Full text of Monthly Labor Review : November 1948, Vol. 67, No. 5

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Monthly Labor Review

c_o

DEC 3

1

JN IT E D STATES DEPARTM ENT OF LABOR . BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

A.WRENCE R. K l e in , Chief, Office of Publications


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CONTENTS
Special Articles
467 World Prices, 1948 Compared with 1939
476 ITO: Employment and Economic Development
483 Department Store Workers’ Wages in 16 Cities

Summaries of Special Reports
487
493
499
502
505
508
511
513
515
516
517
518

Collective Bargaining Provisions of Special Interest
Employment Outlook in Electric Utilities
Operations of Consumers’ Cooperatives in 1947
Fertilizer Industry: Wage Structure, March 1948
Injury Rates in Manufacturing, Second Quarter, 1948
The President’s Conference on National Safety, 1948
British Trades Union Congress: Meeting, September 1948
State Labor Legislation in 1948
1948 Survey of Consumer Finances: Parts IV and V
Sale of Defense Homes Corporation Projects
Labor-Management Disputes in October 1948
Errata (June 1948 issue)

Departments
in
519
524
526
533

The Labor Month in Review
Recent Decisions of Interest to Labor
Chronology of Recent Labor Events
Publications of Labor Interest
Current Labor Statistics (list of tables)

November 1948 • VoL 67 • No. 5

This Issue in Brief. . .

FACTURING, SECOND QUARTER, 1948 (p. 505)
reveals that more than 110,000 workers were off
the job one or more days because of work injuries
and that they lost a total of nearly 2% million
man-days. Industry, labor, and government are
determined to do something about it. The
P r e sid e n t ’s C onference on N ational S afety ,

A good deal of current world history is written
in terms of prices and production. W orld
P rices , 1948 C ompared with 1939 (p. 467) studies
two of the factors underlying world inflation:
lower civilian goods production in most countries
and unrelenting demand. By 1948, world pro­
duction, excluding the United States, had nearly
reached 1938 levels, although variations were
wide among different countries (e. g., output was
extremely low in Japan, Germany, Austria, Italy,
and Greece). Demand is buoyed by large-scale
world investment, heavy governmental expendi­
tures, and pent-up civilian needs.
Postwar world recovery leans on many inter­
national devices. One prospective aid is the In­
ternational Trade Organization Charter to be
submitted to Congress for ratification in 1949.
The sections of the charter of especial interest to
labor are discussed in ITO: E mployment and
E conomic D evelopm ent (p. 476). Healthy inter­
national trade depends on world-wide mainte­
nance of production, employment, and demand
for goods. An important adjunct is maintenance
of fair labor standards. The 54 organized nations
signatory to the Charter did not find it easy to
come to an agreement, given their divergencies of
interests and traditions, and the Charter repre­
sents many compromises. Important, however,
was the basic recognition that unemployment and
under-employment are conditions in which all
nations have a common interest and responsibility.
Probably no nation faces more serious economic
problems than Great Britain. B ritish T rades
U n io n C ong ress : M e e t in g , S eptem ber 1948
(p. 511) indicates how the British labor movement
under a Labor Government reacted to some of the
more compelling problems. It endorsed wageprice controls, increased industrial efficiency and
production, nationalization of the steel industry,
and compulsory arbitration. The Congress over­
whelmingly defeated Communist-supported poli­
cies and candidates for office.
Injury of workers on the job still plagues
American industry. I n jury R ates in M a n u n

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1948 (p. 508) tells of the organizational meeting
held in September preparatory to an action
meeting in March 1949.
A wide range of both occupations and earnings
is evident in D epartm ent S tore W orkers ’
W ages in 16 C it ie s (p. 483). Employees in stores
varied from wrappers to sales clerks to elevator
operators to carpenters; in the offices, from billing
clerks to switchboard operators. About 65 cate­
gories of men’s and women’s jobs were studied in
16 large cities. The earnings (rounded) ranged
from $17 for women porters in New Orleans to
$172 for male appliance salesmen in New York
City. (But within the classification of women
porters, earnings were $36 per week in New York
City and Seattle.) Women fitters had earnings
of from $34 to $56; dress saleswomen, $34 to $53;
and women selling women’s accessories, $32 to
$47. Male sales clerks in regular stores had earn­
ings ranging from $33 to the peak mentioned
above for appliances. In basement stores, the
range for men salesmen was $41 to $105. Weekly
hours worked varied from 37 % to well over 40.
Most employees studied were entitled to discounts
on merchandise, vacations with pay, and 6 or 7
paid holidays.
Another article related to the distributive
industries is O peration of C onsum ers ’ C ooper ­
atives in 1947 (p. 499). Co-op business and activ­
ity reached an all-time high, despite a large number
of dissolutions. Among retail distributives alone,
business exceeded a billion dollars; local service
associations did more than 25 million dollars
worth of business. Operating results, however,
were less satisfactory than during the previous
year, with more than 25 percent showing losses
and more than 50 percent with smaller earnings.
Petroleum associations generally did better in
1947 than in 1946. Wholesale groups’ business
and earnings were up. Productive federations
also had a good year. Patronage refunds from
stores averaged 3.5 percent on sales; from petro­
leum associations, 5.5 percent; from service groups,
4.5 percent.

Strike Situation

developments
were favorable for labor in many respects during
October. The continued decline in food prices
brought some measure of relief to wage earners’
families. Meanwhile employment maintained the
high levels of recent months, unemployment fell
to the lowest point of the year, and average earn­
ings tended to increase. Fewer man-days were
lost because of work stoppages than in the pre­
ceding month. Only on the West Cfoast, where the
oil refining and shipping disputes remained un­
settled, were there any major work stoppages at
the month’s end. Several decisions of the Na­
tional Labor Relations Board handed down in
October restricted union activities. The results
of the November 2 elections led to the expectation
on the part of labor that the country’s present
labor-management relations policy would be sub­
ject to revision by the new Congress.

A downturn in the number of strikes, which is
usual for the closing months of the year, again
appears to be the pattern for 1948. While some
increase in the number of man-days lost occurred
during September, owing to several large strikes
in progress, preliminary indications are that
October reports will show a drop in work stoppages
in numbers of workers involved and man-days lost.
The two strikes of greatest national importance,
in petroleum and in shipping, were both on the
West Coast. Having begun in early September,
both strikes continued throughout October but
partial settlements in each situation had been
made by the end of the month.
In making its first ruling on strike activities
under the Labor Management Relations Act, the
National Labor Relations Board indicated the
type of actions on the part of striking union
members which would constitute “ coercion.”
Section 8 (b) (1) (A) of the act makes it an unfair
labor practice for a union or its agents to restrain
or coerce employees in their right to join or not to
join a labor organization. The Board divided on
only one issue in the case, two members dissenting
from that part of the decision which found the
International (as well as the local) union guilty
of unfair labor practices. The minority would
dismiss the case against the International, but
would apply the order to the local union.

Labor and the Elections

Food Prices Down

The recent Presidential, Congressional, and
State elections are generally considered by labor
to have broad implications for the future of the
labor movement in the United States. Consider­
able credit for the reelection of President Truman
and the return of Democratic majorities in the
House and Senate was generally given to organized
labor for its active support during the campaign.
A significant number of the defeated Congressional
candidates were those who were opposed by
organized labor for voting for the Taft-Hartley
law. In Massachusetts and New Mexico, as in
the earlier election in Maine, the voters rejected
legislation to ban the closed shop. The election
results appear to indicate that early consideration
will be given to labor-management legislation
which will eliminate features of the present law
regarded by labor as unfair and not conducive to
good industrial relations.

The decline in food prices during September
and October has brought some relief to hardpressed consumers. Particularly welcome has
been a more-than-seasonal drop in the prices of
meat, which had risen beyond the reach of many
moderate-income families during the summer.
The decline of 0.6 percent in food prices, from
August to September, was enough to offset
increases in all the other groups, and the over-all
index remained unchanged at 174.5 percent of
the 1935-39 average. Preliminary estimates in­
dicate that the October decline in food prices
will more than offset rises in other retail prices to
cause a decrease in the over-all index for the first
time since March.
Wholesale prices, on the average, declined for
the second consecutive month during October
from the postwar high point of 169.4 (1926=100)

The Labor Month
in Review

E mployment , w age , and price


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m

IV

THE LABOR MONTH IN REVIEW

reached in August. The slight downturn during
September was followed by a more significant
decline in October, largely as a result of a con­
tinued decrease in the averages for farm products
and foods. Throughout the recent period, the
drop in prices of agricultural and related com­
modities has been partly offset by increases in the
prices of certain durable goods, particularly metals
and metal products and housefurnishings.
Price movements in recent months reflect the
effects of the 1948 record farm output, the improve­
ment in supply in many “ soft” goods lines, and
the continuing heavy unfilled demand for many
durable goods. When prospects of bumper crops
became apparent in the spring, grain prices began
a steady decline which continued until support
levels were approached. Livestock prices con­
tinued upward during the summer, but declined
seasonally during September and October. At
the end of October the wholesale price index for
farm products was about 10 percent below the
high point at the beginning of the year. Food
prices, lagging behind farm prices, continued to
rise until July and August and then declined
significantly. Prices of textile products, on the
average, have declined steadily, although slowly
since early this year. On the other hand, prices
of many durable commodities, where supplies
have not met demand, have continued their
postwar upward trend through October.

hours remained unchanged, increased their weekly
earnings slightly to a little more than $50 a week.
October hourly earnings statistics will probably
show another increase as a result of a number of
wage raises to relatively small groups of manufac­
turing workers. Significant new wage contracts,
however, were signed in certain nonmanufacturing
industries. Approximately 175,000 railroad work­
ers, members of the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen and the Order of Railway Conductors,
received a wage increase of 10 cents an hour from
the railroads in early October. Toward the end of
the month, one of the unions involved in the West
Coast maritime strike, the National Marine En­
gineers Beneficial Association (CIO), signed an
agreement with the shipowners incorporating a
5.3-percent increase for the union. This puts the
pay of the West Coast engineers on a par with
those on the East Coast. An agreement was also
reached by the Oil Workers International Union
(CIO) and one of the companies in the West Coast
oil strike. The settlement provides for a wage
boost of 12K cents an hour retroactive to July 3.
The nonstriking Independent Petroleum Workers
Union also negotiated increases of 12% cents an
hour for about 4,000 employees of Standard Oil
Co. and Union Oil Co. in California. Telephone
workers of the American Telephone and Telegraph
Co. also received wage increases during the month.
Employment Changes Small

Wage Trend Continues

Average hourly earnings (excluding overtime)
rose again in manufacturing in September, reach­
ing a new high of $1.32 an hour. A small decrease
in the average number of hours worked reported
for September, largely due to the Labor Day holi­
day, about offset the increase in wage rates, thus
holding average weekly earnings at about $54, the
level of the previous month, in manufacturing as
a whole. Weekly earnings in durable goods in­
dustries declined somewhat to a little less than
$58 as a result of a shorter average workweek.
Workers in factories producing nondurables, whose


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Changes in the labor force from early September
to early October were relativley minor, according
to Census estimates in the Monthly Report on the
Labor Force. A decline in civilian employment of
less than 200,000 was largely the result of addi­
tional numbers of students leaving temporary sum­
mer jobs to return to school. Unemployment also
declined to the lowest rate of the year and was
lower than at nearly any other time since the end
of the war. Employment was still about 1 million
higher than a year ago. Reflecting the entry or
reentry of women into the labor market, the report
shows about 600,000 more women in jobs than last
year at this time.

World Prices, 1948 Compared With 1939
Price Structure and Inflation,
Variations in the Existing Price Relationships,
and Basic Causes of Increases
I r v in g

B.

K r a v is

and

Ann S.

R it t e r 1

1939 and mid -1948, inflation greatlyaltered the structure of prices throughout the
world. Increases were smallest in the nations of
the British Commonwealth and of Scandinavia.
The United States price level had approximately
doubled at wholesale and had risen somewhat less
at retail, but the increases came later and were
below those in most other nations.2 Even though
world agricultural output had about reached pre­
war levels and world industrial output had risen
substantially above prewar, high postwar demands
of consumers, investors, and governments could
not be completely satisfied. Investment and
government expenditures were often financed in
part at least by increasing the supply of money or
expanding bank deposits. Since total production

B etw een

1 Prepared in the Bureau’s Office of Foreign Labor Conditions.
2 International comparisons of price changes give only an approximate
account of relative price movements in different countries, because they must
be based on available price indexes. Such indexes differ greatly in purpose,
method, scope, and accuracy, and thus are not strictly comparable. (For
an explanation of these differences see M onthly Labor Review, January
1947 (pp. 36-38.) Generally, during periods of rapid change—such as in the
past decade—price indexes actually are conservative estimates of the increase
in prices. This point is particularly pertinent since many indexes include
official prices predominately, even in areas where substantial shares of output
are sold on “open”, “gray,” or “black” markets. These terms are used
differently by various writers. The term “open market” is often used to
refer to prices which are not subject to legal controls. A “gray market” is
one in which the prices charged, although not actually illegal, are higher than
they are “supposed” to be; for example, the sale of scarce commodities such as
steel or automobiles at prices above those set by the manufacturer falls in this
category. The term “black market” is usually used to indicate sales at prices
that are above the level that may be charged legally.


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could be increased only slowly, this additional
spending power forced prices upward. Changes
in the geographical distribution of production were
significant. The German and Japanese econo­
mies were functioning at very low rates; at the
other extreme, the United States was producing
at a record peacetime rate. Large extensions of
United States credits to foreign countries for
postwar relief and reconstruction eased the prob­
lems created by these and other shifts.
Price increases between 1939 and mid-1948 were
greatest at the wholesale level for farm products
and raw materials and at the retail level for foods
and textiles. Internationally traded goods in­
creased more in price than all goods in the general
wholesale average. Other changes in price rela­
tionships varied from country to country,
depending upon local conditions.
Every geographical and industrial sector of the
world economy has been affected to some degree
by war and postwar inflation. The unequal
movements of prices of various kinds and in vari­
ous places—which always accompany inflation—
are described here by comparing the price rela­
tionships in mid-1948 with those in 1939. The
base year 1939 was selected because it marks a
convenient point at the end of the era between
the two World Wars and not because price
relationships were necessarily “normal” a t|th a t
time.
467

468

Institutional factors or basic economic phe­
nomena underlying the changes in the price level
may account for differences in the extent of price
fluctuation among various segments of the econ­
omy. For example, the relatively great rise in
prices of building materials in the United States
is attributable largely to the pent-up demand
accumulated during two decades of depression and
war. An illustration of the effect of institutional
factors also is provided by recent United States
experience, that is, in the comparatively small
increases in commodity prices for metals and the
durables. In these industries, prices are estab­
lished largely by producers’ decisions rather than
by the forces of supply and demand in perfectly
competitive markets; 3 high postwar output has
made production very economical because over­
head costs could be spread over many units of
product; and business price policy, motivated by
long-run considerations, has generally avoided
taking full advantage of current demand (for
example, automobile manufacturers’ prices have
been kept well under the premium prices for new
cars charged by second-hand dealers). Outside
the United States, the primary institutional factor
affecting changes in price relationships has been
governmental intervention in particular sectors of
the economy through price control, rationing,
subsidies, etc.
Factors Underlying World Inflation

Underlying the price increases of the war and
postwar years were (1) lower production of civiliantype goods, first because of the shift of resources
to the production of war goods and later because
of war damage and war-incurred economic dis­
organization, and (2) increased demand owing to
additional money income generated by expendi­
tures first for military purposes and subsequently
for reconstruction and development. High levels
of demand generally resulted in full employment
at an early stage in the war, and full employment,
except in Italy, has characterized the postwar
economies of the various nations. High-level
employment has been an important factor in world­
wide inflation; for, in an economy in which re­
sources are already fully employed, an increment
in demand can have little or no effect in expanding
s See Price Behavior and Business Policy, T N E C Monograph No. I,


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MONTHLY LABOR

WORLD PRICES

the total output of goods but is likely to raise
prices. Thus, the money value of total production
increases much more than the physical volume of
total production. This is the essence of inflation.
Production. By mid-1948, world industrial out­
put was substantially above prewar levels but
world agricultural output had probably just
reached or barely surpassed prewar levels. Record
peacetime production in the United States largely
accounted for the great volume of world industrial
production, as is shown in the following tabulation:
Indexes (1938=100)
1948

1947
Year

W orld1 __ ______
128
United States 3_ _ - _ _
210
World, excluding United
States__ _
89
Japan _
23
Germany (Bizone) 4
38
World, excluding United
States, Japan, Germany
110
(Bizone)
_ __

Last quarter

135
215

First half
(2)

215

97
25
43

(2)

119

(2)

28
47

1 Including the USSR.
8 N ot available.
* The 1938 base gives an exaggerated view of the increase in United States
production, since 1938 output was much lower than that of 1937 or 1939. If
1937 is taken as a base United States output in the first half of 1948 was 169
percent of prewar; if 1939 is used as the base the percent is 176.
1 1936=100. A sharp rise in the index (from 50 to 60) occurred in July
following the June currency reform.
Sources: Selected World Economic Indices, United Nations, July 1948
(p. 14). U. N . M onthly Bulletin of Statistics, various issues. Federal
Reserve Bulletin, various issues.

Excluding the United States, the world had
almost recovered to 1938 production levels at the
end of 1947, and, since production indexes in most
countries showed an upward trend during the
first half of 1948, prewar output was probably
surpassed by mid-1948. However, differences
were great in the degree of recovery. Output was
extremely low in Japan and Germany, and Austria,
Italy, and Greece had not regained prewar pro­
duction levels.
Soviet industrial production
reached the prewar (1940) level in the last quarter
of 1947, according to the Soviet delegate to the
United Nations Economic and Social Council.4
Most other countries had achieved output levels
substantially above prewar. Outside the United
States, increases in industrial production (be­
tween 50 and 75 percent) were greatest in Poland,
4 Supplement to Economic Report, Discussion of Report in Economic and
Social Council, Sixth Session (p. 102) Department of Economic Affairs (U N ).

Bulgaria, Chile, and Canada, according to the
published indexes.
World output (excluding the U.S.S.R.) in the first
quarter of 1948 of most of the basic commodities
listed below exceeded prewar production. For
the most important commodities—coal, iron,
and steel—this was due to great increases in United
States output. The tremendous increase in
United States production relative to that in all
other industrial areas is one of the basic factors
determining the course of international economic
relations. It accounts for the scarcity of dollars,
and the desire on the part of many nations for
financial assistance from the United States.
The increased importance of United States
output relative to that of Europe, which may be
temporary at least in part, is not the only shift in
the pattern of world industrial production. For
example, the figures in table 1 showing world
production of fuel and energy by area reveal
increased industrialization in certain Latin Ameri­
can countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
and Mexico. Some expansion has also occurred
in the Middle East, particularly in Turkey, Egypt,
and Palestine, but this is offset in the figure for
Asia by low output levels in the strife-ridden
Far East.
Indexes (1937=100) second
quarter, 19^8
Except U .S .S.R .
Except
U .S .S.R .
and U.S.

____ 104
Coal and lignite.
____ 167
Crude petroleum .. _
____ 187
Electricity___ Pig-iron and ferro-alloys __ .____ 105
Steel L _ _
.
.
_ ____ 112
Copper2. . . .
----- ____ 107
____ 85
Lead 2_
____ 106
Zinc 2
Tin 3__________________________ 71
Rubber (Natural)
_ .. . . . ____ 126
____ 122
Cement
__

91
188
163
83
83
104
75
89

__
__
102

i Ingots and castings.
s Smelter production.
• M etal content of tin ore or tin concentrates.
Source: M onthly Bulletin of Statistics, United Nations, September 1948

(P. 3).

During the first three postwar years, agricul­
tural production was hampered by unfavorable
weather conditions and agricultural recovery in
war-devastated areas was delayed also by scarci­
ties of equipment and supplies. Food production
during the crop year 1947-48 was 7 percent
below prewar. Reductions from prewar levels

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469

WORLD PRICES

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

were greatest in regions such as western Europe
which generally depended upon food imports be­
fore the war. Population increases both in west­
ern Europe and in the world at large, made the
need more grave.5 Increased food requirements
T a b l e 1.— World production of fuel and energy, by area,1

1938 and 194-7
Production in­
dexes (1937=100)

Percentage dis­
tribution

Area
1938

1947

1938

1947 »

United States and Canada_________
Latin America *______________ . . . .
E urope4__________________________
A sia4____________________________
Africa_______________ _______ _____
Oceania__________________________

86
99
99
105
105
99

138
182
87
108
151
118

41.8
4.6
42.8
8.7
1.1
1.0

54.5
6.6
29.2
7.3
1.4
1.0

T o ta l4______________________

94

118

100.0

100.0

Coal, lignite, crude petroleum, and hydro-electricity. For the calculations
in this table, lignite, crude petroleum, and hydroelectricity were reduced to
terms of coal by means of constant conversion factors.
J Partly estimated. Based on production during the first 9 months of 1947.
* Mexico, Central and South America.
* Excluding the U .S.S.R ., for which data are not available.
Source: Economic Report, Salient Features of the World Economic Situa­
tion, 1945-47, Department of Economic Affairs, United Nations (p. 10).

and smaller production have reduced total per
capita food consumption, particularly in urban
centers, to dangerously low levels.
In the fall of 1948, the outlook for the crop year
1948-49 seemed promising. Equipment and
supplies were more readily available, although
shortages still existed in many countries. Reports
from Europe, the Far East, and Latin America
indicated increased sowings for major crops. In
the United States, 1948 crop production was esti­
mated to be nearly 12.5 percent above the previous
year, and 7 percent above the record year of 1946,
according to an October forecast of the Depart­
ment of Agriculture.
Demand. In view of the relatively great volume
of production, the explanation of the prevailing
inflationary pressure must be sought in high levels
of demand. Large-scale world investment is an
important source of this demand—and thus of
inflationary pressure. (See table 2, showing gross
* The population of Europe outside of the Soviet Union and Turkey in­
creased by 9 millions (1938-46) or over 2 percent, while world population
increased by over 175 millions or nearly 10 percent (1937-47).

470

WORLD PRICES

domestic investment expressed as a percentage of
gross national product.) Such investment in
1947 took a much larger proportion of national
output than before the war, in the 9 countries for
which data are available.
T a ble 2. — Percentage distribution of gross national product,

9 countries, 1938 and 1947 1
Expenditures by—
Country

Gross
national
product:
Total

Con­
sumer

Govern­
ment 2

Investment
Domestic
(gross) 3

Foreign
(net)

1938 1947 1938 1947 1938 1947 1938 1947
Australia A.................
Canada.. _____
Czechoslovakia_____
Denmark_________
France.......................

100
100
100
100
100

71
73
81
78
76

65
67
76
74
73

12
14
13
8
12

14
11
19
11
13

15
11
«6
13
14

18
22
36
18
19

2
2
0
1
-2

3
0
-1
-3
-5

N orway___________
Sweden__ ____ ____
United K in gdom ...
United States______

100
100
100
100

68
66
74
76

63
68
68
72

9
9
14
15

12
10
20
12

23
25
13
8

40
28
18
12

0
0
-1
1

-1 5
—6
-6
4

1 At market prices for calendar year specified; otherwise for nearest financial
or calendar year for which data are available.
2 Includes government investment for Australia, Canada, and United
States.
3 Includes government investment for Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France,
Norway, Sweden, and United Kingdom.
* Excluding net income received from (or paid) abroad.
3 Net.
Source: Selected World Economic Indices, Department of Economic Af­
fairs, United Nations, July 1948 (p. 50).

Reconstruction needs and the replacement of
capital not adequately maintained during the war
account only partially for the large volume of
postwar investment. The drive toward economic
development is another factor of growing import­
ance, both in devastated areas and also in less
industrialized countries. In Eastern Europe, the
Middle East, Latin America, and Africa, organized
efforts are being made to develop natural resources
and industry. Although the basic aim is generally
to raise levels of living, the development programs
differ broadly in both method and scope.
Predominantly agricultural countries of eastern
Europe usually base their ambitious over-all
economic plans on government ownership, at
least of all important industries or all major indus­
trial establishments. Cooperative farming opera­
tions are being encouraged in these countries with
a large measure of government control. The
proportion of national income used for investment
is higher than in most other underdeveloped areas,
and the growth of industry, transportation, and
communication are being emphasized more than
that of agriculture. In the Polish plan (1946-49),
for example, over 20 percent of national income
is to be used for investment; in the Yugoslav plan

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MONTHLY LABOR

(1947-51), investment is to rise to more than 27
percent of national income by 1951.
In other underdeveloped areas, reliance is being
placed on the stimulation of private initiative, and
government ownership and operation is generally
limited to selected areas of development. Many
Latin American Governments, for example, have
sponsored investment projects in particular fields
such as electric power, transportation, or mining.
Frequently, private investment is encouraged
through tax concessions and direct financial ar­
rangements for readily available credits at low
interest rates. Middle East and African develop­
mental schemes are often concerned with trans­
portation, land-holding and irrigation, and public
health and other social services. Of course, to the
extent that capital equipment is obtained free
or on credit from foreign sources, investment
involves an inflationary pressure in the supplying
country rather than in the receiving country.
High government expenditures have been
another source of postwar demand. In some
instances, this has been due partly to government
participation in investment activity. Another
major item has been military expenditure; al­
though military expenditures have been below
wartime levels, they have frequently been higher
than in prewar years. This is true not only in
Europe and North America, but also in the Far
East, owing to civil strife. Government expendi­
tures are larger not only in money terms but also
in real terms; governments are purchasing more
goods and services than they did before the war.
In the United States, the United Kingdom, and
the Scandinavian countries, for example, govern­
ment expenditures in 1947 when revalued to
prewar prices were 2 or 3 times above prewar. 6
Furthermore, many governments not only used a
larger quantity of goods in the postwar economy,
but also used a larger proportion of total output
(see table 2). However, in France, Greece, Italy,
and Poland, government expenditures did not
increase as much as prices and, therefore, govern­
ment purchases of commodities and services
declined.
Consumers have also contributed heavily to the
large volume of postwar demand. In many
countries, pent-up wartime demands, continued
8 A Survey of the Economic Situation and Prospects of Europe (pp.
76-77), and data on these countries in International Financial Statistics, a
monthly publication of the International Monetary Fund.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

WORLD PRICES

scarcities, and rising prices have caused consumers
to spend a larger portion of their increased money
incomes and to save a correspondingly smaller
portion of current income than before the war.
Consumers have also drawn upon wartime savings
to buy consumer goods.7 Only a few countries,
including the United States and Canada, have
higher postwar than prewar levels of living.
Elsewhere, high levels of investment and govern­
ment expenditure left consumers with a share of
national output either less than or at best only
equal to prewar.
Lack of voluntary savings and inadequate tax
revenues led to the adoption of inflationary tech­
niques to cover part of investment and govern­
ment expenditures. Investors financed their ven­
tures directly or indirectly through the expansion
of bank credit; governments met their expenses in
a similar manner or by printing additional money.
In either case, the increased volume of money
expenditures—unmatched by an equivalent in­
crease in aggregate output—raised prices.
Some countries, particularly in Europe, have
maintained a high degree of stability in their
price and wage structures by supplementing mone­
tary and fiscal policy by direct controls, including
allocations of raw materials, rationing of con­
sumer goods, labor and wage regulations, and
price ceilings. In these countries, money income
was more than enough to purchase the supply of
available goods at the controlled prices, and infla­
tion was “ suppressed” or “repressed.”
The foreign grants and credits of the United
States Government have been significant in the
postwar period both at home and abroad. In the
2K-year period ending December 31, 1947, assist­
ance was provided to foreign countries at an
annual rate of over 5.8 billion dollars; the 1948
program, which includes the European Recovery
Program, is estimated at 7.6 billion dollars. Out­
right grants accounted for 44 percent of the pro­
gram for the 1945-47 period and may reach 70
percent of the 1948 total; the balance is made up
of loans and credits.8
The immediate effect of the foreign aid program
has been to increase demand in the United States
1 1n the United States, for example, despite unprecedented peacetime in­
come levels, one-fourth of all spending units spent more than their incomes
during 1947 and the others saved less than in previous years. See 1948 Survey
of Consumer Finance, Federal Reserve Bulletin, June 1948 (pp. 634 fl).
8 Foreign Grants and Credits of the U. S. Government by B. W. RufEner,
Survey of Current Business, June 1948 (pp. 11 fl).

809737— 48-

-2


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471

and to increase supplies in the hard-pressed coun­
tries that suffered the most in the war. The
long-run effect will undoubtedly be to ease price
pressures both at home and abroad by raising the
world’s productive capacity.
Changes in Price Levels

Domestic Prices in Different Countries. At the
end of World War II, world-wide inflation had
affected prices in the United States less than in
almost all other countries (Canada and possibly
Australia and New Zealand were the chief excep­
tions). Yet, in the first three postwar years,
United States prices increased so rapidly that the
1939 to June 1948 rise in this country was greater
than that in the nations of the British Common­
wealth, the Scandinavian countries, and Switzer­
land. In almost all other countries, price in­
creases from 1939 to mid-1948 were greater than
in the United States. The distribution of the
countries with respect to price increases since
prewar is given in table 3 and is summarized in
table 4.
By June 1948, New Zealand, Australia, Southern
Rhodesia, and the Union of South Africa weie the
only countries 9of the 60 listed in which consumers’
price indexes were less than 50 points higher than
1939 levels (1939=100). In nearly a fourth of
these countries, consumers’ prices were between 50
and 100 index points above 1939. This group
included the United Kingdom, Canada, the Scand­
inavian nations, and the United States. The
increases in wholesale prices 10 in the foregoing
countries were also relatively moderate; their
wholesale price indexes in June 1948 ranged from
164 in Australia to 217 in Denmark (1939=100).
Outside of North America, Scandinavia, and the
British Commonwealth, price increases were much
greater. In most Latin American countries, price
indexes in mid-1948 were 2 to 4 times 1939 levels.
In a group of European countries, including Aus­
tria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Spain,
and Turkey, prices were 3 to 5 times above prewar.
• Germany has been excluded from this group because the price index
listed in table 3 is based on oflicial prices. Owing to the importance of the
black market, eflective prices were substantially higher than is indicated by
this index.
io
Wholesale price data, for the most part, represent prices in primary
markets. In general, the prices are those charged by manufacturers or pro­
ducers or are those prevailing on commodity exchanges.

472

WORLD PRICES

More advanced stages of inflation had been
reached in France, Italy, Indo-China, and Japan,
where prices ranged from 15 to 65 times those of
1939 and in Poland and Greece where prices were

MONTHLY LABOR

at least 160 and 300 times those in 1939, respec­
tively. Finally, in a class by itself was China,
where prices were of the magnitude of 35,000 to
45,000 times prewar levels.

T a ble 3. — Indexes of consumers’ and wholesale ■prices,1 by country, 19^5 and mid-19^8
[1939=100]
Consumers’ price index

Wholesale price index

Index range
1945

June 1948

100-149______ 112—Germany (Br. Zone. 1938= 127—N ew Zealand.
100).
134—Germany (Br. Zone. 1938=
115—N ew Zealand.
100).
118—Canada.
140—Australia (2d quarter. 1938124—
Australia (1938-39=100). 39=100).
125—
Southern Rhodesia.
142—Southern Rhodesia.
127—Austria (Vienna. April 1945. 148—Union of South Africa.
April 1938 = 100).
129-United States.
132—Union of South Africa.
132—
Venezuela (Caracas).
133—
Uruguay (M ontevideo).
134—
Argentina (Buenos Aires).
140—Sweden.
146—United Kingdom.
USSR (Rationed foods)*
150-199______ 151—Switzerland.
152—Canada.
152—Norway.
152—Sweden.
154—Newfoundland (St. Johns)
156—Norway.
157—Denmark.
162—Switzerland.
161—Colombia (Bogota).
163—Denmark (2d quarter).
162—Panama
(Panama
City. 167—Uruguay (M ay).
Food. October 1939-June 171—United Kingdom.
1940=100).
173—United States.
163—Czechoslovakia (Prague).
173—Venezuela (Caracas). (Dec.
165—Ireland.
1947).
173—Netherlands (1938-39=100).
175—Newfoundland (St. Johns).
175—Costa Rica (San Jose).
179—Ireland (M ay).
177—Guatemala (Food).
186—Argentina (Buenos Aires).
179—Spain (July. December 1939= 198—Portugal (Lisbon).
100).
184—
Peru (Lima).
185—
Brazil (Rio de Janeiro).
186—
Portugal (Lisbon).
196—Paraguay (Asuncion).
200-249______ 205—Ceylon (Colombo. August- 206—Panama (Food in Panama
December 1939=100).
City. October 1939-June
206—Cuba (Food).
1940=100).
209—Luxembourg.
207—Netherlands (1938-39=100).
213—Mexico (Mexico City).
212—Costa Rica (San Jose).
218—Yugoslavia (January 1946).
234—Guatemala (Food).
222—India (Bombay).
241—Yugoslavia (March).
243—Ceylon (Colombo. AugustDecember 1939=100).
227—Japan.
247—Columbia (Bogota).
230—Chile (Santiago).
235—El Salvador (Food).
260-299______ 257—Palestine (“prewar” = 100).
263—Brazil (Rio de Janeiro).
272—Iceland (Reykjavik).
278—Finland.
278—Pakistan (Lahore).
293—Egypt (Cairo).

800-399______ 306—Bolivia (La Paz).
333—Belgium.
349—France (Food. Paris).
350—Turkey (Istanbul).
393—Burma (Rangoon. September-December 1946).

400-999______ 509—Bulgaria (Dec. 1947).
567—Iraq (Baghdad. 1946).
607—Lebanon (Beirut).
643—Iran.
740—Philippines (Manila).

See footnc tes a t end of tab le


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272—El Salvador (Food).
275—India (Bombay. M ay).
279—Cuba (Food. January.)
281—Egypt (Cairo. M ay).
286—Czechoslovakia (Prague).
290—Spain.
292—Luxembourg
305—Paraguay (Asuncion. Feb­
ruary) .
312—Palestine (February, “pre­
war” =100).
313—Iceland (Reykjavik).
314—Mexico (Mexico City).
314—Pakistan (Lahore. M ay 1947)
336—Peru (Lima).
340—Turkey (Istanbul).
370—Burma (Rangoon).
374—Belgium.
378—Philippines (Manila).
USSR (Food).3
412—Chile (Santiago).
430—Bolivia (La Paz. December
1947).
455—Hungary (Budapest).

1945

June 1948

106—Austria (1944).
137—Canada.
137—United States.
140—Australia.
144—Venezuela (Caracas).
148—N ew Zealand.

150—Czechoslovakia.
156—Union of South Africa.
164—United Kingdom.
169—Sweden.
173—Netherlands.
174—Norway.
181—Denmark.
189—Ireland.
191—Costa Rica.
198—
Switzerland.
199—
Mexico.

164—Australia.
174—N ew Zealand.
179—Ireland (2d quarter).
179—Norway.
182—Union of South Africa.
185—Venezuela (Caracas).
188—Sweden.

201—Argentina (Buenos Aires).
203—E l Salvador.
207—Spain.
208—Peru (Lim a).
211—Chile.
214—Japan (Tokyo).

202—Canada.
210—Switzerland.
216—United Kingdom.
216—United States.
217—Denmark.

233—Portugal (Lisbon).
220—Yugoslavia (March).
242—Yugoslavia (November 1946). 230—Costa Rica (February).
243—
India.
234—Portugal (Lisbon).
253—Belgium.
259—
Mexico.
260—
Argentina (Buenos Aires).
266—Ecuador. (Quito. January- 267—N etherlands.
June 1939=100).
286—Czechoslovakia.

317—Hungary (1944).

300—Spain (April).

320—Palestine.

309—E l Salvador (March).

323—Egypt.
357—France.
366—Finland.

337—Egypt.
372—Peru (Lima).
373—Chile.
380—Palestine (February).

440—Turkey (Istanbul).
468—Iran (Teheran).
494—Iraq (Baghdad).

459—Austria (Vienna. 1938=100). 551—Bulgaria.
491—Lebanon (Beirut).
639—Iran.
669—Bulgaria (December 1947).
763—
Iraq (Baghdad. April).
764—
Finland.

402—India.
411—Ecuador (Quito. Jan.-June
1939=100).
413—Belgium.
452—Austria.
465—Turkey (Istanbul. Mar.).
511—Iran (Teheran).
548—Iraq (Baghdad).
562—Hungary.
795—Lebanon (Beirut. April.
June 1939=100).
810—Bulgaria (December 1947)
921—Finland.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

473

WORLD PRICES

T a ble 3. — Indexes of consumers’ and wholesale prices/ by country, 1945 and mid-1948 — Continued
[1939 = 100]
Consumers’ price index

Wholesale price index

Index range
1945

June 1948

1,000 and over. 2508—Indo-China (Saigon.

1947).

4575—Italy (!947. 1938=100).
8935—Poland (Warsaw. March
1939=100).
14522—China (Shanghai).
E st.—Greece (Athens. 1938=100).
Est.—Hungary (Budapest).

1945

1445—France (Paris.

Food).

1038—Lebanon (Beirut. June
1939=100).
1967—Italy.
74001—China.

3291—Indo-China (Saigon).
4835—Italy (1938=100).
6523—Japan (March).
16194—Poland.
(Warsaw. Dec.
1947. March 1939=100).
30505—Greece (Athens. 1938=100)
35949367—China (Shanghai).

June 1948
1610—France.
4912—Italy.
6479—Japan (Tokyo).
46357009—China.

1 For the limitations of the indexes on which these international comparisons are based, see footnote 2, p. 467.
3 According to a BLS estimate, the index is approximately 150.
3 According to a BLS estimate, the index is 300 to 350.
Sources: U. N . M onthly Bulletin of Statistics, International Financial Statistics, and official publications of the various governments.

In 1945, the year World War II ended, in ap­
proximately half of the countries studied, indexes
of consumers’ prices based on 1939 ranged from
120 to 190 and for wholesale prices from 140 to
230. Subsequently, in the countries of the British
Commonwealth and of Scandinavia which have
generally maintained control of prices and other
aspects of economic life, price increases ranged
T a b l e 4. — Distribution of countries, by level of consumers’

and wholesale price indexes, 1945 and mid-1948
Number of countries
Index of prices (1939=100) Consumers’ price index
1945

June 1948 1

Wholesale price index
1945

June 1948 1

100-149________________
150-199________________
200-249________________
250-299________________
300-399________________
400-999________________
1,000 and over ...................

14
16
9
5
5
5
6

5
13
7
8
11
9
7

6
11
9
2
5
4
3

0
7
8
4
6
11
4

T otal____________

60

60

40

40

1 Or latest available date.

from 2 or 3 percent in Norway, to 17 or 30 percent
in the United Kingdom, depending upon whether
the consumers’ or wholesale price index is used.
In the United States, on the other hand, the
consumers’ price index rose by 34 percent between
1945 and mid-1948 and the wholesale price index
by 57 percent. Except for certain Latin American
countries, postwar increases in prices greater than
those in the United States during this period were
generally confined to countries which were having
difficulty in maintaining economic stability (e. g.,


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Italy, and France, and to select an extreme
example, China).
Changes in Price Relationships

The world price structure bad also altered
radically by mid-1948. Some price relationships
changed in response to war and postwar shifts in
the world conditions of production and demand
which were discussed in the preceding section;
others changed in response to more localized
supply and demand conditions or as a result of
changes in the nature and degree of governmental
intervention in the production or distribution of
certain commodities.
Prices of Internationally Traded Goods. In most
countries, prices of raw materials increased more
than fabricated products (see table 5), and the
importance of raw materials in international
trade may partially explain the greater rise in
export and import prices than in general com­
modity prices (see table 6). This seems to be
attributable to large postwar demands by many
nations upon raw material supplies which only
recently reached or exceeded prewar levels.
These conditions favored exporters of raw
material and foods such as Australia and Den­
mark (i. e. by raising the prices of their exports
more than those of their imports), and hindered
exporters of industrial goods such as the United
Kingdom. Of course, this rough generalization
does not explain all the figures in table 6 ; in some
countries, such as Sweden, the selection of 1937 or

474

WORLD PRICES

some other base year would also change the
result.
T able 5.—Price indexes for goods in various stages of

fabrication, 10 countries, 1939-^8
[1939=100]
Pri 3e indexes )f—
Country

Date
(1)

Canada________________
Denmark__________ . . .
Finland___________ _
Ireland 2_______________
Italy 3______ . . . . ____
Mexico____________ . . .
Netherlands___________
Norway ______
. ...
United Kingdom_______
United States__________

June 1948 .
___do_________
M ay 1948
December 1947.
April 1948 .
June 1948.........
____d o ________
____do____
____d o ________
____d o ................ .

Semi­
Raw ma­ finished
terials 1 goods 1
(2)

(3)
2.'!2
244
981

209
5,173
288
305
%Î1
306
260

184
5,265
255

236
200

Finished
goods 1
(4)
183
201
791
180
5,261

MONTHLY LABOR

the period 1939^18. World production of cotton,
wool, silk, and rayon increased steadily in the
three postwar years, but in 1947-48 was still
more than 10 percent below 1934-38 output.
However, for cotton and wool, the position was
more favorable, owing to above-normal carry­
overs. Nevertheless, general inflation and the
extraordinary United States consumption con­
tributed to higher fiber prices. Mid-1948 prices
of raw cotton were 4 times, and raw wool nearly
double, those in mid-1939. Unsatisfied demands
resulting from diversion of available supplies for
military purposes and from reduced output of
T able 6.— Ex-port and import price indexes, by country
[1939 = 100]

270
157
192
198

Date
Country

1 Classifications of goods by stage of fabrication vary from country to
country. The figures for the categories used by each country have been
placed in the most appropriate of the three columns, (2) to (4).
2 December 1939=100.
» 1938=100.
Sources: Official publications of the various governments.

In columns (5) and (6) of table 6, the price
index numbers based on changes in prices ex­
pressed in local currencies have been adjusted in
proportion to the changes in the dollar exchange
rate so as to obtain index numbers that measure
price changes in terms of U. S. dollars.11 These
figures indicate that prices of goods entering
world trade have been somewhere between 2 to 3
times those in 1939.12
Changes in Commodity Groups. Another world­
wide change in price relationships is the increase
in textile prices relative to most other kinds of
commodities. Both the clothing components of
the consumers’ price indexes and the textile com­
ponents of the wholesale price indexes generally
increased more than the all-items index during
11 M ost foreign currencies have depreciated in terms of American dollars.
Greater domestic price increases in most countries than in the United States
would have exerted downward pressure on the (US) dollar value of their
currencies. In addition, world demand for American goods for postwar
reconstruction and development has had the same effect.
12 The U N Statistical Office has estimated the increase in unit dollar values
of world merchandise exports between 1938 and the first quarter of 1948 to be
129 percent. See Selected World Economic Indices, Department of
Economic Affairs, United Nations, July 1948 (p. 38).


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(1)

United
In local cur­ InStates
rency
All
dollars
whole­
sale
prices Ex­ Im ­ Ex­ Im ­
ports1 ports1 ports2 ports2
(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

Australia. ______ _
Bulgaria_____________
Chile________________
Costa Rica. _______
Czechoslovakia______
Denmark____________
Finland____________

M ay 1948
December 1947..
__
M ay 1948
February 1948...
June 1948-. .
. .do. ______
March 1948 ___

165
396
659
810
368
397
230
286
217
267
898 1,038

193
651
340
281
388
240
786

337
193

H ungary3 . . _______
N ew Zealand________
N orw ay____________
P e r u .... _________ Portugal_____ _______
Spain ______________
Sweden______ _ . _

June 1948 ____
March 1948____
M ay 1948. . . . .
June 1948 _____
M ay 1948 ____
April 1948 ____
June 1948______

556
170
178
372
232
300
188

850
205
296
326
281
305
246

719
191
303
389

245
186
257
268
280
255
285

207
173
263
319

Switzerland 3________
Turkey______________
Union of South Africa.
United Kingdom 3____
United States________
Venezuela___________

___do ________
December 1947..
M ay 1948 ____
June 1948-_____
____do_________
___do_________

219
430
174
219
216
185

250
434

258
372
190
290
234
200

253
196

261
168
174
239
234
190

252
212

327
228

393
273
373

208
212

164
191
337
278
226
246
282

273
265

1 Indexes in columns (3) and (4) are based on wholesale prices of export
and import goods or on export-type and import-type goods. T. he exceptions
are the figures for Hungary, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States,
which are indexes of unit value of export and import trade; the export figure
for N ew Zealand is also based on unit value.
2 Indexes in columns (5) and (6) adjusted by percent change in exchange
rate between local currencies and United States dollar. For multiple cur­
rency countries the rates used were: Official—Chile, Peru, Switzerland,
Spain, and Turkey; Controlled—Costa Rica and Venezuela; Free—Ecuador.
a 1938=100.
Sources: International Financial Statistics and publications of various
governments.

fibers and textiles during the war and postwar
periods were still exerting upward pressures on
prices 3 years after the war ended.
The changes in price relationships affecting farm
and food prices are less clear-cut. In almost
all countries the percent increase in food prices
at retail is greater than in the over-all consumers’
price index. Textiles and foods have thus led the
consumers’ price rise; the less sensitive living

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

475

WORLD PRICES

costs such as rent, light, and transportation—
often restrained by government controls—have
increased relatively little. At wholesale, between
1939 and mid-1948, farm products in many but
not all countries increased by a larger percentage
than the average of all items included in the
wholesale price index. However, the inclusion
of certain raw materials in farm products and
payment of government subsidies kept the rise in
food prices below that in farm prices. In few
countries outside of the United States and Canada
have foods risen more than the average of all
wholesale prices.
Aside from the changed position of raw mate-

rials, farm products, foods, and textiles, there
have been few world-wide changes in price
relationships. Lum ber and wood products—and
very often paper products—have increased in
value relative to other commodities in m any bu t
not in all countries. For the m ost part, price
changes in other groups of commodities have
varied from country to country.
Chemicals
indexes, for example, increased more than the
general wholesale price indexes in Sweden, Norway,
Netherlands, and Finland, bu t less than the
general wholesale price indexes in the United
States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia,
Switzerland, and France.

T a ble 7. — Wholesale price indexes, United States and United Kingdom, 1989 to 1948
[June 1939=100]
FOODS

IN D U S T R IA L A N D M A N U F A C T U R IN G M A TE R IA L S
United
States

United
Kingdom

B a c o n ._________ ________
B e e f . . _______ ______ . .
Cocoa_________
_______
Eggs___ ___
. ______
Flour
___- - - - Sugar
W heat_____________________

330
341
967
226
142
168
288

181
123
1,087
' 228
174
167
230

Total food_____ ______

268

• 200

United
States
Aluminum ingots__________
Cement __
___________
Coal______________________
Cotton yarn. _ . . . . . . __
Hides_________________ ___
Lead
Nitric acid_______________
Patrolfin m
Pig iron___________________

76
141
185
379
274
365
100
2fi6
190

United
Kingdom
88
144
261
287
398
574
119
267
185

United
States
Rubber (natural)
Soda bicarbonate
Steel rails
Tin
Wool tops
Total

United
Kingdom

138
111
151
211
235

171
100
175
250
472

2 187

241

1 Food and tobacco.
2 All commodities other than farm products and foods.
Sources: U . S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; United Kingdom Board of Trade Journal, various issues.

Local economic conditions have caused many
changes in price relationships in each country. In
Great Britain, for example, the smallest increase
for any subgroup in the wholesale price index was
for the Government subsidized meat, fish, and eggs
category; between 1939 and June 1948 (1939=100),
this group increased only by 56 points compared
with a 116-point increase in the general index.
Changes in Individual Commodity Prices. In
generalizing on changes in the prices of groups
of goods, wide variations are concealed in price
relationships among individual items. An illus­
tration of the spread in commodity price changes
as compared with changes in price index numbers
for commodity groups is provided on a compar­
ative basis for the United States and the United
Kingdom in table 7.
For example, the price index for industrial and
m anufacturing m aterials in the United Kingdom

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was 241 in June 1948 (June 1939=100) but price
indexes for individual commodities in this group
varied from 88 for aluminum ingots to 574 for
lead. A similar, though somewhat smaller, price
dispersion is shown for the same group of com­
modities in the United States. In contrast, the
dispersion of price changes in the food group tends
to be smaller for the United Kingdom than for the
United States, owing no doubt, to the maintenance
of price controls and subsidies in the former
country.
Indeed, these differences in price changes re­
flect a complicated set of circumstances. They
include not only price controls and subsidies, but
also the relative dependence of each nation on
foreign and domestic sources of supply; the rela­
tive purchasing power of the two currencies in
foreign markets; governmental policies with re­
spect to tariff, etc.; and a host of other market
and institutional factors.

ITO: Employment
and Economic
Development
P hilip A rnow 1

of world productive employment
and improvement of living standards are declared
objectives of the Charter for an International
Trade Organization, signed at Havana on March
24, 1948, by 54 nations, and scheduled to be sub­
mitted to the Congress of the United States for
ratification in 1949. The Havana Charter is
now being considered by the public and by the
legislative bodies of many of the signatory nations.
This article summarizes its employment and eco­
nomic development provisions.2
An international trade organization—together
with such other bodies as the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter­
national Monetary Fund, and the Food and
Agriculture Organization—was planned as an
inter-governmental agency during the war, when a
pattern was being developed for postwar economic
collaboration among Governments and for imple­
mentation of the United Nations Charter in the
economic sphere. Experts from virtually all
Departments of the United States Government,
including the Department of Labor, participated
in the drafting of plans which were finally issued
in November 1945 as the United States Govern­
ment’s “Proposals for Expansion of World Trade
and Employment.” The Charter which emerged
2 y2 years later was the product of three inter­
national sessions resulting from a resolution of the
Economic and Social Council of the United
Nations on February 18, 1946. The first and
M a in ten a n c e

i Of the Bureau’s Division of Wage Analysis.
* Copies of the Charter are available from the Superintendent of Docu­
ments, as Department of State Publication 3206.

476

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second sessions, involving a 17-nation Preparatory
Committee, were held in London during October
and November 1946, and in Geneva from April to
October 1947. The document was completed at
the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Employment, which met in Havana from Novem­
ber 21, 1947, to March 24, 1948. A total of 56
nations were represented at this full-scale confer­
ence; delegates from all countries except Argen­
tina and Poland signed the Conference’s Final
Act. No delegate from the U. S. S. R. was present
either at the final conference or at the meetings of
the Preparatory Committee, although the Soviet
Union had been named a member of the Prepara­
tory Committee and had been invited to attend
the Havana Conference together with all other
members of the United Nations.
The ITO Charter will become effective upon
ratification by 27 or more signatory nations within
1 year of the Havana Conference, or upon ratifi­
cation by 20 or more nations thereafter. An
Interim Commission, established by resolution of
the Havana Conference, is to make studies of pro­
cedural matters to be presented to the conference
of the new organization, when established.
Manyfold in purpose, the Charter recognizes
certain economic principles and contains general
objectives regarding economic policies of different
kinds, a series of commitments concerning govern­
mental measures affecting international trade, and
the machinery for an International Trade Organi­
zation. The principles deal with the inter­
relationships of production, employment, economic
development, and world trade. The specific com­
mitments are varied. Chapter II of the Charter
deals with the subject of maintaining high levels
of employment; chapter III, with the availability
of foreign capital and resources for use in the
development of under- and un-developed countries,
the protection of foreign investment, and the
kinds of protective devices that a government can
use for economic development. Chapter IV, the
basic commercial policy chapter of the Charter,
deals with obligations respecting most-favorednation tariff treatment, the negotiation of tariff
reduction and preference elimination, the use of
quotas and subsidies, the conduct of state-trading
enterprises, and technical matters of trade regula­
tion. Chapter V concerns restrictive business
practices affecting international trade; chapter
VI, the principles and procedures for the estab-

EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS OF ITO CHARTER

lishm ent of intergovernmental commodity agree­
ments. The International Trade Organization
itself, consisting of a conference scheduled to meet
annually, an 18-nation executive board, special
commissions, and a secretariat, is the subject of
chapter V II. The organization’s functions are
the promotion of the general objectives of the
C harter and the adm inistration of its specific provi­
sions, including the handling of disputes between
member nations, which arise under the Charter
(chapter V III). The C harter’s final chapter (IX ),
deals with the im portant question of relations
with non-member nations and with such other
m atters as entry into force, general exceptions,
amendments, and withdrawals.
Basic Economic Concepts

The economic thinking behind the Charter’s
employment and economic activity chapter (II)
and economic development chapter (III) may be
summarized briefly as follows:
Maintenance and growth of international trade,
and the realization of the benefits to be derived
from trade, depend upon maintenance and devel­
opment of production, employment, and demand
for goods and services throughout the world.
The full growth of trade-supporting demand de­
pends upon the domestic policies of the countries
of the world being specifically or generally directed
to this end, and upon the development of the
potentialities and resources of the underdeveloped
and underindustrialized portions of the world.
The maintenance of fair labor standards is an
important adjunct to this program. Widespread
economic development, leading to increased pro­
ductivity of both industry and agriculture, depends
upon the availability of economic resources, in­
cluding funds for international investment, equip­
ment, technology, and trained personnel from the
industrialized countries which are in a position to
supply them.
Conversely, it is recognized that the failure of
one country to maintain domestic employment
and demand may contribute to serious economic
difficulties in other countries and thus, to the con­
traction of international trade and the shrinking of
its benefits. Unreasonable barriers to the inter­
national movement of productive facilities needed
for developmental purposes will prevent expansion
of production and demand and will perpetuate
low standards of living in many parts of the world.

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477

The Employment Chapter

In the chapter on, employment and economic
activity, these concepts have, for the most part,
been incorporated into the Charter in terms of the
recognition of principles and objectives toward
which the members of the projected Organization
will strive in formulating their domestic programs.
The delegates who drafted the Charter text fully
realized the great divergences of opinion that
exist among nations and that may exist within a
single nation concerning the proper selection of
domestic policies and measures. They sought,
therefore, to preserve complete freedom for a
variety of domestic approaches to the designated
ends. Each country involved is the sole judge of
the means to be used. During the international
meetings which led up to the Charter, however,
many countries held the document’s employment
provisions to be at least as important as the trade
provisions, and fundamental to successful opera­
tion of the trade provisions. This view was
emphasized particularly by Australia, Bolivia,
Cuba, France, Mexico, New Zealand, ^Norway,
Turkey, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom.
A much-contested issue was the degree of responsi­
bility that the nations would undertake for the
actual achievement of high employment levels
in their own economies.
The Charter as finally drafted reflected many
compromises. A clear distinction is made in its
language, however, with respect to the economic
principles to which the members will give general
recognition, to the actions which they undertake
to perform on their own responsibility, to the
obligations which they undertake to perform in
consultation with other members or in conjunc­
tion with the international organization, and to
the situations in which the international agency
itself is given a specific function to perform.
Determination of members’ economic policies is
left to their own best judgment.
The basic idea that the nations of the world
have a common interest in the avoidance of unem­
ployment aud underemployment is set forth in
article 2 as a recognition of principle. This is
followed by a statement that action in this field
“must depend primarily on domestic measures,”
but that such measures should be supplemented
by concerted intergovernmental action through
whatever bodies of the United Nations might

478

EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS OF ITO CHARTER

appropriately be involved, all acting under the
general sponsorship of the Economic and Social
Council, and each acting within its established
sphere of activity.
Members of the ITO assume a positive obliga­
tion in article 3 with respect to the achievement
and maintenance of “full and productive employ­
ment and large and steadily growing demand,”
in language generally similar to that of the United
States Employment Act of 1946. The measures
which the member takes shall be “appropriate
to its political, economic, and social institutions.”
The language of the Charter further recognizes
that fulfilment of these objectives may well be
beyond the scope of action by individual govern­
ments and that entirely well-intentioned measures
may therefore fall short of their goal. The mem­
ber’s responsibility under the Charter is not, there­
fore, the guaranteed achievement of a state of full
and productive employment in its own economy
but is the taking of “action designed” to achieve
and maintain full and productive employment.
Action to achieve and maintain employment
and to achieve high levels of demand for goods is
supplemented by an undertaking to maintain fair
labor standards, under article 7. This obligation
is couched in terms of taking “whatever action
may be appropriate and feasible” to eliminate
unfair conditions of labor. A major objective
in this undertaking was the elimination of unfair
competition in international trade based on the
maintenance of unreasonably low labor standards.
In view of the prevalence of wide international
differences in productivity, and in view of the
primary responsibility of the International Labor
Organization in this field, no attempt was made to
establish any international minimum concept
respecting labor conditions. The phrase “unfair
labor conditions,” for example, was left without
definition, in full realization of the complexity of
wage relationships among nations and even within
a single country. Implementation of the provi­
sions of this article is a matter of domestic action.
ITO members who are also members of the Inter­
national Labor Organization undertake to work
through the ILO in achieving the article’s objec­
tives. The way is left open for possible appeal
to the ITO itself in the event that a country’s
failure to maintain fair labor standards can be
shown to nullify or impair another member’s
benefits under the Charter in the field of inter­

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MONTHLY LABOR

national trade. In the event of ITO consideration
of such an appeal, the ILO is to be consulted.
To reinforce the agreed-upon principle that do­
mestic measures relating to employment, produc­
tion, and demand should be developed in relation
to economic conditions in the rest of the world,
the Charter also attempts to insure that measures
taken to achieve full and productive domestic
employment shall be of the kind which increase
employment by means of trade expansion rather
than by the building of uneconomic industry or an
attempt at economic self-sufficiency. Thus, arti­
cle 3 provides that measures taken to sustain em­
ployment, production, and demand shall be con­
sistent with the other objectives and provisions
of the Charter, which envisage a minimum and
diminishing number of trade restrictions. The
article provides further, in the same vein, that
members shall “ seek to avoid” measures which
would place other countries in difficult balanceof-payments situations. And article 5 provides
for the collection, exchange, and analysis of infor­
mation, under the auspices of the Economic and
Social Council of the United Nations, on related
matters: domestic employment problems, trends
and policies; national income, demand, and the
balance of payments; international aspects of
population and employment problems; means of
promoting employment and economic activity.
A serious economic problem tackled in the em­
ployment chapter is the question of action to be
taken when balance-of-payments difficulties arise
and reduce a nation’s ability to achieve full
employment without resort to discriminatory trade
regulation or trade restrictions. The focal point
of discussion here was the problem of persistent
surpluses of exports over imports, notably in the
case of the United States. Article 4 of the Charter
recognizes that in the complex international eco­
nomics of the modern world, balance-of-payments
difficulties arise because of a variety and often a
complexity of reasons. Cause or blame cannot
be attributed readily to the policies of any one
nation. Sound economic policy, nevertheless,
requires that all nations which may be involved
in the problem cooperate to solve it, and that
solutions be found favoring the expansion, rather
than the restriction, of international trade. Ac­
cordingly, when a persistent excess of exports over
imports in the trade of one member country is a
major factor in the difficulties of other members,

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS OF ITO CHARTER

and when the possibility thereupon arises tbat the
other members will have to restrict trade with
specific countries or in specific products to preserve
domestic employment, the member with the favor­
able balance of trade is to contribute to the work­
ing out of the common problem. Appropriate
action to extricate themselves from their own
difficulties must also be taken by the members
adversely affected. The kinds of measures to be
used are, of course, to be decided by each of the
Governments concerned. A more technical but
related problem involves the question of releasing
a country in balance-of-payments difficulties from
its other obligations under the commercial policy
provisions of the Charter. This aspect of the
matter is dealt with in the Charter’s commercial
policy chapter (IV), in which standards and pro­
cedures are established for release from obligations
and for ITO review.
Beyond the problem of balance-of-payments
difficulties that might occur in a period of world
prosperity lay the specter of spreading world
depression. The broad problem here was the
question, what steps could be taken, what excep­
tions were to be allowed from the Charter’s trade
provisions, in the event of a general decline in
business activity, purchasing power, and the effec­
tive demand for goods and services. Here again
a major concern of many foreign delegates was
the situation in the United States, and the possible
international repercussions of a United States
depression upon the world economy.
In the Charter as finally drafted, no provision
was made for automatic waiver of basic fair-trade
rules in the event of serious economic depression.
Provision was made, however (in art. 5), for con­
sultation, initiated by the ITO, with a view to
the taking of “ appropriate measures against the
international spread of a decline in employment,
production, or demand.” It was further provided
(art. 6) that the ITO, in the general exercise of its
functions, should “ have regard” to the “ needs of
Members” to safeguard their economies against
“ inflationary or deflationary pressure from abroad”
by taking action within the other provisions of the
Charter. In other words, the occurrence of a
business depression in one country, despite every
intention of avoiding it and despite every intention
of avoiding its spread, might seriously affect that
country’s purchases from other countries.
This could make it appear to be necessary for

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479

countries adversely affected, in defense of their
own employment levels, to resort to trade restric­
tions ordinarily forbidden by the Charter’s com­
mercial policy provisions. In such cases, the
institution and maintenance of restrictions (a) re­
quires compliance with the detailed provisions of
the chapter on commercial policy (IV), which pro­
vides certain standards and review by ITO; (b)
involves the basic approach and consideration of
the factors mentioned in article 6 ; and (c) involves
the dispute-settling procedures of chapter VIII.
The steps envisaged under chapter VIII, in the
event that a member considers any of its Charter
benefits to be nullified or impaired, are consulta­
tion among the countries involved and, failing
settlement, reference to the ITO’s Executive
Board and Conference. These bodies, if they find
that a country’s benefits under any specific article
of the Charter have been nullified or impaired,
have the authority to make recommendations to
Governments, to request compliance with specific
provisions of the Charter, to permit the imposition
of trade restrictions (through the suspension of
obligations or the withdrawal of negotiated trade
concessions) when they appear to be necessary in
the economic situation of a particular country, and
to permit compensatory withdrawals of commit­
ments and trade concessions.
The basic emphasis in chapter II, however, is
on the positive steps that are to be taken to prevent
the occurrence and spread of business depression.
First, the governments agree to take action in this
direction by their own direct measures supple­
mented by consultations under the auspices of the
United Nations. Second, they agree that, if a
depression does come, their actions will be of a
kind that minimizes restrictions on trade and that
such restrictions, when imposed, shall be subject
to discussion and consultation in an international
forum. The effectiveness of many of the provi­
sions concerning employment is less dependent
upon the Organization machinery than in the
case of the Charter provisions respecting com­
mercial practices, economic development, com­
modity agreements, and cartels. Effectiveness of
the employment chapter rests largely upon the
undertakings of the members who have obligated
themselves to the ends already described. If these
ends can be realized, it is hoped that the stage
will be set for easier operation of the remaining
Charter provisions.

480

EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS OF ITO CHARTER

The Economic Development Chapter

Whereas the chapter on employment and eco­
nomic activity emphasizes chiefly the attainment
and maintenance of full and productive employ­
ment, the chapter on economic development looks
to another major source of the future expansion of
world trade through raising productivity levels
and realizing the potential capacity of relatively
undeveloped areas. The detailed provisions of
the chapter are designed to facilitate the basic
pledge of the members in its introductory article
(8) to develop progressively their own economic
and industrial resources and to raise general levels
of productivity in both industry and agriculture.
This will result in increased demand for goods and
higher consumption levels. Increased diversifica­
tion of industrial activity within a developing
country may help to increase domestic ability to
withstand a decline in foreign markets. An in­
creased level of economic activity will add special­
ized, low-cost productive resources and demand
for the products of other countries to the channels
of international trade.
No particular type of development is envisaged.
Presumably, since this is a matter of domestic
concern, development in some countries may con­
centrate on industrialization, in others on ex­
ploitation of mineral resources, and in others on
the achievement of higher productivity in agricul­
ture. In some countries, development may take
the form of sizable proj ects in the field of transport
or power; in others, already more highly developed,
continuing technological progress may be less
spectacular.
While the responsibility for economic develop­
ment is essentially a domestic one, it is of the sort
which necessarily places heavy reliance upon the
capital, technical, and industrial resources of the
capital-exporting countries. The ITO itself is
given essentially a coordinating role with respect
to the problems of development. Members in
need of technical advice or financial assistance
may come to the Organization for aid, and the
Organization will help them find such assistance.
This may, for example, involve the temporary
services of private technical experts from several
nations, paid for by the country receiving the
service, or the collaboration of another specialized
intergovernmental organization, such as the


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MONTHLY LABOR

International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development.
Foreign investment is one of the important
means by which development will be assisted.
The Charter, in article 11, obligates members
possessing capital resources to impose no unreason­
able impediments to their flow, on equitable terms,
to countries needing them for economic develop­
ment. It is recognized in article 12 that countries
supplying investment funds and developmental
resources, and countries receiving them, have
mutual obligations. The supplying countries
agree not to create unreasonable barriers to the
obtaining of facilities within their borders. The
capital-receiving countries agree on their part to
treat foreign investment on an equitable basis.
The right of each country to insure that foreign
investment is not used as a basis for interference
in internal affairs or national policies is specifically
recognized. The chapter permits nationalization
of foreign-owned enterprise, provided that just
treatment is given to the former owners. Mem­
bers are obligated, however, to consult and
negotiate respecting opportunities and security
for investment of foreign capital. The chapter
also envisages the eventual formulation of a code
of fair practices concerning the conduct and treat­
ment of foreign investment. Such a code would
probably include labor provisions.
Protection for infant industry is an important
part of the problem of economic development.
The commercial policy section of the Charter
(chapter IV) permits the use of both tariffs and
subsidies for economic development. Use of other
protective measures, however, and particularly
the use of quantitative trade restrictions or import
quotas and discriminatory internal taxes, is se­
verely limited. Use of protection may, of course,
be appropriate if required for sound economic
development. Even in such cases, the need to
go beyond the use of tariffs and subsidies to the
employment of quantitative restrictions is limited
to special situations. The Charter’s provisions are
based on the principle that quantitative restric­
tions, once established, may be relatively more
difficult to remove than other measures used for the
same purpose. Their establishment not only cre­
ates protection for the domestic industry but
fosters vested interests in specific directions of

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS OF ITO CHARTER

trade. And not of minor importance is the fact
that it is frequently impossible to distinguish
protection for economic development from protec­
tion for other purposes.
Accordingly, the Charter reserves the use of
quantitative restrictions, even for the purpose of
economic development, to those cases in which the
nature of the development problems makes the use
of other devices inappropriate or ineffective. The
basic rule, set forth in article 13, is that a member
must obtain the prior approval of the Organization
for such use.
This does not mean, however, that the Organiza­
tion is given the power to review or veto the eco­
nomic development plans of its members. Deter­
mination of the nature and scope of the industries
to be developed is exclusively the prerogative of
the member country involved. The role of the
Organization is limited to the determination of the
one question: Is it necessary for the member to
use methods of protection otherwise prohibited
by the Charter, rather than the methods which the
Charter allows, to accomplish its purpose of
development?
The requirement of prior approval for the use
of quantitative restrictions in economic develop­
ment was one of the most thoroughly debated por­
tions of the Charter. On this question, and on
many other related provisions of the Charter, the
nations at the Havana Conference, and at the
London and Geneva Conferences which preceded
it, were sharply divided into two major groups—
the so-called industrialized countries and the
underdeveloped countries. The latter group
contended strongly for freedom to impose re­
strictions subject to a provision allowing the ITO
subsequently to examine the measures and to
order their discontinuance. The procedures and
standards finally agreed upon were designed to
provide a fair balance between the possible need
of an underdeveloped country to employ tem­
porary restrictive devices for developmental pur­
poses and the broader interests of the world in
preserving a trading community free from avoid­
able restrictions.
In recognition of the special problems of the
underdeveloped country, a series of standards is
provided, which, if met by the member seeking to
impose quantitative restrictions, would require
automatic approval, limited in time and extent,
of the member’s request. Procedurally, the

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481

underdeveloped country is given the additional
assurance of quick action by the Organization,
which is obligated to act within a definite period
of time. Moreover, if the development of an
industry is threatened because the prospect of
Organization approval of new restrictions results
in an unusual increase in imports of the products
concerned, the member involved is permitted tem­
porarily to adopt measures to deal with the
situation. However, if plans were made to
restrict imports of a commodity covered by a
specific trade agreement with another nation or a
group of nations, their consent to the imposition
of the quota would have to be obtained first. The
Organization may also give approval to the in­
stitution of a new preferential arrangement other­
wise prohibited by the Charter, if it is designed to
foster economic development.
Other Charter Provisions

The basic purpose of the Charter, as visualized
by its framers, is to permit the conduct of inter­
national trade on a reasonably orderly basis in a
world of relatively full and productive employ­
ment. The two parts of the Charter—the one
on employment and economic development and
the other on commercial policy, commodity agree­
ments, and cartels—are expected to complement
each other and to establish a long-range basis for
multilateral (rather than bilateral) and self-sus­
taining trade. The authors of the Charter have
generally emphasized its long-range effects rather
than its immediate influence in the postwar recon­
struction era.
Within the sphere of commercial policy, which
has been held by many in the United States to be
the area of the Charter’s most important provi­
sions, it is contemplated that certain practices,
notably the use of import quotas, and other
practices of a kind which have not been used by
the United States, would, by common agreement,
be substantially barred. The Charter’s provi­
sions also call for the elimination or reduction of
other restrictive trade practices, such as internal
taxes which discriminate against imported goods,
export subsidies, and discriminatory use of customs
procedures. The Charter provides that State­
trading monopolies would have to conduct their
business with individual traders of other nations
in a manner which allows substantial and open

482

EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS OF ITO CHARTER

competition in buying and selling, on a strictly
commercial and nonpolitical basis. It provides
also that the practices of international cartels
would be subject to the watchful supervision of an
international organization, and that intergovern­
mental agreements on specific commodities would
be inaugurated and administered in the joint in­
terest of both producer and consumer nations.
Tariff Negotiations

The Charter (article 17) also envisages negotia­
tions for the reduction of tariffs and the elimina­
tion of preferences. To a very considerable degree,
this objective has already been achieved, outside
the scope of the contemplated organization. Con­
currently with the meeting of the 17-nation Prep­
aratory Committee in Geneva in 1947, representa­
tives of these 17 nations, together with representa­
tives from 6 others, negotiated a major tariff
agreement. This agreement, known as the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the
major part of which took effect on January 1,
1948, covered about two-thirds of all world
trade, and was the first major multilateral agree­
ment on tariffs ever negotiated. United States
participation was carried on under the provisions
of the Trade Agreements Act. Further negotia­
tions, involving an extension of the multilateral
agreement to cover 11 additional countries,
are scheduled to take place in the spring of'
1949. Preparations for these negotiations, which
involve inter-departmental consideration within
the United States Government and will involve
extensive public hearings by an inter-departmental committee, are now under way.


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Public Discussion of the Charter

Thus far, there has not been extensive public
discussion of the Charter.3 A number of important
questions have been raised concerning it. It has
been argued that it may be too early in the postwar
reconstruction era to reach real international
agreement on trade policy; in reply to this argu­
ment, advocates of the Charter have said that
agreement at an early date is essential to develop­
ment of sound postwar trade and to prevent the
freezing and intensification of discriminatory prac­
tices. It has been argued that the specific “ escape
clauses" that are written into the trade provisions
of the document are too wide; in reply, it is said
that they are necessary to provide reasonable
flexibility. It has been argued that the employ­
ment provisions permit unwise criticism of domes­
tic actions in the field of employment policy by
the ITO itself or through the forum offered by the
International Trade Organization; it has been
stated in reply that the provisions are unmis­
takably clear in reserving full responsibility for
domestic action to the countries involved. The
economic development chapter has been held to
provide a specific commitment by the indus­
trialized countries of the world to aid the under­
developed countries; in reply, it is stated that the
chapter merely contains a recognition of principle
and of intention to cooperate with no commitment
regarding furnishing of resources.
3 A series of addresses containing various viewpoints on the Charter is
contained in America and the International Trade Organization, published
by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, June 15, 1948. See also
Havana Charter for an International Trade organization, Department of
State Publication 3206.

Department Store
Workers’ Wages
in 16 Cities
K ermit B . M ohn 1

W eekly ea r n in g s of w orkers in a group of
selected occupations in department and women’s
ready-to-wear stores varied considerably within
each of 16 cities for which studies were made in
April 1948.2 The variations among the nonselling
jobs reflected differences in degree of skill and
responsibility; among the selling jobs the varia­
tions resulted from the commission method of
wage payment, which in its application, provided
for higher earnings in some departments than in
others. Workers in supervisory and administra­
tive categories were not included in the studies.
Among women salespersons, those selling furni­
ture and bedding were the highest-paid group in
6 of the 9 cities for which data on this occupation
could be shown. These workers averaged $99.59
a week in Philadelphia, the highest earnings for
any women’s group among all cities. Sales­
women in women’s accessories, women’s dresses,
and women’s suits and coats departments usually
constituted the largest groups of women sales
1 Of the Bureau’s D ivision of Wage Analysis. The collection of data for
this study was directed by the Bureau’s regional wage analysts. More
detailed information w ill be available in a mimeographed report.
Surveys were made in 16 selected cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas,
Denver, N ew Orleans, N ew York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,
Portland (Oreg.), Providence, St. Paul, Seattle, Toledo, and Washington,
D . C. The scope of the surveys included department stores and women’s
ready-to-wear stores (corresponding to industries 5011 and 5121 of the Stand­
ard Industrial Classification Manual issued by the U. S. Bureau of the
Budget), employing more than 100 workers.
2 All earnings data exclude premium pay for overtime work and pertain to
regular full-time workers only; part-time workers and contingents were
excluded from the survey. Weekly earnings for straight-salary workers are
those that were in effect in April 1948. For commission workers, the com­
missions were averaged over a 12-month period wherever possible.


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personnel. The intercity range in saleswomens
average earnings in women’s accessories depart­
ments was from $46.94 to $31.66; in women’s
dresses, from $53.31 to $33.74; and in women’s
suits and coats, from $59.27 to $37.14.3 Within
each city the earnings in suits and coats depart­
ments were above those in women’s dresses, which,
in turn, were higher than those in women’s acces­
sories. In 7 cities, the weekly earnings of women
selling women’s suits and coats were above $50;
only 2 cities showed averages below $40. In
women’s dress departments, weekly earnings in 2
cities exceeded $50, in 8 fell between $40 and $50,
and in 6 others were below $40. In women’s
accessories, saleswomen received over $40 a week
in only 3 cities, and in all others averaged between
$30 and $40.
Women selling notions and trimmings were at
the bottom of the earnings ladder for sales person­
nel in 10 cities. The highest average earnings for
these workers was $38.32 and the lowest $26.71,
among the 16 cities. In a few cities, blouse and
neckwear saleswomen had the lowest earnings,
and, in a few others, some of the basement stores
had the lowest-paid saleswomen.
Among the women’s nonselling group of occupa­
tions (other than office workers) fitters of women’s
garments generally had the highest earnings,
with a range among the 16 cities from $56.25 in
New York to $33.78 in New Orleans. In all,
workers in 3 cities had average earnings above
$50 for this occupation, and in 6 others the aver­
age exceeded $40. Generally, two other occupa­
tions which accounted for relatively large num­
bers of workers—passenger elevator operators
and cashier-wrappers—were considerably lower in
the earnings scale. The city averages for pas­
senger elevator operators ranged from $39.59 in
Pittsburgh to $19.11 in Atlanta, and for cashierwrappers, from $36.27 in Oakland to $22.45 in
New Orleans.4 Average weekly earnings amounted
to at least $30 for both jobs in only 8 cities. In
those cities in which sufficient numbers of women
porters (cleaners) and stockmen were found to
warrant publication of their earnings, the levels
for these jobs were frequently at or near the
bottom of the wage structure.
s Unless otherwise stated, earnings of sales personnel refer to those in regular
or upstairs stores.
* Data could not be shown for cashier-wrappers in one city.

483

484

WAGES—DEPARTMENT STORE WORKERS

Among office workers, women general stenog­
raphers averaged $43.01 in the highest-pay city
for the occupation; the average in 4 other cities
was above $40, and the lowest figure was $31.72.
Comptometer-type calculating machine operators
had averages falling within the $30-$40 bracket
in the 15 cities for which data in this occupation
were shown.
Men selling major electrical appliances were
the highest-paid workers in 9 of the 16 cities,
those selling furniture and bedding were at the
top level in 5 others, and floor coverings and
men’s clothing salesmen, each led in one. Major
electrical-appliance salesmen averaged more than
$100 a week in 9 of the 16 cities; furniture and
bedding and floor coverings salesmen exceeded
this figure in 5 cities. The highest average for
appliance salesmen was $172.33, in New York, for
furniture and bedding salesmen, $147.57, also in
New York. Floor-coverings salesmen in Pitts­
burgh, averaging $117.85, led all others in that
classification. Men’s clothing salesmen, among
15 cities for which data were shown for this occu­
pation, had weekly earnings ranging from $119.20
to $58.64, with the averages in 3 cities exceeding
$100 and in 5 being between $80 and $100. Men’s
furnishings salesmen showed substantially lower
earnings; the highest city average was $64.66 and
average earnings in the other cities ranged down
to $33.35. Only 7 cities showed averages in
excess of $50 for this occupation.
Men porters (cleaners), constituting a relatively
large nonselling group in all cities, averaged
slightly more than $25 a week in 2 cities, between
$30 and $40 in 10 cities, and over $40 but less
than $45 in the other 4. Stockmen (selling sec­
tions), another numerically important group, had
average earnings of less than $40 in all except 2
cities (data not available for 1 other). Furniture
finishers averaged more than $40 a week in all
cities; in fact, the average exceeded $50 in 10 cities;
with 4 being above $60. Maintenance carpenters
(usually the highest-paid nonselling job studied)
in 3 cities had average weekly earnings exceeding
$80, in 7 others they averaged between $70 and
$80, and in the 4 others for which data could be
shown they averaged above $60 a week.
Average weekly earnings are shown in the table
on page 486 for a varying number of store (ex­


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR

cluding office) occupations, ranging from 27 in
Providence to 50 in New York and Philadelphia.
However, the subsequent analysis of intracity and
intercity variations in earnings is limited to 16
occupations 5for which averages could be shown in
each of the cities.
The majority of the 16 occupations showed
weekly average earnings of less than $50 in all
cities except Chicago. In 7 of the cities, averages
were below $40 for a majority of the occupations.
On the other hand, the averages for at least 3
occupations exceeded $70 in 14 cities.
The extent of range of the occupational averages
among the cities showed considerable variation.
Differences between the lowest- and highest-pay
cities amounted to between 40 and 70 percent in
9 of the 10 women’s occupations; in one other,
elevator operators, the highest-pay city exceeded
the lowest-pay by 107 percent. The intercity vari­
ations among the 6 men’s occupations were some­
what greater than those found among women’s
occupations. The minimum earnings differential
amounted to 70 percent for porters while the
maximum equaled 162 percent for major electrical
appliance salesmen.
The highest earnings levels among the 16 occu­
pations were recorded in Chicago in 4 jobs; in
New York, Oakland, and Pittsburgh, in 3 jobs
each; in Dallas, in 2 jobs; and in Denver, in 1 job.
Based on a ranking of all 16 jobs, Pittsburgh led
all other cities, with Chicago taking second place,
and New York, third. The remaining cities in
their order of ranking were Oakland, Dallas,
Philadelphia and Portland (which were tied for
sixth place), Denver, Seattle, Toledo, Washington,
St. Paul, Boston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Prov­
idence. A comparison of earnings in 33 store oc­
cupations in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and New York
produced the same results, insofar as ranking
among the top 3 cities was concerned. However,
the difference between Pittsburgh and Chicago was
very slight; for selling jobs only, the latter city had
the advantage.
* Included are the following women’s occupations: elevator operators;
fitters, women’s garments; and saleswomen in these departments— bed­
spreads, draperies, and blankets; blouses and neckwear; men’s furnishings;
notions; piece goods; women’s accessories; women’s dresses; and women’s
suits and coats. M en’s jobs included furniture finishers, porters, and
salesmen in floor coverings; furniture and bedding; major appliances; and
men’s furnishings.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

485

WAGES—DEPARTMENT STORE WORKERS

Average weekly earnings 1 of workers in department and women's ready-to-wear stores in selected cities, April 1948
A t­
lan­
ta

Sex and occupation

Bos­ Chi­ Dal­ D en­
ver
ton cago las

New
Or­
leans

Wash­
Tole­ ing­
Pitts­ Port­ Provi­ St.
New Oak­ Phila­
del­ burgh land, dence Paul Seattle do
ton,
York land phia
Oreg.
D . C.

Women—store
Cashier-wrappers_____ . . . . . . . ------------Elevator operators, passenger_____________
Fitters, women’s garments________ - _____
Packers hulk
Prirfers riay (cleaners)
FeCOiving clerks (checkers)
Sales clerks (regular or upstairs stores):
Bedspreads, draperies, blankets________
Blouses and neckwear_________________
F]oor mvp.ririgiS

$ 3 6 .0 6 $ 2 8 . 22 $3 0 .7 0

$ 2 7 .0 3

1 9 .1 1 $ 2 7 . 3 7
3 6 .2 0 3 7 .6 6
17. 52
2 8 .0 0

3 0 .6 1
4 2 .5 4
3 5 . 23
3 1 .1 6

$ 2 2 . 4 5 $3 5 . 4 2 $ 3 6 . 2 7

$ 2 8 .3 8 $ 3 5 .1 5 $ 3 2 .6 5

3 9 .5 9
4 8 . 71
5 1 .2 5

3 7 .5 9

3 9 .4 1
3 8 .9 6
3 0 .5 4
3 1 .6 9
3 0 .0 2
3 8 .3 7
3 3 .1 6
7 0 .6 1
9 9 .5 9
3 4 .6 8

4 3 .8 5
3 8 .4 2

4 2 .5 4
4 0 .8 4

4 1 .3 0

4 3 .4 1
4 0 .1 5
4 7 .7 5
4 4 .8 2
4 1 .1 1

7 3 .6 4
4 0 .3 8

7 1 .8 1
4 0 .0 9

3 7 .0 3
4 4 .6 6
3 7 .8 4

1 6 .8 5
2 5 .8 2

3 5 .3 4
5 6 .2 5
3 7 .2 7
3 6 .1 1
3 4 .1 3

3 7 .2 8
3 2 .9 4

4 2 .8 1
3 6 .2 3

3 0 .9 5

2 0 .7 9
3 3 .7 8

3 4 .9 1
3 5 .4 0
3 5 . 42

$ 3 2 .9 3 $3 1 .8 8

$3 0 .4 7

3 5 .5 0
4 3 .8 8
3 9 .2 9
3 6 .1 4
3 4 .2 1

3 3 .4 0
4 0 .5 0

2 8 .3 3
4 1 .2 1

4 0 .8 8
3 4 .1 7

3 6 .9 5
3 2 .7 8

3 4 .8 1

3 7 . 55
3 4 . 77
6 7 .8 3
6 4 .4 0
3 5 .0 8

3 7 .2 7

7 3 .9 5
3 4 .8 0

3 5 .4 9
3 2 .8 5

3 7 .1 9
3 4 .6 3

3 9 .8 4
3 3 .1 6
3 5 .9 3

$ 2 8 .3 3 $ 2 8 .6 0

2 7 .8 7
3 6 .5 4

2 7 .6 8
3 6 .0 9

2 8 .7 7
3 1 .6 2

3 9 .0 2
3 2 .7 7
2 9 .7 0
3 7 .9 6

3 9 .6 1
3 1 .9 9

2 6 . 41

4 3 .7 7
5 0 .6 3

4 1 .8 9
4 5 .5 6

3 3 .9 7

7 5 . 78
4 2 .3 4

9 8 .8 8
3 6 .2 1

3 6 .6 6
3 7 .0 7
77 . 73
4 6 .0 0
3 9 .1 5

3 1 .1 8
2 6 .7 1

3 1 .4 4
2 9 . 57

4 1 .9 0
3 7 .3 3

4 5 .7 7
3 2 .0 1

4 0 . 53
4 7 .5 9
3 3 .8 8

3 1 .1 8
2 6 .7 3

3 8 .8 9
3 7 .1 7

4 1 .8 8
3 8 .3 2

3 7 .6 4
3 2 .6 6

4 2 .0 5
3 6 .9 6

4 1 .7 3
3 3 .6 8

3 2 .0 6
2 8 .8 6

3 6 .9 2
2 9 .3 3

2 9 .3 8

3 1 .5 5

4 7 .8 0

4 0 .8 3

3 8 .2 9

3 2 .9 9

4 7 .6 4

4 2 .4 4

3 8 .5 3

4 1 .5 5

3 9 .7 9

3 0 .6 7

3 5 . 38

3 8 . 71

3 7 .3 1

4 0 .5 3

3 7 .2 3

3 8 . 49

3 3 .3 3
3 7 .3 6

3 4 .4 8
3 4 .5 2
4 3 .3 7
4 6 .2 7

3 6 .8 7
3 6 .9 4
4 8 .0 9
4 9 .5 8

3 2 .0 4
3 0 . 42
4 9 .5 3

Housewares
_
______________
Major appliances (refrigerators, stoves,

3 0 .4 1

M en’s furnishings____________________
Notions, trimmings___________________
Piece goods (yard goods, upholstery
fabrics)----------- -------- ----------------------Silverware and jewelry (excluding cos-

F u r n itu r e an d b e d d in g

tniTift jp.welrv)

2 5 .9 0
5 3 .2 2
21 . 48
2 7 .8 0

3 1 .5 4

3 0 .1 2
3 0 . 57

3 4 . 21

W omen’s accessories (hosiery, gloves,
handbags)___
________________ -W omen’s dresses___________________ -Women’s s h o e s _____ _______________
W omen’s suits and coats--------------------Sales clerks (basement stores):

3 4 .5 8
5 2 .0 8
3 4 . 79

3 2 .3 7
4 2 .2 9
3 5 .9 6
4 3 . 72

3 1 .7 3
3 3 .7 4
4 0 .3 2

5 1 .0 5

5 3 .1 0

5 0 .9 6

3 4 .0 5

5 1 .7 9

3 9 .6 1

3 9 .3 3

4 0 .7 6

4 1 . 60

4 1 .0 7
5 3 .3 1
6 2 .8 7
5 6 .3 0

4 6 .9 4
5 1 .8 1
5 4 .2 2
5 9 . 27

3 8 .4 2
4 0 .3 6
4 7 .1 5
4 7 .9 6

3 2 .5 1
4 1 .9 5
4 3 .4 0
4 4 .3 9

3 8 . 73
4 6 .4 1
5 6 .1 9
5 0 .0 9

4 0 .7 5
4 5 .6 0
5 2 . 58
5 1 .9 3

3 4 .6 6
4 3 .1 4
5 0 .3 8
5 1 .6 2

3 9 .0 2
4 1 .4 2
5 2 .2 3
5 7 .9 6

3 8 .9 1
4 1 .0 2
4 6 .6 8
5 0 .1 1

4 0 .9 6

3 3 .7 4
3 7 .3 7
4 8 .3 5
3 8 .6 4

4 2 .2 3

4 5 .3 5

3 3 .0 6

3 1 .6 6
3 4 .3 5
3 7 .1 9
3 7 .1 4

3 7 .5 7

3 6 .9 4
3 6 .1 1
M

p t i’s

fu r n is h in g s

3 9 .0 2

4 0 .1 3

4 2 .9 1

3 6 .4 7

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

3 6 .6 1
3 6 .9 4

Piece goods (yard goods, upholstery
3 4 .3 4

3 5 .0 2

W omen’s accessories (hosiery, gloves,
52 88
6 1 .1 5
49 48
3 3 .1 1

3 3 .1 8

Stockmen, selling sections_________________
Tailors, alterations, women’s garments_____

3 3 .2 1
3 6 .1 1
43 32
3 1 .1 6
44 60
3 1 .3 8

3 5 .3 0

3 8 .7 8

2 7 .5 5
31 76
3 1 .5 0

( 2)

4 0 .0 5

3 4 .6 5

1 9 ! 16
2 7 .5 6

2 8 . 70

2 0 .1 5

3 6 .7 3
4 1 .2 1
4 4 .9 3
4 8 .3 1
2 6 .6 4

3 8 .6 9
3 8 .9 0
5 1 .2 1
4 5 . 24
3 2 .9 4

3 3 .1 8

2 9 .1 6

5 0 .3 2

3 5 . 75

2 9 .6 8

3 8 .2 3

3 6 .1 9

3 3 .4 5

3 2 .1 8
5 6 .5 0
3 7 .4 9

3 6 .8 3

2 5 . 21

4 0 .3 2

3 9 .9 3

3 5 .7 8

3 1 .7 1
3 2 .1 0

3 6 .3 8

3 9 .3 6
4 0 .0 0

4 1 .2 3

3 4 .7 6

3 3 .4 5

3 1 .7 7

3 9 .5 3

3 9 .4 3

3 2 .7 1

3 2 .6 1

3 7 . 47

3 2 .7 6

3 9 . 29
4 2 .8 8
4 1 .2 7
3 8 .5 7

4 0 . 81
4 1 .5 6
4 1 .5 8
3 9 .2 3

35 . 40
3 3 .4 3
3 2 .4 2

4 2 .2 7
3 7 .7 0
3 8 .2 4

4 0 .0 0
3 9 .6 5
3 7 .9 5

3 9 .8 2
3 1 .7 2
3 1 .0 2

6 9 .3 3
4 0 .4 6
5 6 .3 8
7 1 .6 7
7 6 .4 9
4 1 .1 4
3 9 . 22
3 8 .4 8

8 0 . 58

8 1 .2 4
3 9 .8 1
4 9 .2 9
6 0 . 95

8 3 .8 1
4 3 .1 7
6 6 .6 4
6 3 .1 5

7 6 .6 1
7 0 .1 0
7 4 .4 1

5 9 .0 0

5 7 .1 7
5 4 .4 2

3 6 .4 3
3 8 . 21
3 7 .2 7

5 1 .1 6
4 0 .6 3
5 0 .8 7

4 7 . 72
3 8 .9 1
4 9 . 76

3 2 .9 4
3 4 .3 4
3 6 .1 0

3 8 . 70
3 2 .8 9
4 0 .7 3

1 1 4 . 7 2 1 1 7 .8 5
1 2 2 : 9 4 1 2 2 . 55
4 1 .8 7

8 7 .9 6
8 8 .0 3

6 9 . 2 1 1 0 0 .3 7
7 1 .7 0 8 7 .6 2

8 2 .7 1
8 4 .9 7
45. 0C

8 4 .6 4
9 3 .8 4

8 7 .4 7
1 0 5 .4 6
5 0 . 72

1 0 4 .3 7 1 2 8 .7 9 1 0 4 .0 4
6 1 .7 7
1 0 5 . 5 ( 1 1 9 .2 1
5 6 .1 8 5 0 .5 7 4 6 .5 5

6 5 . 6 7 1 0 0 .8 4
5 8 .6 4
3 3 . 3 5 4 1 .9 5

1 0 6 .6 8
7 9 .1 9
4 8 .3 3

9 1 .3 9
7 9 .6 3
4 3 .0 8

9 4 .5 7
8 5 .6 3
5 8 .7 9

5 2 .2 6

5 4 .1 1

3 4 .3 1
42. 6£

4 1 .9 8
4 5 .4 7
6 4 . 5C

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

Women—office
"Rillp.rs ( h illin g m a c h in e )
F ille r s ( b o o k k e e p in g m a c h in e )

Calculating-machine operators (Comptometer-type)------ ------------------ --------Calculating-machine operators (other than
Clerks, pay roll
.
___________________
Stenographers, general __________________
Switchboard operators _________________

(2)
3 4 .6 5

3 7 . 74
4 1 .4 7
2 9 .7 6

(3)
(2)
(2)

3 9 .8 8

3 4 . 41

(3)

3 9 . 86
4 3 .0 1
3 7 .4 0

3 8 .1 5
3 8 .1 1
3 1 .4 6

3 8 . 55
3 6 .1 4
3 5 .3 3

3 4 .3 8
3 5 .0 8
2 9 .4 8

6 5 .7 2

7 4 .7 6
5 3 .7 6
6 9 .3 1

7 3 .9 1
3 0 80
4 6 .1 4

7 7 . 29
2 9 . 26
5 7 .4 3
6 3 .1 4

6 8 .2 5

4 8 .8 9
5 4 03
6 2 .2 0
3 5 .2 3
3 4 .3 0
3 3 .6 1

3 8 .6 9
3 8 .7 4
3 9 .9 0

3 1 .3 5
3 0 .2 4
3 4 .6 2

3 6 .6 2
3 3 .3 4
4 2 .3 6

3 0 . 47
2 5 .4 4
3 2 . 21

58 80
7 6 .9 9
9 9 .3 9
3 3 21

8 9 .9 6 9 8 ! 46
9 0 . 6 9 1 0 5 . 67
5 3 . 01

8 6 ! 38
8 4 .8 6

5? Of S 3
6 6 .3 4 1 1 0 .
8 3 .8 5 14 7 .
45.

9 6 . 1 5 1 1 4 .1 8 1 0 9 .3 0
8 1 . 3 7 9 2 . 1 0 9 4 . 5 -!
3 6 .8 0 6 4 .6 6 6 3 .8 1

9 4 .4 0
9 5 .0 9
5 8 .4 5

9 9 . 0 5 1 7 2 .3 3
6 3 .0 1 1 0 0 .1 1
4 2 .4 3 5 0 .4 5

9 3 .5 9
61. li
4 9 .8 2

60. li
7 0 .1 8

5 8 .2 2

4 8 .1 3

8 8 .6 7

4 7 .9 2
6 3 .9 7

6 0 .1 2

6 3 .6 5

66.66

___

82. 0 ]
1 0 5 .1 4
9 5 .6 0
4 1 .0 6
3 0 . 7C
4 0 .1 5
5 2 .5 3
5 3 .5

3 9 . 7C
5 0 . 74
5 8 . 3{
5 7 .9 5

( 3)

3 8 .6 5

3 7 .1 7
3 6 .0 6

3 6 .0 4

3 4 .6 3

3 6 .8 0

3 6 .7 4

3 9 .3 8

3 7 .8 1
3 7 .2 1
3 0 .8 8

4 0 .6 6
3 8 .4 6
3 6 .9 4

3 8 .9 4
3 8 .6 7
3 5 .0 9

3 7 .1 7
4 1 .6 4
3 6 .9 5

7 3 .2 8

7 9 .9 6
3 8 . 8C
6 3 .1 9

6 1 .6 2

7 0 .0 0

5 4 .7 8

4 7 .6 3
6 6 .7 3

3 8 .2 6

M en—store
O

ft.rpen ters m ain ten an pp

Finishers, furniture

______ __

______

P a c k e r s h u lk

Porters, day (cleaners) _ __________________
Receiving clerks (checkers)_______________
Sales clerks (regular or upstairs stores):

4 2 .1 9

2 8 . 45
2 5 .5 4
3 4 .2 2

.D ea sp rea a s, d r a p e r ie s d iid u ia iiiie to --------

Floor coverings^.. __________________
Furniture and bedding. _______ . . . .
Major appliances (refrigerators, stoves,
washers, etc.)______________ ________
M en’s clothing
M en’s furnishings. ___________________
Piece goods (yard goods, upholstery

7 0 . 79
8 1 .8 7

1 1 1 .8 8
6 2 . 29
4 0 .6 0

3 8 .3 9

Women’s shoes.
______ _ ___
Sales clerks (basement stores):

5 4 .3 0

6 6 .4 8

4 5 .1 4

7 2 .5 6

4 2 .3 0
4 3 .1 6
5 0 .9 9

2 7 4 3 73
5 4 1 0 0 .7 5
57 8 9 . 5 5
5£

8 6 .6 7

S to c k m e n , s e llin g se c tio n s

Stockmen, warehouse____________________
Tailors, alterations, men’s garments_______

3 1 .2 7
3 2 .9 1
3 9 .6 9

5 9 .1 1

7 8 . 47

5 0 .3 0

2 8 .5 7

6 2 74
3 7 .7 0
5 8 .2 2

4 8 .3 9

2 8 .9 2
3 3 .1 2
5 1 .3 5
6 7 . 9<

3 2 .5 9
4 3 .3 7
5 4 . 6C
5 0 .7 7

i Excludes premium pay for overtime work and pertains to regular full­
time workers only; part-time workers and contingents were excluded from
the survey. Weekly earnings for straight-salary workers were those in


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

2 8 .2 9
3 0 . 77
2 8 .7 5

73. 6:
4 0 . 50
5 7 .8 5
3 5 .3 3
4 2 .8 3
5 6 .4 3
6 2 .9 1

4 4 .9 5
5 3 .6 3
6 9 .6 1

6 0 .0 8

3 9 .3 1
4 8 .6 5
6 7 .8 1

4 8 .5 6

___
35. 9r

4 5 . 72 3 7 .3 2
4 0 .4 0 4 2 .0 7
4 6 .4 0 —

3 0 .2 2
3 5 .2 3

6 3 .1 1

3 3 .3 6
52. 8C

3 0 .2 9
3 3 .0 2
5 8 .3 6

______

'

effect in April 1948. For commission workers, the commission earnings
were averaged over a 12-month period wherever possible.
2 N ot available.

486

WAGES—DEPARTMENT STORE WORKERS

Related Practices and Supplementary Benefits

A 40-hour workweek was scheduled for full-time
employees in all establishments studied in At­
lanta, Denver, Oakland, Seattle, and Toledo.
Furthermore, this schedule was in effect in a ma­
jority of the stores studied in Chicago, New York,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington. Reg­
ular workweeks of more than 40 horn’s were sched­
uled in a majority of the stores in New Orleans
Portland, and St. Paul. In Boston, 7 stores had
a 40-hour week, a similar number had shorter
workweeks, scattered between 35 and 40 hours,
and 4 others had workweeks exceeding 40 hours.
Three Dallas stores had a 40-hour week, 3 were on
a 45-hour basis, and 2 had a workweek of less
than 40 hours. Half of the Providence stores
observed a 40-hour week while the other half had
weeks ranging from 37% to 39% hours. New
York was the only city besides Boston and Prov­
idence in which a substantial proportion of the
stores had workweeks of less than 40 hours. Of
the 15 New York stores in this category, 11 had
a 37%-hour week.
Full-time employees’ regular working hours
tended to be grouped into a fixed number of days
per week in definite city patterns. All establish­
ments studied in Providence and Washington, all
except 1 in Oakland, all but 2 in New York, and a
majority in Boston, observed a 5-day employee
workweek. A 6-day week was reported in all
Denver, St. Paul, and Seattle stores, all except 1
of the New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and Portland
stores, and a majority of the Chicago and Philadel­
phia stores. A 5K-day week predominated in


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Atlanta and Toledo, and was observed in half of the
Dallas stores.
Discounts on merchandise purchased by em­
ployees were granted by all stores studied except 2
in New York. Generally, for full-time workers,
these discounts ranged from 10 to 20 percent on
all types of goods. In some cases, stores grant­
ing 20 percent on wearables allowed a smaller
discount on nonwearables. New York was the
only city in which a substantial number of stores
reported discounts of more than 20 percent.
Vacations with pay to full-time employees were
provided by all stores except one in New Orleans.
Many stores granted vacations after 6 months of
service. All except one store in New Orleans and
one in Dallas provided vacations after 1 year of
service. One week of vacation after a year’s
period was predominant in most of the cities,
although in all of them except St. Paul and Toledo
some stores granted a 2-week vacation. A 2week vacation after 1 year of service was in effect
in a majority of establishments in Boston and
Providence. Most of the stores in all cities except
St. Paul increased the vacation time to 2 weeks
after 2 years of service, and some stores in a few
cities provided longer vacations after more than 2
years of service.
Paid holidays, varying in number among the
individual stores, were provided for store and office
workers in all establishments studied in 11 cities.
In four cities, a majority of stores provided paid
holidays, and, in one city, less than half of the
stores had this feature. Most frequently, six or
seven holidays were provided. Providence was
the only city in which a majority of the stores
provided more than seven holidays.

Summaries of Special Reports

Collective Bargaining Provisions
of Special Interest
labor-management agreements,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been assembling
typical contract provisions on a number of im­
portant subjects.1 These include basic provisions
on wages and hours, fringe issues, such as paid
vacations, and varied phases of employee-em­
ployer cooperation designed to improve the work­
ers’ position and to raise production. This study
was undertaken in response to recurrent demands
for a handbook of sample contract clauses that
exemplify the results of current labor-management
negotiations. No special attempt was made to
determine the prevailing industry practice or the
most frequently used provisions. Instead, the
objective was to present a wide variety of clauses,
in convenient form, thereby assisting negotiators
to reach settlements that are well adapted to thenparticular needs.
Two chapters of the Bureau’s bulletin on Union
Agreement Provisions which have been chosen for
summary deal with (1) union-management co­
operation, plant efficiency, and technological
change and (2) promotion, transfer, and assign­
ment. A few of the exact agreement clauses are
quoted to exemplify the points made in the text.
Under existing conditions of high-level employ­
ment, when the pressure for production is great
in order to meet both domestic demand and foreign
commitments, information on such contract clauses
is especially useful.
F rom over 12,000

1Information is from Bulletin No. 908, entitled Collective Bargaining Provi­
sions, prepared in the Bureau’s Division of Industrial Relations. Individual
chapters of this bulletin are released in mimeographed form in advance of
printing. As of October 15, 1948, a total of 18 chapters were available, with
approximately 10 additional chapters scheduled for release during the fiscal
year 1948-49. Two chapters are summarized in this article and others will
appear in later issues of the M onthly Labor Review.


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Cooperation in Promoting Output

Sound collective bargaining and an effective
procedure for settling employee grievances are
usually relied upon by employers and unions to
produce harmonious labor relations, and thereby
to increase production and plant efficiency. Less
frequently, one or both of the parties pledge specific
cooperation either on an informal basis or through
a joint committee. Agreements rarely contain
detailed plans of cooperation. Participation by
labor and management is common in joint com­
mittees organized for the elimination of wasteful
methods of operation and plant inefficiency in
general; the introduction of new machinery or
processes; the formulation of programs to stimu­
late sales; and for improvement in the competitive
position of the plant. Provision is less frequent
for the loan of union funds to the company; the
services of union specialists in production prob­
lems; or collaboration for legislation favorable to
the industry. Some cooperation clauses are gen­
eral, providing for joint discussion of mutual
problems outside the scope of the grievance pro­
cedure; others reflect some particular facet of a
production, manpower, or allied problem.
Plant efficiency clauses may be directed chiefly
or solely toward insuring management efficiency.
This type of provision is most prevalent in plants
operating under a piecework or incentive system
where workers bear much of the burden of in­
efficiency and have their earnings adversely
affected by the use of obsolete machinery and
equipment, and by inefficient routing of work and
other delays. For these reasons, some union
agreements specifically make the employer re­
sponsible for maintaining modern and efficient
working equipment and for providing adequate
facilities and supervision.
A number of agreements enlist the active
support and cooperation of the union (and its
487

488

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROVISIONS

members) in the maintenance and improvement of
production and allied activities. Most of these
union pledges are aimed at the elimination of
plant inefficiency. Some reflect concern for the
industry’s welfare. The union may assume cer­
tain specific responsibilities: to prevent or not to
condone restrictions on output; to correct in­
efficiencies of its members; to uphold company
rules; to combat absenteeism; to conduct sales
campaigns; to maintain plant safety and sanita­
tion. Other more general terms adopted cover the
achievement of low-cost and efficient operations
and the maintenance of profitable and productive
efficiency.
Detailed Pledge by Union for Itself and Its Mem­
bers: Efficiency, Production, Quality, Conservation
Recognizing that the welfare of its employees and
their opportunities to earn a living depend upon the
success and prosperity of the company and further
recognizing that the various wage increases provided
for in this agreement are of a substantial nature, the
union hereby pledges for itself and all its members—
the employees of the company—that they will per­
form their work effectively and efficiently to the best
of their ability, and will cooperate in the introduction
or installation of such processes, machinery, changes
in or introduction of new methods of operation, incen­
tive pay plans or systems, and job classification and
evaluation plans or systems as the company may in­
troduce or put into effect for the purpose of better and
more efficient operation to the end that the company
may increase production and reduce costs so that the
company may adequately meet competitive condi­
tions, and maintain employment * * *. The
union further pledges for itself and its members that
they will fully cooperate in the following: The reduc­
tion of shrinkages of all kinds; in the saving of materials,
tools, machinery, equipment and all company property
by means of careful handling and use; in minimizing
breakage and losses of any kind caused by careless
handling; in maintaining a high standard of quality in
all products through efficient and careful workman­
ship; in aiding in the enforcement of all factory rules,
regulations, safety and health measures; and in co­
operation to the best interests of the union and the
company.

Joint committees or boards dealing with unionmanagement cooperation are usually permanent,
both sides are equally represented, and meetings
are held at regular, specified intervals. Such
committees are generally advisory; some agree­
ments appear to grant them additional authority,
and others make no reference to their powers.
Their scope varies from a single or specified
function or activity to a more inclusive or even

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MONTHLY LABOR

general jurisdiction in matters of mutual interest.
Some committees are industry-wide and others
cover a particular plant only. Others are limited
to specific issues named: plant production and
efficiency, elimination of waste, improvement of
quality, elimination of absenteeism, safety and
sanitation, and suggestion systems. In certain
instances, the scope is quite broad: Develop
guaranteed wage or employment stabilization
plans for the plant, study industry stabilization,
the causes of stoppages, industry problems, and
the effect of multiple-shift use of machinery on
employment; develop and implement an industry
promotion plan; develop a program to eliminate
unfair, nonunion competition and practices under­
mining the industry’s labor standards.
Labor-Managment Production Committee to Effectuate
Maximum Production.
It is hereby agreed that a committee consisting of
three (3) representatives of the company and three
(3) representatives of the Union to be known as the
Labor-Management Production Committee, shall be
established and meet periodically to discuss ways and
means to effectuate maximum production, which is
mutually desired. It shall also be a function of this
committee to review the wage scale every three (3)
months with a view to upgrading the employees in
the lower brackets of the several classifications.

Cooperation on Technological Changes

Union-management cooperation in improving
productive efficiency is predicated on acceptance
by the employer of the principle that the workers’
jobs, earnings, and standards of working conditions
will be safeguarded. The immediate effect of
technological changes on employment are often
unpredictable. Traditionally, workers have asso­
ciated such changes with the loss of jobs, lowered
earnings, and loss of skills acquired through long
years of training and experience; this is largely
responsible for the antagonistic attitude of many
workers and their unions to the changes them­
selves.
Recently, however, the trend has shifted more
and more from outright opposition toward accept­
ance of technological changes, provided the union
is given a voice in bargaining over employment
conditions resulting from the change. Through
cooperation, unions and employers have attempt­
ed to remove such opposition by providing the
workers an opportunity to share in any resulting
economies. An important problem has been to

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROVISIONS

evolve methods which will reconcile, as far as
possible, the continual growth of industrial tech­
niques and of labor-saving devices with employ­
ment security. Some companies have voluntarily
spread the introduction of machinery and other
labor-saving devices over a long period of years.
Others have made the changes in periods of in­
creased production.
Some agreements require union-management ne­
gotiations prior to any changes in the process of
operation or in the equipment used. Other agree­
ments specifically prohibit any restriction upon
new machinery or processes and even pledge the
union to active cooperation in the introduction of
technological changes.
In some agreements, management’s right to
institute technological changes is explicitly recog­
nized or it is stated that use of machinery or laborsaving devices shall not be restricted. Other
references to management rights or prerogatives
may be interpreted as including the right to insti­
tute new processes, labor-saving devices, and new
equipment. However, the language used is rather
broad or general.
Union Recognizes Company Right to Install More Efficient
Equipment. Cooperation on Performance Pledged.
The union agrees that it is the sole responsibility of
management to decide on such matters as improvement
in equipment, methods, process, materials, supplies, etc.,
in order to maintain a good competitive position. The
union further agrees that its officers and members will
cooperate with the company’s efforts to maintain high
standard of performance from the standpoint of quality
and quantity of work. Also, it is recognized by the
union that the company has the right at all times to
install better and more efficient equipment, methods of
handling work, or work schedules as may be developed.

A number of agreements require that technologi­
cal changes shall be discussed in advance with the
union, or that the union shall be notified in advance
of contemplated changes. In some instances,
advance union approval is required. Some agree­
ments provide for joint designation of the particu­
lar workers who are to operate the new machinery.
Advance Discussion With Union Before Installation of
Technological Change. Employer May Initiate Change
for Trial Period, Subject to Negotiation and Arbitration
if Union Disagrees.
Management shall first inform the union of the fact
that a change is to be made, of the approximate date of
its installation, the nature thereof, proposed duties and
job assignment, and the expected earnings on a mutually

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489

agreed upon form. The parties shall meet and discuss
the proposal at least two (2) weeks before the day fixed
for the institution of such change. The employer will
furnish all information which is necessary to a complete
understanding of the proposed change.
The employer may install the proposed change for a
trial period of four (4) weeks which may be extended by
mutual agreement. During such trial period, the em­
ployees shall be paid no less than their previous average
hourly earnings for the previous quarter, as established
by the Social Security records. In the event final agree­
ment during or subsequent to the trial period results in
higher rates of pay, the employees shall be paid retroac­
tively to the date of assignment to the job. Within
fifteen (15) days of the expiration of the trial period the
union, if dissatisfied, may present a written statement of
its grievances, and if same shall not be satisfactorily
adjusted by negotiations between the parties within
five (5) days thereafter, the matter may be submitted
by the union to arbitration for final and binding decision.

Union participation in the introduction of
technological change is most frequent in the estab­
lishment or revision of rates and work loads be­
cause of changed job requirements (particularly
under a piece-rate or wage-incentive system).
Agreements often provide for rate revision, if the
workers’ productivity is substantially affected by
a direct change in technical conditions.
Generally, management notifies the union of the
proposed changes and then negotiates with the
union on all matters affected. In some instances,
the notification to the union must contain details
of all the changes proposed—rates of pay, work
load, etc. The results of the negotiations are
tried, and any differences remaining after further
and final negotiation are often arbitrated. Nego­
tiation after the trial period is not always pro­
vided; under some agreements union action is
specifically channeled through the grievance
procedure.
Protective measures to minimize labor dis­
placements due to technological change vary con­
siderably. They include (1) the prohibition of
dismissal and (2) the transfer of workers from the
job or machine which has been eliminated by the
change to the new job created. Usually, such
transfer is accompanied by agreement upon some
definite wage policy on the new job.
Retraining of workers made necessary by tech­
nological change is sometimes provided, usually
at the employee’s regular rate of pay. If the
change reduces the number of jobs, employees
affected may be transferred to different jobs in
order to avert lay-off; sometimes the necessary

490

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROVISIONS

training is given for such jobs. If vacancies are
not available, displaced workers may be given
priority in filling any future vacancies. For
workers actually displaced, dismissal pay is some­
times specified.
Trial Period Specified Before Setting New Rates. Re­
troactivity Established.
In placing into operation any new machinery, ap­
paratus, process or equipment in existing plants
covered by this agreement, a trial period of produc­
tion, not to exceed four (4) months, will be permitted
to elapse before the new wage rates are established.
When such new rates are established the same will be
retroactive to the date when such new jobs or proc­
esses were placed into operation.

Promotion, Transfer, and Assignment

Promotion, transfer, and assignment clauses
establish the basis or methods of shifting employ­
ees from one job to another which are consistent
with employee security and plant efficiency.
Such clauses attempt to reconcile the employer’s
right to select employees for promotion or transfer
and the employee’s request for promotion and
transfer. To be promoted a person need not be
doing the work nor even be capable of mastering
the job immediately, although it is presumed that
he has the ability to do the job. A promotion
like a reclassification involves a labor-grade
change.2
A promotion may be made either to a better
paying job or to a supervisory position within the
bargaining unit or to another position outside the
unit. It need not involve a wage increase.
Necessary moves from one job to another if no
direct wage increase is at issue are more often
initiated by management than by workers and
are in the interest of production, to overcome
difficulties in the production line caused by bottle­
necks or material shortage, or to utilize personnel
most efficiently. When such shifts are for short
periods, they are usually called job assignments,
though some firms use the term “temporary
transfers.”
An employer’s right to select and transfer em­
ployees may not be stated explicitly in the agree­
ment, but may be implicit in clauses which vest
s Promotions are distinguishable from job reclassifications. A reclassifica­
tion grievance involves a claim that a person is doing the work of a higher
classification and hence should be reclassified into the higher post. Theoreti­
cally, there is no vacancy involved if the claim is substantiated since the
person would actually be doing the work.


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MONTHLY LABOR

in management the right “to direct and control
the working force.”
In general, management looks upon promotions
as one of its prerogatives and does not favor
seniority promotions (either plant or depart­
mental) except when the choice involves men
equally qualified to fill the new job. In their
view, efficiency is impaired and individual em­
ployee incentive stifled if seniority, rather than
ability, governs promotions. Labor stresses sen­
iority as the primary factor in making promotions
on the ground that other factors are difficult to
measure objectively. Exclusive discretionary
powers of management to promote would, the
workers fear, entirely negate the union’s promo­
tion policy to give consideration to employees
over outsiders.
In actual agreements, seniority is generally
qualified by ability requirements and may govern
only if all other factors are relatively equal, or less
strictly, if the employee has minimum qualifica­
tions. In emergencies, employers often retain
the right to promote (or transfer) employees tem­
porarily without regard to either ability, merit, or
seniority.
Sometimes the employer’s right to promote is
limited by requirements to consult with the union
prior to selecting an employee for promotion, to
select from a group of employees who request con­
sideration or who are recommended by the union,
or to consider present employees first.
If promotion is reserved to employees with
proper “ merit,” “ ability,” or “ qualifications,” the
union may contest the management’s appraisal.
Some agreements give the union the right to appeal
management’s decision to arbitration; others
stipulate that management shall make the ap­
praisal, provided that there shall be no discrim­
ination against union members as such.
Seniority status after transfer is allied directly
with transfers—particularly when transfers are
made from one department or occupation to
another. Most agreements incorporate safeguards
to protect an employee’s seniority upon transfer,
especially if the transfer is made at management’s
option or without pay increases. Emergency,
temporary transfers, or transfers of handicapped
or superannuated employees are often permitted
without regard to seniority and other restrictions.
Some agreements provide for a “ promotion from
within” policy, without necessarily specifying

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROVISIONS

that seniority is the basis. However, they com­
monly state that employees will be given prefer­
ence over outsiders both in promotions and in
filling vacancies. Some stipulate consultation with
the union before a new employee may fill a va­
cancy. A few agreements specifically require the
union to submit a list of possible candidates for
job openings, thereby affording some protection
against new workers being brought in to fill
higher-paid jobs. Under some agreements, union
members are given preference in the filling of
vacancies and in promotions. Usually such
clauses are in agreements providing for a “ prefer­
ential shop.” A few agreements authorize man­
agement to fill vacancies from outside under
specified conditions when no qualified employee is
available.
Vacancy posting is either by simple notification
or a complete job description. It is common to
post notice of vacancies for a minimum period
before they can be filled. The names of the suc­
cessful applicants may also be required to be
posted. In some cases, employers may be required
to notify the union of job openings or submit the
names of successful applicants.
Instead of posting and bidding, some agree­
ments provide that an employee who desires pro­
motion shall submit a written statement of his
qualifications to the foreman or personnel depart­
ment. Vacancies for promotion are then filled
from the list of applicants.
A number of agreements bind the company to
consider carefully all applications, and some pro­
vide for some form of union participation in con­
sidering applicants for vacancies.
Agreements may also specify the area within
which job posting and bidding will apply, i. e.,
whether plant-wide, departmental, or occupational.
Restrictions on employees’ rights to bid or apply
for vacancies are sometimes set forth in agree­
ments. For example, an employee may not be
permitted to bid for another job for a specified
period after receiving promotion, he may relinquish
all claim to a job, if he refuses a promotion or
refuses to bid on one to which his seniority entitles
him, or he may be considered ineligible for a stated
period to bid again for a job on which he had
failed to qualify. Requirements that an employee
must remain on the new job for a certain length of
time also tend to restrict the frequency of pro­
motions for the individual worker. On the other

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491

hand, some agreements permit an employee to
decline a promotion without prejudicing his future
rights.
Preference to Present Employees Over New Employees
In the event the company requires additional skilled
or semiskilled help, a notice to that effect will be posted
on the company bulletin board and employees of the
company may bid for such job. If a bidding employee
has the ability and if his transfer to the new job will not
disturb production, such bidding employee will be given
preference over new men and selection from among
several bidders shall be on the basis of seniority. Any
employee wishing to bid for a new job must make appli­
cation in writing through his foreman within 24 hours
after posting the notice.

In addition to seniority, it is usual to consider,
in varying degrees, skill, ability, and merit in the
selection of employees for promotion. If seniority
is the only consideration, the oldest employee in
point of service is customarily given first oppor­
tunity to qualify for the vacancy. Otherwise,
seniority may be equal to or be secondary to one
or more of the qualifying factors, such as, ability,
skill, experience, knowledge, and training.
Management may retain discretion in determin­
ing whether an employee possesses sufficient or
equal qualifications in skill and ability as other
applicants. In some cases, the union is em­
powered to contest this determination of “ skill
and ability” tlirough the grievance procedure and,
in some instances, by resorting to arbitration.
Occasionally, the union and management jointly
determine an employee’s competence for pro­
motion.
An employer may reserve the right to disregard
seniority in exceptional cases or when making
temporary promotions or transfers. He may re­
tain the power to fill certain specified jobs or a
certain percentage of future vacancies from out­
side the present working force. In some cases,
however, the employer must justify these excep­
tions to the union.
Promotional rights based on seniority are gener­
ally restricted to the department or division where
the vacancy exists, although many agreements fail
to specify the particular unit (plant, department,
or division). In the absence of such provisions,
the area for applying seniority is probably the same
as that for lay-offs. Seniority may be applied on
a narrower basis for promotion to skilled jobs than
for unskilled jobs.
In some cases in which departmental seniority

492

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROVISIONS

exists, employees accepting jobs in other depart­
ments are required to start anew in accumulating
their seniority. Many agreements, however, facil­
itate transfer and promotion between departments,
if no qualified candidate for promotion is found
within the unit in which the vacancy exists.
Few union agreements include specific reference
to promotion of employees to and within the
skilled trades. However, under agreements that
provide for occupational or departmental seniority,
persons in skilled trades or maintenance workers
are treated separately in applying seniority and
promotion rules. During the Second World War,
unions and management in many plants instituted
special upgrading programs to meet the need for
enlarging the skilled work force quickly without,
however, destroying the long-term rights and
status of fully qualified journeymen mechanics.
It is not unusual for agreements to establish a
line of progression whereby experience on the
lower-rated job is a prerequisite for advancement
to the next higher classification. If a number of
employees are considered as competent for pro­
motion, seniority determines the choice. In some
instances, all new employees are hired for unskilled
work and are promoted by steps. The line of
progression is either arrived at jointly by the union
and management or established by management
with union approval.

MONTHLY LABOR

In all promotions or transfers to more desirable jobs
by this contract the principle of seniority shall be
observed provided the company is convinced that the
senior employee has the necessary experience and
ability to perform the job satisfactorily. It is agreed
that the company and the union will not discriminate
against any person or persons because of race, color,
creed, national origin or sex.

to promote employees to jobs outside the bargain­
ing unit (particularly if union officials or rep­
resentatives are involved); union consent may be
required; or no such promotion may be made until
some time after the union official has completed his
term of office. A few agreements prevent an
employee from being selected as a foreman without
his consent; his refusal to accept a supervisory job
may not be cause for discharge or transfer.
To an increasing extent, agreements cover the
seniority status of employees who are transferred
back into the bargaining unit from supervisory or
other noncovered positions. Generally, a worker
on a supervisory job retains and/or accumulates
seniority to be applied upon re-transfer to his old
production job in the event of a lay-off or demotion.
In some cases, limits are placed on the length of
time such employees may retain or accumulate
seniority on their former nonsupervisory jobs.
Under many agreements, a trial period is pro­
vided to determine whether a senior employee is
qualified for the job to which he has been pro­
moted. The period may be fixed for a “reasonable”
time, and may be extended, either at management’s
option or by joint union-management approval.
If the promoted employee is not satisfactory, he is
generally allowed to return to his former job with­
out loss of seniority or other rights and the next
senior person in line is given a trial. The em­
ployee may have the right to decide, either during
or at the end of the trial period, whether he wishes
to remain in the job or reclaim his old one. If the
promoted employee qualifies, he usually forfeits
all claim to his old job except in those instances in
which he is permitted to reclaim his old job in the
event of a lay-off. Some agreements limit the
number of times an employee may try to qualify
for a specific job or other jobs, if he fails to qualify
on his first trial.

An employer may frequently make certain
exceptions in promotions, although a seniority
system is in general effect. Particularly in super­
visory positions, the employer is usually granted
free choice of candidates, either specifically or
through the coverage clauses which generally
exclude supervisors from the terms of the agree­
ment. However, some agreements require man­
agement to consider seniority in filling vacancies
in the supervisory force, or stipulate preference for
present employees over outsiders.
An agreement may restrict the employer’s right

Maximum of Two Trials on One Job.
An employee who is promoted shall be given a
reasonable time, to be agreed upon by the company
and the union, in which to prove his ability to fill
the new job satisfactorily. If, at the end of such
trial period, the employee shall prove to be incapable
of fulfilling the duties of the new position, he shall
be returned to his former position without loss of
seniority. Upon the next occurrence of a vacancy
in the occupation for which an employee has failed
to qualify through trial, he shall be given another op­
portunity, if still entitled thereto by seniority, but
upon failing twice to qualify for the same job shall
not be entitled to a third opportunity.

Promotion by Seniority Provided Senior Employee Has
Necessary Experience and Ability. No Discrimina­
tion.


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REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK—ELECTRIC UTILITIES

Employees who are promoted may receive the
higher rate of pay immediately or after the trial
period. In agreements providing automatic wage
progression, the employee may be specifically pro­
tected against a cut in pay if his rate at the time of
promotion exceeds the minimum for the new job.
The word “ transfer” is defined differently by
various unions and employers. In some agree­
ments, the line between a temporary and a per­
manent transfer is difficult to draw; but, in others,
transfers lasting beyond a specified time are con­
sidered permanent. If a distinction is made, pro­
cedures are usually different for handling tem­
porary and permanent transfers.
Within-plant transfers may be management- or
employee-instigated. For reasons of plant effi­
ciency and optimum utilization of personnel, em­
ployers generally hold that transfers are an exclu­
sive management prerogative, though some weight
may be given to length of service. Some agree­
ments give preference to employee requests for
transfers on the basis of seniority or a combination
of factors, including seniority.
Certain agreements explicitly affirm managerial
prerogative to transfer or to assign employees to
work within the plant. Others limit the exercise
of such rights. They may require that transfer
first be discussed with the union, or, more strongly,
that transfers be approved by the union; that
transfers be allowed only with an employee’s con­
sent; or that transfers be allowed at manage­
ment’s discretion only under certain specified cir­
cumstances. Other transfer restriction clauses
limit the number of times an employee may be
transferred within a given period or provide that
the union may initiate a grievance on transfers.
Seniority may be a factor in management- as well
as employee-initiated transfers. Still other agree­
ments provide that the transfer must be without
prejudice to an employee, and must not involve
loss of seniority or of lowered earnings.
Permanent Inter-Department Transfers on Agreement
Between Company, Employee, and Union.
Any employee may be permanently transferred from
one department to another by mutual agreement be­
tween the company, the employee, and the union.
It is further understood that all permanent transfers
shall be made in writing and that any employees so
transferred shall maintain their seniority in the depart­
ment they were transferred from for a period of 4
months. At the end of this time if they have turned
out satisfactorily, all of their seniority shall prevail
in the department they were transferred to.

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493

In the event that an employee requests a perma­
nent transfer, and does not turn out satisfactorily,
they shall be returned to jthe department from which
they were transferred without the loss of any seniority.

Employer-initiated, short-term transfers to
break a production bottleneck or for other reasons
are frequently allowed without loss of seniority
status. A time limit may be set, beyond which
the transfer is considered to be permanent and
the factor of seniority may enter, both as to the
choice of the employee to be transferred and his
seniority status in both the old and new depart­
ments.
Seniority rules or other transfer provisions are
often waived to permit the transfer of handicapped
or superannuated employees who are unable to
remain in their old jobs. The same waiver is
allowed for workers whose health or physical
condition make it advisable to relieve them of
hazardous jobs or to remove them from occupa­
tions which involve mental or physical strain.

Employment Outlook in
Electric Utilities 1
u t i l i t y s y s t e m s are one of the most
important sources of employment. An estimated
third of a million workers were engaged in electric
power operations in June 1948. The importance
of electric utilities reflects the great dependence of
American factories, stores, and homes on electric
service. Utility employees operate and maintain
the elaborate set of facilities—power plants, sub­
stations, overhead wires, underground cables, and
meters—required to bring electric power to its
consumers.
Most electric utility workers are employed by
privately owned systems, which, in June 1948,
employed 279,000 workers. These include some
workers on nonelectrical operations in companies
that provide other services, such as gas or local

E l e c t r ic

i Prepared by Richard H. Lewis of the Bureau’s Division of Employment
and Occupational Outlook.
This article summarizes portions of a forthcoming bulletin on the Employ­
ment Outlook in Electric Light and Power Occupations. The bulletin
presents a more detailed analysis of the characteristics of utility operations
and the outlook for employment, as well as a discussion of opportunities in
individual occupations.

494

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK—ELECTRIC UTILITIES

transit. About 36,000 worked for municipalities or
State power districts, most of them in the munic­
ipal systems. Federal operations accounted for
almost 6,000 electric employees and rural coop­
eratives for about 11,000.
Prospective demands upon the utilities for elec­
tricity and the additional capacity they are plan­
ning to install, will increase their employment by
as much as 60,000 during the next 10 years. Most
of this increase will take place in the privately
owned systems.
Electric Utility Jobs

Workers in utility systems fall into several
important groups, each of which has a distinctive
part in utility operations. The basic jobs in the
generation of electricity are those of the power
plant workers. These include boiler, turbine, and
auxiliary-equipment operators, who watch over
and check the equipment which produces the
power, and the watch engineers who supervise
them. Also in or connected with the generating
station are switchboard operators who control the
movement of the current on to the power lines
which carry it away from the generation station.
Only 15 percent of the private electric utility
workers are employed in these and the related jobs
necessary for the actual generation of electricity.
A somewhat larger number of employees are
engaged in the next stage of getting electric power
to the users—the transmission lines and the dis­
tribution networks. The transmission and dis­
tribution department requires about 23 percent
of the private utility employees. These include
substation operators who control the trans­
formers and switching equipment, linemen who
install and repair overhead lines, and cable splicers
who connect and maintain underground cables.
Load dispatchers, although relatively few in
number, are the key workers of the entire produc­
tion and distribution operations, for they control
the flow of electric current throughout the utility
system. Other workers in this department are
ground men who assist the line crews, laborers who
help construct underground cable systems, and
patrolmen who walk along the electric lines in
isolated areas to look for conditions that could
cause trouble on the lines and equipment.
Since operation of an electric utility system is


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MONTHLY LABOR

largely a matter of keeping the equipment running
efficiently, a large force of maintenance workers
is required. Maintenance and custodial em­
ployees, excluding those who work on the lines,
cables, and meters, comprise almost 15 percent of
private electric utility employment. Among the
more important workers in the maintenance
shops are electricians, machinists, mechanics,
boilermakers, painters, carpenters, and welders.
Another group of workers who help to carry on
the actual operation of electric utilities are those
in customer servicing jobs. This group accounts
for about 10 percent of utility employment and
includes metermen who test and repair meters,
and meter readers who record the consumption of
electric current so that the customers can be billed
for the service.
Because of the nature of its services and the
way its production is carried on, the electric light
and power industry employs a higher proportion
of administrative, technical, and commercial
workers than do most other industries. In the
industry as a whole, almost 40 percent of the
workers are in such jobs. Many companies have
as many of these office employees as of the pro­
duction and maintenance workers combined.
For this reason, power companies are one of the
most important sources of jobs for accounting,
clerical, and other office employees in many
localities. The relative importance of office
employees in the industry is accounted for partly
by work involved in billing and collecting from
the multitude of individual customers; and also by
the fact that large numbers of workers are not
needed in the actual production of electric power.
Electric utility systems employ technical work­
ers whose duties are not closely connected with
day-to-day operations. These workers plan for
additions to generating plant and installations of
new transmission and distribution equipment,
supervise or inspect the actual construction and
installation, develop improved operating methods,
and test the efficiency of the many types of
electrical equipment. Electrical engineers are
the key members of the technical staffs and, in
most electric utilities, hold a large proportion of
the top supervisory and administrative jobs.
Some mechanical and civil engineers are needed
for special phases of the work and large numbers
of draftsmen are also employed.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK—ELECTRIC UTILITIES

Prospective Levels of Production and Capacity

*

The use of electricity has become a basic part
of our economic and household activities. Con­
sequently the long-run trend of consumption is
closely related to the levels of business and in­
dustrial activity, to changes in consumers’ in­
comes, and to population growth. These are
some of the major factors that will determine how
much power industry will require at any given
stage of technical development and how much
electricity individuals will be able to buy.
Perhaps even more important in determining
demand for electric power are the introduction of
new uses for electricity and the wider adoption of
existing uses. Demands for power might be in­
creased, for example, through the development
of new industrial equipment powered by elec­
tricity or of a new process using electric current,
and frequently are increased substantially by the
needs of new industries. Furthermore, the addi­
tional use in homes of electrical appliances can
contribute to increased consumption of electricity.
T able

1.— Number of customers and amount of electrical
;power purchased, by type of use, 194-7
Customers (as of Power purchased,
Dec. 31)
1947
Type of use
Number

Per­
cent
of
total

38, 431, 950

100.0

217.6

100.0

Residential and rural___
33,144,095
Industrial and commercial—
Small users (mainly commercial)1 4, 960,895
Large users (mainly industrial)1.
191, 363
Street and highway lighting...
28,976
Street and interurban railways
138
Railroads______________
31
Miscellaneous 3. . . . .
106,452

86.2

49.7

22.9

12.9
.5
.1

38.4
113.5
2.4
4.5
2.6
6.5

17.6
52.1
1.1
2.1
1.2
* 3. 0
*• ¡L M

All types of use___________

(2)

(2)
.3

Kilo­
watthours (in
billions)

Per­
cent
of
total

York^N Y dÌSOn Electric Institute> Statistical Bulletin N o. 15, 1948, New

The users of electricity can be divided into a
number of groups, each of which requires elec­
tricity for certain special purposes. To under­
stand the nature of the future demands for elec­
tricity and to estimate total demand, the potential
►consumption of electric power by these groups
must be considered. The number of customers
in each major group of consumers is shown in
809737— 48------------ 3


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495

table 1, together with the total amount of power
bought by them in 1947.
For many years, industrial plants have ac­
counted for over half of the power purchased from
utilities. Electric power is basic to modern massproduction methods and electricity has become
essential in industrial operations.
The principal industrial use of electricity is to
run electric motors, although lighting is still an
important factor in the consumption of energy.
The steel, aluminum, and chemical industries use
large quantities of electricity for metallurgical and
chemical processes.
New industrial uses of electric power, recently
introduced or being developed, which promise
increasing utilization of electricity, are welding
equipment, various types of electric furnaces,
infrared heating, induction heating, and annealing.
Other growing uses include X-ray equipment,
inspecting and testing equipment, and devices
which by electrostatic precipitation remove impu­
rities from the air. Air-conditioning equipment is
being increasingly installed in factories, especially
where controlled temperature and humidity are
important to the process.
An important source of increased power require­
ments could be the use of electrically driven equip­
ment in new industries or processes which may
develop. Outstanding examples are the possible
future large-scale establishment of synthetic-gas­
oline plants, and the potentially extensive use of
electrically operated ore-beneficiating equipment
to eliminate impurities from low-grade ores.
Both of these processes, if used to any considerable
extent, would require very large quantities of
electric current.
Over the long run, a gradual but sustained
increase in activity appears likely in most in­
dustrial fields using electric power in large quan­
tities. Taking this into account as well as the
new uses for electricity in industrial processes,
a sustained long-run increase may be expected in
industrial consumption of electricity. A good
share of the increase is likely to come through
new uses; also, the emerging of new industries
and new types of production holds great hope for
expanded electrical consumption. In those in­
dustries which use electricity mainly for lighting
and to run electric motors, increases will be
largely dependent upon activity.

496

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK—ELECTRIC UTILITIES

The commercial market for electricity includes
retail stores of all kinds; service establishments
such as laundries, dry cleaning shops, and beauty
parlors; amusement enterprises such as theaters
or night clubs; and office and other public build­
ings. In 1947, small commercial users (including
some small industrial plants) accounted for about
one-sixth of all sales of electricity to final con­
sumers. Sales of electric energy to these consumers
have been increasing continually since 1934.
Employment1 and Output per Man-Hour Privately
Owned Electric Utilities
IN DEX

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

1Data prior to 1929 based on Census of Electric Light[and Power Stations.
1928 not available.

The outlook for increasing consumption of
electric energy in the commercial field is very
promising. Many of the new developments in
lighting have not yet been applied in a large
proportion of the commercial establishments.
Fluorescent lighting, with its greater efficiency
in use of current, tends to hold down the consump­
tion of electricity for lighting, but it is believed
that this trend will be more than offset by accept­
ance of higher standards of lighting. In the

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MONTHLY LABOR

coming years, air conditioning may become
almost universal in stores and offices, except in
areas where temperatures and humidity condi­
tions make it unnecessary.
Home and farm consumption has an important
effect upon electric utility employment. Because
of the many individual household and farm
customers to be served, an elaborate distribution
system and commercial organization is required.
Two factors will determine the future demands
of residential and rural users for power—the
number of new customers that will be added, and
increases in the average amounts used by all
customers. In the future, population growth is
likely to provide many new electric customers,
but not as many as in past years. Over 90 percent
of all the nonfarm homes in existence are already
served by electricity. Even if most of the re­
maining homes were wired in future years, only a
limited number of new customers would be added.
Large numbers of new dwelling units (houses and
apartments) will be constructed to take care of
housing needs, and they will provide most of the
new residential users of electricity. Rapid prog­
ress is being made by both rural cooperatives and
private utility systems in electrifying the Nation’s
farms and a million or more rural customers can
well be added in the next decade.
Despite the rapid strides made in electrifying
household operations, there are still many possi­
bilities for increasing the use of electrical appliances,
partly through the introduction of new types of
equipment. Wider use of already established
household aids will also stimulate a greater con­
sumption of current. Surveys have shown that
while almost every home has a radio and an electric
iron, large numbers of families still do not have
such common appliances as vacuum cleaners and
electric refrigerators.
Expansion in the use of electric water heaters
and ranges could contribute heavily to an
increase in total domestic use of electricity. A water heater in an average home requires about
3,500 kilowatt-hours for a year’s operation, more
than twice as much as the present average for
total consumption per household. Electric ranges
use over 1,000 kilowatt-hours in a year. Sales of
electric ranges have been growing rapidly in *
recent years. Future sales will depend largely
on how many households will replace gas ranges
with electric. The main competition on farms

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK—ELECTRIC UTILITIES

will come from stoves burning liquefied petroleum
gas.
A development that could revolutionize the
household market for electricity would be wide­
spread adoption of the electric heat pump for
heating homes. Heat pumps draw heat out of the
ground, the air, or stored water, such as in a well.
In summer the cycle is reversed, and the pump
works like an ordinary electric refrigerator. A
complete system of heating and cooling, using
the heat pump, would require about 10,000 kilo­
watt-hours per year for an average sized house.
The use of electricity on the farms is just getting
into full swing. Except on western farms, where
large quantities of power are used for irrigation
pumping, electricity was at first mainly used
for lighting and for operating small water pumps.
In the last 10 years, the advantages of electrically
operated equipment for many farm activities
have become apparent. The rural cooperatives,
sponsored by the Rural Electrification Adminis­
tration, have done much to encourage the use of
electricity by farmers. Typical farm uses of
electricity are for milking machines, cooling
equipment, and heaters for brooders.
All the indications are for a continued sharp
rise in the average amounts of current used by
homes and farms, especially if incomes remain high,
enabling the purchase of additional appliances.
Even a conservative appraisal of future de­
mands of the various classes of electricity users
points to substantial increases during the next 10
years in the total electric power that must be
generated. Surveys of future power require­
ments on the utility systems, made by different
groups, support this conclusion. The Federal
Power Commission (in July 1947) estimated that
total electric power requirements on utilities in
1952 will be 326 billion kilowatt-hours, compared
with 256 billion kilowatt-hours generated in 1947.
This estimate, which was based on an assumed
increase of 1 percent a year in the Nation’s labor
force, would mean an increase in power produced
of almost 30 percent over that period. The Mar­
ket Development Department of the Westinghouse
Electric Corp. has, as a result of its study of trends
in power consumption, projected an annual total
of well over 400 billion kilowatt-hours to be gen­
erated by 1957. This study indicated that, to
meet the expected demands, total utility capacity
should be raised to 95 million kilowatts by 1957.

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497

An increase of this magnitude would mean an
almost doubling of capacity within 10 years.
Utilities have previously more than doubled their
capacity within 10-year periods, but never when
the quantities involved were so great (table 2).
T a ble

Year

1902.......... _
1903______
1904______
1905........
1906-..........
1907______
1908______
1909______
1910______
1911______
1912______
1913______
1914______
1915______
1916______
1917______
1918______
1919______
1920______
1921______
1922______
1923............
1924______

2.— Capacity

and production of electric utility
systems, 1902-47

Total
Total
utility
utility pro­
capacity
duction
(as of Dec.
31, in mil­ (in billions
of kilowattlions of
kilowatts) 1 hours) 1

(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)

1.2

2.7

(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)

21. 5
23. 4
25.1
27.8
29.8
32.4
33.7
34.4

61. 5
6Q A
75 4
82 8
92 2
91.1
87. 4
79. 4

(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)

1933............
1934.
1935......... .
1936............
1937.. .
1938______
1939.

34.6
34.1
34.4
35.1
35.6
37.5
38.9

81. 7
87.3
95.3
109.3
118.9
113.8
127.6

25.4
(2)
(2)
' 39.4
37.2
43.6
51.2
54.7

1940______
1941______
1942______
1943______
1944______
1945_____
1946 .
1947_____ _

39.9
42.4
45.1
48.0
49.2
50.1
50.3
52.2

141.8
164.8
186.0
217.8
228. 2
222. 5
223.2
255.7

5.9

(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
5.2

(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
9.0
(2)
(2)

1925____
1926
1927.. .
1928
1929.. .
1930
1931-. 1932

(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)

2.5

12.7
13.5
14.2
15.6
17.7

Year

Total
Total
utility
capacity utility pro­
duction
(as of Dec.
31, in m il­ (in billions
lions of of kilowattkilow atts)1 hours) 1

11.6

1 Includes publicly owned and privately owned utilities. Data for years
prior to 1920 are from the U. S. Census of Electric Light and Power Stations.
Data for years 1920-47 inclusive were taken from tables published by the
Federal Power Commission.
2 Data not available.

This estimate may turn out to have been too
optimistic, but, if present trends prevail, total
utility generation of current very likely will reach
a level at least between 360 and 400 billion
kilowatt-hours 10 years from now.
The utility systems, already pressed by strong
demands for power, are well aware of the possible
growth in future requirements. Two surveys of
projected facilities expansion show that the
utilities have already planned for a tremendous
volume of additions to capacity.
In March 1948, class I utility systems (those
which produce more than 50 million kilowatthours a year) reported to the Federal Power
Commission that they had scheduled capacity
additions amounting to more than 15% million
kilowatts to be installed between the end of 1947
and the end of 1951. Since these systems had
49.4 million kilowatts of capacity in December
1947, this would be an increase of over 31 percent.
Assuming that the smaller systems would increase
their capacity at the same rate, this would give a

498

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK—ELECTRIC UTILITIES

total utility capacity of about 68 % million
kilowatts at the end of 1951. About 4% million
kilowatts of the expansion of the class I systems
was to be installed in 1948, with most of the
remainder scheduled for 1949 and 1950.
Electrical World’s annual survey of utility con­
struction, released at the beginning of 1948, in­
dicated that privately owned and publicly owned
utility systems are planning to install 23 million
kilowatts of additional capacity between December
1947 and December 1952. The larger increases
indicated by this survey, as compared with the
Federal Power Commission survey, can be ac­
counted for partly by the additional years in the
forecast period. The Electrical World survey also
includes a large volume of planned Federal projects
which are not covered by the Federal Power Com­
mission report.
Since both of these surveys represent the definite
plans of utility systems, they should accurately
project the minimum increase in capacity that can
be expected over the next 10 years. Even allowing
for a decrease in the rate of growth after 1952, it
appears likely that total capacity will at least fall
within the range of 80 to 85 million kilowatts by
the end of the coming decade, or 53 to 63 percent
more than on January 1, 1948.
Effects of Technological Changes on Labor
Requirements
Throughout most of its history, growth in
electric utilities has been accompanied by marked
increases in output per employee. During its
early years, the private electric light and power
industry showed steady gains in output per worker.
As the chart shows, during the twenties, when
utility capacity was greatly expanding, output per
man-hour increased but slightly. Productivity
rose rapidly in the 1930’s until, by 1940, output per
man-hour was more than double that in 1930. The
private utilities, while absorbing a 20-percent drop
in employment, raised their output by over 60
percent during the war. This is reflected by the
sharp rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics index
of output per man-hour to a high point 91 percent
above the 1939 base. When the utilities began to
rebuild their staffs after the end of the war, output
per man-hour declined in 1946, but rose again
somewhat during 1947. The extent to which past
increases in efficiency of production will continue

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MONTHLY LABOR

into the coming years will be as important as
prospective capacity and production levels in
determining the future employment needs of
utilities.
Several factors are responsible for the industry’s
achievement of continually raising its generation
and distribution of power without comparable
increases in labor requirements. One has been
the introduction of improved and larger equip­
ment. The industry has always striven to make
its production and distribution operations as
automatic as possible. Another is that after a
system is well established in its operations, addi­
tional capacity can be handled without propor­
tionate additions to employment.
Both of these factors will affect the amount of
the employment increase needed for the prospec­
tive additions to capacity. Most of the new
generating plants will be larger than the average
ones now in use, and the larger power plants
require far fewer employees per unit of output.
The new plants will have the latest features and
modern lay-out, including centralized control of
operations, which tend to reduce employment
needed in the plant to a minimum. New equip­
ment installed for transmission and distribution
of power is generally more trouble-free and flexible
than the older types.
Since much of the increased output will go to
present customers rather than new ones, in many
areas it will be mainly necessary to revamp and
raise the power carrying ability of the transmission
lines and distribution systems, rather than con­
struct completely new lines. There will not be a
proportionate increase in meter reading, billing,
and other activities which are related to the num­
ber of customers. As a result of these and similar
conditions, the utility systems should again be
able to expand output with a relatively much
smaller increase in employment.
Development oj Atomic Energy. There has been
considerable discussion and speculation about the
technological and economic effects of the develop­
ment of atomic energy upon the electric power
industry. Prospective use of atomic energy for
power generation will have a far-reaching influence
on the design and location of power plants and
upon the utilization of fuel by electric utilities.
It is likely, however, to have relatively little
effect upon the number and kinds of jobs in the

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES IN 1947

industry. As the process of making electricity
from atomic energy is now visualized, heat ob­
tained from an atomic pile would be used to make
steam for driving the turbines. Thus, the prin­
cipal difference in operating method from an
ordinary steam power plant would be the source
of the heat for the boilers; that is uranium or other
fissionable material would be substituted for coal
or oil. From the production of the steam on
through the rest of the operations, the process
would be the same as now carried on by utility
systems.
A power plant using atomic fuel would, however,
require many protective features to guard workers
and equipment against the effects of radiation.
When atomic energy generating plants come into
general use, they may have considerable influence
on location of power plants. Because the quantity
of atomic fuel needed to run a power plant would
be considerably less bulky than the amount of
coal required, it should be possible to locate
generating plants where water power is not avail­
able and where it is costly to transport coal.
A pound of atomic fuel such as uranium will
equal the energy output of thousands of pounds
of coal.
If the present system of control over the de­
velopment of atomic energy is continued, it is
likely that atomic-fueled generating plants would
be operated either by the Federal Government or
by Government licensed organizations and the
power produced would be sold to utility systems
for transmission and distribution.
Estimates vary as to how soon generating plants
powered by atomic energy will be in regular
commercial use. The Atomic Energy Commission
in its fourth semiannual report, issued in July 1948,
indicated that it does not look forward to largescale operation of atomic power plants before 20
years. Experimental power plants sponsored by
the Atomic Energy Commission will be in
operation within a few years, but many years of
research and experimentation will be required to
make feasible atomic power production in connec­
tion with regular utility operations.
Future Trend of Employment
If the utility systems expand their capacity
and output as much as expected, a large number
of additional workers will be required. However,

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499

as pointed out in the discussion of technological
trends, the increase in employment will be rela­
tively less than the gain in output. All these
factors considered, it seems reasonable to conclude
that in 10 years (by 1958) total utility employ­
ment will range between 375,000 and 390,000.
This would mean an increase of about 45 to 60
thousand—or 14 to 18 percent—over the 330,000
workers employed in June 1948.
The estimated total increase gives b u t a general
picture of the trend. M ost of this increase can
be expected in the privately owned systems.
There will also be variations in the am ount of
increase among regions and among the different
occupational groups.

Operations of Consumers’
Cooperatives in 19471
An a l l - t i m e h i g h in both membership and busi­
ness was reached by the consumers’ cooperative
movement in the United States in 1947, despite
the number of dissolutions either during the year
or after the end of the year’s operations. On the
other hand, many new associations were formed
during 1947. The combined business of the retail
distributive cooperatives exceeded a billion dollars
and that of the local service associations was
over 25% millions.
The stores, as a group, showed increases in
volume of business exceeding those of any pre­
vious year for which the Bureau of Labor Statistics
has records. Operating results, however, were
less satisfactory than in 1946. Among the
reporting store associations, over a fourth (28.5
percent) sustained a loss on the year’s operations,
as compared with 16.1 percent in 1946; among
those which were “ in the black,” over half had
smaller earnings than in 1946. For the petroleum
associations, increases in both membership and
business were smaller than for the stores, but
operating results were better. Less than 3 per­
cent showed losses on the year’s business and, of
those showing earnings, well over half had earn1
Prepared by Florence E. Parker of the Bureau’s Office of Labor
Economics.

500

ings greater than in 1946. For both types of
associations, earnings included patronage refunds
on purchases made from wholesale associations
and, for some retail associations, such refunds
were all that kept them on the earnings side of
the ledger. Difficult operations were reflected in
an unusually large number of dissolutions of asso­
ciations in 1947 and early 1948.
More than 4,200 retail associations were affili­
ated with regional wholesales at the end of 1947.2
and 24 of these wholesales were, in turn, members
of National Cooperatives, Inc.
Among the commercial federations, the regional
and district wholesales had a distributive and
service business of nearly 261 million dollars
(compared with 222 millions in 1946). Earnings
of the reporting regional wholesales, which
exceeded 15 million dollars, were nearly 30 per­
cent above those of 1946; in 1946, however,
earnings had been nearly 88 percent above those
of 1945. Combined earnings for the group were
reduced considerably by the losses of a few associ­
ations. As among the retail associations, some of
the wholesales—particularly those which deal
mainly in groceries—found the going hard in 1947.
Two of the three wholesales dealing in groceries
sustained a loss on the year’s operations and in
two other wholesales the grocery departments
ended the year “ in the red.”
Patronage refunds to the affiliated member
associations totaled nearly 12% million dollars—
or nearly half again as much as in 1946.
The year 1947 saw another sizable increase in
value of goods produced by the wholesales and
productive federations, reaching nearly 128%
million dollars as compared with 95% millions in
the previous year. Over 60 percent of this product
came from plants operated by the regional whole­
sales, and somewhat over a third from those of
the productive federations.
Estimates of membership and business of the
various types of consumers’ cooperatives in 1947
are shown in table 1. It should be emphasized
that this table does not indicate the volume of
cooperative business done in any particular line,
as the table classifies the associations according
to their main line of business. Thus, an associ2
It should be pointed out that this figure includes some duplication
(where local associations are members of more than one regional wholesale).
Also, many of these affiliated retail associations are purely farm-supply
associations, not “consumer” associations (i. e., do not handle consumer
goods); such associations are not covered in table 1.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR

CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES IN 19^7

ation running a store, and also handling petroleum
products, is classified as a “ store association” if
the main volume of its business is done in the
store. Likewise, many associations operate coldstorage departments, which are secondary to
other lines of business; and funeral service is pro­
vided in some cases by local funeral associations,
in some by service federations, and in others
by funeral departments of store associations.
1.— Estimated membership and business of con­
sumers’ cooperatives in 1947, by type of association

T able

Type of association

Total
number
of asso­
ciations

Number of
members

Amount of
business

*
Local associations
Retail distributive_________________
Stores and buying clubs________
Petroleum associations---- --------Other i . . . _____________________
Service____________________________
Rooms and/or meals____________
Housing_______________________
Medical and/or hospital care:
On contract___ ___________
Own facilities___
___ ____
Burial:3
Complete funeral----------------Caskets only_______________
Burial on contract__________
Cold storage 4___________ ______
Other 5___
________ _______
Electric light and power 6__ ______
Telephone (mutual and c o o p .)--------Credit unions 8.
------------Insurance associations---------------------

3,985
2,500
1,400
85
793
200
125

100,000
65,000

1,800,000
6,000,000

36
30,000
1,000
3
4
2,000
106, 750
180
17,000
110
1,029 2 2,030,655
675,000
33,000
3,339, 859
9,040
2,000 911, 200,000

355,000
6,000
41,500
7,000,000
1,200,000
113,704,076
10,000,000
455,833, 601
io 207,000,000

60
75

Member
associations

Federations
Wholesales:
Interregional_________ ________
Regional----- ------------- . . . ------ -D istrict-------------- -------------------Service^- _________________________
Productive__________ ______ _______

2,208,000 $1,050,300,000
715.000.
000
1,250,000
925,000
320.000.
000
15,300,000
33,000
356,750
25, 502, 500
6,100,000
25,000
10,000
2 3,000,000

1
23
11
18
16

24
4,220
171
1,405
386

10, 581,140
il 255, 215,790
ii 5,663,841
1, 782,062
53,740, 713

1 Such as consumers’ dairies, creameries, bakeries, fuel yards, lumber
yards, etc.
2 Gross income.
2 Local associations only; excludes associations of federated type (which
are included with service federations) and funeral departments of store
associations.
4 Excludes cold-storage departments of other types of associations.
s Such as water supply, cleaning and dyeing, recreation, printing and
publishing, nursery schools, etc.
6 Data furnished by Rural Electrification Administration; figures include
36 refrigeration associations
i Number of patrons.
« Actual figures, not estimates.
9 Number of policyholders.
49 Premium income.
u includes wholesale distributive, retail distributive, and service business.

A larger number of consumers’ cooperative
associations than eyer before were in the milliondollar class in 1947. Altogether, 10 associations
of urban or rural-urban membership had a volume
of business exceeding a million dollars and 10 had
3,000 members or more. Table 2 shows the
membership and business of these leading con­
sumers’ cooperatives.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

501

CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES IN 19Jft

Sales of reporting cooperatives averaged
$367,015 per association for the stores and
$252,880 for the petroleum associations. Net
earnings for the stores with earnings averaged
4.1 percent on total business done; losses for
those which could not make ends meet averaged
3.2 percent of sales. (The corresponding figures
for 1946 were 5.5 and 3.4 percent.) For the oil
associations, earnings averaged 7.9 percent (10.1
percent in 1946) and losses 2.5 percent (5.0 per­
cent in 1946).
Information on patronage refunds returned by
local associations to their members is available
for 284 associations (269 distributive associations
and 15 service associations). For the whole group
these totaled $3,885,757. For the store associa­
tions the patronage refunds averaged 3.5 percent
on sales, for the petroleum associations 5.5 per­
cent, and for the service associations 4.5 percent.
Although many new associations were formed
in 1947, the number of dissolutions, either during
the year or after the end of the year’s operations,
was larger than in any year since the early 1920’s.
This included a number of associations which,
even though volume of business in 1947 had in­
creased over that in 1946, had ended the year with
a loss. Numerous factors—increased operating
expense ratios, losses on inventory, poor manage­
ment, losses from uncollectible debts, etc.—were
involved. The nonfarm associations, particu­
larly those dealing only in groceries, were hardest
hit. The grocery business, with severe competi­
tion and low margins, is becoming increasingly
difficult to operate successfully unless there is a

high operating efficiency and a good volume of
business.
Reports received since the beginning of 1948
indicate that dissolutions are continuing. Other
T a b l e 2. — Leading consumers’ cooperatives in 1947
M em­ Amount
of busi­
ber­
ship
ness, 1947

Type and name of association

Urban associations
Group Health Association, Washington, D . C .. . ..............
Rochdale Cooperative, Washington, D . C.2---------- -----Cooperative Trading, Waukegan, 111...................................
Greenbelt Consumers Services, Greenbelt, M d .................
United Cooperative Society, Fitchburg, M ass...................
United Cooperative Society, Maynard, M ass-------- -----Franklin Cooperative Creamery, Minneapolis, M inn—
Cooperative Services, St. Paul, M inn------------------------Consumers Cooperative Services, New York, N . Y .........
N ew Cooperative Co., Dillonvale, Ohio---------- -----------University of Oregon Cooperative Association, Eugene,
Oreg-............ ..........- .........- ............................... - ................ .
Shipbuilders Cooperative, Newport News, Va— ............
University Book Store, Seattle, Wash--------------- ------- -

2,110

$443, 738
3 802,828
2,751.468
1, 726,667
1,024,855
1,390,384
5,978,170
790,670
1,990,445
1,922,482

3,185
3,190
(s)

1, 715,546

3,914

1,702,448

6,431

1,863,641

4,400
3,342
6,000

2, 511
2,640
2, 567
3,300
3,500
8,291

392,606

(9

Rural- Urban Associations
Cloquet Cooperative Society, Cloquet, M inn-------- -----Consumer-Farmer M ilk Cooperative, Long Island
City, N . Y ..................................... ..................... - ................

1 At the end of 1947, this association was serving 13,692 “participants” (i. e.,
members and their dependents).
2 Does not include companion association in Arlington, Va., with 728 mem­
bers and a business of $377,053 for 9 months.
s 9 months (fiscal year changed in 1947).
4 This association did not go into operation until early in 1948.
5 No data.

associations report that their grocery departments
have been closed or that such a step is under
consideration.
Both store and petroleum associations continued
in 1947 the upward trend in membership and
business that has been evidenced since 1941

T a ble 3. — Trend of operations of retail store and petroleum cooperatives, 1942-47 1
Petroleum associations

Store associations
Item
1947
Membership:
Percent of increase over preceding year__________
Percent reportingincrease over preceding year________________
Decrease from preceding y e a r.. ____________
Amount of business:
Percent of increase over preceding year__________
Percent reporting—
Increase over preceding y ea r.. _____________
Decrease from preceding year........ .....................
N et earnings:
Percent going from—
Gain to loss
______________
Percent reporting—
Loss in both current and preceding years-----Increase in gain over preceding year_____ . .
Decrease in gain from preceding year________

1946

1945

1944

1942

1947

1946

1945

1944

1943

1942

13.4

11.6

15.9

25.6

13.6

8.3

9.6

10.8

11.4

14.4

23.9

9.5

80.9
19.1

72.8
27.2

82.9
17.1

98.8
1.2

77.4
22.7

75.5
24.5

80.2
19.8

77.5
22.5

78.2
21.8

79.9
20.1

74.5
25. 5

73.8
26. 2

39.9

30.8

11.5

19.6

28.8

30.8

26.3

27.9

10.7

22.6

19.1

13.6

80.8
19.2

90.5
9.5

72.9
27.1

80.3
19.7

84.7
15.3

90.8
9.2

89.7
10.3

94.1
5.9

86.3
13.7

89.4
10.6

71.5
28. 5

78.9
21.1

19.4
3.7

5.8
9.1

4.2
10.7

6.4
4.2

6.8
5.3

5.4
4.9

2.4
1.0

.8
.9

.7
.9

.4
1.8

2.0
1.2

9.1
30.8
37.0

3.3
62.5
19.2

8.4
49.4
27.2

2.0
62.3
25.1

1.9
51.7
34.3

2.2
69.5
17.9

.5
55.3
40.8

88.0
11.1

.5
74.5
23.3

60.3
37. 5

.4
64.7
31. 7

i Based on identical associations reporting for both current and preceding year.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1943

78.9
20.3

502

WAGE STRUCTURE—FERTILIZER INDUSTRY

(table 3), but for the oil cooperatives this was at
a slower rate than for the stores.
The increasingly difficult conditions faced by
the store associations since the end of the war are
reflected in the rising proportions of those with
losses and of those which (although still showing
earnings) had smaller profits than in the preceding
year.
Changes in Net Earnings

The petroleum business has always been one of
wider margins and greater simplicity of operation,
as compared with the stores. The urban petro­
leum associations were hard hit by the drastic
controls during the war and some went out of
business as a result. However, since the petro­
leum associations in this country are mainly of
farmer membership—and thus were able to
obtain supplies—the whole group of petroleum
associations (as shown in table 3) not only main­
tained volume of business, but even increased it,
during the war. The year 1947 showed an in­
crease in business second only to that of 1945, the
year the war ended. For the petroleum associa­
tions, as for the stores, 1947 operations on the
whole produced smaller earnings and greater
losses than in 1946,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR

Fertilizer Industry:
Wage Structure, March 1948 1
of plant workers in
the fertilizer industry in March 1948 amounted to
88 cents an hour. For the majority of individual
workers, hourly earnings ranged from 65 cents to
$1.09 although 1 in 10 received $1.20 or more.
Average wage levels have increased yearly during
the past decade and are now more than double the
1939 levels.2 In March 1948, only 1 worker in 8
earned less than 65 cents and 3 in 10 earned less
than 75 cents; practically none had earnings under
40 cents. This may be contrasted with the mid­
war year 1943, when nearly a fourth of the workers
earned less than 40 cents, about two-thirds less
than 65 cents, and about four-fifths below 75
cents (table 1).
Although fertilizer establishments are found in
nearly every State, the industry is located prin­
cipally in the area of greatest fertilizer consump­
tion, the South; the Southeast region and the bor­
dering States of Maryland and Virginia have more
than half of the establishments and three-fifths of
the workers.
Regionally, there was wide variation in average
hourly wage levels in the spring of 1948, ranging
from about 75 cents in the Southeast and South­
west to about 60 percent above this figure in the
Mountain and Pacific regions. Workers in the
Middle Atlantic and Great Lakes regions averaged
$1.07 an hour, and in the New England, Middle
West, and Border States, around 95 cents.
Nearly a fourth of the workers in the two southern
regions earned less than 65 cents, and more than
A verage hourly ea r n in g s

1 Prepared by Donald L. Helm of the Bureau’s Division of Wage Analysis.
More detailed information is provided in a mimeographed report: Wage
Structure—Fertilizer.
The present survey was limited to establishments employing 5 or more
workers, that were primarily engaged in the manufacture of complete com­
mercial fertilizer and superphosphate, as well as plants manufacturing drymix fertilizers from purchased material. In general, the scope corresponds
to industries 2871 and 2872 as defined in the 1941 Edition of the Standard
Industrial Classification Manual issued by the U. S. Bureau of the Budget.
Among those excluded from the survey were establishments manufacturing
liquid fertilizers or merchandising fertilizer materials in the natural state or
tankage from meat-packing plants used without further processing.
2 N ot only have earnings steadily increased, but because of the great demand
for fertilizer during the war and postwar years, employment in this tradition
ally seasonal industry has shown increasing stability. In 1939, the industry
employed less than half as many workers in the slack summer season as in the
spring. Employment in 1947, however, was the most stable in recent years;
in that year employment in July was only about 29 percent less than in
March.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

W AGE STR U C T U R E —F E R TILIZE R IN D U S T R Y

twice as many earned less than 75 cents an hour.
In four regions, however, earnings of $1.20 or
more were common; more than half the workers
in the Pacific and Mountain regions, one-fourth
in the Middle Atlantic, and one-fifth in the Great
Lakes region averaged at least this amount.
Among the occupational groups studied, laborers
averaged 80 cents an hour; in most regions their
earnings were about 7 or 8 cents below the average
for all plant workers. The highest earnings were
those of maintenance men, who averaged $1.24
T able

503

for the country as a whole. Regionally, earnings
of these workers varied less than those of any
other occupational group considered. In most
regions, their earnings were about 40 percent
above those of laborers. As in many industries,
relatively greater wage differentials between
skilled and unskilled workers were found in the
southern regions than elsewhere in the country;
in the Southeast and Southwest, earnings of
maintenance men averaged more than 75 percent
above those for the labor group (table 2).

1.—Percentage distribution of plant workers in fertilizer establishments, by straight-time average hourly earnings 1
and region, March 1948
Average hourly earnings

United
States

Under 40.0 cents________________________________
40.0-44.9 cents_______________________ __________
45.0-49.9 cents_________________________________
50.0-54.9 cents__________ _____ __________________
55.0-59.9 cents____
___________________________
60.0-64.9 cents_________________________ _
65.0-69.9 cents____________________ ____ _________
70.0-74.9 cents__________________________________
75.0-79.9 cents_____________________________ ____
80.0-84.9 cen ts.. .
____ _ _ . . . __________
85.0-89.9 cents_________ . _______ ._
_ .
90.0-94.9 cents__________________________________
95.0-99.9 cents___________ _______
____ ____
100.0-104.9 cents________________________________
105.0-109.9 cents___ . . . .
. . . . . . _ ____ _
110.0-114.9 cents________________________________
115.0-119.9 cents__________ _______ .
....
120.0-124.9 cents________________________________
125.0-129.9 cents________________________________
130.0-134.9 cents________________________________
135.0-139.9 cents________________________________
140.0-144.9 cents__________ _______ _
_ _
145 0-149.9 cents________________________________
150.0-159.9 cents______ __________ _ _ _
160.0-169.9 cents___________________ . _
170.0-179.9 cents___________________ _ ____ _ _
180.0-189.9 cents________________________________
190.0 cents and over
___
_ ______________
Total_____________________________ __ _ _

(2)
0.9
.9
3.3
2.9
5.3
9.0
9.3
7.7
7.9
8.2
5.7
8.2
6.9
5.5
4.1
3.4
2.9
2.5
1.7
1.1
.7
.4
.9
.2
.1
.1
.2
100.0

Number of workers_________ _____ _________ _____
Over-all average 1_________________ _____________

New
England

Middle
Atlantic

0.1

Border
States

0.1

100.0

0.5
.2
1.5
.5
4.4
4.8
6.5
2.4
6.7
6.6
2.8
15.6
13.1
8.3
10.5
3.2
3.5
1.8
2.5
1.0
1.8
.5
.3
.3
.7
100.0

.2
1. 2
3.4
3.9
2.4
5.2
1 5
20.0
3.2
25.6
14.4
6.7
2.1
1.5
2.2
2.1
1.7
1.1
.6
(2)
.8
(2)
(2)
(2)
.1
100.0

29,553

892

2,164

$0.88

$0. 97

$1.07

.7
5.6
.2
13.1
10.7
14.2
20.7
5.2
7.6
6.4
5.2
4.5
1.9
.3
2.0
.4
.6
.2
.1
.2
.1

South­
east

Great
Lakes

(2)

1.2
.9
6.2
5.3
9.7
16.8
16. 7
12.4
13 3
5.5
3.2
.8
1.4
.9
1.3
1.1
.5
.9

Middle
West

0.3
0.6

South­
west

Moun­
tain

Pacific

fi 2
7 5
fi 2
1 9
22
10 1
13 1
8.1
fi 4
18.7
8.9
6.6
1.5
.8
1.3
.1
.2
.8
.4
.5

2.7

.6

11.6
5.5
5.5
3.1
7.5
.7
.3
19.6
16.8
* 13.7
.7

J2

7.5

100.0

2.3
5.7
2.3
11.1
12.5
9.3
3.9
5.2
15.3
10.4
6.1
3 4
19
3 7
3 0
1 2
13
'4
100.0

0.2

.i
100.0

.1
.1
1.4
2 1
2.5
9. 5
11.6
19.0
12.8
10.1
9.9
6.7
4.5
3.2
2.3
.9
g
1 0
.3
1
.1
.3
100.0

100.0

100.0

4,744

13.478

4,865

375

1,913

292

830

$0.94

$0.74

$1. 07

$0.96

$0. 75

$1.17

$1.20

.4

.4
.3
(2)

.5
.i
.1

(2)

2 1
2.9
1 1
11.7
36.2
20.0
4.3
4.0
1.3
9.9
.8
2.4
2.4
.3
3

1 Excluding premium pay for overtime and night work.
2 Less than 0.05 of 1 percent.

Factors in Earnings Variations

In complete fertilizer and in superphosphate
plants, proportionately more skilled workers are
employed than in establishments that dry-mix
only.3 These differences in occupational com­
position, together with the tendency for the
two former types of establishments to locate in
the larger cities, are reflected in part in average
wage levels. Plant workers in complete fer­
tilizer and superphosphate plants averaged about
15 cents an hour more than those employed in
dry-mix establishments.
8 0 9 7 3 7 — 48 -

-4


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Earnings in the three types of fertilizer establish­
m ents also varied between companies operating
only a single fertilizer plant and those having
3
Complete fertilizer establishments manufacture acid for use in the super­
phosphate department, where phosphate rock is ground and mixed with it.
After chemical reaction is completed the superphosphate is combined with
other purchased fertilizer materials in the dry-mix department. Superphos­
phate establishments purchase their acids, but perform the other operations
indicated above, including those performed in the dry-mix department.
Dry-mix establishments purchase their superphosphates and perform only
the dry-mix operations.
For a full description of manufacturing methods and equipment and types
of fertilizer materials used, see mimeographed report prepared by the B u­
reau’s Division of Employment and Occupational Outlook: Trends in M an­
hours Expended per Ton for the Manufacture of Selected Types of Fertilizer1939 to 1946.

WAGE STRU CTU RE-FERTILIZER INDUSTRY

504

multiplant operations. In both the complete
fertilizer and the dry-mix establishments, earnings
levels in companies with multiplant operations
averaged more than 10 percent sbove those hav­
ing single plants. Wage levels in single-plant
superphosphate establishments averaged slightly
above those in multiplant establishments; how-

MONTHLY LABOR

ever, as in the other two types of establishments,
a larger proportion of workers in single than in
multiplant firms received earnings near the lower
end of the wage scale.
Because large numbers of workers are employed
at the plant minimum rates,4 an unusual oppor­
tunity is presented to examine differences be-

T a ble 2. —Straight-time average hourly earnings 1for selected occupational groups in fertilizer establishments, by region,

March 194-8
N um ­
ber of
workers

Average hourly rates

Selected occupational groups

Foremen (working)_________ _______ ______ ______
Janitors and w atchmen_________________________
Laborers (including hand truckers and hand
shovelers).. ....................... ..............................................
Maintenance m en........................................ ......................
Maintenance helpers _
. ______
________
Tractor drivers. _________________ ____ ________
Truck drivers _______ _______ ___________________

United
States

1,180
637

$1.18
.78

$1.22
.87

17, 078
1, 327
478
779
484

.80
1. 24
1.00
.91
.96

.89
1.22
(2)
1.23
1.01

1 Excludes premium pay for overtime and night work.

tween wage levels by certain plant characteristics,
uncomplicated by differences in occupational
structure. An analysis of these rates by size of
community and type of plant indicates that loca­
tion of establishment is of great significance in
determining interplant differences between wage
rates in the industry. Average hourly minimum
rates 6 were about 20 cents higher in communities
of 100,000 or more than in the smaller communi­
ties, regardless of type of plant; within each of
the 3 community-size groups, average minimum
rates were only about 5 cents higher in complete
fertilizer and superphosphate establishments than
in dry-mix plants.
Nearly 14,000 of the approximately 30,000 plant
workers in the industry were employed at plant
minimum rates. This rather unusual concentra­
tion may be explained partly by the relatively
simple labor requirements of the industry and the
seasonal nature of operations. The pay-roll period
selected for study was one of peak industry activ­
ity. Presumably most of the 8,000 workers added
to the industry’s labor force between November
1947 and March 1948 were hired at plant minimum
rates. In March 1948, average plant minimum
rates ranged from 65 cents an hour in the South­
east and Southwest regions to as high as 95 cents

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Border
States

South­
east

Great
Lakes

Middle
West

South­
west

Moun­
tain

$1.39
.98

$1.18
.80

$1.05
.66

$1.31
.99

$1.10
.82

$0.92
.68

$1. 22
(2)

$1.45
.98

.99
1.39
1. 19
1.15
1.03

.86
1.23
1. 02
1. 00
.90

.66
1.16
.87
.76
.80

1. 00
1.39
1.24
1.14
1. 04

.90
1. 30
(2)
1.07
(2)

.68
1. 21
.94
.79
.96

1.06
1. 46
(2)
(2)
(2)

1.13
1.40

M iddle
N ew
England Atlantic

United
States

Pacific

1.40
1.53

* Insufficient data to justify presentation of an average.

and $1.10 in the G reat Lakes and Pacific regions,
respectively.

In large communities, average wage levels for
all plant workers were distinctly higher than in
small communities. As table 3 indicates, earnings
of laborers in the largest cities averaged more than
a fourth above those in the smallest communities.
3. — Average straight-time hourly earnings 1 for
laborers in fertilizer establishments by type of plant and
size of community, March 1948

T able

Complete
fertilizer
plants
Size of community

Superphos­
phate and
dry-mix
plants

Dry-mix
plants

N um ­ Aver­ N um ­ Aver­ N um ­ Aver­
age
ber
age
ber
age
ber
hourly
hourly
of
hourly
of
of
work­ rates work­ rates work­ rates
ers
ers
ers

Communities of—
100,000 or more _______ 3,550
25,000-100,000___________ l, 952
747
Under 25,000____________

$0. 91
.82
.71

1,454
875
876

$0.90
.90
.71

2,230
1,329
4,065

$0.85
.71
.65

1 Excludes premium pay for overtime and night work.

In the important Southeast region, average
hourly earnings of laborers ranged from 77 cents
4 Refers to lowest rate actually paid workers other than watchmen, janitors,
apprentices, or handicapped workers.
5 Averages of minimum plant rates refer to medians; other averages used
in this report are weighted means.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

INJURY RATES IN MANUFACTURING

in complete fertilizer and in superphosphate estab­
lishments in the largest cities to 57 cents in drymix plants in the smallest cities.
Only a third of the fertilizer plants studied were
located in communities of 100,000 population or
more, about a fifth in communities of 25,000 and
under 100,000, and almost half in those of less than
25,000 population. Because of the larger estab­
lishments’ tendency to locate in the larger cities,
it is estimated that roughly 45 percent of the
workers in the industry are in large cities, with the
remainder divided fairly equally between the
smaller sized community groups.
Higher wage levels prevailed in union 6 than in
nonunion establishments. A measure of these dif­
ferences can be seen best in the earnings of laborers.
In union establishments they averaged 88 cents an
hour, in nonunion 70 cents. Among the more
important regions, union and nonunion earnings,
respectively, in the Border States were 94 and 71
cents, in the Southeast 72 and 61 cents, and in the
Great Lakes region $1.05 and 93 cents. Union­
ization was most prevalent among manufacturers
of complete fertilizers and in plants located in the
largest cities.
Shift Differentials and Hours of Work

Although data were obtained for a season of
peak industry activity, multishift operations were
not extensive in the industry; only about onesixth of the establishments studied indicated this
practice. Operation of more than 1 shift was
reported principally by complete fertilizer or by
superphosphate establishments. These accounted
for 71 of the 84 establishments reporting a second
shift; only half as many plants operated a third
shift. Shift differential payments were made by
more than half of those operating a second shift
and by two-thirds of those operating a third shift.
Such payments consisted of a uniform addition in
cents to first-shift hourly rates; and generally,
this amounted to 5 cents an hour or less for the
second shift and over 5 cents an hour for the third
6
Somewhat more than a third of the plants, employing roughly three-fifths
of the workers, reported agreements with 1 or more labor unions; multiplant
establishments accounted for 7 out of 10 of these. Although more than 25
different unions held agreements w ith the industry, the following organiza­
tions were most frequently reported— District 50, United Mine Workers of
America; International Union of Mine, M ill and Smelter Workers; Inter­
national Chemical Workers Union; United Gas, Coke and Chemical Workers
of America; and the United Packing House Workers of America.


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

505

shift. Shift-differential paym ents were less com­
mon in the South than elsewhere.

The majority of plants, including a substantial
proportion of the largest establishments, reported
a 40-hour-schedule workweek for most of their
workers. More than 1 plant in 5 reported sched­
ules of over 40 but less than 50 hours, the most
typical schedules being 44 and 48 hours. Nearly
1 plant in 7 reported a workweek of 50 or more
hours. Most plants with workweeks in excess of
40 hours were single-plant dry-mix establishments.

Injury Rates in Manufacturing,
Second Quarter, 1948
i n j u r i e s in manufacturing industries de­
clined during the second quarter of 1948, not only
in absolute number but also in the rate per million
man-hours worked. The slight seasonal upswing
in the injury-frequency rate noted in the first
quarter was reversed and the general trend down­
ward was resumed. From a rate of 14.5 disabling
work injuries per million employee-hours worked
in March 1948, the all-manufacturing injuryfrequency rate decreased to 13.9 in April, 13.5
in May, and 13.2 in June.
This decline was partially seasonal. Typically,
May and June have shown lower rates than those
reported during the first quarter of the same year;
however, April usually has been a month of higher
rates. The general downward trend is apparent
from a comparison of the average rate of 13.5
for the second quarter of 1948 with the rate of 15.7
for the second quarter of 1947 and with 18.1 for
the second quarter of 1946. The figure of 14.1
for the first quarter of 1948 was also considerably
below the average of 16.0 for the first quarter of
1947. The injury record for the first half of 1948
points to a continuance of the improvement in
work safety achieved in manufacturing during
1947.
It is estimated that during the second quarter
of 1948 there were approximately 110,600 work
injuries disabling employees in manufacturing
establishments for 1 or more days. This repre-

W ork

MONTHLY LABOR

INJURY RATES IN MANUFACTURING

506

sents a decrease of 4,200 from the corresponding
figure for the first quarter and is 12,400 below
that for the second quarter of 1947. About 400
of the injured workers died as a result of their
injuries, and 5,200 others were known to have
suffered permanent physical impairments. Later
information concerning the final outcome of
injuries first reported as causing temporary dis­
ability may require increases in these estimates of
the more serious cases.
Working time lost during the quarter by these
injured persons is estimated as about 2,212,000
man-days. At current wage levels, this represents
an estimated value of over 22 million dollars—a
loss paid partly by employers in the form of
workmen’s compensation and partly absorbed by
the injured workers in the form of reduced income
during the periods of disability. This, however,
is only a portion of the total cost which will accrue
from the injuries. It includes no allowance for
the continuing economic losses arising from the
many deaths and permanent impairments, or for
the hospital, medical, and other costs incidental
to treatment of the injuries.
Of the 117 manufacturing classifications for
which comparable data were available, 46 had
significantly lower injury-frequency rates in the
second quarter than in the first quarter of 1948.

For 24 industries the rates were higher, and for 47
they were essentially unchanged. The outstand­
ing reduction was in the rate for the integrated
saw-and-planing-mill industry, which dropped
from 60.3 in the first quarter to 41.3 in the second
quarter. The rate for the battery industry de­
creased from 26.0 to 15.0, and for planing mills,
from 51.3 to 42.5. In contrast, the rate for struc­
tural clay products rose from 14.0 to 23.2, and that
for welded and heavy riveted wrought pipes, from
16.5 to 25.3. These and most of the other major
changes in injury-frequency rates for individual
industries represented a return to normal levels
following unusual increases or decreases in the
preceding quarter.
Sawmills had the highest injury rate (56.6) in
the second quarter of 1948. Other injury rates
above 40 were all in the woodworking group of
industries: planing mills (42.5), the integrated
saw-and-planing mills (41.3)—although these two
industries had shown major decreases from the
first-quarter rates—and the manufacture of wood
containers (40.9).
The lowest rate, 2.5, was reported for the optical
and ophthalmic goods industry. The syntheticrubber industry had a rate of 2.7, synthetic-textile
fibers, 2.8, and electric lamps (bulbs), 2.9.

Industrial injury-frequency rates for selected manufacturing industries, second quarter, 1948, with cumulative rates for 1948 1
Second quarter, 1948
Industrya

Apparel:
Clothing, men’s and boys’_________ _ _______________________
Clothing, women’s and children’s ____ . . .
___________________
Apparel and accessories, not elsewhere classified. _______ _____
Trimmings & fabricated textile products, not elsewhere classified..
Chemicals:
Compressed and liquefied gases__________ _______ ______ ____
Drugs, toiletries, and insecticides__________ . . . . __________
Explosives____________ ____ _____________
. . . . . ________
Industrial chemicals___ ___________ . . . . . . . . . . _____ ____
...
_____
___ _
Paints, varnishes, and colors___ _
Plastic materials, except rubber____
.
..
......
Soap and glycerin_______ ______________ _ __________________
Synthetic rubber. . . . . . . _______________ . . . . . . . . ____
Synthetic textile fibers__
____ . . .
____
..
_____ . . .
Chemical products, not elsewhere classified_____ _______ ____
Electrical equipment:
Autom otive electrical equipment_____________________________
Batteries________ _ _______________ _______________________
Communication and signaling equipment, except radio_________
Electrical appliances______________________ ______ ___________
Electrical equipment for industrial use______________ ________
Electric lamps (bulbs)_________________ ____________________
Insulated wire and cable___ ______ ____ _ _____________ _____
Radios and phonographs__________ ________________________
Electrical equipment, not elsewhere classified__________________

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Frequency rate

Frequency rate 4 for—
Number of
establish­
ments 3

April

M ay

June

Second
quarter

JanuaryJune, 1948
(cumula­
tive)4

1947:
Annual
(final)5

9.6

6.3
3.6
(»)
16.8

17.3

6.4
3.9
5.7
14.5

37
68
40
179
61
26
45
18
19
48

13.3
8.5
1.4
9.0
9.5
4.8
4.5
3.9
2.1
8.7

6.1
10.5
2.7
9.4
9.6
6.2
3.9
2.0
3.3
8.8

8.9
10.3
7. 5
9.5
11. 4
5.1
5.4
2.0
2.9
7.9

9.6
9.7
4.0
9.3
10.2
5.4
4.6
2.7
2.8
8.5

7.9
9.7
3.7
9.5
11.2
5.5
5.6
1.7
3.1
10.6

9.8
12.0
5.3
13.1
17.3
7.2
9.4
1.9
5.8
16.9

23
27
20
30
250
16
27
92
18

20.9
14.4
6.1
18.4
8.4
4.0
13.9
4.7
6.2

17.6
19.3
3.7
15.1
6.7
2.0
12.6
4.5
4.6

22.4
11.3
4.8
11.9
6.1
2.5
12.2
5.7

20.3
15.0
4.9
15.3
7.1
2.9
12.9
5.0

18.9
21.1
4.7
14.4
7.7
3.2
14.3
5.3

19.2
25.0
5.2
15.0
9.5

4.3

5.0

4.6

5.4

344
281
47
08

5.4
2.5
P)

7.6
5.8
«

7.3
4.8
6.4
14.4

7.0
4.3
7.7
12.0

3.3

13.6
6.2

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

INJURY RATES IN MANUFACTURING

507

Industrial injury-frequency rates for selected manufacturing industries, second quarter, 1948, with cumulative rates for 19481—
Continued
Second quarter, 1948
Industry

Food:
B aking... ___________ ___________ ____ _
Canning and preserving_______ __________ .
Confectionery_______ _______ . . . _______
Dairy products______________ _________________
Distilleries_____________________________________
Flour, feed, and grain-mill products ___________
Slaughtering and meat packing__________________
Food products, not elsewhere classified_______________
Furniture and lumber products:
Furniture, wood ______ __________________ ____ ___
. .
Mattresses and bedsprings____________________________
Wooden containers .
.
_ _. ______ . . . . . .
Miscellaneous wood products, not elsewhere classified
._
Iron and steel:
Bolts, nuts, washers, and rivets. _________________
Cold finished steel___ _____________ . ______
Cutlery and edge tools_____________ ______ ___________
Fabricated structural steel____ _ . ______ _ ___
Forgings, iron and steel____
. . ___________ _.
Foundries, iron________________ ____ . . . . _
_____________ _
Foundries, steel________________ .
Hardware__________ . . . . ................... . . ___ _
Heating equipment, not elsewhere classified
___. . . ._ ____
____________ ____
Iron and steel____ ___________
M etal coating and engraving ____________ ________________
Ornamental metal work____________________________
Plate fabrication and boiler-shop products_____________ _____
Plumbers’ supplies______________________________________
Screw-machine products________________________ _____
_ . ______
Sheet-metalwork.............. ...........
Stamped and pressed metal products, not elsewhere classified___
Steam fittings and apparatus_______ __________________
Steel barrels, kegs, drums, and packages_____ _ . . . . . .
Steel springs___ ________ _ ____________ __________ .
Tin cans and other tinware______________________ _
Tools, except edge tools___________________ ______
Wire and wire products_____________________________________
Wrought pipes, welded and heavy-riveted.__ _________
Iron and steel products, not elsewhere classified.. . .
______
Leather:
Boots and shoes, not rubber ______ ______ . . . . . . _______ _
Leather___________________ ______ __________ . _
Lumber:
M ill work, structural______________________________ . . .
Sawmills. .
_________ _________________ _
Sawmills and planing mills combined- ____ _____. . . .
Planing mills__________ ____ _______________________ _ _
Plywood mills_______________________ _________ .
Machinery, except electric:
Agricultural machinery and tractors__________ ______________ .
Bearings, ball and roller . . ____________________________ . _
Commercial and household machinery________________________
Construction and mining machinery ____________ . _
Elevators, escalators, and conveyors. . _________
_____
Engines and turbines______________ ___________ . _ _
Food-products machinery_______
_ ___ . . . . . .
General industrial machinery and equipment, not elsewhere classifled__________
_ _________ ___________ _________
General machine shops (jobbing and repair).. . . _____________
Mechanical measuring and controlling instruments_____________
Mechanical power transmission equipment, except ball and roller
bearings-------------------------------- --------- --------------------------- -----Metalworking machinery____________________________________
Pumps and compressors__________________ ______ ____________
Special industry machinery, not elsewhere classified____________
Textile machinery___ ______________ _ . .
Nonferrous metals:
Aluminum and magnesium products_________________________
Foundries, nonferrous. __________________________________ __
Nonferrous basic shapes and forms______________________ _____
Watches, clocks, jewelry, and silverware______ . ____________
Nonferrous metal products, not elsewhere classified____________
Ordnance:
Ordnance and accessories__________ ________ ____________ _____
Paper:
Paper boxes and containers___________________________________
Paper and pulp_____ ____ _________________ ____ ___ ____ _____
Paper products, not elsewhere classified_______________________
Printing:
Book and job printing_______________________________________
Rubber:
Rubber boots and shoes_____ ________ _____________________
Rubber tires and tubes___________________________ _________
Rubber products, not elsewhere classified_____________________

See footnotes at end of table.

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

Number of
establish­
ments 3

Frequency rate

Frequency rate 4 for—
April

M ay

June

I Second
quarter

JanuaryJune, 1948
(cumula­
tive)4

1947:
Annual
(final)5

21
37.
37
126
52
28
318
36

31.3
11.4
13.2
15.6
9.7
11.7
21.4
12.0

17.2
11.3
14.7
26.1
6.8
10.9
22.4
13.2

17.8
13.2
11.1
26.7
7.5
8.7
19.5
12.0

21.7
12.0
13.0
23.0
8.1
10.4
21.1
12.4

16.5
11.7
14.3
23.8
8.2
9.1
21.1
13.5

18.1
27.3
16.1
22.7
11.7
27.1
29.9
20. 5

82
116
209
100

20.6
16.3
38.2
26.0

20.2
21.7
42.5
18.4

21.2
14.2
42.0
18.1

20.6
17.3
40.9
21.0

22. 0
20.5
40.8
22.9

28.2
24.9
41. 9
34.0

41
32
28
192
102
337
105
44
72
151
51
42
115
39
92
56
206
52
21
15
23
58
138
16
23

15.2
21.1
19 3
23.4
18.9
39.7
28.9
15.8
22. 7
6.3
23.8
29.9
34.8
20.4
14.3
13.5
18.0
14.0

16.2
28.9
12.7
20.2
17.1
37.6
29.6
12.3
14.5
6.7
21.4
24.5
32.0
23.0
16.1
20.0
16.2
12.9
18.9
13.6
17.8
19.1
(6)
m

16.1
17.6
11.3
19.8
17.2
36.0
25.4
13.9
19.3
6.8
16.1
27.7
30.7
16.4
15.2
15.8
19.4
18.4
(6)
22.2
17.7
18.9
23.1
(«)
(6)

15.8
22.3
14.6
21.1
17.8
37.8
27.9
14.1
18.8
6.6
22.1
27.4
32.5
19.9
15.2
16.4
17.9
15.2
19.5
21.9
16.9
18.2
20.4
25.3
24.7

16. 7
21.1
15.3
22.3
18.5
37.5
28.3
14.3
20.1
6.6
23.4
25.5
34.2
18.0
16.5
20.3
19.7
16.2
19.7
25.2
14.6
18.9
20.6
20.8
20.8

19.6
22.8
23.6
27.3
28.4
44.5
32.2
16. 0
34.3
8.2
28.8
27.8
37.2
23.3
19.3
24.2
23.4
25.2
19.4
21.2
18.6
23.7
21.5
24.2
24. 5

m

24.4
19.3
17.9
19.1
(«)
(6)

m

226
34

9.3
32.7

10.6
27.9

7.5
25.6

9.1
28.8

9.2
26.4

9.6
29.4

203
49
33
74
42

27.5
48.1
38.5
42.6
31.7

25.8
61.3
39.8
40.7
40.8

28.6
59.9
45.8
44.0
34.6

27.3
56.6
41.3
42.5
35.6

29.5
56.6
52.3
46.7
38.9

36.6
66.6
56.7
42.3
38.5

77
32
115
115
23
47
56

23.4
17.3
10.1
22.7
15.7
14.9
14.8

20.9
21.6
9.4
21.2
12.2
13.6
20.3

19.9
19.7
9.0
21.9
16.5
11.6
18.0

21.4
19.4
9.5
22.0
14.9
13.3
17.7

20.7
16.8
9.6
22.2
16.8
12.9
19.5

23.4
14.4
11.6
28.5
20.0
13.6
24.6

187
101
52

19.6
22.2
12.6

15.4
23.3
15.3

18.0
25.1
11.5

17.7
23.5
13.1

19.0
22.3
12.2

22.6
24.8
14.0

65
425
73
122
27

21.9
14.7
20.1
24.0
12.6

23.8
12.9
18.9
20.4
11.4

17.7
13.2
15.9
22.1
10.5

21.0
13.6
18.3
22.2
11.5

18.9
13.5
18.9
22.3
11.6

20.3
15.5
20.1
21.4
18.4

24
220
28
39
83

23.5
27.3
11.9
6.8
16.8

20.9
16.6
12.9
7.2
17.4

18.6
23.6
11.2
8.1
12.4

21.1
22.6
12.0
7.4
15.5

24.1
22.5
12.6
7.2
15.2

20.8
27.0
15.7
8.0
13.3

15

5.5

5.1

3.1

4.6

4.7

5.6

297
355
31

17.3
19.6
17.3

16.8
20.5
18.7

18.9
18.7
20.3

17.7
19.6
18.7

19.2
19.3
18.4

21.5
23.6
20.6

57

7.5

6.9

10.1

8.2

8.6

9.4

15
33
78

6.1
7.9
15.9

5.5
8.7
16.9

5.3
7.3
16.7

5.7
8.0
16.5

5.8
8.6
16.4

9.8
10.5
17.9

MONTHLY LABOR

PRESIDENT’S CONFERENCE ON SAFETY

508

Industrial injury-frequency rates for selected manufacturing industries, second quarter, 1948, with cumulative rates for 1948 *Continued
Frequency rate

Second quarter, 1948
Industry 2

Fre quency rate 1 for—
Number of
establish­
ments 3

Stone, clay, and glass:
Structural clay products.......................... .......................................... .
Concrete, gypsum, and plaster products...............................................
G la s s __________ ___
_____________________ ________ ____
Pottery and related products______
_______________________
Stone, clay, and glass products, not elsewhere classified_________
Textiles:
Cotton yam and textiles___ _____ ____________________________
Dyeing and finishing textiles______________________ __________
Knit goods.. _____
____ _____________________________
Rayon and other synthetic and silk textiles-----------------------------___________________
Woolen and worsted textiles____________
Miscellaneous textile goods, not elsewhere classified------------------Transportation equipment:
Aircraft------------------------- --------------------------------- ----------------Aircraft parts_______________________________
. . ---------Motor vehicles------ ------ -------------------------------------------------------Motor-vehicle parts_________________ . . -----------------------------Railroad equipment____________________ ____ _ _____________
Shipbuilding and repairs------------------------- --------------------------Miscellaneous manufacturing:
Fabricated plastic products--------------------------------------------- -----Optical and ophthalmic goods--------------------------------- --------------Photographic apparatus and materials-------------------- ---------------Professional and scientific instruments and supplies.........................
Miscellaneous manufacturing, not elsewhere classified.....................

June

M ay

1947:
Annual
(final)5

42
138
41
30
49

21.3
(8)
12.5
19.9
18.3

24.4
(9)
11.6
19.2
17.7

24.0
(»)
11.4
23.3
15.6

23.2
34.4
11.8
20.8
17.2

19.0
36.5
14.4
21.0
17.0

43.9
36.1
15.8
21.1
21.8

186
51
78
47
142
28

8.1
12.4
7.8
9.0
15.4
12.5

8.2
13.0
8.8
9.7
12.4
23.1

8.0
13.9
10.2
11.2
11.8
22.6

8.1
13.1
8.9
10.0
13.3
19.3

8.6
13.2
8.1
8.8
13.1
20.5

12.2
19.2
6.9
10.4
18.6
23.8

18
26
106
92
51
66

4.5
6.0
9.3
20.0
20.6
27.0

3.4
5.2
10.7
21.6
19.8
23.5

3.9
4.7
9.5
18.1
19.7
23.8

4.0
5.3
9.8
19.8
20.0
24.9

4.5
6.3
9.8
20.0
19.8
25.0

4.8
11.1
8.4
17.6
17.9
25.2

32
16
22
61
139

11.2
3.5
5.2
8.7
12.8

9.2
2.3
5.7
7.3
9.1

13.2
1.7
7.7
7.3
12.8

11.3
2.5
6.2
7.8
11.6

10.8
3.5
6.3
7.1
11.6

18.1
7.9
6.2
15.8
15.4

1 The average number of disabling industrial injuries for each million
employee-hours worked.
2 A few industries have been omitted because the monthly coverage did
not amount to 1,000,000 or more employee-hours worked.
3 June.

The President’s Conference on
National Safety, 19481
T h e F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t ’s first national con­
ference on industrial safety held preliminary
sessions in Washington, September 27-29, 1948.
President Truman, in requesting the late Secretary
of Labor Schwellenbach to organize a long-term
cooperative program for accident reduction
(through the Department’s Bureau of Labor
Standards), had cited the 1947 national accident
toll—some 2 million disabling work injuries for
the seventh consecutive year, 17,000 workers
killed, and 91,000 persons permanently disabled.
He added:
Surely there is enough experience in accident
prevention in this great industrial Nation of ours to
check these needless losses of men and women.
* * * Our primary objective, at this time,
should be a concentrated and coordinated effort by
everyone concerned—management and labor, volun­
tary safety organizations, and State and Federal
labor departments * * * to develop a practical,
i
Printed copies of the proceedings of this conference w ill be available from
the Bureau of Labor Standards, U . S. Department of Labor.


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April

Second
quarter

JanuaryJune, 1948
(cumula­
tive)4

4 Computed from all reports received for each month; not based on identical
plants in successive months.
3 Annual rates are based on substantially larger coverage than that of the
quarterly survey and are, therefore, not strictly comparable with the m onthly
and quarterly rates.
6 N ot available.

Nation-wide program for reducing accidents, * * *
[with] particular attention to the problems of the
smaller plants.

About 400 committee members—industrialists,
labor leaders, safety experts, government officials,
and educators—laid the groundwork at the
September session for a comprehensive, voluntary
program of national accident reduction at State
and community levels. Following this meeting,
the work of the committees is to be expanded on
the basis of objectives defined, and recommenda­
tions are to be submitted to an enlarged con­
ference in March 1949.
The conference was opened by William L.
Connolly, Chairman of the Coordinating Com­
mittee and Director of the Bureau of Labor
Standards, United States Department of Labor,
who pointed out that “although excellent progress
has been made by various safety organizations
and many industrial firms, no appreciable reduc­
tion in the over-all accident rate has been evident
for several years. We feel that this Conference
program, organized on a permanent basis, will
produce results of inestimable value, as it will
reach to every part of the country, and all State

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

PRESIDENT’S CONFERENCE ON SAFETY

officials concerned with safety have pledged their
cooperation.”
John R. Steelman, Assistant to the President,
delivered the Chief Executive’s message on the
Nation’s interest in safety. Mr. Steelman urged
accident prevention in order to conserve manpower
at this time of full employment, when certain
labor shortages are imminent in strategic industries
and the necessity exists for “high production to
meet domestic preparedness and foreign commit­
ments.”
Secretary of Labor Tobin, General Chairman
of the Conference, in calling for the strengthening
of State safety and workmen’s compensation laws,
noted that most accidents result from a combina­
tion of causes not covered by any State law.
At least 70 percent of all accidents occur in firms
not currently reached by the organized safety
movement, among them the smaller plants.
Former Secretary of Labor Perkins emphasized
the need for trained State factory inspectors—
consultants “who can advise with plant engineers
on everything from guarding elevators to control­
ling toxic solvents.” She stressed the desirability
of reestablishing training courses under Govern­
ment auspices for these State officials, on State
request, as was carried out successfully during
wartime.
Conferees were also addressed by Carl B. Jansen,
president of the Dravo Corp., Pittsburgh, on
management’s approach to the safety problem.
He recognized the necessity for management to
obtain labor’s unqualified acceptance of safety and
accident prevention measures as an essential
element in the success of such a program. Charles
Sattler, president of the International Association
of Governmental Labor Officials, spoke on the
States’ interest in safety; and Admiral Ross T.
Mclntire (retired, U. S. Navy) discussed the
rehabilitation of the injured worker.
Preliminary Conference Organization

The preliminary conference, a continuing organi­
zation, is composed of a coordinating committee
and seven general committees, each having mem­
bers from industry, labor, Federal and State gov­
ernments, and other organizations. Vincent P.
Ahearn, Executive Director, who is also the Execu­
tive Secretary of the National Sand and Gravel As­
sociation, is assisted by representatives of impor­

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509

tant safety organizations and other technical
consultants.
Representatives of the National Association of
Manufacturers and the Chamber of Commerce
of the United States of America, as well as of
small business, serve on the Coordinating Com­
mittee; insurance executives, public and private
safety organizations, and related groups, individual
safety experts, technical organizations, and govern­
mental or quasi-governmental bodies are repre­
sented. The Secretary of Defense and the
Administrator of the Federal Works Agency are
members.
Labor is represented at top level on the Coordi­
nating Committee by the presidents of the AFL
and .CIO; a labor representative also serves as vice
chairman of each of the seven committees working
in preparation for the spring conference; other
trade-union members participate in the various
committees and their numerous subdivisions.
The chairmen and vice chairmen of the com­
mittees are as follows:
Ewan Clague,
chairman; Commissioner, Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor. William
Gomberg, vice chairman; director, Engineering
Management Department, International Ladies’
Garment Workers’ Union.
E d u ca tio n : Richard A. Lester, chairman; chair­
man, Department of Economics and Social
Institutions, Princeton University.
Harry
Becker, vice chairman; director, Social Security
Department, UAW (CIO).
E n g in eerin g : James E. Trainer, chairman; vice
president and production manager, Firestone
Tire & Rubber Co. Harvey W. Brown, vice
chairman; president, International Association
of Machinists.
L a b o r-M a n a g em en t C ooperation f o r S a fe ty : Harold
C. Zulauf, chairman; vice president, Alexander
Smith & Sons Carpet Co. John Sherman, vice
chairman; fourth vice president, International
Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill
Workers (AFL).
L a w a n d R eg u la tio n s: Almon E. Roth, chairman;
attorney, San Francisco, Calif.
P ro g ra m s a n d S ervices: Fred W. Braun, chairman;
vice president and chief engineer, Employers
Mutual Liability Insurance Co. Martin P.
Durkin, vice chairman; president, United Asso-

A cc id e n t R ecords, A n a ly s is a n d U se:

510

PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE ON SAFETY

ciation of Journeym en and Apprentices of the
Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry.
R esearch: D r. W. P. Y ant, chairman; director of
research, M ine Safety Appliances Co. Sol
Barkin, vice chairm an; United Textile Workers
of America (AFL).
Committee Report Recommendations

Reports and preliminary recommendations sub­
mitted to the conference define the scope and
activities of the various committees on a study and
exploratory basis. Final recommendations are to
be made to the enlarged conference in March 1949,
following interim meetings of all committees.
The C om m ittee on A c c id e n t R ecords , A n a ly s is ,
a n d U se, according to the definition of the scope of
its work, is to (1) evaluate existing industrial
accident statistics and recommend standards of
presentation, (2) consider the problems involved
in developing uniform and adequate industrial
accident reporting and analysis procedures, (3)
study and recommend the most practical media
for the application and use of accident and injury
data, and (4) determine the types of essential cost
data and make appraisals in the light of such
standards.
The C om m ittee on E d u ca tio n will study the needs
and methods of adequately integrating and imple­
menting industrial safety education and training.
The scope extends to all pertinent areas and levels
of education conducted by educational institu­
tions, and by employers, labor, and public and
private agencies.
The C om m ittee on E n gin eerin g has a proposed
program that is subdivided as follows: (1) Study of
the relationship between safety and efficiency; (2)
establishment of techniques involved in the engi­
neering approach to the control of industrial
hazards; (3) problems involved in the safe design
and safeguarding of machinery, tools, and equip­
ment (with consideration of need for uniformity
of State labor codes); (4) safe design and lay-out
of plant structures and processes, bringing to the
designer a full knowledge of the cause of work
accidents; (5) problems and methods of integrating
safety within the industrial organization; and (6)
technical adequacy of existing safety engineering
standards, procedure for producing such standards,
and their application and use.
The C om m ittee on L ab o r-M a n a g em en t C oopera­

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MONTHLY LABOR

tio n f o r S a fe ty launched a survey of industrial

safety programs in plants where employers and
workers have cooperated in accident prevention,
to determine factors which have contributed to
the success of such plans. Three prevalent p a t­
terns of cooperation are being studied: A joint
safety committee or safety council comprising em­
ployer and union representatives, whether or not
such arrangem ent is specifically provided for in
the agreement; a unionized plant in which the
safety program is organized and conducted by
m anagement with worker cooperation and/or par­
ticipation w ithout the use of a joint committee;
a nonunion plant which has worker cooperation
and/or participation in the safety program. Rec­
ommendations will follow from the study.
The responsibility for plant safety, according to
the committee, is the legal and moral obligation of
the employer. Protection of the welfare of work­
ers, however, also imposes a moral responsibility
on labor to cooperate in accident prevention.

The C om m ittee on L a w s a n d R eg u la tio n s adopted
a program, based on its subcommittees’ reports,
which has the following objectives: (1) A review
of existing State industrial safety laws to deter­
mine their adequacy and the extent to which they
are used; (2) the development of suggested legis­
lation that will enable the States to formulate and
enforce safety regulations; (3) development of
methods for the organization and adequate financ­
ing of State agencies administering industrial
safety laws and regulations, including the proper
selection, placement, training, supervision, and
term of office of personnel; and (4) study of the
relationship between Federal, State, and municipal
procedures for the formulation and enforcement
of industrial safety laws and regulations.
In connection w ith the review of existing State
industrial safety laws, a review was also proposed
of the existing rule-making authority in the States
in the field of industrial accident and disease pre­
vention. The purpose of such review is to obtain
adequate adm inistrative authority in order to
ensure necessary flexibility in legislation and regu­
lation to meet changing conditions in industry.
F urther study was recommended of the advisa­
bility of each State establishing an adm inistrative
authority to promulgate and enforce industrial
safety regulations, codes, and orders.
I t was recommended th a t the personnel, and
insofar as practicable the adm inistration, of State

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

BRITISH TRADES UNION CONGRESS

industrial safety and health codes should be cen­
tralized in a division of industrial safety and health
having the responsibility of administering employ­
m ent safety standards; th a t safety inspectors
should be under civil service, with qualifications
to be established by the agency responsible for
the safety program ; and th a t adequate training
programs should be maintained for personnel.
The C om m ittee on P ro g ra m s a n d Services will
formulate safety programs for industrial companies
(by kinds and size); trade associations; insurance
companies; labor, civic, and engineering organiza­
tions ; governmental agencies; and small businesses.
As a basis for its work, it will appraise desirable
programs existing within these groups.
The C om m ittee on R esearch will appraise existing
knowledge of the causes and control of industrial
accidents from the standpoint of adequacy and
usefulness for accident prevention. Both plant
environmental factors (such as machines, material,
and unsafe conditions) and human factors (includ­
ing physical and psychological selection of workers)
will be examined in relation to possible accident
proneness. The committee will also determine the
areas for which data are lacking and make or
recommend related studies.

511

Delegates had before them the general council’s
far-ranging report on the year’s activities, includ­
ing action on instructions of the 1947 convention
and numerous resolutions. The most controversial
resolutions included compulsory arbitration, wage
and price policies, workers’ participation in con­
trol of nationalized industries, nationalization of
iron and steel, and the WFTU.
Sir Stafford Cripps, Chancellor of the Excheq­
uer, presented to the Congress an analysis of the
grim national economic position and the need for
continued “ austerity” ; he was able to show that
adherence to such a policy held hope for recovery.
Sir Stafford pointed out to the Congress that:
“ Even if corporation profits were reduced by a
quarter—-a very drastic cut—it would mean an
average addition to wages and salaries of no
more than 4d. in the pound. What it comes to
is this; there is only a certain sized cake to be
divided up and if a lot of people want a larger
slice they can only take it from others who will
in terms of real incomes have a smaller one.
There is only one way by which we can with a
given volume of employment increase our real
standard of living and that is by each of us
producing more or in other words putting up our
productivity.”
Resolutions Before the Congress

British Trades Union Congress:
Meeting, September 19481
the policies of the Government
and of its own general council concerning indus­
trial efficiency and production and wage-price
controls was taken by the British Trades Union
Congress at its annual meeting in Margate,
September 6-10, 1948. The Congress also over­
whelmingly defeated Communist-supported poli­
cies and candidates for office.2
A ction endorsing

1 Prepared by Jean A. Flexner, Office of Foreign Labor Conditions.
2 Members affiliated to TUC number 7,791,470—a gain of 251,000 or 3 per­
cent over 1947 (the gain was 13 percent from 1946 to 1947). TU C member­
ship is approximately 87 percent of the total trade-unionists in Great
Britain, according to data published by the Ministry of Labor and National
Service. This indicates an over-all membership of about 9.2 million in 1948.
The civilian labor force in Great Britain in January 1948 totaled 18.8 million.
This figure includes some employers and self-employed; on the other hand,
the trade-union figures include members overseas and in the armed forces.
Thus, about 49 percent of the labor force was organized, about 44 percent
being in the TUC.


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A large group of resolutions presented to the
Congress indicated discontent with the relation­
ship of wages, prices, and profits and urged more
drastic action to reduce profits and prices. The
left wing wanted statutory limitation of profits.
Numerous delegates referred to the difficulties
which rising prices had brought to the workingclass household. However, a delegate of the
engineering and shipbuilding draftsmen was ap­
plauded when he declared that workers were
actually better off currently than under any
peacetime Government, and that they should
exercise restraint and fight for higher production,
instead of trying to raise wages or restrict profits.
The composite resolution which won support
of the general council and of the delegates, by
5,207,000 to 2,184,000 votes, called upon the
Government “vigorously to pursue a policy de­
signed to maintain the purchasing power of wages,
* * * to take more effective action to control
price movements in order to effect a substantial

512

BRITISH TRADES UNION CONGRESS

reduction in consumer prices; to maintain and, if
need be, to extend the cost of living subsidies; to
review the effects of the purchase tax and other
taxes on commodities entering into ordinarydomestic use; and to impose stricter limitations
on profits.” How the latter program was to be
implemented was not clarified. The resolutions
calling for dissolution of the National Arbitration
Tribunal, and cancellation of the order which still
requires unsettled disputes to be referred to it,
were easily defeated.
The general council reported on its action on a
resolution of the 1947 convention calling for joint
administrative boards for nationalized industries
on which trade-union representatives, elected by
and responsible to their memberships, would have
equal status with management. During the past
year, its economic committee held discussions on
the question with representatives of the Union of
Post Office Workers (leading proponents of joint
responsibility). The committee was willing to
treat the post office as a special case, but decided
that there was no reason to modify the Congress’
policy, adopted in 1945 and acted upon by the
Labor Government, regarding the form of workers’
participation in the management of nationalized
industries. This policy was to keep the unions
free of administrative responsibilities so that they
would be in an independent bargaining position
in dealing with managerial boards on economic
issues. At the 1948 meeting, a composite resolu­
tion, which practically reaffirmed the 1945 posi­
tion, was adopted with little opposition. It
expressed concern regarding the existing composi­
tion of the boards; stressed the need for increasing
workers’ participation, which can only be obtained
from trade-union ranks; and asked that persons
appointed to administer the nationalized indus­
tries, at all levels, should be chosen on the basis of
proved ability, and also (a new point) on the basis
of belief in the policy of nationalization. Exten­
sive training schemes to develop qualified admin­
istrators within these industries were urged.
The resolution introduced by the Union of
Post Office Workers, asking for a joint adminis­
trative council to run the Post Office, was passed
only after it had been amended, at the instance of
the Post Office Engineering Union, to give the
council an advisory rather than an administrative
role. Thus, the Congress made quite clear its
disagreement with the syndicalist views which

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MONTHLY LABOR

had been advanced, and its acceptance of the
theory that a public official should not be the
representative of a union or of any othfer special
group.
As part of “ an all out drive for increased indus­
trial efficiency, training and production,” a reso­
lution urging legislation to make joint consulta­
tive committees compulsory throughout industry
was referred to the general council. A similar
resolution had been similarly referred in 1947.
But in discussions with the Government during
1947-48 the general council had plainly stated its
preference for voluntary advisory joint committees
(in spite of the wording of the 1947 resolution),
and had agreed with the Government to let each
industry determine the form of machinery best
suited to its problems. After the Ministry of
Labor and National Service had been informed as
to the arrangements decided upon, the regional
industrial relations offices were to assist in estab­
lishing the necessary committees. The general
council’s report stated that regional boards for
industry, and local employment committees,
would play an active part in encouraging the
establishment of joint consultative machinery
and this decentralization would bring the question
home to both employers and workers. Agree­
ments had been reached in 23 industries, the gen­
eral council reported, and negotiations were pro­
ceeding in 15.3
Other Activities of the Congress

Concern was expressed by both the general
council and the Congress at the delays in estab­
lishing development councils under August 1947
legislation, which provides for statutory joint
councils for different industries at the national
level, to consult on common problems such as
efficiency, production, research training, labor
recruiting, etc. In general, employer opposition
has been the obstacle; but in the boot and shoe
industry both union and management rejected the
proposals. The only council established thus
far is that in the cotton textile industry.
Education and training schemes for tradeunion members and officials were prominent in the
report of the general council. The need for a
coordinated and comprehensive educational
scheme was voiced in a resolution at the 1947
* See also Ministry of Labor Gazette, August 1948 (pp. 259-260).

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

1948 STATE LABOR LEGISLATION

convention, and was the subject of study by the
education committee of the general council this
year.4 The committee was unable to recommend
any of the formal schemes presented to it, but
offered the services of the general council to assist
individual unions in drawing up schemes or
facilitating cooperation with educational bodies.
In the election of officers, all Communist
candidates save one incumbent, who was unop­
posed, were defeated. Arthur Horner of the
miners was included in this group. A resolution
reendorsing the WFTU and urging unity was
defeated, as were a Communist-sponsored amend­
ment to a resolution on freedom and democracy in
Greece, and a resolution asking for immediate
nationalization, by decree, of the iron and steel
industry.
Florence Hancock, in her presidential address,
denounced “ the organization which, in England as
in many other countries, tries by every means to
provoke industrial unrest, sabotage constructive
efforts to reestablish the institutions of democracy,
foment unofficial strikes, and undermine union
solidarity by discrediting their elected officials.”
Arthur Deakin, President of the WFTU, con­
demned the tactics pursued within that organiza­
tion by the Soviet trade-unions. The Congress
rejected the proposal made by Louis Saillant,
secretary of the WFTU, that he should attend the
convention as a fraternal delegate.
4 The committee found that the union movement as a whole spends close
to $400,000 a year on various educational activities. The TU C itself conducts
training courses for periods of 4 weeks each in London (75 students enrolled
during 1947-48); several colleges and universities have organized evening
courses, and numerous week-end schools and summer schools for these
groups are held each year; scholarships for trade-unionists have been pro­
vided at Ruskin College (Oxford) and at the London School of Economics.

State Labor Legislation
in 19481
held regular legislative sessions in
1948.2 The principal labor legislation enacted
was in the field of child labor and workmen's
compensation. Other laws included a disability
compensation act in New Jersey and changes in

513

the industrial home-work statu te in Rhode
Island. In the special sessions held in a num ber
of States not holding regular sessions, no labor
legislation was enacted.

The most significant achievement in 1948 was
the passage in Mississippi of a workmen’s com­
pensation law. Existing workmen’s compensa­
tion laws were amended in six other States.3
No legislation regulating activities of tradeunions was passed this year, although such laws
were introduced in a number of States. The
Louisiana Legislature repealed a 1946 law of the
regulatory type, and passed a law providing for
mediation of labor disputes. A new act prohibits
transportation of strikebreakers into that State.
Child Labor

New child-labor laws in Kentucky and Virginia
widen the occupational coverage of the former
laws. They establish a basic minimum age of 16
for general employment, which brings up to 20 the
total number of States that are in line with the
child-labor provisions of the Federal Fair Labor
Standards Act. The former minimum age in both
States was 14, but in Kentucky this provision did
not apply to work outside school hours, and in
Virginia children 12 years of age and over were
permitted to work outside school hours in fruit
and vegetable canneries.
An outstanding advance made by these two
acts is the establishment of a maximum 40-hour
workweek for boys and girls up to 18 years of
age. Both acts also extend to minors under 18
the 8-hour day and 6-day week formerly applicable
only to those under 16. Both States strengthened
their employment-certificate provisions by requir­
ing certificates for minors up to 18 years of age
instead of up to 16, as formerly. Both States also
provide for the issuance of age certificates for
minors 18 and over, upon request. The Ken­
tucky act raises the minimum age from 16 to 18
years for employment in a considerable number
of hazardous occupations.

T e n states


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1 Prepared by Alfred Acee of the Bureau of Labor Standards, U. S. D e­
partment of Labor.
2 Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New
Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia.
3 For discussion of workmen’s compensation legislation in 1948, see M onthly
Labor Review, September 1948.

514

1948 STATE LABOR LEGISLATION

Disability Compensation

In New Jersey a system of disability compensa­
tion was established. California and Rhode
Island are the only other States having laws of
this type.
The New Jersey act provides for payment of
compensation to workers who, because of illness
or accident not covered by the State workmen’s
compensation law, are unable to work. Weekly
benefits will range from $9 to $22, depending
upon the worker’s previous wages.
Compensation is not payable for disability re­
sulting from pregnancy or from a willfully and in­
tentionally self-inflicted injury. It is not payable
for any period during which the worker receives
wages. No benefits may be paid if the worker is
entitled to receive unemployment compensation
or workmen’s compensation payments under the
New Jersey law or the law of any other State or
the Federal Government. A waiting period of 7
days is required.
Both employers and employees are required to
contribute to a disability benefit fund. Benefits
under the act are to be payable 25 weeks after the
date when contributions to the fund begin (Janu­
ary 1, 1949). Employers are also authorized
to establish private plans for the payment of
disability benefits to be used instead of the State
plan. In such cases, employees are to receive
benefits equal at least to those payable under the
State plan.
Industrial Home Work

The industrial home-work law of Rhode Island
was amended. Its coverage was extended to in­
clude subcontractors who furnish materials to be
processed in a home; several requirements were
added concerning the issuance of licenses to em­
ployers and home-workers; and the director of
labor, who administers the law, was authorized
to gather data regarding wages, hours, and working
conditions in the home-work industry.
Industrial Relations

In Louisiana, a 1946 act which regulated and
controlled labor union activities was repealed. The
effect of the repeal is to restore to full effect an
anti-injunction act passed in 1934. The 1946 law
had permitted the issuance of injunctions against

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MONTHLY LABOR

unauthorized strikes in violation of contracts,
against violence or threats of violence, and against
combinations of employees in restraint of trade.
At a special session held in September, the
legislature established a new board of mediation
in the Department of Labor. This board is
authorized to do all in its power to promote the
voluntary mediation, arbitration, and conciliation
of labor disputes. It may offer its service in any
labor dispute either upon its own motion or upon
the request of one or more of the parties.
The board is further authorized to conduct
investigations and make recommendations to the
parties. If either the employer or the labor
organization fails to follow these recommendations,
the board may, with the advice and consent of the
labor commissioner and the Governor, publicize
its findings and recommendations. The parties
are not required to accept the services of the board.
The act specifically provides that employees shall
have the right to organize and bargain collectively
through representatives of their own choosing.
Although the act makes it clear that there is no
compulsion, employers and unions are encouraged
to make and maintain agreements, to negotiate,
and, if a dispute is not settled by conference, to
participate in meetings held by the mediation
board. If mediation is unsuccessful, the board is
to attempt to induce the parties voluntarily to
submit their dispute to arbitration. The con­
troversy may be submitted to a board of three
persons—one to be appointed by the employer,
another by the representatives of the employees,
and the third by the two arbitrators first chosen.
At an election held in North Dakota on June 29,
1948, the voters by referendum approved two
industrial relations laws previously passed by the
legislature. One of these measures prohibits
union-security agreements; the other is a general
regulatory law, which forbids boycotts, requires
a strike vote and cooling-off period before a strike
may be called, and also requires registration fof
unions.
In Maine, a referendum was held in September
to determine whether the 1947 anti-closed-shop
law previously passed by the legislature should
become effective. This act, as well as a proposed
measure with more restrictive provisions, was
rejected by the voters. In Arizona, an act pro­
hibiting union security agreements was approved
by the voters at a referendum held in November.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

515

CONSUMER FINANCES—19^8 SURVEY

State Labor Departments

A Department of Labor and Industry was pro­
vided for in New Jersey with authority to admin­
ister all types of labor laws, by legislation effective
on January 1,1949. The functions of the existing
Department of Labor and of the Unemployment
Compensation Commission, which has been a sep­
arate agency, were to be transferred to the new
department. The Board of Mediation and the
State Commission for the Rehabilitation of
Physically Handicapped Persons were to be in
the new department also.

According to the survey estimates, about 31
million spending units saved approximately 25
billion dollars in 1947. Another 13.5 million
spending units dissaved, spending about 11
billion dollars more than their incomes. The re­
maining 4 million spending units neither saved nor
dissaved.
There was a substantial increase over 1946 in
the proportion of dissavers with incomes of $3,000
and more. More than 25 percent of the consumer
units with such incomes dissaved during 1947 as
compared with less than 20 percent during 1946.
Dissaving for these middle and upper income
groups for 1946 and 1947 is shown in the following
tabulation:
Percentage ofdissavers
1947

1948 Survey of
Consumer Finances1
Part IV: Consumer Saving and
the Allocation of Disposable Income
C onsiderable infoem ation relating to consumer
saving and income was accumulated in the 1948
Survey of Consumer Finances. Although a ma­
jority of the Nation’s consumer units saved part
of their income in 1947, the rate and volume of
consumer saving out of income continued to de­
cline. Expenditures of many consumer units
exceeded incomes and resulted in a large volume
of dissaving. The declining saving rate during
1947 reflected the willingness on the part of very
many consumers to purchase a greater quantity
of goods and services than ever before. About
3,500 consumer units were interviewed in 66
sampling points throughout the country,2 giving
a representative sample of the entire population
of the United States living in private households.
1 This is a summary of parts IV and V of the third annual survey of con­
sumer finances conducted for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System. The first three parts of the 1948 survey were summarized in the
M onthly Labor Review for September 1948 (p. 286).
2 The interview unit, as in previous surveys, was the spending unit. It is
defined as all persons living in the same dwelling and belonging to the same
family who pooled their income to meet major expenses.
N et saving is defined in these surveys as the difference between consumer
income and consumer expenditures (including taxes). Detailed information
was obtained from each spending unit on changes in the various asset and
liability items that make up the consumer balance sheet. Additions to
savings are such items as payment of life-insurance premiums, increases in
liquid asset holdings, decrease in debt, payments for home improvements,
and paym ent to retirement funds. Withdrawals from savings were generally
decreases in liquid assets and increases in debt.


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$3,000-$3,999 income group _ - __
$4,000-$4,999 income group _ __
$o,000-$7,499 income group---$7,500 and above income group. __

30
31
21
16

1946

21
19
15
11

Most consumer units that spent more than their
incomes in 1947 were not in adverse financial
circumstances, but their budgets were unbalanced
because of extraordinary purchases, such as auto­
mobiles, furniture, or household appliances. By
contrast, those spending units which neither saved
nor dissaved were more likely to be in adverse
circumstances; that is, those generally whose in­
comes were less than $1,000 during 1947. These
consumers could not qualify as good credit risks
and few had any savings to draw upon.
Forms of savings reported most frequently in
the survey were life insurance premiums, followed
by additions to liquid assets (Government bonds
and checking and savings accounts), payments of
home mortgages, home improvements, and retire­
ment funds.
Although the higher income groups accounted
for the increased proportion of negative savings
(dissavings), these groups were also largely respon­
sible for the increased proportions of positive
savings. The lowest income groups, those with
incomes of less than $2,000, were net dissavers as
a group.
On the basis of the survey results, it is estimated
that more than two-thirds of all spending units
incurred Federal income tax liabilities for the year
1947. The median income after Federal tax for

516

DEFENSE HOME CORPORATION SALES

all spending units was about $2,380. Before taxes,
the median was about $2,530.
Spending units in the upper income groups saved
a considerably larger proportion of income than
did those in the middle or lower income groups.
As the income level increased, the proportion of
income (after Federal taxes) spent for “ other
consumer expenditures,” largely living expenses,
declined (see table). This is consistent with
previous budget studies.
Proportion of disposable income allocated to saving, selected
durable goods, and other consumer expenditures, by spending
units within various income groups, 194-7
Percent of total income within each
income group
Disposable income 1

Type of expenditure or saving
All in­
come
groups Under
$2,000

$2,000- $3,000$2,999 $4,999

$5,000
and
over

N et saving____ ______ ______
Automobiles and other selected
durable goods 2__________
Other consumer expenditures A .

10

—8

3

7

26

9
81

7
101

9
88

9
84

9
65

Total ____________

100

100

100

100

100

1 Disposable income is defined as money income less estimated Federal
personal income tax liability.
2 Includes automobiles, furniture, radios, and household appliances such
as refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, home freezers,
and miscellaneous other appliances. Expenditures for automobiles are net
of trade-in allowances.
3 Covers expenditures for all goods and services not included in selected
durable goods (see footnote 2). Includes food, housing, clothing, medical
care, other living costs, State and local taxes, recreation, transportation, and
education, as well as expenditures for durable goods such as floor coverings,
jewelry, fur coats, and other miscellaneous durable items.

Part V : Housing Expenditures and Finance
M ore American families were home owners in
the early p a rt of 1948 than a t any other time for
which records exist. About 18.5 million—nearly
half of all nonfarm families—own homes; some­
w hat less than 17 million families were living in
rented dwellings. Except for the depression
period of the 1930’s, every decennial census since
1900 has shown an increase in the proportion of
nonfarm dwellings which are owner-occupied.
The decline in home ownership during the depres­
sion has apparently been more than offset by the
increase during the past few years. However, as
the survey points out, the permanence of some of
the recent increases in home ownership is uncer­
tain. M any families have been forced to buy
houses a t inflated prices, and often at prices beyond
their means, in order to obtain shelter.
Home ownership, the survey indicates, tends to
be related to the am ount of income received.

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MONTHLY LABOR

Thus, only about two out of every five families
with incomes below $3,000 were home owners
compared with nearly three out of every four
families with incomes of $7,500 and over. Home
ownership was also more frequent as the age of
the family head increased. This is a reflection of
the need for saving and higher income as a pre­
requisite to such ownership. People in smaller
communities are more likely to own their homes
than those in city and metropolitan centers.
Among the various occupations, home ownership
was most frequent when the head of the family
was in the managerial, self-employed, or retired
groups.
Rent control was a factor in keeping the pro­
portion of income spent for rent by American
families down to about 12 percent during 1947.
However, this proportion differed substantially
among the various income groups. Families with
less than $2,000 a year paid 21 percent of their
income for rent; those with incomes of $5,000 or
more spent an average of only 9 percent for this
purpose. More than a quarter of the families
renting homes had their rent increased during 1947,
and undoubtedly rent controls prevented increases
for many others.
The survey reports that almost half of the non­
farm families owning homes made expenditures
for repairs and additions to their homes during
1947, and spent more than 5 percent of their gross
income for this purpose. Two out of every five
home owners made payments on mortgage prin­
cipal or on interest, insurance, and taxes during
1947. Most of these payments were for “directreduction” mortgage loans, which are amortized
by monthly payments consisting partly of interest
on the unpaid balance and partly of repayment of
principal.

Sale of Defense Homes
Corporation Projects1
o p e r a t io n s of Defense Homes Corpora­
tion ended on July 30, 1948, with a profit of about
$2,100,000. The Government-owned corporation,

A c t iv e

1 Data are from Housing and Home Finance Agency, Public Housing
Administration, release H H FA —No. 42, July 31, 1948.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

LABOR-MANAGEMENT DISPUTES

which was created in 1940 to provide housing for
defense workers,2 built and operated nearly 11,000
perm anent housing units, in 13 States and the
D istrict of Columbia. This housing consisted of
individual and multiple dwelling units, the bulk
of which were sold to private purchasers. In
disposing of the individual vacant houses, veterans
were given preference. Veterans had the first
opportunity to purchase units if the tenants oc­
cupying them did not avail themselves of the
privilege of buying. Vacant lots in the projects
were sold to veterans.
The D H C projects and land originally cost the
Federal Government $75,625,455. However, oper­
ating profits reduced the total investm ent to about
$61,520,627. Sale of the projects yielded a gross
profit to the Government of $7,681,843, which,
after deducting for the interest paid to the Re­
construction Finance Corporation on borrowings
and for central office operations resulted in the
$2,100,000 profit.
* For the establishment and functions of Defense Homes Corporation, see
M onthly Labor Review, M ay 1941 (p. 1061).

Labor-Management Disputes
in October 1948
No strik es of an industry-wide character began
in October. The largest work stoppages in effect
were those involving West Coast maritime work­
ers and California oil refinery employees, both of
which began early in September and continued
through October. In the prolonged strike of about
1,600 Chicago printers, members of the Interna­
tional Typographical Union, further litigation
occurred.
West Coast Maritime Strike

West Coast shipping was suspended owing to
the Maritime strike which began September 2.
The United States Army moved military cargo for
the Far East and Pacific outposts by signing con­
tracts with firms in Seattle and San Francisco,
that were not_members of the Waterfront Em­


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

517

ployers Association but which had contracts with
the International Longshoremen’s and Ware­
housemen’s Union.
Some industrial firms were forced to curtail or
suspend operations indefinitely because materials
were held on strike-bound ships. As the strike
entered its second month, the Longshoremen’s
Union announced a change of policy to allow
longshoremen, supervisors, and checkers to assist
individual shippers in releasing cargo for local
distribution. This was permitted if personnel
was obtained through hiring halls under pre­
strike conditions. The understanding was that
any gains at the termination of the strike would
be made retroactive.
As negotiations were deadlocked, Mayor Elmer
E. Robinson of San Francisco offered his services
as mediator. The union indicated informal ac­
ceptance of this offer but the employers continued
their refusal to bargain until union officials filed
non-Communist affidavits as provided for in the
Labor Management Relations Act of 1947.
Almost simultaneously, Harry Bridges, longshore
leader, named the Waterfront Employers Associ­
ation and Pacific American Steamship Co. de­
fendants in a $750,000 libel suit for accusing him
of being a Communist.
About the middle of October, CIO president
Philip Murray sent Allan S. Haywood, CIO
director of organization, to San Francisco in an
effort to reopen negotiations. However, the em­
ployers continued to insist upon compliance with
the non-Communist affidavit requirement.
Continuation of Oil Workers Strike in California

The strike of approximately 22,000 oil workers
employed in major refineries in California which
started early in September continued through­
out October. Efforts of Federal and State con­
ciliators to settle the dispute were not successful
but negotiations were continued between the
International Oil Workers Union (CIO) and the
individual companies involved.
On September 23, the Union Oil Co. announced
the signing of an agreement with the Independent
Union of Petroleum Workers; it provided for an
increase of 12% cents an hour retroactive to July 3
for field, pipe line, automotive, and purchasing de-

518

L A B O R -M A N A G E M E N T D IS P U T E S

partment workers covered. Although companyofficials indicated that this agreement might form
a pattern for settlement of the dispute with the
refinery workers, represented by the Oil Workers
International Union, no such settlement resulted.
As the strike progressed, the union scaled down its
wage demand to an increase of 12% cents an hour,
retroactive to July 1; it suggested further that the
remainder of the 21-cent increase should be sub­
mitted to arbitration by the Governor of Califor­
nia. In addition, the union steadfastly refused a
settlement unless it included a satisfactory unionsecurity provision, the right of all strikers to
return to work, and the dismissal of damage suits
totaling several million dollars brought against
the union by the companies.
ITU in Contempt Proceedings

On August 26, Judge Luther M. Swygert, in
the Federal District Court for the Northern Dis­
trict of Indiana, ordered the International Typo­
graphical Union and its officers to show (by
September 7) why they should not be held in
contempt of court for alleged violation of his in­

junction of March 27,1 and to appear in court on
September 20. This action grew out of charges
by the general counsel of the National Labor Rela­
tions Board that the union had persisted in its
demands for closed-shop contracts.
In the strike of about 1,600 Chicago newspaper
printers which has continued since November 24,
1947, wage increases, working conditions, and
closed-shop conditions are the major issues.
Striking printers with dependents have been
drawing $60 a week from the union “defense fund,”
and single men $40. The NLRB demanded that
these payments should be stopped on the grounds
that they encouraged and supported a strike in
pursuit of an illegal objective.
On October 14, Judge Swygert found the ITU
guilty of contempt of court. The union and its
principal officers were ordered to cease their unfair
labor practices and to report their compliance with
the law by October 26. However, on October 18,
the United States Court of Appeals at Chicago
granted a stay of execution of Judge Swygert’s
decision, pending appeal.
i See M onthly Labor Review, April 1948 (p. 413).

Errata
The following corrections should be made in the article “Expenditures of
Moderate-Income Families: 1934-36 and 1945” which appeared in the June
1948 issue of the Monthly Labor Review, page 624, table 2:
1H5
Indianapolis

Average expenditure for current consumption: Total______ ____$ 2 ,4 1 1 instead of $2,507
Net surplus or deficit------------------------------------------------------------------ -19 instead of -115


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V

Recent Decisions
of interest to Labor
Wages and Hours 2

Retail and Service Exemption. Two decisions of a
circuit court of appeals concern the exemption of
employees of retail or service establishments under
section 13 (a) (2) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
(1)
A furniture company maintained two ware­
houses to keep its five retail stores supplied. Over
70 percent of the goods supplied came from within
the State. Over a quarter of the goods were
shipped from the warehouses to a store outside
the State. The warehouse employees were en­
gaged in unloading, storing, and reloading the
goods.
The appellate court held 3 that, in the prepara­
tion of a substantial p a rt of the goods for delivery
to points outside the State, the warehouse em­
ployees were engaged in commerce. The appellate
court rejected the trial court’s ruling th a t the
goods “ came to rest” in the warehouse and so were
not in the stream of commerce.
I t was also held th at the retail establishments’
exemption did not apply. The trial court had
ruled th at all five stores and two warehouses of the
employer should be considered one retail establish­
ment. B ut the appellate court held th a t the term
“ retail establishm ent” means a distinct physical
place of business, and th a t each store of the chain
m ust be considered a separate establishment.
Even though one of the warehouses was near one
1 Prepared in the Office of the Solicitor, U. S. Department of Labor. The
cases covered in this article represent a selection of the significant decisions
believed to be of special interest. No attempt has been made to reflect all
recent judicial and administrative developments in the field of labor law or
to indicate the effect of particular decisions in jurisdictions in which contrary
results may be reached, based upon local statutory provisions, the existence
of local precedents, or a different approach by the courts to the issue presented.
2 This section is intended merely as a digest of some recent decisions involv­
ing the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Portal-to-Portal Act. It is not to
be construed and may not be relied upon as interpretation of these acts by
the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division or any agency of the
Department of Labor.
’ McComb v. Wyandotte Furniture Co. (U. S. C. C. A. (8th). Aug. 25,1948).


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of the stores and was connected to it by a passage­
way and the store’s display section was located in
the warehouse, this did not make them the same
establishment.
(2)
A court h e ld 4 th a t workers in a candy
kitchen of a retail food store were not exempt.
The candies m anufactured in the kitchen were sold
to four stores of the employer in the same city,
and, for a time, to stores outside the State. Some
candy was sent by truck or mail to persons in
other States. No sales were made in the kitchen.
Annual sales amounted at times to over $100,000.

The employer contended that the employees
were exempt, since the kitchen was operated as a
component part of a retail store and as an incident
in its operation. But the court pointed out that
the customary function of retail establishments has
been distribution, not production. A retail store
which engages in the production of goods steps
outside the economic function for which the
exemption provided in Section 13 (a) (2) was
designed. The large volume of business and the
fact that the candy was distributed at stores other
than the one where it was made gave further
indication that candy making was not typical of
the small retail store contemplated in the retail
exemption.
Portal Act—“ Good Faith” Defense. In the
same case,4 the court also considered the applica­
tion of sections 9 and 11 of the Portal-to-Portal
Act to employees’ claim for overtime compensa­
tion and liquidated damages. Section 9 provides
that an employer shall be relieved of liability under
the Fair Labor Standards Act for acts or omissions
made, in good faith, in reliance on an administra­
tive regulation, order, ruling, approval, or inter­
pretation of any agency of the United States. A
prior suit by the Administrator of the Wage and
Hour Division for an injunction to compel the
employer to pay overtime to certain employees
had been dismissed by the trial court. The Ad­
ministrator, after filing an appeal from the deci­
sion, voluntarily dismissed the appeal. The em­
ployer claimed that withdrawal of the appeal was
an approval or interpretation within the meaning
of section 9, and that he had relied upon this as
evidence that the employees were exempt.
However, the court held that withdrawal of the
4 Wolferman v. Gustafson, (U. S. C. C. A. (8th), Aug. 25, 1948).

519

520

DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR

appeal was not an approval or interpretation
within the meaning of section 9. It pointed out
that the appeal might have been withdrawn for
reasons of expediency and not because of approval.
Section 9 was held to refer to a formalized expres­
sion of approval and not to conduct from which
an employer might undertake to make certain
deductions.
There should, the court held, be further hearings
as to the employer’s liability for liquidated
damages. Section 11 of the Portal Act permits
the trial court, in its discretion, to relieve an em­
ployer from all or part of such liability, if the em­
ployer’s act or omission was in good faith and he
had reasonable ground to believe it was not a
violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. It
was held that the failure of the Administrator to
pursue an appeal from a decision in favor of the
employer might well give the latter reasonable
ground for believing he was not violating the act.
P o rta l A c t— W o rk D u rin g L u n ch P e rio d C om pen ­
sable. —Section 2 of the Portal Act provides that

no employer shall be liable for certain claims
under the Fair Labor Standards Act. These are
claims for minimum wages or overtime compensa­
tion for employee activities not compensable by
the contract of employment or by custom or
practice at the place of employment. A decision 5
of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dealt with
the compensability of work performed during an
employee’s lunch period. The employee, an en­
gineer, was required to attend boilers while eating
his lunch, since the boilers needed constant atten­
tion. While on the day shift, if the lunch period
was included, he worked 8K hours a day, 6 days
a week or a total of 51 hours a week. He was
paid, however, for only 8 hours work a day, or
for only 48 hours a week. A collective bargaining
agreement provided for a day shift of 8% hours
less 30 minutes for lunch “ on the employee’s
time,” with pay for a full shift at 8 times the
hourly rate. Overtime at the rate of one and
one-half times the regular rate was to be paid for
all ‘‘work performed” in excess of 40 hours.
The court held that the overtime provisions of
the contract made the lunch-period work com­
pensable. Such work was held “ work performed”
within the meaning of the contract. Therefore,
* I-Iendy Corp. v. M ills (U. S. C. C. A. (9th), Sept. 15, 1948).


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MONTHLY LABOR

the employee worked 11 hours over the work­
week of 40 hours, while he was paid for only 8
of them. The lunch period work was clearly not
on this employee’s own time, so that the provision
regarding lunch was inapplicable to him.
The court denied a claim for lunch-period work
while an employee was on a “ graveyard” shift
of 7% hours a day, with pay for 8 hours’ work a
day. The extra payment for the half hour not
ordinarily worked compensated for the half-hour
lunch-period work of this employee.
Labor Relations
U n fa ir L a b o r P ra ctices.
Several de­
cisions of the National Labor Relations Board
and the courts dealt w ith union charges of em­
ployer unfair labor practices.

E m p lo y e r

(1) The Board held 6 that a rule prohibiting
union activity on the employer’s premises was
not an unfair labor practice, when provision for
such a rule was contained in a collective-bargain­
ing agreement between employer and union.
The rule, as published by the employer, pro­
hibited solicitation of membership, pledges, or
subscriptions, circulation of petitions, unauthor­
ized collection of money, and participation in any
organizational activity on company time. The
Board refused to consider whether the rule would
have been valid if it had not been provided for
by the collective-bargaining agreement.
(2) The Board ruled 7 that discharge of em­
ployees because of their participation in mass
picketing during a work stoppage was not dis­
criminatory within the meaning of section 8 (a) (3)
of the National Labor Relation Act as amended
by the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947.
The work stoppage occurred when a union rep­
resentative refused to accede to the employer’s
proposal that an independent contractor clean
plant machinery. The employees in question
were leaders of a large group of maintenance
employees who undertook to prevent the em­
ployees of the independent contractor from enter­
ing the plant. The Board found that threats of
force were used and that such activity was un­
lawful and a proper cause for discharge.
Two recent decisions hold that an employer’s
statement that his employees would not be bene« In re W. T. Smith Lumber Co. (79 N L R B N o. 82, Sept. 14, 1948).
7 In re Socony Vacuum Oil Co., Inc. (78 N L R B No. 169, Aug. 20, 1948).

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR

fited by joining a union is permitted by
the amended National Labor Relations Act,
when the statement contains neither threat of
force or reprisal nor promise of benefit.
(3) A circuit court of appeals considered 8 the
effect of an employer’s statem ents during a union
campaign to organize his plant. He stated th at
wages a t th a t plant were higher than in other
plants and th a t if the plant were organized, they
m ight have to be reduced. The court ruled that
these statem ents contained no threat of coercion
against joining the union.

(4) The Board ruled 9 that statements were not
coercive which prophesied that, if the union came
in, the employer might have to close down the
plant for business reasons. The history of local
plants had been cited by the employer in support
of his allegation. The Board pointed out that
there was no threat by the employer to use his
economic power to make his prophecy come true.
Representation Proceedings and Elections. A num­
ber of recent NLRB decisions deal with questions
of representation under the amended National
Labor Relations Act. (1) The Board inter­
preted 10 section 9 (c) (1) (B), which permits an
employer to file a representation petition alleging
that one or more individuals or labor organizations
have presented a claim for recognition as bargain­
ing representative. It ruled that an employer,
unlike a union, was not required to show that a
substantial number of employees wished to be
represented by the union in question. If an em­
ployer endeavored to obtain information on this
point, he might be charged with unfair labor
practices. Section 9 (c) (2) provides that the same
regulations shall apply to all petitions for repre­
sentation regardless of the identity of the peti­
tioner. The Board held however, that this pro­
vision was intended to prevent more favorable
treatment to affiliated than to independent unions.
(2) The Board dismissed 11 a representation
petition which failed to allege that the petitioning
union had demanded recognition by the em­
ployer and that the demand had been refused.
The Board pointed out that section 9 (c) (1) (A)
of the amended National Labor Relations Act
8 N L R B v. Enid Cooperative Creamery (U. S. C. C. A. (10th), Aug. 20,1948).
» In re Mylan-Sparta Co., Inc. (78 N L R B No. 161, Aug. 19, 1948).
id In re Felton Oil Co. (78 N L R B No. 141, Aug. 17, 1948).
ii In re Advance Pattern Co. (79 N L R B No. 30, Aug. 27 1948).


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

521

describes petitions that the Board will investigate
as alleging that “their employer declines to rec­
ognize their representative” as bargaining agent.
(3) Two NLRB decisions deal with the effect
of a union’s affiliation with other unions on rep­
resentation proceedings. One case concerned
section 9 (b) (3) of the amended National Labor
Relations Act. This clause prohibits certification
of a union as representative of plant guards, if
other employees belong to that union or to an
affiliated union. The Board ruled 12 that a local
union containing plant guards, which had for­
mally severed its connection with an international
union containing other employees and which had
limited its membership to guards, was entitled
to certification under the act. The fact that the
union had formerly admitted other employees to
membership and been affiliated with other such
unions was held immaterial. Unlike a company
uniou, a union of plant guards and other employees
was still legal. All the act did was to prevent its
certification as bargaining agent. Therefore, the
union in this instance could not be compared to a
successor to a company union.
(4) In another case 13 the Board certified an
international, rather than a local, union as bar­
gaining representative, although the local was also
named in the original proceedings. The local union
was not yet established and had no officers, and it
was conjectural whether it would comply with the
requirements for filing financial statements and
non-Communist affadavits. The international
had complied with these requirements. Therefore
it was held that the international was the real party
in interest. The Board pointed out that it could
on its own motion recall certification in the event
of changed circumstances.
(5) The Board ruled 14 that, in determining the
right of striking employees to vote in an election
of a bargaining agent, it was bound by the decision
of the General Counsel that the stoppage was an
economic strike, rather than an unfair labor prac­
tice strike. It held that economic strikers cannot
vote unless they are entitled to reinstatement but
that their replacements can. It was held that
these strikers were not entitled to reinstatement,
since they were permanently replaced.
12 In re Chrysler Corp. (79 N L R B No. 67, Sept. 3,1948).
13 In re Oppenheim Collins & Co., Inc. (79 N L R B No. 59, Sept. 1, 1948).
ii In re Times Square Stores Corp., (79 N L R B N o. —, Aug. —, 1948).

522

DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR

The strike occurred shortly before termination
of a contract between the employer and the strik­
ing union. The employer, upon request of a rival
union for recognition, filed a representation peti­
tion with the Board. The striking union had filed
unfair labor practice charges against the employer.
The General Counsel affirmed the action of the
regional attorney in dismissing the charges, on the
ground that the union had not complied with the
filing and non-Communist requirements of the
amended National Labor Relations Act.
In ruling that it was bound by the decision of
the General Counsel, the Board cited section 3(d)
of the act, which provides that the General Counsel
shall have final authority respecting the issuance
of complaints under section 10 (c) (which includes
unfair labor practice charges). Even though the
Board was given exclusive jurisdiction over repre­
sentation proceedings, to have held these strikers
able to vote as unfair labor practice strikers would
have challenged the decision of the General Counsel.
P roceedin gs. The Board h eld15
that the appropriate bargaining unit in decertifi­
cation proceedings must necessarily exclude super­
visory employees, even though they were included
in the previously certified unit. The doctrine
that the same principles govern both certification
and decertification proceedings was not violated,
since section 9(b) of the amended National Labor
Relations Act excludes supervisors from any bar­
gaining unit.
D ecertification

Veterans Reemployment
R ig h ts A fte r S econ d E n listm e n t. A district court 16
recently dealt with reemployment rights of a
veteran after a second enlistment. The case arose
before the Selective Service Act of 1948 became
effective, so that it was not affected by the re­
employment provisions of that act.
The veteran in question had served in the armed
forces in 1944-45 and had been reinstated by his
employer. In June of 1946 he enlisted again,
and later was honorably discharged. When he
again applied for reinstatement, the employer
refused him a position of like seniority hiring him
18 In re Ellis-Klatcher & Co. (79 N L R B , No. 22, Aug. 27, 1948).
16 White v. Boston & Maine Railroad (U. S. D . C., N . H., July 14, 1948).


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MONTHLY LABOR

as a new employee. Financial loss resulted from
this, because he was laid off the following year by
reason of his lack of seniority. He sued for
damages and reinstatem ent.

The employer presented two defenses. The
first was that under the Selective Service Exten­
sion Act of 1941 the reenlisting veteran had no
right to reinstatement. That act provided that
all enlistees “ shall be entitled to all the reemploy­
ment benefits of section 8 of the Selective Training
and Service Act of 1940, * * * to the same
extent as in the case of persons inducted under
said act.” It was agreed that in 1946, when the
veteran enlisted, persons in his position were not
being inducted. The employer held that the
phraseology quoted confined the rights of enlistees
to those of inductees; that an inductee could be
inducted only once and could claim employment
but once. The court decided that this distorted
the meaning of the provision in the 1941 act,
which it stated, was merely to identify the subject
of sections in the Selective Training and Service
Act specifying the benefits involved. Nothing in
the language of the Service Extension Act of 1941
shows any intention to discriminate between per­
sons enlisting for the first and those enlisting for
the second time. Nor does the language indicate
that rights of enlistees are to be limited to rights
that inductees may have at any particular time.
The employer further claimed th a t the veteran
was not entitled to reinstatem ent w ithout loss of
seniority, because the union contract limited the
accum ulation of seniority during m ilitary service
to the first period of such 'enlistm ents. This
contention was held invalid, because, under a de­
cision by the United States Supreme C o u rt17 no
agreements between employers and unions can
“ cut down the service adjustm ent benefits which
Congress has secured the veteran under the a c t.”

Decisions of State Courts
M ic h ig a n a n d N e w J e rse y — C o n stitu tio n a lity of
C o m p u lso ry A rb itra tio n . Two decisions by State

courts deal with the constitutionality of compul­
sory arbitration in labor-management disputes
affecting employees of public utilities. In one
case,18 the issue of constitutionality of compulsory
17 Fishgold v. Sullivan Drydock & Repair Co. (328 U. S. 275).
18 Transport Workers Lnion v. Oadola (Mich. Supr. Ct., Sept. 8, 1948).

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

DECISIONS OF INTEREST TO LABOR

arbitration, as such, was not decided ; but the State
compulsory arbitration statu te was held to be
invalid on the ground th a t it required a State
circuit judge to act as arbitrator, and th at such
designation violated the State constitution by
conferring adm inistrative and nonjudicial powers
and duties upon a judicial officer. The court’s
opinion did clearly indicate, however, without
deciding the issue, th a t it regarded compulsory
arbitration, as such, in the case of public utilities
and hospitals, constitutionally valid.

In the other case 19 the court was asked to de­
termine the validity of a State law which provided
for governmental seizure of public utilities in
certain labor disputes, compulsory arbitration of
such disputes, and prohibition of strikes and lock­
outs under specified conditions when the compul­
sory-arbitration procedure had been set in motion.
The court held the statute constitutional, and in
reaching its conclusion made the following rulings:
(1) That the statute does not deprive public
utility employees of the equal protection of the
laws; (2) that it does not impair their liberty to
contract; (3) that it does not impose involuntary
servitude upon them; (4) that it does not deprive
public utility companies of property without due
process of law; (5) that it does not unconstitionally
delegate legislative power to the board of arbitra­
tion by failing to provide adequate standards for
the fixing of wages and conditions of employment;
(6) that the right to strike which the statute
State of N . J. v. Traffic Telephone Workers (N . J. Chancery Ct., Sept. 10
1948).


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523

abridges is not an inherent or constitutional right;
and (7) that it does not interfere with peaceful
picketing, which is protected by the constitutional
guarantee of freedom of speech.
N e w Y o rk — C losed U n io n s a n d the R ig h t To W ork.

The New York Court of Appeals ruled 20 that an
injunction should be granted to prevent the dis­
charge of employees who did not belong to a closed
union. Only sons of members of the union were
admitted to membership. A closed-shop contract
between the union and the employer provided that
the employer could employ nonunion workers
when the union was unable to furnish qualified
workers, but that such nonmembers were to be
dismissed when the union found suitable replace­
ments from among it own members. The non­
members had offered to join the union, but were
refused.
The union contended that the closed-shop
agreement was valid and that no action could lie
against it by employees who were not members
of the union and thus were strangers to the agree­
ment, and that the union could not be considered
the statutory bargaining representative of the
nonmembers. However, the court upheld the
arguments of the nonmembers that the union
was their bargaining representative under the State
labor relations law, since it had been designated
as such by a majority of the employees. Therefore,
while the union could reject them as members, it
could not procure their discharge.
20 Clark v. Curtis (N . Y . Ct. of Appeals, M ay 21, 1948).

Chronology of
Recent Labor Events
September 12, 1948
T h e I n t e r n a t io n a l A sso cia tion of Industrial Accident
Boards and Commissioners opened its annual convention
in New York City. (Source: Bureau of Labor Standards.)
T h e E conomic C oo per atio n A d m inistra to r announced

formation of the Anglo-American Council on Productivity
to study England’s production and to recommend improve­
ments. Membership was to consist of 6 representatives
each of labor and management from Great Britain and 4
each from the United States. (Source: ECA release No.
165.)
On September 21, the appointment of the fourth United
States labor representative on the council was announced—
Thomas J. Harkins of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers (Ind.). The other three are Harvey W.
Brown, International Association of Machinists (Ind.),
Leland S. Buckmaster, United Rubber Workers of America
(CIO) (replaced by Victor Reuther, United Auto Workers
(CIO)), and Lee W. Minton, Glass Bottle Blowers Associa­
tion (AFL). (Source: ECA release No. 177 and U. S.
Dept, of Labor release S49-407, Oct. 18, 1948.)

September 14

sion of June 7. Accordingly, enforcement of the Adminis­
trator’s revised interpretation was to start on October 18.
(Source: U. S. Dept, of Labor release, PR-169, Oct. 11,
1948.)

September 16
T h e NLRB, in the case of D. D. B e a n a n d S o n s C o . and
U n ite d F u r n itu r e W o r k e r s o f A m e r i c a ( C I O ) , held that the
employer interfered when he attempted to induce an em­
ployee by threats of reprisal and promise of benefit to
withdraw his charge of discrimination and to sign a state­
ment that he had been laid off for economic reasons.
(Source: Labor Relations Reporter, vol. 22 LRRM, No.
43, p. 1436.)

T h e A sso cia tio n of Communications Equipment Workers

(CIO) and the Western Electric Co. agreed upon a wage
increase averaging 11 cents an hour for some 25,000 tele­
phone installers in 43 States, thus avoiding a strike sched­
uled for the next day. (Source: CIO News, Sept. 20,
1948, p. 9; for discussion, see MLR, Oct. 1948, p. 394.)

September 17
T h e C h a ir m e n of the Wisconsin Employment Relations
Board and the NLRB signed an agreement, providing for
the holding of one election in the same bargaining unit in
place of the two separate elections previously required.
(Source: Federal Register, Vol. 13, p. 6009.)

September 18
st r ik e of Local 807 of the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters (AFL) against New York City
trucking companies ended when individual companies
began to sign for hourly wage increases of 15 to 17% cents.
(Source: BLS records; for discussion, see MLR, Oct. 1948,

T h e 18-day

p. 395.)
T h e N a tio n a l L a bo r R ela tio n s B oard , in the case of

and I n t e r n a t i o n a l W o o d w o r k e r s
held that enactment of certain rules
was not a violation of the NLRA (although the validity
of some was questionable), inasmuch as the union had
signed an agreement writh the employer including such
rules. (Source: Labor Relations Reporter, vol. 22 LRRM,
No. 41, p. 1426.)
W.

T . S m ith L u m b e r C o.

o f A m e r ic a

September 22

(C IO ),

T h e A d m inistra to r of the Wage and Hour Division,
U. S. Department of Labor, postponed the enforcement
(scheduled for September 15) of his revised interpretations
of overtime pay requirements, under the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938. The postponement was author­
ized pending a review by the Supreme Court of its decision
on longshoremen’s back-wage suits (see Chron. item for
June 7, 1948, in MLR, July 1948). (Source: U. S. Dept,
of Labor, Wage and Hour and Public Contracts Divisions
release PR-167, Sept. 14, 1948, and Federal Register,
Vol. 13, p. 4534.)
On October 11, the Supreme Court of the United States,
in the case of B a y R id g e O p e r a tin g C o . v. A a r o n and H u r o n
S te v e d o r in g C o r p . v. B lu e , voted 5 to 3 to uphold its deci524


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T h e NLRB, in the case of A l l e n - M o r r i s o n S i g n C o ., I n c .

and U n ite d S te e lw o r k e r s o f A m e r i c a ( C I O ) , decided that
the employer’s refusal to bargain, by breaking off negotia­
tions with the certified union on the ground that an anti­
union petition was being investigated by the NLRB, was
not justified. (Source: Labor Relations Reporter, vol.
22 LRRM, No. 45, p. 1451.)

September 23
T h e U n it e d S t a tes Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago,

in the case of

v. U n ite d S te e lw o r k e r s o f
held unanimously that the LMRA of 1947
compels employers to bargain with unions on retirement
and insurance plans. The same court upheld, 2 to 1, the
non-Communist affidavit requirement of that law. (Source:
Labor Relations Reporter, Analysis, vol. 22, No. 43, p. 85;
for discussion, see MLR, Oct. 1948, p. III.)
I n l a n d S te e l C o.

A m e r ic a (C I O ),

T h e C iv il S er vic e C om m ission issued regulations where­
by the promotion and related rights of employees who

CH RONOLOGY

OF LABO R

leave or have left positions (other than temporary) in the
executive branch of the Federal and District of Columbia
Governments after June 24, 1948, to join the armed forces,
are protected.
On September 9, the Comptroller General of the United
States had rendered an opinion that the Selective Service
Act of 1948 (see Chron. item for June 24, 1948, MLR,
Aug. 1948), unlike the 1940 act, gave no ground for ob­
jection to issuance of such regulations. (Source: U. S.
Law Week, 17 LW, p. 2126.)
st r ik e in 8 plants of the Briggs Manufacturing
Co., which affected some 50,000 workers, ended with the
signing of a 2-year contract granting maintenance of
membership.
On September 8, 170 plant guards, members of the
United Plant Guard Workers of America (Ind.), had gone
on strike, demanding, among other things, increased
preparatory time at overtime rates. (Source: BLS
records; for discussion, see MLR, Oct. 1948, p. 395.)

T h e 15-day

September 27
T h e NLRB, in the case of the M a r i n e a n d S h i p b u i l d i n g
{ C I O ) and M e r r ill- S te v e n s D r y D o c k
ruled that under the LMRA of 1947,
“lead men” were supervisory personnel and as such ineligi­
ble for membership and bargaining rights in a rank-andfile union. (Source: BLS records.)
W o rk e rs o f A m e r ic a

and

R e p a ir

C o .,

September 29
T h e P r e s id e n t ’s Conference on Industrial Safety closed,
after laying groundwork for an enlarged conference to be
held in March 1949. (Source: U. S. Dept, of Labor,
Labor Press Service release, Oct. 4, 1948; for discussion,
see p. 508 of this issue.)
T h e C h a irm an of the Atomic Energy Commission an­
nounced that for security reasons he had banned from
acting as bargaining agents, in two atomic energy plants,
the United Public Workers of America (CIO) and the
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America
(CIO), some of whose officers had failed to sign nonCommunist affidavits and some of whom are suspected
of Communist affiliation. (Source: Labor Relations
Reporter, Vol. 22, No. 45, p. 304.)
On October 1, the president of the CIO protested the
“blacklisting” of two CIO unions “without prior consul­
tation either with the interested parties or responsible
officials of the CIO.” (Source: CIO release, Oct. 1, 1948.)

September 30
T h e M a st e r s , Mates and Pilots of America (AFL) and
the Atlantic and Gulf Ship Operators Association agreed
to a 6-percent across-the-board wage increase (for other
settlements see Chron. items for Aug. 18, 1948, MLR,


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EVENTS

525

Oct. 1948; Aug. 13, 1948, MLR, Sept. 1948) and a com­
promise hiring clause. (Source: AFL Weekly News
Service, Oct. 5, 1948.)

October 4
Six C a b in e t O ff ic ia l s and three Federal agency heads
pledged full support to the movement for employment of
handicapped persons, in connection with National Em­
ploy the Physically Handicapped Week, October 3-9,
1948. (Source: U. S. Dept of Labor release, Oct. 4, 1948.)
On September 14, the President had issued a proclama­
tion calling upon the people of the United States to observe
the week— “NEPIIW .” (Source: White House release,
Sept. 14, 1948.)

October 6
T he U n it e d M in e W orkers of America (Ind.) an­
nounced the intention of adopting a plan of medical and
hospital care for its 400,000 bituminous-coal miners and
their families. The plan as projected is to be financed
from the UMWA Welfare and Retirement Fund (see
Chron. item for May 18, 1948, MLR, July 1948) at no cost
to those covered. (Source: UMW Journal, Oct. 15, 1948,
p. 7.)
T he O r de r of R a il w a y C onductors of America (Ind.),
the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen (Ind.), and the
operators announced agreement on an hourly wage
increase of 10 cents, effective on October 16. (Source:
Labor, Oct. 9, 1948.)

October 9
A F e d e r a l C ourt of A p p e a l s , pending an appeal,
suspended the $20,000 fine imposed (October 8) on local
1250 of the Department Store Employees Union (Ind.)
formerly Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
of America (CIO)) for failing to obey an injunction (Sep­
tember 14) against picketing Oppenheim Collins and Co.
stores. (Source: New York Times, Sept. 9 and Oct. 5
and 11, 1948.)
On August 1, the union had not qualified in the store’s
collective bargaining election, owing to failure of some of
the union’s officers to sign the non-Communist affidavit
required by the LMRA of 1947. (Source: New York
Times, Sept. 4, and Oct. 2, 1948.)

October 11
T he S u pr e m e C ourt of the United States, in the case of

v. A m a lg a m a te d M e a t C u tte r s { A F L ) ,
by refusing to review the decision made by the United
States Circuit Court in Cincinnati, in effect upheld that
court’s decision that the LMRA of 1947 requires an em­
ployer to bargain with a union before granting individual
“merit” increases to employees. (Source: U. S. Law
Week, vol. 17 LW, p. 3094.)
J . H . A llis o n a n d C o.

Publications
of Labor Interest

Special Reviews
Economic Security and Individual Freedom: Can We Have
Both? By Albert Lauterbach. Ithaca, N. Y., Cornell
University Press, 1948. 178 pp., bibliography. $2.50.
The author answers the question of his title by saying
that there is no intrinsic conflict between freedom and
security. Stated negatively, security without freedom
has never long survived; and the gravest danger to freedom
is the economic insecurity of depression, which in turn
breeds oppression.
Oppression and depression are the two great fears. The
fear of oppression gave rise to the ideals of laissez faire in
government and unrestricted competition in economic life.
It was believed that the conflicting interests of individuals
as controlled by competition would be harmonized with the
general interest. The failure of laissez faire was accom­
panied by the great social dislocations and insecurity of
economic depressions. Laissez-faire policy today, the
author asserts, is at best utopian. At the other extreme,
the totalitarian solution of the problem of economic security
has already proved to be devastating to security as well as
to liberty. And yet there is no assurance that another
nation may not seek a refuge from another wave of depres­
sion and unemployment in a totalitarian pseudo solution.
On the basis of these general considerations, the author
analyzes the conditions and requirements of freedom
joined with order in economic society. He rejects the
view that freedom is exclusively associated with “free
enterprise” of the traditional type. He accepts a broader
interpretation of free enterprise as “an unimpeded develop­
ment of ideas and activities—especially those aiming at
improvements—by every individual.” In other words,
liberalism in its fundamental meaning can no longer be
identified with laissez faire and must be associated with
purposeful action by a democratically organized society
to whatever extent may prove to be necessary for achieving
alike the freedom aims and the welfare hopes of the earlier
liberalism. The volume is in large part an effort to define
the nature and limits of democratic action which the au­
thor believes to be necessary to achieve these aims.— W. B.
E d it o r ’s N o t e .—Correspondence regarding the publications to which
reference is made in this list should be addressed to the respective publishing
agencies mentioned. Where data on prices were readily available, they have
been shown with the title entries.

526

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The Structure of Postwar Prices. By Frederick C. Mills.
New York, National Bureau of Economic Research,
Inc., 1948. 66 pp., charts. (Occasional Paper No.
27.) 75 cents.
In this monograph, Dr. Mills brings into focus the
salient characteristics of the inflationary postwar price
structure, including an analysis of many aspects of the
wartime and postwar economy. Covering an 8-year
period, 1939 through early 1948, emphasis is laid upon the
substantial excess of increases in aggregate dollar values
of goods produced and services rendered over the increases
in physical volume output. Inflation is defined as the
condition that exists when such aggregate dollar values
advance “more rapidly than the physical volume of the
same goods and services”.
During the 8-year period, inflation was accompanied
by unequal movements of prices, wages, and profits, which
in turn affected producing and consuming groups un­
equally, altered trading relations among economic groups,
and materially modified the domestic structure of costs
and prices. Farmers, it is pointed out, have made
substantial gains, because their aggregate physical rewards
have increased considerably more than their aggregate
physical contributions, and this is true “whether the base
of comparison be recent or far removed.” The rewards
of manufacturing labor more than doubled between 1939
and February 1948, while the gains of nonmanufacturing
labor, in real hourly wages, the report shows, exceeded
those of manufacturing labor for only 4 groups (of 18
covered in this survey): bituminous coal miners, workers
in hotels and in quarrying and non-metallic mining, and
common labor in road building.
Elements of the cost structure in the economy have had
their relationships modified in many ways as a result of
wide price movements. Although to a considerable degree
price movements merely reflect changes in underlying
factors of production, distribution, and consumption, to
some extent “price changes are active elements, to which
physical processes require adjustment.”
Dr. Mills states that changes in price relations since
1939 will not necessarily be reversed in the near future
because some of the changes may have accompanied
enduring alterations in underlying conditions. Neverthe­
less, as passing shortages are corrected, and supply and
demand are stabilized under peacetime conditions, thé
price structure will be modified accordingly. These
modifications may bring agricultural and industrial prices
nearer to their relationship in the interwar period. It is
recognized that government support of farm prices and
increased strength of labor organizations, among other
factors, protect the present cost and price system against
a major downward readjustment, even though “the past
record of peacetime declines, as well as of postwar reces­
sions, suggests the possibility of a sharp initial drop in
prices when the peak has been passed.”
The growth of industrial productivity (rate of gain in
output per manhour), which gave impetus to the great
industrial advance of the twenties, has been retarded de­
spite such technical gains as may have been scored in the
industrial effort of the war years, according to the author.

PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST
The rate of increase in industrial efficiency since 1939 has
been well below the rate prevailing during the quarter
century before 1939. Because the cumulative movements
of prices commonly termed inflation or deflation result
from a diversity of individual judgments and actions, the
conduct of industrial producers and of industrial labor
are strategic in shaping the future economic course of the
Nation. ‘‘Maintained high production, with the pro­
ductivity gains that are potential in the present situation,
can provide an umbrella under which some of the most
necessary of these corrections may be effected.”— W. F.

Cooperative Movement

By Florence E. Parker.
Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948.
22 pp. (Bull. No. 942; reprinted from issues of
Monthly Labor Review, January-June 1948.) 15
cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington.

C o o p e r a tiv e s i n P o s t w a r E u r o p e .

C o o p e r a tiv e H o u s in g i n E u r o p e — A S u r v e y o f A c ti v i t i e s i n
S o m e C o u n tr ie s S in c e th e W a r .
( I n Review of Inter­
national Cooperation, London, July 1948, pp 133138.)
Presents statistics on this little-known subject for Swe­
den, Denmark, Finland, Czechoslovakia, and Switzerland.
S ta tis tiq u e

des

P o p u la ir e

Law and Contemporary Problems, Vol.
13, No. 3, Durham, N. C., Summer 1948, pp. 391-546.
$ 1.)
Data on urban consumers’ cooperation are presented in
two articles written, respectively, by a well-known writer
on cooperatives and by the executive secretary of the
Cooperative League of the USA. The other 10 articles in
this special number relate mainly to farmers’ marketing
and purchasing associations, especially their status as
regards antitrust immunities, Federal income tax, and posi­
tion before the courts on a number of subjects. In the
majority of cases, the treatment is from the legal point of
view, with copious citations from court cases. Two of the
articles were written by representatives of the National Tax
Equality Association, the organization which has been
attacking the tax status of cooperatives.
Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1948. 13 pp. (Bull. No. 932.) 15 cents, Superin­
tendent of Documents, Washington.
1947.

Compiled by
Howard B. Turner and Florence C. Bell. Washing­
ton, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Library, June
1948. 178 pp.; processed. (Library List No. 41—
Revision of Farm Credit Administration Bull. No. 4.)
85 cents.
Indexed by author, country, and key words. A list of
cooperative periodicals is included.
B i b l i o g r a p h y o n C o o p e r a tio n i n A g r ic u ltu r e .

By L. B.
Mann and Paul C. Wilkins. Washington, U. S.
Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Administra­
tion, Cooperative Research and Service Division, 1948.
36 pp., map, charts, illus.; processed. (Miscellaneous
Report No. 116.)
Gives statistics on size, income, expenses, etc., for a
reporting sample of 341 cooperatives. According to the
report, at the end of 1947 there were in operation 900 co­
operative locker plants, of which 275 had been formed in
the 3 years 1945-47.
C o o p e r a tiv e F r o z e n

C o o p é r a tiv e s

B u lg a r ie ],

1 9 4 1 -4 2 .

[en

la

R é p u b liq u e

Sofia, Direction
165 pp. In Bul­

Employment and Unemployment
Labor

F o r c e , E m p lo y m e n t,

and

U n e m p lo y m e n t,

1 9 2 9 -8 9 :

Washington, U. S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1948. 4 pp. (Serial No. R. 1929;
reprinted from Monthly Labor Review, July 1948 )
Free.
E s t i m a ti n g

M e th o d s .

N o n a g r ic u ltu r a l E m p lo y m e n t,

b y S ta te ,

1 9 4 3 -4 7 .

ington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948.
ously paged; processed. Free.

Wash­
Vari­

S o m e I m p l i c a t i o n s o f a P r o g r a m f o r F u ll E m p l o y m e n t a n d
E c o n o m ic S t a b i l i t y .
By W. W. Cooper. ( I n Political
Science Quarterly, New York, June 1948, pp. 230-256
$1.50.)
The author emphasizes the limitations on public author­
ity for carrying out the purposes of the Federal Employ­
ment Act of 1946. He expresses the view that if public
responsibility for achieving the objectives of the act are
to be met, government must have more flexible powers.
L a b o r F orce in L o u is ia n a .
By Rudolf Heberle.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, 1948.
189 pp., maps, charts; processed. $2.
Based largely on the Census of 1940, with a final chapter
on wartime changes and postwar outlook.
The

Handicapped Workers

F o o d L o c k e r A s s o c ia tio n s .

S t a t i s t i c s o f F a r m e r s ’ M a r k e t i n g a n d P u r c h a s in g C o o p e r a ­

By Grace Wanstall. Washington,
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Admin­
istration, Cooperative Research and Service Division,
1948. 54 pp., maps, charts; processed. (Miscella­
neous Report No. 119.) Free.
tiv e s ,

S o c ié té s
de

Générale de la Statistique, 1947.
garian and French.

C o o p e r a tiv e s . (I n

D e v e lo p m e n ts i n th e C o n s u m e r s ’ C o o p e r a tiv e M o v e m e n t i n

527

1 9 4 5 -4 6 .

809737— 48---------- 5


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E m p lo y m e n t

of

th e

P h y s ic a lly

H a n d i c a p p e d — S e le c te d

Compiled by Helen M. Steele and Lola A.
Wyckoff. Washington, U. S. Department of Labor,
President’s Committee on National Employ the
Physically Handicapped Week, September 1948.
68 pp. ; processed. Free.
R e fe r e n c e s .

Princeton, N. J.,
Princeton University, Industrial Relations Section,
September 1948. 4 pp. (Selected References, No!
23.) 10 cents.

T he H a n d ic a p p e d W o rk e r in I n d u s tr y .

T he P erfo rm a n c e o f P h y s ic a lly I m p a ir e d W o rk ers in M a n u ­
I n d u s tr ie s .
A Report Prepared bv the
Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Veterans Adminis­
tration. Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics, 1948. 132 pp., charts, forms. (Bull. No. 923.)
55 cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington.

fa c tu r in g

MONTHLY LABOR

PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST

528
R e h a b ilita tio n

and

P la c e m e n t

of

H a n d ic a p p e d

W orkers.

Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948.
4 pp. (Serial No. R. 1937; reprinted from Monthly
Labor Review, September 1948.) Free.
R e h a b ilita tio n

F a c il i t i e s

fo r

th e

S e v e r e ly

H a n d ic a p p e d .

Chicago, National Society for Crippled Children and
Adults, Inc., Committee on the Severely Handicapped,
1947. 53 pp.; processed.
S e le c te d

E m p lo y m e n t

S e r v ic e

A c ti v i t i e s f o r

H a n d ic a p p e d

Washington, Federal Security
Agency, Veterans Employment Service, 1948. 8 pp.,
charts; processed. Free.
Review of the services offered to disabled veterans in
securing suitable gainful employment and of the attempts
made to meet special needs as they arose.
V e te r a n s ,

1 9 4 6 -4 8 .

By Howard B. Sprague, M.D.
Industrial Medicine, Chicago, August 1948,
pp. 279-282, bibliography. 75 cents.)

E m p l o y m e n t o f C a r d ia c s .
{In

I n s t i t u t e f o r th e

C r ip p le d

and

D is a b le d — “ T h e S c h o o l o f

New
York, Institute for the Crippled and Disabled, 1948.
79 pp., illus.
Includes a discussion of current and past aspects of
rehabilitation, and a description of the Institute’s efforts
to attain its ultimate goal of social and economic inde­
pendence for the handicapped, through its varied profes­
sional and technical services, since its inception in 1917.
A n o th e r C h a n c e ” : S u m m a r y o f r e s u lts f o r 1 9 4 7 .

By Buel W. Patch. Washington (1205
19th St. NW .), Editorial Research Reports, 1948.
18 pp. (Vol. II, 1948, No. 4.) $1.
Discussion of the housing issue in Congress and in the
national political campaigns, and of the terms of existing
and pending housing legislation.
P u b l i c H o u s in g .

By Beatrice S. Friedman.
New York, Women’s City Club of New York, Inc.,
1948. 58 pp., charts, plans, illus. $1.
On the basis of interviews with residents (92 percent
housewives) of a group of New York housing projects, this
pamphlet shows in graphic form the importance attached
to different facilities.
B e tte r H o u s in g f o r th e F a m i l y .

F o u r te e n th A n n u a l R e p o r t o f th e N e w

Y o r k C i t y H o u s in g

New York, 1948. 24 pp., charts, illus.
Covers progress made in the public housing program in
1947 and includes operating statistics as well as information
on construction costs.
A u th o r ity .

Industrial Accidents; Workmen’s Compensation
A n n u a l S u m m a r y o f I n j u r i e s i n th e P e tr o le u m I n d u s t r y f o r

Washington, American Petroleum Institute,
Department of Safety, 1948. 20 pp., chart; processed.
Injury rates, time lost, and related data on disabling
injuries are given for 231 oil companies employing 452,387
persons. The 1947 injury index for the industry was 6.9
percent lower than in 1946.
1947.

E y e H a z a r d s a n d S a f e t y P r a c tic e : A R e v ie w o f 1 4 ,7 2 2 E y e

By A. Kefalas.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, London,
April 1948, pp. 51-69, illus. 7s. 6d.)
Analyzes classes of injuries and relative accident
liability, by occupation, and the relative disabling power
of disabling agents.
A c c id e n ts i n th e W e a r s id e S h i p y a r d s .

Housing

{In

Wash­
ington, U. S. Housing and Home Finance Agency,
1948. 13 pp., chart. 15 cents, Superintendent of
Documents, Washington.

H o u s in g o f th e N o n w h ite P o p u l a t i o n , 1 9 4 0 to 1 9 4 7 .

Chicago, National
Association of Housing Officials, 1948. 22 pp., bibli­
ography, charts; processed. (N-250.)

S u m m a r y o f th e 1 9 4 7 H o u s in g

Y ea r.

By
Kenneth Duncan. { I n Savings Bank Journal, New
York, August 1948, pp. 14, 15, 35; September 1948,
pp. 26, 27, 41. 50 cents each.)
Part I, on location of housing, shows how subdivisions
become stranded because they have not been plotted in
relation to the community and to the direction of its growth.
Part II, dealing with the closely related question of plan­
ning, stresses the need for a high degree of cooperation
between municipal authorities and the developer. It cites
principles that can be observed profitably by a professional
planner.
T h e L o c a tio n a n d P la n n i n g o f H o u s in g D e v e lo p m e n ts .

Radio discussion by Raymond
Smith and Louis Wirth. Chicago, University of Chi­
cago, 1948. 29 pp., charts. (Round Table No. 539.)
Includes a supplement containing a summary of the
Taft-Ellender-Wagner housing bill and selections from
the final majority report of the Joint Committee on Hous­
ing (80th Cong., 2d sess., House report No. 1564).
T h e P o li t i c s o f H o u s in g .


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

A m e r ic a n S ta n d a r d S a fe ty C ode f o r W o o d L a d d e rs .

York, American Standards Association, 1948.
(A14.1-1948.) 50 cents.

New
15 pp.

Boston, National
Association of Claimants’ Compensation Attorneys,
May 1948. 198 pp. $3.
This initial issue of the journal (to be published in May
and November, $5) includes reviews of leading current
cases under workmen’s compensation, railroad, and
admiralty laws; articles on the meaning of “disability”
under workmen’s compensation acts and on choice of
remedies by injured maritime workers; a bibliography;
and discussion of matters of general interest.
N A C C A L a w J o u r n a l , V o lu m e 1 , N o . 1 .

E s ta d ís tic a

de

lo s

A c c id e n te s

del

T r a b a jo ,

[ D o m in ic a n

1946. Ciudad Trujillo, Dirección General
de Estadística, 1948. 36 pp., charts; processed.
R e p u b lic ] ,

Industrial Hygiene
By Ludwig Teleky,
M.D. New York, Columbia University Press, 1948.
342 pp., bibliography. $4.50.
Analytical account of the development of industrial
hygiene programs in England, prewar Germany, and the
H i s t o r y o f F a c to r y a n d M i n e H y g ie n e .

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST

United States. Subjects treated include legislation, fac­
tory inspection, and other control measures; the part
played by trade-unions and other organizations in pro­
tecting workers’ health, and the development of plant
organization for this purpose; and miners’ health prob­
lems. The latter are given special attention. Researches
and studies made in various countries are summarized, and
statistical methods in the field are evaluated.
By Ralph P. Eames. ( I n Safety Engi­
neering, New York, August 1948, pp. 26-30, illus.
50 cents.)
Information on measures for protection of workers in
radiochemical laboratories, including devices for measur­
ing radiation.
A to m ic A r m o r .

C ancer

o f th e

R e s p ir a to r y

S y s te m

in

th e

U n ite d

S ta te s

By Willard Machle,
M.D., and Frederick Gregorius, M.D. ( I n Public
Health Reports, Federal Security Agency, Public
Health Service, Washington, August 27, 1948, pp.
1114-1127, charts. 10 cents, Superintendent of Docu­
ments, Washington.)
Analysis of data on mortality of workers in plants
engaged in the extraction of chromates from ore revealed
a high death rate from lung cancer— 21.8 percent of all
deaths in the industry, or 16 times the expected ratio.
This is said to be the first study in this field in the United
States.
C h r o m a te - P r o d u c in g

I n d u s tr y .

[Olympia],
Wash., Department of Labor and Industries and
Department of Health, [1948?]. 32 pp., illus.
Summary of health hazards found in a survey of the
garage industry of the State of Washington, and methods
for their correction.
P r e v e n tio n o f H e a lth H a z a r d s i n R e p a i r G a r a g e s .

S i l i c o s i s , P n e u m o k o n io s is a n d D u s t S u p p r e s s i o n i n M i n e s —
P r o c e e d in g s a t C o n fe re n c e h e ld i n L o n d o n , A p r i l 1 9 4 7 .

London, Institution of Mining Engineers and Insti­
tution of Mining and Metallurgy, 1947. 190 pp.,
bibliography, diagrams, illus.

529

C o m m itte e s , J a n u a r y 1 9 4 8 .
By Frank
S. McElroy and Alexander Moros. Washington, U. S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 5 pp., chart.
(Serial No. R. 1931; reprinted from Monthly Labor
Review, August 1948.) Free.

J o i n t P r o d u c tio n

Labor-Management Cooperation in United States W a r
Production—A Study of Methods and Procedure.
Geneva, International Labor Office, 1948. 405 pp.
(Studies and Reports, New Series, No. 6.) $2.25. Dis­
tributed in United States by Washington Branch of
ILO.
Proceedings of Conference on Industry-Wide Collective
Bargaining, Philadelphia, May 1 4 , 1 9 4 8 . Philadel­
phia, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of
Finance and Commerce, Labor Relations Council,
1948. 144 pp., charts; processed. $3.
Complete transcript of the proceedings of the general
session and of the three committee meetings. The latter
dealt with the economic and legal aspects, respectively,
of industry-wide collective bargaining and with multipleemployer bargaining in action.
T h e T e r m in a tio n R e p o r t o f th e N a t i o n a l W a r L a b o r B o a r d :
I n d u s tr ia l D is p u te s a n d

W a g e S ta b iliz a tio n

in

W a r­

tim e , J a n u a r y 1 2 , 1 9 4 2 - D e c e m b e r 8 1 , 1 9 4 5 , V o lu m e 1 .

Washington, 1947. 1,213 pp. $2.50, Superintendent
of Documents, Washington.
Part I covers organization, policies, and procedure of the
National War Labor Board, and action taken on specific
issues; Part II contains reports of chairmen of the regional
boards, expressing their views on many aspects of the
Board’s work, and studies of Board policy in selected
industries which were treated on a special basis.
Volumes II and III, which will be published as appen­
dixes to Volume I, will consist of selected policy statements,
regulations, and opinions in leading cases handled by the
Board. Those in Volume II will pertain for the most part
to over-all policy and those in Volume III, to specific
industries.

S t a n d a r d i z a t i o n o f th e O p tic a l D e n s it i e s o f I n d u s t r i a l E y e -

C la s s if ie d P r o v i s io n s o f T h ir ty - S e v e n C o lle c tiv e B a r g a i n i n g

By Ralph Stair, U. S. National
Bureau of Standards, Washington. ( I n Glass Indus­
try, New York, July 1948, pp. 375-406, bibliography,
charts; also reprinted.)

New York, American Iron and Steel
Institute, 1948. 745 pp.

P r o te c tiv e G la s s e s .

A g r e e m e n ts f o r

W a g e E a r n e rs in

th e I r o n

a n d S te e l

In d u s tr y .

C o lle c tiv e

B a r g a in in g

P r o v i s io n s :

D is c h a r g e ,

D i s c i p li n e ,

Washington, U. S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, 1948. 63 pp. (Bull. No. 908-5.)
20 cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
a n d Q u its ; D i s m i s s a l P a y .

Industrial Relations
Edited by John
Cameron Aspley and Eugene Whitmore. Chicago,
Dartnell Corporation, 1948. 1,254 pp., bibliography,
charts, illus. $10.
Third edition of a standard reference work on various
phases of industrial relations and personnel management.
The 56 sections cover a wide range of subjects, including
trends in labor relations, contract clauses, employment
procedures and practices, employee benefits and activities,
and public relations.
T h e H a n d b o o k o f I n d u s t r i a l R e la tio n s .


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

By Clarence M. Updegraff.
Iowa Law Review, Iowa City, May 1948, pp.
609-622. $1.)

P u b l i c U t i l i t y L a b o r P r o b le m s .
(In

L a P a r t i c i p a t i o n d e s S a l a r i é s a u x R e s p o n s a b ilité s d e V E n tr e ­
pren eu r.
Paris, Institut de Science Économique Ap­
pliquée, 1947. 217 pp. 240 francs.
This discussion of worker participation in management
in France was written before enactment of the legislation
of February 1945 providing for the establishment of works

MONTHLY LABOR

PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST

530

councils (Comites d’Entreprise). Two ways are suggested
to overcome human obstacles to greater labor participation
in management: (1) by assuring workers of security and
thus reducing their fear of the future, apprehensions on
the part of labor in its relations with management may be
overcome; and (2) by having workers assume certain risks
and responsibilities, thus more closely uniting them with
those from whom they consider themselves separated.
( S e e a ls o

By
A. L. Patkin. Melbourne and London, F. W.
Cheshire Pty., Ltd., 1947. 275 pp. 15s. ($3.50, Bloch
Publishing Co., Inc., New York).
Account of the origins of the Jewish labor socialist
movement in Russia, against a background of the history
and aspirations of the Jewish people.
T h e O r ig in s o f th e R u s s i a n - J e w i s h L a b o r M o v e m e n t.

Medical Care

under Labor Management Relations Act, 1947.)

Labor Management Relations Act, 1947

C o m p a r a tiv e I n c r e a s e s i n th e C o s ts o f M e d i c a l C a r e a n d i n

By Frank G. Dickinson. Chi­
cago, American Medical Association, Bureau of
Medical Economic Research, 1948. 4 pp., charts.
Free.
Compares the cost of selected medical services for
moderate-income families with the cost of all goods and
services combined, 1940-47, as shown by published data
of the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
th e C o s ts o f L iv in g .

H ow

to H a n d le

C o lle c tiv e B a r g a i n i n g N e g o tia tio n s

U nder

th e T a f t - H a r t l e y A c t. By Arthur T. Jacobs, and staff
of Executive’s Labor Service. Deep River, Conn.,
National Foremen’s Institute, Inc., 1948. 132 pp.
T h e I m p l i c a t i o n s f o r E x e c u tiv e s i n th e 1 9 4 7 L a b o r - M a n a g e ­

By John R. Bangs and James W.
Townsend. Philadelphia, Budd Co., [1948]. 20 pp.
Address at 68th annual meeting of American Society of
Mechanical Engineers in Atlantic City, December 5, 1947.
m e n t R e la t i o n s A c t.

By Philip
12, No. 2,
Princeton, N. J., Summer 1948, pp. 266-271. $1.50.)
An attempt to answer, objectively, the question: “If an
individual read magazine articles concerning the TaftHartley Act, would he have been more likely to read articles
that approved the Act * * * or that disapproved the
Act * * *?” As the result of an analysis of articles
in 180 issues of 50 different periodicals, with a circulation
of over 21,500,000, the author concluded that “the view­
points of organized labor, presented in positive terms, did
not appear in any of the major periodicals of wide cir­
culation.”
T h e P e r i o d i c a l P r e s s a n d th e T a f t - H a r t l e y A c t.
Ash. ( I n Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol.

T e m p o r a r y I n j u n c t i o n o f U n io n U n f a ir L a b o r P r a c tic e s
U n d e r th e T a f t - H a r t l e y A c t.
( I n Illinois Law Review,

Chicago, May-June 1948, pp. 231-238.)

Labor Organizations and Activities
D ir e c to r y o f L a b o r U n io n s i n th e U n ite d S ta te s — N a t i o n a l
a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l U n io n s , S ta te L a b o r O r g a n iz a tio n s —

Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Sta­
tistics, 1948. 64 pp. (Bull. No. 937.) 20 cents,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
B r i t i s h L a b o r u n d e r th e L a b o r G o v e r n m e n t.
By Jean A.
Flexner. Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Sta­
tistics, 1948. 13 pp., charts. (Serial No. R. 1930;
reprinted from Monthly Labor Review, August and
October 1948.) Free.
Ju n e 1948.

By Peter C.
Speers. ( I n Social Research, New York, September
1948, pp. 304-326. $1.)

C o lo n ia l P o li c y o f th e B r i t i s h L a b o r P a r t y .

F ifty -F ir s t

A n n u a l R e p o r t o f th e S c o ttis h

C on gress,
W om en

1 9 4 8 , In c lu d in g
C o m m itte e

U n io n

R e p o rt

of

Y o u th

of

A d v is o r y

Glasgow, Scottish Trades Union Congress,
164 pp. Is.

C o u n c il.

1948.

and

T ra d es

R e p o r t o f O r g a n iz a tio n


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

A report to the President by Oscar
R. Ewing, Federal Security Administrator. Wash­
ington, Federal Security Agency, 1948. 186 pp.,
charts. $1, Superintendent of Documents, Washing­
ton.
An evaluation of the Nation’s total health and medical
facilities, with recommendations for a basic FederalState-community program to meet health needs during
the next decade. Objectives are increased medical per­
sonnel and hospitals, adequate medical care through pre­
paid, tax-supported health insurance, and enlarged pro­
grams covering mental health, chronic diseases, rehabilita­
tion of the handi apped, and maternal and child welfare.
T h e N a t i o n ’s H e a lth .

S o m e L a b o r U n io n E n te r p r i s e s i n P u b l i c H e a lth E c o n o m ic s .

By B. A. Kogan, M.D. (In American Journal of
Public Health, New York, July 1948, pp. 943-950.
70 cents.)
Discussion of the development of health institutes and
allied measures for health protection undertaken by the
United Automobile Workers, International Ladies’ Gar­
ment Workers’ Union, Amalgamated Clothing Workers,
and the Transport Workers Union.
V o lu n ta r y

M e d ic a l

C are I n s u r a n c e in

th e

U n ite d

S ta te s .

By Franz Goldmann, M.D. New York, Columbia
University Press, 1948. 228 pp., bibliography. $3.
Describes and analyzes the development and present
status of voluntary medical care insurance in this country
and appraises the most important prepayment types.
M e d i c a l a n d H o s p i t a l S e r v ic e s P r o v id e d u n d e r P r e p a y m e n t
A r r a n g e m e n ts ,

T r in ity

H o s p ita l,

L it t l e

R ock,

A r k .,

1941-4®- By Margaret C. Klem, Helen Hollings­
worth, Zelma A. Miser. Washington, Federal Se­
curity Agency, Social Security Administration, Bureau
of Research and Statistics, 1948. 276 pp.; processed.
(Bureau Memorandum No. 69.)
Detailed data on types and amounts of services pro­
vided, together with information on the families served,
based on a period of 24 consecutive months.

PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

M e d i c a l F a c il i t i e s a n d E m p lo y e e G r o u p B e n e fits i n

C on­

Hartford, Manufacturers Associ­
ation of Connecticut, Inc., 1948. 16 pp.
n e c tic u t I n d u s t r y .

N e w Z e a la n d .
By Hugh MacLean,
M.D., and Dean E. McHenry. { I n Milbank Mem­
orial Fund Quarterly, New York, April 1948, pp.
148-181, bibliography. 25 cents.)
Traces the development of the national medical care
program in New Zealand, describes the various health
benefits and services under the Social Security Act, and
discusses the position of the medical profession with refer­
ence to the program.
M e d i c a l S e r v ic e s i n

Migration
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r C o n fe r e n c e , 3 2 d S e s s io n , G e n e v a , 1 9 4 9 —
E le v e n th I t e m o n A g e n d a , R e p o r t X I

(1 ) :

M ig r a tio n f o r

Geneva, International Labor Office,
1948. 218 pp. $1.25. Distributed in United States
by Washington Branch of ILO.
E m p lo y m e n t.

M i g r a t i o n a n d O n e W o r ld .
New York,
National Committee on Immigration Policy, 1948.
107 pp., bibliography, charts. 25 cents.
The National Committee on Immigration Policy
describes its purposes as educational, and the present
study is one of a series in furtherance of its educational
objective. The study summarizes the national immigra­
tion policies of various countries and the results of inter­
national migration since 1820, with emphasis on the period
following World War II and on the need for reconsideration
of immigration policies.

531

P r i c e P o li c y .
By Geoffrey S. Shepherd.
Ames, Iowa State College Press, 1947. 440 pp.,
charts. $4.50.
In part a revision of the author’s Agricultural Price
Control (1945). Three main purposes are stated: analysis
of experiences of the past 20 years; appraisal of the present
and prospective agricultural price situation; and a state­
ment of desirable objectives and of the broad outlines of
price programs for attaining the objectives. The chief
aim of agricultural price policy, it is stated, should be
correction of the shortcomings of prices as determined by
the unregulated or open market for farm products, and
maintenance of reasonably stable incomes for farmers cur­
rently comparable with the incomes of other groups with
similar ability. The author views as fallacious the idea
that average farm income should equal average nonfarm
income, and he criticizes also the use of the 1909-14 base
period for evaluating price and income parity. The farm
problem is viewed in general in the light of the tendency
toward overpopulation on farms and of the need for sus­
tained nonfarm prosperity and employment opportunities.
A g r ic u ltu r a l

In te r n a tio n a l

Som e

A s p e c ts

of

th e

I n te r n a tio n a l

M ig r a tio n

P r o b le m .

By Alfred Sauvy. { I n International Labor Review,
Geneva, July 1948, pp. 18-37. 50 cents. Distribut­
ed in United States by Washington Branch of ILO.)

T h e H i s t o r y o f B a s i c M e ta ls P r i c e C o n tr o l i n W o r ld W a r I I .

By Robert F. Campbell. New York, Columbia
University Press, 1948. 263 pp., bibliography.
(Studies in History, Economics, and Public Law,
No. 541.) $3.25.
The anti-inflation measures used during the years
1941-45 are summarized in the introduction, which is
followed by discussion of the price reaction of basic metals
to wartime pressures and of the various steps taken to
alleviate these pressures by increasing the available metal
supplies while maintaining the same general price level.
The author concluded that price control should be closely
integrated with allocation of manpower and materials,
management of production, and stabilization of wages.
C o n s u m e r s ’ P r i c e I n d e x e s f o r F o o d s C o m m o n ly P u r c h a s e d

Occupation Reports

b y W a g e E a r n e r s ’ F a m i l i e s i n P u e r to R ic o , M a r c h 1 9 4 1
M a r c h 1 9 4 8 {M a r c h 1 9 4 1 = 1 0 0 ) .
[San Juan],
Puerto Rico Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 1948. 34 pp., charts; processed. (Special
Release No. 9.)
to

E c o n o m ic

S ta tu s

of

C e r a m ic

E n g in e e r s ,

1939

to

1947.

Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948.
26 pp., charts; processed. Free.
Survey of members of the Institute of Ceramic Engineers.
T h e E c o n o m ic S t a t u s

o f R e g is te r e d

P ro fe s s io n a l

N u rses,

1 9 4 6 -4 7 .
Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Sta­
tistics, 1948. 69 pp., map, charts. (Bull. No. 931.)
30 cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
S a la r ie s

and

C o n d itio n s

of

W ork

o f S o c ia l

W orkers

[in

London, National Council of Social
Service, 1947. 86 pp. 2s. 6d.
Report by a joint committee of British Federation of
Social Workers and National Council of Social Service.
G reat B r ita in ].

Prices and Price Control
C o n su m e rs’ P r ic e

In dex

[o f B u r e a u

o f L a b o r S t a tis tic s ] :

Washington, U. S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 5 pp. (Serial No.
R. 1933; reprinted from Monthly Labor Review,
August 1948.) Free.
R e la tiv e I m p o r ta n c e o f C o m p o n e n ts .


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

London, Min­
istry of Labor and National Service, 1948. 30 pp.
(Supplement No. 2, January 1948, to Industrial Re­
lations Handbook, 1944.) 6d. net, H. M. Stationery
Office, London.
Describes methods of calculating the new British retail
price index, established in June 1947.
I n d e x o f R e ta i l P r i c e s [in G r e a t B r i t a i n ] ,

Unemployment Insurance
H andbook

on

S ta te

U n e m p lo y m e n t

C o m p e n s a tio n

L a w s.

Washington, Federal Security Agency, Social Security
Administration, Bureau of Employment Security,
September 1, 1947. 121 pp.; processed.
P r i n c i p l e s o f C o s t E s t i m a te s i n

U n e m p lo y m e n t I n s u r a n c e .

By W. S. Woytinsky. Washington, Federal Security
Agency, Social Security Administration, Bureau of
Employment Security, 1948. 174 pp., charts. Free.

532

PUBLICATIONS OF LABOR INTEREST

Discusses effects of labor market, statutory, and adminis­
trative factors on the operation of unemployment insur­
ance, and estimates benefit costs of various programs over
a hypothetical business cycle.
The

P r in c ip le s

W h ic h

S h o u ld

G overn

th e

S tr u c tu r e

and

P r o v i s io n s o f a S c h e m e o f U n e m p lo y m e n t I n s u r a n c e .

By A. D. Watson. Ottawa, Unemployment Insur­
ance Commission, 1948. 45 pp.
The

D e v e lo p m e n t o f U n e m p lo y m e n t I n s u r a n c e i n th e S o u th .

By William R. Curtis. { I n Southern Economic
Journal, Chapel Hill, N. C., July 1948, pp. 43-53.
$ 1.)
E s t i m a te d E m p l o y m e n t a n d

W a g e s o f W o r k e r s C o v e re d b y

1947.
Wash­
ington, Federal Security Agency, Social Security
Administration, Bureau of Employment Security,
1948. 15 pp.; processed. (Supplement to Employ­
ment Security Activities, June 1948.)
S ta te

G e o g r a p h ic

U n e m p lo y m e n t I n s u r a n c e L a w s ,

D i s t r i b u t io n

of

U n e m p lo y m e n t

and

S ic k n e s s

Monthly
Review, U. S. Railroad Retirement Board, Chicago,
June 1948, pp. 115-120, map, chart.)
B e n e fits [fo r R a i l r o a d W o r k e r s ] i n 1 9 4 7 .

{In

Wages and Hours of Labor
Washington, U. S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948. 21 pp., charts.
(Serial No. R. 1932; reprinted from Monthly Labor
Review, April, June, August 1948.) Free.
W ages a n d H o u rs:

T h e B a k in g I n d u s tr y , J u ly

1,

Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1948. 37 pp. (Bull. No. 936.) 20 cents, Superin­
tendent of Documents, Washington.
1947.

U n io n

W a g e s a n d H o u rs: B u ild in g

T ra d e s, J u ly 1, 1 9 4 7 .

Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948.
36 pp. (Bull. No. 930.) 20 cents, Superintendent of
Documents, Washington.
A ^ S u r v e y o f O ffice S a l a r i e s — A S t u d y o f S a l a r i e s P a i d b y

L

Chicago, Dartnell Publications, Inc.,
1948. 64 pp.
Report on methods of controlling office salaries, with a
statistical supplement showing weekly salary ranges in
individual occupations and reporting companies, by num­
ber of office employees and geographic division.
6 0 1 C o m p a n ie s .

O ffice W o r k e r s ’ S a la r ie s ,
B e n e fits , N e w

H o u rs

Y o rk , N .

of

W ork,

S u p p le m e n ta r y

Y ., J a n u a r y - F e b r u a r y 1 9 4 8 .

Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1948.
Variously paged, chart; processed. Free.
Pay

R a te s f o r

S e le c te d

C ity

Job s,

[J a n u a r y

1 9 4 8 ].

{In

Municipal Year Book, 1948, pp. 107-111. Chicago,
International City Managers’ Association, 1948. $9.)
Data for clerks, laborers, truck drivers, firemen, police­
men, and other classifications, by city.


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V a r io u s

Richmond, League of
Virginia Municipalities, May 1948. 21 pp.; processed.
(Report No. 309.) 75 cents.
V i r g i n i a P o lic e D e p a r tm e n ts .

By Jules Backman and M. R. Gainsbrugh. New York, National Industrial Conference
Board, Inc., 1948. 96 pp., charts.
(Studies in
Business Economics, No. 15.) $1.
An argument against uniform, “horizontal”, or “blanket”
wage increases and in favor of adjustments on the basis of
local or industry conditions.
B e h a v io r o f W a g e s .

T he N a tio n a l W a g e S ta b iliz a tio n B o a rd , J a n u a r y 1, 1 9 4 6 —

Washington, U. S. Government
Printing Office, [1947?]. 594 pp. (Historical Reports
on War Administration.) $1.25.
Documentary history of the Board together with brief
explanations of its formation, organization, and activities.
F eb ru a ry 24, 1 9 47.

E a r n in g s o f A fr ic a n

L abor in

N ovem ber 1947.

East African Statistical Department, 1948.
charts; processed.
E s ta d ís tic a

del

S a la r io

en

C iu d a d

T r u j i l lo ,

Nairobi,
69 pp.,

[D o m i n i c a n

Ciudad Trujillo, Dirección
General de Estadística, 1948. 45 pp., charts; proc­
essed.
R e p u b lic ] , N o v ie m b r e 1 9 4 6 .

Women in Industry

T r e n d s i n W a g e D if f e r e n tia ls , 1 9 0 7 - 4 7 .

U n io n

S a l a r i e s a n d W o r k in g C o n d itio n s o f P o lic e m e n i n

R e p o r t o n 1 9 4 8 W o m e n ’s B u r e a u C o n fe r e n c e , F e b r u a r y 1 7 —
19,

1948:

The

A m e r ic a n

W om an — H er

C h a n g in g

R o le —W o r k e r , H o m e m a k e r , C i t i z e n .

Washington, U.
S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau, 1948.
210 pp., charts, illus. (Bull. No. 224.) Free.

T h e O u tlo o k f o r W o m e n i n C h e m is tr y .

Washington, U. S.
Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau, 1948. 62
pp., bibliography, illus. (Bull. No. 223-2.) 20 cents,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
One of a series of eight bulletins on the outlook for women
in science. Other bulletins already issued cover the bio­
logical sciences, mathematics and statistics, physics and
astronomy, and occupations related to science. The three
remaining numbers in the series will deal, respectively,
with architecture and engineering; geology, geography, and
meteorology; and the over-all picture.
New York, State Department
of Labor, Division of Industrial Relations, Wromen in
Industry and Minimum Wage, 1948.
47 pp.;
processed.
Summary of the characteristics of women on night
shifts in New York, and of conditions under which they
work, based on a survey of 347 workers in 20 manuiacturing
plants.
W o m e n W h o W o r k a t N ig h t.

{ I n Planning, London, July 23,
1948, pp. 37-60. Reprints are available from New
Republic, New York, at 25 cents each.)
Size, composition, and industrial distribution of the
female labor force in Great Britain, women’s attitude
toward industrial employment, and part-time work are the
major topics covered.
E m p lo y m e n t o f W o m e n .

4

Current Labor Statistics

A.—Employment and Pay Rolls

►

535 Table A -l: Estimated total labor force classified by employment status, hours
worked, and sex
536 Table A-2: Estimated number of wage and salary workers in nonagricultural es­
tablishments, by industry division
536 Table A-3: Estimated number of wage and salary workers in manufacturing indus­
tries, by major industry group
537 Table A-4: Estimated number of wage and salary workers in manufacturing indus­
tries, by State
538 Table A-5: Estimated number of production workers in manufacturing industries
541 Table A-6: Indexes of production-worker employment in manufacturing industries
543 Table A-7: Indexes of production-worker weekly pay rolls in manufacturing
industries
546 Table A-8: Estimated number of employees in selected nonmanufacturing
industries
547 Table A-9: Indexes of employment in selected nonmanufacturing industries
547 Table A-10: Indexes of weekly pay rolls in selected nonmanufacturing industries
548 Table A -ll: Total Federal employment by branch and agency group
549 Table A-12: Total Federal pay rolls by branch and agency group
550 Table A-13: Total Government employment and pay rolls in Washington, D. C.,
by branch and agency group
551 Table A-14: Personnel and pay in military branch of Federal Government

B.—Labor Turn-Over
551 Table B -l: Monthly labor turn-over rates (per 100 employees) in manufacturing
industries, by class of turn-over
552 Table B-2: Monthly labor turn-over rates (per 100 employees) in selected
industries

C.—Earnings and Hours
554 Table C -l: Hours and gross earnings in manufacturing and nonmanufacturing
industries
565 Table C-2: Estimated average hourly earnings, gross and exclusive of overtime, of
production workers in manufacturing industries
565 Table C-3: Average earnings and hours on private construction projects, by type
of firm


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

533

534

CURRENT LABOR STATISTICS

MONTHLY LABOR

D.—Prices and Cost of Living
567 Table D -l: Consumers’ price index for moderate-income families in large cities, by
group of commodities
568 Table D-2: Consumers’ price index for moderate-income families, by city, for
selected periods
569 Table D-3: Consumers’ price index for moderate-income families, by city and
group of commodities
570 Table D-4: Indexes of retail prices of foods, by group, for selected periods
571 Table D-5: Indexes of retail prices of foods, by city
572 Table D-6: Average retail prices and indexes of selected foods
573 Table D-7: Indexes of wholesale prices, by group of commodities, for selected
periods
573 Table D-8: Indexes of wholesale prices, by group of commodities, by weeks
574 Table D-9: Indexes of wholesale prices, by group and subgroup of commodities

E.—Work Stoppages
575 Table E -l: Work stoppages resulting from labor-management disputes

F.—Building and Construction


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

575 Table F -l: Expenditures for new construction
576 Table F-2: Value of contracts awarded and force-account work started on federally
financed new construction, by type of construction
577 Table F-3: Urban building authorized, by principal class of construction and by
type of building
578 Table F-4: New nonresidential building authorized in all urban places, by general
type and by geographic division
579 Table F-5: Number and construction cost of new permanent nonfarm dwelling units
started, by urban or rural location, and by source of funds

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

535

A: Employment and Pay Rolls
T able A - l: Estim ated T otal Labor Force Classified by Em ploym ent Status, H ours Worked, and Sex
Estimated number of persons 14 years of age and o v er1 (in thousands)
Labor force

1948
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

1947
Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

Total, both sexes
Total labor force *. . .
Civilian labor force..........
Unemployment................
Em ploym ent_______
Nonagricultural...... ..................
Worked 35 hours or more. .
Worked 15-34 hours.
Worked 1-14 hours8____
With a job but not at work <_
Agricultural... . . . . . _
Worked 35 hours or more
Worked 15-34 hours.
Worked 1-14 hours 8
With a job but not at work *

‘ 63, 578

64, 511

65,135

64, 740

61,660

61, 760

61,005

61,004

60,455

60,870

61, 510

62, 219

62,130

62,212
1,899
60,312
51, 590
30,372
17,149
1,596
2,472
8, 723
6,705
1,636
218
165

63,186
1,941
61, 245
52,801
42,305
4,811
1,447
4,239
8,444
6,122
1,669
249
405

63,842
2,227
61, 615
52,452
32,404
12,147
1,394
6,508
9,163
7, Oil
1,767
203
184

63, 479
2,184
61, 296
51,899
43, 240
4,910
1,403
2,348
9,396
7,390
1,669
182
154

60,422
1, 761
58, 660
50,800
42, 726
4,886
1,637
1,550
7,861
5,936
1,513
201
211

60, 524
2,193
58, 330
50, 883
42,179
4, 902
1,776
2,027
7,448
5,670
1,336
187
255

59, 769
2,440
57,329
50, 482
42, 576
4,467
1,684
1.753
6,847
4.754
1,397
265
431

59, 778
2,639
57,139
50, 368
40, 977
5,255
1,798
2,338
6, 771
3,844
1, 759
386
782

59, 214
2,065
57,149
50,089
42, 242
4,614
1,513
1,721
7,060
4,729
1,765
250
315

59, 590
1,643
57,947
50, 985
43,144
4,674
1,631
1,534
6,962
4, 590
1, 631
320
421

60, 216
1, 621
58, 595
50,609
42, 616
5,147
1,470
1,376
7,985
5,709
1,781
298
198

60, 892
1,687
59, 204
50, 583
43,102
4,534
1, 391
1, 556
8,622
6, 867
1,383
204
167

60, 784
1,912
58,872
50,145
42, 796
3, 988
1,312
2,050
8, 727
7,297
1,077
165
187

Males
Total labor force 8_________
Civilian labor force
U nem ploym ent.. .
Em ploym ent_________
Nonagricultural...... ............
Worked 35 hours or more
Worked 15-34 hours..
Worked 1-14 hours 8_
W ith a job but not at work
Agricultural_________
Worked 35 hours or more
Worked 15-34 hours. . .
Worked 1-14 hours *.
With a job but not at work *

45,453

46, 525

46, 715

46,039

44, 519

44, 589

44, 228

44, 236

44,071

44,156

44, 426

44, 754

44,881

44,101
1,251
42,850
35,960
23,115
10, 577
646
._ 1,622
6,890
5,858
743
138
151

45, 215
1,326
43,889
36,836
31, 226
2,599
563
2,448
7,053
5,663
882
179
330

45,437
1,448
43,989
36,633
24,344
7,766
563
3,962
7,356
6,152
903
145
157

44, 794
1,375
43,420
36,162
31, 700
2,535
597
1, 332
7,257
6,310
707
111
129

43, 298
1,239
42,058
35,386
31,000
2,565
709
1,105
6,673
5,525
862
136
150

43,369
1,567
41,801
35, 352
30, 575
2,525
787
1,465
6,450
5,321
816
124
189

43, 009
1,765
41, 244
35,063
30, 649
2,390
729
1,294
6,181
4, 548
1,035
211
387

43,026
1,889
41,137
35,046
29, 592
2,800
899
1, 755
6,091
3,698
1,375
330
688

42,846
1,574
41, 273
35,018
30, 719
2,414
610
1,275
6.254
4,505
1.255
202
292

42,892
1,239
41,653
35,484
31,147
2,411
738
1,187
6,169
4,376
1,177
252
364

43,148
1,176
41,972
35,323
31,620
2,709
622
972
6,649
5,236
1,638
194
180

43, 443
1,183
42, 260
35,340
31, 476
2, 212
630
1,022
6,920
5, 913
736
128
142

43, 551
1,393
42,158
35, 202
31, 232
2,094
522
1, 355
6, 955
6,175
523
87
169

Females
Total labor force 8_ . . .

wm

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

Civilian labor force.......................................
Unemployment______ _____ ___
Employm ent_____ ______ ___ ” ” II
Nonagricultural.............. IIIIIIIII
Worked 35 hours or more___
Worked 15-34 hours........... .
Worked 1-14 hours 8__............
With a job but not at work <
Agricultural____ ______ _______
Worked 35 hours or more___
Worked 15-34 hours_______
Worked 1-14 hours *_______
W ith a job but not at work *

1 8 ,1 2 5

17, 986

1 8 ,4 2 0

1 8 , 701

1 7 ,1 4 1

1 7 ,1 7 1

16, 777

1 6 ,7 6 8

1 6 ,3 8 4

16 , 714

1 7 ,0 8 4

17, 465

17, 249

1 8 ,1 1 1
648
1 7 ,4 6 2
15, 63U
7, 257
6 ,5 7 2
950
850
1 ,8 3 3
847
893
80
14

1 7 ,9 7 1
615
1 7 ,3 5 6
15, 965
1 1 ,0 7 9
2 ,2 1 2
884
1 ,7 9 1
1 ,3 9 1
459
787
70
75

1 8 ,4 0 5
779
1 7 ,6 2 6
1 5 ,8 1 9
8 ,0 6 0
4 ,3 8 1
831
2 ,5 4 6
1 ,8 0 7
859
864
58
27

1 8 ,6 8 5
809
1 7 ,8 7 6
15 , 737
11, 540
2 ,3 7 5
806
1 ,0 1 6
2 ,1 3 9
1 ,0 8 0
962
71
25

1 7 ,1 2 4
522
1 6 ,6 0 2
1 5 ,4 1 4
11, 720
2 ,3 2 1
928
445
1 ,1 8 8
411
651
65
61

1 7 ,1 5 5
626
16, 529
1 5 , 531
1 1 ,6 0 4
2 ,3 7 7
989
562
998
349
520
63
66

16, 760
675
1 6 ,0 8 5
15, 419
11, 927
2 ,0 7 7
955
459
666
206
362
54
44

1 6 ,7 5 2
750
16, 002
1 5 ,3 2 2
11, 385
2 ,4 5 5
899
583
680
146
384
56
94

1 6 ,3 6 8
491
1 5 ,8 7 6
1 5 ,0 7 1
11, 523
2 ,2 0 0
903
446
806
224
510
48
23

16, 698
404
16, 294
15, 501
11, 997
2 ,2 6 3
893
347
793
214
454
68
67

1 7 ,0 6 8
445
1 6 ,6 2 3
15, 286
I L 596
2 ,4 3 8
'8 4 8
404
1 ,3 3 6
'4 7 3
743
104
18

1 7 ,4 4 9
504
1 6 ,9 4 4
15, 243
1 1 ,6 2 6
2 ,3 2 2

17 , 233
' 519
1 6 , 714
1 4 ,9 4 3
l l | 564
1 ,8 9 4
' 790
695
1 ,7 7 2
1, 1 2 2
' 554
78
18

• jiDumiue» me suoject 10 sampling variation wmcn may be large in cases
where the quantities shown are relatively small. Therefore, the smaller
estimates should be used with caution. All data exclude persons in institu­
tions. Because of rounding, the individual figures do not necessarily add to
group totals.
1 Total labor force consists of the civilian labor force and the armed forces.

534
1 ,7 0 2
' 954
647
76
25

8 Excludes persons engaged only in incidental unpaid family work (less than
15 hours); these persons are classified as not in the labor force.
4 Includes persons who had a job or business, but who did not work during
the census week because of illness, bad weather, vacation, labor dispute, or
because of temporary lay-off with definite instructions to return to work
within 30 days of lay-off. Does not include unpaid family workers.
Source: U . S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.

Is ote . Explanatory notes outlining briefly the concepts, methodology, size of the reporting sample, and
sources used in preparing data presented in tables A-2 through A-14 are contained in the Bureau’s monthly mimeo­
graphed release, Employment and Pay Rolls— Detailed Report,” which is available upon request. Fuller
discussion is contained in the Handbook of Labor Statistics (Bulletin 916).

8 0 9 7 3 7 — 48 -

6


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MONTHLY LABOR

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

536

T able A-2: Estimated Number of Wage and Salary Workers in Nonagricultural Establishments, by

Industry Division 1
[In thousands]

Annual
average

1947

1948
Industry division
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Oct.

N ov.

Sept.

1943

1939

Total estimated employment____________ 45,898 45, 487 45,078 45,009 44,616 44,299 44.600 44, 279 44,603 45, 618 44,918 44,758 44, 513 42,042

30,287

16, 704 16,451 16,158 16,115 15,892 15,950 16, 269 16,183 16, 267 16,354 16, 256 16, 209 16, 175 17, 381
922
921
917
922
923
914
925
817
924
950
950
921
935
'948
83
81
81
81
82
81
81
81
82
82
83
82
81
81
437
412
417
415
415
421
419
422
425
309
426
426
423
395
100
99
100
126
101
100
100
104
102
99
102
103
100
102
98
97
90
94
96
90
87
89
93
97
97
95
98
97

10,078
845
89
388
103
76

Manufacturing_________________________
M ining______ _________________________
Anthracite_________________________
Bituminous coal____________________
M etal______________________________
Quarrying and nonmetallic__________
Crude’ petroleum and natural gas pro­
duction
_____________________
Contract construction 3 ________________
Transportation and public utilities 4______
Transportation 4____________________
Communication____________________
Other public utilities........... ...................._
Trade__________________________________
Finance________ ____ ___________ ______ Service__ _______ ________ ____ _________
Governm ent4__________________________
F e d e r a l.__________________________
State and lo ca l4_____________________

242
2,240
4,093
2,833
741
519
9,733
1,732
4,647
5,801
1,873
3 ,928

246
2,257
4,137
2,867
747
523
9,659
1, 761
4, 622
5, 650
1, 855
3,795

246
2,219
4, 136
2, 873
745
518
9, 646
1,754
4, 645
5, 599
1,833
3, 766

241
2,173
4,105
2,860
734
511
9,670
1,726
4,663
5,607
1,804
3,803

234
2,052
4,042
2,809
731
502
9, 617
1,716
4, 738
5,624
1,788
3,836

230
1,933
3,974
2,744
731
499
9, 576
1,704
4,768
5, 577
1,771
3, 806

231
1,805
4,032
2, 808
728
496
9, 598
1,697
4,729
6, 546
1, 758
3,788

230
1, 731
4,019
2,802
723
494
9, 520
1,690
4, 730
5, 492
1,746
3,746

229
230
1,871 1,978
4,020 4,071
2,809 2,858
719
719
492
494
9,622 10, 288
1,680 1,676
4, 723 4, 688
5, 498 5, 638
1,743 1,985
3,755 3, 653

229
2,046
4, 077
2,872
713
492
9,886
1,673
4,670
5, 387
1,751
3,636

230
2,099
4,097
2,899
707
491
9, 684
1,671
4, 662
5,414
1,744
3,670

230
2,107
4,134
2,929
713
492
9,471
1,668
4,634
5,403
1,761
3,642

181
1,567
3,619
2, 746
488
385
7,322
1,401
3,786
6,049
2,875
3,174

189
1,150
2, 912
2,080
391
441
6, 705
1,382
3,228
3,987
898
3, 089

carried forward from 1946 bench-mark levels, thereby providing consistent
series. Data for the current and immediately preceding months are subject
to revision.
2 Includes well drilling and rig building.
2 These figures cover all employees of private firms whose major activity Is
construction. They are not directly comparable with the construction em­
ployment estimates presented in table 2, p. 1111, of the June 1947 issue of this
publication, which include self-employed persons, working proprietors, and
force-account workers and other employees of nonconstruction firms or public
bodies who engage in construction work, as well as all employees of con­
struction firms. An article presenting this other construction employment
series appeared in the August 1947 issue of this publication, and will appear
quarterly thereafter.
4 Figures are not strictly comparable with those of preceding months be­
cause of the transfer of some companies from private to municipal operation
in October 1947.

1 Estimates are based upon reports submitted by cooperating establish­
ments and therefore differ from employment information obtained by house­
hold interviews, such as the M onthly Report on the Labor Force. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates of employment in nonagricultural
establishments differ from those of the M onthly Report on the Labor Force
(table A -l) in several important respects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics
estimates cover all full- and part-time wage and salary workers in private
nonagricultural establishments who worked or received pay during the pay
period ending nearest the 15th of the month, in Federal establishments during
the pay period ending just before the first of the month, and in State and local
government during the pay period ending on or just before the last of the
month. Persons who worked in more than one establishment during the
reporting period would be counted more than once. Proprietors, self-em­
ployed persons, domestic servants, unpaid family workers, and personnel of
the armed forces are excluded. These estimates have been adjusted to levels
indicated by Federal Security Agency data through 1946 and have been

T able A-3: Estimated Number of Wage and Salary Workers in Manufacturing Industries, by Major

Industry Group 1
[In thousands]
Annual
average

1947

1948
Major industry group
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

All manufacturing______________________ 16, 704 16, 451 16,158 16,115 15,892 15, 950 16, 269 16,183 16, 267 16,354 16, 256 16, 209 16,175 17, 381
Durable goods _ ......................................- 8,292 8,188 8,153 8,122 8,114 8,164 8, 258 8,167 8, 256 8, 274 8,194 8,126 8, 070 10, 297
Nondurable goods _________________ 8, 412 8, 263 8,005 7,993 7,778 7,786 8,011 8, 016 8,011 8,080 8, 062 8,083 8,105 7,084
Iron and steel and their products_________ 1,947
Electrical machinery____ ______________
726
Machinery, except electrical, ___________ 1,570
Transportation equipment, except auto­
574
mobiles- ____________________ ______
Automobiles______ . . . . ____________
977
469
Nonferrous metals and their products_____
Lumber and timber basic products__ ____
930
Furniture and finished lumber products
558
541
Stone, clay, and glass produ cts..,................
Textile-mill products and other fiber manufactures.-. . ____
...
. . . _____ 1,384
Apparel and other finished textile products. 1,354
Leather and leather products ___________
424
Food____________ ___________ ____ ____ 2,076
Tobacco m a n u fa ctu res.._______________
101
484
Paper and allied products_______________
Printing, publishing, and allied industries..
725
784
Chemicals and allied products.. ...... ..........
Products of petroleum and coal__________
244
Rubber products________________________
247
589
Miscellaneous industries.................. ..............

1,897
714
1, 560

543
958
466
930
551
539

561
983
457
912
542
527

562
918
469
881
550
535

1, 397
1, 334
431
1, 965
99
478
718
773
247
244
577

1,364
1,235
422
1,900
96
476
716
751
247
240
558

1,418
1,203
419
1,786
98
477
719
762
245
243
563

1,929
756
1,587

1, 920
763
1,591

1,925
767
1,583

1,922
773
1,589

1,908
772
1,569

1, 896
763
1,565

1,892
752
1,560

2,034
914
1,585

1,171
355
690

565
964
467
851
548
530

589
979
475
833
661
526

589
985
482
827
576
627

589
914
478
813
581
518

598
989
478
816
580
520

591
983
482
829
578
527

578
961
479
828
573
526

552
964
472
827
565
522

540
960
468
821
557
520

2,951
845
525
589
429
422

193
466
283
465
385
349

1,416
1,247
404
1,610
97
476
718
759
242
243
566

1,425
1,268
418
1,662
99
476
718
767
238
246
569

1, 435
1,334
442
1, 655
100
480
722
773
238
253
579

1, 428
1, 333
448
1, 658
101
479
724
773
237
257
578

1, 413
1,311
445
1, 688
101
482
726
774
238
259
574

1, 409
1, 305
446
1, 735
102
484
732
778
238
261
590

1, 391
1, 277
442
1, 769
104
479
726
777
239
259
599

1,368
1, 287
438
1, 833
103
476
720
773
237
257
591

1, 341
1, 251
435
1, 964
100
470
713
763
238
252
578

1, 330
1,080
378
1, 418
103
389
549
873
170
231
563

1,235
894
383
1,192
105
320
561
421
147
150
311

> Estimates include all full- and part-time production and nonproduction
workers in manufacturing industries who worked or received pay during the
pay period ending nearest the 15th of the month. These estimates have been


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

10,078
4,357
5, 720

1,897
742
1,562

1,904 T s s r
727
726
1,577 1,568

1, 929
717
1, 555

1939

adjusted to levels indicated by Federal Security Agency data through 1946
and have been carried forward from 1946 bench-mark levels, thereby providing consistent series.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

A: EM PLOYM ENT AND

PA Y

ROLLS

537

T able A-4: Estim ated N um ber of Wage and Salary Workers in M anufacturing Industries, by State
[In thousands]
1948

1947

Region and State
Aug.
New England:
Maine 3_____ _______
New Hampshire_____
Vermont *.....................
Massachusetts______
Rhode Island...............
Connecticut *________
Middle Atlantic:
New York__________
New Jersey__________
Pennsylvania............... .
East North Central:
Ohio.................................
Indiana_____________
Illinois______________
Michigan____________
Wisconsin 3__________
West North Central:
M innesota3__________
Iowa
_____________
M issouri3_______ ____
North Dakota_______
South Dakota___ ____
Nebraska........................
Kansas______________
South Atlantic:
Delaware____________
M ary la n d ............ .........
District of C olum bia..
V irginia..........................
West Virginia________
North Carolina..............
South C arolina............
Georgia 3_____ _______
Florida 3_____________
East South Central:
K entucky____________
Tennessee3........ ............
Alabam a3____________
M ississippi........ ..............
West South Central:
Arkansas 3____________
Louisiana3___________
Oklahoma 3___________
Texas..... .......................
Mountain:
M ontana........ ..................
Idaho3............ ..................
W yoming..... ...................
Colorado..........................
N ew Mexico 3________
Arizona 3_____________
U tah_________________
N evad a 3_____________
Pacific:
W ashington__________
Oregon...... .............. .........
California____________

120.2

83.6
37.8
726.5
144.1
392.1

July

116. 5
82.1
37.0
710.0
144.8
393.3

June

116.2
82.7
37.8
726.1
146.5
396.5

M ay

Apr.

108.2
81.6
37.8
723.4
147.0
401.1

106.
82.
38.
729.
149.
406.

1,869. 6 1,816.5 1,831.7 1,829.0 1,850.
743.9
732.8
741.8
740.7
746.
1, 498.0 1,481.2 1,495.4 *1,489.4 *1,497.

115.2
84.4
38.7
745.7
153.6
412.5

Feb.

Jan.

116.5
85.6
38.8
746.0
154.5
412.1

153.0
349.1

206.6
152.1
345.7
7.0

11.7
43.1
84.5

210.0

6.8

47.9
239. 2
16.7
214
133.7
378.9
197.0
280.9

1, 902.6 1,906. 4
753.7
757.8
*1,514.3 T, 513.1

116. £
82. £
39.3
741.
152. £
414.8

Sept.

119.6
82.1
39.2
732.5
148.1
409.2

Aug.

119.4
80.7
39.1
720.4
143.0
406.0

144.4
77.0
41.3
835. 6
169.4
504.2

8 1,924.6 1,918. 6 1,922.8 1, 900.1 1,870. 8 2,115.7
3
764.0
757.4
751. <
749.2
735.9
951.1
6 1,527.3 1,523.1 1,517.9 1,504.5 1, 490. 7 1,579.3
0 1,250.9 1, 247.3 1, 244. 7 1, 244.0 1, 238.1 1,363.3
3
559.0
558.7
561. (
580.0
552.3
633.1
0 1,273.6 1,266.3 1, 257.0 1, 249. 0 1, 237.8 1, 263. 7
6 1,024.2 1,019.0 1,021.8 1,023.3 1,004.6 1 ,18Ì.8
9
436.1
433.1
433.3
452.0
446.6
442.8
0
202.0
201.3
200.2
210.6
206.8
215.1
5
156.3
153. 9
151.3
152. 3
151.3
161.7
3
351.7
352.7
351.9
348.7
348.9
412. 9
6
6.7
6.8
6.7
6.7
6.9
5. 6
2
11.3
11.5
11.4
11.3
11.5
10.3
S
46.3
45.9
45.1
43.1
43.2
60.8
81.9
79.9
79.8
79.4
80.0
144.2

198.0
153.7
346.6
6.3

43.
83.9

188.7
133.8
339.9
6.4
11.3
34.9
73.3

42.4
77.6

43.0
78.3

46.6
232.8
17.2
211

46.6
229.4
17.1

45.8
228,
17.2

211.1

133.3
362,
195.8
274

132.4
381.4
199.3
273.8
93.2

*46.6
228.2
17.4
212.8
131.9
382.6
199.3
276.4
96.5

46.5
228.9
17.1
213
130. 9
385.8
200.5
281.5
99.4

45.9
228.5
16.8
213.5
130.3
380.4
196.9
280.5
98.9

46.1
229. 6
17. 5
215.1
132. 5
380.8
198.9
280. 4
97.8

45.8
231.1
17.4
217.3
133.0
378.7
197.6
283. 5
95.0

45.8
229.3
17.5
217.0
133.4
374.1
194.8
280.3
90.4

48.2
232.4
17.5
214.5
132.8
368.1
192.3
281.6
88.6

48.4
228.2
17.3
211.5
132.5
366.6
192.0
278.3
86.8

55.2
348.8
15.6
231. 9
132. 2
399.9
191.8
302.9
136.0

129.4
256.1
*230.2
90.5

130.4
254.7
*230. 9
95.7

130.7
254.3
*230.8
95.5

130.3
254.1
*227. 9
94.1

128.2
252.6
*225.4
95.0

125. 8
252.0
*220.3
95.3

131.7
255. 9
258. 5
95.1

76.1
151.2
64.7
346.8

*76.8
153.1
64.9
347.6

*76.7
149.2
64.3
339.9

81.2
149. 5
64. 1
337.8

*82.9
150. 3
64.0
341.3

76.7
166.1
99.7
424.8

18.5
19. 5
7.0
61.0
8.6
14.7
26.8
3.3

18.7
21.2
7.2
60.3
8.6
14.6
27.3
3.5

19.1
22.4
7.1
60.6
8.8
14.0
29.4
3.5

18.1
22. 6
6.8
57.9
9.1
13.8
30.1
3.4

18.2
23.8
6.8
56.6
9.3
13.4
26.3
3.4

15.7
15.9
5.1
67.5
7.9
19.4
33.5
7.9

174.6
111.4
715.1

178.2
112.2
717.7

183.9
117.2
736.4

191.7
122.2
744.8

11.8

210.8

11.0

199.0
154.7
349.2
6.4
11.1

88.2

88.0

126.8
255.6
228.9
91.3

127.0
255. 7
227.4
89.5

125.
258.0
*227.2

128.2
257.7
*226. 5

88.1

88.6

129.5
259.9
*230.
90.0

76.8
153. 6
66.9
354.1

75.6
148.2
66. 7
352.9

76.6
149.4
68.9
354.8

75.1
146.0
65.2
341.7

74.8
147.5
65. 5
338.7

74.3
145.8
62.6
337.1

74.4
142.5
62.6
340.2

17.7
18.8

17.1
18.1
6.5
53.3
9.3
15.7
24.2
3.3

17.1
16.7
6.3
54.0

17.2
16.9

17.3
17.6

18.0

18.1

20.1

20.6

56.9
10.5
15.7
27.4
3.4

56.5
10.4
15.8
28.7
3.4

16.0
26.0
3.4

183.1

179.9
117.3
741.3

713.0

121.2

117.
83. £
39. £
753. £
154.3
415.7

Oct.

190.9
135.1
339.3
6.7
11.3
36.1
77.0

127.4
258. 9
228.3
90.6

770. 9;

118.
85.
40.
757.
154.
417.8

N ov.

Annual
aver
age
1943 3

203.3
149.8
343.9
7.1
11.9
43.0
84,

133.9
381.7
200.5
275.7
90.0

6.8

Dec.

9
8
1
3
5
2

1,224.6 1, 216.
1,228. 2 1, 221. 1, 230. 1, 244.0 1,243. 9
5-18. 6
544.1
541.
546. 4
540.0
552.8
553.4
1,231.0 1,227. 4 1,228.7 1, 203. 1,198. 0 1, 253. 5 1, 267.0
987.5
996.8
962.7
998. 1,002. 7 1,010.9
970.7
434. 4
447.9
420.0
429.7
426.3
432.5
434.2

6.8

6.8

56.3
10.0

163.4
112.8j

152.4
110.7
696.31

8

15.3
22.6

3.3
175.3

6.2

55.5

8. 2 ,

6.1
55.1
8.2

6.1

14.8
23.9
3.3

14.6
23.9
3.3

14.7
25.1
3.3

173.7

173.0
109.2
703.5

109.8
705.0

110.2

110.2

695.8

700.4

i Revised data in all except the first three columns are identified by an
asterisk for the first month’s publication of such data. Comparable series,
January 1943 to date, available upon request to U. S. Department of Labor,
or cooperating State Agency listed below.
3 1943 averages may not be strictly comparable with current data for those
States now based on Standard Industrial Classification
3 Series based on Standard Industrial Classification. Data for Tennessee,
m ay not be strictly comparable w ith those published prior to the current
report.
* Revised.
Cooperafing State Agencies:
Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, Montgomery 5.
Arizona—Unemployment Compensation Division, Employment Secu­
rity Commission, Phoenix.
Arkansas—Employment Security Division, Department of Labor,
Little Rock.
California Division of Labor Statistics and Research, Department of
Industrial Relations. San Francisco 3.
Connecticut—Employment Security Division, Department of Labor and
Factory Inspection, Hartford 15.
Delaware—Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Philadelphia 1, Pa.
Florida—Unemployment Compensation Division, Industrial Commis­
sion, Tallahassee.
Georgia—Emptoyment Security Agency, Department of Labor, Atlanta 3.
Idaho—Employment Security Agency, Industrial Accident Board,
Boise.
Illinois—Department of Labor, Chicago 1.
Indiana—Employment Security Division, Indianapolis 4.
Iowa—Employment Security Commission, Des Moines 8.
Kansas—State Labor Department, Topeka.
Kentucky—Department of Economic Security, Frankfort.
Louisiana—Division of Employment Security, Department of Labor.
Baton Rouge 4.
Compensation Commission, Augusta.
Digitized forMaine—Unemployment
FRASER

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

Mar.

173.0

185.0
285.6
122.4
192.1
760.2 1,165. 5

Maryland—Department of Labor and Industry, Baltimore 2
Massachusetts—Division of Statistics, Department of Labor and In­
dustries, Boston 10.
Michigan—Department of Labor and Industry, Lansing 13.
Minnesota—Division of Employment and Security, Department of So­
cial Security, St. Paul 1.
Missouri—Division of Employment Security, Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations, Jefferson City.
Montana—Unemployment Compensation Commission, Helena.
Nebraska—Division of Placement and Unemployment Insurance D e­
partment of Labor, Lincoln 1.
Nevada—Employment Security Department, Carson City.
New Jersey—Department of Labor, Trenton 8.
New Mexico—Employment Security Commission, Albuquerque.
New York—Division of Placement and Unemployment Insurance. D e­
partment of Labor, N ew York 17.
North Carolina—Department of Labor, Raleigh.
Oklahoma—Employment Security Commission, Oklahoma City 2
Pennsylvania—Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Philadelphia 1
(manufacturing); Bureau of Research and Information, Department
of Labor and Industry, Harrisburg (nonmanufacturing).
Rhode Island—Division of Census and Information, Department of
Labor, Providence 2.
Tennessee—Department of Employment Security, Nashville 3.
Texas—Bureau of Business Research, University of Texas, Austin 12.
Utah Department of Employment Security, Industrial Commission.
Salt Lake City 13.
Vermont—Unemployment Compensation Commission, Montpelier.
Virginia—Division of Research and Statistics, Department of Labor and
Industry, Richmond 21.
Washington—Employment Security Department, Olympia.
Wisconsin—Statistical Department, Industrial Commission, Madison 3,
VVyoming—Employment Security Commission, Casper.

MONTHLY LABOR

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

538

T able A-5: Estimated Number of Production Workers in Manufacturing Industries 1
[In thousands]
Annual
average

1947

1948
Industry group and industry
Sept.
A ll manufacturing___
Durable good s----Nondurable goods

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept

1943

13,143 13,125 14,560
6,681 6, 630 8,727
6, 462 6,495 5,834

13,150
6,795
6,355

12,791 13,131
6, 683 6,791
6,108 6,340

13,478
6,793
6,685

Dec.

Jan

1939
8,192
3,611
4,581

Durable goods
991
1, 619 1, 609 1,604 1,761
Iron and steel and their products------------- 1,649 1,631 1,601 1, 610 1,600 1,603 1,634 1,628 1,634 1,633
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling
508.8 506.5 505.6 505.1 505.1 516.7 388.4
508.5
511.8
516.1
523.0
517.7
526.
5
534.9
mills_______
--62.2
114.5 114.4 113.8 113.1 113.1 112.4 • 88.4
106.4 104.7 108.8 107.1 110.7 113.
Gray-iron and semisteel castings--------19.2
28.8
35
36.1
36.7
37.6
37.9
37.8
37.
37.2
37.3
37.9
36.1
37.3
Malleable-iron castings....... ............ .........
32.1
66.2
90.1
66.4
66.2
67.0
67.7
68.6
69.3
68.6
68.4
68.2
69.4
69.6
Steel castings---------------- --------- - ...........
17.6
18.0
27.8
28.1
28.3
28.7
28.7
28.3
28.0
27.6
28.4
28.9
28.
29.5
Cast-iron pipe and fittings------ ---------31.8
32.4
48.4
47.0
47.1
47.8
47.4
45.7
44.5
42.1
44.7
42.8
47.3
49.0
Tin cans and other tinware---------------22.0
36.0
30.5
31.0
31.2
31.
31.4
30.9
30.6
30.1
29.4
28.7
28.0
28.3
Wire drawn from purchased rods-------30.4
32.8
41.1
40.6
40.5
42.4
43.5
43.4
42.5
41.9
41.1
40.2
41.8
42.3
Wirework__________________ ________
15.4
21.8
23.9
24.5
24.8
25.0
24.7
24.6
24.0
23.7
23.1
22.1
21.8
22.5
Cutlery and edge tools----------------- ——
Tools (except edge tools, machine tools,
15.3
27.8
24.6
25. 4
25.0
25.9
25.9
25.8
25.5
25.
7
25.2
25.1
24.6
24
files, and saws)..........................- ............
35.7
45.3
49.3
51.1
50. 3
52.6
53.2
54.1
54.3
53.0
51.9
49.3
50
49.8
Hardware-------------------- ------ -----------26.2
25.0
38.4
39.6 38. 7
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.2
39.4
39.3
40.3
38.8
40.3
Plumbers’ supplies.—------------------ ---Stoves, oil burners, and heating equip­
49.2
60.4
90.3
91.1
91.5
90.9
88.5
86.5
77.8
83.1
77.6
79.5
78.7
84.0
ment, not elsewhere classified---------Steam and hot-water heating apparatus
64.4
32.3
61.2
61.7
61.8
62.5
62.6
63.2
62.7
59.8
60.8
57.0
60.4
60.5
and steam fittings-------------------------Stamped and enameled ware and gal­
59.2
97.0
117.1 116.4 115.3 114.7
115.5
114.1
115.1
112.2
110.9
111.0
110.1
109.0
vanizing------ ------ ------ ---------------- Fabricated structural and ornamental
35.5
71.0
60.3
59.8
60.5
60.7
60.2
60.5
60.7
60.6
60.0
59.3
60.9
59.6
metalwork------- ---------------------------M etal doors, sash, frames, molding,
7.7
12.8
10.3
10.5
10.7
10.
10.5
10.2
10.8
10.1
10.2
10.4
10.4
10.8
and trim__________ _____ _________
15.2
31.6
28.3
27.8
28.4
28.6
28.7
28.7
28.9
28.
28.6
28.5
28.1
27.9
Bolts, nuts, washers, and rivets--------16.4
43.6
36.3
36.7
36.8
37.4
37.6
37.8
37.5
36.7
35.1
35.1
35.2
34.9
Forgings, iron and steel--------------------Wrought pipe, welded and heavy28.4
18.4
17.
18.9
19.8
19.1
19.2
18.8
18.8
20.1
19.8
19.7
riveted_________________________ Screw-machine products and wood
18.0
53.8
35.3
35.4
35.5
35.8
36.6
36.1
36.8
36.8
36.4
35.9
35.2
34.8
screws___________________________
6.5
8. 5
8.4
7.9
7.7
7.6
7.9
7.9
Steel barrels, kegs, and drums----------5.3
71.7
18.5
19.0
19.3
19.7
20.4
20.0
20.8
21.0
21.2
21.
5
21.3
21.4
Firearms_______ ________ _______ ___
259
741
578
588
595
596
584
588
563
577
548
535
547
548 538
Electrical machinery --------------387.7 389.7 393.4 391.4 380.0 384.7 497.5 182.7
363.9 362.3 367. 7 368.3 376.0 382.
Electrical equipment______
44.0
99.6 124.1
99.2 100.3 104.8 106.3 104.3
97.6
93.4
90.0
85.9
89.0
86.9
Radios and phonographs___
32.5
93.6 119.3
95.6
97.5
98.2
97.2
98.2
96.5
93.9
90.0
90.3
87.0
87.5
Communication equipment.
529
1,293
1,
2C9
1,
214
1,218
1,235
1,
232
1,237
1,202
1,207
1,217
1,208 1,193
Machinery, except electrical---------Machinery and machine-shop pro500.1 502.8 500.2 498.9 497.3 498.8 498.7 586.0 207.6
483.8 487.5 493.2 489.6 495.
ducts-----------------------------------------79.5
18.7
53.5
53.3
53.0
54.5
54.6
54.4
54.7
53.
53.5
51.4
52.3
52.1
Engines and turbines_______________
31.3
52.4
57.1
58.0
58.6
60.3
61.4
61.9
62.2
44.8
56.3
60.4
60.0
58.8
Tractors___________________________
Agricultural machinery, excluding
28.5
45.1
67.6
67.5
68.0
71.0
72.3
74.6
75.9
76.2
75.2
74.8
72.5
76.3
tractors___________________ _____ 36.6
52.3 109.7
52.1
51.1
51.3
50.4
50.4
49.2
47.7
47.5
47.8
46.8
47.0
Machine tools--------------------------------25.8
105.
4
56.0
55.6
55.8
56.3
56.4
56.3
55.9
55.5
55.4
51.8
55.1
55.4
Machine-tool accessories............ .............
21.9
28.5
39.3
37.3
39
40.6
40.7
40.8
41.1
41.4
41.6
41.3
42.1
42.0
Textile machinery__________________
24.9
92.
72.3
73.9
72.2
72.8
73.1
73.0
71.3
69.9
69.3
66.3
67.7
65.7
Pumps and pumping equipment—........
16.2
12.0
24.2
24.8
25.2
25.9
25.8
25.1
24.9
24.1
23.8
22.
22.1
23.7
Typewriters________________________
Cash registers; adding, and calculating
34.8
19.7
42.1
43.0
44.1
45.2
45.3
45.
46.1
46.3
45.6
45.2
44.7
45.8
machines_________________________
Washing machines, wringers, and
13.3
7.5
14.9
15.3
15.8
16.3
16.2
16.5
16.3
16.2
16.0
15.6
15.6
16.4
driers, domestic_______________ _
Sewing machines, domestic and in­
7.8
10.7
12.1
12.6
13.0
13.3
13.4
13.5
13.7
13.8
14.1
13.
14.3
14.0
dustrial__________________________
Refrigerators and refrigeration equip­
35.2
54.4
79.1
79.7
80.1
81.5
82.6
81.6
81.0
79.7
82.
84.2
83.1
84.8
m ent......................................................

8.1

8.1

Transportation equipment, except auto­
mobiles ______ _____ - .............................. ..
Locomotives.......................... ....... ..............
Cars, electric- and steam-railroad------Aircraft and parts, excluding aircraft
engines— .......... - .................. - .............Aircraft engines____________ ________
Shipbuilding and boatbuilding—...........
Motorcycles, bicycles, and parts--------A utom obiles.................................................
Nonferrous metals and their products 2-----Smelting and refining, primary, of
nonferrous m etals.—------- ------------Alloying; and rolling and drawing of
nonferrous metals, except aluminum.
Clocks and watches____________ _____
Jewelry (precious metals) and jewelers’
findings........................ .............................
Silverware and plated ware.......... ..........
Sec footnotes at end of table


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

439

399

8.0

8.0

8.2

415
17.2
54.6

430
26.4
54

434
26.3
55.0

438
26.
53.

462
26.6
53.9

465
26.6
54.4

464
26.5
54.0

472
26.3
55.9

463
26.3
56.9

452
26.0
56.8

427
25.9
55.2

414 2, 508
34.1
25
60
55.4

159
6.5
24.5

133.5

130.3
25.6
103.7

11.6

10.8

127.6
25.9
108.9
12.4

125.1
25.1
116.1
12.9

137.3
24.8
122.5
14.4

136.1
24.6
125.8
14.8

135.3
24.9
127.7
14.6

134.7
25.3
132.9
14.5

133.2
25.9
125.7
14.7

133.4
25.9
117.6
14.4

133.9
26.2

100.3

129.7 794.9
26.6 233. 5
93.0 1,225.2
10.0
13.9

39.7
8.9
69.2
7.0

739

767

772

784

720

789

785

766

764

767

714

402

410

404

400

449

229

21.6

777

8.2

762
395
41.4

786
388
41.9

399
42.0

398
41.4

406
41.0

413

409

409
39.9

40.8

413
40.0

100.2

14.1

39.7

39.7

39.8

56.4

27.6

53.2
27.8

75.8
25.2

38.8
20. 3

26.4
25. 5

20.5
15.1

14.4

52.6
27.5

51.
25.9

52.6
28.3

52.6
28.3

53.7
28.5

54.6
28.8

53.1
28.6

53.6
28.6

53.4
28.6

52.9
28.4

53.0
28.1

26.3
27.7

25.8
26.5

26.3
27.4

26.4
27.2

27.1
27.5

27.6
27.5

27.5
27.1

27.3
26.8

27.7
27.1

28.1
26.

27.5
26.1

12. 1

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

4: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

539

T able A-5: Estimated Number of Production Workers in Manufacturing Industries

Continued

[In thousands]
1948
Sept.

Annual
average

1947

Industry group and industry
Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

31.
39.

30.
39.

30.
42.

30. 4
42. 7

31.
44.

33.
45. 2

33. 9
45. 2

37.

37.

36.

36. 7

37.

38.

38.

38. 8

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept

1943

1939

Durable goods—Continued
Mon ferrous metals and their products2—Con.
Lighting equipm ent..................................
Aluminum manufactures____________
Sheet-metal work, not elsewhere classi­
fied..............................................................

33. 6
45. 3

34. 1
44. 8
40. 9

34. 3
43. 6

34. 9
43.

35. 2
42.

28.2
79! 4

38.

20.5
23. 5

40.

40.

37.9

18.7

Lumber and timber basic products 2............
Sawmills and logging camps__________
Planing and plywood m ills......................

843

844
692.
151.

828
681.1
147.

799
654.
145.

772
627.
144.

754
611.
142.

749
606.
142.

736
594.
141.

738
597. 7
140.

750
610.
139.

751
612.
137.

751
616.
134.

745
535
613. ; 435_ g
132.
99.’ 2

420
313. 7
79. 1

Furniture and finished lumber products 2__
Mattresses and bedsprings.................... .
Furniture__________________________
Wooden boxes, other than cigar______
Caskets and other morticians’ goods__
Wood preserving......................... ..... .........
Wood, turned and shaped......................

466

461
35. !
248.f
35.
19.
17.
35. (

452
33.
244. '
35. f
18.
17. i
33.9

459
33.4
248.1
35. e
19.4
16.8
35.4

458
33.
249.
34.
19.
16.;
34.

470
34.
256.
36.
20.3
16.2
35.0

485
37.
263. '
37.
20. £
16.7
35.7

490
38.
266.
37.0
20.7
16.7
35.1

489
38.
265.
37.
21.
17.0
34.

487
38.
262.'
37.0
21.1
18.0
34. £

483
38.i
259.
37.0
20. £
18.0
34.5

475
37.
253.8
38.3
2C. 7
19.0
33.6

466
35.
247.7
38.
20.
19
33.4

366
21. 7
200.0
35.4
14. 2
12.4
26.’4

328
20.5
177.9
28.3
13.9

Stone, clay, and glass products______ ____
Glass and glassware_________________
Glass products made from purchased
glass.........................................................
Cement____________________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta.......................
Pottery and related products........... .......
Gypsum____________________________
Wallboard, plaster (except gypsum),
and mineral w o o l.................................
Lime____________ __________________
Marble, granite, slate, and other prod­
u c ts ..............................................
Abrasives_________ _______________ I.
Asbestos products....................................

464

461
115. (

450
111.0

458
116.5

454
in .;

451
117.9

452
117.8

443
115.1

445
117.2

454
119.7

452
120.1

449
120.0

447
118.9

360
99.8

294
71.4

12.1
38.0
81. i
58.4
6. 7

12.5
38.1
79.8
55. f
6. 7

12.3
37.6
80.1
57.6
6.6

12.2
37.1
77.7
57.1
6.5

12.4
36.6
76.1
56.6
6.6

12.5
36.4
75.5
57.6
6.6

12.4
36.6
73.7
56.5
6.6

12.5
36.3
76.3
56.1
6.6

12.7
36.7
76.3
57.6
6.6

12.6
36.8
75.8
57.2
6.5

12.2
36.8
75.6
56.1
6.4

12.0
37.0
75.4
55.9
6.1

11.3
27.1
52. 5
45.0
4. 5

10.0
24.4
58.0
33.8
4.9

12.7
9.

2.7
9.4

12.6
9.3

12.6
9.5

12 6
9.6

12.4
9.5

12.5
9.3

12.6
9.3

12.7
9.3

12.7
9.5

12.3
9.1

12.1
9.2

11.1
9! 3

8.1

18.8
18.0
21.7

18.7
18.3
20.9

18.5
17.8
21.7

18.1
17.5
21.8

17.9
17.5
21.9

18.4
17.5
22.0

17.9
17.1
21.8

18.0
13.8
21.9

18.3
16.8
21.7

18.5
16.5
21.3

18.4
16.5
21.3

18.5
16.9
21.0

12. 5
23. 4
22!0

18.5
7.7
15.9

12.6

24.6

9.5

Nondurable goods
Textile-mill products and other fiber man.
ufactures............. .............. ............................... 1, 261
Cotton manufactures, except smallwares...... ........................................ ...........
Cotton smallwares...... ............................. .
Silk and rayon goods________________
Woolen and worsted manufactures, ex­
cept dyeing and finishing.....................
Hosiery......................................... ............. .
Knitted cloth.____________________ *’
Knitted outerwear and knitted gloves..
Knitted underwear__________________
Dyeing and finishing textiles, including
woolen and worsted_________
.
Carpets and rugs, wool______________ _
Hats, fur-felt.......................
.
Jute goods, except felts........... ................. .
Cordage and tw ine.__________________ .
Apparel and other finished textile prod­
ucts_____________ _______ ________ ____ _ 1,176
M en’s clothing, not elsewhere classified. .
Shirts, collars, and nightw ear......... .........
Underwear and neckwear, men’s_____ _
Work shirts.._______________________ _
Women’s clothing, not elsewhere classi­
fied................................................... ...........
Corsets and allied garments..:________ _
M illinery........ ................................. ............
Handkerchiefs__________
.
Curtains, draperies, and bedspreads____
Housefurnishings, other than curtains,
etc_______________________________ _
Textile bags...................
.
Leather and leather products 2........ ..............
379
Leather_______ _____ _________________
Boot and shoe cut stock and findings____
Boots and shoes........... ..................................
Leather gloves and m itten s................... _
Trunks and suitcases.............. ....................
Food........... .................. .............. ........................ 1,537
Slaughtering and meat packing________
B u tte r ...______ __________ ______ ____
Condensed and evaporated m ilk_______
Ice cream................... ............... .........
Flour._______ ______ _______________ _
Feeds, prepared.................... ......................
See footnotes at end of table.


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

,274

1,243

1,295

1,293

1, 301

1,312

1,306

1,292

1, 290

1,271

1,249

1,223

1, 237

1,1441

520.3
13. 5
112.8

508.9
13.4
108. 2

527.7
14.0
112.6

524.7
14.4
111.8

526.4
14. 6
111.7

529.4
14.9
111.6

525.3
14.9
110.8

523.6
14.6
107.4

523.2
14.3
108.2

516.9
13.9
106.9

508.2
13. 7
105.7

498. 9
13 4
m 3

526. 3
17 g
1011

126. e-

169.4
133.4
11.2
29.4
46. 5

167.2
125.6
11.1
28.1
46.6

173.8
135.3
11.2
30.8
48.1

173.2
136. 6
11.5
31.4
48.6

175.0
139.2
11.8
31.0
50.0

178.3
141.2
11.7
31.6
50.3

179.5
140.2
11.7
31.5
49.8

177.4
139.1
11.6
30.6
49.1

177.3
138.4
11.5
31.3
48.8

174.2
136.2
11.5
31.4
47.8

170.9
133.4
11.2
30.8
46.9

168. 7
130. 2
11. 0
29 6
45.6

174.1
125. 9
12. 6
34. 8
44. 9

157.7
168.0
11.5
29.7
40.7

85.1
37. 2
13.3
4.3
15.4

84.5
37.1
12.3
4.3
15.8

86.5
37.2
13.4
4.3
16.2

87. 5
36.9
12.9
4.2
16.4

88.3
36.6
12.7
4.3
16.7

88.5
36. 6
13.7
4.1
17.1

88.9
36.2
13.7
4.2
17.2

87.9
35.7
13.7
4.0
16.8

87.5
35.4
13.8
3. 1
16.5

85.9
34.4
13.6
3. 0
16.1

85.1
33. 6
13.6
3. 0
15.4

83. 0
32.9
13.2
2 9
117

80. 2
24. 5
11.’ 0
4 2
18.’ 3

70.6
27.0
15.4
3.8

1,117 1,127 1, 096
309.2 306.9 299. 4
81.1
79.3
77. 2
18.1
17.3
17.1
15.5
15.8
15.9

958
265. 9
67. 2
16. 3
18.’5

790
229.6
74.0
17.0
14.1

160 1,070 1,095 1.082 1,103 1,165 1,166 1,147 1,143
318. 2 296.5 314.4 309.8 310.0 314.5 311.3 308.1 310.5
78.6
75.8
80.0
80.9
82.0
82.2
82.0
81.6
82.4
17.8
16.7
18.2
18. 4
18.7
19.0
18.7
18.1
18.4
18.6
18.5
18.2
18.6
17.9
17.5
16.8
15.8
15.5
480.7 437.0 435.4 427.6 440.0 481.7 485.3 476.2 470. 5
18. 2
17. 0
18.1
18. 5
19.2
19.9
20.1
19.7
19.6
24.9
22.0
20.5
20.0
23.6
27.6
27.9
26.4
23.5
4.8
4.0
4.9
5.0
5.1
5. 1
5.0
4.9
5.1
29.2
25.1
26.4
26.4
27.7
30.6
33.8
31.6
32.2
30.2
28.1
27.9
27.7
29.0
30.4
29.2
30.0
30.6
28.9
28.1
27.1
26.8
26.8
27.3
27.8
28.2
28.6
384
376
373
372
359
396
402
399
400
47.7
47.2
47.9
47.5
47.6
49.2
50.3
50.2
50.3
18.1
17. 7
17.8
17.3
17.7
18.9
19.5
19.7
19.8
245.7 240.2 236.6 225.5 235.9 254.1 257.8 256.2 255.4
13.2
12.8
12.9
12. 4
12.2
12.5
12.5
12.2
13.0
13.8
13.3
13.3
13.2
13.3
13.9
14.0
13.3
14.2
414
,362
,257
,091
,047
, 149
,159
,191
,255
183.1 187. 5 186.1 116.2
97.1 180.9 187.0 196.7 203.7
37.9
39.3
40. 5
39.2
36.9
34.3
32.0
32.6
32.9
21. 7
22.4
23.0
21.6
20.5
19.3
18.8
18.4
18.6
31.6
32.6
29. 2
31.6
27.1
24.4
23.6
23.6
24.9
39.4
39.8
38.6
37.3
37.5
37.8
38.2
39.2
39.4
29.3
29.1
28.7
27.9
26.6
26.3
27.4
29.3
29.1

418. #
14. r

12. g

452.1
19. 4
21.6
5.2
32.1

462. 3
18. 8
25. 2
5.1
30.9

452.1
18.1
23! 8
5. 0
28! 7

345.3
16. 5
23* 3
5. 7
25.’2

286.2
18.8
25.5
5.1
17.8

30.0
28.4

31.6
28.1

30 6
27.8

24 0
19.’6

11.2
12.6

396
50.2
19.8
251.1
13. 2
14.8

393
50.2
19.6
248.8
13.1
14.4

390
49 8
19.3
247.6
12 8
13.5

340
46. 5
19.’2
205. 6
15. 4
13! 7

347
50.0

,288
,353 1,483 1 056
191.7 m o
182.0 9174.0
33.9
34.8
35.8
33. 2
19* 9
19.5
20. 5
21.2
26.3
27.8
31.1
23! 0
39.7
39.8
39 0
32. 9
28.5
28.9
29.6
25.0

855
135.0

20.0

230. 9
10.0

8.3

20.1

10.9
17.6
27.8
17.3

MONTHLY LABOR

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

540

T able A -5: Estim ated N um ber of Production Workers in M anufacturing Industries 1—Continued
[In thousands]
Annual
average

1947

1948
Industry group and industry
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

Apr.

M ay

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

1939

Nondurable goods—Continued
Food—Continued
Cereal preparations . . . .
Baking
. . . ___________________
Sugar refining, c a n e __
_____________________
Sugar, beet
Confectionery ______ ______________
Beverages, nonalcoholic.__
M alt liq u o r s_____ ________________
Canning and preserving_____________

13.7
227.0
20.9
8.5
63.7
43.9
78.9
292.5

13.8
226.3
21.4
7.2
56.0
44.6
79.3
246.2

13.0
224.6
18.3
7.0
57.8
41.0
74.8
167.9

12.8
219.7
17.7
6.3
56.0
38.5
66.3
137.8

12.2
217.5
17.3
5.4
61.0
36.1
69.8
126.7

12.1
219.7
19.6
5.6
65.9
34.2
67.6
122.1

12.4
217.2
20.2
6.5
70.3
32.1
66.9
123.4

12.1
215.4
18.4
10.6
74.7
33.4
68.0
128.5

12.1
220.8
20.0
20.9
78.7
33.3
69.7
148.9

12.8
224.8
20.8
26.2
79.5
34.3
73.3
172.0

12.8
224.5
20.5
26.3
76.4
35.8
74.7
240.1

14.0
219.8
20.8
11.9
68.3
39.3
76.2
384.3

11.4
211.3
16.7
10.1
59.5
32.2
54.3
188.5

8.4
190.4
15.9
11.6
55.7
23.8
40.5
150.3

83
33.6
41.7

85
33.3
43.6

84
33.1
43.7

86
33.2
45.2

87
33.2
46.2

88
33.5
46.2

87
33.6
45.8

88
34.2
45.6

90
34.0
47.8

89
33.4
47.0

86
32.6
45.5

91
33.9
47.5

93
27.4
55.8

Tobacco manufactures8_________________
Cigarettes__________________________
Cigars . . . ________________________
Tobacco (chewing and smoking) and
snuff_____________________________

88

86
34.5
44.1
7.8

7.6

7.7

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

7.9

8.3

8.2

8.2

8.0

9.3

10.1

Paper and allied products 2______________
* Paper and p u lp ____________________
Paper goods, other__________________
Envelopes__________________________
Paper b a g s _____________________ ___
Paper boxes . ____ ________ . . .

395

391
206.7
58.7
12.4
17.7
94.8

388
205.8
60.5
12.3
17.4
90.9

390
204.2
61.7
12.5
17.5
92.8

389
204.7
61.5
12.7
17.6
91.4

389
203.7
61.4
12.7
18.0
92.7

393
203. 8
62.0
12.7
18. 2
95.2

392
203.0
61.9
12.5
18.0
96.5

395
203.0
62.6
12.4
18.1
97.7

398
202. 8
63.8
12.4
18.2
99.6

394
200.7
63.3
12.4
17.9
99.0

392
200.2
63.0
12.2
17.9
98.1

388
200.0
61.4
12.0
17.7
96.0

324
160.3
50.2
10.2
13.1
89.6

265
137.8
37.7
8.7
11.1
69.3

Printing, publishing, and allied industries 2_ 436
Newspapers and periodicals__________
Printing: book and job_______________ —
Lithographing______________________
Bookbinding__________________ _____

432
147.7
183.1
31.2
34.5

430
146.8
183.0
31.2
33.4

433
146.9
184.4
31.1
35.1

432
146.4
184.2
30.9
35. 1

432
145.0
183.2
31.3
35.9

435
144.8
185.4
31.4
37.2

438
144.1
187.7
31.8
37.4

439
143.6
189.7
32.0
37.6

445
145.6
191.4
32.9
38.3

444
145.1
190.6
33.0
38.7

441
144.6
189.3
32.6
38.5

437
144.4
185.9
32.4
38.2

331
113.0
138.7
25.9
29.4

328
118.7
127.6
26.3
25.8

Chemicals and allied products 2 _________
Paints, varnishes, and colors . . _____
Drugs, medicines, and insecticides ._
Perfumes and cosmetics_____________
Soap_______ _______ ________________
Rayon and allied produ cts__ . . . .
Chemicals, not elsewhere classified___
Explosives and safety fuses
______
Compressed and liquefied gases
Ammunition, small-arms____________
Fireworks. _______________________
Cottonseed oil______________________
Fertilizers_______ ____________ ____

597

586
49.7
63.9
12.4
25.2
64.9
211.2
27.8
10.1
7.5
2.8
14.3
26.9

567
49.1
63.4
10.9
24.0
64.4
202.0
27.4
10.0
7.7
2.2
12.5
25.5

574 * 572
49.1
48. 7
63.6
63.6
10.9
11.0
23.7
21.7
63.4
64.3
207.6 204.8
26.7
25.7
10.0
10.1
7.8
7.8
2.5
2.6
12.7
13. 6
27.2
32.3

580
48.0
64.2
11.2
21.8
63. 5
207.2
25.6
10.0
7.8
2.4
15.2
36.7

587
48.6
65.2
11.6
24.9
63.7
205.4
25.8
9.9
7.8
2.4
17.6
38.1

588
49.3
65.6
12.1
25.4
63. 7
205. 5
25.5
9.8
7.8
2.6
19.5
35.4

588
48.6
65. 7
12.0
25.5
63 2
206. 7
25.3
9.9
7.7
2. 5
21.7
33.3

592
48.4
65.9
12.9
25.5
63.5
207.0
25.3
9.9
7.4
2.8
24.4
30.7

589
48.0
66.4
13.9
25.8
63.1
205.5
24.8
9.7
7.2
2.9
24.5
29.2

586
47.6
67.1
13. 5
25. 3
62.9
204.3
24.1
9.7
7.2
2.9
24.0
29.3

576
47.3
67. 1
12.6
24. 7
62.1
204.3
23.7
9.9
7.0
2. 5
18.3
29.3

734
38.2
56.0
14.1
17.9
54.0
144. 5
112.0
7.8
154.1
28.2
20.4
27.5

288
28.3
27.5
10.4
15.3
48.3
69.9
7.3
4.0
4.3
1.2
15.3
18.8

Products of petroleum and coal 2__ . . ___
Petroleum refining
. . . _____
Coke and byproducts .
Paving m aterials________ _
,
Roofing materials___________________

168

170
115.9
32.2
2.7
17.8

170
117.0
31.8
2.6
17.4

170
116.6
31.7
2.6
17.7

167
114.7
31.1
2.4
17.3

164
113.6
29.7
2.3
17.4

165
113.5
30.7
1.8
17.4

163
112.1
30.3
1.8
17.6

164
112.4
30.5
2.0
18.0

165
112.5
30.0
2.7
18.3

165
112.3
30.0
3.4
18.5

165
112.4
29.6
3.4
18.4

166
113.4
29.3
3.4
18.4

125
83.1
25.5
2.1
13.1

106
73.2
21.7
2.5
8.1

Rubber products 2 ____ . . . .
Rubber tires and inner t u b e s _______
Rubber boots and shoes______________
Rubber goods, other____ _

197

195
91.5
22.0
81.0

191
90.9
20.7
79.2

195
91.9
21.8
81.7

195
91.4
21.7
81.7

198
92.6
22.1
84.0

204
96.4
22.6
85.7

208
98.9
22.8
86.5

210
100.6
22.5
86.8

212
101.9
22.5
87.7

210
102.4
22.0
86. 1

208
102.0
21.7
84.0

203
100.5
21.0
81.9

194
90.1
23.8
79.9

121
54.2
14.8
51.9

Miscellaneous industries 2 __________ ____
Instruments (professional and scien­
tific), and fire-control equipment___
Photographic apparatus..
Optical instruments and ophthalmic
goods.. .
. ____________
Pianos, organs, and parts____________
Games, toys, and dolls_______________
Buttons
_______________________
Fire extinguishers_______________ . .

451

441

425

430

432

436

447

445

443

459

466

459

447

445

244

28.1
39.7

28.0
39.0

27.7
38.3

27.5
37.8

27.6
38.4

27.7
38.8

27.7
39.0

27.7
38.9

28.1
39.2

27.8
38.8

28.0
38.7

27.7
38.2

86.7
35.5

11.3
17.7

24.8
13.8
44.8
13.0
2.7

23.9
12.8
41.9
12.5
2.8

25.6
13. 5
41.1
12. 9
2.8

26.7
13. 7
40.2
12.8
2.7

27.0
13.3
40.3
13.1
2.7

27.2
14.8
38.5
13.8
2.6

27.4
15.7
36.3
13.4
2.5

27.8
16.8
33.5
13.3
2.6

28.0
17.6
38.5
13.4
2.7

27.6
17.8
43.4
12.7
2.7

27.5
17.4
42.3
12. 1
2.8

27.5
16.5
40.9
11.6
2.8

33.3
12.2
19.1
13.1
9.3

11.9
7.8
19.1
11.2
1.0

1 Data are based upon reports from cooperating establishments covering
both full- and part-time production and related workers who worked or
received pay during the pay period ending nearest the 15th of the month.
Major industry groups have been adjusted to levels indicated by Federal
Security Agency data through 1946 and have been carried forward from 1946
bench-mark levels, thereby providing consistent series. Data shown for
the two most recent months are subject to revision w ithout notation. De­
vised figures in any column other than the first three are identified by an
asterisk for the first month’s publication of such data.
2 Estimates for the individual industries comprising the major industry
groups have been adjusted to levels indicated by Federal Security Agency
data through 1946 and have been carried forward from 1946 bench-mark
levels, thereby providing consistent series. Comparable data from January
1939 are available upon request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such
requests should specify the series desired.
More recently adjusted data for the individual industries comprising the


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

1

1

major industry groups listed below supersede data shown in publications
dated prior to:
Mimeographed Monthly Labor
Major industry group
release
Review
Lumber and timber basic products................
Sept. 1948
Oct. 1948
Leather and leather products.......................
Sept. 1948
Oct. 1948
Paper and allied products_________________
Sept. 1948
Oct. 1948
Printing, publishing, and allied industries...
Sept. 1948
Oct. 1948
Products of petroleum and coal___ ________
Sept. 1948
Oct. 1948
Rubber products________ ________________
Sept. 1948
Oct. 1948
Electrical machinery_____________________
Oct. 1948
N ov. 1948
Nonferrousmetalsand their products...........
Oct. 1948
N ov. 1948
Furniture and finished lumber products____
Oct. 1948
N ov. 1948
Chemicals and allied products____________
Oct. 1948
N ov. 1948
Miscellaneous industries------- ------ -----------Oct. 1948
N ov. 1948

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

541

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

T able A -6: Indexes of Production-W orker Em ploym ent in M anufacturing In d u strie s1
[1939 average=100]

1948

An­
nual
aver­
age

1947

Industry group and industry
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

All manufacturing............................ ............................... 164.5
Durable goods........................................................... 188.1
Nondurable goods----------------- --------- ------------ 145.9

161.5
185. 5
142.6

158.4
184. 7
137.6

158.2
184.5
137.5

155.5
183.9
133.1

156.1
185.1
133.3

160.3
188.1
138.4

159.5
185.8
138.7

160.5
188.2
138.7

161.9
188.8
140.7

160.8
186.8
140.4

160.4
185.0
141.1

160.2
183.6
141.8

177.7
241.7
127.4

Iron and steel and their products................................ 166.3
"Rlflst furnaces, steel worksTand rolling mills__
Orny-iron and semisteel castings_____________
Malleable-iron castings_____________________
_______________________
Steel castings _
Cast-iron pipe and fittings__________________
Tin cans and other tinware_________________
Wire drawn from purchased rods____________
Wirework _______________________________
Cutlery and edge tools______________________
Tools, (except edge tools, machine tools, files,
and saws) ______________________________
Hardware
___________________________
Plumbers’ supplies_________________________
Stoves, oil burners, and heating equipment,
not elsewhere classified___________________
Steam and hot.-water heating apparatus and
steam fittings __________________________
Stamped and enameled ware and galvanizing._
Fabricated structural and ornamental metalwork
_________________ _________
Metal doors sash, frames, molding, and trim._
Pnlfs, nuts, washers, and rivets_____________
Forgings, iron and steel
_________________
Wrought pipe, welded and heavy-riveted------Pcrew-machine products and wood screws____
Steel barrels, kegs, and drums_______________
Firearms
- _____________________________

164.5
137.7
171.0
194.3
216.4
167.5
154.1
128.9
139.3
145.8

161.4
135. 5
168.3
188.0
212.6
164.5
148.8
127.5
137.6
141.2

162.4
134.6
174.8
197.0
217.1
164.5
140.8
130.7
132.4
143.6

161.4
133.3
172.2
194.2
213. 6
161.6
134.9
134.0
135.2
149.9

161.7
131.8
177.9
193.6
214.1
157.0
132.4
137.1
137.9
153.8

164.8
132. 9
183.0
197.0
216.3
160.8
140.0
139.4
142.9
155.9

164.2
130.9
184. 0
196.7
214.2
159.1
143.8
140.5
139.9
159.4

164.9
131.0
183.9
197.2
211.3
162.9
149.1
142.7
143.0
160.3

164.7
130.4
183. 0
195. 5
208.9
163.4
150.3
143.7
139.4
162.2

163.3
130.2
181.8
191.1
207.3
160.6
148.3
141.8
133.2
161.0

162.3
130.0
181.7
187.7
206.7
159.5
148.0
141.0
133.6
158.9

161.7
130.0
180.6
185.1
206.7
157.8
152.3
138.8
135.3
154.7

177.6
133.0
142.1
149.6
281.1
102.5
102.0
163.8
108.0
141.3

160.3
140.6
153.7

160.8
138.3
147.8

103.9
139.7
153.7

164.7
145.5
149.8

166.7
148.6
150.3

167 9
152.5
153.2

168.8
151.7
152.6

169.2
149.4
152.6

169.5
147.5
152.5

166.1
143.4
150.9

163.0
141.1
147.4

160.9
138.4
146.2

181.5
127.1
95.3

170.8

157.9

160.2

161.7

158.2

169.1

175.9

180.0

184.9

186.2

185.2

183.7

122.9

187.1
184.2

176.4
186.1

187.4
187.6

188.2
187.4

185.2
189.6

194.2
192.8

195.7
194.6

194.0
195.2

193.7
198.0

191.3
196.8

191.2
194.9

189.7
193.9

199.4
163.9

171.6
139.5
182.8
215.2
220.7
193.0
125. 6
400.3

167.1
134. 2
184.5
214.5
222.1
195.3
122.4
403.0

167.9
133.7
187.3
213.3
225.1
199.1
121.7
402.6

169.0
131.4
187.8
214.2
211.0
202.1
117.7
397.9

170.7
130.6
189.8
223.9
210.8
204.4
119.5
395.1

170.9
135.4
190.0
228.8
215.5
203.9
121.9
390.0

169.4
131.2
188.2
229.5
214.6
203.2
125.5
383.9

170.3
139.3
188.4
231.0
222.5
200.1
130.3
375.4

171.0
141.0
187.4
228.3
219.7
198.7
126.4
369.8

170.2
138.3
186.5
225.0
212.5
196.8
123.5
361.6

168.4
135.8
182.3
223.8
206.6
196.4
123.8
357. 4

169.7
132.8
185.6
221.6
200.0
195.9
127.3
347.6

200.0
164.9
207.4
266.3
318.5
298.5
131.8
1346. 4

Electrical machinery 5--------------------------------------- 211.5
F-lectrical equipment
__________________
Pad ins and phonographs
________________
Communication equipment_________________

207.7
199.2
197.6
269.5

206.6
198.3
195.3
268.1

211.1
201.3
202.3
278.2

211.6
201.6
204.6
277.3

217.4
205.8
289.3

222.9
209.6
221. 9
297.4

225. 4
212.3
225. 5
299.3

227.0
213.3
228.0
302.4

230.2
215.4
238.2
302.7

229.7
214.3
241.7
300.3

226.9
212.4
237.0
294.6

223.0
210.6
226. 3
288.3

285.9
272. 4
282.0
367.5

Machinery, except electrical------------------------------- 228.7
Machinery and machine-shop products---------"Engines and turbines .. ____________________
Tractors
________________________
A pricniinral machinery, excluding tractors___
Machine tools
__ ____________________
Machine-tool accessories __________________
______________________
Textile machinery
Pumps and pumping equipment .
Typewriters
__________________________
Cash registers; adding and calculating mach ines
__________________________
Washing machines, wringers, and driers, do_____________ ____ ______
mestic
Rewinp- machines, domestic and industrial____
D efrip erators and refrigeration eauipm ent____

225.8
233.0
275.8
188.1
254.0
130. 5
213.2
192.1
264.1
136.3

226.9
234.8
280.6
191.8
262. 2
127.7
200.4
188.6
266. 5
140.8

230.4
237.5
279.5
193.0
267.4
128.4
214.5
191.6
272.3
145.9

228.5
235.8
286.7
180.1
263.7
129.7
214.4
189.8
278.7
147.0

227.4
238.8
289.1
143.4
267.0
130.4
214. 8
189.2
280. 9
148.7

233.1
240.9
293.3
198.8
266.1
134.5
216.6
187.6
286. 8
153.5

234.0
291.6
197.9
261.6
137.6
218.0
186. 2
293. 5
154.9

233.0
240. 9
292.9
196.4
253.5
137. 6
218.6
185.8
293. 9
158.8

233.8
240.3
292. 4
192.8
248.8
140.2
218.1
185. 3
292.7
159.5

230.5
239.5
283.9
187.5
238.4
139.5
216.2
181.9
290.3
155.5

229.7
240. 2
285. 8
185.3
236.6
142.4
215.3
179.3
290. 5
152.7

228.8
240 2
286.6
182. 5
236. 9
142.9
216.8
170.5
297. 3
149.4

244.7
282. 2
426.4
167.5
158.1
299.5
408.1
130.1
372.9
73.8

227.4

229.5

232.9

231.8

235.2

234.2

233.4

230.2

229.4

224.1

218.5

213.9

177.0

208.3
183.0
236.3

209.5
179. 4
239.5

220.0
178.6
241.3

214.6
177.2
234.6

217.0
175.9
226.7

218.4
174.8
230.4

221.1
172.5
232.2

216.8
171.0
234.9

218.1
170.1
231.8

211. 2
165.7
227.7

205.1
160.2
226.6

200.1
154.6
225.0

178.8
136.6
154.9

Transportation equipment, except automobiles----- 276.3
Locomotives
__ _________________
Cars electric- and steam-railroad____________
Aircraft, and parts, excluding aircraft engines.
Aircraft engines ____ ___________________
Shipbuilding and boatbuilding______________
Motorcycles bicycles, and parts
____

261.4
265.6
222.8
336.4
243.2
144.8
166.1

270.6
407.4
222.3
328. 5
287.4
149.8
154. 7

273.7
406. 5
224.4
321.5
290.8
157.2
177.5

276.0
407. 7
219.6
315.3
282. 4
167.6
185.2

290.9
410.5
219.7
346.0
278.4
176.8
206.0

292.7
411.3
221.8
342.9
276.9
181.6
211.7

292.6
409.1
220.2
341.1
280.1
184.4
209.4

297.3
406.7
228.0
339. 5
284.0
191.9
207.6

291.6
406.2
231.8
335.8
291.0
181.5
210.1

284.6
402.0
231.4
336.2
291.0
169.9
207.0

269.2
400.5
225.2
337.4
294.8
144.7
201.8

260.7
388.1
225.7
327.0
299.2
134.3
200.0

1580.1
526.8
246.5
2003. 5
2625.7
1769. 4
143.7

193.0

189.4

195.4

183.6

190.5

191.9

195.0

178.9

196.0

195.2

190.4

190.0

190.5

177.5

Nonferrous metals and their products 2------ ------ Smelting and refining, primary, of nonferrous 173.9
metals
___________________________
Alloying; and rolling and drawing of nonferrous
metals, except aluminum_________________
Clocks and w a tch es________ ______________
Jewelry (precious metals) and jewelers’ findings
-- _____________________
Silverware and plated ware_________________
Lighting eq u ip m e n t_______________________
Aluminum manufactures___________________
Sheet-metal work, not elsewhere classified------ .......

172.4

169.2

173.9

173.7

176.9

180.0

178.5

178.4

180.3

178.8

176.3

174.7

196.0

150.0

151.7

151.8

149.8

148.4

147.8

145.4

144.5

144.6

143.7

143.9

144.0

204.3

138.2
140.8

137.5
140.8

136.3
139.9

136.6
138.6

136.9
137.0

195.2
124.2

Lumber and timber basic products 2........................... 200.6
Sawmills and logging camps_________________
Planing and plywood m ills....................................

Durable goods

Automobiles___ ________________ ____ ______ ___

See footnotes 1 and 2, table A-5;


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

212. 2

242. 2

135. 5
125.3

133.7
127.8

135.5
139.5

135.6
139.2

138.3
140.7

140.6
141.9

136.9
141.1

182.3
228.0
152.0
167.2
200.2

178.4
218.3
147.6
106. 0
197.2

182.1
225.5
150.8
179.5
193.9

182.6
224.2
148. 4
181.5
195.5

187.6
226.8
152.7
187.7
199.9

191.0
226.5
161.7
192.1
204.4

190.4
223.1
165.4
192.0
204.9

189.3
221.0
164.1
192.2
207.0

191.6
223.5
166.6
190.1
218.3

194.6
218.8
167.3
185.4
216.8

190.2
215.3
170.2
183.0
214.0

182.9
210.2
171.7
179.9
206.3

141.8
124.5
137.8
337.4
201.9

200.8
220.7
192.0

196.9
217.2
186.6

190.0
208.7
184.2

183.6
200.1
182.0

179.4
194.8
180.4

178.3
193.5
179.9

175.0
189.4
178.4

175.6
190.6
178.0

178.4
194.7
176.2

178.5
195.4
174.1

178.6
196.5
170.0

177.3
195.5
166.9

127.3
139.0
125.4

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

542

MONTHLY LABOR

T able A-6: Indexes of Production-W orker Em ploym ent in M anufacturing Industries 1—Continued
[1939 average=100]

1948

An­
nual
aver­
age

1947

Industry group and industry
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

Furniture and finished lumber products2------------- 142.0
Mattresses and bedsprings.................................... Furniture............................... .....................................
Wooden boxes, other than cigar______________
Caskets and other morticians’ goods............... -Wood preserving................... . .................................
Wood, turned and shaped__________________

140.5
171.7
139.7
123.6
139.0
140.7
142.5

137.8
161. 9
137.4
125. 6
135.6
137.7
137.8

139.8
163.0
139.4
125. 6
139.7
133.6
144.0

139. 7
162.6
140.3
122.8
142.8
131.1
139.5

143.4
170.4
144.0
127.2
145.8
128.7
142.6

147.8
180.3
148.2
130.5
150.2
132.7
145.5

149.2
188.5
149.6
132.6
148.9
133.1
142.7

149.1
188.8
149.0
133.6
150.7
139. 8
139.8

148.3
187.3
147.8
130.7
151.5
143. 6
142.1

147.1
186.2
145. 7
132.7
150.6
147.8
140.6

144.8
181. 2
142.7
135.2
148.6
151.5
136.7

141.9
172.5
139.2
134.2
149.5
154. 2
136.0

111.7
105.9
112.4
125.0
102.4
98.7
107.4

Stone, clay, and glass products----------- ------ --------- 158.1
Glass and glassware.................................................
Glass products made from purchased glass-----Cement_____________________ ____ _________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta------ ----------------Pottery and related products.............................. Gypsum--------------- ------ ----- ------ ------------ Wallboard, plaster (except gypsum), and m in­
eral wool-------------------------------- ---------------Lim e____________ ____ - .................. .....................
Marble, granite, slate, and other products-----Abrasives____________ ____ ____ ______ _____
Asbestos products............................................. .

157.0
162.1
120.4
156.1
140.1
172.7
135.8

153.2
155.6
124.4
156.4
137.5
164.4
136.4

156.0
163.2
123.2
154.5
138.0
170.2
134.0

164.7
164.7
122.2
152.2
133.8
168.9
132.5

153.7
165.2
123.4
150.5
131.1
167.2
132.8

153.9
165.2
124.8
149.4
130.1
170.2
134.3

150.9
161.3
123.8
150.3
126.9
166.9
133.8

151.6
164.3
125.0
149.1
131.4
166.0
132.7

154.7
167.8
127.1
150. 5
131.4
170.3
134.6

154.0
168.4
125.8
151.0
130.6
169.0
132.4

152. 8
168.2
122.0
151.1
130.2
166.0
128.7

152.3
166.7
120.1
152.1
129.8
165.2
124.2

122.5
139.9
113.1
111.5
90.5
132.9
91.2

156.8
99.1
101.7
232. 5
136.9

156.7
99.4
101.0
237.2
131.6

154.9
98.3
99.6
230.4
136.7

155.4
100.8
97.8
226.0
137.1

155.2
101.6
96.6
226.3
137.5

153.1
100.0
99.3
226.4
138.2

154.1
98.0
96.5
221.0
137.4

155.7
97.8
97.5
178.0
137.8

156.9
98.6
99.0
217.6
136.3

156.4
99.9
100.1
213.7
134.1

151.2
95.8
99.2
213.8
134.4

149.4
97.0
99.9
217.9
132.0

137.2
98.7
67.4
302.2
138.2

H I .4
124.4
95.9
89.1

108.7
121.6
95.1
85.4

113.2
126.1
99.4
89.0

113.0
125.4
102.3
88.3

113.7
125.8
103.6
88.2

114.7
126.6
105.8
88.1

114.2
125.6
105.8
87.6

113.0
125.2
103.8
84.9

112.7
125.1
101.8
85.5

111.1
123.6
98.6
84.4

109.2
121, 5
97.2
83.5

106.9
119.3
95.2
81.6

108.2
125.8
126.6
82.2

107.4
79.4
97.0
98.9
114.2

106.0
74.8
96.5
94.6
114.4

110.3
80.5
96.8
103.6
118.1

109.9
81.3
99.4
105.8
119.3

111.0
82.8
101.9
104.4
122.7

113.1
84.1
101.4
106.4
123.5

113.9
83.5
101.8
106.0
122.2

112.5
82.8
100.4
102.9
120.6

112.4
82.3
99.9
105.5
120.0

110.5
81.1
99.4
105.5
117.5

108.4
79.4
97.1
103.5
115.3

107.0
77.5
95.2
99.5
111.9

110.4
74.9
109.4
117.2
110.4

120.5
137.5
86.4
114.0
120.4

119.6
137.4
80.0
112.3
123.7

122.5
137.6
87.0
114.2
127.0

123.9
136.4
84.2
112.0
128.7

125.0
135.4
82.7
112.8
130.9

125.2
135.5
89.3
109.3
134.1

125.8
134.0
89.0
110.3
134.7

124.4
132.2
89.1
105.1
131.6

123.8
130.9
89.7
80.6
128.8

121.6
127.1
88.5
79.4
125.7

120. 5
124.4
88.4
79.5
120.4

117.6
121.7
85.8
76.6
115.3

113.6
90.8
71.3
110.6
143.4

Apparel and other finished textile products---------- 149.0
M en’s clothing, not elsewhere classified........... .
Shirts, collars, and nightwear_________ ______
Underwear and neckwear, men’s . .............. .........
Work shirts....................... ........................................
W omen’s clothing, not elsewhere classified........
Corsets and allied garments----- -------------------M illinery....................................................................
Handk erchiefs------- ------------ -----------------------Curtains, draperies, and bedspreads.......... .........
Housefurnishings, other than curtains, etc........
Textile bags................................................................

146.9
138.6
106.3
105.1
131.4
167.9
97.1
97.6
93.6
164.4
270.9
229.2

135.6
129.1
102.5
98.5
131.3
152.7
90.8
86.4
77.7
141.6
251.4
222.9

138.6
136.9
108.2
107.4
131.8
152.1
96.5
78. 2
96.6
148.5
249.9
214.8

137.1
134.9
109.4
108.3
129.2
149.4
98.8
80.4
99.2
148.8
248.2
212.8

139.8
135.0
110.9
110.1
126.4
153.7
102.4
92.3
99.8
156.0
259.8
212.4

147.5
137.0
111.2
112.0
123. 8
168.3
106.1
108.3
99.6
172.1
272.0
216.9

147.7
135.5
110.8
110.3
119.0
169.5
107.0
109.2
97.9
190.5
261.5
220.2

145.3
134.2
110.4
106.6
112.0
166.4
104.9
103.4
95.7
178.0
268.6
223.7

144.8
135.2
111.4
108.8
109.8
164.4
104.4
92.0
101.1
181.3
274.3
226.8

141.5
134.7
109.7
106.5
109.4
158.0
103.3
84.7
102.2
180.9
268.7
225.3

142.7
133.6
107. 2
102.3
112.1
161.5
100.2
98.9
100.9
173.7
283.4
222.6

138.9
130.4
104.4
101.1
112.4
158.0
96.5
93.4
98.3
161.4
274.0
220.1

121.4
115.8
90.9
96.3
131.3
120.6
88.1
91.5
113.1
141.9
214.9
155.7

Leather and leather products 2...................... .............. 109.3
Leather----- ------------- ---------------------------------Boot and shoe cut stock and findings.................
Boots and shoes_____________ ___________ _
Leather gloves and m ittens______ __________
Trunks and suitcases...............................................

110.7
95.3
90.7
106.4
132.1
166.0

108.3
94.3
88.6
104.0
127.8
159.6

107.4
95.7
88.9
102.5
128.8
159.3

103.3
94.9
86.9
97.7
123.9
158.6

107.1
95.1
88.7
102.2
121.9
160.1

114.1
98.4
94.7
110.1
125.4
166.4

115.8
100.4
97.8
111.7
124.9
168.6

114.9
100.3
98.8
111.0
121.9
159.3

115.3
100.4
99.4
110.6
130.1
170.1

114.1
100.3
99.0
108.7
131.8
177.9

113.2
100.2
98.1
107.8
131.5
172. 5

112.2
99.6
96.9
107.2
128.1
162.6

98.1
92.9
96.0
89.0
153.7
161.2

Food...................................... .....................- ...................... 179.9 165.5
135.6
Slaughtering and meat packing...........................
188.2
Butter------------ --------------- -------------------------199.8
Condensed and evaporated m ilk ........... ...........
179.2
Ice cream.................... .............. .................................
141.8
Flour........................ ..................................................
169.4
Feeds, prepared.............. .....................................
164.3
Cereal preparations________________________
119.2
Baking---------------- --------------------- -----------. 131.7
Sugar refining, ca n e._ .......... ..................................
- 73.3
Sugar, b e e t ...............................................................
. 114.4
Confectionery_____________ ________________
. 184.2
Beverages, nonalcoholic________________ ____
. 195.0
M alt liquors------------- ------------------------- -----_ 194.6
Canning and preserving................... ....................

159.4
138.8
195.4
205.9
184.9
143.4
168.5
164.5
118.9
134. 6
62.0
100.5
187.0
196.1
163.8

147.1
137.8
201.2
211.2
179.1
139.1
166.5
155. 2
118.0
115.4
60.2
103. 7
172. 2
185.0
111.7

127.7
86.0
194.5
198.3
166.0
134.2
161. 5
152.6
115.4
111.7
54.6
100.5
161.7
163.9
91.7

122.6
71.9
183.3
188.3
153.9
135. 0
153.9
146.4
114.3
109.2
46.9
109.5
151.3
172.4
84.3

134.5
134.0
170.5
177.2
138.5
136.0
152.0
144.7
115.4
123.2
48.4
118.3
143.6
167.0
81.2

135.6
138.5
158.8
172.5
133. 8
137.5
158.7
147.8
114.1
127.2
56.3
126.2
134.9
165.5
82.1

139.3
145.7
162.0
169.3
133.7
141.3
169.4
145.0
113.1
116.2
91.5
134.1
140.1
168.2
85.5

146.9
150.8
163.6
170.6
141.4
141.9
168.4
144.3
116.0
126.2
179.7
141.2
139.7
172.4
99.1

150.7
142.0
168.2
179.7
149.1
143.1
165.3
153.7
118.1
131.1
225.5
142.7
143.8
181.3
114.4

158.3
135.5
172.9
188.9
157.8
143.3
167.7
153.6
117.9
129.0
226.4
137.2
150.4
184.6
159.8

173.6
134.7
178.0
194.5
176.8
140.4
171.2
168.0
115.5
131.3
102.9
122.6
164, 9
188.4
255.7

123.5
128.9
165.2
182.6
130.7
118.5
145.0
136.0

92.5
. 125.8
. 78.9
_ 77.2

88.8
122.4
74.7
75.6

90.6
121.2
78.1
76.1

90.5
120.7
78.3
75.9

92.4
121.1
81.0
77.0

93.4
121.1
82.7
77.3

93,9
93.6
122.1 122.6
82.8
82.1
78.3 1 78.9

94.4
124.5
81.7
82.1

96.5
124.0
85.5
81.3

95.1
121.7
84.2
81.8

92.3
118.7
81.5
79.8

97.2
123.8
85.0
92.5

Durable ¿rood*—Continued

Nondurable goods
Textile-mill products and other fiber manufactures.. 110.3
Cotton manufactures, except smallwares--------Cotton smallwares..------- --------- ------------------Silk and rayon goods............................... ...............
Woolen and worsted manufactures, except dye­
ing and finishing......... ..................- ------ --------Hosiery......... .........................................................--Knitted cloth............................................................
Knitted outerwear and knitted gloves................
Knitted underwear______________ ________
Dyeing and finishing textiles, including woolen
and worsted___________ __________ - ...........Carpets and rugs, wool...........................................
Hats, fur-felt_______________________________
Jute goods, except felts............................................
Cordage and twine................ ........................- .........

Tobacco manufactures 2________________________
Cigarettes........ ....................................... - ...............
Cigars....................................... ............... ..................
Tobacco (chewing and smoking) and snuff----See footnotes 1 and 2, table A-5.


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

93.9

111.0

105.1
86.8
106.7
135.1
134.1
125.4

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

543

T able A -6: Indexes of Production-W orker Em ploym ent in M anufacturing Industries 1—Continued
[1939 average=100]

1948

An­
nual
aver­
age

1947

Industry group and industry
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

May

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

Paper and allied products2. ........................................ .
Paper and pulp........................................................
Paper goods, other_________ ________________
Envelopes_____________ ___________ ______
Paper b a g s.................................................................
Pai>er boxes_____________ _________________

148.7

147.4
150.0
155.5
141.9
159.2
136.7

146.1
149.4
160.2
140.9
156.3
131.0

146.9
148.2
163.6
144.0
157.8
133.9

146.5
148.5
163.0
145.8
158.5
131.8

146.8
147.8
162. 6
145.6
162.3
133.7

148.0
147.9
164.2
145.7
164.1
137.3

147.8
147.3
164.1
143.9
162.0
139.1

148.7
147.4
165.9
142.0
163.2
140.8

149.9
147.2
169.1
142.6
163.9
143.7

148.6
145.7
167.9
142.5
161.3
142.7

147.8
145.3
166.9
140.6
160.7
141.5

146.2
145.2
162.9
137.4
159.2
138.5

122.2
116.3
133.1
116.9
118.0
129.3

Printing, publishing, and allied industries 2______
Newspapers and periodicals.................................
Printing; book and job................ .................. ........
Lithographing......................................; ...................
Bookbinding______________________________

133.0

131.8
124.4
143.5
119.0
134.0

131.1
123.7
143.4
118.9
129.5

132.3
123.8
144.5
118.3
136.3

132.0
123.3
144.3
117.6
136.2

131.8
122.2
143.5
119.0
139.2

132.8
122.0
145.3
119.5
144.5

133.5
121.4
147.1
121.2
145.1

134.0
121.0
148.6
121.7
145.9

135.7
122.7
150.0
125.3
148.8

135.4
122.2
149.3
125.8
150.3

134.6
121.8
148.3
124.2
149.3

133.2
121.7
145.7
123.4
148.1

100.8
95.2
108.7
98.5
114.1

207.1

203.3
175.7
232.1
118.9
165.3
134.3
302.1
380.7
253.1
173.9
238.0
93.8
142.7

196.6
173.6
230.2
104.8
157.6
133.2
288.9
376.1
252.1
180.2
190.2
82.0
135.6

199.2
173.6
231.1
105.0
1.55.4
133.0
296.9
365.7
254.2
181. 5
212.2
83.0
144.4

198.4
172.1
231.1
105.2
142.2
131.2
292.9
351.9
250. 9
181.6
219.7
89.1
171.4

201.4
169.8
233.3
107.6
142.9
131.4
296.3
350.7
252.4
182. 5
210.1
99.5
194.7

203.6
171.9
236.9
111.2
163.1
131.8
293.8
354.1
250.1
182.8
203.9
115.0
202.3

204.2
174.5
238.3
116.2
166.3
131.8
293.9
349.9
246.2
182.2
221.8
127.7
188.1

204.1
171.8
238.5
115.4
167.0
130.8
295.6
347. 5
249.9
178.7
213.4
142.1
176.9

205.4
171.3
239.2
123.6
167.4
131.4
296.1
346.7
248.8
172.7
243.5
159.5
163.1

204.5
169.9
241.3
133.1
168.9
130.5
294.0
339.7
244.9
168.7
249.0
160.5
155.1

203.2
168.5
243.7
129.9
165.7
130.1
292.2
331.1
243.5
167.2
249.9
157.2
155.7

199.9
167.2
243.6
121.3
161.7
128.4
292.3
324.8
249.0
163.5
214.0
119.8
155.5

254.5
135.1
203.6
135.8
117.1
111.7
206.7
1536.9
197.3
3595.4
2426,5
133.4
146.2

Nondurable goods—Continued

Chemicals and allied products 2. ................................ .
Paints, varnishes, and colors___ _____ ______
Drugs, medicines, and insecticides......................
Perfumes and cosmetics.........................................
Soap................................................... ....................... .
Rayon and allied products__________________
Chemicals, not elsewhere classified,.................. .
Explosives and safety fuses....................................
Compressed and liquefied gases_____________
Ammunition, small-arms......................................
Fireworks___________ _______ ______________
Cottonseed oil.......................................................
Fertilizers______________ _____ _____________

_________

_________

Products of petroleum and coal1________________
Petroleum refining...................... ............................
Coke and byproducts_______ _______________
Paving materials____________________ _____
Roofing materials.......................... ...........................

159.1

160.3
158.3
148.4
111.8
219.4

160.7
159.8
146.7
107.7
215.5

160.3
159.2
145.9
107.1
218.2

157.3
156.7
143.2
97.1
213.2

154.9
155.2
136.8
92.7
214.6

155.4
155.0
141.4
75.3
215.3

153.9
153.1
139.6
73.2
217.5

155.0
153. 5
140.6
83.2
222.7

155.5
153.7
138.3
109.4
226.2

156.1
153.4
138.2
138.1
228.0

155.8
153.5
136.5
137 4
227.7

156.4
154.9
135.1
140.0
226.8

117.6
113.4
117.4
87.0
161.2

Rubber products 2_______________ _____________
Rubber tires and inner tubes____ ____ _____
Rubber boots and shoes____________________
Rubber goods, other................................ ..............

162.8

160.9
168.7
148.3
156.3

157.7
167.6
139.4
152.7

161.6
169.4
146.9
157.5

161.1
168.5
146.4
157.5

163.8
170.7
149.0
161.9

168.9
177.7
152.4
165.3

172.0
182.4
153. 8
166.9

173.5
185.5
151.5
167.4

175.3
187.8
151.4
169.1

174.0
188.7
147.9
166.0

171.7
188.0
146.1
162.0

168.1
185.2
141.6
157.8

160. 3
166.1
160.5
154.1

Miscellaneous industries2______________________
Instruments (professional and scientific), and
fire-control equipment___________________ _
Photographic apparatus____________________
Optical instruments and ophthalmic goods___
Pianos, organs, and p a rts.._______ _________
Games, toys, and d o lls..________ ___________
B uttons_________ ______ __________________
Fire extinguishers..................................... ..............

184.2

180.1

173.9

175.7

176.6

178.4

182.6

181.9

180.9

187.5

190.4

187.5

182.8

181.7

248.7
224.5
208.8
177.4
234.2
116.2
269.1

247.4
220.9
201.0
164.0
219.3
111.2
271.8

244.5
216.6
215.6
173.7
214.8
114. 8
270.6

242.8
214.1
224.1
175.2
210.3
114.2
260.9

244.1
217.1
226.9
170.5
210. 7
116.3
266.8

244.6
219.8
229.1
189.7
201.2
122.6
258.6

245.2
220.9
230.0
201.5
189.9
119.4
249.3

245.3
220.4
233.6
215.2
175.0
118.7
253.5

248.1
221.8
235.4
226.3
201.3
119.1
268.0

246.1
219.5
232.1
228.6
226.9
113.0
269.5

247.4
218.8
231.6
223.8
221.4
107.7
273.2

245.0
216.1
231.6
211.4
213.9
103.4
277.6

766.4
200.9
280.3
156.2
99.7
116.6
913.1

—

See footnotes 1 and 2, table A-6.

T able A -7: Indexes of Production-W orker Weekly Pay Rolls in M anufacturing In d u strie s1
[1939 average=100]

1948

An­
nual
aver­
age

1947

Industry group and industry

All manufacturing________ ____ ______________
Durable goods...___ ____________ ________
Nondurable goods___ ________ ____________

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

381.7
422.6
341.7

374.6
418.7
331.4

360.0
403.1
317.9

359.0
401.3
317.6

346.7
390.8
303.6

347.1
393.4
301.9

358.4
402.0
315.7

354.1
393.1
316.0

358.7
403.1
315.3

365.7
411.0
321.4

353.4
395.0
312.8

350.1
389.9
311. 2

345.3
382.2
309.2

334.4
469.5
202.3

366.1

361.1
295.3
394.3
478.0
473.0
432.0
364.3
262.1
326.0
358.7

336.9
269.9
377.8
448.8
440.5
414.3
353.2
242.8
315 1
335.7

340.5
268.4
400.1
468.1
469.5
422.0
310.8
243.3
295 7
343.6

334.4
265. 4
374.3
460.3
454.2
401.4
286.1
249. 8
298 2
357.8

329.6
253.0
394.6
453.0
453.2
370.0
274.9
255.3
302 0
364.6

340.8
260.9
421.7
469.7
456. 8
397.5
289.8
269.1
310 4
370.6

337.6
257.5
414.9
467.6
442.3
392.5
302.4
268.7

341.9
261.2
416.4
480.1
442.1
394.4
320.0
271.6

345.8
257.8
420.7
479.8
443.3
404.0
336.7
280.3

335.1
255.1
399.3
459.6
429.5
381.4
320.7
270.1

331.6
251.9
406.7
448.7
423.1
382.3
331.9
267.6

327.7
254.5
403.0
425.9
414.2
366.6
349.2
259.5

311.4
222.3
261.1
278.9
493.5
177.2
161.6
255.3

37L2

38L9

386! 3

384'. 1

372.2

359.1

279.5

Durable goods
Iron and steel and their products_____ ____ ____
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling mills.
Gray-iron and semisteel castings___________
Malleable-iron castings___________________
Steel castings________ ______ _____________
Cast-iron pipe and fittings.............................
T in cans and other tinware_______________
Wire drawn from purchased rods....................
Wirework.............................................................. .
Cutlery and edge tools....................................... .
See footnotes 1 and 2, table A -5.


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

___

MONTHLY LABOR

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

544

T able A -7: Indexes of Production-W orker Weekly Pay Rolls in M anufacturing Industries 1—Con.
[1939 average*» 100]
An­
nual
average

1947

1948
Industry group and industry
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

372.8
327.7
338.1

358.7
303.8
316.7

370.8
318.6
329.0

366.6
325.8
324.0

372.4
342.2
322.2

378.4
355.1
329.0

379.0
353.5
320.3

381.0
352.5
321.8

381.0
345.9
331.9

363.0
328.7
324.1

352.6
321.2
306.8

347.9
308.4
291.6

334.1
245. 8
161.7

Durable goods—Continued
Iron and steel and their products—Continued
Tools (except edge tools, machine tools, files,
and saws)
______ - ____________ -Hardware
-- _____ __________________
Plumbers’ supplies
___- ___________ -Stoves, oil burners, and heating equipment,
not elsewhere classified
________________
Steam and hot-water heating apparatus and
steam fittings
- -- - ________________
Stamped and enameled ware and galvanizing.- —
Fabricated structural and ornamental metalwork
................... .
__
M etal doors, sash, frames, molding, and trim
Bolts, nuts, washers, and r iv e ts _____________
Forgings, iron and steel
.
_________
Wrought pipe, welded and heavy-riveted_____
Screw-machine products and wood screws____
Steel barrels, kegs, and drums _
________
Firearms
_______

395.5

352.0

359.9

352.5

345.4

368.6

387.2

395.8

422.7

404.5

417.6

399.3

210.9

423.2
443.9

397.2
428.9

409.5
439.3

406.0
440.6

393.8
439.8

416.5
447.0

425.1
447.4

403.7
456.0

430.9
472.8

419.4
453. 7

403.0
445.2

394.1
437.1

360.6
307.0

364.8
324.7
423.9
475.0
494.6
427.0
337.4
926.1

345.2
309.1
412.8
454.1
467.3
436.9
313.3
945.9

345.7
288.6
408.2
443.7
443.1
445.4
302.6
915.6

340. 6
283. 9
416.7
467.6
437.7
452.0
298. 1
906.0

343.4
292.2
422.4
487. 5
455.3
456.5
302.0
911.3

335.4
276.9
406.0
496.2
433.2
452. 1
300. 5
872.2

339.7
296.7
393.1
502.4
457.2
446.1
333.7
846.7

360.1
313.2
406.0
506.9
472.7
442.9
334.0
835.0

350.5
298. 1
391.5
484.8
443. 1
421.7
308.6
796.1

347.7
290.0
386.0
485. 5
427.3
424.3
299.6
780.3

339.4
280. 3
369. 4
456.3
396.6
413.4
325.6
766.9

364.3
292 6
382.0
507.9
610.9
560. 4
247 0
2934.8

Electrical machinery
_ _________________ 466.9
Electrical equipment
.
___________
Radios and phonographs
_
_
___
Communication equipment__ ______________

454.8
434. 7
468.9
550.6

329.0
292.9
401.0
449.6
473.0
426.8
301.4
952.7
,-•«1
436. 3
418.3
456.9
513.4

440.0
419-2
458.6
534.8

431.6
410.3
451.4
530.0

444.3
420.5
468. 5
551.2

459.1
432 2
488.4
578.6

465.1
436.7
495.6
593.7

471.0
443.4
507. 3
586.4

481.2
447 1
542. 9
604.6

471.9
436 3
539.6
597.8

464.6
429 8
533.2
584.5

450. 5
423.1
501. 9
551.1

488.0
475.6
505.0
538. 2

Machinery, except electrical.. _ _________________ 484.0
Machinery and machine-shop products. ____
Engines and tu r b in e s ..__ _ _______________
Tractors
_________

477.8
500.9
598.2
356.1
558. 3
249.3
400. 1
460.0
585.1
297.5

469. 5
489.3
584.5
366.4
573.3
238.7
361. 1
437.9
585.2
318.7

480.7
500.7
601.4
355.5
595.4
242.9
383.5
459.1
596.5
325.2

466.4
491.0
617.6
285.4
571. 2
240.7
389.9
444.8
610.3
325.0

463.8
493.6
611.7
248.9
571. 9
240.2
392.6
441.3
610.0
336.8

475.2
496.4
632. 3
353. 8
576.8
249. 2
388.9
443.2
617.7
347.5

471.9
495.5
622.1
351. 9
550. 5
254.4
398.0
420.9
627.0
357.6

473.8
494.9
625.5
354.3
534. 9
250. 1
398.6
417.9
622.0
366.1

479.9
500.7
607.4
347.0
522.7
262.2
397.7
417.4
628. 1
369.6

459.6
481.5
601.9
336.9
482.5
253.3
380.2
396. 3
607.7
358.2

458. 0
480.0
576.0
333. 1
504.6
257.5
379.0
381.7
611.1
342.3

451.4
477.9
591. 3
322. 2
494. 1
257.4
380.5
366. 0
627.1
321.6

443. 7
501.8
849. 4
256.7
298. 6
503 9
671.1
230.1
761.8
143.8

494.6

506.2

505.9

489.4

504.7

499.9

489.0

491.9

490.7

463.5

455.8

441.9

341.6

465. 3
409.9
450.4

454.0
414.5
454.7

470.4
404.0
433.7

464.3
397.9
479.2

484.2
398.8
465.9

449.7
382.1
434.3

430. 5
369.9
446.6

400.0
348.2
426.6

301.5
282.3
264.5

611.2
883.0
500.6
657.4
482.9
416.7
414.5

600.2
900.3
522. 4
668.7
503.5
378.9
448.2

555.1
863.1
503.5
653.8
479.2
316.6
441.3

541.5
870.1
493.6
663. 8
499.9
289.9
430.8

509.8
875.3
468.8
623.3
501.3
262.0
404.9

3080.3
1107.3
457.9
3496.3
4528.7
3594. 7
253.6

Machine tools.
__ ___________
Machine-tool accessories __
___________
Textile machinery
Pumps and pumping equipment
___
Typewriters
_ _ _______
Cash registers; adding, and calculating machines
______
Washing machines, wringers, and driers, do­
mestic . .
..
.. ..
_________
Sewing machines, domestic and in d u stria l____
Refrigerators and refrigeration equipm ent_____

468.4
488.2
490.1

438.5
458.5
485.2

480.9
444.2
508.9

454.2
428.0
472.3

581.8
Transportation equipment, except automobiles—
Locomotives__ .
__
_______________
Cars, electric- and steam-railroad____
____
Aircraft and parts, excluding aircraft engines__
Aircraft engines
.
_ ______ ________
Shipbuilding and boatbuilding _____________
Motorcycles, bicycles, and parts_____________

547.7
599.4
516.9
698.4
453.7
291.6
372.2

552.4
907.3
467.9
661.1
533.1
305.3
300.2

561.2
913.7
492.5
649.2
517.5
321.7
345.7

566.4
916.4
478.5
634.2
493.5
345.7
370.5

601.4
928.1
483.8
695.2
481.0
373.6
418.2

600.4
908. 6
490.3
675.9
473.9
383.7
426.8

593.3
869.2
479.5
667.3
469.4
385.4
420.6

Automobiles

422.1

428.4

385.7

362.6

386.2

396.5

357.6

408.7

427.7

395.6

385.8

380.6

321.2

Nonferrous metals and their products 2 ___ _____ 415.4
Smelting and refining, primary, of nonferrous
_________ 386.3
metals. _ . . . . ______ . .
Alloving; and rolling and drawing of nonferrous metals, except a lu m in u m ______ . .
Clocks and watches..'._______ _______________
Jewelry (precious metals) and jewelers’ find­
ings_______________________ _____ ________
Silverware and plated ware______________ . .
Lighting equipm ent______________________
Aluminum manufactures. ___ . . _______
Sheet-metal work, not elsewhere classified........ .

379.3

360.6

368.2

362.5

368.3

377.1

372.9

372.7

377.8

367.3

359.3

349.5

354.5

345.7

338.6

329.7

321.6

314.1

307.2

303.7

303.1

299.9

300.3

296.0

302.5

353.9

295.6
334.9

284.3
304.5

278.3
332.2

268.9
327.4

271.7
336.8

283.5
339.1

273.2
333.4

273.4
326.2

271.9
333.3

263.7
330.5

260.6
320.1

257.6
311.7

353.4
238.4

365.9
528.2
330.1
331.8
459.9

345.7
481.8
317.0
315.6
438.4

372.5
527.4
305.9
338.5
438.1

362.4
522.4
293.3
347.0
430.2

377.7
529.4
308.3
356.8
434.8

391.8
543.3
328.4
362.0
450.6

396. 2
525.6
333.7
366.8
447.1

383.4
520.5
337.8
371.3
454 4

415.6
535.5
343.0
364.7
478.2

403.6
507.4
333.9
351.7
454.0

393.4
496.2
333.8
345.5
456.3

360.2
480.6
325.9
325.5
431.5

211.8
212.8
240.4
591.6
357.6

Lumber and timber basic products 2_____________ 523.3
Sawmills and logging camps_________________
Planing and plywood m ills__________________

538.8
604.6
485.6

502.9
563.3
456.3

488.5 461.1
543.3 *496. 8
456.1 445.1

433.4
471.0
435.4

427.6
466.4
424.7

417.2
452.4
422.2

413.5
450.3
417.1

431.8
473.4
421.1

429.1
476.2
400.9

427.2
476.2
395.0

427.4
480.4
379.5

215.1
238.3
197.8

Furniture and finished lumber products2________ 344.5
Mattresses and bedsprings.'.______ ____ _____
Furniture
. . ___
____________________
Wooden boxes, other than cigar______________
Caskets and other morticians’ goods_________
Wood preserving
. . __________________
Wood, turned and shaped__________________

339.7
385.5
337.3
334.1
287.8
377.0
339.0

320.4
354.1
317.7
318.6
273.4
373.5
318.3

326.0
347.9
325. 7
325.7
283.4
358.1
322.8

325. 6
340.2
328. 6
301.1
289.2
351.5
325.1

333.0
359.5
336.3
304.8
300.3
334.2
331.8

349.2
387.9
353.4
320.5
315.7
331.6
339.0

350. 2
410.9
356.0
311.8
310.5
311.6
327.9

352.2
414.0
355.4
324.4
314.4
352.3
318.0

355.7
420.8
356.2
332.4
319.1
369.9
325.2

343.0
396.6
344.0
321.4
305.8
375.8
309.5

338.8
402.8
335. 2
328.6
299.3
408.7
306.2

324. 3
378.3
316.6
324.1
301.2
418.4
298.9

183.9
165.7
185.3
215.8
159.3
181.9
175.5

Stone, clay, and glass products__________________ 361.4
Glass "and glassware
_____________________
Glass products made from purchased glass____
Cement ______ _____ ____ ____ ___________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta.. ________________
Pottery and related products.............. ..................

359.4
356.6
272.7
331.9
349.2
374.8

335.5
316.8
258 8
328.7
335.1
336.6

347.1
348.5
267.7
323.5
329.9
355.2

343.4
352.5
264.5
314.3
320.8
351.1

337.9
355.3
259.9
297.2
305.6
348.7

336.6
358.2
267.6
287.3
297.1
352.9

321.4
340.0
267.0
282.8
279.0
337.4

322.9
343.4
271.6
284.7
296.9
337.8

335.7
356.5
287.1
291.3
301.9
354.4

331.2
357.2
269.4
294.0
296.7
349.8

328.2
351.2
264.0
294.7
300.2
342.7

320.2
342.8
251.5
298.3
294.1
326.5

189.1
208.3
165.9
156.5
135.8
191.9

_ _ _______________

See footnotes 1 and 2, table A-5.


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

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

545

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

T able A -7 : Indexes of Production-W orker Weekly Pay Rolls in M anufacturing Industries 1—Con.
[1939 average=100]
An­
nual
aver­
age

1947

1948
Industry group and Industry
Sept

Aug

July

June

331.4

307.5

420.3
281.3
192.0
492.2
343.0

Sept.

298.6

285.4

278.4

283.0

290.2

284.5

278.1

258.3

151.7

406.6
273.3
176.6
474.9
328.9

390.1
262.1
179.3
487.0
327.0

375.5
243.8
169.5
457. 4
322.3

374.1
249.5
173.5
363.2
325.0

386.5
256.9
183.3
462.1
318.7

381.5
259.5
175.9
418.2
313.6

368.4
258.9
183.5
408.0
305.6

357.8
245. 5
180.9
498.2
299.2

223.8
171.6
90.8
480.2
254.6

303.8
369.7
238.3
268.6

307.1
374.7
243.0
267.4

315.6
385.1
249.1
267.8

310.6
377.0
249.3
262.4

303.0
378.7
243.8
252.6

302.0
376.4
234.1
248.1

288.2
362.1
215.1
236.6

271.8
329.1
213.6
227.6

262.9
317.4
210.6
220.2

178.9
215.9
214.6
138.6

306.1

303.7

426.5
268.9
184.9
488.4
327.5

412.9
270.7
185.9
502.4
334.5

403.8
273.3
183.2
490.6
329.9

298.0
356. 5
226. 7
274.0

285.4
341.3
226.0
257.1

304.6
365 9
238.0
271.5

Dec.

Oct.

Feb.

Apr.

Jan.

N ov.

Mar.

M ay

1943

Durable goods—Continued
Stone, clay, and glass products—Continued
Gypsum
_ ___________________
Wallboard, plaster (except gypsum), and
mineral wool
Lime
_ ____________________________
Marble granite, slate, and other produets
Abrasives
_ __ ____________________
Asbestos products ________________________
Nondurable goods
Textile-mill products and other fiber manufac­
tures ______ ______ __________________________ 295.5
Cotton manufactures, except smallwares_____
Cotton smallwares _______________________
Silk and rayon g o o d s __
. _________ _ _
Woolen and worsted manufactures, except dye­
ing and finishing_________________________
Hosiery___________________________________
Knitted cloth_____ _ ___________________
Knitted outerwear and knitted gloves. . .
Knitted underwear_________________________
Dyeing and finishing textiles, including woolen
and worsted
Carpets and rugs, wool_____________________
Hats, fur-felt. ____________________________
Jute goods, except felts_____________________
Cordage and tw ine_________________________

297.1
188.3
229.0
226. 6
290.8

294.9
171.1
223.9
212.0
283.4

311.5
185.6
223.2
242.2
301.8

307.9
183.6
223.1
247.6
303.4

308.6
189.2
237.1
242.8
320.3

322.1
197.6
243. 3
249.9
323.7

321.1
190. 5
242.6
250.3
311.0

292.0
188.8
236. 5
234.3
306.6

294.4
193. 5
231.6
241.6
306.9

276.6
186 4
221.7
243.0
295.4

270.4
177.2
214.4
237.0
282.8

268.5
166.4
207.8
215.3
274.3

199. 5
109.6
174.7
192.7
183.3

287.1
354.2
199.8
281. 5
285.7

278.4
342.1
174.3
272.4
287.6

297.8
345.4
197.4
277.5
306.5

299.0
332.8
184.6
272.2
303.4

305.6
324. 2
176.4
275.9
311.4

308.8
327 9
197.5
264.2
330.4

311.2
321.8
202.2
265. 7
337.6

304.1
316.8
195.8
250.1
330.6

298.1
311.6
202.1
175.4
320.0

279.8
297.6
181.9
170.1
300.6

271.3
288.7
185.9
168.7
282.0

269.5
276.5
177.2
163.7
258. 6

174.9
145.2
121.5
196.4
240.3

Apparel and other finished textile products. _____ 349.4
Men's clothing, not elsewhere, classified
Shirts, collars, and nightwear
Underwear and neckwear, m en's. .......................
Work shirts
Women’s clothing, not elsewhere classified .
Corsets and allied garments .
Millinery
Handkerchiefs_____ __________________
Curtains, draperies, and bedspreads
___
Housefurnishings, other than curtains, etc
Textile bags

343.4
323. 5
256.2
293.8
334.8
381.7
213.1
198.7
236.2
392.0
632.3
521.9

303.6
294.1
246.6
269.6
326. 4
326.6
197.8
164. 7
181.3
317.6
573.0
498.3

303.6
312.9
258. 5
289.1
333.9
310.7
210.8
132.0
231.0
335.1
587.3
471.1

297.9
311.5
266.8
296.7
325.8
299.3
213.0
127.9
239.1
334.8
544.2
464.8

306.5
317.1
274.6
297.0
316 1
307.1
229.1
171.3
251.5
348.5
584.6
446.4

343.2
324.8
279.7
313.7
305. 6
376.4
241.6
212.5
259. 4
397.0
609.2
449.3

345.2
316.4
272.0
300 0
284.6
387.1
237.7
236.0
243.4
431. 4
572.9
461.7

337.0
313.4
273.0
292.0
247.5
374.8
234. 5
204.4
222.5
419.1
597.8
481.1

327.3
309. 5
281.3
304.0
248.2
355. 9
230.5
157.4
251.2
424.7
653.1
492.9

304.8
301.5
266.0
292.9
253.1
319.3
226.8
123.6
260.4
422.2
590.1
484.8

320.5
303.5
258.9
280.2
262.0
349. 5
219.0
195.2
251. 4
412.1
632.2
472.6

303.8
284.9
243.2
261.3
266.9
334.7
205.4
173.1
239.4
371.9
604.6
458.8

185.2
174.9
143.6
166. 5
220.4
184.4
137.1
123.3
184.0
230. 2
370.3
233.0

246.0

249.0
207.3
189.5
244. 0
285. 4
376.2

236.9
203.6
178.6
231.1
267.4
339.5

233.4
205.2
179. 9
225.3
273.6
339.5

215.4
201.1
169.6
202.8
256. 9
339.8

227.1
197.9
173 4
219.5
241.3
347.2

251.7
206.4
187 9
249.7
252.8
364.1

262.5
216.4
198.6
261.0
252.2
366.9

258.7
214.8
201. 4
258.3
245.3
321.6

259.6
217.5
202.6
256.0
262.4
369.3

252.5
213.8
190.3
246.7
264.1
406.0

251.8
212.9
189.6
246.6
267.5
381.8

248.1
212.0
191.4
243.7
253.5
335.9

154.2
140.6
142. 2
142.0
239.4
240.3

Food_________________________________________ 389.8
Slaughtering and meat packing______________
B u tter... . . _______ _
_____________
Condensed and evaporated milk_____________
Ice cream____________________ ____________
Flour_____________________________________
Feeds, prepared____________________________
Cereal preparations_________________________
Baking __ ._ __________________________
Sugar refining, cane. ______________________
Sugar, beet _______________________________
Confectionery____________ _______ _____ ____
Boverages, nonalcoholic_____________________
M alt liquors_______ _______ ______________
Canning and preserving____________ ___

350. 2
275.4
415.0
488. 5
345. 5
343. 5
401.7
344.2
247. 4
303. 6
146. 9
268.2
309. 3
376. 9
471. 2

351.4
296.9
429.5
506.3
363.2
343.5
397. 2
374.8
247.6
313. 7
128.0
229.0
343.3
391.8
421.2

328.3 281.3
306.9 211.3
429.8 407.2
520.3 477.9
341. 5 311.3
317.3 294.0
391. 7 367.4
353.7 333.6
245.4 235.1
244. 7 227.9
123.0 111.8
235.1 *213.9
304.2 277.0
351.0 299.9
282.9 234.2

267.4
179.9
381.0
438.1
286.4
285.1
337.1
313.0
227.6
229.3
96.7
241.1
257.9
316.0
216.9

285.8
276.6
348.2
403.0
261.3
275.8
329.6
297.8
227.1
248.4
98.9
260.1
241.0
293.0
204.6

288.5
263.3
332.7
388.1
250. 9
298.3
314.7
322.2
234.1
232.3
126.7
275.6
226.7
289.9
216.5

296.6
304.2
330.3
369.8
248.0
305. 9
379.0
307.8
221.5
216.9
188.0
295.3
237.1
289.4
216.2

321.9
338.9
342.2
364.0
258. 5
319.4
381.4
306.3
229.2
248.9
392.8
326.6
236.3
307. 7
250.2

323.5
317.4
346.0
377.8
269.9
336.9
346.9
313.7
227.8
302.3
516.8
325.1
240.0
326.8
265.7

332.8
271.7
353.4
402.5
288. 5
336.4
358.6
304.4
230.8
279.1
464.0
312.2
258. 7
344.1
437.9

356.1
271.9
364.8
419.8
326.2
334.7
382.9
337. 5
223.2
278.7
214.3
271.3
295.6
370.3
683.8

180.9
188.6
231.0
268.5
170.6
182.9
230.0
223.3
153.0
152.8
119.6
157.6
163.2
180.5
216.0

Tobacco manufactures2________________________
Cigarettes_______________________ ________
Cigars. . ______________ ______ _________
Tobacco (chewing and smoking) and snuff .

214.8

218.3
288.3
180.9
173.3

205.5
270.0
171.1
164.1

205.8
263.1
175.8
166.7

201.3
253.1
175.1
161.8

205. 7
254.3
182.7
161.6

204.6
246.5
186.6
159.6

195.7
219.2
189.4
162.2

210.5
259.6
188.2
161.2

219.8
267.9
196.7
175.8

216.3
253.3
201.7
169.0

214. 5
252.8
196.4
178.1

205. 3
243.7
185.4
177.0

151.0
172.0
141.0
132.3

Paper and allied products2. . . _________________
Paper and pulp. . _________________ _____
Paper goods, other_______________________ .
Envelopes. _______________________________
Paper bags_______________________________
Paper boxes______________________________

352.5

349.6
363.6
347.4
288. 2
392. 7
318.6

341.7
357. 7
355.3
272. 9
380.0
294. 9

337.8
347. 7
358.4
284.0
364.4
304.8

331.1
343.2
355.0
283.3
355.4
290.4

325.7
333.3
350.7
282.1
365.3
292.5

330.8
335.6
354.2
283. 7
373.7
305.4

328.9
333.8
352.9
282.8
357.8
307.1

328.0
330.3
355.1
278.0
368.1
309.1

334.0
332.5
362.4
284. 1
370.2
321.9

325.9
325.0
352.7
281.5
347.4
314.5

320.5
322.6
344.4
279.8
350.0
304.2

315.5
322.0
334.2
273.7
333.9
291.5

184.8
181.6
193.2
165.7
183.4
189.6

Printing, publishing, and allied industries2__ . .
273.6
Newspapers and periodicals. ______ ________
Printing; book and job_____________ ______
Lithographing___ ____ ____ ______ __________
Bookbinding______________________________

264.8
240.6
297. 6
232.8
304.2

260.1
235.5
296.0
223.5
290.1

264.9
238.1
299.3
230.3
310.0

262.2
236.5
296.7
224.1
302.9

259.5
234.6
291.0
221.4
304.0

258.5
229.2
292.5
227.2
313.4

254.7
224.6
290.9
219.0
307.7

255.3
218.9
295.9
224.0
315.3

263.1
230.0
297.8
237.1
326.6

257.2
224.0
292.5
236.1
325.1

252.8
221.6
285.8
226.2
325.4

249.7
221.6
279.3
225.9
322.9

124.7
111.7
137.3
124.9
174.8

Leather and leather products2__________________
Leather
_________ ____________________
Pont and shoe cut stock and findings
Boots and shoes. ____ ____________________
Leather gloves and mittens_________________
Trunks and suitcases ______________________

See footnotes 1 and 2, table A-5.


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

546

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

T able

MONTHLY LABOR

A-7: Indexes of Production-Worker Weekly Pay Rolls in Manufacturing Industries 1—Con.
[1939 average=100]
An­
nual
aver­
age

1947

1948
Industry group and industry
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

Chemicals and allied products 2_______ ________ 462.5
Paints, varnishes, and colors __ _ __________
Drugs, medicines, and insecticides___________
Perfumes and cosmetics____________________
Soap_______________ _ ___________________
Rayon and allied products . . .
. _________
Chemicals, not elsewhere classified___________
Explosives and safety fuses _________________
Compressed and liquefied gases_____ ________
Ammunition, small-arms___________________
F irew o rk s__________ _____________________
Cottonseed o i l ____________________________
Fertilizers___________ _____________________

450.6
345.1
485.3
238.7
368. 5
302. 7
629.1
798.3
512.0
403.1
640.1
261. 7
410.1

432.7
343.0
480. 6
205. 5
344.3
289. 6
600.4
760.2
518.2
420.8
507.0
230.1
396.7

434.9
335.6
486. 7
213. 7
343.1
280. 2
613.6
737.6
505.4
411.2
572. 5
228.3
414.5

422.5
329.9
481.5
209. 7
322.9
275.1
589.6
683.8
491.7
404.1
594.9
245. 9
470.4

422.1
315.9
479.9
215.1
321.8
274. 6
591.1
648. 3
483.7
398.8
572.5
270. 2
530.1

425.1
319.1
487.6
222.0
359.0
271.9
584. 3
675. 2
473.6
396. 8
625.8
316.4
540. 2

425.6
324.4
489.2
231.2
376.4
270. 2
584.8
678. 2
475.5
388.7
610.2
338.0
482.2

426.7
318.6
490. 7
230.9
379.3
268.6
586.8
669. 2
465.0
380. 5
591.6
397. 4
475.2

424.1
315.8
488.5
240.5
381.3
265.9
580.8
651.5
459. 6
411.9
633.8
448.4
430.8

416.4
313.1
489.9
265.3
371.0
260.5
566.0
645.6
458.0
398. 0
711.6
448. 7
397.2

409.6
304.2
499.1
250.1
357.6
257.8
554.9
612.0
445.6
393.3
747.3
443.1
409.7

403.1
300.3
484.7
228.2
351.6
259.9
552.3
608.2
455. 3
381.4
577.7
315. 8
428.1

422.5
197.2
286.3
180.6
174.5
168.2
336.9
2361.8
325.3
6734. 4
5963.9
230.4
272.2

Products of petroleum and c o a l2________________
Petroleum r efin in g ._______________________
Coke and byproducts____ __________________
Paving materials___________________________
Roofing materials______________ _______ ____

345.6

358.2
345. 5
348. 0
258. 9
548. 7

353. 4
344. 9
329. 5
246. 3
531. 9

342.2
330. 8
330.1
235.0
523.3

335.8
326. 2
320.6
222.8
508.5

316.7
310.9
287.3
206.5
495. 6

320.0
306. 6
314.6
173.1
502. 7

315.4
302.1
312.3
160.6
500.7

318.1
303. 9
309.8
168.2
508.3

313.3
300. 4
294.8
224.8
535.7

309.5
295. 9
292.7
268.8
526.4

301. 8
286. 6
288.1
295.9
523.1

307.5
294. 4
280.0
297.9
510. 5

184.3
176.7
183.4
144.8
267.2

Rubber products 2_____________________________
Rubber tires and inner tubes________________
Rubber boots and shoes____________________
Rubber goods, o th e r ______________________

344.9

347.2
341. 0
344.1
358.3

329.7
329.8
321. 7
331.9

330.2
322.0
329.7
343.7

318.9
305. 7
328. 1
337. 7

312.8
286. 4
333.9
347.1

320.6
292.4
347.0
356.2

337.2
315.4
345.0
366.2

354.9
344.4
342.8
368.3

373.6
365.6
367.1
379.9

361.4
362.4
322.4
362.2

354.4
354. 7
331.7
352.3

348.3
355.3
314.4
338.3

263.9
265.7
268.8
255.8

397.4

374.2

386.7

384.2

382.6

394.0

393.9

388.2

405.1

403.9

394.1

378.2

322.7

508.3
444.1
415.2
374.3
557.8
275.3
566.7

487. 2
443. 8
393.1
339.8
513.1
254.0
573.0

491.0 492.6
438.8 *409. 7
421.6 426.7
362.7 367.8
510.6 496.7
271.7 269.4
595.6 563.4

494.2
416.2
438.1
357.9
487.6
269.4
575.5

489.3
422.3
444. 8
396.0
463.7
284.3
541.0

487.1
424.2
446.3
421.1
450.1
285. 5
523.2

507.5
418.1
452.3
455.5
399.7
275.7
546.8

499.2
421.1
458.5
513.4
469.5
280.8
520.4

480.8
416.8
445.3
500.1
525.9
262.5
560.6

478.9
405.1
443.5
475.6
518.7
245.8
555.4

469.3
394.3
442.3
460.2
482.3
230.2
558.9

1356.9
311.5
439.0
295.1
169.7
204.1
1622.9

Nondurable poods—Continued

Miscellaneous industries 2 _____________________ 411.8
Instruments (professional and scientific), and
fire-control equipment__________________ _
Photographic apparatus______________ _____
Optical instruments and ophthalmic goods .
Pianos, organs, and parts___________________
Games, toys, and dolls______________________
B u tto n s.." .............................................. ..................
Fire extinguishers__________________________
See footnotes 1 and 2, table A-5.

T able

*Revised.

A-8: Estimated Number

of

Employees in Selected Nonmanufacturing Industries 1
[In thousands]
Annual
average

1947

1948
Industry group and industry
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

May

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

M inin g:2 *
Coal:
78.4
76.2
76.2
Anthracite................. ............ ..............
77.6
76.1
77.4
76.9
76.5
76.0
77.5
76.4
77.4
76.6
76.2
419
399
397
394
Bituminous______ ______________
407
402
408
378
407
405
296
401
397
404
88.7
89.6 112.7
88.4
91.4
90.2
89.4
M etal_________ ____________________
89.7
91.7
92.8
91.4
89.7
89.8
91.7
35.3
32.4
32.4
Iron____ _______________________
33.8
31.3
33.7
33.7
32.5
31.5
30.9
32.0
33.6
32.7
31.0
33.3
25.7
Copper_________________________
26.6
25.8
26.6
26.9
26.9
26.6
26.1
27.0
26.7
26.5
26.8
27.0
14.9
15.5
21.6
15.4
13.0
12.0
16.3
16.3
15.6
Lead and zinc__________ ________
15.0
16.2
16.4
15.7
16.3
8.2
7.7
Gold and silver..................... ..............
8.1
8.5
8.1
8.0
8.2
8.3
8.3
8.1
8.5
8.7
8.7
8.6
7.7
14.8
8.0
7.9
7.8
7.6
Miscellaneous___________________
8.0
7.9
7.9
7.9
7.7
7.8
7.7
7.7
80.9
87.3
88.1
87.4
83.9
86.4
Quarrying and nonmetallie__________
83.9
76.8
79.9
87.8
86.8
86.8
85.1
80.0
Crude petroleum and natural gas pro­
duction 4____
_ _ ________
133.2 137.1 136.6
133.5 128.7 127.2 127.1 127.1 126.4 126.3 126.4 127.1 128.7 103.2
Transportation and public utilities:
Class I steam railroads *______ _____ _ 1,350 1,354 1,361 1, 352 1,321 1,258 1,316 1,311 1, 318 1,331 1,340 1,357 1,364 1,355
251
227
249
249
249
247
249
249
Street railways and busses «__________
247
246
249
249
250
249
402
609
613
614
642
647
623
620
Telephone. ____________ ___________
644
630
627
620
633
630
46.9
37.6
36.9
35.1
36.6
Telegraph 7____________________ ____
36.0
36.1
36.9
36.9
36.8
36.6
36.7
34.7
36.3
211
268
286
268
267
273
269
269
Electric light and power__________ _
284
283
279
274
271
268
Service:
344
379
381
378
380
373
377
375
377
378
Hotels (year-round)_________________
370
375
379
377
252
243
233
238
241
Power laundries 2 __ _____________
232
232
231
235
237
239
238
233
230
94.3
95.6
78.0
92.7
Cleaning and dyeing 2...............................
89.7
93.4
92.5
86.8
88.9
91.0
92.6
94.7
90.0
88.7
1 Unless otherwise noted, includes all nonsupervisory employees and
working supervisors. Data for the three most recent months are subject to
revision without notation. Revised figures for earlier months are identified
by an asterisk for the first m onth’s publication of such data.
2 Includes production and related workers only.
3 Estimates have been adjusted to levels indicated by Federal Security
Agency data through 1946 and have been carried forward from 1946 bench­
mark levels, thereby providing consistent series.
4Does not include well drilling or rig building.


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

1939

83.6
372
92.6
21.1
25.0
16.3
26.0
4.2
68.5
114.4
988
194
318
37.6
244
323
196
58.2

8 Includes all employees at middle of month. Excludes employees of
switching and terminal companies. Class I steam railroads include those
with over $1,000,000 annual revenue. Source: Interstate Commerce Com­
mission.
6 Includes private and municipal street-railway companies, and affiliated,
subsidiary, or successor trolley-bus and motor-bus companies.
7 Includes all land-line employees except those compensated on a commis­
sion basis. Excludes general and divisional headquarters personnel, trainees
in school, and messengers.

R E V IE W , NOVEM BER 1948

T able

547

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

A-9: Indexes of Employment in Selected Nonmanufacturing Industries 1
[1939 average=100]

1948

An­
nual
aver­
age

1947

Industry group and industry

M inin g:2 8
Coal:
Anthracite_____ ______ - ......................... .......
B itum inous---___ _____________________
M etal____________________________________
Iron________ ____ ______________________
Copper...... ................ ................... .....................
Lead and zinc _______________ ________
Gold and silver_________________________
Miscellaneous- ________________________
Quarrying and nonmetallic_________ - ____
Crude petroleum and natural gas production 4
Transportation and public utilities:
Class I steam railroads 8____________________
Street railways and busses 6________________
T elep h on e________________________________
Telegraph7________ _______________________
Electric light and power____________________
T rade:8
W holesale-. ______________________________
R etail___________ ____ _______________ _ Food___
_________________________
General merchandise___________________
____________
Apparel-- _____________
Furniture and housefurnishings__________
A u tom otive.-. _______________ ________
Lumber and building materials__________
Service:
Hotels (year-round).............................................
Power laundries 2___________________________
Cleaning and dyeing 2______________________
1 See footnote
5 See footnote
8 See footnote
* See footnote

1,
2,
3,
4,

table
table
table
table

T able

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

May

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

92.7
109.7
96.9
159.2
108.2
79.8
31.4
188.9
128.3
116.4

92.8
109.5
95.5
159.9
106.5
74.0
30.9
190.0
127.7
119.8

91.1
101.7
99.1
159.6
106.6
92.2
32.0
191.3
126.7
119.4

92.6
109.6
100.2
159.6
106.9
99.7
31.9
188.6
126.8
116.7

91.4
108.9
98.7
155.0
106.0
100.6
31.3
182.9
124.2
112.5

91.9
79.7
99.0
153.7
107.2
100.4
32.5
182.8
122.5
111.2

92.6
108.0
98.7
149.4
107.9
100.2
33.3
189.1
118.2
111.1

91.6
106.8
97.4
146.8
108.2
99.9
33.4
187.0
113.7
111.1

91.1
108.7
96.9
146.5
107.5
96.2
33.1
183.0
116.7
110. 5

91.5
108.3
97.0
148.0
106.6
95.8
32.5
187.2
122.6
110. 4

91.2
107.4
96.5
151.3
104.4
94.8
31.3
185. 7
126.2
110.5

91.2
106.8
95.8
153.3
103.1
91.8
30.9
181.6
127.6
111.1

91.0
106.0
96.8
153.6
103.0
95.5
31.5
184.6
128.7
112.5

93.7
112.6
121.7
167.4
133.2
132.7
29.7
352.0
118.2
90.2

136. 7
127.3
202.2
92.3
116.3

137.1
127.5
203.7
93.3
117.1

137.9
127.2
202.8
95.7
115.8

136.9
128.3
199.4
96.0
114.1

133.8
128.5
198.4
96.3
112.3

127.3
128.3
198.3
97.9
111.7

133.3
128.7
197.4
98.2
110.9

132.7
128.6
196.2
97.8
110.3

133.4
129.2
195.0
97.2
109.8

134.8
128.6
195.0
97.6
110.3

135.7
128.7
193.3
97.2
109.7

137.4
128.8
191.6
98.1
109.4

138.1
129.6
192.9
99.8
109.9

117.1
113. 4
112.0
127.2
113.9
91.6
110.1
128.0

117.0
111.2
112.3
120.6
105.1
90.2
111.1
129.6

116.2
112.0
113.8
121.3
108.0
90.5
109.8
128.2

115.3
113.6
115.5
124.8
115.4
91.2
108.4
126.3

114.5
113.1
116.3
123.7
115.2
91.9
107.0
123.7

114.8
112.8
116.1
123.4
114.6
91.6
107.1
121.9

115.3
113.8
116.7
124.5
116.8
91.9
105.8
119.4

116.1
111.8
113.9
122.9
108.2
91.0
105.7
118.8

116.3
114.4
114.4
129.4
111.5
93.6
106.5
122.5

117.1
130.2
117.4
175.5
136.7
97.4
109.9
126.1

116.5
119.8
116.1
143.6
124.0
92.4
107.6
126.4

115.5
115.8
115.0
131.5
119.4
89.5
105.6
126.9

113.3
112.4
112.6
122.8
113. 5
87.5
104.8
124.5

137.2
117.0
126.7
124.7
86.3
**
95.9
99.9
106.2
116.9
110.1
67.7
63.0
91.5

115.7
118.4
152.5

114.6
119.0
154.2

116.2
122.1
159. 2

117.6
121.5
162.9

117.0
119.0
160.6

116.9
118.3
159.0

116.4
117.7
154.8

116.8
117.6
149.3

117.2
120.1
152.8

118.1
120.9
156. 5

117.1
121.3
159.4

117.7
123.1
164.4

117.4
124.3
162.1

106.6
128.7
134.0

A-8.
A-8.
A-8.
A-8.

5 See footnote 5, table A-8.
6 See footnote 6, table A-8.
7 See footnote 7, table A-8.
8 Data include all nonsupervisory employees and working supervisors.

A-10: Indexes of Weekly Pay Rolls in Selected Nonmanufacturing Industries 1
[1939 average=100]

1948

An­
nual
aver­
age

1947

Industry group and industry

M in in g:2 8
Coal:
A n th racite_____ ______ _______ _________
Bitum inous_______________ _______ _____
M etaL . ______________________ _______ ____
Iron____ ______________ ______________
C o p p er___________ ____________________
Lead and zinc__________________________
Gold and silver_____ ________ __________
Miscellaneous_______ ________ __________
Quarrying and nonmetallic_________________
Crude petroleum and natural gas production4
Transportation and public utilities:
Class I steam railroads........................... ................
Street railways and busses 8_________________
T elephone.._______________ ______ ________
Telegraph 7_______ ______ ____ _____________
Electric light and power_________ ____ _____ _
Trade:8
Wholesale___ _______ _____________________
Retail— .......... ........................................ ................ .
Food__________________________________
General m erchandise..____ _____________
Apparel______________ _________________
Furniture and housefurnishings__________
Autom otive____________________________
Lumber and building materials____ _____
Service:
Hotels (year-round) 9_________ _______ ______
Power laundries2____ ______ _____ __________
Cleaning and d yein g2..............................................
1 See footnote 1, table A-8.
1 See footnote 2, table A-8.
• See footnote 3, table A-8.
‘ See footnote 4, table A-8.
•N o t available.


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

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

1943

247.3
352.9
212.6
366.8
248.1
199.2
54.1
406.7
342.4
235.6

259.4
366.8
209.8
355. 6
255.3
189.1
54.2
387. 5
340.7
251.0

192.7
293.8
202.2
333.1
242.4
193.2
55.2
383.0
322.3
240.8

246.0
344.2
208.2
345.0
232.9
238.1
54.2
360.7
321.7
227.1

246.2
344.3
206.1
336.3
232.6
238. 9
54.6
352.5
312.5
223.4

195.4
167.4
201.7
319.7
232.6
235.8
55.2
343.1
295.4
213.4

255.9
342.0
201.3
313.8
234.8
232.8
56.7
349.2
272.7
208.3

232.8
320.0
201.7
310.3
241.7
235.0
58.4
347.4
262.0
219.9

242.4
350. 5
198.9
302.7
238.0
228.1
56.4
348.4
272.8
215.5

239.4
345.8
198.8
301.1
236.5
231. 6
56.5
349.2
295.3
203.2

224.4
327.4
194.8
310.2
224.7
220.6
53.7
346.7
305.7
211.0

252.7
327.5
192.7
315.5
222.9
209.7
51.7
338.1
319.2
199.9

237.9
321.6
193.6
311.0
225.3
216.0
52.1
339.6
315.9
206.5

146.1
203.3
184.9
257.9
214.6
226.7
37.2
560.7
199.6
128.0

233.4
335.3
220.4
205.1

(5)

235.2
331.3
225.5
204.9

232.2
336.1
233.2
202.8

231.2
327.1
228.5
196.4

228.1
326.1
231.1
192.1

227.1
317.7
224.8
188.6

(5)

(5)
232.6
314.7
213.0
184.4

234.7
316.3
212.6
188.2

230.1
315.8
209.5
187.9

226.7
313.0
207.8
185.7

223.6
321.5
206.8
187.6

223.2
314.2
208.1
182.8

224.1
312.3
211.8
183.1

155.7
144.9
159.3
109 2

220.8
219.4
226.0
238.3
210.8
179.9
217.0
258.3

220.6
218.1
229.0
231.2
195.5
178.5
219.6
264.6

215.3
218.3
232.9
233.6
202.1
176.7
213.4
257.3

211.8
218.3
231.9
236.5
214.3
179.6
209.6
252.8

211.8
213.8
227.0
229.2
211.8
180.3
205.3
242.6

211.0
211.1
225.5
225.8
209.2
175.6
204.7
234.9

210.8
210.4
226.1
225.5
208.8
173.7
197.5
228.6

214.9
208.4
221.5
221.4
194.3
177.8
196.8
227.6

211.7
209.4
219.4
233. 0
198.8
174.5
193.9
228.0

213.9
237.6
221.5
314.0
248.8
192.9
204.2
238.1

213. 6
216.5
220.0
251.1
222. 7
177.3
198. 6
233.5

206.9
207.1
213.8
225.2
213.5
167.6
193.8
238.8

203.3
202.5
209.2
220.4
203.5
159.8
188.5
231.8

127.0
120.6
129.2
135.9
133.9
86.5
84.7
120.7

235.0
232.9
296.8

233.9
228.1
286.9

234.4
240.6
308.0

236.3
238.3
324.8

234.6
232.3
312.4

233.4
231.5
308.0

229.0
227.5
291.2

233.2
225.4
271.9

230.4
232.9
285.6

233.2
233.6
292.8

228.6
226.8
293.7

226.9
232.3
303.8

222.4
236.2
301.7

138.7
167.0
185.4

(9

(5)

«

(s)

(5)

m

(»)

(s)

(5)

(*)

(5)

6 See footnote 6, table A-8.
7 See footnote 7, table A-8.
8 See footnote 8, table A-9.
8
Money payments only; additional
value of board, room, uniforms, and
tips, not included.

548

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

MONTHLY LABOR

T able A -ll: Total Federal Employment by Branch and Agency Group 1
Execiitiv e J
Year and month

Legislative

All branches
Total

Defense
agencies *

Post Office
D epartm ent1

Judicial

All other
agencies

Government
corporations *

Total (including areas outside continental United States)
1939___ ____ __________
1943............ .............. ...........

968, 596
3,183, 235

935, 493
3,138,838

207, 979
2,304, 752

319,474
364, 092

408,040
469, 994

5,373
6,171

2, 260
2, 636

25,470
35, 590

1947: September......... .
October_________
N ovem ber.............
December_______

2,020,873
2,002, 385
2,006, 412
2, 229,164

1,980, 084
1, 962,042
1, 966, 339
2,189, 436

906,989
901,197
905, 251
894,855

425, 449
425, 005
429, 789
667, 912

647, 646
635, 840
631, 299
626,669

7,184
7,118
7,068
7,046

3,406
3,430
3,453
3,450

30,199
29. 795
29, 552
29,232

1948: January_____ ____
February________
March___________
April...... ..............
M a y ____________
J u n e... _________
July-------------------A ugust___________
September______

1,985, 792
*1, 992,166
*2,004,136
*2,020, 629
*2,038, 851
*2,053,854
2, 083, 942
2, 094,608
2,108, 284

1,946,076
*1, 952, 537
*1,964,337
*1,981,002
*1, 999, 238
*2,014,457
2, 044, 356
2,055, 418
2,068, 741

890, 719
895, 850
897, 917
903, 814
909, 885
916,864
919, 784
924, 555
933, 237

432, 920
*432, 700
*439, 521
*449, 264
*455, 711
*458, 248
471. 202
476,429
481, 615

622,437
623, 987
626, 899
627, 924
633, 642
639,345
653, 370
654, 434
653,889

7,046
7,101
7,217
7,186
7,257
7,308
7, 305
7,341
7,377

3,461
3, 470
3,462
3,461
3,468
3,459
3,477
3,495
3, 485

29,209
29, 058
29,120
28. 980
28. 888
28, 630
28, 804
28, 354
28, 681

Continental United States
1939___________________
1943___________________

926, 659
2,913, 534

897, 602
2,875,928

179, 381
2,057,696

318, 802
363, 297

399,419
454, 935

5, 373
6,171

2,180
2,546

21, 504
28,889

1947: September___ _
October. . . . ___
November______
December........ .......

1,781, 733
1, 764, 384
1, 771,360
2,005, 563

1,748, 530
1, 731,411
1, 738, 587
1, 973, 066

704, 575
699, 815
706, 418
708, 099

424,005
423, 473
428,252
665, 662

619, 950
608,123
603, 917
599,305

7,184
7,118
7, 068
7,046

3,334
3, 358
3, 381
3,377

22,685
22, 497
22,324
22,074

1948: January_________
February________
March______ ____
April........ ............ .
M a y ____________
June........................ .
J u lv .. ............. .......
August__________
Septem ber______

*1,763,299
*1,766,134
*1, 778, 502
*1,791,678
*1,808. 661
*1,823, 900
1,857,830
1, 875,130
1, 893, 249

*1, 730, 875
*1, 733, 702
*1, 745, 873
*1, 759, 098
*1,776,142
*1,791,498
1,825,196
1,842, 454
1,860, 651

704, 251
705. 792
708, 934
710, 991
717, 072
724,683
732, 217
742, 925
756, 512

*431, 393
*431,218
*437, 946
*447, 682
*454,126
*456,637
469, 609
474,806
479,984

595,231
596, 692
598, 993
600, 425
604,944
610, 178
623, 370
624, 723
624,155

7,046
7,101
7,217
7,186
7, 257
7,308
7, 305
7,341
7,377

3, 388
3, 396
3,388
3, 387
3,394
3,388
3,406
3,424
3,409

21,990
21, 935
22. 024
22, 007
21,868
21,706
21,923
21,911
21,812

1 Employment represents an average for the year or is as of the first of the
month. Data for the legislative and judicial branches and for all Govern­
ment corporations except the Panama R. R. Co. are reported directly to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for the executive branch and for the Pana­
ma R. R. Co. are reported through the Civil Service Commission but differ
from those published by the Civil Service Commission in the following
respects: (1) Exclude seamen and trainees who are hired and paid by private
steamship companies having contracts with the Maritime Commission,
included by Civil Service Commission starting January 1947; (2) exclude
substitute rural mail carriers, included by the Civil Service Commission since
September 1945; (3) include in December the additional postal employment
necessitated by the Christmas season, excluded from published Civil Service
Commission figures starting 1942; (4) include an upward adjustment to Post
Office Department employment prior to December 1943 to convert temporary
substitute employees from a full-time equivalent to a name-count basis,
the latter being the basis on which data for subsequent months have been
reported; (5) the Panama R. R. Co. is shown under Government corpora­
tions here, but is included under the executive branch by the Civil Service
Commission; (6) employment published by the Civil Service Commission
as of the last day of the month is presented here as of the first day of the next
month.
Data for Central Intelligence Agency are excluded starting August 1947.
s From 1939 through June 1943 employment was reported for all areas
monthly and employment within continental United States was secured by
deducting the number of persons outside the continental area, which was


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

estimated from actual reports as of January 1939 and 1940 and of July 1941
and 1943. From July 1943, through December 1946, employment within
continental United States was reported monthly and the number of persons
outside the country (estimated from quarterly reports) was added to secure
employment in all areas. Beginning January 1947, employment is reported
monthly both inside and outside continental United States.
3 Data for current months cover the following corporations: Federal Reserve
banks, mixed ownership banks of the Farm Credit Administration, and
the Panama R. R. Co. Data for earlier years include at various times the
following additional corporations: Inland Waterways Corporation, Spruce
Production Corporation, and certain employees of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation and of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,
Treasury Department. Corporations not included in this column are under
the executive branch.
4 Covers the National Military Establishment, Maritime Commission,
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, The Panama Canal, and
until their abolition or amalgamation with a peacetime agency, the agencies
created specifically to meet war and reconversion emergencies.
s For ways in which data differ from published figures of the Civil Service
Commission, see footnote 1. Employment figures include fourth-class post­
masters in all months. Prior to July 1945, clerks at third-class post offices
were hired on a contract basis and therefore, because of being private em­
ployees, are excluded here. They are included beginning July 1945, how­
ever, when they were placed on the regular Federal pay roll by congressional
action.
‘ Revised.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

549

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

T able A-12: Total Federal Pay Rolls by Branch and Agency Group 1
[In thousands]
E xecutive3
Year and month ’

All branches
Total

Defense
agencies 4

Post Office
D epartm ent8

All other
agencies

Legislative

Judicial

Government
corporations8

Total (including areas outside continental United States)
1939— .................................
I944;8__________________

$1, 757, 292
8,301, 111

$1, 692, 824
8, 206, 411

$357, 628
6,178,387

$586,347
864,947

$748, 849
1,163, 077

$14, 767
18,127

$6, 691
9,274

$43,010
67, 299

1947: September________
October....................
November_______
December......... .......

470, 515
481, 401
451, 502
531, 452

461,157
471, 938
442, 171
521, 924

201, 582
203, 892
192, 111
214,051

96, 485
99, 713
98,666
143, 537

163, 090
168,333
151,394
164,336

2,448
2,457
2,457
*2, 462

1,284
1,334
1,192
1,336

5,626
5, 672
5, 682
5,730

1948: January....................
February________
March.......................
April____________
M ay.........................
June_____________
Julv .........................
A ugust__________
September_______

483, 071
445,134
498, 325
477, 620
474, 725
505, 345
528, 437
546, 551
546,993

473, 466
435, 894
488, 676
468,100
465, 356
495, 792
518, 639
536, 652
537,165

211,495
191, 372
218, 706
204, 606
205, 912
225,440
223, 968
230,147
231,840

100, 395
98, 054
102,124
100, 894
100, 925
102, 653
121,677
122,320
123,040

161, 576
146, 468
167, 846
162, 600
158, 519
167, 699
172, 994
184,186
182,285

2,442
2,414
2, 499
2,482
2,469
2,536
2, 600
2, 695
2,662

1, 346
1,199
1,343
1,322
1,207
1, 279
1, 301
1.390
1,453

5,817
5, 627
5, 807
5, 716
5,693
*5, 738
5,897
5, 813
5, 713

Continental United States
1944 «____________ _____

$7,628,017

$7, 540, 825

$5,553,166

$862, 271

$1,125,388

$18,127

$8, 878

$60,187

1947: September_______
October__________
N ov em b er............ .
December________

430, 555
443, 408
414,020
*491, 727

421, 857
434. 545
405, 485
*482, 884

169, 441
173, 717
162, 219
*182,109

96,138
99, 356
98,313
143, 057

156, 278
161, 472
144, 953
*157, 718

2,448
2, 457
2,457
*2, 462

1,248
1,297
1,154
1,301

5,002
5,109
4,924
5, 080

1948: January__________
February_________
March___________
April____________
M ay_____________
June_____________
J u ly .____ ________
August__________
September_______

443, 259
408, 614
456, 878
439, 691
434. 657
461, 406
487,057
504,080
504,399

434,366
399, 975
447, 901
430, 845
426,011
452, 529
478, 016
494,839
495, 228

179, 395
161, 996
185, 284
174, 409
174,209
189, 974
191, 686
197,058
198,642

100, 052
97, 703
101, 765
100, 543
100, 570
102, 306
121, 263
121,906
122, 606

154, 919
140, 276
160, 852
155,893
151,232
160, 249
165, 067
175, 875
173,980

2,442
2,414
2,499
2, 482
2, 469
2, 536
2,600
2,695
2,662

1,309
1,165
*1,305
*1, 287
1,174
1,242
1,263
1,351
1, 414

5,142
5, 060
5,173
5, 077
5,003
5,099
5,178
5,155
5,095

1 Data are from a series revised June 1947 to adjust pay roils, which from
July 1945 until December 1946 were reported for pay periods ending during the
month, to cover the entire calendar month. Data for the executive branch
and for the Panama R. R. Co. are reported through the Civil Service Com­
mission. Data for the legislative and judicial branches and for all Govern­
ment corporations except the Panama R. R. Co. are reported directly to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for Central Intelligence Agency are
excluded starting July 1947.
3 From 1939 through M ay 1943, pay rolls were reported for all areas monthly.
Beginning June 1943, some agencies reported pay rolls for all areas and some
reported pay rolls for the continental area only. Pay rolls for areas outside
continental United States from June 1943 through November 1946 (except
for the National Military Establishment for which these data were reported
monthly during most of this period) were secured by multiplying employ­
ment in these areas (see footnote 2, table A -ll, for derivation of the employ-


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

ment) by the average pay per person in March 1944, as revealed in a survey
as of that date, adjusted for the salary increases given in July 1945 and July
1946. Beginning December 1946 pay rolls for areas outside the country are
reported monthly by most agencies.
8 See footnote 3, table A -ll.
1 See footnote 4, table A -ll.
8 Beginning July 1945, pay is included of clerks at third-class post offices
who previously were hired on a contract basis and therefore were private
employees and of fourth-class postmasters who previously were recompensed
by the retention of a part of the postal receipts. Both these groups were
placed on a regular salary basis in July 1945 by congressional action.
8 Data are shown for 1944, instead of 1943 as in the other Federal tables,
because pay rolls for employment in areas outside continental United States
are not available prior to June 1943.
‘ Revised.

550

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLLS

T able

MONTHLY LABOR

A-13: Total Government Employment and Pay Rolls in Washington, D. C., by Branch and
Agency Group 1
Federal

Year and month

District of
Total
Columbia
government Government

Executive
Total
All agencies

Defense
agencies 8

Post Office
Depart­
ment 3

All other
agencies

Legislative

Judicial

E m ploym ent4
1939_________ ____ ______________
1943........................................................

143, 548
300,914

13,978
*15, 874

129, 570
285, 040

123,773
278, 363

18, 761
144,319

5,099
8,273

99, 913
125, 771

5, 373
6,171

424
506

1947: September_________________
October. __________ ______ _
November_________________
December_________ ________

221,862
221,236
221, 481
224, 375

18, 074
18, 303
18,381
18,418

203,788
202, 933
203,100
205,957

196, 033
195,239
195, 448
198, 331

64, 651
64,505
64, 548
64, 715

7,120
7, 284
7, 281
10,156

124, 262
123, 450
123, 619
123, 460

7,184
7,118
7,068
7, 046

571
576
584
580

1948: January_______ ___________
February_________________ _
M a r c h ..______ ___________
April______________________
M ay.......... .................. ................
June_________ ____________
July---------------------------------A u g u st___________________
September____________ ____

221, 794
224, 517
226, 256
227,629
228,864
229, 526
233, 308
234,252
234, 715

18, 448
18, 625
18, 668
18, 628
18, 669
18,848
19, 294
18, 881
18, 474

203,346
205,892
207, 588
209,001
210,195
210,678
214,014
215, 371
216, 241

195, 714
198, 201
199, 784
201,227
202,350
202, 782
206,110
207, 438
208, 276

65,065
65,543
66,050
66, 635
67,212
67, 592
69, 056
70, 217
70,783

7, 258
7, 235
7, 412
7, 396
7, 380
7,387
7,499
7,486
7,551

123, 391
125, 423
126, 322
127,196
127, 758
127,803
129, 555
129,735
129, 942

7,046
7,101
7,217
7,186
7, 257
7,308
7. 305
7.341
7,377

586
590
587
588
588
588
599
592
588

Pay rolls (in thousands)
1939__________ ______
1943.............. ........................................

$305, 741
737, 792

$25, 226
32, 884

$280, 515
704,908

$264, 541
685, 510

$37,825
352, 007

$12, 524
20, 070

$214,192
313, 433

$14, 765
17, 785

$1,209
1, 613

1947: Septem ber........... ...................
October____________ ______ _
N ovem ber........................ .........
December.......................... .........

59,911
64, 467
59, 400
64, 111

4,382
4,496
4, 223
4, 570

55, 529
59,971
55,177
59, 541

52,876
57, 298
52, 525
56,861

16, 651
16,806
16,110
17,235

2,239
2,744
2, 606
3,135

33, 986
37, 748
33, 809
36,491

2,448
2, 457
2, 457
2, 462

205
216
195
218

1948: January__________ _____ ___
February________________ _
M arch.______________ _____
April...................... . . . . .
M ay_____ ____________ ____
June_____________ _________
J u ly ______________________
August_____ _____ _________
September ________________

63,295
57,991
65,336
62, 987
63,492
66, 658
67,208
71,359
72,307

4, 499
4, 281
4,518
4, 495
4,422
4, 561
3,461
3,480
4,576

58, 796
53, 710
60,818
58,492
59,070
62,097
63, 747
67, 879
67, 731

56,141
51,099
58,104
55, 799
56,400
59,350
60, 931
64, 956
64,840

16, 656
15,910
17,900
16,324
18,045
19,250
20,234
21,114
21, 070

2, 776
2,165
2, 340
2, 277
2,234
2,300
2,651
2,695
2,709

36, 709
33, 024
37, 864
37,198
36,121
37, 800
38,045
41,147
41,061

2,442
2,414
2,499
2, 482
2, 469
2, 536
2,600
2,695
2,662

213
197
215
211
201
211
216
228
229

1Data for the legislative and judicial branches and District of Columbia
Government are reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for the
executive branch are reported through the Civil Service Commission but
differ from those published by the Civil Service Commission iu the following
respects: (1) Include in December the temporary additional postal employ­
ment necessitated by the Christmas season, excluded from published Civil
Service Commission figures starting 1942; (2) include an upward adjustment
to Post Office Department employment prior to December 1943 to convert
temporary substitute employees from a full-time equivalent to a namecount basis, the latter being the basis on which data for subsequent months
have been reported; (3) exclude persons working without compensation or
for $1 a year or month, included by the Civil Service Commission from
June through November 1943; (4) employment published by the Civil
Service Commission as of the last day of the month is presented here as of
the first day of the next month.
Beginning January 1942, data for the executive branch cover, in addition to
the area inside the District of Columbia, the adjacent sections of Maryland
and Virginia which are defined by the Bureau of the Census as in the metro-


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

politan area. Data for Central Intelligence Agency are excluded starting
August 1947 for employment and July 1947 for pay rolls.
8 Covers the National Military Establishment, Maritime Commission,
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, The Panama Canal, and
until their abolition or amalgamation with a peacetime agency, the agencies
created specifically to meet war and reconversion emergencies.
8 For ways in which data differ from published figures of the Civil Service
Commission, see footnote 1.
4 Yearly figures represent averages. M onthly figures represent (1) the
number of regular employees in pay status on the first day of the month plus
the number of intermittent employees who were paid during the preceding
month for the executive branch, (2) the number of employees on the pay roll
with pay during the pay period ending just before the first of the month
for the legislative and judicial branches, and (3) the number of employees on
the pay roll with pay during the pay period ending on or just before the last
of the month for the District of Columbia Government.
*Revised.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER

1948

B: LABOR

551

T U R N -O V E R

T able A-14: Personnel and Pay in M ilitary Branch of Federal G overnm ent1
[In thousands]
Personnel (average for year or as of first of m on th )8

Type of pay

Year and month
Total

Army and
Air Forces *

Marine
Corps

N avy

Coast
Guard

Total

Fam ily al­ Leave pay­
Pay rolls 4 Musteringout pay * lowances •
ments 7

1939__________ ________ ______
1943____________________ ____

345
8, 944

192
6,733

124
1, 744

19
311

10
156

$331, 523
11,18R 079

$331, 523
10,148, 745

1947: September_____________
October________________
November____ ________
December___ ____ ______

1, 557
1,543
1,490
1,463

955
941
920
911

491
491
459
445

92
92
92
87

19
19
19
20

332,804
355, 961
309,705
300, 257

248, 928
271, 040
252,112
246,532

9,632
9, 954
9,117
13, 293

24,210
25,145
23,127
23,827

50, 034
49, 822
25,349
16,605

1948: Jan u a ry ..............................
February_______________
March_________________
April__________________
M ay__________________
June___________________
July----------------------------August_________________
September______________

1,422
1,419
1,422
1,417
1,419
1,439
1,463
1,514
1, 548

898
905
909
906
916
930
940
979
1,009

421
414
413
412
403
407
420
430
432

83
80
80
79
80
82
84
86
86

20
20
20
20
20
20
20
21
21

300,241
281,423
285,Oil
285, 210
*278, 967
277,368
276, 590
278, 234
292. 490

250, 953
240,493
242,969
247, 452
242, 292
243, 239
246,422
244.547
251,747

13,465
11,838
13,050
9, 751
*9,057
5, 756
2, 516
3, 955
9,365

23,454
23, 566
24,997
25, 414
25, 736
26,476
26,353
27,756
28,143

12,369
5,526
3,995
2,593
1,882
1,898
1,299
1,976
3, 235

i Except for Army personnel for 1939 which is from the Annual Report of
the Secretary of War, all data are from reports submitted to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics by the various military branches. Because of rounding,
totals will not necessarily add to the sum of the items shown.
3 Includes personnel on active duty, the missing, those in the hands of the
enemy, and those on terminal leave through October 1, 1947, when lump-sum
terminal-leave payments at time of discharge were started.
1 Prior to March 1944, data include persons on induction furlough. Prior
to June 1942 and after April 1945, Philippine Scouts are included.
4 Pay rolls are for personnel on active duty; they include payment of per­
sonnel w hile on terminal leave through September 1947. For officers this
applies to all prior periods and for enlisted personnel back to October 1,1946,
only. Beginning October 1, 1947, they include lump-sum terminal-leave
payments made at time of discharge. Coast Guard pay rolls for all periods
and Army pay rolls through April 1947 represent actual expenditures. Other
data represent estimated obligations based on an average monthly personnel

$1 Í139 334

count. Pay rolls for the N avy and Coast Guard include cash payments for
clothing-allowance balances in January, April, July, and October.
! Represents actual expenditures.
« Represents Government’s contribution. The men’s share is included in
the pay rolls.
7
Leave payments were authorized by Public Law 704 of the 79th Congress
and were continued by Public Law 254 of the 80th Congress to enlisted per­
sonnel discharged prior to September 1, 1946, for accrued and unused leave,
and to officers and enlisted personnel then on active duty for leave accrued
in excess of 60 days. Value of bonds (representing face value, to which in­
terest is added when bonds are cashed) and cash payments are included.
Lump-sum payments for terminal leave, which were authorized by Public
Law 350 of the 80th Congress, and which were started in October 1947, are
excluded here and included under pay rolls.
»Revised.

B : Labor Torn-Over
T able B - l : M onthly Labor Turn-Over Rates (Per 100 Employees) in M anufacturing Industries,
by Class of Turn-Over 1
Class of turn-over and year
Total accession:
1948___________________
1947___________________
1946 ________________ .
1943________ _____ _____
1939 3______ ____
Total separation:
1948___________________________
1947__________________________
1946_____________________ ___
1943....____ ___________ _____
1939 3_________________________
Q uit:4
1948________ ____ ______
1947____________________
1946 ________________________ .
1943___________________
1939 3________________
Discharge:
1948_______ ____ ________ ________ . .
1947__________________ __________
1946_________________________
1943____________ ____ ________
1939 3_________ ______
Lay-off:4
1948______________________________
1947___________ ____ ________________
1946 ____________________________ . .
1943..................... ........................
1939 3_______________________
Miscellaneous, including m ilitary:4
1948__________________________
1947____________________ ______ _________ .
1946____________________________ _________
1943_________________ _____ _____ _____

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

M ay

4.6
6.0
8.5
8.3
4.1

3.9
5.0
6.8
7.9
3.1

4.0
5.1
7.1
8.3
3.3

4.0
5.1
6.7
7.4
2.9

4.1
4.8
6.1
7.2
3.3

5. 7
5.5
6.7
8.4
3.9

4 7
4.9
7.4
7.8
4.2

25 0
5.3
7.0
7.6
5.1

5.9
7.1
7.7
6.2

5.5
6.8
7.2
5.9

4.8
5.7
6.6
4.1

3.6
4.3
5.2
2.8

4.3
4.9
6.8
7.1
3.2

4.2
4.5
6.3
7.1
2.6

4.5
4.9
6.6
7.7
3.1

4.7
5.2
6.3
7.5
3.5

4.3
5.4
6.3
6.7
3.5

4 5
4.7
5.7
7.1
3.3

4 4
4.6
5.8
7.6
3.3

25 y
5.3
6.6
8.3
3.0

5.9
6.9
8.1
2.8

5.0
6.3
7.0
2.9

4.0
4.9
6.4
3.0

3.7
4.5
6.6
3.5

2.6
3.5
4.3
4.5
.9

2.5
3.2
3.9
4.7
.6

2.8
3.5
4.2
5.4
.8

3.0
3.7
4.3
5.4
.8

2.8
3.5
4.2
4.8
.7

2 9
3.1
4.0
5.2
.7

2 9
3.1
4.6
5.6
.7

83 4
4.0
5.3
6.3
.8

4.5
5.3
6.3
1.1

3.6
4.7
5.2
.9

2.7
3.7
4.5
.8

2.3
3.0
4.4
.7

.4
.4
.5
.5

.4
.4
.5
.5
.1

.4
.4
.4
.6
.1

.4
.4
.4
.5
.1

.3
.4
.4
.6
.1

4
.4
.3
.6
.1

4
.4
.4
.7

2 4
.4

.4

.4
.4

.4
.4
.6
.2

.4
.6

1.2

1.2
1.0
1.4
2.6

1.1
1.4
1.5
.5
2.7

1. 1
1.1
1.2
.5
2. 5

I 0
1.0
.6
.5
2. 5

2 12
.8

2.2

1.7
.5
1.9

1.2
.9
1.8
.6
2.2

.5
2.1

.9
1.0
.5
1.6

.9
1.0
.5
1.8

2.0

.9
1.0
1.0
2. 7

.1
.1
.2
1.4

.1
.1
.2
1.4

.1
.1
.2
1.2

.1
.1
.2

.1
.1
.2

.1
.1
.2
.8

JL
.i
.2

2A
.i
.2
.8

.1
.2
.7

.1
.2
.7

.1
.1
.6

.1
.1
.6

.1

1.2
.9
1.8
.7

.8

1 Month-to-month changes in total employment in manufacturing indus­
tries as indicated by labor turn-over rates are not precisely comparable to
those shown by the Bureau's employment and pay-roll reports, as the former
are based on data for the entire month, while the latter, for the most part,
refer to a 1-week period ending nearest the 15th of the month. The
turn-over sample is not so extensive as that of the employment and pay-roll
survey—proportionately fewer small plants are included; printing and pub­
lishing, and certain seasonal industries, such as canning and preserving, are


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

.6

1 .0

.8

June

July

.1

.8

Aug.

.4

.7
.1

.7

Sept.

.4
.6
.1

Oct.

.6

.2

N ov.

.8
.7
.7

Dec.

.4
.1

not covered. Plants on strike are also excluded. See N ote, table B-2.
8 Preliminary figures.
3 Prior to 1943, rates relate to wage earners only.
4 Prior to September 1940, miscellaneous separations were included with
quits.
e Including temporary, indeterminate (of more than 7 days’ duration),
and permanent lay-offs.

MONTHLY LABOR

B: LABOR TURN-OVER

552

T a b l e B -2: M onthly Labor Turn-Over R ates (Per 100 Employees) in Selected In d u strie s1
Separation
Total accession

Aug.®
1948
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Durable goods..................... ............................... - ..................
Nondurable goods ...... ........................... ...........................

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

Miscellaneous,
including
military

Lay-ofl

Discharge

Quit

Total

Industry

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

July
1948

5.0
4.9

4.6
4.8

5.4
4.7

4.4
4.2

3.5
3.3

2.9
2.8

0.4
.3

0.4
.3

1.3
1.0

0.9
1.0

0.2
.1

0.2
.1

Iron and steel and their products------------------- --------Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling mills ____
Gray-iron castings__________ _________________ Malleable-iron castings..................................................
Steel castings________________________ _________
Cast-iron pipe and fittings.......... .................................
T in cans and other tinware................ - ............ ...........
Wire products......... - ......................................................
Cutlery and edge tools------------------- -----------------Tools (except edge tools, machine tools, files, and
saws)------ ----------------------------- ---------------------Hardware----------- ----- -- -------------- --------- .............
Stoves, oil burners, and heating equipment--------Steam and hot-water heating apparatus and
steam fittings______________________ ____ ____
Stamped and enameled ware and galvanizing____
Fabricated structural-metal products.....................
Bolts, nuts, washers, and rivets............................
Forgings, iron and steel.............................. ...............

4.7
3.7
6.2
6.4
5.8
4.6
11.0
3.4
5.4

4.1
3.6
5.0
5.4
4.5
3.9
10.0
3.8
2.8

4.5
4.0
5.8
6.0
4.7
3.4
9.1
3.7
3.4

3.4
2.8
5.0
6.7
4.3
4.1
4.9
3.0
3.4

3.5
3.3
4.4
5.0
3.7
3.0
6.6
2.2
2.2

2.6
2.3
3.7
4.5
3.4
3.4
3.6
2.3
2.1

.4
.3
.7
.5
.5
.2
1.7
.4
.3

.3
.2
.7
.6
.6
.3
.9
.3
.5

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

.3
.1
.5
1.4
.1
.3
.2
.2
.7

.2
.3
.1
.2
.1
.1
.1
.2
.1

.2
.2
.1
.2
.2
.1
.2
.2
.1

3.0
3.8
7.2

2.2
3.7
5.9

3.6
4.5
5.1

2.7
4.8
4.3

2.4
3.6
3.7

1.8
3.2
3.0

.4
.5
.4

.3
.4
.4

.8
.3
.8

.5
1.0
.8

.1
.2

.1
.2
.1

5.5
5.2
5.4
3.0
5.1

3.2
5.9
3.8
2.2
3.6

4.3
6.3
4.4
3.1
3.8

4.7
4.7
3.4
2.9
3.0

3.0
4.2
2.4
2.3
2.5

3.2
3.4
2.2
1.8
1.9

.7
.5
.4
.4
.5

.4
.4
.4
.2
.3

.6
1.4
1.5
.2
.6

1.0
.7
.7
.7
.7

.2
.1
.2
.2

.1
.2
.1
.2
.1

__ _______________
Blentrioal manhinery ____
Electrical equipment for industrial u s e ..................
Radios, radio equipment, and phonographs............
Communication equipment, except radios_______

3.5
1.9
6.4
1.8

2.6
2.0
3.8
1.1

3.4
2.0
4.4
2.7

3.0
2.2
3.9
2.3

2.2
1.2
3.0
2.0

1.7
1.2
2.5
1.3

.2
.1
.5
.1

.2
.1
.3
.1

.9
.5
.8
.5

1.0
.7
1.0
.8

.1
.2
.1
.1

.1
.2
.1
.1

Machinery, except electrical................................. ..............
Engines and turbines____________ _______ ______
Agricultural machinery and tractors....................—
Machine tools_______ ____ _____ ____ ____ - ...........
Machine-tool accessories----------------------------------Metalworking machinery and equipment, not
elsewhere classified... ---------- ----------------------General industrial machinery, except pumps_____
Pumps and pumping equipment----------- ------------

3.3
4.9
3.4
2.2
3.2

3.0
4.0
3.7
2.4
2.5

4.2
6.0
6.1
2.5
3.6

3.3
4.1
4.3
2.2
2.7

2.6
2.1
3.3
1.6
2.0

2.1
2.0
3.0
1.4
1.6

.3
.4
.3
.3
.4

.3
.4
.4
.2
.2

l.i
3.3
2.2
.5
l.i

.7
1.6
.6
.4
.8

.2
.2
.3
.1
.1

.2
.1
.3
.2
.i

3.0
3.7
2.6

3.0
3.0
2.2

4.0
3.6
3.4

2.5
2.9
3.4

2.8
2.7
2.0

2.0
2.0
1.4

.4
.4
.4

.3
.3
.3

.6
.3
.9

.1
.5
1.6

.2
.2
.1

.1
,i
.i

Transportation equipment, except automobiles______
Aircraft______________________________________
Ail-craft parts, including engines________________
Shipbuilding and repairs_______ _____ __________

6.4
5.9
3.1
8.8

6.6
5.7
3.1
9.7

6.7
3.8
2.1
12.9

6.5
4.9
2.7
12.1

2.7
2.9
1.4
2.7

2.5
2.8
1.4
2.7

.4
.3
.2
.6

.4
.3
.3
.7

3.4
.5
.5
9.5

3.5
1.6
.9
8.6

.2
.1
.1

.1
.2
.1
.1

Automobiles . _. ________ _ . . . ----------- ---------Motor vehicles, bodies, and trailers_____________
Motor-vehicle parts and accessories_____________

5.6
5.5
5.9

5.7
5.6
5.9

8.1
9.1
5.9

5.0
5.1
5.1

3.8
3.9
3.6

3.3
3.6
2.6

.6
.5
.6

.5
.5
.7

3.5
4.5
1.5

1.0
.8
1.6

.2
.2
.2

.2
.2
.2

Nonferrous metals and their produ cts--------------------Primary smelting and refining, except aluminum
and magnesium______ ______ _
____________
Rolling and drawing of copper and copper alloys..
Lighting equipment.......................................................
Nonferrous-metal foundries, except aluminum
and magnesium__________ _______ ___________

5.0

4.1

4.3

3.6

2.9

2.4

.5

.4

.8

.7

.1

.1

3.5
3.7
0

3.0
3.3
4.9

3.4
2.5
0

2.5
2.2
3.3

2.1
1.8
0

1.6
1.8
2.2

.7
.4

.5
.2
.5

.3
.2
(4)

.2
.1
.6

.3
.1

.2
.1

6.7

4.3

4.9

3.8

3.7

2.9

.6

.4

.5

.3

.1

.2

Lumber and timber basic products...................................
Sawmills............................... ...........................................
Planing and plywood mills...........................................

7.1
7.4
5.2

7.1
6.3
4.5

7.1
7.1
6.1

6.3
5.4
4.3

5.8
5.9
4.6

5.1
4.5
2.9

.4
.5
.3

.4
.4
.3

.8
.7
1.1

.7
.4
.9

.1
.1

.1
.1
.2

Furniture and finished lumber products.........................
Furniture, including mattresses and bedsprings...

7.7
8.0

6.1
6.3

6.6
6.6

6.7
6.7

5.1
5.2

4.4
4.4

.6
.7

.5
.5

.8
.6

1.7
1.7

.1
.1

.1
.1

Stone, clay, and glass products...................... ...................
Glass and glass products................... ............. ............
Cement______ _______________________ ____ _
Brink, tile, and terra notta
Pottery and related products.......................................

4.7
5.1
4.2
5.8
6.4

4.2
4.0
4.0
5.3
5.4

4.6
5.4
5.0
5.2
4.7

3.7
3.6
3.8
4.7
3.7

3.0
2.3
3.8
4.3
3.6

2.5
2.0
3.0
3.6
3.0

.4
.3
.7
.5
.5

.4
.2
.5
.8.
.4 1

1.0
2.6
.3
.2
.5

.6
1.2
.1
.2
.2

.2
.2
.2
.2
.1

.2
.2
.2
.1
.1

Durable goods

See footnotes at end of table.


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0

0

0

0

0

0

0

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

B: LABOR TURN-OVER

553

T able B-2: M onthly Labor Turn-Over R ates (Per 100 Employees) in Selected Industries 1—Continued
Separation
Total accession
Total

Industry
Aug.2
1948

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

4.6
4.9
4.4
4.5
3.5
7.5
5.6

4.3
4.7
4.2
3.7
2.7
6.2
4.7

3.2
3.7
3.0
2.3
3.1
3.8
3.3

Aug.2
1948

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

2.8
3.4
3.0
1.9
2.2
3.2
3.0

0.3
.4
.3
.3
.2
.1
.3

0.3
.4
.3
.2
.2
.1
.3

1.0
.7
.9
1.7
.1
3.4
1.9

July
1948

Miscellaneous,
including
military

Lay-ofi

Discharge

Quit

July
1948

Aug.2
1948

July
1948

M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Nondurable goods
1.0
.8
.8
1.3
.2
2.4
1.3

0.1
.1
.2
.2
.1
.2
.1

0.2
.1
.1
.3
.1
.5
.1

Textile-mill products........................................................... .
C otton ,,. ..................................................................
Silk and rayon goods__________________________
Woolen and worsted, except dyeing and finishing,Hosiery, full-fashioned.................. ..............................
Hosiery, seamless_____________ _____ _____ _____
Knitted underwear.......................................................
Dyeing and finishing textiles, including woolen
and worsted________________________________

4.3
4.9
4.5
3.3
3.8
5.2
3.2

3.7
4.1
4.2
4.5
3.1
3.8
3.2

2.3

2.0

3.3

2.7

1.6

1.4

.3

.4

1.3

.7

.1

Apparel and other finished textile products_________
M en’s and boys’ suits, coats, and overcoats _____
Men's and boys’ furnishings, work clothing, and
allied garments ____ ______ _________________

6.1
4.3

5.4
4.6

5.7
3.9

4.6
3.7

4.5
3.4

3.4
2.3

.3
.2

.2
.1

.8
.2

1.0
1.3

.1
.1

7.3

4.3

6.9

4.3

5.3

3.9

.2

.1

1.4

.3

Leather and leather products.................................... .
Leather______ ____ ___ _______________________
Boots and shoes_________ _____________________

4.5
3.3
4.8

4.7
3.2
4.9

4.8
2.9
5.0

4.3
2.9
4.5

3.8
2.0
4.1

3.4
2.0
3.7

.3
.2
.3

.2
.2
.2

.6
.6
.5

.6
.6
.5

.1
.1
.1

.1
.1
.1

Food and kindred products...............................................
M eat products _______ _________________ _____ _
Grain-mill products........................................................

6.7
5.7
7.5

7.1
7.2
8.7

6.8
8.3
6.2

6.5
7.6
5.4

4.0
4.2
5.0

3.7
3.5
4.1

.5
.7
.5

.7
.9
.6

2.2
3.2
.6

1.9
2.9

.1

.6

.2
.1

.2
.3
.1

Tobacco manufactures................... ..................................

6.6

3.8

4.5

3.6

3.7

3.0

.2

.2

.5

.3

.1

.1

Paper and allied products____ ____________________
Paper and p u lp .______________________________
Paper boxes............. ....................... ..................... .........
HSjfW "4
Chemicals and allied products......................... ..................
Paints, varnishes, and colors___________________
Rayon and allied products_____________________
Industrial chemicals, except explosives._________

4.0
3.2
6.2

3.9
3.3
5.1

3.8
3.3
5.1

3.1
2.6
4.3

3.0
2.6
4.2

2.4
1.9
3.4

.4
.3
.5

.3
.3
.4

.3
.3
.3

.3
.3
.3

.1
.1
.1

.1
.1
.2

2.2
2.8

2.4
3.0
1.5
2.7

2.0
2.3
1.3
2.2

1.6
2.2
1.1
1.8

1.3
1.5
1.0
1.4

.3
.3

.2
.3

.3

.4
.4
.2
.4

.4
.4
.1
.4

.1
.1

.4

.1

2.4

2.2
2.6
1.9
2.2

.1

1.6

.1

.1
.1
.1
.1

Products of petroleum and coal____________________
Petroleum refining_________________ _________

1.3
1.0

1.5
1.3

1.2
1.0

1.1
.9

.9
.7

.7
.5

.1
.1

.1
.1

.1
.1

.1
.1

.1
.1

.2
.2

Rubber products_______________________ ________
Rubber tires and inner tubes _________________
Rubber footwear and related products__________
Miscellaneous rubber industries________ ____ ___

2.1

3.5

3.0
2.0
4.4
4.0

2.8
2.1
3.2
4.1

2.2
1.4
3.7
2.8

2.0
1.4
2.7
2.9

.2
.1
.2
.4

.2
.2

6.9
4.2

2.9
2.3
3.6
3.9

.1
.3

.4
.3
.3
.7

.4
.3
.1
.7

.2
.2
.2
.1

.2
.2
.3
.2

Miscellaneous ind ustries.._______ ___________ ____ _

3.6

4.0

2.7

2.7

1.9

1.7

.2

.2

.4

.7

.2

.1

5.6
3.3

5.4
3.4
m
10.7

5.2
2.8
5.5
8.1

4.5
3.1

(9

.4
.1
.3
1.0

.2
(3)
.7

.4
(3)
.2
1.9

.1
.2

8.0

4.1
2.3
4.8
5.1

.6
.1

12.0

4.7
2.4
5.3
7.2

.3
.4
.2
.1

1.7
3.6

1.7
4.4

1.8
3.4

2.0
3.4

1.5
2.8

1.6
3.0

(9
.1

.2
.4

.3
.2

1.9
1.4

(9
(9

.1

(9

.2
(3)

(9
(9

N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G
M etal mining_____________________________________
Iron-ore______________________________________
Copper-ore____________________________________
Lead- and zinc-ore_____________________________
Coal mining:
Anthracite____________________ __________ . . .
Bituminous___ ___________ _____ ____________
Public utilities:
Telephone_____________ ________ _______ ______ _
Telegraph. _______ ___________________________

(9

(9
(9

3.2
1.8

«

(9

1 Since January 1943 manufacturing firms reporting labor turn-over infor­
mation have been assigned industry codes on the basis of current products.
M ost plants in the employment and pay-roll sample, comprising those which
were in operation in 1939, are classified according to their major activity at
that time, regardless of any subsequent change in major products. Labor
turn-over data, beginning in January 1943, refer to wage and salary workers.

2.2
2.1

(9

(9
(9

1.9

(3)

.1
.1
.1

(9

(9
(9

.1
.5

.1

.1

.1

(9
(9

.1
.1
.1
.1

Employment information for wage and salary workers is available for major
manufacturing industry groups (table A-3); for individual industries these
data refer to production workers only (table A-5).
2 Preliminary figures.
8 Less than n.05.
* N ot available.

N ote : Explanatory notes outlining briefly the concepts, sources, size of the reporting sample,
and methodology used in preparing the data presented in tables B - l and B -2 are contained in
the Bureau’s monthly mimeographed release, “Labor Turn-Over,” which is available upon request.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

(9

554

0: EARNIN 0 8 AND HOURS

MONTHLY LABOR

C: Earnings and Hours
T a b l e C - l: Hours and Gross Earnings in M anufacturing and Nonm anufacturing In d u strie s1
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Iron and steel and their products
All manufacturing

Durable goods

Nondurable goods
Total: Iron and steel
and their products

Year and month
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­
ings hours

Blast furnaces, steel
works, and rolling
mills

Gray-iron and semi­
steel castings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings hours
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­
ings
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

1939: Average....... . . $23.86
1941: January_____ 26.64

37.7
39.0

Cents
63.3 $26.50
68.3 30. 48

38.0
40.7

Cents
69.8 $21. 78
74.9 22. 75

37.4
37.3

Cents
58.2 $27. 52
61.0 31.07

37.2
40.4

Cents
73.9 $29. 88
76.9 33.60

35.3
38.7

Cents
84.5 $25.93
86.9 30. 45

37.1
41.2

Cents
69.9
73.9

1947: A ugust-..........
September___
October.........
November___
December___

49.17
50. 47
51.05
51.29
52.69

39.8
40.4
40.6
40.4
41.2

123.6
124.9
125.8
126.8
127.8

52.46
54.06
54.69
54.86
56. 48

40.0
40.6
40.9
40.7
41.7

131.2
133.1
133.7
134.6
135. 4

45. 78
46.80
47.29
47. 56
48.72

39.5
40.2
40.2
40.1
40.8

115.8
116.5
117.5
118.5
119.6

54. 53
56.21
56. 61
56.93
58.13

39.6
40.3
40.5
40.5
41.2

137.6
139.6
139.7
140.4
141.2

58.25
58.96
58.56
59. 52
60.01

39.2
39.0
39.0
39.4
39.5

148.8
151.3
150.2
151.0
151.9

53. 77
56.86
56.66
55. 51
58.16

40.3
41.7
41.9
40.9
42.5

133.5
137.1
136.5
135.9
136.8

1948: January...........
February........
M arch_______
April________
M a y........ .........
June.......... .......
July................._
August______

52.07
51.75
52.07
51.79
51.86
52. 85
53. 01
54.12

40.5
40.2
40.4
40.1
39.9
40.2
39.8
40.1

128.5
128.7
128.9
129.2
130.1
131. 6
133.3
134.9

55. 46
54. 77
55.25
54. 96
54.81
56.13
56. 33
58.34

40.9
40.5
40.9
40.5
40.1
40. 5
40.0
40.7

135.5
135.2
135.2
135. 7
136.6
138.5
140.8
143.2

48.45
48. 56
48. 66
48.33
48. 65
49. 37
49. 50
49.80

40.0
39.9
39.9
39.6
39.6
39.8
39.5
39.5

121.0
121.7
122.0
122.0
123.0
124.2
125. 2
126.2

57. 43
56.99
57.28
56. 49
57. 39
57.70
57. 67
60.64

40.6
40.4
40.6
39.9
40.3
40.3
39. 6
40.4

141.4
140.9
141.2
141.6
142.3
143.1
145.7
150.2

60.58
59. 74
59. 26
58.37
60. 54
59. 54
60. 37
65.10

39.5
39.5
39.4
38.6
39.9
39.3
38.7
39.6

153.3
151.3
151.0
151.3
151.5
151.5
155. 9
164.2

57.31
57.24
58.47
56.39
55.15
57.85
56. 66
58.08

41.6
41.2
41.8
40.2
39.3
40.7
39.8
40.4

137.9
139.0
140.1
140.4
140.3
142.2
142.6
143.8

Iron and steel and their products—Continued
Malleable-iron
castings

Steel castings

Cast-iron pipe and
fittings

T in cans and other
tinware

Cutlery and edge
tools

Wirework

1939: Average_____ $24.16
1941: January_____ 28.42

36.0
40.2

Cents
67.1 $27. 97
70.7 32. 27

36.9
41.4

Cents
75.9 $21. 33
78.0 25. 42

36.4
40.5

Cents
58.1 $23.61
62.6 25.31

38.8
39.8

Cents
61.1 $25. 96
63.9 28. 27

38.1
39.7

Cents
68.3 $23.11
71.2 25.90

39.1
40.5

Cents
60.1
65.2

1947: A u g u st..........
September___
O ctober____
November___
December___

51.68
55.66
57. 7Î
58.06
59.18

37.7
40.3
41.2
41.2
41.8

137.2
139.0
141.1
141.1
141.4

54.71
56.50
58.15
58. 73
60.05

39.1
39.9
40.7
41.0
41.6

139.9
141.5
142.9
143.4
144.3

46. 79
48. 34
49. 60
48. 93
50.98

39.9
40.5
41.4
40.7
42.2

118.4
118.4
119.8
120.1
120.6

53. 57
55. 28
53.74
52.16
53. 92

42.5
43.4
42.5
41.1
42.5

125.9
127.5
127.0
126.8
126.5

51. 45
53.70
54. 35
56.10
57. 83

39.6
40.3
41.0
42.0
42.6

130.0
132.3
132.6
133.5
135.6

46. 56
49.20
49. 57
50.48
50.26

40.2
42.2
42.1
42.3
42.0

115.8
117.1
117.5
119.2
119.7

1948: January..........
February____
March______
April________
M ay........ .........
June________
July_________
A u g u s t-........

59.03
57.44
57. 79
56. 77
57.21
57.46
57. 37
59.44

41.5
40.8
40.8
39.8
40.4
40.1
39.9
40.2

142.0
140.5
141.4
142.4
141.5
143.0
144.1
147.2

59. 48
58. 52
59.88
60.13
60.49
61.60
58.71
61.79

41.1
40.5
41.3
41.2
41.3
41.7
40.0
41.4

144.6
144.5
145.0
145. 8
146.3
147.9
146.7
149.2

49.67
50.42
50.21
48.52
51.07
52. 74
51.94
52.84

40.4
40.3
40.1
38.5
40.2
40.9
40. 5
40.6

122.5
125.0
124.8
125.8
127.1
128.8
128.1
130.2

51.45
50.44
49.76
49. 65
50.98
53. 04
56. 99
57.04

40.7
40.1
39.8
39.8
40.2
41.0
42.0
41.6

126.3
126.3
125.1
125.0
127.3
129.5
136.2
136.7

56. 36
55. 47
55. 70
54. 96
55.11
55. 82
57. 36
58.11

41.8
41.1
41.0
40.4
40.5
40.6
40.0
40.3

134.7
134.9
135.5
136.0
136.7
137.3
142. 2
144.3

49. 91
50.09
50. 20
49.90
50.22
50. 36
50. 05
51.83

41.8
41.6
41.5
41.4
41.2
41.4
40.4
41.5

119.2
119.3
120.7
120.5
121.7
121.6
123.5
124.5

Iron and steel and their products—Continued
Tools (except edge
tools,
machine
tools, files, and
saws)

Hardware

Plumbers’ supplies

Stoves, oil burners,
and heating equip­
ment, not else­
where classified

Steam
and hotwater heating ap­
paratus and steam
fittings

Stamped and enam­
eled ware and gal­
vanizing

1939: Average......... . $24. 49
1941: Januarv....... - 29. 49

39.7
44.7

Cents
61.8 $23.13
66.2 25.24

38.9
40.9

Cents
59.3 $25. 80
62.1 27.13

38.2
39.0

Cents
67.6 $25. 25
69.6 26.07

38.1
38.7

Cents
66.6 $26.19
67.8 30.98

37.6
42.5

Cents
69.7 $23. 92
73.2 26. 32

38.1
39.4

Cents
62.7
66.5

1947: A ugust______ 50.10
September___ 52. 39
October........... 52. 47
November___ 52. 97
December___ 54. 44

41.0
42.2
42.1
42.2
43.0

122.1
124.3
124.8
125.5
126.6

48.19
50. 43
51.22
51.58
52.55

40.2
41.3
41.7
41.6
42.2

121.0
122.2
122.8
123.3
124.5

49. 93
52. 38
54. 65
56. 42
57.00

38.9
40.0
40.7
41.4
41.6

128.5
131.0
134.3
136.4
137.0

49.75
53. 32
55.15
53. 39
56. 22

39.0
40.9
41.6
40.1
42.0

127.5
130.5
132.6
133.1
133.9

50. 60
54. 54
55. 46
57.64
58. 66

38.1
40.4
41.1
41.8
42.2

132.9
135.2
135.0
138.0
138.9

50. 40
51. 72
52.40
52.81
54. 72

39. 5
39.9
40. 4
40.5
41.5

127.6
129.7
129.8
130.5
132.0

1948: January_____
February____
March..............
April................
M a y .................
June.................
July_________
August______

42.6
42.3
42.6
41.9
41.6
42.1
41.2
42.2

127.3
127.8
128.7
129.3
129.9
130.8
131.4
134.2

53.29
52.79
52.63
52.05
50.84
51.66
49. 64
52. 67

42.4
42.3
42.0
41.6
40.4
40.6
38.7
40.6

125.6
124.9
125.2
125.1
125.3
127.0
128.4
129.8

55. 61
55. 26
56. 54
56. 27
56.93
56. 51
56.48
58.12

40.8
40.4
41.2
40.6
41.0
40.4
40.2
40.7

136.5
136.7
137.4
138.6
138.8
140.1
140.5
142.9

54. 24
54.59
54.12
54.34
54.18
55. 95
55.26
57.04

40.3
40.2
40.1
39.9
39.7
40.2
39.7
40.5

134.5
135.8
135.2
136.3
136.6
139.2
139.2
141.1

54. 87
57.07
56. 53
56.13
56. 90
57. 68
59.42
59.68

40.3
41.3
40.9
40.7
40.7
40.7
41.0
40.7

136.3
138.3
138.0
137.8
139.6
141.8
144.8
146.6

53. 65
52.42
52. 78
52. 93
53.75
53.54
52. 62
54.80

40.7
40.0
40.3
40.1
40.3
40. 2
38.6
39.8

131.9
131.1
131.1
132.1
133.2
133.0
136.3
137.8

54. 24
54.02
54.68
54.15
54.01
54.96
54.11
56. 53

See footnotes at end of table,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

R E V I E W , N O V E M B E R 1948

555

T able C - l : Hours and Gross Earnings in M anufacturing and Nonm anufacturing Industries 1—Con.
M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Iron and steel and their products—Continued

Year and month

Fabricated stru c­
tural and orna­
mental metalwork
Avg.
w kly. wAvg.
kly.
earn­ hours
ings

M etal doors, sash,
frames, molding,
and trim

Bolts, nuts, wash­
ers, and rivets

Forgings, iron and
steel

S c r e w - m a c h in e
p r o d u cts and
wood screws

Steel barrels, kegs,
and drums

Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ Wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ w kly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ Wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ w kly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly.
earn­ earn­ w kly.
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Cents

Cents

Cents

1939: Average_____ $27.95
1941: January........... 31.01

38.6
41.8

Cents
72.7
74.3

1947: August-..........September___
October............
November___
December........

55.64
55. 87
57.60
57.31
58.81

41.7
41.6
42.6
42.0
42.7

133.4 $54.12
134.4 55. 75
135.2 56. 48
136.8 57.11
137.8 58. 97

41.2
42.0
42.0
42.7
43.5

1948: January...........
February.........
M arch_______
April________
M a y ..................
June..................
July________
A ugust----------

55.76
55.31
56.15
55. 77
57.16
57.84
55. 39
59.92

41.1
40.9
41.1
40.8
41.2
41.2
39.4
41.1

135.6
135.3
137.1
136.5
138.8
139. 5
139.8
144.7

42.0
41.7
41.1
41.2
41.0
42.7
40.4
41.9

56.49
55,88
57.35
57. 97
58. 56
61.49
57.93
61.71

$26.04
29.58

37.7
41.9

Cents
69.0 $29. 45
70.6 36.75

38.4
45.0

Cents
76.7
81.8

131.5
132.8
134.4
133.9
135.4

52.45
53.08
56. 52
55. 98
57. 79

40.0
40.2
42.1
41.3
42.5

131.0
131.7
133.9
135.3
135.9

57.42
62.38
65.64
65.00
67.20

38.7
40.9
41.8
41.4
42.2

148.4 $52.38
152.6 53.91
156.9 55.02
157.2 54. 55
159.1 56.77

40.8
41.9
42.1
41.6
43.0

128.4 $53.38
128.5 55.08
130.6 52.13
131.1 53. 81
131.9 57.08

40.3
40.7
39.4
40.8
42. 5

132.4
135.3
132.2
132.0
134.4

134.6
134.2
138.5
139.2
141.2
143.9
143. 5
147.3

55.68
67. 38
59. 20
58. 44
57. 88
58. 76
57. 37
60.97

40.6
42.0
43.1
42.5
42.2
42.3
41. 5
42.5

136.9
136.4
137.2
137.5
137.1
138.6
138.3
144.0

65. 74
65. 51
64.42
63.10
62.64
64.74
63. 44
66. 59

41.6
41.4
40.8
40.0
40.0
40.7
40.0
40.4

158.1
158.3
157.9
157.7
156.6
158.0
158.5
164.7

56. 54
56.62
56.99
56.30
56.06
55. 65
55. 68
56. 35

42.7
42.8
42.9
42.4
42.1
41.9
41.3
41.3

132.4
132.4
132.7
132.7
133.1
132.8
135.0
136.6

41.0
38.2
39.5
39 2
40.4
40.5
38.6
39.9

135.6
134.3
134.4
136.1
136.9
136.9
138.1
146.2

Iron and steel and
their products—
Continued

Machinery, except
electrical

Electrical machinery

Total: Electrical
machinery

Firearms

Electrical equipment

55.31
51.35
53.16
53. 49
55. 31
55. 41
53.24
58.39

Radios and phono­
graphs

Communication
equipment

Total: Machinery,
except electrical

1939: Average_____ $27.28
1941: January-------- 35.09

41.3
48.6

Cents
66.0 $27.09
72.2 31.84

38.6
42.4

Cents
70.2 $27.95
75.1 33.18

38.7
43.4

Cents
72.2 $22. 34
76.5 24.08

38.5
38.2

Cents
58.1 $28. 74
63.2 32.47

38.3
41.4

Cents
75.1 $29.27
78.4 34.36

39.3
44.0

Cents
74.6
78.1

1947: August---------September___
October........ ...
November___
December____

56. 65
58. 51
57.90
58.53
60.01

40.8
41.8
41.2
41.1
42.0

138.9
140.1
140.5
142.4
142.9

51.53
53. 46
54.10
54.32
55.34

39.2
40.4
40.6
40.6
41.1

131.4
132.5
133.1
133.9
134.6

53.50
55.05
55.35
55.76
56. 99

39.6
40.5
40.6
40.6
41.2

135.0
136.0
136.4
137.4
138.4

44.29
47.24
47. 98
47. 61
48. 59

38.0
40.0
40.2
39.8
40.4

116.7
118.2
119.3
119.7
120.3

51.18
53. 66
55.81
55.94
56.15

38.9
40.2
41.4
41.4
41.7

131.6
133.5
135.0
135.2
134.8

55. 74
57.36
57.87
57.92
59.67

40.5
41.1
41.3
41.2
42.2

137.7
139.5
140.0
140.4
141.3

1948: January............
February.........
M arch.............
April________
M a y ________
June________
July....... ...........
August______

59.88
60.80
62. 33
61.16
61.42
63.10
63.06
61.73

41.8
42.1
42.7
41.8
41.9
42.1
42.4
42.1

143.4
144.6
146.0
146.3
146.6
148.9
148.9
146.8

54.82
54.50
54. 41
53.86
53. 70
54. 86
55.46
57.47

40.5
40.4
40.3
39.9
39.6
40.0
39.4
39.9

135.2
134.8
135.0
135.0
135. 7
137.2
140.7
143.9

56.77
56.11
56. 23
55. 70
55. 41
56.67
57.24
59.20

40.8
40.6
40.5
40.2
39.9
40.3
39.5
40.0

139.1
138.2
138.8
138.7
139.0
140.8
144.9
147.9

47.56
47.00
47.00
47.01
46. 97
48.10
49.45
50.37

39.6
39.2
39.2
39.1
38.8
39.1
39.7
39.3

120.2
120.0
119.9
120.1
121.1
122.9
124.7
127.6

54.64
55.83
54.78
53.49
53. 59
54.06
53. 82
57. 44

40.5
41.1
40.5
39.6
39.3
39.7
38.8
40.2

135.1
135.9
135.5
135.3
136.4
136.3
138.7
142.9

59.13
58. 65
59.12
59.30
59. 33
60. 50
59.93
61.36

41.8
41.4
41.6
41.4
41.2
41.4
40.6
40.9

141.5
141.7
142.1
143.1
144.1
146.1
147.5
149.9

Machinery, except electrical—Continued
Machinery and ma­ Engines and turbines
chine-shop products

A g ricu ltu ral m a ­
chinery, excluding
tractors

Tractors

Machine tools

Machine-tool acces­
sories

1939: Average............ $28. 76
1941: January_____ 34. 00

39.4
43.7

Cents
73.0 $28. 67
36.50
7 7 .7

37.4
44.1

Cents
76.7 $32.13
82.7 36.03

38.3
41.5

Cents
83.9 $26. 46
86.8 29. 92

37.0
39.5

Cents
71.6 $32. 25
75.7 40.15

42.9
50.4

Cents
75.2 $31.78
79.7 37.90

40.9
50.0

7 7 .7

1947: August.............
September___
October...........
November___
December____

55.07
56. 41
56. 75
57.03
59.22

40.9
41.3
41.3
41.4
42.7

135.3
137.0
137.4
138.1
139.1

61.34
60.16
58. 72
62.04
61.14

40.9
40.5
39.6
41.2
40.5

151.0
149.4
148.9
151.6
151.9

57.67
59.08
60.17
60.13
60.24

40.0
40.7
41.1
41.1
41.3

144.3
145.0
146.5
146.4
145.9

56.29
57.97
58.36
55.91
57.85

40.3
40.6
40.9
39.6
40.6

139.2
141.7
143.9
141.5
142.4

57.77
58.69
59.25
59.53
61.34

41.4
41.8
42.1
41.9
43.1

139.4
140.5
140.8
141.2
142.4

57.43
61.16
61.42
61.30
63.47

39.9
41.2
41.4
41.1
42.4

144.7
148.6
148.2
149.4
149.7

1948: January_____
February____
M arch..............
A p ril...............
M a y ________
June____ ____
July...................
August------- --

58. 33
58.11
58.29
58. 57
59. 05
59.51
58.81
60. 73

42.0
41.8
41.8
41.6
41.6
41.6
40.7
41.3

138.9
139. 2
139.5
140.8
141.8
143.2
144.4
147.0

62. 79
62.66
63.31
62. 47
63. 46
63.59
61. 53
64. 28

41.3
41.6
41.6
41.0
41. 2
40.2
38.8
40.3

152.9
152. 7
152. 5
153.0
154. 3
158.1
158. 8
160.2

60.10
59.40
59.43
60.08
54.12
61.83
63.30
65.84

41.1
40.6
40.6
39.4
35.5
40.8
41.1
41.7

146.2
146.4
146.4
152.6
152.6
151.6
154.1
157.9

57.84
57. 80
59. 55
58.87
59. 44
61.31
60. 22
60.37

40.4
40.4
41.0
40.5
40.7
41.1
40.0
39.7

143.3
143.2
145.1
145.5
146.1
149.3
150.4
152.9

59.64
60. 54
60. 58
60.29
60.63
61.75
60.90
62.60

42.0
42.3
42.3
42.0
42.0
42.0
41.4
41.9

142.0
143.2
143.3
143.7
144.3
146.9
146. 9
148.4

63.58
63.59
62.30
63.50
63.19
62.23
62.71
65.17

42.2
42.2
41.8
42.0
41.8
41.4
41.3
41.4

150.8
150.8
149.1
151.3
151.4
150. 4
151.8
157.4

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Cents
75.8

556

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

MONTHLY LABOR

T able C - l: Hours and Gross Earnings in M anufacturing and Nonm anufacturing In d u strie s1—Con.
M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
M a c h i n e r y , e x c e p t e le c tr ic a l— C o n t in u e d

C a sh
T e x t ile m a c h in e r y

T y p e w r ite r s

A v g .
w k ly .

A v g .
w k ly .

earn ­

h ou rs

in g s

A v g .
h r ly .
earn ­
in g s

r e g is te r s ; a d d ­

in g , a n d c a lc u la t ­
in g m a c h in e s

F e a r a n d m o n th

A v g .
w k ly .

A v g .
w k ly .

A v g .
h r ly .

A v g .
w k ly .

A v g .
w k ly .

earn ­

h ou rs

earn ­
in g s

earn ­
in g s

h ou rs

in g s

Cents

A v g .
h r ly .
earn ­
in g s

Cents

W a s h in g m a c h in e s ,
w r in g e r s , a n d d r i­
e rs , d o m e s tic

A v g .
w k ly .

A v g .
w k ly .

earn ­

h ou rs

in g s

Cents

A v g .
h r ly .
earn ­
in g s

S e w in g

m a c h in e s ,

d o m e s tic
d u s tr ia l

an d

A v g .
w k ly .

A v g .
w k ly .

earn ­

h ou rs

in g s

in ­

A v g .
h r ly .
earn ­
in g s

Cents

R e fr ig e r a to r s
fr ig e r a tio n
m en t

an d

re­

e q u ip ­

A v g .
w k ly .

A v g .
w k ly .

A v g .
h r ly .

earn ­

h ou rs

earn ­
in g s

in g s

Cents

Cents

1 9 3 9 : A v e r a g e _________ $ 2 6 . 1 9
3 0 .1 3
1 9 4 1 : J a n u a r y _________

3 9 .8
4 4 .6

6 6 .0
6 7 .7

$ 2 3 .9 8

3 7 .3
3 9 .1

6 4 .3
6 7 .5

$ 3 0 .3 8

2 6 .4 0

3 4 .7 8

3 7 .2
4 1 .4

8 2 .1
8 4 .6

6 1 .9 1
6 6 .0 8
5 6 . 77
6 6 .8 8
5 8 .5 6

4 0 .2
4 2 .2
4 2 .1
4 2 .1
4 3 .1

1 2 9 .1
1 3 2 .9
1 3 2 .5
1 3 5 .5
1 3 5 .8

5 1 .2 2
5 1 .9 1
5 4 .0 4
5 5 .5 4
5 5 .8 9

4 0 .5
4 0 .6
4 2 .0
4 2 .5
4 2 .9

1 2 6 .5
1 2 8 .0
1 2 8 .8
1 3 0 .6
1 3 0 .1

5 9 . 52
6 3 . 21
6 3 .8 2
6 3 .2 9
6 5 .6 7

4 0 .2
4 2 .1
4 2 .3
4 2 .1
4 2 .9

1 4 8 .7
1 5 1 .3
1 5 2 .3
1 5 1 .8
1 5 3 .7

$ 5 2 .8 2

4 0 .1
4 1 .0
4 2 .4
4 2 .7
4 3 .7

1 3 1 .6
1 3 2 .0
1 3 4 .6
1 3 5 .8
1 3 8 .4

$ 5 6 .3 5

60 . 72
6 2 . 27
6 2 .1 7
6 3 .2 1

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

1 4 0 .9
1 4 5 .4
1 4 6 .9
1 4 6 .5
1 4 7 .2

$ 52. 22

5 4 .1 7
5 7 .1 3
5 7 .9 6
6 0 .4 2

5 4 .1 8
5 6 .3 3
5 4 .4 1
5 7 .0 5

3 8 .5
3 9 .5
4 0 .7
3 9 .8
4 1 .2

1 3 5 .6
1 3 7 .3
1 3 8 .3
1 3 6 .7
1 3 8 .4

5 9 . 21
5 9 .5 0
6 1 .4 0
6 1 .0 1
6 1 .2 8
6 2 . 53
6 0 . 61
6 2 .9 7

4 3 .1
4 2 .8
4 3 .7
4 3 .5
4 3 .3
4 3 .3
4 2 .1
4 2 .3

1 3 7 .4
1 3 9 .0
1 4 0 .6
1 4 0 .3
1 4 1 .7
1 4 4 .3
1 4 4 .0
1 4 8 .7

5 5 .6 9
5 5 .6 8
6 4 .6 2
5 4 .6 3
5 3 .3 1
5 3 . 75
5 4 . 62
5 2 .7 8

4 2 .6
4 2 .4
4 2 .0
4 2 .0
4 1 .2
4 1 .2
4 1 .5
4 0 .6

1 3 0 .6
1 3 1 .2
1 3 0 .1
1 3 0 .1
1 2 9 .4
1 3 0 .5
1 3 1 .7
1 3 0 .0

6 5 .3 9
6 4 .1 1
6 5 .3 0
6 5 .6 2
6 4 . 55
6 6 . 43
6 7 . 45
6 6 .5 2

4 2 .4
4 1 .6
4 2 .2
4 2 .1
4 1 .5
4 1 .5
4 1 .5
4 1 .0

1 5 5 .7
1 5 5 .4
1 5 6 .1
1 5 7 .3
1 5 7 .0
1 6 1 .4
1 6 3 .9
1 6 3 .5

5 8 .2 8
6 7 .6 9
5 6 .3 8
5 8 .1 5
5 7 . 39
5 9 . 29
5 7 .0 5
6 1 .2 7

4 2 .6
4 1 .8
4 1 .2
4 2 .1
4 1 .3
4 1 .8
3 9 .5
4 1 .2

1 3 6 .9
138. 2
1 3 7 .0
1 3 8 .3
1 3 9 .0
1 4 1 .7
1 4 4 .5
1 4 8 .6

6 2 .7 4
6 3 .1 4
6 3 .9 0
6 2 . 59
6 4 . 89
6 5 -9 9
6 5 .1 9
6 8 .0 4

4 2 .4
4 2 .8
4 3 .0
4 2 .3
4 1 .8
4 2 .5
4 1 .5
4 3 .1

1 4 7 .6
1 4 7 .6
1 4 8 .3
147. 2
1 5 5 .1
1 5 5 .3
1 5 7 .1
1 5 7 .8

5 7 .6 2
5 2 .5 5
5 5 . 51
5 5 .9 9
5 6 .7 2
5 9 . 47
57. 22
5 8 .4 4

4 1 .6
3 8 .1
3 9 .9
4 0 .2
4 0 .5
4 0 .5
3 8 .6
3 8 .7

1 3 8 .6
1 3 7 .8
1 3 9 .2
1 3 9 .1
1 4 0 .2
1 4 6 .7
1 4 8 .2
1 5 0 .8

1 9 4 7 : A u g u s t . . ..............
S e p t e m b e r _____
O c t o b e r ...................
N o v e m b e r _____
D e c e m b e r .............

1 9 4 8 : J a n u a r y ...................
F e b r u a r y _______
M a r c h ___________
A p r i l .........................
M a y . . . ________
J u n e ............................
J u l y ----------------------A u g u s t ___________

T r a n s p o r t a t io n e q u ip m e n t , e x c e p t a u to m o b ile s

T o ta l:
T ra n sp o rta ­
tio n
e q u ip m e n t,
e x c e p t a u to m o b ile s

C a r s , e le c tr ic - a n d

L o c o m o t iv e s

Cents

s te a m -r a ilr o a d

Cents

A ir c r a ft a n d p a r ts ,
e x c lu d in g a ir c r a ft
e n g in e s

Cents

A ir c r a f t e n g in e s

Cents

S h ip b u ild in g a n d
b o a tb u ild in g

Cents

Cents

1 9 3 9 : A v e r a g e _________ $ 3 0 . 5 1
3 5 .6 9
1 9 4 1 : J a n u a r y _________

3 8 .9
4 3 .1

7 8 .5
8 2 .8

$ 2 8 .3 3
3 4 . 79

3 6 .7
4 2 .8

7 7 .1
8 1 .4

$ 2 6 .7 1

3 6 .0
3 8 .5

7 4 ,1
7 6 .8

$ 3 0 .3 4

7 4 .5
7 7 .6

$ 3 1 .9 1

4 2 .1 6

4 4 .1
4 7 .2

8 3 .5

3 4 .1 3

4 1 .5
4 4 .7

$ 3 6 :5 8

2 9 . 57

89.2

3 7 .6 9

3 8 .0
4 2 .0

8 3 .5
8 9 .3

5 5 .7 5
66. 5 4
5 8 .0 7
66. 4 2
5 9 .7 9

3 9 .6
3 9 .7
4 0 .4
3 8 .6
4 0 .8

1 4 0 .6
1 4 2 .4
1 4 3 .7
1 4 6 .2
1 4 6 .5

6 1 . 75
6 4 .6 9
6 2 .3 2
6 1 .6 4
6 3 .6 3

4 0 .6
4 1 .3
4 0 .6
3 9 .8
4 0 .7

1 5 2 .2
1 5 6 .7
1 5 3 .4
1 5 4 .9
1 6 6 .6

5 1 .8 9
5 5 .0 3
6 8 .0 9
5 7 . 61
5 9 .8 4

3 8 .6
3 9 .9
4 1 .4
4 0 .4
4 1 .4

1 3 4 .3
1 3 7 .8
1 4 0 .4
1 4 2 .5
1 4 4 .7

5 5 .3 0
5 4 .4 4
5 6 .0 1
5 5 .4 8
5 7 .1 2

4 0 .0
3 9 .3
4 0 .2
3 9 .3
4 0 .6

1 3 8 .1
1 3 8 .6
1 3 9 .5
1 4 1 .3
1 4 0 .6

5 6 . 58
6 8 . 43
5 9 .1 9
5 7 .5 2
6 0 .3 9

3 9 .2
4 0 .0
4 0 .5
3 9 .4
4 1 .2

1 4 4 .3
1 4 6 .0
1 4 6 .1
1 4 6 .1
1 4 6 .5

6 6 .9 3
5 7 . 71
5 9 .3 1
5 5 .2 0
6 1 .7 4

3 9 .3
3 9 .5
3 9 .8
3 6 .1
4 0 .5

1 4 4 .7
1 4 6 .2
1 4 9 .0
1 5 2 .9
1 5 2 .5

5 9 .5 6
5 8 . 67
5 9 .4 0
6 9 .8 9
59. 30
5 9 . 27
5 8 .8 8
6 0 . 41

4 0 .3
3 9 .6
4 0 .3
4 0 .5
4 0 .0
3 9 .8
3 9 .2
3 9 .6

1 4 7 .9
1 4 8 .2
1 4 7 .2
1 4 7 .8
1 4 8 .1
1 4 8 .9
1 5 0 .1
1 5 2 .4

6 2 .3 4
6 1 .0 1
6 3 .4 6
6 4 .9 6
6 4 . 57
6 4 .5 8
6 4 . 00
6 4 .7 6

4 0 .1
3 9 .2
4 0 .2
4 0 .5
4 0 .1
3 9 .7
3 8 .4
3 8 .7

1 5 5 .3
1 5 5 .5
1 5 7 .9
1 6 0 .4
1 6 1 .0
1 6 2 .6
1 6 6 .5
1 6 7 .4

5 8 .5 1
5 8 .0 2
6 8 . 90
5 8 .7 0
5 8 .0 7
5 8 .4 6
5 6 .1 9
6 2 .1 4

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

1 4 3 .9
1 4 4 .2
1 4 3 .9
1 4 3 .7
1 4 4 .6
1 4 6 .7
1 4 6 .6
1 5 2 .8

5 5 .5 3
5 6 .1 3
5 6 .7 1
5 7 . 75
5 7 . 74
5 7 .9 9
5 7 .8 0
59. 82

3 9 .4
3 9 .9
4 0 .1
4 0 .6
4 0 .4
4 0 .4
3 9 .9
4 0 .5

1 4 0 .8
1 4 0 .6
1 4 1 .4
1 4 2 .1
1 4 2 .8
1 4 3 .6
1 4 4 .7
1 4 7 .3

5 9 .3 0
5 8 . 29
5 9 .5 3
6 0 .3 3
6 1 .0 2
6 2 .1 4
6 4 . 79
6 5 .1 1

4 0 .6
4 0 .1
4 0 .6
4 0 .5
4 0 .9
4 0 .6
4 0 .6
4 1 .1

1 4 6 .1
1 4 5 .2
1 4 6 .7
1 4 9 .1
1 4 9 .4
1 5 3 .2
1 5 9 .4
1 5 8 .3

6 4 .0 5
6 1 .5 4
6 2 .0 7
6 2 .0 4
6 0 . 40
59. 76
59. 49
5 8 .6 1

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

1 5 6 .7
1 5 8 .2
1 5 3 .9
1 5 4 .1
1 5 3 .1
1 5 2 .5
1 5 3 .1
1 5 5 .6

1 9 4 7 : A u g u s t . . ............. ..
S e p t e m b e r _____
O c t o b e r _________
N o v e m b e r _____
D e c e m b e r ______

1 9 4 8 : J a n u a r y ...................
F e b r u a r y ..............
M a r c h . ...................
A p r i l ........................
M a y ............................
J u n e ............................
J u l y ............ .................
A u gu st

________

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n

N o n fe r r o u s m e ta ls a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts

e q u ip m e n t, e x c e p t
a u to m o b ile s — C o n .
A u to m o b ile s
T o ta l:
M o t o r c y c le s , b ic y c le s ,

Cents

Cents
$ 3 2 .9 1

1 9 3 9 : A v e r a g e ...................
1 9 4 1 : J a n u a r y ...................

N o n fe r ro u s

m e ta ls
an d
p ro d u cts

a n d p a rts

th e ir

S m e ltin g a n d r e fin ­
in g ,
p r im a r y ,
of
n o n fe r r o u s m e ta ls

Cents

A l lo y i n g ; a n d r o llin g
an d
d r a w in g
of
n o n fe r r o u s m e ta ls ,
e x c e p t a lu m in u m

Cents

C lo c k s a n d w a tc h e s

Cents

Cents

3 5 .4
3 8 .9

9 2 .9
9 6 .9

$ 2 6 . 74

6 8 .7
7 3 .6

$ 2 6 .6 7
2 9 . 21

3 8 .2
3 8 .7

6 9 .9
7 5 .5

3 5 .9 6

3 9 .6
4 4 .0

7 2 .9
8 1 .8

$ 22. 27

3 0 .4 7

3 8 .9
4 1 .4

$ 2 8 .7 7

3 7 .6 9

2 3 .9 0

3 7 .9
3 8 .9

5 8 .7
6 1 .4

1 9 4 7 : A u g u s t . ................... $ 5 5 . 5 8
6 5 .9 4
S e p t e m b e r _____
O c t o b e r _________
5 8 .9 4
6 8 .9 4
N o v e m b e r _____
5 8 .9 6
D e c e m b e r .............

4 1 .0
4 1 .0
4 2 .5
4 2 .0
4 2 .3

1 3 5 .5
1 3 6 .6
1 3 8 .8
1 4 0 .4
1 3 9 .3

6 5 . 76
69. 35
6 0 . 30
6 1 .3 0
6 4 .6 4

3 7 .2
3 9 .2
3 9 .5
3 9 .8
4 1 .4

1 5 0 .0
1 5 1 .5
1 5 2 .6
1 5 4 .0
1 5 6 .3

6 1 .0 7
5 2 . 62
53 . 59
5 4 .2 7
5 5 .5 3

3 9 .5
4 0 .2
4 0 .8
4 1 .1
4 1 .8

1 2 9 .4
1 3 0 .9
1 3 1 .2
1 3 2 .0
1 3 2 .7

5 3 .9 8
65 . 82
5 4 .8 9
5 5 .6 9
5 5 .4 4

4 0 .8
4 1 .2
4 0 .9
4 1 .2
4 1 .2

1 3 2 .2
1 3 5 .5
1 3 4 .2
1 3 5 .1
1 3 4 .6

5 2 .6 2
5 4 .3 7
6 5 .1 9
5 5 .9 3
5 7 .2 6

3 8 .0
3 8 .9
3 9 .4
3 9 .7
4 0 .5

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

4 5 .0 3
4 6 . 87
4 7 . 54
4 8 .6 4
4 8 . 69

3 9 .1
4 0 .4
4 0 .8
4 1 .4
4 1 .9

1 1 5 .1
1 1 6 .0
1 1 6 .7
1 1 7 .5
1 1 6 .4

1 9 4 8 : J a n u a r y ...................

4 0 .3
3 9 .8
4 0 .4
4 0 .3
3 9 .4
3 7 .5
3 7 .6
4 1 .6

1 3 7 .3
1 4 0 .0
1 3 8 .4
1 3 9 .8
1 4 1 .0
1 4 4 .2
1 4 3 .5
1 4 9 .7

6 0 . 96
6 9 .0 0
5 9 .8 1
5 9 .1 4
54 . 44
6 1 .3 0
6 4 . 46
6 5 .4 3

3 9 .6
3 8 .1
3 8 .9
3 8 .6
3 5 .2
3 7 .7
3 8 .9
3 9 .2

1 5 3 .8
1 5 4 .8
1 5 3 .9
1 5 3 .3
164. 8
1 6 2 .4
1 6 5 .5
1 6 6 .8

5 5 .0 6
5 5 .0 7
5 5 .2 3
5 4 .8 7
5 4 .9 6
5 5 .9 1
5 6 . 34
5 8 .1 7

4 1 .2
4 1 .2
4 1 .1
4 0 .9
4 0 .6
4 0 .8
4 0 .1
4 0 .9

1 3 3 .6
1 3 3 .8
1 3 4 .4
1 3 4 .3
1 3 5 .5
1 3 6 .9
1 4 0 .5
1 4 2 .3

5 5 .8 5
5 5 . 58
5 5 .3 1
5 6 .4 9
5 7 .3 3
5 7 .9 6
59. 75
6 1 .7 4

4 1 .1
4 1 .0
4 0 .5
4 1 .1
4 1 .5
4 1 .3
4 1 .2
4 1 .4

1 3 6 .0
1 3 5 .7
1 3 6 .6
1 3 7 .5
1 3 8 .0
1 4 0 .3
1 4 4 .9
1 4 9 .3

5 7 .3 0
5 7 . 73
5 8 .2 5
5 6 .8 4
5 7 .4 2
5 9 .3 5
6 1 . 61
6 3 .0 1

4 0 .4
4 0 .6
4 0 .8
4 0 .0
4 0 .1
4 1 .2
4 0 .8
4 1 .0

1 4 1 .8
1 4 2 .2
142 9
1 4 2 .2
1 4 3 .1
1 4 4 .0
1 5 1 .1
1 5 4 .2

4 7 .6 3
4 8 .5 9
4 9 .1 5
4 9 .0 9
4 8 .2 7
4 8 .8 9
4 8 . 96
5 0 .8 0

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

1 1 8 .5
1 1 8 .6
1 1 9 .6
1 2 0 .5
1 2 0 .5
1 2 1 .9
1 2 3 .0
1 2 4 .9

F e b r u a r y _______
M a r c h . . ................
A p r i l ............................
M a y ______________
J u n e _____________
J u l y _______________
A u g u s t . . ............. ...

5 5 .3 3
5 5 . 65
5 5 .8 8
6 6 .3 6
5 5 .5 4
5 4 .0 7
5 3 .9 4
6 2 . 67

See footnotes at end of table.


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

4

557

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

R E V I E W , N O V E M B E R 1948

T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in M anufacturing and Nonm anufacturing In d u strie s1—Con.
M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Lumber and timber basic products

Nonferrous metals and their products—Continued

Year and month

Jewelry
(precious
metals) and jewel­
ers’ findings
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Silverware and plated Lighting equipment
ware

Aluminum manu­
factures

Total: Lumber and
timber basic products

Sawmills and
logging camps

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ hours
ings
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ hours
ings
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ hours
ings
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings hours
ings

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

1939: Average............ $26.36
1941: January......... 26.43

39.4
39.1

Cents
66.0 $26.03
66.4 27.37

40.7
41.4

Cents
64.3 $25. 73
66.6 28.19

37.1
39.3

Cents
69.3 $27.49
71.7 32.85

39.3
42.0

Cents
69.9 $19.06
78.2 20.27

39.0
38.9

Cents
48.9 $18.29
52.1 19.59

38.4
38.4

Cents
47.6
51.0

1947: A ugust..........
September----October.
November___
December------

46.40
50.32
52. 97
53.39
55.53

39.8
42.0
43.6
42.7
44.4

117.2
120.4
122.2
125.5
125.4

57.20
60.93
61.31
61.65
63.80

44.1
46.1
46.4
45.9
47.2

129.9
132.1
132.1
134.4
135.3

48. 78
50.02
51.73
52. 51
54.11

37.4
38.4
39.3
40.0
40.5

130.5
130.4
131.7
131.4
133.6

49.34
49.74
52.02
52.15
52.86

38.9
38.6
39.7
39.8
40.1

126.6
128.7
130.0
130.9
132.0

45.32
45.41
45.23
45.30
45. 65

43.3
42.8
42.6
42.2
43.2

104.8
106.2
106.3
107.4
105.6

45.05
44.58
44.09
44.27
44.20

43.1
42.5
42.2
41.9
42.8

104.4
104.9
104.6
105.6
103.2

1948: January..
February
M a rc h ...
April___
M ay____
June........
July------A ugust...

51.69
52. 98
52.17
51.31
50. 59
52.10
49. 30
51.07

41.9
42.6
42.2
41.2
39.8
40.9
39.8
40.3

123.7
124.9
123.7
124.6
127.1
127.4
124.0
126.7

62. 54
62.52
63.81
62.09
62.00
62. 24
58.55
61.34

46.3
46.1
46.5
45.7
45.5
45.5
43.7
45.0

135.4
135.6
137.4
136.0
136.3
136.7
134.0
136.3

53.92
52.86
53.22
52.90
51.75
53.19
56.31
56.93

39.8
39.3
39.2
38.8
37.7
37.5
38.6
39.4

135.6
134.5
135.9
136.4
137.3
141.9
146.0
144.9

53.35
52. 75
52.05
52.53
52.83
52.13
52. 52
55.18

40.2
39.6
39.4
39.7
39.7
39.1
37.1
38.6

132.9
133.0
132.2
132.3
133.2
133.3
141.6
142.0

44.49
45.01
45.32
45.59
47.39
48. 43
48.14
50.68

42.4
41.7
42.3
42.1
42.5
42.8
41.9
43.1

105.0 42.94
108.0 43.41
107.1 43.86
108.3 43.99
111.5 *45. 06
113.1 47. 37
114.9 47.19
117.7 49.87

42.0
41.1
42.0
41.6
*41.3
42. 6
41.6
42.8

102.3
105.5
104.6
105. 7
109.5
111. 3
113.4
116.4

Lumber and timber
basic products—Con.
Planing and
plywood mills

Stone, clay, and
glass products

Furniture and finished lumber products
Total:
Furniture
and finished lum ­
ber products

$2f) 51
54 0 21 42

38 9
39.0

Cents
53 0
55.2

Cents

Cents
$19.95

Caskets and other
morticians’ goods

Furniture

Wood preserving

Total: Stone, clay,
and glass products

$23.94
25.02

37.6
37.4

Cents
63.7
66.9

Cents

Cents

1947: August______
September----October______
Novem ber. . .
December------

48.89
48.94
50.12
49.60
51.61

44.2
43.8
44.3
43.2
44.8

110.7
111.8
113.2
114.7
115.1

44.09
45.38
46. 53
46.32
47.72

41.2
41.5
42.1
41.8
42.7

107.0
109.3
110.5
110.8
111.7

44.58
46.24
47.76
48.07
49.10

41.0
41.4
42.3
42.3
42.9

108.9 $45.69
111.7 47.06
113.0 47.00
113.7 47.35
114.5 49.01

40.6
41.6
41.1
40.9
42.2

112.2 $42.10
112.8 42. 41
113.9 42.19
115.0 39.98
115.7 40.50

42.0
42.2
41. 5
39.7
39.8

100.1
100. 5
101.7
100.7
101.7

49.06
49.57
50.38
50. 47
51.00

40.6
40.4
40.8
40. 5
41.0

120.8
122.7
123.4
124.7
124. 5

1948: January______
February------March_______
April________
M a y ________
J u n e ...............
July_________
August______

50.67
51.31
51.00
51.94
52. 53
53.18
52. 51
54.30

43.9
43.8
43.8
44.0
43.9
43.8
43.1
44.2

115.2
117.1
116.6
118.1
119. 7
121.3
121.8
123.1

47.02
46.68
47.08
46.34
46.39
46. 54
46. 34
48.12

41.9
41.4
41.8
41.0
40.8
40. 7
40.3
41.3

112.2
112.7
112.6
113.1
113.6
114.5
115.1
116.4

48.54
48.38
48.58
47.64
47. 60
47.57
47.04
49.12

42.2
41.9
42.1
41.1
40.8
40.6
40.0
41.3

115.1
115.5
115.6
116.1
116.7
117.4
117.8
118.8

48. 52
48.85
49. 21
48.23
47. 48
47.61
47. 37
48.65

41.8
41.8
42.3
41.3
40.7
40.6
40.0
40.6

115.7
115.5
115.6
116.7
116.5
117.2
117.7
119.4

39.2
35.8
38.6
39.8
40.3
40. 4
40.4
40.3

101.4
103.1
102.6
103.3
105.0
105.0
106. 5
105.6

50.10
49.98
51.41
51.77
52. 30
52.45
51. 54
54.14

40.0
39.8
40.8
40.7
40.7
40. 6
39.4
40.9

125.3
125.5
126.0
127. i
128.6
129.2
130. 7
132.2

39.71
36.95
39.59
41.09
42. 29
42.45
42. 97
42.45

Stone, clay, and glass products—Continued

Glass and glassware

Glass products made
from purchased glass2

Gypsum
Cents

38 2
37.9

Cents
69 9 $20. 55
70.9 21.74

37.8
36.9

Cents
54.3 $22. 74
58.7 22.92

37.2
36.4

Cents
62.5
63.5

104.2
107.1
108.1
108.5
109.2

52.93
52.68
52.32
52.19
51.94

42.5
41.8
42.0
41.9
42.0

124.4
126.1
124.5
124.5
123.7

46.06
46.51
47.37
46.81
47.46

40.9
40.9
41.3
40.5
41.2

112.1
113.3
114.3
114.8
114.6

46.48
46.14
48.18
48.25
48. 55

38.8
38.5
39.6
39.4
39.2

120.1 $55.39
120.7 54.68
122.1 56.70
122.7 66.36
123.8 56.53

45.7
45.0
45.9
45. 3
45.6

121.2
121.5
123.4
124.5
124.1

41.1 108.3
40.0 110.5
40.5 108.5
39.6 108.9
40.4 *113.1
40. 3 113. 6
38.0 115.4
41.3 115.6

51.21
51.07
51.72
53. 27
55.85
56. 38
56.48
57.16

41.4
41.7
42.0
42.0
42.6
42.7
42.0
42.6

123.7
122.6
123.1
126.9
131.1
132.1
134.9
134.6

46.74
45.52
47. 54
48.39
49.75
49. 66
50.70
52.05

40.5
38.9
40.5
40.6
41.1
40.8
40.2
41.4

115.0
116.3
116.6
118.6
120.6
121.0
122.7
125.4

47.32
46.98
48.17
48.45
48.09
48.42
47.65
50.49

38.2
38.5
39.4
39.2
38.7
38.6
37.8
39.7

123.4
123.0
123.3
124.9
126.3
127.2
129.7
129.9

55.94
54. 58
55. 71
58.98
60.17
59.91
59.14
64.02

45.3
44.4
45.0
46.8
47.2
46. 2
44. 5
47.7

123.4
122.9
123.7
126.1
127. 5
129.8
133.4
134.7

$25.32
28.02

35.2
36.3

Cents
72.1
77.2

1947: August---September.
O ctober...
November.
December.

50.40
51.57
52. 27
53.05
53.07

39.5
39.2
39.4
39.2
39.5

128.0 $41.88
131.7 42.91
132.8 44.41
135.4 43.87
134.4 46.16

40.2
40.1
41.1
40.4
42.3

1948: January...
FebruaryM arch___
April_____
M ay_____
June_____
J u ly ...........
August----

52.49
53. 00
54.42
54.12
53. 44
53 32
50. 90
54. 88

38.0
38.8
40.0
39.9
39.3
39.2
37.0
39.5

138.3 44.48
136.8 44.18
136.2 43. 96
135.5 43.16
136.0 *45.53
136 1 45. 75
137.6 43. 84
139.3 47.72


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

Pottery and
related products

67
26 82

Cents

1939: A verage...
1941: January...

See footnotes at end of table.

Brick, tile, and
terra cotta

Cement

558

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

MONTHLY LABOR

T able C - l : Hours and Gross Earnings in M anufacturing and N onm anufacturing Industries 1—Con.
M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Textile-mill products and other fiber
manufactures

Stone, clay, and glass products—Continued

Avg.
Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­
hours
ings

1939:
1941:

Average............
January............

1947:

August.............
September___
October______
November___
December____

1948:

January............
February.........
M arch_______
April________
M a y________
June............ .
July_________
A ugust______

Marble, granite, slate
and other products

Lime

Tear and month

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Cents
$ 2 6 .1 8

$ 4 8 .9 0

Abrasives

Asbestos products

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings hours
ings

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Cents

Cents

2 4 .2 9

3 6 .9
3 4 .6

7 1 .4
7 0 .8

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

$ 2 4 .4 3

Total: Textile-mill
products and other
fiber manufactures

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Cents

Cents

Cotton manufactures,
except smallwares
Avg
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
Cent:

3 9 .0
4 1 .3

6 2 .7
6 6 .0

$ 1 6 .8 4

1 8 .0 1

3 6 .6
3 6 .9

4 6 .0
4 8 .8

$ 1 4 .2 6

2 7 .2 6

1 5 .6 0

3 6 .7
3 7 .2

3 8 .9
4 1 .9

4 9 .2 3
5 1 .9 6
5 0 . 33
5 0 .4 8

4 4 .8
4 5 .0
4 6 .1
4 5 .8
4 6 .4

1 0 6 .9
1 0 8 .1
108. 5
1 0 8 .9
1 0 8 .5

4 6 .6 1
4 7 .5 6
4 8 .6 0
4 6 . 27
4 8 .6 8

4 1 .4
4 2 .2
4 2 .5
4 0 .2
4i . 9

1 1 2 .6
1 1 2 .7
1 1 4 .3
1 1 5 .2
1 1 6 .0

$ 51 . 26
5 4 . 57

5 4 .3 0
5 5 .6 8
6 0 .6 8

3 9 .2
4 0 .3
4 0 .4
4 0 .7
4 4 .0

1 3 0 .6
1 3 5 .6
1 3 4 .5
1 3 7 .0
1 3 8 .0

5 3 . 53
5 2 .3 0
5 2 .5 7
5 4 .0 5
5 3 .8 5

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

1 2 7 .7
1 2 6 .6
1 2 7 .3
1 2 9 .2
1 2 8 .9

3 9 .4 4
4 1 .3 9
4 1 .9 4
4 3 .7 3
4 5 .1 5

3 8 .2
3 9 .5
3 9 .7
4 0 .1
4 1 .0

1 0 3 .2
1 0 4 .8
1 0 5 .5
1 0 9 .0
1 1 0 .0

3 7 .5 0
3 8 . 55
3 9 . 22
4 2 . 47
4 3 .6 4

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

9 7 .7
9 8 .5
9 9 .1
1 0 5 .1
1 0 6 .1

4 9 .1 0
4 7 .8 6
5 0 . 58
5 2 .0 8
5 2 .4 1
5 3 .3 2
52 . 46
5 4 . 96

4 4 .2
4 3 .7
4 5 .8
4 6 .3
4 6 .1
4 5 .9
4 4 .4
4 6 .1

1 0 9 .4
1 0 9 .1
1 1 0 .2
1 1 2 .7
1 1 3 .6
1 1 5 .3
1 1 6 .9
1 1 8 .8

4 6 .8 9
4 6 .2 3
4 7 . 57
4 7 .9 7
4 9 .4 4
4 9 . 21
4 8 . 27
4 9 . 77

4 0 .6
4 0 .4
4 0 .9
4 0 .9
4 1 .3
4 0 .9
3 9 .8
4 0 .8

1 1 5 .3
1 1 4 .6
1 1 6 .2
1 1 6 .0
1 1 9 .3
1 1 9 .8
1 2 0 .9
1 2 1 .4

5 9 .0 7
5 8 .3 8
6 0 . 62
5 9 .0 2
6 1 .0 4
6 1 .3 9
5 8 . 53
6 0 .1 7

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

1 3 3 .1
1 3 7 .2
1 4 2 .4
1 4 2 .3
1 4 5 .7
1 4 5 .6
1 4 2 .3
1 4 5 .4

5 3 .9 8
5 4 . 04
5 4 .4 9
5 5 .1 1
5 5 .4 5
5 6 .1 7
5 7 .1 8
5 7 .4 6

4 1 .4
4 0 .9
4 1 .3
4 1 .2
4 1 .3
4 1 .7
4 1 .7
4 1 .4

1 3 0 .5
1 3 2 .2
1 3 1 .8
1 3 3 .8
1 3 4 .0
1 3 4 .8
1 3 7 .3
1 3 9 .3

4 5 .1 9
4 5 .7 9
4 6 .3 2
45. 46
4 5 .2 2
4 5 . 29
4 4 .1 5
4 5 .0 7

4 0 .5
4 0 .2
4 0 .6
3 9 .9
3 9 .6
3 9 .5
3 8 .6
3 8 .5

1 1 1 .5
1 1 3 .9
1 1 4 .0
1 1 3 .8
1 1 4 .2
1 1 4 .7
1 1 4 .5
1 1 7 .0

4 3 .8 1
4 3 .4 3
4 3 .9 8
4 3 .0 8
4 2 . 64
4 2 .0 0
4 0 . 63
4 1 .6 1

4 0 .7
4 0 .1
4 0 .7
4 0 .1
3 9 .6
3 9 .1
3 8 .0
3 7 .7

1 0 7 .7
1 0 8 .3
1 0 8 .1
1 0 7 .6
1 0 7 .8
1 0 7 .5
1 0 7 .0
1 1 0 .6

Textile-mill products and other fiber manufactures—Continued

Cotton smallwares

Silk and rayon
goods

Cents

Woolen and worsted
manufactures, ex­
cept dyeing and
finishing

Cents

Hosiery

Cents

Cents

Knitted outerwear
and knitted gloves

Cents

Average............
January............

$ 18. 22

3 9 .0
3 9 .3

4 7 .4
5 0 .3

$ 1 5 .7 8

4 2 .9
4 6 .1

5 2 .8
5 7 .6

1 8 .5 1

3 5 .6
3 3 .8

5 3 .6
5 5 .0

$ 1 8 .1 5

2 1 .7 8

3 6 .4
3 7 .9

$ 18 . 98

1 6 .5 3

3 6 .5
3 5 .7

$ 1 9 . 21

1 9 .7 4

1947:

August.............
September___
October______
November___
December........

3 8 .5 8
4 0 . 67
4 0 .4 9
4 0 .1 3
42. 35

3 8 .2
3 9 .7
3 9 .1
3 8 .7
4 0 .5

1 0 0 .9
1 0 2 .4
1 0 3 .5
1 0 3 .6
1 0 4 .5

4 1 .6 5
4 3 .2 3
4 3 . 57
4 4 .8 4
4 6 . 48

4 0 .0
4 0 .9
4 1 .0
4 1 .2
4 2 .3

1 0 4 .3
105. 7
1 0 6 .2
1 0 8 .8
1 1 0 .0

4 2 .2 8
4 6 .9 9
4 6 . 70
4 6 .9 5
4 9 .1 2

3 6 .6
4 0 .2
3 9 .7
3 9 .6
4 1 .2

1 1 5 .6
116. 9
1 1 7 .8
1 1 8 .8
1 1 9 .2

3 8 .0 8
3 9 .4 8
4 1 .0 0
4 2 .1 1
4 2 . 95

3 6 .8
3 7 .7
3 8 .3
3 8 .7
3 9 .1

1 0 3 .4
1 0 4 .9
1 0 6 .9
1 0 8 .7
1 0 9 .8

4 1 .1 1
4 1 ..7 1

January............
February____
March..............
April.................
M a y ..................
June.................
July...................
A ugust.............

4 3 .1 5
4 3 .2 3
4 3 .3 1
4 3 .0 3
4 2 . 72
4 3 .9 8
4 3 . 48
4 3 .4 0

4 0 .3
4 0 .4
4 0 .2
3 9 .6
3 9 .3
3 9 .8
3 9 .3
3 8 .9

1 0 7 .1
1 0 7 .2
1 0 8 .0
1 0 8 .7
1 0 8 .9
1 1 0 .6
1 1 0 .6
1 1 1 .5

4 7 .5 5
4 7 .9 2
4 8 .5 3
4 8 .3 1
4 8 .3 8
4 8 .4 7
4 7 . 69
4 8 .8 5

4 1 .9
4 1 .8
4 2 .2
4 1 .8
4 1 .8
4 1 .8
4 1 .6
4 1 .3

1 1 3 .7
1 1 4 .7
1 1 5 .1
1 1 5 .6
1 1 5 .7
1 1 5 .9
1 1 4 .7
1 1 8 .2

4 8 . 79
5 2 .8 2
5 3 .4 9
5 2 .3 3
5 2 .6 1
5 3 .1 0
5 2 . 31
5 2 .1 3

4 0 .8
4 0 .8
4 0 .7
3 9 .9
4 0 .1
4 0 .3
3 9 .5
3 9 .6

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

4 1 .7 6
4 1 .7 2
4 2 .8 0
4 1 .6 1
4 1 .1 4
4 2 . 01
4 1 .5 2
4 3 .2 2

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

1 1 0 .3
1 1 0 .8
1 1 0 .8
1 1 1 .2
1 1 2 .0
1 1 4 .6
1 1 4 .8
1 1 7 .2

1948:

4

Knitted cloth *

1939:
1941:

Cents

3 8 .4
3 7 .9

4 6 .8
5 0 .3

$ 1 7 .1 4

1 7 .6 5

3 7 .0
3 5 .8

4 6 .1
4 8 .9

_ . 53
4 4 .1 8

4 0 .7
4 0 .5
4 1 .1
4 0 .8
4 1 .9

1 0 0 .1
1 0 2 .7
1 0 2 .1
1 0 3 .5
1 0 4 .5

3 5 . 42
3 5 .8 6
3 8 .0 1
3 8 .3 0
3 8 .0 2

3 7 .6
3 7 .5
3 8 .8
3 8 .7
3 8 .5

9 2 .6
9 5 .1
9 6 .9
9 8 .0
9 7 .8

4 4 .6 5
4 5 .2 3
4 5 .8 4
4 4 .3 9
4 2 .7 9
4 3 .9 4
4 4 . 21
4 4 .8 4

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

1 0 6 .2
1 0 7 .9
1 0 9 .4
1 0 7 .2
1 0 7 .8
1 0 7 .9
1 0 9 .1
1 1 0 .2

3 7 .9 4
3 9 .1 8
3 9 .0 8
3 8 .7 3
3 9 . 00
3 8 .8 4
3 7 .2 8
3 7 .8 9

3 7 .7
3 8 .7
3 8 .6
3 8 .4
3 8 .5
3 8 .3
3 7 .2
3 7 .3

9 9 .2
1 0 0 .1
1 0 0 .4
1 0 0 .7
1 0 1 .2
1 0 0 .4
9 8 .7
1 0 0 .0

1 9 .9 0

A

<r

Textile-mill products and other fiber manufactures—Continued

Knitted underwear

Dyeing and finishing
textiles, including Carpets and rugs, wool
woolen and worsted

Cents
41.0 $20.82
44.6 21.65

1939: Average........
1941: January........

$15.05
16.06

36.9
36.0

1947: August..........
Septem ber...
October........ .
N ovem ber...
December__

34.60
36.30
36.50
37.41
38.17

38.2
39.5
39.3
39.5
40.2

90.4
91.8
93.0
94.7
95.1

1948: January........ .
February___
March_____
April..............
M a y ...............
June...............
July— .........
August_____

37. 77
37.76
38.89
38.72
37.88
38. 09
36. 79
37.82

39.4
38.9
39.5
39.1
38.3
38.4
37.3
37.4

95.9
96.9
98.1
98.8
98.7
99.4
98.9
101.4

Hats, fur-felt

Jut e goods, except felts * Cordage and twine

38.6
39.3

Cents
53.5 $23. 25
55.1 25.18

36.1
37.3

Cents
64.4 $22. 73
67.5 27.12

32.2
36.2

Cents
70.7
75.5

45.31
47.89
47.16
48.16
50. 25

40.5
41.9
41.5
41.2
42.7

111.6
114.2
113.6
116.7
117.5

47. 43
52. 38
53. 53
53. 99
54. 91

39.4
41.0
41.4
41.6
42.2

120.6
127.9
129.5
130.1
130.6

45. 67
47.44
48.33
47.10
51.52

34.7
35.9
37.0
36.2
39.1

131.2 $36.40
133.4 37.51
131.1 37.27
130.3 37.60
132.1 38.21

41.0
41.4
41.1
41.5
41.2

51.04
51.80
51.85
51.44
50.67
51.05
48.76
49.86

42.3
42.2
42.3
41.8
41.3
41.5
39.9
40.1

120.4
122.7
122.7
122.9
122.6
122.9
122.1
124.1

55.23
55.35
55. 79
55.18
56. 22
57. 86
57. 42
59.36

41.9
42.0
42.1
41.4
41.8
42.0
40.7
41.3

132.2
131.9
132.7
133.6
134.8
138.0
141. 2
143.9

50.17
51.79
50.36
48. 58
49.94
51.72
49. 52
52. 52

37.8
38.7
37.2
35.3
36.7
37.7
37.1
37.3

132.8
132.8
134.8
137.9
136.4
137.5
133.8
141.3

40.8
40.1
40.0
40.6
40.1
40.2
40.6
41.1

Cents

Cents
■4

41.75
42.28
42.44
42.93
42.69
42.65
42.58
43.37

90.8 $39.10
90.6 40.00
90.6 41.70
90.6 42.55
92.7 44.13
102.4
105.3
106.0
105.7
106.4
106.0
104.8
105.6

44.63
44.44
43.65
42.21
41.82
42. 68
41.22
41.71

38.6
38.8
40.1
40.4
41.3

101.4
103.0
104.1
105.3
106.8

41.3
40.8
40.6
39.1
38.5
39.0
37.8
38.0

108.1
109.1
107.9
107.9
108.4
109.4
109. 2
110.8

K

See footnotes at end of table.


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

A

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

R E V IE W , N O V E M B E R 1948

559

T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in M anufacturing and Nonm anufacturing Industries 1—Con»
M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Apparel and other finished textile products

Year and month

Total: Apparel and
other finished tex­
tile products

M en’s clothing, not
elsewhere classi­
fied

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Shirts, collars, and
nightwear

U n d erw ea r and
neckwear, men’s

Women’s clothing,
not elsewhere clas­
sified

Work shirts

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Cents
39.8 $14.18
43.1 14.85

Cents
40.1 $11.03
44.2 12.33

Cents
30.9 $19.20
36.7 19. 47

33.9
33.2

Cents
51.9
55.3

1939: Average........... $18.17
1941: January_____ 18.76

34.5
33.5

Cents
52.7 $19.32
56.0 20. 40

33.2
33.4

Cents
58.1 $13. 75
60.7 14. 22

34.6
33.0

1947: August.............
September___
October............
November___
December____

36. 67
37. 64
38. 78
37.09
39.00

35.2
36.0
36.9
36.4
37.1

103.8
104.6
105.1
101.9
105.2

38.66
41.06
42.78
42.24
43.11

35.1
36.8
37.9
37.5
37.7

109.0
110.6
112.0
111.6
113.6

30. 74
32.38
33. 42
33.75
35.12

36.0
36.9
37.8
38.0
38.1

85.2
87.8
88.5
88.9
91.8

31.51
33. 05
35.00
35.09
35. 56

34.5
35.5
36.9
36.5
37.3

91.4
93.2
94.9
96.1
95.3

25. 54
25.59
25.15
24.90
24.32

35.4
34.6
33.7
34.1
34.1

72.2
74.0
74.5
72.8
71.2

45.49
45. 78
46.91
43.82
46.76

34.6
35.0
35.8
35.3
36.2

128.5
127.9
127.9
121.7
127.0

1948: January...........
February____
March.......... ..
April.................
M a y ............ .
June________
July-------------August______

40.00
40.23
40.09
37. 61
37. 24
37.61
38.80
40.35

36.6
36.7
36.7
36.2
35.8
35.6
35.8
36.5

109.4
109.8
109.2
104.0
104.0
105. 5
108.3
110.7

44.11
44. 05
44.73
44. 31
43.50
43.19
42. 84
44.04

37.1
37.1
37.4
37.3
36.8
36.4
36.7
36.8

117.8
117.6
118.8
117.3
117.1
116.9
115.9
118.2

34. 45
34.20
35.02
34.39
33.83
33.00
33.14
32. 97

36.9
36.8
37.4
36.9
36.3
35.5
36.2
36.3

92.9
92.8
93.4
92.8
92.7
92.5
92.4
92.1

35.03
34.78
35. 77
34.35
34. 80
34.00
34. 54
35.30

36.4
35.5
36.3
36.0
36.8
36.0
36.6
37.0

95.7
97.4
98.4
95.4
94.6
95.0
95.0
96.0

23.73
25. 69
26.50
26. 85
27. 22
27. 21
26. 67
27.32

32.7
35.6
36.9
36.8
36.5
37.1
36.2
36.4

72.5
72.1
71.8
73.0
74.4
73.2
73.5
73.9

48. 52
49.09
48.10
43. 20
43. 27
43.94
45. 91
48.63

36.0
36.1
36.1
35.1
35.1
35.0
34.9
35.9

132.7
133.4
131.0
120.1
120.6
123.9
130.8
134.0

35.4
33.6

35.8
33.6

Apparel and other finished textile products—Continued
Corsets and allied
garments
Cents
45.6 $22.19
48.2 22.31

1939: Average.......... $17.15
1941: January_____ 17. 24

37.5
35.6

34.80
35. 75
36.76
36.80
36.89

36.7.
37.5
38.5
38.6
39.0

94.2
95.4
95.6
95.5

1948: January............ 37.37
February____ 37.07
M arch_______ 38.14
April________ 37.39
M a y ____ ____ 35. 85
June________ 36. 58
J u ly ................. 36.33
August______ 36. 77

38.0
37.9
38.5
37.8
35.8
36.2
36.3
36.5

98.5
97.9
99.3
99.1
100.3
101.3
100.7
100.8

1947: August______
September___
October..........
November___
December____

M illinery

Handkerchiefs

Curtains, draperies,
and bedspreads

H ousefurnishin gs,
other than cur­
tains, etc.

Cents

Cents

Textile bags

33.8
30.5

Cents
63.6
64.8

49. 52
49. 74
53.20
39.14
46.03

36.3
35.8
38.2
31.3
35.0

131.4 $30.40
134.0 31.85
133.7 32.57
121.3 33.31
125.6 32.55

35.5
36.7
37.5
37.7
37.0

85.7 $28.93
86.7 30. 64
86.8 31.55
88.4 31.26
88.1 31.28

36.1
37.3
37.5
37.2
37.1

81.1 $37.74
83.0 38.33
84.4 38.72
83.9 38.03
84.3 41.34

38.6
38.2
38.3
38.3
40.5

97.7 $35.34
99.6 35.86
100.4 36.76
98.3 37. 25
101.2 37.60

37.8
38.1
38.9
38.9
39.5

93.6
94.1
94.4
95.8
95.3

53.14
57. 84
52. 77
49 95
42.82
45. 29
50. 68
53.90

37.3
39.3
36.9
36.0
31.5
32.7
34.8
36.8

136.5
141.5
139.4
135.3
133.3
135.2
141.5
145.3

34.4
36.4
37.1
36.1
34.8
34.3
33.8
35.8

88.4
89.7
92.2
91.7
90.9
91.7
90. 7
92.4

36.8
35.9
35.4
33.1
32.9
33.6
34.2
35.5

85.6
85.4
88.2
89.1
91.2
89.8
90.5
91.4

38.2
37.7
38.1
38.2
37.2
39.1
38.2
38.7

99.9
96.5
100.0
100.1
99.8
101.9
101.0
101.2

38.9
38.0
37.1
37.2
38.4
38.3
38.9
39.2

95.6
95.2
96.4
97.7
98.7
99. 5
100.1
101.2

Cents

30.46
32.66
34. 21
33.09
31. 66
31.40
30.62
33.07

31. 44
30. 69
31.40
30.17
30. 41
30.50
30. 33
32.24

38.54
36.83
38.29
38.46
37. 52
40.19
39. 01
39.80

Cents

37.20
36.23
35.80
36.35
37. 94
38.10
38. 93
39.68

Leather and leather products
Total: Leather and
leather products

Boot and shoe cut
stock and findings

Leather

1939: Average............ $19.13
1941: January............ 20.66

36.2
37.3

Cents
52.8 $24. 43
55.4 25. 27

38.7
38.3

Cents
63.4
66.2

1947: A ugust............
September___
October_____
November___
December____

40.25
41.89
42.18
41.93
42. 67

38.1
39.1
39.0
38.3
39.1

105.7
107.2
108.2
109.5
109.2

51. 19
52. 66
52. 52
52. 82
53. 65

40.0
41.0
40.7
40.6
41.3

127.7 $39.86
128.3 40.14
128.7 39.19
129.7 38.92
130.0 41.36

39.1
39.2
38.3
37.2
39.3

1948: January............
February____
M arch_______
April.................
M a y ................
June..................
July_________
A ugust.............

42.63
42.99
41.87
40.34
39. 65
41.38
41.55
42.76

39.0
39.0
37.8
36.2
35.5
37.0
37.4
38.0

109.5
110.2
110.6
111.6
111.8
111.8
111.2
112.6

53. 06
53. 38
51. 91
51. 59
52. 38
53. 11
53. 39
53. 70

40.8
40.5
39.4
39.1
39.4
39.5
39.5
39.8

129.9
131.7
131.5
131.8
133.0
134.5
135.1
135.6

38.9
38.4
37.6
36.6
36.3
37.4
37.4
38.8

See footnotes at end of table.

809737- 48 -

-7


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

Cents

41.36
41.23
40. 55
39.90
39. 72
41.24
41.09
42.62

Boots and shoes

Leather gloves and
mittens

$17. 83
19. 58

35.7
37.0

Cents
50.3
53.0

103.4
103.2
103.7
106.0
106.3

38.32
40.12
40. 41
39.98
40.87

37.7
38.8
38.7
37.8
38.7

101.8 $32.33
103.5 33.45
104.6 34.43
105.9 33.88
105.6 33.91

35.7
36.3
36.4
36.3
36.3

107.5
108.0
108.6
110.7
110. 5
110.8

41.09
41.35
40. 21
38.09
36. 79
39. 00
39. 42
40.76

38.8
38.8
37.5
35.3
34.3
36.4
37.0
37.5

105.9
106.5
107.1
108.0
107.4
107.4
106.7
108.5

35.7
36.0
36.0
35.4
35.2
35.8
35.8
36.3

no. 4

110.5

Trunks and suit­
cases

Cents

33.75
33. 67
33. 82
33.18
34. 77
35.78
35.01
35. 79

Cents

91.2 $42.09
92.7 43.07
94.5 46.15
93.4 47. 61
93.1 45.53
94.7
94.1
94.0
93.8
99.1
99.9
98.8
100.5

42.33
45. 61
45.83
45.35
45.06
44. 86
44.42
47.19

39.4
39.5
40.9
42.2
40.9

106.7
109.5
111.4
112.9
110.9

38.4
40.6
40.6
40.1
39.6
39.0
38.8
40.6

110, 5
112.9
113.5
113.0
113.7
115.0
115.2
116.8

560

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

MONTHLY LABOR

T able C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries 1—Con.
MANUFACTURING-Continued
Food
Total: Food
Year and month
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Slaughtering and
meat packing
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Condensed and
evaporated milk

Butter

Ice cream

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ hours
ings
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­
ings
ings
Cents

1939: Average_____ $24.43
1941: January......... . 24.69

40.3
39.0

Cents
60.7 $27. 85
63.3 26.84

40.6
39.3

Cents
68.6 $22.60
68.1 22.84

46.7
44.6

Cents
48.4
50.9

1947: A ugust............
September___
October...........
November___
December........

49.46
49.04
49.61
49.90
60.93

43.4
43.4
42.8
42.5
43.3

114.0
112.9
115.9
117.3
117.5

54.33
55.31
54. 98
61.31
61.57

43.0
43.4
43.2
46.9
47.7

126.7
127.6
127.3
130.5
129.1

46.20
45. 65
45.58
46.05
46.98

47.7
47.4
46.3
46.1
46.5

96.4 $49. 21
96.1 49.66
98.1 49.24
99.5 48.54
100.4 49.32

47.2
46.9
46.5
45.7
45.9

1948: January............
February....... .
M arch_______
A p r il..............
M a y ................
June..................
July...................
August—..........

49.44
49.18
49.36
50. 95
51.26
52.09
51.83
49.79

42.0
41.6
41.6
42.4
42.5
42.8
42.7
41.1

117.7
118.1
118.7
120.1
120.7
121.7
121. 5
121.3

57.12
51.88
56.62
68. 51
67. 66
61.24
58. 75
55.61

44.8
40.7
43.6
48.1
46.7
44.1
42.9
41.2

127.5
127.7
130.1
142.5
142.4
138.3
136.8
135.0

45.92
47. 28
45.92
47.16
47. 52
48. 42
49. 66
49.56

45.9
46.3
45.8
45.6
45.9
46.3
46.9
46.7

99.5
101.1
101.1
103.2
103.3
104.3
106.3
107.0

45.5
45.9
46.4
46.7
47.5
48.5
47.6
47.7

50.20
51.68
52.28
53. 51
55. 36
56. 66
56.42
56.07

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Flour
Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$29.24
29.41

46.2
44.2

Cents
62.6 $25.80
65.3 25.27

42.3
41.0

Cents
60.5
60.8

104.2
105.9
105.8
106.2
107.4

50.84
50.12
49. 86
49. 40
49.87

46.9
45.7
45.5
44.3
44.8

105.2
105.9
106.4
107.2
107.3

59.69
59. 91
59.01
59.15
66.45

50.1
49.9
49.0
48.6
47.6

119.3
120.1
120.3
121.8
118.7

110.3
112.5
112.6
114.7
116.5
116.8
118.6
117.4

50.50
51.12
51.44
50.86
51.11
52.22
53. 58
52. 67

45.3
45.0
45.4
46.3
45.0
45.8
46.2
44.6

107.9
109.3
109.5
108.7
108.6
110.3
112.5
114.4

64.43
64. 56
50. 99
53.07
55.12
57.48
60. 05
61.14

46.4
45.9
43.7
45.3
46.1
47.8
48.4
48.1

117.5
118.9
116.7
117.3
119.6
120.4
124.1
127.1

Food—Continued
Cereal preparations

$25.70
26.46

41.7
41.1

Cents
62.1 $23.91
64. 4 22.73

37.6
35.0

Cents
1939: Average.
1941: January.

Sugar refining,
cane

Baking

1947: August___
September.
O ctober...
November.
Decern ber.

$54.32
51.28
50.54
52.05
54.13

42.4
40.5
39.7
40.3
40.8

128.1
126.5
127.3
129.1
132.8

45.52
46.14
46. 85
46.26
47.43

41.9
41.9
41.9
41.6
42.3

109.1
110.4
111.5
111.5
111.9

51.89
50. 87
53.03
56.39
48.24

46.3
44.0
45.3
46.0
41.2

1948: January___
February...
M arch..........
April........... .
M a y______
June.............
J u ly ............ .
August____

54.10
55. 58
52.46
54.50
55. 64
58.00
57. 92
53.66

40.5
40.6
38.7
39.8
40.4
41.5
41.7
39.0

133.5
136.9
135.6
137.0
137.7
139.8
139.1
137.8

47.03
49.30
47. 38
48.00
49. 09
50. 03
50.01
49. 77

41.6
43.6
41.9
42.1
42.7
42.9
42.7
42.5

113.1
113.2
113.1
113.8
114.8
116.5
116.8
116.9

45.66
44.66
49.30
52. 57
51.08
53.14
57. 73
57.10

38.0
37.9
41.0
43.2
41.9
44.0
45.9
45.5

Sugar, beet

38.1
37.6

38.39
41.20
42.24
42.24
42.96

38.8
40.4
41.1
40.8
41.5

129.3 40. 82
130.5 40.45
129.6 40.48
130.2 40.83
133.9 *39. 21
130.3 42.15
132.1 42. 32
133.0 43.47

39.6
38.9
39.1
38.6
37.5
39.5
39.3
40.2

42.9
36.5

50.88
51.55
50. 59
56.47
53.87

41.7
40.8
44.8
48.2
46.1

126.3
113.0
117.2
116.8

50.45
55.30
50.11
50.19
50. 27
50. 20
50. 73
49.20

39.0
42.4
38.7
38.4
37.5
38.5
38.4
37.0

115.6
116.8
122.4
117.1
120.1

117.7

120.2

121.7
122.0

120.7
125.8
125.7

122.0

Beverages, non­
alcoholic

Cents
49.2 $24.21
51.1 25. 28

43.6
42.0

Cents
55.6
60.2

102.9
103.6
103.5

47.89
47.91
45.85
44.60
45. 22

46.6
46.0
44.3
43.3
43.7

103.6
104.9
103.9
103.2
103.2

103.4
104.5
105.0
106.0
103.6
106.9
107.8
108.8

45.05
44.99
44.93
45.46
45. 75
47. 20
49.39
45.18

43.0
42.9
43.0
43.7
43.9
45.0
46.1
42.5

105.5
104.8
104.4
104.1
104.1
105.2
107.6
105.9

99.3

102.1

4

«

Tobacco manufactures

Food—Continued

M alt liquors

Cents
58.5 $18.64
63.0 19.19

Cents
63.6 $24.68
65.0 24.03
112.1

Confectionery

Canning and pre­
serving

Total: Tobacco
manufactures

1939: Average........ — $35.01
1941: January......... . 34. 57

38.3
36.4

Cents
91.6 $16. 77
95.2 16.67

37.0
33.0

Cents
46.4 $16. 84
51.0 17.89

35.4
35.7

1947: A ugust.......... .
September___
October............
November___
December........

68.98
69.54
66.10
64.03
63.54

45.3
45.2
43.5
42.1
42.1

152.3
153.9
151.7
152.3
151.1

45.88
43.69
44. 75
37.94
41.14

42.6
42.8
40.9
35.9
37.7

108.3
102.5
110.0
106.2
109.3

37.26
37.33
37.90
37. 67
39.16

39.2
39.2
39.7
39.4
39.9

1948: January............
February____
M arch_______
A p r il...............
M 'a y ................
June________
July_________
August—..........

61.03
62.25
62.67
65. 24
65.31
67. 74
71.35
69.14

40.4
40.9
41.2
42.5
42.5
42.9
44.1
42.9

151.0
152.0
151.6
153.2
153.7
157.8
161.0
161.2

41.10
42.73
40. 77
41.63
41.35
41.16
41.78
39.51

37.3
38.4
36.5
37.0
36.8
38.0
39.0
36.2

110.2
111.8
112.0
113.0
112.5
109.0
108.3
110.2

37.97
35.04
36. 52
37.19
37.12
37. 86
38.51
39.26

38.6
36.2
37.7
38.2
37.7
37.8
38.0
39.0

Tobacco (chewing
and smoking) and
snufl

Cigars

Cigarettes

Cents
47.6 $20.88
50.1 22.38

37.2
37.3

Cents
56.1 $14. 59
60.0 15.13

34.7
35.0

Cents
41.9 $17. 53
43.2 18.60

95.1
95.2
95.4
95.6
98.3

43.74
43.36
43.92
43.15
45.45

41.2
40.7
41.3
40.6
40.6

106.1
106.6
106.3
106.3
111.9

32.00
32. 42
33. 21
33.69
34. 24

37.3
37.7
38.3
38.6
39.3

85.3
85.7
86.3
86.8
86.8

98.4
96.8
96.8
97.3
98.4
100.3
101.4
100.8

44.74
37.93
42.99
44.35
44.32
45.84
46. 59
48.39

39.4
33.9
38.2
39.6
38.9
39.1
39.8
41.5

113.5
112.0
112.4
111.9
113.9
117.2
117.1
116.7

32. 64
32.59
32.12
32.13
31.80
31.73
32. 24
32.29

38.1
37.9
37.5
37.4
36.9
36.8
36.7
37.1

86.0
85.7
85.2
85.7
85.8
86.3
87.7
86.7

34.1
34.9

Cents
51.4
53.7

37.13
38.39
37. 78
36.10
37.16

40.1
41.2
40.6
38.5
39.1

92.8
93.3
93.1
93.9
95.0

35.38
35. 89
35. 78
36. 32
36. 91
37. 93
37. 59
38.81

37.1
37.2
36.9
37.1
37.3
37.6
37.1
38.4

95.5
96.5
97.1
97.9
99. 1
100. 9
101. 5
101.2

A

«

*
See footnotes at end of table.


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

A

R E V I E W , N O V E M B E R 1948

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

561

T able C 1: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1—Con.
MANUFACTURING-Continued
Printing, publishing,
and allied industries

Paper and allied products

Year and month

Avg.
Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­
hours
ings

>

►

Total: Paper and
allied products

Paper and pulp

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Envelopes

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Paper bags

Avg.
wkly. wAvg.
kly.
earn­
ings hours

1939: Average............ $23.72
1941: January............ 25.16

40.1
40.0

Cents
59.2 $24.92
62.9 27.02

40.3
40.8

Cents
62.0
66.2

1947: A ugust.............
September___
October............
November___
December........

50.72
51.99
52. 22
52.80
53.69

42.4
42.9
43.0
43. 2
43.8

119.6
121.0
121.5
122.2
122.6

56. 30
57.14
57.10
57.40
58. 21

44.1
44.5
44.4
44.4
44.9

127.6 $44. 96
128.3 47.02
128.7 46. 97
129.2 46.52
129.5 47. 35

41.0
42.2
42.1
41.9
42.2

110.7 $41.89
112.5 42.05
112.8 43.67
112.0 43.17
112.2 45. 29

38.4
38.2
39.3
39.0
40.7

1948: January...........
February.........
March..............
A pril................
M ay________
June________
July_________
August______

53. 20
53.61
53.82
53.36
54.28
55. 34
55. 97
56.98

43.1
43.1
43.1
42.7
42.8
42.8
42.5
43.2

123.5
124.5
124.9
125.0
126.9
129.2
131.7
132.0

57. 75
58. 41
58.50
58.02
59. 47
60. 40
61.49
62.32

44.4
44.5
44.5
44.1
44.6
44.1
43.9
44.4

130.1
131.0
131.3
131.3
133.4
136.8
140.0
140.2

41.4
41.3
41.1
40.8
40.8
41.3
40.6
41.4

113.9
114.6
114.4
114.9
115.0
115.8
114.8
118.3

40.8
39.5
40.7
40.5
39.8
40.8
41.6
41.3

V

Cents

46.50
46.68
46.30
46. 26
46.34
47.02
45.87
47.86

Printing; book and
job

36.1
35.4

Cents
100.4 $30. 30
105.2 31.64

38.3
39.6

Cents
80.4
81.0

1947: August—..........
September___
October______
November___
December____

67.74
69.40
69.18
69.78
71.45

38.5
39.0
38.7
38.6
39.1

173.6
175.3
175.8
177.6
179.1

55.95
58.32
58.63
59.35
60.22

40.0
40.8
40.7
40.7
41.1

140.6 $57. 56
143.6 60. 51
145.1 60.16
146.9 62.19
147.9 62.91

40.1
41.2
41.1
42.4
42.3

1948: January...........
February.........
March_______
April________
M ay ________
June.................
July_________
August______

68. 96
70. 36
71. 32
72. 79
73.04
73.36
72. 39
73.48

37.8
38.3
38.4
38.5
38.4
38.0
37.8
38.2

179.7
181.2
184.3
187.0
187.7
189.6
189.4
191.1

60. 23
60.13
60. 96
61.26
61.92
62.25
62. 06
62.24

40.7
39.8
40.3
39.9
39.8
39.7
39.7
39.8

149.3
152. 8
152.8
155.1
157.0
157. 9
157.6
157.8

45. 23
44.34
45.69
45.14
44.93
46.29
48.61
49.32

40.4
39.8
40.3
39.5
39.5
40.0
38.6
39.9

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ w kly.
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$21.78
22.26

40.2
38.8

Cents
54.7 $32. 42
57.6 33.49

37.4
37.8

Cents
86.6
88.6

109.3
110.2
111.3
110.6
111.3

44.92
46. 53
47.37
48. 66
49.44

40.8
41.6
42.1
42.7
43.3

110.4
112.2
112.7
114.3
114.4

59.48
61. 61
61.62
62. 30
63. 37

39.4
40.2
40.0
40.0
40.4

150.8
153.4
154.0
155.6
156.8

111.2
112.0
112.1
111.3
112.6
113.0
116. 7
119.3

48.35
48.75
49.14
48. 32
48.64
50. 48
49.87
51.50

42.0
41.9
41.8
41.0
40.7
41.6
40.7
42.0

115.5
116.7
117.7
118.0
119.9
121.6
122.9
123.3

62.41
62.72
63. 97
64.62
65. 06
65.48
65.06
65.90

39.5
39.1
39.5
39.2
39.1
39.1
38.8
39.1

157.9
160.4
162.1
164.6
166.3
167.6
167.5
168.4

Total: Chemicals
and allied products

Cents

61.03
60.04
62.92
61.78
63.24
64. 60
62. 45
65.07

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Total: Printing, pub­
lishing, and allied
industries

Chemicals and allied products

Lithographing

1939: Average
$37. 58
1941: January............ 38.15

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
Cents

Printing, publishing, and allied industries—Continued
Newspapers and
periodicals

Paper boxes

Paints, varnishes,
and colors

Drugs, medicines,
and insecticides

$25.59
27.53

39.5
39.9

Cents
64.9 $28. 48
69.0 29.86

40.5
40.3

Cents
70.4 $24.16
74.1 24.68

39.7
39.3

Cents
59.2
61.9

143.6
146.7
146.2
146.7
148.6

51. 27
51. 81
52.67
53.15
53. 73

40.9
41.0
41.4
41.3
41.5

125.2
126.3
127.3
128.7
129.3

53.76
53. 55
53. 93
55. 06
55.11

42.1
41.8
41.9
41.9
42.0

127.9
128.4
129.0
131.6
131.4

45.68
46. 43
47.90
47.35
47.90

39.9
39.5
40.4
40.0
40.4

114.4
117.5
118.5
118.3
118.5

151.1
150.9
156.0
156. 5
160.1
161.6
161.8
162.6

54.31
54.12
54.15
54. 38
55.24
56. 64
57.18
57.60

41.4
41.1
41.2
41.0
41.0
41.4
41.1
41.0

131.1
131.5
131.5
132.7
134.7
136. 9
139.1
140.6

55. 34
55. 73
55. 71
55.54
57.22
57.84
59.11
59.03

42.0
41.8
41.7
41.5
42.2
42.4
42.7
42.0

132.1
133.4
133.8
134.4
135.8
136.5
138.7
139.9

48. 31
48.42
48. 44
48.36
48. 91
49. 56
49. 21
49. 29

40.4
40.2
40.2
39.8
39.4
39.5
39.0
38.9

119.6
120.6
120.5
121.6
124.1
125.7
126.0
127.0

Chemicals and allied products—Continued
Rayon and allied
products

Soap

1939:JJAverage............
1941:-January...........
IP i
1947: August______
September___
iS
October______
November___
December____
PI
1948: January............
S&j
February____
M arch_______
A p ril................
M ay________
June_________
July...................
August..........

Chemicals, not else­
where classified

Explosives and safety
fuses

Ammunition, smallarms

Cottonseed oil

$28.11
29.58

39.8
40.0

Cents
70.7 $24. 52
74.0 27.26

37.9
39.2

Cents
64.6 $31.30
69.6 33.10

40.0
40.3

Cents
78.4 $29. 99
82.2 31.56

38.8
37.8

Cents
77.3 $22.68
83.5 24.05

39.0
38.6

Cents
61.2 $13.70
62.3 15. 55

44.3
44.6

Cents
30.2
33.8

59.04
62.05
61.58
62.66
65.01

43.0
44.0
43.5
44.1
44.7

137.4
141.0
141.4
142.0
145.6

49.04
49.74
48.71
49.07
49.73

40.0
39.6
39.0
39.2
39.2

122.6
125.7
124.9
125.2
126.8

57.44
57.98
58. 46
59. 21
60.07

40.7
40.5
40.8
40.9
41.2

141.0
143.2
143.2
144.8
145.7

57.08
57.39
56. 65
58.20
57.36

41.9
41.6
40.5
40.7
40.0

136.1
138.1
140.0
143.0
143.3

44.96
52.69
53.13
53. 30
53.85

41.0
42.1
42.9
43.1
43.3

109.8
125.0
123.9
123.8
124.3

35.76
36.30
38.84
38. 47
38.68

48.9
51.0
53.8
52.6
52.9

73.2
71.2
72.2
73.1
73.1

64.69
64. 54
62. 83
64. 29
64.99
63.09
62.44
63.78

44.1
43.8
42.8
42.1
42.1
41.5
41.0
41.9

146.6
147.5
146.7
152.8
154.3
152.1
152.3
152.3

50. 36
50. 33
50.68
51.29
51.46
51. 72
53.38
55.32

39.2
39.3
39.5
39.8
39.7
39.8
40.1
39.8

128.4
128.0
128.4
128.7
129.6
129.8
133.0
139.1

60. 80
60.82
60.84
60. 97
61.48
63.17
63.49
63.62

41.2
41.1
41.0
41.1
41.2
41.9
41.3
41.1

147.7
147.9
148.3
148.4
149.3
150.9
153.9
154.9

58.85
59.20
58.24
56. 47
59.34
61.58
61.65
63.93

40.8
41.2
40.5
39.6
40.6
41.9
41.8
41.8

144.1
143.8
143.7
142.7
146.2
147.1
147.3
152.9

48.09
48.19
49. 04
49. 37
50. 28
51.48
53.05
52. 64

40.5
40.6
40.7
40.8
41.3
41.2
41.2
41.2

118.8
118.7
120.4
120.9
121.8
124.3
127.9
127.0

38.86
36.59
37.95
37.50
38.07
37. 94
38.77
38. 59

52.2
48.8
50.3
49.4
49.0
48.0
47.6
49.0

74.6
75.0
75.5
75.9
77.8
79.1
81.6
78.7

See footnotes at end of table.


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

MONTHLY LABOR

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

562

T a b l e C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing I n d u s t r i e s C o n .
M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Chemicals and allied
products—Con.

Rubber products

Products of petroleum and coal
Total: Products of
petroleum and coal

Fertilizers
Year and month

Petroleum refining

Coke and by­
products

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ hours
ings
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ hours
ings
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Cents
97.4
97.0

Cents

Cents

36.1
35.7

63.12
64. 75
63.51
65.86
66.32

40.3
40.7
39.9
41.0
40.3

156.7 $54.15
159.1 53.08
159.3 53.83
160.7 54.06
164.7 54.37

39.8
38.6
39.9
39.8
39.7

136.3 $57.17
138.1 57. 56
135.0 58.88
135.9 58.74
137.1 60.60

44.6
44.7
45.2
45.4
45.5

67. 54
67.64
67.77
68. 50
71.14
70. 96
74. 01
74. 78

39.8
40.0
40.1
40.2
40.9
40.2
40.4
41.0

169.9
168.9
169.2
170.4
174.0
176.3
183.2
183.1

40.4
40.9
40.3
38.4
40.2
40.3
39.8
40.0

140.4
139.5
140.8
139. 5
141.9
143.7
144.3
149.8

58.35
58.67
59.51
58.84
60.66
61.09
62. 78
63.58

44.4
44.1
44.3
44.0
44.9
44.7
45.2
44.9

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ hours
ings
ings

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$14. 71
14.89

35.8
34.8

Cents
41.2 $32.62
42.9 32.46

36.5
36.6

Cents
89.4 $34.97
88.7 34.46

1947: August _____
September___
October______
November___
December____

37.17
38.85
36.85
35. 53
36.56

40.9
41.8
40.5
39.2
40.7

90.8
93.0
90.9
90.7
89.7

60. 62
61.84
60.94
62. 54
63. 21

40.6
41.0
40.5
41.2
40.8

149.4
150.9
150.5
151.8
155.1

1948: January_____
February____
M arch______
April_______
M a y . ______
June________
J u ly ... _____
A ugust______

37.23
34.96
36. 25
36. 49
37. 40
39. 34
40.82
40.37

41.5
39.7
41.6
41.5
41.4
41.2
42.1
40.7

89.7
88.1
87.1
88.0
90.4
95.4
97.0
99.1

64.47
64.58
64. 62
64. 45
67.16
67.18
69. 46
70. 62

40.7
40.8
40.6
40.3
41.2
40.7
40.8
41.2

158.6
158.1
159.3
160.0
163.1
165.0
170.3
171.4

56. 70
57.06
56.74
53.54
57.01
57.84
57. 44
59. 94

Rubber boots and
shoes

$27.84
30.38

36.9
39.0

Cents
75.4
77.9

128.2
128.7
130.2
130.6
133.1

55.92
57. 76
57.62
57.99
59.47

38.7
39.9
40.1
39.9
40.9

144.5
144.7
143.8
145.4
145.4

131.4
133.2
134.2
133.8
135.2
136.7
139.0
141.5

57.33
54.70
53.24
53.39
55. 45
57.14
58.37
60. 54

39.7
38.5
37.8
37.8
39.0
39.7
39.7
40.3

144.4
142.1
140.8
141.2
142.4
143.9
147.2
150.2

Miscellaneous industries

Rubber products—Continued

Rubber tires and
inner tubes

Total: Rubber prod­
ucts

Roofing materials

Rubber goods, other

Total: Miscellaneous
industries

Instruments (professional and scien­
tific), and fire-control equipment

Pianos, organs, and
parts

$33.36

35.0
37.7

Cents
95.7 $22.80
97.5 26.76

37.5
41.9

Cents
60.7 $23.34
63.9 24.97

38.9
39.4

Cents
60.5 $24.48
63.9 25.35

39.2
39.3

Cents
62.4
64.5 $35.33

45.7

Cents

Cents

1947: August______
Septem ber..
O ctober..........
November___
December____

62.15
64.75
63.78
64.86
65.74

37.8
38.9
38.7
38.9
39.5

164.0
166.1
164.7
166.1
165.8

47.23
49.92
51.28
49.26
54.72

39.9
41.8
42.4
40.6
44.5

118.3
119.4
121.1
121.3
123.1

49.17
50.40
51.03
51.27
52.93

39.7
40.9
41.4
41.0
41.8

123.7
123.4
123.2
125.2
126.1

46.32
47.91
48.74
49.14
50.21

39.3
40.2
40.6
40.7
41.2

117.7
119.1
120.0
120.7
121.9

54.27
55.00
55.67
56.06
57.99

39.9
39.8
39.9
40.0
40.8

135.3 $50.88
136.1 53.81
137.5 52.64
136.9 54.24
139.1 56.25

40.7
41.9
40.8
41.6
42.9

125.9
129.5
130.1
131.8
132.6

1948: January_____
February____
March
____
A p r il_______
M ay________
June________
July ______
August______

62.72
58.22
55. 54
56. 54
61.15
63. 96
66. 30
68.30

38.2
36.0
34.8
35.3
37.4
38.8
39.3
39.5

164.6
161.3
159.9
160.3
163. 6
165.1
168.4
173.0

51.08
50.65
51.42
50.59
50. 61
50. 69
52.12
52. 53

42.1
41.7
42.2
41.7
41.7
41.7
42.3
41.5

121.4
121.4
121.9
121.4
121.4
121.5
123.1
126.6

51.79
51.33
50. 60
50.16
50.34
51.15
51.07
53.71

41.1
40.8
40.4
39.9
40.0
40.2
39.4
40.9

126.0
125.8
125.1
125.6
126.0
127.2
129.6
131.9

49.60
50.11
49.84
49. 60
50.19
50. 92
49.90
51.28

40.4
40.8
40.6
40.4
40.3
40.3
39.3
40.3

122.7
123.0
122.9
122.8
124.4
126.2
127.0
127.2

59.59
57.20
57. 54
58.16
58.35
57. 73
56.68
58.83

41.2
40.0
40.1
40.5
40.2
39.7
39.7
40.0

141.9
138.8
140.7
141.3
143.0
143.4
144.8
146.1

40.4
40.0
40.3
40.8
40.8
40.9
40.6
40.4

131.1
130.5
128.8
128.6
128.6
128.0
128.2
128.9

77.3

52.52
51.88
51.82
52.34
52.36
52.11
51.89
52.30

N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G
Mining
Metal

Coal
A nthracite3

Bituminous >

Copper

Iron

Total: Metal

Lead and zinc

1939: Average_____ $25.67
1941: January........... 25.13

27.7
27.0

Cents
92.3 $23.88
92.5 26.00

27.1
29.7

Cents
88.6 $28.93
88.5 30.63

40.9
41.0

Cents
70.8 $26.36
74.7 29.26

35.7
39.0

Cents
73.8 $28.08
75.0 30.93

41.9
41.8

Cents
67.9 $26.39
74.9 28.61

38.7
38.2

Cents
68.3
74.9

1947: August______
September___
October_____
November___
December___

68. 51
67.37
71.40
63.43
67.42

38.5
38.2
40.0
36.2
38.4

178.0
176.5
178.4
175.4
175.6

70.23
71.19
71.91
71.77
75.22

39.1
39.1
39.9
38.5
41.2

178.7
181.9
179.8
185.1
182.6

56.09
57.01
57.39
57. 55
58.11

41.4
41.6
42.3
41.7
42.7

135.4
137.0
135.6
138.0
136.0

54.09
54.12
55.11
54.83
54.26

40.0
39.6
40.7
39.9
40.3

135.2
136.8
135.5
137.6
134.6

60.01
61.57
60.78
60.49
62.39

43.8
44.2
44.8
44.0
45.5

136.9
139.3
135.7
137. 5
137.0

54.75
56.67
57.48
58. 58
60.83

39.8
41.0
41.5
41.4
43.3

137.6
138.3
138.6
141.6
140.6

1948: January..........
February
M a rc h ..____
A p r il______
M ay_______
J u n e _______
July________
August...........

68.79
65.78
71.59
55.05
69.89
68. 91
54.87
72. 77

39.0
36.2
40.3
32.1
39.4
39.4
31.5
38.0

176.4
181.7
177.6
170.8
177.4
174.9
174.0
190.5

75.78
70.54
74. 84
49.53
74.08
73. 87
67.64
77.87

40.9
38.7
40.6
27.0
40.3
39.9
34.2
39.3

184.7
182.6
184.2
182.1
184.1
185.0
194.1
197.6

58.23
58.79
57.90
57. 84
59. 26
58. 79
57.94
62.30

42.5
42.9
42.4
42.1
42.8
42.4
40.7
43.0

137.1
137.0
136.6
137.3
138.4
138.6
142.5
144.9

54.99
56.40
56.04
55. 48
57.91
57.41
55.41
59.06

40.5
41.4
41.3
40.7
42.1
41.5
40.3
41.5

135.6
136.1
135.7
136.4
137.7
138.3
137.6
142.3

62.21
62.84
61.25
61.04
61.73
61.33
63.99
67.45

•45.2
45.8
44.7
44.6
45.0
44.5
43.6
45.2

137.7
137.3
137.1
136.9
137.3
137.8
146.8
149.3

59.88
59.16
59.04
59.58
60.27
60. 42
53.11
64.95

42.0
41.9
41.6
41.7
41.8
41.7
35.3
42.9

142.5
141 2
141.5
143.0
144.2
144.9
150.5
151.5

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Á

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

563

C: E A R N IN G S A N D H O U R S

T a b l e C -l: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries 1—Con.
N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G —Continued
Public utilities

M in ing—C ont inued
Quarrying and
nonmetallic

Crude petroleum and
natural gas production

Street railways
and busses4

Telephone *

Telegraph •

Electric light
and power

Year and month
Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ hours
ings
ings

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
earn­
ings hours

$21. 61
22.06

39.2
38.2

Cents
55.0 $34.09
57,6 33. 99

38.3
37.7

Cents
87.3 $33.13
88. 5 33. 63

45.9
45.3

Cents
71.4 $31. 94
73.1 32. 52

39.1
39.7

Cents
82.2
82.4

1947: August—..........
September___
October______
November___
December........

52. 99
53. 45
54.44
53. 05
52. 39

46.1
46.1
46.4
44.6
44.4

114.6
115.6
116.9
117.8
117.6

59. 54
61.37
60. 51
62.94
60.90

40.1
40.3
40.0
40.9
39,5

148.6
151.0
149.4
155.4
154.3

58.00
58. 57
58. 69
58. 27
60.11

46.6
46.1
45.7
45.4
46.8

124.1
126.5
126.5
127.6
128.8

46. 92
48. 02
48. 77
49. 44
47.83

38.7
39.1
39.3
39.5
39.0

121.5 $55.01
123.0 54.95
124.1 54.92
125.4 55.10
122.9 55.14

44.8
44.5
44.8
44.0
43.9

1948: January_____
February____
March_______
April________
M ay _______
J u n e ............„
July- _______
August.............

50.92
50.39
51.04
52. 83
54. 73
55. 38
55.83
58. 55

42.7
42.1
42.9
43.7
44. 4
45.0
44.1
45.7

118.7
119.9
119.0
120.6
122.6
122.8
125. 5
127.1

64.53
65. 77
63. 44
63. 96
65. 88
64.88
67.17
69. 59

39.9
40.4
39.7
400
40.2
39.5
40.1
41.3

162.7
163. 8
160.5
159.9
164. 6
163.6
167.6
168. 2

60. 73
62.15
61.36
60.10
60. 32
61.21
62.01
62.68

46.3
47.7
47.3
46.6
46.8
46.8
46.6
47.6

129.9
129.5
129.5
129.3
130.2
131.5
133.4
132.8

48.20
47.82
47. 31
47. 56
48. 82
48. 67
49.21
48.40

38.9
38.7
38.7
38.8
39.4
39.5
39.8
39.3

124.1
123.8
122.3
122.5
124.0
123.2
123.7
123.2

44.4
44. 5
44.4
44.1
45.0
45.1
45.8
45.6

1939: Average 1941: January

55.81
56. 26
56.19
59. 45
62.12
61.63
63.10
62. 59

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings hours
ings

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Cents
$34.38
35. 49

39.6
39.4

Cents
86.9
90.3

122.8
123.4
122.7
125.3
125.7

57.97
58.29
58. 44
60. 33
59.01

42.4
42.0
42.1
42.4
42.2

137.8
139.0
139. 2
142 8
141.4

125.7
126. 5
126.7
134.9
138.1
136.7
137.9
137.3

59. 87
59.60
58. 27
59.10
59. 83
60.41
61.46
61.46

42.4
42.2
41.6
41.8
41.7
41.8
41.8
42.1

142.6
142,8
140.8
142 7
144.4
145. 5
148.3
147.5

Trade
Retail
Wholesale
Food

Total: Retail

1939: A verage_____ $29. 85
1941: January______ 30. 59

41.7
40.6

Cents
71.5 $21.17
75.6 21.53

43.0
42.9

Cents
53.6 $23. 37
54.9 23.78

43.9
43,6

Cents
52.5 $17.80
53.7 18.22

38.8
38.8

1947: A ugust.-..........
September___
October............
November _ _
December____

52.05
53. 65
53. 68
54. 70
54.97

41.1
41.2
41.3
41. 4
41.6

125.8
128.1
128.9
131.4
130.0

38.14
37.06
36. 74
37.14
37.36

41.0
40.0
40.0
39. 5
39.7

100.3
101.2
101.3
102. 5
101.6

45. 37
44.15
44.08
44.92
44.74

42.1
40.1
40.2
39. 6
39.9

104.3
105.1
105.8
108.6
107.9

32.50
31.85
31.59
31. 15
31.87

37.2
36.3
36.1
35.5
36.0

1948: January............
February____
March_______
April________
M a y ________
June_________
July_________
August______

54.36
55.87
55.17
55. 84
56.61
56.00
56. 54
57.51

41.0
41.1
40.9
41.0
41.2
41.1
41. 2
41.3

130.9
134.3
133. 4
134.6
136.3
135.3
136. 5
137.9

37.62
38.33
38.89
39. 27
39. 84
40. 52
41.19
41.19

39.8
40.0
39.8
39.8
39.9
40.3
40. 8
41.0

104.4
105.0
104.4
105.5
106. 4
107.0
107.7
108.0

45. 46
46. 33
46.14
46. 66
47.08
48. 52
49.44
49.35

39.9
39.7
39.5
39.2
39.6
40.6
41.0
41.1

110.8
111.9
112.3
115.0
114.8
115.9
116.2
116.0

32. 09
32. 09
32. 28
33.17
34. 04
35.04
35. 67
35.85

35.9
35.7
35.3
35.3
35.2
35.8
36.5
36.5

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Furniture and housefurnishings

Apparel

General merchandise
Cents
45.4 $21.23
46.6 21.89

38.8
39.0

Cents
54.3 $28. 62
56.0 27.96

44.5
43.9

Cents
66 0
66.6

85.9
85.4
86.0
85. 6
85.3

36.74
37.02
37. 20
37. 40
38.18

37.1
36.9
36.8
36.5
37.2

99.4
101.1
102.3
102.7
102.4

49. 41
50.23
51.43
52.13
53. 79

42.6
42.6
42.4
42.5
43,2

119.4
121.5
124.3
125.5
128,8

88.9
88.3
87.8
89.5
90.7
91.5
91.5
91. 4

37.68
37. 94
37.50
38.23
38. 54
39.33
39.48
39.17

36.9
37.3
36.2
36.6
36. 5
36.9
37.2
37.1

100.7
100.2
102.5
103.0
104.0
104.9
104.5
104.3

50. 62
53.05
51.30
50. 24
50. 96
50.86
51.27
51.33

42.3
43.9
43.7
43.5
43.4
43.4
43.3
43.7

125,4
125.3
124. 2
126 1
128.1
128.1
128.4
128.0

564

G: E A R N IN G S A N D H O U R S

MONTHLY LABOR

T able C 1: Hours and Gross Earnings in Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Industries1—Con.
NONMANUFACTURING—Continued
Trade—Continued

Finance8

Service

Retail—(Continued
Year and month

Automotive
Avg.
w kly. Avg.
earn­ wkly.
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Lumber and build­
ing materials
Avg.
wkly. wAvg.
kly.
earn­
ings hours

Bro­
ker­
age

Insur­
ance H o tels8 (year-round)

Power laundries

Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. w kly. w kly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ earn­ earn­ w kly.
ings
ings
ings
ings hours

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. wAvg.
kly.
earn­ earn­
ings
ings hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Cents
32.4 $17.69
33.8 18.37

Cents
41.7 $19. 96
42.9 19.92

1939: Average........................ $27.07
1941: January....................... 28. 26

47.6
46.8

Cents
57.1 $26.22
60.6 26.16

42.7
41.7

Cents
61.9 $36.63 $36.32 $15. 25
63.4 38. 25 37.52 15.65

46.6
45.9

1947: August_____________
September...... .............
October___ ________
November........
December_________

51.50
51. 55
52.37
52. 62
52. 71

45.5
45.3
45.7
45.3
45.5

115.2
115.9
116.5
117.4
116.8

48. 49
48. 24
48. 70
47.65
49.03

43.0
42.3
42.9
42.1
42.7

112.2
113.5
113.6
113.9
114.3

58.42
59. 32
61.38
64. 51
62.85

52. 55
51.47
51.96
53. 98
53.92

29.50
29.86
30. 45
30.54
30.89

45.0
44.1
44.0
44.4
44.1

66.0
67.2
68.4
68.7
69.3

32.79
33. 44
32. 97
32.86
33.88

42.2
42.4
42.3
41.7
42.6

77.1
78.6
78.7
78.6
79.7

1948: January......... ............
February____ ______
March........ ................
April_______ ________
M ay________________
June- ______________
July___________ ____
A u g u s t - - - ________

51.66
53.03
52.98
54. 53
54.49
54.65
55.03
56.04

44.4
45.0
44.6
45.5
45.5
45.5
45.1
45.6

117.9
118.6
120.2
121.6
122.0
122.1
123.7
125.1

48.19
49.56
49. 24
49.64
50.32
51.08
61.31
52. 51

41.8
42.1
42.5
42.6
42.8
43.2
42.8
43.4

115.4
117.4
117.0
117.5
119.3
120.2
121.6
122.0

62. 35
63.37
62.60
65.76
71.15
69.35
68.12
65.33

55.09
56.63
55. 51
54.94
56. 22
54.75
55.22
55.79

30. 55
31.19
30.96
31.59
31.70
31.88
32.04
32.17

43.9
44.6
44.0
44.2
44.2
44.1
44.0
44.9

69.5
69.5
69.5
70.0
70.7
71.1
71.4
71.3

33. 99
33.54
33. 74
34.29
34.22
34.36
34.55
33.70

42.3
41.9
42.0
42.2
41.8
41.8
42.2
41.1

80.7
80.2
80.5
81.0
81.7
82.3
82.0
82.2

1 These figures are based on reports from cooperating establishments coverIng both full- and part-time employees who worked or received pay during
the pay period ending nearest the 15th of the month. As not all reporting
firms supply man-hour data, the average weekly hours and average hourly
earnings for individual industries are based on a slightly smaller sample
than are average weekly earnings.
For manufacturing, mining, power laundries, and cleaning and dyeing
industries, the data relate to production and related workers only. For the
remaining industries, unless otherwise noted, the data relate to all nonsupervisory employees and working supervisors. The size of the reporting
sample, methods of computation, and additional tables on “real” and “net
spendable” weekly earnings are contained in the Bureau’s monthly mimeo­
graphed release, “Hours and Earnings—Industry Report,” which is avail­
able upon request. Data for 1939 and January 1941, for some industries, are
not strictly comparable with the periods currently presented. All series, by
month, are available upon request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such
requests should specify the series desired. Data for the two current months
are subject to revision without notation. Revised figures for earlier months
are identified by an asterisk for the first m onth’s publication of such data
? New series beginning with month and year shown below; not comparable
with data shown for earlier periods:
Glass products made from purchased glass—M ay 1948; comparable April
data are $44.36 and 112.1 cents.
Knitted cloth—September 1947; comparable August data are 101.2 cents.
Jute goods, except felts.—September 1947; comparable August data
are 89.1 cents.


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

Cleaning and dyeing

42.7
42.9

Avg. Avg,
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours
ings

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.8
41.9

Cents
49.0
48.8

35. 86
37.67
37.70
37. 23
37.70

40.8
41.9
41.5
40.9
41.5

89.2
91.1
91.9
92.5
92.1

37.64
36. 55
37.96
39.18
39.13
40.14
39.02
37.48

41.4
40. 5
41.5
42.1
42.0
42.4
41.7
40.0

92.4
92.3
92.4
93.3
93.6
94.7
94.2
94.1

5 April 1948 data reflect work stoppages.
* Data include private and municipal street-railway companies and affil­
iated, subsidiary, or successor trolley-bus and motor-bus companies.
8 Prior to April 1945 the averages of hours and earnings related to all em ­
ployees except executives; beginning with April 1945 these averages reflect
mainly the hours and earnings of employees subject to the Fair Labor Stand­
ards Act. At the same time the reporting sample was expanded to include
a greater number of employees of “long lines.” The April 1945 data are
$40.72, 42.9 hours, and 95.2 cents on the old basis, and $37.50, 40.6 hours, and
92.6 cents on the new basis.
9 Data relate to all land-line employees except those compensated on a
commission basis. Excludes general and divisional headquarters personnel,
trainees m school, and messengers.
J, Data on average weekly hours and average hourly earnings are not avail­
able.
8 M oney payments only; additional value of board, room, uniforms, and
tips, not included.
•Revised.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

565

0: E A R N IN G S A N D H O U R S

T a b l e C-2: Estimated Average Hourly Earnings, Gross and Exclusive of Overtime, of Production

Workers in Manufacturing Industries 1
[In cents]
All manufacturing

Durable goods

Gross

Exclud­
ing over­
time

Gross

Exclud­
ing over­
time

Gross

Exclud­
ing over­
time

January 1941_____
January 1945_____
July 1945_________
June 1946.-........ .

68.3
104.6
103.3
108.4

66.4
97.0
96.9
105.3

74.9
114.4
112.7
116. 5

72.2
105.3
105.2
113.4

61.0
89.1
90.2
100.3

60.1
84.0
85.4
97.2

1941: A verage.........
1942: Average_____
1943: Average_____

72.9
85.3
96.1
101.9
102.3
108.4
122.1

70.2
80.5
89.4
94.7
»96.3
104.9
118.2

80.8
94.7
105.9
111.7
111.1
115.6
129.2

77.0
88.1
97.6
102.9
» 104.2
112.2
125.0

64.0
72.3
80.3
86.1
90.4
101.2
114.5

62.5
69.8
76.3
81.4
»85.8
97.8
110.9

1945: Average_____
1946- A verage
1947' A verage

Durable goods

Nondurable goods

Year and month

Year and month

1944: A verage

All manufacturing

Nondurable goods

i Overtime is defined as work in excess of 40 hours a week and paid for at
time and one-half. The method of estimating average hourly earnings exclusive of overtime makes no allowance for special rates of pay for work done on
holidays.

Gross

Exclud­
ing over­
time

Gross

Exclud­
ing over­
time

Gross

Exclud­
ing over­
time

1947: August_____
Septem ber.. .
October_____
N ovem ber.. .
D ecem ber...

123.6
124.9
125.8
126.8
127.8

120.1
120.9
121.6
122.7
122.8

131.2
133.1
133.7
134.6
135.4

127.5
128.9
129.2
130.2
129.9

115.8
116.5
117.5
118.5
119.6

112.4
112.7
113.7
114.7
115.2

1948: January____
February___
M arch_____
April............. .
M ay________
J u n e............
July 3_______
A u gu st3____

128.5
128.7
128.9
129.2
130.1
131.6
133.3
134.9

124.3
124.7
124.8
125.3
126.2
127.5
129.6
130.9

135.5
135.2
135.2
135.7
136.6
138.5
140.8
143.2

130.8
130.9
130.6
131.4
132.4
134.1
137.0
138.5

121.0
121.7
122.0
122.0
123.0
124.2
125.2
126.2

117.3
118.1
118.3
118.4
119.4
120.4
121.6
122.7

s Eleven-month average only; August 1945 excluded because of VJ-day
holiday period,
1 Preliminary,

T a b l e C -3 : Average Earnings and Hours on Private Construction Projects, by Type of Firm 1
Building construction
All types, private
construction projects

Special building trades
Total building

General contractors
All trades *

Year and month
Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­
age
age
age
age
age
age hourly
age hourly
wkly. wkly.
wkly. wkly.
wkly.
earn­ earn­
earn­
earn­
earn­
ings »
ings * hours ings ings 3 hours ings
1940: Average____
1941: January........

(*)
(<)

1947: August____
Septem ber..
October____
November. .
D ecem ber...

$64. 36
65.09
66.03
64. 02
66.47

1948: January____
February__
March ____
April______
M ay_______
June ______
July 3 __
A u g u st7___

65. 73
66.17
66. 73
67. 25
67.90
70. 57
71.53
72. 07

(4)
w

>-


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

$31. 70
32.18

33.1 $0. 958 «$30. 56
.986 3 30.10
32.6

Painting and deco­
rating

Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­ Aver­
age
age
age
age
age
age
age hourly
age hourly
age hourly
wkly. wkly.
wkly.
wkly. wkly.
earn­ hours earn­ earn­ wkly.
earn­
earn­
earn­
ings 3
ings ings 3 hours ings ings 3 hours ings

3 33.3 3$0,918 $33.11
3 32.7
3 .946 33. 42

32.7 $1,012 $32. 87
32.6 1.025 34.16

34.6 $0.949 $33.05
35.8
.955 31. 49

32.5
29.7

$1,016
1.062

38.6 $1. 668
38.3 1.697
38.5 1.716
36.9 1. 736
38.0 1. 748

64. 71
65.36
66. 36
64. 55
67.31

38.2
37.9
38.1
36.6
37.9

1.694
1.723
1.743
1. 765
1.774

61.33
61.16
62. 25
60. 55
62.86

38.0
37.2
37.4
35.8
37.1

1.614
1.646
1.665
1.690
1.695

69.01
70. 61
71.32
69.36
72.64

38.5
38.9
38.9
37.5
38.9

1.794
1.816
1.833
1.851
1.865

69.60
71.19
71.98
71.90
76.61

38.9
39.1
39.2
38.4
40.6

1. 791
1.819
1.836
1.872
1.887

66.32
66.13
67.29
63. 56
65.33

37.4
37.4
37.6
35.0
36.0

1.774
1. 767
1. 792
1.818
1.812

1.762
1.788
1.786
1. 795
1.812
1.835
1.865
1.880

66.28
66.31
66. 89
67.31
68.13
70.49
71.38
72.09

37.2
36.7
37.1
37.0
37.1
37.9
37.8
37.8

1.781
1.806
1.805
1.818
1.835
1.858
1.890
1.906

62.05
62.70
63.28
63. 62
64. 74
67.00
67.90
68. 54

36.4
36.3
36.7
36.5
36.5
37.4
37.2
37.4

1.707
1.727
1.724
1. 745
1.772
1.789
1.826
1.835

71.43
70. 99
71.47
72.08
72.67
75.14
75.88
76. 77

38.2
37.3
37.5
37.7
37.9
38.6
38.5
38.4

1.868
1.899
1.905
1.909
1.916
1.948
1.972
1.997

75.79
74.17
74. 01
74.64
75. 55
79.03
78.89
80.30

40.7
39.1
39.0
38.9
39.1
40.0
39.2
39.1

1.862
1.895
1.897
1.919
1.933
1.976
2. 014
2.053

65.79
65.03
66. 80
68.29
69.76
70.27
71.20
71.37

35.7
34.7
35.7
36.3
36.6
36.4
36.8
36.6

1.840
1.872
1.870
1. 880
1.906
1.930
1.934
1.948

37.3
37.0
37.4
37.5
37.5
38.5
38.4
38.3

See footnotes at end of table.

A

(*)
«

Aver­ Aver­
age
age
wkly. hourly
earn­
hours
ings

Plumbing and heat­
ing

566

MONTHLY LABOR

C: E A R N IN G S AN D H O U R S

T able C-3: Average Earnings and Hours on Private Construction Projects, by Type of Firm 1—Con.
Building

construction—Continued

Special building trades—Continued
Year and month

Electrical work

Plastering and
lathing

Masonry

Roofing and sheet
metal

Carpentry

Excavation and
foundation

Avg.
Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg.
Avg. Avg.
Avg. Avg.
Avg. Avg.
Avg.
Avg. hourly
w kly. wkly.
wkly.
hourly w kly. Avg. hourly wkly. Avg. hourly wkly. Avg. hourly wkly. Avg. hourly
earn­ hours earn­ earn­ w kly. earn­ earn­ wkly. earn­ earn­ w kly. earn­ earn­ w kly. earn­ earn­ w kly. earn­
ings !
ings ings 8 hours ings ings 9 hours ings ings 8 hours ings ings 3 hours ings ings 8 hours ings
1940: A verage.......... $41.18
1941: January_____ 43.18

34.5 $1.196 $29. 47
36.5 1.184 25. 66

29.8 $0. 988 $36. 60
25.3 1.012 35. 36

28.5 $1. 286 $31. 23
27.5. 1. 287 30. 40

33.0 $0. 947 $28.07
31.2
.974 27.60

31.8 $0.883 $26. 53
30.3
.910 23.86

30.9
29.1

$0. 859
.820

1947: August______
September___
O cto b e r --___
November___
December____

76.96
79. 92
81.87
79. 64
81. 20

39.3
40.3
40.8
39.9
40.6

1.960
1.985
2.006
1.995
2.000

65.89
66.68
67.19
65.39
66. 69

38.2
38.1
37.7
36.0
36.3

1. 727
1.752
1.781
1. 817
1. 836

75. 61
76. 05
75.60
73. 27
76.63

38.0
38.1
37.4
35.3
36.5

1.992
1. 995
2.019
2. 075
2.100

65. 99
65. 75
66. 55
66.50
64. 94

39.5
39.0
38.9
38.4
37.8

1.670
1. 684
1.710
1.733
1.718

60. 86
63. 27
62. 48
57. 76
60. 64

37.4
37.9
38.4
35.4
37.1

1.629
1.669
1. 626
1.631
1.634

63.12
64. 27
63. 51
60.08
63.33

39.1
39.8
38.8
36. 7
37.8

1.616
1.613
1.638
1.636
1.676

1948: January_____
February____
M a rc h .,____
April__ _____
M ay..................
June________
J u lv 6
___
August i _____

81.62
82.10
83. 75
81. 76
81.44
82.60
84.31
85.33

40.6
40.0
40. 6
39.7
39.7
39.8
40.3
40.1

2.012
2. 052
2. 064
2.061
2.051
2.075
2.090
2.129

61.51
59. 50
61.38
64. 61
66. 91
71.21
74.78
74. 70

33.0
31.6
32.6
34.3
34.8
36.2
37.8
37.0

1.862
1.881
1.883
1.885
1.923
1.967
1.977
2.107

75. 84
74.81
75.10
76.61
79. 22
83.54
83.12
81.59

36.7
35.9
36.0
36.6
37.1
38.2
37.4
36.7

2. 069
2. 087
2.087
2.094
2.137
2.185
2. 223
2.222

63.94
61.60
62. 93
68.41
69.55
70.64
70.28
70.35

36.5
35.2
35.4
38.0
38.8
39.4
39.2
39.2

1.750
1. 752
1. 778
1. 799
1.795
1.794
1.795
1.796

56. 54
55. 38
55. 86
58. 33
59.89
63.15
64. 62
65.37

34.5
33.7
34.4
35.3
35.9
36.8
37.1
37.6

1.638
1.643
1.622
1.652
1.669
1.717
1.736
1.737

63. 79
64.37
61. 57
63.40
65. 72
68.45
66.63
69. 21

37.7
XT. 3
36. 4
37.9
39.3
40.4
38.6
39.5

1. 690
1. 725
1.689
1. 672
1.671
1 695
1. 724
1.752

Nonbuilding construction
Total nonbuilding

Year and month

Avg.
wkly.
earnings3
1940:
1941:

Average_______
January____________

1947:

August _______ _______ _____ __
September _____________
October. _________
November _________________
December_____ .

1948:

January..........................
February______
March___________
April_________________
M ay.,. ______________
J u n e .- ______ .
J u ly 8
.
August i ___ _______

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Highway and street

Avg.
Avg.
hourly
wkly.
earnings earnings3

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
Avg.
hourly
wkly.
earnings earnings 8

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Other

Avg.
Avg.
wkly.
hourly
earnings earnings3

Avg.
w kly.
hours

Avg.
hourly
earnings
( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

(4)

(4)

(4)

(4)

(4)

(4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

( 4)

$ 62. 82

$ 1 ,5 6 2

$ 58. 57

6 3 .8 5
6 4 . 53
6 1 . 67
6 2 .8 3

4 0 .2
4 0 .2
4 0 .3
38. 2
38. 4

1 .5 8 7
1 .6 0 2
1 .6 1 5
1 .6 3 8

6 3 . 28
6 5 . 42
6 5 . 85
6 6 .9 2
6 6 . 72
7 0 . 93
7 2 . 27
7 1 .9 7

3 7 .8
3 8 .5
3 8 .9
3 9 .6
3 9 .1
4 0 .9
4 1 .2
4 0 .5

1 .6 7 6
1 ,7 0 0
1 .6 9 2
1 .6 9 1
1 .7 0 6
1 .7 3 5
1 .7 5 6
1 . 775

$ 1. 4 5 9

5 9 .6 8
6 0 . 66
5 7 . 55
6 0 . 21

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

6 1 .2 5
6 0 . 96
6 0 . 71
6 1 .6 3
6 3 .0 9
6 7 .5 3
6 9 . 73
7 0 . 78

3 7 .9
3 7 .4
3 7 .7
3 8 .5
3 8 .8
4 0 .8
4 2 .2
4 2 .7

1 .6 1 8
1 .6 2 9
1 .6 0 9
1 .6 0 1
1 .6 2 7
1 .6 5 6
1 . 652
1 .6 5 9

1 Covers all contract construction firms reporting to the Bureau during the
months shown (over 14,000), but not necessarily identical establishments.
The data include all employees of these construction firms working at the
site of privately financed projects (skilled, semiskilled, unskilled, superin­
tendents, time clerks, etc.). Employees of these firms engaged on publicly
financed projects and off-site work are excluded.
8 Includes types not shown separately.


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H eavy construction

1 .4 9 5
1 .5 1 0
1. 528
1 .5 7 0

$ 65. 53
6 6 . 84

$ 1 ,6 3 2

$ 58. 92

6 7 .1 1
6 4 .0 3
6 5 .2 4

4 0 .2
4 0 .1
4 0 .0
3 8 .1
3 8 .4

1 .6 6 6
1 .6 7 6
1 .6 8 0
1 .6 9 7

6 5 . 57
6 8 . 78
6 8 .7 9
6 9 . 53
6 9 .3 0
7 4 .0 6
7 4 .4 2
7 3 .1 8

3 7 .6
3 8 .6
3 9 .3
3 9 .9
3 9 .4
4 1 .5
4 1 .0
3 9 .6

1 .7 4 5
1 .7 8 1
1 . 7,50
1 .7 4 3
1 . 760
1 .7 8 5
1 .1 8 4
1 .8 4 7

( 4)

58. 26
6 0 .0 8
5 8 .5 0
5 8 .3 5

4 0 .5
40. 9
4 1 .1
3 8 .9
3 8 .2

$ 1 .4 5 4
1. 425
1. 461
1. 502

5 8 .1 4
6 1 .2 4
6 2 .8 9
6 5 .0 8
6 3 .8 6
6 6 .6 1
6 9 .2 3
6 9 . 97

3 8 .1
3 9 .0
38. 9
3 9 .8
38. 8
3 9 .5
4 0 .6
4 1 .0

1 .5 2 4
1. 5 70
1 .6 1 5
1 .6 3 7
1 .6 4 7
1 .6 8 5
1 .7 0 5
1 .7 0 6

1. 528

* Hourly earnings, when multiplied by weekly hours of work, may not
exactly equal weekly earnings because of rounding.
4 N ot available prior to February 1946.
8 Includes general contracting as well as general building maintenance, and
other special building data.
6 Revised.
1 Preliminary.

R E V I E W , N O V E M B E R 1948

567

D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING

D : Prices and Cost of Living
Table D -l: Consumers’ Price Index 1 for M oderate-Income Families in Large Cities, by Group of
Commodities
(1935-39-100]
Fuel, electricity, and ice
Year and month

All items

Food

Apparel

Rent
Total

Gas and
electricity

Other fuels
and ice

Housefurnishings

Miscel­
laneous

70.7
71.7

79.9
81.7

69.3
69.8

92.2
92.2

61.9
62.3

(3)
(3)

(3)
(?)

59.1
60.8

50.9
52.0

December ________________________
June
____________________________
A verage___________________________
A vera g e__________________________

118.0
149.4
122.5
97.6

149.6
185.0
132.5
86.5

147.9
209.7
115.3
90.8

97.1
119.1
141.4
116.9

90.4
104.8
112.5
103.4

(«)
(3)
(?)
(»)

(J)
(3)
(J)
(3)

121.2
169.7
111. 7
85.4

83.1
100.7
104.6
101.7

1939: A verage -- _______________________
August 15__________________________
1940: Average___________________________
1941: Average_______________ ___________
January 1. ________________________
December 15_______________________

99.4
98.6
100.2
105.2
100.8
110.5

95.2
93.5
96.6
105.5
97.6
113.1

100.5
100.3
101.7
106.3
101.2
114.8

104.3
104.3
104. 6
106.2
105.0
108.2

99.0
97.5
99.7
102.2
100.8
104.1

98.9
99.0
98.0
97.1
97.5
96.7

99.3
96.3
101.6
107.4
104.0
111.3

101.3
100.6
100.5
107.3
100.2
116.8

100.7
100.4
101.1
104.0
101.8
107.7

1942:
1943:
1944:
1945:

A verage___________________________
A verage___________________________
A verage___________________________
Average___________________________
August 15 _________________________

116.5
123.6
125.5
128.4
129.3

123.9
138.0
136.1
139.1
140.9

124.2
129.7
138.8
145. 9
146.4

108. 5
108.0
108.2
108.3
(J)

105. 4
107.7
109. 8
110.3
111.4

96.7
96.1
95.8
95.0
95.2

113.9
119.0
123.4
125.1
127.2

122.2
125.6
136.4
145.8
146.0

110.9
115.8
121.3
124.1
124.5

1946: Average____________________________
June 15____________________________
November 1 5 ______________________

139.3
133.3
152.2

159.6
145.6
187.7

160. 2
157.2
171.0

108.6
108.5
(3)

112.4
110. 5
114.8

92.4
92.1
91.8

132.0
128.4
137.2

159.2
156.1
171.0

128.8
127.9
132.5

1947: Average___________________________
September 15_______________________
October 15________ ________________
November 15_______________________
December 15_______________________

159.2
163.8
163. 8
164.9
167.0

193.8
203.5
201.6
202.7
206.9

185.8
187.. 6
189.0
190.2
191.2

111.2
113.6
114.9
115.2
115.4

121.1
124.6
125. 2
126.9
127.8

92.0
92.1
92.2
92.5
92.6

149.5
156.3
157.4
160.5
162.0

184.4
187.5
187.8
188.9
191.4

139.9
140.8
141.8
143.0
144.4

1948: January 15 _______________________
February 15________________________
March 15__________________________
April 15____________________________
M ay 15____________________________
June 15____________________________
July 15_____________________________
August 15.
- ________
September 15 __________________

168.8
167.5
166.9
169.3
170. 5
171.7
173. 7
174.5
174.5

209.7
204.7
202.3
207.9
210.9
214.1
216.8
216.6
215.2

192.1
195.1
196.3
196.4
197.5
196.9
197.1
199.7
201.0

115.9
116.0
116.3
116.3
116.7
117.0
117.3
117.7
118.5

129.5
130.0
130.3
130.7
131.8
132.6
134.8
136.8
137.3

93.1
93.2
93.8
93.9
94.1
94.2
94.4
94.5
94.6

165.0
165.9
166.0
166. 7
168.6
170.1
174.2
178.1
178.9

192.3
193.0
194.9
194.7
193.6
194.8
195 9
196.3
198.1

146.4
146.4
146.2
147.8
147.5
147.5
150. 8
152.4
152.7

1913: Average___________________________
1914: July ____________________________
1918:
1920:
1929:
1932:

1 The “consumers’ price index for moderate-income families In large cities,”
formerly known as the “cost of living index” measures average changes in
retail prices of selected goods, rents, and services weighted by quantities
bought in 1934-36 by families of wage earners and moderate-income workers
in large cities whose incomes averaged $1,524 in 1934-36.
Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin 699, Changes in Cost of Living in Large
Cities in the United States, 1913-41, contains a detailed description of methods
used in constructing this index. Additional information on the consumers’
price index is given in a compilation of reports published by the Office of
Economic Stabilization, Report of the President’s Committee on the Cost
of Living.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Mimeographed tables are available upon request showing indexes for each
of the cities regularly surveyed by the Bureau and for each of the major
groups of living essentials. Indexes for ail large cities combined are available
since 1913. The beginning date for series of indexes for individual cities varies
from city to city but indexes are available for most of the 34 cities since World
War I.
s Data not available.
* Rents not surveyed this month.

568

D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING

MONTHLY LABOR

T able D -2 : Consumers’ Price Index for M oderate-Incom e Families, by C ity,1 for Selected Periods
[1935-39=100]

City

Sept. 15, Aug. 15, July 15, June 15, M ay 15, Apr. 15, Mar. 15, Feb. 15, Jan. 15, Dec. 15, N ov. 15, Oct. 15, Sept. 15, June 15, Aug. 15,
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1947
1947
1947
1947
1946
1939

Average....... .............................

174.5

174.5

173.7

171.7

170.5

169.3

166.9

167.5

Atlanta, Ga._.........................Baltimore, M d____________
Birmingham, A la ...............Boston, M ass_____________
Buffalo, N . Y — ____ ______
Chicago, 111..............................
Cincinnati, Ohio__________
Cleveland, Ohio__________
Denver, Colo_____________
Detroit, M ich..........................
Houston, T e x ...____ ______

(2)
179. 2
178. 6
169. 0
(2)
179. 4
176. 3
(2)

176.2
(2)
179.3
168.7
(2)
178.8
175.7
179.3

(2)
(2)
177.0
168.6
173.1
178.6
175.9

(2)
176.1
174. 7
166.1
(2)
176.2
173.5
(2)
(!)
174.5
172.5

170.8

(«)

(»)
170.9
172.0
160.8
(«)
169.0
169.3
(2)
(>)
168.7
170.0

169.2
(*)
172.8
161.3
(2)
168.8
170.1
171.6
(>)
169.0
170.4

Indianapolis, Ind__-........ .
Jacksonville, Fla__________
Kansas City, M o_________
Los Angeles, Calif................ _
Manchester, N . H ________
M emphis, T enn__________
Milwaukee, W is__________
Minneapolis, M inn_______
M obile, Ala_______ ______ _
New Orleans, L a . . ...............
New York, N . Y_ ________
Norfolk, Va..............................
Philadelphia, Pa__________
Pittsburgh, P a........... .............
Portland, Maine__________
Portland, Oreg........... ............
Richmond, Va........................
St. Louis, M o....... ............. .
San Francisco, Calif_______
Savannah, Ga____ ___ ____
Scranton, P a______________
Seattle, W ash_____________
Washington, D . C ____ ____

(2 )

175. 4
175. 4

(2 )

176.1
175.2

(2 )

( 2)

(2 )

C2)
(2 )

179. 1
171. 0
(2 )

177. 1
(2)
173. 8
177. 3
(2)
173. 3
(2)
174. 8
178. 3
170. 7
0)
(2 )

175. 0
177. 1
(2 )
(2 )
(2 )

(2)

171.0
( 2)
C2)

174.5
(2 )

(2 )

172.5
175.9
173.7
176.5
(2 )

166.3
170.3
178.1
(2)
(2)
(2)

(2)
179.8
173.3

172.6

176.2
174.8
178.3

(2)
172.9
177.8

(2 )
(2 )
(2 )
(2 )
(2 )
(2 )

174.7
176.2
169.2

(2)
(2 )

(2 )

180.3
168.9
C2)
(2 )

180.2

G)

178.3
f 2)

168.8
(2)
174.7
(2)
171.4
173.5
(2)
169.1
(2)

172.1
175.7
167.4
(2)
(2 )

172.1
174.2
(2 )

(2 )
(2 )

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2 )

( 2)

173.7
164.1
(2)
174.9
172.3
173.7
(>)
173.2
171.5
(> )

(2)
(2)
169.1
(2)
(>)
171.1
(2)
(2)

176.5
167.5
171.9
170.4
173.5
(*)
(2)
(*)
(2)
( 2)

(2)
170.2
174.3
166.7

( 2)

172.7
163.6
167.2
172.1
170.8
(2)
168.5
171.8
171.4
172.5
(> )

163.3
169.3
172.0
(2)
(2 )

(>)
(>)
(S)
167.0
(2)

169.3
171.9
(2)
175.8
163.4
(2)
(2)
177.6
(2)

(2)

167.4
( 2)

172.4
(>)
107. 7
169.9

(> )

(2)
( 2)

168.1
(!)

(2 )

166.9
(>)
(2)

(2 )

177.1
166.4

(!)
165.5
170.1
162.7
(*)

170.1
166.6
170.1
(2)

164.3

( 2)

(2 )

(2)
(2)
(2)

(»)

(*)

167.8
171.4
(2 )

(2 )

(2)

(')

( !)

1 The indexes are based on time-to-time changes in the cost of goods and
services purchased by moderate-income families in large cities. They do not
indicate whether it costs more to live in one city than in another.
1 Through June 1947, consumers' price indexes were computed monthly for


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

( 2)

172.8

166. 5
170.7
163.2

168.8
( s)

(2)
174.4
163.1
167.4
171.5
171.2
( 2)

167.0
170.6
170.8
172.3
(«)

162.4
167.6
172.5
(>)
(»)
(2)
(2)
(2)

167.1
(>)
168.4
172.3
( 2)

174.4
165.1
(2)
(2)
175.6
(2)
(2)
(2)

167.0

164.9

163.8

163.8

133.3

98.6

(*)
171.3
173.8
160.4
(>)
170.1
170.3
(2)
(2)
169.0
169.3

167.5
(»)
171.6
158.3

(>)

(*)
167.8
169.1
158.6
(')
168.3
166.3

133.8
135.6
136.5
127.9
132.6
130.9
132.2
135.7
131.7
136.4
130.5

98.0
98.7
98.5
97.1
98.5
98.7
97.3
100.0
98.6
98.5
100.7

131.9
138.4
129.4
136.1
134.7
134.5
131.2
129.4
132.9
138.0
135.8

98.0
98.5
98.6
100.5
97.8
97.8
97.0
99.7
98.6
99.7
99.0

135.2
132.5
134.7
128.7
140.3
128.2
131.2
137.8
140.6
132.2
137.0
133.8

97.8
97.8
98.4
97.1
100.1
98.0
98.1
99.3
99.3
96.0
100.3
98.6

( 2)

168.3
167.1
166.9
(«)
166.6
165.8

(> )

( 2)

(»)

(*)

173.9
166.0
(*)

173.5
(2)
166.2
170.3
(2)

164.9
(2)

166.3
170.2
162.0
(2)
(2)
167.9
168.9
(2)
( 2)

(2)
(')

(2 )

164.1
(2)
(2 )

164.0
(*)
(!)
173.2
163.3
168.2
164.2
168.1
(2)
(*)
( 2)
(»)
(«)

(2)
165.2
166.2
161.7

( 2)

169.7
157.5
162.6
167.3
167.1
(»)
160.4
166.7
163.4
167.8
(> )

157.9
161.3
166.1
( 2)
(2 )
( 2)

(*)
(>)
161.7
(«)
162.2
167.8
(2)
166.5
161.7
( 2)
(»)

171.5

( 2)

(»)
164.2
162.1
(«)

168.5
(*)

161.6
(*)

169.0
(2)

162.1
164.3
(S)
161.9
(«)
163.2
168.2
159.2
(2)
(>)
165.4
165.7

(>)

(')
(*)

(2 )

(2)

(«)

(»)

21 cities and in March, June, September, and December for 13 additional
cities; beginning July 1947 indexes were computed monthly for 10 cities and
once every 3 months for 24 additional cities according to a staggered schedule.

D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING

R E V I E W , N O V E M B E R 1948

T

able

569

D -3: Consumers’ Price Index for M oderate-Incom e Families, by City and Group of

Commodities 1
[1935-39=100]
Fuel, electricity, and ice
Food

Apparel

Rent
Total

City

Gas and elec­
tricity

Other fuels and
ice

nuuseiurmsnings

Miscellaneous

Sept. 15 Aug. 15 Sept. 15 Aug. 15 Sept. 15 Aug. 15 Sept. 15 Aug. 15 Sept. 15 Aug. 15 Sept. 15 Aug. 15 Sept. 15 Aug. 15 Sept. 15 Aug. 15
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
Average__________

215.2

216.6

201.0

199. 7

118.5

117.7

137.3

136.8

94.6

94.5

178.9

178.1

198.1

196.3

152.7

152.4

Atlanta, G a..............
Baltimore, M d____
Birmingham, A la ..
Boston, M ass____
Buffalo, N . Y ____
Chicago, 111_______
Cincinnati, O hio,.Cleveland, Ohio___
Denver, Colo_____
Detroit, M ich____
Houston, Tex_____

214.2
228.7
216.3
207.2
210.1
221.4
218.0
225.6
210.5
207.6
223.7

215.7
228.9
219.3
208.8
213.0
223.6
218.1
229.0
213.1
210.1
223.8

(9

206.7

(2)
115.6
(2)
114.6
(2)
133.7
114.1
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)

120.0
(2)
138.7
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
124.3
(2)
(2)
121.1

148.2
148.0
135.6
153.0
140.2
131.5
141.8
144.7
112.6
150.6
99.6

148.2
148.1
135.6
152.3
139.1
131.0
141.1
143.6
111.9
149.7
98.4

76.9
121.3
79.6
112.5
96.0
83.5
95.1
105.6
69.2
87.3
81.8

76.9
121.8
79.6
112.3
96.0
83.5
95.1
105.6
69.2
86.7
81.8

213.7
169.5
177.3
174.5
179.6
181.4
186.4
182.0
162.0
198.7
151.7

213.8
169.3
177.3
173.6
177.4
180.6
185.0
179.9
160.5
197.4
146.1

(0
203.5
192.1
189.4
(i)
183.4
190.3
(')
(i)
206.4
198.4

200.6
(i)
192.3
186.9
(i)
180.4
189.6
184.0
(i)
207.6
199.3

(!)
149.0
149.3
144.7
(■)
154.8
153.9
(i)
(!)
166.5
152.5

155.1
(!)
149.3
143.8
(1)
152.7
153.0
152.2
C1)
166.1
152.6

Indianapolis, Ind__
Jacksonville, F la ...
Kansas City, M o ..
Los Angeles, Calif..
Manchester, N . H__
Memphis, Tenn__
Milwaukee, W is__
Minneapolis, M inn.
Mobile, Ala___. . .
New Orleans, L a ...
New York, N . Y ...

216.0
219.3
204.4
212.1
215.5
227.8
216. 3
206.0
222.1
227.7
216.2

217.1
220.7
205.4
212.7
217.8
227.1
218.8
209.2
222.7
228.5
216.9

(2)
127.1
(2)
(2)
(2)
128.0
(2)
126.6
125.5
(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)
(2)
123.9
(2)
(2)
116.7
(2)
(2)
112.1
(2)

154.6
146.9
127.6
94.0
155.7
135.0
145.5
139.6
129.8
113.0
133.3

154.0
147.3
127.6
94.0
155.7
134.9
145.2
139.5
129.4
113.0
132.9

86.6
100.2
66.7
89.3
94.6
77.0
104.5
75.8
84.0
75.1
100.6

86.6
100.2
66.7
89.3
94.6
77.0
104.5
75.8
84.0
75.1
100.5

194.6
187.4
183.2
116.4
186.2
167.1
173.8
180.9
165.5
153.2
183.4

193.6
188.1
183.2
116.4
186.2
166.9
173.2
180.8
164.7
153.2
182.5

(i)
186.3
(i)
189.0
(i)
180.7
(!)
195.2
178.6
(0
187.5

(i)
(i)
(!)
187.0
0)

(0
160.1
(!)
152.1
(0
141.4

196.4
0)
(!)
192.7
186.7

159.9
145.1
0)
157.0

(1)
(»)
(1)
151.7
(i)
(i)
148.7
(0
(i)
144.7
157.7

Norfolk, Va______
Philadelphia, P a ...
Pittsburgh, P a____
Portland, M a in e ...
Portland, Oreg____
Richmond, V a____
St. Louis, M o_____
S an F r a n c is c o ,
Calif___________
Savannah, Ga____
Scranton. P a _____
Seattle, Wash . ..
Washington, D . C._

220.2
212.0
219.5
207.0
231.4
214.1
223.0

220.5
212.5
220.9
209.8
234.1
211.7
225.3

(2)
(2)
(2)
112.4
(2)
(2)
119.6

115.2
119.2
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)

147.8
142.6
138.8
154.4
129.3
142.3
138.3

147.8
142.6
138.8
150.7
127.8
142.3
138.3

97.8
103.0
103.4
108.5
95.3
95.6
94.1

97.8
103.0
103.4
108.5
94.9
95.6
94.1

187.1
173.1
199.7
176.8
171.0
170.8
177.4

187.1
173.1
199.7
171.3
168.1
170.8
177.4

(i)
204.6
205.0
191.2
0)
(i)
174.8

195.3
202.7
203.7
(!)
(i)
(i)
(>)

(0
150.0
146.6
151.0
(i)
0)
144.9

150.2
149.7
146.5
(i)
(!)
(i)

224.2
222.4
213.2
221.0
212.9

224.3
223.3
217.3
221.9
214.9

115.3
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)
108.1
122.2
103.5

83.1
155.8
144.7
124.2
137.3

83.1
153.3
144.5
124. 2
136.9

72.7
101.5
91.8
91.5
98.6

72.7
91.2
91.8
91. 5
98.6

126.9
187.5
177.0
151.4
163.1

126.9
189.4
176.7
151.4
162.5

165.2
(i)
(i)
(»)
(')

(i)
(i)
184.5
197.2
201.1

162.4
0)
0)
(i)
(')

0)
(1)
141.1
154.7
152.1

200.8
209.0
192.3
(9
203.6
198.1

(9
(9

(9

207.0
190.7

(9

200.6
197.5
196.3

(9

198.5
213.2

197.8
210.9

(9

(9
(9
(9

197.7

(9

194.5

(9

210.5

(9

205.9
206.7

194.8

(9
(9

200.8
(9

(9

(9

209.1
200.3

(9

196.3
194.2
229.1

202.9
195.0
232.8
200.6

(9
(9

202.2

(9
(9
(9
(9

196.7
(9

(9
(9

(9
(9
(9

205.2
195. 5
219.8

1 Prices of apparel, housefumishmgs, and miscellaneous goods and services
are obtained m onthly in 10 cities and once every 3 months in 24 additional
cities according to a staggered schedule.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

0)

0)

0)

2 Rents are surveyed every 3 months in 34 large cities according to a
staggered schedule,

570

D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING

MONTHLY LABOR

T a b l e D -4: Indexes of Retail Prices of Foods,1 by Group, for Selected Periods
[1935-39=100]

Y ear and m onth

Cere­ M eats,
als
poul­
All
and
try,
foods bakery and
prod­ fish
T otal
ucts

1923:
1926:
1929:
1932:
1939:

M eats
Beef
and
veal

Pork

F ru its and vegetables
Eggs

Lam b

D airy
prod­
ucts

112.0

C hick­ Fish
ens

ats Sugar
B ev er­ Fand
and
ages
oils sw eets

T otal

Fresh

C an­
ned

D ried

136.1
141.7
143.8
82.3
91.0
90.7
93.8

169.5
210.8
169.0
103.5
94.5
92.4
96.5

173.6
226.2
173.5
105.9
95.1
92.8
97.3

124.8
122.9
124.3
91.1
92.3
91.6
92.4

175.4
152.4
171.0
91.2
93.3
90.3
100.6

131.5
170.4
164.8
112.6
95.5
94.9
92.5

126.2
145.0
127.2
71.1
87.7
84.5
82.2

175.4
120.0
114.3
89.6
100.6
95.6
96.8

112.2

Average............ 124.0
Average______ 137.4
Average______ 132.5
Average_____
86.5
A verage_____
95.2
A ugust.........
93.5
1940: A verage........... 96.6

105.5
115.7
107.6
82.6
94.5
93.4
96.8

101.2
117.8
127.1
79.3
96.6
95.7
95.8

96.6
95.4
94.4

101.1
99.6
102.8

88.9
88.0
81.1

99.5
98.8
99.7

93.8
94.6
94.8

101.0
99.6
110.6

129.4
127.4
131.0
84.9
95.9
93.1
101.4

1941: Average_____
D ecem ber........
Average______
Average_____
Average_____
Average............
A ugust______

105.5
113.1
123.9
138.0
136.1
139.1
140.9

97.9
102.5
105.1
107.6
108.4
109.0
109.1

107.5
111.1
126.0
133.8
129.9
131.2
131.8

106.5
109. 7
122.5
124.2
117.9
118.0
118.1

110.8
114.4
123.6
124.7
118.7
118.4
118.5

100.1
103.2
120.4
119.9
112.2
112.6
112.6

106.6
108.1
124.1
136.9
134.5
136.0
136.4

102.1
100.5
122.6
146.1
151.0
154.4
157.3

124.5
138.9
163.0
206.5
207.6
217.1
217.8

120.5
125.4
134.6
133.6
133.9
133.4

138.1
136.5
161.9
153.9
164.4
171.4

103.2
110.5
130.8
168.8
168.2
177.1
183.5

104.2
111.0
132.8
178.0
177.2
188.2
196.2

97.9
106.3
121.6
130.6
129.5
130.2
130.3

106.7
118.3
136.3
158.9
164. 5
168.2
168.6

101.5
114.1
122.1
124.8
124.3
124.7
124.7

94.0
108.5
119.6
126.1
123.3
124.0
124.0

106.4
114.4
126.5
127.1
126.5
126.5
126.6

1946: A v erag e.......... 159.6
J u n e .................. 145.6
N ovem ber___ 187.7

125.0
122.1
140.6

161.3
134.0
203.6

150.8
120.4
197.9

150.5
121.2
191.0

148.2
114.3
207.1

163.9
139.0
205.4

174.0
162.8
188.9

236.2
219.7
265.0

165.1
147.8
198.5

168.8
147.1

182.4
183.5
184.5

190.7
196. 7
182.3

140.8
127.5
167.7

190.4
172.5
251.6

139.6
125.4
167.8

152.1
126.4
244.4

143.9
136.2
170.5

1947: A verage...........
Septem ber___
O c to b e r_____
N ovem ber___
D ecem ber____

193.8
203.5
201.6
202.7
206.9

155.4
157. 8
160.3
167 9
170.5

217.1
240.6
235 5
227.0
227.3

214.7
241.9
234.9
223.6
223.2

213.6
239. 7
233.6
226.3
227.6

215.9
245.9
240.9
219.7
218.2

220.1
244.0
226.2
227.1
221.5

183.2
191.4
189.5
184.6
190.7

271.4
275.7
286. 5
302.4
302.3

186.2
195.2
190.1
198.4
204.9

200.8

199.4
198.2
196.6
199.6
205.3

201.5
202.4
201.1
205.0
212.1

166.2
157.3
155.2
156. 5
157.3

263.5
261.2
255.6
251.7
255.4

186.8
187.0
190.8
194.7
198.5

197.5
176.6
190.0
196. 4
208.2

180.0
181.1
181.8
183.2
183. 7

1948: Jan u a ry _____
F eb ru ary ____
M arch _______
A pril________
M a y . . . ............
Ju n e ________
J u ly -------------A u g u st.______
Septem ber___

209.7
204.7
202.3
207.9
210.9
214.1
216.8
216.6
215.2

172.7
171.8
171.0
171.0
171.1
171.2
171.0
170.8
170.7

237.5
224.8
224.7
233.8
244.2
255.1
261.8
267.0
265.3

233.4
218.0
218.2
229.5
242.0
255.2
263. 0
269.3
265.9

239.7
228.2
228.5
241.2
255.8
273.9
280.9
286.2
280.8

225.9
202.2
204.3
212.3
219.1
223.5
233.8
246.1
247.9

231.5
223.4
216.8
232.6
253. 5
271. 2
275. 0
266.6
256.6

200.0
196.4
194.7
198.4
202.1
207.6
209.3
207.8
209.4

310.9
315.0
313.6
307.2
305.0
299.3
301.6
304.4
314.9

205.7
204.4
205.8
204.8
205. 9
209.0

213.6
189.2
186.3
184.7
184.9
194.2
204.3

211.0

220.2

208.3
213.0
206.9
217.4
218.0
214.9
213.4
199.6
195.8

215.7
222.0
214.2
228.4
229.4
225.2
223. 2
204.8
199.6

158.0
157.7
157.7
156.4
156.4
157. 4
157. 7
157. 8
159.0

256.8
256.0
253.9
252.1
250.0
248.0
248.0
249.2
249.1

201.9
204.0
204.4
204.4
204.6
205.1
205. 2
205.3
205.6

209.3
194.2
191.7
191.4
196.6
200.5
200.8
197.8
196.8

183.4
176.8
174.4
173.6
173.0
170 6
170. 9
172.3
1 73.2

1942:
1943:
1944:
1945:

1 T he B ureau of Labor Statistics retail food prices are obtained m onthly
during the first three days of th e week containing the fifteenth of the m onth,
through voluntary reports from chain and independent retail food dealers.
Articles included are selected to represent food sales to moderate-income
families.
T h e indexes, based on th e retail prices of 50 foods, are com puted by the
fixed-base-weighted-aggregate m ethod, using weights representing (1) rela­
tive im portance of chain and independent store sales, in com puting city aver­
age prices; (2) food purchases by families of wage earners and moderate-


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

201.1

208.7

201.6

235.9
232.7
224.7
236.1

226.6

income workers, in com puting city indexes; and (3) population weights, in
com bining city aggregates in order to derive average prices and indexes for all
cities combined.
Indexes of retail food prices in 56 large cities combined, by com m odity
groups, for the years 1923 through 1945 (1935-39=100), m ay be found in Bulletin
No. 899, “ Retail Prices of Pood—1944 and 1945,” B ureau of Labor Statistics,
U. S. D epartm ent of Labor, table 2, p. 4. M imeographed tables of the same
data, by m onths, January 1935 to date, are available upon request.

571

D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

T a b l e D -5: Indexes of Retail Prices of Foods, by City
[1935-39=100]
Sept.
1948

Aug.
1948

July
1948

June
1948

May
1948

Apr.
1948

Mar.
1948

Feb.
1948

Jan.
1948

Dec.
1947

N ov,
1947

Oct.
1947

215.2

216.6

216.8

214.1

210.9

207.9

202.3

204.7

209.7

206.9

202.7

201.6

203.5

145.6

93.5

Atlanta, Ga______________
Baltimore, M d....... ...........
Birmingham, Ala_________
Boston, Mass_____________
Bridgeport, Conn...................

214.2
228.7
216.3
207.2
212.7

215.7
228.9
219.3
208.8
214.6

212.4
227.7
218.0
210.2
214.4

209.9
225.3
212.7
204.1
210.3

207.9
221.6
209.6
199.2
207.5

204.7
217.8
207.5
198.2
201.4

201.1
212.3
207.2
192.2
195.6

205.6
214.5
211.1
195.0
197.5

211.9
220.2
218.0
200.3
204.5

211.1
217.8
217.0
195. 7
199.0

206.9
211.8
212.7
192.4
196.5

211.1
211.5
210.7
191.8
195.6

209.4
212.8
210.9
195.3
196.8

'141.0
152.4
147. 7
138.0
139.1

92.5
94.7
90.7
93.5
93.2

Buffalo, N . Y ..........................
Butte, M ont________ _____
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 1______
Charleston, S. C __________
Chicago, 111......................... .

210.1
214. 5
220.2
207.7
221.4

213.0
215.1
222.2
208.0
223.6

212.9
216.6
224.4
211.4
224.7

211.6
214.7
224.3
208.1
221.3

207.9
207.4
219.7
206.7
218.4

200.2
201.3
217.0
204.8
212.2

196.6
200.5
208.2
199.1
204.3

196.7
202.1
208.9
200.2
204.8

202.1
204.8
214.6
206.6
213.2

200.3
195.8
213.0
203.1
210.5

194.8
194.2
209.1
198.9
207.8

193.3
195.0
208.7
201.4
207.1

196.5
195.7
212.0
198.0
211.0

140.2
139.7
148.2
140.8
142.8

94.5
94.1

Cincinnati, Ohio_________
Cleveland, Ohio................ .
Columbus, O h io ............ .......
Dallas, Tex_______________
Denver, Colo_______ ____ _

218.0
225.6
200.8
217.3
210.5

218.1
229.0
202.2
215.2
213.1

220.4
226.2
201.9
213.3
217.0

216.3
223. 7
199.2
210.8
216.5

213.5
218.0
195.3
210.5
213.3

210.1
213.0
193.1
206.7
208.5

206.1
209.3
190.8
203.0
202.3

209.0
212.5
192.6
205. 7
203.4

213.0
217.6
196.7
210.3
208.6

211.6
212.3
194.4
208.2
205.6

204.2
206.1
190.1
204.4
201.0

206.9
208.7
192.0
201.6
197.2

206.7
211.0
190.0
200.3
199.0

141.4
149.3
136.4
142.4
145.3

90.4
93.6
88.1
91.7
92.7

Detroit, M ich..........................
Fall River, M ass................
Houston, T ex_____________
Indianapolis, Ind_________
Jftp.kson, Miss.*

207.6
211.6
223.7
216.0
220.7

210.1
213.5
223.8
217.1
220.6

213.2
214.1
222.1
212.6
220.8

211.3
211.3
220.0
211. 5
216.7

208.0
207.2
218.1
208.0
218.0

203.9
201.2
219.3
205. 7
218.3

197.7
197.2
216.0
203.8
214.6

199.4
198.4
218.1
204.2
221.3

205.1
202.6
221.5
208.2
223.3

202.0
199.0
218.1
208.8
223.2

196.7
195.0
210.2
204.3
213.1

199.0
195.6
208.7
204.5
212.6

197.4
195.8
206.4
203.0
212.0

145.4
138.1
144.0
141.5
150.6

90.6
95.4
97.8
90.7

Jacksonville, Fla.....................
Kansas City, M o_____ ____

220.7
205. 4
244.6
212. 4
212.7

222.8
204.4
941 7
213.4
213.1

222.9
204.4
238.4
210.0
212.1

217.3
202.2
236.2
209.2
212.6

214.7
197.9
233.9
206.4
213.9

208.1
193.0
230.0
203.8
208.9

212.2
192.5
239.6
206.1
210.9

216.2
199.4
244.3
211.4
212.2

216.6
197.3
243.5
211.8
211.1

211.0
194.2
235.6
200.4
206.7

214.7
193.5
236.9
200.4
201.9

209.1
193. 5
235.9
201.3
204.2

150.8
134.8
165.6
139.1
154.8

95.8
91.5

Little Rock, Ark__________
Los Angeles, Calif....... ...........

219.3
204. 4
241. 6
212.0
212.1

94.0
94.6

Louisville, K y_. ...................
Manchester, N . H ________
Memphis, T enn.................. .
Milwaukee, W i s ...............
Minneapolis, M inn...............

207.2
215.5
227.8
216.3
206.0

207.4
217.8
227.1
218.8
209.2

206.8
218.4
229.8
218.3
208.2

203.8
213.0
226.7
215.3
206.2

201.6
208.9
223.2
213.7
206.0

198.2
204.9
222.2
210.9
203.0

193.9
202.0
219.9
204.6
198.1

198.0
203.2
224.5
203.4
197.2

200.1
208.8
230. 7
206.4
202.6

198.9
204.7
229.7
204.6
199.3

195.8
199.0
226.2
200.7
193.7

196.2
198.0
223.6
197.6
194.6

198.2
201.3
220.5
200.1
197.2

135.6
144.4
153.6
144.3
137.5

92.1
94.9
89.7
91.1
95.0

Mobile, Ala............. ................
Newark, N . J_____________
New Haven, Conn.................
New Orleans, L a ...................
New York, N . Y ___ ______

222.1
211.1
205.3
227.7
216.2

222.7
212.6
205.6
228.5
216.9

222.5
212.8
208.3
233. 2
217.9

219.8
209.9
205.4
227.3
213.9

217.0
204.7
201.2
223.0
210.0

216.3
203.0
197.7
228.7
208.6

212.2
196.4
193.0
224.3
201.2

215.5
200.3
195.8
225.6
206.7

219.6
201.4
201.5
226.4
209.7

216.3
199.4
198.9
222.1
206.1

206.8
197.4
193.4
220.2
203.9

209.3
194.6
193.8
219.5
200.6

206.8
196.8
196.1
216.8
203.0

149.8
147.9
140.4
157.6
149.2

95.5
95.6
93.7
97.6
95.8

Norfolk, Va_...........................
Omaha, N e b r ...................... .
Peoria, 111. . __________
Philadelphia, P a ...................
Pittsburgh, P a ......................

220.2
210.3
230.3
212.0
219.5

220.5
211.1
230.8
212.5
220.9

216.9
208.6
224.9
210.9
222.3

214.4
210.1
227.3
209.4
219.6

213.3
207.2
223.8
205.0
213.7

210.5
202.5
217.0
202.8
209.8

206.0
197.7
205. 8
196.3
204.8

210.2
197.7
208.9
199.3
205.4

216.5
204.2
219.5
205.6
212.8

216.1
202.6
224.1
201.8
209.6

210.6
198.1
220.3
197.6
205.2

214.3
195.6
212.3
196.2
206.1

210.7
197.9
212.9
199.8
209.8

146.0
139.5
151.3
143.5
147.1

93.6
92.3
93.4
93.0
92.5

Portland, M aine______ . . .
Portland, Oreg........................
Providence, R. I ..................
Richmond, Va______ _____
Rochester, N . Y __________

207.0
231.4
223.8
214.1
207.3

209.8
234.1
227.2
211.7
209.7

209.7
233.7
224.9
209.4
211.2

204.1
228.2
222.0
205.3
208.8

199.4
229.5
217.9
203.4
205.1

197.0
223.2
213.1
200.6
200.8

192.4
220.4
205.5
197.6
196.7

193.5
219.2
210.5
201.3
196.9

199.6
223.0
215.0
209.1
202.1

195.2
219.0
210.5
207.6
200.1

190.7
214.2
206.1
201.0
194.9

190.9
208.7
206.5
205.1
192.3

193.6
209.9
208.2
203.8
195.5

138.4
158.4
144.9
138.4
142.5

95.9
96.1
93.7
92.2
92.3

St. Louis, M o..........................
St. Paul, M inn.......................
Salt Lake Citv, U tah............
San Francisco, C a lif ______
Savannah, G a . . .....................

223.0
203.1
214.7
224.2
222.4

225.3
204.5
216.0
224.3
223.3

224.2
204.7
217.1
223.2
228.3

222.0
203.7
215.8
221.6
224.5

218.2
203.5
216.8
223.4
223.3

213.6
200.5
212.9
219.5
221.4

210.9
195.3
207.3
215.3
213.6

212.8
194.0
207.9
215.4
219.6

217.2
198.6
211.3
218.9
222.9

215.2
195.9
209.7
215.7
222.2

209.9
191.2
202.6
214.4
217.5

209.4
191.0
199.4
208.8
219.2

215.9
192.1
200.7
210.4
220.3

147.4
137.3
151.7
155.5
158.5

93.8
94.3
94.6
93.8
96.7

Scranton, P a.....................
Seattle, W ash..........................
Springfield, 111____________
Washington, D . C_.............
Wichita, K ans1
Winston-Salem, N . C.*.........

213. 2
221.0
226.4
212.9
223 0
215.6

217.3
221.9
227.0
214. 9
224.7
215.8

218. 2
223.4
224.9
215.1
22fi 7
212.9

216.1
220.3
224.4
215.4
226.4
209.5

212.2
221.4
219.3
209.7
225.3
208.4

208.9
215.5
212.6
205.1
220.3
206.0

201.8
212.5
209.1
198.9
215.9
202.7

203.2
214.7
211.4
202.0
215.1
207.9

213.1
218.4
217.9
209.5
222.4
214.5

210.0
213.4
217.3
207.4
221.6
211.3

202.8
207.6
213.2
202.0
215.1
207.1

199.1
205.4
213.6
200.9
213.8
208.4

206.6
206.0
217.1
202.9
213.8
205.8

144.0
151.6
150.1
145.5
154.4
145.3

92.1
94.6
94.1
94.1

City

}

1 June 1940=100.


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

Sept.
1947

June
1946

Aug.
1939

95.1
92.3

572

D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING

MONTHLY LABOR

T a b l e D -6: Average Retail Prices and Indexes of Selected Foods
Indexes 1935-39=100

Commodity

age
price
Sept.
1948

Cereals and bakery products:
Cereals:
Cents
Flour, wheat-....................................5pounds.
47.8
Corn flakes......................................11ounces.
16.7
Corn m eal______________ pound.
11.0
Rice ........................................ d o ...
21.6
Rolled oats *..............
20ounces. 17.1
Bakery products:
Bread, w hite____ ..............pound.
13.9
Vanilla cookies____ ............... d o --.
44.4
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Meats:
Beef:
Round stea k ..................... d o ...
98.9
Rib roast.............................d o ...
79.9
Chuck roast......................d o ...
70.7
Hamburger *..................... do__
61.6
Veal:
Cutlets.................................d o ... 103.1
Pork:
C hops.............................. ..d o __
91.8
Bacon, sliced___________ do__
79.0
Ham, whole....................... .d o __
74.4
Salt pork.............................. do__
40.9
Lamb:
Leg.....................................d o ___
74.0
Poultry: Roasting chickens_____ do__
63.2
Fish:
Fish (fresh, frozen)8................. do__
<•>
Salmon, p in k 8........... 16-ounce can..
56.3
Dairy products:
Butter______________________ pound..
84.7
C h e e se ......................
do___
68.7
M ilk, fresh (delivered)................ quart..
22.7
M ilk, fresh (grocery)..................... do___
21.4
M ilk, evaporated____ 14^-ounce can..
15.8
Eggs: Eggs, fr e sh -.............................. dozen..
78.4
Fruits and vegetables:
Fresh fruits:
Apples__________________ pound.. 11.3
Bananas__________________ do__
16.3
Oranges, size 200................... dozen.. 52.9
Fresh vegetables:
Beans, green..........................pound..
18.7
C abbage.....................................do__
5.2
Carrots.................................... bunch.. 10.2
Lettuce...................................... head.. 12.9
Onions............................... _pound. .
6.4
Potatoes______________________ 15pounds..
75.7
Spinach.................................. pound. . 13.2
S weetpotatoes.........
do___
10.2
Canned fruits:
Peaches.........................No. % can.. 31.8
Pineapple............ ......................do___
38.0
Canned vegetables:
Corn........................
...N o .
2 can..
19.8
P e a s........................................... do___
15.3
Tomatoes.................................. .d o__
16.5
Dried fruits: Prunes...................pou nd.. 20.9
Dried vegetables: N avy beans...d o___ 22.9
Beverages: Coflee.................................. do___
51.6
Fats and oils:
L a r d .................................................do___
29.6
Hydrogenated veg. shortening L .d o ___ 43.0
Salad dressing......................... .........p in t..
40.8
Oleomargarine-..................
pound.. 41.9
Sugar and sweets:
Sugar.— ........................................... do___
9.3
1 July 1947=100.
3 Index not computed.
8 February 1943=100.
4 Not priced in earlier period.


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

Sept.
1948

Aug.
1948

July
1948

June
1948

M ay
1948

Apr.
1948

Mar.
1948

Feb.
1948

Jan.
1948

Dec.
1947

N ov.
1947

Oct.
1947

Sept.
1947

184.9
177.1
214.0
121.1
155.6

185.7
177.1
215.2
121.5
155.4

186.9
176.8
215.5
120.6
155.2

188.4
177.2
213.7
119.6
155.0

189.4
175.7
215.7
118.6
154.8

189.6
175.8
216.4
118.4
154.8

192.4
173.3
216.6
118.1
153.5

197.3
172.8
219.9
118.4
153.4

210.9
172.9
219.9
117.3
153.6

209.6
169.3
218.1
116.9
152.6

204.8
164.3
217.5
116.8
151.1

194.0
157.9
211.9
114.0
143.4

189.2
151.7
204. 5
111.5
135.6

82.1
92.7
90. 7
(3)
(J)

163.1
192.4

163.1
191.7

163.1
192.1

163.5
190.3

163.5
188.8

163.2
189.2

163.1
187.9

163.1
187.7

162.3
183.7

159.8
180.2

157.5
178.7

149.3
176.2

147.9
176.3

93.2
m

292.5
277.6
315.0
199.2

299.5
283.1
322.2
202.5

294.4
276.6
315.5
199.3

287.6
266.7
309.6
194.7

267.3
249.9
283.4
178.6

250.7
238.2
263.3
166.3

234.0
227.0
249.6
158.0

231.4
227.9
250.6
157.3

248.4
242.3
263.1
159.7

236.4
231.7
251.5
151.5

234.2
229.9
253.5
150.3

243.8
237.0
260.1
154.4

256.4
241.7
258.9
155.8

102. 7
97.4
97.1
M

Aug.
1939

258.5

259.6

256.1

252.5

245.6

234.9

226.8

228.0

230.0

213.1

211.8

217.7

222.6

101.1

278.6
207.2
253.3
196.1

276.5
206.3
251.1
194.1

252.7
204.5
244.2
196.0

238.1
201.9
231.2
196.6

233.5
199.1
223.7
203.5

223.2
191.3
220.9
209.9

212.1
185.7
213.6
214.7

200.1
194.7
212.0
238.2

219.4
227.7
234.8
259.6

206.2
228.8
223.3
275.3

214.7
227.6
218.2
265.6

248.8
230.4
244.2
243.7

257.9
224.7
256.7
227.7

90. 8
80.9
92. 7
69.0

260.7
209.4

270.8
207.8

279.4
209.3

275.6
207.6

257.6
202.1

236.3
198.4

220.3
194.7

226.9
196.4

235.2
200.0

225.0
190.7

230.7
184.6

229.8
189.5

247.9
191.4

95. 7
94.6

264.0
429.2

254.4
417.1

253.9
408.1

251.8
405.2

261.3
399.7

264.9
397.1

274.4
394.1

276.3
393.7

270.5
394.9

260.7
391.0

262.3
386.7

248.8
365.6

242.7
342.2

98. 8
97.4

232.7
264.1
185.4
189.4
220.8
226.6

245.6
268.6
182.0
187.8
218.3
220.2

252.0
262.1
177.1
182.1
212.8
204.3

249.8
254.6
174.0
179.3
210.9
194.2

254.2
248.1
171.5
177.3
202.1
184.9

255.4
241.5
174.3
179.0
197.2
184.7

237.4
243.7
174.6
179.5
197.1
186.3

248.4
247.9
174.3
179.7
195.8
189.2

258.1
242.2
173.3
178.5
189.6
213.6

262.0
236.1
171.2
176.3
186.4
236.1

242.2
230.9
171.0
175.2
182.3
224.7

222.4
226.2
167.5
171.8
177.2
232.7

251.7
221.0
163.0
167.2
175.3
235.9

84.0
92.3
97.1
96.3
93. 9
90.7

216.7
269.3
187.2

225.1
270.7
183.3

265.3
269.3
169.2

269.2
261.7
155.1

229.1
257.8
149.2

208.2
256.3
142.9

205.6
255.3
145.1

208.6
257.4
135.9

219.2
257.9
133.5

221.8
257.8
133.4

214.3
256.9
147.9

216.1
254.6
172.2

219.7
252.3
174.1

81.6
97.3
96.9

172.0
136.5
190.8
156.2
154.2
210.8
183.9
196.2

176.0
139.2
183.6
143.1
176.3
223. 5
205.0
235.5

187.7
155.1
202.1
177.8
251.9
248.4
174.7
286.9

185.1
180.1
263.2
164.1
262.4
263. 5
145.0
273.4

229.1
202.3
310.1
200.7
291.0
261.7
158.4
225.2

229.5
250.5
254.3
159.9
440.9
253.6
167.4
213.1

191.2
174.8
227.8
138.0
386.2
247.0
171.5
208.3

257.2
191.5
261.3
153.5
364.8
246.9
221.5
207.2

199.9
222.9
246.3
201.0
285.6
234.4
191.4
196.4

186.7
237.2
311.3
179.9
260.7
222.5
167.5
183.9

237.1
192.9
261.3
170.8
229.3
211.1
154.1
173.3

215.4
165.3
241.8
151.6
194.5
201.7
172.2
174.2

157.4
170.0
205.7
189.1
188.9
202.7
195.5
195.8

61.7
103.2
84. 9
97.6
86.8
91.9
118.4
115.7

165.1
174.4

163.0
170.0

161.6
168.5

160.8
168.1

160.8
166.7

160.6
166.3

161.0
164.3

161.5
163.0

162.4
162.1

161.9
160.1

162.1
158.2

162.4
154.6

163.8
152.8

92.3
96.0

159.3
116.9
183.2
205.6
311.5
205.2

158.8
115.8
182.6
204.7
312.9
204.9

158.6
113.5
184.7
204.9
309.7
204.8

158.2
112.8
184.8
204.3
310.5
204.7

157.9
112.3
183.0
206.9
311.6
204.2

156.6
113.5
183.2
208.6
314.3
204.0

156.9
115.5
186.2
211.2
314.9
204.0

157.0
118.0
185.0
216.0
312.9
203.6

156.6
118.0
185.9
217.8
311.9
201.5

155.5
117.9
185.5
219.4
306.0
198.1

152.5
117.9
185.4
219.0
297.5
194.3

149.8
118.0
183.9
228.7
292.3
190.5

146.9
116.9
191.8
236.8
294.2
186.6

88.6
89.8
92. 5
94.7
83.0
93.3

198.5
207.3
168.6
229.8

197.3
209.6
168.3
235.3

198.1
220.3
168.4
240.1

198.5
218.2
167.1
242.0

198.2
211.4
164.4
232.6

194.1
207.1
159.8
223.9

191.9
214.4
159.0
224.0

196.0
217.6
158.8
227.8

238.8
225.8
156.1
230.5

242.7
220.0
152.4
228.9

228.6
197.7
150.2
214.4

215.9
191.5
149.7
208.9

181.3
190.9
150.3
198.0

65.2
93.9
(4)
93.6

174.0

173.2

171.8

171.4

173.8

174.5

175.3

177.7

184.3

184.6

184.1

182.7

182.0

95.6

8 1938-39=100.
8 Average price not computed.
7 Formerly published as shortening in other containers.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

D : PRICES AND COST OF LIVING

573

T able D -7: Indexes of Wholesale Prices,1 by Group of Commodities, for Selected Periods
[1926 = 100]

M is.
cellaneous
com­
modi­
ties

Raw
mate­
rials

All
Semi- Manu­ com­
modi­
fac­
manuties
factured
tured
prod­ except
farm
articles ucts 3
prod­
ucts 3

All
com­
modi­
ties
except
farm
prod­
ucts
and
foods 3

Farm
prod­
ucts

Foods

Average..........
July________
November___
M ay________
Average..........

69.8
67.3
136.3
167.2
95.3

71.5
71.4
150.3
169.8
104.9

64.2
62.9
128.6
147.3
99.9

68.1
69.7
131.6
193.2
109.1

57.3
55.3
142.6
188.3
90.4

61.3
55.7
114.3
159.8
83.0

90.8
79.1
143.5
155.5
100.5

56.7
52.9
101.8
164.4
95.4

80.2
77.9
178.0
173.7
94.0

56.1
56.7
99.2
143.3
94.3

93.1
88.1
142.3
176.5
82.6

68.8
67.3
138.8
163.4
97.5

74.9
67.8
162.7
253.0
93.9

69.4
66.9
130.4
157.8
94.5

69.0
65.7
131.0
165. 4
93.3

70.0
65.7
129.9
170.6
91.6

1932: Average_____
1939: Average..........
August______
1940: Average____

64.8
77.1
75.0
78.6

48.2
65.3
61.0
67.7

61.0
70.4
67.2
71.3

72.9
95.6
92.7
100.8

54.9
69.7
67.8
73.8

70.3
73.1
72.6
71.7

80.2
94.4
93.2
95.8

71.4
90.5
89.6
94.8

73.9
76.0
74.2
77.0

75.1
86.3
85.6
88.5

64.4
74.8
73.3
77.3

55.1
70.2
66.5
71.9

59.3
77.0
74.5
79.1

70.3
80.4
79.1
81.6

68.3
79.5
77.9
80.8

70.2
813
80.1
83.0

1941: Average_____
December___
1942: A verage.........
1943: Average..........
1944: Average..........

87.3
93.6
98.8
103.1
104.0

82.4
94.7
105.9
122.6
123.3

82.7
90.5
99.6
106.6
104.9

108.3
114.8
117.7
117.5
116.7

84.8
91.8
96.9
97.4
98.4

76.2
78.4
78.5
80.8
83.0

99.4
103.3
103.8
103.8
103.8

103.2
107.8
110.2
111.4
115.5

84.4
90.4
95.5
94.9
95.2

94.3
101.1
102.4
102.7
104.3

82.0
87.6
89.7
92.2
93.6

83. 5
92.3
100.6
112.1
113.2

86.9
90.1
92.6
92.9
94.1

89.1
94.6
98.6
100.1
100.8

88.3
93.3
97.0
98.7
99.6

89.0
93.7
95.5
96.9
98.5

1945: Average_____
A ugust______

105.8
105.7

128.2
126.9

106.2
106.4

118.1
118.0

100.1
99.6

84.0
84.8

104.7
104.7

117.8
117.8

95.2
95.3

104.5
104.5

94.7
94.8

116.8
116.3

95.9
95.5

101.8
101.8

100.8
100.9

99.7
99.9

1946: A verage.........
June________
November___

121.1
112.9
139.7

148.9
140.1
169.8

130.7
112.9
165.4

137.2
122.4
172.5

116.3
109.2
131.6

90.1
87.8
94.5

115.5
112.2
130.2

132.6
129.9
145.5

101.4
96.4
118.9

111.6
110.4
118.2

100.3
98.5
106.5

134.7
126.3
153.4

110.8
105.7
129.1

116.1
107.3
134.7

114.9
106.7
132.9

109.5
105.6
120.7

1947: Average.........
September___
October . . . .
November___
December___

152.1
157.4
158.5
159.6
163.2

181.2
186.4
189.7
187.9
196.7

168.7
179.2
177.7
177.9
178.4

182.4
185.6
193.1
202.5
203.4

141.7
142.4
143.4
145.2
148.0

108.7
114.2
116.1
118.2
124.6

145.0
150.1
150.5
150.8
151.5

179.7
183.4
185.8
187.7
191.0

127.3
122.3
128.6
135.8
135.0

131.1
131.3
132.4
137.5
139.4

115.5
115.9
117.1
118.8
121.5

165.6
170.9
175.2
175.5
182.0

148.5
150.5
152. 6
154.9
156.5

146.0
151.8
151.2
152.4
154.9

145.5
150.8
151.5
153.1
155.6

135.2
138.3
140.1
142.1
145.5

1948: January_____ 165.7
199.2
February____ 160.9
185.3
March______
161.4
186.0
April______
162.8
186.7
M a y ____ _
163.9
189.1
June________
166.2
196.0
July------------- «168.7
195.2
A ugust______ '169.5 » 191.0
189.1
September___ 168.5

179.9
172.4
173.8
176.7
177.4
181.4
188.3
189. 5
186.3

200.3
192.8
185.4
186.1
188.4
187.7
189.2
188.4
187.5

148.4
148.9
149.8
150.3
150.2
149.6
■>149. 4
« 148. 9
147.8

130.0
130.8
130.9
131.6
132.6
133.1
135. 7
136. 6
136.7

154.3
155.3
155.9
157.2
157.1
158.5
162.2
'171.0
171.9

193.3
192.7
193.1
195.0
196.4
196.8
'199.9
' 203. 6
203.9

138.8
134.6
136.1
136.2
134.7
135.8
134.4
132. 0
133.3

141.3
141.8
142.0
142.3
142.6
143.2
144.5
145. 4
146.1

123.6
120.1
120.8
121.8
121.5
121.5
120.3
'119.7
119.9

183.9
174.9
174.7
175.5
177.6
182.6
' 184. 3
182.0
180.5

156.8
155.2
152.9
154.1
153.8
154.5
155.9
159. 7
158.8

157.8
154.5
155.8
157.6
158.5
159.6
' 162. 6
'164.6
163.8

158.2
155.3
155.7
157.3
158.2
159.4
'162.6
' 164, 6
163.8

148.3
147.6
147.7
148.7
149.1
149.5
' 151.1
' 153.1
153.2

1913:
1914:
1918:
1920:
1929:

►

Metals
and
metal
prod­
ucís 1

Chem­
Build­ icals Housefuring
and
nishmate­ allied
ing
rials
prod­
goods
ucts

All
com­
modi­
ties 3

Year and month

►

Tex­
tile
prod­
ucts

Fuel
and
light­
ing
mate­
rials

Hides
and
leather
prod­
ucts

>

A

1 BLS wholesale price data, for the most part, represent prices in primary
markets. They are prices charged by manufacturers or producers or are
prices prevailing on organized exchanges. The weekly index is calculated
from 1-day-a-week prices; the monthly index from an average of these
prices. M onthly indexes for the last 2 months are preliminary.
The indexes currently are computed by the fixed base aggregate method,
with weights representing quantities produced for sale in 1929-31. (For a
detailed description of the method of calculation see “ Revised Method of
Calculation of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Wholesale Price Index,” in
the Journal of the American Statistical Association, December 1937.)
Because of past differences in the method of computation the weekly and
m onthly indexes should not be compared directly. The weekly index is

useful only to indicate week-to-week changes and to provide later data on
price movements. It is not revised to take account of more complete reports.
Mimeographed tables are available, upon request to the Bureau, giving
monthly indexes for major groups of commodities since 1890 and for subgroups
and economic groups since 1913. W eekly indexes have been prepared since 1932.
! Includes current motor vehicle prices beginning with October 1946. The
rate of production of motor vehicles in October 1946 exceeded the monthly
average rate of civilian production in 1941, and in accordance with the an­
nouncement made in September 1946, the Bureau introduced current prices
for motor vehicles in the October calculations. During the war, motor
vehicles were not produced for general civilian sale and the Bureau carried
April 1942 prices forward in each computation through September 1946.
' Corrected.

T able D -8: Indexes of Wholesale Prices,1 by Group of Commodities, by Weeks
[Indexes 1926=100.

A

Week ending

All
com­
modi­
ties

Farm
prod­
ucts

1948
Aug. 7-----------------Aug. 14___________
Aug. 2 1 __________
Aug. 28____ ______
Sept. 4___ _ __ .
Sept. 11_ _ _
Sept. 18__ ................
Sept. 25__________
Oct. 2___ _________
Oct. 9, _ ________
Oct. 16___________
Oct. 23___________
Oct. 30._ - ______

169.2
169.0
169.2
168.4
167.4
168.0
169.2
168.7
167.1
164.6
164.8
165.3
163.8

193.6
190.4
191.0
189.3
187.8
188.1
190.1
190.8
186.4
181.5
182.2
183.8
180.7

1 See footnote 1, table D-7.
►


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

N ot directly comparable with monthly data.

Foods

Hides
and
leather
prod­
ucts

Tex­
tile
prod­
ucts

Fuel
and
light­
ing
mate­
rials

Metals
and
metal
prod­
ucts

B uild­
ing
mate­
rials

190.0
190.3
189.5
187.8
184.0
185.9
189. 9
187.8
183.9
178.0
178.0
178.8
174.8

188.5
188.3
189.6
189.9
189.2
188.8
188.2
187.9
187.9
187.8
187.6
186.0
187.4

148.1
147.8
148.0
147.7
147.5
147. 5
147.2
146.7
146.5
146.9
146.8
146.2
145.7

136.9
137.3
137.3
137.4
137.6
137.6
137.7
137.8
138.2
138.3
138.1
138.1
138.0

169.2
170.9
171.5
171.7
172.0
172.0
172. 4
171.8
171.8
171.9
172.5
172.6
172.7

201.6
202.0
202.0
202.3
203.2
203.1
203. 2
202.9
203.1
202.7
203.6
203.7
203.5

See footnote 1, table D-7]

Chem­
icals Housefurand
nishallied
ing
prod­
goods
ucts

132. 0
131.6
131.7
132.2
132.1
133.2
132. 5
133. 5
133.6
133.5
134.4
133.2
134.3

146.4
146.8
146.8
146.8
146.9
147.7
147.8
147.8
147.9
148.5
148.6
148.9
149.2

Mis.
cellaneous
com­
modi­
ties

Raw
mate­
rials

118.2
118.3
118.7
118.4
118.5
119.9
120.3
119.3
119.1
118.4
118.7
118.6
119.0

184.3
182.5
182.8
181.7
180.7
180.9
182.0
182.4
179.7
176.7
177.2
178.2
176.2

All
Semi­
com­ All com­
anu­ modi­
modities
naanu- Mfac­
except
facties
tured
farm
tured
prod­ except
products
prod­
farm
ucts
and
ucts
prod­
foods
ucts
158.8
159.7
159.3
159.0
158.7
158.6
158.6
158.3
158.5
158.3
158.3
158.1
158.2

164.3
164.7
164.9
164.2
163.0
163.9
165.7
164.4
163.1
160.5
160.6
160.9
159.4

163.8
164.2
164.3
163.8
162.8
163.4
164.7
163.8
162.8
160.8
160.9
161.1
160.0

152.4
152.9
153.1
153.2
153.3
153.4
153. 7
153.3
153.4
153.3
153.5
153.4
153.4

D: PRICES AND COST OF LIVING

574
T

able

M ONTHLY LABOR

D -9: Indexes of Wholesale Prices,1 by Group and Subgroup of Commodities
[1926=100]
1947

1948

1946

1939

June

Aug.

Group and subgroup
Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

168.5

« 169. 5

«168. 7

166.2

163.9

162.8

161.4

160.9

165.7

163.2

159.6

158.5

157.4

112.9

75.0

Farm products____ _______
G rains.-. ____________
Livestock and p o u ltry ..
Other farm products___

189.1
176.9
244.2
158.2

0191.0
179.2
250.0
157.8

195.2
190.6
250.8
161.9

196.0
209.2
239.2
165.4

189.1
213.5
219.0
163.3

186.7
217. 9
204.4
166.4

186.0
218.0
209. 4
162.2

185.3
220.0
210.0
159.9

199.2
256.3
232.9
162.4

196.7
252.7
226.3
162.5

187.9
245.5
211.0
157.2

189.7
241.4
224.5
153.7

186.4
230.3
224.8
150.3

140.1
151.8
137.4
137.5

61.0
51.5
66.0
60.1

Foods______ ____________
Dairy products................
Cereal products_______
Fruits and vegetables...
M eats________________
Other foods___________

186.3
179.9
153.3
139.4
266.5
147.0

189.5
185.1
154.0
« 140. 5
273.7
° 146. 9

188.3
182.9
154.5
151.2
263.8
148.5

181.4
181.3
155.1
147.7
241.3
148.1

177.4
176.6
156.3
147.0
233.2
144.2

176.7
181.0
158.0
148.6
226.0
144.4

173.8
179.8
158.6
145.7
217.1
144.3

172.4
184.8
160.2
144.5
206.2
146.7

179.9
183.9
170.1
140.7
222.3
155.0

178.4
183. 5
170.6
135.4
214.8
160.0

177.9
175.9
172.1
135. 5
217.6
159.4

177.7
167.3
166.7
130.8
230.0
157.2

179.2
170.6
158.2
130.1
244.8
150.7

112.9
127.3
101.7
136.1
110.1
98.1

67.2
67.9
71.9
58.5
73.7
60.3

Hides and leather products..
S h o e s .. ...... ... ................ .
Hides and sk in s..............
Leather_______________
Other leather products..

187.5
190.0
210.6
181.9
148.6

188.4
189.4
212.1
186.0
148.6

189.2
186.3
220.3
189.2
149.9

187.7
185.8
215.2
186.9
150.9

188.4
185.6
218.0
188.2
150.9

186.1
191.7
199.3
183.6
143.3

185.4
193.8
186.2
185.9
143.8

192.8
194.7
207.2
199.6
143.8

200.3
194.3
238.9
209.4
143.8

203.4
190.7
256.9
217.2
141.8

202.5
187.0
263.2
216.9
141.3

193.1
180.6
243.7
205.0
139.6

185.6
176.8
221.1
197.4
139.5

122.4
129.5
121.5
110.7
115.2

92.7
100.8
77.2
84.0
97.1

Textile products__________
Clothing............................
Cotton goods....................
Hosiery and underwear.
Rayon__________ _____
Silk__________________
Woolen and worsted
goods_______________
Other textile products...

147.8
148.1
199.8
104.8
41.8
46.4

« 148.9 ” 149.4
« 148. 3 « 148. 3
205.3
209.3
104.9
104.9
41.6
40.7
46.4
46.4

149.6
145.2
213.1
105.3
40.7
46.4

150.2
145.8
217.8
105.4
40.7
46.4

150.3
145.8
219.2
105.4
40.7
46.4

149.8
144.6
218.3
105.4
40.7
46.4

148.9
144.7
214.9
105.0
40.7
46.4

148.4
143.4
214.8
104.4
40.7
46.4

148.0
137.8
213.7
103.0
40.0
73.3

145.2
137.1
209.3
101.4
37.0
73.3

143.4
136.2
204.7
100.0
37.0
71.2

142.4
135.9
202.5
99.9
37.0
68.3

109.2
120.3
139.4
75.8
30.2
(3)

67.8
81.5
65.5
61.5
28.5
44.3

150.0
188.7

149.4
186.6

147.5
184.5

147.5
183.1

147. 5
174.2

147.5
170.0

145.7
174.7

143.0
180.2

141.9
181.2

139.6
178.3

134.9
174.9

134.3
175.6

133.8
175.0

112.7
112.3

75.5
63.7

Fuel and lighting materials..
Anthracite____________
Bituminous coal_______
Coke_________ ________
Electricity_______ ____
Gas___________ ____ _
Petroleum and products.

136.7
136.5
195.0
217.5
(3)
(3)
122.2

136.6
0 136. 0
194.5
217.4
(3)
86.9
122.1

135.7
131.6
« 193.1
212.3
66.4
90.4
122.1

133.1
127.1
182.6
206.6
65.7
90.7
122.1

132.6
125.5
181.8
205.4
65.4
89.3
122.1

131.6
124.6
178. 9
197.5
66.1
89.1
121.8

130.9
124.6
177.9
190.6
65.7
88.7
121.8

130.8
124.5
377.9
190.6
66.6
85.8
121.7

130.0
124.2
176.8
190.6
66.4
84.5
120.7

124.6
123.4
174.3
183.4
66.5
85.4
112.0

118.2
123.4
173.7
182.2
66.3
83.6
99.9

116.1
123.1
172.6
182.0
64.9
86.8
96.5

114.2
122.5
170.3
181.9
65.2
87.0
93.7

87.8
106.1
132.8
133. 5
67.2
79.6
64.0

72.6
72.1
96.0
104.2
75.8
86.7
51.7

Metals and metal products2.
Agricultural machinery
and equipm entr_____
Farm machinery 1__
Iron and steel_________
Motor vehicles ............
Nonferrous metals_____
Plumbing and heating..

171.9

« 171. 0

All commodities

.......... .

162.2

158.5

157.1

157.2

155.9

155.3

154.3

151.5

150.8

150.5

150.1

112.2

93.2

140.2 O135. 6
142.5 <= 137. 7
163.9 « 163. 2
175.0 «174.1
165.9
166.4
156.8 «153. 7

134.1
136.3
153.2
168.2
153.7
145.3

132.2
134.1
149.4
163.9
152.1
145.3

130. 5
132.1
148.9
161.7
150. 0
143.2

129.8
131.3
149.4
161.6
149.8
138.7

129.3
130.8
147.7
161.6
146.8
138.7

128.9
130.4
146.3
161.6
146.8
138.7

128.6
130.0
144.6
161.6
145.5
138.8

127.0
128.6
140.2
160.8
143. 0
136.1

125.5
127.0
139.5
160.3
142.2
136.1

122.8
124.1
139.3
159.9
142.0
136.1

121.6
122.8
139.0
159.4
142.0
136.0

104.5
104.9
110.1
135.5
99.2
106.0

93.5
94.7
95.1
92.5
74.6
79.3

203.9
158.9
133.3
317.1

« 203.6
158.6
«133. 2
° 319.5

«199. 4
157.9
132.2
«318.1

196.8
153.3
128.8
313.2

196.4
152.8
128.2
312.9

195.0
152.5
127.5
309.2

193.1
151.6
127.4
303.8

192.7
151.1
127.2
303.8

193.3
150.9
126.5
307.3

191.0
148.8
121.6
303.2

187.7
148.1
120.6
296.0

185.8
146.4
120.1
290.2

183.4
145.4
119.1
286.5

129.9
121.3
102.6
176.0

89.6
90.5
91.3
90.1

159. 5
156.8
178.8

»158.1
«153. 7
178.8

«157.9
145.3
159.6

158.7
145.3
153.3

158. 4
143.2
153.3

158.6
138.7
155.8

156.7
138.7
155.8

159.6
138.7
149.4

163.2
138. 8
143.0

164.0
136.1
143.0

161.8
136.1
143.0

160.7
136.1
143.0

157.1
136.0
143.0

108.6
106.0
120.1

82.1
79.3
107.3

174.8

° 173.4

0 167.1

163.5

163.1

162.2

161.8

159.8

157.9

155.5

152.6

152.5

150.7

118.4

89.5

133.3
126.0

132.0
126.3

134.4
127.8

135. 8
126.2

134.7
125.9

136.2
126.8

136.1
126.8

134.6
126.5

138.8
125.8

135.0
124.1

135.8
124.3

128.6
122.1

122.3
118.2

96.4
98.0

74.2
83.8

152.7
116.2
107.8
188.6

153.3
114.9
105.9
180.3

153.6
115.0
104.4
193.2

153.7
113.9
103.2
212.7

153.3
115.0
103.2
205.0

153.8
115.2
103.1
212.3

154.4
114.9
103.1
211.4

154.3
115.1
102.8
201.5

154.4
115. 7
102.4
236.7

154.9
114.4
101.5
215.9

151.1
112.4
100.8
226.7

137.5
111. 5
97.7
193.4

136.6
109.8
97.2
163.3

109.4
82.7
86.6
102.1

77.1
65.5
73.1
40.6

Housefumishing goods_____
Furnishings......................
Furniture r. ___________

146.1
150.8
141.4

145.4
149.3
141.6

144.5
148.6
140.4

143.2
146.7
139.9

142.6
145.8
139.6

142.3
145.2
139.6

142.0
144.7
139.4

141.8
144.4
139.4

141.3
143.8
139.1

139.4
142.8
136.2

137.5
140.5
134.7

132.4
139.4
134.1

131.3
138.5
131.3

110.4
114.5
108.5

85.6
90.0
81.1

Miscellaneous..........................
Tires and Tubes r. ..........
Cattle feed____________
Paper and pulp_______
Rubber, crude________
Other miscellaneous___

119.9
66.2
201.7
170.9
46.4
132.1

«119.7
66.2
198.4
169.0
48.1
132.2

120.3
66.2
239.6
166.8
49.6
130.0

121.5
63.5
292.4
167.3
47.1
129.8

121.5
63.5
291.1
167.4
47.6
129.7

121.8
63.4
296.9
167.5
46.7
130.2

120.8
63.4
284.2
167.3
42.3
130.2

120.1
63.4
262.0
167.4
42.7
130.8

123.6
63.4
336.0
168.1
44.7
130.7

121.5
63.4
308.2
164.7
44.5
130.0

118.8
61.0
282.7
160.7
49.3
128.5

117.1
60.8
280.5
159.8
43.0
126.6

115.9
60.8
287.2
159.5
36.4
124.6

98.5
65.7
197.8
115.6
46.2
101.0

73.3
59.5
68.4
80.0
34.9
81.3

Building materials________
Brick and tile_________
Cement_______________
Lumber............................
Paint and paint mate­
rials______ _ _______
Plumbing and heating..
Structural steel________
Other building mate­
rials________________
Chemicals and allied prod­
ucts_________________ _
Chemioals____________
Drug and pharmaceu­
tical materials_______
Fertilizer materials____
Mixed fertilizers_______
Oils and fats__________

i See footnote 1, table D -7.
* See footnote 2, table D -7.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

* N ot available.
1 Revised.

c Corrected.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

E: WORK STOPPAGES

575

E: Work Stoppages
T able E - l : Work Stoppages Resulting From Labor-Management Disputes 1
Number of stoppages

Workers involved in stoppages

Man-days idle during month
or year

M onth and year
Beginning
in month or
year
1935-39 (average)............... ........................................ ............ .......
1945___J.........L I .............................. ....................... .....................
1946................. ....................................................... ..................... .
1947................... ............................... .................................................
1947: September............ ................................................................
O ctober.,___________________ ___________________
November______________________________________
December............... ........................................ ......................
1948: January2__________________________ ____ _______ _
February 2.............................. ..............................................
March 2________________________________________
A pril2___ ____ ___________________ ______________
M ay 2___________ ________ _____________ _________
June 2. . . ____________ ___________________________
July 2------------------------------------ ------ ---------------------A ugust2_____________ ____ ____ _________________
September s...........................................................................

Beginning
in month or
year

In effect dur­
ing month

2,862
4,750
4, 985
693
'219
219
178
119
175
200
225
275
275
310
335
335
250

1,130,000
3,470,000
4, 600,000
2,170,000
79,200
64, 300
57,200
32, 300
75,000
70,000
600,000
175,000
165,000
165,000
225,000
150,000
160,000

435
393
328
236
250
300
350
400
425
475
525
525
450

1 All known work stoppages, arising out of labor-management disputes,
involving six or more workers and continuing as long as a full day or shift
are included in reports of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Figures on “work­
ers involved” and “man-days idle” cover all workers made idle in establish-

In effect dur­
ing month

*
187,000
171,000
139,000
56,900
100,000
110,000
550,000
625,000
350,000
240,000
300,000
225,000
275,000

Percent of
estimated
working time

Number

Ifi 900 000
38, 000, 000
lift, 000, 000
34 600 000
1,970,000
1, 780,000
829,000
590,000
1,000, 000
725,000
6,000, 000
8,000,000
4,100,000
2,000,000
2,200, 000
1, 750,000
2,400,000

0 27
47
1 43

41

.28
.23
.13
.08
.1
.1
.8

1.1
.6
.3
.3
.2
.3

ments directly involved in a stoppage. They do not measure the Indirect
or secondary effects on other establishments or industries whose employees
are made idle as a result of material or service shortages.
2 Preliminary estimates.

F: Building and Construction
T able F - l: Expenditures for New Construction 1
[Value of work put in place]
Expenditures (in millions)
Type of construction

1948
Oct.2 Sept.8 Aug.8 July

June

1947

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

1947

1946

Total

Total

Total new construction *_______________ $1,704 $1, 783 $1,799 $1, 715 $1,616 $1,461 $1,311 $1,166 $1,009 $1,157 $1,320 $1,432 $1,497 $13,977 $10,458
Private construction____________ ______ 1, 265
Residential building (nonfarm)______
660
Nonresidential building (nonfarm)«...
328
Industrial. ___________________
114
Commercial______ ____________
114
Warehouses, office and loft
buildings________________
35
Stores, restaurants, and ga79
rages____________________
100
Other nonresidential building___
R eligious._________________
25
Educational___________ ____
25
Hospital and institutional___
11
Remaining types 8_______ . .
39
Farm construction_________________
39
Public utilities..........................................
238
Railroad_____ _____ ___________
34
Telephone and telegraph________
55
Other public utilities___________
149
Public construction____________________
439
Residential building_______________
4
Nonresidential building (other than
military or naval facilities)....... .........
106
Industrial7____________________
2
Educational___________________
58
24
Hospital and institutional_______
22
All other nonresidential........ .........
M ilitary and naval facilities____ ____
13
Highways_____________ ___________
180
Sewer and water___________________
47
Miscellaneous public-service enterprises 8__________________________
9
Conservation and development_____
64
A ll other p u b lic9__________________
16

1,336
685
334
113
123

1,354
695
332
111
127

1,318
680
324
110
125

1,235
635
305
110
116

1,120
585
277
111
97

1,024
525
264
116
87

940
475
266
120
88

837
400
265
125
84

948
500
273
130
85

1,097
610
284
134
91

35

34

29

28

25

23

22

22

24

22

88
98
25
25
10
38
63
254
36
65
153
447
5

93
94
23
24
10
37
82
245
36
57
152
445
5

96
89
21
22
10
36
81
233
33
55
145
397
5

88
79
18
19
10
32
62
233
30
63
140
381
5

72
69
16
17
10
26
50
208
26
60
122
341
5

64
61
14
16
9
22
37
198
25
63
110
287
6

66
58
13
15
9
21
23
176
23
54
99
226
5

62
56
12
15
9
20
14
158
21
48
89
172
6

61
58
13
16
9
20
14
161
24
45
92
209
9

69
59
13
17
9
20
15
188
28
55
105
223
8

102
2
56
23
21
13
190
44

96
2
52
22
20
13
200
41

88
2
48
18
20
12
169
41

79
2
43
15
19
11
167
40

77
2
40
15
20
13
136
39

71
2
37
13
19
13
98
38

65
1
36
10
18
12
57
33

49
1
30
7
11
11
41
25

53
1
32
7
13
14
56
27

52
0
32
8
12
17
65
28

10
66
17

9
65
16

10
58
14

10
56
13

11
47
13

9
41
11

9
36
9

6
28
6

8
33
9

8
36
9

1 Joint estimates of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of
Labor, and the Office of Domestic Commerce, U. S. Department of Com­
merce. Estimated construction expenditures represent the monetary value
of the volume of work accomplished during the given period of time. These
figures should be differentiated from permit valuation data reported in the
tabulations for urban building authorized and the data on value of contract
awards reported in table F-2.
1 Preliminary.
* Revised.
8 0 9 7 3 7 - 48 -

-8


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

1,141
630
287
136
93

1,129
590
275
137
82

10,893
5,260
3,131
1,702
835

8, 253
3,183
3,346
1,689
1,110

19

14

216

309

74
58
13
17
9
19
25
199
30
53
116
291
8

68
56
13
17
8
18
50
214
32
59
123
368
9

619
594
118
164
107
205
450
2,052
318
510
1,224
3,084
182

801
547
72
115
81
279
350
1,374
258
305
811
2,205
369

50
0
29
8
13
19
119
32

53
1
27
9
16
23
178
35

505
25
275
81
124
204
1,233
331

325
84
101
85
55
188
772
194

10
41
12

11
45
14

117
396
116

87
240
30

* Includes major additions and alterations.
* Excludes nonresidential building by privately owned public utilities.
* Includes social and recreational buildings, hotels, and miscellaneous
buildings not elsewhere classified.
7Excludes expenditures to construct facilities used in atomic energy projects.
8Covers primarily publicly owned electric light and power systems and
local transit facilities.
8 Covers miscellaneous construction items such as airports, monuments,
memorials, etc.

F: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

576

MONTHLY LABOR

T able F-2: Value of Contracts Awarded and Force-Account Work Started on Federally Financed
New Construction, by Type of Construction1
Value (in thousands)
Conservation and
development

Building
Nonresidential
Period

Total
new con­ Air­
struc­
ports 8
tion 9

Total

Resi­
den­
tial

Hospital and
institutional
Total

Edu­
ca­
tional 4
Total

$561, 394
1936 .............................. $1,533,439 (7)
1939................................ 1, 586; 604 $4, 753 669,222
7,
775,
497
579,176
6,130,389
1942................................
1946............- .................. 1, 450, 252 14,859 549,656
1947................................ 1,294,069 24,645 276, 514

$63,465 $497, 929 (8)
(*)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(*) $189,710
231,071 438; 151 (»)
225; 423
(«')
(8)
(8)
(8>
(8>
549,472 5, 580, 917 (8)
217, 795
(8>
(8)
(8)
(8)
(8>
435, 453 114,203 (»)
300,405
(8)
(8)
(8)
(8)
(8>
225,328
$47,692
$5,
708
$31,159
51,186
$101,831 $96,123
$44, 646 308,029

1947: September____
O ctober.-..........
November_____
December..........

89, 262
111,191
114,096
112,388

1,109
4,503
772
806

5,153
7, 928
16, 351
32,973

409
586
711
104

4,744
7,342
15.640
32,869

1,155
1,198
912
913

1948: January..............
February...........
March.................
April....................
M ay.....................
June.....................
July............ .........
A u g u st9______
September 19__

105, 737
155,428
145,350
154,375
114, 040
134, 800
137, 730
123,433
113,641

808
645
5,322
2,521
1,199
2,003
1,578
1,997
(s)

14,136
46,632
63,193
9,867
24, 712
35, 989
9, 944
6,384
17, 504

149
859
61
553
364
825
254
120
66

13,987
45, 773
63,132
9,314
24, 348
35,164
9, 690
6, 264
17,438

253
168
256
12
468
89
0
2
31

1 Excludes projects classified as “secret” by the military, and all construc­
tion for the Atomic Energy Commission. Data for Federal-aid programs
cover amounts contributed by both the owner and the Federal Government.
J Includes major additions and alterations.
* Excludes hangars and other buildings, which are included under “ Other
nonresidental” building construction.
4 Includes educational facilities under the Federal temporary reuse educa­
tional facilities program.


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

Vet­
erans’ Other

AdminTotal
istra- Other
non­
tion
resi­
and
gen­ dential
eral 5

249
217
705
668
9,991 9, 961
26,433 26,378

32
37
30
65

8,603
41, 557
58, 920
5,049
20, 045
13, 739
1,493
872
13,178

215
205
211
557
170
1,417
5,198
3,530
181

8,818
41, 762
59,131
5, 606
20,215
15,156
6, 691
4, 402
13,359

2,565
1, 578
3, 506
3,332

Rec­
lama­
tion

River,
har­
bor,
and
flood
control

High­
ways

All
other •

$73, 797 $115,913 $511, 685 $270,650
115,612 109; 811 355, 701 331, 505
150, 708 67,087 347, 988 500,149
169, 253 131,152 535, 784 49, 548
77,095 230, 934 657,087 27,794

775
3,861
1, 231
2,191

22,197
20, 650
46,049
19,541

1,699
3,967
628
6,928

20, 498
16, 683
45, 421
12,613

59,827
73, 720
49,220
54,349

976
4,390
1,704
4, 719

1,961 2,955
1,735 2,108
1,230 2, 515
1,863 1,833
1,861 1,804
9, 696 10, 223
1,185 1,814
887
973
1,985 2,063

41, 585
57,361
21, 793
79, 782
10, 309
23, 628
41, 546
21, 982
27,080

4,667
1,226
6,639
56, 934
4, 738
8,877
1,327
4, 269
2,959

36, 918
56,132
15,154
22,848
5, 571
14, 751
40, 219
17,713
24,121

47,268
49, 426
51,561
58, 247
75, 648
68, 486
78,428
91,305
65,916

1,940
1,364
3,481
3, 958
2,172
4,694
6,234
1, 765
3,141

• Includes post offices, armories, offices, and customs houses.
• Includes electrification projects, water-supply and sewage-disposal sys­
tems, forestry projects, railroad construction, and other types of projects not
elsewhere classified.
7 Included in “All other.”
• Unavailable.
9 Revised.
10 Preliminary.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

F: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

577

T able F-3: Urban Building Authorized, by Principal Class of Construction and by Type of Building1
Number of new dwelling units—House­
keeping only

Valuation (in thousands)
N ew residential building
Period

Privately financed

Total all
classes »

Housekeeping
Privately financed dwelling units

Total

1-family

2-fam­
ily »

1942.......................
$2, 707, 673 $598, 570 $478, 658 $42, 629
4, 743,414 ......................
1946
...................... ......................
2,114,833 1,......................
830. 260 103,042
5, 549, 718 2,880, 926 2, 361, 509 156,408
1947
..... .

►

Multifami­
ly *

NonPublicly housefinanced keeping »
dwell­
ing
units

New
nonresidential
building

Addi­
tions,
altera­
tions,
and
repairs

Pub­
licly
f i­

Total

1-family

$77, 283 $296,933 $22,910 $1,510,688 $278,472 184,892 138, 908
181, 531 355, 587 43, 369 1,458,602 771,023 430,195 358,151
363,009
35,177 29, 831 1, 712,672 891,112 501,353 393, 550

2-fam­ M ulti­
ily» family <

nanced

15,747
24, 326
34,159

30,237
47, 718
73,644

95,946
98,310
5,100

1947: August___
September.
O ctober....
November.
December-

667, 979
561, 536
604, 165
501, 556
479,881

297,022
303, 186
340,627
256, 728
227, 675

238, 222
251, 286
275, 691
201, 262
179,806

16, 432
14, 780
18, 032
15, 724
11,951

42, 368
37.120
46, 904
39, 742
35,918

1,604
2,229
3,795
6, 519
2,992

2,966
4, 080
3,450
5,620
2,284

182,041
162, 234
168, 334
166,472
177, 315

84, 346
89, 807
87, 957
66, 217
69,615

51,121
51, 877
55, 870
41,010
36,088

39. 233
40, 834
42,825
30, 284
26, 596

3,521
2, 992
3, 536
3,316
2,443

8, 367
8,051
9,509
7,410
7,049

192
275
460
865
364

1948: January...
February..
March___
April......... .
M ay...........
June...........
July •____
August

426,531
414, 339
631, 621
714, 954
657, 480
699, 657
650,119
645,816

198,698
202,050
321, 562
411,300
349, 949
365,656
320, 797
347, 869

150, 879
146,934
252, 778
317,892
291, 208
301, 598
264, 509
263,890

11, 501
8,954
20,016
34, 372
17,895
16, 432
15,899
13, 292

36, 318
46,162
48, 768
69,036
40, 846
47, 626
40,389
70, 687

6,616
9,237
597
1, 960
5,393
3, 350
10, 969
7,760

3,224
1,441
4,082
6,166
2, 729
4, 711
3,167
3,186

152,086
141,188
222, 665
196, 095
205.619
219, 962
219, 598
193,374

65, 907
60, 423
82,815
99, 433
93, 790
105, 978
95,588
93, 627

32, 523
32,166
50, 788
64, 387
52, 811
54,112
46. 573
46, 706

23,704
22,180
37, 520
45, 700
41,423
42,106
36,661
35,816

2,280
1,863
4,092
6,997
3,769
3,327
2, 971
2, 296

6, 539
8,123
9,176
11, 690
7,619
8, 679
6, 941
8,594

820
1,125
85
254
733
439
1,260
806

»1 Building for which building permits were issued and Federal contracts
awarded in all urban places, including an estimate of building undertaken in
some smaller urban places that do not issue permits.
The data cover federally and non-federally financed building construction
combined. Estimates of non-Federal (private, and State and local govern­
ment) urban building construction are based primarily on building-permit
reports received from places containing about 85 percent of the urban popula­
tion of the country; estimates of federally financed projects are compiled from
notifications of construction contracts awarded, which are obtained from
other Fed eral agencies. Data from build in g permits are not adjusted to allow
for lapsed permits or for lag between permit issuance and the start of con­
struction. Thus, the estimates do not represent construction actually started
during the month.

À

A

►


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Urban, as defined by the Bureau of the Census, covers all incorporated
places of 2,500 population or more in 1940, and, by special rule, a small number
of unincorporated civil divisions.
! Covers additions, alterations, and repairs, as well as new residential and
nonresidential building.
3 Includes units in 1-family and 2-family structures with stores.
4 Includes units in multifamily structures with stores.
1 Covers hotels, dormitories, tourist cabins, and other nonhousekeeping
residential buildings.
« Revised.
’ Preliminary.

MONTHLY LABOR

F: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

578

T able F-4: New Nonresidential Building Authorized in All Urban Places,1 by General Type and by
Geographic D ivision2
Valuation (in thousands)
Geographic division and
type of new nonresi­
dential building

1947

1948
A u g .3

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Nov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

1947

1946

Total

Total

All t y p e s - ........................ $193, 374 $219, 598 $219,962 $205,619 $196,095 $222, 565 $141,188 $152,086 $177,315 $166,472 $168,334 $162, 234 $182, 041 $1,712, 674 $1, 458, 602
N ew England-------M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
West North Central.
South Atlantic------East South Central.
W est South Central.
M ountain.................
Pacific........................
Industrial buildings 4. . .
New England_____
M iddle Atlantic___
E ast North Central.
West North Central
South Atlantic____
East South Central.
WTest South Central.
M ountain_________
Pacific______ _____
Commercial buildings ».
New England......... .
M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
West North Central
South Atlantic------East South Central.
W est South Central.
M ountain..................
Pacific____________
Community buildings A
New England_____
Middle Atlantic___
E ast North Central.
West North Central.
South Atlantic----East South Central.
W est South Central.
M ountain..................
Pacific...... ..................
Public buildings 7_.........
New England-------M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
W est North Central.
South A tlantic.........
East South Central.
West South Central.
M ountain.......... .......
Pacific____________
Public works and utility
buildings 8__________
New England_____
M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
West North Central.
South Atlantic____
East South Central.
West South Central.
M ountain................ .
Pacific...... ..................
All other buildings •___
New England...........
M iddle Atlantic___
East North Central.
W est North Central.
South Atlantic____
East South Central.
West South Central.
M ountain..................
Pacific.........................

10, 532
32, 532
49, 357
17, 026
17,104
8,649
14,885
8, 567
34, 722
26,828
546
7, 003
9,511
1,957
1, 670
1,023
1,800
120
3,198
79, 526
4, 718
12,884
15, 725
7,128
10, 426
3,864
7, 076
4,965
12, 740
57,005
4,137
9,095
13, 383
3, 521
3,869
2,409
4,481
2, 578
13, 532
5,155
100
498
3, 385
138
47
0
260
73
654

15, 340
30,752
57, 717
12,114
34,905
6, 392
25,965
7,778
28, 636
24, 387
3, 526
5,155
9, 217
713
1,180
452
1,836
65
2,243
92,057
5,780
13,177
17,174
6, 575
13, 501
3,202
12, 324
4,192
16,132
67, 786
3,443
8, 658
21, 303
2, 736
10, 567
2,294
9, 545
2,825
6, 415
5,629
55
337
3,700
36
913
0
286
68
234

20,512
32,431
55,231
13,671
24, 933
8,682
20,319
4,429
39, 754
32,832
2,365
4,938
15,602
2,039
2,159
1,465
1,023
248
2,993
82,407
7,307
13, 508
17,903
4,647
10,361
3,232
8,120
2,761
14, 568
66,074
8,780
8,753
14,105
3,994
6,508
2,591
8,835
566
11,942
14, 736
613
2,463
1, 276
754
1,449
1,029
1,467
475
5,210

10,142
50, 897
37, 567
12,079
19, 745
7, 798
24,584
7,818
34,989
26, 233
2,360
8, 375
7,997
908
1,496
691
1,316
147
2,943
84,424
3, 275
10, 550
14,660
6,022
11,923
3,375
13,455
3,275
17,889
66, 775
3, 457
26,082
10,354
2,528
2,887
2,931
7,999
3,907
6,630
4,296
90
1,147
101
26
91
413
333
36
2,059

10,279
27,338
45,082
14, 985
22,840
6,176
21,805
6,240
41,350
26, 899
971
7,518
9,262
3,081
1,519
225
760
79
3,484
83,852
3,401
11, 506
15,198
5,692
13,498
3,891
10,441
3,747
16,478
51,410
4,255
4,373
13, 954
2,665
4,761
1,243
7,359
É299
11, 501
5,508
121
659
475
1,500
648
209
203
341
1,352

8,956
55, 770
33, 614
16, 434
25, 267
9,902
21, 558
8, 724
42, 340
32, 910
1,806
6,823
9, 513
1,728
4,469
1,088
2,409
383
4,691
82, 366
2, 547
12, 753
10,010
8,286
9,118
3,245
10,917
4,998
20, 492
78, 226
3,477
32, 780
8, 707
3, 796
9, 623
1,134
6, 463
2, 778
9, 468
7,055
455
488
849
124
394
3, 374
496
61
814

5,236
20,497
26, 458
16, 566
14, 562
3,928
27, 433
3,826
22, 682
16, 883
1,051
3,699
3,859
1, 205
1, 640
330
1,637
119
3,343
47, 315
1,257
5,411
7,891
2, 586
8,170
2,027
8, 062
2,093
9,818
58, 666
1,465
10, 049
10,989
11,998
3, 341
675
16, 591
608
2,950
5,323
1,250
112
568
77
349
417
566
259
1, 725

26, 689
9,305
21, 268
8, 813
18, 547
7,152
27,121
2, 761
30, 460
17,453
803
2, 250
5,477
971
1,927
466
1,641
380
3, 568
72, 617
12,431
5, 412
10,188
5,171
7, 445
4,172
12,036
1,484
14, 278
34, 404
5,944
666
2,623
787
7, 570
1,757
11, 007
409
3,641
5, 577
2,289
214
684
535
30
206
1,023
113
483

6,307
42, 529
29,084
19, 008
21, 403
7,327
17,923
4,067
29,669
33, 524
1,642
7,053
10,137
1,781
3,851
1,489
2,666
181
4, 724
65, 591
1,804
13, 222
11, 518
6,885
7,949
1, 978
8, 705
1,651
11,879
49,975
938
20, 629
4,336
7,752
3,617
3,239
4,313
1,270
3,881
4,556
602
219
900
200
92
150
551
180
1, 762

14, 753
23, 513
36, 414
12, 263
15,958
5,076
26, 079
3,828
28, 590
22, 702
2, 601
3, 067
9,012
1,384
1,410
981
1,456
359
2,432
66, 927
3,367
8,114
13, 767
5,215
7, 721
2, 582
8,292
2,753
15,116
48,969
5,110
10, 419
5,355
3,760
5,151
709
13,456
392
4, 617
4,920
834
200
802
26
244
166
1,842
0
806

12,395
21, 465
44,187
13,476
19,182
6,159
15,366
5,449
30, 657
25,194
1,920
4,963
9,342
1,671
1,714
717
1, 282
257
3,328
78, 647
4,203
10, 739
15, 739
5,960
10, 423
3, 619
9,968
2,950
15,046
37,262
4,214
2, 418
9, 798
4,174
5,149
1, 427
2,907
1,659
5,516
1,767
355
3
386
86
237
55
165
99
381

10,949
18, 845
36, 338
12,217
17, 791
6,175
19, 454
6,039
34,424
27, 806
2, 504
4,668
9, 538
2,010
1,304
1,557
1,516
504
4, 205
82, 681
4, 233
7,641
14, 846
6, 342
11, 353
2, 997
11,651
3,370
20, 248
23,340
788
4,538
3, 553
1,410
2,991
1,111
4,193
1,117
3, 639
3,744
0
10
1, 444
168
7
135
615
362
1,003

6,541
40, 322
49, 539
10, 752
16, 321
6,936
11,915
9,646
30, 071
40,407
892
7, 615
21,767
3,078
1,315
1,207
1,657
200
2,676
69, 641
3,294
9,780
17,196
4, 585
10, 031
3, 821
6,477
2,431
12,026
49,750
1,437
20, 718
3,802
1, 549
3, 659
974
2,218
5.212
10, 181
3,398
77
324
1,332
177
306
17
314
282
569

109, 831
271,742
372,866
132,163
200, 042
73,138
193, 072
58,162
301, 658
321,847
25,952
57, 755
118, 666
19,890
20, 549
13, 573
17, 519
2,852
45,091
686, 920
32,853
90, 725
119, 958
57, 240
106, 788
34, 680
91, 548
26,855
126, 273
406,890
25, 759
80,190
62, 541
34,639
40,161
16,895
65,309
18, 366
63, 030
40, 699
3, 418
4,712
8,171
1,696
6,285
830
4,430
2,416
8, 741

103, 716
195,161
338, 659
112,927
171, 247
65, 583
132,641
40,287
298,391
397,237
19, 477
77,845
133, 599
29.161
34, 612
14,688
13,145
4,417
70, 293
669, 574
43,164
74, 569
119, 011
51,822
87,405
34,647
82,156
26, 057
150,743
190,163
19,739
21, 247
42, 412
19,160
22,570
12,954
25,963
5,367
20,751
12, 042
371
1,493
880
190
988
116
665
70
7,269

11,871
290
1,587
3, 584
3,103
388
865
413
334
1,307
12; 989
741
1,466
3, 769
1,179
' 704
487
854
497
3, 292

17,846
1,736
1,923
3, 279
882
7,845
193
1,494
209
285
11,893
800
1,502
3,044
1,172
' 899
251
480
419
3, 326

9,306
530
1,252
2,549
1,082
3,051
11
322
8
501
14,607
917
1,517
3, 797
1,155
1,405
353
552
371
4,540

10,167
119
3,045
1,094
1,055
2, 572
86
669
2
1,525
13, 724
841
1,698
3,361
1,540
776
302
812
451
3,943

15,639
581
1,839
2,692
701
1, 556
315
2,099
238
5,618
12,787
950
1,443
3,501
1,346
858
293
943
536
2,917

12, 715
309
1, 784
2,889
1, 762
592
702
688
155
3,834
9,293
362
1,142
1,646
738
1, 071
35£
585
34£
3,041

7,483
75
671
2,481
459
670
325
208
575
2,019
5, 518
138
555
67C
241
392
151
369
172
2,827

16,284
5,113
365
1, 649
1,035
1,125
410
814
50
5,723
5, 751
109
398
647
311
45C
141
600
325
2, 767

16,942
1, 092
576
1,211
1,803
5,347
307
1,241
499
4, 866
6,729
329
830
982
587
547
164
447
286
2,557

13,105
2,243
518
5, 544
508
872
413
411
13
2,583
9,851
598
1,195
1,934
1,370
560
225
622
311
3,036

12,128
741
1,205
5,413
552
813
51
339
0
3,014
13,338
962
2,137
3, 509
1,033
846
290
705
484
3,372

12, 889
2, 723
608
3, 541
1,036
1,434
125
740
158
2,524
11,772
701
1,380
3, 416
1,251
702
250
739
528
2, 805

7, 452
147
681
2, 767
282
346
550
720
1,147
812
11,395
694
1,204
2, 675
1,081
664
367
529
374
3,807

143,827
15, 086
24,968
35, 972
8,738
19, 046
4,154
7,648
3,520
24, 695
112, 491
6,764
13, 392
27, 556
9, 961
7,213
3,005
6,618
4,153
33,829

102,241
15, 638
10, 052
23, 383
6,108
20, 037
862
5,048
1,486
19, 627
77,345
5, 328
9, 944
19,374
6,485
5,635
2, 316
5, 664
2, 889
29, 710

1 Building for which permits were issued and Federal contracts awarded in
all urban places, including an estimate of building undertaken in some
smaller urban places that do not issue permits. Sums of components do not
always equal totals exactly because of rounding.
3 For scope and source of urban estimates, see table F-3, footnote 1.
* Preliminary.
4 Includes factories, navy yards, army ordnance plants, bakeries, ice plants,
industrial warehouses, and other buildings at the site of these and similar
production plants.
* Includes amusement and recreation buildings, stores and other mercantile


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

buildings, commercial garages, gasoline and service stations, etc.
« Includes churches, hospitals, and other institutional buildings, schools,
' Includes Federal, State, county, and municipal buildings, such as post
offices, courthouses, city halls, fire and police stations, jails, prisons, arsenals,
armories, army barracks, etc.
* Includes railroad, bus and airport buildings, roundhouses, radio stations,
gas and electric plants, public comfort stations, etc.
• Includes private garages, sheds, stables and barns, and other buildings
not elsewhere classified.

REVIEW, NOVEMBER 1948

F: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

579

T able F-5: Number and Construction Cost of New Permanent Nonfarm Dwelling Units Started, by
Urban or Rural Location, and by Source of Funds 1
Number of new dwelling units started
All units

Period

Privately financed

Estimated construction cost
(in thousands)»

Publicly financed

Total
nonfarm

Urban

Rural
nonfarm

Total
nonfarm

Urban

1925 *.......................................... ...........
1933 4______ ______________ _____
1941 •________________________
1944 •______ ________________ _ .
1946___________________________
1947___________________________

937,000
93,000
706,100
141,800
670, 500
849,000

752,000
45,000
434,300
96, 200
403, 700
479,800

185,000
48,000
271,800
45,600
266,800
369,200

937,000
93,000
619, 511
138,692
662,473
845, 560

752,000
45,000
369, 499
93, 216
395,673
476,360

185,000
48,000
250,012
45,476
266,800
369, 200

0
0
86, 589
3,108
8,027
3,440

0
0
64,801
2,984
8,027
3,440

1947: First quarter.............. ..............
January_______________
February______________
March________________

138,100
39,300
42, 800
56,000

81,000
24,200
25,000
31,800

57,100
15,100
17,800
24, 200

137,016
38, 216
42,800
56,000

79, 916
23,116
25,000
31, 800

57,100
15,100
17,800
24,200

1,084
1,084
0
0

1,084
1,084
0
0

0
0
0
0

808, 263
223, 577
244,425
340, 261

800, 592
215i 906
244,425
340,261

7, 671
7; 671
0
0

Second quarter____________
April_______ . ______
M a y .— _______________
June— _______________

217, 200
67,100
72,900
77,200

119,100
37,600
39,300
42,200

98,100
29, 500
33,600
35,000

217,000
67,100
72,900
77,000

118,900
98,100
37,600 • 29,500
39,300
33, 600
42,000
35,000

200
0
0
200

200
0
0
200

0
0
0
0

1,361, 677
418, 451
452, 236
490, 990

1,360,477
418i 451
452; 236
489,790

1, 200
0
0
1,200

Third quarter_____________
July_____________ ____ _
August________________
September_____________

261, 200
81,100
86,300
93,800

142, 200
44, 500
47,400
50,300

119,000
36,600
38, 900
43, 500

260, 733
81,100
86,108
93, 525

141, 733
44,500
47, 208
50,025

119,000
36,600
38, 900
43, 500

467
0
192
275

467
0
192
275

0
0
0
0

1, 774,150
539,333
589, 470
645,347

1,770,475
539,333
587,742
643; 400

3,675
0
1, 728
1, 947

Fourth quarter____________
October_______________
November_____________
December________ ____

232, 500
94,000
79,700
58,800

137, 500
53, 200
48,000
36,300

95,000
40,800
31, 700
22, 500

230,811
93, 540
78,835
58,436

135,811
52,740
47,135
35, 936

95,000
40,800
31,700
22,500

1,689
460
865
364

1,689
460
865
364

0
0
0
0

1,698,708
678,687
584, 731
435,290

1,685,881
' 675; 197
578; 324
432,360

12,827
3; 490
6,407
2; 930

1948: First quarter______________
January_______________
February______________
March________________

177,300
52,600
49, 600
75,100

101, 200
30, 400
28,800
42,000

76,100
22, 200
20, 800
33,100

174, 996
51, 776
48,445
74, 775

99,052
29, 603
27, 774
41, 675

75, 944
22,173
20, 671
33,100

2,304
824
1,155
325

2,148
797
1, 026
325

156
27
129
0

1, 287, 460
372,657
363, 421
551,382

1, 268, 661
365,886
354, 218
548, 557

18, 799
6; 771
9,203
2; 825

Second quarter 8___________
April.. . . . . .
____
M ay 7___________ _____
June 8_________________

294. 200
98, 800
99,400
96, 000

164,000
54,400
56, 700
52, 900

130, 200
44, 400
42, 700
43,100

291,023
97, 518
97, 902
95, 603

162,430
54,156
55, 603
52, 581

128, 593
43,362
42,209
43,022

3,177
1,282
1,498
397

1,570
244
1,007
319

1,607
1,038
491
78

2,214, 738
729, 713
753, 661
731,364

2,185, 661
' 717, 996
739; 605
728; 060

29,077
lb 717
14; 056
3; 304

Third quarter_____________
July
...............................
A u g u st8______________

94,000
83, 000

49, 700
(9)

44,300
(9)

93, 640
(s)

49,340
(9)

44,300
(9)

360
m

360
(9)

0
(9)

725, 900
675, 654

723,032
(9)

2,868
(9)

• The estimates shown here do not include temporary units, conversions,
dormitory accommodations, trailers, or military barracks. They do include
prefabricated housing units.
These estimates are based on building-permit records, which, beginning
with 1945, have been adjusted for lapsed permits and for lag between permit
issuance and start of construction. They are based also on reports of Federal
construction contract awards and beginning in 1946, on field surveys in
nonpermit-issuing places. The data in this table refer to nonfarm dwelling
units started, and not to urban dwelling units authorized, as shown in table
F-3.
A ll of these estimates contain some error. In 1948, for example, if the
estimate of nonfarm starts is 50,000, the chances are about 19 out of 20 that
an actual enumeration would produce a figure between 47,600 and 52,400
In 1946 and 1947, the range of error was approximately twice as large. The

Rural
Total
Rural
nonfarm nonfarm Urban nonfarm

Total

Privately
financed

0 $4, 475,000 $4, 475, 000
285,446
0
285.446
21, 788 2,825,895 2,530, 765
124
495,054
483, 231
0 3, 769, 767 3,713, 776
0 5,642, 798 5,617,425

A

U. S. G O V E R N M E N T P R I N T I N G O F F I C E : 1 948


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

I

0
0
295,130
li; 823
55; 991
25; 373

reduction was achieved by improvements in estimating and survey tech­
niques.
1 Private construction costs are based on permit valuation, adjusted for
understatement of costs shown on permit applications. Public construction
costs are based on contract values or estimated construction costs for individ­
ual projects.
* Housing peak year.
* Depression, low year.
8 Recovery peak year prior to wartime limitations.
8 Last full year under wartime control.
7 Revised.
8 Preliminary.
9 N ot available.
•

*

>

Publicly
financed

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