed to work and from whom
efficient work is expected, preventing them at the same time from
being exploited. Here it may be said that, owing to the abnormal and
delusive prosperity caused by inflation, there was up to the beginning
of the Ruhr action no real difficulty in getting work for students during
vacations, though, of course, not the same conditions prevailed in all
industries. In consequence the local employment exchanges of the
students’ bodies were used only in about 30 per cent of the cases.
Considerably greater was the difficulty of getting work during the
academic terms, which was necessary owing to the constant depre
ciation of the savings from vacations. The students try, of course,
to get work in the university town in order to attend the lectures in
the evenings, but as very few German university towns are at the
same time industrial and commercial centers, the possibility of finding
work during the term is very limited. This fact is partly responsible
for the shifting of the students from the smaller to the larger univer
sity towns.
It has been estimated that of the 120,000 students of universities
and technical, geological, agricultural, and commercial colleges, 10,000
were working during the summer of 1921 and 60,000 in 1922. It can
therefore be said that at least 50 per cent of the German students were
at that time earning some part of their livelihood, and it can be taken
for granted that this percentage has in the meantime increased con
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EC O N O M IC S IT U A T IO N OF T H E GERM A N S T U D E N T BODY.
15
siderably, though the difficulty of getting work since the Ruhr action
lias been a check to expansion.
The above estimate was made on the basis of a statistical inquiry
by the central economic body, in which, up to date, 35,923 question
naires have been examined. Of these 35,923 students reporting,
17,863, or 49.8 per cent, were working in the summer of 1922. Gen
erally the percentage was somewhat higher at the technical colleges
than at the universities, where 42 per cent were working. But the
ideal type of German student is the university student, and the
following statistics apply to this class only. Of the university stu
dents who were working, 85.5 per cent worked during holidays, 33.1
per cent worked during the term, and 22.9 per cent worked during
both vacations and term. As far as can be ascertained 4.6 per cent
are permanently employed.
The sort of work undertaken by the working students of the univer
sities is shown in the statement below:
W O R K D O N E B Y G ER M A N S T U D E N T S .
K in d of work.
A griculture a n d forestry..........................................
M ining..........................................................
In d u s try ..................... .................... . . . .
H andicrafts..........................................
T eaching...................................................................
Civil service................................ ............. .
Commerce......................................................
O ther vocations (w atchm en, e tc .)..................................................................
Vacation
work.
T en u
work.
P e r ce n t.
P e r c e n t.
19.1
3.8
36.1
.8
5.4
11.4
7.3
16.1
14.5
3.9
21.1
.7
16.5
. 8.7
11.8
22.1
The table shows clearly that most of the work undertaken during
vacation is not mental or clerical work but hand labor, about 60 per
cent of the students being engaged in agriculture, mining, and indus
try. Clerical work, especially in banks and in the civil service, is
important only in that it can be more easily undertaken during the
term, as the statistics suggest. For the same reason, teaching is a
prominent, but usually not very remunerative, occupation during
the term. It was, by the way, the chief avenue of earning of the
pre-war student.
The difficulty of finding work during the term gave rise to the
organization of special workshops and bureaus in connection with
the local student bodies, where work could go on continuously. Thus
the University of Tübingen has a bookbinding office with 15 working
students, a typewriting office with 30 working students, and a
“ millotype” office with 25 working students; other shops, especially
for metal working, are being planned. Marburg University has a
bookbinding establishment on a large scale, and Leipzig and Munich
Universities establishments for the preparation of scientific collec
tions and the like. These workshops also serve to qualify students
for their work outside and to enhance their earning capacity. Several
universities plan also the organization of institutions which will not
only give work for the students but also produce a profit to be
used in reducing the cost of living of the students in general.
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
There remains the social problem of coordinating the earning
activity of the students with the work of the laboring classes. Here,
of course, experiences vary according to individuals and localities.
But in general it may be said that in the beginning the student
workers were regarded with suspicion, which abated as soon as the
workmen saw that the students were doing the same work that
they did. Everywhere they are very willing to make exceptions in
favor of the students. In general, however, the relation to the
younger workers is less cordial than to the older ones.
There are two points at which a certain amount of friction between
workers and students has arisen: First of all, there is the fact that
the students are largely members of the. so-called “ Technical
Emergency Help” ( T ec h n isc h e N o th ilf e ), an organization founded
after the war in order to prevent the damage done to the community
at large by strikes in public-utility establishments. This institution
is regarded by the workmen as a strike-breaking organization. The
second point of friction, potential if not actual, is the question of
students’ wages. The exploitation of students’ labor by employers,
especially in agriculture, was one of the reasons for the organization
of special employment exchanges, because these exchanges demanded
that payment be according to the collective agreements. Unfortu
nately only about 30 per cent of the vacant places are filled by the
employment service of the students’ bodies, and therefore, payment
at rates established by agreement is far from being general. On the
contrary, the latest annual report of the Association of German
Employers’ Associations is suggesting to its members that the
question of payment according to collective agreement can not be
discussed, though otherwise it reports favorably on the employment
of students. In consequence the workers are not free from a certain
fear of unfair competition on the part of the students and it is to be
expected that this sentiment will grow if unemployment increases.
Apart from these points of friction, trade-unions are favoring the
working students’ movement for political reasons—the same for
which the conservative party is opposing the movement, though
unsuccessfully. The General Association of Trade-Unions even
sent a special delegate to the latest economic conference of the
students’ bodies. But it must be remembered that neither the
movement itself nor the attitude of the different interested parties
has stood the real test. Already the delusive prosperity which has
sustained the German economic fabric for five years has been threat
ened and at once the students experience a total cutting off of oppor
tunities for work and increased distress in their ranks, and it is
to be feared that in the event of general unemployment following
the stabilization of the mark the attitude of the workmen will be
wholly different.
In consequence one can not shut one’s eyes to the fact that the
economic need of the German student body has not yet attained its
height arid is going to increase. But the efforts to overcome it have
certainly had one positive result which is an invaluable asset for the
teriod of trial: They have established the principle of self-help, the
orce which alone will be able to bring a real answer to the deeper
question.
i
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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IN D U STR IA L R EL A T IO N S A N D LA B O R CO N D ITIO N S.
Final Report of the United States Coal Commission.
HE general recommendations embodied in the final report of the
United States Coal Commission, as a result of its year’s study
of the problems of the coal industry, are predicated on the
essential social value of the industry—the dependence of public health
and safety as well as the prosperity of most industries upon the effec
tive development and operation of the coal mines. Responsibility
for protection of the public interest the commission places with the
Federal Government as an administrative agency of supervision and
control, with the industry itself, and with the consumers of coal.
T
Fact Finding and Publicity.
"THE first step toward protection of the public interest the commis™
*
sion considers to be a better public understanding of the coal
business. To this end the commission recommends enactment by
Congress of a law to provide for complete and compulsory publicity
on all current facts bearing on the relation of the business to the
public interest, such as cost of production, profits of owner, of operator,
and of dealer, whether the investment on which a return is claimed is
fairly estimated or is inflated, and the earnings and working conditions
of the miners. Publicity as to the quality of coal in interstate com
merce will greatly deter unscrupulous operators and dealers from the
sale of adulterated coal. Publicity as to the costs and profits of the
wholesalers and the retailers will enable the consumer to judge whether
a fair or an exorbitant price is being charged for the coal. Publicity
as to earnings, living conditions, and living costs of the miner will
enable the public to judge as to the equities of disputes between
operators and miners over the renewal of wage agreements, and
informed public opinion at such times should exert a deterrent
influence upon the adoption of an unreasonable attitude by either or
both parties to the controversy and thus tend to prevent a lockout or
a strike. Some of this information is already collected by existing
bureaus, such as the Bureau of Mines, the Geological Survey, and the
Bureau of the Census. Essential facts can be officially obtained when
necessary by other Government agencies. The commission believes,
however, that this fact-finding service must be put upon a permanent
and well-coordinated basis.
Use of Federal Powers.
as a protection to the public and for the promotion of the
normal development of the industry the commission recommends
the use of the powers of the Federal Government over interstate
commerce, the function of the Government to be that of supervision
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M O N T H L Y LABOE R E V IE W .
with substantial powers of regulation, i. e., the application of the
same principle which has been applied to the railroads. This the
commission regards as the characteristically American and constitu
tional method of dealing with such a national problem as is now
presented in the coal industry. The aim has been to make such
proposals as will increase rather than decrease the sense of responsi
bility within the industry, with drastic regulations when necessary as
a last resort for those who will not voluntarily give the service on
reasonable terms.
If anything is to be done, at all commensurate with the gravity
of the problem, it is the judgment of the commission that an effective
agency with sufficient funds, experience, and powers at its disposal
must be charged with the direct responsibility for such supervision
and regulation as is necessary. Such an agency, the commission
believes, already exists in the Interstate Commerce Commission and
the creation of a special division in that commission is recommended
for the purpose.
In time of emergency the proposed division would be ready to act
as Federal fuel distributor and, subject to the direction of the Presi
dent of the United States, to deal with transportation and distri
bution.
The whole responsibility for the administrative correction of
abuses—the regulative function—must, in the judgment of the
commission, be concentrated in one place. Fact finding and inter
pretation of facts might be separated from executive action based
on facts to the extent that agencies such as the Geological Survey
might continue to gather systematically, publish currently, and
interpret facts about production, reserves, storage, etc., and could
furnish special information within its field wdien called upon to do
so. There should be some organic relation between the Interstate
Commerce Commission and other bureaus which already have
experience and facilities for the collection of needed information.
The collection of information about finances, operating costs, etc.,
not having been undertaken heretofore by any other permanent
agency, would naturally belong to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission itself.
A ll th e s e facts chan ge from season to season, a n d v a ry from d is tric t to d istric t, and
from m in e to m in e ; a n d th e p u b lic is e n title d to know th e m . T h is com m ission does
n o t a d v o c a te p u b lic ity a b o u t p riv a te affairs, b u t i t h olds t h a t th e tra n s p o rta tio n of
coal in in te rs ta te com m erce is so affected w ith a p u b lic use a n d t h a t coal e n te rs so
in tim a te ly in to a ll th e n ecessities a n d c o n v en ien ce of m o d ern life t h a t th e re is no
longer a n y p riv a te rig h t to secrecy as to su ch m a tte rs as costs, profits, wage rates, an d
w orking a n d liv in g conditions.
Supervision and Regulation.
/GOVERNMENT action should, in the judgment of the commission, go bejmnd fact finding and publicity, and include super
vision and regulation.
A n th ra c ite .—The fundamental evil in the anthracite branch of the
industry is that of monopoly. Reliance upon competition without
supervision has resulted in making anthracite a luxury fuel. Sta
bility has been obtained but at too high a cost to the consumer.
The commission's special report on anthracite discloses such inequal
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F IN A L REPO RT OF U N IT E D STATES COAL C O M M ISSIO N .
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ities in the wages of miners as to require a thorough revision of the
wage scale, some miners are receiving wages much higher than
those in comparable occupations, while the wages of others fal'1
far short of what is needed to furnish a living in accordance with
American standards. The report discloses, together with these
unsatisfactory conditions, excessive royalties and differential profits.
Limitation of margins to a reasonable return on legitimate invest
ment arid elimination of monopoly profits, whether in the form of
royalties, operators’ and dealers’ margins, or freight rates, are,
therefore, in the opinion of the commission, perfectly reasonable
demands of the public.
As a possible remedy in the hands of the Government, short of
Government ownership, the commission suggests the levy of a graded
tax on royalties and differential profits. This would not lower the
price of coal, but it would secure a public revenue without increasing
the price of coal. The main remedy, however, against extortionate
prices lies in the consumer himself through the use of hard coal sub
stitutes.
B itu m in o u s .—The fundamental evil in the soft-coal branch of the
industry, in the estimation of the commission, is overdevelopment,
irregularity of operation, and consequent enforced idleness of miners
and of invested capital. This problem, like that of the anthracite,
can be solved only by the Federal Government in cooperation with
the industry, working on a national scale and with a clearly defined
policy. Through the granting and withholding of transportation
service and through supervision, an equilibrium can be established
between demand and output. The commission suggests that the
information collected as above proposed be utilized as a basis for
determining where and when the public convenience and necessity
demand coal supplies, so that instead of the car supply being diverted
to high-cost “ snow-bird” mines and away from well-developed and
normally functioning mines at the moment when high prices and
scarcity make mining profitable, the limited car supply and motive
power can be concentrated at the places where they can be used to
best advantage. This distribution of cars could be effected through
authority already inherent in the Interstate Commerce Commission.
A still better policy, in the opinion of the commission, would be to
secure such regularity of production and storage as to prevent scarcity
and high prices. With a steadily increasing demand, encouragement
could and would, in the opinion of the commission, be given to the
normal opening of new mines on a permanent rather than a tem
porary basis.
To a certain extent there already exists a type of regulation of coal
distribution through the regulation of interstate commerce, which
has a direct effect on prices. There is positive control of the distribu
tion of bituminous coal among the markets, inherent in freight rates,
a regulation under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. The freight-rate differential may exceed the difference in
mine costs, so that the rate largely determines both the market and
the market price.
The most practicable method of exercising the right of control over
interstate commerce in coal appears, in the judgment of the com
mission, to be the licensing of all who desire to ship coal from one
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W ,
State to another or to buy and sell in interstate commerce, whether
as operators, wholesalers, or jobbers. Reasonable conditions,logi
cally growing out of the inherent power of the Government and
implied in its exercise, would naturally be attached to the granting
of the licenses and violation of them would be cause for suspending
or revoking them.
General Recommendations.
’“THE commission’s findings and conclusions dealing with all phases
*■
of the coal problem appear in detail in its separate reports.
These are restated in part in its final report, grouped, as they are
addressed, to the three parties in interest, i. e., the general public in
its governing capacity; the industry itself—operators, miners, and
wholesale and retail dealers; and the consumers—railroads, public
utilities, and other industries, and the citizens who buy coal.
Government Action,
The commission recommends:
(1) That Congress make definite provision on a permanent basis
for continuing the collection of coal facts both to instruct public
opinion and to guide the administrative correction of abuses.
(2) Because of the intimate relation between coal mining and trans
portation, the Interstate Commerce Commission is, in the judgment
of the commission, the logical agency to exercise such regulatory
powers over the coal industry as are necessary to the public interest.
(3) Encouragement of water transportation of coal. The use of
Federal powers in the control of unfair competition on the part of
the railroads, in accordance with the policy expressed in the trans
portation act, “ to promote, encourage and develop water trans
portation service and facilities in connection with the commerce of
the United States,” deserves serious consideration.
(4) Supplying of each market with the coal nearest to it. Dis
couragement of the long haul of coal by readjustment of rates to
reestablish more natural relations between the elements of cost and
service. Much soft coal is transported beyond its natural market,
often passing across other fields producing coal of a similar character.
Artificial zoning of coal is not considered desirable because of the
demand for different kinds of coal for special purposes.
(5) Best use of available car supply and motive power. The need
for furnishing an economic incentive for regular off-season purchase
and storage of bituminous coal, thus increasing the length of the
average working year for both miner and mine and so reducing costs
of production and prices to the consumer, is compelling. The most
promising method of attaining this end is by giving a controlling
influence to the commercial factor in the distribution of railroad cars
to coal mines in times of transportation shortage. By this change
first consideration would be given to the commercial ability of the
producer to sell coal rather than mere ability to produce and load it
into railroad cars. While the primary duty of determining a just and
reasonable rating lies with the railroad which distributes the cars, the
method of rating suggested involves a principle of sufficient concern
to justify investigation of the entire subject by the Interstate Coin
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f in a l r epo et of u n it e d states coal c o m m issio n .
21
merce Commission on its own motion. Removal of the peak load
which the coal mines impose upon the railroads is a task in which the
Government needs to cooperate with industry in seeking possible
relief from irregular operation and overdevelopment.
(6) The Federal Government, as administrator of the public estate
which includes 50,000,000 acres of coal lands, has a direct responsi
bility in restraining overdevelopment. The leasing law should be
amended to give the Secretary of the Interior full discretion to make
his approval of the opening of a new coal mine on the public domain
contingent upon the showing before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission that such a mine would serve the public and not involve a
needless investment and excessive cost of operation.
(7) It is recommended that “ Congress designate an agency to unite
with the industry in continuing studies of unemployment, as an effect
of irregular operation, of the rate structure, serving as the medium of
publicity for rate information in the nonunion fields as well as of all
other basic facts on which industrial relations depend. With continu
ous investigation of this type the Government agency is best prepared
to make, under authority of the President, the special compulsory
investigation whenever the prospect of failure to renew an agreement
is imminent, and with continuous publicity of this type the people
will be best prepared to focus upon the negotiators the irresistible
moral pressure implicit in their joint obligation to furnish the public
with coal.”
(8) To the end that hazards in coal mining may be reduced, State
and Federal Governments must cooperate in inspection, revision of
mining codes, supervision of compensation insurance, and safety
education. State inspection must be freed from politics. Some State
codes need revision, and unification is essential to remove unfair
competition based on different operating costs under the wddely
varying safety standards in neighboring States. Cooperation with
the Federal Bureau of Mines to this end is recommended. Rigid
enforcement of regulation based on present knowledge is imperative.
(9) Encouragement of larger units of production. The consolida
tion, grouping, or pooling of bituminous operations should be not
only permitted but encouraged, with a view to securing more steady
production, less speculative prices, a wider use of long-term con
tracts with consumers, better living conditions, more regular em
ployment, and lower costs. The legal barriers to such consolida
tions should, in the judgment of the commission, be removed, re
taining, however, the necessary protection to the public interest, by
requiring supervision of the financial structure of the consolidation.
In this way low and high cost mines may be combined, keeping the
latter in reserve for periods of emergency and limiting current
operation wdien demand is normal to low-cost mines. The daily
output of the average mine is only four cars. The railroads justly
complain of the extra gathering service required to serve so large a
number of small and scattered mines.
(10) Efficient local coal distribution. It is the function of each
community by licensing retail coal dealers, by organizing cooperative
associations, by establishing municipal fuel yards, or in whatever
other wrays they may see fit, to take the necessary steps so that after
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
tlie coal reaches the railroad siding the distribution to the consumer
is made upon a fair and equitable profit to the distributing agency,
whatever it may be.
There is neither constitutional nor economic warrant for the Federal Government
undertaking the distribution of coal in the several communities of the country.
Democracy must pay the price, and one of the prices exacted of it is that the citizens
of a community shall look after their own welfare and discharge their own duties.
Action by Industry.
In the judgment of the commission the largest opportunity and
the largest responsibility for putting the coal industry in order lies
with the industry itself.
The coal industry, the commission finds, reveals two distinct and
contrasting tendencies in management. One type of operator is
animated by a purely acquisitive and exploiting spirit, with no other
apparent end in view than to make money for the owners.
Quick to make the most of any panic among buyers, of any opportunity to pyramid
sales, to sell adulterated coal, or to cut the wages of miners, this type of operator and
dealer resents public interference or public knowledge of his business. He is rightly
called a profiteer and the public instinct which demands that he be exposed and
curbed and ultimately forced out of business is sound. But besides profiteering,
there is also in the coal industry, as in other industries which exploit natural resources
or other differential advantages, a less conspicuous but equally unjustifiable element
in the cost to the consumer.
A substantial part of the amount paid in royalties and in excess profits represents a
return to owners of wealth who perform therefor no useful social service and who take
no part in production. This form of ownership does not increase efficiency or economy
or conservation. It does not contribute to the mining of coal or to making it cheaper.
There is no way in which this first deduction from the value of the product can be
forcibly prevented, as far as this commission is aware, except through Government
ownership, which we believe to be both undesirable and impracticable, or by taxa
tion on the excess profits and royalties, which we recommend, although with no ex
pectation that it will be completely effective as a remedy. Not through governmental
coercion but through the enlightened self-interest of producers and consumers, the
real remedy is to be sought. The coal industry can reform itself from within.
The second tendency mentioned by the commission and the one
which the commission is convinced is clearly in the ascendant, is that
toward management for effective service to the public, rather than
exclusively for profit. The operators are increasingly coming to
realize their duty as citizens and their enlightened self-interest in
establishing such a spirit of cooperation as will promote the pros
perity of the industry with direct benefit to the public.
To pay fair wages, to remove the causes for the sullen hostility which prevails to
an astonishing extent among workers, adding a larger and unnecessary element to
the cost of coal, to make mining a safer occupation even if this means slowing down
production, to sell at a reasonable price that will bring a fair return to investors with
steady operation of the mines, to establish a reputation for clean and well-prepared
fuel, to standardize fair practices in contracts between seller and buyer, to lay out
and develop the mines in such a way as to conserve and economize the coal and to
bring it to the market at the least expense, to come through clean as an industry
capable of solving its own problems, with a minimum of governmental supervision—
all this is already clearly in the minds of many operators, miners, and dealers.
The commission has greater confidence in such internal organiza
tion and such educational work as will promote these remedies than
in any which it is within the power of Congress or legislatures to apply.
The commission summarizes its engineering studies by saying
that “ in the intelligent initial planning of coal mines and their
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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FINAL REPO RT OF U N IT E D STATES COAL C O M M ISS IO N .
23
proper management under engineering control will be found the
requisites of conservation of resource, of safety for both men and
mine, and of efficient and profitable operation. The best managed
mine has the minimum of friction with its employees. Good engi
neering, which includes wise management of men as well as the
handling of material, can work out reforms underground far more
important than much that is apparent at the surface.” To this
end the commission recommends that the industry invite the best
technically trained men, with a view to raising the standards of
the operating side of coal mining.
A fuller appreciation of the common interest of mine worker and
operator is urged—in matters of mine safety, for example, where
the responsibility of the management to equip and operate the mine
With every safety precaution must be matched by individual re
sponsibility by every foreman and worker. Other opportunities
for cooperative effort are in the continuous operation of the m in e part-time operation causes increased costs to the operator and de
creased earnings to the miners—and in the betterment of conditions
outside the mine. Living conditions can not be standardized but
they can be greatly improved.
Water should be more generally brought into the houses to save work for housewives
and to encourage cleanliness. Bathhouses at the mines should be required in all
States. There should be more good roads. Sewers should be provided where the
expense_ is not prohibitive and far better sanitary arrangements where sewers are
impracticable. Mining camps and towns are not rural in any proper sense even
when they are small. Fresh milk and fresh vegetables should form a larger part of the
ordinary diet of the miner’s family. The dirty one-cow dairy should be inspected
and cleaned up or abolished. Education in the elementary principles of diet, the
choice and preparation of foods, is sorely needed. Facilities for healthy outdoor
recreation should be very greatly increased. Schools should be improved. Many
companies have given attention to this, supplementing the local public resources for
education; nevertheless, many mining communities do not furnish the amount or kind
of elementary education which the public opinion of all our States demands for future
citizens.
When all has been said the mining camps and towns are in too many cases dreary and
depressing places in which to live. They need not be, as the well-planned and
well-maintained camps of successful and progressive operators have abundantly shown,
even in the face of difficult topographical conditions. If there were more community
spirit and community planning they could be made not only livable but cheerful.
Even a short-lived community is_likely to last through a generation, and some of the
worst conditions are in fields having an expectancy of 100 years.
Experience has demonstrated that homes need not be chucked helter skelter together
against the tipple and railroad tracks. Tire community can be laid out attractively
with protected lawns and. gardens, often with ample space between dwellings, with
convenient buildings for common use, and, what is of the greatest importance, with
good roads for communication 'with the outside world.
This responsibility is not, in the judgment of the commission, all on
the employer even when lie is the landlord. “ The miners will have
better living conditions when they demand them and do their part
in getting them.”
In the labor relations of operators and miners the commission rec
ommends, through miners’ and operators’ organizations, the study of
the problem of unemployment and joint effort toward stabilization
of the industry; the study by joint committees of the whole rate struc
ture and its relation to the different jobs in the mines; the perfection
of machinery for the settlement of disputes through conciliation or
voluntary arbitration, with the adoption in the nonunion fields of
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24
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
adequate checks on the exercise of the right to discharge. More
attention on the part of the operators to the problem of labor adjust
ment is recommended. The success of many companies in establish
ing good labor relations warrants special attention to the training of
foremen in management and to the centering of responsibility in labor
relations. The operators also need more effective organization for
labor relations. I t is suggested that district and national labor com
missioners—men of the highest type, who can work out a national
labor policy—be selected. “ If the Sherman antitrust law prevents the
operators from combining together for the purpose of collective bar
gaining with the miners, which the commission does not believe is the
case, then Congress should exempt them from the operation of the law
for that purpose.”
A collective bargaining system providing for national negotiation
and district agreements which will avoid standard-cutting wars
between districts and secure adequate flexibility to meet necessary
district conditions, is suggested.
With respect to the check-off, the commission says:
There are valid objections to the check-off, especially in the collection of fines and
assessments, and it has also injurious effect upon the union in divorcing the problem
of income from the winning of membership, and in the resulting lack of closeness of
contact and of educational service and control by the higher officers to the lower
officers, and to the rank and file members of the union; yet the check-off is not vital
enough to justify a suspension of operations, whether the union is seeking to extend its
use or the operators seeking to throw it out.
And of the workers7 organization it is the opinion of the commis
sion that—
The history of the past 30 years affords conclusive evidence that the United Mine
Workers of America has been the potent agency in the betterment of the miners’ work
ing and living conditions, and it is necessary to-day for the protection of the standards
that have been attained. However, unless the union accepts in practice the principle
that the public interest is superior to that of any monopolistic group, whether employ
ers or employees, and gives satisfactory guaranties of a fair and orderly adjustment of
controversies in other ways than by the exercise of economic force, the public will not
view with sympathy the efforts of the union to extend itself over the whole field of the
industry.
Action by Consumer.
Some responsibility for excessive costs is placed upon the consumer,
and the cure for existing conditions is, in the judgment of the com
mission, to some extent in his hands. The following recommenda
tions, briefly summarized, are therefore addressed to consumers:
(1) The removal of the peak demand by buying for regular delivery
and balancing seasonal variations in consumption by storage. (2)
The purchase of coal on contract, which must be a fixed obligation
with respect to both delivery and acceptance of tonnage. No shipper
with contract commitments should enter the spot market until he has
fully discharged his contract obligations. Buyers should not shut off
contract shipments while they purchase lower priced spot coal. (3)
Thrift in the use of coal, and to this end the utilization of scientific
and engineering facts on fuel economy.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1014]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
25
The Automobile Industry: Methods That Have Revolutionized Manu
facturing.
r" p .H E economic and industrial consequences of the development of
the automobile industry in the past quarter of a century to the
A point where 13,000,000 motor cars and trucks are now in use
in the United States, with an annual demand for over 3,000,000 new
ones, are described in an article on the automobile industry by
William J. Showalter in the National Geographic Magazine for Octo
ber, 1923 (pp. 337-414). Some startling figures as to the present
use of automobiles are given by the writer. Since 1898 the number
of automobiles in proportion to the population has increased from
one car to every 18,000 to one to every 8 persons. There are five
automobiles for every freight car and passenger car on the railroads of
the United States, and to put them all on the Lincoln Highway from
the Hudson Eiver to the Golden Gate would require that 15 cars
should be placed abreast for the entire distance of 3,305 miles. The
aggregate mileage, conservatively estimated on a basis of 20 miles
a day 10 months in the year for each car, amounts to 78,000,000,000
miles annually, while it is estimated that the gas consumption by
motor cars this year will exceed 6,000,000,000 gallons.
The automobile industry gives direct employment to more than a
million men and indirectly to two or three times as many. It buys
most of the country’s production of plate glass, a large amount of
its iron and steel, most of its aluminum, and a large amount of leather,
while it gives the railroads more freight to carry than it takes from
them. The extent to which the development of this industry has
revolutionized manufacturing as well as created a demand for other
products can be realized by a consideration of the results of the need
for quantity production. In the early days of automobile construc
tion the material for the assembly of a car was dumped together on
the floor where the automobile was to be set up. Then the overhead
trolley system and division of labor was inaugurated, and by succes
sive improvements in handling material and performing operations
the time required for assembling cars was enormously reduced. In
one plant 12 hours and 28 minutes were required by early methods to
assemble a chassis, which by successive stages has been reduced to
1 hour and 33 minutes. In another large plant the chassis assembly
line moves at the rate of 6 feet per minute and has 45 operations.
The man who places a part does not fasten it, so that a bolt is put in
by one man, the nut put on by another, and the nut tightened by
still another. Before the end of the line is reached the engine is
oiled, supplied with gas, the radiator filled with water, a pair of rollers
starts the wheels to spinning, the engine turns over, and the car
glides away under its own power and with a driver at the wheel.
A great amount of special machinery has been devised to produce
the parts in the enormous quantities needed. For example, a stamp
ing press which exerts a pressure of 225 tons turns out 2,700 fenders
a day, or at the rate of 5 a minute. The operation is so accurate that
the fender does not require any finishing touches but is ready to be
enameled when the pressure is released. A big engine-block boring
machine bores some 50 holes of various sizes and in four directions at
a single operation, while an automatic hide-measuring machine com
putes the square footage of a hide with all its irregularities. As the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1015]
26
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
hide passes through the machine every square inch is automatically
noted and the total is registered on the dial in front of the operator.
Formerly, fitting and soldering the 95 tubes in a radiator by hand was a
long operation requiring the services of many skilled men, while now a
machine has been invented which makes 1,200 radiator cores in 8 hours,
the soldering being done by moving the radiator through a furnace
on a metal conveyor and thus eliminating the tinsmith entirely.
While the standardization of parts and the installation of machines
capable of turning out these parts in such enormous quantities has
resulted in the elimination of many of the skilled mechanical jobs, it
has not operated to reduce employment. It is estimated that a single
plant in the industry would need 2,000,000 workmen if the old-time
hand methods were in use where now less than 100,000 are employed,
and that the cheapest car would then cost nearly as much as the most
expensive one now costs, so that owning an automobile would be
beyond the means of millions of persons who now own them.
The question of deadened initiative in the workman through the
loss of special skill and because of the monotony of the work is raised
by many people. The writer, who spent many months of observa
tion and inspection in the largest automobile factories in this country,
states that a thorough study in one factory did not reveal a single case
of a man’s mind being deadened or twisted by such repetitive work.
The effect of the increase in the number of automobiles is believed
by the writer to be far-reaching in its effects on our national life.
In 1909 when there were less than 300,000 cars in the country the
national income amounted to less than $29,000,000,000, while now
with more than 13,000,000 registered cars the national income is
approximately $60,000,000,000. As a nation we spend more for
automobiles than for railroad transportation, shelter, heat, and light,
or for any other item of the budget except clothing and meats. The
savings-bank deposits and all other indexes of economic welfare,
moreover, tell the same stor}^ as to the increase in our national wealth.
The ease with which the automobile bridges distances has made
great changes in the life of the people. Cities are spreading out and
it has become possible for workers in the large cities to live in the coun
try and enjoy all the advantages which accrue to country and subur
ban life, such as cheaper rents and better living conditions. A similar
change has occurred on the farms and the farmers and their families
are no longer cut off from the pleasures of city life. High schools are
spreading into the rural districts and the advantages of systematic sec
ondary education are becoming more readily available. Sixty-five
per cent of the farmers in Pennsylvania own automobiles and the per
centages are similar in other States.
Many industrial leaders are said to realize the value of car ownership
to their employees and encourage them to buy homes where houses
are detached and where they can have their own automobiles. The
president of a large locomotive works lias told his workmen that he
wishes all of them to have initiative enough to own cars.
Summing up the general effects of the development of the industry,
the writer says:
Starting out as a plaything, transformed, into a luxury, and then becoming, in turn,
a definite element in our standard of living, the motor vehicle has assumed the role of
a highly efficient factor in our transportation system, touching the lives and promoting
the welfare of America as few developments in the history of any nation have done.
[ 1016 ]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
27
Report on Joint industrial Councils in England.
HE English Ministry of Labor has recently issued a report1 on
the establishment and progress of the joint industrial councils
which were formed in accordance with the recommendations of
the so-called Whitley Committee. This committee, which began its
work in 1916, was specially commissioned to consider methods of
improving permanently the relations between employers and work
men. It issued five reports, the last being published in 1918, in
which it blocked out a plan for cooperation between the workers
and the employers in handling matters over which disagreements
might arise. The basis of the scheme was organization on both sides.
T
An essential condition of securing a permanent improvement in the relations
between employers and employed is that there should be adequate organization on the
part of both employers and workpeople. * * * What is wanted is that the work
people should have a greater opportunity of participation in the discussion about and
adjustment of those parts of industry by which they are most affected.
The scheme contemplated organization by industries, each estab
lishment of a given industry to have works committees, formed of
representatives of employers and workers, for handling the problems
of the individual plant. Above these were to be district councils,
uniting the plants of a given district, and, for the industry as a whole,
a national joint industrial council to consider and pass upon general
questions.
In the Ministry of Labor study the successive reports of the Whitley
Committee are reviewed, and some account is given of the extent to
which they have been carried out. In all, 73 "joint industrial coun
cils were formed, and the dates at which they were organized seem to
reflect clearly the changing industrial conditions. Twenty were
formed in 1918; then came the post-war unsettlement and the brief
trade boom, and 32 councils were formed in 1919; by the middle of
1920, industry was slowing down, and that year saw the formation
of 16 new joint councils; in 1921, the number of new councils sank
to five, and in 1922 there were none. Fifteen of the 73 councils have
ceased to function. In view of the unexampled industrial depres
sion from which England has been suffering, it is held that the figures
offer strong testimony to the excellence of the plan.
* *
The success of the movement may be judged in part from the fact that
in the period covered by this report 73 joint industrial councils have been established,
covering many important industries and services and including municipal and the
Imperial Government services. Accurate statistics are not available as to district
councils and works committees, but it is computed that up to the end of 1921 not
fewer than 150 district councils had been established, * * * while the number
of works committees is probably well over 1,000. * * *
Of the 73 joint industrial councils, 15 are not at present functioning. In certain
of these cases the council during its existence did valuable work, such as the deter
mination of the basis of future wage negotiations, and moreover a number of district
councils are continuing to function in industries where the national body has ceased
to operate. Having regard to the very difficult conditions through which industry
lias been passing during the last few years, it is a matter of congratulation that so
many councils have withstood the strain. The aggregate number of workpeople
covered by the joint industrial councils and interim industrial reconstruction coun
cils (a temporary form of joint body established in the less organized industries) at
present actively functioning is estimated to be about three million.
1 G reat B rita in . M inistry of L abor.
councils, 1917-1922. London. 1923.
67055°—23-----3
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R eport on th e estab lish m en t an d progress of jo in t in dustrial
[1017]
28
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The councils have, so far, been largely concerned with questions
of wages, hours, and working conditions. A number of the councils
undertook, as one of their earliest tasks, the standardization of wage,
rates throughout the industry. In 23 different industries a settle
ment of minimum or standard rates for the industry was arrived at
or approved by the joint bodies, and in addition general adjustments
of wages have from time to time been made by the great majority of
the councils. In 17 industries the joint councils put into effect
sliding scales under which wages are regulated in accordance with
changes in the cost of living.
The question of working hours has been much to the front since
the war, and a number of joint councils have taken up the matter
of establishing a standard week throughout the i n d u s t r y I n 30
industries they have agreed upon such a week, and in a majority of
these the hours determined upon involved a reduction of the former
working time. In no case does their standard week exceed 48
hours, in 15 industries it is 47, and in a few it is 42 or 44. In general,
hours for shift workers differ from those for day workers, but do not
exceed 48 per week. Provision for annual holidays with pay, whether
or not overtime should be permitted and how it should be paid, fines
for tardiness, and the notice an employee may claim before dismissal
are other matters on which, in various industries, they have passed.
The stronger councils have taken up a number of matters of more
general interest, though handling them, of course, primarily from the
standpoint of the particular industry concerned. The whole subject
of unemployment, research, and statistical inquiry into the position
of their own industries, the study of apprenticeship methods, the
problem of the workers whose apprenticeships were interrupted by
the war, plans for technical training, and a variety of similar matters
have been studied by different councils.
One of the functions specially assigned to the joint industrial
councils by the Whitley committee was the “ establishment of regular
methods for negotiation for issues arising between employers and
workpeople, with a view both to the prevention of differences and to
their better adjustment when they appear.” This has provided an
important field of activity. A large number of councils have pro
vided that no stoppage of work shall take place until the question
in dispute has been brought before the joint council. Some have
adopted formal procedure for mediation, conciliation, and, if neces
sary, arbitration, while others merely provide for bringing disputes
before the council with as little delay as possible. Along these lines
they have accomplished much.
The work of the councils and reconstruction committees in preventing stoppages of
work has been attended with a very considerable measure of success—a fact due in
the main to the task of mediation being undertaken by the members of the industry
themselves with the minimum of formality and delay. It must also be borne in mind
that in many cases where the establishment of special machinery has not been con
sidered necessary, the mere existence of a joint industrial council on which the organi
zations on both sides are constantly in touch has been effective in obviating dis
putes. * * * The fuller acquaintance which results from regular intercourse on
joint industrial councils or committees between the leaders of either side greatly
diminishes the opportunity for disputes to arise through lack of good will or of
mutual understanding. Further, the fact of such matters being liable to discussion
by either side of the council or by the council itself in full session renders it difficult
for an individual association or group of persons to maintain an unreasonable attitude
toward other parties similarly engaged in the industry.
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[ 1018 ]
LABOE CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA,
29
. Some space is devoted to a discussion of why, in 17 industries, the
joint council broke down. The violent fluctuations in wages and
volume of trade, and the abnormal character of both the war and
the post-war periods imposed a severe strain on even well-established
machinery for industrial negotiations, and to this strain the councils
were subjected without any preliminary period in which to build up
confidence in their fairness and effectiveness. Three principal reasons
are assigned for failure.
In the main the causes of breakdown resolve themselves into ineffective organiza
tion, the difficulties of wa»e adjustments, and the divergence of sectional and dis
trict interests on the councils. All these three causes are interrelated.
The Whitley plan presupposed complete organization of both em
ployers and employees, but in some of the industries in which councils
were established the organization of one or both sides was too recent
to have developed effective and smoothly functioning machinery.
The division of authority between the central council and the district
and local bodies presented difficulties, and in some cases employers
and employees were so loosely organized that neither side could really
pledge its constituents to the observance of any collective agreement.
The wages question presented special difficulties because before the
war rates were usually fixed on a district basis with local variations.
During the war there was a tendency to fix a uniform national rate,
or, where conditions varied widely, to grade areas according to
economic conditions affecting the industry in question, and to fix
rates for these grades. This practice was far more popular with the
workers than with the em ployers.
The insistence of trade-unions on the determination of rates on a national scale
and the refusal of the employers’ associations to concur in this procedure was respon
sible for the collapse of a number of councils.
The divergence of interests within a council was due to varying
conditions within the industry. Large employers often felt that
their interests demanded other conditions than small employers in
the same industry wanted. Country and city conditions vary, and
the customs of one part of the country are often unacceptable to
workers in the same industry in another part. On the workers’ side
there were differences between the various unions represented in an
industry. Notwithstanding these differences and occasional failures,
however, it is felt that the councils have been useful.
In conclusion, it may be observed that, even where councils have ceased to func
tion, the effect of their work is still felt in a number of instances, as in the determina
tion of the general basis of wages and in the still active district councils or works com
mittees established under the segis of the national council, and, moreover, the experi
ence of such councils has brought out some of the weaknesses and difficulties of the
scheme which the passage of time and altered circumstances may overcome.
Labor Conditions in South Africa.
HE Official Year Book of the Union of South Africa for 1922
contains some account of labor conditions in that country,
bringing its data up to the close of 1921. The whole labor
situation, it points out, is materially affected by the presence of
native, Asiatic, and other colored workers, who largely outnumber
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1019 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
30
the whites of the working classes. The development of the country
has been largely dependent upon this supply of cheap labor, and
nearly all the rough and unskilled work of the country is in their
hands. These colored workers have in many instances shown
themselves capable of skilled and high-grade work, but their chief
importance to the country is as cheap, unskilled laborers. They are
said to be employed in practically every industrial and agricultural
occupation in the Union. White workers are mainly employed in
the skilled trades, or are used as supervisors of the native labor.
The wages of unskilled labor are fixed on the basis of what the
colored worker is held to need. Consequently the unskilled white
worker, who has appeared in the towns in greater numbers, since the
war, who has European standards of living but is able to earn only
wages fixed on the basis of a much lower standard, presents a difficult
problem.
Judging by the figures of the employment exchanges, the South
African Union did not share in the brief period of high industrial
activity which, in the United States and England, immediately
followed the war. For the three years 1919 to 1921 the appplications for work and for workers were respectively as follows:
W O R K O F SO U T H A F R IC A N E M P L O Y M E N T E X C H A N G E S , 1919 TO 1921.
Item .
A pplications for em p lo y m en t...................................................................................
A pplications for em ployees................................................ ......................................
N um b er placed............................................. ....... .......................................................
1919
1920
15,577
8,416
5,469
20,708
9,168
6,590
1921
33,729
13,970
12,711
The number of applications for work increased far more rapidly
during the period than did the number of applications for workers,
while the percentage which placements formed of those applying
for work varied from 31.8 in 1920 to 37.7 in 1921. In 1921 by far
the largest number of applicants for employment—11,607—came
from the group classed as “ handy men and unskilled laborers,’7 the
next largest, 3,820, were from the engineering trades, and the build
ing trades furnished 1,839. Of those placed during the year, 8,191,
were handy men and unskilled laborers, 473 came from the engineeringtrades, and 439 from the building trades.
Few data are given in regard to the extent of unemployment and
the means taken to relieve it. In 1920 a large amount of unemploy
ment existed in the Union, “ due in varying degree to a closing down
of a number of the low-grade mines, the restriction of diamond min
ing, the inability of returned soldiers and others to find work, and
the financial depression which manifested itself toward the end of
the year.” A commission appointed to investigate the situation
and to suggest remedies, issued its report in May, 1922. The pre
vailing unemployment, it held, was largely due to the financial and
economic unsettlement following the war, but unemployment had
special social dangers in a country like South Africa, with its large
native population. The “ poor whites” were recognized as present
ing a serious problem, and several suggestions were made for dealing
with them, including plans for settling them on the land, providing
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[ 1020 ]
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
31
aid of various kinds for such settlers, establishing forced labor colonies,
and providing State-supported homes. As to the general problem
of unemployment, the recommendations were not very specific.
Investigations to learn the number of unemployed, indigent, feeble
minded and otherwise incapable people in the Union were advised,
and likewise a survey of the agricultural and industrial possibilities
of the country. Stress was laid on the need for extensive vocational
training of the young, the desirability of assisting the mining indus
tries in every way, the importance of readjusting tariffs so as to
encourage industrial expansion, and the provision of cheap trans
port and marketing facilities to aid farmers and check the drift away
from the land. The placing of all Government contracts within
the Union was advised, and one rather unusual provision dealt with
marriage:
That marriage of the feeble-minded and of males under 21 should be prohibited,
and that the marriage of males under the age of 25 should be as far as possible discour
aged.
A study of the wages of European adult male workers shows that
nominal wages followed in South Africa the course which was observed
elsewhere. From the outbreak of the war they rose steadily, reach
ing their peak in 1920, when they stood at 64 per cent above the 1914
level, and in 1921 showed a decline. The cost of living, however,
fell more rapidly than wages, so that, in purchasing value, wage
rates were higher in 1921 than in 1920.
For European employees, hours have of late years tended toward
uniformity throughout the Union and in the various occupations,
and at present for the majority of industrial workers, weekly hours
range from 44 to 48. The factory laws permit a week of 50 hours.
For street-car employees the range is 44 to 56.
Artisans in the employ of the largest municipalities work either a 44 or a 48 hour
week.. In executive postal employ weekly hours range from 42 to 48. A working
week of from 42 to 48 hours is now the rule for shop assistants. * * * In clerical
occupations a working week of 39 hours is observed in the public service, on the rail
ways and in the principal municipalities. In other branches of clerical employment
the working hours vary widely, though a large number of clerical employees observe
a 39-hour working week. Other weekly hours worked range from 40 to 52, a working
week of 44 or 4 4 \ hours reflecting the position in the case of a considerable number
of employees.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1021]
P R IC E S A N D C O S T O F LIVING,
Retail Prices oi Food in the United States.
HE following tables are based on figures which have been received
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from retail dealers through
monthly reports of actual selling prices.1
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food September
15, 1922, and August 15 and September 15, 1923, as well as the per
centage changes in the year and in the month. For example, the
price of flour per pound was 4.9 cents in September, 1922, 4.5 cents
in August, 1923, and 4.5 cents in September, 1923. These figures
show a decrease of 8 per cent in the year, but no change during the
month.
The cost of the various articles of food 2 combined show an increase
of 7 per cent September, 1923, as compared with September, 1922,
and an increase of 2 per cent September, 1923, as compared with
August, 1923.
T
T able 1.—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T O F
IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923, C O M PA R ED W IT H S E P T E M B E R 15,
1922, A N D A U G U ST 15, 1923.
[P ercentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent a n d over are given in whole num bers.]
A verage re ta il price on—
Article.
Sirloin ste a k ..............
R ound stea k ..............
R ib ro a s t....................
Chuck ro a st................
P late beef....................
P ork chops.................
Bacon..........................
H a m ............................
L am b, leg of..............
H ens............................
Salmon, canned, red
Milk, fresh .................
Milk, evaporated___
B u tte r.........................
O leom argarine..........
N u t m arg arin e..........
C heese.........................
L a rd .............................
U n it.
Sept. 15,
1922.
Aug. 15,
1923.
C en ts.
C en ts.
S ept. 15, S ept. 15,
1922.
1923.
A ug. 15,
1923.
C en ts.
41.1
41.1
+6
0
35.5
+6
35.5
0
29.4
29. 2
+5
+1
21.1
20.8
+6
+1
+4
12.7
13. 1
+3
32. 1
36.7
+ 14
+ 1
-2
39.2
39.4
+1
46.3
46.6
-4
+1
37. 2
37. 5
+4
+1
34.5
35. 0
+ 0 .3
+1
-1
31. 2
31.3
+0.
13. 7
14.0
+7
+2
12. 2
12. 2
+ 13
0
51.8
55.0
+ 18
+6
29.2
29.3
+0.
+5
27.6
27.7
+3
+0.
+2
36.3
37.0
+ 15
17.1
17.9
+4
+5
!In add itio n to m o n th ly retail prices of food a n d coal, th e b ureau secures prices of gas a nd d ry goods
from each of 51 cities an d for electricity from 32 cities. These prices are published a t q uarterly intervals
in th e M onthly L abor R e v ie w .
2
T he following 22 articles, weighted according to th e consum ption of th e average fam ily, have been
used from Jan u ary , 1913, to D ecember, 1920: Sirloin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, p late beef,
pork chops, bacon, h a m , lard , hens, flour, com m eal, eggs, b utter, m ilk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice,
coflee, and tea. T he rem ainder of th e 43 articles show n in Tables 1 and 2 have been included in th e w eighted
aggregates for each m o n th beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921.
32
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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 ...............
Q u a rt...............
15-16-oz. c a n ..
P o u n d .............
___d o ...............
---- d o ...............
___d o ...............
___d o ...............
P er cent of in
crease ( + ) or d e
crease ( —) Sept.
15, 1923, com pared
w ith—
[ 1022]
38.7
33.6
28.1
20.0
12.6
36.4
40.4
48.4
35.9
34.9
31.7
13.1
10. 8
46.7
27.8
26.8
32.1
17.2
RETAIL PRICES OE POOD.
33
T able 1 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S AND P E R C E N T O F
IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923, C O M PA R E D W IT H S E P T E M B E R 15
1922, AN D A U G U ST 15,1923—Concluded.
Average retail price on—
A rticle.
U n it.
Sept. 15, A ug. 15,
1922.
1923.
C e n ts .
V egetable la rd su b stitu te
Eggs, stric tly fresh..........
B r e a d ...............................
F lo u r...................................
Corn m e a l.........................
R olled o ats........................
Corn flakes.........................
W heat cereal.....................
M acaroni............................
R ice.....................................
Beans, n a v y ......................
P otato es..............................
O nions................................
Cabbage.............................
Beans, b a k ed ....................
Corn, canned_______ ___
Peas, canned.....................
Tom atoes, canned...........
Sugar, g ran u lated ............
T e a ......................................
Coffee..................................
P ru n es................................
R aisin s...............................
B an a n a s..............................
Oranges.............................. .
P o u n d ............
D ozen........... .
P o u n d .............
........d o ............. .
........d o ...............
........d o ...............
8-ounce pkg.
28-ounce pkg.
P o u n d .............
........d o ..............
........d o ............. .
........d o ..............
........d o ...............
........d o ...............
No. 2 c a n ........
........d o ...............
........d o ...............
........d o ...............
P o u n d .............
........d o ...............
........d o ...............
........d o . ............
____d o ...............
Dozen...............
........d o ...............
A 11articles combined 1
23.0
44.8
8.7
4.9
3.9
8.7
9.8
25.6
19.9
9.6
10.8
2.3
5.1
3.7
13.4
15.3
17.5
13.1
7.9
68. 2
36. 2
20.9
22.1
34.0
64.8
C e n ts .
22.8
41.5
8.7
4.5
4.1
8.8
9.7
24.4
19.8
9.4
11.0
3.7
6.5
4.8
12.9
15.4
17.6
13.0
9.6
69.7
37.6
19.0
17.4
38.4
50.9
P e r cent of in
crease ( + ) or de
crease ( —) Sept.
15,1923, com pared
w ith—
Sept. 15, Sept. 15,
1923.
1922.
C e n ts .
23.0
48.6
8.7
4.5
4.2
8 .8
9.7
24.4
19.7
9.5
10.9
3.4
6.2
4.6
12.9
15. 5
17.6
13.0
9.6
69.8
37.6
18.8
17.1
37.8
51.0-
0
+8
0
-8
+8
+1
-1
-5
-1
-1
+1
+48
+ 22
+ 24
-4
+1
+1
-1
+ 22
+2
+4
-1 0
-2 3
+
11
-2 1
+7
A ug. 15,
1923.
+1
+ 17
0
0
0
0
0
-1
+2
+1
-1
-8
-5
-4
0
+1
0
0
0
+ 0.1
0
-1
-2
-2
+ 0.2
+2
JSee note 2, p . 32.
Table 2 shows for the United States average retail prices of specified
food articles on September 15, 1913 and 1914, and on September 15
of each year from 1918 to 1923, together with percentage changes
in September of each of these specified years compared with Sep
tember, 1913. For example, the price per pound of sugar was 5.7
cents in September, 1913; 8 cents in September, 1914; 9.6 cents in
September, 1918; 11 cents in September, 1919; 18.3 cents in Septem
ber, 1920; 7.3 cents in September, 1921; 7.9 cents in September, 1922;
and 9.6 cents in September, 1923. These figures show the following
percentage increases in September of each specified year; 40 per cent
in 1914, 68 per cent in 1918, 93 per cent in 1919, 221 per cent in 1920,
28 per cent in 1921, 39 per cent in 1922, and 68 per cent in 1923.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1023]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
34
T able 2 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
O F IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E S E P T . 15 O F C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D Y E A R S C O M PA R E D
W IT H S E P T . 15, 1913.
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 p e r cent a n d over are given in whole num bers.]
Average retail price Sept. 15—
Article.
P er cent of increase ( + ) or decrease
( —) Sept. 15 of each specified year
com pared w ith Sept. 15,1913.
U n it.
1913 1914 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1914 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923
Sirloin s te a k ..........
R ound s te a k ..........
R ib ro a st.................
Chuck ro a st............
P late beef...............
P ork chops.............
B ac o n ...* ...............
H a m ........................
L am b .......................
H ens........................
Pound.
.. .d o ___
. ..d o ___
. ..d o ___
. .. d o __
. .. d o ___
. ..d o ___
.. . d o .. . .
. ..d o ___
. ..d o ___
Milk, fresh .............. Q u a rt..
(h
B u tte r . . . .............
Pound.
O l p n m a r crq ri n p
20. 2
Cheese. .1 ............... . ..d o ___
L a rd ......................... . ..d o __
s titu te .
Eggs, stric tly fresh
B read.......................
F lo u r.......................
Corn m eal...............
R n llp .il naf.«?
W h p a t pprp.nl
TVfnPflrnni
R ice.........................
P o tato es ......................
O nions.....................
Cabbage .........
C !orn p a n n p d
P pd ,s p a n n p .il
Sugar, gran u lated .
T e a ...........................
Coffee.......................
P rim p « ?
R aisin « ?
B ananas
O ran g e« ?
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
41.7 40.9 46.8 38.9 38.7 41.1
39.8 37.9 43.1 34.4 33.6 35.5
32.7 31.2 34.5 28.6 28.1 29.4
28.4 25.3 27.1 20.5 20.0 21.1
21.9 18.2 18.4 13.3 12.6 13.1
46.1 46.0 50.0 37.6 36.4 36.7
54.5 43.0 40.4 39.4
56.2
51.9 55.2 60.4 51.4 48.4 46.6
36.9 34.6 39.1 32.8 35.9 37.5
39.4 41.4 45.6 38.2 34.9 35.0
1 20 5 1 22 0 130 0 25 4 31 7 31. 3
8.9 8.9 14.3 15.7 17.2 14.1 13.1 14.0
10 0 15.7 13. 5 10. 8 12. 2
37.7 37.7 59.2 65.7 68.6 50.6 46.7 55.0
42.8 41.9 29. 9 27.8 29.3
20 8
28.1 20. 8 27.7
22.1 22.9 36.0 4 s ! o 40.6 32.6 32.1 37.0
16.1 15.6 33.6 38.2 27.9 17.9 17.2 17.9
39.5 33.1 21.3 23.0 23.0
Cts. Cts.
26.3 27.2
23.2 24.6
20.1 20.9
16.4 17.3
12.3 13.0
22.8 23.7
28.1 29.0
28.1 29.1
18.7 19.7
21.5 21.8
+3
+6
+4
+5
H-6
+4
+3
+1
+5
-i-i
1 B o th p in k an d red.
2 15-16 ounce can.
+48 +47
+48, +45
+42 +40
+25 +22
+8 +2
+65 +60
+53 +44
+83 +72
+75 +92
+78 +62
+56
+53
+46
+29
+7
+61
+40
+66
+ 101
+63
+61 +76 +93 +58 +47 +57
0
+57 + 74 +82 +34 +24 +46
+4
-3
+63 +95 +84 +48 +45 +67
+ 109 + 137 +73 + 11 + 7 + 11
+5
3 5-ounce package.
4 28-ounce package.
+78
+86
+72
+65
+ .50
+ 119
+94
+ 115
+ 109
+112
0
Dozen.. 37.7 36.8 58.6 63.2 71.1 50.4 44.8 48.6 - 2
6.4 9 . 9 10.1 11.9 9.6 8.7 8.7 + 14
Pound.
. ..d o __ 3 .3 3.7 6.8 7.3 8.3 5.6 4.9 4.5 + 12
. ..d o __ 3.1 3 .3 6.9 6.7 6.8 4 .4 3.9 4.2 + 6
9 .1 11. 5 9. 9 8.7 8. S
( 3^) ..........
14. 0 14.5 12.0 9. 8 9 .7
V
(4 )
25. 1 30. 4 29.7 25.6 24.4
19. 4 22. 0 20.6 19.9 19. 7
. ..d o __ 8.7 8.8 13.7 16.5 17.6 9.0 9.6 9.5 + 1
10 0 12 4 11.6 8. 1 10. 8 10. 9
. ..d o ___ 1.9 1.8 3.9 4.3 4.0 4.0 2.3 3.4 - 5
.. .d o ___
5.0 6.5 5.3 5.7 5. 1 6.2
4.9 3.8 5.4 3.7 4.6
. .d o ___
17.1 16. 8 14.1 13. 4 12.9
19. 2 18. 7 16.1 15.3 15.5
(5)
19. 2 19. 3 17.7 17.5 17.6
h \ .........
1 0 .0 1 5 .0 12. 5 13.1 13.0
w ----- - P o u n d . 5.7 8 .0 9 .6 11.0 18.3 7.3 7.9 9.6 + 40
. ..d o __ 54.5 .54.7 66.4 70.7 74.6 69.2 68.2 69.8 + 0 .4
. .. d o — 29.8 29.7 30.3 48.8 46.6 35.6 36.2 37.6 - 0 . 3
17. 4 28. 0 28. 4 18. 9 20.9 18.8
do
15.4 19. 4 30. 8 29.1 22.1 17.1
Dozen
38.4 47.8 37.7 34.0 37.8
53.9 70. 8 53.1 64.8 51.0
All articles combined.6
+59 +56
+72 +63
+63 +55
+73 +54
+78 +48
+ 102 + 102
+ 100 +98
+85 +96
+97 +85
+83 +93
+ 89 + 3 4 +19
+ 8 0 + 113 +71 + 5 5
+ 152 +70 +48
+ 119 + 42 +26
+55 +68
+77
+106 + 121
+ 123 + 116
+57
+90 + 102
+29
+55
+36
+35
+ 3 + iô
+9
+2i
+79
+ 105 +Î26 +111 +111
_
..........
+68 +93 +221 +28 +39 +68
+22 +30 +37 +27 +25 +28
+ 2 +64 +56 +19 +21 +26
+74 +84
+99
+49
+36 +46
6 N o. 2 can.
6 See note 2, page 32.
Table 3 shows the changes in the retail price of each of 22 articles
of food,3 as well as the changes in the amounts of these articles that
could be purchased for $1, each year, 1913 to 1922, and in Septem
ber, 1923.
8 A lthough m o n th ly prices of 43 food articles have been secured since Ja n u a ry , 1919, prices of only 22
of these articles hav e been secured each m o n th since 1913.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1024]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD.
35
T able 3 — A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D A R T IC L E S O F FO O D A N D A M O U N T
P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1, IN EA C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1922, A N D IN S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
Sirloin steak. R ou n d steak.
Year.
R ib roast.
Chuck roast.
P la te beef.
P ork chops.
A ver
A ver
Aver
A ver
A ver
A ver
A m t. age
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
retail. for $1. retail for $1. retail for $1. retail for $1. re ta il for $1. re ta il for $1.
price.
price.
price.
price.
price.
price.
P e r lb .
L bs.
1913..................... 10. 254
1914..................... .259
1915..................... .257
1916..................... .273
1917..................... .315
1918..................... .389
1919..................... .417
1920..................... .437
1921..................... .388
1922..................... .374
1923: S ep t.......... .411
Bacon.
P e r lb .
1913..................... $0.270
1914..................... .275
1915..................... .269
1916..................... .287
1917..................... .410
1918..................... .529
1919..................... .554
1920..................... .523
1921..................... .427
1922..................... .398
1923: S ep t.......... .394
L bs.
P e r lb .
L bs.
P e r lb .
P e r lb .
L bs.
L bs.
P e r lb .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P e r lb .
Q ts .
P e r lb .
L bs.
L bs.
P e r lb .
L b s.
L bs.
L bs.
18.2 ».298
16.9
.297
15.2
.300
12. 5
.299
10. 8
.302
.305
10.3
8.8
.433
5.2
.470
12.5
.363
.361
13.7
10.4
.376
L bs.
[1025]
P e r lb .
P e r lb .
30.3 » . 030
29.4
.032
23.8
.033
22.7
.034
14.3
. 058
14.9
.068
13.9
.064
.065
12.3
17.2
.045
19.6
.039
22.2
.042
L bs.
1.8
1.8
1.8
1. 8
1.7
1.5
1.4
1.4
1.4
1. 5
1.4
P e r . lb .
L b s.
8.3 SO. 210
7.9
.220
8.3
.203
7.8
.227
6.4
.319
4.9
.390
5.0
.423
5.5
.423
7.0
.349
7.8
.330
7.6
.367
4.8
4.5
4.9
4.4
3.1
2.6
2.4
2.4
2.9
3.0
2.7
B utter.
D ozs.
P e r lb .
L bs.
2.9 $0.383
2.8
.362
2.9
.358
2.7
.394
2.1
.487
1.8
.577
1.6
.678
1.5
.701
2.0
.517
2.3
.479
2.1
. 550
Corn meal.
Tea.
3.4 » . 544
3.4
.546
3.3
.545
3.3
.546
3.3
.582
3.3
.648
2.3
.701
2.1
.733
2.8
.697
.681
2. 8
2. 7
.698
P e r dz.
4.7 $0,345
4.6
.353
4.8
.341
4.2
.375
3.5
.481
2.7
.569
2.4
.028
2.2
.681
2.5
.509
2.8
.444
2.9
. 4S6
17.9 $0.033
15.9
.034
.042
14.3
13.7
.044
10.9
.070
10.2
.067
10.0
.072
8.7
.081
10.1
.058
11.5
.051
11.5
.045
L bs.
Eggs.
Flour.
P e r lb .
P e r il) .
6.3 $0.121
6.0
.126
6.2
.121
5.8
.128
4.8
.157
3.8
.206
3.7
.202
3.8
.183
4.7
.143
5.1
.128
4.7
.131
6.3 $0.213
6.4
.218
6.8
.208
5.7
.236
3.6
.286
3.0
.377
2.7
.411
3.4
.447
5.6
.397
5.9
.360
5.6
.350
Coffee.
P e r lb .
L b s.
H ens.
B read.
11.2 $0.056
11.2
.063
11.4
.070
11.0
.073
9.0
.092
7.2
.098
6.5
.100
6.0
.115
6.8
.099
7.6
.087
7.1
.087
P e r lb .
5.1 $0.160
4.9
.167
5.0
.161
4.7
.171
.209
4.0
.266
3.3
3.1
.270
3.0
.262
.212
3.4
3.6
.197
3.4
.211
3.7 10.158
3.7
. 156
3.8
.148
3.4
.175
2.6
.276
2.1
.333
1.9
.369
1.8
.295
2.0
.180
2.0
.170
2.1
.179
Sugar.
58.8 $0.055
55. 6
.059
66.7
.066
37. 0
.080
23. 3
.093
31.3
.097
26.3
.113
15.9
.194
32.3
.080
35. 7
.073
.096
29.4
L bs.
Lard.
Milk.
P e r qf.
P e r lb .
4.5 $0.198
4.2
.204
4.3
.201
4.1
.212
3.4
.249
2.7
.307
2.6
.325
2.5
.332
2.9
.291
3.1
.276
2.8
.294
H am .
4.5 $0.089
4.4
.089
4.3
.088
3.9
.091
3.0
.112
.139
2.8
2.3
.155
2.4
.167
2.9
.146
3.0
.131
2.7
.140
Potatoes.
1913..................... 10.017
1914..................... .018
1915..................... .015
1916..................... .027
1 9 1 7 ................. .043
1918..................... .032
1919..................... .038
1920..................... .063
1921..................... .031
1922..................... .028
1923: S e p t.......... .034
L bs.
3.7 $0.269
3.6
.273
3.7
.261
3.5
.294
2.4
.382
1.9
.479
1.8
.534
1.9
.555
2.3
.488
2.5
.488
2.5
.466
Cheese.
1913..................... $0. 221
1914..................... .229
1915..................... .233
1916..................... .258
1917..................... .332
1918..................... .359
1919..................... .426
1920..................... .416
1921..................... .340
1922..................... .329
1923: S e p t.......... .370
P e r lb .
3.9 $0. 223
3.9
.236
3.9
.230
3.7
.245
3.2
.290
2.6
.369
2.4
.389
2.3
.395
2.6
.344
2.7
.323
2.4
.355
L b s.
2.6
2.8
2.8
2.5
2.1
1.7
1.5
1.4
1.9
2.1
1.8
Rice.
P e r lb .
33.3 $0. 087
31.3
.088
30.3
.091
29.4
.091
17.2
.104
14.7
.129
15.6
. 151
15.4
.174
22.2
.095
25.6
.095
23.8
.095
L bs.
11.5
11.4
11.0
11.0
9.6
7.8
6.6
5.7
10.5
10.5
10.5
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
36
Index Numbers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States.
IN TABLE 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in
* the retail prices of each of 22 food articles/ by years from 1907
to 1922, and by months for 1922 5 and for January through September,
1923. These index numbers, or relative prices, are based on the
year 1913 as 100, and are computed by dividing the average price
of each commodity for each month and each year by the average
price of that commodity for 1913. These figures must be used with
caution. For example, the relative price of rib roast for the year
1920 was 168, which means that the average money price for the
year 1920 was 68 per cent higher than the average money price
for the year 1913. The relative price of bacon for the year 1919 was
205 and for the year 1920, 194, which figures show a drop of 11 points
but a decrease of only 5 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index numbers, showing
the changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. From
January, 1913, to December, 1920, 22 articles have been included in
the index, and beginning with January, 1921, 43 articles have been
used.4 For an explanation of the method used in making the link
between the cost of the market basket of 22 articles, weighted
according to the average family consumption in 1901, and the cost
of the market basket based on 43 articles and weighted according
to the consumption in 1918, see Monthly L abor R ev iew for March,
1 9 2 1 (p. 2 5 ) .
The curve shown in the chart on page 38 pictures more readily
to the eye the changes in the cost of the family market basket and
the trend in the cost of the food budget than do the index numbers
given in the table. The retail cost of the food articles included in
the index has decreased since July, 1920, until the curve is brought
down in July, 1923, to approximately where it was in July, 1917.
The chart has been drawn on the logarithmic scale,6 because the per
centages of increase or decrease are more accurately shown than on
the arithmetic scale.
* See note 2, p . 32.
6 F o r index num bers of each m o n th , Jan u a ry , 1913, to December, 1920, see Monthly L abor R eview
for F e b ru a iy , 1921, p p . 19-21.
6 F o r a discussion of th e logarithm ic c h art see article on “ Comparison of arithm etic and ratio charts,”
b y L ucian W . Chaney, M onthly L abor R e v ie w for M arch, 1919, p p . 20-34. Also “ T he“ ra tio ’ charts,”
b y Prof. Irv in g Fisher, reprinted from Q u arterly Publications of th e A m erican S tatistical Association,
June, 1917, 24 p p .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1026]
T able 4 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S SH O W IN G C H A N G ES IN T H 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 P FO O D IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S B Y
Y E A R S , 1907 TO 1922, B Y M O N TH S F O R 1922 AND F O R JA N U A R Y TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
[Average for year 1913=100.]
R ound R ib Chuck P late Pork B a
B u t
Corn
P o ta Su
Y ear a n d m o n th . Sirloin
steak. steak. roast. roast. beef. chops. con. H am . Lard. Hens. Eggs. ter. Cheese. Milk. B read. Flour. meal. Rice. toes. gar.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
71
73
77
80
81
91
100
102
101
108
124
153
164
172
153
147
139
139
141
143
148
151
154
154
152
151
147
145
146
146
147
149
152
158
161
162
162
68
71
74
78
79
89
100
106
103
110
130
165
174
177
154
145
1.36
135
138
141
146
150
153
153
151
148
144
141
142
141
142
145
148
155
159
159
159
76
78
81
85
85
94
100
103
101
107
126
155
164
168
147
139
135
134
136
138
141
142
144
142
142
141
139
138
139
139
139
140
142
145
148
147
148
100
104
101
107
131
166
169
164
133
123
119
118
121
122
124
126
127
125
125
124
123
121
123
122
122
123
124
128
130
130
132
ÌÓÒ
104
100
106
130
170
167
151
118
106
106
106
107
107
107
107
106
104
104
106
105
105
107
106
106
105
105
104
106
105
108
74
76
83
92
85
91
100
105
96
108
152
186
201
201
166
157
138
140
149
157
164
161
164
167
173
174
157
140
140
137
135
135
143
142
149
153
175
74
77
83
95
91
91
100
102
100
106
152
196
205
194
158
147
139
140
144
147
147
150
150
150
150
151
151
149
147
146
145
145
145
144
145
145
146
76
78
82
91
89
91
100
102
97
109
142
178
199
206
181
181
164
173
185
188
191
193
194
189
180
177
172
169
168
167
167
168
169
169
171
172
173
81
80
90
104
88
94
100
99
93
111
175
211
234
187
114
108
97
101
109
107
108
109
109
109
109
111
ill
111
110
110
110
111
109
109
108
108
113
81
83
89
94
91
93
100
102
97
111
134
177
193
210
1S6
169
173
173
177
177
177
173
168
164
164
163
159
158
162
167
168
169
170
166
163
162
164
84
86
93
98
94
99
100
102
99
109
139
165
182
197
148
129
145
140
92
92
97
99
104
108
130
157
187
193
16i
134
112
100
102
103
108
120
141
85
86
90
94
88
98
100
94
93
103
127
151
177
183
135
125
118
120
120
118
117
117
119
115
122
133
143
157
154
151
150
150
136
131
128
135
144
100
104
105
117
150
162
193
188
154
149
149
149
149
145
139
141
143
144
145
154
161
166
169
170
168
164
161
163
164
164
167
87
90
91
95
96
97
100
100
99
102
125
156
174
188
164
147
153
148
146
143
140
140
144
146
147
149
151
154
154
154
153
153
152
152
153
154
157
100
113
125
130
164
175
179
205
177
155
157
154
155
155
157
157
157
155
155
155
155
154
155
155
155
155
155
155
157
155
155
95
102
109
10X
102
105
100
104
126
135
211
203
218
245
176
155
148
155
161
161
161
161
158
155
148
145
145
148
148
148
145
148
145
145
142
136
136
88
92
94
95
94
102
100
105
108
113
192
227
213
217
150
130
130
130
130
130
127
130
130
130
130
130
130
133
133
133
133
133
133
133
137
137
140
100
101
104
105
119
148
174
200
109
109
107
107
107
108
109
110
110
110
110
110
109
109
109
108
108
108
108
108
108
108
109
105
111
112
101
180
125
100
108
89
159
253
188
224
371
182
165
194
194
182
171
176
206
212
153
135
129
124
124
124
124
129
147
159
188
247
218
200
All
Tea. articles
com
bined.
105
108
107
117
100
108
120
146
169
176
205
353
145
133
113
116
118
122
120
129
138
147
144
144
147
151
151
158
185
193
204
202
191
175
175
100
100
101
100
101
102
145
158
122
121
120
119
119
120
120
121
121
121
121
122
122
123124
126
127
128
128
127
127
126
126
100
100
100
100
107
119
129
135
128
125
126
125
124
124
125
125
125
126
125
125
126
126
126
127
127
127
127
128
128
128
128
100
102
101
114
146
168
1S6
203
153
142
142
142
139
139
139
141
142
139
140
143
145
147
144
142
142
143
143
144
147
146
149
RETAIL, PRICES OF FOOD,
[ 1027 ]
1907...........................
1908...........................
1909...........................
1910...........................
1911...........................
1912...........................
1913...........................
1914...........................
1915...........................
1916...........................
1917...........................
1918...........................
1919...........................
1920...........................
1921...........................
1922: Av. for y ear..
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 u g u st..........
S e p te m b e r..
O cto b er........
N o v e m b er...
D ecem ber. . .
1923: J a n u a ry ........
F e b ru a ry ___
M arch...........
A p ril.............
M ay...............
Ju n e ...............
J u ly ...............
A u g u st..........
Septem ber ..
Cof
fee.
Co
CO
T R E N D IN R E T A IL COST O F A L L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D , C O M B IN E D , F O R T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , B Y M O N T H S, JA N U A R Y , 1914, TO
S E P T E M B E R , 1923,
[1913=100.]
400
375
350
325
300
275
225
200
175
[ 1028 ]
150
125
100
75
50
40
I
I
I
i
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
I
!
I
i i
!
S I
I
I
t
I
I
I
1
i
I
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
250
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW ,
40
Retail Prices of Food in 51
A VERAGE retail food prices are shown in Table 5 for 40 cities for
1923. For 11 other cities prices are shown for the same dates
by the bureau until after 1913.
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L
[The prices show n in th is tab le are com puted from reports sen t m o n th ly to th e b u reau b y retail dealers.
B altim ore, Md.
A tla n ta , Ga.
B irm ingham , Ala.
Article.
U nit.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
Sirloin ste a k .................. ..
R ou n d s te a k .....................
R ib ro a st............................
Chuck ro a s t.......................
P la te beef...........................
P o u n d ..........
........do ...........
........do ...........
........do„..........
........do............
24.0
21.5
19.6
16. 0
9.5
35.5
31.7
27.1
18.8
14.4
34.9
31.6
27.0
20.3
12.2
35.7
32.2
27.9
20.5
12.1
25.0
23.0
19.0
16.0
12.6
37.5
34.5
29.2
19.2
12.0
40.7
37.3
31.3
20.8
13.4
40.5
37.6
31.3
20.6
13.5
28.1
22.5
20.6
16.3
10.5
33.9
30.7
26.0
19.6
12.4
37.5
32.6
27.6
22.4
13.3
38.0
33.7
27.8
22.4
13.9
P ork chops........... „...........
Bacon, sliced.....................
H am , sliced......................
L am b, leg o f.....................
H en s....................................
____ d o ..-___
........do ...........
........do............
........d o ...........
........do ............
24.0
33.1
31.0
20.0
20.5
34.0
39.1
45.9
35. 5
30.6
29.1
36.1
47.1
34.0
30.4
33.6
36.8
46. :r
36. 7
31.0
22.0
26.5
32.0
19.3
21.8
36.7
36.7
54.0
37.3
37.5
32.8
34.4
51.7
37.7
36.4
36.8
34.9
51.9
37. 2
37.0
21.4
35.0
32.5
23. 3
18.0
32.2
41.4
49.3
35. 0
29.1
30.7
39.0
46.4
39.0
29.1
33.2
39.7
47.5
39 5
30 8
Salmon, canned, re d . . . .
Milk, fresh ........................
Milk, e v ap o rated ..............
B u tte r .A ...........................
O leom argarine..................
........do............
29.5 29.2 29.9
26.1
Q u a rt......... 10.0 15.7 17.5 17.5 8.7 12.0
13.2 14.4 14. 4
15-16-oz. can.
10.4
P o u n d .......... 39.7 46.6 54.2 56.9 38.6 50.0
........do ...........
31.8 32.4 32.4
26.8
26.5
12.0
12. 0
56.2
27.9
26. 2
14.0 16. 3
12.1
58.9 38.8
27.9
30. 9
19.0
12. 0
45.0
32.6
30.0
18.5
13. 2
52.8
33. 8
30. 0
18.5
13. 2
58.2
34.2
N u t m arg arin e............... .
Cheese . A ..................... .
L a rd ....................................
V egetable lard su b stitu te
Eggs, strictly fresh ..........
........do ...........
27.0 26.7 26.7
25.8 27.0 27.7
27.5 31. 5 31 8
........do............ 25.0 30.9 35. 0 36. 2 22.5 32.7 35.9 37. 2 23.0 30. 0 35. 9 37 6
........do ........... 15.8 18.0 17.5 18.8 15.3 17.0 16. 6 17. 9 15.3 17.1 17. 3 18 2
........do............
21.7 22.6 21.6
21.9 22.2 22.4
21.5 19.5 2 0 .1
D ozen........... 33.7 38.4 37.2 42.2 34.7 42.3 37.6 47.3 32.6 40.4 38.9 46.3
B read ..................................
F lo u r..................................
Cora m eal..........................
Rolled oats........................
Com flakes.........................
P o u n d ..........
........do...........
........do............
........do ............
8-oz. p k g . . . .
W h eat cereal.....................
M acaroni............................
R ice........................... .
B eans, n a v y ......................
P o ta to e s .. .......................
28-oz. p k g . . .
P o u n d A . __
........do ............
........do............
........do ............
O nions................................
Cabbage..............................
B eans, b a k e d ....................
Corn, c an n e d ............. .
P eas, can n ed.....................
........do ...........
........do............
No. 2 can ___
........d o ...___
........do ...........
Tom atoes, can n ed...........
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ............
T e a .....................................
Coffee.................................
........do............
12.8 13.2 13.3
11.1 12 2 12.1
11.1 11 8 11 9
P o u n d .......... 5.9 8.4 10.3 9.8 5.2 7. 4 9.0 8.9 5.8 8.0 10.0 ' 9 . 9
........do ........... 60. 0 87. 7 92 7 93. 7 56. 0 64.1 67 6 67 5 61 3 81 5 84 8 85 9
........do ........... 32.0 35.7 36. 7 37.5 24. 8 32. 5 32. 9 32. 7 28.8 37 0 39 1 39 1
P ru n es................................
R aisin s...............................
B a n a n a s.............................
Oranges..............................
........do............
___ .d o .......
D ozen...........
........d o ...........
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Sept. 15—
5.9
3.4
2.7
9.6
5.3
3.0
9.8
9.9
9.2
5.0
3.8
9.2
9.7
9.1
5.0
3.8
9.1
9.8
26.1 26.6 26.6
21.6 20.9 21.1
9.1 8. 6 8. 8
11.3 13.0 13.1
2.3 3.4 5. 2 4.9
8.6
7.1 8.1 7. 8
4.5 5. 9 5.7
13.3 13.6 13.6
15. 8 15.7 15.6
17.4 17.4 17.6
21.8
21.9
24.2
65. 0
19. 8
20. 0
29.4
48.4
18. 5
18 8
28. 3
45.2
5.5
3.2
2.5
8.5
4. 8
3.1
8.1
8.9
8.8
4. 3
3.4
8.4
8.8
8.7
4. 3
3.4
8.5
8.8
24.5 22. 8 22.3
18.6 19. 2 18. 8
9. 5 9. 2 9 2
9.7 10. 5 10.4
l.JB 2.0 4. 2 4 0
9.0
4. 8 6. 4 6 4
3. 5 4.9 4. 7
11. 9 11.6 11. 5
13. 8 14. 7 14. 7
15.4 16.8 16.7
19. 0 18.1 17. 2
19 9 15 1 14 6
25. 9 28 6 27 7
67.9 53.1 57.7
5.4
3.5
2.5
9.0
5. 5
2 9
9.3
10.0
27
19
9
12
2.2 3
8.2
8.9 8.8
5. 5 5 5
3 4 3 4
9. 2 9 3
9. 9 10 0
0 26 1 26 4
5 18 9 18 9
4 9 1 9 2
1 12 3 11 9
3 4A7 4 5
6 2 74 6
4 9 6 4 5
15 2 14 0 14
15. 9 16. 5 16
20.4 20.6 20
8
8
0
8
6
24 1 20 8 20 9
23 7 19 2 19 4
33 1 38* 3 38 0
62.8 5 2 ! 3 5L5
1 The steak for w hich prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, b u t in m ost of th e other
cities included in th is re p o rt it w ould be k now n as “ p o rterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1030]
41
R E T A IL P R IC E S OF FOOD.
Cities on Specified Dates.
September 15, 1913 and 1922, and for August 15 and September 15,
with the exception of September, 1913, as these cities were not scheduled
A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S.
A s some dealers occasionally fail to rep o rt, th e n u m b er of q uotations varies from m o n th to m onth.}
B ridgeport,
Conn.
B oston, Mass.
Buffalo, N . Y.
B u tte , M ont.
C harleston, S. C.
1913
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.
15,
15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
15, 15, 15,
15,
15,
1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
C ts .
C ts.
S ept. 15—
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
35. S 162.1 164.7 164.9 45.3 49.2 49.7 23.3
35.6 51.6 56.7 56.2 38.5 42.9 43.0 19.8
25.6 36.2 39.6 40.2 34.7 37.2 38.5 17.0
IS. 7 23.4 26.2 26.3 24.7 26.3 27.5 15.5
.......... 15.8 16.8 17.2 10.5 11.3 11.0 11.5
25.0
.25.8
32.0
20.5
26.2
8.9
37.4
22.4
15,8
47.1
5.9
3.7
3.5
9.4
1.7
5.6
58.6
33.0
__
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
38.0
32.0
27.8
20.1
11.6
40.6
34.2
28.5
20.7
11.1
40.1
33.8
28.5
21. 1
12.1
C ts .
31.4
26.9
24.6
16.6
11.2
30.1
25.8
23.6
16.8
10.0
29.6
24.8
22.8
16. 6
10.5
21.4
20.4
20.4
15.0
12.1
34.2
31.7
28.3
21.0
14.6
35.6
32.5
28.1
20. 6
14.1
35.6
31.9
28.8
21.3
14.1
25.0
27.0
28.8
22.5
21.9
34.5
37.4
47.3
42.8
37.9
C ts.
C ts.
39.9
37.5
55.4
39.1
38.8
35.5
37.1
52.8
40.8
38.7
39.4
37.4
52.7
40.8
39.2
38.5
44.0
56.1
38.7
38.2
33.8
45.2
56.5
41.4
38.6
39.2
44.7
54.4
40.9
39.0
40.5
34.8
48.5
31.2
34.9
35.8
32.8
46.3
33.1
34.9
39.7
32.4
46.6
33.2
35.0
33.8
47.7
54.1
31.7
32.2
29.0
47.7
52.3
32.3
29.3
34.0
48.2
51.8
33.5
30.1
30.6
34.2
41.7
41.7
37.4
33.8
35.3
40.8
41.7
36.6
30.0
13.5
11.4
46.7
28.8
28.9
11.9
12.8
52.6
31.2
29.2
14.9
12.8
55.0
30.7
33.0
14.0
10.6
45.7
25.8
30.5
14.0
12.5
51.9
28. 3
27.4
29.9
15.0 8.Ó 14.0
12.5
10.1
55.7 35.8 46.9
28.3
26.7
27.3
12.5
11.9
51.0
28.3
27.2
13.3
11.8
55.1
28.4
35.9
14.0
11.9
49.1
30.0
37.3
14.2
12.5
52.3
27.4 25.8
38.5
14.3 Ì2.Ò 18.7 18.0
10.3 12.0
12.5
55.5 37. Ó 43.4 50.0
27.5 28. 3
25.8
18.0
12.0
53.1
29.0
26.5
33.9
17.7
23.7
69.4
26.1
38.0
17.5
24.1
64.2
26.4
38.6
18.1
24.3
71.6
24.5
33.3
16.6
22.9
61.9
26.3
.37.9
16.6
23.4
58.2
26.3
26.0 26.9 27.1
39.0 19.5 30.4 36.2 36.7
17.2 14.4 16.0 16.1 17.0
23.3
20.4 22.2 22.5
66.3 33.8 48.3 42.3 50.9
30.0
35.0
20.9
26.8
53.6
32.7
37.1
20.5
25.9
50.5
32.7
28.0 28.5 28.5
38.3 20.5 29.3 34.2 34.9
20.2 15.3 18.6 18.5 18.9
22.1 22.1 22.2
26.5
54.5 33.3 34.0 36.2 37.5
8.5
5.5
4.9
8.4
10.0
8.4
4.9
5.1
8.8
9.5
8.4
5.0
5.2
8.8
9.5
8.4
5.2
7.1
8.2
9.5
8.5
4.7
6.8
8.4
9.6
8.6
4.5
7.2
8,3
9.5
8.4
4.0
3.7
7.7
9.1
9.7
5.6
3.9
6.6
11.9
9.7
5.1
3.9
6.8
11.9
9.6
5.1
4.0
6.8
11.9
6.4
3.8
2.6
26.0
24.0
10.9
10.5
1.7
24.6
23.4
11.0
10.5
4.5
24.6
23.4
11.1
10.4
3.3
25.3
24.1
10.2
11.4
2.0
23.4
24.2
10.2
11.6
4.0
23.5
23.8
10.1
11.4
3.8
25.4 24.0 23.9
22.0 21.7 21.5
9.5 8.7 8.9
10.6 11.3 10.9
2.Ó 1.9 4.2 3.7
28.8
22.7
10.1
9.5
1.3
28.8
21.3
10.0
10.8
3.3
28.3
21.3
10.0
11.0
2.6
25.0 25.0 25.0
19.7 20.6 21.0
6.7 6.4 6.6
11.0 12.0 11.8
2.3 2.4 4.1 3.6
5.9
5.1
14.9
18.6
21.5
6.9
5.2
14.7
19.5
21.6
7.0 5.2 6.9 6.6
5.1 6.6 6.9
5.0 3.6 5.4 6.1
2.4 5.8 5.4
14.7 12.4 11.9 11.8
11.1 11.4 11.2
19.5 18.4 18.9 IS. 9
15.2 14.7 14.6
21.4 19.6 21.5 21.5 ........ 16.7 16.1 15.6
4.0
3.2
19.5
17.0
16.2
5.4
5.4
17.5
15.2
16.3
4.8
3.5
17.5
15.0
16.0
5.5 6.4 5.4
4.2 6.1 5.7
11.3 11.0 11.0
14.7 14.4 14.3
19.7 18.0 17.9
14.0
7.7
68.9
42.9
12.9
9.4
69.7
43.2
12.7 12.8 13.5 13.5
12.7 13.4 13.4
9.5 7.6 9.6 9.5 5. è 7.6 9.3 9.4
69.7 57.4 58.3 58.3 45.0 61.1 62.2 62.4
43.2 35.1 36.1 35.7 29.3 34.4 35.2 35.2
16.3
9.8
78.6
45.2
14.9
12.0
82.5
45.4
14.9
10.1 10. 8 10.8
11.9 5.4 7.4 9.2 9.0
82.5 50.0 73.3 71.4 .70.7
45.4 26.3 32.9 33.8 33.1
20.6
20.0
42.0
65.4
18.9
15.9
49.6
53.4
18.9
16.0
48.8
54.3
20.1
21.1
34.8
64.4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18.9
16.8
37.7
52.7
23.0
23.3
28.0
15.3
21.0
5.6
3.0
2.6
8.6
4.4
3.5
7.7
9.1
8.3
3.9
3.8
7.6
9.2
9.3
18.3
10.7
37.0
54.2 ........
19.6
18.0
37.9
64.3
18.9
15.3
46.0
52.1
[1031]
18.9 21.7 20.6 20.0
15.0 24.8 21.1 20.0
45.0 2 13.8 2 15.2 2 15.2
54.4 64.4 48.3 50.0
9.6 10.3 10.2
5.9 5.9 5.9
3.0 3.1 3.1
9.4 9.4 9.5
10 0 10.0 10 0
5.5
.....
21.2
21.5
30.6
50.0
18.6
16.9
40.0
50.8
18.7
17.0
40.7
46.3
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW ,
42
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
Chicago, 111.
Article.
U nit.
Sirloin s te a k ......................
R ound s te a k .....................
Rib ro a st............................
Chuck ro a st.......................
P la te beef...........................
P o u n d ..........
........do............
. .d o ...........
........do............
........do............
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15k 15.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1913 1922
1913 1922
1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Sept. 15—
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
24.3
21.4
20.3
15.9
11.9
39.1
30.6
29. 0
19.5
11.8
41.6
32.2
29.9
19.5
11.6
43.0
32.7
31 4
21.0
12.0
23.7
21.2
18.5
14.5
11.7
33.5
30.7
27.4
17.3
13.0
37.1
33.4
29. 0
19.0
14.0
36.5
32.8
28 7
18.8
14.1
25.4
22.9
18. 9
16.9
11.7
35.9 38.2 38.2
30.3 31.2 31.6
24.4 26. 0 26 4
19.0 2 0 .0 2 0 .7
10.7 1 1 .0 1 1 .0
. .d o ........... 21.8
P ork chops........................
. .d o ........... 32.6
Bacon, sliced.....................
H am , sliced....................... ___do........... 32.2
L am b, leg o f..................... ........do............ 19.9
H en s.................................... ___do............ 19.2
35.3
46.6
49.6
35.0
33.0
30.9
44. 7
48. 6
37.0
32.9
34.6
44.6
48. 8
37.4
33. 8
22.7
26.0
29. 8
16.8
26.0
37.2
35.3
49. 7
32.0
34.1
32.4
33. 8
48. 2
32.3
34. 9
37. 3
33. 9
47.9
32.9
36. 4
24.4
29.6
37.3
18.7
21.9
38.3 3 3 .4 40 5
40.0 40.0 40. 4
49.6 48. 8 48. 7
33.4 3 4 .9 3 5 .4
34.1 36.1 36.6
Salmon, canned, re d ___
Milk, fresh .........................
Milk, ev ap o rated .............
B u tte r ................................
O leom argarine..................
........do............
32.7
Quart,.
8.0 12. 0
9.9
15-16-oz. can..
Pound
35.3 44. 8
........do ...........
23.5
33.3
14. 0
11.4
49. 2
27.8
33. 5
14. 0 8.0 12. 0
10.1
11.5
53.1 38.0 43. 3
28.6
25.9
28.2
12.0
11.5
50. 0
29. 8
3 0 .0
28.0
12 0 8 . 0 12.0
1 0 .2
11.6
53 5 38.3 48. 5
28.0
30. 5
N u t m arg arin e.................
Cheese. A ...........................
L a rd ....................................
Vegetable lard su b stitu te
Eggs, strictly fresh ..........
___do ...........
-do .
........d o ...........
........do...........
Dozen...........
B read .................................. P o u n d ..........
. .d o ...........
F lo u r..................................
Com m eal.......................... ........do ...........
. .d o ...........
Rolled oats........................
Corn flakes......................... 8-oz. p k g___
W heat cereal.....................
M acaroni............................
R ice.....................................
Beans, n a v y .....................
P o ta to e s...'........................
28-oz. p k g __
P o u n d ..........
........do............
........do............
___do ............
Onions................................
.d o ...........
. .d o ...........
Cabbage..............................
B eans,"baked.................... No. 2 can__
Com, canned..................... ........do ...........
Peas, canned..................... ........do ...........
Tom atoes, canned........... ........do ........
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ........... P o u n d ___
T e a . . . " .............................. ........do ...........
Coffee.................................. __ do.......
P ru n es................................
R aisins................................
B ananas.............................
Oranges..............................
........do............
........do............
D ozen.........
........do...........
22.1 24.4
25. 7 34.1 40. 0
15.0 16.7 16. 8
22.3 23.2
30. 4 42.0 39.2
6.1
2.9
2.8
27.2 27.6 27.2
24.7
40. 0 21.0 32. 5 36. 5 38 6 24. 0
17.1 14.3 15.2 15.3 17. 4 16.4
23.2
21.6 23.4 23.8
46.1 30.1 41. 0 33. 7 42.2 36.8
9.7
4.3
5. 5
8.1
9. 4
9.7
4. C
5.3
8. 5
9. 2
9.7
4.1
5.5
8. 4
9.2
24.3
18.4
9.9
11.2
1.8 2.4
23. 4
18. 3
10. 0
10.7
3.7
23. 5
18. 5
10.2
10.6
3.3
9.0
4.6 6.0 5.9
3.6 4. 5 3. 8
12.6 12.9 13.1
14.1 15.2 15.1
15.7 16.7 . 16.6
4.8
3. 3
2.7
8.4
4.6
2.8
8.4
9. 3
8.4
4.4
3.4
8. 7
9.3
8.4
4.5
3.4
8. 7
9.3
24.6 22.8 22.7
16. 3 16.6 16.6
9. 2 9.0 9.0
11.0 10.3 10.0
2.4 2.6 2.9 3.0
8. 8
4. 8 6.0 6.0
3.9 4.2 4.7
11.8 11.6 l ì. 4
14.0 13.7 13.8
16.0 16.9 16.9
5.6
3 .2
2 .9
C ts .
C ts .
29.1 2 9 .3
14. 0 14 0
1 1 .9
1 1 .7
26.9
30.9
17. 5
22.7
45.5
28.1
35. 0
17.8
24.3
41. 4
27.6
35 3
18.9
24.5
50.6
7.9
4. 7
3.5
8.-1
9.9
7 .9
4 .6
3 .8
4. 6
8.6
9.8
8.6
9,9
53 5 57 0
29.1 29.6
7 .9
3 .9
25.6 24.4 24. 5
20.0 19.2 19. 4
9.2 9.0
9 .2
1 1 .0 1 0 .7 10. 4
2. 0 2. 3 4 . 2 4.0
9. Ó
4. 8
3.1
5.9
5.2
4.6
1 2 .7
1 2 .9
1 2 .9
5 .9
15.4
16.2
17.3 16. 7 16. 7
13.9 14.0 14.2
13.2 12.6 12.7
14.3 13.8 13.6
5. 2 7. 7 9.1 9.1 5.6 7. 5 9. 5 9.6
7.9 9. 2 9. 5
55.0 66.5 72.6 72. 4 60.0 68.2 72.3 72.5 50. 0 67. 5 68. 7 68.1
30.7 34.4 38,1 37 7 25.6 31 9 33 1 32 Q 26.5 37 7 40 0 3Q 4
21.5 19.4 20.6
23.3 17.3 17.3
40.0 39. 5
67.9 52.3 52.7
19.9
21.4
31.9
48. 2
19.0
17.8
41.5
50.1
18.5
17.1
42.3
50.2
2 1 .5 18.0
2 1 .5 17.2
43.1 52. 3
61.2
18.8
16. 7
51. 9
52.6
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called "rump” in this city, hut in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as "porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1032]
R E T A IL P R IC E S OF FOOD,
43
C LE S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued.
Colum bus, Ohio.
Dallas, Tex.
Denver, Colo.
D etroit, Mich.
F all R iver, Mass.
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
15, 15,
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1922. 1923. 1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1913 1922
1913 1922
1913 1922
1913 1922 1923. 19^3.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
35.2
30.3
26.6
20.3
13.8
36.6
32.5
26.9
20.7
12.0
C ts .
C ts .
23.0
21.3
20.8
16.9
13.2
C ts .
C ts .
37.1
32.6
27.8
21.1
13.0
C ts .
C ts .
35.3
33.0
26.8
22.2
17.5
33.9
30.3
26.4
21.2
15.8
C ts .
C ts .
33.9
30.3
26.4
21.1
16.9
24.3
21.4
17.8
15.8
9.7
31.4
27.5
23.6
17. C
9.6
C ts .
35.2
30.4
24.9
18.3
10.3
C ts .
32.4
28.5
23.3
17.3
10.3
26.3
21.0
20.0
15.0
11.0
C ts .
37.4
30.0
26.0
19.0
11.9
40.6
32.6
27.8
20.3
11.6
40.4
32.3
28.4
21.1
12.0
31.1
36.9
48.2
33.0
32.6
28.6
38.8
45. 8
36.2
31.2
33.1
38.3
45.5
35.3
32.0
22.0
38.3
32.5
23.3
18.7
36.4
44.9
54.5
39.0
30.5
30.6
37.9
50.0
41.3
29.0
33.8
37.9
50.0
41.3
28.6
20.4
29.0
33.3
16.0
19.7
35.8
43.8
52.1
35. C
29.3
30.7
43.2
50.1
35.6
28.4
36.4
42.9
50.5
35.9
28.9
22.3
24.7
27.0
16.0
20.5
40.1
40.8
52.0
36.5
34.9
34.7
40.9
49.9
38.9
34.9
40.4
41.5
51.3
39.0
36.3
34.4
36.9
47.9
39.9
42.4
30.8
36.9
47.2
40.9
42.9
34.1
36.9
48.1
41.0
42.9
32.2
11.0
10.7
44.9
25.2
31.0
12.0
11.8
49.3
27.8
30.2
15.0
14.0
50.5
27.5
30.2
34.8
15.0 8.4 9.8
14.0
10.4
54.4 38.6 42.6
30.0
29.0
33.2
11.7
11.6
47.9
29.3
33.4
30.4
11.7 8.0 13.0
11.7
10.5
50.5 35.9 47.1
29.3
26.8
29.9
15.0
11.8
51.9
29.0
30.1
30.3
15.0 9.0 13.0
12.4
11.8
55.5 35.3 44.5
29.0
29.7
31.1
14.0
13.4
50.3
31.7
31.6
14.0
13.4
52.5
3L 7
25.0
3i. 5
15.1
22.4
39.1
26.3
33.9
14.3
22.4
32.2
31.6
31.6
13.0 ÌÓ.Ó 15.0
11.8
12.1
53.3 38.3 45.7
28.0 ........ 26.3
25.9
29.5
35.6 2Ó
.Ó 31.8
15.8 16.5 20.6
22.6
22.1
39.7 ........ 35.5
7.7 5.3 8.8
4.1 3.2 4.4
3.3 3.3 3.2
9.1
10.3
10.6
11.8
31.3
35.2
20.3
20.3
35.6
31.3
35.9 26. i
21.4 16.5
20.3
40.9 32. i
27.8
33.9
18.9
24.1
39.7
28.6
38.7
18.6
20.9
38.3
28.7
25.3 26.5 26.8
39.2 20.7 31.2 36.8 37.9 23.2
19.0 16.9 16.8 17.3 18.5 15.3
21.5
22.5 23.6 23.7
43.6 32.0 43.3 41.2 48.1 46.9
30.7
33.5
16.3
22.4
64.6
27.7
38.4
16.5
24.6
60.6
27.7
38.8
17.6
24.6
70.2
8.4
3.7
3.0
8.8
10.1
7.8
3.6
3.1
9.1
9.9
9.2
5.1
6.3
9.7
10.2
9.1
4.9
6.1
9.7
9:9
9.1
4.9
6.1
9.7
10.0
25.1 23.9 24.3
27.7
19.2 19.3 19.1
24.2
8.4 9.4 9.6 9.4 10.0 10.2
10.7 10.2 9.6
10.7
Î. 9 1.9 3.6 3.2 1.9 2.1
26.8
23.6
10.4
10.8
3.5
26.7
23.3
10.2
10.7
3.7
7.6 7.7
4.5 4.1
3.0 3.3
8.8 9.1
9.6 10.1
26.2
19.8
10.4
10.7
2.4
23.8 23.8
19.4 19.4
10.0 10.2
10.2 9.7
3.5 3.2
19.6
16.2
39.4
47.6
19.5
15.9
39.4
50.3
5.5
2.6
2.6
25.0
21.1
10.1
11.6
4. 5
25.1
21.1
10.0
11.5
4.2
25.4 24.7 24.7
20.9 20.9 20.6
8.6 9.9 9.4 9.6
10.9 12.4 12.4
1. 8 1.8 3.1 2.9
6.0 7.4 7.0
5.0 6.1 5.4
15.8 14.4 14.4
17.4 16.1 16.1
21.4 21.1 21.1
4.4 6.9 4.7
1.8 2.8 2.3
15.0 14.6 14.5
14.7 15.0 14.8
16.2 16.4 16.4
25.8
21.4
9.3 10.5
11.2
2.8 3.4
5.7 6.8 7.4
4.0 4.6 4.5
13.0 13.6 13.6 .....
13.1 12.6 12.6 .....
14.9 14.6 14.7 ........
14.3 13.5 13.5
8.0 9.8 9.8 5.9
78.1 76.9 77.5 66.7
35. y 37.2 36.9 36.7
22.7
20.1
35. 8
68.9
8.7 8.7
4.3 4.4
3.6 3.7
10.6 10.7
10.9 11.0
.....
.....
14.2
8.6
92.2
41.8
14.2
10.0
92.3
42.4
14.2
13.4
10.2 5.9 8.3
92.3 52.8 69.3
42.5 29.4 35.3
23.6
24.8
32.1
72.0
22.3
18.6
34.0
55.5
20.5
18.2
33.3
53.6
13.4
10.1
67.1
36.4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4
[1033]
5.6
3.1
2.8
8.6
4.5
4.3
9.1
9.2
8.6
4.1
4.4
8.8
9.1
8.6
4.0
4.5
8.7
9.1
4.3 5.9 6.1
2.8 4.6 5.0
12.6 12.2 11.9
15.1 14.8 14.8
17.2 16.6 16.5
C ts .
22.2
25.7
33.0
19.2
24.5
6.2
3.4
3.5
.....
6.2 7.6 6.9
3.7 4.1 4.7
12.9 13.0 13.0
15.2 16.1 16.1
17.2 17.9 17.7
13.4
13.3 12.8 12.7
13.7 13.7 13.8
10.2 5.7 7.5 9.5
5.7 8.1 9.8 9.8
66.9 43.3 64. 5 63.7 66.2 44.2 59.9 59.3 59.4
36.2 29.3 36.4 38.2 38.0 33.0 38.5 39.8 39.8
21.3 20.3 20.3
21.5 17.9 18.1
2 11.6 2 12.4 2 12.4
65.4 50.2 50.2
2 P er pound.
07655°— 23
7.8
3.7
3.2
9.1
9.9
C ts .
135.6 1 5 7 .O160.2 1 61.3
28.4 42.8 44.4 44.6
23.2 27.0 29.9 30.6
18.4 •20.3 21.9 22.1
12.3 12.6 12.7
20.3
20.0
31.3
60.9
19.5
16.5
36.9
52.5
18.2
16.5
36.9
51.7
17.6 18.1 17.5
22.9 17.5 18.0
2 10.0 2 11.0 2 11.0
49.1 49.1 48.9
44
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW ,
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
H ouston, Tex.
Article.
U nit.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923,
T
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
Sirloin stea k ................................
R ound s te a k ...............................
R ib ro a st......................................
Chuck ro a s t. . .
P la te b eef....................................
P o u n d ..........
........d o ...........
........d o ...........
........d o ...........
........d o ...........
30.4
29.6
24.6
21.0
15.2
29.7
28.8
24.6
19.9
15.5
29.6
28.9
23.9
18.9
15.3
26.0
25.2
17.8
16.3
12.5
36.6
34.8
26.1
21.9
13.8
39.1
38.3
26.4
23.0
13.4
38.9
38.1
26.3
22.7
14.4
25.8
21.5
22.5
15.0
11.4
35.0
29.2
25.3
17.3
10.3
33.8
27.5
26.0
17.9
10.4
33.8
28.8
26.0
17.0
10.7
P o rk chops..................................
'Bacon, sliced___
H am . sliced.................................
L am b , leg o f...............................
H e n s ..............................................
........d o ...........
__d o ...........
........d o ...........
........d o ...........
........d o ...........
30.8
48.1
49.3
36.3
34.8
29.4
45.8
45.6
35.0
30.7
31.8
44.7
45.4
35.0
33.8
22.8
30.8
31.7
20.7
21.0
34.9
38.7
49.2
39.2
33.1
29.5
37.8
49.7
40.0
33.5
35.6
36.9
50.0
39.2
33.3
23.5
29.0
30.3
20.8
23.5
33.5
38.3
46.2
34.2
34.3
29.1
34.5
41.9
33.8
30.1
30.0
35.0
43.8
35.0
33.5
Salmon, canned, red _
d o ..........
Milk, fresh ................................... Q u a rt............
Milk, ev ap o rated ....................... 15-16-oz. can
B u tte r .......................................... P o u n d ..........
Oleomargarine............................ ........d o ...........
31. 3
15.3
11.5
44.4
31.3
30.8
14.8
12.9
50.8
32.5
37.6 36.1
30.6
15.3 8.0 10.0 12.0
9.9 11.6
12.8
54.3 36.8 44.9 49.9
26.4
32.5
29.3
N u t m arg arin e............................
Cheese.. ......................................
L a rd ..............................................
V egetable la rd s u b s titu te ........
Eggs, stric tly fresh ....................
........d o ...........
........ d o ...........
........d o ...........
........d o ...........
Dozen...........
28.1
30.2
17.8
24.4
36.2
29.2
34.2
18.6
17.3
33.5
27.5 27.2 27.0
26.6 27.4 27.2
29.3
34.6 21.3 32.5 35.5 36.5 22.5 30.4 33.3 34.9
19.9 15.2 14.8 14.5 15.3 15.5 17.5 17. £ 18.0
22.5 23.3 23.4
22.0 25.2 25.2
16.6
38.4 30.4 39.3 31.9 40.8 36.7 43.6 43.3 51.5
B re a d ............................................
F lo u r.............................................
Com m e a l....................................
Boiled o a ts..................................
Corn flakes...... ............................
P o u n d .......... 6.6
........d o ........... 4.9
........d o ........... 3. 5
........d o ........... 8.6
S-oz. p k g ___ 10.0
7.1
4.6
3.8
8.8
9.7
W heat cereal...............................
M acaroni.................
Bice...............................................
B eans, n a v y ...................
P o ta to e s ... . ................................
31.2 30.5 30.8
36.1
12.0 12.3 17.7 16.3 16.3
11.1 12.7 12.7
11.6
55.1 39.8 46.7 51.1 53.3
30.0 28.8 29.4
29.4
8.5
4.4
3.4
7.6
8.8
6.2 10.6 10.3 10.3
3.8 5.7 5.3 5.3
3.1 3.1 3.5 3.6
9.5 9.2 8.9
9.6 9.7 9.7
28-oz. p k g . . . 24.6 24.0 23.9
P o u n d .......... 19. 9 20.0 19.9
........d o ........... 8.2 7. 8 7.7
........d o ........... 10.0 10.7 10.6
........d o ........... 3.7 4.7 4.4
26.1 23.9 23.9
19.2 18.4 18.5
9.2 10.0 10.1 10.2
10.9 9.6 10.0
2.1 2.3 3.8 3.2
26.3 24.4 24.4
19.3 19.2 19. i
8.6 8.7 8.6
12.0 11.5 11.1
2.6 2.8 5.3 4.4
O nions..........................................
C abbage........................................
Beans, baked...............................
Corn, can n ed ..........
Peas, c an n ed . . .
........d o ........... 5.5 6.0 6.3
........d o ........... 4.9 5.4 4.9
No. 2 can___ 14.6 13.2 13.2
........d o ........... 13.4 13.8 13.8
........d o ........... 18.3 18.8 17.8
5.4 7.2 7.0
4.4 4.9 4.5
12.9 13.4 13.2
14.0 13.6 13.6
15.9 16.0 16 0
6.7 7.3 7.5
4.3 6.3 5.4
12.5 11.5 11.5
15.7 16.3 16. 4
17.9 16.8 16.9
Tom atoes, c an n e d .....................
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ......................
T e a ................................................
Coffee............................................
........d o ........... 12.1 12.1
P o u n d .......... 7.5 9.0
........d o ........... 73.1 71. C
........d o ........... 31.9 32.8
11.9
14.3
9.1 6.0 8.3
70.8 60.0 74.2
32.9 30.0 37.2
10.7 11.5
14.1 14.1
10.0 9.9 5.9 7.9 9.7
77. i 77.1 60.0 84.2 86. C
38.2 38.2 34.5 36.4 38.7
P ru n e s ..........................................
R aisin s.........................................
B ananas........................................
O ranges........................................
........d o ...........
........d o ...........
Dozen...........
........ d o ...........
17.2
16.9
30.5
45.3
19.4
18.5
32. £
48.8
22.6
25.2
27.7
59.8
18.1
17.4
30.5
45.6
7.1
4.5
3.8
8.7
9.7
5.1
3.2
2.6
.....
7.3
4.5
3.0
8.0
9.0
21.3
24.0
27.0
60.9
8.5
4.1
3.3
7.7
8.9
19.6
17.8
31.3
48.9
6.6
.....
21.1
25.6
22.8
52.5
19.5
18.9
32.5
52.5
11.0
9.7
86. 5
38.5
19.6
18.8
33.0
59.7
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1034 ]
B E T A IL P B IC E S OE FOOD.
45
CLES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SPECIFIED DATES—Continued.
K a n s a s C ity , M o.
L i ttl e R o c k , A rk .
L os A ngeles, Calif.
L o u isv ille , K y .
M a n c h e ste r, N H .
S e p t. 15—
S e p t. 15—
S e p t.15—
S ep t. 15—
S e p t. 15—
A ug. Sept.
A ug. S ept.
A ug. S ept.
A ug. Sept.
A ug. S ep t.
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
1913 1922
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
94.7
22.3
17.7
15.4
12.1
36.2
31.4
24.4
17.8
10.5
38.5
33.5
25.8
18.6
10.8
39.2 25.0
33.8 20.0
27. ü 20.0
18.7 17.5
10.8 13.0
32.7
30.6
26.1
19.8
14.6
34.1
31.1
26.2
19.4
14.4
35. C 24. C
31.1 21. C
26.7 19.6
20. C 15.8
15.8 12.1
34.5
28.6
29.1
17.3
12.1
33.9
27.6
28.3
17.3
12.3
33.9
27.9
27.7
17.0
12.6
23.0
20.0
18.2
15.9
13.1
30.7
28.3
22.6
17.2
12.8
32.8
29.7
23.4
17.5
13.2
32.8
29.7
23.2
17.7
13.4
22.8
31.3
30.3
18.3
16.8
34.1
44.7
49.9
31.1
29.0
29.5
41.9
46.7
33.3
29.3
35.3
42.6
46.9
32.3
28.9
21.5
36.7
30.0
20.0
20.0
33.1
41.8
50.3
35.0
28.9
30.1
41.6
46.9
36.3
27.4
33.9 25.4
42. C33.1
47.7 35.8
40.0 18.8
28.4 26.2
41.3
51.8
62.6
32.6
39.0
36.3
48.5
57.5
33.1
38.5
37.5 21.6
49.8 29.5
57.2 29.0
33. 3 17.8
38.9 21.8
33.4
37.4
41. S
33.3
28.9
26.7
33.4
41.3
35.0
29.9
32.5
33.5
41.3
34.6
30.9
23.0
24.0
29.5
21.8
25.0
31.7
9.3 12.0
10.9
38.8 44.8
26.7
32.9
13.3
12.1
50.3
27.4
33.0
31.8 31.5 31.4
13.3 Ì0.Ó 13.7 15.3 15.3 iô .c
11.7 13.3 13.3
12.0
54.2 42.5 46.9 50.6 54.5 43.5
30.3 31.0 31.0 ....
27.2
41.0
14. (J
10.1
55.8
31.1
38.5
15.0
10.6
56.9
32.8
29.5 29.2 29.3
37.8
15.0 8.8 11.0 13.0 13.0 8.C
10.3 12.2 12.2
10.7
59.8 39.6 48.1 50.0 55.8 39. C
27.2 29.0 29.3 .........
33.3
27.5 27.6
'il. 8 32.3 37.0
16.4 17.3 17.4
24. 4 23.8
28.8 33.9 33.5
6 .0
3 .0
2 .8
....
27.7
28.8 2 a 2 28.7
28.5 28.4 29.8
38.3 23.3 32.2 36.4 37.6 19.5 35.7 36.4 37.5 22.5
18.7 16.5 18.5 i a 8 19.1 17.9 19.4 19.0 19.2 16.3
22. 7 21.0 21.3
23.8
24.7 22.5 22.9
38.8 32.5 34.5 37.2 40.7 46.3 50.8 45.0 54.1 30.0
7.9 7.9 7.9 6 .0 8.3 a î 8.1 6 .0 9.0
4.5 4.2 4.1 3.6 5.1 4 7
4.8 3.5 4.8
4.6 4. 5 4.5 2.5 3.0 3.3 3.3 3.3 4.3
8.4 8.5 8.9
10.2 10.3 10.1
10.2
9.9 10.2 10.2
9.8 9.7 9.8
10.0
9.0
4.5
4.2
9.6
9.5
9.0 5.7
4.6 3.5
4.3 2.5
9.7
9.5
26.2
29.9
14.8
22.7
36.6
26.6
34.0
14.3
23.5
34.1
8.8
4.8
2.4
8.2
9.3
8.4
4.8
2 .9
8.4
9.1
1 37.C i 53.4
30.5 44.5
21. C 26.5
16.8 21.5
15.4
25.1
34.7 21. 5
16.1 16.3
23.7
39.3 36.3
8.4
4.8
3 .0
8.4
9.1
28.7 25.2 25.4
26.2 25.1 25.1
24.5 23.2 23.2
24.6 23.6 23.8
21.2 21.5 21.4
21.9 20.9 20.3
16.8 15.6 15.6
17.9 16.6 16.7
9.6 9.5 9.2 8.3 8.5 7.8 7.8 7.7 9.9 9.5 9.8 8.3 9 .0 8. 4 8.5
11.3 11.1 11.5
11.6 10.7 10.5
9.6 9.7 9.9
11.2 9.7 9 .8
2. 0 2.3 2.3 2.7 2 .4 3. 1 3.8 3.8 i. 7 2.5 3.4 3.9 2.4 2.1 3 .0 3.6
8.7
5 .7 6 .9 6 .7
3 .9 4.4 4.5
14. 5 14.2 14.3
13.6 14.0 14.0
15.5 15.4 15.4
....
6.2 7-4 7.0
4.6 6.3 5.4
13.5 13.2 13.2
14.8 15.3 15.3
18.8 18.7 18.8
....
4.6 6 .0 5.6
4.0 3 .8 4.1
14.3 13.0 13.0
17.4 15.9 16.5
19.8 18.4 18.4
3.8 4.7 6 .0
3.6 4.7 4.8
12.2 11.3 11.3
14.5 13.5 13.5
15.8 15.5 15.5
5.9
3 .4
3 .5
159.8
49.6
30.1
23.4
16.5
i 59.2
48.8
29.3
22.9
16.1
38.5
33.5
46.0
37.5
43.0
32.3
33.7
40.8
37.4
42.4
36.8
33.9
40.9
39.3
42.4
31.4
12.0
12.7
49.2
27.5
29.8
1 3 .»
13.9
54.8
29.2
29.8
13.8
14.0
53.8
29.2
22.7
33.3
17.3
22.8
57.1
22.3
37.3
17.2
20.5
53.8
22.3
36.7
18.0
20.6
60.6
8.1
5 .4
4.7
8.8
9.8
8.3
4.8
4.7
8 .5
9 .9
8 .4
4.8
4.6
8.6
9 .8
26.3 25.1 24.3
24.6 24.9 24.2
9 .2 9.2 9.3
11.2 10.5 10.2
1.6 1.9 4.3 3.1
8.8
5.3 7 .0 6 .8
4.2 4 .8 4.7
15.2 14.5 14.5
18.1 17.5 17.4
21.4 20.9 20.9
13.7 13.7 13.8
13.7 13.2 12.9
2 15.7 2 14.9 2 x4.9
12.4 11.7 11.7
3 19.6
5 .9 8.3 9.8 9.8 5. 7 8.7 10.3 10.6 5.7 7.9 9.5 9.9 5.7 7.7 9 .8 9.5 5 .6 8.1
54.0 81.4 79.6 79.6 50.0 92.5 90,4 92.3 54.5 71.1 69.4 69.4 65.0 74.4 73.4 73.4 47.0 57.4
27.8 37.5 39.4 39.4 30.8 38.6 40.9 41.0 36.3 38.4 38.9 38.9 27.5 34.9 36.3 36.3 32.0 39.1
20.7 18.9 18.6
23.8 19.7 18.9
__ 4 11.2 413.2 4 12.9
....
63.4 48.2 50.3
21.8
24.3
4 9. 3
72. 2
2No. 2J can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
20.6
19.7
4 10.2
48.7
19.8
20.0
4 10.7
48.3
....
20.8
21.6
4 10.3
47.0
18.8
17.2
4 11.8
37.0
s No. 3 can.
[1035]
18.3
17.1
4 11.8
39.4
19.0
22.6
31. 1
50.8
18.4
17.3
38.1
42.2
18.5
16.0
37.9
41.6
4Per pound.
20.5
20.6
4 9. 7
60.7
3 20.9 320.7
10.0 9.8
57.7 57.7
39.6 39.5
18.4
16.2
4 12.2
50.7
18.4
15.7
4 11.9
48.3
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW ,
46
T able 5—AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTI
Memphis, Term.
Article.
Unit.
■
Sirloin steak.............. Pound......
Round steak.......... .....do.......
Rib roast,........ ......... .....do.......
Chuck roast............. .....do.......
Plate beef................ .....do.......
Pork chops............... .....do.......
Bacon, sliced............. .....do...... :
Ham, sliced.............. .....do.......
Lamb, leg of.............. .....do.......
Hens............. ......... .....do.......
Salmon, panned, red__
.do.......
Milk, fresh................ Quart.......
Milk, evaporated......... 15-16-oz. can.
Butter..................... Pound......
Oleomargarine........... .....do.......
Nut margarine........... .....do.......
Cheese. A................. .....do.......
Lard .................. .....do.......
Vegetablelardsubstitute. .....do.......
Eggs, strictly fresh...... Dozen.......
Bread...................... Pound......
Flour...................... .....do.......
Corn meal................. .... -do.......
.do.......
Rolled oats...............
Corn flakes............... 8-oz. pkg._
Wheat cereal....... ...... 28-oz. pkg_
Macaroni............. .... Pound.___
Rice....................... .....do.......
Reans, navy.......... ... __do.......
Potatoes....... ...... ___do.......
Onions..................... .....do.......
Cabbage................... .....do.......
Beans, baked............. No. 2can_
Corn, canned............. . .do.......
Peas, canned............. __do.......
•Tomatoes, canned....... .....do.......
Sugar, granulated....... Pound......
T e a ...................................... .....do.......
Coffee...................... .....do.......
Prunes.................... .....do.......
Raisins.................... .....do.......
Bananas.................. Dozen.......
Oranges................... .. .do.......
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Milwaukee, Wis.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Sept. 15— Aug. Sept. Sept. 15— Aug. Sept. Sept. 15—Aug. Sept.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
24.0 32.0 35.4 34.8 23.6 37.9 39.7 39.6 24.0 32.3 34.2 32.9
20.0 28.4 31.5 31.0 21.6 33.6 35.2 35.1 21.3 28.4 30.8 29.7
21.0 24.5 26.5 25.7 19.2 27.0 27.2 28.3 19.3 25.3 26.2 25.0
15.0 17.3 19.6 19.0 16.4 21.9 21.7 23.0 17.0 18.5 19.9 18.9
11.9 12.5 13.5 14.5 12.0 12.7 11.7 12.6 10.4 9.1 9.9 10.1
22.5 30.2 27.4 31.7 21.6 37.4 33.3 38.3 20.8 36.1 30.8 34.5
31.0 37.9 37.1 37.7 28.6 41.5 41.1 41.6 27.7 43.8 41. 5 41.8
30.0 49.2 43.8 45.8 29.0 47.2 45.0 45.1 32.7 49.4 46.9 47.3
20.6 35.8 37.3 36.3 20.5 36.2 38.2 37.5 14.8 32.3 34.0 33.7
19.5 29.8 28.1 29.9 19.8 32.5 31.5 32.1 19.4 28.3 28.8 28.4
32.6 35.2 35.3
38.5 36.4 36.2
36.2 35.6 36.0
10.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 7.0 9.0 11.0 11.0 7.7 11.0 12.0 12.0
10.5 11.7 11.5
11.5 12.6 12.6
11.0 12.9 13.0
38. Ò 42.8 48.7 51.9 34.8 44.5 49.3 53.5 34.6 41.6 47. C 50.2
24.8 26.9 26.9
25.7 27.5 27.1
30.0 31.7 30. C
24.0 25.6 26.0
25.1 25.6 25.7
26. 8 25.2 24.2
20.8 28.8 33.5 35.8 21.3 30.2 34.9 36.2 20.8 30.8 35.2 35.8
16.3 15.4 15.6 17.6 15.8 17.4 17.5 18.3 15.7 16. t 17.0 17.6
22.1 23.6 23.5
24.0 24.8 24.7
21.6 22.4 22.9
29. Ö33.6 34.3 40.2 30.0 36.7 32.4 39.0 29.6 35.7 31.8 36.9
6.0 9.0 8.9 8.9 5.7 8.9 8.9 8.9 5.6 9.0 9.0 9.0
3.5 5.2 4.1 5.1 3.1 4.3 4.0 4.1 3.0 4.6 4.4 4.3
2.2 2.7 3.2 3.4 3.3 3.7 3.8 3.9 2.5 3.8 3.8 3.8
7.0 7.2 7.5
7.9 8.8 8.7
8. 9 9.3 9.3
9.1 9.1 9.2
10.4 10.2 10.2
9.7 9.7 9.8
24.8 24.3 24.2
25.0 24.4 24.4
25.7 24.4 24.6
17.4 17.4 17.6
17.6 17.4 17.6
17.6 17.5 17.7
7.5 8.4 7.9 8.0 9.0 10.2 10.4 10.2 8.6 9.6 9.3 9.4
10.5 11.0 10.5
10.4 11.1 10.4
10.9 10.9 10.9
2,2 3.2 3.8 3.8 1.6 2.0 2.8 2.6 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.8
4.3 6.4 6.0
4.7 6.9 6.0
4. 8 5.0 5.2
2.0 3.6 3.8
1. 8 3.4 2.8
3.3 4.2 3.9
11.5 11.6 11.7
16.0 13.9 13.9
13.2 13.0 13.2
15.0 15.2 15.3
14.0 13.3 13.3
15.0
15.9 15.5 15.6
15.3 16.1 15.9
18.0 18.3 17.5
14.0 13.8 14.0
15.1 14.8 14.7
12.4 13.2 13.1
5.9 7.9 9.8 9.6 5.5 7.7 9.3 9.4 5.8 8.2 9.3 10.0
63.8 84.6 85.3 84. C 50.0 67.8 70.3 70.4 45.0 63.7 65.3 65.3
27.5 36.9 37.7 37.9 27.5 32.7 34.4 34.4 30.8 40.7 42.0 42.0
19.8 19.6 19.8
22.6 19.8 20.4
21.9 19.5 19.8
20.6 17.2 16.9
21.6 17.8 17.7
23.7 19.3 19.2
310.3312.6313.0
30.0 35.0
38.7311.0310.9
61.8 53.4 52.8
67.5 49.7 41.4
76.1 50.0 52.1
3 No. 3 can.
i Whole.
[1036]
R E T A IL
A
PRICES
OF FOOD,
■f
47
CLES ÒF FOÓD IN 51 CITIES ON SPECIFIED DATES—Continued.
Mobile, Ala.
Newark, N. J.
New Haven, Conn.
New Orleans, La.
New York, N. Y.
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
15, 15, 15,
15,
15, 15.
15, 15,
15,
1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
1923.
1923.
1913 1922
1913 1922 1923. 1923.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
44.5
42.4
33.7
23.3
11.9
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
32.1
30.8
26.3
19.8
15.0
32.1
31.3
26.5
19.8
15.0
48.1
45.6
36.7
25.4
13.3
32.2
29.6
24.2
20. (
49.1
41.1
35. C
25. t
15.0
54.1
44.2
36.8
28.1
14.8
54.2
44.6
36.6
28.6
15.4
22.5
18.5
17.5
14.3
11.2
31.4
27.«
27.6
19.2
14.6
32.4
29.1
27.6
19.4
14.1
33.1
29.7
28.9
19.9
15.4
26.4
25.7
21.5
16.1
14.6
42.9
41.2
36.0
22.0
17.0
34.2
41.2
46.7
32.6
>35.8
33.8
39.8
45.5
35.6
33.3
38.3 25.0 38.2 33.5 41.0
39.5 26.2 38.3 38.5 39.8
45.5 122.0 129.5 129.2 129.6
35.6 20.8 38.1 39.7 39.9
33.0 23.6 37.6 36.2 37.5
24.0
29. Ï
32.8
20.5
24.2
39.6
41.«
56.8
40.2
40.0
32.8
40.3
53.7
40.4
39.3
38.8
40.5
55.2
42.1
39.9
25.0
32.1
28.8
20.0
22.5
37.8
41.6
46.1
40.6
36.5
31.2
39.7
42.5
39.5
35.5
37.4
39.7
43.9
40.5
36.6
23.0
26.2
30.0
15.3
21.8
38.6
39.6
53.6
35.0
36.4
30.7
15.0
11.1
47.3
30.0
28.8
15.0
13.0
52.4
29.8
28.4
29.3 27.3 27.4
15.0 9.0 16.5 15.5 16.0 9. t
13.0
10.2 11.9 12.0
56.9 39.2 48.5 52.8 55.1 35.2
30.3
28.4 29.4 29.7
27.0
30.8
16.8
23.4
39.5
27.5
35.4
16.8
19.4
35.8
27.5
25.0 26.9 26.9
26.6 28.0
37.3 24.8 33.9 39.8 40.4 22.« 32.8 36.9
17.8 16.6 17.0 16.8 17.5 15.6 16.9 16.8
19.6
22.2 22.4 23.4
21.8 22.3
43.7 49.6 60.2 54. S 61.4 45.7 61.3 57.9
8.2
5.0
3.1
9.2
9.6
28.0
28.0
21.2
18.0
12.0
C ts.
29.6
29.4
24.8
19.8
15.7
47. 8
44.5
36.5
25.0
12.9
34.1 34.2
15. C 15.0
10.8 12.5
44.4 50.9
28.8 31.0
C ts.
45.5
43.7
37.5
23.2
18.2
34.6
38.1
52.0
36.2
36.2
C ts.
45.0
43.5
37.3
23.3
18.5
38.5
38.1
52.1
37.1
36.3
32.6
37.4 40.8 42.0
29.1 28.9 29.2
16. C 9.5 14. C 14.0 14.0 9.0 15.0 14.0 15.0
10.4 11.9 12.1
12.5
10.0 11.8 11.8
52.9 36.8 45.9 50.7 53.5 37.4 46.5 52.0 54.9
28.0 29.5 29.9
31.0
28.4 29.2 29.3
26.7 28.0 27.6
28.0
25.7 26.4 26.7
36.7 21.4 31.3 35.2 36.1 19.6 32.9 38.3 38.4
17.8 15.1 16.3 16.1 17.2 16.3 17.2 17.9 17.8
23.3 22.2 22.4
22.6
22.6 23.6 24.2
64.8 32.0 35.7 35.9 39.5 44.2 55.3 52.3 59.7
8.0 5.1 7.7 7.6 7.6 6.0 9.8 9.6 9.6
4.4 3.8 5.5 5.3 5.3 3.2 5.0 4.7 4.5
5.9 2.9 3.0 3.6 3.6 3.4 5.4 5.2 5.1
8.7 8.6 8.7
8.7
7.8 8.2 8.2
9.5 9.3 9.4
9.5
8.6 8.7 8.8
24.6 23.9 24.1
23.4
24.6 22.8 22.9
9.8 8.8 8.7
22.7
20.7 20.3 20.3
9.8 7.4 8.6 8.8 9.1 8.0 8.9 9.2 9.5
10.6 10.0 9.9
10.3
10.7 11.7 11.7
3.8 2.3 3.1 3.8 3.9 2.5 2.3 4.1 3.7
24.2
20.0
8.5
12.3
3.3
8.7 8.9 5.6 8.6
5.0 5.0 3.7 5.0
3.6 3.5 3.6 6.9
8.5 8.5
8.0
9.3 9.3 ....... 8.9
23.6 23.5
•25.4
20.1 20.1
21.1
8.6 8.8 9.0 9.2
11.8 11.4
11.3
4.1 4.1 2.5 2.1
5.2
4.2
13.4
15.3
17.1
6.4
5.2
12.2
15.6
15.7
6.0
4.5
12.1
15.6
15.7
12.3
8.3
75.2
36.0
12.2
9.6
73.9
37.2
12.3
11.3 11.9
9.8 5.4 7.6 9.1
73.9 53.8 49.5 54.9
37.2 29.3 33.1 35.5
11.9
222.3 221.8 221.8
12.4 11.7
9.0 5.5 7.6 9.7 9.5 5.4 7.4 8.9
54.9 55.0 57.2 56.9 56.9 62.1 71.5 69.9
35.8 33.8 38.0 39.8 39.8 26.1 30.7 31.1
11.7
11.4 12.0 11.6
9.0 5.1 7.3 9 0 8.9
69.9 43.3 48.2 57.3 57.2
31.1 27.2 32.8 34.5 34.5
24.9
26.0
25.7
61.4
23.3
20.0
31.3
51.8
22.6
18.7
31.1
50.5
16.3
15.6
39.4
56.8
19.3
17.5
20.0
53.8
4.7
4.2
11.4
15.0
17.2
18.3
20.6
37.5
78.0
8.5
4.5
6.0
8.3
8.9
8.5 6.0 8.1 8.0
4.6 3.2 4.9 4.4
6.1 3.2 6.2 5.8
8.3
8 8 8.6
8.9
9.5 9.5
23.5
21.2
9.3
10.9
4.4
23.8
24.9 23.4
21.0
21.8 22.7
9.4 9.3 10.0 9.6
11.3
11.0 10.7
4.1 Ì. 8 2.0 4.0
6.9
6.4
10.9
14.4
17.1
6.6
5.9 7.2 6.8
6.1
3.8 5.3 6.6
11.1
12.5 12.1 12.0
15.8
18.5 18.4 18.1
18.3 ..... 21.0 20.9 20.9
15.7
15.4
39.3
61.9
19.7
21.3
32.5
64.5
18.3
16.2
33.8
48.2
* Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1037]
17.6
15.8
32.7
49.1
4.3
4.3
12.8
13.0
16.4
22.4
24.2
21.7
67.4
5.0
4.4
12.8
13.1
17.4
19.3
18.1
23.0
50.0
5.0
4.0
12.8
13.2
17.4
4.8 6.7 6.2
3.0 5.9 5.7
11.7 11.9 11.8
14.4 15.3 15.4
16.2 17.0 17.2
19.7
21.0
38.2
78.3
17.1
15.9
42.5
56.1
16.8
15.5
42.5
55.6
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW ,
48
T able 5 . - A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
Article.
Unit.
Sirloin steak . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Round steak....................
Rib roast.... ....................
Chuck roast__. . . . . . . . . . .
Plato beef_____. . . . . . . . .
P ork ohops _____ . . . . . .
Bacon, sliced....................
Ham, sliced __________
Lamb, leg of....................
Hens...............................
Pound.........
____do..........
. . . . .do.........
.......do..........
. . . . .d o.____
Peoria, 111.
Omaha, Nebr
Norfolk, Va.
Sept. 15—
Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.
Sept. Aug. Sept.
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
33.4
31.9
23.9
20.1
12.6
35.1
34.4
24.1
20.5
12.8
34.3
33.4
23.6
20.1
12.9
34.1
42.9
48.9
34.7
30.8
29.9
41. S
45.7
36.1
30.6
35.7
41.8
48.9
35.1
29.9
33.7 33.7 33.1
12.2 12.3 10.8
11.9 12.0 11.0
48.2 50.1 43.5
28.8 28.9 27.7
32.7
11.6
12.0
49.3
29.4
32.3
11.6
12.0
52.1
29.5
28.6
35.3
18.9
24.0
31.5
28.4
35. 5,
19.6
24.2
36.4
27.4
31.6
17.0
23.4
34.6
27.0
35. 3
17.0
24.4
30. C
27.4
36.8
17.9
24.2
38.0
9.8
3.9
3.7
9.9
10.3
9.8
3.8
3.8
10.1
10.3
8.5
4.9
3.7
9.0
10.1
8.0 8.0
4.5 4.5.
3.7 3.7
9.4 9.4
10.0 10.0
Cts.
42.6
36.5
34.1
21.5
14.3
.......do..........
.......do..........
__ .do..........
.......d o .. . . . .
.......do..........
32.6
37.1
41.3
38.5
36.7
30.1
34.5
41.2
39.9
35.8
42.7 25.6 35.9 37.4 38.7
36.1 22.8 34.2 34.6 35.6
33.3 19.1 25.3 25.5 26.1
21.6 16.7 20.0 21.2 21.4
14.6 11.4 10.5 10,0 10.7
34.9 22.0 33.3 30.0 35.9
35.0 28.6 45.8 45.0 45.6
41.4 29.0 52.5 50.6 49.1
40.0 17.5 38.5 37.3 36.9
36.9 16.9 28.3 28.6 29.3
Salmon, canned, red. . . . .
Milk, fresh.......................
Milk, evaporated
Butter
Oleomargarine------------
.......do..........
Quart..........
15-16-oz. can
Pound.........
.......do..........
29.6
17.0
10. 2
47.0
28.6
28.8
17.0
11. 4
53.1
28.3
33.3
29.3
17.0 8.2 11.C
10.6
11.4
55.9 36.6 42.7
28.7
28.3
Nut margarine................
Cheese......................... ....
I ,ard
..........................
Vegetable lard substitute
Eggs, strictly fresh..........
.......do..........
.......do..........
.......do........ .
.......do..........
Dozen__ ___
26.2
28. 9
16.8
21.4
40. 8
26.8
32. 8
16.1
17.8
38.9
26.8
33.3 23.3
17.4 17.8
17.5
47.8 28.3
27.9
30.8
19.5
24.5
33.5
Bread...............................
Flour................................
Corn meal.......................
Rolled oats......................
Corn flakes......................
Pound........
.......do.........
.......do..........
.......do..........
8-oz. pkg....
7.8
4.8
3. 5
8. 3
9.2
7.8
4.5
3.7
8.0
9.3
5.2
2.8
2.5
9.8
4.1
3.3
10.8
10.4
Wheat cereal....................
Macaroni..........................
Rice.................................
Beans, navy....................
Potatoes...........................
24-oz. pkg...
Pound........
.......do__...
.......do..........
.......d o .. . . . .
25.6 23.8 23.8
20. 1 19. 8 20. C
9. 7 9.9 9.9
10.4 10.8 10.8
2.4 4.1 3.3
Onions.............................
Cabbage...........................
Beans, baked .................
Corn, canned...................
Peas, canned....................
........d o ...........
__ do..........
No. 2 can....
.......do..........
.......do_____
5.7 6.4 6.4
3.7 4.8 4.9
11.2 9. 8 9.8
14.4 15.7 15.7
18. 7 18.8 18.8
Tomatoes, canned...........
Sugar, granulated...........
Tea..................................
Coffee...............................
... . .d o.. . . . .
Pound__...
.......do..........
........d o ...........
11.7 11.3
7.5 8.6
75.8 82.1
3G.4 38.0
Prunes.............................
Raisins.............................
Bananas..........................
Oranges............................
.......do..........
. __ do.........
Dozen.........
.......do........
19.0 18.2 17.5
23.7 17.1 10. 9
33.5 36.3 35.4
63.8 55.0 53.4
7.8
4.4
3.7
8.0
9.4
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
37.9
32.1
30.8
19.9
13.4
25.8 23.9 24.2
20.5 20. C 20. C
9.6 8.8 9.2
12.0 11.7 11.8
1.7 1.7 2.2 2.4
8.5
5.3 6.9
2.7 4.3
15.5 15.2
16.2 16.3
16. S 17.3
5.3
3.8
15.2
16.3
17.3
27.7 26.2 26.1
20.2 19.8 19.5
10.6 9.6 9.5
11.9 10.9 10.9
2.1 2.9 2.6
5.3 7.4 7.3
3.5 4.2 4.1
13.7 12.9 12.9
14.7 14.4 14.6
16.8 17. C 17.2
10.8
15.0 14.6 14.6 14.6 14.1 14.1
8.8 6.1 8.2 9.8 9.8 8.6 10.4 10.1
82.1 56.0 76.7 75.2 75.2 62.1 60.4 60.6
37.9 30.0 39.2 41.1 41.1 35.3 36.7 36.6
23.0 20.9
25.4 20.2
49. 6 412. 5
64.21 49.5
20.3
19.8
412.6
48.2
23.1
25.4
49.9
61.0
20.9 21.1
19.4 18.9
412.1 411.8
46.2 45.3
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin’' in th is city, b u t in m ost of the other cities
included in this report it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1038 ]
49
E E TA IL P R IC E S OF FOOD.
C LE S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued.
P ittsb u rg h , Pa.
Philadelphia, P a.
Portland, Me.
Po rtland, Oreg.
Providence, R . I.
Sept 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. 1 5 Aug. S ept,
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
15,
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1913 1922
1913 1922
Sept. 15—
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
Ct-S.
C ts .
C ts .
153.2
43.0
34.5
21.8
10.2
i 51.3
40.8
34.6
21.4
10.1
27.7
24.7
22.2
17.5
12.8
42.1
35.2
31. C
21.6
10.9
46.4
38.2
32. C
21.3
11.0
45. C
36.9
32.5
22.3
11.6
58.1
45.9
29.5
18.5
13.8
60.5
47.5
29. 1
20.2
15.2
60.8
47.6
29.7
20.4
15.7
23.9
21.4
19.5
16.9
13.9
28.4
25.9
24.4
16.6
12.6
28. 1
24.8
24.2
16.1
11.9
28.1
25.1
24.3
19.3
11.9
37.8
38.3
53.0
37.9
39.8
34.5
36.9
53.4
39.6
38.1
38.6
36.6
52.9
39.6
38.1
25.2
30.4
31.6
20. ('
25.8
37.9
42.4
53.8
38.3
42.1
34.6
41.7
54. 4
38.8
40.1
40.5
42.2
54.3
39.7
40.2
36.8
36.9
55.5
39.1
41.6
32.5
37.7
47.7
40.2
40.8
36.7
36. Î
48.4
39.5
40.6
24.4
31.5
32.5
16.4
21.3
35.4
44.4
48.1
30.5
31.6
29.9
45.3
47.2
32.4
31.3
33.5
46. C
47.8
32.4
30.9
27.6
8.Ö 11.0
10.7
42.5 51.1
27.3
........
26.2
13.0
12.2
56.5
29.3
26.3
28.9
13.0 8.6 12.5
12.2
10. C
58.6 39.3 47.7
29.7 ........ 26.7
28.9
14. t
12.1
52.3
27.8
28.9
14. C
12.1
56.1
28.0
28.9
13.5
12.1
49.6
30.2
27.9
14.1
13.6
55.2
30.6
28.2
25.8 26.4 26.5
38.0 24.5 32.1 37.2 37.5
17.5 15.7 15.7 15.1 16.4
22.2 23.5 23.7
23.1
51.2 34.8 44.1 40.1 46.2
28.3
33.2
17.6
23.8
56.1
27.5
39.1
17.2
22.6
53.3
8.2
4.9
4.5
8.8
9.5
8.5
4.4
4.4
8.9
9.5
9.4
5.0
4.0
6.8
9.8
9.3
4.6
4.5
7.0
9.7
23.9
25.2 25.1 24.9
20.0 21.8 21.8
20.5
10.2 9.2 9.6 9.9 9.6
11.2
10.8 10.7 10.4
2.9 4.2 3.9
4.3 .2.
25.9
23.0
10.6
11.0
2.1
24.5
23.1
10.7
11.1
4.2
C ts .
C ts .
i 31.7 148.7
27.1 39.3
22.3 32.5
18.2 20.4
12.5 9.9
23.2
28.2
32.6
19.7
22.9
26.6 27.4
25. Ô 34.4 38.4
15.9 16.4 16. 0
22.6 23.0
39.7 45.0 43.3
4.8
3.2
2.7
8.7
5.0
3.6
7.9
9.0
8.4
4.6
3.7
8.3
8.9
25.0
20.5
9.8 10.1
9.6
2.2 2.3
23.9
20.6
10.3
11.3
4.4
.....
........
8.4
4.5
3.9
8.3
8.8
5.5
3.2
2.8
8.5
4.3
4.1
9.0
9.6
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
i 40.2 1 65.8 i 70.0 i 69.9
31.6 47.7 50.6 51.2
24.2 36.4 38. £ 39.2
18.8 25.9 28.8 29.8
17.1 17.9 17.9
43.8
36.4
54.5
42. C
41.4
36.5
36.7
53.4
43. C
40.2
40.8
36.7
53.7
43.5
41.5
41.4 35.0 34.6
28.1
14. C 9.7 12.6 12.6 13. C 9. C
11.5 12. C 12. C
13.5
57.8 42. Ö 51.5 52.9 55.8 38.2
29.3 29.3 29.8 ........
30.8
31.8
14. t
11.7
46.4
29.4
31.0
15. C
12.4
52.0
30.0
31.0
15.0
12.5
54.2
29.2
28.2
27.5
39.4 20.8 35.5
17.9 18.3 20. C
22.8
25.6
61.6 40.0 39.0
27.4
31.8
16.6
23.2
62.5
28.0
35.9
16.6
23.2
57.9
29.1
36.0
17.5
23.9
66.4
8.9
5.5
3.9
9.5
10.0
8.8
4.8
4.0
9.3
9.7
8.8
4.9
4.1
9.4
9.7
27.6
37.1
19.3
24.7
40.1
22.0
22.2
34.3
18. t
25.0
27.5
37.9 22. Ö
19.5 15.7
25.0
45.9 46.0
9.3 5.6 9.4 9.2 9.2
4.5 2.9 4.4 4.3 4.3
4.7 3.4 3.4 3.6 3.6
6.9
9.4 9.4 9.3
9.7 ........ 11.1 11.4 11.4
24.5
23.4
10.5
10.6
3.0
28.1 25.7 25.7
17.0 18.4 18.4
8.6 10.1 9.2 9.4
9.9 9.9 9.9
3 2.0 2.1 2.1
4.9 6.7 6.7 5.5 6.3 6.4
3.8 5.0 4.7 4.0 4.1 2.9
13.0 12.6 12.8 15.4 15.7 15.7
13.9 15.0 15.0 16.1 16.2 16.2
15.5 16.3 16.4 20.3 20.4 20.4
3.6 4.1 4.8
3.1 3.1 3.1
17.2 15.2 14.8
17.3 17.4 17.4
17.7 17.0 17.0
5.9
3.5
3.1
26.6
22.3
9.6
10.6
1.8 2.1
24.1 24.1
22.1 22.4
9.6 9.4
10.6 10.6
4.0 3.7
4.9
3.3
13.1
17.6
20.1
6.3 6.3
4.2 4.2
12.4 12.1
17.0 17.1
20.0 20.0
12.6 12.4 12.5
12.7 12.8 12.8 2 22.8 2 22.5 2 22.3
8 15.4 8 16.2 3 16.4
13.9
6.0 7.2 9.2 8.8 5.8 7.9 9.7 9.5 8.1 9.6 9.6 6.3 8.1 9.8 9.9 5.3 7.9
54.0 59.6 58.9 59.1 58.0 74.6 75.1 74.8 56.5 57.5 57.5 55.0 63.8 65.7 65.7 48.3 58.8
24.5 31.0 31.8 31.6 30.0 35.6 37.7 38.0 39.8 41.4 41.4 35.0 37.2 37.1 37.1 30.0 40.2
13.7 13.8
9.7 9.3
61.1 61.1
41.6 41.7
.....
i
4.6 6.4 6.2
2.8 4.6 5.1
12.2 11.1 11.2
14.8 14.7 14.9
........ 16.1 16.7 16.6
.....
18.2
21.1
29.4
55.8
16.8
16.4
32.9
48.5
16.3
16.1
32.9
49.6
2 N o. 3 can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
20.8
22.0
40.0
63.5
20.1
16.5
44.7
53.1
19.5
16.6
44.1
56.0
20.7
21.1
<9.8
74.1
17.8 17.7
15.5 15.4
< 11.8 < 11.7
56.7 52.2
8 No. 21 can.
[1039]
i.
9.3
.....
19.0 13.0 12.3
21.3 17.5 16.4
< 13.6 <15.4 < 15.4
61.7 50.7 51.8
1P er pound.
20.4
21.2
33.7
78.2
19.3
16.9
37.3
59.2
19.4
16.6
36.9
60.8
50
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
T able 5 __A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
Rochester,
N. Y.
R ichm ond, Ya.
A rticle.
U n it.
Sept. 15—
Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.
15, j 15, 15, 15, 15.
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923.
C ts .
Sirloin s te a k .,
R ound s te a k .
R ib ro a st___
Chuck r o a s t..
P late b e e f.. .
Pound.
.do.
.d o .
.d o .
.d o .
P ork ch o p s. . .
Bacon, sliced.
H am , sliced . .
L am b, leg of..
H e n s...............
.d o .
.d o .
.d o .
.d o .
.d o .
Salm on, canned, red.
Milk, fresh......... ........
Milk, evaporated___
B u t t e r . . , . , ........, ___
Oleom argarine...........
N u t m argarine....................
Cheese........................ ...........
L a rd .......... , ..........................
V egetable la rd s u b stitu te.
Eggs, strictly fresh............
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
20.0 33.
C ts .
C ts.
Aug. Sept.
15, 15,
1923. 1923.
C ts .
34.1
27.7
22.7
11.7
34.
29.5
22.9
11.5
34.5 24.3 31.7 33.1
30. 0 19.5 27.0 27.4
23.5 15. 6 18. 17.4
12.0 12.4 12.1 10.9
39.1
27.0 36.8 33.5 33.9 34.
26.0 42.4 39.2 40.0 48.4
19.3 40.5 41.4 42.1 36.3
19.8 33.1 34.7 33. 38.4
35.2
34.7
47.2
37.8
38.8
39.3
34.7
46.8
38.2
38.8
34.8
18.9 29.0 30.2
15.5 21.4 21.5
12. 14.
15.4;
35.1
30.7
22.2
15.4
22.0 35.4 32.2 35.
C ts.
32. 30.5 31.2
13.0 14.0 14.0
12.2 13.
13.6
50.8 57.5 58.9
28.7 30.2 30.2
38.5
42.6
34.3
29.3
39.0
43.8
35.0
30.2
32.0
9.0 12.0
9.
45.9 50.8 54.5 36.’ 47.2
27. 30.1 30.2
26.5
31.2
13.0
11.4
52.6
26.4
31.6
13.0
11.4
56.4
26.3
24.8
29.5
13.8
21.7
35.5
24.4
34.0
12.7
22.6
34,
24.7
35.1
14.6
23.0
40.9
9.0
4.1
2.
8.9
3.
3.1
8,9
4.0
3.4
8.3
27.5
27.3
18.3
17.1
28.4 28.8 28.9
13.0 12.5 13.0
11.1 12.0 12.1
27.8 28. 28. 25.9 27.5 28.0
19.3
15.4 17.7 17.6 17.9 17.0 16. 17.2 14.3
23.4 22. 23.1 22.5 20.0 19.7
33.3 38.5 37.4 43.8 45.9 38.7 47.0 27.3
8.0
Pound.
.do.
........d o.
........d o ___
8-oz. p k g ..
W heat cereal.
M acaroni........
R ice.................
Beans, n a v y ..
Potato es.........
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
........d o . . . .
........d o ----___ d o ___
20.3 21. 21.8 18.9 18.7 18.6
10.0 11.6 11.0 11.0 9.9 9.5 9.
10.5 12.2 12.4 11.5 11.0 10.
O nions............
Cabbage..........
Beans, baked.
C orn, c a n n e d .
Peas, canned.
....... d o ___
....... d o ___
No. 2 can.
.do.......
.d o .
7.9 7.9 4.8 6.5 6.1
5.7 3.2 5.0 4.6
3.8
12.3 11.7 11.6 11.5 11.1 11.2
15.0 15.5 15.0 15.6 16.3 16.5
19.3 19.5 20.2 18.6 19.1 19.1
Tom atoes, c a n n e d .
Sugar, g ra n u la te d .
T ea............................
Coffee.......................
----- d o.
Pound.
.do.
.d o .
P r u n e s ..
R aisin s..
B ananas.
O ranges..
.do.
---- d o .
Dozen.
---- d o.
5.4
3.3
9.1
5.1
4.1
9.6
8.7
4.7
4.5
9.0
9.
8.7
4.6
4.7
9.1
9.6
12.1
21.0 32.4 28.2 35.4
21.8 31.5 36.2 37.0 33.1 36.6 37.
2.2
33.6
27.6:
18.2
39.3
45.1
31.1
30.1
B read_____
F lour...........
Corn m e a l..
Rolled o a ts.
Corn flakes.
5.1
4.7
7.4
9.8
8.0
4.5
4.7
8.4
9.5
8.0
4.4
4.7
8.4
5
2.9
2.5
8.2
8.9
8.1
26.5 25.0 24.8 24.5 23.8 24.0
3.1
6.1
4.7
4.8
1.7
4.1
24.2 23.3 23.2
20.4 19.4 19.1
9.0
8.9
10.4 10.2 9.9
3.4 '2.0 2.6 2.7 3.0
6.0
8.8
8.4
6.1
5.9
5.0
4.0 3.4 3.6
11.4 11.0 11.0
14.8 15.2 15.2
16.3 16. 16.6
12.7 12.3 12.2 12.2 12.4 12.3
12.9 11.9 11.9
9.8 9.5 7.7 9.1 9.4 5.5 7.8 9.5 9.7
5.4
56.0 79.9 81.1 83.0 60.3.62.2 62.2 55.0 66.9 66.6 66.6
27.4 35.3 38.5 38.3 33.6 35.2 35.2 24.4 35.0, 35.5 35.5
8.0
22.3
20.4
35.4
75.0
1 No. 2J can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Sept. 15-
22.6 38.3 39.4 40. S 39.3 41.5 41.1 26.0 34.1 35.2 36.0
.d o .
Q u a rt...........
15-16- oz. c a n .
P o u n d ..........
........d o ...........
.d o .
.do.
.d o .
.d o .
D ozen.........
C ts.
St. Louis, Mo.
[1040]
21.1 21.7 20.3i 20.3 20.9
17.8 17. 21.5 15.5 15.3
39.2 39.2 38.0Î 44.4 42.8
50.9 52.7 69.9 52.2 50.7
22.9
24.6
28. 9
51.6
21.2 21.2
17.5 17.0
33.0 33.0
46.7 46.5
R ET A IL P R IC E S OF FOOD,
51
C L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued.
St. Paul, Minn.
Siilt Läkö City.
U tah .
San Francisco,
Calif.
Savannah,
Ga.
Scranton, Pa.
j Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Sept. 15—
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.
Aug. Sept
15, 1.5,
15, 15,
15,
15, 15, 15,
1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
27.2
23.6
20.4
16.8
10.6
34.6
28.5
27.4
20.4
10.1
Cts.
Cts.
36.6
31.5
28.3
21.3
10.5
36.8
30.9
28.9
21.6
11.3
22.6
20.0
19.4
15.0
12.5
Cts.
Cts.
29.1
25.9
22.3
17.3
11.5
28.2
24.3
21.6
16.8
11.7
21.3
19.7
21.1
15. C
13.8
Cts.
27.9
24.0
20.8
16.9
11.6
30. C
27.2
27.9
17.5
13.1
29.4
26.8
28.0
17.3
13.0
Cts.
30.4
27.6
29.2
17. 8
13.8
C ts.
Cts.
29.6
25.4
22.9
15.6
13.5
Cts.
30.8
26.3
24.2
15. 7
13.2
Cts.
31.7
25.8
24.6
15.7
12.7
C ts .
26.0
22.5
23.0
17.6
11.9
47.8
38.0
35.1
25.6
10.7
C ts.
50.5
40.1
35.9
26.1
10.5
50.7
41.6
36.5
26.7
11.1
21.4
26.3
28.8
16.7
19.6
33.5
39.8
46.7
32.2
27.8
29.7
39.1
44.0
31.5
27.9
34.4
39.6
44.3
33.3
28.6
23.8
30.0
30.0
17.5
23.3
33.9
39.0
48.9
32.4
33.7
29.2
38.5
43.8
32.1
31.7
34.3
37.9
42.9
31.8
32.4
23.7
34.4
33.0
16.5
24.2
38.9
54.8
55.9
34.3
37.3
36.2
50.3
51.8
34.8
38.0
38.2
50. S
53.5
35.6
39.6
30.8
35.7
39.5
37.0
33.7
28.3
35.0
36.0
36.3
30.5
29.8
35.4
36.5
36.3
32.4
22.5
27.5
31.7
19.0
22.7
39.0
44.1
.56.0
42.7
43.2
35.9
43.1
54.4
45.3
39.4Ì
41.6
41.8
54.0
46.6
42.3
35.6
7.8 11.0
11.1
35.0 40.4
28.3
34.4
12.0
12.1
46.5
27.7
34.8
12.0 8.7
12.1
50.3 39. Ó
27.7
33.3
9.0
10.3
46.7
35.5
10.0
11.0
52.1
34.7
27.8 26.8
10.0 iö.o 13.0 13.0
10.9
10.1 11. 1
53.6 42.9 55.6 56.2
27.0 28.0
27.4
13.0
10.9
60.5
28.0
34.5
17.3
10.3
46.7
31.0
34.9
17.5
11.6
53.2
33.1
35.1
36.1
17.5 8.8 13.0
11.5
11.2
56.3 36.4 44.7
33.7
26.2
35.1
13.5
12.3
50.6
29.3
35.1
14.0
12.3
53.5
31.0
26.3
27.6 27.9 27.3
28.0 28.3 28.3
34.9 24.2 28.1 31.3 31.7 Ì9.5 35.2 38.0 38.4
17.8 19.8 19.2 18.8 19.5 18.7 19.2 19.1 19.2
24.0
26.1 26.8 27.4
25.1 25.1 25.6
37.7 36.0 36.7 35.3 41.1 46.4 50.3 45.2 53.7
28.8
30.2
17.8
21.1
41.0
29.9
34.4
17.1
17.8
43.3
30.4
23.0
35.6 18.3 30.4
17.4 16.5 17.7
18.5
23.1
49.4 39.3 42.5
22.0
35.1
17.5
22.6
40.4
24.0
35.8
17.8
22.8
49.1
8.7
5.3
2.6
8.4
8.8
8.5
5.2
3.2
8.6
9.2
.....
26.0 27.0
2Ì. Ò 31.5 35.8
15.4 17.3 17.1
..... 24.6 24.1
28.1 36.2 32.3
6.0
3.0
2.3
9.3 9.4 9.4
4.9 4.2 4.4
3.4 3.5 3.6
9.3 9.9 9.9
10.0 10.0 10.0
....
26.2 25.0 25.0
18.5 18.6 18.7
9.5 9.1 9.6
..... 11.0 11.8 11.4
1.3 1.4 1.7 1.8
ió.ò
5.9
2.5
3.4
9.5 9.8 9.8
3.2 3.2 3.2
3.7 3.7 3.7
9.5 9.6 9.1
11.8 11.2 11.3
.....
15.3 13. 8
5.7 8.3 10.1
45.0 64.2 67.1
30.0 40.0 40.4
22.8 20.7 20.8
24.1 18.7 18.3
2 13.1 2 12.9
70.0 56.7 56.8
1 10.6
26.8
22.7
9.7
11.6
1.8 2.1
25.7 25.6
22.9 22.7
9.5 9.4
12.5 12.6
4.2 3.6
2.8 3.9 4.1 6.6 6.9 6.9
5.5
4.7 4.8 5.1
2.9
15.0 14.6 14.7 12.7 12.3 12.3
12.9
16.6 16.6 16.6 14.3 14.6 15.0
16.4
17.6 17.3 17.7 16.1 17.6 17.3 ....... 17.6
7.3 6.6
5.4 4.6
12.1 12. 1
16.5 16.2
18.5 18.4
13.4
114.5 113.8 113.8 10.1 11.0 10.6
13.5
10.5 5.6 7.7 9.5 9.6 7.4 9.3 9.2 5.8 8.0
82.6 50.0 57.5 57.3 58.0 67.8 66.9 66.9 52.5 58.7
44.1 32.0 36.1 36.5 36.1 31.9 34.9 34.9 31.3 37.5
13.0 13.0
9.6 9.4
60.7 60.7
39.7 39.7
4.2 5.3 4.9
4.0 3.9 3.0
17.0 15.5 15.5
14.9 14.1 14.4
16.0 15.6 15.6
14.2
14.4
10.0 6.2 8.9
67.1 65.7 78.4
40.4 35.8 44.1
12.9
10.5
81.4
44.1
20.1 18.4 17.7
21.3 17.8 16.9
2 15.0 2 15.8 2 15.0
60.8 43.8 44.1
25.0 23.5 23.2 25.2 23.8 24.2
13.7 14.3 14.3 18.5 17.3 17.5
9.3 9.0 9.2 8.1 7.9 8.1
8.9 9.7 9.8 10.9 12.0 11.8
i. 7 2.4 3.7 3.5 2.1 4.0 3.3
8.5
19.6
20.1
32.5
63.1
17.3
15.6
35. 0
50.5
s P er pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8.5
5.2
3.2
8.8
9.1
8.7 8.7
5.1
5.8 5.8
9.6 9.6
10.1 10.1
25.9 24.9 24.9
20.9 19.8 18.9
9.1 8.7 8.6
10.4 10.9 10.9
i. 4 1.2 2.4 2.3
4.6 6.7 5.8
1.6 2.8 2.9
14.7 14.2 14.2
14.9 14.5 11.5
........ 16.5 16.3 16.5
9.1 9.2 9.2
5.2 4.9 4.8
4.4 4.6 4.9
9.7 9.3 9.2
10.7 10.5 10.5
8.7
5.5
6.2
9.5
9.9
8.2
.....
5.9
3.4
3.5
[1041]
16.7
15.5
33.6
50.6
19.8
20.8
29.5
79.2
18.1
16.2
39.5
56.3
18.7
15.8
35.9
48.5
5.6
3.5
8.4
18.9
22.2
32.3
67.4
17.4
17.1
32.9
52.1
17.9
16.7
32.4
52.1
52
Table
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W ,
5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O P FO O D IN 51
C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —Concluded.
Springfield, 111.
Seattle, W ash.
Article.
W ashington, D . C.
Sept. 15—
15— Aug.
Aug. Sept
Sept. Sept. A ug. Sept.
15,
15,
15,
1.5,
15,
15,
1922 1923. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1913 1922 1923. 1923.
Finit.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
Pound.
. . .d o .
. .. d o .
. .. d o .
. .. d o .
24.0
20.7
19.3
16.0
13.0
30.2
26.8
24.0
16.4
12.6
31.5
26.5
24.3
15.8
12.4
30.7
26.4
24.1
16.1
12.5
C ts.
Sirloin s te a k .
R o u n d s te a k .
R ib ro a s t----C huck ro a s t..
P la te beef—
34.2
33.5
22.5
19.9
12.6
34.8
34.3
23.8
19.7
12.5
34.8
34.2
23.7
19.9
13.1
27.4
24.1
21.3
17.3
12.4
44.3
37.8
33.9
23.4
13.1
46.1
40.2
34.6
23.4
12.3
P o rk ch o p s...
Bacon, sliced.
H a m , sliced..
L am b , leg o f.
H en s...............
. .. d o .
. .. d o .
. .. d o .
...d o .
. .. d o .
24.3
32.5
30.0
19.3
23.3
37.1
50.2
52.3
31.6
30.3
32.7
49.0
51.1
32.0
31.1
38.6
49.8
52. C
32.2
32.0
32.8
39.3
48.6
37.5
31.7
28.2
39.3
46.4
38.1
29.9
34.5
40.4
47.1
38.1
31.8
24.1
28.5
30.0
19.4
22.5
39.9
39.1
56.1
40.3
39.3
36.5
37.5
55.3
41.8
42.0
Salmon, canned, r e d .
Milk, fresh .................
Milk, e v ap o rated........
B u tte r ...........................
O leom argarine............
....... d o ...........
Q u a rt........... 8.6
15-16-oz. can.
P o u n d .......... 40.0
___ d o .........
30.7
12.0
10.4
51.1
28.8
30.5
12.0
10.9
52.3
28.5
31.0
13. C
10.9
54.5
28.8
33.1
11.1
11.6
46.7
28.1
32.9
12.5
12.8
51. C
28.7
34.0
28.3
12.5 8.2 13.0
10.7
12.8
54.1 38.7 48.6
26.3
29.0
28.6
14.0
12.3
54.3
28.1
N u t m arg arin e...........
C heese...........................
L a rd ..............................
Vegetable la rd su b stitu te
Eggs, stric tly fre s h . . .
........d o .
........do.
____d o .
........d o .
D o zen .
28.7
32.8
19.1
26.0
44.1
29.0
36.4
19.0
24.8
41.1
29.0
36.3
19.2
24.8
47.8
26.6
32.5
17.2
23.1
39.8
27.8
37.1
16.6
25.9
30.7
28.1
26.4 27.5
38.6 23.5 33.9 37.8
17.8 15.3 17.2 17.0
25.1
22.7 23.3
38.9 34.5 47.3 41.1
9.9
4.5
3.7
8.S
11.7
9.9
4.4
4.1
8.2
11.7
9.9
4.3
4.2
8.1
11.7
9.7
9.2
5.1
4.7
4.1
4.3
10. C 10.5
9.7 10.1
9.3 5.7
4.7 3.8
4.5 2.6
10.6
10.1 ........
27.0
18. S
10.9
10.3
2.4
24.7
18.4
11.1
10.8
2.7
24.7
18.3
11.1
10.5
2.4
27.2
20.5
10.2
12.0
2.1
25.2
19.7
10.1
10.6
3.0
25.2
19.1
10.6
10.5
2.6
3.9
3.Ï
15.9
17.1
19.1
4.7
4.9
15.2
16.7
18.4
4.8
4.6
15.2
16.5
18.6
5.4
8.3
4.1
4.9
14.1 13.4
14. C 14.7
17.4 17.7
7.0
4.7
13.0
14.8
17.8
U 5 .7 1 15.6 115.4
8.3 10.0 10.1
65.2 68.2 68.2
38.5 38.6 38.6
15.5
8.7
71.1
35.6
14.9
11.8 12.1
10.5 5.3 7.5 9.4
75.7 57.5 72.5 76.7
38.1 28.8 7.5 35.3
21.4 16.1 16.1
22.7 17.1 17.2
2 14.0 * 15.8 2 15.f
66.1 46.9 48.2
22.8 20.7 20.2
25.9 20.2 19.8
2 8.8 2 11.8 2 12.1
72.1 49.9 49.2
Pound...
B re ad ............................
F lo u r.............................
........d o . . .
Corn m eal.......................... ___ d o . . .
R olled o ats...................... ........d o . ..
Corn flakes.....................
8-oz. p k g .
W h eat cereal.
M acaroni........
R ic e ................
Beans, n a v y .
P o ta to e s........
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
........d o ----........d o ___
........d o ___
Onions...............
C abbage............
Beans, b a k e d ..
Com , can n e d ...
Peas, c an n e d ...
........d o . ..
........do —
No. 2 can.
........d o ___
........d o ___
Tom atoes, c an n e d ...
Sugar, g ra n u la te d . . .
T e a ..............................
Coflee...........................
........d o.
Pound.
........d o.
........d o .
P ru n e s ...
R aisin s..
B an a n a s.
O ranges..
___ d o .
___ d o .
Dozen..
----- d o .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
21.7
17.6
43.3
5.2
2.9
3.2
7.7
"i.'i
6.6
50.0
28.0
1 No. 2§ can.
C ts .
C ts.
14.9
10.5
75.4
38.1
2 P e r pound.
[1042]
8.5
5.2
3.6
9.5
9.3
9.0
4.8
3.9
9.2
9.5
25.1
21.1
9.4 10.5
11.7
2.0 2.6
24.1
20.7
10.1
11.4
4.8
5.4 7.9
3.5 5.7
11.7 11.5
13.2 15.1
16.0 15.5
22.0
22.9
34.7
78.2
21.0
17.0
38.9
54.6
53
R E T A IL P R IC E S OF FOOD.
i
Comparison of Retail Food Costs in 51 Cities.
r"PABLE 6 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
in the retail cost of food 7 in September, 1923, compared with
the average cost in the year 1913, in September, 1922, and in August,
1923. For 12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year
and the one-month periods. These cities have been scheduled by the
bureau at different dates since 1913. These percentage changes
are based on actual retail prices secured each month from retail
dealers and on the average family consumption of these articles in
each city.8
Effort has been made by the bureau each month to have perfect
reporting cities. For the month of September 98 per cent of all the
firms reporting in the 51 cities sent in a report promptly. The
following were perfect reporting cities; that is, every merchant in
the following-named 32 cities who is cooperating with the bureau
sent in his report in time for his prices to be included in the city aver
ages: Atlanta, Butte, Bridgeport, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Fall
River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Little
Rock, Los Angeles, Manchester, Minneapolis, Newark, New Haven,
Norfolk, Omaha, Peoria, Pittsburgh, Portland, Me., Portland,
Qreg., Providence, Richmond, Rochester, St. Louis, St. Paul, Salt
Lake City, Savannah, Scranton, and Washington, D. C.
The following summary shows the promptness with which the
merchants responded in September:
R E T A IL P R IC E R E P O R T S R E C E IV E D D U R IN O S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
Geographical division.
Item .
Percentage of re p o rts received.......................
N um ber of cities in each section from which
e very re p o rt was received...........................
U nited
States.
N orth
South
A tlantic. A tlantic.
N orth
Central.
South
Central.
W estern.
98
99
98
98
97
98
32
10
6
9
3
4
7 F o r lis t of articles, see n o te 2, p . 32.
8 T he consum ption f i g u r e u sed from Jan u ary , 1913, to Decem ber, 1920, for each article in each city is
given in th e M onthly L a b o r R e v i e w for N ovem ber, 1918, p p . 94 and 95. T he consum ption f i g u r e s which
have been used for each m o n th beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921, are given in th e Monthly L a b o r R e v i e w
lor M arch, 1921, p . 26.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1043]
54
T
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
6 .—P E R C E N T A G E C H A N G E IN T H E R E T A IL COST O P FO O D IN S E P T E M B E R , 1923,
C O M PA R ED W IT H T H E COST IN A U G U ST, 1923, S E P T E M B E R , 1922, AN D W IT H T H E
A V E R A G E COST IN T H E Y E A R 1913, B Y C IT IE S.
able
Percentage increase, Septem
ber, 1923, com pared w ith—
Percentage increase, Septem
ber, 1923, com pared w ith—
City.
City.
Septem
ber, 1922.
1913
A tla n ta ___
B altim ore.................
B irm in g h am . ..........
B oston.......................
B rid g ep o rt...............
47
- 57
51
55
B uffalo......................
B u tte .........................
C harleston........ .
Chicago.....................
C incinnati......... .......
49
C leveland. . . . . . ___
Colum bus.................
D allas........................
D enver......................
D e tro it......................
6
1
9
3
2
0
8
10
3
7
4
5
9
0
1 0 .2
2
47
6
3
51
11
8
2
44
36
59
3
F all R iv e r................
H o u sto n ....................
Indianapolis . ..........
Jacksonville.............
K ansas C ity.............
47
40
43
L ittle R o ck .............
Los Angeles..............
L ouisville.................
M anchester...............
M em phis...................
41
43
40
52
41
1
August,
1923.
3
3
2
1
2
8
10
s
4
3
10
1
1
1
7
3
2
5
8
8
6
i
4
4
1
2
Septem August,
ber, 1922.
1923.
1913
•
M ilw aukee. ..
Mi n n eapoli s .
M obile.......................
N ewark
N p.w H aven.
52
46
New Orleans
New Y o rk ___ ,
N orfolk......................
O m aha...........
P eo ria....................
45
55
46
4
7
7
7
Philadelphia
P ittsb u rg h
P o rtland. M e...
P o rtland, Oreg
P rovidenee..
53
51
10
8
49
53
2
8
5
7
7
2
3
2
3
8
3
22
2
1
26
57
5
3
7
59
0
R ic h m o n d ..
R ochester..............
St. L o u is...
St. P a u l.....................
Salt Lake C ity
48
San Francisco.
.
S av an n ah .................
Scranton.
Seattle
Springfield, 111 . ..
W ashington, D. C..
56
42
98
47
58
2
i n 9i
3
2
2
24
2l
7
0
0
6
5
6
9
3
5
7
..'ik'U
3
i
2
3
2
i
Decrease.
Retail Prices of Coal in the United States.0
HE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
September 15, 1922, and on August 15 and September 15, 1923,
for the United States and for each of the cities included in the
total for the United States. Prices for coal are secured from the cities
from which monthly retail prices of food are received.
In addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales
for household use.
The prices shown for bituminous coal are averages of prices of the
several kinds used. The coal dealers in each city are asked to quote
prices on the kinds of bituminous coal usually sold for household use.
The prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers, but do not
include charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin where an
extra handling is necessary.
T
“ Prices of coal were formerly secured sem iannually a n d published in th e March and Septem ber issues of
the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w . Since June, 1920, these prices have been secured and published m onthly.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1044]
RETAIL PRICES OP COAL.
55
A V E R A G E -R E T A IL P R IC E S O F COAL P E R TO N O F 2,000 PO U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON S E P T E M B E R 15, 1922, A N D A U G U ST 15 A N D S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923.
1923
Sept. 15,
1922.
C ity, a n d k in d of coal.
A ug. 15.
U n ite d S ta te s :
P e n n sy lv an ia a n th ra c ite —
S to v e .........................................................................................
C h e s tn u t..............................................................................
B itu m in o u s ....................................................................................
A tlanta, Ga.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................
..
............
B altim ore, Md.:
Pennsylvania—
Stove..........................................................................................
C hestnut...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
B irm ingham , Ala.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Boston, Mass.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C hestnut...................................................................................
B ridgeport, Conn.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C hestnut...................................................................................
Buffalo, N , Y.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C hestn u t...................................................................................
B u tte, M ont.:
B itum inous.....................................................................................
Charleston, S. C.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C hestnut...................................................................................
B itum inous.....................................................................................
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C hestn u t...................................................................................
B itum inous.....................................................................................
C incinnati, Ohio:
B itum inous...................................................................................
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove.............................................................................
C hestn u t..........................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................
Columbus, Ohio:
B itum inous...................................................................
Dallas, Tex.:
A rkansas an th racite—
E g g .............................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
D enver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 m ixed ........................................................
Stove, 3 a n d 5 m ix e d .............................................................
B itu m in o u s...................................................................................
D etroit, Mich.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s........................................................... ..........................
F all R iver, -Mass.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
H ouston, Tex.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds; average price in effect during th e last
3 Per to n of 2,240 pounds.
8 No quotation.
4 Average price in effect during th e last week in Septem ber.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1045]
Sept. 15.
$15.105
15.132
11. 079
$15.194
15.144
9.944
$15.260
15.208
9.988
10.958
8.288
8.288
i 15.750
i 15.750
11.800
2 15.917
! 15.750
8.100
*15.917
* 15.750
8.200
7. 554
7.922
8.026
15.000
15. 000
15.500
15.500
15.500
15.500
14.000
14.000
16.000
16.000
16 250
16 000
12. 813
12. 813
13.175
13.175
13.113
13.113
11.583
11.184
11.322
2 17.000
17.100
12.000
8 17.000
* 17.050
12.000
4 16.025
4 15.690
10.833
16.188
16.000
8.797
16.438
16.438
8.734
9.306
8.577
8.577
15.500
15.000
10.350
15.083
15.083
9. 603
14.750
14.750
9.559
9.763
7. 487
7.539
17. .500
15.318
16.667
13.958
16.917
13.792
16.583
16. 583
11.106
16.625
16.625
10.378
16.750
16.750
10.723
4 15. 563
4 15. 563
11.844
16.250
16.188
10.250
16.250
16.188
10.286
15.250
15.000
15.500
15.417
15.500
15.417
12.167
11.833
12.500
15. 625
15.667
9.426
16.000
16.000
8.213
16.000
16.000
8.125
( 3)
(3)
12.000
2
week in Septem ber.
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW,
56
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P COAL P E R TO N O P 2,000 PO U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON S E P T E M B E R 15, 1922, A N D A U G U ST 15 A N D S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923—Continued.
1923
Sept. 15,
1922.
C ity , an d k in d of coal.
Aug. 15.
Jacksonville, Fla.:
B itu m in o u s....................................................................................„
K ansas City, Mo.:
A rkansas an th racite—
F u rn ace.....................................................................................
Stove, No. 4 .............................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
L ittle Rock, A rk.:
A rkansas an th racite—
Egg.................................................. : .........................................
B itum inous......................................................................................
Los Angeles, Calif.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Louisville, K y.:
B itu m in o u s......................................................................................
M anchester, N. H .:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove.........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
Memphis, Tenn.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Milwaukee, Wls.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove.........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
M inneapolis, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C hestnut...................................................................................
B itum inous.....................................................................................
Mobile, Ala.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
N ewark, N. J.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t....................... ...........................................................
New H aven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
N ew Orleans, La.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
New Y ork, N. Y .:
Pennsylvania anthracite.:
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove......... ................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
O maha, N ebr.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Peoria, 111.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
Pittsb u rg h , Pa.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s....................................................................
P ortland, Me.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
P ortlan d , Oreg.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
2 P er ton of 2,240 pounds.
4 Average price in effect d u rin g th e last w eek in Septem ber.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[104G]
Sept. 15.
$15.000
$13.000
$13.000
16.857
17.813
9.817
15.643
16.875
8.181
16.143
17.063
8.395
15.000
12.333
14.000
10.625
14.000
10.542
16.333
15. 500
15.500
9.681
8.531
8.615
16.000
16.000
17.167
17.167
17.167
17.167
9.482
7.429
7.429
16.020
15.950
12.204
16.000
16.000
10.083
16.000
16.000
10.287
17.510
17.470
13.673
17. 500
17.380
12.073
17.500
17.380
11.960
10.188
9.857
9.786
12.7.50
12.750
12.750
12.750
12.750
12.750
14.000
14.000
15.750
15.750
15.750
15.750
19.000
19. 000
10.125
20.250
20.250
9.626
20.750
20.750
9.719
14.208
14. 20S
14.083
14.083
14.500
14.500
14.000
14. 000
11. 619
15.000
15.000
11.357
15.000
15.000
11.357
12.512
10.845
10.845
8.225
6.462
6.462
2 14.156
2 14.156
2 15. 429
2 15.000
2 15.429
2 15.000
2 17. 000
2 17.000
S. 417
2 16. 750
2 16.750
7.536
2 17.000
2 17.000
7.536
4 15.843
4 15.843
15.843
15.843
15. 840
15.843
14.157
13.587
13.196
RETAIL PRICES OF COAL,
57
AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF COAL PER TON OF 2,000 POUNDS, FOR HOUSEHOLD
USE, ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1922, AND AUGUST 15 AND SEPTEMBER 15, 1923—Concluded.
1923
Sept. 15,
1922.
C ity, a n d k in d of coal.
A ug. 15*
Providence, R . I.:
Pennsylvania anth racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
R ichm ond, Va.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove............. ...........................................................................
C h estn u t............................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Rochester, N . Y .:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t......................... „........................................................
S t. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania anth racite—
Stove.........................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s........................................................................
St. Paul, M inn.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
S to v e.........................................................................................
C h estn u t....... ...........................................................................
B itu m in o u s...................................................................................
Salt Lake C ity, U tah:
Colorado an thracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 m ix ed .......................................
Stove, 3 a n d » m ix e d ..................................................
B itu m in o u s.................................................................................
San Francisco, Calif.:
New Mexico an th racite—
Cerillos egg...................................................
Colorado anthracite—
E g g ............................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Savannah, Ga.:
Pennsylvania anth racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t.............................................................................
Seattle, W ash.:
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Springfield, 111.:
B itu m in o u s............................. .......................................................
W ashington, D. C.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t...................................................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
Sept. 15.
o $15.000
5 15.500
6 $15.300
6 15.300
8 $15.300
5 15.300
16.000
16.000
11.300
15.625
11.779
16.500
16.500
11.913
13.450
13. 450
13. 450
13.450
13.450
13.450
16.188
16.313
7.947
16.313
16.625
7.153
16.375
16. 563
7.083
17.508
17.483
13.852
17.500
17.350
12.170
17.500
17.350
12.390
20.000
20.000
9.638
17. 500
17. 500
8.313
17.500
17.500
8.297
26.7.50
26. 500
26.500
24. 250
24. 500
2 4 .5 0 0
17.900
16.800
16.800
0 18.100
s 18.100
6 12.183
6 17.050
s 17.050
8 11.400
« 17.050
e 17.050
s 11.717
* 9.783
10.267
9.817
9.817
9.817
9. 817
7 10.396
7 10.150
7 10.100
6.000
4.500
4.500
i 15.507
i 15.457
2 10.025
2 15.333
2 15.208
2 9. 881
2 15.333
2 15.208
2 9.772
*
1P er to n of 2,240 pounds; average price in effect during th e la st w eek in Septem ber.
2 P e r to n of 2,240 p o u n d s.
* A verage price in effect d uring th e la st week in Septem ber.
&
F ifty cents p er to n a d d itio n al is charged for “ bin n in g .” Most custom ers require binning or b asket
ing th e coal in to th e cellar.
6 A ll coal sold in S avannah is weighed by th e city. A charge of 10 cents per ton or half ton is m ade.
This additional charge has been included in th e above prices.
7 Prices in Zone A . The cartage charges in Zone A were as follows: Septem ber, 1922, $1.25 to $1.75; A ugust
and Septem ber, 1923, $1.25. These charges have been included ih th e prices.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1047]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
58
Retail Prices of Gas in the United States.®
HE following table shows for 51 cities the net price for the first
1,000 cubic feet of gas used for household purposes. Prices
are, in most cases, for manufactured gas, but prices for natural
as have alSo been quoted for those cities where it is in general use.
'or Buffalo and Los Angeles prices are given for natural and manu
factured gas, mixed. The prices shown do not include any extra
charge for service.
T
f
N E T P R IC E F O R T H E F IR S T 1,000 CU BIC F E E T O F GAS, F O R H O U S E H O L D U SE , ON A P R IL
15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1920, AN D ON MAY 15,1921, A N D M ARCH 15, J U N E 15, S E P T E M B E R
15, D E C E M B E R 15, 1922, A N D M ARCH 15, J U N E 15, A N D S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923, B Y C IT IE S.
City.
A tla n ta ............
B altim ore........
B irm in g h am ..
B osto n.............
B rid g e p o rt.. . .
Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. May Mar. June Sept. Dec. Mar. June Sept
15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1913. 1914. 1915. 1916. 1917. 1918. 1919. 1920. 1921. 1922. 1922. 1922. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1923.
$1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 .$1.00 $1.15 $1.15 $1.90 $1.65 $1.65 $1.65 $1.65 $1.65 $1.65 $1.65
.90 .80 .80 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .92 .92 .92 .92 .92 .92 .85
1.00 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .88 .88 .88 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80
.82 .82 .80 .80 .80 .85 1.02 1.07 1.42 1.34 1.32 1.30 1.30 1.25 1.25 1.25
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.10 1.10 H .30 1.60 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50
B uffalo.............
B u tte ................
C h arle sto n .. . .
Chicago............
C leveland........
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45
1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 2.10 2.10 2.10
1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.00 1.10 1.10 1.25 1.55 1.55 1.55
.80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .751 .94 .90 1.29 1.20 1.20
.80 .80 .80 .80 .80
.80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80
D enver.............
D etro it.............
Fall R iver........
H o u sto n ..........
Ind ian ap o lis..
.85 .80 .80 .80 .80 .85
.75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75
.80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .95
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
.60 .55 .55 . 55 .55 .55
.95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95
.79 .79 .85 .79 .79 .79 .79 .79 .79 .79
.95 1.05 1.25 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15
1.00 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09
.60 .60 .90 .90 2L20 2L20 21.20 21.20 1.15 1.15
Jack so n v ille...
M anchester__
M em phis— ..
M ilw aukee___
M inneapolis.. .
1.20 1.20 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.25
1.10 1.10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
.75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75
.85 .80 .80 .77 .77 .77
1.25 1.50 1.75 1.75 1.65 1.65 1.65
1.10 1.10 31.50 «1.40 31.40 31.40 31.40
LOO U .10 1.35 1.35 1.20 1.20 1.20
.75 .75 .90 .90 .90 .98 .98
.95 .95 1.28 1.02 1.02 .99 .99
M obile..............
N e w a rk ............
New H a v e n ...
New O rlean s..
New Y o rk ___
1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10
1.00 .90 .90 .90 .90 .97
.90 .90 .90 .90 .90 1.00
1.10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
.84 .84 .83 .83 .83 .83
1.35
.97
1.10
1.30
.85
1.35
1.15
1.10
1.30
.87
N orfolk............
O m aha.............
Peoria...............
P h ilad elp h ia..
P ittsb u rg h ___
1.00
1.15
.90
1.00
1.00
1.20
1.15
.85
1.00
1.00
1.60
1.15
.85
1.00
(6)
P o rtlan d , Me..
P o rtlan d , Oreg
P ro v id e n c e ....
R ich m o n d ___
R ochester........
1.10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
.95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95
.85 .85 .85 .85 .85 1.00
.90 .90 .90 .80 .80 .80
.95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95
St. Louis..........
St. P a u l...........
Salt Lake C ity
San Francisco.
S av an n ah ........
Scranton..........
S e a ttle ..............
Springfield, 111
W ashington, D
.80
.95
.90
.75
1.00
1.15
.90
1.00
1.00
.80
.90
.90
.85
1.00
1.15
.90
1.00
1.00
.80
.90
.90
.85
1.00
1.00
.90
1.00
1.00
.80
.85
.90
.85
1.00 1.20
1.00 1.15
.85 .85
1.00 1.00
1.00 1.00
.75
.85
.90
.85
.75
.85
.90
.85
.95 .95 .95 .95 .95 1.15
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.25
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
.93 .93 .93 .93 .80 .90
1.45
2.10 2. i6 2. ÌÓ 2. ÌÓ
1.55 1.55 1.55 1.55
1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20
.80 .80 .80 .80
1.65
31.40
1.20
.98
1.03
1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80
1.40 1.40 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25
11.10 11.10 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45
1.30 1.45 1.45 1.30 1.30 1.30
41.36 <1.28 <1.27 51.27 31.21 31.21
1.40
1.35
1.20
1.00
(6)
1.40
1.35
1.20
1.00
1.40 1.40 1.85 1.75 1.65
.95 .95 1.67 1.50 1.50
1.30 1.30 H .25 U .25 U .25
1.00 1.00 1.30 1.30 1.30
.95 .95 71.05 1.10 1.10
1.65
1.43
11.15
1.30
1.10
1.40
1.53
1.20
1.00
(6)
1.45
1.40
1.20
1.00
(6)
(6)
1.35
1.35
1.20
1.00
(6)
1.40
1.35
1.20
1.00
(6)
1.55 1.55
1.43 1.43
11.15 U .10
1.30 1.30
1.05 1.05
2.10
1.55
1.17
1.25
1.65 1.65
31.40 81.40
1.20 1.20
.98 .95
1.05 1.01
1.80
1.25
1.45
1.30
1.23
1.80
1.25
1.45
1.30
1.23
1.40
1.35
1.20
1.00
(6)
1.35
1.35
1.20
1.00
(6)
1.55 1.55
1.43 1.43
H .05 U . 05
1.30 1.30
1.05 1.00
.75 .85 1.05 1.05 1.05 1.05 1.05 1.00 1.00 1.00
.85 .85 1.00 1.00 1.00 .85 1.00 1.00 .85 .85
1.10 31.32 31.52 31.52 31.52 31.52 31.52 31.52 31.52 31.52
.95 1.05 1.04 1.02 .92 .92 .92 .92 .92 .92
1.25 1.60 1.60 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45
1.30 1.30 1.70 1.70 1.60
1.25 1.55 1.55 1.55 1.55
1.10 1.10 1.40 1.40 1.40
.95 .95 1.25 1.10 1.05
1.60
1.55
1.40
1.05
1.60
1.55
1.40
1.05
1.60
1.55
1.40
1.05
1.60
1.55
1.35
1.05
1.60
1.55
1.35
1.05
a R etail prices of gas are published a t q u a rte rly in terv als in th e Monthly L abor R e v ie w .
1 P lu s 50 cents p er m o n th service charge.
2 The ra te was increased from 90 cents by order of th e Federal court, and is subject to final decision by
the sam e court. Pen d in g th e decision th is increase has been im pounded.
8 P lu s 25 cents p e r m o n th service charge.
* The prices of tw o com panies included in th is average have an additional service charge of 2J cents per
day.
6 The price of one eom pany included in th is average has an additional service charge of 2J cents per day
6 Sale of m anufactured gas discontinued.
7 P lu s 40 cents p er m o n th sendee charge.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1048]
67655o— 23----- 5
RETAIL PRICES OF GAS,
[1040]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T R E N D IN R E T A IL P R IC E O F GAS F O R T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , A P R IL , 1914, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
«©
60
M O N T H L Y LABOE R E V IE W .
N E T P R IC E F O R T H E F IR S T 1,000 CUBIC F E E T O F GAS, FO R H O U S E H O L D U S E , ON A P R IL
15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1920, A N D ON MAY 15,1921, AN D M ARCH 15, JU N E 15, S E P T E M B E R
15, D E C E M B E R 15, 1922, A N D M ARCH IS, JU N E 15, A N D S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923, B Y C IT IE S —
Concluded.
N a tu r a l gas.
Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. May Mar. June Sept. Dec. Mar. June Sept.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1913. 1914. 1915. 1916. 1917. 1918. 1919. 1920. 1921. 1922. 1922. 1922. 1922. 1923. 1923. 1923.
City.
B uffalo.................. $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.35 $0.35 $0.35 $0.42 $0.42
C incinnati............. .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .35 .35 .35 .35 .50 .50 $0.50 *0.50 $0.50 $0.50 $0.50
C leveland.............
.30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .35 .35 .35 .40 .40 .40 .40 .40 1 .45 1 .45
.30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45
C olum bus.............
D allas....................
.15 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .68 .68 .68 .68 .68 .68 .68 .68
K ansas C ity, M o.
L ittle R o c k ..........
Louisville.............
P ittsb u rg h ...........
.27
. 4(1
.28
.27
.40
.65
.28
.27
.40
.62
.28
.27
.40
.65
.28
.30
.40
.65
.28
.60
.40
.65
.28
.80
.45
.65
.35
.80 1.80 1 .80 1.80 1.85 1 .85 1 .85 1 .85 1 .85
.45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45
.65 .65
.65 .65
.65
.65
.35 .45 .50 .50 .50 .50 .50 .50 .50
M a n u fa c tu re d a n d n a tu r a l gas, m ix e d .
Los Angeles..........
Buffalo“.................
1
$0.68 $0.68! $0.68 *0.68 $0.75 $0.75|$0.75 $0.76 $0.73 $0.7o[$0.69 $0.68 $0.68 $0.66
. . . y . ..
...
....
.651 8.62 3.62 8.62 8.61
1 P lu s 50 cents per m o n th service charge.
8 Price includes a coal charge.
From the prices quoted on manufactured gas average prices
have been computed for all of the cities combined and are shown in
the next table for April 15 of each year from 1913 to 1920, and for
May 15, 1921, and March 15, June 15, September 15, and December
15, 1922, and March 15, June 15, and September 15, 1923. Relative
prices have been computed by dividing the price of each vear b v the
price in April, 1913.
As may be seen in the table, the price of manufactured gas changed
but little until 1921. The price in September, 1923, showed an
increase of 33 per cent since April, 1913. From June, 1923, to
September, 1923, there was no change in price.
A V E R A G E i AN D R E L A T IV E P R IC E S O F M A N U F A C T U R E D GAS, F O R H O U S E H O L D USE,
P E R 1,000 CUBIC F E E T , ON A P R IL 15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1920; A N D ON MAY 15, 1921
M A R C H 15, JU N E 15, S E P T E M B E R 15, A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1922; A N D M ARCH 15, JU N E 15,
A N D S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923, F O R A L L C IT IE S C O M B IN ED .
[Average prices in A pril, 1913= 100.]
D ate.
A pr. 15,1913................................
A pr. 15,1914................................
A pr. 15,1915................................
A pr. 15,1916................................
A pr. 15,1917................................
AÖr. 15, 1918.................................
A pr. 15, 1919................................
A pr. 15,1920................................
Average
price.
R elative
price.
$0.95
.94
.93
.92
.92
.95
1.04
1.09
100
99
98
97
97
100
109
115
D ate.
May 15, 1921.. .
Mar. 15,1922
Ju n e 15,1922
Sept. 15,1922
Dec. 15,1922
Mar. 15', 1923___
June 15, 1923..
Sept. 15, 1923.
1 N et price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1050]
Average
price.
<f,1 w>.
1 2Q
1
1
1
1
1
9Q
97
27
9ft
9ft
1.26
R elative
price.
139
138
136
131
134
133
133
133
RET A IL P R IC E S OF E L E C T R IC IT Y .
61
Retail Prices oi Electricity in the United States.
r p H E following table shows for 51 cities the net rates per kilowatt
1 hour of electricity used for household purposes for specified
months, from 1913 to 1923.
For the cities having more than one tariff for domestic consumers
the rates are shown for the schedule under which most of the resi
dences are served.
The consumption per month is expressed in hours of demand for
several of the cities from which prices for electricity have been ob
tained. Since the demand is determined by a different method in each
city, the explanation of these methods is given following the table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1051 ]
05
NET PRICE PER KILOWATT HOUR FOR ELECTRICITY FOR HOUSEHOLD USE IN SPECIFIED MONTHS, 1913 TO 1923, FOR 51 CITIES.
M easure of c o n s u m p tio n , p e r m o n th .
C ity .
D e
cem
b e r,
1913.
D ecem b e r,
1914.
D ecem b e r,
1915.
Cents. Cents. Cents.
C harleston .
[1052]
C o lu m b u s ...........
D a lla s ..................
D e n v e r __
D e tr o it.
F a ll R iv e r..........
H o u sto n 5...........
In d ia n a p o lis:
C om pany A ..
C om pany B . .
J a c k s o n v ille . .
K a n s a s C it y ___
All c u r r e n t..............................................................
June,
1918.
June,
1920.
M ay,
1921. M arch. J u n e .
S ep
te m b e r.
D e
cerner.
M arch. J u n e .
8.0
2 8.0
7.7
8.1
2 8.0
7.7
8.1
2 8.0
7.7
8.1
2 8.0
7.7
8.1
2 8.0
7.7
2
8.1
8.0
7.7
8.1
a 8 .0
7.7
8.1
2 8.0
7.7
8.1
8 .0
7.7
1 11.5
11.5
8.0
7.0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
4 11.8
4 11.8
8.0
7 .0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
4 11.3
4 11.3
8.5
7.0
4.0
1.5
« 9 .5
10.0
10.0
8.0
7 .0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
10.0
10.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
9.5
9 .5
8.0
7 .0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
9.5
9.5
7.5
7 .0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
9.5
9.5
7 .5
6.0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
9 .5
9 .5
/. 5
6 .0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
7 10.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6 .5
3.5
7 10.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6.5
3.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
9 .5
9 .5
7 .5
6 .0
4.0
1.5
8.0
4.0
10.0
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6 .5
3 .5
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6.5
3 .5
8 .0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6 .5
3 .5
8 10.0
5.0
3.0
8 10.0
5.0
3.0
5.0
1 7 .0
2 8.5
3 8.5
i 7.0
2 8.5
3 7.7
1 7 .0
2 8.0
7.7
1 7 .0
s 8.0
7.7
10.0
10.0
9 .0
7 .0
5 .0
1.5
6 9 .5
10.0
10.0
8.0
7 .0
5 .0
1.5
6 9.5
10.0
10.0
7 .0
7 .0
4.0
1.5
6 9 .5
10.0
10.0
7 .0
7 .0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
10.0
10.0
7.0
7.0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
10.0
10.0
7.5
7.0
4.0
1.5
6 9.5
10.0
? 10.0
8 .0
10.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
3 .5
7 10.0
8 .0
9 .0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6.5
3 .5
7 10.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6.5
3.5
8 10.0
5.0
3.0
8 10.0
5.0
3.0
8 10.0
5.0
3.0
4
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6.5
3.5
9 .0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6 .5
3 .5
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6 .5
3.5
5.0
5.0
5 .0
5.0
5.0
5.0
3.0
3.0
3 .0
3.0
3 .0
3 .0
3 .0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7 .0
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6 .0
6.0
7.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
12.6
12.6
12.6
io 12.6 10 12.6 io 12.6 io 12.6 w 12.6 io 12.6 io 12.6 io 12.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
ii 9.5 ii 9.5 n 8.6 ii 8.6 ii 8.6 12 8.6 12 9.5 1210.5 1210.5 1210.5 1210.5
7 .0
6 .0
8.0
10.8
3 .6
12 9.5
7 .0
6.0
8.0
10.8
3.6
12 9.5
7.0
6.0
8.0
10.8
3.6
12 9.5
7 .0
6 .0
8.0
10.8
3 .6
9 .0
8.5
7 .2
4.5
7 .0
6 .5
7 .0
6 .5
7 .0
8.7
10.0
5.0
4.0
9.5
6.7
3.8
10.0
5.0
3.0
9.5
6.7
3 .8
10.0
8 10.0
5 0
3.0
9 8.0
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6.5
3.5
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6.5
3,5
9.0
5.0
3.0
8.5
6.5
3.5
5.0
5.0
3 .0
3.0
F irs t SO hours* u s e of d e m a n d _______ ____ « 12.4
E x c e s s ......................................................................
8.1
4.5
8.1
4. 5
8.1
4.5
8.1
4.5
8.1
4.5
8.1
4.5
8.1
4.5
8.1
4.5
7.2
4.5
7.2
4.5
7 .2
4 .5
7.2
4.5
7.2
4.5
7.0
6 .0
8.0
10. 8
3.6
9.0
8.5
7 .2
4.5
7.5
ii 7.5
117.0
n 7 .0
7.0
9.9
7.0
9.9
io 6 .5
n 5.0
is 6 .5
u 5.0
7.0
9.9
is 6 .5
17 5.0
15 6.5
17 5.0
7 .0
9.9
is 6.5
17 5.0
15 6.5
n 5.0
7.0
7.6
15 6.5
17 5.0
15 6 .5
i? 5.0
7.0
7.6
15 6.5
17 5.0
is 6.5
17 5.0
7.0
18 8.4
15 6.5
h 5.0
is 6.5
n 5.0
7.0
8.7
15 7.5
17 7.0
15 7. 5
17 7.0
7.0
8.7
is 7.5
17 7.0
15 7.5
17 7.0
7.0
8.7
16 7.5
17 7.0
i® 7.0
17 6.5
7.0
8. 7
7 .0
6 .5
7 .0
6.5
7 .0
8 .7
7.0
6.5
7.0
6.5
7.0
8.7
7.0
6.5
7.0
6.5
7.0
S. 7
7 .0
6.5
7.0
6.5
7.0
8.7
All c u r r e n t..............................................................
F ir s t 800 k ilo w a tt h o u r s ....................................
All c u rre n t,.. . ....................................................
Eirst. 3 k ilo w a tt h o u rs p e r a c tiv e ro o m ........
E xcess
........................................
Eirst. 25 kilow att, b o u t s . ....................................
E irs t 50 k ilo w a tt h o u r s ......................................
N e x t 150 kilow att, h o u rs ....................................
E irst 50 k ilo w a tt h o u r s ......................................
N e x t 150 kilow att- h o u rs .
All c u rre n t..............................................................
F ir s t 3 k ilo w a tt h o u rs p e r a c tiv e ro o m
(m in im u m , 3 ro o m s).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
S ep
te m h e r.
S.0
2 8.0
7.7
1 7 .0
2 8.5
3 8.5
i
June,
1919.
Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents.
1 7 .0
2 8.5
3 8.5
F ir s t 50 k ilo w a tt h o u r s ........ ............................. 7 io .o
C h ic a g o 5............. Thirst SO hours* u s e of d e m a n d .........................
N ext. SO hours* u s e of d e m a n d .........................
E x c e s s ......................................................................
C in c in n a ti5........ Eirst, SO hours* u se of d e m a n d ........................
N ext, SO hours* u s e of d e m a n d ____________
E x c e s s ............ .........................................................
C leveland:
C o m p a n y A . . A ll c u r r e n t............................................................. s
C om pany B ..
D ecom
b er,
1917.
to
1923
h
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
A tla n ta __
F irs t 100 k ilo w a tt h o u r s ....................................
Ttaltifnnre,
F ir s t 40 k ilo w a tt h o u r s .................. ....................
B irm in g h a m ___ F ir s t 100 k ilo w a tt h o r n s ....................................
B o sto n :
C o m p a n y A . . A ll c u r r e n t .. ..........................................................
.d o ........................................................................
Com n an v D . .
B ritf gfvnort.........
.d o ................................................ .....................
F ir s t 60 h o rn s ’ u s e of d e m a n d ..... ...................
N e x t 120 h o u rs ’ u s e of d e m a n d .......................
E xcess . .........................................
B u tt e ............
F ir s t 25 k ilo w a tt h o u r s .............................. ........
Docom
b e r,
1916.
1922
4.5
W13.5
4.5
10.0
4.5
10.0
4.5
10.0
4.8
10.0
4.8
10.0
18 F). 2
1 0 .0
5.4
10.0
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
7 .6
w 1 1 .4
7 .6
7 .6
5 .5
7 .6
7 .6
7 .6
7 .6
7 .6
2 1 1 2 .0
18 11.4 '9 11.4 19 11. 4 1911.4
'9 11.4 2112. 0
21 6.6
1
9
10.0
1
9
10.
0
22
6.0
22 6.0 22 6.0
19 10. 0 1910. 0
24 11.4 2U0.5 2110.5
23 4.8
23 4.8
3.8
3.8
8.6
8.6
77 5.7 17 5.7
7.0
7.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
2313.0 2312.0
77 6.0 17 6 . 0
28 10.0 2910.0
10.0
10.0
11.0
11.0
9.0
9.0
28 11.4 2810.5
17 5.7
17 5.7
27 4.8
2 1 9 .5
27 4.8
9.5
27 4.8
5.4
10.0
5 .4
1 0 .0
5.4
10.0
0.2
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5.6
5 .6
7 .6
1 2 .0
6 .0
2 9 .0
7 .6
12.0
6.0
2 9.0
5 .0
7 .6
1 2 .0
6 .0
8 .0
5 .0
9.5
8.6
8.6
S.6
7.6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
S.6
7 .6
1 2 .0
6 .0
2 9.0
7.6
12.0
6.0
2 9.0
8.6
8.6
7.6
12.0
6.0
S.0
5.0
8.6
6 .2
6 .2
7 .6
2 1 1 2 .0
2 1 6 .O
s.o
25 5.6
5.7
5.7
5.7
5.7
5.7
5.7
5.7
5.7
25 2.7
9.5
7.1
8.0
10.0
8.0
9.1
7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
10.0
8.5
9.1
7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
10.0
8.0
9.1
7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
10.0
8.0
9.1
7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
10.0
8.0
9.1
7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
8.0
9.1
7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
7.5
9.1
7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
7.5
9.1
7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
7.5
9.1
7.8
7.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
7.9
10.0
318.8
9.0
6.0
817.5
10.0
« 8.4
9.0
5.5
317.5
10.0
318.4
9.0
5.5
317.5
10.0
318.5
9.0
5.5
317.6
10.0
31 8.6
9.0
5.5
si 7.0
10.0
31 8.6
9.0
5.5
si 7.6
10.0
3i 8.6
9.0
5.5
31 7.5
10.0
31 8.5
9.0
5.5
7 .0
1 0 .0
7 .0
7 .0
6 .0
1.9
7.6
5.7
8.0
10.0
7.5
7.0
6.0
s.o
10.0
11.0
9.0
7 8.0
6.0
39 8.0
10.0
11.0
9.0
7 8.0
6.0
7.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
20
5.4
10.0
27 4.8
1.9
7.6
5.7
8.0
10.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
1.9
8.6
r>_7
5o 4
10.0
5. 4
25 5.6
1.9
8.1
5.7
7.0
10.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
17
1 0 .0
21 9.5 25 10.3 25 10.3
25 2.7
9.5
7.1
10.8
10.0
8.0
9.1
7.8
1 F irst 150 kilow att hours.
2 F irst 50 kilow att hours.
3 The gross rate is 10 cents per kilow att hour w ith discounts of 10 per cent for a m onthly
consum ption of 1 to 25 kilow att hours a n d 15 per cent for a m onthly consum ption of 25
to 150 kilow att hours. T he average fam ily used 25 or more kilow att hours per m onth.
* Price includes a coal charge, an d a surcharge of 10 per cent from December, 1918, to
June, 1920, an d 5 p er cent from December, 1920, to December, 1921.
5 For determ ination of dem and see explanation following table.
3 F irst 100 kilow att hours.
7 F irst 25 kilow att hours.
3 F irst 36 h o u rs’ use of dem and: For determ ination of dem and, see explanation follow
ing table.
9 F irst 10 kilow att hours.
10 F irst 2 kilow att hours per active room.
u F irst 200 kilow att hours.
is F irst 500 kilow att hours.
13 F irst 2 kilow att hours per 16 candlepower of installation.
11 T he rates apply to a 5-year contract w ith a m inim um of SI per month,.
15 F irst 1.5 kilow att hours per socket for n o t less th a n 10 sockets, 1 kilow att hour per
socket for th e n ex t 10 sockets, an d 0.5 kilo w att hour p er socket for excess sockets.
i« F irst 5 kilow att hours for each of th e first 5 active rooms plus the first 3 kilow att
hours for each additional active room, b u t no t less th an 15 kilow att hours per m onth.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
21
21 6.0
22 6 . 0
5.4
10.0
5.4
1 0 .0
*1
u Excess.
is Price includes a surcharge of 10 per cent.
19 All current.
21 Surcharge, 25 cents per m onth.
22 F irst 80 kilow att hours. There is an additional charge of 30 cents per m onth. A t
the end of th e year any am ount p a id in excess of 7 | cents per k ilow att hour is refunded.
23 A nd th e first 2J kilow att hours for each additional active room.
2i F irst 4 kilow att hours for each of th e first 4 active rooms and the first 21 kilow att
hours for each additional active room .
25 Sam e schedule as preceding d ate plus a surcharge of 8 m ills.
26 A dditional energy u p to 100 kilow att hours.
27 A dditional energy u n til a to tal of 7 kilo w att hours per active room shall have been
consumed.
28 F irst 30 hours’ use of connected load.
29 F irst 250 kilow att hours.
80 F irst 900 kilow att hours.
si Price includes a coal charge.
32 A discount of 5 per cent is allowed on all hills of 12 or over w hen p aym ent is m ade
w ithin 10 days from date of bill.
R ET A IL P R IC E S OP E L E C T R IC IT Y .
[1053]
E xcess...............................................................
L ittle R ock....... F irst 200 kilo w att h o u rs............... .................
Los Angeles:
C om pany A . . F irst 100 k ilo w att h o u rs........................ . —
Com pany B . . __.do ...............................................................
Louisville........ One to 149 kilow att h o u rs..............................
M anchester........ F irst 25 k ilo w att hours...................................
N ext 50 k ilo w att h o u rs...................................
M em phis............ F irst 6 kilow att hours per room ...................
E xcess.................................................................
M ilwaukee......... F irst 5 kilo w att hours for each of th e first
5 active rooms.23
A dditional energy u p to 9 kilow att hours
for each activ e room.
E xcess.................................................................
M inneapolis___ F irst 3 k ilo w att hours per active room .......
N ex t 3 kilo w att hours per active room ___
Mobile................. F irst 50 k ilo w att h o u rs...................................
N ew ark.............. F irst 500 kilo w att h o rn s.................................
New H a v e n ___ A ll c u rre n t.........................................................
New O rle a n s.. . F irst 20 k ilo w att hours 21................................
N ex t 30 k ilo w att hours...................................
N ew Y ork:
Com pany A . . F irst 1,000 k ilo w att h o u rs.............................
C om pany B . . All c u rre n t32......................................................
Com pany C 6.. F irst 60 hours use of d em and........................
N orfolk............... F irst 100 k ilo w att hours..................................
O m aha............... F irst 150 kilo w att h o u rs.................................
N ext 150 k ilo w att hours.................................
05
CO
NET PRICE PER KILOWATT HOUR FOR ELECTRICITY FOR HOUSEHOLD USE IN SPECIFIED MONTHS, 1913 TO 1923, FOR 51 CITIES-Concluded.
Measure of consum ption, p er m onth.
Peoria................
De
cem
ber,
1914.
De
cem
ber,
1915.
De
cem
ber,
1916.
December,
1917.
June,
1918.
June,
1919.
9.0
35 7.0
10.0
19 9.0
9.0
35 7.0
10.0
19 9.0
9.0
35 7.0
10.0
1 9 9 .O
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
[1054]
Company B .. F irst 10 kilow att h o u rs...................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
May,
1921.
March. June.
Sep
tem
ber.
Sep
Dé
cern March. June. te m
ber.
er.
Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents. Cents.
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.9 « 9 .9 34 9.9
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Philadelphia:
9.0
Company A .. F irst 12 kilo w att h o u rs............. - .................... 12 10.0 19 10.0 19 10.0
35 7.0
N ex t 4ft kilow att hoi i r s ........................... ..
10.0
10.0
10.
0
io.o
F
irst
fiO
O
kilowatt,
h
o
u
rs..................................
Com pany B ..
P ittsb u rg h s___ F irst 20 hours’ use of d e m a n d ....................... w 10. 0 19 10.0 19 10. 0 is 9.0
Po rtlan d , M e. .. All c u rre n t.........................................................
Po rtlan d , Oreg.:
Com pany A .. F irst 0 kilow att h ours.....................................
N ex t kilo w att h o u rs 86.....................................
N ex t 50 k ilo w att ho u rs...................................
Com pany B ,. F irst 13 kilow att h o u rs...................................
N ex t k ilo w att h o u rs 40.....................................
N ext 50 k ilo w att ho u rs...................................
All ourr e n t ........................................................
R ichm ond......... F irst 100 k ilo w att h o u rs..................................
Rochester
A ll c u rre n t..........................................................
St. Louis:
Company A .. F irst 9 kilow att hours p er active room ........
A dditional energy u p to 9 kilow att hours
per room.
F xe.es,s ...............................................................
Company B .. F irst 15 k ilo w att hours 43................................
N ext 12 kilo w att hours 43................................
E x c e s s .......................... - .........- ........................
F irst 20 kilo w att h o u rs....................................
E xcess.................................................................
Salt Lake C ity . F irst 250 kilow att h o u rs..................................
San Francisco:
Com pany A .. F irst 10 kilow att h o u rs...................................
June,
1920.
9.0
8.5
9.0
42 7. 0
9.0
8.0
2.9
7.6
5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
2.9
7.6
5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
2.9
7.6
2.9
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.6
5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
2.9
7.6
5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
2 .9
9 .9
2 .9
9 .9
2.9
7.6
5.7
2.9
6.6
8.1
6.6
8.1
6.6
8.1
2.4
7.6
5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
2 7.0
4i 8.0
47 8.0
2 8.5
28.5
2 8.5
2 8.5
2 8.5
27.0
47 8.0
47 8.0
2 8.5
2 8.5
2 8.5
28.5 »8.5
9.0
6.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
7.0
2 7.0
2 7 .O
2 7.0
7 .6
6 .7
2 .9
7 .3
2.9
7.6
5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
7.0
7 .6
6 .7
3.4
8.1
6.2
3.4
9.9
6.6
8.1
2.9
4« 7.6
4«5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
2
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 6. 9
9.0
8.0
6.7
2.9
4« 7.6
4« 5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
27 .O
8 .0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 6.9
9.0
8.0
«7.6
5.7
2.9
4« 7.6
4« 5.7
2.9
9.9
6.6
8.1
2 7.0
8 .0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 7.0
9.0
8.0
«7.6
5.7
2.9
45 8.6
«7.0
8.0
7.0
9. 0
8.0
5. 5
«7.6
5.7
24 8.1
286.2
2
8.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
5.5
o7.6
5.7
24 7.6
2« 5.7
2 7.0
8.0
35 7.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
«7.6
5.7
24 7.6
2« 5.7
3 7.0
8.0
35 7.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
«7.6
5.7
24 8.1
2« 5.7
9.9
6.6
9.0
8.0
35 7.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
«7.6
5.7
24 8.6
2« 5.7
9.9
6.6
9.0
8.0
35 7.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
9.0
7.6
5.7
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 7.5
9.0
8.0
4 5 5 .7
10.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 7.0
9.0
8.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 7.5
9.0
8.0
44 9.0
17 5.7
357.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 7.5
9.0
8.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
9.0
9.0
8.0
« 9.0
17 5.7
9.0
35 7.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 7.5
9.0
8.0
7.6
37 6.7
88 5.7
39 8.6
41 6. 7
17 3.8
10.0
9.0
8.0
24 9.5
17 5.7
10.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
6.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
42 7.0
9.0
8.0
7.6
7.6
7.6
w 6.7 37 6.7 37 6.7
38 5. 7 38 5. 7 38 5.7
39 9.0 89 9. 0 39 9 . 0
11 7. 0 4i 7.0 41 7.0
U 4. 0 17 4. 0 « 4.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
24 9.5
17 5.7
9.0
3 5 7 .O
Cent
9.0
a
5. 7
2. 9
7 .3
6 .7
2 .9
9 .9
6.0 I 6.0
6. 7
2.9
42 7.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
F irst 5 kilow att hours for each of th e first
2 room s.33
Second 5 kilow att hours for each of th e first
2 room s.33
De
cem
ber,
1913.
►
*>
1923
1922
City.
Oi
Savannah:
Com pany A ..
4812. 0 9 10.8
6.0
5.4
9 12.0 9 12.0
6.0
6.0
49 9.0 19 9.0
496.0
« 6.0
49 6.0
49 6.0
28 10.0
7.0
2810.0
51
9 10.8 9 10.8
5.4
5.4
9 12.0 9 12.0
6.0
6.0
is 9.0
8.0
so 5.5
50 5.5
»lO.O
si 7.0 si 7.0
50 5.5
50 5.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
9.0
9.Ó
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
50 5.5
50 5.5
50 5 .5
50 5.5
50 5.5
50 5.5
50 5 .5
60 5 .5
50 6.0
50 6.0
50 6.0
50 6.0
50 6.0 50 6.0
50 6.0. 50 6.0
50 6.0
50 6.0
50 6.0
50 6.0
5.5
5.5
2810.0 2810.0 2810.0 28 10.0 28 10.0
517.0 517.0 51 7 o
6.0 6.0 6.0 6 O 5 4
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.7
9.0
28 10.0 28 10.0 28 10.0
6 n
3.0
fi 0
3.0
3.0
9.0
2810.0
3.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
3.0
3.0
9.0
5.5
6.0
3.0
fi O
3.0
3.0
3.0
10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10 0 10.0
[1055]
a F irst 5 kilow att hours for each of th e first 5 active rooms a n d th e first 21 kilow att
hours for each additional active room.
2 F irst 50 kilow att hours.
5 For determ ination of dem and see explanation following table.
6 F irst 100 kilow att hours.
9 F irst 10 kilow att hours.
u Excess.
!9 All current.
23 A nd th e first 2 \ kilow att hours for each additional active room.
2< F irst 4 kilow att hours for each of th e first 4 active rooms and the first 2J kilow att
horns for each additional active room.
29 A dditional energy u n til a to ta l of 7 kilow att hours per active room shall have been
consumed.
28 First 30 hours’ use of connected load.
33 A n d 4 kilow att hours for each additional active room.
341 to 200 kilow att hours.
35 N ext 75 kilow att hours.
38 The num ber of kilow att hours paid for a t this rate is th a t in excess of the first 9
kilow att hours u n til 100 hours’ use of the dem and is reached. After 100 hours of dem and
have been consumed the lower rate can be applied. For determ ination of dem and see
explanation following table.
32 N ext 70 kilow att hours.
38 N ext 100 kilow att horns.
39 F irst 6 per cent of dem and. For determ ination of dem and see explanation follow
ing table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9.0
49 F or an installation of 600 w a tts or less 7 kilow att hours w ill apply. F or each 30
w atts of installation in excess of 600 w atts 1 additional kilow att hour will apply.
41 N ext 6 p e r cent of dem and. F or determ ination of d em and see explanation following
table.
42 Service charge, 50 cents p e r m onth additional.
48 F or a house of 5 or 6 rooms. F or a house of 4 rooms, 10 kilow att hours p aid for at
th e prim ary rate and 8 a t th e secondary rate. For a house of 7 or 8 rooms, 20 kilow att
hours p a id for a t th e prim ary rate and 16 at th e secondary rate.
44 F or a house of 6 rooms or less 15 kilow att hours; for a house of 7 or 8 rooms, 20
kilow att hours.
45 F or a house of 6 rooms or less, 15 kilow att hours a t the p rim ary rate an d 5 a t the
secondary rate. F or a house of 7 or 8 rooms, 20 kilow att hours a t the prim ary rate and
10 a t th e secondary rate.
46 F or a house of 4 rooms or less, 8 kilow att hours a t the prim ary rate and 6 a t the
secondary rate. For a house of 5 or 6 rooms, 12 kilow att hours a t th e prim ary rate and
9 a t th e secondary rate. For a house of 7 or 8 rooms, 16 kilow att hours a t the prim ary
rate a n d 12 a t th e secondary rate.
47 F irst 30 kilow att hours.
48 F irst 15 kilow att hours.
49 F irst 60 kilow att hours.
69 F irst 45 kilow att hours.
61 N ext 30 hours’ use of connected load.
RETAIL PRICES OF ELECTRICITY,
First 50 kilow att h o u rs....................................
E xcess.................................................................
Company B . . F irst 100 kilow att h o u rs..................................
E x cess..............................
Scranton............ F irst 150 kilow att h o u rs..................................
Seattle:
Company A . . F irst 40 kilow att h o u rs.............
Com pany B .. ........CiO......................................................
Springfield:
Company A s . F irst 30 kilow att h o u rs................................
N ext 70 kilow att hours.................
Com pany B . . F irst 30 kilow att h o u rs.....................
E x cess........................................................
W a s h in g to n ,
D . C .6 ................... First 120 hours’ use of d e m a n d ..............
05
Ol
66
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Determination oí Demand
B U F F A L O the demand consists of two parts—lighting, 25 per
F cent
of the total installation, but never less than 250 watts; and
power, 2 \ per cent of the capacity of any electric range, water heater,
or other appliance of 1,000 watts or over and 25 per cent of the
rated capacity of motors exceeding one-half horsepower but less
than 1 horsepower. The installation is determined by inspection of
premises.
In Chicago, the equivalent in kilowatt hours to 30 hours’ use
of demand has been estimated as follows: For a rated capacity of
475 to 574 watts, 11 kilowatt hours; 575 to 674 watts, 12 kilowatt
hours; 675 to 774 watts, 13 kilowatt hours; and 775 to 874 watts,
14 kilowatt hours. Although the equivalent in kilowatt hours to
30 hours’ use of demand of from 1 to 1,500 watts is given on the
printed tariff, the equivalent is here shown only for installations
of from 475 to 874 watts; the connected load of the average work
ingman’s home being, as a rule, within this range.
In Cincinnati, the demand has been estimated as being 70 per
cent of the connected load, excluding appliances.
In Cleveland, from December, 1913, to December, 1919, inclusive,
Company A determined the demand by inspection as being 40 per
cent of the connected load. From December, 1919, to the present
time, there has been a flat rate for all current consumed.
In Houston, the demand is estimated as 50 per cent of the con
nected load, each socket opening being rated at 50 watts.
In New Pork the demand for Company C, when not determined
by meter, has been computed at 50 per cent of total installation
in residences, each standard socket being rated at 50 -watts and all
other outlets being rated at their actual kilowatt capacity.
In Pittsburgh since December, 1919, the demand has been deter
mined by inspection. The first 10 outlets have been rated at 30
watts each, the next 20 outlets at 20 watts each, and each additional
outlet at 10 watts. Household utensils and appliances of not over
660 watts each have been excluded.
In Portland, Oreg., the demand for Company A has been estimated
as one-third of the connected lighting load. Ranges, heating devices,
and small power up to rated capacity of 2 kilowatts are not included.
For Company B the demand, when not based on actual measure
ment, was estimated at one-third of the connected load. No demand
was established at less than 233 watts.
In Springfield, 111., the demand for Company A from December,
1913, to September, 1922, was the active load predetermined as
follows: 80 per cent of the first 500 watts of connected load plus 60
per cent of that part of the connected load in excess of the first 500
watts—minimum active load, 150 watts.
In Washington, D. C., the demand is determined by inspection
and consists of 100 per cent of the connected load, excluding small
fans and heating and cooking appliances.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1050 ]
BETAIL PRICES OE DEY GOODS.
67
Retail Prices of Dry Goods in the United States.
HE following table gives the average retail prices of 10 articles
of dry goods on May 15 and October 15, 1915, June 15 and
September 15, 1922, and June 15 and September 15, 1923,
by cities. The averages given are based on the retail prices of
standard brands only.
T
1 R etail prices of d ry goods are secured from each of 51 cities a n d are published a t q u arterly intervals
in the Monthly L aboe R eview .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1057]
A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F 10 A R T IC L E S O F D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 AND O C TO B ER 15,1915, JU N E 15 A N D S E P T E M B E R 15,1922, A N D ON JU N E 15 AN D
S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923.
U n it.
M ay 15.
Y ard.
...d o ..
...d o ..
...d o ..
...d o ..
...d o ..
...d o ..
Each.
Y ard.
...d o ..
P a ir..
June 15.
Sept. 15.
June 15.
Sept. 15
SO. 257
.178
.253
.471
$0.268
.175
.259
.452
.217
.718
1.655
.216
.990
3.695
$0,269
.187
.248
.439
.248
.739
1.843
.242
1.070
$0.271
.215
.243
.456
.252
.748
1.874
.276
1.050
3.380
.212
.728
1.652
.210
3.868
[1058]
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .....................
Percale...........................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h .
G ingham , dress, 27-inch. . . . . . .
G ingham , dress, 32-inch...........
M uslin, bleached.........................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4..............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90____
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 i n c h .. .
F lannel, w hite, wool, 2 7 -in ch ..
Blankets, cotton, 66 b y 8 0 .___
Y ard.
. .d o ..
..d o ..
..d o ..
. .d o ..
..d o ..
.. .do..
Each.
Y ard.
...d o ..
P a ir..
.064
.125
.076
.108
.150
.104
.276
.713
.107
$0.100
.245
.170
.257
.463
.177
.648
1.482
.205
.923
4.183
Digitized for
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Yard
__do .......
. ..d o .......
. . .d o .......
. .d o __
. .d o .......
.. . d o . . . .
E a c h __
Y a rd ....
(io
P air
$0.245
.174
.227
. 450
,227
.678
1.773
.274
.670
5.150
$0.255
.174
.244
.423
.232
.680
1.710
.246
.897
4.388
$0.244
. 156
.236
.361
$0.243
.158
.233
.366
.218
.689
1.673
.231
.993
4.427
SO. 285
0.069
.123
.078
.069
.123
.080
.120
.120
.150
.150
.100
.102
.212
.303
.768
.110
.303
.778
.115
.695
1.655
.216
.952
4.479
$0.068
.125
. 0S6
.125
.150
.121
.316
.820
.123
$0.065
.121
.084
.125
.150
.120
.316
.850
.117
$0.142
.261
.170
.238
.462
.252
.669
1.685
.212
.880
3. 995
Î0.286
.190
.260
.415
.234
.670
1.608
.217
1.043
4.074
$0.257
.185
.272
.424
.246
.670
1.604
.245
$0.064
.125
.084
.121
.235
.105
.335
.865
.116
$0.064
.125
.080
.117
.240
.108
.338
.903
.119
$0.113
.263
.179
.261
.482
.216
.674
1. 674
.240
.865
4.474
1.110
4.249
Sept. 15
.290
.383
.245
.786
1.885
.248
1.145
5.101
$0.274
.204
.277
.383
.240
.747
1.835
.262
1.108
4.661
$0.280
.170
.263
.418
.279
. 765
1.743
.242
.938
4.101
$0.273
.196
.270
.421
.277
.748
1.728
.282
1.250
4.485
$0.141
.281
$0.190
.290
.201
.212
.255
.510
.219
.667
1. 648
.218
.913
4.160
.260
.440
.255
.755
1.753
.247
$0.190
.290
.213
.255
.452
.247
.729
1.806
.240
4.618
4.959
.200
$0.161
.246
.174
.228
.440
.244
.672
1.636
.215
.896
3.675
Buffalo, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
f!a,lir*n; 24 to 2.5 in oh _
Percale...................... ..........................................
Gingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h .......................
G ingham , dress, 27-inch.................................
Gingham, dress,32-inch...................
M uslin, bleached...............................................
Sheeting, beached, 9-4.....................................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90...............................
O uting flannel. .1 ...........................
PI ann pi j "\vhitoj "wool 27 -inoh
"Rl^nlrfitSj onttoTij fifi by £0
FRASER
June 15.
Boston, Mass.
$0.100
.245
.163
.265
.473
.191
.643
1.491
.215
1.004
4.036
Sept. 15,
Oct. 15,
Birmingham, Ala.
.063
.125
.074
.105
. 150
.097
.270
.697
.104
June 15.
M ay 15.
$0,274
.210
.258
.407
.252
.757
1. 884
.282
$0.266
.210
.263
.405
.249
.730
1.920
.285
4.488
4.488
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Calico, 24 to 25 in ch .....................
Percale...........................................
G ingham , apron, 27 -to 28 in c h .
Gingham , dress, 27-inch............
Gingham , dress, 32-inch............
M uslin, bleached.........................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4..............
Sheets,bleached, 81 b y 90.........
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 i n c h . ..
F lannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch. .
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80.........
Oct. 15.
1923
1922
1915
1923
1922
1915
GO
Baltimore, Md.
Atlanta, Ga.
A rticle.
05
Charleston, S. C.
Butte, Mont.
Y ard —
. . . d o ___
. . . d o ___
. . . d o ___
. . . d o ___
. . . d o ___
. . . d o ___
E a c h __
Y a r d ....
. . . d o ----P a ir.......
$0.068
.150
.083
.138
.188
.129
.375
1.069
. 125
SO. 071
.150
.083
.142
.175
.129
.369
1.125
.125
SO.133
.335
.178
.237
.430
.239
.823
1.991
.266
.964
5.260
SO.100
.305
.182
.235
.464
.239
.816
2.010
.267
.980
4.860
SO. 278
.190
.246
.470
.246
.843
2.113
.261
1.038
4.861
$0
SO. 150
.286
.190
.246
.453
.244
.826
2.129
.271
1.038
4.961
[1059]
Y a rd ....
...d o ___
...d o ___
. ..d o ___
...d o ___
. ..d o ___
. .. d o ___
E a c h __
Y a rd ....
. .. d o ___
P a ir.......
SO. 062
.125
.076
.121
.250
.098
.314
.787
.119
SO. 062
.125
.076
.121
.250
.100
.313
.801
.118
SO. 119
.226
.154
.226
.503
.205
.666
1.574
.198
1.400
4.688
SO. 122
.237
.155
.228
.456
.215
.667
1.655
.210
1.475
4.667
SO. 125
.241
.161
.228
.424
.204
.607
1.521
.208
.835
4.215
SO. 260
.186
.274
.388
.238
.755
1.774
.225
.850
SO.200
.195
.242
.389
.239
.744
1.765
.237
SO. 155
.270
.192
.242
.411
.229
.740
1.738
.237
. 945
5.060
SO. 150
.254
.190
.250
.391
.226
.709
1.704
.233
.945
5.038
SO. 178
.284
.232
.290
.435
.258
.809
1.889
.274
1.125
4.266
SO. 178
.289
.227
.313
.445
.251
.815
1.944
.266
1.175
4.423
1.000
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Chicago, 111.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ..................
P e rc a le .........................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h .
G ingham , dress, 27-inch..........
G ingham , dress, 32-inch..........
M uslin, bleached.......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90----O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
Flannel, w h ite, wool, 27-inch.
B lan k ets, cotton, 66 b y 80___
SO.119
.241
.163
.236
.403
.199
.614
1.579
.207
.818
SO. 144
.277
.187
.242
.394
.253
.740
1.734
.234
1.045
4.052
$0.138
.265
.189
.235
.406
.250
.750
1.750
.235
1.110
4.158
SO. 062
.125
.076
.113
.150
.105
. 279
.683
.117
SO. 063
.125
.076
.113
.150
.103
.297
.785
.117
$0.132
.244
.155
.240
.490
.196
.629
1.650
.200
.926
3.976
SO. 150
.235
.161
.250
.462
.204
.645
1.624
.201
.928
4.115
Columbus, Ohio.
Cleveland, Ohio.
RETAIL PRICES OF DRY GOOD:
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ..........................................
Percale.................................................................
Gingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h .......................
G ingham , dress, 27-inch..................................
G ingham , dress, 32-inch..................................
M uslin, bleached...............................................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4....................................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90..............................
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..........................
F lannel, w h ite, wool, 27-inch........................
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80..............................
Ul
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ..................
P e rc a le ........................ ..............
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 inch
G ingham , dress, 27-inch.........
G ingham , dress, 32-inch..........
M uslin, bleached.......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90----O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch.
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80-----
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Y ard __
...d o ___
...d o ___
,. .d o ___
...d o ___
...d o ___
. ..d o ___
E a c h ...
Y a rd ...
. ..d o ___
P a ir__
SO
Î0.158
.250
.108
.243
.473
.230
.642
1.625
.215
1.017
4.441
SO. 160
.265
.176
.244
.489
.238
.656
1.655
.243
1.017
4.494
$0.190
.311
.223
.252
.445
.258
.730
1.823
.261
1.200
4.733
$0.190
.804
.220
.235
.450
.204
.713
1.822
.263
1.250
4.758
SO.141
.253
.167
.280
.556
.210
.736
1.763
.238
1.250
4.205
SO. 144
.258
.173
.293
.534
.215
.726
1.750
.247
1.000
4.272
C5
CD
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F 10 A R T IC L E S O F D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 AN D O C TO B ER 15,1915, JU N E 15 A N D SE PT E M B E R 15, 1922, A N D ON J U N E 15 A N D
S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923—C ontinued.
Denver Colo.
Dallas, Tex.
U nit.
Calico, 24 to 25 inclt...........................................
Percale.................................................................
G ingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .......................
G ingham, dress, 27-in c h ..................... - ..........
Gingham dress, 29-in e h ...... ...........................
M uslin, bleached.............................................
Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4....................................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90...............................
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ...........................
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch.........................
"Blankets, cotton, ftft b y 80............ .................
Y a rd __
.. .d o ___
.. .d o ----__d o ___
__d o ___
__ d o ___
__ d o ___
E a c h __
Y a rd __
__d o . . . .
P air.......
1922
1915
1922
1915
1923
[ 1060]
M ay 15.
Oct. 15.
June 15.
Sept. 15.
June 15.
Sept. 15.
M ay 15.
Oct. 15.
June 15.
Sept. 15.
June 15.
SO. 056
.150
.077
.114
SO. 058
.144
.077
.114
SO. 133
.258
.192
.245
.426
.233
SO. 133
.261
.187
.250
.423
.229
.673
1.618
.255
1.250
4.175
$0.070
.144
.088
.128
.103
.285
.767
.113
SO. 108
.238
.168
.249
.439
.214
.593
1.508
.191
.850
3.960
SO. 070
.144
.090
.128
.104
.277
.767
.116
SO. 108
.246
.162
.245
.457
.204
.625
1.486
.187
.750
4.500
.117
.322
.836
.125
.117
.322
.836
.125
$0.195
.298
.178
.263
.507
.231
.779
1. 704
.237
.979
4.725
$0.175
.275
.176
.269
.479
.236
.739
1.673
.228
.973
4.842
SO.200
.285
.190
.273
.435
.251
.802
1.938
.248
1.004
4.727
SO. 169
.276
.186
.270
.434
.244
.770
1.817
.245
1.004
4.791
$0.283
.167
.290
.413
.259
.734
1.875
.245
.995
4.487
SO.293
.177
.290
.413
.251
.734
1.868
. 250
. 995
4.313
$0.133
.268
.190
.274
.351
.248
.719
1.723
.235
1.050
4.829
$0.158
.268
.193
.266
.363
.239
.722
1.694
.239
1.050
4. 769
1.648
.225
1.175
4.175
Yard
__d o ___
. . .d o ___
__d o ___
_ do
__d o ___
__d o . . . .
E ach __
Y a rd ....
do.
Pair.......
$0 070
.125
.084
.125
. 150
.123
.323
.900
.121
SO. 070
.125
.086
.125
.150
.127
.330
.933
.120
SO. 121
" .258
.178
.220
.494
.228
.718
1.733
.218
1.317
4.144
SO. 120
.258
.176
.216
.472
.231
.714
1.746
.226
1.067
4.280
$0.263
.205
.238
.456
.250
.759
1.980
.244
1.000
4.683
10.260
.205
.238
.451
.249
.762
1.929
.255
$0.070
.125
.088
.119
$0.070
.125
.088
.119
.112
.335
.880
.108
.115
.345
.878
.108
4.650
Digitized for
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Y a rd __
.. .d o ___
. . .d o ___
. . .d o ___
. .d o .. ..
.. .do__
__do___
Each__
Yard....
. . .d o.. . .
P a ir.......
SO. 126
.242
.167
.205
.486
.184
.574
1.518
.173
.773
$0.128
.252
.167
.208
.485
.190
.582
1.576
.198
.850
4. 733
SO. 258
.155
.283
.433
.227
.705
1.717
.203
.923
4.384
$0.246
.156
.280
.450
.240
.693
1.655
.170
.910
4.278
Indianapolis, Ind.
Houston, Tex.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ..........................................
Percale.................................................................
G ingham, apron, 27 to 98 inch
Gingham, dress, 27-inch.................................
Gingham d r e s s } 32-inch
Apislin, bleached..............................................
Sheeting, bleached, 9—
4 ________ _
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.................. . . . . .
On ting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h __
Flannel w hite, wool, 27-inch
FRASER
B lankets, cotton, Oft b y 80__
...................
Sept. 15.
Fall River, Mass.
Detroit, Mich.
Ga.l icn 2 4 to 2*^ inch
Percale.................................................................
G ingham, anron, 27 to 28 in c h .......................
Gingham , dress, 27-inch..................................
G ingham, dress, 39-inch
M uslin, bleached...............................................
Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ....................................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90...............................
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ...........................
Flannel, w hite, wool, 9,7-in eh
B lankets, cotton, fifi b y 80...........................
1923
$0.128
.270
.190
.234
.411
.224
.676
1.689
.218
1.000
4.615
$0.129
.263
.192
.238
.418
.223
.649
1.683
.220
1.105
4.631
SO. 058
.125
.077
.120
$0.060
.125
.076
.120
.108
.305
.788
.118
.109
.308
. S03
.118
SO. 125
.272
.173
.257
.512
.213
.683
1.593
.206
1.050
4.439
$0.125
.270
.172
.278
.461
.213
.657
1.564
.210
1.033
4.484
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
A rticle.
-a
O
Jacksonville, Fla,
Yard—
...do......
. . .do......
_do......
.. .do......
...do......
...do......
Each__
Yard....
.. .do......
$0,070
. 125
.080
.113
.150
.100
.325
.760
.108
$0,070
. 113
.078
.117
. 150
.106
.338
.795
.108
P a ir.......
$0.142
.270
.164
.232
.439
.217
.710
1.460
.195
. 750
4.250
$0.142
. 270
.160
.228
.425
.219
.750
1.478
.195
.750
3.908
$0.150
.274
.203
.421
.266
.770
1.561
.233
4.063
$0.277
.203
. 399
.254
.732
1.567
.233
1.000
4.100
$0,071
.142
.086
.120
$0,072
.142
.086
.115
.115
.327
.765
.113
.115
.332
.762
.115
Little Kock, Ark.
[ 1061 ]
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .. .. ...................
Percale................................................
Gingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h ---Gingham , dress, 27-inch..................
Gingham, dress, 32-inch..................
Muslin, bleached...............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90..............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..........
Flannel, w h ite, wool, 27-inch........
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80.............
Y ard __
...do......
...do......
...do......
.. .do......
...do......
...do......
E ach __
Y a rd —
__do .......
$0,065
.131
.087
.119
$0,067
.125
.087
.118
.113
.309
.113
.309
.700
.114
.798
.111
Pair......
$0.114
.255
.150
.229
.427
.184
.611
1.531
.187
.867
3.386
$0.118
. 269
.175
.233
.436
.204
.658
1.640
.228
.915
3.393
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Y a rd ....
.. .d o ......
.. .d o.......
.. .d o ___
__d o .......
.. .d o .......
. .. d o .......
Each—
Y a rd ....
__do....*.
Pair......
$0.063
.124
.074
.117
$0,063
.120
.071
.115
.091
.269
.755
.113
.096
.284
.797
.112
$0.125
.270
.156
.262
.461
.207
.658
1.579
.240
.973
4.057
$0.133
.261
.163
.251
.478
.210
.635
1.566
.251
1.053
4.722
$0.145
.270
.210
.276
.470
.233
.718
1.647
.240
.725
4.747
$0,150
.278
.200
. 280
.444
.263
.778
1.769
.249
1.175
4.867
$0.150
.296
.225
28?»
. 456
.264
.773
1.782
.258
1 200
4.825
$0.197
.294
.228
.268
. 500
.254
$0.200
.316
.222
.270
.499
.253
Los Angeles, Calif.
$0,150
.256
.207
.267
.424
.242
.745
1.715
.242
1.164
4.150
$0.150
.261
.194
.266
.428
.236
.756
1.794
.229
1.013
4.039
$0.070
.150
.082
.118
.138
.114
.316
. 817
.117
$0,070
.1.50
.082
.118
. 138
.115
.320
.815
.115
Louisville, Ky.
Calico, 24 to 25 in ch ...................
Percale........................................
G ingham, apron, 27 to 28 inch
Gingham , dress, 27-inch..........
Gingham , dress, 32-inch..........
M uslin, bleach ed ......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 9 0 ......
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-in ch .
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80___
$0.142
.258
.210
.282
. 490
.223
.718
1.646
.220
.725
5.176
$0.138
.274
.173
.255
.548
.225
.709
1.632
.241
1.125
4.436
$0.168
.274
.173
.240
.550
.237
.685
1.695
.242
1.125
4.489
.772
1.841
.281
.825
4.425
.754
1.818
.283
825
4.351
Manchester, N. H.
$0.161
.278
.200
.266
.457
.237
.708
1.780
.245
1.020
4.403
$0.150
.272
.200
.266
.480
.234
.722
1. 851
.254
1.140
4.970
$0,070
.122
.082
.121
$0.067
.120
.080
.118
.112
.328
.863
.103
.106
.316
.877
.098
$0.139
.215
.151
.211
.453
.220
.577
1.505
.231
.868
3.752
$0.125
.217
.170
.210
.387
.232
.571
1.520
.230
.895
3.464
$0.139
.233
.199
.247
.373
.247
.679
1.699
.255
.980
3.944
$0.143
.236
.193
.234
.363
.243
.659
1.669
.244
1.000
4.179
EE TAIL PRICES OF DRY GOODS.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ........... .
P e rc a le .......................................
G ingham, apron, 27 to 28 inch.
G ingham, dress, 27-inch..........
G ingham, dress, 32-inch..........
Muslin, bleached.......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.......
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
Flannel, w h ite , wool, 27-inch.
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80___
Kansas City, Mo.
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F 10 A R T IC L E S O F D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 A N D O C T O B E R 15,1915, JU N E 15 AND S E P T E M B E R 15,1922, A N D ON J U N E 15 A N D
S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923—Continued.
M ilw aukee, W is.
M emphis, Tenn.
A rticle.
Calico, 24 tn 25 in ch ..
..............................
Percale ...............................................................
Sept. 15.
M ay 15.
Oct. 15.
June 15.
Sept, 15.
June 15.
Y a rd __
.. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
. .d o .......
.d o .......
„ .d o .......
__d o .......
Each—
Y a rd ....
d o __
P a ir.......
$0.061
.125
.085
.117
$0.061
.125
.085
.113
.105
.319
.836
.114
.109
.328
.843
.114
$0.135
.238
.156
.249
. 501
.206
.632
1.661
.185
.870
4.459
$0.135
.266
.159
.259
.461
.237
.691
1.723
.240
.990
4.326
$0.150
.288
.199
.263
.457
.241
.747
1.889
.215
1.063
4.689
$0.288
.188
.247
.439
.255
.722
1.883
.230
1.003
4.789
Y a rd ..
. .do.......
80.070
.131
.092
.131
.250
.129
.321
.876
.120
$0.072
.138
.086
.136
.250
.130
.322
.889
. 119
$0.190
.273
.191
.267
.491
.261
.739
1.869
.265
.900
4.869
$0.190
.279
.190
.268
.476
.256
.737
1.864
.268
1.125
4.738
$0.065
.125
.080
.125
.183
.100
.340
.880
.120
$0.065
.125
.080
.125
.183
.100
.340
.880
.120
$0.105
.301
.198
.265
.432
.260
.755
1.821
.256
1.338
4.493
$0.125
.274
.212
.265
.421
.263
.755
1.824
.263
1.318
4.493
May 15.
Oct. 15.
June 15.
$0.060
.125
.080
.123
.150
.109
.299
.767
.115
$0.064
.425
.080
.121
.165
.110
.303
.782
.120
$0.123
.258
.176
.244
.465
.225
.682
1.530
.234
.750
4.353
d o __
Gingham, dress, 27-inch
Gingham , dress, 82-in c h ..................................
.d o .......
M nslin, bleached _ ........ .............................
do .......
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4
do__
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90
E a c h .. .
On ting flannel, 27 to 28 inch
Y ard
do .......
Flannel, w hite, wool, 2 7 -inch..
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 8 0 ..
Pair__
$0.105
.159
.244
.520
.230
.656
1.709
.221
.990
4.703
$0.146
.239
.150
.212
.397
.202
.593
1.493
.188
.785
4.464
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Y a rd __
__do .......
.. .do.......
.. .do.......
.do.......
__do .......
.. .do.......
E ach__
Y a rd —
do_
P a ir.......
$0.102
.293
.158
.236
.502
.234
.745
1.841
.225
1.062
4.536
$0.107
.283
.164
.236
.456
.231
.745
1.768
.237
1.083
4.042
$0.1 50
.231
.165
.268
.415
.238
.707
1.736
.221
.750
4.184
June 15.
Sept. 15.
$0.150
.264
.199
.274
.400
.256
.762
1.835
.219
$0.150
.267
.203
.238
.397
.262
.744
1.860
.244
4.220
4.522
$0.153
.260
.150
.221
.440
.198
.624
1.556
.201
.910
4.281
$0.150
.290
.170
.218
.387
.225
.648
1.696
.216
80.150
.280
.170
.218
.381
.209
.632
1.669
$0.278
.206
.267
.432
.253
.727
1,856
.238
.900
5.150
$0.278
.208
.267
.429
.251
.713
1.858
.248
.867
4.850
.210
1.125
3.980
New H aven, C onn.
N ew ark, N . J .
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h __ , ...................................
Percale.................................................................
G ingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .......................
Gingham^ dress,27-inch..................................
Gingham , dress, 32-inch..........
............
M uslin, bleachecl...............................................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4....................................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90...............................
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..........................
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80..............................
Sept. 15.
M obile, A la.
M inneapolis, Minn.
$0.105
.259
.155
.260
.494
.228
.659
1.670
.215
.990
4.542
1923
1922
1915
1923
1922
1915
$0.065
.125
.080
.125
.125
.101
.305
.820
.107
$0.066
.125
.080
.127
.138
.104
.306
.831
.109
$0.125
.254
.159
.233
.454
.220
.648
1.563
.218
.857
4.643
$0.125
.260
.164
.232
.424
.226
.628
1.572
.219
.837
4.583
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
[ 1062 ]
Calico, 24 to 25 in ch ..........................................
Percale.................................................................
G ingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .......................
G ingham, dress, 27-in c h ..................................
Gins-ham, dress, 82-inch........._.......................
Muslin, bleached...............................................
Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ....................................
Sheets, bleached, 8i b y 90...............................
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..........................
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-ineh _. _ _ ............
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80...............................
U nit.
-1
to
Hew Orleans, La.
Y ard.
. ..d o ..
. ..d o ..
. ..d o ..
. ..d o ..
...d o ..
.. .d o ..
E ach.
Y ard.
. ..d o ..
P a ir..
053
SO. 060
SO. 134
102
.102
.200
080
107
.087
.107
.150
.215
.437
.172
.523
1.409
.179
.750
095*
317
740
094
*".*095
.325
.783
.100
SO. 125
.220
.167
.223
.405
.188
.535
1.461
.175
.750
4.085
SO. 150
.237
.193
.238
.375
.217
.634
1.622
$0.150
.247
.182
.228
.378
.211
.603
1.573
.224
1.050
4.980
$0.070
.126
.079
.115
.138
.103
.220
.803
.106
SO. 070
.128
.079
.120
.138
.105
.331
.822
.106
Norfolk, Va.
[1063]
Calico, 24 to 25 inch...................
Percale................... ......................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 inch.
G ingham , dress, 27-inch...........
G ingham , dress, 32-inch..........
M uslin, bleach ed.......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90___
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
Flannel, w h ite , wool, 27-inch..
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80___
Y ard.
...d o ..
...d o ..
..d o ..
...d o ..
..d o ..
. .d o ..
Each.
Y ard.
...d o ..
P a ir..
$0.144
. 256
.178
.243
.461
.218
.676
1.603
.190
1.078
SO. 138
.260
.176
.243
.442
.222
.679
1.676
.215
1.108
4.317
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Y ard.
..d o ..
..d o ..
..d o ..
. .d o ..
..d o ..
..d o ..
E ach.
Y ard.
. .d o ..
Pair.-.
SO. 113
. 245
.176
.246
.473
.227
.762
1. 837
.217
*4*292*
SO. 100
. 266
.178
.258
.450
.241
.760
1.782
.227
1.250
4.456
SO. 136
.264
.179
.241
.473
#224
.700
1.636
.219
.976
4.075
SO. 150
.281
.216
.254
.474
.256
.782
1.949
.256
.933
4.400
SO. 276
.207
.252
.474
.248
.744
1.899
.254
.936
4.554
SO. 141
.279
.192
.258
.398
.241
.747
1.863
.254
1.260
4.565
SO. 150
. 275
.191
.287
.422
.234
.750
1.805
. 255
1.173
4.546
SO. 273
.225
.260
.466
.271
.705
1.709
.258
1.136
4.361
SO. 273
. 216
.260
.445
.266
.702
1.727
.281
1.117
4.317
Omaha, Nebr.
SO. 284
.198
.257
.448
.264
.774
1.781
.249
1.166
SO. 279
.206
.257
.445
.257
.758
1.773
.260
1.158
$0.057
.126
.074
.121
$0.066
.128
.074
.117
.105
.295
.799
. 112
.106
.308
.805
.117
Peoria, 111.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ...................
Percale................... .....................
G ingham , ap ro n , 27 to 28 inch.
G ingham , dress, 27-inch..........
G ingham , dress, 32-inch..........
M uslin, bleach ed .......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90___
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
F lan n el, w h ite , wool, 27-inch..
Blanket's, c o tto n , 66 oy 80___
$0.144
.265
.176
.242
.492
.216
.685
1.715
.204
.915
4.146
SO. 151
.283
.183
.259
.485
.226
.726
1.747
.220
1.214
4.264
SO. 141
.264
.180
.259
.466
.234
.727
1.776
.228
1.192
3.984
Philadelphia, Pa.
$0.100
.290
.203
.290
.419
.281
.799
1.868
.256
$0.100
.320
.203
.290
.418
.248
.785
1.874
.252
*3*993*
*4*549*
SO. 069
.125
.083
.122
.250
.104
.320
.797
.107
SO. 069
.125
.080
.122
.250
.106
.329
.832
.105
SO. 119
.257
.168
.237
. 455
.231
. 6S2
3.583
.214
1.028
4.271
$0.251
.170
.225
.453
.237
.664
1.554
.216
1.124
4.601
RETAIL PRICES OF DRY GOODS,
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ...................
Percale..........................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 2S Inch.
G ingham , dress, 27-inch...........
G ingham , dress, 32-inch..........
M uslin, bleached.......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90___
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ...
Flannel, w h ite, wool, 27-inch..
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 8 0 . .. .
New York, N. Y.
-1
03
A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S O F 10 A R T IC L E S O F D R Y G O O D S O N M A Y 15 A N D O C T O B E R 15,1915, J U N E 15 A N D S E P T E M B E R 15,1922, A N D O N J U N E 15 A N D
S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923—C o n tin u ed .
Portland, Me,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
A rticle.
Y a rd ..
.. .d o ..
. . .d o ..
. . .d o ..
.. . d o ..
. . .d o ..
. . d o ..
E a c h ..
Y a rd ..
. .d o ..
P a ir ...
M ay 15.
O ct. 15.
0.069
.125
. 07S
.125
.173
.103
.322
.776
.108
$0.069
.125
.079
.123
.173
.108
.328
.818
.117
SO. 135
.233
.166
.240
.447
.205
.670
1.538
.208
.791
S e p t. 15.
J u n e 15.
S e p t. 15.
SO. 138
.233
.171
.244
.433
SO. 168
.272
.224
.266
.441
.235
.761
1.781
.225
1.067
3.630
$0.151
.268
.218
.270
.420
.237
.738
1.761
.254
1.063
4.300
.221
.704
1.436
.214
.950
4.183
1922
1915
1923
1915
M ay 15.
O ct. 15.
[1064]
Y ard..
. .d o ..
. .d o ..
. .d o ..
. .d o ..
. .d o ..
. .d o ..
E ach..
Y ard..
. .d o . .
P a ir...
.119
065
150
080
120
iÔ8
iis
.064
.150
.0S0
.328
.950
.115
324
950
115
80.135
.286
.167
.239
.553
.238
.669
1.821
.215
.925
4. 271
SO. 129
.307
.167
.242
.541
.235
.666
1. 812
.231
1.033
4.521
SO. 144
.292
.195
.260
.432
.254
.762
2.020
.239
1. 500
4.825
$0.144
.292
.195
.257
.422
.254
.762
.069
.124
.089
.241
1.375
4.700
.100
2.020
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Y a rd ..
. .d o ..
...d o ..
. .d o ..
.. . d o . .
. . .d o ..
. . .d o ..
E a c h ..
Y a rd ..
.. . d o . .
P a ir ...
SO. 064
.125
.OSO
.120
SO. 067
.125
.082
.120
.107
.307
.789
.115
.112
.316
.831
.115
SO. 133
.246
.175
.243
.447
.210
.663
1.625
.201
.864
3.788
$0.133
.246
.175
.246
.413
.220
.635
1. 632
.207
.923
4.137
J u n e 15.
$0.242
.190
.253
.446
.212
.651
1.594
.212
.985
3. 886
SO. 125
.273
.210
.248
.464
.210
.660
1.551
.236
1.088
4. 200
.190
.250
.427
.231
.706
1. 702
.250
1.058
4.317
SO. 257
.190
.250
. 440
.233
.706
1.723
.250
1.028
4.317
.121
.150
.105
.311
.795
073
124
090
122
150
108
324
845
118
SO. 138
.270
.195
.252
.388
.242
.701
1.793
.242
1.043
4. 463
SO. 138
.268
.208
.249
.382
.230
.674
1.710
.248
1.010
4.768
SO. 154
.271
.171
.246
.407
.240
.728
2.009
.238
$0.142
.268
.171
.246
.415
.225
.710
1. 981
.246
1.390
4.474
SO. 245
.173
.235
.408
.217
.643
1.537
.233
.980
4.516
SO. 248
.174
.226
.407
.218
.637
1.545
.219
1.020
4.433
Rochester, N. Y.
Richmond, Va.
Calico, 24 to 25 i n c h ......................
P e rc a le .......... ...................................
G in g h am , a p ro n , 27 to 28 in c h .
G in g h a m , d re s s , 27 -in c h .............
G in g h a m , d re s s , 32 -in c h .............
M u slin , b le a c h e d ..........................
S h eetin g , b le a c h e d , 9 -4 ..............
S h eets, b le a c h e d , 81 b y 90.........
O u tin g fla n n el, 27 to 2 8 i n c h . ..
F la n n e l, w h ite , w ool, 2 7 -in c h ..
B la n k e ts , c o tto n , 66 b y SO-------
S e p t. 15.
S e p t. 15.
Providence, R. I.
Portland, Oreg.
C alico, 24 to 25 in c h .......................
P e rc a le .............................................. .
G in g h am , a p ro n , 27 to 28 i n c h . .
G in g h am , d re s s , 2 7 -in c h ............ .
G in g h am , d re s s , 32-inch...............
M uslin, b le a c h e d ............................
S h eetin g , b le a c h e d , 9 -4 ...............
S heets, b le a c h e d , 81 b y 90......... .
O u tin g fla n n e l, 27 t o 28 i n c h . . .
F la n n e l, w h ite , w ool, 2 7 -in c h ...
B la n k e ts , c o tto n , 66 b y S O ..—
1923
Ju n e 15.
SO. 151 :
.268
.193
.278
.417
.255
.751
1. 855
. 251
1.049
$0.151
.265
.195
.278
.408
.252
.729
1.S03
.243
.993
4.500
SO. 134
.258
.163
.221
.514
.205
.631
1.659
.205
1.016
4.450
SO. 140
.239
.165
.221
.472
.211
.626
1. 710
.203
.935
4.243
" 4. 548"
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
C alico, 24 to 25 in c h ..........................................
P e rc a le .................. ...............................................
G in g h a m , a p ro n , 27 to 28 i n c h .....................
G in g h a m , d re ss, 2 7 -in c h ................ ...............
G in g h a m , d re s s ,3 2 -in c h .................................
M uslin, b le a c h e d ..............................................
S h eetin g , b le a c h e d , 9 -4 ..................................
S h eets, b le a c h e d , 8 i b y 90.............................
O u tin g fla n n e l, 27 t o 28 i n c h ........................
F la n n e l, w h ite , w ool, 27-inch.......................
B la n k e ts , c o tto n , 66 b y 80.............................
U n it.
St. Paul, Minn.
St. Louis, Mo.
67655°—23-----6
Y a rd __
.. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
. ..d o —
.. .do.......
. ..d o .......
E ach —
Y a rd ....
do .......
P a ir.......
•SO. 063
.125
.075
.118
.125
.094
.285
.700
.116
$0.064
.125
.075
.121
.125
.093
.294
.733
.114
SO. 150
.241
.166
.262
.503
.195
.668
1.629
.190
$0.142
.254
.164
.248
.519
.205
.659
1.601
.177
$0.163
.260
.184
.276
.440
.238
.764
1.857
.246
4.365
4. 511
4.534
550.160
.259
.201
.248
.431
.236
.772
1.770
.253
1.117
4.520
$0. 062
.131
.074
.119
.150
.115
.292
.843
.115
$0,060
.131
.074
.119
.150
.114
.306
.865
.113
[1065]
. .. d o .......
.. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
do__
.. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
E ach __
Y a rd ....
do_
$0 OfiS
.146
.080
.125
.150
.083
.128
.110
.333
.960
.125
.116
.341
.970
.128
$0 144
.305
.154
.275
.521
.220
. 756
1.816
.232
.900
4.631
$0.150
.315
.172
.275
.519
.233
.744
1.787
.239
1.021
4.916
$0.150
.304
.176
.284
.419
.247
.785
1.794
.266
.974
5.096
80.150
.311
.176
.289
.428
.244
.757
1.768
.295
1.070
4.953
80.067
.150
.086
.116
$0,069
.142
.086
.118
.113
.321
.900
.114
.112
.346
.958
.116
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Y ard
. do.
. .d o .
. . .d o .. ..
. . .d o .. ..
. .d o . .
E ach .. .
Y ard.
do
Pair
$ 0 .060
$0.245
.172
.268
.486
.222
.713
1.723
.206
.785
$0.260
.167
.264
.464
.229
.697
1.662
.205
.785
$0.125
.261
.200
.249
.452
.248
.747
1.835
.236
1.000
4.444
$0.125
.259
.194
.249
.458
.245
.741
1.830
.254
1.250
4.340
$0.301
.190
.247
.527
.225
.735
1.693
.249
1.125
$0.287
.250
.264
.518
.225
.725
1.675
.249
1.125
4,383
$0.294
.235
.275
.459
.258
.779
1.913
.282
1.338
4.617
$0.301
.233
.273
. 441
.258
.736
1.883
.282
1.270
4.700
$0.256
.191
.261
.397
.240
.752
1.793
.234
1.000
4.383
$0.267
.193
.201
.378
.237
.752
1.779
.242
.988
4.084
Scranton, Pa.
Savannah, Ga.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ...................
Percale..........................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 inch.
G ingham , dress, 27-i.nch..........
G ingham , dress, 32-inch..........
M uslin, b leached.......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90----O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
F lannel, w h ite, wool, 27-inch.
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80-----
$0.125
.255
.168
.251
.506
.217
.650
1.697
.206
.750
4.598
San Francisco, Calif.
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ..................
Percale.........................................
Gingham , apron, 27 to 28 inch.
G ingham , dress, 27-inch..........
G ingham , dress, 32 in c h ..........
M uslin, bleach ed .......................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b'y 90----O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
Flannel, w h ite, wool, 27-inch.
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80___
*0.128
.253
.166
.251
.489
.215
.648
1.683
.201
. 975
4.758
$0.263
.194
.261
.432
.262
.721
1.884
.258
1.000
$0.273
.190
.255
.433
.238
.713
1.919
.244
1.000
4.660
.123
.077
.112
$0.060
.123
.074
.112
.097
.301
.798
.110
.097
.300
.808
.104
$0.122
.241
.175
.255
.490
.236
.745
1.828
.215
.928
4.238
$0.125
.244
.167
.246
.467
.231
.689
1.760
.214
.938
4.301
RETAIL PRICES OF DRY GOODS.
Calico, 24 to 25 in ch........................
Percale,........ ......................................
G ingham, ap ron, 27 to 28 in c h __
G ingham, dress, 27-inch...............
G ingham, dress, 32-inch................
M uslin, b leached.............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4.................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ........
Flannel, w h ite, wool, 27 in c h ___
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y SO............
C7T
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P 10 A R T IC L E S O P D R Y GOODS ON M AY 15 A N D O C T O B E R 15,1915, JU N E 15 A N D S E P T E M B E R 15, 1922, A N D ON J U N E 15 A N D
S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923—Concluded.
Springfield, 111.
S e a ttle , W ash.
A rticle.
M uslin, bleached ...........................................
Sheeting, bleached, 9 4 ....................................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90...............................
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..........................
Y a rd ....
.. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
do .......
.. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
E ach —
Y a rd ...
[ 1086]
M ay 15.
Oct. 15.
June 15.
Sept. 15.
June 15.
Sept. 15.
May 15.
Oct. 15.
June 15.
Sept. 15.
Ju n e 15.
$0,070
. 150
.082
.121
$0. 070
.150
.082
.121
$0.296
.196
.246
.438
.275
.729
1.862
.271
1.125
4.393
$0.190
.293
.188
.241
.415
.265
.715
1.888
.285
1.125
4.379
$0.063
.119
.083
.120
.100
.340
.900
.117
$0.140
.295
.180
.239
.564
.242
.714
1.810
.247
1.050
4.450
$0.061
.125
.083
.120
.100
.337
.900
.117
$0.117
. 279
.190
.239
.533
.235
.710
1.800
.235
1.075
4.707
.106
.310
.829
.117
.104
.315
.823
.107
$0.115
.245
.166
.244
.396
.196
.672
1.594
. 215
. 725
4.085
$0.127
.251
.165
.248
.413
.205
. 615
1.611
.188
.783
3.958
$0.129
. 255
.181
.249
.408
.235
. 685
1.788
.173
$0.131
.239
. 176
.243
. 373
.228
. 685
i. i i 9
.218
3.620
4.153
P a ir.......
W ash in g to n , D. C.
Percale
........................ ............................
Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h .......................
Gingham dress 27-inch _
Gingham, dress,32-inch............ .....................
Muslin blenched ................. __................ .......
Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ....................................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90...............................
O uting, flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .........................
Flannel w h ite wool 27-inch
B lankets, cotton, 6G b y 80..............................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
~Ya rd __
.. .d o __ .. .d o .......
. .d o .......
.. .d o .......
. . .d o .......
.. .d o .......
E ach—
Y a rd ....
. d o .__
P a ir.......
1923
1922
1915
1923
1922
1915
$0.071
.125
.076
. 125
.150
112
.333
.815
.119
$0.071
.125
.078
.125
.150
.108
.337
.833
.124
$0.255
.173
.268
' .465
.203
.662
1.630
.202
.997
4.296
$0.271
.169
.249
.458
.203
.693
1.672
.198
1.054
3.955
$0.279
.214
.405
.252
.718
1.772
.231
1.059
4.392
$0.276
.210
.280
.406
.251
.714
1.760
.252
1.063
4.216
Sept. 15.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ............................. ............
Percale
............................................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h .......................
G ingham ; dress, 27-inch..................................
U nit.
OS
WHOLESALE PRICES.
77
Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in September, 1923.
HE trend in the general level of wholesale prices, which has been
gradually downward since May, took a decided upward turn
in September, according to information gathered in representa
tive markets by the United States Department of Labor through
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau’s index number, which
includes 404 commodities or price series, weighted in proportion to
their relative importance, rose from 150 in August to 154 in Septem
ber, or an advance of nearly 2 | per cent.
The group of cloths and clothing showed the greatest increase over
the preceding month, due mainly to the marked advances in raw silk,
print cloths, and cotton yarns. The index number for the group
rose from 193 to 202, an increase of more than 4% per cent. Advances
in corn, oats, rye, wheat, hogs, cotton, eggs, and hay caused the
group of farm products to rise 3^ per cent in September as compared
with August. A net increase of 3£ per cent is also shown for the food
group because of the continued advance in the price of fresh beef and
pork, butter, cheese, eggs, flour, lard, corn meal, and sugar. Smaller
increases took place among chemicals and drugs and among commodi
ties classified as miscellaneous, including such important articles as
leather, wood pulp, manila hemp, jute, rope, and lubricating oil.
On the other hand, continued declines in. Douglas fir, oak, and
yellow-pine lumber, sand, and paint materials caused another drop
in building materials, the net decrease being over 2 per cent. Smaller
decreases occurred in fuel and lighting and metals and metal products.
No change in the general price level was reported for house-furnishing
goods.
Of the 404 commodities or series of quotations for which comparable
data for August and September were collected, increases were shown
in 145 instances and decreases in 85 instances. In 174 instances no
change in price was reported.
T
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 , B Y G R O U P S O F C O M M O D ITIES.
[1913=100.]
1922
1923
G roup.
September.
F a rm p ro d u c ts.................................
F o o d s.................................................
Cloths a n d clothing.........................
F u el an d lighting.............................
M etals a n d m e ta l p ro d u cts...........
B uilding m ate ria ls..........................
Chemicals a n d d ru g s......................
H ouse-furnishing goods.................
M iscellaneous....................................
All com m odities..............................
133
138
183
244
134
180
124
173
116
153
A ugust.
139
142
193
178
145
186
127
183
120
150
Septem ber.
144
147
202
176
144
1S2
128
183
121
154
Comparing prices in September with those of a year ago, as meas
ured by changes in the index numbers, it is seen that the general level
of prices has risen slightly more than one-half of 1 per cent. The
decrease of nearly 28 per cent in fuel aud lighting during the twelve
months was offset by increases occurring in all the other commodity
groups, ranging from 1 per cent in building materials to nearly 10^
per cent in cloths and clothing.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1067]
78
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Wholesale Prices of Commodities, July to September, 1923.
IN MCONTINUATION
L
R
of information first published in the
for May, 1922, there are presented
herewith the average prices in July, August, and September,
1923, of the commodities included in the series of index numbers of
wholesale prices constructed by the Bureau of Labor »Statistics.
For convenience of comparison with pre-war prices index numbers
based on average prices in the year 1913 as 100 are shown in addition
to the statement of absolute money prices.
onthly
abo r
e v ie w
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O P C O M M O D IT IE S , J U L Y T O S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
Index num bers
(1913=100).
Average prices.
Commodity.
July,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
SO. 653
SO. 623
SO. 654
104.3
99.6
104.6
.857
. 852
.422
.647
.876
.872
.387
.671
.884
.880
.413
.698
137.1
138.4
112.3
101.7
140.2
141,7
103.0
105.5
141.5
143.0
110.0
109.7
1.017
1.011
.977
1.084
1.064
1.072
1.017
1.038
1.144
1.065
1.156
1.048
1.116
1.176
1.070
111.3
102.5
111.4
124.1
114.5
117.4
103.1
118.4
131.0
114.6
126.6
106.2
127.3
134.6
115.2
11.260
10. 590
12.050
10.875
12.175
10.656
126.1
124.5
135.0
127.8
136.4
125.3
7. 210
7.440
7. 994
8.375
8.638
9.025
86.2
88.0
95.6
99.1
103.3
106.8
5.050
13.975
6.550
5. 750
12. 813
7.281
5.481
13.188
7.081
107.7
179.3
122. 5
122.7
164.4
136.2
116.9
169.2
132.4
.204
. 265
. 198
.270
. 188
.250
132.4
158.3
128.2
161.3
121.7
149.3
7. 725
7.250
6.750
193.6
181.7
169.2
17.500
17.520
20.130
106.0
106.1
121.9
. 255
.259
41.420
.244
.255
37.470
.273
.286
40. 880
200.6
202.3
190.1
192.4
Ì99.4
172.0
215.0
223.3
187.6
.252
.228
.250
. 278
.254
.289
.271
2.653
.282
.260
.283
.316
.293
.328
.340
2.377
.330
.311
.350
.345
.351
.416
.385
2.343
100.2
100.8
111.8
118.7
102.0
109.6
101.3
196.7
112.1
115.0
126.3
135.0
117.5
124.4
127.0
176.2
131.2
137.9
156.5
147.2
141.1
157.9
143.8
173.6
18.938
18.600
24. 200
20.375
18.625
24.750
22.750
21.063
26.500
133.5
119.4
151.0
143.6
119.5
154.4
160.4
135.2
165.3
.149
.890
.103
.146
.129
.147
.875
.101
.147
.132
.152
.881
.093
.141
.126
79.2
125.1
67.9
79.3
71.5
77.9
123.0
66.9
79.7
72.7
80.5
124.0
61.7
76.8
69.4
.267
.146
. 290
.198
.385
.230
100.3
84.9
108.9
114.9
144.6
133.8
F a r m p r o d u c ts .
(a) Grains:
B arley, m alting, per bushel, Chicago.........................
Com, per bushel, Chicago—
C ontract grades.........................................................
No. 3 m ix ed ................................................................
O ats, co n tract grades, per bushel, Chicago...............
Rye, No. 2, per bushel, Chicago..................................
W heat, per bushel—
No. 1, northern spring, Chicago............................
No. 2, red w inter] Chicago.....................................
No. 2, h a rd w inter, K ansas C ity..........................
No. 1, no rth ern spring, M inneapolis...................
No. 1, h a rd w hite, P o rtlan d , Oreg.......................
(6) Live stock an d poultry:
C attle, steers, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Choice to p rim e ........................................................
Good to cfioice...........................................................
H ogs, per 100 pounds, C h ic ag o H eav y .........................................................................
Light”. ..........................................................................
Sheep,“per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Ew es, native, all grades.........................................
Lam bs, w estern, good to choice...........................
W ethers, fed, good to choice..................................
P o u ltry , live fowls] per pound—
Chicago........................................................................
New Y o rk ..................................................................
(c) O ther farm products:
Beans, m edium , choice, per 100 pounds, New Y o rk .
Clover seed, co n tract grades, per 100 pounds,
Chicago.........................................................................
Cotton,^middling, p er pound—
New O rleans...................................................' . ........
New Y o rk ......................... .........................................
Cotton seed, per ton, average price a t gin...............
Eggs, fresh, per dozen—
Firsts, western, B oston.........................................
Firsts] C hicago.........................................................
E x tra firsts, C incinnati.......................................
Candled, New O rleans............................................
Firsts, New Y o rk .....................................................
E x tra firsts, w estern, P h ilad elp h ia.....................
E x tra , pullets, San Francisco A ...........................
Flaxseed, No. 1, per bushel, M inneapolis.................
H ay, p er'to n — ' *
Alfalfa, No. 1, K an sas C ity ....................................
Clovers, m ixed, No. 1, C incinnati........................
T im othy, No. i, Chicago........................................
H ides a n d skins, p e r pound—
Calfskins, N o. 1, co untry, Chicago.......................
G oatskins, Brazilian, N ew Y o rk ..........................
H ides, h eav y , c ou n try cows, N o . 1, Chicago. . . .
H ides, packers, heavy, n a tiv e steers, Chicago...
H ides, packers, h eavy,T exas steers, Chicago. . .
H ops, prim e to choice, p e r pound—
N ew Y ork State, New Y o rk ................................ .
Pacific, P o rtlan d , Oreg...........................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1008 ]
WHOLESALE PRICES.
79
WHOLESALE PRICES OP COMMODITIES, JULY TO SEPTEMBER, 1923—Continued.
Index num bers
(1913=100).
Average prices.
Commodity.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
July,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
$0.069
.072
.068
162.1
151.0
158. 1
298.1
184. 8
162.1
162.8
158.1
.066
$0.069
.081
.068
2.875
.056
184.8
162.1
181.9
158.1
182.9
158.6
2.238
1.713
221.4
218.5
167.3
(>)
.956
.039
.055
.044
.053
(2)
106.3
(2)
109.1
(2)
104.7
28.000
28.000
212.1
212.1
212.1
1.324
1.286
1.174
.946
1.324
1.262
1.174
.946
227.7
242.5
244.8
208.8
214.4
233.9
236.2
197.6
214.4
229.7
236.2
197.6
Sept.,
1923.
F a rm products—Concluded.
(c) O ther farm p roducts—Concluded.
Milk, fluid, p e r q u a rt—
Chicago................... ................................................... $0,069
New Y o rk ...................................................................
.067
San Francisco............................................................
.068
Onions, fresh, yellow, p e r 100 pounds, C hicago.. . . 4. 688
Pean u ts, No. 1, p e r pound, Norfolk, V a ...................
.066
Potatoes—
W hite, good to choice, p e r 100 pounds, Chicago. 2.267
Sweet, No. 1, p e r five-eighths bushel, Philadelp h ia ..........................................................................
C)
Rice, p er pound, N ew Orleans —
B lue R ose, head , c le an ...........................................
.038
H onduras, head, clean ............................................
.054
Tobacco, B u rley , good leaf, d a rk red, p e r 100
p ounds, Louisville, K y ............................................... 28.000
W ool, Ohio, p e r po u n d , B oston—
Fine clothing, scoured............................................. 1.405
Fine delaine, scoured............................................... 1.333
H alf blood, scoured.................................................. 1.217
One-fourth an d three-eighths grades, scoured. . . 1.000
C)
198.2
.
F oods.
(«) Meats:
Beef, fresh, p er pound—
Carcass, good n ativ e steers, Chicago....................
.158
Sides, n ative, N ew Y o rk ...............................................
.160
Beef, salt, e x tra m ess, p er barrel (200 pounds),
New Y o rk ............ ......................................................... 15.000
H am s, sm oked, p e r po u n d , Chicago...........................
.217
L am b, dressed, p e r pound, Chicago...........................
.288
M utton, dressed, p er p ound, New Y o rk ...................
.111
Pork, fresh, p e r pound—
Loins, Chicago...........................................................
.195
Loins, w estern, N ew Y o rk ....................................
.173
P ork, cured—
Mess, salt, p er b arrel (200 pounds), New Y o rk .. 25.150
Sides, rough, p e r pound, Chicago.........................
.106
Sides, sh o rt, clear, p e r pound, Chicago..............
.112
F o u ltry , dressed, p er pound—
H ens, h eav y , Chicago..............................................
.239
Fowls, 48-56 po u n d s to dozen, New Y o rk .........
.250
Veal, dressed, good to prim e, per pound, New York.
C1)
(t>) B u tte r, cheese, an d m ilk:
B u tte r, cream ery, ex tra, p er pound—
B oston.........................................................................
.393
Chicago........................................................................
.382
C in c in n ati8................................................................
.366
New O rleans..............................................................
.438
N ew Y o rk ...................................................................
. 395
P h ilad elp h ia..............................................................
.406
St. Louis.....................................................................
.390
San Francisco............................................................
.456
Cheese, whole m ilk, p e r pound—
American tw ins, Chicago........................................
.218
State, fresh flats, colored, average, New Y o rk ...
.243
California flats, fancy, San F rancisco..................
.259
Milk fluid. (See F a rm products.)
Milk, condensed, p e r case of 4 8 14-ounce tins, New
Y o rk ................................................................................. 6.325
Milk, evaporated, p e r case of 48 16-ounce tins, New
Y o rk ................................................................................. 4.725
( e ) Other foods:
Beans, m edium , choice. (See F a rm products.)
B read, p er pound—
Chicago........................................................................
.076
.062
C in cin n ati...................................................................
New O rleans............. ...................................... .........
.057
New Y o rk ..................................................................
.089
San Francisco............. ..............................................
.069
Cocoa beans, A rriba, p e r pound, New Y o rk ............
.106
Coffee, Rio, No. 7, p e r pound, New Y o rk.................
.109
1 No quotation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 No 1913 base price.
[1069]
.158
.149
.175
.148
121.6
127.4
121.6
118.8
135.1
117.8
15.000
.223
.268
.118
15. 000
.223
.260
.125
79.3
130.3
193.3
108.3
79.3
133.9
180.2
114.6
79.3
133.9
174.8
122.0
.230
.217
.273
.280
131.2
113.3
154.8
142.5
183.4
183.8
24.750
.104
.110
25.563
.111
.118
111.9
85.6
88. 1
110.1
84.5
86.3
113.8
90.0
92.2
.245
.264
C)
.250
.285
D)
165.3
137.1
169.4
144.7
172.9
156.3
.437
.429
.405
.465
.443
.452
.437
.490
.464
.452
.425
.485
.459
.473
.468
.518
123.7
123.1
(2)
130.3
122.5
124.7
126.2
143.9
137.8
138.1
(2)
138.4
137.4
138.7
141. 4
154.5
146.2
145.6
(2)
144.3
142.3
145.0
151.3
163.2
.223
.249
.284
.243
.260
.295
153.6
157.7
162.4
157.3
161.8
178.2
171.0
168.7
185.1
6.325
6.200
134.6
134.6
131.9
4.713
4.675
133.7
133.3
132.3
.076
.062
.057
.069
.071
.110
.107
.078
.062
.057
.069
.069
.113
.107
177. 0
174.7
185. 2
162.5
173.0
69.3
97.8
177.0
174.7
185.2
162.5
177. 8
72.0
96.0
182.0
174.7
185.2
162.5
173.0
73.5
95.8
8 As to score.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
80
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D ITIES, JU L Y TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—C ontinued.
Index num bers
(1913=100).
A verage prices.
Commodity.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
SO. 046
SO. 050
44.4
43.8
Sept.,
1923.
F o o d s — C o n tin u ed .
(c) O ther foods—C ontinued.
Copra, South Sea, sun dried, per pound . N ew Y ork. SO. 046
Eggs, fresh, p e r dozen. (See F a rm products.)
1S Cod, large, shore, pickled, cured, p e r 100
pounds, Gloucester, M ass................................... 7.900
H erring, large, split, p e r barrel (180-190
7.500
pounas), New Y o rk .............................................
Mackerel, salt, large, 3s, p e r barrel, B o sto n ---- 11. 880
Salmon, canned, A laska, red, p er dozen,
facto ry ...................................................................... 2.375
Flour, rye, w hite, p e r barrel, M inneapolis............... 3.685
Flour, w heat, p e r barrel—
W inter p a te n ts, K ansas C ity ................................ 5.644
W in ter straights, K ansas C ity.............................. 4.850
Stan d ard p a te n ts, M inneapolis............................ 6.025
Second p a te n ts, M inneapolis................................ 5. 870
P a te n ts, P o rtlan d . Oreg........- ............................... 7.042
P a te n ts, soft, w in ter, St. L o u is........................... 5. 313
Straights, soft, w in ter, St. L o u is......................... 4.663
5.200
P a te n ts, Toledo........................................................
F ru it, canned, p e r case,N ew Y ork—•
Peaches, California, stan d a rd 2Js......................... 1. 800
Pineapples, H aw aiian, sliced, stan d a rd 2Js---- 3.610
F ru it, dried, p e r p ound, New Y ork—
.107
Apples, e v ap o rated , S tate, choice.......................
.138
C urrants, P a tra s, cleaned......................................
.082
P runes, California, 60-70s.......................................
.090
Raisins, coast, seeded, b u lk ................ ..................
F ru it, fresh—
(i)
Apples, B aldw ins, p e r barrel, Chicago...............
3.000
8.600
Lem ons, California, choice, p e r box, Chicago.
4. 775
Oranges, California, choice, p e r box, Chicago.
3. 510
Glucose, 42° m ixing, p e r 100 pounds, New Y o rk ..
H om iny grits, bulk, car lots, p e r 100 pounds, f. o. b.
1.780
m ill.................................................................................
.113
Meal, corn, p er 100 pounds—
1.730
W hite, f. o. b. D ecatur, 111.......................
2.200
Yellow, P h ilad elp hia..................................
Molasses, New Orleans, fancy, p e r gallon, New
. 565
Y ork...............................................................................
O atm eal, car lo ts in barrels (180 pounds), p e r 100
pounds, New Y o rk .................■.................................. . 3.213
Oleomargarine, stan d a rd , uncolored, per pound,
.205
Chicago...............................................................
.109
Oleo oil, e x tra , p er pound, Chicago...............
.108
Rice. (See F a rm products.)
Salt, A merican, m ed iu m , p e r barrel (280 pounds),
2.490
Chicago.........................................................................
Sugar, per pound, New Y ork—
.085
G ranulated, in barrels...........................................
.069
R aw , 96° centrifugal..............................................
.077
Tallow, edible, p er pound, Chicago...........................
.310
Tea, Form osa, fine, per pound, N ew Y o rk ............
Vegetables, canned—
Corn, M aryland, stan d a rd , per dozen, New
.875
F o rk .......................................................................
Peas, State an d w estern, N o. 5, per dozen,
New Y o rk ............................................................. . 1.350
Tomatoes, New Jersey , stan d ard , No. 3, per
dozen, New Y o rk ............................................... . 2.000
Vegetables, fresh. (See F arm products.)
Vegetable oil—
.100
Coconut, crude, p e r p o u n d , N ew Y o rk ...........
. 121
Com, c ru d e ,in barrels, p e rp o u n d , New York
Cottonseed, p rim e, sum m er, yellow, p er
.102
pound, N ew Y ork....................................
Y ork.
.
1 No quotation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
£1070]
1.725
47.5
8.000
8.000
117.8
119.3
119.3
7.500
11.385
7.500
11.385
113.2
107.1
113.2
102.6
113.2
102.6
2.375
3.738
2.375
3.850
162.6
118.0
162.6
119.7
162.6
123.3
5.738
4.900
6.100
5.981
6.965
5.263
4.563
5.156
6.040
5. 280
6. 238
6.044
6.832
5.460
4.650
5.105
140.7
126.1
131.4
132.7
156.6
116.3
109.6
110.0
143.0
127.4
133.1
135.3
154.9
115.2
107.3
109.1
150.6
137.2
136.1
136.7
152.0
119.6
109.3
108.0
1.800
3.600
1.800
3.325
118.6
175.8
118.6
175.3
118.6
162.0
.104
.130
.079
.090
.104
.141
.076
.090
148.3
180.0
125.0
124.0
144.6
169.5
120.1
124.0
144.6
184.4
115.2
124.0
(i)
2.375
8. 250
5.219
3.510
(!)
2. 375
7.750
5.750
3. 510
194.8
149.0
108.0
164.2
154.4
142.9
118.1
164.2
154. 4
134.2
130.1
164.2
1.788
.116
1.808
.128
107.8
102.4
108.3
104.9
109.5
115.8
1.738
2.309
1.758
2.585
108.1
153.5
108.6
161.1
109.8
180.3
148.4
148.4
148.4
.565
.565
3.038
2.931
.205
.110
.106
.210
.121
.106
126.2
94.8
99.1
126.2
95.6
97.6
129.0
104.5
97.3
2.490
2.490
244.1
244.1
244.1
.076
.061
.080
.310
.082
.070
.093
.310
199.1
198.3
96.6
124.8
178.0
172.9
99.9
124.8
192.7
199.1
117.0
124.8
129.8
122.7
lia
.875
.875
138.0
138.0
138.0
1.350
1.350
155.8
155.8
155.8
1.500
1.500
155.8
115.4
115.4
.099
.115
.100
.105
74.3
199.8
73.9
189.9
73.9
173.0
.117
140.7
143.6
161.5
100.7 1
100.7
.104
1.700
1.700 1 102.2
81
WHOLESALE PRICES.
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F COM M O D ITIES, JU L Y TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—C ontinued.
In d e x num bers
(1913=100).
Average prices.
Commodity.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
$0.120
SO. 130
.103
.108
.200
.200
188.1
J u ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
(*)
(2)
(2)
192.0
167.5
175.7
179.1
179.1
166.5
181.7
173.2
143.4
166.5
181.7
173.2
143.4
208.8
153.2
140.8
222.5
223.3
153.2
149.7
125.4
209.3
201.6
153. 2
140.8
222.5
223.3
153.2
149.7
125.4
209.3
141.7
190.9
235. 0
261.8
141.7
190.9
235.0
261.8
200.3
191.6
189.6
200.5
195.3
206.3
214.7
230.7
214.7
230.7
F o o d s —Concluded.
(c) O th er foods—Concluded.
V egetable oil—Concluded.
P e a n u t, crude, p er po u n d , f. o. b. m ill............... $0.130
Soya b ean, crude, in b arrels, per p ound, New
Y ork............................................................ ............
.118
Vinegar, cider, 40 grain, in barrels, p e r gallon,
N ew Y o rk ......................................................... .............
.210
C lo th s a n d c lo th in g .
(a) Boots a n d shoes, p er p air, factory:
C hildren’s—
L ittle boys’, gun m etal, blucher........................... 1.615
1.615
1.615
166.5
C hild’s, g u n m e ta l, polish, high c u t.................... 1.568
1.568
1.568
181.7
Misses’, black, vici, polish, high c u t................... 1. 853
1.853
1. 853
173. 2
Y o u th s’, gun m e ta l, blucher................................. 1.473
1.473
1.473
143.4
M en’s—
Black, calf, b lu c h e r.................................................. 6.500
6. 500
6. 275
208.8
B lack, calf, Goodyear w elt, b a l............................ 4.850
4.850
4. 850
153.2
Black, dress, Goodyear w elt, side le a th e r.......... 3.150
3.150
3.150
140.8
G un m etal, G oodyear w elt, b lu ch er................... 4. 350
4.350
4.350
222.5
M ahogany, chrom e, side, G oodyear w elt, b a l . . 3.600
3.600
3.600
223.3
T an , dress, G oodyear w elt, calf.......
4.850
4.850
4.850
153.2
T an , dress, G oodyear w elt, side le a th er............. 3.350
3. 350
3.350
149.7
Chocolate, elk, b lu c h e r...........................................
1.786
1.786
1.786
125.4
V id k id, black, Goodyear w e lt............................ 6.000
6.000
6.000
209.3
W om en’s—
Black, kid, G oodyear w elt, SJ-inchlace__
4.250
4. 250
4. 250
141.7
Colored, calf, G oodyear w elt, lace o x fo rd ...
4.150
4.150
4.150
190.9
K id, black, M cK ay sew ed, lace oxford............... 3. 500
3. 500
3. 500
235.0
P a te n t le a th er p u m p , M cK av sew ed.................. 3. 600
3.600
3.600
261.8
(6) C otton goods:
D enim s, M assachusetts, 2.20 yard s to th e pound,
p er y ard , N ew Y o rk ....................................................
.265
.257
.246
205.8
D rillings, b ro w n , p e r y a rd , N ew Y ork—
M assachusetts, D s tan d a rd , 30-inch....................
.162
.162
.157
195.8
P epperell, 29-inch, 2.85 yard s to th e p o u n d ___
.173
.165
.170
210,1
F la n n e ls,p e r yard , N ew Y ork—
Colored, 2.75 yard s to th e p o u n d ..........................
.218
.218
.218
214.7
U nbleached, 3.80 yard s to th e p o u n d .................
.171
.171
.171
230.7
G inghams, p e r y a rd —
Amoskeag, 27-inch, 6.37 yards to th e pound,
New Y o rk ...............................................................
.144
.144
.144
221.5
L ancaster, 26§-mch, 6.50 y ard s to th e pound,
B oston......................................................................
.154
.154
.154
248.5
H osiery, p e r dozen pairs—
M en’s h a h hose, com bed y a m , N ew Y o rk ........ 1. 750
1.750
1.760
217.5
W om en’s cotton, silk mercerized, mock seam,
New Y o rk ............................................................... 2. 500
2.500
2.500
141.3
W om en’s com bed y a m , 16-ounce, N ew Y o rk .. 1.824
1.789
1.767
182.3
M uslin, bleached, 4/4, p e r y a rd —
F ru it of th e Loom , N ew Y ork..............................
.176
.176
206.1
.176
Lonsdale, facto ry ......................................................
. 157
. 160
. 157
194. 1
R ough R id er, N ew Y ork.......................................
.141
.147
.148
183.4
W aiiisu tta, facto ry ...................................................
0)
C1)
w
P rin t cloth, 27-inch, 7.60 y ard s to th e pound, p er
yard , B oston..................................................................
.066
.064
.071
192.2
Sheeting, brow n, 4/4, p e r yard —
In d ia n H ead , 2.85 yard s to th e po u n d , B oston.
.155
.155
.155
184.1
Pepperell, 3.75 yards to th e pound, New Y ork.
.145
.145
.148
197.8
W are shoals, 4 y ard s to th e p ound, N ew Y o rk ..
.117
.111
189. 9
.111
T hread, 6-cord, J. & P . Coats, p e r spool, New Y ork.
.058
.058
148.7
.058
U nderw ear—
M en’s sh irts a n d draw ers, p er dozen garm ents,
New Y o rk ............................................................... 7.250
7.000
202.8
7.000
W om en’s union suits, com bed y a m , p e r dozen,
New Y o rk ............................................................... 12. 500 12. 500 12.500
182.4
Y a m , p er p o u n d , B oston—
Carded, w hite, m ulespun, n o rth ern , 10/1 cones.
.404
.402
.448
182.5
Carded, w hite, m ulespun, n o rth ern , 22/1 cones.
.437
.432
.472
176.7
Tw isted, ordinary, w eaving, 20/2........................
.407
.412
.476
175. 3
Tw isted, ordinary, w eaving, 40/2.........................
.533
. 577
.543
141.6
1 No quotation.
2 No 1913 base price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1071]
221.5
221.5
248.5
248.5
217.5
218.8
141.3
178.7
141.3
176.6
206.1
194.1
175.7
206.1
197.4
184.3
186.7
204.4
184.1
197.8
180. 5
148.7
184.1
201.6
181.1
148.7
195.7
195.7
182.4
182.4
181.8
174.5
177.4
139.3
202.5
190. 7
204.9
150.6
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
82
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F COM M O D ITIES, JU L Y TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—C ontinued.
Index num bers
(1913=100).
Average prices.
Com m odity.
Aug.,
1923.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
July,
1923.
$1.000
224.4
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
C lo th s a n d c lo th in g — C oncluded.
(c) W oolen goods:
Flannel, w hite, 4/4, B allard Vale, N o. 3, per yard,
factory............................................................................. $1,040 $1.040
O vercoating, soft-faced, black, p er yard , B o sto n ...
G)
0)
Suiting, p er y a rd —
Clay, w orsted, diagonal, 12-ounce, facto ry ---G)
0)
3.263
Clay, w orsted, diagonal, 16-ounce, fa c to ry ........ 3.263
Middlesex, wool-dyed, blue, 16-ounce, New
3.690
3.690
Y o rk....................................... ................................
2.588
Serge, 11-ounce, factory........................................... 2.588
Trousering, cotton w arp , 11/111-ounce, p er yard,
1.725
1.725
New Y o rk ......................................................................
U nderw ear—
Merino, sh irts an d draw ers, per dozen gar
m ents, fa c to ry ....................................................... 33.000 33.000
Men’s union su its, 33 p er cent w orsted, per
dozen, N ew Y o rk ................................................. 29.400 29.400
W om en’s dress goods, p er yard —
2.255
Broadcloth, 9[-ounce, 54-56-inch, New Y o r k ... 2.255
.750
.750
French serge, 35-inch, factory...............................
.365
.365
P o p lar cloth, cotton w arp, factory......................
.635
. 635
Silician cloth, cotton w arp, 50-inch, New Y ork.
1.035
Storm serge, double warp*, 50-inch, facto ry ....... 1.035
Y arn, per p o u n d —
1.750
Crossbed stock, 2/32s, per pound, B o sto n .......... 1,800
2.200
H alf blood, 2/40s, per pound, P hiladelphia....... 2.250
2.500
Fine domestic, 2/50s, per pound, Philadelphia. 2.600
(<2) Silk, etc.:
Linen shoe th read , 10s, B arbour, p er pound, New
2.077
Y ork................................................................................ 2.077
Silk, raw , per p o und—
China, C anton, filature, e x tra e x tra A, New
7.115
Y ork......................................................................... 7.007
7.350
Japan, K ansai, N o. 1, New Y ork......................... 7.154
7.938
Japan, special, e x tra extra, New Y ork ............... 7.742
Silk yarn, p er po u n d , N ew Y ork—
5.145
Domestic, gray sp u n , 60/1...................................... 5.145
6.282
6. 272
Domestic, gray spun, 60/2, N o. 1 .........................
G)
G)
224.4
215.8
3.263
236.1
236.1
3.690
2.588
238.8
228.9
238.8
228.9
236.1
2
238.8
228.9
1.700
152.4
152.4
150.2
33.000
168.5
168.5
168.5
29. 400
299.5
299.5
299.5
2.325
.750
.365
.635
1.035
171.6
227.3
192.1
196.3
184.0
171.6
227.3
192.1
196.3
184.0
176.7
227.3
192.1
196.3
184.0
1.700
2.200
2.500
231.8
201.5
246.6
225.3
197.1
237.1
218.9
197.1
237.1
1.777
232.6
232.6
198.9
9.516
9. 800
10.290
200.3
196.6
190.0
203.3
201.9
194.9
272.0
269.3
252.6
5.331
6.468
176.4
180.9
176.4
181.2
182.8
186.6
243.1
209.5
216.8
219.6
F u e l a n d lig h tin g .
(«)
A nthracite coal, per gross to n , New Y ork, tid e
w ater:
B ro k en ................................................................................
C hestn u t.............................................................................
Egg.......................................................................................
S tove...................................................................................
(b) B itum inous coal:
Mine ru n , p er n e t to n , Chicago....................................
Prepared sizes, p er n e t to n , Chicago..........................
Screenings, p e r n e t ton, Chicago..................................
.Mine ru n , K anaw ha, p er n e t ton, C in cin n ati..........
Mine rim , smokeless, New R iver, per n e t to n , Cin
c in n a ti.............................................................................
Mine ru n , Pocahontas, per gross ton, Norfolk, V a ..
Prepared sizes, p er n e t ton, P ittsb u rg h .....................
(c) O ther fuel an d lighting:
Coke, Connellsviile, furnace, per n e t ton, a t ovens.
Gasoline, m otor, p er gallon, N ew Y o rk .....................
Matches, average of several brands, per gross, New
Y ork.................................................................................
Crude petroleum , p er barrel, a t wells:
California, 20°............................................................
K ansas-O klahom a....................................................
P en n sy lv an ia............................................................
R efined petroleum , p er gallon, N ew Y ork—
Stan d ard w hite, 110° fire te s t................................
W ater w hite, 150° fire te s t......................................
1 No quotation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
10.640
10.621
10.625
10.622
10.640
10.627
10.633
10.629
10.807
11.131
10.980
11.114
239.3
199.9
209.8
209.9
239.3
200.0
210.0
210.0
5.019
6.063
3.113
3.890
5.075
6.175
3.025
3.890
4.850
6.070
2.890
3. 890
G)
G)
G)
176.8
G)
G)
G)
176.8
5.240
5.500
4.500
4.990
5.250
4.2.50
4.990
5.000
4.250
217.2
183.3
206.8
175.0
4. 550
.213
4.563
.200
4.500
.191
186.5
126.3
187.0
118.8
1.540
1.540
1.540
189.7
189.7
189.7
.620
1.450
2.800
.613
1.450
2.750
.610
1.345
2.688
177.1
155.2
114.3
175.0
155.2
112.2
174.3
144.0
109.7
.125
.205
.125
.205
.125
.205
144.8
166.3
144.8
166.3
144.8
166.3
[1072]
* No 1913 base price.
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
176.8
206.8
166.7
G)
177.3
113.5
WHOLESALE PRICES.
83
WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES, JULY TO SEPTEMBER, 1923—Continued.
Average prices.
#
Index num bers
(1913=100).
Com m odity.
Ju ly , ! Aug., 1 Sept.,
1923.
1923.
1923.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
$6. 200
5.550
$6,200
5.550
149.4
163.2
149.4
163.2
149.4
163.2
25.100 24.750 24.875
28.464 28.260 28. 260
27.270 26. 520 26. 520
24. 800 24.000 22. 500
119.500 117.500 111.250
170.7
166.1
170.4
212.1
205.0
168.3
165. 0
165.7
205.3
201.6
169.2
165. 0
165. 7
192.4
190.9
Sept.,
1923.
M e ta l s a n d m e t a l p r o d u c ts .
Iron an d steel:
Iro n ore, p e r ton, low er lake po rts—
Mesabi, Bessemer, 55 p e r c e n t...................
N on-Bessem er, 51 j p e r c e n t..................................
P ig iron, p er gross to n —
Basic, valley fu rn ac e .............................................
Bessemer, P itts b u rg h .........................................
F o u ndry, No. 2, n o rth e rn , P ittsb u rg h ...............
Fou n d ry , No. 2, B irm ingham , A la .....................
Ferom angahese, p e r gross to n , seab o ard ...........*___
Speigeleisen, 18 an d 22 p e r cent, p e r gross to n ,
furn ace........................................................................
B ar iron, p e r p o u n d —
B est refined, P h ilad e lp h ia ..............................
Common, f. o. b. P itts b u rg h .........................
Bars, reinforcing, p e r lOOpounds, P ittsb u rg h ............
Nails, wire, p e r lOOpounds, P ittsb u rg h ......................
Pipe, cast-iron, 6-inch, p e rn e t to n , New Y o rk ..........
Skelp, grooved, p e r lOOpounds, P itts b u rg h ...............
Steelbillets, p e r grosston, P ittsb u rg h —
B essem er....................................................................
Open h e a r th ................................ .............
..
Steel, m erch an t bars, p e r 100 pounds, P ittsb u rg h . . .
Steelplate, ta n k , p er pound. P ittsb u rg h ....................
Steel rails, p e r gross to n , P ittsb u rg h ............................
Bessemer, s ta n d a rd ..................................................
O pen h e arth , s ta n d a r d .........................................
S teelsheets, black, p e r p ound, f. o .b . P itts b u r g h ...
Steel, stru c tu ra l shapes, p e r lOOpounds, P ittsb u rg h
T erneplate, 8 po u n d s I. C., p e r base box (200
pounds). P itts b u rg h ...................................................
T inplate, dom estic coke,per 100 p o u n ds,P ittsburgh.
W ire, p er lOOpounds—
B arbed, galvanized, Chicago................................
Plain, fence, annealed, P ittsb u rg h ......................
(6) Nonferrous m etals:
A lum inum , p e r p ound, New Y o r k ...........................
C opper,ingot, electrolytic, p e rp o u n d , re fin e ry ........
Copper, sheet, p e rp o u n d , N ew Y o rk ..........................
Copper wire, bare, p erp o u n d , m ill..............................
Lead, pig, p e rp o u n d , N ew Y o rk ..................................
Lead, pipe, p e r lOOpounds, N ew Y o rk .......................
Quicksilver, p e r po u n d , N ew Y ork..............................
Silver, b ar, fine, p e r ounce, New Y o rk ........................
Tin, pig, p erp o u n d , New Y o rk ....................................
Zinc, sheet, p e r lOOpounds, fa c to ry .............................
Zinc, slab, p e rp o u n d , New Y o rk ..................................
(a )
556. 200
5.550
45. 500
46. 250
45.375
182.0
185.0
181.5
. 035
.033
2. 400
3.100
62. 300
2.410
.035
.033
2,400
3.100
62.625
2.400
.033
.033
2, 400
3.100
63.600
2.400
181.2
197.0
174.4
170.4
266.6
173.4
181.2
197.0
174.4
170.4
268.0
172.7
173.4
197.0
174.4
170.4
272.1
172.7
42. 500
42. 500
2. 400
.025
42. 500
42.500
2.400
.025
41. 875
41.875
2.400
.025
164.8
162.9
155.0
168.9
164.8
162.9
155.0
168.9
162.4
160. 5
155.0
168.9
43.000
43.000
.038
2.500
43.000
43.000
.038
2.500
43.000
43.000
.038
2. 500
153.6
143.3
172.6
165.5
153.6
143.3
171.2
165.5
153.6
143.3
171.2
165.5
11.300
5.500
11, 300
5, 500
11, 300
5, 500
162.9
154.6
162.9
162.9
154.6
4.140
2.750
4.140
2. 750
4.140
2. 750
179.3
181.8
179.3
181.8
179.3
181.8
.260
.144
.230
.174
.064
8.283
.883
.634
.386
8.190
.064
.258
.139
.219
.169
.067
8.330
.848
.632
.393
8. 335
.067
.251
.134
.211
.163
.071
8. 559
.809
.645
.418
8. 510
.068
110.0
91.7
108.5
104.2
144.8
163. 0
156.3
103. 5
86.1
113.0
110.1
109. 2
88.2
103.5
101.0
153. 0
163.9
150.1
103.2
87.5
115.0
114.4
106.0
85.4
99.3
97.7
160.5
168.4
143.2
105.4
93.2
117.5
117.2
19. 500
39.000
18.500
39.000
17.500
36. 000
211.8
225.0
200.9
225.0
190.1
207.7
50. 750
39.000
49.500
38.500
49. 750
38.500
245.3
185.0
239.4
182.6
240.6
182.6
B u i l d i n g m a te r ia l s .
(a) Lum ber:
Douglas fir, p e r 1,000 feet, m ill—
No. 1 common, b o a rd s............................................
No. 2 an d b e tte r, drop siding................................
C um , sap, firsts an d seconds, p e r 1,000 feet, St.
Louis...........................................................................
H em lock, n o rth e rn , No. 1, p e r 1,000feet, Chicago. .
Maple, h ard , No. 1 com m on, 4/4, p e r 1,000 feet,
C hicago................................................. ..........................
Oak, w hite, p lain , No. 1 common, 4/4, p e r 1,000
feet, C incinnati..............................................................
Pine, w hite, No. 2 b a rn ,p e r 1,000 feet, Buffalo, N . Y .
P ine, yellow, southern, p e r 1,000 feet mill—
Boards, No. 2 common, 1 x 8 ................................
Flooring, B an d b e tte r ...........................................
Tim bers, square edge an d s o u n d .........................
Poplar, No. 1 common, 4/4, p er 1,000 feet, C incinnati.
Spruce, eastern, ran d o m , p e r 1,000 feet, B oston___
L ath, yellow pine, No. 1, p e r 1,000, m ill...................
Shingles—
Cypress, 16 inches long, p e r 1,000, m ill...............
R ed Cedar, 16 inches long, p e r 1,000, m ill..........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
76. 250
72.500
72.500
253.0
240.6
240.6
70.000
67.000
69.200
67.000
66.250
67.000
189.2
229.3
187.1
229.3
179.1
229.3
23.080
46. 570
30.380
70.000
37.400
5.160
21.480
44.850
29.260
65. 000
36. 750
4. 640
21.640
43.700
26.900
65.000
36. 000
4. 330
181.2
202.2
207.6
212.0
172.5
169.8
168.7
194.7
199.9
196.8
169.5
152.6
169.9
189.7
183.8
196.8
166.1
142.5
6.000
2.710
6.000
2. 520
6.000
2.640
169.4
137.8
169.4
128.1 !
169.4
134.2
[1073]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
84
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D ITIES, JU L Y TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—C ontinued.
Index num bers
(1913= 100).
Average prices.
Commodity.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923
B u i l d i n g m a te r ia l s —Concluded.
(6) Brick, common building, p e r 1,000:
Simple average of 82 y a rd prices..........: ...................... $14. 702 $14.676 $14.689
8.630
9.100
R u n of kiln, f. o. b. p la n t, Chicago............................ 8.650
(c) S tru ctu ral steel. (See M etals an d m etalp ro d u cts.)
\ d ) O ther b uilding m aterials:
Cem ent, P o rtlan d , p e r barrel, f. o. b . p la n t—•
Sim ple average of 6 p la n t prices in P a., In d .,
1.910
1.910
1.908
M inn., T ex ., a n d C alif........................................
1.750
1.750
1.750
Buffiington, I n d .......................................................
1.650
1.650
C rushed stone, 1 |" , p er cubic y ard , New Y o rk ----- 1.650
Gravel, p er to p , f. o. b . p it, average of 27 p la n t
.947
.933
.930
p ric e s...............................................................................
.072
.072
.072
Hollow tile, b uilding, p e r block, Chicago.................
Lim e, com m on, lu m p , p e r ton, f. o. b . p la n t, av er
9.899
9.889
9.874
age of 15 p la n t p ric e s ...................................................
Roofing prep ared , p e r square, f. o. b . factory—
1.553
1.544
M edium w e ig h t......................................................... 1.542
4.642
4.624
Shingles, in d iv id u a l................................................. 4.605
4.298
4.454
4.549
Shingles, s tr ip ...........................................................
1.752
1.757
Slate-surfaced............................................................ 1.770
Sand, building, p er to n , f. o. b . p it, average of 31
.610
.613
.619
p la n t p ric e s ..................................................................
Slate, roofing, p e r 100 square feet, f. o. b . q u a rry ... 10.500 10.500 10.500
Glass p la te —
.550
3 to 5 sq u are feet, p e r square foot, New Y o rk ...
.550
.550
5 to 10 square feet, p e r square foot, New Y o rk .
.730
.730
.730
Glass, w indow , A m erican, f. o. b . works—
4.275
Single A , p e r 50 square fe e t................................... 4.275
4.275
Single B , p e r 50 square f e e t................................... 3.612
3.612
3.612
Linseed oil, p e r gallon, New Y o rk .............................. 1.033
.886
.960
P u tty , com m ercial, p er p ound, New Y o rk ..............
.040
.040
.040
R osin, common to good (B ), p e r barrel, New Y ork. 5.820
5.750
5.850
T u rp en tin e, southern, barrels, p e r gallon, New
Y o rk .................................................................................
.971
.951
.943
W h ite lead , A m erican, in oil, p e r p ound, New
Y o rk .................................................................................
.119
.119
.119
Zinc oxide (w h ite zinc), p e r po u n d , New Y o r k ...
.071
.071
.072
Pipe, cast-iron. (See M etals a n d m etal products.)
Copper, sheet. (See M etals a n d m e ta l products.)
Copper w ire. (See M etals an d m e ta l products.)
Lead p ipe. (See M etals a n d m e ta l products.)
Nails. (See M etals a n d m e ta l products.)
Reinforcing bars. (See M etals a n d m etalp ro d u cts.)
Roofing tin (tern ep late.) (See M etals a n d m etal
p roducts.)
Zinc, sheet. (See M etals a n d m e ta l products.)
216.4
175.2
216.0
184.3
216.2
174.8
183.5
173.1
183.3
183.9
173.1
183.3
183.9
173.1
183.3
188.7
113.1
188.1
113.1
191.5
113.1
239.3
239.5
239.8
(2)
(2)
( 2)
(2)
( 2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
( 2)
(2)
162.4
227.0
161.0
227.0
160.1
227.0
232.4
229.3
232.4
229.3
232.4
229.3
188.0
162.7
223.4
150.9
120.8
188.0
162.7
207.7
150.9
119.4
188.0
162.7
191.7
150.9
121.5
220.3
222.3
227.0
175.3
133.6
175.3
132.5
175.3
132.5
C h e m ic a ls a n d d r u g s .
(a) Chemicals:
Acids, p e r p ound, New Y ork—
Acetic, 28 p e r c e n t....................................................
M uriatic, 20°..............................................................
N itric, 42°...................................................................
Stearic, trip le p re sse d ..............................................
Sulphuric, 66°............................................................
Alcohol, p er gallon, N ew Y ork—
D enatured, No. 5,188 p ro o f...................................
W ood, refined, 95 p e r c e n t.....................................
A lum , lu m p , p e r po u n d , N ew Y o rk ..........................
A m m onia, an h y d ro u s, p e r p o u n d , New Y o rk ........
Bleaching pow der, p e r 100 p ounds, New Y o rk ........
B orax, crystals a n d g ran u lated , p e r p ound, New
Y o rk .................................................................................
Copper, su lp h ate, 99 p e r cen t crystals, p er pound,
New Y o rk ............................................... .....................
Copra, South Sea. (See Foods.)
Form aldehyde, p e r po u n d , New Y o rk ......................
Oil, vegetable—
Coconut, crude. (See Foods.)
Corn, crude. (See Foods.)
P a lm kernel, crude, p e r p ound, New Y o rk ___
Soya bean, crude. (See Foods.)
2 No 1913 base price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1074]
.034
.034
.010
.010
.053
.144
.008
.053
.144
.008
.034
.010
.053
.148
.OOS
174.2
76.9
107.6
108.5
75.0
174.2
76.9
107.6
108.5
75.0
174.2
76.9
107.6
111.3
75.0
.430
1.130
.035
.300
1.750
.430
1.130
.035
.300
1.625
.437
.986
.035
.300
1.500
117.5
236.2
200.0
120.0
148.2
117.5
236.2
200.0
120.0
137.7
119.5
206.1
.055
.055
.055
146.7
146.7
146.7
.055
.053
.050
105.6
101.3
96.0
.146
.145
.133
173.3
171.9
157.6
.083
.083
.086
81.7
81.7
84.7
200.0
120.0
127.0
WHOLESALE PRICES.
85
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F COM M O D ITIES, JU L Y TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—C ontinued.
A verage prices.
Index num bers
(1913=100).
Commodity.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
Ju ly ,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
$0.073
1.150
$0.074
1.150
$0.072
1.150
205.5
191.7
206.6
191.7
201.7
191. 7
1.950
1.950
1.950
334.3
334.3
334.3
.020
.020
.019
200.0
200.0
190.0
.033
.800
14.000
.033
.800
14.000
.033
.800
14.000
223.3
125. 8
63.6
223.3
125.8
63.6
223.3
125. 8
63.6
.069
.070
.081
97.3
99.4
114.0
8.250
8.250
8.250
107.2
107.2
107.2
3.500
23.000
3.430
22.750
3.400
22.000
111.9
114.4
109.8
113.1
108.7
109.4
31.959
3.188
31.095
3.250
31.095
3.250
84.4
93.5
82.1
95.4
82.1
95.4
Sept.,
1923.
C h e m ic a ls a n d d r u g s —Concluded.
Chemicals—Concluded.
Potash, caustic, 88-92 p er cent, p er pound, New
Y o rk ..............................................................................
Sal soda, p e r 100 pounds, New Y o rk ..........................
Soda ash, 58 p e r cen t, lig h t, p e r 100 pounds, New
Y o rk .............................................. ..........................
Soda, bicarbonate, A m erican, p e r pound, f. o. b.
w orks....................................................................
Soda, caustic, 76 per c en t solid, p e r pound, N ew
Y ork...............................................
Soda, silicate of, 40°, per 100 pounds, New Y ork__
Sulphur, crude, p er gross to n , New Y ork..................
Tallow, inedible, packers’ prim e, per pound,
Chicago.....................................................
(6) Fertilizer m aterials:
Acid phosphate, 16 p er c en t basis, bulk, p er ton,
New Y o rk .......................................
A m m onia sulphate, double bags, p er 100 pounds,
New Y o rk .........................
G round bone, steam ed, p er to n , Chicago
M uriate of potash, 80-85 p er cent, K . C. L. bags,
per to n . New Y o rk .......................
P hosphate rock, 68 p er cent, per ton, f. o. b. m in e s
Soda, n itrate , 95 p er cent, p e r 100 pounds, New
Y ork.........................................
Tankage, 9 an d 20 p er cent, crushed, per ton, f. o. b.
Chicago.......................................................
(c) Drugs an d pharm aceuticals:
Acid, citric, dom estic, crystals, per pound, New
Y ork................................
Acid, ta rta ric , crystals, U . S. P ., per pound, New
Y ork..............................
Alcohol, grain, 190 proof, U. S. P ., per gallon, New
Y ork...............
Cream of ta rta r, pow dered, per p ound. New Y ork .
E psom salts, U . S. P ., i n barrels, p er 100 pounds,
New Y o rk .........................
’
Glycerine, refined, p er pound, N ew Y o rk ...
O pium , n a tu ra l, U . S. P ., p er pound, N ew Y o rk ...
Peroxide of hydrogen, 4-ounce bottles, p er gross,
New Y o r k . . ..............................
Phenol, U . S. P . (carbolic acid), p er pound, New
Y ork...................
Q uinine, sulphate, m anufacturers’ quotations, per
ounce, N ew Y o rk ...........................
(a )
2.450
2. 418
2. 420
99.2
97.9
98.0
31.250
31.025
33.320
133.8
132.8
142.6
.490
.490
.490
112.6
112.6
112.6
.373
.363
.360
122.2
119.0
118.0
4.740
.265
4. 740
.264
4.740
.260
189.7
111.2
189. 7
110.7
189. 7
109.1
2.438
. 100
8.000
2.500
.168
8.000
2.500
.170
S. 000
221.6
81.2
133.0
227.3
85.0
133.0
227.3
86.3
133.0
8.000
8.000
8.000
200.0
200.0
200.0
.340
.298
.280
309.4
271.0
254.7
.500
.500
.500
227.7
227.7
227.7
37.000
5.500
35.000
5.000
35.000
5.000
164.4
244.4
155.6
222.2
155.6
222.2
42.000
60.000
4.900
41. 454
40.000
56. 000
4.900
40.425
40.000
56.000
4.900
40.425
129.2
166.7
239.0
218.3
123.1
155.6
239.0
213.0
123.1
155.6
239.0
213.0
56.7.50
33.000
56.000
33.000
56.000
33.000
132.0
220.0
130.2
220.0
130.2
220.0
35.000
33.000
33.000
189.2
178.4
178.4
64. 500
35.500
63.000
34.000
63. 000
34.000
187.0
177.5
182.6
170.0
182.6
170.0
18. 228
17. 720
4.508
17.640
17. 720
4.459
17.640
17. 720
4.559
286.2
171.5
317.2
276.9
171.5
313.8
276.9
171.5
313.8
1.470
1.470
1.470
243.0
243.0
243.0
1.387
1.387
1.387
181.2
181.2
181.2
H o u s e - f u r n is h i n g g o o d s.
F urniture:
Bedroom—
Bed, com bination, per bed, factory.................
Chair, all gum, cane seat, p er chair, fa c to ry ...
Chifforette, com bination, p er chifforette, fac
to ry ...............................................
Dresser, com bination, per dresser, fa c to ry .. .
Rocker, qu artered oak, p er chair, C h icag o .. .
Set, 3 pieces, p er set, Chicago.................
D ining room—
B uffet, com bination, p er buffet, fa c to ry ...
Chair, all gum , leather slip seat, per 6, f a c to ry ..
Table, extension, com bination, per table, fac
to ry .................................................
L iving room—
D avenport, s tan d a rd p a tte rn , per davenport,
facto ry ..............................
Table, lib rary , com bination, per table, factory.
K itchen—
J
Chair, hardw ood, p er dozen, Chicago___
Refrigerator, lift-top type, each, facto ry ........
Table, w ith draw er, per table, Chicago___
(6) Furnishings:
B lankets—
C otton, colored, 2 pounds to th e pair, per pair,
New Y o rk ............................................
Wool, 4 to 5 pounds to th e p air, p er pound, fac
to ry ................... ................................ .....................
(a )
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1075]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
86
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F COM M O D ITIES, JU L Y TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—Concluded.
Index num bers
(1913=100).
Average prices.
Commodity.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
July,
1923.
$3.312
3.024
5.040
$3.312
3.024
5.040
247.2
234.1
209.3
247.2
234.1
209.3
247.2
234.1
209.3
1.600
15.500
22.890
1.600
15.500
22. 890
209.0
265.4
163.8
213.3
269.6
156.1
213.3
269.6
156.1
.479
.947
.479
.947
200.3
290.7
200.3
290.7
200.3
290.7
.250
2.400
.230
1.050
.250
2.400
.250
1.050
227.3
300.0
191.7
226.6
227.3
300.0
191.7
226.6
227.3
300.0
208.3
226.6
1.350
1.350
236.8
236.8
236.8
.300
7.135
.270
7.135
222.9
182.3
222.9
173.7
200.6
173.7
19. 725 23.406 27.625
41. 000 s 43.000 645.000
37.000 37.000 38.600
24.750 25.688 28.156
107.4
129.7
130.2
127.2
127.4
136.0
130.2
132.1
150.4
142.4
135.8
144.7
July,
1923.
Aug.,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
H o u s e - f l e m i s h i n g g o o d s — Concluded.
(6) Furnishings—Concluded.
Carpets, per Yard, factory—
Axmiimt.pr Bigttlow .
..................... $3.312
Brussels, B igelow ..................................................... 3.024
W ilton, B igelow ........................................................ 5.040
C utlery—
Carvers, 8-inch, p e r p air, factory — ................... 1.568
K nives and forks, p er gross, factory.................... 15.258
Pails, galvanized iron, 10-quart, p er gross facto ry .. 24.022
Sheeting, bleached, 10/4—
.479
Pepperell, p e r y ard, New Y o rk ............................
.947
W am su tta, p er yard, facto ry ................................
Tablew are—
.250
Glass nappies, 4-inch, p e r dozen, facto ry ...........
Glass pitchers, /-gallon, p er dozen, factory........ 2. 400
.230
Glass tum blers, /-p in t, p er dozen, fa c to ry ........
Plates, w hite granite, 7-inch, p er dozen, factory. 1.050
Teacups an d saucers, w hite granite, per dozen,
factory...................................................................... 1.350
Ticking, Amoskeag, A . C. A ., 2.85 yards to the
.300
pound, per yard, New Y o rk......................................
Tubs, galvanized iron, No. 3, p er dozen, facto ry . . . 7.487
M is c e ll a n e o u s .
C attle feed:
B ran, per ton, M inneapolis............................................
Cottonseed m eal, prim e, p er ton, New Y o rk ............
Linseed meal, p er ton, New Y o rk ................... ..........
Mill feed, m iddlings, stan d ard , p er ton, M inneapolis
(61 Leather:
Calf, chrome, B grade, p er square foot, B o sto n . . . .
Glazed k id, black, to p grade, p er square foot,
B oston.............................................................................
H arness, California oak, No. 1, p er po u n d , Chicago.
Side, black, chrom e, B grade, p e r square foot,
B oston.............................................................................
Sole, per po u n d —
Oak, in sides, m iddle w eight, ta n n e ry run,
B oston.....................................................................
Oak, scoured backs, heavy, B oston.....................
Union, m id d le weight, New Y o rk .......................
(c) P aper a n d p u lp :
Paper—
N ew sprint, roll, per pound, f. o. b. m ill............
W rapping, m anila. No. 1, ju te , p er p ound,
New Y o rk ...............................................................
W ood p u lp , sulphite, dom estic, unbleached, per
100 pounds, New Y ork ..............................................
( d ) O ther miscellaneous:
H em p, m anila, fair, current shipm ent, per pound,
New Y o rk ......................................................................
Ju te, raw , m edium grade, per p ound, N ew Y o rk ...
L ubricating oil, paraffin, 903 gravity, p er gallon,
New Y o rk ......................................................................
Rope, pu re m anila, best grade, per p ound, New
Y ork.................................................................................
R u b b er, P ara, island, fine, p er p ound, New Y ork.
Sisal, M exican, cu rren t shipm ent, per pound, New
Y o rk .................................................................................
Soap—
L au n d ry , p e r 100 cakes, C incinnati.....................
L au n d ry , p e r 100 cakes, P h ilad e lp h ia ................
Starch, lau n d ry , b u lk , p er po u n d , New Y o rk .........
Tobacco—
Plug, p er p o u n d , New Y o rk .................................
Smoking, p er gross, 1-ounce bags, N ew Y o r k ..
(a)
5 E stim ated.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1076]
.440
.440
.440
163.2
163.2
163.2
.700
.461
. 675
.451
.675
.451
279.6
114.8
269.6
112.4
269.6
112.4
.260
.260
.260
101.6
101.6
101.6
.370
.540
471
.370
.515
.465
.370
.490
.465
124.1
120.3
117.4
124.1
114.8
115.9
124.1
109 2
115.9
. 039
.039
.039
188.5
188.1
187.6
.094
.094
.094
192.2
192.2
192.2
3.225
3.200
3.113
144.9
143.8
139.9
.090
.059
.083
.050
.082
.048
97.0
87.9
89.5
74.7
88.3
71.0
.205
.195
.190
143.9
136.8
133.3
.220
.239
.220
.238
.220
.246
150.0
29.6
150.0
29.4
150.0
30.4
.066
.066
.066
153.5
153.5
153.5
4.015
4.851
.051
4.015
4.851
.051
4.015
4.851
.051
130.2
137.5
140.5
130.2
137.5
140.5
130.2
137.5
140.5
.701
9.920
.701
9.920
.701
9.920
180.2
175.9
180.2
175.9
180 2
175.9
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING.
87
Changes in Cost of Living in the United States.
of Labor Statistics has secured data on cost of living
T HEforBureau
September, 1923, the results of which are shown in the
tables following. The information is based on actual prices
secured from merchants and dealers for each of the periods named.
The prices of food and of fuel and light (which include coal, wood,
gas, electricity, and kerosene) are furnished the bureau in accordance
with arrangements made with establishments through personal visits
of the bureau’s agents. In each city food prices are secured from 15
to 25 merchants and dealers, and fuel and light prices from 10 to 15
firms, including public utilities. All other data are secured by special
agents of the bureau who visit the various merchants, dealers, and
agents and secure the figures directly from their records. Four
quotations are secured in each city (except in Greater New York,
where five are obtained) on each of a large number of articles of
clothing, furniture, and miscellaneous items. Rental figures are
secured for from 375 to 2,000 houses and apartments in each city,
according to its population.
Table 1 shows the changes in the total cost of living from June,
1920, September, 1922, and June, 1923, respectively, to September,
1923, in 32 cities, and in the United States as determined by a con
solidation of the figures for the 32 cities.
T able 1.—C H A N G ES IN T O T A L COST O F L IV IN G IN S P E C IF IE D C IT IE S FR O M J U N E , 1920
S E P T E M B E R , 1922, A N D J U N E , 1923, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
City.
A tla n ta .....................
B altim ore.................
B irm ing h am ............
B oston.......................
Buffalo......................
Chicago.....................
C incinnati................
Cleveland.................
D enver.............
D etroit.......................
H o u sto n ....................
Indianap o lis............
Jacksonville.............
K ansas C ity.............
Los Angeles.............
Mem phis...................
M inneapolis.............
Per cent )f increase
Per cent
fro]n —
of de
crease
from
Septem
June,
June,
ber, 1922,
1923,
1-920, to
to
to
Septem Septem Septem
b e r , ^ . ber, 1923. ber, 1923.
21.0
18.5
19.4
20.3
19.5
19.3
20.0
18.3
19.4
21.4
20.5
18.0
21.1)
23.5
12.2
17.0
17.9
1.8
4.5
2.7
4.4
4.2
4.6
3.8
7.0
2.6
2.0
4.4
3.0
1.1
2.7
2.3
1.6
1.5
1.6
.7
2.7
2.4
2.1
1.1
1.6
1.1
2.1
.9
2.3
1.3
.2
1.1
.6
.3
C ity.
,
Per cent
of decrease
from
June,
1920, to
Septem
ber, 1923.
| P er cent of increase
j
from _
:__________________
Septem
June,
ber, 1922,
1923,
to
to
Septem Septem
ber, 1923. ber, 1923.
M obile.........................
New O rleans.............
New Y ork..................
N orfolk.......................
P h ilad elp h ia.............
P ittsb u rg h .................
P o rtlan d , M e............
P o rtland, Oreg..........
R ich m o n d.................
St. Louis.....................
San Francisco............
S av an n ah...................
Scranton.....................
S eattle.........................
W ashington...............
22.9
15.9
20.0
22.0
18.4
18.0
20.1
22.0
18.9
19.5
18.2
25.5
17.9
20.0
19.1
3.8
1.1
1.2
1.2
Average, U. S ..
20.5
3.5
1.4
2.6
1.4
3.4
3.2
5.3
4.0
2.7
1.4
4.0
4.3
2.1
.7
4.2
0.6
1.4
1.6
1.3
1.2
.8
1.5
1.2
1.5
1.9
1.8
.3
1.6
Table 2 shows the changes in each of six groups of items in 19
cities from December, 1914, to September, 1923.
In studying this and the following tables it should be borne in
mind that the figures for the 19 cities in Table 2 are based on the
prices prevailing in December, 1914, the figures for the 13 cities in
Table 3 are based on the prices prevailing in December, 1917, while
the figures for the United States, shown in Table 4, are a summariza
tion of the figures in Tables 2 and 3, computed on a 1913 base.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11077]
88
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
It will be noted that from the beginning of the studies to June,
1920, there was, with an occasional exception, a steady increase in
prices, becoming much more decided during the latter part of that
period. From June, 1920, to March, 1922, there was a decrease
during each period covered by the tables. During the latter part
of this time the decreases were very small. From March to June,
1922, and from June to September of the same year the changes were
small, being increases in some cities and decreases in others. From
September to December, 1922, an increase was shown in each of the
32 cities.
From December, 1922, to March, 1923, the changes ranged from
a decrease of 2.9 per cent to an increase of 0.8 per cent, the average
for the United States being a decrease of 0.4 per cent.
During the period from March to June, 1923, the changes ranged
from a decrease of 0.9 per cent to an increase of 2.8 per cent, the aver
age for the United States being an increase of 0.5 per cent. This
brings the cost of living to within three-tenths of 1 per cent of what
it was in December, 1922.
During the three months from March to June the price of food
increased in 28 of the 32 cities, clothing increased in 22 of the cities,
and furniture increased in all of the cities. Housing increased in 17
and decreased in 12 cities, miscellaneous items increased in 11 and
decreased in 15 cities, while fuel and light increased in 2 cities and
decreased in 28 cities. In a few cities one or more of the groups
of items remained the same in June as in March.
From June to September, 1923, there was an increase in every
city, the range being from 0.2 per cent to 2.7 per cent. The average
increase for the United States was 1.4 per cent. Food and clothing
increased in every city, rents increased in 25 cities. The other
groups of items increased in the majority of cities, but decreased
in a few.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1078]
T able 3*—C H A N G ES IN COST O F LIV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R
1914, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
B a ltim o re , M d.
Ite m of expenditure.
Per
cent of
to tal
expendi Dec.,
ture.
1915.
F o o d .....................................................
Clothing.................................................
H ousing................................................
Fuel and light.......................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
42.0
15.1
14.0
5.0
4.3
19.7
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
Per cent of increase from Decem ber, 1914, to—
Dec.,
1916.
Dec.,
1917.
Dee.,
1918.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
•Tune,
1920.
Dec.,
1920.
May,
1921.
Sept.,
1921.
Dee.,
1921.
Mar.,
1922.
June,
1922.
Sept.,
1922.
Dec.,
1922.
Mar.,
1923.
June,
1923,
Sept.,
1923.'
14.1
2.7
1 .2
.5
5.6
U .4
20.9
24.0
.9
9.1
26.4
18.5
64.4
52.1
3.0
25.5
60.8
51.3
96.4
107.7
13.8
46.0
122.3
78.7
91.1
128.9
16.8
37.1
134.6
82.8
92.5
177.4
25.8
48.1
167.0
99.4
110.9
191.3
41.6
57.6
191.8
111.4
75.6
159. 5
49.5
79.0
181.9
112.9
43.4
123.2
63.0
70.9
147.5
111.8
48.6
101.5
64.0
84.9
128.7
112.2
46.9
88.6
64.7
85.5
123.7
108.6
38.3
82.0
65.2
85.5
115.0
106.9
39.9
78.9
65.4
84.8
113.3
104.4
39.4
77.8
65.6
90.9
114.2
103.8
46.1
80.5
66.9
94.9
116.6
102.6
42.6
81.6
67.6
95.5
125.0
103.2
46. 5
81.4
69.6
91.6
127.5
103.8
52.0
82.9
70.4
88.2
129.5
104.0
1.4
18.5
51.3
84.7
84.0
98.4
114.3
96.8
77.4
76.5
73.2
67.9
67.6
67.2
70.9
70.2
72.0
74
1 71
1
B o sto n , M ass.
i—,
i-*
o
-i
C
O
I-S F o o d ......................................................
Clothing................................................
H ousing.................................................
Fuel and lig h t.....................................
F urniture and furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
44.5
15.5
12.8
5.6
3.3
IS. 3
10.3
6.6
1.1
1.1
8.4
1.6
18.0
21.9
.1
10.5
26.3
15,7
45.8
47.5
1 .1
29.2
58.4
38.1
74.9
117.5
2.8
56.6
137.6
62.0
67.9
137.9
5.1
55.0
153.7
64.8
80.8
192.4
12.2
63.2
198.7
81.1
105.0
211.1
16.2
83.6
233.7
91.8
74.4
192.7
25.8
106.0
226.4
96.6
41.9
150.3
29. S
97.8
171.2
96.2
52.1
118.8
31.6
94.4
139.5
94.6
50.4
106.3
33.8
98.5
136.9
93.0
34.3
98.9
33.9
93.9
128.1
91.6
32.5
96.7
34.4
92.5
124.2
89.5
37.4
92.4
34.9
91.7
124.0
89.3
44.9
92.0
36.7
99.9
133.6
87.8
41.2
92.6
37.2
97.7
142.5
88.4
39.7
93.0
40.2
88.8
150.5
89.2
92. S
148. 7
89.2
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
1.6
15.7
38.1
70.6
72.8
92.3
110.7
97.4
74.4
72.8
70.2
61.2
59.6
60.9
65.1
63.9
63.5
67.9
’
n
y
W
>
^
<T>
&
Ui
HH
_
O
0
47.9
93.4
44.3
%
4
0
irj
£
*
Q
B u ffa lo , N . T .
F o o d .....................................................
Clothing................................................
H ousing................................................
Fuel a n d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re and furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
36.1
17. 5
15.4
4.9
5.6
20.6
2.4
8.9
1.2
1.3
7.1
3.5
30.1
29.6
4.7
9.3
24.1
24.4
64.1
58.5
9.4
23.5
50.2
51.1
87.8
123.1
20.7
49.3
106.3
76.0
82.9
140.7
28.0
51.9
118.1
78.7
94.7
190.8
29.0
55.7
165.4
90.3
115.7
210.6
46.8
69.8
199.7
101.9
78.5
168.7
48.5
74.9
189.2
107.4
37.7
131.6
61.1
73.9
151.3
107.8
49.9
102.4
61.7
79.5
130.9
105.7
50.8
96.5
61.7
79.7
124.7
103.0
39.4
87.7
61.9
78.8
115.5
99.5
38.5
83.6
64. 7
78.8
108.0
97.9
41.2
79.4
64.7
122.1
107.8
97.9
48.8
81.4
64.9
115.7
112.8
97.5
41.5
83.0
64.9
119.5
121.3
98.7
41.6
83.4
70.0
119.1
127.9
100.5
50.9
84.9
70.9
116.7
127.0
102.7
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
3.5
24.4
51.1
80.9
84.2
102.7
121.5
101.7
80.3
78.4
76.8
69.9
68.6
71.0
73.9
72.5
74.1
78.2
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
OO
CO
T
able
CD
2 ___C H A N G ES IN COST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S FRO M D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—C ontinued.
O
Chicago, III.
Ite m of expenditure.
Per
cent of
to ta l
expendi Dec.,
tu re.
1915.
Per cent of increase from D ecember, 1914, to—
Sept.,
1923.
Dec.,
1917.
Dec.,
1918.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
Dec.,
1920.
May,
1921.
Sept.,
1921.
D ec.,
1921.
Mar.,
1922.
June, Sept.,
1922. 1922.
Dec.,
1922.
Mar.,
1923.
June,
1923.
70.5
41.9
158.6 122.7
78.2
48.9
65.3
83.5
205.8 162.4
96. 5 98.5
51.3
86.0
79.8
67.1
138. 0
97.5
48.3
74.3
83.9
69.4
133. 7
94.5
38.3
66.8
84. 1
54.8
114. 5
92.7
41.6
63.0
87.4
55.4
108.5
87.9
40.7
65.8
87.6
64.3
107.5
87.3
44.8
67.5
88.9
65. 6
120.4
86. 7
42.4
71.2
89.1
62.4
127.2
87.3
45.1
72. 2
92.1
54.9
133.1
87. 7
57.2
76.0
92.1
57.1
133. 8
88.1
75.3
72.3
65.1
65.0
65.6
68.0
68.0
69.6
73.2
42.1
37.1
32.3
41.1
34.6
29.8
47. 7
71.7
37.4
40.9
79.7
92.9 118. 7
77.6
77.1
69.5
70.9
72.4
85.8
77.4
90.8
125.2 171.2 185.1 156.0 124.0
73. 8
73. 8
74.0
70.1
69.6
72.0
82.8
81. 2
47.3
80.0
88.1
21.8
39.9
151.
6
118.0
116.3
102.2
113.5
102.2
89.6
91.9 103.8
90.3
94.5
47.9
62.9
117.0 2165.5 2186.5 2176. 8 2133. 6 2110.0 2100.8 2 88. 4 287. 8 2 92. 3 2104.8 2118.7 2129.6
108.1
109.4
109.4
109.
4
74.7
85.9 117.9 134.0 129.6 123. 4 123. 2 111. 1 n o . 7
47.0
79.6
74. 7
150. 8
130. 5
110. 8
F o o d ......................................................
C lothing................................................
H ousing................................................
Fuel an d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
37.8
16.0
14.9
6.0
4.4
20.6
2.7
7.5
hi
i.9
5.9
3.0
25.2
24.2
.7
6.6
20.0
19.5
53.4
50.6
1.4
19.3
47. 5
41.8
78.7
138.9
2.6
37.1
108.9
58. 7
73.3
157.1
8.0
35.7
126.9
61.7
93.1
224.0
14.0
40.1
176. 0
84.3
120.0
205.3
35.1
62.4
215.9
87.5
T o tal...........................................
100.0
3.0
19.5
41.8
72.2
74. 5
100.6
114.6
93.3
78.4
C leveland, Ohio.
F o o d ......................................................
Clothing................................................
H ousing................................................
Fuel a n d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
35.6
16.0
16.4
4.1
6.0
21.8
1.4
2.0
.1
.3
4.7
1.4
26.4
18.0
.9
10.0
19. 7
19. 1
54.3
43.7
11.3
26. S
47.8
42.9
79.4
102.6
16.5
51.9
102.4
67.1
T o tal...........................................
100.0
1.4
19.1
42.9
71.4
77.2
2 98. 2 2120.3 2107.3
2 87. 5 2 82.4
2 78. 8 2 68. 5 2 68.9
2 68.1
2 72.9
2 73.3
2 77.1
79.9
D etro it, M ich.
F o o d ......................................................
Clothing.................................................
H ousing................................................
F u el an d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
35.2
16.6
17.5
6.3
5.9
18.3
4.1
2.3
2.1
1.6
8.7
3.5
26.5
18.9
17.5
9.9
24.5
22.3
59.7
46.7
32.6
30. 2
50.4
49.9
82.5
113. 8
39.0
47.6
107.3
72.6
86.4
125.2
45.2
47.6
129.3
80.3
99.5
181.8
60.2
57.9
172.6
100.1
132.0
208.8
68.8
74.9
206.7
141.3
75.6
176.1
108.1
104.5
184.0
144.0
41.1
134.1
101.4
83.6
134. 0
140.1
54.3
99.9
96.6
81.9
102.9
131.9
47.3
92.5
91.1
77.5
96.8
130.7
36.5
82.7
88.0
74.0
82.6
126.3
43.1
81.4
86.9
75.2
76.0
121.3
39.8
81.2
87.6
90.3
80.0
122.2
44.8
79.9
92.1
95.5
81.1
121.5
42.6
83.1
92.3
93.3
100.5
123. 5
46.7
84.0
96.9
87.3
105.7
124.2
54.2
84.2
99.1
85.8
104.9
128.2
T o tal...........................................
100.0
3.5
22.3
49.9
78.0
84.4
107.9
136.0
118.6
93.3
88.0
82.4
74.6
75.3
7 5 .6
79.4
79.4
81.7
85.5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Dec.,
1916.'
H o u s to n , Tex.
67655°—23— T
38.4
15.2
13.2
4.2
5.6
23.4
U .O
2.7
i 2.3
l. 9
6 .Ï
i.3
19.9
25.0
17.3
8.3
29.6
16.4
57.3
51.5
17.7
22.7
62.3
44.9
86.1
117.3
U .7
47.5
119.9
67.6
85.7
134. 8
1.9
37.6
144.5
72.3
97.5
192.0
13.4
60.0
181.8
88.2
107.5
211.3
25.3
55.1
213.9
90.4
83.2
187.0
35.1
74.2
208. 2
103.9
45.6
143.4
39. 4
46.0
173.7
100.8
49.7
111.5
39.4
39.0
156.7
100.0
50.1
101. 9
39.8
39.4
148.2
99.0
40.2
9S. 8
39.5
34.4
137.5
96.0
38.9
98.4
38.5
32.9
133. 7
91.0
38.5
97.8
38.1
35.7
131. 8
93.0
45.0
98. 2
37.3
39.2
140.4
93.0
39.1
100.4
37.0
33.6
146.7
92.8
41.2
100.4
36.7
36.5
150.2
91.5
43.5
102.6
36.7
40.2
149.2
91.9
T o tal...........................................
100.0
1 .3
16.4
44.9
75.7
80.2
101.7
112.2
104.0
79.7
75.0
73.6
67.2
65.9
65.4
68.4
66.5
67.2
68.7
32.0
34.3
63.6
137.9
95.3
35.1
104.9
33.0
62.1
139.6
97.8
Ja ckso n ville, F la .
[1081]
F o o d .......................................................
C lothing.................................................
H ousing.................................................
F u e l a n d lig h t......................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings...............
M iscellaneous.......................................
34.6
16.8
12.3
4.6
5.4
26.3
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
10.3
17.6
10.5
33.7
16.9 H 8 .2
2.3
(3)
15.1
43.4
1.3
14.7
50.8
71.9
U 8 .7
15.1
73.7
41.6
76.2
130. 5
5.9
55.2
126.5
60. 5
74.2
139. 8
9.7
49.2
140.0
65.9
80.9
217. 2
22.0
64.1
186.2
80.9
90.1
234.0
28.9
72.6
224.2
102.8
65.6
209.3
34.1
92.6
222.3
105.6
32.6
167.5
36.5
80.7
182.7
107. 5
43.1
131.1
37.7
68.1
140.9
100.9
40.6
117.9
38.3
68.9
134.9
99.3
30.0
104.8
37.6
61.6
122.0
98.7
30.6
99.9
35.3
58.9
115.3
95. 5
28.9
99.1
34.2
58.9
117.7
95.5
34.8
99.3
35.1
65.7
127.1
94.7
31.0
101.3
35.2
65.9
134.6
95.3
14.7
41.6
71.5
77.5
101.5
116.5
106.2
85.8
78.7
75.1
68.0
65.7
65.0
67.8
67.4
67.7
69.9
1.3
10 1. 1
L o s A n g eles, C alif.
F o o d .......................................................
C lothing.................................................
H ousing.................................................
F u e l a n d lig h t......................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
35.8
14.9
13.4
3.1
5.1
27.7
14.1
2.8
1 2.7
.4
6.3
n. 9
14.3
12.5
2.3
23.1
7.7
33.4
45.0
1.6
10.4
56.4
28.9
61.8
109.1
4.4
18.3
118.5
52.0
60.7
123.3
8.7
18.6
134.2
59.1
71.0
167.6
26.8
35. 3
175.5
76.9
90.8
184.5
42.6
53. 5
202.2
86.6
62.7
166.6
71.4
53.5
202.2
100.6
33.2
127.4
85.3
52.7
156.6
96.8
39.3
98.3
86.0
52.7
148.4
98.8
38.4
94.3
90. 1
52.7
143.2
99.6
27.5
84.4
96.0
48.4
133.7
104.0
30.6
81.3
95.6
39. 1
128.8
103.8
34.0
78.2
94.4
35.9
128.1
102.2
39.4
78.0
94.8
35.6
138.1
101. 2
29.9
83.2
97.1
34.5
148.6
101.4
36.2
82.5
97.7
33.7
153.6
100.8
40. 5
83.6
99.3
33.8
152.3
101.0
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
11.9
7.7
28.9
58.0
65.1
85.3
101.7
96.7
78.7
76.8
76.4
72.4
72.5
72.4
74. 5
72.9
75.1
77.1
0.4
1 Decrease.
2 A n erro r was m ade in com puting th e figure on furniture for December, 1919, in Cleveland.
item s for D ecember, 1919, to June, 1923, inclusive, have been changed accordingly.
* No change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
This error was b u t recently discovered, a nd th e figures for furniture a nd for all
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING.
F o o d .......................................................
Clothing.................................................
H ousing.................................................
F u e l a n d lig h t.................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
T
able
2 . _C H A N G ES
zo
IN COST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923-C ontim ied.
to
M o b ile, A la .
Ite m of expenditure.
P er cent of increase from D ecember, 1914, to—
Per
cen t of
to ta l
expendi Dee.,
1915.
ture.
Dec.,
1916.
Dec.,
1917.
Dec.,
1918.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
Dec.,
1920.
May,
1921.
Sept.,
1921.
Dec.,
1921.
Mar.,
1922.
June, Sept.,
1922. 1922.
Dec.,
1922.
Mar.,
1923.
June,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
U .O
2.0
1 1.9
O)
4.1
1 .4
19.9
9.0
i 4.3
8.8
15.3
13.8
57.3
38.8
i 3.6
27.1
42.8
43. 2
80.6
86.0
11.2
57.1
108.3
72.4
83.6
94.0
11.9
66.6
113.9
75.3
98.4
123.7
29.6
75.6
163.3
87.0
110.5
137.4
34.6
86.3
177. 9
100.3
73.5
122.2
53. 6
122.3
175.4
100.7
39.1
90.6
53.3
102.1
140.7
96.9
43.7
68.1
53.1
97.2
124.3
96.1
42.4
57.7
49.9
98.2
116.9
94.3
32.3
50.3
48.4
86.1
98.2
89.6
33.2
49.7
47.7
84.4
97. 8
87.5
32.9
51.0
47.3
90.9
93.1
87.3
39.1
50.8
43.8
96.4
97.9
91.0
36.2
51.3
43.1
95.6
108.6
90.4
37.7
51.8
42.5
93.3
114.0
89.8
41.3
55.4
42.5
91.0
114.2
85.8
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
1 .4
13.8
43.2
71.4
76.6
94.5
107.0
93.3
70.8
67.2
63.6
55.8
55.3
55.5
58.8
58.0
58.6
59.6
48.2
102.5
60.8
94.6
131. 7
112.9
N ew Y ork, N . Y .
F ood......................................................
Clothing................................................
H ousing................................................
Fuel and lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
42.0
16.6
14.3
4.3
3.3
18.7
1.3
4.8
LI
i.l
8.4
2.0
16.3
22.3
i.l
11.0
27.6
14.9
55.3
54.2
2.6
19.9
56. 5
44. 7
82.6
131.3
6. 5
45. 5
126.5
70.0
75.3
151.6
13.4
45.4
136.6
75.1
91.0
219.7
23.4
50.6
172. 9
95.8
105.3
241.4
32.4
60.1
205.1
111.9
73.5
201. 8
38.1
87. 5
185. 9
116. 3
42.5
159. 5
42. 2
95.9
156. 5
117.6
50.3
131.5
44.0
92.4
136. 7
117. 8
51.8
117. S
63. 7
90.7
132. 0
116. 9
36.5
107.1
54. 5
89.4
122.3
113.2
40.0
103. 0
55.7
89.0
118.3
112.8
38.8
98.1
56. 2
97.7
117.9
112.4
49.5
98.3
56. 7
95. 7
121.6
111.0
43.0
100.9
58.4
93. 2
128.0
111.0
44.4
100. 7
59. 4
89. 1
130.3
110.8
T o tal...........................................
100.0
2.0
14.9
44. 7
77.3
79.2
103.8
119.2
101.4
81.7
79.7
79.3
69.9
70.7
69.7
74.2
72.2
72.6
75. 4
N o rfo lk , Va.
F ood.....................................................
Clothing................................................
H ousing................................................
Fuel and lig h t.....................................
Furniture and furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
34.9
21.1
11.8
5.4
6.7
20.2
0.8
.8
.1
(3)
.6
.6
22.4
6.0
i 1. 7
17.0
8.7
14.7
63.9
31.6
i 1. 7
33.3
39.0
45.2
86.2
94.6
39.0
74.6
105. 5
70. 8
89.8
104. 8
46. 5
69. 7
110. 7
83. 7
91.5
158.4
63.3
89.9
143. 6
97.5
107.6
176. 5
70. 8
110.6
165. 0
108.4
76. 3
153. 6
90. 8
128.9
160. 5
106.3
45.4
121.6
94. 6
97.3
129.0
106.3
50.2
93.9
94. 6
98.1
110.5
112.5
43.4
90.2
93.4
91.6
106. 1
109.3
31.9
81. 8
91. 7
93.5
95.0
102.6
33.5
77.6
88.1
87.7
88. 4
100.8
32.4
74.0
82.5
97.8
86. 7
100.6
38.6
73.2
77.2
106.5
89.1
99.6
32.4
78.0
74. 7
114.8
90.3
99.8
36.9
79. 1
73.0
102. 1
101.0
102.2
41.3
80.4
70.1
100.3
104.4
105.2
T o tal..........................................
100.0
.6
14.7
45.2
80.7
87.1
107.0
122.2
109.0
88.1
83.9
79.2
71.3
69.5
68.1
69.9
69.5
71.1
73.4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
39.1
18.6
10.3
5.1
4.3
22.5
[ 1082 ]
Food.......................................................
Clothing................................................
H ousing................................................
F u el a n d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re and furnishings................
Miscellaneous.......................................
P h ila d elp h ia , P a .
F ood......................................................
Clothing...............................................
H ousing................................................
Fuel and lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings................
Miscellaneous.......................................
40.2
16.3
13.2
5.1
4.4
20.8
0.3
3.6
1 .3
i.8
6.9
1.2
18.9
16.0
1. 7
5.4
19.9
14.7
54.4
51.3
2.6
21.5
49.8
43.8
80.7
111.2
8.0
47.9
107. 7
67.5
75. 5
135.9
11.3
43.3
117.8
71.2
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
1.2
14.7
43.8
73.9
76.2
87.2 101.7
190.3 219.6
16. 7 28.6
51.3
66.8
162. 8 187.4
88.6 102.8
96.5
113.5
68.1
183.5
38. 0
96.0
183.4
122. 3
37.8
144. 7
44. 2
85. 6
135. 5
119.2
44.6
112.2
47. 1
89.3
109.1
116. 4
43.9
104.6
48. 1
92.0
101. 6
116.2
34.4
96. 2
48. 7
89.7
91. 7
113.8
38. 1
89. 5
49.6
85. 7
90.0
112.3
32.7
87.4
51. 1
86.3
89.1
111. 5
43.4
87.6
52.9
93.0
96.9
110. 7
38.3
88.0
54. 7
94.4
108.1
112.0
42.7
88.0
58.1
89.9
110.8
112.4
40.3
88.4
• 62.4
95.0
110. 8
112.0
100. 7
79.8
76.0
74.3
68.2
68.2
65.5
70.7
69.8
72.1
74.2
[1083]
Food......................................................
Clothing.................................................
H ousing................................................
Fuel arid lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous......................................
41.2
17.4
12.4
6.4
4.1
18.5
i 2.0
2.1
.2
.4
6.2
1 .4
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
1.4
18.6
9.7
11.4
20.9
13.8
49.8
32.8
2.4
28.9
43. 5
38.0
86.8
85.8
2.5
67. 7
110.8
65.6
80.6
103.8
5. 7
58.4
126.4
72. 1
91.9
148.5
10. 7
69.8
163. 7
83.2
114.5
165. 9
14.5
83.9
190. 3
89.4
78.7
147.8
20. 0
113.5
191. 2
94.3
46. 7
116.3
23. 1
96.8
152.2
94.1
56.8
96.6
23.3
90.9
139.1
94. 1
54.8
88.1
26. 6
94.0
123.6
91.2
39.2
81.0
27.0
93. 8
110.6
89. 5
39.9
76. 7
24.8
96.1
108.1
88. 2
44.5
74.8
26.3
96. 7
106.4
88.0
49.1
74.8
30. 7
94. 7
114.2
88.0
48.1
76.2
31. !
94.9
122.6
88.0
45.3
77.3
27.3
94.9
129. 7
88.0
51.7
77.8
27.4
94.9
130.4
87.6
13.8
38.0
72.2
74.3
91.6
107.6
93.1
72.1
72.0
69.2
60.7
59.7
61.5
64.1
64.4
63.3
65.8
.0
P o rtla n d , Oreg.
F o o d......................................................
Clothing.................................................
H ousing................................................
F u el an d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings...............
M iscellaneous......................................
34.3
10.1
12.8
4.9
6.1
25.7
13.8
3.0
i 10.9
1 1.0
2.9
13.1
T o tal...........................................
100.0
13.1
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1
9.8
15.8
19.6
3.4
18.0
6.1
42.2
44.4
122.2
20. 2
54. 5
31.2
70.6
96.6
12.3
30.9
109.0
57.9
67.1
115. 5
20.2
31.3
122. 1
62.3
81.6
142. 1
27.7
42.3
145.1
71.6
107.1
158.6
33.2
46.9
183.9
79.7
60.9
122.1
36.9
65.9
179.9
81.1
26.0
91.2
42.9
67.1
148.0
81.1
35.9
70.4
43.3
58.9
126.9
80.9
33.1
65. 3
43. 3
59. 4
121. 9
80.0
24.6
55.5
43.2
56. 2
104. 6
78. 9
26. 5
53. 2
43.3
50.3
101.9
78.5
30.1
53.4
43. 7
59.0
100. 3
80. 5
34. 3
54.9
43. 6
65. 7
102.9
79.4
26. 5
60.3
43.5
70. 2
109.4
78. 1
29.5
61.3
42. 5
61.3
109. 8
75.8
34.1
61.8
42.6
62. 1
109. 6
76.3
6.1
31.2
64.2
69.2
83.7
100.4
80.3
62.2
60.5
58.3
52.3
52.1
54.2
56.1
54.6
54.6
56.4
1 Decrease.
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING.
P o rtla n d , M e.
‘No change.
î©
Co
T able
2
CD
.—C H A N G E S IN CO ST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—Concluded.
S a n F rancisco a n d O a kla n d , C alif.
Ite m of expenditure.
Per
cent of
to tal
expendi Dec.,
ture.
1915.
P er cent of increase from D ecember, 1914, to—
Dec.,
1920.
Mar.,
1922.
June, Sept.,
1922.' 1922.
Dec.,
1922.
Mar.,
1923.
June,
1923.
Sept..,
1923.
110. 1
23.6
65.3
121.7
87.4
40.4
106. 3
25.8
65.3
113. 9
86.8
29.6
97.8
27.7
65. 3
105. 6
84.4
31.1
90.7
29. 4
59. 5
104.4
83.7
34.6
86. 1
30.3
52.0
103.8
83.5
38.8
85.4
30.0
52.5
105.4
84.2
29.0
90. 0
31.7
48.4
116.5
84.8
34.2
92.1
33.4
42.6
116.7
79.4
40.5
93.8
34.1
46.2
117.1
79.2
66.7
64.6
63.6
57.5
56.8
57.1
58.8
56.5
57.6
60.4
Dec.,
1917.
Dec.,
1918.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
93.9
64.9
191.0 175. 9
9.4
15.0
47.2
66.3
180. 1 175. 6
84.8
79.6
33.3
140.9
21. 7
63.3
143.9
84.4
85.1
F o o d ......................................................
C lothing................................................
H ou sin g ................................................
Fuel an d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
37.9
16. 6
14.8
4. 1
4.2
22.4
i 4.3
2.5
i .7
i .1
6.0
i 1.7
9.6
14. 5
i 2.5
4.6
21.7
8.3
35.9
43. 6
i 4. 0
14.4
48.2
28.6
66.2
109. 0
13.9
30. 1
103. 4
50.5
63. 3
134.6
i 3.5
28.9
116. 6
61.0
74.2
170.4
4.7
41.3
143. 8
74. 7
T o t a l . . . . ..................................
100.0
U .7
8.3
28.6
57.8
65.6
87.8
96.0
40.6
[1084]
S a v a n n a h , Ga.
F o o d ......................................................
C lothing................................................
H ou sin g ................................................
Fuel an d lig h t....................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings...............
M iscellaneous.......................................
34.3
18.8
12.9
5.7
5.1
23.2
i 0.3
.8
i 1.4
i 1.3
1.8
i .2
17.6
24.1
i 3.0
i 1.7
12.8
14.5
50.8
56. 6
i 4.3
i 21. 1
50.7
42.5
76.2
133. 6
5.9
37.5
128.6
67.3
74.2
146. 3
10.2
35.5
136.5
71.2
80.9
195.9
22.0
52.2
182.1
82.0
91.7
212.1
33. 5
65.3
207.2
83.8
63.5
171.5
58.6
94.4
206.6
91.5
28.7
133. 2
61.9
74.2
175.9
93.0
36.8
101.3
60.6
66.4
150.2
88.0
33.7
84.2
60.9
66.1
133.7
87.4
16.7
74.1
58.8
65.3
126.0
84.6
22.7
71.7
57.8
55.2
120.1
81.1
13.4
77.4
56.5
60.6
121.6
80.9
20.8
76.2
52.7
68.3
123.8
79.5
17.4
81.7
51.5
67.8
133.6
78.8
16.1
81.2
49.5
61.9
135.9
77.5
17.7
82.4
48.2
62.2
135.0
77.2
T o ta l...........................................
100.0
i .2
14.6
42.5
75.0
79.8
98.7
109. 4
98.7
77.6
71.3
66.2
56.9
56.8
55.0
56.8
57.0
55.6
56.1
54.1
102.3
173. 9 160.5
76.7
74.8
65. 8 78.7
221.2 216. 4
95.5
90.4
27.1
12S.7
74.8
78.7
177.2
105.5
34.9
93.5
71.3
77.3
151.7
105.5
30.5
88.7
69. 2
69.0
149.9
102.6
27.1
79.8
67.0
67.5
142.4
99.2
30.0
78.0
64.7
64.0
137.3
97.6
31.6
73.9
63.4
62.7
134.7
97.4
33.9
74.2
63.1
59.6
136.1
96.4
28.1
75.6
62.8
60.9
140.3
82.5
31.0
76.7
62.3
58.0
143.9
96.6
36.1
77.6
6. 26
58.2
144.4
96.6
94.1
80.2
75.5
71.5
67.4
67.0
66.5
66.7
61.9
66.4
68.4
S e a ttle, Wash.
F o o d ......................................................
C lothing.................................................
H ou sin g ................................................
Fuel an d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re a n d furn ish in g s...............
Miscellaneous.......................................
33.5
15.8
15.4
5.4
5.1
24.7
i 2.8
1.2
12.4
i .2
8.5
i 1.0
8.5
11.3
i 5.4
2.9
27.4
7.4
38.7
36.4
i .6
23.9
52.3
31.1
72.5
88.0
44.3
51.8
141.5
58.5
69.3
110.2
51.5
51. 8
154.4
71.4
80.9
154. 5
71. 5
63.8
201.0
86.8
T o tal...........................................
100.0
i 1.0
7.4
31.1
69.9
76.9
97.7
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
110.5
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
May, Sept., Dec.,
1921. 1921. 1921.
Dec.,
1916.
W a sh in g to n , D . C.
F o o d ......................................................
Clothing.................................................
H ousing.................................................
Fuel a n d lig h t.....................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings...............
M iscellaneous.......................................
38.2
16.6
13.4
5.3
5.1
21.3
0.6
3.7
i 1.5
(3)
6.3
.4
15.7
23.2
13.7
7.3
30. 5
15.3
61.1
60.1
‘ 3. 4
24.9
72 1
44.3
90.9
112 6
i 1. 5
40 9
127.4
55.9
(9
84.6
109. 5
i 1.4
41.8
126.0
57.4
(5)
93.3
165.9
5.4
42.8
159. 3
62.7
108.4
184.0
15.6
53.7
196.4
68.2
79.0
151.1
24.7
68.0
194.0
73.9
47.4
115.9
28.8
57. 1
149.0
72.0
59.1
89.8
29.1
57.6
132. 1
70.5
51.1
87.1
30. 4
49.9
122.4
75. 8
T o tal...........................................
100.0
1.0
14.6
47.3
73.8
71.2
87.6
101.3
87.8
67.1
,66-2
63.0
40.8
44.3
77.5
79.8
31.3
31.4
47. 1 44.5
110.4 108.1
73.7
73.7
56.8
57.6
42.5
75. 5
32.1
49.0
109.3
73.7
49.2
74.8
32.6
55.1
112.6
72.0
43.0
77.8
33.0
53.2
123.4
72.2
56.9
59.5
58.2
48.8
78.9
33.9
51.2
129.0
72.5
60.9 |
52.7
80.3
34.0
49-4
130.4
73.2
62.9
[1085]
Table 3 shows the changes in the cost of living from December, 1917, to September, 1923, for 13 cities. The
table is constructed in the same manner as the preceding one and differs from it only in the base period, and in the
length of time covered.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING,
1 Decrease.
3 N o change.
4 Figures in th is column are for A pril, 1919.
5 Figures in th is column are for N ovem ber, 1919.
so
Cu
CD
T a b l e 3 .—CH A N G ES IN COST O P L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
05
A tla n ta , Ga.
Dec.,
1918.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
Dec.,
1920.
Pood.............................................
C lothing.............................................
H o u sin g .................................................
P u el an il lig h t.................................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous................. T...............................
38.5
18.6
10.4
5.6
5.6
21.4
19.0
29.1
14.0
17.0
24.9
14.8
18.0
40.7
14.5
17.9
30.1
21.5
27.9
66.9
32.6
30.8
49.9
31.7
34.0
80.5
40.4
61.0
65.0
34.6
12.8
56.5
73.1
66.8
58.4
39.7
T o ta l.......................................................
100.0
19.7
23.3
37.9
46.7
38.5
[ 1086 ]
O
Sept.,
1923.
Sept.,
1921.
Dee.,
1921.
Mar.,
1922.
June,
1922.
Sept.,
1922.
Dec.,
1922.
Mar.,
1923.
June,
1923.
i 8.9
35.2
78.8
56.1
38.0
40.5
i 5.8
13.6
77.0
46.6
25.3
39.4
17.2
8.3
75.4
43.7
23.0
39.7
1 11.9
1.9
72.2
34.8
16.1
36.1
1 10.5
.4
68.1
39. 1
15.2
34.5
112.3
3.1
63.2
58.7
13.9
34.2
i 8.9
2.8
62.7
57.6
17.4
34.1
i 11.8
5.4
61.9
56.5
21.6
34.1
110.3
5.9
61.4
42.7
23.9
32.8
i 6.9
6.7
62. 5
42.4
23.7
38. 6
25.2
20.7
18.7
13.8
13.7
13.9
15.1
14.6
14.2
15.9
6.2
6.7
76.5
53.1
15.0
35.9
18.5
1.4
70.9
44.1
12.0
35.5
14.5
1.2
66.0
40.0
5.4
29.6
1 9.9
1 1.7
12.5
1.5
62.6
49.8
14.9
29.3
19.9
1.8
63.1
40.7
17.8
28.5
1
62.3
49.9
8.9
29.6
19.6
16.2
11.4
13.2
12.9
13.6
14.4
12.7
5.5
33.6
58.2
15.7
43.6
i 10.4
5.5
35.2
61.0
17.2
42.7
111.9
8.7
38.3
58.6
21.3
43.1
9.3
8.8
40.7
51.9
24.3
42.8
17.1
9.2
42.2
51.6
25.8
43.4
12.5
13.8
14.2
15.5
16.8
May,
1921.
B ir m in g h a m , A la .
--------------------------------------------------------F o o d ..................................................................
C lo th in g ............................................................
H o u sin g ............................................................
F u el a n d lig h t.................................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous..................................................
38.1
16.5
12.2
4.6
5.3
23.3
17.7
23.9
8.1
22.8
19.4
13.8
18.3
29.8
12.8
31.9
20.2
16.3
26.5
57.6
34.9
39.8
45.1
26.8
36.4
66.4
40.3
55.3
55.6
28.7
11.9
45.1
68.5
74.2
48.1
30.4
19.1
24.8
77.4
54.3
32.0
33.8
T o ta l.......................................................
100.0
17.0
19.8
34.3
41.9
33.3
22.1
1
1
14.0
5.2
67.5
29.8
3.0
31.8
1
11.0
1
13.1
6.1
67.0
25.0
3.3
30.4
1
1
1
10.7
1
8.3
3.7
64.6
46.0
18.6
25.7
C in c in n a ti, Ohio.
F o o d ...................................................................
C lo th in g ............................................................
H o u sin g ............................................................
F u el a n d lig h t.................................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous..................................................
40.6
15.2
14.4
4.1
5.2
20.3
15.3
33.8
.2
10.0
25.7
20.4
18.1
48.3
.8
5.6
30.5
21.8
22.9
84.2
12.8
11.0
51.1
40.3
38.7
96.7
13.6
26.9
75.5
47.6
10.3
73.5
25.0
34.1
66.7
53.4
17.4
49.0
27.6
15.7
39.7
52.3
T o ta l......................................................
100.0
17.3
21.1
35.2
47.1
34.7
21.7
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2.2
22.6
28.2
15.6
25.2
48.2
1
18.3
8.3
13.9
28.5
42.4
22.3
47.3
1
15.3
1
12.4
6.7
30.3
35.6
16.7
44.4
11.8
8.9
4.9
31.0
35.2
15.8
44.0
1
12.7
1
1
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
of to ta l
expendi
ture.
Ite m of expenditure.
D en ver, Colo.
F ood.............................................
C lo th in g .................................................
H o u sin g .................................... .......................
F uel an d lig h t.................................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous..................................................
38.3
16.2
12.0
5.7
5.5
22.4
20.0
40. 1
12.8
8.1
22.6
14.8
20.7
53.2
21.8
8.4
31.3
17.7
26.0
82.1
33.5
19.6
46.3
32.3
41.5
96.8
51.9
22.3
60.2
35.4
7.9
78.3
69.8
47.1
58.9
38.8
i 13.1
53.9
76.9
37.5
42.5
42.8
T o ta l.......................................................
100.0
20.7
25.3
38.2
50.3
38.7
26.9
1
7.8
33.7
80.1
40.0
32.5
44.1
i 8.8
27.7
82.6
39.7
27.9
43.1
i 17.6
18.3
84.4
33.1
21.1
40.2
26.1
24.5
10.1
45.8
37.4
49.4
35.3
47.4
12.1
21.5
41.4
47.5
25.0
46.5
1 8.4
16.2
43.8
42.5
22.5
46.2
23.9
22.6
19.3
14.2
15.3
84.8
32.8
20.4
38.1
H 7.2
15.9
85.0
41.4
20.0
37.7
i 9.0
16.6
86.9
40.7
21.2
37.6
18.5
18.8
18.1
21.6
13.4
10.9
42.2
34.8
13.9
45.8
1 9.9
7.9
41.3
44.9
13.7
45.4
13.2
8.3
41.7
71.3
14.2
46.0
15.3
16.4
17.1
1
1
14.6
16.9
87.1
38.0
24.7
37.9
1
19.7
11.5
16.9
85.4
30.4
26.1
37.1
1
10.4
17.5
86.7
37.6
26.7
37.5
19.9
21.2
In d ia n a p o lis , I n d .
37.0
15.8
13.1
5.9
5.9
22.2
17.8
32.4
1.6
19.8
18.9
21.9
16.4
40.1
2.6
16.7
24.8
26.8
28.2
73.8
11.6
27.3
48.4
38.2
49.0
87.9
18.9
45.6
67.5
40.5
11.0
72.3
32.9
60.3
63.0
47.5
T o ta l.......................................................
100.0
19.1
21.1
36.5
50.2
37.6
1
1
1
1
11.1
8.6
44.1
73.4
16.7
46.7
[1087]
10.3
11.5
44.5
69.1
21.5
47.1
1
8.0
11.6
44.6
54.9
23.2
46.1
1 4.2
13.1
45.9
54.3
23.6
49.9
19.7
19.4
22.2
12.9
14.5
61. 1
38.6
21.2
33.4
1 12.5
14.5
53.7
36.1
22.5
33.8
16.2
16.0
15.3
14.9
6.7
72.5
69.2
12.2
37.4
1 15.3
9.5
72.3
70.5
20.3
38.2
18.6
19.6
1
18.8
K a n sa s C ity, M o.
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING.
Food...............................................................
C lothing............................................................
H o u sin g ............................................................
Fuel a n d lig h t.................................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous..................................................
O
hj
j>
M
0
H
Cß
m
Food...................................................................
C lothing....................................
H ousing.........................................................
Fuel and lig h t.................................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous...................................................
38.7
15.2
13.6
5.7
4.9
21.8
17.3
40.7
5.4
18.0
31.1
15.6
15.1
44.7
6.7
9 .6
37.9
20.8
24.5
89.9
26.0
27.5
61.8
31.5
44.9
104.5
29.4
35.2
73.0
37.1
10.2
76.3
63.9
55.1
68.7
40.3
1 8.3
52.3
65.0
43.3
50.0
40.4
1
4.3
27.9
66.2
437
32.8
38.2
1
T o ta l.......................................................
100.0
19.6
20.6
38.2
51.0
39.5
27.3
23.9
22.5
6.6
24.1
69.7
42.6
26.2
37.6
1
15.7
17.4
64.8
36.0
15.2
33.1
15.3
1
13.5
15.9
59.4
36.3
11.6
32.3
1
15.0
16.1
14.7
57.8
47. 1
10.3
32.4
1
14.2
12.0
14.6
61.4
40.2
12.1
33.3
1
1
12.1
is.3
53.9
35.1
23.0
34.6
15.5
M em p h is, T e n n .
Food...................................................................
C lothing............................................................
H ousing.............................................................
Fuel a n d lig h t..................................................
F u rn itu re an d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous...................................................
36.2
16.3
13.5
5.1
4.5
24.4
20.3
27.7
(2)
26.8
25.4
16.1
22.7
38.3
8.2
23.4
30.7
20.9
28.4
66.2
23.1
34.1
53.2
28.3
38.8
77.5
35.9
49.7
67.1
38.8
7.0
59.0
66.2
105.4
53.9
43.2
T o ta l.......................................................
100.0
18.3
23.3
35.2
46.4
39.3
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Decrease.
1
14.2
36.1
79.7
64.5
29.9
42.9
1
9.2
20.2
77.7
66.1
19.2
42.2
26.7
25.1
1
11.2
15.3
77.3
67.1
14.7
42.3
16.1
9.3
75.5
61.8
8.9
39.9
i 15.1
7.3
74.8
56.3
6.8
37.8
23.2
19.2
18.2
2
No change.
1
17.7
7.0
73.9
70.4
7.8
37.8
17.9
1
1
13.9
9.8
72.3
62.8
23.2
38.1
19.9
1
11.7
10.9
72.0
62.1
22.1
37.3
20.6
2
^
m
fcn
<J
^
P
CO
T able 3 .—C H A N G ES IN COST O F L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923—Concluded.
00
M in n e a p o lis, M in n .
Ite m of expenditure.
T o tal.......................................................
[1088]
W
35.4
15. 5
16.8
6.8
4.8
20.5
100.0
Per cent of increase from December 1917, to—
Dec.,
1918.
17.7
33.5
1 .1
14.7
18. 1
12.3
15.8
Sept.,
1921.
Dec.,
1921.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
Dec.,
1920.
21.4
40.1
i 2.0
13.4
23. 6
15.9
34.1
67.0
8.0
22.4
45.6
25.4
50.0
76.7
10.7
36.9
65. 5
31.3
13.0
63.6
36.8
60.3
65.8
37.6
i 7.9
41.0
39.0
52.8
43.3
37.9
13.5
18.4
44.0
50.5
30.5
37.3
i 4.9
14. 31
46.7
50.2
27.9
37.4
43.4
35.7
23.7
21.6
20.7
1 6.
4
29.2
49.5
36. 2
30.7
61.0
19.3
24.9
57.9
40. 4
28.5
60.2
23.8
22.7
18.8
32.7
May,
1921.
Mar.,
1922.
1
June,
1922.'
Sept.,
1922.
Dec.,
1922.
Mar.,
1923.
June,
1923.
Sept.,
1923.
5.3
6. 5
46.8
47.0
22.5
32. 6
1 7.6
6.4
9.2
42.5
44.9
29.7
32. S
1 .5 . 0
8.7
46.8
48.0
26.7
32.5
15.9
18.0
17.8
17.4
17.8
13.7
15. 4
58.7
30.7
17.7
55. 6
1 10.5
16. 2
54.7
38.5
26.2
51.9
13. 2
17.8
55. 5
32.9
34.8
50.1
1
15. 6
58.5
33.4
17.9
58. 6
18.9
17.8
18.6
17.6
11.7
14.0
56.7
73.0
22.0
42.8
1
5.4
13.1
56.7
72.8
25.1
42.8
1 8.1
17.6
20.1
10.0
9.7
46.7
43.7
21.9
34.5
1 6.0
7.9
44.6
43.7
21.4
32. 6
19.9
6.0
46.2
44.8
21.3
32. 5
17.0
17.3
12.0
18.9
58.2
31.8
20.8
59.1
1 12.8
19.9
1
1
9.4
43.4
43.0
27. 8
32.3
N e w O rleans, L a.
--------------------------------------------------------Food.................... -.............................................
C lothing............................................................
Housing...........................................................
Fuel an d lig h t..................................................
F u rn itu re and furnishings............................
Miscellaneous...................................................
42.6
15.0
12.0
4. 8
3.9
21.8
Total.......................................................
100.0
0)
19.7
23. 8
15.9
17.4
48.8
.1
20.8
30. 0
17.5
21.1
83. 2
10.8
24.7
57.7
35.1
28.6
94.9
12.9
36.3
75.9
42.8
10.7
69.4
39.7
41.5
63.9
57.1
i 10.7
45.0
46.7
29.2
47.7
58.2
17.9
20.7
33.9
41.9
36.7
23.8
16.6
36.8
1
1
1
12. 5
16. 4
54.7
35.2
29.9
50.1
1
9.9
19.0
55. 8
34.4
33.7
50.3
17.7
19.4
1
5.4
14.8
60.4
68.4
29.4
44.1
1
13.9
56.9
73.1
27.0
44.1
19.6
21.3
22.3
P ittsb u rg h , P a .
5.6
23.6
55.3
66.2
31.6
48.0
F ood...................................................................
C lo th in g ...........................................................
Housing.............................................................
Fuel and lig h t..................................................
F urn itu re and furnishings............................
Miscellaneous...................................................
40.2
17.8
14.5
3.2
5.4
18.9
18.8
35.9
7.6
9.2
26.3
16.3
16.2
45. 3
13.5
9.4
34. 1
16.7
25.1
82.8
15.5
9.8
63.1
28.3
36.5
91.3
34.9
31.7
77.4
41.2
14.3
75.4
35.0
64.4
78.1
46.3
1
8.8
.50.7
55.5
59.8
58.2
48.6
1
3.0
27.2
55.5
55.6
36.2
47.6
1
T otal.......................................................
100.0
19.8
21.8
36.2
49.1
39.3
27.7
24.4
22.8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1
14.4
19.3
55.3
66.0
23.7
44. 4
17.4
1
12.2
17.3
56.7
66.0
20.1
43.4
17.8
1
4.2
15.9
60,7
69.1
29.4
45.7
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW ,
Food...................................................................
C lo th in g ...........................................................
H ousing............................................................
Fuel and lig h t.................................................
F u rn itu re and furnishings............................
Miscellaneous...................................................
Per cent
of to ta l
expendi
ture.
R ic h m o n d , Va.
20.5
33.8
1.0
11.8
26.3
9.0
20.6
42.3
3.6
11.4
28.6
13.5
23.1
78.6
9.8
IS. 7
55.9
24.0
36.1
93.6
12.5
36.1
75.4
32.4
11.9
69.0
25.9
62.2
70.0
36.0
17.4
43. 8
29.4
47.1
48.8
38.7
U .O
24. 2
33.0
46. 7
36.0
38. 4
12.9
21.2
34.1
46.8
33.0
38. 4
U 0 .2
15.9
34.2
36.7
28.1
35.5
1 7.8
10.8
10.6
35.4
44.5
27.5
34.6
1
12.9
34.5
33. 4
27.6
34.7
6.3
10.6
35.3
54.2
29.4
33.5
19.0
11.8
35.7
59.9
34.7
33.9
17.2
12.5
35.7
52.7
40.0
33.9
15.1
13.4
39.1
54.7
40.4
34.7
T o ta l.......................................................
100.0
17.9
20.6
32.0
43.8
33.3
20.2
19.5
18.3
12.9
13.2
12.1
14.4
14.3
14.9
16.6
11.5
9.0
74.6
30.8
29.8
33.4
18.6
9.5
77.4
31.7
31.0
35.8
19.9
1
S t . L o u i s , M o.
[1089]
Food...................................................................
C lothing.............................................................
H ousing.............................................................
F uel a n d lig h t..................................................
F urn itu re a n d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous...................................................
38.5
15.0
13.4
4.9
5.6
22.6
18.0
32.4
2.7
4.8
21.8
14.5
16.1
39.3
3.8
3.7
32.5
15.7
26.2
78.1
16.8
8.2
52.9
30.3
46.2
89.7
29.8
19.6
73.1
37.6
8.8
70.0
42. 4:
42.6
70.2
43. 2
T o ta l.......................................................
100.0
16.7
17.9
34.2
48.
35.4
1
10.1
43.8
52.5
30.9
43.5
42.1
1
4.5
21. 2
61. 2
29. 5
25. 1
42.0
111.6
U 4 .0
9.1
64.1
30.9
14.3
34.7
112.1
7.9
65.7
32.3
12.8
33.2
113.8
6.2
67.0
44.3
12.3
33.1
1 9.5
17.2
63. 8
33.4
19.2
40.6
6.3
68.0
48.9
14.9
33. 4
12.7
9.0
70.2
47.5
27.5
33.5
23.1
22.0
18.5
14.7
15.1
15.0
17.0
17.3
17.7
1
1
S c ra n to n , P a .
F ood...................................................................
C lothing............................................................
H ousing....... .....................................................
F u e l a n d lig h t................................................F u rn itu re a n d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous...................................................
42.6
IS. 4
10.9
4.6
4.9
18.5
21.3
34.4
.5
24.7
27.0
21.4
18. 1
49.6
6.2
25.7
35.6
24.9
26.9
82.1.
2.4
31.5
48.9
34.7
41.4
97.7
17.2
43.5
62.8
47.9
17.8
76.5
18. 5
67.3
62.0
50.4
1
4.0
54.3
41. 5
62.8
48.6
54.6
2.8
31.3
42.2
64.8
34.6
53.8
4.1
29.1
44.6
67.1
30.7
52.4
16.8
25.2
46.6
65.8
25.7
50.1
16.7
24.2
52.8
68.0
24.2
49.9
1 9 .O
12.1
20.7
53.6
68.6
28.5
49.3
1
5.5
21.5
53.6
65.2
31.8
51.4
15.1
21.7
59.0
65.2
34.7
51.4
1
21.1
53.1
69.3
25.4
49.3
T o tal........................................................
100.0
21.9
25.0
37.1
51.5
39.1
28.2
26.3
26.3
20.4
20.9
19.4
22.4
21.6
22.4
24.4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Decrease.
1.3
23.3
59.5
65.4
34.4
51.4
COST OF LIV IN G ,
41.6
15.9
10.5
5.6
4.8
21.5
CHANGES IN
F o o d ...................................................................
C lothing.............................................................
H ousing.............................................................
F u e l a n d lig h t.............................................. ..
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings............................
M iscellaneous...................................................
3 No change.
CO
CO
100
The following table shows the increase in the cost of living in the United States from 1913 to September, 1923.
These figures are a summarization of the figures for the 32 cities, the results of which appear in the preceding tables,
computed on a 1913 base.
T able 4 .—CH A N G ES IN COST O F L IV IN G IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S , 1913 TO S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
Item of expenditure.
Per cent
o ito ia j
expendi Dec.,
tu re.
1914.
38.2
16.6
13.4
5.3
5.1
21.3
T o tal..............................
100.0
E lectricity 5............................
Dec.,
1915.
Dec.,
1916.
Dec.,
1917,
Dec.,
1918.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
Dec.,
1920.
May, Sept., Dec.,
1921. 1921. 1921.
Mar.,
1922.
June, Sept.,
1922. 1922.
Dec.,
1922.
Mar.,
1923.
June, Sept.,
1923. 1923.
4.0
3.0
5.0
4.7
1.5
1.0
10.6
7.4
26.0
20.0
2.3
8.4
27.8
13.3
57.0
49.1
.1
24.1
50.6
40.5
87.0
105.3
9.2
47.9
113. 6
65.8
84.0
114.5
14.2
45.6
125.1
73.2
97.0
168.7
25.3
56. 8
163.5
90.2
119.0
187.5
34.9
71.9
192. 7
101.4
78.0
158.5
51.1
94.9
185.4
108. 2
44.7
122.6
59.0
81.6
147.7
108. 8
53.1
92.1
60.0
80.7
124.7
107.8
49.9
84.4
61.4
81.1
118.0
106.8
38.7
75.5
60.9
75.8
106.2
103. 3
41.0
72.3
60.9
74.2
102. 9
101.5
39.8
71.3
61.1
83.6
102. 9
101.1
46.6
71.5
61.9
86.4
108.2
100.5
42.0
74.4
62.4
86.2
117.4
100.3
44.3
74.9
63.4
80.6
122.2
100.3
49.3
76.5
64.4
81.3
122.4
101.1
3.0
5.1
18.3
42.4
74.4
77.3
99.3
116.5
100.4
80.4
77.3
74.3
60.9
66.6
66.3
69.5
68.8
69.7
72.1
1.3
2.6
2.6
3.9
3.9
3.9
5.1
5.0
1.0
(0
1.0
2.6
5.1
7.7
2.6
2.6
3.9
3.9
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1 No change.
3 This line shows th e p e r cent of d e c r e a s e in th e price of electricity on th e dates nam ed as com pared w ith the price in December, 1914. These figures are based on th e weighted
averages of consum ption a t th e various rates charged.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
[1090]
Food.........................................
C lothing...................................
H ousing...................................
F u e l a n d lig h t........................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings..
M iscellaneous.........................
P er cent of increase from 1913 (average) to—
101
PRICES AND COST OF LIVING.
Retail Prices in Stockholm, Christiania, and Copenhagen, July, 1914,
1922, and 1923, and January, 1923.“
OCIALA Meddelanden, No. 9, 1923, published by the Swedish
Labor Office (S o cia lstyrelsen ), contains a table giving average
actual and relative retail prices of various commodities in
Stockholm, Christiania, and Copenhagen for July, 1914, 1922, 1923,
and for January, 1923.
The July, 1923, actual prices of the commodities were lower in
Stockholm than in Christiania and Copenhagen, with the exception
of old potatoes and bread, which were lower in Christiania, rye
bread, fatted veal, and fresh pork, which were lower in Copenhagen
than in Stockholm.
Weighted index figures are not published for Copenhagen, but the
weighted index figure for necessaries (including fuel and light) for
Stockholm was 160 and for Christiania 228. Index figures of cost
of living in Scandinavian countries in July, 1923, based on July, 1914,
were as follows: Sweden 174, Norway 239, and Denmark 204.
S
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D C O M M O D ITIES IN STO CK H O LM , C H R IS T IA N IA
A N D C O P E N H A G E N , JU L Y 1914, 1922,1923 A N D JA N U A R Y 1923.
[1 ore a t par=0.268 cent; 1 liter= 1.06 q u a rts liq u id or 0.9 q u a rt d ry measure; 1 kilogram —2.2 pounds;
1 hectoliter=2.8 bushels.]
A verage a c tu a l 'prices.
C hristiania.
C om m odity.
U nit.
1914 1922
1923
1914 1922
Copenhagen.
1923
1914 1922
1923
July. July. Jan. July. July. July. Jan. July. July. July. Jan. July.
Milk, w hole....................
B u tter, d a iry .................
M argarine, vegetable...
Eggs, fresh ......................
Potatoes..........................
Peas, yellow 2................
Flour, w h e a t..................
Flour, ry e .......................
O at grits.........................
B read, ry e ......................
B read, w h eat.................
Beef, fresh, ro ast...........
Beef, soup m e a t............
V eal, fa tte d ....................
Veal, young....................
P o rk , fresh......................
P ork, s a lt........................
Coffee, Santos 6............
Sugar, loaf......................
Kerosene, w ater w hite.
C oal..................................
Coke, gas w o rk s.............
O re.
O re.
O re.
O re .
O re.
O re.
O re.
O re.
L ite r.......... 17
K ilo g ram . 246
139
’
. ' ! . . . " . ’.! " . 150
5 l i t e r ........ 35
Kilogram . 26
32
....... d o ___
28
34
....... d o ___
___ d o . . . .
40
....... d o ___
66
....... do ___ 125
....... d o ___ 102
....... d o ___ 145
....... d o ___ 101
....... d o . . .. 149
___ d o . . . . 150
....... d o ___ 166
64
....... d o ___
L ite r.......... 18
H ectoliter. 239
___ d o ___ 133
29
393
213
264
43
49
50
45
48
95
119
285
192
333
167
316
323
246
8 160
35
435
336
26
391
199
395
49
47
45
38
46
81
118
224
173
307
174
285
289
244
■108
30
440
333
40
40
26
40
19
300 256 611 596 505
186 1140 1272 1275 1269
202 180 490 556 362
48
56
76
85
35
52
40 104 104 115
45 3 32 3 67 3 59 s 58
38
46
20
50
45
46
62
65
36
66
47
46
24
81
56
117
100
84
82
258 132 407 337 398
183 126 327 260 327
274 141 376 430 380
150
83 232 214 220
250 145 402 406 361
250 160 445 438 389
256 214 367 358 364
104
57 120 113 145
30
18
34
32
35
450 180 433 420 455
339 165 375 250 375
19
235
125
150
25
40
26
39
484
180
346
63
115
48
41
509
174
513
49
113
43
2 0
O re .
O re.
O re.
4 64
83
5 3571
197
215
85
92
4 58 4 58
78
81
313 5 383
173
238
240
187
1239 231
202
\337 326
298
7423 7420 7 445
77
80
116
31
31
31
374 386
472
330 328
376
’Cream m argarine.
5I n C hristiania a n d Copenhagen, shelled peas,
sA m erican w h eat flour.
4Sifted ry e flour bread.
^Boneless.
6I n Stockholm , unroasted; in C hristiania a n d Copenhagen, roasted.
"‘A verage price of different k in d s of coffee.
8 M axim um price.
«S im ilar figures w ere pub lish ed in th e Monthly L abor R eview for F e b ru a ry 1923, p p . 70, 71.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1091]
102
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW,
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D C O M M O D ITIES IN ST O C K H O L M ,C H R IST IA N IA ,
A N D C O PE N H A G E N , JU L Y 1914,1922, 1923 A N D JA N U A R Y 1923--Concluded.
R e la tiv e prices.
Stockholm .
C om m odity.
U n it.
1914 1922
C hristiania.
1923
1914 1922
Copenhagen.
1923
1914 1922
1923
July. July. Jan. July. July. July. Jan. July. July. July Jan. July.
Ö re .
Milk, whole .........................
B u tler, d a iry .........................
M argarine, vegetable...........
Eggs, fresh . . T.......................
Po tato es..................................
Peas, yellow...........................
F lo u r”w h e a t.........................
Flour \ r y e ...............................
O at g rits.................................
B read, ry e ..............................
Bread, w h e a t.........................
Beef, fresh, ro a s t..................
Beef, soup m e a t...................
Veal, fa tte d ...........................
Veal you n g ...........................
P o rk , fresh.............................
P o rk i s a lt...............................
Coffee, Santos.......................
Sugar ' loaf..............................
Kerosene, w ater w h ite ........
Coal..........................................
Coke, gasworks......................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In te r..........
Kilogram .
........d o . . . .
20...............
5 l i t e r ........
Kilogram .
........d o . ._ .
........d o . . . .
........d o . . . .
........do . . . .
........d o ___
........d o . . . .
........d o ----. . . . . d o ___
........d o ___
........d o . . . .
........d o ___
........d o __
........do........
L ite r..........
H ectoliter.
___d o .........
Ö re.
too 171
100 160
100 153
100 176
100 123
100 188
100 156
100 161
100 141
100 238
100 180
100 228
100 188
100 230
100 165
100 212
100 215
100 148
100 250
100 194
100 182
100 253
Ö re.
Ö re.
Ö re.
153 153 too
159 122 100
143 134 100
263 135 100
140 217 100
181 200 100
141 141 100
136 136 100
135 135 100
203 203 100
179 177
179 206 100
170 179 100
212 189 100
172 149 100
191 168 100
193 167 100
147 154 100
169 163 100
167 167 100
184 188 100
250 255 100
[1092]
Ö re.
211
239
194
272
243
260
209
250
181
233
Ö re.
211
233
196
309
137
260
184
225
172
196
308 255
260 206
267 305
280 258
277 280
278 274
171 167
211 198
189 178
241 233
227 152
O re.
211
197
192
201
160
288
181
230
183
192
302
260
270
265
249
243
170
254
194
253
227
Ö re.
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
Ö re.
Ö re.
205 216
206 217
144 139
231 342
252 196
288 283
185 165
Ö re.
195
176
151
203
336
303
181
100
100
100
228
267
208
218
242
195
236
242
203
100
100
158
172
138
150
190
192
206
201
179
172
220
264
200
186
172
227
262
j io o
100
100
100
100
100
179
212
270
172
278
301
W AGES A N D H O U R S O F LABOR.
Wages and Hours of Labor in the Automobile Tire industry, 1923.
earnings per hour, average full-time hours per week,
and average full-time earnings per week in 1923 are here pre
sented for employees engaged in the manufacture of auto
mobile tires and tubes in the United States. The averages were
computed from individual hours and earnings of 24,159 employees.
The State quotas for this study are based on the United States
Census of Manufactures, 1919, for “ automobile tires, tubes, and other
rubber goods” not including “ establishments whose principal prod
ucts were rubber belting or hose” or “ establishments making rubber
boots and shoes.” Separate data were not shown by the census for
automobile tires.
The data were taken by agents of the bureau directly from the
pay rolls and other records of 49 establishments located in Ohio,
New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, Penn
sylvania, Wisconsin, and Indiana, which States contain 94 per cent of
the employees engaged in the manufacture of “ rubber tires, tubes, and
other rubber goods.” The wage earners for whom averages are
shown in the table following form 20 per cent of the total number of
wage earners in the census group above mentioned but include only
those employed in the manufacture of automobile tires and tubes.
The majority of wage earners in the automobile tire industry are
pieceworkers whose average earnings per hour depend upon the
number of jobs or pieces completed in a specified time. Establish
ments have different methods of building and curing the tires. These
methods are constantly being improved by installation of modern
machinery, resulting as a rule in decreased piece rates. The decreased
rates, however, seldom reduce the average hourly earning capacity
of the individual; indeed, a prominent tire manufacturer states that
“ due to the refinements in the industry, employees are able to earn
more than ever before.”
The tire industry, like the automobile industry, is comparatively
new. Before the advent of the automobile the rubber industry of
the world depended on the production of “ wild rubber,” which
averaged about 40,000 tons annually. As the demand for rubber
increased, plantations were developed. The first “ cultivated rubber,”
consisting of 4 tons, was marketed in 1900. In 1922 approximately
320,000 tons of “ cultivated” and 17,000 tons of “ wild rubber”
were imported into the United States, showing the remarkable
advances made in the use of rubber. Many articles formerly made
of wood, bone, etc., are now made of rubber, but the greatest factor
in the increased consumption is the automobile tire.
The data summarized in the following table were drawn from a
representative pa}^ roll of each establishment canvassed. The data
w~ere taken from the March records of 33 establishments, the April
records of 6 establishments, the May records of 6 establishments,
and the June records of 4 establishments. The great mass of data
is, therefore, as of March, 1923.
verage
A
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1093]
103
104
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
It will be observed that averages are shown for 22,535 male em
ployees in 49 establishments and 1,624 female employees in 39
establishments; that the average earnings per hour of males in all
occupations is 74.1 cents, and of females, 46 cents; that the average
full-time hours per week of males is 49.5, and of females, 49; and
that the average full-time earnings per week of males in all occupa
tions are $36.68, and of females in all occupations, $22.54.
Studying the several occupations it is seen that the average earn
ings per hour of males range from 51.4 cents for laborers to 91.2
cents for calender men, and of females from 43.5 cents for splicers
on tubes to 56.3 cents for iinishers and treaders on cord tires.
Average earnings per hour for each occupation were computed by
dividing the total earnings of all employees in the occupation by the
total hours worked by all employees in the occupation. Likewise,
average full-time hours per week were found by dividing the total
full-time hours per week of all employees by the total number of
employees. Average full-time earnings per week were computed by
multiplying the average earnings per hour by the average full-time
hours per week.
The days of operation for the 12 months ending March 31, 1923, of
46 of the 49 establishments covered in 1923 range from 217 to 308,
and. the average is 294. One establishment was not in operation
until February, 1923, 1 not until April, 1923, and 1 insolvent estab
lishment taken over by another company had no available record
of days worked. The difference between the average days of opera
tion and a possible full-time of 313 days was due to the following
conditions : Two establishments did not operate any Saturday, while
1 establishment did not operate 12 Saturdays during the summer;
8 establishments were closed from 5 to 52 days by lack of orders; 20
establishments were closed from 1 to 20 days for inventory; 1 estab
lishment was closed 22 days to install new machinery; 46 establish
ments were closed from 4 to 10 days for holidays; and 6 establish
ments were closed from 4 to 15 days for other causes.
A V E R A G E F U L L -T IM E H O U R S P E R W E E K , E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R , A N D F U L L -T IM E
E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K IN T H E A U T O M O B IL E T I R E IN D U S T R Y , B Y O C CU PA TIO N S
A N D S E X , 1923.
Occupation.
Sex.
A ir badgers................................................
A ssem b lers....................................
D o ..........................................................
B ead m akers........................................
D o ................................................................
Beads, miscellaneous employees...................
D o .................................................................
B ias cu tte r operators..................................
B ias c u tte rs’ h e lp e rs...................................
Buffers, tu b e s .. .*..........................................
B uilders a n d finishers....................................
B uilders or m akers, cord tire s .......................
B uilders or m akers, fabric tires...............
Calender m e n ........’ ...................................
Calender m en, first............................................
Calender helpers...................................
Com pounders........................................
Curers, b ead s..........................................
Curersj tires.........................................................
Curersi tu b es.......................................................
M ale. .
.d o ..
F e m a le .
M ale..
Fem ale .
M ale___
F e m a le .
M ale__
__d o __ _
.. .d o __
. .d o __ _
__d o .. .
.d o ..
.d o ..
.. .d o __
.d o ..
.do.
.do.
__d o . .
. .. d o ___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N um ber N um ber Average
A verage
of estab
earnings
of em full-time
lish
hours
ployees. per
m ents.
week. per hour.
[1094]
42
44
22
42
16
43
10
49
47
35
31
35
31
47
45
47
48
43
49
34
292
763
396
204
96
466
78
119
342
140
1,043
1 056
404
222
231
662
333
298
1,651
'1Ö8
49.3
50.1
48.4
50.8
48. 7
50.5
47. 5
50.0
50. 4
50. 3
48.3
48.2
48.5
50. 8
50.6
50.1
50.7
49.2
50.6
$0,843
.670
.498
.636
.466
.649
.513
.732
.608
.734
.893
.900
.874
.912
.776
.674
. 685
.780
.869
.709
Average
full-time
earnings
p er week.
$41. 56
33.57
24.10
32.31
22.69
32.77
24.37
36.60
30.64
36.92
43.13
43.38
42.39
46.33
39.27
33.77
34.73
40.17
42.75
35.88
105
WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOR.
A V ER A G E F U L L -T IM E H O U R S P E R W E E K , E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R , A N D F U L L -T IM E
‘ E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K IN T H E A U T O M O B IL E T I R E IN D U S T R Y B Y O C CU PA TIO N S
A N D S E X , 1923—Concluded.
N um ber N u m b er Average Average Average
of estab of em full-time earnings full-time
earnings
lish
hours
ployees . per
m ents.
week. per hour. per week.
O ccupation.
Sex.
Finishp,rs a n d treaders, cord tires.................
Do
.............................................
Finishers and treaders, fabric tire s ..............
Finishers, tu b e s (m o u n t, wash, an d ce
m e n t)................................................................
D o !................................................................
Laborers...............................................................
Mill m e n ...............................................................
R im m ers.............................................................
Skivers, tu b e s.....................................................
Splicers, tu b e s ....................................................
Do
...............................................
Strippers, air bags.............................................
Strippers, cores..................................................
Strippers, tu b e s.................................................
Tear-down m e n .................................................
T read c u tte rs......................................................
T ruckers..............................................................
Tube-m achine operators..................................
Tube-m achine feeders.....................................
T ube rollers.........................................................
T ube w rappers...................................................
V al ve in serters...................................................
.................................................
Do
O ther em ployees................................................
D o ................................................................
M a ie ....
Female .
M ale___
37
3
29
1,406
27
599
47.7
50.0
48. 9
$0. 866
.563
.840
$41. 31
28.15
41.08
. .. d o ___
F e m a le .
M ale___
. . .d o . . . .
. . .d o . . . .
.. .d o ___
.. . d o .. . .
Female .
M ale___
.. .d o ___
.. .d o ___
.. .d o .. . .
. ..d o ___
.. . d o .. . .
. .. d o .......
. ..d o .......
.. .do.......
.. .do.......
.. .do.......
F em ale..
M ale .__
F em ale..
28
10
49
49
38
25
31
2
39
21
209
45
1,604
1,397
313
57
158
9
275
145
198
235
136
1,075
96
92
260
237
114
5
968
49.3
52.0
51.0
50.3
48.3
50.1
48.7
49.6
48.1
47. 2
49.2
47.2
50. 1
49.6
51. 2
50.8
49.6
49.6
49. 6
47.3
49.8
49.2
.786
.439
.514
.735
.834
.700
.756
.435
.856
.839
.764
.862
.668
.683
.738
.650
.733
.745
.694
.521
.680
.437
38.75
22.83
26. 21
36.97
40.28
35.07
36.82
21.58
41.17
39.60
37. 59
40.69
33.47
33.88
37.79
33.02
36.36
36.95
34.42
24.64
33.86
21.50
All occupations....................................... M ale___
D o .t................................................... F em ale..
49
39
22,535
1,624
49.5
49.0
.741
.460
36.68
22.54
29
36
41
40
33
38
35
31
3
49
37
Average Weekly Earnings of Men and Women in New York State
Factories, June and July, 1923.
HE average weekly earnings of men in the factories of New
York State in June, 1923, were about $31.50, almost double
those of woman workers, according to a report of the New York
State Department of Labor in The Industrial Bulletin for July,
August, and September, 1923 (p. 210). This is the first time factory
workers’ earnings, published monthly by the department, have been
tabulated by sex for most of the representative establishments.
While in all the separate manufacturing industries women’s
earnings were only about one-half those of men, it is not possible to
say that women receive half aS much as men for the same work, as
the occupations of women within the different industries are likely to
be quite different from those of the men.
More than half the woman factory workers are in the clothing and
textile trades, while a fairly large proportion are employed in factories
making appliances and instruments, and electrical equipment
industries where metal stamping and processes involving a limited
amount of skill are required. The only other large group of woman
factory workers is found in the preparation of food products.
The highly paid trades employ few women. Whether women are
not admitted to these trades or whether -when large numbers of women
are employed earnings go down, it was impossible to determine from
the investigation. Generally speaking, men’s earnings are not high
in industries in which there is a predominance of women. The New
York City clothing trade, in which the men and women are strongly
organized, constitutes the only important exception to this condition.
T
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ri095]
106
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
In one highly unionized trade women are paid over $50 per week,
hut the number employed is so very small that their wages are not
reported separately.
In the up-State industries employing substantial numbers oi women
they were paid high, wages in shoe factories, cotton mills, factories
makino’ photographic supplies, and sugar refineries. In the majority
of these highest-paid industries women’s weekly earnings averaged
less than $17, while their highest earnings in New York City approxi
mated $25 a week, in millinery, dressmaking, and women’s clothing
establishments. Women’s earnings in fur factories were also high.
In New York City the highest wages paid to men were $45 for stonecutting, and in printing plants the average was more than $40. Men s
highest average earnings up-State were from $36 to $38, in light and
power companies and steel mills.
The lowest up-State earnings for women were reported by canning
and glove factories, being from $9 to $11. The lowest earnings for
women in New York City were slightly over $14, in the biscuit and
candy factories, while no average of less than $25 for men was
reported for any industry where men were numerically important.
Both men’s and women’s earnings are comparatively low in the
food products industries, while the earnings of men and women in the
tobacco factories are more nearly equal than in any other industry.
‘ There are practically no women in the industries that pay the
highest wages to men, the meat-packing plants and those making
malt beverages.”
Women are paid relatively high wages in the printing industry.
The majority of the men in this industry are employed as printers
and receive twice or more than twice as much as the women, most of
whom are employed in the bookbinderies.
The average weekly earnings of men and women in representative
factories in the various industries in June and July, 1923, for New
York City, outside of New York City, and the State as a whole are
shown in the table following:
A V ER A G E W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S O F N E W Y O R K S T A T E FA C TO R Y AArO R K E R S , JU N E
AN D JU L Y , 1923, B Y IN D U S T R Y A N D S E X .______ _________________ _
Women.
Men.
In d u stry .
N ew Y ork
State.
New Y ork
City.
O utside
N éw Y ork
C ity.
N ew Y ork
State.
New' Y ork
City.
O utside
New Y ork
City.
June. July. June. July. June. Ju ly . June. J u ly . June. July. June. July.
Stone, clay, and glass produ c ts........................................ 131.69 $31.04 $35.29 $34. 81 $30.34 »29.70 $16.01 $14.32 $15.36 $15.33 C1) $13.21
M etals,m achinery, and con31. 87 32. 48 30.21 31. 35 32.10 32. 64 15. 79 16.09 16.02 16.04 $15.72 16.11
Wood marmfaot,nros............. 28.28 28. 47 30. 49 30.53 26.16 26. 59 14.66 14.83 15.82 16.56 14.05 13.87
Furs, leather, an d ru b b e r
27. 60 27. 73 33.10 32. 78 24.76 25.06 15.66 15. 54 16. 65 17.29 14.98 14.63
16.33 17. 39
Chemicals, oils, p a in ts, e tc .. 30.95 31. 12 30.22 30. 43 31.33 31.48 16. 02 16.91 15.40 15. 78 13.90
14.85
29.
45 29. 01 26. 20 24. 41 29. 52 29.15 13. 51 13. 98 12. 35 11.57
Paper ....................................
15.
28 16.12
18.
38
17.25
17.
56
P rin tin g a n d p ap er goods.. 36.63 36. 74 38.88 39.37 32.09 31. 67 16. 50
15.15
14.80
17.
52
17.17
15.72
14.96
25.31
25.
63
24.
64
28.
48
26.18
25.
22
T extiles....................................
Clothing, m illinery, lau n
14.21
14.
44
20.
90
19.82
17.77
17.06
24.61
25.
52
34.11
34.56
30.83
31.87
dering, e tc ........... ...............
Food,
beverages,
and
13.56
tobacco................................. 28.90 29.82 29.80 30.93 28. 01 28.79 14.90 L . 69 17.92 15.97 12.45
C1)
33. 32 38. 28 37.61 0 )
(l )
C)
W ater, lig h t, a n d pow er— 32.60 34.09
15.04
T o tal.............................. 31.19 31.59 32, 05 32. 54 30.89 31.27 16.02 16. 54 18.17 18. 75 14. 77
1 N u m b er of em ployees insufficient as a basis for average earnings.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1096]
W AG ES A N D H O U R S OF LABOR,
107
The Problem of a Stable Basis for Wages in Germany.1
Need for a New Wage Policy.
successive wave of currency depreciation in Germany has
had a catastrophal effect upon foodstuff prices and wages.
During these periods of paper-mark demoralization the whole
sale prices are always the first to adjust themselves to the foreign
exchange rates. The adjustment of the retail prices takes somewhat
longer, and a further considerable interval elapses before the officially
computed cost-of-living index, to which wages and salaries have been
adjusted in the past with more or less success, catches up with the
unprecedented upward movement of the dollar exchange rate and
wholesale and retail prices.
Thus the consequences of the recent extreme depreciations of the
mark were that the adjustment of wages to the phenomenally in
creasing cost of living could be effected only in a retarded and in
sufficient measure, and that the wage rates obtained by the workers
through strikes or awards of arbitration boards were always over
taken by a new upward movement of the cost of living and their
purchasing power lowered. This became especially manifest when
the Government failed in its attempt to stabilize the value of the
mark. As a result of this failure manufacturers and wholesalers,
when they are selling to retailers, quote their prices almost invariably
in American dollars, Swiss francs, Dutch guilders, or English pounds
sterling, although actual payment is made in paper marks at the
current exchange rates. This practice of the wholesale trade is
matched by a similar transaction in the retail trade. In Germany
to-day, as a rule, when the retail shopkeeper sells an article he makes
a hasty calculation, either mentally or by reference to a typewritten
table, converting the basic gold price into paper marks at the pre
vailing rate of exchange. As soon as he has received the paper
marks, he hastens to turn them at once into dollars, guilders, or
other so-called “ high valuta” currencies, i. e., currencies that sell at
or near par.
Long before inland business had lost its faith in the paper mark
the firms engaged in foreign trade had been adapting themselves
through necessity to a gold basis in accounting. Importers have
never done business on any other than a gold basis, since at the
very outset of the depreciation of the mark their foreign connec
tions refused, to sell them goods for a mark price. Exporters came a
little later to the same system of accounting. About two years ago
the Aussenhandelstellen, the semi-official foreign trade control
board, adopted the policy of requiring almost all exports to be
invoiced in terms of high-exchange foreign currencies.
While industry and commerce have thus found means to protect
themselves from losses through depreciation of the paper mark and
to make even greater profits than in pre-war times, the German
workmen are still being paid in paper marks which are rapidly becomach
E
1The d a ta on w hich th is article is based are from K orrespondenzblatt, B erlin, 1923, vol. 33, Nos. 25,26,28,
29,31, 32, 33,34, 36, a n d 38; Commerce Reports, W ashington, Sept. 3, 1923, p p . 586-591; report of th e A m eri
can assistant trad e commissioner a t Berlin, d ated Ju ly 16, 1923; In tern atio n al L abor Office, In d u stria l and
L abor Inform ation, Geneva, Aug. 3, 1923, p p . 20-22.
67655°—23
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-8
[1097]
108
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
ing worthless even as a circulating medium. The experience of the
past year has taught the workers that recurrent negotiations for
wage increases have no other real result than to make their pay lag
considerably behind the actual cost of living. The worker never
knows, therefore, whether his income will be large enough the next
week to enable him to maintain an adequate minimum standard of
living. This continual state of uncertainty is one which must be
intolerable to any wage earner, and is particularly distasteful to the
methodical German.
Proposals of Remedial Policies.
nPHIS deplorable state of affairs has brought forcibly home to the
German trade-union leaders the fact that the wage policy
hitherto adhered to by the trade-unions must undergo a radical
change if the German workers are to be saved from the most direful
distress. There has been no lack of proposals for a new wage policy.
Some have demanded outright gold wages, others sliding wages,
legally fixed minimum wages, the introduction of wages on a gold or
dollar basis, or a computation of wages on some other stable basis.
All these proposals have in common the desire for a “ stable-basis”
wage (w e r tb e s tä n d ig e n L o h n ) , i. e., a wage whose purchasing power
remains constant instead of fluctuating widely from week to week.
There is not the slightest doubt that this need of a stable-basis wage
is at the present time the problem of existence for the entire German
working population. It is merely a question how this demand can
be translated into a successful wage policy.
Why Wages Lag Behind the Cost of Living.
D EFORE discussing the proposal of a stable-basis wage governed
by certain economic indexes the Korrespondenzblatt proceeds to
show, by means of two tables, how during 1922 and 1923 wages have
lagged behind the cost of living, wholesale prices, and dollar exchange
indexes, and why they have lagged behind. These tables are repro
duced below:
^
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F COST O F L IV IN G , W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S , A N D D O L L A R E X C H A N G E
IN G E R M A N Y , 1922 A N D 1923, B Y M ON TH S.
[1914=1.]
M onth a n d year.
1922.
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 u g u st...........................
S ep tem b er.....................
O cto b er..........................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Cost
of
living.
W hole
sale
prices.
Dollar
ex
change.
19.91
24.10
28. 79
34.36
38.03
41.47
53.92
77.65
133.19
36.65
41.03
54.33
63.55
64.58
70.30
159. 00
192. 02
286.98
566. 01
45.6
49.4
67.6
69.2
69.6
75.5
117.4
270.1
344.2
757.3
220.66
M onth an d year.
1922.
N o v em b er.....................
D ecem b er......................
1923.
Ja n u a ry ..........................
F e b ru a ry .....................
M arch.............................
A p ril...............................
M ay .................................
[1098]
Cost
of
living.
W hole Dollar
sale
ex
prices. change.
446.10 1.151.00
685.06 1.475.00
1,120.00
2.643.00
2.854.00
2.954.00
3.816.00
2.785.00
5.585.00
4.888.00
5.212.00
8.170.00
1.710.2
1.806.3
4.279.3
6,647.9
5.045.0
5.823.0
11,350.0
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
109
H O U R L Y W A G E R A T E S IN V A R IO U S O CCU PA TIO N S IN B E R L IN , G ER M A N Y , IN 1922
A N D 1923, AS C O M PA R ED W IT H 1914.
[1914=1.]
M etal w orkers.
Skilled.
M onth a n d year.
U nskilled.
In d ex
In d ex
In d e x
Index
Index
A m ount. n u m A m ount. n u m Am ount. n u m A m ount. n u m A m ount. n u m
ber.
ber.
ber.
ber.
ber.
1914.
Average.............
M a rk s.
1.0
0.65
1922.
Jan u a ry .............
F e b r u a r y . .. .. .
M arch.................
A pril...................
Mriy....................
J u n e ...................
J u ly ....................
A u g u st...............
S eptem ber........
O ctober.............
N o v e m b e r.......
D ecem ber..........
171.31
296.31
1923.
Ja n u a ry .............
F e b ru a ry ..........
M arch.................
A p ril..................
M ay ....................
625.00
1,187.00
1,484.00
1,707.00
2,167.00
11.52
12.77
16.10
16.10
19.44
20.77
29.02
40.69
63.60
101.10
M a rk s.
0.84
17.7
13. 50
19.6
13. 50
24.6
24.0
29.9
26.00
35.0 . 32.00
44.6
36.00
62.6
45.00
96.6
155.5
263.6
195.00
455.9
370.00
21.00
21.00
88.00
120.00
962.0
1,826.0
2,283. 0
2,606. 0*
3,334.0
590.00
1,250.00
1,600.00
1,750. 00
,100.00
2
1.0
M a rk s.
0.70
1.0
16.1
16.1
25.0
25.0
31.0
38.1
42.9
53.6
104.8
142.8
232.1
440.5
13.00
14.75
16. 25
21.95
25.55
28.00
33. 05
57.40
83.25
169.00
298. 05
336.50
21.1
702.0
1,488.0
1,905.0
2,083.0
2,500.0
927.00
1,340.00
1,515.00
1,591.00
2,147.00
M a rk s.
0.79
18.6
9.15
10.70
11.70
14.70
18.00
18.00
24.75
33.00
52.80
77.30
160.00
297.50
22.9
31.1
36.5
40.0
47.2
82.0
118.9
241.4
425.8
480.7
1,324.0
437.00
1,914.0 .100.00
2,164.0 1,265. 00
2,272.0 1,265.00
3,067.0 , 821.00
1
1
1.0
11.5
13.5
14.8
18.6
22.7
22.7
31.3
41.7
M a rk s.
0. 52
1.0
8.30
9.85
”10.85
13.65
16. 65
16.65
23.00
30.00
48.00
69.00
144.00
266. 50
13.7
18.5
20.4
25.7
31.4
31.4
43.3
56.6
90.5
130.1
271.6
502.0
553.2
388.00
1,319.4
970.00
1,601.3 1,115.00
1,601.3 1,115.00
2,305.0 i; 605.00
732.0
1, 830.0
2,105.0
2 , 105.0
3; 028.0
66.8
97.8
202.5
376.5
A study of the index numbers in the first of the two tables repro
duced above shows that in 1922 and 1923 the doll ar-exchange rate
has always acted as pacemaker for wholesale prices in Germany,
which folloived the former at first slowly and later on more rapidly,
and that the cost-of-living index adjusts itself to the trend of whole
sale prices and of the dollar-exchange rate, but at a much slower
pace. The reason why the cost-of-living index lags so far behind
the other two indexes lies in the first place in its component elements,
some of which, compared with pre-war time values, have risen less
than others, as, for instance, house rents, but above all in the system
of ascertaining the index and in the fact that the data on ’which the
index is based are more questionable than those used in computing
the wholesale-price and dollar-exchange indexes. The cost-of-living
index numbers have so far always reflected a state of prices of the
past, while the wholesale-price index numbers have reflected the future
retail prices and the cost of living of the near future. If the signifi
cance of the index numbers shown in the first of the preceding tables
is fully understood it will immediately become plain why wages in
Germany, in so far as they are adjusted solely to the cost-of-living
index numbers, always lag behind the actual cost of living. Until
recently it took weeks before the cost-of-living index for the pre
ceding month was computed and published, and further, days and
even weeks elapsed before collective wage agreements based on the
cost-of-living index were concluded. When the collectively agreed
upon wage rates finally became effective, the higher wholesale prices
had already exercised their influence upon the retail prices and the
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[1099]
110
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
cost of living had soared far beyond the cost-of-living index number
that had served as a basis in the adjustment of the wages current at
the time.
The wage rates of printers, masons, carpenters, and skilled and
unskilled metal workers in Berlin in 1922 and 1923, as compared with
1914, are shown in the second table. All wage rates shown relate to
the end of the month. If these wage rates are compared with the
cost-of-living index for the corresponding month, it will be seen that
practically without exception they lag behind the cost-of-living
index. In December, 1922, for instance, the wages of printers were
only 456 times those in 1914, those of masons 441 times, of carpenters
481 times, and of skilled and unskilled metal workers 377 and 502
times, respectively, while the cost of living was 685 times that in
1914. In May, 1923, the cost-of-living index stood at 3,816, while
the index numbers for the wages of the five classes of workers covered
by the table were only 3,334, 2,500, 3,067, 2,305, and 3,028, respec
tively. If the May wage rates had closely followed the cost-of-living
index the wage rate of printers should have been 2,480 marks instead
of 2,167, that of masons 3,205 instead of 2,100, that of carpenters
2,671 instead of 2,147, that of skilled metal workers 3,014 instead
of 1,821, and that of unskilled metal workers 1,984 instead of 1,605
marks. The differences between these actual and assumed wage
rates show plainly how little wages have kept step even with the
official cost-of-living index, in spite of the fact that the official
cost-of-living index does not represent the full increase in the cost
of living.
Wage Policy Proposed by the Trade-Unions.
a new wage policy on behalf of the General Feder
P OUTLINING
ation of German Trade-Unions the Korrespondenzblatt of June 30,
1923, begins with the assertion that the purchasing power of wages
and salaries can be maintained only by means of a trustworthy cost-ofliving index. Not only would such an index have to cover the proper
quantities of the most important necessaries of life, but the data on
which the index is based would have to be collected so quickly and
the index itself would have to be computed and published so promptly
that it would be still serviceable in judging the cost of living. The
Korrespondenzblatt contends that the German official cost-of-living
index fails in both these respects. It does not cover important ex
penditures of the wage earner which influence his household budget,
such as car fares, insurance contributions, union dues, newspapers,
replacement of household articles, taxes, etc. Taxes especially are
an important item, as the wage earner now pays 10 per cent of his
wages as taxes. The number of items that compose the official costof-living index must therefore be enlarged.
With respect to the collection of the data for the computation of the
index the Korrespondenzblatt recommends that the data should be col
lected weekly instead of monthly, as has been done hitherto, and con
siders that this should be done on Monday as the most suitable day of
the week. The index could then be computed and published by
Wednesday evening and thus be used the same or the subsequent
week in the computation and payment of wages. It should be noted
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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
Ill
that the trade-union federations had been informed by the Federal
Statistical Office that such a weekly computation and publication
of the index was feasible provided the collection of the data would
be limited to 15 or 20 cities. The Korrespondenzhlatt, therefore,
recommended that the publication of such a “ rush” index should be
initiated on July 1.
I t was, however, pointed out by the Korrespondenzhlatt that in
times of such rapid and large increases in prices of all commodities
as have occurred recently and are still occurring every week, even this
“ rush” index will not keep pace with the cost of living, for it will
take at least 12 days before wage increases based on this index
become effective.
Assmning the weekly publication of such a “ rush” index of the cost
of living as assured, the Korrespondenzblatt outlines the wage policy
proposed by the General Federation of Trade-Unions as follows:
On the day on which the Federal Statistical Office publishes its
cost-of-living index a wage rate corresponding to the cost of living
shall be agreed upon by means of collective bargaining. This col
lectively agreed upon wage ( Tarifiohn) shall be considered as the
basic wage and also as the minimum wage. The period during which
this basic wage is to be in force shall not be too long, and when it
expires the revision of the basic wage shall once more become the
subject of collective bargaining. On each pay day subsequent to
the fixing of the basic wage the basic wage shall be increased by a
cost-pi-living bonus proportionate to the difference between the costof-living index for the week in which the basic wage was fixed and
that for the current week.
I his policy would leave the fixing of the basic wage entirely to
collective bargaining by the workers’ and employers’ organizations
interested, while the automatic increase of the basic wage by the
cost-of-living bonus could either be agreed upon by the central
organizations of employers and workers or be made compulsory by
law. I t has moreover the advantage that it would greatly simplify
wage negotiations, since such negotiations would be restricted to the
determination of the basic wage.
This proposal makes it evident that even the trade-unions are no
longer advocating a gold basis for wage payments. They have ap
parently accepted the view that gold wages would be a serious handi
cap to German industry as a whole by increasing production costs to
such an extent that many manufacturers, no longer able to compete
in the world market or to maintain their present domestic sales,
would be forced to close down. German labor as a whole still prob
ably feels that employers could pay gold wages if they were willing
to cut down their profits, but fear of further increase of unemployment
and part-time employment at this time prevents more determined
efforts of the labor leaders to realize their original demand for gold
wages or even of wages based on a mean, of the cost-of-living index
and the wholesale-price index.
Gold wages, particularly if based on a pre-war wage level, would
affect not only industry but the German economic structure as a
whole, for payment of wages on a gold basis would mean that labor
would be exempt from the general currency depreciation, and the
greatly enhanced purchasing power of this group of the population
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might have a marked influence upon prices. In other words a goldwage level would tend to create a powerful group of consumers better
able to meet selling prices and would weaken the consumers as a
whole in their constant struggle against rising price levels.
Attitude of the Employers.
W 7HEN, during negotiations of the central trade-union organizations with the large employers’ organizations, the former
broached their plan for a stabilization of the purchasing power of
wages the employers’ organizations at first positively declined any
consideration of such a wage policy. This was only natural, for a
falling mark and the payment of low wages in a depreciated currency
have been to German industry’s advantage in postwar time. The
wider the spread between wage and selling price the higher is its
degree of profits.
The employers’ representatives tried to show, with the aid of
voluminous data and charts, that wages had already been adjusted
to a gold parity and that in part they had gone even higher. They
even claimed that an adjustment of wages to the cost-of-living index
would result in a lowering of wages. After fruitless protracted de
bates there was finally appointed an equipartisan committee, com
posed of four representatives each of employers and workers, with
instructions to examine more minutely the problem of the stabiliza
tion of wages.
In the sessions of this committee the employers’ representatives
no longer contested that an adjustment of wages to the cost-ofliving index would result in considerably higher wages. They as
serted, however, that the result of such a procedure would be the
need of more paper money and that the increased output of money
by the printing presses would result in a further depreciation of the
mark. They also contended that the adjustment of wages to the costof-living inclex would cause a rapid rise of retail prices, and that this
index would become known so generally that all prices would be
governed by it. Thus the workers would gain nothing from such
a wage policy, while on the other hand German prices would soon
exceed the world market prices and German industry be put out of
competition. The trade-union representatives pointed out that any
other index would influence retail prices in the same way, and that
even at the present time the whole retail and wholesale trade bases
its price calculations upon the dollar-exchange index. The em
ployers’ representative's finally declined to accept the plan proposed
by the labor representatives, but offered to make a valuation of the
basic wages in accordance with the purchase price of gold fixed by
the Reichsbank. When the labor representatives replied that no
gold could be bought in the open market at the rates fixed by the
Reichsbank the employers’ representatives declared themselves
ready to use any other gold-wage standard or even the dollar-ex
change rate as basis for wage adjustments. This offer was declined
by the labor representatives, for the reason that it would subject
wage rates to all exchange fluctuations and to speculative manipu
lation of the exchange market. Since no agreement could be reached,
the negotiations were broken off.
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WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOR.
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Negotiations with the Statistical Office and the Ministry of Labor.
CUBSEQUENT to the breaking off of negotiations with the em. ployers’ representatives the trade-union representatives discussed
with the 1 ederal Statistical Office the new method proposed by it for
computing and publishing the cost-of-living index. An agreement
was reached 'that the data for the index would be collected weekly,
on Monday, in 18 large cities and the index be published every
Wednesday evening. It was further agreed that for the present the
index would continue to cover the same items of expenditure as
hitherto, although new items, such as taxes, cultural expenditures,
replacement of household articles, etc., might in the near future also
be covered. It was also decided that an equipartisan advisory council
should be appointed from among employers’ and workers’ repre
sentatives to discuss with the statistical office all index problems.
^ The minister of labor thereupon invited the representatives of the
Union of German Employers’ Federations and of the central federa
tions of all trade-unions to a conference, at which representatives of
all the ministries interested in the stabilization of wages were also
to be present. At this conference the employers’ representatives
were again asked whether they would be willing to agree with the
trade-unions upon a stabilization of the purchasing power of wages
by means of adjusting wages to the cost-of-living index published
weekly by the Federal Statistical Office. The employers maintained
the same attitude as in former conferences with the labor represent
atives, so that this conference ended without any tangible result.
Attitude of the Reichstag and of the National Economic Council.
rT vHE attitude of the Reichstag toward the wage policy proposed b y
1 the trade-unions became known on July 7, 1923, when the Social
Democratic Party submitted the following resolution on the problem
of stable-basis wages:
R eso lved by the R eichstag, That the Government be requested to issue immediately,
in accordance with the law of February 24, 1923, a decree providing for the stabiliza
tion of the purchasing value of the salaries and wages of all manual workers, private
salaried employees, and civil service employees, in the German Commonwealth [Reich],
the States, and the communes.
It shall be provided that the contractual remuneration shall be brought into a cer
tain relation to the officially determined purchasing power of the German mark [wage
index]. The contractually agreed-upon basic wage shall be increased by a bonus
proportionate to the decreased purchasing power of the mark, and this decrease in
the purchasing power shall be determined weekly through a wage index. This wage
index shall be composed of the official cost-of-living index and of another measuring
factor, to be agreed upon with the proper organizations, which expresses future price
changes that may be expected during the week in which the wages become payable.
_1. These principles shall be applicable within the meaning of the resolution, to
civil service employees and private salaried employees.
2. The purchasing value of social pensions and relief donations shall be stabilized
in accordance with the same index.
3. The proper authorities shall be ordered to consider as legally binding all clauses
in collective agreements which provide for the stabilization of the purchasing value
of wages and salaries.
4. It shall be ordered that salaried employees in private establishments shall
be paid their salaries at least every two weeks.
5. Public contracts of the German Commonwealth shall be awarded only to firms
which have introduced stable-basis wages for their employees.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Tlie Center Party submitted the following resolution on the same
subject:
R eso lved by the R eichstag, That the Government be requested to take measures which,
in view of the progressive depreciation of the currency, will provide for a quicker
and better adjustment of wages and salaries of the officials, employees, and manual
workers in the civil service and of the revenues of persons in receipt of social pensions
and of other persons entitled to State relief.
The interested parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of the civil service
law, come to an agreement as to the details of the procedure of adjustment. The
Minister of Labor shall issue the necessary orders for the adjustment of the revenues
of social pensioners and of other persons entitled to relief.
The Ministry of Labor shall be requested to promote the conclusion of such agree
ment in private establishments and particularly to instruct conciliation boards to
support the conclusion of such agreements. The ministry shall also declare such
agreements legally binding, provided that all other preconditions for declaring them
binding are existent.
After a lengthy debate, in which all factions of the Reichstag par
ticipated, the Reichstag adopted the resolution of the Center Party
and section 5 of the resolution submitted by the Social-Democratic
Party. The other four sections were submitted to the cabinet for
further consideration.
After the problem of stable-basis wages had been discussed by the
Reichstag it was also taken up by two committees of the National
Economic Council (R e ic J isw irtsc h a ftsra t ). The committee on economic
problems and the committee on finance adopted the following joint
resolution, which was submitted directly to the Government:
(a) The gold accounting prevailing in the private economic system requires also a
transition to wages and salaries with a stable purchasing power. A determination of
wages on a gold basis can, however, be effected only when gold accounting has been
generally and openly introduced in the traffic in commodities.
(b ) For the transition period the committees recommend a swift adjustment of
wages to the changes in the cost of living on the basis of indexpiumbers. The official
cost-of-living index is to be improved and published weekly in order that the deter
mination of the changes in the cost of living can be effected more correctly. It must
be left to the choice of interested parties whether the official index covering the whole
German Commonwealth (R eichszentralindex ) or the local or district cost-of-living
index is to be used as the basis of negotiations.
The regulation and determination of the salaries of public employees and officials
shall be effected by law with suitable application of the above principles.
Change of Attitude of Employers.
\Y7HEN it became known that the joint resolution of the two committees of the National Economic Council leaves it to the free
choice of the interested parties whether the official cost-of-living
index covering all Germany or a local or district cost-of-living index
is to be used as the basis in adjusting wages, employers weakened in
their resistance against the introduction of stable-basis wages.
In accepting the workers’ point of view on the wage problem, the
employers’ associations were also influenced by the fact that serious
wage struggles had occurred, especially in Berlin, where the metal
workers went on strike.
This agreement was concluded on the basis of principles drafted
by the Federal Minister of Labor, which, in spite of considerable
differences of opinion between employers and workers, were in the
main approved, by both parties.
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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
115
Principles for the Adjustment of Wages Laid Down by the Minister of Labor.
T T IE principles drafted by the Minister of Labor included the following fundamental points:
1. Collective agreements will, as hitherto, be the main instrument of wage regula
tion.
2. Basic wages shall be adjusted to the currency depreciation in accordance with a
cost-of-living index to be calculated from reliable price data from 28 localities and
published every Wednesday. It is recommended that the adjustment should be
based not only on this cost-of-living index covering the whole country, but also on
district or local indexes calculated in the same manner as the Federal index. For
this purpose it is recommended that special local equipartisan committees should be
formed. The gold standard, as measured by the dollar-exchange index, is not to
be taken as the basis of adjustment; the exclusive use of the wholesale-price index
is also to be rejected.
3. The choice of the index (Federal index, local or district index, or a private
index like that used by the Berlin metal industry) shall be subject to general agree
ment, as shall also the intervals in which adjustment to the index shall be effected.
Further, to avoid an automatic increase of prices, adjustments shall not take place
on the same day in the individual industry groups.
4. The payment of wages and supplementary allowances shall be effected at as
short intervals as possible and in the case of monthly salaries at least twice a month.
5. The period of validity of collective agreements and the period of notice for the
termination of agreements shall be shortened so that any'amendments found necessary
in practice may be effected as speedily as possible.
6. The public conciliation offices or the conciliation boards agreed upon by the
contracting parties shall be bound to assist the parties in drawing up wage agree
ments, and if an agreement can not be reached they shall propose regulation of wages
by means of an award based on the preceding principles. Awards containing clauses
relating to the stabilization of the purchasing power of wages may be declared legally
binding if these clauses appear to be economically bearable.
The above scheme contains no provisions for compulsion, being con
ceived rather as general instructions to employers and workers and to
conciliation boards by the Minister of Labor.
Final Governing Principles for the Adjustment of Wages.
T T IE principles for adjusting wages to the cost of living drafted
A by the Minister of Labor had been approved by the representa
tives of both employers and the trade-unions. I t w^as therefore to
be expected that they would he taken as the basis of all future collec
tive wage agreements, and that such agreements would be concluded
with less friction. This expectation did not realize. In August the
paper mark experienced such a further slump that it became practi
cally worthless as a medium of circulation, and simultaneously the
development of paper-mark wages showed great differences, not
only between individual occupational groups, but also within the
same occupational group between individual localities. Some
occupational groups obtained a wage level which the employers con
sidered unbearable and which forced some of them to suspend opera
tion of their plants either entirely or partially because they could
Hot raise the sums required for wage payments. Other occupational
groups, less strongly organized, fared very badly in the adjustment
of their wages, and their real wages sank iower and lower from week
to week. The adjustment of wages wTas also accompanied by con
tinuous disputes of employers and workers, which either required the
intervention of conciliation boards or ended in strikes. Practical
application of the principles laid down by the Minister of Labor
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m o n t h l y labor r e v ie w .
showed also that some of them were too vague or were unsuitable.
The employers’ and trade-union representatives therefore decided to
draft jointly a new set of governing principles for the adjustment of
wages. A draft of such principles was approved on September 1,
1923, by the Union of German Employers’ Associations and by the
central organizations of the manual workers’ and salaried employees’
trade-unions. These principles are as follows:
1. In order that the maintenance of the purchasing power of wages and the proper
rate of wages may be determined in a manner to which no objection can be made, it
becomes necessary to separate each wage into a basic wage and a coefficient. The
wage rate in effect from time to time is therefore to be formed by multiplying the
basic wage by the coefficient, and is to be computed weekly in the case of manual
workers and either weekly or every ten days in the case of salaried employees.
2. The parties to a collective agreement shall determine the basic wage for a period
of from four to eight weeks, with proper consideration of the economic exigencies of
both parties. This basic wage remains constant during the validity of the agreement.
It expresses the economic situation at a given time and the business situation of the
economic group in question.
3. The coefficient used shall be an index based on a statistical investigation of the
cost of living [retail prices], because the prices to be paid at retail for foodstuffs and
other necessaries of life determine the monetary requirements of the worker. The
dollar-exchange rate and the wholesale-price index are not suitable for this purpose.
The selection of the index is left to the parties to the collective agreement. In the
case of national collective agreements or agreements covering large territories the
index of the Federal Statistical Office covering the whole country will be most suitable,
as diversities in the local cost of living can be considered in the determination of the
basic wage.
In the case of local collective agreements or agreements concluded for a district, it
is recommended that the index number computed by the Federal Statistical Office
for the locality or the district be used, or some other index computed in the same way
by the parties to the collective agreement or by some other authority recognized by
both parties. It is important that a uniform index be applied in fixing the wage
rates of the different occupational groups of a uniform economic district.
4. In the determination of the current wage or salary rates there shall be distin
guished—
(a) The week for which the wages are being earned;
(b) The date on which the index is determined and the date on which the wage rate
is determined, the latter date, as far as possible, to coincide with the former;
(c) The date of wage payment;
(.a) The week in which the wages are to be expended.
5. As a matter of principle the determination of the wage rate shall be governed
by the purchasing value of the wages in the week in which they are to be expended.
In times of small fluctuations in the purchasing value there is little chance of error
in letting the date of the determination of the index govern the wage rate, but in times
of heavy depreciation of the purchasing value of the mark this would result in con
siderably lowering the real wage. In determining the wage rate, therefore, there
should, in addition to the index on the date of the determination, be estimated in ad
vance the expected increase of the index number during the week in which the wages
are to be expended. This advance estimate may be based on the movement of the
dollar-exchange rate and of wholesale prices.
6. Whether this estimate has been correct can not be judged until the index for the
week in which the wages are to be consumed is available. If this index shows that
the wages paid have been too high or too low, a correction may then be made by
adding or deducting the difference at the next computation of wages. In order to
simplify the wage accounting this differential amount shall be combined with the
normally determined or estimated wage, making one amount.
In order that the wage bureaus shall not be overburdened with accounting, weekly
payment of wages or payment every ten days shall be considered the only proper
method. In times of heavy depreciation of the currency the above-indicated advance
estimate will offset the depreciation. Several payments in one and the same week
shall take place only in emergencies, for instance, such as occurred during the first
weeks of August, 1923.
The preceding principles shall serve only for the period of transition preceding the
creation of a medium of payment with a permanent value which can be used in wage
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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
117
payments. The central organizations of both parties to the agreement are fully aware
that the wage problem can be solved only in connection with the currency and pro
duction problems. For this reason, they have formed a wage policy committee whose
task it shall be to study the wage problem and to make proposals for its solution.
The committee will begin its sessions during the coming week.
Conclusion.
'"THERE can be no doubt that the present economic situation of the.
German wage earner, be he manual worker or salaried employee
in private or Government employment, is getting steadily more
precarious. Although hourly wage rates running into several million
marks are now being paid, the purchasing power of these “ high”
wages sinks not only from week to week but even from day to day.
The depreciation of the German mark has been so rapid that even
when wages are adjusted weekly to the cost-of-living index, as is
now being done, they can not keep step with the rise of prices. A
metal worker in Berlin, for instance, earned between 90,000,000 and
95,000,000 marks during the week ending September 15, 1923.
According to the dollar-exchange rate for that week, these weekly
earnings represent about 4.2 gold marks, or a little over $1, while in
July, 1914, this worker earned 0.7 gold mark per hour.
The present real value of wages in Germany indicates plainly that
the recently inaugurated wage policy of adjusting wages weekly to
the cost-of-living index is a makeshift policy and will not endure.
Germany’s new currency bill, prepared by Dictator Stresemann and
financial and legal experts, will go to the cabinet on October 15 for
its final reading.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[HOT]
M INIM UM WAGE.
Recent Minimum Wage Reports.
Massachusetts.
HE Minimum Wage Commission of the Department of Labor
and Industries of Massachusetts reports a new order regulat
ing the employment of females in the manufacture of drug
gists ’ preparations, proprietary medicines, and chemical compounds.
Preliminary accounts of the steps taken to secure this determination
appear in the M o n t h l y L abor R e v ie w for May, 1923 (pp. 143, 144),
and August, 1923 (p. 117).
The present decree is based upon the recommendations of a wage
board of seven members. This board found that a budget necessary
“ to enable a self-supporting woman to meet the cost of living and
maintain health ” totaled $13.20 per week. This budget was accepted
by the employers without protest, and the wage for experienced
workers was fixed at this sum. The decree will become effective
January 2, 1924.
The rate of $13.20 applies to women 18 years of age or over who
have been employed one year in the occupation. Beginners receive
not less than $9.60 per week, which is advanced to $10.60 per week
after six months. Approximately 1,800 women will be affected by
the new order.
This makes 17 occupations now covered by minimum-wage rates,
this being the second decree entered in 1923. The other was a
revision of an earlier decree, affecting the brush industry, and pro
vided a minimum rate of $13.92. Decrees fixed in 1922 were six
in number, two fixing rates of $14, two of $13.75, and two of $13.50.
Employment in bread and bakery products has been studied, the
field wnrk having been completed. An inquiry into the wages of
women employed in the manufacture of jewelry and of jewelry and
instrument cases, is to be made this fall.
In the enforcement of the law, publication of the names of delin
quents in the newspapers is the only procedure of a compulsory nature
in so far as the payment of wages is concerned. This was done in
October of the current year, the names of 3 paper box firms and 22
laundries having been published. The Boston Transcript some time
ago refused to accept an advertisement of a delinquent, subjecting
itself to a penalty under the terms of the act. The constitutionality
of this provision was contested, but the lower court decided in favor
of the law and assessed a fine of $100 against the newspaper. An
appeal has been taken, and it is reported that the case is set for
hearing before the supreme court on October 11.
T
118
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MINIMUM WAGE.
119
British Columbia.
rT ,HE Minimum Wage Board of the Province of British Columbia
1 presents its fifth annual report, covering the calendar year 1922.
The board reports a large measure of attention given to cases of eva
sions which have been brought to its notice, usually in the way of
paying lower wages than the rate fixed by the board. Under the
law this subjects the offender to a fine, leaving him also liable to the
underpaid employee in an action to recover the balance as a debt.
The board has undertaken to effect such recoveries in a number of
cases, amounts ranging from $1.66 to $66 having been obtained from
different employers. The aggregate is about $400. In practically
every case payment has been made without legal action, on the inter
vention of the board alone. Indeed, settlements were thus effected
in all but two cases. In these proceedings were taken, but settlement
was obtained before hearing, so far as payments were concerned,
though in one there was a fine levied.
Nine orders are in existence, with rates ranging from $12.75 to
$15.50 per week as a minimum for experienced workers. The appli
cation of the rate varies slightly, some orders specifying “ experienced
workers 18 years of age or over,” while others apply to “ experienced
workers of any age.” The last terminology is used in three orders,
telephone and telegraph, fishing, and fruit and vegetables. What is
described as the fishing industry relates to preparation for packing,
selling, use, or shipment.
The rate in the mercantile industry is $12.75, the average wage
for the year being $15.09. In laundry and dry cleaning the minimum
is $13.50, the average $14.51. Manufacturing, public housekeeping,
and the fruit and vegetable industry have the same rate, $14 per week.
In the first the actual average during the year was $16, in the second
$15.98, and in the third $18.46. The rate for personal service is
$14.25 and the average $15.33. Office workers and the telephone
and telegraph industry have the same rate of $15, but in the first
group the average wage was $19.32 and in the second $17.25. The
highest rate fixed was in the fishing industry, $15.50, and here the
average of $15.56 closely approximates the minimum fixed.
The working time established is uniformly 48 hours per week, but
in a number of cases special provision is made for emergency or
overtime work. Time and a half is required for such overtime work
in the telephone and telegraph occupation; in the fruit and vegetable
industry the increase is but slight (30 cents per hour) for work not
in excess of 60 hours, while for work in excess of that amount not less
than 45 cents an hour must be paid.
Employers in the fruit and vegetable industry claimed that the
conditions pointed to a reduction of the wage rate, and hearings were
held in May to consider the matter. It was found that the cost of
living, based on a general average of the estimates, was $16.97 per
week, while the order had been originally based on an average for
the general estimate of $15.57 per week. After repeated balloting
the conclusion was reached that no reduction in the $14 rate should
be made, and it was continued. The manufacturing order has also
been the subject of consideration looking toward revision, but the
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
work has been found so varied in its aspects and the problems involved
that no definite conclusion has yet been arrived at.
Mention is made of the decision of the United States Supreme
Court holding the minimum wage law of the District of Columbia
unconstitutional, inquiries being noted as to what effect this might
have on the law of the Province. “ The answer to these inquiries
may be given briefly: The decision does not affect us at all.” The
commission adds that “ there is fortunately no ambiguity” as to the
constitutional authority of the provincial legislature to act in the field.
Though there has been some agitation looking toward amending the
law of the Province, efforts in this direction have not been successful
up to the time of the publication of this report. The statement
concludes:
Our act, like all other human institutions, may have its imperfections, but there
can be no doubt as to the enormous benefit it has conferred upon a class of the com
munity who, without it, would have no adequate means of securing for themselves a
living wage.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
£1110]
W OM AN A ND CH ILD LABOR.
Trend of Child Labor in the United States, 1920 to 1923:
A Correction.
N THE article, “ Trend of Child Labor in the United States, 1920
to 1923, ” prepared by the United States Children’s Bureau and
published in the September, 1923, M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , an
error in the figure representing the number of certificates issued
in New York in 1921 necessitates the following changes:
Table 1 (page 102). New York City: Column 6, substitute 38,888
for 69,270; column 7, substitute -23.4 for +36.5; column 9, sub
stitute —16.4 for —53.1.
Page 103, line 6, substitute “ three” for “ four” ; line 7, omit “ and
New York” ; line 8, omit “ New York and” ; sentence 3, substitute
the following: “ One explanation advanced for the increase in
certain cities and the comparatively small decrease in others during
the 'hard times’ of 1921 is that children who were able to get
messenger and errand jobs were sent to work when their parents
could find no employment.”
Page 104, line 9 of text, substitute 16.4 for 53.1.
I
Third Congress of International Federation of Working Women.1
HE International Federation of Working Women held its third
congress at Schoenbrunn, near Vienna, Austria, August 14
to 18,1923. Delegates were in attendance from Belgium, France,
Great Britain, Italy, Sweden, and the United States, and fraternal
delegates from Argentina, Chile, China, Czechoslovakia, Hungary,
Japan, and Rumania. The International Federation of TradeUnions and the International Labor Office were also represented
at this meeting.
The agenda, among other subjects included the following: Interna
tional labor legislation, home work, family allowances, womens’
efforts for the promotion of peace, trade-union organizations of
working women, and questions concerning the federation’s consti
tution.
A report presented by Miss Margaret Bondfield, of Great Britain,
dealt with international labor legislation and the work of the Inter
national Labor Office, with particular reference to the October, 1923,
meeting of the International Labor Conference and the subject of
factory inspection, which is to be discussed at the forthcoming ses
sion.
T
1 In tern atio n al L abor Office. In d u stria l an d L abor Inform ation, G eneva, Aug. 31, 1923, p p . 7, 8; an d
pressreleases of A ug. 17 an d 20,1923, from th e N ational W om en’s Trade-U nion League.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
A resolution adopted by the congress declared that—
The continued default of various countries in regard to the conventions is regretted
and the workers’ organizations in the different countries are urged to work with
greater energy for the acceptance of the conventions by their Governments.
This conference of the International Federation of Women Workers places on
record its great appreciation of the work done by the International Labor Office.
It deplores the attacks which have been made upon the office, by various capitalist
interests, which are always against the social betterment of the workers and calls
upon organized women workers to take every advantage of this new machine for the
collection of information and the establishment of international standards.
Nationally and internationally, there should be minimum standards of work, such
as the eight-hour day. The methods by which such standards are to be obtained,
whether by trade-union agreement or by law, or by both means, should, be deter
mined by the organized workers of those countries according to the economic and
political conditions in each country. Therefore the International Federation of
Working Women declares in favor of labor legislation for women in countries where
the organized working women wish to use this method to improve the industrial
conditions.
This conference directs attention to the fact that the next International Labor Con
ference being on the subject of factory inspection is of vital importance to women.
Therefore every country is most strongly urged to send a woman technical adviser
to the conference.
Following the discussion on home work, the congress concluded to
request the International Labor Office to collect the available data on
this subject and to investigate the moral conditions of home workers.
In the general opinion of the congress, woman workers should
become members of men’s unions, “ except in special cases.”
The congress decided to open negotiations with the International
Federation of Trade-Unions at Amsterdam, with a view to organizing
a women’s section of that body to take the place of the International
Federation of Working Women. The American delegates did not
support the proposal, explaining their position in the matter as
follows :
The American delegation is not authorized by the National Women’s Trade-Union
League, which it represents in this congress, to vote to change the present form of
the International Federation of Working Women, which has from the beginning been
a separate organization from the International Federation of Trade-Unions. America
is in a different position from other countries regarding the International Federation
of Trade-Unions, because the American Federation of Labor, of which American
working women are members, is not affiliated with the International Federation of
Trade-Unions. Any action taken by the International Federation of Trade-Unions
regarding the proposal for the development of a women’s section at Amsterdam can
be referred to the next biennial convention of the National Women’s Trade-Union
League of America, which will be held in June, 1924.
Pending the action of the International Federation of TradeUnions at Amsterdam regarding the negotiations in question, the
International Federation of Working Women will hold to its present
constitution.
Miss Helène Burniaux, a school-teacher, member of the Belgian
Federation of Trade-Unions, is the new president of the International
Federation of Working Women, succeeding Mrs. Raymond Robins,
who had resigned. Mrs. Maud Swartz, the president of the National
Women’s Trade-Union League of America, will again serve as one of
the vice presidents of the international body. Miss Edith MacDonald,
of London, of the Union of W7omen Clerks and Secretaries, was elected
secretary. The headquarters of the federation will continue to be
in London.
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LA B O R A G R E EM EN TS, AW ARDS, A N D DECISIONS.
Railroads—Decisions of the Railroad Labor Board.
Express Employees— Wage Increase.
D
ECISION N o . I!)5t) of the Railroad Labor Board, which became
effective on August 1, increased the wages of employees of the
American Railway Express Co. and the Southeastern Express
Co., as noted in the schedule of increases which follows. Requests of
carriers and employees for changes in rules and working conditions
were denied.
Cents
per hour.
Agents, storekeepers, assistant storekeepers, chief clerks, foremen, subforemen,
and other supervisory forces...............................................................................
3
C le rk s ...............
3
Wagon, automobile, stable, garage, and platform service employees.................
Messengers and helpers, messengers handling baggage and helpers, guards and
other train-service employees.. „....... .................. 7 .........................................
All other employees, except those coming under the provisions of the agree
ment between the United States Railroad Administration and the Federated
Shop Crafts, dated September 20, 1919..............................................................
3§
3
3
In the application of the increases so authorized two-thirds of the
increases per hour granted were to be immediately applied to the
rates in effect on July 31, 1923, and one-third of the increases were
to be used for the purpose of adjusting inequalities in the rates of
pay as between positions or cities. Any residue that might remain
for a particular group was to be equally apportioned to all positions
therein.
The carrier members of the board dissented from the decision on
the ground that the increase was not warranted by the evidence
presented. A labor member of the board also appended a dissenting
opinion. This member, although voting for the increases, considered
them inadequate and objected to the maintenance of differentials
between wages of the two express companies. He objected also to the
failure of the board to give proper consideration to the question of
rules and working conditions. A supporting and dissenting opinion
was appended by the chairman of the board, who concurred in the
decision upon wage increases but dissented upon that portion of
the decision denying changes in rules.
Cap Trade—New York—Minimum Wage.
I J PON the expiration of their contracts last July, the New York
w cap makers, organized in the United Cloth Hat and Cap Makers’
Union, called a strike in independent cap shops which had not al
ready settled with the union, to enforce three demands, namely, (1)
the introduction of a minimum wage scale for all branches of the
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
124
cap trade; (2) performance of all operations by union workers; and
(3) full payment for legal holidays to all workers of the shop who are
employed at any time during the month in which a holiday occurs.
Satisfactory guarantees from each manufacturer to secure strict
observance of the agreement were demanded. The workers won
their strike and practically all the independent manufacturers signed
an agreement granting the minimum wage and the other two
demands.
The union contract with the Cloth Hat and Cap Manufacturers’ Asso
ciation does not expire until next July. A joint subcommittee of the
conference committee of the cap industry, made up of representatives
of the association and the union, recommended, however, that the
association recognize the situation and introduce the minimum wage
into association shops on the same basis as that in independent shops.
The recommendation was adopted for the remaining period of the
present agreement, and since September 10 the following weekly
minimum wages have obtained in the New York cap trade: Cutters,
blockers, and operators, $40; packers, $35; seam pressers, $33;
lining makers and trimmers, $27.
Cloak Industry—New York.
EGOTIATIONS initiated at the instance of the contractors have
1
been progressing for some time between the
jobbers’ and contractors’ associations in the New York cloak industry looking toward
the elimination of certain trade abuses, among which is the sending
out of work by jobbers to the nonunion or social shops.1 The con
tractors threatened to strike against the jobbers. Although not
directly parties to the dispute, the union workers would be vitally
affected by such an interruption of work, and the union therefore
took part in the controversy. The union pointed out the menace of
the existence and the spread of the social-shop evil, and the danger
of the revival of sweat-shop conditions. The contractors contended
that they were unable to bid against social-shop contractors who
were not forced to comply with union conditions.
Conferences between the union, the contractors, and the jobbers
resulted in the following resolutions, agreed upon by the jobbers’
association (the Merchants Ladies Garment Association) and the
contractors in which they declare their opposition to the social shop
and state the measures they are willing to adopt to eliminate it:
Iv n /x r*
n/M Vi A
TT
!TYV
k A llIT A A n
f
tA
1 A k ]v A W ^
On d
A
A
TTi _
1.
The Merchants Ladies Garment Association will immediately furnish to the
Joint Board of Cloakmakers Union of New York a full list of the submanufacturers
or contractors whom its members collectively give work to within the meaning of our
agreement with the union. Such list will be supplemented every week. Should
there appear upon such list the name of any submanufacturer or contractor not in
contractual relations with the union, the name of the member of the Merchants
Ladies Garment Association giving work to such nonunion contractor or submanu
facturer will be furnished to the union upon request. No member of the Merchants
Ladies Garment Association will give work to a new submanufacturer or contractor
before ascertaining from the association that such submanuiaeturer or contractor
is in contractual relations with the union. The union obligates itself to furnish such
1 D iscussion of th is situ a tio n appeared in
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abor
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LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS.
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information to the Merchants Ladies Garment Association, within 24 hours after
request therefor is made, so as not to delay the member of the Merchants Ladies
Garment Association from giving work to such new contractor.
2. Whenever it shall appear that a member of the Merchants Ladies Garment Asso
ciation gives work to a nonunion sub manufacturer or contractor as above defined, he
shall, upon notice to that effect from the association, immediately withdraw his work
from such nonunion submanufacturer or contractor, whether in 'process of operation
or otherwise, unless the submanufacturer or contractor enters into contracturai
relations with the union.
3. Should a member of the Merchants Ladies Garment Association be found giving
work to a nonunion submanufacturer or contractor, the association will proceed to
impose a fine for the first offense under the authority contained in its by-laws and its
agreement with its members. The amount of such fine will be determined with
reference to the sum involved and shall be sufficiently high to offset the advantages
in price gained by the member through such transactions, together with an appro
priate penalty. A second offense will mean expulsion, and in this connection the
Merchants Ladies Garment Association will adopt any other measures in its judgment
necessary and expedient to compel members to refrain from giving work to nonunion
shops. The proceeds of fines collected will be deposited in a fund to be jointly
administered by the union and the Merchants Ladies Garment Association and to be
used toward the defraying of expenses incurred in investigations respecting the
existence and operation of nonunion shops.
4. The Merchants Ladies Garment Association, on its own motion, will investigate
any or all of the books of its members to ascertain whether they are giving work to
nonunion shops. The association recognizes that an emergency at the present time
exists in the industry due to the claim that many of the members of our association
are giving work to nonunion shops. For the purpose of preventing the giving of work
by our members to nonunion shops, and upon complaint filed by the union, the
privilege will be accorded a representative of the union to accompany a representative
of our association, to examine the books of the member against whom a complaint
has been filed for the purpose only of determining whether such member is giving
work to nonunion shops. Such examination will be undertaken within 48 hours
from the receipt of the request. The association, however, reserves to itself the right
at any time to terminate this privilege accorded the union upon one week’s notice
if, in the opinion of the association, the privilege is abused.
5. The Merchants Ladies Garment Association will engage a sufficient number of
additional employees to insure prompt disposition of all complaints made against its
members and the investigations of such complaints.
Clothing industry—Chicago—Unemployment Insurance.
’T ’HE contract between the Amalgamated Clothing Workers and the
A Chicago Clothing Manufacturers to govern the operation of the
unemployment insurance fund has now been completed. A pre
liminary agreement upon fundamental principles was concluded
May 1, when contributions to the fund began. This agreement
appeared in the M o n t h l y L abo r R e v ie w for July, 1923 (pp. 129130). Following is the memorandum of agreement as finally adopted,
together with the terms and conditions under which a contributing
employee may receive benefits:
AGREEMENT ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND.
Whereas, an agreement has heretofore been entered into between the manufacturer
and the union with reference to wages and working conditions; and similar agreements
have been entered into between the union and certain other clothing manufacturers
in Chicago; and
Whereas, it is contemplated that agreements similar to this one will be entered into
between the union and other clothing manufacturers in Chicago; and the parties hereto
are desirous of mitigating the effects of unemployment;
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein
contained, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
A r t ic l e I. The union agrees to use its best efforts to cause each of its members
employed by the manufacturer (a) to pay to the board of trustees, hereinafter con
stituted, for each pay-roll week, commencing with the pay-roll week beginning on or
immediately followingMay 1,1923,1-| per cent of the amount of such employee’s wages
received from the manufacturer, and (6) to authorize and direct the manufacturer
to deduct such sums from the contributing employee’s wages and forthwith pay the
sums so deducted to the board of trustees on behalf of such contributing employees.
The manufacturer agrees to make the deductions so authorized and to pay over the
sums so d educted to the board of trustees on behalf of such contributing employees,
and the manufacturer agrees to pay to the board of trustees an amount equal to each
such payment so contributed by such employees as and when such contributions are
made by the employees.
A rt . II. All sums so received shall be held by the board of trustees in trust subject
to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, and such sums and the income
therefrom shall be held as a special trust fund, designated as the “ unemployment
fund,’’ hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘fund.”
A rt . I I I . Each contributing employee shall receive unemployment benefits from
the fund, as hereinafter and in Schedule A, hereto annexed, provided.
A rt . IV. No right or interest of any contributing employee acquired by virtue
hereof can be assigned, transferred, alienated, hypothecated, or bartered away, directly
or indirectly, or "be subject to attachment, garnishment, execution, sequestration,
seizure, or other process. The board of trustees may, however, pay any benefits to
which a deceased contributing employee might have been entitled, to such person
or persons as the board shall in its absolute discretion determine, and no heir, next of
kin, legal representative, creditor, or claimant of any such decedent shall have any
right or claim to any such benefits.
A rt . V. Neither the manufacturer nor the union shall have any right, property,
or interest in the fund. Nor shall the fund be subject to attachment, garnishment,
execution, sequestration, seizure, or other process by reason of any claim on behalf
of any person whatsoever against either the manufacturer or the union, or against any
contributing employee.
A rt . VI. The manufacturer and the union agree at all times during the continuance
of this agreement to keep such records as may be necessary for the proper administra
tion of the fund (which records shall at all reasonable times be available and open to
the inspection of the board of trustees or its accredited representatives), and also to
provide the board of trustees with such information and records as it may require for
the proper performance of its duties, it being the intention hereof that there shall be
as little duplication of work as possible, and that the existing records of the manu
facturer and the union will be used with a view of having said fund administered with
the least possible expense to the fund, the manufacturer, and the union.
A rt . V II. This agreement shall terminate on April 30, 1925, unless the same shall
be renewed or extended prior to that time. If a new agreement is entered into and
any part of the fund shall then be undistributed such fund shall be transferred by the
board of trustees to such person or persons, or body, as under such new agreement
shall be entitled thereto.
If no new agreement is entered into, then upon the termination of this agreement,
by lapse of time, or in any other way, the payments herein provided to be made to
the board of trustees shall cease, but the entire amount then remaining in the fund
shall be distributed by the board of trustees as unemployment benefits to the persons
who were contributing employees at the time of such termination in the manner pro
vided herein, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, to the extent that such
terms and conditions are applicable, ivithin five years from the date of such termina
tion of this agreement.
If the manufacturer shall, prior to April 30, 1925, cease to carry on business by
dissolution, winding up, or in any other way other than by sale, merger, or consoli
dation, and as a result thereof any of the contributing employees of the manufacturer
shall be transferred to or employed by any other manufacturer who shall have entered
into an agreement similar in character to this one, the same provisions, rules, and regu
lations shall be applicable as are effective in the event of the transfer of a contributing
employee during the period of this agreement.
After making provision for such contributing employees out of said fund, the re
mainder of said fund shall be distributed by the board of trustees by way of unemploy
ment benefits among members of the union actually employed in the industry in
Chicago, 111., the maimer in which such distributions shall be made and the time
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127
or times when they shall be made being left to the sole discretion and judgment of
the board.
It is expressly agreed, however, that the entire amount of such fund shall be dis
posed of either by transferring the same to other unemployment funds created by
agreement between the union and other manufacturers in Chicago, or by distribution
as unemployment benefits among contributing employees in the industry in Chicago,
within five years from the date when such manufacturer ceases carrying on business.
A sale of the entire business of the manufacturer resulting in the continuance of the
business under different ownership, or a merger or consolidation of the manufacturer
with any other person, firm, or corporation, shall not be deemed a cessation of carrying
on business by the manufacturer within the^ meaning hereof, but in such event the
purchaser, or the merged or consolidated business, shall for all purposes of this agree
ment be substituted for the manufacturer.
The board of trustees shall not pay any part of the fund to anyone other than the
contributing employees, unless in case of cessation of business, as above provided for,
and the maximum amount payable to any contributing employee shall never exceed
the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) in any one year, and at no time shall any dis
tribution of any part of said fund be made which shall, directly or indirectly, aid,
assist, or encourage the carrying on of any labor warfare or controversy, or for the
purpose of relieving unemployment Avhich directly or indirectly results from strikes
or stoppages of work, or arises out of any conflict or warfare between employees and
employers, or their representatives, nor shall any sums at any time be paid or dis
tributed to any employees who at the time of such unemployment are engaged in or
parties to any strike, stoppage of work, or other form of labor warfare or controversy.
A rt . V III. If any law or ordinance is passed compelling the manufacturer to con
tribute to any Federal, State or municipal unemployment fund with reference to any
contributing employees hereunder, the contributions of the manufacturer hereunder
shall be reduced by the amount which the manufacturer is compelled to contribute
to such Federal, State or municipal unemployment fund. If the contribution which
the manufacturer is compelled to make to any such fund is equal to or greater than
the contribution required of the manufacturer hereunder, then the obligation of the
manufacturer to make contributions hereunder shall cease, and in such event the fund
shall be disposed of in the same manner herein provided for disposition at the expira
tion of thi3 agreement.
A rt . IX. It is expressly understood and agreed that the fund shall never (except
as hereinafter in this paragraph provided) be permitted to accumulate beyond an
amount equal to the total maximum unemployment benefits which would be payable
during a period of two years to all of the then contributing employees of the manu
facturer. Whenever the fund reaches such maximum amount the obligation of the
manufacturer and of the then contributing employees to make further payments
shall be suspended, but such suspension shall not apply to such employees as harm
not contributed during the period of one full year. Payments to said fund shall only
be revived when the fund is again reduced to an amount less than the total maximum
benefits which would be payable during a period of one year to all of the then con
tributing employees of the manufacturer.
A rt . X. All funds contributed by the contributing employees since May 1, 1923,
and the correspondingamount contributed by the manufacturer or which should have
been contributed by the manufacturer from May 1, 1923, to the date of the actual
execution of this agreement shall immediately be turned over to the board of trustees.
Art. XI. Any questions which may arise out of the interpretation or performance
of this agreement which involve, directly or indirectly, the interpretation or per
formance of the agreement between the parties with reference to wages and working
conditions shall be determined solely by the instrumentalities provided for by said
agreement, and such determination shall be binding and conclusive upon the parties
hereto, the board of trustees and the contributing employees. It is the intention
hereof not In affect in any particular the jurisdiction, powers, rights, or duties of the
instrumentalities functioning under said agreement relating to wages and working
conditions.
A rt. X II. (a) The manufacturer and the union shall each appoint not exceeding
three trustees (each to appoint an equal number), who shall hold office at the will of the
appointing party. In addition to the trustees thus selected John R. Commons, of the
University of Wisconsin, of Madison, Wis., is also hereby designated as a trustee and as
chairman of the board oi trustees. The number of trustees may be changed from time
to time by the joint act of the manufacturer and the union, but there shall not at any
time be less than three trustees, nor more than seven, and the number of trustees shall
be at all times odd. The manufacturer and the union shall at all times each be repre-
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m o n t h l y la bo r r e v ie w .
sented on said board by their respective appointees, and each shall at all times have
equal representation oh said board. There shall always be a chairman of the board of
trustees, who shall be selected by the manufacturer and the union, and who shall not
be removable except by the joint act of the manufacturer and the union. Any trustee
may at any time resign from the trust hereby created by giving written notice of such
resignation personally or by mail, addressed to the last-known post-office address of the
remaining trustees. Should any of the trustees designated by the manufacturer die,
resign, become incapacitated, or unable or unwilling to'act, or be removed, the va
cancy so occurring shall be filled by the appointment of a successor to be named by the
manufacturer. Should any of the trustees designated by the union die, resign, or
become incapacitated or unwilling to act, or be removed, the vacancy so occurring shall
be filled by the appointment of a successor to be named by the union._ All trustees
appointed to fill any vacancy hereunder shall be vested with all the rights, powers,
and duties herein and hereby vested in their predecessors. _ Should the chairman of
the board of trustees die, resign, be removed, become incapacitated, unable, unwilling,
or fail for any reason to act, then the vacancy so occurring shall be filled by the
appointment of a successor named by the manufacturer and the union, and if they are
unable to agree upon such successor within a period of 30 days, such vacancy shall be
filled by the appointment of a person designated by Judge Julian W. Mack and/or
Judge Samuel Alschuler. Until the appointment of a successor chairman of the board
to fill such vacancy, the remaining trustees shall exercise all of the powers and perform
all of the duties of the board of trustees. The appointment of any trustee hereunder
shall be in writing delivered to the remaining trustees, or their successors. If all of
the trustees designated by the union or by the manufacturer, as the case may be, shall
not be present at any meeting of the trustees, the trustee or trustees designated by the
manufacturer or union, as the case may be, present at such meeting, shall be entitled
to cast as many votes or the same number of votes as the trustees designated by the
other party present at said meeting shall be entitled to cast, it being the intention
hereof that at any meeting of the trustees, regardless of the number present, the trustees
representing the manufacturer and the trustees representing the union shall have equal
voting power.
( b ) All questions that may arise or come before the trustees shall be determined by
the affirmative vote in person or by proxy of a majority of the trustees. Such vote
may be given in meeting assembled, or by a writing signed by the trustees, or by a
majority of them, provided such writing is signed by one or more trustees designated
by the union, and one or more trustees designated by the manufacturer, and such
decision or act of a majority of the trustees shall be binding and conclusive upon
the parties hereto, the board of trustees and the contributing employees. Any trustee
may act by proxy. Any trustee may call a meeting of the board of trustees by giving
at least five days ’ notice in writing of the time of holding of such meeting and having
a copy thereof personally delivered to each trustee, or by mailing the same, postage
prepaid, to the last known address of each trustee. Meetings of the board of trustees
may be held at any time, without notice, if all of the trustees consent thereto.
(c) None of the trustees, other than the chairman of the board of trustees, shall
be entitled to compensation hereunder. The compensation of such chairman shall
be fixed by the manufacturer and the union, and shall be paid out of the fund.
(d) The board of trustees shall have power to employ at such compensation as they
may fix, agents, representatives, accountants, experts and attorneys, and such other
appropriate instrumentalities to assist it in the proper administration of the fund as
to it shall seem advisable.
(e) The principal and interest of the fund, except such amounts as shall be required
for current purposes, shall be invested by the board of trustees in direct obligations
of the United States Government, and not otherwise. All moneys not so_ invested
shall be deposited in substantially equal amounts in two or more clearing-house
banks located in the city of Chicago, or in banks which are members of the Federal
Reserve System.
(/) The board of trustees shall keep true and accurate books of account and records
which shall be audited by certified public accountants at least twice in each year.
(g)
Each of the trustees shall be protected in acting upon any- notice, request, con
sent, instruction, certificate, affidavit, resolution, opinion, receipt, application, or
other paper or document believed by him to be genuine, and to have been made,
executed, or delivered by the proper party or by the proper authority, or authorities,
of the union or manufacturer, as the case may be, or lay the party or parties purport
ing to have made, executed, or delivered the same, and shall be protected in relying
and acting upon the opinion of legal counsel in connection with any matter pertain
ing to the carrying out of this agreement.
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(h) Neither the trustees, nor any of their successors, shall be liable or responsible
in respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken pursuant to any vote cast by the
trustees, or any of them, or any proxy or proxies appointed hereunder, nor shall the
trustees or any successor or successors, be liable for any loss occasioned by any act of
commission or omission done or omitted to be done in good faith by them, or any of
them, or of any proxy or proxies that may be appointed hereunder, nor for the acts
of any agent, attorney or employee selected with reasonable care by them, or any
of them, nor shall any trustee be liable for any act of omission or commission of any
other trustee, or of any proxy or proxies, that may be appointed hereunder.
(i) The board of trustees shall permit the duly accredited representatives of the
manufacturer and the union at all reasonable times during business hours to examine
the books and records kept by it hereunder.
O') The board of trustees shall have the power and authority to make reasonable
rules and regulations, not inconsistent herewith, to carry out the provisions of this
agreement, and shall have the right to make and adopt their own rules of procedure
and action.
(k) The board of trustees shall be entitled to incur reasonable expenses, for the
purpose of carrying out the provisions of this agreement, which expenses shall be
payable out of the fund.
A rt . X III. Whenever the trustees or board of trustees are referred to herein, it is
intended that such term shall include the trustees or board of trustees for the time
being in office. This agreement and the terms and conditions of the trust hereby
established may be modified at any time by the board of trustees, upon its obtaining
the written consent of both the union and the manufacturer.
A rt . XIV. This agreement may be extended or renewed by the joint written
consent of the manufacturer and the union.
A rt . XV. The trustees designated by the manufacturer and the union and the
chairman of the board of trustees, from time to time designated hereunder, shall
evidence their acceptance of the trusts hereby created by executing this agreement,
or a duplicate thereof, and by such execution shall agree that they will in good faitb
and in all respects exercise the powers granted to them hereunder.
Sc h ed u le
A.— T e r m s
m ay
a n d C o n d it io n s U n d e r W h ic h a C o n t r ib u t in g E m p l o y e e
R e c e iv e B e n e f it s F r o m t h e U n e m p l o y m e n t F u n d .
(l) The contributing employee must have made contributions regularly during
his employment; in addition, he must have been a member of the union in good
standing since May 1, 1923, up to and including the date when he shall apply for
benefits, or, if he were not a member of the union on May 1, 1923, then he shall be
eligible for benefits after one year from the date of his first contribution.
(2) In no case shall a contributing employee receive more than an amount equal
to five full weekly benefits in a single year; always, provided, however, that there
shall be no benefit payment made hereunder unless there are moneys in the fund
available for the purpose.
(3) I t is agreed that benefits shall be paid only for such involuntary unemployment
as results from lack of work, and that no benefits shall be paid to an employee who
voluntarily leaves his employment or to an employee who is discharged for cause or
who declines to accept suitable employment.
(4) I t is agreed that no benefits shall be paid or distributed for unemployment that
directly or indirectly results from strikes or stoppages or any cessation of work in
violation of the trade agreement now in force between the manufacturer and the union;
nor shall any benefits at any time be paid or distributed to employees who at the
time are engaged in strikes or stoppages or who ha ve ceased work in violation of said
trade agreement.
(5) A contributing employee who has voluntarily interrupted the regularity of the
payment of his contributions shall not receive benefit out of the fund in excess of one
full weekly benefit for every 10 full weekly contributions in a single year.
(6) In complete unemployment the contributing employee shall promptly register
with the employment exchange, and such unemployment shall be deemed to begin
on the date of such registration.
(7) Contributing employees who are entitled to unemployment benefits under this
agreement, and the rules and regulations adopted by the board of trustees in pursuance
hereof, shall receive out of the fund unemployment benefits at the rate of 40 percent
of the average full-time weekly wages of said contributing employee, but in no case
in excess of $20 for each full week of unemployment.
(8) The payments of benefits from the fund established hereunder shall begin no
earlier than January 1, 1924, nor later than May 1, 1924. The date on which such
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
130
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
payments shall begin shall be determined by the board of trustees, and benefits
hereunder shall be payable only for unemployment occurring subsequent to said date.
(9)
An advisory committee, composed of representatives of the parties hereto, with
the aid if desired of an outside expert to be selected by them jointly, shall submit
to the board of trustees not later than October 15, 1923, or from time to time thereafter
if requested by said board, recommendations for rules and specifications concerning
records required to be kept by the manufacturer, the union, and the trustees, in
order to insure the efficient and economical administration of the fund.
Said committee shall also submit recommendations before said date (and from time
to time thereafter if requested by the board) to the board of trustees for rules and regu
lations relating to the transfer of contributing employees from one manufacturer to
another, the return to employment of contributing employees temporarily withdrawing
from the industry, the proper basis of calculating benefits in the case of short-time
employment, the proper reduction of unemployment or short-time employment
because of overtime employment of contributing employees, the proper limitation
to be placed upon the amount of weekly benefits to be received by any contributing
employee during any one season of unemployment, a proper waiting period between
the beginning of unemployment in any one season and the accrual of weekly benefits
hereunder, and other matters of like character upon which the board desires
recommendations.
It is understood and agreed that the board of trustees shall have power to mase
rules and regulations not inconsistent with the terms of this agreement on the matters
aforesaid, but shall only do so after proper investigation and examination of the
recommendations submitted by the aforesaid advisory committee, it being the inten
tion hereof that before making said rules and regulations the parties hereto shall
have had full and ample opportunity to make necessary investigations and present
to the board the conclusions and suggestions resulting therefrom.
In the event, however, that said advisory committee does not make its report on
or prior to October 15, 1923, said board of trustees shall have the power, if it deems
advisable, to request a report on any one or more of the aforesaid matters by the
committee, or separate reports by the representatives of either party on said_committee,
by a day certain; and in the event that said reports and recommendations are not
forthcoming may proceed to make on its own behalf any investigations that it deems
proper and formulate any rules and regulations it deems advisable under the cir
cumstances.
Commercial Telegraphers.
Press Agreements— United States.
HpHE agreements between the Commercial Telegraphers’ Union of
America and the three press managements, Universal Service
(Inc.), International News Service, and the United Press Association,
were renewed on July 18 and 19,1 with a uniform wage scale and gen
eral wage increase of $1.75 per week. The vacation clause, which
was in dispute, remains unchanged. The new agreement, retroac
tive to July 1, and to remain in effect for one year thereafter, appears
below in full. I t is national and applies to all three press manage
ments. The schedule applies to the United News also. The Asso
ciated Press is not included.
UNIFORM AGREEMENT COVERING UNIONIZED PRESS SERVICES IN
UNITED STATES.
First. That on and after July 1, 1923, the [the employer] agrees to employ in its
day. night, Saturday night Morse and automatic leased-wire service only telegraphers
or automatic operators who are members of the union, provided said union can furnish
competent telegraphers and automatic operators.
_.
Second. That right of seniority shall rule in all cases, ability and fitness being
equal. It is agreed all persons working under this agreement are in line for promo
tion. Seniority shall rank from the date of last regular employment. Seniority
shall not be retained for more than three months, on leave of absence, except in cases
of illness or military service.
iC om m ereial T elegraphers’ Jo u rn al, A ugust, 1923, p. 253.
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131
Third. Eight hours, including 30 minutes' lunch period and two 10-minute rest
periods, shall constitute a day’s work on all circuits. Six days or six nights shall
constitute a week.
Fourth. Operators’ grievances shall be submitted to the district chief operator
within 48 hours, with the right of appeal, either personally or through the committee,
to the president or editor-manager of [the employer]. No operator shall without
just cause be transferred, suspended, or discharged. Any operator feeling himself
unfairly transferred, suspended, or discharged, and disproving the charges made against
him, shall be reinstated without prejudice and shall be reimbursed for all loss of pay
and any reasonable and necessary expense which he may have incurred in proving
his innocence. It is agreed that by operators is meant both Morse and automatic
telegraphers.
Fifth. The union agrees that any operator, desiring to resign, shall give the district
chief operator at least 10 days’ notice of his intention or be fined or suspended or
both by the union, such fine to be used to reimburse any reasonable expense incurred
by the [the employer] in covering the position during the unfulfilled term of notice,
and the [the employer] agrees that any operator shall be given 10 days’ notice of any
suspension of service or 10 days’ equivalent in money or be transferred, railroad or
boat fare to be paid by the [the employer].
Sixth. [The employer] agrees to make no additional leased-wire contracts wherein
the client paper is permitted to employ the operator, nor will [the employer] sell
its leased-wire report for distribution b y ’any other news agency in the United States
unless the Morse or automatic scale of such news agency shall be at least equal to that
of [the employer].
Seventh. In any difference of opinion as to the rights of the parties to this agree
ment, the question in dispute shall be submitted to arbitration, the decision of the
arbitrators to be final and binding upon both sides. Arbitrators shall consist of one
person selected by [the employer], one selected by the union, and third selected by
the first-named two.
Eighth.
S cale of W a g e s .
Morse operators, day:
Cities under 150,000 population.................................................. $41.75 per week.
Cities of 150,000 and up to 500,000............................................. 44.25 per week.
Cities of 500,000 and over............................................................ 46.75 per week.
Morse operators, night:
Cities under 100,000 population.................................................. $47.25 per week.
Cities of 100,000 and over............................................................ 53.75 per week.
New York and Chicago relay offices.......................................... 60.25 per week.
The following classification differentials to be paid:
Relajr operators, day.................................................................... $7.50 per week.
FulL-time bureau operators, day.................................................
2.50 per week.
Operators making extra copies outside of bureaus:
For each of the first two additional client copies...................... $1.00 per week.
For each additional client copy..................................................
.50 per week.
It is agreed that one carbon copy for use of the [the employer] shall be made without
extra pay, provided said extra copy shall not be requested from any one operator on
more than three days in any week.
Operators feeding pneumatic tubes
. $2.00 per week.
Morse operators, Saturday night:
Receiving operators..................
$8.50 per night.
Relay operators.........................
10.00 per night.
Morse operators’ overtime:
D ay.
N ight.
Receiving, per hour..................
. $1.10 $1.25
Relay, per h o u r.......................
.
1.25
1.35
Machine operators:
Day............................................
$34.25 per week.
36.75 per week.
Night.........................................
Saturday night..........................
6.25 per night.
Machine operators’ overtime:
$0.75 per hour.
Day............................................
Night.........................................
.85 per hour.
B o n u s e s .—It is agreed that bonuses shall not be paid, and both parties to this agree
ment shall adhere rigidly to the scale accepted herewith, the present scale superseding
all general and individual agreements.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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132
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
H o lid a ys, n ig h t .—Double time shall be paid for not more than one of the following
national legal holidays during the contract year to full-time night Morse and auto
matic operators: New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
and Christmas, to be mutually agreed upon by the chief or division chief operator
and the telegrapher.
H o lid a y s , d a y .—A full day’s pay for four hours’ work up to noon or for four hours’
work beginning at noon, on Christmas or the Fourth of July, and overtime for addi
tional time.
P o p u la tio n fig u r e s . —Ayer’s 1923 Newspaper Annual population figures to govern.
Ninth. Two weeks’ vacation with full pay, to be taken between May 1 and October
1, shall be granted annually to all leased-wire machine operators, except Saturday
night operators, of one year’s continuous service. All vacations shall be taken at
the time allotted by chief operators, or the operator to secure his own competent
substitute acceptable to the district chief operator.
Tenth. The [the employer] shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to its telegra
phers suitable typewriters, the maintenance of which shall be at the expense of the
[the employer] or its clients.
Eleventh. It is agreed that in the case of staff reductions or the abolition of any
position, the operator vacating such position shall have the right to the position held
by the junior operator in his chief operator’s district, providing that operators trans
ferring from one chief operator’s district to another shall retain their seniority. Any
operator desiring to transfer to another district or to another position in the same dis
trict shall file with the circuit chairman and chief operators of his own district and
the district to which he desires transfer, general chairman and superintendent of tele
graph, duplicate copies of a standing bid for the position desired. Any operator
desiring transfer from one chief operator’s district to another shall have the same
seniority rights as if he were already in the district to which he desires transfer. It
is agreed that in the event of the position for which the bid is made becoming open,
the vacancy shall be offered to the bidder, by message on the wire, whose seniority
entities him to first consideration. I t is further agreed that his transfer shall be con
tingent upon the ability of the union to supply competent operator to fill his position.
Twelfth. It is agreed that, office facilities permitting, telegraphers shall be provided
with separate offices, having adequate daylight, heat and ventilation.
Thirteenth. It is agreed that a complete list of operators in the service shall be issued
to the committeemen by the superintendent of telegraph on May 15 of each year,
showing the length of service of each operator.
Fourteenth. This agreement shall be in effect for one year from July 1, 1923, super
seding all previous agreements and shall thereafter renew itself for periods of one year,
unless either party shall notify the other in writing at least 60 days before the end of
said yearly period of its desire to terminate this agreement; except that:
In the event of failure to agree upon a new contract on or before June 30, 1924 (or
any succeeding June 30 occurring under a renewal of this agreement) this agreement
shall continue in full effect for a period of 30 days from July 1, during which time the
points in dispute shall be subjected to arbitration.
Arbitrators shall consist of two persons, selected one by the union and one by the
[the employer], I! the two persons thus selected fail to reach an agreement within
48 hours, they shall select a third person, the majority to decide the points at issue.
Should the representatives of the union and the [the employer] fail to select a third
arbitrator within 48 hours after having failed to agree upon the points at issue, the
third arbitrator shall be selected by the United States Department of Labor. The
decision of the arbitrators having been announced, both parties bind themselves to
accept or reject the award within five days of its simultaneous announcement to the
union and to the [the employer].
It is agreed that the award of the arbitrators, when accepted by both parties, shall be
retroactive to the original date of expiration of this agreement.
National Telegraphs—Canada.
r"PHE commercial telegraphers signed a new agreement 2 with the
A Canadian National Telegraphs Co. on July 24. The wage in
creases provided therein are retroactive to May 1. Outstanding
features of the new agreement, according to the Journal, are as fol2 T his agreem ent appears in full in th e Commercial Telegraphers’ Journal, A ugust, 1923, p p . 240-248.
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133
lows: Average wage increases of 38 per cent for electrical installers; a
minimum for Morse telegraphers at all functional offices, of $110 per
month; at all other offices the minimum will be $100 a month; all
minimum classifications of clerks are increased from $10 to $20 per
month; automatic mechanics are increased from $12.50 to $32.50 per
month; telephone supervisors and operators are increased $10 per
month; routine clerks $5 to $10; ticker mechanics and operators are
increased $10 to $20 per month; teletype operators receive $15 per
month over the old minimum.
The agreement provides further for cumulative seniority and the
right to carry seniority into other departments. The 8-hour day is
to obtain at one-man line offices. The ninth hour, if worked, is to be
paid for at pro rata overtime rates. Relieving supervisors are to be
paid the supervising wage when 10 days’ relief work in one month is
performed.
Street Railways—Detroit.
street railways are municipally owned and are operated
>\y commission known as the Board of Street Railway Com
missioners of the City of Detroit. Working conditions for platform
employees were determined by an order promulgated by the board
on February 27, 1923, and effective on March 19.
Platform men applied for an increase in wages of 20 per cent and
for slight changes in working conditions. In accordance with city
charter provisions—there is no agreement with the union—the matter
was turned over to an arbitration board. The board chosen consisted
of Hon. H. J. Dingeman, Judge E. J. Jeffries, and Attorney F. D.
Eaman.
The award of this board, retroactive to June 1, 1923, was handed
down on August 18 and is to be effective for a six-month period
unless further continued by mutual agreement. It provides that
the order of February 7, with modifications, shall remain in force.
The modifications for the most part concern wages, which are in
creased approximately 10 per cent. The old and revised rates are
shown in the following table:
N E W A N D OLD R A T E S O F P A Y F O R P L A T F O R M E M P L O Y E E S ON D E T R O IT S T R E E T
R A ILW A Y S.
New rate per 8-hour
day.
Old rate per 8-hour
day.
L ength or kind of service.
2-man
cars.
F irst 6 m onths
Second 6 m onths.
A fter 12 m onths.
Owl c a rs.............
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5.28
5.60
1.80
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1-man
cars.
$5.36
56.36
5.68
6.00
1 .85
2-man
cars.
SI. 50
4.75
5.00
1 .75
1-man
cars.
S4.90
5.15
5.40
1 .80
134
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Tlie award provides that the new rates shall be paid on August 31.
Excess of back pay for the period June 1 to August 15 is to be paid in
equal payments beginning September 15 and semimonthly thereafter
until November 15, 1923, at which time the full amount of the arrears
shall have been paid. In case an employee entitled to receive the
arrears leaves the service, he is to receive at the time of his leaving
the full amount of such arrears. This arrangement relative to back
pay was made, the board states, to enable the street railway com
mission to meet the demands of the increase without embarrassment
to other plans and programs under way or contemplated with respect
to rehabilitation or other improvement of the street railway system.
Other terms of the order of February 27, 1923, fixing working condi
tions for street railway men, together with modifications, provided
in the board’s award follow:
1. In all cases of grievances, disputes or subjects arising in the matter of trans
portation involving the interests of operators, motormen, and conductors, wherein
said grievances, disputes, and subjects arising in the matter of transportation and in
the operation of the street railways are presented by the employees through th emselves
or designated representatives and in case of discipline where an employee or employees
are suspended, dismissed, or otherwise disciplined, the employees shall be permitted
to be represented in hearings before the officer or officers and/or Commissioners of
the Street Railway Department by the representative or representatives of said em
ployees chosen by the associated employees. In case of failure of adjustment of said
case and/or cases by or through said hearings, said employees may have such recourse
as is provided in section 19 of the street railway chapter of the city charter, providing
for arbitration of disputes.
The procedure in cases of arbitration shall be: Upon written notice to the Street
Railway Commission by said employees in their associate character, through their
chosen representative or representatives, that arbitration is desired upon certain
specified matters relative to wages or conditions of employment said notice shall be
recognized and accepted as a sufficient initiation of arbitration. Such accepted notice
shall contain the name of one citizen of Detroit, named by the said associated em
ployees, by their representative and/or representatives; who shall be accepted as
the authorized arbitrator in said dispute, and shall be so respected. To complete
the construction of a board of arbitration the Street Railway Commission and/or its
representative and/or official or officials of said Street Railway Department shall
within five days from the receipt of said notice of submission for arbitration, appoint
one citizen of the city of Detroit to serve as an arbitrator. The two arbitrators thus
chosen shall proceed without unreasonable delay to choose a third arbitrator to com
plete and constitute an arbitration board to consist of three persons. Before this
board of arbitrators shall be submitted the subject and/or subjects to be arbitrated.
Said board shall proceed without unreasonable delay to sit in the capacity of a board
of arbitration at such time and place as may be designated by a majority of the said
three arbitrators, of which the parties to the arbitration shall have sufficient notice.
Before the said arbitrators shall appear the parties to the arbitration personally and/or
through their representative and/or representatives, and submit to the said board of
arbitration all evidence and statements bearing upon the case. At the close of the
hearings and/or hearings, the said arbitration board shall proceed without unreasonable
delay to determine thereon and render an award which shall be binding upon the
parties to the arbitration. The decision of the said board of arbitration shall be
respected as the award which shall be observed as an adjustment of the dispute or the
subject matter in arbitration. A majority award shall be binding.
The notice for arbitration shall contain a specification of the subject and/or subjects
for arbitration.
In the matter of arbitration expense the provision of section 19 of the street railway
chapter of the charter of Detroit shall be observed by both parties to the arbitration,
and when exacted the employees shall provide sufficient and reasonable security
designated by the commission to assure payment of one-half the arbitration expense
by the employees involved in said arbitration.
2. Beginning on this date the schedule and run guides on all runs operated by the
department of street railways shall be changed and all runs made to conform as nearly
as possible to 8 hours platform time. All time in excess of 8 hours in a run and all
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135
extra work performed shall be paid for at the regular overtime rate. The overtime
rate of pay for all classes of men shall be at the rate of 75 cents per hour.
3. All scheduled week-day runs over 6 hours and under 8 hours shall be considered
as regular runs and shall be allowed 8 hours’ time. Of scheduled week-day runs 50
per cent will be completed within 11 consecutive hours. Not to exceed 15 per cent
of all runs may be extended to exceed 13 hours in completion. All other scheduled
week-day runs are to be completed within not to exceed 13 hours. The execution
of this section is contingent upon the department’s receipt of additional rolling stock.
In the meantime the provisions will be carried out as far as possible. This section
merely indicates the ideal the Detroit Street Railways wishes to approach as soon as
practicable.1
4. Runs under 6 hours shall be considered as trippers, and shall be paid for at actual
platform time, except that no tripper service shall pay less than 2 hours’ time.
5 . Sunday and holiday runs shall be straight runs not to exceed 8 consecutive hours.
Time served in excess of 8 hours shall be paid at the rate of 95 cents per hour.2
6. [Wage rates. See table above.]
In all cases overtime work in excess of 8 hours will be compensated at the rate of
75 cents per hour, except as herein otherwise provided.
7. Changes in rates of pay will become effective on the first day of pay period
following expiration of various service periods.
8. Where a regular operator or conductor is assigned to and operates a night run,
and is required to report for and operate a morning tripper in addition to his regular
run, he shall in no case be paid less than 2 hours at regular overtime rate. Men whose
runs terminate after 12 o’clock midnight shall not be required to report for extra
forenoon work until 10 o’clock a. m. the following day.
9. Time allowed for delays in excess of 5 minutes after runs are scheduled to be
relieved shall be paid at the overtime rate, except in case of fires and unavoidable
delay.
10. Whenever the intervening time between swing runs and any of the consecutive
runs amounts to 45 minutes, or less, such intervening time shall be considered a part
of the platform time. Motormen, operators, or conductors, required to do extra work,
tripper or special, following the completion of a regular service day, such motormen,
operators, and conductors shall be paid straight time for all intervening time between
the completion of the regular runs or service day until the beginning of the extra
work, tripper or special service, and 80 cents per hour for all such extra work, tripper,
or special sendee.3
11. Regular operators and conductors shall be required to report at their respective
car houses 10 minutes before the time scheduled for their runs to leave. Whenever
reliefs are made at points other than the car house, and take over 10 minutes to go
from car house to such relief point, they shall be allowed the actual schedule running
time required to go to and from the car house and such relief points.
12. Ten minutes shall be added to each man’s run to cover the actual time consumed
in moving cars in and out of the car house.
13. Regular operators and conductors, when required to report for extra work, and
not used for such extra work, shall receive not less than 1 hour time for responding to
such call.
14. Where operators or conductors have selected or have been assigned to runs
regularly scheduled, and portions of such runs are canceled, they shall receive the full
time that the runs would have paid had the full run been completed .
15. Operators and conductors shall receive 50 cents per day in addition to their
regular compensation, while instructing student operators and conductors.
1R elative to th is section th e aw ard says: “ I t w as proposed th a t certain modifications of section 3 of the
said order be m ade, more definitely com m itting th e B oard of Street R ailw ay Commissioners absolutely
od th e m a tte r of th e lap sed tim e to complete various percentages of schedule runs.
From th e testim ony
su b m itted we believe th a t th e B oard of Street R ailw ay Commissioners are sub sta n tia lly com plying w ith
th e le tte r a n d s p irit of section 3 as i t now reads. In view of th e sta te m e n t of th e m en’s representatives
m ade du rin g th e hearings, a n d in view of th e testim o n y given by th e executive heads of th e D etroit Street
R ailw ays, w e b eliev e th e tw o p arties involved a re in su b sta n tia l accord a t present. In view of th e position
taken b y th e m anagem ent of D etro it Street Railw ays, we shall expect th e full sp irit of section 3 to continue,
a nd so fa r a s possible a n d practicable, even a greater nu m b er of th e schedule runs be com pleted in a to ta l
num ber o fla p sed h o u rs th a n a t p resen t.”
¡¡Old ra te w as 90 cents p e r h o u r.
sOld ra te w as 75 cents p er h o u r. “ I t is th e finding of th e board of a rbitration th a t, in construing and
applying th is section, th e B oard of Street R ailw ay Commissioners shall be obligated to p ay th e excess of
wages d u e to m en w ho are actu ally on th e p a y roll of th e D etroit S treet R ailw ays upon A u g u st 18, 1923,
a n d sha ll n o t be obligated to p a y th e excessfrom Ju n e 1,1923, to a n y w ho have left th e service of th e D etroit
Street R ailw ays prior to A u g u st 18, 1923. A n y p la tfo rm e m p lo y ^ entering th e service after June 1, 1923,
w ho is a ctu ally on th e p a y roll of th e D etroit Street Railwaw&upon A ugust 18, 1923, shall be entitled to
receive th e a d d itio n al com pensation herein fo und.”
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
16. Operators and conductors in snow-plow service shall be paid 90 cents per hour.
17. Swing runs shall be made first out, first in, except where a change is necessary
to prevent making a three-piece run, or to equalize time in runs.
18. The minimum wage paid each operator or conductor for the first six months’
employment, shall be not less than $80 per month. In case of absence from duty, the
regular rate for an 8-hour day shall be deducted for each day’s absence.
19. After 6 months’ continouus service with the Department of Street Railways,
each platform man shall be allowed a vacation ox 7 days at full pay, each year.
20. Vacations shall start on the 1st day of November, 1922, and continue through
out the year, at the convenience of the service.
21. All motormen and conductors shall have their respective places on their respec
tive lines as at present on the board in accordance with their seniority and shall be
entitled to select runs accordingly: The oldest man in continuous service having the
right to the first selection; junior men having the right to select thereafter according
to their continuous age in the service. When runs have thus been selected they shall
be held by the motormen and conductors selecting them so long as the schedule to
which the selection is made in is force, or in the event of the schedule not changing
in a period of four months, then the runs shall be reposted and each motorman and
conductor shall have the right, in accordance with his continuous age in the service,
to make another selection, providing, however, in the event of a vacancy an extra
shall fill said vacancy for not more than 30 days, whereupon the motorman or conductor
beginning next in rank below said vacancy shall have the right to reselect their runs.
22. The commission and/or the street railway officials will treat with the employees
through the employees’ representative and/or representatives upon all matters and
grievances that may arise from time to time that are presented through the employees’
representative and/or representatives. In case of failure to so adjust said matters
and/or grievances the said matters and/or grievances shall be subject for submission to
arbitration as provided in paragraph 1. In case of dismissal or suspension of any plat
form man who is afterward exonerated, said man shall be paid for lost time. Petitions
for reinstatement shall be made within 7 days from date of suspension or dismissal.
23. Any employee, operator, motorman, or conductor, who shall be elected to serve
his associate employees, in matters pertaining to the employment or affairs of said
employees in their associate character in any respect as may be determined by said
employees as bearing upon the said employees’ employment with the said Detroit
Street Railway, whose duties require their absence from the service of the Detroit
Street Railway, shall, upon retirement from said service in the interest of said employ
ees, have their respective place without impairment of seniority in the employ
of the Detroit Street Railway again. Any conductor, motorman, or employee, placed
in any other position by the Detroit Street Railway officials shall be reinstated to his
former position if, at the time of retirement from the said other position the Detroit
Street Railway officials should so elect.
24. Motormen, conductors, and operators, while in uniform, shall be given free
transportation over all lines operated or managed by the Detroit Street Railway.
25. The Detroit Street Railway officials shall place in the office of each car house of
the respective lines, an open book in which men can register the particular day or days
on which they wish to get off. The man who registers first for any particular day or
days shall have the first privilege; provided, however, that the representative or
representatives of the employees in their associate capacity having business to do for
the said employees, shall be entitled to get off in preference to others, and the officials
in charge of the car house shall make a personal effort to so release them. Said book
shall be dated 30 days ahead and no one shall be allowed to get off more than one Sunday
in three consecutive Sundays, providing there are other men who want to get off.
26. When a regular man asks off and is granted leave before the board is marked up,
the first extra shall have the privilege of his run. Other extras shall move up in rota
tion. Men off duty by leave after doing part of a day’s work shall not be required to
lose the following day. A regular man on leave of absence shall not be required to
show up before his regular reporting time on the day following such leave of absence.
27. All conductors must turn in their returns on completing their day’s work, and
may count the amount of cash due the Department of Street Railways, as per trip slip,
where one is used to record the number of fares and the amount of money collected,
over to the man in charge of the suboffice and receive from him a receipt indicating
the quality and amount of cash turned in, also packages containing the returns. The
Department of Street Railways shall have prepared forms of receipts in readiness at
all car houses so that the man in charge can write in the amount and give to the con
ductor his receipt.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1128]
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS.
137
28. Claims for shortage shall be made to conductors within 14 days after the date of
shortage and shall be accompanied by the trip sheet for the day that said shortage
was claimed.
29. Schedules may be operated on board standing the day or days the selection of
runs are being made by motormen and conductors; provided, however, they are not
so operated for more than four days, and that Saturday and Sunday schedules shall not
be operated more than one day without selection being made.
30. Where schedules are posted for selection of runs, all motormen and conductors
and operators will, in the order of their seniority, report to or delegate some person to
act in their behalf, to promptly make their selections. Any motorman, operator, or
conductor not complying with this rule will be assigned to the first run opened, by
the official in charge.
31. Where runs are changed or canceled due to the shortage of men or cars, if sched
ule is posted and the runs are selected by the operator’s, motormen, and conductors,
the men so affected will have the right to extra privilege in accordance with the order
of the runs affected; the crew on the first run changed being placed at their option, as
first extra; and the second crew, at their option, having second extra privilege, and so
on. The condition will remain in effect until runs are restored or are reposted or
reselected.
32. No motorman, operator, or conductor who is assigned a scheduled run shall
be required or allowed to run extra trips or do extra work or tripper service unless
there are no available extra men to do such work. Where regular men are required to
do extra work such work shall be as near equally divided from day to day as it is pos
sible to so divide it.
33. Where a man misses his run he shall be placed as last extra for that day. When
he misses his run in the middle of the day he shall be placed as last extra for that day
and the day following. When he does not show up within 1 hour after he misses his
run he shall be placed as last extra for 7 days. When he misses twice in 30 days he shall
be placed as last extra for 7 days, and after serving as last extra he shall serve 7 addi
tional days for each miss.
34. A transfer of motormen, operators, or conductors from one line to another will
be made only when there are unemployed men at the car house, which by reason of
sickness or like causes or by reason of a demand for extra service to meet some special
service condition, such as a State fair, circuses, or other special occasion, may be used
on some other line. If men who are transferred in this way should earn less money
than they would have earned had they remained at their own car house, they will be
paid the difference.
35. Whenever the cars are delayed so that a motorman, operator, or conductor can
not reach his reporting place on time, no miss shall be marked against him, but if he
arrives before his car goes out he shall be allowed to take it. This provision for late
ness in arriving in the car house shall not apply to men living within one-half mile
from the car house or reporting station. Sickness will be the exception, but sick
note will be sent to car house 10 minutes before the car goes out.
36. All runs shall be put upon the schedule of a time of commencement and time
of completion.
37. When necessary to interview motormen, operators, and conductors they will
be called before the superintendent of the car house to which they are regularly as
signed, except that where men from different car houses are concerned in the same
matter, as in the case of collisions, they will be required to appear before the superin
tendent of such car house or division as he may designate.
38. Uniforms shall be those as designated by the Street Railway Commission. In
case of a change in the standard of the uniforms, one year’s notice shall be given and
the employees shall have the right to purchase such uniforms in the open market39. The Street Railway Commission will allow the motormen to furnish suitable
spring caps to place on the top of the stools if they so desire.
40. All orders posted at suboffices shall have the approval of the general officers
of the street railway within 24 hours after the same are posted.
41. Where men are required to report to the claims department, or attend court as
witnesses, they shall be paid their regular rate per hour as they would have received
had they been operating their car. Such reporting shall in no wise work to their
financial disadvantage. Operators, motormen, and conductors shall receive pay for
15 minutes’ and 30 minutes’ time as at present upon being required to make out acci
dent reports.
42. The provisions hereinbefore set forth will be in force until changed or repealed
by resolution of this commission. Repeal or changes may be made to occur upon
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1127]
138
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
reasonable notice by the Street Railway Commission to the employees or their desig
nated representatives. Changes herein desired by the employees may be submitted
in writing by the said employees and/or their representatives to their said railway com
mission, upon which hearings will be had upon 10 days’ written notice to the person
suggesting said change or changes. It is understood that working under the provisions
hereinabove set forth, the employees, operators, motormen, and conductors do not
waive any rights or privileges existing to them by the virtue of the street railway
chapter of the charter of the city of Detroit, section 19, or otherwise.
Tripartite Collective Agreement in the Italian Sugar industry.1
HE production of sugar is one of Italy’s most important eco
nomic activities. In mormal times Italy produces almost
enough sugar to take care of domestic consumers’ wants. In
the six months ending January 31, 1923, only a little more than 9,000
tons were imported, and it was estimated, on the basis of stocks on
hand on that date, that imports of 18,000 tons more up to July 31,
1923, would suffice to meet requirements. I t should, moreover, be
noted that a considerable part of the sugar imported consists of cane
sugar employed in the production of preserved fruits and other food
articles destined for export.
In order to eliminate the chance of interrupted production arising
either from labor disputes or from speculative uncertainties attendant
upon the growing, sale, and purchase of the beets, two collective
agreements were concluded in January of this year between em
ployers and workers on the one hand and between sugar manufac
turers and growers on the other. The principal provisions of these
two agreements are summarized below:
T
Labor Agreement.
PRELIMINARY agreement with laborers, both in the beet
fields and in the sugar manufacturing plants, had been drawn
up at Bologna late last January and was shortly afterwards
definitely ratified by representatives of the Association of Sugar
Manufacturers ( U nione Z uccheri) for the employers and by the
Confederation of Fascisti Trade-Unions ( Confederazione delle Cor
p o ra zio n i F asciste) and the National Union of Sugar Workers (S i n
dacato N a zio n a le O perai Z uccherieri) for the workmen.
In this collective agreement the basic daily wages for field workers
and plant laborers were left practically unchanged from the preceding
year. In most regions the daily rate varies between a minimum of
20.60 lire ($3.98, par) and a maximum of 24 lire ($4.63, par). In the
Venice district, however, the minimum daily rate has been fixed at
19.50 lire ($3.76, par) and the maximum at 25 lire ($4.83, par).
The agreement granted to plant workers a sliding cost-of-living
bonus based upon the retail food price index for Milan as computed
by the municipal statistical office of that city. To begin with, the
bonus was fixed at 80 per cent of the regular daily wage rate. On
March 30, 1923, the cost-of-living bonus was to be revised in accord1 From a report of th e A m erican trad e commissioner a t R om e, M ar. 27, 1923.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1128]
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS.
139
ance with the variation which the average of the retail food price
index for Milan for the three months January, February, and March,
1923, showed as compared with the average index for the three months
August, September, and October, 1922. The agreement provides
that for every point by which the three months’ average index is
higher or lower than the three months’ average index with which it
is compared the bonus shall be increased or decreased by 3 | per cent.
Another revision of the bonus will take place on November 30, 1923.
The agreement leaves the fixing of piecework rates for plant laborers
to negotiation between the managements of the plants and the shop
committees (c o m m is s io n in te r n e ), but in case of controversy the inter
vention of employers’ and workers’ organizations may lie invoked.
The agreement also grants a production bonus of 1 lira (19.3 cents,
par) per 100 kilograms (220.5 pounds) of sugar produced. This bonus
is to be divided among the field and plant workers in proportion to
their numbers and the number of days each has individually worked.
Each laborer is to be given an annual vacation of six days with pay.
Regular plant workers, moreover, are guaranteed continuous employ
ment during the validity of the agreement, which is to be in force for
the year ending March 31, 1924. If the operation of any plant is
temporarily interrupted, the permanently employed workers on daily
wages will receive pay during the cessation of work. Other workers
not permanently employed will receive 50 per cent of their regular pay
during the interruption, but their employment may be terminated
by the management on 24 hours’ notice.
Overtime work beyond the standard eight-hour day will be paid
for at the rate of 20 per cent extra for the first two hours, and 35 per
cent extra for any additional hours. Except for special arrangements
with laborers working on shifts, work on Sundays and certain recog
nized holidays will be considered overtime work.
Agreement between Growers and Manufacturers.
T H E agreement between the growers and the manufacturers pro1 vides that each sugar mill shall pay to the growers who furnish it
raw material one-half of the price obtained for the sugar sold, retain
ing, however, 27 lire ($5.21 par) on each 100 kilograms (220.5 pounds)
to cover refining expenses. The price thus paid is for sugar f. o. b.
car or boat at the mill or refinery. From this price will be deducted
the excise tax on refined sugar, 300 lire ($57.90 par) at present, or
any other taxes that may be imposed in the future.
The determination of prices and the settlement of any controversies
relating thereto will lie in the hands of various bodies composed of
representatives of sugar manufacturers and sugar-beet growers, organ
ized, respectively, as the Unione Zucclieri and Federazione Nazionale
Bieticultori. In certain classes of disputes the minister of agriculture
may be called in as final arbiter.
The growers will be paid certain fixed sums on each quintal of beets
to cover transportation charges to the mills for distances up to 15
kilometers (9.32 miles), beyond which no compensation will be paid.
This limitation on distance for the refund of transportation charges
seems to arise from the desire to have each grower send his beets to
near-by mills and not attempt to serve plants too remote.
67055°—23----- 10
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[11291
140
m o n t h l y labor r e v ie w .
On the request of the grower the manufacturer will make a culti
vator’s loan of 500 lire ($96.50 par) for each hectare (2.47 acres)
planted with beets, on which the interest rate will be 5 per cent.
Deliveries of beets to the mills are to take place regularly, and must
begin not later than August 1. Mill operators, on their part, are
bound to accept deliveries on and after that date. Payments for
beets delivered will be made to the growers every week, deducting
installment repayments of the cultivators’ loans, if any have been
made. Every grower has the right to receive from the mill 45 quin
tals (9,921 pounds) of fresh pulp for every 100 quintals (22,046
pounds) of beets delivered to it. The grower may claim 35 of these
45 quintals of pulp without payment, but for the remaining 10 quin
tals he must pay the market price. If he does not draw the 35 quin
tals of pulp to which he has a claim free of charge, he may in their
place claim 0.20 lira (3.9 cents par) on every quintal he has delivered
to the mill.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1130]
E M P L O Y M E N T A ND U N EM PLO Y M EN T.
Employment in Selected Industries in September, 1923.
HE Bureau of Labor Statistics received reports as to the
volume of employment in September, 1923, from 6,930 repre
sentative establishments in 51 manufacturing industries, cover
ing 2,352,516 employees, whose total earnings during one week in
September were $61,507,092.
The same establishments in August reported 2,352,945 employees
and total pay rolls of $61,436,603. Therefore, in September, as
shown from these unweighted figures for 51 industries combined,
there was practically no change in employment or earnings as com
pared with August. The exact differences were: a decrease of 429
employees, or less than one-fiftieth of 1 per cent; an increase of
$70,489, or one-tenth of 1 per cent in total amount paid in wages;
and an increase of 4 cents in average weekly earnings.
However, while the season of vacations, inventories, and general
repairs is over, the number of employees has not yet returned to the
level of the June report, an unweighted chain index reading: June,
100; July, 98.2; August, 98; and September, 98.
Comparing data from identical establishments for August and
September, increases in employment are shown in 25 of the 51
industries and increases in the amount paid in wages in 35 industries.
Considering the industries by groups, increases in employment are
shown in the food industries, textiles, tobacco, vehicles, and metal
products other than iron and steel, while slight decreases appear in
the iron and steel group, lumber, leather, paper, chemicals, stone,
clay, and glass, and miscellaneous industries. Increases in earnings
appear in all groups except iron and steel, leather, and vehicles.
The greatest increase in employment (23.4 per cent) was in the
machine-tools industry, but this was largely due to a resumption of
work in some large establishments after the annual vacation. The
confectionery and ice-cream and fertilizer industries each gained
over 13 per cent; stamped ware and cigars, over 5 per cent; and
sugar refining, women’s clothing, and stoves, over 3 per cent.
The greatest decrease in employment (6.2 per cent) was in the
carriages and wagons industry, followed by the rubber boots and
shoes, the automobile tires, and the agricultural implements indus
tries (5.9, 4.8, and 4.6 per cent, respectively), and steel shipbuilding
and the paper and pulp industries, each 3 per cent.
The greatest increases in pay-roll totals were 20.8 per cent in the
machine-tools industry, 18 per cent in the fertilizer industry, 12 per
cent each in confectionery and ice cream and cigars and cigarettes,
and over 9 per cent each in sugar refining, stoves, steel shipbuilding,
and rubber boots and shoes.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1131]
141
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW .
142
The greatest decreases in pay-roll totals were 10.8 per cent in the
women’s clothing industry, 7.6 per cent in the carriage and wagon
industry, and from 4.4 per cent to 3.8 per cent in the agricultural
implements, automobile tires, and men’s clothing industries.
Thirty-nine of the 51 industries show increased per capita earn
ings in September as compared with 25 in August anti only-10
in July.
For convenient reference the latest figures available relating to
all employees, excluding executives and officials, on class I rail
roads, drawn from Interstate Commerce Commission reports, are
given at the foot of the first and second tables.
CO 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
W E E K IN A U G U ST A N D S E P T E M B E R , 192.3.
In d u stry .
E stab
lish
ments.
N um ber on pay roll.
Aug.
Food and kindred products:
92,050
Slaughtering a n d m eat p a ck in g . . .
82
13,751
Confectionery and ice cream ...........
123
14,030
F lo u r......................................................
265
35,272
268
B aking...................................................
Sugar refining, no t including beet
sugar..................................................
8,793
12
Textiles and th eir products:
137,624
Cotton goods........................................
238
70,616
229
Hosiery a n d k n it goods....................
50,387
Silk goods.............................................
187
62,305
Woolen goods......................................
163
20,206
C arp ets..................................................
20
24,212
Dyeing a n d finishing te x tile s.........
67
57,617
203
Clothing, m en’s ..................................
22,194
Shirts and co llars...............................
91
14,458
Clothing, Women’s.............................
143
M illinery a n d lace goods...................
11, 483
74
Iron an d steel and th eir products:
218,784
Iro n a n d s te e l......................................
178
16,264
S tru ctu ral ironw ork...........................
130
F o u n d ry a n d m achine-shop prod148,271
u c ts.....................................................
498
22,901
H ard w are.............................................
33
Machine to o ls......................................
77
9,523
Steam fittings a n d steam an d hotw ater heating a p p aratu s...............
107
36,264
Stoves....................................................
15,454
82
L um ber a n d its rem anufactures:
Lum ber, saw m ills..............................
71,561
234
26, 569
Lum ber, m illw ork.............................
183
251
38, 805
F u rn itu re .............................................
L eather and its finished products:
L e a th e r.................................................
25,337
127
Boots and shoes, n o t including
ru b b e r...............................................
171
89,204
P aper and printing:
50,738
Paper a n d p u lp ..................................
175
142
Paper boxes........................................
14,974
Printing, book and jo b .....................
209
24,528
Printing, new spapers........................
41,232
189
Chemicals an d allied products:
82
Chemicals.............................................
15,754
Fertilizers.............................................
HO
7,817
Petroleum refining............................
65
54,305
Stone, clay, an d glass products:
71
C em ent..................................................
22,014
312
B rick a n d tile ......................................
25,113
P o tte ry ................................ ...............
51
11,734
96
G lass......................................................
24,145
M etal products, other th a n iron and
steel:
34
Stam ped a n d enam eled w a re ..........
13,093
Tobacco manufactures:
Tobacco: Chewing an d sm oking...
29
3,607
29,057
160
Tobacco: Cigars a n d cigarettes.. . .
1 Increase of less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cen t.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Sept.
Per
cent of
change.
92,519
15,617
14,033
35,109
+ 0 .5
+13.6
«
-.5
D U R IN G
A m ount of p ay roll.
Aug.
Sept.
$2,233,588 $2,277,763
275,531
310,023
352,833
359,295
901,129
934,865
ON E
Per
cent of
change.
+2.0
+12.5
+1.8
+3.7
9,136
+ 3.9
253,251
278,078
+ 9.8
139,298
69,822
50,328
61,368
20,132
24,588
57, 444
22,572
14,969
11,439
+ 1.2
- 1 .1
-.1
-1 .5
-.4
+ 1.6
-.3
+ 1.7
+ 3 .5
-.4
2,350,918
1,101,750
1,046,885
1,440,148
539,248
525, 457
1,457,336
311,245
394,554
242,364
2,434,955
1,109,786
1,061,413
1,462, 805
555,625
557, 889
1,402,079
338,731
351,767
247,253
+ 3.6
+ .7
+1.4
+ 1.6
+ 3.0
+ 6.2
- 3 .8
+ 8 .8
-1 0 .8
+ 2.0
216,842
16,181
-.9
-.5
6,385,773
442,251
6,239,183
433,789
- 2 .3
- 1 .9
145,681
22,496
11,749
- 1 .7
-1 .8
+23. 4
4.261,333
563,711
272,475
4,239, 830
559,928
329,227
- .5
-.7
+20.8
35,971
15,960
-.8
+ 3 .3
1,029,106
395,926
1,072,137
434,038
+ 4.2
+ 9.6
71,735
25,901
38,364
-2 .5
- 1 .1
1,458,547
637,730
852,652
1,463, 414
633,317
865,712
+ .3
-.7
+ 1.5
25,094
-1 .0
614,064
619,571
+ .9
-.3
1,992,353
1,982,160
-.5
-3 .0
1,268.605
301,366
826, 031
1,531.073
- 1 .7
+ 2.6
+ 7.6
+2.2
[1132]
88,974
49,216
15,249
24, 835
41, 884
+ 1 .3
+ 1.6
1.290,758
293,682
767,710
1,497,911
15,745
8,844
52,990
-.1
+13.1
- 2 .4
400,010
143,480
1,681,007
404,078
169,544
1,694,563
+1.0
+18.2
+ .6
22,118
24,721
11,781
24.166
+ .5
-1 .6
+ .4
+ .1
643,460
637,403
298,111
607,918
652,882
633,338
301,071
609,269
+1.5
-.6
+1.0
-K 2
13,865
+ 5 .9
282,272
306,416
+8.6
3,641
30,653
+ .9
+ 5 .5
54,003
478,541
55,371
537,241
+2.5
+12.3
EM PLO YM ENT AND U N EM PLO Y M EN T.
C O M PA R ISO N
143
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 D U R IN G
W E E K IN A U G U ST A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1923-C oncluded.
In d u stry .
Vehicles for lan d transportation:
A utom obiles...................................... .
Carriages an d w agons......................
Car building and repairing, elec
tric-railroad ..................... ...............
Car building an d repairing, steam railroad .............................................
Miscellaneous industries:
A gricultural im p lem en ts.................
E lectrical m achinery, apparatus,
a n d supplies....................................
Pianos a n d organs..............................
R ubb er boots a n d shoes...................
Autom obile tire s ................................
Shipbuilding, steel.............................
{
ly 15, 1 9 2 3 ...
R ailroads, Class I Ju
A u g u st 15, 1923
Estab
lish
ments.
184
38
N um ber on p ay roll
Aug.
Sept.
Per
cent of
change.
272,091
2,803
275,328
2,628
+ 1 .2
-6 .2
A m ount of pay roll.
Aug.
Sept.
19,135,347 $8,870,612
59,968
55,420
O NE
Per
cent of
change.
-2 .9
- 7 .6
169
17,132
17,501
+ 2 .2
494,084
492,475
-.3
259
170,431
168,064
- 1 .4
4,940, 803
4, 805, 331
- 2 .7
70
20,659
19,701
- 4 .6
535,285
511,479
- 4 .4
120
26
8
63
32
96,086
7,072
11,077
36,137
27,411
97,652
7,235
10,424
34,389
26,561
+L6
+ 2 .3
-5 .9
-4 .8
- 3 .1
2,680, 111
191,635
264,630
1,016,958
706,358
2,681,151
207,558
288, 816
977,468
771,301
(D
+as
+ 9.1
-3 .9
+ 9.2
1, 938,281
1,957,055
1 Increase of less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
+ 1.0
2 254,794,416
2 263,145,797
+ 3.3
* A m ount of p a y roll for one m onth.
Reports for a comparison of data between September, 1923, and
September, 1922, are available from 2,993 establishments in 43
industries.
These reports from identical establishments show an increase in
the 12 months of 10.6 per cent in the number of employees, an
increase of 20.5 per cent in the total amount paid in wages, and an
increase of 8.9 per cent in average weekly earnings.
Considering the industries by groups, 10 of the 12 groups show
increases in employment, ranging from 2 per cent in the miscellaneous
group to 24.3 per cent in the iron and steel group, while 11 groups
show increased pay rolls, the range being from 1.3 per cent in the
metal products other than iron and steel group, to 43.2 per cent in
the iron and steel group. The tobacco group shows decreased pay
rolls of 5.1 per cent.
Thirty-two of the 43 industries show increased employment, while
38 show increased pay rolls.
The greatest increases in employees in the year were 36.8 per cent
in steam-railroad car building and repairing, 31.9 per cent in foundries
and machine shops, followed by pianos and organs, iron and steel,
and electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies, each 23 per cent
or over, and automobiles, hardware, and slaughtering and meat
packing, each 13 per cent or over.
The one great decrease in employees was 31.5 per cent in the
automobile tire industry.
The greatest increases in pay-roll totals were 52.3 per cent in
foundries and machine shops, 45.4 per cent in steam railroad car
building and repairing, 43.2 per cent in electrical machinery, appa
ratus, and supplies, and 41.3 per cent in the iron and steel industry.
The one great decrease in pav-roll totals was 27.7 in the auto
mobile tire industry, followed by 12.1 per cent in the women’s
clothing industry.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1133]
m o nth ly
144
C O M PA R ISO N
C O M PA R ISO N
labor
r e v ie w
.
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 D U R IN G
^ E E K IN S E P T E M B E R , 1922, A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
In d u stry .
Food and kindred products:
Slaughtering a n d m eat packing—
.................................
F lo u r. . .
B aking..................................................
T e x tiW a n d th e ir products:
Cotton goods
..............................
"Hosiery and Jcnit goods____ _____
Silk goods.............................................
Woolen goods......................................
D yeing and finishing te x tile s..........
Clothing, men’s .... ....... .................
Shirts a nd collars...............................
Clothing, women’s .... __..................
M illinery an d lace goods..................
Iron and steel and th eir products:
Iron an d stee l......................................
F ou n d ry a n d machine-shop prod
u cts ................................................
H ardw are.
................. , ...........
Stoves....................................................
L um ber a n d its rem anufactures:
Lumber, sawmills._____________
Lum ber, m illw o rk ..........................
F u rn itu re .............................................
L eather a n d finished products:
L e a th e r .............................................
Boots a n d shoes, n o t including
rubber
.................................
P aper and printing:
Paper and p u lp ...............................
P ap er boxes ......................................
P rin tin g , book an d jo b ...................
P rin tin g , new sp ap ers........................
Chemicals a n d allied products:
Chemicals.............................................
Fertilizers .........................................
Petroleum refin in g ..........................
Stone, clay, an d glass products:
B rick a n d tile ..................................
P o tte r y .............................................
G lass .................................................
M etal p ro d u cts other th a n iron and
steel:
Stam p ed a n d enam eled w are .........
Tobacco m anufactures:
Tobacco: Chewing and sm o k in g ...
Tobacco: Cigars a n d cig arettes ___
Vehicles for la n d tran sp o rtatio n :
A u to m o b iles ....................................
Carriages an d wagons........................
Car building a n d repairing, steam railroad .............................................
Miscellaneous industries:
A gricultural im p le m e n ts.................
E lectrical m achinery, ap p aratu s,
a n d su p p lies.................................
Pianos an cl organs..............................
A utom obile tir e s ................................
S hipbuilding, ste e l............................
t ™
T ( Auerust 15. 1922._
Railroads, Class I .{ A ug £ t 1 5 , 1923. .
N um ber on p ay roll.
Per
E stab -1
cent of
lish- J
change.
Sept.,
ments.j Sept.,
1923.
1922.
1
75
35
60
79,962
4,889
9,371
90,380
5,105
10,240
119
123
107
100
17
27
115
68
73
15
84,420
43,070
32,723
14,923
15,425
40,445
20,669
9,430
2,590
87,992
42,907
35,623
44,060
16,144
15,052
42,030
20,462
9,640
2,507
126
142,561
157
17
21
62,089
14,781
6,074
151
88
92
ONE
A m ount of pay roll.
Sept.,
1922.
Sept.,
1923.
Per
cent of
change.
+ 13.0 $1,793,772 $2,221,862
123,481
130,912
+ 4 .4
249,221
289,406
+ 9 .3
+23.9
+ 6 .0
+ 16.1
1,569,159
757,222
764,151
1,063,718
441,331
349,291
1,093,371
311,580
256,757
56,711
+ 16.5
+ 9.1
+25.3
+ 19.7
+ 13.7
+ 8.9
+ 1.0
+ 7.9
-1 2 .1
- 2 .3
+ 2.2
-3 .2
1,346,798
693,880
610,080
888,548
388,074
320,723
1,082,203
288,803
292,103
58,035
176,072
+23.5
3,554,337
5,022,861
+ 41.3
81,921
16,761
5,610
+31.9
+ 13.4
-7 .6
1,637,851
312,562
152,342
2,493,992
421,427
161,025
+52.3
+34.8
+ 5.7
50,704
13,825
17,918
56,041
14,323
18,998
+ 10.5
+ 3 .6
+ 6 .0
889,413
331,877
409,408
1,110,742
369,285
465,225
+24.9
+ 11.3
+ 13.6
106
23,360
22,992
-1 .6
505,809
568,429
+ 12.4
120
72,214
75,434
+ 4 .5
1,626,528
1,716,500
+ 5.5
98
52
SO
94
31,514
9^ 114
15,053
25,119
32,347
9,676
15,012
26,866
+ 2 .6
+ 6 .2
- 0 .3
+ 7 .0
746,050
190,266
514,418
893,873
836,544
208,129
520,066
994,860
+ 12.1
+ 9 .4
+ 1.1
+ 11.3
26
19
29
8,354
2,300
40,010
8,593
2,359
44,216
+ 2 .9
+ 2 .6
+ 10.5
197,675
42,502
1,403,744
223,229
47,294
1,419,415
+ 12.9
+ 11.3
+ 1.1
137
21
68
12,431
5,465
16,763
13,431
5,672
18,714
+ 8 .0
+ 3.8
+ 11.6
288,365
146,542
355,383
363,561
152,276
449,936
+26.1
+ 3 .9
+26.6
12
5,485
5,432
- 1 .0
127,916
129,615
+ 1.3
7
100
1,312
24,077
1,317
22,872
+ 0 .4
-5 .0
20,314
431,035
24,426
403,838
+20.2
- 6 .3
113
17
177,965
1,666
202,716
1,572
+ 13.9
-5 .6
5,364,367
36,553
6.466,279
35,545
+20.5
- 2 .8
102
57,633
78,861
+36.8
1,579,946
2,297,976
+45.4
46
15,769
17,557
+ 11.3
366,313
463,960
+26.7
77
10
55
18
61,286
3,657
45,111
16,926
75,386
4,541
30,901
17,154
+23.0
+24.2
-3 1 .5
+ 1 .3
1,448,781
98,554
1,235,870
409,489
2,074,271
135,053
893,387
526,491
+43.2
+ 13.7
-2 7 .7
+28.6
41,204
1,578,381
1.957.055
+ 4.2
-0 .4
+ 8 .9
+ 6 .9
+ 8 .2
-2 .4
+ 3 .9
-
1.0
+24.0
1 219,414,331
1263,145,797
+ 19.9
1 Amount of pay roll for 1 month.
Per capita earnings increased in September as compared with
August in 39 of the 51 industries considered, rubber boots and shoes
and steel shipbuilding leading with 16 and 12.7 per cent, respectively.
The women’s clothing industry showed a decrease of 13.9 per cent
in per capita earnings, the next greatest decreases being 4 per cent
in the automobile industry and 3.5 per cent in men’s clothing.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1134]
EM PLO YM ENT AND U N EM PLO Y M EN T.
145
Comparing per capita earnings in September, 1923, with those in
September, 1922, increases are found in all but 4 of the 43 industries
for which data are available, steel shipbuilding leading with an
increase of 26.9 per cent, followed by chewing and smoking tobacco
with 19.8 per cent, hardware with 18.9 per cent, brick and tile with
16.7 per cent, electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies with 16.4
per cent, silk goods with 16.1 per cent, and foundries and machineshop products with 15.4 per cent.
C O M PA R ISO N O F P E R C A PIT A E A R N IN G S —S E P T E M B E R , 1923. W IT H A U G U ST, 1923, AND
S E P T E M B E R , 1923, W IT H S E P T E M B E R , 1922.
Industry.
Per cent change,
September,
1923, compared
w ith—
Aug.,
1923.
B oots a n d shoes, ru b b e r................... +16.0
Shipbuilding, s te e l............................ +12.7
Shirts a n d collars..............................
+7.1
Tobacco: Cigars an d cigarettes___ + 6 .4
P rintin g , book an d jo b .................... + 6.3
Stoves................................................... + 6 .2
Pianos a n d o rg an s............................. + 5 .9
Sugar refining, n o t including beet
su g a r.................................................
+ 5 .7
Steam fittings an d steam a n d hotw ater heatin g a p p a ra tu s .............. + 5 .0
D yeing a n d finishing te x tile s ......... + 4 .6
F ertilizers............................................ + 4 .5
B ak in g .........................................., ..... + 4 .2
C arpets................................................
+ 3 .4
W oolen goods....................................
+ 3 .2
Petroleum refining................... ........
+ 3.1
F u rn itu re ............................................
+ 2.7
Stam ped a n d enam eled w a re ___ + 2 .5
M illinery a n d lace goods................... + 2 .4
C otton goods....................................... + 2.3
H osiery a n d k n it goods....... ............. + 1.9
L e a th e r............................................... + 1.9
L um b er, m illw ork............................
+ 1.9
F lour..................................................... + 1.8
Tobacco: Chewing a n d sm o k in g . . .
+ 1.6
Silk goods............................................ + 1.5
Slaughtering a n d m eat packing__
+ 1.5
F o u n d ry an d machine-shop prod
u c ts. ............................................... + 1.3
In d u stry .
Sept.,
1922.
+26.9
+ 9 .0
-1 .3
+ 1.4
+ 14.4
+ 10.4
+ 11.6
+ 8 .5
+ 6 .3
+ 5 .1
+ 12.0
-8 .5
+ 7 .2
+ 2.3
+ .9
+ 11.8
+ 9.6
+ 14.2
+ 7 .4
+ 1.5
+ 19.8
+ 15.1
+ 9 .6
Per cent change,
Septem ber,
1923, com pared
w ith—
Aug.,
1923.
P a p e r a n d p u lp ........................ .
+ 1 .3
.................................. + 1.1
Chemicals
H a rd w are ............................................ + 1.1
A utom obile tir e s ...............................
+ 1.0
C em ent................................................. + 1.0
B rick an d t ile .....................................
+ .9
P ap er b o x e s........................................
+ .8
P o tte ry .................................................
+ .6
Prin tin g , n ew spapers.......................
A gricultural im plem ents.................
G lass.....................................................
L um ber, saw m ills.............................
+ .1
B oots an d shoes, n o t including
ru b b e r...............................................
-.3
Confectionery and ice cream ............
—.9
Car building a nd repairing, steam railroad............................................. - 1 . 4
Carriages an d w agons.......................
-1 .4
Iron a n d s te e l..................................... - 1 . 4
S tru ctu ral iro n w o rk .....................
-1 .4
Electrical m achinery, ap p aratu s,
a n d supplies.................................... —1. 0
M achine tools...................................... —2.1
Car building an d repairing, elec
tric-railroad..................................
-2 . 4
Clothing, m en’s.................................. - 3 . 5
A utom obiles.......................................
-4 .0
Clothing, wom en’s ............................ -1 3 .9
+.6
+.2
+.1
Sept.,
1922.
+ 9 .3
+ 9.8
+ 18.9
+ 5.5
+ 16.7
+ 3 .0
+.1
+ 4.0
+ 13.8
+ 13.4
+ 13.0
+ 1.0
+ 6.3
+ 3.1
+ 14.4
+ 16.4
-2 .8
-}~5« 8
-1 4 .0
+ 15.4
Reports as to operating basis in September were received from
5,620 establishments. A combined total of these reports from 51
industries shows that 80 per cent of the establishments reporting
were on a full-time basis, 18 per cent on a part-time basis, and 2
per cent were not in operation. This is an increase of 2.6 per cent
m full-time operation as compared with the August reports.
Of the 80 per cent of the 5,620 establishments working full time,
41 per cent or more than one-half also reported full-capacity opera
tion, 22 per cent part-capacity operation, and the remaining 17 per
cent failed to report as to capacity operation.
The table following expands the full-time reports in a few industries.
Establishments in the silk goods industry, foundries and machine
shops, and machine tool, and leather establishments report more
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1135]
M O N T H L Y LABOE E E V IE W .
146
part-capacity than full-capacity operation, although doubtless the
full-capacity reports should gain a large part of the establishments
not reporting as to capacity operation:
E stablishm ents report
ing full tim e—
E stab lish m en ts report
ing full tim e—
In d u stry .
A nd
p a rt
ca
pac
ity .
115
40
56
48
41
18
31
59
38
38
28
20
13
9
19
19
103
105
141
23
176
31
85
402
64
Hosiery and k n it goods..
Pi lie poods
"\/V7vYlf*n poods
(dotbiirig
Foundry and machineshop p ro d u c ts................
Machine tools.....................
68
In d u stry .
B ut
no t
ca T otal.
pac
ity .
A nd
full
ca
pac
ity .
34
10
167
119
112
88
Saw m ills.............................
F u rn itu re ...........................
L eath er................................
Boots a n d shoes.................
P a p e r a n d p u lp .................
B rick a n d tile ....................
A utom obiles.......................
Car b uilding a n d repairing, steam -railroad.......
A nd A nd
fufi p a rt
ca
ca
pac pac
ity. ity .
144
97
19
43
57
164
55
165
13
B ut
not
ca Total.
pac
ity .
182
168
36
24
26
29
48
25
49
13
26
18
45
24
238
127
12
28
205
22
68
93
101
F U L L A N D P A R T T IM E O P E R A T IO N IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN
S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
E stablishm ents report
ing—
E stab lish m en ts report
ing—
In d u stry .
ro
al.
Food and k indred prod
ucts:
Slaughtering and m eat
61
p ack in g ........................
Confectionery a n d ice
93
c r e a m .. . .....................
F lo u r................................ 245
B ak in g .............................
Sugar refining, n o t in
cluding beet su g ar. . .
Textiles a n d th e ir prod
ucts:
Cotton goods..................
165
Hosiery and k n it goods
165
Silk goods...................
147
Woolen goods................
13
C arpets.............................
Dyeing a n d finishing
te x tile s.........................
Clothing, m en’s ............. 139
54
Shirts an d collars..........
84
Clothing, w om en’s........
M illinery a n d lace
52
goods.............................
Iron and steel a n d th eir
products:
140
Iron and steel................
108
Structural iro n w o rk . . .
F oun d ry and machineshop p ro d u c ts............ 474
32
H ard w are.......................
67
Machine to o ls................
Steaip fittings and
steam an d hot-w ater
89
heating a p p a ra tu s . . .
79
Stoves..............................
Lum ber a n d its rem anu
factures:
L um ber, saw m ills........ 207
Lum ber, m illw ork___« 149
F u rn itu re ........................ 197
L eather a n d its finished
products:
82
L e a th e r............................
Boots and shoes, not
including ru b b e r.......
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
211
8
210
66
120
In d u stry .
Full P a rt
time. tim e.
As
idle.
P e r c t ■P e r c t. P e r c t.
89
42
87
10
10
56
12
63
13
80
72
19
27
70
69
29
31
90
1
1
1
25
32
1
1
1
1
56
76
85
75
44
23
13
24
1
2
1
81
19
63
92
31
85
88
96
14
13
5
93
72
7
28
88
12
68
91
85
83
78
8
7
14
12
22
6
1
2
1
5
1
P ap er and printing:
P aper and p u lp .............
P aper boxes...................
P rm tin g , book and j o b .
P rin tin g , n e w spapers..
Chemicals a n d allied
products:
C hem icals.......................
Fertilizers.......................
Petroleum refining.......
Stone, clay, a n d glass
products:
C em ent............................
B rick and tile ................
P o tte ry ............................
G lass................................
M etal products other
th a n iron a n d steel:
Stam ped and enameled
w are.............................
Tobacco m anufactures:
Tobacco: Chewing and
sm oking......................
Tobacco: Cigars and
cigarettes.....................
Vehicles for lan d tra n s
portation:
A utom obiles..................
Carriages a n d w agons..
Car building a nd re
pairing, electric-rail
road ..............................
Car building an d re
pairing, steam -rail
ro a d ..............................
Miscellaneous industries:
A gricultural i m p l e
m ents ...........................
E lectrical m achinery,
apparatus, and sup
plies..............................
Pianos a n d organs........
R ubber boots and shoes
Autom obile tires...........
Shipbuilding, steel.......
[1136]
To Full P a rt As
ta l. tim e. tim e. idle.
P e r c t. P e r c t- P e r c t.
125
108
179
126
88
100
58
83
39
83
51
85
62
284
47
103
100
84
83
61
13
15
14
28
86
14
81
89
18
11
12
14
49
15
1
l
3
3
2
25
25
80
20
109
66
30
151
36
84
81
15
19
131
99
2
213
96
3
1
55
80
18
2
94
19
3
56
29
100
96
4
67
48
97
33
48
3
4
1
4
EM PLO Y M EN T AND U N E M PL O Y M E N T .
147
Increases in rates of wages effective during the month ending Sep
tember 15 were reported in 35 of the 51 industries here considered.
These increases, ranging from 1.3 per cent to 25 per cent, were re
ported by a total of 198 establishments. The weighted average in
crease for the 35 industries combined was 14.9 per cent and affected
57,933 employees, being 6.7 per cent of the total employees in the
establishments concerned ancf 2.5 per cent of the entire number of em
ployees in all establishments in the 51 industries covered by this
report.
The 4 industries reporting any considerable number of wage in
creases were iron and steel, glass, foundry and machine-shop products,
and steam-railroad, car building and repairing. The iron and steel
increases affected 43,477 employees, and were largely the result of
putting employees in continuous operations on 8-hour turns.
Three foundries and machine shops, 3 automobile establishments,
and 1 establishment in each of the steam fittings, fertilizers, and brick
industries reported decreases in rates of wages during the month.
W A G E A D JU S T M E N T O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N A U G U ST 15 A N D S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923.
Establishments. A m ount of increase.
In d u stry .
Food a nd kindred products:
Slaughtering an d m eat packing..........
Confectionery a n d ice cream .................
F lour........................
B aking ...........................
Sugar refining, no t including beet sugar
T extiles an d th eir products:
Cotton goods. . . . . . . .
H osiery an d k n it goods.............
Silk goods......................................
Woolen goods...........................
C arpets........................................
D yeing an d finishing te x tile s................
Clothing, m en ’s........................
Shirts arid collars.....................
Clothing, w om en’s ... .
M illinery a n d lace goods. . . .
Iron an d steel an d th eir products:
Iron an d steel......................
S tructural ironw ork...................
I oundry an d machine-shop products.
H ardw are........ . . .
M achine tools.............
Steam fittings an d steam a n d hotw ater heating a p p aratu s.....................
Stoves..................................
L um ber a n d its rem anufactures:
Lum ber, saw m ills..................................
Lum ber, m illw ork................................
F u rn itu re ...........................
L eather an d its finished products:
L eather............ ................
Boots an d shoes, n o t including rubber.
P aper an d printing:
P aper an d p u lp ..............................
.
P aper boxes......................................
Printing, book an d io b .........................
Printing, new spaper................................
N um
Total ber re
report porting
ing.
in
creases.
1
8
6
82
123
265
268
12 6)
238
229
187
163
20
67
203
91
143
74
178
130
498
33
77
107
82
(!)
(!)
(1)
(1)
175
142
209
189
T otal
num
ber
6
12.3
3
3-20
5-11.5
7-10
6.0
10.6
141
136
177
3
4
3-12. 5
10
10
10.0
11.1
10.0
1
1
2
2
34
7
<3
5
3
5
8
(')
Aver
age.
P e r c e n t. P e r c e n t.
1
1
P e r c e n t.
1,707
1,058
18
74. 5
.9
48.6
.2
1.5
(a)
7
10.1
(2)
17
131
23. 6
79. 9
9.0
7.7
10.5
43,477
256
1,086
30
16
78.8
14.7
25.0
.2
7.8
10
1. 1
20.1
1.6
.8
.1
4-10
5.1-15
8.5
9.1
190
151
39.1
20. 4
.5
.9
7-10
7.1
7.9
13.8
811
216
125
67. 2
22. 9
13.1
1.1
8.3
5-10
7-10
1.5-25
6-15
6-20
1.3-25
7. 2
20
8.3
6. 5
10.0
17.4
8.6
23.0
27.3
9. 2
.9
1.3
1
88
.1
.1
.8
.3
5
5.Ô
3
7.0
(2)
10
10.0
6.8
20
5.5
14.7
(2)
4.8
8.4
98
449
83
1No wage change reported.
2 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
3 A lso 3 establishm ents reduced th e rates of 575 of th eir 953 employees 22 per cent.
4 Also 1 establishm ent reduced th e rates of 9 of its 65 employees 10 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In all
estab
lish
m ents
report
ing.
0. 2
5 4. 4-10
9
3- 5. 8
5 1 4-10. 7
[1137]
In es
tablish
m ents
report
ing in
creases.
8.1
321 1.8-15
1
7.7
2 10-11
234
183
251
127
171
Range.
Em ployees affected.
11.1
10.2
.6
1.8
.2
148
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
W A G E A D JU S T M E N T S O C CU R R IN G B E T W E E N A U G U ST 15 A N D S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923Con elu d ed .
Establishm ents. A m ount of increase.
In d u s try .
Chemicals a n d allied products:
Chem icals...................................................
Fertilizers...................................................
Petroleum refining.................. ...............
Stone, clay, an d glass products:
C em en t.......................................................
B rick a nd tile ............................................
P o ttery ........................................................
Glass............................................................
Metal products other th a n iron a n d steel:
Stam ped a n d enam eled w are................
Tobacco m anufactures:
Tobacco: Chewing a n d sm oking..........
Tobacco: Cigars an d cigarettes.............
Vehicles for lan d transportation:
A utom obiles...............................................
Carriages an d wagons..............................
Car building an d repairing, electricrailroad....................................................
Car building an d repairing, steam railroad................................. ..................
Miscellaneous industries:
A gricultural im plem ents........................
Electrical m achinery, ap p aratu s, a n d
supplies...................................................
Pianos a n d organs....................................
R u b b er boots~and shoes.........................
A utom obile tires.......................................
Shipbuilding, steel...................................
N um
T o ta l b er re
re p o rt porting
ing.
in
creases.
82
110
61
1
G)
61
G)
23
1
1
34
29
160
25
5
25.0
5.0
20
20.0
11.1
7.5-20
P e r c e n t.
21
100.0
15
100.0
540
1,767
22
P e r c e n t.
0.2
1.0
77.0
.1
27.7
7.3
.2
7
7.0
10
10.0
288
10. 8
100.0
7.9
5
5.9
251
128
16.6
72.0
4.0
169
4,458
59.0
2,7
2
5-20
21
2 .5 - 8
3.5
1
5
5.0
10
10.0
.1
(l)
259
70
0)
120
26
8
(i)
G)
20
G)
G)
1No wage change rep o rted .
8Less th a n o n e-ten th of 1 p e r cent.
i Also 1 establishm ent reduced th e rates of 16 of its 27 employees 15 per cent.
6Also 1 establishm ent reduced th e rates of 37 of its 40 employees 20 per cent.
7Three establishm ents reduced th e rates of 8,755 of th eir 8,819 employees 10 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In es
In all
ta b lish e sta b
lish
m ents
re p o rt m ents
ing in re p o rt
ing.
creases.
(l)
184
38
63
32
T o tal
num
ber
P e r c e n t■ P e r c e n t■
0)
65
71
312
51
96
R ange.
A ver
age.
E m ployees affected.
[11?,S]
6.0
G)
EM PLO YM ENT AND U NEM PLO YM ENT.
149
Employment and Earnings of Railroad Employees, August, 1922,
and July and August, 1923.
HE following tables show the number of employees and the
earnings in various occupations among railroad employees in
August, 1923, in comparison with employment and earnings
in July, 1923, and August, 1922.
The figures are for Class I roads; that is, all roads having operating
revenues of $1,000,000 a year and over.
T
C O M PA RISO N O F E M PL O Y M E N T AN D E A R N IN G S O F R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S IN
A U G U ST, 1923, W IT H T H O SE O F A U G U ST, 1922, A N D JU L Y , 1923.
[From m o n th ly reports of In terstate Commerce Commission. As d ata for only the more im portant occu
pations are show n separately, th e group totals are no t the sum of th e item s show n under th e respective
groups.]
Professional, clerical, and general.
M onth and year.
Clerks.
Stenogra
phers and
typists.
T otal for
group.
Maintenance of way and structures.
Laborers
(extra gang
and work
train).
T rack and
roadw ay
section
laborers.
T otal for
group.
N u m b e r o f e m p l o y e e s a t m id d l e o f m o n th .
160,496
174,893
175,054
A ugust, 1922.....................
July, 1923...........................
A ugust, 1923.....................
23,995
25,391
25,486
315,250
290,540
291,264
54,595
74,557
80,518
239,720
240,515
247,176
420,668
456,090
471,185
$16,957,985
18,353,322
19,674,396
$36,725,820
42, 809,993
45,571,541
T o t a l e a r n in g s .
A ugust, 1922..................... $20,354,879
Ju ly , 1923........................... 21,785,908
A ugust, 1923..................... 22,422,615
$2,831,406
2,979,174
3,066.260
$43,257,345
38,181,773
39,091,319
$4,046,493
6,392,322
7,035,978
Maintenance of equipment and'stores.
Carmen.
M achinists.
Skilled
trade
helpers.
Common
Laborers
laborers
(shops, en (shops,
en
gine houses, gine houses,
power
power
p lan ts, and p lants, and
stores).
stores).
T otal for
group.
N u m b e r o f e m p l o y e e s a t m id d l e o f m o n th .
A ugust, 1922.....................
July, 1923...........................
A ugust, 1923.....................
64,032
142,526
142,393
26,440
68,845
69,323
66,621
138,766
138,217
37,831
50,181
50.036
43,322
67,717
68,231
313.773
604', 146
605,120
$3,932,653
5,627,275
5,834,966
$52,575,250
78,624,080
80,756,009
T o t a l e a r n in g s .
A ugust, 1922..................... 312,757.995
July, 1923........................... 20,474,089
A ugust, 1923..................... 21,296,296
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$6,245,502
11,135,898
11,388,894
$10,469,700
15,226,106
15,590,360
[1130]
$4,056,553
4,950,054
4,954,528
150
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
C O M PA R ISO N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S O F R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S : IN
A U G U S T , 1923, W IT H T H O S E O F A U G U S T , 1922, A N D J U L Y , 1923—Concluded.
T r a n s p o rta tio n o th e r th a n tr a in a n d y a rd .
M onth a n d year.
Station
agents.
Trackers
Telegra
(stations,
phers, tele
warehouses,
p h o n e s,
and
and tow er
m en.
platform s).
Crossing
and bridge
flagmen
and
gatemen.
T otal for
group.
T ra n s
p o rta tio n
(y a rd m asters,
sw itch
tenders,
an d
hostlers).
N u m b e r o f e m p l o y e e s a t m id d l e o f m o n th .
A ugust, 1922.....................
July, 1923...........................
A ugust, 1923.....................
31,561
31,989
31,749
35,862
41,967
42,100
26,470
27,705
27,618
212,143
219,083
218,823
23,650
26,516
26,498
$25,296,200
25,968,038
26,468,984
$4,336,317
4,749,992
4,763,257
22,203
23,243
23,256
T o t a l e a r n in g s .
A ugust, 1922.....................
July, 1923...........................
A ugust, 1923.....................
$4,814,010
4,719,108
4,824,023
$3,907,224
4,027,145
4,055,428
$3,286,322
3,856,315
4,000,596
$1,519,811
1,742,292
1,753,175
T r a n s p o rta tio n , tra in a n d engine.
Road
conductors.
R oad
brakem en
and
flagmen.
Y ard
brakem en
and
yardm en.
R oad
engineers
and
m otorm en.
Road
firemen
and
helpers.
T otal for
group.
N u m b e r of e m p l o y e e s a t m id d l e o f m o n th .
A ugust, 1922.....................
J u ly ,1923...........................
A ugust, 1923.....................
33,705
38,876
39,106
69,952
80,159
80,619
44,914
54,645
55,574
41,122
47,182
47,135
43,075
49,316
49,380
292,897
341,906
344,165
$7,929,806
8,847,059
9,123,610
$56,223,399
64.460,540
66,494,687
T o t a l e a r n in g s .
A ugust, 1922.....................
July, 1923............................
A ugust, 1923.....................
$7,960,388
8,790', 342
9,095,933
$11,823,446
13,165,556
13,722,328
$7,150,642
8,878, 867
9,089,103
$10,641,370
11,983,810
12,357,997
Extent of Operation of Bituminous Coal. Mines, August 18 to Septem
ber 15, 1923.
ONTINUING a series of tables which have appeared in previous
numbers of the M onthly L abo r R e v ie w , the accompanying
table shows for a large number of coal mines in the bituminous
fields the number of mines closed the entire w~eek and the number
working certain classified hours per week from August 18 to Septem
ber 15, 1923. The number of mines reporting varied each week, and
the figures are not given as being a complete presentation of all mines,
but are believed fairly to represent the conditions as to regularity of
work in the bituminous mines of the country. The mines included
in this report ordinarily represent 55 to 60 per cent of the total output
of bituminous coal. The figures are based on data furnished to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics by the United States Geological Survey.
C
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1140]
E M PLO Y M E N T AND U N E M PL O Y M E N T .
15f
W O R K IN G T IM E IN B IT U M IN O U S CO AL M IN E S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S B Y W E E K S
A U G U ST 18 TO S E P T E M B E R 15, 1923.
’
[The m ines in clu d ed ordinarily represent from 55 to 60 p er cent of th e to ta l o u tp u t. Prepared b y th e
B ureau of L abor Statistics from d a ta furnished b y th e U nited States Geological Survey.]
Mines—
N um
ber
of
W eek
ending— mines
re
p o rt
ing.
Closed
en tire
week.
2,219
2,221
2,205
2, 266
2,223
W orking W orking
24 and
32 and
less th a n less th a n
32 hours. 40 hours.
W orking W orking
40 and
full tim e
less th a n of 48 hours
48 hours. or more.
Per
P er
P er
Per
Per
P er
Per
Per
cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. No. cent. N o. cent.
No.
Aug. 18...
A ug. 2 5 ...
Sept. 1 __
Sept. 8 .. .
Sept. 15...
W orking W orking W orking
8 and
16 and
less th a n
8 hours. less th a n less th a n
16 hours. 24 hours.
632
623
599
596
562
28.5
28.0
27.2
26. 3
25.3
41
29
34
37
37
1.8
1.3
1.5
1.6
1.7
199
144
133
183
170
9.0
6.5
6.0
8. 1
7.6
329
351
288
387
389
14.8 327
15.8 343
13. 1 382
17. 1 449
17.5 396
14.7
15. 4
17.3
19.8
17.8
273
305
331
328
279
12.3
13.7
15.0
14.5
12.6
237
252
249
241
221
10.7
11. 3
11.3
10. 6
9.9
181
177
189
45
169
8. 2
8. 0
8. 6
2. 0
7.6
Recent Employment Statistics.
Massachusetts.
TATISTICS of employment and earnings in 704 manufacturing
establishments in Massachusetts for a specified week in July
and in August, 1923, are given in the following table:
S
N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S AN D A V E R A G E W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN M ASSA C H U SETTS
M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S , W E E K IN C L U D IN G O R E N D IN G N E A R E S T
JU L Y 15 A N D A U G U ST 15, 1923.
N um
ber of
estab
lish
m ents.
In d u stry .
A utomobiles, including bodies and p a rts ..........................
Boot an d shoe c u t stock a n d findings...............................
Boots a n d shoes...........................................................
Boxes:
P a p e r............................................................
V óoden p ack in g ....................................................
B read a n d other bakery p ro d u cts................................
Clothing:
Men’s.................................................................
W om en’s ..................................................................
Confectionery..........................................................
C opper, tin , a n d sheet iron.........................................
Cotton goods............................................................
Cutlery an d to o ls......................................................................
Dyeing a n d finishing, tex tiles....................................
Electrical m achinery, ap p aratu s an d supplies.................
Foundry a n d m achine shop p ro d u c ts.....................
F u rn itu re ..................................................................................
H osiery a n d k n it goods....................................................
Jew elry.................................................................................
Leather, tanned, curried, and finished.............................
Machine tools.....................................................................
Paper and wood p u lp ........................................................
P rinting and publishing:
Book and ]o b ......................................................................
N ew spaper..........................................................................
R ubber tires and goods..........................................................
Silk goods...................................................................................
Slaughtering and m eat p ack in g ...........................................
Stationery goods............................................................ ..........
Steam fittings an d steam a n d hot-w ater heating app a ra tu s ........................................................................
Textile m achinery an d p a rts .................................................
Woolen and w orsted goods...................................................
All other in d u stries..................................................................
All industries rep resen ted .. . ...................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1141 ]
N um ber of employees Average w eekly
on p a y roll.
earnings.
Ju ly ,
1923.
A ugust,
1923.
Ju ly ,
1923.
A ugust
1923.
14
45
76
2, 799
1,724
26, 233
2,848
1,620
29,617
132. 22
21. 81
22. 95
$30.76
22. 54
24.57
20
10
33
4,361
1,005
1,412
4,318
1,012
1, 425
21.79
24.73
28.37
23.32
21. 89
29.69
17
17
14
8
44
12
5
9
59
14
10
21
25
15
20
1,709
445
3,342
705
41,311
2,967
6,964
11,250
8,138
1,744
3,401
1,744
4,641
1,431
4,933
1,735
491
3,705
735
39,674
2,949
5,761
11,173
8,129
1,739
4,034
1,756
4,711
1,490
4,708
26.15
20. 13
18. 36
25.40
21. 21
24.25
21.33
28.19
29. 84
23. 95
19. 84
23.62
25. 97
25. 81
26.08
24.55
20.02
IS. 08
24.42
20.54
23.66
19.39
28.02
29.20
22.76
17.92
23.79
25.66
26.30
25.82
21
10
9
10
4
10
2,093
2.364
3,181
1,668
1,538
1,658
2,051
2, 421
2,761
1.919
1.431
1,741
30.82
38.65
24. 60
21.22
28.47
19.13
30.40
36.73
22.19
22.25
27.44
18.53
5
14
40
93
704
564
7,818
20, Oil
47,106
220, 260
598
7,728
19, 827
45,238
219,345
31.68
29.16
24. 51
25.66
24. 54
30.26
28.12
22.20
25.09
24.04
152
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
In 16 of the 30 industries listed in the above table there were in
creases in the number of employees in August as compared with the
preceding month, the largest percentage increase, 18.6, being in the
manufacture of hosiery and knit goods due to a return to normal
after vacations. In the silk goods industry there was a rise of slightly
over 15 per cent in volume of employment, strike conditions having
affected two establishments in July. The number of employees
decreased in 14 industries, the greatest reduction being 17.3 per cent
in the dyeing and finishing of textiles, which was the result of a large
curtailment of the force in one important establishment.
Average weekly earnings were lower in August than in July in 23
of the 30 tabulated industries, while in the remaining 7 earnings were
higher. Only one industry, wooden packing-box manufacture,
showed over 10 per cent fluctuation in earnings from July to August.
According to a statement received October 9, 1923, from the
Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries, the total number
of persons placed by the four State employment offices of Massa
chusetts in August, 1923, was 2,829, a decrease of 11.4 per cent
compared with the number placed in August, 1922. Employers
called for 3,512 persons in August of the present year, or 19.9 per
cent less than in the same month of the preceding year. There
were 28,712 persons placed by the 4 offices in the first 8 months of
1923, 15.8 per cent more than in the corresponding period in 1922,
while the number of persons called for by employers in the first 8
months of 1923 was 36,672, an increase of 14 per cent over the first
8 months of the previous year.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1142]
153
E M P L O Y M E N T AND U N E M P L O Y M E N T ,
Pennsylvania.
"THE following is the first of a series of tables on employment
A and earnings in Pennsylvania, which will be issued by the
Department of Labor and Industry of that State:
E M P L O Y M E N T ANT) E A R N IN G S IN P E N N S Y L V A N IA , A U G U ST , 1923.
Em ployees,
A ver
A ver
Aug. 15,1923. T otal p ay
N um
age
roll for w eage
ber of num e k ly
w eek e n d
plan ts ber of
wage,
n e a re s t week
report employ N u m P ercent edAug.
of
15,
ing.
ees,
of 1919
Aug. 15,
ber.
1923.
1919.
average.
1923.
In d u s try .
M etal m an u factu res...................
A utom obiles, bodies, a n d p a rts ..............................
Car construction an d rep air......................
Electrical m achinery a n d a p p a ra tu s...
Engines, m achines, an d m achine tools.................
Foundries a n d m achine shops..........
H eating appliances a n d a p p aratu s........................
Iro n an d steel blast furnaces...................................
Iro n an d steel forgings..............................................
Steel w orks an d rolling m ills ..................................
Structural-iron w o rk . . . .
Miscellaneous iro n an d steel p ro d u cts..................
T extile p ro d u c ts............................ . .
..................
C arpets a n d ru g s .......................
C loth in g.......... .......................
H ats, felt a n d o th e r.............................
C otton goods.........................
...............
Silk goods....................................................................
Woolens an d w orsteds.................................
K n it goods a n d hosiery.............................................
Foods a n d to b acco ............I .........
B akeries...........................
Confectionery a n d ice cream ..........................
Slaughtering"and m eat p ack in g .............................
Sugar refining............... 1.
Cigars an d to b acco .....................................................
B uilding m a te ria ls............................................................
B rick, tile, a n d te rra co tta p ro d u cts.....................
C em en t.................................. ?.
Glass..............................................................................
Chemicals a n d allied p ro d u cts........................................
Chemicals a n d d ru g s__.
Petroleum refining“. ...................................................
Miscellaneous in d u strie s..................................................
L um ber a n d planing m ill p ro d u cts.......................
F u rn itu re ................. “ ........ ?.....................................
L eather ta n n in g ..........................................................
L eather p ro d u cts...........................................
Boots a n d shoes..........................................................
P aper a n d p u lp p ro d u cts.........................................
P rin tin g an d publishing.......................................
R ub b er tires a n d goods“...........................................
T o tal.......................................................................
227
20
9
21
19
57
11
12
10
42
9
17
104
12
23
4
14
43
24
44
76
21
20
13
3
19
51
13
14
24
23
IS
5
111
8
17
21
3
25
14
19
4
454,298 144,437
6; 422
14,708
94,546 28,114
24^ 228
3,596
8,917
18,283
71,087 13,538
9,129
y 451
14,619 12,130
4', 243
6,197
171,715 47,605
10, 722
3,570
19,064 13; 851
183;825 48,966
l \ 626
3,565
37,872
3,423
5' 414
5,055
12,907
3,357
53,052 14,689
22,798
8; 783
44,156 10,094
20; 298
16,410
4,947
5; 281
11,010
4,438
2,130
3,221
1,685
30; 380
6,255
44,942 17, 475
2,066
15; 897
7,443
7,334
21,602
8,075
8,751
18, 789
10,554
2,096
8,235
6,655
93,359 23,848
16,295
2,414
10;954
2,331
13,749
5,828
1,529
283
13', 317
5,132
3,783
9; 843
22,792
3,144
4,880
933
652 860,672 263,775
31.8 *4,249,247
43.7
168,287
882; 144
29.7
14.8
74; 673
48.8
233,833
19.0
439,588
26.8
83,257
83.0
33i; 437
68.5
118,060
27.7 1,363,898
' 164; 355
33. 3
72. 7
389; 715
26.6
985,825
46.7
89,853
9.0
66,888
107; 423
93. 4
26.0
76,364
27.7
276,140
185;029
38. 5
22.9
184; 128
31.0
490; 991
127,430
30.1
48.0
173,548
54,676
48.0
52. 3
46,909
20.6
88,428
599,461
38.9
13.0
60,141
211,883
98.5
327,437
37.4
251,600
46.5
54,309
19. 9
197,291
80.8
25.5
565,581
14.8
57,039
52,614
21.3
144,276
42.4
18.5
5; 773
86,772
38.5
38.4
104,233
13. 8
9 1 ', 446
19.1
23,428
$29.42
26.20
31.38
20.77
26.22
32.47
33.97
27.32
27.82
28.65
46.04
28.14
20.13
25.20
19.54
21.25
22.75
18.80
21.07
18.24
24.19
25.76
32. 88
25.67
27. 84
14.14
34.30
29.11
28. 89
40.55
28.75
25.91
29.65
23.71
23.63
22.57
24.76
20.40
16.91
27.55
29.09
25.11
7,142,705
27.07
30.6
Wisconsin.1
EPROM July to August, 1923, the manufacturing industries in Wis* consin, excluding canning and preserving, showed an aggregate
increase of 1 per cent in volume of employment and of 7.4 per cent
in average weekly earnings. This rise in earnings, however, only a
little more than offset the 6.2 per cent decline in earnings of the pre
vious month due to reductions in working time in pay-roll periods
which included July 4.
i W isconsin.
In d u strial Commission.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
W isconsin L abor M arket, A ugust, 1923.
[ 1143 ]
154
M O N T H L Y LA B O E R E V IE W .
The following table gives the percentage changes in volume ol
employment and total pay rolls in specified industries from July to
August, 1923, and from January, 1922, to August, 1923:
P E R C EN T O F C H A N G E IN N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D T O T A L P A Y R O L L IN
V A R IO U S IN D U S T R IE S FRO M JU L Y TO A U G U ST , 1923, A N D FR O M JA N U A R Y , 1922, TO
A U G U ST, 1923.
Per cent of increase (+ )
or decrease ( —) in
n u m b e r of em
ployees from —
P e r cent of increase (+ )
or decrease ( —) in
to ta l p a y roll from—
In d u stry .
Ju ly , 1923,
to A ugust,
1923.
January,
1922, to
A ugust,
1923.
Ju ly , 1923,
to A ugust,
1923.
January,
1922, to
August,
1923.
M a n u a l.
Logging.........................................................................................
M ining..........................................................................................
Stone crushing a n d q u a rry in g ...............................................
M anufacturing............................................................................
Stone a n d allied in d u strie s.............................................
M etal.....................................................................................
W ood.....................................................................................
R u b b e r.................................................................................
L e a th e r.................................................................................
P a p e r.....................................................................................
T extiles.................................................................................
Foods.....................................................................................
L ight a n d p o w e r................................................................
P rin tin g a n d p u b lish in g ................................................ .
Laundering, cleaning, a n d d y e in g .............................. .
Chem icals........................................................................... .
B uilding con stru ctio n ............................................................ .
H ighw ay construction........................................................... .
R ailroad con stru ctio n ........................................................... .
Marine construction, etc...................................................... .
Steam railw ays........................................................................
E lectric railw ay s............................................. ..................... .
Express, telephone, an d teleg rap h.......................................
W holesale tra d e ........................................................................
H otels an d re sta u ra n ts...........................................................
—1.7
-2 0 .4
-7 .6
-1 .3
+ 8 .6
+ •6
+ 1 .7
+ 3 .9
- .1
-.1
+ 5 .6
-1 6 .6
- 7 .1
+ 1.7
-.8
- 5 .5
+20.5
-1 .7
+ 9 .2
-1 9 .9
+ 7.7
- 4 .3
+ 2 .7
+20.7
- 1 .3
-2 8 .9
+63.0
+19.*7
+34.7
+ 120. 8
+56.7
+20.8
+37.3
+ 9.7
+23.0
+ 6.1
+65.4
+39.1
+ 13.8
+26.7
+24. 2
+120.1
+214. 2
+69.4
+ 80.4
+35.4
+ 5.2
+42.2
+51.2
+ 15.8
+ 1 .4
- 1 .5
+ .9
+ 1.0
- 4 .5
-1 .0
-.5
+10.8
+ 7.1
+ 5.7
+10.3
-1 .0
- 3 .1
+ 11.9
-1 1 . 7
+ 6 .4
+ 4.6
— .1
+ 8.5
+11.4
+ 1.9
+ 7.6
+10.1
+ 5.5
-2 0 .8
+ 2 .0
-.1
+ .5
-.4
+18.1
+142.1
+135.6
+66.9
+224.3
+ 129.7
+52.3
+43.7
+23.4
+ 40.2
+ 8.7
+67.0
+39.4
+17.1
+46.8
+32.3
+183.3
+15.5
- 9 .1
+ 5 .6
+ 3 .3
+ 6 .2
+ .7
+52.1
+168.0
+44.2
+20.2
+46.1
+59.5
+ 2 .3
- 1 .8
+ 3.2
+ .6
-2 .9
+ 2.2
+ 9.0
+22.5
+13.5
+14.5
-.2
+15.4
N o n m a n u a l.
M anufacturing, m ines, a n d q u a rrie s....................................
C onstruction..............................................................................
C om m unication.........................................................................
W holesale tra d e .....................................................................
R etail trad e—sales force o n ly ................................................
Miscellaneous—professional services....................................
H otels and re sta u ra n ts..........................................................
The number of persons placed by the Wisconsin public employment
offices in August, 1923, was 12,367. For some months previous to
that period the labor market of the State was comparatively settled
and steady. Employment office records indicate that there was only
a “ small minima of unemployment” toward the close of the summer,
such unemployment showing no undue proportion in any section of
the State or in any particular line of industry.
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E M PL O Y M E N T AND U N E M PL O Y M E N T .
155
Unemployment in Foreign Countries.1
INCE the last publication in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w (July,
1923, pp. 154-163) of data on unemployment in foreign countries
the situation as regards the state of employment has on the whole
shown signs of further improvement. Unemployment is decreasing
rapidly in all the Scandinavian countries, Italy, Czechoslovakia, and
Poland, and although the number of unemployed is still very high in
these countries, the situation in general shows an improvement as
compared with the previous year. In Austria there is also a slow
decrease in unemployment. In Germany the last official statistics
indicate a slight improvement but later reports not based on statistics
tend to show a turn for the worse. In Great Britain, Belgium, and
the Netherlands the situation remains practically unchanged. In
France, Finland, and Latvia the number of unemployed" has so
dwindled that one may safely say that there is no unemployment in
these countries. In Canada and Australia, the only two nonEuropean countries for which unemployment statistics are available,
the last reports indicate continued improvement of the situation as
compared with last year.
Briefly summarized, the situation in the individual countries at
the latest date for which data are available is as follows :
G rea t B r i t a i n .—According to a report of the American commercial
attaché at London (Commerce Reports, September 10, 1923, p. 659)
a lessening of business activity was noticeable during August, par
ticularly in the volume of production and of new buying.0 This re
sulted in increased unemployment and a continued weakness in most
commodity prices. Seasonal factors and midsummer holidays are
partially responsible, but the general unsatisfactory condition of
Europe is regarded as the chief cause. A slight temporary improve
ment may be expected when the autumn seasonal demands are made,
but no great permanent improvement is expected until the continental
outlook is cleared.
In spite of the fact that in the early autumn the number of unem
ployed is usually at the lowest level for the year, unemployment in
August showed a slight increase this year over the preceding month.
A serious situation is feared unless there is an early revival of indus.try. Among 1,149,588 members of trade-unions from which returns
were received, the percentage unemployed was 11.4 at the end of
August as compared with 11.1 at the end of July, and 14.4 at the
end of August, 1922. Among workers covered by the unemploy
ment insurance acts, numbering approximately 11,750,000 and work
ing in practically every industry except agriculture and domestic
service, the per cent of unemployed on August 27 was 11.5 as com
pared with 11.3 on July 23, and 12.3 at the end of August, 1922.
In summarizing the employment situation in August, the Ministry
of Labor Gazette states that “ the industries principally affected” by
the decline in employment “ included the pig iron, tin-plate, ship
building, wool textile, hosiery, textile bleaching, dyeing, etc., furniture,
and pottery trades. On the other hand, there was an improvement
in the building trades in some districts. Employment was still good
in the tin-plate trade, fairly good in coal mining, coach building, brick
1E x cep t where otherwise noted th e sources from w hich th is article is compiled are show n in th e table
on pages 163 a n d 164.
S
67655 °—23 ----- 11
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156
M O N T H L Y L A B O E E E V IE W .
making, and the carpet trade, and fair in the building, tailoring,
paper, and printing trades; but in most of the other principal indus
tries it was slack.”
G erm any .—The latest available official statistics as to unemploy
ment in Germany are those published in the Reichsarbeitsblatt of
September 1 , 1923, which cover the month of July. The Reichs
arbeitsblatt summarizes the situation as follows :
During July, as in previous months, in spite of isolated unfavorable symptoms, a
further slight improvement in employment was generally reported. In the first half
of August, however, the symptoms indicating the beginning of more unfavorable con
ditions in the labor market increased in number.
The statistics for July show a further decrease of unemployment
among organized workers. Thirty-nine trade-union federations, with
an aggregate membership of 5,474,378 members covered by the returns
reported 190,078 of these (3.5 per cent of the total) as out of work at
the end of the month, as compared with 4.1 per cent at the end of
the preceding month, and 0.6 per cent in July, 1922. In addition
36 trade-union federations, with an aggregate membsrship of 4,904,735 members, reported that 708,546 members (14.5 per cent of the
total) worked short time in July, as against 15.3 per cent in June.
A further decline also took place during July in the number of
unemployed in receipt of assistance from public funds. On August 1
the number of totally unemployed receiving unemployment doles
was 138,278, as against 184,859 on July 1. This total increased, how
ever, on August 15 to 145,320. The number of short-time workers
in receipt of unemployment donations on August 15, exclusive of
Berlin, was 210,604, as against 188,833 on August 1. I t should, how
ever, be noted that these figures do not include unemployed workers
temporarily employed on emergency relief works, or the vast number
of idle workers in occupied territory. In spite of the fact that
these are not included in the above statistics the sum of 90,810,977,437
marks was disbursed in July, 1923, from public funds for unemploy
ment doles to workers in unoccupied territory.
Returns from employment exchanges show that the number of
applicants for employment decreased from 1,055,329 in June to
934,309 in July, while the number of vacancies reported rose from
510,238 to 519,512. On the average there were 212 applicants for
each 100 situations for men and 131 for each 100 for women. In.
June the corresponding figures were 245 and 149.
Sickness insurance funds report an increase in the number of mem
bers under obligation to insure (and therefore assumed to be working).
Returns from 4,459 funds showed a total of 10,912,672 members on
August 1, as against 10,833,812 on July 1, an increase of 0.7 per cent.
More recent reports from the American commercial attaché at
Berlin seem, however, to indicate that in August and September the
employment situation in Germany changed for the worse. In a
report dated September 4 (Commerce Reports, September 17, 1923,
p. 776) he says:
The increasing tendency in Germany to demand payment of wages on a gold basis,
on account of the prevailing high prices, is reflected in the grave and growing increase
in unemployment. Every section of unoccupied Germany is affected, including
many leading industries, such as the metal, electrotechnical, chemical, textile, paper,
leather, rubber, woodworking, and foodstuff industries. Many small plants and shops,
unable to cope with conditions, are closing down, throwing many workmen out of
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E M PLO Y M E N T AND U N E M PL O Y M E N T .
157
work. * * * In Saxony during the week ending August 25 on certain days as
many as 100 plants closed down, against a total closing of 130 in April last. ‘ The
total unemployed in the same week in Berlin was 78,000, an increase from the pre
vious week of 11,000; this figure w ill probably be increased in succeeding weeks.
The great electrotechnical industry in Bamberg is working on a half-time basis, the
rubber industry in Hanover shows 5,000 on part time, and there is an increase of 100
per cent in the unemployed in the woodworking trades in Berlin. In the tobacco
industry very few plants are running full time. Furthermore, the demand for labor
m agriculture, usually very strong at this time of the year, is lim ited to the harvesting
of potatoes. The situation in the occupied territory is naturally much worse than
that above outlined, on account of the critical conditions prevailing there.
A later report of the commercial attaché, dated September 20
(Commerce Reports, October 1, 1923, p. 9), states:
There has been a still further increase in unemployment for the week ending Sep
tember 18, although there are as yet no official estimates. The Government now
proposes additional emergency work, in the hope of eliminating unemployment doles,
but it w ill probably be unable to finance this plan on any adequate scale. Parttime work is increasing in all industries, with a growing proportion of half time,
which means that the incomes of the workers affected are entirely insufficient to give
them a minimum wage for existence. Wholesale dismissals of both labor and 'em
ployees of all grades have been announced for November 1, and the present serious
situation may become critical then, if not before.
A cable from the commercial attaché at Berlin, dated October 8
(Commerce Reports, October 15, 1923, p. 142), paints a still more
gloomy picture of the employment situation in Germany in October.
It says:
Industrial production is less than at any time since 1919, with total unemployment
daily growing, and the 24-hour week and other part-time employment also increasing.
Total unemployment is estimated unofficially to-day (October 8) by an exnert in
the Labor Ministry at 1.200,000, exclusive of the Ruhr and Rhineland districts, against
800,000 last week. The total of less than half-time employment is generai in the
occupied area, and there is small prospect of relief w hile conditions of industrial,
transport, and political control are so unsettled-. The ministry ventures no forecast
of the dimensions of unemployment by November 1, but the figure of this week
indicates the rapidity of the present deterioration of the labor market. There are no
official or industrial estimates of part-time work in unoccupied Germany since Sep
tember 15, but it is thought that there are now between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000
workers on part time, of which about 40 per cent are working only a 24 to 33 hour week.
France.-— France seems to be the most fortunate country with
respect to the employment situation. Unemployment is almost non
existent. The number of unemployed receiving benefits from depart
mental or municipal unemployment funds had dwindled from 91,225
in March, 1921, when unemployment was at the highest level in
France, to 1,436 on September 20, 1923. Unemployment funds had
been established in 31 (approximately one-third) of the Departments
in France, and in addition there were 233 municipal funds. Of this
total of 264 funds there are now only 43 (6 departmental and 37
municipal funds) in operation, thus indicating a general improvement
throughout the country as compared with 1921 and 1922.
B e lg iu m .—The most recent unemployment statistics available
relate to July but are provisional in character. Returns received by
the Belgian Ministry of Industry and Labor from 1,616 approved
unemployment funds, with a total membership of 638,389, show that
13,457 of the members were either wholly or partially unemployed
at the end of the month. The aggregate days of unemployment in
July numbered 195,574, or 1.03 per cent of the aggregate possible
working days. For June the corresponding percentage was 1.22 and
for July, 1922, 2.97.
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158
m o n t h l y labor r e v ie w .
The Belgian industries, stimulated by the depreciation of the franc,
have attained a high degree of prosperity. The iron and steel plants
have orders on hand to keep them busy for four months. The present
demand continues to absorb all the output of the glass works and
there is also good demand for textiles for export.
T h e N e th e r la n d s '—Official unemployment statistics supplied to the
British commercial secretary at The Hague by the Dutch State De
partment of Unemployment Insurance show that in the week ending
July 28, 1923, out of 280,632 members of unemployment funds mak
ing returns, 28,635, or 10.2 per cent, were unemployed for six days in
the week, and 8,173, or 2.9 per cent, were unemployed for less than
six days. In the week ending June 30, 1923, the corresponding per
centages were 8.7 and 2.3, and in the last week of July, 1922, they
were 7.4 and 2.1, respectively. The number of applicants for work
at public employment exchanges shows also an increase, 114,285
applications having been received in July, as against 109,274 in June.
A report from the American acting commercial attaché at The
Hague, dated September 18, 1923 (Commerce Reports, September 24,
1923, p . 791)says:
A serious situation has developed in Rotterdam shipping, due to conditions in the
Ruhr and the general industrial stagnation. Formerly under normal conditions
12,000 port workers were employed, whereas now only 7,000 are engaged, and even of
these half are on part-time work. The Dutch navigation on the Rhine is furthermore
suffering from the encroachment of French and Belgian cargo carriers, both represent
ing competition difficult to overcome.
Part-time employment continues in practically all industries, although the clothing
lines recently enjoyed a temporary seasonal improvement. The metal and textile
trades have been especially affected by the competition from adjacent low-exchange
countries. The shoe industry also showed slight improvement recently. * * *
Total unemployment was reported on September 1 at 78,063, as compared with 76,120
on August 1. In the building and metal construction trades the situation is serious,
the former having 15,665 unemployed, and the latter 13,807, both larger figures than in
the previous month.
S w i tz e r la n d .—The situation of the labor market in Switzerland is
gradually approaching normalcy. The general industrial situation
continues to show gradual improvement, although many industries
are still in an unsatisfactory position. Unemployment is steadily
declining, the rate, however, at which this decline is taking place
being much slower than in the first half of the present year. The
number of totally unemplo)7ed fell from 22,722 at the end of July
to 22,554 at the end of August, a decrease of only 168. As 8,139 per
sons employed on emergency relief works were counted as totally un
ployed, the number actually unemployed was only 14,415. Oi this
number, 3,655 received unemployment donations.
Decreases in the number of unemployed were reported in the follow
ing groups: Unskilled workers (395), textile industry (231), food
stuffs (129), watch making (125), printing trades and paper industry
(119), and lesser decreases in five other groups. The principal in
creases took place in the hotel and restaurant trade (604) and in the
building trades (255).
The number of short-time workers increased from 12,592 in July
to 13,507 in August. The greatest increase in the number of shorttime workers took place in the metal-working, machinery, and elec
trical industries (2,595). A decrease in short-time work was re
ported by the textile industry (1,083), the watchmaking industry (439)
and in a smaller measure by four other industry groups.
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[114S]
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
159
D e n m a rk .—According to a report from the American commercial
attaché at Copenhagen, dated September 13, 1923 (Commerce Re
ports, September 24, 1923, p. 794), “ the favorable outlook prevailing
in Denmark at the beginning of July, based on excellent harvest pros”
pects and the improvement of the trade balance, was clouded during
the past month (August). Extremely unfavorable harvest conditions,
large increased excess of imports over exports, the sagging crown, and
the central European situation have caused a temporary economic de
pression in Denmark. * * *”
The industrial situation may, however, be called fair. “ Unem
ployment has remained unchanged at 20,000, attesting to satisfactory
industrial activity. Building, shipbuilding, and other industries,
hampered by the delay of deliveries from the Ruhr district, have been
relieved by a restoration of the raw material shipments and continue
active. The shipping situation is still unchanged; ships are well
occupied but at a very low margin of profit.”
Returns supplied to the Danish Statistical Department by trade
unions and and by the central employment exchange covered 247,997
workers, of whom 7.6 per cent were unemployed on August 31, as
compared with 7.4 per cent on July 27, and 11.1 per cent at the end
of August, 1922.
N o rw a y .—The American commercial attache at Copenhagen re
ports under date of September 13, 1923 (Commerce Reports, Septem
ber 24, 1923, p. 792), that “ the Norwegian industrial situation is very
nearly the same as last month. Unemployment figures have contin
ued to decline, now reaching 7,500, the lowest since 1920. Parallel
with this, the number engaged in part-time work has also been much
reduced. The branches of industry engaged in exporting show favor
able results, while those engaged in supplying the home market are
suffering somewhat from general dullness and considerable foreign
competition. The shipping industry remains depressed, while agricul
ture is in a serious situation, being faced with a partial crop failure.”
Trade-unions reported 6.5 per cent of their membership unem
ployed in July, as against 7.7 per cent in June and 12.4 per cent in
July, 1922.
&'w eden .—Conditions in Sweden continue to improve steadily over
those existing during the first few months of the year. Lockouts,
strikes, bank failures, and disturbed conditions in western Europe
had a telling effect on the exports of Sweden during the first five
months of the year. Now all the large industries are active and
labor disputes have been settled, seemingly to the advantage of both
sides.
The unemployment commission reports 19,100 persons unem
ployed at the end of July as compared with 20,700 at the end of June.
The industries having the largest number of unemployed in July
were the metal-working and machinery industries (3,684), mining
(2,592), and the stone and glass industries (2,267). In order to
appreciate the remarkable improvement in the Swedish labor market
it should be recalled that on February 1 , 1922, when unemployment
had reached its highest level, there were 163,000 unemployed persons
in Sweden.
A report of the American consul at Stockholm, dated August 3,
1923, states that 453 workers were receiving State aid for their sup
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
p i 49]
1G0
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
port on July 1, 1923, as compared with 1,300 on June 1, and 4,700 on
May 1. The number of unemployed workers given temporary
employment by the Government on public works was 15,084 on
July f as against 13,964 on June 1. Aside from the State aid given
to the unemployed, relief work is also provided by the communes,
the number of unemployed engaged in such work on July 1 being
2,031 as compared with 2,300 on June 1. In all, about 75.6 per cent
of the unemployed were given support by the authorities. During
the first six months of the year the total cost to the Government
for unemployment doles and emergency public works was 17,588,893
kronor ($4,713,823, par). During June, 1923, this cost amounted to
3,034,630 kronor ($813,281, par).
A part of the assistance rendered by the State to the unemployed
has been in the form of employment on highway construction. As
a result, 235 miles of roads were constructed during the depression
period by “ unemployment” labor at a cost of about 90,000,000
kronor ($24,120,000, par). “ The building of roads in the northern
part of Sweden will, no doubt, aid Swedish colonization there and
also will facilitate the transportation of goods in general to and from
the hinterland.”
Reports from trade-unions show that 9.7 per cent of their mem
bership were unemployed at the end of July, 1923, as compared
with 9.8 per cent at the end of the preceding month and 20 per cent
at the end of July, 1922.
F i n la n d .—The labor exchange -department of the Ministry of
Social Welfare reports the number of unemployed registered at
communal labor exchanges in the large towns and rural centers as
being 524 at the end of July as against 512 in June.
The Rank of Finland in its monthly market review for August says:
The condition of the labor market may again be considered as good. The lockout
in the building trade has practically come to an end, having lasted about a month.
Work was resumed after small concessions had been made both by the masters and the
men. There is no unemployment at all; on the contrary in some places there is a
shortage of labor.
P o l a n d .—A report from the American consulate at Warsaw, dated
July 23, 1923, covering the employment situation in June, states
that “ with improved industrial conditions during the month unem
ployment in Poland decreased from 93,700 on June 1 to 76,120 oil
June 30. Part-time work, which had been increasingly the rule in
the majority of Polish industries during March, April, and May, also
decreased. The improved industrial conditions came as a result
of a sharp decline in the value of the mark, encouraging speculative
purchases of commodities and enabling Polish manufacturers to
meet foreign competition by reason of lower labor costs.”
Considering the fact that on June 1, 1919, the unemployed in
Poland numbered 354,222, and on January 1, 1922, 218,368, it seems
that Polish industry is on the way to recovery.
L a t v i a .—A communication of the Lettish Minister of Labor to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics states that on July 1, 1923, there remained
1,622 persons on the live register of public employment exchanges.
Of this number 878 were men and 744 were women. As 5,732 appli
cants for work registered at the employment offices during June it
seems that work could be found for the great majority of the unem
ployed.
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EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
161
( Ita ly .-'—In Italy unemployment has been decreasing rapidly since
the beginning of the year in all industries, but especially in agricul
ture, the harvesting work absorbing a great number of unemployed.
At the end of June 216,287 persons were reported totally unemployed,
as compared with 243,928 at the end of May and 372,001 on June 30,
1922. In addition, 39,288 were partially unemployed on June 30, as
against 57,715 on May 31, 1923, and 95,334 on June 30, 1922. At
the end of June, 1923, the number of totally unemployed persons in
receipt of unemployment benefit was 61,547. The corresponding
figures for May 31, 1923, and June 30, 1922, were 64,517 and 123,767°,
respectively.
A u s t r i a . —Since February unemployment in Austria has steadily
decreased. The number of persons in receipt of unemployment
donations, which was 167,417 in February, fell to 87,349 by the end
of July. The decrease in July was chiefly due to increased activity
in the building, textile, and printing trades.
In Vienna unemployment is still very extensive, 69,429 unem
ployed persons having been on the live register of employment ex
changes on August 1. Metal workers (19,178), communal employees
(17,403), private salaried employees (8,982), hotel employees (4,942),
woodworkers (3,011), the printing trades (2,190), shoemakers (2,632),
building trades workers (2,286), and tailors (2,026) account for the
largest number of unemployed. The large number of unemployed
among hotel employees is due to the recent falling off of tourist
traffic in Austria.
There is also much short-time work in Vienna, especially among
metal workers, woodworkers, ladies’ tailors, shoemakers, arid textile
workers. There are 145,000 metal workers in Vienna. Of these,
84,000 were working short time and 19,000 were totally unemployed,
while only 42,000 were working full time.
C ze c h o slo v a k ia . —In Czechoslovakia unemployment has rapidly de
creased since the beginning of the year. According to a report (if the
commercial attaché at Prague, dated May 10, 1923, there were
441,075 persons unemployed at the end of January, 1923. Of this
number, 202,625 received unemployment benefit direct from the
Government, while 75,498 received unemployment benefit indirectly
from the Government through their employers. By the end of May,
1923, the number of unemployed had fallen to 273,234, according to
the International Labor Review (September, 1923, p. 387), and the
number of those receiving unemployment benefit from the Govern
ment, directly and indirectly, had decreased to 117,100 and 49,000,
respectively, according to a report from the American consul at
Prague, dated June 27, 1923.
Better employment conditions are now prevailing in the glass indus
try. Large numbers of former part-time workers are now working full
time. Improvement is also to be noted in the textile industry, in which
the number of workers was recently increased by 7,000. More than
half of the textile workers are now working full time. In other indus
tries the situation is not so favorable. A considerable decrease in
unemployment has taken place in Slovakia, due to the opening of
the building season, railway construction, and agricultural activities.
Labor agitation throughout Czechoslovakia during July resulted
in many serious strikes and lockouts. One of the most important
labor questions now before the Republic is the settlement of the
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
strike in the Ostrava-Karvin coal mines to prevent a reduction of
wages. Negotiations which have been conducted since the strike
began have fallen through so far.
inoo ,,
,Ca n a d a .—In a special report released September 2 2 , 192 6 , tire
Dominion Bureau of Statistics summarizes the September employ
ment situation as follows:
Employment at the beginning of September, as indicated in reports from 5,794
employers tabulated by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, remained on practically
the same level as at the first of August. The pay rolls included 821,471 persons, as
compared with 824,398 in the last report; the index number therefore declined
from 100 2 on the latter date to 100 at the beginning of this month, while at the same
period of 1922 it had stood at 93.7 and in 1921 at 88.7. The minor decrease was to a
large extent due to loss in personnel in railway construction gangs on account ox men
leaving for the harvest, which is the largest on record. Since agriculture is not,
represented in these employment statistics, a corresponding expansion m that industry
is not shown, although employment throughout the country at the beginning ol
September was no doubt in greater volume than in the month befoie. ih e declines
in railway construction were supplemented by further shutdowns for inventones
and holidays in textile and tobacco works. _ On the other hand, mining was decidedly
more active, railway operation, trade, services, building construction, and communi
cation afforded increased employment, and logging showed some revival.
The maritime Provinces and Ontario reported considerable improvement; the gams
in the former occurred largely in Nova Scotia in rolling mills and^ car shops, where
activity had been curtailed in recent months, and also in coal mining ana railway
transportation. The reopening of logging camps accounted for a substantial snare ol
the increase in Ontario, while there were also gains in railway transportation and con
struction and in building construction.
The largest declines m Quebec were
recorded in water transportation, but the textile and tobacco industries suffered
fairly heavy losses. The contraction in the prairie district was entirely due to reduc
tions in staff in railway construction. Logging and lumber iirms xegistered the most
pronounced decreases in British Columbia.
. .
Firms in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver reported moderately increased activity,
while in Montreal, Ottawa, and Hamilton the tendency was downward. Employ
ment around the harbor and in tobacco and textile factories in Montreal declined
quite heavily; recovery in rubber and in some other branches of the manufacturing
industry was not sufficient to offset these reductions. _ The expansion in Toronto was
fairly general, the most important increases occurring in textiles. Small reductions in
personnel were registered by a large number of Ottawa employers, the decreases in
saw and paper mills and in car works were the largest. _ Improyement was recorded in
Hamilton by manufacturers of electric current, electrical appliances, and, agricultural
implements, while textile works were decidedly slacker. The changes in Winnipeg
were slight; the largest additions were reported in iron and steel and building con
struction. ' In Vancouver small increases were registered in a number of industries.
The largest expansion in that city took place in _steel ship yards, but these gains
were partly offset by contractions in sawmills and in building construction.
Employment in the manufacturing industries as a whole declined moderately.
Sawmills showed the first falling off they have recorded since the beginning of the
year and textile and tobacco workers were further affected by shutdowns. On the
other hand, marked improvement was registered in rubber, iron, and steel. Though
comparatively slight, the increases in logging are interesting, since they mark the
reopening of the active season. Coal, other nonmetallic minerals, ana metalliqore
mining showed improvement, and further gains were indicated in communication,
services, and trade.
Railway operation and building construction also afforded
more employment. These gains, however, were counteracted by contractions m
water transportation, on railway and highway construction and maintenance; the
latter declines, as previously pointed out, were largely due to men leaving for the
harvest fields.
A u s t r a l i a . —Trade-union reports for the second quarter of 1923
show that 7.1 per cent of the members were unemployed, as against
7.2 per cent in the preceding quarter and 9.6 per cent in the second
quarter of 1922.
A summary of the latest statistical reports on unemployment is
given in the table following.
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SUM MARY O F L A T E S T R E P O R T S ON U N E M PL O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S.
C ountry.
G reat B rita in and
no rth ern Ireland.
Date.
1923.
Aug. 27
G erm any.................. Aug. 15
D o........................... July 28
Source of d ata.
1,354,750 (num ber of unem ploym ent books
lodged), representing 11.5 of all persons
insured against unem ploym ent.
M inistry of Labor G azette, L ondon,
September, 1923.
11.4 per cent of trade-union m em bers............. ___ do ......................................................
145,320 totally unem ployed persons receiving
unem ploym ent donation.
3.5 per cent of trade-union m em bers............... ___ do......................................................
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F rance....................... Sept. 20
1,436 persons in receipt of unem ploym ent
benefits from departm ental and m unicipal
unem ploym ent funds.
D o ........................... Sept. 15
8,485 persons on live register of public em
ploym ent exchanges.
D o ...........................
D o ...........................
Sw itzerland.............
D o...........................
D e n m ark .
B ulletin du Marché d u Travail,
Paris, Sept. 21,1923.
.do.
13,457 m em bers of unem ploym ent funds, or Revue du Travail, Brussels, Aug. 31,
1923.
per cent of th e total m em bership were
either wholly unem ployed or on short
tim ed
July 31 9,185 persons on live register of public em ....... d o ......................................................
ploym ent exchanges.
July 28 28,635, or 10.2 per cent of th e to+al m em ber M inistry of Labor Gazette, London,
September, 1923.
ship of unem ploym ent funds were totalty
unem ployed and 8.173 or 2.9 per cent, par
tially so.
Ju ly — 114,285 applicants for em ploym ent a t public M aandschrift, The H ague, Aug. 31,
1923.
em ploym ent exchanges.
Aug. 31 22,554 to tally unem ployed (including 8,139 D er Schweizerische A rbeitsm arkt,
B ern, Sept. 15, 1923.
employed on relief works), 13,507 shorttim e workers.
. . .d o . . . . 3,655 persons received unem ploym ent dona ___ d o ......................................................
tions.
Aug. 31 7.6 per cent out of a total of 247,997 work Statistiske Efterretninger, Copen
hagen, Sept. 12, 1923.
ers covered by re tu rn s of trade-unions
and of th e Central E m ploym ent E x
change were unemployed.
B elg iu m .................... Aug.
T he N e th e rla n d s...
R eichsarbeitsblatt, B erlin, Sept. 1,
1923.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2.1
Of th e 1,354,750 persons having lodged th eir unem ploym ent
books, 1,027,278 were m en, 277,831 w ere w om en, a nd 49,641
were juvenile w orkers. T he n u m b e r of system atic short-tim e
w orkers entitled to out-of-work donation was 72,067. T he
per cent of unem ployed w orkers on July 23, 1923, was 11.3.
T he corresponding p e r cent a t th e end of Ju ly , 1923, was 11.1 and
14.4 a t th e end of A ugust, 1922.
Of th e 145,320 persons receiving u nem ploym ent donations
114,819 w ere m ales an d 30,501 w ere females. I n addition
210,604 persons w ere w orking sh o rt tim e. On Aug. 1, 1923,
th e n u m b er of totally unem ployed w as 138,278 a nd th a t of
short-tim e w orkers 188,833.
T he corresponding p er cent a t th e end of th e last week of June,
1923, was 4.1 a nd 0.6 a t th e end of th e last w eek of Ju ly , 1922.
Of the 1,436 persons in receipt of unem ploym ent benefits, 1.337
were m ales and 99 were females. A t th e end of th e preceding
week the n um ber of persons receiving unem ploym ent benefits
w as 1,473.
Of th e 8,485 persons on th e live register of em ploym ent ex
changes, 5,667 w ere males and 2,818 w ere females. A t the end
of th e preceding w eek th e corresponding to tal was 9,812.
T he corresponding per cent on Ju n e 30, 1923, was 2.6 per cent.
T he aggregate days of unem ploym ent in Ju ly , 1923, n u m
bered 195,574,! as against 193,373 in June, 1923.
T he corresponding n um ber a t th e end of June, 1923, was 9,297.
In th e corresponding w eek of th e preceding m o n th th e percent
ages w ere 8.7 and 2.3, respectively, and in th e week ended
Ju ly 29, 1922, 7.4 and 2.1.
T he corresponding n u m b e r for June, 1923, was 109,274.
The corresponding figures for Ju ly 31, 1923, were 22,722 totally
unem ployed (including 8,816 em ployed on relief works), and
12,592 short-tim e workers.
T he corresponding n u m b e r on July 31, 1923, was 4,136.
T he corresponding per cent a t th e end of th e last w eek of July,
1923 was 7.4, a nd 11.1 per cent a t th e end of the last week of
A ugust, 1922.
163
Subject to revision.
4
R em arks.
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
D o ........................... Aug. 30
N um ber or per cent of unem ployed.
N um ber or per cent of unem ployed.
D ate.
C ountry.
1923.
N orw ay..................... Ju ly —
Sw eden..................... Ju ly 31
D o....................... . . . d o ___
F in la n d ..................... Ju ly 31
Ju n e 30
Ju ly
1
Ita ly ........................... June 30
D o ....................... . . . d o ___
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A u stria...................... Ju ly 31
Czechoslovakia........ M ay —
C an ad a...................... Aug.
1
A ustralia................... Second
q u a r
te r.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
R em arks.
6.5 cent of trade-union m em b ers..................... Sociala M eddelanden, Stockholm, T he corresponding per cent for June, 1923, was 7.7, a nd 12.4 for
July, 1922.
No. 9, 1923.
9.7 per cent of trade-union m em b ers............... ___do........................................................ The corresponding per cent for June, 1923, was 9.8 a nd for July,
1922, it was 20 per cent.
19.100 unem ployed (estim ate of S tate U nem ___d o ........................................................ The corresponding num ber a t th e end of June, 1923, was 20,700.
ploym ent Commission).
524 unem ployed (289 m en an d 235 women) B an k of F inland M onthly B ulletin, A t th e end of June, 1923, th e n um ber of unem ployed was 512,
a nd 627 a t th e end of July, 1922.
Helsingfors, A ugust, 1923.
registered a t com m unal em ploym ent ex
changes.
76,120 persons unem ployed................................ R eport of A m erican Consulate a t The corresponding num ber on June 1,1923, w as 93,700.
W arsaw dated July 23, 1923.
1,622 persons (878 m en and 744 women) on Communication of th e L ettish Min
istry
of Labor, Riga, July 19,1923.
live register of em ploym ent exchanges.
216,287 persons to tally unem ployed and M inistry of L abor Gazette, London, T he corresponding figures for M ay 31, were 243,928 totally u nem
ployed and 57,715 short-tim e w orkers.
Septem
ber, 1923.
39,288 short-tim e workers.
T he corresponding figure for May 31, 1923, was 64,517, and
61,547 unem ployed persons received unem
123,767 for June 30, 1922.
ploym ent benefit.
87,349 unem ployed persons in receipt of u n Statistische N achrichten, Vienna, T he corresponding figure for th e end of Ju n e, 1923, w as 92,788.
Aug. 25,1923.
em ploym ent donation.
117.100 totally unem ployed persons (81,700 R eport of A m erican Consulate a t The corresponding figure for A pril, 1923, w as 183,000.
Prague, dated June 27, 1923.
m en an d 35,400 women) received unem
p loym ent donation.
2.9 per cent of trade-union m e m b e rs............. L abor Gazette, O ttaw a, Septem ber, T he corresponding per cent on Ju ly 1, 1923, was 3.4 a n d 4.1 on
Aug. 1, 1922.
1923.
per cent of trade-union m em b ers............ M inistry of L abor G azette, London, T he corresponding per cent for th e first q u a rte r of 1923 was 7.2
and 9.6 for the second quarter of 1922.
Septem ber, 1923.
7.1
m o n t h l y labor r e v ie w .
P o la n d .....................
L a tv ia .......................
Source of data.
164
SUM MARY O F L A T E S T R E P O R T S ON U N E M PL O Y M E N T IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S —Concluded.
HOUSING.
Housing and fown-Planning Regulation in Massachusetts.
HE annual report of the Massachusetts Department of Public
Welfare for the year ending November 30, 1922, contains a
brief report on the progress of housing and town-planning con
trol in that State. Town planning, it points out, is a natural develop
ment from any attempt to regulate the housing situation, since over
crowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate transportation facilities
are all parts of the same problem, and no one aspect can be satisfac
torily treated by itself. Control of the individual house, however, is
usually the initial step, and housing legislation generally precedes
town planning and zoning.
In Massachusetts legislation has done something toward abolishing
windowless rooms, overcrowding, and insanitary plumbing, but the
work is only partially accomplished. “ There are still too many com
munities without even building laws.” A questionnaire as to the
building laws or ordinances in force was sent out to the 355 cities and
towns in Massachusetts, to which 247 replies were received. Twenty
towns reported codes which did little or nothing beyond regulating
the materials which might be used in building and giving some
measure of fire protection. Seventeen had codes making some pro
vision for light and air, size of rooms, privacy, and sanitation.
Twenty-six had accepted the terms of the State tenement house act,
six had building codes but copies were not available for analysis, and
178 reported that they had neither ordinances nor by-laws relating
to the subject. In view of this situation the report points out that
“ much still remains to be done” in the way of legal regulation of
housing.
In 1913 Massachusetts passed an act requiring all cities and towns
with a population of over 10,000 to establish town-planning boards.
At the end of 1922 there were 54 such boards in active operation.
Many had been working on comprehensive plans for city develop
ment, but in the majority of cases financial limitations restricted
their work and piecemeal planning resulted. Comprehensive plans,
however, have been adopted or are in preparation for ten cities and
towns, among them being Boston, Cambridge, Springfield, Fall
River, and Worcester. Seven cities have put zoning plans into
effect, and zoning is under way in ten others, including Boston,
Worcester, and Fall River.
T
Housing in Philadelphia.
HE Philadelphia Housing Association, in its annual report for
1922, presents an unusually complete and informative account
of conditions prevailing in that city, in which the discussions
of the rental and building situations are perhaps of the most general
interest. In its report for 1921, the association gave the results of
T
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
a rent survey made in that year. (See M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w ,
October, 1922, pp. 154 to 157.) In December, 1922, it made a similar
survey of 1,159 rental properties in seven industrial centers of the
city, from which it appeared that the trend of rents was still upward.
The average rental of the dwellings studied was $21.25 per month in 1922 as against
$19.63 for approximately the same number of houses in 1921, and $13.93 in 1914 for a
larger number of houses. Their gross annual rental of $295,636 was $106,636 more
than for the same dwellings in 1914, and the rate of increase over 1914 was 56.4 per
cent.
The increase was found in every section of the city, but varied in
amount. In West Philadelphia the increase over 1914- was more than
100 per cent, and sections which in 1921 showed only small increases
showed in this survey increases of from 8 to 17 per cent over the
rents of 1921. The poor were hardest hit by the changes. More
than a third of the houses renting for less than $15 a month showed
increases, and so did 28 per cent of those whose rents ranged from
$15 to $30 a month, while only 16 per cent of those renting for over
$30 showed an increase. Also, the percentage of increase was higher
in the cheaper houses. The steady rise in rents had brought about
an unfortunate situation.
One aspect of the rental situation was felt to be alarming. There way a rising tide
of indignation among tenants who were being gouged. It did not show in vociferous
shouting but in sullen resentment. They had limited incomes and soaring rents
meant that other living costs must be cut. Some moved into rooms, causing congested
occupancy; one mother and four children were found sleeping in a room of less than
100 square feet, while a man, his wife, and four children were found in a room of 96
square feet. Other families reduced living costs by purchasing less clothing and food,
leaving undernourished and poorly protected bodies, with a consequence detrimental
to public health and welfare. * * *
The city knows that families, like rats, have taken to cellars to cook, eat, and work;
that many are housed in attic rooms, up where the blistering heat of the summer sun
makes life one unremitting state of sweltering; that the same intensive occupancy
has driven 4, 8 , and 10 families into houses of as many rooms each to carry on all
household activities in an apartment of only one room.
The report discusses at some length the practicability of laws
controlling rents as one means of meeting the situation. The asso
ciation made a study of the methods of rent control adopted by
various States and cities since the housing shortage became acute
and found little to support the charges brought against the emergency
laws and rent commissions. The constitutionality of these methods,
it is pointed out, has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Where
such laws have been adopted the courts have not been clogged with
rent cases, and this is especially noticeable where rent commissions
have been established. There is no truth in the allegation that rent
laws tend to restrict building, “ for in no city where they have been
in force has the building program been retarded.” And on the
positive side the effect has been good.
Rent laws have been effective where adopted and consistently enforced. Those
speculative investors who, as temporary landlords, gouge their tenants have had a
warning that they must justify rental increases wherever made. The common expe
rience of rent commissions has been that after the commissions become active the
number of cases of outrageously high rents decrease. Neither courts nor commissions
have restricted rents so that returns fall below a fair earning on the investment.
Both have found many cases before them where the increases asked were not excessive.
Rent laws have not disturbed legitimate barter between landlord and tenant, but
they have in a measure controlled the new crop of get-rich-quick speculative investors
who have arisen because of the emergency created by the housing shortage.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
HOUSING.
167
The association sees little prospect that the situation will soon
right itself if left to the workings of supply and demand. Philadel
phia shared in the building boom of 1922, and at the end of the year
permits had been issued for new and converted dwellings to accommo
date 11,947 families. A large portion of these, however, would not
be completed until late in 1923, and meanwhile the destruction or
vacation of houses to make room for various civic developments was
increasing the demand beyond that due to the normal increase of
population. Even should the 1922 rate of dwelling construction
keep on steadily Philadelphia could not catch up with its housing
shortage for years.
Moreover, the bulk of the building of 1922 was not of a character
to meet the needs of the poor. Most of the one-family houses were
planned to sell for from $6,000 to $9,000 each, which puts them
definitely out of the reach of the lower-paid workers, either for
buying or renting. A proportion, wholly unprecedented in Phila
delphia, of the new housing was for “ multiple ” buildings, instead
of the one-family house which has long been characteristic of the
city. But even these will not provide what is wanted, since “ few
buildings of this type can be built in Philadelphia to-day to rent
profitably below $15 per room per month.” Practically the only
provision made for the small wage-earning class has been the con
version of old houses into tenements under standards which are below
the requirements for new construction. This, and the provision in
the new construction of buildings for multiple occupancy, has made
a net increase of legal tenement housing of almost 21 per cent during
the year.
This is a definite trend toward tenement living in a city which has had the reputa
tion of having less than 10 per cent of its families housed in buildings of multiple
occupancy. It bodes no good for Philadelphia, since authentic reports from many
American cities show that where the tenement type is substituted for the dwelling
type the number and size of rooms occupied by families so housed decrease and rents
increase. Such economic limitations on the number of rooms which tenants may
rent forces congested occupancy with the increased hazard to public health and public
morals.
The association does not admit that it is impossible to build houses
within the reach of the poorer classes but concedes that it is improb
able that such will be provided by the speculative builder, since he
feels the need of a large margin of safety, “ sometimes as large as
$1,500 on a $6,000 house.” The association does not question the
right of the builder to put up whatever kind of house he thinks he
can sell, but it regrets that the public should accept as a fact his
unproved assertion that low-priced houses can not be built under
present conditions. The general acceptance of this statement dis
courages those who might undertake low-priced construction, and
leads the buyers to believe that they have no recourse but to buy at
any price asked. Hence they purchase or rent at a cost beyond
their means, and either take in roomers or suffer in food and clothing
to make up the deficiency.
To-day houses can be built large enough to house comfortably the average family
and at prices which will permit reasonable rentals, provided cheap building money
is available, “ frills” are omitted, and the builders are willing to take a modest profit.
The Housing Association has developed plans upon which bona fide construction
bids have been received which show a cost of $2,650 to $2,800 per house in units of 10,
including the builder’s profits of about $550. These houses are of plain architecture,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
168
substantial construction, of sanitary equipment, with individual yards, and with
rooms as large as the average room in tenement types catering to the same wage group.
With low financing costs and a smaller builder’s profit such houses can be built to
rent at $25 a month, or a rent within the reach of those workers who a decade ago,
when cheaper houses were built, had incomes of $12 to $15 a week, but who are now
earning $25 and upward per week.
The association presents a strong plea for the acceptance of the
city zoning policy, which is making slow headway in Philadelphia.
Zoning is opposed by different classes on different grounds. In the
central districts the property owners apparently object most to the
restrictions on height.
Their chief argument seems to be personal, namely,»that if zoning is adopted and
the height of central realty buildings is restricted they can not get as much from the
sale of their speculative holdings as they otherwise might.
Against this it is pointed out that if unrestricted building con
tinues a point of saturation will be reached, at which returns from
the buildings will decrease, unless heavy expenses are incurred to
secure light and ventilation easements. Such has been the experience
in other cities, and though the cessation of building during the war
and the enormous expansion of business has temporarily checked
the development of such conditions they can not permanently delay
the consequences of unregulated and uncontrolled growth.
Control of the height of buildings, however, is only one feature,
and that not the most important, of a zoning policy. One of its
greatest values is the protection it affords residential districts against
the invasion of objectionable businesses and the consequent deteriora
tion of the property.
Each misuse is an entering wedge in a neighborhood for further misuses, and is the
forerunner of slum centers. The history of many of the blighted areas in Philadelphia
to-day begins with the injection of some store, factory, garage, or like business into a
residential area, starting a migration of old established families, usually home owners,
and the influx of home renters who, because they have no financial investment in the
neighborhood and are, therefore, foot-loose nomads, take little, if any, interestyn
keeping up good neighborhood conditions. From such beginnings deterioration
logically follows.
Moreover, the use of zoning serves as a guide in city planning and
helps to determine the layout of new areas, the width of streets,
and the public service facilities to be provided. _The casual hit-or-miss
fashion in which many cities have developed in the past has proved
costly to the city and the individual landholder alike. Mere common
sense and common prudence dictate a more systematic and foresighted method of development, which shall determine from the
beginning the use to which a given section shall be put, and then
protect it in that use.
German Law For Protection of Tenants.1
N JUNE 1, 1923, the Reichstag passed a law for the protection
of tenants of dwellings ( M ie te r s c h u tz g e s e tz ) , which becomes
effective on October 1, 1923, and is to remain in force until
July 1, 1926. The law provides that any lease shall on its expira
tion continue in force unless the lessee has himself agreed to discon
tinue the lease and has given notice of the discontinuance to the
O
1G erm any.
R eichsarbeitsm inisterium .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
R eichsarbeitsblatt, B erlin, Ju ly 1, 1923, p. 422.
[1158]
HOUSING.
169
lessor. The lessor is no longer allowed to give notice to the tenant ;
if he wishes to terminate a lease he must bring suit at the local court
of lowest instance (A m ts g e r ic h t ) for annulment of the lease.
The law admits only the following reasons as sufficient for annul
ment of a lease:
(1) If the lessee or a member of his household or a person employed
by him in his business becomes a considerable nuisance to the lessor
or to another tenant of the dwelling, or endangers the leased premises
or the house through improper use, or if the lessee sublets the leased
premises without authorization. In all such cases the lessor must
first warn the lessee, and annulment of the lease is permissible only
if the lessee does not heed this warning. The lessor must sue for
annulment of the lease within six months from the date on which
the fact causing him to sue has come to his notice. If a year has
elapsed since the date on which the lessee committed an act which
may justify annulment, suit for annulment is no longer permissible.
(2) If the lessee does not pay his rent promptly. The lessor may,
however, sue for annulment of the lease only if in the case of monthly
payment the rent overdue amounts to twice the monthly rate, or in
the case of quarterly payment to a whole quarterly rate. The
lessee has also the right to pay the overdue rent after suit for annul
ment of the lease has been instituted.
(3) If for urgent reasons the lessor desires to obtain the use of the
leased premises, and the withholding thereof would constitute great
unfairness to him, notwithstanding the inconvenience to the lessee.
This concession to the lessor is, however, not unconditional, for the
law provides that the court before rendering a decision must take
into account certain facts in favor of the lessee, i. e., if, for instance,
the lessee, with the consent of the lessor, has incurred great expendi
tures for the improvement of the premises; if the property in"ques
tion is the only place of business which the lessee has and the lessor
has in addition, to a main establishment several branches of his
business within the same commune and wants the use of the leased
premises merely to enlarge his business. The lessor’s claim to the
leased premises for his own personal use or that of members of his
family is not sufficient reason for annulment of the lease. If the
lease is annulled by the court because the lessor is especially interested
in obtaining the use of the premises the court may order the lessor
to pay to the lessee the cost of moving. It must also make provision
that the lessee shall not be evicted unless suitable premises have
been assigned to him by the communal housing office.
In the case of subleases the discontinuance of the relation of tenancy
is made somewhat easier by the law, but even a renter of a furnished
room can not be forced to move by mere notice of the lessor. Even
in such a case the lessor must first bring suit. The court is, however,
authorized by the law to annul a sublease of a furnished room if the
lessor is essentially interested in obtaining the use of the leased
premises, especially if he needs the premises for his own use. If
rooms have, however, been sublet for housekeeping the law gives the
same protection to the tenant as is given by it to the original lessee.
Of great importance to labor are those provisions of the new law
that regulate tenancy in company dwellings, i. e., in dwellings rented
by employers to their employees. The law provides that when in
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m o n t h l y labor r e v ie w .
such cases the service or employment relation is terminated certain
distinction shall be made. If the employee has given to the employer
a legal reason for discharging him or if he has left his employment
voluntarily although the employer has given him no cause for leaving,
the law gives to the employer the right to sue for eviction, and if the
court gives judgment in favor of the employer the employee may be
evicted even if another suitable dwelling is not available for assign
ment to him. If, on the other hand, the employer had no legal
reason for discharging the employee or the employer had given the
employee good cause for leaving his employment the general protec
tive provisions for tenants are also applicable to the tenant of a
company dwelling even if the tenant has left the service of the owner
of the dwelling. "The employer may, however, bring suit for annul
ment of the lease if he urgently needs the premises for another worker
employed in the place of the one who has left or been discharged.
If the employer is willing to pay a suitable compensation to the
employee, lie may demand the latter’s eviction. The amount of such
compensation is fixed by the court.
The law provides specifically that an employee occupying a com
pany dwelling may not be evicted for trade-union activities, and par
ticularly not for participation in a strike for better wages or workingconditions.
The right of subletting leased premises is conditioned on me con
sent of the lessor. If the lessor refuses his consent the matter is to be
decided by the local rent board. In the case of premises used for
business purposes the lessor alone can permit the subletting of the
premises.
The law is applicable alike to all leases of dwellings, stores, and
storage rooms. It is not applicable to new buildings that have become
ready for occupancy after July 1, 1918, to rooms newly created
through remodeling of old buildings, or to buildings owned by public
welfare building societies. Persons who were not residing in Ger
many on January 1, 1914, may on expiration of their leases also be
evicted from dwellings leased by them if the lessor has an essential
interest in obtaining possession of the premises.
In deciding suits for annulment of leases the local courts must call
in associate lay judges. One-half of these must be landlords and the
other half must be tenants. They are to be chosen from lists made
up by the local landlords’ and tenants’ associations.
Housing Shortage and Housing Activities in Great Britain.
OME indication of the need for more houses in England is seen
in the preparations, made in advance of its passage, to take
advantage of the new housing act, which provides a limited
subsidy for houses conforming to certain specifications. The act
was introduced into Parliament in April, 1923, and had rather a
stormy passage, as the minority felt that its provisions were far from
being sufficiently liberal to meet the needs of the situation. A num
ber of changes were made in it, but many more were asked, and for
some time it was quite uncertain in what form it would finally pass.
(For its final terms, see the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w , October, 1923,
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HOUSING.
171
pp. 115-117.) INotwiths landing this uncertainty, a number of plans
were prepared and definitely submitted to the Minister of Health for
approval. According to the English magazine, Garden Cities and
down Planning (September, 1923, p. 168), by August 9, schemes had
been definitely submitted, m anticipation of the passage of the new
act, providing for the erection of over 17,000 houses, grouped as
follows:
To be built by—
Private enterprise............................................................................
Public utility societies.................................. ........................... "
Local authorities.................................................................. 10 358
4 (533
2 235
17, 226
To these may be added schemes for 7,611 houses to be built by
local authorities which were prepared after the collapse of the first
piogram of State aid, and before the formulation of the second,
making at total of 24,837 houses for which aid is asked under the new
bill immediately upon its passage.
Strong evidence of the need for houseroom was seen recently when
the Manchester authorities announced that they would receive appli
cations for new houses. The corporation, which has undertaken a
number of municipal housing schemes involving over 4,000 houses,
had 700 houses approaching completion, and 690 others for which
contracts had been let, and for these two groups it proposed to re
ceive applications. According to the issue of Garden Cities and Town
1 fanning, already quoted, the response was immediate and pro
nounced.
The result of the announcement was that people began to assemble outside the
public Health ofhee, which was due to open at 9 a. m., shortly after midnight, and the
Manchester papers are full of stories of the difficulty in regulating the queue, which
extended for two or three hundred yards from the office, applications received by tele
gram and telephone, etc. At the end of the day the corporation clerks had succeeded
m entering the names of 2,600 persons.
Is ow that the terms of the new act are known, local authorities in
a number of places are pressing forward housing campaigns. The
Manchester housing committee has issued a report recommending
that the city borrow £100,000 ($486,650, par) to be used in subsidizmg new housing erected by private builders. The subsidy author
ized by the General Government has a capitalized value of only £75
($365, par), which the corporation considers an insufficient induce
ment for building any but the smallest house permissible under the
fiew legislation, so the city will make an additional contribution
fiom the local rates. A condition of the latter subsidy, however, is
that not more than 12 houses shall be built to the acre. This is a
proviso which the advocates of better housing fought hard to get
into the national housing bill while it was before Parliament, but
which was rejected by the Government.1
Certain local authorities are cited by Garden Cities and Town
Planning as having added extra inducements to the Governmental
subsidy, since there seems to be a rather general feeling that the latter
is not, in itself, sufficient to lead private builders to put up houses
which can be rented or sold to working-class people.
1See M anchester G uardian, issues of Sept. 3 (p. 9) and Sept. 6 (p. 9), 1923.
07655°— 23--- 12
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The city of Glasgow seems to have given up the idea that private
builders can be relied upon to meet the situation, and has under
taken municipal housing schemes upon a larger scale than has been
attempted since the war. The local authorities have carried out
schemes providing 885 houses, nearly all of which are now completed.
They are at present promoting new schemes which will provide 5,500
additional houses and involve a cost of over £3,000,000 ($14,599,500,
par). These are not designed for the poorest classes, for whom tene
ments seem to be the only form of housing which can at present be
provided on economic terms.
The policy of the corporation, however, would appear to be to provide the most
attractive type of house, let them to the citizen who can afford it, and thus relieve
the pressure on existing house properties, which from their smaller capital cost should
be available, it is calculated, at rents within the range of the humbler wage earners
of the community. (Manchester Guardian, Sept. 8, 1923.)
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REH A BILITA TIO N.
Training and Employment of Disabled Workmen in the Ford Plant.
HE possibilities of rehabilitation and employment of disabled
workers has been demonstrated in the plants of the Ford Motor
Co. at Detroit. This is shown by a paper read before the
International Conference on Rehabilitation of the Disabled (held in
New York City under the auspices of the American Red Cross,
March 18-22, 1919), by Dr. J. E. Mead, chief surgeon of the Ford
Motor Co., of which the following is a summary:
On January 12, 1914, Henry Ford, while setting the minimum wage
for employees of the Ford Motor Co. at $5 for a day of eight hours,
issued instructions that in the future no one applying for work should
be rejected on account of his physical condition unless found to be
suffering with a contagious disease which would endanger the health
of fellow employees; and, furthermore, that no one should be dis
charged on account of his physical condition. On January 1, 1919,
the minimum wage was raised to $6 per day with the same rule in
force, for during those past five years efficiency and production had
increased and the company had not yet gone into the hands of a
receiver.
It may be inferred that with this rule in force for the past five years
the labor force of the Ford Motor Co. would include a great many
employees who are not up to the average physical standard. Such
is the fact. At the present time there are 123 men working, with
either amputated or hopelessly crippled arms, forearms, or hands;
1 with both hands off; 4 totally blind men; 207 blind in one eye;
253 with light perception in only one eye; 37 deaf and dumb; 60
suffering with epilepsy; 4 with both legs or feet missing: 234 with
one foot or leg amputated or hopelessly crippled; 1,560 suffering from
hernias of various types; 900 tubercular employees; and 6,180 more
suffering from other ailments or diseases, bringing the total up to
9,563.
A fact u of minor importance but probably of interest is that Ford
employees are minus 1,031 of their allotted number of fingers or
thumbs.”
How are these employees placed so that their maximum ability
can be realized in the manufacture of the Ford product %
A man applying for a job is first interviewed and the preliminary
employment papers written up in the employment office. He is
then immediately referred to the examining surgeon, who gives him
a most thorough examination. If found to be suffering with a con
tagious disease, dangerous to the health of fellow employees, he is
refused immediate employment and the case is reported to the local
health authorities. If, however, his debarring ailment is acute and
probably will respond readily to treatment, he is assured that when he
can present a clean bill of health he will be accepted.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Once hired, a man is assured of permanent employment, for one
rule of this company which is hard and fast is that no person shall be
discharged or laid off because he is physically unable to do his work.
Further, an employee who is acutely ill or in need of rest and medical
attention may obtain sick leave, with the assurance that his job will
be awaiting him on his recovery.
During the past year the average number of employees of the Ford
Motor Co. was 33,000. As already stated, 9,563 of these were either
actual cripples or men suffering with some ailment or disease or
otherwise physically below par, including many men between 70
and 80 years old.
Equitable adjustment of the work to the man is accomplished m
the following way: An accurate card index is kept showing the num
ber of different jobs or operations performed in the course of manufac
turing the various parts and of assembling the Ford product. These
cards give the department number; operation number; kind of
machine and a description of the work, whether light, medium, or
heavy; whether dry or wet, and if wet, the kind of fluid used; wheth
er clean or dirty; whether near an oven or furnace; the condition of
air in the department; whether one or both hands are used; whether
the employee sits or stands at his work; whether the room is noisy or
quiet; whether natural or artificial light is used; the number of
shifts; the approximate number of pieces handled per hour; the
weight of the material or piece handled; and a description of any
strain the workman is under. There are 7,882 of these cards, describ
ing that number of different jobs in the factory. Of these, 949 are
classified as heavy work, requiring strong, able-bodied and practically
physically perfect men; 3,338 require men of ordinary physical
development and strength; while the remainder, 3,595, call for practi
cally no physical exertion and can be performed by men of the slightest
build or physical development. In tact, the last class of work could
be performed by women or older children without taxing their
strength. As many of these lightest operations required the use of
all the faculties and would not be suitable for many of the physically
handicapped, another canvass was made to ascertain the number of
jobs that could be performed by the various classes of permanently
disabled men. This canvass showed that 670 operations could be
performed by legless men; 2,637 by one-legged men; 2 by armless
men; 715 by one-armed men; and 10 by blind men. The time re
quired to become proficient in these various occupations was esti
mated to be as follows: 1,743 jobs, or 43 per cent, would require one
day or less; 1,461 jobs, or 36 per cent, one day to one week; 251 jobs,
or 6 per cent, one to two weeks; 534 jobs, or 14 per cent, one month
to one year; and 43 jobs, or 1 per cent, one to six years. These
last 43 jobs are skilled occupations, such as tool-making and die
sinking.
Two fundamental facts became prominent from the above: First,
there were 9,563 substandard men who required more or less consid
eration in order to secure efficiency from their labor, and, second,
throughout the plant there were over 14,000 jobs perfectly suited to
the various types and conditions of these physically substandard men.
“ The problem then became clear and the solution simple. It was
the rational adjustment of the two factors, the man and the job.”
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IN D U STRIA L A C C ID EN TS A N D H YG IEN E.
1 welfth Congress of National Safety Council.
HE twelfth annual congress of the National Safety Council was
held in Buffalo from October 1 to 5, 1923.
The congress was given an international aspect by the pres
ence and participation of Sir Thomas Oliver, the British authority
on occupational diseases, Hon. Forbes Godfrey, M. D., Minister of
Health and Labor of the Province of Ontario, and Hon. G. S. Henry,
Minister of Public Works and Highways, of the same Province. Dr.
Royal Meeker, Secretary of Labor and Industry of the State of
Pennsylvania, presented the “ International aspects of the safety
problem.”
An outstanding feature of recent development has been the national
safety code program. Some 40 of these codes are being formulated
under the auspices of the American Engineering Standards committee.
The program has involved practically all of the great engineering,
commercial, and industrial organizations of the country. Several of
the sections of the congress devoted a part of their sessions to con
sideration of codes which are in process of formulation.
The congress was augmented materially by the fact that the
American Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons and the
annual safety conference of the New York State Department of
Labor held joint sessions with the safety council.
The intensive consideration of specific accident prevention prob
lems takes place in the sectional meetings. It has been necessary to
increase the number of these until the present program shows 24
sections.
In the automotive section two codes were discussed. The punch
press code has already jbeen approved and attention is now being
directed toward means for carrying out its provisions. The forging
code is now being formulated. The first tentative draft was presented
for consideration of the section. This draft has been very carefully
drawn, and judging from the discussion may reach the final stage
without material modification.
Two papers in this section were of particular interest. Mr. R. F.
Thalner, of the Buick Motor Co., discussed the value of accident
statistics on the standard basis. The Safety Council has rendered a
very great service in promoting among its members the use of the
standard method of preparing accident statistics. Mr. Thalner’s
paper brought out clearly the benefits to his own. company and the
greater benefits incident to a general adoption of such1methods.
The other paper was on eye injuries, by Dr. L. M. Francis, of
Buffalo. This paper was important in that it stressed the fact that
as a cause of blindness the accidents which are severe enough in them
selves to destroy the eye are of relatively small importance. Blindness
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176
results largely from injuries which, if properly treated at the outset,
would not be serious. It is still easier to prevent the injury altogether
by proper protective measures. Industrial blindness is needless.
The construction section devoted parts of two sessions to the code
for construction work. This code is in its first draft.
The paper and pulp section devoted a portion of one session to dis
cussion of the code in preparation for that industry. This was fol
lowed by a round-table discussion of paper and pulp mill hazards.
In the woodworking section an important demonstration of various
safeguards was presented, which will be utilized in putting the finish
ing touches on the code for that industry, now practically completed.
Among the apparatus exhibited to the section was a new shaper
guard which seems to have elements of promise.
In the educational section one of the most instructive presentations
was “ How Buffalo teaches safety in its public schools from the third
grade to the teachers’ training school.”
The electric railway section in a round-table discussion considered
the very timely topic of “ Cooperation of electric railways in com
munity safety activities.”
The metals section had one of its most animated discussions over
the relation of medical and safety departments. I t is essential that
these departments should work in the closest harmony with the
employment department, in order to assure the success of safety
development.
Two sessions of the mining section were devoted to a discussion of
various phases of underground transportation. That so much time
was given to this subject indicates its importance from a safety
standpoint.
In the public safety section all the papers were of great interest,
but perhaps the most suggestive was the one presented by President
Dow regarding safety work by the New York police department.
This problem has been attacked, with exceptional vigor and ingenuity
in New York.
Among the papers presented in the steam railroad section, a volume
of relevant information is to be found in the paper on “ National cost
of accidents to the railroads,” by Mr. Lew it. Palmer, of the Equit
able Life Assurance Society.
Decrease in Corn-Shredder Accident, in Wisconsin,
HE records of the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin show that
in 1911, 94 farmers were seriously injured on corn shredders,
corn huskers, and feed cutters in the State.1 During that year
there were 4 deaths, 6 arms were lost, 21 hands were amputated, and
other injuries were sustained. The compensation paid was estimated
at $307,000. In contrast to this, the commission’s records for 1922
show no deaths and only 8 compensable injuries caused by com
shredders and ensilage cutters. The amount of benefits paid for these
injuries was $5,306.
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1The W isconsin Safety R eview , Ju ly , 1923, p . 4.
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INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE.
177
Protecting the Belgian Worker’s Health.
N ARTICLE in The Nation’s Health, July, 1923 (pp. 424, 425,
486, and 489) by Dr. D. Glibert, director of medical service’
Belgian Ministry of Labor, describes the measures taken by
both industry and the State to raise the health level of the working
people of Belgium.
For many years prior to the war efficient steps had been taken by
the Belgian Government, the writer states, toward the protection of
the health of the workers, while at the same time the work for preven
tion of disease was taken up by the unions. Although all of this work
was interrupted by the war the resumption of industrial activity
included the restoration and development of health activities.
The basis upon which the present social legislation has been built is
the act of 1810 relating to mines and metallurgy which gave the
“ mine officers” powers by which they could impose on the industrial
enterprises within the limits of their jurisdiction any measure they
considered proper for the protection of the health of the workers. A
royal decree of the same year covered establishments, other than those
included in the act, which were considered to be “ dangerous,
unhealthy, or troublesome.” This decree has been revised several
times, the last time in 1863, but has kept its legal force and is now
being reexamined again. By the end of the last century most of the
nidus trial establishments had become subject to one or the other of
these regulations.
In 1889 following a period of strikes and riots the Government
conducted a national survey of working conditions and a law was
passed regulating the employment of women and children. Numerous
social laws have been enacted since that time, the most recent being
the eight-hour law passed in June, 1921. Regulations safeguarding
the employment of women and young persons, said to be “ law pro
tected people,” prohibit the employment of children under the age of
14 unless they can show a certificate of completed primary studies,
when they may be permitted to work if they are at least 13 years old.
Many reservations apply to the employment of boys between the
ages of 14 and 18, and of girls between 14 and 21, in work which is
considered too hard or dangerous for them; and the employment of
women of any age is prohibited in certain industries such as coal
mining, and in night work except under special circumstances.
Hygienic regulations applying to industrial or commercial under
takings fix the amount of space allowed for each worker, the height of
workrooms, and the volume of air supply. The work places must
also be warmed and in summer must be protected against high tem
peratures. Workers must be provided with good drinking water; and
there are special regulations relating to the prevention of steam,
gases, and dusts in workrooms, and to cleanliness and general sanitary
provisions. Where toxic materials are used, eating in workrooms is
forbidden. An important part of the Belgian regulations is the pro
vision of penalties for workmen who violate them, as well as for" the
employers.
Aside from these measures of a more or less general nature, there
are more detailed regulations which apply to specially hazardous m-
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
dustries or those which manufacture or use poisonous substances and
which provide also for periodical physical examinations of workers in
such industries.
The workmen’s compensation law provides for payment of com
pensation even when there has been serious carelessness on the part
of the workman ; and the preceding state of health of the victim is not
considered, so that, for example, a one-eyed man who loses the sight of
his good eye through accident receives indemnity for total blindness.
The&compensation, however, amounts to only 50 per cent of the loss
suffered. Nearly all the manufacturers are insured, but those who are
not have to bear personally the consequences of accidents occurring
on their property, and they are obliged to contribute to a special fund
which is used to pay the compensation of workmen in case the unin
sured employer is insolvent. The cost of treatment of industrial ac
cidents is paid by the employer, who may either maintain his own
medical service or have it organized by an insurance company, in
which case the employee is not free to choose his doctor; or the em
ployer may allow the injured worker to choose his own physician,
although a royal decree fixes the maximum, amount for which the em
ployer is liable.
All these provisions were in effect before the war and have again
been enforced during the period of reconstruction, while the eight-hour
day has been added to the list of labor laws and the compensation law
has been amended by royal decree. The amendment requires the
employers to provide first-aid facilities for injured employees, and
prompt and adequate medical care. First-aid equipment must be
provided in all work places where more than 25 persons are employed,
except in cases where a hospital with satisfactory equipment is lo
cated within a certain distance from the factory.
By a decree issued in June, 1920, a physical examination oi girls
and boys between the ages of 16 and 18 is required once a year, while
more frequent examinations are required for those whose state of
health demands it. These examinations are made by the medical
inspector of labor or under his supervision by doctors chosen by the
employers. During the last half of 1922, 903 industrial firms pro
vided medical service for their employees, 523 doctors chosen by the
employers were approved by the Minister of Industry and Labor, and
23,481 young persons, of whom 8,174 were girls, were given physical
examinations. About 6 per cent were examined quarterly and 0.26
per cent of the boys and 0.16 per cent of the girls every month.
The workers’ societies which provide their members with financial
and medical assistance in time of illness are so numerous that their
work is said to be of very direct assistance in supplementing that of
the State and of employers in caring for the health of injured and sick
workmen.
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W O RK M EN 'S C O M PEN SA TIO N A N D SOCIAL
INSURANCE.
Tenth Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial
Accident Boards and Commissions.
H H IIE tenth annual meeting of the International Association of
| Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions was held at St.
Paul, Minn., September 24-27, 1923. Twenty States, three
Canadian Provinces, the Republic of Mexico, the United States Bu
reau of Labor Statistics, the United States Employees’ Compensa
tion Commission, and the Federal Board for Vocational Education
were officially represented. Addresses of welcome were delivered by
Hon. J. A. O. Preus, Governor of Minnesota, and Hon. Arthur E. Nel
son, Mayor of St. Paul. Mr. F. A. Duxbury, in his presidential ad
dress, recommended the general policy of vesting the supervision and
administration of all laws of a kindred nature in one supervising and
executive body. Such a policy, he stated, was in harmony with the
best and latest tendency in governmental organization for the purpose
of efficiency and economy of administration, afforded an opportunity
for better organization, and avoided unnecessary duplication of activi
ties and overhead expense. Mr. Duxbury further advised that in
order to make the work of the organization definitely effective, it
should single out some principle or subject and concentrate its efforts
on thoroughly informing itself as to the reasons and wisdom of certain
definite legislative action, and then by a well-thought-out plan of
action, follow up such conclusions before legislative bodies to secure
their enactment.
The principal subjects discussed by the association were the follow
ing: Standard permanent disability schedule, medical problems,
special State fund problems, rehabilitation of injured workmen, and
the teaching of workmen’s compensation in the schools.
Standard Permanent Disability Schedule.
UTHE committee on statistics and compensation insurance cost
submitted its final report, embodying a standard permanent dis
ability schedule, which was approved and adopted by the association.
The disability ratings for the various types of injuries are stated in
percentages of permanent total disability, and vary with age. The
rating for the loss of an arm at the shoulder, for example, ranges
from 40 per cent at age 20 to 85 per cent at age 70. The report
also recommends that if the permanent disability is of a character
which peculiarly and exceptionally unfits the employee for the per
formance of his regular occupation, the compensation shall be in
creased to such a degree as may be determined by the commission,
but not more than 25 per cent of the schedule allowances.
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ISO
Teaching of Workmen’s Compensation in the Schools.
A T THE ninth annual meeting of the association, in 1922, the
association authorized the appointment of a committee to
investigate the extent to which the public schools in the United
States and Canada had been utilized in teaching the fundamentals
of workmen’s compensation laws to the school children. The report
of this committee was presented by Mr. L. A. Tarrell of the Industrial
Commission of Wisconsin. The committee reported that this subject
was taught in the schools in the States of Virginia, Pennsylvania,
and North Dakota and in the cities of Lincoln, Nebr., and South Bend,
Ind. A diversity of opinion was found among the several State
boards of education as to the advisability of adding this subject to
the curriculum of the schools. Of the State boards which expressed
themselves on the subject, 13 were in favor of the idea and 8 were
opposed to it. The State of Virginia, through the instrumentality
of the industrial commission, has been the pioneer in this movement.
Mr. C. G. Kizer, chairman of that commission, read a paper before
the association on “How Virginia teaches the fundamentals of the
workmen’s compensation law.’ He stated that the committee on
courses of study of the State board of education did not place the
compensation booklet prepared by the commission in the curriculum
as a compulsory subject, but placed it among the material to be used
by teachers wherever community civics is taught. Of the 16,000
teachers in the State of Virginia 12,000 are said to be using the
compensation catechism. Mr. Kizer also stated that the expense
of administering the compensation law is reduced in direct proportion
as the information as to its provisions is disseminated among the
people affected by it. Numerous hearings could be avoided if both
employer and employee understood the law.
Medical Session.
'"THE medical session included a paper on the differential diagnosis
between organic and functional nervous conditions followinginjuries, by Dr. Arthur S. Hamilton of Minneapolis, and one on the
hygiene of the eye in connection with the prevention of ocular injuries,
by Dr. Frank E. Burch of St. Paul.
State Fund Problems.
(WNE session of the meeting was devoted exclusively to the discus'D sion 0f problems connected with the administration of State
insurance funds. The subject of “Assessment versus capitalized re
serve method of computing insurance rates ” was discussed by George
A. Kingston of the Workmen’s Compensation Board of Ontario.
A paper on the “Accumulation of experience for the construction of
an ‘American’ remarriage table” was read by William C. Fisher of
the Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania. Many of
the State compensation laws provide that, in the case of the death
of a workman, compensation shall be paid to the widow until her
death or remarriage. In computing compensation insurance rates
and setting up reserve in death cases, it becomes necessary therefore
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w o r k m e n ’s c o m pe n sa t io n a n d social in s u r a n c e .
181
t*
to know not only the life expectancy but also the remarriage expec
tancy of widows of deceased workers. Little information on this
subject has thus far been collected by the various compensation
commissions. Many of the State funds and insurance carriers, in
the absence of American data, use the Dutch remarriage table.
Mr. Fisher strongly urged the various commissions to keep a record of
the remarriage experience of widows in their respective jurisdictions,
pointing out that the experience in Pennsylvania and several other
jurisdictions proved that the remarriage table compiled by the Dutch
Royal Institute was not applicable to American conditions. The
association authorized the committee on statistics to make a study
of the subject and report at the next meeting of the association.
Mr. L. W. Hatch, manager of the State insurance fund of New York,
discussed the policy of State funds with respect to rates and compared
the relative merits of dividends and low rates. He stated that three
principles confronted competitive State funds, and in fact all insur
ance carriers, viz: Security, certainty as to cost, and competitive or
business-getting ability. He believed that it was a better policy to (
charge low rates than to declare dividends at higher rates, and lie*
advised that competitive State funds should charge as low rates as
possible without endangering the security of the fund. Mr. Hatch
further recommended that State funds should have a considerable
surplus, not alone for the sake of security, but to take care of fluctua-*
tions in compensation costs.
Mr. Fred W. Armstrong, of the Workmen’s Compensation Board, of]
Nova Scotia, discussed the policy with respect to auditing pay rolls.5
A paper on the “ Proper method of computing reserves ” was read by
K. V. Mothersill, of the Compensation Insurance Board of Minnesota.'
An interim report of the committee on forms and procedure,1
dealing with State fund claim procedure, was presented by Miss R. OJ
Harrison, of the Industrial Accident Commission of Maryland.
Rehabilitation.
A N EXCEPTIONALLY interesting and valuable paper on rehabili*• tation and reconstruction surgery was read by Dr. Fred H.
Albee, of the New Jersey State Rehabilitation Commission. Doctor
Albee’s address included motion pictures of actual surgical operations,
showing the transplantation of bones from one part of the body to
another. He stated that physical reconstruction was more impor
tant than occupational training and reeducation. The latter was not
only more expensive but in many cases failed of its purpose because'
the workmen did not possess the requisite educational qualifications
and experience for retraining. Out of 6,000 persons registering for
rehabilitation in New Jersey, over 2,000 were found to be illiterate.!
Doctor Albee stated that rehabilitation should include every process
from the time of the injury to replacement in industry. He stronglyj
urged State universities and medical colleges to introduce courses in
rehabilitation, and also recommended the establishment of curative’
workshops, since for curative purposes active use of members was',
much better than passive use.
Mr. Oscar M. Sullivan, of Minnesota, and D. M. Blankinship, of
Virginia, spoke of the rehabilitation work in their respective States.
*
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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182
M O N T H L Y LABOE E E V IE W .
Officers Elected.
P resident: Fred W. Armstrong, Workmen’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia.
V ice presid en t: O. F. McShane, chairman Industrial Commission of Utah.
Secretary-treasurer: Ethelbert Stewart, United States Commissioner of Labor Statis
tics.
E x e cu tive com m ittee:
Fred W. Armstrong, Workmen’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia.
0 . F. McShane, chairman Industrial Commission of Utah.
Ethelbert Stewart, United States Commissioner of Labor Statistics.
F. A. Duxbury, Industrial Commission of Minnesota.
L. W. Hatch, manager State insurance fund of New York.
Royal Meeker, secretary Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania.
H. C. Myers, chairman Industrial Commission of Oklahoma.
Ralph Young, deputy commissioner, Workmen’s Compensation Service of Iowa.
Ernest Withall, chairman Industrial Commission of Illinois.
The place and date of the next meeting of the association were left
to the incoming executive committee.
Legislative Action on Old-Age Pensions, 1923.
HE
action
this~ jyear
——
------ ------ of
— the
-- - legislatures
---- — of Montana,
.
/ Nevada,/ and
Pennsylvania in enacting old-age pension laws suggests the
beginning of serious practical measures in this field which
has been a subject of discussion for a number of years. The Terri
tory of Alaska should also be mentioned in this connection on account
of its amendment of an existing law of similar purpose. In Arizona
a futile attempt was made by an initiated act, in 1914, to establish
a system of old-age pensions to supersede almshouses by monthly
allowances to “ aged people and people incapable of earning a liveli
hood by reasons of physical infirmities,” etc. However, this law
was held unconstitutional on account of “ the lack of a clear state
ment of the means and method of its enforcement.” Technical
defects also vitiated the act, so that it was declared void. (State
Board of Control v. Buckstegge, 18 Ariz. 277, 158 Pac. 837.)
The legislation affecting the subject in Alaska was initiated by
Congress, which by an act of May 14, 1906 (34 Stat. 192) provided
that all moneys received for liquor licenses and occupation or trade
licenses outside of the incorporated towns of Alaska should be held
as a separate fund to be known as the “ Alaska fund.” In 1913 by
act of March 13, this provision was amended so as to devote 10 per
cent of the State fund to “ the relief of persons in Alaska who are
indigent and incapacitated through nonage, old age, sickness, or
accident.”
In the same year, the Alaska Legislature took up the subject and
provided (ch. 80) for the use of a building at Sitka as an “ Alaska
Pioneers’ Home,” to which residents of five years’ standing might be
admitted if in need of aid because of physical disability or otherwise.
Support was to be derived from donations from private persons and
allotments from the Alaska fund above noted. In 1915 action was
taken looking toward the grant of assistance to pioneers of Alaska,
male or female, at least 65 years of age and resident for 10 years in
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WORKMEN S COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL INSURANCE.
183
Alaska. These, if entitled to the benefits of the home, might be
granted an allowance not to exceed $12.50 per month in lieu of.
residence in the home. This provision was superseded in 1923 by
one which (ch. 46) admitted to the benefits of such a law men 65
years of age or women 60 years of age who had been residents
of the Territory for 15 consecutive years immediately prior to the
application. These persons, if entitled to the benefits of the Pioneers’
Home, might be granted by trustees of the home an allowance not
exceeding $25 per month for men and $45 per month for women.
Allowances might be reduced, in the discretion of the board, or in
creased. within the maximum limit set. In order to be entitled to
the benefits of the law, conditions of necessity, lack of resources, and
lack of relatives or other persons responsible for the support of the
applicant must be shown. Funds for the maintenance of this system
are an obligation of the Territory. The estate of anj^ beneficiaries
is subject to a preferred claim in behalf of the fund if there is no
widow or minor child under 18. Otherwise claims for reimburse
ment stand on the same footing as claims of general creditors.
The Montana law (ch. 72, Acts of 1923) contemplates the estab
lishment in each county of an old-age pension board or commission,
which may receive applications from persons who are 70 years of age
and have been citizens of the United States and residents of the
State of Montana for at least 15 years. Imprisonment in the State
penitentiary within the preceding 10 years is a bar; also the desertion
of a wife by a husband within 15 years without just cause, or failure
to support wife or children under 15 years of age; the same rule
applies if a, wife deserts her husband or children under age without
cause. Being a professional tramp or beggar within a year preceding
the application is also a bar.
The income of the claimant from all sources may not exceed $300,
nor may he receive the benefits of the law if he has deprived himself
of property for the purpose of qualifying for old-age relief, or if there
is a child or other person legally responsible for his support and
“ fully able to support” him.
The amount of benefits may not exceed $25 a month, and may be
less than that according to the conditions in each case. Monthly
warrants are contemplated, and provision is made for the protection
of the fund in case of discovery of resources which would have barred
the application. No vested rights are granted by this act, or other
claim which may not be modified or voided by amendment or repeal.
The Nevada law (ch. 70, Acts of 1923) is administered by a State
commission, county boards being appointed by the governor. The
amount of benefits that may be allowed may not, with other resources,
bring the income to above $1 per day. Applicants must be at least
60 years of age, have been citizens of the United States for at least
15 years and residents of the State of Nevada for at least 10 years.
Inmates of prisons, workhouses, infirmaries, etc., are excluded, as are
persons who have been in prison for 4 months or more during the 10
years preceding if such prison sentence was without the option of a
fine. Provisions as to desertion of family, etc., are the same as in
the Montana law.
No one may receive a pension whose property, or whose joint
property with a spouse, exceeds $3,000. Methods of computing
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184
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
income are prescribed, and investigations are to be made by the
county boards, which have the powers of the court to compel attend
a n c e and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and
papers. Pensions may not be alienated, and penal provision^ are
enacted for fraud, etc.' All grants are subject to subsequent legisla
tion.
The law of Pennsylvania (No. 141) resembles in its main provisions
those of Montana and Nevada already noted. An old-age assistance
commission is to be appointed by the governor, the members to
give such time as is necessary for the supervision of the work, on a per
diem allowance. This commission is to appoint a superintendent at
a salary not exceeding $1,800 per annum, who may himself, with the
approval of the commission, appoint assistants and fix their duties
ancl salaries within the appropriation made by the legislature.
County boards, consisting of three residents serving without
compensation other than expenses, exercise local supervision in con
junction with the State board.
Benefits may not, added to the income of the applicant from all
other sources,' exceed $1 per day. Applicants must be at least 70
years of age and have been citizens of the United States and residents
of the vState for at least 15 years. Temporary interruptions do not
disqualify. The applicant must not at the time be an inmate of any
public reform or correctional institution, and he is barred if he has,
during the 15 years preceding the application, for six months or
longer deserted his wife or without just cause failed to support her
and his children under the age of 15; the same rule applies to a wife.
Having been a professional tramp or beggar within the previous year
also disqualifies; and if there is a child or other person responsible for
support, the State will not render assistance. Possession, alone or
jointly with a spouse, of property exceeding $3,000 in value is a bar.
Property may not be disposed of to qualify for the receipt of relief.
Any remaining estate is liable for the amounts paid as assistance
during the lifetime of a beneficiary, together with 3 per cent simple
interest.
Certificates awarding assistance are made after investigation, and
must be renewed from year to year. Payments may be made monthly
or quarterly as the commission may decide, and the amounts varied
according to changes in circumstances. Beneficiaries must report
any accession of property, and if such accession brings holdings above
$3,000 the amount paid may be canceled or varied. Excess pay
ments are recoverable as debts due the State; and if at death it is
found that the beneficiary has owned property in excess of the
allowed amount, the benefits paid shall be recovered twofold. Grants
are not subject to assignment, execution, or other process. Convic
tion of crime or other offense punished by imprisonment for one
month or longer calls for a suspension of payments during the period
of imprisonment.
Other provisions relate to offenses, provisions for funeral expenses,
payment to charitable, etc., institutions in which beneficiaries may
be at the time, cases of incapacity, etc. The sum of $25,000 is
appropriated for the first two years’ operation of the act.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1174]
W O R K M E N 'S C O M P E N S A T IO N A N D SO CIAL IN S U R A N C E .
185
Recent Workmen’s Compensation Reports.
Kentucky.
CCORDING to the sixth annual report of the Kentucky Work
men’s Compensation Board, there were reported to the board
during the year ending June 30, 1922, 18,611 accidents, of
which 9,052 occurred in the coal-mining industry. The report states
that 11,145 agreements were approved, of which 62 involved fatal
accidents, 4 permanent total disabilities, 311 permanent partial disa
bilities, 10,762 temporary total disabilities, and 6 temporary partial
disabilities. The amount of compensation involved in these agree
ments was stated to be $1,118,226, and “ in addition to the agree
ments the board awarded to injured employees or dependents of
deceased employees the sum of $154,689, but this does not represent
the total amount awarded by the board, as a number of awards were
followed by agreements which were filed with and approved by the
board after the written awards were entered, and which are accounted
for in the agreements approved.”
A
Maryland.
rT H E eighth annual report of the State Industrial Accident Com1 mission of Maryland reviews the experience under the work
men’s compensation law for the year ending October 31, 1922.
During the year there were filed with the commission 33,493 reports
of industrial accidents, of which 10,658 resulted in claims. The dis
tribution of these claims with respect to the nature of disability was
as follows: Fatal 123, permanent total 3, permanent partial 450,
' temporary total 9,689, temporary partial 9, withdrawn or dis
allowed 384.
The following statement shows the benefits awarded and paid
during the year, by type of benefit. The amounts specified for death
and permanent disability are the amounts awarded, including both
the amount of compensation paid out and the amount outstanding.
The other tyqpes of benefits include only the amount reported to have
been paid out during the year.
£ eath..........................................................................................
Permanent total disability.........................................................
Permanent partial disability.....................................................
Temporary total disability.........................................................
Temporary partial disability................................................
Funeral............................. ....................................................... !
Medical (compensable accidents)..............................................
Medical (noncompensable accidents)...........................................
$350, 404
5 000
204,’ 556
475’ 239
’ 461
15,375
135, 949
264’777
Total................................................................................. 1,451,761
The report also contains a summary of the operations of the State
accident fund during the same period. The total assets of the fund
as of October 31, 1922, were $637,349, while the total liabilities were
$199,913, leaving a surplus of $437,436. The premiums written
during the year amounted to $155,243. The administrative expenses
were $20,862.
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v
186
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W .
Ohio.
921 Ohio reorganized the administrative procedure under the
F Iworkmen’s
compensation act, creating for administrative pur
poses a department of industrial relations in place of the former indus
trial commission. The first annual report of the department reviews
the experience under the compensation act for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1922. The number of claims filed during this period was
108,824, of which 676 were for death, 37,548 for compensable nonfatal
injuries, and 70,600 for medical expenses only, the disability in these
latter cases being for not more than the waiting period of 7 days.
Of these claims filed, 413 were for occupational disease, distributed
as follows: Anthrax, 1; aniline poisoning, 3; arsenic, 1; benzol
poisoning, 8; carbon dioxide, 4; dermatitis, 221; fume poisoning, 1;
lead poisoning, 130; naphthol vapor, 1; zinc poisoning, 1; other
causes, 42.
Wisconsin.
HTHE number of industrial accidents in Wisconsin during the year
A 1922-23 exceeded those of any prior year, according to statistics
recently made public by the Wisconsin Industrial Commission in
Wisconsin Labor Statistics for July-August, 1923. The following
table shows the number of industrial accidents and the amount of
compensation and medical aid paid under the workmen’s compen
sation act during each of the eight years ending June 30, 1916 to
1923, inclusive:
C O M P E N S A T IO N A N D M E D IC A L A ID P A ID U N D E R W IS C O N S IN W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N
S A T IO N A C T , 1915-16 T O 1922-23, B Y T Y P E O F I N J U R Y .
P e rm a n e n t to ta l
d is a b ility .
D e a th .
Y e a r en d in g
J u n e 30—
1916.........................
1917.........................
1918.........................
1919.........................
1920.........................
1921.........................
1922.........................
1923.........................
P e r m a n e n t p a rtia l
d is a b ility .
N um
b e r of
eases.
C om pen
sation.
p aid .
M edical
aid
p a id .
N um
b er of
cases.
C om pen
sa tio n
p aid .
M edical
aid
p a id .
N um
b e r of
cases.
C o m p en
satio n
p aid .
133
219
163
244
158
197
156
201
$223,138
344,436
320; 422
521,398
370, 201
608,224
4 ?0,143
689,342
$5,542
12; 496
12', 528
30,029
25,217
34,272
27; 691
39,851
5
11
5
6
10
8
7
4
$19,377
38,317
19,779
23,544
42,757
45,395
39,445
29, 502
$1,814
2,873
1,735
1,092
3,653
3,923
1,988
371
732
1,012
1,150
1,442
1,377
1,782
1.567
1,664
$273,422
341,648
483,988
710,758
677,471
1,002,803
1,065,360
1,182,777
1916....................................................................................
1 9 1 7 ...................................................................................
1918
......................................................................
1919
.....................................................................
1920
.....................................................................
1921
.....................................................................
1922
.....................................................................
1923
.....................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N um
b e r of
cases.
C om pen M edical
s a tio n
aid
p aid .
p a id .
11,978
15,915
14', 507
14,779
12,900
15,635
14,122
17,189
$422,837 $212,477
459; 970 304,042
454;194 312,617
427; 310 345;829
476,643 319,625
705,423 432,798
727,190 447,767
862,215 555,231
[1176]
$57,582
72,547
100,205
131,952
124,938
197,462
230,390
242,727
T o ta l.
T e m p o ra ry d is a b ility .
Y e a r e n d in g J u n e 30—
M edical
aid
p aid .
N um
ber of
cases.
C o m p en
s a tio n
p aid .
$938.774
12,848
17; 157 . 1,184', 371
15,825 1,278,383
16,471 1,683,010
14,44.5 1,567,072
17,622 2,361,845
15,852 2,252,138
19,058 2,763,836
M edical
aid
paid .
$277,415
391,958
427,085
508,902
473,433
688,455
707,836
838,180
w o r k m e n ' s c o m p e n s a t io n a n d so c ia l in s u r a n c e .
187
Wyoming.
T H E seventh annual report of the Wyoming Workmen’s Com* pensation Department, compiled under the direction of the
State treasurer, contains data on the operation of the accident fund
for the year ending December 31, 1922. The total receipts of the
fund for the year amounted to $359,274, of which $329,735 were
assessments from employers, the remainder being interest on deposits
and investments.
The following table shows the number of claims and amounts
awarded under the compensation act during the year 1922:
NUM BER
O F C L A IM S A N D A M O U N T S A W A R D E D U N D E R W Y O M IN G
C O M P A N S A T IO N A C T D U R IN G 1922.
T y p e of c laim .
N um
b e r.
A m ount
a w a rd e d .
33
3
126
1,069
691
135
98
$63,419
11,500
75,757
98,693
34,166
2,863
63,667
2,155
350,065
F a t a l .......................................................................
P e rm a n e n t to ta l d is a b ility ..............................
P e rm a n e n t p a r t ia l d is a b ility ........................
T e m p o ra ry d is a b ility .......................................
M ed ic al..................................................................
W itn e s s fees a n d in v e s tig a tio n s ....................
P a y m e n ts on claim s p rio r to 1922..... ..........
T o t a l................................................... .
W O R K M E N ’S
Development of Workmen’s Compensation in Argentina.
RECENT communication from the United States trade com
missioner at Buenos Aires, published in Commerce Reports
of August 20, 1923, states that, according to a report of the.
Argentine National Labor Bureau, there has been a constant and
healthy growth of workmen’s insurance against industrial accidents
in Argentina since the enactment of the workmen’s compensation
law of 1916.
The following table, which gives the figures for the years 1916,
1919, and 1922, shows the progress of this type of accident, insurance
in Argentina:
A
W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N S A T IO N IN S U R A N C E IN A R G E N T I N A .
[P eso a t p a r= 4 2 .4 5 cents.]
Ite m .
N u m b e r of p o lic ie s.........................................................................
Nnmhp.r o f workmen c o v e re d __________________________
P r e m iu m s p a i d ..................................................................p e s o s ..
I n d e m n itie s p a i d ................................................................ d o -----
67655°—23----- 13
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1916
1919
1922
7,472
199,233
2,637,180
596,650
17,118
305,325
5,365,660
3,281,000
47,292
356,087
11,960,870
4,062,440
188
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W .
First Scandinavian Health Insurance Meeting, Christiania.
AN account is given in Sociala Meddelanden, No. 9, 1923, pubZ \ lished by the Swedish Labor Bureau (Socialstyrelsen ), of the
^ ^
first Scandinavian health insurance meeting at Christiania,
August 20 to 22, 1923. Upon initiative of the Norwegian District
Sick Funds National Organization ( K redssygekassernes L andsforen in g ) a meeting was held at Goteborg, Sweden, April 17 and 18,
1922,1 to further cooperation in health insurance in Scandinavian
countries. Temporary by-laws, to be approved by the proper
authorities and organizations, were adopted, which provided that
health insurance meetings be held alternately every three years in
Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Such approval was later obtained
and in accordance with plans made at the Goteborg meeting the first
health insurance meeting was held at Christiania August 20 to 22,
1923.
,
At the meeting representatives were present from the Governments
sick-fund authorities—the Swedish Labor Bureau (Socialstyvelsen ),
the State Insurance Institute (R iksfo rsikrin g sa n sta lten ) of Norway,
and the Sick Fund Inspectorate (S ju kka sse in sp ekto ra tet ) of Denmark—
and also from the sick-fund organizations of the three Scandinavian
countries. It was decided to continue cooperation along the lines
laid down at the Goteborg meeting. A proposal from the State
Insurance Institute of Norway to unite the health insurance meetings
with the Scandinavian Accident Insurance Congress was rejected
because the subject as well as organization differences were not
favorable to such union. The next meeting is to be held in Copen
hagen in 1926.
iSee Monthly L abor R eview , A u g u st, 1922, p p . 167, 168.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1178]
LA B O R LAW S A N D C O U R T DECISIONS.
Analysis of Mexican State Laws on Wages and Hours of Labor, and
Employment of Women and Children.1
By J ohn R itchie , 3 d .
N FEBRUARY 5, 1917, the United States of Mexico adopted a
new^ Federal Constitution, superseding the old constitution of
1857. Article 123 of this new constitution contains many pro
visions on labor and social welfare to guide the Federal Government
and the governments of the various States in legislating upon these
matters. The provisions regulating hours of employment and rest
periods are as follows: Eight hours shall be the maximum limit of a
day’s work; seven hours-shall be the maximum limit of night work;
every workman shall be given at least one day’s rest for every six
days’ work; overtime work shall not exceed three hours per day nor
take place on more than three consecutive days; contracts providing
for an excessively long working-day shall be held null and void.
In the following exposition of the various State laws regulating rest
periods and hours of labor the relationship between the State laws
and article 123 will become evident and it will be obvious that the
latter has been the foundation for the State legislation.
O
Maximum Working-Day.
T W E L \ E of the 28 States of Mexico (Campeche, Chiapas, Chihua
hua, Coahuila, Michoacan, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí,
Sinaloa, Sonora, Vera Cruz, and Yucatan) have enacted laws limiting
the number of hours which may be worked per day. This maximum
working-day is defined by the laws of three States (Coahuila, Michoa
can, Querétaro) and the Federal District as the actual time, within
a period of 24 hours, during which the worker must render the
services enumerated in the labor contract. These 12 States have, in
conformity with the Federal Constitution, established the maximum
8-hour day, although the Yucatan law specifies that the “ ordinary”
workday shall be only 6 hours, and permits the employees through
their “leagues of resistance” to do all they can to establish the
6-hour day.
In Guanajuato, while there is no general law applicable to all
industries, maximum hours are established for particular industries.
T h e d a ta o n w h ic h th i s a r tic le is b a se d a re from : C am p ech e, C odigo d el tra b a jo , C am p ech e, 1918: C h iap as,
L e y re g la m e n ta ria d el tra b a jo , T u x tla G u tié rrez, 1918; C h ih u a h u a , L e y d e l tr a b a jo , C h ih u a h u a, 1922;
C o ahuila, L e y re g la m e n ta ria d el a rtíc u lo 123 d e la c o n s titu c ió n g e n e ra l d e la re p ú b lic a , S altillo , 1921; M ichoar a n d e O cam po, L e y d el tra b a jo n ú m e ro 46, M orelia, 1921; P u eb lo , Codigo d e tr a b a jo , P u eb lo , 1921; Q ueréta ro , L e y d el tra b a jo , n u m e ro 34, Q u eréta ro , 1922; S an L u is P o to sí, L e y so b re la i o rn a d a m a x im a d e tr a b a jo
y d escanso obligatorio, n u m e ro 86, S a n L u is P o to s í, 1921. Sinaloa, L e y d el tr a b a jo y d e la p re v isió n social,
p ro m id g a d a en el d ec re to n u m . 166, C u ü ac an [1920]; S onora, B o le tín O ficial, H erm o sillo , A p r. 29, 1919, a n d
m u líe ro 3 8 (f’M érida P l l S ^ ^
cle* tra b a Í° [1918], J a la p a , 1922; Y u c a ta n , C odigo d el tra b a jo , d ecreto
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
Thus dairies and bakeries may remain open for business from 6 a. m.
to 10 a. m. and from 5.30 p. m. to 8.30 p. m.; meat shops, from 6
a. m. to noon and from 6 p. m. to 8 p. m.; retail grocery stores and
all stores which sell the necessaries oflife, from 7 a. m. until noon and
from 6 p. m. until 9 p. m.j pliarmacioSj from 8 m. until noon <md
from 3 p. m. until 7 p. m., except those which operate on shifts and
remain open day and night ) and clothing stores and stores of a similar
character, from 8.30 a. m. until 1 p. m. and from 3.30 p .m . until 7
p. m. This law also stipulates that the commercial establishments
included in the above enumeration may remain open outside of the
hours fixed, on permission from the president of the municipality, but
only with the understanding that the employees are paid for the
overtime work. Any question as to the interpretation or application
of this law is to be settled by the department of labor.
In San Luis Potosí it is provided that the business hours of com
mercial establishments are to be determined by vote of all persons
engaged in the respective trade at a meeting called by the city council
(A y u n ta m ie n to ) ; these hours, however, may not exceed the legal
maximum. In Puebla, eight hours constitute the maximum woiking period for those who work by the day and for those doing task
work, but when the work is done at home the employee may use the
time as he pleases without the employer being held liable for any
violation of the law.
.
Nine States divide the workday into two periods, labor done during
the one being known as day work and during the other as night work.
By the acts seven of these (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Michoacan, Puebla,
Querétaro, Vera Cruz, and Yucatan) daywork is defined as being all
work done between 6 a. m. and 6 p. m., and night work as that
done between 6 p . m . and 6 a. m. In Campeche, however, daywork
is considered to be that which is done between 5 a. m. and 7 p. m.
and night work that done from 7 p. m. to 5 a. m., while in San Luis
Potosí day work is considered to be all work done between 6 a. m.
and 8 p. m. and night work that done between 8 p. m. and 6 a. m.
Four States (Coahuila, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, and Vera Cruz)
also admit a further classification of the workday into the so-called
il mixed day.” In San Luis Potosí any working period which extends
from day work into not more than two hours of night work is^ known
as a “ mixed day,” whereas Vera Cruz and Puebla designate a ‘mixed
day” as one in which the working period includes both day and
night work. Three of the States (Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, and
Vera Cruz) agree, however, that the maximum duration of a “ mixed
day” shall be 7i hours.
, ..
,
Eleven States (Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Micfioacan, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Vera Cruz, and
Yucatan) have established seven as the maximum number of hours
which a laborer shall be permitted to work at night. The Yucatan
law provides that the “ ordinary” period of night work shall be five
hours, and gives the employees the right to attempt to establish five
as the maximum number of hours permitted in night work.
According to the laws of six States (Campeche, Chiapas, Puebla,
San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, and Sonora) the workday begins the
moment the employee enters hjs place of employment and terminates
after the expiration of the number of hours for which he was employed.
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Fintliermore the laws of four States (Chiapas, Chihuahua, Sinaloa and
Sonora) expressly st&te that the timo spent by the employee in going
to and from his place of employment shall not be included in the
working-day if a clause to this effect is contained in the labor contract;
the Campeche law makes the same provision but does not require
that this clause occur in the work contract. Moreover, Campeche,
Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Michoacan, Puebla, Querétaro’
Sinaloa and Sonora stipulate that mealtime and rest periods shall
not be included in the workday; Vera Cruz has a similar provision
which applies only to the tune for meals.
Overtime work, i. e., all work in excess of the maximum workingday, is a. subject for legislation in 12 of the Mexican States. These
States (Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Michoacan, Puebla,
Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Vera Cruz, and Yucatan)
provide that overtime work shall not exceed three hours per day and
shall not be required on more than three consecutive days.
With regard to the length of the working-day in continuous
industries, the laws of San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, and Sonora provide
that in an industry which is by its nature continuous and in which
the work is done in three shifts of eight hours each, the day, night and
“ mixed ” workers must change places every two weeks. There is a
distinction between night work in this and the ordinary sense, for
in the latter case the employees may work only seven hours. This
distinction is made because under the shift system no employee
works at night for more than two weeks in succession.
Furthermore the Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora laws declare
that the requirement of an inhuman workday—a day notoriously
excessive—will be considered as a justifiable cause for the nullification
of the employment contract. However, should the worker for any
reason continue to work under such conditions the municipal
authority shall intervene in his favor and shall present his case to
the central board of conciliation and arbitration or to the municipal
board of conciliation and arbitration, in order to determine the
responsibility of the employer.
Rest Periods and Weekly Day of Rest.
Rest Periods.
D EST periods, of varying lengths, are required by the laws of seven
Mexican States (Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, San Luis
Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Yucatan); these provide in substance
that the workday shall never be continuous but shall be so arranged
as to allow the employees a period of rest. The laws of Sonora,
Sinaloa, San Luis Potosí, ana Chihuahua specify one hour as the
minimum length of this period, although Chihuahua does not require
that there be any rest period for salaried employees when they are
employed during the day for not more than six hours. The Yucatan
law establishes two hours as the minumum rest period, as does that of
Chiapas unless the workers prefer that the period be less. The
Campeche law, however, compromises between these two extremes
by fixing an hour and a half as the minimum rest period.
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M O N T H L Y LABOE K EV IEW .
Rest days.
The provisions of the various State laws as to rest days are many
and comprehensive. Eleven of the States (Chihuahua, Coahuila,
Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Michoacan, Puebla, Querétaro,^ San Luis
Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Vera Cruz) and the Federal District agree
that for six davs of work there must be one day of rest. In tour oi
the States (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Hidalgo, and Puebla) the law provides
that the 16th of September and the 1st of May of each year shall be
obligatory holidays. As these are the. only two factors concerning
which there is any great degree of similarity between the laws of the
various States on the subject of the weekly rest day and holidays, the
more comprehensive and exhaustive laws upon these topics will be
examined separately.
.
H id a lg o .— The State of Hidalgo has enacted a full and detailed law
covering the matter of the day of rest. This law establishes Sunday
as the obligatory rest day, unless this will interfere with the normal
functioning of an establishment or will do injury to the public. If the
work does not cease on Sunday the. rest day must be given m accord
with one of the following plans: Another day during the week; or
from 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon until Monday afternoon at 1 o clock;
or Sunday afternoon after 3 o’clock, the remaining time due the
worker being given to him in short periods. In other words, those
employed in industries necessitating Sunday work shall receive a
rest sometime during the following week which will be equivalent
to the time they have been employed on Sunday, while those who
have worked until 1 o’clock on Sunday shall have a choice between
another afternoon holiday or receiving the remainder of the time due in
short periods. The law enumerates those establishments which are
exempted from the general law requiring that the weekly rest day be
Sunday. These include: Factories producing food for immediate
consumption; hotels, restaurants, inns, and the like, provided intoxi
cating beverages are not dispensed; hospitals; drug-stores; museums
and expositions; bathhouses; undertaking establishments; lighting
plants and water works; means of communication and transportation;
establishments in which discontinuance of work will do great damage
to the product; and establishments selling food at retail. Exception
is also made in cases of emergency where it is necessary to prevent
accidents in a plant.
.
No establishment, however, may remain open all day bunday until
the proprietors thereof have complied with certain regulations.
These proprietors must obtain a permit stating the number of em
ployees who will be permitted to work on Sunday. Such permits are
to be granted by the State department of labor. In applying for such
a permit the proprietors must submit a plan of rest hours, showing the
schedule by which the employees will ultimately receive the rest day
the law requires. There is a further stipulation that the authority
which grants these permits can not refuse to grant a similar permit
to another establishment of the same number of employees in which
the same conditions obtain. Likewise it is declared to be the duty
of the city council to see that at least one store of every kind selling
goods essential to the public welfare remains open.
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The Hidalgo law provides that, in addition to the 1st of May and
the 16th of September, the following shall be holidays: The 16th of
January; the 5th of February; the 5th of May; and all other days
which the law shall declare holidays. If, in retail commercial estab
lishments, the regular weekly rest day coincides with a national
holiday, the employee is to have his rest day at some other time that
week, unless the holiday is the end of the week, in which case he is to
be given the first day of the next week as his rest day with the option
of taking the whole day then or of taking two half days.
F e d e ra l D is t r i c t .—Many laws have been enacted in the Federal
District relative to holidays and rest periods. These laws provide
that the weekly rest day shall be on Sunday with exceptions which
correspond almost identically with those of the Hidalgo law, though
there are additional exceptions, examples of which are: Photograph
studios, barber shops, hair-dressing parlors, etc. Furthermore, in
agricultural industries when natural occurrences such as rain, snow,
etc., have caused an enforced day of rest other than Sunday, it is not
necessary also to give the Sunday holiday. Only those will be
permitted to work on Sunday whose labor is absolutely necessary
and they may be employed for only such time as is required to com
plete the task. Finally, the governor of the district shall determine
in each case those industries which will be permitted to operate on
Sunday, it being understood that the employees in these industries are
to receive some other day during the week as a rest day.
G u a n a ju a to .—The Guanajuato law specifies that ail who are em
ployed in offices, factories, workshops and similar places shall have, as
days of rest, all the Sundays in the year, all the national holidays, and
the first of May. Furthermore it 'is provided that sometime during
the week the employees shall enjoy another half day of rest, which the
city council shall designate in accordance with the customs and needs
of the locality. The law of Guanajuato contains many exceptions to
the provision for the Sunday rest day; several of these are not found in
any other State law, and include such work as the guarding of canals,
aqueducts, etc., and all work directed toward the extermination of
field pests.
O th er S ta te s .—Other States which have enacted fairly compre
hensive laws as to rest days and holidays are Campeche, Chiapas,
Chihuahua, and Vera Cruz, all of which designate Sunday as the day of
rest and all of which exempt certain industries from this provision.
These industries are all included among those exempted by Hidalgo
and the Federal District laws, though no one State law includes all
these exceptions.
Likewise, the Chiapas law contains provisions declaring that all
manual work requiring much physical energy shall be prohibited on
Sundays and holidays, with many exceptions, similar to those in the
Hidalgo law, referred to -above.
Wages.
VP7AGES are defined by the laws of five States (Chihuahua, Coahuila,
Michoacan , Queretaro and Vera Cruz) as the pecuniary remu
neration which must be paid by the employer to the employee in re
turn for the services of the latter. An examination of the provisions
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
oil the subject of minimum wage and of profit sharing in article 123
of the Federal Constitution of 1917 will further substantiate the state
ment made at the beginning of this article, that the Federal Constitu
tion has been the basis for the legislation of the various States. Pro
visions on these subjects in the Federal Constitution which are re
flected in many of the State laws are as follows: The minimum wage
to be received by a workman shall be “that considered sufficient,
according to the conditions prevailing in the respective region of the
country, to satisfy the normal needs in the life of the workman, his
education and his lawful pleasures, considering him as the head of a
family.” In all industries the workers shall have a right to partici
pate in the profits; the same compensation shall be paid for the same
work without regard to sex or nationality; the minimum wage shall be
exempt from attachment, set off, or discount; the determination of the
minimum wage and the rate of profit sharing shall be made by special
commissions to be appointed in each municipality and to be subor
dinate to the central board of conciliation to be established in each
State; all wages shall be paid in legal currency and shall not be paid
in merchandise, orders, counters, or any other substitute for money;
when, owing to special circumstances, it becomes necessary to in
crease the working hours, overtime shall be paid for at double the
regular rate; employers shall be liable for industrial accidents and
occupational diseases arising from the employment and for the pay
ment of compensation therefor in accordance with the provisions of
law; labor contracts providing for the payment of wages at a rate
which, in the judgment of the board of conciliation and arbitration,
is not remunerative will be null and void, as will also those provid
ing for a period of more than one week before the payment of wages,
and those permitting the retention of wages by way of fine.
In the laws of eight of the Mexican States (Campeche, Chihuahua,
Coahuila, Michoacan, Puebla, Queretaro, Vera Cruz, and Yucatan) are
to be found provisions stating that in general the amount of the wage
due the employee may be determined freely above a minimum wage
for that trade. By a minimum wage is meant a wage which is suf
ficient, depending upon the conditions of each region, to satisfy the
normal needs of the workers, to afford them the opportunity of
obtaining an education and to enable them to enjoy certain whole
some pleasures, always considering the wage earner as the head of a
family. Such is the definition incorporated in the laws of Campeche,
Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Michoacan, Puebla, Sinaloa, Sonora,
Queretaro, Yera Cruz, and Yucatan. That of Queretaro further
elaborates upon this definition by establishing an actual minimum
for certain classes of workers in certain trades. The law of this State
provides that the minimum wage for rural and domestic employees
shall be 40 cents per day, for day laborers 60 cents per day, and for
clerks 75 cents per day.
There are a great many different means of determining just what
the minimum wage shall be, though the divergencies are not great.
In Campeche and Chiapas the standard minimum wage and the rate of
profit sharing are to be fixed by special commissions formed in each
municipality, these special commissions being subordinate to the
State central board of conciliation and arbitration. Members of
these commissions are appointed by the governor of the State from
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the city council and serve without pay. In Campeche these com
missions are to be composed of three members each. There is
also a provision permitting the special commissions to allow excep
tions to the standard minimum wage whenever circumstances make
it advisable, and requiring that the wage be fixed annually. The
Campeche law stipulates that the minimum wage determined for
each trade shall be reported to the central board of conciliation
and arbitration for its approval, no later than November of each
year. The central board shall then approve or modify these rates
and return them to the special commission not later than the 15th
of December of the same year. The law of Chiapas also provides
for a permanent board of conciliation and arbitration with head
quarters in the capital, this board to be composed of five members
and five alternates. The employees’ unions and the employers will
each select two members and two alternates and the remaining mem
ber and alternate will be appointed by the governor.
The law of Campeche provides that when the amount of the wage
or salary is not stated in the contract of employment the employer
must pay at least the minimum wage in that particular trade and if
this has not been determined he must pay whatever the special com
missions decide is a just wage. In determining the just wage the
commission shall conduct a hearing of the parties concerned and
shall take into consideration the place, the customs, the class of work,
the need of the workers, and various other special circumstances.
In Chihuahua, likewise, the minimum wage is determined by
special municipal commissions appointed for this purpose. The
wage thus fixed is to be revised from time to time by the commissions
after study of the economic conditions in their respective munici
palities. These commissions will ordinarily meet during the month of
January but may meet upon petition of one or more employers or 50
employees or at the request of the State central board of conciliation
and arbitration, to which they are subordinate. The law provides
that each of the commissions shall be composed of a representative
of the employers and a representative of the employees in each of
the industries in the municipality, and one citizen elected from the
municipal council, who will act as president of the commission. A
copy of the decision fixing the minimum wage and rate of profit
sharing is to be sent to the State central board of conciliation and
arbitration, and other copies are to be sent to the city council, where
one is placed in the public archives and the others are published in
periodicals and posted in public places. The employer or employee
who objects to the minimum wage as established must present his
objections in writing to the head of the municipal board of conciliation
and arbitration within eight days after this minimum wage has been
made public. This objection is then forwarded to the central board
of conciliation and arbitration, which either sustains or modifies it.
In Coahuila the law stipulates that the minimum wage and the
rate of profit sharing shall be fixed by special commissions which
must meet once every six months. The membership of these com
missions is the same as those of Chihuahua except that the president
of the commission is a “ representative of the political authority.”
The representatives of the workers and employers must be selected
by the day on which it has been decided that the commission will meet.
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m o n th ly
labor
r e v ie w
.
For two weeks these commissions will collect the information neces
sary for the compilation of the required reports. After the expira
tion of this period the commission shall determine upon the standard
minimum wage and the rate of profit sharing.
The Michoacan and Queretaro laws contain only one provision on
the subject of the minimum wage. This provision stipulates that
in fixing the minimum wage the time required to perform the work,
as well as the quality of the work, shall be taken into consideration.
The Puebla law merely states that in each municipality the standard
minimum wage shall be determined by a special commission, the
membership of which shall be as determined by the respective laws.
The laws of Sinaloa and Sonora touch only briefly on the subject
of fixing a standard minimum wage, simply stating that the minimum
wage shall be fixed by special boards formed in each municipality
and subordinate to the central board of conciliation and arbitration.
The Vera Cruz law on this subject combines the provisions of the
laws of Chihuahua and Coahuila, providing for special municipal
commissions whose membership is the same as those established by
the Chihuahua act and setting the same time limit for the selection
of the workers’ and employers’ representatives as that of Coahuila.
The commissions are to convene at the call of the central board of
conciliation and arbitration but not oftener than twice a year.
The act contains the same provisions as the Coahuila law as to col
lection of information upon which to base the minimum wage
decision. After the minimum wage has been fixed for each particular
industry the same procedure will be followed as in the case of
Chihuahua.
Equal work shall receive equal pay; there must be no discrimination
because of sex, age, or nationality. This provision is to be found in
almost identical words in the laws of nine Mexican States (Campeche,
Chiapas, Chihuahua, Michoacan, Puebla, Queretaro, Sinaloa, Sonora,
and Yucatan).
Incorporated in the laws of 11 States (Campeche, Chiapas, Chi
huahua, Coahuila, Michoacan, Puebla, Queretaro, Sinaloa, Sonora,
Vera Cruz, and Yucatan) is the requirement that salaries must be
paid promptly and in legal currency, and no wages are to be paid in
merchandise, with promissory notes, or any other substitutes for
money.
In the laws of eight States (Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Michoacan,
Queretaro, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Vera Cruz) are to be found provisions
designating the place where salaries and wages shall be paid. In
Chiapas they must be paid at the disbursing office of the place of
employment. In Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora they must be
paid directly to the worker or some one the worker may designate.
Also this payment must be made in some place where there is no
recreation hall, restaurant, coffee house, saloon, canteen, or store.
In Coahuila, Michoacan, Queretaro, and Vera Cruz the laws merely
require that the wages and salaries must be paid at the place of
employment.
In addition to these provisions some of the States have even
enacted legislation specifying when the wages shall be paid. In
Campeche all wages must be paid on the day agreed upon in the
contract, which must in no case be more than a week from the day on
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which they are due, except in the case of persons employed in banks
and similar institutions. In Chiapas the salaries and wages must
be paid at least once a week. In Chihuahua, all unskilled and agri
cultural laborers must be paid at least once a week, and domestic
servants and clerks at least once every two weeks; with these ex
ceptions there is no restriction as to the date of payment. Michoacan
has a somewhat similar law which requires all unskilled and agri
cultural laborers to be paid at least once a week and all domestic
workers and clerks once every 10 days. The Querétaro law, like
wise requires all unskilled and farm laborers to be paid at least
once a week, all clerks at least once every 10 days, and all domestic
servants at least once every 2 weeks. The Coahuila and Vera Cruz
laws are similar to the Querétaro law except that domestic servants
and clerks must be paid at least once a month.
The laws of nine of the Mexican States (Campeche, Chihuahua,
Michoacan, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, and
Yucatan) require that all overtime work be paid for at double the
regular rate, and that of Coahuila at the rate of time and a half.
In Coahuila and Puebla night work must be paid for at 50 per cent
more than the rate for day work.
In the event of bankruptcy or dissolution of the employing firm,
salaries or wages due employees shall be a preferred claim under the
laws of Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Yucatan.
In Chiapas, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Yucatan employers are
forbidden to reduce the wages of the workers in order to pay indus
trial accident insurance or compensation for occupational diseases.
Furthermore, the minimum wage can not become the subject of an
attachment, set-off, or discount in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Michoacan,
Querétaro, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Yucatan.
In Puebla and Coahuila, if the wages of a worker depend upon the
size, weight, and measure of the goods, he shall have the right to be
present or to send a representative when the rate of payment is being
determined. In Puebla an employee or his representative also has
the right of making to the employer any kind of complaint relating to
the work in the establishment. In Michoacan the minimum wage for
apprentices is fixed at 50 cents (national gold currency) per day or
food and clothing plus at least 50 cents a week. Querétaro requires
employers to pay apprentices a minimum wage of 25 cents a day,
unless necessaries are furnished, in which case the apprentices must
receive at least. 50 cents a week. In Querétaro domestic servants
must show a certificate from the department of education stating
their occupation in order to be entitled to the benefits of the minimumwage provision.
While a number of the State laws have made reference to profit
sharing and its determination in a manner similar to that of the
minimum wage, only a few States have enacted comprehensive legis
lation on the subject.
The law of Chihuahua provides that in all enterprises, agricultural,
commercial, and industrial, workers shall have a right to participate
in the profits of the business. These profits are to be distributed in
proportion to wages, such distribution to be not more than 10 per
cent nor less than 5 per cent, unless otherwise specified in the labor
contract. An employer who believes he has a right to exemption
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
from sharing the profits of his business shall submit to the commission
on minimum wage and profit sharing during the first 10 days after
its organization all data and information required by it in order to
determine his right to such exemption.
In Coahuila the computation of the amount of the profits which shall
go to workers and the payment of the same shall take place at the
end of each year. Those workers who quit work without justifiable
cause before the date for the distribution of profits lose their right to a
share of these profits, and what otherwise would have been their
share is divided among the other workers. The profits of one year
may not be used to compensate any losses which may have been
incurred in previous years, nor do the employees share losses. Each
year the employees shall select by majority vote one who will repre
sent them in the examination of the books of the firm and in deter
mining the amount of the profits which shall go to the employees.
The fact, however, that the employees share in the profits of the
business shall not be a restriction upon the power of the entrepreneur
in conducting his business.
Puebla completes the list of States having comprehensive legislation
on the subject of profit sharing. Its law provides that in all industries
the employees have a right to share in the profits. The employees’
share in the profits is determined by special commissions subordinate
to the central board of conciliation and arbitration. In the deter
mination of the share of an individual laborer, account must always
be taken of the amount of the salary which he receives, and the rate of
profit sharing must not be less than 10 per cent of the same.
Woman and Child Workers.
A RTICLE 123 of the Federal Constitution forbids the employment
of women and children under 16 years of age in unheal thful and
dangerous occupations, and in commercial establishments after 10
o’clock at night; and of women “ of whatever age” and boys under
16 on overtime work. It sets the maximum limit of a day’s work for
children over 12 and under 16 years of age at 6 hours and provides
that the work of children under 12 years of age shall not be the object
of a contract. Women shall not be allowed to perform any physical
work requiring considerable physical effort during the three months
immediately preceding parturition; during the month following partu
rition they shall be given a period of rest with full pay and shall retain
their employment and the rights they have acquired under their con
tracts; during the period of lactation they shall have two extra daily
periods of rest of one-half hour each, in order to nurse their children.
The provision found in the laws of Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua,
Michoacan, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, and Sonora
reads like that of article 123: “ For children of either sex, over 12 and
under 16 years of age, the maximum limit of a day’s work shall be 6
hours.” In Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora, however, this provision
does not apply if the work is domestic in nature or does not require
great physical force. Coahuila and Yucatan have similar laws,
except that the limits are different, between 14 and 16 years in the
former and between 15 and 18 years in the latter. In Yucatan, while
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the maximum day for children is set at 6 hours, the “ ordinary” work
day is set at 4 hours.
Employment of minors at overtime work is prohibited by the laws
of Coahuila, Michaocan, Puebla, Querétaro, Sinaloa, and Sonora.
Many of these States contain laws, relative to unhealthful and
dangerous work, which are similar in essence but differ in detail.
One provision, however, which is common to many, states that un
healthful and dangerous work, as well as night work in industrial
firms, is prohibited for women in general and for boys under 16 years
of age. Such a provision is found in the laws of Campeche, Chiapas,
Chihuahua, Coahuila, Puebla, Vera Cruz, and Yucatan. In Campeche,
Chihuahua, Coahuila, Michoacan, San Luis Potosí, and Vera Cruz
women and boys of less than 16 years may not be employed after 10
p. m. in commercial or industrial establishments.
The Querétaro law prohibits all night work for women and chil
dren in commercial and industrial establishments after 8 .p. m.,
while the Yucatan act prohibits the night work of women and chil
dren under 18 years of age.
The Chihuahua, Coahuila, Puebla, Vera Cruz, and Yucatan laws
define unhealthful and dangerous work. In Chihuahua, Coahuila,
Puebla, and Vera Cruz the following are considered in this category:
All oiling, cleaning, examining, and repairing of machinery in motion;
all work with mechanical saws, files, sharp knives, pile drivers, and
similar mechanical apparatus the manipulation of which requires
special precaution; all work specified as dangerous or unhealthful in
the rules and regulations of the factory, workshop or other industrial
establishment; work involving the danger of industrial poisoning; all
industrial operations entailing poisonous and injurious gases and
vapors, as the drilling of oil wells; all operations in which injurious
dust is produced as in the polishing of crude crystals; those indus
tries which require “ prudent and attentive labor,” as the manu
facture of explosives and powder; and all industries in which the
workers labor in damp surroundings, as the work around cold tanks
of breweries. The Puebla law adds that the provisions of the above
article will be enforced by the technical staff of the Department of
Labor.
In Yucatan, also, the law prohibits unhealthful and dangerous
work for women in general and for young men between 15 and 18
years of age. Then follows a definition designating as unhealthful
and dangerous work not only that which endangers life but also all
work which is injurious to health and morals.
Five of the Mexican States have enacted more or less detailed
legislation on the subject of childbirth. The Campeche law stipu
lates that during the three months prior to childbirth women shall
not perform any work requiring considerable physical exertion.
During the month following childbirth they shall rest, shall receive
their salary, must not be discharged, and must receive all those
rights which accrue from the labor contract.
In Chihuahua women shall receive a total of eight weeks’ rest
before and after childbirth, during which time they shall have a
right to receive one-half of their salary, with the understanding that
the rest after childbirth will be at least six weeks. In order to begin
employment again, a certificate must be obtained from the civil
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m o n th ly
labor
r e v ie w
.
registrar stating that six weeks have elapsed since the birth of the
child.
The Coahuila law is similar to that of Campeche except that it
also requires the woman, upon resuming work, to present a health
certificate declaring she is in good health.
The San Luis Potosí law merely provides that women shall have an
enforced rest during the month following childbirth, receiving full
wages and retaining their employment and the rights which have been
acquired through the contract.
In Puebla, during the three months before childbirth, women will
not be allowed to perform any physical work which requires consider
able effort, and during the three weeks immediately preceding and
in the month following the birth of the child they must have com
plete rest, retaining their salaries and positions.
The Yucatan law is similar to the others except that it requires
an enforced rest of two months before and two months after child
birth.
Many of the States have enacted legislation requiring additional
rest periods, of varying lengths, during the period of lactation. The
laws of Campeche, Coahuila, and Vera Cruz require two rest periods
a day of half an hour each during which they may nurse their chil
dren; the San Luis Potosí law requires two rest periods of half an
hour each; and the Yucatan law requires two rest periods of an hour
each.
The laws of three of the Mexican States (Campeche, Puebla, and
Yucatan) stipulate that establishments employing women must pro
vide a special place, in a good sanitary condition, in which these women
may nurse their children.
In Campeche the employment is prohibited of boys under 16 years
of age and of girls under 21 in factories, workshops, or establish
ments in which they make or sell objects which, while not in viola
tion of the penal code, are of such a nature as to affect adversely the
morality of the workers.
In Chihuahua and Coahuila the employment of women and minors
at all work which involves the dispensing of intoxicating beverages
for immediate consumption is prohibited, while in San Luis Potosí
no one, regardless of age or sex, can be employed to dispense in
toxicating beverages between 12 midnight and 6 a. m. and from 2
p. m. Saturday afternoon until 6 a. m. on Monday.
In Campeche an employer who contracts with minors must report
the fact to the municipal president within 24 hours after the contract
has been negotiated. Also the employer must keep a record con
taining the name of each minor, the place and date of his birth, his
address, the names, professions and address of his parents or
trustees.
The Puebla law prohibits an employer from concluding a labor
contract with a minor 16 years of age or under unless he has pre
viously ascertained from those in whose care or custody the minor
is that he has completed a primary-school education, or that he is
attending some school at the time of employment. The Yucatan
law merely states that, in order to comply strictly with the educa
tional requirements, the work of children of either sex under 15
years of age may not be contracted for.
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Five Mexican States (Campeche, Chiapas, Coahuila, Puebla, and
Yucatan) provide that the payment of wages to minors is valid
unless the parent or guardian of the employee who authorized the
labor contract opposes such payment and makes his opposition
known to the employer. In that case the employer must submit
the matter to the president of the municipality, who is to determine
to whom the wages shall be paid.
In Campeche children under 16 years of age must receive leave
of absence from work for at least two hours daily in order to obtain
an elementary education and in Puebla the employer must receive
from the proper authority a certificate stating that the minor who
is applying for a position has attended an elementary school, before
he can employ the minor.
Lastly, the laws of both Campeche and-Yucatan provide that the
municipal president may demand, whenever he so desires, that
minors who are employed be given a physical examination and,
on 'the basis of the doctor’s report, may force the resignation of
any minor whose health is being undermined by his work.
Injunction Against Railroad Shopmen.
BRIEF article under the above heading appeared in the
M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for October, 1 9 2 2 (pp. 1 7 6 - 1 7 8 ) ,
in connection with which was reproduced a temporary in
junction granted by the courts against the striking shopmen. The
United States brought the proceeding on which the injunction was
granted under the general equity jurisdiction of the district court
and under the antitrust act of July 2 , 1 8 9 0 ( 2 6 Stat. 2 0 9 ) . The
grounds of the action were that there was an unlawful combination
and conspiracy to obstruct and restrain interstate trade and commerce
and the transportation of the mails over the lines of railroad affected
by the action of the strikers.
The difficulty was precipitated by the decision of the Federated
Shop Crafts to strike as a protest against the decision of the Railroad
Labor Board handed down June 5, 1922, sustaining the “ justness
and reasonableness” of the wages and salaries of the employees
involved as then in effect. The strike leaders issued a bulletin at
the outset of the strike, declaring that their act in quitting their
work en masse was the “ only recourse left after two years of nego
tiation and ‘buck passing ’ on the part of the railroad managers,
and a series of ‘injuries and usurpations’ by the United States
Railroad Labor Board.” The strike at once took an aggressive,
belligerent, and violent course. The 50 railroads which furnished
evidence showed that they had been compelled to house and feed
employees on company property at 1,055 points scattered through
out the country.
A
The evidence shows 19 deaths due to assaults and violence by strikers; 1,500 in
stances of various kinds of assaults by strikers on employees of the respective rail
road companies and those seeking employment with them; 65 cases of kidnapping,
with accompanying brutal assaults; 8 cases of tarring and feathering of new employees
by strikers; 50 instances of burning and dynamiting, or attempting to burn and dyna
mite, bridges over which trains engaged in interstate commerce and carriage of the
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
United States mails passed; 250 cases of burning or dynamiting, or attempting to burn
or dynamite, property of the railroads and homes and property of the employees; 50
cases of derailments, or attempts to derail or wreck trains engaged in interstate com
merce by greasing tracks, placing obstructions on tracks, removing spikes, interfer
ing with frogs and switches, cutting wires, signal apparatus, etc. The cutting of air
hose, throwing of stones, firing of shots, placing foreign substances, such as blue
vitriol, gaskets, soap, and slugs in pipes, cylinders, and other parts of locomotives,
tampering with electrical equipment, removal of cotter pins and other necessary parts
of locomotives, and placing of emery, sand, and other foreign substances in journal
boxes, occurred so generally and frequently throughout the country, on all railroads
from which proof was taken, that it is impossible to compile the exact number of such
cases.
Many millions of dollars were expended on account of the strike
aside from the damages to property, losses to business, etc., while
the Department of Justice expended almost $2,000,000 for addi
tional United States deputies and other expenses. The reduction
of business throughout the country and the discontinuance of mail
trains, numbering 706 in all, cut on postal service from a number of
points, 462 in all, serving a population of 352,671 people.
A temporary injunction was issued on September 1, 1922, and a
hearing was set for September 11 as to its continuance. The decision
granting the injunction appears in 283 Federal Reporter, page 479,
while the decision overruling the employees’ motion to dissolve the
injunction was reproduced in 286 Federal Reporter, page 228. No
appeal was taken from these decisions, and depositions were procured
between the 5th of January and the 2d of May for the securing of
evidence as to the course and nature of the strike. The trial was set
for May 2, but on May 1, 1923, counsel for the striking associations
appeared in open court and withdrew their appearance. The United
States introduced additional evidence at the trial, while the defendant
union offered none. Under the proceedings had, a final decision
and decree were arrived at, and announced by Judge Wilkerson on
July 12, 1923 (290 Fed. 978).
In announcing his decision at this time, Judge Wilkerson referred
to the earlier discussions as setting forth the questions of law involved,
adding that, “ I find no reason to modify the views there expressed.”
While the strike had somewhat subsided at the time of the final
hearing in May, it was still in existence against 62 per cent of all the
railroads in the United States engaged in interstate commerce,
representing a mileage of more than 140,000 miles. After the grant
ing of the temporary injunction the acts of violence, assault, etc.,
diminished in number, but the evidence was said clearly to indicate
the necessity of continuing the injunction to prevent “ fresh out
bursts of lawlessness and a recurrence of the depredations com
mitted in 1922.” The strike was said to be manifestly more than a
controversy between employer and employees, and had as its pur
pose, as shown by the evidence, the destruction of interstate com
merce and the creation of public, open hostility toward decisions of
the Railroad Labor Board. “ The primary purpose of the combina
tion, therefore, is unlawful, and it may not be carried out by means
that otherwise would be legal.” It would not be sufficient merely to
enjoin acts of violence which are done in secret, but the open encour
agement by words and deeds in themselves apparently peaceful and
lawful must also be restrained, as they are an encouragement to injury
to persons and property. Moreover, “ the peaceful words of the
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LABOE LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS.
203
strikers and pickets, the peaceful exhortations of the strike leaders,
take on, by virtue of the atmosphere of lawlessness and violence in
which they are spoken, a force not inhering in the words themselves,
and therefore transcending any possible right of free speech.”
A decree was therefore granted with provisions essentially the same
as those contained in the temporary injunction (see M o n th ly L abor
R e v ie w , October, 1922, pp. 177, 178). The language of the final
decree varies somewhat from that of the temporary injunction, as,
for instance, omitting the word “ persuasion” in paragraphs d and e,
and extending the prohibition of picketing so as to include such
action “ along the ways traveled by such employees” to or from their
places of work. However, nothing in the injunction shall be con
strued to prohibit the use of the funds of the union for any lawful
purpose, nor to restrain the expression of opinion or argument not
intended to aid or encourage the doing of the prohibited acts or not
calculated to prolong a conspiracy to restrain interstate commerce
for the carriage of the mails.
Control of Coal Distribution.
AT AN extra session of the Ohio Legislature in 1922, an “ emergency act” was passed by which the distribution of coal
1 *■ was brought within the control of a fuel administrator. All
coal mined within the State was to be retained therein, and coal for
domestic consumption must be sold at prices fixed by the adminis
trator (act of September 12, 1922). The Ohio Collieries Co., a coal
producing corporation, and a distributing corporation which had a
contract for marketing the products of this company attacked the
constitutionality of this act as an interference with their rights under
the Federal Constitution. The points made were that it attempted
to regulate and did interfere with interstate commerce; that it
impaired the obligations of contracts; and that it deprived the
plaintiffs of their property without due process of law, taking private
property for public use without just compensation, thereby denying
equal protection of the laws. Conflicts with the State constitution
were also alleged.
Shortly after the passage of this act, Congress legislated on the
same subject (42 Stat. 1025), and under settled decisions by the
Supreme Court the Federal statute dominated in case of conflict.
This conflict was said to exist to such an extent that the State law
could not function, while the powers granted to the fuel adminis
trator of fixing prices and compelling their acceptance by the plain
tiffs “ would have been an interference with interstate commerce
and an invasion of plaintiffs’ rights under the Constitution” beyond
argument. Therefore, without going into other considerations the
statute was said to be plainly unconstitutional because it was an
interference with interstate commerce (290 Fed. 1005).
67655°— 23---14
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m o n t h l y labor r e v ie w .
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Extension of Norwegian Law on Industrial Home Work.
N ITS issue of August, 1923, Meddelelsesblad (organ of the Nor
wegian Federation of Trade-Unions) states that the Norwegian
Parliament (S to r tin g e t ) has extended for another five years the
law of February 15, 1918,1 relating to industrial home work.
The bill extending the law stated, among other things, that the
importance of the law lies particularly in the control exercised over
wage conditions. Through the fixing of a minimum wage and the
intervention of the Home Workers Commission (H je m m e a r b e id s r a a d e t )
an attempt has been made to arrive at a comparatively adequate
working wage. The wage-regulating activities have also been to
the advantage of the employers, as the more considerate employers
have been protected from competition with employers who, without
wage regulations, would have underpaid their employees.
The lack of power to further their interests through individual or
organization activities, which characterizes the home workers, is as
great now as before, and it was feared that if the law were repealed
and the home workers had to deal singly with the employers regard
ing wage agreements the opportunity would be present to exploit
home workers to the same extent as previously. Attempts at
organization and collective agreements so far do not seem to be
successful.
I
1See Monthly L abor R e v ie w , September, 1918, p p . 204, 205.
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LA B O R O R GA N IZA TION S.
Twenty-Second Congress of Trade-Union Committee of Belgium.1
HE twenty-second congress of the Trade-Union Committee of
Belgium was held in Brussels July 27 and 28, with 388 dele
gates in attendance, representing 29 national federations and
central organizations and 618,871 members. Delegates were present
also from ten European countries. Owing to the economic crisis,
strikes, etc., the trade-union membership decreased about 79,000 in
the year ending December 31, 1922, although there has been an
improvement in the situation since that time. As reported to the
congress the union having the largest membership is that of the
metal workers, with 128,656 members, followed by the building
workers, with 102,870 members, and the miners, numbering 85,874.
The textile federation, with a total of 62,190 members, included
28,547 women.
The topics on the agenda for discussion were the question of
trade-union organization by industry instead of by craft, the eighthour day, labor control of industry, workers’ vacations, and family
allowances. Owing to the length of the debates upon trade-union
tendencies the discussion of the problem of labor control was left to
be considered at a special congress to be called later. The congress
adopted by a large majority a resolution urging the different organiza
tions of workers in the same industry to unite in order to realize the
organization of unionism by industry as soon as possible. In regard
to international trade-union unity the congress instructed the
Belgium delegates belonging to the executive organization of the
International Federation of Trade-Unions to support every measure
put forward by the latter to obtain unity of action in the inter
national trade-union movement.
A resolution on the 8-hour day, which was unanimously adopted,
stated that the enactment of the 8-hour law was obtained through
the power of the trade-union organizations affiliated to the tradeunion committee, and that, as this reform was subject to the repeated
attacks of employers’ organizations, chambers of commerce, and the
capitalist press, it was more than ever necessary that the workers
with the aid of their trade-union organizations should combine to
oppose attacks upon the law itself and demands for unjustified
limitations in its application.
The congress adopted practically unanimously a resolution on
family allowances advocating the legalization of the payment of
allowances and authorizing the national committee to advise with
the socialist parliamentary group as to the best way of accomplishing
T
!D ata are from R evue d u T ravail, Brussels, August, 1923, p p . 1552-1555; B ulletin Mensuel d u P a rti
O uvrier Belge, Brussels, Aug. 10, 1923, p p . 67-69, and Sept. 10, 1923, p p. 75-77; and L 'Inform ation Sociale,
Paris, Sept. 13, 1923.
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206
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
this purpose and also to carry on the necessary propaganda among
the affiliated organizations and the federations of unions in order to
inform the workers as to the objective to be realized. The resolution
reaffirmed one adopted by the national committee2 of the tradeunion committee on February 6, 1923, which stated that the payment
of such allowances was a duty devolving upon society in the same
way as protection against labor accidents, sickness, invalidity, and
old age, and that these allowances should be completely independent
of work and wages.
In addition to these questions which had been considered by pre
vious congresses, the question of vacations with pay for all industrial
workers, which have already been granted by certain employers, was
discussed. I t was decided to use the information which had been
gathered by the trade-union committee in regard to the extent to
which vacations are in force both in Belgium and other countries as
a basis for a general movement to secure this reform for all industrial
workers in the country.
While waiting for the special congress to be called to consider the
question of labor control, the congress recommended that a special
commission should be constituted in each central affiliated organiza
tion which should prepare a plan to be followed in carrying on a cam
paign of education throughout the country by the various centrals.
The economic council of the trade-union committee was directed to
simplify and coordinate the work of these different organizations and
to call together a group of technicians for the purpose of making a
special study of the problems connected with the control of enterprises
and their eventual socialization.
The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the formation of the
trade-union committee, which was founded July 4, 1898, was held in
connection with the congress. On July 29, the day following the
close of the congress, a parade in which 150,000 trade-unionists
participated was held in Brussels. The purpose of the demonstration,
aside from commemoration of the anniversary, was said to be to
impress both the friends and opponents of labor with the strength
and solidarity of the trade-union movement.
8 R evue d u T ravail, Brussels, F ebruary, 1923, p . 251.
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LABOR O R G A N IZA TIO N S.
Membership of Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations in France,
January, 1922.
HE Bulletin du Ministère du Travail (Paris), April-June, 1923
(pp. 152, 153), gives the following table showing the membership
of employers’ organizations and trade-unions (syn d ica ts ) in
France on January 1 , 1920, and January 1 , 1922, the number and
membership of organizations formed during this two-year period,
and the number of organizations dissolved. These organizations are
grouped in 655 federations, of which 247 are employers, 268 workers,
7 mixed, and 133 agricultural.
T
N U M B E R A N D M E M B E R S H IP O F E M P L O Y E R S ’ A N D W O R K E R S ’ O R G A N IZ A T IO N S IN
F R A N C E , N U M B E R D ISS O L V E D A N D N U M B E R FO R M E D JA N U A R Y 1, 1920 TO
JA N U A R Y 1, 1922.
Jan u a ry 1,1920.
O rganizations.
New organi
D issolutions
in
zations in
1920 an d 1921. 1920 a nd 1921.
Jan u a ry 1,1922.
N um
N um
N um
N um
ber
N u m ber
ber
N um
ber ofber
ber
of or- N um
ber
of
orof
orof or- N um
ber
of
of
gan- m emofbers. gan- m em gan- m em ganmem
bers.
lzaîzalzabers.
bers.
lzations.
tions.
tions.
tions.
Em ployers’ ................................................ 5,078
W orkers’..................................................... 5,283
Mixed (em ployers’ an d w orkers’) ___
175
A gricultural............................................... 6,519
379,855
1,580,967
31,806
1,083,957
16
37
2
100
T o ta l................................................ 17,055
3,076, 585
55
5,508
1,236
4,172
5,758
6,196
193
7,654
413,765
1,768,461
32,458
1,149,584
2,801 293,191 19, 801
3,364, 268
696 35,146
950 191,666
652
18
1,137 65,727
Trade-Unions in the Bombay (India) Presidency.
HE Bombay Labour Gazette in its issue for June, 1923, gives
data concerning trade-unions in the Presidency, from which
it appears that there were at the end of June, 1923, a total of
21 unions with a membership of 51,276, as against a total of 22 unions
with a membership of 48,669 reported at the end of the previous
quarter. The trade-union movement appears to be of recent date
in the Presidency, as of the 21 unions listed only 2 were formed as
early as 1918, 2 were organized in 1919, 12 in 1920, 4 in 1921, and 1
in 1922. For the year ending in June, 1923, the total membership
shows a decrease of 11.5 per cent. Most of this occurred during the
quarter ending September, 1922; during the second quarter of the
current year there has been an actual increase in membership. This
is especially noticeable in view of the fact that the unions of cotton
textile operatives of Ahmadabad account for about one-third (31.4
per cent) of the total trade-union membership of the Presidency,
and these unions have just come through a protracted strike, affecting
56 out of the 61 cotton mills in the city. The strikers won a partial
victory and appear to have kept their membership intact throughout
the struggle. These unions, formed on craft lines, are said to be the
best organized in the Presidency, and have fully established their
position as agents for the workers in collective bargaining.
The largest single union, as reported by the Gazette, is the Indian
Seamen’s Union, with 10,000 members; the various unions of the
railway workers have a membership of 19,066, and the textile unions
of Ahmadabad have 16,100 members.
T
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STR IK ES A N D LO CK O U TS,
Strikes and Lockouts in Germany, 1922.
THE Reichsarbeitsblatt of June 1, 1923, the German Ministry of
IN Labor
publishes statistics of strikes and lockouts in Germany
during 1922, and compares these statistics with those for preceding
years. A brief summary of this statistical review is given below:
In the statistics of German labor disputes covering the years 1899
to 1922 there may be distinguished three periods that differ sharply
from each other. The first period, from 1899 to 1913, was one of
normal economic development. In these 15 years there were three
cycles of great economic prosperity, the years 1900-1901, 1906-7, and
1912-13. The beginning of each of these cycles was marked by a
great number of labor disputes. Thus in 1900 the loss of industrial
workers through strikes and lockouts was 3,711,994 days, in 1905 it
was 18,984,553 days, and in 1910 it amounted to 17,848,440 days.
The years following immediately upon cycles of economic prosperity
on the other hand, were distinguished by few labor disputes. In
1902, for instance, the number of working-days lost through labor
disputes amounted to only 1,950,847, in 1908 to 3,665,607, and in
1914 to 2,843,895.
The second period was the war period, comprising the years 1914
to 1918, in which labor disputes decreased to a minimum in number
and intensity (i. e., number of working-days lost), and were chiefly
confined to war industries. The year 1917 shows the greatest number
of working-days lost during this period (1,862,302) through labor
disputes of industrial workers.
The third period comprises the postwar years. It is distinguished
by the strong political character of the strikes in contrast to the
predominatingly economic character of the strikes in the two other
periods. More than half the working-days lost during this period
through labor disputes are chargeable to political strikes. These
political influences, collective bargaining, and the extraordinary
extension of organization among employers and workers have greatly
increased the intensity of labor disputes during the post-war period,
the number of strikers and the number of days lost being many times
as great as the corresponding pre-war averages. A new development
is the extensive strikes of salaried employees and agricultural workers,
which in pre-war times were negligible. All of these facts are illus
trated in the following table:
208
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ST R IK E S A K D L O C K O U T S.
209
S T R IK E S AND L O C K O U TS IN G ER M A N Y , B Y CLASS O F W O R K E R S AN D N A T U R E O F
D IS P U T E S , 1899 TO 1922.
N um
ber of
strik es
and
lock
outs.
Period.
Economic strikes a n d lockouts of in d u stria l workers:
1899-1913, a n n u al average.........................................
1918.................................................................................
1919.................................................................................
1920.................................................................................
1921.................................................................................
1922.................................................................................
Economic strik es and lockouts of ag ricu ltu ral
workers:
1919.................................................................................
1920.................................................................................
1921.................................................................................
1922.................................................................................
Economic strikes and lockouts of salaried employees:
1919.................................................................................
1920...............................................................................
1921..................................................................................
1922.................................................................................
Political strikes:
1918.................................................................................
1919...... .............. .........................................................
1920.................................................................................
1921....................... ..........................................................
1922....................... ..........................................................
All strikes a n d lockouts:
1918.................................................................................
1919.................................................................................
1920.................................................................................
3921.................................................................................
1922.................................................................................
E s ta b
lish
Persons
m ents employed.
affected.
Strikers
and
locked
out
workers.
Workingdays lost.
2,114
532
3,719
3,807
4,455
4,785
11,410
1,095
33,840
42,268
55,237
47,501
510,644
715,742
2,760,767
2,008,732
2,036,070
2,565,554
234,623
379,128
1,938,354
1,429,116
1,489,454
1,823,921
8,006,791
1,452,834
33,082,774
16,755,614
25,874,452
27,733,833
163
369
302
331
932
3,240
1,876
2,853
24,955
56,918
42,295
69,093
22,253
53,707
36,770
56,228
115,951
227,836
353,809
468,207
186
216
31
85
4,161
2,780
645
2,429
464,800
123,319
49,265
115,957
182,998
78,912
14,127
89,114
1,933,687
719,350
88,129
692,394
241
902
4,408
435
160
6,302
12,871
149,535
2,768
4,824
1,760,385
3,568,403
7,260,500
716,596
443,573
925,120
2,562,664
6,762,242
502,021
352,334
3,766,456
12,934,768
36,504,142
3,751,504
346,306
773
4,970
8,800
5,223
5,361
7,397
51,804
197,823
60,526
57,607
2,476,127
6,818,925
9,449,469
2,844,226
3,194,177
1,304,248
4,706,269
8,323,977
2,042,372
2,321,597
5,219,290
48,067,180
54,206,942
30,067,894
29,240,760
From the preceding table it is evident that the strike curve
reached its highest level in 1920. The strike and lockout statistics
for the years 1921 and 1922 show great similarity. The intensity
of the strikes, i. e., the number of working-days lost, was nearly the
same, 30,067,894 in 1921 and 29,240,760 in 1922. The number of
disputes, of establishments affected, and of persons employed in
these establisliments differed very little in the two years. The sta
tistics for these two years seem to indicate that the great postwar
strike wave has considerably abated. I t would, however, be wrong
to conclude from the similarity of the strike statistics of 1921 and
1922 that in Grermany labor disputes have arrived at a state of post
war normalcy, although political strikes, which are chiefly respon
sible for the abnormal character of the postwar strike movement,
became a rather negligible factor in 1922. In Germany, as in all
other countries, the strike curve is largely determined by the ups
and downs of economic conditions. Economic conditions in Ger
many were practically the same in 1921 and 1922. In both years
there was an economic pseudoprosperity due to the continuous
depreciation of German money which facilitated a large export busi
ness. The progressive depreciation of the mark caused a steady
rise of prices and of the cost of living. Wages, however, did not
keep step with this rise, so that the economic situation of manual
workers and salaried employees, especially the latter, became worse
from month to month, forcing their organizations to make new de
mands each month for wage increases. If political strikes, which
have considerably decreased in number in the last two years, are left
out of consideration, it is found that strikes and lockouts of an
economic character have greatly increased in intensity since 1920.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1199]
210
m o n t h l y labor r e v ie w .
While in 1920 the number of working-days lost by industrial workers
through economic strikes and lockouts was 16,755,614, the corre
sponding number in 1921 was 25,874,452 and in 1922, 27,733,833.
Political strikes reached their highest level in 1920 when 4,408 politi
cal strikes took place, involving a loss of 36,504,142 working-days. In
1921 the number of working-days lost through political strikes fell to
3,751,504, or to about 10 per cent of the number in 1920, andin 1922 it
fell again to 346,306, or to 10 per cent of the number in 1921. The num
ber of strikers involved in political strikes fell likewise extraordinarily—
from 6,762,242 in 1920 to 502,021 in 1921, and to 352,334 in 1922.
The economic strikes of industrial workers increased only slightly
in intensity in 1922 as compared with 1921, if the intensity is measured
by the number of working-days lost, which was 23,382,593 in 1922,
as against 22,595,969 in the preceding year. The increase in the
number of strikers (1,064,250 in 1922 as against 1,287,523 in 1921)
was somewhat greater. This fact indicates that strikes of this kind
were on an average of shorter duration in 1922 (14 to 15 days) than in
1921 (17 to 18 days). The number of establishments affected by
economic strikes of industrial workers decreased from 52,244 in 1921
to 41,775 in 1922.
The number of persons employed in these establishments increased
from 1,817,637 in 1921 to 2,241,281 in 1922. These data indicate
that large-sized industrial establishments were more affected by
economic strikes in 1922 than in 1921.
The 1922 statistics of economic strikes of industrial workers show
that the metal-working and machinery industries were most severely
affected by such strikes, with 10,000,000 and 2,000,000 working-days
lost, respectively. These two industry groups, therefore, account for
about half of the total number of working-days lost through strikes
by all industry groups; also for more than one-fourth of the total
number of strikers in 1922. The building trades, with 2,000,000
working-days lost and 146,000 strikers, and the textile industry, with
1,750,000 working-days lost and 153,000 strikers, come in third and
fourth place. In the mining industry economic strikes were less in
tensive in 1922 than in preceding years, the number of working-days
lost having been only 910,000 and that of strikers 166,000.
The following table gives summary statistics of the movement of
economic strikes and lockouts of industrial workers for the period
1899 to 1922:
ECONOM IC S T R IK E S A N D LO C K O U TS O F IN D U S T R IA L W O R K E R S IN G ER M A N Y , 1899 TO
1922.
Strikes.
Period.
N um ber.
E stablish
m ents
afiected.
1919___ .'..........................7 ................
1920.....................................................
1921.....................................................
1922.....................................................
1,885
Z, 682
3,693
4,093
4,348
8,584
32,825
40,863
52,244
41, 775
1899-1913, an n u al average.............
1919........ ..........................7 ................
1920.....................................................
1921.....................................................
1922.....................................................
229
37
114
362
437
2,826
1,015
1,405
2,993
5,726
Persons
employed.
406, 403
2, 724,907
1,915,581
1,817,637
2,241,281
Persons
directly
affected.
Workingdays lost.
173,501
1,906,210
1,338,410
1,287, 523
1,604,250
5,290,991
32,463,620
15,444,349
22,595,969
23,382,593
61,122
32,144
90,706
201,931
219,671
2,715,800
619,154
1,311,265
3,278,483
4,351,240
Lockouts.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1200]
104,601
35,860
93,151
218,433
324,273
S T R IK E S A N D L O C K O U T S.
211
The preceding table shows that although lockouts were very rare
during the war, since that time they have increased yearly both in
number and intensity. In 1921 the number of lockouts and workingdays lost through them exceeded considerably the pre-war average.
In 1922 the increase and intensity became still more marked although
the number of locked-out workers was only slightly greater than in
1921. The number of establishments affected has also increased
from year to year. The proportion of strikes to lockouts indicates
that if the number of working-days lost is considered, lockouts still
lag far behind strikes in importance in post-war times as compared
with pre-war times. In pre-war times the importance of strikes and
lockouts based on the number of working-days lost was in the pro
portion of 2 to 1. In the post-war years this proportion was 52 to 1
m 1919, 12 to 1 in 1920, 6.9 to 1 in 1921, and 5.4 to 1 in 1922.
The industries most affected by lockouts in 1922 were the metal
working and machinery industries with a combined loss of 2,500,000
working-days, the textile industry with a loss of 603,000 workingdays, the building trades (493,000 days), and the woodworking
industries (447,000 days).
Strikes of agricultural workers (no lockouts of such workers oc
curred in 1921 and 1922) also show an increase. The number of
working-days lost through such strikes was 116,000 in 1919, 227 000
m 1920, 354,000 in 1921, and 468,000 in 1922. The number of
strikers, which had fallen from 54,000 in 1920 to 37,000 in 1921, rose
again in 1922 to 56,000. The number of establishments affected,
which was 3,220 m 1920 and 1,876 in 1921, also increased in 1922 to
2,853.
The strike movement of private salaried and civil-service employees
reached its highest level in 1919, in which year they lost nearly
2,000,000 working-days. The number of working-days lost through
such strikes fell to 662,000 in 1920 and to 88,000 in 1921. In 1922
there were no noteworthy strikes of private salaried employees, but
the State railroad administration reported for the first time, strikes
of railroad employees. I t should be noted, however, that these
reports are incomplete. They show that 692,000 working-days were
lost by 90,000 railroad employees.
Wage demands were the predominating cause of the economic
strikes and lockouts of 1922, but hours of labor also played a very
important rôle in labor disputes. Among the other more important
causes were demands for the discharge or reemployment of workers
and supervisory officials, observance, introduction, and amendment
of collective agreements, and recognition of workers’ committees.
Of the 4,785 economic strikes and lockouts of industrial workers,
1,081 were fully successful from the viewpoint of the workers, 3,271
ended in compromises, and 933 were failures.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1201]
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
212
Industrial Strikes and Lockouts in Italy, 1922.
N TWO recent issues of the Bollettino del Lavoro1 the Italian
Ministry of National Economy publishes statistics on industrial
strikes and lockouts in Italy during the year 1922. A brief
digest of these statistics is given below.
I
Strikes.
number of economic industrial strikes that took place
THEin total
1922 was 552. The number of strikers participating in these
strikes was 422,773 and the number of working-days lost by them
totaled 6 586,235. Compared with the preceding year there was a
decrease of 47 per cent in the number of strikes and of 34 per cent m
the number of strikers. The decrease in the number of working-days
lost was, however, less marked (15 per cent), which fact is due to the
lono- duration of several large strikes, especially to the general strike
of the metal workers in Lombardy and tne subsequent geneial strike
of all Italian metal workers. These two strikes account for more
than half (53 per cent) of all the working-days lost during the year.
Compared with the average for the 10 pre-war years, 19Go to 1914
the number of strikes in 1922 was half as large but the number of
strikers was more than double the pre-war average.
In 1922, the month with the largest number of strikes was July (85,
or 15.4 per cent of the total strikes during the year). Next in order
comes May with 84 strikes, January with 72, and June with 70. I he
smallest number of strikes occurred in December (3) and November
(8) It is worthy of note that after the general political strike
during the first days of August the strike movement abated in a very
marked manner. During the last five months of the year theie
occurred onlv 80 strikes, in which but 19,546 strikers participated.
In the following table is shown the distribution of strikes in 1922
by industry groups:
D IS T R IB U T IO N
OF
ECONOMIC
IN D U S T R IA L
S T R IK E S
Strikes.
In d u s try group.
N um
ber.
Fishing and hunting.................................................
Mining.......................................................................
Woodworking, etc.....................................................
Food................................ -........................................
Hides and leather................................................ *- Manufacture of buttons and notions........................
Paper and printing.....................- ----- -...................
Iron and steel, metal working, and m ach in ery ..........
Instruments of precision, jewelry.............................
Quarrying, pits, stonecutting, etc............................
Building and construction.......................................
Textile ....................................................................
Clothing and house furnishing................................
Chemicalindustry.................-............ , - . - : v ' V
Production and distribution of power, light, water,
and heat...................- ..............................................
Transportation and communication....................... •
Commerce................................................................
Public service............................-............................
Several industries simultaneously...................... —
Total.................................................. ..............
P er
cent.
IN
IT A L Y , B Y
W orking-days lo st.
Strikers.
N um
ber.
IN D U ST R Y
Per
cent.
N um
ber.
Per
cent.
2
28
24
32
6
7
29
85
2
65
91
73
4
33
0.36
4.71
4.35
5.80
1.09
1.27
5.25
15.40
.36
11.78
16.48
13.22
.72
5.98
80
7,528
5,314
8,207
1,320
2,618
1,581
256,815
281
11,128
40,190
28,237
965
5,007
0.02
1.78
1.26
1.94
.31
.62
.37
60.75
.07
2.63
9.51
6.68
.23
1.18
260
157,099
57,389
36,133
26,616
15,844
47,473
3,858,347
5,957
647,962
664,008
387,768
13,765
103,065
2.39
.87
. 55
.40
.24
.72
58.58
.09
9.84
10.08
5.89
.21
1.57
5
39
11
15
3
.91
7.07
1.99
2.72
.54
54
22,237
1,623
3,988
25,600
.01
5.26
.38
.94
6.06
1,185
496,171
23,630
23,063
20,500
.02
7.53
.36
. 35
.31
552
100.00
422,773 1 100.00 1 6,586,235 j 100.00
i Ita ly M inistero deh ’Econom ia Nazionale. B ollettino del Lavoro e della Previdenza Sociale, Rome,
A pril-M ay-June, 1923, p p. 365-429 (I); July, 1923, p p. 49-54 (I).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1202]
ST R IK E S A N D L O C K O U T S.
213
The preceding table indicates that in 1922 the largest number of
strikes occurred in the industrial group comprising building and con
struction (91), in the metal-working and machinery industry (85), and
in the textile industry (73). The metal-working and machinery
industries accounted for the largest number of strikers (256,815, or
60.75 per cent), while building and construction with 40,190 strikers,
the textile industries with 28,237, and transportation with 22,237
strikers follow. The greatest loss of working-days through strikes
was suffered by the following industry groups: Metal working and
machinery (3,858,347 days), building and construction (664,008 days),
quarries, pits, stonecutting, etc. (647,962 days), transportation
(496,171 days), and the textile industries (387,768 days).
A noteworthy fact is the considerable decrease of strikes in 1922 in
the textile industries. In the years 1919, 1920, and 1921 there
occurred in the textile group 285, 212, and 175 strikes with 190,277,
114,951, and 240,437 strikers, respectively, while in 1922 the number
of strikes in this industry group was only 73 with 28,237 strikers
The majority of the strikes of 1922 (317, or 57.43 per cent) occurred
m northern Italy. The southern districts, with 111 strikes (20.11
per cent), the central districts, with 92 strikes (16.67 per cent), and
the island districts, with 29 strikes (5.25 per cent), follow; the remain
ing three strikes were national in scope. The three national strikes
accounted for the largest number of strikers (163,776), the strikes in
northern Italy for 154,686, those in southern Italy for 59,005, those
m the central Provinces for 38,833, and those in the island Provinces
for 6,473.
The great majority (63 per cent) of the strikes were of short dura
tion (10 days or less); 24 per cent lasted between 11 and 30 days, and
13 per cent between 31 and 150 days.
In 1922, from the viewpoint of the workers, the majority (60.33
per cent) of the strikes terminated with only very slight success or
were total failures. This was especially the case in the strikes that
occurred in the metal-working and machinery industries. Only
18.48 per cent of the strikes were fully successful, while 18.84 per
cent were compromised. In 13 strikes the outcome could not be
ascertained. .
Demands relating to wages were either the principal or the pre
ponderating cause for 297 strikes involving 310,800 strikers. Of
these 297 strikes, 172 were offensive strikes, i. e., strikes called for
tlie purpose of obtaining increases in wages or cost-of-living bonuses,
while 125 were defensive strikes, i. e., strikes called to prevent wage
l eductions. 'Ihe number of strikes called to oppose the discharge of
workers was much smaller (26) in 1922 than in the preceding year
Lockouts.
f OCKOUTS also decreased considerably in 1922 in number and
intensity. There was a total of 37 lockouts, involving 18,829
workers and a loss of 378,207 working-days. Compared with 1921
there was a decrease in the number of lockouts by 29, in that of
locked-out workers by 41,450, and in that of working-days lost by
404,132. The great majority (25) of the lockouts terminated favor
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1203]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
214
ably for the employers. The following table shows the distribution
of the lockouts of 1922 by industry groups:
D IS T R IB U T IO N O F IN D U S T R IA L LO C K O U TS IN IT A L Y , BL IN D U ST R Y G R O U P S, 1922.
Lockouts.
In d u stry group.
. .
P o -n o r i n d n s t . r v
................. ..................................................................
............................................................
M o to l w n r l r i n c A n d m a p h iT if ir v
H f n n n fn n +l Ul
n r nc U1
n f iInl los tLI
r nU±11
m oclli
n t i/o
! u
o fi np ricpupxi soiinunu .
_ _________________
IVLallUIaG
AunriMAci rvi'+o o f n n o p n t.tin P ' fitp
. ________ . . . . . . _____ . . . . . . .
T o ta l.........................................................................................................
Lockedout
workers.
W orkingdays lost.
4
5
1
6
5
1
2
2
8
1
1
1
7,678
1,555
590
2,309
1,526
195
116
852
3,541
326
91
50
108,213
52,923
4,720
91,793
21,897
5,360
1,912
17,424
62,916
962
9,737
350
37
18,829
378,207
Agricultural Disputes in Japan.
HE position and problems of tenant farmers in Japan is the sub
ject of a short article in the International Labor Review for
September, 1923 (pp. 459-462).
In Japan, tenant farmers occupy a different position from that of
tenant farmers in other countries. According to a Government in
vestigation in 1920 the number of agricultural laborers, including
daily, seasonal, and permanent workers, is about 373,000, while
there are more than a million and a half peasants who do not own
any land but who lease a small amount, usually 2 or 3 acres. For
this land they pay a very high rental, amounting to about 55
per cent of the total produce of the land, so that their returns for
their labor are much less than industrial workers receive. Although
they cultivate the land at their own risk they are in reality agricul
tural workers who receive their wages in the form of a certain per
centage of farm produce and they can not be considered as belonging
to the enterpriser class.
The relation between landowners and tenant farmers has until
recent years been generally a friendly one, the farmer and worker
occupying the position of master and servant, but recently the rela
tionship has become similar to that prevailing between industrial
workers and their employers. Both sides have developed organiza
tions and the number and the seriousness of disputes have increased
to a point where they are one of the most important problems of
both agricultural production and rural social life. In general the
tenant farmers demand both reductions in the rent and improve
ment in the conditions of tenancy, and the situation has become
sufficiently important to be made the subject of an official report.
According to this report the number of disputes recorded increased
from 85 in 1917 to 1,398 in 1922. In part, this larger number in 1922
may be attributed to improved methods of collecting statistics, but
in part it is due also to a real increase in the number of disputes. In
1922 the disputes involved 24,900 landowners, 108,300 tenant farm
ers, and about 180,000 acres of land. In the period from 1916 to 1918
the disputes were confined to a few districts, but since that time they
have become fairly widespread.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1204]
STRIKES AKD LOCKOUTS.
215
Formerly temporary organizations were frequently formed for the
purpose oi dealing with single disputes, but recently more permanent
organizations have been set up, while some joint organizations of
i^wners anc^ *armers have been established. In December 1922
the Department of Home Affairs reported that there were 1,114 unions
ot tenant farmers, 247 associations of landowners, and 176 joint or
ganizations. National or district federations of the farmers’ unions
are being organized and these unions keep in touch with industrial
trade-unions and socialist organizations. The landowners’ associa
tions have increased proportionately to the farmers’ unions. The
joint associations formed for the purpose of maintaining friendly relatmns between employers and tenants and improving the systems of
land tenure are increasing in number, though they are few in compari
son with the other organizations.
The main causes of dissatisfaction are the smallness of the agricultural holdings, high rentals, increased prices, the rise in the standard
ol living, the growth of city industrial centers, and the difference in
tlie interests of the landowners and tenants. Formerly there were
almost no disagreements unless there were bad harvests, but now
demands for decreases in rent are common regardless of the nature of
the harvest. In 1922, 24 per cent of the disputes were caused by
high rents or increases in the rent, 14 per cent were the result of a
fall m the price of agricultural produce, while the remainder were
due m the mam to bad harvests, to outside influences, such as radical
ideas and sympathy with other disputes, and to lowered prices for
agricultural produce. The amount of reduction in rent demanded
generally ranges from 10 to 30 per cent, although in extreme cases a
re w ? o°n °f as much as 70 or 80 Per cent has been asked.
While the tenant farmers have been able to unite in collective
action, it has frequently been more difficult for the landowners to
combine m opposition to the farmers, since their interests are often
conflicting, owing to the difference in the size of their estates and the
fact that some reside on their estates while others do not. In 1922
about 82 per cent of the disputes resulted in a compromise, 9 per cent
were settled in favor of the farmers, and in the remainder the farmers’
demands were rejected, withdrawn, or the lease given up. The ma
jority of disputes are settled by a mediator, although occasionally a
settlement is reached by the two parties through direct negotiation,
t he communal or police authorities usually act as mediators, although
the officials of the local agricultural associations and the priests serve
m this capacity at times.
Strikes in Mexico in 1922.1
HE; National Department of Labor of Mexico has published a
report to the effect that there were in Mexico during the year
1922, 199 strikes, affecting 102,115 workers. Approximately
70 per cent (71,382) of the workers were actually on strike, the re
maining 30,733 being thrown out of work on account of the strike.
I he estimated wages lost due to the strikes amounted to 1,214,900
pesos ($605,627.65 par).
T
’E l D ia E spanol, Mexico C ity, Mexico, June 26, 1923.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1205]
CO N CILIA TIO N A N D A R B ITR A TIO N .
Conciliation Work oi the Department of Labor in September, 1923.
By H
ugh
L . K e r w i n , D ir e c t o r o e C o n c il ia t io n .
HE Secretary of Labor, through the Division of Conciliation,
exercised his good offices in connection with 29 labor disputes
during September, 1923. These disputes affected a total of
28,358 employees. The following table shows the name and loca
tion of the establishment or industry in which the dispute occurred,
the nature of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or controversy
not having reached strike or lockout stage), the craft or trade con
cerned, the cause of the dispute, its present status, the terms of set
tlement, the date of beginning and ending, and the number of work
men directly and indirectly affected :
T
L A B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S 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 D IV IS IO N O F C O N C IL IA T IO N , S E P T E M B E R , 1923.
C om pany or in d u stry a n d location.
N atu re of
controversy.
L aundries, New Y ork C ity ................. S trik e ..
W aterproof garm ent m anufacturers, ___d o .
Boston, Mass.
.d o .
Model Clothing Co., M alden, M ass...
.d o .
Jacob Elishew itz & Sons, New Y ork
City.
Loomis Bros., Cedar R apids, Io w a.. Controversy.
G rain elevators, Chicago, 111.
O nyx Co., New Y ork C ity . .
B artlett-H ay w ard C onstruction Co.,
Elizabeth, N . J.
W m . M ann Co., P hiladelphia, P a . .
Pressm en, New Y ork C ity ................
Sardine canneries, M aine...................
Building
Iow a.
K ingston
Pa.
G lenalden
Pa.
Lancaster
T h reaten ed
strike.
Strike..........
.d o .
Controversy.
S trik e..........
Threatened
strike.
........d o .........
Craft concerned.
D riv ers.........
E m p lo y ees..
Cause of dispute.
Present
statu s.
Pending.
Piece or week w ork. A djusted.
( * ) .........................-,............. y -
........d o ...........
H a t m akers.
___d o ........................ .
W orking conditions
Do.
Pending.
C arpenters
and
lathers.
Em ployees.............
Jurisdictional...........
A djusted.
8-hour day; 10 cents
per hour increase.
A sked 10 per cent
increase
Alleged discrim ina
tion.
U n c la s s i
fied.
Do.
B o y s’ blouse
m akers.
Boiler m akers
A djusted.
Pending.
L ith o g rap h ers....... (9..........
Do.
P ressm en ................ (9..... ;....
Sardine p ack ers. . . A sked wage increase. A djusted.
T eam sters.........
N onunion d riv e rs. . .
Do.
Strike___
M iners...............
W orking conditions.
Do.
Coal Co., E dw ardsville, ........ d o . . .
........d o .................
........d o ..........................
Mills, Clinton, M ass......... . . . . . d o . . .
Loom fix ers___
W age increase; col
lective bargaining.
Wage; 44-hour week;
union shop.
U n classi
fied.
8-hour d ay; wage
increase.
Split sh ift.................
A djusted.
trades,
Cedar
R apids,
Coal Co., Edw ardsville,
M attress w orkers, New Y ork C ity.
........ d o . . .
M attress m a k e rs. .
Textile weavers,
Shetucket W orsted Mills, Baltic, ........d o ___
etc.
Conn.
Lehigh P o rtlan d C em ent Co., New- ........ d o ........... Cem ent w orkers..
M iners...................
Lehigh-’w ilkes-B arre Coal, Honey- ........d o . .. .
brook D ivision, H azelton, P a.
W ashington, B altim ore & A nnapolis ....... d o ............ S h o p m en ..............
R y. (W ashington a n d B altim ore).
F in k Engineering Co., D ayton, Ohio ........ d o . ..
Bricklayers, D ayton, O hio............
........d o . ..
Iro n workers and
engineers.
B ricklayers...........
1 N o t rep o rted
216
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1206]
Do.
Pending.
(9........... Pending.
Do.
Wages, hours, and
working
condi
tions.
W orking conditions
Pending.
Wage dispute; dis
crim ination ( r acial).
A djusted.
Do.
coisrCILIATIOlSr A3TD
a r BITE ATI 0N.
217
L A B ° R DISPTJT'ES H A N D L E D B Y T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D E P A R T M E N T O P T At?o t ?
T H R O U G H IT S D IV IS IO N O F C O N C IL IA T IO N , S E P T E M B E R ,l9 2 3 - C o L u ie d
C om pany or in d u stry and location.
N ature of
controversy.
Journeym en painters, N ew ark, N. J. Threatened
strik e.
Paper-box in d u stry , New Y ork City. ........d o ...........
Elevators, New Y ork C ity .
........d o ...........
B aking in d u s try , N ew Y ork C ity ........ d o ...........
a nd B rooklyn.
Madson, P etterson & Caldwell Con C ontroversy.
structio n Co., C edar R apids, Iow a.
S tanton Mine, W ilkes-Barre, P a . . .
S trike............
G. A . F uller
&
Craft concerned.
P a in te rs .................. A sked 5-day week
a n d $10 p e r day.
Box m akers..........
O oerators........
DV................................
B ak ers..................... G )--
Pending.
Do.
Do.
C a r p e n t e r s and Jurisdictional d i s
iron w orkers.
p ute.
M iners___
Split shift—4 hours
oil
a n d 4 hours on.
Co., B altim ore, M d .. ........ d o ........... Stonecutters.
m
"
.......................
D uration.
C om pany or in d u s try and location.
P resen t
status.
Cause of dispute. .
A djusted.
Do.
Pending.
Men involved.
Term s of settlem ent.
W aterproof garm ent m anufacturers, Piece w ork elim inated; in
B oston, Mass.
crease of $4 per week.
Model Clothing Co., M alden, M ass... Piece w ork elim inated; in
crease of $4 p er week; a n d
compromise on n u m b er of
workers.
Jacob Elishew itz & Sons, N ew Y ork S ta te board cooperating.......
C ity.
Loomis B ros., Cedar R ap id s, I o w a ., Lathers allowed to finish
work.
G rain elevators, Chicago, 111............
S trike recalled b y officers.. . .
O nyx Co., N ew Y o rk C ity ..............\\ 7£ p er cent increase allow ed..
B a rtle tt-H a y w ard Construction Co.", No concessions; m en re tu rn e d
E lizabeth , N . J.
W m . M ann Co., Philadelphia, P a .
Pressm en, N ew Y ork C ity ................
Sardine canneries, Main«'................ '
Increase granted b o th to
packers a n d laborers.
B uilding trades, C edar B.apids, Iow a O w ner agreed to em ploy
union drivers.
K ingston Coal Co., Edw ardsville, P a. C1).....................................
G lenalden Coal Co., Edw ardsville, G).............................................
Pa.
’
L ancaster Mills, Clinton, M ass........... Conferences p e n d in g .............
M attress w orkers, New Y ork C ity
Most of employees retu rn ed .
S hetucket W orsted Mills, B altic,
Conn.
Lehigh P o rtla n d Cem ent Co., New
castle, P a .
Lehigh-W ilkes-B arre Coal, H oney- Allowed to work 8 hours
brook Division, H azleton, P a.
straight.
W ashington, B altim ore & A nnapolis Conferences p e n d in g ............. .
R y. (W a sh in g to n an d B altim ore).
F in k Engineering Co., D ayton, Ohio
B ricklayers, D ay to n , O hio............
U n d er advisem ent b y in te r
national vice president.
Journeym en p ain ters, N ew ark, N . J. W age an d hours allow ed__
Paper-box in d u s try , New Y ork
City.
E levators, N ew Y ork C ity ___
B aking in d u s try , N ew Y ork C ity ’
a nd B rooklyn.
Madson, P etterson & Caldwell Con W ork conceded to carpenters.
struction Co., Cedar R apids, Iowa.
Stanton M ine, W ilkes-Barre, P a ___ Men allowed to w ork 8 hours
straig h t.
G. A. Fuller & Co., B altim ore, M d ..
T o tal.
Begining.
Ending.
1923.
Aug. 18
1923.
Aug. 28
600
A ug. 18
Sept. 1
22
G)
G)
A ug. 30
(1 )
J u ly 24
G)
D irect In d i
rectly.
ly-
Sept. 5
10
Aug. 7
Sept. 18
G)
Sept. 1
Sept. 15
3,500
GJ
Sept. 18
20
Sept. 9
Sept. 20
Sept 24
Sept. 24
900
1,800
G)
G)
36
G)
G)
Aug. 1
Sept. 14
G)
G)
G)
G)
Sept. 26
Sept. 18
G)
1,325
200
Sept. 9
Sept. 28
Sept. 1
Sept. 27
G)
45
G)
1,200
8,000
G)
G)
6,000
1,400
■
350
205
G)
Sept. 20
Sept. 25
20
Sept. 25
Sept. 26
1,060
G)
400
50
C1)
G)
65
G)
1,150
G)
24,788
3,570
JN ot rep o rted .
On October 1, 1923, there were 52 strikes before the department
for settlement and in addition 19 controversies which had not reached
the strike stage. Total number of cases pending, 71.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1207]
IMMIGRATION,
Statistics oi Immigration for July and August, 1923.
B y W . W . H u s b a n d , C o m m is s io n e r G e n e r a l o f I m m ig r a t io n .
following tables show the total number of immigrant aliens
admitted into the United States and emigrant aliens departed
from the United States for July and August, 1923. The
tabulations are presented according to the countries of last permanent
or future permanent residence, races or peoples, occupations, and
States of future permanent or last permanent residence. The last
table (Table 6) shows the number of aliens admitted under the per
centum limit act of May 19, 1921, from July 1 to September 26, 1923.
he
T
T able 1 .—IN W A R D A N D O U T W A R D P A S S E N G E R M O V EM EN T, JU L Y A N D AU G U ST,
1923.
D epartures.
A rrivals.
Period.
Im m i
grant
aliens
ad
m itted .
N on
im m i U nited Aliens
grant
de
States
aliens citizens.
barred.
ad
m itted .
Total.
E m i
grant
aliens.
Nonem i
grant
aliens.
U nited
States T otal.
citizens.
July, 1923.....................
A ugust, 1923...............
85,542
88,286
13,039
13,688
20,637
33,510
2,899
2,804
122,117
138,288
8,041
6,489
14,213
12,267
39,898
27,744
62,152
46,500
T o tal.................
173,828
26,727
54,147
5,703
260,405
14,530
26,480
67,642
108,652
T able 2 . —LA ST P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O F IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D A N D
F U T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O F E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D D U R IN G
A U G U ST, 1923, A N D FR O M JU L Y TO A U G U ST, 1923, B Y C O U N T R IE S .
E m igrant.
Im m igrant.
Countries.
A ugust,
1923.
A lbania
...................................................................................
A u stria .........................................................................................
B elg iu m .......................................................................................
B u lg aria.......................................................................................
Czech osl ovalri a ...........................................................................
D a n m ark .....................................................................................
F sthonia
...........................................................................
.......................................................................
F in lan d .
F ra n cp, i ncl n di n g C orsica.......................................................
G erm any - .....................................................................
Great B ritain a n d Ireland:
Fn gland .
...................................................Ireland
................................................................
Scotland
.....................................................
Wales
................................................................
rjpppppi __ _
................................................................
H ungary
................................................................
Italy" (i riel lid ¡Tig Sicily and Sardinia^..................................
L atv ia
..................................................................
L ith u a n ia .....................................................................................
218
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1208 ]
Ju ly a nd
A ugust,
1923.
A ugust,
1923.
Ju ly and
August,
1923.
56
1,391
384
69
2,416
659
53
787
809
10,409
113
2,589
681
141
4,048
1,202
97
1,545
1,670
18,917
12
24
50
22
154
94
1
47
74
84
26
50
108
28
338
141
3
91
290
268
3,894
2,987
■5,880
219
773
861
7,778
257
423
8,662
6,609
11,386
456
1,634
1,466
14,931
389
805
605
194
119
9
406
46
1,547
15
31
1,143
369
226
12
1,017
136
3,894
47
93
IM M IG R A T IO N ,
219
T able 2 .—LA ST P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O F IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D
a NT)
F U T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O F E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D D U R IN G
A U G U ST , 1923, A N D FR O M JU L Y TO A U G U ST , 1923, B Y C O U N T R IE S -C o n c lu d e L
Im m igrant.
C ountries.
A ugust,
1923.
N etherlands........... ...............................................................
N orw ay..............................................................
1 !!
P oland............................................................ .
Portugal (including Azores a n d Cape Verde Islands'j .
R u m a n ia .................. ...........................................................
R u ssia..............................................................
Spain (including Canary a n d Balearic Isla n d s). . ! !
Sw eden....................................................................................
Sw itzerland.......................................................
T urkey in E u ro p e.................................................. .
Y ugoslavia............................................................
O ther E u ro p e........................................................................
T o tal E u ro p e .
C hina....................................................................
J a p a n ..................................................................*
In d ia .....................................................................
Syria, Palestine, and Ira q (M esopotam ia).
T urkey in A sia..................................................
O ther A sia.............................................
T o tal A sia.
A frica................................................................
A ustralia, Tasm ania, a n d New Z ealand.
Pacific Islan d s (not specified)...................
C anada a n d N ew foundland........................
C entral A m erica............................................
Mexico..............................................................
South A m erica...............................................
W est In d ie s.....................................................
O ther co u n tries..............................................
G rand to ta l.
M ale__
Fem ale.
E m igrant.
J uly and
A ugust,
1923.
A ugust,
1923.
Ju ly a nd
A ugust,
1923.
673
2,059
4,624
499
1,501
2,433
117
3,826
655
174
442
77
1,409
4,374
7,546
1,014
3,437
5,017
275
7,677
1,361
839
718
126
169
2
95
180
813
688
250
194
445
194
77
1
340
8
57,185
111,134
5,071
11,565
327
331
22
629
251
22
1,269
911
36
828
603
87
204
131
17
53
38
8
42 L
294
23
105
96
14
1,582
3,734
451
953
213
115
8
16,396
217
9,322
1,137
2,110
1
46tT
241
15
32,580
471
18,432
2,075
4,666
11
15~
48
3
282
43
134
117
325
21
83
4
30
85
448
408
76
57
171
63
28
109
245
221
777
88,286
173,828
6,489
14,530
54,504
33,782
107,976
65,852
4,288
2,201
9,409
5,121
T able 3 .—IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO A N D E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D
™
B / ^ ( ^ ™
i f o ^ ^ D U R IN G A U G U ST - 1923’ A N D F B 0 M JU L Y TO AUGUST?
Im m igrant.
Race or people.
A ugust,
1923.
African (black)................................
A rm enian........................................
B ohem ian an d M oravian (C zech)... .
B ulgarian, Serbian, a n d M ontenegrin__
C hinese........................................
Croatian an d Slovenian....................
C u b an ........................................
D alm atian, B osnian, a n d H erzeg o v in ian ...
D utch a n d F lem ish .............................
E ast In d ia n .........................
E nglish...... .......................................
F in n ish .......................................
French........................................
G erm an...... ..........................
G reek....................................
H ebrew ..................... ..................
Irish ....................................
Italian (n o rth )........ .................
67655°—23
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
15
1,226
769
206
52
1,154
12
9,196
3,946
13,066
821
7,172
lj 519
[1200]
E m igrant.
Ju ly and
A ugust,
1923.
9 ÖÖQ
1 Q7Q
1,729
411
7i n
698
100
31Q
?
7 21
443#
IQ
1 Qon
7 529
24 231
1, 702
13 922
11 209
i ; lèi
Ju ly and
August,
1923.
A ugust,
1923.
136
3
1 Kn
10U
tOQ
I<70
203
1
79
24
«Q9
7A
1
11
Û9rt
ozy
50
7Q
<y
1
Q/4
104
1
4ÛQ
4uy
1 fi
1Ö
29g
67
298
6
33o
ooo
419
4
152
52
91 9
¿6
1,587
95
286
384
1 ,0 2 1
OU
431
204
220
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW ,
T able 3 -IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO A N D E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D
FR O M T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D U R IN G A U G U S T , 1923, A N D FR O M JU L Y TO A U G U ST,
1923, B Y R A C E S O R P E O P L E S —C oncluded.
E m igrant.
Im m igrant.
Race or people.
I t cilion ( s o u t h )
......................................................................
T iith n a p ia n
Ju ly and
A ugust,
1923.
A ugust,
1923.
.......................................................... ..
1,506
133
3,716
297
42
47
118
127
136
227
457
417
80
75
821
716
246
229
278
144
7
246
77
46
575
307
55
585
190
96
125
6,182
1,293
476
2,845
437
14,361
15,672
1,895
1,287
577
571
178
656
464
214
10
52
15
15
151
62
88,286
173,828
6,489
14,530
12,427
855
13
602
2,046
17,883
6,560
327
2
306
1,154
9,061
3
B n |js h
........................................................'..........
B o f trig u e s e
........................................................................
■ p iim o n ia n _
.......................................................................
f?]l<;«;ia.n
...................................................................
’D n+R oniori ^T ?nccniiilrl
_______. . . . . . . . .
Scandinavian (Norwegians T ta n e s a n d S w e d e s ) . . . . . . .
S pnfph
.................................................................
................................................................................
SI n y a ir
Spanish A m e ric a n
.
..........................................................
W e ls h
.................................................................
V ilest Indian ( e x c e p t O n h a n ) .................................... .....................
O ther peoples.............................................................................
T o tal
............................................
Ju ly and
A ugust,
1923.
A ugust,
1923.
3,744
589
264
1,354
196
6,985
7,877
1,328
580
317
320
65
324
205
3
1
83
33
fTABTE 4. —IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D
TO A N D E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D
FROM* T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S D U R IN G A U G U ST, 1923, A N D FR O M JU L Y TO A U G U ST,
1923, B Y O C CU PA TIO N S.
E m ig ra n t.
Im m ig ra n t.
O ccu p atio n .
P ro fessio n al:
A otnrs
..........................
A rc h ite c ts
_______ ___. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C lergy..........................................................................
E d ito rs
......................................................
E le c tric ia n s
..........................................................
E nginoors (professional).
.... ......................................
L a w y e rs
.................... - .................................
L ite r a r y a n d scientific, p erso n s _ _
______ . . . . . . . .
MllSicienS
m m m m r ............................................ *
Officials (G o v e rn m e n t)
............................................
P h y si ci an s
...............................................................
S c u lp to rs a n d a r tis ts
............................ ..
Teach ors
.............................................. -«•
O th e r p ro fessio n al..................................................................
T o ta l........................................................................................
S killed:
B a rb e rs a n d h a ir d r e s s e r s
B la c k s m ith s
B nnktvi n d ers
....................................
. . _____ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... ..
B u tc h e rs
...............................................................
C ahill e tm inkers
.............................................
C a rp e n te rs an d j o in e r s ....
......... .....................................
C igar m a k ers
........................................
C igar p ac k ers
...............................................
C lerks a n d a c c o u n ta n ts
____ . . . . . . . . . . .
D re s sm a k e rs .....................................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
and
J u ly
A u g u st,
1923.
A u g u st,
1923.
[ 1210]
156
56
241
5
534
740
22
98
200
261
106
411
7
1,083
1,409
38
•
188
354
111
J u ly a n d
A u g u st,
1923.
A u g u st,
1923.
5
2
22
2
3
31
5
5
7
12
15
4
118
2
15
61
12
12
18
31
13
50
92
42
416
439
197
77
790
948
5
4
41
48
91
113
3,091
5,980
192
513
459
346
492
38
900
676
961
80
16
701
139
4,661
14
84
3
17
28
42
5
359
64
2,281
3
31
1
2,851
508
5,756
1,074
20
12
1
6
8
48
16
1
107
14
8
18
1
23
15
111
40
1
225
40
221
IM M IG R A T IO N ,
T able 4 .—IM M IG R A N T A L I E N S A D M I T T E D T O A N D E M IG R A N T A L I E N S D E P A R T E D
F R O M T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S D U R IN G A U G U S T , 1923, A N D F R O M J U L Y T O A U G U S T ,
1923, B Y O C C U P A T IO N S —C o n c lu d e d .
1
Im m ig rant.
O ccupation.
A ugust,
1923.
E m igrant.
July a nd
A ugust,
1923.
A ugust,
1923.
Ju ly and
A ugust,
1923.
Skilled—C oncluded.
Engineers (locomotive, m arine, a n d s ta tio n a ry )...
Furriers an d fur w orkers................................
G ardeners..........................................................
H a t a n d cap m akers..........................................................
Iron a n d steel w orkers...............................................
Jewelers...............................................
L ocksm iths.......................................................
M achinists..........................................
M ariners....................................
Masons....................................................
Mechanics (not specified)..........................
Metal w orkers (other th a n iron, steel, and tin ) ..........
M illers..............................................
M illiners....................................
M iners..........................................................
P a in te rs an d glaziers........................................................
P a tte rn m a k e rs.............................................
P h o to g rap h ers....................................................................
P la ste re rs....................................................
P lu m b ers...............................................
P rin te rs.......................................................................
Saddlers a n d harness m ak ers.........................................
Seam stresses...............................................
Shoem akers.....................................................
Stokers..........................................................
S to n e c u tte rs .........................................................
Tailors..........................................................
T anners a n d c u rrie rs............. .........................................
T extile w orkers (not specified).........................
T in n ers....................................................
Tobacco w o rk ers......................................
U p h o lsterers.....................................................................
W atch an d clock m a k e rs.................................................
W eavers an d spin n ers......................................................
W heelw rights....................................................
W oodw orkers (not specified)...........................
O ther skilled.......................................................
58
102
291
185
53
317
739
95
76
1,073
25
43
124
7
45
89
382
18
81
744
167
821
34
197
1,450
16
37
T o tal..................................................................................
19,871
39,925
594
1,339
Miscellaneous:
A gen ts...................................................................................
B an k ers................................................................................
D raym en, haekm en, and team sters..............................
F a rm laborers.....................................................................
F arm ers................................................................................
F ish e rm e n ...................................................
H otel k eep ers.....................................................................
L ab o rers...............................................................................
M anufacturers.....................................................................
M erchants a n d dealers......................................................
S erv an ts...............................................................................
O ther miscellaneous..........................................................
262
18
217
4,111
2,331
208
19
14,263
58
1,205
6,634
3,781
551
38
444
8,338
4,736
538
42
28,030
'136
2,614
13,754
6,968
10
13
3
26
157
2
2
2,446
5
158
150
508
24
21
4
59
282
5
2
5,399
15
323
396
1,047
405
57
159
37
1,053
50
523
744
973
824
1,068
140
105
109
1,052
'529
763
115
335
89
2,176
79
972
1,724
2; 079
1,671
2 ,131
278
158
181
1,959
1,081
' 112
119
192
566
361
92
646
1,398
207
182
1,992
54
142
8
2
5
1
11
1
1
27
15
7
25
3
5
17
3
14
1
16
3
1
53
54
18
43
3
28
95
8
190
13
5
10
3
8
28
11
2
21
7
60
1
31
' 3
96
1
229
i
1
97
2
1
37
3
3
79
11
T o ta l................................................................................
33,107
66,189
3,480
7,577
No occupation (including women and ch ild ren )..............
32,217
61,734
2,223
5,101
G rand to ta l.......................................................... ..........
88,286
173,828
6,489
14,530
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1211 ]
222
M O N T H L Y LABO E B E V IE W .
5 .—FUTURE PERMANENT RESIDENCE OF IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADMITTED
AND LAST PERMANENT RESIDENCE OF EMIGRANT ALIENS DEPARTED, DURING
AUGUST, 1923, AND FROM JULY TO AUGUST, 1923, BY STATES AND TERRITORIES.
ETa b l e
E m igrant.
Immigrant.
States.
51
33
1,169
14
5,869
176
1,938
60
188
385
55
A la b a m a ........................
A la s k a ............................
A r iz o n a ..........................
A rk a n s a s ........................
C a lifo rn ia ......................
C o lo ra d o ......................
C o n n e c tic u t.......... ......
D e la w a re .......................
D is tric t of C o lu m b ia .
F lo r id a ...........................
G e o rg ia .........................
H a w a ii...........................
I d a h o ............................
Illin o is ..........................
I n d i a n a .......... . ............
I o w a ...............................
K a n s a s ..........................
K e n tu c k y ....................
L o u is ia n a ........ ..
M ain e.............................
M a ry la n d .....................
M a s sa c h u s e tts ............
M ich ig an .............. ..
M in n e s o ta ....................
M ississip p i..................
M isso u ri........................
M o n ta n a ......................
N e b r a s k a .....................
N e v a d a ........................
N ew H a m p s h ir e ----N e w J e r s e y .. ............
N e w M e x ic o ..............
N e w Y o r k ...................
N o rth C aro lin a..........
N o r th D a k o ta ............
O h io ...............................
O k la h o m a ....................
O re g o n ..........................
P e n n s y lv a n ia .............
P o r to R ic o ..................
R h o d e I s l a n d .............
S o u th C a ro lin a ..........
S o u th D a k o ta .............
T e n n e s se e ....................
T e x a s ............ ...............
U ta h ..............................
V e rm o n t......................
V irg in ia ........................
V irg in Is la n d s ............
W a s h in g to n ................
W e s t V irg in ia ............
W isc o n sin ....................
W y o m in g ....................
5
100
17
914
26
169
48
6,420
198
213
207
1,756
298
1,411
72
3,896
571
2,-780
170
63
49
5
11
88,286
173,828
6,489
14,530
222
120
220
47
134
799
438
6,724
6,952
1,535
74
524
199
387
39
747
4,872
83
22,323
34
424
3,599
56
591
7,297
21
[ 1212]
Ju ly and
A ugust,
1923.
A ugust,
1923.
64
2,170
34
11,751
346
3,602
135
387
871
103
462
251
13,450
1,534
1,104
408
95
249
1,763
790
13,627
13,999
3,182
144
1,138
491
703
87
1,438
8,997
151
43,290
76
718
6 ,959
119
1,254
13,652
41
1,968
39
328
97
12,973
383
443
444
6,772
860
522
Total.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ju ly and
A ugust,
1923.
August,
1923.
12
12
36
78
4
954
44
331
2
463
18
129
2
2
25
139
5
15
87
336
23
42
16
715
11
314
53
28
110
53
12
2
21
45
7
111
21
750
224
59
7
32
7
11
4
1
241
4
14
71
1,336
466
123
10
90
26
23
7
3
574
1
12
2,509
5,911
18
9
241
4
17
586
23
116
558
13
44
1,268
47
239
1
10
3
56
19
11
20
22
2
24
13
107
44
15
48
1
66
183
125
123
223
IM M IG R A T IO N .
T able 6 . —ST A TU S O F T H E IM M IG R A T IO N O F A L IE N S IN T O T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S
U N D E R T H E P E R C EN TU M L IM IT ACT O F M AY 19 1921 AS E X T E N D E D B Y P U B L IC
T O ^S°ELP T T O E ™ '2 « if i » l X T r ' S E V E N T H C 0 N G B E S S .A H P itO V B D M . ™ f l f ^
TOLY 1
C ountry or region of birth .
A lb a n ia ............................
A rm enia (R u ssia n )............................
A ustria.........................................
B e lg iu m ................ .......................
B ulgaria.................. .
Czechoslovakia.......................
D anzig...........................
D enm ark............................
E sth o n ia .....................
F in la n d ...........................
F iujne................................
F ran ce.............................
G erm any.......................
Great B ritain a n d Ire la n d ..............
Greece..............................
H u n g a ry ...........................
Iceland.........................
I ta ly ...........................
L a tv ia ........................
L ith u a n ia .............................
L u x em b u rg ..................
N ether land's...........................
N orw ay ....................
Poland'...........................
Portugal..................................
R u m a n ia ..................................
R ussia.....................................
Spain.......................... ....
Sw eden...................... .......
S w itzerland....................
Y ugoslavia.........................
O ther E u ro p e..................
P alestin e..................................
S y ria .....................................
T u rk ey ..................................
O ther A sia.......................
A frica........................................
E g y p t.................................................
A tlantic Isla n d s.......................
A u stra lia ............................
New Zealand and Pacific islan d s...
T o tal..............................
M axim um
m onthly
quota.'
58
46
1,468
313
61
2,871
1,124
784
14
15,468
1,149
15
8,411
308
526
19
721
6,195
493
1,484
4,881
750
17
531
19
24
56
16
71,561
A dm itted
Sept. 1-26,
1923.
2
5g
11
688
2 308
2 5g
2 548
dA
606
56
i ou
id
956
K
7
Q
C
0 , IvO
15, 468
178
927
A 70/1
220
407
16
664
O Hd£
4 996
493
1,145
A dA1
2 17Q
"I/O
q Qnn
2 726
712
17
19
177
A CiQ
19
91
2
A nnual
quota.
Zoo
9Q0
7,342
1 , 000
Q£7
OUl
5,619
QdO
11 , o4o
3,921
71
5,729
67,607
77,342
3,063
1A
’ 75
42,057
1,540
2,629
Q9
3,607
1 2 ,2 0 2
30,977
Z, 400
7,419
24, 405
912
20,042
o, / oz
O, 4ZO
0£7
/
882
2,654
16
1U4
Io
1ZI
z/y
80
55,827
357,803
A
8
*2 o
2 53
A dm itted
J u ly 1 to
Sept. 26.
54
2,966
934
178
6,897
160
1,828
2,318
42
1,915
22,378
1,404
2,497
B alance
for y e ar .1
72
173
4,286
619
120
7, 347
134
3,769
1,164
1,556
25
3,778
44,160
30,339
1,168
3,215
68
670
1,400
52
2,106
6 , 484
14, 585
1,479
3,934
14,223
537
11,665
2,226
1 ,6 6 8
51
36
531
1,515
57
63
12
56
165
48
175,328
20,345
803
1,133
37
1,484
5,620
15, 408
959
3,262
7,997
313
8,297
1,502
4,664
29
21
292
602
24
39
3
48
111
32
_
A fte r all p e n d in g cases for w h ic h q u o ta s h a v e b ee n g ra n te d a n d ad m issio n s u n d e r th e a c t d u rin g th e
nV/.rof1 Ì 's? f y+ear
ve ¡.l0611 d e d u c te d from th e a n n u a l q u o ta . T h e b a la n c e in so m e in s ta n c e s h a s been
in creased , d u e to re s to ra tio n s to th e re m a in in g q u o ta of a d m issio n s u n d e r th e seco n d p ro v iso of p a r . D .,
2
M a x im u m m o n th ly q u o ta e x h a u s te d . T h e b a la n c e of th e q u o ta n o t y e t sh o w n as a d m itte d a re p e n d in g
cases for w h ic h q u o ta s h a v e b e e n g ra n te d .
8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1213]
C U R R E N T N O T E S O F IN T E R E S T T O LA B O R .
New Commissioner of Labor of New jersey.
1\/IR. ANDREW F. McBride was appointed commissioner of labor of
1V1 j^ew Jersey, on September 14, 1923, to succeed Col. Lewis T.
Bryant who died June 27, 1923.
International Conference on Labor Statistics.1
proposal for an international conference of representatives of
THEGovernment
departments of labor statistics was referred to in
the June, 1923, issue of the M onthly L abor R e v ie w (p. 262).
The director of the international organization has sent out invitations
to this meeting which is to open on October 29, 1923, at Geneva,
immediately after the close of the fifth session of the International
Labor Conference. The agenda of this statistical convention is
limited to the following three items:
1. Classification of industries and occupations for the purpose of labor statistics.
2. Statistics of wages and hours of labor.
3. Statistics of industrial accidents.
Prison Labor and Industry in Denmark.
A CCORDING to Arbejdsgiveren, September 21, 1923 (Copen-
hagen), organ of the Danish Employers’ Association, dissatis
faction has often arisen in industrial circles because prison labor has
extended so that it unnecessarily competes with and injures private
industry, which must pay a fixed wage to its employees. This has
resulted in complaints in the press and to parliament but with no
practical results. The Danish Employers’ Association took the matter
up with the director of prisons and an agreement was reached
whereby the prison labor management will confer regarding com
plaints with a committee appointed by the Danish Employers
Association, the Joint Representatives of Danish Industry and
Handcrafts (F a e ïle sre p ra e se n tc U io n e n f o r D a n s k I n d u s t r i og H a a n d va erlc), and the Industrial Council ( I n d u s tr y r a a d e t ) . The prison
labor management has declared itself willing to furnish the committee
any information desired as to extent and nature of the prison labor.
* *
1In tern atio n al
L abor Office.
224
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Official B ulletin, Aug. 15,1923, p . 76.
[1214]
C U R R E N T N O T E S OF IN T E R E S T TO LABO R.
225
Woman Chairman of British Trade-Union Council.
M IS S Margaret Bondfield has recently; been elected chairman of
the Trade-Union Council of Great Britain. This position, which
is considered the most important in the trade-union field, has never
before been held by a woman. Miss Bondfield has been closely identi
fied with the trade-union movement since 1898, when she was made
assistant secretary of the Shop Assistants’ Union.
Ministry of National Economy Established in Italy.
A RECENT report from the United States consul at Rome states
that a new Government department to be known as the Ministry
ot National Economy was instituted in Italy on July 31, 1923, to
take the place of the Ministries of Agriculture and. of Industry,
Commerce, and Labor. Senator Orso Mario Corbino has been
appointed as minister in charge of the new department. The new
ministry will be the executive and administrative section of the
Government in all matters pertaining to the economic life of the
country, with the exception of finance. It will comprise the bureaus of
commerce, industry, agriculture, mining, and forestry. All the activi
ties of the two discontinued ministries are transferred to the newly
created department. It is expected that this change will reduce gov
ernmental expenditures and at the same time coordinate kindred
administrative activities.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1215]
PU B LIC A TIO N S R EL A T IN G T O LABOR.
Official—United State».
K
e n t u c k y .—
3 0, 1922.
W o rk m e n ’s C o m p e n sa tio n B o a rd .
F r a n k fo r t [1923?].
39 p p .
A n n u a l report, J u n e 30, 1921, to J u n e
A sum m ary of this report is given on page 185 of th is issue of th e M o n t h l y
L a b o r R e v ie w .
M a r y l a n d .— In d u s tr ia l A cc id e n t C o m m issio n . R e p o r t f o r the year N ovem ber 1, 1921,
to October 31, 1922, in c lu siv e . [B altim ore?] 1923. 2 4 p p A sum m ary of this report is found on page 185 of th is issue of th e M o n t h l y L a b o r
R e v ie w .
Massachusetts .— D e p a rtm e n t o f P u b lic W elfare.
30, 1922.
[B o sto n , 1923?]
R e p o r t f o r the year e n d in g N ovem ber
P u b lic d o c u m en t N o . 17.
146 p p .
Contains th e comm issioner’s report and brief accounts of th e work of th e various
State agencies includ ed in th e departm ent. For a brief sum m ary of th e section on
housing and tow n planning see page 165 of th is issue of th e M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
M i n n e s o t a .— D e p a rtm e n t o f E d u c a tio n .
P a u l, 1922. 65 p p .
V ocational education
in
M in n eso ta .
S t.
Gives th e outline of plans for vocational education u n d er th e Sm ith-H ughes A ct
for th e period 1922 to 1926. These in clu d e programs of training in agriculture, in
industry, and in hom e economics.
N e w Y o r k .— D e p a rtm e n t o f L abor. N e w Y o r k labor law s enacted i n 1923.
1923. 55 p p . S p e c ia l b u lle tin N o . 119.
A lb a n y ,
O h io .— D e p a rtm e n t o f In d u s tr ia l R e la tio n s . F ir s t a n n u a l report, f o r fis c a l year J u ly 1,
1921, to J u n e 30, 1922. C o lu m b u s, 1923. 49 p p .
A short sum m ary of th is report is given on page 186 of th is issue of th e M o n t h l y
L a bor R e v ie w .
O r e g o n .— B o a rd o f In sp e cto rs o f C h ild L abor.
1923. 16 p p .
B ie n n ia l report, 1921-1922.
S a le m ,
T he report contains d ata as to conditions u n d er w hich perm its to work are issued,
num ber of children applying for perm its, n um ber a t work, and th e like. In 1922 p er
m its w ere issued to 10,112 children. M uch th e largest group of ju venile workers,
1,441, was employed in factories, th e n e x t largest, 927, being in m ercantile estab
lishm ents. T he requirem ents of th e Oregon child-labor laws measure u p to th e
regulations adopted u n d er th e Federal law, and th e board reports th a t employers
are cooperating w ith i t to m aintain th e standard set before th e Federal law was declared
unconstitutional.
T he Oregon law requires th e em ployer to keep on file th e perm its of employees
u nder 18 years of age. If h e fails to do this, in th e ev en t of a m inor em ployee being
injured, th e em ployer is required to p ay in to th e accident insurance fund by w ay of
p en alty a sum equal to 25 p er cen t of th e am ount to w hich th e in ju red em ployee is
en titled u nder th e compensation law, though th is p en alty m ay not exceed th e sum
of $500.
W y o m in g .— W o rk m e n ’s C o m p e n sa tio n D e p a rtm e n t. R e p o r t f o r
en d in g D ecem ber 31, 1922. [C heyenne, 1923.] 139 p p .
the
tw elve m o n th s
A digest of th is report is given on page 187 of th is issue of th e M o n t h l y L a b o r
R
e v ie w
.
226
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1216]
P U B L IC A T IO N S R E L A T IN G TO LABOR,
227
U n it e d S t a t e s .— D e p a rtm e n t o f A g ric u ltu re . A g r ic u ltu r a l cooperation: A selected a n d
a n n o ta te d reading list, w ith special reference to p u rch a sin g , m a rke tin g , a n d credit,
in c lu d in g o n ly works_ p r in te d i n E n g lis h , a n d exclusive o f p eriodical references except
re p rin ts a n d proceedings o f associations, by C hastina G ardner. W a sh in g to n , 1923.
55 p p . M iscella n eo u s circular N o . 11.
------D e p a r tm e n t o f the I n te r io r .
S ta te s, by J o h n J . M ahoney.
B u r e a u o f E d u c a tio n .
W a sh in g to n , 1923.
A m e r ic a n iz a tio n i n the U n ite d
42 p p -
B u lle tin , 1923, N o . 31.
In this bulletin Americanization is defined and interpreted and old and new ideas
regarding Americanization classes are discussed, as are also teacher training and the
financing of immigrant education. An account of the Americanization activities of
seven States is given in the third and last chapters. An appendix contains certain
legislation and some statistics on the non-English-speaking population of various
States.
-------------------- An A m e r ic a n iz a tio n p r o g r a m , by E . J . I r w in .
pp.
W a s h in g to n , 1923.
60
B u lle tin , 1923, N o . 30.
Americanization work, according to this bulletin, is at present largely experimental
and is carried on by many as ‘£a side line. ’’ Emphasis is laid on the need of the leader
ship of highly-trained men and women of great “ social capacity” for this arduous
task of amalgamation.
------ D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r .
B u r e a u o f L a b o r S ta tis tic s .
C h in ese m ig r a tio n s , w ith
s p e c ia l reference to la b o r c o n d itio n s , b y T a C h en .
W a s h in g to n , 1923.
v i, 237 p p .
B u lle tin N o . 340.
M is c e lla n e o u s series.
T his b u lletin is a stu d y of th e overseas m igrations of th e Chinese, treated especially
from th e standpoint of labor conditions. The countries covered are those in w hich
th e m axim um num ber of Chinese have a t some tim e reached a t least 50,000, w ith th e
exception of some of th e far-eastern countries and islands for w hich sufficient d ata
were not available. The stu d y covers th e historic, social, and economic phases of
the migrations for th e most im portant periods during w hich th e y took place. The
economic phase deals w ith th e m ain occupations of th e Chinese and th e ir activ ities
in in d u stry , commerce, and agriculture, and shows th e ir degree of economic im por
tance in each of th e countries. The im p o rtan t treaties, conventions, laws, contracts,
and other docum ents w hich are not covered in each chapter are given in appendixes
to th e chapters, and for each chapter there is a selected bibliography.
•-------------------- I n te r n a tio n a l S e a m e n ’s U n io n o f A m e r ic a .
p ro b lem s, by A r th u r E . A lbrecht.
342. M iscella n eo u s series.
W a sh in g to n , 1923.
A s tu d y o f its h is to r y a n d
v i, 120 p p .
B u ll e ti n N o .
This account of th e organization and activities of th e In tern atio n al Seam en’s U nion
records th e efforts of th e union over a long period to change th e laws of contract relating
to seamen, w hich culm inated in th e passage of th e seam en’s a c t in 1915. T he report
also reviews th e activities of th e union in connection w ith intern atio n al relations,
th e jurisdictional disputes, th e attem p ts to m aintain w ar-tim e gains, and th e struggle
w ithin th e organization against th e I. W. W. The appendixes include th e constitution
of th e union, a statem en t of th e m em bership of th e affiliated unions, and other docu
m ents.
----------------- R u le s
g o vern in g the a p p ro v a l o f h ea d lig h tin g devices f o r m o to r vehicles.
W a sh in g to n , 1923. v ii, 7 p p . B u ll e ti n N o . 350. S a fe ty code series.
Official— Foreign Countries.
A u s t r a l ia .— C o u rt o f C o n c ilia tio n a n d A r b itr a tio n . A report o f cases decided a n d
aw ards m ade i n the C o m m o n w ea lth C ourt o f C o n c ilia tio n a n d A r b itr a tio n , in c lu d in g
conferences co n ven ed by the presid en t or d e p u ty p resid en t d u r in g the year 1921. M el
bourne [1922?] x x ix , 1306 p p . C o m m onw ealth a rb itra tio n reports, vo l. 15.
------ ( N e w S o u t h W a l e s ). — R e g is tr a r o f F r ie n d ly S o c ie tie s .
ended J u n e 30, 1922.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
S y d n e y , 1923.
32 p p .
[1217]
R e p o r t f o r the 12 m o n th s
228
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
The report contains an account of th e operations of th e friendly societies, tradeunions, building societies, and cooperative societies of New South Wales. A sum m ary
of th e data relating to cooperative societies w ill appear in th e D ecem ber issue of th e
M o n thly L a b o r R e v ie w .
A u s t r a l ia (V ic t o r ia ) .— [Labor D e p a rtm e n t.] C h ie f in sp ecto r o f fa cto rie s a n d shops.
R e p o r t f o r the year ended D ecem ber 31, 1922. M elbourne, 1923. 39 p p .
Contains statistical d ata as to n um ber of factories and employees; th e num ber of
employees working u n d er wages boards; hours; wages; accidents; prosecutions for
violations of certain acts; and a résumé of th e principal in d u strial disputes of the
year. In V ictoria 1922 was a year of m uch industrial prosperity, labor being in dem and
and most industries working full tim e, y e t th e num ber of accidents reported showed
a slight decrease, being 787 as against 830 in 1921.
B e l g iu m .—-M in istère de V In d u strie et d u T ra va il. Office d u T ra va il. R a p p o r t
su r les u n io n s p ro fessionnelles p e n d a n t les années 1911-1921. L iege, 1923.
266 p p .
*
* *
x x x v ii,
This report on professional unions, b y th e M inistry of In d u stry and Labor, is divided
into three sections covering th e war period and th e th ree years preceding an d three
years following th e war. T he inform ation covers agricultural unions, labor unions,
em ployers’ organizations, unions of persons following th e liberal professions, com
m ercial unions, m ixed unions (em ployers’ and workers’), and other unions organized
for a variety of purposes. T he tables show th e num ber of m em bers, receipts, ex
penses, etc., and there is general inform ation given as to th e activ ities of th e various
organizations.
F in l a n d .—[S o e ia lsty re lsen .] O lycksfa llen i arbetet âren 1918-1919. H e lsin g fo rs, 1923.
x , 138 p p . F in la n d s o ffid e lla sta tis tik X X V I . A rb e ts sta tistik A .
R eport b y th e labor bureau of F in lan d (>
S o e ia lsty re lsen , now abolished) on industrial
accidents in F inland for th e years 1918 and 1919. Inform ation i3 also given concerning
th e State accident commission (S ta te n s O ly ck sfa llsn a m n d ).
F r a n c e .— M in istère d u T ra va il. C onseil S u p é r ie u r d u T ra va il. E x a m e n d u p ro je t de
lo i s u r les assurances sociales. P a ris, 1923. x ix , 188 p p .
V in g t, sixièm e session,
N o vem b re, 1922.
T he proceedings of th e 26th session of th e Superior Council of Labor of F rance relate
to th e proposed law on social insurance. T h e m ajority and m inority reports of th e
perm anent commission of th e council are in clu d ed an d th e discussions of th e m em
bers of th e council. T here is a tab u lar presentation of th e replies of various organi
zations to a questionnaire, relating to various provisions of th e law, w hich was sent
out b y th e council.
------------ D irectio n
P a ris, 1922.
d u T ra va il.
v ii, 357 p p .
S ta tis tiq u e des grèves su rve n u es p e n d a n t V a n n é 1919.
T his is a statistical report of th e strikes occurring in F rance during th e year 1919,
giving, for each strike, th e locality and in d u stry , nu m b er of establishm ents and
workers affected, th e principal cause, th e results, and th e m ethods b y w hich settle
m en t was reached.
------------ Office
d u T ra va il.
T a rifs de salaires et c o n ve n tio n s collectives p e n d a n t la
guerre (191 4 -1 9 1 8). P a ris, 1923. x ix , 103 p p .
Tom e I V .
T he rates of wages a t different periods and th e collective agreem ents concluded in
France during th e w ar are given ip th is report, b y in d u stry and locality. T he texts
of various circulars and decrees issued are in clu d ed and th ere is a general review of
th e wage situation and th e bonuses granted for different purposes such as cost of living
and fam ily allowances.
G r e a t B r i t a i n .— C ourt o f I n q u ir y C oncerning H o u r s o f L a b o r o f C oal T ip p e rs a n d
T rim m e rs i n S o u th W ales. R e p o r t. L o n d o n , 1923. 7 p p . C m d. 1948.
E arly in th e year th e employers in th e South Wales exporting d istrict wished to
p u t on a th ird shift of coal tippers and trim m ers so th a t work m ight be continuous.
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P U B L IC A T IO N S R E L A T IN G TO LABOR.
T h e employees did not consider th a t th e situation justified this action, and, as serious
trouble threatened, th e M inistry of Labor appointed a court of in q u iry , u n d er th e
industrial courts act, to attem p t to settle th e m atter. After a nu m b er of hearings
th e court succeeded in getting both sides to agree to a provisional arrangem ent, u n d er
w hich a partial th ird shift was to be worked for an experim ental period of six m onths,
certain concessions being m ade on both sides, and a consultative com m ittee of w orkers
and employers established to m eet regularly each m onth for th e purpose of consider
ing suggestions from either side and taking appropriate action.
Great B ritain .
service M en .
K i n g ’s R o ll N a tio n a l C o u n c il o n the E m p lo y m e n t o f D is a b le d E x I n te r im report. L o n d o n , 1923. 14 p p . C m d . 1919.
T he king’s roll is a list of firms, corporations, and other em ploying agencies th a t
have pledged them selves to employ ex-service m en, and th e n ational council is a
body w hich has devoted itself to pushing th e work of securing em ploym ent for th e
ex-soldiers.
----- M in is tr y
o f H ea lth .
A n n u a l report, 1922-23.
L o n d o n , 1923.
x i, 164 p p .
C m d.
1944.
T he report contains sections on pu b lic h ealth , local governm ent and local finance,
adm inistration of th e poor law, national h ealth insurance, and th e report of th e W elsh
board of health.
T he section on poor law adm inistration gives some d ata showing th e effect of
unem ploym ent upon th e n um ber of applican ts for relief. T he year 1922-23 began
w ith a large num ber of persons receiving relief and showed little im provem ent
as th e m onths passed.
On th e 17th of Ju n e th e n um ber of persons in receip t
of relief reached th e unprecedented to tal of 1,837,980. T he num ber a t no tim e
during th e year fell below 1,300,000, a num ber w hich had never been a ttain ed before
July, 1921.” D uring th e year th e average w eekly nu m b er of persons receiving
relief was 1,499,937. A large num ber of these were in th e trades covered by th e
industrial insurance acts. “ The num ber of unem ployed insured persons (and th eir
dependents) receiving relief has varied during th e year from 1,090,525 (in Ju n e) to
636,048 (in March, 1923), th e m ean figure for th e year being 798,708.” N atu rally th e
num ber needing h elp has varied w idely in different localities. T he proportion of
persons relieved to th e to ta l population of th e local unions considered varied from
1 in 218 to 1 in 5, th is la tte r figure being reached in 6 unions.
------M in is tr y o f L a b o r .
boards acts.
C o m m itte e to in q u ir e in to the w o r k in g a n d effects o f the tra d e
M in u te s o f evidence.
L o n d o n , 1922.
v ii i , 1050 p p .
A discussion of th e recom m endations of th is com m ittee (called th e Cave com m ittee),
c o n ta in e d in a report to th e M inistry of Labor, was published in th e Monthly Labor
R eview for Ju n e, 1922 (pp. 25-29).
'
. . [ I n d u s tr ia l R e la tio n s D e p a r tm e n t .] R e p o r t o n the e s ta b lis h m e n t a n d y r o a r ess
o f j o i n t i n d u s tr ia l c o u n c ils , 1917-1922. L o n d o n , 1923.
pp.
231
Gives a review of th e reports of th e W hitley com m ittee recom m ending th e forma
tion of jo in t in d u strial councils, describes th e establishm ent of th e councils, and
discusses th e ir work. T h e fourth p a rt deals w ith some of th e cu rre n t problem s facing
th e councils, and discusses th e W hitley prin cip le as applied outside of G reat B ritain!
A sum m ary of th e report will be found on pages 27 to 29 of th is issue of th e Monthly
Labor R eview .
------R e g is tr a r G e n e ra l.
S u p p le m e n t to the s e v e n ty -fifth a n n u a l r e p o r t. P a r t I V .
M o r
ta l i t y o f m e n i n c e r ta in o c c u p a tio n s i n the three years 1910, 1911, a n d 1912
London
[1923?] x x iv , 100 p p .
A lthough th is report was greatly delayed, owing to th e war, i t is an im portant
addition to th e existing d a ta on occupational m ortality. I t contains an analysis of
th e deaths registered in E ngland and Wales during th e th ree years 1910 to 1912,
tab u lated b y occupation, age, and cause of d eath ; a comparison of th e m ortality of
several classes of laborers w ith th a t of th e general m ale population, and com parative
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
m ortality figures of males aged 25 to 65 years in certain occupations, by causes. No
atte m p t was made to analyze th e m ortality of women, owing to th e fact th a t th e
death register does not furnish an accurate record of occupation.
G r e a t B r i t a i n .— R eg istry o f F rie n d ly Societies. R e p o r ts f o r the year e n d in g Decem
ber 31, 1921. P a r t C. — T ra d e-u n io n s. L o n d o n , 1923. 48 p p .
Contains data as to th e num ber of registered trade-unions, th e ir m em bership,
incom e, expenditures, and funds on h an d . T he unions suffered severely during th e
year.
M em bership of registered trade-unions in 1921 declined from n early 7,000,000 to little
more th an 5,500,000 and funds were reduced by a b o u t £5,000,000 [$24,332,500, par].
These reductions were a ttrib u ta b le to th e severe tra d e depression of th e year, which
cost registered trade-unions nearly £7,500,000 [$36,498,750, par] in unem ploym ent
pay, over and above th e am ount recovered from th e M in istry of Labor u n d er th e State
insurance scheme. The ex p en d itu re of so great a n am ount in one year on unem ploy
m en t pay has no parallel in trade-union history. B u t for th e savings effected during
war years and additional levies raised from m em bers th is exp en d itu re alone would
have sufficed to absorb th e whole of th e accum ulated funds. T he exp en d itu re of
£3,500,000 [$17,032,750, par] upon dispute p ay was equally abnorm al, and for th is item
th e coal-mining dispute was m ainly responsible. A ltogether, th e year 1921 placed a
heavy strain on th e finances of trade-unions, although th e heavy accum ulation of
funds during war years enabled th em to carry forward at th e end of th e year a larger
balance of funds th an th ey ever had before th e war.
------------ R ep o rts
f o r the year en d in g December 31, 1921.
L o n d o n , 1923. x iii, 53, p p .
P a r t D .— B u ild in g societies.
Gives full statistical details for building societies in E ngland, Scotland, and Wales
in 1921. D uring 1921 th e societies, though not so prosperous as in 1920, m ade satis
factory progress. M em bership increased by 41,463, and th e advances on mortgages
am ounted to £19,673,408 ($95,740,640, p a n , w hich was more th a n tw ice th e average
of pre-war years.
----------- S ta tis tic a l
su m m a rie s sh o w in g the o p era tio n s o f fr ie n d ly societies i n the years
1913-1921, a n d o f orders a n d branches i n the years 1 9 1 0 ,1 9 1 6 -1 9 1 8 , a n d l9 2 0 . L o n d o n ,
1923. 4 PP-
- ---- [T r e a s u r y .]
U n e m p lo y m e n t G r a n ts C o m m itte e . S e c o n d ( in te r im ) r e p o r t o f p r o
ceed in g s, f r o m M arch 3, 1922, to J u n e 28, 1923. L o n d o n , 1923. 1 6 ,2 1 p p .
A short sum m ary of th e work of th is com m ittee w ill be given in th e D ecem ber
issue of th e M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
I n d i a .— C om m ercial In tellig e n ce D e p a rtm e n t.
C alcutta, 1923. x i, 88 p p . N o . 1779.
Large in d u s tr ia l esta b lish m en ts i n In d ia .
Gives th e nam e, business, an d address of all large in d u strial concerns in India,
together w ith th e average nu m b er of persons em ployed daily by each. A preface
gives also “ th e num b er of establishm ents belonging to and th e aggregate num ber of
persons em ployed in, th e prin cip al industries throughout In d ia, so far as inform ation
is av ailab le.” This shows a total of 1,559,944 ind u strial workers, of whom three-fifths
(63 per cent) are em ployed in five industries—cotton spinning and weaving, ju te
mills, railw ay and tram w ay workshops, cotton gins and presses, and engineering
workshops.
I n t e r n a t io n a l L a b o r O f f ic e .— A n th r a x i n the ta n n ery in d u stry , by H . L e y m a n n .
G eneva, 1923. 30 p p . S tu d ie s a n d reports, series F ( In d u s tr ia l hygiene a n d acci
d en ts), N o . 7.
This study, w hich relates to th e occurrence of an thrax among tan n ery workers in
G erm any, was published in connection w ith th e work of th e advisory com m ittee on
anthrax. I t reviews th e most m odern m ethods of prevention, through th e disinfec
tion of hides before or during th e tanning process, used in Germ any. D uring th e
years 1910 to 1921 there were, in Germ any, 1,575 cases of an th rax among ta n yard work
ers, or persons infected from tanyards, 249 of w hich were fatal. There were 80 cases
reported in 1921 as against 287 in 1910, although th e num ber of cases was m uch fewer
during th e war years w hen th e im portation of foreign hides and skins either ceased
or was greatly restricted.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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P U B L IC A T IO N S R E L A T IN G TO LABOR.
Sweden.— S ta tis tisk a
i v , 34 p p -
C e n tr a lb y râ n .
U t- och in v a n d r in g d r 1922. S to c k h o lm , 1923.
S v e r ig e s o fficiella s ta tis tik .
F o lk m a n g d e n och dess f o r a n d r in g a r .
R eport on em igration and im m igration in 1922, issued by th e Central S tatistical
B ureau of Sweden.
U n io n o f S o u t h A f r ic a .— Office o f C ensus a n d S ta tistic s . O fficial year hook o f the
U n io n , a n d o f B a su to la n d , B ec h u a n a la n d P rotectorate a n d S w a zila n d .
P retoria,
1923. x x iii, 1053 p p . N o . 5, 1922. Illu s tr a tio n s , m a p s, charts.
Contains statistics m ainly for th e period 1910 to 1921, and studies of th e different
States m aking u p th e U nion. A sum m ary of th e d ata relating to labor conditions is
given on pages 29 to 31 of th is issue of th e M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
Unofficial.
B u r r , E m il y T h o r p . P sychological tests a p p lie d to fa c to r y w orkers.
93 p p . R e p r in te d f r o m A rchives o f P sychology, N o . 55.
N ew Y ork, 1922.
This volum e embodies th e results of a stu d y u n d ertak en to show th e resu lt of ap p ly
ing psychological tests to a certain group of wage-earning girls and women. The in
vestigation was m ade in a feather and fancy ornam ent factory w ith six departm ents,
and covers 75 employees. The experim enter is of th e opinion th a t h er stu d y has laid
th e foundation for th e use of com binations of tests for th e m easurem ent of th is grade
of in d u strial workers.
D eg a s, M arc.
L e p r o b lè m e de l ’a ssu ra n c e m a la d ie -in v a lid ité .
P a r is , 1922.
286 p p .
T his is a stu d y of th e problem of sickness and in v a lid ity insurance from th e stan d
point of th e experience of th e different countries w hich have m ade such provision for
the protection of th e workers. The stu d y includes a discussion of th e general p rin
ciples to be followed in th e provision of such insurance, th e general ty p es of organiza
tion, and th e m ethods of adm inistration. There is a bibliography and a list of th e
laws in E uropean countries.
G a v it , J o h n P a l m e r .
x x iv , 449 p p .
A m e rica n s by choice.
N ew
Y ork, H a rper & B rothers, 1922.
This is one of th e series of A m ericanization studies financed by th e Carnegie Cor
poration of New York. Among th e prin cip al subjects tre a te d are citizenship under
this and other G overnm ents, th e evolution of th e naturalization law and its operation,
th e personal elem ent in naturalization, statistics relative to im m igrants, statistics con
cerning some 26,000 petitioners, citizenship acquired through m ilitary service, th e
im m igrant woman in U n ited States politics, foreign-born voters, and radical activities
of th e foreign born.
H
au ptv erba n d
eru n g , 1921.
D eu tsch er O r tsk r a n k en k a ssen .
D resden, 1922. 164 p p .
Jahrbuch der K ra n ken versich -
T he central federation of German local sick funds publishes each year a yearbook
on G erman sickness insurance. The volum e u n d er review covers th e year 1921. I t
discusses th e developm ent of German social insurance in general and of sickness in
surance in particular. Of th e m any problems of sickness insurance th e volum e gives
special consideration to th e difficulties in m aking collective agreem ents w ith physi
cians and in providing m edicines for th e insured persons, th e relations betw een sick
fund and industrial accident insurance associations, etc. A section of th e volum e con
tains d a ta as to th e organization of th e Central F ederation of German Local Sick Funds.
An appendix giving statistics as to th e various a ctiv ities of th e local sick funds in 1921
concludes th e volum e. These statistics cover th e rates of contributions, benefits,
th e system of providing m edical and d en tal service, th e system of rem uneration of
physicians and dentists, th e num ber of physicians and d en tists un d er contract, p h y
sicians’ strikes, th e contractual relations w ith pharm acies and hospitals, th e m edical
and th erapeutical in stitu tio n s owned b y th e sick funds them selves, th e employees of
the sick funds, sickness statistics, causes of sickness, disbursem ents for benefits,
finances of the funds, and th e m em bership m ovem ent.
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
L a b o r R e s e a r c h D e p a r t m e n t (G r e a t B r it a i n ).
a n d c a p ita l, 1923. L o n d o n , 1923. 223 p p .
The w o rkers’ register o f labor
Our subject has been the relations of capital and labor, the relative strength of
capitalist and workers’ organizations, the forces reacting upon them and influencing
their policies, and their power to make their will effective. We have aimed at regis
tering the forces at the disposal of the two parties to the industrial struggle, and at
providing a clear record of what they have done and experienced, of their fortunes
and relations, during the period since the conclusion of the war.
T he authors first give a general review of th e changes in th e labor situ atio n since
1918, an d follow th is w ith chapters on trade-union organization; unem ploym ent;
wages, hours, and th e cost of living; trade-union m ethods of negotiation; and th e guild
m ovem ent. T he second p a rt deals w ith capital an d production.
Owing to th e inflation of capital values, together w ith organized control over prices
and production, capital has been able to secure a higher incom e th a n in pre-war years,
in spite of th e slum p, w hile th e workers’ wages have been reduced to well below th e
1913 level.
N a t io n a l I n d u s t r ia l C o n f e r e n c e B o a r d . The im m ig r a tio n pro b lem i n the U nited
S ta te s. N e w Y o r k , 1923. v iii, 130 p p . Research re p o rt N o . 58.
----- W o rkm en ’s
co m p en sa tio n acts i n the U n ited S ta te s: The m edical aspect.
1923. x , 282 p p . Research report N o . 61.
N e w Y o rk,
T he present practices of th e boards and commissions adm inistering th e w orkm en’s
com pensation laws in th e different States in regard to th e m edical questions involved
form th e subject of th is stu d y . T he report cites a large n u m b er of cases showing the
various in terp retatio n s placed upon id en tical or nearly id en tical cases in different
States. A general review of th e problem s connected w ith th e adm inistration of the
laws includes a definition of em ployer’s liab ility , requirem ents for reporting accidents,
notice of in ju ry and claim, accident prevention and safety education, w aiting period,
personnel of m edical departm ents, m edical fees, selection of physicians, m edical
service and m edical exam inations, malingering, etc. A large p a rt of th e report is
given to th e various kinds of disab ility resulting from accident, w ith a discussion of
th e allowances for dism em berm ent and loss of use in different States. Specific
diseases resulting from accid en t are treated, w ith citations of various decisions in each
case, and th ere are also chapters on la te n t disease, infections resulting from accident,
eye injuries, and hernia. T he chapter on occupational disease discusses th e applica
tion of th e compensation acts in th e different States. A subject in d ex an d an index
of cases cited are appended.
N e w Y o r k U n iv e r s i t y . {G raduate S c h o o l o f B u s in e s s A d m in is tr a tio n .] B u re a u o f
B u s in e s s Reasearch. S o u rc e book o f research data. [N ew Y o rk] P re n tic e -H a ll, I n c .,
1923. x i, 70 p p .
T he sources of cu rren t statistical d ata regarding th e m ost im p o rtan t commercial
comm odities, and including a few item s such as telephones and buildings, are given
in th is com pilation. The list is d ivided in to two parts, one giving sources of q u an tity
statistics such as production, shipm ents, stocks, etc., an d th e oth er giving th e sources
of price statistics of articles of food an d other comm ercial an d in d u strial products.
The list is analytical, showing th e u n it of w eight or measure for w hich th e information
is reported, w hether th e inform ation given covers a State, a nation, th e world, or only
some local m arket, and, for th e q u a n tity figures, th e nu m b er of years w hich can be
covered from each source.
P a r a f , P i e r r e . L e sy n d ica lism s p e n d a n t et apres la guerre.
1923. v iii, 253 p p . D e u x ie m e e d itio n .
P a ris, 13 Q u a i de C o n ti,
This study of th e F rench trade-union m ovem ent during and since th e war sketches
the history of syndicalism from 1864 to 1914 and th e principles anim ating th e different
revolutionary and reformist groups. The present organization of th e great syndical
confederations and th eir a ttitu d e on national and in tern atio n al questions since 1914
are d ealt w ith in greater d etail an d th e conclusion sums up th e tendencies w hich have
developed in th e different organizations during th e past eight years.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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233
P U B L IC A T IO N 'S R E L A T IN G TO LABOR.
P h il a d e l p h ia H o u s in g A s s o c ia t io n . H o u s in g i n P h ila d e lp h ia ,
N e w m a n . P h ila d e lp h ia [1923?]. 47 p p .
by B e r n a rd J .
Gives a review of the work of th e association during 1922, and discusses some of th e
problem s faced by those interested in b etter housing. A sum m ary of some parts of
th e report will be found on pages 165 to 168 of th is issue of th e M o n t h l y L a b o r
R
e v ie w
.
P o r , O d o n . G u ild s a n d c o o p e r a tiv e s i n I t a l y .
1923. x v iii, 197 p p .
L o n d o n , L a b o r P u b lis h in g C o. ( L t d . ) ,
Argues for the industrial organization of Ita ly on a cooperative guild basis, citing
th e progress already m ade b y th e labor cooperative societies and certain guilds, such
as th e Federation of P roductive G uilds of th e Province of Florence, and th e fact th a t
“ in Ita ly capitalist large-scale in d u stry has never been stable, and has alw ays been
on the verge of collapse,” and stating th a t the guild organization is p eculiarly suited
to the Italian tem peram ent.
Contains also two chapters on guild socialism in E ngland, its origin and recen t
aspects.
E xtracts and a sum m ary of the chapter on the present (1922) condition of th e co
operative m ovem ent in Ita ly w ill be given in th e D ecem ber issue of th e M o n t h l y
L a b o r R e v ie w .
T h ir d
W in t e r
of
U nem ploy m en t.
T he re p o rt o f a n in q u ir y
u n d e rta k e n i n the
]. v i i i , 350 p p .
Contains a discussion of th e e x ten t of unem ploym ent in E ngland in 1922, th e pu b lic
provision for relief of unem ploym ent, th e provision of work, th e cost to th e nation of
unem ploym ent, the effects upon th e workers, and local reports upon conditions in nine
towns or cities.
a u tu m n o f 1922.
L o n d o n [1923 f
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[1223]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
@FedFRASER